Two against the world (Ep 9)
Episode 9 "Preparations"__________________ZPD___________Judy opened the door, entering the bullpen with smiling fox following her steps behind her. The room was somewhat crowded,having some other officers sitting on their seats. Nick smiled as he saw Oliver near the door, also in his seat. His wolffriend was looking quite focused and determined, like he was in the room for a specially important reason.Same went for the other three officers in the room, but Nick did not recognize any of the mammals on the right side of the room. They must have been new or something.As Judy was halfway to her seat, the animals turned to look at her from their spots in awe, like they had laid their eye's on a superstar. Judy did notice this, but she did not know what to think of it,so she just kept going to her seat. Nick followed the odd actions from the side, and after a while all three laid their eyes on him now. Nick just gave unsure smile and turned to Oliver and spoke quietly."So buddy, what's going on? Where is the grumpy captain?"Oliver chuckled as he relaxed his serious posture a bit."He is still in his office, finishing some reports up or something boring. I dunno. I am not even sure why i was calledhere.""Who are these guys? I believe i haven't met any of them." Nick said as he eye'd the room."... To be honest i have no idea. Probably new recruits. Haven't really talk'd with them.But i'm pretty sure they are here for the same reason as us.""Nick, chief might be here any moment now, get on yourself on your seat or he gets angry when hearrives here." Judy whispered rather loudly from front of the room.Nick just smiled and started walking away from chuckling Oliver."You know i love him when he is all grumpy. It's kinda satisfying."Judy just shook her head as the fox swished his tail and hopped next to her on the seat."Just try to behave okay?" It seems that we have new recruits in the room. Or i could be wrong, but please Slick... Try to set professional example. They clearly seem to know who we are."Judy said in serious tone but was smiling nevertheless.A mischievous smile came on his muzzle, signaling Judy that she had chosen worst words possible."Is that so?""Nick. Don't. Don't do anything Nick'ish. Not now."Nick smiled and acted
insulted at the same time."Nick'ish? What is that suppose to mean? Are you implying that i can't express myself without giving-" "Professional example." Judy finished and stared at him seriously.Nick cleared his throat so that everyone in the room surely heard him now. "Professional example. Yes, i will be sure to do my best to be exceptionally formal to mammalsthat are in our civilized presence. I shall also sit like a stone statue, my eyes determined againstthe dangers ahead, because that is my job and nothing else." Judy knew that the battle was lost. She sighed deeply and hid her face with her paws as Nick hopped on their table and sat down,facing all the mammals behind them. They all turned their attention to the fox with interest as he eyed all three of them withmischievous smile. Oliver turned his gaze from the other side of the room also, following the situation like he knew it was about to happen sooner or later."This i want to see." Oliver muttered as he grinned to the fox who was eyeing all the three and winking to his way."Don't worry there is no danger. No buffalo's. Can you guys see any buffalo's? No? Me neither. So we are clear to talk normally.Unless he is hiding behind that podium of his. I doubt it though. But if you see his tail peeking from behind there right now, i am pretty much dead. No tail? Good."Even as Judy was embarrassed she still snorted and laughed a bit. This fox sometimes..."Sir... You wouldn't happen to be Nicholas Wilde?" One of the recruits ask'd with held back admiration in his voice.It was very young looking lynx with cream brown fur, staring at him like a hero with his hazel eye's."What gave it away? Oh wait, let me guess. It was one of the most famous mammals next to me right?This grey furred bunny right here? The one that pretends to not listen to us right now?"He said, enjoying the situation way too much, and it was showing. Oliver was enjoying the show just as much.All three nodded in smile, every single one of them looking a bit nervous under his alluring gaze.Almost like this was test of some kind. The lynx spoke carefully but ended up sounding like excited kit."It's just... It's an honor to meet you both in person. I think i speak from everyone's behalf here when i say that you two are an inspiration... I'm just trying to contain myself best as i can but i'm failing. This is... So awesome."All three started to nod furiously and now one of the other new comers spoke. It was beautiful looking snow leopard who felt a bit of blush coming on heras
Nick's gaze hit her, with nothing but subtle flirt in it. She spoke softly, trying to hide the nervousness under Nick's eye's."All of us three were half way of our academy training when all that night howler stuff happened. All the news that came out of you two, we followed it all. All the news broadcastsand articles. You both are our inspiration."Even Judy stood on the stool now and faced all three with proud look.She spoke in official manner to the lynx, leopard and raccoon that stared at her like they were holding breath."I appreciate the compliments, but we are not super heroes. We are just cops like all of you."Suddenly Nick came in between."Says the bunny who chained a savage jaguar by his foot, saved my butt multiple times, avoided getting iced by mister Big,changed the rails of a train that went over hundred kilometers in an hour by kicking a ram,putting an evil mastermind behind bars with power of carrot-pen... Do i need to go on with the list of why we look to you as a hero orrr-""He is right though." Oliver yelped from the back of the room.Judy smiled and kept going."All i mean to say is.. Thanks all of you three. We did what we had for Zootopia. No more or less. I am sure that all of you can do great things for this city too when you believein yourselves just like us. We are honored to have all of you on board. You all look very promising officers for the ZPD."All of them stared at her so proudly that Nick could almost tell that the girl snow leopard was holding tears.Nick grinned and cleared his throat after silence."She never grows tired of giving inspiration. Take a good look at her because that speech is just one of many. She does know how to give them though, i give her that.But you must admit that when she gives them, she is kinda cu-""If you say that in front of the new comers, i will murder you Nick." Judy said darkly, placing her claw in front of Nick's muzzle, making even Nick look a bit scared for a while.Oliver roared in laugh as he saw Nick go quiet as stone. The wolf got snarky look from Nick as he banged his fist on the table."I would listen to her if i were you Nick! Free check on that word is reaching the limit." Oliver wiped the tears of his eye's.Judy spoke again after giving a quick look at Nick, getting silent confirmation of knowing where the line goes.All of the three followed the show in silence, a bit amused about their way of talking to each other."Now that you have met me, i can introduce my
partner right here. This is Nick Wilde, proud face of ZPD and the only fox officer in whole Zootopia.""You forgot most handsome." Nick added and could hear Oliver snicker in his seat."... He also happens to be far from modest, so excuse his manners. This is what i have to work with." Judy sighed but still smiled."Look how she pretends that she does not enjoy every second with me."Judy shook her head and gave a light punch on his arm and continued. That actually might leave a mark. She is quite strong for a bunny."You are free to hit this fox every single time he says something like that.""So you are trying to get me mob lynched now carrots? These three are way too easy picking's for a little fun making.""Then maybe you would want to try different approach when talking to mammals?""What are you implying officer toot-toot?" Nick leaned close to her and grinned widely."You start every conversation like you are trying to get them on a date. Or to buy something from you." "Hustler never forgets his ways. You have learned a couple of things from the master yourself, haven't you?""I guess..." Judy grinned too."Just guess?" Nick leaned in a bit more."That is all you are getting for now." Judy leaned in too."... Sly bunny."There came brief silence as the two just grinned at each other and all three turned to Oliver in confusion."Not quite what you expected these two to be huh?Seriously i could follow that stuff for hours." Oliver chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.Judy suddenly realized how awkward that must have look'd in they eyes of the new officers so she coughed loudly and came back from the moment,back with professional attitude, only getting chuckle from the fox beside her."So as i was saying, i am looking forward to work with all of you.""Likewise..." Nick added as he look'd at everyone but when he met eyes with the snow leopard, he gave her a playful wink. She smiled a bit and tried to avoid eye contact,maybe fearing that her blush might show. This was especially noticed by the bunny but she just shook her head like it didn't bother her. but what could she do?Nick did this to almost every female he met. There was no right to feel jealousy from such act. Still every time Nick did it to someone, it made her feel sad and uneasy.That is what made it so much worse. One thing Bogo had been right about, even when she had not let it get to her at the time. Not everything
come's true, even how much you wouldwish for it.At that moment the door open'd rather loudly and Bogo stepped into the room, looking grumpy like always.All the little noise that was left in the room disappeared and every officer in the room gained their posture back.Well, if you don't count one fox who was only one smiling in the room.The buffalo made his way to the podium and put on his glasses. After a while of scanning the room he spoke."Good. Everyone seems to be here. Without further a due let's get started. Officer Hopps and Wilde, please represent yourself close to me so i can begin."Judy seemed to know the procedure but Nick look'd a bit confused. The rabbit hopped to the floor from the seat, followed by the fox. Judy walked in front ofBogo and turned around to face the officers in the room. After that she straightened her posture and saluted everyone with paw on her forehead and put her paw downjust as quickly. Just like in the graduation. Nick did the same but almost started laughing halfway as Oliver snickered in the end of the room, trying to get him laugh."I believe you all know who these two are, or am i wrong? If i am, i am sure that one of the representatives has already made his ownpersonal introductions while i was gone, or am i wrong?" Bogo rolled his eyes."Chief, don't be like that, my charm always makes itself known.""Wilde don't test me. It's a late night and i'm not in the mood.""Implying that he ever is." Nick whispered to the class with his paw, making sure that everyone heard. Oliver snorted a bit andall the other three just tried to keep straight face and act professional. Judy gave a scolding side look to Nick, only getting a small grin back.For a while Bogo look'd like he wanted to kill himself. He just sighed and signaled the new comers to stand up."Represent yourselves please. One at the time." The raccoon that was about the same height as Nick, rose up and saluted them both. He was exotic looking for a raccoon. Now that when you look'd at it,There was no way that his both parents had been raccoons. His fur was almost just as red as Nick's but he had features of a raccoon.Meaning that his father or mother had been a red panda. Seemed interesting. Nevertheless he look'd like nice guy. But maybe a bit too formal and overprofessional. Bogo was going to like him, Nick gave a bet."Officer Rasheed Coonway at service!""Good. I will skip most of their resumes and keep telling the most noticeable parts and arrest cases."The buffalo gave
quick look at the two to get a quick nod of understanding.Bogo went trough his papers and cleared his throat."This raccoon here is officer Coonway. Graduated three months ago from the ZPD academy. Age, twenty-five. He has been stationed mostly in Sahara district department.In his career of three months he has successfully arrested three high class smugglers, two armed robbers,and he has also earned the recommendation for being one of the best shooters with rifle tranquilizer during ZPD training.He had scored the perfect points from three hundred meter shooting range. Impressive. You may sit officer Coonway.""Yes sir!"The raccoon saluted and sat down."Next up we have officer Garnett."The pretty looking snow leopard look'd a bit nervous as she sat up and tried to collect herself."O-officer Hailie Garnett at service.""Officer Garnett also graduated three months ago. Age, twenty-six. Stationed at tundra town most of the time. In her career of three months she has arrested five violent assaulter'sand has taken part on one stakeout that led to arrest. She earned recommendation from the ZPD to be one of the best drivers that we've had. She passed perfectpoints in chase and apprehending. Also in the mountain road challenge against hard weather conditions. Very good. You may sit now officer Garnett.""T-thank you sir." The leopard stuttered a bit and sat down.Now then, half way there. Next up we have officer Fring."The happy looking lynx sat up and could barely hold still from excitement as he saluted to them, his tail wiggling furiously. This reminded Judy of her first dayin the force. Ready to prove herself any way possible. This lynx must have been youngest of the bunch by the look's of it. "Officer Luke Fring! It's honor to be here sir!"Bogo nodded with approving smile and kept going."Officer Fring. Graduated also exactly three months ago. Age, twenty twenty-four. Stationed at Rain forest district. In that time he has caught five rob and run cases.Also he is the only officer in ZPD that successfully captured known criminal ferret ," light-feet Saul." "Hahaha, now there is a title." Nick laughed, knowing the actual goon ferret from his younger days.Bogo continued like the side comment never happened."He also has recommendation and award of being one of the fastest runners in ZPD. Among Hopps. Look's promising. You may sit."The lynx sat down with proud smile and Bogo turned his hoof
to Oliver, signaling him to stand up."My two officers here already know Oliver but since you are all new, i would like to give the needed introduction.Officer Howlton. He is at his first week at the force, just like officer Wilde here. Even in such time they have done outstanding police-work.So even if officer Wilde here happens to be very well known, do note that he is still a rookie on the force like Howlton. Treat him as one.""Hey! That is uncalled for. I would work well as a leader. I would get to pick the code names. And i have so many good ones in store." Nick grinned as he eyed the mammals in front of him.Bogo just sighed as everyone in the room could not hold a small smile."Whatever. Now that the introductions are out of the way, let's get to the point. All of you three are now officially part of Savannah central officers.You have proven your skills, and it leads me to believe that i have picked quite a team on this case. But the case is large. Maybe even one of the largestsince the Bellwether case, if i dare to say."There came a silence in the room and even Oliver look'd way more interested to be here now. All of the three new recruits gave amazed look to each other and continued to listen chief Bogo."If you have not read from the files already, officer Hopps and Wilde went on a routine stakeout. All we had as our tip was that it was going to big. But we stumbledonto something far more deeper and darker. We ended up with million dollars of dirty money, two incredibly important mobsters among other criminals, and night howlers. Later the mobsterthat we were suppose to squeeze information out of, get's his lawyers on the spot, and suddenly mayor Lionheart calls me, yelling over the phone that our departmentgets cleaned from most of the force, if we don't let the suspect go. So the mammals that we are dealing with, have some kind of power over the city's most important mammal.To me, that makes it serious. Other of the mobsters talk'd, giving us information that gave us a lot to go on with this. Lot of leads. But the bad thing is,these mammals now know that we are investigating them. They might even have eyes in this very building. We never know."Everyone in the room went quiet. This indeed sounded very large operation to cover. It could take months. Even years.Bogo kept going after reading his notes."We are dealing with big names that involve the case. Mister Big. Steve Levron. And most importantly, Mister James or Jones, or hell, i don't even know which one is it.He is such a ghost to our department, that we don't even have his real name. Even some of his associates change the name all the
time in the recordings. It's confusing and annoying. But it is good strategy. I doubt that most of them know his real name either. Only one that actually knows the real one,is Levron. But nevertheless, a first name is not even important. With last name we would have lot more to go on. we have confirmation that he is a wolf. that one is sure.Point is, this is the main target we have to catch. If mammal with that significant influence is interested in night howlers, nothing good won't come out of it."Everyone soaked the information in with a silent moment and Bogo kept going."Now. I have gathered all of you here because i think i might be looking for a promising team. Officer Coonway, Garnett and Fring. I know that you will do great things for this city.I have trust on all of you."Every single on of the mammals gave proud smile on their seats. Bogo continued after a while."Officer Hopps will be leading the case as supervisor. Follow her lead in the field and in the objectives, when it comes to future operations.We are going to get to the roots of this. There cannot be more incidents like Bellwether case. It almost destroyed this city. I won't let it happen again.Are we clear?" "Yes Chief!" Everyone in the room yelled."Good. Now about tomorrow's first operation. This is not exactly something that would lead us forward in capturing any of these mobsters. This is more of a.. Peace keeping.As most of you might know, tomorrow is the day when Zootopia has it's yearly music and dance festivals at Savannah Central."Nick's ears perked up from his half asleep mode."The thing is, every year the event is hosted by Mayor. This year it is hosted by this... Levron. We don't know what to make of it but i don't like it.Also like every year, mister Big will be present at the occasion with his daughter and some other family members. One crime lord and high profiled mobster in the same place. I know that it's not coincidence. They are meeting there for a purpose. What does this have to do with us? Well... The thing is, Mister Levronactually requested police to be there. We have security all over the event every year, but the thing is... He especially ask'd Officer Hopps and Wilde to be present.""Wait .. What?" Judy ask'd in confusion, also having the fox's attention."I know. I did not know what to think of it. Maybe he wants to intimidate you two to lay off the case. Bribe? Could be anything. But i am making sure that every mammalin this room is wired so that we can hear everything. I'm sure that they will know you are wearing one but we have to play for
sure."The idea of meeting the bunny again frustrated Nick. The way he had talked to Judy last time still lingered in his mind.Nick cleared his throat and spoke."So.... Chief. On the phone you mentioned something about dancing?""... Yes. The thing is that it's best for us to go undercover. So many mammals in uniform wandering around the place will make everyone nervous.So you all shall have roles to play in this event. You will all be dressed as waiters. Carrying around beverages and such. I believe you suggested that you have plans for role to be among dancer-""Yes! I would like to officially represent Officer Hopps and myself as dance pair of the evening. Right carrots?" Nick said it with large grin, like it was already settled."... Is that so?" Bogo ask'd bluntly and raised an eyebrow at Judy."Uhhh Nick.. Absolutely not.""Why not?" Nick ask'd worriedly."... I.. I can't dance?" She said with a bit of embarrassment."... It won't matter. Not everyone is good at it. Come on whiskers, it will be fun.""You are not there to have fun officer Wilde.." Bogo reminded."Right, right, but you accept, right Hopps?"Judy went a bit red on her ears and look'd at smiling Nick."I... I haven't danced since the high school prom..." She stuttered. Oh god.. I did not just say that in front of everybody, Judy thought."Don't worry, i'll be sure to go easy. You will learn fast. I promise." Nick was not going to let this one go. This was only thing that mattered to him right now.He knew that he should be in this case with full determination, but all he could think about was doing something romantic with Judy. Even if it was on work time."... Are you.. Sure about-""Yes Judy. Partners, right? Trust me." Nick said warmly and stared at her with comforting gaze that made her legs feel light.She thought for a while and tried to gather strength for her answer.Suddenly Bogo spoke."It's alright. Maybe officer Garnett would also volun-""I'LL GO." Judy said suddenly in determination, as image of Nick dancing with some other girl burned her mind. From the looks of it, the snow leopard wouldhave been more than willing to be Nick's dance partner,being a little disappointed."Yes!" Nick yelped happily, wanting to actually jump in the air and then kiss the bunny right here and now. That would be quite a sight for everyone to witness.After he
realized that everyone stared at his outburst a bit wide eyed, just like Judy, he cleared his throat and gained his posture."I'm sorry chief, please do go on."Bogo shook his head and kept reading the notes. "Well now that's being settled, we can go forward... Next up are the timetables of the event. Report to station tomorrow at six pm. I think that we-"Bogo kept going with his speech but Judy fell to more deep thoughts. Sweet cheese and crackers.. What am i going to wear? Why is he so eager to dance with me?What if i stumble? Do i have to wear makeup? Would he like that? He just wants to prove that he is good at dancing or something. It's not a date.Why did we not choose to be waiters? Why am i thinking these things? We are there to keep an eye on a mobster meeting. And what is with that smile of his?Judy could only wonder what on earth was going on inside Nick's head. She just drove herself puzzled as she stared at the dreamy looking fox who had wide mischievous smile on his muzzle.___________________________________JUDY'S APARTMENT / TOMORROW EVENING_________________________"Sweet cheese and crackers, what do i wear?!" Judy groaned as she went trough her cabinets. She could not find anything that satisfied her eye. His whole apartment floorwas full of clothes, scattered all over the room. "Yes, why of course mister Wilde, i would love to dance! Why not? it's a perfectly normal skill to posses. We both could have been waiters. But no. You just haveto take us to the spotlight. Mess with my mind. Flirt with me and do all these romantic gestures all the time, like you probably have done to all the vixens in your life. If you only knew how it makes me..."The words got stuck in hermouth and she just shook her head and kept looking. There had to be something. If she was going to dance with the fox, she might as well try to see his reaction tosee her wear something she had not worn before.Then she remembered. She could always go to the mall. She had plenty of money to spend. So why not treat yourself for once? Just go to the mall and buy something nice.Something classy and sexy. Why not? No.... Maybe if...Her gaze turned to her bed. She remembered at that moment, that last time she visited her parents, her mother had given her something among other stuff. Lot's of her childhood stuff. But there was one thing that sparked her mind. Her prom dress. If it could fit... Worth a shot. She started to wonder that where she could have put the suitcase of her's. It
still had to be in the apartment, that one was sure.The bunny went trough her closet again and kept looking around after not finding it from there. Under the bed was the last option.Judy crawled next to her bed and saw the familiar looking suitcase at the darkness. It was the same one she had with him when she first came to Zootopia all that time ago.She reached for the suitcase from under her bed and laid it on top of her blanket, and snapped the locks open. There was some old crime novels on top.A small smile came on her as she started to read the book covers. "Street cop Lydia", "Shadow of law" and " Mammals in blue". She chuckled as she laid the books onher small bed and kept emptying her suitcase. She never had time to unload it. Now it brought all kind's of nostalgia to her, as she went trough all her stuff from her teenage years, when she only dream't of being a cop one day herself. Oh, how far she has come from those times. After all the books and magazines, plush's and allher stuff, she finally ended up staring her prom dress. It brought her bad memories in part. Her prom had been nothing but a complete disaster the last time she wore it.She stared at the sparkling lavender dress and cringed a bit. Maybe this was not a good idea. She had only worn it once in her life but only now she rememberedhow revealing it was. She slowly took it to her paws and kept looking at it for a while. It could fit. Worth a shot.After couple of minutes she ended up looking herself from a small mirror. surprisingly it did fit. But it was way more wilder than she remembered. It was classicattired dress without sleeves, being quite revealing by showing a lot of her upper body. It also had the cut from her right side, almost completely revealing her otherleg. Would Nick like this? Or would it be too forward? The dress sparkled with it's lavender color, making it look like something that would definitely scream forattention. She gave a sad look to the floor, wondering if it would be embarrassing to ask something from Nick. Maybe just asking him about it would be okay.Since they were supposed to go to work so late at evening. She took out her phone and pressed a call on Nick.It only buzzed for a couple of seconds until the familiar voice answered."Carrroooooots, what's up?" Judy could feel her stress slightly go away and a small smile come to her just from hearing him."Hi slick. I umm.. Would like to talk about the operation today...""Please don't tell me you've changed your mind about it whiskers. Come on, it will be fun!""I'm not bailing out on the dance. I just...""Waitwaitwait, let me guess.. You are worried about what to wear, right?" Nick chuckled from the other line."How did you-""I have mystical and ancient powers that can read mind of bunnies. Travels in the family." He snickered.Judy snorted and started to giggle for a while and continued."Yeah, that must be it." "Are you questioning my powers carrots?" Nick gave a challenge."I might.""Try me. Imagine something right now, and i can guess what it is."Judy started to wonder for a while and blushed a bit after the image of shirtless Nick came to her mind.If he would guess this one, she would be freaked out for life."I am thinking. What is it?"Nick took a sweet while and spoke."... Something... Good?"She could feel her ear's redden a bit and then she spoke quietly."Close enough.""I'm the best at this." Fox said confidently and Judy could feel his dumb grin from the other side."You think you are best at everything!" Judy snorted and put the phone on her bed with a speaker."Jealous bunny."Judy rolled her eyes and smiled."I was wondering about this case... What do you think of our new team?""Raccoon has funny name, leopard look'd like she was going to bail out, lynx reminds me of one over-excited dumb bunny, and Oliver is my hype male.""Nick!" Judy gasped but could not hold her laugh."What? Honest opinions!" He snickered."First of all, Raccoons name is attractive, leopard was just nervous because you flirted with her, the lynx just wants to prove himself, and Oliver is a promising officer.""I already have code names for all of them. This is going to be so awesome." Nick said, completely ignoring what Judy said and she could hear his evil laugh."You are horrible.""Nonono don't be like that. Listen to these. Rocket, Snowflake, lynx-nator, and Howler. Awesome right?!"Judy face pawed herself and sighed deeply a wide smile on her."You know Bogo is never going to accept those.""I can be very persuasive." Nick said with flirting tone.Judy now laughed and sat on her bed."You are going to seduce our Chief on accepting the dumbest code names ever?""HEY! I worked like... Two hours on those!
I think they are awesome.""Nick i doubt that they even want code names.""Who cares about their opinion? I worked hard on those and I am leading this operation."Judy snorted."Is that so? I distinctively remember Bogo saying that i should be in charge.""But we are partners and best friends so... fifty-fifty leadership?""I don't think so but nice attempt.""Come ooon, can i at least choose the name of our operation?""Do i even want to-""Think about it... Operation : Fox dance. Awesome right?""... Seriously?" Judy giggled."It has certain charm in it, admit it.""We are not naming our tonights operation as operation fox dance...""Why? Do you have better idea?""... Not really, but if i let you pick the name of the operations, Bogo will lose the last of his sanity.""Meh.""Now... What are you going to wear?""It's a surprise.""So is mine." Judy shot back."Fine. I will come to the party with my ugliest, most tropical shirt that i can-""Okay okay, you win Nick. It's ummm... Promise not to laugh?""I promise." Nick said sincerely."It's a... Dress that i wore last time when i was in prom... In high school.""What is there to laugh about that?""It's ummmm not something i'm used to wear.""Well now this sounds exciting.""Your turn to tell yours Slick.""... I look like badass in it. No more needs to be told."A warm smile came on her as she look'd at her phone and chuckled."You are one case Wilde, you know that?""So you keep reminding me. But you still love me.""Yeah, i do.""That's my bunny.""Pfft. Whatever. I'm going to continue with this dress of mine. See you in an hour slick."There came a quiet moment as she stared herself on the mirror, wagging her tail a bit to see that it had some free space. After a while Nick spoke."Carrots. I know that you are nervous. But i told you to trust me.You worry about those things too much, just like in the restaurant."She turned her gaze back to her phone."I..." "Whiskers.
Mind reading trick? You already forgot?" She giggled and picked up the phone from bed."I guess i did.""Now, get that super police bunny mode on whiskers. Someone has to. I am there to just have fun. You know dance, avoid mobsters, eat all the neat stuff from the buffetand drink all the free beverages as much as i can.""The worst thing is that you are probably not even pulling my tail." She laughed and could hear Nick chuckle on the other end."Mobsters are bad for health. Cheese sticks rolled with salmon are not.""They are actually if you eat them too much.""You never tried one. So how do you know?""I like to read.""I like to eat."Judy burst'd out out in laughter and collected herself after a while. She took a deep breath and spoke warmly."See you soon slick. Just try to behave. We have example to show for the new recruits.""So i keep the fox style at only ninety percent?""More like forty.""... Your requirements are quite large fluff."Judy sighed and smiled, knowing that battle about this is useless. She changed the subject."I just hope that this goes well. I really hope that nothing bad happens at the festival.""The worst thing that could happen is that i get drunk on a work-time."".... Aaaand I am already regretting this decision.""Don't. I'll promise, i'll try to behave.""... Good. But i really got to get on with this dress Nick. See you soon."Judy turned around and started to place a silver necklace around her neck until Nick's voice could still be heard from the line.He had not hung up yet."Carrots you ummm.. Still there?"Judy's ears perked up and she kept talking as she locked the necklace."Yeah?""I just wanted to thank you."".. For what?" Judy ask'd in confusion and stared herself from the mirror."...For umm... Accepting to go dance with me... This may sound awkward but... It means lot to me... Thank you Judy."Judy turned her gaze from the mirror to the phone on her bed as she heard Nick finish. She felt her legs melt again as he spoke with his emotional tone again.She was about to answer but was stopped from the awkward silence when Nick yelled from the line."Oh, shit! Oh excuse my language fluff, i just
realized that my meal is burning up in theeee uuhhhhh, microwave! And you would you look at the time and all,i haven't still put my clothes on! Gotta go!" BEEP BEEP.The call ended and the silence settled in the apartment as Judy kept staring her phone on the bed._____________________________________NICK'S APARTMENT_______________Nick kept staring at his cellphone right after the call ended. Why did i have to be so emotional again while thanking her? That was probably so awkward to her. She did not evenanswer. Great Wilde, just great.He sighed and kept looking at himself from the mirror. His west suit still went well on him. Actually he look'd way more better in it, since he had gained some muscle.I wonder if Judy likes this. He had long sleeved white polo shirt with stylish black west on it, and to finish it all he had a wine red tie. He closed all of the buttonsof his vest and adjusted his tie. "I have to give it to ya fox... Looking cool." He muttered as he smiled and gave a lick at his paw, and fixed his head fur a bit.He took a quick look at the clock. Still half an hour left.Nick walked to his living room and made his way to the couch. He fell on it and exhaled as he laid there, staring at the slowly spinning ceiling fan.He started wonder all kinds of things in his mind as he stared to zone out, wondering what was about to come. He could finally get to dance with her. Touch her paw and feel her close to him,stare at those lavender eyes of hers. Feel her delicate scent all over. Only the idea of her so close....Nick knew that any of these days he would break and have to confess. But it scared him so much. The more he spent time with her, the more harder it got.He cursed quietly in his mind for not being born as a bunny. If that would have happened, he would have not waited all this time, he would had already ask'd heras girlfriend by now. The weirdest thing was that he never would have guessed that he would fell in love with a bunny, of all mammals. It felt like some cruel joke to beattracted to someone who was a prey, but still perfect in his eyes.He knew that Judy did not mind being teased or flirted from time to time, but Nick where the line went now.Judy had made it clear at his apartment door yesterday. Besides, he had quite a lot of competition already. The idea of some cocky and disrespectful buck having hispaws all over her, not caring about her feelings or knowing anything about her at all, made his blood boil. He wanted to smack himself for being such an selfish idiot,but the idea was stuck in his head and could not leave. He
wanted her. No one else. Not any vixen, not any wolf. Nick wanted Judy. If she would actually find someone in her life, he could not imagine how he would take it.This dance might have been a bad idea after all. There was no way he could hold these feelings inside him so easily anymore. He had started to be careless with his words these days anyway.Now he would have to dance with someone who he was in love with, and keep his mouth shut and focus on the task that was given. What an emotional hell. Nick laid on his couch, still staring at the spinning fan and sighed loudly. He lazily took a look at his wrist watch and mumbled. There is no point on just laying downin here and pondering all this for the hundredth time. I need fresh air. Better be early than late...The fox hopped from the couch and grabbed his keys, making his way to the front door. He stopped in front of his mirror and look'd at his reflection one more time and shook his head.He wondered how his mood had changed to depressed from his usual self in such a short time. You are going to have fun, even if it's at work. Just roll with it.Who knows what might happen? He gave himself a small reassuring smile and put on his mask once again. Just act like your normal foxy self so she won't ask questions.Piece of cake Wilde.He slowly closed his front-door, leaving a lingering silence in the room.Nick walked trough the hall and down the stairs, exiting the building and walking out in the fresh air of Zootopia._________________________________Little did he know, after just a couple of minutes had passed, someone in a dark hoodie walk'd up the stairs and whistled as he walked up to the second floor,arriving at Nick's door. He stared at the wrecked looking door. The mammal took a careful look around him, listening for a while in a bit of paranoia, making sure that he was not followed,and was indeed alone. He took out a small note from his hoodie, checking that the door number was right. It was. He slowly took his cellphone out. He dialed a number and waited for a couple of seconds.Someone answered after a while from the other end and the hooded mammal talked quietly."Yeah, i am at his front door.... He just left the building... Okay, count on me boss. I will wait for him all night if i have to... Yeah..This door is easy to unlock... Yeah. Understood... I promise.I am a mammal of my word."The hooded figure closed the call and started to pick the lock of Nick's apartment, carefully still looking around the hall from time to time."Easy." He said quietly and disappeared in the apartment.________________________________________