A/N: Thanks for all of the encouragement! It means a lot to me.

Also apologies on how long it took to get this one out- I had to see where I was going to take this and the next couple of chapters, and this chapter got longer and longer. Busy week outside of writing didn't help either.

Chapter 10: The Split

Zootopia Police Headquarters
July 26
13:04

Judy knew that she needed to talk to the Chief. Not just because he'd given her a deadline of 3pm, not just because she would be heading out on security detail for almost a month. She was about to potentially wreck another officer's career, and maybe her own.

Okay, MAYBE that's a bit of an overstatement. Technically he'd never been convicted of anything, so he was probably in the clear- not that that relieved the bunny.

The fox in question was sat at his desk. Nick was currently bored out of his mind. The morning patrol had been slow, and Bogo had put the pair on 'paperwork duty.' He had no idea what this meant for Judy, as she had been split up from him for most of the last couple of weeks. In his case, this left him with nothing to do. "Probably the only good thing about parking duty," he muttered under his breath.

Nick looked over to his partner. She'd had a lot of late nights recently, and presumed that it had to do with whatever she was working on. He hoped that was also part of the reason for why she'd been distant and a bit cold towards him since the previous day. Shrugging, he decided to take a short stroll to see what Clawhauser was doing. On his way out, he passed by Bogo. "Afternoon, Chief."

Bogo's response was short, as usual. "Afternoon, Wilde."

Nick noticed that he hadn't looked up from the file folder that he was holding. Not unusual for the chief, he tended to pace when thinking about something. Probably the schedules again. Rumors were flying around the station that someone was being sent on security detail to the Games, and that there was a request from an outlying town for assistance. Wish I was going on detail. That'd be pretty awesome, getting to go for free.

As soon as Nick had left, Bogo entered the office. "Anything to report?"

Judy sighed. "Spoke with the current owner of Wilde's old business. Says he bought out the Wilde's share in 2001. Seems to have left on a positive note, as he claimed that he would sell the share back to the family if they were interested."

Bogo nodded. "Unusual, but I believe that they were friends. I don't think he has anything to do with the case though…"

"Of course. But I can't help but shake the feeling that Nick has something to do with this."

"Oh?"

"On the N-Nighthowler case, you remember how he was usually there?" Judy's usually calm voice was peppered by a hint of anxiety.

"Yes. He proved quite a timely assistant to all of us. I still don't see how this relates to the case, though." Bogo was still quite confused.

"The family sold their part in the shop in 2001, the same year that Nick started as a con artist." Judy watched as Bogo gave a nod of understanding.

"And you think that there is a missing piece there?"

"Unfortunately yes. I have evidence that I-I- knew of his misconduct and I recommended him despite it all and if you want-"

"Hopps." Bogo cut her off before she could get a full head of steam. "You and he were pardoned. I will admit, I may have suggested that to Leodore." He gave a thin smile. "Regardless, I can assure you that I am well aware of the connection, and have been for years."

"As for the case on your hands," continued Bogo, "Is there anything else that I should know before I send you to the tropics for a couple weeks?"

Judy pulled the enveloped out of the lockbox. "This was hidden at the bottom of one of the archive drawers." Handing it to Bogo, she continued. "I wasn't sure of whether or not it was authentic, as it just seemed to line up a little too well."

Bogo looked through the note on the front. "I can speak with Clawmann about this. I wouldn't be too surprised, as the incoming administration was very anti-Pred, and his archivist was indeed Bellwether."

"I'll speak with Wilde- the live one- about his assignment while you are away. I trust that you've told him about yours?"

Judy froze. "Cheese and Crackers," she muttered under her breath.

"What assignment?" Nick stood in the doorway, holding a big travel mug.

Bogo looked back at Nick, then back to Judy. "I'll let Officer Hopps tell you about her assignment."

Judy started to sweat under Nick's gaze. "I-I-I got picked for security detail."

"That's great!" Nick replied. "But should I presume I should have known about it before now?"

"Yep." Bogo decided to keep his response short and sweet.

"I'm so sorry!" Judy replied, her amethyst eyes starting to glisten with unshed tears. "I didn't know when I should mention it to you and how I should mention it to you… He's an old high school guy I used to know…" She grabbed a tissue and wiped her eyes.

As she wiped her eyes, Bogo noticed Nick's ears droop for a moment, and a frown crossed his muzzle. Bogo admitted he wasn't rather fond of Swiftfoot either, especially after Hopps' tales from her high school days. "While Hopps is away, I have an assignment for you, Wilde."

Nick noted that Judy still seemed quiet on the ride home. "Penny for your thoughts?"

Judy rolled her eyes. "Just a penny? Aren't mine worth more than that?"

Nick feigned feeling hurt. "And here I thought I got a discount for being your friend."

She giggled. "Well maybe I should be asking for your thoughts."

"I asked first, carrots." He winked at her.

"Yeah, yeah. It's just… I feel conflicted."

"How so?"

"Well, to be honest, I'm going to be in a lovely city-"

"As security detail."

"Watching sporting events in person."

"So they don't get assaulted."

"Are you intentionally raining on my trip?"

"Yes." Nick paused for a moment at a red light. "Because you're conflicted. This way, I can get you to feel less guilty." Judy smiled warmly at Nick. Just to see you smile… "Besides, I get to stay in safe old Bunnyburrow while you're away."

Judy closed her eyes. Part of her wanted to disagree with Nick, saying that she still got the better end of the deal. She knew that there was a possibility that things could turn ugly, and she could find herself needing to help get her charges out at the drop of a hat. It wouldn't be the first time something like that had happened, if it did.

Statistically speaking though, the odds were definitely in her favor. She was going to sit back and enjoy herself.

As the train pulled out of Zootopia Central, she wasn't quite as sure. It was ludicrously early- most of the coffee shops hadn't opened for the morning by the time she made it to the station. Yet the Wildes were all there, waving her off much like her family did in Bunnyburrow. She supposed that she should have mentioned that she was escorting Swiftfoot to the Games, but shrugged it off- late summer saw the family often preparing for the beginning of the harvesting season, which oddly meant more work.

The sights of Zootopia were much less visible during the night, so she decided to head towards her charge. Unfortunately for Judy, he was towards the front of the train, while she had gotten on very close to the back. Along the way, she found that most of the mammals on the train were asleep themselves, though many sat next to heaps of luggage.

Bryan Swiftfoot had taken up the entire row- one side of the aisle had luggage piled on one seat, with a small shoulder bag set on the seat next to it. On his side, there was the seat that he was sitting in, as well as the one next to him, where he had set down a jacket. The bunny himself was currently reading a book- she couldn't quite discern what book it was, though.

She smiled. She and Bryan had gone to Prom together the year that they graduated, and dated for the summer following. They'd split amicably- she attended college briefly before entering the police academy, and he attended college while training, making it and medaling at the tender age of 19, just a year after high school.

He was dedicated to his profession, and it showed, as he had a lean runners build going for him. He was well groomed and well dressed- well, about as much as one can be while travelling long distances. The reading light attached to the book lit up his jade eyes.

Judy grinned. Looks as handsome as he did on Prom. "Pardon me sir," she asked with a huge smile, "is this seat next to you taken?"

He looked up and blinked, his eyes taking a moment to adjust from the well-lit book to the dim lighting of the carriage around. As he recognized Judy he set the book down on the tray in front of him and got up. "Hey, Jude."

"Hey yourself. Enjoying the book?"

"Ah yes. I picked up the newest Harry Pawter book in the station back home." Holding out his arms, he continued. "Allow me."

Judy handed over her bags, which Bryan neatly piled in the seat next to his- then re-piled again once he realized that he had left his bag at the bottom of the stack. "Aisle or Window?"

Judy yawned. "Window, please."

After allowing her to pass, Bryan motioned to the bathroom. "I'll be right back." Judy responded with a nod.

When Bryan got back to the seats, he found that his companion was passed out in the seat next to him. Chuckling, he sat down and continued reading.

Later that morning, at a much more reasonable hour, the Wilde family was talking over breakfast.

"They want you to go to Bunnyburrow… on assignment… because why?" Jessie asked her brother-in-law.

"Something about some crimes going on, and they asked for backup." Nick responded, cutting into the stack of pancakes in front of him. "Didn't help they assigned Judy on guard duty."

"Guard duty?" Nate looked up. 'For who?"

"Bryan Swiftfoot. He specifically requested her, and the department consented. Doesn't hurt that crimes have been at their lowest in almost a quarter century."

"How long?" Marie decided to get in the conversation. "And do you need to get an apartment or something?"

"The department expects that it will take about 2 or 3 weeks, and I spoke to the Hopps yesterday, who said they'd be more than happy to have me."

Ellen bolted up, now ignoring the stack of pancakes that she'd been devouring just before. "The Hopps? Do you think they'd let me come too?"

Nate looked sternly at his daughter, but was cut off by Jessie before he could say anything. "Ellen, I don't know if they can. After all, it is very close to the harvest for them. They might be very busy."

"Please!" Ellen pleaded, putting on the cutest eyes that she could. "I could help them out, if that's what the problem is!"

Silence reigned for a moment before Jessie turned to Nate, thoughtful expression on her muzzle. "She has been well behaved since we got back," she whispered to Nate.

Nate nodded, whispering back, "It would give her something to do before school starts up again, I suppose. And it would make mom's life easier."

"But only if they agree."

"Absolutely."

Ellen sat there while her parents whispered to each other, pleading expression on her face. She turned to Nick and Marie in the meantime. "It's your mom and dad's decision." Nick responded. Marie nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile at the Hopps house, a similar conversation was occurring involving Jackie.

"Can Ellen come and stay with us, like her Uncle Nick?"

Stu and Bonnie looked at each other. Stu was about to speak when his phone started going off. Pulling it out, he saw that it was Nick calling. "Hey, Nick."

"Hey, Stu. This may seem a little odd, but I have a little one here who'd like to come out with me to Bunnyburrow."

Stu started laughing, which confused Bonnie, Jackie, and Nick. Composing himself, he replied, "Sorry about that Nick, I just had a little one here asking the same question."

It was Nick's turn to laugh now. "Impeccible timing, I presume."

"As long as it's okay with Jessie and Nate, we'd be happy to have her. We might ask her to do a little light stuff like Jackie's doing though."

"That's fine, I think they're telling her about that."

"Alrighty then. Same time?"

"Absolutely. We look forward to seeing you guys."

"Likewise, we'll see you when you get in."