Chapter Ten

Friends Like These

The walk back to Nick's apartment had been a rushed decision. Now that they knew the way, it wasn't going to take that long. After a few block, Judy's upset stomach forced her to stop in an alleyway long enough to work it out. Nick knelt beside her, holding back her ears as she purged the liquor from her empty stomach. Although the gesture was sweet and Judy appreciated it, Nick could tell she was embarrassed beyond words. Nick could feel the heat radiating from Judy's ears, a blush on top of the stress of vomiting made them turn red. When she finished, she slumped back on the cold concrete ground doing controlled shallow breaths. Nick gave her a smile, reaching to wipe the corner of her mouth with the back of his hand, before wiping it off on his pants.

"Don't."

"It's just throw up, it's not even chunky."

"Oh..." Judy covered her mouth as if another wave was coming on.

"Sorry."

Judy nodded, she kept her hand over her mouth for another moment. They stayed in the alley for a moment longer letting Judy catch her breath. Nick got up, Judy kept looking up at him. There was a distant look in his eyes, Judy could tell there was something going on in his head. The same could be said for the bunny, Nick thought. There was a concerned look on her face as well. Judy got to her feet, using the wall to keep her stable.

"Are you alright?" Nick finally asked.

"That badger girl, you know her."

"Yeah, so? I know everyone."

"You know what I mean, Nick. You were with her once."

"That's quite the acc-"

Judy didn't let him finish. "I saw the picture of you looking at her, Finnick showed it to me. The way you said her name, it wasn't like just some passing friend. I don't think I've heard you say anyone's name like that before."

Nick felt a sting of anger peak in the back of his neck. It wasn't something he was prone to feeling. He was more likely to be the one to hide his emotions behind a wall of sarcasm and smugness. 'Never let them see they get to you', with Judy it was always different though. It surprised even him how easily she could pierce his shell.

"Did you love her?"

"We should get back to my place."

"Nick, I-"

"Maybe, I don't know. She was fun and different, talented and so much out of my league. Spending time with her made me feel better, made me feel like I was more than just some scrappy fox no one cared about it."

"What happened?"

Nick averted his gaze from the bunny's, not wanting her to see just how much she was getting to him. "I happened, that's what."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Maybe...maybe some other time."

Judy touched his chest. "There are some who care about you, Nick."

The gesture caused a slight pain in his heart, a phantom pain that only existed to remind him that he still felt things deeper then he let himself know. Judy pushed off the wall stumbling into his arm. He pulled her close, her forehead resting against his chest. Nick could feel a sheet of sweat dampening her fur, she was trembling in the cool night air.

"I'm here for you, Nick." Her breath was warm against his fur.

"I know you are, Carrots, I-" Nick wrapped an arm around her back, giving her a gentle squeeze. "Hey, when we get home, I'll run you a bath. Give you a chance to unwind."

"That sounds nice and all, but I'm too hungry to think straight."

"I'll get us something to eat."

A voice called, a small Fennec fox moved from the shadows only a few feet away from where they were standing. Judy clutching Nick's arm, hiding her face in his chest. Obviously, she was even more embarrassed by the fact that Finnick had witnessed her vomiting as well.

"Hey bud, you're late for the show."

Judy looked at him so fast one of her ears slapped his chest with an audible pat. Nick looked down at her giving an apologetic smile. Even he couldn't control his foxy nature sometimes. Judy gave him a faint smile, a sort of forgiveness for making her the butt of his joke.

"Nah, I got here during half time. We gotta talk you guys."

"As much as I'd like hang out with you guys, I'm still not feeling well."

"That's cool, boo. Get home, I'll be back later with some grub."

Nick fished some money from his wallet handing it over. And just as suddenly as the little fox appeared, he disappeared into the night. Judy leaned on Nick looking up at him. Her eyes catching the streetlight just right, even with the contacts it still made his heart speed up.

"Come on, Carrots, let's get you home."

There was soft tone in his voice, one that soothed Judy's trembling heart. Before she could react, Nick scooped her up in his arms, cradling her. It wasn't that far to his apartment and he knew that carrying her would be more comfortable than forcing her to walk. Judy protested at first, but it didn't take her long to relax in his arms. She murmured her thanks into his neck and held on.

Through the alley and across the street they went, ducking into another alley led him home. It was almost a mile away from the baron's hideout. A good enough distance to be both discreet and to keep a watchful eye on badger.

Nick set Judy down so he could unlock the door. He helped her down the step, before following her, closing and locking the door behind him. Judy was already walking towards the bedroom. Obediently he followed her, wanting to make sure she wasn't going to have any troubles.

"I'm fine now, Nick."

"Are you? Things got pretty deep back their in the alley."

"I'm sorry for that, I overstepped my bounds."

"No, we're partners now-"

"There's something I have to tell you."

"Yeah, me-" Nick cleared his throat and started to talk, but Judy cut him off.

"I want more."

Nick's ears lay back, he straightened up as if someone stomped on his tail. The way she looked at him, with her big eyes, slacked brows, only confirmed that she was out of his league. She was brave enough to outright admit her feelings to him. Nick wanted to run and hide from her strong gaze. It was the same feeling he'd only felt one other time before. Only one other mammal made him feel so inadequate. That time the feeling proved right, Honey was out of his league and he hurt her, bad.

"I'm-"

"Nick, let's just drop this for now. We can pick it up later."

"I don't want to screw this up."

Judy's shook her head, pulling her hat off with one hand, the ear tie with the other. "Nick, don't."

Nick clenched his fists, feeling a surge of emotions. "I-"

There was knock on the door, a familiar beat that announced Finnick's arrival. Nick flexed his body, gauging if he could tell Judy all the things he wanted to say before he had to answer the door. Judy touched his cheek with her cold hand, her brows relaxed, a smile moving to her lips.

"Go let Finnick in, we'll talk about this when we have a quiet moment."

"Promise?"

"Promise." Judy rose up as tall as she could, giving him a peck on the chin.

A shiver ran through Nick, his body going from warm to cold the moment she took her hand away. Nick stood just looking at her, then another knock at the door forced him away. Nick hurried through the living room, throwing all the locks open. Finnick stood on the step twirling a key on his finger. In his other hand a large brown paper back clutched to his chest.

"Lockin down pretty tight, huh? No wonder why my key didn't work."

"Sorry about that."

Nick stepped aside, inviting Finnick in. As the small fox jumped down the tall step, Nick plucked the bag from him, keeping it from spilling. Finnick looked around the room, a smile coming to his small muzzle. His amber eyes shifted around the room in a strange wonderment.

"It's good to see you haven't changed a thing. This place is still a pit, but it smells like home."

Nick didn't realize until that moment that it had almost been a year since Finnick set foot in this place. It use to be the all time favorite hang out spot. The endless hours the three of them spent together in front of the television, Finnick, Nick, and Honey. The late hours they stayed up enjoying each others company.

"Memory lanes a bitch, huh?"

Nick shook his head as if he were trying to get water out of his ears. "You could say that."

"Sorry I didn't warn you earlier about Honey."

"It's in the past, bud, and so is she."

"That's pretty cold, Nick, even for you. Honey was our friend, we loved her."

"I loved her, pal. You were just along for the ride."

Finnick growled, baring his teeth at Nick. "We had a good thing going, bro. She loved us both, but you got too greedy."

"And I'm not proud of that. She was the only female I've ever been able to get close too."

"Until Judy."

"Yeah."

"Don't mess that up too. You like her, tell her."

"Like I told Honey?"

"Dude you told her a year after we both started dating her."

"I...know." Nick's ears fell back, he pulled his suspenders down off of his shoulders so they hung limp at his hips.

"Listen, it's in the past. I don't have animosity towards you. I did once, but then I grew up."

"How did you find her again?" There was a linger wonder in Nick's tone

"First of all, get that tone right outta voice. That's how you're going to ruin your chance with Judy. Secondly, Lavender's been my girl for about a year now. I've been given her money to keep her outta trouble. When you split on me, I was destitute."

"Still sorry about that."

"I bet you are, now shut up and listen. It's hard for a guy like me to get jobs, you know that. Well, Lavender introduced me to Honey, little did Lavender know. I already knew Honey. One thing lead to another and Honey introduced me to her dad, that started our whole partnership."

"Is that why you work so hard for him?"

"The dude takes care of those that take care of him."

"And what if Judy and I have to arrest him?"

Finnick's face when cold for a moment, his eyebrows drawing tight making his eyes sharp. "I'll defend him to the fullest extent of my abilities."

"I'll have to arrest you."

"No you won't, because Judy promised me immunity." Finnick broke out in a deep throat laughter. "Posturing without a follow through, that's so you, Nick."

"Shut up."

Nick shoulders were tense enough as it was, they only grew tighter with rolling yuck that passed through the Fennec's tiny mouth. Nick set the bag on the edge of the table.

"Where's Hop Along?"

"She's in the tub relaxing, probably having a hard time because that annoying laugh of yours."

"Aw, did I scrunch your panties? Suck it up, buttercup."

Finnick grabbed the paper bag heading into the bedroom, Nick gave chase, but before he could stop the small fox, he was already through the bathroom door. Nick was relieved to see that Judy had closed the curtain for more privacy.

"Bunny! Dinner is served." Finnick said, leaning behind the curtain with a to go box.

"Excuse me?!"

"Oh please, you ain't got nothing I ain't already seen a buncha times."

"Except they're mine!"

"If you're shy about 'em, you can just eat behind the curtain." Finnick didn't make a move to leave until he got an eye full.

"Finnick!"

"Sorry, my arms aren't long enough. I'm as god made me."

"Alright, I got my food. You two can clear out now."

Finnick stepped back out from behind the curtain giving an exaggerated wink towards Nick while making an OK sign with his hand. Nick's mouth slipped open as he glared at Finnick.

Finnick flopped down on the floor, flipping open his box. "I just wanna sit and eat like a family, is that too much to ask?"

"You're such a butthole, you know that?" Nick slipped down, leaning back against the sink cabinet to eat his own food.

"Is this-"

"A soy burger, eat it. It's good for you."

"Well," Judy started, with a mouthful of food. "You're not wrong there. If only the company was a good as the food."

"Hey." Nick and Finnick said at the same time.

Finnick was meticulously working through his bug-burger. He was taking nips from it as if it were a high-priced delicacy. It was a much different spectacle then watching him eat the grasshopper steak. Judy ate in silence, the only sounds she made was the sloshing of water when she moved. Nick found it hard to eat his burger, his mind filled with so many thoughts. Dealing with issues of the past, with what he did to Finnick, and what he might end up doing to Judy. His mind was a jumble.

"Ugh, I ate too much. Now I'm sick again, just in a different way."

"At least when you throw up this time, you'll have something in your stomach." Finnick said around cheek full of burger.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence. Nick, will you take this?"

Nick got up from the floor reaching behind the curtain. Nick wasn't about to invade her privacy, no matter how badly he wanted too. Instead he groped around blindly, trying to find the to go container.

"Down a little, alright closer towards me, to the left...too much. Oh for the love of...just look." Nick's eyes went wide as he hesitated to poke his head behind the curtain.

"My arm's getting tired."

Nick looked around the curtain staring at Judy in disbelief. She didn't bother covering herself away from his gaze. She simply held out the box to him. Nick took the box, but stared on past it. His eyes tracing her contours before moving back up to her eyes. His heart pounded in his chest. A red tint ran all the way through Judy's ears. She shyly averted her gaze, knowing that he was looking at her.

"Take a picture, will you?"

"I'm so...sorry." Nick flushed, slipping out from behind the curtain.

Finnick smirked up at him with a french fry sticking out from between his teeth. Nick's whole body felt like it was on fire, he was far too uncomfortable to even smile back. The only thing he could focus on was the thunder of his heart in his ears. Quietly he slipped back down to sit, closing his box of food, pushing it away.

"Why ain't you finishing you dinner?"

A fry flew across the room at him thwaping his chest, rolling into his lap. Finnick was already loading up another fry to flick at him. Nick picked up the fry an ate it, deciding silence would be the best course of action rather than engage the small fox in his childish play.

"Man, Honey was looking fine tonight, huh?"

The water from the tub splashed, Nick could almost see Judy tensing at the mention of Honey's name. Nick threw his hands up in the air mouth 'are you serious'. Finnick wrapped his hand around his muzzle stifling the deep gut rolling laughter that shook his whole body to the point where his box of food slipped off his lap spilling all over the dirty floor. The small fox looked at the rest of his food, his ears slipping back sadly.

"What did you think of her, Nick?" Judy asked, her voice was soft.

Nick pointed at Finnick before dragging his finger across his throat. "It was nice to see her again. She's changed quite a bit, since we last talked."

"Was she always such a good singer?"

"Yeah, I think she's gotten better." Nick rested a cheek in his hand. "She use to sing in the choir up until the time her mom died a few years ago. After that she stop engaging with other."

"She only wanted to hang with us. We were like her safe haven from all the emotional crap."

"Then Finnick went to jail for a year-"

"Finnick, you were in jail?"

"Yeah, boo. Not proud about it."

"So, what happened to Honey?"

"This clown..." Finnick stopped talking when he saw Nick's pleading face, begging him to hold back. "Wasn't enough to keep her feeling good about herself. When her old man took off, she followed him. Hadn't seen her until a couple of months ago."

Nick mouthed 'thank you' to Finnick, who in return, pointed to the larger fox's to-go box before pointing back to himself. Nick rolled his eyes and passed his food along. Watching as the little fox opened the box helping himself to what was left. Nick heard Judy getting up from the tub. Nick grabbed a fresh towel from the cupboard. He held it behind the curtain, feeling her take it.

"Thank you."

"Anytime."

"Don't be shy girl, shimmy them hips out here."

Nick let out an audible growl. "Didn't you have something you wanted to talk to us about, before you leave?"

"Oh yes, I remember you mentioning that in the alley."

"I wanted to know what the baron wanted to talk to you about?"

"He spoke very fondly of you, said some of his best team members were brought on by you. He said he was impressed with us. He offered us a job with the family."

"What is this stuff about family."

"Those closest to him, get to be in his inner circle. You get more benefits than the rest of the slackers."

Judy pulled the curtain back, the towel wrapped tightly around. She sat on the edge of the tub. Nick watched the delicate way she positioned her legs offering no more free peeks to the two foxes in the room. Finnick didn't bother looking up from his burger. Nick, on the other hand, was struggling to look away. Judy offered him a smirk, causing him to look away embarrassed that she caught him.

"Good, I just wanted to make sure he wasn't mad at me for bringing you two aboard."

"The exact opposite actually."

"What did he have you do?" Judy asked.

"I've only done four or five jobs for him specifically. I broke into a couple of hospitals, gathering a few things. The last job I did was breaking into this Pharmacy in the Podunks."

"I remember the report on the pharmacy, but the hospitals, this is the first I'm hearing of it."

"That's because the hospitals don't track equipment as closely as they should." Nick added.

"Seems likely. I went through the ducts. No one saw me go in and no one got hurt."

"At the pharmacy, do you remember what you grabbed?"

"They was white pills, beyond that I don't know. I didn't ask what they were for."

"And the baron asked for you specifically."

"Yup."

"Not a whole lot to go on." Judy sighed, hanging her head.

"And we can't use any of it."

"That's right." Finnick shoved two fries in his mouth.

"We'll just have to play dress up a little while longer."

Nick moved over to Judy, resting his cheek on her knees. "It'll be fine, Carrots, we'll overcome."

"I know." Judy brushed Nick away, before walking into the bedroom.

"Ooh is it getting chilly in here, or is it just me."

"Shut up." Nick pushed himself up from the floor to follow her.

Judy pulled a bag out from under Nick's bed. It was one of the many bags Clawhauser brought in with him. Judy opened it, it was full of her clothes. Street clothes, pajamas, and several pair of underwear. Nick shoved his hands in his pocket, trying to think of away to talk to Judy. Obviously, she was angry with him. There were so many things she could be upset about, it was hard to narrow it down. When he opened his mouth to talk, Finnick walked into the room carrying both boxes of food.

"Sorry that took me so long, I had to clean up my burger. Alright kids, I'm out. You two be good, I'll see you on the flip side."

"Night, 'lil fella."

"Good night, Finnick. We'll see you soon."

Finnick pounded his chest a few times before walking out of the room. Nick listened for the front door to close before even attempting to approach Judy again. When he heard it, Judy turned around, looking at him. The ferocity of her movement caused him to take a few steps back.

"Are you enjoying this? All this cloak and dagger stuff. We have enough evidence-"

"But we don't. Finnick won't testify, that means our Baron Bouncer makes a clean getaway. It may be years before we'll find him again."

"Are you sure it's that, and not all this criminal element stuff going to your head? Sometimes being surrounded by ones peers..."

The moment the words left Judy's mouth she knew she'd gone too far. Nick pursed his lips taking a deep breath. It was almost as if he were strengthening his resolve. Nick was someone who was use to running and hiding when emotions got involved. This time he had to stand up to her.

"You are my peers now. The ZPD. I may not be entirely lawful, but I'm still good."

"I know you are, Nick, I'm sorry about what I said. I've got so much going on in my head, I just can't...I'm struggling to keep things under control."

"Talk to me, that's just one of many reason I'm here for. I mean other than being eyecandy."

Judy giggled and gave Nick a gentle punch. "Stop, I'm trying to be serious."

"Alright, sorry."

"Now that Honey's involved, are you going to able to do your job?"

"Yes and that's the honest truth."

"What happened between you two?"

"I...I don't want to talk about it, a least not right now."

"I need you to tell me."

"Why is it so important to you?"

"Because I love you."

Nick's world felt like it was slowly sliding on its side. The room shifting around him as if he'd taken a few more whiskey shots with the Baron. The visceral reaction caused him to stumble into the dresser, bracing himself against it. Judy rested her hands at his hips, holding him up.

"You love me?"

"I think I do. You occupy my mind so much now. When I saw the photo of you and Honey, I got jealous. It happened again tonight when you were looking at her. You've never looked at me that way. I want you to, I want to be what she was to you."

"You've never seen me look at you like that, because I do it when you're not looking."

Judy smiled, resting her head against his chest. Nick touched her chin, lifting her face to look at him. He leaned in to kiss her. She pulled away, keeping her eyes on his. Nick embarrassingly smacked his lips, knowing that he must look like a fool all puckered up.

"I'm not ready for that, Nick. The waters are still a bit gray for me to just go diving in."

"I understand."

Nick moved to lay on the bed, Judy catching his hand before he got too far. "Not tonight, Nick. Will you please sleep on the couch, just until I've had time to figure this all out."

"Yeah, sure. Let me get cleaned up and I'll be out of your hair."

"Thank you. And please take those contacts out. I miss seeing your green eyes."

"Sure thing, Carrots."