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Edited by Cimar of Turalis WildeHopps

Chapter Thirty Eight

Heading South

"Jordy?" the rabbit repeated.

"Jordy," Nick nodded.

She glared at the table, face and ears growing hot. "Jordy…"

"He didn't tell me exactly what it's about, or how he's connected with this lovely mess," he continued, shrugging in frustration. "I didn't expect to hear from him again. Ever."

Judy grabbed her mug with surprising vigor and took a few gulps, pausing momentarily before placing it heavily down on the table again. She locked eyes with him.

"Nick, if he's somehow connected with what's been happening to you-"

"You'll do a lot more this time than cost him his job," the fox finished, a sardonic smirk appearing on his face despite the undesirable nature of the predicament. He pushed himself up from his slump and leaned against the table, idly moving his fork back and forward with his finger, unconcerned about whether it scratched the table surface. "Personally, I wouldn't like to be that hare…"

The table descended into a certain silence; the kind which customarily follows news as unwelcome as it is surprising. The kind which leaches the life from conversations. Neither partner was particularly aware of the shrill chattering still coming from the kitchen. Both brooded. Both tried to avoid flicking their eyes to watch the other for a reaction. In the end, Judy sighed first.

"Do we meet him?" she asked, head rising slightly.

"Yep. It's most likely a trap, but we're running after anything that comes our way. I'd imagine he knows that."

The rabbit's nose brought her attention back to the food which lay almost entirely untouched on the plates. Suddenly, she'd lost her appetite.

"Okay, let's pack this up and go," Judy muttered. With a twist of her body, she dropped off the chair and stood ready to leave the cafe. There was a time for eating and a time for talking. This was a time for privacy. She knew that hearing Jordy's voice again, detecting the tone of superiority that must have rung in his comments even when transmitted through the phone's speakers, would cause painful memories to rise in Nick's mind. It took them back to a place they would rather not revisit. A stifling room, where the shadows were thick and the air tasted of fear, resentment, and betrayal. She had been there once. But since then she had unlatched the muzzle on their friendship. No one would place it back on. Not the gang. Not the ferret. Not Jordy.

After collecting some metallic takeaway boxes from the ewe, Judy walked back to the table. Her paws worked quickly, packing everything up and placing the boxes carefully stacked in a plastic bag, ready for transit. While she did so, her eyes stole glances at Nick. The fox sat quietly for a few seconds, seemingly unaware of what she was doing. When her paw accidentally brushed his as she reached for his plate, green eyes flitted and met hers, soon followed by a grin. Without a word, he helped her pack away their meal, leaving the plates standing neatly atop one another.

"Are we done?" Judy smiled, checking the chairs for anything left behind, satisfactorily finding nothing.

The fox slipped past her and grabbed the car keys from the table, passing them over. "Let's get out of here," he nodded.

Stepping aside to let her past, Nick watched the rabbit stroll to the cafe door, a slight hesitation in her step. She reached for the handle, turning and giving him one uncertain look, nose twitching, before she moved outside, heading for the car.

The way she walked...

That smile of reassurance she had offered him earlier...

He stared at the floor, opening his mouth slightly to inhale, allowing his eyelids to slide closed for a moment. Briefly, pleasantly, the world was dark and she was there. There were no cares, no fears, and no obstacles. He could almost feel the soft touch of her paw in his.

Jordy.

His paw clenched. Empty.

The fox's eyes opened, shining with a new intensity. The touch of her paw was real. It would always be real. He wouldn't let go like last time.

Nick strode towards the door. The sound from the kitchen was the same as before, a mixture of judgemental chattering and the rattling of the till. He pulled the handle towards him, turning to face the counter and kitchen where the ewe was still bustling away.

"And for the record," he shouted, raising his paw to the side of his muzzle, amplifying his voice, "I LOVE that bunny. So chew on that for the night."

Jerking his head smugly, the fox swung out of the cafe, leaving the door wide open, not even waiting to see the dumbfounded expression on the waitress's face as he padded towards the car where Judy was already waiting inside.

A click and a slam later, he was seated in the driver's side, stroking the wheel, feeling it's smooth texture. He waited for her to start a conversation, ears twitching every time he thought she was about to speak. The fox's feet pushed up and down on the pedals, having no effect while the engine was off. After several seconds of this, he frowned, confused by the silence. Then it struck him - had she heard his parting shot to the ewe? He stole a casual glance at the rear view mirror and saw her discreetly trying to watch him out of the corner of her eye. If the smile on her face which was almost successfully hidden was anything to go by, than her keen ears had heard something she liked.

Nick cleared his throat, clicking his seat belt into place. "I think we'd better burn some tarmac."

The doe smiled gently, staring at her paws which were clasped together in her lap. "Nick, we need to talk about tomorrow."

"Okay, so we'll go to your place."

The engine roared into new life as he twisted the key in it's place. He grinned to himself as memories of his time spent in the old van he shared with Finnick filled his mind as quickly as fuel filled the engine. It was the same type of key ignition in both vehicles. Join the ZPD, they said. Get transponder keys with no turning needed, they said. He pushed his foot down and pulled away from the pavement.

Judy watched the streetlights glide past the window, the glare reflecting in her amethyst eyes.

The nights were closing in as the year waned. It was dark, the shadows dancing in the beams of the cruiser's headlights. A slight chill caressed Judy's back, a coolness like some sinuous form moving behind her.

Her head shot up.

"Nick, let's go to your place."

"Why? Something wrong?" he said, trying to watch the road.

The doe shook her head. "No, nothing. I…" she bit her lip, trying to think. If ever there was a time to reveal that a ferret from the gang they were after had visited her in her own apartment, as well as had actively threatened her...telling Nick while he was driving, and after learning about Jordy, wasn't the opportune moment. "Your apartment is closer, and I don't think we should waste time on this. Besides," she laughed, "you probably barely spend any time at home as it is."

"Ain't that the truth," he sighed. "Okay, Zootopian Airlines will divert its flight path. One shabby, underwhelming box of an apartment coming up."

Climbing the stairs leading up to his floor resurfaced memories of their breakup months ago. Surprisingly, it didn't make Judy feel uncomfortable. The certainty of his warm presence beside her was a stronger sensation than the cold days of the past.

The door creaked open, allowing them into the dark interior. The room hadn't changed since Judy last saw it. A flick of the wall switch brought the space into gentle illumination.

Nick waited for her to enter, then closed the door behind her, giving it a slight push, as it always stuck a little. He tossed the keys of the patrol car onto the solid wooden desk in the corner.

"Food first?" he asked, burrowing into the bag and retrieving their meal.

"Pass it here and I'll throw it in the microwave," Judy offered, almost losing balance as he followed her instructions to the letter. Steadying herself under the weight of the bag, the doe walked into his small kitchen area, which contained the sparsest of necessities.

When it came to apartments, she was the luckier of the two. Her residence was pleasant and relatively spacious for a person living alone. His consisted of just the main room upon entry, complete with bed and wardrobe, and two rooms to either side; the kitchen to the right and the bathroom to the left.

"Make yourself at home," Nick called through in a cheery voice.

She smirked and tossed her ears. "You're only saying that so you can get me to make the drinks for you."

His head peeked around the doorway, showcasing a bemused expression. "Madam, I am an officer in the service of the city. I would never rely on civilian help for the completion of my duties."

"Civilian?" she coughed, taking one hot plate of focaccia slices out of the microwave and inserting the other. It had seemed easier to divide the portions up, rather than leave them on the single plate for sharing.

"Civilian, yes, that is correct. You, my bunny" Nick exclaimed, pointing a finger at Judy, "are off duty."

"Nick, do us both a favour and just make the drinks."

He shrugged, sauntered over to the kettle and grabbed two mugs, which he promptly filled with too much instant coffee granules.

"Sugar?"

"No thanks," Judy sighed. "I don't take. Not when it's this late."

"It wasn't a question. It was a term of endearment."

She shot him a coy look, shaking her head in despair. "You foxes…"

"You bunnies," he stated simply, leaning back against the wall, mug in paw and a wide band of smugness stretched across his face.

Judy was an intelligent animal. She knew too well that this apparent levity only thinly masked a reluctance to talk about the troubling information they had received. The tiniest knot of discomfort formed in her stomach as she reached inside the microwave for the second plate. Truth be told, she didn't want to break the levity or be the one responsible for turning her partner's thoughts back to serious concerns. But there really was no choice, as it had to be discussed, and soon.

"Nick," she said, walking over and handing him the plate, "what is the plan?"

Confirming her internal prediction, his casual expression died. He took the plate from her without meeting her gaze.

"I don't know, Carrots." The fox let out a sigh, chest moving slowly. "This could be a trap. I don't know why or how Jordy is involved in this, and I could frankly go the rest of my life without seeing that hare again. But…"

Judy waited patiently for him to finish. She always felt a chill whenever he looked as concerned as he did now. Caring for others was something so indelibly ingrained in her personality that her first instinct was to comfort when she saw discomfort and console when she saw distress. It had made her the favoured sister among most of her siblings, and had meant her many brothers and sisters had put up with even her worryingly wild dreams of becoming a police officer during her most formative years. She raised the coffee to her lips, never taking her gaze off her partner.

"We have no other leads," he finally breathed out. "I think if we don't want to be sitting around for something to happen, we need to do as he asked. Somehow, he has Desmond's phone, which means he knows Desmond. It's not adding up."

"So we travel to Outback," Judy smiled calmingly. The tranquillity was an act; she was as churned up as he appeared, but she felt he needed a calm island in the midst of his mind's turbulent storm.

"So we travel to Outback," he agreed, reaching over for a triangle of focaccia, promptly taking large bites out of the bread.

Judy tried to stop herself from grinning. He probably wasn't even aware of his habit of eating focaccia and pizza slices by starting from the bottom crust upwards, holding onto the tip of the triangle. She had noticed. It never failed to amuse her, not least because he usually then faced a dilemma when it came to wiping his paws from holding the greasy end, as he would never do so on his shirts.

The sound of him noisily slurping from his coffee snapped her out of her thoughts.

"You should really get something to eat," Nick said.

"Huh?" Judy blinked a few times. Apparently, she had been so engaged in her thoughts about him that she hadn't even remembered to eat her own portion of the food.

"What's the matter? Are you fasting or something?" he chuckled. "You know you don't need to. Or were you just too lost in eyeing up this handsome reynard?"

"Nick…" she blushed, raising the mug to her lips in a futile attempt to hide her embarrassment.

He suddenly became serious, expression returning to a more neutral one. "Carrots, I think we should take Wolford with us."

Judy considered for a moment. "So do I. He's been in on this from the start. We could do with his help." She frowned, thinking hard. Lack of information on any case was something which she found highly irksome. "Can you think of any reason why Desmond left in the first place?" the doe enquired, drumming her fingers against her coffee mug.

"Nothing. I'm blank. The gang shouldn't know about him. I was the only one they saw, and the only one who they should be watching. I just can't think of how-"

"Nick…"

"Of how Jordy is tangled up in-"

"Nick," Judy said, causing him to stop mid sentence. She swallowed, tensing, gearing herself up the same way she had learned to do before gruelling sessions in the ZPD academy. This couldn't wait. "There's something I need to tell you."

The reynard fixed his sights on her, breathing gently. He was used to reading her body language by now. If there was one thing he could do well, long before even meeting her, it was deciphering the emotions of others. Her discomfort was as clear to him as if she had stated it. So before the rabbit could begin, the fox held up his paw. "Wait. Judy, just give me a sec first. I need to tell you something, and I need you to listen."

She began to shake her head, opening her mouth to try again.

"Please Judy."

"No Nick, I need-"

"Please," he repeated. His insistence paid off - the doe partner nodded her assent, even if her shoulders slumped a little.

"Okay," he said quietly, placing his paws together. "You're worried about what might happen. Ah-shh!" he raised a finger to his lips, silencing her protest. "I know you are, understand? A lot has happened to the both of us. But I promise you, Judy, no one will ever touch you. I will keep you safe. A-and if you're ever threatened, these guys will have to come through me first. Got it? I won't let anything happen to you. I've got your back, always, just like when Bellwether tried to kill us."

She stared at him, mouth slightly open. This wasn't what she wanted. He had acted impulsively in the past. How would he react to this?

"It'll be me before you, rabbit," he smiled affectionately. "If anyone tries to-"

"Nick, I know," she stated hurriedly, trying to stop her voice from cracking. She coughed it off, forcing her emotions back into place, trying to weld her torn desires together into some solid decision. Her eyes felt moist, but she refused to give in. It was all wrong. If he knew about the ferret, there would be no telling what he might do. Something loving. Something dangerous. Reckless love; the kind that would get him killed.

"Okay, Carrots?" he grinned.

Her reply seemed to be delayed. For a moment, he was worried that he had failed to put her at ease. He had tried his hardest to comfort her and take away her worry, meaning every word of his promise. In some ways, his sincerity these days surprised even him. After years of dishonesty, one might expect his old ways to linger, but his words hadn't merely been calculated to impress, they were heartfelt.

The rabbit smiled weakly."Yes, Nick...thank you."

"See? Don't we just make the best team?" the fox laughed, relief washing over him like cool water. "Now it's your turn."

Judy looked to the floor, brushing her arm with her paw. "I...just wanted to say the same, Nick. Me before you when it comes to danger," she said seriously. "We'll work at keeping each other safe."

"Now that, my long-eared friend, sounds like a deal," he winked, although he looked hesitant. "Are you sure that's all you had to say, Carrots?"

"Yes, just that."

"Is something up?" he pried.

"No," she replied shakily.

He turned his head slightly, ears twitching intently. After all the time they had spent together, he wasn't so easily fooled when something was on her mind. In the end, he decided to leave off on the point. Whatever the reason for her reluctance, she would tell him when she was ready.

The room returned to silence once more. The only movement came from Nick, who eventually crossed one leg in front of the other.

"I really think you should eat now, Judy."

With a nod, she acquiesced. The next few minutes were ones without conversation, as the fox and the rabbit polished off the remaining food from their prematurely abandoned outing. They didn't bother sitting at the small, cheap table which was tucked in the corner and only had room for one. From the layers of dust, Judy surmised that he didn't eat here very often, spending most of his time outdoors. It echoed how the fox had lived with no concept of 'home' or family life for years. This was no crowded family farm. There were no squabbling brothers and sisters. There was just him. She didn't know exactly how long he had lived on these premises, but the occasional odd looks he gave her whenever she asked about his lodgings implied that the arrangements for the previous few years had been no more inviting.

Too much time in the past had been wasted with similar evasive glances, and those glances had become characteristic of their relationship for the first few months of partnership, while affection did its silent work without waiting for permission or the approval of society. The hardest part of their falling out had been his reluctance to fix her in his gaze even after he had returned to the ZPD, as if doing so would be dangerous. As if the simple action would further the pain of separation. Slowly, just like the earliest signs that friendship between a newly graduated bunny cop and a hardened trickster might be possible, the fleeting glances had become less fleeting, and contact had become more confident, turning from quick glimpses to lingering looks.

And now there were new looks. Fresh looks. Looks that wouldn't turn away. Bold looks, like the way he watched her now. His eyes, green and glimmering, returning to hers, catching her light. Reluctantly, he closed his lids just before the length of their eye contact became impossible for them to maintain without comment.

He placed the plate on the table to the side of him, tearing himself away from their moment together. "Carrots, it's getting late," Nick sighed. "Come on. I'll take you home."

He brushed past her, letting his tail slide along her calf as if by accident, knowing without needing to look that this would bring a smile to her face.

It had done more than that. This time, it made her heart race.

Then, just as quickly, her ears fell. Judy didn't want to go back, not when the ferret could be waiting for her. Until they found out what was happening, where Desmond was, and where the files he possessed were kept, her apartment was as dangerous a place to be as hanging above Mr Big's 'icing' chamber after angering the shrew.

"Nick," she said, catching up with him just as he began to slip a black jacket over his ZPD shirt.

"Yes, Carrots?" he smiled, pulling the jacket tight as he reached for the door handle.

"I don't want you to drop me back at my place."

The fox frowned, letting go of the handle while staring at her.

Judy looked around the apartment, feeling as if she was about to ask something selfish. Worse, she had to hatch up some excuse to cover up the real reason behind her request. Life did have a way of placing her in situations she didn't want to be in, it seemed.

She swallowed. "It's late and...I mean, it's nearly midnight, and it would just be easier for us to leave in the morning if...umm…" she trailed off, restarting. "Can I ask you a favour? Do...do you mind if I stay here tonight?"

He looked taken aback at first, saying nothing for a couple of seconds. Perhaps he suspected that something wasn't right. But then, slowly, a generous smile crept upon his face as he nodded. "Okay Judy."

"I'll sleep on the floor in the kitchen," she offered.

"You will not," he said, shaking his head. "As luck would have it, there's a room two doors down which is not just empty, but open. Well," he walked over and rummaged through one of his drawers, "it will be open. The elephant couple who lived there once asked me to babysit their grandkid, so I needed a spare key. They moved out two years ago and overlooked asking for the key back," he winked.

"You've haven't had new neighbors in two years?" Judy asked in surprise.

"It's the reason I chose this place Carrots. It's quiet. No one looks into what you're doing. I was a hustler, remember?" He stepped away, turning a silver key in his paw. "So, I'll sleep in there. You can have my bed. Now," he dropped onto his paws and knees, scrabbling around under the bed and drawers in succession, "I know I've got sheets for me to take. I think I've got some clean sheets somewhere so I can change the bed as well. Those have been on about two days…"

"Nick," she smiled, placing her paws on her thighs and bending forward, "I think I can live."

The fox stared up at her. For once, she had the high ground. He grinned warmly, jumping to his feet and clapping his paws together. "Sure. Well, I'll grab my stuff and scoot." He moved to the bed, carefully smoothing down the sheets and fluffing the pillows as best as he could before stepping back to admire his work, evidently pleased with himself.

"Thank you, Nick," Judy said, shaking her head in gratitude. "You're the best friend a bunny could need. Just…" she hesitated, sucking in breath and clasping her paws together without being aware of the motion, "...always be my partner, okay?"

Nick turned around, arms filled with a bundle of sheets and pajamas. He gave her a curious look, tilting his head just a little. In the light of the room, his soft fur seemed to glow with amber warmth. "The best two cops around, is that what you mean?" he asked silkily. He didn't wait for an answer, walking to the door and leaving Judy beaming as she watched him go.

She walked to the door, waiting there as he opened the apartment further down the corridor. A flopping sound told her that he had deposited his collection of fabrics on the floor inside. After a few moments, he returned, meeting her where she stood.

"Time to tuck in, bunny," he grinned. "I think it's lights out. We've got a long day tomorrow."

"I know." Her purple eyes looked into his. She felt cared for...needed. "I want to say something, Nick."

"Go right ahead."

She grinned, then stretched upwards, ears falling back. The fox didn't ask any questions. His eyelids closed as he bent just a little, until their lips met. Raising a paw, he cupped her chin affectionately, allowing the moment to last just a little longer than it otherwise would have, causing Judy to smile into the kiss.

They moved apart slowly, basking in each other's affection. He reached down and took her paw, giving it a slight squeeze before letting go. The rabbit, finally blushing, couldn't help but love the feeling. Both understood now, as they stared into the other's eyes, that even though things between them weren't exactly where they had been before the 'incident', they were slowly, trustingly, getting to that point again.

"Catch some sleep Judy," Nick soothed.

She stepped back into his apartment, moving to the bed. With a flick of the sheets, she climbed in. The stay hadn't been planned, so she had no choice but to sleep in her uniform, which caused a moment's worry at how wrinkled it would be in the morning. It didn't matter though. She pulled the sheets up, throwing a glance at the doorway where Nick still stood.

"Goodnight, partner," he said gently, reaching across and clicking the switch on the wall. The room fell into darkness. Judy didn't take her gaze away as he closed the door. She heard his faint footfalls make their way to the other room.

She felt like she must be glowing. Her small form snuggled into his bed. The sheets smelled of him - that unmistakable musky scent of fox. Once upon a time, like most mammals, she might have found it overpowering. Now, it made her feel safe. Protected. Even, she smiled to herself as sleep began to take over, at home.

Several meters away, divided by only a few walls, Nick stood, barely noticing the empty and dark room which lay in front of him. There were no working lights, but his night vision was sufficient. The night wouldn't be comfortable. It was true that this was a spare room, but he hadn't mentioned that the elephants had taken all the furniture with them when they left, save for a chest of drawers. No matter; the drawers were large enough for him to sleep inside, and nearly as big as his own bed at that.

Tugging on the bottom drawer, he opened it and spread his sheets inside, making it as hospitable as possible. A few moments later, he had changed into pajamas and lay inside, pulling the sheets around him closely. His body shuddered. The heating had gone with the tenants. Regardless, a smile tugged at his face when he remembered the kiss he and Judy had just shared. It drifted away just as quickly when he turned on his side, thinking of everything that had happened lately, and other things which still might. He had made a promise. Nothing would happen to his bunny, and he would keep her safe at any cost.

The next day was worked to a tight schedule. After rising, Nick quickly packed away his sheets. He took care to close the drawer, locking the door to the room as he left. He didn't want Judy to see how he had slept and give her anything more to worry about. Allowing her a few extra minutes, the fox finally knocked on the door to his room, waiting patiently until she opened it. The rabbit looked refreshed, while he mostly had to stifle the yawns that threatened to escape his muzzle.

Once they had collected their belongings, they took turns getting washed in Nick's bathroom. Rather than dressing in uniform, Nick took the same clothes he had when Judy first met him. A fox in ZPD garb was a target, but there was no reason for the gang to recognize his casual getup as being that of any specific fox. Additionally, there was something to be said for comfort dressing; his old clothing still made him feel at ease.

The partners headed out, taking the cruiser. This time, Nick let Judy drive while he phoned Wolford, telling their colleague only the most basic details, as they really knew very little at this stage. It took no effort to convince the wolf to accompany them. Neither partner needed to comment on it, but they were both relieved to have the backup after the week they had just experienced.

They stopped briefly at Judy's apartment, allowing her to change just as Nick had. The doe opted for a light grey shirt with lavender ends to the sleeves, while a pair of dark pants completed the look. Taking a quick glance around her apartment, it appeared as though nothing had been touched. Did that mean the night would have been safe and her caution and worry had been an overreaction? Regardless, she decided it had still been the better choice to avoid unnecessary risks. Besides, it had been a comforting and precious feeling slowly awakening with a sense of complete safety in a room so connected with him. The generosity hadn't been lost on her. Once again, he was allowing her past his defenses, and letting her know how much her friendship meant to him.

Just as the sun was beginning to cast rays of fire over the spires of Zootopia, their car stopped outside the ZPD headquarters. Impressively, Wolford was already waiting for them, arms crossed and grey fur catching the breeze, despite having only been informed minutes earlier of the plans. After some deliberation, given that the cruiser was only designed for two, he consented to climb into the back, leaning forward against the dividing grid so that he could speak with them, cutting off Nick before he could even make one snarky remark about the wolf sitting where criminals usually did

Naturally, the better part of twenty minutes was spent explaining the call to the canid, mainly because he insisted on asking them repeatedly about the precise wording of Jordy's exchange. This task fell exclusively to Nick, having been the only one involved in the conversation with the hare. By the end of the inquisition, the reynard was showing signs of frustration. Thankfully, no sharp words were spoken, and Wolford was finally satisfied, leaning against the back of the cruiser's interior and folding one leg across the other.

The plan was simple; complexity was impossible when the information was so limited. Jordy had said very little other than telling Nick to meet him on Outback. A few transport options were open to them, but all three officers agreed to travel by ferry. Departures across Lionsgate waterway to Outback Island were regular and affordable.

It was still early morning when Judy parked the cruiser near the waterfront of Savanna Central. She glanced over at Nick. It wasn't something she had told him yet, but despite the worry they faced together, she was actually looking forward to the trip. In all the time she had been in Zootopia, there were still many places she had never seen, Outback Island being one of them.

"You ready, partner?" Judy winked.

She received a grin in return.

"As I'll ever be, Fluff."

The world swayed gently from side to side. It hadn't taken long to decide on taking Pier Pressure as their transport choice, as the ferry boat was both cheap and inviting, and offered a discount to emergency responders such as themselves. Its white hull, complimented by yellow vertical lines painted all the way across either side, created an appealing visual display, reflecting the light of the sun.

It was only a one mile crossing, but time enough to confine Wolford to a passenger chair in the main seating area. Apparently, the officer wasn't used to travelling by boat, and queasiness had settled in quickly, along with a slight unsettling of his stomach. Judy had spent a few minutes fussing over the canid, but every offer she made in an attempt to help was quickly brushed aside as unnecessary, even as the wolf appeared to grow sicker by the minute. She grabbed a small bag and, reluctantly, left him to sit in a corner by himself, cradling his forehead in his paws while he murmured about why the city couldn't just simply make a bridge to the island.

Walking out from the covered interior towards the front deck, Judy stepped out onto the spacious area, eyes sparkling at the sight. The slatted wooden floor was smoothed to perfection, and the railings, though tall enough for elephants and giraffes, had enough room in between bars for smaller mammals like herself to see the vast, deep blue ocean beyond. Horizontal bars had been fitted along for the safety of animals of all sizes. Her eyes scanned the area, resting on a figure whose russet fur provided stark contrast to the monochrome railings. For a moment, she almost wondered whether she should disturb him. The stoop of his frame as he leaned his arms against the lower railing, gazing out on the coastal vista, implied that his mind was occupied. The image was one she wanted to remember, sneakily capturing the moment with her phone's camera before approaching her partner

Gently, quietly, with the sea breeze caressing her fur, she made her way to his side. He didn't look down, perhaps unaware that she was present. However, the touch of her paw against his arm brought his attention round to her, and he tilted his head just enough to look at her from the corner of his eye.

"Hey," she smiled.

"Hey," he replied, his tone sounding distant.

"You holding up okay?" Judy grinned, gently stroking his arm. "Aren't getting seasick are we?"

"Well, the ship hasn't sunk and my stomach isn't complaining, so I think we'll be fine," he winked, tapping his foot against the deck.

She leaned against the railing next to him. The view was mesmerizing. It would only be ten minutes until they arrived on Outback, and she was gaining a better sight of the sub-district. A colourful northern coast lay before them, the sparkling blue waters washing across a white sandy beach where she could already make out the shapes of bathers and surfers. Beyond the beach, the buildings looked similar to those of Savanna Central. From what little she knew, the place was a tourist spot; an exotic and sandy escape close to home for the residents of Zootopia, and much more reasonably priced than flights to Pawaii. It suited those mammals with larger wallets, who still had enough frugality to mean that they didn't want to spend it all.

Almost without being conscious of the movement, Judy had been shifting closer to Nick. Now, she realized, they were touching sides. She glanced across, wondering if he had even noticed. The fox never looked down at her, and at first she thought he had wandered back into his thoughts again, but then, as if he had been reading her thoughts, she felt his tail brush her legs like the previous night. The rabbit stole another look at him, and this time, couldn't help but smile, seeing a grin on his face which hadn't been there before.

"Nick?"

"Mm?"

"Have you been to Outback before?"

"As a matter of fact, Carrots," he said, straightening while stretching his arms in front of him, "I have. It must be, oh, ten, fifteen years ago now, but I used to do some...err...economic endeavors right over there. The beach life is something to experience. You know, the amount of people who accept you as a lifeguard just because you toss on a t-shirt and shades! I collected donations for the lifeguard trust."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah," he coughed, "it wasn't one of my better swings. But the sand is gorgeous and being on the beach beats making pawpsicles in Tundra town during the middle of winter."

I could imagine," Judy laughed, growing accustomed to ignoring some of his past 'economic endeavors', as Nick was wont to call them. "Maybe we could go there together sometime, you know, when we aren't getting chased by gang members or meeting with annoying hares." She nudged his side, grinning as the fox laughed easily.

"Sure! When we have the luxury, I'll take you there, Fluff. Although," he smirked, "I think you just want to see me in swimming trunks..."

"What?!" Judy shook her head, blushing worse than before. "No, I never-"

"You naughty bunny," Nick grinned, ruffling her ears. "You heard me say 'lifeguard' and now you want to see if I know CPR, is that it? Maybe practice a little mouth to mouth now, hmm?"

"Nick, stop!" she giggled, moving back and slapping his paws away, stroking her ears out as they grew more heated.

"Want me to be your guide to the island?" The excitement on his face strongly suggested that he had already made the decision for her. "So, Outback Island is this delightful little joint where the marsupials of Zootopia decided to take up shop. The story goes that it used to be a swampy, marshy place, so they made something of it. And not just something. Sure, the city is fine, but you want the sea life? Barbecues? Fresh air and a comfortable climate? There we go!" he waved, as if trying to sell something.

"It comes in a portable size too," he continued. "Two miles by two miles, and not a slum in sight. The economy is based on tourism, catering and attractions. Want something yummy? They'll cook up to serve any diet from any district, and the south coast is even wilder." By now he was positively glowing from anticipation. "High waves and raging currents make for some legendary surfing points. Athletes for the Zoolympic games have trained there, and they win the gold nearly every time."

Judy smiled, actually enjoying the voluntary hustle. She wasn't surprised that the fox had been so successful in his cons - he wore charisma like a shirt.

"And when it rains? They've got some of the best shopping sites in the city. Day long escapes for the kids? Why not try the Savage Garden on the east coast?" He noticed Judy's confused expression when he mentioned savagery. "Oh, it was named before the...anyway. There you have it! Outback Island - shining, shimmering, and splendid."

His eyes glinted dangerously again. "There's also a nice secret tucked away on the east side. A tiny, isolated beach where young couples have been known to..." his voice dropped to a secretive whisper, "...elope."

Judy kept her head down, for fear that even making eye contact would be perilous right then.

"And where do we need to go?" she coughed, turning to lean her back against the railing.

"Well, my cute little bunny" he continued with a devious grin. "To get to that beach, all we have to do is run…"

He stopped when Judy's paw whacked his side, and he noted in amusement that her ears were now fully red and he could even make out the blush underneath the fur of her cheeks.

"Not...that. To Jordy's…" she exclaimed, though Nick couldn't help but notice her shy grin.

"All I've got is his address," the fox stated. "He said he lives at 42 Wallaby Way. It's just across from P. Sherman avenue, down in the Cydnee district. I think it's more south side, if I remember correctly."

The doe nodded. She reached down for the bag beside her and pulled out two bottles of squash, handing one to Nick.

"Judy, I know I've got to ask this," the reynard sighed, sliding the bottle against the railing and clipping off the cap, "but what happened to Jordy after I…left you."

The reminder stung, but Judy ignored the discomfort, as Nick had every right to know what had happened after their break up.

"When you left, Nick, there were two options open to Jordy. He should have received severe disciplinary action for testifying to an event he wasn't in a state to remember. Instead, Bogo offered him the option of simply resigning."

Nick scowled, turning and leaning his back against the railing just as she had.

"Bogo should have pressed the issue," he muttered.

"Nick, the chief did it to protect you. If he had reported Jordy for gross misconduct, he would have had to explain what event it involved, who was connected...and where you were. You had gone. You were absent without leave."

The fox nodded slowly, sighing. "You're right, I should be grateful for that. It was a difficult time for everyone. Does Wolford know all about what happened?"

"Aside from a few...personal details, yes, yes he does."

"I didn't want to dig up the past this way. Not after what happened between us," he muttered unhappily.

"It's behind us, Nick," Judy smiled warmly, taking his paw in hers.

He returned the smile, but perhaps a little less warmly.

"Yeah," he agreed, looking out to the approaching bay, face serious. "Yeah, all that's behind us for good."

Upon disembarking from the ferry, Nick, Judy, and a slightly staggering Wolford, paid for a taxi service to the address provided. It would cost, but the ZPD would cover the fare in the long run. Nick and Judy opted for chauffeur treatment, while Wolford took the front seat. The antelope driving stared intensely at the wolf, as if making sure he wouldn't retch all over his vehicle, before taking off down the road.

Judy found the island to be just the way her partner had described it. The pristine streets contained a diversity of mammals, but there was a stronger presence of marsupials roaming the sidewalks. They weren't a sight exclusive to the island, but in all the time Judy had spent in Savanna, she had only seen a kangaroo twice, at the most. She wouldn't call it a phobia, but she did have a vivid fear of one landing on her. They didn't seem the best at gauging where they were going to land after their impressive hops.

"So, you guys been here before?" the antelope asked in an accent which placed him as a resident.

"No," Wolford said, apparently feeling more himself but not inviting any further conversation on that point.

"Great stuff!" the antelope laughed, undeterred. "I would especially recommend the Red Center. It's the finest shopping complex in the whole of Zootopia!"

"Thanks," Nick nodded. "We'll keep it in mind."

"We're passing it right this blessed moment, guys and gals."

Judy glanced out of the car window. As they passed, she saw a huge building in the center of an open circle of flat ground, free from other structures. The complex reminded her of a natural mound, but the way the sun glinted off its smooth shell told her that it was made of red tinted glass, almost looking like sandstone. Although no cars seemed to be allowed directly near it, the area outside was crowded with shoppers. It was difficult to guess, but it looked like it must be at least ten floors high.

"That's Red Center?" Judy asked, glancing at Nick.

"Yep," the fox stated nonchalantly "And it is the best place where you could hope to lose your cash. No doubts there."

"It's enormous…"

"No," he grinned, rubbing his fist into her side gently, "you're just a very small bunny."

Judy leaned against her partner slightly, not failing to notice the interested looks she got from the cab driver as he checked his mirror. To her surprise, his eyes showed amusement, rather than disapproval. She smiled to herself, taking Nick's paw in hers.

For a second, Nick looked self conscious. It wasn't helped by the smile he could swear was growing on Wolford's snout. To be fair, the canid then engaged the driver in conversation, perhaps calculated to give the two friends a moment without comment. The wolf really was quite perceptive, something that the fox was becoming quite grateful for.

As the journey progressed, Judy could feel Nick's body tensing. This was going to be difficult for them, and they both knew it. Jordy was the strongest link to the incident which nearly broke their relationship, and almost destroyed Nick entirely. He wasn't someone either of them cared to see again, yet here they were, forced to meet the one mammal, besides maybe Bellwether, who had come closest to spoiling their friendship.

The rabbit placed her paw on Nick's chest. He didn't look down, but she could feel his breathing slowing. The thump of his heart settled to a regular pace. Eventually, he reached up to her paw and gently moved it away.

"Better listen to Wolford," he whispered to her.

She kept her voice as low as his.

"What did he say?"

"Wolford said," the lupine replied from the front, causing both of them to jump, "that we're nearly there, according to our remarkable driver."

True to the forecast, the vehicle slowed to a halt within a few seconds. Nick didn't hesitate, but unclipped his seatbelt and pushed open the door, stepping out into the open air.

The buildings were less closely placed on this street, with room for perhaps another dwelling between each one. Instead, the gaps were mainly untended grass patches. The building directly in front of them was relatively nondescript - a grey walled single story bungalow. The paving leading up to the doorway was clean, but the drain pipe just to the side of the large window closest to the entrance was hanging lopsided, with stains of dampness on the roughcast wall.

Judy was beside him before Nick even registered that she had left the car.

"Well, here we are," she sighed, sounding as if there were ten other places she would rather be.

"Come on," Nick muttered. "Let's get this over with."

As they began to approach the bungalow, they heard Wolford exiting the car.

"You two go on ahead," he said. "I'll collect the bags."

Nick barely paid attention. His mind was already focused on the approaching encounter.

No matter how much reluctance he felt inside, they still found themselves standing outside the plain brown door. He looked at Judy.

"You want me to-" she began. Her offer was cut off by the sound of the door juddering open. The noise made her ears hurt. Clearly, the door needed a good oiling.

"About time, chums."

He hadn't changed. The hare was the same one they both remembered. He stood with his arms folded, wearing a grey cargo shirt and black trousers, while his brown eyes scanned between the two of them. One ear bent down while the other stood straight. It was difficult to say whether if it was a smile or a smirk which covered his features, but neither made for a welcoming sight.

"Jordy," Nick said flatly, his disliking for the ex-colleague as detectable in his tone as it was on his face.

"Long time," the hare said, pausing to let the implications of the comment sink in as he pulled the door half-closed behind him. "I trust you've both been well?"

"Of course," Judy said coldly. "And yourself?"

"Eh," he stretched, placing his paws behind his head and breathing in. "I've been catching up on some fresh sea air." He closed his eyes slowly. "Better quality. It beats the riffraff of the city…"

Nick clenched his jaw. "Buddy, what do you want?"

The hare's eyes opened again. "I want to talk, mate. Have we got a helluva lot to talk about..."

"Fine. We'll talk. Show us inside and-" Judy began.

"Who's the wolf?"

Nick and Judy turned to look back at the road. The taxi was departing, and Wolford was walking up the paving towards them, carrying their bags.

"You remember Wolford?" Nick said. "We brought him along. He's helping us on a case."

"Your case?" Jordy asked pointedly.

"My case."

"Wolford. Yeah...now that you mention it," Jordy whistled. He stepped out slightly from the door and reached out his paw in greeting as the canid dropped the bags just a few feet away.

"Good to see you," the hare started to say in greeting.

His words never fully made it out of his mouth as Wolford, upon reaching him, swung his fist so hard into the hare's face that the crack of impact knocked him not just backwards, but straight into the door, which promptly opened, letting him drop to the floor of his bungalow in a heap.

Judy's mouth fell open a fraction of a second faster than Nick's.

Wolford continued walking, climbing the two steps to the doorway. He neatly stepped over Jordy, looking either side of the small home.

"The bloody hell is wrong with you?!" Jordy shouted, struggling to sit up, cradling a bleeding nose. "That was assault!"

As he passed, Wolford's tail smacked the hare square in the face, knocking him down to the floor again. "It certainly was," the lupine agreed, barely looking down before walking out of sight into the neighboring room. "Now, who wants a drink?" he called behind him.

Judy stared up at Nick, squinted to see his expression in the sunlight. When she managed to focus, she saw that all shock was gone. It had been a long, long time since she had seen him looking so smug.

And she loved it.

Author's Note:

I do hope you enjoyed that. Is there a demand for more punches? Punch counter, anyone? Aaaanyway...

There just might have been some more Easter Eggs in this chapter, so do let me know if you caught any upon viewing or re-viewing.

And speaking of reviewing, scroll down now. You will see a box. This box loves people writing in it. Please write a review in it and make its life happier.

Until next time, guys!

-AF