A/N: I actually did not expect people to want me to continue the story more and more. I actually felt like this story was dying to be honest. Because of how less the effort I was putting in. I even expected at least one of you to say, "Just end it already" but I guess I was wrong. And to make it up for it, here is a special chapter. This takes part during the day off while they wait until intel comes in. And this will be all about Jack and how he spends his time in Sahara Square for the Jack fans. And because of this, if you read Under One Roof, you'll remember Max and Sophie having a visit in Sahara Square in chapter 9. And in chapter 10, it took place two days after. So you might see what Max and Sophie have been doing for those two days. MIGHT. Anyway, I said too much. Enjoy, and I hope this makes up for my laziness.
Disclaimer: Zootopia belongs to Disney but two of the characters belong to me in this chapter.
Jack returned to the Palm Hotel after his visit at the ZPD. He was so exhausted that he wanted to sleep but he knew that his brain won't let him. He didn't even yawn yet his eyes were getting dark spots under them.
He walked up slowly to his room and pulled out his room key and as he was about to unlock his door, he dropped it by accident. He groaned and sighed, looking up at the ceiling. He was feeling a tad lazy right now and for once, he just didn't want to move.
Suddenly, a gloved paw reached for his key and offered it back to him. He turned to the mammal that helped him. It was a fox. Wearing a black shirt with a fox skull on it.
"Here," he said. "You look tired so don't try to stretch."
Jack smiled and closed his eyes for a moment before opening them back and taking back his key. "Thank you," he said.
"Max!" called a female voice behind the fox.
The predator turned around to find a brown hare rushing towards him. "Come on!" she said, grabbing his arm. "They're having a buffet in the dining hall!"
Jack looked at the two. They reminded him of Nick and Judy… "Um… You two wouldn't happen to be… Together. Would you?" he asked as politely as he can.
"I wish," the fox, named Max, answered. "She's engaged. I'm just a friend."
"Ah, I see." Jack inserted his key in the doorknob and unlocked the door. "Take care now. And thanks again."
Max nodded with respect and it was the last thing Jack saw before he closed the door.
For some reason, the jack could feel that aura between that tod and jill. The same as when he found out that Nick and Judy were dating. However, even though there seemed to be a strong bond between those two but something was just blocking their way.
He shook his head. "What am I thinking?" he said to himself. He undid his tie and toss it on the bed and removed his suit jacket, hanging it on the coatrack. He lay back down and lets out a strong breath, trying to relax. Closing his eyes, he tried to think of something. Something to keep his mind occupied for the time being.
But it was useless as his mind kept mixing everything. Like, the thought of Judy and suddenly the mission he was assigned to, or his past. It was leading him nowhere.
He sat up and turned on the radio, hoping to find a tune that can take him away from all these distractions from his relaxation.
Luckily, he did. There was no singing. No loud music. Just a slow, soft and sweet tune playing on a flute on the radio. He closed his eyes slowly and smiled. Now he sees himself just laying on a hammock, in between two coconut trees while he just bathe in the sun with his sunglasses on with no shirt and just his trunks.
To top it off even, because the air conditioner wasn't turned on, it felt like he WAS in that spot. However, the heat eventually irritated him and he had no choice but to turn on the air conditioner anyway. He lay back down and closed his eyes again. This time, another dream.
Now he finds himself lying on sheets of snow, in very warm clothing. The softness from the mattress felt like cloud and snow combined. His arms and legs even started moving, making imaginary snow angels. It looked rather silly too but, right now he just wants to enjoy this great feeling he was receiving.
And in a few moments, he went to sleep. His mouth hanging opened slightly along with him snoring softly with his nose twitching every time he inhales. His ears even stopped moving and just eased themselves upon the soft pillow.
The place was cool and it was enough to actually drive him to dreamland. And very soon, he'll be in tip-top shape in no time.
Meanwhile, at the buffet…
"So… I was thinking maybe we can go to the market later," said a jill, spinning her fork to hold on to the spaghetti. "It seriously is hot here and I could use some new clothes too." She looked up to see the fox, named Max, staring down at his burger blankly.
"Max?" she called, shaking his paw.
He looked up at her. "Sorry, Sophie…" he said. "I was… Just thinking…"
"About what?"
Max tapped his index finger repeatedly and stayed silent for a moment. "That… Rabbit or… Hare just now…"
"The one in the suit?"
"Yeah… I feel like I've seen him somewhere before…"
"One of your clients maybe?"
Max shook his head. "That's not it… But then again, I've always kept my face masked every time I do my job. So I doubt he's ever seen me before."
The jill, Sophie, grabbed his paw. He looked at her. "Max…" she said. "If… Anything were to happen to you… I'll be there for you…"
Max looked at her for a while and then to their paws. He pulled back slowly and placed the paw she grabbed under his other. He smiled. "Thanks…" he said, sounding as sincere as he can.
Hours after Jack's nap (or sleep), he woke up to find the place was already dark. He quickly wrapped his arms around his body after feeling the cold atmosphere surrounding him. He grabbed the remote control to the air conditioner and increased the temperature, trying to keep it balanced. Not too cold, not too warm.
He sighed and looked out the window. His eyes actually managed to open all the way now but without him noticing. He let out a long yawn, got off of bed and went straight to the bathroom, washing his face.
He looked up at the mirror and sighed. What a great rest… He felt more alive now. He just can't understand why he was so pent up on so many things. He soaked his face in water one more time, trying to forget that. He was finally able to get some rest and now he just wanted to try to do something else other than work, his love life, or remembering about his past.
He took his jacket and wore his tie properly. Grabbing the key to his room, and clearing his throat, he opened the door and locked it the moment he stepped out.
"Be honest," said someone, coming towards the secret agent.
He turned to his right to find the same hare and fox walking in his direction. However, in different clothing this time. And for some reason, the female hare's face had a very visible pink tone to it.
"Do I look good or not?" she asked, looking up at the fox that she was walking with.
"I ain't saying nothing," said the fox. The two of them stopped at the door next to Jack's and unlocked it, entering their room and locking it the moment the door was closed.
Apparently, they were Jack's temporary neighbor. He could hear them what sounded like playful arguments in their room thanks to his large ears. He sighed.
"Are fox-rabbit couples a thing now…?" he asked himself. However, he wasn't annoyed at this. It could just be a coincidence. And also, the fox DID say that he was just her friend and that the she was already engaged to somebody else.
He dragged the palm of his paw down to his face and lets out a short breath. Not a sigh but a breath. He decided to go out for a walk to keep his mind away from all of this… 'Madness'.
As he was strolling around the area, he noticed that there were music playing. It sounded like there was a party going on. He followed the music and found himself in the town. His eyes widened and he held his breath the moment he laid eyes on the scene.
The town was bright and alive almost like nobody was sleeping. Traditional music played all around him as advertisement for all the many businesses. He looked around and he has never seen everyone this lively.
Normally, back at England, the only place that would still be going on at night would be clubs and bars but here, many of the franchises were still opened. And everyone seemed to be in a good mood too. However, a few were still looking very and quite grumpy.
As he kept walking, he came upon a clothes store. He entered it and the bell above him rang.
"Welcome, welcome!" said, a camel popping out from the counter. "What can I do you for, sir?"
Jack walked slowly towards to some polo shirts and looked at them carefully. They were very neatly sewn. He rubbed his thumb on a red one and smiled a little. "This is actually good quality," he said.
"Thank you," said the shop owner. "But all of them aren't the best. We normally get most of our clothes, second-pawed."
"Well, whoever it is that use to wear this really knows how to take care of its condition," Jack said sarcastically. The hare looked around some more to see whatever it is that will interest him. He turned to the wall where many leather jackets were hung.
He thought that maybe he should buy one, just as a souvenir. He looked carefully for one that would fit his style and soon found a chestnut-colored trench jacket. He tried to reach for the hanger but it was too high for him.
"Allow me," said the camel, grabbing the jacket for him.
"Thank you." Jack examined the jacket. It was a little too big for him but at least it was just his height. He turned the jacket to see the back and his smile disappeared. Something caught his eyes.
The back of the jacket had a diamond sewed with a cross in the middle, and the sleeves also followed along the same pattern only with the cross in them. And it took him a while to finally realized that this was the jacket that was seen in the shots taken back at the ZPD earlier today.
He turned to the shop owner. "Where did you get this?" he asked, trying to not sound suspicious. "This is actually in good condition."
"Oh this? A customer came two days ago and gave this away. For free too. Such a kind gentlemale."
"What species was he?"
"A puma. He had a Brazillian or… Spanish dialect if I remember correctly. Still, I cannot understand why he would give it for free. I have never seen this kind of material before."
Jack looked at it carefully and gripped on it tight. "I'll take it," he said.
A/N: And so, the chapter ends here. The suspense is getting real. I really thank all of you for helping me keep on writing this story. I already planned to, but it just feels a little empty the more chapters I post. But now that that's out of the way, I finally know that I can finish up this story. So thanks again. :)
