Ever since those first few days, Nick and Judy had been more or less stuck with one another. Despite their initial grievances, Mr. Big insisted on the two working out their differences, in the very least. So, day after day and week after week, one would accompany the other to work. At first, it was still a frustrating thing to both of them – they clearly got on one another's nerves, but over time, something akin to friendship emerged.
At Judy's workplace, Nick had begun to help Judy clean up and do her paperwork. At Nick's work, Judy began to learn more about cars than she thought there was to learn, and had been helping to reach areas that even Nick found it difficult to access. So it wasn't much of a surprise to either of them when they began to join one another on the weekends, as well; one weekend, Judy decided what the two would do, and the other weekend, Nick decided. And on Sunday, Judy spent her free time with Fru-Fru – a weekly "girl's night out", where the small shrew was accompanied by several of her friends, Judy, and some of the sparse few female polar bears Mr. Big had employed.
It was on one of these weekends when Nick and Judy were called to Mr. Big's office late in the afternoon. The two had been returning from a day of window shopping for an upcoming birthday when it happened.
Upon entering the office, Judy was surprised to notice how... Tense it was. Not just the mammals inside, but the air itself. A thick, oppressive feeling of unease and anxiety could be felt, leading Judy to realize that, for whatever reason they had been called here, it wasn't good.
Nick stood beside her, back straight, arms at his side. Judy mimicked his posture, waiting until Mr. Big himself was sat down onto the desk before them. The elderly shrew wasted no time in explaining what was happening. "It appears that we have a problem," he started. "I have just received word that a member of the Sandcats was recently attacked by a member of another family – and on our territory. Normally this wouldn't cause so much concern, but what he was carrying with him speaks otherwise."
Mr. Big nodded to one of the polar bears, who set a khaki satchel on the desk. "Inside of this satchel are papers hinting at Diego expanding his family in areas he was not welcome. He received unexpected backlash and seems to want our assistance in fixing whatever wrong he has done. But if the papers we have here are right, it could very well put us in a bad position."
Mr. Big paused, looking between Nick and Judy. The two glanced at one another before the rabbit asked: "Why? What do the papers say?"
Mr. Big sighed softly, leaning back in his chair. "According to them, there is a rogue ZIA agent who is starting his own empire in Downtown, and with light ZPD backing. Diego found out and tried to push out the newcomer, but his attack did not go as planned. He was not prepared for the amount of resistance and is currently losing ground to the new family."
"Wait wait wait," Judy interrupted. "A rogue ZIA agent with ZPD backing?" Mr. Big nodded at this. "Who's starting his own 'family' and is moving in on another family's territory?" Again, the shrew nodded. "How could this happen?"
"There was no family in Downtown, as it was too close to the center of politics and the ZPD. So, no one thought to even keep an eye on that area. The worst we saw was petty gangs that quickly got snuffed out." The shrew paused here, before looking down, his bushy eyebrows furrowed in thought. "What this means, I'm not sure. Perhaps the ZPD is tired of us ruling the underground and is deciding to try and do so itself. But it's become quickly apparent that the new family has been gathering strength without us noticing."
"And what does that mean for us?" Nick asked.
"What that means for you," Mr. Big paused here and stared at the two of them, as if internally debating something. "Is that you have a job to do. I will inform both of your bosses of your leave of absence for as long as this takes, but I want the two of you to find out if what these papers say is true. Speak to Diego – he and I will arrange an escort to retrieve you on Monday. If he has proof, then return to me. We will have to go from there."
The rabbit and fox nodded and began to turn to leave, before Judy paused and turned back to ask a question. "Sir, why us?"
"Why do I choose you two?" Mr. Big asked, raising an eyebrow as Judy nodded. "Nicholas has a way with words and knows how to handle rough situations. As for you, I know full well of your background. Skills that you learned could be useful if something happens. Not to mention that I have been told that you both seem to be getting along quite well." The shrew chuckled at this, before giving an amused wave. "And besides, who would expect a fox and bunny to cooperate enough to investigate anything?"
When he was met with silence, Mr. Big simply gave a nod, a silent dismissal to the fox and rabbit. Nick was out the door first, but a quiet call of her name from the desk caused Judy to turn around. Mr. Big beckoned her over to him and, with a glance at the fox as he waited patiently at the doorway, she went back to the smaller mammal. "Yes, sir?"
"I know you still have some of your belongings from your brief time with the ZPD," the shrew rumbled. "Including protective gear. My advice is to use it – under the outfit that is now waiting in your room. Police blue will draw more attention than a simple suit."
Judy nodded once, not wanting to argue with the lack of mobility the suit would give her, not to mention how hot it would be in the warmer districts. "Is there anything else?" she asked quietly.
"If Nicky says something is wrong, trust him. He has been in dangerous situations before." The shrew leaned back in his chair, raising his voice to a level where he was sure Nick could hear him. "You two should get some rest. Enjoy tomorrow. And we'll all hope that this really is just nothing."
Judy and Nick both nodded a farewell to the shrew, before walking out of the office. They were silent as they went down the hall, not saying a word to one another as they parted ways, but instead giving a respectful nod. They would see one another tomorrow, so they could talk things over. But for now, they had an unspoken agreement to listen to their boss, and get some rest.
Judy let out a sigh as she walked into her room. It was now more appropriately sized for the bunny, with a bed her size in one corner and a desk in the opposite. She walked over to the desk and picked up one of the few framed pictures she had there, running a thumb over the slightly dusted glass. It revealed a picture of her parents, a handful of her closest siblings, and herself, all staring up into the camera with large smiles. She smiled back at the image, remembering the day – she was just getting ready to leave Bunnyburrow for the ZPD Academy. Her parents had been scared, as was she, but they were also excited and surprisingly supportive. Her closest family members were there to congratulate her, each one wishing her luck.
Keeping the smile on her face, Judy set the picture down and turned to her nearby closet. Inside held very few clothes aside from jackets, her single hoodie, and a few spare blankets. But none of that was what she was looking for.
She reached far back into the closet, feeling her fingers meet a familiar, stretchy fabric. A wave of anxiety hit her and she almost let go, but she quickly regained her composure and reached up higher, plucking the outfit out of the closet by its hangar. She stared down at it as she slowly walked to her bed, smile fading from her face as a sea of emotions churned in her.
Happiness. Bitterness. Disappointment. Pride.
She set the uniform down beside the new one sitting on her bed; a rabbit sized two-piece black suit, with a matching tie – the uniform of someone working under a crime boss. And beside it, its opposite: a bright blue, gray and black uniform of someone meant to protect the law.
The rabbit stared down at the outfits, running a paw over the police uniform. Something within her ached, a yearning of her childhood dream long since crushed. But another part of her burned, a belief that she could still live up to that dream. She looked back and forth between the two, Nick's voice from weeks before echoing in her mind.
"You can't stop crime. But you can control it."
That alone let the fire of her belief burn more, overwhelming the ache she felt. Carefully, she took the suit and drew it over her police uniform, carefully positioning it so that it covered the outfit entirely. That was it, she realized. She wasn't the bad guy. She could look the part, but deep down, underneath the exterior, she would always be Judy Hopps, the first ever ZPD rabbit officer. Helping mammals in need. Being a good role model for the little children she would pass by. Rising above the hate she knew was out there, in the world.
Making the world a better place.