Chapter 12

Nick, Judy, Fangmeyer and Wolfard rushed their way to the bullpen. Normally they would be there just like everyone else, but since they decided yesterday that they would skip it and go straight to work in the case, when they recieved the news they needed to go talk to Chief Bogo. Getting to roll call was easy. The four animals entered, Bogo was already talking and at the sound of the door opening, all other officers and Chief Bogo turned their attention them.

"You four finally decided to join us at last I see." Bogo snorted.

"I'm sorry Chief, we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the news and…" Judy was already moving to the open seat, followed by their colleagues.

"Yes I will address to that in a moment. For now, assignments. Grizzoli, McHorn and DelGato. SWAT Team in Tundra Town. Francine, Higgins and Jackson robbery at Rainforest District. The rest of you, normal patrols. Hopps, Wilde, Wolfard, Fangmeyer. Come with me." After that Bogo headed to his office, quickly followed by the four officers.

"As you may know, we got a reliable information about a smuggling deal" Sitting in his chair, Bogo looked at the four officers in front of him, he reached a file the size of a rule book inside his table and throwed on it. The furniture itself shook with the impact. All the officers winced a bit at the sound. "This… Is Tobias Armstrong's record... He will be there to supervise the trade. And our mission IS to stop that trade and arrest the all animals involved." His eyes glaring at his officers, he continued. "Tobias is our number ONE priority of arrest after stopping the deal." Gazing at his officers Bogo could see that they knew he would continue talking. "I have assembled a team for this operation, and if I know my officers. Which I like to think I do, you all want to be part of this, otherwise you wouldn't be here." If you paid enough attention you could see a faint smile on Bogo's face.

"Yes Chief we would like that very much!" Judy said in her usual excited tone.

"The only problem is, I can only assign two more officers to the operation. I know all of you would be an exceptional addition to the mission. But I can't let you all go. And with the clock ticking I can't change the team to fit you all." Bogo could only sigh. "So unfortunately you guys need to figure it out who will be the pair." In his mind Bogo could already tell which pair would be the most eager to be in the fray.

"What do you mean by "with the clock ticking"?" Nick finally spoke, he had been silent the entire time, he was listening carefully to all that Bogo was saying. "Do we even know when this is happening Chief?"

"Yes and that is why I can't change the team…" You could hear Bogo's heavy breathing. His eyes showing a small concern. "The trade is happening tonight…"

"Tonight!?" Nick was surprised at the information. "Well that explains it..." Turning to his colleagues he continued. "You two knew that?"

"No, we are as surprised as you guys." Fangmeyer replied. "Chief… We."

"I think, since me and Nick still are one of the newest officers in the force, it's only fair for Wolfard and you Fang to decide. If you guys want to go we will understand." It was more than clear that Judy really wanted to be part of the operation, but she also respected her colleagues.

"To be really honest with you guys, we thought that would be interesting for you two go with this one. It would be your first operation. It would be a good thing for you guys to participate in this one." Wolfard had a happy smile splattered on his muzzle. "Also, we can use that time to run through the list you guys left behind for us."

"Really guys!?" Judy was beaming, looking at her work friends she could almost hug them. To be fair she did hug them. "Thank you so much! We will not let you down!"

"Also, I have dinner reservation for tonight" Fangmeyer's comment awarded him a chuckle from his colleagues, even Bogo.

"Be careful Fang, when she sees you for the first time she might sprint away." With his usual sarcastic tone Nick could only grin.

"Very funny Wilde." Rolling his eyes, not only Fangmeyer, but all officers had grew accustomed with Nick's sense of humor. "We already went on some dates, and she is a lovely tigress. Her name is Anna, but that is not of your business smart-tail."

After having a nice laugh, they noticed that Bogo didn't. With that all officers went silent, the water buffalo started to talk again.

"So, Hopps and Wilde, I will assign you for the mission. The briefing will happen at 20h sharp. Everyone will gear up and we will go." Bogo had already got up of his chair, grabbing the record that laid on the table and handing to Wolfard. "Now, go to work."

As the four officers left Bogo's office he sat back at his chair.

"Also, Hopps, Wilde. Rest before the operation. You guys will need to be at your best." Bogo said loud and clear as both animals turned their faces to acknowledge him.

"We will sir." Nick replied as they left the room.

Heading out the four animals split their ways, Fangmeyer and Wolfard bid both Nick and Judy good bye, as both of them needed to get back to work. As the fox and bunny went their way, Judy couldn't contain herself any longer.

"I can't believe we are actually in the missions Nick!" Judy was excited, they had the entire day to relax and prepare to the mission briefing.

"Yeah I know… Let's just make sure we rest." Nick's voice had a hint of concern in it. One which Judy took notice.

"Hey Nicky, what's the matter?" As they left the precinct, Judy could finally ask properly. "You have been weird since Bogo told us about the mission time. Is something wrong?" Judy had holded Nick's paw and turned him to look at her.

"Carrots… You DID hear what Bogo said right?" Nick was looking at Judy, both holding paws without even noticing.

"Yeah, he said that we are in the mission! Isn't that Awe… Some…?" Her voice filled with determination slowly drained as she saw Nick's face. "What's wrong Nicky?"

"Carrots, we are going to a mission… To arrest a known weapon smuggler. And we have less than 10 hours to prepare ourselves." Nick's voice was filled with concern.

"Okay, so you are nervous for your first mission. That's normal" Without releasing his paw , Judy resumed their walk to her apartment. "Don't worry, I will make sure you will not get hurt." Winking at Nick she let out a soft chuckle.

"No Carrots…" Nick squeezed Judy's paw tightly. "Judy… I…" Sighing Nick gave up in telling his thoughts. "Ah… Never Mind. Let's just get to your apartment, grab some stuff and head to mine, okay?"

Taking notice at his change of thoughts, Judy could press on in the topic but thought better of it. She heard his comment about going to his appartment and decided to jest. "Oh my, Nicky, so forward. I don't know if I can take this step in our relationship just yet!" Judy made sure to look at Nick with her big amethyst eyes, making sure to look as cute as a bunny could possibly be. "Oh, who am I kidding? Of course I can! I will live with you Nicky!" Her voice started to crackle as she finally couldn't hold any longer, her eyes started to fill with tears as she started to laugh loudly.

Nick rolled his eyes as he heard Judy's bad joke. "Wow, really Carrots? I thought I teached you better than that."

"Sorry, sorry! I just couldn't…" She gasped for air as she kept laughing at her own. "I just couldn't resist. You made so easy for me!" After laughing and teasing all the way to her apartment Judy finally realized they were already at her apartment building. "Care to come in? It will be faster with you carrying my travel bag." Judy opened the front door, as both went in.

"Yeah yeah." Entering the building and heading to Judy's apartment, Nick suddenly noticed that they were still holding paws. A faint smile grew in his muzzle. "So you pick up your bag and I pick you up?"

"Har har." Rolling her eyes Judy opened her apartment door and went in, dragging Nick with her. "Can you grab my bag? It's under the bed." Judy finally released Nick's paw as she rushed to grab the spare clothes.

"Sure Carrots." Nick only glanced at his paw before leaning down to grab Judy's travel bag, putting on the bed. "There it is, don't forget to pack everything."

"Don't worry." Judy headed to the bed with her spare clothes and started to pack. "I got everything." After finishing, Judy put her bag over the shoulder and casually grabbed Nick's paw once again. "Let's go?" Flashing a smile that melted the fox heart she headed out. Locking her apartment door, both now going to Nick's home.

The way to Nick's house was a silent one, none of them talked, but enjoyed the presence of each other. Finally reaching Nick's apartment, Judy quickly threw her bag on the sofa, as for Nick, he went straight to his bedroom to change into more comfortable clothes.

"Hey Nicky, I will go change in the bathroom okay?" Saying out loud, Judy opened her bag, picking one of her spare clothes, and went to change in the bathroom.

"Sure Carrots. I will make some coffee, want something?" Walking to the kitchen, he started to make it.

"I'm fine with just coffee Nicky!" Leaving the bathroom already changed and putting her clothes folded inside her bag, Judy went to the kitchen. Her eyes quickly locked on Nick, a smile grew oh her lips.

Turning around Nick found Judy staring at him. "Hey… What's wrong Carrots?"

"We haven't had enough time to enjoy our breaks, haven't we?" Judy's voice was a little sad. "It's not like I don't enjoy work and helping other animals, it's just that we couldn't even watch movies like we always do this month…"

"Yeah I know…" Sighing to himself, suddenly Nick's eyes shined with an idea. "But now we have a few hours to relax. How about we watch those bad movies and laugh at them?"

"You read my mind Nick…" Smiling, Judy hugged Nick, but quickly let him go, a soft blush raised in her ears as she started to serve coffee for both of them, Judy took a sip of it. "Hey, I got an idea. How about some popcorn too?"

"That is an awesome idea Carrots! I will prepare the movie then." Nick went to his movie shelf and started to search for a movie they didn't watched together yet.

With that, Judy and Nick spent the entire evening enjoying their break. For a moment they forgot about the mission and work all together. All that mattered for each other was that moment.