Authors Note: Gifts are my favorite things. It's an ambiguous term with a very enigmatic being. Intention and motive is everything. Though one can't deny the beautiful mystery that comes with the gift despite its purpose. This is my gift to you.

Judy's P.O.V.

I writhe awake and moan at being so tired. As I slowly stir to sit up, I feel so internally cold. I slowly open my eyes and squint.

I actually slept in this room this time. I must have been really tired. I still am which is a little unusual. I feel like going back to sleep but I should probably stay awake to not ruin my sleeping schedule. Then again, I've been sleeping a lot recently which is odd. These days have been so strange.

What should I do when I get up? I should check on Nick.

I toss the blankets off of me and slide off the side of the bed. I stumble out to the hall and notice it was a darker grey than normal. Did I really sleep that long?

In the hall, I look over to the couch and see Nick laying on his side looking at the fire. I smile and yawn as I make my way over to the couch.

I walk in front of him and see he was indeed awake. But his eyes were half-lidded which suggested he's bored or really tired.

His ear flicks towards me and he looks to me with a warm smile.

"Hey, Carrots."

I smile as I stand in front of him deciding where to sit. I can just sit below his curled up feet on the couch.

Walking over a bit, I hop up slightly, landing with a little bounce. I scoot in the spot to adjust getting comfortable before I put my paws in my lap and look to him.

I see him looking at the fire and I watched it thrive in his eyes in a blaze.

I didn't know whether or not to speak, but Nick spoke up before me.

"You should call Bogo tomorrow so you can visit your parents."

I did want to see my parents but I also really needed to go to work.

"I mean, I guess but I can't help but feel like I'm needed at work," I say reluctantly.

"You come first before you start to help others. Besides. You really need a break Carrots."

I've been working quite a bit. I've taken extra work when it appears. And it wouldn't be too bad to get some calm air.

"I guess you're right," I mumble.

Silence fell over us once more and the fire's crackling filled the air.

"What are you gonna do when you get there?"

I didn't exactly know but I probably would like to bond with my parents before I leave. Which should be obvious but the past visits I was to busy hanging out with siblings or I was called in earlier.

"I'll probably just hang out with my family and talk to my parents."

"Good."

"Why?"

He seems quiet for a bit before responding.

"You just need time with loved ones."

I look down in my lap.

What about him? He's been through so much and I haven't seen him receive any affection. Sometimes it seems like he doesn't even want any from anybody. It makes me wonder how he truly feels.

"Do you go to anyone you love?" I ask lightly.

He's quiet again before speaking up.

"I've got really nobody," He simply states.

My heart ached and I couldn't help but feel sympathy for him and I immediately wanted to comfort him but he spoke again.

"My mom hasn't seen me in years because of the way I used to live. And my dad is dead."

"Oh."

"I-I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Carrots."

He didn't have much of anyone. There's his mom. He hasn't seen his mom in years. He should reconcile. He is a cop now and it suits him well.

"You should try to see your mom, I'm sure she'd love to see you again. Especially now," I say hopefully.

He's silent for a bit before he spoke up.

"She doesn't want to see me. All I've got is myself and that's all I'll ever need."

"Nick, don't say that," I spoke softly.

I place my paw on his leg. He inhaled loudly and scooted his leg away from my paw before speaking up.

"Well, I am glad where I am now and that's thanks to this ray of sunshine right here."

I couldn't help but still feel an underlying sadness.

I give a smile and pass it off with a roll of my eyes. My paws placed in my lap, I stare at the fire with him, letting the ambiance of the fire fill the air.

I hope when I visit home this case doesn't erupt. Maybe I should skip home. Me and him could get a good start on it. If he's willing.

"Hey, Nick?" I ask softly.

"Yeah, Fluff?"

"Uh, so I was hoping you wouldn't mind.."

"Uh oh, Carrots is thinking," He said with sarcasm.

I feel a smile come to my face.

"Hey-" I say punching his arm lightly.

"Watch it," I say in mock warning.

That was good he was joking around.

"So I was wondering if you wanted to do this case with me when this is over."

He seemed to ponder a bit before smirking.

"Of course," He said lightly.

"But first you need to go home."

"But I want to get a good start on this one."

"Ah ah, Carrots. You need to go home and clear your head. And with that clear mind of yours, it will help us with this case immensely. For now, I'll talk with the chief and go solo on it to start and see if I can give us a direction to go. Don't worry about it out in the ol' bunny country. I'll call you if anything comes up."

From these past few days or however many; I've lost track of time, it seems I could use the time off. Nick and that silver tongue. But I'm still not sold.

"Are you sure you'll be okay?"

"Of course. You think this sly fox can't handle this? After all, I'm your partner."

It made me smile but something ebbed away at me. Something felt off. I didn't exactly know what.

"We're also friends, Nick."

"Well, I guess," he said nonchalantly.

I push him playfully.

"I think of you as a great friend, Nick."

He still had a slight grin on his face but then I see his eyes. They told a different story as he looked into the flames. Through them and behind them seemed full of sorrow.

"I mean I don't know why you'd want to be friends considering who I am, what I am and what I've done. I've made a lot of incisions on others."

My joking banter attitude disintegrated as my curiosity piqued.

"Incisions?"

He just stared at the fire for a bit before responding.

"I've hurt so many, and I can't give anything back in return. Even to those I care about. I have nothing to offer," He said lowly.

"I remember it clearly when I met her-"

"This was when I was maybe 23, 24; around your age," He states, moving his paw in my direction.

"It was on a day where I just finished conning another mammal. I was saying my typical goodbye to her before I would head home."

Nick's P.O.V

I lean forward and kiss her on the lips, eliciting a tender smack.

I could get used to this.

"I'll see you later Nicky," she says in a sweet flirty tone.

"If it's in my bed then I'll definitely be happy to see you," I say lowly with a smirk on my face.

She gains half-lidded eyes. She takes her paw off my shoulder and it travels down my chest. I had a good idea to where she's heading making me keep my half-lidded smirk still intact.

"Well maybe," she says pausing with her paw just inches away from my crotch.

"But you're not getting any of this any time soon," She says her paw on my crotch and caressing my pants.

"Oh and why not?" I ask seductively.

"Because I have a place to be," She says with a hint of lust.

Well, that kinda sucks. We hadn't had sex in a while considering my "work" hours. I'm usually not the one that has to engage. Well, it's not like I care too much. But I'm glad I'm at least able to be somewhat affectionate to her. The fact I've finally felt a part of someone else. I didn't feel as alone and she made me feel loved. I guess I'll steal a kiss from her at least.

I move forward closing my eyes and peck her on the lips and she returns it quickly.

She separated and began away and I looked at her features. Her jeans, her v cut brown shirt, her tail on her butt with her swaying hips.

I turn to walk away and give one last smirk before turning my head.

"Love you!"

That brings a warm smile to my face and I feel my chest warm up. It feels weird still, but it's enjoyable. I still feel a little uncomfortable being so open and affectionate but I think I should be fine with her. We've been together for seven months after all. She seemed decent as well recently but there were a few times I caught her zoning out with a frown. She always disregarded it when I asked and comforted her. I don't want to pry too much. I've been trying hard to be more affectionate but it's really difficult. But hey, I must be doing a damn good job since she's still with me.

I begin to walk down to the urban part of town and take a shortcut through an alleyway.

This is the part of town the city wants you to forget. The darkness and forgotten left behind by the sunshine and beautiful city of Zootopia. It was an area that was full of grim attributes and the city did nothing to fix the little area. The whole city is just a huge lie. It's shiny on the outside and rotten on the inside.

Welcome to Zootopia. A place where if you're a fox you get outcasted for stealing. Or profiled by officers. I fell for the bribe and lie. In Zootopia anyone can be anything. I wish it were true.

I take a right between two buildings and make my way toward the street where cars passed by.

I shove my paws in my pockets as I walk down the street. A ZPD cruiser passes by and a rhino in the passenger looks at me.

I smirk and do a two finger salute.

At least the ZPD is pretty adamant about catching criminals because there are few mammals that do crimes now unless it's well schemed.

Actually, I wouldn't mind getting a quick bite. I look to the street's side and see a little market across the road. I look both ways before jogging across the road and striding to the door. I open it to see an armadillo as the cashier and she looked to me and widened her eyes. I just smirked in response and casually strolled over to the chip aisle. I picked up a quick bag and walked over to the counter before tossing it on and looking for my wallet.

"Hey, you're going to have to shop somewhere else," A deep voice said.

I look up and see a bear now at the register.

I just smirk up at him and reply.

"I've got my money right here and I want to pay for a simple bag of chips. Is that too much to ask?"

"Sorry you can't shop here," He simply said.

Now agitated I pinch the bridge of my snout and scrunch my face in irritation.

"Look," I begin.

"Mr. Grills- Tim."

"Whatever," I say lifting my paw off my face to look at him.

"All I want is a bag of chips," I say waving my paw in the air and crossing the other under my chest.

"I have the money right here so if you'd please just take my money and I take the chips I'll be on my way."

"Sorry, go somewhere else," He said sternly.

This was an uphill battle so I knew it wasn't worth arguing. Stupid since he's technically losing a customer.

I sigh and rip the bag off the counter and place it back in it's designated spot and walk out of the store.

I should just head to the supermarket downtown and buy some food there. A cashier I know works there.

I sigh and begin to walk back over to the main part of Sahara Square. I take a lot of shortcuts through alleyways to avoid contact with most mammals. It did render me vulnerable in the grim alleyway but I could care less. I have my paws in pockets as I walk out of the alleyway and into the bright sunshine with mammals walking everywhere on the sidewalks. I put on my casual smirk and proceed to pass mammals that sometimes gave me glances. But I just glanced back with my smirk.

I approach the store and walk through the slider doors. Walking around the store, I make it to the chip aisle and grab the same branded bag. But I couldn't help but notice some blueberries which I couldn't resist buying. I grab the two items and make it over to the cash registers and scan them to find her.

"Nick?"

I turn around to see a familiar hippo. Valarie.

"Ey, Valarie. How's it going?" I ask with a sly smile.

She had her regular work clothes which were aa dark blue and a name tag on her round chest, which showed her name.

"Come on over here Nick and I'll get your stuff checked out," She said waving me over.

I casually follow.

I met her when I conned her but she realized it and tracked me down and we kinda just became friends. Well only because she wanted a paw in getting a quick buck. After she asked how I lived doing this. I just told her all she needed to know, and she helped discount me when I went shopping.

"So how are you and Sophie doin?" she asked sliding my stuff over the scanner.

"Pretty good."

"Eight, ninety, nine, actually-"

She pushed a few buttons before the price changed.

"Seven, ninety, nine."

I smile at her lowering the price but pull out a ten in between two fingers anyway. She takes it and puts it in the register getting my change out.

She passes me the change and I take it and shove it in my wallet.

"Well I'll catch you later Nick," She says smiling at me.

"Not again," I say smirking.

"Later Nick," She says holding a laugh.

"Bye Silly teeth."

I walk out of the store and begin my trek home. I was actually decently close to Sophie's place, so I'll drop by and ask for a ride since it was getting kind of late. Speaking of which it looked like it was gonna rain soon. Sure enough, I was a block away and it started to rain and the sky turned grey.

She lives in the suburban area since well you know, she's a predator and can't get a real sustainable job. But her house is decent.

Walking up the driveway, I start up the steps and I open the door and don't knock since it's only me. I should give her a surprise greeting. I begin my stroll through the living room and find she's not there. I place my stuff on the kitchen counter and I listen to where she could possibly be. Her car was here so she's not gone. I then hear what sounds like groaning in pain and the sound of something creaky. I begin my walk up the stairs to her room and it grew in volume. She was moaning over and over and it sounded like her bed was creaking. She's having a little fun by herself I see. I get a smirk on my face as I think of an idea of how to slide in the session. But something catches my attention it sounds like grunting. I furrow my brows and begin to creep towards the door.

Is she…

I crack the door slightly ajar.

I see her on the bed with her legs spread apart. On all fours was fox thrusting into her from above. She looked into the other foxes eyes as he pumped into her with her chest pushed forward.

I feel something in me shatter and break.

All of that trust. Gone.

She kissed me not even an hour ago and she's having sex with another fox and it looks... passionate. More passionate than when we do it evident by the fact she's moaning louder. She told me she had a place to be and she used me.

The rage swelled up and I was so angry I didn't know what to do. I was mad but I wasn't mad at her as much as I was mad at myself. I trusted her. I let her in. I let her get to me. It was my fault. She used me for my money and quick sex and she was probably going to do the same to this fox right here.

She then moans loud and it breaks my thoughts and I look to her and see she rolled her head to the side and the fox was thrusting hard and slow now. She opened her eyes and before they widen like saucers. I glare and shut the door.

I shoved my paws in my pockets with furrowed brows and speed stepped down the stairs. I grabbed my stuff and I hear her call out to me.

"Nicky, wait!"

I speed walk towards the door. I open it and shut it as I hear her running down the stairs.

The rain poured around me in a blur now but I kept to myself and just walked without a care. I could feel my eyes sting. I can't cry. No. Not for her. I grit my teeth in anger as I walked.

"Nick, please wait!" she calls through the rhythmic tapping of the rain on the road.

I don't bother as I just feel all of the anger diminish with the rain. My expression turns blank as I walk.

She's calling to me at her steps and she calls out one last thing.

"Nick, please!"

"I love you."

I stop and consider what to say as I let the rain hit me.

She betrayed me and she's decided to be unfaithful and cheat. But I hated myself most of all for letting her in. Instincts, emotion or not, I promised myself I wouldn't let anybody see they got to me and she will not be the one. So I speak the last two words as concise as possible.

"I did."

Judy's P.O.V.

I couldn't believe what I just heard. He was cheated on. The one mammal he let in normally they cheated on him. I couldn't believe I was friends with Nick. To think the case we did united us. And in the end, despite the mishap, we reunited. I couldn't help but feel grateful even more that Nick was my friend as selfish as that sounds. My friend. I…

I say all I can muster.

"Nick. I'm so sorry."

The fire's ambiance filled the room again and he just stared in its blaze before replying lowly.

"It's okay. I'm happy where I am now and that's all that matters."

I reach outward and he turns his head from the paw keeping his face propped up on his side. I can feel my nose twitch as I searched his emerald iris'. I felt like I needed to do something as my instincts allure me. I felt my eyes grow heavy as gravitated closer. I searched his eyes continuously. My eyes closed and my lips made contact. I open my eyes to see he had two fingers on my lips to stop me from the connection. I look to him and see sadness leaking past his soft smile.

"That's not such a good idea."

"It's not that I wouldn't do it back," he said pulling his fingers away.

"It's the fact of what lies ahead."

I feel myself flush with embarrassment and feel ashamed. Why did I even do that?

My eyes look to his shyly before darting away.

"I-I'm sorry."

Wait, he would've kissed me back? What about "what lies ahead".

"Wait. What do you mean?" I ask softly.

A pause.

"We work together and could lose our jobs. Your dream job. We would be looked down upon and not to mention your parents."

My parents. I didn't even think of that. Surely they've moved beyond it.

"I thought this wouldn't happen but I guess it did and I'm sorry."

Nothing more was spoken but I could feel the tension thick, polluting the air.

He was right and I felt completely exposed. I can't believe I tried to kiss him. I feel so cold.

But why do I love him? I met that one rabbit not too far back and he didn't even seem jealous he just smirked as he flirted with me. I wasn't really surprised by his style so I got annoyed quick and turned him down. Maybe he didn't like me then. But I didn't see a change at all. Nick hid all of this and I had no evidence of any change. Now I felt so conflicted.

He was silent and just stared at the fire. The pause was almost unbearable.

I feel like I'm going to cry. The fact I can't be with him is tearing away at me for some reason. Will we ever be the same now that the truth has come to the light? I need to go away.

I begin to slide off the couch and I pass him without a glance. I open the door to the bedroom and I jump on the bed and get under the covers. I just stare at the ceiling and I felt a tear go down my cheek. What now? I felt like I was in a pinch and didn't know what to do. I didn't want to physically let go of him. We were here and so far but blocked off by the fact of the pain to come in the future.

Why did I do? What did he do? It's all ruined now. I messed up and I can't fix it this time.

I began to cry. Cry about everything that's happened in these past four days. I sob and covered my face and turned to cry on my side. My face hurt from crying for so long and my throat started to feel sore. I tasted the salt of my tears. I began to finally calm down and inhale sharply randomly. I close my eyes and try to just sleep all of this away. I began to inhale sharply and wipe away at my face as I lay on my side. Suddenly, I feel what seems like something stirring on the other side of the bed. The covers lift up.

Nick?

Suddenly, a pair of brown paws wrap around my hips and hold me and pulled me closer. It was Nick and I felt him place his bottom jaw on top of my head. He breathed calmly and I was completely still. Eventually, I scoot back until my butt and tail bump his waist. I feel home. I begin drifting off in a sarcophagus of warmth.

...

Something pulls at me in my slumber and I stir awake. There was a wind pushing against my face and it was cold.

"Nick," I gently whisper.

He stirred.

"Nick!" I whisper, shaking his forearm.

"Huh?" he groans.

"Remember when I told you this room got really cold but there was nothing wrong with it?" I whisper.

"Yeah."

"It's back and it's stronger this time."

He lifts away from me slightly. I turn towards him. He looked around the room with a tired gaze.

"It is pretty cold," he started.

"But there doesn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary."

I exhale lightly, creating a cloud of mist.

He eventually began to get up.

Suddenly the house shook and the sound of a giant bell reverberated with an eerie dying tone.

"Nick! What's happening!"

"I think it's an earth-"

The wall in front of us began falling apart. Nick suddenly seemed to slowly drift towards the wall as it was being torn off. He suddenly grabbed the sheets of the bed as if he was slipping. It looks as if he's being dragged away.

"Nick!" I yell as I jump forward.

I grab his paw and he squeezes it for dear life with a panicked expression.

The chilly vacuum wasn't pulling me for some reason, only Nick.

His grip was slipping and I wince as I try to hold on. His grasp faltered and he fell to the floor; his nails digging into the wood as he was being pulled away. I jump off the bed and grab him again, using my heels as support.

"Judy!"

I open my eyes to look at him and he had a calm expression.

"Let go."

"What!? No! I'm not gonna let you die!"

"Judy- No! I'm not letting you leave me!" I interrupt.

"Judy," he said softly again and open my eyes to look at him.

He takes his free paw and places it on my cheek. I look into his sad expression as he smiled at me softly.

"You'll see me again."

I try to find words.

"But- I promise."

Despite my unwillingness to let go, I look into his eyes and see he was sincere. But further behind it all, I saw a glint of pain.

I turn my head away as I feel tears come to my eyes and brace myself to let go. I then release my grasp and his paws disappear from my hold. The wind blew violently then immediately started to die to a calm demeanor. I don't dare open my eyes. I fall on my side. Alone. And I begin to cry. A gravity created a pull inward that resonated in my body and all of my senses overloaded and then fell leaving me in black nothingness.

Music:

Korn - Kiss