Judy woke up to the smell of blueberry pancakes and the feel of the fox she loved behind her, holding her close. she wished they could stay like that forever, but she knew her parents must be worried about her. she slowly opened her eyes and found that instead of the drab beige hospital room, she was instead gazing around a boldly colored gold and crimson room.
"Wow." she murmered to herself as she sat up on the edge of the bed. As the blankets slid off of her she realized two things. first that she was in a simple yellow sundress and second that it was really really really cold.
"A sundress is better suited to life in bunny burrows" came a beautiful gravely voice.
Judy looked up as Mrs. Gruffmyer wrapped a perfectly measured hand knit lilac shawl around her shoulders.
"Thank you very much Ma'am" Judy said politely and she turned around and shook Nick. "Nick, wake up."
Nick turned away. "More sleep thank you" he said pulling the covers over his head. This made Judy mad and she shoved him off the bed. the blankets tumbled off with Nick and he got lost in the mountain of cloth.
"What did you do that for, Carrots?" Nick said searching for a way out of the blanket mountain.
"because you're a dumb fox." Judy said getting up and stalking over to the table where Mrs. Gruffmyer now sat.
"I'm sure he had a good reason" Mrs. gruffmyer said with a small laugh.
Just as Nick found his way out of the tangled mess he was in, he saw Judy pick up the newspaper and he remembered the tangled mess he was really in. over her shoulder he saw a photo of them from yesterday's staged masacre then he saw the headline.
Zootopia's Heros Dead
From Night Howler Serum:
Dr. Miranda White Says She Has No Regrets
"Nick, what was in that carrot juice?" Judy asked slowly
"It was just a bit of ketamine, just enough to knock us out for a while." He said trying to justify his actions. "it's an old con i saved incase of emergencys where i had to get gone quick."
he watched as Judy read the article to herself. after a few moments she put down the paper and walked toward the phone on the bedside table.
"What are you doing?" Nick asked following her
"I need to call my parents and let them know im alright." she said picking up the reciever to the old rotary phone. Nick took the reciever from her and put it back.
"You can't tell them anything, not yet anyway." he said leading her away from the phone.
"Why not?" she said stepping back from him. "Nick, have you seen the news? we have to come forward." she went back to the phone
"And we will," he said leading her again to the table "tommorrow after the memorial service we will go to bunny burrows and tell your parents what's going on." he held out her chair for her "I promise"
Judy sat down and sighed. Mrs. Gruffmyer put a stack of blueberry pancakes on each of their plates and poured them each a glass of orange juice.
"I'll tell Mr. Big that you will be needing the car tomorrow evening." Mrs. Gruffmyer said walking to the door. "I'll be in to check on you later." she said and she was gone.
They ate in silence, neither knowing what to say to the other. Judy finished and began to stack her dishes.
"Judy" Nick said with hesitation "what's wrong?" he asked. he knew it was a stupid question, and he knew very well what was wrong.
"Nothing," she said in a small voice "I'm fine." she took his plate and stacked it with hers then stacked the cups and put the silverware in the cups.
"That was a stupid question." Nick said getting up and standing behind Judy "I'm sorry it has to be this way Judy," he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Cheif Bogo said to go someplace noone could ever find us." Nick nuzzled his nose into Judy's neck, and began to sway with her slowly.
"It's okay," Judy said putting her paws over his. "I'm just worried about my family back home is all."
"275 rabbits is a lot to worry about" he said with a small breathy laugh
"That's just my brothers and sister," Judy said with a smile as his words tickled her neck.
"I wonder howmany brothers and sisters our kids will have" Nick said seductively as the slow swaying turned into a dance, steady and mellow. He turned Judy to face him and put his paw on her hip, and stared into her eyes. they danced around the room slowly.
"This is silly" She said looking into his sparkling emerald eyes.
"What is?" Nick asked innocently, knowing exactly where this conversation was going. He spun her around and leaned her back.
"Dancing to nothing" she said smiling at his act.
"You mean you can't hear that?" he said in shocked amusement as they continued to dance in a small circle
"Hear what?" she said perking her ears up to listen.
"I'm surprised at you, fluff, you're the one with the big ears" he laughed at his own teasing of her.
"Just tell me." she said in mock annoyance as he spun her so that he was behind her once more with his arms wrapped around her waist.
"The sound of our love" he wispered gently into her ear as he swayed with her. she closed her eyes and listened to his heartbeat, his breathing, his movements. she heard it all in a sweet song that she would commit to her memory.
"I do hear that" Judy said as he kissed the crook of her neck. she listened to the beautiful music together, breathing, moving, their hearts beating in unison. she wanted nothing more than to stay here with him till the day she died. then she sighed remembering that they were both already supposed to be dead. all her fears came flooding back into her mind.
"Are you sure everything will be alright?" she asked looking up at him.
"Yes" Nick said confidently "When we go to bunny burrows, you'll see." he kissed the top of her head gently.
"How long do we have to hide?" she asked nuzzling into his chest.
"Until the case is over, or Chief needs a miricle." Nick responded.
"We may be in hiding for a while then..."Judy said leaning into him.
"Five dollars says chief buffalo butt will screw something up before he admits to needing a miracle." Nick said, making Judy laugh.
"I'll take that bet" Mrs. Gruffmyer said entering the room with a tray of fruits, vegetables, and sandwiches. she set the food on the table and took the breakfast dishes. then she went over to Judy.
"Mr. Big wants you a note to your parents" she said handing Judy a notepad and pen from her dress pocket. "he will give it to them tomorrow at the funeral"
Judy stared at the blank page for a minute and looked up at nick.
"What do i say to them? they think i'm dead..." Judy asked looking up at nick for answers.
"Just tell em that you will be arriving after the funeral" Mrs. Gruffmyer said.
"And tell them to make sure they have plenty of blueberries." Nick said.
Judy nodded and pressed the note pad against Nicks chest.
Dear Mom and Dad,
I'm bringing a friend home with me. Don't worry about making space, he will stay with me in my room. Just make sure you have plenty of blueberries on hand. we will explain everything when we get there. i will see you tonight. I love you.
Love
Judy
Judy handed the notepad and pen back to Mrs. Gruffmyer.
"Thank you dear" Mrs. Gruffmyer said putting it back into her pocket and picking up the dishes again. "Enjoy your lunch" she said as she walked out leaving the pair alone once more.
"Do you think they will be ok if your friend is a fox?" Nick asked pulling her close
"I think they will just be glad i'm alive, they won't care who else tags along" Judy said looking over at the newspaper that still sat on the table.
"Nick?" she said after a few moments had passed.
"Yeah?" he looked down at her then followed her gaze
"Nothing, I just wanted to be sure of you." she said before sobbing into his chest
"Judy, Judy, Judy, i'm here, i'm right here, i'm not going anywhere," he said gently rubbing her back. Judy burried herself into his chest.
"Sweet heart, i'm not going anywhere." he said pulling her back and looking into her eyes. he tilted her chin up with his paw. "That's a promise,"
"I'm sorry for being such an emotional bunny" Judy said "I Just don't want to lose you," she gestured to the paper "Because of this."
"You won't lose me," he said bringing her gaze back to him. "If even death can't seperate us, nothing will!" he said with confidence and a hint of bravado.
Nick leaned downand kissed her lips softly. the kiss deepened and he swayed with her over to the bed . He pulled back the covers that were still on the bed and laid down with her still kissing her. he pulled away and looked into her beautiful sleepy eyes.
"Nick, I love you." Judy said as she faded into sleep.
"I love you too, judy" Nick said pulling her close.
"You'll still be here when i wake up right?" she asked curling into his warm, loving embrace.
"Everytime, Carrots. Everytime. Nick said falling asleep himself.
