Boilerplate Disclaimer: The various characters from the movie Zootopia are all owned by Disney. Any and all registered trade names property of their respective owners. Cheap shots at celebrities constitute fair usage.

Another story set in world of Who Do You Trust? Set sometime after If I'm Not Me, Who Am I?

Life Can Be Dangerous

A hail of bullets blasted from the old house, tearing holes in the wooden fence.

Judy screamed in pain.

"JUDY!" Nick yelled.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!"

"What happened?"

She touched her cheek. There was more blood on her paw than she expected. "Splinter in cheek."

"Were you hit with a bullet?"

"Splinters hurt! I'm going around back."

"No you're not. You're hurt."

"They'll get away."

"I'll go. You stay."

"Stay down."

"I intend to." He looked at her cheek and winced in sympathy. "You'll live," he assured her. "But it's big enough to call a plank rather than a splinter. That's got to hurt."

"Thank you, Mister Obvious," she agreed through gritted teeth. "I'll go around back and–"

"I said I'll go. Stay safe." And he took off before she could argue – in part to avoid any argument, in part to keep her safe, and in part because she was right and they needed to keep the trio from escaping before backup arrived.

As Nick feared, there was slightly less cover in the back. He hunkered low and waited, hoping backup would arrive soon.

A bear cautiously peered out the back door. Seeing no large cop, he emerged, carrying an assault rifle.

Nick identified him as Hubie, 'Mama Bear' of the three brothers. Not as big as brother Humphrey but large enough to look frightening to a fox, especially with his weapon. Standard procedure directed Nick call on the bear to surrender. Nick shot Hubie in the leg.

Hubie fell, and sprayed bullets in the direction of the shot which wounded him. The bear clearly had a large officer in mind and the hail of bullets would have passed safely over Nick's head. If he'd been there. He wasn't.

Even as the bear collapsed Nick had rolled away to another woefully inadequate (in his mind) place of concealment. Judy had to be worried about him, but he was not about to call out the fact he was safe and give away his position.

"A little help out here," screamed the downed bear.

"Did you get him?" called a voice from the house.

"Don't know. Maybe. We got to get out of here." Hubie managed to sit upright, he looked like he wanted to see if his injured leg would support him as Humphrey, 'Papa Bear', came out, looking warily around.

Nick tried to aim, and found his paw shaking so badly he needed his second paw to steady himself.

Humphrey came over to help his brother up.

Nick's first shot at the huge bear went wide. "How can I miss something that big?" Nick wondered as he squeezed off another round, and Humphrey went down with a leg wound.

Nick lay in a shallow depression in the ground, and wished it were deeper. He wanted a hole, then imagined a hole six feet deep. He stayed prone, sweating with fear for himself and Judy. He could imagine the rabbit coming to his aid and becoming a target. And he could imagine the short brother, Henry, flanking him under this brothers' covering fire. Nick had an active imagination, and at the moment it filled him with possible ways he could die this afternoon.

The sound of sirens brought relief. The brothers realized they could not escape and finally surrendered.

Nick held his position at the back of the house until other officers arrived. He didn't even see Judy, who was taken away for medical treatment, before returning to the station and typing up his report.

He rushed through the report, wanting to comfort Judy, and turned it in to the Captain. "I need to go see–"

"You need to go sit at your desk until I read this."

"But–"

"Desk. Sit. This is my priority, and the longer you argue the longer before I can read."

Nick fretted at his desk for what seemed an hour before Alces called him back to his office. "Can I leave now to see–"

"Close the door. Sit on the chair."

Muttering under his breath the fox did as he was told. He glared at the Captain, who ignored the look and fed Nick's report into the paper shredder. "What are you–"

"That report isn't going in."

"But that's what–"

"It's not going in. You do not report failure to call on the bears to surrender before firing."

"But I didn't. I won't lie and say–"

"Good. Did I ask you to lie? Did you include what you ate for breakfast?"

"No. That's stupid. It doesn't–"

"It doesn't matter," Alces finished for him. "You only include what is relevant. You and Hopps came under fire. Your partner was injured and required hospitalization. You–"

Nick jumped from the chair, "She's in the hospital! I–"

"Sit down and shut up," the moose told him firmly. "Listen to me! I ordered her kept overnight for observation." He shrugged. "Maybe she's allergic to the local. Maybe she's allergic to the antibiotics. Could be some nasty germs on that old fence. But in your report you mention your partner was injured and spent the night in the hospital. And you write, truthfully that the bears opened fire... Did you recognize the make and model of the assault rifles they used?"

"No."

"I'll email the information to you while you revise your report. Oh, two hundred and fifty seven shell casing recovered at the scene. You put two hundred and fifty seven rounds fired at you and Hopps into your report. This report goes to Internal Affairs. You will be on mandatory paid leave until they clear you. Consider it a paid holiday. You will be cleared by Internal. There is a perception in the public mind Internal always cleared. Used to be true. Officer could pull a squad car over, shoot an unarmed weasel for no reason, claim it was justified and Internal would say, 'You're a hero'. That's what your Mayor's commission on accountability is trying to address. A bad cop is a danger to the population. A bad cop is a danger to the department, it gets animals shooting cops in anger. I find an officer under me mistreating a suspect I'll nail his hide to the wall. Same if I find a cop covering for a buddy who mistreats a suspect. You didn't mistreat a suspect. You were under fire–"

"At the moment when–"

"Had they opened fire? Was Hopps injured at that point?"

"Yes."

"You were out-numbered by heavily armed suspects and under fire. The suspects were wanted for murder and assault, among other crimes, and were considered armed and extremely dangerous. Not calling on them to surrender at that point is as irrelevant as your breakfast. No lies in the report, but focus on what's important. Your report will likely be public record. Most animals will be grateful you took the three bears off the streets. There are a few nut cases... No, shouldn't call them nut cases. There are some animals who think trigger happy cops are more dangerous than criminals and will look for any reason to label you a bad cop. Don't whine that maybe you could have done this or maybe you should have done that in your report. You don't give ammunition to those who label the police as the problem and not the solution. You lay out the relevant facts and leave out 'could have' or 'should have'. Understood?"

"Understood," Nick agreed and got out the chair.

"Tail back in the chair until I dismiss you," Alces told him. "I have a couple questions I want to ask."

Grumbling, Nick sat down.

"I'm not clear on a couple things. You and Hopps were supposed to be working with Carson and Parr at the Third on the car jacking gang. The trial is next week, right?"

"Right. Carson and Parr have the evidence in order, but wanted to clarify the Bunnyburrow connection."

"So how did you end up in a firefight with the three bears?"

"Well it didn't take us long, Carson and Parr had everything organized. Driving back we passed a breakfast place called The Porringer. Judy thought she saw the small brother so we pulled into parking lot and–"

"And didn't call it in immediately."

"She wasn't sure. We called when she felt confident it was the three bears."

"Big mistake number one, not calling. The bears are dangerous. Even if you're wrong about the suspicion you call it in. Which brings us to big mistake number two, calling in."

"Big mistake number one was not calling in, and big mistake number two was calling in?"

"You got it. Back when you were a hustler, you ever keep a police scanner?"

"No. I stayed close enough to legal I felt safe."

"Well thugs like the bears have scanners. Calling for backup probably told them the police had located them."

"Then what in the heck were Judy and I supposed to do!"

"Encryption would be nice. But we're not allowed, sounds too much like secret police. Before an organized raid we work out codes for the operation. What you do in a case like this is a phone call to dispatcher."

"That's crazy. We're supposed to use–"

"It may be crazy. But it would have kept Hopps out of the hospital and you from being used for target practice. You know what I hate as much as a crooked cop? Posthumous citations for bravery. You and Hopps were promoted to detective too fast. Sometimes I think I out to break you up and leave you with more experienced–"

"You wouldn't!"

"No... The mayor used you to make political points, and wants you together. Today I feel like I'd be doing you a favor and saving your necks. But you actually work very well together. I'm pleased, surprised, and hoping you don't fuck up worse than you did today. It could get you killed. I told you what I hate."

"Posthumous awards."

"Exactly. Even for pain-in-the-rear foxes. Get the revised report on my desk in the next fifteen minutes and get out of here." He glanced at a note on his desk. "Hopps is in room two-eleven. Internal should have you clear by Monday. I won't need to see you 'til then."

Nick didn't get the revisions finished in fifteen minutes. Someone had passed around the hat to buy Judy some flowers and Readover, the detective who couldn't stop talking, asked Nick his opinion on what kind to buy.

Then Susan called. "The radio said Jude was hurt! She's in the hospital! She's not answering her phone. I–"

"She'll be fine," Nick assured her. "They're keeping her overnight for observation. You can't be too careful with a hero."

"Have you seen her?"

"Not since the arrest. I'm going as soon as I finish the report."

"Take me with you, please."

"Fine," sighed Nick. "I'll call when I get on campus. Let me finish my report."

The fox had almost finished when Ernie called. "I heard Miss Judy was hurt. How is she? How are you? Is there anything I can–"

"If I get this report finished I'm going to visit her in the hospital. I'm bringing Suze with me. Want to join us?"

"Really, Mister Nick, Sir? I wouldn't be intruding or–"

"Give me a yes, or a no, and let me finish my report."

Nick stopped at the florists for tulips before picking up Ernie at the police academy. He understood Susan's concern as he and Ernie rode to Zoo U. The radio news made it sound like Judy had brought the gang in single-handed, while sustaining life-threatening injuries.

"Will she be okay?" the worried weasel wondered.

"She'll be fine."

"But–"

"She'll be fine," Nick repeated. If he had not seen the injury the report would have frightened him. Even having seen it he was slightly worried the wound might have proved deeper, or done more damage, than he had thought.

Several reporters stood at the reception desk, demanding to see Judy, when the trio arrived. Hospital security remained equally adamant that they would not be allowed entry. It appeared security might attempt to keep Nick out also, until he showed his badge and identified himself. Even then security was reluctant to let him pass. A couple of the reporters calling for him to give them details may have convinced the guards he was the real Nick Wilde.

"Who're these two?" a suspicious guard asked about Susan and Ernie.

"This is Judy's sister, Susan. I assume you have no problem with family visiting?"

"Of course not."

"And this is her male friend–"

"He's–" objected Susan.

"Rick. He's in from Bunnyburrow."

"Rick?" Susan whispered.

Nick gave her a small nod.

Susan sighed and linked arms with Ernie, "Please? Rick is almost family."

Ernie simply felt confused as the security guards let them pass.

Judy had a large bandage on her cheek when they entered the room. "Oh, Nick," she said in a trembling voice, "the news... It's so bad!"

He rushed to her side, "What's wrong? Nerve damage? I shouldn't have left you, I–"

"What are you talking about?" she demanded.

"Your wound. What are you talking about?"

"The news. On the radio. They make it sound like I brought in the three bears. Some reporters don't even mention you."

"That's what you're worried about?" he asked in disbelief.

"Of course. It's just wrong."

"If you haven't noticed, I don't mind keeping a low profile... Unless it's animals staring in admiration because I'm such a great dancer."

"Like that's going to happen."

"Maybe, if I could get a better partner..."

"Don't make me hurt you," threatened Judy. "I start thinking I'll get you domesticated and then you say something like that."

"So, are you okay?" Susan asked. "That bandage is huge!"

"Bandage didn't need to be so– Thank you," she said to Nick as he handed her the tulips.

Nick did a fast count, "I bought a dozen tulips. There are only ten now." He looked at Susan, "Care to explain?"

"They, uh, looked so good." She looked at her sister. "Sorry." Then she tried to change the subject, "There's a new Rick. Version two point oh is out." She gestured to the weasel.

"New and improved," Nick promised.

"New," agreed Susan. "I'm not sure he's improved."

"I wanted to see if you were all right, Miss Judy," Ernie explained. "I don't know who Rick is."

"Rick is an emergency backup male," Nick told him, "Every female needs one. Let's say Suze is at a party on campus and some creep won't leave her alone, she threatens him with her large, jealous male friend."

"But–"

The fox looked at Susan, "You should put Rick on your speed dial. More convincing to the creep you want to ditch. Get his number." He looked at Ernie, "If she calls for Rick, threaten to beat the guy up."

"But I would never do a–"

"Ernie the weasel is polite. Rick is wildly jealous and protective."

"Can I have your number?" Ernie asked Susan hopefully.

"No," she told him.

"Getting back to the patient," Nick said, and looked at Judy. "How bad is it?"

"I forget if the doctor said four or five stitches. Honestly, I don't know why they kept me."

"Alces ordered it. Pain?"

"Physical or psychological?"

"Either. Both."

"It hurts some. They'll give me a couple days of pain pills. I think I'm more worried... They had to shave some fur to put in the stitches. It's going to be a couple weeks until it grows back. What if if comes in white at the scar?"

"Females," Nick muttered, "always worried about appearance."

"No we're not," Susan told him.

Conversation became more general. Judy explained her phone was... She wasn't sure where. Because of blood on her uniform the hospital had given her a gown. "And that's why I'm staying in bed. There's no back on this thing." Susan called their parents in Bunnyburrow, who had heard nothing, and was able to let them talk with Judy and be assured she was fine before any rumors arrived that had her dying.

"Oh, you have rest of week off," Nick told her. "Alces wants to be sure you're fit for duty... Actually, he questioned if either of us are fit for duty. Said we were green and stupid and he threatened to split us up."

"He wouldn't!"

"Oh, I talked him out of it. Actually, he just said he was tempted, and might if we screwed up again."

"What did we do wrong?"

"I'll let him tell you. He chewed me at length on the subject, and I'm sure you'll get lectured too. Oh, and he said you aren't allowed to get killed on duty. It makes too much paperwork for him."

"Now I know you're kidding."

"Not kidding, just paraphrasing. A very loose paraphrase."

As the hospital visit wound down Judy told Susan, "You and Ernie go to the coffee shop. I want to talk with Nick for a few minutes alone."

"I'll buy you a cup of coffee," offered Ernie.

"No you won't. I'll buy a cup. Payment in case I need to call Rick. And give me your phone number."

After they left the room Judy confessed, "I want to make sure my lips still work."

"You sound fine when you talk."

"Hurts a little when I laugh. There wasn't much to laugh about until you three arrived. But I need to check on what's really important. Do they still work for kissing?"

"Well?" asked Nick at the end of the kiss.

"Should be fine as long as we don't kiss too long."

"Is it possible to kiss for too long?"

"I don't know. Let's wait until my cheek heals and find out."

"That's a plan. How about you spend the next few days at my place with me waiting on you paw and foot? And, uh, see if you can swipe one of the hospital gowns. Having you in a backless gown could be fun."

"You are becoming a sex fiend."

"I'm doing it for you. Sometimes you worry your tail is too short to be attractive to a fox and I want to convince you that–"

"You are doing a wonderful job of building my self esteem without a backless gown. But I have a better idea than spending the next few days at your place."

He took her paw and spoke with a voice of gentle concern. "Judy, the wound may be deeper than you realize. It's affected your mind."

"You're impossible. This would be the perfect time for you to introduce me to your mother."

"But... But you're hurt."

"Do you think your mom will want to slap me? It's not that bad and I'll have pain pills if I need them."

"You were worried about how you'll look."

"I'll have a smaller bandage."

"Weather! They're predicting rain. The roads to Fox Ridge are–"

"Why do I feel like you don't want me to meet your mother?"

"I said I'd introduce you. I didn't say when, but I–"

"And you've put it off because of the time. Well, we've got a couple extra days. I want to meet your mom."

"But–"

"What have you told your mother about me?"

"We're partners... You're my friend."

"Partners? Friend? That could cover Finnick."

"We, uh, do things together."

"'Things'? What are 'things'? We're dating! We have sex! Have you even told your mother we kiss?"

"Uh, Well... No, not exactly."

"Not exactly? Exactly what have you told her?"

"That we do things... I let her fill in the blanks."

"You're ashamed of me?"

"I'm not ashamed of you."

"You don't want to tell her you're having sex with a rabbit?"

"No."

"Would you have told her we were having sex if I were a vixen?"

Nick hesitated, "I... No. No I wouldn't have."

"You hesitated! You would have told her if I were a vixen. You're ashamed of me, ashamed to admit you're sleeping with a rabbit." She turned away from him.

"Judy, I love you. It's just... I mean, my mom. I don't want to upset her. I love you, but I don't know what she'll think."

"So you want to hide me from her?" Judy asked, without turning back to face him.

"No, it's not that! I'm just... just waiting for the right moment."

"The right moment? What is the right moment for a fox to tell his mother he's having sex with a rabbit?"

"We're not having sex! We're making love. I love you. I'm not ashamed of you."

"But you won't tell your mother about us. Please leave. I want to be alone."

"No."

"No? I can call security."

"No you can't. When we told each other we loved each other we said there would be problems. We both admitted we'd make mistakes and–"

"This is more than a mistake!"

"No it's not. It's just a really, really big ugly mistake. But it's still just a mistake. We said we'd talk. This isn't about the fact I love you. It's about my fears for what my mother might say. I don't want to hurt her. I don't know what she'll say when I introduce you. But I won't give you up. I'm afraid she'll be upset. But if she is... Well, it doesn't matter what happens. Even if she is, you're in my life to stay."

"I... I was worried when I introduced you to my mom and dad, but I–"

"You've been doing crazy things to your mom and dad your whole life. I've never wanted to disappoint my... Not saying you will disappoint her, I'm... I'm floundering here. A little help?"

"And you being a hustler didn't disappoint her?"

"I ask for a life preserver, and you throw me an anvil? Fine, she wasn't happy about that. She feels like I'm finally getting my life back and track and I'm not sure what she'll think about you. But you're the one who got me on track. And she should love you for that."

"She's a good mother."

"You don't know her."

"I know her son. I met your sister, Nancy. I can tell you had good parents. Do you know what signal it sends when you don't want to introduce a female to your mother?"

"When do you want to leave?" sighed Nick.

"You really think your Mom will be unhappy?"

"I don't know how she'll react. I hope she loves you. I do. I just like avoiding anything which might create conflict. But you're right. And I asked when we should leave."

"You said it's a long drive. I don't know when I'll get out of the hospital tomorrow... Early Thursday morning?"

"It's a plan," he agreed. As he left her hospital room to find Susan and Ernie he took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "Judy wants to like my mom. No problem. What will mom think? Judy is wonderful. Mom should love her. Just need to break the news Judy and I are a couple gently. What in the heck do I do about crazy Uncle Charlie?"