Cut short.
(Judy POV)
I frantically dash through the house, relentlessly searching for my books. My midterms are in two days, and I need to be studying.
Once I've torn apart the living room searching for them, a thought comes to mind. Maybe one of my younger siblings toted it off into there room.
Without much more consideration then that, I dash up the stairs and begin to run through a few of my sibling's rooms.
My mom catches me upon exiting Bin's room, one of my younger siblings in his terrible twos.
She's concerned about my mad dash from room to room, carefully asking what I'm searching for.
"My books! My books!" I exclaime frantically, trying to get past her. Yet she holds her Position at the door.
"Oh, is that all?" She says with a little swipe of her paw. "Nicholas took them up to your room."
Nicholas!? What is he doing here? Nonetheless I dash up the stairs to the third floor, and fly down the hall.
I finally get to my room, and burst through the door. After a quick scan of my room I find not my books, but a Fox.
A fox who has stricken a alluring pose on my bed, with only a small sliver of blanket covering his groin.
"Nick I don't have time for this! where are my books?" I yelp growing increasingly frustrated with him.
"Oh come on, Carrots." Nick says in a smooth seductive voice. "You know you're going to ace them. you always do."
I begin to relax, finding truth in his words. I do always ace them. What? That doesn't make any sense.
I remember taking my midterms. So why do I need to study? I ask myself, my confusion growing with every moment.
At the same time the world around me is getting hazy, foggy and less clearly defined.
Finally the reality of my situation dawns on me.
I can feel Nick's arms wrapped tightly around me, and his warm bare body curled around mine.
The memories of the dream begin to fade, as I become more and more conscious.
I'm so comfortable, and more relaxed than I've been in months. But if we're going to catch the train, I better start packing.
So I gently begin to slide out of Nick's arms. It takes me a moment, but I finally manage to get out of his grip.
I slide myself to the edge of the bed, and put my feet out into the chilled air of our apartment.
I ever so carefully slide down, while at the same time preparing myself to touch the freezing floor.
However like every morning upon touching the floor, a chill runs up my legs and spine.
I carefully slide from underneath the covers, trying not to let any of the warm air escape.
I just don't want to wake Nick just yet. I'm mostly worried he might be a little feisty.
Weight, what am I thinking? Foxes usually don't have much of a drive out of their season.
When does their season start anyway? Just before winter? Early winter, midwinter, late winter?
Perhaps I should look it up.
Focus Judy. Part of my mind reminds me.
Forcing me to realize that I've been standing naked next to the bed for almost five minutes.
I shake my head before having a look around the apartment. Upon doing so my attention is
immediately drawn to the minefield of clothing around the bed.
A mixture of our clothing that we wore yesterday. However I tilt my head, puzzled at seeing
my underwear at the other side of the room right next to the door.
I glance at Nick, still sleeping soundly in our bed. A smile begins to form on my face, as
I remember how fast he pulled them off. I throw in a bathrobe before tidying up.
Once I've picked up all our clothing, I begin to hear a patting sound.
My ear twirls in it's direction, and I turn towards it to see Nick's paw searching for me.
"Carrots?" He calls out sleepily, when he fails to locate me.
"Over here Nick." I respond quietly. "Just cleaning up." I then toss him his robe, telling him to take a shower, while I start packing.
I pause for a moment, watching the robe fly through the air, before finally landing on his head.
I can't help but smile with satisfaction.
He stirs for a moment, before pushing himself into a sitting position at the edge of the bed.
I let out a little chuckle at seeing the bathrobe still encompassing his head.
He finally pulls the robe off, before putting his arms through the sleeves.
He then tosses the blanket off of himself and stands, not bothering to tie the robe.
I feel frozen in place, as he walks up to me. My entire head feels as if it's on fire, just as Nick places his finger under my chin.
He tilts my head up ever so slightly, and we gaze into each others eyes.
His emerald eyes shimmer in the dim light. Everything about him, his eyes, his nose, his ears. I love the way they perk up when I call his name.
He begins to speak in a soft smooth voice, not too unlike the way he did in the dream.
"Morning, Carrots." He states just before planting a gentle kiss on my lips.
The kiss being the icing on the cake. My knees weaken, my heart pounds, I want him. but no! I-
I blink and Nick's already gone from my site. I spin around to find him at the rack, picking out his outfit for the day.
"Don't forget to call your parents, and tell them were coming." He says, finally tying his bathrobe, before slipping out of the room.
My body as if it's on fire, and my head filled with foggy images of Nick's open bathrobe.
That dame Fox! I both love and hate that he knows how to do that. My head is spinning but somehow find a way to latch onto his words.
"Oh sweet cheese-n-crackers." I blurt out barreling to the desk, and grabbing my phone.
I quickly unlock my phone, and scroll through my contacts to find the one that reads [Mom & Dad].
I tap it, and it begins dialing, I then Slam the phone to my ear.
While the phone rings I glance at the door, trying to think of a way to get back at Nick for getting me so flustered.
But after a few seconds, my thoughts are derailed by: "Hey bun bun, is something wrong?" I hear my mother's voice ask.
"No nothings wrong." I reply reassuringly. "I forgot to call yesterday, and tell you that Nick and I were coming over for a week."
"You are! That's great, we'll clear out a guest room for Nick." She says in a brisk of
excitements, sounding as if she's hurrying to get things in order already.
I want to tell her she doesn't have to do that. Because Nick will be sleeping
with me in my old room, but I think it would be best to tell them in person.
"You're friend is always welcome." She responds kindly, with hospitality that I see so rarely here in Zootopia.
We continue talking for a few minutes, about how things have been going. Like how the family businesses been going, or like what I've been up to in zootopia.
I always refrain from telling them the dangerous parts of my job, like when I get shot at. An event thats only happened twice so far.
While thinking about details that I leave out, I recall the fact that I have yet to mention to them that Nick is a fox.
And knowing my dad's temperament, I'm certain he still has a Fox Taser around the house somewhere.
Thinking of Nick, he should be almost done with his shower. I need to hurry this up.
"Oh and Mom, I forgot to mention something about Nick." I say while turning to face
the door, as if doing so would somehow prevent Nick from being able to walk through it.
"I didn't think it was important at the time but... He's a Fox." I finally say, hoping Nick isn't standing outside the door.
"Oh. Well that's fine-" She trails off when she figures out what I was trying to tell her. Then suddenly, the worst thing happens.
The door handle jiggles, then turns. It seems like minutes pass before the door begins to creak open.
Nick then steps through, tossing his robe towards the hamper.
"I'll hide the Fox taser from Stu before you two get here." She says finally, causing Nick to freeze in place.
"Thank you, see you when we get there, love you, bye!" I say just shy of being frantic, before pulling my phone from my ear, and pressing the red end call button.
"Hey Nick." I say hastily, as I return my phone to the desk.
"Did she say Fox taser?" Nick asks, with a measure of concern in his voice.
I think for a second may this would be good opportunity to get back at him.
However on the other paw, I don't want Nick to be tens the whole vacation.
After all I am planning on snuggling up to him the whole vacation.
"Relax." I begin to respond reassuringly. "She's hiding it."
I quickly pick out some of my favorite clothes, like my pink plaid shirt, and blue jeans.
I then head down the hall, take a quick shower and upon my return to the room, I find
Nick standing on top of one of the suitcases, trying to close it. "Need help?" I ask with a
chuckle, causing him to slip and fall. He plops on the bed, with his feet still on the
suitcase. I can't help but let out a laugh.
I toss my robe at the hamper, as I walk over to him, laughing all the while.
Nick grumpily hops off the bed, as I take a moment to examine the zipper.
Upon doing so I notice that a bit of cloth has been caught.
Once the bit of cloth is removed, zipper closes with ease.
"Oh sure, after I've compressed them." Nick spouts, placing his paws on his hips.
Together we grab our suitcases, and head to the door. As usual I grab my
key, then go for the door handle. I'm about to grasp the handle, when I hear someone knock.
I sit my suitcase beside the door, and pull it open, to reveal a tall slender snowy white animal.
Wearing Similar dark clothing under the same hooded trenchcoat she wore yesterday.
"Oh good!" She exclaims, relieved. "I was hoping to catch you before you left."
"Kai?" I hear Nick ask, as he places his paw on my shoulder. Judging by her ears tilt back, she didn't expect to find him here.
"I wanted to... To apologize for shooting at you yesterday, and for-" She trails off, probably remembering her hostility towards us.
Kai then kneels down, and hunches over slightly to get on eye level with us, before continuing. "I'm really sorry for what I said, and did.
If it makes you feel any better, I wasn't actually trying to shoot you. I was just trying to scare you off."
She continues to ramble on for a moment, nervously talking about how she would normally
just call to apologize, but the ZPD confiscated her phone. However out of all her nervous
rambling, she seems reluctant to state as to why her phone was confiscated.
A little detail that I encourage her to elaborate on.
"I umm, had a friend of mine do something to it." She pauses for a moment, probably hoping that we don't want her to elaborate.
But Nick and I give her a stern look, forcing her to continue. "That makes it completely untraceable." She says trying to look as innocent as possible.
A minute passes before she lets out a large sigh. "Look." She starts. "I was angry, and trying to hide from my dad."
She pauses for a moment fighting a catch in her throat. "But that phone is like half my life!"
And like that, I feel request drawing near. Perhaps the only reason she came to apologize.
Samantha asks just shy of begging for our help.
"Sure." Nick says suddenly, to my surprise. "I can get our friend Clawhauser to get it out of evidence for you."
"Thank you!" Kai yelps excitedly.
Nick and I grab our suitcases again, and walk with Kai to the elevator.
Once the elevator begins to move, I look up to Kai. She's fidgeting with her Paws, obviously nervous.
In an attempt to calm her down, I decide to ask her how her father doing.
Her paw fidgeting freezes when the questions presented. "Well." She finally starts.
"Things aren't perfect, but at least we're talking now." She states optimistically.
She returns her gaze forward, but turns away at the site of her reflection.
She instead looks at the nonreflective sidewall.
I'm a bit surprised to see her act like that.
I begin to wonder if she thinks she's ugly, most hybrids do, to despite that the opposite is often true.
But I think with her being a lot like her father, she may be too smart to be fooled into thinking such a thing.
I have a feeling that it's something a bit more complex than that.
When we exit the building, we break company with her, and try to flag down a taxi.
Nick finally does, and we head off to the train station.
On the way there, I try to question Nick about his decision to leave
the car parked outside our apartment building. Questioning that leads to us bickering for most of the ride.
We finally get to the station, and while we're waiting for the train to arrive, I force Nick to call Ben, since it was his idea.
Ben said he'd happily get it, and that Kai was already there.
As we board the train, I inform Nick, that if Ben got in trouble that it would be on his head.
On the ride to BunnyBorough, my thoughts begin to turn to how I'm going to tell my parents about Nick.
After a few minutes I remind myself that worrying about things like this is what led me to being so exhausted in the first place.
So with that in mind, I pull Nick's tail around me like a blanket, snuggling up to him, and not caring about who's looking.
Once we arrive it doesn't take us long to fund my parents. Just the two of them, because of my older siblings are probably still working.
On the drive to the farm, I tell my parents that we're here to rest. And Nick being Nick, gets my parents curious as to why I need rest.
They begin to question me, but I informed them that I was planning on telling them everything at dinner.
I put a bit of emphasis on "everything" while looking at Nick, making sure he understands what I mean.
After a few minutes we start to pass by many of my family farms, but it will be a few more minutes before we get to the house.
Once we do finally get to the house, Nick is quite stunned to see the size of it.
It's a rather large structure, looking more like a country hotel then a house.
I don't know what he was expecting, I told him before that I have a large family.
Well into the hundreds I remember telling him.
When we finally arrived I grabbed our suitcases and dash into the house as fast as I can.
I sprinted up the stairs and into my old room sliding suitcases under the bed.
I pause for a moment to look around. Everything is exactly as it was when I left.
But another thought creeps in, perhaps I should leave Nick alone by parents for too long.
So with that, I dart back down the stairs and into the living room just as the coming in the door.
My parents immediately question me about why I dashed into the house
looking like a gray blurt to despite having two full suitcases in tow.
Nick begins to exclaim that, that was rather slow for me, and now he seen me run 10 times faster than that after a shoplifter.
But while Nick is setting himself up to tell a story, I grab his paw and
state that I am going to show him around the farm.
I wanted to get him out of there before my younger siblings woke up, and engulfed him like a tsunami me of bunnies.
As much as I think it be adorable to see that, and much rather have him all to myself.
I bring Nick far out into the farm, much further than any of my siblings will go, to a very nice tree on a little hill.
The tree and hill look out over where we grow the blueberries.
Unfortunately the bushes don't have any berries on them at this time of year.
Nonetheless, Nick and I enjoy each other's company in the shade of the tree.
We talk and cuddle, till about noon when we start getting hungry.
We hop up, but before we leave. I push Nick against the tree, and press my lips to his.
We stay locked like this for almost a minute, in the deepest most passionate kiss we've ever shared.
We ended the deep gaze into each others eyes, before heading back.
When we start to get in range of the house, many of my siblings spot us.
With one outcry. "There she is!" One of my younger siblings yells out, pointing towards us.
And in an instant, we are swarmed. A tidal wave of little bunny hugs washes over us.
I greet and hug every single one, remembering each of them by name to Nick's surprise.
After my siblings went off to go play, Nick and I get the keys to the truck and head into town to grab a bite to eat.
While were out, I also take the opportunity to show him around town.
We just grab some fast food and eat in the truck.
Once we we're done chowing down, I begin the tour.
I took him all over the place, showing him where I went to school, all the places
me and my siblings hung out, and I decide to the tour with a stop at the
best baked goods stores in the triboroughs.
We step in and plus sized fox rushes from the back at hearing the bells on the door ring.
Gideon's face lights up as he yelps. "Judy! I didn't know you were back in town."
He turns his attention to Nick before asking what he can do for us.
Before I can reply, he looks back and forth at us a few times.
"Whoa." He states, almost stunned.
Our concern is my head around to peer out the window, yet nothing seems out of the ordinary.
Nick appears to be just as confused as I, but upon returning my attention to Gideon, I make a connection, hoping I'm wrong.
The next words out of his mouth confirm. Not sure what he saw, or what connections he made, but he accurately pegs us as a couple.
I find myself begging him not to tell anyone, and nervously rambling about how I'm not embarrassed, I just don't want my family to know just yet.
And how I'm planning on telling him at dinner.
I try to continue rambling, but Nick calms me down, and Gideon reassures me that he won't speak a word of it.
I think him, before buying a blueberry pie for Nick.
On the ride back to my parents house, I give Nick a spoon and tell them that
if he doesn't eat it now that it will disappear once it gets in the house.
We get back just in time for dinner. The pie I got for Nick, only a memory.
We get in the house and are greeted by the siblings that were out working at the time I greeted my other siblings.
Just pleasantries, hellos how do you do's and pawshakes.
Once finally at the table, I feel a bit more worried.
It's flooded with conversation, but Nick and I mostly engage with my parents.
A few updates about what's been going on around home, but mostly questions about what Nick and I do on the force.
It's a while longer before the crowd at the table begins the thin.
Once the thinning has gotten to the point where I'm comfortable, I give Nick a look that says; now is the time.
Nick immediately drops his fork, and dives under the table after it.
I'm not sure if it was on purpose or not, but I wait for him to return before getting my parents
attention, and the pawful of my siblings that still remain at the table. Nick regresses to a petrified
state, as my eyes leave him, and turn to my parents who are sitting across the table from us.
"Mom, dad. There's something I'd like to tell you."
I try to come out and say it but, I find the words heavier than when I had rehearsed this moment in my head, over and over again.
I quickly glance to Nick who is still stiff as a board, hoping for some re-encouragement, but I find none.
I return my attention to my parents once more, who are still sitting patiently waiting for me to speak.
"Is something wrong, bun bun?" My mother asks with concern.
"No." I respond. I then take a deep breath, deciding to just throw it out there. "Nick and I are dating!" I blurt out, causing what little conversation there was at the table, to cease.
I continue staring unblinkingly at my parents, waiting for them to say something, but they just stare unblinkingly back.
I quickly turn my attention to Nick, who has finally summoned up his courage, by confirming.
I then continued to tell them about why I've been so exhausted. Tell them about the nighthowever case, the nightmares and the worrying.
I almost break down the dinner table explaining my fears. If Nick wasn't here, I'm certain I would have.
My parents see Nick comforting me, my mother states that she's happy that I found someone.
Many of my siblings share the same's sentiments. I filled me with joy to know that they are happy for me.
After hugging everyone, Nick and I retired to my room.
As we lay in my old bed, I begin listening to the old sounds of my room, and missing the sounds of the city.
I take comfort in hearing Nick's shallow breathing, as his chest pushes and recedes against my back, and his arms wrapped around my torso.
As I drift closer to unconsciousness, my mind relaxes and begins to play out the same event over and over.
Me staring into the toxic lime green eyes of that arctic wolf, focusing more and more on that moment when I pushed through the fear, and demanded to know what he wanted.
Impressive, impressive, impressive. The word keeps repeating over and over in my head in the short moments before I fall asleep.
I can picture it so clearly, as if it were only a moment ago, or almost as clearly. For at the moment I hear; impressive. I'm looking directly at his face, yet his lips did not move.
I must be misremembering the event, so I decide to push it out of my mind, and drift off to sleep. However it did not prevent it from returning the next night, and the next, and the next.
When the morning of our fourth day rolls around, Nick and I grab breakfast as we have done previous days, which is a
assortment of vegetables with some toast on the side, and an orange. Even though Nick would prefer blueberries.
Nonetheless we settle in front of the TV, and flip to the news channel.
The first words that blasts from it are. "That's right! The third bank robbery in two days." One of the news anchor starts.
They continue explaining; how the alarms did not sound during or after the robbery, and it was only due to someone calling 911 that the ZPD was finally alerted.
Another news anchor comes on talking about how the ZPD is stretched thin. And at that moment Nick and I glance at each other.
My expression filled with urgency and a drive to return to duty, but Nick's is filled with concern.
Nick and I argue for a few moments, his argument centered around; "You still need more rest."
To which I staunchly disagree. I feel well rested, and ready to return to active-duty.
However Nick still urges me to stay longer, even trying to rope my parents into convincing me to stay.
After a half hour of arguing and pleading, Nick finally admits defeat.
On the train ride I call a taxi service, so that one would be waiting for us at the station when we arrive.
We return to our apartment as fast as possible, and with haste get into our uniforms, before heading straight to the precinct.
As we pull into the parking lot, we find that most of the squad cars are gone. We have never seen the parking lot this empty before, It's almost surreal.
We head in side to find Bogo riled up and almost yelling at Clawhauser. "Just get the first available officer on this." We hear him bark.
Bogo then turns to find us approaching them.
"Excellent, you two are back early." He says in a tone composed of frustration and satisfaction.
"Clawhauser, give them the case folder, and tell them what they need to know!" He says, storming off in the direction of the bullpen.
"But sir!" I call out trying to get his attention to ask about mine and Nick's partner status.
But he continues to storm off out of sight.
"Aumm." Clawhauser says, bringing her attention to him.
"It seems relatively straightforward." He states in a stiff tone, extending his Paw to give us a case folder.
Even Clawhauser seems off. I think to myself, taking the folder from his trembling paw.
I was expecting him to at least ask how the vacation went.
Instead of the usual friendly cheerful cheetah we've known for the past year and a half.
We have a cheetah that seems to be scared half to death.
"Clawhauser, are you okay?" I ask gently.
"Oh me? phf Yeah, I'm fine." He says trying to return to his usual cheery self.
"Look buddy." Nick says, in a calm soothing voice. "It's obvious that somethings up, where your friends."
"You didn't hear?" Clawhauser states, seemingly surprised at our lack of knowing.
"We just got back at 11:23." I state. Clawhauser darts his head in the direction Bogo went, before turning his attention to us.
"There was a second bank robbery this morning, just after the news reported on the first one."
He states, curling his fingers around the corner of his desk, attempting to pull himself closer to us.
"Officer Michorn was dropping off a check before he came to the precinct, when they hit."
He says widening his eyes, as if in disbelief at his own words.
"Is he all right?" I ask frantically, fearing the worst.
"If he wasn't a Rhino-" Ben pauses for a moment, fighting a catch in his throat.
"H-he wouldn't have survive the, s-shot." He says, with the trembling in his voice more apparent now than it had been before.
My heart appears to fill with ice, at the mere thought of one of my fellow officers being shot. What if it had been Nick. No. I can't think like that.
"His tough skin, saved him." He continues, trying to regain control of his voice, but inevitably failing.
It's no surprise that out of all the officers, ben would be the most upset. He knows every officer, at every precinct in the city.
"Don't worry Clawhauser, where on this." I say with the same can-do attitude I'm known for, clutching the file in my paws.
"What squad cars are available?" Nick asks, taking a step towards the desk.
Clawhauser then disappears underneath his desk, before replying."36, 23, 44 and 105."
I see Nick recoil at the mention of squad car 105. For it is the one with the broken air-conditioner.
"We'll take 23." I state confidently, remembering that it had just had maintenance done the week before last.
Clawhauser then disappears underneath the desk once more, and returns with the key, which he tosses to Nick.
However I leap, snatching it out of the air before Nick had even realized that it had been tossed to him.
Nick and I returned to the parking lot, which seems to have become more sparse than it had been when we arrived.
Part of me is grateful that we are spared the hunt for the squad car we have the key to.
The memories of Nick and I prowling up and down the rows of cars, is my least favorite of the past few months.
We quickly spot squad car 23, but before we can take a step towards it, I hear Nick's stomach growl.
And with another quick glance, we decide on the diner.
End part #8
I apologize for how long it took me to come out with this chapter.
It's been hard to find the drive as of late.
However I am still committed to finishing this little fanfiction 100%.
I would also like to apologize if there were more mistakes that I missed in this chapter.