A/N: A special thanks to ScaraMedn and Kt_valmiri for beta reading and editing. Another thanks to Mooseman from DeviantArt for letting me bring his original character Jason into the mix. And of course, a huge thank you to everyone who reads. Much appreciated, from the bottom of my heart!

…..

The rest of the afternoon was a happy blur. As it got later, the line was no longer out of control, though it stayed steady. There was enough time for Jon and Jack to replenish the baked goods and keep the counter staff on their toes. Skye handled it like a pro, her sweet charm and beauty putting everyone ease. Any customers who showed trepidation towards her or Kari had their fears dispelled after only a few words with the lovely vixens.

Both Jack and Bobby found themselves glaring at other males who offered to spend their free time with them. Needless to say, Sandra and Jon had a ball with teasing the pair. Kendall and Lucian, the mink and grey squirrel (respectfully) who worked on call for Jack, didn't need to be brought up to speed, both capable of filling in the blanks.

Judy was excused not too long after and she bounced up the stairs to get ready for her …date.

Jack tried not to cringe at the thought of it. He had enough younger siblings that the idea of one of them going on dates wasn't new or even strange. It was just the fact that it was Judy. His little Bun-Bun. Someone so different from the family they grew up with, the idea of her being interested in intimacy seemed wrong. Part of him was so used to her dismissing dates that it shocked him, especially when someone she claimed to hate got through.

Tom and Maple would have a field day with his reaction. It was just like Stu Hopps. So like his father, who cried for weeks whenever he found out one of his children were engaged. Stu cried at the drop of a hat over the smallest things where his kits were concerned and it made Jack anxious to think that he had inherited that trait. Another bout of denial told him he didn't.

But he found himself hard pressed to argue when his baby sister came down the stairs in a dress he knew his mother had snuck into her luggage. Her fur was carefully brushed and her lips a bit shinier than normal. His eyes grew misty as he watched her smooth a paw over the soft peach colored, cotton material as Skye walked around the counter to compliment her.

To his horror, a few tears fell as the vixen pulled her to the side with a mascara wand and a pocket mirror. She taught his sister how to apply it, straightened a strap on her dress, and then grinned over at him. Only to have it turn sympathetic at his emotions. Rolling his eyes, he left the kitchen doorway.

"Oh, you bunnies," Skye said with humor. "So emotional."

"I'm not made of stone," Jack said sadly. He smiled at her before turning to Judy.

Reaching into his pocket, a few bills were pulled out and passed to her. "These are your tips, be home by nine at the latest, and keep your cell phone on at all times. You hear me?"

Judy smiled and nodded. "Yes, Dad, I hear you loud and clear."

"I'm nothing like Dad," Jack argued without heat. He opened his arms and was comforted when his baby sister dove into them. "Have fun."

"Thank you, Jackie," she whispered as she pulled away.

The trio looked over to the door as the bells jingled, Nick walking through dressed in a nice pair of khakis and green, short-sleeved button down. His heart clenched as she drew in a breath at the sight of him. And Jack had to hand it to the kit: Nick looked sharp.

The todd waved and walked up, a nervous grin on his face.

"Hi," he greeted, green eyes on Judy, who grinned back at him. "You look …wow."

His sister blushed but didn't look away. "So do you."

The two stared at each other, grinning before Skye cleared her throat. Jack did a double take at the sight of the vixen's own eyes sparkling at her brother.

"All right you two," she said in slightly choked voice. "Get out of here and have fun."

Judy looked up and pointed at Jack, whose paw slipped into his jeans pocket.

"Don't call him!" she warned. With a sigh and laugh, the buck held up his paws in defeat.

"Then don't be late!" he warned back.

After hugs, the teens left for the door. Skye's smile faded as she watched them disappear. Jack put a paw on her's, causing her to jump and look down at it. He smiled sadly and jerked his head towards the back door. The cafe was slow enough for them to slip out for a few minutes.

"You ok?" he asked once they were in the relative quiet of the alleyway. Skye stood with her back to him, one paw on her hip the other clamped over her eyes. The distant sounds of musicians tuning their instruments at the bar behind them weren't enough to muffle the quiet sob he heard.

"Yeah," she said finally, if a little shaky. With a sniff she lowered her paw, keeping herself turned away while she cried. "It's just, Nick…. He looks so much like him. He has a lot of Mom, but…. sometimes it's hard to look at him and not see Dad, too."

He came up behind her carefully, as though afraid she would pull away if he moved to quickly. She gave a small start when his paws landed on her hips and slid over to her front. Though he couldn't see it, she smiled tearfully as he drew her to him and he buried his nose into her shirt.

Her paws covered his in a tender stroke, both swaying as the unseen band started to play.

"I love this song," she whispered as she closed her eyes.

"Me, too," he agreed. She turned in his arms and wrapped them around his neck, the pair of them dancing slowly to music as the sun set over The Perk.

…

"Wow…"

Nick looked down at her with a soft smile. She moved further into the museum, her eyes moving around the open space of the atrium. The windows had all been shuttered, every beam of setting sunlight blocked from entering. Lights were set at their dimmest to allow mammals to navigate to their spots for the lecture.

Ordinarily, there wouldn't be too much to look at.

In this case, however, the whole area was lit up with stars. Donated to the museum by an obscenely wealthy hippo, a large projector was set up in the center of the room. Loaded with the stars, planets, and constellations visible this time of year, it had been flicked on as a teaser for the mammals slowly filling in.

Trying to seem as casual as he could, Nick stopped beside a larger mat, not unlike the ones they sparred on that afternoon. With a happy grin, he lowered himself, stretching out on one side and giving the space next to him an inviting pat. Judy raised her brows at him and smiled as she took a seat next to him, careful not let her dress ride up.

"So, what is this?" She asked once they were comfortably laying under the projected night sky.

"Stargazing isn't very good in the city," he explained, folding his paws behind his head, eyes moving from star to star. "And most mammals are too busy to travel far enough to escape the light pollution. So, once a month, the museum does Star Night. They download a sky map and project it while an astronomer describes what we're looking at."

"That's so cool," she whispered, her voice laced with excitement. Pride filled him as he looked over at her.

"Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?" she breathed as the lights went out completely and the stars become more visible.

"Every time I look at you."

Whispered as quietly as it was, Nick felt himself flush when she turned to look at him. With shy smiles, they turned to focus on the presentation.

And she was the perfect audience. The todd found himself struggling to pay attention with Judy next to him. She was obviously listening to the bear leading Star Night, her own paws helping Nick point out some harder to spot star groups. But all too soon it was over and they found themselves filing out of the museum into the darkening streets of Savanna Central.

Judy tried to feel alarm at how nice it was to be there with him.

"So…" started Nick as he strolled next to her.

"So…?" she mimicked with a smiled as she watched him squirm at her question.

"Do you like me?" Part of her wasn't surprised at what he asked. But another part of her remembered their first meeting.

"When you're not being a complete jerk…" she responded, pausing under a street lamp to look up at him. She watched his ears fall at that as he turned to face her. The sudden embarrassment on his face made her muzzle curl into a grin.

"Yes. Yes, I do."

Nick looked at her with the same smile he had when he stole a kiss from her. It was exciting how it made her want him try it again. Maybe that's why she didn't move away as their muzzle inched closer. Because, for all his charm, he could really be such a dumb fox, spurred on by even dumber actions.

Or, in this current case, words.

"More than Kody?"

Withholding a laugh, she rolled her eyes and started walking again.

"Well…" She clasped her paws behind her and looked up at the dark sky, pretending to think. "I've only known him for a few hours and he has yet to call me cute. Or hustle me into an absurd bet. Or make a move without permission."

She finished with a pointed glance at the todd. His face was creased in a frown as he considered her words.

"Sounds boring." He gave a firm nod of his head, a satisfied smile on his face when she gave into laughter.

"It's called manners," she chided, her voice an over exaggerated

Zootropolis accent. "It is what gentle mammals possess, good sir, I must say!"

Nick gave a chuckle before putting on an air of over refined sophistication.

"Oh my, my little crumpet!" Judy snorted at that, watching the todd brush imaginary dust from his make-believe waistcoat. "How in HEAVEN'S name to do you put up with such GHASTLY individuals?"

He thrust an elbow out to her, bowing at the waist as she accepted it.

"To the ice cream shoppe, Lovey!" She laughed again as they sashayed down the sidewalk, arm in arm.

Judy laughed a lot that evening. She laughed every time Nick tipped an imaginary top hat to mammals passing them on the street. She laughed when they paused by a street magician who confused him with a card trick. And she laughed when the sly fox scooped her up without warning and gave an impressive leap over a flooded sidewalk curb.

Ice cream was purchased by Judy, though Nick had pulled his wallet out to stop her. Reminding him of the bet, she laughed again when he gave himself brain freeze. She laughed hard enough during the course of their outing that she missed the subtle glare Nick gave to those who huffed in disgust at them. But they were easy to forget about.

Because the laughter was addicting.

So, with paper cups filled with ice cream in their paws, the pair slowly made their way back to The Perk. The conversation tapered off as they ate, both of them trying to steal glances of the other and blushing when they were caught. Nick felt himself starting to become nervous again when they reach the front door of the shop, it lights dimmed to show it was closed for the night.

Mindful the many pairs of eyes on them, including Skye's and Jack's, the todd moved as close to Judy as he could without seeming too overbearing. He looked down at her, watching as another bite of ice cream vanished. She smiled around her spoon, pulling it clean and setting it in the now empty container.

"So…" she started.

"So…." he repeated.

"This is me."

Nick laughed at the cliche line, both looking towards their audience who watched them in suspense, not even pretending to clean the vacant cafe.

"I had a great time tonight." The observation had her looking down shyly before raising her eyes again.

"Me too, Nick. And I was thinking… Well… It wouldn't be too terrible if we did this again…" Her ears suddenly dropped, though not before he spotted the tinge of pink inside them.

"I would like that," the todd whispered, stepping closer.

Inside the cafe, Jon stood behind the counter and clenched his apron.

"Kiss her, you idiot!" he muttered anxiously. Two paws shot out to smack him upside the head. Jack and Skye scowled at him, though for very different reasons.

The group collectively held their breaths as the two teens stared at each other. As one, shouts of either victory or disappointment echoed into the deserted space as Judy shot up to plant a kiss on Nick's cheek. Breaking away from their spots, paws were shaken and money exchanged.

As the jingling of the bells sounded, everyone gave another cheer at the sight of the young bunny doe stroking her blushing ears. With an embarrassed smile, she waved at them before darting up the stairs to the apartment. Outside, Nick gave those who turned towards him a wink and a salute, before strolling casually away with a grin.

Jack sighed and smiled ruefully. He looked over at Skye, who was gathering the aprons and bidding everyone good night. Leaning against the counter, as the others left talking and laughing about their plans for the evening, he watched her move around his cafe as though she had been working there her whole life. As though it was where she was meant to be.

Feeling his eyes on her, she paused to look at him questioningly.

"I was just wondering what a buck's gotta do to buy you a drink?"

She tipped her eyes upward and lifted her paw to her chin as she pretended to think about it.

"Dance in conga line with the mayor while dressed as Carmen Mirancat." She answered with a smug grin.

The buck laughed at her response. "Sad to say there's probably a video of me doing that from college."

"Really?" She asked laughing. "With the mayor?"

Nodding, he pushed from his spot. "I'll tell you about it over drinks?"

Skye eyed him suspiciously before grinning and holding out her paw. "Done."

…

Nick stood in front of the entryway to his building, breathing in the warm summer air, high on life. He couldn't even find it in him to be annoyed that his phone started to ring, pulling him out of his reverie. Not even bothering to look at the screen as his thumb slid over the answer button.

"S'up?"

"Hey, Nicky!"

The todd's eyes snapped open at the sound of Tabitha's voice. He gave a quick glance at his caller id with a frown before putting the phone to his ear again.

"Hey, Tabs. What going on?"

"I actually was hoping you had a moment to talk?"

"Uh, sure!" Half curious, half impatient, Nick turned to take a seat on the steps leading to his building. "What's going on?"

"It's about Natasha."

A paw went to the bridge of his muzzle to ease the annoyance that flared up. He had a feeling he knew what was coming…

"Listen, Nicky. Natasha really, really likes you and I really think you two would be good for each other. I was wondering if you would consider asking her out? To maybe a movie or something? I just know that you two would have an amazing time."

"Thanks for your opinion, Tabs," Nick took a deep breath trying to control his rising anger. "And here's my thoughts on that. I've never liked Natasha. Ever. And as flattered as I am that she likes me, I'm not going to go out with someone I don't feel anything for."

"But if you just give her a chance, you might feel something! It's not really fair, Nick, that you're spending so much time and attention on a bunny and not even giving someone of your own species an opportunity!" He furrowed his brow as she sighed on the other end of the line. "Why can't you see how crazy that logic is? Especially considering how much Natasha likes you."

Doubt started to creep in as Nick took his own deep breath and closed his eyes.

"I'll talk to you later, Tabs."

He hung up before she could respond. Good feeling gone, his phone was considered for a moment before he stood again and headed inside. The door stuck slightly when he unlocked it, a firm push revealing his brother hanging upside down on the couch. Greg's own phone lit up his face, a small smile on his his muzzle as his thumbs typed.

"Hey little brother!" he chirped, eyes never leaving the screen. "How was your date?"

The younger todd felt himself blush at the question, mind flashing back through what was definitely the best night of his life. Blue eyes left his phone to grin at his little brother. But Greg's expression fell at the look on Nick's face.

"What's wrong?" The question was asked as he scrambled to sit properly on the couch, the space next to him patted. Obeying the wordless request, Nick sat down and gathered his thoughts.

"Greg," he began with hesitation. "Do you think it's weird that the female I like isn't a vixen?"

Whatever the older todd was expecting, it wasn't that.

"Uh…" Snapping out of his surprised stupor, Greg shook his head and cleared his throat. "Well, it's a little strange." Nick's eyes closed in shame at that. "But-" They popped back open as his big brother put a comforting arm around him. "There's nothing wrong with it."

"But-"

"Did you have a good time tonight, Nick?"

"I can't remember when I had more fun."

"Listen, being different is always going to make people nervous. Especially when it's obvious like dating someone outside the species. But I knew you've had a thing for this bunny since the moment you saw her. I knew from the way you would just stare at her whenever you saw her around town. You'd get this dweeby, moon eyed look on your face and sigh. And the fact that you would spend hours afterwards talking to yourself and rehearsing what to say to her? Anyone with half a brain could see you were a sucker for her.

"So, don't let the dip shits who live in this city make you feel bad because the female you've been pining after happens to have longer ears and a shorter tail."

Greg's grin returned as looked down at Nick.

Seeing Nick still lost in thought, he gave his little brother a small squeeze. "So, what prompted this question?"

Nick hung his head. "Tabitha Peaks called and said Natasha liked me and I should give her a chance because it's only fair."

"No," came his older brother's stern voice. "That's not the way anything works."

Green eyes looked up in confusion at that.

"The only one being unfair in that story is Tabitha, Nicky. You don't owe anyone a date, you don't owe it to anyone to try to fake something you don't feel. And you especially don't owe anyone your time and affection just because they like you. If that's the way the world worked, it would be crazier than it already is."

"Then… you don't think I'm being unreasonable for not going out with her because she's a vixen?"

"Does she make you feel how the same way Judy does?" Nick shook his head.

"Then there's your answer. It's not that she's a vixen. It's that you don't like her."

The younger todd looked up at his brother with crinkled eyebrows.

"So, I'm defective?" he asked in a slightly defeated voice.

"Oh, definitely." Greg laughed at his brother's horrified expression. Though his humor died quickly in the face of Nick's exasperation. "But we'd rather you be defective than miserable."

With an appreciative smile, the younger todd hopped off the couch towards his room.

"What are you up to, anyway?" he asked his older brother. "Normally you're long gone or getting ready to be long gone."

He tossed his phone onto his bed and turned to look at Greg in the door way. The older todd smirked and crossed his arms.

"Just about to head out now, actually. Mom's still working. Though she reminded me there's some food in the fridge, in case you were hungry."

Nick's cell phone started beeping from the nest of blankets, making his ears perk towards it. He dived towards the sound, wrestling the covers to find it as Greg watched with amusement. With a cry of triumph, he climbed free, phone in paw. Green eyes lit up at the screen as he smiled at the message.

"It's her!" he said excitedly. "Judy texted me!" His eyes snapped up to his brother, who came up to peer down at the screen. Nick suddenly bristled and began pushing him towards the door.

"Out! Get out, get out, get out! I need to message her back!"

Greg laughed as he was spun and shoved towards out of the room. Digging his heels into the carpet, he let his body relax and fall back on his little brother.

"Oh, no!" he declared. "Gravity is increasing on me!"

"Oh my gods, no it's not!" Nick cried in exasperation trying to keep his brother from falling onto him.

"Yes it is, Nick, the same thing happened yesterday."

With a grunt of annoyance, a final shove was given propelling Greg out of his room.

"You're the worst," shouted the younger todd, scowling at him. "Why are you so weird?"

And with that, his door was slammed, leaving Greg dying of laughter on the other side. After composing himself, he gave the door a final fond glance. His own phone beeped, letting him know his date was outside. Wallet, keys, and jacket gathered, he left his brother to his own devices, happy that Nick was moving forward at last.

…..

Male up, wolf!

With a determined stomp, Dave marched up to the apartment door and gave it a decisive knock. Which was met with silence. Arms folded to wait out the answer. After a few moments, when no one came, his ears and tail dropped as his paw timidly went to knock again.

It was less than an inch away before it swung open, the large tiger on the other side making his mouth grow dry. All the young wolf could do was gulp and stare up into a pair of suspicious blue eyes.

"Can I help you?" he growled as he folded his arms.

"Um," squeaked out Dave as he tried to swallow past his nerves. "I… was hoping to, um, talk to Brook."

The tiger looked him up and down. "You wanna talk to my sweet, innocent, little niece, Brook? Why?" he asked quirking his eyebrows.

It was a simple question that had him stuttering to find the answer. An indignant voice came from behind the larger male that had Dave's ears perking.

"Uncle Jason!" The tiger turned to look at the speaker. Brook stood just outside a hall, dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, with a mischievous smirk on her muzzle.

"Are you tormenting my friends?"

"Of course not, sweetheart!" His grin turned to a scowl as he turned back at Dave.

"Just making sure you're not wasting time with any of the riff raff."

"I think that's my job!"

Another male tiger came from kitchen, his brown eyes narrowed at the wolf. He came to stand next to Jason, their glares pushing the smaller predator close to heart attack. Ears and tail down, all Dave could do was try not to faint.

"You gotta give me something, Keith," growled Jason. "It's bad enough you married my baby sister. I gotta defend my only niece."

"Mom!" shouted Brook, still unable to see who was at the door. "Dad and Uncle Jason are scaring my friends!"

Both males straightened in alarm at the voice echoing from the kitchen.

"Both of you knock it off and get in here! Jason, you promised to help me put this cabinet together and Keith, you better get that grill started and those burgers cooked! NOW!"

With jumps and gulps, they raced each other back to kitchen, though they did pause to give threatening looks back at the smaller male. Brook laughed and shook her before looking back to the door. Her smile dropped as her eyes met his. She bit her lip and rubbed the back of her neck before she found the courage to speak.

"Sorry about that. I'm the only cub in the family so they get a tad protective." A ghost of a smile made itself visible as Dave responded with an uncomfortable laugh.

"I understand," he responded. "I'm the only male in a family of six females. And I'm the oldest so I have to look out for them."

The tigress studied him for a moment in silence. "So… what are you doing here?"

She asked quietly, walking towards him and crossing her arms.

"I just… I wanted to. make sure you're okay," he muttered. His eyes cast down to the threshold. He kicked his feet a bit before continuing. "And to… maybe…. ask you what I did. And if there's anything I can do to get you to forgive me."

A small sigh was given as she looked to the kitchen doorway, with her mother, father, and uncle poking their heads out to spy on them. Three pairs of eyes widened in surprise and they vanished from sight. Rolling her own, she gestured to the hallway.

Once the door was firmly shut behind her, she sighed again and tapped her foot.

"So?" Dave asked. "What did I do?"

Brook looked down.

"Brook? Please tell me…"

Her silence filled him with frustration, his paws going to the fur on top of his head to give it a tug. "You know what?" he growled and squeezed his eyes shut before popping them open. "Fuck this. Seriously, Brook. Fuck this and fuck you. I was under the impression we were friends. Under the teasing and the stupid jokes, I actually thought we were buddies. And… and we could tell each other anything!"

He glared at her. "But if you're going to phase me out and not tell me why, then fuck it. You don't want to be friends? Fine! We're not friends. Happy?"

Brook watched him turn and storm away, tears filling her eyes.

But he paused when she finally found her voice.

"I like you!" Dave stumbled a bit before turning to look at her.

"What?"

Looking equal parts guilty, embarrassed, and terrified, she wiped her eyes and looked to the floor. "I like you and I saw you talking to Marie LaFurre and you both looked so perfect together and you were obviously into her and I just…"

A small giggle had her lifting her eyes in confusion. Dave had his paws over his muzzle and was trying to hold in his laughter. He doubled over to laugh briefly before trying to compose himself. But once he straightened and looked at her

again, he dissolved back into hysterical laughter.

"Oh my gods!" cried Brook. "What is so funny?"

"Y-you think-" He snorted into his paw. "You think th-that Marie LaFurre is interested in… in m-me!"

Confusion grew in the tigress as she watched him loose it to his mirth. All she could do was cross her arms and impatiently wait for him to get it together enough to explain. When his laugh became a quiet chuckle, she cleared her throat expectantly. One finger was held up as he wiped his eyes and grinned at her.

"I get it now," he said with a nod. "You were jealous."

Brook scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"You were jealous over nothing, really." She wrinkled her brow at him as he put his paws in his pockets and strolled back towards her. "Marie is great. She really is. And she's just my sister's type."

Eyebrows shot up in surprise at that. Dave gave another nod. "Remember how my sister, Darla, got into that upscale art school last year?" Brook nodded.

"Well, I knew she and Marie had a thing going on before she left so I was letting her know when Darla would be back. And how to surprise her."

"Soooooo," Brook looked back down again and clasped her paws behind her back. "You're not interested in her?"

The wolf shook his head. "Not at all."

"Not even a little bit?"

"Nope!"

For the first time in days, Brook smiled at him. Really smiled. Radiantly smiled.

And Dave smiled back, his just as big and goofy as hers.

"Wanna grab some ice cream?" she asked.

"Yes, I do," came the happy response. She turned back to open the door, only for it to creak open and a large paw to jut out with her purse.

"Be back by eight thirty," growled a low voice.

The teens laughed and turned to walk down the hall. Feeling better than he had in days, Dave took a deep breath and smiled again. But paused when a curious scent hit his nose.

"Brook?" he asked as they walked down to the elevator. She smiled down at him. He sniffed her again. "Are you… are you bleeding?"

There was muffled laughter from her apartment door as the tigress facepalmed.

"Dumb pup," she muttered.

…..

"You didn't!" laughed Skye.

Jack nodded, laughing along with her as he shared some of his exploits from his brief stint in college.

"Yes I did." He assured. "I'm a mammal of my word. So, I put on the skirt, my sister's favorite sparkly top, and a fruit hat, and marched right up to the mayor, grabbed his paw and started dancing. Next thing I knew, we're leading the reception in a conga line." The vixen dissolved into laughter as the buck looked on. "My boss was so proud!"

Still laughing, she tried to shake off the amusement and compose herself on her bar seat. An elbow propped up on the bar itself, her other paw reached for her wine glass, gesturing Jack to do the same. They touched glasses and smiled at each other.

"To stories that make us laugh," she said as she leaned into him, her eyes still sparkling as she looked into his.

"And a future filled with more of them," he completed, letting himself forget the wine in his paw as their lips met again.

There is saying among rabbits: When we first met, I had no idea you would be so important to me.

With the majority of his species happily hopping from bed to bed, when a mate was found, it truly was a surprising thing. Most rabbits, both male and female, were floored by the amount of emotion they suddenly felt when they met their one and only. Mostly because, when they met them it was supposed to be only for a brief good time before the next fling.

This saying didn't apply to Jack.

From the moment he met Skye, she was important to him. Perhaps it was even before her interview; back to the day Kari handed him her application, excited that a vixen had applied. A well-qualified one, too. Back to the day he had read it over, unconsciously inhaling the scent that clung to it. Thinking she was too good to be true.

Kari had said most foxes waited to find their mate before going further than paw holding. The younger crowd were more open to casual sex, but, with few exceptions, they were still very picky. Everything Jack felt for Skye, she was returning with vigor. And she made him feel… Happy. Complete. Powerful..

And he would need that feeling when the time came to stand up against the look of outrage his sister Maple was wearing when she walked into the bar and spotted them.