Serendipity's Shadow

Rated T

Chapter 4

Judy and Tia sat comfortably in the back seat of Fenton's police cruiser. Well, Judy sat comfortably in the car. Tia however was very fidgety with her hands and appeared anxious-looking as she sat in the cop car. If the two girls were alone Judy would have tried to comfort Tia. But Fenton's presence made her think otherwise. Tia was less than approachable when it was just the two of them in Chief Bogo's office. She doubted the ferret would open up with an unknown third party.

"Oh!" Judy exclaimed feeling the phone vibrate in her front right pant pocket. "Sorry. Give me one moment- hello?" Judy answered the phone.

"Judy!" Fru Fru exclaimed happily "Hello darling."

"Hey, Fru Fru." Judy sighed just now remembering about their girl's night.

"I'm just calling to let you know that Daddy's gonna have a car pick you up at 7."

"Uh, right…dinner…"

"Judy?" Fru Fru questioned. "Did something happen?"

Judy didn't answer looking at Tia for a moment. Tia was also watching her in turn.

"You could say that…"

"What?" Tia asked in a hushed tone.

"Hold on Fru Fru." Judy pressed her phone against her chest as she addressed Tia. "Have you eaten at all today?"

"Uh…no. Why?"

"Did you pack a dress?"

"Yes…" Tia answered with skepticism.

"Hold that thought." Judy brought the phone back to her ear. "We might have to cancel girl's night, but can I bring a plus one to dinner?"

"What!?" Tia asked alarmed.

While Fenton in the front seat driving tried to watch the road. But his ears made him want to focus on the conversation going on in the back seat.

"…This involves cop work doesn't it?" Fru Fru sighed.

"Yes. But hear me out." Judy pleaded. "She's not an average citizen in normal police custody."

"Oh?" Fru Fru enjoyed good gossip from time to time. "Do tell."

"I can't over the phone." Judy baited. "But at dinner, I'm all yours."

"…"

Judy allowed the silence to drag on between the two. Knowing full well the artic shrew just wouldn't be able to resist.

"Do we have a deal?"

"I'll inform the chef." Fru Fru declared with a laugh.

"See you then. Bye Fru Fru."

"Bye Judy."

The phone went silent as Judy smiled at Tia.

"I hope you're hungry."

"Excuse me!" Tia exclaimed. "You are supposed to be protecting me! Not taking me out to dinner."

Judy looked to Fenton for a moment. He appeared to be trying his best not to laugh.

Fenton was indeed trying his best to portray professionalism. But the phone call both piqued his interest and was just hilarious to listen to.

"Calm down." Judy began. "I'll be protecting you the whole time. Where we are going is even safer than my own apartment. And I don't know about you, but I personally think a good meal helps make a day go by a lot better."

"…" Tia stared Judy down with skepticism. "It's safer than your apartment?"

"Besides my apartment, and my friend's place…I can only think of one other place that's safer."

"…Fine." Tia relented.

"Great. You won't regret it."

A silence passed between them before Fenton pulled up to the curbside.

"Do you need help with the luggage Hopps?"

Judy pondered for a moment. His strength would be nice carrying the luggage up three flights of stairs. But Fenton was in full uniform. It was bad enough they had to take a police car to her place. If any member of Ermine's gang saw Tia in the car is one thing. However, that was unlikely since they were heavily tinted. But being escorted by a cop into a 'decent' apartment complex. Well, that practically screamed sketchy if nothing else. Judy was already taking a few chances with Fenton driving them. And even later when they go out to dinner Judy would need to be on her A-game. Plus Tia's comfort zone seemed to have already been poked and prodded at enough today.

"No." She answered. "I think me, and Miss Mustela got this."

"Okay then." Fenton opened the trunk. "See you when I see you, Hopps. Miss Mustela, thank you for your help."

"Yeah." Tia grumbled. "I feel so thanked."

"Thanks for the ride, Fenton." Judy cheered trying to chase away Tia's condescending tone.

Judy and Tia exited the car heading straight to the trunk. All that was packed in there were two small suitcases and a large backpack. Tia quickly grabbed the backpack slinging it over her shoulder. While Judy grabbed the slightly larger suitcase. Once Tia grabbed the second suitcase Judy closed the trunk. Then slammed her paw against the trunk twice to let Fenton know he could drive off.

They made their way into the apartment that was on the third floor. It was definitely an upgrade from her first apartment when she came to Zootopia. No more "crazy" neighbors, greasy walls, and a rickety bed…that she missed with nostalgia. But she also needed a more decent environment to do her work. Judy opened the door to her apartment.

"The couch turns into a pull-out, which is where I'll sleep, while you take the bedroom." Judy stated while walking into the small kitchen. "The bedroom has no windows. So it would be safer for you to sleep there."

"Okay." Tia answered absentmindedly.

"And I hope you like home-cooked meals because besides dinner tonight we aren't leaving this apartment. Nor can we order take out."

"Okay."

Judy realizing the ferret girl just needed to process everything lead her to what would now be Tia's bedroom.

"It's small but has a connecting bathroom so you don't have to worry about any night trips." Judy tried to joke.

"Okay."

Judy sighed while she rolled her shoulders trying to shake the stress away. Tia was less than happy with the situation. She broke up with someone who offered her everything she ever thought she wanted. And now she's hiding out with an overenthusiastic bunny, with a mysterious past, as a roommate. No, Cynthia Mustela was very less than happy with the situation.

"I'll leave you to get settled. It's only 4 pm right now so you have plenty of time to settle. If you need anything just come find me. And please ignore the loud noises for the next few minutes." Judy stated practically running out of the room.

Judy respected that Tia needed her space, even if it was in her room, plus Judy had some 'decorating' to do.

Tia sat at the end of Judy's bed with her shoulders slouched forward. Her whole life she only ever relied on herself. No boys in blue or random kind woman were ever going to save her. She needed to save herself. Even when she was with Quick Shot, Clifford Ermine, she knew she needed a safety plan. But that didn't make turning in the information about him easy. After all, she had slept with the guy. They were never vulnerable with each other except in the bedroom. And if Tia was being honest. Whenever they weren't in the bedroom she was terrified of Quick Shot. And the minute he gets word that she's helping the police get him in jail…

I don't even want to think about it. Tia Shuddered.

Time flew by with Judy blocking out the two windows into her living room with tape and cardboard. And Tia going through her two suitcases trying to figure out what she was going to wear. She finally settled on her white muumuu-style dress when Judy knocked on the door.

"Yes?"

"Can I come in?" Judy asked.

"Yes."

Judy opened the door smiling at Tia as they made eye contact.

"I'm just here to get my dress from my closet."

"Okay." Tia shrugged not really caring.

"Alrighty then." Judy mumbled walking over to her closet.

Judy only had three dresses to pick from. She had a pastel pink sheath style dress that her mother bought her. Then she had a navy-blue drop waist style dress with a silver waistband. And then there was the LBD, a little black dress, that hid in the back of her closet. It was supposed to be a one-time borrow. But it became a permanent addition to her closet because of him. At first, it was because he simply couldn't fathom how she didn't own an LBD. Something apparently all women should have. At least that's what he would always say. But when they started 'seeing' each other she soon learned that she liked wearing it. Mainly because of how he looked at her in it. He was a predator, a fox, and when she wore that dress, she could always feel his hunter's gaze on her. And she loved it when his attention was on her. He even told her once that he knew exactly why she wore that dress. And he encouraged her to wear it whenever and wherever because of it.

Definitely not that one. Judy declared with a huff.

She settled on the pastel pink one her mother bought her. It was cold in Tundra Town and her fur could only do so much. She was going to need all the coverage she could get.

Time passed again with the two girls trying their best to stay in their own spaces. They got dressed and beautified in separate rooms at separate times. And soon heard a resounding thud against the door in a set of threes.

Their driver was there. They think.