Chapter nine - Short respite

They thought Judy would be out of the emergency room soon since the bullet had only pierced her arm, but it took a while for Nick and Mark to hear those most wanted words.

• Officer Hopps will be fine.- Said the doctor, a tall female zebra with a smile on her face.- The bullet didn't damage any important nerve or blood vessel. It will leave a scar, but aside that she will recover very soon.

Both mammals sighed in relief before Nick asked:- How long is she going to stay here?

• Only tonight as a precaution, to control if there is any infection and how she responds to the medication.- Replied the doctor.- If everything turns up clear, she can rest the rest of the time, about a week or two, at home.

• Thank you, doctor. Can we see her?

• Of course. She is being taken to her room as we speak.- The zebra checked the file for a second.- First floor, room 154.

• Thank you, doctor.- Thanked Mark before both males went for the stairs leading to the mentioned floor to see their partner.

When they arrived at the door, Nick hesitated. Judy had been shot because of him. How could he look at her? What could he say? Will she forgive him?

Mark, seeing the fox's concern imprinted on his face, opened the door and pushed him in.

It was a two-bed room, though only Judy's was occupied. The bunny seemed to be trying to rest, but at the sound of people coming in, she used her right arm to sit up. Her face lightened at the sight of her friends.

• Guys, you are ok! Did you catch them? Please, tell me you did!

• Yes, Silk, we did get them.- Replied Mark laughing at her expression, a mixture of victory and relief, while he stood at her left side of the bed.- The SWAT got in and arrested them all. They are probably been interrogated right now.

• Do we know who they are and why there were weapons in that building?

• Not as of yet. We haven't been in contact with the precint since we came here.- Replied while examining the bandages in Judy's arm, sign that the wound was not severe.- Pity you got only a few bandages. I would have liked to sign your arm.

• Oh, I'm sorry I couldn't accommodate your wishes!- Said Judy with fake sarcasm.- Next time I will let the bullet break my bone so you can sign the cast.

• You must be worse than you look if you are only replying with that. Normally you would hit me for that joke.

• Come to this side of the bed and I will hit you with my healthy arm, you monkey!

Both friends laughed, but Judy had to restrain herself since her arm hurt making her wince.

• I'm glad you are ok. We were worried about you.- Said Mark, serious this time. Judy smiled and turned to look at Nick, who has still by the door looking guilty.

The macaque took that as his cue and, with a last squeeze to Judy's shoulder, left the room, pushing Nick further inside on his way out.

For several seconds neither Judy or Nick said a word, not knowing what to say. That moment back in the building making awkward their situation. They even avoided looking at each other, Judy not knowing how to start the conversation and Nick because of the guilt he felt.

Finally, the fox walked the steps separating him from the bunny and took her paw into his.- I'm sorry, Judy.

Three words. That was all Judy needed to forget how mad she was at him. She still wanted to know why he had reacted that way, why he seemed to be angry at her to the point to snap at her like he did. But that was all he wanted.

• I said things I shouldn't have and, least of all, to you.- Continued Nick, still avoiding her gaze.- After all you have done for me, all the times you showed me your friendship, it was very low of me to behave like that.

• Then, why did you?- The was no accusation in her question, only curiosity.

He sighed, gathering his strength.- Because I was jealous.

Judy's brain blocked, not able to understand what she just heard. Nick, her friend Nick, jealous?

• Of who? Of what?

• Of Mark, and the way you two are getting along.- Replied him, now looking at her, not a drop of his usual humor in his eyes.

He let her hand go and sat on the chair by the bed. Judy had never seen him so defeated and vulnerable.

• Remember who I was with when we first met?

That question surprised her.- Yeah, with Finnick.

• Would it surprise you to know that, despite I know everybody, he was the closest thing to a friend I ever had?

• Not really. He was your partner in crime, you worked with him.

• It was more than that. I had another partner aside from him, but those were only loyal to themselves. Finnick was the only one I could count on if things got ugly, or if I just had no place to go to sleep. And still, I never considered him a friend. At that time, I didn't believe in friends. The way I saw the world, the closest you could get to someone was a colleague, someone who worked in the same thing as you, you needed each other to function properly and, maybe, can ask for some favors. I didn't start considering Finnick a friend until later.

A slight curve upward appeared at the corner of his lips, his eyes mirroring the gesture and softening his expression.- Then you appeared. Even blackmailing me, you showed respect. Except when you called me lowlife in Tundratown, that actually stung a little.- Joked Nick, making her giggle at the memory.- You could have let go of my hand that time Mr. Manchas attacked us and grab better the vine, I know even Finnick, the closest to me that time, would have. But you didn't until it was safe, you saved my life. And that time after the conference, you came to apologize. No-one had ever done that. You became my first friend, someone I can trust my life to. You changed my life for the best, I became something I never dreamt of. I have an incredible job and amazing colleagues. I trust them all, but you are the one I would give my life for.

Judy smiled warmly, feeling the same way as him.

• Since then, every day has been the best, talking to you, working with you, hanging out with you... But since Mark appeared, I felt like I was being left behind. It wasn't just us anymore. You two became friends quickly, talked a lot. Now, since you started dating, you two have been so close that I couldn't stand it.

The mood in the room changed completely. Judy felt that change like a blow on her chest. Seeing Nick show her that side of him was very shocking.

• You are the only one I can be myself, that I can open to. With him around, I felt like I was losing you. And thinking that he could take you away put me on edge. That is the reason I was avoiding you these past few days.

• But I wasn't going away, you would not lose me!

• I know that now. Mark forced me to see that. I was blinded and couldn't see that you would not ignore me because of someone else. But that is how I felt, I was jealous that you were having so much fun with him and though I was going to end alone again.

Judy frowned her eyebrows and punched Nick's arm... or tried to, since he was too far away. Looking at him, gestured to him to come closer, which he did with a half-smile, and then punched him.

• Dumb fox. You should know me better than that.

She rested her forehead on Nick's chest, allowing him to hug her body.- Yes, I should. I'm sorry.

• Foxes, you are so emotional.

He chuckled and let her go, looking into her amethyst eyes. He didn't say anything about Mark's suspicions of him wanting the bunny as more than a friend. He wanted to be sure of that before he dropped that bomb on her. For now, would keep that possibility in mind.

A knocking at the door startled them, making Judy wince from the sudden movement. Through the door entered Bogo, followed by Mark who, seeing that Judy and Nick seemed to have fixed things up, smiled.

• Are you ok, Hopps?- Questioned the big mammal.

• Yes, Sir. It is a clean wound, it will heal in a week or so.

• That's good to hear. We will need you too very soon.

Judy's ears perked up in confusion and interest.- What do you mean, Sir?

• We have swiped the building thoroughly, from the foundations up. That stash of guns was not a coincidence. There were also hidden documents containing information about a net of criminal hideouts and trading places. So far, it looks like the textile company was a cover. The names of the owners are fake, contact addresses, phone numbers... We have made some calls to any textile buyer in the city and the never made any deal with this company.

• Then, the shooting...

• The victims have been identified as suspected members of a crime organization specialized in weapons. Those we detained today, though it is not confirmed yet, could be part of a different group rival to that one. They may be trying to get power over their enemies or to keep it from them. In any case, this info we got at the scene has given us the opportunity to deal a fatal blow to them. Problem is there are several places we need to assault at the same time.

• There aren't enough SWAT members to cover all of them.- Guessed Mark.

• Precisely.- Confirmed the buffalo.- We have left the place as if we had only apprehended these criminals, so maybe that will buy us some time and they won't change their hideouts before we are ready for the raid. Until then, every officer will receive a crash course in SWAT tactics and equipment, so we have enough personnel.- Bogo became silent for a second looking at the macaque.- You are Nathan Rhesus's brother, correct? He is also a SWAT, if I remember correctly. Would he consider to give us a hand?

• You will have him in your office tomorrow morning.- Assured Mark.

• Good to know.- Bogo looked back at the bunny.- I know you have to recover, Hopps, and you will have your time for that. Still, I need you to take the theory class and observe the practical ones. Once you have healed, you will join the practices with them. You are considered on medical leave as of now and Rhesus and Wilde are free from patrol. I expect you three, four counting Rhesus's brother, to be in the conference room tomorrow morning at seven along with the other officers.

• Yes, Sir!- Responded the three partners. Chief Bogo nodded and turned to leave the room, but stopped and looked down at Nick.

• By the way, Wilde. Your application is being discussed. If it were for me, it would already have been approved, but with your background there are some who consider a little more time to discuss it is in the ZPD's benefit. The sooner I can give you an answer is after this case is closed.

Nick's jaw fell open, just as his eyes, in complete surprise before he recovered and was able to reply.- Thank you, Sir. I understand.

With that, the buffalo left the room, leaving a macaque and a bunny gazing in complete confusion to a fox.

• What did he mean by that?- Asked Mark.

• What application?- Was Judy's question.

Nick was hesitant to reply since he had kept that a secret from the others.

• I applied for detective a while back. I didn't think I would even be considered for it, I thought they would reject it.

• You actually applied?- Mark was happily surprised by the news.- Man, that is great! I'm sure they will accept it, you will see!

It took a few seconds for the monkey to realize that Neither Judy or Nick were as excited as he was. Judy smiled, but it was obvious that, even if she really was happy for the fox, she didn't like the consequences. And neither did Nick.