Serendipity's Shadow
Rated T
Chapter 7
The ride back home was silent for the most part. Hank, the koala limo driver, dared not utter a word. Even though no harm was threatened or received. He was still shaken from the experience. Tia from a long day of betraying everything she's ever known was tired. Especially after Mr. Big's not-so-subtle warning. So, she rested her eyes while leaning back in the seat. Judy's choice of silence was about a whole other matter. Particularly her conversation with Fru Fru.
When Papa Big took Tia away Judy didn't panic for two reasons. One, they were in the Big family home. No place was safer in Tundra Town. Two, she was with Mr. Big. Tia would be safe by proxy. Judy could argue a third reason, that she trusted Mr. Big, but that wouldn't hold up with Chief Bogo.
No, Judy did not panic for Tia, her terror came from the arctic shrew named Fru Fru.
"So…?" Fru Fru inquired.
"So…what?" Judy laughed.
"So, what's going on with little Miss Tia?"
"Ah!" Judy remembered her earlier promise to Fru Fru. "Well, the short version, she was Clifford Ermine's girlfriend. He's locked up now, she wants out for good, so she made a deal with ZPD. I will testify to keep him in jail if you keep me safe and help me disappear."
Judy eventually filled in on why she was chosen. And even divulged her personal feelings about the poor ferret girl. Fru Fru listened intently as Judy spoke. But once Judy had finished Fru Fru felt like she had more questions than answers.
"Okay, I get everything up until the fact you seem completely calm for someone going up against Quick Shot."
"Uh, yeah, well I've been around scarier." Judy joked.
"Scarier, yes. Loose canon dangerous, no." Fru Fru pointed out.
Judy listened to her friend's concern with a heavy heart. Yeah, Clifford Ermine was dangerous. Easily in her 'Top Ten Dangerous Criminals' list.
"It doesn't matter." Judy stated. "I was chosen to protect Miss Mustela. And I will do so with my dying breath if it were to come to that."
"I hate it when you go all 'Noble Cop' on me." Fru Fru frowned.
"It's who I am." Judy smiled. "That's who I always wanted to be."
"And that's why you and Wilde could never work out."
Judy flinched hearing Fru Fru's words. She did her best to repress the memories. It didn't matter if they were good or bad. Judy firmly believed she had come too far in her life and career to dwell on such a time of fantasy.
"You could say that." Judy mumbled.
"Judy…" Fru Fru began slowly. "You didn't sleep. You don't get sleep. You haven't slept well, since…"
Judy wanted to assure her friend she was fine. But deep down she knew she wasn't. When they split it was not mutual on either side. But Judy personally felt like he just couldn't take her seriously as a cop. That he just wanted a Token Bunny on his side. He even told her the only reason she even piqued his interest was because she took care of his headaches. Also known as low-level street thugs who thought they could outsmart street law. Who she, in the beginning, seemed to be catching one after another that was all a thorn in his side. He got curious who this officer was and hatched a plan to meet Judy, the said cop. And it all just went downhill, or uphill, from there. The one thing that mostly stayed with her from their relationship was their comfort. The comfort in each other's presence always made them feel safe with each other. This comfort gave them some of the best sleep they ever had in years. Because they knew that the other would be right there when they would awake. But now that comfort was gone. And so was the peace that came with sleep.
"Don't hate me when I say this…" Fru Fru said barely above a whisper. "But maybe you should talk to him?"
"What!?" Judy nearly choked on her drink.
"Hear me out before you say anything." Fru Fru pleaded. "I'm just saying that when you split it wasn't the most graceful of exits for either of you."
That's true. Judy agreed.
"I mean he disappeared and then when he got back you learned some…things. And then you left leaving a letter saying goodbye. Neither of you has closure. Maybe if you talk, I'm not saying throw yourself at him and pray he takes you back, I'm saying talk. Talk like adults and bring closure to yourselves. Maybe you both will get some sleep."
Judy for a moment ignored Fru Fru's speech. She could only focus on the last sentence.
"Both?"
Fru Fru, realizing her mistake, covered her mouth like a child who got caught stealing candy.
"Nick isn't sleeping either?" Judy inquired.
Fru Fru could only shake her head in confirmation.
A silence passed between them allowing Judy to process this information. But Fru Fru decided to push her limits slightly on the Wilde subject.
"What are you going to do if Wilde finds out you're working this case?"
Judy waited to answer staring her drink down in complete silence.
"Pray he knows better than to cross me one more time."
Their conversation stuck with Judy. She truly hoped Wilde would know better than to force himself into her life. Especially because of this case. Judy did not want to go back to being the bunny who was in the fox's pocket. But she didn't wish him ill either. Finding out he wasn't doing well since they split tugged at her heartstrings. How could they not? She shared so much of herself with him after all. It was only natural for her to still care, in some ways, for the fox.
Maybe I will call him. Judy thought. Just…after this case.
"Miss?" Hank called from the driver's seat.
"Yes."
"I'll be pulling up to your lodging shortly."
"Okay." Judy stretched out her body with a yawn. "Thank you."
Hank simply nodded before turning his attention back to the road. Tia, who was thoroughly asleep, turned in her chair trying to get into a more comfortable position.
"Tia?" Judy called softly.
Tia didn't stir.
"Tia?" Judy called a little louder giving the girl a slight shake.
Tia slowly blinked her eyes open staring at a blurry figure resembling a grey blob with purple eyes.
"Tia?" Judy called again to the bleary girl.
Tia, with a groan of disapproval at being awoken, rubbed her eyes.
"What?" Tia finally answered.
"Well, if you wanna sleep in a bed tonight we need to get out of the limo." Judy laughed softly.
"Ugh…" Tia groaned but relented by sitting up straighter and rubbing her face in an attempt to wake up.
Hank pulled up to the curb, placed the limo in the park position, and waited for the girls to leave. Hank was ready to go home and sleep as well. And frankly just hoped he did nothing to get on Mr. Big's bad side.
Judy, and Tia, once Judy cleared the area, stepped out of the limo. Their steps were sluggish. Their postures were poor. And their aura just screamed, "I NEED SLEEP!". But once they reached the third floor Judy froze in front of her door. Not only was it unlocked but it was also slightly ajar.
"Tia." Judy warned. "Stay back."
"What?"
"Stay back. If you hear me scream, run." Judy began to instruct the now fully awake and panicked girl. "You run out onto the streets and scream. You make a scene so nothing can happen to you. And you get someone to call the ZPD. Understood?"
Tia remained silent hearing her heartbeat rapidly against her chest.
"Understood?" Judy tried again.
Tia could only nod, swallowing the lump in her throat, as she took a few steps back. Judy gave her a firm nod in reply. Then pulled out her tranq gun from her purse. And with her foot slowly pushed open her apartment door. Judy wasn't mistaken. Someone had been in her apartment.
