* Happy Friday all! Thanks again for the support of my story. I am having a blast writing it. On that note I am sorry it have taken a while to get a new chapter out unfortunately, some events around my hometown has had me preoccupied the last few day. Anyway hope you all enjoy.
Chapter 4: Hearts and Minds
POV (Nick)
The ride to the station wasn't exciting in the least. I sat looking out the window most of the way, but it was the best ride of my life. Every now and then, I would look over and see Judy smiling, just happy to be with me. I loved that smile and I was quite content to just sit there quietly with her. Everything was as it should. To my slight dismay, we pulled up in what seemed like no time, climbing out to start a new day. I took a deep breath, I was ready.
In lockstep, I walked into the station beside my partner. I could already tell that today was a complete 180 from the day before. Sure I still had my fears and uncertainty, but there was something else to. I wasn't really sure what, but my universe didn't seem quite as dark. I looked down at Judy as we pushed through the front doors. Her face was relaxed, calm, content. Her small smile still gracing her beautiful face. The moment seemed to move beyond normal space and time. I watched her movements in slow motion, every detail becoming sharper. She was a dream. She was MY dream.
"Look out!" Someone screamed.
"Whaaaaa!" I shouted as I slipped on a freshly waxed floor and landed on my back. I just lay there surprised and a bit embarrassed, mammals rushing over to make sure I was alright. "Of course that would happen."
"Dispatch, we need a bus at Precinct 1," I heard Clawhauser saying over the radio.
"Cancel that Benjamin," I calmly called over as I sat up. "I'm ok."
"You sure? That was a nasty spill you took there." He asked concerned.
"Really, I'm fine. Just hurt my pride." I said reassuringly.
"Ok... if you say so." Clawhauser replied.
I looked around and saw Judy still standing next to me with both paws over her mouth. Her soft, amethyst eyes misty like she had been crying. That was so like her. I couldn't help but give a little smile. "Bunnies are so emotional." I thought. "Carrots... I'm fine promise."
"Are you sure? You landed hard." She said in a meek, cracking voice.
"Totally, just embarrassed is all." I assured her.
"Oh, good! Because I would have felt so bad! Hahahahahaha!" She exclaimed as she fell to the floor rolling in laughter. "Your feet flew up like you stepped on a banana peel! Like in the cartoons! You flew like ten feet in the air! All it was missing was a slide whistle effect."
"Well, I figured being sarcastic was getting old, so I moved on to physical comedy," I said as I got off the floor.
"Ow, ow, ow... it hurts!" Judy laughed while holding her side.
"Come on Carrots, that's enough don't you think? It wasn't that funny besides, we need to get to roll call before chief buffalo butt has our skins." I said a bit annoyed.
"Oh, you are no fun," she said, sticking out her bottom lip, "pouting", as she got up. "Well since you are worried about being late, we best hurry."
Before, I could reply, Judy was off running through the foot traffic, heading to the bull pen. I was about to chase after her, when I got cornered by Clawhauser. "Oh, I'll get you for this Fluff." I said to myself looking over Benjamin's shoulder.
POV (Judy)
"Look out!" I heard Clawhauser yell.
I turned his direction just in time to see Nick's feet leave the floor. Not paying attention, he had stepped on a freshly waxed portion of the lobby. I watched in horror as he landed squarely on his back, with a dull thud. I gingerly moved to him to check for blood or other injuries. Finding none, I was about to shout for an ambulance, but I heard Clawhauser already calling for one. After what felt like an eternity, Nick began to sit up and assure everyone that he was ok. Once he did, the hilarity of what just happened washed over me. I doubled over and starting laughing hysterically, not to the amusement of Nick.
"Come on Carrots, that's enough don't you think? We need to get to roll call before chief buffalo butt has our skins." he said a bit annoyed.
"Oh, you are no fun," I said, sticking out my bottom lip, "pouting", as I got up. "Well since you are worried about being late, we best hurry."
With that I took off like a flash. I easily made it to the bullpen before Nick and took our usual chair near the front. I sat there waiting, waiting for Nick and waiting for the briefing. But mostly, I was waiting for Nick. When I saw him enter the room, I couldn't help feel a little giddy. He walked up to our chair and climbed beside me.
"Not cool, Fluff." He said face like stone.
"Ah, whats wrong?" I asked in my best innocent bunny voice.
"You left me high and dry is what!" he said doing a convincing job of acting mad. "You are suppose to be my partner and have my back."
"Nick, what are you talking about?" I was getting concerned, my ears starting to droop.
"When you ran off, Clawhauser caught me. Do you know how boring it is to get trapped by one of his Gazelle stories?" he finished grinning. He knew he had me going.
"Nick!" I nearly screamed, grinning ear to ear as I realized he was playing me. "You are a jerk, you know that Nicholas P. Wilde?"
"Whoa... full name. I must be in trouble," Nick mocked.
I was about to respond when the chief walked into the room, putting an end to the dozen murmured conversations being held in the room. Not having any other options, I gave Nick a hard punch to the shoulder, then turned to focus on what the Chief had to say..
"Ow! Damn it Hopps." He said under his breath. It was all I could do to stifle my giggle.
"Shut it Wilde!" The chief said hearing his outburst. "Though, I am glad to see you are better. And Hopps, good of you to join us today."
I sank a bit lower in my seat. I had forgotten about my absence the day before and being called out about it in front of everyone was really embarrassing. However, the chief quickly got down to business.
Through out the briefing, I found my mind drifting to thoughts of Nick. Flashes of the last 12 hours playing in my head. The way he held my this morning, or how he just stared at me when I was just in a towel. His words ringing through my head, "You're, beautiful." As I daydreamed, I became acutely aware of him sitting next to me. I could smell him, the scent of his shampoo, feel the warmth radiating from his body, hear his gentle breathing. Ugh, my concentration was slowly eroding. "Oh Nick..."
"Hopps!" Nick hissed.
"Huh? What?" I said snapping out of my day dream. I had been staring at Nick the whole time. I looked around the room and everyone's eyes were on me. I felt my ears going red, wanting nothing more than to slide from my chair and hide under the table.
"The chief asked you a question." Nick replied, pretending not to notice.
"Oh, umm... I …. what was the question Chief?" I asked.
"Grrr... I asked if you understood. Do you even know what I was saying?" Chief Bogo responded, eerily calm.
"No, sorry Chief." I said timidly.
"Huh... fine. I'll say it again. You and Wilde have the same assignment as yesterday. I want you to start to know the mammals in your area of patrol. So get out there, meet and greet them. However, be advised that there is a weather advisory today for extreme heat, so I am permitting you to use your cruiser to patrol. But! I want you two to still get out and visit businesses. Am... I... Clear?" He repeated to my benefit.
"Yes sir." I said.
"Good... dismissed. Hopps! You stay." He commanded.
I gave Nick a look as we hopped off the chair. For his part, he looked like he was never going to see me again. I gave a weak smile to reassure him, but it didn't work. If I was being honest, I had that feeling too. I took a deep breath, and turned to face the chief. I felt like I was going to my own hanging.
"You... you wanted to see me sir?" I stammered, a little fear creeping into my voice.
"Relax Hopps, you're not in trouble, though I suppose you should be for that stunt in the briefing. I just want to give you some advice." He said.
He looked down at me, with a soft expression on his face. I had never seen that look before. Usually he was a gruff, no bullshit type of buffalo. Unfortunately, if he was trying to put me at ease it wasn't working. If anything, his amicable behavior was freaking me out more. "Advice about what sir?" I asked.
"Look, I am not blind. I see what is going on. I just wanted you to know, that it is fine as long as your personal business doesn't interfere with your police work. However, also know that what you are doing hardly ever ends well." He said. I wasn't quite following.
Before I could ask him what he meant, he stood up and left the room, dismissing me as he left. Confused, I left to find Nick.
POV (Nick)
I nervously waited outside, afraid that Judy was in trouble as a result of my actions yesterday. I was so nervous that I couldn't sit still. To make matters worse, while I waited fellow officers kept coming by, giving me verbal high-fives and congratulations. I wasn't 100 percent sure what they meant, but had a good idea. I was keenly aware that Judy had been making googly eyes at me in the Bullpen, and after the she didn't answer the chief, everyone else noticed it too. So I was sure that the precinct rumor mill was in full swing, creating ever more fantastical stories. Eventually, they would find their way back to Judy and myself. "I wonder what they are saying about us so far?" I thought, quickly dismissing it with a chuckle. Now wasn't the time for that.
After another minute or so, I saw Judy emerge from the room. She walked slowly, as if she was pondering the meaning of life. Other than that she didn't look any worse for wear. I hoped that meant that the Chief had gone easy on her. Or at least as easy as that Buffalo could be. "Hey Carrots! Over here." I called getting her attention. Upon seeing me, her face lit up, whatever she was working on forgotten. She quickly made her way over to me, an extra bounce in her step.
"Hey, ready to go?" She asked brightly.
"Yep. What was that about?" I inquired as we started walking for the car.
"Honestly, I'm not really sure. I will tell you once we get on the road though." She replied.
I gave her a questioning look before I took off running. I looked back over my shoulder at her shocked face as I called back "In that case, lets go... I drive!"
POV (Judy)
I watched as Nick took off running towards the car. I just shook my head. That was my fox. "MY fox. Hmmm." I thought. I continued to walk out of the building, not really rushing. After all, I didn't have to. Once outside, it took all of my self-control to not start to laugh. There was Nick, standing with his customary chrome aviators on, leaning his head against the car. It looked like he had been admonishing himself.
"Forget something?" I shouted holding up the keys to the car. A satisfied grin on my face.
"Yeah... I remembered that about the time I tried to get into the car." He said dryly.
"Well, dumb fox, looks like I'm driving." I teased walking up beside him.
"Ah, come on Fluff, you always drive." He countered, giving me his best puppy eyes. Those eyes made me want to melt, I had no defense, it was too cute.
"Fine, I guess you can this time." tossing him the keys, I leaned in and whispered in his ear, "But, you have to buy lunch." With that I slowly let my paw drag across his chest as I went around the car to get in the passenger side. When I looked back, Nick was frozen in place. A look of pure ecstasy on his face. "Good," I thought.
(POV) Nick
As Judy threw me the keys, she leaned in and whispered in my ear. Her voice was so soft, so sensuous, so incredibly sexy. She was so close that I felt her breath on my ear, sending a shiver up my back. Her familiar smell filled my nose, driving me wild. It was the smell of blueberries. When she turned to leave, her paw lingered on my chest as she walked. Her light touch was electric, and I turned into putty. When her paw finally slipped from my body I died a bit inside. In my mind, I wanted to reach out, grab her and bring her back to me. However, my body had other plans. I stood transfixed in time, savoring everything that just happened.
"We leaving anytime soon?" Judy asked, standing in the open door, looking over the windshield at me.
"You... sly... bunny." I said as I turned. My heart racing from just the sound of her voice. Judy didn't say a word, she just gave a small smile and winked before climbing in the cruiser.
I stared at her for just a moment before getting in behind the wheel. "Ok, do you mind telling me what our assignment is or I guess I should say was? Or are you just going to stare at me all googly eyed again?" I asked trying to turn the tables a bit.
"OH, MY, GOD! YOU NOTICED THAT?!" Judy exclaimed, turning the darkest shade of crimson I had ever seen.
"Carrots, the whole bullpen saw it. I mean I know I'm stunningly gorgeous, but you should really learn to keep that under control." I told her, slightly pleased that I was still able to ruffle her fur a bit after all this time.
"I... I … Nick... I. YouprobablythinkI'msomesortofcreeper." she stuttered, starting to panic, running her words together.
"Whoa, Whoa easy there Fluff. No need to hyperventilate. It's cool. I'm just messing with you. You don't need to tell me anything you don't want to. You are my partner and I trust you. Just breath ok?" I said, worried she was going to pass out on me.
She just looked at me in gratitude, beaming. "Thanks Nick."
"Anytime Cottontail, but I do really need to know what we are doing. Right now I'm just driving in circles." I stated.
We both laughed for a minuted before Judy was able to fill me in on what our assignment was for the day. Apparently, city hall felt that the ZPD needed a more visible presence on the street, a more personable presence. So to accomplish this, more foot patrols were to be conducted to reconnect with the hearts and minds of the citizens. Our assigned area was Savannah Central.
"So what is our first move?" I asked.
"Well, we should hit up the main fire station on Saheel Avenue. With the heat advisory today, the fire department will be out checking on the elderly and delivering water and moving mammals to cooling shelters if needed. We should co-ordinate with them and stock up on water to hand out as well." Judy replied.
"I agree, good call." I nodded, making the next left headed for our duty station.
As Judy had predicted, the fire department was already busy stocking vans with water and other supplies to help the beleaguered mammals of the city, when we arrived. I quickly parked the car and jumped out to find the fire captain to coordinate our efforts. It took a few minutes, but finally, we were able to get all the logistics worked out. Multiple teams had been formed and each would take a different grid zone, including Judy and myself. Since it matched with our assigned patrol area, we took the grid covering the shopping district. It was an older area of the city with many of the historic building lacking any central cooling systems in the apartments above the shops at street level, so the mammals there were particularly at risk. Before leaving, we filled our car with as much water as we could carry. Once loaded, we climbed back into our cruiser. Armed with our water and a map showing all the cooling centers in the city, we set off to do battle against the elements.
POV (Judy)
Nick and I climbed back into the car after stocking up on water for the citizens of Zootopia. I was in my element. I loved being a cop, and sure taking down bad guys was a rush, but this was the real reason I was here. Helping people was what I was about and what better way to do that then to meet them face to face and make sure they were doing ok. I was mentally preparing myself for the task at paw, when Nick spoke up.
"So ummm, Fluff, you said you were going to tell me what the chief said. Care to elaborate?" he asked.
"Oh! I almost forgot! It was weird. I thought I was in trouble or something and when he began to speak, it was all soft and gentle. I didn't even know he could do that. It was so freaky." I began.
"That's not like ole buffalo butt." Nick mused.
"Nick, stop that... one of these days he is going to hear you and then you will be sorry." I giggled before continuing. "But what he said was that he knew what was going on and that its fine as long as it doesn't cause problems with work, but that it usually doesn't end well."
"Uh-huh. And what was he talking about?" Nick asked, his face neutral.
"I have no idea." I answered truthfully. "Maybe it had something to do with yesterday."
"Maybe..." Nick said, furrowing his brow a bit.
"Don't frown Nick, you look so much cuter when you smile." I said not thinking. The change of Nick's face made me aware of my faux pas, however. "Oh, Nick, I'm sorry. That came out wrong."
"Haha, its ok Carrots. I don't mind being called cute by you." Nick told me smiling. I just smiled back.
The first half of our day was pretty routine. We stopped by several shops in the morning talking to the employees, helping with customers and overall just having a friendly presence. While doing this, we were constantly on the lookout for those in need of assistance from the heat. We made sure that we checked on every tenant in every apartment of each building that we went to. We handle out water, helped fix a broken window AC unit, and called for shuttles to take mammals to the cooling center. At one point, I nearly cried at when we checked on an elderly couple above a small hardware store. When we knocked on the door an elderly fox couple answered and asked us in. The room was stifling, easily 110 degrees Fahrenheit. They took a great liking to Nick and I could tell he liked them too. They all took turns sharing stories about growing up, being a cop, the struggle for money and a myriad of other things. After a while, the couple offered us drinks and some food. We appreciated the hospitality, but felt bad since we knew they were tight on money. As we finished, I ran down to grab a case of water for the couple while Nick tried to persuade them to go to the cooling center. When I returned, they agreed to go for a few hours. Nick couldn't have been more delighted. He called for a pick up, and then helped the couple down the stairs. The whole time, he had this look on his face, a look that I knew all too well. He was up to something.
After the couple was safely on the shuttle and heading to the cooling station, Nick walked back into the hardware store. I watched as he picked out a mid-range window unit. He then carefully took it up to the couples apartment, opened the door, and set it up. When he turned it on, he beamed. I was astonished. It was one of the most thoughtful things I had ever seen someone do. As we were about to leave, Nick pulled out his note pad, and scribble a little message before taping it to the new AC. Then he walked out. I walked up to read what what he wrote. I saw a simple sentence:
"You have struggled for so long, allow me to lighten that burden." - Nick
POV (Nick)
I climbed back in the cruiser, and checked the dashboard display. "98 degrees and its only ten o'clock. Today is going to be a long day." I thought. I started the car to get the air conditioner running, and looked up in time for Judy to join me. She had that same dreamy look that she had at the station. It was flattering as hell, but we were on the clock and now just wasn't the time. "What took you Fluff?" I asked, pretending not to notice here stare.
"I was just making sure the door was locked," She said, not breaking her gaze.
I starting driving down the road, starting to look for a place to maybe grab lunch, I was starving.
"Nick, that was the sweetest thing I have ever seen someone do." Judy said suddenly, placing her paw on my arm.
"It was nothing." I shrugged, honestly not thinking it was that big a deal.
"No, really. I mean it." Judy said. She accentuated her point by leaning in and giving my a lingering kiss on the cheek.
I looked away, trying to hide my blush and desperately attempting to get the situation under control. The only problem being that both my body and mind were telling me to pull over, grab Judy, pull her in and give her a proper kiss. I was at war with myself as I drove, not paying much attention to the vulnerable bunny next to me.
"I, I shouldn't... Nick I'm so sorry I don't know what came over me." She blurted out, second guessing herself when I didn't respond right away.
"There is no need to be sorry, Carrots. I don't mind, actually it was kind of nice." I told her not really thinking. "Smooth," I chastised myself. My comment sounded so plain and scripted, like a bad hallmark movie. Judy, however, didn't seem to mind.
"Really?" She asked excitedly.
"Hey, you getting hungry? I thought maybe we would find a place for some food." I said changing the subject and pretending I didn't hear her. "I am such a wimp."
"Oh, um, yeah. Whatever." she replied a bit crestfallen.
"Great, now to just find a place." I said more to myself.
We drove around for another five minutes before I found a nice little Mexican restaurant.
"Base this is Adam-44, requesting 10-7 for meal." I radioed in.
POV (Judy)
"Hey, you getting hungry? I thought maybe we would find a place for some food." I heard Nick ask, purposefully brushing the kiss under the rug.
"Damn it Nick! Can't you take a hint? Maybe he is seeing someone. But he would have told me. Wouldn't he? Maybe he just doesn't like me like that." I thought hurt that he didn't seem interested in my advances. "What do I have to do? Dance in front of him naked? Hehe that is an interesting thought." The last part brought a little smile to my face. "Maybe one day."
Nick radioed in, requesting to be put "out of service" for lunch. When we received permission, Nick pulled into the lot of a small Mexican restaurant. I didn't know if he knew or not, but I was so happy that he picked this place. Mexican was one of few cuisines I could eat a dish, without having to have them specially make the plate for me to avoid meat. Unsurprisingly, we were able to get a table rather quickly due to the fact that it was technically still morning for most mammals. Though, having been up since three, we were way past our "lunch". As we sat down, our conversation naturally consisted of "What are you getting? I don't know, you?" After we had ordered our food, however, I decided to make some more "pointed" small talk.
"So Nick, we have been partners for a while now, and friends even longer, but I have never asked, are you dating anyone? I never see you with anyone when not working." I asked, my ears standing straight up giving him my full attention.
"What?! Where did that come from?" Nick spluttered as he choking on his drink. I was slightly amused when he continued to cough a bit, even though it seemed forced. After he finished, he quickly answered the rest of my question. " And no, I'm not."
I almost jumped out of my seat, I felt so light, suddenly incredibly interested in everything that had to do with Nick's love life. "Why not? Is something wrong? I would think someone as handsome, sweet, and amazing as you would have girls falling all over them." I gasped, words just spilling from my mouth. When I looked up to catch my breathe, Nick was just staring at me. One ear was perked up, head tilted to the side, and eyebrow raised in the characteristic questioning gaze only canines can make so well.
"Ok... Carrots, no more sugar for you. And when you graduate high school, give me a call." Nick teased smirking.
"Oh come on Nick give me something! We girls thrive on stuff like this." I begged.
"Ugh... fine. I haven't found a girl I thought I was good enough to date I guess. Ok?" He said as a matter of fact.
"Oh you are just being modest." I countered not believing him. "So when was your last girlfriend?
"Hopps! Come on. We can't do this!" Nick said sternly. I sat back surprised.
"We can't do what?" I demanded. I could feel my blood rising. He turned on me so suddenly. I was afraid I was about to be rejected. "We are just talking?"
"We are on the clock Judy. This isn't appropriate." He said reasonably, calming down a bit.
"So?" I pressed, not wanting to let go.
"So? We are partners as personal stuff like that does not belong here. I will answer your questions, but not here... not now!" He said straining, anger hidden in his voice.
"Then when?" I asked defiantly, sensing a small opening.
"When we are off work, at my place. Its not something I care to discuss in public. Ok?" He said, tone softening again. "Sorry, I got angry."
"Ok, it's a date." I said, with a twinkle in my eye. Nicks eyes just bulged at the word "date".
"If it will get a pesky bunny off my back, sure. Happy?" Nick joked, putting his hands up in mock surrender.
"Very." I replied excitedly, doing my best to bat my lashes at him. "So, is it ok to ask my partner about what hobbies he likes? Or music that he likes to listen to?"
"Yeah, I guess that is ok." Nick said a soft grin on his face as lunch arrived.
We sat and ate in silence a few minutes as we both realized how hungry we truly were. After we had both taken the edge off, we went back to the topic at hand. I found out that Nick was really into music. He liked most kinds, but was not a huge fan of rap or country. His favorite was rock, but what he listened to was determined by his mood. I in turn told him that I really loved pop, and hip hop, though I really didn't have much experience with rock. We continued to talk about hobbies and other interests all through lunch. By the time we left, I had learned about a whole other side of Nick I didn't know existed.
"Wait... you are telling me that you are seriously a fan of Ice Hockey? Its so rough and dangerous." I asked incredulously as we got back into the car.
"Base, Adam-44. We are 10-8." Nick radioed to Clawhauser. "Yeah I love hockey. I cant wait for the season to start again in a couple weeks. I'm so ready to see my Tundratown Icebergs get it done again. And hockey isn't that rough, Cottontail. At least no more so than football or rugby."
"Roger, Adam-44, welcome back." Clawhauser replied.
"I just never figured you for a hockey fan. You hate the cold, so why would you like a sport played in the cold?" I asked pointedly.
"Its not about the cold Fluff, its about the skill and the teamwork involved." Nick laughed. "And maybe a little bit about the fights."
"I guess I just don't understand, since I have never really seen a hockey game. Back in Bunnyburrow, the main sports were racing and fishing." I shrugged.
POV (Nick)
"Whoa, whoa, whoa... you have never seen a hockey game?" I asked shocked as I pulled up to a stop light.
"What? It was never really a thing for me. Its no big deal." Judy replied, shrugging.
"Wrong, Carrots. It's hockey. It IS a big deal. This partnership isn't going to work if you don't at least know something about hockey. I am going to have to fix this." I told her, a dead serious expression on my face. "When the season starts in two weeks, I am going to take you to a game."
"Just the two of us?" Judy asked amethyst eyes aglow.
"Uh, yeah dumb bunny, kinda how that works." I teased.
"Oh, shut upaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!" Judy screamed, startled, as a large tigress started pounding on the window.
"What's wrong ma'am?" I asked as I rolled the window down.
"There is a baby locked in a car around the corner. It's not moving!" The tigress screamed.
In a flash, I hit the lights on the squad car, and jumped out, Hopps already ahead of us running down the street. "Which car is it?" I shouted as I ran.
"The red one!" The tigress pointed keeping easy pace with me.
"Base this Adam- 44, I need a bus at the corner of Niger and Kenya. Baby in car. Ben, hurry!" I heard Judy call in as she got the the car, trying to open the door. "Nick doors are locked!"
Without hesitation, I jumped onto the hood, as I drew my collapsible baton. In the back seat, I could see the infant zebra. I couldn't see any signs of life. "No... No, no, no, no." I screamed in my head as I swung my baton as hard as I could. THUNK! My baton bounced off, not even making a dent in the windshield. "Fucking large mammal glass! There is no way that I am going to bust through that with my baton." I thought. "Carrots, how long on the fire department?" I asked, hoping that the answer would be now.
"At least five minutes!" Judy responded while trying to use a slim jim on the door lock.
"He doesn't have five minutes." I told myself. I had to think fast. I looked at the foal inside the car one last time and drew my pistol.
"Judy I am discharging one shot. I'm taking out the glass!" I shouted giving warning to stay back.
"NICK YOU CAN'T. That is against regulations, wait for the fir..." BAM!, Judy's protest was overruled by the sound of my glock discharging. Judy herself just barely clearing my line of fire before I squeezed the trigger.
The glass instantly shattered, the bullet safely wedging itself in the floor of the drivers side. Carefully, I climbed through the broken windshield and into the back seat. The car was an oven. Already I was finding it difficult to breathe. Panting heavily, I moved over to the helpless infant, and began unlatching the baby seat's harnesses. "Judy! I need water and ice NOW!" I shouted. After what seemed like a lifetime, I unhooked the last strap of the harness. Gently, I grabbed the lifeless foal and kicked open the back door, climbing out into the relative cool of the noon sun. I had just managed to get to the shade when Judy returned. "Come on pal, just a little longer... you can do it, don't stop fighting." I pleaded with him silently.
"Is he?" Judy asked, fearing the worst when she got back, seeing the lifeless foal flop in my arms like a rag doll.
"I don't know Hopps," I said solemnly. " Where is that ambulance?"
"Should be here any minute." She replied, "We need to get his temperature down."
I nodded my head, "here take him, check for vitals."
Once Judy had the baby, I began stripping out of my uniform shirt. Once that was off, I quickly removed my white tee and used it to wrap the ice. I gently lay the bag of ice on the foals chest as Judy tried to offer him water. By now a small crowd had gathered from the commotion and sound of me firing off the shot.
"Ma'am did you see where the parents went?" I asked the Tigress.
"N... no... I came out of the shop there as saw him. Please you must save him officer." She answered, tears flowing from her eyes.
"We are doing our best ma'am." I said, but I didn't sound too convincing.
"Nick, his pulse is weak and breathing is very, very shallow." Judy whispered to me. Her eyes telling me all I needed to know. We were losing him.
At that moment, the street was filled with the sound of sirens. The fire department arrived and rushed to aid the fowl. As we stood back, two more squad cars arrived to help manage the scene.
POV (Judy)
I sat with the zebra cradled in my lap, doing my best to offer him water while also preventing him from choking. His breathing was shallow and erratic, pulse extremely faint. It didn't look good for the poor foal. I was so fixated on the infant that I didn't hear the ambulance arrive. My first clue that they had gotten there was when the paramedics pushed their way through the crowd. When they reached me, they immediately took over care. Their paws a flurry of activity, checking pulse, breathing, getting additional ice packs, a breathing apparatus and numerous other things that I didn't know what they were. At first, I didn't want to leave the little guy. However, I still had a job to do. Now that the paramedics were on the scene, I reverted back to my primary task. I began pushing the crowd back, giving the medics room to work and creating a perimeter with my fellow officers. In all the activity, I lost sight of Nick. I wasn't worried, he was an officer, and this was just routine crowd control. I just figured he was doing the same that I was. Everything was more or less running like clockwork until the paramedics were about to leave. As the foal was being loaded into the back of the ambulance, a shout came from deep in the crowd.
"Heeyyeyy...Thasts.. *hic... mycar!" A visibly drunk zebra shouted stepping forward, pushing his was through the masses, his eyes locked on me. "You bassards! Youbrockesmywindow!" I sighed as I watched him stumbling towards me. I was preparing to order him to stop, when all I saw a red blur.
In a blink of an eye, Nick had come out of nowhere and intercepted the bumbling drunkard. With what I could only describe as a war cry, he launched himself at the zebra. In a flurry of violence I had never before seen, Nick had hip thrown the zebra to the ground, despite his size disadvantage. I watched in stunned silence closed on the poor bastard. Snarling, he lead onto his chest, arms flying as he repeatedly punched and clawed at the head below him, bloodying the zebra. Finally, Nick stood up and drew his pistol. The crowd gasped as he stood there foot on the zebra's chest, his pistol leveled at his drunken head.
"YOU MOVE SO MUCH AS A FUCKING INCH, I WILL PUT A BULLET THROUGH YOUR BRAIN!" Nick shouted, his eyes like I had never seen before. Flames visibly burned there. Flames made of such intense savagery, anger and hatred, that it scared me. I felt as if I was staring into the gates of hell. This wasn't the Nick I knew, or thought I knew.
"Nick, calm down... we got him, its ok." I tried to soothe him, advancing slowly, one paw up nonthreatening, the other on the grip of my pistol. Nick just ignored me, his chest rising and failing mighty heaves. He seethed so much anger I could almost see it radiating off of him. As I approached, I kept one eye on his weapon and the other on him, looking for the slightest movement. After a few paces, I paused. Nick's trigger finger was slowly moving.
"OFFICER WILDE! I SAID STAND DOWN! NOW!" I shouted in a commanding voice. The whole scene got quiet, everyone stopping to look at me, including Nick.
"Lower your weapon." I said advancing, reaching for his service pistol. He didn't fight when I began pulling it from his paw.
"Judy, I..." he started, before I cut him off.
"Nick, you listen to me very carefully. You need to go sit in the car, and wait there for me. Do not talk to anyone. Am I clear?" I commanded. Nick Just nodded.
Before he left, he took one more look at the cowering zebra and bent over. "If that little boy doesn't make it, I will find you and put a bullet in you. Get Me?" He whispered.
"NICK! CAR! NOW!" I screamed.
I watched as he made his way to the car, his tail tucked between his legs. The crowd before him parting like the red sea. Everyone's eyes on the back of the red fox. Once he was safely in the car, I went to one of the other officers on the scene, Fangmeyer. I was glad it was Fangmeyer. He liked Nick.
"Fangmeyer, I need you to take Nick back to the station. Put him in an interrogation room, and leave him there till I can talk to the chief." I said.
"It's not that bad Hopps, it was a kid, Wilde's actions are understandable. I have kids myself, so I understand what he is going through." Fangmeyer said.
"What? Nick doesn't have kids." I stated a bit surprised.
"Weird, the way he acts, I would have sworn he had a few kits running around." Fangmeyer replied.
"Look, its not just that. He fired his weapon to get into the car, and he has threatened to kill this zebra should the youngster not make it. I saw his eyes, he was going to do it, and you saw I almost couldn't stop him." I said staring at the ground.
"Jesus Hopps, do you know what you are saying?" Fangmeyer asked.
"Yes, I am saying he is a potential danger. That is why I need you to take him in." I was pleading. I couldn't look at Fangmeyer in the face.
Fangmeyer only nodded. I cleared Nick's pistol, and handed it over. Fangmeyer went over to his partner, whispered a few words then headed over to my squad car. There I watched him talk with Nick for a few minutes before coming back. As I watched, a slight dizzy spell over took me.
"Ok, I'm ready to go, but he wants to talk to you first." He said.
"I don't think that is a good idea." I replied
"He's your partner Hopps," Fangmeyer encouraged. I sighed and walked over to Nick.
"Carrots, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to go that far." He said.
"Nick this is serious. I can't talk to you." I replied turning to walk away.
" I, I know. I just didn't want you to be afraid of me." He said to my back as I left. For a moment I froze remembering that look on his face, before I continued walking.
"Carrots?! Hopps?! JUDY?!" He called after me, my eyes filling with tears.