Chapter 5.
AN: I'm back! Apologies for my brief absence but it's hard to write around my family in a foreign country. No more delays though. I'm back to my regular weekly schedule. Also a special shout out to two consistent reviewers and readers: Drink the Milk of Paradise and Cimar of Turalis WildeHopps who have both been very kind and honest in their reviews. Thank you and everyone else who's reviewed so far!
The kitchen was always quiet after dinner. The Hopps' had a separate room for dishwashing that the younger bunnies took it in turns helping out in. Judy was helping her mother clean up the kitchen itself; wipe down surfaces, sweep up and clear away clean cutlery. The room was silent and it was times like these that Judy liked the most. It gave her time to reflect on everything that had happened in the last while. She was a detective. Detective! The feeling still hadn't quite sunk in yet but it would. Even though she enjoyed her time off with Nick and her family she couldn't wait to get back on the beat.
It would be different this time though. More responsibility. More pressure. More everything really. She was nervous and excited all at once. Would she be able to handle it? The Chief had seemed to think so. Considering he'd seen her as a burden nearly two years ago he was singing a different tune now. A much sweeter, more genuine tune as well. For all his blustering, roaring and grumbling Bogo was sweet at his core. He had eased off a little in the past three months and the ZPD's first precinct probably had Francine to thank for that. Mixed mammal relationships were frowned upon by a decreasing number of Zootopian citizens. Judy had no doubt that the first mammal to frown at Bogo and Francine would be dropkicked from the Desert District to Tundra Town.
"So about Nick Judy…" began Bonnie. Right on cue.
"What is it this time mom?" asked Judy, only slightly exasperated.
"I just want to know if you're being careful…"
"Sweet cheese and crackers why is this family so intrusive?!"
"Is it intrusive for a mother to care about her daughter's sexual health?"
"Sexual health?! Come on mom do we have to talk about this now? Here?"
"Yes Judy I mean I'm sure Nick is perfectly clean and healthy but you never know when he might get stabbed by some druggy and catch Vulpine Syphilis. Are you prepared for that?"
"The only syphilis I'm in danger from is Rabbit Syphilis and I'm certain I'm won't contract that from Nick. Good gooseberries mom you are so paranoid. What's next? Weasel Chlamydia? Hippo Hepatitis?"
"OK Judy you've made your point but you can't tell me not to worry you know? I'm your mother I always will, no matter how silly it seems."
Judy smiled at that. Bonnie Hopps was right about that one and she wouldn't think about telling her mom to stop worrying. At least she was rational, most of the time. It was Stu that was unpredictable in his worrying. Once he had tried to stop Judy going to a school dance due to his unfounded belief that the porcupines would literally spike the punch.
"I know mom," she said. "But can you try to ask me normal things about my relationship? Save the STD talk for Health Class OK?"
"Sure thing Carrots," said Bonnie before checking herself. "Oh that Nick is so infectious in his mannerisms. I can't believe you didn't fall for him sooner."
It had been two days since Nick had started helping out around the burrow and its surrounding fields. If he wasn't helping Stu with the hay he was arm-wrestling Kyle or suffocating happily under a pile of rabbit kits. Judy was almost jealous. It seemed like he was hardly spending any time with her. She wondered if it was because he was trying to avoid telling her about his past. She dismissed that. If Nick didn't want to tell her he wouldn't have told her about his mom or Finnick. The way to a girl's heart was through her family and though Nick and Judy were already head over heels the red fox wasn't taking any chances.
"I fell for him pretty soon to be fair," replied Judy.
"And I for her," growled a voice from the doorway.
Bonnie ad Judy both jumped at the sound of Nick's voice. He was fresh out of the shower and his fur shone a rusty orange in the fading sunlight. The smirk was firmly in place but the eyes radiated love, warmth and happiness. Judy had never really associated the colour green with the word love but when she looked into his eyes it was all she could think of.
"Mind if I borrow your daughter Mrs Hopps?" he asked.
"I told you not to call me that Nick," snapped Bonnie. "And no I don't mind. Go on Judy I'll finish up here."
Judy skipped on ahead of Nick and out the back door. Nick made a beeline for a large oak tree on the other side of the barn and Judy fell into step beside him. Evening had quickly faded into twilight and a silvery half-moon rose low in the east and stars began to twinkle high above like pinpricks in blue-black velvet. Judy squealed as she felt Nick's arms sweep under her and scoop her up.
"What's this about?" she asked giddily as the fox jogged on.
"We need some privacy for what we're about to do next," explained Nick. "And I've been wanting to do this for three days now."
"Nick we're practically within earshot of the house, this isn't a good idea."
"I know the amount of noise you make which is why I'm restricting this romantic rendezvous to just kissing tonight."
"Romantic huh?"
"Just wait til you see the view."
"Nick I lived here I've seen the- Oh wow!"
Sunset's last fading glimmers lingered on the horizon. Faint rays of burning orange, pink and gold mixed with the blue, purple and black of the night sky. The stars shone and glowed as he set her down and sat down beside her. Second by second the sun disappeared leaving a darker but still warm night in its place. Judy pulled Nick's arm over her shoulders and burrowed into his side content in his embrace. He smelled fresh and clean and his fur felt so, so soft.
"It's beautiful," she said, eyes all a glimmer.
"Yeah it is," was his reply. She realised he'd been looking at her the whole time and lightly thumped him in the ribs.
"That is so cliché!"
"You know you love it."
Judy didn't have time to give her usual reply because his mouth was already on hers. The kiss deepened over several minutes. They were used to the feel of each other by now so there was no awkwardness only instinctive adjustments and gentle touches. Nick kept his promise. It was just kissing but sometimes that was all that was necessary. His paws remained fixed to her waist while hers stayed around his neck. He revelled in the feel of her, taste of her and lastly her scent. Strong and sweet indicated her happy arousal. It spiked and fell as they went on and remained at a steady level when she eventually pulled away.
Gently she rubbed the scent glands on her chin between his ears. Nick sat stock still not wanting for the moment to end. His scent had been all over Judy before but that was just because his glands were in his paws. This was new. She looked drowsily at him, violet eyes drinking him in just as they pulled him in.
"My fox," she murmured sleepily.
"Yes," he replied in a whisper. "Yes I am."
THE NEXT DAY. GG'S PIES.
"Hey Gideon get your orange butt out here!" called Travis. "We got customers!"
Nick and Judy smiled at the black-footed ferret as a large fox stepped out from behind some plastic flaps carrying a tray of blueberry pies. Nick felt his mouth start to water at the heavenly odour that wafted towards him.
"Yeah, yeah I got their order right here Travis," said Gideon Grey, setting the pies on the bottom shelf of a trolley. "Well as I live and breathe! Judy Hopps! And this must be Mr Nicholas Piberius Wilde! Well it is a pleasure sir!"
The larger, more rotund fox grinned with all his teeth and stuck out a hefty paw. Nick smiled and took it, looking the bigger fox up and down. He was nearly as tall as Nick but far broader with thick muscled arms that whatever they lacked in definition certainly made up for in raw power. He wore dungarees and a check shirt and the fur on his head was parted down the middle.
"The pleasure's all mine Mr Grey," said Nick. "How do you know about me though?"
"Oh well you didn't just make the news in Zootopia Mr Wilde. You were front page headlines here in Bunnyburrow too. That and the Hopps' gush about you every chance they get. Why last time Judy was down she-"
"OK Gideon how about we get these pies on the truck before they cool too much huh?" said Judy hurriedly.
"Oh of course," exclaimed Gideon. "Sorry you know how I am with rambling. The rest of the trays have to be loaded you can go over the order with Travis while myself and Mr Wilde here load up the trays. Sound good?"
"Sure thing Mr Grey but only if you call me Nick."
"Same to you Nick except uh don't call me Nick that'd be confusing for the both of us…"
Nick followed Gideon behind the counter and through the plastic flaps to where the ovens were. Gideon pulled down a large metal tray and set it on a table before pulling on a pair of oven mitts and grabbing a large spatula. Nick followed his lead and winced as a blast of hot air exploded from the oven. The smell of blueberries and cooked pastries filled the air. Nick barely restrained himself from drooling.
"So Nick," huffed Gideon as he began removing the pies. "What brings you to Bunnyburrow?"
"Well Judy and I have been going out for about two months now," Nick began. "And Judy decided it was time for me to meet the family."
"You're going out with Judy?"
"Yeah is that a problem?"
"Not for me but it is for Travis. Hey Travis! You owe me twenty big ones!"
"Awh shit and biscuits!" was the response. "Now I lost count!"
Nick grinned despite himself. He supposed he'd have to get used to this. Maybe he should start taking a percentage of all bets placed.
"Have to say though I never thought I'd see Judy shacked up," mused Gideon. "Much less to one of our kind. She ain't had great experiences with us. I assume she told you…"
"Yeah she told me but she also said you apologised for it all. I forgive you Gideon and I know she does too especially after what Stu told me."
"Oh he told y'all about my daddy huh? That ol' drunk bastard got what was comin' to him."
"Yeah mine too, I hope."
"Yours too huh?"
Nick nodded as he slid another pie on to the tray. He shook his head as the memories came rushing out like a river that had burst its banks. Summer storms. Weekend binges turning to weekday binges. Powders, pipes and pills. Needles, blood and shed fur. Screaming matches and silent tears. Playing clean-up instead of playing catch. The arrests. The days without dinner. That feeling of emptiness that had followed him for so many years.
"Nick? You OK?" asked Gideon, concerned.
"Yeah fine," sniffed Nick. "You know sometimes something triggers the memories and you just have to wait them out."
"Yeah I get you happens to me the odd time. But we're here now Nick. We got out of it."
"Yeah," agreed Nick, softly. "We did."
EVENING. HOPPS BURROW LIVING ROOM.
"Y'all seen the news?" asked Kyle, tossing Nick and Judy a newspaper.
"Monochrome Gang Strikes Again," read Nick out loud. "The infamous gang whose members are distinguished by their black and white pelts has abducted two more Zootopian citizens. Ivan Snarlz, an Arctic wolf, and Melanie Leape, an Arctic hare; both city maintenance workers were kidnapped while working on one of Tundra Town's main snow cannons. The ZPD are on the look-out for two snow leopards, a panda, two zebras and a skunk and are appealing for witnesses. This marks the fourth double kidnapping of its kind in three months by the same gang. Full story on page four."
A grainy photo accompanied the headline. It was taken from the CCTV camera that caught Melanie Leape being abducted. A zebra was tying her wrists while the panda heaved an unconscious Ivan into a van. They were being covered by two snow leopards clutching sub-machine guns. A skunk kept watch in the far right of the frame. The other zebra was presumably in the van. What caught Nick and Judy's attention though was the expression on Melanie's face. Fear and not just regular fear but raw, primal animal fear. Her eyes were wide and streaming and her mouth was open in a scream. Her powerful feet were kicking wildly and every visible muscle was knotted in terror.
"Who are the Monochrome Gang?" asked Rosie.
"I only heard of them recently too," admitted Judy. "You'd be better off asking Nick. They were more his vintage?"
"Could you not say vintage?" asked Nick. "You make it sound like, like… like I'm your cool uncle."
"Just stating facts Mr CD Player…"
"Oh come on now you make it sound like we're in some weird Lifetime movies about a student dating a professor or something. You make it sound like we're in some kind of taboo relation- You know what? Fair enough Carrots you win this round. I'm sorry Rosie what was your question?"
"Who are the Monochrome Gang?" repeated the giggling rabbit.
"Well I was still in high-school when they started making waves," Nick began. "This was when the Animalia Liberation Front or the ALF were still something to be feared. Your history books teach you about them? Good, anyway the Monochrome Gang were a Zootopian branch of the ALF. They did the usual stuff: blew up border checkpoints, robbed banks and shot anyone that got in their way. That was their thing. They didn't think we needed borders or police or even a government. They said pred and prey were perfectly capable of living together without laws or restrictions. Eventually the government cracked down on the ALF and that was the end of them. Most went to prison, others fled the country and a few, like the Monochrome Gang, went into hiding. My guess is that this a kind of last hurrah. They know the ZPD won't tolerate more terrorism so they're going out with a bang."
"Says here that all of the kidnappings so far have been predator and prey teams of two," said Kyle. "And that they all worked for the city in some way. First pair were a polar bear and an elephant. They were firefighters. Second was a rhino and a grizzly. They were EMTs. Third was a lion and an antelope. They worked for Zootopia Electricity. You know who the fourth pair was."
"And the ZPD are no closer to getting them," muttered Judy. "There'll be a fifth before too long."
"Strange that they haven't targeted the ZPD yet…" observed Nick.
He turned to look at Judy whose eyes had grown to the size of dinner plates. He looked around the room at four other pairs of equally huge eyes. Nick could feel his own start to widen. The only one whose eyes stayed normal was Little Nick's and that was because, as usual, he was sound asleep on Big Nick's lap.
"No," scoffed Nick. "You don't think? No. Us? Me and Judy? Zootopia's Dream Team? No. The two officers with the highest popularity rating at and outside of the ZPD? Abducted? To send a message? Actually now that it's out there it makes perfect sense…"
"Well the Chief did warn us about these kinds of things," said Judy, smiling nervously.
"Judy your mom and I know better than to try and dissuade you from going back," said Stu. "But when you do go back promise us you'll be extra careful. You too Nick. It's up to you both to keep the other safe. Promise me and your mother you'll do your best."
"We promise," they said together.
"Beside you've nothing to fear," said Nick. "If Judy can take down a fully grown rhino with one hit than she's nothing to fear from six mammals that are half the size of a rhino."
"And the only reason Nick doesn't have a dozen shooting trophies already is because he doesn't enter the competitions out of modesty," added Judy.
That seemed to ease the Hopps' worries and the conversation switched to something lighter after that. Eventually one by one they all drifted off to bed. Little Nick only woke up when he sensed he was more than a foot away from Big Nick. Judy took Nick's hand as they made their way upstairs. He smiled down at her and she up at him despite the worry that was clear in both of their eyes.
"Are you scared?" asked Judy, settling into Nick's arms.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't," he responded. "Still the ZPD have been taking extra measures for months now. We'll be fine I'm sure of it. Besides if it came down to it and we did face off with them I'd never let them take you."
"Ditto. I'm glad you're my partner Nick."
"Just partner?"
She felt the smirk grow against the back of her head and she grinned in response. She backed her tail further into him and began to grind her hips against him.
"Have something in mind?" she asked coyly.
"Oh yes something that would be quite scandalous if other partners, such as Fangmeyer and Delgado, were caught doing it…" he replied, nibbling on her ear.
"And what is this thing?"
"Well your dad graciously gave me the day off tomorrow so I suggest we make love until dawn. Sound good?"
"Sounds perfect."
AN: Thank you for reading as always. Please fave, follow and review guys!