4: Drama With Nickie
XxX
AN: Just a quick FYI for guests who leave reviews and questions- authors really appreciate the reviews and such, however we are unable to answer you directly unless you have an actual valid fan fiction account.
That being said, to answer a guest's question about Sarah's age, it will be answered in an upcoming chapter.
…
"Hey, you two alive in there? If ya ain't dressed yet ya better get that way 'cause we're comin' in" comes Nicholle's voice from the other side of the door.
Before the pair can even begin to make a move, the door suddenly opens and in step Nicholle, Skye with Midnight close behind.
"Just what the holy fuck do you think you're doing, barging in like that?" asks Nick, actually angry.
"Sorry boss" says Midnight, I tried to stop 'em, but you know Nickie and Snow!"
Leveling a death stare at the two vixens "Yea, I do Midnight, it ain't your fault! But you might want to stick around for a few minutes, so I don't do something stupid that these two asshats will regret!"
Looking back and forth between the three vulpine and the doe, Midnight declines the offer "No offense boss …but I'm otta' here!" and quickly exits, closing the door behind him.
"I asked you a question Nickie, and I want a damned answer …and I want it NOW!" demands a still angry Nick.
"Umm, you were late for breakfast and I-"
"You what exactly? You thought that we were doing what I'm sure that you and Skye did last night?"
"Well…"
"Well what? You run off at the mouth about me finding someone, then you don't like who I pick so you gotta try to bust us up? That sound about right? And you Snow, are you that stupid as well?"
"Now listen here Nick-" begins Skye.
"No, you both listen to me. I told you yesterday to butt out of my business Nickie" interrupts a still thoroughly pissed off Nick "I'll do what I want with who I want. And, at least for now, that's Judy. You can either like it or get the fuck out, your choice. What's it gonna be?"
"Nick, I-" interrupts Judy.
"No Fluff. Nickie and Snow both have been busting my tail for years about letting someone else into my heart. And now, Nickie at least, doesn't like it. Yea, you and I have history, but as far as I'm concerned, that's in the past and we're at least trying to deal with it.'
'Snow, I'm truly ashamed of you. You know what I went through in the military. You know why I went through it. And yet here you are, being part of whatever shit Nickie's got going on. To be perfectly honest, you both disgust the hell out of me.'
'Regardless of what you see, nothing went on between Judy and I last night beyond simple cuddling. She's in a robe because she had just gotten out of the shower when she discovered that her phone had died when she tried to call her daughter. Her daughter, a beautiful bunny doe by the way, who doesn't seem to mind the fact that her mother might be in a relationship with me, a fox, and actually approves of it!'
'You're both family to me, by blood or by species, but if you can't just be happy for me, for us, then I just really don't need you in my life.'
'Snow, you know that for me since the military, it's always been others before self. Judy is my 'other' right now. Deal with it or ... just …"
Hanging her head in shame, Nicholle can only answer "Stop Nick, you're right and I'm sorry. I know we just talked about this yesterday, but … I … just didn't want to see you hurt again."
"Did you ever once think about Judy, how maybe she was hurting?" Nick asked.
Seeing the tears in Judy's eyes and a slight nod of her head he continued "She's lost both of her parent's to disease, after being disowned by them I might add. She's been through two bad divorces, lost a total of seven kits with only three survivors, two of whom don't seem to give a tinker's damn about her at all since she cut 'em off from her money. The one single kit that she has left is the sweetest, most beautiful female I have ever seen or talked to in my life.'
'The raggedy old Knuckle that was her grandfathers, the one that got her from Deerbrook to where we found her stranded on the side of the highway, is the one single that thing she has left of her family in this world.'
'And you're worried about my feelings? REALLY?"
"Nick I-I had no idea-" stammered Nicholle.
"No ya didn't and really didn't want to did ya? If ya had, you'd 've taken me at my word yesterday and trusted me, and Judy, to do the right thing. Instead, here we all are. Right now, all I want you, and you Snow, to do is go. Get out of my sight and stay away from us at least until I've time to cool off.'
'After I get a good shower and we get dressed, Judy and I are gonna go the shop and unpack her bike. I want what we don't take with us to be brought to this room and carefully put on the bed as well as my stuff out of the truck. When I get cooled off enough to have an intelligent conversation with you two, I'll call. Otherwise, stay the hell away from us … understood?"
"Yes ... and for what it's worth, I'm truly sorry. I promise it won't happen again." says Nicholle.
"Talk's cheap Nickie, don't tell me, show me…"
Addressing Judy "Judy, I really am sorry. Sorry that I didn't give you, and Nick, the benefit of the doubt. I promise, whatever it takes to make it up to you, to you both, just tell me, and I'll be there to do it"
"The same goes for me" adds Skye. "I'm sorry Nick, you're right, I should've known better."
"Ok" says Nick "now, please, both of you, just … leave. We've got things to do."
…
After Nick catches a quick shower, he and Judy hop on the springer and take the short ten-minute ride to the site of the temporary shop.
As they dismount the bike, Judy asks "Nick, why are there so few bikes here now? I thought there'd be hundreds of thousands of them here by now… When I looked up the dates on the internet, it said the second through the ninth … what?"
Giving a short chuckle, Nick answered "That was four years ago…the rally is always the first full week in August… and the rally doesn't actually get started officially until Sunday."
"Well shit…"
"Karma can be a strange mistress sometimes Fluff. The reason that we, the crew and I, are early is because we needed to get here early to set up shop for the build-off and for the repairs part. Besides, if you'd left on time, for the right dates, we probably never would've met again…"
"Well, there is that I guess."
"Ok then, you've got your charger, is there anything else you need before we leave?"
Just as Judy was about to answer, Nick's phone goes off.
Looking at the caller ID and recognizing the caller, Nick answers "Yea, mister Kings, this is Nick Wilde, what can I do for ya?"
Listening intently for several minutes Nick replies "Ok, will do. we should be there in say fifteen or twenty minutes, thanks, bye."
"MIDNIGHT!" hollers Nick.
Poking his head from around the corner of the office area, Midnight answers "Yea boss!"
"Saddle up, we need to get our tails to the fairgrounds. Kings just called and said there's been a change in plans for the build-off. He wants you and me both there."
"So late in the game? Really?"
"Seems like, yea. He gave no hint as to why during the phone call I just got, so let's get there and see what's poppin'. And while you're at it, get me a couple of those quick charge thing-a-ma-bobs for phones that ya picked up before we left Aweston. Judy's phone is dead and mine almost is."
After shuffling around for about a minute, Midnight emerges from the office area with two small objects in paw.
"Here," says Midnight pawing one to each Nick and Judy "just plug these into your phones. You'll have enough charge in about five minutes to use the phone, and it'll be fully charged in about an hour. Just plug your charger into the device when you get a chance and it'll charge back up for the next time."
"Thanks … umm … Midnight?" says Judy a bit shyly.
"No problem … umm, Judy, right?"
"Yea, that's right. And I never did get a chance to thank you for looking at my bike yesterday, so … thanks for that as well.'
'Nick, do you want me to wait here until you get done at the fairgrounds?"
"Nope, not unless you would rather not go along. I'd prefer to have you with me all the time … we've spent way too long apart as it is, so-"
"It's ok Nick, really. I really do want to go, I just wondered if it would matter as far as the build-off part was concerned."
"It shouldn't. Injun Barry and Arleen Ness, the other two builders usually bring their wives along, so it's no big deal."
"Even considering the obvious?"
Thinking about her question for a few seconds, Nick answers "How about I get back to you on that after we get to the fairgrounds?" with a sly grin as he cranks the springer.
Although puzzled by Nick's reply, Judy simply shrugs and gets on behind Nick.
…
During the pleasant half hour ride to the Stergis fairgrounds, Judy mulls over Nick's casual remark. How could he be so flippant on a subject like interspecies relationships? A lot of mammals didn't approve of such things even now. True enough, several members of his shop crew were in said relationships, so maybe that was why he never gave it a second thought.
Entering the fairgrounds, then rolling to a stop in front of a very long main stage, Nick, Judy and Midnight dismount the bikes and approach a very assorted group of mammals.
Stepping forward, the host of Biker Build-Off, Huge Kings, a smallish male lion greets the trio.
"Nick Wilde?" he asks.
"That's me" answers Nick "and this is Midnight, my second in command and my … girlfriend, Judy Hopps."
"Pleased to meet you all. Since I doubt if you've actually met the other builders, let's get introductions out of the way before I go over the big changes ok?"
Leading the three over to a small crowd of mammals, mister Kings begins: "Injun Barry (an undernourished looking desert coyote) and wife Bambi (a white tailed deer doe), Arleen Ness ( a red panda) and his wife Bev (a prong horned antelope) meet Nick Wilde and his lady friend Judy Hopps.'
'Ok, now that the fun stuff is out of the way, here's the big change for you three teams: I know you each brought a couple of different bikes with you to work with … BUT … in order to level the playing field, we decided to do … this!"
When Kings nods his head, stage mammals pull coverings off of three identical motorcycles - 1964 Hurley Davisen police bikes.
"To give each of you an equal chance to win, we've decided to give you the same exact bikes and …" indicating three large covered boxes behind him "exactly the same spare parts bins to work with, which you can't see until Sunday morning."
Noting the concerned looks coming from all of the builders, Kings elaborated on the conditions "Just to be clear, while you are free to use whatever is in the parts bins, you can also go out and use anything you can find in the dealer's area on the midway. You cannot use anything for parts that you brought with you to the rally. The only things that you can use that you brought with you, are your tools and paint stuff.'
'Oh, and if you buy outside parts, you can only spend three thousand or less. One of my staff will accompany your parts mammal on any buying trip, just to be sure. Questions?"
"Yea" pipes up a slightly irritated Nick "I've got one. Why the late change?"
"Simple" replies Kings "fan vote. The fans of the show wanted everything to be as equal as we could make it so each of you, especially you Nick, would have an equal chance of winning."
"So" continues Nick "everything that we've planned before is basically in the shitter then, right?"
"Rather colorfully put, but basically true, yes."
"Everything else stays the same?" asks Barry.
"Yes. Build time still starts at six am on Sunday morning and every morning thereafter, and ends at six pm each evening, with the final fan vote determining the winner on Saturday afternoon at four pm sharp. Anything else?"
Hearing no other questions, mister Kings released the groups until starting time on Sunday, which is always the opening day of the rally.
…
Seeing Nick's smirk firmly in place, all Judy can do is roll her eyes and say is "Ok, fine, I get it now. Nobody even blinked when I was introduced as your girlfriend. So, now what?"
"How about a little trip to Deadwoods? It's only about a twenty-minute ride from here. We can do a little gambling, get a bite to eat…"
"I don't see why not. Let's go!"
Watching the scenery of the Hills roll slowly by, Judy is amazed at the variety of landscape outside of the climate-controlled city of Zootopia.
Arriving in the town of Deadwoods, Nick parks the bike and he and Judy amble through several small shops that offer video poker and slot machines.
After winning a total of $120 dollars between them, the two decide to stop and get a quick bite to eat at a sidewalk vendor.
After finishing their salads, Nick guides Judy down the street to a fancy jewelry store offering a particular type of gold jewelry.
"Umm. I know it's kinda early in our relationship, but would you mind if we stop here for a second?"
Seeing the flabbergasted look on Judy's muzzle, Nick can only chuckle "No Fluff, I'm NOT proposing already, I promise… but there is something that I want to look at in here."
"Damn Nick, it don't do that!"
Entering the store, the fox and bunny browse the unusual jewelry, with several different pieces catching the doe's eye.
"I'd like to see that set please" says Nick, indicating a set of necklaces in the unusual red and green Hills Gold that resembled a single heart when joined.
Looking at the two-piece set carefully and admiring the beauty of the work, Nick asks "Wada ya think Fluff, you like?"
"Nick, really? You're sure about this? So soon?"
"Yea Fluff, I'm sure. And it's been almost twenty years comin', so indulge me, ok?"
Looking at the salesmammal, Nick indicates "We'll take them. And if you don't mind. Please engrave 'Nick' on one half and 'Judy' on the other."
"Certainly sir, it'll only take a few moments. I'll be right back."
Roughly five minutes later, the salesmammal returns with the necklaces.
After paying for the jewelry and placing them around each other's necks, the newly minted couple ambles down the street paw in paw towards the parked bike.
Arriving at the bike, Nick unlocks one of the saddlebags and reaches inside. Pulling out a small black felt covered box, Nick tells Judy "I was gonna give you this sometime during the rally, but after a pair of conversations last night I decided not to."
Her breath catching as Judy opens the box and sees a beautiful black onyx heart set in the typical red and green Hills gold, she is confused "But ... what … and when?"
"It's really quite simple Judy, I picked this up when we stopped in Walls for gas. When I remembered seeing several necklaces like the ones that we're wearing now, I thought that these would be more appropriate for … us. and I've decided to give this to Sarah instead.'
'When you told me how she's had a tough time believing in herself, I figured maybe this would help with her self-esteem issues, at least a little bit."
"Damn it Nick, you're gonna make me cry again…" says Judy in a shaky voice "How can you be so good to me, and especially to Sarah, who you barely know and have never even met, on such short notice? We've been together for less than a day and you treat me like it's been forever!"
Placing a paw softly on her cheek, Nick has a request "Fluff … Judy … let's take a ride to a special place of mine. I promise to enlighten you once we get there, ok?"
Looking into his emerald eyes and almost getting lost in the moment "Ok Nick, no problem. Let's go"
…
The casual, hour long ride to Nick's 'special place' gave Judy plenty of time for a bit of introspection. She realized that there was a lot that she didn't know about him, especially because of his time in the military. Some things she would probably never know, for that very same reason. But the bombastic, selfish and self-centered Nick that she had known so many years ago, seemed to have been replaced by a selfless and considerate mammal. And yet ... most of the same witty, sarcastic Nick that she knew, and loved, was still there.
Pulling the bike into a turnoff on the left side of the road overlooking the famous Devils Tower, Nick stops and then helps Judy dismount. Escorting her to a large flat chunk of rock that seems to double as a seat, the looks into her lavender eyes.
Giving his doe a soft, sad smile, Nick explains: "I've already explained about the 'others before self' thing that the military beat into me, so I won't go over that again. This has more to do with … Krystal."
"Nick, you don't need to do this if you don't want to, you know that, right?"
"No Judy, sooner or later this all has to be said, and now is the time and this is the place for it.'
'Not long after I got out of the military, I returned to Zootopia to help Nickie care for mom. Mom was in the final stages of her oxocara canis, and required 'round the clock care. Nickie still had to work in the meantime so she had hired Krystal to help care for mom, that's when and where I met her.'
'Anyway, after mom passed, Krystal and I saw each other off and on for a while. One thing led to another, things got serious and after a couple of years, the normal courting time for foxes, we decided to get married.'
'Being an artic fox like Skye, she went to visit her family in Tundratown while preparing for the wedding. She got caught in a violent snowstorm that occurred when the climate machine went haywire for like three or four days, dumping feet of snow everywhere. Her car got stuck in a drift, and since the plows weren't going out until they got the machine fixed, the car ran out of gas and she froze to death."
Seeing the tears staining Nick's fur, Judy reaches up and dabs them with her thumbs "Nick-"
"No Fluff, I need to do this … Anyways, after the funeral, I left Zootopia and haven't been back since. I got the opportunity to buy the shop due to a unique set of circumstances and with help from my GI bill and my military disability payments. I was able to buy the shop from the previous owner for pennies on the dollar because he was being taken to the cleaners due to a very messy divorce.'
'Most of the previous employees left with the owner, but when I got in touch with Midnight, whom I served with in the military by the way, the two of us found plenty of unemployed vets to more than fill the shop with mechanics, welders, painters and what have you. Almost every single employee I have at the shop is a vet. You probably didn't notice, but most of us are members of one vet's club or another …'
'But, back to the reason that we're here … right here, right now. After Krystal passed, I used to come and sit right here during the rally every year, looking at Devils Tower to reflect on my life and how it sucked. So many bad things happening with so few good. I considered suicide a time or two, but something in the back of my mind, some … unknown voice, told me that sooner or later, living meant more than dying, and suicide only really punishes the living ...'
'Judy, I guess the short version of all of this is simply this … life is too short and way to precious to waste on bullshit and paltry matters. Life has an expiration date. Add all that to the 'others before self' and here we are. You came back into my life, you and that darling kit of yours, and now I have something, someone, to live for."
"I-Nick I, I don't know what to say."
"There's practically nothing else to be said Fluff. We've agreed to try to take things slow, mainly the umm … physical part, but as for the rest … all I can say is whatever it takes, I'll be there for you and Sarah come hell or high water, regardless of whether we stay together or not.'
'Which brings me to another, less touchy subject-"
"And that is?"
"A certain broken-down old Hurley."
"I'd kinda, umm, actually forgotten about that to be honest." Judy shyly admits.
"With the build-off and everything, we might not be able to fully restore the old Knucklehead, so I was kinda thinkin' … that maybe …"
"Yes?" she asks.
"That maybe you'd allow me to sorta 'loan' you a bike until we get yours restored ...?"
"I …"
"I thought that maybe you'd like the springer that we're riding on now, with a few modifications of course. Somethin' that'd make it easier for you to reach the handlebars and controls? Maybe? Please?"
"I get the loaner part Nick, but why this bike?"
"I know you like the bike because it looks nice and it rides nice. And mainly because you'd be able to give Chocolate a ride on it from time to time…"
Looking at Nick, Judy suddenly understands "This is mainly for Sarah's benefit, isn't it? C'mon Nick fess up."
"Sorta, kinda, yea. I know you like to ride, and if Sarah is anything like you, which I'll bet she is, she'll enjoy riding as much as you do. And before you get any further, yea, she's managed to get into my heart almost as much as you have. I know I haven't even met her yet, but-"
Placing a finger to Nicks lips "It's ok Nick, really. Never in my life, and I literally mean never, has anyone ever cared so much for me or Sarah. Especially both of us at the same time."
"Then it's ok? You'll take the bike?"
With a thoughtful smile, Judy agrees "Yes Nick I will, on one condition."
"And that is?"
Gently taking a good grip on his shirt, Judy draws his muzzle close to hers "That you deliver the bike to our place in Deerbrook… personally. I want you to meet Sarah and talk to her, bond with her. And she gets the final say about everything. If we can date, if I keep the bike, all of it! You ok with that?"
Kissing his bunny gently on her nose "Absolutely, one hundred percent!"
Laughing, all Judy can come back with is "Where have I heard that before?"
"Maybe … outside of a limo parking lot in Tundratown a while back?"
"Yea, wise ass, I believe it was. Alright then, what's next on the list?"
"You didn't happen to pack a bathing suit in all of that stuff did ya?"
"No I didn't, why?"
"How about we head back to Stergis, take a quick walking tour of some of the sidewalk vendors and try to find you a good swim suit."
"Nick, you've already seen me in my underwear, remember?"
"Well, do you really wanna try out the hot tub in your undies? The only other option is naked…"
"I guess a swimsuit is the best choice, good thinkin'. C'mon slowpoke, let's get going."