DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ZOOTOPIA
"You honestly can't be serious. You spent your whole life trying your damnedest to become a cop and when you finally do, THEN you want to experiment with drugs? I told you that I'm not that into it anymore." Nick told Judy upon the revelation of her one condition.
She shrugged. "I don't know, I guess I'm just so stressed out right now. I've never done anything at all like this, and I'm just curious. So please, if we're gonna do it, let's do it before I change my mind," already opening the bag.
"Well ok I guess. But we don't smoke." Before she could protest he lead her into the kitchen and opened a cabinet. "We do, however, eat. I never smoked. That's Finnick's. I prefer edibles, they're safer and the high is sick when it kicks in." He pulled out coca-free brownie mix and added, "The brownies don't hurt either."
Judy just nodded acknowledging that Nick had more experience than her in this and so she went with it. They began to prepare the batter and get everything set up. Nick looked over at Judy who was on her phone in the couch listening to Gazelle's newest album no doubt. "Carrots, mind ordering two pizzas? One cheese one whatever you'd like."
In response, she dialed up Papa Jag's and ordered a cheese pizza as well as a supreme veggie pizza. All the while Nick got the home theater ready.
"Hey Carrots. Out on the balcony I have a jacuzzi, we can hang out and drink something tough? You down for it?" Nick said in an attempt to restart a conversation.
She looked over at him grinning. "Two things fox. First, if you're trying to pull something you should know better than anyone that I'm not easy. Never been on a date, you gotta try harder." Nick began to blush furiously at the implication of his proposition. "Second, you've got two casts and you know you can't get yourself wet." She said still grinning.
It was true, Nick had forgotten the rules. He wasn't excited about the next two months or so. Although, soon enough he was going to be able to switch to a soft cast for his arm.
"Fine Carrots. How about in two months?" Grinning wider than Judy ever could.
The very moment he said it, Judy blew up into a blush frenzy. Red ears, red as a ripe cherry.
"W-well, y-y-you see, I told y-you I never had been-n on a d-d-date…" She stammered until Nick put his paw up chuckling.
"It's alright Carrots. You can decide then." He winked at her and she again devolved into a stammering mess.
"Well Carrots! Maybe the brownies will help with your nerves. They should be ready. There's milk in the fridge if you want." Nick told her.
The doorbell rang.
"I'll get it Nick, and yes, I would like some milk." She said to Nick after composing herself.
She opened the door and paid for the pizzas. But no less than a minute later the doorbell rang again. She huffed and walked over. "Sir, I already paid and I don't care for a receipt…" She began.
Then she looked down.
"Nick! Does your mail mammal came at his time? And don't you have a mailbox?" She asked Nick confused.
"What do you mean Carrots? First no, second of course. Why?" He responded equally confused.
"This doesn't make sense. Here let's read it." She said holding up a letter. The envelope was beige, but it was sealed formally. A golden wax stamp with only one symbol on it.
A paw.
"Here. One a day, thirty a month. One month rest. It's your turn to rest and prepare. Will this wonderful city ever repair?" Nick read.
"How odd. Good poem though." Judy said.
"Yeah, but I wonder what it means." Nick pondered aloud.
"Hey we should eat before everything gets cold." Judy reminded him.
"Alright Carrots."
So they ate. And they enjoyed themselves.
7 HOURS LATER (once the edibles kicked in)
"Hahahahaha! Nick that was so funny. I had this idea one time, you know?" Nick looked over at her and gave her a nod saying 'yeah? Keep going.' as he took a long swig from his beer. Judy continued, giggling and laughing. "Yeah. I wanted to open some sorta carnival. Or amusement park. You know, in Bunny Burrow. Everyone like 'them there."
Nick did a spit take.
"Did you say amusement park?"
"Yep-a-roonie. A carrot day celebration thing I guess."
"Did you know that before I did casino games I bought an old warehouse by the bridge you found me under?"
"That raggedy old thing? What about it?" Judy asked Nick.
"I wanted to start a place called Wild Times but I ended up deciding against it."
Judy sat up straight and wagged her small little cotton tail. "Nick! We should open 'er together! You have money and game experience and I have old school carnival experience! It's fool 'roof!" She began cackling almost evilly making Nick's ears pin down. He cringed as she continued laughing.
"Ok carrots, calm down a bit. We still have to discuss how exactly we would do it in the first place. We probably aren't even qualified!" Nick said nervously. He looked over at her and she was taking off her sweater. Nick had remembered that since the drugs had left her system she had pretty much binged on his booze. Namely his vodka and carrot juice.
"Nick. I am taking you up on your jacuzzi idea. And you get to watch." she slurred.
'Really!? Again? She keeps on doing this? It's almost like it's a plot device!' Nick thought thinking about the consequences of cutting away his cast and soaking for a bit.
"You know what Carrots? I'll set up the jacuzzi and get you whatever you want. You can even spend the night. But I'm not that kind of fox, so I wouldn't be joining you. If you want we can, however, watch the new Mission Impawsible movie." Nick said calmly but gently.
Judy looked over at him and said with a smile in a drunken slur, "Nib, you know I'll choose you e'ry time." The alcohol's effect becoming more and more known.
"Thanks Judy. I'll be right back I'm gonna call my contact in the Entertainment district." He smiled and wheeled away to the landline pulling out a contact book.
"Dummy fox. I'll always choose you." Judy whispered feeling warmth creep throughout her whole body.
THREE AND A HALF MONTHS LATER
Nick had gotten his casts removed and was on full duty. Judy had gone back to work doing mainly paperwork about two week previous.
"Hey Carrots, two lumps or one?"
"Two. Oh, and some cream please."
"I live to serve and please."
Nick and Judy were in the office getting ready for patrol and going over last night's paperwork.
Judy let out an exasperated sigh and turned to Nick who was starting to doze off.
"Nick!" She cried out next to him.
He quickly jumped up grabbed her and pulled out his gun before realizing she'd tricked him. She was smirking but began to blush when she realized he hadn't yet let go.
Upon the same realization from his end, he scrambled up and let go of Judy.
"Ahem. Carrots, what's, uh, what's wrong there Cottontail?" He asked adjusting his collar and clearing his throat awkwardly.
She just smiled. "Nothing's wrong Officer Wilde. Had something actually been wrong, however, I feel perfectly safe in your company now." She was still smiling.
Nick coughed and began to blush too. He leaned in and crouched down to meet her at eye level. "Well that is my duty. You know, to protect and serve. I guess that includes you too Carrot Cake." He was desperately trying to play it off smooth, but his eyes shot open wide after he had used his secret nickname for the bunny. He nearly choked. His own damn brain betrayed him.
Judy's blush intensified and they just stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity.
That is, until Chief Bogo and Clawhauser walked in in order to inform the two on a new case.
What came next would haunt Nick until the end of his days.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!"
"Clawhauser!" The Chief warned. The cheetah was barely able to contain himself but he managed.
"Now, you two. I hope you remember the rules against fraternization. Don't let me see it. I don't care enough. Now we do have a case you two I hope would find particularly… interesting."
Judy was the first to snap out of the trance. "No Chief, we weren't, I wasn't I…" She stammered.
"I think what Carrots meant to say was that we weren't doing that kind of fraternization. I just embarrassed her and she didn't expect it. Sir." Nick said.
"Fine, fine. Whatever. Here are the files. No patrol for you today and no need to meet in the bullpen. This is a very big case. Now start working!" Bogo turned around and slammed the door to their joint office shut.
"Really Nick? You embarrassed me? Don't you mean that you embarrassed yourself?" She asked in mock sweetness.
"No Carrots. I don't. I think you need to read this file. It's insane. The CIA is involved. It looks even bigger than Bellwether!" He exclaimed after having read some of the file.
She snatched it from his paws and began to read. "Six bodies found scattered across the wharf and produce district's… same M.O… torture? A new body everyday? It seems as though they die the same day they're found." When she read the last part her face contorted to one of disgust. "Nick, you know what this means? It means that Zootopia has a new face in crime scene. A new boss and he makes his snitches and rats feel pain."
"Why crime boss? I hear it scream 'Serial Killer.'" Nick said, confused.
"Zootopia hasn't had a Serial Killer in over two hundred years Nick. Back then, they were just acting on instinct. Not even serial killers. They're a legend."
The door swung open again. And they turned to see a jackrabbit, he wore a black Armani suit and Aviators exactly like Nick's. His cufflinks were in the shape of an 'X.' His fur was Ice white, it also had black stripes. He stood straight and his suit adequately displayed his muscularity and definition.
"You must be Nick Wilde and ..." he went down on one knee and reached out pulling Judy's paw down right in front of his face. "And you must be Judith Hopps." He kissed her paw and stood back up straightening out his suit. "My pleasure to meet you two. Now, Serial Killers are very real. They're also secrets Miss Hopps. I'm in charge of keeping them so. I'm glad I'm good at my job."
"And who are you? Agent... ?" Nick asked.
The rabbit just laughed, looking Nick right in the eye.
"I'm Agent Savage. Jack Savage. Again, pleasure to make your acquaintance. We've got work to do."
