Chapter 13 - Preparations
Judy did her best not to fidget at the doctors. The exam was annoying and embarrassing, but it was made worse by the knowledge that it would likely happen again. And not in the sterile, safe environment that was the precinct's medical ward or by a gentle, professional female meerkat. It was especially awkward when the nice doctor told Judy, "Well, I don't know why this is important, but I would say that anyone who examined you in the future will know you are a virgin." Judy thanked the doctor and practically sprinted to change out of the simple hospital gown she was wearing.
Judy texted Francine on her way back to the precinct, letting her know that the doc said she was good to go for the mission. "Sweet cheese and crackers," she thought, "this has to be the most awkward assignment ever!"
Francine texted her back, "Rgr, pick up the case file from Benny then take care of whatever personal preps you need. You and Nick have an appointment w/ our consultant tomorrow morning at 0600."
Judy sighed as she approached the front desk, she could see Benny's dejected and worried look. "Great! Now everyone knows I'm on the assignment and what that means," she thought.
"I'm just here for the case file, Benny," Judy said, cutting Clawhauser off. He slid a thick manila folder over to her, concern in his eyes. "Judy…," he began softly. Judy scowled at him with all her might. Clawhauser shook his head sadly, grabbed her paw and simply said, "You are the bravest officer I know." He let her go and turned away from her and busied himself with some paperwork. Judy stood there stunned for a few moments, then turned and walked out of the precinct.
All the way home, Judy tried to focus on her upcoming mission, but her thoughts kept turning to what Nick had told her. She finally made it home, and forced herself sit down and read the case file. After a few hours, she made a decision, stood up and left her apartment.
Nick was startled from his sleep by a knock on the door. He rolled over and faced his clock, it was about 7 at night. He threw on a T-shirt as he trudged to the door, his ear perking up when he smelled food. "I don't remember ordering delivery," he thought blurrily as he rubbed sleep from his eyes.
Nick opened the door and stood face to face with Judy carrying a bag of Thai food. He became instantly alert as she pushed by him saying, "I've got the case file." He was torn between feelings of guilt and weariness. He couldn't quite figure out Judy's demeanor, she was there, but she was unusually stoic.
Judy placed the food and case file on Nick's table and paused with her back to Nick. Nick finally couldn't stand the silence and started saying, "Judy, I'm sor…"
Before he could finish, Judy interrupted. "No Nick, don't apologize." She slowly turned around and almost smiled at his worried expression. "You are right, I've learned a lot in the last few years, but I can still be naive and thoughtless sometimes."
Nick took a step forward and grabbed her paw. "No, that's not fair, that's not what I…"
She cut him off by placing her paw to his muzzle. "I know that you didn't mean to hurt my feelings. But I deserved it for being judgmental about something I don't know anything about. Thank you for telling me about your mom."
She looked away from him and continued, "I know there is a lot in your past that you… you don't want to share with me. And that's fair, I don't tell you everything about me either," she paused, subconsciously bringing her paw to the three scars on her cheek.
Judy looked back into Nick's serious green eyes, "I just wish… I wish you would share with me more. I have lived a sheltered life and there is only two ways I'm going to learn. I will either learn by stumbling into land minds or you could teach me. And I'm tired of stumbling into land minds, it hurts more than just me."
Nick lowered his head as he felt Judy take his paw in both of hers. "It's hard for me to talk about my past with you, Jude. I don't like to remember a lot of it myself." He glanced up at her to gauge her expression as he said, "And I don't want you to think badly of me or… or pity me. I and those around me have done a lot of not very nice things to survive."
Judy stepped in and hugged Nick, "Oh Nick, nothing you've ever done could make me change my mind about you. You are a good fox and my best friend. Nothing can change that."
Nick wrapped his paws around Judy, nestled his cheek between her ears, and murmured, "Thanks, Carrots. That means everything to me."
After holding her for a few moments, Nick let her go and wiped his eyes. "Ok, ok, enough with the mushy feelings stuff. We've got a case to get ready for and dinner to eat."
The two friends spent the rest of the evening pouring over the case file, watching the DVD of Ivan and Dimitri's interrogations, and plotting their next steps.