CHAPTER 3: Revelations

XxX

After the car show, Nick, Judy and Finnick take a slow ride in Nick's '65 GTO convertible towards Nick's shop where Judy now has gainful employment and a temporary home.

On the way Nick asks "Is anyone else hungry? All we ate at the show was junk food and I really need something decent to eat."

"Not me mammal, I got's someplace to be, drop me off at the shop" Says Finnick, growling slightly.

"OK, no problem. How about you Judy, you hungry?"

"Yea, I guess, what do you have in mind? I really don't have a lot of money saved up so…"

"No problem, I think I can spare a good meal for my newest employee."

After dropping Finnick off at the shop Nick asks "Well, what do you have a taste for? There's everything from fast food like BugaBurger to lightly fancy like the Gaslight. Considering the fact that we're already dressed up a bit, I think the Gaslight would be the best choice. It's nice without being overly expensive, besides more than a few of my regular customers tend to eat there."

"I-I guess that would be ok" said Judy, more than a little nervous at the suggestion.

Once at the restaurant "Good evening Mr. Wilde" greeted the female lynx owner "Would you like your usual table?"

"Yes please." replied Nick "That would be fine, thank you Mellisa."

As Nick and Judy were seated "Would you care for a drink while you are waiting for your server?"

"I'll have a frozen Margaretta" replied Nick "Judy would you like something?"

Nick noticed Judy suddenly become very uncomfortable, with emotions from fear to dread to sadness play quickly across her muzzle, then quickly disappear "No thank you, water with lemon will be fine, thanks."

"Well then, I'll have your server bring your drinks, have a look at the menus while you're waiting."

After a short wait, their server, a stunning female deer arrived with their drinks. Nick noticed that although Judy was still slightly upset, she had calmed considerably. 'I wonder what set that off' thought Nick, but he decided that he wouldn't press the issue.

"Hi, I'm Jannette and I'll be your server tonight. Have you decided on your order yet or do you need a few minutes?"

"I'll have a Cobb salad with grilled chicken" said Nick.

"I guess a chef's salad with the house dressing will be fine" indicated Judy a bit shyly.

After their server took their order and left them "Nick" started Judy hesitantly "what's Finnick's problem with me? I know he tried to act like he might be interested in one of my sisters, but I could tell there was actually more than a trace of animosity there."

Nick thought for long minute before answering "I guess you might as well know up front. The last two mechanics I hired were both buck rabbits. Each did fairly good work, but the first one I had to fire because we caught him stealing parts. The other missed so much work that he was gone more than he was at the shop. So…I'm guessing that Fin figures that you will most likely be a stereotypical bunny doe and will be pregnant more often than not. You'd have to ask him to be sure, but that's probably not a great idea either.'

'Here's the deal, Fin and I built this shop from pretty much the ground up. In fact, we got it on a default loan from my first customer. Shop, tools, cars everything. The customer in question had broken down literally in front of the van that Fin and I were actually living in at the time. When we managed to get the car up and running, the customer was impressed enough to make us an offer we couldn't refuse. He gave us the opportunity to purchase the shop at a very low interest rate with very reasonable payments. Within a few years we'd paid off the loan and we now own the shop free and clear. It wasn't easy, with the general public having such a dim view of foxes in general. That being the case, it took quite a while to build a reputation for being honest and trustworthy. The bunny mechanics put several projects in jeopardy, which might have cost us the reputation, which means it could have cost us the business."

As Nick explained, Judy watched Nick's eyes, those gorgeous emerald eyes, 'wait…what? Where did that come from?' as he spoke, and got the impression that there was a lot more to it than what he was telling her.

"So…with all of that, why did you see fit to take a chance with me?"

After Nick thought for a few seconds he answered "To be quite honest, from what I've seen you definitely don't exactly fit the bunny stereotype. You seem to be intelligent, ambitious, hardworking and beautiful to boot.'

'I know that you're in your mid-twenties, thanks to a bit of information from your brothers. You've never been married, and as far as I can tell, have no kits."

"Really? What gives you the impression that I have no kits?"

Nick gives Judy a knowing smile "Single females, regardless of species, that don't have kits have a difference about them that really stands out if a mammal takes the time to observe."

"Really, like what?" asks Judy, slightly intrigued.

"The way they walk, the way they talk, and the way they dress. Females that have been pregnant have a certain way they walk than one who hasn't been. When they talk they usually let slip little details about the kits, or constantly check the time because they're worried about getting home or want to know how the sitters' doing. As far as the dressing part, two females can wear the same outfit, even if it's just jeans and a button up shirt and the entire difference in attitude gives it away."

"You really think so?" asks Judy obviously doubting Nick's remarks.

"Absolutely" Remarks Nick. "I know you don't believe that so let's do this. You already know that you can make a pair of jeans or shorts and a simple button up top look great. Now picture one of your sisters in the same outfit, one that has had a couple of litters. Can you sit there and honestly tell me that there is no difference in the way you each would look, the way you would present yourselves? Besides, how many bunnies do you know that have had kits, can wear an outfit like you have on and make it looks so good? And how many would even think about wearing it?"

Judy thought about Nick's question for a while "I guess you're probably right, I hadn't really thought about it like that."

As their food arrived, the conversation again turned towards Judy.

"While we're on the subject, let me ask YOU a question" says Nick. Even though you've accepted the job, I've noticed that you're at the very least, a bit apprehensive. Any particular reason, other than the fact that we're supposed to be natural enemies and all?"

Judy's ears drooped, lying flat against her back. "Well" she started in a very low and sad voice "I-I guess it all started when I was nine. I had always wanted to be a cop since I was little, well littler. Some friends and I were doing a skit during the Bunnyburrow fair, and I was in my police uniform. After the skit I noticed that some of my other friends were being bullied…. the bully in this case was a…. red fox" which garnered Nick's total attention.

"He had stolen my friends' tickets so I attempted to intervene. He pushed me down, I kicked him in the muzzle and then he gave me these" as Judy shyly showed Nick the scars on her cheek "to remember him by. He told me that I would never be anything more than a stupid carrot farming dumb bunny.'

'It was another reason that I wanted, needed, so much to succeed. To show him and everyone else that I wasn't just a dumb bunny, that I could actually be a cop and not just another carrot farmer. Even though I can't be a cop, there is no way I can go back home, I have to make something else out of my life."

As Nicks gaze turned from her scars, to her beautiful amethyst eyes filled with tears 'a mammal could get lost in those eyes' Nick thought, he began to understand. He also saw more pain and sadness behind them than what she was revealing right now, but decided not to push for more information at this time. 'Wait a minute, what the hell am I thinking, this is just another employee…. right?'

"Judy, I understand that you've had a tough time with foxes, but I would never do anything like that to hurt you. "We've both had some rough times in our past, but let's not dwell on that for now. Let's finish up here, I'll pay the bill and we'll head for the shop. Is that ok with you?"

"Yea, I guess so, it's at least worth a shot. It's got to be better than working in a gas station or going back home a complete failure."

"So" says Judy trying to be a little more upbeat as they head towards the shop, "tell me a bit more about this shop of yours and what all I've gotten myself into."

"Well" begins Nick "on the surface it's fairly simple. I have mammals that go around Zootopia and the surrounding countryside looking for old muscle cars, classic luxury cars and motorcycles. Stuff that can either be fully restored or turned into hotrods or the like. On occasion, a customer will bring us a special project that he or she wants to be restored, upgraded or just hopped up. It really doesn't matter as long as the project is doable and will make me, and in the long run, shop, money. Then there is the rare instance when some mammal just needs to get rid of something we can use, even if it's just a junker we can use for parts.'

'There will be times when there are no parts to be had, new or used, so we have to make do. We have a full machine shop so we can make a lot of our own parts if the need arises. I don't know if you've ever operated a lot of the equipment we have at the shop, but I'm sure you can manage, am I right? I won't kid you, the hours will be long and the work will be hard, but you'll be treated fairly, I will personally see to that."

"Yes, I believe I can learn just about anything if given the proper instruction. The hours and hard work shouldn't be a problem, I grew up working on a farm after all." says Judy. "OK, subject change. Tell me about this 'room' you have above the shop…"

"Well, it's not much. Fin and I used to crash there before the shop really took off and we could afford our own places. Now it's pretty much used for storage. The bed, fridge and stove are still there and in working order I think. There is also a shower in the bathroom and there is only one way in and out of the room. You can rearrange the space anyway you want, we can get you some curtains and anything else you might need so you can have your privacy.'

'While I'm thinking about it, maybe I should go after a new mattress and sheets, the ones that are there have been here for a long time and are …ummmm…well not in great shape" said Nick in a slightly embarrassed tone. "There's a store just up the street that stays open late, I can at least get you a new set to start with. Does that sound ok to you?"

As Judy slowly began to understand the cause of Nick's embarrassment and began to be a bit embarrassed herself, "Y-yea, I guess that might be a good idea. If you want to go get the mattress and stuff, I can do a little rearranging and start putting what little I own away."

After Nick pulls up to the curb in front of the shop, Judy is impressed with how clean and well organized the shop looks from the outside, and is even more impressed as they enter the main bay.

"Right this way" begins Nick as he indicates the stairs leading to the old 'office'. When Nick opens the office door and turns on the lights they're greeted by a larger mess than even Nick had anticipated. There were only a couple of small pathways, one to the fridge and one to the bathroom.

When she looked at the jumbled mass of accumulated junk Judy gasped, she was suddenly not so sure this was such a great idea.

"Well crap" was all he could say "I apologize, I had no idea it was this much of a freaking mess…Ok, how about this" continued Nick "We'll clean enough to make it through until tomorrow. The bed is over there on the other side of the desk, if you want to head that way, I'll call the Beds and More store up the street and have a mattress set delivered, then I'll start on cleaning the bathroom."

Nick looked up the number of the bedding store and called "Hello, yes is this is Nick at the car shop, is Jimmy Q there tonight? He is, great put him on please…Listen Jimmy, I need a big favor. I need you to get a good queen-sized mattress and spring set, along with anything else that would go along with them and have them delivered to the shop as soon as you can get them here ok? Yea, I'll pay in cash just like always…. thirty minutes? Great, see you then."

While Nick was on the phone, Judy started cleaning a path towards the bed, and with that accomplished she moved to the sink, stove and fridge. Since the sink was empty but in a bad need of cleaning, she figured that was as good a place to start as any. There were a few dishes and glasses above the sink, as well as a small drawer with some mixed designs of silverware beside the sink. By the time she got the sink cleaned up she moved on to the fridge. While it wasn't nasty it did need a good cleaning. She figured she wouldn't be doing any cooking tonight so she bypassed the stove until tomorrow.

While Judy was making her way towards the bed, Nick had the unenviable task of cleaning the disaster of a bathroom. Luckily (if you could call it that) all of the needed cleaning supplies were at hand on shelves above the sink. By the time Judy was finished with the fridge, the delivery van pulled up outside with the new mattress, sheets and pillows. While the mammals from the bedding store delivered and set up the new mattress and springs and carted off the old set, they left the sheets and other items on top of the mattress so Judy could at least have a comfortable bed to sleep in her first night in her new home.

As Nick paid the bill, Jimmy told him "There's a nice comforter there, I threw it in since you're such a good customer. If you need anything else, you know you can call anytime right?"

After another hour or so of cleaning, Nick finally finished with the bathroom and it was spotless, while Judy spent the time cleaning a larger area around the bed and the desk that was next to it.

As Nick was getting ready to leave, Nick handed Judy the key to the door of the 'apartment' he told her "This is the key to the door, you have my word that it is the only one. There are some business cards on that desk over there with the shop number, and I've put my personal cell number on the back of this one. I'll stop by tomorrow to help you clean up this mess some more and to show you the shop if you want, or you can just look around on your own, whatever you choose."

"If you don't mind, please come by and show me where I'll be working, where my tools are and anything else I might need to know so I'll be ready to go on Monday, ok?"

Nick smiled "That'll be ok, I really have nothing else to do. How about I stop by around seven and pick you up for breakfast? Then if you like we can get you go shopping for some groceries and anything else you might need, before we clean up some more of this mess and the 'grand tour'.

"That'd be great. Are you sure I'm not putting you out too much? You're doing an awful lot for someone you barely know."

"Look, I know what it's like to have pretty much nothing other than what you're wearing, I've been there. You seem like a pretty good gal who's dealing with some bad luck, and I would really just like to help. If things work out great, if not, at least we both tried to give it our best shot."

"I guess it's kind of late to be asking, but…what are we talking about for wages? Whatever it is, it has to be better than the station…I was just kind of wondering"

"Actually, I figured I'd start you out at around fifteen dollars an hour with time and a half after 8 hours, and full medical benefits from day one. Once you get more experience and I know how well you're doing, it'll get better. Your expenses should be minimal with no rent or utilities. As far as a vehicle, I know you'll need something, we can work that out as well."

Judy looked at Nick and tried not to tear up "I don't know how to thank you, except to just do the best job I can." She then gave Nick a quick hug, blushing slightly "I guess I'll see you in the morning then…"

As Nick left Judy to her thoughts, her cell phone began to ring. 'Oh great' she groaned "Oh, hey, it's my parents. Hi mom, I wasn't expecting a call from you guys until tomorrow" she said in a slightly upbeat voice.

"Judy, what's this that your brothers told us about you getting another job?"

"Well, yea, I got a good offer and…."

"That's not the issue here young lady and you know it. Josh told us that it was a fox that hired you! What were you thinking? After what happened with Gideon and all, I would have thought that you would have enough sense to steer clear of foxes."

"What was I supposed to do mom? Work at the station forever? Stay home and work on the farm. You know that's never been what I wanted. And after what happened with that damned Johnny Whinters, you know why I couldn't stay around the Tri-Burrows. I know you and dad probably don't approve of what I'm doing, but at some point in my life I still have to do things my own way. I-I can't go back to the burrows, I'd rather live under a bridge and be destitute than go back.'

'Did you really think I'd be happy working in a gas station for the rest of my life? At least here I have a shot at making something of my life with this job. It may not be what I grew up wanting, but I have to try. My new boss seems like a nice mammal. He hasn't done or said anything untoward and is doing everything he can to live down the fox stereotype, just like I'm fighting the bunny stereotype. I have to at least give it a chance to work, please understand mom, please. You and dad have never supported me in anything I've attempted in the past, will you please either support me in this…or j-just don't bother to call…bye."

After Judy terminated the call, she collapsed on her bed and cried herself to sleep, hoping that tomorrow would bring at least some peace and normalcy to her life.

As Nick returned to the GTO and started it, he noticed that it looked like rain so he put the top up. The radio, tuned to a '60s rock station, blared out an old CCR tune called "Who'll Stop the Rain". He briefly wondered what untold secrets Judy had, and why the connection, which really made no sense at all, was so strong. He hoped he could make at least some small difference in her life, to ease some of her pain. No one should have to go through life being as miserable as the bunny seemed to be.

If he only knew then how fortuitous the song would be.

XxX

A/N: for everyone reading this chapter, I'll make my intentions known from the start. I'm going to continue by expanding the original 'Hopps Express' story here rather than start a new one, and will leave the '2.0' version in place as a second chapter. I feel that it gives a better understanding of what will shape the upcoming chapters. Between the great reviews I've gotten, and some excellent advice from a couple of other authors, this seems to be the most sensible way to proceed.
A/N2: chapters will tend to be a bit longer that they were for 'Road Trip' as I intend to add more scenarios and more detail, it should make for a better story. Chapters will most likely be sporadic, as I am not going to hold myself to a specific timeline to put out chapters for the same reason.
A/N3: there will tend to be a bit more back story for not only Judy and Nick, but some of the other characters as well to begin within the next few chapters, but it just helps set up the fluff, and there will be plenty of fluff, so please be patient.