Judy told Nick everything she could, then broke into a mess of tears. Sad of this awful event.
For comfort Nick held her, playing with her long ears, smelling her blue berry scented perfume. She must've chose that fragrance on purpose.
"Shh.. It'll be alright Bunny. We'll find your parents.. Together we will and stop at nothing. If I have to get iced for you to see them again I'll do just tha-"
"Shut up Nick, that's not happening."
"Why not Purple eyes?"
"Cause we're... Partners and we stick together."
Nick sensed it. Her pause. She wanted to say something else. Partners wasn't it. Friends wasn't even close. She wanted to say a word that breaks out of the friend arena.
Nick needed to know. If she feels something more for him, if she doesn't say it yet or confess of it.
Then it's not time.
"Drink up your coffee Carrot. I'm going to chief Bogo. We'll tell him what's going on."
Nick stepped on the gas, shades on and one sweet cup of Joe beside him.
Judy starred at Nick the whole way back to The head quarters.
She couldn't decipher if she really did like Nick or want him as a boyfriend.
After all, he is nice, dynamic and emotional just like her. Sure he may deny it or not show it, but deep inside.. His core is vulnerable and needs help. Needs someone to nourish it.
That's what Judy will do. Nourish it, until time says it's the moment. For the two of them. To become together.
That's the plan anyway.
Her plan. . Not his.
The Sly Fox has his plans too.
"Carrot we're here. Let's solve this case."
"Yeah.."
"What's wrong Carrot?" He faced her, unable to smile this time. Worried expressions coated him. "The same thing that's wrong with you. Fear and a sense of.. Change."
Nick didn't answer. Kept his mouth half way open, wanting to say something. Anything in particular.
Best he did was take off his shades and reveal his passionate eyes.
"Carrot we will find your parents. I don't want you to loose them.." Emotionally he said this. He paused, thinking of the last word, then whispered it out. Loud enough for Judy to hear. "Forever."
In the office..
Judy didn't explain herself nor coax Bogo about the current situation. Bogo did try though, understand why she's upset and crying.
Judy didn't think this through, for a minute before she walked into his office, she was okay, strong and firm.
But once Bogo looked at her. Straight and square in the eyes. She thought of Nick's words when he said "I don't want you to loose them.." The pause displayed about him had to be the most emotion his lips revealed.
And when Nick said "Forever." That timid whisper, soft spoken voice, heart felt eyes. Crisp edge of sadness in those green eyes.
Judy broke down, thinking of just that.
Nick understood. Bogo didn't, rather wanted answers.
Nick explained for her. What happened and how the morning went for the two of them.
Bogo as the bull he is, grew angry by the minute.
"What?! Gone without a trace? That can't be right. I'll take care of this, the whole police force of Zootopia will if required."
"No." Judy sniffled. "I don't want to pull everyone in over what's rightfully a duty I need to take care of.. Well me and my partner." She emphasized partner in a dedicated voice.
Nick tingled a little, smiling at her.
"Bogo, can you tell the others to monitor all other districts? Me and Judy are going to solve this. With or without your consent. Also, jot down the information I gave you. Try to make sense of it or find some lead."
"You have my authority and if you didn't, still do what you're going to do Fox." Bogo's sturdy voice kept Nick on the ball. "I will make a case for this."
"Alright and will do sir. I never listen to you anyways." He joked. "See you later.. Two horned dancer."
"Hey!" The Bull enraged.
To late, Nick already headed out, with Judy.
Her smile grew, Bogo watched it.
Mad as he was.. He let it go.
Because what Nick engendered is a smile on that hopeless bunny.
Bogo looked at the two of them closely and realized something.
The way both of them spent time with each other wasn't just friendly company. But more than that. A start of the phase of admiration.
They like each other, but both aren't so aware. Seems crazy, how could they not see it much? When everyone else, such as Bogo and Benjamin Clawhauser sees it?
Well they can't say it's official.
Mean while with Wire...
Eight legs, eight eyes, mind of sophistication. He feels all set for his big adventure.
He departed from Judy, just to help her fast as his legs can run.
Her parents are missing. Gone without a trace. Sahara district is the only thing he heard from them, talking about some cruise they dreamed of taking.
First; Wire hopped through the carrot field. Plowing tiny segments of grass, conveying true adrenaline. Through his whole life he wanted to do something good, have value and dedication to a goal. This is his one shot he can prove to his family, that he
is good. Not bad like them. They need to accept who he is, not abandon him.. As what they did. As what they always do.
Confidence. A word Wire lives by.
"Confidence!" He boomed. Like a Roman giving a speech to thousands of soldiers, battle born and hungry for justice.
"Confidence is like a hat of tools, not tricks nor sly smiles of cowardliness. Confidence takes leaps not steps! And I will bring forth confidence that my family has never saw before! I seek confidence!"
Second; Wire pummeled through the vast carrot field.
Until suddenly.
The field stopped. Disappeared into flat hills of cut down carrots.
"Wha? What happened to the carrots?" He said aloud.
It's like no carrots even existed in this little area.
Terrified, Wire looked around. Wondering what happened.
All that tension building up inside him changed.. When he found a photo of young Judy in a cop suit, resting on a dirty pebble.
"This isn't good.."
Wire snatched the photo and ran to the Sahara dessert. The more evidence, the more of a lead.
Back to Judy and Nick..
Morning just turned after noon. Judy spent most of it in her little apartment. Upset, looking back at the old text messages she sent to her mom and dad.
Old photo albums in her kid years. So much she wishes to have back. Soon night came by and she hasn't even stepped out yet.
Depression sure is taking a toll on her. .
Nick how ever, stood outside her apartment door. Debating whether to knock or not.
He wanted to do two things.
1: Comfort her.
2. Get her phone number.
That's it.
Couple of minutes past by and he didn't knock.
"Forget it." He whispered to himself, walking back outside.
And Home where he lives.. Under a bridge.
Where he held Judy for the first time.
Wasn't to long before Judy decided to come on out, and watch Nick walk away with depressed shoulders.
"Nick?" Surprised she was. Startled if anything.
Nervously he stopped. "Yeah Carrot?" He said, not turning around. Not moving a muscle.
"What's with you being here?"
"I.. Uh. Was wondering if you were okay. That's it."
"Yeah I'm fine Nick, did you wanna talk Slick?"
Nick smiled and laughed. Then turned around. Then looked at her. Then wished time had stopped..
"Slick? So you have.. What two names for me? Slick and Trouble Fox?"
Judy beamed at him, everything he says.. She adores it.
"The best Nick name for you Slick is Trouble Fox. What you are."
Nick walked close and personal to her, catching her soul on fire.
"I'm a cop miss Hopps. You're partner- I must say. If I'm trouble, why do you enjoy me so much?"
"Because trouble keeps company.. Trouble fox." Now her nerves are kicking in. So is Nicks.
"Tell me Nick. What's the best nick name you've given me?"
He thought about it, then sighed in some sort of emotion. One that Judy couldn't resist. Her weakness.. Affection.
"I didn't give you your best nick name Judy."
Right there. Her eyes focused on his. For Nick has never said her name before. At all. Just some cheesy nick names.
"Besides Carrot." He elaborated, still under some adoring emotion. "The best nick names are the ones people don't know they have... Beautiful."
Judy reddened. Gasped and sat still. Shocked and heart felt. No one has ever called her that..
Judy wanted to say something back, but Nick already walked away.
Back to his home.. A home she never knew he has.