A/N So I've gotten a few reviews that say they are enjoying it so far so I will keep adding to it.

I do appreciate feedback so reviews are great guys.

Disclaimer, yada yada, I don't own anything.

Chapter 2: Bad to still very bad

Nick was fucked. Mentally, emotionally, and physically screwed. After Judy had left, he sat in that spot for hours going over his own stupidity. Why? Why had he done it? He knew it would ruin everything and it had. Stupid brain. Stupid, stupid brain.

After spending a long time beating himself up, he finally passed out around 4am. When his alarm went off at 5:30, he glared at the offending device, ripped it from the wall, and smashed it to the ground. Grumbling and muttering curses under his breath, he slowly slid his legs out from under the bed sheet and stumbled to his feet. Reaching into his closet, his grabbed a new alarm clock and set it for 5:30am. Damn appliance stores are bleeding me dry, he thought.

While he usually was not one for being up on time, today he needed to be. There was a lot at stake, none of it having to do with his job. Hopping in the shower, he spent a few minutes pondering his current situation and how to fix it. After much deliberation, he decided that there was no way to come back from this gracefully and he would simply have to wing it. Oh goody.

After attending to his grooming and pulling on his uniform, he made ready to head out. As had been his routine for the last 3 months, he checked his phone for the usual morning text he would get from Carrots, deciding if they would meet at her door or his and where they would get their coffee for the day. After seeing nothing, for the first time in nearly a year, he felt a sharp pain in his chest and his frown turned into something a bit more emotional.

Don't let them see they get to you.

His mantra for his entire life. But "they" didn't apply to Carrots. It never had. He knew of no defense against her. Her ability to see right through his facade was unnerving, yet so welcomed after so many years of loneliness.

He stepped out into the sidewalk and began his slow walk to the precinct. He didn't live too far, maybe a 10 minute walk, but he decided to take his time today. Roll call wasn't for another 45 minutes and he needed time to think.

What do I say when I see her? Do I even say anything? It's not like I can just go up to her and be like 'hey sorry about the misunderstanding. It was just a joke kiss.' She knows exactly what I meant by that kiss. There's no way to handle this where I can come out on top.

Nope. You're totally fucked.

You're not helping.

Sorry, sorry. I'll just be over here waiting for the ship to sink.

Before he knew it his foot had hit the first step of the precinct. Shaken from his thoughts he climbed to the front door and entered the building. Still a bit distracted, he forgot about the one thing that could make this morning start off any wors-

"O. M. GOO-…Oh my god. Nick. You look terrible! Are you okay?" The bubbly cheetah behind the counter was so shocked by Nick's appearance that he nearly fell over the counter.

Nick clapped a hand to his face. *Sigh* "I'm fine Spots. It's just…it's been a rough morning."

Clawhauser continued to look at Nick worriedly. "I know it's more than a rough morning, Nick. I've been your friend since you joined the force and in all that time, I've never seen you look so dejected. Something happened. I know it did."

"I appreciate your concern, Spots, but really, all I need is a couple dozen espressos and I'll be good to go." Nick flashed his signature smirk. "By the way, have you seen Carrots this morning?"

Clawhauser frowned and didn't look convinced by Nick's explanation, but he wasn't going to pry too far. "Judy went into the Bullpen about 45 minutes ago."

Nick looked at the clock. "That's almost an hour early! What has she been doing in there this whole time?"

"I don't know but the rest of the squad should be in there by now. You should probably head in."

"Alright Spots, thanks."

"I hope you start feeling better!"

Nick waved back over his shoulder.

There's something going on with him, alright, Clawhauser mused. Something happened between him and Judy. Had to have been something big.

Because for the first time in anyone's memory, Judy Hopps had come into work without a certain spring in her step. Without her cheerful demeanor. Without that certain spark of life in those deep amethyst eyes. And unless something happened soon, it may just destroy the greatest partnership Zootopia's police force had ever seen.