Hello, and welcome to another chapter. Before we get started, I would like to do a quick shout out to Evakyl Nibelilt, who had been helping me with each of the chapter up until now. Also, I apologize in advance for any formatting and grammar errors.

Nick woke up, warm and content. As a formerly nocturnal animal, he always wanted to sleep in, and continuously complained about the early wake up calls required by their line of work. However, deep in the burrow, the lack of sunlight or an alarm had allowed him to sleep peacefully. There was just something about waking up at your own time that made the todd happy. Looking down, he nuzzled his nose into Judy's ears, which were directly in front of his face. They were currently snuggled up on the bed in Judy's old room, in a spooning position. Judy was hugging Nick's tail, her back to his bare chest and his arms around her. Judy's cuddly nature had often led to sleeping positions like this, where she could cuddle his fluffy tail, or even using him as a pillow and sleeping on top of his chest instead of the mattress. Nick was fine with it, enjoying the intimate contact with her. Currently, he was content to simply lay in peace, perfectly at ease with his rabbit beside him and not a care in the world. Unfortunately, this couldn't last forever, as soon Judy started to stir beside him. She started out by subconsciously tightening her hold on his tale, bringing the fluffy appendage closer to her. However, she soon started to swim back to wakefulness, no doubt about to bring her usual energy and zeal back into play. Violet eyes slid open, revealing to Judy the russet fur her face was currently buried in. Unable to stop herself from smiling, she basked in the sensation of being held by her fox, completely enveloped in his comforting warmth. This only lasted about a second however, when she realized what day it was, and that the festivities were already starting. She bolted upright so fast that Nick flinched in surprise at the sudden change in pace.

"Sweet cheese and crackers Nick, we've got to get going!" she exclaimed, leaping out of bed and towards her dresser, where they had put away their clothes the night before. After opening a drawer, she took off the pink nightgown she had been wearing, revealing the black undergarments beneath. This inadvertently allowed Nick, who had now sat up, the chance to admire her uncovered form from behind. They weren't prudes, and were no strangers to each other's bodies and intimacy, but that didn't stop Nick from appreciating the view whenever he could. Especially now, as he knew that he wouldn't get to stay still for long. He loved the curves, the muscles, the way the white and gray fur blended together, and how her dainty little tail sat in contrast to the fined toned muscles of the rest of her body. As Judy stood back up, a folded dress in her paws, he got up off the bed and journeyed over to the dresser to pick out his own outfit. They dressed quickly, not wanting to miss out on any more of the day ahead. Judy was in a pretty purple sundress that brought out her eyes, a rarity considering her usual simple and practical attire. Nick wore a simple pair of khaki pants, button up red shirt and a blue tie.

Once they were finished, they went through the burrow out to the kitchen, where breakfast was already underway in all of its fluffy chaos. Sitting down at the main table, they poured some cereal and started to eat. As they crunched their corn flakes, Judy felt a light tap on her shoulder. Swallowing her mouthful, she turned around to get quite a surprise. For a second, she briefly thought that she was hallucinating, for the little doe in front of her was exactly how she had looked at the festival when she was nine. The kit was dressed in a little police officer costume, complete with hat and plastic badge. Beyond that, she also had the same exact coloring as Judy, gray fur, white underbelly, violet eyes. These traits allowed her to recognize Rebecca, a kit who looked up to her and looked like her so much many of their siblings called her a clone of Judy. Currently, Rebecca was wearing a wide, beaming smile of joy. She leaned in, grasping her older sister in a hug after she had been gone so long, nuzzling her face into her. Judy returned the affection, patting the sweet kit on the back.

"I missed you so much Judy!" Rebecca said, slightly muffled as her face was still smooshed into her sister's torso.

"I missed you too Rebecca." Judy said, a smile now touching her lips.

The next seat over, Nick was watching the exchange in amusement, finding the tiny kit adorable and sweet. His low chuckle drew Rebecca's attention, and her eyes widened and smile only grew.

"You're Nick! Judy's boyfriend! I like you!"

"Thanks," Nick said with a smile. Before he knew it, the bunny had detached herself from her sister and launched at him like a miniature fuzzy torpedo. A bit surprised at the impact, he nonetheless embraced the contact, putting his arms around the kit. She snuggled the fox a bit longer before pulling back to talk to the mammals in front of her.

"I'm so glad you guys are here! Momma and dada said you were coming, but I didn't get a chance to see you yesterday, so I thought I'd say hi now!"

"That's nice Rebecca," Judy said, immensely glad to see her little sister again. However, she was slightly confused by her appearance.

"Why're you dressed like a police officer?", she asked, eyebrow raised in question.

"It's for my entry into the talent show! Me and my friends are gonna do a play about how you followed your dreams to become an officer, and then saved the city!" she supplied, her smile growing even wider.

Nick and Judy exchanged a quick look of surprise before turning back to Rebecca.

"That's really nice sweetie," Judy said, feeling some pride in having inspired her younger sibling.

"Nick is in it too! I got one of the foxes from school to agree to help!"

"Then we'll have to stop by and see it Carrots, sounds like it'll be interesting," Nick said as he turned towards Judy, a somewhat wry smile on his face. She couldn't help but return this look, knowing that having anything based on him was probably stroking his ego.

"Sure, we'll definitely go look. But I want to head to the festival proper first."

"Yay!" Rebecca squealed and jumped up and down, delighted that her heroes would come to her play.

"We'll see you there sweetie, but now you've got to finish your breakfast okay?"

"Okay!" Rebecca said, leaning in for one last hug. Afterward, she headed back to her table across the hall. Judy and Nick also turned back to their cereal. The rest of breakfast passed quite quickly, as everyone was anxious to get to the festivities.

In no time at all, Judy and Nick were on their way to the festival. Fortunately, this was quite close to the Hopp's burrow, so they could just walk there. On their way, they could see bunnies streaming in from every direction, all wanting to take part in the annual celebration. Nick could see brown bunnies, black bunnies, gray bunnies, albino bunnies, calico bunnies, spotted bunnies, long haired bunnies, maned bunnies, and basically every possible bunny one could imagine. They all came to a large sign hanging over their heads that read: "Welcome to the annual Carrots Days Festival" in huge orange letters. Even from outside the gates, Nick, standing much taller than the crowd around him, could see produce booths, mazes, games, rides, and countless other attractions typical to such gatherings. Before they could explore them, however, they first had to go through the gate. A number of the local police were volunteering as security, checking people in and giving them the wristbands that certified you'd paid to get in. Nick and Judy eventually came to the head of the line, where the prairie dog guard did a double take at the sight of a fox and bunny together. Fortunately, he still took their money and fastened the green paper wristbands around their arms, despite the disbelieving and shocked expression on his face.

Heading into the fair, Judy asked Nick "So what do you want to do first? One of the rides? A game?"

Nick looked around, and saw a dart throwing game that would be a good chance to display his aim.

"Let's head there first."

They sauntered over to the booth, a standard sight at any carnival, equipped with a row of balloons and darts to pop them. Nick payed for ten darts, and took aim. His accuracy was a source of pride to him, in his academy days, he was the best shot in his class, and a key factor in his achieving valedictorian. This was evident when every shot was dead on, popping the balloons as if they were only a foot in front of him. Judy let out a cheer, and the stall owner let Nick have his pick of prizes. Looking them over, he was slightly disappointed that they were mostly just stuffed carrot dolls, but fortunately also saw a rabbit plush in the back. He got one of each, and proceeded to give the carrot to Judy.

"There ya go, a nice little gift for my carrots."

Judy smiled up a him and gave the plush a hug, and then responded by saying, "Well, if you got me something, I'll have to be sure to get you something in return. Come on."

She led him through the crowds of bunnies, being sure to keep ahold of his paw so he didn't get swept away.

"Where're we going?" Nick inquired, curious as to where his bunny was leading him.

"You'll see," she replied mischievously, her grin telling Nick that this would be a surprise he would enjoy.

She had a special treat in mind for Nick, something she had been wanting to share with him since they had first planned the trip. Checking a map of the fair, she made sure she was headed in the right direction. A short time later, Nick's superior nose caught a whiff of a wondrous aroma. He could smell something like heaven mixed with blueberries.

"What is that amazing smell?" he asked, now more eager than ever.

"That is what we are going to get," Judy replied, happy at Nick's excitement.

Just a moment after, they came to a large area dedicated to produce and local goods, with stalls selling the items ringing tables with benches and umbrellas for the fairgoers to eat their purchases. Judy led Nick over to one of the busiest booths, which had a sign saying "Gideon Grey's Good Baked Stuff" in big pink letters, with a picture of a smiling pie beneath. The name triggered a bell in Nick's mind, and he became hesitant.

"Wait, Judy, is this the guy you told me about? The one who clawed you when you were a kit?"

Judy sighed, she had had this conversation with him before.

"Yes, but I told you already, he's changed. He reformed, apologized, and was even a big help in the case. If he hadn't given me that clue about Nighthowlers, I might've never gone back to Zootopia."

This gave Nick pause, he might owe Gideon more than he would care to admit. He couldn't imagine life without Judy beside him anymore, and didn't like to consider what would have happened if Judy hadn't returned and reconciled with him.

"All right, we'll see," Nick said.

He would give Gideon a chance, but if things didn't go well, then so much for pie. Judy let out a huff, but let it go. Once he saw who Gideon was now, Nick would probably get along really well with him. They waited for a short while as the line shortened, until they could see Gideon themselves, the portly fox distributing the baked goods over the counter. When he was finished with those customers, he looked at the next pair in line, and perked up.

"H-hey Judy, it's real nice to see you again," he said in his stuttering country drawl.

"Hey Gid, it's nice to see you too," she brought Nick forward and introduced him. "This is Nick Wilde, my partner and boyfriend. He's a big fan of the Hopp's blueberries, so I promised I'd get him one of your famous pies."

Gideon leaned over the stall, offering his paw to shake, which Nick did.

"We'll it's sure nice to meet y'all. I'll get you my very best blueberry pie."

He then turned back into his booth, pulling out the source of the wonderful smell that had been teasing Nick for so long. Judy pulled some bills out to pay and set them on the counter.

"Thanks Gid," she said as she took the pie in her paws. As she turned away, Gideon added on one last statement.

"Also, I'm really happy for you guys, I think it's great how you guys stay together no matter what anyone else says. Stay strong," he said, waving them goodbye. They returned the gesture as they took the pie over to one of the shaded tables.

"Well I think that went well," Nick said as he sat down, eager to dig into the pie.

"I told you he was good," Judy said, knowing she had been right all along.

"Sly bunny."

"Dumb fox."

They smiled, enjoying the running joke, before Nick took a fork and knife and started carving up the pie. Taking a slice out and placing it on a paper plate, he speared the tip of the slice and brought it too his mouth. His nose hadn't lied. As the flavor exploded across his tongue, he instantly knew that it was one of the best things he had ever tasted. He quickly started cramming as much of the pie in his mouth as he could hold, desperate for more of the taste. Judy laughed and smiled at her fox, amused by how kitlike he was acting. She watched him devour the pastry for a bit before a voice called out behind her.

"Hey beautiful, fancy seeing you again."

She couldn't help but release a grown, knowing that voice and who it belonged too, and it didn't bring any pleasant memories. She turned around, and was greeted with the sight of a tan buck with green eyes, about the same age as her.

"Rob," she said, her tone civil, wanting to get this conversation over as quick as possible.

"Judy, I'd heard you were coming back from the city, thought it might be a good time to catch up, maybe rekindle some old flames."

She shook her head ever so slightly and glared at him. Rob had been one of a number of bucks in her past who she would love to forget. He had gone after her only for her looks, and was disgusted by her desire to be a police officer. He had tried to explain, in an unbelievably misogynistic way, that does were supposed to be housewives, and she had turned her back on him without another word. Now however, he was looking at her as though she had never turned him down in her life. As he opened his mouth to say something, he was cut off by a warning growl from Nick. The todd's eyes were narrowed, his ears were back, and tail was swishing, giving a clear message: stay away from the bunny.

Rob responded with a glare of his own however, and said "Why don't you back off fox, I'm trying to have a conversation with the lady."

"She's my girlfriend," Nick said in a dangerous voice.

Rob simply acted confused, and said in a sarcastic tone, "I'm sorry I must have heard you wrong. I thought you said she was your girlfriend, when any self-respecting doe wouldn't have anything to do with a predator such as yourself. She wants a nice buck." he finished this speech by leaning in closer to Judy. She however, moved away from him and closer to Nick.

"Actually, you heard him right. He's my boyfriend, so just leave us alone," she said, her tone decidedly cold. Hearing this, Rob's face morphed into one of anger and disgust.

"Oh, I see, so you're not a big shot, respectable cop, you're a depraved slut who sleeps with foxes!" He stood up and continued his tirade. "What, bunnies weren't enough? You had to get it in with predators too? Why, I bet you've slept with the whole fucking city!"

Outraged and embarrassed, Judy was about to rip into him when someone else beat her to it.

"Hey, why don't you just shut the fuck up and leave them alone?" a paw fastened around Rob's arm and spun him around, bringing him face to face with his challenger.

It was another rabbit buck, this one with pitch black fur and dark blue eyes.

Angry at being challenged, Rob fired back "Why don't you mind your own business!"

"I would, but you're making it hard to. I want to just enjoy this festival in peace, and so do they. But, we can't do that if idiots like you are yelling at every turn."

Rob's face was red and he swelled in anger. As he tried to retort, the buck cut him off.

"Now, we're not the only ones who want peace. There's a security guard over there, ready to detain you for disturbing the peace and causing a scene. So, unless you want to spend the night in a cell, just go away."

Rob huffed and puffed, ready to yell some more, but the buck's words hit home, and he finally noticed his surroundings. Their shouting match had drawn quite a crowd, and there was indeed an antelope officer ready to intervene if things got ugly. Shaking his head, he stormed off into the crowd, muttering something unintelligible.

Surprised at someone helping them for once, Judy and Nick turned back to the strange rabbit.

"Thank you, Mr?" Judy started.

"Oh, um Andrew, Andrew Basilton." he said, offering his paw to shake. Both Nick and Judy did so, and then listened as he continued.

"It's really nice to meet you both actually," he said, seeming somewhat bashful. "You're actually something of heroes to me. I mean, rabbit and fox, working together debunking stereotypes, it was amazing. There was no way I was just going to sit by and let him say those things about you."

As he talked, Nick looked him up and down, and noticed something odd. His ears were unlike any rabbit's he had seen, instead of being rounded, they ending in sharp point, and Nick vaguely wondered if they had been cropped for some reason.

"Well, thank you Andrew, it's always nice to meet someone who's willing to stand up for what's right," Judy said, grateful for the buck's stand.

"No problem," he said, staring at his paws, slightly embarrassed around his heroes.

"Well, I should get going, it was really nice to meet you. Goodbye," he said as he started to move back into the main part of the fair.

"Bye to you too." Judy replied, quickly losing sight of him among all the other rabbits.

"Well, that was… interesting," Nick said, trying to return to normal after the unexpected interruption.

"Oh hush, I'm just glad that didn't escalate into a fist fight."

Nick hummed agreement, "I know, I was just about ready to pounce him when he called you a slut."

"Yeah, well, some mammals you just can't get along with," she sighed, leaning back as Nick returned to his pie.

A few minutes later, as Nick was polishing off the portion he was eating, he noticed some kits in costumes in the crowd.

He turned to Judy and said "Uh hey Carrots, I think the talent show is starting."

She looked up, saw what he was talked about, and then exclaimed "Oh geez, I think you're right! We've got to get moving if we're going to see Rebecca's skit!"

They packed up the remaining pie, threw out the paper plate and utensils, and started the walk towards the auditorium.

All right, another chapter done, hoped you liked it. Review plz.