Chapter one graduation

Groggily Nick rolled over in his bed turning to hit the nonexistent alarm clock, it's funny how he had been at the academy for almost 3 months now and he still hadn't stopped trying to hit his alarm clock when he woke up. Well next part of the routine check his phone for the text from Judy saying that she hopes he has a great day, but today it was a different text.

Carrots: See you at noon officer Wilde :)

Officer Wilde? Nick thought for a second then remembered that today was his graduation, "holy shit I did it I'm going to be a cop," was all Nick could think, the past few months had been living hell. He thought back to the first time he saw Judy on his first break from the academy and apologizing and taking back all the times He said she wasn't a real cop. She just smiled and said.

"It's ok Slick and I'm glad to see the academy has humbled you a bit."

She said with wink. Those two days where awesome Judy told him how the entire precinct was a lot more friendly towards her. Nick filled her in on how the Academy had been kicking the shit out of me.

"That polar bear is no joke Carrots."

She just laughed at the mentioning of her old instructor and how it was funny that Nick ended up with her.

"She is tough on you but she does her job well the evidence of that is right here."

Judy said while punching my arm that was significantly bigger then it had been the last time he had seen her with all the muscle he had put on from training. That brought a slight wince to him, dang that kind of hurt she really needs to learn her own strength, then he laughed.

"Yeah I guess I'm lucky to have the same Drill Sergeant as the great Judy Hopps."

Nick exaggerated that great part just to get a slight rise out of her and earning another slug to the arm for it.

"Shut it Slick."

She said smiling at him. While they sat across from each other at the cafe they met at earlier that day.

"Come on Carrots you know you missed me and my smart mouth."

"Do I know that? Yes, yes I do."

They both then laughed at the running joke between them.

Nick: See you then Carrots don't forget your speech ;)

He replied, Nick got up and put on a grey ZPD training shirt and the navy blue sweats that went with them and walked to the cafeteria for breakfast. He sat with a few other mammals that he knew none of which he would consider friends, but that's what happens when you are the smallest trainee in the whole place. The food was bland as normal. After eating Nick went down to the gym and ran a mile and lifted some weights till 9, then he went to the range to squeeze off a few rounds that lasted till 10, at the end Nick stood and admired his handy-work each of the 12 mammal shape target had two holes in the center of its chest and one right between the eyes, Nick didn't want to brag but he was the best shot in his class, and the top academically too thanks to Judy's help. Nick then headed to the showers to clean up because every recruit had to be ready and dressed by 11. Nick took his shower and picked up his formal uniform and his on duty ones that he was assigned. At 11 Nick was ready to go fur combed uniform on crisp and clean and with just a slight bit of cologne he didn't know why he put all this extra energy into his appearance today he didn't want to impress anyone at the ceremony then he thought a bit harder, wait yes he did he wanted to impress Judy, wait why did he want to impress Judy she was just his friend right? Then he thought more about Judy how he loved her determination, optimism, and unstoppable spirit. How her laugh would always make him smile how he simply loved it when he made her smile and how it made her amethyst eyes twinkle, was he in love with Judy. He thought for a second then said under his breath.

"Holy shit I'm in love with Judy Hopps."

30 minutes later

Nick was outside wandering around where the ceremony would be held. Then he heard a familiar voice behind him his ears twisted to hear the voice say.

"Wow, you clean up nice Slick."

Nick turned around to see Judy standing there in her dress blues too, smiling at him with that twinkle in her eyes. Nick felt his heart skip a beat and start to race with the newfound realization of his feelings for his energetic and beautiful bunny partner.

"I could say the same to you Carrots."

Nick said with his signature smirk, Judy then proceeded to blush a bit then rush forward to hug him.

"Congrats Nick I'm so proud of you and I'm super excited to finally get my partner back."

Nick returned her hug as Judy felt his now more muscled arms wrap around her she noticed that his heart was racing. She just dismissed it as he was nervous about the ceremony.

"Thanks Carrots, I'm excited to work with you too, I've missed my energetic bunny partner."

He said in his softer and more heartfelt tone he saved for only Judy and his mom. Judy noticed the tone and smiled, happy that she has been able to get around the ex-confox's mask and walls. They talked for a while about the ZPD and how the entire precinct was excited for him to join them most of them had met Nick in the days after the Nighthowler case. Nick really hit it off with Fangmire and Delgato the three became pretty good buddies before Nick had to depart for the academy they dropped by occasionally to see how he was doing. Clawhauser dropped by too, to see him. Nick had grown quite fond of the large cheetah dispatcher and how friendly he was to everyone. The time pasted then they had to get to the ceremony.

After the ceremony

Judy grabbed Nick's arm and dragged him into the crowd where they came across a pair of bunnies talking to an older vixen. All three turned as Judy and Nick approached.

"Mom!?"

Nick yelled in surprise as he recognized the vixen as his mom Silvia. He was shocked as she ran to him and hugged him tightly.

"Oh, Nicholas I'm so proud of you my little trooper!"

Silvia said as she started to cry a few tear of joy happy that her little kit was finally doing something good with his life.

"Thanks mom."

Nick said reciprocating the hug after his shock wore off.

"How did you know about this?"

He asked her, knowing he hadn't told her in fear that if he had failed she would have been disappointed. Silvia just smiled stepped back and said.

"Your little bunny partner found me and invited me, she really is a great young lady Nicholas."

Nick caught the underlying message in his mother's tone in the last part that she said in his ear.

"Mom."

Nick said in a slightly annoyed and embarrassed tone. His mother just smiled at him knowingly as he looked over at Judy snickering and Silvia saw her son's eyes slightly light up when looking at the bunny trying to conceal her laughter, Nick then said.

"Wait carrots you heard that?"

"Yeah I heard it, these ears aren't just for decoration."

Upon hearing this Nick grew more red from embarrassment. Judy and his mother just laughed together while the other two rabbits were standing there calmly waiting for their introduction. Judy turned and remembered she still hadn't introduced them.

"Nick these a my parents Bonnie and Stu Hopps, Mom and Dad this is Nick the fox that helped me solve my first case and my new official partner at the ZPD."

She stated the last part with great pride. Nick was happy that he had made her proud. He turned to her parents and said,

"Nice to finally meet the mammals that raised Judy, she really is special and she is one of the best mammals I know."

Nick extended his paw for a paw shake that was quickly pushed aside as both rabbits hugged him taking him and Judy by surprise.

Thank you Mr. Wilde for keeping my daughter safe and not leaving her behind at the museum when she was hurt.

"Yes thank you so much for keeping her safe and being there for her."

Stu and Bonnie said respectively they let go of the still stunned fox who then replied once he regained his faculties.

"There is no need for thanks, there was no way I would have left Carr.. I mean Judy behind she is my best friend and one of the few people who didn't automatically see me as a shifty fox when we met, and please call me Nick."

Judy moved towards her parents with a sudden shock of the prejudice that her parents once held had seemed to completely vanish. Her parents mainly her mother noticed her shock and said.

"Judy I know that this is surprising to you but after you told us what Nick did for you and after meeting his mother we realized that we were wrong not all foxes are bad didn't we Stu."

She said elbowing her husband who was watching Nick closely as he saw him glance over at his daughter occasionally with a look he knew all to well, it was the same type of look he would give Bonnie one of love and right now longing.

"That's right I'm a changed rabbit I swear."

Stu stated holding up one paw like Nick had done while taking his oath moments earlier.

"That's great well I think Nick and I should get going we were planning on spending some time celebrating his graduation with a few people from the precinct, bye mom bye dad I'll call you tonight, goodbye Ms. Wilde."

Judy said hugging both of her parents before grabbing Nick and getting ready to go.

"Bye mom I'll talk to you later, goodbye Mr. And Mrs. Hopps have a safe trip home."

Nick said as Judy started to pull them through the crowd.

"Bye Jude the dude, good bye Nick keep her safe."

"Bye honey stay safe you too Nick."

"Goodbye Judy and please, I insist call me Silvia, and Nicholas be careful."

The three parents said as they saw there children walk away together playfully shoving one another. All three of them looked at one another knowingly but it was Silvia who spoke first.

"How long do you two think it will take them to realize it?"

She asked Bonnie was confuse by her question, but Stu knew what she meant.

"Well Nick already knows but I don't think Judy has yet but once she does it will happen quick when Jude wants something she does all she can to get it I'd say about two weeks."

He said as he watched the pair get harder and harder to see.

"I'd have to agree with you Stu, now how about I show you two around Zootopia before you have to leave and buy lunch my treat."

Silvia said with a smile. As she was happy that her kit had finally found a girl that kept him in line and made him happy, even if they weren't together yet. The Hopps looked at the taller vixen and Bonnie replied.

"That would be wonderful Silvia and it would give you and Stu time to explain to me what you were talking about."

Silvia and Stu laughed as they started to depart towards Silvia's car explaining the situation between their children to Bonnie along the way, she quickly grasped it and realized that she hadn't noticed all the obvious signs, her little girl was in love.