Hey everyone!

About this chapter: Yes, I know it's short, but I decided that, for now, I'll try to post shorter chapters, because it's easier for me to find some time to write shorter stuff and send it to you, instead of making you wait, who knows how long, for a bigger chapter.

I hope you don't mind.

This time it's a bit of feels and why Nick doesn't want to enter relationships.

Chapter 25

"Mom, this is embarrassing…"

Vivian clung tightly to her son's neck while crying her eyes out. Nick finally managed to gently peel his mother off him and handed her a handkerchief. The vixen wiped the tears and blew her nose.

"Oh, Nicholas… You make your mother so proud. After all those years of being a hu-"

"Mom!"

Gathered mammals laughed at this scene between a parent and her child. It was everyone who Nick deemed friends, from his time in the academy. Rupert was standing there with his parents and Marcus was practically beaming from happiness with Icy by his side. Only Jackie was without any guests, but she was still happy, being surrounded by friends.

Of course, Judy joined them as well, along with Will. The couple seemed to be perfectly fine with each other, in opposition to what was between them during the weekend.

"Congratulations everyone! I'm so happy that you'll be all joining us!" She said merrily to all new officers. She received nods, cheers and in Jackie's case, a friendly slap on her back.

Then, a shadow fell on the group. Heads turned to notice the intimidating figure of chief Bogo.

"Officers, congratulations on your graduation. I hope that we'll be able to work efficiently together." He stated in an official tone and surveyed the group with his eyes, pausing at the two foxes. And to the surprise of new policemammals, he nodded his head in something that could be called respect. "Mrs. Wilde." The buffalo said and walked away.

All graduates turned their heads towards the vixen.

"Vivian, what on earth did you do, for chief to act this way?" Judy inquired, wide eyed.

The vixen waved a paw dismissively. "Oh, don't mind him. That's just job related."

"Job?" Rupert asked.

Nick put an arm around his mother's shoulders and pulled her closer to him. "My mom is a trauma surgeon in Zootopia General hospital AND, paws down, the best one in this country."

She tried to push her smiling son away, but without much conviction. "Stop it, Nicky…" But he wasn't finished yet. The fox took her paw in his own and lifted it to his face, placing a tender kiss on top of it. "Yes, ladies and gentlemammals, these paws are worth more than gold."

She covered her face with the other paw. "Uhh, you just had to…" Her cheeks turned even more red than her fur. The group laughed again and Nick grinned at his parent.

"Embarrassment right back, mom." She gave him a playful slap on the chest.

"Hush, you! I did not bring you up to be such a disrespectful child."

Nick let her go with a chuckle. "You know you love me." He said with kindness. Vivian reached up and pinched his cheek gently.

"Of course I do, silly son."

The gathered mammals chuckled at the display of this family affection, safe for Jackie, who looked happy, but let out a small sigh. Meanwhile, the crowd dispersed a little, Rupert's parents had to go back to attend their business, Icy waved everyone and left to pick up her son from the babysitter and William got a radio call from the dispatcher. He gave Judy a goodbye kiss and headed for his patrol car. Nick put great effort in not paying attention to that.

"Um, ma'am?" Rupert dared asking. "Am I right in thinking that you also deal with wounded police officers?"

The vixen waved a finger at the elephant. "Don't' you 'ma'am' me, young mammal. You'll make me feel old, it's just Vivian. And yes, I do treat officers. So if any of you end up on my table, well, hopefully not, I will do my best to patch you up."

"Wow…" Jackie shook her head while looking impressed. "No wonder chief likes you so much."

Nick smirked at that comment. "One third of precinct one wouldn't be breathing today if not for those skilled fingers. I also know that Bogo's son almost lost his leg in a car accident few years back, but mother used her magic to put it back together."

Vivian took a swing at him, but Nick dodged with a chuckle. "Stop making me sound like some kind of a miracle maker, sometimes even I can't do much."

"Yeah, yeah…"

"Nick?" Said a voice nearby.

Sometimes it takes a really shocking sight or a tragic event to make one speechless or lost at what to do next. For the fox, it took just that one word. The world froze for him and his heart throbbed, even under numerous layers of steel walls. From all the sounds he never wanted to hear again in his life, this one was on top of the list. Sound of the voice that made his skin tingle and emotions to disappear. And he was just standing there, all traces of focus disappearing from his eyes. Judy saw this happening and shivered at the sight of his friend turning into something, that looked like a living dead.

"Nick? It really is you!" The voice came closer and a female ferret approached their group. At that moment, both Jackie and Judy heard a hiss, as Vivian breathed in sharply. In an instant Nick put on a mask of a conmammal and turned to their guest.

"Hello, Irene." He said with a smile so perfectly natural, that it had to come from years of practice as a hustler.

The bunny's ears immediately shot up hearing this name. And when she gave the ferret a second glance, the doe remembered the photo she's seen before. There were some minor differences, but it was the same mammal in the picture with Nick.

"What a surprise to see you here. You've joined the force?"

Nick glanced at his own uniform. "Damn, what gave me away?" He joked, but Judy somehow could tell that there was no humor behind it.

The female ferret laughed at his words. "You haven't changed a bit, Nick." She looked at him while supporting her chin on a paw. "Um, look… Do you have a moment to talk or…"

"Sure." He indicated her to lead the way and both mammals separated from the group, walking to a more secluded area.

And that's when Vivian's paws shot forward to grab two police uniform collars. "Oh no you don't!" She scolded the two females, who managed to take only one step after the fox and the ferret, before being stopped by Nick's mother.

"But…" Judy began.

"Just…" Jackie started saying.

"Stay." The glare she gave them, along with the tone of her voice, made them freeze in place.

"Yes." The girls squealed in unison.

.

.

The minutes dragged on and even with small talk going on, both females couldn't stop themselves from casting quick glances towards the direction the two mammals strolled away. Vivian noticed it and rubbed her forehead, pondering what to do with these two. After few moments, she came to a decision.

"Boys…" The vixen said to Marcus and Rupert. "Would you mind checking if there are any drinks left?" She pointed at the long table located far from them, filled with refreshments for the guests.

The elephant looked towards it. "Well, I think there is some-" But the tiger, having more experience in dealing with females, got the message and started dragging his friend away.

"Come on, big guy. Let's get a closer look."

As Marcus steered the puzzled Rupert towards the table, the girls looked at the vixen.

"Before I say anything, I want to know what exactly are your intentions towards Nicholas. Speak up, ladies." Her paw pointed at Judy first.

Feeling like a student being called out by a teacher, the doe played with her fingers nervously. Her ears were hanging low. "Well, he's my friend… My best friend, actually. I hate to see him so…" She gesticulated with her paws, looking for right words. "…so broken, so closed up. I'd like to help him, but I don't know how. I thought that the more I'll know about him, the more I could understand him."

Vivian raised her brow at this speech. "All right…" She turned to Jackie.

The feline looked far more composed than the bunny. "We're going on a date." Jackie stated the fact, causing Judy's ears to perk up and both of vixen's brows to lift up. "Honestly… I don't know if this will work, but… I like Nick. He's helped me so much already, was always there for me when I thought that it's all hopeless. He's funny, he's resourceful, he always looks like he knows what to do and…" A slight blush bloomed on her cheeks as she rubbed her neck. "…he's quite handsome. So… I'm not sure what will happen, but I'll try my best and I wished to help him too."

Vivian eyed the cheetah for a long moment, paw on her mouth. Then, with a sigh, the vixen folded her arms. "Originally, I never intended to say this to anyone, but since she showed up… Nine years ago Nick had a friend. A very good one, namely, Irene. They spent together every single day, every free moment. Laughing, doing crazy stuff, going to parties, you name it. And Nick became really invested in that relationship." Her left ear twitched. "And that's when I made a terrible mistake." She exhaled, as if trying to let out grief and guilt along with the air. Her gaze went up to the sky. "Seeing the connection they shared and Nicky's happiness, I assumed that they could become something more… I started encouraging my son to look at Irene as a potential mate." She made a pause and none of the girls dared to interrupt. "You need to understand that foxes mate for life. Once we found that special one, no one can ever replace them, it's a bond that lasts for as long as we live. And at that time, with interspecies couples being even rarer and more shunned than today, I pushed Nick into confessing his feelings to her." At this point her voice trembled and eyes starting to glisten, threatening to let out tears at any moment. "One day he went with her on a date, ready to say how he truly feels… And I was so convinced, that it was the right thing to do." This time she put a paw over her face and first drops of liquefied sadness and guilt started flowing down her cheeks. "He returned changed, his eyes deprived of the joy he had just that morning… I knew… I saw, that something died in him that day. My son has lost a piece of his soul and whatever fence he kept around his heart, since the incident with scouts, was now replaced with walls too thick and tall for even me to breach… " Vivian sniffled, swallowing the tears. " That day… that day, when I pushed him into doing what I thought was right… that day, I saw my son lose the ability to love…. And all because of me and my notion to force a relationship. I pushed him… and when he dared to open his heart to someone… it was crushed…" The vixen stopped talking and held the paw on her face, trying to calm herself.

Judy and Jackie exchanged glances, both unable to utter any words. They just heard something, what possibly was one of Nick's biggest secrets, that they knew he'd never share with them. It felt like trespassing on a sacred ground of one's privacy.

Judy felt confused, when she recalled all of Nick's words, actions and gestures towards her. Also, his speech at her family's house and what he did in front of the hospital. What exactly was in his eyes when he leaned down to her?

On the other paw, Jackie felt pangs of guilt. She now knew the reason why Nick was so against going for a date, why he was so cold every time they talked about relationships. Why he, figuratively speaking, tried to push her away at that time by the cab.

Both females shared one thought: How can I help him?

"With that said…" Vivian's voice brought them back to reality. The vixen eyed them with eyes red from crying. "I know that both of you wish my boy well and I really hope that he can learn to trust others with his emotions again. However," she raised a finger "if ANY of you will damage his crippled heart any more, know that I will never forgive you." The vixen never raised her voice or used intimidating gestures, but the girls felt more threatened with this statement, than if a mob boss would promise them certain death.

Right then, three phones buzzed, informing about an incoming text. All of them read the message, that said exactly the same:

Something came up. I'll see you later.

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.

Nick couldn't care less what Irene had to say and didn't even pay attention to her words. The only bits that unfortunately got through were something about her friend's graduation, how sorry she was and some, from his point of view, completely out of date apology. Then her husband came, another ferret, and they were gone. The fox paid them no mind. Instead, he fished out his phone and typed a quick message to his mother and friends. With that done, he went for a stroll, scrolling through lamazon in search of a punching bag he planned on using. *Oh, I also need to buy some groceries…*

There was no anger or sadness in his heart. He had almost a decade to learn how to block these emotions regarding this particular female.

Nick predicted, that the girls were already itching to know what all this was about and there was a possibility, that his mother told them everything. If it would've been someone else, he'd be angry. But deep down he knew, that his mother never meant anything bad and she was the only mammal in existence that the fox loved.

This just meant, that he had to come up with some countermeasures against possible emotional outbursts from the girls.

.

.

Time quickly flew by and Tuesday greeted Savanna Central with warm, sunny morning, perfect for starting a day full of responsibilities of a police officer. Judy already got used to the early routine and hoped that Nick wouldn't have too much trouble adjusting. After all, foxes were nocturnal animals. She was still going over what Vivian told them yesterday and wondered how exactly she could help her friend. For now, the only option seemed to encourage him to enjoy the upcoming date with Jackie. Judy had a good feeling about the cheetah and really liked her. With her mind set, Judy Hopps left her tiny apartment and headed for the precinct one.

.

.

"Hey, Nick! Already seen everything?" Benjamin Clawhauser greeted the fox for the second time this morning, as the vulpine arrived an hour earlier to go around the whole building. Information was always his key for survival, so he intended to learn about every dusty corner of the precinct. *You never know when it could become useful.* He thought when he approached the reception desk again.

"Pretty much." Nick sipped his coffee – the brown, liquid blessing for every mammal that had to wake up early. "All that's left is the girl's showers." He grinned at the plump feline.

Benjamin waved a finger at him in mocked anger. "Oh, you! You're lucky Bogo didn't hear this!"

Nick's grin stayed in its place. "Well, I was hoping, that he would be happy to join me."

This time the feline receptionist couldn't stop himself and let out a chuckle.

"Nick!" Came a shout from the door. In the next moment a grey bundle of joy hopped to Clawhauser's desk and smiled at both of them.

"Why hello, Carrots." He leaned down and ruffled the fur on top of her head.

"Hey! I told you already to keep your paws off my head!" Judy huffed at him, stomping her hindpaw.

Nick only smirked at her reaction. "Yes, yes you did. But you're just too cu-ow!" He was punched on the side by the bunny's fist.

"Watch it, Slick. Or I may rethink my decision about taking you as my partner."

She earned a chuckle from her friend. "Oh, so I do have a chance to work together with this adorable bunny, eh?"

Judy shifted her weight to one leg and folded her arms. "Maybe… But only if my partner learns the meaning of the word 'sorry'."

Nick adorned a serious face and leaned down to the doe, placing his paws on her shoulders. "Fluff, I am sorry. I promise to never sully my uniform with childish gestures and remarks ever again." After saying that he turned around and headed for the bullpen. "Now let's go, before Papa Bogo gives us a scolding. But he might have something to say about your uniform."

Judy's nose twitched and ears perked up as she glanced at herself, not seeing anything out of place. But then she lifted her head and noticed Nick waving a badge over his arm. The doe quickly patted her vest, not finding the brass object that should be there.

"Niiiiick!" She lunged after the laughing fox.