Opening Authors Note: Before we begin, can I ask you a question? Do you believe it's possible to rebuild something which was once perfect? Something which had once amounted to all you could ask for in life? Personally, I'm not so sure, but some mammals have been known to try.

…

Fanfiction: The simple horizontal line break (the vaguely opaque line, exemplified below) is used to denote "flashback" sequences (which are denoted by the glyph: …). When you see the horizontal line break, a flashback has begun, not a simple scene transition. The flash back ends when you see the horizontal line break again. Remember these rules so as to avoid confusion. Happy Reading!

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...

His claws lifted the cigarette to his muzzle, the fox taking a long, drawn out drag of what might have been his coffin nail had he not been dying in just a few short minutes anyways. Slumping back against the concrete wall of his cell, he massaged his temples with his free paw, his chest heaving shakily as he let out another sigh. Drawing the cigarette from his mouth, Nick flicked its ashes onto the dirty cell floor.

Didn't think he would be picking up this habit again, but it helped with the nerves.

The russet-toned vulpine looked down at the dinner tray sitting next to him in his shoddy prison bed, and dipped his index claw into the mushy slop that he was offered. He took his time drawing the gunk up to his face, examining the paste now resting on his fingertips before removing his cigarette and gingerly popping his finger into his mouth.

Mashed potatoes…I think?

Well,

So much for his "last meal". Whatever the chef had thrown onto his tray couldn't honestly be considered food, and Nicholas Wilde was anything but a dishonest fox. He made a mental note to file a complaint later that day.

Oh wait.

He rolled his eyes at no one in particular. Five years ago- when he was first placed here- the food for death row inmates was probably edible. Over the years, the city prison had progressively transformed into the ramshackle penitentiary it is today.

To be perfectly honest with you, the fox couldn't tell you if death row was actually a prison block when he first arrived. The guards and various other staff members who roamed the halls of the slammer would be quick to inform you that yes, execution was and had been a punishment for the more heinous crimes perpetrated in Zootopia, but the first Nick had ever heard of it was when the note reading: "Life in prison without Parole re-sentenced to Capital Punishment" was delivered to his cell without so much as another hearing.

Apparently, a lot of other mammals received similar treatment. Their sentences were harshened- sometimes dramatically- and while each and every one of them was quick to complain, nobody received a retrial.

The only thing to be found was a few more years tacked onto their sentence, or in the worst case scenario, death.

It was a bum deal.

Nick took another puff of his cigarette.

It seemed as though the inmates of the Zootopian City Prison simply ceased to exist in the minds of the general population. No one cared enough to protest what was going on inside these concrete barriers. Whatever this was, an oversight in the law or a drastic miscarriage of justice, it has already claimed the lives of some of the other mammals Nick had the pleasure of acquainting himself with in his cell block.

That odd-ball little hamster, what was his name? Terry? He was a nice guy, pleasingly plump and always quick to crack a joke. But, when the gerbil walked down that dirty mile, bespeckled with grime and gum and who knows what else, he never did come back.

A bum deal.

Then there was Old Joe, that crazy fox. Nick had taken a liking too that guy. The blond vulpine took the younger fox under his wing during his earlier years at the penitentiary, but sort of lost his mind when his letter came in. The poor bastard had a daughter, Angela, in her early twenties. He was awfully proud of her, and the thought of having his life cut short before he got to see what she could really amount to tore him apart. He had been a well-trusted mechanic in Savanna central before he was arrested, which was not an easy feat to accomplish as a fox. Entrusting your valuables to what is widely considered the "sneakiest" and "least trustworthy" species in Zootopia was an act that didn't come easy to most mammals in the city, but he managed to win them over. He taught his girl everything he knew, and she took over the family business the week of his imprisonment.

She was destined for some great things- he assured everyone- and he never got the chance to see any of it.

A bum deal.

The fox nervously nipped at his long black claws before sticking his smoke back in his mouth.

Of course he couldn't forget about Mike. Good things always came in threes, didn't they? He wasn't very fond of the burly leopard when they first met, seeing as the guy did try to kill him within the first hour of introducing himself. But angry outbursts aside, he was a pretty decent friend.

Nick would love to chalk his sentencing up to "A bum deal", but in all honesty, Zootopia was probably better off without that maniac out on the streets.

Didn't really call for execution, but the fox wasn't a judge.

Clearly.

He wrapped his arms around his knees and shivered, still sitting up in bed. City management ceased payment for the climate control system in the prison a few years back, so the dimly lit halls are allowed to ebb with the bitter cold that the winter months brought with them.

To tell you the truth, ever since the new mayor stepped into office, the governments been blamed for a lot of the shit that goes down in this hellhole.

Preferring to avoid working out during yard time, Nick would often find himself playing poker with his fellow inmates. Consequently, he was privy to the ramblings of the other prisoners, each and every one of them certain that there was some conspiracy going on amongst the higher-ups in Zootopia. The exact details would vary depending on who you asked, but most would agree that the governmental body of the city was plotting something. A nefarious something, bent on destroying the lives of those least among the city dwellers: the convicts.

Maybe they were right.

His train of thought was interrupted by the loud, confident footsteps of a familiar prison guard. As he rounded the corner, the gray canine took a moment to adjust his uniform, smoothing out any wrinkles before approaching Nick's cell, leaning up against the bars smugly.

It was his good pal: Officer Albus.

"Hey Princess, you doing ok?" he asked, a wicked, toothy grin spreading across tundra wolf's sharp features as he spoke.

Nick politely returned the smile before flicking the butt of his cigarette at the officer's ugly mug. The wolf flinched slightly as the stub struck him, shaking his head before settling back into forced genial eye contact with the fox.

"Ten minutes and we start walking." Albus informed the prisoner as he rapped his claws against the steel bars which caged Nick in. "Ten minutes"

"Yeah?" the fox replied, feigning surprise. "Fuck off." As he spoke, he tossed the tray of slop the guard's way, slathering his police blues in the inedible drek.

The wolf hissed and cursed under his breath, angrily wiping the muck off of himself, eventually giving up as he realized that he wasn't about to get the foul substance off the front of his uniform any time soon. For a moment, it looked like the gray lupine would kill Nick himself, but he quickly regained control, paws contorting into fists at his sides again.

"Nine minutes."

"Uh huh."

"7:00 pm."

"Yeah."

"When the yard bell rings three times, we start walking." He turned as if he was going to leave, only to stop abruptly.

"Oh, and I'll be sure to put in a good word for you to the electrician. Let him know that you'd like a slow roast today." With his closing statement, he was off.

Probably to change clothes.

The fox snickered to himself. See you in a few, buddy.

…

Ignoring the mess now dripping down his cell bars- it was somebody else's job to clean that up- he slid a paw under his bed sheet, fumbling around for something. Probably took him a few minutes. Whatever time spent, however, was immediately made worth it when he found what he was looking for. With a satisfied grin on his face, the fox reclined back on the stony bed he was given to sleep on, staring bright eyed at the lovely photograph he now held.

It was a picture of him and his partner the day he graduated from the police academy.

He lightly tapped the photo a few times with an extended claw before flipping it over, reading the dainty cursive some bunny scribbled across the back.

"Nick and Judy"

A heart with a tail trailing beneath it was doodled in pink marker next to the writing.

Most every inmate in his cell block had something to latch onto which gave them the strength to carry on. For some it was simple, fluffy thoughts of their darling families. Thoughts of their Kits snuggled up, warm in bed. Thoughts of a lover. Thoughts that maybe someday they would receive a letter granting some sort of reprieve.

Nick's mind flooded with thoughts of the dumb bunny who stood next to him in the photograph. The way she proudly pinned that polished, new badge on his untrimmed chest that day. He thought of that persistent glimmer in her eye that seemed to say "You made it, what took you so long?"

He thought of the secrets she told him during their late night stakes that never went anywhere early on in their partnership- she slept with a stuffed bunny up until the day she moved out of her parent's burrow- and that solemn wish that burned in his chest those nights: that nothing would happen so that he could sit there with her for the rest of the evening, content to listen to her stories.

The way she let him curl himself around her during their movie nights, keeping her safe and warm and near him just like his mother would when he was a young kit.

Things friends do, ya know?

It was thoughts of her that granted him rest when he thought it would never come. Memories of her annoyingly cheerful voice lulled him to sleep as he laid his head against that old wooden board the prison staff called a "pillow".

Thoughts of how- come hell or high water- the invigorating little bunny would take him by the paw and pull him through even the shittiest of situations. So why should he give up here?

He let his head fall back against the concrete wall behind him and his mind fall back into dreamy memories of years past.

"You know, they taste a lot better if you savor them."

The gray rabbit gagged and leaned over the side of the couch, retching terribly as she did.

"I'm not so sure I-"she couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence, leaning back over the sofa to try to cough up the bug legs she was certain were wiggling on their own, striving to crawl up her throat, unable to choke them down.

"Why-"

The fox grinned, picking at his salad as the two watched the news in the Z.P.D break room together.

"Why did I ever agree to this?" she finally managed to squeeze the words out between heaves.

"A deals a deal, I try a plate of these 'mixed greens' and you eat a beetle burger." His tone of voice gave the impression that he thought that somehow the two meals were comparable.

"I thought you would hate the salad!" she choked out. "You don't even like vegetables, this isn't fair!"

"Quid pro quo Carrots, if I finish this salad, then you have that entire burger to look forward to" he nodded towards the half eaten burger currently sitting on the coffee table. "So quit gabbing and get chewing." His paw gently patted the rabbit's knee, her legs draped over his lap as they sat together on the couch.

"I'm never doing anything like this again." The bunny moaned, reaching for her burger.

"I don't know, it wasn't that bad."

"You liked the salad?" Judy asked, an eyebrow raised.

The fox shook his head as he poked at the leaves on his plate. "No, it was pretty bad."

"Then-"

"I guess sometimes it's the company that makes the meal." The fox stood up, turning the break room television off. "C'mon, we best get going. We've got things to do today."

Nick looked to the tray of mash potatoes he had thrown to the floor minutes earlier as he thought thoughts that he will never get the chance to think again.

The bell tolled its three chimes.

…

"Ol' doll face tells me that those bastards out on the eastern continent are at it again." The raccoon rested his head in his arms as he leaned back in bed, talking to his cellmate.

"Yeah, my girl wrote me saying that they're causing trouble all across Zootopia! Freaks are what they is." The moose replied, sitting up in his own bed across from the raccoon.

"Heard they got some species over there that can transform even!" the raccoon raised his voice, clearly a little excited.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah! Call em 'Camelias' or sumin." The raccoon continued.

"Eh, I think that's a load of shit. Mayors pullin one over on us again." The moose reasoned.

"I don't know man, my buddy on the outside says they can change colors and all that. If they can transform, ya know, become anythin', then they could be right under our noses and we won't even know! Hell, you could be a camelia!"

"Hey," the moose pointed a hoof towards the ringtail, "I ain't no camelia."

The raccoon got out of bed, walking over to the bars of their cell to look down the cell block.

"Hey, Ed! I said I ain't no camelia!"

"Shhhh, shut the fuck up man!" the raccoon scolded in a hushed voice.

The moose got up to join his cellmate, peering down the hallway.

"That Nick?"

"Yeah, looks like todays the big day…" the smaller of the two mammals replied.

"Shit…"

They watched as the large tundra wolf escorted him out of his cell. The rest of the block caught on rather quickly, hundreds of concerned faces pressed against their respective bars. There was no kicking and screaming, as was known to happen on days like this. The fox walked out as calm and composed as he had walked in five years ago.

"Well, you're looking nice! What's this?" Albus gestured down to Nick's pant leg. A slit ran down it starting at his knee, exposing the shaved fur underneath. "Is that how the kids are wearing it nowadays?" the other officers sent to escort the fox laughed uproariously.

"Yeah, it is pretty slick ain't it?" The fox replied without missing a beat. "Thinking of adopting the look yourself?"

Cries of "Atta boy Nick!" and "Give em hell!" echoed throughout the prison block. Bars rattled violently as the other inmates watched the fox speak with the jailers, only calming down when the other guards made their rounds and silenced them.

Once the shouting ceased, the cruel wolf smiled before grabbing the fox by the collar.

"No, I think it suits you better. You've earned the right to wear it. After what you did, I'm surprised it took you this long to get the chance to try it out." The guard's fellow officers encircled the fox and, once their formation was settled upon, started the slow walk down the dimly lit hallway which seemed to span an immeasurable distance.

But it wasn't immeasurable, it was a mile.

And whatever it was that sat at the end of the mile would serve as the last place he saw before he departed.

Maybe it was all for the best. He always likened prison life to living inside a fishbowl. Exposed and on display for all to see. It didn't sit well with him.

"I'm obligated to ask." Officer Albus spoke up as they continued their march through the hall. "Mr. Wilde, do you have any final requests?"

The fox pursed his lips and looked up at the ceiling as they walked, clearly mulling an idea over in his head.

"Mmm, I might."

"And what would that be?"

"Well, this is sort of embarrassing, but…" his voice trailed off as he spoke.

"Spit it out fox, or you can forget about it." The words dripped from the wolf's mouth with a certain poison that was reserved only for prisoners who really irked him.

"Well, I'm a bit nervous when it comes to new experiences. Do you… think you could hold my paw when the executioner flips the switch?" he joked as they continued their steady pace.

The other officers weren't nearly as amused as the fox had been.

"Eat shit, Wilde."

Tough crowd.

The group of guards and a no-good fox continued to make their way down the hall. They kept a slow, plodding pace. It was scarier this way. Gives you time to think about what you did before your trip to that undiscovered country.

One foot in front of the other, they fell into a rhythm. The guards held him tight, leaving no wiggle room. His thoughts wandered to his only safe haven.

"Carry me."

"Fat chance."

"C'mon, I carry you all the time" the fox whined as the two walked the boulevard.

The two were carless, and they had quite the walk ahead of them. Their patrol car was to be returned at the end of the day, every day, and while they usually had some other mode of transportation, the buses aren't running today and Judy's truck is in the shop.

So they walked.

"It's fine for you to carry me, I'm small. Compact. Like lifting a grocery bag. Watch, pick me up and I'll show you."

"What!? No! I can barely carry myself!" Nick explained.

"Nick…" Judy leaned up against him as he walked, resting her head on his side.

With a huff, the fox scooped her up into his arms, cradling her like he would his bride.

"Guess I'll do the walking for the both of us then."

"Mmm…" The rabbit sighed happily, nuzzling the underside of his muzzle.

And he did.

He walked them all the way home.

"Uh, Albus! Ah- Officer Albus!" Nick heard a voice call out behind them, its owner clearly out of breath. He bent his neck at an awkward angle to see who it was, but the officers holding him made a point to keep him facing forward as they walked. Straining, he managed to catch a glimpse of the mammal behind him, most notably his fluffy white wool.

It was a ram.

"The warden sent for you Albus" the mammal panted as he spoke. "He's on the phone."

"He can wait." The wolf grunted through gritted teeth.

"No, no…" The poor guy couldn't catch his breath. "This can't wait."

The gray wolf snarled at the ram and, begrudgingly, released Nick's jumpsuit collar. He quickly turned around and began walking; the walk wearily transforming into a jog down the length of the mile in an effort to get to the nearest phone.

Nick called out to the guard as he made his way down the empty hall. "Hey! Don't keep me waiting pal! I've got stuff to do today!"

…

"May I take your coat ma'am?" a canine officer asked the short, gray bunny as she hurriedly walked into the spacious office, the portly warden of the prison sitting down at a table in the middle of the room.

"No." she replied briskly, not even sparing a glance at the mammal talking to her, choosing instead to pull her police issued jacket a little tighter around herself as she continued to walk to her seat.

"Officer Hopps, I'm so glad you could-"

"Save the formalities Mr. Tull, you've kept me waiting long enough." The rabbit admonished the prison warden, folding her paws in front of herself as she sat down. "Will you hear my proposal?"

"I… Yes, I suppose, but you have to understand Mrs.-"

"Wilde would be an invaluable asset to the Z.P.D's current investigation-"

"Yes, I understand, but-"

"Don't cut me off, sir." The rabbit paused as the prison bell tolled three chimes. "We don't have much time. I request that you release him into my custody as soon as possible." The rabbit continued, her voice pointed and curt.

"Ma'am excuse me, but do you know what you're getting yourself into?" the warden asked, startled by her forwardness.

"Mr. Wilde was my partner, I know how the fox ticks. I can handle this."

"Let's just… settle down. Can I get you anything?" the lynx quickly interjected.

"Grant Nicholas Wilde a stay of execution."

"But-"

"We need him. We both know he's had a personal connection with Koslov in the past. If we have any chance of finding the bear, it's through the fox."

The warden's personal assistant, a white ram, shifted uncomfortably behind him.

"You know it's no small favor to give custody of a death row inmate to his former partner." the lynx adjusted himself in his seat, the rabbit's restless eyes trained on him.

"My supervisor contacted you, did he not?" the gray rabbit inquired, retaining her coarse tone of voice.

The prison warden nodded sheepishly.

"Then you understand the gravity of this situation."

"Officer Hopps, you of all people know that this fox is… difficult to work with. What if he refuses to cooperate?" The lynx tugged his collar as he spoke, somehow managing to break a sweat despite the chilled room leaving a frigid ache in the rabbit's bones.

"Then make him an offer!" the bunny rose up from her seat as she shouted. "I don't care about the specifics, stop his execution before it's too late!"

Despite her small size, both the warden and his P.A were taken aback by the bunny's outburst. The lynx continued to pull at his collar, loosening his tie slightly. He took a moment to recompose himself.

"What would you recommend?" he asked.

"Reduce his sentence, take him off of death row. Give him life for all I care, but we need him alive." Her eyes darted to the clock as she spoke. She was getting anxious now.

"Officer Hucklesby."

The ram startled as he heard his name called. He stood at attention as the lynx's chair swiveled around so that the two could meet eye to eye.

"Run and get me Officer Albus on line one."

The ram's mouth dropped open in awe for a moment, only picking itself back up when he noticed the piercing looks he was receiving from both rabbit and lynx. "Bu-but he's on his way to the execution chamber right now!" The warden gave a slight nod. "That's half way across the prison!"

"So go!" the bunny rose from her seat again as she shouted, urgently slamming her foot down.

Without another word the ram turned-tail and ran out of the room, sprinting off to what the rabbit officer presumed to be the halls leading up to the death chamber. Part of her wondered why the warden didn't go himself, but a single look at the mammal would tell even the least observant of officers that he wasn't in any shape to be running across the prison.

That ram better make it in time.

Hell has no fury like the scorn of Judith Hopps.

…

"Back so soon?" the fox mocked the wolf officer slowly approaching them. Something was bothering the guy, it was written all over his face. Nick didn't know just what was discussed over that phone call, but whatever it was, it had the prison guard fuming. His stare bore into the fox, a livid fire burning in his eyes. He wanted to kill him so bad he could taste it.

"There's…been a change in plans." The wolf could hardly speak through his gritted teeth. A confused countenance quickly replaced Nick's usual smug, "devil-may-care" visage. The wolf turned to the surrounding officers, "We've got orders to take the prisoner to the warden's office." He motioned back the way they came.

Though it was clear that none of the guards were very fond of the idea, they started the march back down the hall. Whatever was awaiting the fox at the end of the mile was going to have to wait.

…

The group continued down the unkempt halls of the prison in an uncomfortable silence, passing through cell blocks Nick had never been through. They were all just as unsightly as the ones he had come to know, but the change of scenery was welcome. Despite this concrete building serving as his home for the last few years, there was still so much of it left unexplored. Too bad he wouldn't ever get the chance.

Or would he? Was that whole "execution" thing still on for today? He had to ask.

"Hey, Albus?"

The wolf clenched his paw into a fist, resisting the urge to strike the fox.

"What?"

Nick cleared his throat before continuing. "Why is it that you're taking me to the warden's office anyways?" He waited for an answer, but the lupine seemed to be ignoring him.

Why does this guy have such a sour attitude?

"Hey-" the fox stopped himself mid-sentence as the wolf halted, and, turning the doorknob to the room labeled "Warden's Office", motioned for everyone to enter.

The office was large, and a whole lot cleaner than the rest of the prison. Nick couldn't help but stare at the pristinely polished table at which the large lynx sat, his eyes widening in awe. He knew it was silly to react this way, but it had been so long since he had seen furniture so immaculately clean he-

Wait, what's that smell?

That's… really nice.

Like, that is one sweet scent.

"Mr. Wilde, please take a seat." The warden spoke, ignoring the amazed look on the fox's face.

"O-of course…" Nick's voice was uncharacteristically unsteady. He slowly ambled over to the chair across from the large cat, cautiously pulling it out before sitting down, paws sat politely on his lap. Almost immediately, he felt the urge to sniff around further. His nostrils flared slightly, his snout twitching despite his better judgment.

Keep it together Wilde.

But what is that heavenly smell?

You're a cool customer fox, act like it.

It smells like… home?

The warden was starting to stare.

So good…

Unable to resist the instinctual desire to smell his surroundings further, Nick turned around to sniff the back of the chair he had been sitting in. Whoever sat here last was wearing a nice perfume. Was it even a perfume? Is it possible that some mammals just smelled this way? His eyes dilated as he took in the rapturous scent.

Everyone watched him as he went to work trying to decide just what the chair smelled like, looks ranging from confused to annoyed painting the faces of the other mammals. All the while, a light snuffling noise could be heard emitting from the fox's nostrils as he continued, ignoring the other animals.

"Ok, I'll stop you there." The warden spoke up again, breaking the awkward silence between all parties in the room. The fox turned around again and looked at the lynx attentively. "I called you to my office for a reason." The fox nodded and took his seat again as the cat continued. "If it weren't for me, you would either be frying or fried right now." Nick shrugged his shoulders, nodding again. "So I think the least you can do is listen to me."

Nick bit his lip, unsure of what to say. "Ok, go on then."

The warden rubbed his paws together sheepishly. Whatever he was about to say, he wasn't happy about it. "Your assistance in Z.P.D matters has been requested. If you are cooperative, the court is willing to reduce your sentencing to life with the possibility of parole."

"Why the fuck would I want that?" the fox replied.

It was as if every animal in the room had been knocked off of their feat.

"Wha- What did you just say?" the warden asked, leaning in and squinting, not sure if he had heard the death row inmate correctly.

"Oh…" he looked ashamed for a moment "Excuse the language, but I don't understand why I would want to extend my stay here to a permanent one if I have the option to leave now."

"You… did hear what I said, right? 'Life with the possibility of parole'?" the lynx reiterated.

"So, life with the slim 'possibility' of not being 'life'? We both know the only parole I'm going to be getting is whatever length of time it takes the Z.P.D to get whatever it is they want out of me. After that, it's back to jail for this fox. I'm sorry to tell you this, Warden, 'cause you really are running a tight ship here, but I've grown tired of my stay, and I think I would rather take my leave if that's alright." After he said his piece, Nick stood up out of his chair. He might have walked away had that divine scent not caught his sensitive nose again.

The lynx capitalized on the moment of hesitation "Mr. Wilde, you're making a mistake-"

"Warden Tull please, just let the fox go. He's dug his grave, let him lie in it if he wants to. After what this monster did, I don't think he deserves a deal. " Officer Albus interrupted, the furious tone of his voice nearly cutting through the air as he spoke.

"Bailey, I don't believe you have any say in the matter." The warden retorted.

Wait.

"Woah there- hold on, Bailey?" Nick allowed himself to slump back into his seat, interested in the conversation once more. "That is the cutest possible name for a mean old prison guard such as yourself…"

"Watch it fox." The wolf spat back. He might have heard the hushed chuckling and suppressed snorting coming from the other officers had he not been fuming now.

"That's enough! Officer Hucklesby, bring Officer Hopps in, maybe she'll have better luck talking sense to this thing." The lynx spoke up.

Nick's cackling quieted almost as quickly as the ram had left the noisy room. "Officer who?"

…

As the door opened and the gray bunny slowly stepped into the room, the fox's head went dizzy. It felt like his stomach had swallowed itself several times over. The aromatic scent from before was overpowering now, and he finally understood what it was. A grey fuzzy angel had descended from heaven and was here to save him.

His partner had come back.

"Mr. Wilde-"she started.

"Fine." He interrupted.

"Excuse me?" the warden asked.

"I'll aid in whatever the Z.P.D needs me for." He reiterated.

The rabbit and the warden shared an understanding glance, a nod exchanged between the two.

"I'm glad you see it our way." The lynx rose from his chair and began to walk towards the door. "I'll need you both to come with me then."

As Nick followed the warden, and more importantly, the bunny, out the door, he turned back to take another look at the prison guard who had tormented him for these last few years. His face had contorted into a snarl. He seemed to be wishing the fox all the worst.

Fuck em.

The fox continued out the door and down the corridor, trailing closely behind the other two mammals. They didn't speak a word, each one of them focused on the task at hand. Warden Tull was intent on finding the room he was looking for. Officer Hopps was concentrating on keeping up with the warden. Nick's attention was focused on the subtle way the rabbit's tail would twitch occasionally as she walked, just like it had all those years ago. How long had it been? Five years? It felt like a millennia, but here they were, together again. She came back for him. Even after everything that happened. After his name was pulled through the mud. His reputation ruined. Judy Hopps still cared enough to come back for him. Sure, it took her long enough, but all that really matters now is that she is here for him.

Again.

Like the good old days.

The three mammals finally came to a stop in front of the locker room. Nick and Judy stood behind the warden as he fumbled with his keys, trying to find the correct one for this particular door.

"We've gone through the trouble of setting out civilian clothes for you, Mr. Wilde. Change and then come back out." Nick nodded as the warden spoke, almost pushing past him to get into the room. The lynx stuck out an arm to prevent the fox from entering "Be quick about it." And with that, he let him pass.

Walking inside inside, and taking care to close the door behind him, Nick took note of the set of clothes sitting on one of the wooden benches that lined the aisles of lockers before examining the room further. It was a locker room like any other. But despite all of its simplicity, he felt himself drawn back to the days where he himself had served as an officer. The Z.P.D building had their own locker rooms, not unlike this one.

The fox raked his claws against one of the stainless steel lockers and his ears perked up at the familiar, hollow sound that reverberated around the quiet room. He always did hate the clanking noise the lockers would make whenever he and his fellow officers closed them after they took their things out. It grated against his nerves and gave him a headache. But, it's not so bad once you go five years without hearing it. In fact, a lot of the little things that used to bug him don't seem all that bad anymore. Maybe it would be kind of nice to be forced to deal with the little things again.

Like losing the remote to the television, or biting into a sour piece of fruit. Maybe being unable to find a cell-phone signal no matter how hard he tried? Hell, getting dragged around the city by a rabbit who would likely get the both of them killed, or even dealing with slow apartment wi-fi sounds like a good time nowadays.

Yeah, he'd have to try a few of those things again if he ever gets the chance.

Wait.

Wasn't he supposed to be "quick about it"? The wardens probably livid with him right now. He'll just say he takes a while getting dressed. Judy would vouch for him. Years ago, on the day he was supposed to take her to the Z.P.D ball, they were twenty minutes late because he couldn't button his suit up without her help, so she knows he's a mess when it comes to things like this.

So yeah.

He can take his time.

No rush.

It really isn't that big of a deal.

Just new clothes.

The fox cautiously picked up the garments and turned them around in his paws. They definitely felt a lot nicer than the prison uniform he was used to wearing. He unfolded the shirt and held it out in front of himself, examining the piece of cloth. It's a blue t-shirt. A really dark blue at that. Alright, he can make this work. He unfolded the pants he had been provided.

Cargo shorts in a nasty, brownish color.

Tacky.

Just the way he liked it.

He shot a look in the direction of the door, just to make sure no one was peaking in, and stripped off his orange jumpsuit, carelessly throwing it on top of the wooden bench where his new clothes had previously sat. It felt weird to be wearing civilian's clothes, but it made him feel like a brand new fox, and though there was no mirror in the room to confirm his suspicions, he was pretty sure he was looking pretty hot.

If he could find himself a nice place to get his fur trimmed, he would be a regular ladies-

Knock Knock

"Coming! I'm almost done, just give me a second!" he called towards the door, now frantically trying to put his shoes back on. After standing up, he quickly checked the back of his shirt for the tag- just to be sure he didn't put it on inside out- balled up his jumpsuit and rushed out the door back into the hallway.

A hallway which held one more mammal than he had recalled.

"Glad to see you could make it, Mr. Wilde" the warden said, taking the orange jumpsuit from the fox.

"Of… course?" Nick turned to meet a bison who hadn't been there before. He must have arrived while he was changing. The large bull gingerly tapped on a slim, black case he carefully held in his hooves. "What… What'cha got there, fella?" Nick asked.

"Turn around." Was his only response. The fox looked to the rabbit and the lynx for support, but was met with blank stares.

"Ahem-" he cleared his throat. "Ok…" Turning his back to the bison, he listened as the container was opened, and its contents- whatever they may be- were retrieved.

"So what exactly does this thing do?" Judy asked, her question directed towards the warden.

"Mmm, I would expect you of all mammals to know, Officer Hopps." Nick heard the reply, still mentally preparing himself for whatever was about to come.

"Well, I understand the basics, I just don't really know the specifics…" the fox listened as the rabbit cop quickly tapped her foot while she spoke.

Without warning, he felt the warm hooves of the bull behind him wrap around his neck. It felt like he was going to strangle him. The fox struggled in the larger animal's hooves for a moment, the bunny and lynx failing to notice the pain he was in.

"Wait!" He choked out as the bison continued to go about his work.

"The more you struggle, the worse it will be." The bison assured him calmly, as if he had done this a hundred times before.

The burly animal was fastening something around the fox's neck, but he wasn't sure what it was. Nick's mind was racing with possibilities, it was cold and almost metallic, but it seemed to have plastic bits to its make. Whatever it was, it felt like it was crushing his wind pipe. The Bison yanked a tag out of the contraption, allowing it to come whirring to life. What could the tag possibly have b-

"Ow!" the fox practically jumped three feet in the air the moment the bull had let go of him. "Fuck, that hurts!" he shouted again, tugging at the collar now fastened tightly around his neck. No matter how hard he tugged on it, the thing wouldn't budge, instead staying coiled around him. It was like one of those chokers his mother used to wear, except this one fit a little too well.

The warden looked at the fox for a moment, rolling his eyes before returning his gaze to the bunny. "As I was saying, the Defense Collars are given to all convicts out on parole as a way of keeping the citizens safe. They monitor the mammal's heart rate and release an electric shock whenever their emotions get... out of paw." He stressed the last three words of his sentence, looking back to the fox for a moment.

Upon hearing this, Nick slowed his breathing, trying his best to remain calm. He focused on the conversation Judy was having with the warden. The calm, dignified voice she always used when talking about important matters was soothing. As the frantic, anxious beating in his chest slowed, the random jolts sent through his body became less frequent, eventually stopping all together.

The bison held out his hoove towards the rabbit, a small device resting in it. It looked like the grip to one of the old dart guns they used to hand out to officers on the force.

"And what is this?" the rabbit asked politely, looking up to the bull.

"It's like a kill switch." The bison stated matter-of-factly.

"That's putting it bluntly, but yes. It's for your own safety, as well as the safety of others." The lynx chimed in.

"What?" Nick asked.

"What… what does this thing do?" Judy continued.

"In the event of a crisis, and the normal shocks being administered aren't enough, you can use this to stop him in his tracks permanently." The warden explained.

The rabbit turned to look at the fox, his eyes wide in horror, before looking back at the gadget.

"I doubt we'll need it." She stated. Nick smiled.

She swiped it out of his hooves anyways.

"The thing works like your weapon would. Slip your finger through the guard and hold the trigger down for at least two seconds. You'll get the desired results." The bison explained.

"We call it the Fail-Safe." The warden chimed in.

"Right, thanks." She dropped the contraption into her jacket pocket, rubbing her forehead tenderly. "It's getting late and the rest of my squad is waiting for me outside. We should really get going.

"Right…"

"Thank you for your time, Mr. Tull." She said before turning to walk away.

"Don't make us regret this decision, Hopps."

The rabbit continued on her way, slowly making her way down the grimy hallway they had been standing in. Nick turned to look at the warden, unsure if he was really free to go. As if reading his mind, the heavyset lynx nodded, a stern look on his face. The fox didn't need any further encouragement to turn around and chase after the rabbit, a slight shock coursing through his body as he hurried to catch up to her.

It's going to be just like old times again.

She didn't speak a word as they rounded the corner together, nearly at the entrance to the prison.

A door he hadn't seen in years.

"Wait, I forgot to ask, do you think this thing is water proof? Like, can I shower with it on?" the fox asked the rabbit, pointing to the collar around his neck with a concerned look on his face.

Judy didn't say a word, choosing instead to push the door's to the prison open, the cool night air blowing into the mammal's faces before the rabbit stepped outside, letting the door slam shut behind her.

Nick straightened his shoulders out and, taking a deep breath, pushed the door opened so that he could join her.

…

Prisoners were allowed an hour outside in the yard every other day, three days a week. While outside, they could lift weights, play baseball or just mingle with the other prisoners who may not be in their cell blocks. The space they were given to do this was limited, as the yard was only seventy and a half feet in length, and three hundred feet and three quarters in width. Towering brick walls with guards threatening to shoot them on the spot should they try anything funny led to very few animals seeing what exactly went on outside the prison.

Out in the front of the old building, where there was only barb wire fences and a roller gate to prevent animals from coming and going as they please, Nick could actually see the world with his own two eyes. He didn't have to rely on the stories that the "fresh fish"- the newly brought in convicts- would tell. He could plainly see what it all looked like from here.

Or at least the surrounding area.

And it was dull.

The Zootopian City Prison was built in one of the most rural parts of the Zootopia, save for the burrows, and not much had changed over the five years it took him to finally get out. He wasn't sure what he expected, as it wouldn't have made much sense for the grasslands he had watched go by as he stared out his window in the prison bus would anything be other than the same grasslands once he left.

Regardless, it felt sort of nice seeing it all again. It was like returning to an old home that was just on the other side of the wall this entire time.

His train of thought was interrupted by a cup that struck him in the head, dousing his face in water. He turned to see two rabbit officers laughing their tails off as they sat on top of the little brick wall which boxed in the parking lot, rambling something to one another about how "The big bad fox wasn't all that scary after all". Nick turned to Judy, only to see the female rabbit steaming, her paws bunched up into little fists, her eyes seething with a controlled anger.

Seeing how upset she was, Nick rubbed the nape of his neck and shrugged. "So, um… friends of yours?"

No response.

"Well, at least we know this thing is waterproof, right?" he tapped at his collar as he continued, trying to earn a laugh from the rabbit. Years ago, Judy, seeing that Nick didn't take the abuse to heart, would probably have chuckled alongside him and talked his ear off about how he didn't deserve that sort of treatment at a later date.

Today, Judith Hopps rolled up her sleeves and approached the other rabbits.

"Charles." She spoke the other rabbits name sternly. Apparently, she had seen which one of them had thrown the cup.

"Officer Hopps?" the younger, male rabbit replied, looking down at her with a smug look plastered across his face.

"Come down from that wall." She ordered.

The bunny gracefully hopped off of the short wall, landing in front of his coworker, his self-satisfied look evolving into a shit-eating grin as he stared at Judy, waiting for another snide comment.

In a singular, quick motion, the female rabbit popped up into the air and kicked the male rabbit to the ground with both of her nimble feet, winding the other officer. She landed back on the ground adeptly, ignoring the stunned gazes of the two other rabbit cops and single fox convict trained on her.

"Now, get back up on that wall and mind your own business. When you see my car pull out to leave, you two will follow me, understand?" Judy explained calmly as Charles nodded his head quickly, taking her paw so that she could help him back onto his feet.

He climbed back up on the wall and watched her walk over to the fox. As they both watched her march away, they muttered something about it "being a miracle 'Mr. Savage' can handle her."

If she heard, she didn't react.

There was something different about Judy, and Nick couldn't quite place it until now.

…

The high-pitched squeal of the squad car unlocking rang out into the night, Nick's cue to get in while Judy finished up some things. He almost didn't want to go inside if it would mean missing out on all the fresh air. He settled for getting in and rolling the window on his side of the car all the way down, hanging his arm out the window while Judy fumbled around with something in the trunk of the car.

Ok, they're really doing this. She's taking him home. He doesn't know exactly what it is that she needs his help with, but he was willing to do it.

But what if she didn't actually need his help? What if this was all an elaborate plot to finally get him out of prison? Together they would clear his name and eventually go back to living their happy lives together.

As friends.

The sound of the car door opening as the little bunny climbed inside immediately pulled him out of his thoughts. His entire body felt hot, as if he were a craftsmen's son, finally escaping from the maze like Labyrinth.

Soaring on angel wings.

The warm, inviting sun at his side.

How did that story go again?

Whatever, everything was wonderful and he felt free and… and warm. He didn't speak a word as she reached into her bag and pulled out a small prescription pill vial, withdrawing a few capsules from inside before swallowing the medication with a swig from the water cup that was sitting in the cup holder next to him. He wordlessly watched as she continued to dig around in her bag, her little nose twitching in the most charming, familiar manner one could imagine as she searched for whatever she was looking for. He patiently waited for her to find what she was looking for as he sat in anticipation, all the things he's been waiting to tell her resting on the tip of his tongue.

Whatever she was looking for, she didn't find it. Which was his cue to speak.

But where to start? He figured it's best to open with a simple thank you.

"Carrots, I-"

He had leaned forward to latch on to her in a tight hug, their first in a long time, but something had stopped him.

Her expression, it was-

"J-Judy?" he asked, his emerald eyes staring into the frightened amethyst of her own. The look on her face was one of shock mixed with a slight horror. She winced as if she expected him to pounce on her. He locked eyes with her for a while, the two mammals breathing heavily with their faces only inches away from one another. It wasn't until he looked down that his own face adopted the same, horrified expression.

The rabbit's finger was slipped through the trigger guard of the Fail-Safe device, ready to press it down at a moment's notice.

The fox slowly slumped back into his seat. As he calmly placed his paws onto his lap, Judy eased off of the trigger, setting the device on her knee. Neither of the two could bring themselves to look the other in the eyes.

"Wilde…"

"It's Nick…Judy… it's Nick." He raised a shaky paw to his muzzle, stroking the area under his eye tenderly as if he was wiping away a tear that hadn't quite made its way out yet. The bulbs on the foxes collar lit up, Nick's body shuddering slightly as if he had a bad case of the hiccups.

"Nick- you know…" the bunny stopped on a breathy pause, unable to get the words out.

"Ya know, I thought you of all mammals would think differently of me." The fox spoke. He turned his face away from her and looked out the window into the prison parking lot, holding his head up slightly. The little red veins in his eyes were unmistakable as the fox blinked rapidly.

"I know what you're capable of." Judy replied, her own eyes dull and fixed on the steering wheel in front of her.

"I swear I didn't do it. I couldn't have done it."

"That's what they all say, we both know that."

"Yes, we do know that. But, you know me better, don't you?" his teeth scraped together as he tried to keep his composure.

"I thought I did."

"Then what changed?" the fox asked, turning in her direction to interrogate his former partner.

"You butchered her Nick!"

"No, I didn't." the sound the predator's fangs made when gnashing against the rest of the teeth made the rabbits ears shoot up, alert.

"What then? What happened?" she continued to pry.

"Somebody else broke into my apartment…"

"You would have known if someone broke into your apartment. Don't give me that bullshit Wilde!"

"I was dru-" Nick started to speak, cutting himself off as the rabbit slammed her paws onto her steering wheel.

"Drunk. Do you think that of all things helps your case, Nick? Did it help?"

The car went silent, both of the occupants panting, a pained look shared between them. The fox seemed to either be on the verge of a manic outburst, or possibly tears. It was hard to tell.

"You tell me, Hopps."

Despite the horribly cold air blowing in through Nicks open window, Judy had to raise a shaky paw and wipe away the sweat that had formed on her brow. Nick took to looking out the window again, unable to look at the rabbit any longer.

"I believed you at first, you know."

Nick didn't say a word.

"I couldn't bear the thought that the most important-" the rabbit stopped herself, readjusting in her seat. "-That a good friend of mine could snap like you did."

Silence.

"It wasn't until the prosecutor brought up witness, after witness, after witness from your apartment complex- each and every one of them testifying that they watched a drunken sheep and a red fox make their way into your apartment did I realize that maybe I didn't really know you at all." The cop's voice was shaky. Since she had landed herself back into his life, she was a stalwart officer of the law. Judy on duty. But, in this moment, she sounded like she was about to break down and cry. The same fluffy rabbit he had grown to love years ago still resided somewhere within her stony shell.

He almost turned back to meet her face to face again.

"Her name was Maria, did you know that."

He stopped himself.

"She had a family."

"Stop." the fox demanded, his voice low and hoarse.

Of course he knew her name. Of course he knew she had a family. In the fall-out of that fateful night, there wasn't a day gone by that he wasn't reminded of who it was that he had so mercilessly slaughtered.

The officers responding to the scene didn't want to believe it, Nick had befriended them during his time on the force. But a nosy neighbor called in, suspicious that an inebriated fox and sheep stumbling into a room together late at night could only mean trouble. They had to respond. But the fox didn't recall much. He could hardly remember who he had met that night, but they weren't a sheep. It couldn't have been a sheep. It wouldn't have been a woman. It might have been a drinking buddy, or a friend he met at the bar whom he had invited over to accompany him as he continued to drown out his sorrows over the pitiful day he had after the bar had kicked them out. But they didn't find a drinking buddy, or a new friend, on his carpet. Nor did they find bits and pieces of a predator sitting upon old newspapers poorly sprawled out to minimize the mess.

No, it was a sheep, and he himself knew that nobody else could have done it.

God.

As the mortified officers lifted the drunken fox off of the sofa, he couldn't pay much attention to anything other than the horrible scene that littered his floor. That and the warm breeze that wafted into the room from the fire escape door that he was sure he had closed before he went out for the night.

"Why did you come here today?" Nick asked.

"I need your help again. You know that."

"No, I don't think I really knew."

The conversation reached another sustained pause.

"I can take you back inside."

Nick turned to her. He looked at her ears, gently slicked back against her head. He watched as she crinkled her nose, her big eyes looking up at him. The same look she used to give him whenever she knew he was hurting. When she knew he was in pain.

"Just start the car, let's get out of here." The fox pleaded, stroking his own forehead.

The rabbit stared at him.

"Judy." He started again.

Fixing her rear view mirror and signaling to the other officers outside that they were about to head out, the bunny started the ignition, rolled up to the gate and waited for the guards to open the entrance. Nick bit his cheek in an attempt to stem the tears pooling in his eyes, his body bucking occasionally as his collar administered its electric shocks.

This thing made it unreasonably difficult to make sure nobody saw that they got to him.

…

As the wide open roads of the rural part the downtown district narrowed into the crowded streets of the main city, Nick rolled up the window on his side of the car. The streets smelled of cigarette smoke and sewage.

What happened to this place?

The glass that now divided him from the sickly yellow lights and shady visages of the pedestrians that made up the new night life made him feel safe.

Secure.

Separate.

As if he was in a fish bowl.

Years ago when he had first been taken away, these streets served as a localized hotspot for community activities. Animals were constantly volunteering to upkeep the vibrant look of the area, and even during the night time you might find animals out on evening strolls, enjoying the more nocturnal activities the city had to offer. Tonight, however, every mammal the fox could see from his safe spot in the squad car hardly looked friendly. The old neon signs and various other lighting sources that used to bathe the sidewalk in a welcoming artificial dazzle were now replaced with street lamps that callously dumped their mustard colored gleam all over the road and surrounding buildings.

"When did this place get so trashy?" The fox asked the bunny, still focusing on the view outside his window.

"We can't really afford to maintain the cities usual luster right now." As she spoke they drove past a decrepit brick wall littered with signs warning against some illusive menace known as: "The Green Terror".

"Why, exactly?" the fox asked, suspicion lacing his voice.

"Well, you know. With all our funds going towards the war effort-"

"Right."

They continued to sit in silence for a while, both of them eager to head home for the night. Nick's eyes followed a poster plastered near the entrance of a convenience store as they passed it by. Depicted on said poster was a jagged set of claws sticking a knife through what looked to be a map of Zootopia, the arm attached to the claws lined with green scales, the text above the image reading: "The Creatures of the Eastlands, Zootopia's nightmare!"

"So, we're… still at war?" the fox spoke up again. The bunny replied with a slight nod, eyes still trained on the road.

About a year into his imprisonment, he and the other inmates had heard that the city of Zootopia had gone and gotten itself into some conflict with a nation to the east. Nobody knew much about it.

Looking at the signs outside his window, Nick still didn't know much about it. Whatever it was that they were fighting, someone wanted to make sure that they were paranoid about it.

Come to think of it, he's never see one of these "Eastlanders" with his own two eyes.

He looked at the road they were driving down. Old fast food bags and other refuse could be seen with the aid of the headlights. The sight of just how dilapidated the city had become in his absence made his nose crinkle in frustration and disgust. Part of him wanted to complain. The remaining portion of his being was too tired to think.

They finally arrived the towering form of Zootopia Police Department, carefully waiting for one of the departing patrol cars to exit the parking lot before entering. Judy parked and turned the engine off, pulling her keys out and opening her door without saying a word to the fox.

"Thanks for your time today, but I didn't really need the escort." She explained to the other two rabbit officers as she gathered her belongings from the trunk.

"No sweat…" Charles, the bunny she thoroughly throttled earlier, spoke up. His partner gently elbowed him in the side. "Right, Officer Hopps, I apologize for my actions earlier, I understand that he was your partner once, I just-"Without turning to look at the rabbit, Judy quieted him with a wave of her paw, her head still peering inside of her trunk.

"You acted out of line, that's all. Shape up and there won't be any need for apologies."

"Ye- yes ma'am!" With that, the two other cops left the parking lot, leaving the fox and rabbit alone.

Her bags in paw, Judy led Nick towards her own personal car, unlocking it so that he could get in.

They were on the road again.

…

The Z.P.D building growing smaller in the distance, Nick watched as they passed by the Grand Pangolin Arms, the complex Judy had first lived in when she arrived in Zootopia. Not that great of a place, and though the neighbors were charming at first, they got old quick. She was eventually able to afford a nicer apartment for herself once she got her promotion.

They continued down the road for a while, eventually arriving at a smaller, gated complex. The two got out of the car and entered the building, Judy waving off the receptionist, clearly concerned that a well-known convict currently following the bunny.

"Wait- Judy!"

"I'm fine Clarice, he's in my custody. I'll tell you all about it later." The rabbit explained the situation flippantly. The armadillo sitting at the front desk relaxed a little in her seat, clearly still on the defensive. Still, she let them pass, going back to filing her nails, not saying another word as the bunny called down the elevator.

"I'm starting to get the feeling that none of your friends like me." Nick whispered to the bunny as they entered the lift, trying to lighten the mood.

Trying to let her think she didn't get to him.

She ignored him.

Nick watched as the lights above them lit up, signifying each passing floor. His raspy breathing, faltering only when he received a light shock from his collar, was especially audible in the quiet elevator. If he could hear it, Judy certainly could as well.

"You were a good cop Nick." Judy began. "And a real good guy."

He didn't say anything.

"What happened?"

"Didn't take, I guess." Was his only response.

"Guess not."

The rabbit stepped out of the elevator when it found her floor, the fox following suit. Together they made their way down the well-lit hallway and eventually found themselves standing in front of Judy's door. She pulled out her key and unlocked the door, propping it open for a moment so that the fox could step inside.

Aw geez…

The moment Nick's feet came in contact with the plushy carpet of Judy's floors, he felt his body ascend to heaven. He walked a little further inside, allowing the bunny to lock them in. The fox curled his toes, taking in the welcoming comfort of her floor. Mammal's take for granted just how soft their carpets are. Spending five years in the slammer will fix that for you. As the fox stood there, Judy made her way over to her kitchen table, retrieving her pill bottles from her bag and setting them out for the next day.

Having his fill of the carpet, Nick took a moment to look around the place. It hasn't changed much since he had last stayed over.

He noticed her sofa, sitting in the same place it had been all those years ago, a smile overtaking his tired muzzle as he remembered.

Nick found himself kicked out of his old, ragtag apartment. His lease had ended, and he didn't have the cash to stay anywhere else. To make matters worse, he had come down with the worst cold he's had in years. Sick and homeless, he fully intended on living under that old bridge again, but his partner, who did get her flu shot, had other ideas.

Tonight, he found himself curled up on her couch, watching an old black and white sci-fi flick: Attack of the 50 Foot Vixen.

"Move your tail, scruff." The rabbit said, walking up to the fox spread out on the sofa. She carried with her a warm bowl of something. Whatever it was, it smelled yummy.

"Aw fluff, c'mon, can't a sick fox have his day?" Nick answered her, stretching slightly, his back popping satisfyingly.

"I brought you your beetle soup." Was all she said.

And it was all she had to say. Without another word, the fox retracted his legs and sat up, leaving ample room for the small bunny to join him. She handed him his meal.

"My goat Nick, this movie is outlandish." She said, watching as a giant foam paw, presumably belonging to the titular "fifty foot vixen" reached out to grab the unfaithful husband.

"That's what makes it a classic!" Nick explained, his mouth full of hot soup. "Ow! I think I burnt my tongue…"

They sat there in a comfortable silence, watching as the giant foam hand proceeded to flail the lifeless dummy used to represent the husband. It just sort of flops around, flaccid and dead.

"See! Look at that! What are these special effects?" the rabbit complained.

The fox shrugged, his tongue sticking out of his mouth as he tried to cool it off. "Don't complain, it does the trick." He managed to say, albeit a little awkwardly do to his refusal to retract his tongue.

"Whatever…"

They continued to watch.

…

As the film ended, Judy leaned back on the fox sitting next to her. "Hairy, Hairy!" she shouted, doing her best impression of the vixen from the movie they had just finished.

"Lay off carrots, you know you liked it." Nick said, wrapping his arm around her to pull her a little closer.

"It… was a pretty nice night all things considered." She stated, turning her head to face him, the violet of her eyes genially meeting his emerald.

"See, we should do this more often." He replied, returning her warm stare.

"Nah"

"What do you mean 'nah'?"

"The movie wasn't what made this night memorable."

Neither of them had the courage to say anything for a while.

Nick broke the silence. "Carrots… Judy, thank you. For everything. You didn't need to take care of me, or take me in. I can't even begin to tell you how important this all is to me."

"My couch is always open to a friend like yourself." She assured him, nuzzling a little deeper into his chest.

Do friends typically sleep on the couch together?

Whatever, they will tonight.

Nick closed his eyes and allowed himself to drift. Ya know, the couch at Judy's place is a lot more comfortable then the bed at his old apartment.

Must be the pillows.

He rested his head on hers, and that night they had a peaceful respite from the hectic day to day, if only just for a while.

The fox's day dream was interrupted by the sound of a pillow flopping onto the couch in front of him, followed by a set of blankets. He turned to see Judy standing there, already dressed for bed. Had he really been lost in thought for that long?

"Catch some shut eye, we're getting up early tomorrow."

The fox nodded.

"I'm going to take you to go see my partner."

Nick blinked.

"You've got a new partner?" he asked.

"I've had a few."

The fox let out a gentle sigh, patting his leg gently as he bit his lip and looked down at the floor. He nodded again.

"I'm… gonna go to bed now." She said, turning to walk down the hall way to her own bedroom." She was only half way there before she turned back. "You can sleep on the couch."

There was no response.

"Good Night Nick."

The vulpine listened as the bunny made her way into her room and closed the door. His ears perked up as he listened to each and every tumbler in the lock falling into place, sealing her off from him.

Safe from him.

He looked at the couch for a moment.

Nick reached out to the nearby lamp, pulling the cord a little too hard in an effort to turn off the light. He swiped the pillow and blankets off of the couch and threw them down onto the ground in front of it. Curling up at the foot of the sofa, he laid his weary head, free from the prison, if only for a little while. The gentle shocks from his collar, accompanied by the occasional soft sob that would leak out of his muzzle, lulled him to sleep.

…

Authors End Note: So that's it. The first chapter to the project I've been working on these last few weeks has finally seen the light of day. I know I said it would be out "soon" quite some time ago, but I've come to find that "soon" is a very nebulous term. Everything has been extremely hectic, and I rarely had a chance to sit down and really edit this behemoth. Most days, I would turn on my computer, look at the word file, and decide I just wasn't ready to tango with this particular beast today. On the days I decided I was up for it, I would usually end up editing large portions, sometimes taking out entire scenes because I felt they were perfunctory or trashy or, dare I say it, cheesy.

But it's here now!

Between the multiple sites I publish my work upon, I've received so many lovely reviews and pm's from those willing to read my garbage, and I wanted to make sure whatever I put out was of a decent quality. Regardless of whether I just wrote 11k words of utter garbage or pieced together a neat little story, I think the form you see it in now is as good as it is going to get. I do believe that it's only up from here, and any future chapters will (hopefully) be even better, but to ensure that, I need you all to tell me what you thought! Did you like it? Hate it? Would you like to see more? Tell me all about it, I'd love to talk to you!

The next chapter might be out sometime within the next few weeks. In fact, though I don't want to make any promises I'm unable to follow through on, I'd like to have it on its way come the end of next week.

Just don't quote me on that.