Hopps on the Case

Oh no you didn't! My favorite Judy chapter ever written by far. She's been the damsel in distress for too damn long. She has come here to chew bubble gum and kick ass and she's all out of gum! I genuflect to you Miss… excuse me... Officer Hopps.

Zoodate 47 P.C.

A glass shattered against the wall breaking into a thousand tiny crystals of melted sand. Crash! Another glass followed the first missing his head my a couple centimeters. They were coming fast and more accurately now. Glass littered the floor like landmines littered the border between North and South Korea. Drew slid across the floor in socks hoping to avoid slicing his feet into bloody pulps. Crash! A glass grazed his head leaving three trails of blood. The angry rabbit was getting much better with her throws. The phrase throws like a girl was taking on a whole new meaning. They would have to make a new phrase about throwing like a bunny where it meant becoming more and more deadly. Drew was using a counter as a barricade but the glasses were ricocheting around him raining glass and pain in his scalp, back and arms. He made a run toward the living room and a glass caught him in the side of the face and he dove for cover under the coffee table. His hands were sliced into shreds as glass littered the path before him.

She did not take the news very well. This went without saying as she had gained access to a drawer of knives and forks and she was throwing them like a skilled assassin. As he ran for the cover behind a sofa three knives sailed at him landing embedded into the couch and wall. She was coming around the side and she was fast. There was no way to outrun an angry bunny. The best you could do was try to find cover. The only problem is if you are as large as human you take up a lot of surface area. Ouch! A fork embedded itself into his thigh. He ripped it out and ducked two knives. He was regretting buying the extra sets. The extra preparation for invited guests may end up costing his life. He thought of a brilliant idea and made a mad dash for the hot tub and entry into the pool. He stumbled toward the pool getting hit by one knife in his lower buttocks and another catching his foot. He stumbled and collapsed on the floor and began crawling toward the water entry.

He saw the shadow of a gray form flying through the air and rolled just fast enough to avoid the feet but she executed a cartwheel and slammed a knife into his hand embedding it into the floor shattering the handle. He screamed in agony as she leapt and landed on his neck holding a knife high in the air plunging it down toward his exposed neck. He attempted to roll and the knife instead embedded itself in his shoulder. He was raining blood and pain from dozens of cuts and holes now. She cartwheeled away and leaped into the air grabbing three of the knives out of the wall pushing off from the top flying in the air and rolling as she hit the floor immediately coming up throwing the first. He pulled the hand with the knife in it out of the floor and rolled to the side but slipped on all the blood as his legs slid out from under him. This was actually fortunate as the second knife would have hit his body had he not collapsed, but the grim rabbit had other ideas and sent the third toward his crumbled body on the floor. He unflinchingly put up his arm out of the reflex and a knife embedded into his forearm for his effort. He crawled as fast as he could towards the water but she was faster. He saw a shadow in the air and moved to roll but she was not aiming for him. She instead aimed for wall behind him and instantly vaulted off the wall directly into his helpless form holding a knife in each paw. He felt the crunch of bone and severing of sinew. He had made it to the water sliding down the ramp but the loss of blood had weakened him to the point of near unconsciousness. The gray form hung to him her paws still holding the knives. The grimace on her face had turned to a malevolent grin as she admired her handiwork. As he slid under the water she released her grip and watched the stuffed pig fill the pool with red.

Drew woke in a cold sweat. This was the third such nightmare he had woken to since coming home from the club. They were progressively getting worse and worse. He checked his phone and realized Judy had texted him she was on her way and would be home in thirty minutes. Sleep was only an exercise in futility now so he woke up showering and cleaning himself up before the final execution. He now knew the feeling of a prisoner on death row. He was a dead human walking. He had not seen Nick since he had been escorted to the VIP room the previous night. He might as well try to get a bit to eat and drink. He might be going hungry for awhile. He might also need energy to avoid dying.

He absently ate some cereal and juice. He was indecisive whether he wants Judy to arrive and to get this over or whether he wishes she would never arrive. A corrupt part of him hopes she would suffer amnesia just briefly but this part is quickly crushed as he could never wish any ill will on his love. Whether she still loves him remains to be seen but he loves her more than ever. He only wished that he could absorb all her hurt into himself like a sponge. He dreamed of covering her in armor and protecting her with a shield capable of deflecting any harms physical or emotional.

He hears the door open and he slowly stands up. He stares at the door and only sees the tops of some gray ears and some bags being dragged into apartment and the click of the door closing. The ears peek around a corner and he sees a giant grin and suddenly a gray form is bounding across the floor like it was shot from a giant slingshot and hurls itself right for him. The form leaps into the air and lands in his arms hugging him with all its might smiling the most satisfied smile he could imagine. All of this tears at his heart and he has to fight his emotions to not break down completely at the thought of doing anything to dampen that unrestrained joy. But he would not ruin her welcome. She didn't deserve that. She didn't deserve any of this. He hugged her gently back and asked her controlling himself.

Drew: "How was your trip? How was the family?"

Judy looked at him a bit strangely sensing his hesitancy and mood. She knew him well enough to know something was very wrong.

Judy: concerned "Umm... everything was good. The family were all great and all wishing you were there. They understood you had to work but they missed you. What's wrong?"

There it was. What was wrong indeed? To other scum boyfriends, to the assorted cheaters and scoundrels nothing was wrong. He was none of those so a lot was wrong.

Drew: somberly "I will tell you in a few minutes. Did you get anything to eat or drink on the way home?"

Judy: hesitantly "Umm yes I stopped by Gideon's new diner on the way out of town. Next time we are there we have to go. He seems to have collected all the best recipes around and has the best collection of home cooking you ever tasted in a restaurant. Just have to make sure to save room for desert, a lot of desert."

Drew: bleakly "I promise if we are there together again we definitely will try it out."

The careful way he phrased that last statement made Judy apprehensive.

Judy: worried "I can sense something is really bothering you and I am getting a bit freaked out."

Drew: solemnly "Come let's go into the bedroom and let me get this over with. First I am going to help bring in your luggage."

Drew collects her luggage and helps carry it into the bedroom and helps her unpack. He makes sure everything is put away and everything in the room is as he wanted it. He had removed everything breakable he could find and even left some soft clothes and things she could throw on the bed. He had seen these scenes in the movies but never thought he would ever have one himself, and had no idea how this was going to go.

Drew looked and felt absolutely miserable.

Drew: somber "First off I would have wanted to do this downstairs but I didn't really want to take the chance of Nick overhearing. I really did not want to do this in the bedroom but I have no alternative. Please sit on the bed and I will pace. "

Judy gets a lump in her throat and a sick feeling in her stomach. It is like he is breaking up with me. How can he be breaking up? What did I do wrong? My sisters told me of conversations that went like this. But it did not make sense. Everything had been going perfectly. She knew she didn't have much of any experience with adult relationships but she couldn't think of a single warning sign. She thought he was completely over the darn concept of being with a different species by now, that can't be it… or could it?

Drew: somberly "I am not sure how to do this as it is the first time I have ever had to do anything like this in my life and I never thought I would ever have to do it. Please understand I have no idea how this works but I will just do it."

Drew: "Before I say anything else, I want you to know I love you. I love you more than anything in the world, and you mean more to me than anything I can imagine. I would be happy living as a peasant in a shack on a small field only growing carrots if it meant I could spend my life with you."

Judy thought that this is not how breakup speeches go. Not even close. This sounded more like a marriage proposal. But the most melancholy one ever. Breakup speeches are more of the "It's not you… It's me" pattern.

Drew: "That said I also vowed to myself to not cause you sorrow or pain. I realize this is impossible as life and relationships all go through this, but I vowed to try to avoid it at all costs. But I also realize that to keep anything from you is a greater crime and disservice to you than any pain it will cause."

"I would also like to emphasize that I have loved everything about our relationship and could not ask for a better girlfriend or mate or wife or whatever. I am completely satisfied emotionally, spiritually and sexually. It doesn't make any sense I realize but it is how I feel. Nothing makes sense I keep telling myself over and over. Anyway I am rambling. I just wanted to state this up front. You can record it with your carrot pen if you want me to try and repeat it."

Judy looks a bit shell-shocked and shakes her head.

Drew: "Also I want you to know I support any decision you make. I just hope you consider my words to you, but am willing to accept any consequences. I will only tell you the truth as I know it. I will not try and justify my actions except to express what I was feeling and how I tried to make sense of everything."

He then began to tell her the story of the entire evening to the best of his knowledge. How he and Nick had gone to many clubs and restaurants while she was gone simply because he had not gotten a chance to do any of that while she was there. Also because of the need to keep their relationship low key so it was a unique opportunity.

He then told her of the fancy club they had gone to and the entire night of dealing with a progressive throng of mammals and females pushing themselves on him.

Judy: "Where was Nick?"

Drew: "I was hoping to find someone to keep him company. I wanted to be his wing-man. I could sense his loneliness and melancholy and wanted to help. But he seemed to have disappeared and I didn't see him until much later."

Judy: "Hmmm. Go on."

He then told her of being completely physically and mentally exhausted and Nick coming later and offering him a special VIP booth upstairs. He told her how appreciative he was.

He then mentioning lying down and relaxing and then finding the two does in the room.

Judy was getting a very bad feeling about this. She had heard about pairs like this and the lops were some of the most notorious. They gave good female bunnies a bad name stealing boyfriends, husbands and anything they wanted. Lop bunnies were especially good at manipulating certain men especially ones like Drew and they practiced their skills from even before they were teenagers. Her sisters had lost many boyfriends to lops. But she couldn't believe they would target Drew out of the blue. She had a really bad feeling she knew where this was heading and why Drew was acting this strangely. But there was a whole lot nagging her about everything. Her cop brain had kicked in and she wanted to interrogate the suspect.

Judy: sternly "Please hand me a pad and pen."

Drew was very thrown by Judy's behavior. He had expected a lot of different emotions. He expected anger, crying, sobbing and everything in between. He had expected violence and the breaking of things. He had even expected the possibility of being hospitalized and had an emergency call waiting on speed dial. What he hadn't expected was impassivity. He was quite sure Judy knew where this was heading as she was as sharp as they came, but to get this emotion threw him completely off. Maybe she wants the pad and pen to throw at me and stab me with he thought.

Judy: "And Nick just left again."

Drew: "Um yes. I never saw him again."

Judy: "And the lops said the owner had told them to go see you specially?"

Drew: "Yes Judy that is what they said."

Judy: "No mention of Nick?"

Drew: "No."

Judy: "And they specifically acted how… fine detail please."

Judy was freaking him out. She sound like a cop. He had never seen the cop Judy interrogate anyone before as he stayed out of the cop part of her life except to talk about her day and help on any cases he could. He had really not expected this, but he imagined the next part was going to change a lot.

He was not wrong but she still didn't react like he was expecting.

He began to explain his conversation with the two of them.

Judy: a spark of fire in her eye "And you told them about me?"

Drew: "I told them as much as I could as they asked about you. I told them that we were still close and saw each other often. I couldn't tell them any more as if anyone wrong knew about us you would have gossip reporters chasing you around and you couldn't do your job or have any peace. I couldn't act like I was attached or I would bring suspicion on you."

Judy: "Um hmm. Go on."

He then proceeded to tell her in detail what happened. He told her of the mix of emotions and how he lost all sense. He described how his emotions and empathic ability completely betrayed him causing his whole system to go haywire and as if he was drugged. He described every detail even down to finally getting a car for them and getting their information.

There was fire in her and a deep undercurrent of emotion but it was incredibly controlled. He had never seen Judy control even a fraction of so many emotions before and it was disconcerting. But he sensed an anger he hadn't seen… since she wanted to murder the monster. He began to sweat and feel frightened. This was the Judy capable of murder. The cold analytical Judy turning off her emotions so she could exact terrible retribution. He couldn't sense the emotion directed specifically at himself but…

Judy: "Please give me the information for these lops."

Drew's stomach dropped and he felt nauseous.

Drew: desperate "Judy please don't hurt them. They didn't know about you. It was not their fault. They only thought they were helping me. It was all my fault not theirs."

Judy: angrily glaring "Phone!"

Drew begrudgingly handed her his phone and she began copying down information. She also examined some pictures he had snapped of them. Nothing perverse of course, just some pictures they had taken earlier when they were talking and playing around. They were adorable, smiling and fully clothed in these photos.

Judy: "This is the clubs owners info in here as well?"

Drew: "Yes Judy."

Drew: concerned "You are not going to do anything to the girls? It was not their fault."

Judy: seething "Oh those girls deserve something... but not death… but definitely something..."

For the first time in his life he could not read Judy's exact emotions. Unfortunately this was the one time in his entire life he desperately needed to understand her every emotion. There was seething hot rage. He could sense this flowing around her like tentacles of red hot molten lava, but he was unsure where that rage was directed and that scared him to death. He was horrified that she was going to do unspeakable things to the two lovely ladies whose only crime was being adorable and trying to cheer up a lonely human. They just didn't know he wasn't actually lonely, but he must have appeared to be quite lonely entertaining hordes of visitors. The other thing he worried about was her reaction to the club owner or the club. The owner had been nothing but overly nice to him. He had been a nicer host than anywhere he had ever been. He had treated him almost like royalty. For her to do anything to those three people made him violently ill. She should direct all her rage toward himself. The only other person she had mentioned was Nick. The fox had taken pity on him and wanted him to have a good time. He had taken him out on the town for several nights enjoying clubs and restaurants and a vivid nightlife he only imagined the rich and famous enjoyed. Sure Nick had left him alone at the club, but Nick wasn't one to crave the spotlight and he understood that completely. He was only trying to show Drew a good time. Judy couldn't be angry at him for doing that could she?

Then there was the disappointment. She definitely had that emotion and he couldn't blame her. He was severely disappointed with himself. But again the emotion wasn't directed solely at him confusingly. He hoped she was not disappointed with herself. She had done nothing wrong. She was completely blameless and the thought of her beating herself up over any of this brought tears to his eyes. There was sadness there as well but it was just a general blanket not the deep sadness he expected. There was regret, hopelessness, grief, fear and the most devastating of all broken trust. But again all these emotions swirled around her but bewildered him as he had no idea where exactly they were all being placed. None of this made any sense.

He wanted to run to her and hug her and comfort her. He wanted to remove all these dark thoughts hanging over her like a shroud. But he knew he couldn't and it was pure torture. She was very quiet with a frown on her face and he could see she was deep in thought. Perhaps she was thinking of a punishment. He couldn't think of one harsh enough besides death and torture. He only hoped he could remain close enough to her to eventually try to repair this and somehow make amends. He didn't know if it was possible but he wanted to at least make the attempt.

Finally he couldn't take it anymore. He had to say something.

Drew: tentatively "Judy?"

She turned to him giving him the one look and emotion he had never expected. Not in his wildest dreams. She looked at him with pity. The cold wave he felt from that look shocked him to his core. His befuddlement had finally reached a zenith. He stood frozen in shock with his jaw hanging open for a moment and then closing it. He waited for her to say something looking as sorrowful as he felt.

She walked over to the edge of the bed and reached out and gently touched him petting his face like you would a dog or young child while she talked to him.

Judy: tenderly "Stay in here awhile. I have some things I need to take care of first."

Drew: extremely confused "But… what… why?"

Judy: taking a deep breath and sighing "Just don't talk to anyone. Read a book. Work on the computer. Just stay here until I come back."

Drew made to open his mouth again to ask another question but she placed her paw over it.

Judy: considering "Just think of it as part of your punishment. Understand?"

Drew nodded and took this as a good sign that at least she was starting a punishment. He also took it as a good sign she had mentioned coming back. The thought of her leaving was his greatest fear. He was happy to find somewhere else to stay for however long she needed. He just did not want her to leave their place. He sat on the bed in the warm spot she had left smelling her scent in the air. How much he loved that scent and the warmth of her body. His mind was so muddled right now. This had not gone the way he had expected. He had run through at least a hundred scenarios and the reality was not even close to one of them. He sat in stunned silence thinking but finding no answers.

Judy had a pretty good idea what happened but she needed more than circumstantial evidence. She needed an airtight case to bring to the court. She would play the prosecutor, the judge and the jury. But she needed to fill in some information first. She called ahead and made sure the person she needed was at the club and went there directly to interview the suspect. She first went upstairs to check out this room Drew described and confirmed his description in detail. She was then escorted into the office of a middle aged well dressed opossum. He offered her a seat and she took it and both sat in the office staring at each other.

Vlad: "Miss Hopps… how may I help you?"

Judy: smiling but stern "Officer Hopps."

Vlad: "Of course… Officer… could you please tell me what this is concerning."

Judy: "I am here on behalf of a guest of yours… a good friend of mine… that was here last night."

Vlad: curious "Nick or the Ambassador?"

Judy: "To some degree both. I wanted to know who was responsible for setting the Ambassador up in the common area where he would be swarmed with visitors without any help."

Vlad: "I was told he wanted to be with the public. I was told he needed to be among all the Zootopians so he could provide maximum exposure to public relations and experience all the questions and issues of the people. A truly noble gesture indeed. Such is never done by public figures here. He is truly a mammal of the people."

Judy: "And who told you to do this, the ambassador himself?"

Vlad: "Oh no I barely spoke with him. His representative Nick arranged everything for him."

Judy: "For the record you are referring to the fox Nick Wilde correct?"

Vlad: "Of course."

Judy: nodding "I see. Did the ambassador seem to have any reservations about this arrangement?"

Vlad: "Well, he did seem a bit hesitant, but was very thankful he was given a table and well treated. "

Judy: "Did you offer him a more private table?"

Vlad: "Not until much later."

Judy: "I meant initially, was any more private option offered to him?"

Vlad: "No as I said his representative had selected the accommodations. He is your partner is he not. Shouldn't you be asking him these questions?"

Judy: "Sir, I only want to get all the facts straight so I know everything is consistent for my report. I can not have any opinions of other witnesses biasing my conclusions whether they be law enforcement officers or not. Each will be verified independently for the review board."

She was being honest she just neglected to say the report and review board was for her own tribunal.

Vlad: nervously "Did anything happen? Did something happen to the ambassador? Did those girls do..."

Judy: putting her paw up calmly "Sir, we will get to that. Please just answer all the questions truthfully and you will be fine."

Judy: "Was any help offered the ambassador to deal with the unruly crowds?"

Vlad: "Umm I had assumed Nick would have informed us if any help was needed."

Judy: "So the answer is no."

Vlad shook his head affirmative.

Judy: "Approximately how long was the ambassador downstairs before being moved to more private quarters?"

Vlad: "I would estimate around three hours."

Judy: "And how many mammals do you think he had visit him during this time?"

Vlad: "I really wasn't counting. I supposed I could view the security video."

Judy raised her eyebrow at this.

Judy: "I see, it is not necessary at this time. Please just give me an estimate from what you observed."

Vlad: "Well probably a hundred at least maybe one hundred and fifty or more."

Judy: "Did you not think this was an unusually large number for one mammal to handle by himself."

Vlad: "He is a very unusual mammal."

Judy: "Did he seem to be enjoying himself."

Vlad: "Initially I thought so but he did seem quite exhausted as the night wore on."

Judy: "And you didn't try to help him?"

Vlad: "Again as I said your partner… I mean Nick… Nick Wilde didn't seem to think it was necessary."

Judy: "I see. And did this Nick Wilde request that accommodations be changed at any time?"

Vlad: "Um yes… he requested that he be given a VIP room in the very back."

Judy: "And was there anything special about this room?"

Vlad: "Yes. These were special rooms for guests who wished to have intimate encounters."

Judy: "And this type of room was specifically requested by this Nick?"

Vlad: "Yes."

Judy: "And was a reason given for this special room?"

Vlad: sweating a bit "Um… he said he had some special ladies for the Ambassador to meet and to make sure he was not disturbed."

Judy: "And you performed this exactly as he requested?"

Vlad: "Of course."

Judy: "How was this paid for?"

Vlad: "I owed Nicky… I mean Nick Wilde for helping my son out of a jam."

Judy: "So no money exchanged hands."

Vlad: "No of course not. I would have provided these services for someone such as the Ambassador free of charge anyway. It is always good having celebrities in my club. I would provide such services to yourself as well Miss… I mean Officer Hopps."

Judy: "I see. Were there any additional requests."

Vlad: "Ummm."

The opossum was silent for awhile.

Judy: "I sense you are reticent to divulge this information but I remind you that the protection of the Ambassador is dependent on a full review."

Vlad: "Well it was requested that security be turned on. But this was for the safety of the Ambassador only."

Judy: "And who requested this?"

Vlad: "Nicky… Nick Wilde."

Judy: "Is this unusual?"

Vlad: "Yes. It is only used if requested by certain parties sensitive to any potential misunderstandings. We never review such recordings. They are the private property of the guests."

Judy: "Was the Ambassador informed of the recording?"

Vlad: "I would assume Nicky told him."

Judy: "Did you specifically inform the Ambassador?"

Vlad: "No."

Judy: "And where is the recording now?"

Vlad: "I believe Nick reviewed it."

Judy: "And what was done with the recording?"

Vlad: "I would assume Nick reviewed it and took it."

Judy: "To what purpose?"

Vlad: "Umm he said to make sure that the two ladies did not claim to have been taken advantage of in the future. This is the purpose of the recordings to prevent any false claims."

Judy: "Were the young ladies informed they were being recorded?"

Vlad: "No. That would have the responsibility of the guest."

Judy: "Do you have any record of the recording here?"

Vlad: "Only a log entry that shows it was recorded and what time and length of the recording. We keep no copy of any recording. If we did so it would ruin our reputation for discretion. Only authorized personnel for the guest are allowed access to this information. No one else ever accesses this."

Judy: "Did you know the two ladies in question?"

Vlad: "I had seen them on occasion. They had special passes as they were very good for business."

Judy: "In what way."

Vlad: "Umm it is important for a club to have the most attractive clientele possible. Those two appealed to a wide demographic."

Judy: "Have these two been to a private VIP room before?"

Vlad: "Not to my knowledge."

Judy: "Do you believe they left happy and in good condition?"

Vlad: "I do not know I would have to review the security footage."

Judy: "Could you show me?"

Vlad: "Oh course Officer Hopps."

Vlad showed the bunnies leaving after four hours and in very good condition. She watched Drew getting them a car and laughing with them and casually touching them. She got quite angry seeing how relaxed and at ease with them he was. Everything fit exactly with his story though and the reason for acting this way. She did notice something after they left in the car.

Judy: "Could you zoom in on the Ambassador after they left."

Vlad: "Of course."

Judy: "Please play the video from this point."

She saw what she wanted to see. Drew looked sick and devastated. He had put his hands on his knees for awhile and seemed lost in thought. He finally walked back inside.

Judy: "When did Nick Wilde leave."

Vlad: "He left immediately after stopping the recording and reviewing it."

Judy: "How do you know this?"

Vlad: "He thanked me and said he needed to leave early and for me to make sure the Ambassador got home safely."

Judy: "So he left roughly an hour before the Ambassador exited."

Vlad: "Yes around that time. The Ambassador got an official car and he left shortly after I informed him Nicky had left."

Judy: "Is there anything you would like to add to the report?"

Vlad: "Just that everything seemed just fine. The Ambassador and girls seemed to be perfectly happy. Well more than perfectly. Nothing seemed to amiss. I am not sure what happened. The Ambassador thanked me for my hospitality and seemed to be fine when he left. Could you please tell me what this is about?"

Judy: "It is just a security review. I just wanted to review the events of the evening to make sure we can improve the well-being of the Ambassador in the future."

Vlad: "I apologize that we did not intervene on his behalf in the main club earlier. If I had thought he was in discomfort I would have taken steps immediately."

Judy: "Of course. I am sure you would. I just want to make sure he is properly handled in the future."

Vlad: "Please tell Nicky hi for me and have him contact me if he needs anything again."

Judy: "I certainly will."

She thought you have done more than enough Vlad Didel even if you didn't realize it.

She had one more task to accomplish in her report. She did not relish this and would have to keep her professional Officer Hopps persona in complete control for this. She made her call.

Petra: "Petra Lopp here. Who is this?"

Judy: "Officer Judy Hopps."

Petra: "No way.. The Judy Hopps?"

Judy: "Yes."

Petra: "Did Ophelia put you up to this?"

Judy: "Did you check your caller id?"

Petra: "I thought it was a joke."

Judy: "It is not a joke Miss Lopp."

Petra: "This is such a small world. I just met your friend last night."

Judy: "Which friend?"

Petra "The human… the Ambassador."

Judy: "I see. Did everything go fine with him."

Petra: "Oh yes. He was nicest mammal I had ever met. And he was famous. I thought all celebrities would be such snobs but he was the exact opposite. I was hoping to see him again soon. Did Drew mention us?"

Judy was seething clenching her one paw in one hand and trying to keep herself under control and ignoring the question.

Judy: "Did you meet a fox named Nick Wilde?"

Petra: "Oh yes. Nick. He was so charming. He introduced us to the Drew… the Ambassador. How do you know him?"

Judy: ignoring her question "How did you meet him?"

Petra: "Oh he found us and introduced himself. We had mentioned we were wanting to meet someone famous and he told us about the ambassador."

Judy: "What exactly did he tell you?"

Petra: "Oh that he was very shy and to be very gentle with him."

Judy: "He said the ambassador was looking for company?"

Petra: "Nick said not to tell him as not to embarrass him that he had Nick finding companionship for him."

Judy: "And the owner did not tell you to meet Dre… the Ambassador."

Petra: "Oh we made that up. I am sorry… we didn't want to get Nick in trouble and embarrass the Ambassador. Once we got to know Drew he was so sweet. You were so lucky to be able to spend so much time with him. How do you know Nick?"

Judy: "We work together."

Petra: "Oh wait… he's your partner right? I KNEW he was famous. He helped stop all those evil Covenant right. Darn I knew it. He was so humble. I gotta tell Ophelia."

Judy: "Oh he is something all right..."

Petra: "Oh, you sound mad. I hope he is not in trouble. He is so charming."

Judy: "Oh he is that. Well I got the information needed. Thank you for your assistance."

Petra: "Oh one thing I meant to ask you.

Judy: "What?"

Petra: "Were you ever tempted to get to know Drew better? You know… in an intimate way."

Judy was having trouble controlling herself.

Judy: "No why?"

Petra: "Oh nothing. Just that you missed out. Could you let him know to call me or Ophelia anytime? We would love to see him again."

Judy hung up the phone and screamed into the air clenching her phone and paws at her sides.

A couple of nearby groundhogs who were cleaning the floor looked up with startled looks.

Judy glared at them and they quickly looked down and went back to their cleaning.

Judy walked back into the apartment and decided she needed to play the role of her life to finish the final piece of the puzzle. Fortunately Nick was not an empath or he would be able to sense her seething displeasure. However Nick was an excellent read of people and an excellent read of Judy so she would have to use some half truths to convince him of the next part.

She went up to his room and knocked on his outer door. The guest suite had its own special entry but Nick generally left it open all the time. However she wished to speak to him in the open apartment not where he was comfortable. Nick came to the door with a grin. He looked to be in quite a good mood.

Nick: grinning "Carrots! When did you get back?"

Judy: "A couple hours ago."

Nick: concern "Whats wrong?"

Judy: "A few things. Could you come out and talk to me?"

Nick: concerned "Of course. Tell me what's wrong."

As they walked into living room Judy casually got a fruit and vege blend from the refrigerator and got a blueberry drink for Nick.

As they sat down on the sofa she said…

Judy: "Nick did you and Drew go out to a bunch of night clubs while I was gone?"

Nick: "Oh yeah Drew hadn't been to many since he was here. He said you never liked them so he hadn't been to any so I thought it was a perfect opportunity to check them out."

Judy: "Did you go to one last night?"

Nick: "Ah yes what about it. I left early."

Judy: "It is just Drew is acting weird and I thought you may know something about."

Nick: "I may… what did he tell you?"

Judy: "He said he was busy entertaining lots of mammals mainly females all night."

Nick: "That is true… he was a regular politician schmoozing them all."

Judy: "Did he do anything with them?"

Nick: "Not that I saw. Why do you ask?"

Judy: "I just had this feeling he was not telling me everything."

Nick: "What did he tell you?"

Judy: "Oh he said he met many but that they all meant nothing to him."

Nick: "He didn't say anything else?"

Judy: "He said he met some bunnies later that had lots of questions about me but not to worry. Nothing happened."

Nick: "He said that?"

Judy: "He said they couldn't hold a candle to me. And I was much cut… prettier."

Nick: "Ah…."

Nick paced around the room with a grim look on his face.

Judy: questioning "Nick, what is wrong?"

Nick: "I just don't want to be the one to tell you this."

Judy: concerned "Tell me what?"

Nick: "You have been so happy lately. But I just didn't want to be the one to disrupt that happiness."

Judy: concerned "Please tell me Nick, I want to know."

Nick: sighs "I am just afraid your boyfriend is not the person you think he is."

Judy: "What do you mean?"

Nick: "A friend of mine at the club saw something he thought I should see and gave it to me with discretion. It is the only copy."

Judy: "What is it?"

Nick: "There was a video of Drew with those bunnies but he was doing a lot more than just talking with them."

Judy: shocked "What?"

Nick: "I couldn't believe it myself. But the evidence was there. I was debating whether to show you hoping he would admit what happened to you. But I can't keep this from you. You deserve to know the truth."

Judy: "What video?"

Nick: "You don't want to see it, take my word."

Judy: pleading "I can handle it. I want to know the truth."

Nick: "I warn you it is going to upset you greatly."

Judy: sorrowfully "I am already upset."

Nick put the flash drive of the video into the large television and began to play it. He left Judy alone to watch it and watched her reaction out of the corner of her eye.

Judy watched the video with sorrowful eyes but inside her head she was seething about the girls. How amazing they were at acting the perfect amount of shy and coy. They pushed cuteness and adorableness to a level she had never seen. They were the perfect storm of femininity, personality and sexuality to seduce Drew. He had no chance against these two. Especially not with the three exhausting hours of constant hell he had just gone through downstairs at the club and his empathic vulnerability.

It was very difficult to watch the part once the foreplay was over. Actually it was excruciating. The two girls were so fluid and sensual. The lops didn't have the reputation they did for nothing. No wonder her sisters stood no chance of holding their boyfriends if the other lops were even a fraction as talented as this tag team. She did get a master class is sexual education watching this, it was just the object of their education that was driving her mad.

She fast forwarded through the breaks in the action and was a bit disturbed by the stamina of all three. She supposed Drew had sensed when she had enough and stopped but these two seemed to never end their creative sexual escapades. He seemed helpless but to go along with all of it. She had seen that face on him before. It was an empathic bliss that he had described as being like on the heroine she had seen in a movie. He had said it was one of the most addictive drugs on the human Earth and the feeling so strong it was nearly impossible to resist. Apparently he was high for almost four hours straight with some rests in between.

Drew had described everything in detail. He had forgotten a bit here and there but that was understandable. In his state of mind he probability didn't even know half of what was actually going on. The advanced moves of the two girls were almost mind blowing. She hadn't even heard of most of the things they did and they made them look so smooth and easy. She did notice they did not have him penetrate either of them with his… male part. They did about everything else conceivable but humans were quite large in this area compared to other male mammals of similar size. Add the fact the two girls were much smaller in size and this was completely understandable. These two were all about pleasure and did not wish to harm themselves. This did not seem to slow their methods of pleasure both for themselves or him though.

She watched every minute of the video until it cut off after they had been asleep in each others arms and paws for a long while. She sat stoically wondering how to handle the next part.

Finally she decided shock was the best method. She took the flash drive put it in a secret pocket inside her new outfit and zipped it up.

Judy: sadly "Nick could you please come here."

Nick: "Of course Carrots."

Judy put her head down and grabbed him around his waist sobbing.

Nick hugged her back and patted her head.

Judy: sobbing "Why do you hate me?"

Nick: "It's okay Carrots I am so sorry… I… What?"

Judy held on to him tightly as he tried to pull away.

Judy: "Do you hate to see me happy for some reason?"

Nick: "Carrots what are you talking about. I just thought you wanted to know the truth."

Judy: "Which truth is that?"

Nick: "The truth that the human is a cheater. He is a liar and manipulator."

Judy: seething "Oh there is a manipulator here. But he is not a human."

Nick: shocked "What?"

Judy pulled away from him and had a livid expression on her face.

Judy: accusingly "You set him up."

Nick: stunned "What? What did he tell you?"

Judy: "He told me you were wonderful to him. He told me you showed him an amazing time and that he was so appreciative of all you had done for him. He told me you were a true friend."

Nick: confused "Huh?"

Judy: "He has no idea what you have done to him. He has no clue you set the entire thing up."

Nick: "What do you mean?"

Judy: "You made one big mistake."

Nick: "Which was?"

Judy: "You assumed he was a liar and manipulator. You assumed he did not really love me but was using me. You assumed he was conning me. You assumed wrong."

Nick: "He was conning you. He didn't tell you anything."

Judy: "He told me everything. He told me every single tiny detail. He admitted every single caress and fondle… everything no matter how tiny he could remember. He took full responsibility."

Nick: confused "Why… why would he do that… what is he playing at?"

Judy: yelling "He is not playing at anything!"

Nick: "Couldn't be. Why would he invite me to live with you?"

Judy: yelling "Because he likes you and thinks it would make me happy!"

Nick: shocked and shaking his head "Carrots, that... it just can't be that simple."

Judy: "He is not a Svengali. Yes I looked that up. He did not con me and hypnotize me. I wanted to be with him as much as he wanted me."

Nick: "Why would he invite a rival to live with him?"

Judy: confused "Rival, what do you mean?"

Nick: "I mean… for your affections."

Judy: confused "Nick now you're not making sense."

Nick: "I mean. Look he cheated on you. Not only that but with two bunnies. Why are you on my case?"

Judy: angrily pointing a finger at him and yelling "Because you orchestrated the entire thing! You set him up the entire weekend. You worked non-stop to put him into this position."

Nick: "How do you know that?"

Judy: angrily "Because he told me everything. He didn't know what you did but I could fill in the gaps. I did the legwork. I grilled your club owner. I talked to the lops. I know every detail."

Nick: shocked "Whaaa?"

Judy: fuming mad "What I just don't understand is why you hate me. Why do you hate for me to be happy? Why do you hate Drew? What did we ever do to deserve this?"

Nick dropped his jaw and stepped away from her. He looked down and didn't know what to say for once in his life. After a long pause he finally said.

Nick: "Carrots I don't hate you. I love you. I don't hate the human."

Judy: storming with anger "Then WHY?"

Nick: "I wanted you all to myself."

Judy: startled "What?"

Nick: "You were so happy. He made you so happy. I didn't make you happy."

Judy: "Why didn't you just tell me how you felt?"

Nick: "Because I didn't exactly know how I felt Carrots."

Judy: "So you just didn't want to see me happy unless it was you making me happy. That is the most selfish thing I think I have ever heard."

Nick: "If the human had been in my position he would have done the same thing."

Judy was hopping mad! She yelled and pointed at Nick.

Judy: furiously screaming"NO! That's just it Nick. He would have done the opposite. In fact he did the opposite. He would sacrifice his comfort, his self satisfaction, his pleasure, his entire being to make me happy. He invited you here just because he thought it would make me happy. He bent over backwards to try and become friends with you because he thought it would make me happy. He spends all his free time trying to think of just little things to try and make me happy. He always tries to come up with ways to surprise me and bring me joy constantly. He didn't go to clubs and out in public because it made me uncomfortable and he didn't want to risk reporters chasing me around. That alone was a major reason that this whole thing even occurred because he was looking out for my well-being and couldn't tell the lops the truth and had to act unattached. I know it sounds twisted but it is the truth!"

Nick: "I… Carrots… he cheated on you."

Judy: "It would be like putting a starving Clawhauser in charge of a room full of the best donuts in Zootopia and telling him not to eat any because they are for the Chief's party."

Judy: "To borrow a human example it would be like putting a recently recovering heroine addict in a room full of top grade liquid heroine and needles and expecting him not to get high. I watched a movie called Requiem for a Dream… it wasn't what I thought it was about."

Nick: "But..."

Judy: "Do you love me?"

Nick: "Carrots, you know I do."

Judy: "But you don't want me to be happy."

Nick: "I can make you happy."

Judy: "Are you in love with me?"

Nick: hesitant "I…. I know how you mean… I just don't know."

Judy: "It was never an issue before. We we fine. I come back from the human world and all this comes out of nowhere."

Nick: "I guess seeing the human make you happy just confused me. It made me jealous."

Judy: "I would think you would be happy for me instead if you really loved me."

Nick: "I just always thought…"

Judy: "Thought what?"

Nick: "It was just you and me against the world."

Judy: "You didn't think I deserved someone to love me in another way?"

Nick: "I thought I was enough."

Judy: "That is pretty narcissistic of you."

Nick: grinning "That's just me baby. Love it or leave it."

Judy: irritated "At this point I am leaning toward the latter. And what is this fascination with my sexual life. Don't think I didn't remember that stunt you pulled before I left. Getting me to talk when I was half asleep."

Nick: innocently "I was just curious is all."

Judy: disgusted "Blah! You were just wanting to know if he was satisfying me like it was some contest. Like you were having a pissing contest with Drew except he had no idea he was even in one."

Nick: defensively "Well regardless he failed you and gave in to those two."

Judy: angrily "Given the same scenario with the weakened state begging for a friendly gentle face after three hours of hell… and given the talent of those two… I daresay my dad and my brothers-in-law would have given in to those two as well."

Nick: shocked "Judy!"

Judy: "I am serious! You set him up so much he had no chance. You might as well have tied him up and forced them down on him personally."

Judy: "I have made my decision. I am not going to tell him what you did. I want you to apologize to him and to treat him as a friend. I don't want there to be any bad blood between you that is why I am not telling him the truth. You will never do anything against him again or I will… you risk our friendship is all I am saying. Do you understand?"

Nick: begging "Carrots..."

Judy: vehemently "Do you understand!"

Nick: despondently "Yes Carrots I understand."

Judy: "Stay here while I get Drew."

Judy knew she could not let Drew know that the two lops were masters of seduction or even that they were not sweet and innocent. If he knew this he might blame the nightclub owner he thought sent them to him and confront him and discover the truth.

Judy went up to the room and found Drew reading on the bed. He nervously looked up. She saw he looked pretty much like a nervous wreck.

Drew: nervously "Judy. You're back."

Judy: curiously "That was in question?"

Drew: sighs as if in relief "I'm just happy you are back."

Judy: "I just had to look into some things."

Drew: apprehensively "Is everyone okay.

Judy: "Why wouldn't they be?"

Drew: "No bunnies or opossums have been harmed?"

Judy: "They are all intact as far as I know."

Drew: relieved "Whew! Nick is okay?"

Judy: "You only think of everyone else, is that it?"

Drew: "Well I am still alive and fine so far so I didn't need to ask about myself."

Judy: "Well I have made my decision."

Drew: gulps "I am ready I suppose."

Judy: "Come join me in the living room."

Drew walked hesitantly after Judy and found Nick waiting on the sofa. He was unsure why Nick was there. He just hoped his friend had not taken any of the heat for his mistake. Judy motioned for him to sit down next to Nick.

Judy: "Drew I have filled Nick in on part of what occurred in the VIP room."

Drew looked extremely embarrassed and very uncomfortable not wanting to meet Nick's gaze.

Judy: "And Nick has admitted to being negligent in taking care of you while you were there knowing such possible temptations were there. He left you overwhelmed downstairs and completely vulnerable upstairs. You are both at fault for what occurred."

Drew and Nick glanced at each other guiltily.

Judy: nodding her head toward the coach "It is my decision that you should leave."

Drew: resigned "I understand Judy."

Judy: "Not you."

Drew: stunned "What?"

Judy: sternly "My decision is that Nick needs to leave tonight. That you two need to be separated until Drew and my relationship is on rock solid ground and then I will consider the possibility of having Nick back. Nick may come over but only when I am around. You two will not go any places together where such an event could happen again without my explicit permission. Is there any question?"

Judy had considered punishing Drew by moving out temporarily, but quickly realized that really had no upside but instead several potentially tremendous downsides. Separating Nick from Drew would punish Drew since she knew how much he loved the fox's company as well as preventing anything like this from happening again. Besides, the human would punish himself with guilt far worse than anything she could possibly do whether she remained here or not. She worried her friend may do something to hurt himself if she left him alone. He was so upset by what happened and didn't understand how it even happened in the first place. To leave him so confused and alone would be beyond cruel. Also as an empath with that much pain and depression, he may make some desperate dangerous choices in order to try and counter those massively depressed thoughts. One of the reasons this whole thing happened was Drew didn't understand that just because something looked cute and friendly in the Zootopia, didn't mean it was. Regardless of what happened, Drew was her friend and had sacrificed everything for her. He desperately needed her to get through this and his only real faults were his trusting of Nick, his naivety when dealing with lops and his failure to understand how dangerously vulnerable he was to his empathic need for positive feelings when he was worn down and exposed to so many negative feelings for so long.

Drew was in a bit of shock. He had not expected this result. He hated not having Nick around but the alternative was a million times worse so he quickly gulped and said.

Drew: "I accept your decision completely."

Nick knew better than to argue with Carrots when she had that look in her eye. He had never seen her so pissed at him. He understood the reasons for her decision completely. She did not want him to be able to interfere with her relationship in any way. He did not have any current plans to attempt this anyway.

Nick: "Carrots, I accept you decision and understand completely."

Judy: "Good now say goodbye to Nick for now and help him pack. You will see him again soon. Maybe not for a few days but soon. It is not like he is dead."

Judy: whispering so only Nick could hear "Yet."