Disclaimer: I don't own Zootopia or any of it's cannon content. Nor do I own the AWESOME stories by Cimar of Turalis WildeHopps (like Always My Sly Bunny, Always My Dumb Fox.) For which this is written as part of his What-If collaboration. (Also I got the name of Nick's Mom from Cimar's collaboration with Zanrok called The Zootopia Princess Bride.
Almost obligatory AN here: (the only one for this story as far as I can see) My Own story about Zootopia on , Zootopia 2 Learning Curve; will be updated AND finished. My writers block has been obliterated by this really Neat-o project so fear not my friends I WILL finish!
I have BORROWED WITH permission the 10-7 bar and it's original patrons and crew from Bluelighthouse in the set up chapter of this story. THEY belong to him and are really great so thanks to you my friend. I also borrowed with permission the names and species of Bunnyburrow's sheriff and deputy from the story Old Arrangements by Zanrok (read ALL his stories! Right after this one! GO! DO IT! But beware, once you do you will never escape his grinchy genius).
The stories Guardian Blue seasons 1 and 2 by Saris and Safe Paws by Midnightopheliac are also recent reads of mine (really great ones BTW) so...they might have influenced Nick and Judy a bit in this story as well as King in Yellow. All his Zootopia stuff is really really good and quite original in my opinion so give those a read if you can.
I put a reference to an American chicken restaurant in here as a bribe for Wolfard to use. I got the idea of including it from Zanrok's 100 Boops and I figure that larger Predators need more than just bugs and occasional fish so...for me chicken and turkey and such are on the menu but, expensive, which means that most Predators eat bugs and plant protein but fish and chicken are special occasion or treat items, at least in my versions of Zootopia.(I am aware that the directors of Zootopia have stated that Nick is a vegetarian, but in my version of this universe he does eat some other proteins just because being a cop and keeping up with Judy means he needs more nutrition to keep up his conditioning.) Even as a con fox he had muscles, those Jumbo Pops WERE elephant sized after all! Also I figure that just like some human guys, the way to a fox's heart is through their stomach so food bribes are a good bet if his new pals at the ZPD want to coax him into something.
The first names of Ralph Wolfard and Nadine Fangmeyer I originally got from MinscLovesBoo and his great story 'Loves Tales'. These names have also been used in other stories so in order to be consistent I am using these names in this story too.(MinscLovesBoo is also the First Admiral of the Wolfeyer fleet so… yeah I have been press ganged into that pirate fleet too. Never fear though! I am STILL a loyal and true (albeit very minor) member of the Wilde Hopps Navy so I shall midshipmen ON! (can't really soldier on in the Navy, it isn't done apparently)) So…without further adieu, On to the story!
BigPaw Hunters
Chapter One: The Set Up
Judy focused on her salad and ignored her table mates as they bickered good-naturedly back and forth like kits. The squad had gone to the 10-7 to blow off some steam, not for anything more...emotionally draining like when there was an injury on the job or a really bad case. That didn't mean relaxing was going to be easy for Zootopia's first Bunny cop though. Next weekend was their monthly on call shift which meant Judy had plans for their down time this weekend.
She hid a smile and mused, if she could pull it off Nick was sure to enjoy what she had planned, granted not everyone in her family had been behind her having a fox for a husband, but the few that were still holding out had been seriously ambushed by the birth of their precious and precocious kits. Ever since Ella and Ridley had come along, both of them made every effort to spend time together but it wasn't always easy to carve out any adult time. Nick's Mom, Elaine was over the moon with happiness whenever they asked her to look after the kits, but after that call last week leaving them with the foxy side of the family wasn't going to be an option this time.
The Bunny's ears drooped a bit as she recalled that intense conversation. Her Mom and Dad had been even more delighted over Ella and Ridley than they usually were when the family increased and the two older bunnies had made it quite clear that they were feeling left out in the spoiling of the grand kits department, never mind that they had hundreds of other grand kits already. So IF everything worked out this would solve that piece of drama for a while too, BONUS!
Judy set her fork down for a minute to text her brother Bradley and smiled, Wolfard hadn't been part of her original idea but he was setting things up nicely and this might even work out better. She'd have to make her pitch soon and Nick was never an easy mammal to surprise. She flexed her strong legs and made a real effort to ignore her reflexive reactions when her sensitive hearing picked up a change in Nick's heartbeat.
Flicking an ear towards her fox who was seated next to her, she leaned towards him just a little as he tensed slightly. Judy was feeling the strain of the past shift just as much as her larger, Predatory co-workers and touch always helped her relax. Judy knew she was actually fairly good at getting the paperwork side of things done, but Nick's eye for detail and ability to read mammals and situations, meant that their squad tended to discuss even routine cases more than most officers. That meant it usually took them a little longer to sign off on their reports and that hadn't been an option today.
Chief Bogo had really put his hoof down and the whole precinct had been scrambling to finish the quarterlies as well as the weekly reports on time for once. After several soul sucking hours of overtime paperwork; most of their shift had opted to go relax before heading home and quite a few of them had naturally gravitated here. The downside of this was that the bar was really getting crowded early in the day. However, the upside of this was that now that they were done, the whole squad had the next five days off.
Their forth squad-mate Scott Delgado, a pale timber wolf and his mate Sharna were in a cozy corner booth almost completely hidden by the bulk of Natasha Rhinowitz and Frank McHorn who were trying (and failing) to out drink Francine and Henry Trunkaby over by the old school jukebox. Clawhauser was seated at the bar and he noticed Judy's glance and smiled kindly before turning back to a particularly pretty lady Cheetah dressed as an EMT who from the slow flicking of her long tail and easy smile was enjoying their conversation very much.
Not wanting to get in the way of her first friend on the force who was having fun with a lady friend, Judy turned her attention back to their table and entertained herself by trying to read Nick and Ralph's unspoken signals. Her ears popped up and then back down as a frustrated whine came from Wolfard who was seated in a straight backed chair across from them. This was followed by a slight huff from Nick as Wolfard discretely sniffed his smaller companions.
Judy hid a frown and made sure to keep her breathing even. She knew her nose tended to twitch when she got emotional and she didn't want to make her table mates uncomfortable. Part of enjoying downtime with Wolfard, Delgado or any of the Canids ALWAYS included this kind of thing since they were squad-mates and work pack members. Wolfard was definitely a kindred spirit for Nick too since the two of them tended to get up to a lot of harmless pranks whenever they were assigned in house at the precinct.
For Judy, reading these unspoken body and behavior cues among her predator co-workers were like figuring out a foreign language especially since she tended to miss a lot of the scent cues and other subtleties, but she was never one to back down from a challenge. Interpreting felines like Ben and Nadine was even more different than her canine comrades, but in some ways they were easier and the bears were another whole challenge she had hardly touched. Having been around Nick so much, even before having been assigned to the squad with Wolfard and Delgado Judy had realized just how subtle the Predators were especially in mixed groups that included Prey species.
Being the only bunny on the street-side of the force, but no longer the only Bunny since several more had joined as technicians and CSI annalists meant that the rest of the ZPD was learning more than just the standard Prey Protocols about Leporidae now too, which was a really good thing as far as she was concerned. She raised her water glass at one of the weasels from the lab and hid a grin as she felt Nick's tail curl discretely around her along the seat of the booth.
Bunnies were tactile and spent a lot of time being physically affectionate even among the most casual of friends. With family or other loved ones, touch and mental interaction were vital for their mental and physical health. Moving so far from her blood kin had been taking quite a toll on her until Nick had graduated and brought her here. Trisha had introduced her to a few other select Leporidae but it was rare she spent time with any of them.
Judy smiled fondly at her fox, as she stole peeks at him and Wolfard, thanks to the wolves and Nick most of her colleagues understood when she hugged or touched them now and she understood when they sniffed or occasionally licked her and Nick(especially if it encouraged Nick to be closer). Turning back to her salad, she hid a small smirk in another bite of mozzarella and vinaigrette dressing as the discussion continued while they waited for the rest of their order.
"I'm telling you I KNOW what I saw Nick. Even if it's not really BigPaw I saw SOMETHNG when I was in the woods down in Deerbrook county last year and it wasn't a regular mammal!" Exclaimed their solidly built, gray furred, Timber wolf co-worker; ZPD Detective Ralph Wolfard.
Nick sighed as he drew a breath to explain AGAIN that Big Paw was a legend for a reason, no one had EVER proven that they or it existed ever. The show 'The Search for Big Paw' was a 'reality' TV show that was as hokey and fake as the latest cheesy installment of the attack of the killer carrots horror films. That being said, Wolfard watched it every week and he seemed to be even more into it this season than last if that was even possible.
The sounds of the bar were picking up as more off duty first responders made it in to unwind from their shifts. Nick was still sober and paying attention to more than the basket of chips and salsa they were sharing. He watched as Judy's ears twitched and his nose picked up the familiar scent of female bunny, just a different one from his special Bun. Their favorite server Trisha was bouncing energetically towards their booth and Wolfard's order of cheese fries, baked potato skins and onion rings wasn't slowing her a bit.
Knowing how the bunnies were with each other, Nick braced himself and slid over slightly in the booth styled seat he was sharing with Judy, "Heads up Carrots!"
Without missing a forkful of her Caprese Salad, the gray furred bunny officer next to him slid herself over a bit twisting as she moved her bowl slightly making room for the brown furred ball of enthusiasm stuffed into the form of a plumply fit, curvey, brown doe that landed just beside them on the booth seat narrowly avoiding the end of Nick's tail as it flicked up against Judy's hips. Trisha was in her usual ZPD blue 10-7 t shirt that barely contained her ample figure and shorts that allowed her to use her bunny agility to full advantage.
Expertly sliding the plate of appetizers in front of Wolfard with a single paw, Trisha used her other arm to hug Judy and chirruped, "Hi Cutie. How's that Partner of yours treating you? Need help keeping him in line?"
Trisha slid a knowing glance at the disappearing end of Nick's dark tipped tail and the vulpine in question smirked as he began dueling with Wolfard to get a share of the cheesy goodness on the table and pretended nonchalance as both Bunnies hugged and nuzzled each other.
Judy grinned and winked at her Foxy Partner and hugged the energetic doe for a second before saying as she held up the keys to their assigned cruiser, "He's the best Trisha, I bet he'd like a hard cider though since I'm driving us home tonight. Didn't you text me that the special shipment had finally come in?"
Trisha giggled a little and called over to the bar,"You win the bet Em. Send out the Fox special."
At this Both Nick and Wolfard paused in their dueling forks as they playfully 'fought' over the cheese fries and looked toward the dark toned bar along the wall. A smiling female otter wearing a ZFD red 10-7 t-shirt and black khakis laughed at the suddenly prick eared fox and at the fact that Wolfard had several fries sticking out of his muzzle before they disappeared with a discrete slurp.
The larger predator asked, "There's a Fox special?"
Trisha hopped off the booth seat and patted Wolfard's arm, "Awww, Don't fret….You know all my customers are special but thanks to my best bunny buddy here, Echo put in an order for a few specialty items we are trying out and this one in particular is right in Nick's wheelhouse."
Just then a tiger and a brown bear sporting firefighter insignia stepped past Petey, the rhino bouncer and seated themselves at a table nearby. Trisha leaped to the bar-top from the booth as Em came over with a wolf sized, long neck, dark glass bottle and a frozen mug just Nick's size. She set the cider down and winked at the officers before saying, "Thanks for the assist Officer Hopps. Trisha usually wins our bets but tonight I get to gloat."
Trisha grinned as she pulled a couple of large mammal sized draft beers for the Firefighters and grabbed her tray. I'll be right over with your refill Wolfard. I need to make Judy her Carrotini mocktail."
Wolfard snorted slightly as he saw the label on Nick's Fox Special. It was a plain label without even a name just a clearly printed image of a blueberry bush full of ripened fruit. "That's our fox alright. Hey! Nick let me see that for a second."
Nick quickly poured most of the pale amber liquid tinged slightly purple under the occasional flashes of the outdated ZPD cruiser light bars hanging in the ceiling into the frosted mug before handing the bottle to Ralph who enthused, "I know this brand of hard cider. It's one of the main sponsors of the BigPaw Hunters Association."
Nick sniffed at the brew and let the unmistakable fruity aroma of apples, blueberries and strawberries linger in his nose along with the distinctive tang of alcohol before rolling his eyes at his larger co worker and friend.
"Again with BigPaw Ralph?"
Wolfard sniffed the bottle and let his breath out in a snort before tasting the small amount left in the bottle. His ears pricked and he signaled Trisha for one of his own as his tail wagged slightly as the sample hit the back of his throat and the subtle aftertaste tingled.
"Look, Nick….I know most mammals don't think BigPaw is real, but I KNOW I can win if you guys help me. Judy's family LIVES in prime Big Paw territory and Delgado is busy with his mate this weekend."
His table mates looked less than convinced and then Ralph got an idea…. Taking out his wolf sized Carrot phone he opened Ewe Tube and set the phone to play the contest video. His ears perked and he cocked his head at the bunny who was now watching the video and eating her salad. If she agreed to go Nick would be a cinch, besides...he needed something to help keep his mind off Nadine. Nick and Judy were just the distraction he needed if only he could get them to come along.
"Just look at this okay?"
Both his friends watched as the team of mammals that were on the Big Paw Hunters program appeared, seated on folding camp stools in front of some tents beside an unlit fire pit.
The pig, dressed in Camouflage styled hunting gear waved at the camera and began what was clearly a well rehearsed speech. He gestured to his co-host the female ocelot beside him and pointing to several others who came and went in the shot as he spoke. "Hello, I'm Byron Welk and of course you all know Sandra, Bill and the rest of the team. This season on BigPaw Hunters we have made real progress in tracking our quarry but before we stop for the winter we need the help of you, our loyal viewers. We would like all of you to send in videos showing any traces of BigPaw activity to help determine where we search in the next few weeks. Winter is usually when it is theorized that BigPaw hibernates and we would LOVE to find a den site or any other clues. With this in mind our sponsors and producers have offered a contest. Just send in video footage as a MPEG, AVI, 4 or any other format accepted by Ewe Tube showing any evidence that might help us find where BigPaw has his winter den and you could win this grand prize package. A complete set of appropriately sized BigPaw Hunters hunting gear like I'm wearing, the complete series BigPaw Hunters on blue ray WITH the commemorative behind the scenes journal written and illustrated by renowned explorer and archeologist Simon Prowl, AND a special appearance on our show next season as well as 1000 Zoomoleons to help cover any expenses incurred while gathering your evidence."
The Ocelot, Sandra added, "You can have multiple entries since the winners will be determined by a combination of our producers picks and a series of random drawings. There are more than 10,000 prize packages available so send in those videos and testimonials."
The Beaver, Bill added, "All submissions become the property of BigPaw Hunters Productions and are usable by the company for any promotional or other uses as long as they are used for BigPaw Hunters intellectual properties limited and submissions are subject to all federal, county and local laws so be careful out there and stay safe."
Wolfard's tail wagged slightly as he turned off the phone and ignored the fact that Nick had scarfed down two of the baked potato skins while the video played and Judy was inhaling another onion ring to say, "I'm going to the mid burrows this weekend to get video to enter this contest and I need at least two more mammals with me."
Judy looked interested for a second and Wolfard's hopes rose but then he realized she was watching Nick as she offered, "Why would you need at least two other mammals to go with you to take video? Any smart phone can…."
Nick had been looking something up on his phone and he answered her saying, "It's part of the contest rules Carrots. Since they are soliciting videos for publication there are a bunch of small print items on here too. It doesn't say public servants or city employees are prohibited from entering though so Wolfard should be able to pull off an entry."
He glanced at the slight wag of Wolfard's tail and added or more as his smirk reached typical Nick levels of sass. "Or two, or five,"
Wolfard's ears pinned back as he signaled towards the bar for a refill of their appetizers since his smaller table mates had made significant inroads on the bar food and he wanted to make sure they all ate plenty while he and Nick drank a bit more.
Ralph finished his cold tea saying, "Oh come on Nick. It will be FUN."
"I'm a city fox Ralph. I don't do that well outside my natural environment."
Trisha grinned as she slid a wolf sized, hard cider in front of Wolfard and winked at her best bunny Judy to drawl, "According to the Bunny network you did fairly well last time you were out in the sticks Nick."
Trisha giggled as Judy offered a peek at her phone and a photo of Nick covered in heaps of little bunnies that just showed his dark furred paw outstretched waving for help as the baby bunnies all looked thrilled.
Nick sighed, he had already tried to delete that particular set of photos but thanks to Judy's plethora of relatives, most of whom now thought seeing him with the Hopps Kerfluffle was 'just the sweetest thing!'. There were literally dozens, if not hundreds of those sorts of photos circulating now, especially among the Hopps Bunny population and anybunny they knew well enough to share such family moments with.
Judy was about to jump in with her idea when Wolfard upped the stakes a bit more, "Come on you guys. I'll tell you what. If you come with me this weekend and help me get some entry videos I'll spring for lunch all next week. I'll even pay for Chick Fil A at least once."
Judy and Trisha grinned openly as Nick's ears perked. Trisha ruffled Nick's ears affectionately and laughed as she went to check on a few more tables, "Have fun in the Burrows this weekend you three."
Nick looked a bit surprised and objected, "We haven't decided to go."
Judy waved a paw full of cheese fries at him and he paused instinctively tracking the food and his mate. She interjected casually, "Actually Nick we could go and help out Ralph."
The larger canine's ears perked and he smiled, careful not to show his teeth much as she continued, "I'm sure our family wouldn't mind putting all three of us up for a few nights while we go on a BigPaw hunt and this way Mom and Dad can spend some time with Ella and Ridley too."
Nick winced a little recalling the expert level of Guilt Fu Bonnie had pulled out over the Muzzletime call a few days ago and sighed as his visions of a quiet few days at home with his kits morphed into the realization that the bunny Matriarch had gotten to Judy too.
Ralph's tail whipped back and forth eagerly as she smiled up at the wolf and offered, "I'll text a couple of my brothers so they can get one of the all-terrain trucks prepped and warn Pop Pop."
Nick's con senses went off at that, "Wait just a bushy tailed minute there Fluff. Why are we involving your Pop Pop in any of this?"
Her smile wasn't really reassuring and reminded the fox of the time she had hustled him with his former tax evasion back before they had become partners as she wrapped her arm as far around him as it would go and nuzzled into his side.
Her voice was warm and held back laughter as she continued, "Don't worry Nick. Pop Pop has gotten a lot better since we took the kits to see everyone after the Halloween party last year. He's stopped asking if I've been eaten yet when Mom and Dad muzzle-time and everything, he still calls me Trudy half the time though."
Both Wolfard and Nick twitched at that and Judy regretted her questionable 'joke'. "He's an old bunny guys, and our family is REALLY cautious even for Bunnies. Mom and Dad are a lot better about the city and all now too. Four more of my older sibs have moved to Zootopia proper working out contracts for the co-op, and you KNOW Mom and Dad send those blueberries every month just for you you greedy fox. It's because they want to, not because I ask them to, they really HAVE accepted you you know."
She smiled and tried to stop her nose twitching as she added, "AND I heard from Thistle and Briar that the south fields are just starting to hit peak season…So."
Nick wasn't entirely fooled, his bunny WAS up to something; however there were suddenly more than enough reasons to tag along with Wolfard this weekend as far as he was concerned.
His tail tip flicked as he scooted JUST that much closer to Judy and he widened his eyes 'innocently' "The South fields? You mean the ones planted with the fruit crops… like the Blueberries RIGHT?"
Wolfard relaxed and his alert ears twitched gently as Judy's smile went soft and her nose calmed, "Yup, in fact...I was going to ask if we could go out to the warren for at least a couple of days this week even before Wolfard told us about this contest. You know how much my parents want to spend time with Ella and Ridley, and your Mom gets to Kit sit pretty often so…."
She glanced at her phone which had just dinged with another text and busily tapped out a reply. Then quickly changed to another sibling and shot off one of the family codes before innocently continuing her offer waving the 1st text around like a free pass at a concert.
Nick's instincts were suddenly buzzing louder than his cider and he narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the now slightly bouncing rabbit beside him.
Her eyes shown with her enthusiasm as she expounded, "This will work out great! Nick, there is a Bunnyburrow wide contest this week between some of the oldest warrens. To keep fighting to a minimum Sheriff Prongs and Deputy Wolften are going to be officiating and Dad will be over the moon to have another couple of predators to taste his ice cream before the contest. He's determined to beat Cyril Stumptail this time."
Nick and Wolfard looked slightly confused at the idea that being a predator made them good taste testers for a contest between bunnies but all higher thoughts in either of their heads disappeared as the grey furred bunny pulled out her trump card. "Mom's making fruit cobbler to go with it."
Both predators swallowed visibly to control their drooling and Wolfard asked prayerfully, "What kind of cobbler?"
While Nick's grin turned positively possessive, "It won't matter All of them are better than anything we can get here in the city. And yes Carrots I DO feel like most of the warren accepts me now…."
Nick's ears twitched as Wolfard shifted in his seat and moved his tail while several E.M.T.'s moved to the table next to their half booth, Nick's nose quivered, and he shifted his paw to cover Judy's ears in a gentle caress as he cooed, "It HAS been a while since we showed off the kits in the Burrows though and with your Mom in charge I think even Ella and Ridley will have a hard time getting away with too much so…."
The timber wolf's tail thumped as he grinned, "You have an in with the Kerfluffle for sure."
Nick snorted and sighed, "I'm sure you'll have your share of the attention."
Judy shivered just a little at the feeling of Nick's paw pads sliding over her sensitive ears and closed her eyes involuntarily as her whole body threatened to go limp against him. Nick's smirk returned full force as Judy shook off his paw and elbowed him. Judy's glare was halfhearted at best as she pulled up the ZTA's schedule on her phone and punched in a request for three train tickets on tomorrow's express to the Burrows. Adding under age rider vouchers to two of the tickets Judy entered her badge number and Nick's before handing her phone to Ralph.
Nick's expression turned almost dopey as Judy stood on the seat to rub the base of his ears and brazenly ate the last baked potato skin on Nick's plate, "Can you be ready by six? The express will be cheaper and faster with our city employee discount."
Wolfard's grin threatened to become a full on laugh at the way the two of them acted together as he entered his badge number and gestured for another round for the table. "I have been packed for two days, I'll meet you guys at Savannah Station platform 2 at 5:45 AM okay?"
Nick's eyes popped open and he groaned, "What IS it with you two and getting up early? Hey Carrots! I wanted to eat that."
Distracted by Judy's rubbing his ears and eating his snacks, Nick was caught off guard as Trisha returned with Blueberry ciders and another Carrotini Mocktail. After setting the drinks down she leaned over and began to mess with the officers duty belt, giggling she unclasped several of the secure straps. The fox began to swat the brown does paws away only to have her move to the other side of the predator, quickly wrapping her arms around his waist while squeezing the distracted fox almost as hard as Judy would have.
Grinning up at him she giggled, "I'll bring more cheese fries, Nick. I can't have my third favorite fox at the ZPD leaving hungry, unless it's for something other than bar food."
She gave him another rib cracking squeeze and laughed as Judy eyed her and then wiggled her fingers threateningly. Trisha squeaked as Judy's quick paws tickled her lightly just under the hem of her shirt. Nick meanwhile had a quizzical look as he tried to do the math. To the best of his knowledge he was still the only fox at the ZPD unless there was someone in maintenance or one of the labs he hadn't met yet.
Judy was smiling and her voice was fond as she added,"My Fox Trisha. You better bring him some of that bean dip and more potato skins. I have PLANS for us after we are done here."
She smiled sweetly at both the brown bunny and the fox as she added, "That's why I'm driving the cruiser tonight."
Wolfard grinned as he swigged his cider, those three were too much. "Welp, I'm willing to call next round last round so we can get a good nights sleep."
Trisha laughed and bounded back toward the kitchen, "I'm sure they will, eventually. Am I right EM?"
The otter bartender laughed and dodged the bunny who took her usual shortcut to the pick up window, "You know it as well as I do. OOOO looks like I'll be taking the next round for you Trish."
The bunny looked up at that and Squeaked happily as she spied her favorite painted dog duo Atom and Delta just making their way past Petey and stepping up to the bar.
Launching herself at the pair of dog's she ignored the ready bell at the food window adding, "Thanks Em. You're the BEST!"
Delta's tail wagged slightly as he caught the brown doe but before either of them could do or say anything else they were caught up in one of Atom's famous hugs and had to concentrate on breathing.
(Onward to chapter 2)