Boilerplate Disclaimer: The various characters from the movie Zootopia are all owned by Disney the great and powerful. Any and all registered trade names property of their respective owners. Cheap shots at celebrities constitute fair usage.

I'm not sure where this chapter title comes from. It is an expression some friends and I use. It warns 'Don't expect success every time." Googling the phrase doesn't produce an exact match, but there appear to be some related phrases.

Progress Is Made on Alternate Tuesdays

"Judy? I'm thinking of going back to Zootopia."

"Well, of course we'll go back – after this is over. Much as I love mom and dad I'm pretty sure I couldn't live here anymore."

"No, I mean, like, I'm thinking of going back now."

"Are you crazy?"

"I knew you'd say that."

"Oh, so you recognize it's a crazy idea?"

"No, I just knew you'd say 'no'."

"Look, Nick, it isn't our idea to be out here. We were told... No, we were ordered, to leave Zootopia until Bellwether is recaptured."

"Well I can do a lot more about recapturing her if I'm back in the city rather than here wrangling carrots."

"First, you haven't spent enough time in the garden for any carrot to feel threatened you might wrangle it. Second, you are not Fox-male. The ZPD can function without us."

"They needed us last time."

"Last time people didn't realize just how dangerous Bellwether was. They're not going to make that mistake again."

"They haven't found her yet!"

"You know some cases take a long time to solve, and some cases are never solved. She will be found. I'm amazed she's stayed undercover this long with so many animals looking for her."

"Yeah, and the fact she has a good support network keeping her hidden means she can stay hidden even longer."

"Nick... What can you do that other officers can't? I think you're good–"

"We're good together. But I'm not asking you to go with me. Stay safe here with Jade."

"And worry about you? Seriously, Nick, what can we accomplish that the other officers in the ZPD can't do? What makes you think we can do it better than all of them?"

The fox leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling for a moment before looking at his wife. "I don't know. Maybe nothing. Part of me just wants to be doing something, anything. And I'm serious, me – not us – going back. Sitting out here doing nothing is driving me crazy."

"You might try wrangling some carrots."

"That's it, make fun of the city animal. And... Okay, don't take this wrong, but the ZPD thinks officers should act in the 'right' way and–"

"You're not suggesting you'd break the law, are you?"

"No, I'm just saying I'm willing to color outside the lines. I think outside the box, and this may be what it takes to get Bellwether back in prison. She knows how the ZPD works, and I think that helps her stay a step ahead."

"I... You might have a point. Emphasis on the might. But you're not going back to Zootopia unless you've got a real idea of some kind. You're not going back just to avoid my mom and dad."

"Heavens, I won't leave Gideon's pie shop behind unless I've got an idea."

The discussion had gone far better than Nick had imagined possible. Judy had not hit him with a blunt object. She had tentatively agreed to him making a surreptitious trip back. Her grudging approval had been conditional, however. She said he needed some kind of plan. If she weren't right in her demand he'd be resentful.

He didn't have a plan. It would be impossible for him to infiltrate Bellwether's network. The police would have prey species officers trying to infiltrate her organization... More likely, in Nick's mind, Bellwether had a sympathetic officer or two within the ZPD who would inform her of any such attempts. Nick had a sudden fear that if Bellwether had a couple officers in her network the ZPD had no hope of catching Bellwether. Perhaps Chelsea Dagger's order to Big – make that Imperial – Industry operatives would uncover something... He didn't need to be in Zootopia for that to happen. If she discovered anything she'd tell her husband, and Doc Wheeler would pass the 'anonymous' tip off to Lylah and George.

Was Judy right? Should he give up his idea of going back to Zootopia and accept there was nothing he could add to the search?

Judy had some of the same thoughts about returning to Zootopia that Nick had. She wasn't used to relaxing when there was work to be done. She loved time at the home farm and garden with her daughter. She loved spending time with her parents and siblings. But she still wanted to be in the action. It was wrong for her to be taking a vacation when other officers were working on a huge case. She wanted to leave Jade in Bunnyburrow and return to Zootopia with Nick... She'd be willing to return without him. She wouldn't mention her feelings to Nick, not after making fun of him for being willing to go alone. And admitting her feelings might encourage him to return and put himself in danger. On the other hand, the fox knew the city much, much better than a country bunny. If he could come up with a plan she would support him... Perhaps he'd even need her back in Zootopia to pull it off... As long as it was just thinking a little outside the box. Occasionally Nick demonstrated a willingness to color a little further outside the lines of regulation than Judy felt comfortable with.

Outwardly the couple's time in Bunnyburrow continued calmly despite their inner desire to be back in the city. Sharla came to visit. She had offered to leave her lamb in Wheaton with her husband (who apparently was even more reluctant than Nick to visit Bunnyburrow), but Judy encouraged her to bring her son with her to play with Jade.

Invitations to dinner with Bruce, although 'Buttons' seemed the name he more often used, and his family came fairly often. The children played after dinner and the adults talked in the living room. It made Nick feel like he and Judy were an old married couple. He did not want to feel like half an old married couple. He was young, and dynamic, he had things to do besides talk about crop projections and carrot futures. Nick didn't even know what carrot futures were. And, further, he didn't want to know. He assumed Judy knew. He didn't ask. If they both knew they were an old married couple.

One aspect of life in Bunnyburrow was vastly different than anything the fox could have imagined when he arrived for his health. Nick saw more of Duke. It was the weasel's idea. The two had a relatively good working relationship. But it was a working relationship, not a social one. And in Zootopia they tried to avoid each other unless necessary as part of their working relationship.

"You're spending a lot of time with Duke," commented Judy.

"Yeah, I know."

"So... Driving you crazy?"

"If we were in Zootopia it would be. Here it's a break."

"To keep you from having to wrangle carrots?"

"Exactly."

"I can't believe he's having you help write the story of his grandmother."

"I'm not helping him write at all. I'm helping him organize his ideas and check the web on details for when certain crimes happened. Chronology! He's having me help him with chronology. Do you remember after we met Teresa I said she reminded me of someone carrying a whip to enforce discipline."

"And in a skimpy latex outfit."

"I didn't say skimpy! And my point is that Duke claims she doesn't go that easy on him. He says it's more like she uses a big club... With spikes in it. I'm pretty sure he's being figurative, but the way he describes it I can't be sure. Poor guy is terrified. We don't want him returning to Zootopia a broken shell of a weasel, do we?"

"Speak for yourself... Are you trying to make me feel sorry for him?"

"I'm hoping there might be a spark of sympathy for the poor animal. Is your heart truly stone?"

"Fine, I feel sorry for... She's exactly what he needs."

"A slave driver?"

"Someone to bring order to his life."

"But you said you had an ounce of sympathy for him?"

"Yes... Any reason for the question?"

"Well, the slave driver has a couple chapters in draft form and wants someone to read them. I said you would."

"Me?"

"Hey, I read Duke's first rough, remember? This has to be better."

Lylah started telling Judy details of the brutal murder of Theodore Thidwick, a wealthy philanthropist, in Zootopia.

Puzzled, Judy asked, "Does this have anything to do with Dawn Bellwether?"

"No, but it has been grabbing more headlines the last couple days. The public can't handle more than one top news story at a–"

"So, why exactly did you bring it up?"

"You don't want to be up-to-date on the news here?"

"You know Bellwether is my biggest concern – I want to come back. And I feel like you telling me about this trying to avoid the subject."

"Uh, guilty," the panther admitted. "The eland was a good animal... I feel bad for being happy Bellwether wasn't the top story."

The violence against pred-owned businesses in Zootopia seemed to be getting more common in what Lylah reported to Judy. Given the size of the city, and the actual number of incidents it probably wasn't much different from normal vandalism. But it seemed exclusively leveled at pred-owned businesses. And the actual number of cases became inflated greatly in the re-telling and rumors. When the police tried to detail the actual figures they were accused of being engaged in covering up the facts.

"The rumors are the worst part," the panther sighed. "How do you stop a lie?"

"With the truth?"

"And if no one wants to listen to the truth?"

"Don't know."

"Let me know if you figure it out. Nick mention to you the idea Bellwether might be doing this to discredit the police?"

"Yes. You think he might be right?"

"Don't know if it's deliberate on her part or not. But it seems to be happening. We've got pred business owners starting to organize vigilante groups to protect their shops. Got some prey species wanting to sign up with the vigilantes as a sign of solidarity–"

"Which sounds helpful... I mean, as helpful as vigilantes could sound... I mean... I mean, forget I said anything."

"You're right, it might almost sound helpful. But some of the 'business protection societies' are rejecting prey volunteers, and once again the rumor mill is working overtime to picture them as gangs organized for violence against prey species. Now I'm hearing rumors – and don't criticize me for listening to rumors – you can sometimes get information by–"

"Wouldn't blame you a bit for doing your job."

"Sorry, Judy, I'm so frustrated I– Anyway, rumor is there may be prey gangs being organized for 'protection'. I don't know it's true, but it would sound like something Bellwether would want. She might even be behind it – either real formation or starting the rumor."

There was a moment of silence over the phone.

"Lylah?"

"Yes?"

"Nick wants to sneak back into Zootopia."

"I suspect I'd feel the same way if I were in your place."

"I've been discouraging him. After what you just said... When he hears that, I'm going to have trouble keeping him here."

"Is he planning on contacting the ZPD when he gets in?"

"Uh, no. He's afraid Bellwether might have sympathizers in–"

"Good. That's one of my worries too. Damn sheep knows way too much. Oh, since you and Nick were told to get out of Zootopia for the duration you did not tell me that he might come back, understood?"

"Of course."

"And tattoo my phone number on his paw. He finds out a thing and I'm the first call he makes."

"We are talking about Nick."

"Hell, tell him if he finds anything I'm in the top five or I nail his hide to the door of city hall."

"If he doesn't call you in the top five I might help you nail his hide to the door."

Lylah laughed, "Stay safe. Hey, tell your anonymous fox if he wants any 'non-official' help to use my home number. Police number is official business only."

"That feels wonderful," purred Judy as her husband gave her a massage.

"You must remember, Fluff-butt, that gardening muscles are different than detective muscles. Your gardening muscles are clearly out of–"

"We've been here for weeks!"

"Doing anything different in the garden today?"

"I... I'm married to the greatest detective in the world, aren't I?"

"Nope. The second, maybe. I'm married to the greatest detective in the world."

"She's one lucky female."

"Judy... I don't have a real plan of action, but after what I've been hearing I want to make a trip into the city.

"You were supposed to have a plan of action first."

"I know... But I'm thinking it might be easier to come up with one if I go to the city first, get a feel for things myself."

Judy sighed, "With what Lylah has told me... Be careful. Call every day. And if you get any information you call George and Lylah."

"Agreed."

"You'll go in disguise, won't you? But you can't stay at our place, can you?"

"I'm thinking some hair dye and change of costume might get me in under anyone's radar. No, can't stay at our place. If neighbors don't recognize me they call the police and report some fox is breaking into our apartment. If they recognize me the word gets around I'm in town."

"We can trust our neighbors."

"I think we know them enough to know they're not in Bellwether's orbit. But I can see them telling a friend, 'Guess what? I saw Nick Wilde back in town'."

"Big mansion? Motel?"

"Even with Big dead I don't think I'd be comfortable in the mansion. Motel, maybe. Camp out under the old bridge where Finnick and I sometimes hung out? Might even call Mirage and ask to crash at her place."

Judy raised an eyebrow at the mention of Nick's former partner.

The fox laughed, "I can't believe you feel jealous."

"She is a very attractive female."

"And a feline."

"You were partners."

"Strictly professional. You know that. And I'm thinking she may be out of town doing a tour. Pretty sure Finnick said they were."

"Sorry to–"

"No prob. Having my wife think I'm so sexy no female can resist me is flattering to my ego."

The rabbit rolled her eyes. "I was not trying to stroke your ego."

"What would you like to stroke?" the fox leered.

"Any chance you'd settle for just sitting on the couch, holding your wife, and telling her you won't do anything stupid?"

"Especially telling her the part about not doing anything stupid?"

"Yeah, that part especially."

"Nick? Do you have the next chapter of the biography?"

"No, just the couple Duke passed on to me. Did you read them?"

"Would I be asking for the next chapter if I hadn't read the ones you gave me?"

Nick cocked his head to one side and looked thoughtful. "That is an interesting question. Now, I haven't been as long at the husband game as my friends, but I hear the expectations for husbands, in terms of understanding, is shockingly low. Eric says he never understands what his wife wants. Nancy says that Steve is usually clueless. I could have warned her about that before she married him, but–"

"You're being silly."

"Nope, honest. A universal failings of husbands. I think Truckie is better than most. Maybe it was because of his philosophy major. Of course, I didn't–"

"Don't make me hurt you, Nick. Do you have more for me to read?"

"No."

"Ask Duke... Maybe I can call Teresa."

"So, what is your opinion?"

"She can write. She can really write... Or maybe it's the subject. Duke's grandmother was really something."

"She was indeed," nodded the fox in agreement.

After reading the early chapters she'd seen Judy began to have misgivings about writing a preface with Nick. She didn't think Nick could write well enough to do the book justice. She knew she couldn't. She began thinking of what she could say. She might enjoy writing about what a crook she thought Duke was... Would that hurt sales? Could it help sales? She would ask Teresa for her opinion.

Judy looked Nick over critically before he headed down to the train station. "No way that disguises you."

"No way this would hide me from you, or anyone who knows me. Animals who don't know Nick Wilde won't be suspicious of Ehud Gray, in from the sticks of Bunnyburrow to see the big city... Yee-haw!"