Nearly silent paw steps padded as Judy paced along the length of her apartment. She kept glancing up to the wall clock the just seemed to slow to an almost comic crawl as time went on. It was currently 6:45 on Sunday, just a mere fifteen minutes until it was time for her and Nick's date. Hence the pacing, she was nervous. For some unknown reason, Judy was nervous, her gut slightly twisted as she continued to over analyze nearly every outcome of tonight. From as negative as this destroying their friendship, to as positive as her and Nick spending holidays with the others families, often with the image of a ring on their fingers. Was she good enough for him, was he going to be a good boyfriend and possible mate in the future. Was her dress ok, not too revealing, or not too prudish? What was Nick going to wear? Judy groaned as she pulled at her ears, continuing to make laps in her living room. She couldn't help but over think things, not since she has had over thirty bad prior courtings in the past, she was really hoping this was going to work out. She NEEDED it to work. Nick kept telling her that it was them not her being the issue, but with her being the common denominater in this, she honestly wondered if it was her. Maybe she was too stubborn in her dreams, maybe it was because she had little to no interest in marriage or settling down at the moment. Judy stopped pacing and leaned against the counter as she tried to silence her brain.

She glanced back up only to see a few minutes had passed, causing Judy to impatiently groan. She grabbed her purse and phone and headed out, figuring she'd get some fresh air as she waited until 7. The ride in the elevator did little to queal her uneasiness, although the cool night air did feel amazing on her fur as she stepped into the street. The night time sounds of the nocturnal mammals going about their lives filled her ears, the neon lights flashing on gave a whole new image to the city. She inhaled deep, closing her eyes as she tried to force her thought to quiet down. As she opened her eyes, a large long black limo pulled up in front of her, stopping with a gentle grace. Judy was about to move towards the door when the driver door opened, revealing a very large and dark mammal that Judy immediately recognized.

"Mr Machas?"

The large panther smiled deeply as he opened the rear door for the smaller lapine, his rough voice and accent breaking the night, "Good evening Miss Judy." Judy quickly climbed into the passenger seat and shut the door as the predator went back to the front of the car. As the car started and pulled away, she continued, "How are you? Haven't seen you for a while."

"Doing much better now. Took a while for therapy and hospital visits to get back to normal but everything's great now. Even got my job back, and when I heard you needed a limo ride I practically begged for it."

Judy just smiled, her ears turning pink," Aw you didn't have to. Just happy to see things are finally back to the way they were before."

Machas chuckled, "No Judy, they are better. This whole ordeal brought the city together in a way it wasn't before. Before it was just saying that we were in harmony, but now we truly are. I don't see smaller prey kits being pulled away by mothers afraid of the big predator."

Judy felt her ears heat up, "Oh all I did was just figure out it was Bellwether."

"Maybe so, but still you did a great deal for the city." He paused as he pulled up to a curb, "Here we are ma'am. and it looks like your date ready for you."

Judy took a deep breath as she heard the door handle click and the door opened, a familiar voice hit her ears, "Good evening carrrrr..." Judy looked up as she stepped out to see her fox looking even more handsome that before. The way his tux clung to his lithe frame, his fur smooth. The only off thing was his jaw hung slack and bright eyes roamed over her wide and full of shock. Judy smiled as she placed her paw under his chin and closed his mouth for him, bringing Nick back to reality.

"Wow, Judy, just...wow. You look...absolutly breathtaking." Nick let his eyes roam over her small frame, admiring the way the purple sheer material matched her eyes perfectly, the way the fabric hugged her curves, showing off every bit it could, the leg slit running halr way up showing off her powerful muscles. He couldn't help but hear a voice telling him to show this prey how predators have fun. He mentally shook his head to get that thought gone, tonight was about her and showing her a real date.

Judy blushed at the way Nick eyed her, enjoying the predatory glint in his eyes as he admired her. She smiled knowing she made the right choice in the dress. She cocked her hips slightly and threw him a large smile, "Well, since I've knocked you almost speechless, shall we head in before one of us tries something."

Nick smiled one of those real genuine smiles again, as he cleared his throat, "Of course, shall we?" He offered her his elbow as he guided her inside the restaurant. Inside, Judy saw a very nice and lavish interior, seating many different mammals and couples, most being interspecies, settling on of the uneasy feeling Judy had. She didn't notice or hear Nick talk to the maitre d as they were guided to a table. A young snow leopard approached after the maitre left and handed them both menus, "Good evening, my name is Tami, and I'll be your server this evening. Shall I start you both off with a nice glass of wine?"

"Sure", they said in near unison. The server nodded, heading to the bar area as Judy started to look at the menu. She found a lot of things appealed to her, including things that to her may not have made sense but she knew the odd combinations often tasted good. She glanced over and noticed Nick seemed unsure about something. It didn't take long for her to see that he was in the prey section. Judy realized Nick was avoiding the predator section, she smiled as she talked to him, "Nick if you want to order meat, go ahead. It wont bother me."

Nick looked at Judy unsure about it, "Are..are you sure? I don't want to ruin our first date by making you uneasy about the meat eating."

Judy reached out and grabbed Nick's paw, "I'm on a date with a predator, So I'm expecting him to eat what he wants Nick. I promise it doesn't bother me."

Nick smiled a warm smile as he flipped to the pred section just as the server came back with the wine, "Ready to order?"

Judy started, "Can I have the steamed veggie supreme with sweet and sour rice?"

"Sure thing hun, and you?" See turned to Nick.

"Oh um Zesty Itailan chicken pasta with spinach salad on the side."

The server nodded and left leaving Judy and Nick alone, "So nick, tell me, you talked to my dad?"

Nick smiled as he took a drink of wine before starting, "Yep, it was when I had the day off earlier this week."

Nick stepped off the express train in Bunnyburrow, round-trip ticket in hand as he admired the country side. He looked around at the lack of mammal, his ears almost ringing from the lack of ambient noise in the area. Taking a step off the platform, he started walking down the dirt road seeing no one until a pastel colored delivery van came driving up from behind. The van slowed to a stop and a pudgy fox stuck his head out, "Needa lift?"

"Sure, Nice to see another red fox around." Nick smiled as he climbed inside, the scents of baked goods hit his nose.

"Likewise, Not many other like me round these parts, lessin you count ma family. Oh they names Gideon Grey." The pudgy fox offered his paw as he drove.

Nick shook his paw, "Nick Wilde."

Gideon smiled, "Ah yer Judy's partner. What ya doing down here?"

"Oh Need to talk to her dad about something."

Gideon looked over to Nick, a look of horror on his muzzle, "She alright?"

"Oh yea she's fine, just need to ask her dad someting personal."

"Ah." The other fox went slient for a moment before he chimed in, "Well, be honest and upfront."

Nick looked at Gideon confused, "What do you mean?"

"Yer down ere to talk ta Mr. Hopps about courtin Judy. Why else would ya be down ere in person if not for that."

Nick went silent as they continued the drive, not being long before they pulled up in front of a large house, "Ere ya are Mr. Wilde. Good luck." He gave Nick a lopsided smile that Nick returned. He breathed deep as he walked up the long sidewalk to the house, noticing dozens of bunnies in varying ages and sizes all over doing random odd jobs and chores. He knocked on the door and a female rabbit about Judy's age answered with a shocked expression regarding the unknown fox at the door.

"Hi um, Is Mr. or Mrs. Hopps here?"

The bunny lost her fearful look and gave an honest smile, "Yep one second." She turned and guided him to the kitchen then quickly left heading deep into the house leaving the todd alone in the kitchen. It didn't take long for Mr. Hopps to walk up followed by Bonnie, a smile on both their faces as they recognized him.

"Nick, how ya doing son?" The buck shaking his paw, as Bonnie gave him a hug, Nick leaning foward for hte shorter mammal.

"Good, um i was wondering if I could ask you something."

"Sure go ahead." Stu guided him to a chair as they all sat.

Nick stood tall and looked Stu in the eye as he started, "Stu Hopps, My name is Nicholas Piberious Wilde, and I came to you, as patriarch of the Hopps household, for permission to court your daughter Judith Laverne Hopps."

Bonnie's face lit up in eager happiness as Stu's smile fell quickly, his voice gaining a tone that Bonnie didn't miss, "Say again?"

Nick let out a breath and cleared his throat as he repeated, "My name is Nicholas Piberious Wilde, and I came to you, as patriarch of the Hopps household, for permission to court your daughter Judith Laverne Hopps."

Stu sighed as he rubbed the top of his head, "I'm sorry son but...no. And before you get the wrong idea, it's not that your a fox. She's had a lot of bad dates, and I'm just worried about the issues her dating a best friend. Yes it MIGHT work out, but most of the time they don't. Also, there is the VERY small part that your a predator, and well, even our friends that are predators can accidental hurt someone without trying. Also what about the stigma of an interspecies coupling? I just don't want to see her get hurt anymore son. Judy...she's from a litter we consider a miracle litter and we just...I don't know how to word it but we are unsure. But the predator part I'm ignoring son, just know that."

Nick's ears fell, his mask shattered as the words sunk in. He cleared his throat again, his voice crackled, "I...I understand Sir. Just thought I give it a shot, ya know, make her happy but...I can respect your choice."

Stu gave him a small smile, patting his shoulder, "Your a great male Nick, and you do make her happy being her friend, but as a mate..I just... maybe later on I'll be more okay with it." Nick just nodded, not sure what to say. Bonnie couldn't sit by and not say anything. She got her husband attention.

"Um Stu, can I talk to you about something real fast?"

Stu looked at his wife and nodded as they left Nick in the kitchen. As they entered an adjacent room, Bonnie took Stu aside, "I'm not telling you to change your mind, but you should at least hear him out."

Stu sighed as he leaned against the wall, "I don't know hun, I just.."

"I know, but after sending Judy over thirty bucks that either called or muzzletimed...a male finally came HERE and asked YOU in the traditional way. The least we can do is hear his story."

Stu nodded as he sighed and headed to the kitchen to find Nick looking forlorn at his phone, "Nick," Nick perked his head up, "Follow me." Nick stood, following the buck into an older looking hallway to a large solid oak door. Stu opened it revealing a large study. Stu motioned for Nick to sit down as he sat in a large office chair as the desk. He pulled a crystal beaker filled with an amber liquid and poured two glasses, offering Nick one. "Ok, I'm not changing my mind now, but you did come here and asked in the traditional lapine custom, the least I can do is hear your story before I decide."

Nick wasn't sure how to start or what to say, "Ok um how should I start?"

"Wherever, just be honest." Stu smiled.

Nick folded his hands, not ready to bare his soul, but having no choice, "I may cry a few times, I may say things that I've never told anyone, not even my best friend," He took a deep breath, "Ok first off I'm an only child, born to my father James Wilde that was a 3rd generation tailor, but since predators had it rough, they worked from the house, my mom Vivienne was struggling in college due to bias trying to become a realtor, but at the time was a waitress, baby sitter, whatever odd job she could get to put food on the table. Dad's parents died before I was born, Mom's died a year or two after I was born. Mom's dad was an actor out west from what I heard but she doesn't like to talk about it."

Nick continued telling him his rough upbringing, his dad leaving, the ranger scout, him running away, his past loves everything. Nick was too focused on telling his tale that he never saw the buck tear up during the sad parts, his anger during the cons and hustles and when he insulted Judy, the look of joy when we talked about the Night Howler case.

Nick finally ended talking about meeting up with his mom for lunch and deciding to take a chance, finally looking at Stu and seeing the confliction on the rabbits face. Silence permeated the air as Stu sat there thinking about everything Nick said, until finally he broke the silence, "I won't lie, there is a few things you said that I don't approve of. But it does sound like you really have turned things around, which impresses me considering how rough you had it as a predator." Stu leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk, "So here's my deal. IF Judy says yes to us setting her up with you, then I will allow it and give you permission to court her, since you did follow lapine custom."

Nick perked his ears up, "But...If Judy says no, then I will stick by my choice until she is ready."

Nick bit his lower lip, "How about this? Don't tell her its me, just say a male came up and asked according to bunny rules, and say that all I want is a coffee date to let her decide. If she agrees to coffee and then agrees to date me during the date them I have your approval, but if after coffee she says no...Ill back away until she is ready to date, and I wont pressure her."

Stu smiled and offered his paw, "Lets go find Bonnie."

The two males went into the kitchen to find Bonnie, another doe and few younger kits playing. Stu grabbed his phone and started the muzzletime app as Nick made his way over to young bunnies who was staring at Nick with an eager look in their eyes. He knelt down and started to make a few jokes as Judy answered.

"Oh um...hi dad. This is a surprise. What's going on?"

Stu smiled as he responded," Not much just figured I'd switch things up and call you instead of your mother." He chuckled before getting serious, hoping she would listen, "Look Judy, I know it's only been a little over a week since Terry, AND I know we agreed to give you some time, but today a very charming and, "Stu hesitated, not wanting to reveal to much," ...handsome male came here to talk to me."

Judy went to scoff when his wording caught her attention, "Came there?"

"Yep," He mentally laughed hearing that she ignored the male part, "He drove a long distance to talk and ask me in person in the traditional lapine way, said he would be honored to at least have coffee with you. Speaking of that, he had heard about your past...misadventures in dating and given the most recent issue, he said it would be fully up to you if you even meet him for just a quick coffee. If after that you want to date him, it's all you. He wouldn't push."

Judy looked conflicted and deep in thought, a few seconds later she sighed, "Ok tell him to meet me at the coffee shop just down the street from the ZPD, Friday at 5pm. I should be off then, Ill meet him in my uniform and we can go from there." Just paused trying to gauge any reaction from her father, "IF it goes good we can go on a real date, but if it goes south, or I feel uneasy I'm calling it off and from here on out I get to decide who I date."

Stu smiled, "Oh If your mother's right...this probably will be the last male you date sweetie." The sound of young giggling caught his attention as he turned and his features softened, Nick was craddling a young kit tickling her, he turned back to the phone with a smile, "And he's great with the young ones. So anyway I'll tell him what you said and let ya go hun. Talk to you later." He hit the end call button, hoping Judy never saw Nick. Stu gave Nick the thumbs up as the todd smiled, bidding farewell to the young kits promising to return.

Nick smiled as Judy looked completely shocked after hearing what he had told her. Nick leaned forward and took Judy's paw, "And my little surprise I told you about...is me. Ask me anything you want and Ill answer it honest and without snark."

Judy smiled, her friend was trusting her to tell everything about him. She smiled as the food had arrived, smelling delicious. As they both started to dig in, Judy thought of a question, "Ok then, tell me about..."