I feel obligated to say before you go any farther that all these scenes are a hundred percent platonic. I promise you. I do not in any way ship these two. You can interpret it any way you want, but know that is not my intention. I adore their closeness and imagine that they would be touchy feely even though it would never be romantic or sexual. Sorry, I just had to put that out there. Anyway, enjoy!
Sirens blare in the background as cops converge on the area to pick up the criminal Judy knocked out and chained to the wall. The sound is dulled in her head, however, as she sits on the slope facing away from the mayhem. She slouches, her arms wrapped around her legs and her chin perched on her knees. This victory should be big, one almost as big as the case that brought her and Nick together and propelled her to great heights within the force, but it rings so hollow. Her spirits remain low and the conclusion to this case honestly only makes her mood sink further.
The grass rustles behind her and she jumps. She jerks around, every limb tensing and the hair on her neck standing on end. Her eyes widen and flash with fear.
"Easy, Carrots." Nick smirks like usual, but it is tinged with sadness. "It's just me."
Judy lets out a breath and faces forward once more. Her fright seeps from her, but the tension never really leaves her body. "Oh, hey." She smiles, but the sentiment barely reaches her lips and her eyes remain clouded.
Nick takes his seat next to her. He tilts his head and watches her intently. For a long time he doesn't say a word, unsure of what to say. He never was good with feelings. Still, he can't just leave her like this. He has to try. "Are you, ah, ok?" He tugs at his arm and bites his lip.
Judy averts her eyes. "Yeah, I'm alright."
"Don't lie to me."
Judy blinks and slowly turns her head to look at him. "What?" She says through clenched teeth. She glares daggers at him as if she might attack him.
Nick is unfazed. "I know you too well for that." He smiles softly at her. "Even if I don't know your middle name." He chuckles.
Judy's anger fades from her face and she snorts in faint amusement. It doesn't pick her mood up much, but she appreciates his efforts. It is fleeting cheer and she drops her gaze to hide her eyes as they grow murky once more. "Why'd it have to be him?" Her voice is tight. She clenches her hands around her arms.
Nick won't say it, but it honestly isn't much of a surprise at all. That guy was rotten to the core, this just proved it without a doubt. "Some people hide dark intentions behind a friendly face." Friendly face my ass. It is the best thing to say though. "Just like some people are the nicest you'll ever meet, despite their appearances."
Judy rolls her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, alright preacher. I've had enough bullcrap tonight. I don't need it from you too."
Nick smiles, but it is weak. "Judy, he hurt you. Many times over." His expression darkens. I'm not sorry to be rid of him. But I am sorry for you."
"I know." Her smile quivers and her body trembles slightly. "I just…I was so stupid. Because of me, because I wouldn't listen to you…he killed so many people." Her resolve cracks and her cloudy eyes well with tears. "All because he was my boyfriend."
"Come on, Carrots." Nick wraps an arm around her shoulder and pulls her closer. "You can't blame yourself."
"Yes I can." She sniffles.
Nick sighs. "Well you shouldn't." He reiterates. "It's not your fault."
Judy jerks out of his hold. "It is. Don't you see that? I didn't pursue a suspect because of my emotions. I-I failed this city…in my duty to protect." Tears roll down her cheeks.
"Judy," Nick brushes his finger across her cheek. "You saved countless lives. The city will thank you and forgive you, you just have to learn to forgive yourself." He draws her close to him again.
Judy leans into him and cries silently into his shirt. She balls his shirt up in her fists and holds on tight.
Nick rubs her arm in his best attempt to be soothing. It isn't exactly his forte to be comforting. Usually he takes the easy way out of making a joke that brightens the mood. This time though, that just won't cut it. So he holds her in silence.
Judy cries herself out after a while. She pulls her face out of his shirt and sits up. She wipes her arm over her eyes to rid them of the remnants of tears. "Thanks." She murmurs.
"No problem, Carrots." Nick smirks. "I'll always be your personal Kleenex when you need it."
Judy chuckles. "Sorry." The smile that peeks out is genuine this time.
"Nah, it's fine. I needed a bath anyway."
Judy rolls her eyes. She leans her head over onto his shoulder and lets out a breath. Her eyes drift half shut as she looks out over the grassy knolls. "It is nice, isn't it?" She says half to herself.
"Hm?" Nick peers down at her.
"The open air. The natural beauty of the landscape." Even if just feet behind them the blood of five people stains the building's floor.
Nick snorts under his breath. He could easily poke fun at her, but he's had enough of that for tonight. And she is right. "You want to stay a little longer?"
Judy grimaces. "No." She clears her throat and shakes away the chill that races up her spine at the very thought. "No, no…not here." There is too much pain here, both physically and emotionally.
Nick figured as much. "Then let's go." He leaps to his feet.
Judy squeaks as her support vanishes and she nearly falls. She blinks up at him.
"We solved a case." He shrugs. "Time to celebrate." He holds his hand out to her. "The usual haunt?" He tilts his head and his ear flicks with the movement.
Judy smiles, his energy infecting her. He sure can shift gears fast as lightening. She'll never understand it, but she'll always love it. It makes it that much easier to forget the horrors of the job. "No, let's go somewhere quieter." She lays her hand in his.
Nick pulls her to her feet. "Oh?" It will be a rare deviation from their routine.
"My apartment. Food's on me."
"Ugh. Carrots. Kill me now." He flops his head forward.
Judy laughs and punches him in the arm. "You idiot. Come on." She twines her arms around his and pulls him along. "I have fish. Just for you."
Nick snickers. "Yeah, yeah." This is really what they need anyway – a recess from the crowds and pressure – especially after solving such a high profile case. Besides, it will be nice to simply bask in each other's company with nothing else to do and no one else watching. It's something he's sorely missed as of late what with that boyfriend – ex boyfriend. He smiles. Now things can return to normal, he won't have to keep his distance, and he certainly won't have to worry when she's gone. Everything is right again.
There's really a lot to this piece. There's so much I could do with this it's kind of ridiculous. I honestly want to make a plot of it in a separate story, but I'm honestly no good at setting up cases so it's hard for me to say it's going to happen. Either way, I'm on a roll. I just love writing short scenes of these two. They are my new favorite relationship, a very much platonic relationship. I hope you liked it, I gave myself feels while writing. lol Please review!