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Record 12 - What "team" and "forgiveness" means

Recording-Hopps 1- L

Nick and his mother left to talk about half an hour ago... What should I do, go back to Zootopia and give them their space or stay in case he needs me?

They both looked very touched...it's a relief that everything turned out okay. in your face Jonah!

Stop recording-Hopps 1-L

The doe put away her camera and sighed, watching as everyone began to leave the academy for what she assumed would be their celebrations with family members. The bench was too high, so she played with her floating paws. Suddenly a shadow appeared in front of her, covering her from the sun.

-So you're the voice that kept me awake at night. - Ed smiled at her.

- So you're the one who kept teasing me, huh!

- Oh no, that was Wilde, I swear. - They both laughed and the buffalo stretched his hoof in salute. - I'm Ed, a pleasure Officer Hopps.

- I'm off duty, just call me Judy. Many congratulations by the way, Nick told me how skilled you are, he sounded like a proud mother.

- Yeah... he tends to overdo it.

- I know, but I don't think so in this case, I saw you on the news when the terrorists.

- What can I say! You sent the army.

- Don't remind me. - She laughed in embarrassment and cleared her throat to change the subject. - Ready to celebrate with your parents?

- Yes, actually Mom and I wanted to invite you to eat with us and then we could take you to Zootopia.

- That would be great! Nick is still talking to his mom, so when he gets back I'll tell him.

- Perfect, I'll let mom know. - The young, newly graduated officer ran off, while Judy sighed.

- Where is he and why is he taking so long?

But seconds later, the answer appeared in front of her, walking very fast and without noticing her.

- Hey Slick! Here I am! So soon and you already want to get rid of your partner? huh. - she joked, hitting him playfully.

But the fox just walked straight ahead, without stopping.

- Nick, wait, what's wrong?

- You want to know what's going on, huh Hopps? - He said almost in a whisper and with an icy voice.

- Yeah, what do you got? Where were you? What happened?

- What happened is you just completely ruined my graduation. - Said the fox without looking at her.

- What? What do you mean?

-Why the hell did you think it would be a good idea to bring my mother here? How the hell did you know about her? Did you spy on me?

- No, I just... Clawhauser was going through paperwork and she...

- And you thought contacting her was a good idea... Listen to me... He turned to look at her angrily, worse than the day they grew apart almost a year ago. - If I had cut her out of my life, it was for a reason. I understand that you have a fairy-tale relationship with your parents... But it's not the same for everyone! Who do you think you are to interfere with my past? - Although he spoke softly, the fury emanating from Nick was palpable, his friend just looked at him scared, her nose twitching like crazy.

- Nick, I... I didn't know, I had no idea...

- Exactly, you didn't know and yet you did it...

- Wilde, finally you show up! Come on, Mom, wait.

The buffalo dragged them both away without letting them speak. Judy looked at Nick worriedly, but he just lowered his gaze.

- Here they are!

- Nice to meet you, Officer Wilde! - Ida said with a big, sweet smile.

- The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Bogo.

- Don't encourage him Ida, he'll start talking, and there will be no stopping him. - Snorted the chief.

- Oh, please dad! Let's go! I'm starving.

- Wait till you see the restaurant, it's lovely! We always go there at important times for the Bogo.

Judy stood in the middle of the two friends, as she listened with a fake smile to her boss's family stories, and how he had accidentally proposed to his wife in that restaurant. The place was quite elegant and catered to many different species. An otter appeared and welcomed them.

- Go ahead, I have the table for five you requested, I'll get the menus in a moment.

As a former professional hustler himself, Nick didn't show his true feelings at all, seeming as happy as he was at the beginning of the day, telling anecdotes from the academy and teasing his new boss.

Judy laughed from time to time and tried to eat. She was dying to get to the apartment and apologize as much as necessary to her friend.

After the awkward, but delicious dinner, the family delivered as promised, and dropped them off at their apartment tower. Judy was about to speak when Nick blocked her with a paw, telling her to wait. She sighed in resignation and they rode the elevator in silence.

Inside, in Nick's apartment, his friends were trying to stick up a congratulatory sign, with very little success.

- It's bad, girl! It's still not lined up!

- Why instead of criticizing, don't you help! - Lana was trying to keep her balance on top of the chair and tape the sign, when the door opened unexpectedly, and with a loud bang.

- I don't understand how you could do it! - Shouted the red fox, startling the two mammals that were trying to surprise him.

- How was I supposed to know it was something bad! You never tell me anything, you dumb fox!

- Now it's my fault?

- Hey... black cotton, I think mommy and daddy are having a fight, we'd better go.

- I'm right behind you. - Said Lana and they both fled through the door that connects both apartments.

- Look, I'm really sorry Nick, you're right, I shouldn't have meddled, I shouldn't have taken the freedom of deciding something about I didn't know, it's just... it's something I usually do with my friends, and I thought we already had that level of trust, but I have to stop assuming things and not meddle with you again. I'm so sorry for ruining your day.

The doe was about to leave when the fox stopped her.

- No... you're right... you didn't know what you were doing wrong because I never told you... this whole year.

- You don't have to.

- I know, but... you're right, we're friends and you've been open with me. I know it's not an excuse but... once I bury something I... I can't...

- Stop it, I understand. It was my fault. Jonah warned me and I didn't listen. I promise to respect the limits about things you're comfortable sharing with. I'll let you rest.

-No... Look, tomorrow we'll start being a team and trust each other with our lives. I want you to feel that you can trust me, and I want you to know that I trust you.

- I know... and I totally trust you Nick.

- Leaving everything behind will be hard... but I will try little by little to be a better friend and partner. I'm sorry.

- Only if you'll excuse me for being nosy.

- Well, you are pretty...

- Nick! - Judy threw a cushion at him that was on his reclining armchair.

- Hey, that's abuse of police force- They laughed for a moment, until Nick sighed and became serious. - I was an only child Carrots. It was just mom, dad and me. I grew up in the Happy Town neighborhood in Meadowlands. I guess, as you noticed, it's not a very happy place. -They both took a seat in the double armchair in front of them and she listened to him attentively.- We were always financially deprived, you know, the prejudice towards foxes.

Mom and I were on our own when I was 8 or 9 years old.

- That's when you and the scouts...

- Yeah, you're very observant. Mom had to stop paying the mortgage and double the shift. I couldn't stand seeing her like that and not being able to do anything. I had already given up and had, mistakenly, decided that I would be the kind of fox that others thought I was. She never agreed with the hustles.

When she found it out she was so... disappointed... she told me.

We argued more and more and I was spending less and less time at home and more time earning money. As soon as I turned 17 we had a big argument, I ripped off her boss and she fired her. She made me feel like the worst mammal on earth... I took my things and left, assuring her that I would do what was right for me and that neither she nor anyone else would get in the way, that she would never see me again.

- And that's how it was until I got in the way, wasn't it?

- With the best of intentions I might add. The point is that I collected all the money I earned and paid off the mortgage, mom thought it was some kind of inheritance from dad that she didn't know about. I never told her. What was left of the money I declared and legitimized... with it I bought these apartments...To start being the "real Nick". In a way of thanking you for the opportunity, giving one to you.

- Oh Nick! - Said the bunny, totally touched.

- So, that's the story... She thinks the worst of me because I broke her faith in me.

- I'm so sorry... but now that you're going to be a cop, she might...

- She's an obstinate old female fox... Don't worry about it ... will you excuse me?

- Only if you'll excuse me...

- Done!- Nick smiled and pulled her into a hug. - Well, looks like this was pretending to be a well deserved welcome home party... call the guys and tell them to come back!

- You got it! - She gave a big jump and went to find her friends. Nick sighed a much calmer sigh... now everything had to be okay... or so he hoped. He plopped down in his reclining armchair, enjoying his comfort...until he saw a new large stain on it. - FINNICK! - He screamed as loud as his lungs would allow.

Recording-Wilde 1-L

I must admit that it was... strong and unexpected. I never for a single second imagined that my mother would be there... I understand Judy's intentions, hell she has literally hundreds of relatives! Of course family is important to bunnies, they are made to live in community, I should have been more understanding of their culture. I just hope she has really forgiven me... I still feel bad about this.

Stop recording-Wilde 1-L

Recording-Hopps 2-L

The big day has arrived! After 9 months of intense training and a trial, Nick and I will officially be partners! I am so happy! I promise I will make every day he doesn't regret accepting, I will be the best partner he can imagine.

Stop recording-Hopps 2-L

Nick took his uniform and stood in front of the mirror to admire the reflection... 9 months and he still could not get used to the idea that he was an officer... a real officer, he had managed to overcome every obstacle, the prejudices of others, his own, his past, he was finally here.

Trying to make as little noise as possible, he left the apartment. Finnick's snoring could still be heard from outside. He took the elevator and once on the street, he turned left and walked five blocks. Once he located the small shop, he quickly entered, receiving the surprised look of the mammals that until recently had been snoozing over their coffee.

- Morning, a jasmine tea and a carrot cake, please.

The mare looked at him totally shocked and only nodded, turned to take the products and gave them to the officer in front of her.

-Thank you. - Nick smiled totally uncomfortable, a message from Judy warning him that they had to leave made him hurry his pace, the funny thing was that when he entered the tower, he ran into his partner who, apparently, had been in the same place. They both looked at each other with nervous smiles, like children caught in the middle of a prank.

- Hey Carrots, you're up early!

- Sure... you too, eh! - She laughed nervously. - You went to breakfast, huh?

- Oh this... actually... was for you.

- Oh Nick! - The doe smiled tenderly.

-But I see that you beat me to the punch.

- Actually... I guess the saying "great minds think alike" is true. It's for you.

The fox looked at the package in total surprise. They both exchanged paper bags, Judy was pleased to see the contents, but not as pleased as Nick was to see a double Americano and a blueberry muffin.

-That's great Fluff, thanks!

- It's my way of welcoming you...and apologizing a bit...maybe.

- Let it go rabbit, nothing happened. It's all good, I promise! Shall we go, partner? Although it's fun to see the boss angry, I'd like to save that for the second day.

- Sounds perfect to me! Let's go, partner. She smacked the fox's arm and the two began their short walk.

Even though it was only dawn, there were already many mammals on the streets, some more in a hurry than others. The fox gave a huge yawn, making her friend laugh.

- Damn Wilde, 9 months and you're still not used to it, or maybe it's because of your advanced age.

- Funny little girl, but no, remember I'm a night fox and I've already started to hate this shift.

Judy laughed a little and smiled even more when they were in front of the precinct.

- Well... Now that's real... - Thought the vulpine to himself.

- Ready? Officer Wilde.

-Ready Officer Hopps.

They both smiled at each other and finally walked through the door.

- Hopps welcome!

- Hey Benny! You remember my friend, Officer Nick Wilde?

- What's up, Spots!

- Of course I remember him! Welcome back! You've been in all the papers, and Judy kept talking about you all the time.

- Oh, really? - He smiled mischievously at his friend, who tried to hide her blush.

- Just to make fun of your accidents at ZPA, anyway, why so happy?

- Today is Gazelle's concert! I'll be in the guard band.

- Sweet cheese and crackers! I totally forgot about it. Do you think there are any tickets left?

- No, they sold out in 3 minutes. That's why I'm so happy about my luck!

- Great! You'll tell me all about it. Let's go Nick, we have to go to the meeting room.

- To the bullpen, you mean?

- Bogo hates being called that.

- And now you understand why I'll do it until he retires. Let's go to that meeting of his.

Clawhauser looked at them with a look of amusement as the officers walked away.

- They are definitely the cutest pair of officers I've ever seen! This should be interesting.

Even though Nick was nervous, which he would never show, he walked alongside Judy. Deep down he feared the reaction of his fellow officers.

Would they take him seriously? Would they blame him if something happened? Would he just do silly tasks and be an ornament? He was tough on his fellow officers at the academy, why would it be any different here?

But nevertheless, Judy had been right, they quickly accepted him, joked with him and warned him to watch out for Hopps' pace, who might "jump into danger without thinking". The meeting was pleasant and they laughed at his jokes.

After catching the "dangerous driver" Nick couldn't stop laughing at the doe's confused face.

- Well Flash, why were you going so fast? Was there an emergency? - She asked.

- I... just... wan…ted... to... arrive... on… time.

-Where exactly? License please.

- Wait... you're Judy Hopps, right? - A otter poked her head out from the back seat.

- Yes, I am. - She replied fearfully, sometimes it was good, sometimes... not so much, although the otter looked happy.

- You're my heroine! My name is Sam, do you think you could take a picture with me? My sister won't believe it.

- I guess she will. Flash will give me his license in 10 minutes. Go and tend to your fan Carrots, I'll take care of it.

- Thanks partner! - Judy winked and helped Priscilla down to take the picture with them.

- I see you don't have a speed control system for sloths, huh?

- Yes... I… have… it... here... but... we... wanted to... get… to ... on time.

- Where exactly?

- To the...Gazelle's... concert.

- Everybody's crazy about it.

- It's... my... engagement... present.

- Hey Flash congratulations! Now I understand everything, you forget it, you have no fines... yet, I'll let you off with a warning.

-Thank you... Nick... here… you… go... Thank you.

The sloth pulled out a pair of tickets and Nick smiled with pleasure.

- Just what I was looking for! How did you get them my friend?

- I wanted… to... surprise... Priscilla... But... she... surprised... me... she... already... bought... two... tickets... that now.. we... don't... need... them.

- Damn, that must be terrible to have that happen to you! Thanks old buddy! We're even!

- I love your fur, it's so silky! - The otter squealed with delight, as her heroine grieved.

- It's just the shampoo. All set Nick?

- Yeah, let's go Carrots, good luck guys!

The officers walked back to their patrol and Judy sighed.

- Well, our first mission as an official team was successfully accomplished. Gazelle concert, heh! The whole town's going crazy.- Nick smiled.

- It's been advertised since I arrived, the special thing is that it's a concert celebrating her 10 year career. - She started the patrol car to go back to the precinct. - Funny, it's still two hours away.

- Yeah, but you know, that's how long it takes him to start his car. Everyone will be there, how crazy!

-Yes... almost everyone.

Nick gloated in his mind, he had the tickets in his pocket. Their shift was over in an hour, so they'd get to do the paperwork to close the case.

-We're here, come on Slick!

Judy shuffled her paws toward her office, but the fox stopped.

- Is something wrong Nick?

- Oh relax Fluff, it's all right, I'll just go to the restroom and then to our office, see there! - He disappeared down the hall.

- Don't be silly Judy! Nick forgave you, again, and you already have a partner, I should be more grateful for that than mad about having tickets.

- Hi Judes! - Fangmeyer smiled at her.

- What's up Thai!

- I couldn't help overhearing, everything okay?

- Pretty much...

Nick tried to stifle his laughter, he could imagine the look of surprise on his friend's face when she saw that she had VIP seats for the concert.

- Should I stop her suffering and tell her?... Nah! She's very funny!

- Nick! - Judy ran into the office excitedly, making the fox almost fall out of his chair. - Where's the fire Carrots?

- In my paws! Look! - She smiled happily and almost hit the face of the surprised fox with a double pass.

- It's... for Gazelle? - He said in a half-voice.

- Yes! Thai will also be a security guard too.

- Lucky you, they sure are your little rabbit feet.

- Oh shut up! I'm in such a good mood that I don't care! They're even from the back area, but I don't care! - The rabbit squealed with joy, hopped up and went to type her report as fast as she could.

The red fox still couldn't quite believe what had happened and resignedly, in silence, sat down to type up his report.

- Damn it. - He said to himself.

The hour passed slowly for him and quickly for her, once the reports were reviewed and submitted, the duo was ready to leave.

- Let's go! I have to change clothes and get ready! and...

- Stop pulling my arm, bunny, you'll tear it off. We're leaving now.

They both walked through the city, watching the sunset and the calm of normality. After about ten minutes, they each arrived at their apartments.

-See you tomorrow Nick!

- Don't come back aphonic Fluff.

The fox entered his apartment and dropped his wallet and things on the couch.

- The important thing is that she's going, that's all.

He walked to the bathroom and turned on the shower. On the next door, in the midst of her excitement, Judy noticed that her partner had kept her purse by mistake, she gave it to him to take care of when they stopped for lunch.

- I'd better go before it's too late.

Complaining about the existence of the door, Judy walked through the door in question that connected the apartments.

- Nick! I just came to get the key and... What a mess! Throwing things around like that. - She moved the wallet and two baskets went flying. - Those are... But he... oh... now I get it.

She sighed apologetically. She left things as they were, waited 15 minutes and knocked on the door in desperation.

- Carrots? Why aren't you showing your bad taste in music at that concert? - Nick looked at her confused.

- It's just that... my parents came to town, they had a business... they heard about the concert and I couldn't say no, so...

- Wait... Did you give them your tickets?

- I wanted to show them that the city is not as scary as they saw it. Do you want to see a movie or something?

- Actually... wait here.

Nick walked in with a suspicious smile, oblivious to Judy's.

-Well, miss, I think I have the solution to your problem…-He appeared with the tickets in his paws.

- Nick! But how ...

- I told you, I'm someone amazing! Let's go!

- Sure Nick! You're the boss - Looks like the con fox got conned. - Judy smiled to herself.

In a few hours the whole city was dancing and having fun, bringing the dark period to an end.

- Dance horrible officer Wilde!

- Only if you can call those little jumps a dance, Hopps.

They both laughed at the same time... but not for all mammals it was all bliss... miles away, a female was running through dark alleys, looking for shelter everywhere.

- Game over. - Said the voice behind her.

She gasped in fear, threw down the box in her hands and tried to run away... until a stabbing pain appeared in her abdomen and she began to turn red.


And here is when actually my story starts... See you in reviews!