Chapter 3: Ups and downs
The song Try Everything rang in Nick's ears, he wasn't a big fan of Gazelle but this song in particular seemed to grow on him. Nick grabbed his phone and turned off the alarm, he sat in bed wishing he could still sleep longer. He was never really a morning person but duty called, Nick got up and took a quick shower and when he got out he could see something on the outside windowsill. He opened the door and looked at the window to see a cup of coffee and a bag with a note on it. The note read, "Hey Nick, I knocked on the door but you didn't answer and I heard the shower going so I went to work but here's some coffee and a blueberry muffin to start your day!
I'll pick you up on my lunch break at 12:30 so be ready-Judy. Nick was pleasantly surprised to see Judy went out of her way to get him breakfast again but in that moment he felt a twinge sadness because deep down he knew she was only doing it to motivate him and make sure he was getting up on time. After eatting his muffin Nick went out to the obstacle course where he was greeted by Tristan, "Hey Nick, ready for the course?"
"Sure, this is the fun part it's all the studying that worries me," Nick said playfully.
Major Friedkin came out and joined the cadets.
"Alright, each of these obstacles will get you ready for the streets of Zootopia... if you can't get passed them you'll be dead! You are to try and complete them as fast as you can," Friedkin called.
Once Friedkin give the signal everyone started running. The first obstacle they had to go through was the monkey bars, Nick was able to get through them fairly fast and only almost slipped once. The next part was the sand storm, Nick closed his eyes and held his breath as he was pelted with sand when he made it through Nick was starting to lose his breath but kept going. Next was the ice wall, Nick dug his claws into the ice and did his best to ignore the horrible cold sensation going from his paws to his tail. He was doing alright until Adrian grabbed Nick's back paw making Nick slip and fall into the cold water.
Nick swam to the surface only to hear major Friedkin call out, "You're dead foxy!" Which meant Nick was done for the day, normally he would protest but he was too cold to argue. Nick went back to his dorm to dry off and put on some dry clothes but as he did he heard a knock on the door. Nick opened it and saw Tristan standing there.
"You didn't do so well either huh," Nick concluded.
"I fell off a vine," Tristan said disappointedly.
"Well come on in, we can have a pity party," Nick joked.
Tristan walked in and sat on Nick's bed, Nick was still drying his ears.
"I saw what happened with Adrian... he would always pull stuff like that in school," Tristan went off.
Nick nodded to show he was listening.
"Why didn't you tell the major," Tristan asked.
"She didn't see what happened so if I told her she wouldn't believe me," Nick answered quickly.
"You don't think that because you're a fox do you... come on this is a new age, one where a fox can be more than a low life and a bunny can be a cop," Tristan encouraged.
Nick chuckled when he heard Tristan's words, "You're alot like her you know."
"Huh... like who," Tristan wondered.
"Officer Hopps, the bunny cop," Nick said proudly.
"Wait you know Judy Hopps," Tristan asked excitedly.
"Don't mean to brag but she's kinda my best friend," Nick smiled.
The two went on talking, Nick told Tristan all about his adventure with Judy and Tristan talked about how inspired he was to hear about a bunny cop.
"Man, you two are going to make a great team," Tristan noted.
"Yeah, she's great... did I tell you she brought me breakfast yesterday and today," Nick said happily.
"No that's sweet," Tristan chuckled.
"Oh and she has the cutest way of pulling the wool over my eyes, she's sneakier that me sometimes and I'm a fox," Nick laughed.
Nick trailed off with Tristan listening attentively until Tristan stopped him.
"You know, if I didn't know any better I'd say you liked Judy a little more than a friend," Tristan laughed.
Nick caught off guard by Tristan's statement went silent.
"Wait... do you," Tristan questioned.
"I... well no I mean uh of course not," Nick said flustered.
Tristan glanced over at Nick's phone sitting on the nightstand and Nick's eyes followed then Tristan's and Nick's eyes met for a brief moment until suddenly they both made a mad dash for the phone. Tristan was able to get the phone before Nick and all Nick could do was jump trying to get his phone away from Tristan. Tristan looked at Nick's phone to see the background picture on it was a picture of Nick and Judy.
"Ha you do like her," Tristan said feeling accomplished.
"So what if I do... it's not like it changes anything, she's a rabbit and I'm a fox nothing can come of us," Nick said feeling defeated.
"You don't know that... maybe she feels the same way, if anyone can make a relationship like that work it's you two," Tristan said confudently.
"Look I've come to terms with it, I know I have to take these feelings to the grave," Nick argued.
"Who says, Nick if you never tell her how you feel you'll always wonder what could of been," Tristan informed.
Nick sighed, he never thought he would be talking to anyone about this let alone considering actually telling Judy. But for some reason Nick found Tristan to be easy to talk to and he trusted him.
"And what if she rejects me... it would cost me everything, things wouldn't be the same between us and she would never want me as her partner," Nick debated.
"Come on, she's not heartless even if she does reject you I'm sure she'll still be your friend but trust me if what you've been saying is true then she won't reject you," Tristan said reassuringly.
Tristan was making alot of sense to Nick and Nick decided that he would tell Judy at lunch, the sooner the better before he came to his senses. It was almost time for Judy to pick him up so Tristan went to his own dorm and Nick waited at the gate enterince. Judy came right on time in a police car and pulled up next to the sidewalk where Nick was as she rolled down the car window.
"What seems to be the problem officer," Nick said with a smirk.
"Just get in," Judy chuckled.
Nick obeyed and got in the passenger seat, Judy started to drive as Nick put his seatbelt on.
"So I see they gave you the police car, the roads of Zootopia must be in shambles," Nick began.
"Very funny slick... where do you want to eat," Judy said trying to change the subject.
Nick thought about his next words carefully.
"How about The Kings Bite, it's close, has food both of us will like," Nick suggested.
"The Kings Bite, isn't that a little... classy," Judy worried.
"Uh why should that matter... I'm paying after all, if I were you I'd demand a fancy place," Nick said quickly.
"Hmm I guess it's alright, The Kings Bite it is," Judy said happily.
The two sat in awkward silence until Nick finally spoke up, "Well uh you look nice today." Judy gave a odd look at Nick before looking back at the road.
"This is just my police uniform, I wear it everyday," Judy laughed.
"Yes well i-it suits you," Nick added.
"Umm thanks," Judy said quickly.
There was a long pause before Judy said something, "Soo how are things at the academy?" Nick sighed before answering, "Well at least the cold water got most of the sand out of my fur." Judy chuckled before stopping herself, "I'm sorry Nick, it will get better... trust me."
"I do... Judy," Nick said sincerely.
Judy became more alert when Nick said her name, she was use to him only calling her by her name when they were in trouble and hearing it now made her feel uneasy. They spent the rest of the car ride in silence until they got to the restaurant.
"We're here yay," Judy said uncomfortably.
They went inside and were seated at a nice booth.
"Not too shabby right carrots," Nick commented.
"Yeah it's nice, I'm pretty hungry what about you," Judy asked.
"I believe I've worked up an appetite," Nick said playfully as he handed Judy a menu.
They looked at the menus carefully when the waiter came over.
"How can I help you two today," The waiter asked.
"I'll have the fish platter, and Judy," Nick said as he folded his menu.
"Just a salad please," Judy said giving the menus to the waiter.
The food came out quickly and Nick and Judy ate without saying much. Since becoming friends with Judy, Nick made a effort to eat less meat even though all meat in Zootopia was artificial only having the things a predator needs to stay healthy. They finished eating pretty fast and before Nick knew it they were walking back to the car and he didn't even get to say what he wanted, he took a deep breath it was now or never.
"Uh wait carr-Judy, there's something I want to say," Nick said nervously.
Judy stopped and looked back at Nick, "Whats up slick?" As they stood there Judy could feel Nick was nervous which made her nervous.
"Judy I know w-we haven't really known each other that long but... I feel different when I'm with you... a good different, a feeling that I don't want to go away. The whole time I tried to show you, you can only be you are but all that ended up happening was you made me believe otherwise... you made me believe in you... and that's why... I love you Judy," Nick confessed.
There was nothing but a look of shock on Judy's face, she quickly shook her head and stared at a worried Nick of a second.
"Oh Nick... I know where you're coming from, and yeah we've had some... moments... and don't get me wrong they were very good moments but you and me it just wouldn't work. I mean what would my parents say, you know my dad has a fox taser... a relationship between us would just be tricky," Judy explained.
The two stared at each other for a minute while Nick processed what was just said.
"So, I lay everything on line and you come back with it would be tricky and my dad has a fox taser... is that about right," Nick asked defensively.
Judy started to apologize but Nick cut her off before she could even get sorry out, "You know what, I should have known this would happen... I should have known you're still as small minded as ever! You say you're open to change and you want to try everything but you don't really mean it, you're still nothing but a dumb bunny!" Tears started to form in Judy's eyes as she said, "I am NOT a dumb bunny!" Nick looked ready to say something else but Judy didn't let him, "Do you really want to know why a relationship would be a bad idea... because I know you Nick, I know your type... what happens when a pretty vixen crosses your path huh!?" Nick opened his mouth to say something but Judy continued.
"I'll tell you what would happen, you'd leave me like a tiny blueberry that never grow to full size and you deemed unworthy to eat! To you I'm just a forbidden fruit... you only want me because you know you can't have me or at the very least shouldn't... and I won't let you break my heart and if you can't understand that then maybe being partners isn't such a good idea," Judy went off.
"Maybe it's not... you know something, you don't want your heart broken but what you don't know is all this time you've had mine and you didn't even know it," Nick reflected as he started walking away.
Judy was about to stop him when her radio sounded off calling her to duty. Nick walked back to the police academy wondering what to do next. If Judy didn't want him as a partner he didn't see why he should stay at the academy but after everything he wouldn't feel right going back to his old life and there was nothing Judy could say that would stop Nick from loving her. Nick was just hurt that she didn't take his confession seriously and thought he would ever leave her. As Nick walked slowly he heard his phone ring and saw it was Judy, he took a deep breath knowing they both had said things they regretted then answered it.
A/N: Well there you have it chapter 3, this one took a while but here it is I hope you enjoyed it. I finally decided and if there are no objections the next chapter will be the last for this story but don't worry I'll have more... honestly I started with the thought of this being a long story and I had tons of ideas but I figured they could be put to use in other stories. Well please RR and thank you so much for reading, the last chapter probably won't be finished until after Christmas so merry Christmas!
