Hello guys! So I've been reading A LOT of Zootopia fanfictions (200+) stories for the past year and now I finally had the courage to write my own. When I watched the movie more than a year ago, I instantly fell in love with it. The characters are amazing, lovable, and overall cuddly! Theme was very timely, plot was amazing (though there were still plotholes) and thefirst thing that came to mind when I finished it was to search Fanfics written about it. Now lo and behold, I have been binge-reading stories for the past year or so in my other account. I decided to use this one to post my first Zootopia story.

Hopefully I will be able to update as much as I can, but you know, life happens. Simple as that. I have already written the whole plot line, so thinking off stuff to put in won't be a problem, unlike what happened in my previous stories. It's now just a matter of adding anything that would make the story better. I really do hope that I can give Zootopia justice by writting this as best as I can.

I am not, by all means, a good writer. But hopefully this can help me improve my writing skills.

Please review if you like (or don't like) something about the story :)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Chapter 1: Catch Me

Adrian Bogo sat quietly on his new office chair, putting his hooves on his head as a loud sigh escape him. At the very least, this new chair seemed comfortable enough. It was not that he didn't like the last one. But there was nothing that could be done about it now. After the debacle yesterday with some of his new recruits, it could hardly be called a chair after being thrown into the back end of his office. Another sigh left him. He could hardly comprehend how such mammals, who graduated in the top tenth percentile (as was the requirement to be stationed in Precinct One), could even consider skipping rollcall and stroll around the building akin to a group of frenzied tourists arriving in a foreign country.

Needless to say he spent most of that morning chewing them out as they cowered like lost children.

He can feel the start of a headache creeping along the edges of his head, and it wasn't even rollcall yet. To say that he had woken up on the wrong side of the bed would be very much accurate. Call it enigmatic intuition, but he could tell that after today, he'll be worse for wear. More so than usual.

But for a Police Chief, it was just another day in the office.

Never was it known that the youngest police chief the city has ever seen, the first prey police chief, would become one of the most hardened, albeit efficient chiefs of the ZPD. His petrifying gaze was enough to break any criminal or corrupt cop unlucky enough to come under it. The gaze some of his new recruits won't be forgetting any time soon. There was a reason why his interrogations, as rare as it is, were sights to behold.

He was pretty sure Arthur already went to the precinct psychiatrist for PTSD.

He sat back and tried to settle comfortably on the black fabric. At the very least it was doing his back a few favors, though it did little to ease the growing throb in his head. This batch of new recruits was a large bag of migraines if he had ever seen, or rather felt, one.

They are even worse than Hopps and Wilde during their first days… he grudgingly thought. And that was definitely saying something.

Though that was four years past, and now the dynamic duo, as most officers, including himself, has dubbed them, have risen past their naivety and are now veteran cops under his watch. Throughout his six years as Chief of Police, Bogo had never seen such an efficient team. With Hopps' valiant sense of integrity and justice, as well as Wilde's wide array of contacts, links, and extensive knowledge of Zootopia itself, they are damn near unstoppable. During their first six months as partners, they managed to bag more criminals than his other officers had in years. They are truly an astonishing team, for the lack of a better term. And to think that he almost fired the bunny just a few days of her being stationed here.

It was truly a humbling experience for him.

Yet despite this, they are also another bag of headaches he has to deal with. Daily.

Especially Wilde with his maddening need to pester him and his fellow officers.

His jokes… his damnable jokes…

He was about to elicit a groan when a soft knock on his door was heard. He was a bit surprised at this. Normally Clawhauser would alert him if someone was looking for him. Despite that he straightened himself. He gave a gruff response, "Come in."

The door opened slowly and the body of the portly cheetah was bended over as if picking something up. Confusion gnawed at Bogo as he saw Clawhauser carry two steaming cups of coffee on his hands as he entered the room. Ben smiled as he used his feet to close the door as lightly as he could. Walking over to his desk, Bogo's mind wandered on how Ben's body seems to bounce every time he takes a step. It was adorable in a way. The cheetah's smile seemed to be infectious as the usually gruff buffalo returned it with the same amount of friendliness.

Clawhauser set one of the cups down on Bogo's desk and took a step back, taking a sip from the other one.

"Sorry if I just decided to barge in chief. I knew something was up when I called out to you when you came in through the doors and… didn't respond." He said.

Bogo tilted his head at this. Clawhauser called out to him? "I… didn't realize. I apologize."

Clawhauser smiled. "It's alright chief. Figured this coffee would relieve some of the stress from yesterday." Bogo must have eyed it suspiciously because Clawhauser gave a soft laugh. "Don't worry chief, it's not sludge. It's from Michael's Roast."

Bogo sighed with relief. The thing he hates more that annoying officers was the precinct's free coffee. It was no surprise that everyone now dubbed it as 'sludge', courtesy of Wilde.

He grabbed the steaming cup and took a whiff. The scent of almond and caramel danced in his sinuses and he could do little to stop the soft moan that escaped his lips. Ben seemed to giggle at this.

His eyes landed in the cheetah, "Almond and caramel cappuccino. How did you know it was my favorite?"

Taking a sip from his strawberry latte, he answered, "I can smell it every time you come in holding a cup of coffee. Seeing that the brand of the cup was Michael's Roast, and with you looking so worn out this morning, I decided to drop by and ask the barista what your usual was." He raised his own cup, "I decided to buy my own as well. I got to say their drinks are delicious! I looked at their pastries and saw this huge, honey-glazed donut with those peppermint sprinkles. O M Goodness they are just heavenly!"

Bogo smiled at this. It was always so calming for him seeing Ben being all, well, Ben. "There's a reason why I go there when I have a chance, besides the fact that they're the only cafe open at that time of day."

"And now thanks to you, I know where to binge more donuts!"

The smile turned into a small chuckle, which slowly settled to a warm smile, "Well at any rate, thank you, Ben, really. You don't know how much I needed this."

"Oh the coffee's nothing at all sir, seeing as you needed a pick-me-up."

He slowly shook his head, "I didn't mean just the coffee, Ben."

This made the cheetah blush softly, mumbling something under his breath. He turned his body towards the door. "It's no problem chief. See you later."

He was at the door when he remembered the second reason why he came up to Bogo's office, "Oh by the way chief, the case files you requested are already printed. You can just get them from my desk when you go down for rollcall later."

Smile still plastered on his face, he nodded. "Understood."

As the door closed, he let out a soft sigh as his gaze fell on his coffee, his smile never leaving him.

Maybe this day wouldn't be as bad as he thought it would be.

He took a generous sip and closed his eyes.

Delicious.

The groan of their cruiser died down as they parked in the lot of the ZPD. Judy Hopps got down from the driver seat, dusting her uniform one more time as she closed the car door and started twirling the keys deftly on her paws as spring in her step as she walked towards the front of the cruiser. She heard the other door slam shut as Nick Wilde came into view, also dusting off his newly-ironed police uniform, yet with a vexed looked on his face.

"I swear Carrots, that's the last time we're going to drive though Sahara Square with the windows down. Fresh air, my fluffy butt." He lolled his tongue out, "I thing I thill taith thum thand on my thung."

She snickered at this, "I thought the fresh Sahara air would do us some good."

He glowered at this, "Would do me any good. The window on my side was the only one down. Yours was completely closed. I can feel sand on almost every part my my body!"

"Almost?" her tone suddenly bordered on suggestiveness, which the fox immediately picked up, "Now which parts don't have any sand on them, hmm?"

He smirked back, already thinking that flustering her would be ample payback. With half-lidded eyes he retorted back, "Wouldn't you like to know?"

He still remembered the time when a few suggestive, slightly risque drollery were enough to annoy (and sometimes fluster) the bunny. The way her radar-like ears would attempt to match his fur color was, in a way, adorable, and if he were to be extremely honest, very satisfying. Though a punch in the arm afterwards, courtesy of the rabbit, would sometimes make him regret his actions.

What Nick didn't expect was Judy moving her muzzle close to his, only a few millimeters separating them. This sudden action made him step back on the car, hitting it with a slight thud. He swallowed as Judy responded softly, eyes the same state as his a few moments ago, "Yes I would, actually."

She closed the distance as she gave him a quick peck in the nose. He stood there, dumbfounded as he realized that his words completely backfired. Who's the flustered one now Wilde? He thought to himself.

He slowly relaxed as Judy took a step back and smiled at him. He shook his head, "I taught you too well, Carrots. The innocent bunny isn't so innocent anymore."

"We've been together for the past year Nick, and while you were ogling at me all this time, I've been learning a lot from you."

He closed their distance once again as he gave her a hug, "And who can ever resist such a beautiful face, Fluff Butt."

"That's right. I have a fluffy butt, don't I?" she replied, leaning back into his hold and closer her eyes in apparent comfort.

He laughed at this, "Yeah, and if we really don't get inside soon, chief is going to have our fluffy butts on his wall."

Her eyes snapped open as she looked at her watch. "Oh sweet cheese and crackers!" She released herself from his hug and ran as quickly as she can towards the main doors of the ZPD, failing to realize that she left Nick in her wake.

Nick shook his head and walked casually, a slight smile evident as he silently reminisced on how he and Judy became a couple.

True, they were partners in the clock, and anybody with a functioning eye can see that separating them would not only destroy the what they have for each other, but would demolish what the public see as the epitome of 'harmonious predator and prey relations'. Nick laughed inwardly, harmonious… huh. That's one way of calling it. They had endured a lot of challenges and near-death experiences for them to arrive where they are now, that much is evident. And honestly, he wouldn't change a thing. After months of skirting around implied, albeit vague declarations of love and so-called friendly dates, Judy was actually the one who got fed up with all the waiting and elusion, and finally asked him out. Which utterly and totally surprised him up to this day. But the hustler that he is, he showed no indication of this and told her that that was his plan all along.

The truth can never be farther from it.

And now, not only are they partners in the ZPD, but in life as well.

This, of course, put both of them in the spotlight as soon as word got out in the ZPD. They still haven't figured out how the whole precinct managed to find out, but five bucks says that Clawhauser was behind it. That portly cheetah could definitely sniff out all of the juiciest gossips for miles. When they got to work that day, everyone stared at them for a few seconds as soon as they entered the ZPD. Everyone stopped what they're doing, even the criminals, looking as if they were sizing them up for a meal, and the next thing they knew there were groans and cheers as everyone exchanged money at Ben's desk.

The betting pool at the ZPD was an uncanny phenomenon.

After a few congratulations and back-breaking pats at the back, Bogo called them to his office, and that's when the dread started. They were sure they were going to be separated, lectured with the rules about fraternization among officers, berated for being a couple at all, giving the ZPD a bad light, and all of the other reasons their paranoid minds concocted as they made their way to Bogo's office. Instead another surprise slapped them in their faces as the gruff and hardened buffalo congratulated them. Nick thought that he knew everything about his boss until that day. It seems that people keep surprising him left and right. After a promise of not letting their personal lives interfere with their professional one, they were then sent to the bullpen for the morning briefing.

Life eventually rolled into normalcy after that.

He was suddenly brought back from reality when the cool air from the ZPD enveloped him when he entered the building. He went straight to Clawhauser's desk before going to the bullpen as was his and Judy's tradition. Surprisingly, Judy was not talking to talking to the cheetah, as was their routine. He smirked. The plan was working.

Ben was busy munching on what looked like donuts sprinkled in peppermint, not noticing the fox without his bunny.

"Hey Ben!" Nick leapt up effortlessly on his desk. His muzzle scrunched a bit when he felt peppermint sprinkles crackled under him. "How's it going? Any rumors? Juicy stories? Did Gazelle get knocked up again?"

Clawhauser frowned a bit on that last one, swallowing what's left of his donut. The efficiency on how much donuts he can eat in a minute is astounding. Scary even. But for most people, that's what makes Benjamin Clawhauser one of the most adorable mammals out there. And with his bubbly and carefree personality, any hate towards this rotund cheetah is practically non-existent. Nick pretty much considers him as a close friend.

Considering the fact that Ben seems to laugh at his jokes.

All of them.

Well, almost all of them.

"I already told you Nick, Gazelle's not planning to have any more children. In fact, she's on tour around Europe with her latest album. Besides, another pregnancy and she might lose that beautiful, slender body of hers." He stated, his muzzle creasing into a frown, imagining how that would look like.

"Really? After two pregnancies she barely looks any different. What's one more?"

At this, Ben became contemplative for a second, then his smile grew wide as he realized something. "O M Goodness she could adopt! That would be so cute! Oh I wonder what animal it might be! A horse? No wait, a wolf pup! Nah there's not a lot around there… oh what about a bunny or a fox kit! It would just be so adorable!"

Nick smiled at that, "A fox kit huh? Yeah that would be nice. There's a lot of fox kits given to child services and ends up in shelters or something. Nobody wants to adopt them."

"But doing so would practically publicize the fact that foxes, especially kits aren't so different after all. She could be a hero for foxes just like you Nick!" Ben replied happily.

The fox held up his hands in an attempt to placate Ben's growing enthusiasm, "Woah slow down, Ben. I'm not anybody's hero." Then he paused, "Wait, I never thought I would be saying that to you."

The cheetah put a hand on his chest in mock offense, "Now what is that supposed to mean? Hey Judy, can you-" he stopped, only noticing now that the rabbit was missing. "Wait, where's Judy?"

Nick's signature grin crossed his features, "Carrots? She ran pass you thinking she's late for rollcall."

Ben tilted his head at this, "Rollcall?" He glanced at his watch, "Rollcall doesn't start for fifteen minutes."

"Yeah, but she doesn't know that."

Nick's grin grew wider, which, for Ben, indicated only one thing.

Someone was being hustled.

He was about to inquire when the door of the bullpen slammed open, startling everyone on the lobby. A very small, very angry bunny stood there, glaring at one particular mammal. She emitted such a terrifying sensation that a few around them shrank in fear. It was said that her stare rivals that of Bogo. Some are inclined to agree.

If looks could kill, Nick Wilde would have spontaneously combusted on the spot.

Judy started walking to the front desk slowly, her paw pads echoing on the now silent hall. Everyone cowered on the sight of the rabbit. They knew that if Judy Hopps was pissed off, heads will definitely roll. And a certain red fox would lose his in a few seconds.

At the side, Officer Wolford and Officer Delgato watched as Judy made her way to the now cowering fox. "Fifty bucks says she'll burn the body." Said the wolf.

Delgato shook his head, "Nah, mammals would smell it. Hundred bucks says she'll dump him in the river."

Both of them looked at each other, and then nodded.

"Deal."

Ben was slowly sinking behind his desk as Judy grew nearer, hoping to distance himself from the incoming hellbent bunny. He let out a small whimper as she finally stopped in front of Nick. The fox, knowing that he may have crossed the line this time, smiled weakly, "Oh… umm… hi there, Carrots. H-how's it going?"

His pathetic attempt to start a conversation just seemed to fuel the rabbit more. In one swift movement she yanked Nick's tie to bring him down to her eye level, the fox eliciting a startled yelp.

"W-wait a minute Carrots." He said, looking around at his fellow officers for aid. "Guys?" Most of them looked sadly at him, as if to say: Don't worry. I'll attend your funeral. Though some were too terrified of the bunny that they gave them a wide berth.

He gulped as his face returned to the rabbit in front of him. "You know I love you, r-right Carrots?"

Judy inwardly laughed at the fox's attempt to use his sleek charm against her. She paused for a while, dragging on the minute as others watched the duo in brooding suspense. She leaned closer to him, her voice barely audible to the other mammals. "Do I know that? Yes, yes I do."

Nick sighed as relief washed over him, but it was short-lived when Judy yanked on his tie harder, bringing him lower to the ground, "But what I don't know is why you felt the need to adjust the time on my wristwatch and make an utter fool of myself in the bullpen!"

Nick let out a pathetic meep and tried to shrink back from her gaze, but with her holding his tie like a vise, he wasn't going anywhere. "I came in, out of breath, thinking that Bogo was already giving out assignments, and shouted that I was sorry for being late. But the only ones there were a few officers who were staring at me like I was on drugs!" She gritted her teeth and her eyes narrowed. "You changed it when you hugged me outside, didn't you?"

"L-look, I'm sorry Carrots. Let me make it up to you. Dinner later? M-my treat?"

At this, Judy just smiled, a smile he knew all too well.

Oh shit.

"Dinner? Oh no that won't do, Wilde. That won't do at all." She leaned in closer to him so only he could hear her. Nick visibly gulped.

"But…" she continued, dragging on the word, "There is one way you could make it up to me."

"…and what is that?"

Judy's smile grew wider. Gotcha. "Well, for starters, you could-"

"Ahem."

Judy visibly flinched as she slowly turned her head, hey eyes landing at Bogo. He was looking at them, one brow raised, folder on his arms as he took in the scene in front of him. Hurriedly she released her hold on Nick, making the fox fall down on the ground with an audible 'oof'. She fixed her posture and saluted. "Chief Bogo, sir!"

Nick, who tried to regain his bearings after hitting his muzzle on the floor, gave a pathetic attempt at a salute, "Chief sir, Bogo!"

The buffalo remained staring at them for a few seconds before letting out a defeated breath. "I don't even want to know." He grumbled. Nick slowly stood up and dusted his uniform once again, taking a step away from the still-seething Judy.

"Just get your asses to the bullpen before I decided to put you both in parking duty for a month."

Judy and Nick hurriedly walked towards the bullpen, Bogo hearing a silent 'this is not over' from the rabbit as she gave a quick punch to the fox's arm.

He gave a sigh as he rubbed his temples.

It's too damn early for this.

One thing that Bogo liked, but would never outwardly admit, was the deep chanting, and slamming of hooves and paws inside the bullpen whenever Officer Higgins announces his arrival. Try as he might, he couldn't wipe the small smile on his face as he shouted "Alright, everyone shut it!"

As the chanting died down he glanced at his two smallest officers. Whatever happened earlier between the two was all but forgotten as of the moment. Alert and ready to be given orders. As should be. He again smiled at this. A constant headache they might be, but he could never deny that he was proud of their dedication to the job.

He placed the folder on the podium and eyed all of his officers. "I have a few items on the docket. First will be your replacements partners for the day. Since Johnson and Fangmeyer called in sick this morning, Delgato will be partnered with Wolford today. You will be patrolling Sahara Square. As soon as your assignment is given to you, you may leave. Pennington and McHorn, Rainforest District. Rhinowitz and Trumpet, Tundra Town. Grizzoli, Snarlov, and Higgins, Savannah Central. Reports suggests that drug exchanges are beginning to run rampant in the area. Keep your eyes peeled. Andersen and Trunkaby, Downtown Area." He paused, a scowl crossing his face, "I already put our newest recruits, Mallard and Arthur, on meter maid duty before they even set foot in the building this morning. That ought to teach them after their little stunt yesterday." A few snickers could be heard. For some reason, the officers seemed to enjoy whenever new recruits get a taste of Bogo's unparalleled 'sermon of death'. After all, every one of them went through the same traumatizing experience.

As soon as they were called, each officer stood and exited the bullpen, proceeding to their respective cruisers. A few moments later, only Nick, Judy, and Chief Bogo were all that remained. He looked at the partners, eagerness and determination just oozing out of them. Even Wilde was looking at him with apparent focus, albeit with a hint of anxiousness. "For the two of you, you will be investigating a murder."

Judy's eyes widened at the announcement, while Wilde tilted his head slightly. "Murder?" The fox was the first one to voice out his confusion.

Bogo nodded, "Yes." He handed the folder to them, the duo looking at the morbid pictures depicting a mammal lying on the ground with a pool of his own blood.

Nick and Judy knew that when they joined the force and became partners, it was only a matter of time when they would be asked to investigate something as gruesome as murder, or any crimes of the same caliber. The police, after all, was not just apropos of petty crimes and the occasional chase, which they already excel at.

"Christopher Lambert, male, forty-six years old, lion. Cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the chest. At zero-three hundred this morning, nightshift officers Meyers and Briggs got a call from dispatch that a civilian found a dead body inside an alley along Wolfden Street in Downtown. Nobody in the vicinity reported any loud noises that would indicate some sort of scuffle took place. Not even the gunshot was heard. A scrap of paper was also found near the body. The only words that were written was 'Catch me.'" He snorted, still feeling indignant of the whole situation.

Nick stared at the picture of the lion's lifeless eyes. It seemed to stare back at him.

Bogo continued, "You'll find all the preliminary findings in that report. The body is already with the coroner and is being analyzed right now. You may want to go there later."

He nodded to both of them. "Good luck officers, and bring this murderer to justice."

Bogo was almost at the door when Judy finally found her voice again, "Chief, wait!"

Bogo turned to the rabbit. Seeing that she got his attention, she continued, "Umm, why did you assign this case to us? I know that we'll do our best in this, but we're still rookies after all. Why did you not assign someone with more experience?" He looked at Wilde and he seemed to agree with Hopps' statements.

He was prepared for this, actually, though still a bit taken aback. He knew that even if their skills are exemplary, they are still humble at heart. He could never stress enough how these two mammals epitomized what an officer should be.

He shrugged his shoulders, "So what if that's the case?" He tuned to fully face them. He replied, his voice calm and collected, "Look you two, what you said is indeed true, but need I remind you that not only do you have an outstanding record, but your penchant to do good and your amazing attention to detail are what set you higher than the others. And no, I'm not overreacting. This will be a perfect opportunity for you to use these skills to the fullest and protect the city you have sworn to serve."

It was all they could do not to gawk at their boss. This was the first time they have heard the buffalo praise them in such an uplifting way, or any officer for that matter. Seconds later, Judy's face was smiling, nodding at the words Bogo had said. She had never felt so proud and dedicated before. His words ignited her drive once more and she couldn't wait to start their investigation.

On the other paw, Wilde put on his signature smirk and raised an eye brow.

Oh god here we go… thought Bogo.

"Now who are you and what have you done to our Buffalo Butt?"

Bogo groaned heavily at this, all too used to the nicknames. "Another word from you Wilde and you'll be joining Mallard and Arthur stick parking tickets for the whole damn month."

Nick only smiled at this.

And that's a wrap for the first chapter! Please leave a review and tell me what you think so far. It would help me immensely. If I made any mistakes kindly point it out for me.