A/N: Alright! Things are getting serious! I read this chapter again and noticed a few errors in it so to those who have read it before I'm terribly sorry. I promise that somethings are changed to better express and cause you less frustration at my errors!

Chapter 3: Old memories

Nick was humming a tune whilst walking down the street, his partner walking beside him. They were on patrol for the day and they did their usual rounds in and out of their cruiser and occasionally turning to speak to a few mammals who had wanted their autograph. Judy's sharp ears picked up his melodious tune and she couldn't help internally swoon at her partners dreamy voice. Or was it just her swooning over her love for him as usual. She just listened and enjoyed his humming as she secretly wanted to enjoy his charming voice more. Nick was unaware of his partner's sudden interest in his humming and thought about their date disguised as a day out. It had gone smoothly and he was happy to have made his partner happy at least once. His sarcasm he often used was to defend himself but he knew that that bad habit had to be changed. But as they say, old habits die hard, and it would be hard for him to get rid of it with his emotions sometimes being his emotions and trying to take over him. Or as they say, acting on emotions.

He stopped humming when they got to the station. He had only then realized that his partner was listening to him hum and had stopped out of embarrassment. They reported to the chief and the bull seemed happy that there wasn't any trouble all day while he was tasked to watch over the progress of investigation of the terrorists. The pair went for their usual refreshing showers and this time Nick was the one waiting for Judy to arrive. He smirked when he saw the bunny's fur a bit wet and messy and gave them a light comb with his claws. Unexpectedly, Judy seemed to relish in his touch for a moment before pulling away in mock anger and puffed her cheeks. He was stunned but didn't let it show. Never let them see that they get to you. That was his motto. But this time he wondered if he could really keep the act up with his partner and, admittedly, crush acting so cute. He struggled to keep his eyes focused on the road and not on the cute bunny next to him whose scent had somehow reached his nose. The unsuspecting Judy was dealing with different problems. She couldn't get Nick's charming voice out of her head! And when Nick had combed through her fur with his claws she knew he had seen her relish in his touch before she snapped back to her senses and pulled away. That was way too close! He might've started to suspect her feelings towards him, and that might mean the end of their partnership, friendship, and even the closeness that she loved. She didn't have the courage and the resolve to confess right now. Now she was wondering when would she steel herself to get herself out of this dump and go head on with any challenge as she usually did. No, he's a whole different matter… She thought as she sat in a daze, distracted by the many things on her mind.

Nick arrived at Judy's apartment and he had found that the doe had fallen asleep. She had curled up into a little ball and breathed steady breathes as she continued her slumber. Not even stirring when Nick shook her. Sighing, Nick carried Judy up into her apartment. He had to struggle to find the key to the door whilst balancing the sleeping doe in his arm. After he finally opened the door. Nick placed Judy on the couch for the time being and took her bag in the apartment and locked the door with a satisfying 'click'. As he picked her up to carry her to bed she nuzzled herself into his chest, a small smile growing on her muzzle. Nick was entranced by the adorable sight. He held his breath as she nuzzled into him more, leaning into his cream-colored chest fur. Judy smiled and he felt his stirring emotions of love grow, urging him to peck her gently so she wouldn't wake.

"I love you. Nick…" Nick's eyes bulged at the sudden declaration. Judy… Loved him?! He couldn't almost contain his delight! He struggled to not yell or jump up in happiness and on the inside his heart sped. Leaving him happier than he had ever been. Judy suddenly stirred and Nick hurriedly placed her on the bed and left the room. Happier than he had ever been he almost left with a spring in his step and he couldn't help but have his heart soar. This was bliss, this was happiness! Unknowing to the fox, instead of the calm smirk her had intended, a small smile graced his muzzle.

The next day unfortunately was bad news. Sullen and serious faces exited the bull pen that filled the air with dread. Another terrorist attack had happened, and the terrorists had demanded 20,000 dollars for releasing the hostages. It happened only this morning at Saliva's café, a place where many mammals liked to frequent. The café was famous for their special blueberry and chocolate ice cream on waffles and it was rush hour in the morning when the terrorists struck. Like the last time they were handled with ease and so far, the mammals were now behind bars. It struck odd in Judy but she had no time to be sure and had to finish the stack of paperwork which was stack quite high above her head. Being a small mammal it almost didn't mean much but compare it to a similar stack that Nick had and you could see that it also towered over him, a medium-sized mammal. She scribbled away at bunny speed as she was lost in her thoughts while Nick was already done with half of the stack. Now that made Judy feel like silently challenging who could finish first and started to write more furiously, it seemed as if her papers were going to catch on fire as she wrote. Nick admired the amount of spirt she had while doing the towering stack of paperwork. It had occurred to him that she was challenging herself but decided to keep quiet as her competitive smile captivated him and he didn't want to miss it. It wasn't rare but it certainly made him feel as if he had more energy to make it to the end of the day. He smirked to hide his secret and continued to steadily make the stack over his head decrease.

Finally, the day ended and they could go home. It was exhausting to some extent but finishing it made them feel a little proud of themselves to finished that massive pile of paperwork. As they indulged in their comfortable silence Nick's nose twitched. The smell of smoke was coming from the next street. He stepped on the gas and the car raced along the street, arriving at the destination just in time to see flames. Several bombers had appeared. Luckily it was just smoke gas and the patrons of the shop had quickly escaped. He was about to call in his ZPD colleagues for back up when he heard wailing in the shop. He hastily ran inside as she shouted to Judy.

"Carrots! Call for back up, now!" Judy took out her phone and dialled chief Bogo's number without missing a beat.

"Hello?"

"Hopps! Do you know how-"

"Yes, I know you're very busy sir but there are some bombers in a shop in Sahara Square. We need back up right now."

The other end of the phone was silent before she heard the stomping footfalls of the buffalo whilst he instructed several officers to attend to the scene. Judy sent them the coordinates and hoped that they would be here on time to stop the bombers. She gradually felt more and more worried about her partner who had ran inside after hearing the wailing of a kit in the shop. Why had he taken so long. She couldn't just stand there anymore and ran inside the foggy shop. The shop was full of furniture and see guessed that that was what it was, a furniture shop. She scurried through the fallen and broken furniture only to see something that horrified her. Nick was laying there, unconscious kit under his arm and his head bleeding. Taking a closer look, he had a collar on his neck. She knew what it was, unfortunately and so did Nick. She hurriedly used a cloth she had found and it was luckily big enough to stop the blood from flowing anymore. As she stepped outside, blaring sirens could be heard. Signalling that the ZPD was here. Unfortunately, the bombers had gone and they ambulance was called to bring the kit and Nick for examinations. Judy sat outside of the room Nick was in and wonder what had happened inside, as well as recalled memories from the past she had rather remained forgotten.

A/N: And~ here's to the end of the third chapter! Those who reread it from the first time I posted this chapter I hope you didn't spot any more errors! But if you do please feel free by PMing me or through the reviews! Unitl next time!