Day 2

Nick didn't get much sleep. The soreness in his side coupled with the unfamiliar surroundings kept him awake. Surprisingly enough the house was quiet for most of the night. He didn't know how they did it, but Judy and her parents got every rambunctious little bunny to sleep. The idea of ten kids was crazy to him but over two hundred, under one roof? It was almost enough to scare him away from having little ankle-biters. He would have slept easier if Judy were with him though.

She still didn't tell her parents about them, and it started to worry him. Was she scared, was she ashamed because he was what he was. Of course she wasn't ashamed of him, she said that she wanted to try. It bewildered him nonetheless, and now he really had to pee. He threw the covers off him with a mighty yawn and groggily sauntered towards the bedroom door. Surprisingly the hallways were quiet, well not entirely. There were choices voices and the sound of clinking dished coming from down the hall. He tried to remember where she said the bathroom was, it wasn't supposed to be that far down the hallway. Then again he couldn't tell left from right in this labyrinthine Rabbit hole. He went left, trusting his instinct and bladder.

After walking past a few doors he didn't really bother to count he came to one that seemed different from the rest. It was painted differently, and he could see where the carpet and linoleum meet just under it. Looks like he found his destination. He opened the door, and was assaulted by wave after wave of steam rushing out to the cold air. "Who's there?"

"Sorry, I'll find another Lou." Nick backed up.

"Nick?"

"Carrots? Hey, looks like I found the right place. And you thought I'd get lost."

"Actually, the one I told you to use was right next to my room."

"Oh..." He didn't know if he should step in or try to rush back down the hall.

"How do you like it here so far?" She said over the popping smack of water hitting the tub.

"It's not that bad. I think we'd be able to ride out an asteroid impact down here."

"Say that again?" She yelled over the water.

"I said I'm coming here if there's ever an apocalypse!" It was faint but he heard a chuckle. He hesitated some. "Hey, did... Did you tell your parents about the thing that we are?"

"What?" She giggled.

"Sorry, brain is still in bed... Did you talk to your parents about me and you being, y'know..."

"Oh..." Her silence was the only answer Nick needed.

"Are you going to tell them, or do I have to?"

"No, no... I'll tell them, it'll be better if they hear or from me anyway."

"Okay, now I really have to go!" Nick shut the door and ran down the hallway.

"Go where?" Silence "Nick?" She sighed and turned the shower water off. Nick didn't understand. There is no one in the world more terrified of predators, especially Foxes, in the world. She was glad that her Mom took him in without any major fuss, even though she was more than nervous when Nick was eating dinner last night. Judy couldn;t blame her. It was fascinating yet terrifying to see a predators razor sharp for her Dad, he didn't come home last night, probably had to help out their neighbors with their crop. Her dad hasn't met Nick yet, and knowing her mom she didn't tell him that they were coming out had arrived. "AAAAH!" *thud*

"Oh no..." She threw on her towel and bolted out the floor. She ran down the hall and saw Nick face down on the floor with her parents panicking.

"Stu! What. The. Heck!?" Her mom shouted.

"What! I see this random Fox walking around, what am I going to think?"

"You didn't have to pull out your taser! Why on earth do you have the darn thing?!"

"Just in case I-"

"Nick!" Judy gasped.

"Judy? You know this Fox?" Her dad asked with a hint of remorse.

"That's what I've been trying to tell you Stu!" Her mom shouted. One of the little bunnies surrounding them started poking Nick's ear.

"Is he dead?" The little one asked.

"No Johnny," her mom picked him up. They all stared at Nick in silence. "Well is anyone gonna help the poor fella up?"

Judy tightened her towel and took hold of Nick's good side, her Dad took up his bad side. "Careful Dad, he's still sore." With a heave they lifted the groggy Fox to his feet. He stood as if he were stricken with a hangover. "Nick... Are you okay?"

"Y-Yeah, Carrots... I'm cool..." He groaned.

"Carrots?" Her Dad mumbled.

"Right," Judy cleared her throat. "Are you sure you're okay Nick?"

"Mhm, hey does anyone else smell burnt fur?" He looked down at his stomach where the taser left a brown blotch. "That's just Dandy..."

"I'll take him back to bed." Judy draped his paw over her shoulder.

"Thanks Carrots..." As they walked away her Dad wrinkled his nose at the Nickname. Carrots? What kind of ignorant, intolerant game was he playing at? Calling his Daughter Carrots?

"Fluffy Fox! Fluffy Fox!" Kate shouted while chasing down the hall after Nick and Judy.

"Katie come back! He's hurt, remember?" Hannah shouted as she ran after her little sister.

In the Kitchen, Bonnie and Stu were preparing a snack for some of the kits. Bonnie was slicing apples with an unsteady mind. She suspected that there was something Judy didn't tell her. It wasn't anything bad, but it could pose a big problem. And it had to do with Nick... She trusted him enough to explore the house as long as Judy kept a watchful eye over him. She hated that she couldn't trust him, she wanted to more than anything. He's charismatic, good with the kits, and he has a irresistible charm, but at his core he was still a predator, her predator. "Bon, can you hear me?" Stu asked.

"Hm, oh. What is it hun?"

"I was saying, did you hear what that Fox called Judy?"

"What, Carrots?" Bonnie asked.

"Yes!" Bonnie shook her head and continued to slice the apples. "Don't you think that may be a little offensive?"

"If it doesn't bother Judy then I really couldn't care." She ran the next apple under warm water. "I think it's cute."

"How is calling someone a racial stereotype cute?" He moved a plate of celery stalks with peanut butter to the side and began to chop the heads off of carrots.

"Because, it shows that they are comfortable enough with each other to joke about what they are perpetuated as." She began to slice the apple. "I bet she calls him sly or slick."

"I suppose you're right, but still. It's the principal matter that she's a Bunny, and he calls her carrots. That's like calling a Bear salmon or something." He began to aggressively cut the carrots. Bonnie put the half cut apple down and wrapped her arms around the back of her husband.

"I know it's bothering you that there is a Fox in the burrow."

"I understand that we're supposed to be more tolerant of predators, but I just can't shake this feeling in my gut Bon..."

"I can't either Stu, but I trust our daughter's judgement. If she trusts him, then we just have to try and trust him too."

"Alright," Stu sighed. "But really that 'Carrots' thing has got to stop."

"Oh Stu," Bonnie giggled.

"What, I'm more serious than a Vegetable Weevil infestation."

"I know hun," she kissed his cheek. "I know..." They continued to prepare snacks for the kits when Nick and Judy entered the room.

"Hi Dad."

"Heya Jude." He flinched when he saw Nick. "What's up?"

"Well, I thought since your last meeting didn't go so well, maybe you guys could try again." Nick looked at Stu with a sheepish toothy grin that sent his heart racing with fear. "Go ahead," she nudged Nick's arm.

"Right uh," Nick Cleared his throat. "H-Hello," His voice cracked. "Hello Mr. Hopps, I am Nicholas Wilde." Nick held out his hand. Stu glanced back at Bonnie.

"Stuart Matheny Hopps, Mr. Wilde..." He shook Nick's hand, shuddering at the feeling of his pawpads. When he first shook hands with Gideon, his rough paws sent chills down his spine. "B-But you can cal me Stu." He smiled nervously. Nick followed up with his own, flashing those razor sharp, Bunny shredding teeth. "So you come from the city?" He slightly jerked his hand away.

"I've lived there my whole life."

"Okay, okay... Well, welcome to the country," He nervously chuckled. "No flashing lights, honking cars, and organized crime. Safe and out of the way."

"I have to say, it's more than I expected."

"Hope you didn't think we lived off well water and outhouses." They shared a laugh. "Oh boy, well. Sorry about tasing you back there."

"Eh, I've been grounded before." Judy snorted trying to suppress her laugh and her mom giggled.

"Stuff like that gets her all of the time." Nick grinned.

"It was one of those that was so bad it's funny," Judy dismissed.

"So, Judy. Do you have anything you wanna tell your parents?" Judy shot him an annoyed look. The thing was, she didn't want her parents or anyone to know yet. Society can be unrelenting in it's definition of who it thinks you are. Chances are that when she tells, there is going to be a gigantic uproar that won't see a pleasant end.

"I am going to take Nick around town, and I... I- where do you think I should take him?"

"I dunno, Market's a start..." Bonnie suggested.

"Good idea, I'm sure they have good fox food there. Wait, take him to Gideon's bakery. He might find some common ground with the big fella."

"Thanks Dad, come on Nick." She grabbed his tie and hastily pulled him out. Stu exasperatedly sighed, holding his hand to his chest.

"Are you okay Hun?" Bonnie asked with worry.

"I'll be fine, but man. I didn't expect him to be that intimidating."

"He's not that scary..."

"He looks like he could bite me in two, I mean. Gideon is a big ball of fluff, him. I bet he could run me down without even trying."

"Firstly, he couldn't bite you in two," She patted his belly. "And if Judy trusts him, then we should give him a chance."

"It's not that I don't trust him. I'm still trying to get used to this whole predator prey comradery."

"I am too hun... You have to admit, they do look cute together."

"Yeah, they kinda- What?"

"What?" she looked around acting as is she was confused. "Did I say something wrong?"

"You said that they look cute together, what did you mean by that?"

"That they are adorable with how close of friends they are," She said plainly.

"Sorry, I thought you meant something different Bon." He took a drug of some juice from the fridge. "Tart, alright I'm off. I have to go check on the Midnicampum Holicithias."

"Why can't you say 'Night Howlers' like everyone else?" Bonnie sighed.

"Cause it makes me sound smart, and I love the way it rolls off the tongue." He gave her a kiss. "Bye BunBun..." She watched with a loving smile as he left. She loved that Bunny, but he was mortally oblivious. Call it mother's intuition, or just common knowledge of how women like her and her daughter operate. She picked up on Judy's feelings for Nick when they were at the Gazelle convert those months ago. The way she danced around him, grabbed his hands, and how he acted like they were in a ballroom as he twirled her around. It was nice to see that spark hasn't died...

It went against everything she was raised to believe. She wasn't going to state her upbringing and what she was taught to try and suede her. If the many novels she's read, and the years of experience, have taught her is that love is love and unless it's your love, leave it be. If things got that serious, could they have kids? Either way, Judy had better tell the truth before it was too late...

Judy drove down the worn streets keeping her eyes forward. Nick hadn't said a word or even attempted to crack a lame joke that she would find hilarious. He sat there, his arms folded as the small town rolled by.

Judy took a deep breath. "Nick, I know you're mad, and I know why. But-"

"But what...?" His voice low and cold.

"I-I... Look, I..."

"Lemme stop you there," he turned to her. "So you don't want to tell them that you're dating a predator because you're trying to save face? Are you serious?" Judy sunk into the drivers seat. "You're Zootpia's first Bunny cop, Bunny! Most of those crooks would be picking you out of their feet, I've actually seen it happen before..." He crossed his arms and turned back to the window. "I'm telling them when we get back..." Judy slammed in the brakes sending Nick's muzzle into the dashboard. "Carrot's, what the hell!"

"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention. I almost ran that stop sign," She cringed.

"What does it matter, in a town this small the Sheriff's probably off somewhere 'wetting his whistle'." He rubbed his nose.

"Hey, Sheriff Odis isn't an alcoholic! He does smoke like a chimney though... Surprised he can still run let alone breathe" The engine hummed and they were moving again. "And as for my parents, I'll handle them okay. I panicked back at the house. You did kinda put me on spot."

"Eh... Still, you're gonna have to tell them eventually."

"I will okay." She poked his snout. Nick snorted and frowned. "You know I love you right?" She gave him a soft smile with a flutter of her eyes. Nick immediately turned away. "Come on ya big dumb Fox. You know you love me~" She let go of the wheel and began to nuzzle up against his side.

"Okay, okay, I love you. Jeez, if you get any cuter-" Judy frowned. "If you get any more adorable, I'm gonna have a heart palpitation or something." Nick rubbed her head. "Hey, why did we stop?"

"We're here." It wasn't much more than Nick expected really, just a little Mom and Pop akin pie shop on the corner of what appeared to be a busy street. Whatever was considered busy out here. He couldn't lie though, the smell of fresh baked sweets tickled his nose. As they entered, Apple, pecan, sweet potato, and key lime pie danced around in his nostrils. His mouth watered and his stomach howled loud enough for Judy to hear. "Sounds like someone didn't eat breakfast." She teased.

"A predator faced with nothing but lettuce and carrots. I know you guys don't eat meat, but you can try and help a guy out..." The entered the shop. The cool conditioned air caught Nick by surprise.

"Nick, I've never seen you eat meat. It's either blueberries or whatever junk you have at home."

"I usually eat fish and chicken, but I have to be courteous to my prey/vegetarian girlfriend." They came up to the front desk where a female Fox stood with her back turned talking to someone on the phone. She was a medium build with some curves. She looked to have had muscle, not to much or too little, and she had a cute ponytail... Oh and a perky butt too. He may be taken but ain't no shame in window shopping.

"Hi Vikki!" Judy called to her. She turned around and looked down at Judy with a smile.

"Howdy Judy!" She chirped with exuberance. "I heard that you was back in town. How's the big city treatin' ya?"

"Horrible traffic, the people even more so, and writing tickets. Living the dream."

"At least it's better than having to deal with idiots all day. I know I shouldn't be that way, but some of these guys. Whew, they'd make a rotten stump look like Whinestein..." she checked out Nick who was looking over the menus and specials. "Who's your friend. He was surprised at first, then he donned his trademark grin.

"Nick Wilde." He could tell that he hit it just right.

"Victoria Gray, but most call me Vikki," she replied bashfully

"Vikki the Vixen, I like that."Judy shot daggers at Nick.

"Can I get you-"

"We! Would like a large blueberry pie," Judy interrupted.

"Anything else for you Judy?" She asked, glancing at Nick.

"No thank you."

*Tic Tic ding!*" "That's going to be Seventeen Sevnty six." Judy's eyes went wide.

"Really, for one pie?" She asked as she pulled out her wallet.

"I'd expected a place that bakes fresh goodies in house would chage as much." Nick pulled a solid twenty out of his shirt pocket. "Keep the change..."

"Ooh, such a gentleman." She went through a doorway that they expected led to the kitchen. "Daddy! Giddy! I've got an order." She disappeared behind the wall.

"She's nice huh? What do you think Carrots?" Judy didn't look at him. She peered over the counter, a tight frown on her face. "Carrots? Judy?" She punched him in the side. "OW! Sonuva... That was the bad side!" He said as he made sure she didn't knock anything out of place.

"I know..." Judy replied coldly. Nick was confused before he pieced it together.

"So you actually do care..." He rubbed his throbbing ribs.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Judy scoffed.

"I mean, you obviously care enough about our relationship to get jealous, but you can't come clean to your parents..."

"That's different. You flirted with another woman In. My. Face!" Judy faced him with anger.

"I wasn't flirting..."

"Like hell you weren't!" Her foot began to thump.

"You know how I am. Natural good looks, comfortable approachable personality. Tell me that's not me, she just found it charming." She crossed her arms and turned away from him, her foot still thumping. Nick hugged her from behind. She wanted to jerk away from him. "Judy, I love you. You're the first person in my life to believe in me. The real me, and the fact that you're so angry over some harmless flirting-"

"So you were flirting!"

"That's besides the point. I'm glad that you love me enough to get angry with me for talking to another female. Tells me that you love me too." Her foot slowly stopped and her frown softened. She looked up into his deep Emerald eyes. It amazed that even though he always had that forced smug look, his eyes could tell you how he was feeling. "You forgive me?"

"Yeah, I forgive you..." They shared a quick kiss before sitting at a nearby table. This was all unfamiliar to Judy. Usually she'd bring home a Bunny to show to her parents, not that she did it often. The ones that she tried for all wanted one thing: Her to be a stay at home Baby cannon... No disrespect to her mother and others like them, but she doesn't want to be a housewife. As tiring and stressful as her job is, she loved it and she loved spending time with Nick. "You alright Carrots?"

"Hm? Yeah, just thinking..." She played with her hands.

"You don't do the existential thing Carrots. It'll be fine."

"You don't know my parents... Remember the Fox repellent?"

"Yes..." Nick growled.

"They gave me that, and they tried to give me a Fox taser. The same one my dad used on you this morning..." Nick sighed and fell back into his chair.

"So they hate Foxes, is that it?"

"No, they're more 'deeply terrified' of predators. My mom is more open-minded. That's why she didn't mind you staying in the burrow overnight. My dad probably would have watched you while you slept," she chuckled. Nick pinched the bridge of his snout.

"No matter where we go, Foxes always get the business end of the sh-"

"Hey y'all!" A husky male voice called. Gideon came towards them with a big smile and stains on his apron.

"Gideon, hey." Judy greeted while Nick watched the much larger Fox approach with wide eyes. He expected someone his size, maybe a bit larger and muscular. No one he couldn't take in a fair fight, but this guy. He was a big fluffy tank with a nasty comb over. Like, it wasn't so bad that it looked good. It was just... Why? "This is my special friend Nick." Nick extended his hand, regretting it instantly. Gideon had the grip of a Boa Constrictor. Guess you get that from kneading dough and pye crusts all day.

"Pleasure to meet ya Buddy." He let go of Nick's hand.

"You too Big Fella..." Nick rubbed his hand.

"How's it been going? I bet working in the big city is more than exciting."

"Exciting... Is one way to put it," Judy chuckled. "It is way different than here. Mega buildings. Mega animals, and even tiny buildings with tiny animals."

"Wait, none of you have ever been to Zootopia?" Nick asked, dumbfounded.

"Aside from Judy, no. I know none of my family has had the gumption to go to the city," Gideon said as he pulled up a chair. "We's a buncha country Foxes," he chuckled.

"And my family is too scared of predators to live there...

"Can you tell me something about Zootopia Nick? I didn't get to ask Judy the last time she was here."

"I'll tell you just about what I know."

Judy was having a panic attack. She had been pacing since her and Nick came home. Luckily Kate was starting to take a liking to him, so that should keep him occupied until she finds out what to do. The right, and blatantly obvious, thing to do is just tell them. They can tell her she can't be with him, but they can silently judge. Besides, how would they react? Would they be happy, shocked, angry?

Why now is she worried of what others think of her and her actions. She's the smallest thing on the force, and probably the best but she didn't like to brag. So why is it so hard to tell her loving, compassionate, parents that she's the first, yet again, to date a Fox . She's always the frontrunner, taking on new ideas and challenges that others wouldn't dare to. In all honesty it was terrifying. That gut feeling, that primordial fear. Even though she loved him, it always found a way to fog up her judgement. She's still trying to get used to kissing him, but that's not the point. She had to tell her parents and they may not like that. There was a knock on her door.

"Jude the dude, how are ya feeling?" Her Dad asked with exuberance.

"I'm... fine," she sighed.

"Are you certain? Your ears are real low."

"I'm okay Dad, really. I'm a little 'ugh' at the moment..."

"It's not-"he cleared his throat. " 'Lady Issues', is it?"

"Lady... what? No Dad, it's the complete opposite," Judy giggled.

"Oh sorry... Is it anything your old man can help you with?" He adjusted his hat and grabbed his overall straps. This was it, now or never.

"Yeah, there's something that I have to tell you and mom..."

"Want me to go get her?" Stu asked tenderly.

"Yeah, that'd be nice."

"Be right back Jude." She collapsed on the bed trying not to cave under the unwanted amount of pressure that was weighing down on her. Nick was right. She should have fessed up before there babe here, months before they came. "Hey, Jude. You'll never believe who's here!" Her Dad came running in with a great big smile.

"Who?" Judy shot up.

"Ebenezer!" Judy put on a fake smile.

"Wow dad, that's great," She forced through clenched teeth.

"Come on, say hi!" This could not be happening right now. She had to be in some crappy cliché romantic comedy, just take out the comedy and replace it with contrived coincidences. Ebenezer Hareis. A muscle bound farm boy who's father was a close friend of the family until cancer took his life. And the number one candidate for her future husband. She tried to date him once, and despite him being a meathead by appearance, he was actually very intelligent and down to Earth. He didn't want to be with Judy because she was, and I quote "Too strong for a woman.". They tried to date when she was in the academy and he couldn't handle how she was able to beat him at arm wrestling. Her Dad loves the boy, and now he just so happened to pop up at the wrong time.

There he was. Hair slicked up with gel, A plaid shirt that looked as is it were about to pop, and jeans with holes at each knee. "Well if it ain't Judy!" He came up to her standing at about Nick's height. "I haven't seen you since you left for the city. How's the police gig treating ya?"

"It's not a gig persay, but it's working out fine. I know you heard about the Nighthowlers."

"Yeah, that was insane. You and that pardner of yours did some good work," he complimented. "Never knew a Fox could be that brave," he muttered just loud enough for her to hear. Nick walked into the room with Sarah on his shoulders, Kate on his tail, and Steven punching his leg with all of his little Bunny might.

"Who's that?" Ebenezer asked with caution.

"That's Nick, my partner..." Judy wish she had brought her gun.

"Uh, hey... Is this a bad time? Cause I can-"

"No, no, I was going to come get you anyway. Kids, we're about to have a grown-up talk okay," Judy orders.

"Eugh, that means that they're gonna talk about bills and taxes. Come on, let's go outside," Steven ran to the door.

"Don't stay out too long. It's gonna get dark soon," Bonnie cautioned. Sarah ran after her cousin, and several other bunnies came pouring out from behind Nick. All except little Kate.

"Hey little one," Nick lifted his tail. "You gotta go."

"Aw, do I have to?" Kate pouted.

"Don't worry. This tail will be here for you when you get back." Kate hesitated but she key go and went to join the others. "She really loves my tail. Half the time I don't even know that she's on there until I hear giggling or snoring, usually both."

"So, what's eating you Jude?" Her dad asked. Judy swallowed hard. Why was this so damn difficult? All she had do was tell them that she's dating a fox. It's like ripping off tape That your brothers very meticulouly placed on your forehead. She looked at Nick. He knew why they were here, he knew that this was now or never. He have her a smile and a nod.

"Mom, Dad... You knew that ever since I was little that I was different. As much as it frightened and confused you, you accepted it and accepted me. And I hope that you'll do the same in this situation." Bonnie and Stu shared confused looks while Ebenezer started on lost. "During me time in Zootopia, I met some interesting people. And... As I met more and more people I came upon someone who stole my love and adoration."

"Are you saying that you found a boyfriend?" Her dad asked.

"Well...shit..." Ebenezer whispered to himself.

"Yes... I-I have."

"That's great Jude! What kind of bunny is he or she?"

"Stu!" Bonnie chided.

"What?"

"He's not a girl, and..." She looked back to Nick for reassurance. "And, he's not a Bunny either..." Stu's smile was gone but Bonnie's began to grow. "He's..."she took a deep breath. "He's right behind me..." Silence saturated the room. Stu and Ebenezer were frozen while Bonnie wore a prideful smile.

"I think I'm goonna go. It was nice seeing y'all." Ebenezer left so fast you'd think his shadow would have been left behind. Stu looked at Bonnie who acted in false surprise.

"Judy, you're not usually joking type," Stu nervously chuckled. "You are joking... Right?"

"I'm not-"

"She's not joking Mr. Hoops.," Nick stepped in. "I know it's taboo, but I think it'll work."

"Taboo is putting it lightly!" Stu retorted. "And YOU think it will work?!"

"Stu please..."

"How are you so calm about this Bon?"

"Well, I kind of expected it."

"What?" Stu and Judy exclaimed. Nick's eyes went wide.

"Stu, Judy said it. She's been different since she was a kit, but look at what she's done. She's an actual police office, and she's amazing at it from what I gather. She saved an entire city from basically civil war."

"That's different. She's dating a predator, HER predator!"

"And what's wrong with that?!"

"Everything! I understand friends, but dating? Courtship, mates, it's not right."

"I've seen plenty of-"

"Don't say a word Fox!" he said as if Nick were a foul creature.

"Dad!" Judy defended.

"Look, I've been lenient towards eventing you've done over your entire life. Putting tired in harm's way is something that I'm still having difficulty coming to grips with. But this is just... just unnatural. I don't know what goes on in that city, but wet don't do that here." Tears began to well up in Judy's eyes but she fought them back.

"Thank you for your support..." Judy stormed out of the door but not without giving Stu a scowl. Nick quickly followed behind but he didn't even acknowledge Stu.

"Things aren't the same as when we grew up. The world is changing Stu... And you can think about how much it has changed while you're sleeping with the kits." She followed behind Nick and Judy leaving Stu standing alone with nothing but regret.