-The bunny, the bar, the bond-
It may not come as a surprise that a city like Zootopia was filled with everyday heroes.
Sure there was the ZPD, ZFD, and the array of medical and emergency mammals spread across the sprawling city that woke up every day to serve others over themselves.
That didn't mean they didn't have their own support.
Judy was always so grateful for all the mammals that kept the ZPD running, such as the many dispatchers, mechanics, and administrators.
There was one mammal in particular she was especially grateful to at this moment.
Em leaned against the bar, resting her elbows on the worn wooden counter, her paws supporting her chin as she smiled sweetly at Judy and Ember who were sitting across the bar.
The bunny and painted dog had shown up just a few minutes before, nursing some of the worst hangovers either had experienced which probably augmented Judy's already stressed mood.
Judy was not only dealing with a head-splitting migraine but also a mysterious text from Nick that was causing the doe to rack her brain which just multiplied her head pains.
Ember had suggested a little "hair of the dog" to take the edge off.
The thought of going to a bar so early in the morning was not particularly attractive to Judy right now until Ember came up with the idea of heading to the 10-7.
They could get a little something to help take the edge off and maybe even seek some sage advice from one of their favorite barkeeps.
Em had stepped up to the task of mixing a concoction that was a dark crimson and smelled of tomato juice and toast which she insisted would cure what ailed the two cuties from the ZPD.
The otter watched as Judy downed some of her drink, her eyes bulging as she started to lower the glass.
Em however reached out and with a gentle paw kept the glass pointed up so its contents continued to drain into Judy's mouth.
"Trust me, sweetie, it's better to get it down in one go," The otter said in a calming voice that convinced Judy that she knew what she was talking about.
After draining the contents of the glass both Ember and Judy were grateful for some ice water that the otter retrieved before taking her spot across the bar once more.
"So the 10-7 not good enough for your drinking needs now?" The otter asked playfully, giving both of the now concerned-looking officers a wink.
"We would have come round Em, honest," Ember began. "But we just-"
Em blinked and her gaze went to the painted dog, her brilliant forest green eyes filled with a friendly warmth that made Ember realize it had been a joke.
"Probably should have come here instead," Judy grumbled as she rubbed her temples, the pain was still there but whatever Em had made them was starting to take effect and the throbbing was bearable. "Never feel this way after the 10-7."
"That's because we know how to take care of our baddies in blue," Em said sweetly as she sauntered away, giving Ember and Judy a wave before heading down the bar to help a warthog who had just taken a seat a few spots down.
Judy smiled at the barkeep before glancing down at her phone.
Now that her headache was more under control she could focus more on her other problem.
The message from Nick was playing over and over in Judy's head.
Each time it was in Nick's voice only in varying tones.
Was he disappointed? Angry? Happy?
"...Last night was interesting.." Judy mumbled to herself.
"Oh my gosh really?" Ember blurted out with a laugh that caught the doe's attention.
Judy glanced over at Ember who was resting her head on her arm, a knowing look directed at the bunny.
"This is serious Ember," Judy sighed before letting out a sigh. She adjusted herself on the barstool so she was facing Ember. "I just….its complicated…"
"Coming into my bar needing a hangover cure and then dropping a sentence like that comes with a heavy story attached," Came Em from behind the bar.
The otter was only half paying attention as she poured a glass of whiskey for the warthog which she expertly slid down the bar, the glass stopping right in front of the warthog who looked both surprised and grateful.
The barkeep then placed her arms on the bar and leaned forward, the bust behind her bright red shirt augmented nicely which had Judy chancing a glance before blushing as she looked up into the otter's gaze.
Em, either didn't notice or paid little attention as she looked between Ember and Judy, the painted dog caved under the otter's gaze as she nodded in Judy's direction.
The otter focused her attention on Judy who then went into more detail about the night before.
The drinks, dancing, and the eventual falling asleep on Nick.
Em listened, her gaze remaining neutral as she allowed Judy to pour out what had been eating away at her all morning.
"And now I have a text from Nick saying last night was interesting and I am worried he is mad or I messed up," Judy said as she held her phone screen in Em's direction, showing the otter the phone convo between the fox and bunny officers.
Em's sultry smirk curled even more before she spoke.
"Two things…"
"Here we go," Ember mumbled.
"Three things," Em corrected before standing up a little taller and putting her paws on her hips. "There is obviously more to this you aren't mentioning."
Judy's ears gave her away as they went erect.
The bunny had neglected to go into detail about Nick and Judy's precarious relationship situation.
Em however had obviously seen right through it.
"Secondly you have to wait till 11 am for more advice."
Judy and Ember exchanged confused looks, Judy glancing at her phone, the time showing just past 10:30 a.m.
"What's the third-" Ember began but her answer came when Em tossed a napkin at the painted dog who was still laying her head on the bar, the cloth covering the painted dog's face which caused her to laugh.
"Why 11?" Judy asked, while they hadn't exactly planned on darting out just yet it was odd the otter was withholding advice for the next half hour.
Em smiled sweetly at Judy before sauntering away, leaving the doe with a confused look on her face as she glanced at Ember who peaked from under the napkin.
"That's enough time for more shots right?" Ember asked before Judy reached over and plucked the napkin off the painted dog, only to place it over her once more.
Ember and Judy made themselves comfortable, Em bringing them more water and a tray of toast of all things.
Judy who didn't have much of an appetite was about to politely decline before Em plucked up one of the slices and pressed it against the bunny's lips, forcing her to munch on it.
A few minutes before 11 Em returned to Ember and Judy who were still going over how to handle Nick's text.
The otter seemed to be excited for some reason, a slight skip in her step.
What was even stranger was how she sat on the bar, her legs hanging over the side as she sat between Ember and Judy.
The otter looked at her phone one last time before she sat up straighter and wiggled slightly in place, her eyes going to the entrance door to the 10-7.
"You expecting someone?" Ember asked.
Judy was equally curious about the odd way Em was acting, her ears were fully erect before turning to the door slightly when she detected the sound of the hinges squeaking as it was opened.
"This is going to be very entertaining," Em said as she crossed her legs.
Judy glanced at the otter and then at the doorway as someone entered.
The new arrival was a small brown bunny adorned in a green t-shirt that showed off her mid-drift, and a pair of khaki shorts clinging to her lower half that accented her figure nicely.
She had an hourglass figure and like Em had been gifted with certain assets she obviously didn't mind showing off.
Judy being a fellow bunny also noticed a few unique features that set the doe apart in ways only another lagamorph may notice.
Unlike Judy who had small black tips on the top of her ears this bunny's ears looked like they had the tips dunked in black paint. Her ear tips were covered by at least two inches of black.
The fur around her cheeks seemed to puff out wildly unlike Judy who kept hers well-groomed.
This wasn't to say the doe before them looked disheveled just a little more on the wild side.
The doe's ears were erect and Judy noticed a pair of blue glowing lights coming from the base, signaling the doe had some earpieces and was listening to some music.
This made sense as the doe stopped randomly in the bar and did a little wiggle, gripping the straps to a gray backpack slung over her back.
The bunny continued to do a little dance and was humming a tune before striking a pose.
That's when she opened her eyes.
Judy was met with a pair of brilliant blue eyes that scanned the room before falling on Judy.
The bunny who seemed carefree and almost goofy suddenly tensed up as her pupils dilated.
Her ears went erect as her mouth hung open, showing off her buck teeth slightly.
"J….Judy?!" The bunny managed to croak out.
Judy beamed at the strange bunny and was about to raise her paw to wave before the brown doe looked at Em.
"Em Code 2319! 2319!"
Judy's ears drooped slightly and she tilted her head in confusion.
Em meanwhile rolled her eyes and sighed.
The otter leaned over towards Judy and then did something rather strange, she reached around Judy's head and used her small paws to cover the bunny's eyes.
"This will just be one second sweetie," Em whispered at Judy who couldn't help but laugh and being the good sport she was closed her eyes.
There was a sudden burst of sound that caused Judy's ears to go erect.
"No warning! Really?! Em I am cute but not meet her cute!" The other bunny spat out as it sounded like she darted through the bar and around the counter.
"I couldn't help it, honey, can you blame me?" Em responded.
"Yes! Yes, I can! It's really easy in this instance!" The other barkeep shouted from somewhere behind the bar.
Em eventually raised her paws up from Judy's eyes, the bunny keeping them shut though.
"You can open them now, she is getting ready," Em whispered.
Judy opened her eyes and scanned the area the other bunny had just been to be sure.
She then swiveled in her seat and smiled up at Em.
"Was that…?"
Em just nodded before glancing over her shoulder at an archway that led to the back rooms of the 10-7. She then looked back at Judy before leaning down.
"She is going to try and play it cool but she has been gushing nonstop about meeting you."
"Oh someone has a fan?" Ember asked with a laugh.
"You should have seen when they aired Judy's graduation," Em chuckled as she turned and hopped off the bar. "Think she was very smitten."
Judy blushed as she glanced at the hallway that led to the back.
A minute later a familiar pair of black dunked brown ears stuck out from the hallway, followed by a pair of bright blue eyes.
Judy beamed at the new doe and waved eagerly.
The bunny's ears seemed to blush before a brown paw came from around the corner, swirling in a circular motion which took Judy a few seconds to realize what the other bunny wanted.
"Oh? Ok one sec," Judy giggled before spinning in her chair and facing Ember, the other bunny now behind Judy.
Ember was doing her best not to burst out laughing but it was obviously a losing battle as she shook with fits of giggles she tried to contain.
Judy reached out and slapped Ember's knee, trying to shush the painted dog.
She actually found all this kind of cute.
She had heard about this mystery bunny from both Nick and Em before.
Even Taco had mentioned once or twice how Judy had to come back to meet the other bunny barkeep.
Now that they were finally about to meet there was an odd but exciting energy in the air.
Judy shifted in her seat slightly and her ears twitched as she detected movement behind her.
"Ok, I am ready," Came a sweet voice behind Judy.
"Should I turn around?" Judy asked, glancing slightly over her shoulder.
"I mean the back of your head is pretty cute and all but I would rather get lost in those beautiful eyes," The other bunny responded.
Judy's eyes widened at the comment before she started to giggle.
She then turned in her seat to see the bunny sitting on the bartop just behind Judy, her lovely brown legs were crossed, amplifying her thighs.
The green shirt was gone and was replaced by a dark blue one with the bar's logos across the doe's busty chest.
"How often does that line honestly work?" Judy asked as she raised a brow.
"Got you to turn around didn't it?" The bunny responded with a wink.
Judy smirked at the bunny, her beautiful purple eyes gazing into the other doe's bright blues.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Trisha," Judy said with genuine happiness.
Clear across the city in Saraha Square Nick was busy loading some supplies into Finnick's van.
Much to the fox's joy his friend had found a legit job as a motivational speaker and was in need of some help loading some poster boards and presentation items up for an event later that day.
Nick was about to bend down and scoop up a large cardboard box before he froze.
The vulpine then stood up straight and looked around slowly.
Finnick, who had been working on something in the back of the van noticed his friend's odd behavior and raised a brow.
"Yo Wilde? What gives?"
Nick pursed his lips and squinted before glancing over at the smaller predator.
"Just…can't explain it…but I suddenly got a bad feeling about something but I don't know what…"
The brown bunny before Judy smirked, her brilliant blue eyes looking directly into her own.
They remained silent for a moment before Trisha finally spoke, "I swear I had something really funny planned to say but it involves making fun of Nick and seeing as he is not here…"
Judy chuckled at the doe before her as Trisha waved her paws about.
"It's alright," Judy said with a sweet smile. "To be honest I um…"
Judy trailed off as she glanced at her phone which still sat on the bar top.
To her surprise, she watched as a brown paw scooped the phone up.
"Wha- Trisha!"
Judy reached over but Trisha held the phone just out of Judy's grasp, giving her a firm smile.
The bunny in the blue 10-7 shirt remained silent but her raised brow spoke volumes.
Trisha was asking permission, well, sort of.
Judy had a feeling that this was one of those cases where as odd as it was it would be best just to let this new bunny have her way.
Trisha smacked her lips and wiggled on the bar, scooting a little closer to Judy, leaning down, and holding the phone in front of them.
The camera on the device picked up Judy's face and unlocked, the screen filling with the text chat between Judy and her partner.
"Interesting?" Trisha mumbled to herself.
"I umm….well…last night was…confusing…"
"So what does interesting mean?" Trisha asked as she looked at Judy and then back at the phone.
"Well, that's what I have been trying to figure- What are you doing?!"
Trisha reached up and with a determined press, activated the phone's video chat feature.
Seconds later Nick's handsome muzzle filled the screen.
His dark green eyes went to Judy and a smug look graced his face before he looked at the other mammal staring at him through the screen.
"Oh great…" Nick grumbled.
"Hey, what's interesting mean?" Trisha asked in a casual manner.
Judy's ears went straight up as a rosy blush filled them, she could no longer look at Nick on the screen and wondered if this Trisha bunny was really such a fan or a secret agent out to embarrass her with Nick.
"Trisha you went to college, you should know what words mean," Nick shot back.
Trisha blinked before scowling at the fox, "Big talk for someone who has to sleep eventually."
"Threatening an officer is a crime you know."
"Remind me who does Bogo like more?" Trisha shot back.
"I can handle Buffalo Butt."
"Oh? So you actually like parking duty then? Because you know I got him on speed dial and can easily fill your days as a meter maid."
Judy blinked as she watched the exchange.
For every shot that Nick took Trisha tossed it right back at him and from the looks of it the fox was on the ropes.
Judy had to admit, maybe this Trisha bunny wasn't all bad.
After a few more jabs Trisha eventually steered the conversation back to the reason she called.
"So what does interesting mean?"
"Depends on the context," Nick chuckled.
Trisha leaned over and rested her head on top of Judy's, her ears flopping over the other doe's head.
"Well last night was interesting," Trisha said, obviously mimicking Nick's last text.
Oddly enough Nick had a confused expression on his face before a sudden look of realization appeared on his muzzle.
"Wait…my text? I meant it was interesting watching you and Ember try to dance-"
"- Oi! We were excellent dancers!" Ember shot back from her resting place on the bar.
"-And then you fell asleep arguing over whether to watch a romance movie or a love story movie," Nick finished, ignoring the painted dog's comment.
"What's the difference?" Trisha asked, seeming to be very comfortable with her head resting atop Judy's.
"Oh there is a difference," Judy and Nick said together which made Trisha close her eyes and groan.
"You all are such dorks," The bunny grumbled. After letting out a breath Trisha opened her eyes and stared at Nick on the screen. "Two things."
"Oh this is gonna be good," Nick laughed.
"Next time define what interesting means so my Judy isn't over here stressing out thinking she did something dumb with a stinky fox."
"Your Judy?" Nick asked as he raised a brow.
Judy was secretly glad that's all Nick took from the conversation as she felt her cheeks warm at the other implications of Trisha's sentence.
"Two, are you two working a shift today?" Trisha asked casually.
"Nope, we are in training right now and they give us the weekend off so-"
"Cool, I'll return her in one piece by Monday," Trisha said quickly before hanging up on Nick who burst into laughter.
Judy was gawking as she watched Trisha set the phone down on the bartop, only to lay on her side and stretch out, resting her elbow on the bar and her cheek in her own paw.
The brown bunny bit her lower lip and wiggled her brow at Judy who was still in stunned silence before blurting out everything at once.
"Did something with a dumb stinky fox?!" Judy blurted out, both blushing and laughing as she swatted at Trisha playfully.
"Ack!" Trisha let out as she tried to defend herself only to lose her balance.
Judy however managed to grab onto the doe's wrists, stopping her from rolling off the bar back accidentally.
That didn't mean Trisha was entirely safe.
"You realize if he is on parking duty then so am I right?!" Judy laughed as she pulled Trisha back to the safety of the bartop, slapping her playfully on the shoulder as the brown bunny began to cackle.
After a few more playful jabs Judy felt she had gotten her point across and had relented to leaning back in her bar seat, arms folded, her purple eyes looking up at Trisha who thanks to her spot on the bar, was staring down at the bunny from the ZPD.
The two remained silent for a moment, Judy trying to give off an essence that she was still a little annoyed at Trisha for embarrassing her.
The thing is it was rather hard to remain mad at the barmaid who was wiggling in place, her tongue sticking out the side of her mouth as she slowly reached over with her foot and tapped Judy's knee.
"Awwww come on now, don't be like that cutie," Trisha cooed. "I just didn't want that eating away at you all day, I needed your mind clear so you would focus on me."
Judy closed her eyes and giggled, shaking her head before looking back at the rather smug-looking bunny before her.
The gray doe glanced over at Ember who was now scrolling through her own phone, her ears flicking as she realized she was being watched.
Ember glanced up from her cellphone and smirked, "I mean she does have a point. You now know it was something innocent and not you accidentally kissing your crush or-"
Judy's eyes widened as her ears went up.
She was about to speak up before she detected movement beside her.
The doe turned and froze as her vision was filled with a pair of bright blue eyes.
Trisha was leaning down from her spot on the bar, a large smile on her lips as she looked at Judy.
"Crush?" The brown bunny asked in an excited whisper. "You and Wilde?"
Judy put a paw to her face, letting it slide down as she groaned.
"Talk about lowering your standards," Trisha whispered, leaning even closer to Judy who now had her eyes closed, the doe letting out a laugh.
Judy felt something on her leg and her eyes popped open, realizing just how brash this new bunny could be.
Trisha was still leaning down, one paw grasping the bartop to keep her up while the other was on Judy's leg, slowly gliding up in a very familiar fashion.
"You know you aren't the only bunny with a crush around here," Trisha whispered in an almost sensual manner, her eyelids drooping before suddenly widening. "Ack!"
"Down girl," Em said casually as she strolled behind Trisha, grabbing the doe's limp ears and giving them a gentle tug to bring her back into reality.
Trisha was forced to sit up, rubbing the back of her head as she glared at her otter friend.
This allowed Judy enough time to collect herself, the gray bunny fanning her cheeks with her paw as her heart rate returned to some level of normal.
Trisha glanced back at Judy who had trouble looking at the busty barkeep in the eyes.
When she finally did look up at Trisha the bubbly brown bunny simply bit her tongue between her teeth and scrunched her nose.
"Can you blame a doe for trying?" She asked playfully before hopping up and stretching on top of the bar. "So seeing as your glasses are empty and I have been eagerly awaiting to make my favorite bunny in blue something, how about a round?"
"Trisha it's not even noon yet," Judy laughed, getting her regular perky attitude back.
"Oh Judy, cutie…" Trisha chuckled as she sauntered down the bar. "It doesn't matter what the clock says, any time is a good time for me to spoil my brave bunny officer."
While Judy had always enjoyed visiting the 10-7 there was something different about the bar now that she had met the resident goofball.
Trisha was attentive to Judy and Ember but also managed to make her rounds of the bar with ease.
Judy watched as Trisha and Em got into a groove, the two barkeeps able to take orders, mix drinks, and load the dishwasher with mugs and glasses, all while finding time to do the occasional dance.
The music from the speakers throughout the bar was set to play random music but occasionally something with a more sensual beat would play.
One of these times Trisha was scooting behind Em at the bar only to stop and start to sway.
Em detected her friend's movement and grinned, pressing her rear to Trisha's lap and grinding playfully.
The way the two lovely creatures moved their bodies had Judy blushing while Ember whistled.
Trisha glanced over her shoulder at the two and winked before closing her eyes as Em stood up, leaned back, and ran a paw over her own head and around the back of Trisha's neck.
The dance only lasted a few seconds and then Trisha was off to open a 6 pack with ease while Em made a mixed drink that she poured expertly into a martini glass.
When Trisha returned to Judy and Ember the girls were both beaming smugly at the bun.
"What?" Trisha asked as her eyes went from Ember and then to Judy.
"You and Em?" Judy asked and wiggled her shoulders.
"Oh, I wish!" Trisha laughed before turning to look down the bar at the otter who was currently chatting with a tiger in a ZFD shirt.
Em had a sultry smile on her face as she and the tiger talked.
"Oh well, not like there aren't other mammals out in the city," Trisha said before turning to look at Judy, playfully acting like she had just spotted the doe. "Oh well hey, there other mammals out in the city."
Judy blushed as Ember chuckled at Trisha's little joke.
It was late in the afternoon when Judy was finally convinced by Ember that they needed to head out.
The painted dog complaining about how she needed a shower and how Judy should probably take one too.
"Darn and here I am stuck at work," Trisha teased with a wink.
"Do you work all day?" Judy asked as she and Ember paid for their tab, Judy noticing how she got a few special discounts on her bill.
"No, I will be getting off around 7, just in time for our date right?" Trisha teased.
"Great!" Judy said which caused Trisha's mouth to fall open as she raised an excited brow. "Can I get your number?"
Trisha nearly fumbled the glasses in her paws before setting them down and excitedly leaning across the bar towards Judy.
Ember watched as Trisha and Judy exchanged numbers, noticing how excited Trisha looked as her little bunny tail flicked rapidly.
"Awwww," The painted dog let out before a coaster flew out of nowhere and smacked the canine between the eyes.
"Texting you now," Judy said as she sent a message to Trisha so the bunny had her contact info.
Trisha let out an excited breath before she looked down the bar at her co-worker.
"Em, I am going to be in the back totally not taking cute selfies to send to Judy ok?"
"Just use the ones you already have," Em shot back with a laugh as she poured some beer into a large frosted mug.
"I'm nakkie in them though!" Trisha shouted which caused a few of the patron's ears to perk up and look over at the playful exchange. "Oh wait!"
Trisha then looked over at Judy excitedly.
"You want those instead?" The bunny asked jokingly.
Judy blushed but burst into laughter as she stood up from her seat, beaming at Trisha as she gathered her things.
"Maybe on our second date?" Judy suggested.
Trisha nodded in agreement, "Yeah good point, I don't want to come off too eager."
Judy and Trisha remained silent as they stared at one another before they both burst out into laughter.
"Seriously though text me, we should hang and we can tell embarrassing stories about Nick," Judy suggested.
Trisha's eyes brightened and she nodded, "Oh I can't wait for that. Pestering Nick is my second favorite hobby."
"What's your first?"
"Getting lost in your eyes," Trisha said sweetly.
Ember and a few other patrons let out a collective groan which caused Trisha's ears to go up as she scowled.
"Oh keep it up, most of you still have tabs open and I feel extra chargy tonight!" Trisha barked which was met by laughter from the mammals around the bar.
Trisha then hopped from the bar and gave Judy and excited albeit nervous smile as she slowly opened her arms.
Judy beamed and immediately closed the gap between her and the new bunny in her life.
Trisha wrapped Judy up in a hug and nuzzled into her cheek.
"So glad we finally got to meet," Judy whispered. "Seriously text me ok?"
"As soon as you are out of the bar," Trisha whispered back as she gave Judy a squeeze.
Ember was almost caught off guard when she too received a hug, mainly because Trisha took a running start and leaped onto the painted dog.
After they said their farewells to Trisha and Em the two baddies in blue headed out of the bar.
Judy was about to say something when she heard her phone chirping.
A single message from Trisha had come in.
"Told ya I would!"
The rest of the day was kind of laid back.
Even back when Judy was a regular officer she had managed to get her schedule down to where she did most of her errands and chores during the week so on what few days off she had she could relax.
Most of the time these days were spent either muzzle timing with family back in BunnyBurrow, hanging with some of her friends from the ZPD, or just chatting with Nick.
After a wild night of partying though Judy found herself in need of a shower and maybe a late lunch.
Now that the air had been cleared over what Nick's text meant Judy felt herself relaxing and actually enjoying the day.
Sure the method of how she had learned the meaning of Nick's text was…well chaotic…in the end, Judy had to appreciate Trisha's blunt methods.
Trisha's bluntness however did not end there.
Oh no.
Little did Judy know she was about to be introduced into a whole new world of chaos thanks to the bubbly bun from the 10-7 bar.
Hey all!
It's been a while.
So there has been a major delay in my updates I know.
I have started a new job and to say its demanding is an understatement. I am still figuring out my place in my new company and this role is listed as "open-ended" which is a fancy way of saying "no one knows whats going on!"
I will do my best to get updates when I can.
Thank you all for your patience on this super duper slow burn of a story.
In the meantime, we do have another new story on that site with the As and the Os and the 3s.
Its called Tails from the 10-7.
If you are looking for some silly responder-inspired stories check it out!
Till next time.
-Blue