Diamond in the Rough

A/N In this chapter Judy describes the Vixen drinks, I put the real cocktail names in parentheses since I did not make them up. Also, toward the end of the chapter it gets a little dark, I tried to keep it a little toned down, but it could be a trigger for some readers and I just want to give a bit of a heads up.

Chapter 11: Work, Twerk, Jerk

Judy was back in her hotel. Nick had cooked some breakfast, they had decided they couldn't act on their feelings yet because it would jeopardize the case, and Judy had taken a cab back to her temporary residence. Her case notes were sprawled across the run-down desk, and her journal was open to the first page of the Vixens' notes. She began updating, writing in the drinks for each dancer.

Pepper- Vodka, tomato juice, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and piri piri sauce. (Bloody Mary)

Jynx- absinthe, raspberry vodka, and sweet and sour mix. (Violent Femme)

Candy- White rum, pineapple juice, grenadine, and maraschino liqueur. (Mary Pickford)

Sapphire- Vodka, blue curacao, and champagne, in a sugar rimmed glass. (Midnight Kiss)

Gem&Ni- two shot glasses layered with Bailey's Irish Cream, Kahlua, and Amaretto. Topped with whipped cream and consumed hands free for some reason…. (It's called a Blowjob Shot, poor innocent Judy)

Kitty- Bourbon, Cointreau, and lemon juice (Sidecar)

Vix- Vodka, pomegranate juice, pomegranate seeds, lime juice, and honey. Topped with ginger beer and rosemary. (Pomegranate Moscow Mule)

Judy looked at her notes. She needed to add updates from the day before. Unfortunately, Judy hadn't heard Nick tell her "the gazelle" dropped something in her drink, she had heard "Tyrell" did. Too bad the two of them forgot to discuss the event earlier.

Pepper- Bertha doesn't not talk much, save to complain about her deadbeat ex. Says she's working here to support her kids. Dana (Candy) told me it's because the dad doesn't pay the child support. Dana also says that Bertha only gets request for private dances from a few clients, they've become her regulars though, each coming in about once a week. She's really sassy, but keeps to herself. I think, since Bertha has a small number of clients, who are regulars, that maybe she is involved in the delivery process.

Jynx- Lizzy is dating a lion, Tyrell Redmane, it seems. From what Dana told me, whenever Lizzy isn't working she's with her boy toy, and when she is working, he's usually there, paying for private dances with her so other guys don't get her. But Dana told me that when he isn't around, Jynx is one of the most requested dancers for private showings. I'm not sure why Tyrell tried to put something in my drink though, maybe Nick was confused. Dana also told me that Lizzy comes from a rough background in the foster care system, and as soon as she turned 18 started working at the club, starting as a bartender. One day Vivian decided to put her on the pole instead. If she was involved, I think Tyrell would be in the way.

Candy- Dana is super sweet. After the twins, she's the most requested vixen for private dances. Probably because she's so nice. Dana has told me a lot about the other Vixens, and I think I can trust her.

Sapphire- I don't feel like Luna belongs in the pole scene. She seems to really care about her family, and doesn't seem to need the money too much, but says she's doing it for her family. Dana says that a few months ago, Luna quit her job as a teacher to become a dancer. Apparently, she works most of the daytime shifts to hide that she isn't teaching. Most of her clients are regulars at the club, some of Victor's more rowdy goons tend to request her frequently. I often see Luna looking really sad and defeated when she thinks no one is looking, but Dana says she love the attention she gets from Victor's men, because she doesn't get the attention from her husband anymore. If Victor's men are asking for her, I think she must be involved in some way.

Gem&Ni- Katherine and Rebecca are a package deal for everything. They are also the most requested dancers. Dana says they never really have free-time because they are either on the pole or in a private room. She says that almost every club patron has received a private show from the twins, rumor is that they've met with Victor himself too. Dana says that Victor supposedly doesn't request dancers, but she saw Victor slip out after the twins once or twice. Dana says that the twins don't talk about their personal lives, but their father is good friend of Victor's. I think the twins are involved, I need to keep a close eye on them.

Kitty- Nikki hardly ever does private dances, and when she does, Dana says they are kept anonymous. Supposedly Nikki really only talks to Vivian about anything personal, but Dana says Nikki used to run in a gang. Supposedly she was dating the gang leader until he cheated on her then disappeared. The next in line took over and she just left. Her ex's body turned up in a river awhile back and the new leader was arrested, there wasn't any evidence against him but the jury unanimously voted guilty. Dana says that word on the street is Nikki murdered him and paid off the jury. I don't trust Nikki.

Vix- I have no new info on Vivian, she just runs the club for Victor, and decides routines. She's gonna be hard to get to.

Judy sighed and stared out the window at The Vixen Den. I have the feeling this is going to be a lot bigger than we thought. Judy's undercover phone buzzed next to her.

Ready for your performance tonight? It was a text from Candy. Judy had almost forgot that tonight would start her first regularly scheduled performance. Last night she had spent a lot of time in a backroom studio with Vivian, working on a few routine ideas, and Vivian had set up a time each day for the next week that Judy was to be dancing a solo act. Angel's first official dance was tonight in a few hours.

I don't know Candy, I'm really nervous… Judy was about to hit send when she realized the mistake she almost made, Isobel had been performing for years. Please, I was born ready ;) send.

How'd it go with that hot fox last night? Did you give him some Angel action?

Of course not! Judy flushed at the thought.

Really?... You left awfully fast, seemed eager….

Judy thought for a minute…

Nate and I dated back in HS… He said he thought he saw someone put something in my drink, I think it was an excuse to try and get an easy lay, but I haven't seen him in ages so I didn't let it get that far, who knows what he's been up to. There that seems safe.

Did he say who?

I couldn't hear over the crowd but I think he said Tyrell

Judy went into the bathroom and took a shower, starting her prep for the nightlife. When she got back to her phone she had a few more messages.

Tyrell?! He's so fixated on Jynx though, Nate must've imagined it.

And yeah, you should be careful around Nate…He's been hanging around Victor lately. Those guys are a little too rough for a bunny, no offense.

Do you think Nate might have a thing for tall girls? Because I am totally into the predator-prey thing…that stuff is HOT!

Judy's stomach dropped. She didn't want to picture Nick and Candy. She didn't want to picture Nick and anybody.

NO! She texted back to Candy.

Well if you don't want him what's the big deal?

I didn't say I didn't want him…. Judy hoped Candy would take the hint.

I knew it! The way you looked at him! And how he looked at you! Just to clarify, I don't want him, I was messing with you!

Judy breathed out a sigh of relief. She picked out a tight black strapless dress. It was really short. It lifted her chest and showed off the black garter that housed her camera. She put on a pair of plum platforms, grabbed the bag of costumes, and left the hotel. She sent a text to Nate Padden.

Hey Nate, it was great catching up last night, are you coming in tonight? She got the response just as she was approaching the doors to The Vixen's Den.

Sorry Isobel, not tonight. Hope your first gig goes well Angel. Sigh…Judy couldn't help but feel dejected that Nick was going to miss her show. As Judy walked through the club towards the curtained entrance for the vixens, she realized how uneasy she felt. She felt like every male she walked by was undressing her with his eyes. She hurried through the curtain.

"What'd Victor say?" she heard the whisper as she pulled the curtain closed, she couldn't make out the voice.

"Ve do nothing for now, ve'll handle it later" Vivian stepped out of the dancers' room and nodded to Judy as she passed, "Break a leg, Angel" Judy opened the door hoping to see who Vivian was talking to. Sapphire, Jynx, Candy, Pepper, and Kitty were all there prepping themselves in front of the mirrors. The twins were out on stage.

"Angel, over here! Let me do your makeup!" Candy called. The next thing she knew, she was about to step on stage. She was in a shiny black bustier, black lace panties, and fishnet stockings with hold ups. In the few seconds before the spotlight came up, she found herself searching for Nick's face. It wasn't there. Then the light came on, the music started, and Judy let the music consume her mind. Judy could hear the crowd enjoying the performance and shivered. She felt much safer with Nick around. She knew he was using the feed on her camera to keep an eye and ear out but… all the camera really provided were videos of knees, or spinning walls. The song started to end and Judy spun down the pole with her back to it and her legs out. She landed on the floor in a split facing the audience. She rolled forward, and closed her legs to end laying on the floor, head on her paw, and ankles crossed in the air like a true playboy bunny, but the pole was between her legs. I forgot to slide myself forward when I rolled! Judy had to think fast to come up with a new ending. She clenched her thighs to the pole and used it to raise her up onto her knees. She scooted her knees further out and flung one arm up to grab the pole above her head, and placed her paw to her face, pressing a finger to her lips. The spotlight turned off as the patrons hooted and Judy used the pole to stand up, then walked off the stage. She almost collided with Candy who was running to meet her.

"Ohmygosh! You killed it! I even heard one of Victor's guys request you for a private show!" Candy gushed. Judy's heart lurched. A private dance...with who? I don't know what we do for private dances! "Don't worry, Vivian's coming to get you ready, she'll explain everything." Candy rushed off. Judy walked in to the back room to see Vivian waiting for her. She was holding a plum purple baby doll style lingerie set, the cups were padded with a lace overlay, sheer fabric hung down from the bust with a slit in the front middle straight up to the center of the bra. The panties were a lace thong, with a v shape to the back waistline, to make room for a tail. She had seen these pieces before, each Vixen had one for private dances, each a different color, probably to tell them apart. Judy's was apparently purple.

"Put this on, you have a client" Judy took the costume and stepped behind a rack of clothing to change. She stepped out and saw herself in the mirror. She actually looked pretty, and the outfit was very romantic. She secretly hoped the client was Nick. "The garter," Vivian's voice cut into Judy's thoughts, "take it off, it does not match." Judy's heart beat fast in her chest. Her camera. Well, I guess I have to…I'll have to ask Bogo for a new camera location…. Judy carefully removed her garter, and placed it with her stuff, careful not to cover it up, maybe Nick will get some useful audio from the dressing room. "Alright now valk vith me and listen." Judy followed after Vivian as they left the room. "Remember that he is paying for you. You may be used to policies regarding conduct vith these types of showings, but this is the big leagues. You signed a consent form vith your application to adhere to our guidelines, if you decide you cannot comply vith the rules of the private showing, your employment vill be terminated." Judy felt she was not going to like what was coming next. "Now," Vivian stopped in front of a door and turned to face her. "As I said, he pays for you, he controls the show, he controls the length of time, and he controls you." Judy swallowed nervously. "However, there is a limitation," Judy felt a sigh of relief. "he can do anything but mate vith you." That's not much of a limitation…. Judy thought uneasily. "Don't blow your career, Angel." Vivian opened the door and mentally pushed Judy in. Vivian didn't actually touch her but the force of her stare was enough.

It wasn't Nick.

It was one of Victor's loud, boorish men. He was an overweight, sleazy, Hyena. Judy did not like when he put his paws on her. She did not like when he tried to put his tail down her panties, gave up, grabbed her tail and pulled them down so he could "get a better view of what's his". He made her strip then dance on the pole for him. He made her sick when he said "oh you like that huh? Of course you do. Rabbits are always horny. You're so lucky I decided to make you feel good." As he put his paws where he pleased. Judy couldn't think anymore. She turned off all emotion and just waited until he decided he was through, and did what she was told. Until finally, "Alright, I'm done with you. I'll be sure to tell the guys about you. You might be more fun than Sapphire." He got up and left her sitting there. She put her clothing back on, hugged her knees to her chest, and cried, for the second time in her life.

When she returned to the back room, most of the girls were really quiet. Sapphire's head was lowered and her shoulders were hunched. Pepper was watching her in the mirror, eyes full of sympathy. Candy, Jynx, and Kitty weren't in the room, but the twins were.

"Did you have fun?" Gem asked.

"Isn't it thrilling?" gushed Ni.

Judy threw up.

A/N Ok, so this chapter came out quickly and is the longest chapter so far. I'm not sure when the next chapter will be out, but hopefully within another week or two! Thanks again for all the positive feedback!

PS. I'm starting a poll, near the end of the story…I don't want to give too much away… but something is gonna happen and I can't decide which character I should use, if you feel like it, send me a comment saying either Nick or Judy. (don't worry you're votes aren't a death sentence for the character, that'd be cruel)