Nick glanced up as Judy laughed heartily at whatever it was her parents just told her over the phone. He licked a paw pad and flicked to the next page in the comic he was currently reading, doing his best to refocus his efforts on the story. It was becoming harder to concentrate on Underdog's plight as time went on, and the reason why bothered him immensely. It wasn't like he typically cared for the conversations Judy had with her parents. Any other day he would have continued to feel that way. After eavesdropping a few times in the past, the conversations were never anything too enticing. Today, unfortunately, wasn't one of those days.

"I might go out on another date with Dave if he asks, but he hasn't yet," Judy told her mom, adjusting herself on the sofa. Nick worked on rereading the line he had just read. "Yes, dad he was the perfect gentlebunny. He didn't lay a single paw on me."

Only because I was there to stop it, Nick thought to himself, as he reread the same line over one more time. It was hopeless. His concentration just wasn't there. He kept the comic open as he listened in to her conversation. He wasn't that rusty to eavesdropping. He knew he couldn't discard the one thing that supposedly held his interest without rousing suspicion.

"What? Mom! It is way too soon to be speaking about grandchildren!" Judy said, her ears turning pink.

Nick's eyes widened as he continued to casually look at a page in his comic. What on Earth was Mrs. Hopps thinking?

"Of course it is! We've only had the one date…Yes, thank you, dad. I'm not even sure he's the one yet."

Nick could feel relief set in at her words. He shook it off quickly. What did he need to feel relieved about? Judy had a future to think about. If Dave was the key to the future who was he to stop her from unlocking that next chapter? No matter what he told himself though, he still didn't like the idea of her dating. She was too young…or, or just too naïve. He winced at that last thought, knowing full well it would never go over well with his best friend. She was just too…something. He was surprised her parents didn't see it the same way he did.

"Mmhm, I'm keeping an open mind. Dave is nicer than I expected. He takes everything in stride. That's probably what I like best about him. Plus, he's a travelling doctor. I think he's really swell."

Nick made like he was gagging. Swell? Who even used that word anymore? He would have chuckled under different circumstances, maybe even teased her a bit. Instead, he found his claws digging into the pages of his comic.

"Well, I'll try to visit as soon as I get some adequate free time from my boss. Hmm?" She giggled. "Yes, I promise. I want to see my new brothers and sisters after all!"

Nick couldn't help but look up as they all gave each other vocal smooches. What a weird family, but it was amazing how they still found time for the bunny who moved to Zootopia. He was a bit envious of her when it came to that. After Judy hung up, she found him staring at her, a half smile on his face. She played with her paws. "You know…family."

"I didn't say a single word," Nick said, turning a page for the sake of it.

"It's obvious you were thinking about something. You had a sly smile on your face."

"I just thought you guys were—"

"You better not say it, Wilde!" Judy said, springing from her seat to where he was in order to cover his mouth with one of her paws. They both stilled for a beat, staring into each other's eyes. Judy cleared her throat and slowly moved her paw away.

"I was only going to say adorable." Nick said, once he got his bearings back. He knew her freaking out had to do with the word 'cute'.

Judy scoffed. "Yeah, right you were. I know you better than that."

"You don't know me as well as you think you do, Carrots." Nick said, shaking his head, his eyes still on the comic he was no longer reading.

"I think I do, Nick," Judy said, her voice full of pride. "I'm sure I know you very well."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Because you're my best friend."

His eyes softened as he stared at her. "You're mine too, Judy. I think the two of us together, mostly thanks to me being as amazing as I am, make a fantastic team."

She swatted his arm. "I think you mean thanks to my intelligence? I'm usually always a step ahead of you."

He stared at her smug as he held up the carrot pen. Her mouth dropped open as he pressed the button. "I think I'm pretty lucky to have him as a partner."

She gasped. "Hey! Give me that!"

"No, way! This is evidence!" He said, holding it out of her reach. She fell on top of him, but continued to reach out for the pen.

"Why do you…always catch me with my guard down?" She asked, making a grab for the pen and missing by a lot. He chuckled.

"Because you're just way too honest, Carrots. You don't have a poker face."

She glared at him. "I do so have a poker face. If I recall, I was able to outsmart you a few times."

"A fluke. It happens." He said, shrugging as best he could with her body weight on top of him. She shifted, their noses gently touching alerting them to their close proximity. They both paused, his arm with the pen still stretched out behind him, and her arm still reaching towards it. Judy felt her cheeks warm as she sat up quickly.

"Fine, you win this time," she said, looking away from him. Nick chuckled, sitting up.

"As I would every time, Whiskers."

"Every time, my badge." Judy murmured under her breath. She glanced at Nick, his eyes half lidded and she felt her heart do a small flip in her chest. So what if he was handsome…for a fox? She didn't care about that. "Hey, Nick? Have you had a first kiss before?" The question was out before she fully computed what she was asking him. When it sunk in, she immediately wanted to crawl under a rock, but best friends ask these sort of questions…right?

"Where exactly is this line of questioning coming from?" Nick asked, surprised. Oh no, maybe they didn't?

"Uh, that is, I'm uh, only being curious?" She said, turning from him again. He studied her for a bit, a smirk crossing his features.

"Is this because you choked when the moment came with Day-vid?" He asked with a teasing tone.

"His name is Dave and no!" She said quickly, blushing brightly.

"I see," Nick said, in disbelief. "Since this is only coming from an area of pure curiosity I suppose I can answer it. Yes, I've kissed before."

"Oh," her ears drooped and she nibbled on her bottom lip. Nick found himself slightly entranced. "Did you like it?"

"Hmm? Oh, um, I guess I did?" he shrugged. "It was..nice. It is kissing after all."

"So you would do it again?"

He stared at her baffled. "Why do you ask?"

She shrugged. "Curiosity."

"Hmm, you are really curious tonight, huh? Maybe we can settle that a little." Nick said, tapping his chin as if in thought.

Judy tilted her head perplexed. "What do you mean?"

"What would you say to practicing kissing with me?"

"Huh?" Judy squeaked, staring at Nick with large amethyst eyes. Her heartbeat quickened.

"Isn't that an idea?" Nick said, moving closer to her. "I'm sure there's plenty I could teach you."

"Well…that may be true, but…"

"Shhh." He said, silencing her with a finger. Staring deeply into her eyes to the point where she nearly forgot to breathe. "Just let it happen…"

Her heart was thumping erratically. She had never been this close to Nick for this long. It made her feel tummy feel all weird and fluttery. Without thinking, she lashed out with her foot, kicking him hard in the gut, which made his eyes widen and ears go straight down. "Oh, my gosh! I'm so sorry, Nick!"

"No…" He said, completely winded. "It was…my fault for teasing you. Sorry, Whiskers."

"Still that's no excuse for hurting my partner." She murmured, blushing. There was a part of her that wanted to take back the last few moments and take Nick up on his offer. If she weren't so clumsy, she would know what a kiss was like. She took in the pained look on Nick's face. What kissing him would be like. That thought made her cheeks flame even brighter. What was she even thinking?

"I'm okay. Next time, I know to stay out of range of your deadly honed feet."

"Next time?" She asked, quirking an eyebrow. "You're going to try kissing me again?" She asked, shyly. It was nothing more than a basic interest. She really could use a little practice and Nick seemed interested in helping her out with this. That was all. What more could there be to it?

"Well, that is—" The shrill ringing of his cell phone made him stop speaking. He looked at the caller id quickly, before furrowing a brow.

"It's my mother."

Judy was surprised by this. Except for brief bit's here and there, Nick normally spoke about his parents in the past tense. It was to the point she had assumed that they had passed. She wondered why he hardly brought them up, but didn't want to pry. She figured he would tell her in due time, whenever he was ready.

"Hello? This is quite a surprise…yes, I figured this wasn't just a simple social call." He paused. Judy could just barely make out a feminine voice coming from the other side. She was talking fast, frantically really, and Judy could just make out only certain words that didn't add up to anything much.

"What?" Nick asked in a whisper, standing up, his eyes wide. The phone slipped from his grasp falling to the ground. "No way."

A/N: Dun, dun, dun! A cliffhanger! But I won't keep the suspense up for long. Promise! I just always wanted to write one and I figured Nick's estranged parents was a great way to write my first one. x3 I rarely see anyone writing about his parents here, and I don't remember them dying in the movie unless I missed/forgot that part. Anyway, for the purposes of this fanfiction they are alive. I hope you guys like where I go from this point out! Thanks soooo much for being amazing! I love all of the reviews and the favorites/follows are ridiculous! I love you all so much! I'll be updating sooner now that I'm feeling so much better. (:

Thanks again! Destiny