Serendipity's Shadow

Rated T

Chapter 12

He felt a rage overtake his body that consumed the sadness in his heart. Leaving behind in its wake a bitter taste in his mouth. Without much thought and with little effort Nick flung the glass filled with scotch across the room. Silence followed as the glass contacted the wall. The sound of the shattering drink did little to ease his mind.

"Talk." Nick scuffed. "What does that even mean?"

Nick knew what she wanted out of this talk. And the gentleman Mr. Big raised him to be wanted to respect that. But the Shadow wanted to scream and shout at the top of his lungs. The Shadow wanted to just kidnap her for a time and remind her what they had. And then Nick would swoop in and promise to never fuck up again.

But he would never get Judy back that way. If anything, she would just spend every waking moment running further and further away from Nick.

If I had a time machine. Nick thought. I would go back and fix everything…but life isn't that kind.

Nick pulled out his phone speed dialing his contact, the hacker.

"Hello." The hacker answered.

"Hey, friend." Nick mused. "I need you to do me a big favor."

"Anything." The hacker obediently answered.

"I need you to send a key to one, Miss Judy Hopps."

"Okay…is there a time limit?"

"Nope." Nick answered. "But there is a catch."

"What?"

"You can't report back to me anything, and I mean anything, that you do for Miss Hopps." Nick sighs. "Not unless she says so."

"…Understood." The hacker knew better than to argue with the Shadow.

"Goodman." Nick praised his hacker's obedience. "I'll contact you when I need you."

"Yes, Sir."

Nick hung up first since it was a known code that you always waited for the boss to dismiss you. To dismiss yourself is a sign of rebellious behavior towards your superior. And you better pray for the poor soul who dares to disrespect Nicholas Wilde.

"…And now I wait for our…talk."

Nick got out another glass that he quickly filled with scotch. And as he took a long hard sip, he relished the burning sensation down his throat. It certainly competed well with the sadness in his heart as he stared at the untouched blueberry daiquiri.

Judy wiped away the tears that threatened to drip from her eyes. She needed to get a grip! It's over! They're over! And that was that…nothing more, nothing less. Plus, Judy needed to be strong right now. Not just for herself but also for Tia.

When the elevator dinged open Judy took a deep breath, trying to ignore the smell of sweat and…vomit, ew, and made her way back to Tia.

Tia had enjoyed her time being entertained by the handsome bartender named Rocky. She especially didn't mind what she perceived to be him shamelessly flirting. So much so she didn't notice five sets of eyes carefully watching out for her safety. Nor did she notice time slipping away as she talked with Rocky. This is why she nearly jumped out of her skin when Judy came up behind her and tapped her shoulder.

"It's time to go." Judy declared.

Tia felt like complaining about leaving too early for a moment. But then she remembered why she was there in the bar in the first place. Because Judy's apartment got ransacked and Judy was trying everything, she had up her sleeve to keep Tia safe. Plus, she also remembered Mr. Big's threat if she refused to listen to Judy.

"Okay." Tia nodded sadly.

"Leaving so soon Judy?" Rocky asked.

"Sorry Rocky." Judy smiled apologetically. "But It's been a LONG day."

"Say no more. Have a nice night Judy. Miss Tia." Rocky winked at the ferret.

"Bye Rocky." Tia waved in a 'girly' manner towards Rocky as Judy walked her out of Shadow's Luck.

"It's never gonna work." Judy told Tia as they stood on the side of the street.

"What?"

"He's gay. In a relationship. Think It's been going on four years now too."

Tia stared wide-eyed at the rabbit for a moment.

"I misread that scene badly." Tia declared.

"It happens to the best of us." Judy patted her shoulder sympathetically. "If it makes you feel better, you're not the first."

"It doesn't."

"Fair enough." Judy tried not to laugh.

Soon though a black Mercedes van pulled up to the curb in front of the two girls. The driver, a grey wolf, rolled down the window.

"Name?" She asked in a gruff tone.

"Judy Hopps." Judy then gestured to Tia. "Cynthia Mustela."

The driver nodded. "I've been hired to drive you two to the Rain Forest District."

What?! Tia thought alarmed.

"Correct." Judy confirmed Tia's fears.

"Get in."

Without hesitation, Judy hopped into the back seat pulling Tia along with her. Who was not really happy with how this night was turning out.

When they had settled into their seats and the car started driving off Tia glared at Judy.

"Feel like filling me in on anything?"

"Where we are going is a ten-minute drive outside of Zootopia's inner city. I know even that long might be uncomfortable for you. But it's the only safe place I can think of. I can't contact Chief Bogo cause I don't know how your location got leaked. And this location is surrounded by nothing but trees, rain, and a river. Complete seclusion, which is exactly what we need to keep you safe."

Tia wanted to argue with the bunny. But she could not find any fault with Judy's logic. Which only seemed to anger the ferret even more.

"And how exactly did you hear about this location?" Tia demanded.

"Because…" Judy sighed. "I was going to live there once."

"…Why didn't you?"

"Because life happened." Judy laughed pathetically. "It was supposed to be a gift to our future."

Our? Tia raised her brow at Judy in a questioning look.

"Let's… let's talk about this later. It's late and frankly, I don't know about you but I'm ready to just crawl into bed."

Tia hummed in agreement. She was okay with letting this go tonight. But the cop who oversaw Tia's life was becoming more and more of a curiosity. She still had roughly six days left to question Judy. And Tia could be patient when she really wanted to be.

I'll wait to get my answers, Miss Judy Hopps. Tia declared to herself.