By AngloFalcon

Chapter Eight

Truly, Madly, Deeply


Nick was dreaming.

He put an arm around her as they sat side by side on the park bench, gazing out at storm clouds.

"Do you want something from me, Nick?"

"Not something, Carrots. Just you. Your friendship."

Judy laughed. "Stop it Nick, you're sounding like some bad romance movie!"

"You mean the ones with the happy endings? I can live with that." He nuzzled her cheek with his nose. She jerked away from him and glowered.

"Did I do something wrong?"

She slapped his face. Hard. It stung where she hit him. Then she slapped him again. She wouldn't stop slapping him.

Nick emerged from the dream, bleary eyed and holding his smarting cheek. It didn't hurt anymore of course, but the fading dream images unnerved him. Another breakup. Their first real fight. He wouldn't let that become real. Ever.


With Autumn came rain. It wasn't even the sort of rain that could be predicted, but the harsh, unforgiving rain which appears with no warning and takes no time to develop. Once it appears, it beats down with a violence which sends all animals of every species caught within its range running for cover as if Zootopia itself would be washed away by the deluge. Other days, a temperate sun would warm the streets and bless everyone with late summer warmth. This wasn't one of those gentle days.

Judy Hopps had managed to evade the first downpour on her way to the ZPD headquarters. She was met at the door by a sodden and bedraggled fox, a sorry victim of the scheming weather. His overconfidence and early morning optimism had encouraged him to leave his apartment without any kind of coat, jacket or so much as a plastic bag to cover his head in case of emergency. It wasn't long into his walk before he had realised his folly. The sky had darkened, the clouds moved in, and then came the flood. All initial freshness of spirit was washed away in moments. By the time Judy greeted him, his mood was as dark as the rain-clouds.

A bit of teasing, a bit of collar adjusting and something too close to fur stroking from Judy and all was well in the world again. She had that ability with Nick and he had it with her. Once he had absorbed her irresistible optimism and had applied to become an officer, he never looked at life the same way. He could now pick her up when her worries brought her low.

It was two weeks since their pleasant evening at the waterfront restaurant in Sahara Square. During that time, no further advancements had been made by Nick, save for some sly winks and lunch breaks spent sharing coffees. Judy could still detect the change in his behaviour. Somehow, his winks and smiles displayed a deeper sincerity than she had ever seen before. Almost a thinly veiled desperation. She was unsure if she liked the change. In the past, the uncertainty over some of his remarks offered a type of emotional security, in that she could convince herself he was simply a joker. Now, this added intensity made it far harder to adopt that mindset. I meant that it called for her to address it in her own thoughts, not file it away somewhere like a case that lacked an 'urgent' heading.

So she played the game. Some days she felt like it was going further than a game. Other days she was reassured that nothing had changed. He was just the same old Nick who never let anyone get to him in life or in love, and she was his dumb bunny friend, who nurtured a sunny but naïve view on both.

The two friends entered the headquarters through the main doors, making their way to reception to check themselves in. A few cheerful words from Clawhauser, and they went their separate ways.

Judy entered her office. Nothing had been said between her and Officer Jerome on the matter of Nick's behaviour since her friend's startling forwardness when he invited her out. Judy felt convinced that Jordy disliked her friend, or disapproved of him somehow. Whenever she attempted to tease some solid comments from her new partner, he always managed to turn the questions back on her, and she ended up looking unreasonably obsessive. Finally, the subtle interrogation began again.

"Doing anything tonight, Judy?" the hare said casually from across the room.

"No plans. Did you have something in mind?"

"Well, we don't get a lot of time to unwind around here. Our last promo-stunt was somewhat fatiguing, wouldn't you say? Fancy checking out someplace further afield?"

She hesitated. "Like where?"

"How's about Savanna Springs? You like it there, right?"

Her brow creased. "Is that some sort of a jibe about me and Nick?"

"Hey Judy, I thought I had the suspicious mind? Can't I ask you a question without you searching for a hidden motive all the time? And can't we talk about something without you bringing it back 'round to your fox friend?"

Her ears drooped. He was right. She was being overly abrasive. The fact was, Jordy had helped her a lot over the last fortnight and she needed to show a little more gratitude. He had seen her nervousness whenever they were approached by interested members of the public and media. That night at a recruitment stand outside Gazelle's concert had been particularly challenging. He'd stayed extra hours for her, covered a shift when she wanted time off to attend the party of one of her numerous siblings, trained her up on the new CCTV system and fetched her coffees with regularity. There was still something about him that made her uneasy. It wasn't something she could place, just the odd look, the occasional stress on a certain word.

"Jordy, I'm sorry. You're right, I am being too suspicious. I haven't been feeling myself lately. Emotions hotwired and out of kilter," she flicked her paw with emphasis.

"Doesn't bother me, Carrots," he smiled knowingly at her. If that was another jibe, she didn't take the bait.


My place. 6:30pm.

Judy slipped the phone back into her pocket. Nick would get the text and was guaranteed to come along. She felt like she should repay him for their evening out, and despite her uncertainties, she was still intrigued by his current manner. She wasn't good at picking venues; he knew the city so much better than she did. She was good at preparing things herself though. Had life been the way it was when she first joined the force, she couldn't for shame have invited him to the apartment she rented when she first moved to Zootopia. However, cracking some prestigious cases brought along a wealth of overtime, and this, in turn, brought home a hefty income. Judy had managed to move up in the world. Now she rented a more spacious apartment with a joint dining and living room, a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and storage room. It cost her half of her monthly wages but she felt the upgrade was worthwhile. It finally allowed her to ditch some irritating neighbours.

Once work was finished, she drove home as fast as she could to give her time for preparation. The rabbit set to work preparing home-made lasagne, chargrilled vegetables and blueberry tart. The blueberry tart would be reserved as a special surprise treat. By the time the oven was humming promisingly, she was smothered with flour, vegetable skins and splashes of sauce. A lightening-fast wash followed by a change of clothes into a dark, mid-calf-length skirt and lavender blouse disguised all evidence of her hasty preparation. She glanced in the mirror and pulled a face. She wasn't half as attractive as any one of the forty five prettiest sisters who sprang to her mind. Something told her that Nick wasn't shallow enough to care.

The doorbell chimed.

Judy scurried to the door and opened it, a light sensation in her chest making her feel slightly jumpy. He was there, just as she'd expected. While she had decided to impress with an elegant clothing choice, he had fallen back into unapologetic depravity – that same Hawaiian shirt and those grey trousers she remembered from their first meeting.

"Judy Pops!" he greeted, arms wide.

She slammed the door in his face. After ten seconds, she opened it again.

"Carrots!" he greeted.

That's better.

The fox grinned. "I got your text. Or, at least, I think it was from you. Unless it was from…"

"From who?"

"No one."

"From who?"

He stepped inside, eyeing her apartment with a wide smile. This was the first time he had been invited inside. "Oh, never mind Carrots. It wouldn't be her anyway."

"Nicholas P.-"

That smirk again.

"Piberious Wilde," she remembered, rolling her eyes, "you better tell me now about this girl."

"I love how gullible you rabbits are."

"Oh really?"

"Yep, you fell right into that one. Like Chief Bogo will when he finds that I've replaced the headers for tomorrow's announcements with old Valentine's poems." He tweaked his eyebrows suggestively.

"Like Chief Bogo will when he finds that I've replaced the headers for tomorrow's announcements with old Valentine's poems," he heard himself say.

"You didn't!" he gasped.

"I did!" she raised the pen. "Guess I'm still one step ahead of poor, slick Nick," she said patronisingly. "Guess he'll have to think twice before assuming his dumb bunny friend falls for his teases. She may be weeding out information of her own…"

He shook his head admiringly. "You sly bunny. Oh, you're good. You should sell pawpsicles on the street."

"Or I could just make lasagne instead. Speaking of which, care to come through?"


"That was perfect," Nick said, sitting back.

Judy blushed. "It was, wasn't it?"

"You're not meant to say that," he smirked.

"Aren't you going to take me as I come?"

"Always." His smile broadened.

She stood up and collected the plates and crockery. After leaving them on the side, she returned with a perfectly baked tart. The pastry was chewy, solid and covered in crystallised sugar. The inside would prove to be sumptuously fruity. Nick's eyes lit up as soon as he saw it.

"Carrots, you're a better friend than I deserve."

Time to move up a gear.

"You deserve a lot, Nick. You really do. Now, tuck in!"

She cut him a slice and passed him a cup of whipped cream. The silence that descended was proof enough of his approval. When he'd finished, he grinned up at her, white blobs of cream on his whiskers. Judy laughed heartily at this and threw him a serviette.

"You mucky eater!"

"So," he placed his elbows on the table and rested his chin on his paws, staring at her with half-lidded eyes, "what's the occasion?"

"Somebody's birthday."

"NO! I've forgotten your birthday?!"

She began giggling again. "You stupid fox. And I'm the gullible one? That's twice I've gotten you in one evening!"

He scowled at her but in good humour. "Seriously? Is there something you were going to...ask me?"

"Now that you mention it, there was. I've noticed a bit of – how shall I put it? – forwardness in your behaviour."

He nodded, evidently pleased with himself.

"I don't quite understand it yet," she mused, "but you've managed to do one thing for sure."

"What's that?"

"You've become forward enough for me feel I have to introduce you to my parents. Smile Nick – you're on camera!" She sprang to his side and held up her iCarrot. The screen displayed a middle-aged rabbit couple dressed in traditional country attire.

Nick froze. He seemed to shrink a couple of inches. Judy almost thought he would try to slither under the table. Eventually he raised a paw and waved timidly.

"Hello."

"Why, you must be Mr. Wilde!" the lady rabbit said cheerfully. "Judy's mentioned you a lot. It's nice to finally put a face to all those stories."

"Thank you," he said hoarsely.

"Yeah, yeah," the male rabbit took up the conversation, "we've heard you've worked with Judy on her job, so figured we'd best check you out. I'm not so sure Judy always has the best judgement. She sometimes needs-"

"Dad!" Judy exclaimed, frowning and flicking her eyes towards Nick.

"Oh, right, sorry. Thinking out loud there," he chuckled. The lady rabbit shot him a look which made him sink into his armchair. She returned her gaze towards Nick, via the phone.

"So, Mr. Wilde, do you like working for the Zootopia Police Department?" She sounded like she was taking great care to get that right.

The fox nodded vigorously. "I do. Certainly. It's wonderful. Call me Nick." His sentences were short and breathless.

"Nick, then. What's your favourite part?"

"Stopping the criminals and working for the cause of justice, ma'am."

Judy could barely contain her laughter at this.

"Good, good. What don't you like about it?"

"My comfort is no real concern when it comes to the safety of our citizens. Self-sacrifice and dedication are qualities which make our city great." Nick's chest broadened and he tried to look as resolute as he could, wondering if a salute would be taking it too far.

"I see." Judy's mother looked a little less convinced by that reply. It sounded like something he'd memorised, and was, in fact. Nick saved the moment by offering a dazzling grin. The rabbit seemed reassured by this. "Well, it would be just lovely to have you over at our home soon, wouldn't it Stu?"

"Y-yes," he nodded sheepishly from the depths of the armchair. "Judy seems to trust you, even if you're-"

"Well, we'd better be going now." The lady rabbit said. "It was wonderful finally getting to meet you. Can I just ask one more question, Mr. Wilde?"

He nodded, putting on his best charming grin again.

"Are you holding our daughter's paw on purpose?" She sounded puzzled.

Nick almost fainted. With the tension, his paw had slipped to seek out hers, grasping it for reassurance.

Judy leaped in for the rescue. "Well, I'd really better let you guys go now. Bye Mom, bye Dad! Love you both!" she blew kisses at the phone. "Say 'bye-bye' Nick."

"Bye-bye" he waved.

"Byeeee" they heard over the speakers. The phone's screen returned to standby.

Nick slumped back on the floor. "Rabbit!" he groaned, "Why didn't you warn me? How long were they listening to what we were saying? You only started the call when you announced it, right?"

Judy helped him up from the floor. "That will remain forever a mystery to you. Did you like them?"

"Like them?" He shrugged. "I love them. I think they love me."

"You do?"

"I think you love me too."

Her cheeks burned again. She shook her head and looked at the ground. He was unbelievable.

"I think it's time for you to go, Nick."

Judy walked him to the door and opened it wide. He brushed past her slowly.

"Suppose I do…like you, Nick," she began, eyes downcast to avoid betraying her emotion as the fox stepped outside. "Would that mean you like me too? This isn't just a joke?"

"Is 'love' too strong a word for you yet, Carrots?"

She gulped. "It might be..."

"Well, one day, when you're ready to hear it, I might just say I love you. Truly."

The rabbit half closed the door and smiled.

He peaked his head round the corner. "Truly, madly, deeply."

"Goodnight Nick." She waited for him to move away, then closed the door fully and turned, resting her back against the wood. There was no doubt tonight. She knew now which Nick she preferred. He had won. She never wanted him to change again.


Author's Note:

Hi!

Thanks for reading my latest chapter. Please review (don't be shy!) and let me know what you think. You guys are just fantastic and so encouraging. You've been keeping me up much later than I usually write and I love it! I hope you're still enjoying it. This story is far from approaching its end. There's a lot more to come and it isn't all smooth sailing. But you wouldn't really want it to be all sunshine and happiness, would you? Watch out for those storms. ;)

Till next time.

-AF