Chapter two - Consequences

• What were you two thinking? You should have reported the location of the drug dealers and waited for the reinforcements, not just get in there and risk your lifes against an armed, bigger and very dangerous group! The idea of asking Chief Bogo vacations to recover from the punch disappeared from Nick's mind the moment they got into the buffalo's office. He had seen the Chief mad before, he even was the reason for it sometimes, but this was a whole new level.
• Sir, if I may...- Started Judy by his side, but was interrupted by the larger mammal.
• No, you may not, Hopps! This is inexcusable! You are not part of the SWAT, you were not even part of this case to begin with. You were exposing your lifes! This specific group is very organized, very aggressive...
• And we took this group down by ourselves.- Interrupted Nick this time, with his signature smile on his face.- I believe that counts for something. The buffalo was showing how much patience he really had by not suspending Nick immediately. Being cut off mid-sentence by the fox, who still was a regular officer and had worked for the ZPD not even for a tenth the time the Chief had, was way out of line.
• You don't want to know what that counts for, Wilde.- Said very low and softly, which had never preceded to anything good.- There is a procedure for very good reasons, and one of them is to ensure that everyone gets back to their houses and families. Nick was about to reply to that, but both a warning nudge to his elbow by a scared Judy and the sight of his boss standing up made him reconsider.- What would you have done if Officer Hopps here was ACTUALLY shot and died in that storehouse? That was a very dangerous stunt you pulled out! What would you have said to her family, which I happen to know consist of almost three hundred members? I understand you even go there on occasion, so what would you say to her parents? Nick lowered his eyes and ears, understanding the situation. Judy looked at him, wanting to intervene, but she didn't dare to do so. It was obvious that Chief Bogo wanted to make a point clear for nick. Nick had gone with her some months back to her parents house and met all her family, who were very happy to meet her partner, the one she had been talking so much about. It was a low punch, but it seemed that Nick accepted the truth behind it. Still, she thought it was a little too far, for her taste.
• You were outnumbered and undergeared for this. When you are found in that situation, you wait, you stay safe, and if things turn out for the worst, you run. There will always be chances to get criminals, there will always be criminals for that matter; but good cops are hard to come by. The Chief let that sink in the officers's heads before sitting down again, his voice raising to normal volume.- There will be a disciplinary measure imposed on you two. You will be informed as soon as a decision is made. Dismissed.

...

• Wow, that was intense. I've never seen Chief Bogo like that before.- Said Nick once they were out of the office and walking to the exit to check out, their shift finished half an hour ago.
• Neither have I.- Replied Judy.- He was right, though. We should have waited.
• And let those guys escape? Carrots, we just helped arrest a single branch form a very corrupt tree. For a while, there will be less drugs on the streets. I think that is reason enough to take some risks. It's what we work for, to protect people.
• I know, Nick, and I agree. I feel better knowing that. But...- She couldn't go on. That speech from their boss made her think: what would she do if Nick was shot down? And she didn't't mean about having to tell a hypothetical family member, but literally what would SHE do if she lost Nick.
• But? What is it, Fluff? She shook her head, and smiled.- Nothing, it's ok.- She replied, not wanting him to discover what was inside her head.- Let's go get a bite. You are paying this time, if I'm not mistaken? Nick knew her too well. For a moment, she seemed sad and deep in thought. It was obviously not ok. What happened inside that office did touch some gear inside her.
• Actually, it's your turn.- The fox acted like he didn't see anything and just played along.- Remember that yesterday you forgot your wallet at home and I had to pay.
• Oh, right.- It was true, just not the whole truth. When she got ready to get out with him, she got a different purse she bought that day that matched her outfit. She wanted to get Nick's attention, and she mostly did when it was time to pay the bill and she couldn't find her wallet. Her fur barely could hide her blushing, and the fox's laughter wasn't helping at all.
• Although you can forget your wallet again anytime you want.- Said the fox, and Judy was ready for whatever joke he was about to make. Any joke but that one.- As long as I get to see you blushing like that again, that is. I could almost warm myself up standing beside you. The bunny stared at him angrily, pink tainting her face.- Nick! That was very embarrassing for me! I literally wanted to dig a hole and never come out!
• I could tell. And that looked very cute on you-AUCH!- The punch he received on his shoulder made clear he had gone too far this time. The C word was a risky one to use on her in her presence.
• Dumb fox!- said the infuriated bunny, walking away from him. Internally, she DID like that he called her cute, though. Just a little. But she wouldn't let him see the smile the compliment had formed on her face. Smirking, Nick went after her. It seems he was going to pay for the meal again.

...

It always made him very anxious walking down that hallway. He knew what was in the room at the end, and he had never walked out of there with a good memory. But he had no choice: the two muscled tigers at each of his sides were making sure of that. Once in front of the wooden door, one of the bodyguards knocked, waited a few seconds and opened it, pushing the poor ferret in. There were only two light sources inside: one, a big chandelier with several candles on a table at the other side of the room, softly illuminating an armchair from behind, where his occasional employer sat covered in shadows. The second light came from a lamp just over him, marking very clearly where he was, who he was and blinding him from his immediate surroundings. - Speak.- Ordered the voice in front of him, calmly. - Ridge's group has been detained. Someone grassed their hideout up. - Who? - No idea. But it had to be someone close to them. Not only did they knew the where, but also the when. - You mean we have a snitch among us? - Looks like it. The mammal was silent for a moment, thinking, before asking more.- Anyone escaped? - Five managed to get out of there, including Ridge. But two cops saw them running and followed them to the storehouse in Kalving. They got captured there. - BY TWO COPS?- Yelled the figure, suddenly standing up. The ferret felt very small, way smaller than he already was compared to his boss.- Give me the names. The smaller mammal swallowed before answering.- Judy Hopps and Nicholas Wilde. They are unmistakable. A bunny and a fox. A low growl resonated in the room, putting the ferret's nerves on edge. The bigger silhouette began pacing up and down the room, supposedly deep in thought. At some point, he seemed to remember who else was there.- Go. The ferret didn't need to be told twice and left when the door opened behind him. The door closed a moment after he got out, but not before hearing his boss's voice one last time, making every hair on his body to stand on end.- Get everything ready. We are going to have guests soon.

...

• Oh, come on, Nick. It wasn't that bad! The fox gazed for a second to the bunny driving the police car, with obvious bad mood in his face. The bunny, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy herself.
• Will you please drop it, Carrots?
• But why? The vixen that took our orders last night flirted with you every time she came to our table, and when we finished and started leaving, she gave you her number. That is not a big deal.
• Then why are you laughing about it since last night if it's not?
• Because it was extremely hilarious to see you turn her down. I would have taken you for the ladies mammal, I expected you to have experience with females other than me. But you barely could say a word without stuttering. Your fur even seemed to be glowing red! A frustrated growl was all she got from her partner, and she was trying to stop her laugh to keep coming out. After how much he had been exploiting the forgotten wallet thing the day before, this was a nice way of turning the tables. Also, she was very jealous during those flirtations from the vixen last night. Seeing Nick turn her down felt like fireworks to Judy. The good mood she was in still lasted that morning.
• All units, there is a possible 8-21 in Ramian Str 35, fourth floor A. Units close to the location, please respond.- The voice of Clawhauser interrupted the moment through the radio. Nick took this as an opportunity to put this issue with the vixen to rest.
• Officers Wilde and Hopps responding. We are a block away and proceed to the location.- Said while turning the police lights and siren on.
• Officers Wolfred and Grizzoli also responding and joining as backup, ETA 2 minutes.- sounded through the radio.
• Roger that. Out.- Responded Nick, hanging the speaker.- Forced entry into a home. That's a first on that street. Never heard of it happening before. Its mostly a canine neighborhood, they respect each other's territories.
• There is always a first, even for the bad things, sadly.- Said the bunny, parking the car and turning off the siren, leaving the lights on.- I'm glad I could see your first time turning down a girl.- Added with a mischievous smile, to which Nick groaned. The main door to the building was open, so they came in and started climbing up the stairs.
• He said fourth, right?
• Yep. Let's go.- Responded the bunny, already some steps ahead. When they got to the third floor, they could clearly hear fighting noises coming from the floor above them. They hurried up and followed the sounds to an open door to their left.
• ZPD! Come out with paws in the air!- Shouted Judy peeking inside through the door. The noises stopped, but no one came out. Behind her, he heard Nick grabbing his dart gun, which she mimicked, before standing to the other side of the door, checking inside. With a sign of his paw, announced a clear path for her to go in, he entering behind her. After the entrance hall, they walked through the hall, passing by two seemingly empty rooms and the kitchen, and into the living room. Without prior notice, Judy felt a hard blow on her neck and fell to the floor. Her vision blurry and sparkly, she tried to stand up, but her paws were being tied up on her back and a bag put over her head. All the while, she heard grunting and fighting, one of the voices being Nick's.
• JUDY! HOLD ON!
• NICK! Another blow, this time on the side of her head, took her consciousness away.