"Need Help?"

Judy looked up from her phone. "Good morning, Nick," she said as her partner arrived in the ZPD bullpen. She moved over a little to her right.

"Good morning, Carrots," Nick said. He took a sip of his coffee and sat down on the chair they shared.

Judy closed the app she was looking at. She then saw the date on the calendar app icon and was reminded of something. "Hey, Nick," she said as she put the phone in her pocket, "tomorrow's the fifteenth. I could come over tonight if you still need help multiplying."

Nick's eyes widened. His red fur almost couldn't hide his sudden blush. "Uh, Carrots, I've only known you for a few months, and I don't think that's possible anyway. I think we'd have to adopt."

The rabbit tilted her head. "Huh?" Confusion wrinkled her brow more than time had wrinkled her grandmother's. "What's not possible? What are we adopting?"

"Umm ..." So she wasn't talking about that. This was awkward. "Did I say adopt? Heh-heh. I meant a dock. Do you think the chief will assign us to dock patrol today?"

Judy had a feeling that the gears in Nick's mind had shifted into sly overdrive, but she didn't press him. He seemed uncomfortable enough already about whatever it was. "I don't know. Maybe," she answered. "Anyway, as I was saying, tomorrow's the deadline to send in your tax return." She moved closer to him. "And you should really pay this year," she whispered. "I don't want to be without my partner for the next five years. Know what I mean?"

Nick chuckled as a gentle smile formed. "Thanks for looking out for me, Carrots," he said. "I think I'll take you up on that offer."