I do not own Zootopia. I just saw it and I must say it is awesome! Everything about it is pure genius! For those of you who haven't seen it and think it's just another animated talking animal movie, take my advice: turn off the computer, get in your car, go to the nearest movie theatre, and watch it! It's a masterpiece, through and through! Also, do not read this if you have not seen the movie as it takes place shortly after the events of the movie.

I especially liked the chemistry between Judy and Nick as characters. Their bond as a pair of protagonists is so deep and moving, yet light and humorous!

Okay, enough out of me. Enjoy!

Chapter 1: The Poem

Judy Hopps was driving in her police car with her partner, Nick Wilde, in the passenger seat. Out of the corner of her violet eyes, she spotted him scribbling on a sheet of yellow lined paper, using an old case folder as an impromptu desk. The curious bunny asked, "What's that you have there, Nick?"

"Eyes on the road, Carrots," the sly fox replied, naturally using his pet name for Judy.

Judy, rolling her eyes, kept on driving and decided to let sleeping dogs lie. They were on patrol duty in the heart of the city. She sighed dreamily, saying, "You know, I think it's the world's imperfections that make life so perfect. I mean, sure, real life is messy and not some dream, but that's what makes it so worth it!"

"Yeah. If life were perfect, we'd be out of jobs," Nick added nonchalantly. "I guess you've always got the carrot farm to go back to."

"Do I love my family? Yes, but not a chance," Judy firmly responded and eased up to a red light.

"Hey, you're getting better at this," Nick told her with a mischievous smirk.

"Shut up…" Judy said flatly. "I'm a good driver."

"A cute one, too."

"What?"

"Nothing!"

They had finished their patrol shift and went back to HQ, all the while Judy remained curious of that yellow piece of paper. Nick read it to himself and grinned in satisfaction. He folded it and put it in his back pocket, right next to the base of his bushy tail. He told the rabbit, "I'm going to go clock us out, okay?"

With that, he walked off. Judy was almost hypnotized as she watched his fluffy tail sway from side to side as he walked. What broke her trance was seeing his tail inadvertently knock the paper out of his back pocket. She was about to say something to him, but it was also her chance to solve the mystery of the day: what was Nick writing?

Cautiously, without alerting him of her presence, she snatched up the folded yellow paper and unfolded it. What she read blew her away. It was a poem.

As a predator, I'm not normally into carrots

But when you broke through my shell, I just couldn't bear it

Your ears are huge and so is your heart

It was because of you that I could have a fresh start

My view of the world was broken, but with a soul so pure

You were my much-needed cure

You're my panacea, my friend, my partner, my muse

When the world rejected me, you saw I had use

Even a stormy night is a sunny day

Because you don't let anything get in your way

You know, Carrots, you're a timeless girl

You didn't just cure it; you are my world

Judy found herself crying tears of happiness as she read the last two lines. Everything about the poem was so deep, so heartfelt, and so…Nick. She had felt for a time that they were more than just a duo of cops who had great quips. There was something about their bond that she couldn't shake, not even with her cotton tail. She didn't want to shake it either. Smiling, she wiped her eyes and chuckled to herself.

"You…didn't happen to read that, did you?" an all-too-familiar voice asked her carefully. Judy, after wiping her tears away, saw Nick's paws and the tip of his tail. As her eyes wandered upward, more of his form came into view. He didn't look betrayed. No, betrayed wasn't the right word. He was shocked.

"I did. Nick, it's so beautiful! It made me feel happy and significant and—" Judy started to review his poem excitedly.

"You weren't supposed to read it. I was going to read it to you, Carrots…or do you prefer Judy?" Nick sighed in disappointment.

"I've grown to like Carrots. Well…only if it's you that will call me Carrots. After all, you do have a thing for me and it would be just plain rude of me to correct you at this point," Judy replied with a mischievous smirk.

"C'mon, I do not. I never said that I have a thing for you," Nick said defensively.

"Actually, you did. I don't need my recorder pen this time," Judy told him as she waved the yellow piece if lined paper in his face as a reminder. "It's called a hustle, sweetheart. You want this back, don't you?"

"Yes," Nick answered and snatched at it, but the quick bunny held it away from him.

"Uh-uh-uh!" Judy said teasingly. "I want it, too. It makes me feel loved here in the big city."

"C'mon, I need that! Besides, everyone loves you! You're a great cop and you're nice to everyone but the perps!" Nick grumbled as he tried to get it again, only to be outmaneuvered.

"Everyone includes you. What do you call the poem, anyway?" Judy asked curiously.

"'Ode to Carrots'!" Nick answered in frustration as he tried to get the paper back again.

"That has a nice ring to it," Judy complimented as she hid the paper behind her back. Nick wrapped his arms around her in an effort to get his poem back, but then they both realized that he was technically hugging her. Flustered, Judy's voice softened, barely mustering, "Oh, Nick…"

Slowly, Nick secured his hold on Judy and stood up, wrapping his tail around her in the process. Judy felt her heart race, not in fear or anguish, but in excitement. Nick's lime green eyes softened. Judy felt those happy tears come on again. They spilled out of her like a waterfall. He asked with a voice full of gentleness and compassion, "What's wrong?"

"N-nothing…" Judy sniffled as the fox held her closer. "It's just…I think… I feel the same way…and I could never write anything so beautiful for you…"

"I bet you could, but you don't need to. You're a great speaker. I mean you did kind of start a whole segregation movement by accident, but we all make mistakes. Everything you've said and done has been true to your beliefs. Ever since I've known you, I've been able to attest to that. I think that's what I like most about you, you honest bunny," Nick affectionately disagreed with her statement. "So when you say you feel the same way, I'll believe you. As long as it's honest, it doesn't have to be flashy."

"You have a way with words, Nick Wilde," Judy commended as she buried her face in his chest.

"Of course I do. That's how I've survived," Nick chuckled, but was caught off guard when Judy took her face off of his chest and pressed her nose against his. She started to make small movements in moving her nose from side to side against his. It was…nice. It was a new experience for Nick, and he enjoyed it with all of his heart. He reciprocated with small movements of his own nose. Suddenly, it was as if they weren't at the ZPD anymore. They were in their own little world. Nothing could ruin this moment for them. Well, nothing except…

"Wilde! Hopps!" Chief Bogo's voice boomed from the indoor balcony of the upper floor. They both froze and looked up at the cape buffalo like a pair of deer caught in headlights. "If you two are going to flirt with each other, can it not be by the front door as people are trying to walk in and out of here?"

"Ehehehe… Sorry, sir!" Judy chuckled sheepishly. Nick carried her out the front door of the ZPD HQ and walked about twenty feet off to the side where they continued to rub noses for a little while more. Judy finished off the nose rubbing session by breaking away and kissing Nick's cheek.

"C-c'mon, I'll take you home," Nick told her and carried her in the direction of her apartment building. Deep down, he hoped they could have moments like that more often. He didn't try to take the poem back again. He didn't need to. He got the bunny, and that was what counted.