Consoling

It had officially been a week whereas Nick had been avoiding her. He even went so far as to claim sick, just so he wouldn't be forced to see her at work.

At least that was what Judy assumed by his tenth cancellation. Their weekly movie nights? Cancelled. Getting coffee and bagels in the morning? Cancelled. Chasing down bad guys and bringing them back to the ZPD? Cancelled as well.

It was one time after another. The last time the pair incited in a full conversation was Monday night, almost a week ago. It was the last time anyone actually saw Nick. The last time since Judy and him hung out. The last time Nick bothered to show up for work. The last time anyone had seen his face around Zootopia.

In retrospect, he could honestly be sick, just like he claimed over the phone. Judy desperately wanted to believe it. However, the rabbit couldn't fathom why the fox didn't want her to come over. The last time Nick was sick, Judy was at his house within an instant. He had texted her, asking for her to come over! She had taken care of him and all was fine!

All was fine as well last Monday, the hung out as usual, watched a movie, and then promised to meet up the next morning to get coffee and bagels just like always. Judy couldn't figure out anything she said that was wrong and Nick didn't appear the least bit sick at the time. In fact, both of them were laughing and teasing one another just like they did on a daily basis.

When Nick went home, they hugged. Proving all was fine was her and Nicholas Wilde.

Unfortunately after that, it was one cancellation after another. It started when Nick was unable to meet for breakfast and simply texted Judy an apology. Judy had understood, figuring he had slept in late and would simply just meet her at the ZPD, but soon Judy discovered from Clawhouser, the cheetah at the front desk, Nick wasn't coming into work at all that day. When she texted again to see what's up, her partner only claimed his head hurt and Judy tried to understood.

'Can't make it to movie night. Sry:(' was the next text a day later. Judy responded with an equal frowning face before assuring him it was alright. After all, there was always next week. However at the rate he was avoiding her, she wasn't quite sure that would be an option.

The entire week Nick used up his sick days. Whenever Judy curiously called him out on it, he claimed he felt like fainting. Chief Bogo was understandable furious, and while Judy was trying again to call him, the chief grabbed her phone and responded quickly.

"Wilde. I swear. Whatever is wrong with you, you better get yourself to the doctor and then back into work next week!" Chief Bogo's firm voice commanded. "This isn't some party where we all wait for you until you feel like strolling in whenever you want!"

Judy had slowly taken the phone back, before saying goodbye to her partner's answering machine.

That was two days ago. And after multiple complaints from her boss, the possibility of Nick actually getting fired came into focus. Judy knew Chief Bogo and when he was mad about something, he was absolutely furious. And Judy didn't want her best friend to be the undeniable cause of that.

That was why Judy was going to find out whatever was wrong with Nick. She was finally going to figure out why the fox had been avoiding her all week. Whatever she did wrong, she would apologise, hopefully fixing it and kindly tell him to come back to work. Judy had even brought over fresh blueberries from her parents farm to persway him in an act of forgiveness. After all, they were partners and best friends. He had to forgive her.

"Nick?" A gentle knock against his apartment door sounded after she called for his name. Carefully, she slipped her paw back down before looking up.

Judy would easily be able to get in herself. She had her own keys, just like he did to her place. However, at the time, it seemed a lot better if she would at least have the curtesy to knock. "It's me - Judy." Judy confirmed, chewing on her lower lip. "Can I come in?"

Time passed and after a full minute without an answer, Judy knocked again.

"Nick? Are you home?" She tried again, a bit louder. "I really want to speak to you!"

"QUIET DOWN! SOME OF US ARE TRYING TO SLEEP!" Another door revolting open across the hall and Judy looked down apologetically, only to be greeted by one of Nick's rather annoying neighbours. She had already unfortunately met nearly everyone in the building, sadly, many times and they never liked her. Nick insisted it was fine, as he never liked them much anyway.

As much as Judy wanted to inform the figure it was only 5pm, she held back and instead simply nodded. "Oh. Yeah. Sorry.."

"Mmhm." A raccoon wavered out. Judy soon recognised him -short for a raccoon, loud, rather annoying. His name was Stevie and from what she knew, he threw massive parties all throughout the night. "SAY WHAT YOU GOT IN THE BAG?" Stevie screeched.

If any animal in the apartments actually was sleeping, at 5pm, Stevie would surely have woken them up by now. Judy's eyes lingered down towards the basket, before returning her gaze to the raccoon. "Blueberries."

"Gross."

With a gentle sigh, Judy was just about to give knocking another try, when the raccoon began walking towards her. Having more of a conversation with Stevie was the last thing she wanted at the moment, however what he said soon caught her interest. "Ya' knocking for Nicky?"

"Um... Yeah." Judy answered. She looked back at the raccoon with wide eyes. "Yeah I am, actually. Do you know if he's here?"

"As of an hour ago, he was." Stevie retorted, moving before her. "Allow me, Copper."

Judy was just about to counter back against the nickname, but Stevie pushed her aside and began furiously pounding on the door, screaming for Nick louder than the rabbit ever thought possible.

"NICKY! YO NICK! OPEN THE DOOR! THE FUZZ HAS TRACKED YA' DOWN FINALLY!"

Glaring at Stevie, Judy pushed him aside, before knocking on the door one more time herself. "Nick works for the fuzz now." She corrected the raccoon in a whisper.

"Ah.. So that's why he's always wearing that ridiculous blue outfit ya' coppers wear.. And that badge. Don't get me started on those shiny badges. Kinda funny if you ask me. It's like no cop can ever wear anything but blue and badges. Blue and badges! What a crazy comparis-"

"-Nick! If your mad at me, you can tell me!" Judy interrupted, in hopes not only Stevie would get the point, but Nick would just finally open the door. "You can tell me anything and we'll talk about it! I just need you just open the door. I'll open it myself if I have too, unless you really don't want me too and want me to just go away... But we're friends! And friends shouldn't go away!"

Stevie seemed to grunt at that, before chuckling sombrely. He eyed her for a minute, but with a wave of his paw, the raccoon turned back, muttering something about how he never should have gotten up for this.

"Is it because of that time when I spilt coffee on you?" Judy questioned aloud. "I did say I was sorry, didn't I? I bought you an extra coffee!"

Pacing back and forth, the bunny felt her ears droop. "Am I putting too much pressure on you at work? Is that it? I'm sorry about all the paperwork! I really am! But as soon as we finalise it, we'll be back solving crime! Won't that be fun?!"

At that point, Judy realised she was talking to no more then a blank door. Not only that, but Stevie had left too. However, that didn't stop her in her rant, as she held the blueberries up.

"I brought you blueberries!" Judy promised, waving them at the door. "They're fresh from my parents farm! Just like you love! And if you listen to me for a while now, and if we talk, we can even get more! And I'll let you come up with another really stupid nickname to call me all week. Deal?"

"..I don't care about the dang blueberries, Carrots. And Carrots is the only good nickname I'm calling you - as of now."

Judy's heart nearly melted at his voice and she quickly rushed to the door. "Nick?!" She confirmed, gently. Her eyes growing wide, she tried to listen, as it was almost impossible to hear whatever he was saying. "Nick? I'm sorry."

With a small creek, Judy saw the door being pushed open and her partner quietly stood before her. Heaving a gentle sigh, Nick fully opened the door. Judy's first instinct was to hug him, but she held off as she soon noticed his dismay.

"Sweet cheese and crackers! You have no idea how worried I was. How worried we all were! I'm sorry for whatever I did to annoy you Nick! I really do value our friendship!"

It was then Judy noticed Nick's eyes brimmed with tears and slowly she inched forward, wondering if that was the right call to make, before asking.

"Oh my gosh... You are actually sick.. Nick I'm so sorry. How are you feeling? Does your head still hurt?"

Slowly her attention reverted to behind him, near the living room. The entire apartment appeared a mess, though she didn't have a perfect view. Nick seemed to have a pile of books stacked high upon the coffee table - scrapbooks maybe - and it didn't help anyone's case that he looked like explaining his problems to her was the last thing he wanted to do, so Judy quickly changed the subject.

"I can go pick you up some medicine at the pharmacy? But.. I think the ZPD also really needs you back. Chief Bogo wants you in tomorrow. You've almost used up all your sick days."

With an agitated groan, Nick rubbed his head. "I heard all his voicemails."

"...Oh." Judy stiffened. She didn't know why, but assuming Nick just didn't want to talk off the phone hadn't come to her. She figured he had been annoyed with her, in the first place, but typically over small arguments both of them reacted naturally. The only thoughts Judy had made was that he was either actually sick or avoiding her. She had leaned towards the second option, but now, looking at him and the jumbled mess, she was quite unsure.

"Nick.. How come you haven't been answering anyone's calls?"

Judy more then anything wanted to see Nick's expression, but the dim light in his apartment hallway wouldn't allow it. Instead, she studied his unsure movements with careful interest.

"I texted you I wasn't going to be there."

"Yeah.." Judy fumbled with her paws. "Twice. But it's been a week. People have to know in advance, Nick. I understand if your not feeling good but you could have at least had the decency to tell us first."

This time it was Nick's turn to fumble around with his paws. Even with the dark lightening, Judy could tell her partner didn't want to have this conversation. And as he turned away from her, it only hurt her more. "I'm so sorry I didn't call!" Nick snapped all of a sudden. "Geez! Just fire me."

"No ones not going to fire you.." Judy promised, gently. Though she wasn't 100% positive, she knew Chief Bogo. He'd most likely just make the fox work a few days extra if Nick would simply come back soon.

"Whatever Judy."

Frozen in place, Judy watched as Nick appeared to have a mental debate with himself. One part of him seemed to want to talk with her, but the other still seemed furious over something she didn't know. By the way Nick was now holding his head and fighting back tears, Judy more then anything wanted to console him.

"Are you okay?" The rabbit asked quietly. Her ears flopped back down as she allowed herself to move fully into the apartment. Shutting the door, Judy eyed her partner. Nick's ear's were flopped back and holding his arms, he refused to look at her.

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes Judy. I am sure. What is it you need again?"

Judy's ears drooped back down. "I just.. I wanted to talk to you, understand what's wrong, why your mad..."

Once again, the hallway fell silent and slowly but surely, Judy stepped forward. By now, her eyes were facing directly at Nick's, though he refused to meet them. Nick was staring quietly at the ground, as if all the secrets of life were written on the creaky floorboards. Occasionally, he would glance at Judy before facing back to his stare.

"I'm not... I'm not mad at you, Carrots." Nick choked out, releasing his crossed arms. He slumped against the wall, reverting his attention back to the small bunny. "I just.. I need more time off. I'm telling you right now.. I- i can't go back to work tomorrow..."

"Okay." She answered in a heartbeat. If Nick said he couldn't, then he couldn't. Simple as that. Refusing to question Nick anymore, Judy gently reached out to touch her partner's arm. "I'll talk to Chief Bogo. See what I can do. But can I ask why?"

It took roughly 30 more seconds, before he could finally get the words out. He returned to his anxious posture, holding his arms and staring back at the ground as he told her. Judy reacted just as Nick knew she would, pulling him into a deep, warm hug as soon as he confessed what happened. "My mom died..."

"Oh my god." Judy's eyes turned wide. Out of all her theories as to why Nick wasn't around, she couldn't even fathom this one. She felt stupid for even considering the other possibilities; for basically blaming him. The rabbit shut her eyes before slowly opening them and reached out to Nick. "Nick, I'm so so sorry.."

Judy refused to let go of the hold on her partner. Most of the time, by then, Nick would have promptly shoved her off, informing her it was enough hugging for his reputation to deal with, but this time, he didn't mind so much. Shutting his eyes, Judy immediately knew Nick was struggling not to cry. Wrapping her arms around his waist, Judy held him close.

"It.. It happened like a week ago.. They didn't call me until a day after.." Nick mumbled, looking up to avoid his partners concerned gaze. "I just.. I don't know.."

"It's okay.. Shh..." Judy rubbed his arm in soothing circles as Nick let out a whimper. Moving quick to mask his pain, the fox nudged her off to hold his arms beside each other.

"It's fine. She was ..sick.. She already said she had everything she wanted in life a-and more. It-It was her time, she said.." Nick kept looking up, holding back another sob. "But.. She was so young though! Too young! And it happened too fast!"

"I'm so sorry Nick." Judy mumbled, rubbing his back in calming circles. "I'm so sorry.."

"Yeah.." He choked back. "I can't.. Not yet.."

"It's okay... Shh. It's okay. I'll talk to Bogo." Judy promised, shutting her eyes. She felt Nick nod against her. "I'm sorry for overreacting about this." Judy added, shuffling closer.

Nick seemed to want to answer, but physically couldn't, as as soon as he opened his mouth, another whimper formed. And soon both him and Judy were lying on the couch, tearfully hugging.

A/N : So based on what the directors have told us, Nick's mom is still alive. However. I wanted to see how it would go if something was to happen. (Why do I love torturing our favourite characters?) Nick isn't exactly the most open with his feelings, considering he tries not to let others see through them, so it's no wonder I'd have him try to avoid Judy, full on knowing she can see right through his facade if they did meet up.

I know I said I would publish this yesterday, but I got home really late, and long story short, had to publish it today.

Also have you guys seen the documentary Imagining Zootopia? It's really good. Lots of behind the scenes stuff and deleted scenes. If you haven't, you can find it on YouTube. I posted some screencaps of some deleted scenes on my tumblr, EverythingZootopia. So make sure to follow me on that, and maybe reblog. I'll be posting some of the oneshots there later.

Thank you to all my reviewers, readers, favoriters, and followers. Seeing the notifications from my email makes my day and I really hope you'll all stick around for the rest of the oneshots.

Next oneshot is going to be coming a bit later, unfortunately. Either Thursday or Friday.