Chapter 8
Nick was very glad when the doctor took the cast off. His arm finally felt free. The doctor checked Nick all over to make shure he was completely healthy. Because in his line of work, you must be healthy. Nick was glad to have his parents over for a week. He hadn't seen or talked to them in almost a year. Sometimes Nick felt like a prodigal child, but he always told himself that it wasn't true. He told his parents during their visit, but they reassured him that he wasn't. He was just busy and didn't have the time to talk. But Nick hadn't told them he was a cop. Isn't that something you'd want to tell your parents? Nick just was tormented with these thoughts for days after they left. Judy noticed something was wrong with Nick, and so did Ben. "Are you ok?" asked Clawhauser. "Oh, yeah. Just a little tired," replied Nick. Ben didn't look fully convinced, but he let it slide. "Well, Chief wants to see you in his office, like right now." "Ok. Tell him I'm on my way." "He wants you too, Judy." "Ok." Nick started walking up the stairs to the offices. What could the chief want today? Nick knocked on the door to Chief Bogo's office. "Come in," came the chief's voice. "Have a seat. I've called you here to give you some bad news." Bogo paused and took a deep breath. "What kind of bad news, Chief?" asked Nick. "As you know, the gang you helped take out last month, their leader has escaped prison," Bogo said. Nick's eyes opened wide. Judy's ears dropped and she looked at the floor. Nick noticed and asked, "Why do you look ashamed? You weren't guarding him." "No, but I knew he escaped." "How did you know that?" Bogo looked confused. "Did you not get the letter I sent you both?" "What letter?" asked Nick. "I hid it," said Judy. "I hid it because I was afraid." Nick looked confused. "Afraid of what?" "Afraid of the boss. He might target Nick!" Bogo tensed up. "Judy, I was undercover. He couldn't locate me!" Nick said. Bogo cleared his throat. "Actually, one of our new prison guards let slip that a fox had infiltrated the gang to get info. But, he doesn't know Nick's name." "He probably does by now!" yelled Nick. "How long has he been at large?" asked Nick. "About a week," replied Bogo. "Yep. He knows my name. Probably even where my family lives and where I live too. I'm gonna die, I'm dead," Nick said crossing his arms, looking frustrated instead of scared. Nick frowned and walked over to the window. "Wilde, don't give up. We've placed patrols around yours's and Hopps' residences." "How long ago?" "Four days ago." "I noticed more patrols around my apartment," Nick said, with a hateful tone. Bogo sighed. "Please. Don't be so sour at me-" "I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at the gang! I told Judy this and I'll tell you, I HATE GANGS!" Nick yelled. "Nick, calm down, please," Judy said. Nick couldn't help but feel sorry for Judy. She tried to not get him panicky by hiding the note, not thinking about what might have happened. "I'm sorry. I should control my anger better," Nick said, looking down at the ground and putting his hands in his pockets. "Now. What I wanted you in here was to tell you we've got a plan to throw him off. You will go to Hopps' family's place for a week, then to your family's place, then back home. Judy will go with you to her and your families." Bogo looked solemn. "Chief, why do you think that this will help?" asked Judy. "Because he might not be expecting it. We've called your folks, Hopps, to let them know. Do not call them." Nick looked like he was just beaten. His head hung low, his eyes where a little watery, and he was frowning. "Keep your hope up, Nick. Dismissed." Nick looked up when he heard his name. Did Bogo just call him by his first name? Nick looked at the chief confused, but Bogo just nodded and smiled a little bit. Nick got off the chair and followed Judy out of the room.
Nick was trying to keep his anger from coming out while he was at work. Judy didn't talk much that day, but Nick didn't really care. When his work was done for the day, he walked home. Judy didn't try to stop him, she knew he needed time alone. When Nick got home, he packed some clothes, some toiletries, and a few other thing he would need. Then he put the bag in his car and got in. He drove outside Zootopia to the forest. He drove for almost an hour before he stopped. He found a clearing that was about the same size as a professional wrestling ring. He walked into the middle and yelled as loud as he could into the air. Birds flew off from all around, startled. (Birds are in Zootopia, but they aren't human level intelligence. Only certain mammals are.) Nick picked up a rock and threw it into the forest. It bounced off a tree and landed in a puddle. Nick ripped a few twigs off of a tree and stuck them in the ground. He pulled his concealed carry self-defense pistol out and shot at the twigs until they were just splinters. Nick yelled out again and fell on his knees and started sobbing. The cold nighttime started to overcome him and he got cold. He went into his car and drove home. When he got home, he fell asleep on the bed as soon as he touched it.
When Nick woke up, he woke up to the sound of his phone ringing. "Oh my head. Why am I so tired?" said Nick quietly to himself. He picked up his phone and saw it was from Bogo. He answered it. "Good morning, Wilde. Pack up. You're leaving in thirty minutes at the train station." Then the line went dead. Bogo means it. Nick got dressed and went downstairs to his car. He jumped in and drove to the train station. He parked his car and walked to the booth. "One way to Bunnyburrow, please," said Nick. The lady in the ticket booth handed him the ticket as Nick handed her the money. He walked in and saw Bogo and Judy standing by the entrance. "Wilde. I need the keys to your car," Bogo said as he held out his hoof. "Why?" asked Nick as he handed him his keys. "We're going to keep yours's and Hopps' cars at HQ." "Ok." "Arriving. Zootopia Express. Destination, Bunnyburrow," said the man over the p.a. "We better get on the train, Nick," said Judy. She walked into the train, followed by Nick. The doors closed and Judy found a seat for her and Nick. The train started moving and Nick just looked out the window. "What's wrong?" asked Judy. "What if your parents don't like me? What if they think I'm stereotypical? If they met me a year ago, that would be true, but it's not now!" said Nick. "Don't worry. I'll meet my parents at the door, while you wait outside for me to let you know its ok. I'll get them prepared for meeting you, so there shouldn't be a problem." "Whatever you say, Carrots." Nick looked out the window with his head in his paw. He stayed like that for most of the trip. When they got there, Judy's parents were waiting on the platform. "Oh, no!" said Judy. "My parents are on the platform! I thought they'd wait at home! Ok, I'll go meet them, while you come out with the crowd to be inconspicuous. I'll get them ready. Then when you hear me call for you, then you can come over." Judy grabbed her suitcase and ran out to meet her parents. "Mom! Dad!" Judy said. She ran over and gave them both a huge hug. "Judy!" her parents both said at the same time. "Mom? Dad? I have someone I'd like for you to meet. He is my partner at the police station, and he is a little different from us, so please don't freak out," Judy said. "Is he your 'boyfriend?'" asked Stu, in a mocking tone. "No! He's just a good friend. Nick! Come over here!" Nick walked over to Judy and stood straight. "Mom, Dad, this is Officer Nick Wilde. The first fox on the ZPD," Judy said. "Nice to meet you, Mister Hopps," said Nick as he stretched his right arm out for Stu to shake it. Stu hesitantly shook Nick's hand and laughed nervously. "You didn't mention you had a FOX for your partner!" whispered Stu to Judy. "I knew you would freak out, Dad," Judy said. "How do you do, Missus Hopps?" said Nick as he shook Bonnie's hand. "You are a real gentleman, Nick," Bonnie said. Nick smiled at that. "Oh, that is high praise. It's rare that I find someone so non-patronizing," Nick said. Judy laughed inwardly as she heard that. That brought memories of her first day back. Stu looked kind of nervous, but he just accepted that Judy knew what was best for her, and If Nick was such a bad guy, Judy would know it first. "Well. Let's get you two home. The little ones want to see their big sister!" said Stu. "That went much better than I expected," whispered Nick to Judy. When they got to the Hopps' residence, Nick could see a bunch of little rabbits running around the house, and could see some through the windows. Judy was right, bunnies are good at multiplying! "Alright, brace yourself!" Stu said as he opened the door. Before the door was halfway open, twelve little bunnies ran out the door and wrapped around Judy's legs "Judy!" They all yelled. "I mithed you, Dudy" said the littlest bunny, no more than three years old. Judy laughed as she picked her up. "I missed you too, Sarah!" Judy kissed the little bunny on the forehead and set her back down. "Who's the new guy?" asked one of the older bunnies, who looked about ten years old. "Is he your boyfriend, Judy?" the bunny said as he laughed. "No. He's my partner at work. I wanted to come see my family, and he wanted to meet you," Judy explained. "What's his name?" asked another bunny. "Everyone, meet Officer Nick Wilde." Nick had his sunglasses on the whole time, and he pulled out his wallet and flicked it open to show his badge. "Official business here. Step aside," Nick said in a serious tone. Just as Nick was about to walk into the door, all the little bunnies at the door jumped on him and tackled him. "Ahh!" Nick yelled as he fell to the porch. "Welcome to my world," Judy said and she started laughing. Nick joined in and all the other bunnies started laughing too.
Author's Note: Wow. I find it amazing that this story has reached people all over the world! I just finished chapter 24 of the rough draft. I think that's as far as I'll go for this story. Time to work on the rough draft of the sequal!
