It was cold. So, so cold, yet he could feel his body defrosting. Water rolled down his face and over the thin layer of ice that still coated his jumpsuit. The only things he could see were the inside of the cryo-pod and the grated vault floor through an oval window in the front of the pod.

Alarms began blaring throughout the facility, echoing back and forth inside the pod. He started to panic, desperately banging on the glass in hopes that someone would hear him and open the pod. He had to get out, he had to escape. His pleas were answered when he heard the sound of footsteps on metal. Someone's legs came into the view of his window, wearing the same jumpsuit as him. He banged on the pod door, hoping that they would hear him.

He recoiled in horror when the figure bent down and looked straight into the window. It was faceless, with only a mass of skin and no distinguishing features. And yet, it was free, and he wasn't. He was suddenly filled with indeterminable rage. Rage that this insignificant abomination was able to live, and he wasn't. Rage that it wouldn't help him, instead crouching in front of his pod and taunting him. He pounded on the glass and the metal and anything else he could reach, anything to show this disgusting creature how infuriated he was that it was the lucky one that escaped.

But it made no difference. The creature stood back up and dashed out of his view, heading towards the exit, towards life. While he sat there to die. The pod seemed to get colder, the chilled air burning his lungs as his throat froze. It was so cold, and all he could think about now was how he was going to die alone. He would preferred any company to just dying alone, even if it was that faceless figure from before. It was so dreadfully cold, and he didn't want to die alone.

He didn't want die alone…

Daniel woke up with a start, shivering intensely as cold sweat dripped down his face and soaked his clothes. He willed himself to sit still as he heard the faint sounds of someone walking to the front door of the apartment, their paws making just enough noise to be noticeable as they shuffled past the couch. Once he was sure his body had stopped shaking, Daniel slowly rose from his makeshift bed to see Nick trying to ease his way past the living room. The fox's ears drooped a little as he noticed that he had been caught. "Do I now have to worry about two mammals with super hearing?" he quietly joked, a tired smirk forming on his face.

Daniel laughed softly and shook his head. "Nah. I'm already a bit of a light sleeper, and these clothes aren't making it any easier. I feel like I'm being cooked alive in this thing." It was a lie of course, the jumpsuit had barely done anything to help fight the freezing cold back in the vault, but the last thing he wanted to do was describe his nightmares to Nick.

Nick was otherwise oblivious and uttered a silent chuckle. "Well, you caught me red-pawed. I'm gonna go get Carrots something to wear other than the bloody jeans and raggedy flannel from yesterday. That, and meet up with a friend of mine who could bring the truck back here."

Daniel nodded and smiled inwardly before moving to lay back down. However, he quickly realized that he wouldn't be able to fall asleep any time soon, another drop of sweat rolling down his cheek. "Hey Nick," he called, the fox stopping to turn to him again. "Would you mind if I tag along? I guess I'm not exactly feeling tired, so I figured I could go out and see more of the city."

Nick gave a nonchalant shrug. "Sure. Though, I'm not nearly as good of a tour guide as Carrots."

Daniel grinned as he stood up from the sofa before tying the sleeves of his jumpsuit around his waist. After he secured the upper half, he began following Nick out the apartment and into the dimly lit streets.

"I was just planning on walking to Carrots' place since it isn't that far from here. Then we can stop by my friend's place on the way back," Nick explained as the two began making their way down the sidewalk.

"So, have you ever been to Judy's place before?" Daniel asked.

The fox hesitated. "Technically yes. I've only been there once though, and she wasn't even home when I stopped by. Although, she did talk about it a little bit during the Nighthowler case and from what I can tell, it's basically a closet with a bed. But, it was the most affordable place she could get that was also close to the precinct, so she took it." Nick's brows furrowed as he thought about the run-down apartment complex. "I understand the reasoning but, there had to be something better than that right?"

Daniel nodded slowly. "She seems like she doesn't mind it that much though. Or at least, not as much you do."

Nick scoffed. "Well, that's Carrots for you. She's just so selfless, and she sees her job as the perfect opportunity to help other people." Nick took a moment to press the button for the crossway at an intersection before continuing. "It's just frustrating that someone like her has to put up with that, y'know? The hero of Zootopia, living in a hole in the wall."

Daniel snorted as he visualized a bunny trying to cram itself inside of a mouse hole. "It can't be that bad, can it? I mean, she's put up with it for this long and only complained like, once right?"

"It's not about if she can put up with it, it's that she shouldn't have to. She deserves a whole lot more than that."

Daniel couldn't help but smirk at the comment. "Maybe you should talk to her about it. I mean, you're probably the only person that could talk her out of there."

Nick shrugged. "Maybe, but it's hard to convince Carrots to change her mind on anything. Stubborn bunny…"

The two continued walking in silence, Daniel beginning to properly take in the sights while Nick absentmindedly led the way, his thoughts still lingering on their conversation. The city was still quite active, even in the dead of night. From obnoxiously loud traffic to the bustling sidewalk filled with nocturnal mammals of every size, Zootopia seemed to be just as alive at night as it was during the day.

"You know," Daniel began, breaking the silence, "I wasn't expecting everything to be so busy at night."

"It's only in certain districts, where more of the nocturnal mammals live. Foxes are one, but I guess I never saw the appeal. There are a lot less potential… customers out at night than during the day. That, and my mom and dad were daytime mammals anyway."

Daniel nodded before going back to sightseeing. It wasn't the most scenic route, as the majority of the buildings were drab grays and browns with no real meaning to them, but every now and then he would pass by a business that seemed awfully familiar. Snarlbucks and McDingo's were some of the many pun-related restaurants that he noticed while walking down the street. Looks like I'll never escape the horrors of overpriced coffee and fast food. Just when I thought the future was looking pretty cool…

After about half an hour of walking, Nick stopped in front of a drab, cream-colored building with mold beginning to grow on the lower edges. "This is it," he announced unenthusiastically.

Daniel broke into a worried laugh. "You're kidding me, right? You said it was bad but… this is downright depressing."

"I wish I was," Nick muttered, shaking his head before making his way to the door.

Upon entering, the two were immediately greeted with the pungent odor of mothballs and sweat mixed together in the humid air. Daniel was tempted to immediately turn back around and never even think of going back in there again, but he was inspired by Nick's stalwartness, as he had already brushed off the sudden blast of the unpleasant aroma and made his way into the building. The main lobby was just ugly as the outside of the apartment complex, hosting a staircase that wound up around an old elevator at the back of the room, as well as a dimly lit office off to their right.

Nick walked into the office, his smug expression restored. Daniel wasn't as proficient at masking his face, his unease still grossly apparent. A wrinkly, old moose with graying fur looked up from a computer monitor that seemed straight out of the 90s, adjusting her faded pink glasses as she studied the pair. "What can I do for you two," she deadpanned, seemingly unfazed by the fact that a human was standing in front of her.

"Hello again!" Nick began enthusiastically. "Judy sent us over to grab some things for her."

The moose simply blinked at him before returning to the computer monitor. "Hopps," she droned. "Began setting up her room for vacancy, though she left some of her personal items behind. Been meaning to throw them out for a while now, but haven't gotten around to it."

Nick's smile faltered if only for a brief second. "Yep, that's why she sent us over. Any way I could get a spare set of keys? She forgot to give me her set and I didn't realize until I got here."

The moose nodded and reached under her desk, rummaging through what sounded like a drawer full of coins before finally pulling out a key with the tag 410. "Fourth floor, door at the end of the right hallway."

Nick gave a cool "Thank you" before taking the key and strolling out of the office.

"You alright?" Daniel asked.

"Yeah, fine," Nick replied nonchalantly.

"You sure? You kind of lost your cool for a second."

Nick stopped as he reached the base of the staircase. "I'm starting to get the feeling that Carrots is throwing me off my game." He joked half-heartedly, turning back to Daniel. "It's just… of all things for her to be worried about, why not this? And why didn't she tell me?"

"Maybe she just doesn't want you to worry?"

"But I'm her friend, it's my job to worry about her. I just don't get why she thinks she has to deal with this kind of stuff alone."

"Well, if you were dealing with the same thing, would you tell her about it?"

"Yes, I would! I would trust Judy with just about anything! That's why this is bothering me so much."

Daniel frowned as he considered Nick's implications. "Now, I don't know you guys that well yet, but even I'm positive that Judy trusts you just as much as you trust her. She probably just feels like she needs to solve her own problems because she can, even though she doesn't always have to."

Nick stared at the floor in thought before sighing in defeat. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Daniel smirked. "All you need to do is talk to her about it. But first, we need to go clear out as much of 410 as we can carry without looking like we're robbing the place."

The two made their way up the stairs, purposely avoiding the elevator that looked like it would sooner break down than carry a mouse up one floor. They eventually reached Judy's apartment and, to Daniel's surprise, the room fit Nick's description to a T.

"You know," Daniel began. "I don't what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn't this. I thought you were joking when you said it was small, but this is just ridiculous. How can anything live in here?"

"Beats me, but one thing's for sure. She isn't coming back here anytime soon."

Nick made his way inside the depressingly apartment while Daniel opted to stay outside. "There's no way both of us will fit in there, let alone just me," he justified sheepishly. The fox just rolled his eyes and began rummaging through the wardrobe.

"Well, looks like Carrots didn't leave much behind." Nick finally announced, emerging from the apartment with a suitcase in hand. "Some clothes, a phone charger, a couple TV dinners in the fridge, but not much else."

"I guess she's been planning on moving out for a while now," Daniel noted.

Nick shrugged before closing the door. "Now we just need to go see my friend we can speed back over to my apartment. I never even want to think about this place again." Daniel nodded in agreement and followed the fox back down the staircase. Nick quickly dipped inside the office and dropped the key on the desk before ducking right back out and leaving the complex.

Once again, the two were out on the dimly lit sidewalk, with Daniel following Nick through the unfamiliar streets of the city. He was trying to construct a mental map of the route they had taken to the apartment, but the buildings all seemed to melt together into a single muddy brown in the darkness. I have no idea how Nick can distinguish one boring building from the next, there isn't a single landmark around here. Guess it just comes from living here so long.

After they had been walking for some time, Daniel eventually began seeing familiar street signs at the intersections. He could tell they were heading back to Nick's apartment, or that it was at least a similar route, but he couldn't help but grin at the small victory. His mental mapping was cut short when Nick slowed to a stop in front of what seemed like just another building among many. The only discernible feature was a sign that read "Marvin's Moving and Towing."

Nick beckoned Daniel inside as he opened the door with his free paw. "You always take me to the weirdest places, you know that? A terrible tour guide if I ever saw one," Daniel quipped. Nick shook his head and laughed as he held the door for him.

The lobby was unusually well-kept for how bland the outside was, with the freshly waxed wood flooring reflecting the bright white lights. A counter was located directly across from the entrance, along with an open door off to their right with a sign labeled "Garage" just above it. "Be with ye' in just a moment!" a voice with a thick country accent called out from inside the garage. Several minutes later, a mole clad in overalls and a red plaid shirt came waddling out from the open door. "Nick! Glad t' see ya! Now, what can I do fer' you and yer freakishly tall friend this fine evenin'?"

"Good to see you too Marv," Nick chuckled. "And not much, just a quick towing job."

Marvin nodded. "And eh, is this a… discreet job by any chance?"

Nick shook his head. "Nah, I just need you to tow a friend of mine's truck back to Bunnyburrow. I'll send you the address for it in a bit."

"Hold on a sec," Daniel interrupted. "Your towing friend is a mole? How did you two meet anyway?"

"Oh, me and Marv go all the way back to when I first started hustling." Nick replied. "Finnick and I knew that we'd need a tow truck for some of our more elaborate hustles, and Marv here needed some help convincing the city that he was a fully capable driver with impeccable vision. So, we helped each other out."

"Now, I wasn't none too keen on the idea of being in the back pocket of a fox, but our boy Nick here has a way with words. That, and I woulda been bankrupt years ago if not for his, eh… connections," Marvin finished.

The mole turned back to Nick before asking, "Now, I don't mean to intrude, but who is this friend of yers' that needs their truck moved?"

"Judy Hopps ring a bell?"

Marvin nodded. "Judy ain't familiar, but Hopps is. They call me every now n' then to tow their tractors for maintenance. Just tell me where the truck is and I'll get er' done."

"Thanks Marv, you're the best of the best." After that, Nick pulled out his cellphone and texted the truck's address to Marvin. "Feel free to cover the job tomorrow, it's not going anywhere without your help. And thanks again, truly." Nick gave the mole a small wave before heading to the door.

"Guess I'll see you around Marvin. It's been interesting if nothing else," Daniel said as he began following Nick.

"Likewise mister…?"

"Richards, Daniel Richards," he supplied quickly.

"Right. Have a good one Mr. Richards." As the two left the shop, Marvin scratched the back of his head in thought. "Now what in Sam Hill was he? Ain't no mammal I ever saw."

Daniel was equally perplexed. After he was sure they were out of earshot, he turned to Nick before asking, "Are sure that Judy's truck will make it there in one piece? Last time I checked, moles could barely see anything."

Nick waved his concerns away. "I've been working with Marv for years, and he's only ever gotten into one accident, and it wasn't even his fault! Trust me, he's the sharpest driver I know, besides Finnick."

Daniel scoffed, clearly unconvinced. "Alright, but if Judy chews you out for destroying her truck, don't say I didn't warn you."

They resumed walking back to the apartment, although Daniel grew increasingly concerned as the street quickly became far less populated after a few turns. That, and he was back to not recognizing his surroundings. "Nick," he started. "Are you sure we're going the right way?"

"You know, I was beginning to ask myself that same question. Did we take a right or a left at Felicity Avenue?"

"Pretty sure we took a right."

As Nick began to realize his mistake, a pair of dark gray wolves melted out of the darkness from an alleyway in front of them. "Damnit," he muttered.

The lead wolf grinned menacingly, emphasizing his considerably large canines. "Alright, you two know the drill. Money, jewelry, cellphones, everything."

"Or, you forget that you ever saw us and we go our separate ways," Daniel threatened.

"Looks like we got a tough guy over here!" the other wolf laughed. "Looks like I get to show you what happens to tough guys, huh?" The thug slowly began advancing towards him, brandishing a pocket knife.

"Alright guys, no need to get nasty. We'll cooperate, alright?" Nick bargained, vainly trying to defuse the situation. His please fell upon deaf ears.

The advancing wolf let out a snarl as he took a sloppy overhead swing at Daniel, only to be blocked mid-swipe. Daniel quickly stunned the wolf with a punch to the muzzle before locking the wolf's arm with his own. As the mugger reeled from the blow, Daniel rapidly applied pressure just above the elbow, effectively snapping the bone in two and forcing the knife out of the wolf's hand.

The thug was clearly distracted as he grabbed at his arm and yelled at the top of his lungs, signaling Daniel to let the broken limb go before kicking him in the stomach and knocking him to the curb. The wolf collapsed with a yelp and cradled his arm, allowing Daniel to casually reach down and pick up the discarded pocket knife before turning on the remaining assailant.

"Now," he began calmly. "You are going to take your friend and go, and if I ever catch either one of you morons trying to pull this again, I will gut each of you like a fish. Got it?" The last wolf just stared at him, his jaw hanging open in shock. "Got it?" he repeated forcefully. This time the wolf nodded quickly before kneeling down to help his whimpering friend. He turned to Nick—who was also slack-jawed—and motioned for him to start walking.

As they began making their way back to familiar streets, Nick stopped and turned towards Daniel. "Alright, where the hell did you learn to fight like that?" he asked incredulously.

Daniel sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "Well, if people figure out you're the son of two cops and you go to a cruddy school, the kids beat you up out of principle. My dad thought it was a good idea to teach me how to fight. Just in case, you know?"

"Well alright. Now I have three friends who double as bodyguards. With you, Carrots, and Finnick, I'm practically untouchable."

The two shared a laugh before continuing their journey back to the apartment, this time with much less excitement. "Just for the record, Carrots doesn't need to know about that last little bit, alright?" Nick said as they approached the steps leading up to the complex.

"My lips are sealed," Daniel reassured.

They skulked into the apartment as quietly as possible before Daniel eased his way over to the sofa and unceremoniously collapsed on the unbelievably soft cushions. He was exhausted from the adrenaline rush earlier and all he could think about was the welcoming embrace of sleep. He thought he heard Nick say something, but he was already fast asleep before the fox could even finish.

6/13/17 AN: And the old A/N is gone, because it was just me rambling. Anyway, if you're new, this won't really make sense, but if you're a returning reader then this is an important chapter. Daniel is now having nightmares, and as such he's acting a bit more reserved around Nick. Dialogue also has a bit of a nicer flow in places where it used to be rather choppy, but that's just my opinion. As always, music is down below:

M: Motion Tracker - Space Disc Jockey (nightmare),Electric Dreams - Perturbator (ambiance)
N: Seas of Infinity Album - Mega Drive, Strafe OST - ToyTree, Neotokyo OST - Ed Harrison