Chapter 2 - One surprise after another

Nick looked at his watch the same moment Mark came out of the entrance of the building running towards them at full speed, stopping only to open the backseat door and entering in the car.

• Sorry I'm late.

• Your unpunctuality is starting to be frustrating, Mark.- Said the fox with a serious tone while starting the engine and driving to the precint.- Next time it happens, you better look for other means to get to work. AUCH!

Judy, on the copilot seat, punched him in the arm and a warning gaze locked onto him.- Stop it, Nick. Since we started driving him with us to work last week, this is the first time we had to wait two minutes for him. Normally we are the ones late by more than fifteen because of you.

• I can afford it, Carrots. Handsome foxes can have the luxury of arriving late to places.- Replied him with a grin.

• When there is one in the car we will make use of that privilege.- The bunny had to contain a victory laugh when Nick's face turned to be exactly the same one he had that time when she hustled him for tax evasion.- Until then, be punctual. Both of you.- She added looking back at Mark, though she winked at him with a smile. Mark winked back and half-formed a salute.

• Yes, Ma'am.

Letting out a groan, but unbeknownst to the other two he was internally smiling, Nick didn't reply to that and focused on driving, earning another satisfied look from the bunny.

• Oh? No witty response, no smart comeback? You are losing your con artist touch, Nick.

• I'll have you know, Carrots, that you hurt me so deeply that I will not bother saying anything else to you. Not until you provide me with a box full of blueberries, that is.

While mark was trying in vain to contain his laughter, or at least muffle it a bit, Judy looked at Nick with a mixture of amusement and feigned offense.- Really? Fine, go ahead. I know you better than that, Slick. Your "art" is talking. Once you lose that, you become a simple blueberry eater.

The fox gestured like he had been stabbed in his heart with a knife, but still keeping his eyes on the road.- You wounded me, Fluff. You wounded me deeply.

Judy replied sticking her tongue out.

• I've been meaning to ask you something for a while now.- Said Mark, trying to slow down his breathing, so much he had been laughing.- Where does that "Carrots" nickname come from? Doesn't it bother you he calls you that?

• Nah. Maybe the first one hundred times, when I still had him under my control during our first case.- Answered Judy turning her head to look at him through the corner of her eyes.- Then I just grew used to it, And I know he means it friendly, even if the first time he was trying to get on my nerves.

• And succeeded!- Interjected Nick, receiving another soft punch on his arm from Judy.

• The point is, I am used to nicknames. I have more than three hundred siblings at the moment and grew up with two hundred and seventy of them. Playful nicknames, or even mocking ones, were something natural there. My parents still call me "Jude the Dude" from time to time.

The macaque didn't answer for a few seconds, until he shook his head completely befuddled.- Sorry, you lost me at "three hundred siblings". You seriously have that many?

• Oh, she is serious all right.- Said the fox, understanding the feeling.- I've met around half of them myself.

• Actually, you have met three fifths of them. You still haven't seen any of my older brothers and sisters or some of my age.

• How could I know that when I was swarmed under dozens of cream, brown and grey balls of adorableness all day? I felt like the entire bunny population under ten years old had spend a day climbing me, poking me, touching me and, worst of all, pulling on my tail!

• Ooooow, poor Mr. Fox. Is that the reason you don't want to come again?- Pouted Judy, ears down and with her eyes so big and puppy-like that it hurt. Except to Nick.

• No. After I managed to tell them that they shouldn't pull on it, they behaved much better and only swarmed me. The reason is that when I asked you to rescue me you stood there, giggling, leaving me to feel the full punishment of fluffy hell.

Judy couldn't contain herself and let out a giggle, followed by Mark.

• Do you have siblings, Mark?- Asked the bunny.

• Two, actually.- He replied.- A brother and a sister, older than me. My sister is the oldest, by six years.

• They are Animolia?

He nodded.- We all lived together with my mother. Until I came here, that is.

• And you don't use nicknames for each other?- She quickly change the subject back to the nicknames. For some reason, Mark's answer didn't seem to include his father and she didn't want to press the topic on that.

• My sister, perhaps. She calls me "Brat" when she is mad. My brother just calls me "Bro". Aside from that, I don't remember using nicknames.

• Your sister has some character, uh?

• You have no idea. She is like Dr. Jackal and Mr. Hide: If she is in a good mood, everything is fine, she loves everyone, very kind... But when she is pissed off...

• She transforms into a bunny named Judy, right?- Joked Nick, very pleased with himself. But the he heard the popping noise of knuckles and knew he had crossed a line. A quick glance to his right confirmed he had summoned a devil and she was ready to take his soul.

Judy's death glare, however, was softened to an enjoying look when two hands started massaging her neck and shoulders, provoking pleasure hums from her.

• Aaaaah, that feels great. Where did you learn to do that?

• Eeeehm, I-I used to massage my mother when she was really tired, so I learned some tricks.- Lied mark. The truth was massaging her sister was sometimes the only way to get her back to a good mood. He considered that further comparison with his sister's Mr. Hide's moments was not a sensible idea.

• Well, if your mother doesn't mind, I'm keeping you from now on to take care of me. A little lower, please... there...

With her eyes closed, Judy didn't see Nick turn his head to Mark and vocalize "Thank you" without any sound, to which the macaque replied with a nod and a warning look. The same trick would not always work.

...

They finally arrived at the ZPD and, after a brief chat with Clawhauser, they went inside the bull pen to wait for roll call. After ten minutes or so, Chief Bogo entered the room, welcomed by the usual mix of guttural sounds of the rest of the officers.

• I have bad news for some of you, which coincidentally are good for the rest. So pray that you have been on my good side lately.

All the officers paid attention to the Chief. Not many times had Judy seen the room so quiet and focused.

• The crime rate in Zootopia is down, registering a new record in our history.

He could not go on because of the howling and roaring of every officer in there. Delgato and Grizzoli had even begun doing a bizarre choreographed victory dance that included both sexy and hilarious moves. This went on for about two minutes, the time that took for everyone to notice that Chief Bogo was still waiting to finish.

• As I was saying, crime is low. As a reward for the job the ZPD performed in accomplishing that, City Hall is giving vacation days to all officers.

Again, everyone stood up and cheered, this time louder, but it was cut short by a single hit to the stand Bogo used to address the others.

• SHUT UP UNLESS YOU WANT THOSE DAYS REVOKED!- Everybody became quiet instantly.- Now, obviously I can't have an empty precint and the city without protection. Even with the crime rate so low, there is work to be done. So, I have divided all officers in three groups: those who will have vacations, those who will do paperwork and those who will patrol. Those assignments will rotate. When the first group comes back from vacation, they will do paperwork; and the next time, they will patrol. That way, everyone is happy. Any questions so far?

No one dared to speak, since the only question everyone had on their minds was the same. Bogo searched through the papers in his hooves and put one at the front to read.

• Very well. The mayor wants me to say to you, and I quote, "I am proud of every one of you. It is thanks to your efforts and your commitment to our safety that our city has become what it is now. Therefore, I expect you to enjoy seven free days in any way you please. I hope this will serve as an incentive to do even a better work that you have already done".

"You are doing this on purpose."- Thought Nick.- "You don't care what the mayor wanted you to tell us, you are just making us wait and suffer."

Judy seemed to think similar things, because her right foot was moving up and down in the air at a high speed, like trying to thump the floor.

• These vacation days will start tomorrow, so today I expect you to work as usual. The schedule for the three groups is right now being made available at the front desk by Clawhaw... I AM NOT FINISHED! SIT DOWN THIS INSTANT OR INSTEAD OF ONE WEEK OF VACATION YOU WILL GET ONE OF PARKING DUTTY!

Everybody in the room had tried to leave to check that list at the same time and were about to open the door. So eager everyone was to see when they would get their vacation that Grizzoli, who sat at the front row, had practically run over everyone's head and had the doorknob in his paw.

But Bogo's threat convinced them to go back to their seats, albeit grudgingly and sending impatient glares towards their boss.

• You will be able to check the list as soon as I am finished distributing roles for the day. Now, Delgato, Higgins, and Wolford. You still haven't finished your final reports on the Mathew's case. You will stay here and do it.- He waited a few seconds for them to leave, but they didn't move an inch. Bogo, then, waved a hand and said softly:- You may go.

The three officers stood up and, slowly, walked to the door, not risking giving the Chief any reason to take their free days away. Once they left and the door was closed, fast stepping from the other side indicated where they were really going first.

• Snarlov, Andersen, Rhinowitz and Johnson. You will go secure the race in Savanah Central.- Said giving them a file with the address and other info and gestured them to leave, who repeated the same actions as their colleagues.

• The rest of you, you have patrol duty.- Bogo raised his eyes to look at everybody, very pleased that they finally behaved themselves. No one dared to move until he said so.

Nick had to look at Judy, very conscious of what was possibly happening just by his left. And he almost had a heart attack: Standing on her legs, looking fixedly to Chief Bogo and with her ears perked up, was the bunny, her tail wiggling uncontrollably and her nose twitching just as fast. Mark saw that too and had to surreptitiously pinch himself on the leg to avoid letting out an "awwww".

• Dismissed.- Said the buffalo, and he too left the room through the other door. The moment he had closed the door, he heard a loud racket of mammals of various sizes running and pushing. An old school stampede. He sighed and went to his office.

At the lobby, reigned chaos. More specifically, in a few squared meters around the desk Clawhauser sat. All the officers there wanted to check their names on the list, but he had specific orders.

• I'm sorry, guys, but I can't give the list. You must let me read it for you, and that will be easier if we are all together and quiet.

• Roll call is over, Ben, we are all here. Just tell us!

• All right, all right. Let's see, the first group with vacations, staring tomorrow... ok, here it is: Officers Fangmeier...

• YES!

• Grizzoli...

• YO-HO!

• Delgato...

• YEAH, BABY!

• Hopps, Wilde and Rhesus.

The trio jumped and high-fived while the rest of the mammals congregated there groaned, and were about to leave until Clawhauser called them.

• Wait guys, I need to finish to tell you this. You six are the first group. Tomorrow you will start your vacations, come back in a week and you will do paperwork and then patrol, in that order. There will be no roll call until all three groups have had their vacations, so as soon as you get here, you start working.

• Understood, Spots! Thanks for the info!- Said Nick almost at the door to the garage, being followed closely by Judy and mark. The three partners were excited by the prognosis of unplanned vacation.

• Free vacation! I've just arrived to Zootopia and I already won seven free days!- Exclaimed mark, climbing inside their cruiser.

• Lucky monkey. I've been working here two years and nothing, this is not fair!

• If you don't want those days, I can ask Chief Bogo to give them to me. I wouldn't mind two free weeks.- Said Judy with a smirk, igniting the engine.

• You wish, sly bunny.

• Dumb fox.- Retorted her and both bursted in laughter. Judy drove the cruiser to the street to begin their patrol.

• What are you going to do with your free week, Mark? Are you going back to Animolia to see your family?- Asked Judy.

• To spend only a day there? It's a three day travel and then another three back. My mother would kill me after a long speech on how to use my time and money.- Replied him.- I don't know. I guess I will stay at home, looking for other apartments, reading and stuff like that. Besides you guys, I don't know anyone else here.

• Then why don't you hang out with us?- Proposed her. Nick, seated at the far right, gazed to the outside so she wouldn't see his frustrated look. - We could show you around, help you find a new home, watch a movie... It could be fun!

Mark was completely aback by the offer and didn't know what to say. Sure, they spend quite some time at work and they got along quite good, but he thought it would take longer to be invited to join them outside work.

• I-are you sure? I wouldn't want to impose, I'm sure you have better things to do.

• Like what? Until 10 minutes ago I had no vacations to plan for, and I would like to know you better. We were probably going to stay at Nick's or my house and relax anyway, so it wouldn't be a problem.

• To all units! We have a 10-16 in Gravel Str. 14, first floor A. Units close to location, please respond.- The radio interrupted their conversation and the three mammals straightened up and went cop mode.

• Hold that thought.- Said Judy to mark while she examined their surroundings, looking for orientation, but Nick beat her to it.

• It's three streets ahead and to the right, we can get there in a minute.

Mark grabbed the speaker of the radio while turning on the siren and lights.- Unit 34 responding to the 10-16. ETA, one minute.

• Undertood.- Replied Clawhauser on the other side of the line.

• I wonder who has domestic discussions so early in the morning.- Said Nick as they parked in front of the given address. When they stepped out of the cruiser, a loud roar came out of the balcony of the first floor of the building.

• That sounds like a tiger to me.- Guessed Mark. Judy agreed with a nod and told him:

• Signal dispatch that we are here and proceeded to... WOW!

From the balcony, a plasma TV flew across the street and crashed on the asphalt, too close to the trio for their tastes. The TV broke into a million pieces and crystal shards that spread several meters around. The bunny had even jumped back just in case to avoid being hit by any of them.

• Stay here and secure the area while we take care of him.- Told him Nick while he and the bunny went to the door and called at random to be let in.

Mark wondered why was he left there instead of assisting. If there was indeed that much danger up there, he was more able to pin down the suspect than the fox.

Maybe they hoped to end this peacefully, and Nick had shown him a few times already that his silver tongue and charisma worked nicely in those situations.

Still, that left him with the boring part.

The macaque sighed and began to push away the people lured by curiosity so he could set a perimeter in case anything else was thrown.

...

The shouting could be heard even from the ground floor. As far as they could tell just from hearing them, the one making all the noise was a male, and very drunk. His wife hadn't done something he wanted and he became hostile.

The pair climbed up the stairs to the first floor and found the door wide open, with some neighbors peeking inside or just hearing in front of the door.

• Ok, please, stand back. Go inside your own home and stay there until this is over.- Asked Judy to the neighbors. Some complied, but others wanted to remain and keep listening.

While Judy tried to convince them, Nick came inside the apartment and followed the source of the shouting. He went through the hall, past two bedrooms and a kitchen, and found himself in the living room where, indeed, a very intoxicated male tiger was yelling to a terrified female lioness. She was sitting against the wall hugging her legs, as if trying to become as small as possible. He had a bottle of alcohol in his paw and, by how he was grabbing it, he looked about to use it as a weapon.

"Time for the show".- He thought before putting on a smile to start the conversation.- Hi!

The tiger turned to him, almost unbalancing himself, and gazed at Nick with foggy eyes.- Who are you?

• Someone who is here to help.- Replied Nick happily, using all he had learned as a con artist to trick him into coming out peacefully.- How can I help you?

• Go...away.- He wobbled a bit back and forth while speaking.- This... is my home.

• But of course it is your home! You work hard every day to pay for it, don't you?

• Yes! Yes, I do!- He turned again to face the lioness.- And if I want to come home in the morning after drinking, I WILL!

• You are right, my friend! No one can tell you what to do! You are a big tiger and know better than anyone!- Surreptitiously, he positioned himself opposite to where the lioness was, to force him to look away from her. Also, he innocently signaled her to start moving towards the door while he circled around him. She understood and quietly stood up and did as instructed.- You want to drink? Perfect! Who doesn't enjoy a good drink? I myself love a good beer after work.

• It is the... best, right?- The tiger started to smile. If because the intoxication or because he had found someone who understood him, no one knows.- It feels... relaxing. You don't know how much I hate my job. All... day long in that construction up an' down, up an' down... I can't stand it. But I drink a beer... or two... or three... and my problems are gone! Jajajaja!- He drank some of the contents of the bottle, unaware that the lioness had made it to the door, where Judy waited to help her.

With that out of the way, now he kept circling so Judy could arrest him from behind. To his left was the balcony, with sunlight coming in. He could even use that to blind him a little, so it would be easier for her.

• I get'cha, buddy. You feel so good that you even want to sing, Am I right?

• YEAH! All night long! An' I'm a very good singer!- He was about to demonstrate that when the light hit his eyes and his face reflected the pain that produced.- ACK! Damm light! Jenna! Close the blinds right now!- He turned to where the female was and, not finding her, he went furious again.- WHERE THE HELL IS THAT WRETCHED...

He couldn't finish that sentence when a bunny jumped on his head and pulled the front of his shirt over his head and to his back, to use them as temporary pawcuffs. But she overestimated his present ability to stand on remain straight and they both fell to the floor.

Judy rolled away and prepared to try again, only to find the tiger already getting on his feet, albeit clumsily. She jumped forward and he defended himself with a backhand that managed to send her over the balcony.

...

Hearing the fighting noises, Mark eyed the first floor continuously, in case their partners needed assistance and shouted asking for it. He had managed to push people away enough so anything that could fall couldn't harm anyone, but he had to stay there until told otherwise.

Luck wanted him to be looking at the balcony the same moment Judy flew over it. He positioned himself to receive her in his arms and kept his stance when she landed on them.

Though something felt... wrong.

He intended to catch her in sort of bridal style, with his left arm holding her head and his right under her knees. But when he glanced down, his right hand was supporting her butt. More precisely, he was cupping her tail.

His heart stopped beating and his normally pink face turned red.

• Wow! Nice catch, Mark! Thank you! What's wrong?- She asked when she noticed his expression. Then looked down too and understood. Involuntarily, she wiggled her tail. That, somehow, turned on Mark's brain and heart again.

• I'm sorry, Hopps! I didn't mean to...- He stopped apologizing when the bunny jumped down from his arms, ran for the door of the building and went to the apartment again. A few seconds later some more shouting could be heard, along with a final thud and groans. Through the receiver on his shoulder Nick's voice came out.

• We got him. Prepare the trunk of the cruiser.

• Ye-yeah, ok.- Managed to say, still shocked with what had happened. He obviously didn't mean for that to happen, and probably Judy knew that, but he couldn't take that feeling out of his head.

"So soft... And fluffy..."- His mind couldn't help but force him to keep his focus on that while he opened the back of the trunk and had a pair of pawcuffs ready to tie the tiger to the security bar inside.

Nick and Judy came out of the building with the tiger. Nick was leading him and Judy followed, with some blushing of her cheeks. Mark helped Nick to push the tiger inside and, when he was about to get inside to cuff him to the bar, he felt pressure and a light pull on his tail. Turning around, found Judy with a playful smirk and a little more tint on her face.

• We are even now.- She said walking to the driver's seat, but mark stopped her.

• I, um... I'm sorry about that, Hopps. I really didn't mean...

• I know, Mark, don't worry. It startled me a little, but I know you just wanted to catch me. Thank you.- Thanked the bunny with a wide smile that relaxed the macaque's tension.- And please, call me Judy. I think it's time we call each other by our names. Or even a nickname, if you feel like it.- The she climbed inside the cruiser, but she could still hear him.

• Very well... Silk.

She reddened even more but finished sitting on the seat and waited for her partners to get in too.

...

• What a day! Am I glad that it's over! And we start our vacations tomorrow!

Nick good mood infected the other two, who also became nervous about the prospect. After the incident that morning, and as if the world wanted them to work their seven free days' worth, it had been one problem after another. All of them were simple disturbances, such as petty theft, a quarrel on the street, a broken traffic light... But all together had tired them.

Thankfully, they were now driving to the precint to leave the cruiser and check out to go home.

• So, do you two want to start tonight? We could order pizza and stay at my house.- Proposed Judy, already entering the parking of the ZPD.

• Sure! But I need to go home first. I must change clothes and grab a few things if I'm spending the night there.- Replied Mark, already starting mentally listing the things he needed.

• No problem. I'll just give you my address and you come when you finish. You have to go home too, right Nick?

• Yep.- Answered him. Judy thought that reply was somewhat too short coming for him, as if he wasn't interested in coming over like he did many times before. But she assumed the fox was too tired and let it pass.

After waving goodbye to Clawhauser, who wished them a nice vacation, they got into Nick's car and drove in direction of Mark's house.

It was then when his phone rang inside his pocket. He took it out and checked the screen, smiling.- That's my sister!- He pressed the accept button and put the phone against his ear.- Hi sis! How are you?... I'm fine. We just finished our shifts, we are going to hang out and one of my partner's house... Judy Hopps... Yes, her... Sis, don't start... No, I still haven't found other house. I've been given some free days, so I'll be able to search more... Why is that?... YOU ARE WHAT?

Judy and Nick were startled by that shout. She turned her head in Mark's direction, whereas Nick just had to settle with moving his right ear in his direction.

• But why? Why did you... Yes, I know what we agreed on, but... Will you please tell me when did you... Wait a sec, Shana. Wha...- The beeping sound coming now from the device told them that the connection had been closed. Mark was looking at the screen with terror in his face.

• What happened? Is something wrong?- Asked Judy, preoccupied. The monkey rubbed his face in his hands and looked away in disbelief.

• I can't believe it. I just can't believe it.- He said talking to himself. After a few seconds, he faced his friends.- They are coming.

• Who? Your family?

• Yes. But not just to visit. They started selling the house, already sent everything in a moving trailer and are at this very moment in a train for Zootopia. They will get here in less than three days. And I still live in a one-room apartment!