A/N: Okay. I really didn't have much intentions on doing a Zootopia story as I never really felt much of a desire to. But this idea came to me and I thought I should at least explore it as I find Judy and Nick to be adorable. This is also an attempt to get me writing again as I've had such a hard time finding motivation and I very much want to keep writing. I'm working more on Exploding Sheep and I thought to avoid getting rusty, I should post SOMETHING. I don't know if anyone will like this but if they do, then maybe it'll get me going to continue this and other works I have.

Just as a small note; I decided to portray the characters a little more anthropomorphic than in the movie related to dress and size. Characters like Judy, Nick, Clawhauser and Bogo will be relatively close in height though Judy would still be considered small. Large mammals like giraffes and elephants will still tower over everyone to keep some semblance to the film. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this little experiment and let me know if you'd be interested in seeing it continue!

All characters belong to Disney.

Ain't No Hustle, Sweetheart

"Come on, Carrots, you can hit harder than that."

Judy snorted as she drove another gloved fist into the punching bag, putting some extra force into it. The bag absorbed the impact and its chain shuttered loudly. The ZPD's first rabbit officer bobbed and shuffled her feet, moving around the bag before delivering another set of combos. The sounds of leather smashing against leather satisfied her ego, but she couldn't help notice the smug grin on her partner's face who held the bag still for her.

"Did you throw a punch? Or did a draft come in from an open window?" Nick jested, half lidded green eyes reflecting with a teasing playfulness. Judy's lips tightened into a frown and she attacked the bag again, her strikes echoing off the bag loudly. Nick's smile just widened. "Oop, felt a tickle on that one."

An overwhelming irritation arose within the rabbit that only the fox could cause, and she growled before throwing a right handed haymaker with all her strength. The punching bag slightly bent and Nick's face flashed a look of surprise as the impact caused him to stumble and almost let go of the bag. Judy stopped moving, wiping away some sweat and sporting a victorious smile.

"Did that one tickle too?" she panted.

Nick's usual smirk returned and he chuckled. "Very impressive, but how could you expect any less from such a great motivator?"

"Oh, yeah, you're motivation is such a key element," Judy grinned sarcastically, taking off her training gloves. "Then again, picturing that bag as your face does give me a little extra fire."

"Aw, that hurts, Carrots," Nick feigned hurtfully, ears folding down. Judy couldn't help but laugh as she tossed her gloves at him. The fox caught them, smile and sly features returning instantly. Judy wiped her face with a towel and fluffed the collar of her baggy ZPD sweat suit.

"I guess we should hit the showers," she coughed. "Morning assignments are in twenty minutes."

"Just go as you are. I find it amusing to see the wolves fidget in their seats trying to block out the smell," Nick suggested, tossing the gloves in a nearby hamper.

"You're so gross," Judy laughed. Nick's smile just widened as he collected his own towel to wipe his equally sweaty face. "See you in twenty?" the bunny asked, holding out her fist.

"Twenty it is," Nick replied, bumping her fist with his own. Judy turned to make her way to the female locker room of the ZPD gym when she heard Nick's voice call out, "Oh, mind taking care of this for me, Carrots?"

As she turned to face him, something damp and smelly flew atop her head. Ripping the item off her face, she grimaced at the sight of his shirt. "Ugh! Really, Nick?! That's not funny! That's…" Her voice died in her throat when she managed to lock her eyes on him.

The vulpine shot her another amused smirk at his prank and walked past her to head to the showers himself. Judy's ears fell down behind her head as he passed, his finger giving her a playful poke at her nose, a recurring gesture that signaled he was done bugging her…for the moment. Judy's nose twitched and she remained where she was, paws tightly wringing her towel. Her face had yet to stop burning from the sight of seeing the fox shirtless, the image burned into her mind.

Nick had always been relatively lean and skinny, a common trait among foxes (unless you counted Gideon Grey), but since joining the ZPD Academy, that quickly changed. No longer did she see the scrawny Nick she had first met over a year ago, but almost an entirely new person. The fox now sported larger arms, shoulders, and chest, impressively filling out his uniform. Nick never really acknowledged it, simply shrugging when another officer took notice and commented on it.

"A fortunate accident, I guess. My drill instructor made me do extra sets of push ups and sit ups every time I made a wise crack. It didn't take long to get in shape."

Judy traced every outline of his body as he passed, the muscle underneath his fur bending with his movements and she prayed to God he didn't catch her doing so. Her face erupted in another flash of heat and she quickly shuffled her way over to the showers. She passed a few fellow officers who had also spent the early morning training and exchanged friendly greetings, forcing a fake smile. Judy came to her locker and took off her sweater. She cast a look around to see if anyone one else was in the vicinity but found she was alone. Satisfied with that, she sat down on the bench staring at her sweater before plunging her face into it and screaming loudly.

Once she had released her frustrations, Judy let the sweater drop to the floor before covering her face with a groan. "Why did this have to happen?" she whispered to herself. It was a question she had asked herself over and over again, and she never had an answer. Judy was so content on how things used to be. She never expected or even wanted them to change, but the more time passed, the more things just…evolved. Again she groaned. She didn't want this. Not with her partner. Not with her best friend.

She didn't want to fall in love with Nick Wilde.

Heat erupted from her cheeks again as Judy pictured his cocky and smooth expression. Nick often joked about how fortunate she was to be partners with such a "devilishly handsome mammal" such as himself, a joke she used to find amusing but no longer. It was too close to the truth now. Pulling at her ears, Judy tried to push it out of her head and finished undressing before stepping into the showers. A blast of hot water rained down over her and her tense muscles from the workout began to relax. While the water washed away the tension in her body, it failed to do the same for her mind as Nick reappeared again.

To question why she had fallen for Nick was never hard to understand. In fact, that was simple. Handsome, charming, funny, sexy, good hearted and understanding were traits that anyone would find alluring. Coupled by his new physical features, it wasn't surprising to discover that many other female officers had an eye for the vulpine as well, a fact that ate away at her though she often denied it. Day after day, month after month they worked together, side by side, and Judy let herself open up to him piece by piece. Sharing fears and secrets she had never told anyone and he did the same.

Judy was fortunate to see beyond the jokes and slick personality that most thought of when mentioning Nick. Beneath it all was a sweet, kind, and trusting individual who let her return their friendship when she had done such terrible damage to it. Nick brought out the best in her. He helped her believe in herself when no one else did. Their bond became so strong that perhaps these feelings were just the natural course of action. So, no, it wasn't difficult to understand why she had fallen for him.

But why did it have to be him?

All her frustrations and difficulties lay within the realm that while feelings such as this had never been brought up between them, what were the odds Nick could ever feel the same about her? A sly, good looking, street wise fox who could walk the walk and talk the talk falling in love with some country bumpkin bunny? It was absurd. She could picture herself confessing her feelings to him and the sound of his laughter ringing in her ears, thinking it was some poor attempt at a joke. The very thought of it caused a painful stab in her chest.

Even if her conscience told her that Nick would never laugh at her, that he would still be the kind and lovable mammal he was, who was to say their friendship wouldn't be changed forever? That things wouldn't forever be awkward? The rabbit didn't even want to think of the repercussions it would have on their jobs. So Judy sucked in a breath and did what she always did when these issues plagued her so. She buried them deep inside her, refusing the yearnings of her heart. Nick was her best friend, the first and only one she made when she first arrived in Zootopia. She refused to let that be put in jeopardy. She refused to let her feelings control her.

Judy turned off the shower, watching the water swirl down the drain until it had disappeared. She remained that way for a moment before sighing and wrapping a towel around herself. It was time to go to work.

"All right, you animals, settle down!"

The casual bantering of the bullpen quieted down as Chief Bogo walked through the door, an assortment of red folders underneath his arm. He plodded his way up to his podium and pulled out his reading glasses, fixating them over the bridge of his muzzle. All eyes focused on him, every officer's attention respectfully given in silence.

"Right then, before we begin, there is an issue I'd like to address," the cape buffalo announced, hard eyes sweeping across the room. "Whoever is using the trees outside as a washroom; please stop. I'm looking at you, Benson." Everyone looked over to a large grizzly who nervously avoided their stares. "We all know what a bear does in the woods, but save it for when you're camping and not on city property."

"And here I thought that was just a stereotype," Nick whispered to Judy who held in a snicker.

"Now that that's been dealt with, we'll get down to the usual business. Here are the daily assignments," Chief Bogo continued, adjusting his glasses. "McHorn and Delgato, you're in the Rainforest District. There's someone messing with the rainfall simulators. Spitz, Higgens, and Wolford, you're on SWAT duty..."

Judy and Nick remained in their seats as each officer was given their assignments, knowing that they would be the last to receive theirs. It seemed to be some inside joke to the chief which was surprising as the buffalo seemed sorely lacking in the humor department. The last two officers left, leaving Nick and Judy with Chief Bogo who took off his glasses.

"And finally Officer Wilde and Officer Hopps," he said. Nick and Judy shared a smile and another fist bump.

"Time to go to work, partner," Judy grinned.

"You two have separate assignments."

Both fox and rabbit shared a shocked expression before snapping their heads over to their superior. "I'm sorry, sir, but…Did you say separate assignments?" Nick asked, unsure if he had heard right.

"That is correct, Wilde," Bogo confirmed.

"But, sir…We're a team. Partners. We've been working cases together for a year," Judy explained, clearly confused.

"I'm fully aware of your history, Hopps, seeing as I was the one who assigned Wilde as your partner," the chief snorted. "But I've got something for you that won't require Wilde's assistance, and with the amount of transfers we've had lately, I need him to cover some more routine duties." Judy and Nick exchanged another look, one that suggested this was a situation they never thought they would encounter. Chief Bogo sported an amused smirk. "Oh, don't tell me you two are afraid to spend some time away from each other?"

Judy's face turned crimson at the comment, and she cursed herself in her mind for it. Nick, on the other hand, just leaned back in his seat and smiled. "Not at all, Chief. I mean, she can barely keep her paws off me as it is. A break would be nice, actually."

Her blush became even hotter at that. She knew Nick was just being his smart alecky self, but with her new found affections for him, it caused this cursed uncomfortable and humiliating response. Luckily, neither the chief nor vulpine noticed her doing her best to maintain her composure. Judy let out a shaky breath before addressing her chief again.

"What is it exactly you have for me, sir?" she asked. Please don't be meter duty.

"I have something very serious for you, Hopps," Bogo stated. "This assignment is quite close to home for the ZPD, so I ask you treat it with the utmost seriousness and professionalism."

"Of course, sir."

"What is it, Chief?" Nick asked. "Got her taking down a drug cartel? Smuggling ring? Corrupt business CEOs?"

"Clawhauser needs to lose some weight," Bogo answered casually. Judy's face scrunched in confusion as did Nick's.

"Um…Can you elaborate on that, Chief?" Judy asked.

"The yearly physical is coming up and Clawhauser isn't exactly the epitome of fitness. He barely passed last year's and his weight has become more problematic since then. We need to get him in shape, and who better to drive him to success than the officer who was at the top of the list of the Department's last physical?"

Again, Judy looked to Nick who simply shrugged. She shook her head and said, "I'm flattered and all, sir, but…isn't this something better suited for a personal trainer or a nutritionist?"

"We've tried such suggestions in the past, but with insignificant results. Clawhauser is stuck in his ways unfortunately, but is only now realizing the consequences. He personally asked for your help, Hopps. He has quite the admiration for you, and believes if anyone can get him through this, it's you," Bogo informed her. "Look, I understand this is a bit unorthodox, and I'd rather you out on the streets, but the truth is if Clawhauser doesn't pass this physical, he'll be suspended indefinitely, perhaps even fired." Nick and Judy shared an expression of alarm.

"Fired?" Judy repeated in concern.

"Correct. If his weight is as bad as we fear, then he could be considered ineligible to perform his job."

"But…He's the dispatch, sir. It's not like he needs to be running around all day. Isn't that why he's there?" Nick asked, tilting his head to the side.

"Dispatch or not, he is still a police officer and as such, still must meet the basic physical requirements of an active officer. We've done our best to keep him under their radar but this was inevitable. Clawhauser is a bit…eccentric I will admit, and his fanboy demeanor can be tiresome at times, but he has been the ZPD's dispatch for many years and is held with much affection from all of us. We don't want to see him fail, and we don't want to lose him," the buffalo sighed.

The rabbit looked down at her paws before casting a look at her partner. Again, a smile crept across Nick's muzzle, this one of encouragement and understanding, and he winked at her. Her heart skipped a beat but she ignored it. "Well…How can I say no to that?" Judy grinned, turning back to the ZPD chief. "It would be my pleasure to aid Officer Clawhauser however I can, sir."

"That's what I want to hear," Bogo smiled back. "You'll report to the ZPD Academy Training Grounds at eleven hundred hours each morning then report back here when you're done for any further assignments. You've got two months. And as for you, Wilde…" He opened a folder that had been stuffed under his arm and scanned the content inside before throwing it down on his podium. "There's another Gazelle concert tonight at the Zootopia Stadium. There have been some issues with overzealous fans in the past and they would feel more comfortable with an officer on duty for the show."

"Security detail? Really, Chief?" Nick scoffed as he looked up unimpressed.

"Yes, Wilde, really. I do apologize that it's not as grand an adventure as you and Hopps usually find yourselves in, but you're a police officer, and even police officers have a dull day from time to time," Bogo told him with sternness in his voice. "You've got your assignments, now get to it."

With that, Chief Bogo left the duo, disappearing out the bullpen door. An awkward silence hung in the air as Nick and Judy let this recent development sink in. It would be the first time they hadn't spent a work day together since Nick joined the Department. The sudden change felt foreign and somewhat upsetting for them. Their eyes met again, and both knew what the other was feeling, but they shrugged it off. Nick pushed himself to his feet, sticking his folder under his arm.

"Two whole months without me. How will you ever go on, Carrots?" he joked, an almost instinct like reflex when dealing with situations such as these.

"Please," Judy huffed, rising to her feet, "Clawhauser will be a welcoming relief from dealing with that not so clever wit of yours."

"Oh, Carrots, your words cut me deeply," Nick sighed dramatically, ears down and covering his forehead with the back of his paw. Judy couldn't help but giggle. It was so easy for him to make her laugh, and she couldn't block out the small buzz of electricity that coursed through her.

They both left the bullpen and stepped out into the ZPD main floor, mammals in blue conversing, escorting criminals, and reporting for their shifts. Nick and Judy stood in the middle of the floor, another silence hanging between them. Judy absently rubbed her arm and Nick toyed with the edges of his folder. Clearing her throat, the rabbit locked her amethyst eyes with his forest green ones.

"Well…I should get ready to meet with Clawhauser," she mumbled.

"Yeah…I should get to the stadium," Nick replied.

Another strange silence.

Judy managed a small smirk before lightly punching the fox in the arm. "I'm jealous. You get to hear Gazelle in concert for free."

"Heh…It's too bad I don't listen to her music, then maybe I'd enjoy it," Nick laughed softly.

"Right, you're more of a Moose Springsteen kind of guy."

Nick softly snorted in amusement and affection. "Maybe we do spend too much time together," he quipped.

Judy smiled but averted her eyes down to her feet. One last silence reigned over them until Nick hitched up his gun belt and poked her nose. "Have fun with Clawhauser, and…I'll see you tomorrow, I guess. Try not to miss me too much, huh?"

"As if," Judy smiled, gently slapping his finger away from her nose.

Nick gave her one last Nicholas P. Wilde certified smile before walking away in the other direction. Judy watched him go and she felt her heart tug with every step that took him further away from her. She watched him until he vanished among the other bodies of the ZPD and she let out a burdened sigh. Running a paw over her head fur, the rabbit walked off in the opposite direction, fighting the urge to take one last glance behind her.

"Judy! You really came! Oh, thankyouthankyouthankyou!"

Judy struggled against the spine shattering hug she found herself locked in the moment she had greeted the obese cheetah at the Academy track field. "Clawhauser...Can't...Breathe!" she gasped.

"Oh! Sorry!" the feline bashfully apologized as he released her. Judy sucked in a few breaths before straightening herself and smiling at him.

"No problem," she coughed. "So, looks like we need to shed some pounds, huh?"

"Ugh! I know, right?!" Clawhauser groaned, dragging his paws down his plump cheeks. "Those guys who do the physical have it out for me! I can't be suspended, Judy, I just can't! Dispatch is my life..."

"Well, don't you worry! You and I are gonna work our tails off and you'll pass that physical with flying colors!"

"You really think so?" Clawhauser asked meekly, a lack of confidence in her statement.

"I know so!" Judy exclaimed.

"Hmm...I don't know, Judy. I mean, that's a pretty tall order for someone like me," the ZPD dispatcher mumbled. "I'm not like the other predators. They're all so strong and athletic. I really don't think I can catch up to them..."

Judy's expression softened and she gently placed a paw on Clawhauser's shoulder. "Being fit isn't about what kind of body type you have or how much you can bench, Clawhauser," she told him, "It's about pushing yourself to be better, and making healthy decisions. No one is expecting you to look like Gazelle's back up dancers."

"Oh! Did you hear about what's going on with them?! Raphael, that's the oldest one, he's thinking of breaking off and producing his own album-"

"Clawhauser."

"-which I really wasn't expecting. And Danny, that's the bad boy of the group, he's been rumored to be hanging out with that actress, you know the one with the bad hairdo, and they-"

"Clawhauser."

"-possibly leaving an opening in the group! I would kill to back up dance for Gazelle! I mean, I wouldn't be able to fit in those shorts they wear, but if they had, like, a super stretchy leotard, I could totally-"

"Clawhauser!"

The dispatcher jumped slightly from the rabbit's holler and he smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, was I having another Gazelle moment?"

"Yeah, but it's okay," Judy chuckled. "Nick's actually working security detail over there tonight." The mention of her partner brought Judy back to this morning, and she felt a throb of yearning to see him. Her cheeks burned again, humiliation creeping in due to the fact that it had been less than five hours since they had been separated. Clawhauser's face twisted into a mask of surprise.

"Really? You're not working with him?"

"No. I'm helping you for now, and that's what I plan on doing," Judy announced as she turned towards the track, hoping to get away from the subject.

"Does...that bother you?"

Judy froze before turning back to him. "...No. Why should it?"

"I don't know..." Clawhauser mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. "You two just seem really close is all."

"We're partners, and friends. Of course we're close. You and I are close, aren't we?"

"Yeah, but…you know…not like you and Nick."

"Is there something you want to say, Clawhauser?" Judy suddenly snapped, ears pressed down against her head in annoyance. Clawhauser was the last person she ever thought she would be short with, but he was treading dangerously close to waters that no one was permitted to access. It tended to make her defensive which, in reality, only worsened the problem.

"No, no, no, no!" he replied, waving his paws. "I just...Forget it. I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it, really."

Judy narrowed her eyes at him as if trying to peer into his thoughts, but her visage eventually relaxed when she realized how she was acting and she waved it off. "It's okay. Let's just get to work, all right?" Clawhauser nodded with a big smile and Judy couldn't help but find it infectious. They made their way over to the long oval track that encircled the field, a few recruits sprinting by. Judy had him stand at one of the various starting lines and pulled out a stop watch. "Okay, Clawhauser, we're just going to start off with some simple stuff so I can assess your limitations. I'm going to stand down there at the two hundred meter mark. The average cheetah should be able to run that in seven seconds. Think you can you do it?"

"I'll try," was all he said, getting into a more proper running stance. Judy jogged down to the two hundred meter mark and took hold of the whistle around her neck.

"Ready?!" she shouted. The big cat gave her a thumbs up. With a sharp tweet, she started the stop watch and Clawhauser took off. Judy watched the seconds tick by until it hit seven, but Clawhauser had yet to reach her. The watch numbers continued to roll on...and on...and on. Eventually, the cheetah stumbled his way over to her, panting and sweating profusely. He fell to his hands and knees before looking up at her.

"H-How...was...that?" he gasped.

"...Not exactly seven seconds," Judy awkwardly told him.

"What...like...twenty?"

"More like twenty four...hundred." Clawhauser let out a groan and collapsed on the track. Judy knelt down next to him and rubbed his back. "Don't be upset, this is what this is for. We just take that time and we shave off a little bit each run."

"The physical is two months away," Clawhauser moaned, rolling over and sitting up with his arms. "I'll never be able to catch up by then."

"Hey, come on now," Judy said softly. "It's only the first day. Zootopia wasn't built in a day, right? Just believe in yourself, Clawhauser. Don't quit on me, and don't quit on yourself."

The cheetah looked into her eyes and saw the faith and confidence she had for him and he managed a weak smile. "Okay, Judy. No quitting. I promise."

"That's more like it!" she beamed. Clawhauser struggled up to his feet and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"I'd sure give anything to switch places with Nick though. Getting to hang out with Gazelle. Lucky!" Judy played with the stop watch in her paws, mind returning to the fox and the dilemma that came with him. "Judy?" Her violet eyes shot up to meet the spotted feline's concerned hazel ones. "You kinda zoned out there for a moment. You okay?"

Forcing a smile, something that was becoming uncomfortably routine, she nodded. "Yeah, just…putting together some plans for you in my head is all." Clawhauser opened his mouth to say something, but he held back, opting to accept her answer with a nod. "Let's head over to the obstacle course," Judy told him. As they walked across the field, the rabbit allowed herself to think of the vulpine on the other side of the city.

Poor Nick. Standing around all day. I hope he's not too bored.

Nick was bored out of his mind.

This was his tenth trip around the stadium's perimeter, keeping an eye out for any trouble but all he found was the occasional litterer. The sun was beginning to set over the city's high towers and skyscrapers, and mammals were all in various lineups waiting to be let in. The concert wouldn't start for another hour so Nick was stuck out here until it did. The fox took off his aviators and tucked them into the neck of his shirt that he wore behind his uniform before making another sweep over the area with his eyes. He saw nothing and heard nothing but excited chatter and eager faces. Letting out a sigh, he moved along, heading towards the west side of the building.

As he walked, he couldn't help but think of Judy.

He never realized how boring things could be without her at his side. Maybe he shouldn't be so surprised. She was his best friend after all, and really the only one on the force. Not to mention the copious amounts of time they spent together after work, so in hind sight, surprised was the last thing he should be. A small smile crept across his lips when he thought of her trying to whip Clawhauser into shape; being her upbeat, motivating, and encouraging self. Nick was confident she would have the cat running circles around everyone in no time.

Again, there was really no surprise in that either. Judy was a damn machine. She could run, jump, kick, punch, and probably fly if she tried hard enough. Nick wanted to say she impressed him, but impressed was not strong enough of a word. Judy put in an unbelievable amount of work into her training and it definitely showed.

The fox recalled a night sometime last year when they were out celebrating another solved case. Judy had let herself indulge into some alcohol, an incredibly rare occurrence, and Nick had the duty of taking her home when it became apparent that driving was out of the question. He carried her half-conscious form up to her apartment and prepared her bed for her. Judy mumbled something about getting changed, and when it was clear that she couldn't even find the buttons on her shirt, he would have to help her. Nick gently unbuttoned her pink flannel shirt, softly chuckling at the fact that she still dressed like she was in the country from time to time. When he undid the last button and let her drunkenly remove it, he found it difficult to hide his shock.

Damn, Carrots… he remembered thinking.

Underneath her flannel shirt, Judy wore a simple sports bra that showed off her midsection, and Nick failed in not letting his eyes roam over the lithe muscles in her abdomen that tightened when she tried to regain her balance after a stumble. Catching himself staring, Nick shook his head and turned his back when she began to remover her jeans. Luckily, she didn't need his help for that. After a humorous and somewhat sad struggle to get out of her pants, Judy collapsed on her bed face first, sleep over taking her instantly. Nick pulled the covers over her and softly closed her door. The image of his friend's athletic and appealing form was stuck in his head, and would remain there for some time.

Nick suddenly felt very stuffy and he cleared his throat to no one in particular. The vulpine officer continued to scan the stadium grounds in the fading daylight, but his mind began to roll back towards the rabbit.

As much as he hated to admit it, Chief Bogo's joke this morning affected him more than he was comfortable with. Of course, Nick deflected any sign of being unsettled by resorting to his famous sense of humor, but there was no denying what he felt. An awkward, disappointing, and alien like sensation he had never experienced before. He had had his days without Judy before whenever she travelled back home for a weekend, or went out with Fru Fru, and never did he feel this way. But…things with Judy had been different lately.

How long ago it was, Nick could not remember, but he began to notice the little things about her. The way she drank her morning coffee, sipping daintily to avoid burning herself. The way her nose twitched whenever she was deep in thought or was struck with an epiphany. How she skipped along to whatever song was playing on her iCarrot, a joyful smile plastered on her lips. Nick supposed he had always noticed these things, but now it seemed as if he was seeing them for the first time.

Those amethyst eyes appeared to be brighter than ever, so bright in fact that Nick found it difficult to hold her gaze sometimes. Her smokey grey fur had a sleek shine to it every day, and he imagined himself running his paws over her, relishing in the velvety softness. That cottontail of hers that highlighted her backside was constantly drawing his eyes if he was walking behind her or watched her pace around when overviewing clues from a case. Nick knew he could go on and on about the smallest details that he observed with keen absorption, but there wasn't enough time in the day. In truth, it all boiled down to one solid fact.

Judy was becoming something more to him than a partner…and a friend.

At first the red fox laughed it off. He attributed it to the fact that they spent so much time in each other's presence that Judy was really the only woman he knew. That theory became a little harder to accept when his ventures into dating did nothing to change the way he saw the rabbit. Nick soon found he had nothing to laugh at. If anything, it should be Judy laughing at him.

Confidence was not a weak trait for Nick. He oozed confidence, and he knew it. It's what helped him succeed when running cons with Finnick and even more with the ladies. Even when faced with a seemingly impossible situation, Nick always felt he had the ability to come through on top. But when he looked at Judy, when he felt these emotions run through his head, that confidence seemed to be sorely lacking. Judy was kind, thoughtful, brave, sweet, innocent, trusting, and a million other wonderful things. He was a con man who made too many jokes and was somehow fortunate enough to be allowed her friendship.

How could someone so amazing not laugh at his affections for her?

It was ridiculous. It was ridiculous that Nick had let himself succumb to such bold emotions for his best friend. That this street smart fox felt his heart explode into a frenzied rhythm at the mere sight of a country bumpkin bunny. But perhaps the most ridiculous aspect of this was that the thought of revealing these feelings terrified him.

Nick had always been a loner. The only friend he really had before Judy was Finnick. But Finnick wasn't one for paling around, heading off to wherever in his mural painted van as soon as he got his cut. When he was gone, it was just Nick and a feeling of utter loneliness. Loneliness he hasn't felt since Judy stopped him on the side walk that fateful day. He couldn't jeopardize that because he was foolish enough to ruin it by trying to romance his best friend who obviously saw him as nothing more.

So, Nick did what Nick Wilde did best. He camouflaged his emotions with dry wit, humor and teasing. It a hurt a little more each day, but Nick could deal with pain. Keeping her in his life was worth the pain.

Nick's thoughts were interrupted by a small crowd of mammals huddled around in a circle a few yards away. There was some sort of commotion going on, and Nick put his mind on hold as he approached them to investigate. As he neared, a panther looked up and saw him, to which he elbowed his friend, a timber wolf, who also looked up. They quickly walked away as did everyone else when they discovered the officer approaching them. Once they had all dispersed, Nick could see that they had been huddled around a small fennec fox. He was dressed in dark green shorts and a black buttoned up shirt, a pair of dark sunglasses on his head. The infant sized vulpine held his arms up in question.

"Hey! Where the hell are you going?! These are good prices! Front row!"

Nick smiled to himself and shook his head before resting his paws on his belt. "Hey, little guy, did you lose your Mommy?" he called out.

The fennec whipped around and let out a holler of laughter. "Nick Wilde! I thought I smelled something trashy around here!" Nick chuckled back as he stepped closer.

"Scalping tickets now, Finnick? That's an old one. What scam are you pulling with these? They printed on a cracker or something?"

"Pfft, like I'd tell you, Fuzz-butt," Finnick smirked.

"You know, scalping is illegal and I have the authority to arrest you," Nick told him, tail swishing behind him.

"Yeah, but you won't," the smaller fox's deep booming voice responded as he adjusted the glasses atop his head. He looked Nick up and down before shaking his head in disbelief. "Shit…I'm never going to get used to seeing you in blue, man."

"Believe me, I feel the same sometimes," Nick said, gazing down at his uniform. He looked around before crossing his arms and setting his gaze back on the fennec. "You still drive that P.O.S. van?"

"Hey, watch your mouth about Finnick's Magical Mystery Shagg'n Wagon," Finnick growled.

"Wow, you still call it that, huh?"

"I got more tail in that van then you have in your entire life, Wilde."

Nick laughed and set his paws back on his belt. "Okay, okay, seriously though, Finnick, I can't keep letting you get away with stuff like this," he informed his former con artist partner. "Someone else is going to catch you one day and I won't be able to help you then."

"I've survived this long without you, Wilde; I think I can handle myself. I ain't some chump kid," Finnick snorted. Nick let a large and amused smile form on his muzzle as soon as the words left his mouth. Finnick read his mind instantly, and his long ears flattened as he held up a finger at him. "Don't say it," he hissed.

"What's that, pal? Did you say 'Toot-Toot'?" Nick asked cheekily, holding a paw up to his ear. Finnick's left eye twitched in ire and he grumbled a series of curse words under his breath. Once he regained his temper, he cast an irritated look upwards at the red fox.

"If it wasn't for that uniform, I'd bite that stupid smirk right off your face."

"Sure you would, Toots."

Finnick grumbled again, and then his eyes suddenly darted from side to side as if he was looking for something. Nick raised a brow. "Where's your bunny?" the pint sized scammer asked.

"Oh. She's not working with me tonight," Nick revealed, trying to hide his tone from sounding more disappointed than he wanted. Unfortunately for him, Finnick's large ears tended to catch more than most mammals, and now it was the fennec's turn to smirk.

"Someone sounds lonely. What's the matter, Wilde? Missing your Honey Bunny?" Nick frowned at that, ears pinning back. "Tell me, Nick; those handcuffs ever come into play between you two?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Weak, Nick. You know exactly what I mean."

Nick stared at the smaller fox's smug expression before turning his head to the side. "I think all that exhaust from your van is giving you brain damage," he muttered.

"I don't know what you're so sensitive about," Finnick said, picking his teeth with his pinky claw. "She's pretty fine…for a rabbit, I guess."

"Look, Finnick," Nick sighed, wanting to get away from the topic at hand, "just shut down for tonight, okay? I'm sure you've worked enough scams to afford a day off."

"The hell with that! I'm making some serious green off these mooks! You always said that there were no days off in our business."

"Well, it's your business now, Finnick, and I'm not asking, I'm telling. Come on, bud. Do me a favor. For old times' sake."

Finnick held a defiant stare but eventually closed his eyes with a sigh. "Shit, I'm getting soft…Fine, but know that you're taking money out my pocket, Nick," he stated to the larger mammal.

Finnick stuffed the remaining tickets in his pockets and flipped down his shades over his eyes. Mumbling something about Nick no doubt, he began to walk away. He only ventured a couple steps when he heard a sharp whistle from behind. Stopping, Finnick turned back, lifting his shades up.

"You still got my number?" Nick asked.

"Yeah. Why?" Finnick suddenly shot his paws up and caught something Nick had thrown at him. Looking down, he discovered it was a wad of bills. He looked up in question and suspicion.

"You're working for me tonight," the ZPD officer informed him. "You see or hear anything questionable during the concert, text me."

Finnick counted the bills before stuffing them in his pocket. He gave a small salute before walking away, disappearing among the crowds. Nick smiled then suddenly frowned. "Hmm…I probably should have given him the money after," he said to himself, remembering that his long-time friend was still indeed a hustler. There was a sudden hiss of static and his radio came alive with a muffled voice that told him to report inside the stadium.

A rumble was felt in his back pocket, and Nick pulled out his phone, swiping open the screen. He felt his lips pull back into a smile when he saw a text message from Judy.

'Hey, Nick, just finishing up some paperwork before heading home. Clawhauser is back at dispatch, but MAN, do we have some work ahead of us :P Hope everything is going well at the concert. If you see Gazelle, see if you can snag me an autograph ;D'

He ran his thumb over the message before putting it back into his pocket. Sighing, Nick headed towards the back entrance of the building wishing more than anything that he was sitting across from Judy's desk, watching her scribble down her reports with that carrot pen of hers.

Nick yawned loudly, the sound drowned out by the screaming fans and pop music that reverberated off the hallway walls. The concert had been going on for just over two hours now and his feet were starting to feel the effects of his constant standing. He checked his watch, thankful to see that the concert should be ending anytime now. He couldn't wait to get this day over with and see Judy tomorrow morning.

Nick chuckled to himself at the image of her hopping around and asking him about the concert. Did he meet her? Did she sing this song or that one? The image of her bright and shinning features made him completely forget about his sore feet.

Time continued to pass, and Nick was relieved to hear the pop singer thank her audience and bid them a goodnight to the sound of thunderous applause. The fox made a quick perimeter check and stood by as a group of bodyguards came down from the stage area with Gazelle and her back up dancers in tow. As soon as they walked past him, Nick joined the back of the group and followed them to the dressing room. As Gazelle entered her dressing room, there were cheers and congratulations from her agents and producers. The door closed and Nick was left outside with two large polar bears who stood on each side of the door.

"I take it you guys didn't audition for back up dancers?" he asked them, sideways smile present. They narrowed their eyes at him and his attempt at humor. He shrugged his shoulders and wandered down the hall saying, "Such a shame. You two look pretty light on your feet. I think you could have been great."

The bears watched the comedian of a fox lazily meander down the hall, and the bear on the left elbowed his partner in the ribs. "See? I told you we should have auditioned."

"Not this again…" the other responded, tiredly rubbing his eyes.

Nick found he had wandered to the end of the hallway where it once again joined the stadium's main floor. He stopped just before the security railing and watched as mammals all piled out of the stadium, excitedly chattering about the show's events. There was a vibration in his back pocket, and Nick reached back to pull out his cell phone. Swiping a claw across the screen, he expected it to be Judy but was surprised to find he had a text message from Finnick.

'yo fuzz-butt. saw 2 spotties sneaking in through rear park garage. didn't look like music fans. could B trouble.'

Nick's lips formed a tight line and stuffed the phone back in his pocket before spinning on his heel and quickly heading back to the dressing room. He was halfway there when he found the group of guards and pop star heading his way. Nick walked alongside them and tugged on the sleeve of a tiger.

"Hey, we could be looking at trouble," Nick informed him. The tiger snorted and his face tightened.

"Easy, small fry. If anything goes down, we got it," he declared, pushing Nick aside. Sneer on his muzzle and ears flattened against his skull, Nick kept up with them and eventually they came to the back entrance of the arena.

Upon opening the doors to the parking garage, there was an explosion of flashing lights that made Nick shield his eyes. Hundreds of cameras and camera phones went off as a mass of excited fans greeted them from behind security rails, all wanting to get another look at Zootopia's biggest music sensation. Gazelle waved to them all and blew kisses, her bodyguards tightening around her. They began to maneuver her across the parking garage to a limo at the other end. Nick regained his vision and hurried after them, scanning the area. As the group approached closer to the limo, one of the rails tipped over from the excessively leaning of one too many fans. The minute it hit the ground, a swarm of mammals spilled forth to get closer.

The guards held them back, a worried Gazelle in the middle of them trying to talk down the crowd. But more and more kept coming, giving the guards a concerning challenge. Nick found himself in the middle of the swarm, pushing and shoving his way forward. During his struggle, the fox caught sight of two large leopards roughly tossing animals aside. Dressed in black with matching toques on their head, they reached the circle of guards, and one threw a mean fist into the face of an unsuspecting wolf. The other leopard stepped over him and grabbed the frightened singer. Pulling her away, they retreated, kicking and punching anyone who was in her way.

Her security tried to follow but found too many bodies in their way. The fans that realized what was happening, all ran after the cats to try and aid the gazelle. The leopards dragged the screaming musician to an elevator and shoved her inside. The doors closed just as the mob reached, pounding and hollering on the metal door. Nick bobbed and weaved through the crowd and leapt up onto a giraffe's neck. Peering at the display screen above the elevator, he could see it was heading to the underground parkade. Dropping down, he sprinted towards the stairwell, kicking the door open and flying down the stairs.

Inside the elevator, Gazelle struggled against her captors, the one leopard keeping her arms pinned down with one arm while the other clamped a paw over her mouth. Her struggling ceased, however, when she heard the sharp click of a stiletto. The other leopard held the blade in front of her; the elevator's light glinting off its needle like point.

"I suggest you stop worming around," he growled darkly. "Otherwise I'll cut up that pretty face of yours."

The doors slid open and they hurried out the elevator and into the parkade. There was no one in sight among the hundreds of cars, and the two felines rushed their captive towards a black van. Opening the back doors, they attempted to stuff her inside, but Gazelle threw her head back, catching her captor in the nose with her skull. He let go and clutched at his face, the savannah mammal trying to flee. The other leopard caught her wrist and pulled her back, but she threw a blind fist towards him, catching the cat in the ear.

He roared in pain and fury, but did not let go. He pulled her back and slapped her hard across the face, the force driving her to her knees. Roughly picking her up, the leopard threw her into the van, his partner snorting away the remnants of a bloody nose. He slammed the door shut and hissed at his companion.

"How many times do I have to tell you?! Don't let your guard dow-"

He never finished his sentence as his head was suddenly slammed against the doors before slinking down to the ground. The second jungle cat looked up in surprise at the fox dressed in ZPD colors. The vulpine snatched his firearm from his holster in a flash and pointed it at him.

"Freeze! Zootopia Police!" Nick announced aggressively. The leopard reluctantly stayed still, eyes narrowing into slits at him. Grabbing his radio, Nick spoke into it, chest heaving to catch his breath. "Dispatch, come in, this is Officer Wilde. I have a 207-A and have suspects in custody. Requesting back up and medical assistance." The radio hissed again and Clawhauser's frantic voice came through.

"Woah! At the concert?! Is it Gazelle?! Is she okay?! Please, Nick, don't tell me that-"

"Clawhauser!"

"Right! Units and ambulance on route!" the radio hissed before going silent.

Nick kept his gun trained on the leopard who watched him with frightening intensity. "Put your paws up and turn around," Nick ordered, reaching for his cuffs with his free paw. The leopard slowly raised his paws into the air. "I said turn around." The leopard remained where he was. Nick bared his teeth and made to step closer. "Turn around goddam-"

The fox felt his legs pulled out from under him and he crashed down hard onto the concrete. The leopard he had previously disposed of was apparently still conscious, and had taken advantage of the officer's carelessness, holding Nick's legs with a snarl. The other kidnapper dove forward and punted the gun from Nick's paws to disarm him. He then made to knee him in the face, but the vulpine caught the assault and delivered a hard shot to the side of the cat's kneecap. The criminal fell to the side with a howl of pain, and Nick spun over on his back, ripping one leg free from the leopard and driving it back against the feline's face.

The leopard rolled away, hands covering his head, and Nick staggered to his feet. He was instantly tackled against the van hard, a thick arm around his neck. Grabbing the hobbled cat's wrist, he twisted it away and spun underneath his arm before delivering hard blow after hard blow into the leopard's rib cage. The felon coughed and wheezed as he tried to throw a swing at Nick with his other paw. Nick ducked and leapt high into the air, succeeding where the larger predator had failed, delivering a knee into his face. Nick stepped back as the body fell to the ground in an unconscious heap.

The officer barely had time to recover as his ears twitched at the sound of a blade spring from its sheath. Nick whipped around and ducked backwards as a swollen eyed leopard roared at him, slicing the air with his knife. They circled, Nick's back to the van, and the leopard thrust forward with murderous intent. Nick side stepped the attack and grabbed a pawful of fur on the back of the cat's head and slammed him against the van. Taking hold of the arm that held the knife, the fox bashed it repeatedly against the van to try and break the feline's grip on it.

Growling, the leopard managed to wretch himself free from Nick's grip and spun away, swinging the knife as he did. Nick moved away, but was not fast enough, and yelped as the knife sliced across his right cheek. Before he could react, an elbow smashed right between his eyes, and Nick's world exploded into a flash of stars and blurriness. He felt himself fall to his tail, the distorted vision of the leopard standing over him.

"Never did like foxes," he heard his assailant say. "Think they're so damn smart. Well, I'm about to show you why I'm an apex predator."

Just as the leopard moved in for the kill, a crippling pain erupted in the back of his knees as something struck him. He fell to his side with a hiss and looked up in shock to see a tiny fennec with an aluminum baseball bat. The fox spat before swinging the bat hard across the big cat's face, effectively knocking him out. Nick shook his head to clear his vision and Finnick came into focus, a complacent expression on his face as he leaned on his bat.

"You must be really missing your Honey Bunny now," he said.

Nick coughed and got up to his feet with a groan. "Who needs her when I've got my little Toots?"

Finnick's face fell into a mask of annoyance before muttering, "I should have let him kill you."

"Probably," Nick grunted, leaning against the van with one paw as he held his head in the other. Shaking his head again, he looked down at his former partner in crime. "I thought you would've been gone."

"Yeah, well…I figured you'd probably need some help seeing as you're so goddamn useless," Finnick shrugged, acting as if he didn't care one way or the other.

Nick managed a grateful smile, wiping the blood off his cheek. "Thanks, Finnick. I owe you one."

"Damn right you do," Finnick huffed. His ears swiftly twitched and flickered as he turned his head to the side. "Sounds like your boys will be here in a minute. If anyone asks, I was never here," he said taking off towards the exit.

"Don't you want to take some credit? You'll probably get a big shiny medal. I know how much kids like shiny things," Nick called out after him.

"Go lick a skunk, Wilde!"

The red fox wheezed a small laugh, but immediately remembered who was locked in the van. Opening the back doors, Nick looked inside to find the huddled form of Gazelle. She bolted upright in fear, scuttling back against the front seat. Nick held up his paws to calm her.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm the good guy," he told her softly. Gazelle peered at him and slowly inched forward. The closer she was, the more of his ZPD uniform she could make out, and the singer soon realized he was an officer.

"Oh, thank you! Thank you!" she cried, practically leaping out of the van and latching onto Nick. He was slightly taken back as she sobbed into his shoulder. "I…I thought they were…I just…I was so terrified…" she whispered.

"You're safe now," Nick told her, embracing her in comfort.

Seconds later, squad cars and an ambulance arrived on the scene, the parkade coming alive with flashing lights and howling sirens. Nick reached up and touched his cheek again, wincing at the burning pain and blood that stained his fingers. He sighed and let his head fall back.

So much for a dull day.

A/N: Thar she is. The tone has been set and the players are all here. Thank you for reading and as I said, if you want to see more, let me know and I'll do my best to give you more!