HOSPITAL
APRIL 24

"Doc, it's been two days. Let me see my Judy, please."

Nick hung his legs over the side of the hospital bed, a long bandage over his stomach where he had been stabbed. He was recovering rapidly, hell, he could even walk now. However, he had heard two days ago, on April 22, Judy had her throat sliced and she bled out to unconsciousness. She was lucky to be next to a hospital, because if she was without care for even a minute longer, she would've died. Judy was also lucky the knife didn't hit the jugular vein; the vein that would've instantly killed her.

Bellwether was dead. Her body is gone and she is gone. Nick never has to fear for his life about her anymore. But Judy was in a critical state… Nick needed to see her, dammit. He had to. They were partners. Partners care for each other, no matter what.

"It's not so much your health condition that's preventing you from seeing her… Mr. Wilde, are you sure you can control and keep a hold of yourself when you see her? She… She's in an extremely bad state. We can't have you-"

"Doctor, of course I'm not gonna keep a hold of myself," Nick growled. The doctor stopped himself, narrowing his eyes. Nick looked at the doctor's name tag, and noticed a sticker representing a flower on the tag. 'Very unprofessional, but there's only one explanation… Hope this works.'

"That sticker on your name tag," Nick started. The doctor started to glare at Nick, shifting himself. "You have kids, don't you?" Nick asked. The doctor's breath cut, he hated talking about his personal life with patients… It always got to him. The doctor slowly, shakily, nodded.

"Doctor, imagine your kid had just been stabbed," Nick said. The doctor's eyes widened, and he started to bare his teeth, but Nick didn't stop.

"Now, imagine you see them in the state that Judy is in right now. You reckon you can control yourself?" Nick asked. The doctor clenched his jaw tightly, swallowing a lump in his throat. He didn't answer, but his expression told everything to Nick.

"Exactly. No one can control themselves when they see their loved ones injured and on the verge of death. If you think I'll be fine in that room, you'll be surprised. No one could be fine in my situation. So don't expect the impossible from me when not even you, an intelligent medical animal, could control yourself in front of your stabbed children," Nick growled. This last week… It had changed Nick. His cocky personality and sly jokes were gone, at least until Judy was okay. He felt evil, but it was for Judy. The doctor grabbed Nick by his chest fur, his emotions getting the better of him as he attempted to shove Nick into a wall. Nick retaliated, pushing the doctor off him. The doctor hit the closed door, and Nick stood up from his bed, the pain his stomach burning, but he ignored it.

"See that little thing you just did, doc?" Nick whispered. He leant forward, a glare in his eyes. "That was a wave of emotions hitting you at the mention of your kids in a bad situation. If you can't handle yourself, neither can me or anyone else. So you will take me to Judy, and you will not remove me if I can't control myself."

The doctor stared at Nick, feeling dumb. How could he just break at a patient like that? That was stupid of him. He cursed himself, before opening the door and signalling Nick to follow him. He led Nick down the hallway, turning a few corners. Nick didn't feel prepared for this whatsoever, but he just needed to see Judy again. He had to.

"It's here," The doctor said as he stood beside a door. Nick placed a paw on the door handle, taking a deep breath. He swallowed the large lump in his throat, before opening the door.

Judy Hopps, once an energetic, loving bunny with a heart of pure gold and a fire more ferocious than anything, was now a rabbit lying in a hospital bed, a bunch of IV's and other medical equipment hooked up to her, a drip feeding her as she kept her eyes closed with her body resting a deep coma. She had stitches across her neck, a sight more haunting than anything as Nick stared at her. He slowly moved over to her, not knowing what to feel. Judy was in a coma due to blood loss. If that was the case…

Judy might die.

Nick shuddered at that thought, his breath being released in shakes as he slowly stretched out a paw to take the rabbits hand. Her paw felt cold. Not dead body cold, just… Cold. Like she had spent way too long out in a freezing day. Nick didn't realize tears were flowing from his eyes until one hit Judy's paw. Nick drew a breath, gritting his teeth, holding back to the sobs. Judy didn't deserve to be in this state at all. She deserved to have her badge; she deserved to save the day. She deserved a better life, something better than everyone hating her. Judy everything that made her back. Except she was stuck.

It was because of that damn sheep. That's why Judy Hopps was confined to this damn bed with these damn doctors and these damn pieces of equipment.

Damn them.

"I'm sorry, Judy… I'm so, so, so sorry…" Nick sobbed. Judy didn't respond. A slow beep echoed throughout the room, the beep of Judy's heart pumping. It's rhythmic sound being the only sound coming to Nick's ears. Nick hated seeing Judy this way, he hated it. Her ears were flopped by her side, no energy to keep them up as they normally would. Her breaths were hoarse; she was obviously having difficulty due to her throat. Nick tightly clenched Judy's paw, raising it up to kiss it. He sighed, rubbing his thumb over her paw.

"Mr. Wilde?" A nurse who had jogged in said. Nick turned around.

"There's someone who wants to speak with you in the lobby. He said it shouldn't take long, and you should be back with Miss Hopps in no time," The nurse explained. Nick turned to look at Judy, and he felt as if she would be okay with this. Nick walked over to the nurse, nodding. She led the fox down the hallway, and Nick came to face a wolf in a blue suit with a red tie. The wolf had a female hamster on his shoulder, and she wore a purple suit, nearly matching the wolves.

"Is Judy Hopps still in need of a lawyer?" The wolf asked. Her trial… Judy's trial was happening tomorrow! Nick nodded quickly, and the wolf nodded.

"I'm Phoenix, and this is my partner Maya," The wolf said as he pointed to the hamster on his shoulder. "I'm a lawyer, and I can help prove Miss Hopps' innocence. I just need your approval on this, as I hear she's in a critical state, and I believe you were her partner."

Nick nodded, looking down at the floor. "Am…" Nick whispered.

"Huh?" Phoenix asked.

"I am her partner. I am still her partner. She isn't going anywhere," Nick growled. The hamster on Phoenix's shoulder slapped the wolf's head, puffing her cheeks out in annoyance.

"Look what you've done, Nick! You've gone and made him angry!" The hamster said in a frustrated voice.

"Nick? I thought your name was Phoenix. Did she get our names mixed up?" Nick asked. Phoenix shook his head, sighing.

"No, Maya's nickname for me is Nick. Try not to let it confuse you," Phoenix said. Nick slowly nodded.

"Are… Are you sure you can protect Judy?" Nick asked.

"I have been told my many that I'm the best lawyer around. I have always received the correct verdict in every case I've worked on, and I have gotten justice for all, every time," Phoenix said. Nick felt a bit easier at those words.

"In short, he's pretty awesome," Maya grinned.

"I've just got one question for you, sir, and then I'll let you go," Phoenix said. Nick nodded, hoping to answer whatever this lawyer was about to ask. Phoenix reached into his backpack, and pulled out a very familiar file. The purchase history file.

"Is this of any importance to Miss Hopps' trial?" Phoenix asked. Nick stared at the file… This was the root of it all. The cause of Nick's stabbing, Bellwether's death, Judy's coma… All because of this, and it was now in the right hands of a lawyer.

"That's… The most important piece of evidence you have," Nick said. The fox grabbed the file, flipping to the first page.

"This pistol, the one Dawn Bellwether purchased ammo and a silencer for, do you have it?" Nick asked. Phoenix nodded, showing it to Nick. That was Bellwether's pistol, alright. The one from the black market.

"Well, that was the pistol used to shoot that cat who was a part of the attempted bank heist," Nick explained.

"The murder Miss Hopps' was framed for," Phoenix reminded himself.

"Now, this purchase of ammo and a silencer was made the night before the bank heist, and it was under Bellwether's name," Nick started.

"So, Bellwether shot that cat... There was an explosion in the bank, right?" Phoenix asked.

"Explosion. And when Judy went to chase a culprit, she told civilians to keep the two cats in custody. Bellwether was also at that bank-"

"So, in the smoke of the explosion, Bellwether went to kill the cat using the gun, and then framed Judy," Phoenix finished Nick's sentence. "Sir, I have this case down. I can guarantee you Judy's innocence," Phoenix grinned. Nick smiled for the first time in a while.

"Thank you."

"You'll have to be at the trial to represent Miss Hopps. Be there at 9:40 AM tomorrow," Phoenix explained. Nick nodded, before shaking Phoenix's hand, and walking back to Judy's room. Nick reached the rabbit's room, pulling a chair to sit next to her bed. He grabbed her paw, rubbing his thumb over it before resting his head on Judy's bed.

COURTROOM
APRIL 25

"The court is now in session for the trial of Judy Hopps."

Nick sat in the defendant's chair, resting his paws on his lap. He didn't look up; in fact, he drowned out most of the noise of the courtroom. The wolf, Phoenix, stood at the defense bench, making his case, much to the disgrace of a prosecutor opposite of Phoenix. The prosecutor was a wolf like Phoenix, but was a lot whiter. The white wolf wore a red suit with a black undercoat, and he also had three layers of cravats.

Nick needed to be with Judy. He wasn't with Judy. He needed to be with Judy. He needed to be with Judy. Those were the only thoughts flowing through Nick's head. He needed to know Judy's state. Is she still okay? What has happened in the last hour to her?

'I'm being overdramatic. She'll be fine; she's still healthy and young… She's fit… She'll be fine. She has to be. I can't lose her…' Nick swallowed down the lump in his throat. He looked up to see that prosecutor making some sort of argument, but Nick didn't listen. Phoenix had a card ready for this. Nick looked down, and he started thinking back to the first time he met Judy.

At first, she seemed like some overdramatic and happy-go-lucky cop who thought everything was perfect. Nick liked watching those kinds of animal's burn, but Judy… No matter what happened to her, she kept going. Nick tried so hard to ruin Zootopia for her, but she overcame him… Nick didn't realize he was slowly falling for her.

'Carrots… You saved my life!' It was when Nick said that that he realized he was in love with Judy Hopps. This rabbit, the one he annoyed so much, the one that Nick thought hated him, the happy-go-lucky cop, saved his life. She cared enough about him…

"Objection!" Phoenix suddenly cried, cutting Nick's thoughts. Phoenix pulled out that purchase history file, and started making an argument. The argument to save Judy. Nick smiled, looking down at the floor 'You'll be okay, Carrots… Just hang on.'

Judy was going to leave that hospital a free rabbit, with her badge back and a smile on her face. That's how Nick pictured it. Judy was going to be fine, Judy was going to be fine; Judy was going to be fine…. Judy was going to be fine.

"I find the defendant, Judy Hopps, declared innocent of all suspicion surrounding her. When she awakes, she will receive her badge and a formal apology from the heads of the ZPD. She may also press charges if she pleases. Court is adjourned," The judge announced, before slamming down his gavel to end the court session. Phoenix smirked as the tiny hamster, Maya, hugged his arm, cheering at another won case. Nick walked over to the wolf, stretching out a paw.

"Thank you so much," Nick said. Phoenix shook Nick's paw, but that's when the courtroom door burst open, and a weasel wearing a business outfit ran in.

"Mr. Wilde!" The nurse cried. Nick looked at the weasel

"What is it?"

"It's Miss Hopps… She… We're losing her!" The weasel cried. Nick's eyes widened and he felt his gut be hit by the force of a million bricks.

"Take me to her. Now!" Nick cried, sprinting out of the courtroom. The weasel didn't have much choice, and took Nick to her car, driving full speed to the hospital.

Judy was going to be fine, Judy was going to be fine… Nick kept thinking that. He needed to keep thinking that. He can't lose Judy, not now. The car reached the hospital extremely fast, and Nick burst through the doors, sprinting down to Judy's room. He didn't give a shit if he was breaking the law; he needed to see Judy now.

Nick burst through the door, and saw a bunch of doctor's and nurse's surrounding Judy. They were doing some sort of medical exercise, but the only thing Nick picked up on was Judy's heart monitor… The rhythmic beat was different. It was… Slower.

Beep… Beep…

Nick stayed back from the team of medical animals, his eyes only locked with the unconscious Judy. 'Judy, please… Hang on… For me… Please.'

Beep….. Beep…..

It was getting slower. The team was getting ever more panicked. Nick was getting more terrified, but he was paralysed. He felt his legs were unable to move.

Beep….. Beep…..

The team froze. They realized they were going to lose another patient, but Nick didn't know that. He thought Judy was still going to hold on… That she was going to be okay…

Beep…. Beep…..

The team all looked down mournfully, and Nick realized Judy was going to die. He felt his entire body shut down, his legs giving away.

Beep….. Beep….

…..

…..

…..

Beep…. Beep…. Beep…. Beep… Beep…

The medical team jolted for a moment, before suddenly getting back to work. Nick realized Judy was still alive. The team only did three seconds of work before stopping. Nick heard a voice say something that would echo in his mind forever.

"She's waking up!"

Nick finally felt like he could walk. He moved closer to Judy, whose hand was moving. Ever so slowly, her eyelids began to rise, revealing the familiar, violet, beautiful eyes the bunny had. She blinked rapidly, before locking her eyes with Nick's. The fox and the rabbit stared at each other for the longest time, their eyes not moving an inch. The doctor's and nurse's watched their reunion, and for what seemed to be eternity, they just stared at each other.

"Sly bunny…" Nick whispered. Judy smiled, opening her mouth to say something, but choking instead. She placed a hand against her throat, before smiling at Nick again.

"Dumb fox…" She croaked, using all her strength to speak.

Nick released the breath he had been holding, smiling, before wrapping Judy up. Nick held the bunny to his chest, and she returned the hug, tears in her eyes. She sat up, both arms wrapped around his neck as he held her tighter than he has held her before. She was back… She was finally back. Nick leant back, looking at Judy. The rabbit placed a paw on Nick's cheek, and Nick knew what to do. He leant forward, placing his lips on hers. It was a soft, genuine kiss that they'd be waiting to do for way too long.

Her lips were still as perfect as ever. They still were beautiful to kiss. They were… Astonishing. Nick slowly broke away, before pulling Judy in for another hug.

"It's over, Carrots… It's finally over…"

ZOOTOPIA
MAY 13

"Lieutenant Judy Hopps, the heads of the ZPD hereby apologize for all errors we have made in wrongfully accusing you. You are now, along with Nick Wilde, accepted back into the ZPD."

Applause broke out through the city as Bogo placed the badges he had taken away back on Judy and Nick's chest. Judy looked at Nick. She still could barely speak, but she was recovering ever so slowly. "Nick…" She whispered. "We're back."

I messed up tonight.
I lost another fight.

Bogo saluted Judy and Nick, and the animals returned the gesture, much to the pleasure of the population of Zootopia. Nick and Judy smiled at each other, and they knew what they had to do.

I still mess up but
I'll just start again.

Nick walked over to the bunny, and leant down to her. She took his cheek in her paw, staring at the fox. Nick took appreciation of her eyes, those violet eyes shining up his world. "I love you, Nick."

I keep falling down
I keep on hitting the ground
I always get up now to see what's next.

Nick smiled at the rabbit. "I love you too, Carrots."

Birds don't just fly
They fall down and get up
Nobody learns without getting it won.

That's when Judy planted her lips on Nick's, and the population had another round of applause. Nick softly kissed the rabbit, closing his eyes, only letting her taste into his world.

I won't give up
No, I won't give in
Till I reach the end
And then I'll start again

Nick separated from Judy, a smile still on his face. "I'll always love you, no matter what."

No, I won't leave
I wanna try everything
I wanna try even though I could fail.

After that week of torture, death, torment, injuries and hell, to be here, with her lover, her badge and a smile on her face was all Judy ever wanted. Judy was an officer of the ZPD. She was Nick Wilde's girlfriend, and she was back where she was a month ago.

But most importantly, Judy was happy.

I wanna try everything.

THE END.