~One Week Later~
Finally, it was the night before Judy could be released from the hospital. She was so ready to crack this panther case. Of course, she wasn't gonna tell Nick, because he would freak out. He would tell her, "but chief buffalo butt said you can't work for another week," which was true, but she couldn't help herself. She had to get this case solved. She couldn't E lived they hadn't cracked it in two weeks. Then again, she was the best officer in the ZPD, not to brag.
She couldn't sleep tonight. She saw Nick in a deep slumber next to her in his chair, across from the bed. The bunny couldn't help but smile at him. He looked so adorable all cuddled up like that. It showed the softer side of Nick. The way he snored made her giggle, and the way his tail curled up around him also made her giggle, but it made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside, too.
Overall, Judy loved everything about the fox. His sarcasm, his jokes, his charisma...but...he never said it back. He never told her if he meant that he loved her or not. Judy felt her heart drop to the pit of her stomach, and she wanted to throw up. What if Nick need loved me like that, after all? What if he thinks that I'm disgusting for linking him, a fox, when I'm a bunny? What if I just ruined our friendship? He did seem a little more distant this past week...
"Carrots?" She heard a voice from her right. Nick had woken up and was yawning. "You ok?"
"Oh...uh, y-yeah! I'm fine!" Judy put on a fake smile. No, she was not fine. She was not fine at all.
The fox raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"
She nodded, "yes, Nick. I'm alright."
"Ok," he smiled, laying back in his chair. Just heard ya shuffling around and it woke me up."
"Oh!" She put her paws to her mouth. "I'm sorry!"
"It's fine," he turned over and settled back down.
Just still lied awake, thinking of Nick. If he wanted to be just friends, she would do that. It was better to be around him that him not being there at all.
*********
The next morning, Judy was up and ready to leave the hospital.
On the other paw, Nick was so stressed out. He wondered if Judy would be ok. He still felt like she needed to lay down, even though the doctors told her that she could walk, now. Many thoughts crept through his head: what if she's still not fully healed yet? What if she falls on her ribs again? What if-
"Nick! Come on! We don't have all day!" Judy interrupted his thoughts.
"Huh?" Nick looked down at his paws on two of the handle bars on her wheelchair. "Oh! Uh...right!" He began to push her through the halls.
"Finally! I'm free!" Judy cheered.
Nick smirked. "Free as a bunny."
Judy laughed at his comment as he continued to push her through the parking lot.
"I'm gonna drop you off at your apartment," Nick said as he helped his friend into the car.
"Ok," she smiled.
"Do want me to stay for a while just in case you need help?" He asked.
"Nick," the bunny rolled her eyes. "I'll be fine. Besides, I've been walking around for the past week, now. I think I'll be able to manage."
"Okay," Nick looked at her, still concerned. Relax, Nick. She's Judy. She's a tough bunny. She's got this. But he couldn't help but feel worried about her.
