Time stopped and stretched into eternity. Well, not really - it just felt that way to her.

"Relax Hopps. It's okay." Bogo chuckled and shook his head.

It's a trap! The chief never chuckles!
Oh stop it. We can trust the chief.
I still say it's a trap. Trust no one.
Nick really is rubbing off on you isn't he?
That's quite a visual.
NOT HELPING! NOT HELPING!

"Uh...sir?"

"You know the regs Hopps. Relationships aren't encouraged but they aren't prohibited. And more or less, you more and Wilde less, the two of you keep things professional enough." Ben started breathing again. She took that as a sign to do the same.

Did he just give us permission to date Nick?
I think so.

"So..ah..it would be okay if we well not we like you and me haha no not that but we like my partner Nick and me we that we the Nick and I we if he and I I mean...um...dated?"

What the hell language was that in?
STILL NOT HELPING!
I'm in here with you and even I don't know what that meant!

Ben and Bogo head tilted in unison. "Ahhh...I..." Bogo looked to Ben for help and found none; he got the "Nope. I've got nothing" shrug so turned back to Judy and just continued on "...think so. Yes." I hope I didn't just agree to date a rabbit.

Judy's whole body brightened. Her ears shot up and she hopped in place clapping her hands together. "Oh Thank you! Thank you Chief!"

"Wait...I thought the two of you were already dating. You mean you aren't?" Another head tilt. Hopps seems to have that effect on mammals, he noted.

Judy froze mid hop. Her ears dropped. Her eyes started tearing up. There were even some hiccups. Bogo's eyes widened. How does Wilde handle this roller-coaster day after day and minute to minute? I need to apologize to all the partners she went through while he was in training - I told them to suck it up. I'm starting to understand what they were dealing with. He shuddered.

"Well...I know, I mean I think I know, that he cares. A lot. It's just...it's pretty tough to get him to talk about it. Or us. He always changes the subject or does something as a distraction." She sniffled.

Bogo nodded. "He's a master con and a fox on top of it. To say it's hard to get him to open up...well that's an understatement. He's always on alert. You'll have to watch for his tells and probably have to surprise him."

"Sir?"

"Tells. Body language. Most mammals have some control over how their body reacts. You know - are their ears up or down, fur bristled, expression and so on. Wilde's control is phenomenal. You've only had the basic classes as part of your training. In the advanced classes we go into a lot more detail. It's for high-stress situations like hostage negotiations, standoffs, or someone who's emotionally distraught or panicked. Any edge you can have can make the difference between life and death. At times like that, even for a someone like Wilde, the self-control breaks down. You know how you were talking about his tail earlier?" She blushed but nodded.

"Under that type of stress if a fox's tail wraps around a mammal or a thing then whatever it is is precious to them. To the point they'd risk their life to protect it or keep it. Knowing that is the edge and can give you an advantage when dealing with them."

She nodded again. "That makes sense."

"Exactly. You've spent more time with Nick than any of us and you probably know a lot of his tells without even realizing it. Things like a 'fake' smile vs. a real smile. Use that when you try to talk to him about this."

She'd stopped sniffing while Bogo was talking. An idea was forming. Bogo realized she was off in her own little world again.

Those advanced classes could be interesting.
That's it.
What? No. You're insane.
Says the voice who got me into this situation.

Bogo smiled down at her and then made eye-contact with Clawhauser. He grimaced and mouthed a silent "Wow." Ben smiled with a silent "Right?" He pointed back at Hopps. The chief was almost scared to look. But he did. She was vibrating again. I do not want to know what is going through her head. Nope. Nope. Nope. I have to say something though.

"Hopps? You know, I've seen a lot of things over the years, but I've never seen a rabbit's ears do that. To be sideways and...well...vibrating?"

She reached up and pulled her ears down over her cheeks. "Hmm. Oh. It means we're terrified and excited and don't know which one is going to win. It's actually not good. If we stay like this too long we tend to pass out." Her voice was flat.

"Ah, okay then. Let's avoid that shall we?" He caught Nick approaching out of the corner of his eye. YES! Finally!. "You better decide which one it is. Wilde is heading over here." Her eyes widened and her ears snapped back out, vibrating even faster.

This will never work.
You have a better idea?
Plan B!
When do you think we'll get another chance like this?
...
Thought so. Now either shut up or help.
Sigh. Fine.

Nick walked out from the hall and around Ben's desk, eyes searching. "There you are Car-whoa hi chief. Who started the party out here and didn't invite me?" She could feel his smirk.

"Can it Wilde. We were just chatting with Officer Hopps while she was waiting for you. Timely as always I see."

"Well since...Carrots? You okay? What's...what are your ears doing?" She felt him step closer, not quite behind her though. She could even hear his heartbeat pick up...just a bit.

Clawhauser couldn't decide where to look. He was starting to get dizzy switching from the Chief to Nick to Judy and back again.

"Hopps?" No response. "Hopps?" louder and sharper. Bogo's face actually showed emotion. Concern. Bogo looks worried. That...that...is not good went through Nick's head.

She felt him step closer; he was right behind her. "Judy? It's not funny anymore. Come on we-" Her ears stopped vibrating and slowly started rising upright. Three sets of eyes followed their ascent.

"Uh...that's...different." Ben felt he had to say something. That was all he had. No points for that effort either. This was not turning out to be his night.

Bogo leaned down and reached out to her. "Hopps! Say some-" She tilted her just a bit to the side. And winked at him. He jerked backwards, quite a feat for a buffalo, with his mouth open. "Wha-"

"Judy? Judy!" She could feel Nick's hand almost on her shoulder; heard just a hint of that almost panic in his voice.

Now?
Yes. Now.

She collapsed.