Chapter Text
“...Finally, former Zootopia mayor and criminal mastermind Dawn Bellwether, who had escaped from prison last Thursday, was once again apprehended yesterday evening, after she was spotted making her way out of the Zootopia Scientific Center.”
“Cripes, what a nutcase.”
“You said it, Bon.”
Stu and Bonnie Hopps were one of the most respected and influential Bunnyburrow farmers. Acres and acres of fields and gardening equipment, two hundred-seventy-five bunnies of various sizes running around, keeping the farm alive, having fun, or helping their parents in the field or with any chore that needed tending to around the farmhouse, and in the underground tunnels where all those little bunnies' rooms were dug.
After three long hours of harvesting potatoes, Stu was busy cleaning the newly harvested produce in the kitchen sink, while Bonnie was resting her back from all the bending to pull the potatoes from the ground, in front of the TV, while their children were either napping, or being quiet in their rooms, respecting the peace and quiet of the 'Hopps Afternoon Siesta'.
“The ZPD unit responsible for her third arrest and incarceration in four months gave no further details regarding her activities at the ZSC.”
“How does she keep slipping out like that...” Bonnie said.
Suddenly, she gasped, eyes wide.
“Look, honey, it's Judy!” she called for her husband.
“Oh my goodness, Jude!” Stu said, looking up from the sink.
“...We are still not sure what Dawn Bellwether was doing in the Center, but we assure all the citizens of Zootopia that the situation is under absolute control.”
Judy Hopps was indeed talking to the press. Their oldest daughter. The first ever police bunny police officer in Zootopia's history. In her sharpest police uniform with blue shirt, blue slacks, black tie, and shiny golden badge on her chest, on national TV.
“Oh, I'm so proud of you, Judy...” Bonnie said, sighing with pride.
“Jude the dude, you never cease to amaze me,” Stu said, readjusting his cap on his head.
“Come on, you guys, you don't need to sugarcoat it.”
Stu and Bonnie both gasped and turned around. Judy walked into the living room, dropping her bag near the doorway, a big smile on her face.
“Judy, my beautiful daughter!” Bonnie said, running into her for a hug, as Stu laughed the surprise off.
“Hi mom, hi dad!” she said, hugging back.
“Welcome home, Judy!” Stu said, walking up. “Did they finally give you a break?”
“You know, Dad, Zootopia is pretty peaceful, even with Bellwether escaping again. Chief Bogo himself said that the city is calmer than it's ever been.”
“That's because you do such a great job, Judy.” Bonnie said, putting her paws on Judy's cheeks. “We are so proud of you.”
“You've accomplished so much!” Stu said, excitedly. “You saved Zootopia all on your own!”
“Aw, come on, dad, I did not do it all on my own. I never could have if it wasn't for...”
Judy smirked.
“...my amazing partner, that I would like you guys to finally meet.””
“A partner? I thought you were the only bunny officer!” Bonnie said.
“Oh, he's not a bunny.”
She turned and walked to the hallway.
“Nick! Come on! I'm waiting for you!”
“Comin', Carrots!” someone replied.
Bonnie and Stu looked at each other. Carrots? They both turned to Judy, as a fox in police uniform appeared in the doorway.
“Mom and Dad, this is Nick Wilde, my partner. We saved Zootopia together.” Judy said, nudging Nick with her elbow.
“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Carrots.” Nick said, with a smile.
Judy's parents remained silent. They were looking the fox up and down, mouths agape. While Bonnie seemed to overcome the shock pretty fast, Stu's face remained unchanging for a few more excruciatingly long seconds, after which he chuckled nervously.
“Well... I'll be darned... This is unexpected.” he said, rubbing his forehead.
Nick couldn't help but feel disappointment at the reaction, even if he expected it, but he hid it behind an expression of understanding. Judy decided to step in, and try to bring down the newfound tension in the room.
“Oh, come on, Dad, this isn't the first fox we welcome into our farm, is it?” Judy asked.
Bonnie nodded.
“She's right, honey.”
“I know, I know...” he replied. He had forgotten about Gideon Gray. “Sorry about that, fella, welcome to the Hopps Family Farm!” he said, holding out his paw and smiling.
Nick could tell the smile was forced, but he pretended to roll with it.
“Thank you, sir.” he said, smiling back.
“I'm Stu, and this is my wife Bonnie.”
“Nice to meet both of you.” Nick said.
Judy smiled, proud of her parents and Nick's cooperative attitudes. She stretched.
“Aah, I could go for a nap. The ride was pretty tiring.” she said.
“Me too, actually.” Nick said.
“Well come on, it's sunny out, we have a couple hammocks in the field!” Judy said, grabbing Nick by the arm.
“That sounds good.” he replied, letting himself get pulled out of the room by his enthusiastic partner.
Bonnie turned to her husband. He was looking unusually glum.
“Stu...” she said, softly.
He sighed.
“Listen, Bon... Judy... means the world to me. She's my oldest daughter, and she's the first bunny police officer in the world. I'm so proud of her.”
“Me too, Stu... But why are you so anxious? It's not like she's leaving us forever or anything. She actually just came back to us!”
“With a fox, honey.”
“Stu...”
“We don't know him, he could--”
“Stu, stop.” Bonnie cut.
Stu sighed, and turned to his wife.
“I don't want anything to happen to my daughter.”
“Nothing bad will happen to her. She's strong, and determined. And he seems nice, too. And remember what she said? They saved Zootopia together. He's her ZPD partner.”
She put a paw on his shoulder.
“You can trust him. I do.” Bonnie said, smiling.
Stu tiredly smiled back, and they hugged. But as soon as his face was out of her sight, his smile faded.
In the backyard, Judy and Nick had laid on the hammocks, and were resting from a stressful week of searching for Bellwether. Nick had no problem falling asleep on a hammock that surprisingly managed to hold his weight, clearly superior to that of an average Hopps. But Judy... She couldn't rest. There was one nagging question. She kept thinking to herself that it wasn't that important, but she couldn't help thinking about it. She was looking up at the leaves of the trees the hammocks were attached to, as if they would give her the answer.
“Carrots?”
Judy turned. Nick was on his side, looking at her.
“You look like you have something on your mind. What's wrong?” he asked.
Judy looked back up at the leaves.
“It's nothing, don't worry about it.”
“Judy, come on. I know worry when I see it.” he said. “Is it about your parents? Listen... I expected this from the very start... so, you know, there's really--”
“No, it's not that...” Judy cut. “It's just... I really wanted to take care of the ZSC investigation.”
“You heard Buffalo Butt. They got more than enough investigators already, you can afford to take a break. Do what I do. Chill out.” he said, laying on his back, and putting his paws behind his head.
Judy chuckled. She took a deep breath, and sighed. After a couple minutes, she spoke up.
“I just can't help but wonder what Bellwether is up to.”
“Oh, is that what you're getting your carrot-printed panties in a twist about?"
He chuckled as Judy slowly turned to glare at him, but he ignored it.
“Don't worry about her. Every time she escapes, she makes it harder on herself. She won't be able to escape forever.”
“But, Nick, think about it. She's already escaped three times, there has to be something she wants to do if she's so determined...”
“So what if she does again? We'll only catch her every time. Besides, looking from criminals is exciting...”
He yawned.
“...but also exhausting.”
Judy also yawned.
“You're right... I should just relax...”
“...That's the spirit...”
Nick immediately started snoring again. Judy giggled.
“Dumb fox.”
When Judy and Nick woke up, Bonnie and Stu had prepared tea and homemade cookies. Nick was excited, he loved what Judy brought to Zootopia from her farm when she returned for some weekends, so he couldn't wait to try the cookies.
“Sho I shaid: 'Why don't you go and shee for yourshelf!'” Nick said, mouth full of cookies.
“Um, Nick, maybe you should wait until those cookies go down.” Judy said.
“Wha'? Oh, yesh, right...”
“In the meantime...” Bonnie said, chuckling. “What's new for you, Judy?”
“Did you get that promotion you told us about?” Stu asked.
"Yep! Call us Detectives Hopps and Wilde!"
“Goodness, I hope it isn't too dangerous!” Bonnie said, with a paw over her heart.
“Oh it is. But we trust each other. We can't fail.” Nick said with a big smile, as they fist-bumped.
“Boom.”
“Try everything~...”
“Oh, that's my phone, give me a sec.” Judy said, standing up, and walking out into the frontyard, leaving Nick with her parents.
The three sat in silence. They seemed to look for something to say, but noone could say anything. Nick looked at Bonnie, who gave him the warmest smile she could manage. He then turned his gaze to Stu, who was much more closed up, staring at his paws on the table. Finally, Nick leaned on the table, sighing.
“Mr. Carrots... I understand how you feel. You don't fully trust me yet.”
Stu looked up. Nick smiled at him, then looked outside the window. Judy was still on the phone. Nick chuckled.
“Judy... Your daughter... She really is incredible. Ever since she was nine, as she told me.”
Nick turned back to face him. After a couple seconds of gazing into each other's eyes, Nick looked down at his paws.
“She turned my life around, you know. I used to live under a bridge near the remnants of an old, abandoned factory in the outer reaches of Downtown Zootopia. Making a living out of hustling... toying with animals' beliefs, emotions, even with their trust. I was a crook. A bandit. A sly, untrustworthy fox. Ever since I was a child, when the only mammal that bothered to trust me was my own mother. And I learned to simply not give a fluff what others would think. But then...”
He gestured towards the window.
“Judy came storming in. This itsy bitsy little bunny with starstruck dreams, far too big for anyone to consider her able to reach.”
He looked up.
“...Which is kind of unfair, too, isn't it? Has she ever told you what she had to go through at the academy?”
They both nodded, recalling back to Judy's rare MuzzleTime calls during which she would look exhausted and worn down, but never quitting.
“So you know how she conquered every obstacle that was thrown at her, which happen to include a fight with a fully-grown rhino, which she clocked out in record time.”
He laughed softly.
“She is incredibly determined. She managed to pull me out of the deepest pit in which I had thrown myself all those years ago. She managed to see past the facade that I had practically glued to my very soul. She even saved my life. And now, look at me...”
He pointed to his badge.
“I work for the ZPD. I live in a decent apartment, with proper shelter from wind and rain. And most importantly... people trust me. Remember what I said about how we trust each other? I had never thought how good trust would feel. I would never have even thought of getting where I am today without her. I don't think she'll ever comprehend how grateful I am.”
Nick went silent and looked back at Stu. The old rabbit was only staring back. Nick had always been good at reading people, but what he saw in Stu's eyes was undecipherable. The silent dialogue ended when Bonnie gently put a paw on her husband's shoulder. He turned towards her.
"I trust him." she said.
When Stu looked back to Nick, the fox's ear flicked. That was a look he knew. A look he had been hoping for for the last few hours. A look that connected not two mammals, but two minds. He held out his paw, and Stu almost immediately grabbed it, and shook it.
Judy walked back into the room, sighing.
“It was Clawhauser, he-” she stopped.
She saw Nick and her father still in their pawshake. She looked at her mother, who nodded with a smile. Judy smiled back.
“Well, Carrots, what did Clawhauser say?” Nick asked, weirdly chipper.
“We're needed at Zootopia tomorrow.”
“What?” Stu said.
“Already?” Bonnie continued.
“I know. Not cool. But Clawhauser said it was important.”
“Huh, I thought it was weird for Zootopia to be calm.” Nick said with a smug grin.
“That's what Bogo said, don't give me that tone.” Judy mockingly scolded.
Bonnie looked at her watch.
“Oh my, look at the time, I have to make dinner!”
“And I'll go set the waterworks.” Stu said. “You two just relax, you can't leave tired tomorrow, can you?”
“Thanks Dad.”
He locked eyes with Nick, who winked. He winked back, then walked out of sight.
“We'll take the train at... 10:30 AM.” Judy said, checking her phone.
“Did Clawhauser say anything else?”
“Nope.”
“Not even what it is we're needed for?”
Judy blushed.
“...I... forgot to ask?”
Nick laughed.
“Dumb bunny.”
“Sly fox.”
*****
After a night of quiet smalltalk and not so much actual sleep, Judy and Nick were standing on the deck, talking to Judy's parents.
“So, are you sure you have everything?”
“Yes, Mom, don't worry, we barely had anyhing to unpack yesterday.”
“I'd have liked you two to stay longer.” Stu said.
“Me too, but what can I say? When duty calls...”
“...You answer.” Nick finished.
“What he said.” Judy said.
“Zootopia Express, 5 minute stop.”
She turned to Nick.
“You ready?”
“You know it.”
She turned to hug her parents.
“Love you guys.”
“Stay safe, my beautiful daughter.”
“Promise.”
“Oh, you bunnies.” Nick said, shaking his head with a smirk.
“Shush, you.” Judy scolded.
Nick shrugged, and made his way on the train, waving.
“Hop on, Hopps, you might miss it.” he said.
“Bye you guys!”
“Bye Judy! Bye Nick!”
“Send us a text when you get there!”
“I will! Bye!”
Judy stood by the train door after it closed, waving at her parents through the window. Nick watched with a smile. After they were out of sight, Judy walked up, and sat down in front of Nick. Suddenly, Judy remembered what she walked in on after her phonecall the day before.
“Nick?”
“Hm?” Nick replied, absent-mindedly looking out of the window.
“Yesterday... with my dad...”
“Oh... yeah, that.”
“...Is something wrong?”
“There was, but not anymore, it's nothing you need to worry about.”
“Nick...”
Nick turned to face Judy. When he saw her worried expression, he raised his paws.
“Hey, Carrots, don't look like you just heard Justin Beaver's newest stinking pile of garbage!”
“Ugh, don't even remind me of that guy's existence.” she replied, mimicking a gag. “But seriously, what was it?”
“Your dad had some trouble putting his trust in me. Turned out he only needed to know more about me, and a little more time.”
He paused.
“Everything's cool now. Relax.” he said, smiling and sitting back in his seat.
Judy felt somewhat relieved, then realized she was very tired. She sat back, and closed her eyes, deciding to take a nap. Nick observed her slowly drift off to sleep. He chuckled, and whispered to himself.
“Judy... You're too cute.”
Nick fell asleep without even noticing. It felt like he was still reading that newspaper just seconds ago, when he had been napping for the last half an hour, with Judy still fast asleep on the seat across from him. She had curled up in a little fuzzy gray ball leaning against the wall, and wrapped her arms around herself. Nick just found her too adorable not to do anything. He sat up, glanced around the train car, and seeing that the only other mammals aboard were either too far to see them, or facing the other way, he quietly got up, and sat down next to Judy, and wrapped an arm around her, leaning back on the seat. She began moving, and Nick felt bad for waking her up, but when she only shifted to lean against him, he felt like melting. She was so damn cute.
Nick sat in silence for a good ten minutes, alternating between looking out the window, and observing the little fuzzball sleeping at his side, gently caressing the soft fur between her ears, with a smile that simply wouldn't leave his face. Eventually, she yawned, and sat up, stretching.
“Welcome back among the living, sleepyhead.” Nick said.
Judy jumped a bit, and Nick laughed softly.
“What, aren't you happy to have me as a pillow?” he asked.
She blushed.
“I... didn't notice.”
Nick clutched at his chest, mimicking a heart attack.
“Ugh... Carrots... Stop... being so... adorable...”
“Stop it...” she said, with a smile that was half amusement, half embarassment.
Zootopia finally came into view after one more hour of casual chatting about Gazelle's latest Snapcat post or what the job was going to be back with the ZPD. The big city looked so small from such a distance, which, Judy thought, made it all the more awe-inspiring work of modern architectural and societal art... Zootopia, where anyone could be anything. Where a rabbit became one of the most respected police officers. Where a deadly conspiracy had been secretly forming, only to be dismantled by that very same rabbit officer, and a shifty fox con-artist, who just so happened to be in the right place at the right time, and whose rise to public recognition was nothing short of spectacular. Zootopia... a dream come true.
But suddenly...
A nightmare.
Judy felt the world spin around. Out of control. Her ears were ringing. She couldn't make out anything her eyes were seeing. Her entire body was in pain. Then everything went black.