I had about 1,480 words worth of scene snippets and notes at one point, and more than half of that ended up in this chapter; can't say I saw that coming…

"So, how, exactly, did you two meet?" Bonnie Hopps asked. She had violet eyes and grayish-brown fur like Judy, though without the black ear tips. Where had his bunny partner gotten those, anyway? Nick took a sip of Sprite and wiped his mouth; it wasn't that the Hopps couple were uneasy toward him, they just seemed as shocked as he did at how the night had turned out.

"We're partners at work," he explained. "But we didn't really get along at first."

He glanced sidelong at the bunny beside him, who was acting like nothing was wrong. She dabbed at her lips, then set her napkin back in her lap.

"It went a bit further than that," she admitted to that, at least. "But suffice it to say we got past it, and decided to try dating."

"And how long has it been?" Stu asked. He was solid brown with brown eyes, and seemed to be the more timid in general of the two. Judy shrugged.

"A month or so," she leaned briefly against Nick's arm, smiling dreamily up at him. "But I really think it could go somewhere."

Nick smiled back at her, gripping her hand hard enough to make her wince, as well as she hid it.

"You and me both, sweetheart," he agreed, pressing the barest kiss to her forehead. They were also going to have one hell of a talk about this later.

"Did you always want to be a cop, Nick?" Bonnie asked. He let go of Judy's hand and turned back to the table.

"My dad's in the army," he started. "And that's what I wanted to do until I was about seven, then something happened at summer camp, and I decided I'd rather serve my community in another way."

"Nick and his sister were both top of their classes at the academy," Judy chimed in. "She's one of our best forensic analysts."

"That's really impressive," Stu said. "Jude here was so excited when she got her letter that she almost knocked over her grandmother's crystal cabinet."

Nick snorted, that was exactly how he'd pictured her reacting. Judy coughed quietly into her fist.

"I didn't almost knock it over, Dad, and I'm just glad it was locked," she went on. "Last thing I needed was to be exhausted while I was trying to pack because I'd spent the night picking glass out of the carpet, it was hard enough remembering everything I needed!"

"You mean you didn't have a list?" Nick asked her. "I figured you would've triple-checked it, with how you get about details."

She laughed sarcastically.

"One of my nieces decided to use it for coloring practice," she countered. "And then some of my little brothers thought it would be funny to scatter my stuff all over the house."

She pinched the bridge of her nose.

"It ended up taking me until the morning I left to find it all!"

"You know they were just trying to have some fun with you, sweetie," her mom said, before taking a sip of her carrot juice. "You'd been so stressed since you'd sent in your application, and you have to admit that it did help calm you down."

Judy sighed.

"Yeah, all right, it did, I became so focused on searching for it that I forgot all about being nervous for the academy," she leveled a flat look at both her parents. "But you could have at least made them tell me where they hid some of it."

"Which would've just left you more time to start freaking out again, Fluff," Nick told her. "You're not exactly the most low-strung mammal in the city."

She opened her mouth, then closed it, and her parents laughed.

"He's got you there, Jude," her dad said. "She always got so anxious about tests in school, she about made herself sick!"

Judy groaned.

"Yes, Dad, we get it. I worry too much about things I shouldn't and not enough about things I should," she gave them that look again, and they squirmed uncomfortably. It was clear they'd had this disagreement before.

"We just want you to be happy, sweetie," her mom tried to reason. "And any mammal will tell you that it takes more than a job to do that."

Judy scoffed.

"Well, my job isn't the only thing in my life now," she grabbed his arm again. "I have Nick, and his sister, they've both helped me realize that I never gave myself time to grieve when I should have, and that I've spent years taking that pain out on everyone around me."

She looked up at him then, and it struck him just how much her eyes glowed, but it wasn't enough to make him forget how she'd played him for a fool.

"Nick is reminding me what it's like to be happy," she went on, touching his cheek. "And I can't wait to see where else life takes us."

He wasn't sure why he leaned in when she prodded him to, and part of him hated that even their barely there kisses could still put his fur on end.

"I'll always be there for you, Judy," he found himself saying, as he put a hand over hers on his face. He could hear her dad starting to sniffle, muttering something about waterworks. "No matter what happens, I'll have your back."

The ride so far had been silent and tense; Nick sat stiffly in the passenger seat of Judy's car, blankly watching the lit highway as it stretched on ahead. Conversation at the restaurant had all but stopped once they'd gotten their food, and he'd taken more pleasure than he should have in the rabbits' discomfort as he'd chowed down on crispy slices of baked chicken. He knew choosing it had been petty, but he hadn't cared, he was tired of being yanked around by her.

"I don't appreciate being lied to, Hopps," he said flatly, his first words in almost an hour. "What was the point of not telling me your freaking parents would be there?"

She didn't answer, and he only got more annoyed when he saw the look on her face, the one that said she was getting ready to feed someone a line of bullshit. He scoffed.

"Let me guess, you thought I'd back out if I knew," he started, his tail bristling. "Or you just like screwing with me because you have no idea what the hell you want, or how about this, you figured they'd be ashamed if they knew you were with a predator."

"No!" she stopped hard at a red light, throwing them both against their seat belts. She rubbed her sternum, then coughed. "You being a pred has nothing to do with it, Nick!"

She pulled in a breath through her teeth.

"Look, the truth is they don't care anymore who I'm with," she explained. "I'm the only one out of collage who's still single, so they'd be happy if I married a polar bear, if it meant I'd finally settle down and start some kind of family."

He crossed his arms.

"Very interesting," he spat. "But it has nothing to do with why you kept me in the dark."

She groaned, knocking her forehead against the steering wheel; it took a chorus of angry honking behind them to get her driving again. The quiet stretched on, until another sigh from her finally broke it.

"I didn't tell you about my parents because I didn't want you to know just how terrified I was of the idea of you meeting them. They were so happy when I said I was ready for them to meet Jack, and when I heard they were coming for the agriculture fair this weekend, I blurted that we should have dinner without even thinking," she swiped quickly at her eyes with her arm. "They didn't have any idea that you'd be there, either, I wouldn't have been able to face it if something happened again…"

She choked a bit, and he was glad when they took the next turn into Acacia Condos, at least now there was no risk of them being hit if she lost control of herself behind the wheel. As angry as he still was, he couldn't blame her for being scared, not when tonight was so similar to when Jack had died. It was likely even part of why she'd arranged to pick him up in the first place, so there wouldn't be a chance he'd meet the same fate.

"I still don't appreciate being lied to about this," he said, then his face softened. "But I do understand why you did it."

He reached over and touched her cheek; she smiled sadly at him before pulling into her driveway. She cut the engine and sat back, letting out a short breath.

"I'll take you home whenever you want, Nick," she said. "But there's something else I need to talk to you about first."

Neither spoke as he followed her inside, and he saw nothing had changed since he'd last been there, other than a thicker layer of dust on some of the furniture. He shrugged out of his jacket as she did and hung both on her coat rack, then watched as she clasped and unclasped her hands, biting her lip hard enough that he could see her chin trembling.

"Nick, I…" she gulped, then spoke in a rush. "I want you to get a new partner!"

He stared down at her, his jaw slack as he tried to process it.

"J-Judy, but," he shook his head. "I thought we already settled this, neither of us want a new partner!"

"I know, but Nick, we'll be risking our jobs unless we do," she met his gaze. "But I'm willing to lose you that way, if it lets us keep everything else we have!"

He scoffed, his earlier frustration coming back to the surface.

"The chief already told us he doesn't care," he reminded her bluntly. "And you and I both know we'd never let it interfere with work, so there's nothing to worry about."

"Yes, there is," she gripped his hand in both of hers. "What if one of us has to choose between saving the other, and one or more civilians? I know neither of us would ever forgive ourselves, no matter who we let go!"

He groaned.

"There's almost no chance of that happening," he said. "And I know if it ever did, we'd both get out alive, we're too stubborn for anything else."

Her giggle then bordered on hysterical.

"I-I still can't risk losing you like that, Nick," she threw her hands down, firming her stance. "And if you won't do it, then I will."

He glared at her.

"No," he'd never felt such conviction. "Even if we weren't one of the best teams in the precinct, I'd never let you make a decision based solely on fear, especially for something like this."

She gaped at him, then growled in annoyance.

"You're not hearing me, Nick, I'm not just doing this out of fear," she went on. "I've thought about it all week, and it's the best choice we have!"

"No, it isn't," he argued. "I'm not letting you steamroll me on this."

She pulled sharply at her ears.

"Why are you being so stubborn about this?" she demanded. "All that'll change is who we work with, that's it!"

"But I don't want another partner anymore, Judy," he stated firmly, cutting her off when she tried to argue again. "Because it wouldn't be you!"

She stopped cold, staring at him like she couldn't believe what she'd just heard.

"W-What?"

He went stiff, realizing what he'd said, then sighed heavily, deciding there was no point in keeping it from her anymore.

"I don't want another partner, Judy," he repeated quietly, kneeling in front of her and cupping her face. "Because it wouldn't be you."

He started moving closer, stopping himself before she got the chance to, knowing she'd say she needed time to think on what he'd told her. He went to stand, only for her to grab his collar and yank him back down, his mouth crashing against hers. There was no hesitation, no sweet little brushes this time around. He wrapped her in his arms, holding her tightly to his chest, gladly returning her frenzied attempt at a kiss. When she finally let him go, he was amazed he had enough brain power left to formulate his dazed, breathless response.

"Wow…"

He leaned in again, taking control of their next kiss, his fur standing on end as his lips caressed hers, her small hands working deftly at the buttons of his shirt. His breath shuddered as she explored, tracing every line of muscle before draping her arms over his shoulders; a small hop had her legs catching on his waist, keeping her pressed against him as he got slowly to his feet. He pulled back slightly, using those few seconds to catch his breath, letting the tip of his tongue trace the seam of her swollen lips. Her fingers tightened on his back, his frizzed tail now wagging in excitement as she readily accepted him.

"I'm sorry, Nick," she managed when they parted, breathing heavily. Her eyes glowed in the low light of her end table lamp, and he didn't think she'd ever looked more beautiful.

"For what?" he asked softly, as he climbed the narrow stairs. He lifted her higher, nuzzling under her chin, hypnotized by her scent.

"F-For being such a bitch," she began, her voice hitching as her body trembled. "A-And for letting myself stay stuck in the past…it wasn't fair to you…"

She grabbed his muzzle, angling his head so she could press her lips to his. He kicked open her bedroom door, barely hearing when it slammed against the wall. All he cared about was her, finally being able to let her know she was the most important mammal in his life. Even if it ended up being just for tonight.

"Oh, Nick," her back arched, her legs tightening around him. His heart thudded faster against his ribs when he smelled it: the incredible, alluring sweetness filtering past her usual scent and perfume, drawing him ever closer to the brink he was so eagerly running toward. "Nick!"

I'll never be able to forget you after this, he thought, nuzzling the edge of one high, flushed ear before taking it tenderly in his teeth. He knew it should have scared him, that he should stop this before things went too far, but he couldn't bring himself to. He wanted it too much, and knew that she did, too.

"Nick…" she grabbed his open collar, keeping him bowed over her once he'd laid her on the bed, which he briefly noticed was free of stuffed bunnies. His claws almost tore the quilt when she kissed him, her small tongue tracing fearlessly over his fangs before starting to dance so hotly with his.

"Judy…" he groaned when she reached for his belt, his tense hips twitching when her blunt claws brushed his pulsing, aching sheath. He'd wanted to keep things slow, to show her how much he wanted her, but the plan vaporized as his lust heightened, ignited by the pull of her fingers, the huff of her breath against his fur, the soft, whimpering sounds of her desire. He reached beneath her to unzip her dress, her tail fairly shaking against his wrist when he paused to feel the firm curve of her ass, before starting to peel the shimmery, clingy fabric off of her. He buried his nose in the thick white fur on her chest, breathing in her earthy, flower-tinged scent like a drowning mammal, as the light scratch of her fingers on his back sent shocks of pure pleasure down his spine. "Oh, God, Judy…"

He shivered when she shoved his pants down, hissing at the sharp tug as his tail caught in the hole in the back. She winced.

"Sorry, Slick," she sat up fully, brushing her hands over his chest before going for his slacks. She eased his tail free, her nose twitching when she saw the full extent of his arousal; her tongue crept out to wet her lips, her eyes hot as she tilted her head to look at him.

"Glad to see your heart's not the only thing big about you, fox," she stood, his tail flicking when she cupped his face, kissing him sweetly as she pushed his shirt off his shoulders, kicking her dress to the floor when it fell from her hips. "But I'm guessing you don't know what to do with it?"

A blush flared in his ears, and he looked away.

"That obvious, huh?" he murmured. She chuckled a bit.

"Kind of, yeah," she pulled him gently down with her, until he stood on his hands and knees, gazing longingly at her. She smiled. "Don't worry, I can show you everything you need to know."

She took hold of him, slowly guiding him between her firm, silky thighs, into the most incredible warmth he had ever known; she moaned, pulling him in further, until she'd taken all that she could. His breath hitched when she rolled her hips against his, even as her lips curled slightly in discomfort. It didn't surprise him that it hurt, and he wished there were something he could do to ease it for her.

"You don't have to look so worried, Slick," she wrapped her legs around him, locking them both in place. "I'll get used to it."

He flushed again.

"I know, I just hate the idea of hurting you," he nuzzled her nose with his, shivering when she licked it. Her ears were scarlet, her breath starting to huff from her parted lips.

"I never told Jack this," she gasped when he pressed back against her, her hands twisting in the rumpled covers by her head. "But I actually like some pain, feeling like I might be in danger."

She touched his muzzle, her back arching further when he grabbed her hips, his claws digging in as he pushed harder, driving himself deeper. A low growl rumbled in his throat when she whimpered, as her heady scent filled the air, getting thicker when he bared his teeth. She pulled him down, pressing his nose to her neck, his ears snapping forward when he heard how fast her heart was racing. His hips bucked as she grabbed his arms, and he knew she'd keep him there until he gave her what she wanted.

His jaws parted, his long tongue lathering her fur as he got drunk on her scent, her moans rising in pitch as he bit her, the pressure just short of breaking skin. He ended the move with slow, open kisses, feeling her tighten further around him as he continued to lavish her.

"Oh, no," she groaned in embarrassment. "I never get off this fast!"

He chuckled, peppering her face with featherlight pecks, then pressed his lips to hers.

"Guess I know more than you thought," he kissed her again, her cry of release bleeding into it, his fur growing damp where they were still joined.

"God," she fell back, her chest heaving, her legs shaking as they released him. She buried her face in his shoulder when he picked her up, carefully cradling her as he sat on the edge of the bed, stroking her heated ears. "N-Not bad, Slick, for your first time."

He delivered cool, soothing licks to the top of her head, but otherwise didn't respond. Neither of them spoke for a while, and Nick wondered if she were enjoying it as much as he was.

"Thank you, Nick," she said at last, and a small whimper escaped him as she adjusted herself, what she'd taken of his length still buried in her heat. "For being so patient with me, it really means a lot to me."

She kissed him, draping her arms around his neck. He wasn't sure what to think of the mischievous gleam in her violet eyes when she pulled away, but he went willingly when she began to push him to the bed.

"You gave me what I wanted," she straddled him, her high ears scarlet, her claws dragging slowly through his fur. Her lips curled in a sexy, enticing smile. "Now, its time to find out what you like…"

Judy couldn't help but notice the irony when she woke up, how the last time she'd slept that well had been after she'd broken down, telling Nick about her past partners, and her growing feelings for Jack. She sat up, breathing deeply as she stretched, thinking the only similarity to that night was how she'd fallen asleep in Nick's arms, and that the smell of pancakes was drifting in from downstairs, now that she knew to search for it. She climbed out of bed and went to the window, her eyes widening when she saw how early it was, the sun barely peeking over the horizon.

But it was only, what, eight-thirty when we passed out?

Things had gotten so awkward at the restaurant that they'd left right after their meals, Nick walking stiffly to the car while she'd said a brief goodbye to her parents. She'd apologized for how things had gone, but had been too ashamed to admit that her cowardice had ruined the evening. At least she'd been able to pay hers and Nick's bill.

I'll tell them everything on our next Muzzletime chat, she decided, grabbing a random shirt from the floor and throwing it on. Wait, since when do I wear Old Spice?

She blushed, briefly burying her nose in Nick's scent before buttoning the shirt, watching her step as she headed to the kitchen. Seeing him at her stove was a welcome sight this time, his tail waving lazily as he worked on more of his edible little masterpieces.

"And I thought I was a morning mammal," she rubbed the last of the sleep from her eyes. He chuckled.

"That's how my mom worked," he grabbed the blue batter in his lineup, the tips on the bottles much finer than last time. "If we weren't up early enough, we were stuck with toast and dry cereal, especially when Dad was deployed."

"That must have been hard," she couldn't begin to imagine how it must feel, growing up with the knowledge that his father faced a high chance of being killed, even more in a hostile country thousands of miles away. "Does he still—"

"Get sent out? Not usually, but I don't know how much longer that'll be true."

It was common knowledge that tensions were rising in the Eastern Deserts, and lately there'd been rumors that it was happening in the South, as well. She swallowed, then went to grab the footstool she kept tucked next to the fridge, unfolded it and climbed up. She sat on the counter by the stove, slowly stroking the limp ear she'd pulled over her shoulder.

"Uh, l-listen, Nick, about last night," she clinched her eyes shut, then blew out a breath. "I'm so sorry I kept you in the dark like that, I don't know what I was thinking…"

He carefully flipped one of the pancakes, an adorably cartoony version of himself that was bigger than her head.

"You apologized last night, Fluff," he reminded her, then flipped the other pancake: her, in the same cute style. "And like I said, I don't appreciate being lied to, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't understand why."

He touched her cheek, his eyes warm and earnest.

"It's in the past now, let's just leave it there."

She nodded, leaning gratefully into his touch, until she remembered what else she'd wanted to bring up this morning.

"About last night," she took his hand in both of hers, taking comfort in the warmth of him. "I…I don't want what happened to be a one-time thing."

His tail flicked when he turned back to her. He smiled, cupping her cheek again.

"I've been thinking the same thing, Judy," his gaze darted to her lips. "But I have one condition: we'd have to actually date, I'm not going to just be a fuck buddy."

She beamed at him, as he began to lean closer.

"I was hoping you'd say that," she moaned when their lips met, dragging her claws lightly through his mussed fur, her breath hitching when he grabbed two handfuls of her butt. "You just like me for my ass, don't you?"

He laughed.

"It is pretty nice," he nuzzled her. She rolled her eyes.

"Very funny," she pushed his muzzle aside and got down, peeking at him over her shoulder. Every move he made was smooth, assured as he finished at the stove, his tail once more waving lazily behind him. But his ears were perked, and every once in a while, his gaze would dart to one of the windows, telling her he was never unaware of his surroundings, no matter how safe it was, and that fact made her feel even more drawn to him. She helped him bring the plates to the table, humming appreciatively as the smell filled her nose.

"Are these blueberry?"

"The uniforms are," he sat across from her, in the chair without arms, the only one that was comfortable for him. "I used blueberry juice to help color the batter."

"Clever fox," she smirked. It was a little weird, cutting up something that looked like her, but it was so good she couldn't bring herself to care. She speared a piece, twirling her fork absently between her fingers. "Huh, so this is what it's like to eat myself out."

Nick choked, his mouth hanging as he stared at her, then cracked up, nearly falling off his chair.

"That is not something I ever expected to hear from you," he started, once he'd calmed down. She shrugged.

"Looking innocent doesn't mean I am," she scarfed the rest of her pancake, halfway to the stairs before he'd even stood. "And we have to get to the precinct soon, you said we have to see this Boss guy by noon, right?"

And all it took was thirteen chapters of half-assed drama. XD