Serendipity's Shadow
Rated T
Chapter 36
Knock. Knock.
"Judy?" Nick called into the bathroom.
He grew worried as the food became cold. In all honesty, Nick has been having a nagging feeling over Judy. Just something that didn't settle in his stomach right.
"I'm naked."
"Nothing I haven't seen before." Nick laughed.
"Nick." Judy said in a threatening tone.
"Well, I'm just checking up on you. You've been in there for a while."
"Just trying not to get my stitches wet."
Nick's stomach dropped feeling guilty again over Judy's injuries.
"Do you…Do you need any help?"
"…" A silence followed Nick's question making his palms feel sweaty.
"Judy?"
"…If I say yes. You promise to behave yourself?"
"I promise." Nick chose to cross his heart for good measure.
A minute passed before a damped Judy wrapped in a towel opened the door. Nick did his best not to look any lower than her shoulder line. While Judy tried not to feel hot under his gaze.
"I need help putting medicine on and getting it wrapped."
"Just the stomach or the head too?"
"The head is fine. It closed a few days ago."
"Where is the medicine?"
Judy, with an annoyed sigh, walked out of the bathroom fully aware Nick was trying not to stare at her butt.
"The doctor left it somewhere…in one of these-"
"Drawers?" Nick offered, waving the medicine cream in the air.
Judy sighed rubbing her temple.
"I don't know where my head has been lately?" Judy started grabbing some garments.
"Need help changing?" Nick asked in a musing tone.
"Ah-Ah! You promised."
"Right. My bad." Nick rubbed the back of his neck. "Old habits. They die hard."
"And on that note…" Judy twirled her finger at Nick. "Turn around."
Nick, begrudgingly, agreed as he slowly turned around. Though that didn't stop his ears from twisting at every sound Judy made.
A few moments passed with nothing but the sound of Judy getting dressed to entertain Mr. Wilde. Nick tried his best not to imagine what she was putting on…or how she looked doing it.
"Alrighty. You can turn around now."
Judy prepared herself mentally as she faced Nick for the first time since they broke up. Or at least the first time only wearing pants and a bra. And Nick made sure, mentally, that he would be a perfect gentleman. After all, he crossed his heart.
Thought that didn't stop his heart from beating rapidly at the sight of her. Just like the first night, he saw her in an LBD.
"Listen~ Felix-"
"I am NOT listening, Nick!" The smaller fox yelled into the phone making Nick's ears flinch. "You are still helping a cop! No way in hell, am I going to a social event with you where everyone is doing ILLEGAL business. Especially not to watch some cop lousily flirt her way into a sugar daddy den."
"You done?"
"No."
"Well, Mr. Grouchy Pants. You are going to miss out on all the fun. I even gave her some tools to make sure all…eyes…her…"
"…Nick? Are you braking up, bud?"
"Finn, my friend." Nick laughed in amazement before letting out a long low whistle. "You are missing out."
"No way."
"Oh, you are."
"There is no way you are telling me that Miss Bunny Cop is a ten and can hold her own."
"Oh, boy! She is a twelve with how well she just handled walking into the room."
Nick had placed himself on the top floor. He wanted a perfect view of Carrots fumbling over herself trying to fit in. But once again the bunny had surprised him. When he hired a designer to help Carrots at this secret sugar daddy den, he had very little hope. Now he was thinking he needed to give her a nice tip.
Judy wore neutral-looking makeup, her eyes were highlighted by a sparkling smoky eye, a faux earring dangled from her upper left ear, and a diamond choker hung from her neck. But the real star of the show was the dress. Nick had bought it on a whim, like most things he bought. But what was he supposed to do when the rabbit said she'd never purchase an LBD? Nick's sister swore to him up and down growing up that every girl needed a little black dress. While growing up, and with his multiple escapades with various females, he agreed to the fact. Especially tonight when seeing Carrots in the nice tight-fitting cocktail dress that left little to the imagination.
"I'll call you back."
"Wait! I need details!"
"…I'll send you pictures."
"Nick-"
I think Finnick had those pictures framed.
"Nick?" Judy asked in a suspicious tone bringing Nick back to reality.
"I'm not thinking anything dirty!" Nick tried to defend himself.
"Can we just get this done and over with…I'm hungry."
Nick tried not to laugh as he heard Judy's stomach make a low grumble.
"Just sit on the chair."
Judy sat straight as possible in the nearby chair while Nick kneeled beside her. He examined the stitches closely. The skin was beginning to close and merge together again. But the skin was still a bright pink color of irritation.
"Nick?"
"Just…just making sure it's not infected." Nick mumbled with a sad tone.
Nick carefully applied the medicine to the previously opened wound. Judy tried to ignore the warmth of his touch that made her heart skip a beat. Once he finished applying the medicine, Nick helped Judy to her feet. Then he began wrapping up her side keeping it secure and dry.
"All…" When Nick looked up from his wrapping skill, he became aware of how close their faces were. "…Done"
Their proximity allowed them to hear each other's beating hearts, low breaths, and what seemed to be thousands of unspoken words. They held each other's gaze for a moment in time. Their souls were communicating with each other once again. And though neither would speak these words aloud. Both admitted to themselves that they had deeply missed these silent moments.
A little closer and both knew they'd start something they shouldn't but deeply wanted. All it would take to start would be one, single…kiss.
Knock. Knock.
"Judy! Mr. Shadow! Is everything alright? Tia had called through the door.
Immediately the rabbit retreated from the fox. While the Shadow stared at the door wishing the ferret would just evaporate into dust.
"Everything's fine! Just making sure nothing deviates from the plan." Judy called before addressing Nick quietly. "I can get dressed now. By myself."
"…Yeah." Nick had promised to be a gentleman after all. "I'll get you some coffee ready."
"Tea… please." Judy quickly asked sounding meek towards the end. "I'd prefer tea."
"No problem." Nick answered too annoyed to care about Judy's change in drink preference.
He exited the room with a small huff before sending a glare toward the timid ferret.
"Did…something happen?" She asked boldly as she was concerned about Judy's health.
"Nope." No thanks to you! "I'm making tea. She might need help so just…stand and breath."
Tia watched as the fox stomped off to the kitchen clearly upset about something.
What happened? Tia asked herself greatly confused about where the normally calm, controlled, and powerful Shadow was. And also wondering how someone as mood swingy as him, ever won someone like Judy.