Nick sat in the patrol car staring off at the sky through the canopy of trees above them. "It's getting kinda late don't you think Carrots?" Nick asked.
Judy peered up towards the dark sky noticing that the stars had come out. Judy sighed, "Yeah I guess. Lets just wait a little longer," Judy said giving Nick a pleading smile.
Nick turned and looked at her, "Fine. We've only been here for," he checked the time on the radio, "six hours."
Judy glanced over towards Nick, who smiled at her and said, "What's a few more hours in good company?"
As they looked at each other smiling a red car drove past and pulled up in front of the warehouse.
"Look!" Judy whispered turning away from Nick.
Nick squinted as he recited the license plate number, but stopped as Frank stepped out. A rhino in a large coat opened the door and held it for the raccoon.
Judy pulled out her taser and a flashlight and motioned towards the warehouse tilting her head questioningly. Nick nodded and quietly stepped out of the vehicle.
Together they creeped through the door after the two mammals. Nick pointed to a stack of crates in a dim area of the warehouse near the entrance. Together they moved behind them and peered through the small spaces between them.
The walls of the warehouse were lined, floor to ceiling, with similar crates. The center of the warehouse was empty save for a few scattered crates, a raccoon, rhino, and a wolf. Three mammals stood around a crate with their backs to Nick and Judy. Judy pulled out her phone and began recording with one paw while the other held her tranquilizer ready.
Frank said something they couldn't quite hear and the rhino picked up a crowbar. The wolf nodded and the rhino pried the side off of the crate causing its contents to spill to the floor.
"You idiot!" Frank yelled hitting the rhino with his paw. "You open a damn crate from the top."
"Sorry boss," the rhino said head down shoulders slouching.
The wolf stooped down a picked up a small package. He inspected it and nodded. After checking a few more packages he began walking towards the entrance and in turn Judy and Nick.
Frank sighed and looked around pacing away from the crate. Allowing Nick and Judy to see what had spilled.
"Drugs," Nick whispered.
Judy nodded pulling out a notepad. She wrote, "Same from the apartment, same from the Rainforest District."
Nick pressed himself back into the darkness and pulled Judy with him. They watched as the wolf exited the warehouse without even a glance in their direction.
Frank pulled a folding chair over to a battered looking table. The rhino began hefting large crates to the center of the room.
Eventually the wolf peeked his head through the door again and gave a thumbs up, he pressed a button by the door causing a large garage door to raise up. An unmarked white van backed into the opening.
The wolf headed over, past Nick and Judy once more, and stood supervising as the rhino loaded the crates. Another wolf exited the van carrying a large duffle bag which he brought over to Frank.
The raccoon grabbed the bag and emptied its contents upon the table. "Pleasure doing business with you again. How's the boss doin'," he asked.
The wolf just turned and headed back to the van, resuming his position as driver.
"What you guys don't want to have a chat. Can't be all business all the time," the raccoon said strolling over to the wolf.
The wolf in charge spoke for the first time, "Frank, our boss appreciates that you are by far the biggest supplier in the city. That's why we do business with you, not because we like you."
The raccoon spit at the wolf's feet, "Fuck you too buddy."
"We're done here. Let's go," the wolf said as the rhino loaded the last crate that would fit.
"Hey not so fast. You came up short," Frank said to the wolf as he reached the van's passenger side door.
The wolf paused then turned, "No Frank. We aren't short. That's the price you get now. With Big out of the picture you don't get to dictate prices our boss does."
"Take it or leave it raccoon," the wolf said hopping into the van. As they drove off Frank walked over to the doorway where he closed the large shipping entry.
As Frank walked back towards his chair Nick and Judy exchanged a glance. Judy wrote on her notepad, "Now?". Nick nodded as he slipped a paw into his pants pocket.
Judy slipped out from behind the boxes with Nick following close behind. They got within 20 or so feet with only another row of crates between them before she spoke.
"ZPD paws in the air, you are under arrest," Judy called out holding her badge in one paw and tranquilizer in the other.
The rhino held his arms above his head and Frank turned giving a gasp of surprise. His vision flicked between the badge and the weapon, his dimwitted henchman, and finally Nick's smug grin.
"It's over Frank we saw the whole deal go down and your buddies we caught a few days ago, yeah they pinned you as the one who organized an attack on two police officers," Nick said calmly gesturing with one paw while the other remained stuck in his pocket.
Judy chimed in, "You are under arrest for the trafficking of illegal narcotics. Three charges of first degree murder. Assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon. Two counts of attempted murder. You'll be in going away for a long time."
Frank laughed a little at this, "I don't think so rabbit." As he reached past the duffle bag on the table Judy fired her tranquilizer. The dart plunged into the wood harmlessly as Frank jerked away to dodge it.
In this moment all hell broke loose. In his attempt to reach for a gun Frank succeeded in knocking it off the table and sending it sliding towards Nick and Judy. Nick slammed into Judy knocking her down behind the crates and in turn hitting her head. The rhino pulled up a submachine gun from beneath his coat and began firing wildly towards Judy and Nick.
Judy sat up and looked around disoriented. As she cleared her head Judy saw Nick slouching behind a crate looking at her as bullets whizzed past them overhead. His muzzle was moving but she couldn't hear him. Slowly her hearing came back and she could make out what he was saying, "Carrots... hey... hey call backup."
She nodded and pulled up her radio, "Officer Hopps requesting immediate backup. Shots fired Fog Street warehouses. Warehouse #4, Rainforest District." Judy repeated herself then set down her radio.
Nick leaned around the crates and caught a glimpse of the scene. The rhino's weapon had jammed and Frank had knocked over the table and was covering behind it. Nick reached into his pocket and pulled out the object wrapped in cloth.
Judy looked over to him and raised her eyebrows. She had just reloaded her tranquilizer and was wondering what their options were. "What's that Nick? That's what Finnick gave you isn't it?" she asked.
Nick unwrapped the object to reveal a handgun with two extra magazines. Nick shrugged and loaded the weapon, "He wouldn't let me leave if I didn't take it."
"Nick we aren't supposed to use lethal force..." Judy said eyeing the weapon with contempt.
"Tell that to them," he said with a sung smile as a fresh wave of bullets smacked into the crates behind them.
"Look, I'll draw fire you tranquilizer the rhino. We'll use nonlethal force don't worry," Nick said with a smile.
"Alright," Judy said not fully convinced. "Ready," she said nodding.
"Ready," Nick echoed back as he leaped up and dashed towards another line of crates. The rhino began to fire at Nick as he moved. Nick returned fire, popping off a few rounds from his handgun before rolling into cover behind some crates.
While the rhino was distracted Judy popped up and placed a well aimed tranquilizer in the rhino's throat. He grunted and smacked the dart from his skin. Judy sank back down as he began firing on her position. "What do we do Nick," she called out, "The tranquilizer didn't even phase him."
Nick frowned, "I'm not sure fluff. I only have one magazine left." After a pause he continued, "We tried non lethal maybe we have to..."
"No, if I can get close I can knock him out," Judy said replied interrupting Nick, "Just cover me and I'll be able to do it."
"I'm not sure that's the best idea Carrots," Nick said feeling fear rush through him.
"Just try it, for me Nick," Judy said with a reassuring smile.
Nick reluctantly agreed, "Alright ready?"
"Ready," Judy said.
Nick popped up from behind his row of crates and waved his arms. The rhino turned towards him and took aim. Nick fired a few shots and ducked to the side as the rhino returned fire.
Judy slowly crept forward towards the rhino behind the cover of crates. When his gun jammed again she was ready. She broke into a sprint, her powerful legs propelling her through the air. Judy angled her body so her feet would connect full force with the rhino's jaw. Then his arm intercepted her.
With a sickening crack Judy connected with the concrete wall. Her leg fractured as she tumbled to the floor. Nick stood in shock at the sight of his partner lying motionless upon the floor. The rhino stepped towards her and unjammed his weapon. He took aim and... boom boom boom. Three gunshots rang out in the warehouse.
Click click. Nick let the empty pistol fall from his limp paw. The rhino fell backwards into a pool of his own blood. Nick had never killed anyone and the weight of the situation began to dawn on him as the adrenaline of the fight wore off.
Nick began slowly walking towards Judy who lay silently beyond the overturned table.
"Not so fast fox," a voice ahead of Nick called out. "You have caused me so much trouble these past few days. You got two of my best men locked up, Big knows I'm dealing with his competition and now you come to my place of business and cause this mess." He gestured to the crates full of bullet holes and rhino who lay dead upon the floor. Nick said nothing as the raccoon strolled out in front of him brandishing a revolver.
Nick stared towards Judy who shifted slightly. She's awake, alive, Nick thought as feelings of joy flowed through him. Seeing her limp form laying there, her leg bent at an awkward angle with blood oozing from small cuts along her body, had made Nick feel pain like he had never felt before.
"You always were one to dive headfirst into trouble weren't you Wilde?" Frank
"Yeah, you could say that," Nick said with a wink to Judy. Sirens whirred to life nearby as ZPD backup began to reach the area.
Frank laughed, "You could always worm your way out of trouble too. But what about your bunny?" Frank gave a wide grin and gestured with the revolver he gripped in his paw.
Nick was silent. My bunny, he thought, his heart racing as he inched his way towards Frank.
"What about me," Judy said wincing as she shifted her injured body.
Frank cocked the hammer on the revolver and pointed it at Judy, "Not a step closer Wilde."
"Wilde could always get out of trouble, but maybe you two have bit off more than you can chew this time," the raccoon said spitting towards Judy.
Nick flexed his paws, his claws at the ready. "We can handle anything Frank," Nick said with a low growl.
Frank laughed again, "Whatever you say fox. This is just the tip of the iceberg."
"Even if I don't kill you. He will," Frank said in a very businesslike way.
"Who will? You're new boss?" Nick asked.
The raccoon laughed, "If I told you that, he'd kill me. I will tell you this though, he'll kill the rabbit first and make you watch."
Nick growled while grinding his teeth together.
Frank laughed. "He knew you would be trouble but I didn't listen. I figured I set you in the right direction by leading you towards Big," he said with a sneer.
Judy spoke up again, "That's why you had them iced?"
Frank smiled turning towards Judy, "Of course, I mean they owed me money anyways they had it coming."
In this moment of distraction Nick lunged towards the raccoon. His claws tore into Frank's arm causing him to drop his weapon it. Upon hitting the floor the revolver fired it's bullet harmlessly pinging off the metal shipping door.
Nick shoved Frank against the wall As the two fought with only their claws as weapons. Primal growls and cries pierced the air as the two mammals fought. Nick dug his claws into the raccoon's fur and howled in rage as Frank slammed a closed fist against Nick's bullet wound. Frank took advantage of Nick's pain and threw him to the ground. The raccoon stood above Nick, slashing at the fox with his claws. Nick raised his arm to catch the blow but was too late. Blood filled his vision as the raccoon's claws tore at his muzzle.
Blood splashed against the wall and floor around them. Nick being the more physically fit mammal came out on top eventually, throwing Frank to the floor. "Stop. It's over you win," the raccoon cried out as the sirens grew louder and the sound of mammals approaching could be heard.
Panting and dripping blood from many small wounds Nick stood and hefted the raccoons limp form pinning him to the wall. Nick's teeth hovered merely inches away from Frank's throat but he paused. Nick glanced over to where Judy sat watching in horror. Nick frowned as he saw his reflection in the polished metal of the warehouse shipping door. He looked as though he had went savage, his fur drenched in blood and his eyes wild.
Nick let go of the raccoon, letting him fall to the floor limp. With a groan the raccoon curled up and passed out. Nick kicked the revolver away and stumbled towards Judy.
"Heya Carrots," he said sitting down next to her clapping a paw to a wound on his muzzle that refused to stop bleeding.
She took a moment before she spoke then smiled, "Hey you dumb fox."
"How about we get out of here. I know a great hospital we can both visit," he said with a smug grin. Nick stood and picked Judy up into his arms. He stood there silently holdong her for a moment looking into each other's eyes.
"A hospital is an odd pace for a first date don't you think," Judy asked smiling.
Nick gulped nervously, "What...? You ok Carrots? You sound like you've lost a lot of blood."
"Not as much as you," she pointed out. "I talked to Clawhauser Nick. He says a certain fox likes me," Judy said with a taunting air to her words.
Nick cleared his throat and attempted to regain his composure, "Uh yeah. Well then... uh."
Judy sighed, "I happen to like that fox back just as much."
Nick anxiously looked around at anything that wasn't those deep beautiful eyes of hers. It's happening, he thought as waves of emotion flooded through him.
"Just kiss me you dumb fox," she said grimacing through the pain as she leaned up to grasp his muzzle.
Nick smiled and leaned down towards her. His bunny. They kissed for what felt like hours but couldn't have last more than a few seconds.
ZPD officers had rushed into the building and were securing the scene.
Nick stood and carried Judy through the officers and out the door. Two EMT's bearing a stretcher ran forward and Nick placed Judy upon it. He remained at her side with his paw intertwined with hers.
"Sir I'm going to have to ask you to stay behind," one of the EMT's said as they reached the ambulance.
"Not happening. She's my partner and I'm staying," Nick said as he pulled open an ambulance door.
A few days later -
Nick sat by Judy's bedside eating blueberries and laughing. Together they sat, Nick covered in bandages and Judy with her fractured leg bound in a cast. "I'm telling you Nick. They'll love you. When my leg is better we'll take a trip to the farm and I'll show you how hard it is to work there," Judy said.
"I don't know Carrots. I figure it's not that hard. You throw some seeds in the dirt, give em some water...," he paused to toss a blueberry up into the air and caught it with his mouth wide open, "and there you go, farming."
"Hopps, Wilde so nice to see you," Chief Bogo said entering the hospital room Clawhauser close behind.
Nick turned to the buffalo and gave him a smug grin, "Nice to see you too Chief but I doubt you are just here to check in."
Bogo sighed and continued, "No, I'm not just here to check in but it is nice to see you both survived." He stood before them frowning.
"What were you thinking! You refuse to follow orders and take armed criminals on without backup, or a warrant!" The police chief closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.
"You wanted results sir. We got the job done," Judy said.
The buffalo snorted, "You certainly did." He tossed a newspaper onto the bed.
Nick picked it up and read the headline aloud, "Rainforest District druglord gets life in prison."
They were all silent for a moment as Nick read to himself. The silence was broken as Nick failed to contain his laughter, "Druglord?! Oh man that's hilarious. Check this out. They are painting him as some kind of criminal mastermind." Nick handed her the. Newspaper as he attempted to stifle his laughter.
Bogo chose this moment to speak again, "Were you two trying to get killed. This job is serious but it's not worth your lives."
"We understand Chief, it's just we couldn't allow them to murder anyone else," Judy said with intensity.
Bogo sighed again, "Taking down one criminal doesn't stop all the murders in the world."
Judy frowned and Nick spoke up again having recovered from his laughing fit, "I'm not sure what you mean. We finished the case, you should be congratulating us."
"Fine. Congratulations, you cracked one murder case and made a new enemy it seems," Bogo said handing Nick a folder.
Nick eyed him suspiciously but eventually opened the folder. Judy watched his reaction change from suspicious to disgusted and she could smell a faint hint of fear in the air.
"Nick, what is it?" Judy asked.
Bogo folded his arms, "Go ahead and tell her Wilde. It looks like someone beat me to congratulating you."
Nick closed the folder and cleared his throat, "It's another murder victim."
"Another mammal got iced?" Judy asked. She attempted to rationalize everything, "But it was Frank doing that to frame Big and Big has been laying low since his men we massacred,"
Nick looked away, "Well nah not iced... stabbed is a better description."
Judy attempted to lean forward, "Let me see Nick."
Nick's ears drooped and he frowned. "Go ahead Wilde, Hopps deserves to see what we are dealing with," Bogo said unapologetically.
Nick reluctantly handed her the folder and looked away.
Judy opened the folder and recoiled slightly at the sight before her. Crime scene photos from the case file depicted a polar bear, or what was left of one. Torn remnants of a tracksuit lay by the corpse. His body torn apart with multiple stab wounds was hardly recognizable.
"Name was Raymond. We believe he worked for Big correct? Dealt with you two more than once I believe," Bogo said from his place at the other side of the room.
Judy flipped through the pages of the report finally stopping on the last, most jarring picture. The brick wall behind the bear was smeared with blood. The rough shape of a fox and a rabbit could be made out with text below it: "Soon." Judy read aloud.
Nick and Judy exchanged worried looks then turned as Bogo began speaking. "The scene resembles that of a serial killer who was active in Zootopia a few years ago. He would display the victims bodies and write something that related to the next murder."
Nick asked, "Was he ever caught? Could this just be a copycat?"
The chief sighed, "No, he was never caught. As for it being a copycat we can't be sure."
"Whoever was buying from Frank did it," Judy said.
Nick turned to her raising his eyebrows curious, "What? What do you mean Carrots?"
Bogo frowned at the nickname, having heard some office rumors about his two finest officers, but said nothing.
"Look Nick, it's Raymond. He's directly linked to us and Big and in turn this new crime boss," Judy explained as Nick nodded. "This murder hurts Big, just like Frank's attempt to frame him, and this is an attempt to scare us Nick."
Nick rubbed a paw over his still bandaged shoulder, "Hmm, clever bunny. I guess it would all benefit whoever this new guy is."
"That's what I'm saying Nick!" Judy said ecstatic as she held herself up off the bed.
"One thing fluff. Why are they trying to scare us?" Nick asked.
"Dumb fox, we already know a lot about this case and you heard Frank. His boss thought we were dangerous. He doesn't want us on the case," Judy said flopping back down on her pillow.
"And you won't be on it," Bogo said.
Together Judy and Nick both said, "What?" Judy continued, "Chief let us take the case. We are practically on it already."
"You are on it. You are being actively targeted and you are both injured," the buffalo said.
"He's right Carrots. We need a break, at least until we both get better." Nick said pointing to her leg with a smug smile. "What about going to the farm," Nick asked hopeful.
Judy frowned crossing her arms.
Bogo sighed, "Heal up, when you are both better if the case is still open I'll let you in on it. For now rest." The buffalo stood and left the room.
Once Bogo had left the room Nick reached over and grabbed Judy's paw with his. "Let's just take a little break alright fluff?"
Judy looked at him and smiled, "We're going to take the case though right?"
Nick smiled, "Yeah we will, could I have even stopped you from taking the case?"
"I doubt even you could Nick Wilde," she said while staring into his eyes.
A feeling of warmth and happiness rushed over them. Together they could handle anything, Nick thought as he leaned forward to kiss her.
My bunny, he thought as he wrapped his tail around her and let his mind melt away in her embrace.
Well that"s it. I hope everyone who took the time to read this story enjoyed it, I had fun writing it.
I do plan on writing a sequel that will pick on and continue on and make this a series eventually.
Thanks for reading my first story :D