Chapter six - Green-eyed fox

Nick left many things behind when he became a cop. For starters, and the most obvious, he stopped hustling other mammals. That sounds like the very first thing one would expect from someone wearing the blue uniform, but it was more than that.

As a con mammal, he had to make his target believe he was a friend, that he was safe and could trust Nick, even though he was a fox. The permanent smile, the happy tone of his voice, his mannerisms... all had been practiced over and over to the point of almost perfection. He had spent many hours in front of a mirror training his face to make every possible expression he could need and control it on cue until he himself believed it. If he could do that, others were bound to fall for it.

In some of those hustles that were less legal than selling pawsicles, still not crossing that thin line, Nick had to make others believe he was working FOR them instead of being a simple provider, giving them a false sense of control. Feigning nervousness if something looked out of place or hurt if the other acted distrusting. There were some moments even he himself didn't know how he really felt.

One of his mottos was "if all they are going to expect of a fox is for him to be shifty and untrustworthy, then there is no point giving them anything but that" but, ironically, he tried his best to make others believe he actually was anything but a fox, like his red fur, pointy ears and muzzle and bushy tail were merely coincidental.

So much time spent surrounded by lies and fake smiles taught him how to read the emotions of others as well, even if they wanted to hide them. A slight twitch on the corner of the eye told him it was a good idea to forget the deal and run away from that dangerous mammal, a change of voice volume hinted him that there was something he was not being told. He was not always right, but it helped him in quite a number of occasions, both in his benefit in making money and in saving his own pelt.

Now that he played for the blue team, he didn't use any of that. A certain bunny believed in him, in that he was more than a shifty fox. That changed his life completely, including how he behaved around others: Nick rarely masked his emotions anymore, allowing others to know when he was happy or not. He still hid some emotions but was because they were of a more private type or he considered it wasn't worth showing them. Even after all this time, he still heard people call him "the fox" on certain occasions. That felt like a thorn reminding him of his past, but he knew that many of those times wasn't mean as an insult, so there was no reason to let that sting show.

Also, he stopped looking for signs of deception, danger or mistrust on others. Now that he was having a more normal life, being trust by others, he wanted to trust them back. The only exception was Judy.

For him, it was automatic to look for signs that told him how she felt: if she was happy, he was too; if she was sad, he would do everything in his paw to cheer her up and see her smile and her eyes shine again. Because that was his weakness, to see her happy. And if he had something to do with that, even better.

Nick changed his way of life because of a bunny, who in another time would have been a meal like any other, trusted him when nobody else would; he became a police officer for Judy, who wanted him as her partner and waited for months until he finished the academy to protect the city together; he left his old hustler habits behind so she could see him as he truly was and look at him proud of the fox and with a happy smile like the day she clipped the badge to his uniform at his graduation.

Judy saved his life twice during the Nighthowler case: once during the attack of a savage Mr. Manchas and then going back for him to apologize. Nick didn't need his hustler skills to see that she was truly sorry for what she had said at the press conference. She felt broken for what she had done, for hurting him. No-one had ever apologized to him, not even for bumping into him on the street. That simple action, that everyone considered so basic, changed everything: if a bunny could trust a fox like she did and cry for hurting him, then he COULD be more than a shifty fox.

How could he not care about the bunny, to want her to be happy every moment of the day? For him, to see her by his side with a wide smile was as important as breathing itself. There have been times when it couldn't be helped, like the day a colleague in the ZPD got killed in the line of duty and all officers attended his funeral, but if he could do anything to bring her smile back, he would just do it, no matter what he had to do.

That became his secret goal in life, one that he was ever too happy to accomplish: to be her friend, her partner, and to do whatever it took to keep that cheerful attitude and kind heart alive.

That is why he quickly detected her distress when they were at Mark's house and came back from overhearing that conversation. He deduced, just as he explained Judy a few days later, what could be the reason for it and wanted to help. He couldn't, though. Knowing her, she had to solve the issue by herself. Nick could only help by being there for help and easing her mind about it. Still, it helped. She came back with Mark to their desk, with a different mood from before. They still had a shadow of sadness in their eyes, and in the macaque's case also signs of crying, but they had patched things up and were back to their usual selves.

Things were looking good. Mark officially became a part of their inner circle, even if Nick wasn't very thrilled about having someone else with them at first, and spend a lot of time together.

Then why Judy looked so flustered when he came back from the coffee shop? Before leaving the car, they were all laughing and in a very good mood, but after he returned to the cruiser, both of them fell silent and Judy was blushing. She even was so distracted during their shift that he offered to drive just in case.

The fox could not understand what happened. He perceived nervousness and embarrassment from Judy, which was normal every time he made some spicy joke, but then she would also be smiling. This time, she wasn't.

Mark didn't look any different. He behaved naturally all day, so he couldn't get any clue from him. If he had been sad, melancholic or similar then that would hint him about what had happened, but nothing.

And now, the very next day, both of them showed up smiling and laughing like nothing ever happened.

No, corrected himself the fox, not quite. There was something else.

Up until now, Judy and Mark were the ones conversing more, being Nick the most silent. Since the bunny was the most extroverted of the duo, he let her do the questions to the monkey and Nick would listen. That evolved in them more friendly with each other with the passing of the days. Mark was indeed a very friendly mammal and visibly enjoyed talking to the rabbit. Of course, he talked to Nick the same way he did to Judy when the conversation or the joke included him, but it was different. He respected Nick and was friendly to him, maybe even considered the fox his friend, which Nick was, but Mark felt more comfortable with her.

Now they both had some kind of shyness permanently printed on their faces and they looked at each other like they were kids culprits of some sort of mischief. Judy had forced Nick to see enough romantic movies to see a pattern and, for some reason he himself did not understand, he did not like it.

Nevertheless, Nick had nothing to do with it, if it was what he thought, so he said nothing and drove the cruiser in silence.

Meanwhile, inside his mind, a mammal that looked suspiciously like certain macaque was suffering one torture after another. And, for some reason, that image helped him go through the day.

...

Their day ended at last and were on their way to their respective homes to get ready for a dinner in Mark's house. Nick dropped the macaque off first and drove away to Judy's.

• You are not going to spend hours choosing what to wear, right?- Asked the fox.- I am coming back for you after I take a shower and change into normal attire, and that will take thirty minutes tops.

• Are you serious? Suzie invites us to dinner and you are going to wear that ugly shirt as if we were going to the bar at the corner?

• Hey! It's not ugly!- Defended the fox.- You are just jealous you don't have my taste in fashion.

• I am GRATEFUL I don't have it, thank you.- Replied the bunny with a laugh that he joined.- Seriously though, why don't you wear that white one I gave you on your birthday? It suited you!

The fox groaned. That shirt was plain white, no pattern at all. It was boring. He never wore it if he could avoid it, and with around forty Hawaiian shirts on his wardrobe, he had no problem doing so.

Unless Judy directly asked for it.

• Ok, I will wear that one.- acceded Nick. That made Judy giggle and raise her arms in victory.- But you have to wear than cute pink one with the flowers.

Judy froze with her arms raised. Nick thought he had beaten her and that either she would let him wear whatever he wanted or he would see her with that shirt, which was extremely floral. The bunny liked that one, but not to wear too often since it made everyone look at her.

But she surprised the fox and kept her smile.- Ok, it's a deal.- Said stretching her paw to him so he could shake it, which Nick did after a few second his brain needed to reboot.

• Wow, you are in a good mood. What happened?- Asked Nick, with the intention of finding out if his suspicions were correct.

She blushed a bit, but not as much as he would have expected if something of the sort had happened, which calmed him a little.- Nothing really important. Mark and I are going out to dinner one of this days.

• A date?

• Not exactly.- Judy tried to look as normal as possible, but she was avoiding to look at Nick.- It's just the dinner he promised me when we helped him. He asked me yesterday and I said yes.

The fox didn't need to try too hard to see that it was more than she let on. He knew that Judy wouldn't lie to his face, less of all if it was something she was happy about, but it was obvious there was more to it than just a dinner with a friend.

• That sounds nice. When are you going out?

• We don't have a day yet. Probably when we won't have to work the next day, just like we use to do.- added gesturing to Nick and herself.- It's not like we can stay up late every day.

• Sounds logic. Just try not to spray him with carrot juice when he makes a joke.- He said with a smug smile.

The blush on her face turned bright red and looked very embarrassed when she turned in his direction.- That was only one time! And why did you had to tell that joke when I was drinking?

• Not to end up wet and with more orange on my fur, that's for sure.

She hit him on the shoulder, not too hard since he was the one driving, and crossed her arms over her chest looking away with her cheeks puffed. Nick's feelings about her going out with Mark disappeared for a moment at the sight of her feigning being offended at his words. She was extremely cute when she did that and made him feel like it was only the two of them again, joking around and enjoying each other company. After three weeks, it was nice to have some alone time just with her.

That time didn't last long since they arrived at her house and she dropped off to get ready, leaving him to ponder alone about what she told him. They weren't dating, that much was clear. She was sincere when she said it was a dinner with a friend, but she didn't say all the truth, and that is what he didn't like.

...

A while later, Nick and Judy arrived at Mark's home. The fox kept his word and wore the white shirt and black trousers. When the bunny got into the car, she admitted that he indeed had good taste, even calling him "handsome". Luckily for him, his tail was hidden by his left, so she couldn't see it wiggle happily.

On the other hand, she wore the flower-patterned shirt and a lavender skirt that covered almost to her knees. He could not say she was cute anymore. With that outfit she was gorgeous.

Nick brought a bottle of blueberry wine that he handed over to Suzie when they entered their apartment and were received by her. Then marveled at how the place had changed since last time they had been there.

They had filled the living room with furniture, some of which was obviously from the older house and the rest was bought recently. The table seemed to be one from the last category, for example, since it had a different style than the others and could be closed and placed against the wall to free up some space there. They appeared to be more interested in functionality than fashion.

• Wow, this place looks amazing!- Exclaimed Judy in awe looking to a shelf that exposed a humble collection of beautifully decorated plates.

• Thank you, dear. I like it too.- Thanked Suzie by her side.- It has been hard to get a few things, but very worth it.

• Couldn't find the right color in any store?- Joked Nick with a smile.

• That was part of the problem, yes.- Replied the female macaque, surprising the fox.- But also we wanted to replace a few things we already had and couldn't find good prices.

• Such as?- Asked Judy.

• The plasma TV, for example.- Another voice came in from the hallway. Nathan greeted them with one hand and a laptop in the other.- She insisted that we needed a better one and spend a full day looking for one.

• It had a 30% discount! And the old one was really old.- Argued Suzie.

• I never heard dad complain about that TV.

• Of course he didn't, he never watched it.

• Neither do we, which is my point.- finished the male before hugging her mother with one big arm and kissing her on the temple. The defeated female chuckled and hit him with the cloth she had in her hand before he released her and sat on the black couch.

• Hey, I thought I heard someone!- Mark appeared through the door to his room and greeted them as well, with a special smile at Judy, which Nick noticed and he felt something starting to boil inside of him.- Sorry I didn't welcome you before, I had the headset on listening some music and didn't hear you arrive.

• It's ok, we just got here.- Said Judy dismissing the apology with a wave of her hand.

• Mark, dear, could you tell your sister to come out of her cave and socialize?- Asked Suzie. Mark nodded and went to her sister's door, which was at the far end of the hall.

• She has been there since we arrived, studying, except for when she came with us to buy things.- Explained Nathan as he gestured them to sit on the couch.- She is obsessed with being ready to work at the ZPD.

• But you said she is good already.- Judy showed his confusion to the macaque, who nodded.

• And she is, but she wants things to go perfectly. It took a while for her to show the other forensics what she could do and is expecting the same here as well.

• If she is as good as you say, I don't think she will have any problem here.- Assured Nick

• Thanks for the vote of confidence.- Said Shana emerging from the hall behind mark, both mammals walking to them and sitting on chairs in from of them.- Still, I want to be prepared.

• A wise attitude.- Agreed the fox. Shana tilted her head in appreciation.

• Did you find any yet, Nathan?- Asked Mark to his brother, who had his laptop open.

• Nope. Too expensive or too snobby for my taste.- Responded him with a sigh. When he noticed the confused looks on their guests' faces, he added:- I am looking for a gym in the vicinity. I need to exercise a bit until I start working.

• There is one close to the precint, you could go there.- Told Judy to the macaque.

• I checked that one too. It's one of the expensive ones-

• Not if you are a cop. Many officers at the ZPD need to keep in shape and go to that gym. If you announce yourself as a cop, they will make you a discount.

• But I am not part of the force, yet. That is still weeks ahead.- Argued Nathan.

• That is not a problem.- Intervened Nick.- Just talk to the cheetah at the front desk, Clawhauser. He will give you an ID that you can use there until you are officially on duty.

Nathan relaxed on the couch and closed the laptop.- Thank you, guys. I owe you one.

• You don't think there is some kind of offer like that in a lab, right? I could use some time in one.- Asked Shana tentatively.

• Sorry, but no. At least not that I know of.- Answered the bunny apologetically.

• You could ask Bogo about it. Maybe you can do something there out of the records. It would help the ZPD and keep you occupied.- Suggested Nick. Judy agreed with a nod.

• Then I will ask him, I guess. I don't like to bother him after doing such a favor to us.- Said Shana.

• A favor?- Repeated Judy and Nick at the same time, which made Nathan chuckle.

• He contacted us a few days ago.- Started explaining Shana.- He was able to fit us a little sooner. It seems that some mammals are getting vacations and we can fill in instead of reorganizing the whole schedule. We can start in three weeks instead of waiting for two more months.

• Wow, he must have worked his tail off to get you in so soon, even with the ones going on vacation. Who would say that Bogo would actually care so much to do that!- Said Nick with astonishment in his voice. He knew the buffalo for a while now, and he always treated personal issues as not important.

• I will be sure to tell him that.- Joked Judy before laughing, making him look annoyed for a moment, just enough to make the act.

• Ok, kids. Dinner is ready.- Suzie came out of the kitchen with two big dishes, one bigger than the other, and placed them on the table. Everyone stood up and went to their seats around the table. Judy was on his left, followed by Mark and Suzie; Nathan was at his right and Shana next to him.- Nick, since you would probably prefer something better than just vegetables, I prepared this for you.- She said to the fox as while pointing at the smaller dish. It contained a mix of grasshoppers, onion, and pepper all marinated in olive, lemon juice, ginger, olive oil and, if Nick's nose wasn't wrong, thyme and mint.- This is Grasshopper Marinade. I've never prepared something like it before, but the recipe was easy enough. I hope you like it.

• But you didn't have to do that. I can eat vegetables like you do.- Protested Nick.

• Nonsense. Maybe it's the first time I marinated grasshoppers, but not the first time I cook for carnivores. Nobody leaves my table with an unsatisfied stomach.

The fox looked at the marinade, then back to Suzie and placed a hand on his chest.- Suzie, even if it ends up not tasting as good as it looks, it is one of the most beautiful gestures anyone has ever done for me.

• And you said bunnies were emotional.- Judy's comment created a wave of muffled laughs coming from Nathan and Mark while Nick scowled.- Oh, come on, Nick. You know I am joking.

• Well, you just lost your privileges on my car: no more Radio Bunny.

She puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms like a little child, which made everyone else chuckle.

• All right, that is enough. Eat before it gets cold, dear.- Suzie said to the fox and served fried vegetables to the rest of them.

Nick grabbed a fork and took a bite of the contents of the dish. A shiver went down his spine when the juices of both the bug and vegetables flooded his taste buds. If his kind had salivary glands, he would not be able to contain it all so good it was. It was just perfect.

• Delicious. My compliments to the chef.

• The chef thanks you.- Responded the old macaque with a smile.

...

The atmosphere in that home was so warm and happy that the fox felt as part of a family for the first time in twenty years. Dinner was filled with conversation and laughter, telling each other stories and anecdotes, which led inevitably to Suzie telling how she and her husband met.

• So, I go to the market to buy some fruits. It was hot outside the house, the sun seemed determined to burn everything on that summer day. Everybody had hats, parasols, wore as light as possible... I arrived at the stand where the fruits were. I picked up the ones I wanted, the owner tells me the price and, when I reach inside my purse to get my wallet, I can't find it. I panicked at that moment. I was still a student at the time, I had no real reason to go the market by myself, so that was the first time someone had stolen the wallet from me. I was terrified, about to cry not knowing what to do. Then I hear noises nearby. When I turn in that direction I see two mammals fighting about five or six stands away, a weasel and a macaque. In the hands of the weasel was my wallet, and the macaque, twisting the thief's arms, managed to take it from him. The weasel managed to escape, but the other didn't care. He looked at me and, slowly, fixing his shirt like nothing of importance had happened, started walking to me. He passed by a stand that sold flowers and, without saying a word, bought one rose with a coin that I am sure was worth way more than the flower. Then, he stopped in front of me and handed me the wallet and the rose and said: "beautiful women like you should only shed tears of joy on their wedding day". I was so mesmerized by that I didn't notice he had left without saying another word.

Up to that point, Judy had been concentrated in the story, her ears going up and holding her breath at the fighting part and down and sighing when she described that romantic scene.

• When did you see him again?- She asked interestedly.

• Well, as you can imagine, I spend some days at the market, looking for him. Sadly, I didn't see him.

Again, Judy's ears went down. Nick had to contain a chuckle at the sight of that and at how easy was to read her emotions.

• But, we met again two months after that incident.- Continued Suzie, smiling at the memory.- I was starting to fear I would never see him again. Every day I would go to the same spot, by the fruit stand, and just wait there for a while. One day, I waited longer, the sun settling down. Fearing this would be the last time I would be able to come for him, I went to the flower stand and ask the owner about him. At first, he didn't recognize me, but when I told him about what happened, he did. He said that the macaque had come every day and bought a flower for me when I came back since he couldn't stay long there. Behind the counter, the owner had all the roses bought for me enveloped in a cloth. Many were obviously dead by then, but that was not important. I took them and, on my way home, I saw him, dressed in a police uniform. I froze there, wanting to say anything but, so dumb of me, I never thought of what to say to him when I actually met him. So, he just passed by my side to the stand, bought a rose and, coming to be, added it to the many more I had in my arms. He said that he came every day at this hour and wait for me, that if I wanted to meet him, he would be there. Then kissed my hand and left.

Judy let the air she had been containing leave her lungs in a long sigh.- That is so romantic.

Suzie smiled and the nostalgia left her voice to be replaced to a brighter tone.- This went on for quite some time until we decided to officially become a couple. But not a day passed without a fresh rose in my hand.

• Awwwww. That is so sweet!

• Now is your turn.- Said Nathan, startling the bunny, and pointed and her and Nick.- How did you two meet?

Judy froze in shock while the fox started to think a way they didn't have to tell. Mark knew about it, but Nick considered that the fewer people knew about his past the better.

• W-well, I... I was assigned to a case and he...

• I happened to be a witness. Several mammals had gone missing, and the only lead she had to find one of them was me since I was the last one that saw one of them. I became involved in the case since I knew people that could provide more information and helped her crack it. After that, and a few scares we had during the case, she convinced me to become a cop.

Shana smacked her forehead in realization- I don't know how I didn't catch on that sooner!

• What is it?- Asked Nathan very interested.

Shana looked at Judy.- That case you are talking about, was it about two years ago?

• Yes, that sounds about right.

• And the nighthowlers were also part of it, right?

• Again, correct.

• What is happening, dear?- Asked Suzie to her daughter.

• Remember two years ago when everybody got worried about something that turned mammals into savages? The original case was the one she was talking about. She is the same one that cracked a two weeks old impossible to solve case in only two days. Judy uncovered a plan to spread fear against predators among the prey, turning the preds into savages with a serum obtained from a flower. That plan got into Animolia through the black market and our government had to ask theirs for their vaccine. The news were on every channel.

• Wow, Carrots. You are famous even that far away. I'm impressed.- Said Nick with a smirk as Judy turned redder and redder.

• And to think that you mentioned that case and I did not recognize the name.- Lamented Mark, who was as flabbergasted as his sister.- I've been working with a celebrity for three weeks without knowing.

• Shame on you, Mark. I am ashamed of being your brother.- Nathan started laughing followed by Mark.

Judy was so red that she could almost be mistaken by one of the flowers of her shirt. Nick nudged her on the arm with his elbow affectionately. Judy was not an officer for the fame, and so much attention for one case turned her into a shy ball of fur. Proud of what she did, but shy.

• I think Miss Tomato and I should head to bed before she explodes.- Announced Nick standing up. The others agreed and stood up as well to say goodbye to the duo.

Mark was the last one to do so. He shook Nick hand and, after wishing them good night, he said to Judy:- I'll text you later.

The bunny nodded and got into the elevator with Nick, who after a very pleasant dinner, felt again that boiling inside. Until they were going down and Judy leaned against Nick and sighed, at which point he relaxed.

• Sorry about that.- Apologized the bunny. Nick tilted his head, confused.- About not saying how we met. I didn't know if you wanted them to know or not.

• It's ok. If you had told them, it would have been fine. They are good people. It's just that I don't feel comfortable enough telling others I was a hustler.

• Nick, you weren't a killer or something like that. You even had permits, and you weren't such a good hustler.

• Oh, was I not?- Asked him, knowing that she was joking.

• You were hustled back by a country bunny. You can't be that good, can you?

The wink she made and that warm smile were for him, for him alone. She was happy, so he was too and smiled her back, accepting the banter as it was customary for them. That was all that he would normally think as he drove his car to take the rabbit home.

But now a single thought crept in his mind: what would happen when they were directed to another?

What would happen to him?