Welcome back To Stand Together or Not at All! This is chapter eight I'm planning on confusing you guys in this one. *evil laugh*

Hey guys guess what? I got an editor! *Happy dance* It's my absolute pleasure and honor to present InkleCherryseed as my editor.

Chapter 8

Part 1: Past Regret

Note: I'm going to try the chapter quote thing.

Life is pain, so stand up, walk it off and keep going- Roger Rowe

Nick stat in the hospital room trying to contemplate what had happened in the last weeks. He looked across the room to the bed with the small bunny in it. She was still asleep. She was lucky that was all that has happened to her so far. More problems might arise in the future however.

For days now Nick has sat just watching her he couldn't stand to leave for longer that it took to use the bathroom. Not after what happened.

He never expected what happened, never.

It all started Monday at the drill. And then it spiraled out of control since then without them even knowing it, until it was too late.

Monday night Weazer's Wings and Things

It was agreed that Nick and Judy would eat at Weazer's again. This ended up making the small cat tease them about the second date. He even went as far as to try to play romantic music.

But they still had a problem; who would be paying? It was up to George to decide. So as they ate they retold their epic tale. Several times George couldn't contain himself and started laughing at both Nick and Judy. They didn't find it very funny themselves.

"So George, who won?" Nick asked as he put his fork down.

"Well let me think, Nick. Nick won, hands down. I'm sorry Judy -yours was great- but I don't think anything can beat 'it's a good day laddies'."

Judy was rather calm about having just received the news that she had just lost the bet. "You're not picking Nick because you guys were friends when you were little?" George shook his head. "Fine, I guess it's fair. You win Nick, congratulations."

"Thank you Carrots. I couldn't have done it without you."

Judy rolled her eyes. "Of course not."

Looking back on it Nick wished he had never made that damned bet. At the time it seemed so harmless and a good way to have some fun with Judy, weather he won or not. But he had won, and she had payed. In more ways than one. Her paying for food was one thing. But what happened was another.

How could he have known? He couldn't have. But that didn't change the fact that he wished he could have done something different.

Again he laid eyes on the form of Judy on the bed across from him. She had been asleep for eleven days. He had been asleep too but for only two days.

He looked down at the bandages around his mid-section and the other around his shoulder. Sure they hurt, but he would endure more if it would have saved Judy the pain she was now going through.

Tuesday Morning Nick's apartment

The sun had yet to rise in to the sky to say it was morning. It was getting there but not quite. Nick was still sound asleep in his bed enjoying the fact that he wouldn't need to get up so early.

Buzz

It was his phone, he'd gotten a text. The sound didn't really disturb the fox all that much. It had brought him out of deep sleep but it didn't wake him up.

After a moment silence once again was the prevalent sound and Nick started to drift back into a deeper sleep.

Buzz

This time it woke him up. Very slowly, without even picking his head up off the pillow Nick reached out and started fumbling with the accursed phone. First he had to disconnect it from the charger. Which was quite a task for the half asleep fox.

When at last he brought the phone to his view he saw two texts. Right as he was about to open them another one came in with a buzz.

He tapped the icon and three texts from "Carrots" popped up. The fox sighed, of course without work to occupy her Judy was going to pester him.

5:32 J: Good morning slick Nick.

5:35 J: Nick are you awake? If not you need to wake up. I'm bored and need someone to talk to.

5:37 J: Wake up Nick. I'm not going to stop texting until you do.

Nick sighed again. This is going to be one of those days isn't it?

5:39 N: Come on Carrots I was asleep. Why are you texting at 5:30 in the morning?

5:39 J: I'm bored and I got tired of listening to the Bucky and Pronk show twenty minutes ago.

5:40 N: So? You're always bored.

5:40 J: No I'm not that's you!

5:40 N: Yeah I don't care.

5:40 N: I'm going to turn this phone off now and go back to sleep.

5:41 J: Don't you dare! So help me I'll come over there and put an ice cube down your back!

5:41 N: Good bye Carrots. ;)

5:41 J: Nick?

5:41 J: Nick are you still there?

5:43 J: Are you messing with me or something?

5:45 J: You aren't messing with me are you?

5:45 J: Well fox, you just killed yourself. :(

Nick just rolled his eyes and turned his phone off so it wouldn't make noise. After putting it back on the night stand he laid back and pulled the covers back up and closed his eyes.

Even with the stuff that had happened it still managed to make Nick smile looking back on that morning. True to her word Judy did show up with a tray of ice cubes twenty minutes after Nick turned his phone off.

The rest of the week had been interesting to say the least. Not bad, just interesting.

For the millionth time Nick looked up at Judy in the bed. Why couldn't have the weekend have been like the rest of the week? What could he have done different? Maybe this maybe that. He'd asked them all. What could have changed… nothing.

Wednesday Zootopia city Center Park

For the second day in a row Judy had woke Nick up with her incessant texting. She tended to do that when she was bored. And without being able to go to work she was bored almost all the time.

Unlike the day before Nick actually got up and they texted back and forth for almost two hours.

After wasting more minutes on their phones than they would like to even think about Judy instated Nick show her more of the city.

It was past noon and their adventure had landed them in the park near the city center. They had pretty much walked around Savanna Central just seeing what there was too see and talking about anything and everything.

They had eaten lunch at a small café. But they had the taste for something sweet. So now they were laid down in a shady spot enjoying a pair of ice cream cones. Blueberry for Nick and vanilla carrot for Judy.

"You know Carrots, I thought you would pick something else other than carrot flavor."

"I'll have you know I like this flavor and it's not just because I'm a bunny." She giggled between licks.

"It just seems that every rabbit is always eating carrots in one form or another. You know what I mean?"

She turned and smiled. "I really don't care. I'll eat carrots if I want. Just like you'll eat blueberries if you want."

"You got me there Carrots. I love my blueberries."

Despite the fact that he didn't get to sleep in Nick did have a good day hanging out with the bunny. It was like a date only no one asked the other out. It just sort of happened.

It still didn't prepare him for what happened the following days. Looking back on it, he should have seen it coming a mile away.

Thursday morning, Nick's apartment

Nick again was trying to sleep in. But something was wrong. It was almost six thirty and Judy hadn't texted him and she hadn't showed up at his door with ice cubes either. He didn't realize it at first. He was just enjoying his warm bed. But then it hit him like a flying train.

He bolted up and out of bet so fast that he had to pause so he wouldn't get too dizzy. He swiped his phone from its spot on the night stand. Several questions popped into his head about what he should ask:

What, did the bunny finely get tired?

No, too rude.

Good morning Carrots. What's up! I thought you were supposed to wake me up not the other way around?

He considered it and decided it couldn't hurt. He unlocked the device and started a text to "Carrots." His fingers paused, hovering over the buttons. Why was he hesitating? All he was doing was checking on the overzealous bunny.

He started tapping keys. What he ended up with sort of surprised him.

6:28 N: Hey Fluff. Was just wondering what you were up to today. If you're not busy maybe we could hang out or something?

After he hit send and reread the massage it registered what he just asked.

"Did I really just ask her out for a date? Nice. That was smooth. Just you wait Wilde, she'll answer back asking whether you're crazy or not."

So he set about getting ready for the day. The entire time he waited for an answer from Judy. But nothing ever came in.

This worried the fox. Judy was not someone to not answer messages unless she was busy or something was wrong.

For what Nick thought was the twentieth time he checked his phone. When once again he saw nothing. "Enough waiting."

Quickly he dialed Judy's number and placed the phone near his ear. After six rings he got her voicemail.

"You've reached Judy Hopps. I couldn't answer the phone. Leave me a massage and I'll get back to you as soon as I can, thanks!"

"Hey Carrots it's me. I was just wondering what you were doing today? And why you haven't bothered me yet? Anyway if you get this, call me. I'll talk to you then, bye."

She hadn't picked up. Maybe she was already on the phone with someone? Nick didn't know why, and he could be wrong, but he had a feeling something was up.

With no other choices, other than to wait, the fox set out for the grand pangolin arms to see if his friend was okay.

Nothing was wrong when Nick arrived at Judy's apartment. It took him three tries knocking on her door but she did eventually open up. The fox was met with a very sad bunny.

Upon questioning Nick discovered that Judy had found out about the leave they were on being payed. She was upset about not being able to go to work and earn the money properly.

At first Nick just said that she deserved it for all she had done. Of course she argued against that. She even reminded Nick that they were supposed to being punished by being on leave.

Once again all this happened in the past. And no matter how much Nick wished it he couldn't change it. That still didn't stop him from thinking of every possible thing he could have done differently though.

Friday afternoon Nick's apartment

The pair had spent the previous day watching movies because it was the only interesting thing that Nick could think of to do. Even though she was reluctant to, Judy agreed.

Now the next day they decided to do the same thing. They were both relaxed on Nick's blue couch. Nick was sitting by an arm of the couch and Judy was right next to him almost leaning on him, but he didn't mind.

Judy was starting to get bored watching Nick's complete collection of The Three Stooges. Sure they were funny for the first two hours but now, not so much.

She reached up and tugged on his shirt sleeve. "Nick."

The fox looked down at her. "Yes Carrots?"

"Do you want to do something else? I'm getting kind of board with the three stooges."

"What does the bunny not like watching three guys argue and hit each other with whatever hard object is in reach?"

"No it's not that. It's just I need to do something more… entertaining."

"Wanna play a board game?" The fox asked.

Judy shrugged and shook her head. "Not really. I enjoy them but I get a little intense while playing them."

Nick nodded his head. "Okay, that's a fair answer, I guess." He put a paw to his chin as he thought. "How about this; what do you want to do? I can't think of anything."

"I don't know. Umm, how about you teach me some more of your paw signals."

Nick raised his eye brows. "What those goofy things, really?" He had kind of been kidding when he gave Judy all those paw signals when they were sneaking into Cliffside. The look on her face had been worth the scare he had gotten before she started that howl.

"Oh come on Nick. It'll be fun. And then we can talk and nobody will know what we're saying."

She did have a point. That would be funny to see the faces they would get. "I can see your point, but it's going to cost you. What are you going to give me in return?"

"I don't know." She paused to think. "How about a hug?"

Nick crossed his arms. "I'm sorry to break it to you Carrots, but that isn't going to work." The offer was tempting, like really tempting. But he decided to decline.

Judy had already taken a plunge with the hug but this dumb fox is stubborn! Fine it that won't work…

"Well how about a kiss?" You know what they say; try, try again. This time try harder.

Nick looked at Judy like she had just said the worst curse word in the English language… in German. All she did was waggle her eyebrows back at him. She's getting better! I need to be careful. This could easily be a trick.

Nick regained his composure quick. "You're just messing with me. You don't have the guts." He said.

"You don't believe me, well." As she spoke she started to subtly shift her position. "How, about NOW!" Quick as a flash she leaped at the unsuspecting fox. While still in midair she grabbed his tie and jerked his head towards hers and planted a kiss right on his furry cheek.

Nick tried to jump away but ended up roiling off the couch instead. He sat up and stared at the bunny in shock. She had a triumphant smirk on her blushing face. He opened his mouth to try to speak, several times but couldn't.

There were so many details that he could remember. The warmth of her breath. The soft feeling of her lips. And the electric sensation it all gave him. He couldn't help reaching up and putting a couple fingers on his check.

Across from him Judy wasn't fairing much better. She was waging war with herself. I can't believe I just did that! Why did I enjoy it so much?

You know why.

You're not helping right now!

Look at him he's in total shock that his friend just sneak kiss attacked him. He's going to think I'm so weird.

Than why is his tail wagging? He liked it too.

Still not helping! Okay Judy get a hold of yourself. Yes you just kissed your best friend, who is a fox.

And you loved it.

Shut up!

And it looks like he liked it too.

Why do you choose now to do this?! Okay just play it cool and you might not die of embarrassment.

Yeah that's a good idea, let's do that.

The wide eyed look Nick was giving her was kind of funny. And the blush on her face was making her look like a tomato. They just sat and stared seeing who would break first.

Judy tried hard but she couldn't hold in her laughs any longer. It started slow but soon enough Judy had her head rolled back laughing. Nick was quick to follow the bunny's example and started laughing too.

Here they were laughing about a kiss of all things. This is what they enjoyed about the friendship they shared. They could talk about anything and even when one or the other did something like this. Nothing really changed much.

Even though neither knew it they were both thinking the same thing; Why can't I be honest and say how I feel?

"You know I think you may have convinced me that was sufficient payment." He said between breaths from down on the floor.

She had kissed him. Judy Hopps had kissed him. It may have only been on the cheek but she has still kissed him.

He had relented and taught Judy his paw signals. At first she was slow to understand them. But then it clicked. She was fast to learn and good at remembering. She even went as far as to help Nick make up new signals. Some of them useful some just funny. The one Nick insisted on making was "Carrots" which was him giving himself bunny ears with his fingers.

Nick reached a bandaged paw up to touch his cheek. It seemed like yesterday that it happened. It was good day, he enjoyed himself and he was sure Judy enjoyed it too.

It was probably the good mood and all the laughs that gave him the guts to ask if Judy still wanted to go to the star viewing the next day. She had been so ecstatic about it. It was all she could talk about for the rest of the day.

Oh how Nick wished he had never asked her to go. Wished he'd never remembered it.

Saturday Nick's apartment 5:36

Nick looked at himself in the mirror. He was wearing a black flannel long sleeved shirt and a pair of jeans. He was going to be cold where he was going so he dressed a little warmer than normal. He double checked the brace on his leg to make sure it wouldn't give him trouble. It wasn't as bad as the first one, which he had gotten rid of the day before along with those worthless crutches. Those had made it hard to walk around with Judy that week, but true to her word he got the hang of it real quick.

He gave his reflection a double thumbs up. "Looking good Wilde, looking good." He turned around and picked up his coat off of the bed and left the room.

The day before, after Judy had left for the night Nick had walked out to the old hanger by his bridge. No one ever went there so it was a good place to store his red convertible. It was a 72 LTD and his first car.

A few years back a good portion of his hustling money went into fixing the thing up. It was one of the better things he'd spent so much on.

Judy had ridden around in it before but only a couple of times. She always said he needed to keep it closer to his house so he could pick her up in the mornings. Nick just thought it was because she liked to ride around in it so much.

On his way out the door Nick grabbed his keys and wallet and he was off to pick up the bunny for their date.

AN: Shorter chapter this time the next one will more than make up for it though. As you saw at the top it said part one. Yep this is the first of three parts in the ending of my first Arc so to say. When I first started this I didn't have arcs planed so the ending of this one and the beginning of the next one isn't very distinguishable. XD

So are you guys excited about their date? (Yes they've agreed to go on a date. And they're calling it a date.) Or worried about what is going to happen or what has already happened? How about both? Please let me know in the comments.

Also I'd like to thank BeecroftA for voting in the: Who Won the Bet Contest. It was a landslide victory for Nick who only got one vote. So… yeah um I was actually hoping on having Judy's scenario get a little more attention. That's kind of why she didn't argue much when she lost. Oh well.

Like I said at the top I have an editor. His name is InkleCherrySeed. Not only is he writing a story of his own (Which you guys NEED to go read right now! It's awesome!) He's also a wonderful friend and an awesome guy to be around. Thank you Inkle! It was a pleasure working with you. I really look forward to doing it more in the future.

Now if you want to read his story; look up Zootopia Black Rain it's a crossover between Fallout and Zootopia. It's got Fluff, mystery, different species groups like reptiles, and a certain fox and bunny that I'm sure will get together faster than they will in my story. I shouldn't have said that! Noooo! If that sounds like your cup of tea check it out, you won't regret it.

Okay that's all I've got to say this time see you all later! Bye! :)

*Awesome sounding narrator voice* In the next episode of To Stand Together or Not at All: Nick and Judy enjoy a night they have both dreamed of for far too long. Except something is not right. Join our heroes once again as they face odds that that are stacked against them and seem impossible. What is wrong, who's behind it? Will they come out on top? Will the fox and bunny kiss again? Will it be a real kiss this time? Find out this and more next time on: To Stand Together or Not at All!

Are you guys all excited now? XD