I'm glad people seem to be enjoying this :D

Still getting lots of new ideas to throw in, let me know how you think it's going so far

Chapter 6

It was dark and a cool, moist breeze gently ruffled the leaves. Orchid Drive was a part of the Canal District and water was never far away. A shadow hurried along the walkways, it would stick to the darkness as much as it could but it gave off a sense of desperation the few times it was visible. A low roar filled the night causing the figure to pause in fright. Hearing it again the shadow gingerly approached the edge of the walkway, into the light for once, and glanced over the edge.

The otter with pierced ears clutched the package closer to her chest but all she could see was black water rising and falling gently. Looking to her right she saw the cause, a tunnel for the flow of water, as the water was rising and falling it was pushing air through the tunnel causing the roaring.

Thankful, and not wanting to stay in the light for long, the otter ran back into the dark. She'd done this sort of thing several times before but tonight something felt wrong. About half way through her journey, the dark Canal District, which she knew like the back of her paw, suddenly changed. She felt like a stranger in her own city. Worse than that, though it was a feeling she had never felt before as a predator, she was sure she was being followed… stalked.

What made it worse was that no matter how she looked at it the feeling was irrational. She checked her back every few moments, taking hidden shortcuts known only to a few mammals, and she never saw hide nor hair of another animal that night. But that horrible feeling of being watched never went away.

Thankfully the otter saw a familiar building as she ran and knew she was almost at her destination. Turning off the main walkways she disappeared into twisting alleys. After a few minutes walking down the shadowy labyrinth, not including the back tracking and detours she took, she arrived at a door hidden in one of the walls. She knocked as gently as she could to try and draw less attention to herself.

A slot in the door slid open and a pair of shining eyes looked out. Seeing the otter, the sounds of door latches and locks being undone could be heard.

"Wait" hissed the otter "the cameras are up, right? Go see if I've been followed first"

The eyes were a bit questioning but the slot closed and the otter stood there in the dark shivering for a minute or so. The slot in the door opening again made her jump as the eyes appeared once more.

"You're clear" came a hoarse voice as the sound of locks opening began again.

Relief rushed through the otter as she slipped inside the second the door was open enough. A cougar, the owner of the eyes behind the door, shut said door and swiftly locked it back up again before turning to the otter.

"What's gotten into you Cherry" rasped the cat "did something happen?"

"N-no, Fizz" stammered the otter called Cherry "nothing happened but about half way here I felt like I was being watched, followed, hunted. Never thought I'd see how a bloody prey feels" the otter shuddered "you're sure there was nothing on the cameras?"

"Yeah, I checked the tapes back too, nothing"

The otter felt a wave of relief run through her as she followed the cougar around a corner into the main room. Tossing the package onto the small table, Cherry grabbed a packet of cigarettes and collapsed onto the ragged sofa next to it. The cougar sat at the table and neatly opened the package with his claws. Inside was stack after stack of money which the cat began to count through occasionally licking a finger. Cherry lit the cigarette and took a long puff, the nicotine sent a wave of calm running through the otter.

"You know you aren't supposed to smoke in here" said Fizz not looking up from the money.

"Fuck you" scowled Cherry "you didn't have to go through what I did tonight"

"Well it was worth it" said Fizz finishing up "this month's profits are good; the new boss will be pleased with us"

"You can deal with that Fizz" groaned Cherry "you know I hate dealing with him, rubs my fur all the wrong way"

"Yeah, yeah, like that's anything new" snickered the cougar.

Back around the corner, by the locked-up door, a pair of red eyes opened in the darkness of the hallway. And the Shade listened.

It was warm, a nose twitched, a tail flicked. Judy didn't need an alarm, her body's biological clock got her up bright and early each morning, something much to Nick's dismay. Stirring, Judy stretched out on the bed, slowly drifting back into consciousness. The warmth she was after was gradually disappearing leaving her with just an empty feeling.

Judy's eyes flickered as purple orbs took in the dim bedroom. It was empty, the only sign of Nick being his scent and the heat that was starting to cool. His shirt and tie were gone from the chair where Judy had left them so she assumed he was awake somewhere. Rabbits were always full of energy and enthusiasm and Judy scooted her way off the bed ready to face the day.

She stretched a few times, twisting her hips and touching her toes. As she leant back as far as she could a thought popped into her head unbidden.

This is Nick's room…

Judy slowly stood back up straight as everything that happened last night rushed back to her. It was just as much a shock to her now as it was when everything had happened. Judy sat back on the edge of the bed, her face red enough to detect under her fur. Wrapping her arms round herself, Judy tried to think of some kind of solution but her brain seemed to be filled with cotton-wool… russet coloured cotton-wool.

Argh, why did I think I'd be better equipped to deal with this now! She wanted to roll back onto the bed and hide away from the world.

Unfortunately, no matter what she thought Judy couldn't come up with any fantastic master plan and slowly got to her feet.

Guess I'll just have to improvise she thought smiling weakly come on Judy, you're good at that.

Judy moved to the door and slowly pushed it open. There were lights on in the rest of the apartment which was a good sign. Taking a glance round, Nick wasn't in the living room, Judy cocked her ears, and there were no sounds from the bathroom next door. Cautiously Judy walked towards the kitchen.

There was a table in the middle of the kitchen and currently there were three things upon it. One was a glass jug of coffee, now only about a third full though. The second was a mug which was also filled with the caffeine based elixir. The third was a fox. Nick was dressed in his uniform and was slouched over one of his arms as he occasionally drank from his mug.

"Nick" called out Judy softly as she walked into the kitchen "are you okay?"

Nick twitched at Judy's voice and sat up, he looked like death warmed up and hurriedly took another swig of coffee.

"Am I alright? No, no I am not" came the rather croaky reply "Not that I remember doing much of it but I think I drank far, far, far too much yesterday. This morning didn't help, I wake up with the biggest hangover of my life, topless next to my partner" Nick shuddered turning his eyes on Judy "I-did I- did I do anything that I need to apologise for Judy?"

Judy stared into his emerald eyes, she could feel the pleading from him, his hope that he hadn't done anything to her and their friendship.

"No!" shouted Judy more forcefully than she intended, Nick winced at the noise and Judy felt her heart twinge. Before she realised it, she had run across the kitchen and wrapped her arms round him burying her head into his chest.

"We both know you'd never do anything to hurt me Nick" the fox who had stiffened up at the contact relaxed at the words. The uncertainty that had been eating away at Nick since this morning had been agony.

"Okay, okay" said Nick smiling slightly as he tried to prise the bunny off him "I'm feeling rather fragile this morning"

"Even after all this" asked Judy gesturing at the coffee as she hopped up on a chair next to him "you really were rough this morning huh?"

"Judy-I…" Nick slowly rubbed his eyes "I'm sorry"

"What for?" asked Judy slightly confused, his actions had been very unexpected all day yesterday but she didn't think there was anything that warranted an apology.

"I could very well have damaged our partnership" said the fox sadly "you know Bogo doesn't play favourites"

"He said he wants to talk to you first thing" said Judy quietly "he was actually quite understanding so just tell him what happened okay? What- what did happen yesterday?"

Nick sighed and drank some more coffee, he finished the mug and went to refill it again but Judy got there first and did it for him.

"Thanks" murmured Nick trying to get his thoughts in order "Yesterday morning I thought I saw someone who I hadn't seen in ten years, someone who I thought was dead"

"Your brother?" asked Judy gently.

"How? Ah, I must have been rambling last night" Nick shook his head ruefully "yes, my brother, but before you ask he's not my biological brother, not a fox. We met just as I started hustling, I was fifteen and he was a year older" Nick smirked a little at Judy's face "yeah, I fell in with the wrong crowds pretty early. We were inseparable, us two against the world, along with Finnick too. He was the person I trusted the most, before I met you of course, and life was good for about seven years. I wasn't hustling either during this time, we worked together, never did anything we could be arrested for"

Judy watched Nick's face light up as he talked about his past, she could feel herself relax as he cheered himself up.

"That was until about ten years ago, there was an… incident, after which my brother disappeared. I never saw him again and given the circumstances I thought he was dead. Yada, yada, ten years of hustling, one small, grey ball of fluff, and eight months later here we are"

Judy frowned slightly at being called that but let him get away with it for once.

"I had to check if it was him" said Nick slowly "and it was. And then we got horrifically drunk. And then next thing I know I wake up next to you, Carrots. Um- what did happen last night?"

Judy was caught off guard at the question and her mouth opened and closed a few times before she found her voice. Nick felt like a bucket of ice water had been poured over him So I did do something he thought sadly.

"Not much happened actually" said Judy with a small sigh as she calmed down "I may have shoulder thrown you over the back of the sofa when you jumped out at me"

"Well that explains why I feel like I was put through a tumble-dryer" smirked Nick.

"Sorry about that" winced Judy "after that I figured out just how drunk you were and managed to get you to the bedroom. I got your shirt and tie off but that was about it before you grabbed me and fell asleep" Judy could feel her face slowly turning red as she spoke.

Nick, normally adept at picking up social cues, was obviously not running at full speed this morning as he drank more coffee, and didn't notice. There was silence in the kitchen for a while as the fox nursed his headache. Eventually though they needed to start moving or they would be late for work, and Nick really didn't want that on top of the trouble he had already caused. Judy found a thermos in a cupboard and poured the rest of the coffee into it earning profound gratitude from her partner.

Nick slowly staggered along after the grey doe feeling very thankful that she was around.

Don't know what I'd do without her he thought to himself well, I'd still be out hustling for a start.

Donald was still sat reading his paper in his little security cubicle by the door when the two of them reached the entrance. He took one look at the perky rabbit and the zombie like fox and sniggered.

"Jesus, Wilde" he said "what did that bunny do to you?"

"She didn't-"

"I didn't-"

Nick and Judy glanced at each other embarrassedly before Nick turned back to the ram.

"Nothing to do with her Donald" winced the fox as he headed for the door "I brought this on myself"

The trip into the precinct was a quiet one today, normally if they weren't talking Judy would have some music on. But given the state of her partner next to her she decided against anything loud this morning, something Nick was extremely grateful for. Despite how unusual the morning had been they had still managed to make good time in getting in to work. Everything was going nice and calmly… until they actually walked into the building.

Judy saw Lunette stood at the desk chatting with Clawhauser and perked up, she could introduce her to Nick. Judy reached down and grabbed Nick's paw pulling him stumbling and staggering after her. However, they were spotted before they could actually reach the wolf.

"Oh. Em. Goodness!" squealed Clawhauser at the sight of the two of them "I know I told you to go get him Judy… but what did you do to him?"

Judy looked down at her paw holding Nick's as her ears flushed red. She folded them down over her face "Why does everyone keep asking me things like that?"

Suddenly Judy remembered the evening before and what she thought about Clawhauser right now. Her ears rose back up revealing amethyst eyes full of fire and lightning. The portly cheetah felt a familiar sensation like a small blizzard running up his spine as he met the bunny's gaze.

"Benjy" said Judy in a sickly-sweet voice that made the cheetah's fur crawl "we are going to have a nice long chat later"

Nick on the other hand had resorted to taking another big swig of coffee, he didn't even have the necessary energy for a witty comeback to the big cat. This also meant he missed the terrifying inflection in Judy's voice, which was good or he wouldn't be able to look at his partner in the same way again.

Lunette felt a bit of a shiver and was very, very happy that she had gotten to know Judy so quickly. She didn't want to consider what may have happened if she'd taken up Chief Bogo's suggestion and gone a few rounds in the ring with her.

"Good morning Judy" the wolf said hoping to remove some of the pressure from Clawhauser "and this is?"

Judy perked right up at this "Lunette, this is my partner Nick Wilde" Judy was practically bouncing, her rage at Benjamin seemingly forgotten "Nick, this is Lunette, she transferred here yesterday and will be working with us in the future"

Nick blurrily looked the wolf up and down while glancing between her and Judy. He didn't pick up anything bad about her and she seemed to be getting on well with Judy so that was enough for him.

"Nick Wilde" he said holding out the paw not holding his coffee like a lifeline "though I'll say hello again properly once I don't feel like death"

Lunette gingerly shook his paw, the fox looked like he was going to fall apart at the seams. Following that Nick started wandering towards the stairs to head for the Chief's office. Judy knew where he was going and clenched her fists lightly.

It'll be fine thought Judy there was a real family matter, Bogo will understand, right?

Lunette and Ben were watching Judy as she gazed after the fox. Suddenly sensing their attention on her, especially the twinkle in Clawhauser's eyes, made her rather embarrassed. Judy grabbed Lunette's paw mumbling that they should head for the bull pen. Ben waved them off happily until Judy glanced back at him over her shoulder and he saw that the fire in her eyes was still burning brightly.

Nick stumbled to the top of the stairs and had to pause to catch his breath. He thought a little light exercise, such as climbing a flight of stairs, might have helped. It didn't.

I'm never choosing something other than the elevator ever again thought Nick miserably.

Luckily Chief Bogo's office was fairly close to the stairwell Nick used so he didn't have far to walk. Pausing by the door to the office, Nick leant heavily against the wall for a moment as he tried to collect himself. He took another swig of the glorious nectar that seemed to be the only thing keeping him going.

Come on Slick he thought it's not the first time you've had to put a mask on over a horrific hangover.

Nick grimaced slightly and then stood up straight. His body language was calm and relaxed like usual, no sign of pain or exhaustion. On his face was his classic smirk and his eyes had a spark of life in them that hadn't been present all morning. He knocked on the door in rhythm a few times and waited for a moment before stepping inside.

Chief Bogo set down the paperwork he was holding the moment he saw the fox enter. He waited for Nick to sit down before leaning forwards, his face all but unreadable even for a seasoned con artist like Nick.

"Explain, Wilde"

"Well sir" Nick took a deep breath, he had thought up several ideas that would probably get him out of trouble. But remembering the look of pride in Judy's eyes when she had presented him his badge had squashed any thoughts on the matter "yesterday morning I encountered a mammal very close to my heart. Close enough to be considered family and one who I thought had been… dead, for around ten years"

Chief Bogo made no sign of acknowledgement and waited for Nick to continue.

"My emotions got the better of me sir, I abandoned my partner and my post for a personal matter. I'm willing to have the day removed from my holidays and take up parking duty for the rest of the week in order to make up for it sir. Providing that my punishment doesn't effect Ju-Officer Hopps"

Chief Bogo had been expecting many things, he had half expected the fox to spin some cockamamy tale that he would end up believing. He was not however expecting this level of professionalism. The fox may have had his standard smirk on his muzzle when he first entered but by the time he sat down he was calm and stoic. There had been no sarcastic comments or terrible jokes as was normally impossible to escape with the fox. And he had readily admitted his mistakes and volunteered for punishment.

"This was important to you Wilde?" asked Bogo his face not revealing his thoughts.

"More than you know sir" said Nick simply.

"Very well" said Chief Bogo after a long few moments contemplating "Given a family emergency, which this appears to be, there is precedent for reduced punishment for 'rash actions' shall we say. We'll go as you say, parking duty for the rest of the week, the day of holiday however, while I appreciate the offer, is not how we do things. Now get down to briefing"

Nick saluted sharply and hopped down from his chair. The chief called out as he reached the door causing Nick to look back.

"Did everything work out, Wilde?"

A genuine smile appeared on Nick's face actually registering a look of surprise from the chief.

"Yes, yes it really did" said Nick as he walked out the door.

Chief Bogo watched him go open mouthed for a few moments before he snorted and shook his head, he began to gather together everything he needed to hand out the assignments for today.

Nick stood still out in the corridor. He was waiting for the adrenaline and caffeine to run out and for himself to feel like he was about to collapse again. However, it seemed that getting the meeting with the chief out of the way had been good for him. Nick still felt rather rough and was glad he still had some more coffee but didn't feel anywhere near as bad as he had when he'd first arrived.

The fox sighed at the thought of having to do parking duty for the rest of the week. But this was something he had brought on himself, and he figured since he was a cop now he should probably start taking a bit more responsibility for his actions. Actually, he did feel a bit better inside thinking about that. There was a bit more spring in his step as he made his way downstairs to the bull pen.

Stepping inside he saw that Lunette was sat next to Judy where he normally was. He smiled, the two of them seemed to be getting on like a house on fire, he always felt that Judy could use more friends. Nick knew Bogo was going to appear any minute so just settled himself into an empty chair at the back of the room. A few other officers noticed him arrive and Delgato, who was sat next to him was about to start a conversation, when Chief Bogo burst into the room and no one had any time to pay attention to Nick anymore. Chief Bogo reached the podium at the front of the room and cleared his throat while glancing at the topmost piece of paper he had with him.

"From information gathered by Hopps and Furle yesterday we know that things are shuffling around in the underbelly of Zootopia. Pay attention to anything strange while you work, I'd rather have a room full of useless information than miss a vital clue" Chief Bogo looked down at the papers he was holding "Fangmeyer, Mchorn, Robbery on Prairie Road, get investigating. Wolford, Jackson, Grizzoli, continue your assignment in Tundratown till further notice. Everyone else, patrols, you know your districts. And Wilde, parking duty" Chief Bogo held up a hoof before Judy could even move out of her seat to complain "No Hopps, no objections, this was something decided between myself and Wilde. Now dismissed!"

Nick watched his partner's face fall from the back of the room and felt needles in his chest. He knew she wouldn't take it too well but he just couldn't prepare himself for the look of sadness on Judy's face. Nick was torn because he knew that if the day was repeated he'd still run off chasing after Noct. It felt like having to choose between his best friend, the bunny who'd changed his life, and his brother who he'd known for years.

Nick shook his head, he knew that was stupid, there was no need to choose, he was just feeling rather stressed out this morning.

I'll make it up to Judy he thought to himself as the officers filed out of the room around him we were going to have a movie night soon, I'll get her something nice.

Judy and Lunette were the last to leave and Nick followed them out. As soon as he'd shut the door and turned around Nick felt a small grey head butt him in the chest gently.

"You planned this" said Judy rather dully "I understand how important yesterday was to you, so should the chief, why parking duty?"

"Carrots" sighed Nick as he patted the top of her head "it's my fault, I messed up, so I asked for this"

"How long is this for?" asked Judy as she stepped back and looked up at him hopefully.

"Rest of the week" said Nick wincing as the rabbit's face fell dramatically, he knelt down closer to Judy's eye level "tomorrow we were going to watch a movie at mine, we still on for that?"

"Of course," frowned Judy, indignant that he would even consider cancelling Wednesday movie night.

"You know" said Nick as his trademark smirk fell onto his face once again as he stood up "I think I got into Bogo's good books a bit with how I handled it to be honest" Nick waved as he headed off to Mrs. Ivory to collect the parking duty equipment "have fun out there you two"

Judy watched him go with a complicated look on her face. In its simplest terms, she was happy he'd perked up and hadn't been punished too badly. She noticed Lunette looking at her oddly and hurriedly shook her head to clear her mind. Starting up a conversation they headed for Clawhauser to pick up their keys.