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There is a phrase that time flies when you are having fun; based on the fact that Nick and Judy sat on a park bench, after the Hollow Bar closed at two in the morning, and were still sitting there, arm in arm when the sun rose again shortly after six o'clock, they really had a great time. Judy had cuddled up to Nick and his thick tail was enwrapping her when she got a little bit cold. Her ears leaned against her head.
"Since when?" Judy asked him casually, tickling her paws along his cheek.
"Hmm?" Nick hummed moony and Judy twitched lightly on his whiskers.
"Dumb fox.", she replied but he smirked somewhat. "Since when?" she asked again after a while. Her voice was quiet and gentle.
Still dreamily, Nick answered slowly: "You know, I started to like you while we were still on the Nighthowler case." He turned his head slowly in her direction and their looks met. "But I knew I met someone special after I couldn't get you out of my head while I was at the academy. That's never happened before…"
Judy got teary-eyed and gave him a big, happy smile. "And still you didn't say a word until tonight?"
"To be accurate, I didn't tell you anything but just sang a song. About not wanting to fall in love with … someone." Nicks sly grin was back in place and he winked. "I just wanted to dance with the most beautiful lady in the bar and you decided to ki…OUCH!"
Judy beat him with her fist on the shoulder and wrinkled her nose. "Dumb fox!" Nick caressed one paw over her cheek and reached behind her head, his thumb stroking the point where her ear approached her head.
"Beautiful Bunny…" he whispered and leaned in to kiss her affectionately. Judy closed her eyes and responded to his kiss. "You know; you love me…"
"Do I know that? Yes. Yes, I do." She winked back to him. "But I also know that we're starting work in less than two hours." Judy groaned out suddenly. Almost grudging she detached herself from Nick and outstretched with a sudden realization of how tired she was.
Nick stretched himself; sitting on a wooden bench all night wasn't very comfortable after a while, and now that Judy wasn't leaning against him he felt the chill morning breeze. "Giving Bogo a notice of being ill is beyond question, right?" he sighed.
Judy squinted her eyes: "They all saw us last night together, nobody would believe this, Bogo less than ever!"
"All right, Officer Fluff… I know the perfect place to get a strong espresso and some breakfast." Nick said.
"Okay, and when we get to the precinct early we can take a hot shower", Judy clasped her mouth with both paws after she realized what her suggestion sounded like and Nick was grinning like a Cheshire cat. "I … I mean … we… you...", Judy swore her ears must be orange like carrots right now.
"I know exactly what you mean, carrots." Nick winked at her and they both started to walk, heading to one of the small French Cafés near the precinct.
Judy's paws rested against the tiled wall of the shower, her head and ears dropped down and the hot and steamy water poured over them and her back. She felt tired; since visiting the academy, she had not had an all-nighter. But she also felt some butterflies in her stomach. Last night with Nick came as a surprise to a certain degree. Dating was never one of her top priorities, she always had her high-goal set with the Police Academy and there was little to no room for romantic relationships, and even after reaching her goal she didn't miss it, because she always had Nick since then. He was her shoulder to cry on and the most common cause for her laugher. No, she did not miss being in a relationship because she already had one; even when it was not official or pronounced like that. Those things, plus the euphoric mood after the concert, plus Nick singing one of her favorite songs, plus slow dancing together. All of this lead to her kissing Nick right there on the dancefloor suddenly. It was not planned by her; it just felt like the right thing to do at that moment. And Nick returned her affection! She felt this tingly sensation in every part of her body while they kissed. Was this love?
Punctual as always Judy and Nick sat on their shared stool in the conference room. There was a lot of chitchat between all the colleagues. It was only when Chief Bogo entered the room that everyone went quiet. He seemed to be slightly hangover, or was that only Nicks imagination? Bogo snarled some quick notes about the upcoming day – nothing remarkable – and scheduled each pair of partner's todays district to patrol. 'Yep, totally hangover.' Nick thought and a small grin crept onto his face. He and Judy just headed in direction of the door, when…
"Hopps! Wilde!" – the Chief didn't shout as loud as usual but it still had its daunting effect. "My office in five minutes." He snarled and headed through the backdoor.
There was just enough time for them to get a cup of poor, but hot, coffee from the vending machine in the foyer before they entered the Chief's office after knocking. Bogo sat in his chair, with his reading glasses on and with a case file in his hooves. Judy and Nick stood bolt upright in front of the desk and waited patiently.
After a minute or two, the buffalo put down the case file and his glasses: "There is something I have to discuss with you about yesterday evening." Nick felt somewhat nervous and he noticed from the corner of his eyes Judy twitching her nose slightly. Everything that happened yesterday between him and Judy came to him suddenly. He did not really think this through and considering what could happen afterwards they should not have kissed in front of all of those colleagues. After all, he was not sure if there was a rule against fraternization in the precinct or not. Moreover, he doubted that Judy would risk any disciplinary measures just for them to be together.
"Sir?" Nick asked, not recognizing his own voice.
Bogo did not seem to be all too happy to have this conversation in the first place either. He folded his hooves and his voice got somewhat … embarrassed? … when he started to talk again.
"I got a call from the Hollow Bar, nearly a dozen customers reported that their wallet or smartphones were stolen yesterday night." – What? This talk went into a complete different direction than Nick expected, and from her looks Judy was puzzled as well. Bogo handed the case file in front of him over to Judy. As she flipped it open the Chief continued.
"You two are going to investigate in this case. But keep things… quiet."
"What do you m…" Nick started, but was interrupted by Judy, pushing her elbow into his side. She was pointing on the first page with the list of claimants and what was stolen. It took a few seconds until Nick's bleary-eyed mind was capable of understanding. "Oh. I see." Chief Bogos name was also on the list, his own smartphone listed as stolen.
"We will take care of this immediately and be absolutely discreet." Judy assured him, closing the case file and sticking it under her arm.
The Chief nodded, waved his hand for them to leave and said "Dismissed."
Nick had no idea what the hell came over him when he asked: "And nothing about Officer Hopps and me?" Judy, who had already turned around and was walking to the door, froze to a halt.
"What are you talking about, Wilde?" the Chief snarled, not expecting to have a further conversation now. Judy was looking at Nick with big eyes, as if she was pleading him to discard the topic for now. But Nick seemed to be one brick short of a full load.
"I thought you also wanted to discuss the fact we were… (Nick wanted to say "kissing" but bethought himself) fraternizing." The fox did not look back at Judy, but he could hear her paw clasping onto her face.
Bogo slowly stood up and rose to full-size. "Are you kidding me?" he barked.
Nick shook his head. "No, Sir."
"You are fired."
Nick wasn't sure what reaction he was expecting from the Chief, but this one took him by surprise. He stood there, his mouth slightly open, unable to answer.
"What?!" Judy's voice was nearly a screaming and Bogo squinted his eyes. "You cannot fire him for this! Are you joking?"
"Yes, I am." This time it was Judy that was took by surprise by the Chiefs answer and her tantrum got stuck in her throat.
"W… what?" it was Nick who got his voice back at first.
For a moment, there was a sly grin on Bogos face, but it immediately vanished again. "Do you still rely on your partner's best efforts, Officer Hopps?" Bogo asked, allocated to Judy.
She immediately nodded "Yes, sir."
"You too, Officer Wild?"
"Yes, of course, Sir!"
"Are you going to do your work professionally and without any doubtful private … activities within work-hours?"
This time they both answered concurrent: "Yes, Sir!"
"Then it's absolutely not of my interest what you two are going to do in your private time. As long as it is in your private time!" The buffalo emphasized the last sentence, sat down again and started to work on his computer. This time both Nick and Judy took the hint and disappeared through the door. Bogo grinned mildly after them with a shake of his head when the door clunk shut.
"Are you totally insane?" Judy blurted out the instant they sat down in their police rover.
Nick only shrugged his shoulders and smiled softly. "Everyone saw us yesterday night and eventually we had to talk about it with Bogo. So why not take advantage of the moment when he asks us for a favor". He winked and Judy rolled her eyes while driving off to the Hollow Bar.
"Yeah, and he totally caught us on the wrong foot. Nevertheless, I'm glad that this is out of our way". Judy blinked nervously. She was indeed glad about it. Out of all those rules she learned eagerly, those about fraternization were no big priority for her back then and she was not too sure if it is allowed or not. Meanwhile Nick was studying the case file with the reports of petty theft, and for the rest of their drive they only discussed a few leads and testimonies.
They arrived at the Hollow Bar shortly after, and asked the Deer currently washing glasses if they could speak to the manager. Just as the manager, a tired looking moose, appeared, Judy's phone went off. She exchanged looks with Nick and he nodded. Nick heard the ringtone stop while Judy was heading to a corner accepting the call.
"Are you the manager?" he asked the moose. The mammal nodded and shook hands with him.
"Mr. Olivert it is; are you here because of the theft?"
Judy was somewhat worried when her phone went off. It was the ringtone assigned to her parents and normally they only called in the evening and not during her shift. She excused herself and went to a more private corner of the bar to accept the call.
"Hey, Mom! Dad! How are you, is everything okay?"
"Hi darling! Yepp, everything is great. How are things in your neck of the wood?"
"Great so far! I'm a little tired, I didn't get much sleep last night, you know the Gazelle concert". This wasn't the complete truth, but no lie nonetheless.
"Oh! Right! How was it, dear?"
"Great! But I'm currently at work. Can we talk about it another time?"
"Oh! Oh, right! Of course! We just wanted to call you to ask, if we can meet up for dinner this evening? We were visiting your Uncle Phil and are on our way back. We have to change trains and thought we could meet in the meantime?"
Judy felt even more tired thinking about a dinner with her parents this evening, all of a sudden. However, her parents glanced back at her full of expectations, so there was no way for her to chicken-out. "Yeah" she smiled back at them, oppressing a sigh. "That would be really great! When does your train arrive? I will pick you up at the main station." She asked, rummaging in her pocket for a note and pen.
Judy encountered Nick and Mr. Olivert while Nick was repeating all the facts he had already noted so far: "So, last night was already the fourth time, that your guests were robbed. Those affected have always noticed the theft when leaving your Bar or after they were already home. They also asked, whether they maybe only lost the things and they were given off to you. On what days did the previous incidents happen?"
The moose nodded to Nicks report and then answered: "The last two Fridays and Saturdays. Our most popular evenings because of the live band."
"We need your video tapes of those cameras…" Judy spoke up, pointing to the camera behind the bar and near the entrance. Mister Olivert nodded again and turned around to go into his back office, leaving Judy and Nick alone for the time being.
"Everything okay, carrots?" Nick asked, turning around to Judy.
"Yeah, it's only my parents. They are popping around for a dinner this afternoon at half-past four."
"Popping around? They live almost 300 km away!"
"They've visited a few distant relatives, who live up in Canadaw; and they have to switch trains here in Zootopia, so…" Judy shrugged.
Nick couldn't say any more because the moose returned and handed Judy four discs, labeled with the dates in question. "Anything else I can do for you, officers?"
"That's all for now, thank you very much. We will come back to you with news as soon as possible." Nick answered. Mister Olivert shook their hands goodbye and went back to his office.
"We should visit a few pawnbrokers." Nick suggested when they both left the bar and got into their rover.
"And perhaps we should visit our friend Duke Weaselton." Judy added, starting the car. "Is he on probation again?"
Nick took the radio. "We will find out quickly. (activating the microphone) Dispatch, this is Wilde and Hopps. Could you checkup the personal file of Duke Weaselton for his status and sign-in address? Over".
"Roger. Stand-by".
"Hey, Nick…?" Judy started and Nick turned his head.
"What's up, carrots?"
"About this dinner with my parents later…"
"Don't worry about it, I don't need to go with you. It's still pretty early, this…" he gesticulated with his paw between them "…we-thing between us."
"It is not that I would be ashamed of you, Nick! I really … (hesitating a bit) …yes, I really love you!" she looked to him for a moment and was smiling brightly. "But you know, parents are pretty bossy when it comes to their daughters. And I would like to talk about them when there is a little more time and they aren't on the go, you know?" Judy spoke pretty fast, even for her, and Nick knew ... or rather smelled ... that Judy was really nervous about her parents. However, she just said for the first time, that she loves him – and not only like you say it to your good friend, but really loves him.
"It's okay, Judy..." him, mentioning her name, gave her butterflies in her stomach again. "We have all the time in the world."
"But you'd join me yet, or?" she asked after a short pause – a radio message came in so Nick only nodded and smiled as agreement.
"Dispatch for Wilde and Hopps. Duke Weaselton is on probation since Tuesday. Address is 194, Lexington Lane. Over."
"Roger, dispatch. Wilde and Hopps, over and out".
"So he cannot be our thief, but perhaps he knows something".
"After all, he is the Duke of the black market", Judy winked and drove off to Lexington Lane.
Their visit to Weaselton's address was a flop, being just a building lot for a new Pawmarkt. But at one of the pawn shops, they strike: They could secure a pocket watch, two older smartphones and a ring, all from the thefts last week. The shop owner couldn't help them much but they confiscated another two discs of videos. As Judy was driving into their parking spot Nick played up again:
"Did you make a reservation for two VIP seats and get us some popcorn, fluff?" his sly grin back on.
"I wish it was some entertaining videos, this will take us quite some time to look through all those videos".
Entering the precinct Clawhauser waved to them and both Judy and Nick approached his desk. "Ohhh my goodness! Our newest twosome is back in! What were you two up to yesterday evening?" the cheetah was grinning from ear-to-ear, simultaneously grabbing for a doughnut and offering both of them one, too.
Judy's ears dropped, and she was sure that she must be bright as a tomato right now. Nick however just grinned back at Clawhauser with his best con-mammal smirk and purred with a wink "A woman's heart is a deep ocean of secrets – just as the details of our evening". Judy was already on her way to the elevator and Nick followed suit, just ignoring Clawhauser's 'Ohhs' and 'Awws' for the moment. They went to the second floor and right to their shared cubicle. Nick started watching the video discs from the pawnshop and Judy with those from the Hollow Bar. Even in fast motion this would take quite a while…
"Get a move on, Nick!" Judy rushed past a group of other mammals, setting out for platform two where her parents train just arrived. She spotted them the instant they stepped out the train and waved to them.
"Jude the Dude! Good to see you!" her father called and Judy wrinkled her nose on the nickname while giving her mother a hug.
"Hello, my dear!" her mother greeted her and rubbed her chin against Judy's cheek to leave her maternal scent mark on her. Judy hugged her father, too, while Nick slowly joined the small group of rabbits.
"You must be Misses Hopps" he smiled at Judy's mother, taking a suggested bow.
"Officer Wilde! What a nice surprise, nice to finally meet you in person!" Bonnie smiled at Nick and Stu Hopps shook hands with Nick.
"Hello, Officer Wilde. Nice to see you" – Judy's father was friendly, but Nick also found him somewhat short-spoken. He met this kind of prejudice constantly and was used to it. Nevertheless, it was clear that it would be difficult to eventually tell them about his relationship with Judy. She however didn't seem to have noticed the subtle undertone, and was already going ahead.
They sat in a small Diner near the central station and placed their orders. Judy told her parents about the Gazelle concert last night and what a great show it was while Nick most of the time just leaned back in his chair, occasionally sipping his Coke. She went on telling a long rigmarole about their evening together at the Hollow Bar with many of their colleagues, and what a great gift the concert tickets were for her friend Clawhauser. Even Nick's impromptu singing – however, she didn't mention what song or for whom it was dedicated – was mentioned and it commanded Bonnies admiration.
"To play an instrument or even singing is such a wonderful talent to have. The vixen getting to marry you is to be envied". Judy's foot started to pad on the ground, but Nick did not stop smiling. A short stroke with his tail along Judy's leg, unnoticed by her parents, settled her instantly. He was just about to answer, when another rabbit approached their table.
"Judy? Is it really you?" The newcomer was tall for a rabbit, with black fur and a few white spots. He wore a business suit made of the finest silk. Judy sprung off her seat and flung her arms around the rabbits' neck.
"Vicky! It's been so long since we last met, I almost didn't recognize you!"
"I hope it is okay that we told Victor where we are having dinner. We heard he is on a business trip here in Zootopia, too, and it would be a shame if we had missed this opportunity to meet." Bonnie Hopps said smiling. Nick sat upright involuntarily on seeing Judy hugging 'Vicky' so enthusiastically. However, he changed his mind immediately, stood up and handed Victor his paw in greeting.
"Hello, I'm Nick Wilde".
"I'm Victor Hoofer, nice to meet you", the rabbit answered politely.
"He is also a Police Officer and Partner on the force with Judy", Stu said explanatory.
"I will get us another chair." Nick said smiling, but when he returned a few seconds later, Victor was already sitting beside Judy on Nicks chair. Only reluctantly Stu gave him some space so Nick could push in between him and Victor. The slick rabbit, as Nick named him mentally, was eagerly chatting with Judy and her parents. He is a lawyer at a large and prestigious company, and an old school friend with Judy or whatever. Nick was quickly marginalized by Judy's parents and she didn't even notice because of her chatting with 'Vicky'. He crossed his legs and leaned back, his aviator sunglasses on his nose and his old con-mammal smile back in place…
Judy waved their parents goodbye while the train was departing from the station. Victor had to leave early for an appointment and Nick and Judy were on their way to the subway station.
"This was a great evening; don't you think?" She asked eagerly, still smiling.
"Yeah."
"It was great to see Vicky again, I haven't see him for nearly ten years! He has really done well for himself!"
Nick nodded and then stopped hesitantly. "I think I left my phone in my locker at the precinct. I will go and fetch it, I need it to wake up, you know…" He still had his iron smiling face on and when Judy stopped, too, and turned around to face him her big eyes were mirrored in his sunglasses.
"What are you talking about? You used your phone while we were in the Diner" – His smile weakened a nuance, but he didn't say anything, his paws in his pockets. "And tomorrow is our day off, you don't need an alarm to wake up on a Sunday".
He still tried to maintain his innocent smile but it was of no use. 'Dumb fox', he told himself, this was a stupid and thoughtless excuse. However, right now he could not think straight, there was a pungent sting in his chest. So he just stood there, saying nothing.
"Hey, what's the matter Nick?" Judy sounded concerned and made a step in his direction, trying to take his paw in hers.
"Nothing, carrots. I'm fine". The sound of his voice and his body language let him down completely, and just when Judy wanted to reply he sighed and said: "It's okay, fluff. We just had this one evening together. He is a really nice rabbit". His last words sounded like ice.
"Oh. My. Goodness. Nicholas Piberius Wilde! Are you jealous?" Judy sounded amused and shocked simultaneously. When called by his full name, Nick winced slightly.
"Perhaps… just a little bit…" he murmured embarrassed. Judy laughed so brightly that he winced again, and then she flung her arms around him, cuddling her face onto his chest.
"Dumb fox!"
"Cruel Bunny…"
"Don't look like that! There is nothing to be jealous about. He is really just an old friend from school". Nick enjoyed her embrace and put his arms around her himself. "And besides, he's gay." She smirked at Nick's nonplussed look.
"And how the hell was I supposed to know?"
"Uhm… good point. So, for you the evening was a bust. I'm so sorry, Nick…" Judy looked at him with her sad, big eyes and her ears dropped.
"Nothing to worry about, carrots". He took his aviator sunglasses off and smiled back at her warmly. They just stood there on the sidewalk, hugging each other. After a while Nick asked: "Do your parents know that Victor is… you know… gay?"
"I don't think so?"
"Well…" It took Judy a few moments until she grasped what Nick suggested.
"You think they wanted to set me up with him?" her paws thrown over her mouth.
"The good looking and successful rabbit, a meetup in the big city together with the parents…"
"Oh my god, I think you're right!" Judy looked shocked but Nick just smiled softly.
"I think, we have to talk to them eventually about us in the near future, or we will just encounter more of their hookup attempts. By the way, do you have a lot of those Adonis looking school friends I have to try to be on par with?"
"Perhaps one or two. But don't worry, you are the only one I really care for…" she winked with a sly grin. "What do you think, breakfast at my apartment?" And before Nick could answer her, she took him by his paw with her, walking to the subway heading home.
Many thanks to Sean Dalglish for his review and proofreading this chapter! (Feb 2017)