They pulled into the station, and found there way down into the locker room. They changed into civilian gear and were soon walking out of the station and into the cool evening air. The last stray bands of purple and blue light were evaporating out of the western sky, and the first of the stars poked through the ebony veil of the night.

Nick leaned back and inhaled through nostrils.

"That bad?" Judy asked.

"What can I say, Carrots." Nick said, "Not gonna lie and say today was easy."

"What's your plan for the rest of the night?" Judy asked as they started down the steps.

"Well, I hadn't worked that out yet,"Nick said, "But I feel a certain bunny has ideas."

"Right you are, Officer." Judy said, "I was thinking maybe we could catch a movie?"

"I would like that." Nick said, but sighed. "But…"

"What's up, fox?"

"I think I maybe need to be alone for a tonight, Judy."

Her ears drooped back. "Oh, alright."

"Hey, chin up, Carrots." Nick said, as he lifted her head, "Tomorrow night we can watch any movie you want. And, if I change my mind, you'll be the first to hear."

Judy nodded. Nick winked at her, and turned on his heel. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, and walked away. "Hey!" Judy called out. Nick looked over his shoulder, his solitary eyebrow raised in all of its suave grace. "Text me when you're home safe."

"Will do, Carrots." Nick said, as he gave a little salute and continued on his way. Judy's smile faded away. She wondered where he was going, as the fireflies and city lights guided him away from the station.

One of the street lights was out, and as Nick crossed underneath it, he quickly looked around. He let out all the air in his lungs in a loud groan as his shoulders sagged. You know what you need, Nick? A drink. A few drinks.

For all of his time in the city, he'd actually known of only a few different dives. His favorites of Two Foxes', or The Mane Event. But those were all on the other side of the city, back near the hole in the wall that was his home for such a long time.

He walked towards his house. Maybe he could just grab a drink at the corner stop on the way home, brown bag style and just nurse it until he fell asleep. But he didn't want to go home, not right now. Home wasn't home anymore. Like that could ever make any sense. It never felt right, not before, and never in his newer apartment.

It was an upgrade, sure, with walls that weren't infested with cockroaches and lights that didn't flicker, neighbors who were reasonable and sidewalks not covered in hoodlums and druggies like graffiti and stains. But it wasn't home. He hadn't really felt at home in sixteen years, he realized.

Home was good smells, yellow wallpapers, and the dizzy affection of familial love. It was feeling giddy to come home and brag about your accomplishments. It was like being a kid again. He was fourteen years past ever being that. Even longer since he felt like it.

The golden glow of city lights enticed him. No, he wasn't going home tonight, not yet. He needed something to parch the thirst of years of regret. He walked with his head down, as the clouds filled the air above the city, casting down a soft golden glow and soon the soft patter of drizzling rain.

Nick found himself just a few blocks from his apartment, staring at the facade of a bar he'd seen but lacked the courage to go into before. The Menagerie. It was a newfangled place, chic and sleek, with a large glass windows and front where the name was etched into the frosted glass. You could see clearly through the letters, but the rest was tinted and blurred into blue, orange, white and black. Soft vibration rumbled through the cement, betraying the live band that played inside. A few oryxes stood outside, smoking cigarettes. He showed his I.D. and went in.

The place had a healthy amount of business, even at this hour. People were enjoying the food, and the live band that played in the back, currently cruising to soft jazz and a smooth saxophone.

Nick kept his head down and sat down at the bar.

"What can I get for you?"

"Negroni, on the rocks with a lemon twist." Nick said as he rubbed his forehead, "And a menu. Thanks."

The bartender set out to get his drink, as the band finished its song. The patrons clapped lightly but politely, as the saxophone player leaned into the microphone and said a few words. Nick didn't care to listen.

He pulled out his phone, lazily flipping through web pages and old texts.

"Please welcome to the stage, Vex!"

Nick's ears perked up, and he looked at the stage. She stepped out of the darkened wings like a spectre, her white fur and onyx dress wrapping around her lithe. She looked like one of the dames out of an old black and white movie. But when she opened her golden eyes their warm honey glow washed over the room, reminding Nick that this was real. She was here. She gripped the microphone and sang a sad, slow song. A song about stars. He'd never heard it before, but her voice brought back nights he had almost forgotten.

The bartender laid his drink down, and Nick quickly sipped it. Today was just beyond impossible. Why would she be here?

God, he could smell her perfume and her fur even from here. Maybe it was just a memory. He turned back to the bar, finishing what was left in his drink. He needed more alcohol, and if he could just wait until she left the stage, then he could slink away before she saw him. He didn't need anymore belated reunions today.

"One more for the road," Nick said, as he tapped the bar. He listened to her sing, drinking in the nostalgia and wistfulness that clung to him. She was on her final notes, and if angelshad voices, they'd sound just like that. With one last round of applause, whoops, and whistles, she left the stage.

Nick took his opportunity, laying some bills down across the countertop before hopping off the barstool and jamming his hands into his pockets. He let his fingers curl and rub against the rough fabric as he stepped into the night, his shoulders clustered around his head.

There was a cool dampness in the air that permeated the cement, and sunk into one's bones. He wished he had a jacket. He gave a wave to the oryxes outside and looked up into the sky, inhaling the humidity. He could take his time; he was in no rush to get home.

A shiver ran through him. It was time to go. He needed sleep.

But as he walked down the path before him, he slammed into something. He hadn't watched where he was going. A common problem in his life, he could admit. Dazed, he struggled to stand to his feet, caught up in the lights reflecting off the perfect pools of raindrops.

"Nick?"

His heart froze. His lungs seized. The fur on the back of his neck stood on end as he turned. A coy smile was spread across his otherwise expressionless face. "Vex," he said, with a curt nod.

She let out a mixture of a scoff and a laugh, as she said, "What are you doing on this side of town, you rascal?"

"I was just in the neighborhood," Nick said, "Getting something to drink. How-how are you?" He bit his tongue, cursing his minor stutter. She didn't seem to notice.

"I'm doing well, really good." Vex said, as she combed back her ear.

"You look it." Nick said.

"How about you?"

"I'm fine." Nick said.

She raised an eyebrow.

"Just tired, Snowflake. "

"Snowflake?" Vex laughed, "I haven't heard that in...ages."

"Yeah." Nick said, as his eyes flashed downward for only a moment.

"It's been what, four years?"

Nick nodded, "Too long."

Vex rubbed her arm as she said, "Well, if you're thirsty, I know a little bar around the corner. The Menagerie. Ever been?"

"Not in a while," Nick said. "But I remember that the bartender makes a clean drink."

"Well, if you've nothing left to do tonight, Mr. Wilde," Vex said, as she began to walk past him, "Care for a drink? Talk and make up for lost time?"

"Sure." Nick said as his insides felt like they were being ripped apart. Why didn't he want to be with an old friend? What was so wrong about that?

They walked back in, but this time the Oryx actually smiled at him. Nick tapped on the counter once more, as the bartender got him a third drink of the night. For some reason, white foxes brought out the worst in him. They took their seats a bit distant from the other patrons, leaving a few empty stools around them.

As he began to tend to his third drink, his phone buzzed. You home safe? - Carrots

His fingers hesitated over the keys. She didn't need to worry. But then again, he couldn't lie to her, well he shouldn't lie to her. He grimaced - he didn't want their friendship to go down the drains like all the others, maybe Renard was right. He wouldn't lie to her.

No, not yet. Stopped to get a drink - Nick

"Who's that?" Vex asked, as she took a sip of her drink.

"A good friend of mine." Nick said.

Oh? And you didn't invite me? - Carrots

I didn't realize you were one for bars, Carrots. - Nick

"Finnic?"

Nick shot her a glance. "No, actually."

I'm usually not. Where are you at? - Carrots

A little place called The Menagerie - Nick

Where is it? - Carrots

"Nick, you're not talking to-"

"No." Nick said, glancing over at her, "No."

Off Coalition Rd., near the intersection with Elm St. - Nick

Well, call me if you need a ride, or anything - Judy

"I haven't talked to him in...years." Nick said.

Will do. - Nick

Have fun! - Judy

Nick tapped the bar when nothing bitter hit his tongue. A new glass was placed there almost immediately, as his stomach tried to figure out his next move. He could just sit here and talk to his old flame. He could sit here and let the conversation lead them, let the alcohol and tension fill his lungs until he was left where he always was with this vixen. Where some part of him wanted to be.

He could feel the regret of his future self, who stared up at ceiling in the cold blue hours of the morning, who wished that he did something else, anything else.

"So what's making you so tired, Nicky?" Vex asked, as she began her second drink.

Nick sighed, leaning his head into his hands. His chest was warm, his heart beat against his sternum. He tapped his phone. The bar was starting to fill up. There were two seats to the left of Vex open, and one to his right.

You could drop by if you want and share a drink with me - Nick

"Work." Nick said.

"The hustle isn't going to well?" Vex said, "Winter is coming, pawpsicles are probably getting difficult to sell."

Oh? :) - Judy

If you want. Don't want to get the little country bunny too wasted - Nick

"Funny story…" Nick said, "I'm not doing that anymore."

"What's the hustle then now?"

"No hustle, Snowflake, I've gone straight." Nick said and sipped his drink.

"Now that, I don't believe." Vex said as she cocked her eyebrow, "Slick Nick."

"Really?" Nick said, "Why not?"

"You always were a player, Nick."

"I guess I am," Nick said, as he looked down to see a new message.

Oh, it is on, Mister. I'll be there soon. - Judy

See you then. - Nick

"Your texting an awful lot, Nicky." Vex said.

"Sorry, Snowflake, bad habit."

"So what do you do now?"

"I'm...you're not going to believe me." Nick said as he traced the rim of his glass.

Vex leaned over towards him, as she balanced her head on her hand, giving him a good look into her eyes. She purred as she said, "Try me."

Nick shuffled in his seat, his shifting glances taking his eyes away from her as he coughed and said, "I'm a cop."

Vex actually sat back and her eyes widened. She tilted her head and let one ear go limp. She laughed, and turned back to the bar. "Right, and I'm headlining with Gazelle next week."

A pair of animals came up and asked in low voices, "This seat taken?"

Nick nodded as they walked away shaking their heads. Another loner came in and took a seat the next one down. Halfway through his fourth drink of the night, and feeling significantly warmer, the seat to his right became the only seat open. He watched the doorway where the oryx let in a slow, but steady flow of people in.

Outside. Might take a moment - Judy

I see. I'm at the bar when you get in. Saved a seat for you - Nick

"Your friend...they're coming aren't they?" Vex said.

"You guessed it." Nick said, "Hope that's okay with you."

Vex ran her hand over her ear, and let her fingers slide down her neck as she nodded. She was looking away, just a little bit. "Of course, of course."

They turned back to their drinks.

"You two aren't...involved, are you?"

"No." Nick said, involuntarily clenching his jaw. "No, she's just my partner."

"Well, consider me interested." Vex said. She turned towards him, catching his eyes with hers. He followed the little lines of darkness in her irises, leading him to her darkened pupils, wide in the dim light.

"Nick?"

The foxes turned, to see a little rabbit dressed in a tight button up shirt and slacks, something casual, for a casual night.

"Judy!" Nick said, slipped off his seat. "Judy, I'm glad you're here. This is Vex. She's…"

"An old friend." Vex said, as she offered her paw to Judy. Judy shook her hand, as the bartender passed Vex another drink.

"Vex, I'd like you to meet Judy Hopps, my partner."

Vex smiled, and turned back to Judy. "And what scams is Nick throwing you into nowadays?"

"We're police officers." Judy said, as she glanced towards Nick, "We don't do scams.".

Vex straightened up, "Nick said that, but I didn't believe him."

Judy flipped out her badge, "How 'bout now?"

"Well," Vex said, "Colour me impressed, Mr. Wilde. Here I thought you'd never go straight."

"Carrots here played a bit part in that." Nick said.

"Carrots?" Vex asked.

"She's from Bunnyburrow. Entire family is carrot farmers." Nick said.

"We grow more than just carrots, though." Judy said.

"Then what brought you to Zootopia?" Vex said, "Town like this normally eats little bunnies like you alive."

"It tried." Nick said.

"Thankfully I like being kept on my toes." Judy said

"Of course you do." Vex said.

Vex looked down at Judy with a raised brow. Judy felt her stomach turn. What was this vixen thinking?

"Carrots, why don't you get a drink? I've got to run to the restroom." Nick said, before he sauntered off, leaving the two girls together. Vex motioned towards the stool and helped Judy take the seat.

She ordered her drink, and the two sat in silence, surrounded by the chaos and noise.