Chapter Thirty-Six – Reconciliation

"Judy!" Nick got up from his desk, pushing his chair back with a grating squeak in his rush to rise. "Y-You're… here…"

She nodded, treading into a waiting room with nearly the same checkered-tile as the café. "You said we should talk in person," she tried a casual shrug, but it was jerking and forced, looking more like a full-body twitch. "So here I am."

Nick offered a panicked smile that slid off his face moments after. "Yes. Yes, I said that," he cursed inwardly.

Maybe give yourself some time to prepare? He admonished, trying to quell the nervous sway of his tail. You've never felt this way about any—.

"Would you like to sit?" He offered, interrupting his thoughts. "These chairs might not look like much, but they're comfortable."

Judy smiled appreciatively and waved a hand. "No, that's alright," she didn't want to stay long if his news wasn't what she hoped to hear. He had explained why he did business with Mr. Big, but hadn't said he would stop anytime soon. Stolen cars meant just that – whether they'd been taken from wealthy mammals wanting a joyride, or busy families with only one way to get to work. Though he was trapped in his employment, Nick was still helping the crime in Zootopia continue. The rabbit didn't think she could manage niceties if the mechanic admitted he had no plans of getting out in some way. Not to mention if he wanted nothing more to do with her – as friends or otherwise.

Nick clasped his hands together, shifting his weight from foot to foot nervously. "So…," he began, fumbling for something to say. "The weather's been great this week, right?"

"Definitely," Judy agreed, suddenly wishing she had taken him up on his offer – an aged chair enveloping her in safe plaid and cushioned sides sounded perfect right now. "Though that rain last night was fierce."

"Yeah," Nick readily supplied, losing the fight with his tail and letting it arch in expectation. "Kept me awake for almost an hour."

"Me too!" Judy nodded vigorously – wanting them to agree on something – Big's judgement and threats looming in her mind. "And then my neighbors talked about it for another two, so, you know," she mocked a yawn, glancing upward. "It was fun times at my apartment."

Nick chuckled. "You have a pair of antelopes next door who do nothing but argue, right?" He cited an offhand comment she'd made about her living situation. "They sound delightful."

Judy's eyes widened. She had mentioned the noisy duo one time with her arms full of plates, trying to explain her patience with the fraternity bears whose late-night meet-ups often plagued her diner shifts.

"You remember them?" She asked.

Nick dropped his gaze. "Of course. I remember everyone you talk about."

She looked away. "I remember who you talk about too, however unwillingly."

Nick blanched, seeing immediately where her thoughts lay. "I'm sorry about Mr. Big," he picked his eyes up, willing her to meet them. "I won't say I wouldn't do it again, if given the choice. I'd have done anything to make my Mom better," he cleared his throat. "But it doesn't mean it's right. I know I need to stop. Get on the straight and narrow. You were right, I have a reputation to uphold," he didn't want to clear his throat again, but his throat was thick and the words were hard to form. "Thanks for reminding me of who I really want to be."

Judy was quiet for a moment, her ears taut as they listened. "You'd make her proud if you got out," she spoke to the floor. "Your Mom."

"What about you?

She nodded. "And me."

Nick hadn't thought Big would be part of this exchange, but he should have known. One phone call wouldn't suffice. Judy saw him like no one else did. "Then it's done. I promise I'll leave Big behind."

"Easier said than done," she shot back.

He shrugged, unwilling to let this one thing – this one insurmountable thing – keep them apart. "I'm sure feisty girls from Bunnyburrow can help somehow."

Judy smiled and stepped closer. "I will Nick. Anyway I can."

Nick smiled back, heartened that she was both here and willing to listen.

The violet in Judy's eyes lightened, edging on playful. "You said you remember who I talk about. So, what have I said about you?

The fox blushed, unprepared for her subject change. "Oh, I dunno—."

She arched a brow. "Really?"

Just like that, his promise was all she needed. She could be his… if only… he could manage an ounce of suave, this once.

Nick pulled his eyes from his feet. "Well," he offered a weak smile. "You've said that I saved Blueberry, that you wished you'd met me sooner, and that I was too tall."

Judy kept her mouth from falling open at his memory, but only just. She had meant the question half-in-jest, so pleased that 'Big's go-to mechanic' was not what he saw in his future. "I just said that last bit to give that nosy wombat at check-in a hard time!" Another smile split her face. "You know you're not too tall," she inched closer, staring up. "You can reach things I can't."

"Like car parts far back in an engine?" He joked.

Judy considered for a moment. "More like…," she tapped her chin. "Groceries on high shelves."

"Groceries?"

It was the rabbit's turn to blush. "For when I make us dinner one night?"

Nick's flush darkened, and he wished he was better at this – more confident, more charming, and less awkward and adrenaline-filled. "I'd like that," he managed, his face aflame. "But maybe…," he swallowed loud enough to be an audible gulp. "As more than friends?"

Judy peeked up. "Yeah. That would be nice."