Chapter 2. Departure and Arrival
Nick's POV
"When's the train set to arrive, Carrots?" I asked, checking my watch.
"Should be here in about ten more minutes. Why? Anxious for me to leave?" Judy teased.
"Of course not! I just want to get home soon. My sheets might still be warm when I get there" I replied.
Judy rolled her eyes, punching my shoulder. I chuckled a bit as I rubbed my now sore shoulder. I looked around the practically empty train station. It was early in the morning so not many animals would be traveling.
"Why couldn't you get a later ticket? Not all of us were meant to be up at the crack of dawn" I complained.
"Hey, you're the one who offered to come. You could've just stayed home and slept. I didn't specifically need you to come with me" Judy snapped.
I winced at her sudden harsh tone. I hadn't meant to upset her. She realised just how mean that had sounded and attempted to correct herself.
"I'm so sorry, Nick. I didn't mean to snap at you."
I shrugged it off like it was nothing. Though, on the inside I was hurting. I was still confused as to why she had been so short with me. Looking around again, I spotted a black Sheep a few feet away from our seat. She had a young lamb alongside her. After eyeballing Judy and I, she gave a sound of disgust and moved further away. My ears flattened in annoyance.
I stole a glance at Judy, noting her reaction. She had a seemingly guilty expression on her face. Her ears drooped and her gentle smile faded. But the thing that hurt the most, was the fact she scooted away from me. It hit me like a ton of bricks.
"She's embarassed to be seen with me."
My heart ached, though I didn't show it. Luckily, Judy hadn't noticed me looking at her before, so she didn't know the difference. She didn't know she'd just broken my heart. More than it already was.
I was startled by the train horn, and the loud sound of it slowing down. I stood up, Judy doing the same. She grippped her suitcase handle tightly as she watched the train come to a schreeching hault. She then turned to face me.
"Well, off to Bunnyburrow it is" Judy cheerfully stated.
"Nice to know you're so happy to leave me" I thought.
"Suppose so. Gonna miss ya, Carrots" I replied. "Come here, you."
Judy smiled and collapsed in my open arms. She squeezed my middle tightly, humming happily. I couldn't help but smile myself. Though, I felt like I was smiling just for her sake. Not cause I was genuinely happy.
"What's the matter with me?"
"I'll be back in a couple weeks!" Judy exclaimed, running up the the train.
I waved casually before stuffing my paws in my pant pockets. I noticed her stop halfway through the door. She stood there for a few seconds before turning to me. She opened her mouth as if she was gonna speak. The train whistle being blown stopped her. Judy waved it off and climbed on board. She continued waving farewell till she was out of sight.
As I was exiting the station, I hailed a taxi. Right when I was getting ready to hop in, I groaned in pain. My head had suddenly started killing me. It luckily only lasted a few seconds before fading. I shrugged it off and climbed in the taxi. The driver, a mule, glanced back at me. His eyes spoke concern.
"Um...everything alright?" I asked.
"Y-Yeah. Just...nevermind" He said, waving a hoof dismissively.
I wondered why he had looked at me like that. "He was probably just worried about your reaction to your headache." If only I'd known how wrong my mind was. As I was quickly gonna discover.
Judy's POV
I hummed to my music as I listened to my Ipawd. It was the only way I could block out my angry and disappointed thoughts.
"You did again, Judy. You didn't tell him how you felt. YOU'RE SO STUPID! This all could've been over if you'd just confessed! Instead, you let your selfishness get in the way. After all, what would Zootopia think of a fox and bunny couple? What would your family say? What would the ZPD think? You'd lose everything. Scared little wimp."
My mind was torturing me. And I hated every moment. I wanted the trip to Bunnyburrow to go by quicker. Luckily, it didn't take too long. And before I knew it, my beloved hometown was in sight. As the train came to a gentle stop, my parents waved at me. A small smile appeared on my face as I waved back. Once the doors were open, I ran into their arms.
"I missed you guys" I said, hugging them tightly.
"We missed you too, Bun" Mom replied, kissing my cheek.
"Welcome home, Jude the dude" Dad greeted.
I giggled a little, getting a kiss from him too. All of my siblings ran up to him hugging me at once. As you can probably imagine it took forever to get out of their grips. Once I finally had broke free, I came face to face with a...incredibly handsome bunny.
"Judy dear, this is the rabbit we've been telling you so much about. Mr. Frederick Hopperson, Judy Hopps. Judy Hopps, Frederick Hopperson" Mom introduced.
"U-Um...hi" I said, too startled to speak.
"It's an honor to finally meet you, Judy. You're parents won't stop talking to you. Now I can see why" Frederick replied, smiling warmly at me.
I could feel a small blush growing on my cheeks. Why was I blushing? I shouldn't be. I was so embarassed I didn't notice that my parents had begun nudging me in the direction of our car.
"Come on, Judy. We got dinner ready. Dessert is gonna be my homemade carrot cake" Mom said.
"Well now I'm really eager to get home" I responded, chuckling slightly.
I looked over at Frederick. "My mother makes the best carrot cake of all time."
"So I've heard. I look forward to trying it" He replied. "I also look forward to trying your homemade spinach rolls."
"Oh! They're ok. Not as good as my mom's but-"
"Oh don't be so modest. If you can be an amazing officer, I'm sure you're a splendid cook as well. And even if you aren't, that's quite alright. Nobody's perfect."
"You are though." I shook my head a couple times. "What are you thinking Judy!? You just met this guy! Don't be thinking like that yet! In fact, you shouldn't be thinking like that at all!"
Maybe a good supper would get my mind off of these...unnatural thoughts.
When dinner was being had, I took the time to look around the table. All of my loving family and friends were here. Everybody chatted about different things. The atmosphere was warm and inviting. Its true when they say there's no place like home.
"So, Miss Hopps? How is it, being on the force and all?" Frederick asked, blowing on his mashed potatoes.
"It's great. I can't picture myself doing anything else. And it just feels so good to be making a difference. To be protecting innocent animals, and convicting justice on the crminals. I love every moment of it" I explained, having a dreamy look in my eye. I coughed and regained my composure. "Sorry. Got carried away."
"Oh no, no. To see a bunny so passionate about what she does is amazing. And to have accomplished such an incredible feate. I never dreamed a bunny could be a police officer. But, here you are. A strong, independent, beautiful, rabbit. Besides, what's more attractive than a confident and powerful young female?" Frederick complimented.
I blushed hard at such. He himself began blushing when he realised what he'd said. "I am terribly sorry Miss Hopps. My tounge kept right on rolling before I had the chance to stop it."
"Oh no its totally fine. And please, call me Judy" I replied, smiling gently.
Frederick smiled back. We continued gazing into each others eyes for a few moments. Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my pocket. "What does the fox say?" began playing loudly. That could only mean one thing. My favorite partner was calling.
"Excuse me everybody. I gotta take this" I said, standing up from the table.
Gently pushing the screen door open, I walked out onto the porch. I hit the button on my screen, answering the call. Nick's face soon appeared on the screen.
"This is Officer Judy Hopps speaking, how may I be of assistance?" I formerly greeted.
"Yes I'll order a bruger, two medium fries, and a blueberry shake please" Nick's voice coyly replied.
"I'm sorry sir, you appear to have the wrong number."
"Really? Didn't know there were two Judy's in exsistence. Won't she be happy to hear it."
We both laughed at our playfull conversation. "So how's it going, Carrots?"
"Great! I'm so happy to be home. I missed my family more than I thought. It's so great to be here again" I explained, sighing happily.
"So...you're not missing anyone or anything...?" Nick inquired.
I smirked and soon became most dramatic. "But of course I miss my favorite, most handsome, most intelligent, most amazing, most fabulous fox! I'm simply dying without you! Whatever shall I do!?"
"Alright, don't milk it" He responded, rolling his eyes with all his might.
"My heart aches without you near! I yearn for your warm embrace, your tender gaze, your constant smirk, your teasing voice, your sweet voice caressing me to sleep night. Like that of a mother to a child" I continued, placing a paw upon my forehead.
"Carrots..." Nick started, but I continued.
"I am like Juliet, awaiting her Romeo upon the balcony. I am like Rapunzel, waiting to be saved by her knight in shining armor. I'm am like Wendy, wanting her Peter Pan to come flying to my nursery window."
"Carrots...you'd better stop" Nick warned. I didn't notice the slight growl in his tone.
"And I am most of all, like Belle. Waiting to tame her vicious beast and turn him into a charming prince once mo-" I ended up cut off.
"JUDY!" Nick finally snapped, making me jump.
"S-Sorry. I got carried away" I stuttered. He sighed, rubbing his head like it hurt. I frowned in concern. "You ok?"
"Yeah. Just, got a bit of a migraine. You weren't exactly helping with your...drama theater" He explained.
I gasped. "Oh my goodness. Are you ok, Nick? Do you have some meds you could take?"
"Yeah. Took some aspirin. It hardly did anything."
"Oh, Nick..." I said in a voice I hardly recognized as my own.
Apparently he noticed it too. Nick jerked his head up and looked at me. "Don't do that."
"Do what?" I asked, confused.
"Don't say my name like that."
I frowned again. I had said his name really oddly. But, why did he get so defensive about it? I shook my head. He was in pain! Anybody can be short tempered when they're suffering! I didn't blame him in the slightest.
"Well, you get yourself some rest, Nick. And if that mirgraine is no better tomorrow, call the doctor. Understand?" I said firmly.
"Yes, mom" He groaned. I bit my lip, sighing gently.
"Well, I do miss you Nick. I'll be back in a couple weeks. I...I..I love you, pal."
His eyes widened in shock when I said that. Nick and I constantly teased each other about 'loving each other.' But, even he could tell I wasn't kidding this time. Sure, it might not have been in a romantic sense but...still.
"Yes it is, Judy. You just don't want to except it."
I ignored my thoughts and smiled at Nick. He smiled back a little, seeming slightly better from his migraine. "Love you too, Carrots. Have a nice evening. Bye"
"You too. Get better. Bye."
I hung up and sighed. Nick would never beileve me if I told him how I truly felt. After all, I was currently associating with my possible future husband, right? So, why should he?
As I went back inside and sat at the dinner table, I was silent the whole rest of the evening. I knew Nick very well. Whenever he was in pain, he had a tendency to hide it. His head must've been hurting really, really bad for him to be that irritable. It made me feel all the more guilty I wasn't there to help.
Question was: Why was he suddenly having migraines? And what was causing them?