FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

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: Chapter 6 : Shattered assumptions

The ride back to the precinct was too quiet, the uncomfortable atmosphere practically screamed awkward. Nick would practically taste the rigidity of the air, warm as it was within the cruiser with the heater going only seemed to add to that.

Green eyes being cast to the mammal driving the vehicle, studying over her features as the street lights passing overhead cast their light within the car. Her eyes seemed tired, not necessarily in the physical sense at all, but in the mental fatigue she carried.

"Judy..." His voice trying to cut through the tension, noting her right ear swiveling just a bit more towards him. He noted though that she didn't answer, merely pulling the cruiser into the parking garage. When

"Come on Nick, I've got to check in the cruiser then we'll go to my place" She'd ignored his attempt to talk now, giving a tug at his arm with the cuff on. A click of the cruiser's door before it swung open, she would move slowly as the two climbed out of the cruiser.

"Judy, can we at least take the cuffs off?" Stepping down out of the cruiser behind herself, paws falling to the cold concrete.

Her deep amethyst eyes fell to him, looking over his oddly bedridden fur and disheveled clothes. "Not unless you promise to not run away again" her left foot tapping a few times, she'd have crossed her arms but having one attached to a dumb fox made it more difficult.

A soft turn of his head to the right, he'd tilt his nose to the air just a little while bringing a paw to the back of his neck. A firm rub enticing a defeated sigh from his lips, he'd nod softly still avoiding her gaze. "I promise, not to run away Judy"

Squinting a bit as she watched him, and how he reacted focused on the tone in his voice. She nodded lightly and undid the cuffs, slipping them off both of their wrists before setting them on her belt. "Good to hear it, now come on its late and I'm tired..."

The feeling of the cool metal falling free draw his attention back, tired green eyes looking to his wrists as he gave it a rub. He followed Judy quickly behind Judy, noting that she hadn't waited for him after removing the cuffs.

The confusing was growing on Nicks mind, back in the warehouse he could have sworn that she had said she loved him. But still her demeanor now was different, she felt far colder during the car ride till now.

---

The soft jingle of keys against one another was followed by the sound of metal on metal, the lock on the door clicking with the turn of the grey furred paw holding them. Judy pushed the door open slowly, greeted to darkness and her clock radio. 2:34 am lit dimly on its face as she stepped inside, tossing her keys into the little bowl by the door.

"Little bit of an upgrade from what I remember, what happened to the old place?" Rubbing his paws along his arms, he was trying to warm himself up from the walk to her place. The weather back in Podunk was a fair bit warmer, and he hadn't had much time to prepare for his... sudden departure.

"I wasn't living there for part of the year, you know the whole hospital and such" moving further into the darkness of her apartment, she'd flick the light on to reveal the kitchen and living room.

It was a simple layout for her apartment, just to the right upon entering was the kitchen with the fridge counter top and sink. Cabinets' what few there were just above the sink, and across from it was an open window with a small bar top to eat at.

Through that same open window, over the bar was the living room itself. A small desk with the tiny clock radio sitting atop it, much like at her old place but there was also a small sofa set against the left wall. Two doors resided in the room as well, both on the right wall just before that little desk their doors both ajar for green eyes to see. Nick's gaze drifted taking note of the first do, leading into the bathroom that might have been just a smidgen too big for a bunny and drawing a soft hrmm from him. The other was a bedroom with a small bed just big enough for a bunny, the same one who was snapping her paws in front of his muzzle.

"Nick, hey you alright there..." Snapping her paw's lightly just in front of his muzzle, she had taken a moment to check on him after slipping off into her room. When she came back out, the door wasn't latched behind him and he had a look as if he'd just been caught in headlights.

"Oh, yeah... yeah I'm alright Fluff" Turning to look back at her once more, he'd tense up a moment as she was wearing an over sized t-shirt. The insignia on it bringing a smile to his muzzle - Hopps Family Farm! - seemed funny seeing her wearing that shirt.

"Are you sure?" a softer look of concern on her face, she would move to step around him. Nudging her door closed, she'd set the lock before turning back and beginning to walk past him.

Grabbing her paw when she passed before his eyes again, he'd just as quickly let it go watching her turn to face him once more. "I'm... not sure, no I'm actually not Fluff" He was standing in her apartment, he hadn't lain eyes on her in nearly a year and his mind was trying to process everything suddenly.

"Oh, well we can talk in the morning. Let's get some rest for now alright?" Her ears were half perked, an odd curl to them as she took his paw in her own. Pulling him over to the sofa, she'd nudge him to sit down.

Turning from him she went back and to her room, leaving him to sit there alone once more as she did. Pulling out a pair of extra blankets from her closet, moving back from her room and back to Nick again she'd toss the blankets on his lap. "There we go should keep you warm enough for tonight"

The tug of a warm paw within his own, drew his eyes to the very warm, and very wanted connection. He couldn't deny the thought, that when she brought him to her home that they may share a bed. But the truth settled in quickly enough, he knew better as his thoughts had gotten the best of himself.

He couldn't help but dream a little, watching her walk away with tired steps to her bedroom. The shirt covering her body covered her plenty, only her lower legs peeking from under the clothing. "Rest, right Fluff we'll talk tomorrow" a pause in his words when she returned, dropping a pair of thick blankets on his lap.

"Yeah... well later today, I think we'll have plenty to discuss. But it'll be best to meet with Bogo first thing in a few hours, then you and I can" a pause of her own, trying to think of how to best handle this. "Figure out what we need, between each of us" a soft smile as she turned her eyes to his own, looking to those green eyes as she started to get lost in the forest beyond them.

Her paws began to fidget at the hem of her shirt, tugging against it softly before she turned and bolted to her room. Closing her door without so much as a goodnight, or anything at this point still as she jumped onto her bed before wiggling under the covers. "Oh geeze... I'm just making things more awkward now"

Barely getting another word in, he pawed at the blankets she'd given him just a moment. Glancing from the material back to her, he found her staring right back at him for some reason. "Uhh...Flu" And there was the bolt, she dashed off to her room closing the door quickly enough.

The apartment was far quieter than her previous one, the fact there weren't paper thin walls and neighbors arguing was already a hundred percent better. Standing up a moment, he'd lay out a blanket along the sofa. He turned to go shut the lights off before returning, stripping down to his boxers before flopping out on the sofa and covering up.

---

BZZZT....BZZZT.....BZZZT

The clock radio's annoying buzz began filling the air, the clock on its face reading out 7:00 am. And drawing only a small bit of ire from the vulpine ears the sound assaulted, laying on the sofa as the morning sunlight filtered in through the blinds on the window and drawing his groan of displeasure to the air.

The buzzing was soon silenced, a familiar grey paw tapping the button that took the life away from the annoyance. Her voice breaking the air though, and sounding far more chipper than she might have recently. "Niiiiick! Get up, you're supposed to speak with the Chief this morning. And... we agreed to have a good long talk ourselves."

The relative perky tone when she said his name, dragging it out for a moment with a longer than usual wording. A Singular reddish-orange paw peeking from the edge of the blanket, drawing it down further as his eyes began to adjust. "Do I have to go to school mom?" Jokingly feigning the young kit ploy at her.

The sudden smack of a sofa pillow hitting his muzzle drew a small grin from his features, while also bringing him into the land of the living enough to join her as he'd sit up slowly. Finishing letting his eyes adjust to the morning light, he still felt like he could sleep for a year but he'd been caught. "I'll need to get a hold of Wolfard and Fangmeyer" he owed the grey wolf a whap of his own.

"hrmm did you say something?" Standing on the tip of her paws, she'd turn the roller on the blinds to open them further. Allowing far more light into her apartment, she turned and wandered across the room to the kitchen. Her fur had been groomed already, and a soft scent of blue berries lingered where she'd just been.

"No, nothing at all Fluff. I don't exactly have a change of clothes yet, but could I borrow the shower?" His nose noticing the scent that drifted past him, but also drawing his attention to his own scent. Going on a third day with no shower, or anything to tone down his own scent.

"Uh huh! Just in the bathroom, theirs towels under the sink and a fur-drier if you want" Climbing her counter to retrieve some plates, she'd drop to the floor once she had them. Going about her morning to make breakfast for the pair, and doing her best to keep distracted from him for the time being.

Watching her a moment, he'd nod before standing from the sofa. Folding the blanket up and setting it down, he'd gather up his clothes and duck into the bathroom to clean up as best as possible. With the door closed, he'd glance around the space. The dull crème colored tile around the shower made the place seem dated, but he had to smile seeing a carrot tooth brush holder sitting on the sink.

His shower went quick enough, borrowing just a bit of her fur shampoo and conditioner. He soaked in the warm water as it matted his fur, smoothing out his coat while he scrubbed and lathered it up. His thoughts drifting to the night before in the warehouse, he'd seen her on the floor with blood all around and instantly panicked.

"Come on Nick! Breakfast is ready!" Knocking on the door to the bathroom, she'd go back to the bar top and take a seat on one of her stools. Two plates set out, steamed carrots with broccoli was on the breakfast menu, mostly because aside from cereal that's all she had at the moment.

"Ok I'll be right out" drawn from his thoughts, he'd finish rinsing off quickly enough. Turning the water off, he'd step out opening the cabinet under the sink and taking out a towel. The Pink fluffy material caused a smile to cross his muzzle. "Somehow, I'm not surprised" beginning to rub himself down, his fur fluffing up as he dried himself out as best, and quickly as he could.

---

Forty-Five minutes later they arrived at ZPD Headquarters, bouncing along a bit just in front of him. It might have been the first time in a while, that she didn't look completely sullen and defeated could be taken as a good sign to some. "Morning Benjamin! Have you heard anything about Agent Winters yet?"

"Judy! You're looking a lot better today, I haven't heard much. Just that she's in stable condition, what did you guys get into last night?" Leaning on the top of the desk, his tail flicking back and forth behind himself. The curiosity on his features was blatantly obvious, his attention only shifting when a deep reddish orange entered the front of the ZPD.

"Well that's good to hear, I'll have to swing by and visit her later today" She noted quickly that his attention shifted, herself looking back to see Nick. She'd look back to Ben once more, seeing the slight shock on his face.

"Judy... Judy it's Nick! It's Nick! I think it's Nick anyways, it looks like him!" practically bouncing, his eyes had locked back on the bunny before himself. If his pupils could have changed, they'd have taken the shape of hearts for the sudden possibility of his friends being partners again.

"Benji, I know... I know it's Nick, he got back last night thanks to Wolfard and Fangmeyer." She wanted to say she hadn't been excited herself, but for the time being she was managing those emotions as best as possible. After all it was more than likely, that he wouldn't be part of the ZPD any longer, that thought alone made her try and shake it from her thoughts.

"Hey there Benjamin! Good to see you again, have you been doing all right big guy?" Calling out as he crossed the lobby to the cheetah, ignoring the fact that he'd apparently drawn the eyes of every other officer that was lingering around.

The moment he heard Clawhauser downstairs, he'd stopped fixing his morning coffee. The Cape Buffalo stepping to the balcony and yelling at the fox, "WILDE, OFFICE NOW!" he'd immediately turn and head into his office leaving the door open as he'd sit at his desk.

Immediately dark russet ears twitched to the side, not sure he was really prepared for the mental lashing he was going to receive. Nor the fact that he would for all purposes, be unemployed entirely within the hour. He did take solace in the fact, that worst case he could go back to the little farm he'd taken on.

Giving a soft wave as he turned, Nick made his way across the lobby and to the stairs. Climbing them slowly, it was as if a new weight was placed upon his shoulders. His guilt for how he had handled things continued to grow, pushing so many thoughts to his mind. - why did he leave, why did he assume she'd hate him, why did he panic and fear so much more about what would she would think...why... why... why...-

He came to a stop at the top of the stairs, looking towards Bogo's office door still open and waiting. To Nick's eyes he could almost swear that he could see a dark void where the door remained open, a cool air seemed to permeate from the portal in his mind. "Too late to turn back now" He inhaled deeply and held it a moment before casting his worries away, stepping forth and to Bogo's office.

"Have a seat Wilde, we've got a few things to speak of before you're finished here." The Chief had kept his voice calm, watching the fox enter his office and nudge the door shut behind himself. He gave him a moment to take his seat before opening a file that was sitting on his desk, bringing a cloven paw to his breast pocket and producing his reading glasses.

"I don't need you to answer yet, but mind you thing will go quickly if you answer honestly" Slipping those same reading glasses on, he'd turn his head to the file and the information it contained. Most of what was within he already knew, aside from a few things that Wolfard and Fangmeyer had provided him after the events last night.

"Chief Bogo sir, if I could just before we..." Flinching lightly when a loud thud filled the room, he'd shut his mouth quickly enough.

"Quiet Wilde! Let's get through this" His voice raising if only a moment before calming again, his eyes studying the flinch that the fox gave.

"Yes Sir" the concise answer that came a bit quieter than before, Nick sat up strait in the seat prepared for the worst.

Clearing his throat, he'd give a nod seeing the final resolve settle in. "Now then, Nicholas Piberius Wilde On the night of March 15th, you and Officer Hopps found yourselves in a dire situation where you ended up going savage. This was not caused by yourself, or your partners handling of the situation you found yourselves in." Glancing to him, not getting a word back still he nodded with the smallest of grins.

A soft nod was his only response, his ears perked high in focus on the Chief's words. He wasn't looking at him though, staring at the picture on the wall behind him of the Precinct Photo. All of the other Mammals they worked with in it, himself and Judy front and center.

"During the time of your being savage, doctors have found that you had no way of maintaining a civilized mindset. Therefore, you have been granted immunity from any punishment for those actions, as well Officer Hopps insisted that no charges be placed against you. I personally agree with that, while I may not understand how being savage affects someone mentally, I wholeheartedly agree with the doctors and Officer Hopps." Turning a page within the file, the sound of the paper shifting in the silence.

His green eyes blinked a few times, processing that information as he looked to the Chief questioningly. Nicks breathing calming just a bit, his eyes watering up just a bit as he tried to remain calm.

"No then, due to the extent of what had happened, as well as the amount of time it had taken for your recovery prior to your disappearance. You are being cleared of any wrong doing, as per the advice of our psychologist. That can be considered mental recovery time, to heal in your own way, it's believed that you had to do such so as not to bring further harm to yourself." Flipping another page, he glanced to the fox whose eyes seemed like plates now.

"Wh...what..." the only word that he could form, not sure if he was hearing the chief correctly. His paws gripped at his pants, tightening some and trying to process this information.

"Shut it! I'm not done yet!" Taking a slow breath, he'd look to the next page of reports. "You will receive back-pay for the months you were incapacitated, and you will be allowed to keep your job under a few conditions." He would close the file, sitting back in his chair a bit.

"The first requirement you have to complete another psychological evaluation, every Wednesday you'll see until she deems you clear for full duty. The second requirement, you're going to go through the academy again. I'll not have you being out of shape and sloppy, also I'm tired of my best officer being depressed. I'm not exactly sure what's going on between you two, but I'll not have any fraternization while on duty. Do... I... Make Myself... Clear?" Pulling his glasses from his muzzle, he'd fold them up and stand up leaning on his desk to glare at the fox.

"Ah... y.. yes, Yes Sir Chief! YES! Crystal Clear" His paws grabbing his tail quickly, trying to keep it from flailing about in both relief and excitement. He'd salute the Chief after climbing from the chair, holding back the relief and confusion he carried.

"And Wilde, best keep your nose clean for a good, long, while. I'll be sending out a memo myself, your academy refresher begins in two weeks. You're on parking duty until then, now go to HR, sort out your financials and be back here tomorrow morning ready to serve the mammals of Zootopia" Waving a paw to dismiss him, he would watch as the fox turned and bolted from his office, himself settling back with a groan to his chair. Still unsure if this was a good idea, but he'd keep a closer eye on Wilde.

---

The rest of the day went by slowly for Judy, filling out the report for the previous evenings. She had kept her eyes on Bogo's office as much as she could, her ears flicking high to the air when his door opened again almost an hour later. Her deep amethyst eyes taking in the curiously chipper fox, watching him climb down the stairs towards the lobby. "What the heck..."

Giving a slight wave to Clawhauser, Nick strolled on past him though slipping his paws back in his pockets. He made his way off to pick up the check for his back pay, the whole situation with it stealing at least another half an hour of his time. "Thanks Iris, I appreciate it." Calling back as he left HR, making his way back to the lobby where he'd give pause. Green eyes being cast to where Judy was, sitting at a desk typing away.

"mmm well She'll find out soon enough, I need to get some things though" Crossing to the desk whose domain fell to Clawhauser, he'd smile stepping up to the large feline. "Hey Benjamin, could you let Judy know I'll be back in a few hours."

"Oh Nick, how did it go up there? I think that's the quietest the Chief has ever been, especially when it came to you." Giving a soft nod to the request, he sighed deeply as Nick gave him a wave and headed out of the Precinct.

11:25 am

Just leaving the bank finally, he'd make his way towards the trains. Having plenty of money in his account again, he had to see an old friend. This led his paws across town, down to Sahara Square to find his old friend Finnick.

"Where is he at, don't tell me he left the city" Stopping to rub at his feet a moment, he'd huff loudly.

"Ya know, ya should really call and let your friends know your back" Finnicks' unusually deep voice calling out from across the street, his van hidden down a side alley while he sat out in a lawn chair. The shade of the buildings keeping him cool, he eyed the fox across the street.

"By the holy! Finnick don't scare me like that, I've been walking all over looking for you." His voice carrying back to Fin's large ears, he would go to cross the street. Walking in front of a parked car, from how it looked it belonged to a giraffe. He'd cross the street after another car drove past, nearly taking off his tail when it did.

"Careful there, might have a nice fox skin rug." Finnick's deep and hearty laugh carrying easily, he peered at Nick. "usually friends let you know when they're coming back"

"Funny Fin, real Funny. I didn't get a chance to let anyone know, I was assaulted by a wolf and a tiger. They were on a mission to find me and bring me back, they just didn't grab my phone or anything when they knocked me out" Sighing a bit, he'd take a seat in the shade next to the smaller fennec.

"Serves you right then, you owe me anyways. I had to lie to your rabbit while you were gone, and I refuse to do that to the poor girl again. You're a selfish ass Nick" Glaring at him, Finnick could see with how the red foxes' ears fell back on his head, that he did feel guilty for what he'd done.

"Yeah, I understand Fin, I owe you for that" Head hung lower, ears back on his skull he took a moment before collecting himself once more. "Anyways, I need my uniform from the apartment. Seems I get to keep my job, at least for now and I need it for work tomorrow."

"What! That Buffalo let you come back, man you're one lucky fool Nick" jumping out of his chair, Finnick moved back and to his van. Rummaging around for a few minutes, he'd return moments later dropping a box in his lap.

"Thank you Fin, I really do mean that. Your family, so I appreciate what you did for me." Standing with the box, he'd nod to the smaller Fennec.

"Careful out there, rumor's already spreading about you. Whatever you did last night, set someone off for sure." Waving a paw as he folded up his chair, carrying it back to the van and leaving Nick to his day still.

3:30 pm

Nick had crossed back through town, arriving back out front of the ZPD with a new coat on. Something he'd stopped and picked up after he left Finnick, winter in Zootopia wasn't something even he could wander around in his fur for too long. "She should be done already"

He had called to let her know when he'd be back exactly, and he'd arrived only a minute late thanks to the train. Standing outside of the precinct he nearly had a heart attack, the sudden hit from his side throwing him to the ground. "What the He...." Blinking as he realized his assailant, he'd smile a bit at her voice.

"NICK! You get to come back to work, I'm so happy for you!" Her leap through the air only to tackle him, she'd wrap her arms around his neck in the warm embrace. Holding it for probably a moment longer than she should have, she'd get up quickly.

"Yeah... I've got to do a few things before I'll be on full service, and I'm sure if I mess up even once I'm out. But... well..." He'd sit up slowly, looking directly to her a moment.

"I think in the Chiefs email, he mentioned something about a probation period. It's understandable, you did just up and leave." She slugged him on the shoulder before grabbing his paw, helping him stand back up as she eyed the box he had with himself.

"I'm not surprised by that in the least, but I'm also supposed to go retrain at the academy." Standing up he'd brush some snow off the new coat, he bent over to pick up the box before looking to her. "How about, we go back to your place for... that talk finally?"

"Oh! Alright we can order some takeout from Greeneries, that little noodle place a few blocks from here." She stayed close as they started to walk, snuggling her coat up some as the chill on the air had gotten colder.

Nick watched her as they began walking, his own thoughts had been getting clearer in regards to a lot of things. And he'd spent part of the day mentally preparing himself, to hear what she had to say and get things off his chest as well. No more assumptions between the two, he had to be honest with her about his own feelings as well.

---

Red colored eyes peered out of the limousines window, a reddish paw bringing a glass filled with whiskey to a matching muzzle. Sipping at the drink slowly, the creature would settle the glass again after a moment. Pulling a phone from her pocket, she dialed a number and waited calmly for the voice on the other end to answer.

"Hello?" Jake's voice cut across the line, sounding at least a bit panicked.

Relaxed as she was, she had purpose for her call. "I've seen the one who handled your brother, seems the interference from before is in play. Handle them as you see fit, but don't dawdle to long. You've already messed up, don't let it happen again"

Jake heard her words, followed by the click of the phone cutting off. The weasel pulled it from his ear, eyeing it a moment as a fear filled chill crawled up his spine. Recognizing the voice from the hotel weeks ago, he glanced out of a window to the lamp filled streets of the Nocturnal district. "Well Shit..."

Once the phone was hung up, she pressed button the car door. "Let's go home Parker, I have a feeling we'll need to plan a party."

The familiar Jaguar put the vehicle in gear, pulling away from the ZPD and heading off towards the rain forest district.