Three weeks on the job and Nick was discovering there was a lot more to being a cop then the Police Academy had led on. The instructors had for the most part always painted a rosy picture of police work, highlighting the exciting job and the opportunity to help the community. What they didn't mention was the amount of paperwork required. There were mountains of it. Each case had to be meticulously logged with the accounts of all witnesses being dutifully retyped into the ZPD database. It took hours and Nick detested it. His paperwork had started to languish as he turned in reports later and later sometimes not at all. This is how he ended up in Chief Bogo's office.

"Why do you waste my time with this?!", Chief Bogo exclaimed. "Do you think it isn't important? We can't run a police office without proper processes."

Nick's usually confident demeanor evaporated as his gaze drifted down to the hardwood of the large imposing desk which hid the lower half of Chief Bogo's body. Up until the last week he had been his own boss; free to go and come as he pleased, make his own decisions, and never taking crap from anyone.

"It must have slipped my mind. I will try to do better in the future." Nick replied in a defeated tone, his ears swept back against his skull in a submissive manner.

"Well you damn well better!", Chief Bogo snapped. Slamming his large bifurcated hooves onto the table. "I don't want to see you in here again Wilde. Now get out."

His tail nearly dragging on the floor, the new police officer slinked out of the office. His thoughts defeated and circling on self-pity. Nick couldn't remember the last time he had been verbally berated with such vigor. Nick had an agile mind that we always working himself into and out of trouble. His first stop after he left Chief Bogo's office was to Chazz's desk. Chazz was an interesting fellow. He was a lion but displayed zero of the typical characteristics of his species. In Nick's eyes Chazz was a rather lackluster runt of a Lion. A guy who was very socially inept, mostly kept to himself, and seem to enjoy the company of the action figures that littered have desk. Nick had wonder how the feline even made it through the Police Academy. Perhaps it was a slow year. Regardless, Nick approached Chazz's desk with what he has hoped was an open and friendly smile.

"Chazz! Hey Buddy, how has your day been? Frequenting any intense stake outs recently?", Nick said through a white toothed smile.

Chazz glanced up with a suspicious expression as Nick approached. He wasn't used to anyone being so cordial or open with him. He glanced to Nick's chest reading his badge. "Hi Nick I don't believe I've met you yet. You're the cute bunny's partner right?"

Nick ignored the comment on his partner's cuteness and nodded. "You know it. Also as you know I'm one of the newest officers here and I'm still getting used to the formatting for our paperwork. I actually just came from Chief Bogo's office before heading straight over here. Getting some assistance from you would be a great help to set me on the right path. Plus, it's obvious that you know a lot about this process and I'm sure we can figure this out together." He then proceeded to drop a stack of paperwork on the lion's desk. "It's easy to see how you're a great help to the team. If you could get started on these then I could use them as an example for my next set."

"Buu…" The Lion stopped short as the fox cut him off.

"Thank you so much!", Nick snapped before doing an abrupt face and striding off; his tail high and proud having regained some of his aplomb before nearly bumping into Judy.

"Nick!" Judy exclaimed. "I heard you were called into the Chief's office. What was that about?"

"Oh, it was nothing. He just wanted to give me a few pointers. I have it all taken care of." Nick said, offering a sly smile, pleased with himself as he could hear Chazz starting to work on his paperwork behind him. "Now, what do you say for a bit of dinner? It's been a long day."

Judy nodded and smiled, "I would like that. What is it? Your first month on the force? It's time to celebrate!"

"Great! You're buying then!"

Judy just laughed and shrugged following him out of the station. Nick led her to a quiet place serving various fairs where they both could get something they would each enjoy. Plus, a tall pint of beer to take the edge off. It was a Friday after all.

"To one month!" Judy grinned holding up her glass of water in a toast.

"To one month and to many more!", Nick smiled and clinked his pint of beer against her glass and taking a long pull. "So what are your plans for this weekend? Going to get into any trouble?"

Judy laughed, "ME? Aren't you the one I keep having to rescue? I'm sure the pokes and prods I gave to your instructors at the academy didn't hurt. But, no. I'm actually going to visit the folks this weekend. It's been to long since I've seen my family. What about you? Not going to start up your popsicle gig again if I'm not around to supervise you, eh?" She winked, her mood rising till she felt almost bubbly. Something that seemed to be a common occurrence around her new partner.

"Hey! I simply don't know what you're talking about. I graduated top of my class!"

While this was true, Nick had graduated with honors. He excelled in most areas of the police academy but was well below average on anything that required long periods of sitting still and concentrating. Judy had used what small amount of influence she had to persuade Nick's instructors that he was a choice candidate and to look over those minor details.

"Anyway", Nick continued. "I will be staying out of trouble. There are a few friends I haven't seen since before the academy. I thought I would go visit them. No pawpsicles will be involved. I assure you. Scout's honor." Nick held up his right paw and grinned, winking at her.

"You never finished scouts! I'll just have to take your word for it!" Judy laughed, sticking out her tongue quickly to remove any malice from the quip.

"Foods here!", Nick cried as a stout bear dropped off their dishes. "Dig in!"

The pair continued to eat and chat about their upcoming weekend. Joking about who was going to have a more fun and relaxing weekend. Little did they know, clouds were forming and a storm would soon rock them and their relationships to the core.

"Carrots!"

Judy jumped and her ears spun in the direction of the noise before she saw Nick ambling toward her, his sly expression plastered on his face. She was still getting used to seeing him wearing the blue. The tight fitting uniform really made him a handsome guy. It was a far cry better than the seemingly random apparel she initially saw him wearing. She was standing a few blocks from the station where they had started meeting in the morning to make the final walk to work together. Neither of them owned cars and lived in the same direction from the station so meeting up before work came quite naturally.

"Hey! How was your weekend? I see that you're still in one piece.", Judy grinned and turned to start the walk to work.

"Haha, well I at least managed to scrap the pieces back into this uniform by this morning. How do you always have so much energy on a Monday morning?", Nick growled looking a bit bleary eyed.

Judy laughed, "It's easy. Just get a full night's sleep and stick to a vegetarian diet".

"Not worth it", Nick chuckled. "So how was your weekend with the folks? Did they grill you having a fox for a partner?"

"Nope! Not at all. They have actually become quite a bit more excepting." Judy said, smiling. "I do wish all my relatives were as opened minded. I had one uncle spend over half an hour trying his best to convince me you were just playing a long con to rob the city or some nonsense like that."

"Wow, I better get started on that if I plan to pull that kind of gig." Nick said and nodded to a coffee shop they were passing. "How about a quick stop for a cup of Java?"

"Well we better be quick about it. We don't want to miss the morning assignments and end up with some dead end gig."

The uniformed pair made a quick stop for the drinks, a large espresso for Nick and an herbal tea for Judy. Without having to hurry too much they made it on time for the morning meeting. Each taking their respective seats on the front row, chosen of course by Judy. The fox and rabbit got a simple assignment. Go to three domestic abuse cases and take the statements from the plaintiff and the defendant as well as any witnesses. The drive to their first case only took a matter of minutes before the pair were climbing out of the car and walking up to the front door.

*Knock Knock Knock*

Judy tapped on the door three times with Nick waiting behind her. A frightened and tired looking female raccoon came to the door. She was a little under five feet but still towered above Judy. Her eyes were bloodshot and the left one was almost swollen closed.

"Hello Mam, we are responding to call about some domestic abuse." Judy said looking concerned.

The raccoon took a quick glance down at the bunny before looking to the fox. She then completely ignored Judy and started to pour out her story to Nick who was rather taken aback. Judy shrugged it off and flipped open her notebook taking down all the details with her favorite carrot pen. After a good fifteen minutes of the females fast and desperate talking she began to taper off. Nick only nodding and adding the odd, "Mmhmm…" and "That must be hard."

"Okay Mam, we have taken down your statement. Could we please speak with your husband now?" Judy said trying to retake control of the situation.

The female raccoon just stared down at her for a moment before nodding and yelling back into the house, "It's your turn; you asshole!" She then walked off disappearing into a neighbor's house before a rather fat short raccoon appeared at the door.

"What the hell is this. A joke?" The raccoon laughed as he saw the two small officers at his door. "Are my friends playing a prank on me?"

"No, I can assure you this isn't a joke. We are here to take your statement." Judy replied her face turning a bit red in anger and frustration.

The raccoon just grinned, seeing he was having an effect on the little bunny. "Well, then I deny everything she said." He chuckled and folded his arms looking down his nose at Judy. "I'll give my real statement when the REAL police arrive." He then turned back into the house and slammed the door, dead bolting it behind him.

Judy stood there, her muzzle hanging open, shocked by the raccoon's reaction. Not a real cop?! How dare he. Her face turned a darker shade of red, a growl emanating in the back of her throat. She reached up to bang furiously upon the door; to rage against the raccoon before a paw on her shoulder stopped her. She looked back with an expression of fierce anger on her face to see Nick's cool expression with a shadow of a smile on his lips.

"It's okay Carrots. We can just write up the report and say the defendant didn't want to get a statement. There are assholes out there and we are the ones who usually have to deal with them." He squeezed her shoulder again a bit harder in reassurance before ushering her to the squad car. He even managed to open the passenger door for her before climbing in himself earning Nick a small smile.

"Where to next?", Judy said with a bit of an edge to her voice, the recent encounter still clearly on her mind.

"Next stop Tundratown so looks like we've got a few minutes to relax as we drive over there. How about some tunes?" Nick said cheerfully before hitting one of his favorite radio stations that played mostly early 2000s rock.

"You're still listening to this? Why not go all the and get that frosted tips hair style I know you would love to rock!"

"I'm sure you would love that Carrots, but I'm afraid I'm simply too good looking to mess up my fur with that kind of nonsense." Nick chuckled as he pulled onto the highway that would lead them to Tundratown.

After a few more rock songs played they pulled up in front of a series of duplex's that seemed huge in comparison with the houses they just left.

"What kind of animals live here?", Judy asked just a hint of hesitation in her voice.

Nick looked down and checked his notebook, "Looks like they are polar bears", he said with a shrug before opening his door and hopping out.

Judy nodded to herself and climbed out of the car herself, heading to the front door with Nick in tow. As before Judy took the lead and knocked as high as she could reach on the door, which seemed to tower above her. The pair waited a few beats before they heard the pounding of heavy footsteps and the door unexpectedly burst open nearly hitting Judy. Her lightning quick reflexes that was inherent to all rabbits gave her the advantage to dodge the quick swinging door in a not too disrespectful tumble before landing on her feet again. A very large and tall female polar bear stepped out and looked around before she noticed the pair almost under foot. Judy made a quick glance at Nick before raising her voice and announcing, "Hello Mam, we got a call that there was a disturbance at this residence. Are you okay?"

The polar bear gave Judy a very confused look, "Uhhh, are you a police officer?", she said before trailing off with a very bewildered expression.

"Yes mam, we are both officers of the ZPD." Judy assured her, before pulling out her notebook. "Can you please tell me what happened?"

The bear seemed to be having an internal struggle her face betraying her emotions, "I didn't think rabbits could be cops. I've also never seen a fox in uniform."

"Well, I'm the first one." Judy explained her expression darkening and her smile looking somewhat forced. "I can assure you I went through the same training as every other police officer."

"Well, how long have you been an officer then? I haven't heard of you." The polar bear huffed, "And what about you?" She said, looking toward Nick. "The silent type eh?"

Nick leaned in, his expression unchanging, "I've been in the force for just about a month. Judy hear has been in for about 18 months. So she is the experienced one."

"Jesus Lion!" The bear swore. "I get beat up and the only officers I get are some skimpy fresh outs. I always knew the police officers weren't as tolerant of us bear folk."

"Please, mam. We are only here to help. I'm sure if we can get your statement we can start processing your case. You don't want another officer to come down just to write down some facts right?" Judy said, her voice almost pleading.

The polar bear started to back into the door shaking her head. "It's been a traumatic day. I really want a professional to work on my case. Please, just go back and send some officers with experience. Thank you." The door was then shut firmly in the fox and bunny's faces.

Judy stood rooted to the spot. Her face moving from anger to anguish and back again. Her hands started to shake, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the carrot pen and notebook in her paws. In a sudden flurry of movement, Judy spun around and walked briskly back to the police car jumping in the driver's side. Nick looked about awkwardly before following and getting into the passenger seat. He glanced over at his partner but before he could utter a word Judy started the car, put it in gear and started to drive, her eyes fixed straight ahead, her expression unreadable.

"Carrots…" Nick prodded as he looked at Judy whose chest was starting to heave. "Why don't you pull over for a moment."

Judy glanced over at her partner and nodded pulling the car over next to a deserted park. "It's fine. It's fine." She muttered to herself. Her voice cracking on her second attempt.

"Has this happened to you before?" Nick asked his expression one of empathy.

"No, never!" Judy choked, her paws holding the wheel in a death grip. "Of course, I was always the secondary on a case and I was assigned a new partner every week and they would take the lead." She said the last words spilling out.

"Mhmm, here let's let go of the wheel." Nick said softly, reaching over and pulling Judy's paws from the steering wheel. He held each of her paws in his, squeezing reassuringly.

"It isn't supposed to be this way.", Judy sobbed. "I'm here to help them. Why don't they want my help?"

"They just aren't used to a bunny cop… or a fox cop for that matter. It's going to take some time. Most animals resent change. This is a big change for them. You're challenging stereotypes." Nick said with a quick grin and an extra squeeze on her paw.

Judy's face was damp with tears as she looked over at her partner. He always seemed to know what to say. She felt very lucky to have such a good friend who could understand her. "Yeah…" She said meekly, "I suppose you're right. I can't expect everyone to be so understanding."

Nick pulled a handkerchief from his shirt pocket and handed it to her, "Now you should do something about those tears. I can't have you making me look bad." He said with a wink, squeezing her paw one more time.

She offered him a slight smile and nodded before blotting at her eyes with the cotton square.

"Now how about we let another officer handle the third call?" Nick said with a grin.

"We can't do that!" Judy frowned. "We have a responsibility to get through our assignments!"

Nick ignored his long eared companion for a moment and spoke into his chest mounted radio, "This is officer Wilde and Hopps. We are having a bit of car trouble. Request an officer look into the third domestic abuse case at 15143 Cherry St."

Judy looked at her partner aghast. The radio chimed back, "No problem. Please come back so we can look at the car."

Nick placed the radio back on his shirt and looked to Judy. "Tragedies come in threes. I didn't want to risk it. Anyway, I'm ready for some grub. What do you say Carrots? Let's bend the rules and just shake this off."

Judy's instinct urged her to berate her partner for not fulfilling his one hundred percent duty but he had just been so sweet to her moments ago. "Okay, seeing as you're still a greenhorn and I don't want you to get the wrong impression of police work." She grinned and gave him a hard poke in the arm. "Let's not make this a habit, okay?"

Judy and Nick pulled away from the park and drove toward the station stopping on the way for some good conversation on some good food. Tomorrow was going to be the start of something new for them.

Chief Bogo grinned to himself as he listened to the radio as Nick called in, requesting a relief officer. He had planned their day to be a disaster. He had experience with all three of these cases and knew each of them distrusted smaller animals. The pair were going to be perfect for his plan. The chief paused for a moment before sighing. He wasn't a bad officer and wasn't looking to endanger the pair. He just wanted to make sure the two were extra motivated for what he had in mind. He hoped the pair would be up for the task. The lives of young animals were at stake.