I Will Always Love You
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Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps had been married for almost a year when Judy suddenly disappeared without a trace on her way home from a late shift at the ZPD. This is the story of Nick's desperate last-ditch attempt to find his loving wife after nearly seven years of totally fruitless efforts to find her. All Disney characters belong to Disney, all OC are mine.
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AN: This will NOT deal with the lurid details of Judy's time during her disappearance except for a few details that are revealed as the story unwinds, but rather the after-effects on her and the other mammals involved.
Chapters will be of varying lengths due to their content and there will most likely be a lot of plot holes.
1: Zootopia's Got Talent
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Standing in the wings of Zootopia's Got Talent are a red fox todd and a brown and cream rabbit doe.
"Are you totally sure about this?" asks the todd.
"Do you have any better ideas?" asks the bunny. "If so, now's the time."
[Letting out a short huff] "No, I guess not."
Looking out at the just over 3000 mammals in the auditorium and then at the judges, the bunny takes stock in the judges.
THE JUDGES:
Simon Growel ~ a male English bulldog
Tina Tirner ~ a female black panther
Whineona ~ a red fox vixen
Howlie Mandel ~ an artic wolf
"Does Simon look pissed to you?" asks the doe.
"Well, we are the last act and it's been a long night as well." answers the todd. "Besides, Simon always looks pissed!"
"Ok, it's your turn now." interrupts Tarry Crews, the off-stage host.
"Well, I guess it's now or never…" quietly says the doe as they enter the stage.
…
As the duo enter the stage and stop on the large "X" set in the middle of the stage, they are treated to the intense stares of the judges.
"So, who are you, where are you from and what do you do for a living?" asks Simon.
"My name is Nick Wilde, and I'm a detective in Precinct 1 of the Zootopia Police Department." begins the red fox.
"I'm sure that I've heard that name somewhere before…" thinks Simon.
"I'm Jasmin Hopps, and I'm the head EMT for the Bunnyburrow Search and Rescue unit." adds the bunny doe.
"And together we are WildeHopps." they say together.
"And what will you be doing for us this evening?" asks Tina.
"We'll be doing a song that I want to dedicate to my wife and mate, the former Judy Hopps, who was also a member of the ZPD." begins Nick "We were married almost eight years ago. One night after working a bit later than usual Judy disappeared on her way home. Even with the aid of the ZIA, the ZBA, the Drug Interdiction Task Force, and every other alphabet agency you can name, no trace of Judy has been found to date. As the montage of photos of Judy and Judy and myself plays behind us, Jasmine and I would like to ask the millions of viewers around the world to help us find her. Any tip, no matter how seemingly small or insignificant will be greatly appreciated.
"With all of that being said" Nick continues "we, especially I, would like to sing 'I Will Always Love You' by Whitney Houston. We realize that it's not supposed to be a duet, but since Jasmine is one of Judy's littermates and was exceptionally to Judy close as kits, we thought we'd give it a shot anyway. Plus, it just seems to work, so…."
"Well good luck, and I really mean that!" responds Simon.
…
As the pair work their way through the soulful rendition of the classic song, lighters and cell phone lights dominate the audience, and there doesn't seem to be a dry eye in the place, including at the judge's table.
At the very end of the performance, Nick breaks down in tears and collapses to his knees as he whispers the last few words of the song.
"I will … ALWAYS … love you!"
As Jasmine comforts Nick, the pair is astonished to realize that the entire auditorium is standing and chanting at the top of their lungs "GOLD ~ GOLD ~ GOLD ~ GOLD…."
They are even more taken aback when Tina stands up and says "You know what …." and the panther reaches forward and presses the golden buzzer, showering the fox and bunny with shiny golden confetti.
While Tina joins Nick and Jasmine onstage, even Simon can't help but remark to Nick "I sincerely hope that this message reaches someone who can help you find your missing mate."
"That was truly a remarkable and heart-rending performance" quips Howlie as he dries his eyes.
…
After the initial ruckus dies down and Nick and Jasmine are escorted from the stage and to the performers exit of the building, the fox and bunny sigh and head to Nick's car.
Inundated by calls and texts, both mammals wait until they arrive at Nick and Judy's small apartment to even attempt to answer any of the communications.
Scrolling through his missed calls, Nick decides to call Judy's parents back first.
Not surprised in the least that Bonnie answers on the first ring, Nick is treated(?) to Judy's tearful mother.
"Nick? That was … so … beautiful! Stu probably won't be able to talk, he's so torn up right now …."
"I know mom, as emotional as he is it'll probably take him a week to get over it."
"Do you really think that you'll get anything, any tips, as to where Judy might be?"
"All we can do at this point is hope. Nothing else has panned out even after almost seven years, so it's a shot in the dark at best."
"How on earth did you ever think of that particular song?"
"I was watching an old movie on the tv while talking to Jasmine about which song we should try when all of a sudden the song came on and that made up my mind right then and there. We got the lyrics and the sound track and practiced every time we got the chance. It really came together when Jasmine came and spent that long weekend here."
"What made you think of going on that talent show in the first place?"
"That was actually Cotton's idea, bless her heart! She brought it up one time during our weekly phone calls trying to cheer me up."
"So that's why she went half-crazy yelling 'Mine, Mine!'."
"Yeah, she was really the one responsible."
"I really hope this turns into something…"
"If not, I really have no idea what else to do. Everything else we've tried to date has failed…" answers Nick, his voice beginning to crack with pent up emotion.
"We'll find Judy Nick, you have to have faith…"
"I'm afraid I'm running a bit short on faith after all this time, but I keep Judy's little motto in my head during times like this anyway … I don't know when to quit."
"We'll all keep hoping and praying, everything will turn out fine."
"I just need to know … if she's ok or … even if she's … not. I need to know…"
"I know Nick, we all need to know as well, one way or the other…"
"I-I'll call if we hear anything, I promise."
"Ok, I'll let you go for now, I'm sure that you've got other mammals to talk to."
"Just Bogo and Finnick really. They're the only really important ones. Bogo 'll keep the rest of the precinct informed and Finn 'll keep the street mammals I know informed."
"That's good Nick. We'll talk later. Bye."
"Bye mom …"
…
While Jasmine goes through her calls and text list, Nick lets out a heavy sigh and returns Bogo's call.
"It's about damned time you called!" admonishes the chief.
"Yeah, well I made sure to return Bonnie and Stu's call first. You're second on the list … deal with it!"
"Watch it Wilde…"
"Sorry boss, but this entire thing is beginning to get to me."
"I understand, better than half the department is on edge, myself included. How did the conversation with Judy's folks go?"
"Better that I thought. Bonnie was actually trying to lift my spirits by the end of the call."
"We're gonna find her Nick, we've got to."
"Yeah, I know. I know in my heart that she's alive … but …"
"Buck up Wilde, you've got to hang in there. When we find her, you'll probably need to be the strongest you've ever been."
"I know boss, but it's tough."
"No one ever said it would be easy Wilde."
Just then Nick's phone signaled and incoming call.
"I've got Finnick calling boss. We can go over this Monday morning if that's ok with you."
"Go ahead and take it, we'll talk later."
Ending the call with Bogo, Nick picks up Finn's call.
"Hey Finn…"
"Not bad Wilde. You an' bunny cop's sister done good."
"Thanks. I just hope that something comes of it. If not, I don't know what I'll do next. I'm about at the end of my rope here Finn ... I'm so lost without her now that I'm about to lose it!"
"Ya can't give up Nick, Judy wouldn't tolerate that and ya damned well know it."
"I know, and … wait … you called her Judy!"
"Slip of the tongue Wilde…"
"You really DO care, don't you?"
"Of course I do, ya big dummy. Why else would I keep on helpin' ya try to find her."
"Thanks Finn, I really appreciate it."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, don't get all sloppy on me now. Just let me know if ya hear anything 0k?"
"I can do that … thanks again Finn."
With that, Nick hangs up and stares wistfully at Judy's sister Jasmine.
…
"So, how go things with you?" Nick asks Jasmine.
"Plenty of texts and calls from the fluffle and a few friends congratulating us on the win, plus a few from bone headed bucks that just want to date me because now I'm a minor celebrity."
"Life of a star I guess. It reminds me of when Judy and I solved the missing mammals and savage predators cases. Lots of bucks wanted to date her, and even then there were a few that your folks would send by on occasion, hoping to get her married off and start popping out grandkits. She actually had to get violent with a few before she let me catch her…" as Nick's voice trails off with old memories beginning to surface.
"Nick, something's gonna turn up. I've got a good feeling about this, we'll just need to give it a little time … ok?"
"I really hope so, but after almost seven years…."
"Nick you can't give up hope now!"
"Trust me I'm not, it's just that … but every day the chances of finding her, alive ... or … otherwise, get slimmer and slimmer, and after nearly seven years…"
"Look, I need to be getting back to the burrow, I've got a shift coming up tomorrow … are you gonna be ok?"
"I appreciate the concern Jaz, but I'm not gonna do anything stupid. If … that's when we find Judy, I know I'll need to be here for her. Please be careful on your way home and call me when you get there so I know you're safe. And be sure to give Cotton a big hug from her uncle Nick and thank her for the idea of going on the show."
"I can do that! Be sure to let me know as soon as you get a lead."
"I promise, now scoot. It's around a three-hour drive so I don't want you get doze off because it gets too late."
Giving the todd a quick hug "PLEASE take care of yourself Nick, you're my favorite brother-in-law after all."
"You're only saying that because it's true." he responds. "Now get going…"
…
After going through the rest of his missed calls and texts and deleting the vast majority of them, Nick goes through a couple of his saved voice mails, especially the last one he got from Judy that fateful night.
"Hey Slick. Just finished the last of my paperwork and I'll be headed out the door in a minute or two. I should be home in about a half hour or so, and I have some exciting news to tell you so drag out that last bottle of bubbly that we saved from the wedding. You know, the one that I hate so much. See you soon, love you … bye!"
Even though Nick knew that the message would break him down again, Nick needed to hear Judy's voice, especially her happy voice, again.
When the phone suddenly rang it startled Nick to say the least. Seeing that it was Jasmine, he of course answered it immediately.
"H-Hello Jaz. I take it you're home safe and sound?"
"Yeah, I am. And you've been playing that voicemail message again haven't you?"
"I-I needed to hear her voice Jaz. She sounded so happy …"
"I get it Nick, I really do, but what you're doing isn't healthy. I know you've got the weekend off, so why don't you check with mom and see if she could use some help with the kits. I'm sure you'd brighten their day, especially Cotton's. I'm sure she misses her uncle Nick."
"I'll - I'll think about it ok?"
"Please Nick…"
"Ok, I'll call your mom, happy?"
"It'll do for now."
…
After spending the weekend at the Hopps burrow tending to several of Stu and Bonnie's younger kits, Nick is a bit less depressed when he returns to work at Precinct 1.
When greeted with the usual ruckus on Monday morning, Nick patiently awaits the usual assignments given out by Chief Bogo.
"All right, shut it! We have two items on the docket this morning. First, congratulations to Wilde and his sister-in-law for their big win on Zootopia's Got Talent. Well done Wilde. Next, assignments are the same as last week except for detectives Wilde and Wolford. You two, my office, asap. That's all. Hit the streets and make Zootopia a better place."
As Nick and Ron Wolford head to Bogo's office wondering what could have possibly changed since last week, their introspections are short lived.
Following Bogo into his office, Nick and Ron take their customary places in the two smaller mammal chairs that have been provided.
"I know you two are wondering what I have in store for you so I'll get right to it. The mayor watched the talent show and thought that you would be best served taking over as a special liaison overseeing a dedicated information center that the feds decided to put together after the talent show last week. If there's any information that comes in to either Zootopia or any of the federal agencies, it will be funneled immediately to the call center where you'll be tasked to help determine the validity of the calls.
"Nick, you better than anyone else would know the best questions to ask to help sort things out. And Ron, any calls that Nick deems suspicious or off-putting will be assigned to you for further investigation. Any questions?"
"Where is this going to be set up and when do we start?" asks Nick.
"It's being set up in the main conference room of the local ZIA agency at city center as we speak. Both of you go home and change into civies and report to room 217 when you're done. Now, both of you get out of my sight and find the best cop that this city has ever had!"
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SIX WEEKS LATER:
After spending an average of 16 hours a day at the ZIA comms center, Nick was relishing the fact that he was finally getting a day off after almost six mind numbing weeks of going through literally thousands of e-mails and recorded phone calls and texts that had virtually flooded the center following the talent show.
Suddenly, the phone that provided a direct line to the comm center broke his slumber.
"This had better be good!" Nick growls into the phone.
"Wilde, get down to Chief Bogo's office at the ZPD asap!" comes Special Agent Ziva DaVide's voice over the phone.
"Really? I'm supposed to be getting a much needed da-"
"They've found her Wilde, they found Judy!"
"Damn!"
And like a shot, Nick was half-dressed and out of the door.
Twenty minutes later, a disheveled and hastily dressed Nick Wilde bursts through the main doors of Precinct 1, charges past a startled Clawhauser, runs up the steps to the third floor and directly into Bogo's office.
Bursting into Bogo's office without knocking, Nick asks "You wanted to see me boss? Where's Judy?"
"Slow down Wilde. Before anything else I want you to meet special agents Jack Savage and Skye Winters of the ZIA."
"Pleased to meet ya. Now, where's Judy?"
"WILDE, CALM DOWN!"
"Damn it chief, I need to know-"
"There are a few things that you need to know before we can let you know where Judy is, and especially before we can let you see her." admonishes Bogo.
"Is she…"
"Yes, she's alive detective Wilde, but she's in bad shape." interrupts agent Savage, an artic hare who is white with horizontal stripes across his face and ears.
"That's all I need to know, nowtake me to her!" demands Nick heatedly.
"First, there are a couple of things that you need to prepare yourself for before we can arrange a muzzle to muzzle meeting." interjects special agent Winters, an artic vixen.
"There's nothing that I need to know except that my wife is alive and I want to see her and I mean right now!"
"Listen here Wilde-" begins agent Savage.
"Let me" interrupts agent Winters "I believe that it will be a bit easier for the detective to accept the information if it comes from another fox."
Seeing Nick's angry glare, agent Winters continues.
"Detective Wilde, let me give you a little background and perhaps you'll understand why we need to give you some important information to better prepare you for your eventual meeting with your wife.
"To begin with, the information we gathered came directly to agent Savage and myself by way of a confidential informant and not through regular channels. That's why nothing came through the federal call center. When we got the information, we knew that it had an extremely short shelf life so agent Savage and I threw a team together and acted on it immediately.
"Detective Wilde, I'm sorry to have to tell you this but your wife had been abducted by a mammal trafficking ring. She was held captive and was part of an underground sex trafficking organization. She and roughly thirty other mammals of both sexes and of various species, were constantly being moved from city to city and country to country to avoid detection. Agent Savage and I posed as 'customers' to gain access to where they were being held. And before you get your underwear in a bunch, I was the one who purchased time with Mrs. Wilde to establish her identity and to ascertain her physical and mental condition. On the pretext that I was not satisfied with her condition, I aborted the purchase which was the signal for other agents to raid the building. In all, thirty-three other mammals besides your wife were rescued by our team, all in relatively good condition considering the circumstances. Their captors didn't fare as well. Six of their security guards were killed and four wounded while three mammals who were more or less pimps were 'accidentally' roughed up quite badly.
"Your wife is extremely malnourished and dehydrated, so she's very weak. Now for the emotionally difficult part. On top of all that, during her imprisonment she became pregnant and had several small litters of kits. She has had six kits in all, so be prepared."
Seeing Nicks demeanor change with the revelation of the kits, Skye is quick to add "Detective Wilde, please don't judge your wife harshly because of the kits, most of them were NOT her fault. I know that may sound a little bit strange right now, but you'll understand when you see her and the kits."
"Are you ready to see Judy now?" asks Bogo.
"Of – of course."
"You're sure?"
"Yes."
"Then let's go. Judy and her kits are just down the hall in the large conference room."
Leading a now slightly hesitant Nick down the hall, Bogo tells the todd "I think it might be best if we let agents Savage and Winters go in first and let Judy know that you'll be coming in."
"Fine by me, I just need to see her!"
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AN: A few reviews would really be helpful here folks. This is a first for me so feedback would really be useful.