A low growl escaped Nick's throat as the six stood before one another, all showing mixed expressions.

"Mr. Plains," Judy began as she stepped forward, removing her police badge from her belt and holding it out to show the zebra as she did so. "We'd like to talk to you and your pals."

"What is this about?" the zebra replied in a concerned voice.

"Can we talk somewhere privately?"

"Of course, right this way."

Mr. Plains led the group to a nearby conference room that was unoccupied. The room was massive, but a large conference table that could easily seat sixteen took up the majority of the space. Mr. Plains sat at the lone chair that was located at the head of the table, as the others filed in around him. Judy and Nick remained standing, Judy casually meandering around the table, Nick slumped moodily against the wall by the door.

"We just had a few questions, Mr. Plains. It shouldn't take long," Judy stated.

"Sure, go ahead."

Judy stopped and looked at Nick, who was still leaning against the wall, his arms crossed as he assessed the group.

"Nick, after you," she stated politely.

Nick's ears rose slightly in surprise; why was she letting him ask the questions when she had seen how sensitive he was to all of this? Nick stood and made his way to the end of the table, his body at ease.

"Well, Jim, we seem to have recently found ourselves in a predicament."

Nick placed one paw on the back of Mr. Plains's chair, the other on the edge of the table so that he was easily within the zebra's personal space, already making him uncomfortable. The zebra cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable.

"We do?"

"Oh, ha," Nick chuckled lightly. "Not you. My partner and I have a predicament."

"And what would that be, Officer?"

"Officer?" Nick smirked. "Oh, Jim, we both know that you – and the rest of your buddies, for that matter – know who I am."

"Then what is the problem, Nick?"

The zebra remained calm and patient, but it was clear that he was growing increasingly flustered by Nick's interrogation games. Judy stood nearby with her arms folded over her chest, ready to intervene if the situation called for it.

"It's quite funny, Jim. You see that bunny over there?" Nick gestured a paw into Judy's direction. "That's my life mate."

All four seated animals tensed immediately, and Judy felt her ears stiffen.

"A-an interspecies relationship," the bank vole whispered in horror.

Nick immediately turned on him.

"But you already knew that, didn't you? You know, since you've got her phone and all."

The bank vole's eyes widened.

"I-I don't k-know what you're talking about!" he squeaked as he fumbled over his words.

Nick nodded and then reached into his pocket, removing his phone. He then waved it in the air, high enough for everyone to see, before he clicked away on it. To the bank vole's absolute dread, the sound of a phone ringing then filled the silent conference room.

"Gotcha," Nick growled through gritted teeth.

The zebra stood swiftly, his chair swiveling away from the sudden impact.

"Now what is this all about, Nick?"

Nick turned to Mr. Plains, who was clearly trying to pass his anxiety off as confusion and aggravation, and fixed him with a lazy stare.

"When were you in my apartment, Jim?"

"Excuse me–?"

"When. Were. You. In. My. Apartment?" Nick growled menacingly.

"I have never been in your home–"

"Quit the games, Jim, we both know that you were in my apartment. The rodent's got my partner's phone in his pocket for God's sake! Now, I don't care if it was one of you or all four of you, I want to know why you were in my apartment and how you got in there."

All four of the animals remained silent, anxious expressions showing on all of their faces. They glanced at each other a few times as if they could come up with an escape plan through eye contact, but no other movements were made. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Mr. Plains cleared his throat.

"I'd like to see my lawyer."

Nick almost lost it then, his anger quickly rising at the "L-word," but he managed to remain levelheaded until he had exited the room. Judy was the one who read the four animals their rights, and then called for back-up to have the group taken down to the ZPD for questioning. After back-up had arrived and the animals had been escorted away (much to their displeasure), Judy went looking for Nick. She found him in their SUV.

"You okay?"

Nick didn't reply. Rather, he gave her a look that seemed to read "seriously?" Judy looked down at the cushioned seats of the car before attempting a conversation again.

"Look, it's going to be okay. We've got them."

"Yeah, lawyer and all."

"That won't get them very far."

Nick scoffed and Judy sighed.

"You're being overdramatic," Judy muttered.

"Says the bunny who just disappeared."

"That was for a case," Judy shot back before pausing to take a deep breath. "I don't want to fight. I'm just trying to help."

Nick remained silent, but she knew that he was aware of how important she was. Yes, they had both made mistakes. Yes, they had overreacted, and they were continuing to overreact. However, Judy and Nick had been through a lot, and they would always need each other.

The drive back to their apartment was quiet, but not necessarily awkward. Once home, Nick went to the bathroom and took a shower, while Judy plugged her phone into its charger, slid it under one of the couch cushions, and flicked on the television. The night went by somewhat slowly as the couple went about their usual nighttime routine. Nick showered, changed into a more comfortable outfit, and grabbed something small to eat out of the fridge. Judy laid out her outfit for the next day, made herself a small meal that consisted entirely of vegetables, washed her face, made her little bed on the couch, and set her alarm for the following morning.

"Night, Carrots," Nick said as he made his way back to his room.

"Night, Nick."