Serendipity's Shadow
Rated T
Chapter 5
Mr. Big's Driver, a koala, was nervous. It was only his second week on the job. And somehow, he was sent out by the boss himself. To pick up precious cargo. The driver assumed that maybe he was picking up some night candy for the arctic shrew. But, when, not one, but two cars packed full of polar bear guards began to escort him, he thought otherwise. His paws became sweaty as he followed the lead car down the busy city streets. The second car followed close behind leaving no possible wiggle room. When they did arrive at the destination he was once again surprised. Not only was it in a decent part of town. But it was also a seemingly nice-looking place to live. Hank, the driver, normally would just wait in the car at this point. But the passenger guard in the leading car said otherwise. The guard, Kevin, gestured for him to leave the car. Scared for his life, Hank complied, shaking under his fur.
"Go escort them." Kevin ordered.
"What?!" Hank asked alarmed.
"…" Kevin ignored the small mammal's confusion.
"Uh…" Hank looked between the building and Kevin confused. "Go get…them?"
Kevin remained silent looking down on the koala.
"W-which floor?"
"Third. Blue door. On the right." Kevin stated simply.
"R-right…" Hank murmured walking away from the intimidating predator.
Hank made his way up the flight of stairs. He was surprised there was no elevator for such a decent-looking building. But that was the least of his concerns. Once he made it to the third floor his blood ran cold. Who were these people he was picking up? Soon he found himself in front of the blue door on the right. Then he knocked, three times, against the door.
When Judy heard the knock on the door her body hardened. She gestured for Tia to keep quiet. Judy grabbed her handbag, a fashionable accessory, that held her weapon. All cops' mandatory weapon of choice was the hand tranquilizer gun. Well, that and the not-so-recommended collapsible stun baton. Judy grabbed her tranq-gun as she tiptoed towards the door.
"Who is it?" Judy called.
"Uh…I was sent by Mr. Big." The voice squeaked behind the door. "I'm your limo driver."
Judy peeked through the peephole. She studied the nervous-looking koala. As more time passed, he became more anxious.
"Miss?" He called.
Judy ignored him for a few more seconds. She waited to see if his eyes were looking to anybody for help. But they never left the door frame.
"He's safe." Judy told Tia before opening the door "Sorry to make you wait."
Hank observed the cute bunny dressed in a modest pastel pink dress. When she opened the door at first, he took a moment to admire her. But then he saw the gun and fell a few steps back.
"Oh!" Judy noticing, she was still holding the gun. "I'm a police officer. You have nothing to worry about."
I beg to differ. Hank thought.
"We'll be down in just a moment." Judy started rushing back inside the apartment.
Tia waited a few steps away from the door once Judy gave the all-clear. She studied the nervous wreck of a limo driver.
"Gonna be okay there bud?" She asked nonchalantly.
"What?!" Hank jumped alarmed "Uh, yes…yes! I'll be fine."
"Alright." Tia shrugged not really caring.
She was already upset that she was stuck with Miss Happy-Go-Lucky. And now she was dressed up to go to dinner at some stranger's place. Though she didn't mind the limo part. She did mind the secrecy though, she minded very much.
"Okay, I'm ready." Judy emerged with a new accessory around her wrist.
Tia noted it was just a simple gold chain. But she also noted there clearly used to be a charm attached to the chain once. Judy either didn't notice or didn't care. Tia betted it was the latter.
"Allow me." Hank swallowing his nerve held his arms out for the girls to take.
Judy did so happily while Tia groaned but accepted anyway. They made their way down the stairs without incident. Once outside Judy immediately recognizing one of the polar bears yelled.
"Hey, Kevin! How's the wife?"
Kevin simply held his thumbs up. No smile, no raise of the eyebrows, nothing but a simple thumbs up.
"Good to hear!" Judy laughed.
I'm surrounded by crazy people. Tia cried internally.
Hank, pulling himself away from the girls, opened the limo door.
"Ladies."
"Thank you." Judy chimed as she gestured for Tia to slide in first.
Although this was supposed to be a fun night. Judy was still aware that she was on duty. And that her main priority was to keep Tia safe. Plus, she really didn't want to be scolded by Chief Bogo.
Tia admired the interior of the limo. She had never been in one before. Not even when she was with Quick Shot. The moment when Judy entered the limo though, the moment was ruined. Judy appeared completely at home in the car. Which Tia guessed she must have been. To not care about if a gold bracelet was complete or not. To be perfectly comfortable surrounded by items of wealth. Tia felt a burn in her heart. Why did she have to be with a cop that's probably lived off her daddy's money all her life? Tia was willing to bet that her mysterious past was nothing more than a rich boy who she, Judy, thought was too low for her standing.
"It's been a while since Mr. Big let me ride in one of these."
"What Like two months." Tia spat with venom. "Where are the refreshments? I need water."
"Oh. Right here." Judy opened the fridge by her chair ignoring Tia's tone of voice.
"I suppose you know your way around a limo." Tia grumbled.
"No. Not really. Sparkling, regular, or bubbly?"
"What?"
"The water. Sparkling, regular, or-"
"Not that." Tia waved her off. "You don't know your way around a limo?"
"I've been in a limo a total of three…or was it four…we'll say four. I've been in a limo four times. Three from Mr. Big's company and one time from…a friend." Judy trailed off. "Anyway! Mr. Big told me that all limo services design their interior differently so that they stand out. So outside of Mr. Big's limos. Nope, I'm completely clueless. So, what kind of water do you want?"
"Bubbly." Tia mumbled.
Judy handed her the bottle without much thought. She wanted to avoid the limo talk any further. The last time she was in a limo it took her months to get inside it. Because of the limo, she was in before that one. Was a fun night with…he who must not be named. It was one of their last happy memories together. Before everything fell before them so fast. When the veil was no longer held over her eyes.
"Where did you grow up?" Tia blurted out.
Judy stared at Tia for a moment before a small smile formed on her lips.
"Bunny Borrow." Judy began. "Firstborn daughter, single litter, of a carrot farmer and his wife."
Tia stared at her dumbfounded.
I was nowhere near the ballpark. Tia figured out rather quickly.
"I was possibly the most outgoing bunny to have ever existed in Bunny Borrow history. I always dreamed of coming here, to Zootopia, where I could be anything. And all I ever wanted to be, was a police officer. I wanted to be there for people in need. And I wanted to prove myself as an individual. Not just some cute, adorable, dumb, naïve bunny."
"Sounds like…you made something for yourself."
"I tried. And I failed a few times. But I definitely came further than many people believed I could."
A moment passed between the two of them. Just simply watching each other, understanding each other, in that little moment.
"You thought I was an upstate posh brat, didn't you?" Judy accused with a laugh.
Tia started turning red in the cheeks while also laughing.
"I did."
"I knew it!" Judy continued to laugh with Tia.
The time passed with them making simple small talk. Judy knew better to pry into Tia's past and recent circumstances. So, they talked about little things. Childhood bullies, favorite food, mainly deserts, clothes, and just general happy memories.
"Miss Hopps." Hank called from the front seat. "We will be arriving shortly."
Tia and Judy looked at each other wide-eyed.
When did we leave? They pondered. And where did the time go?
