Chapter eight - Insecurity

Patrol was normally the time Nick liked the most, closely followed by the hang outs at Judy's or his own home. The reason was simple: he enjoyed conversing with her and she seemed more open at work. That showed how much she loved to be a police officer, how good and at ease she felt with her uniform on.

They have spent too many hours trading stories inside their cruiser, debating issues of the day or joking around. To say that they knew each other better than anyone wouldn't even begin to cover it.

It was in those moments when Nick felt secure, relaxed like nothing could go wrong. Every time they had work to do, they engaged their cop-mode and showed the city how coordinated they were; when everything was ok, they became two friends that never got tired of each other.

That was before when it was only him and Judy.

When Mark joined them, Nick thought he would only be able to enjoy Judy's company when they went out after work and that it would have to be enough until the monkey was assigned another partner.

Fat chance.

Still, it wasn't so bad. Yes, now he had to share his precious time with the bunny with the macaque, but Mark turned out to be a nice guy. Not only he was friendly, he respected Nick, something that Mark may consider something common, but to the fox was something he was not used to. He had to earn the respect from the other officers, even after joining the ZPD recommended by the hero of Zootopia herself. Mark showed respect from the very beginning, and then more after he knew about Nick's obscure past.

The fox had to admit he was having fun around him, Mark being as much part of the daily jokes as the fox was. Maybe Mark's lacked the high quality of Nick's, but they were funny enough. It was nice having the macaque around.

Until now.

• Aww, the little bunny is scared of a movie!

• I am scare of what you are capable of doing to scare and embarrass me in the theater, Mark, not of the movie.

• Suuuure. That is why your ears were behind your back and you were gradually leaning against me on the couch the other night, right?

• I was... getting comfortable! That has nothing to do with being scared!

• Nathan could see your nose twitching.

The scarlet-faced bunny hit the macaque at her right in the arm while he openly laughed, earning more blows to make him stop.

Nick, at the far right of the seat, groaned silently while looking outside through the window. That kind of scene was becoming the norm after their date: those two would be chatting non-stop, joking around, laughing... And he had to suffer it all. It didn't matter that HE was the one doing those things with Judy prior to Mark's arrival, he didn't like them now.

To be fair, they weren't ignoring him: from time to time either of them would ask his opinion on something he wasn't paying attention to, ask him something or whatever. He would just answer with a nod, shrugging his shoulders or with short verbal replies. To anyone else, they simply were having fun as always; in Nick's eyes, he was being left out.

And it got worse: They hanged out after work at his home or at hers without him. They watched movies together, sometimes with Mark's siblings, had dinner together... She even slept in his home! Sure, Judy was in his room while Mark slept on the couch, but still...

Yes, he was the one hanging out with her before, doing the exact same things they were doing, and he was the one saying no and making an excuse not to go with them now. How could he? Why should he go through the same situation as while working but in his free time, looking at them get so close?

He would have sort of understood it if it were just the first day after the date. They had a good time, they seemed to find something they liked to talk about, felt some sort of connection, whatever. One day, it was understandable; two days, annoying, but manageable; three days; was starting to get frustrating for the fox.

A whole week after their frigging dinner together and they still were at it, Nick's nerves about to give up. He had recovered his old habit of showing a neutral face so the others wouldn't see how he really felt. If would not be fair for them and he didn't want to explain anything. How would he explain it anyway? How could he explain that he wanted to be the one joking with Judy or spending time with her, that he was jealous?

Yes, he had to admit that, he was jealous. It was not a nice feeling, but there was nothing he could do about it. That's why he was masking his feelings again. He would not be able to see Judy's face if she ever found out about it.

• Nick? NICK!

The shouting startled him, so deep in thought he was, and turned to see bot his partners look at him with concern.

• Are you ok? You seemed distracted.- Asked the bunny.

• Yeah, I'm ok. Didn't sleep much last night.- Lied the fox.- What were you saying?

• I asked you if you want to come with us to the movies. It's been a while since we three hanged out together.

Nick glanced briefly in Mark's direction, who was looking straight at him... inviting? The macaque was smiling friendly and wanting for him to come with them. Why would he want Nick along if, obviously, he would prefer to be alone with the bunny?

Looking back at Judy, she still had her concerned look. Knowing the bunny as he did, she was not only asking if he wanted to go with them but hoping he would say yes. If he refused, she would worry even more.

• I'll think about it. If I'm not falling asleep every 5 minutes, I'll tag along. Deal?- Said Nick doing his best to look actually sleepy and interested in going with them. Judy seemed to buy it since she smiled happily in agreement.

• To all units! There has been a 10-71 in Giran Street. Ambulances are on route, one van involved and on the run. Big sized, black, plate number Sierra-India-Mike-Three-Four-Nine-Four.

Just when they were going to ask through the radio for the whereabouts of the suspect car, a big black van crossed the red light across of them at full speed, forcing Judy to step hard on the brake to avoid a collision.

• Well, I'm afraid you won't be able to sleep much now, Nick.- Joked Mark as he turned the siren and the lights on, the bunny speeding up to catch up with the van.

The copilot of the van, a bear, with half his body through the window, shot at them aiming at the wheel, but they were protected by the chassis. Then, he tried the windshield, but Judy hid the cruiser of the left side of the van and he couldn't shoot anymore.

• Here unit 34, in pursuit of the black van through Samson Street going east to Sahara. Suspects are armed and dangerous. Need support.- Informed Mark through the radio.

• Understood, 34. Got you on the cameras. We'll send some units your way. Keep going after them.

• Easier said than done.- Said Nick when the macaque hanged the speaker. While Mark was reporting, the pilot tried shooting them blindly. He missed, but some of the bullets got quite close.- If they somehow hit the wheels we won't be able to follow them.

• The copilot is the one giving us that problem. Can't you hit him with a tranq dart?- Asked him Mark.

• I am good at shooting, but not that good. Besides, a dart behaves differently than a bullet against the wind. Even if I get a clear shot, chances are that it will deviate too much.

• Then, we just keep the pursue.- Sentenced Judy, making a tight turn to the left following the perps. They had exited Savanah Central and entered the hot and sandy Sahara Square.

Two other units joined the pursue and positioned to both sides of the cruiser. Grizzoli, Delgato and Fangmeier, the last one at the wheel, saluted from the one at their left. At their right were McHorn and Higgins, in a cruiser slightly bigger than theirs.

• Sorry we are late, guys. You know how the traffic is these days.- Sounded Grizzoli's voice from the radio, followed by another not so happy belonging to Chief Bogo.

• Shut up, Grizzoli! Listen up! We have made a blockade 500 meters ahead of you. Force them to go straight to it so they have no other option than to stop. Civilians have been evacuated from this parts, so use force if you have to.

• Understood.- Was the reply from the three cruisers as all of them accelerated. However, before they could surround the van, it turned right, hitting McHorn and Higgins on its way, making them crash into some parked cars and disappearing though an alley.

• They have escaped us, they went Through Summer's hitting McHorn out of their way. Send assistance.- Reported Nick through the radio.

• Cancel that, we are fine. Follow them, we will join you in a moment. A pick up would be appreciated though.- Came McHorn's voice in response, making everyone sigh in relief.

The other two cruisers drove back and followed the same path as the van a few seconds later, finding it parked and empty near...

• A textile storage building. Great.- Groaned Nick approaching the open entrance on the side of the building, were some mannequins representing different species guarded the entrance.- Plenty of places for them to hide and ambush us.

• How do you know that?- Asked Delgato behind him.

• I simply imagine thousands of bolts of cloth, mannequins, boxes of finished shirts, pants, jackets and a few machines lying around.- Lied Nick. He had done some "works" in places like that back in the day.- Not only is a nice place to hide, but it's also very creepy because of the mannequins.

Grizzoli swallowed looking the lifeless apparels and pulled out his dart gun.

• Go around and check for other exits. Keep communication to the minimum and stay close together. Expect at least three or four suspects. If they used a van they must have had company with them.- Said Mark to the other officers, who nodded and went around the corner.

• Wow, first time I see you on SWAT mode.- Exclaimed Judy, impressed. Mark smiled and winked at her. Nick, on the other hand, contained a low growl and looked away from them.

The trio got inside with Mark on front, Judy in the middle and Nick on the rear. The macaque made quick and precise movements to check every corner he saw for any of the criminals. That section was composed by a long hallway and rooms at each side, the majority of them closed, destined, as Nick said before, to store the smaller bolts, some machinery, and other stuff. They checked each of them carefully, fully aware that the criminals could be hiding there.

The last door led to the main room of the storage building, a huge space where the biggest bolts of cloth they could ever imagine were piled along with machinery just as big. Cranes on the roof and lifters parked around completed the scenery. The result was a labyrinth were the criminals could perfectly hide and ambush them.

Mark closed the door and pushed the radio on his shoulder.

• Guys, report.

A few seconds later, Delgato's response came in.- We got in through another door with a stair that led to an office. We are probably 10 meters above you.

• Is it clear?

• Yes, we just swiped it.

• We are about to enter the main room. They are most probably there. Check with the chief and follow. We will keep them distracted.

• Shouldn't you wait for reinforcements? They are probably going to ambush you.

Mark looked at his partners, suddenly realizing he had taken leadership and acted like he was still part of SWAT. Judy looked worried, and with reason. They have arrested criminals that outnumbered them before, but always with foreplanning and the element of surprise on their side. This time, they were the ones that could be ambushed.

• Rhesus! Don't get in there!- Chief Bogo's commanding voice came from the radio on their shoulders.- I don't want you to risk your lives in there. Hold your position and wait for us. We are surrounding the building and the SWAT team is coming.

• Sir, there might be another exit that we don't know of.- Interrupted Judy to Mark and Nick's surprise.- It would be foolish to think they came in here to be trapped. They must have some way to escape while we wait.

Bogo felt silent for a moment, obviously concerned with their safety but not wanting the perps to go away.

• Delgato, do you have a visual of the place from up there?

• Partially, Sir. There is a window here, but I can't see the section to the right of it without exposing myself too much.

• Do you see any of them?- Asked Mark.

• Stand by... Yes, I just saw two of them moving. They are at the farthest section, hiding behind some equipment. Make that three, this one is covering their rear, ten meters behind the others.

• Sir, if they have moved this fast they must know this place and have a way out.- Again, Judy weighed in. Even with his concern for his partners' safety, Mark smiled for her determination, again imagining the bunny as a SWAT.- We must try to distract them.

• How do you propose to do that? If they are that far away from you, they will escape anyway before you reach them.- Asked Bogo.

• Maybe I can help there, Chief.- Said Grizzoli.- I just found what I suspect it's their backup weapon stash.

• Holly Molly!- Exclaimed Delgato, making the trio imagine what was going on up there.- These are not just some common criminals, Sir! There are a lot of guns in a hole on the wall behind some file cabinets.

• Later, Delgato! Continue, Grizzoli.

• Yes, Sir. I can use one of these to shoot close to them. That will scare them and force them to take cover, slowing them down. Rhesus and the others can get closer and keep them occupied while the SWAT comes.

The radio fell silent for several agonizing seconds until Bogo spoke again.

• Do it. But no matter how close you are to closing the pawcuffs on them, I want all of you out the moment the situation becomes too dangerous. Understood?

• Yes, Sir!- Responded the six officers.

• Grizzoli, we are getting in, start shooting.- Said Mark opening the door and walking inside, followed by Judy and Nick. Seconds later, the sound over their heads of a gun shot resonated through the whole place. The response of the criminals was as predicted: they shot back and took cover behind the equipment and the stuff around. Many of the bolts there were so big they didn't need to crouch, a mistake that made them easier to see for the white wolf.

• They are still on the back, move forward.- Instructed after shooting once and hiding again.

The trio did as told and moved as fast as they could without making any sound, but they had to take cover when some bullets were shot in their direction, missing by a few centimeters. A quick look from Nick discovered a fourth mammal, a wild boar, shooting at them blindly from behind an industrial lifter.

• We've got company down here too! Go faster!- Shouted the boar as he backed a few steps and hid behind a pile of wooden boxes.

• Sorry, I couldn't see that one.- Apologized Grizzoli through the radio.

• He is behind the boxes close to the lifters. Do you see him?- Asked Nick.

• Negative. I can only see a portion of that pile of boxes. Can't help you there.

• Retreat right now, don't take unnecessary risks!- Ordered Bogo, but a few bullets were making that order impossible to follow.

• He is controlling our way out, we can't leave right now.- Replied Nick, more concerned about the little space Mark and Judy had to hide. They were forced to squeeze between two piles of boxes barely giving enough cover for the monkey to hide crouched and with the bunny seated to allow him more space. Nick had better luck, protected behind one of the big piles of pallets.

• Nick!- Called Mark.- Cover us so Judy can go with you!

• What?- Shouted the bunny, but the fox had already shot his dart without really aiming, just to keep the boar behind cover, and the macaque grabbed her by the back of her uniform and threw her to Nick, who received and hid her with him.

• I'll move forward to draw the fire! You two stay there until it's safe and then move back!- Instructed Mark before shooting his dart and running in the direction of the boar, hiding just in time to avoid several bullets shot at him.

"But of course, he had to be the hero".- Thought Nick while trying to keep a frenetic Judy with him.

• Let go, Nick, we have to help him!

• You heard him, we wait until its safe and then we retreat. Don't worry, your boyfriend will be ok.

He didn't know why he said that. And what was worse, he didn't know why he said it with so much irritation in his voice.

• What is that supposed to mean?- Asked Judy, now not trying to free herself from his grasp.

• He is, isn't he? "Why am I angry now? And more important, why AT HER?" After your date and how close you are now and all the time you spend together, I thought that you would be a couple now. "Why am I saying this?"

• This is not the time for that, Nick! Let me go!- Judy resumed her efforts to free herself.

• Sure, we'll wait until you get some time for old Nick. "Shut up already! She is not to blame! No one is!" Though I guess all your time is booked now, isn't it?

• What is wrong with you?- Judy finally freed from his grasp.- Why are you acting like this?

• Like what? "Stop already, you dumb fox!"

• Like a jerk! You have acted strangely for days now, and you are angry at me?!

• Forget it, Judy. "Crap!"

The bunny looked at him, very mad and with sadness in her amethyst eyes.- You are in for a very serious talk when we...

A spurt of crimson liquid hit Nick's face as Judy was knocked to the ground by a bullet, groaning in pain.

• No! Judy!- The fox, filled with fear of losing her, dragged his friend behind cover and checked her. Luckily, the bullet had only hit her left arm.

At that moment, many agents geared to the teeth with Kevlar vest and special tranq weapons stormed into the room and, in a minute, controlled the situation. The three shooters were apprehended and the fourth and also taken away, though that one was already cuffed by Mark, who seemed to have taken some punches.

Judy was immediately transported out of the building, closely followed by the fox and macaque, put inside an ambulance and taken away, leaving the two mammals watching how the vehicle disappeared in a corner.

• Rhesus! Wilde! What the hell happened there?

As both turned, they saw the imposing figure of Bogo, death-glaring down at them. Mark started reporting while Nick avoided his gaze.

• Sir. To help Hopps and Wilde retreat, I moved ahead to confront the shooter. I managed to pin him to the ground, but he still shot a few more times. One of the bullets hit Hopps even behind cover.

• I thought I told you to get out if the situation got too much.

• Yes, sir, but we couldn't. That boar kept us behind cover and we couldn't move without risking being hit during retreat.

The buffalo eyed him intently for several seconds before he, very slightly, softened his expression.- I want a full report tomorrow morning. Now go check on Hopps. I still have work to do here.

With a final salute, Mark turned and almost ran to the cruiser, Nick tagging along, and drove it to the hospital.

Neither of them said a word during their way there. Mark was focused on driving as fast as he could without exceeding the speed limit, while Nick's eyes were fixed on the road ahead.

However, the reason they didn't speak was something else.

Nick was replaying that moment ago over and over in his head, completely ashamed of his part on it. Why did he act like that? And against Judy, his best friend, of all mammals! What was he thinking? She could have been killed!

After what seemed a moment for the fox, they arrived at the hospital. Mark parked the cruiser on an empty place at the parking lot and they climbed down. But they have just taken a few steps in the direction to the entrance and Mark grabbed Nick by his uniform, tainted with Judy's blood, and smashed him against a nearby car.

• What the hell happened?- He was furious, to a point that Nick believed the macaque would hit him without waiting for an answer.

• What do you mean? You know what...

• Don't play with me, Nick! I could hear you two yelling back there and I'll be damned if it was about the shooting. I am asking you again: What the hell happened!

• I have nothing to say to you!- Replied Nick also becoming angry.

• Don't you? Judy has been shot! Do you even care about that? She could have been killed. I think that is reason enough to say something.

The fox pushed the macaque back, a significant feat considering the monkey was, while not much taller, heavier than him.- Leave me alone, Mark!

He started walking again, but the other mammal took hold of him again.- What is wrong with you, Nick? What has Judy done to you that you are so angry with her? You have been avoiding her for days! She was worried about you! She still is!

• I haven't been avoiding her! I've been trying not to see you two get lovey-lovey while I die alone in a corner!

• What is that supposed to mean?- Asked Mark, but deep inside he had a very good guess.

• Let me see if I can explain it for you.- Started Nick getting himself free from Mark's grasp, but not leaving this time.- A lone fox, discriminated by everyone all his life, finally meets someone who believes in him and pulls him out of the sewer. He becomes someone respectable and finds in that someone the reason for that. His days are much brighter thanks to her and can't be happier. But, Oopsie, suddenly a monkey comes around and messes everything up. And those hopes of returning to those perfect days as a duo? Double oopsie! The monkey finds himself comfortable and doesn't leave. And he is so frigging friendly even the fox ends up liking him! But, here comes oopsie number threesie, the monkey and the one who saved the fox become a couple. Now, there is no time to spend with the fox, there is someone else. So he ends up alone again.

Mark was silent, he didn't know what to say. Had he altered Nick's life so much? So badly?

• We tried to include you in our plans, Nick! Every time we planned to do something, we asked you too! But you always said you had something else to do!

• Because I didn't want to be the third wheel! I have enough of that every day at work! Ever since you became a couple, you have been one step away from eating each other in front of me. Those plans you speak of? Those are for you, you want to enjoy them. You want me to come with you just so you don't feel bad about me.

• That is not true!

• Isn't it?

• It isn't! Judy cares about you, just as much as you do about her! Every time you don't come, she wondered why you didn't want to come. She knew those excuses were lies, but she trusted you and gave you space! You are important to her, more so than I am!

Those words him Nick hard, all his rage disappearing as he let himself slide against the car down to the ground to a sitting position. Now that he had let it all out, it was clear how wrong he had been. Judy would not just ignore him; Mark was not trying to take her away. That was just jealousy whispering to his ear. Just as had happened before during the shooting.

• I just... I've never been in this situation before. I never had friends like Carrots, someone who I could trust would not turn my back on me if the situation demanded it. To suddenly think that I would lose the only one that looked deeper in me than just my red fur, that helped me become more than I ever dreamed... I can't.

Mark sat in front of him. Now that both of them had relaxed, they had to try to resolve it. And Mark WANTED to help Nick fix it. But, for that, they had to be honest with each other.

• It's more than just being jealous, isn't it?

Nick's ears perked up and his eyes opened in surprise.- You mean...

• It's the feeling I get. You two already looked very close the first day we met, with the jokes, nicknames, how you work together, and after I learned how you two started out I wondered why you weren't already a couple.

Nick had never considered that. He had his moments in the past, of course, but just one-night stands. Something like what Mark was implying was completely new to him.

• I... I don't know about that. In any case, it would be too late, since you two are already a couple.

• No, we are not.- Replied simply Mark, earning an inquiring look from the fox.- We dated once and it was more a "friendly dinner" than a romantic one. All this time we have been hanging out was as friends. She does know I am interested in her, but we haven't decided to make any move yet.

That info satisfied the curiosity of the fox, but it changed nothing.- Still, you were the first to ask her out. I have no right there.

Mark let out a laugh that surprised Nick again.- I thought canines stopped marking territory centuries ago! We are not a couple, Nick. I cannot decide who she goes out with or not. She is not my property to do that. If you ask her out and she accepts, it will make me hate you a lot, but I can't do anything about it. She is free to do so.

• What do you mean? Are you challenging me to a competition or something?

• That would imply a prize, and she is not. I could be the best match for her but you could be the one ending with her. What I am saying is, stop being so closed in. If you want something, go take it. Judy appreciates and trusts you and you do so back, so just open up to her while you can! You won't lose anything by trying!

Mark stood up and offered a hand to the fox to help him do the same. Nick accepted it.

• Now, let's see how is Silk. She will be furious with the prospect of missing job for a while!