-His name is Samuel Clawson -Nick said - He's the owner and reported the robbery as soon as he could make it to the station.
They were walking out of the building, Nick had the file opened in his paws, in a position that allowed Judy to take a look over his shoulder. Apparently, the leopard had parked the van outside of a Snarlbucks to get himself some coffee, and walked out right in time to see his van turn the corner. He hadn't seen the driver, but he found a backpack right next to the spot where the back of the van had been. He didn't recognize it, so he had taken it with him and it was now being kept at the Precint, as evidence.
-We could go back and find out what's inside that backpack - Judy suggested- or perhaps look for some clue the cameras may have registered.
-If the backpack did belong to the thief, it was a major mistake to leave it behind.-Nick stated - However, if this was as well planned as Bogo thinks, he may have left in on purpose. And about the cameras, he was surely careful to avoid them. -he shrugged -Maybe we should go back and look for that bag.
Judy raised an eyebrow, quite impressed.
-I should have known that having a hustler as partner would be so useful
-Oh, you know you love me, dumb bunny.
She blushed slightly before answering
-Do I know that? Yes. - he felt a little warmth creeping up from his chest, all the way up to his face; as she looked straight in his eyes, as she said -Yes I do.
And before anything else, she grabbed his arm and dragged him back to the ZPD building.
Clawhauser was eating donuts when he saw them come in. He was about to ask what had brought them back so soon, when he saw Nick's bewildered expression. Everyone at the Precint knew Nick was not an emotional mammal. He would never let anyone see the way he really felt, anyone but Judy. He always managed to escape from every serious insinuation with a smart joke. But recently, Clawhauser had noticed some changes in Nick's attitude. The way he looked at Judy, specially when she was not aware of his glances; the way he behaved around her; that gleam in his emerald eyes. The cheetah knew that Officer Wilde was beggining to feel something more for his partner, and was having a hard time hiding it, but respected them enough to not push the matter. It was their thing to realize, and as Nick seemed pretty sure of his feelings, Judy seemed to be quite confused yet.
-Hey, Ben -the bunny caught Clawhauser's attention - who's at the evidence's room today?
-Delgato - the cheetah answered- Fangmeyer arrived late today, and Delgato waited for him. So now he's at evidence's and Fangmeyer at Files.
-O-oh- yeah - Judy was a little bit embarassed by the fact that she had been so busy paying attention to Nick, she didn't notice them being late - I'd forgotten that. We'll uh..we'll go, there's some evidence we need to solve this -she waved the folder as her ears dropped, before leaving with Wilde behind.
He didn't dare to say a word as they both walked towards the elevator. It was obvious she was dealing with many emotions at the same time, and Nick, who usually would have joked about her distraction, knew she needed a little time to clear her head so they could focus on work. So he waited until the elevator's door closed to tell her:
-Hey Fluff, calm down. - he smiled - It'll all be fine. Everyone has rough days.
She looked into his eyes, and all the embarassment, anger against herself for her lack of attention...everything she was feeling quietly dissolved. Her heart rate began to slow down, as Nick's started to accelerate due to everything he saw in her eyes. Or at least wanted to see. He was too smart to get his hopes high for nothing. He was a fox, and she was a bunny. It just couldn't be.
-Are you trying to say you don't have rough days, like every mammal, Officer Wilde?
She could hear his heart beating loud and fast against his chest, but his smirk was the same as usual, and there was nothing different in his face.
"Could he...? I don"t think so. He is a fox, and you are just a dumb bunny. Why would he be nervous around you?"
-I'm not a normal mammal, officer Hopps, - he raised an eyebrow and grinned -thought you arleady knew that - he said, as the elevator's doors opened
-Of course I know that - she smiled, walking towards a desk that was right in front of the elevator - you're just a silly fox.
-You dumb bunny - he chuckled as they walked together
-Oh, you know you love me, Wilde
They both laughed before he answered
-Do I know that, Carrots? Yes, yes I do.
-Just ask her out already, Wilde - a deep voice, coming from the other side of the desk, interrupted them. Delgato, sittin in a huge chair, was rolling his eyes.
-I would gladly do so, but I'm afraid we've got some bad guys to catch here- Nick smile widened
-We are investigating a robbery,-Judy intervened- and the file says there was some evidence, so...
-Yeah, I just have to write your names and the code of your file, and you can go in.
They gave him the code and quickly headed off to the door that led to evidence's room.
Inside, they found rows and rows of shelves. Some of them were empty, but a fair amount of them had boxes, which were labeled. Judy and Nick's file was 157. They walked between the shelves, looking for the box with the same number. After some minutes, Nick spotted it. It was as close to the ground as the shelve allowed.
-I was beggining to think we were going to end up climbing these things - he joked - it's good to know I won't have to leave the ground.
-Is Nicholas Wilde afraid of heights? -Judy asked as she reached for the box
-Actually, I was wondering how we were going to bring that backpack down - a smile formed in his muzzle. A real smile. One that Judy had only seen when they were alone. Her heart fluttered as she thought about it.
"He only smiles truthfully when we're together"
"You can't be sure about that" a voice answered her
"Why not?"
"Because you don't know what he does when he's off duty and you're not around. Maybe he smiles like that with some other friends, or some other girl. What do you know about him, anyways?"
Suddenly, she froze. What if there was someone else?
"Then why does he behave like this with me? Is that what best friends do when they're just best friends and nothing else?"
"Why is this important anyways?"
-Hey, Carrots, what's wrong? - His voice brought her back from her thoughts
-I...just - she sighed - sorry Nick. Too many things inside my head, I guess.
-Come on, Carrots, I know something's bothering you - he was standing halfway between the bunny and the box that Judy, lost in her thoughts, had forgotten about - I know this may not be the right time but, if...well if you need help or anything just...you can tell me, Judy. I'm right here.
She looked at his eyes feeling something new, something she had been fighting for too long, and finally admitted it to herself, as she jumped and hugged him, much to his surprise.
"Sweet cheese and crackers, how I like this fox"
-Thanks Nick - she said, still holding him
-Anytime, Fluff, you know it- he stroked her back softly- we could have a talk when our shift ends, if you want
-The backpack! - she squeezed him a little before letting him go and turned towards the box. They opened it and took the backpack out
Nick pulled the black zipper, not knowing what to expect. Judy stood beside him, quite dissapointed, when they found it just contained some tools and a folder with papers.
-Perhaps he used them to open the van?
-Something doesn't fit here -Nick was confused. He opened the folder, just to keep his paws occupied wuile he thinked of an explanation, and his heart fell to his knees.
-Judy- his voice was trembling, fear spread across his face. She turned too look at him, alarmed by the fact he had used her name instead of just "Carrots" - Judy, the Chief was right. There's something really bad going on
Officer Nicholas Wilde had never been more scared
Hi everyone! I know, I know, I'm a horrible person. Sorry for not posting yesterday, I had some problems with my internet connection. But hey, I already have started with the next chapter! Do you want me to upload it when I finish? Or should I wait until tomorrow?
Thanks for all the follows, favs and reviews! I hope you are enjoying this as much as I do. Sorry if this chapter was too long, I got too excited haha
Thanks a lot for reading!
