Maybe they had an encounter with a quite dangerous criminal, one that required a muzzle. Nick us uneasy around them because of his past, and even is hesitant to use them on others himself. He knows they're necessary sometimes with violent criminals, predator or prey. He knew it was necessary at the time, but the moment he pulled it out he freezes at the sight. Because of that hesitation, the criminal took advantage and not only escaped but turned the muzzle on Nick. Upon finding himself muzzled like he was as a child, he goes into a panicked frenzy and ends up unintentionally abandoning his partner Judy to deal with the dangerous criminal all by herself. When they later found Nick, he was in an ally all curled up on himself and pawing desperately at the muzzle in a vain attempt to get it off; crying the whole time.



Nick would admit that his tears were more out of shame then fear, shame that he still feared muzzles that he let his fear get the better of him and abandon his partner who he cherishes more then life itself (even calling her "The best thing that's ever happened in a life full of bad luck and bad decision"). He would feel he let her down by leaving her to such danger. Judy would affirm to him that he is NOT a coward, that what he did was was the smart move since they were in pursuit of a large predator in a bad part of town and on unfamiliar turf. That they had no idea what was in that warehouse, and she was the one who was out of line. That they would have been in a much worse situation if Nick had let her just go charging on in after that wolf. That he saved them both and not anyone else. She reminds Nick of their duty as cops which involves they rising their lives every day (even saying to him "It's a hazard of the profession. All we can do is minimize the risks as much as possible, and that's why we have to break this fear") while reminding him of how important their bond is.



What do you think?