A/N Welcome back to another chapter, those still reading up to here it's nice to have ya. Enjoy the chapter!
Ryder grumbled to himself as he walked to his district. He really didn't want to work for the ZBI again, he still had a grudge against Jupiter.
"Horny bastard," Ryder muttered under his breath, silently fuming. He was currently disguised as a giraffe so that no one could hear his mumbling. Ryder had stopped at a fast food place for some more food and was now heading to the Meadowlands. He was grateful to the ZBI for one thing, these clothes. They had made him a couple of outfits that are able to stretch of shrink depending on his form. But when he would be infiltrating he'd just change his shape to make clothes from someone.
Still, the ZBI had fired him after saving Agent Savage from one of O'Larry's goons with a rocket launcher. He must admit he did rip the goon to shreds but still.
After a long walk and many taxi rides he was finally walking through the Meadowlands. He'd changed back to himself as soon as he entered, knowing there were no cameras about. The sheep who lived they were used to Ryder and would give him a friendly greeting, but at this hour everyone was inside, the moon already riding high into the sky. As Ryder entered his forest he couldn't help but remember days that happened years ago. His father, who made him into this monster, and his mother, who would always patch him up after he'd get into fights. Thinking about his mother brought him back to Jupiter. That horned bastard started dating his mother a month after his discharge. Ryder loved visiting his mother whenever possible. But every time he'd go up to her door he'd smell her cooking, then the strong aftershave Jupiter always wore when casual.
Cursing as he entered the cabin he put the old stove on and placed a battered pot full of water on top. As he waited for the water to boil, Ryder walked to his bed and slumped down. Sighing as his head hung low. Every day felt like a rewind; Go out, find information on a mob boss, try and take him out, run away after failing, eat, go home wounded, sleep. All the same every day. And every day brought him new scars. Some cuts and bruises there were hidden beneath fur, but some stuck out. The scar previously mentions, and bullet wounds at his shoulder, stomach and thigh. Today he'd gone to get food mostly, before running into those two cops. As Ryder sat there, he couldn't help feeling a deep void in his chest. Something he couldn't explain and every day, the void seemed to get bigger. Huffing he got up and started to prepare his snack, with the water now bubbling in the old metal pot.
Nick was in a haze of fuzzy sleep, on the brink of sleep and consciousness. Nick was mildly aware of a very comfy pillow at his chest, that seemed to be quite warm. Wanting that warmth in his haze and of the cold morning, Nick gripped the pillow closer to his chest and slightly nuzzled into it with a sleepy sigh of comfy satisfaction.
Judy was in the land of dreams, dreaming of Bunny Burrows and the rolling hills scattered with crops and small forests. Judy was mildly away of a very warm blanket on her back, and how that blanket suddenly became closer. Judy wasn't complaining as the warmth it brought in the coldness she felt beyond her dream.
Nick slowly opened his eyes, he looked straight ahead at the static of the TV, the slow light creeping into the windows and empty snack bowls littering the coffee table. Remembering last night Nick tried to find Judy. He couldn't see her anywhere. Sadly Nick thought 'She must have left'.
Then suddenly Nick was aware of the pillow at his chest, was now moving.
Surprised Nick looked down
Oh no
There was Judy, now facing inwards at Nick's chest, with his dark amber paws wrapped around her. Silently freaking out Judy also opened her eyes.
Judy was met with a close up of green. Confused, he adjusted her eyes and saw flowers on the green pattern. Sleepily Judy thought 'It's like Nicks shirt'.
Instantly her head shot up.
Lavender meeting emerald.
Both moved faster than sound off each other.
Nick scrambled for the Kitchen while Judy sat on the other side of the couch.
"Would you like some coffee? Man, I feel like Coffee, maybe some eggs as well? Oh, I think I brought some carrots on Monday would you like those?" Nick spoke so fast Judy hardly understood his words as he scrambled around the kitchen, nervously laughing to himself.
"Could I have some coffee?" Judy asked, quietly but loud enough for Nick to hear.
"Coffee? Sounds great I'll just make it for ya! You know funny story uh Finnick would always hate Coffee so every time I'd make it he'd freak out about it smelling like that in his van. And then once-"
"Nick.."
"-My dad would always make a cup of joe in the morning before work it was always-"
"NICK!"
Once Judy shouted at Nick he stopped moving. And looked at Judy, coffee cup hovering above the table.
"Coffee would be great," Judy said, with a watery smile, trying to reassure both of them.
Nick returned the smile but it was a real smile. None of that sly charming smirk, but a genuine smile. As Nick made the coffee, the tension seemed to drop a bit, now filled with awkwardness as what happened still burned into their minds. As Judy fiddled with her paws as she tried to understand all this. The smell of roasting coffee beans soothed her tangled mind.
As Nick skillfully manoeuvred around the living room with two coffee cups in his hand he looked up at Judy and gave her another genuine smile. As Judy cupped her coffee she took in a deep sniff and took a tested sip. Delicious as ever. The atmosphere seemed to disappear as they silently took small sips of coffee.
Before Nick cleared his throat and it all came back.
"So…" Nick said, gazing into the dark brown liquid
"So…" Judy replied, placing down her cup
Clearing his throat again, Nick continued.
"What happened this morning. I… didn't mean to…" Nick was at a loss for words, something that was thought to be impossible. Nick's ears even lowered, lying flat against his head.
"I wouldn't blame you if you left right now. I'm sorry…" Nick averted all eye contact with the bunny.
"It's alright Nick. I… kinda enjoyed it.." Now it was Judy's turn to look away, feeling heat climb up her cheeks. Nick's head popped up and his ears now perked straight up.
"You did..?" Nick asked in a soft voice
Nodding her head Judy still avoided eye contact. She heard shuffling beside her and looked up to see Nick smiling once more. That smile already making her feel warm and fuzzy. All churning in her stomach halted, her heart fluttering. As if by an invisible force they started learning closer together. Both parted their lips, prepared for each other. Every Time they got closer their eyes would slowly shut. Before long their eyes were almost shut and their lips millimetres apart. Judy could feel Nicks hot breath tickle her whiskers. Nick and Judy's hearts were hammering in their chest in unison.
Suddenly a blaring sound interrupted them.
Breaking apart like a broken string they realized it was an alarm.
Nicks' eyes widened.
"Oh crap! We're gonna be late!."
And with that professionalism kicked in.
That is if you call professionalism two mammals stumbling on the tiniest things trying to clean up and leave, with curses flung across the room and a Bunny tripping on a small groove in the carpet. Then this was the most professional thing you've ever seen.
Director Jupiter stood in his office, looking out the window. Looking down at his watch he saw the second hand slowly tick away and was wondering where the hell his two Officers were. There was a loud crash behind him and he flung around to see the two Officers fling themselves into his office. Looking flustered they sat in the leather chairs in front of his desk.
"You're late," Jupiter said. Sitting down in his own, more fancy looking, leather chair.
Many sorries came from the two mammals but Jupiter ignored them. Silently looking at the door. Suddenly a black striped Jackrabbit entered, Agent Savage carrying a pile of papers.
"Ah, Agent Savage." Jupiter welcomed warmly.
As Agent Savage passed Judy he flashed her a charming smile. Jupiter hid a smirk.
When Agent Savage placed down the papers on his desk he felt cold metal touch his head.
Jupiter had his revolver pressed against the rabbits head, grinning.
Nick and Judy shouted in surprise.
"Nice try Mr Fernsby, but you really have to try harder than that," Jupiter said to the rabbit.
Both Nick and Judy looking at each other with worry and confusion.
"What gave me away?" He asked.
"Seeing as Agent Savage is in a relationship with Agent Winter, you smiling at Officer Hopps here was a clear giveaway." The fake Savage's eyes widened
"They really got together? Damn good for them." Instantly after saying that the rabbit turned into a grey wolf with that distinctive grey fur around the eye.
Ryder stepped back from the Director and gave a little salute to the two Officers, whose eyes nearly fell out their sockets.
"Good to have to back Mr Fernsby." Jupiter extended his hoof to Ryder. Who ignored it.
Retracting his hoof Jupiter put his gun away again and gestured to an empty chair, Ryder continued to stand.
"You must be wondering why I've called you in again," Jupiter said, dark eyes studying Ryder.
"Actually no, I've read the files. Although I'm unhappy about it, it seems you might need my help." Ryder said, protruding a cardboard folder from his jacket.
"I'm guessing you stole that from Agent Savage's office?" Jupiter said, raising his eyebrow at the wolf.
"Hey he was asleep and it was just sitting there, not doing anything." Ryder shrugged as if stealing a classified report wasn't a big deal.
Sighing Jupiter snatched the files of Ryder and then from under his desk wrapped 3 small tablets.
"These are your mission tablets, they will have information on the target, the best way to infiltrate, their weaknesses and strength, and most importantly, your alias for the mission. Now the mission details are only shown for the mission you're tasked with." Then Jupiter handed each one the tablet the Director then handed out 3 small earpieces.
"And these are your communications devices. They are on a private channel that only you three and I can listen into. I will use it to contact you three, and you will use it to contact each other. Now not to worry about it sticking out. They blend into your fur the moment they are in your ears, and most importantly, to speak into them, all you have to do is think."
Nick and Judy looked at these small devices in shock. Ryder, however, looked slightly impressed.
"And finally onto these beauties." Jupiter gave all three of the small boxes.
"They are a new technology, thanks to one of our leading scientists, that allows you to have a head-up display, HUD for short. These will allow you to track each other and the target. Allies will show up as blue, enemies as red and your target will be highlighted a dim yellow."
As they opened the boxes each one saw in there two contact lenses.
"Now don't think you're going into the missions with nothing. Before we called you we have renovated houses 2 blokes away from each targets locations. So before a mission, you will report there, read the mission reports and get ready. In each building is; a stockpile of clothes for all of you for different occasions, protection such as ballistic vests if needed, a stockpile of weapons made for each of your fittings and fur-spray. Not to worry about eye colour you two, your HUD lenses are able to change that for you."
The fox, rabbit and wolf all looked at each other, a grin breaking out on Nicks' face, excitement on Judy's and mild impression on Ryders
"Now for your mission for today," Jupiter said, breaking the eye contact between now companions. "You will be given alias' for each other that will be your name for as long as you work on this case." Judy looked got even more excited now.
Jupiter continued. "You Officer Wilde will be known as Agent Dolos, named after the greek spirit, who is known to be a master at trickery, deception, craftiness, sly and cunning intelligence. You Officer Hopps will be known as Agent Minerva, the Roman goddess known for her wisdom and war strategies." The two officers exchanged looks of new excitement as they grinned at each other.
"And you Mr Fernsby will, of course, regain your previous title. Welcome back Agent Loki," Jupiter said, beaming at Ryder, who in turn huffed
"Congratulations Agent Dolos and Minerva, you've been promoted to agents of ZBI."
"Looks like the place," Nick said, looking down a piece of paper containing the address and a small photo of a run-down house.
"I wonder if anyone's home." Ryder mused.
It had been an hour since their meeting with Jupiter, who had suggested they get to know each other better. While they got coffee, they didn't fully communicate. Ryder was closed off to most stuff thrown at him except for casual questions. Now they had a neutral friendship. Now they stood outside an abandoned looking house; the gate leaning like an old man and the paint peeling off. Nick strolled up first, later followed by Judy and lastly Ryder. Nick rapped his knuckles on the door
knock knock, kn-knock knock, knock knock
Instantly the door opened, the face of a brown bear wearing a black suit and black sunglasses appearing.
As soon as the bear recognised the tree agents at the front lawn he stepped back and let them enter.
The inside of the house was a complete opposite of outside. While outside the sun-bleached green paint cracked and peeled, the grass overgrown, windows bashed out and wood moulding. The inside was fully refurbished. New wallpaper and carpet. New wood and furniture inside. So new in fact that you could still smell the paint and that new carpet smell.
But the most noticeable thing in the house is how packed it was. On the left wall were racks of clothes all different sizes and styles, almost going to the centre of the room. On the right wall was the armoury. On it was bulletproof vests. Spanning from 20mm thick able to stop a 30. Armour piercing round, to a 4-5mm able to stop a 9mm. Next to those were ballistic helmets with elbow and knee pads. All of which in different sizes.
A sheep then escorted them upstairs, the old floors creaking slightly.
And they could not believe their eyes when they got to the top. Racks full of weapons stood on display on the far wall. The metal gleamed in the soft light. In front of the weapons, a long glass table spanned across from left to right. In it on display handguns and smaller weapons. Behind the table was elegant looking male wolf wearing a white suit. He simply nodded at the three then went back to investigating a pistol.
The mission wasn't until night time. So in the meantime Ryder departed to his house while Nick and Judy caught a taxi back to his place. By the time they got there, the sun was just falling down, the orange light catching on the buildings stretching to the sky. Walking into the house Judy was caught by the smell it all. A tint of old coffee, a musky smell and lavender.
Then Judy noticed for the first time lavender plants held in a vase at the entrance. And that musky smell? She'd smelt it everywhere today. At first, Judy thought it must be Nick, but even with Nick far away she could still smell it. Then her eyes opened wider. And she slowly brought her arm up to her nose and sniffed it.
The same musky smell, if only a little bit weaker.
Nick seemed to notice her standing at the entrance as he prepared dinner.
"Alright there Judy?" He asked, breaking Judy out of her little trance.
Slapping her arm back down she gave a sort of smile. "Yep, all good Slick."
"Right so I'm just gonna make us some dinner. Is salad good for you?" He asked, his voice muffled by the kitchen wall.
"Yep, that's fine," Judy called, her voice becoming fainter as she approached the coach. The image of her at Nicks' chest still burnt in her memory; in turn making her cheeks also burn.
After sitting for a while twidling her thumbs Nick came back with two plates and handed one to Judy. Who eagerly accepted, being quite peckish. As they ate Nick turned on the TV to a random show.
"What a day," Nick said suddenly. Judy hummed in agreement.
"I mean a promotion? And I'm still a probationary officer! But agents of ZBI? Ha! Amazing," Nick said, a smile on his face. Judy couldn't help but smile as well. It was quite unbelievable.
Nick turned the smile to her, and that warm fuzzy feeling returned. How she loved and hated that feeling. Judy couldn't help however and gave a lopsided smile in return. Yes, what an amazing day it has been. Both Judy and Nick thought, unconsciously thinking of the same events of this morning.
A/N If you guys have any complaints I'm all ears. Enjoy the story? Excellent I do hope you are. If your not I'm always open to hear your criticism or thoughts. Anyway, all as ever have a good day.