The Hustle of Love

Chapter 12: Back On Patrol

Monday morning came and Judy was up at 5:30 ready for her first day back on the force. She had been waiting for so long to be out on patrol again. Plus she figured Nick was ready to be off desk duty. It might seem odd, but being on duty after the weekend she had would do her good. She wasted no time getting ready and leaving for Precinct One. She went through the normal routine she had before the shooting. Get coffee, mingle with her fellow officers, and wait for Nick to arrive. When he finally did, they would go to the Bullpen and wait for Bogo's briefing. Her and Nick shared a chair during the briefing, as usual. They both shoot each other glances of flirtation. She wanted to hold his paw so badly, but knew she couldn't. Part of keeping their secret was acting like they were just friends.

"Finally, Hopps, Wilde report to my office in 10 minutes. Dismissed!" Shouted Bogo

Everyone went to their assigned post, Judy and Nick went to the office they shared on the second floor to kill 10 minutes. They knew it would be their only privacy.

"Enjoying your first day back Carrots?" Asked Nick

Nick sat in his chair and drank from his cup of coffee. His aviator sunglasses rested on his forehead.

"So far, what do think Bogo wants?" Judy asked back.

"Who knows, the Chief probably just wants to make sure your head's on straight."

"Whatever Slick Nick." Judy said with her famous eye roll.

"Hey now Carrots, nicknames are my thing."

"Whatever, you know you love me." Judy said with a smile.

Nick smiled at Judy. He placed a kiss on her head between her ears.

"Do I know that Carrots? Yes, yes I do."

Judy smiled at Nick, she was happy to be back at ZPD. But she was even happier to be with Nick.

"I'm going to get more coffee, I'll meet you in Bogo's office." Said Judy

"Awww, you don't want to stay here with this handsome devil." Nick said with a wink.

Judy giggled at Nick "If I Stay much longer we'd be making out and this door doesn't lock."

Judy left Nick chuckling at her last comment. She walked to the break room to fill her cup. She climbed the step stool that Bogo had gotten just for her. As she poured herself a cup of coffee, a voice came from the doorway.

"Glad to see you back Hopps."

Judy turned around and saw her favorite fellow officer, aside from Nick of course.

"Hey Jesse, good to be back." Judy said with a smile.

Jesse was a female leopard that joined the ZPD shortly before Nick did. Her and Judy worked together temporarily until Nick had graduated from the academy. In that time they had become great friends. Judy still didn't understand why she got along better with predators, but she liked it.

"How you feeling?" Jesse began filling her own cup of coffee.

"Great, I feel like a new bunny."

"That's good, hey why didn't you answer my call Thursday night?"

"Oh, I went out and forgot my phone at home." Judy said trying to be discreet about what she had really been doing.

Jesse's ears shot forward as she gave Judy a curious look.

"You went out? Like a date?" Asked Jesse.

Judy realizing she had already said too much, tried to come up with a excuse.