Partnership Like no Other
Ch. 4
"Misconduct"
Judy woke up first and looked down at Nick's bare chest. Then she looked down and sighed with relief she was still in her pajamas.
Nick smiled slyly in his sleep and sat up stretching.
"Carrots what are you doing exactly; is something wrong? Hello, are you paying attention? Carrots?"
She looked as she just laid in bed still.
"What would be wrong Nick, I guess I am just surprised that you slept in no shirt that's all. "
He smiled at her slyly.
"Whatever you say Carrots, I honestly don't want to get up at all today. I've never really been this relaxed in all my life. Can I just stay in bed please?"
She got off the bed.
"No you can't, I wanna show you around, Bunny Burrow. "
He scoffed as he got out of bed and entered the bathroom.
Then he exited the bathroom and buttoned up his jeans.
"Alright, Carrots you win."
He took his phone off the charger and saw a text from Finnick.
'Yo Nick wuz up how is life in the country?'
Nick responded back.
'It's pretty quiet, how is life in Zootopia?'
Finnick text back.
'It's pretty crazy actually; one of your comrades at the ZPD was shot in the back. He survived but there are no leads on who fired the gun. Because when the backup arrived they found no trace of a shooter or a gun. I'm telling you, Nick, something big is bound to happen and I guarantee you and Judy will be assigned the case because your other comrades have no clue on how to crack a case.'
Nick sighed as he responded.
'Who exactly was shot. Where was he shot, and exactly where was the officer's partner when that happened?'
Finnick responded.
'How about I tell you more when you and Judy come back. Because you seem like you are really getting angry see you in a few days Nick.'
Nick put his cell in his pocket and headed downstairs where the entire Hopps family was eating breakfast at the table.
Stu looked up.
"Good morning Nick."
He looked and smiled.
"Good morning Mr. Hopps, everyone."
Judy entered the kitchen and poured Nick a cup of coffee and looked at him concerned. Then she handed it to him and ate her breakfast in silence. He took a sip of his coffee and ate his breakfast quietly. When they finished breakfast Nick helped Judy with the dishes and she looked at him and asked.
"Nick is everything okay, you were texting Finnick not too long ago and now you're upset."
He looked up and shook his head.
"I'm fine Carrots, just got a lot on my mind that's all. You worry too much."
She sighed.
"We have been over this many times you stubborn fox. You are my best friend and I don't like when you're upset."
He shook his head.
"I am not upset Carrots."
She looked at him pointing.
"You liar!"
He dried his hands.
"Really now Carrots, you bring up the past? Aren't we passed that whole thing by now?"
~Back in Zootopia~
Chief Bogo entered the hospital room and shook his head looking at Officer Wolfard as he lay in the hospital bed. Officer Grizzoli also entered and sighed.
"I swear Chief I saw nothing, he was next to me and then suddenly he was bleeding. I ran to him and Officer Fang Meyer surveyed the area no gun and no one. Someone is targeting Officers and no one has any idea who it could be. Let's hope no other Officers get shot while Hopps and Wilde are on leave."
Chief Bogo sighed.
"Yes let's hope no one else gets shot, or that they are the perpetrators next victim. It's awfully funny that the incident happened at Hopps and Wilde's post. I just looked at the case file, and it's the area that Hopps and Wilde are always on patrol by. All of us need to be very careful when we are on and off duty understand Grizzoli."
Grizzoli nodded.
"Yes Chief Bogo sir, I understand. Has he even come to yet?"
Chief Bogo sighed as he responded.
"Yes, he was responsive earlier but was given a painkiller that knocked him out so he's resting right now. We will visit tomorrow. Calm down your partner will be fine just off duty until his gunshot wound heals. Come on Grizzoli visiting hours are over we need to leave."
Grizzoli exited and sighed as he made his way to his cruiser.
'Who would be targeting Officer Wilde and Officer Hopps, Bellwether, Doug, Jesse, and Woolter are in custody it makes no sense. It happened at their post they must've been the target and the shooter wasn't paying attention to who was at the post.'
~Back in Bunny Burrows~
Nick and Judy were walking around Bunny Burrow talking about everything going on. He looked at her.
"So exactly how are we going to do this when we go back in two days? The only ones who know we are together are your parents, siblings, and your friend Sharla and her family. I don't even think Gideon is aware either."
She sighed.
"Just act as partners/ best friends at work and act like a couple when we are off duty I guess. Unless you want them to know."
He smiled at her with a sly smile.
"Come here Carrots."
She smiled as he grabbed her waist blushing slightly. Then he smiled and lifted up her chin and their lips met as both their eyes closed.
"You mean like this Carrots?"
She smiled.
"Yes exactly like this my sly fox. Let's get some ice cream it's pretty hot today."
He grabbed her paw and they walked toward the ice cream shop. They got an ice cream sundae and shared it. Judy kept on staring into Nick's green eyes and smiled.
~Two days passed and Judy and Nick got on the train heading home~
Judy was exhausted and fell asleep on Nick, he stroked her ears and smiled.
"Get some rest Carrots, I'll wake you up when we arrive back in Zootopia."
The train pulls up and Nick nudges Judy gently.
"Come on Carrots, let's get home and get some rest we are back to work tomorrow I already got the text from Chief Buffalo Butt."
He carried her home and laid her in their bed covering her. Then he kissed her on the forehead.
"Night Carrots see you in the morning I love you."
When he knew she was asleep he texts Finnick.
'Just got back to Zootopia and want to know what was happening while we were away. See you in 15 minutes.'
Nick carefully exited the apartment when Kudo looked at him.
"Where are you going to at this time?"
Nick scoffed.
"Really now, I am going out why don't you mind your own business geez!"
He got in his car and drove toward Finnick's. Finnick answered.
"Whoa Nick you are actually driving your car. Where is Judy and what is the deal with you two."
Nick scoffed at him.
"We are partners at the ZPD and best friends. Can you not ask that right now, please? Now answer the question where was the officer shot and who was it?"
Finnick opened the door.
"You need to sit down; you can get a little too angry. I have known you since we were kids Nick."
Nick sat down.
"Yea yea I know that already. Finnick sighed and went to his fridge.
"Here take a beer it won't kill you."
Nick looked.
"Really now, I am not exactly a drinker you know this."
He took a sip of his beer.
"Are you happy now, start explaining what the hell has been happening while we were away?"
Finnick sat down across from Nick and sipped his beer.
"At yours and Judy's post, officers have been getting shot. But when the backup comes they don't see anyone or a weapon. So I am thinking whoever is shooting cops is targeting you and your partner. Nick, I am serious! There is someone out to get you two, please be careful out there and don't do anything stupid!"
He took another sip of his beer.
"Me, do something stupid, this is me you're talking about Finnick. I am a sly fox and would definitely not run into a gun and got me or my partner shot. Now who got shot?"
Finnick sighed.
"One of your best friends Wolfard. He, Grizzoli, and Fang Meyer were on patrol at yours and Judy's post when he got shot. He's at the hospital in stable condition, he's not the only one Nick two others were shot. Just yesterday too at yours and Judy's post. So be prepared to be assigned a very dangerous case. You should get home and get some rest you have work in the morning. This is why I didn't want to tell you while Judy was by you. You know how she gets, she is a bunny Nick."
Nick looked.
"Just because she is a bunny. You know that she happens to be one of the top officers at the ZPD with me. Finnick she is my partner I have to tell her what is happening. Anyway, I'll see you around night and thank you."
Nick drove his car back home and entered their apartment listening to Kudo arguing with Oryx. He sat on the couch and sipped his beer thinking.
'Who could possibly be targeting cops? I need to look at the missing mammals case again. I could've sworn that Bellwether, Jesse, and Woolter were taken into custody that night.'
He finished his beer and got ready for bed lying next to Judy holding her close. She cuddled into him and said in her sleep.
'So warm, soft, and comfortable night my sly fox I love you.'
He smiled.
"I love you to Carrots see you in the morning."
~The next morning Nick heard Judy's alarm go off and hit snooze~
She got up and got ready for work while Nick opened his eyes and laid in bed.
"Come on Nick Roll call is at 730a. Why did you have alcohol on your breath when you came to bed last night?"
He scoffed.
"Really Carrots, I went to see Finnick and had one beer. One lousy beer will you stop worrying please."
He got up and put his uniform on.
"I am fine Judy, I am not drunk it was only a beer and another thing I am older than you. Let's get to work before my cell goes off with Chief Buffalo Butt calling me. We are taking my car."
She didn't argue and got in the car on the passenger seat, she didn't want Nick's mood to get any worse.
"Nick something is on your mind and I know this because you never lash out at me like that. Don't try to lie to me either. You know I'll get it out of you."
He sighed.
"Fine Carrots, our fellow officers have been getting shot at our post and when the backup arrives they vanish. The 1st victim was Wolfard and two others so someone is targeting cops or targeting us. I can't figure it out either and don't want anything to happen to you I would be lost. Are you happy now my dumb/clever bunny?"
She smiled as they stopped at a red light and kissed him.
"Yes, yea I am very happy my slick Nick. Sorry about questioning you about the beer. Had no idea you even drink?"
He sighed.
"I don't really drink, have a beer when I am stressed out prefer my coffee. First I need to look at the missing mammals case to see who we have in custody and who got away? First to the coffee shop Carrots."
Judy looked.
"How bout a quick breakfast first, we didn't eat breakfast before we left."
He smiled at her.
"Sounds like a plan Hopps."
They pulled up to the little diner and sat down with their remaining comrades. Officer Delgado looked.
"Welcome back Officers Wilde and Hopps, how's the arm?"
Judy sat down as she responded.
"It's alright, just ready to go back to work."
Officer Fang Meyer sipped his coffee.
"Good to hear Hopps, it's been nothing but chaos while you two were away. Chief Bogo has all of us on high alert. The attacks have been happening at your post too. Grizzoli was shot, he is in stable condition. Then McHorn was shot while he was just patrolling your area. He will be released in two days. Trunkaby dodged a bullet while he was on patrol with Higgins."
Trunkaby looked up from his breakfast.
"Yes, it is true officers keep getting shot where you two are normally on patrol."
Nick looked up from his blueberry pancakes after he swallowed.
"I was told about it from my best friend, I know it is Trunkaby but now to find out who is behind it before any more of us get shot or worse killed on duty. Whoever is shooting has a reason to hate me and Hopps and I intend of finding out who it is."
The officers all finished breakfast and grabbed their coffee as they got into their cars. When they pulled up Clawhauser looked up from his Gazelle app.
"Welcome back Wilde and Hopps. "
Nick looked up.
"Nice to see you to Ben. Come on Carrots I want to pull up that missing mammals case again, so we can figure out who is behind these attacks."
Judy looked as they entered their office while Nick pulled up the missing mammal case. She pulled her chair by the computer and looked at the screen with him. He looked up.
"Not here Carrots, no one knows about us yet."
She sighed.
"I am not doing anything Nick. Look we only have Woolter; not Jesse. Maybe he is the one behind these shootings."
Nick pulled up Jesse's file.
"Look at this Carrots he is a sharp shooter, he knows how to use a gun and always hits his target. He's got a really bad record worse than mine."
She looked at him.
"Oh, Nick you don't exactly have a record. You're my partner on The ZPD."
Delgado knocked.
"Hopps, Wilde time for roll call. Let's get going."