Notes: Thanks again for the follows and favorites! I will keep on writing the sequel as I can. Up to chapter 8 on that. Helps me alter this one as they are proofread as well.

Quick bit of trivia, I used the Doctor Krankenhund's name as a play on words. In German Krankenschwester is a nurse but the exact translation from root words is Sick Sister. Also goes in with Krankenwagan (Ambulance) And KrankenHaus (Hospital) So he is Sick Dog for literal but using this line of thinking its more like Nurse Wolf. Just fun to play around with that.

Thanks again to the awesome reviews I have received that continue to improve my writing and story, and huge shout out to AngloFalcon again as my outstanding proofreader!

ON TO THE CHAPTER!

Chapter 4

Fugitive

Nick didn't stir all night and awoke in the same position he had fallen asleep in. Despite the awkward position, he felt fairly well rested. When he cracked open his eyes he was surprised to find the table next to Judy's window, packed with flowers wile a large polar bear tended to them; pulling dead flowers off and discarding them, keeping the display looking like new. Nick lifted his head up slowly and looked at Judy; no change. He gave her paw a light squeeze and could swear he felt a return of the pressure. The polar bear took notice that Nick was awake and nodded at him.

Nick smiled at the massive bear "Hello Kevin, thanks for this."

Kevin nodded and spoke with a deep resonating accented voice yet softly to not disturb the resting bunny, "Mr Big said that once Judy wakes, he will come down with Fru Fru and the grandchildren to see their godmother. She looks better than she did last night yes?"

Now that he had mentioned it, she did look better. The bruising under her fur had started to dissipate and the dark, sunken look of her face had faded as well. It almost looked like she was simply sleeping. Nick nodded in agreement.

There was a soft knock on the door and Chief Bogo poked his head inside, "Mind if I join you?"

Nick looked up and smiled, "Of course Chief, come on in! I was just thanking Kevin for the fantastic job with the flowers."

Bogo glanced over at the bear with a look of slight disapproval as he stepped into the room. Bogo cleared his throat before speaking. "Kevin, would you mind giving me a moment with my officer?"

Kevin looked over at the chief with intent in his eyes, "I wont leave the godmother of my boss's grandchildren. You understand my obligations, yes? Perhaps you and fox may find different place to be if you need moment."

The chief looked like he wanted to argue but instead relented, "Sure, Officer Wilde follow me for a walk."

Nick gave Judy one last parting squeeze of the paw, "Back in a bit Carrots" and stepped out with the Chief.

They began walking down the hall in silence. Bogo led them to the garden planted in the center of the rounded building. The open top allowed sunlight to pass down into the garden and it was accessible from anywhere on the first floor being that the building was cylindrical in shape. Here in the garden, the chief sat down on a bench, Nick alongside of him and there they sat for a bit in total silence.

Cheif Bogo broke the silence with a heavy sigh. "Officer Wilde, I have been speaking with forensics about what happened yesterday. It seems that there was a bomb placed inside of the mailbox outside the diner you were at, and the forensics mice have been combing over the SUV in an attempt to uncover anything new that would explain the blast." The chief looked very uncomfortable at this point. "I am placing you on administrative leave, and advising you to stay away from the hospital, effective immediately."

Nick couldn't believe his ears and stared at the chief in shock while he never met Nick's gaze, instead choosing to focus on a leaf fluttering around in the breeze.

Nick chose not to hide his frustration. "Administrative leave? For what reason? Also, keeping me away from my partner is out of the question. I hope you have good answers for this chief!"

"Keep your voice down...look, the mice have uncovered your DNA from the SUV that when dated places you inside of it prior to the incident. Not only this, but there have been some incriminating papers that have been found linking you to the new Night Howler case. Some of your hairs were also found inside some of the materials used in the bomb." Bogo sighed heavily, allowing his words to sink in.

Nick felt his heart drop to the bottom of his stomach as he heard the Chief. He stammered out a reply, not sure if he was furious or confused...both? "You can't...that I...no Chief, you don't believe it do you? I could never do this to Judy!"

Bogo raised his hoof to slow Nick's panicked reply. "That's why I did not arrest you. Administrative PAID leave is the official word. Something is wrong here Wilde, and I need you to find it."

Nick's ears popped back up "You mean?"

Bogo nodded "Unofficially and off the record, find these animals Wilde. Bring them to my attention so we can secure our city again. Something seems off. The vehicle has been impounded all day and night, under 24 hour watch. Only officers of the ZPD were allowed in that area. This means one of two things, either you are guilty, which I don't believe for a second, or there are corrupt cops in my precinct."

Nick felt that this was his opportunity. He reached into his breast pocket and pulled the zmail out. Stained in a few places with blood, he opened it up and handed it to Bogo.

"What's this?"

Nick spoke low and feared the chief's response "Its a zmail I uncovered the night I cleaned our cruiser after the incident. I know the IP is from the ZPD net, and I didn't turn it in because of what is mentioned in it."

The massive buffalo flicked on his readers and looked over the zmail with growing shock. Nick spoke before Bogo had a chance to say anything. "I'm sorry I didn't turn it in Chief, I didn't know who to trust. I hadn't even told Judy. That's why we were meeting at the diner. I was going to tell her then and we were going to come up with a plan of attack for it...that is why we were almost killed. This is why I...I say its my fault..."

The chief put his glasses away and looked over at his only fox officer. "You were right not to trust anyone, Wilde, this could be anybody, even me since it was you and Judy who showed us that even our Mayor was capable of terrible things. However, you are wrong to assume that it is your fault." Bogo held up the zmail in his hoof to accentuate the point. "It is this officer's fault, and I am pretty sure I know who it is. The question is, how many more of these scummy officers are in my precinct? I need you to find them Wilde. Start with Domingo Delgato. He is the only one in the department with initials of DD if it is indeed going by initials. Don't tip your paw; follow him on his day off and see where he goes. Stay inside the law as best you can Wilde, because when this is all said and done, any infractions will still be punished."

Nick nodded thankfully "Got it Chief." He stood up and got ready to leave. As he was walking away Bogo spoke again.

"Officer Wilde, if I find any serious evidence pointing in your direction I will dispatch officers to find you and bring you in. Don't be home for that. I can not risk tipping off the traitor, so I must treat you as a suspect from here on." He sighed deeply "I am sorry Nick."

That last sentence hit him pretty hard. Chief Bogo never used an officer's first name. Nick stood in place, rooted like a statue wondering what he meant by it. Instead, he filled his voice with determination, "I wont let you down, Chief, I WILL find the answers. Don't call me, I'll call you."

Chief Bogo watched his first fox officer march off towards the exit. Even despite disagreeing with him, that officer was following orders. He would not stop by the room his partner was in; he was going right to work. He mumbled to himself "I know you wont let me down Nick Wilde, just don't get yourself killed. I can't put another name on the memorial board in my office."

Nick went home. He stopped to pick up his tattered uniform from the front desk first. They had washed it for him since blood was a hazard. They insisted after all. However it was stained and frayed beyond repair. He was going to keep it anyway, as a reminder of why he would press on despite someone trying to turn everyone he trusted against him. Nick decided he would use it as his strength. Judy would never believe that Nick tried to have her killed or had anything to do with Night Howler, and she was all that mattered to him at the moment.

When he got home, the first thing he did was take off his uniform. Administrative leave meant he couldn't wear it. Nick stood there staring at it as he hung it in his closet. The clean uniform with the damaged badge...the badge! He reached out and carefully removed it from his uniform and pinned it to the inside of his wallet. He wouldn't forget what he was now, WHO he was, because even with how successful as he was as a hustler, he just couldn't go back to that life now knowing this one. Nick stood there gazing at his badge for a moment stripped to the fur just waiting for an idea, a plan, or Judy to walk in and smack him with a good idea. Nick began to pace about his apartment thinking out loud.

"If Judy was here...well first off she'd tell me to put some clothes on...then what?" he sat down on his bed, absently tapping his wallet on his chin in deep thought. "The only lead...is Delgato. Well that sets it, I need to follow that lion."

Nick stood up and went back into his closet and dug out his old tropical shirt and trousers. He looked into his mirror to get his tie on and was taken aback for a moment. What he saw was not the fox he remembered himself being. His deep green eyes filled with charm were now fiery with determination and bruised under his crimson fur. His left ear showed ugly stitches that took up a decent portion of the upper half. The back of his head had stitches that extended to the side of his face just under his right ear and his fur didn't quite lay as flat as it had before the blast. He looked like a completely different fox. Nick smiled as he got an idea. He rushed back to his closet and went digging again. He found an old ragged camo scheme hoodie and a pair of torn cargo pants, and changed into them as he pulled off his tie and unbuttoned the first two buttons of his shirt. Looking back into the mirror he saw something more was needed so he improvised. He reached up to his ear with a claw and pulled out a few of his stitches and wiggled the wound until it bled again. He carefully collected the blood and liberally applied it to the fur on his face and then drew the hoodie over his ears.

Nick laughed as he looked at his reflection "I look like a total dirt-bag...perfect. Okay lets see here...phone?..check...wallet? Check...and house key...check. What else?" He stood there looking around his apartment while his paw was deep in his pocket, prying his wallet open so he could rub one of his pads over the scratched word 'Integrity'. "Right, all that is left is to start."

He stepped out a different fox than when he stepped in, locked his door and sighed deeply. He never thought he would have to hunt a fellow officer.

It took some work but he managed to find the lion and his new partner, Albalupus, patrolling the Rainforest District. Nick's camo hoodie actually came in handy for keeping him out of sight as he shadowed the pair as they patrolled on foot. Nothing too unusual, it was a presence patrol, walking through small subdivisions and businesses. However, he did notice something out of the ordinary; Delgato lifted an old tire at the mouth of a dilapidated alley and deposited something in a plastic bag underneath the tire before continuing with Albalupus. The wolf didn't seem to notice Delgato's minor detour. Nick's mind went back to the zmail that mentioned 'dead drops'. He needed to see what was in that note. Waiting until the pair disappeared behind a corner, Nick started to walk over to the tire before a panther showed up first. Nick quickly altered his course to a bench and plopped down and took out his phone; pretending to be engrossed by whatever was on his screen.

The panther gave a quick look around as Nick recorded it while moving his paw over the screen like he was typing. It seemed to work since the suspect lifted the tire and grabbed the small bag and scurried away. Nick closed the camera on his phone and pulled up his contacts. He quickly found Finnick by the profile picture. It was of Finnick in the little baby outfit that they used for the pawpsicle hustles. Nick started typing.

'Hey Finnick, got another favor to ask'

Nick only had to wait a few moments before his phone buzzed with a reply.

'Whatchu want now fool?!'

Nick thought about what day it was...Wednesday...remembering the schedule he knew where Delgato was supposed to patrol on foot next and sent his reply.

'Meet me at the Desert Oasis restaurant in Sahara Square ASAP, I will explain everything there.'

The phone buzzed with his reply.

'Cool'

Nick smiled as he stood up and walked to the bus stop for the trip across town. He couldn't imagine that Albalupus would be involved being so new, but then, being new, he hadn't had much time to get to know the wolf. He would have to just keep following them for the time being to see how they move and act on patrol.

The bus ride was quick and uneventful but his appearance did earn him uneasy looks from animals on the bus and even the driver had cast him a sideways glance. Nick paid them no mind, his new appearance warranted those looks. He got off at Sahara Square and walked towards the restaurant. He spotted Finnick's van nearby and soon saw his friend sitting at the front window. Nick walked in and sat down at the table with Finnick.

The little fox looked up at him with a confused expression. "What? Looking for a hand out? Get lost! I'm waiting for somebody."

Nick laughed as he pulled back his hoodie "Well wait no longer buddy."

Finnick's eyes got big for a moment as he stared at Nick. "Not a really good look for ya Nick, I think I actually preferred you looking like a cop."

Nick shook his head, "I am a cop, Finnick."

He laughed, "Yea! But now you look like a bum!" Finnick stopped giggling and sighed. "So what favor? Its gonna cost ya."

Nick leaned it a bit "First off, you get to help me take down a dirty cop, all you gotta do is follow any animal that picks up whatever the cop drops. I will follow the cop. Keeps you away from antagonizing the police and gets me closer to solving this case. Do that and I upgrade your van's interior however you like."

Finnick sat thinking for a moment "Anything in the interior?"

Nick shook his head. "No Finnick, the whole interior."

The fennec fox sat back and crossed his arms, "This deal is weighed heavily in my favor Nick, you realize you hustlin' yourself right?"

Now Nick sat back against the chair with his paws on the table. "Catching this guy is worth any price Finnick. He had a role in what happened to Judy and I."

The tiny fox stood up in his chair, not really getting much bigger. Nick had to suppress a snicker. "Done, lets find the fuzz ball."

Nick stood up and walked out with Finnick to his van climbing in the passenger seat he waited until the smaller fox was in his seat. "Also, it should be noted, that I'm on administrative leave. As of now, I have no police powers to speak of."

Finnick simply shrugged, "Shit, we ain't doin' nothin' illegal, just a couple of mammals out for a drive. Where we goin'?"

"Drive around the block until you see either the lion or his cruiser."

They didn't need to wait long, right on time, Delgato showed up for his last beat of the night. Nick had his friend park the van across a parking lot as he dug out the old pair of binoculars that he had given Finnick a few years back to help scope out scores. He watched the lion through the somewhat foggy lenses waiting for the drop, if there was even going to be another. Nick feared for a moment that he had missed his chance back in the Rainforest District, but Delgato soon stopped by a building as Albalupus was speaking with a citizen. Delgato looked around for a moment before he pried a loose brick from the building and slipped another envelope into the crevice before replacing the brick. Nick handed Finnick the binos and described the spot to him.

The tiny fox nodded waving his ears in the air as he did. "Got it Nick. Now do ya want me to follow the envelope or the animal that picks it up?"

Nick thought for a moment, it was a good question. "Follow the evidence Finnick, that will lead to arrests not dead end suspects that wont talk."

Finnick laughed "Why did I have to think of that Nick? Ain't you the cop?"

Now it was Nick's turn to laugh remembering a similar conversation he had with Judy. "Look at you sly fox...ya know, you would actually make a pretty good cop."

Finnick scoffed "Get out of my van." He mumbled under his breath "Me a cop? Pfft ya right."

Nick hopped out of the van, "Good luck Finnick. My phone is on silent, call if you find anything."

He knew that in order for Delgato to finish his work day, he would need to go back to the precinct to turn in his cruiser and log out after filing his report of the day's activities. He had some time to kill so he decided he would walk. It had been a long day and he needed to keep his senses about him, a walk would be good. Along the way his thoughts drifted back to Judy. He wondered if she had woken up yet, if the chief had told her what was being done, what was going on within the ZPD and how he was involved. It worried him a little but he had to have faith in his chief. Clearly he didn't want to put Nick on leave, but rather had too. The sound of a reporter on a TV in a store window caught his attention. They were talking about the blast that injured Judy. He stopped to listen.

"The blast damaged several business and wounded 12 animals including two police officers. The officers in question have been identified as Judy Hopps, and Nicholas Wilde. We have recording of a statement released by the ZPD only moments ago."

The screen changed to a recording of Chief Bogo giving a few details."The cause of the explosion has been determined as a premeditated attack. We are using everything at our disposal to find the bomber."

There was a general cluster of noise as reporters tried to catch his attention, the Chief pointed at one.

"Is it true that this bombing is related to the Night Howler drug found in Sully Lutrasmith's SUV that the officers in question apprehended two days ago?"

Chief Bogo was visibly shocked by the question, "I have no comment on that at this time."

The same reporter pressed on, "Is it also true that Officer Wilde has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation regarding his involvement in the blast that critically wounded Officer Hopps?"

The Chief was obviously frustrated but to his credit; kept calm, "I don't know where you are getting your information but just know that I cannot comment about an ongoing investigation, that is all I have time for."

The broadcast cut back to the news anchor. "In light of these recent events, the question has been proposed by the public about whether or not a fox is fit to be an officer of the law. More at 8 right here on ZNN"

Nick had his paws balled into fists so tightly that his claws drew blood. He could feel it dripping off his knuckles. Judy was sure to see that report at some point when she awoke. He didn't want that. He turned and stalked off towards the ZPD precinct, mood darker than midnight under a rock. Even after helping solve the Night Howler case, he is still seen as a shifty fox, unworthy of trust. The anger, seething rage barely checked. Nick had the urge to smash something, to show the world what kind of animal they portrayed him as. Instead he shoved his paws into his pockets where his paw met his wallet. The anger melted as he pried it open and caressed the badge inside. This time his pad rubbed the word 'Trust' and over the chipped star. He sighed deeply as he continued to walk.

"I've got to trust Judy, the Chief, and the public." He mused to himself. "If I lose any of those three ideals...I'm no better than the news, or the small minded individuals. Keep going."

His phone buzzed in his pocket and he quickly retrieved it hoping to see Judy's face on the screen. Instead it was Bogo's scowl. Nick sighed deeply before answering the phone.

"Hey Chief...I just saw the news.."

Bogo sighed on the other end of the line. "I am sorry Wilde...you are not home are you?"

Nick chuckled "No Chief, you told me to not be home when you had to bring me in. I'm guessing that's why you called." Silence was the reply he got. Nick pressed on, "Hey, Chief, I know that it's not your choice. Do what you have to do. Issue the warrant. I know that evading arrest will likely cost me my job and a few years in a cage. Chasing this to the end may cost me my life...at least at that point you wont get to arrest me" Nick sighed deeply, "Judy is worth it, the ZPD is worth it...you...are worth it Chief. Catch me if you can."

Nick hung up the phone before Chief Bogo could even reply, and smiled to himself. He was going to see this through no matter the cost. His paw still on his badge now brushed the last word, the only one undamaged by the blast...'Bravery'.

Chief Bogo sat staring at his phone, the line droned with the monotonous tone of a one sided line. He didn't reply to his fugitive officer; nothing he would have said would have helped the situation. He looked up at the memorial board on his wall across from his desk. There were nine names etched in their own small plates. Above the names were the words 'To the dedicated officers who went above and beyond the call of duty and made the ultimate sacrifice. Gone, but not forgotten.'

He hated the thought of adding Nick's name to the memorial, there were already too many names on that damned thing. He started the memorial when the first officer under his command died in the line of duty. He had ordered the officer and his partner to follow an animalnapper into a building on the outskirts of the Rainforest District. The animalnapper locked up his hostage and turned to face the officers that were on their way up the stairs. He was trapped and knew it and stood fast as a last stand. He fired through the door trying to scare them off but ended up killing the first officer and wounding the second. The wounded partner had to be dragged out screaming out to his dead partner. The standoff lasted four hours before a SWAT sniper was ordered to take the shot, ending the standoff and saving the child.

The suspect...had been a fox. It was amazing that there was no friction having Wilde on the force as he had expected especially since that slain officer's partner still served at the ZPD. He had spoken with that officer about Wilde, but he had expressed no concerns over working with him. It seems he should speak with that officer again, just to be sure.

The chief finally hung up the phone and looked up at that first name on the memorial. The one that stung the most since it was his order that cost that officer his life, and here he was coming full circle with an order that would likely cause the death of the first fox on the force. A single tear marred his desk's pristine surface.

Notes: Yeah...a bit rough on that one with Nick now under investigation, but at least the Chief believes him...right? Well the next chapter, we get to see the story go deeper and find new characters, as Nick seeks answers and where they lead him.

Many thanks to the readers! Without you these are just words on a page! Hope you continue to enjoy the story as I have enjoyed writing it!

Travel Well,

-Keft

*DISCLAIMER*

Zootopia and the intellectual content are the property of Disney. I make no money or gains other than my enjoyment from writing it and experience. Any character names that I have created are free to be used by any other aspiring or experienced writers. Let me know so I can read your work with some of my character names and perhaps even personalities!

The plot and story are works of my own imagination and any likeness to other stories is purely coincidence, please inform me if I have transgressed on anyone else's work so that I may make amends. Likewise please do not infringe upon my story and make it your own without permission of a reproduction first. Thanks for reading!