Chasing - (Zootopia) [COMPLETED] ✔

[Chapter 7] - Blueberry Pie

The sun was beginning to set below the hills of Bunnyburrow, casting the sky ablaze in orange, pink, and a light yellow. The clouds were thin and stretched, helping to illuminate the light as the day came to an end.

Nick, Judy, Stu, and Bonnie all sat at a picnic table not far from their house. It sat right below an oak tree with a tire swing attached to it. On the table was a blueberry pie that Bonnie had cooked herself (with a few tips from Gideon Grey).

"So Nick, tell us about yourself," said Stu. "How did you and Judy meet?"

Judy held back a look of concern on her face, but Nick just kept his friendly smile and looked calm.

"Well, me and Judy met during a case. At the time, I wasn't an officer, but Judy was and she happened to find me. I had information involving a suspect, and it was only a matter of time until she dragged me along with her," he looked down at Judy, who had a look of relief on her face.

"Aw, well how nice is that Bonnie?"

"Very nice Stu. You know me and your father met during a festival."

"Yep, I remember it like it was yesterday. Your mom was showing off the carrots she grew all by herself, man, was she proud of them."

Nick seemed to be really enjoying the conversation with Judy's parents. Judy smiled, even though she had heard their stories millions of times. She really was happy though. The relationship between him and her parents seemed to be good. It was completely opposite of what Judy had expected. She thought her dad might be scared of Nick, or try to avoid him. But even she knew that was foolish of her, because her parents had partnered with Gideon Grey. Maybe it was because Nick was different? Ah, it didn't matter. Not now.

"So you both working on any exciting cases?" asked Stu.

Nick and Judy looked at each other.

"Well..." Judy began. "We are working on something. We're searching for a panther, he broke into the City Hall a few months ago and stole some classified information. We have no evidence as to where he may be."

"Darn, that sounds serious," said Stu, exchanging a worried glance with his wife.

Judy nodded and looked down. She still was ashamed of herself for not being able to catch him on her own, or waiting for assistance.

"Well, I should go check on your brothers and sisters," said Bonnie, swinging her feet over the table and walking in the direction of the home.

"I better go too. Thanks for the chat Jude-The-Dude, and.. uh, Nick the.. Slick?" Stu nodded in approval and began after Bonnie.

After they left, Nick and Judy sat in silence for a brief moment, Judy shifting her paws around and Nick looking around at nothing in particular. They both knew what the other was thinking about, and it was undoubtedly the cause of the awkwardness, but Judy decided to split the silence.

"Nick, I understand if you don't want to talk about what happened- but I don't want it to ruin our friendship."

Nick laughed, causing Judy to turn and face him. "What?"

He wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Are all rabbits this clueless, or is it just you?"

She smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder. "Oh, shut up."

***

The next morning, Nick awoke in a warm bed that was much too small for him. A window right beside him let white light flood into the room, dappling across the wooden floor. He pushed off the red and white checker-pattern bed-sheet, and stood up, throwing his arms high above his head and letting out a loud yawn.

The Hopps had let him borrow one of their many bedrooms for the trip, and Nick had to say, it was much cozier than sleeping under a bridge like some troll. Maybe it was time to find a new home.

He slipped his green leaf-covered collared shirt over his bare chest and slipped inside a pair of brown pants, finishing off his casual attire with a loose tie. He looked at himself in the mirror. With his paws, he made the imitation of a gun and clicked his tongue twice.

At that moment, he heard a knock on the door. "Nick? It's Judy. You awake?"

He quickly brushed his paw over his head. "Come in."

The door opened slowly, and out of the open came Judy. She wore a plaid pink shirt and some blue jeans. "I didn't expect you of all people to be awake at seven in the morning."

"What? It's SEVEN? This- this has to be a new record!"

Judy laughed warmly. "Definitely, even for work days. And speaking of work..."

Nick rolled his eyes and sighed. "Judy, you're allowed to be back at work in a week."

"I know, I know," she rubbed her paws over both her arms. "All I can think about is the panther."

"We'll find him, and it'll be okay. I don't doubt it for a second."

This caused Judy to smile. "You're right. I just need to relax and enjoy our vacation. Well, anyways, the train for Zootopia leaves tomorrow, so we were going to spend some more time with my family. Is that okay?"

"Of course, but please don't let your siblings bite my tail again."

"I make no promises."