Judy usually was the first one to jump on anything, but she was still hurt. She missed Nick, and now he was no where to be found. She' wait by his place everynight, but he never returned. Eventually, she placed his stuff in storage, just to make sure that he had it just in case he ever wanted to return. She was grwoing more concerned. Even Finnick, his old hustling buddy, hadn't heard from him. He had simply disappeared.
She started to visit the cafe he took her to everyday as well. She would sit, and hope that she would catch a glimps of the fox, but not once did he show up. Judy's mind wasn't focused on catching a drug, but was more focused on finding Nick.
She walked in too the P.D. as normal, and took her spot in the bullpen. Assignment's were passeds out regulary, but as the chief approached her, she was handed a different assignment. The file was blue, and it was thick.
"Chief Bogo, what's this?" asked Judy, puzzled by it's appearance.
"It's a file, on a runner that's been spotted over the last month, I want you to investigate, see if there is anything worth pursuing." explained Bogo. As Judy opened the file, she noticed that there was no picture or even a name of the runner. All the file had was witness reports of a shady character always traveling with a hood on, and a giant duffel bag. Judy examined the file, peering over its contents.
"Shouldn't be to hard, Ill get on it." Judy said flatly. Her attitude had been that way since Nick was gone. Everyone at the P.D. avoided her, because of the fact that she was so down, and it only made her feelings of lonliness evern worse.
"Hopps, are you sure you don't want another partner, maybe it's time?" asked Bogo.
"No, I'm okay. I don't need someone to slow me down." Judy explained as she calmly walked out of the room. Bogo sighed, and made his way back to his office.
Judy made a note of something in the file. The runner seemed to focus his efforts in the middle of town, and for that reason, she started her search. She asked the witnesses where they had seen the hooded figure, and started finding a pattern to his displays. He would follow a certain path through the city, and would keep it to the night to make his runs, less police that way. This guy was smart, and if he was to keep to his pattern, then Judy would be able to catch him. She found a safe place to hide that was directly on the path. She waited for the person to make their move.
As she waited, she couldn;t help but fall back into her spell of Nick. She wished she had done things differently. In her time apart from him, she came to the realization that she had feelings for him. She wouldn't have done those things with him if she didn't. However, she couldn't comprehend the feeling in her chest. It tightened when she thought of him, and it hurt to even speak his name. She teared when she saw the picture the two of them took on the day of his graduation. These feelings had been on her mind, but she brushed them to focus on the mission at hand.
The calmness of the night was eerie. It threw Judy off a little, and as she hid in the alley, she awaited any noise. She had to be careful and listen for the right noise. Then the sound of footsteps could be heard, at first they started off slow, but then picked up. Judy directed her view to there direction, and could see it. A hooded figure, and a giant duffle bag, running straight in her direction. The figure moved fast, and was carefully observing his surroundings, but Judy was able to deflect her presence in the alley. He ran right past her, and as he did, she jumped out from her spot.
"Z.P.D., freeze!" exclaimed Judy. The figure turned his head, but kept running from her. Judy followed him in fast pursuit. He ran fast, and she matched his speed. They found their way onto the main street, and as they flew by the citizens, the runner pushed them into the way of the officer. Judy, however, was able to use her jumping abilities to clear the obstacles. The figure grew impatient, and even began throwing objects he could get his hands at the officer. She was able to avoid them, but then a ice cream cone made contact with her face, diorientating Judy. As she cleared the desseert from her eyes, she noticed him taking a small alley, between two buildings, and resumed her chase. When she reached the alley, she noticed that the figure was gone, and she reached for her tranquilizer gun, holding it up to the empty alley. She walked forward slowly, and proceeded carefully into the darkness. She felt a sense ofuneasiness as she walked, and knew that something was up. That's when she felt the cold hard steel of a gun placed at the back of her head.
"I've never taken a life officer, and I don't want to start tonight, so please drop your weapon, and forget you saw me," the figure said. His voice was confident, but had a hint of nervousnes to it. She knew he was telling the thruth about not wanting to kill her, but she wasn't about to let some punk runner do her in like this.
"Why don't you turn yourself in. I'll pretend you didn't just threaten an officer of the law." Judy replied.
"Cute, you think your still in control of this situation don't you. Well, I've got news for you, it won;t be long before Jester has unlimited control of this city, and there is nothing the police can do to stop it. Sure, you've been able to catch a few of our guys, but we just laugh that off, and replace him the next day. You guys are clueless." The figure taunted her. He was right that the threat still didn't seem to go away, but instead was growing. Judy wasn't one though to take a hint, and using all her agility, jumped up in the air, and kicked his gun out of his hand. He figure rared back, and ran to the gun. But, the small officer met him ,and was able to use her legs to deliver a strong kick to his face. He flew backwards onto the concrete, and was unconscious upon the impact. Judy took the moment to use her radio to call in backup, and walked over to the figure. He was moaning at the pain, and had awaken from his brief unconsciousness.
"Let's get a look at your ugly mug." jested Judy, as she removed his hoodie. Her eyes grew, as she removed the disguise. She saw the face of her assailant, and the suprise of it sent her mind into a spiral. The orange fur, and the long nose made it impossible for to miss. "Nick, oh my god, Nick. What...why are you..." She couldn't get the wprds out. She was speachless, and now she was panicking.
"My name's not Nick, rabbit. It's Josh...Josh Redfur.."said the figure. Judy heard his words, but failed to comprehend them. She knew who the fox in front of her was, she couldn't get it out of her mind. She reached in her pocket, and pulled out the graduation photo which she kept close to her. she knew something was wrong. Something had happened to her friend. There was no way he wouldn't recognize her, and him to her.
"No...your...name is Nick Wilde, you're my friend. Are you okay, is someone putting you up to this. Answer me?!" exlaimed Judy. She shook the figure, but the kick he had recieved was just too much, and again he passed out. Judy had already called for back-up, and now she was worried about them finding him with a weapon, and the details she had just described to the P.D. on her call. She had an Idea, she grabbed the limp, unconscious body of her friend, and placed it in a nearby dumpster. She would apologize later, but she had to hide him. As the back up arrived she turned them away, making up a story of how he managed to get away as she made the call, and that he had assaulted her. They went on their way, and Judy walked her friend to their old car, and drive her to the only place she could hold him for now, her apartment...
(Hey guys, lucafire1 here, just wanting you guys to know how much i have appreciated your views, and all the support ive gotten from you. You guys make it a true pleasure to write for, and I hope you guys favorite and review this if you have a suggestions or ideas for me as i love to build of criticism. Also I;d love to find someone who can draw to help turn this into a comic for ifunny to see, i think it would be cool, and also I have an idea for another zootopia fiction, and am looking for a partner to help write it as my schedule is packed with the two stories i am currently doing if you are interested in either please PM me I will respond as quickly as possible.)
