AN: Hello to all, this will be the second chapter to this project that has taken me aback with the care that I had lost long ago, the flame of passion has be reignited in my soul needless to say, I hope you all that read this see the care and love I have put forth into this, again I want thank all who stop by and read my work, it does my soul well to see it.
What was life he pondered while rolling over onto his left side, Nick blinked tirelessly thinking of it while trying to sleep, it's soft caress just out of his reach he frowned, the soft snores of the doe below him made the fox mewl softly in contempt, it had been too long since he had felt a true nights sleep and was slightly jealous of his work partners rest.
But herein lies the real danger, being awake for so long you lose your overall sanity from sleep deprivation horrified the normally collected fox, his eyes fluttering in a half idled state as he fought for semblance of peace.
He rolled to the right and looked out to the city skyline, hues of dark purple and black painted the horizon in spectacular fashion, but muddled by the glow of those damned street lights below.
"Man… I need a break from it all more than anything, but have very little to do a proper vacation in my savings as of now, curse this damned work I do, not worth the headache some days, and with the rising cost of my power bill alone, might need to find something else soon or I'll go insane."
Nick grimly mulled over while casting his eyes to various buildings to scan the city, he lived a few blocks south of Judy's complex and noted that this area had very little job growth, even as the mayor had promised something more soon, but he knew that deep down his area would see very little improvement.
He sighed while sitting up, rubbing the tired eyes in vain of any rest coming tonight, he hoped a cup of mud would help clear his mind somewhat, he looked to his wall clock and groaned in defeat, only being midnight at that, this would be a long ass night for the exhausted vulpine.
Judy rolled over and sighed, still sound asleep and resting well, Nick looked to her form and smiled softly, if anyone understood him… it was her above all others, she had watched him grow into a new man from the one before all those years ago, the sheer dedication that she had shown in redeeming him made itself known as he had grown rather fond of the small doe on his couch.
Her care for him had made itself known around the precinct as well, which felt frowned upon, with various workers of both giving them cold shoulders and wary eyes, he had hoped the bubbling tension of such a sore subject could have been eased over with little success.
Nick made his way to the small kitchenette, finding his coffee and other things needed along the way, he knew that this would stir her from sleep, and frowned while placing the various items down and sighing to himself.
His eyes floating to her backside, seeing she had opted to… cuddle his shirt instead, oh man this was very telling of her true feelings he smirked while placing a slipping hand on the counter, misjudging the space and knocking over his small mug, it fell to the floor and shattered loudly.
Nick flinched as he spun around and looked down in disgust and shock, he was sure carrots would be awake and sure enough, she arose abruptly and looked around frantic for seeing what woke her up so harshly, Judy spotted her crush hovering over a broken cup and sighed loudly before yawning.
"Jeez Wilde, you klutz… are you okay?" She followed up hastily seeing his expression turn to soft hurt, she knew better than to insult him and slapped herself mentally, he sighed while walking to a pantry tucked away and grabbing his broom and dustpan, making sure to retrace his steps and to avoid the glass all around.
The next few minutes saw him sweeping with her trying to help spot any small shards nearby them.
"Look here, by the fridge"
"Over here"
"Yeah beside the door near the cabinet… there ya go hun."
She cheered him on softly while looking for more, seeing that the floor was clear, Judy walked towards him and smiled.
"You are one hell of a sleuth hun, ya know that."
He beamed at the warm words she spoke and smiled, his heart doing a small flutter of flips as he felt on top of the world right now, his anger melting away in a soft river.
"Meh I get by, but thank you again for helping me carrots, well might wait on that coffee after all… I'm hoping to sleep somewhat tonight."
He added the last part with a frown touching his lips, she nodded in an understanding way and walked closer to him, hoping to help ease his mind somewhat.
"Well I'll say this much… why don't have we that cup of coffee and sit and talk some more hun… you need someone to vent to and I'm still here, what do ya say slick?"
He pondered her proposal and smirked, maybe he could use the night for more than just wallowing in self pity and anger.
She made her way back to the soft white couch and plopped down, crossing her legs to hold herself up somewhat, Nick went to work getting his small coffee maker ready, noting he wanted something stronger than medium dark roast, he reached into a cupboard and found his select blend, for long nights like this.
"Hey Nick… so what was it that made you decide to join my line of work… you seem to be good at it, but something is odd."
Nick froze in a small panic, hoping his body language would stay calm enough to not give her a hint at his true feelings yet, he turned around with a sly smile.
"Well to be honest… years ago, when I would watch some detective shows, and other things law enforcement related, it gave me a strong sense of wanting to accomplish something grand with my life…"
"Are you sure it's not from me hun… c'mon, you can't expect me to believe that's the sole reason… I know you better than that Nick."
Judy stated while smirking slyly towards the now dumbfounded fox, curses flew in his head at rapid pace, had he really lost his touch after so long of being around her, he felt naked mentally, her sharp wit striking once again, this time rather deep.
Nick spun around in a soft panic, his body giving her the true satisfaction she craved, her head high now in full effect.
"Careful Judy, he seems rather on edge from that little quip of the tongue, damn that rush felt amazing… but looks like it had some drawbacks, crud he's gonna distance himself more now in defense, damn."
Judy sighed while looking away, her eyes losing some spark at her outburst, she had hoped he would banter with her but that seemed further away now more than ever, the doe looked towards him with a soft look, as to say mentally 'look I fucked up, can we start over'.
He relaxed somewhat and drew out a long winded sigh, his anger at her melting away, he was on edge and it showed more than he had anticipated, grief takes all kinds of forms, and his was a shutdown response.
The older doe looked to his eyes and felt something draw her to them, more so than normal, his emotions could almost be felt in them she pondered with a puzzled look of her own.
"Damn she's looking at me like I'm a prize or something, what the hell is going on in her brain, well whatever the case, she needs to chill out, I'm already having a hard time and don't need heartache on top of everything else."
The fox lamented while turning around breaking the long eye contact, his emotions clouded now by lust and love deep in his soul, his coffee machine sitting open waiting for water to be poured in, he went about making six cups worth for them, his mind roaming the ends of the cosmos in search of words to say to her.
She spoke first, albeit rather withdrawn, hoping to not upset him anymore tonight.
"Look hun, I'm sorry about that, just kinda wanted to poke ya brain for a bit… so you used to watch detective stuff huh… I remember watching one show, albeit it was something more like a lawyer program that featured an older man who had this warm air about him, like a kind grandpa."
She stated with a fond smile, remembering the show and the cast well, her own memories calling back to a time of growing up, Nick smirked while walking towards his chair, his feet grew rather tired, he made his way to the lounge chair and plopped down softly, making sure to turn his way to her.
"Well let me ask ya this then… how do you like the career so far, sure seems like a headache some days, but is it worth it to you carrots… like I've never heard ya utter one bad thing of this job, but that's beside the point, so do you see yourself retiring from it, or is there something I'm missing here."
He drawled out while taking in the smell of light roast coffee now brewing, his eye's lighting up at the strong aroma ever so wafting the air, she looked to him and blinked, not expecting this by no means, sure he had hinted in the past that they must be growing tired of this line of work, but had never actually contemplated the work in such a way, she had always just towed the line and kept her nose to the grindstone.
"Well this turned into an odd situation, I have to answer this somehow, but never have asked myself why I'm doing it, sure there is the age old, 'well someone has to do it' line of thought, but there is more to it than that, wanting to help others has always been the main reason, but now that I think… damn you Wilde, you slick man"
Judy felt her thoughts range from odd to downright annoyed at his banter, she must have been just on some sort of auto mode that just went with the motions kind of life, which seemed rather dull now that she had to admit with a sour note to her face.
Her strict upbringing had came into the forefront more now than ever, and it didn't help her parents very obtuse view of life, the two of them wanting her to come home some days from this line of work, but her heart was dead set on this now.
"Well… now that you mention it, I've grown tired of some aspects of this job, and could use a break, even for a few weeks if nothing else, but…"
Nick perked up at her line of thoughts, being sure this was a sign of sorts.
"Well its settled then, Judy what say you to us getting some much needed R&R and get the hell away from this town for a while."
Nick proclaimed while standing up to go check the coffee pot, he felt ecstatic and paused at her hesitation with a soft frown, something told him there was an uncertainty in her voice, that she wanted this more than most things, but was afraid of something.
"Look Nick… I need to think on this some before deciding whether or not its in my best interest, after all… I am a Captain on day shift now, which bares a lot of responsibility, and your my second in command hun, so we'll put that on the back burner for now okay."
She stated with a sigh, her inner self really wanting a break but knew it was too soon to do anything, he walked over to the couch with two small mugs of coffee and sat beside her, nuzzling close and sighing outwardly, he gazed out to the large window overlooking his room and began to day dream some what.
The night passed by with them having small chatter, until three in the morning, Nick finally found that sweet spot of tired and retired to his bed upstairs, but not before giving Judy a small hug, her frame blended into his.
"Oh no… oh cheese and crackers why this you dolt, ugh I swear he's doing this on purpose, that sly fox."
Judy mewled in her head, the doe now wishing the hug to never end, its warm embrace carried notes of cinnamon and earth, he smelled so good and wanted him to prolong this some more, she hugged back tight, hoping he would get the secret message and stay longer, Nick grinned into her neck and knelt down to be eye level.
"Judy, you'll do well not to give such obvious signs, ya know I do like you, but if your serious about this… I wanna take it slow, and for you to be sure this is what you want okay?"
Judy felt her heart speed up at his admittance for his true feelings, and understood that things take time, she nodded and finally turned him a loose with a soft smile to her features, eyes of deep purple taking in his face in depth, she never really noticed how gray muzzled he had become over the last few years.
Nick smiled at her with a gleam in his eyes, finally feeling an invisible weight lift from his shoulders.
"Ya know, I've liked you for some time now, just never did have the words to say of how I felt carrots, and from what I can tell, you've felt the same way for a while now, just know that I'll always love you."
Nick whispered in her left ear as he rose, but not before she jumped up and latched onto his upper torso, bringing him back down to her eyes.
"Thank you… thank you so much hun, this night has been a long one… but was worth it for what you've said… sleep well okay, I'll be up around eight, so I can call chief, hopefully he'll understand."
Judy stated with a soft worry in her voice, Nick picked up her tone and smirked, making her melt inside.
"Oh he will have no choice but to see it your way, besides… I have a feeling he likes someone we work with but won't admit it."
Nick added with a soft chortle, his eyes gleaming at the day ahead of them.
AN: Whew that took a while but here is chapter two, stay tuned for more soon.