Serendipity's Shadow
Rated T
Chapter 9
Judy and Tia sat in uncomfortable silence. Tia didn't know how safe she felt with the rabbit anymore. Not only was her location quickly found. But Judy had connections with the opposite side of the law.
Is Judy a dirty cop? Tia pondered with a frown.
Judy unaware of Tia's troubled thoughts was having her own dilemma. The dress she was wearing felt suffocating. And her heart was heavy with guilt. This wasn't her; this wasn't what Judy was, but who she felt she needed to be. A woman who could toy with the man she once loved. But wearing not only his favorite dress but also the bracelet that once was his sign of protection.
"I can't do this." Judy declared.
"Do what?" Tia asked alarmed.
"I need to change."
"Again?"
"I can't be someone I'm not."
"And…what is that exactly?"
"A girl who's okay breaking down a man and manipulating him to get what I want."
"…oh." Tia muttered in understanding.
Tia can't say she's never done it before. But when she did it was always with someone who did her wrong. And the way Judy is acting. This man may have done her wrong in some way. But Judy still loved him. And Tia was willing to bet from Judy's hesitancy that this man still loved her too.
"I'm going to have to do something I really don't want to do." Judy groaned.
"What?"
"Change in a port-a-potty."
"…Really?" Tia asked disgustedly.
"…yeah." Judy muttered.
It didn't take a long time to arrive at their destination.
"Alright, ladies!" The cab driver declared popping open the trunk. "That will be-"
"Keep the change." Judy threw a hundred-dollar bill into the cab driver's hand.
Quickly Judy and Tia exited the cab and grabbed their belongings from the trunk. Once the cab drove off onto the busy street Tia was alarmed at the sight. A line that went halfway around the block started at the entrance to Shadow's Luck. And Tia guesses to accommodate the people in line. A few port-a-potties lined the streets for public use.
"I'm gonna go change. You stay right in front of the door." Judy ordered as she walked up to the port-a-potty door. "I know this is gonna be awkward. But I need you to talk to me through this door the whole time I'm in there. I need to know you are there the whole time."
"Okay." Tia nodded obediently.
It was the first time in her life she can remember being this cooperative.
Judy gave a firm nod towards Tia. Before entering the very less than pleasant smelling, looking, and definitely not so clean port-a-potty.
"I have no idea what to talk about." Tia declared through the door.
Judy laughed as she began changing.
"Just describe what you see or…make up a story. I don't know." Judy offered.
"Okay…describe what I see."
"A lot of mammals who are surprisingly paying me no mind as I talk to a port-a-potty." Judy laughed again as she rummaged through her bag. "The line hasn't moved- no wait! One couple just got in, woohoo." Tia faked cheered making Judy laugh again. "And after watching that little display I can't help but wonder how we are going to get in. Especially since it's 1 AM and the line isn't moving very fast."
"Leave that to me." Judy declared as she opened the port-a-potty door.
Stepping out onto the streetlight stood a very proud woman. She was dressed in what was basically casual business attire. Dress black pants, a white no-sleeve blouse, and a black unbuttoned button-up jacket. Tia noted that the bracelet that Judy was wearing was no longer around the bunny's wrist.
"Okay." Judy escorted Tia down the street. "Now I can face him."
Good to know. Tia laughed mentally.
Tia did her best to ignore the glares from the patrons who stood in line. Judy just simply walked past them in ignorance. That is until we faced the bouncer at the door.
"Hello." Judy greeted.
Tia flinched hearing the snickers and crude comments coming from the people in front of the line. When she was with Quick Shot his presence always silenced the patrons.
"Do you have a ticket?" The black bear bouncer asked.
"No." Judy simply smiled at him.
That's not gonna work on him, Judy! Tia cried internally.
"Then I suggest you and your girlfriend hop on back to the end of the line."
"Better luck next time baby bunny!" Someone taunted from the line.
Judy just smirked confidently.
"I don't have a ticket, but I do have a password."
The bouncer looked at Judy in alarm at first. But then he regained his composer.
"Name?" He pulled up a few sheets of paper from his clipboard to look at a separate list.
"Judy Hopps."
The bouncer nodded simply before handing the bunny a small slip of paper and a pencil. Judy accepted the pencil and paper happily. The patrons had become quiet as they stared at the bunny in anticipation.
"What are you doing?" Tia whispered to Judy.
"Writing down the password." Judy answered calmly. "If you just say the password aloud where anyone can hear then anyone can get in."
Tia nodded in agreement and surprise that Judy even had a password.
Judy handed the now-folded piece of paper and pencil back to the bouncer. Which he accepted gracefully from the little bunny.
The patrons in line stared at the bouncer now feeling twitchy in anticipation.
The bouncer read the paper for a moment. His eyes went wide in surprise. The bouncer regained his composer quickly and stepped aside for the bunny and ferret.
"Enjoy your time Miss Hopps."
"What!" the patrons in line screamed annoyed.
"Thank you." Judy smiled ignoring the protest. "Let's go Tia."
"Uh-huh." Tia nodded slack-jawed.
Tia walked alongside Judy holding onto her arm for comfort. The place was crowded with mammals of all shapes and sizes. Girls danced in revealing clothes on different platforms. While men dressed in suits and ties walked around delivering drinks to the second floor. Tia guessed that it was where private members got to drink. Judy ignored it all, heading straight to two open seats at the bar.
"Still making minimum wage Rocky?" Judy asked the bartender who had his back turned towards her.
He was a snow leopard dressed in a white button-up shirt, black pants with red suspenders, and a red bow tie.
He turned to face Judy, his face immediately turning to surprise.
"Well, if this isn't a treat." Rocky laughed. "Miss Judy Hopps!"
"Hi, Rocky." Judy smiled.
"Well… to what do we owe this honor?"
Judy took a deep breath to calm her nerve before answering Rocky.
"He's here. Isn't he?"
Rocky blinked at her in surprise before giving her a solemn nod.
"Then I'd like to order five angel shots for my friend here."
"Five?!" Rocky asked.
"Yes. Five angel shots."
Rocky nodded before turning to a nearby keyboard. He pressed a few keys before turning back to Judy.
"Your order has been placed. On the house." Rocky winked.
"Thanks." Judy smiled.
"Can I get you girls anything to drink?"
"God, yes-"
"My friend will have a water with a lemon squeeze." Judy interrupted Tia.
"Seriously?" Tia asked. "Water. In a bar."
"Yes. Seriously." Judy stated firmly. "The last thing we need is to be drunk while on the run."
"…Fine." Tia relented. "But then why order me five shots?"
"It's not those kinds of shots." Judy simply stated without caring to elaborate.
"Why aren't you getting anything?" Tia asked.
"I'm waiting…for someone to order something for me."
Just as Judy said that statement a drink was placed before her.
"Blueberry Daiquiri with…" Rocky pulled out an umbrella garnish. "A golden umbrella."
"You didn't order-"
"I know." Judy sighed grabbing the drink. "Will you take care of my friend Rocky?"
"Of course." Rocky smiled with a hidden charm.
"Where are you going?" Tia asked alarmed that she was going to be left alone.
"The third floor." Judy smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry you'll be in safe hands with Rocky."
"But-"
"Don't worry sweetness." Rocky winked. "I'm excellent company."
Rocky pulled Tia into an engaging conversation about the time he went on summer vacation. Tia began to listen with fascination. Especially when Rocky got to the part about when he lost his pants.
Judy smiled, thankful that Rocky was able to keep Tia calm for her. Then with another resigned sigh made her way to the private elevator. Stairs only led to the second floor. The elevator is the only way to reach the third. And you also need the key.
"Please." A whiny voice pleaded. "I know it's been 3 years. But just tell him it's me. I'm sure he'll let me up."
Ah. One of his old flings. Judy frowned annoyed.
The bouncer in front of the elevator simply ignored the whining woman. However, when Judy approached, he noted the golden umbrella in her drink. Then he noticed exactly who it was with a shocked expression.
"Miss Hopps?" The brown bear bouncer asked alarmed.
"Hey, Mike." Judy smiled gesturing towards her drink. "Mind if I go up?"
"O-of course not!" He proclaimed.
"What?! You are going to let that slut up but not me?" The woman whined.
"If I were you." Mike began to warn the woman. "I'd watch your tone."
Judy ignored the following argument and proceeded to enter the elevator. She could feel her heart pounding aggressively in her chest. She barely had time to register everything when the elevator doors opened.
With a hesitated step she stepped into the decked-out lobby.
"Judy Hopps." A voice purred from the darkness. "It's nice seeing you again Carrots."
He turned from the tinted pane window that overlooked the club's floor. To stare at the beautiful rabbit who stood before him.
"Hello, Nick."
