I've been wanting to do this for a while now, so here it is. Enjoy!
Today Judy is out on patrol alone. Nick is sick and while she would like nothing more than to stay home and take care of him she knows with a finite amount of leave days she really shouldn't. With her luck she would be sick for a week just afterwards and that would ruin her vacation later in the year. So she does the rounds on her own. There weren't any particular cases today so she has no ultimate destination. She merely keeps her eye out for any sort of trouble.
It is painfully uneventful and she thinks she might very well die from boredom. She forgets how much Nick lights up her workday with his presence. It never was that way back when she was a meter maid. Sure, she hated it too, but not because it was boring, mostly because it was unfair to her because of the animal she is and not a decision based on her skill level.
After a few hours she goes on break, hopping over into a nearby coffee shop. She gets a French vanilla, sipping on it as she walks back to her car. The warmth flows from her mouth to her ears and right down to the tips of her toes. A contented smile passes her lips and she hums peacefully to herself as she goes. She moves to open her car door when from the corner of her eye she notices something behind her.
She whirls, ready for anything. Only she is faced with nothing. "Hmm…" Her lips stretch into a thin line as she narrows her eyes to peer into the darkness of the alley. It is probably just a hooligan. Still, it's her duty to check it out. She sets her coffee down in the cup holder of her car before proceeding. She creeps closer, her sharp eyes piercing the darkness as best she can. This is one of those times she could really use Nick and his keen sense of sight. Oh well. It'll be alright.
As she gets closer a distinct sound reaches her. She starts. What? Crying? Her intense focus slips into confusion and intrigue. That certainly doesn't sound like a troublemaker. "Hello?" She says into the darkness.
A tiny gasp and squeak issue forth.
Judy grabs her flashlight and shines it into the alley. In the very back up against the wall a small figure is illuminated. Oh. Judy's eyes widen. Before her is a bunny that can't be more than three or four. "Hey," She takes tentative steps forward. "What's your name?"
The child hunches over as if to hide herself from Judy. She quivers and tiny sobs continue to eek past her lips.
Judy can't he help but be caught off guard by the child's fear. Still, she recovers. "No, it's okay." She stops where she is at and bends down so she is at the kid's level. "I'm not going to hurt you. I'm a police officer." She extends a hand, holding her breath in hopes the child will come to her.
The child peers up through her fingers. Her gaze flits from Judy's offered hand to her face. Her hear pounds in her chest and all her senses stand on end. Still, there is an aura of gentleness about this woman. Her smile is inviting and not like all the others who have passed by. So with one hard swallow she untangles herself and crawls toward Judy. She hesitates once she is within reach of Judy, but after a long minute she lays her hand in Judy's.
"There you go. That's better." Judy whispers. She stands and brings the child up on her feet with her. "Now, do you know where you're parents are?" It is a silly question really, but she asks it anyway.
The child's ears fold down and she shakes her head in a very mechanical way.
Judy grimaces. She figured as much of course. "Why don't we figure it out together then, huh?" She tilts her head. "Do you want to come with me?"
The kid hesitates and bites her lip. After a moment of intense contemplation she nods.
Judy's smile widens. "Would you like to walk with me? Or I can carry you if you want?" The kid looks rather wobbly, whether naturally or from being out here on her own Judy can't be sure. So she gives the kid the choice.
The child holds up two fingers.
"Carry? Alright." She lifts the kid off the ground and situates her atop an arm before wrapping the other around her middle. It is a bit worrisome that the kid didn't speak. Could it be indicative of some kind of trauma? Is she unable to speak? Her mind whirs as she makes her way back to the car.
She tries to get the kid to sit in the back but that quickly proves to be a lost cause. A panic lights in her eyes as when Judy sets her down and she silently begs to not be separated any amount of space from Judy. It really isn't safe to have a child in the front, but Judy relents nonetheless. She drives back to the precinct with the kid in her lap instead.
Judy walks up the front desk and leans against the counter. "Hey, Clawhauser, would you do something for me?"
Clawhauser pops up to attention. "Hey Judy!" He grins from ear to ear. "Oh, who's this? One of your siblings?"
The child squeaks and twists around, burying her face in Judy's chest.
Judy caresses the child's head. "No, actually not." A disgruntled expression passes her face. "I found her on the streets. And I was wondering if there are any missing mammal reports out." She doesn't remember seeing any frantic parents in here recently so she has the terrible intuition that there won't be any. "Could you check?"
"Sure thing!" Clawhauser goes through the database in search of any reports that might could be a kid rabbit. After a few minutes he sits up and shakes his head. "Sorry Judy. Doesn't look like it."
Judy grimaces. Just as she thought. "Hey," She cranes her neck to look into the child's face. "Sweetie, do you know your last name?" She mentally crosses her fingers, hoping her seeming muteness was merely a result of fear.
The girl turns her head and nods slightly. "Jennifer Davens." Her voice is a breath.
"Can you look that up? See where her family lives." If they haven't filed a report though…that can't bode well.
Clawhauser nods, making a few clicks before he comes up with the result he both wants and doesn't want. His face falls and he stiffens, a most unusual sight for him.
Judy tenses the moment he does. "What is it?" She tentatively asks. She really doesn't need to though. The truth hangs ominously between them, the air of the precinct suddenly thick.
"It…it says they died."
"What?" Judy gasps despite how much she knew this would be the end result.
"Three days ago. In a house fire." He looks sadly at the little girl in Judy's arms.
Judy's ears droop and a gaping sadness swims in her eyes as she peers down at the child in her arms. Parentless…homeless…at three. She can't help but wonder how the girl escaped the same fate, but the truth is she did, somehow. And now she is left all alone to deal with the aftermath.
Jennifer whimpers and sniffles. "Mommy…daddy…gone." Her ears fold down and fat tears roll down her face. "Fire…"
Judy lets out a breath. "Yeah…" She doesn't know what else she can say to her. What kind of comfort is there really when someone's parents die? Nothing will bring them back. Nothing will ever be the same again. The world just got a million times scarier without the two most important people in the world there to take care of her.
Jennifer clenches her tiny fists around the fabric of Judy's shirt and curls inward, once more burying her face in Judy's chest.
Judy's heart clenches at the sight and circumstances. If only there was something she could do. If only- then it hits her. Realization lights in her eyes and a tiny smile lifts her lips. "Hey, Jennifer." Judy strokes the girl's arm. She doesn't respond, but that's okay. Judy keeps going, "I know this hurts, but maybe I can help. Would you like to come to my house for a bit?"
Jennifer's ear twitches and she lifts her head to look at Judy. She frowns and her brows knit together. "You…?"
Judy nods. "Yeah." She smiles. "You don't have to be alone out there anymore. I can take care of you for as long as you like."
Jennifer blinks up at Judy. She isn't sure what is in store for her, but this woman has been so very nice this whole time. It's weird to her, but she feels a warmth sparking within her from this woman's continued presence. And she wouldn't mind keeping it. "O-Okay."
Judy's face lights up. Her heart beats double time despite herself. She still has to search for relatives, no matter how much she doesn't want to, no matter how much she wants nothing more than to keep this little girl for herself. "Alright, I'll take you there then." She looks to Clawhauser. "Search for relative will you? Just in case. I, um, I'm gonna need to take the rest of the day off, okay?"
Clawhauser nods. "You got it! And don't worry about it Judy." He waves her concerns away. "You gotta do what you gotta do. Oh, and don't worry, I'll tell Bogo for you." He grins.
Judy nods her appreciation. She turns and heads for the door. Her mind is a whir of possibilities for the future – to keep the girl, of having to let her go, and so many other things. And she feels absolutely rotten for it too, but she can't help but pray there are no other living relatives. She really wants this – a child – wants this child. A precious little girl.
When they get to the apartment Jennifer decides she would rather walk and so the pair make their way up the stairs hand in hand with tottering steps. When they reach the door realization dawns on Judy. She turns and bends down on her knees so that she is face to face with Jennifer. "Hey," She lays her hands on the girl's shoulders. "I have a friend who lives with me. And he's a fox."
Jennifer goes rigid and her eyes snap open, terror twisting her face. She may not know much but she does know that her parents drilled it into her head that foxes were a rabbit's natural enemy.
"No, no, it's okay." Judy soothes. "He's the nicest person you'll ever meet. He won't hurt you." She offers an encouraging smile. "Promise."
Jennifer frowns and ducks her head. Alarm bells ring in her head, but it isn't like she has much of a choice. This is all she has left now. So she nods ever so slightly.
"Alright, let's go." She opens the door and steps into the main room. And there he is, splayed out on the couch like she knew he would be.
Nick perks at the sound of the door and pops his head up, confusion creasing his face. "Carrots?" His voice is stuffy with the cold he has. "What the heck are you doing back?" He frowns as he props himself up on his elbow.
"Nick," Judy breathes in deeply. "This is Jennifer." She steps aside, no longer acting as a hiding place for the girl. "She's going to be staying with us for a little while." Hopefully a long while.
Nick sits all the way up in order to see far enough down. Surprise lights in his eyes at the sight of the little bunny. His gaze immediately snaps to Judy and he sees the desperate hope in her eyes. This isn't set in stone. This could easily turn into a temporary situation. He isn't sure how he feels about it either way, all he knows is he doesn't want to see Judy hurt any more. She has wanted a child to call her own for the longest time and this could be her one and only chance. "Fine by me." Besides, it could be fun. It will certainly bring an element of surprise to their home.
Jennifer scurries over behind Judy once more. She clings to her legs and tilts her head so she is only peering out from behind her at Nick. She watches him with wide eyes, ready for any and everything.
"Hey, kid." Nick smiles. "Just so you know, I'm the cool one." He points at himself.
Jennifer starts and blinks at him. What…? It wasn't what he said that caught her off guard, more how he said it. It was so laid back and natural, as if he has known her for years. There wasn't a hint of deceit or malice, even though he is a fox.
Judy hums thoughtfully. "Like the cool uncle." She grins before she even gets it out. "So Jennifer, you can call him Uncle Pib."
Nick shoots her a hard look and his lips pucker. "That is not funny." He points at Judy. "The name is Nick. Ni-ck."
Judy laughs, her whole face lighting up.
Jennifer looks back and forth between them and slowly a smile curls her lips. "Uncle…" She tries the word out on her lips. It is not something she has been taught before. It must not be something that mommy or daddy had.
Judy would like to tell the girl she can call her 'mom', but that seems like too much too fast. Jennifer still remembers her parents well and trying to force her to alter established relationships in her head might only make things worse for her. Maybe later, maybe if this works out. And Judy so hopes it does. She wants this more than anything in her life. Just let this one thing work out. Please.
Hooray! Nothing terrible happened to Nick or Judy. I did it! This was fun, but there's something I really don't like about it too. Unfortunately I can't for the life of me figure out what it is. I've been trying to for days now but at this point it's a wasted effort and I should just keep on trucking. I hope you liked it despite my reservations. Please review!