Broken Bunny

by SailorGuardian9

With the Nighthowler case long since over, Judy and her new partner Nick go about their daily routines as Z.P.D officers. When Judy has a bad encounter with a suspect though, things slowly start to spiral downwards, leading to pain, death, and vengeance.

2. Chapter Two

The rest of the night was quiet, and the sun had risen by the time he woke up again, and what a sight there was when he did open his eyes. He didn't know when it had happened, but at some point during the night he and Judy had received some company. Nick looked around in surprise, seeing not just Judy lying next to him, but every one of her siblings as well. All Nick could see were tiny bunnies covering the floor, every nook and cranny that was left on the couch he and Judy were on, and there was even one curled up in a space on the DVD shelf.

"Woah." Was all that Nick could say at the sight as he continued staring at all of the bunnies.

"Mmm." Judy quietly mumbled as she started to wake up.

"Carrots." Nick whispered as he looked down at Judy.

"Not now Nick, five more minutes." Judy mumbled as she rolled over and wrapped her arms and legs around Nick's torso. Nick chuckled as he watched Judy curl around him, it was the most comfortable he'd seen her since before she was injured. A light vibrating sound pulled Nick's attention away from Judy, he gently reached into his pocket and grabbed his phone. Looking at the caller I.D, he sighed before shaking himself a little more awake and answering it. "Good morning sir." Nick greeted with a light yawn.

"That was polite for you, don't tell me you hit your head as well, Wilde." Bogo's deep voice replied with a chuckle.

"No sir, just getting up." Nick replied as he started to sit up, until he remembered that Judy was still clinging to him.

"No. My fox." Judy mumbled as she tightened her grip on Nick.

"Was that Hopps?" Bogo asked in a knowing tone.

"Yeah, I stayed with her and her family last night. I helped her get settled in around nine, then I slept on their couch and woke up at some point in the middle of the night when she came in by me. She had a nightmare and didn't want to be alone, so I let her lay with me and the next thing I knew I woke up in a room filled with bunnies." Nick explained with a chuckle as he scratched Judy's ears.

"Adorable, but I didn't ask for your life's story, Wilde. However, it's nice to hear that officer Hopps is in good paws with you. Now for the reason I'm calling, I know I put you on leave to watch over Hopps, but something unexpected came up and I need you back here. It won't be for long, but I do need you here as soon as possible." Bogo informed in a calm tone.

"Of course sir, I'll be there in about an hour." Nick replied as he slowly sat up, gently moving Judy onto the couch as he did.

"Thanks Nick, see you soon." Bogo replied before hanging up.

"Oh, my head." Judy groaned as she sat up and rubbed the back of her head.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Nick asked as he looked down at Judy.

"Like I just got off one of those spinning amusement park rides." Judy answered as she laid down and closed her eyes.

"Let's put some ice on your head, I wanna take a look at it before I go." Nick replied as he stood up.

"Go? Go where? I thought you weren't gonna leave me." Judy quietly said in a sad tone.

"Don't worry, I'll be back soon, Bogo just wants to talk to me about something. It didn't sound like I was in trouble though, so that's good." Nick answered as he walked into the kitchen and dug through the freezer for an ice pack.

"Well if you're going, then I'm going to!" Judy replied in a firm tone as she stared at Nick.

"No, you need to rest. I'll be back soon." Nick replied as he grabbed a bag of frozen vegetables and brought it over to Judy.

"No, we're partners. If you're needed at the station then so am I!" Judy replied as she stared at Nick.

"Why do you have to be so stubborn?" Nick asked he gently pressed the bag to the bump on Judy's head, causing her to wince.

"Because you're my partner and best friend, whatever we do we do it together. Especially if it's work related." Judy replied as Nick pressed the bag against her bump with a little more force.

"I'm not talking you out of this, am I?" Nick asked with a sigh.

"Nope! So when do we leave, partner?" Judy asked with a smile.

"When you can show me that you can stand and walk a straight line." Nick answered with a smirk.

"What, are you giving me a sobriety test now?" Judy asked with a grin.

"More of a, how concussed are you, test." Nick answered with his typical grin.

"Very funny Nick, come on, let's go." Judy said as she removed the veggie packet from her head.

"I wasn't kidding Judy, stand up and let me see you walk a straight line." Nick instructed in a firm tone.

"Y-you're joking right?" Judy asked in a surprised tone.

"No. If you were in my shoes you'd be asking the same thing, especially with what happened yesterday. Now are you gonna walk or are you gonna lay down and rest?" Nick asked in a serious tone. Judy let out an annoyed sigh before getting to her feet, then she took a moment to get balanced before taking a few uncoordinated steps.

"Okay, I see your point, I walk like a drunk dodo bird. I still wanna come with you though, I'll use my wheelchair. Can we agree to that, please?" Judy asked with her paws clasped and the cutest expression she could make.

"Uuuuh! Fine, but only because that look was so adorable." Nick answered with a smile.

"Excuse me, but you can't call bunnies adorable. Only other bunnies can call bunnies adorable." Judy said with playfully grumpy expression.

"Oh no you don't, you said only bunnies can call each other cute, you said nothing about laying claim to the word adorable. So I reserve the right to call you adorable whenever I please, you adorable bunny." Nick replied with a smirk. Judy groaned in annoyance at Nick's antics, but what got to her the most was that he wasn't wrong, she really hadn't ever said anything about the word adorable being off limits.

"Fine, you win, but Nick..." Judy said before pausing, making sure Nick had heard her. Nick looked back at her with a questioning expression. "If I uh... If I have to choose one, I'd prefer it if you'd uh... Call me cute." Judy quietly said in a shy tone, looking at the ground with her arms behind her back, and her big toe nervously tracing a circle on the ground in front of her.

"Sure Carrots, cute it is." Nick replied with a smile before leading Judy to the door.

"Be safe you two, and don't do anything too strenuous Judy!" Bonnie yelled as Nick and Judy walked out the door.

"Oh! Ya startled me there, sorry 'bout that." A large fox apologized as Nick nearly ran into him while leaving.

"That's my bad Gideon, I wasn't paying much attention to where I was going." Nick apologized as he looked at Gideon.

"Ain't no problem Nick, I was just comin' ta check on Judy. I saw what happened when I was browsing Zoo-Tube and I just wanted ta check in on her." Gideon explained as he looked at Judy, who was hiding behind Nick's leg. "Hey there Judy, how ya feelin'?" Gideon asked as he stared at Judy.

"I-I'm okay. Just fine, thank you." Judy quickly answered as she squeezed Nick's leg.

"Ya seem nervous, ya sure y're okay there Judy?" Gideon asked with a confused expression.

"Yes sir, I'm fine. Just uh, I'm sorry, I get shy around new mammals, especially predators. It's nothing against you uh... Gideon?" Judy asked as she walked out from behind Nick's leg.

"Yeah?" Gideon asked in a confused tone.

"It's so good to see you again, I feel like it's been forever. How have you been?" Judy asked with enthusiasm as she hugged Gideon.

"Uh... Fine. Are uh, are you doin' okay there?" Gideon asked in a confused tone as he looked down at Judy.

"Yeah, I'm much better than I was yesterday. My head still hurts a little, but I'm doing fine. It was nice seeing you again Gideon." Judy answered as she hugged Gideon one more time before skipping to the car. Gideon and Nick both just stared at Judy with confused and worried expressions. "Come on Nick!" Judy yelled as she got in the car and yelled out the window.

"You uh, you watch her real close taday Nick, that was weird what just happened." Gideon said as he continued staring at Judy.

"I'll be watching her like a hawk, Gideon. Like a hawk." Nick replied before rushing to the car. "Scoot over carrots, I'm driving." Nick instructed as he gently moved Judy into the passenger seat.

"Booo. You're no fun." Judy replied before buckling in.

"Well I'm sorry to say this Judy, but according to your prescription, you can't drive or operate heavy machinery for at least four to six hours after taking them." Nick informed with a grin.

"I took my pills waaaay longer than six hours ago. It's almost seven thirty." Judy replied as she looked at Nick.

"Well then I'll be honest, I just wanted to drive." Nick said with a smirk, trying to hide the fact that he didn't want her driving because her actions with Gideon had worried him.

"Fine, I'm a little tired anyways. Thanks Nick." Judy replied as she closed her eyes.

"Any time partner." Nick said with a smile before driving towards the department. After about an hour he pulled up to the station and parked the car. "Alright Carrots, time to get up." Nick said as he gently nudged Judy.

"We're here already?" Judy asked with a yawn and a stretch.

"Yep, so let's get going so you can get home and rest." Nick replied as he lead Judy inside.

"Nick, Judy! It's so good to see you both, how are you feeling Judy?" Clawhauser asked as he watched the duo walk inside.

"Better, how are you doing today uh... Um..." Judy replied as she stared at Clawhauser for a moment.

"Clawhauser." Clawhauser answered the unasked question with a hint of confusion.

"Clawhauser! Yes, got ya. You thought I forgot your name, but I remembered. I was just messing with you, Clawhauser." Judy replied with a smile.

"Oh! That's funny Judy, you're spending too much time with Nick! Soon you'll be pulling pranks left and right with the master himself! Right Nick?" Clawhauser asked with a laugh.

"Oh yeah, she's a regular prankster's apprentice. Come my pawdawan, the chief awaits." Nick replied as he lead Judy towards Bogo's office. Nick gently knocked on Bogo's door and waited for a response.

"Come in." Bogo replied in his usual firm tone.

"Good morning sir." Nick greeted as he and Judy walked into the office.

"Hopps, Wilde, it's good to see you both. Thank you for coming on such short notice, please." Bogo replied as he gestured to a pair of chairs by his desk.

"Here." Nick quietly said as he picked Judy up and set her on the chair, then climbed up next to her.

"Thanks Nick." Judy thanked as she sat down. "So what's this about chief?" Judy asked as she looked up at Bogo.

"An unexpected event is going to be taking place tonight and our presence has been requested as extra security. I know I promised you both leave time after your accident officer Hopps, but this is going to be a massive event. I'm talking most of the city in attendance, so we need all the officers we can get." Bogo informed with a straight face.

"What exactly is happening tonight sir, and why was it so last minute that we're scrambling for extra officers?" Nick asked as he stared at Bogo.

"I'm not exactly sure, but Gazelle herself called me to request officers for a citywide event." Bogo answered as he looked at Judy.

"Wait, Gazelle?! That's so cool, did you hear that Nick, we get to run security for the best idol in the world! I hope we get to hear some of her songs." Judy cheered with excitement.

"After what you endured, I'll be sure that you get to be in the concert hall to listen. But don't forget why you're there, understood?" Bogo instructed as he pointed a hoof at them both.

"Yes sir!" Nick and Judy replied simultaneously as they each saluted Bogo.

"Alright then, the event's at six p.m. Get geared up, then get some rest in the break room. Especially you, Hopps. That's an order." Bogo instructed as he looked at Judy.

"Yes sir!" Judy replied as she saluted Bogo, then she jumped off the chair, stumbling slightly, before giddily running to the break room.

"Is there something you needed, officer Wilde?" Bogo asked when he noticed that Nick wasn't leaving.

"I'll be honest sir, I don't think Judy should be doing this." Nick answered in a sad tone.

"What do you mean?" Bogo asked as he leaned back in his chair.

"I'm concerned, sir. She's acting strangely today, she was afraid of Gideon Grey when we ran into him outside of her home. She was acting like she didn't even recognize him, but then she suddenly just started talking to him like it was just another day and nothing had happened. Then when we got to the station she completely blanked on Clawhauser's name, she played it off well, but I know her well enough to know that she wasn't kidding. I just don't know if she should be doing anything duty related today, sir." Nick explained in a serious tone. Bogo tented his hooves in deep thought as he let Nick's concerns mow over in his head.

"I'll admit, that's definitely concerning, but do you think she'd listen to us if we brought them up?" Bogo asked with a sad expression.

"Probably not sir, but I'm still worried." Nick answered with a sad sigh.

"As am I, which is why we'll be having a meeting before we go to the concert. The other officers will know to keep an eye on officer Hopps for any strange behavior, I also alerted the event organizers to keep an eye on her and check in with her if they happen to see her." Bogo informed with a small grin.

"Thank you sir, I really appreciate that. Sometimes Judy can be too tough for her own good, I'm glad that I'm not the only one who'll be watching out for her tonight sir." Nick thanked with a smile as he saluted Bogo.

"I like this new you, but it also creeps me out to see you so responsible. I almost want the old no care Nick back." Bogo replied as he saluted Nick back.

"He's on leave right now, sir. Responsible Nick had to take over, he's the only one that can be trusted to watch over Judy." Nick replied with a grin.

"Then I guess old prankster pain in my butt Nick will be back when Hopps is back to her old self?" Bogo asked with a smirk.

"Most definitely sir." Nick answered with a grin.

"I can't wait. You're dismissed, responsible Nick." Bogo informed as he waved Nick out the door. Nick nodded before leaving the room. Nick walked to the break room where he found Judy in her uniform, sleeping on the couch like a rock.

"Rest up Carrots, it's gonna be a busy night." Nick whispered before going to get his uniform and gear on. Several hours passed, and by the time Judy woke up the briefing for the event had already started.

"Now remember your secondary task out there, we watch out for each other. I do not want another repeat of the donut incident, is that understood?!" Bogo yelled as he stared at all of the officers in the room.

"Sir yes sir!" They all shouted in unison.

"Very good, now then..." Bogo started to say, until Judy came running into the room.

"I'm so sorry sir, I didn't realize it was so late! I'm so sorry! Nick why didn't you wake me up?!" Judy yelled as she glared at Nick.

"Because I told him not to, that part of the briefing was for patrol car units only. You'll be on foot tonight, so I figured I'd let you rest for a few extra minutes. Now then, as you can see by this map here, the location the event is being held in has been divided into sectors. Unfortunately its large size makes it necessary to place only one officer per sector. Hopps, you'll be taking sector ten, the stage where the actual event will be occurring. Wilde, you're in sector nine, the hallways where the restrooms are, everyone else will be in designated sectors on the outside of the stadium. Watch for intoxicated individuals, party drugs such as ecstasy and acid, as well as the more common ones such as marijuana. Also be on the look out for pick pockets and petty thieves around the various vendors. Those are the most common crimes at these events. Officer Hopps, you'll be watching for overly enthusiastic fans, ones that like to try and share the stage with Gazelle. She'll have her own security there as well if you need backup, but I know that you're more capable than we give you credit for. Don't push yourself though, you're still technically supposed to be on medical leave." Bogo instructed in a firm tone.

"Yes sir." Judy replied with a sharp salute.

"Very well, any questions?" Bogo asked as he looked around the room. The room remained silent until he spoke again. "Alright, then make sure you're geared up, if you need the facilities go now. We leave in ten, dismissed." Bogo informed before stepping away from the podium.

"So, you ready to get back into it?" Nick asked he walked over to Judy.

"I sure am, I just wish that we weren't going to be working alone tonight." Judy replied in a sad tone.

"Don't worry Judy, I won't be far, and you can always call me on the phone if you need me." Nick encouraged as he pulled his phone out.

"Thanks Nick, you always know how to make me feel better." Judy replied as she hugged Nick.

"Well, if you'll excuse me, I have to drop some documents off in the porcelain cabinet." Nick said with a grin as he started walking away.

"You're so gross." Judy chuckled as she watched Nick walk away. "On second thought, I might have to drop off some documents of my own." Judy said to herself before heading to the restroom. Judy finished washing her paws, then she met everyone by the bullpen.

"Alright, looks like we're all here, let's load up." Bogo ordered as he lead everyone out to the garage, where two large mammal transport units were waiting, as well as several large mammal patrol cars.

"Should we take our patrol car sir?" Judy asked as she walked past Bogo.

"Nope, you and Nick are riding with the big kids today." Bogo answered with a straight face.

"Yes sir." Judy answered as she got into one of the large transport vehicles. As Nick stepped up to the vehicle he couldn't help but feel a little jealous of its cool design. It was a pure black truck that almost looked like some kind of tank on wheels, with bold white letters that read Z.P.D, on either side. There was a satellite dish on the roof, and a total of eight armored tires, four on each side. If it hadn't been for the lack of the large gun on the top, Nick would've thought it was borrowed straight from the military.

"Would you like to take a picture officer Wilde, or do you wanna actually get in it?!" Bogo shouted as he stared at Nick with such intensity that he could've bored a hole right through him.

"I'd honestly like to do both sir, but I'm getting in." Nick replied as he quickly got in the transport vehicle.

"Let's go!" Bogo yelled as he got inside and closed the door. The vehicle jerked a little as it pulled out of the station, rocking everyone inside slightly, except for Nick and Judy, who ended up bumping into whomever was next to them.

"Sorry Fangmeyer." Judy apologized as she bumped against the large tiger officer.

"No problem Hopps, how are you feeling?" Fangmeyer asked with a smile.

"A little nervous, but I'm glad to be back." Judy answered with a smile.

"We're glad to have you back, and uh... I'm sorry about laughing at you the other day. If I'd known how serious it actually was..." Fangmeyer apologized as Judy interrupted him.

"It's water under the bridge. We may tease each other and laugh at each other's misery at times, but when push comes to shove we have each other's backs when it counts. In the end we're all brothers and sisters here, and that's something I'll always remember." Judy replied with a smile.

"Well said Hopps." Bogo said with a smile as he looked at everyone around him. The next ten minutes were silent as everyone tried to relax before what would likely be a stressful night. Lots of citizens crowded in a confined area meant there'd likely be more than a few incidents of arguments and illegal activity.

"E.T.A is one minute, everyone ready?" The driver asked as he looked at everyone through the rear view mirror.

"You all know your jobs and sectors, make sure you all give a good impression out there tonight, show the citizens what it truly means to be a Z.P.D officer." Bogo ordered as the vehicle came to a stop.

"Yes sir!" Everyone yelled with enthusiasm.

"Nick, get the door." Bogo ordered as he pointed at the door.

"Yes sir." Nick replied as he opened the door, then jumped out of the vehicle. Nick was mesmerized by the sight, the stadium was absolutely enormous, bigger than a standard football stadium. There were all sorts of booths and vans around the perimeter that were selling collectibles, trinkets, snacks, and almost everything in between.

"Wow, it's her biggest concert since the night howler incident. I wonder what the occasion is?" Judy asked herself as she stared at the bustling crowds that were moving around the various booths.

"Who cares, this should be an interesting night." Nick said with a smile as he walked over to Judy.

"Alright, everyone to your positions, radio checkins when you're in position, as well as every half hour. Let's go." Bogo ordered before walking into the crowd. Judy steadied herself before following the rest of her fellow officers, then everyone started to split up.

"Remember Carrots, if you need me you call me on my phone, stay safe out there." Nick said with a smile before walking away.

"You too Nick!" Judy yelled before walking up to the entrance to the main stage.

"Ah, officer, are you one of the indoor patrol units?" A German shepherd in a pressed suit asked as Judy approached him.

"Yes sir, officer Hopps, Z.P.D." Judy answered as she flashed her badge.

"Thank you for coming tonight officer, you can go on through." The attendant informed as he gestured Judy through the entrance.

"Thank you sir." Judy thanked as she walked through the entrance, then navigated her way through a massive open area that encircled the main concert hall. Judy found her way to a large doorway that lead into the stadium the concert was being held in. The crowd inside was even bigger than the one that was wandering around outside the building, and everyone was scrambling to find their seats before the main event.

"Hey that's my seat!" Someone yelled from nearby.

"No it's not, it's my seat!" Another patron replied in an angry tone.

"Here we go." Judy said to herself as she rushed towards the sound of the argument. "Gentlemen, is there a problem here?" Judy asked as she approached an elephant and a flamingo.

"You bet there is, bird brain here says this is his seat, but this is the seat written on my ticket!" The elephant yelled as he handed Judy his ticket.

"Seat b eleven." Judy read before looking at the label on the seat.

"My ticket says the same thing!" The flamingo yelled as he showed Judy his ticket.

"Sir this isn't a b, it's a d." Judy informed as she pointed at the letter next to the number.

"What?" The flamingo asked as he looked at the ticket again. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry sir, officer. I'm dyslexic, I get my d's and b's mixed up when they're lowercase like that. I'm so sorry." The flamingo apologized profusely.

"No, it's fine, I wasn't aware that you were dyslexic. I thought you were just being mean. I'm sorry." The elephant apologized as he held a his large hand out to the flamingo.

"No problem buddy, would you mind showing me the way please, officer?" The flamingo asked as he shook the elephant's hand.

"Certainly sir, this way please." Judy instructed as she lead the flamingo two levels up and to his seat.

"Thank you officer." The flamingo thanked as he took his seat.

"Anytime sir, enjoy the concert." Judy replied as she turned to leave, getting hit with a wave of dizziness as she did so. "Woah!" Judy yelled as she nearly fell, catching herself on a rail in the center isle of stairs.

"You okay officer?" The flamingo asked with some concern as he looked at Judy.

"Oh yeah, I'm good, just tripped over one of the seats. Thanks for asking though." Judy lied as she blinked a few times, regaining her equilibrium and walking away. "Pull it together Judy, pull it together." Judy quietly said to herself as she patted her cheeks.

"All units, this is Bogo, check in. Over." Bogo ordered through the radio.

"This is Fangmeyer, all's quiet. Over." Fangmeyer's voice came through the radio.

"This is Wolfard, got one in custody for attempted petty theft, no further issues. Over." Wolfard announced through the radio.

"This is Wilde, all clear at my point. Over." Nick's voice called through the radio.

"Hopps checking in, no issues inside. Over." Judy informed in a calm tone. Judy listened as the rest of the officers checked in.

"Check in complete, keep up the good work out there. Over and out." Bogo said before hanging up.

"Alright ladies and gentlemen, are you ready to try everything?!" Gazelle asked as she stepped onto the stage. The crowd answered with an earth shattering cheer for the idol. "I'm glad to hear that, because before we begin tonight, there's one thing I want you all to try. I want you all to try and have something, something that I haven't seen enough of in this city lately. I'm sure you're all wondering what that something is, well I'll tell you. The something that this city has been lacking as of late is a powerful emotion, an emotion called empathy. I'm sure most of you know what that word means, but what does it really mean? To put yourself in someone else's shoes. Well, I want you all to watch a video before we start, and instead of laughing, I want you to close your eyes and put yourself in this mammal's position. Listen to the fear, the pain, and worst of all, listen to how little this city cared. Roll the video please." Gazelle spoke before looking at a large screen behind her. The projector turned on and Judy gasped when she saw the video, it was her body cam footage from her encounter with Duke. Mammals in the crowd started to gasp at what they were seeing, they'd all seen the videos of Judy rolling down the sidewalk and stumbling around in the donut, but none of them had seen what had happened before that. Some of them even cried or looked away when they heard her pained scream, as Duke slammed the donut over her. They felt even worse when they saw the rolling from Judy's perspective, cringing as the spinning camera went still as Judy crashed into the wall. But what broke their hearts most of all was watching her stumble around, begging for help from mammals just like them, only to receive a cold shoulder. "Heartbreaking, isn't it. Now I've been told that officer Hopps, despite this horrific experience, is here tonight, patrolling. Keeping us all safe. So if you see her, and you were one of the ones to ignore her that day, or laugh at that horrible video on Zootube, maybe give her an apology; because I could tell just by watching this once, that that impact must've been so painful. So please, show her some compassion, thank you." Gazelle spoke before the video turned off.

"Oh, that was so sweet of her. Thank you Gazelle." Judy quietly said as she stared at Gazelle from where she was standing. A few seconds later a beat started to play and Gazelle took her place on the stage, starting the concert with her most popular song, try everything. At the end of the song the audience broke out in cheers, eager for the next song.

"Gazelle! Gazelle, I'm your biggest fan!" A beaver shouted as she threw her shirt at Gazelle.

"I love you Gazelle!" A squirrel squealed with a huge smile.

"Marry me!" A bull yelled as he jumped up and down with excitement.

"Thank you everyone, you're all so kind!" Gazelle replied as she waved at the crowd. "Who's ready for another song?" Gazelle asked as she looked out at the crowd, which erupted into cheers.

"WOOOO!" The whole crowd cheered as another beat started.

"This is a new song that I wrote, one that I believe whole heartedly in. It's called defenders in blue, a tribute to the men and women of the Z.P.D." Gazelle said with a smile before the beat softened and the audience got quiet. "What do you do, when you're lost and alone? Who do you call, when you feel so small? When you're hurt, when you're scared, when there's trouble all around! When things go bump in the night, who's there to fight for yooooou?! Defenders in blue. When they're there, on the streets, walking up and down the beat, it's soooo neeeat! Because they're always there for me and you, the defenders in bluuuue! The defenders in bluuuuuue." Gazelle finished on a low and soft note.

"WOOOOO!" Everyone cheered and clapped, and Judy couldn't help the tears of joy she felt run down her cheeks as the song came to an end. Gazelle, her number one idol, had written a song in support of not just her, but all of her fellow officers. It may have been short, but to Judy, it came from the biggest heart she could picture. Gazelle truly cared about her and her fellow officers, which felt like a more and more fleeting thing everyday. Mammals that cared.

"AAAAH! Gazelle I love you, I'd do anything for you!" A sheep screamed as she jumped and waved at Gazelle.

"Awe, and I love all of you as well." Gazelle replied as she waved at the sheep.

"AAAAH! Did you hear that, she loves me too! Gazelle, we can be together forever! Come with me, we can live together and adopt a bunch of babies, and we'll be the happiest couple in Zootopia!" The sheep yelled with a crazed laugh.

"Um, that's really sweet of you, but I'm not ready for that." Gazelle replied with a nervous chuckle, as her security guards slowly walked over to the fan.

"No! You can't do this to me, we were made for each other!" The sheep shouted as she backed away from the large elephant and tiger guard coming towards her. "Get back!" The sheep screamed as she pulled a pistol out of her purse, causing the guards to freeze, while everyone nearby screamed and or drop to the floor. Judy looked towards the screams, eyes widening as she caught sight of the crazed fan.

"All units, all units, be advised I've got a ten thirty-two in the concert hall! Say again, ten thirty-two in the concert hall!" Judy yelled into her radio before drawing her firearm and running towards the stage.

"Copy that officer Hopps, all units are en-route." A male voice replied through the radio.

"Freeze! Z.P.D, drop your weapon! Hooves where I can see them!" Judy shouted as she aimed her pistol at the sheep.

"Get back!" The sheep shouted as she grabbed Gazelle and moved her in front of herself to use as a shield.

"Ma'am, I understand the love you have for Gazelle; believe me, I love her too. We all do. Please, you don't wanna hurt her." Judy calmly spoke as she held her weapon towards the Sheep.

"I really don't, but sometimes love hurts. Sometimes you need a painful reminder of who's most important to you." The sheep replied as she cocked the hammer on the gun.

"Love can hurt, I know that, but pain doesn't remind us of love. It reminds us of fear and hate, love is gentle. Love can hurt, but not like a bat to the chest, or a brick to the head. It hurts in a sense that... Like you can't breathe. Like when you're near that special mammal, your stomach is in knots, your chest is tight, and your mind is somehow blank while simultaneously running at a million miles a second. Love is... It's a pain that feels good. Please ma'am, does the pain you feel feel like what I just described? Or is it a different pain that you feel?" Judy quietly asked in a sad tone. The sheep slowly lowered her weapon a little as she thought.

"I don't know how to describe it... My pain..." The sheep started to say, giving Judy a feeling of optimism that she may have actually gotten through to the crazed fan. "It feels a little like this." The sheep finished as she raised her weapon and fired it at Judy, striking her directly in the chest. The force of the impact landed Judy flat on her back, gasping for air. "That's what my pain feels like! Like a bullet to the heart!" The sheep yelled with a wicked laugh, then she pushed Gazelle to the ground and stood over her, pointing the pistol at her head. "Don't worry my love, we'll be together in the next life." The sheep said with a crazed chuckle. There was a series of loud bangs, and Gazelle shut her eyes tightly, waiting for the end. There was a loud thump, and after a moment, Gazelle slowly opened her eyes.

"S-shots fired, shots fired!" Judy yelled into her radio as she clutched her still smoking gun. "G-Gazelle, are you okay?" Judy asked as she tried to stand up.

"Oh my God, officer Hopps!" Gazelle gasped as she rushed to Judy's side and knelt by her.

"POLICE, everybody down!" Bogo shouted as he burst into the stadium, followed by every other officer.

"Ch-chief!" Judy yelled as she clutched her chest.

"Hopps! What happened?" Bogo asked as he rushed over to Judy.

"Crazed fan...pulled a gun...I tried to...talk her down, she shot me. My vest...ate the round, but she turned her...weapon on Gazelle, I didn't...have a choice, sir." Judy explained before rolling onto her side and clutching her chest.

"We'll talk about it later Hopps, just rest for now. Dispatch, this is chief Bogo, I need an R.A and the coroner dispatched to my location, over." Bogo spoke into his radio.

"Copy that, R.A and coroner are en-route. E.T.A is twelve minutes. Over." The dispatcher replied in a calm tone.

"Sir, I've secured the weapon." Nick informed as he handed the weapon to Bogo.

"Thanks Wilde, now talk to Hopps, I'll secure the area with the others." Bogo ordered before walking away.

"Oh Judy, you've gotta stop scaring me like this. They're never gonna let you back into the field after this mess." Nick quietly said with a smile.

"Nick, I don't really...feel like doing our usual b-banter right now. I'm in so much...pain, I think my...chest plate shattered. I taste blood." Judy quietly said with a few wheezy breaths.

"I'm sure your plate is broken, but at least it caught the round and saved you." Nick encouraged with a smile.

"N-not my...armor, my actual...chest bone. I think... I think it's broken." Judy clarified as she rolled onto her side and clutched her chest.

"Okay, I'm gonna take your vest off and look at it." Nick replied as he carefully removed Judy's vest. "Gazelle, could you stand in front of Judy please, I don't want everyone staring when I take her shirt off?" Nick asked as he looked up at Gazelle.

"O-of course." Gazelle replied before walking over to Judy and crouching in front of her, blocking the audience's view.

"Okay Judy, let's see what we're looking at here." Nick said as he lifted Judy's shirt, revealing a bruise and some singed fur near where the round had hit her vest. "You got real lucky Judy, it almost made it through." Nick informed as he covered her back up.

"Who... Who's Judy?" Judy asked in a confused tone.

"Judy that's not funny, this is no time for jokes." Nick replied in a stern tone.

"I... I'm sorry officer, but I think you have the wrong rabbit." Judy replied with a straight face.

"Chief!" Nick yelled as he looked back towards Bogo.

"Not now Wilde, I'm on the phone with I.A. It's always a mess when an officer's involved in a shooting." Bogo replied as he continued talking into his phone.

"Oh my God, there was a shooting? I hope everyone's okay." Judy quietly said as she looked over at Bogo.

"Chief!" Nick shouted as he stared at Bogo.

"Enough Wilde! I know that you're worried, but that won't help Hopps! Now calm down and busy yourself with something, try and figure out how many shots were fired based on the casings." Bogo ordered with an agitated sigh.

"Yes sir." Nick said through gritted teeth before standing up. "Keep an eye on her for me, the memory loss might just be from the shock of the shooting, but my gut tells me otherwise." Nick instructed as he looked at Gazelle.

"I'll do everything I can for her, and at this rate, that'll include giving old buffalo brain over there a piece of my mind." Gazelle replied as she glared at Bogo.

"I knew there was a reason you were the only idol I've ever actually liked. Take care of her for me, Gazelle." Nick said with a smile before jogging away. Judy was a little out of it, but when she heard the name of her favorite idol her ears perked up and she looked at her. Judy couldn't believe her eyes, right there, kneeling in front of her, was her beloved idol.

"AAAAH! Oh my God, you're Gazelle! I'm like your biggest fan! I own all of your songs, I have a subscription to your monthly mystery box, it's such an honor to meet you!" Judy yelled with glee as she stared at Gazelle.

"Judy, you're scaring me. We've met a few times already, this whole concert was to support you after your accident." Gazelle informed as she stared at Judy.

"I was in an accident?" Judy asked in a confused tone. "That can't be right, I think you and that fox have the wrong rabbit. My name's Carrots, and speaking of carrots, I have to get back home to help on the farm." Judy informed before slowly standing up.

"No, no, no, Judy you can't be standing or moving right now. You could be seriously hurt." Gazelle warned as she tried to make Judy lie down again.

"I'm fine Gazelle, but thank you for your concern. It feels so weird to have the biggest artist of our time worrying over me, but it's so flattering as well. If I didn't like guys, I'd fall for you in a heartbeat." Judy replied with a giggle.

"Chief Bogo!" Gazelle shouted as she looked at Bogo.

"Not now!" Bogo shouted back in an angry tone.

"It's Judy! Something's wrong with Judy!" Gazelle screamed in an angry tone as she glared at Bogo.

"Ma'am I'm gonna have to call you back, I've got a wounded officer who needs assistance." Bogo informed before hanging up the phone and rushing over to Gazelle. "What's going on?" Bogo asked as he looked down at Gazelle.

"Something's wrong with Judy, I think she has some kind of amnesia. She doesn't remember anything and..." Gazelle started to say as she looked towards Judy, gasping when she realized that Judy was gone.

"Where is she?" Bogo asked as he looked around a little.

"She was just here, not more than a minute ago. Oh my God, we have to find her." Gazelle said in a worried tone.

"Find who?" Nick asked as he walked over to Bogo and Gazelle.

"Judy! She was acting odd and said that her name was carrots, when I looked away to try and get Bogo's attention she must've wandered off! Uh! If you would've just listened to me this wouldn't have happened!" Gazelle screamed as she glared at Bogo.

"You're right, I should've put off calling I.A until I knew that Hopps was safe; I'm sorry. I made a bad call and I have no excuse for it, but I'm gonna make it right." Bogo replied before grabbing his radio. "All units be advised, officer Hopps is M.I.A, she may be suffering from some kind of head trauma. Approach with caution if you find her and radio me immediately, over." Bogo spoke into his radio.

"Well I'm not waiting for a bunch of over worked beat cops to do a grid search or whatever for her." Gazelle said in a grumpy tone, before climbing onto the stage to address the mammals that were still in the room. "Everyone, may I have your attention please?! Officer Hopps, the officer who this concert was held for and who took a bullet for me tonight, is currently missing. She may have head trauma and it's imperative that we find her quickly, if anyone's seen her please say something." Gazelle informed as she stared out at the crowd.

"I saw her heading out of the concert hall just a minute ago!" A jaguar informed as she pointed at one of the doors.

"Thank you ma'am, I appreciate it! See, who needs a grid search when you have the ever prying eyes of one's fans." Gazelle said as she looked at Bogo, then she rushed towards the door, with Nick and Bogo following closely behind. While the trio searched for her, Judy was happily skipping her way through the exterior where all of the venders were.

"Wow! A limited edition glitter Gazelle skunko pop! How much is it?" Judy asked the in an eager tone. The sloth behind the booth slowly raised his claw.

"It's one. Hundred. Dollars." The sloth answered with a smile.

"That's for the limited edition glitter one?!" Judy asked with a gasp.

"Yes. But. If. You're a. First. Responder. Then it's. Ten. Percent. Off." The sloth informed as he looked at Judy's uniform. "So. It's. Ninety. For. You." The sloth informed as he looked at Judy's uniform.

"Really?! That's so nice of you, but I'm not actually a first responder." Judy replied with a small smile.

"Ha. Ha. Ha. That's a. Good one. Officer. Hopps." The sloth chuckled before slowly opening a plastic bag, then at even slower pace, picking up the skunko pop and placing it in the bag. "That will. Be. Ninety. Dollars. Officer. Hopps." The sloth informed as he held his free paw out for the payment.

"Do you take cards?" Judy asked as she pulled her card out.

"Yes. I. Do." The sloth answered as he slowly held his phone out, which had a card reader plugged into it.

"Yes! Thank you sir!" Judy said in a giddy tone as she slid her card, then waited for it to be approved.

"You're all. Good. Have a. Good. Evening." The sloth said as he handed Judy her bag.

"Thank you! Yippee!" Judy cheered before skipping away.

---

"Stop." Nick suddenly said as he held his paw out to Gazelle and Bogo.

"What is it Wilde?" Bogo asked as he stared at Nick. Nick sniffed at the air a little bit before answering.

"Gazelle endorsed cherry blossom fur conditioner." Nick answered as he looked in the direction the scent was coming from.

"Um, that's interesting that you know what that smells like. Not that there's anything wrong with a male enjoying that fur conditioner, but it's normally more of a female product." Bogo replied in a surprised tone.

"That's how I recognize it sir, it's what Judy uses. You don't sit in a car on a stakeout for six hours with a scent like that and not ask about it. But before you both start getting the wrong idea, she asked about my cologne first." Nick informed before following the scent.

"That's a good thought officer Wilde, but this is my concert, many of my fans use the same fur conditioner." Gazelle pointed out as she and Bogo followed Nick.

"That's true, but none of your other fans have that conditioner mixed with the scent of carrots and gunpowder. Judy's the only one, unless there's a redneck carrot farmer around here somewhere that also uses that wash." Nick replied as he followed the scent, finding Judy munching on a deep fried carrot by a booth. "Judy! Judy thank goodness, are you alright?!" Nick asked as he rushed over to Judy and hugged her.

"Um... Yes? But my name's Carrots, not Judy. Also, could you loosen your grip please officer, my chest hurts?" Judy asked as she tried to push away from Nick.

"Yeah, sorry. But you're coming with me, I'm taking you to the hospital." Nick informed as he picked Judy up.

"Wait, I have to see Gazelle!" Judy yelled as she flailed in Nick's arms.

"Judy stop squirming, I don't want you to fall!" Nick yelled as he tried to hold onto Judy.

"I have to see the concert though!" Judy replied as she continued squirming in Nick's arms, wiggling free and falling to the ground. "Ow! Oooh, my head." Judy groaned as she landed straight on her head.

"Judy!" Nick shouted as he knelt by Judy, followed by Bogo and Gazelle.

"N-Nick? Oh, where am I? Ah, my head." Judy quietly said as she clutched her head.

"Judy, oh thank God you're okay. You had me scared to death!" Nick cried as he grabbed Judy and hugged her.

"Nick." Judy quietly replied as she slowly wrapped her arms around Nick.

"Oh Judy, I was so scared. You just disappeared after the shooting, you had me so worried." Nick cried as he clung to Judy.

"I... I'm sorry Nick, I don't... I don't know what I was thinking. I... The last thing I remember was you looking at my chest, everything after that is completely blank. Nick, what's wrong with me? I'm scared." Judy cried as she held onto Nick.

"It's okay Judy, we'll figure this out. Just take it easy, the scene of the shooting is secured and the coroner already removed the suspect's body. Just give your body camera to Bogo, then I'm taking you to the hospital." Nick instructed in a calm tone. Judy nodded before gently removing her body camera from her vest and handing it to Nick.

"Hopps." Bogo quietly said as he and Gazelle knelt by her.

"Chief? Gazelle? What are you both doing here?" Judy asked as she stared at them both.

"Looking for you, you scared us all half to death when you just up and vanished after the shooting. I'm so glad that you're safe." Gazelle answered as she gently hugged Judy.

"You came looking for me? That's... That was so sweet of you Gazelle. Thank you." Judy quietly said as she hugged Gazelle back.

"Of course Judy, you may be the only reason I'm alive right now. I'm so sorry that you had to do what you did, if you need anything, anything at all, please let me know." Gazelle quietly said as she let go of Judy and looked into her eyes.

"Anything?" Judy asked with a smile.

"Anything." Gazelle replied with a soft smile.

"It may seem kind of dumb and selfish, especially given everything that's happened, but..." Judy pasued as she took her skunko pop out of its bag. "Would you sign this please? I assume it's mine, though I don't remember buying it." Judy asked as she held up her skunko pop.

"Carrots, did you rob some poor skunko vendor in your delirious state?" Nick asked with a smirk.

"I doubt it, that's easily a hundred dollar special edition skunko pop, it would've been reported immediately." Bogo replied as he looked at the collectible. Everyone just stared at him for a moment. "What? I can't have a hobby just because I'm the chief of police?" Bogo asked as he stared back at everyone. It was silent for a few seconds before Nick started chuckling.

"Of course Judy." Gazelle replied as she pulled out a marker, then signed the box.

"Yes! Thank you Gazelle, I'm so happy I could cry. Either that, or I could cry because of my pounding head. Okay, can I go to the hospital now?" Judy asked as she looked at Nick.

"Definitely, let's go Carrots." Nick replied before carefully picking Judy up, then he started carrying her away. Judy suddenly started to worry as Nick carried her towards their patrol car; her vision blurred, and the motion of being carried was nauseating to her.

"Nick." Judy quietly said as she squeezed Nick's chest.

"It's alright Judy, I've got you." Nick replied as he continued walking.

"Niiick!" Judy groaned as she tightened her grip on Nick. "I'm gonna, gonna..." Judy said before rolling her head to the side and vomiting.

"Woah!" Nick jumped in surprise as Judy vomited.

"UUUH! My head. My head! Nick it hurts, and I can't see anything!" Judy cried as she buried her head in Nick's chest.

"Don't worry Judy, I'm gonna get you to the hospital." Nick replied as he started running to the car.

"Uh, this is too much shaking." Judy said before slapping a hand over her mouth.

"Just do what you have to do, I can wash the uniform; but we have to get you to the hospital A-SAP. You could've re-injured your head, or worse." Nick replied as he heard Judy vomit again.

"Yuck, carrots smell so much better when they go down compared to when they come up." Judy groaned as she laid her head against Nick's chest.

"Please tell me you're not resting against puke right now." Nick said as he looked down at Judy.

"I m-might be. I'm just... Just..." Judy didn't finish as she went limp in Nick's arms.

"Judy? Judy stay awake! Open your eyes Judy!" Nick shouted as he patted Judy's cheek. "Berries!" Nick yelled before grabbing his radio. "This is officer Wilde, Hopps is unresponsive, I need assistance by the main entrance! I say again, Hopps is unresponsive and I need immediate assistance by the main entrance!" Nick yelled into his radio before laying Judy on the ground. "Hang in there Judy." Nick said as he pressed his fingers into the side of Judy's neck to check for a pulse. "Fluff! Judy stay with me!" Nick yelled when he felt no pulse, then he placed one paw over the other, clasped them together, and started doing chest compressions.

"Copy that. All units be advised, we have an unresponsive officer near grid two. R.A units are already en-route. E.T.A is five minutes. Over." A woman replied through the radio.

"Come on Judy, wake up! Wake up Judy!" Nick yelled as he continued the compressions.

"Wilde!" Bogo yelled as he ran up to Nick.

"She won't wake up! She was doing fine until about right here, then she just vomited and started complaining about her head! She threw up a second time and then she just went limp! I started compressions right after I couldn't find a pulse, but she just isn't responding!" Nick cried as he continued doing compressions on Judy's chest.

"Nick." Bogo quietly said as he placed a hoof on Nick's shoulder.

"I'm not letting her go. I can't let her go." Nick cried as he did a few more weak compressions before stopping. "I love her, chief! I love her." Nick cried as he laid his head on Bogo's chest.

"I know Nick, I know." Bogo quietly said as he hugged Nick.

"I can't... I refuse to accept that... I won't accept that she's gone! Damn it Judy, wake up!" Nick screamed before turning around and slamming his fist down on her chest. Judy let out a gasp as her eyes shot open.

"I don't believe it." Bogo quietly said as he watched Judy snap awake, then roll onto her side and spit up blood.

"JUDY! Oh thank God Judy, you stupid bunny, I thought you were gonna leave me!" Nick cried as he grabbed Judy and hugged her.

"M-my fox." Judy quietly said as she coughed some blood onto Nick's chest.

"Nick, the ambulance is here." Bogo informed as he watched a wolf and a sheep jump out of the ambulance.

"We'll take it from here sir." The sheep said as he knelt by Judy.

"No. Don't take her from me, not again." Nick cried as he clung to Judy.

"Sir, please, let us do our job." The wolf calmly said as he held his arms out to Nick.

"It's okay Wilde, she'll be in good paws with them." Bogo quietly said, as he gently moved Nick's arms from around Judy so the paramedics could take her.

"Judy." Nick quietly cried as the paramedics loaded her into the ambulance, then quickly drove away. "Chief I..." Nick quietly cried as he watched the ambulance drive away.

"Clawhauser's on the way, he'll drive you to the hospital so you can wait with her. I'll call her family." Bogo informed as he pulled his phone out again, then pushed a few buttons.

"You've reached Stu Hopps of the Hopps family farm in Bunny Burrow, if you'd like to place an order please leave your name and number, as well as the type and amount of produce you'd like to purchase. Please leave a brief message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Thanks and have a great day." Stu's voicemail picked up.

"Mister Hopps, it's Chief Bogo, I need you to call me back at this number as soon as you get this message. Thank you." Bogo calmly spoke before hanging up.

"Chief I... I can't believe this is happening. What did I do? I wasn't there for her again. I promised her that I'd always be there for her, we promised each other that we'd always be there for one another; but where was I when she needed me?! I wasn't there for her, I wasn't there!" Nick shouted as he fell to his paws and knees crying.

"Nick." Bogo quietly said as he knelt by Nick.

"I don't wanna hear it! There's nothing anyone can say that could make this right, I wasn't there when she needed me, and now she could be dead or dying! I failed her, I failed them all! Hopps, Judy, she's the closest thing I have to family in this cruel world, and I keep failing her! I can't... If something happens to her, I'll have no one; and it'll be all my fault that I lost her. After all this time, I still can't do anything right, I really am just a dumb fox." Nick cried as he hugged Bogo.

"You're the furthest thing from it, Nick." A soft voice said in a compassionate tone. Nick slowly looked up to see Gazelle standing in front of him and Bogo.

"Gazelle?" Nick asked with a sniffle.

"What you did for Judy, how much concern and care you showed for her, no dumb fox, no dumb mammal, could ever do something so incredible. I know you may not believe what I'm about to say, but Judy's alive right now, and it's all thanks to you." Gazelle said with a smile as she knelt by Nick.

"We don't know that, there's no telling what could've happened between here and the hospital." Nick replied as he continued crying.

"Nick." Gazelle quietly said as she put a hand on Nick's paw. "You and Judy have a special bond, try and focus on the bond you have with her. I know it sounds cliche, but with a bond as strong as the two of you have, you would've known if she had left." Gazelle encouraged with a soft smile.

"What kind of dumb response is that, what do you think this is, Starfish Wars?! You think I can just close my eyes and feel her presence?! Because I can't!" Nick shouted as he glared at Gazelle with trembling lips and tears running down his cheeks.

"Have you tried?" Gazelle asked with a smile.

"No." Nick quietly admitted.

"Try it, you might be surprised." Gazelle said with a smile. Nick sniffled before closing his eyes and thinking of Judy.

"This is stupid, all I feel is shame, shame that I wasn't there for her." Nick replied with a sniffle.

"Do you think Judy feels the same way?" Gazelle asked with a smile.

"Of course not, she could be on her death bed and have a reason to smile. Poor bunny's too positive for this world, Judy's always got something to smile about. If she's conscious right now she's probably apologizing to the medic for having to put them through the work of treating and transporting her." Nick replied with a chuckle and a sniffle.

"You know what Wilde, I could see that." Bogo chuckled as he patted Nick's shoulder.

"Nick!" Clawhauser yelled as he pulled up to the entrance.

"Go on Wilde, be with your bunny." Bogo encouraged with a smile.

"Thanks chief." Nick replied before running to the car. "Punch it Clawhauser!" Nick instructed as he buckled in. Clawhauser stepped on the gas and sped away, lights and sirens blaring as he drove towards the hospital.

"Hey, how are you holding up, Nick?" Clawhauser asked as he looked at Nick.

"To be honest I'm a wreck. There aren't many things that get to me in this world; and of all the things that could, I never thought the one thing that would break me this fast would be that annoying bunny I met so long ago." Nick answered as he stared blankly out the window.

"Nick, I know this probably won't help, but Judy's strong. She's arguably one of the strongest officers this city's ever seen, if anyone could survive such a horrific event, it's her." Clawhauser quietly said as he stared out the front windshield.

"I hope you're right Clawhauser, because if she doesn't, I don't know what I'd do. Judy, she's... She's my whole world now, there's no one and nothing I care more about than her; and honestly, I wish it were me in that ambulance right now instead. I should've been there for her, but I wasn't, and now she could be gone." Nick quietly replied as he wiped some tears away. Clawhauser couldn't think of any response that felt right, so instead he gently patted Nick's shoulder as he pulled up to the hospital. "We'd better get inside." Nick quietly said as he slowly got out of the car. Clawhauser got out as well and followed Nick through the large sliding doors.

"Officers." A deer at the front desk greeted as she looked up at Nick and Clawhauser.

"Please ma'am, just tell me where Hopps is." Nick quietly said in a sad tone.

"Officer Hopps is on level four, she's in the O.R right now." The deer answered as she handed each of them a visitor's badge.

"What about her family, any word from them yet?" Nick asked as he clipped the badge to the bottom of his under coat.

"Not yet, but I'll send them up as soon as they arrive." The deer replied in a soft tone. Nick lightly nodded before slowly walking towards the elevator. Nick and Clawhauser got on the elevator, then Nick hit the button for level four.

"Oh Clawhauser, what am I gonna tell her parents? They trusted me to keep her safe, and she could be dying for all I know. What have I done?" Nick cried as he hugged Clawhauser.

"Nick this isn't your fault, you can't blame yourself for what that crazed woman did. Judy wouldn't want you to beat yourself up over what happened, she just wouldn't." Clawhauser replied as he hugged Nick back.

"I'm scared Clawhauser, I can't bear the thought of loosing her. I... I think I..." Nick cried as he choked on his words.

"I know Nick, we all know." Clawhauser quietly said as he continued to comfort Nick. The elevator dinged and the doors opened slowly. "Come on, let's find a seat." Clawhauser said as he held Nick's paw and lead him off the elevator.

"Officers." A bear behind the counter greeted as she looked at Nick and Clawhauser.

"Ma'am." Clawhauser replied as he and Nick sat down in the mostly empty waiting area. Seconds ticked by on the clock as Nick stared at it, completely checked out to everything that was going on around him. Without even realizing it, the seconds turned into minutes, and the minutes into hours, but it was all instantaneous in Nick's eyes. The hours had passed in the blink of an eye, he hadn't even noticed the extra company as it got off the elevator and approached him.

"Nick?" Clawhauser whispered as he gently nudged Nick. Nick showed no sign of having even felt the nudge, let alone having heard him.

"Nick, please come back to us. Your thoughts are no place to be wandering right now." A gentle voice called out, as a familiar face knelt in front of him.

"I... I lied to you. I promised that I'd be there for her, and I wasn't." Nick quietly said as he looked up at the familiar face, slowly registering it as Bonnie's.

"Yes you were, Bogo told us everything when he came by. We came as soon as we could Nick. I know that you're scared, and so are we, but we could never blame you Nick. So please, don't blame yourself. Judy wouldn't want that." Stu quietly said as he hugged Nick.

"How... How could you just forgive me so quickly? I wasn't there for her, and she was hurt, all because I wasn't there!" Nick cried as he hugged Stu back.

"She wasn't hurt because of you Nick, she was hurt because she was doing what she believed in. What she felt was right. She'd be heartbroken to hear you blame yourself. Please Nick, please don't blame yourself." Bonnie cried as she also hugged Nick.

"I was a coward, after all this time, and I never told her. Now I may never get the chance to! Why?! Why am I such a stupid fox?!" Nick cried as he squeezed Bonnie tighter.

"You're not a stupid fox, Nick, you're a kind and caring young man. You have to stop saying that, Judy would be heartbroken if she heard you say that. She may never have said it, but she loves you Nick. She loves you so much, and we know how much you love her. She'd never want you to say such self destructive things, it would break her heart to hear you talk like this. Please Nick, for Judy's sake, please don't say those things anymore." Bonnie quietly cried as she held onto Nick. As Bonnie tried to console Nick, a zebra in a surgical gown walked into the waiting room.

"Are you the Hopps family?" The zebra asked in a calm tone.

"Yes, how is she?" Stu asked with a sniffle.

"Stable, it's a miracle that she survived. During the pre operation scans and tests we found more than we were expecting. According to her records, she came in just the other day for a head injury. I don't know if it was missed or if it happened later, but her blood brain barrier, an area of fluid between her brain and skull, ruptured at some point." The doctor explained in a calm tone.

"Sir, may I ask, could something like that lead to memory loss or episodes of temporary confusion?" Clawhauser asked as he looked at the doctor.

"Most certainly, did you witness something like that in her?" The doctor asked in an intrigued tone.

"I did, several times today. She blanked out on Clawhauser's name, and she's known him longer than she's known any other officer on the force." Nick informed with a sniffle as he pointed at Clawhauser. "She also forgot her own name shortly after the shooting, she was even acting strangely around her neighbor Gideon this morning. For a few seconds she was acting like she had no idea who he was, she was even afraid of him and hiding behind my leg. Then she suddenly started talking to him like it was just another day." Nick explained in a sad tone.

"What? Why didn't you tell us about this, Nick?!" Bonnie asked in a horrified tone.

"Because she played it off and I didn't know what to think of it myself. I told Bogo and he said that we'd just keep an eye on her during the event, but she seemed fine after she took a nap in the break room. I didn't think too much of it after that, and I'm sorry, I really should have thought more about that." Nick apologized in a sad tone.

"It's okay Nick, we're her parents, and we didn't even notice anything was wrong with her. We're just glad that she's safe now and that the issue's been fixed; it has been fixed, right doctor?" Stu asked as he looked at the doctor.

"Yes, the issue's been fixed and we'll keep an eye on her for the next few days or so. You have nothing to feel bad about officer Wilde, even medical professionals can miss subtle signs like what you've described. The important thing is that the issue was fixed and she should make a full recovery, for real this time." The doctor informed with a smile.

"Thank you doctor." Nick thanked with a small smile.

"She'll be out shortly and we'll move her to a room where she can recover a little more comfortably. Now if you'll please excuse me, I have a few other things to check on before we move her." The doctor informed as he walked away.

"I... I'm sorry, I really feel like this is all my fault. I should've been more firm with her and Bogo. I knew she shouldn't have been anywhere but asleep in her bed, but I let her talk me into bringing her with, and then I let Bogo talk me into letting her stay. I should've stood my ground and made her stay home, if I had then she'd still be sleeping on the couch right now. Oh Judy." Nick quietly said as he held his head in his hands.

"You're probably right Nick, but if you had talked her into staying home then I'd be dead right now." A calm and soft voice spoke.

"Oh my God! You're... You're Gazelle! Oh my gosh, what are you doing here?! Not that we mind, it's a true honor to meet you, but why come here?" Bonnie asked with a gasp as she stared at Gazelle, who had somehow arrived almost unnoticed.

"Because I wanted to check on Judy, the only reason that I'm anywhere but a morgue right now is because of her. Your daughter is the bravest and most amazing woman I've ever met, she took a bullet for me tonight. Your daughter is a hero, and I was hoping to tell her that in person." Gazelle answered with a small smile.

"You'll be waiting a while. She just got out of surgery, they haven't even said what room she'll be in yet." Nick quietly replied as he stared at the floor.

"I have as much time as it takes." Gazelle replied as she sat down by Nick. "How are you doing, officer Wilde?" Gazelle asked in a compassionate tone.

"Why ask me, I'm not the one who got shot and rushed into surgery with a busted brain barrier thing." Nick grumbled as he continued to stare at the floor.

"Nick." Gazelle quietly said as she gently reached for Nick.

"Don't! Just... Don't. I don't deserve sympathy or pity from you or anyone else, it's my fault that she's in this mess." Nick said as he stood up and started to pace. "I should've been there for her, right by her side! But instead I was halfway across the venue, just goin' about my night like nothing was gonna happen!" Nick yelled before punching a brick wall, splitting his knuckle and leaving a bloody fist print behind.

"Nick, take it easy; I know you're worried and upset, but you have to calm down." Clawhauser said as he stood up.

"Don't... Don't tell me to calm down! My ignorance, my lack of awareness, it could've cost Judy her life!" Nick snapped as he whipped his head around and glared at Clawhauser.

"This isn't your fault Nick, what is going on with you right now?! Why are you losing it like this, they just said that Judy's going to be alright?!" Stu yelled as he stood in front of Bonnie.

"Because I couldn't save her!" Nick screamed as he glared at Stu. The room went silent after that, as everyone slowly processed what Nick had just said. "I couldn't..." Nick quietly said before slowly collapsing into a chair.

"This isn't about Judy, is it Nick?" Bonnie quietly asked as she looked at Nick. Nick took a shaky breath before quietly speaking.

"I was an infant when dad passed, mom told me it was a car accident. My mom was the only one who was ever there for me; and she wasn't there long, not long enough anyways. I was twelve when it happened, we were coming home from the store, we walked because it was less than a quarter mile away. It was about eight o'clock on a Friday, a truck came speeding down the road, it jumped the curb and mom pushed me out of the way. But she couldn't get herself out of the way, it hit her head on, I'll never forget the way that she looked at me as she hit the ground. She had tears in her eyes, but she also look relieved. Just glad that I was safe. She hit the ground and I rushed to her, begged her to wake up, but she never did; I couldn't even blame the driver, he wasn't drunk or high, he wasn't texting or distracted in some other way. He'd had a heart attack behind the wheel, died at the scene, just like mom. They put me in foster care after that, but everyone hated me, just because I was a fox. I ran away when I was fourteen, and I kept running for almost two decades before I met Judy, she finally brought me home. Now here I am, all these years later, in the same position; someone I loved needed me, and I was useless to them when it really mattered." Nick quietly said with a few tears before hanging his head and sobbing. Everyone was dead silent, it was the first time that anyone had gotten any major insight into Nick's past, and no one could've imagined it would be so tragic. Words escaped everyone after that, and the only one brave enough to try and do anything was Bonnie. She quietly walked over to Nick and placed a paw on his shoulder, a silent gesture that she was there. She was shocked when Nick not only acknowledged the touch, but instantly turned around and threw himself against her, hugging her as tightly as he could while crying into her chest. "You... You remind me so much of her. When I first met you, it was so hard for me not to just cry and cling to you. Your compassion, your love, even the way you smiled at me. It was like I was seeing mom again for the first time in almost twenty years, and I couldn't believe how quickly you all accepted me as one of your own. It was the first time I'd felt even cared about, let alone loved, since she passed. All I ever wanted to do after that was make sure I was there for Judy and the rest of you, because you're the only family I have now; that's why I lost it like I did. The worst day of my life basically just happened again, but the odd thing is that, even though Judy's alive, it still hurts as bad as it did back then! I was so afraid to lose her, there's no one and nothing in this world that I care more about than Judy. The only woman, the only mammal, that's truly been there for me since my mother. The thought of losing her, it hurt, like a pain I've never felt before. I'm sorry that I lost control like I did, but I'm so scared and confused! I don't know why I feel like this, even after I know that she's okay! It still hurts!" Nick cried as he clung to Bonnie.

"Nick. I know exactly how you feel, what you're describing, that pain even after knowing that she's okay, it's called love. You can't help but worry and ask yourself, but what if they're wrong? You start to think of what your life would be like without her, and it tears you up inside. Believe me, Stu and I both feel the same thing right now; and that's okay, it's normal to feel that way when the ones you love are hurt. But don't try and hide it until you can't keep it in any longer, otherwise that pain will eat you up inside, leaving you hollow and broken. We're all in the same boat, Nick; so talk to us, and we'll talk to you." Bonnie whispered as she placed a kiss on Nick's nose. Nick gently nodded his head as he held onto Bonnie with all the strength he had.

"Excuse me." A nurse quietly said as she walked up to the group.

"Yes ma'am?" Clawhauser asked as he looked at the nurse.

"Miss Hopps has been moved to her new room, I'll take you to her whenever you're all ready." The nurse informed with a smile.

"Thank you ma'am, how did the surgery go?" Stu asked in a hopeful tone.

"It couldn't have gone better, despite the complexity and dangers of such an operation, she pulled through like a true champion. She remained stable the entire time and never scared us once, she's a real fighter, you should all be proud of her." The nurse replied with a smile.

"That's our girl, always standing up to the biggest and toughest baddies and saying bring it on. Thank you so much nurse." Stu thanked as he shook the nurse's paw.

"You're welcome, but all I did was prepare the room for her. Speaking of which, this way please." The nurse instructed as she started walking away, quickly followed by everyone else. The nurse lead everyone into a room labeled three-hundred and thirty-two, and in it they found Judy, sleeping peacefully on a bed that looked like it was built for an elephant.

"Wow, every one of her siblings could lay in that bed with her and there'd still be room left." Nick chuckled as he looked at Judy.

"Yes, unfortunately that was the only bed available at the moment. The only small mammal bed that was free was having a mechanical issue, I hope none of you mind ladders." The nurse informed with a smile.

"We're fine ma'am, thank you." Nick thanked as he stared up at Judy, then a thought suddenly came to him. "Hey, I just realized, where are all of the other little Hopps kids?" Nick asked as he looked at Stu and Bonnie.

"With a babysitter." Stu answered with a smile.

"Wow, I wonder who was brave enough to take on the job?" Nick asked with a smile. Bonnie's phone started to ring just a moment later.

"That would be the brave warrior right now." Bonnie informed as she answered the phone and put it on speaker. "Is everything alright over there?" Bonnie asked with a giggle.

"Twenty years on the force and I've never faced a more difficult task than this! What is wrong with your kids?! One keeps trying to put a fork in all the outlets, and four of them tried to swim in the toilet! I found three sleeping in the garage, and none of them will drink their protein shakes, they all just want veggies! No! Molly, get out of the dishwasher! Peter, don't even think about turning that on!" Bogo's flustered yells rambled through the phone.

"I know who can help; here, talk to an expert." Bonnie said as she handed the phone to Nick.

"Hey chief, how's it going?" Nick asked in his cheekiest tone.

"Wilde, I do not need your sass right now! I'm up to my horns in overly energized bunnies and have no control!" Bogo shouted back in an angry tone.

"Ya know, I've spent a lot of time hanging out with Judy and her family, and uncle Nick's picked up a few tricks over the months. I could help you out." Nick replied nonchalantly as he leaned against a wall and picked at his claws.

"Wilde, if I can't control these little devils, then how could you?!" Bogo yelled back with fury in his voice.

"Trust me sir, the kids love their uncle Nick. Put me on speaker phone, I'll get them under control." Nick instructed in a smug tone.

"If you pull any of your shenanigans Wilde, you'll be on parking duty until I retire!" Bogo yelled before putting Nick on speaker phone.

"Hey kids!" Nick shouted into the phone, instantly grabbing the attention of every bunny in the house; and leaving Bogo stunned beyond belief. "You all listen to uncle Nick now, that nice guy that's watching you is your sister's and uncle Nick's boss; so you have to behave for him, otherwise your sister and I are gonna get in trouble. Now what time is it, about eight o'clock? Shouldn't you all be getting ready for bed right now?" Nick asked in a playful tone.

"But we're not tired, we wanna stay up to see big sister Judy." One of the kids replied through the phone.

"I know you do, but big sister Judy has to stay with the doctors tonight, so unfortunately you won't be able to see her until at least tomorrow. But she'd want all of you to get lots of rest and be on your best behavior for her boss, so can you all do that for Judy and uncle Nick please?" Nick asked in a soft and sweet tone.

"Okay uncle Nick." All of the kids answered simultaneously.

"Those are my good nieces and nephews, now you make sure to brush all of your teeth, comb your fur, then get to bed. It's late, and growing bunnies need their sleep, even your big sister Judy's already asleep. So follow her example and get those little cotton tails into bed, okay kids?" Nick instructed with a chuckle.

"Okay, goodnight uncle Nick." All the kids replied with giggles.

"Goodnight kids." Nick said in a kind tone, as he listened to all the shuffling around of everyone heading to bed. "There you go chief, they should be out like lights now. One or two might wake up and ask for a glass of milk or to tell you they had a bad dream, but it should be quite for the most part. If that does happen, give them their milk or tell them that it was just an icky dream and that it's okay, because the big bad chief of police won't let any monsters hurt them. Okay chief?" Nick explained and asked in a casual tone.

"Wilde, I had no idea that you dealt with such a daunting and strenuous task outside of the uniform's duties. I have a new found respect for you, anyone that could calm and receive so much respect from such a massive and energetic group such as these kids must be some kind of legend. You will never see a ticket printer again for as long as you work at my station." Bogo said in a grateful tone as he collapsed onto a chair.

"I appreciate that chief, now take some time to rest yourself; they're early risers." Nick replied with a chuckle.

"Thanks for the warning, Wilde. Any word on Hopps yet?" Bogo asked in a compassionate tone.

"Yeah, she's out of surgery and pulled through like a champ. Now she's just sleeping off the anesthetic." Nick quietly answered as he looked at Judy's sleeping form.

"I'm glad to hear it, keep me posted Nick. I'll see you soon." Bogo quietly said.

"Will do sir, see you soon." Nick replied before hanging up the phone.

"Wow, I have to be honest officer Wilde, you didn't strike me as the type to get along with children." Gazelle giggled as she looked at Nick.

"What can I say, when you fall for a bunny you get their whole family. So uncle Nick had to learn fast or suffocate under a mountain of fluff." Nick replied with a grin.

"Oh is that so, I'll have to remember that if I ever meet a cute bunny." Gazelle replied with a chuckle.

"Ooo, word of advice, bunnies hate it when non bunnies call them cute. At least until they accept you as part of the family, then you can call them cute any time you want, and she just blushes now." Nick chuckled as she looked up at Judy.

"You really do love her, don't you Nick?" Gazelle asked as she put her hand on Nick's shoulder.

"I really do. I never thought I could ever find love, I always assumed that no one would want a shady fox for a partner, so I was happy when she proved me wrong." Nick quietly replied with a dreamy gaze as he stared at Judy.

"If it's alright with you, I think I'll go grab a coffee and give you and Judy's family some time with her. Would any of you like anything?" Gazelle asked with a smile as she stood up.

"Ooo, I could go for a donut." Clawhauser said with a smile.

"Well then officer, care to accompany me to the cafeteria?" Gazelle asked with a smile.

"Absolutely! I mean, I'd be happy to." Clawhauser replied with a huge smile as he practically leapt to his feet.

"Would the rest of you care for anything?" Gazelle asked as she stopped in the doorway and looked back at everyone.

"No thank you. Nick?" Bonnie answered, then asked as she looked at Nick.

"No thank you." Nick quietly answered as he stood over Judy, staring down at her with a sad expression. Gazelle nodded before walking with Clawhauser towards the cafeteria. Nick gently placed his paw over Judy's, squeezing it lightly as he did so. "Oh Judy, I'm so sorry that I let this happen. Everyone keeps telling me not to blame myself and that I couldn't have done anything to prevent this, but that's not the point. We're partners, and I wasn't there for you when you needed me. I'm sorry Judy, I'm so sorry." Nick quietly cried as he gently laid his head on the oversized mattress. Bonnie and Stu stared at Nick with saddened expressions, they knew how much Nick and Judy cared about each other. But seeing just how devastated Nick was to see Judy in such a state, it really solidified just how much Nick truly loved their daughter. "I wish... I wish I could take your place, I should be the one laying in that bed. We swore to always be there for each other, and I haven't been there for you. I haven't been there for you Judy." Nick cried as he curled into a ball next to Judy. Nick felt a small paw on his head, but he didn't feel like he deserved the compassionate touch. "Please, I appreciate the gesture misses Hopps, but I don't deserve your comfort." Nick quietly said with a sniffle.

"You...dumb fox." A tired voice whispered near his head. Nick's head shot up at the voice, recognizing it instantly, but he looked down just to be sure. "You're such a baby." Judy quietly said with a tired smile.

"Judy. Oh Judy, thank goodness. I was so scared without you!" Nick cried as he grabbed her in a hug.

"Ah! Ah!" Judy yelped in pain, causing Nick to quickly release her from the hug. "I missed you too Nick. Where am I?" Judy quietly asked as she looked around, her eyes resting on her parents.

"You're in the hospital, you just had surgery." Bonnie quietly answered as she and Stu climbed up by Judy.

"Surgery?" Judy asked in a confused tone as she stared at her parents.

"Yeah, you gave us all a scare. Apparently you had some kind of fluid leaking into your brain. The doctors took care of it though, you're gonna be just fine now honey." Stu explained as he gently ran his paw over Judy's cheek.

"Where's everyone else?" Judy asked with a tired expression.

"Your siblings are at home with a babysitter, and you have two more visitors that went on a coffee run." Bonnie answered with a small smile.

"That poor babysitter, who's the unlucky neighbor this time?" Judy asked with a smile.

"Oh he's no neighbor, but you know him well. I'll give you a hint, his breath smells like grass." Nick said with a grin.

"Oh no. The chief? Oh Nick, we're gonna be writing parking tickets for the rest of our careers now." Judy groaned before closing her eyes.

"Actually Carrots, I made a deal with old buffalo butt. I got your siblings to listen and go to bed, and in exchange, Bogo said that we'll never see another ticket printer for as long as we work there." Nick informed with a smirk.

"Wow, that was really...sweet of him." Judy quietly said before closing her eyes and resting her head. "I'm so...sleepy, Nick. Lay with me." Judy whispered before starting to breathe lightly, having fallen asleep. Nick looked at Judy's parents, who both smiled and nodded, then he laid next to Judy and wrapped an arm around her.

"Goodnight Carrots." Nick whispered before placing a small kiss on her cheek, then closing his eyes.

"Don't start Stu." Bonnie quietly said with a sniffle as she looked at Stu, who was about to cry.

"I can't help it, they're so perfect together. It's just so touching that I... Oh I can't hold it in!" Stu yelled as he started crying.

"Now you're gonna make me cry too!" Bonnie yelled as she also burst into tears.

"We're back, has Judy..." Gazelle started to ask, until she heard Stu and Bonnie crying.

"We're sorry, it's just such a touching scene. They're so perfect for each other, there's so much love between them. Just like when I met my Bon Bon!" Stu cried as he looked back at Gazelle and Clawhauser.

"Nick might have a point about bunnies being emotional." Clawhauser whispered to Gazelle, making her lightly giggle.

"We also have excellent hearing." Bonnie sobbed as she hugged Stu. Gazelle and Clawhauser lightly grimaced to themselves over forgetting that fact.

"We brought coffee." Gazelle said with a nervous chuckle as she held up two cups of coffee.

"That sounds great, thank you so much!" Bonnie cried as she held her paw out.

"Mom, please stop crying, I'm trying to sleep." Judy mumbled as she cracked an eye open and looked at her mom.

"Sorry." Bonnie apologized with a sniffle as she wiped her tears away.

"Thanks mom, I love you guys." Judy quietly said before closing her eyes again.

"We love you too baby." Bonnie whispered before taking her coffee and sipping it.

"Thank you." Stu thanked with a sniffle as he did the same thing.

"It was our pleasure, and I'm glad to know that Judy's okay." Gazelle quietly said as she looked up at Judy. "Well, I should get going, it's been a long day and my manager's been blowing up my phone. Though it's quite a ways to my hotel, in the dark, alone. It'd be great if I there was someone that could give me an escort. Preferably a slightly overweight officer with a funny and caring personality; maybe one that likes my music?" Gazelle asked as she gave Clawhauser a wink.

"That's a long list of officers, I'll see who I can find." Clawhauser replied as he grabbed his radio.

"No you big goof, I was talking about you." Gazelle groaned as she gently grabbed onto Clawhauser's arm.

"Really? You want me to take you back to your hotel?" Clawhauser asked in a surprised tone.

"If you don't mind." Gazelle replied with a smile.

"It'd be my honor, ma'am." Clawhauser replied as he started walking Gazelle out of the room.

"Have a good night you two." Bonnie said as she and Stu waved goodbye to the pair.

"He's not gonna be leaving her hotel room anytime soon, is he?" Stu asked as he watched the door close.

"Uh, no, probably not." Bonnie answered with an awkward expression.

"We should get some rest ourselves." Stu whispered as he leaned back in his chair.

"That sounds good to me. Goodnight dear." Bonnie replied as she laid her head on Stu's shoulder.

"Goodnight honey." Stu whispered as he nuzzled her with his cheek, then they both closed their eyes to rest.