Chapter 12:

Blast From The Past

The next day Judy was in Bunnyville helping out at her parents carrot farm. As much as she hated being on the carrot farm, she wasn't ready to go back to Zootopia and face Nick. For that she would stay at the carrot farm, at least for a few more days.

She was at the stand handing out carrots and blueberries. It was a hot day, the sun beat down on her even with her wearing a wide straw hat. Bunnies walked back and forth with their large families, tractors, and bales of carrots. All were dressed as plain small town folks, probably unaware of what the wide world outside had to offer, or even just didn't care all that much to leave their provincial small town life to explore it.

For a moment she imagined herself here. She would have followed her parents dreams for her and become a carrot farmer with them, she'd be a part of the web of small town bunnies who all knew each other and what was going on in each other's lives. She'd marry a plain bunny who her parents approved of and they'd live here and raise a family complacent in their small town life with no desire to leave. No ZPD, or exotic people or places, no adventures, no Nick…

Her heart wrenched. Despite what had happened between them she wouldn't have traded meeting him for anything. Zootopia was where she was meant to be, living her life, having adventures, making the world better. Not here living a plain existence never knowing what could be. The only thing that would make it better would be having Nick by her side.

"Wow, Judy Hops? Is that you?"

She looked up to see a brown rabbit with black hair, a leather jacket, and shades, step out of a convertible car. It was the most interesting thing she'd seen since she got there. Yet she still didn't know who it was.

"Do I know you?" she asked.

"You don't remember me Judy? We went to school together." He took off the shades. "It's me, Sam."

Her eyes got wide as she recognized him. "Sam Rabbiton!" The two had gone to school together for years. She had to admit she had a little bit of a crush on him. They almost went to prom together until some popular girl convinced him to go with her instead.

"What's Miss Big Bad ZPD cop doing here in small town Bunnyville?" he asked as he came over to lean on the stand.

"Just visiting the fam, you know? Do you live around here still?"

He shook his head. "Nah, I had to get out of here as soon as I could. The small town lifestyle does things to your mind after a while."

Judy giggled and nodded. She couldn't agree more. "What are you doing now?"

"I've been traveling the world doing some filming and photography for my documentaries. Although my homebase is in Zootopia. When I saw you on the news for cracking the predators case I wasn't surprised. I always knew you'd do something great."

He flashed a smile at her that made her blush. Was he flirting with her?

"Thanks Sam, it's always been my biggest dream."

"You were always the type to go after your dreams. Hell, you inspired me."

"Really?"

"Sure, a girl with ambitions like you can inspire anyone. And to be the first Zootopia bunny cop, well, that's huge."

"You're too kind," she said bashfully. "I'd love to see your films sometime."

"Whenever you want. How long are you in Bunnytown?"

"Only until tomorrow."

"I'm sure you're very busy with all your new friends at the station."

"Yeah…" Even as she thought about it, she dreaded going back and having to see Nick.

"What's wrong?" Sam asked picking up on the apprehension.

Judy shook her head. "Oh nothing, just something that happened a few days ago. It's nothing really."

"Whatever, or whoever, it was don't worry about it. You're much too strong of a girl to let something like that bring you down."

For a moment she wanted to cry. She didn't realize how much she needed someone to tell her that. He was right. She was Nick were always at each other's throats. She was constantly left wondering will they or won't they. Was it really worth all of the pain she went through?

"Are you doing anything later?" she asked.

He smirked. "No, you?"

"I was thinking of going out to dinner with you, you know if you're interested?"

He put his hand on hers and flashed another white smile. "I would be honored Judy. How about Francesca's, say 7 o' clock?"

"I think that sounds great."

He lifted her hand and kissed it gently. "See you then." With a wink he walked to his car and drove off leaving Judy at the carrot stand with her heart beating fast. She didn't know why she had done what she did but she liked it. It was new and rebellious. She felt free.

She picked up a carrot and took a big bite of it with a smirk on her face. "Suck on that Nick."