"Nick, come on! You can't be cooped up in here all day!" Nick looked down at Carrots. She was trying to drag him towards the door. It wasn't working, what with all his casts and everything. He would have loved to if it was just her. But with her family involved, he wasn't sure it was the best idea. They still didn't think too highly of him.
"I'd only slow you all down. Besides, I have things to do here." He looked back at his apartment. It was fine for size, but after the last few days he felt like it was stifling. Still, his partner got few days off and he thought she could spend it with her family. She was a family animal.
She let go of him and put her paw on her hip. Nick swallowed the gut instinct that she was going to nag. He'd learned how to read the rabbit better than he'd ever expected to. "Like what?"
"Laundry." It was always the perfect excuse.
"Nick, that's a two hour process and you only put five minutes into it. The rest is waiting. You can do that later."
"Paperwork, then."
"You're on medical leave." She wasn't taking no for an answer.
He groaned. "Carrots, I can't keep up like this. I'll slow you down."
"You always walk faster than me. For once we're the same pace." She moved over to grab his crutch and held it out to him. "You're coming along."
Nick looked between her ears towards the door. Judy's parents were standing there watching them with odd expressions, like they couldn't decide if it was funny or weird. Joshua was hiding a smirk; he had made his choice on how to react.
"When my sister makes up her mind, you can't get away with it."
Nick agreed internally; he had that knowledge firsthand. "True enough, but you're all going to be exploring downtown and talking to people. I'll just be in the way."
"I… well, I don't think you will." The youngest Hopps looked at her sister shyly. "Will he?"
"Nope!" Judy pushed the crutch closer to his muzzle. "You're coming along, Nick." Nick grunted as he took the crutch. He didn't want to be a hindrance or a bother, but it seemed like the rabbit wouldn't let him back out. On the one paw he was grateful; getting out of the apartment would be wonderful. On the other he hated when he was a bother or held others back.
Today would likely be a long one.
"Um… Mr. Wilde? Mr. Wilde?" Nick barely had time to process the words before he felt a paw tugging on his. He blinked, focusing again. Everyone was ahead of him, crossing the street. He looked down to see the youngest Hopps tugging at his paw.
"Sorry," he muttered, quickly limping forward. She followed him and he kept his eyes ahead. He met Carrot's violet gaze and looked down. It wasn't that he didn't want her to see, it's that he couldn't explain what he was thinking about. He'd lost track of time twice already. His mind was in overdrive with everything going on.
There was too much. He was held together by plaster and bindings. The case was confusing and nothing he'd done had panned out anything beyond superficial. He was in a relationship that he was scared to try in but didn't want to lose. Nick had even managed to connect with his mother again, although it was still strained and he'd yet to find out the answer he wanted. He preferred being in control, but lately it seemed like everything was instead spinning faster and faster away from him.
Not only that, but Nick felt out of place. It wasn't that late in the afternoon and they'd already had lunch and visited two business that the Hopps were working on contracts with. As he'd heard them discussing things, he was immediately thinking of ways to make more money out of it and had to distract himself. He was a cop now, and he didn't want to say anything wrong to give them the wrong impression. One of the business partners was a lamb, and he'd felt odd when he was there. So he'd waited outside the grocery store and enjoyed the sunlight. Or at least that's what he'd told Carrots and her family.
Somewhere along the lines of thought he'd managed to make it to the other side, and it wasn't until he felt a tug on his shirt that he stopped. He looked around, realizing he'd just kept moving forward. He looked back to see the rabbits at the corner giving him odd looks. He looked down, realizing Carrots was holding him from going further.
"Nick, what's going on with you today?" Her eyes bore into him and he didn't have an answer.
"Just… thinking, Carrots. Guess I'm a little out of it." He didn't bother lying; he wasn't hiding what was going on, just what he was thinking of. He forced a smile as he turned back towards the corner. "Where's the next stop?"
"Judes was thinking of showing us the Precinct, actually," came Josh's voice. Nick felt his eyes open. He glanced at her as she glared at her brother.
"I didn't say that."
"But you work there, right?" Josh grinned at her. "I'm sure mom and dad would love to meet your coworkers. They harassed your boss over the phone a few times, too."
'Great thinking, Fuzzball,' Nick thought. He looked down at his partner. "It can't hurt, right?"
She glanced up at him, trying to figure out what he was thinking. Nick wanted to laugh. Even if he couldn't get any information or be back on the case, it wouldn't hurt to visit. Besides, he'd probably get to pull the injured card. Maybe he and Clawhauser could run the tables with all their casts.
"Nick, that's halfway across Downtown." Carrot's eyes turned towards the middle of the city where the Precinct was. They'd gone to the edge of Downtown on a bus and from there walked to the other business. Right now they were a few blocks away from that and the train nearby blew the whistle as it went by. It'd be another few blocks before they could get to another bus stop and it'd be hard to get a cab big enough to hold all of them. Her eyes flicked downward and he immediately stiffened.
"Carrots, I'm fine." His voice came out strained. He didn't mean to sound mean, but he didn't want to hold her back from time with her family. He'd tried to avoid that earlier as well, but she just hadn't caught on. "Really, I'm fine."
He looked over at the family who seemed slightly uncomfortable. This wasn't the place for a little discussion over injuries or keeping up. "It's just a few blocks to a bus stop and we can make it to the Precinct. I'm sure the Chief would be thrilled to meet the infamous Hopps family." He immediately started gimping forward, leading the way. He turned around to see most of them staring at him. "Am I going alone, then?"
Joshua looked at his sisters before starting to follow. Janice followed and Nick turned back to the sidewalk, not waiting on the rest. It was awkward right now, and that's what he'd tried to avoid. He hoped that the Precinct could clear the air. If not, he'd just sneak off and wait it out. This was supposed to be Carrots' time with her family. He was the one being in the way. 'Right?' he asked himself. He wasn't so sure.
"Judes, do you really go to work in there?" Nick looked over to see Bonnie and Stu staring at the building in awe. He chuckled as he looked back at it himself. Bogo was a little shorter than the main door height. It was comical to see Grafe or Trunkaby try to go through it; they had to crouch a bit and Grafe had all sorts of problems with it.
"Yeah, dad. It's not as big as some of the business buildings, though. Even Nick's apartment building is taller than this."
Nick took the chance to start working his way up the few stairs there were. He turned back to see Carrots looking at him wide-eyed. He'd let her deal with them; he wanted inside. It felt off to not be in the job. He wished that he'd had a chance to get some new aviators; his had been ruined almost two weeks before in the commotion and the racing. He knew his Hawaiian attire would stick out, but he didn't care. Unlike the rest of town where he felt self-conscious from the stares on his partner and her family thanks to him, here there wouldn't be any judgement. He hoped.
He managed to get the door open enough to stick his casted leg in between. It hadn't opened much so it didn't slam on him, which Nick was immediately thankful for. It took some wiggling, but he made it inside. When he got inside, something felt wrong. He looked up to see a few of the other officers looking at him like he was something out of a horror movie. He expected that, at least.
He noticed one officer staring at him intently. "Strung, I know I'm good looking but c'mon, man." The silverback gorilla seemed to snap out of his trance.
"I wasn't sure what I was looking at, Wilde. You sure you're still a mammal under all that?"
He looked down, patting his chest with his paw. "I think so. If I sprout an extra arm though, make sure to put me down."
The larger mammal shook his head with a grin, ambling off. Nick moved further in, noticing the rest of the Precinct beginning to unfreeze. He heard stomping and looked over towards the interrogation rooms to see McHorn heading his way.
"Go home, Wilde." Nick was stunned to hear his voice sound so menacing. The rhino got closer and stared at him.
"Easy, McHorn. I'm here as a tour guide today." He nodded towards the door. "Looks life Fluff's gonna be bringing in the horde shortly."
McHorn just shook his head. "Doesn't matter. Make it fast and get out."
"What's your problem? Did I do something wrong?"
The rhino leaned down. "Look at yourself. How do you think everyone felt seeing you walk in like that? It's bad enough that we can't take down some criminals, but for them to do this and get away with it?" He grunted. "It sucks, Wilde."
Nick shrugged. "I'm up and about. It may be a tad difficult at times, but I'm managing. They didn't stop me, which means they haven't won."
The rhino snorted. "Glad to see you're not bothered by it. Don't expect everyone else to be so fine with it." He walked away, leaving Nick slightly confused and annoyed. He didn't show it, instead making his way towards the front desk. Clawhauser was still frozen as he looked at him.
"Benji, you okay?" The cheetah kept staring. Nick waved but the dispatcher didn't seem to notice. He groaned. "Spots, I'll steal your donuts if you keep looking like that."
That got his attention. The cheetah shook his head, finally focusing on him. "Nick, that's… wow."
Nick lifted his casts, even twisting a bit on his right leg to showcase everything. "I know, right? I feel like a walking mold." The cheetah nodded to him. "Clawhauser, I'm fine. You have it worse than I do, anyway."
Benji jumped as if the thought had never crossed his mind. "How can you say that, Nick? Look at you…" He immediately looked down, worried about what he'd said.
"I have, buddy. But I'm alive and kicking. Well, not so much kicking, but I am moving around. I don't need a wheelchair, either." He just shrugged under the gaze. "So I'm fine."
Clawhauser shook his head. "I don't know how you can see it that way, Nick. Everyone here… it's been bothering them what all you and Judy went through. I know Bogo's bothered, although he won't say it."
Nick laughed. "He's a softy anyway, he just thinks he's hiding it. Where is the Chief, anyway?"
Clawhauser's eyes got wide. "Nick, I don't know what you're planning, but don't."
Nick gave him a hurt look. "I'd never do a thing, Spots. You know me better than that!" He moved away from the desk, heading for the stairs. It wouldn't be easy, but he could make it up them. If he was right, the Chief would be where he always was. He could hear Benjamin trying to say something behind him but he wasn't stopping now. He had a buffalo to annoy.
It took him a few minutes, but he was finally at the top of the stairs and gasping. It wasn't so much hard to breathe as it was to make it up without falling over. His casts got heavy when there wasn't even ground under his feet. Or in this case, foot. He heard Clawhauser saying something to someone and moved forward. The bunnies had finally entered the building. He shuffled over so he wouldn't be seen and kept moving towards the Chief's office, panting as he knocked. He heard a gruff voice acknowledge him and entered the door.
"Hey there, Chief!" Bogo's eyes got wide and he actually dropped the pen he was holding. Nick felt accomplished.
"Wilde, what the hell-"
"Heads up, Chief- you may want to stay in this office for a bit. Carrots' family is here." Bogo stood up and moved to the door, looking out at the lobby. Nick knew that Clawhauser wouldn't be able to keep them entertained forever.
The large mammal looked down at him. "And they dragged you along, I suppose?"
Nick grinned. "Duh. You and Fluff pretty much have me on house arrest. I was getting cabin fever."
The Chief walked back to his desk. "Do I look like I care?"
There was an iciness in his voice. Nick knew what the usual banter was like, but this was different. "Chief, what's going on? I'm not a piece of glass, yet everyone's acting like there's a minefield around me."
"What did you think would happen when you waltzed back through that door, Wilde?" The buffalo glared at him. "This case has already taken lives, both civilian and officers. But around you there's a greater danger field. Husk finally woke up a day and a half ago. Fangmeyer is still on medical leave; had that bullet been two inches to the left he'd of had no spine or vocal cords left. Your partner got shot, and two vehicles have been destroyed. You've left destruction in your wake."
Nick couldn't argue. He hobbled over to the window that the Chief was so fond of. He sighed as he looked out. "I made the wrong calls, Chief. I can't change that."
"You're right about that. The department's still paying for it, though. You have any idea how expensive you're becoming?"
Nick dropped his head. "What do you want me to say, Chief? I can't change how things turned out. I know that my ideas ended up with dead ends, too. I'm well aware of the costs."
"Are you?" Nick looked back at the Chief. Bogo grunted and stood up. He grabbed a stack of folders and handed it to Nick.
Nick managed to take it in his left paw and leaned against the glass. He opened the first folder, closing his eyes as he saw Sans cadet photo. Underneath was the photo he never wanted to see. He closed it, opening the next. It was the same for the following folders; each had the picture and name of an officer who had died in the bombings.
"Chief, I know about all of this." He looked up as he spoke. Bogo just huffed and nodded towards the rest of the files that Nick had cradled against his cast.
He opened the next one, seeing Fangmeyer's folder. He saw the notes about his current injuries. He opened the next to see Husk's file, which had a photo of how he'd looked in the hospital. Nick's stomach turned. He kept flipping through the rest, seeing the scars of two officer's he didn't know. "Chief, who are-"
"Precinct 6. They were the ones who tried to prevent Harris from escaping." Nick froze, the folders falling to the floor.
"Escape? No, he shouldn't have survived. You're joking, right?" He looked down, seeing Judy's face on one of the folders. "It can't be."
"This case is bigger than anything I've seen before, Wilde. And your choices have put other's lives in danger over and over. You've nearly died a few times yourself." Nick looked down, his left paw resting over his stomach. He'd stopped wrapping it after he'd left the hospital, but the stitches were still there. "Your actions have bigger consequences than you'd imagined, Wilde. And for what? A leak we can't find? A white ferret who's information is shady at best? A wildcard that makes the previous leader of the Fumes look tame?"
Nick clutched his shirt. Things were spinning out of control even faster now. He was on medical leave, and this was what was happening. He didn't want to look at all the folders on the floor, but he couldn't tear his eyes away from them. "What do you want from me, Bogo?" he asked. His voice was low and cold. "I know I can't fix this. So what do you want from me?"
There was silence in response. Nick finally forced his eyes up to see the Chief looking at him.
"To rest and heal. To think about what you did wrong, and what's happened as a result. And when you're finally able to get back out there, to not make the same mistakes and catch them." He turned to his computer, tapping on some files. Nick looked down, staring again at all the faces looking back. It wasn't all his fault, but he'd played a part in everything. The other officers had made the connections too, but Nick was aware of how much had happened thanks to his choices. Meeting Fresh and Breeze had been dangerous, and he wasn't the only one who'd ended up paying the price.
He lowered himself, grunting as he managed to sit down. He started grabbing pages and putting them back in their files. He didn't want to see them anymore than he already had. He froze as he picked up Carrot's file. She was up and moving, but he knew how close she'd come to being in the ground instead. Nick fixed the files and tried to pick them up.
"If you try that, it'll defeat the effort." He looked up at the Chief who was looking at him with dark eyes. "You know how big this is. Now go home. You can't help in that state."
Nick nodded, getting up. As he did, he bounced back and landed on the glass. Nothing cracked, but inside Nick felt something trying to give. He couldn't let it show, though. He limped back to the door. He thought about what he could say, but there was nothing that would come out. He looked down and instead shut the door behind him. He looked down to his right and saw his partner staring right at him. Those violet eyes bore in and Nick could feel that crack inside give. He looked away and started for the stairs. He needed time alone. He barely even noticed when he bumped into someone.
"Sorry," he mumbled, trying to keep his balance. He felt a paw on his shoulder and looked up. Nick hid his surprise as he registered the figure. "Talens. I didn't see you there."
"I figured, considering you didn't say anything the first five times I spoke and ran into me." He looked away, not wanting to see her eyes. She had a similar past to his; unlike Judy who broke down his barriers, Talens had the uncanny ability to get around them in a different way. "Where you headed?"
"Back out," he replied. "I need to heal up. Besides, I'm on leave." He pushed forward, not giving her any room to respond.
"Red." He froze as she called him by the old name. Even if she didn't know what it meant, it had the intended effect. "You sure you're alright?"
He nodded. "Yeah, Talens. I'm fine." He started down the stairs, pushing down quickly. He felt his shoulder hurt from the crutch and his broken leg banged down a bit harder than he expected. He ignored the pain and got to the ground level, heading for the door.
There was an obstacle. He looked down as Carrots kept him from moving. Her eyes met his as she said, "Nick?"
One word and he was crushed. He needed to patch back up his walls. He needed to figure out what to do next. Too much was out of his control. He faked a smile, knowing she wouldn't buy it.
"I'm fine, Carrots. I just need some air, that's all. I'll be back in a minute." She stared at him as he moved around her. She knew he was lying, but he couldn't stop now. He needed out of the Precinct. He needed to be alone, and he knew a place that might help. He limped towards the door, ignoring the looks behind him as he pushed it open and walked into the sunlight.
