Notes: Thanks again for reading my story here folks! I actually have the story completed and I am working on the follow up already...I really enjoy writing here and the community is fantastic! I will have chapters out as soon as they are proofread for your viewing pleasure.

Thanks again AngloFalcon for your time energy and effort correcting this sloppy veteran when he steps out of line!

Chapter 3

Aftermath

The ambulance came, so did the ZPD in force. Fire trucks loaded with animals came to put out the small fires in the area, hoses to hydrants, extinguishers in paw. Nick couldn't take his eyes off Judy. She was being loaded into the back of one of the ambulances. Without a word, Nick went to that ambulance and climbed in back with them despite the rumblings of one of the paramedics following him, trying to tend to his wounds. Nick sat silently in the back watching them work on Judy. It was a flurry of activity as the jaguar paramedic was slowly cutting off her shirt in order to access the piece of mailbox impaling her as well as tending to the severed artery in her arm. Even under her fur, Nick could see how pale she was from blood loss. He felt his ears droop limp as he watched them scramble to save her life. When they removed his tie from her arm, the blood started flowing freely again. The jaguar quickly placed a mouse on her arm who was covered in protective clothing and armed with a small pair of clamps. The mouse practically climbed into her gaping wound and Nick felt himself sick watching it. Fearing that this was the last time he would see her; he forced himself to continue watching.

The blood flow stopped and the mouse squeezed herself out from Judy's arm, head to toe covered in blood. The mouse gave a tiny thumbs up. Nick felt himself relax a bit but that was short lived. The next moments he would see his life spiral out of control as the machine monitoring her heart suddenly went flat line. If Nick thought it was a flurry of activity before, then this was pure pandemonium. Shouting, quick movements and scrambling for equipment filled the air in the back of the ambulance. Nick began to rethink his idea of sharing the ride watching this. He felt his soul go black as he watched his friend dying on the gurney right before his eyes. He was powerless, all he could do was sit there and pull the jump seat cushion out with his claws until they met bare metal. They finally got her heart going again after much work, and in the back of that ambulance, they all shared a collective sigh of relief. The Jaguar sat sniffling quietly as she continued to focus on stabilizing Judy. Nick's mind began to drift out of unconsciousness as he realized that both his blood and Judy's had been pooling around his feet. Feeling sick, his eyes swiveled around in his skull as he finally let go and let the warm dark take him.

Nick came around in time to step out of the ambulance on his own power, waving away the waiting gurney but relented when they insisted on him getting into a wheel chair. They pointed at his bloody feet. "You are going to track that all over the hospital-swallow your pride and sit!"

He was brought to a room to have his wounds finished up. Most were done in the ambulance but there was still work to be done. There was a ragged gash in his left ear, that left flesh hanging, a large cut across his face, likely from the mailbox, and many other small cuts that were just cleaned up. One thing that they were trying to tend to was his paws. They were worn raw from trying to dig through metal while gripping the jump seat.

There was only one thing on his mind, "How's Judy?" Tears began to sting again, at the mention of her name.

The wolf looked up at him with sympathetic eyes as he cleaned blood from Nick's feet. "Officer Hopps was stabilized and is in surgery right now. I'm not going to tell you not to worry, she is your partner and a hero of this city, we all worry with you Officer Wilde. If the object in her side didn't hit anything vital, she could be up in a few weeks and returning to duty in a few months."

Nick sat staring blankly at his paws, "Doc, there had to have been something more I could have done...I...I watched her die in the ambulance."

Dr, Krakenhund, stood up and put his pawn on Nick's shoulder and spoke softly "Wlide, your quick thinking with your tie DID save her life. If you hadn't done that, she would have died at the scene. Don't be so hard on yourself."

Nick inhaled deeply and smiled, "Sure, Doc...I'll just go to the waiting room then."

The wolf nodded and let him leave the office. Nick walked the winding hall until he came to a full waiting room. Everyone was there. Clawhauser, Fangmeyer, Wolford, Delgato and even the Chief. The Ottertons were sitting in the corner along with Mr Manchas. They all looked to Nick who's throat suddenly dried up at the sight. No words were spoken as they all took turns giving Nick the loving embrace of friends and partners that he so desperately needed at that moment.

Wolford was the first one to break the silence, "So Nick, why do you let your uniform go to shambles like this?" Everyone looked at Wolford with shocked expressions but only until Nick started laughing hysterically. Then they all shared a chuckle.

Nick stopped laughing enough to take a deep breath. "Well I suppose that I'm just letting myself go after only a single month."

Chief Bogo approached Nick with a look on his face that made his ears droop "I know you have been through a lot Wilde, but..." Bogo sighed deeply "I need your report while it is still fresh in your mind. Forensics will get most of the story, but I need your report."

Nick knew that was coming. He sighed and nodded as the Chief led him outside to give his report. The cool air was pleasant after being cooped up in that ambulance and hospital room. There he paced back and forth giving all the details he could to Bogo that he could about the explosion, and...Judy. The sting was still there. He put his paw to his mouth as the images flashed back, and tears trickled down his red fur. He steadied his breathing while Chief Bogo waited in respectful silence. Nick let his paw down and wiped it on his chest feeling the slight crinkle of paper, where the zmail still sat. He never got to show it to Judy. His heartbeat skipped for a moment. 'Should I tell the chief?' Doubt still wracked his mind. He would wait until Judy was done in surgery to make that choice. For his part, Bogo was...less grumbly and even showed what could be called compassion.

Bogo stood up from the bench he had been sitting on during Nick's report and but his hoof on his shoulder. "Clear your doubts, you did good Wilde. Despite what we all believed, you have been and are, a good cop, and an even better partner. We should all be so lucky. We are all here for you and Hopps should you need anything. Now if you will excuse me, I need to call her parents to let them know what has happened."

Nick nodded not envying that part of the Chief's job and watched him leave before he decided that it would be best to get cleaned up. His uniform was in tatters along with his fur, all blackened and matted from the dried blood. He pulled out his phone and called Finnick.

"Whatchu want, Fuzz?"

Nick smiled at the sound of his old friend's voice. "I've a favor to ask of you; can you go to my place and grab a spare uniform for me and bring it to Zootopia General?"

There was a pause on the other end. "Finnick, you there?"

"How is she Nick?"

Nick sighed deeply "You heard?"

"Course I heard, you're the one who gave me the police scanner fool!"

He took a moment before responding, "There is a chance that she will be better in a few months. But if...well we still don't know...look do you still have my spare key or not?"

"Yeah yeah I got your key, I've been eating your leftovers all day since I bought them bug burgers two days ago. Grabbing your clown outfit now. Out"

The line went silent. Nick just wanted to be ready when they called for them. He saw a passing jaguar and stopped her for a moment. "Excuse me miss, are there showers I could use? I'm...uncomfortable like this."

She stopped and stared for a moment as it dawned on Nick that she was the jaguar from the ambulance. He was getting tired of looking at the world through a blur as his stomach wheeled. She told him that there was a faculty shower room he could use. He thanked her, not just for the tip, but everything. The quick arrival time, saving his friend and partner...just everything. The conversation drew on for a few minutes before they both shared a hug and went their separate ways. Nick wasn't sure how paramedics could do the job they did every day. Animal's lives resting in their paws on a regular basis. This time she was dangerously close to losing one of those lives.

Nick looked out over the west and watched the sun slipping beneath the horizon and admired the colors. It all brought him a slice of peace he had been seeking. The day had been long but it wouldn't be over until Judy was awake and on duty again. He missed that bunny already just thinking about the time it would take for her to be rehabilitated. He sighed deeply thinking about it as a very familiar brown van pulled up in front of the hospital. The window rolled down and a small head with huge ears leaned out.

"Yo, earth to Nick, Got ya clown outfit."

Nick smiled at the Fennec Fox as he made his reply, "Thanks buddy, I owe ya."

Finnick smiled, "Nah Nick, you do me plenty. Now if you tell anyone I said that you can meet my bat! Ciao!"

With that he tossed Nick his spare uniform and drove off. Nick smiled to himself as he headed back into the hospital. He passed Delgato and Clawhauser as they were leaving to return to their duties. Nick thanked them before continuing on his walk to the showers. With some quick directions he found himself in the hospital locker room. Due to the hour becoming late, it was deserted. Nick found a nice corner bench and plopped down. His mind wandered as he absently took the zmail out of his breast pocket and placed it in the same pocket on the clean uniform before he began to undress. The blood in his fur cracked as he peeled the uniform off, loose fur coming with it. 'Not, my blood...Judy's'.

'Need hot water, just...need it hot' Nick thought to himself as he cranked the knob. Cold for a few moments before it went nearly scalding. A few adjustments and he had it right where it needed to be. He stood in the shower looking down at the water circling the drain just like last night with one significant difference. This time there was blood...a lot of it. For the first time since his ordeal, tears didn't flow as he had none left to shed, but his emotions went rampant. Guilt was the worst. It doubled him over with sorrow and regret as he slowly slid down the wall to end up sitting on the tiled floor of the shower watching the bloody water circle the drain with clumps of his fur and even some of Judy's. His wounds screamed out in anger at the water, but Nick welcomed the pain, giving him something to focus on. His ears drooped as he brought his knees into his chest and cradled them with his chin resting on his knees. He closed his eyes and every time he did, he saw her crumpled on the floor of the cruiser. He was so tired.

"It wasn't your fault Wilde"

Nick opened his eyes and slowly looked over to find Wolford sitting on the bench next to his uniforms, paws folded into each other, elbows on his knees, eyeing him. The silence only broken by the water hitting the tile floor. Nick sighed before responding. "Of course it's my fault! She's my partner, and partners look out for each other."

Wolford chuckled and sat up leaning against the lockers "Oh so you caused the explosion that nearly leveled a city block?"

Nick thought a minute before responding "Is it possible not to cause the explosion yourself, but at the same time BE the cause of the explosion?"

He could almost hear the wolf scrunch his nose at that, "Wilde, what are you talking about? Does this have to do with the Night Howler case?"

Nick shrugged not looking in Wolford's direction "Did you know that Sully Lutrasmith was the dock supervisor? That he inspects all cargo coming in and going out of Zootopia? How high does that go then? International? Where do we go from here Wolford?"

The wolf stood up at that, his voice becoming more forceful "Are you saying someone tried to have you and Hopps assassinated?"

Nick shrugged again "I'll let you know when I find that out, bud"

He was suddenly dragged up by his paw and made to look Wolford in the eyes. The sheer strength and swiftness of his movements shocked Nick for a moment. After all Wolford was the hand to hand training expert of the precinct. Wolford's eyes harbored a seething anger barely checked, but Nick sensed it was not all directed towards him "Officer Wilde, you had better figure that out quickly. If someone is after you and Hopps, you need to find all the allies you can, and get to the bottom of this quick before we lose two good cops and the grip on this city. You are a great cop, despite all the adversity you face and we need cops like you and Hopps, the city needs you. Do you understand me?"

They were both sopping wet now but Nick was so caught off guard that he could only meekly nod in response. Wolford sighed and let him down. Only then did Nick realize he hadn't been touching the floor. "Wilde, finish up and come back to the room with us, Fangmeyer needs a friend right now since her best friend is in surgery."

"Hey Wolford?" The wolf stopped dead in his tracks without looking at Nick, but he swallowed and pressed on "Thanks...for everything."

Wolford shrugged once "We all need a hand every now and again Wilde. I've been where you are now. Ask me about my first partner sometime."

Wolford left Nick standing in the shower pondering those words. He had never heard that wolf talk about any of his previous partners before. Other officers spoke about theirs but he never did. He pondered it as he dried off and got dressed in the spare uniform brought by Finnick. All that was left was his badge. He examined it in his paws; what a state that badge was in. Scratched and smeared with blood. There was one large chip in the top of the star, near Trust and a scratch across the word Integrity. 'How appropriate' Nick thought to himself as he washed it off in the sink. Finally all done with improving his appearance he stepped back out into the waiting room to find all the others had left except for Wolford and Fangmeyer. Just as he was about to sit down, an antelope came over in doctor scrubs. Everyone in the room stood.

The doctor looked at the three officers lingering a moment on the damp fox and wolf, but smiled anyway "Officer Hopps is out of surgery and stable. She was very lucky that the piece of lodged against her hip bone. That prevented any serious internal injuries. Then there was the severed artery under her arm that had been closed with the neck tie. That alone saved her life as if she had lost any more blood, we would not have been able to save her. She will make a full recovery."

Nick was the first to step forward ears up with anticipation, "Can we see her doc?"

The antelope smiled "Yes you can, right this way." He started to lead them down the hall way as he continued to speak. "Mind you she will not be awake for a while. Her body went into shock so it is likely that she will regain full contentiousness in a few days, free to walk in a week and free to go in two..maybe three depending if any infections crop up. Here we are, please keep your voices low while in the room."

The room was dim with the lighting turned down, and the soft beeping of the heart monitor. Judy looked so small in the bed with four different line disappearing beneath the bed sheets and one into each arm. One was blood. Fangmeyer pulled up a padded chair and offered it to Nick as she took the rolling chair usually reserved for the doctor. Wolford stood. They all sat in silence for quite some time.

Nick reached out and took her paw in his, and gave it a gentle squeeze "I'm so sorry Carrots, this shouldn't have happened. I will find those responsible, they'll be brought to justice, just don't take too long" He shot the tigress a smirk and wink "I'm not sure how much of Fangmeyer I can take"

She took the joke for what it was and joined in "Seriously Judy, don't leave me hanging with this fox, you know how he can be sometimes" She paused a moment "Nick, I'm going to go for a walk for a bit; do you need anything?"

Nick shook his head "Thanks Fang, but I have everything I need here."

Fangmeyer nodded and she and Wolford left Nick alone in the room. He couldn't take his eyes off her. The color under her fur had returned and she did look better. Not nearly one hundred percent but on the right road. Nick pulled out his phone suddenly remembering Wolford's advice in the shower and dialed a number that was familiar to him. The buzzing ended with a thick accent.

"Tundra town Limo service, this is Raymond, How may I help you?"

Nick cleared his throat, "Hello Raymond, this is Nick Wilde."

"Mr Big said that if you no call tonight, we call you tomorrow. I give you his personal number. You call after you hang up with me yes?"

Nick smiled "Right away big guy. Got my pen ready, send me the number."

After some brief pleasantries, Ray told him to call. It seemed that he didn't want to hear any information about Judy until after Mr Big did. Nick redialed the phone and waited for only a single ring before the raspy voice came over the line.

"Speak"

It was incredible how that little shrew could sound so intimidating with a single word. "Mr Big, its Nick Wilde, you heard about Judy?"

"From your own mouth Nicholas, our police scanners are always tuned to your frequency. My grandchildren love hearing their godmother's voice over the radio. Now they wonder who could have hurt her, they hear you screaming into the radio, we were the first ones to hear about it. What assistance can I offer the partner of the godmother of my grandchildren?"

Nick took a deep breath, "I believe someone in the ZPD is targeting us. I don't know how much higher this goes but it has to do with Night Howler and a dock worker. I need someone I can trust to watch over Judy as I try to find out who is responsible. I don't know who in the ZPD I can trust or how many are involved. Can you do that Mr Big?"

There was a moment of murmuring on the phone, Nick couldn't quite make out what was being said. Mr Big's voice came back over the line. "I have a limo on its way with Kevin, he will make one stop on the way but should be there within the hour."

Nick sighed deeply, "I can't thank you enough" He was cut short by the shrew.

"I offer more than this Nicholas. You need resources, people, money, supplies or information, you call Mr Big. We take care of family, rest assured, they will be found. You stay with Judy now, keep her close, you have been through much."

Nick knew Judy would be safe now, not even the ZPD wanted to touch Mr Big and an imposing, heavily armed polar bear is enough to shake even the most hearty cop on the force. "Thank you Mr Big, I will keep you informed."

"Kevin will keep me informed on Judy, you keep me informed on the assassins."

The line went dead. Nick felt good about that conversation. Went better than the first time he was with Judy at his estate. Nick put his phone on the bedside table and laid his head down on the bed nuzzling Judy's paw. Only now, that a guard was on his way, that he knew Judy would make it did Nick realize just how tired he was. His eyes began to droop as his lids became heavy. He sighed deeply and place her paw on his cheek and finally let his eyes close. For the first time since the explosion, he didn't see her crumpled form in the darks of his eyes. Now he only saw the determination he needed to see this case through. At last...sleep.

Notes: Judy lives! That Officer Wolford is quite the guy huh? It was pretty touch and go there for a minute with that bunny! All may seem well now, but in the next chapter, things get interesting! The plot thickens! Again, thanks to all who read and follow this story, and the review as well! Much appreciated! Please leave a review or comment, I love reading them and your reactions!

Huge shout out to AngloFalcon once again!

-Keft

*DISCLAIMER*

Zootopia and the intellectual content are the property of Disney. I make no money or gains other than my enjoyment from writing it and experience. Any character names that I have created are free to be used by any other aspiring or experienced writers. Let me know so I can read your work with some of my character names and perhaps even personalities!

The plot and story are works of my own imagination and any likeness to other stories is purely coincidence, please inform me if I have transgressed on anyone else's work so that I may make amends. Likewise please do not infringe upon my story and make it your own without permission of a reproduction first. Thanks for reading!