Disclaimer: I do not own Zootopia or any of its characters, they all belong to Disney.

Caught the Wind

Judy looked at herself in the mirror for the third time. Nick was coming over and they were going on a date! Once they started working together it didn't take long for them to become lovers. They certainly weren't in the physical sense although they'd certainly 'fooled around' just a bit. Judy giggled at the thought and then pulled her ears over her face, blushing. Then she looked at herself in the mirror again and knew her Fox would love her new outfit. The dark gray bodysuit was tight enough to show off all her curves and accented her soft fluffy white tail. She knew her Fox loved her tail – a lot, but to be honest she loved his even more! It was so red and fluffy – she wished she could use it a hug pillow! And the pink sweater covered up couple of things which the bodysuit made just a bit too reveling.

The knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She took one more look in the mirror, brushed a bit of mussed fur, and then ran for the door. She flung it open and leapt.

"Nick!" she cried excitedly and strong arms caught her.

He hugged her and only then did she catch a whiff of Cheetah.

"I'm not Nick, but if I knew I'd get a welcome like this I'd come over more often," Ben said, patting her back. He loosened his hug and Judy looked up at him, surprised. He chuckled. "So can I assume you and that scruffy old Fox are goin' on a date?" Judy started to blush. "Well, I see you are." He chuckled again and then looked at her more closely. "Oh, I like your bodysuit and I have a feeling that Nick will too."

He gave her a wink and her ears finally completed their transformation from a light pink to a deep cherry red.

Ben too had transformed over the last year from the donut loving cop to seven and half feet of sleek muscular Cheetah. Two things caused this. First, the persistence of a certain bunny to get him to exercise regularly and second, a mandate from Mayor's office to enforce physical standards for ZPD officers. Not wanting to lose his job he followed the bunny's advice, giving up the donuts and running with her daily which he enjoyed for several reasons. One being he enjoyed her company and another was it was just fun to chase a rabbit! At least once or twice each run she'd had to tell him to stop lagging behind. How could he tell her that liked to watch that white fluffy tail bobbing up and down? Several times he even had to restrain himself from dropping to all fours!

"Ben, what are you doing here?" she asked and he raised an eyebrow.

"Can't a friend stop by and say hello?" he said and stared at her. "I was in the neighborhood."

"I'm sorry!" she exclaimed. "I didn't mean it like that."

He hugged her again and she squeaked.

"Sorry, was that too hard?" he said and smiled. "I know Rabbits are delicate."

She growled and then stuck out her tongue. Ben laughed.

"Hi Judy," Pronk said, coming up behind them.

"Hi Judy," Bucky said as he passed by.

They got to their door and looked back.

"I thought she was datin' that Fox," Bucky said as he opened their apartment door.

"Well you know about bunnies, don't ya?" Pronk said just as he closed it.

And Ben had thought her blush could get any deeper until now. He could swear her entire body glowed red and that wisps of smoke were coming from her ears.

"You could put me down," she said and giggled.

"I agree," came another voice from behind them.

He turned.

"Nick!" they said simultaneously and then looked at each other.

"Well," Nick said and Ben looked at the Fox and smiled.

"I caught this bunny and now I'm keeping her!" Ben said and smiled. "Go find yourself another one."

"Hey Bucky," Pronk said from behind them. "Come quick! The Fox and the Cheetah are going to fight over the bunny! Hurry up!"

Judy looked over Ben's shoulder; her ears came up, still red; and she burst out laughing.

"Did you have to kiss him?"

"Jealous?" she asked as they entered the park.

"Yes, damn it!" he said and she giggled.

"You know I only love you," she said and smiled at her Fox. "And you were so brave standing up to him, but he is a nice guy and I do like him." Her Fox growled and she giggled again. "Oh come on, Nick, you know Ben was just having a bit of fun with you." And me too, she thought at the same time, remembering his strong arms holding her close and his masculine musky scent. Then she felt her ears start to grow warm again. "Let's get somethin' to eat. There're some food trucks over there." She pointed to the four trucks. "Come on!"

"OK," he said resignedly.

She took his hand and pulled her Fox toward them.

"So what are you going to get?" she asked, looking at the advertisements on each one.

"Noodles, I guess," he said and looked at his bunny. "And you?"

"Hmmm," she pondered, "Just a salad I suppose."

"And none of that sweet dressing you like so much," he said and chuckled at the expression on her face. "Remember sugar isn't good for bunnies." She growled and poked him in the side and then she stomped off toward the truck. "Not too many carrots either, remember they have sugar too!"

She gave him the finger over her shoulder and he chuckled again. Judy hated carrots with a passion and even the sight of them would elicit a few 'choice words' from her. Then he licked his muzzle, thinking of the salty fried noodles.

He sat across from her at one of the public picnic tables and opened his carry away box. The stream rose from the hot noodles and he inhaled deeply. Then he took a bite and sighed with pleasure. He heard his bunny sniffing the air.

"Just what did you get?"

"Chicken lo-mein with all the vegetables," he said and noticed her leaning across the table to take a peak. "And absolutely no carrots! Ya know I don't like'm either... well except in my mom's stew."

"I remember," she said.

That was one memorable Sunday dinner and he just had to smile. It was the first time she'd met his mother, Catherine, and his bunny really wanted to make a good impression. Catherine had made her famous chicken stew for them and vegetarian version for his bunny. She apologized profusely for making his mother make something special just for her. Of course Catherine simply waved that aside and then lifted the lid on the pot. Then he noticed the carrots and moment later so did his bunny. It looked to him as if Catherine had actually put in more of them than usual.

Then he looked at her face and had to bite his cheek to keep from laughing. After that he concentrated on his food and only once in a while took quick peek at his bunny. The only problem was that once she ate everything else on her plate she could only chase the carrots around so long until his mother began to notice. Then she had to eat one. To him the look on her face was if she were walking her last mile. Finally she popped it in her mouth and chewed. He noticed the look of surprise on her face and watched her quickly eat another. Then he just had to laugh, drawing a puzzled look from his mother. As they were getting ready to leave Catherine packed up the leftovers and presented it to them. He chuckled to himself.

"You thinking of that Sunday dinner, aren't you?"

"Yep."

He winced as her foot connected with his shin.

After lunch they walked around the park hand in hand, ignoring the looks from some of the other animals. Then they found a nice shady tree and her Fox sat and lay back against it. She sat too, tossing her pink backpack aside, and laying her head back against his chest. He put his arms around her and looked around. Then he kissed the top of her head and she giggled. They were quiet for a time only watching three kits trying their best to fly a kite. She looked up at her Fox and he touched his lip to hers. Then they went back to watching the kits.

"Ya think they'll ever get that thing up?" she asked.

"Let's just wait and see," he said and his bunny smiled.

They continued to watch and she felt him touch her ears. A rabbit's ears were quite sensitive and she bit her lip as he gently rubbed them.

"They're so nice and soft," he said in his deep foxy voice. "Do you like that?"

"Yes," she breathed.

Then he held them up and chuckled.

"I wonder if you could fly like that elephant did in that silly old cartoon we watched last night?"

"Stop that!" she said and laughed.

He flapped them around a bit and then hugged her tight.

"Maybe if I held you up you could try?" he said and Judy giggled again. He kissed the top of her head again and then reached into his back pocket. "I have somethin' for you." Her Fox held the small red box before her and flicked it open with a thumb. "What do you think?"

The light blue diamond on the engagement ring caught the light and his bunny's hands flew to her mouth. Then her eyes grew watery and a tear rolled down her cheek. She turned to him and smiled.

"Oh Nick!" she cried and then kissed her Fox tenderly.

Now she felt like her soul had caught the wind and she was flying!