"Nightmare."

She was gone.

Coming to her side, Nick shouted Judy's name hoping that the sound of his voice would wake her. She was on her side, her protective suit was cut and ripped open. Her arms laid awkwardly over the other, her elephant tranquilizer inches away from her fingers. A shaky gasp escaped his mouth, his stomach lurching from the pool of dry blood underneath her.

"J-Judy?" His voice was empty. She laid like a broken toy, it seemed unreal. He put out his paw, gently lifting up her head. Her ears laid heavily over her eyes almost like a veil. He carefully removed her ears pulling them away from her face.

"Jud-!"

Two gaping holes stared back at him, devoid of her eyes.

He screamed and found himself in his own bed. He nails were buried in the mattress with blankets laid tangled around his legs. He clutched his chest in pain, his heart beating like a drum while he breathes heavily. He ran his paw over his head, wet from cold sweat. He rubbed his eyes, trying to rid of his mind of the horrifying image. He threw the covers aside noticing that it was still dark and grabbed his shirt.

Frantic knocking woke Judy immediately. Wearing a pair of sweats and a tank top, she swiftly made her way to the front door. She unexpectedly hit the end of her coffee table, making her shout in pain clutching her foot. She muttered angrily to herself from her lack

of night vision. Blind, she reached out to the wall beside her door and switch on the kitchen light before slowly opening the door. Careful of what type of city she lived in and her occupation, she left the chain locked against her door, making her peer outside safely.

"Judy?"

Hearing Nick's voice, she unlatched the lock opening the door fully. His fur was out of place and his shirt looked like it was thrown on in a hurry.

"N-Nick? What happened, are you okay?" She asked putting her paw out to him. She grabbed his arm and almost pulled away from how cold he was. She brought him inside, closing the door behind them. She sat him down on the couch.

He rubbed his face almost unsure of what he was doing in her home. "Sorry Whiskers..." He muttered. "I guess I got...worried."

"Worried?" She grabbed his hand. "What are you worried about?"

He squeezed her hand, the images of her lifeless body flashed in his mind. "Nothing. It was nothing."

Her eyes narrowed from his jaw tightening. "Nick, I don't believe you."

He gave her a glance, debating or not if he should tell her. "Nick-please...I'm worried about you, what's wrong?"

"I-it's nothing." He responded and held out a strained grin. "I just got lonely, wanted to see you."

"Nick...don't lie to me." His grin disappeared letting out a soft exhale. He should have known better for trying to trick her. "You wouldn't be here in the middle of the night because you "missed" me."

He ran his paw down his neck, giving in. "I had a dream."

She leaned in, her eyes softening and full of her concern when his eyes began to turn glossy. Nick is not the type of Fox that cries when something turns rough even now, he held it back.

"You were gone, Judy." He stated looking at her. "Gone. Dead. And you being an officer and tracking down dangerous animals, makes me worried that one day-!" He took a sharp breath, turning away. "I won't see you again."

She cupped his face making him turn towards her. "Oh Nick, please don't worry about me..."

He scoffed bitterly. "Don't worry? I have plenty of worry! Look at us!" He pointed hard at himself. "We're small! Compared to a elephant, lion, wolf, and dog-we are easy pickings!"

"Nick-"

"And you are smaller than me!"

"You think I don't know how small I am?" She replied calmly. His palm hit his forehead in disbelief.

"Judy, you are not listening!"

She stood up abruptly. "No! You're not listening Wilde! You think I don't know how small I am? I work in a place where every animal I see is larger and stronger than me! You think I can't handle that?!"

He meet her height and volume. "This is not about what you can handle!"

"Let me finish speaking!" She demanded shouting right at his face. He stepped back, his muzzle wrinkled in annoyance. She took a breath, calming herself. "I already knew what I was getting myself into when I joined the force...you think I don't think about what might happen when I answer a call?I'm scared too, Nick..."

Nick pursed his lips together. "I don't think I'm ready to see you die..."

She placed a paw on his cheek, her thumb wiping away a tear. "Nick, I always think about you whenever you come with me on a call, you're not the only one who is not ready to see the other die..."

"You come with me and knowing you, you jump off a bridge without thinking there's water below, you don't carry a weapon and you are vulnerable."

His paw gently laid on her own that was set on cheek.

"You have to understand that yes...there is a possibility that I might die on duty and yes there is a possibility that "you" might die."

"So, what can we do?" He asked softly.

"Oh Nick, the best we can do is to be careful but continuing doing what is right for the public." She smiled seeing him roll his eyes. "this isn't about you or me but about another animal that might need our help."

He sighed heavily, nodding. "Yeah, I get it..."

He felt her lips press against his cheek.

"Don't be afraid to tell me what's bothering you...I'm always here if you need me."

He had doubts, that one day she would be gone and he will be left alone but deep inside, he felt his heart lighten and that her words were true.

"Stay for the night-" she said making Nick give her a look of surprise. "You can take the couch and in the morning, let's go out for some breakfast..."

"What about work?"

"We don't go in until 11:00...plenty of time." She smiled.

"Well if you insist." He said matching her expression. She took a step towards him, her arms wrapping around his waist. He placed his chin over her head taking in her warm embrace. His fears melting away.