Archive of Our Own

“Hopps, Wilde. My office. Dismissed.”

These had been the concluding words of Chief Bogo in the bullpen. Judy was unsure if this was a good sign or not. Would her new partner get in trouble for making a snarky remark the previous day? Was something else wrong? Now that the bunny thought about it, the idea of her superior having his own line of inspirational greeting cards sounded surprisingly not as bad as one might expect. It could perhaps strengthen the partnership between himself and his officers.

“Hey Carrots,” Nick spoke up. “Do you think it would be a little premature to ask for a promotion or a raise?” Judy rolled her eyes. Instead of responding, she knocked on a glass door, before entering an office.

“Hopps, good to see you have survived your first day with Wilde,” Bogo started the conversation. “Speaking of which, he will get additional consideration I have failed to grant you.” Judy tilted her head, her ears showed that she was listening and attentive. Nick meanwhile had a cool and non-descriptive smile on his face. “Maybe that promotion wasn’t that far-fetched, huh?” he whispered to his partner.

“Shut it, Wilde,” Bogo interrupted, his irritation was already visible on his face. “I have asked you to come here to review your performance on your first day. That was yesterday.” Judy inwardly flinched, as the fox interrupted his boss. “Thank you for the reminder, Chief, but I think my short term memory is sufficient to keep track of the day of the week.” The large cape buffalo grunted. “Good. Thought I’d tell you, just in case you think it might be funny to use a different calendar system.”

“Now that’s a good idea, Chief,” Nick claimed. Judy sighed and shook her head. “Chief Bogo,” she spoke up, hoping to steer the conversation towards a more professional and appropriate topic. “Our first assignment together went… uhm, well… I think.” She was honestly not sure about the truthfulness of her claim, regarding the process of Nick’s first case. The outcome was overall positive, though.

“As this was only a traffic stop, I am sure you are aware I do not read the report unless there is an attached incident report,” Chief Bogo reminded his two officers. “So please, tell me about how it went.”

“Carrots let me take the lead on this one,” the tod started. “The suspect pulled over and I handled everything exactly by the book. Who knew that stopping a street racer would be that easy?”

“Flash, Flash, hundred yard dash!” Nick said in unexpected excitement, as he took off his shades.

“…Niiick…!” a familiar sloth replied with a smile. “No…” Judy practically whimpered. “Buddy, I’ve not seen you since my graduation, how are things with Priscilla?” The fox nodded to another mammal in the passenger seat. The bunny whipped her head around to face her partner. “Nick, Flash was speeding! Be professional and handle things by the book!”

“…she said…” the slow mammal in the driver seat started without any haste whatsoever.

“Carrots, he helped us with our first big case and you never thanked him,” Nick accused with a teasing smirk. “We talked about this!” the bunny insisted in a stern whisper. She turned her focus back to the illegal street racer in front of her. “Flash, I’m really sorry but we…”

“…no…”

Judy paused talking, she hoped the sloth wouldn’t take too terribly long to finish his words. Nick’s smug smile fell too. He briefly glanced at the bunny, then back at his buddy from school. It looked like he wanted to say something. The doe certainly would have responded already.

“…way… yes…!”

“…Yes…!”

Both sloths had said the last word simultaneously. The bunny hadn’t noticed it initially but now she could see Priscilla raise her hand… very slowly.

“…I am…” she started, already displaying a wide smile.

Judy could now see a gorgeous engagement ring on one of her three dull but long claws. She gasped, this was unexpected to her. For all the bunny had known, they were just coworkers who got along well.

“…so…”

The soon to be wife of Flash was still speaking, Judy should do as Nick did and not interrupt yet, as hard as it would be for her.

“…excited…!”

“Flash, buddy! Priscilla!” the fox exclaimed happily. “Congratulations to you both! I knew you belonged together.” Judy was likewise glad for her partner’s friends. She was still a police officer, though, and so was Nick. “I’m happy for you both,” she started, not wanting to continue her words. “However, we are officers of the law and needed to pull you over for speeding through Savanna Central.”

The bunny felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Nick’s and he slightly pushed her to the side to be more central in front of the sloth’s window. “Carrots,” he started. “I still owe one to Flash, remember? Flash, I know you’re the fastest guy at the DMV and you were a champ back in track team, but as my overly enthusiastic police bunny partner said, you can’t be that fast in a car, got it?”

“…I am…” the sloth started speaking. Judy was irritated by Nick’s approach to this conversation and by the situation as a whole.

“…sorry…”

“Good,” the bunny said. “Because it is dangerous to…”

“…Officers…” Flash wasn’t done speaking just yet.

Judy hesitated for another moment, then she tried again. “It is dangerous for other…”

“…it…”

The doe widened her eyes with a mix of surprise and growing irritation.

“…won’t…”

“No…” the bunny practically begged fate.

“…happen…”

“Hang in there,” Nick reminded his partner with a teasing smile.

“…again…”

“You can’t do this…” the doe pleaded with nobody in particular.

“…I…”

“Not to a bunny…”

“…promise…”

“That’s great, buddy,” Nick responded to Flash’s words. “I appreciate it and so does Jud…”

“…but…”

“See!” Judy yelled with a little too much volume while gesturing to Flash. The sloth had interrupted even Nick, surely the fox was irritated by that!

“…we are…”

“Huh,” was all that the tod could muster.

“…in a…”

The bunny thumped her foot rapidly. She was very much not mentally prepared to talk to a sloth.

“…rush…”

“…so…”

“Carrots, we’re in no hurry,” the fox reassured the bunny.

“…we…”

“My patience is in a hurry!” Judy retorted in a desperate tone.

“…need to…”

“Don’t worry, you’ll survive this sloth,” the fox joked. The doe was having a meltdown and all that Nick could do was tease her and make jokes about it? That was uncalled for! If Flash wasn’t done talking very soon, the bunny was absolutely positive she would explode shortly.

“Nick!” Judy interrupted. “Your first traffic stop ended… okay-ish.” Nick nodded proudly. He exaggerated the motion to show off to Bogo, the doe assumed. “But you should be a little more focused on the job.” The chief grunted. He was otherwise listening to the officer pair in relative silence. “Sure thing, Carrots,” the fox promised smugly. “Tell me all about it while I remember that story that Wolfard told me when he visited me at the academy.”

Judy’s ears dropped down. “What, you mean the cheese case?” she asked. “Hmm, no,” her partner replied in a playful way. “I think it was something about the functionality of a parking meter…” Embarrassing memories bubbled up in Judy’s mind. Nick kept teasing her about it. “How did it go again?” he asked.

“What, am I getting a ticket?” an outraged mammal spoke up, as they approached Judy. The bunny paused her task of typing the number plate into her little meter maid machine and turned to the newcomer. “Sir, is this your car?” she questioned. The supposed owner, a sheep with very thick glasses and a rather advanced age, took one look at the vehicle in question. “Yes, that yellow Sowdi is mine. But I haven’t been parked here for hardly more than a couple of minutes.” This wouldn’t be Judy’s first argument with an upset vehicle owner that overstayed their welcome on a parking spot, the bunny was not a fan of this part of being a police officer. “Sir, if the meter shows the red disk with the word ‘expired’ on it, then the time is up. I am obligated to ticket any car that is still parked at a meter that has run out of time.”

“It’s impossible the meter ran out of time,” the sheep insisted. He looked at a fine looking watch. I parked here only forty-one minutes ago but paid for a whole hour.” The professional meter maid trusted the technology and that it functioned as intended. For all Judy knew, this slightly elderly mammal might have used a wrong coin or looked at the incorrect time. “With all due respect, Sir, if the parking meter shows the red disc, the time ran out. I don’t know what else to tell you, sir.”

“Maybe the parking meter is broken,” the sheep theorised. “It has to be broken, I did put in enough money for two hours.” This person sounded very certain. “Look,” Judy started, pulling out her own wallet. “There’s an easy way to figure out if it’s broken or functional,” she explained. The bunny took a coin, it was just enough money for fifteen minutes of parking time, and inserted it into the meter. As expected, the stationary device retracted the red disk and revealed its green counterpart.

“It looks functional to me,” Judy observed, as she was about to continue writing up a ticket. “Now hold your shears for a moment,” the older caprid interrupted in a suddenly surprised tone. “That ain’t my car, this one is! Hah!” The bunny looked up to find the older gentleman pointing out another yellow vehicle of the same brand and model. It was parked right beside the ride with the expired parking meter. “I thought I was seeing double but there actually are two yellow cars parked here! I gotta clean my glasses. Bah hah…” The elderly sheep began to chuckle. The sound briefly transformed into strained coughing.

Judy didn’t know what to say, she tilted her head, as the older caprid got into his own vehicle and drove off, the meter still green as lush grass.

“Oh hey, a bunny meter maid? Wait, are you ticketing my car?”

This new voice came from behind the meter maid once again. It belonged to a middle-aged pig. “Is this yellow vehicle yours?” she asked politely like the professional meter maid that she was. “It is,” the pig confirmed. “Sir, the parking meter ran out, so I have to write you up for that,” Judy said, finally finishing up the ticket. The little device in the lapine’s hands printed out a small sheet of paper.

“Hold on, why are you ticketing me? The meter is still green!” the pig’s tone became a little frantic. “Of course it’s green, I have put in a coin to find out if the meter still works,” Judy explained. “What are you talking about?” the pig exclaimed loudly. “I’m not paying for a ticket if my time didn’t run out yet!”

“Sir, the time did run out,” the meter maid tried to explain the situation. “Another mammal came by and thought I was writing him up, but his car was the one besides yours.” The pig motioned to the green disk in the parking meter once more. “Look, are you colour blind or not? This thing is green!”

Judy firmly stood her ground while trying to calmly explain what was going on. The pig meanwhile kept arguing and arguing, making a scene. The mammal in question really reminded the doe of the owner of the botanical shop that a certain weasel, Duke Weaselton, had robbed early on in the career of Officer Hopps. This mammal right here was just as frantic and slightly rude, he was having none of it. Judy’s explanation didn’t phase him one bit.

A grunt of annoyance pulled everyone’s attention back to the conversation in Bogo’s office. It was the first time that Judy was glad about her boss showing disapproval for her actions.

“Wilde!” the chief spoke up loudly. “The little mishap you are referring to was a valuable learning experience for Hopps,” he explained. “I’m sorry, Chief, it won’t happen again,” Judy promised sheepishly. “I know,” the cape buffalo replied bluntly. “So, Orange Dog, I am reluctant to inform you that a limited amount of lighthearted bantering is not just appropriate but also strengthens the partnerships of my officers, as well as the general morale in my precinct.”

Nick had the biggest smile on his face, he tapped Judy’s shoulders to get her attention. “Ah? See, Carrots? The chief does find me funny!”

“Shut it, Wilde,” Bogo cut in with irritation. “If you hadn’t interrupted me, you would already know what I am about to say next. Bantering is one thing but as partners, you have to be on the same page. Always. It wouldn’t hurt Hopps if you were a little more supportive of her.”

“Oh, you want me to support her?” Nick asked. “Yes,” Bogo confirmed. “Funny you should say that, Chief. Turns out I already did exactly that.” Judy tilted her head curiously. “Remember when we arrested Smellwether?” the fox continued. “I helped you walk after you hurt your leg there, Carrots, didn’t I? I’d call that physical support if I’ve ever seen it.” While the cape buffalo predictably made his annoyance audible, the bunny sighed. “Nick, I’m very thankful for your help that day, and I know you didn’t have any police training yet, but you should have listened to me and gotten the evidence to the ZPD,” Judy tried to reason. “Or at least call for backup.”

“And leave you alone with the psycho-sheep? Or give away our hiding spot? I don’t think so,” Nick said. His snark was gone, these latest words were very genuine. The bunny smiled warmly. “You could have texted for backup too,” she offered. The cape buffalo predictably added nothing, he was listening to his latest officer and how he functioned together with his lapine partner.

“Let’s call it a rookie mistake, okay?” the fox suggested. “At least, I wasn’t as inexperienced as that wannabe bank robber yesterday.” Chief Bogo rolled his eyes, it would seem he had already read the corresponding police report.

“Put money in the hurt and nobody will get bag!” a squeaky voice exclaimed loudly.

Nick and Judy had just finished up their lunch breaks and were walking back to their police cruiser, when very alarming words could be heard inside a bank nearby.

“No, tha other way ‘round!” Another person added quickly. This one sounded vaguely familiar. “Is that Duke Weaselton I hear? Nick asked. Judy’s ears shot up. “I think you’re right,” she pondered.

“Oh! Right, right. Sorry. Of course!” the first voice stumbled over his own words. Two police officers calmly entered the bank to find a few individuals going about their day and watching the two mammals at the counter.

“Put hurt in the bag and everyone will get money!” Duke Weaselton’s partner in crime explained. He was a squirrel and reminded Judy of Finnick, simply because of their comparable statures. Without any words, Nick and her bunny partner simply got in line. Besides the two of them, the weasel, and the squirrel, nobody else was waiting for service.

“Sorry, Nutcracker. No can do,” a female voice chimed in. It belonged to a nicely dressed otter lady who worked for the bank. And she did not look impressed in the slightest. “Hey, you listen to tha squirrel and put money in tha bag, fishy lady!” Duke Weaselton commanded. His jittery body language was only complimented by the squirrel’s. “Hey, I don’t wanna make you jealous here but I don’t need to rob a bank to afford pretty dresses or neck-worthy scarfs,” the otter explained. “But if you want to ruin your life and be a criminal, that’s your choice.” The squirrel and the weasel exchanged glances. The rodent shrugged, then the mustelid motioned back to the counter, encouraging the shorter mammal to continue with their plan.

“No, you listen here,” the rodent retorted. “You’re gonna put the…” He looked up at his partner in crime. “…Money,” he continued with uncertainty. “In the bag!” The squirrel turned his attention back to the bank teller. “And nobody will get hurt. Aha! I said it right this time!”

“Yes… yes… very good,” Duke Weaselton murmured, rolling his eyes. “Hey guys, I have a better idea for you two,” the polite otter suggested. Her nametag read ‘Kris’. “If you open up a new bank account with us, you’ll get a nice little sticker, a ballpoint pen, and a gift card that’s worth twenty-five bucks. How does that sound?” The weasel shook his head in annoyance. “Oh, that… doesn’t sound half bad,” his squirrel colleague admitted. “What?!” Duke retorted. “Listen here, Percy, I hire you for this one little con and you mess it up worse than that flopsy copsy bunny gal!”

“Hey, at least I’m trying!” the squirrel defended himself. “You were a beginner when you started with this, weren’t you?” The mustelid sighed. “Next time, I’ll do these cons m’ own way. Alone.”

“Excuse me,” Nick spoke up calmly. He and Judy had observed the scene without drawing any attention to themselves whatsoever. “Not now. Can’t you see we’re robbin’ a bank!” the weasel dismissed.

“About that…” Judy chimed in with a stern edge in her voice. The squirrel turned around to face two police officers. “Oh, acorn mash…” he stammered, flitting his tail once before subconsciously lowering it in shame. Nick tapped the familiar weasel on the shoulder, hoping to get his attention.

“What?! Ooooh, it’s you, Wilde. Aahm… Since when are you in bed with tha guys in blue?” The weasel turned around as he talked. HIs eyes grew very exceptionally wide at the same time too.

“I’m sorry I didn’t invite you to my graduation, Weselton,” Nick excused himself. “But now we can spend a few minutes to catch up on things while we drive back to the precinct. You know, for old time’s sake.”

“It’s Weaselton,” the weasel corrected Nick without much more than a sheepish squeal. “Oh, I know what I said,” was the fox’s only retort. Judy was next to speak. “Sir, you are under arrest for attempted bank robbery.”

“Sir,” Nick continued, turning his attention to the squirrel now. “You are also under arrest. Big shocker, I know. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.” The rodent merely let out a brief sigh of mild despair.

“Nick, you forgot the ‘You have the right to remain silent’,” Judy reminded. “Well, Conker over here doesn’t appear very talkative, don’t you think? And the Duke Of Bootleg already knows the speech by heart too.”

A bunny and a fox escorted a weasel and a squirrel in handcuffs out of the bank and towards their waiting police cruiser.

“Wilde! Hopps!” Bogo interrupted. “I have no choice but to commend you for successfully preventing two criminals from robbing a bank,” he said. “Thanks Chief,” Nick interrupted in the most sarcastic tone he could muster. The far larger cape buffalo let out a heavy sigh of annoyance. “But at least, let me remind you that you could have intervened significantly quicker if you didn’t just stand around and did nothing for so long.”

“I don’t see the problem with our method,” the fox insisted calmly. “Sir, we got the bad guys,” Judy came to her partner’s and her own defense. “I know, Hopps,” Bogo reassured her. He paused briefly to collect his thoughts. “I just…” The bunny looked at her superior expectedly. “Wish you could talk to us all day?” a sarcastic vulpine remarked. “I get that, Chief, I really do. But we are very busy keeping the city safe.”

“Wilde, shut it. Your first day went well but you are still a rookie. Both of you.” The bunny didn’t like those words, though she couldn’t argue against them. She was still at the very start of her career herself too. “You two did a good job nine months ago and yesterday was a good proper start but you both still have much experience to gain. Dismissed.”

Nick and Judy got up from the oversized chair in the cape buffalo’s office, they headed for the large glass door. “Thanks for the praise, Chief,” the fox remarked. “You don’t need to call us in here every day to tell us that but I still appreciate it.” Chief Bogo grunted with great annoyance, though he didn’t say another word.

It was only once the door was closed again and the two most unique officers in his raster were out of earshot, when the chief of Zootopia’s police force let out a long and heavy sigh, shaking his head slowly. The fox and the bunny did not look like mere one-hit-wonders, they really made for a good team. The buffalo just didn’t know if it would come at the expense of his own mental well-being. Perhaps, it had been a mistake to hire Nicholas Wilde…?

Chief Bogo chuckled at the thought. He was proud of his officers.