Probably not much new here. Just looking through some of my older things trying to get my spark for writing back. My 'dark' ark seems to have disipated so there won't be much in the way of stories like that coming out and there were only two that went down that road anyway. This is a same old same old- two idiots who can't seem to get it together. Pretty common in the world of Fics for these two characters to put themsleves through hell to find each other.

Disclaimer; I do not own Zootopia or its characters.

Amethyst

Judy Hopps was growing increasingly more uncomfortable as she made her way through precinct one. The familiar cool of the marble floors that were usually a source of pleasure, along with the massive interior of the District one police station at city center brought no happiness as she walked through the main lobby. From there she took several turns that led through the back of the massive building into what could be called a large cafeteria, though the word really wasn't fancy enough for the massive space or the elegant decorations that had been placed throughout the massive hall. It wasn't that she was uncomfortable being in one of her favorite places in the world, it was why she was here, and what she was currently doing. Being around a lot of people wasn't an issue for her, but it didn't change her wanting to cringe with each step she took knowing what she was about to face. She took a deep breath bowing it out before she stepped into the room and caught all the mammals stopping and giving her a once over, fighting not to groan as whispers started circling the crowd.

Public relations suck. She didn't have a problem being in front of cameras. One little failure in that department taught her rather quickly to think before she opened her mouth. Being around her partner only reinforced it and the nervousness and guilt she had once had getting in front of a camera was different than this. This was…. Massive tables lined the outer walls, each covered in billowing white silk that flowed each time a mammal would walk by as if the wind had breached the walls and reached through to grab the fabric. A large serving table sat the length of one entire wall that held an array of different foods for predators and prey alike, including a significant section dedicated to pastries, deserts and an assortment of wine. Judy thought this was odd given the fact that waiters were openly carry trays filled with glasses of Champaign and briskly handing them to whomever they may happen to pass by.

Judy walked onto the main floor looking for her parents, or anyone she knew for that matter when Chief Bogo walked up to her. She had to think more like 'stomped'. It wasn't that the buffalo actually did stomp, but is size and presence was such an intimidating site it was difficult to see him in any other manner other than imposing. A small smile greeted his steely eyes as he parked himself in front of her and crossed his massive arms. A smile that faltered when he leaned over slightly to regard Judy in a much more direct manner. "Hopps, I understand the new mayor asked you to help orchestrate this little shindig, but this is ¼ of our yearly excess fund, if this does not go well, it will be the last time, no matter how much good publicity there is for the ZPD!"

Judy swallowed before giving a curt 'yes sir' and excusing herself to another area where she felt she could actually take a breath. Once she had composed herself again she made her way to the desert table where a familiar portly tod was serving delicacies from his shop in Bunny Burrow. "Hello Gideon!" The baker turned and stammered through a hello with a genuine country smile as he took in the site of his business partner's daughter. "Well, uh, Judy. You look real nice tonight." A slight blush could be seen in the fox's ears as he tried to compliment the little bunny he had once bullied and later befriended.

Judy let out a sigh. "I am so uncomfortable wearing this. Dressed like this!" she whispered as she gestured to herself.

Gideon nodded in understanding. "Well, it definitely is out of the norm for ya aint it Judy, but ya still look awful nice."

Judy bowed graciously towards the fox before she scanned the room. "Gid- have you seen my mom and dad? I'd really like to hang around with them tonight. This P.R. thing makes me uncomfortable anyway and I could use a little home right now since I haven't seen them in six months."

Gideon chuckled. 'I think I saw em over by where they're playin the music just a little bit ago. But Judy listen, thanks for getting me this bit of business here. Nice to actually have some work outside of Bunny Borrow, might bring me some more customers an I sure preciate it."

Judy giggled as she swatted in a dismissive gesture towards her friend. "You're helping me just as much as I am you Gid, I see my parents over there. I'll try to come back later ok? Good luck tonight Gideon!" The two said their goodbyes as Judy made her way across the room, traversing through the different sizes of mammals and trying to keep an eye locked on her parents until she reached them.

"Judy! Oh look Stu- look at her, isn't she just beautiful tonight?" Bonnie bragged as she turned to embrace her daughter. Stu Hopps turned away from the plate of hor-derves to look back at his wife and daughter after putting a cheese cracker in his mouth. Judy was quickly patting his back as he nearly choked on the morsel. Sputtering a few more times her father looked over her and a heavy smile landed on his face.

"Jude! Look at you. I've never seen you dressed like that before."

Judy blushed before brushing off the compliment in slight aggravation. "It wasn't my idea Dad. The new mayor requested this for the banquet; he thinks that Nick and I will be good P.R. for the project because we are the first fox and bunny, and the first to graduate from the mammal inclusion program. I'm not really comfortable. I'd rather be in my uniform like the other officer's. I think it would have looked better too."

"You look lovely dear, just try to enjoy the party," Bonnie said in a warm voice that made Judy feel more at ease.

Stu Hopps looked around the room and searched through the mammals as best he could over the taller heads. "Where's your partner at anyway Jude?"

Judy sighed and looked at her watch, "He should be here any time, we came from different offices on request from the mayor. They had two different mammals doing our wardrobe. This won't bother him though, he can pull off anything. It's a little unfair how well he seems to go along with everything. But he usually makes things interesting too."

Bonnie laughed, "Well he certainly is a character isn't he? The kits just adored him when you brought him to visit. And he does seem to know how to read and handle a situation. Do you remember? All the kits were afraid of him, by the time you left they had him so worn out he could barely walk he was so tired."

Judy shook her head as she grinned. "I still can't believe he did that."

"Yeah, he's a pretty good fella for a fox." Stu said.

"Dad!" Judy screamed.

Bonnie gave her husband a sideways glance and a disapproving scowl as Judy's face and ears turned a bright pink while she rolled her eyes and smacked her head…..

Nicholas Wilde shoved his paws in his pockets and whistled a nonexistent tune as he trekked the path to the hall within the ZPD. A carefree attitude settled in him as he passed the last corridor and passed through the large mahogany doors. Upon entering he made his way to the table where he had spotted a country fox chatting with several well dressed mammals from within the city. Signature smirk in place he regarded the other Reynard with a twinkle as he leaned into the table. "Hey Gid, how are you?"

Gideon smiled as he handed a large plate to a passing guest before he turned back to his fellow fox. "Officer Wilde. Nice to see ya here!"

Nick grinned as he leaned back from the table and crossed his arms. "I told you last time Gid, the name is Nick, any friend of Carrots is a friend of mine."

Gideon chuckled as he reached over and grabbed a small plate of pastries, handing them to Nick. "Ok Nick, think ya might like these."

The fox examined the little triangles for a moment before popping one into his mouth. Gideon watched as his eyes went a little wide for a second before they closed completely. The fox hummed in contentment before his shoulders fell forward and a large smile crept onto his face.

"Blueberry plumps. I take it ya like em?"

"MMM. Gid- you should get a patent on these things, trust me. I'm coming back here before I leave, but I gotta find Carrots and do this P.R. thing first. Meet the mayor, take pictures all that jazz. Have you seen her?"

"DAD!" The fox jerked his head in the direction he had heard the familiar voice and was already visualizing what funny scenario could have played out at the hands (or mouth) of Stu Hopps that obviously irritated or embarrassed her enough for her to do the same to herself in a room full of the most influential mammals in the city, not to mention fellow ZPD officers. He chuckled as he handed the plate back to Gideon and gave him a small Salute before turning just in time to see an elephant clear the view.

Judy stood with one paw on her on her head, her ears fell back and had turned a bright pink and she was almost slouching in frustration as her father stuttered out an apology for some unknown grievance. All those things were nearly lost on the fox took at the sight of the bunny he spent nearly every day with. She stood in a strapless floor length gown; the fabric swayed and layered in a way that made him think of a toy with a string you would pull and make the object fly away. The dark gray color was such a contrast against her fur that it nearly made her look white.

Soft folds revealed every underlying detail and made the fabric almost appear ghostly. Around her neck was a black choker with a blue diamond stud in the center, lace curving into a v down the front of her neck. The dress fit so snugly that every curve was accentuating her body in a graceful manner in a way that left her ZPD uniform put to shame, causing a shiver to rush up the tods spine. A thin black strap was laced just below her bosom, accentuating curves she generally kept hidden, and matched a small watch wrapped around her wrist. Just as he had gathered himself to a standstill, the little bunny was bombarded by a host of guests with questions.

Her ears stood at attention, she wore a smile that was as fake as the permits he had used in his pawpsickle hustles, and her general stance was attempted at polite as she answered a few questions and nodded her head, but she was obviously uncomfortable. She kept one arm locked in front of her as the other crossed her chest and one paw was clasped around her arm in a grip that had him wondering if she might sever her own circulation. Better go save her, he thought as he rolled his eyes.

Nick made his way through the crowd and walked around to stand behind her before he addressed the group. "Excuse me ladies and gentlemammals, if you don't mind I'd like to steal my partner for a while." He watched as her body seemed to become softer, every trace of anxiety rushing from her as she turned to greet him. A cockeyed grin landed on his face when their eyes locked and she smiled back large enough to show her front teeth in full before her attention was drawn to the rest of him.

Judy fought the urge for her mouth to hang open as she took in the sight of the fox in front of her. She also fought the urge to look more than she needed to because she knew she was. Her eyes grew wide as his voice split the air and a blush crept through her ears.

"I take it you approve Carrots?" he inquired.

She looked over him once again as her eyes grew wide with realization. "They didn't…" she stammered. The fox's amusement was written all over his face as his teeth grew from ear to ear and his cheeks lifted into his eyes. Judy was stunned to see her partner dressed in a black tuxedo with a dark grey vest that matched the dress she wore. A silk black cumber bun ran around his waist that nearly mirrored all her accessories, and atop his jacket lay a single blue rose that matched the one they had pinned next to her ear. The crowd seemed to scatter, leaving Bonnie and Stu standing not far from the pair, both looking a little uncomfortable under the circumstances. Nick and Judy openly grinned at each other before the banter started as usual.

"Look at you Slick. All prim and proper like, never thought I'd see the day. You look nice."

"Of course I do Carrots, did you expect anything less than perfect? The glitter is a nice touch by the way."

Judy furrowed her brows as her ears shot towards the fox and shook her head for a second before reaching her paws to her face. Nick was quick to grab the appendages and stop any further motion. "They put glitter on me? Really? I thought they just used powder!"

Nick just lowered his head a little towards her and looked around the room as if trying to find a missing target. "I'd leave that alone Fluff, there's a certain water buffalo lurking around here with an overly ambitious mayor who will kill me if I let you take it off, and kill you if you do. I'd rather not get trampled tonight, not when I look this good anyway. Besides it matches those Amethyst of yours."

Judy's low growl turned into a genuine snicker as she looked him over with a playful glare. "My eyes are purple Nick, we have had this conversation a million times. Alright Mister Foxy, let's not get too carried away with ourselves."

Nick smirked at her before he cocked an eyebrow, "Amethyst, still not changing my opinion. Ourselves? I seem to be the only one who looked into a mirror before I left the dresser, I know I am beautiful. You on the other hand, should have taken the time to appreciate yourself Carrots."

Judy's ears dropped, and turned a deep red as her mouth fell slightly open. Did he just say I'm beautiful?

"Yes Carrots, I just said you are beautiful." He smirked again.

Nick turned to the two older rabbits who seemed to be a little amused at their daughter's reaction before aiming his request at both parents. "Mr. and Mrs. Hopps, may I?"

Judy overcame the shock that short circuited her brain when she realized her parents had turned back towards the area Gideon Gray was serving in, and that Nick was leading her towards the dance floor. "Oh no," she said halting her steps and pulling back from the fox. "I can't dance Nick, and you said you couldn't dance either!"

Nick scoffed at her "No Fluff, I said I don't dance, not that I can't. There is a big difference."

Judy stood her ground as she explained a few things to her partner. "Nick, I only know how to do the Cotton Burrow Waltz."

He hummed as he pulled out his phone and started scrolling through something. "It's a waltz?"

"Well. No, not exactly, that's just what it's called. It's a tradition in rabbit culture. Parents teach it, or siblings, we all learn it when we are youn-"

"Got it fluff, history lesson later," he said as he pocketed his phone and drug her to the middle of the floor protesting.

"Nick stop! You don't understand. I can't. I mean I don't, you don't understa…."

Nick stopped somewhere in the midst of a scattered crowd and placed his paws on her shoulder.

Judy looked around nervously, glancing at every other mammal she could see, feeling herself begin to shake mildly. "You've never danced anywhere have you?" he asked with a soft smile. She shook her head almost timidly as she averted her eyes from his.

"Carrots, it's just a dance."

"Nick! It's not just a dance! It took me 6 years to learn that! How can you have done it on your phone in just a few minutes? What about your feet? They're bigger than a bucks feet, and your tail?!" she asked in a huff. "It's not ju-"

"Carrots, are you saying I have big feet?" he said with a smirk as he pointed at hers with a quirked brow. "I don't think you have any room to talk little bunny. As for my tail, I'll worry about that, geez stop looking at it will you? Look at me ok? If you can help me be a cop, I can help you have one dance. Trust me. You know if we can pull this off it might get us out of a lot of those snap shots and unhindered questions."

Judy looked around nervously again, until she found herself looking into bright green eyes. He held an air of confidence around him that almost flooded her senses as she felt herself nod her head, knowing her trust was well placed for every reason. She tensed as he wrapped his paw around her waist, bringing up her other paw in his. A gasp left her as he spun her suddenly and she turned to land with a brisk thump into his chest. He laughed as she glared up and crinkled her nose at him. "Relax Carrots, don't count the steps, you know this. Don't pay attention to anyone else. Were just having fun partner."

Judy took a deep breath, shaking off the aggravation from his little joke, and waited for the next song to start as she locked her frame. She closed her eyes and lifted herself until she stood only on her pads and toes. "Anyone can be anything," she whispered to herself.

"That's the spirit Carrots," he whispered back to her. Nick looked down with curiosity, he didn't remember the difference in the feet on the video he had watched. "Carrots, why are you standing on your toes?" he asked with an inquisitive glance towards her feet. Judy smiled as she took another breath.

"It's a bunny thing, can't do this dance any other way, history lesson later Slick…." She said.

Nick snickered, "Alright Fluff, ready?" Judy nodded her head as he pulled her in tighter and blew out another breath and closed her eyes.

"One… two… three…" he counted down. A beat pulsed and motion erupted. Judy felt herself being twirled aimlessly, wrapped in the arms of a fox. Steps became fluid, her body felt weightless, air began to twirl around her as a giddy feeling engulfed her whole body and broke out into an ecstatic smile on her face. The only secure sensation were those of the paws guiding her through each step.

Nicholas Wilde held tightly to a small bunny, his arm wrapped around her waist, one paw holding her other, while she lightly gripped his shoulder with the other. He spun the pair around and watched as her back arched away from him, leaning her full weight into his paw. Her head tilted to each side with the direction of the swing, a beaming smile on her face. Her tiny feet moved on pads and toes, keeping her soles off the floor, placing her closer to his muzzle that he could ever recall as they swayed and twirled into circles where movements felt more like the skips of a happy child than a practiced routine.

Unbeknownst to the fox and bunny, the movements they had made had carried enough momentum to catch the attention of the other dancers, who all seemed to remove themselves from the floor in lou of watching the captivating and curios outcome. Bonnie and Stu Hopps noticed the commotion coming from the area that had caused nearly everyone to gravitate around the dance floor. Gideon Gray left his table to investigate as well, seeing as how no one was anywhere but gathered around the edges of an unseen commotion.

Silence fell on the room, leaving only the romantic strum coursing through the air as the three smaller mammals struggled to make their way to the front and past the larger mammals. Bonnie and Stu squeezed through to see an unbelievable sight. Judy was held in the arms of a fox, spinning and twirling in his embrace when he suddenly let go of one paw. She swung out and twirled around, the fabric of her long dress flowing like the opening petals of a flower, before they folded back in again as she returned to the waiting arms of the fox leading her around on the dance floor. Stu and Bonnie's ears dropped. Stu looked as if the blood had been drained from his head into his feet and his mouth fell open in abject horror, while Bonnie placed one paw over her heart, the other going to her mouth as a sharp gasp escaped.

"Stu- look at her! Look at her!" she exclaimed. Bonnie slapped the back of Stu's head to wake him from his stupor and he blinked at the sight several times. "Stuart- look at your daughters face!"

"Well ull be darned," Gideon muttered from behind the pair. The bygone bully's smile grew as he watched dainty feet prance through and around the other fox. While the fox who held the bunny's curios expression softened and turned into a genuine smile as his eyes half lidded through the motions.

Judy spun around, feeling the breeze from the motion of her dress swirling around her. Nick watched her in awe; the twitching nose that had been present only moments before they started to move had been turned into a grace he rarely saw in her. Confidence flowing through every step she made, and a swelling grew in his chest as he watched her face, watched her fall and twist into his arms, lean into every dip, and trust in every move he made. A bit of a curiosity was that she had kept her eyes closed through most of the dance, as if she didn't need to see as she let him take the lead. A sudden pause in the movements indicated the dance had hit a particular threshold, and when Judy found herself spun out, a light tug on her wrist pulled her back straight into the arms and chest of the fox. She let out a bubble of laughter as she finally opened her eyes and saw gleaming emeralds shining back at her. The fox bore a smile she knew she had never seen before as he turned her body away from himself and raised his paw to her shoulder.

A swift slide had both predator and prey holding the others neck in their paw and they circled each other several times before she spun back into him, he tucked his arms under hers and pulled her into a lift that left her dangling above the floor, her long skirt flowing around one folded knee until the rest spun around the fox in motion. Neither took their eyes of the other as he let one arm go, she spun on her knee back to face him and he lifted her up into another spin that continued several times around his body until a gentle tug pulled her straight into his chest. Both stood frozen, chests rising and falling rapidly as they looked into each other's eyes. Both so captivated by the moment that they had been oblivious to their surroundings. Until a roaring thunder broke free and startled both back to the dance floor, where everyone- it seemed had been watching them.

Chief Augustus Bogo stood against the farthest wall, watching his two smallest officers. The fox held both the bunny's paws wrapped in his arms as he led her off the floor, where he stood in front of her parents, placed a gentle kiss on one paw, gave a polite nod to both and a slight bow towards his partner before excusing himself from the party. He watched as Hopps left for another area, while Wilde took to an exit hall before he was approached by the large moose. "Was that you're idea of good P.R., Mr. Mayor?" he snorted.

Hooves preened a few low antlers as they regarded the large buffalo, who had crossed rippled biceps over his chest in a non chalont manor. "No Chief, it was not planned, I assure you. But you know what they say, no press is bad press."

Bogo stood to his full height, even with the large size of the moose in question he still towered over him by a good foot. He looked down with a ferocity that made the large males fur stand on end. "You and I both know that is about the farthest from the truth as one could get, don't we Mr. Mayor?"

Judy Hopps was trying to calmly make her way through the crowd and out into the lobby restrooms when a light tap on her shoulder pulled her attention. As she turned her eyes grew wide at the sight of the rabbit in front of her. "P Paw! What are you doing here?" she questioned as she bounced a little and wrapped her arms around the older buck.

Dark hazel eyes greeted her as she let go and he smiled warmly at her. "Couldn't miss this, glad I didn't. You were beautiful out there my little Bundle." Judy blushed as the older buck chuckled at her, and he watched with all the concern a grandparent could have for their favorite grandchild as she made her way out into the lobby.

Bonnie Hopps had lost track of her daughter, but suspected she had an idea of where she was going. As she left the main hall she spotted a friendly and familiar face who pointed in the direction Judy had gone. Bonnie smiled and nodded in thanks as she made her way out through the lobby. As she made her way through the restroom doors she was greeted with the site of her daughter leaning against a wall, eyes trained to the ceiling and looking as if she were trying to steady her breathing. "Judy."

Judy's heart jumped at the soothing sound of her mother's voice, as she had already been trying to calm the tirade of emotions that were currently over riding her ability to form coherent thoughts. The sound coupled with the sight of her mother standing in that all too familiar pose with her paws folded together at her waist had her trying to stifle the raspy breaths that were currently catching up to her. An understanding and comforting gaze settled on her mother's face, her muzzle sported a delicate smile, and her head tilted slightly. "You didn't know," she said in a calming voice. The statement inflected the hint of a question, while it also inferred it had already been answered by the one who asked. Bonnie watched as her daughter visibly weakened, her body leaned forward slightly and the breath that she had been struggling to control rushed from her with a hint of her voice laced through it as her eyes began to glaze over.

Judy rushed into the welcoming arms of her mother, burying her face into the crook of her neck as she began to sob. "Mom," she whimpered.

Bonnie held her daughter as she wept, running her paws over her ears and rubbing her back as she held her tightly. "It's ok Bun Bun, everything will be alright," she assured her. In the mind of the matriarchal rabbit a host of concerns brewed. She had not seen her daughter this distraught since she had been told they didn't accept rabbits into the police academy when she was fifteen years old. Of course that had changed when she turned 22 and Mayor Lionheart had initiated the mammal inclusion program, allowing Judy to enter while giving her ample time to study and train for the academy. As determined as she knew her daughter was, she was also somewhat slow on the uptake when it came to her own emotions, and it was apparent to the mother of this ambitious bunny she held, that she had just been struck with them like an oncoming truck.

Bonnie hummed a childhood melody she had always used to comfort her kits as she closed her arms around her daughter tighter and brushed her cheeks over her face and head. She was a little shocked that Judy reciprocated the motion, as she had not scent marked her children, or they her after they had reached a certain age, and Judy had always shied away from a certain amount of affection being the independent little trailblazer she was. But in this moment, she wanted nothing more than to convey all the love and pride she felt for her daughter, and was pleasantly surprised to have it returned. She also hoped it would put her in a calmer place, and give her a sense of comfort…..

Nickolas Wilde had made his way out of Precinct one and had walked to a small park a few blocks from his apartment. His head was throbbing with memories, and his mind was in a heated argument. What was THAT? You idiot, what were you thinking? Too close Wilde, way too close. Now you went and did it. You let her see it, hell -you let every mammal there see it. You're losing it! The fox flopped on a bench, not remotely caring if he would damage the tuxedo that needed to be returned. He let out a heavy sigh, closed his eyes and ran his paw over his muzzle and head. His ears stayed tucked back as he stared blankly at the ground in front of him. "Damn."