AN. So umm yeah been a while, *nervously scratches behind ear*. Sorry? Look I've had a lot on, and well as much as I hate to admit it, lost all motivation. But I'm here, I'm back and I'm going to try and do better. On that note here is chapter 17 if anyone is still out there, you you are still there let me know, give me a PM or a comment and I'll try and keep writing. See ya on the other side, ciao for now.

As he arrived back at the burrow Nick thought about everything he and Bogo had spoken about. It had ended up being a very long and convoluted talk but in the end they had both agreed, Nick and Judy would be left where they were for the moment. as for telling Judy about Nick going back to work well that could wait, at least until Nick was fit enough to return.

As he entered the Hopps surprisingly large home Nick found Bonnie in the kitchen.

"Afternoon Mrs Hopps, have you seen Jude?"

"For the hundredth time Nick call me Bonnie, and she's gone to town. She said something about being "bored without you to look after."

"Thank Dog, I appreciate that she is trying to look after me but I can't even get a glass of water without her insisting on getting it for me." He laughed.

"You know it's only because she cares, that and from the sound of it, if she turns her back on you for too long you have a habit of running off."

"Yeah well, it's complicated."

"More complicated than dating a rabbit?" she said with a smile.

Nick just stared at her.

"Oh don't look at me like that, it's obvious. I think the only one who hasn't clicked is Stu. That and the fact Judy may have mentioned it."

"Look I..."

"Shush, I wasn't happy with it at first, but I can see how much you care for her and that's all I ever really wanted for her."

He sighed, "thank you, you don't know how much that means to me."

"Do me a favour though, tell Stu. I'll admit he probably won't take it well but he likes you. Not that he'll ever say it, he too proud."

Nick nodded and headed for the door.

"Oh, could you do me a favour? I need a private word with Judy when she gets back could you let her know?... That and if I'm not back by nightfall, your husband may have killed me, don't tell Judy."

"Nick, when she gets back, take her up to the hill in field three, she used to love watching the stars up there."

He nodded and headed out, he found Mr Hopps in the barn.

"Excuse me, Mr Hopps, can I have a word?"

"What is it? Can't you see I'm busy?"

"It's about Judy."

He sighed before climbing off the ladder and facing the fox.

"Sit down, I'll be right back." He said walking into the back of the barn.

Instantly Nick regretted coming as he thought about the gun that he was sure was about to be pointed in his direction.

Much to his surprise, Stu didn't come back with a gun but with a bottle and two glasses.

He sat opposite Nick and handed him a glass.

"Drink, then say your piece."

Nick downed the glass in one, it was a mistake. He started coughing and choking immediately.

"What... is... that?"

Stu smiled as he looked at the fox. "Hopps family secret. But in short, it's carrot hooch." He said downing his own glass and licking his lips.

"I know what your here to say. I might just be a simple carrot farmer but I'm not a complete idiot. I only have one question," he said re-filling their glasses.

"Do you, do you love my daughter?"

"More than life itself sir."

"Good, because if you ever hurt her I will kill you fox."

"I understand."

"Good," he said with a smile. "Now, to my daughter's happiness, cheers." He said raising his glass.

They sat talking for over an hour, before Nick decided if he was going to talk to Judy, it would be best if he could speak.

"Come on Stu, let's get you back," Nick said helping him to his feet.

He was thankful Stu was so much smaller than him, otherwise, he had a feeling trying to get him home would have been far more difficult.

As he arrived at the house, he saw a young rabbit run inside, before hearing a shout.

"The Fox has Killed dad!"

Oh, ferret was all he could think before a hoard of rabbits came running out of the house every one of them looked at him and the rabbit he was propping up, before bursting into laughter.

As they carried him inside, Bonnie walked up to Nick and quietly said, "I take it your conversation went well then?"

Nick just nodded.

"Good, there's a blanket and a thermos in the kitchen, Judy's in your room, go."

As he picked up the stuff Bonnie had left out he smiled, how is this even possible? I'm a fox, and yet her family have welcomed me into their home, not only that but they seem to truly like me.

As Judy saw Nick, she jumped to her feet.

" What's wrong?"

It was only then he realised he was crying.

"Nothing fluff, believe me, life couldn't be better. Now come on, I have a surprise for you."

As they arrived at the top of the hill Judy sighed.

"I haven't been up here in years, how did you know?"

"Let's just say I think your family are warming to me." He said setting up the blanket.

As they stared up at the sky Judy curled closer into Nick's side, before feeling a claw slowly running it's way up the back of her ear.

"Nick! What have I told you about my ears." She said with a shiver.

"Sorry carrots, couldn't help it." He said as he placed his paw down.

"I mean, I didn't say to stop," Judy said a blush slowly rising up her ears.

"That's my sly bunny" Nick said placing a kiss exactly where his claw had been moments ago.

She squeaked before jabbing him in the ribs, "your so mean."

Nick just smiled, "you know you love me, Dog I wish we could stay here forever."

"I know what you mean, I've been thinking..."

"That must have hurt." Nick said with a chuckle, before receiving another elbow to the ribs. "careful, if you keep doing that I'll never be fully recovered."

"Well as I said, I've been thinking..." she said giving Nick a glare. "The Bunnyborrow PD are a little short pawed and well, I'm going to ask Chief Bogo for a transfer."

"But what about making the world a better place? Have you been missing home that much?"

"Yeah... missed home, and I can make the world a better place from here. OK so there won't be as much to do..."

"I guess I'll just have to partner with Fangmeyer then, or maybe Wolford."

"... and I'm sure you could work with Gideon and... wait." Judy turned towards the grinning fox. "Nick!" she screamed jumping onto the still grinning fox.

Nick howled in pain. "Judy! Bullet wound, remember." He said prying the smaller animal off him.

She jumped off him, "I'm so sorry, I wasn't thinking and..."

Nick stopped her by placing a finger over her muzzle, "you bunny's so emotional now get over here and make a poorly fox feel a lot better." He said pulling her back down to lay with him.

After a while Nick heard a small cooing coming from the rabbit curling into his side, Slowly he lifted her up carrying her back towards the house. As he walked through the door he saw a small bunny looking at him wide eyed. The same bunny who had brought the whole house out accusing him of killing Stu.

"No, no no no. Shhhh,' Nick hissed. "Look she's just asleep, look."

At that exact moment Judy did something neither mammal had expected. The small animal let out the loudest snore Nick had ever heard.

Looking down at the bundle of fluff in his arms, Nick slowly began to snigger which slowly turned into a full on laugh. Of course this had the effect of waking up the whole burrow including the rather annoyed bunny in his arms.

"And what is so comical that you though it would be a good idea to wake your sleeping girlfriend?"

"Carrots How did I never know you snored?"

"I do not snore."

"I have a witness" he said, gesturing to the small bunny who was vigorously nodding his head. That was until he saw the look in his sisters face at which point his eyes widened and his head started shaking from side to side.

"see"

"OK little guy" Nick said with a smirk, placing his large paw on the rabbits head, "I know. She scares me too. But better stop that before your head falls off"

As they walked back to their shared room, Nick continued to tease her. "... oh come on, there is nothing wrong with it, I mean it was even a little c..." Nick stopped as it seemed every door along the hall opened simultaneously. " umm comforting?" he said. Looking at the retreating heads.

"That was creepy". Nick muses looking at the giggling rabbit next to him.

"It's a rabbit thing, these ears aren't just for show you know."

As they curled into each other, both mammals only had one thing on their minds. How this was the happiest they had been in a very long time.

AN. So yeah I know it isn't long or even particularly interesting but unfortunately some chapters have to be there to give a little filling. As I said I'll try and keep writing but I can't make any promises on when the next chapter will be could be an hour could be a day could be another two years, ha ha sorry again. But unlike what seems to be the rest of the world I'm still having to work so this is during what limited free time.

And as always Keep those ears pointed and tails wagging.

Ps. Keep safe out there.