Author's notes: Hey, welcome to my first fanfic, please leave a review whenever you can, it'll help me improve my writing...hopefully.
Chapter one: And so it begins
"That concert was amazing, wasn't it Nick." Judy said as the pair exited the the stadium.
"Meh, it was, okay." Nick responded. He wasn't the biggest Gazelle fan but he wasn't going to turn down the free tickets...or a chance to spend the night with Judy.
"Ok! That finale of 'Try everything' was great. Besides, I saw you having fun." Judy exclaimed at his answer, prompting him to roll his eyes. She had an amazing time that night. Not only did she get to go to a Gazelle concert, she got to spend the night with her favorite fox and best friend, Nick.
They had become close ever since the Night Howler incident a year ago, she even convinced him to join the force and become her partner. They had just spent the day patrolling the city with him. After they clocked out, they went to the concert tonight. Though no matter what, she couldn't shake the feeling that tonight meant more than just two friends going to a concert together.
She was deep in thought when Nick spoke up saying "I'll admit, I had fun...but it had nothing to do with the music" startling Judy.
Wait, was that supposed to mean what I think it did, she thought. Nick on the other hand had slightly different thoughts.
Okay, he thought, here we go, no turning back now.
"I mean, yeah, the music was good, but I was interested in something else." he said both hoping she understood what he was saying and terrified of how she would react if she did.
At that comment, Judy froze where she was. Did he just say what I think he said, she thought while inwardly screaming with joy.
Nick stopped a little after Judy and turned to face her, a mix of dread and excitement filling him. Okay, this is it. Say something. He thought. He opened his mouth to talk but the words caught in his throat.
As mammals walked past them, Judy was the first to speak. "W...well then what were y-you focused on."
Nick thought about what to say for a moment, "I...I was focused on something beautiful" having trouble finding his voice.
"What was so b-beautiful that you couldn't focus on the concert" Judy stammered out.
Nick was panicking internally when he finally managed to to say "You." It was no more than a whisper, but it was enough for Judy. She bounded over to Nick and pulled him into a fierce embrace. Tears forming in their eyes, they agreed to go to Nick's apartment and bounded for the train.
Now back at Nick's apartment, the pair tightly embrace and as they loosen, they look into each others eyes, emerald meeting amethyst "Judy Hopps, I love you and never want to let go" Nick said lovingly.
Judy sniffled and said,"I love you to my sly fox." They both share a laugh and finally calm down.
Nick looks into Judy's eyes and decides Go on, do it Nick, you got this. He slowly leans in and kisses Judy and they lock together like that until they have to breath. They gaze lovingly at each other until they finally break the embrace. Judy just now starts to notice Nick's apartment around her.
"Wow Nick, how can you afford all this."
"Well remember how I said two hundred dollars a day."
"Mmhmm"
"It was an exaggeration, but I still made a lot on a daily basis"
"Oh"
She sat down on the couch and beckoned Nick to sit next to her. He sat down and they immediately started cuddling. After some time on the couch Judy felt it was time to sleep and asked "Soooo, where's the bedroom."
Bedroom, crap should I join her or... Judy answered for him "I want to cuddle with my favorite fox tonight as we fall asleep." As they made their way to the bedroom something dawned on Judy.
"I don't have anything to sleep in" she said.
"Don't worry Carrots, you can borrow one of my shirts and a pair of shorts if you want" Nick said. With a sigh of relief, Judy thanked him and changed into the clothes he offered. I have to admit, she looks cute in the oversized clothes, Nick thought. They made it to the bedroom and snuggled together on the bed with Nick wrapping himself around Judy and covering her with his tail like a blanket. They quickly fell asleep with smiles on their faces.
Judy's natural clock woke her up. After a moment the events of last night came back to her and she smiled looking at the fox she loved. She grudgingly slipped out from Nick's embrace and found her way to the bathroom. Along the way she noticed a clock. 6:30 AM She ran back to the bedroom and woke up Nick.
"Ahhh, whats going on Carrots!" he exclaimed after being awoken.
"Nick! It's six thirty and we need to be at the precinct and in roll by call seven!" He jumped out of bed and they both threw on some clothes and ran out of the building.
They got to the precinct and rushed passed Clawhauser."Hey guys...Huh, they sure are in a hurry"
They changed into their uniforms and ran into the Bullpen. Taking their seat just as Bogo came into the room. The caped buffalo was a stern and strict mammal but he did care about his officers, although he would never admit to that.
"Is there something funny!" he yelled when he noticed some of his officers snickering. "No...good. Today's docket is short so lets get to it. Officers Rizzolie, Fangmyer, and Delgato, I want a debriefing on the progress of your under cover operation, Officers Hopps and Wilde, my office after my debrief with the detectives, the rest of you, patrol. Dismissed."
They walked over to Clawhauser to pass the time untill their meeting with Bogo.
"Hey Clawhauser! Sorry for running past you earlier, we were a little behind." Judy said as she and Nick exited the Bullpen and approached the cheetah.
"Oh, well..." he began when he suddenly noticed the smell in the air. "O. M. GOODNESS!" He squealed.
Suddenly Nick realized why the other officers were snickering Crap, you have got to be kidding me he thought. "You two were together after the concert last night weren't you, that's why you were late this morning. Are you two finally, well you know?"
Judy looked on in shock while Nick just froze hoping no one heard Clawhauser. Judy, realizing there was no way out of this said "Okay, so we may have admitted our feelings to each other. And, ahhh, kissed" the last word just a high pitched whisper.
Nick regained enough composure to add "Please don't make a big deal about this, we should probably talk to Bogo before we come out to the whole precinct."
Clawhauser was disappointed but had to admit he was right, after all he didn't want to be the reason their partnership was broken up. "Okay. But after you tell Bogo can I spread the news, pleeeeease" he said in response.
"Fine, but only if I get a part of the winnings from the betting pool I know has been going on." Nick said smugly.
Clawhauser immediately felt embarrassed. "How did you know about that!?" He said.
"A smart mammal never reveals his sources" Nick said, more smug than before.
"Okay, fine, you have a deal" Clawhauser said.
After that, the fox lead his rabbit to Bogo's office. "They're all going to know." Judy said flatly.
"It was going to happen eventually, better sooner than later." Nick said trying to reassure Judy.
"How did he even know anyway?" she asked.
"He could smell us on each other. I mean, we didn't mark each other but we did cuddle...a lot...so our scents are on each other." He said calmly.
"Oh..."Judy responded as they reached Bogo's office.
When they reached Bogo's office, the three undercover officers exited allowing them to enter.
As they entered, Bogo reached for a file but, before he could speak, Judy spoke up. "Sir, before you address the topic of this meeting, Nick and I need to talk to you about something first."
Slightly angry at being stopped from speaking but also curious Bogo said "What is it Hopps."
She was about to speak when Nick said, "Sir, we are in a relationship and wanted to talk to you before news got out so we could possibly remain partners."
Both bunny and buffalo were stunned. Judy because Nick was so calm and official, Bogo because of what he just learned about these two officers.
After getting past the initial shock Bogo asks "Hopps, is this true?" She nods as she begins to blush and look at the floor. Bogo took a moment to consider this information and finally says, "Normally, in this kind of situation I would separate you two..." Judy suddenly looked up pleadingly while Nick began to protest but, sensing there was more to be said, stopped himself. Bogo continued, trying to avoid the bunny's gaze "But, seeing as you came to me as apposed to me finding out and calling you in, I will grant you my trust and allow you to remain partners. BUT! You get one chance, you show me I can't trust you two together, I will separate you and assign new partners to both of you." Over joyed, the rabbit and fox hugged but quickly recomposed themselves remembering where they were. "Now, as for the case. There is a missing mammal. This is different though as this time, it is a kit. All the information I have for you is in the case file case file you will receive from Clawhauser. You may go now." The two exited the office and headed for Clawhauser's desk.
"This is great, we get to stay partners and we have a real assignment...Oh no, now it's time for Clawhauser to tell everyone." Judy said.
"It'll be fine Carrots, I'm sure everyone will be happy for us anyway." Nick said to calm down Judy.
They got to Clawhauser's desk and as soon as they said they told Bogo, he yelled over to another officer,"Hey McHorn, it finally happened, you won the bet." The rhino started laughing and as others finally caught on, they gave Nick and Judy knowing looks and the occasional pat on the back.
As the officers calmed down and returned to their work Clawhauser handed Judy the case file and Nick the money he was promised. "I'm so happy you guys finally got together. Most of the precinct has been expecting it ever since we saw you run after Nick after the press conference, Judy." Clawhauser said as Judy began to read the file.
"Really?" She said surprised.
"Yeah, we saw you running after him looking so sad that he stormed off. Some of us almost expected you to push through the crowd and run after him." Clawhauser said joyfully.
"Huh. Thinking back on it, I considered doing that but then they started surrounding me and I couldn't get through. But if I had, I may have never gone back to the farm and made the connection to the Night Howlers." Judy said. Suddenly a thought dawned on her. Nonononononono. What am I going to do about them.
Noticing the worried expression on his partner's face, Nick asked "Hey Carrots, whats wrong. Carrots...Carrots!" shaking her out of her thoughts.
"The farm. My Parents! Nick, what am I going to say to my parents?" Judy said, panicking. This caused the fox to suddenly start panicking as well.
"We have to tell your parents...your fox hating parents." He said flatly, not revealing the sudden panic he was feeling.
They both stood there a moment when Clawhauser spoke, "Guys...calm down. I'm sure they'll understand. And I'm sure they don't hate foxes."
Judy slowly turned to him, panic filling her eyes, "Clawhauser, they are the ones that gave me the fox repellent...and. A. FOX TAZER"
Nick was now filled with fear as well as panic. "Tazer?" was all he could get out.
Judy suddenly realized how Nick felt and tried to reassure him, "Nick" she said softly, "It will be okay, I won't let them taze you. I love you and I don't care what my parents think. We'll be okay, I promise." This had the intended effect and Nick calmed down.
Clawhauser couldn't contain himself any more and squealed in joy at the interactions of the loving pair. "You guys are just to cute." Judy glared at him for calling her cute and. Realizing the mistake he made, he said, "Sorry Judy, but it's true. You two just seem perfect for each other."
She softened her expression and turned to Nick as he said, "Thanks buddy." He turned to Judy and said, "Lets get to the cruiser and get started on this case."
They exited the building and headed to their car. Once in the cruiser, Judy said to Nick, "We need to talk about how we are going to handle my parents, but we need to focus on the job for now, okay."
"Ok." He responded, dread for the encounter filling him. Judy reached for his paw and squeezed it tight, Nick squeezed back and his worries fled him for the moment.
"Lets go find that kit." He said with his usual confidence. Judy smiled and Nick smiled back as Judy pulled the cruiser out and began driving.
After a few minutes of driving in silence, Nick spoke up, "So, whats our first move Carrots."
"Well, I think we should head to the home and ask the parents a few questions."
"Sounds like a plan. What do you think we can get from them?"
"We need to decide first how she went missing. Did she run away? Was she kitnapped? So on and so forth."
"Mmhmm"
"Then it's decided, to the home."