Diamond in the Rough
Chapter 3: Nightmare
Author's Note: As spring break is coming to a close, I won't be able to be consistent in my posting habits. College will eat my time, but I'll post as often as I can! Enjoy Chapter 3 and thanks for all the positive feedback!
"NO!"
Nick woke with a start. What was that? He sat up listening. He was in Judy's apartment, on her couch. Everything seemed quiet.
"NICK!" Judy screamed. Nick jumped up, and ran into Judy's room and threw the light switch up. Judy was sitting straight up in her bed, the first thing Nick noticed was her shirt. Clinging to her body, wet enough from his hug that he could faintly see the grey and white fur underneath. Tearing his eyes away he saw her face. She looked frantic, her eyes huge and wild. She looked like she had seen a ghost. She hadn't yet processed him standing there. Slowly she turned to him and her face changed. For a brief moment she looked relieved, then he saw the fear return, along with pain, her eyes were watering. Nick hurried over to the bed, and sat next to her. He carefully put his arm around her. She leaned into him. She was drenched in sweat.
"What happened?" Nick quietly asked, gently rubbing her arm with his paw. Judy breathed a few shaky breaths.
"I had a, well, a nightmare."
"Do you want to tell me what happened?" Nick calmly asked. He had never seen Judy this distraught. Judy looked up at him with large, shiny eyes, and a trembling lower lip. Nick wanted to touch that lip. He gently brushed a tear from her cheek instead. Her cheek was soft, Nick resisted the urge to keep his paw there. Judy took one last deep breath and closed her eyes. Nick wanted to kiss her.
"I don't think I should tell you." Judy's voice wavered. Nick held her a little tighter. Judy began to sniffle. Nick thought she was going to cry at first. Then he heard a half-hearted chuckle. "I smell." Said Judy. Nick looked down at the sweet little bunny in his arms. The angle he was holding her had left her nose near her armpit. Her nose was crinkled. Nick released her from his arm. "I need a shower" Judy stated. She got up and padded into the bathroom. The door didn't close all the way, but Nick heard the water turn on and the curtain close. Nick poked his head in.
"Judy, did you want the door closed?" Nick asked Judy's shadow on the curtain. Judy's head was tipped back, her paws running down over her ears. She stopped moving, Nicks eyes followed the curved lines of her figure, something he had never noticed before.
"Actually, could you leave it open? I feel less alone with it open." Judy's voice was soft. Her body language changed, and suddenly she looked so vulnerable. Nick was tempted to go wrap his arms around her to keep her from crumpling. But that would be wrong, even if he meant it innocently. Instead, he offered comforting words.
"Don't worry Carrots, I'm right here. And I'll stay with you as long as you need."
Judy's body changed, her stature softened, and she stopped shaking. Nick stood in the doorway, talking with her, and watching her. He was watching her to make sure she was ok of course, it had nothing to do with the way her fur was smoothed against her body, or the way the water ran off from it. Or the way she leaned to turn off the water. Or the way she raised up on her toes to grab a towel from the rack next to the shower. Or the way she dried herself with the towel. Or how she wrapped the towel around her body. Or the way she stepped out of the shower, her towel revealing more of her thigh. But it was because when she set her foot down on the bathroom floor, she slipped. Nick did not know she slipped because she was watching him too. Nick rushed to her. She was sitting up by the time he got to her, and she had just placed her legs together when he stood in front of her, extending his hands. Checking to make sure her towel would stay in place, Judy took his paws, and he pulled her up. She stumbled forward and he caught her, wrapping her in a warm hug, his arms tight around her back. They stayed like that for a little bit, then Judy pulled away.
"I need to change. You stay in here and don't look." Nick watched as Judy walked out of the bathroom. Then he turned and looked at himself in the mirror. Don't make this awkward between you two! You are JUST friends, don't blow it. Nick dragged his paws down his face. Just friends, besides a bunny and a fox would never work. Shaking himself and convincing himself that he didn't stand a chance with Judy, Nick stared his reflection down. "Ok I'm decent!" Judy called. Nick turned off the light as he walked out. Judy was climbing into bed, she had on a different pair of leggings, and a tank top. Nick sat on the bed.
"Hey, what's bothering you so much?" Nick asked again, hoping Judy would let him know what scared her so much that she woke up shouting his name.
"It's this case, and those pictures I wouldn't let you see." Judy muttered, looking down. Nick sighed. He reached over her and grabbed the case file from the nightstand. Judy placed a paw on his arm. "Nick, the other fences that Bogo mentioned… Those pictures I looked at were crime scene photos." At first Nick didn't realize what she meant. The look on her face made him realize. The other fences were murder victims. Nick hesitated, then put the file back down.
"Ok, I won't look now, but I will tomorrow. I have a right to know the danger I'm in." Nick decided. Judy nodded. Nick squeezed her shoulder, then got up. He walked to the doorway. Before turning off the light, he turned to Judy. "Get some sleep, we got a hustle to start tomorrow sweetheart." He quipped, using an old joke between them to lighten the mood.
"Wait, Nick…Do you think you could stay in here with me?" Judy asked shyly. Nick knew she hated seeming weak.
"Sure Carrots, c'mere," he said as he climbed into the bed and wrapped her in his arms. She rested her head on his shoulder. Nick's heart skipped a beat. She just needs a friend right now, that's all. It's no big deal. Nick tried to convince himself this situation meant nothing. But deep down, he felt truly happy to have this particular bunny in his arms.