For J.S. and your encouragement; because of you I'm posting this after it had been hidden on my hard drive for almost a year.

Chapter 1

"OH, JU-DEE!"

Judy Hopps groaned to herself at the sound of her name being called across the entry by the over-enthusiastic greeter. Making her self as small as she could, Judy steeled herself to keep moving, pretending that she had not heard Clawhauser trying to get her attention. It had been a long day, Bogo had been especially unforgiving, she spent last evening not fighting necessarily but disagreeing on the phone with her mother and she just wanted to go home and nap before meeting Nick.

"JUDY HOPPS! JU-DEE, YOU'VE GOT A VIS-I-TOR!"

Heaving a sigh, Judy turned toward the reception desk and made like she was taking an earphone from her ear. "You called, Clawhauser?" Judy asked as she hurried over. Maybe the guest was the ever thankful Mrs. Otterton again, Judy knew the woman was happy to have her husband back and Judy had been happy to help; but right now, she just wanted to get home and take a nap before going on a run. Would it be ungrateful to try to shake the kind old otter at the door? As Judy reached the food fanatic cheetah, she began looking for Mrs. Otterton; surprised to find instead an older vixen standing by the desk, giving poor Benjamin a nervous glance. Seeing that he was getting ready to holler at her again, Judy popped up, "I'm here, Clawhauser, down here! Ma'am, I'm Officer Judy Hopps, how can I help you?"

The vixen turned to look directly at Judy giving Judy a chance to observe her unexpected guest. The female in front of her was dressed cleanly, if conservatively, like she'd taken special care of her appearance for the day. Nothing she wore was new, but neither was it in disrepair. Her fur was a soft brown beginning to fade, giving her age more than her clothes did. Only upon made eye contact was Judy able to suppose who her guest was, the bright and invigorating green eyes giving the broad allusion of who was before her. Reaching out to take the elder fox's claw to shake it, Judy was surprised by the quiet steel in the voice as it spoke.

"I beg your pardon, dear, but is there somewhere we can talk in peace?" Shooting a look at Clawhauser listening in; Judy agreed with the need for discretion, especially if her hunch about the vixen's identity held true.

"Yes, ma'am. Would you like a cup of coffee? There's an excellent shop across the street where we can discuss what brings you in today," Judy offered.

"That would be lovely, thank you," the elder female offered. Judy waved to Clawhauser and moved to exit the building, her guest close at her heels.

The two walked across the street in companionable silence, with the city noise providing background music. The open door to the Caribou Coffee allowed the heavenly scent of beans and caffeine to waft out. As the unlikely pair wait in line to order, Judy is the first to break the silence, her concern speaking for her, "Is anything the matter with Nick, Ms. Wilde?"

"No, dear. He's perfectly fine as far as I know; he's still at the academy, not dating that skeezy tramp again, he's planning on going for a run this evening. And has no idea I've come to see you," MS. Wilde smiled kindly at Judy, as if measuring her. "May I ask what gave away my connection to Nicholas?"

"Your eyes," Judy returned the smile with a nervous one of her own; shrugging she explained, "I wasn't sure until I saw your eyes- it was like Nick was looking back at me- just out of a different body."

Laughing, Ms. Wilde accepted the coffee Judy bought and as the settled a table in the back corner of the store, she explained her mirth. "I've spent years, hearing about how that boy looks just like his father. I should know that, I see my dear husband every time I look at my Nicholas," her smile changes and her voice drops, "He's a wonderful reminder, but its nice to know that I appear in there somewhere."

Judy smiled at the older woman, not sure if she should fill the silence or allow her friend's mother to gather her thoughts. Stirring her coffee, Judy gazed around the shop, pleased to see that no one was paying more that the most cursory attention to them. "I wouldn't have thought it possible but there's no mistaking the eyes."

"I'm sure you're wondering what an old lady like myself is doing out, coming to see you at the end of your work day," Ms. Wilde supplied, seeming to have decided what she wanted to talk about.

"A little, especially given that we hadn't met before today. I mean, I've heard a lot about you from Nick but… Well, not A Lot a lot but, oh sweet cheese and crackers," the nervousness Judy had been trying to hide began to seep out in her voice. Judy looked down to where her paws were wrapped around her beverage; she could feel the heat rise in her cheeks and scolded herself for being nervous. She wanted to ask why the older fox was there but could hear the voice of her mother in the back of her mind yelling about manners.

Ms. Wilde seemed to pick up on Judy's nervousness and reached out to pat her paw, "It's okay dear; he's told me quite a bit about you too." This statement did nothing to calm Judy's agitation; but it did help to ratchet her senses even sharper. "I came because I wanted to meet the girl who was the impetus behind Nicholas getting his life together and going back to the straight and narrow. I wanted to thank you for the positive influence you've had in my son's life. I'm not saying I'm not going to worry about him, I'll always do that- it's my right as his mother- but the worry is different now that I know he's working legitimately and there is someone else out there to keep a weather eye on my boy," Ms. Wilde stopped for a moment to drink her coffee, looking over Judy again she smiled, "You seem like a thoughtful, young bunny. I'm please to see my son making friends with someone like you, someone who will be a true friend to him."

"Ye-Yes, ma'am," Judy stumbled over her tongue but managing to nod her agreement that she was watching out for Nick, mentally ticking off the shades of red her face was going through. 'Deep breath in,' she thought to herself, and nearly choked on the smell of burnt coffee.

"Now, I know you and my son have a standing running date on Thursday nights; I don't want to keep you and have you be late to that. I know how much he looks forward to trying to out run your cute little behind," she teased.

Just as Judy thought that her face couldn't flush anymore, she felt it begin to grow down her neck and chest as well. So distracted was she, Judy failed to correct Ms. Wilde on the usage of cute. "Uh, date?" she squeaked. Taking a deep breath, she tried again, "It's not what I'd call a date, Ms. Wilde. I'm just helping build the stamina he needs for his final physical test. Beside we generally run together a few nights a week." For some reason, Judy felt the need to clarify in case his mother was thinking something was off.

"Oh, I know dear. But, I also know that Thursdays between six and eight is when you two run around City Central Gardens and you're up to at least four loops which is a grand total of eight miles. And you haven't let him win yet, which I think is fantastic. You don't want that boy getting too full of himself. Keep him on his toes," Ms. Wilde snickered. Judy got the feeling she was enjoying a joke she hadn't shared yet. "Just know he plans to get there early tonight to make it look like he got a head start without you so he can slack off a lap or two."

"He wouldn't," Judy protested. "He wouldn't try to out one over on me like that–" As she trailed off, she looked over to her companion. "He totally would, wouldn't he?"

Grinning, Ms. Wilde responded, "It's called a hustle, Sweetheart; and for good reason. Of course he would try to get a leg up over you. Truly I'm surprised he hasn't tried it before. The boy was never one much for exercise."

Judy let her head drop to the table. Damn that sly fox; if she left soon, she would still have time to change and hopefully still beat Nick to the park. Grumbling to herself about the loss of her much need nap, Judy raised herself up and turned to her guest. "Thank you for warning me; I'm sorry to have to cut this short but if I want to get there first so I can keep him an honest fox, I need to go get ready to meet him."

"That's fine dear. Thank you for the coffee. Could you do me a favor though? Please don't mention that I came to see you; I don't want to embarrass him. I truly did want to thank you for all you've done for Nicholas and maybe one night you'll join us for dinner once Nicholas introduces us properly." Ms. Wilde took the opportunity to squeeze Judy's paw as she stood to leave. "Go enjoy that run, dear. Make him work for it."

Judy took the cue and stood as well, taking her cup and looking Nick's mother in the eye declaring, "Don't worry, Ms. Wilde. I will, I promise." As she turned to run out of the shop, she thought she heard Ms. Wilde murmur, "I believe you will."

Luckily for Judy, traffic was on her side as she bounded along to her building. It took her less than five minutes to change and rush back out the door and head for City Central Gardens. Judy loved it there, the lush flowers unlike anything grown at home. These were grown for beauty and as a dressing, so unlike the sunflowers she loved from home which were grown for practical purposes. Although, now that she thought about it, her father hadn't really started planting huge swaths of them until her siblings started getting married. It was quite the popular spot for the Hopps offspring to wed, and each year the fields were in a different place so no one sister had to share a location with another unless she wanted to; but even then, the her father designed the fields with what Judy could only describe as 'intricate delicacy' given how they flowed around the other crops. He equivocated he did it because he needed to give the soil a year off to recover; however, popular theory among Judy and her siblings was he did it to hide the hammock he would occasionally go nap on in the afternoons from her mom. Despite all going on between Judy and her parents, she did miss them at times like this.

So wrapped up in her thoughts as she was, Judy failed to realize she was at the gardens and wandered over to where she normally met Nick, she was more than a little early but decided to begin warming up to burn the nervous energy coursing through her. She didn't know what to do about his mother's request for silence; it felt too much like lying. 'Then again,' Judy reasoned, 'if I was Nick and my mom pulled something like that, I'd want to die from embarrassment.' This led Judy to speculate exactly how much Ms. Wilde knew about her if she had been able to find Judy before she left work. Judy looked up from her thoughts just in time to see Nick enter the park and felt her heart give that funny little start it did when she got to see him now. Gone was the lanky fox from all those months ago, it had taken time during his training but Nick had begun to fill out; his arms were of particular, drool-worthy note now, the definition showing through his ZPD Academy t-shirt in such relief he was getting second and third glances from females of all species anymore. Speaking of starts, it wasn't like the jump-start it was about to get once his eyes landed on her or if he touched her and the tingles came over. Shaking her head to stop her wayward thoughts, she jumped up and, waving her arms, hollered for her friend.

Nicholas Wilde was in the process of patting himself on the back at his own brilliance. His training buddy wouldn't be appearing for a good while at least. He could find a bench and take a well deserved nap and relax before Hurricane Judy showed. It wasn't that he didn't want to run with her; he did, it was good for his endurance and she could quiz him on the materials from class and help him formulate his answers if he needed it. That's was what these Thursday runs were: Slam and Cram sessions. Where she slammed him in physical ability but he still got to cram before the weekly tests on Fridays. But he was tired; so outstandingly tired.

The last ten months had been the longest of his life and he had a good six weeks left before graduation and he knew it was going to get more difficult. The levels had been building since classes started and, thankfully, he had his own lucky rabbit as it were, not just a foot either; and what a sweet little bunny she was. She'd put in her long days and then meet him at least twice a week to run with him and allow him to blow off steam regarding all aspects of class. They were up to eight mile runs now, and some nights he needed all eight miles to get his aggression out. Lately, though, he could see something wearing on Judy. She hadn't talked much about it, and best he could figure it had something to do with her parents and she was not getting along with them. The reason changed each time he asked her about it; he really wanted to respect her space but if she failed to spill the beans soon, he would have to resort to drastic measures, something like borrowing her phone and reading her text messages before she could see what he was doing. Just as he spotted a nicely shaded bench, he heard his name coming from the other direction. Nick could not believe his luck. That sly rabbit had shown up early and looked like she'd already had started without him, but was not yet out of breath. Putting on the brightest smile he could muster, despite his plans being ruined, he called back, "Hey there, Carrots!"

Nick watched her approach, well-fit jogging shorts and a tight t-shirt adorned her fit, supple body; they were friends, sure- but lately that had not stopped him from enjoying the view. "Slick Nick, are you skipping class today?"

"Am I skipping class today? Carrots, I'm hurt. You know there's no way I could get away with that with you," he noticed the use of the nickname for when she was irritated with him. Using the smoothest voice he could muster, "Drill Sarge let us out early to give us extra time to study for tomorrow's test. Supposed to be a doozy."

The concern was evident in her downturned face, "Oh, sorry. Do you need to go over the material tonight? We can skip the run if you want."

This shocked him; she would never accept a miss on the chance to beat him around their path. Just as he was about to take her up on it- because why look a gift horse in the mouth- the breeze came up from behind her and brought the tempting scent unique to her and Nick knew he was lost. "Nah," he brought his paw up to the back of his neck to rub, "It's about business, ethics, and shady dealings. Ya know, nothing I know of first hand but I think I got it locked down. Still need to work on my running though, so if you're up for it…" He trailed off giving her a shrug, catching the sadness that seemed to seep from the depths of her.

Judy had averted her gaze and was looking off in the distance, "Sure, sure. Maybe with the extra time, we can add another leg and work on some more stamina for you."

Nick wanted to gag at the thought of running an additional measure; although, he recognized that running always seemed to make Judy feel better and maybe she'd finally open up about what was eating at her, "Sure thing, Fluff. Although, no one's yet complained about my stamina as far as I know. Let's get going."

The first three legs of the square they covered in silence. Nick was not a fan of being left to his own thoughts but he was also aware that Judy was not fond of uncomfortable silences either. His thinking was to let the quiet build until she finally blew the dam around her feelings and told him what she was upset about. By halfway through the second lap, Nick was rethinking the brilliance of his plan and starting to suck wind. He was trailing behind, and while he appreciated the view of Judy jogging just barely out of his reach; he needed to breathe to be able to enjoy the looking. Just as he was getting ready to ask for a break, Judy spoke.

"Mind if we slow down for a bit?" Damn it, she wasn't even the least bit out of breath.

"No- uh, nope," he gasped as they slowed to a walk, "not at all." Nick bent double trying to catch his breath. How he had been able to keep up in the physical training classes still boggled his brain; but he knew it had to do with her, somehow, he could still compete because of her. As he tried to slow his breathing, he felt Judy start to rub his back trying to help him regulate the air coming in. The hair on the scruff of his neck stood up at her ministrations, making Nick focus on the feel of her paw through his shirt instead of his breathing. It felt as wonderful as it was distracting, but he knew it needed to stop. They were just friends- best friends- but just friends. Judy was the closest, deepest relationship he'd had in years and he was not keen on screwing it up. Straightening up, he gazes at the young bunny before him. "I'm good. Thanks."

"No problem, glad I could help," she smiled weakly at him and quickly turned away to start walking their path; like he was the dilemma she suddenly remembered she wanted to avoid.

Deciding he had nothing to lose, Nick caught up with her and posed the question that had been in the forefront of his mind, "You want to talk about it?"

Slowing her pace, Nick watched as Judy's eyes dropped to the pavement, "It's just a disagreement with my parents. It's nothing."

Surprised he got that much, Nick decided to push a little more, "Are you sure? 'Cause these last few weeks, you've said that but I can see it's wearing on you."

The groan that passed from her lips would have made the surliest teen proud. "It was just a long day, and Bogo was all over me about a recent arrest and a documentation issue and my parents, ugh, they just- they just don't get it? They say they're proud of me and all and that's great but now they're pushing and it's driving me up the wall because I miss them but I haven't had a peaceful conversation with them in months," with this, Judy's hand erupted in the air as if she wanted to grab the words and take them back. Nick weighed his options; watching as her hands went to cover her mouth. She had said more than he thought he'd get out of her; but she still seemed to be hiding something from him. Reaching out, Nick caught her by the forepaw and guided to a nearby bench in the shade; out of the way enough that passersby wouldn't overhear them but still in sight of the general goings on in the park to be sure their conversation could be kept private should another mammal become interested in a rabbit and fox looking so close.

Deciding to switch tactics to 'concerned friend,' Nick laid it on a little thick as he sat down, "You know you've been listening to me whine and complain for the last ten months solid, I'd be happy to return the favor if it would make things easier on you." The breeze picked up and again he was treated to the bouquet that was uniquely Judy, with the added scent of sweat and heat and he could just imagine that was how she'd smell in…

His thoughts were interrupted by the comical un-Bunny-like snort that escaped her as she plopped down next to him on the bench with all the grace of an elephant. The soul weary sigh she heaved tugged on him, making Nick realize he needed to stop thinking about how she would smell if…

"If I tell you, will you promise not to laugh? Or say anything, ANYTHING, to anyone?" she all but pleaded.

… If he even could finish that thought cleanly, he should avoid it. "Sure thing, Carrots; Junior Ranger Scouts honor," he quipped, leaning back into the bench to watch the animals around them and hopefully let the lack of direct attention on her allow her to open up.

Judy was leaning forward interlocking her fingers and letting them drop in rhythm with what Nick could only guess was her anxiety. Her eyes were wandering over the landscape before them and she heaved a final great sigh, sucked in a deep breath and plunged in, like he had three days ago in the Tundra Test Pool.

Rubbing the lower left side of her face like it hurt, she began, "You know everyone thought I was crazy for wanting to become a cop, right? Parents, siblings, schoolmates, basically everyone to come into contact with me?" She paused here like waiting for confirmation, and not wanting to interrupt her story, Nick nodded silently. Returning his nod, she continued, "But I did it anyway. I set a goal, I met the goal, and I blew them out of the water. Mom and Dad- Mom in particular- were never keen about me moving to city to do this. They were ecstatic when they thought I was just a Meter Maid. 'Not a real cop,' they said," her voice was a droopy as her ears. Nick let loose a chuckle remembering the day they met and the subsequent deal that followed; Finnick still gave him hell to this day for getting played like that, and by a bunny no less.

As if she picked up on his thoughts, a ghost of a smile crossed her face, and she looked up at him with slightly glazed eyes, "And then I met you," she shrugged her shoulders. "And things became a roller-coaster ride I didn't want to get off. I went home because I thought I'd failed but I came back and we solved the case and became friends and … All this you know," Judy acknowledged, rubbing her eyes. "My parents, however- and it seems like Mom so much more than Dad- feel like now that I've had my adventure, it's time to come home and settle down, and start popping out litters of kittens so that instead of being one of two hundred seventy-six, I can have that many or more of my own to keep company with. Plus whatever husband I settle for," at this her voice dropped out to a whisper and Nick felt his heart freeze in his chest, the icy fingers of terror leeching out to his extremities.

"So WH-at," his voice cracked in a way it had never during puberty, clearing his throat he tried again, "So what you're saying is, is-" And just that simply, his words failed him. His mind refused to grasp what was in the air between them as the idea was both offensive and foreign to him. This was Judy Hopps, obnoxiously cheerful bunny who got his barely legal rear into the police academy nearly on her hope and faith alone. The idea that she'd, she'd—it was unthinkable.

"Geh marma…" His rabbit mumbled into her knees, now drawn to her chest, arms hugging them tightly. He knew if he looked, he'd catch a glimpse of well-tone flesh just below the end of her shorts. Pushing the dangerous thoughts away, he turned his body to face hers. Suddenly, the quiet of the last few months was completely understandable and he wished he could have it back.

Trying for levity, knowing he was destined to fail, Nick observed, "They haven't covered murmurs in class yet, I don't know how to decipher what you just spouted." The withering glance she shot him would have taken out a less animal, Nick thought, feeling like the fur above his eyes might be a little short than it was when they had started this conversation.

"Get married, and move home," she spat as if the idea tasted as appalling as it sounded.

"But what about your job? You love being a cop; hell, I'm joining the force basically because you talked me into it, you can't leave now!" Nick fired back without thinking. He had had a good idea of what she was going to say, but actually hearing it had him reacting before he realized it.

The angry response should have stunned him but it didn't, "You think I don't know that? You think I want this? I never expected this to be an issue, I'm still young enough that there's time for…" at this she made a hand gesture as if brushing the words away, "that later if I choose."

"Yeah, definitely," was his stunned reply. He didn't generally think about the age difference between them, some days it felt like she was the older of the two and he would forget that there was roughly eight years between them. So off in his own thoughts, Nick was surprised when Judy jumped up and began pacing in front of him.

"I mean, I'm not that young, but I'm not old either. I don't care if Jenna is a year behind me and is four litters ahead. That's her, not me! So what if my younger siblings are getting married, I still have older ones that have zero interest in getting married. I am not the outlier here!" the vehemence in her voice betrayed her deeper feelings, the cool breeze providing a counterbalance to the heat of her words. "They think I can't find a decent buck here in the city and try to set me up with random friends' sons or then they go and throw Gideon Gray or Tyler the actuary at me, like, what am I supposed to do with that? And who's to say I want to get married at all?"

"But you might like to," supplied the fox.

"I don't know, I mean, maybe? I just don't know. If they weren't pushing for it so hard, like I've done what I wanted now it's time to do what they want me to do," she conceded to her friend. "It's just the more they push, the more I just—I, ugh!" Judy dropped her face into her paws. "I don't want to date, there's other things I'd rather do!" Nick could smell the tears that were beginning to leak out, and found himself curious at her words. Reaching out a paw, he cupped her shoulder in a comforting manner and pulled her to stand beside where he was still sitting.

"The more they push, the more you resist," he filled in what she couldn't say. Nodding, the tears began to spill from her eyes in earnest. Jumping up, Nick wrapped his arms around her small form, drawing her close so she could sob into his shirt. Turning them so she was hidden from prying eyes, he put his nose to the space between her ears and breathed the essence of her in, allowing himself to enjoy their embrace.

And for several minutes, the two stood wrapped in one another, the rest of the busy world forgotten. As she calmed down and the tears slowed, Nick felt Judy begin to pull away from him; prior to her getting to far away, he gave one last squeeze before letting her slip from his arms. Her normally glowing eyes were bright and red with the tears she was valiantly trying to stop the flow of. Stepping back and straightening her posture, Judy rubbed her left cheek again.

"How'd you do that?" the innocence that rang from her voice was reflected in her eyes.

"How'd I do what?" he queried gazing down at her, allowing his paw to reach out and stroke down her ears.

"Put what I'm feeling so easy into words, I've been trying to think of a way to explain it, and you were able to do in eight words what I've been working to say for months." Nick laughed; it was just like her to over think something like this. "It's not that funny, Nick."

"It kinda is, Carrots, when you think about it. Its simple teenager-y rebellion," he smirked at her as she pulled completely free of his reach.

Judy tried to deny it, "No, it isn't. I'm not a teenager. I'm in my mid-twenties now." She began walking back toward the path they would normally take but instead of running, she continued at what was an easy pace for them to continue their talk.

"Right and I'm guessing that back in Bunnyburrow the most rebellious thing you ever did was decide you wanted to be a cop, for which you stayed in school and studied your adorable little butt off before transferring to the local college and getting a degree not in biology or farming or even plant husbandry but in criminal justice or the like. Up until this point, your rebellion has simply been about defying the naysayers and proving you could be a cop. And… You did that," Nick allowed some awe to seep into his voice; he wanted Judy to recognize what she had so far accomplished. "Everything else was a distraction that you pushed to the side. Boys included- it is boys- right?"

Shaking her head to hide a smile, he felt her hip check him. "Whatever, I prefer men, but the term works." There was so much sass in that tone, he lo—adored it, and he absolutely adored it.

"So then you essentially delayed the inevitable by being so focused on your goal that now you aren't used to this new level of defiance which is completely different and so incredibly in line with what you've already done. The key is simple: don't let them see how much they're getting to you. If you don't want to date, don't. Say you're busy or hell, tell them you're already seeing someone." 'That could work,' he thought to himself, 'She's kinda is seeing me with how much we hang out together. But we're just friends, remember? I don't think that I'd-'

"I don't think that'll work, I don't want to lie and make the situation worse if they find out when I go home one weekend that I don't have anybody to bring with me," her voice of reason struck again.

"Well if you're going to be rational about it…" Nick trailed off, rolling his eyes heavenward. Sometimes when his guard was down, he wondered if staying friends was worth it. If it would not be better to explore their feelings and see where it took them; his feelings, at least, he was unsure of the depth of hers. Moreover, looking at how lost in thought Judy was, Nick knew he could not do it. He could not cross that line and add to her distress; and if things went sour, he would lose the friendship that was fast becoming as important to him as the air he breathed, the three months without her during the Night Howler case had been bad enough and they were closer now than back then. Besides, there was no telling how her parents would react to them dating. He'd met them briefly after the Night Howler case, when Judy was in the hospital getting checked out. They seemed incredibly caring, if not a little overprotective of their little girl. Her father had shaken his hand for two minutes while thanking him for keeping their Judy safe. Nick looked around and saw they had made it to the front of the square and he was not ready to have her leave him just yet. "Walk you home?" he offered.

Judy looked up, and seemed surprised to see where they were. "That might be a good idea; I didn't realize we were leaving the park."

"Come on, we'll stop for ice cream. My treat," he tried to entice her, holding his elbow out for her to take.

"Did you forget your wallet this time?" Judy snarked, giving his bicep an odd look.

"Shame on you, when I offer to take a girl for ice cream, I intend to pay," was the quick retort.

"Well then, in that case, sure thing." She linked her arm through his and allowed him to lead the way.

After they'd gotten their treats and were nearing her apartment, Nick broached the subject of her going home. "Were you planning to go home soon for a visit?"

"Eh, soon-ish. Maybe for a weekend? I do want to go back for the annual harvest festival, but that's a few months out and there's a star shower that weekend. I've missed the last three festivals, I'd like to go back," Judy shrugged. "Why, do you want to go with me?" She asked looking up at him through veiled eyes.

He was surprised by the invitation; he'd never thought she'd considered taking him home with her. 'Phrasing,' he mentally scolded himself. "Maybe." It was the only answer he could give her right now. They had reached her building, and as she was preparing to spring up the steps, his lips moved of their own volition, "You want to hang out this weekend? There are a couple of new movies coming out, or we could try that one restaurant on the square?" Nick stared at his feet, he could not believe his mouth; he was working on the just being friends thing and it spouted this nonsense.

Judy blushed and looked away from him, embarrassed, "I'd really love to but it's just… I sort of… Isortofagreedtoadatetogetmymomoffmyback!'

"Come again?" He couldn't have heard her right.

Judy sat down on the top step and looked up at him with what he called her 'Big, sad bunny eyes' which he swore were designed to get him to capitulate to her will. "Well, I sort of agreed to a date to get my mom off my back. It's the son of a friend's sister's second husband of a woman in Mom's knitting group."

"Because if that's not a close relationship, then I don't know what is," he was physically unable to hide the sarcasm there. Nick knew it wouldn't help the situation but was unable to contain himself.

However, when Judy turned and looked up at him with the tear bright eyes and asked, "Oh Nick, what am I going to do?" He regretted his words instantly. It could absolutely break him or arouse him, the way she sighs his name like that; so much like the night in the museum. Sometimes, as it was this time, it was both. Sitting down next to her, he threw his arm around her slim shoulders, pulled her small form into him and rested his chin on her head.

"You're going to go on that date, and then if its fun, enjoy it. If it sucks, text me and I'll come rescue you," he offered, feeling his heart break a bit.

The big eyes were back and shinning at him again, but with a vague happiness he could barely detect. "You'd do that for me?" He should really be insulted by the incredulousness in her voice. Catching her eye, watching as the violet color kaleidoscoped around her iris; he could not resist this chance to tease, it was too perfect.

"Maybe."

A/N: I had another story I was working on… and then this actual plot bunny came up to bite me and I've been working on it since. I never thought the first story I'd post to AO3 would be a story in Zootopia, it was supposed to be a Fairy Tale FanFic I'd been pouring heart and soul into. Oh, well. I hope you enjoyed this. Let me know. I really wanted Judy to say, "I don't want to get married!" and have Nick respond with "Let me guess, you want to ride through the glen, firing your arrows into the trees, feeling the breeze on your fur?" or what ever Fergus says to Elinor in Brave reworked to fit the Zootopia Universe.

BTW, the slight focus on Nick's arms came from a DA comic I saw, and they were enough to be considered swoon-worthy. Because I apparently have a thing for Disney Foxes.