"SURPRISE!"

The room itself seemed to scream as every animal present in the lobby of the ZPD cheered in unison. Some whooped and hooted, while others clapped and yelled out things like "happy birthday." Finnick, Flash and Priscilla, Fru Fru, her husband, and their many children, as well as Mr. Big and his security, were all present at the gathering. The entire lobby of the ZPD was overflowing with animals and decorations. A massive cake topped with blueberries from Judy's family's farm sat next to Clawhauser and Chief Bogo (who were talking at the reception desk), balloons and streamers littered the ceiling and the floor, and music blasted from speakers that had been strategically placed throughout the room. To anyone, it was the best birthday party they could ask for. Nick, however, did not smile or acknowledge anyone; he was staring right at Judy, hatred in his eyes, not quite understanding just yet that all of the lying had been for a simple party. Confused, Judy motioned him over with her paw.

"Happy birthday, Nick!" she smiled once he was just a few inches away from her. "I hope you like it! It took forever to plan, and I kept wondering if this was even worth it–"

"We need to talk."

Those four words instantly wiped the grin off of Judy's face. She felt like she had been slapped in the face. Wasn't he enjoying the party? Didn't he like what she had done for him? She had worked so hard…

"What's wrong?" she asked, slightly hurt.

"Oh, I think you know exactly what's wrong," he hissed.

At this point, the party animals nearest the two began to sense the tension and were quieting down to listen to the developing drama.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

"Nick, what is wrong with you? You act like you don't even care what's going on!"

"Oh, I'm not the one who doesn't care!"

Nick's voice had risen significantly, making the majority of the room now stop and stare at this new center of attention. The Chief and Clawhauser stopped talking and nervously looked toward the couple.

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb, Judy!"

At that moment, the Chief leaned in near Clawhauser's ear.

"Have you ever heard him call her by her first name?" he asked the cheetah.

"No," Clawhauser whispered back in horror.

"Play dumb? Nick, you are acting completely crazy right now!"

"Oh, yes, I'm sure I'm the crazy one, huh?" Nick exclaimed, throwing his paws in the air and gesturing to the room, which was now completely quiet. "I'm sure every animal in here thinks I'm absolutely nuts!"

"Nick, stop it," Judy exclaimed, completely shocked by Nick's behavior. "I can't believe you are doing this!"

"What about what you did to me? How could you? How could you? If it wasn't working, couldn't you have just let me know? Was this really necessary? I thought we were friends, partners, life mates! I guess I was wrong," Nick shook his head, tears threatening to spill down his cheeks.

"What on Earth are you talking about?" Judy asked with furrowed eyebrows. "Nick, you aren't making any sense at all!"

"Well at least I'm faithful!"

The room went dead silent as almost every animal in the room was gripped with shock at Nick's sudden outburst. The words echoed off of the wall as they sunk in, the music and crowd now completely silent. A few gasps could even be heard. Judy's jaw dropped slightly.

"How am I supposed to keep their relationship under wraps when they keep shouting about it every chance they get?" the Chief muttered under his breath.

"You think I'm cheating on you?" Judy asked, incredulous.

Nick's reply was that of a puzzled expression.

"Wait, you aren't cheating on me?" he asked, his anger ebbing away.

"No!"

And that's when things began to click into place for Nick.

"Oh."

"Oh?' 'Oh?' What do you mean 'oh?' My God, Nick, what kind of animal do you think I am?" Judy hissed.

"Well, this is awkward," Clawhauser whispered.

"Awkward doesn't begin to describe it," the Chief mumbled back.

An unsettling silence fell over the room once again.

"So, the call with Fru Fru where you were talking about my friends…" Nick thought aloud.

"Was about the party and inviting them, Nick!"

"And the night you went shopping…"

"Was to get the final decorations!"

"But Finnick said that you–"

"Hey, don't you drag me into this!" Finnick shouted from the back of the room.

Nick shot him a look before turning back to the furious bunny.

"I'm sorry?" Nick grimaced, not entirely sure what to do.

This, however, was not the right thing to say.

"'Sorry?' Oh, you're going to be sorry, Nicholas Wilde! After all I've done for you, you think I would cheat on you?"

"Well, you were a bit suspicious!"

"It's called a surprise birthday party, Nick!"

The Chief cleared his throat, and then winced nervously when every pair of eyes swiveled to look at him.

"Officer Wilde, Officer Hopps, can we take this outside?" the cape buffalo offered somewhat meekly.

Nick's mouth was the first to open.

"Yes, of course, Chief–"

"Oh, no!" Judy scoffed. "He called me out, now I'm calling him out!"

"Carrots, we don't have to do this–"

"Oh, so I'm 'Carrots,' now? What happened to calling me 'Judy,' Nick?"

"Well–"

"What happened is that you found out that I'm not some lying, cheating, foul, deceiving, little–!"

Every mammal in the room winced with Judy's insult.

"O-o-o-oh this is going to be good," a wolf officer laughed as he nudged one of his buddies.

"I didn't say you were a–" Nick began.

"You most definitely did! 'At least I'm faithful,' remember that, Nick?"

"Y-yes, I do, but–"

"You are unbelievable!"

Judy took a step forward. Nick took a step back. The whole room was watching the show, enjoying the moment.

"Officer Hopps?" the Chief called nervously, but was ignored.

Being a full-grown cape buffalo, Chief Bogo had never been ignored, but he had to admit that he was honestly afraid of a rabbit in that moment.

"I am just–just so mad at you!" Judy yelled as she struggled with the words, her anger making her shake.

Nick had never seen her that mad. No one had ever seen her that mad.

"I understand, and I don't blame you. Let's just take a few deep breaths, Carrots."

Judy took a deep breath, trying to control herself. Then, without any warning, she reached over and snatched a cup of punch from a nearby gazelle officer and threw it right at Nick, the red liquid spraying all over him. Noise entered the room again as a number of animals gasped, while other tried to contain their laughter.

"Okay, I deserved that," Nick stated as he wiped punch from his face.

"You deserve a lot more," the bunny hissed at him as she continued to advance. "And to think I planned this for you!"

As Judy advanced on Nick, she began throwing any party decorations she could get her paws on.

"To think I would care enough to do this just for you!"

Balloons and streamers continued to fly past Nick's head, but he didn't attempt to dodge them. After all, they were just balloons and streamers; he was more afraid of Judy.

"To think I was going to tell you that I'm–" Judy stopped, tears welling up in her large gorgeous amethyst eyes.

Nick's eyebrows furrowed at her words, and he attempted to move forward to comfort her, but was met with a deadly look.

"Well, my mistake," Judy spat bitterly.

Nick's ears fell flat against his head.

"Carrots, I didn't mean to–"

"I'll be in the car."

Nick reached out for the rabbit as she passed him, but she shrugged him off as she walked through the glass doors of the ZPD, the entire crowd watching her little cottontail disappear through the doors.