AN: Goodness, this has been a long time coming. Much longer than I expected!

To anyone who didn't read my last story Partners, I recommend giving it a gander. I don't think it is required reading,
however it will give background context (plus I am very proud of what I accomplished with it!).

You can find Partners in the list of published stories on my author page.

One final note. I kept to a very regular update schedule when writing Partners, posting a new chapter almost every week.
Unfortunately I won't be able to do that with this story. I wish I could say that is because I am taking a lot of care to ensure the quality of my writing, but the truth is I am just really busy this year due to factors I have no control over. I intend to keep a regular update schedule of some sort, but right now I have no clue what that will be. All I can say is that I doubt it will be as frequent as I would like.

Brisa eyed the rat and stoat that had shown up to the meeting and did her best not to roll her eyes. They'd gone to the trouble of wearing street clothes, most likely to hide who they worked for, but judging by how new everything looked they must've bought everything not an hour before and their fashion sense looked like it had come out of a movie that was at least a decade old. Add their overbearing attitudes into the equation and it took away any shred of mystery. Mafia.

Not that she particularly cared. Life as a freelance courier meant taking jobs when they came, even though she was a flying fox. She'd worked with the mob before and had no doubt she would do so again in the future. Mostly she was surprised that they were apparently concerned with hiding what they were, even if they were doing a bad job of it. She briefly considered mentioning how poor their disguises were, then decided it was best not to scare away potential clients. Especially not ones that were willing to pay so handsomely on such short notice.

"You're late," she said flatly, giving the pair a look. It was always best to start off these sorts of things with the advantage if possible. "Lucky I decided to stick around. I could've gotten another job by now if I didn't trust you would actually show."

The rat tsked and brushed his hands over his shirt, but the stoat quickly motioned for him to hold his tongue. "We ran into a few problems," she said seriously. "Nothing you need to worry about, and we're willing to pay extra for your trouble."

"How very—" Brisa started, but the stoat apparently wasn't done.

"Up front. Cash," she said, then pulled out an envelope. "Along with the rest of your fee."

Brisa bit the tip of her tongue, then held her hand out once she had suppressed her initial surprise. "Lemme see it."

The stoat wordlessly handed the envelope over, watching silently as Brisa checked it. This wasn't the place to count things properly, but just flipping through the bills she quickly realized she'd been handed well over five times her usual fee. Her jaw clenched, pressing her lips into a thin line as she stared at the payment, mind racing as she considered what all the money meant.

Don't ask. Don't ask. Don't ask. It's best not to know.

She gave her head a shake and unzipped a pocket to the backpack she had strapped to her chest, safely tucking the money away. Both the mobsters relaxed immediately.

"Where's the package?" she asked, picking her words carefully.

"Right here," the rat said, stepping forward to produce a small parcel bound shut with twine. Just judging by the size it looked to be some sort of book.

Stop that! she scolded herself. It's better not to know.

"And where am I taking it?"

"Tundra Town. 755 Evergreen Drive," the rat said crisply as he handed the package over.

A shiver ran down Brisa's spine that had little to do with her anticipation of the cold. That was an address she recognized. Not just mob, but members of Mr. Big's circle or some of his associates.

"Well, with how much you're paying me I best get moving, aye?" she said and put the parcel into her pack as well.

To her surprise the pair merely nodded absently. No additional instructions. No warnings about what would happen if she screwed up. In fact, the rat seemed more interested in making sure the alley remained empty than in anything she was saying. As for the stoat, she was fidgeting as if she couldn't wait to get moving once more. Both very bad signs.

With that in mind Brisa decided the safe bet was on getting airborne sooner rather than later, so she began to scramble up the side of the building rather than risk taking the time to find an elevator to the roof. This was more discreet anyway. Not many mammals were able to fly, and asking how to get onto the roof tended to make mammals remember a face. The sooner she was in the air the safer she would feel.

Not that she was a fan of digging her claws into cinder block; every time she did it took days before she got them properly sharpened again. It was the fastest way into the air however. She was barely even half way up before she kicked off and stretched her wings. Several powerful flaps halted her drop well short of the ground, and moments later she turned toward the large buildings that dominated the downtown section of Savanna Central. Once there she could ride one of the air currents up high enough to simply glide anywhere else in the city.

Getting there didn't take long when she didn't have to follow the streets. One of the many perks of flight. Before long she could feel the air beginning to warm, pulling on her wing membranes as it rose. Then came a surge, dragging her higher as she promptly pitched into a tight right turn to keep herself centered in the powerful thermal. A thrill ran through her body, making her tingle out to the very tips of her wings, tempting her to keep soaring higher and higher.

But the comfortable weight settled against her chest brought her back and she carefully cleared the air around her just to be sure she wasn't being followed, unlikely as that possibility seemed. The vast majority of bats in Zootopia kept to the Nocturnal District in the caverns below the city, and those who kept to the surface were a tightly knit bunch. She couldn't imagine that anyone she knew would take work that would put her at risk. Then again, when it came to a job that even had members of the Big Family worried she wasn't about to take risks. Fortunately her concerns were unfounded. There weren't any other bats to be seen, just a few birds circling lazily with her.

All that remained was to glide down to the delivery site. Brisa dipped her left wing down, letting the bank turn her toward Tundra Town, then flew over the barrier that separated the district from Savanna Central. She braced herself for a sudden burst of cold that didn't come once she crossed the threshold, forgetting as usual that the temperature wouldn't fall until she got below the wall's level and through the artificial temperature inversion the city had engineered. That gave her plenty of time to scope out the area before she needed to worry about freezing.

One of the few good things about Tundra Town was how easy it was to pick a landing spot. Unlike the warmer districts mammals tended to stay indoors for the most part, so it was possible to simply line up with an empty street and come down. No nonsense with landing on a roof or trying to find an open plaza.

Of course that convenience came at a cost. The moment Brisa dipped down into the frigid air she could feel the heat draining from her body. Her wings were especially bad as the sudden snap of cold immediately began to sting the thin wing membranes. Before long the pain was bad enough to make her eyes water and she angled her descent to reach the ground more quickly, eager to deliver the package so she could find someplace to warm up before taking the train home. She'd learned long ago there wasn't any flying out of Tundra Town, at least not for her.

She was almost to the ground, actually low enough to begin worrying about how deep the snow was, when something slammed into her from above. The impact snapped her head back making her bite her tongue, the air clawing at her delicate wings as they fought to keep her aloft. Something dug into her back, slicing through fabric and flesh alike as it rocketed past. Blinding agony burned through her body as her wings gave out. For just a moment she was dimly aware that she was tumbling. Then a bone-jarring crunch, and she felt nothing more.

Judy stifled a yawn, feeling the train slow as it rounded the last curve before it pulled into the station nearest Precinct One. She tried not to feel put upon at being called in on Saturday even though this was the third week in a row that it had happened. To some degree she'd gotten used to it over the past year as the ZPD scrambled to quell interspecies disputes that had erupted in the wake of Flip's brief but sharp reign of terror. Things had even started calming down, especially after Mayor Bogo was swept into office by a huge margin and he immediately set to instituting a string of new policies focused on addressing the grievances that were being raised by all sides.

The problem was that just as that front appeared to be simmering down the city had been hit with a sudden swell of violence, and naturally given recent history most mammals assumed the attacks were somehow related to inter-species unrest. Enough so that many citizens were now on edge and the more extremist organizations were beginning to rattle their sabers once again. According to those individuals every crime was an attempt to push them down, or else it was some sort of absurd false flag. Naturally that also came with accusations that the ZPD was now unfairly targeting this group or that group. Half the time Judy felt like there simply wasn't any way to win.

"Huh," Nick said from beside her, his tail curling down to brush along her ankles.

She felt her ears warm briefly as she looked up at him. "Please don't tell me you forgot something back home."

"That's only happened twice," he said, lifting his chin in mock outrage as a lazy smile spread across his muzzle. "I was just realizing that usually you're the one that's telling me to cheer up in the mornings."

That bushy tail continued to flick lazily back and forth under the seat, continuing to brush teasingly at her feet and the back of her legs, tickling her ever so slightly. Before he pressed his luck too far she gave him a firm nudge even as she fought down the smile that was pushing at the corners of her mouth.

"I know we aren't on duty until we get to the precinct, but you probably shouldn't be doing that when we're in uniform," she reminded him.

Nick winked in response. "Aye aye. I'll save it for tonight, sweetheart."

A warm shiver ran down Judy's back, but before she could say anything the train came to a stop and the doors opened. The sudden noise of mammals as they disembarked while others tried to push their way on made talking impossible, at least for the moment, and Nick hurriedly made his way off along with the majority of the crowd leaving her to catch up.

She huffed lightly and bounded after him, knowing from his self-satisfied expression that he'd intentionally timed his response so there wouldn't be time for her to get another word in. One of his ways of teasing her during the times they were expected to behave professionally. He'd only ratcheted up the antics since they'd moved in together four months ago, yet somehow they still gave her that same thrilling tingle. After all, it was his way of constantly affirming how deeply he cared for her—especially during the times he couldn't simply come out and say it.

Rather than fall in step beside Nick she bumped her hip against him and continued past with a flick of her tail, forcing him to catch up with her this time as she hurried toward the precinct. As usual her keen ears caught a few comments at the display, even tame as it was. And as usual she ignored them, unwilling to let anything so petty dampen her mood.

It wasn't a race; at least not exactly. At the pace she'd set Nick was easily able to catch up, and she was certainly capable of going much faster, but unless Nick played along she would reach the precinct first and Nick would be the one they were waiting on. More of a friendly game than a serious competition, her way of teasing Nick back and forcing a little extra exercise on the lazy fox.

She slowed her pace once they reached the stairs that led up into the station's foyer, giving them both a chance to catch their breath so they wouldn't be panting while they were briefed on why they'd been called in. The short walk also gave them both time to ensure their uniforms were still in order, and as usual Nick took the opportunity to lightly needle her again.

"Have you ever wondered what others must think when they see you take off like that and I chase ya?" he asked, head tilted to one side as he peeked down.

For the second time that morning she felt heat rush up into her face, but forced herself to smile as she wiggled her ears lightly. "You mean do I wonder what they say?" she asked coyly. "As a matter a fact I don't. What about you?"

Nick nearly missed a step, prompting her to laugh while he muttered a pithy comment about bunnies and their ears. She shot him another smile, an outright grin really, then happily entered the precinct with her partner just a couple of steps behind.

Chief Uncia intercepted them before they made it very far, the agitated flick of the snow leopard's tail clearly advertising her sour mood. Hardly a surprise all things considered. Given how rapidly Uncia had climbed from the rank of lieutenant to chief, leaping over a number of officers with more seniority in the process, she found herself under a lot of scrutiny. Doubly so since she'd been placed at the head of Precinct One even though Bogo had fully endorsed her as his replacement. Add to that the recent rash of violence working it's way through the city and there was more than enough to make a relatively new chief antsy.

"You're both here. Marvelous," she said, and immediately began to lead them back toward her office. "Sorry for calling you in again, I would prefer not to, but right now I've got the commissioner barking at me to put you on this one."

"The commissioner requested us?" Judy asked, her voice reaching a higher pitch than she intended.

"You," Chief Uncia corrected, then let out a low rumble. "And not exactly. I think it is a bad idea, but unfortunately there aren't any other options right now."

Nick interrupted the chief before she could go on. "Wait, this isn't something dangerous is it?"

Uncia pursed her lips, giving Nick a look, and refused to say anything until they reached her office. Once inside she immediately went to her desk and picked up a manila folder, flipping it open.

"Officer Hopps, you still maintain your casual friendship with Fru Fru Big, correct?" Uncia asked, peering down at Judy.

Judy felt an uncomfortable knot in her stomach. "Yes chief, but I've been extra careful to never talk about work since IA came after me. We just have lunch dates every so often, nothing you don't already know about." She swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet the larger feline's gaze. "Internal Affairs isn't going to start digging into that again, are they?"

Uncia waved her hand dismissively. "Hopefully not, Hopps, but you know I've been going out of my way to keep you away from the Big Family. In this case you seem to be our only in, however."

"Wait, this has to do with Mr. Big?" Nick asked, stepping forward. "What happened to that whole conflict of interest talk you gave us? If you send Judy it could compromise the whole investigation."

Uncia turned to stare at Nick impassively. "Which is why I think it is a bad idea."

"But you are going to send her anyway," Nick said, his tail beginning to bristle.

"As I said, there isn't another option," Uncia insisted as she handed Judy the folder. "There has been another attack. This one just in front of a business controlled by the Big Family." The large cat paused for a moment to give Judy a pointed look. "Mr. Big was present at the time and has agreed to provide a statement on one condition."

Judy swallowed lightly before venturing a guess. "He wants to make it to me."

"Bingo."

Nick looked between the two of them, frustration written clearly on his muzzle, then gave his head a shake. "Do I really have to say it out loud? The only reason Mr. Big is insisting that he talk to Carrots is he thinks she can be convinced to interfere with the investigation."

"I am perfectly aware of that, Officer Wilde," the chief said, her tail flicking. "Which is part of the reason I am sending you too. I've already spoken with Chief Anderson and he agrees that we can make this work."

Chief Uncia's statement practically made Judy quiver with indignation, but she pointedly bit her tongue. Perhaps her history with the Big Family made her involvement risky, but she didn't need them sending Nick to make sure she handled things properly. Yes, she owed Mr. Big a favor, but she wasn't about to compromise a ZPD investigation to repay it. And Mr. Big had to be well aware of that; he didn't get to be the head of his family by being stupid. Besides, Nick had actually worked for the mob at one point, and had a history of taking dubious actions while on the force.

But she pushed all that aside, forcing herself to focus on the job instead. "You think I can get a confession out of him?"

"Doubt it," Nick mumbled under his breath.

"We aren't even sure he was involved," Uncia admitted. "At the very least he claims this was not him, which is why he is willing to make a statement at all. Says he wants to make sure whoever did this is caught."

Nick tsked. "To protect his reputation, no doubt."

Chief Uncia glared at the fox. "I don't care why he wants to help, so long as it is genuine. And if it isn't, if he is involved somehow, then this may be our chance to nail him." To Judy's surprise the chief actually flashed her teeth briefly. "Whatever the case, he probably expects you to do right by him, Hopps. Maybe he trusts you. I don't know, and it doesn't matter. Use it to get whatever you can out of him."

"I'll try," Judy said, lifting her chin a hair. "But don't expect much. If he wants to talk to me I'm sure he's prepared. I doubt this is his first time being interviewed by the ZPD."

"It isn't," Nick said confidently.

"Which is the other reason I'm sending you along, Officer Wilde. Your…unorthodox path to the force gives you a unique insight on matters such as this. Put it to use."