So, I have been told, as well as I have noticed myself, that the story I am writing, while enticing, is predictable. So, I decided to go against the grain. I hope you enjoy ;)

Judy's POV

I stand in the rain, the cold numbing the pain I feel. Suddenly, the rain stops, and I look up to see Francine Trunkaby holding an umbrella over my head. I give her a curt nod, the only thank you I can muster, then I look back down and continue in my sorrow. It is a funeral after all.

I look over to the doors of the precinct as the body is carried out, so small and fragile, last I had seen it. It was almost as if looking at it through a dream.

'I suppose all mammals look like they are sleeping when they die. At least I hope they are.' I think, feeling tears start to stain my cheeks, but I hold them back, remembering back to the words that Chief Bogo had shared before the funeral started

2 Hours Earlier

I am sitting in the bullpen, waiting in my usual seat, only this time, I am alone. I sit in a somber silence, which matches the room. Although it is full of officers from the entire precinct, it is silent, only a couple whispers and the occasional cough is heard. I look up as the door to the right is opened up, but instead of the usual cheering and stomping, their is only a silence, as a few dozen pairs of eyes follow the Chief as he walks slowly to the podium, places his glasses on his face, and looks down at the paper in his hands.

"Alright." He says, his voice tearing through the silence and sorrow like a hot knife. "We all know why we are here. However, I feel it vital to remind you all of the fact that this is our way of honoring the fallen. I understand and relate to your sorrow. However, we are the first line of defense that this city has, and as such we must do our best to show restraint. I would ask that with all that you have inside, you do not cry."

He says. Coming from any other mammal it would have sounded ridiculous, even silly. However his ever stoic complexion made it clear this was no laughing matter, and we all know why. It isn't out of cruelty that he asks this of us, but mercy. Save us from the media and the savage reporters who would have a field day with any teary officers.

"With that said," He continues, interrupting my thought. "You are all dismissed. The ceremonies are in the foyer, and following that we will be heading to the King's Star cemetery." He says, then looks at his paper one more time. "One last thing, Officer Hopps." He looks at me, and after a moment I meet his gaze. "If you would please stay behind a moment?" He asks. I nod in response and sit silently, my paws clenched together in front of me on the table.

When the last mammals have filtered out, and the door closes with a solid click, I look down, then take a breath and hop out of my chair and walk up to the Chief.

"Yes sir?" I ask, putting on the cheapest, most fake smile I have ever had, and yet it seems to work on Bogo. 'Nick would be proud.'

"Well, Officer Hopps," he says, kneeling down and taking off his glasses. "I just wanted to make sure you are okay." He uses the same voice I remember hearing a long time ago, back in former mayor bellwethers office when he tried to get me to stay on the force.

I look up at him, wiping the fake smile away and replacing it with a strong determination. "I am fine, Chief. I will be fine." I say. I then turn around and head out the door, but before I close it, I turn back to the Chief. "Thank you Chief." He nods in return and I close the door, heading to the ceremony.

When I walked into the foyer, I could feel eyes looking at me, their hesitant feelings of sympathy and sorrow radiating all around the room. I make my way to one of the chairs on the side and I sit down. I put my head in my hands, and feel the day catch up to me. My body is physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. I feel myself start to nod off, so I give in.

Present

I am shaken from my memory at the sound of the hearse starting up, the body loaded in the back by the pallbearers and all the viewers headed to vehicles.

"Hopps," I hear, so I look up to see the familiar face of Officer Fangmeyer looking at me. I give a small nod to the tiger when he offers a ride, and I head off to his cruiser with Officers Delgato and Wolford.

The ride is quiet, the weight of the day heavy on all of us as we head to the cemetery. I watch out the window, looking as the rain falls on the car, trying to keep myself busy so I don't focus on the day. 'You cannot feel the pain.' I think to myself over and over again.

I watch as we pull into the cemetery with the line of other cars following the hearse. When we stop I open the passenger door and I hop out, making my way slowly to the grave. I pull out my pocket umbrella and open it up, lining up in the front row of the viewers, due to my size. I wait their, shivering and shaking, but hiding myself so nobody can see my breakdown. No matter what I do, however, I do not allow myself to cry.

I sit their, listening as his life is immortalized, not really picking up any words, but just letting the various speeches wash over me. I wait, once again wishing my fox could be their to comfort me, but I know that can't happen. I dip my head again at this thought.

I then look up and around at all the viewers. I then see an older woman who I assume is his mother. She is in shambles, tearing up uncontrollably while her tail hangs low. I feel my heart go out to her, and I see the officers near her come to her aid, helping comfort her. After scanning the whole crowd it would seem that she is the only relative that came. 'Then again,' I think, 'For all I know, that is the only family he ever had.' Thinking on that, I feel sadder, realizing their is a very real likelihood that he was raised with only his mother, and not the hundreds of relatives I am used to.

I then see the casket being brought in, and loaded into the mechanism needed to lower the body into the grave. I then watch silently, as everyone pulls out a rose, dropping it in the ground. I drop mine as one of the last, next to his mother. I then wait, declining the offer for a ride back, preferring to walk, and I watch as the grave is filled in. While I stand their, I feel a presence behind me and I turn to see his mother, her fur showing a grey very clearly gleaming through the once bright color it held.

"He talked about you often, Officer Hopps. You inspired him." She says, looking past me and at the grave that is being filled in. I took up at her, then I look down again.

"He inspired me. He helped me since the beginning. The very first case would not have been solved if not for him. He saved my life on that case." I say, thinking back to the nighthowler case that got us so close. I smile, remembering it fondly.

"Well, that is all I ever wanted. As sons go, he wasn't always the best, but I loved him none the less. I will always love…" I hear her break down again, and I look up, seeing the standard two officers come to the aid of our fallen officers family. The Officers helping her are rookies, as the assignment usually goes to the new guys since funerals like this are far enough in between, that each officer usually does the job once.

I turn back to the grave as she is escorted to the car. I hear it start up and head off, but I say still, watching each bit of dirt as it is loaded onto the casket. I stand their after the body disappears, as the grave slowly fills. I watch even as they finish the job, patting it down and walking away, the second gravedigger tipping his hat at me. I ignore him, not being rude, but just due to the grief I can feel.

Soon after being alone, I turn and slowly walk back to our apartment. I walk somberly, slowly crawling my way. I feel like a hole is in my life, missing due to the loss I can feel. I let the tears I have been holding back go, and I watch, as it falls off my face and hits the already wet sidewalk. I rub my face with my paws, and push slowly forward.

When I finally reach the apartment building, I look at my phone to see that the mere 5 block trip had taken me nearly two hours, and had done little to help how I felt. I look up, gazing straight into the falling rain, so I close my eyes and let it wash over me before heading inside.

I slowly climb the stairs, ignoring the doormammal as he grunts when he sees me. I make my way out of the stairwell when I reach my floor, and somberly approach the door. I pause, letting out one last sob as I insert my key and turn it, entering the apartment.

I look around, seeing the usually tidy apartment I know Nick likes to keep. I even see donuts that he recently picked up for me sitting on the counter. They bring on another wave of sadness. I then hear the water running in the kitchen. I draw my weapon with my ears fully up, listening for any hint as to what it is. I line myself up with the corner of the kitchen wall, take a deep breath, then spin around it, aiming my weapon in the small kitchen.

"Freeze!" I shout. I then see a very small fennec fox on my step stool for the fox sized apartment as he screams, dropping the glass in his paw and raises his paws in the air. I hear the glass shatter and I sigh, lowering my weapon.

"What're you doing here, fin?" I ask, and he looks at me annoyed at me.

"What the hell, bunny? You come in here shouting and waiving a gun around, then you ask me why I am here!" he shouts. I look at him with a straight bored face. He looks angry, then pauses, closes his eyes.

"Look, I'm sorry. I know this is all way too tough for you, girl. I'll clean this up. You go rest." he says. I look at him, then I give a small smile.

"Thanks for being here, fin." I say.

"Whatever I can do to help, bunny." He says, not looking at me as he is too busy pulling glass out of my sink with the care of a surgeon.

I shake my head and slowly make my way down the hall. I shrug off my soaked uniform after I close the door. After stripping to the fur, I put on a fresh pair of panties and a bra. I brush my fur halfheartedly, really feeling the weight on me. Trying my hardest not to cry, I turn and crawl into the fox sized bed that is just a little too big for me. I snuggle up close as I turn out the light.

I then feel the paw of my fox reach around, pulling me into a hug.

"You know you shouldn't do that with your stitches." I say, knowing Nick will push himself way too far just to help me feel a little better if I don't stop him first. I roll around to face him, seeing a strained smile on his face. I smile back and push him gently back onto his back.

"I am so sorry I couldn't be their for you, today Carrots. I know it was a tough day." He says kindly. I turn on the bedside lamp and kiss him deeply, with all the love I have.

"One of the worst days I have had. But all my days could've been like that if we hadn't saved you." I say, remembering back to just a couple weeks before, when we were kitnapped by the FBI.

2 weeks earlier

I watch as Jack walks out of the room. The second he does, both the guards come at me. I close my eyes, expecting a beating but instead I feel the pawcuffs release. I look up at them confused.

"Officer Hopps, we apologize deeply for the ruse we had to set. This was our best way we had to prove that Agent Savage had his paws dirty. We caught the entire thing on a live feed transmitting to the bureau, both yours and your partners." He says, as he pulls out a tablet

I watch as Savage points my gun at the love of my life. I squeak and then the agent behind me speaks into his earpiece.

"All agents, plan is a go, neutralize Savage." he says.

The scene changes as Savage clearly hears the message, then turns to see two bureau rhino's tranq him before he can blink. I see him have paw cuffs put on as they release Nick. I run out the door and straight into his arms…

Present

"That all could have been way worse." I say.

"I absolutely agree, Carrots. I had a gun to my face." he says. I look at his muzzle and I kiss it. I look around at the various medical devices that have Nick bedridden for another three weeks, causing me to sigh at the thought of not having him for that time.

"Best to keep that face all to myself then, huh?" I smile.

"Well if you want." He smiles back. I snuggle into his chest fur, loving his scent.

"So, the funeral?" I hear him ask.

"It was very respectful. I saw his mother their, even." I say.

"Wow, What was she like?"

"Very kind. Apparently I was a common topic of conversation."

"I would expect so. He idolized you more than Gazelle." He says.

I look up at Nick. "Yeah, I just wish he didn't have to go so young."

"Sometimes the best die young."

"He had a myocardial infarction, so I guess we really had no chance to save him."

"Why can't you just say heart attack like everyone else, Carrots?" He says, clearly teasing me. "I mean, the knowledge in your outfit makes this super sexy, but still, this student would rather learn anatomy, teacher." He winks and I roll my eyes, then lay back on his chest.

"Well, I will miss Ben." I say.

"I'll miss spots too."

I sit up after a moment and go to the desk.

"Where are you going, Carrots?" I hear Nick asks, but I ignore him until I grab what I am after and I turn around. I show him two shot glasses and a case of very expensive liquor. I go back to the bed and pour us each a shot, handing Nick's to him as he sits up.

"Carrots, you know I can't drink with all the medicine." He says. I shake my head.

"One shot won't hurt, and we need to toast." I say. He smiles a devious smile at me.

"Why Judy Hopps, breaking the rules? Maybe I am teaching you a thing or two." He winks and I smile and kiss him.

"Maybe you are." I say. I then raise the glass. "To Benjamin Clawhauser, a true friend."

"I hope their are endless donuts in heaven buddy." Nick says.

I chuckle, then we both down the shots. I return the items to the desk and crawl back in bed as Nick turns out the light again and cuddles up to me.

"I love you, Nick." I say, playing with the ring on my paw as I feel his on his paw, currently resting on my side.

"I love you too, Carrots." He says back. I smile and drift off, never wanting to be anywhere else.

'The day was horrible, but this night makes it all a little better.'

—

Nice and simple, just tell me what you thought? I wanna hear it all in the comments or in pm :) For those of you who do call me on it though, I have only two things to say.

One: I hope you love the story.

Two: How was this for predictable

Until next time beautiful people, stay safe.