Chapter 1. The News
Judy's POV
I groaned inwardly with frustration. Normally, days like this would fill me with excitment. The thought of getting to patrol an are full of drug dealers, thieves, and even possible wanted murderers, would cause my adrenaline to rush. And my head to spin. Today, was not one of those days.
For you see, absolutely nothing was happening! My day of patrolling had started practically four hours ago. And not so much as one criminal had appeared! My excitement had quickly deteriorated. Annoyed disappointment had taken its place. It must've been obvious on my face, because the teasing chuckle beside me interrupted my thoughts.
"Somebody's grumpy" Nick said, laughing quietly.
"And how are YOU so cheerful?! You're usually more impatient than me!" I exclaimed, throwing my paws up.
"True. But I'm the one who has a milkshake to keep me occupied. Maybe if you'd drink your milkshake, you'd cheer up a bit."
I sighed. Nick made a valid point. We'd stopped at a new ice cream parlor in town and ordered some milkshakes. Being it was in the middle of summer, something cold going down my dry throat had sounded excellent. Nick had of course gotten a blueberry milkshake. While I had gotten a carrot cake milkshake.
"I'd drink it if I wasn't so irritable" I said.
"What's the matter, Carrots?" Nick asked.
"Nothing. I'm just bugged at the fact we haven't caught anyone" I replied.
"You lie as bad as you smell. Talk."
I sucked in a deep breath. Why could he see through me so well? This was one of the rare times I wished he wasn't my partner. But, it's not like I could live without him either. He was my best friend. The one animal I could count on when I had nobody else. So I suppose I had a right to tell him the truth. Tell him what was really bothering me.
"Well...y-you see...I'm...taking a vacation from work!" I stuttered.
"Really? What for?" Nick inquired.
I bit the inside of my cheek, squeezing my eyes shut. "I'm heading back to Bunnyburrow. My parents want me to meet someone."
So? Have you become anti-social all of a sudden-" He had begun teasing but I cut him off.
"He might be my future husband."
The silence that hung in the air was beyong excruciating. I popped one eye open, examining Nick's expression. He had been in mid sip of his milkshake when I delivered the news. After an eternity of silence, he ripped his shades off his eyes and looked at me. His face was unreadable. I quickly looked away.
"Judy."
I cringed at him using my actual name. That meant whatever he had to say, was serious. I hesitated for a moment before looking up into his mesmerizing green eyes. They seemed to pierce through my very soul as they stared into my amethyst ones. I got so lost in them, it startled me when he grabbed my paw in his own.
"Answer me as honestly as you possibly can. Are you happy with this? Is this what you truly want?" Nick asked, scanning my eyes.
The severity in his tone almost frightened me. This was a side of him I didn't see often. Usually if he was worried about someone, he wouldn't show it. Even to me. He usually played it off with a joke or a sarcastic remark. But, it was evident there was no joke involved here.
I opened my mouth to respond to his mouth. Suddenly, my walk talkie went off. It startled Nick and I, causing us to break apart from our tender moment. Once my brain had registered what was happening, I responded to the call.
A break-in had occured at a local liquor store. It was only a block away from where we were on patrol. I flipped on the lights and siren before stepping on the gas. The drive was silent between Nick and I. But my mind was screaming at me.
"Why, Judy? Why didn't you tell him!? You had your chance and you just let it slip! That might have been your only opportunity you dummy!"
If Nick had ever been right about anything, it was that day we made up under the bridge. I truly WAS just a dumb bunny.