One year since the night howler case and Nick had become Judy's partner. In that year several things had changed. Nick was not as cynical as he once was, he blamed Judy for that, and the upbeat attitude she always seemed to have, and Judy was not as naïve as she once was. Accepting that the world was darker than she had originally thought.

But in that year, our favorite duo discovered something else. A connection that neither had expected. Judy wasn't sure when Nick had first felt it but, for her, the moment was as clear as a mountain stream.

"You know you love me."

"Do I know that? Yes, yes I do." As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt something grip her heart. Over the next year the two grew closer to one another till they could no longer deny it. They were in love.

Living in the city afforded them the opportunity of meeting Nick's mother easily enough. The kind vixen welcoming Judy with open arms. When asked if she found their relationship strange, Marian Wilde burst into a fit of giggles before replying.

"Of course it's strange." She said in a light tone. "But so is the polar bear and muskox couple down the street."

The rest of the night went happily for the new couple. Nick's mother absolutely adoring Judy. Ever thankful for the bunny who managed to turn her son's life around.

When it came time to meet Judy's parents, the two were a bit more nervous. Nick had already known how his mother felt about Judy, having told her all about what happened and how they worked together. Judy, however, hadn't told her parents how close the two had truly become and was worried that their past specism could cause a problem for the two. Even though they had started working with Gideon, she was still worried about how they would react to the news.

Talking to them over muzzletime, Judy told them she was in a relationship with her fox partner. Nick had been in the room out of sight, just in case. Judy had expected a sudden burst of worry or even anger. That's why, when they just stared blankly at the screen for several moments, she began to think they both may have had a simultaneous stroke.

She gave Nick a nervous glance before speaking again. "Mom, Dad?" Judy's mother spoke first.

"Is Nick there with you hun?"

Judy glanced at Nick again. He must have heard because he was starting to walk towards her.

"Yeah, he's here. Do you want to talk to him?" A smile started to form on Judy's short muzzle, hopeful that her parents would be accepting of her boyfriend. She didn't expect what came next.

"No dear." Her mother replied. Judy's heart sank to her stomach. Her ears and smile dropping in the same instants. Nick stopping mid stride. "We want to meet him. Find out what kind of mammal he is." Her mother added. Stu hadn't moved since Judy made the announcement.

Judy's eyes were wide in surprise. "Oh, ok. Um, when do you guys think you could come over?"

"No, you'll need to bring him here dear. We'll want the whole family to meet him."

Judy's eyes were practically bulging out of their sockets at this point. Glancing at Nick again she could tell he wasn't fairing much better. "I don't know if-"

"Oh don't worry bun bun, I'm sure next weekend will be the perfect time to visit. Most of your siblings will be home as well as a few of your aunts and uncles."

She was right, both her and Nick were off for a three day weekend. The first they would have together. They had made other plans to spend time together and grow their relationship. Now it looks like they'll be spending time with her family instead.

"Ok, we'll be there."

The next week of work had gone by surprisingly fast. That Friday, before their shift ended, they were sent to a call from a residential area. Two adult male red foxes were having a shouting match while their wives were trying to get them to stop.

After getting everyone to calm down and go back to their respective apartments, the duo made their way from one to the next. Asking questions about what happened and how things had escalated. Having straightened everything out, the two made their way back to the precinct to file paperwork and clock out before going home.

Back at Nick's apartment, the couple were sitting on the couch watching a movie. Judy sat pulled into Nick's side with his tail in her lap. Gently brushing the fluffy appendage with her blunt claws when she noticed something. His tail had a dark tip. The foxes they had worked with earlier all had white tips. Nick's mother's tail also had a white tip.

"Hey Nick."

"Yeah?"

"Why is your tail so dark?"