A week has gone by since Judy has been taken, and still nothing has turned up concerning her whereabouts, much to the dismay of her partner. The fox has called Clawhauser a few times to try and get an update, but nothing came of it. All he'd get was an apology and some excuse; eventually he learned that calling in would get him nowhere. He's already forcefully been cut off from the investigation and couldn't do anything to help, at least as a police officer. He knew in the back of his mind he'd never be able stay out completely.

As he suspected, the news of Zootopias most well known officer being kidnapped got out a couple days after it happened. Nick remembers watching the news and the report coming up. He wasn't able to watch the whole thing, the pain just too much. Never in his life has the fox felt so miserable and helpless. It got to the point where he couldn't just sit around and do nothing. He may not be able to investigate as a cop, but he still has a few connections out on the street.

The first couple of days of his administrative leave Nick couldn't do anything but hope as he laid around his apartment. A sense of worthlessness fell over him. He began to blame himself for what happened. If he had stayed with her that night, maybe he could have done something to protect her, but he left because he didn't want to sleep on an uncomfortable couch. What kind of friend was he?

It was on the third day that he knew he couldn't just sit around anymore, it was literally starting to drive him crazy. He couldn't close his eyes without seeing the face of her, and when he does manage to fall asleep he has nightmares of her being tortured and killed right in front of his eyes, and every time her corpse screams at him "It's all your fault!" He couldn't take it anymore. He woke up on the third morning after another nightmare and immediately reached for his phone. He looked on the scene seeing many missed calls from friends, his mother, and even Judy's parents. He was hoping to postpone any talking for as long as possible; especially with her parents. Luckily, he didn't need to talk to them, he needed to have a conversation with an old friend. He tapped on his contact and began calling him up. It ringed a few times until it was picked up.

"Finnick, we need to talk. Can we meet up somewhere today?"

A little over an hour later and Nick was sitting on a bench in the middle of a park waiting for Finnick. The fox felt good getting out of that stuffy apartment. Being outside in the sun was nice, however there was still a terrible pain lingering in his heart. He figured that is an awful feeling that is going to be there for a long time.

Nick kept his head low as to not be noticed. With his involvement in solving the Nighthowler case, some mammals would come up and talk with him and Judy, mostly Judy, and thank them. However, with everything that has happened he really doesn't want to have a conversation about his missing partner.

"Hey, Nick." Nick looked over at Finnick to see him jumping up the bench with him. They have somewhat kept in touch, but not as much as they used to ever since he became a cop. Nick and Finnicks professions don't really mix well. Even though they've had a lack of contact, he will always be able to tell when the old fennec is acting strange.

"You know, I don't need you to talk to me like that, I'm not a kit anymore," Nick told his old friend.

"Yah you're right. You're not the same runaway I found all those years ago, but I also know how much that bunny cop means to you." Finnick said knowingly. Nick was going to argue, but didn't see the point, mostly because he's right. Nick has had a better relationship with her than most anyone else ever in his life, which makes it that much more painful that she's gone. Not being able to see her in his everyday routine is painful, like a part of him is missing. But that's why he called Finnick, to try and get that piece of him back.

"I assume you already know why I asked to meet with you?" Nick guessed.

"Well I'm guessing it wasn't to say hi and catch up," the smaller fox commented.

"I'm hoping you have heard something while you've been doing your business," Nick was hoping that his old partner has heard something in Zootopias underground.

"I haven't really noticed anything, everything seems to be normal. Trust me, you'll be the first person I come to if I hear anything about the rabbit. I ain't no snitch, but like I said, I know how important she is to you."

That's where their conversation ended. He was a little disappointed with the lack of information Finnick was able to give him, but he trusts that if he hears anything, he'll tell him. Luckily, Nick made a backup plan. The bad part, however, is that he'd be asking a favor from one of the biggest crime family's in the city. They tend to keep it on the down low that they have relations with the Big family, because if word got out then they'd be in a lot of trouble. He was taking a risk asking for their help, but he found it necessary in this desperate time.

He would've much more preferred if he could meet with them face to face, but for whatever reason Mr. Big denied that request. Instead, the crime boss sent someone down to talk with the fox. Nick was sat in the same park, on a different bench, when a badger sat down next to him.

"Something big is happening," the badger said getting straight to the point. He slid over an envelope then got up and left as fast as he came. Nick picked up the letter and examined it for a moment before tucking it into his pocket.

He quickly made his way home feeling like he needed to read the letter in seclusion. He got to his apartment, raced into his room and slammed the door shut behind him. He carefully tore open the envelope and pulled out a single piece of paper folded in half. He examined the outside to see if there were any words or markings on the outside, but there was nothing. So he unfolded to piece of paper and found a single sentence that read: 'Judy isn't the last, watch your back.' Nick read that one line over and over again in his head and out loud. It's funny how seven words could strike such terror into an animal. The worst part was the vagueness. Who is behind this and what do they want with Judy. "Where are you," he whispered softly to himself.

Now fast-forward a few days to present day to where Nick was still awake after another restless. It was nearly six in the morning and Nick hadn't got any sleep, making that the second time in three days. He wished he could sleep, to rest his eyes and his aching head, but he couldn't handle the nightmares anymore. Seeing her killed over and over again has taken it's toll on the suffering fox, and unfortunately being conscious was no escape either. The words from the letter haunted his thoughts and paranoia started to set in. Any little sound he would hear outside his door, his body would stiffen up, but not from fear. He was waiting for a fight, if the person who took her came after him he'd be ready to kick their ass and force them to tell him where she is. That's all he wants, is to at least have a chance to save her.

Right now he was focused on the news; they were doing their regular update on the kidnapping and much to Nicks dismay, they still didn't know anything. Nick knew he wouldn't get anything from the station, because they know the fox to well; they figure he would use the information to try and go after the suspect himself, and they'd be one hundred percent correct. Given the chance, Nick wouldn't hesitate to go and find his missing bunny.

Nick was so focused on the TV that he got startled when his phone went off telling him he has a text. He quickly grabbed for it, hoping that it would either be Finnick or one of Mr. Big's goons, both of whom he hasn't heard anything from since the last time he's seen them. Instead, however, he was surprised to find the text from quite the opposite of what he was expecting. It was a text from Ben telling him that the chief wanted him down at the station in uniform in an hour. This took the fox a little off guard, he didn't expect to be called in again for a few more weeks. Somethings had to of come up. This was good news, maybe doing some work would take his mind off all these terrible things, and he could always try and get some info from any of his fellow officers. He pushed himself up from his couch, went to the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee, then went to his room to get ready.

Less than an hour later, Nick was walking up the steps and into the precinct. He never thought it would nice to see this place, but after so long of sitting and wallowing in self-pity and despair, he figured a little work would do him some good. When he first walked in, Ben had been distracted by whatever he was looking at on his phone. He happened to glance up slightly and catch a glimpse of the fox. Seeing him brought a smile to his face. He had been so worried about his coworker and friend. Losing someone so suddenly and without warning isn't something anyone should have to go through, unfortunately it happens all too often. Though, looking close at him, he could tell he wasn't doing all that great. He knows that sleepless, stressed look all too much. Plenty of officers get in while working a difficult case, but Nick looked slightly worse.

"It's good to see you, Nick," Clawhauser smiled softly at the fox. Nick returned the smile, also happy to see a familiar friendly face.

"Right back at yah, Benny boy," Nick chuckled, trying to act normal but it just wasn't the same and they both knew it. Ben didn't bring it up, though, not wanting to speak on the elephant in the room, and he's not talking about Francine.

The two were left in an awkward silence for a moment until Nick broke it by saying good bye to Clawhauser and proceeding up to the chiefs office. Exactly like a week ago, he got to the second floor and walked over to Bogo's door, only this time their was another officer who he's never seen before sitting outside the room, their eyes never leaving the fox. Nick found this kind of strange, but still nodded in acknowledgment towards the wolf.

Nick knocked on the door and was immediately invited in. He opened the door and was met by the gaze of his commanding officer. He felt slightly intimidated, but knew he'd be fine otherwise he wouldn't have told him to come in uniform. He jumped up on the seat and faced Bogo, wondering just what exactly it was he wanted.

"Sorry to call you in, Wilde, but the past week has been crazy and we're low on help. I have a case I need you to work on," he explained sliding over a file towards the fox. "A high valued politician has been reported missing for a few days and I need you to look into it." Nick scanned over the file briefly, continually nodding his head. He closed it with a smile.

"Consider it done, sir," the fox smirked, about to jump off the chair and leave the room; however, before he could Bogo stopped him.

"I can't allow you to go alone, Wilde," Bogo said. Nicks smile vanished and he felt a little depressed at the thought that this would be his first case he works without her and with someone he doesn't know. Putting two and two together Nico again faced the chief and pointed behind him.

"I assume that wolf out there is my new partner?" he questioned, but is pretty sure he's right.

"He is the new rookie assigned to the precinct. I want you to show him the ropes and get him comfortable out in the field," Bogo told him. As much as the fox disliked it, he knows he doesn't have a say in it.

"Alright, I'll make sure to teach him everything I know," Nick said.

"Maybe not everything," Bogo joked, getting the fox to laugh. He didn't tend to shed his serious demeanor often, but it was always a pleasant surprise when he did.

Nick left the room with his mind swimming with different thoughts. Mostly concerning the animal only a few feet away from him. He turned and faced him and saw the wolf was already looking at him. "So, you're my new partner huh," Nick commented.

The wolf quickly stood up and stumbled over his words for a few moments before composing himself, "Yes, sir. I'm McCabe Walker." Nick stared at the midnight black wolf for a moment, taking a mental note that he was going to take some work.

"First off," Nick said, starting to walk off with McCabe following, "don't call me sir. I may be older and have been here longer, but we're partners." McCabe nodded slightly. "And secondly, welcome to first precinct," he smiled at the wolf then started walking to the garage with the rookie close behind. If only they knew how much their lives, and the lives of many, were going to change.

Another chapter in and Nick isn't feeling any better. Still nothing found on Judy, he can't sleep, and now he has to work with a new partner. For Nick, it seems his world is crumbling down around him.

Thanks to everyone who has read, favorited, followed, and left a comment. And to anyone who hasn't done any of that, feel free too, especially comments. I love hearing what you all have to say, plus it always helps to get some feedback.

Keep On Keeping On

Peace Out