Chapter 4 – Next day

Even though it was Saturday and Judy had the day off, she couldn't help but wake up at the crack of dawn. She leaped out of bed and went through her typical morning routine. Freshly washed with clean teeth, she bounded out of her apartment.

Judy appeared at Nick's apartment door, carrying some freshly baked blueberry muffins she picked up on her way over. She knocked on the door, receiving no response. Judy drew out her spare key and let herself into Nick's apartment.

Nick's place was a mess. Judy couldn't decide if it looked more like the place had been robbed or if a fight had broken out. Nick's small table was turned on its side, with poker chips and playing cards scattered on the floor. Joining the poker game debris were several empty beer cans. Judy studied the scene a moment before spying her favorite fox passed out on the couch. Nick was lying on his stomach, his tongue hanging out, limbs splayed out at odd angles, snoring.

Judy shook her head, made a detour over to Nick's small kitchen and filled a glass of water. She tip-pawed over to Nick's sleeping form and dumped the entire glass on his head.

Nick startled awake, swinging his head in all directions looking for his attacker. Judy could help but laugh at Nick's surprised expression and his wet fur sticking out at odd angles. Her giggles gave away her position hidden behind the back of the couch. Nick rounded on her, paws held up menacingly. "You're sooooooooooooo in trouble!"

Judy held up the bag of muffins between them, "Truce?"

Nick inhaled, "Blueberry muffins?"

"You know it!" Judy said, tossing Nick a muffin.

Nick sat down on his now damp couch, straightening his mussed fur with one paw and shoving the muffin in his mouth with the other. "Shtill noaht oahk," Nick grumbled through a full mouth.

"You know you can't stay mad at me," Judy replied while batting her eyes, drawing another grumble from Nick.

"So, my guess is that Finnek and Heath got in a fight after an accusation of cheating," Judy said turning to look at the trashed apartment. She knew that Finnek, despite his tiny size, was quick to start a fight if he thought someone was taking advantage of him. She also knew that Heath, a Bengal Fox, was a well-known card-shark.

"Great power of deduction there, Carrots," Nick replied with a smirk, placing a paw over his heart. "However, if you had come up last night you could have defended my honor. My so-called pals refuse to believe that I've changed my ways and would no longer cheat at cards!"

"And have you?" Judy said, raising her eyebrow.

"How, could you say that!" Nick responded with a hurt voice. "And here I thought you would have told my fellow foxes what an upstanding citizen I am!"

"As if they would believe me!" Judy scoffed. "Every time I see Finnek, he still brandishes a baseball bat at me!"

"Is that why you didn't come up last night?" Nick inquired slyly. "Afraid to be in a room full of foxes?"

"No! Just like you didn't come with me last night because you're not afraid to be around a bunch of bunnies!" Judy retorted.

"Hey, Carrots. I'm not afraid of a bunch of bunnies, it's them that's afraid of me!" Nick spat out before he could stop himself.

Judy threw her paws in the air. "I knew it! You thought they would be afraid of you! Is this why you never come home with me? Scared that your mere presence would throw all the poor helpless bunnies into a frightened tizzy!" Judy's asked sarcastically.

"You telling me it wouldn't!" Nick replied disgustedly, "Even you aren't comfortable around more than one fox!"

"That's not true and you know it!" Judy's ears flared behind her and her nose began to twitch. "And yes, some bunnies and other prey animals might feel uncomfortable around you! Did you ever consider that the only way to change their minds is to actually show up so they have the opportunity to get to know you! But I don't care what any other animal thinks, I wanted you to come last night for my sake! I want you to come home with me because I want my family and friends to know you. Because I'm proud to be your friend! Sometimes…, sometimes you act like you're ashamed to be my partner, and it hurts!"

There was a silence after Judy's tirade, her anger trailing off into hurt and sadness, causing her to cross her arms and look away from Nick in order to prevent the tears forming in her eyes to fall. Nick gaped at her for a moment, this being the second time in their friendship that one had truly hurt the other. This time it was Nick's fault. At this realization, Nick lowered his head in shame.

"Can you forgive me for being just another dumb fox, Judy?" Nick said quietly, glancing up at her without raising his head.

Judy just shot him an annoyed glance, the unshed tears still in her eyes. His rare use of her name was not enough to excuse his deceit.

Nick sighed, he should have known better than to expect to get out of this that easily. "Your wrong about one thing, I'm not ashamed to have you as my partner. I'm more proud of earning your trust and friendship than anything I've ever done in my life." He stole another glance at her, but did not observe any change. He continued, voice nearly breaking, "I'm sorry I wasn't up front with you. I know I shouldn't let others opinions stop me, especially from being there for you. I'll try to be… braver, and more honest in the future."

"So you'll come home with me to Bunny Burrow next time?" Judy asked finally looking at Nick.

"Anything for you, Carrots." Nicked smiled sadly as Judy finally relented and beckoned him to give her a hug.

"Silly fox, so emotional." Judy murmured as Nick wrapped his arms around her and placed his head on top of hers.

After they broke their embrace, Judy wiped the tears from her eyes as Nick asked her, "So how was the big dinner anyway?"

Judy launched into the full account of her evening, Nick enjoying her enthusiastic story telling. When she told Nick about Dr. Fleet's request for her to visit his sick kits, Nick's ears flattened against the back of his skull. Even though Judy had left out how the golden furred rabbit had made her blush, Nick couldn't help but notice how Judy corrected herself, "Harrison, I mean Dr. Fleet." Judy, failing to notice, asked Nick if he would come with her to the hospital when she went to visit.

Nick replied nonchalantly, "Anything for sick kits, Carrots."

Adding in his head, "No way I'm letting you meet this Harrison guy again without me!"