A/N: Thanks again to kt_valmiri again for editing :) And thank you, everyone, for reading!

…..

Anyone who was watching Skye Frost's talk show would have thought Nick and Jack had been friends for years. The pair sat side by side, both beaming at the pretty vixen as they publicly made amends.

"You see, Skye," said Nick, leaning forward and smiling at the hostess, "after our meeting, Stripes and I realized we were more alike than we thought. And there was really much more to gain by being civil than viciously attacking each other."

Skye gave the pair an impressed look, her eyes moving from Nick to Jack. "Wow! This must be some sort of record. One moment, you two are at each other's throats. The next, you both are ready to move forward! Very impressive."

"Well, Skye," Jack grinned as the vixen met his eyes. "It's all about setting aside our pride. Nick and I have a lot we can teach other. I have a feeling Zootopia's going to be very pleasantly surprised in the next few months."

"Why, Jack!" she cooed, her tail wagging in delight. "Is that a hint? A little tease, perhaps, of a future collaboration?" She leaned towards the buck, whose own position shifted as close as his chair would allow. Nick merely watched the display with amusement and bite back the smirk threatening to spread across his muzzle.

"I would never tease, Skye," Jack quipped back to her.

There were several seconds of silence following the flirty comments, Jack and Skye simply smiling at each other. The todd sat looking between the pair of them before he cleared his throat. Snapping out of their trance, with their ears burning, both shifted in their seats.

"But that does bring us to our next topic," Skye looked down at her cards, regaining her professional demeanor. "The reaction to the video has been loud, to say the least. Several citizens of Zootopia have called for boycott of your albums. What's your response to the outcry this has caused."

Hanging their heads in shame, both males nodded.

"The admonishments have been well deserved," Jack started with a glance to Nick. "I would like to take this time to apologize for my actions. There is absolutely no excuse for what I did and I can promise I'll behave better in the future. And I would like to publicly thank Miss Hopps for forgiving me."

"And on that note, I would like to apologize to Jack for attacking him. There were several better ways for me to respond and violence should not have been one of them. I'm sorry, Jack," Nick held out a paw, smiling as the rabbit accepted it.

"Now that the air has been cleared, my sources say that you, Jack, and Weaselton Records have parted ways," the vixen looked at the buck with curiosity. "Is there any truth to the rumors?"

With a deep breath, he nodded. "They're true. Unfortunately, professional differences had me breaking my contract with my previous agent."

"Have you signed with anyone new?"

"As of now, no. Until I settle things with Weaselton Records, I will be operating as an independent. Though, once things are settled, I'll be signing with Miss Hopps."

"And your response to Weaselton's latest interview? Some of his comments were quite harsh." Skye's look was concerned as Jack and Nick both stiffened. "There's even suggestion that you've forced yourself on others."

"An accusation that's completely untrue!" Both Skye and Jack looked in amazement at Nick. The todd put a paw on Jack's shoulder. "I'll be the first to admit Jack and I didn't get along, but Weaselton is acting out of spite because he lost a high profile client. In the short time I've gotten to know him, Jack has been nothing but respectful and courteous. These accusations are baseless."

"Glad to hear it," she responded with a smile at them, before she turned back to the camera. "There you have it! Thank you so much for joining me and Zootopia's newest dynamic duo. I'm Skye Frost. Stay entertained, Zootopia!"

The lights faded as the males slumped over. Skye gave them another smile as she stood.

"Well, that was some show!" Shaking their paws, lingering a bit longer with Jack, she pulled her microphone from her shirt and set it on her chair. "I'm sorry to be rude but I need to rush to another interview in Savanna Central Park. I look forward to seeing you again."

Jack smiled after her retreating form, pulling his own microphone free before looking over at Nick.

"Thank you," he muttered, fidgeting with it. Nick gave him a bored look before rolling his eyes.

"Do you really think I'm going to let the world think Carrots is willing to represent anyone with money, regardless of their reputation?" He scoffed and passed his microphone to the sound mammal. "Over my dead body."

Squinting at the todd, Jack gave a small hum causing the fox to looked at him in curiosity.

"Is your fur always this dry and frizzy?" Jack asked as he sat back and smirked at the todd's glare.

"Do you always keep spinach between your teeth," was the response as Nick hopping off his chair and heading for the exit. Jack's mouth slammed shut, his tongue running over his teeth and ears going red. "Made you look!"

"Asshole," Jack muttered with a scowl as he walked after him.

"Pick it up, Stripes," called the fox from the the doors, "Carrots is waiting for us."

Judy had made her statement earlier, forgiving the buck before the males took their spots for their interview. Afterwards, she left for Nick's house, wanting to get Nick's studio ready for more recordings and hash out a game plan. So, Jack and Nick were forced to spend some quality time together on their way back.

Sitting in sullen silence during the drive, all pretense of being friendly fell away. They barely glanced at each other as they each left the car for Nick's front door. Their animosity seemed to grow as they stepped into the shade of the house and followed the music coming from the studio.

At the piano, Judy was playing some of the sheet music Nick had been writing, muttering to herself every now and then as she made notes and alterations. Her purple eyes looked up from her task as she grinned at the pair coming in. Though it fell as she sensed the vibe between them.

"I saw the feed," she said, not pausing the music, "and you both were great. Anyone watching would think you two are besties."

"Easy, fluff," said Nick with a pained look on his face, "I just ate."

"I can't believe there are mammals out there who think you're cool," groused Jack.

Sighing, Judy stopped playing and looked at them. "Listen, I get this is not what you were hoping for. And I get that you two will probably never see eye to eye. But that attitude won't help. You don't have to like each other. Just tolerate each other. Okay?"

Both males scowled at the floor and grumbled their agreement. Satisfied, the doe stood and walked over to them, pausing in front of Nick. Her paws reached out to his collar, straightening it before adjusting his tie. She ran them over his chest to smooth the rest of the shirt out as he obviously fought to keep his face blank. Jack smirked at the fox as she stepped back with a happy nod.

"Now," she continued, "I have Finnick coming in for the session and I want to go over some lyrics with both of you. We need to get your set list figured out; especially for you, Jack. We may not be able to use your old stuff if it was under contract with Weaselton."

Rolling his eyes, the buck took a seat on the couch. "It's not like I have much to loose. What's Duke going to do? Sue me?"

"Yes." Judy had gone to the mini fridge Nick kept by his stereo and grabbed a couple bottles of water. Both the buck and todd looked at her incredulously.

"His ego is shot," she explained passing them each one, "and he's very mad. He's probably thinking of suing me and Nick but he doesn't have a case. You, though… You broke your contract. And are 'working' for another agent. I expect him to deliver the papers any moment now."

Slumping back, Jack gave a frustrated groan. "Great! I just started my career and now it's already over… And I never even had the chance to make a sex tape…"

Nick snorted in amusement.

"Well, sorry to break up your moment of self pity," continued Judy as she checked her phone, "but I have to take this call. Try not to kill each other."

Jack gave a thumbs up without looking at her. Straightening up in his spot, his eyes fell on Nick. The fox's paw clutched his water bottle and his eyes were glued to Judy's tail. Raising his eyebrows, Jack smirked as Nick bit his fist and gave her backside a longing look. Though it vanished the moment he realized the buck was watching.

"Shut up," he growled, before taking a long swig from the bottle.

With a look of fake innocence, Jack just gave him a sweet smile. "I didn't say anything."

Unconvinced, Nick just ground his teeth and grabbed a guitar off the wall.

"She does have a great tail," Jack said, taking a sip of his water. Nick froze putting the strap over his head. "Among other things. And she's a great kisser."

"I hate you," the fox growled.

"I hate you, too."

…..

Finnick had been in the music industry longer than even Gazelle. He had thousands of accolades under his belt and, while he had experience producing, he preferred to make music. He and Nick had known each other since the red todd's first album. So he was familiar with the drum set he sat behind.

And he was unfortunately familiar with Nick's prima donna behavior.

At least he seems to have met his match, Finn thought with a grin as their rehearsal was stopped (again) by the bickering fox and rabbit.

"For the last time!" growled Nick, claws almost cutting into the wood of his guitar. "You don't go up on that note! Seriously, Stripes! Any higher and only canines will hear you!"

"Why don't you focus on playing in tune for once, fuzz tail!" Jack snapped back, baring his teeth at the fox. "I'm surprised you haven't broken any of your tacky glassware with how out of tune that hunk of junk is!"

Narrowing his eyes at him, the todd took a threatening step towards the buck.

"You wanna say that again, pip squeak?"

"Oh! Is that what the issue is?" came the retort. "You're deaf? Because that explains a lot!"

"ENOUGH!"

The angry voice had all three males jumping in surprise. Three pairs of eyes turned to Judy who was glaring at Nick and Jack from where she sat at the piano. From his seat, Finnick laughed, hunched over the drum set as he did and sticks clutched in his paws. Rolling her eyes when her glare went un-noticed by the fennec, the doe stormed over to him and grabbed him by his arm.

"This little spat between you two is completely unproductive!" she scolded, hauling Finnick up and dragging him to the door. "You both are going to work this out- TONIGHT- or I'm calling every single one of the venues and canceling both of your shows."

"Hopps-" "Carrots-" But they were both cut off as she and Finnick paused at the doorway.

"I don't want to hear it!" Releasing Finnick to look at them, she shook her head as they hung theirs. "You two need to try to get along. Your careers are on the line and everyone expects this collaboration to die before it even begins. So, Finn and I are going to pick dinner. When we get back, I expect the two of you to be ready to play and move forward."

Both males ground their teeth as they watched the pair vanish. Exchanging a glare, they looked away and crossed their arms stubbornly.

"Fat chance of that happening," muttered Nick.

"She's delusional is she thinks it will." Jack grumbled back.

"Watch it!" The rabbit's ears fell in surprise at the sharp tone of Nick's voice. "I'll eat you if you ever insult her again."

For once, Jack didn't feel the need to bait him. He considered the fox for a moment before nodding. "Okay. I won't." Looking satisfied, the fox returned his attention to the guitar around his neck. "By the way…" Nick gave him a cautious look of curiosity. "The lyrics are good… Great actually. You did a good job on them…"

Surprised, Nick flattened his ears and cleared his throat. "Oh… Thanks." Looking back down and strumming, he cleared his throat again. "You… sing them… really well… I only thought that the high note would hurt your throat. Especially after singing it over and over again. I always had trouble with them."

Jack relaxed as he gave Nick a speculative look.

"Thanks for looking out…" Nick just hummed in acknowledgment as Jack awkwardly scratched his neck. "Nick?"

"Huh?"

"I just wanted to say…." Jack took a deep breath and waited for him to pause his strumming again. "I got into the music business because of you…."

Whatever Nick had been expecting, it wasn't that. "What?"

"Yeah," Jack continued with a nod as his ears flushed with embarrassment. "I wanted to be just like you."

"Did you really?" asked Nick, dazed. Jack grinned and nodded. "Why?"

"Are you kidding me!" exclaimed Jack. "You're Mr. Fox! Half the bucks in my class got pompadours because of you! I remember my sisters and their friends watching your first music video and how they just gushed and swooned over you. You were so cool and you could have any female you wanted. And I would read all these magazine articles about the amazing things you did or bought and the gorgeous females throwing themselves at you. You were my hero! And that's why I was a-"

"Dick?" suggested the fox, grinning at the buck's eyeroll.

"I was going to say brat, but, yeah. Dick works just as well."

"I'm sorry, too." Nick stopped strumming and pulled the guitar off. "I was on the top for so long, I guess I could've handled this a lot better. Maybe show you the ropes instead of trying to hang you from them. It's just hard when a younger, more talented version of yourself starts showing you up."

"I don't know about more talented," Jack countered with a smile. "I can't play the guitar. Or any other instrument."

"But you're a hell of a dancer."

"And you're a hell of a musician."

Both males considered each other for a moment before they simultaneously held out their paws.

"I'm sorry I assaulted your agent," said Jack.

"I'm sorry I assaulted you," said Nick.

Smiling, they released paws and stood in silence for a moment, until Nick laughed.

"Well… At least Carrots will be happy about this."

Nodding, Jack went to gather up the music he had left on the floor. "I can't wait to for her to find out." Rearranging them, he gave Nick a sly look as the fox put his guitar back on. "So… When are you going to tell her?"

To his amusement, Nick played dumb. "Tell her what?"

"That you're madly in love with her."

The slamming of the front door kept him from answering, as pawsteps grew closer to the studio. Jack merely drew his fingers across his closed mouth, promising Nick he'd keep quiet. Looking relieved, the todd forced a smile as Judy and Finnick re-entered with pizza. She paused in the doorway and looked from one to the other.

"Are we good?" she asked, with a slight threat in her voice.

"Yeah," Nick smiled warmly at her before glancing at Jack. "We're good."

"Good," Jack agreed. Judy smiled and set the pizza down on the table.

"Excellent!" she said with a smile. Finnick set a smaller box down next them, along with paper plates and napkins. "I got the good pizza and even some wings for the carnivores. Take a break. I need both of you in tip top shape for the Concert in the Park."

Jack accepted the plate with pizza from Judy, giving her a confused look as he did. "I'm not performing in that. Duke said unpaid gigs weren't worth the effort. I missed the registration date."

"I got you in," explained Judy as she took a huge bite of her food. Shrugging as she chewed, she turned to sit on the couch. "It may be a free gig, but it'll be great publicity. And an even better follow up from the apology. A little humility goes a long way. But-" Jack and Nick paused their chewing to look at her triumphant grin. "That's not even the biggest news! Care to do the honors, Finn?"

With a grin of his own, the smaller fox swallowed. "We're playing with Gazelle at the Zootopia Coliseum."

"No way!" exclaimed Nick, nearly choking on his bite. "Seriously?"

His green eyes looked to Judy, whose smile softened on him. "Seriously. I was talking with her mammals all day. I let her know what was going on with Jack and Duke, and she jumped at the chance to perform with you two. We do a set rehearsal with her posse in three days." There was a loud pop, everyone looking to Finnick holding a previously unnoticed bottle of champagne, it's cork undone. "To new beginnings, guys!"

Glasses were filled and clinked together. "To new beginnings!"

Laughing, eating, and sipping, none of them were expecting the door bell to ring.

"I'll get it," Jack insisted with a grin, paw going to push Nick back down onto the couch next to Judy. The fox gave her a nervous smile, which she returned, as he landed close to her. Bouncing away and sipping from his flute, the buck felt lighter than air.

There were a few hiccups, but he and the famous Mr. Fox were on their way to being friends, he had a talented sort-of manager who nabbed him a big gig, and there was a hot female who was definitely into him.

Life is good, he thought as he pulled open the front door.

"Can I help you?" he asked the mammal in the Fed-OX uniform.

The aardvark looked up from his clipboard and smiled. "Jack Savage?"

"That's me," Jack confirmed, accepting the envelope from the other male.

"You're being sued for breach of contract by Weaselton Records," the aardvark explained. "You've been served."

Mouth dropping open, the rabbit watched the other mammal turn and walk away.

"Harsh."

Jumping, Jack turned to look at the fennec in tired surprise.

"But not surprising." He looked down at the summons in his paws.

"We're going to fight this, Jack," came Judy's reassurance. "Together."

Smiling at her and Nick who came up behind her, he shook his head. "I don't see how I can win this one, guys. Duke has this in the bag."

Nick and Finnick exchanged a smirk.

"Yeah," Nick said putting his arm around Jack, "I wouldn't worry about him, Stripes. It's Duke. Like he's never done anything nefarious in his life." Leading the buck back to the studio, the red todd grinned. "So don't stress, sport."

"Sport?" Jack grinned up at him as Judy laughed behind her paw. "Gods, you're old."