"Glad ya told me Shorty, see ya later then." Nick hung up the phone, sitting in his little office. Sure he just killed someone but he had his other job to do. He sat in his small office chair and span around, staring straight into the ceiling. He was trying to weigh up his options. Eventually, because of his requirements, he called up the doe in question. He waited for the phone to finish connecting and listened to the dialling of his landline. His boss opened the door then watched him on the phone. She stared at his uniform, or lack there of. He was dressed in a casual shirt, a zip-up hoodie and a pair of tracksuit pants.

"Hello ma'am, can I help you?"

"After the phone call." She immediately commented.

"May I please speak in peace then, I make my way over to you when I'm done."

"It's urgent, I'll wait here." 'Fuck' Wilde thought to himself, knowing that this was going to be a very fun game he would have to play with his words. Walk the line of meaningful, yet meaningless.

Wilde smiled as he heard the phone was picked up. "Hello, who is this?" came from the phone, completely diverting Nick's attention.

"Good afternoon, I am happy to state that I have just gotten off the phone with a witness about the recent events."

"Huh? Wait, Nick? Is that you? What are you talking about?"

"First, I would like to discuss how we could further the approach, we may have witness testimonies however, you still need to provide an alibi, because I'm so sorry but I was curious isn't going to be appropriate in the court of law. Secondly, in the story you were clearly not the aggressor. As you said yourself, you were surrounded and crowded. They all had malicious intent allegedly. Am I correct so far?" Wilde stared at his boss with a smile.

"You already know about the Happytown incident? It was Finnick, wasn't it? I'll give him-." Her voice was getting slightly agitated as it kept going.

"As your lawyer, I'd advise against any threats on the witness that would help you." His voice was quite sharp to put it simply. Judy stopped speaking after she heard that. Nick heard her breath trying to reset itself. "When would you like to further this discussion?"

"I'll see you at that place." Judy finished, causing Nick to go slightly blank. "I hope that is okay."

"Yes, that should be a great time and place. I'll be sure to see you there." Nick eventually answered, audibly comforting the rabbit on the other side of the phone. "Have a good day." He smiled at his boss. He then replaced his phone into the given phoneset. "You wished to speak to me?" His voice was once again smooth and suave.

The hyena stood in the middle of the door. "Yeah, I wanted to ask what was up with your previous client? The one that was in the precinct, arrested? Wilde, I need you to take it more seriously."

"I understand completely, however so many clients are solved by simply signing over what they know. Many don't even realise how likely that is." He lightly shrugged. He stood up slowly and walked over to his boss, keeping his head still slightly up to maintain eye contact.

"I too understand, but we can't have you blitz through everyone while everyone else struggles in court." She tried to speak sympathetically. "I'm not saying change your clients, I'm just saying extend your service a little."

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we're paid the same amount no matter what, unless it is taken to court. Time is irrelevant, it's all commission based."

"Make that seem like it's worth it for the client."

"I promise speed and results." Nick smiled confidently, knowing he was right in this situation.

The hyena shook her head. "Just be a teamplayer, your colleagues are constantly complaining about you. Eventually, my paw will be forced."

"Tell them, then, that I'm going on holiday, for what is going to be coming up."

"Very well. Have a nice holiday, when should I expect you back?"

"Not this calendar year, I'd guess January 12th." She shook her head in disbelief. "It should give them enough time to catch up." Nick wore a cruel but heart-warming smile on his muzzle, like that of a kit that knew what he did was wrong, but it was fun. "See you next year boss." Nick walked out of his office, putting on a sun cap.

She just sighed. "See you next year..." She walked back to her office, not knowing how to get her admittedly best employee to be a little more enthusiastic.

Nick shouted from the end of the corridor, as if to leave one last victory. "You have my number, call me if you need any advice, I'm always offering."

"I'll send the message along." Nick just shown a thumbs up, while walking out of the building.

Once outside, he muttered to himself. "That wasn't urgent boss, you didn't need to wait there. Fuck sake. And Judy, what the absolute fuck were you doing there?" His voice was extremely annoyed and it caused Nick to stop and take a few deep breaths to try and calm down. "Fuck. This is a serious mess." He walked over to the park where he knew everyone met before and sat on a bench, waiting to see what he would overhear.

That was when he saw an off-duty cop and three ZIA agents, one keeping his inhaler close, due to the smoke he inhaled. He pulled out his headphones and secretly stared at Wolford. "Risky meeting place, but dressed like that no-one would suspect a thing, especially you all look like you're having a picnic, smart." He chuckled to himself, knowing his headphones were in his ear. He was starting to feel a little cold, but it never truly bothered him, so he just waited to see what was going to unfold. He then pulled out his phone and wrote down notes: "Wolford, Savage, Frost, Mute met up in park. Coincidence I met them here." He watched them while keeping his eyes down at his phone. "Do something." He muttered under his breath.

"So, the Hunters are around, and you want us to help you with your little 'taskforce' that is meant to team up cops and robbers?" Skye asked, being highly sceptical of this idea. "Sounds like more should be on board."

"With how this is going, the police force isn't enough." Wolford sighed, his claw circled the tree bark beside him. "They don't set up safehouses like that for no reason, they're planning something big."

Jack then spoke up, uncertain if he was even able to join in the fight. "How do you know we will be ready? I mean why did you go there?"

Wolford lightly scratched behind his ear. 'Telltale sign of him about to lie.' Nick smiled as his thought finished. "I got an anonymous tip and acted upon it immediately." He paused for a couple seconds. "I don't know who gave the tip and didn't know it was their place until it was too late."

"Maybe you were set up." Jack quickly fired back. "Maybe they sent the anonymous tip, maybe they wanted you dead."

Wolford shrugged. "We can't live life on what-ifs and maybes, if it was one of them then he will be brought to justice, else, it was genuine concern." Wolford tried to shoot down the idea of betrayal, even though he considered that plenty of times and wasn't fully convinced himself of his explanation.

"You can't guarantee that mate." Skye responded, placing her paw on his shoulder. "It will be fine. We'll help you, right boys?" She turned to Jack and Henry. Both of then nodded. "Who else is joining the team?"

"We're aiming to get Silver, Waller, Jewel, Hopps, Isamu, and maybe others but those are our hopes." As Wolford finished that sentence, his mind seemed to be heavily occupied. Jack noticed that, clicked and pointed at the wolf. Michael started to breathe a little heavier because of this as he panicked. "Fuck." He aggressively muttered under his breath. He took an extremely deep breath, closed his eyes then spoke. "Waller is my brother."

Nick silently cheered at him saying that revelation. The three agents opened their eyes wide in shock at that information. "Best cop is the brother of a criminal low-life? Wow, how did we miss that?"

"We kept that a massive secret to the point that we refused to meet each other unless our paths intertwined, as they did a few times." Wolford confessed with a heavy heart. "I love him, he is my brother after all, and I want him to do better, to live a better life, but I fear it may be too late."

That was when Henry started to do signs with his paws. Skye nodded along to that and started to think similarly. "Care to clue us in?" Jack asked, dying of interest. "What did he say?"

Then Henry turned around, stretching his neck. He then saw Nick sitting on the bench. Nick didn't react, as he could just pretend he was watching a stupid vid on his phone and had his headphones in. Skye didn't take notice and repeated Henry's question. "He asked, what about the Spectral Showman, he seems to be very useful in such a situation? I partially agree but would suggest to stay away from him."

"He is too loose of a cannon, he can't trust him too much and he may have his own motives."

Henry finally walked up to Nick and stared intently. Nick pretended to just take notice and pulled out a headphone from his left ear. He raised his head and gently grunted "Hmm?" Nick shook his head. "Sorry, may I help you?" He kept a completely straight muzzle and his body seemed to have slight concern. He inhaled and exhaled slightly faster, pretending to be slightly scared. Henry grabbed his hat and pulled it off. Nick leaned back a little bit while Henry leaned in. "Hello?"

That was when Jack walked over and tried to pull Henry away. "Sorry about this, sir, he usually isn't this invasive."

"N-no problem, if you all want, I can leave."

"Nick?" Wolford asked as he got a good look at the seated mammal.

"Wolfy! What a surprise, I just got off early from work to start my break, got a long one, so you won't see my sorry ass any time soon." Nick smiled teethily as he declared that. Then he quickly covered them up as he noticed the rabbit. Through his paws he quickly apologised, worried he upset the 'kind rabbit'. "I'm so sorry, It's just we're good friends and I'm used to being with only predators, it kinda just slipped, please forgive-"

"It's okay, I saw plenty of teeth myself, besides, they're just teeth. What should I be concerned about his claws that he can't even retract? All just because I'm prey." Jack shrugged. "Not my problem."

"Nicholas Wilde, I believe we met in that bar. If I'm not mistaken Jack Savage, you said your name was, and that would make you..." He paused for a second, pretending to think then pointing at Skye. "Skye Frost, How's your business accounting going?"

"Well, you know how we can't discuss business politics publicly, but all you can know is that it's going well." Jack quickly retorted.

"Wow, aggressive aren't ya?" Nick quickly commented without thinking too much. Skye just chuckled and shrugged as she heard that.

Wolford was trying to process everything that just happened. "Nick, how long were you sitting here?"

"I don't know, an hour maybe half? Why?"

"Nothing, I didn't even notice you."

"Good, I'd hate to disturb you any further." He turned to walk away then stopped, grabbed his hat from Mute and asked simply: "What's up with him?"

"He's a mute."

"Oh." Nick retorted then started signing at Henry. Henry wasn't phased by it at all. "Deaf sister." He added afterwards. Henry responded quickly, keeping the conversation going. Skye saw what was signed then elbowed him in the arm. Henry rolled his eyes but didn't continue to sign. "Well, it was nice seeing all of ya, even you." He then signed the rest of his sentence.

"What is wrong with you?" Skye asked, trying to hide her anger. "He was trying to be nice and you shot him down like that."

"What did the two say?"

"Easy,Nick said he was sorry to hear that and that he wishes no harm. Henry responded with my ears work. Just talk."

"To be fair, he has every right to just say that. I'd feel slightly offended by someone specifically adjusting for me."

Wolford chuckled. "But you just did."

"I did?"

"When he smiled then covered it up."

Jack stared at the ground blankly. "I did." Jack sharply sighed, upset at that realisation.

Main park gateway

Nick walked through, smiling as he had his little intel gathering and caused a little unwanted mayhem. "Two in one." He then did a little fist pump in the air in celebration. "Now for the meat and potatoes of the day."

He chuckled, wondering what was going to happen next. He stood in the middle of the pavement and pulled out a coin, flipping it into the air. As he saw that the coin was at it's peak, Nick decided what he was going to do. He smiled as he pulled out his phone, knowing it was his 'cold business phone'. He dialled a specific number and waited for it to be picked up. "Hey, Shorty, can you do me a favour?"

"Hmm? Hehehe, you calling it now?"

"Yeah, I am, so can you?"

"Depends, what is it?"

"I need ya surveyors to keep an eye out for some trouble, most notably 'The Hunters', turns out they are connected as well."

"Fuck sake, you gonna tell anyone what's happening?"

"It's my problem, I'll deal with it."

"What about your nice little rabbit? Heard she just became a cop."

"She'll start in January, the tail end of the recruitment programme. Should just about pass with flying colours."

"That's not what I was talking about. What if she's attacked again?"

"She won't. I trained her well enough."

"She hesitated, you know that. Sure, her body can, but her mind can't. No amount of training can fix that." There was a pause between the two. "I'll get your favour done. But, don't get anyone else in trouble, a lot of us are already unintentionally sticking our necks out for ya. We don't want the axe to come down on it."

"Alright, alright. Involve no-one else I got it. Everyone who needs to be involved is involved."

"Should I list off everyone who's involved directly because of you?"

"I'll humour ya, go on."

"Supercop, gradient agents, silent but deadly, me, Silver, the fucking wall, his lieutenant and most importantly, the bunny that stopped the show." There was a pause as Nick swallowed quietly. "Still think it's okay? Who's gonna help 'em? Not you. You never think of the consequences, you with your apathetic and nihilistic mindset. Not all of us want to die." Nick's paw started to shake as he tried to stay composed. "I'll get your damn favour done, only because I owe you, but know if anything happens..."

"Just tell me you have a job for me. You never say that. Besides about the rest, they're already banding together to fight The Hunters, they'll survive." Nick smiled as he reassured himself. "It's only a matter of time anyway."

"Before I leave, explain Happytown to her, for my sake at least."

"Will do."

"It's times like these where I wonder if killing The House was actually a good idea. You should've let sleeping dogs lie. He's the reason you have money after all."

"Don't talk about him." Nick hung the call up and slipped his phone back into his pocket. He stood still and breathed deeply to calm himself down. The House was not a mammal Nick wanted to think about, especially not now. After a couple seconds, Nick was recomposed and was now comfortably able to go to one of his safehouses, where he and Judy agreed to meet.

He waltzed over to a nearby bus stop and waited for the right one to take him to where he wanted to be. Cars rushed past, trying to get to where they needed to in a rush. He sat and waited, alone with only his thoughts to occupy him.

"Sensei." Nick heard gently pass through the wind. He lifted and turned his head slowly.

Nick stared at who asked. He saw a casually dressed tan fox that stared back, holding a sheathed sword. "Hmm, I'm sorry do I know you?"

"My apologies, you look similar to someone I know. Isamu Jiro."

"Jiro Protection Isamu Jiro? Heh, you had many jobs, I'm so happy I'm not your lawyer." Nick chuckled, knowing exactly that both knew who they were. "How's your last 'client'?"

Isamu paused for a second, realising what the situation was. "She was fine, she had no quarrels, except that one last week." Both sighed at that. "She asked to convey a message to the one that employed me: Hi." Nick laughed at that. "I believe she wanted to say that she misses him." Isamu raised his head and spoke even gentler than before. "I'd tell my employer to take the time to just talk to her more."

"He sounds like a pain. He'd probably decline, and say that he is not one that should have any platonic relations." Just then, Nick's bus arrived. He stood up and stuck his paw out. "It's nice meeting you."

"It was an honour to meet you as well, Nicholas Wilde." Isamu shook the paw then bowed, walking away.

Nick laughed as he got onto the bus, realising he never mentioned his name. He shook his head in disbelief and paid his fare. He slowly walked in, surveying the bus and realising that it was practically empty. He chose a seat somewhere more central to avoid suspicion.

He pulled out his phone and pretended to interact with it, like an awkward male in a party. He constantly watched his surroundings and the bus's surroundings. His paranoia was constantly triggering, something did feel off the entire time.

At one point, the bus stopped. Nick turned his head up to check why. A vixen walked up and sat in front of Nick. "Hello, Nick." Her voice was slightly metallic and robotic. "So it's time we finally spoke, face to face."

Nick slid his paw quietly to his pistol and waited for something to happen. "What do you want?"

"Heh, I wanted to speak to my enemy, understand him better, thought you wanted the same."

"Not my problem, I have my own things to do." Nick lied. "But, I assume you were the one that introduced themselves so eloquently to that florist." He chuckled at that comment. "Want to repeat that with me on the bus?"

"No, it would ruin the surprise, I know how you love surprises."

"You know I'm good at ruining them, Red." Nick quickly retorted. "So, don't get your hopes up."

"I don't think you can ruin this one though." She then giggled

"Let me ruin this one then, what are you gonna do with Mr. Big?"

"Ugh, just let go of Foxtrot, you know I won't attack you." Red responded, tired of the tension that was present in the bus and refusing to answer the question that was presented. Nick didn't let go of his pistol's grip. "Don't worry, I'll get off now. You're not ready."

"Maybe you should choke me out." Nick shrugged. "Could help you out." The vixen just sighed and waited by the exit. The bus stopped and that door opened. Nick watched her get off then leaned back and groaned. "Fuck, that can't be... no." He shook his head. "I need to know how she knows me." He closed his eyes and rubbed them and waited a little longer, to get to his stop. "Fuck, this isn't good." He slammed his fist against the wall of the bus, hoping the driver didn't hear it.

After a couple more stops with Nick being paranoid to kingdom come, he got off the bus and walked through a couple alleyways with his hood up to reach that safehouse. On the way, he contemplated putting on his makeshift disguise then decided against it.

He walked onto the open street and saw the rabbit. He smiled and called out. "JUDY! It's so good to see you!" Judy's ears sprung up and she turned around. Nick walked up and closed the distance between the two, making sure it was safe to discuss any business they had. "Come inside, get a little nostalgic." He then led the bunny to the ground floor entrance. "Remember, you still have a set of keys and mi casa es tu casa, at least this one."

Judy rolled her eyes and walked through the door. "We both know that you don't just wanna hang out, so what is it about?"

"Yesterday." Nick answered, wasting no time and hoping for a quick resolution to his few problems that were happening right now. Judy just shrugged. "Happytown, the most miserable place in this country."

"I-I... I didn't know about it. I walked in haphazardly to try and find out what it was." She smiled awkwardly as she said that and Nick just rolled his wrist, insinuating to continue her story. "Right, err... I walked in and felt the vibe was wrong, so I threw my hood up and walked in."

"Fine, never mind, I know the story. Besides this is only the first point. What good did you think it would bring, and since you clearly knew, why didn't you call me?

"I-I can't depend on you all the time, especially not if I do get accepted as a cop. Oh yeah, don't worry, I'm a good cop, it's just an overbearing hitmammal is constantly worried for my health and so he might be following and spying on me. Furthermore, I'll be going into the unknown all the fucking time, I can't just chicken out because I feel like it."

"Colourful language Hopps, I like it. Second off, I wanted to congratulate you, well done on getting in on the police force, but I have an additional question because of it. What do you know about Wolford's little taskforce?"

"Huh? First time I heard of it. Why do you ask?"

"You're a possible hire, but you will say that I knew about it before, if I am to guess, say it's from when they were in the cafe together. The who needs to know will know."

"Let me guess, you want me to be your eyes and ears in there."

"No, would risk too much, I'll just do what I do best." Nick admitted smugly, knowing they couldn't stop him from snooping no matter what they did. "But there is one last thing, you have until Jan 8 to sign up, yet I also have a lot of free time right now, wanna make up for lost time?"

"What are we celebrating this time?" Judy joked. "No wait let me guess, hundredth court case finished?"

"Har-de-har, but no really, a few things I was told got me thinking and well, wanna just hang out?"

"A cop and a lawyer? Doesn't bode well at all, does it Wilde?"

"Your honour, I plead the fifth." Nick quickly retorted, thinking quickly on his feet.

"I was thinking about going back home for a little bit, tell my family the good news."

"How do you tell 300 odd mammals the good news without making it seem like you don't care about it near the end? Just curious."

"You can come and see."

"You're inviting a fox into a rabbit warren? Not a good idea, might make it 299 instead."

"I have faith." Judy revealed earnestly. "So I suggest you pack your bags." She then winked suggestively. Nick ignored all of the signs and looked past them. "Just think about it, seriously."

"Fine, I'll do it, but on one condition, well two, but one that you can only solve now." He clicked and pointed to the underground range he had. "Show me you still have it." Judy turned to the door he pointed at and groaned. "Using your guns, at the given range, no reloading, get, hmm, let's say, 30 per gun so 500 points in 25 seconds."

Judy smirked confidently and tried to be overzealous. "I could get a perfect score in 20, just watch and learn." Nick rolled his eyes and the two walked in. Judy was slightly surprised to see that the guns were clean and the targets were still functioning. "Huh."

"What you think I'd leave one of the few actual capable, functional and present ranges I have to collect dust and break? Do you know how difficult it is to make sure wiring is kept under wraps?"

"I assume you DIY circuitry, which I feel would be a no-brainer to say but don't do it with a live current going."

"Sometimes the result only occurs because it is active, or it's easier to see if I did it."

"Explains the electrical burns on your wrist." Judy commented on the side. "I learned a thing or two from you."

"Even through the black fur, that's impressive."

"So what, you some kind of engineer though?"

"Physical, I can work with wires, circuits and other electronics. However, I try to hide it since..."

"It's fine, you have privacy, I value that, unlike some foxes I know." Judy smiled as she said that.

Nick rolled his eyes then thought about that sentence. "Wait you mean me or Isamu?" He then had some mock shock and gasp. "You meant both." Judy then giggled. She set up her range and prepared her two pistols. "I'm expecting good things from you, maybe not greatness, since your not me but,... good things still." He nodded then gave two thumbs up.

"If I shoot you, do I get a 10?"

"If you shoot me, I wont have to pack my bags, no matter how much I say it's worth fluff. But to humour you, it's worth 100."

"Now it seems very enticing." Judy joked. She pointed her Glock at him. "So, give me one more reason devil red."

"Most wanted, cops and vixens. Isn't that reason enough?"

"Not as a citizen with no proof." Judy grumbled. "I'm not even close to be a cop."

"Don't sell yourself short, you will be a cop very soon and you're about to show that you have potential." Nick countered and rationalised. "You can't give up now."

Judy rolled her eyes then cocked her pistols, pointing them down range. "Who said anything about giving up?" Three targets popped up as Nick tapped a couple buttons. She then fired the pistols, keeping them full auto. As the bullets stopped flying, Judy turned around and smirked. Nick smiled as he tapped some other buttons, bringing the targets over. "Perfect 600, I wait and listen."

Nick quickly glanced over at the targets. "You did get a good score, but not perfect." He continued counting the score in his head. "After the first two, you're at 265, but you have the big one left, right?" Judy smiled confidently. Nick continued counting quickly, being split whether he wanted her to have over or under 500 points. After he was at the last three, he started counting loudly. "537, 547, 556." He paused for a second. "Fuck."

"Best get packin', buddy."

Nick groaned and rolled his eyes. "I'll get packing, you have my number, my ACTUAL number, you can call that. Tell me when your going."

Judy nodded as she pulled her phone. She started calling her family. "Hi mum, I just wanted to say that I'll have a guest coming over." She winked at Nick as she said it. Nick just slumped over and growled under his breathe.

A/N: I really don't have much to say here apart from merry Christmas and happy new year.

I've had a blast doing my own thing and glad I finally got this through. Still 2023, barely.

With that all said, I wish you all a good one and see ya lads.