Author's Note

I proudly present chapter 15, which I hope is better than last chapter! Happy late Fourth of July, hope you enjoy the read.

Nick's POV

"Boo." I jumped as a deep voice hit me in the face. Finnick, my long time friend was standing on my knees looking me in the face. He looked exhausted, but held a slight smile.

"How'd you get in here." I groaned, rubbing my eyes as he rolled over next to me on the couch. Sure I was glad to see him, being used to seeing him everyday was the cause of that. It was still dark outside, I noted, looking out the window to the left.

"You left the kitchen window unlocked." He muttered, "I had to cut the screen open." Damn it. As long as he paid for it, it wasn't a big deal. "I can't pay for it, I was knocking and heard a bang, that's all." He sunk into the couch, damn it.

"How long was I out?" I asked, looking forward at the blank TV screen.

"It's 2:00 A.M., so around four hours." Finnick shrugged, there goes a good night sleep. I still was curious as to why Finnick showed up here in the first place. "What's the hell is up with you." He whispered, squinting his eyes and turning his upper body to face me.

"I guess I drank too much." I lied, even though that could be part of it. He wasn't buying it, I could tell. Did he know about what I've been into recently?

"I watch the news, Nick. You're quite the hit." He groaned, so he probably did know at least part of it.

"I'm sorry for screwing you over." I sighed, I knew he wanted to hear that. "I just got caught up with living 'normal' that I never thought about what it meant to you." That sounded a little overdone, too emotional, sappy? Whatever you call it.

"Guessing you got the opposite?" He said, ignoring my apology, luckily. I didn't want to talk about that part anyways. I leaned over and planted my elbows on my knees, and my paws held up my head.

"I was shot around a dozen times in the span of about a week, not to mention I'm basically a super mammal." I simplified, Finnick looked surprise, so I guess he didn't know too much about the subject.

"I thought I had it bad, selling my body to pay rent." He laughed, making my eyes widen. "I'm joking, but I do struggle to pay rent." He serioused up, making me roll my eyes.

"So why'd you come here in the first place?" I asked, leaning back into the couch, my back arching as I slid down.

"I came to ask you a huge favor." He scratched his head, sounding a bit nervous. "Nick, you're the closest friend I have, sure I have others, but you're more like family to me. We grew up together." What could I have that he needed? "I got kicked out of my place, and was wondering if I could sleep here for a bit, I won't be here often, just need somewhere to crash." Was he really considering I'd say no to that?

"Sure." I shrugged my shoulders. He looked pretty happy, but dropped the smile once he saw me looking.

"Alright, well I'm exhausted, I was just waiting for you to wake up." He yawned. "Where will I be sleeping?"

"The floor work for you?" I asked, making him flinch a bit. "Joking, take the couch, next time you get the mattress on my bedroom floor.

"You don't sleep in your room?" He raised an eyebrow. I exhaled through my nose before responding.

"Not much, not sure why though, I just have a special bond with this couch." I entwined my fingers. "Lot's of threesomes have happened here." I slapped the couch beside me.

"Sure they have, we both know you don't get nothing." Finnick laughed, and I joined in as he fell to his side with a pillow below his head.

"Truth be told, I had a girl in my car once, only $200 out of my wallet." I stood up and stretched. Finnick's closed his eyes and was still gently laughing.

"You of all mammals would pay a girl to give you a kiss on the cheek." He sighed and rolled over, now facing the back of the couch.

"Lips." I continued as I left the room to get something to eat. I wasn't lying about the $200, I didn't have time for relationships at the time, sure I would've liked one, but my con-artist work didn't allow it. The kitchen lights turned on, the orange blended well with my fur as I opened the fridge. Luckily I did get some groceries yesterday during our off time, just a few things, milk, cereal, blueberries of course, and a few canned goods.

I poured a bowl of lucky chomps, then the milk and tossed a spoon into it. I carefully carried it back to the coffee table. Finnick was small so there was still plenty of room for me to sit down. I looked over at him, and it was obvious that he was out cold. The cold milk in the cereal helped wake me up, even though I was already pretty awake, four hours of sleep wasn't good for anyone, especially me. After finishing the cereal, I slurped up the remaining milk and laid the bowl back down. I dropped back and my head fell onto the back of the couch. The ceiling was dimly lit by the orange lamp next to the couch, but my mind drifted else where. What would happen if I died, just now? Who would Finnick tell first? How would Judy react? Who would miss me, who wouldn't?

I sat up and shook my head lightly. I pulled out my phone and went to my camera roll, scrolling through pictures of Judy and I. Almost every picture was of us, mostly because nothing else was worthy, just her. I looked over at Finnick, who was as said, out cold. I carefull reached into his left pocket and retrieved his wallet, I knew he kept it in his left pocket all the time, made him feel organized. I then went to my bedroom, I stepped over the pile of dirty clothes, and grabbed my wallet from my night stand, which was next to my matress, no frame. I took out a few hundred dollars and slipped the bills into Finnick's wallet. I slid the wallet back into his pocket after returning to the living room, he'd figure it out when he wakes up. Odds are I won't be around to see him wake up, as the ZPD will be awaiting me.

After a few good hours of staring at the ceiling and checking my phone, I threw on my police uniform and stared into the bathroom mirror, making sure I looked presentable. I grabbed my phone, keys, and wallet before diving into my car. My phone said 6:30 AM, sure, because of my soring success with being an attention magnet I could really come in anytime, but being on Chief Bogo's good side is pretty useful. I stopped at the gas station to get some gas, and to grab a few snack bars for our sit out at Helen's house later today. The cashier, who was a pig, rung my three energy bars up, and they looked like they wanted to die. Joking aside, they looked exhausted. I'm not surprised, since it really early in the morning.

"Wait a minute..." The cashier said slowly, his exhaustion fading, "You're that fox, the one on the news!" He placed both hooves on the counter.

"I think that would be correct." I sighed as I handed him my money.

"You're badass, lemme tell yah." He chuckled, I liked being complimented, but in this context it felt weird, it wasn't often that complete strangers knew who I was.

"Surely. If you don't mind me asking, what'd you hear about me?" I asked as I took my energy bars. He thought for a moment, placing a hoof on his forehead.

"Well, you've survived the impossible, saved a criminal's life, oh yeah, and you can cure cancer!" He smiled with his eyes closed. What the hell did he just say?

"Cure cancer?" I questioned slowly, stuffing the energy bars in my pocket next to my wallet. He looked confused as to why I questioned it, he probably thinks I pay attention to the media.

"Well yeah, there was a talk show that discussed it. You know, how your body heals itself rapidly, they went like full on science and shit." He explained. As awesome as that was, I felt even weirder that people were publicly discussing my body on television.

"Well, I got to get going, have a good day." I said, leaving the gas station. That was awkward, but at least I learned something new.

"You too." He shouted as I was already out the door. I pumped my gas and drove off, ready to start the day, and meet anyone I may. Why did I say that, even in my head?

After hours of talking with Alex, Evans, Judy, and a few others at the ZPD, we were finaly almost due to head to Helen's house, where Miles would be.

"Hey guys, change of plans, we aren't making any arrests, that's for sure." Alex told Evans and I, with Judy on the side. That was weird, Alex was pretty into this yesterday.

"Why not? Pretty sure we found our guy." I said, remembering our plan to have Evans arrest Miles on the spot.

"First off, we can't just arrest him, we have no proof. Also, guess who got a permit to stalk him instead?" He sung the ending, making us chuckle lightly. "I place this here on the tire rim and we can find exactly where he is headed." Alex held up a small, black, metal rectangular device.

"A tracking device?" Evans asked, it was obvious he was just being sure.

"Yeah, only cost thirty-five bucks." He boasted in a joking manner.

"So when are we leaving?" Judy asked, I sucked air through my teeth, making a sizzling sound.

"Were only placing that thing on the car, no biggie." I said, holding my paws up in my defense. She just rolled her eyes. "We'll just head over there, slap it on and leave, that's it." Carrots seemed to accept that. Evans, Alex, and I climbed into the squad car and left the ZPD. Technically only Alex needed to go, but we had nothing better to do, and incase anything goes wrong, we will be available. I pulled out an energy bar and tore of the wrapper, taking a bite.

"You brought a snack? We aren't going to be gone that long." Evans said from the backseat. Alex looked over as well, even though he was driving.

"Nick needs his nutrition, no joke." Alex responded for me. I wanted to clarify however.

"I need to eat a lot and get a good nights sleep because of my 'super powers'. I said with air quotes, making Evans nod in understandment. "Sadly I didn't get the latter." I muttered under my breath.

"Sleeping troubles? You?" Alex teased. I'm sure he'd take it more seriously if I told him what happened.

"Yeah, I tore out fur from my arm, puked, then collapsed on the bathroom floor, fun right?" I slouched over and rolled my eyes. Alex and Evans dropped silent.

"You okay?" Evans asked, as he had no clue about my current health problems.

"Nope." I looked out the window, somewhat angry at myself for being an asshole. The rest of the ride was silent, and we made sure to hide the car more this time, parking behind a a tree. We waited for a good five minutes before a rusty truck parked on the street next to Helen's house. A black panther climbed out, bingo. Alex exited the vehicle and walked down the street in uniform, was he insane? Once he reached the car, he bent down and spun around to return to us. He jumped back in the driver's seat with a smile.

"It's realtime, so we should find our 'little gathering' in no time, maybe today or tomorrow if we are lucky." Alex started the car again and we left, just like that. I stuffed my energy bar wrapper in my shirt pocket, my miniature trash can.

"I think I'm due for desk work once we get back." I said, Alex let out a 'heh'.

"Pretty sure I'm patrolling, but who knows, it could be anything at this point." The wolf said, using one paw to steer and the other to check his phone.

"I'll be fine with whatever, if I get desk work at least I get to take a nap." Evans joked, he was always lacking sleep. How does he do it?

After arriving back at the ZPD, I was put to desk work, which I haven't done much of recently. I actually kind of missed it a bit, it was more relaxing than getting shot and hospitalized. Judy was in the desk beside me, doing her seperate work on the computer. Alex was by himself out on patrol, making it just us two this time around. I turned my head and looked at Judy, who paid me no attention as she typed away. The thought of dropping dead felt even worse as I stared into her eyes.

"Nick, you okay?" Judy leaned her head forward and looked at me.

"No." I blinked a few times. "I'm not." I felt relieved saying that, but not for what would come as a result. Judy took her arms off the keyboard and turned to face me completely, moving her legs to the side of the chair.

"You can tell me anything, Nick." She assured me. I nodded, as I already knew this.

"I'm scared Judy." I paused, looking at the floor. "I fear I may die someday." I sighed, that was an over simplification.

"Nick, don't think that way." She said with a smile, "Focus on now." Wish it was that easy, but my mind had a mind of it's own.

"I am focusing on now, sadly healthcare can't sure this." I said, running my paws over my body.

"Your body heals on its own, doesn't it?" She asked, wanting to be sure. I looked back up at her with my eyes half closed.

"I keep having those 'Heart attacks', like the one in the car, and I passed out last night, probably from drinking, but who knows." I sighed and looked to my computer screen.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Judy scolded, but sounded mostly upset. I shrugged my shoulders, but I did have a response.

"I didn't want you to worry about me." I faced her again. She was quiet for a moment, and then she went back to her computer, typing away, this time with her ears down. "I'm a dying mammal." I whispered, still looking at her. She didn't respond, so I went back to my keyboard as well. I heard Judy gently sniffling as I typed, but I didn't want to look, it was exactly why I didn't want to tell her.

...

Judy drove down the dark streets of Zootopia as I slouched in the passenger seat. I told Judy I walked to the ZPD, but I'm pretty sure she saw my car. I didn't feel like driving home, I was so tired I just wanted to sit back and look out the window. The car halted in front of my apartment, and I crawled out the door and made my way to the front door without a word.

"Can I come in?" Judy asked from behind as I opened the door. I was confused, did she not notice how tired I was?

"Judy, I'm exhausted." I sighed as Judy closed the door behind her. As I heard the door close I turned and glanced at her for a moment before continuing towards the couch. Finnick was gone as expected, as he said he'd only be here to sleep.

"Nick can we at least talk before you die on me?" Judy asked, unknowingly making a pun about me dying. "Sorry." She whispered sympathetically. "I wanted to talk about what you said in the car a few days ago." She said nervously, I knew what she was talking about.

"I'm fine with our friendship, Judy." I sighed, maybe she figured out a way to say no. I turned around slowly, gasping lightly as Judy pushed into my chest, leaning against me while her arms wrapped around my back. I never felt awkward about hugging her, I mean, we don't hug often, but it didn't matter. I placed a paw on her back and one on her head. We stayed that way for over an entire minute, I was savoring every second of it.

"I love you." She whispered so quiet I could barely hear her.

"Dumb bunny." I whispered back, making her giggle into my chest.

Alex's POV

My eyes were sealed, my bare paws laid before the sidewalk, the rough concrete pressed against them. I was breathing deep, but slowly, as if I were asleep, but I was far from that.

"Hey make sure you tell Lucy I'm available tomorrow, don't want to disappoint her." I heard a clear, but nervous voice from the fourth car across the street passing the intersection.

"Damn it, forgot to get milk, I'll turn around." I heard an angry groan. My ears were moving on their own, turning to face the noises that surrounded me.

"George, I don't give a shit, do whatever." I heard a guy mutter from the other side of the intersection.

"I'm making spaghetti tomorrow, don't you forget it." I heard a girl laugh. I could smell her, she was a sheep. Not just her, but every animal. The otter was stuttering about this 'Lucy' girl, a giraffe was turning around for milk, and a bear was telling George about his shits.

I took a deep breath, a really deep one, and opened my eyes. The bear was driving a 1994 Audi Sedan, the license plate was 'BIGDAWG'. The sheep had both hands on the wheel, pressing the phone against her head with her shoulder. The otter was wearing average glasses, with Ray-Ban written on the side in cursive, and the giraffe taped his phone to his head, which was pretty amusing. I could no longer hear at all, almost as if every sound bounced off an invisible barrier around my ears. A cigarette butt bounced off the street from a passing car, the vibrations flowing up my legs. I closed my eyes once again and furrowed my eyebrows, a gritting smile erupting from my throat as I could only sense one thing, my heart beat.

Author's Note

Well, I enjoyed writing this chapter, especially Nick's conversations with Finnick and the cashier. Don't forget to leave a review with your thoughts, the more the merrier.

Stupid Facts

1. This chapter was supposed to be longer... *cries*

2. I made a Deadpool reference (Damn it)

3. I thought it'd be cool to give Alex a "Fourth-wall breaking" like ability, just lightly of course, but it'd seem kind of dumb and obviously be ripping off Deadpool, but it'd also be fun, what do you think?

4. I sometimes dislike having to specify every animal in a scene, because I keep repeating the same six mammals, but I used a few different ones in the Alex scene.

5. Sorry to those who want to hear more about Ivan and 'Elliot', hopefully they will be in the next chapter.