Author's Note:

I'm not normally one to do any sort of notes, instead going right to the chase, but I want to go ahead and thank anyone who likes this story and wants to read more of it. It's my first time writing for this site and, honestly, first time I've written anything substantial in a few years. Really quickly I'm going to say that I'm going to allude to the works of other authors on here that have inspired me to try this out and actually got me reading again. I also have several other ideas that I would like to try if this one is successful, including a collab story, but I'm going to keep those in the back of my mind for now.

This chapter is going to be pretty short, as I'm just hoping to test the waters here.

Alright, enough of my blabbing, you guys came here for a story!

Disney owns basically everything about Zootopia, save my custom characters.

~ óÓÒò ~

Chapter 1) One of Those Days

Nick groaned in annoyance as he stepped outside his apartment, skillfully flicking his aviator glasses from his pocket and placing them on his snout as he trudged down the stairs to the outside world, leaving the comfort of his darkened home behind in preparation for another day at the Zootopia Police Department. It had been several months since his graduation at the academy, taking his place as the city's first fox police officer.

Nick smiled at the memory of the day he'd graduated; the weight of the badge on his chest feeling more comforting than he'd expected. He smiled softly as he recalled the pride he had felt, as well as the pride on Judy's face when she had finished her speech. Her sparkling amethyst eyes had been alight with joy at his progress and success, and she was practically glowing at the idea that the two would be working together in the Precinct 1 ZPD.

Nick hummed softly to himself as he walked around the tall, three-story building to the parking lot, his car keys jingling in his pocket as he thought of how he should get to work today. He could take his car, an older looking muscle car, but it was in need of a tune-up and a few other touches, having been a recent purchase. He could always use the train, though, that would require him being around other animals, and he was not in the mood for it this morning – like most mornings before work. Or, he could walk. The red fox groaned in annoyance at the mere thought – the ZPD was miles away, and he'd have to run half the distance to be there on time, unless he felt like taking another scolding from Judy about punctuality.

He chuckled and shook his head, remembering the last time, showing up only five minutes late to be greeted with her foot thumping against the ground at high speed and an angry expression on her face, arms folded across her chest. His ears had been folded back against his head as she chastised him about being late. This, ironically, almost led the two to almost be late to their assignments, only just arriving in time for a stern look from Chief Bogo.

Nick's gaze turned upward as he began heading over to his car, an idea forming in his head for later in the day. He clambered into his rust-colored vehicle, starting it up with a small grin at the hefty grumble it let out. When it came to cars, he seemed drawn more to the tougher, older ones than anything – not muscle cars specifically, but they fit the best. Made of steel, not fiberglass, with powerful engines that roared, not grumbled, when pushed, they seemed ideal to the fox almost as soon as he'd turned to conning.

As the car pulled out onto the street, another memory started going through his head, of his life before meeting a certain rabbit. A life that seemed, in many ways, much more simple than the one he lived now. No getting up before the sun, like today. No needing coffee or a certain, somewhat uncomfortable outfit to go to work. No chasing after criminals, be it a small purse-thief or a robbery. He laughed to himself. I was the criminal, he thought to himself. Nick looked in one of his side mirrors, putting on his trademark smirk, the same one he'd worn so often when he was with Finnick.

The fox chuckled to himself at the memory of him acting as a father to the fennec fox – as an act, of course. He was the perfect size and coloration to pass off as just a kit to the "upstanding father" that Nick had played. So long as he didn't reveal his ironically deep voice, all would go well for them and the pair would end the day with pockets full of cash – just as Nick had told Judy, $200 a day, since he was 12.

Nick was jerked back to reality as a large car, driven by a zebra in a light brown coat, turned onto the street right before him, causing him to slam on the brakes and slam his paw on the horn, giving a scowl at the driver before he resumed his drive.

Further along in his trip, Nick stopped at Snarlbucks and picked up a latte for himself, and a carrot smoothie for Judy. Though this became a regretful decision once a series of bumps from half-asleep patrons sent his drink all over his uniform.

The result was a very annoyed and somewhat tired fox, who grumbled about other mammals not looking where they walked as he rode to the station, windows down to try and dry himself off. A glance at the clock told him he had no time to go home and change his uniform.

I guess it's going to be that kind of a morning, huh? He thought pessimistically, giving a heavy sigh.