Chapter 39: Consent

As Nick was getting dressed he wondered what Judy could have been up to all day. He felt a little strange because even though it was only one day apart between them (not even a whole day), he felt strangely lonely without her. He felt like someone important had left him, and he had a sense of positive vibes at the thought that there was probably already this sweet little rabbit waiting for him at home, surrounding him with love all the time. He was already used to Judy's presence, practically everywhere he would go, every time he would be with her with his thoughts, it was already a habit to her presence. He felt so emotionally attached to her that he had been thinking about something more serious than a simple "Boyfriend and girlfriend" relationship for some time now. He wanted some kind of confirmation that they were together, and of course he didn't want to hide it any longer, because seeing how the rumours were spreading in the precinct, sooner or later everyone would find out that they were together. Not to skimp on the details and to be specific it was about the wedding. It was something that Nick brought up in his head several times, he wondered if this was definitely the doe who could be his partner for life. Day by day Nick was convincing himself that this was most likely the case.

"What are you thinking about so much huh?" Asked a female voice coming from behind the door. Nick shook his head vigorously and turned behind him expecting it to be Caroline who had come to talk to him again.

"I told you first thing this morning, this is the men's locker room. You seriously need to distinguish the signs, because if you run into someone less tolerant it could end badly" Nick communicated. But the vixen only laughed as she walked inside the small changing room sitting down next to Nick who was standing in front of the mirror with a naked solid torso that Caroline looked at unable to contain herself.

"You look good in a suit, you know that?" Caroline asked to which Nick laughed ironically. He took his shirt from the bench then put it on, adjusting the collar a little.

"I look good in everything, as always," replied the fox.

"Ugh... you're modest as always. I'd like to thank you for that dinner...I know it wasn't our main purpose for meeting, but it was still nice to talk to an old school friend" Caroline replied. Nick smiled slightly, but felt embarrassment and bewilderment inside. He hadn't expected a person like Caroline to be able to thank him for something. Although now Nick was beginning to see that she wasn't the same friend without culture or manners. No longer a simple, mean girl, but a woman with her own grace and elegance.

"Well, I have to admit it was fun, that's a fact. Between you and me, I see you've changed."

"I beg you, don't look through the eyes of the past, everyone changes...appreciate what we are, not what I was " sighed Caroline heavily.

"I guess I'll have to, because honestly you've really changed" replied Nick. It was probably the first moment he had sent a genuine warm smile in her direction, and it was reciprocated with the same energy.

"Thanks for that suit by the way, it looks really cool" thanked Nick, to which the girl nodded with a motion of her head. A moment later the fox left the room heading towards the exit leaving Caroline alone in the cloakroom.

Meanwhile Judy, taking advantage of the fact that she was alone and it was quite late, decided to take a long, relaxing bath. She did practically nothing that day, her one major task was to do some shopping for her and Nick as the supplies were slowly running out. She felt extremely tired and needed to sleep, she slept until about 10 a.m., since she started working as a police officer she didn't remember having the opportunity to sleep until so late for her. Although she did nothing, her nerves were brought on by an interview that was being conducted with Nick and Caroline. To her misfortune, she had timed it perfectly when Caroline claimed that they were in a private meeting. This was made convincing by the fact that they were dressed smartly, Judy after seeing this was not happy, she was downright angry, but at the same time she felt pain in her heart and sadness. Would Nick seriously be capable of betrayal?

In the evening, the doe decided to take a relaxing bath. It was really something she needed after the last hard days for her. She wanted a relaxing bath that could help her unwind and drift away in her thoughts forgetting her worries.

A tub full of water was already waiting for her in the bathroom. After taking off the clothes that were weighing down her body, Judy checked with her left foot that the water temperature was right. It was perfect. It was neither too hot nor too cold, it was a combination of hot and cold water covered in a layer of foam with bubbles that gently massaged her body. Judy let out an involuntary moan of delight at the sensation, she placed her strong grey legs on the corners of the tub then closed her eyes letting herself drift away in thought feeling the mass of foam on her body. She tried to think of something relaxing, something that could give her the peace and relaxation she so desperately needed these past few days.

Her bath ended after about half an hour of pleasure, when she decided that she had relaxed enough and it was time to prepare some dinner. She slowly got out of the bath, the water was coming down from her fur, so she took a black towel to wipe her body with and another white towel to wipe her ears with and tied them up (like girls do with their hair). She drained the bath and left the bathroom, looking at her watch, it was 8 p.m. She was a little surprised that Nick still hadn't come back, but she expected that, knowing him, he had gone somewhere else or forgotten to do something at the police station. He had once sat up until midnight at the police station because he hadn't written down his and Judy's day's reports, whereas he had assured the rabbit the whole time that he was doing it. When this came to light, Commander Bogo ordered him to stay for Nick until he finished writing. This went on for over half the night.

Judy poured water into the electric sensor so she could make herself some tea and her next move was to make herself some dinner. She wasn't too keen on some sort of savoury dish, so she took the carrots she'd bought today for a quick bite. She sat down at the table and watched the city through the skyscraper windows while listening to the bubbling water in the kettle. The metropolis looked beautiful at night, especially during sunsets. Of course, it was impossible to admire it now, but in summer it was a beautiful sight. Judy liked the view most in the evening, because there is a small park under their tower block and the rabbit always dragged the fox for a walk to it in the evenings, although the fox did not always want to go there.

She was snapped out of her observation by a knock on the door and the signal from the kettle that the water was ready. She got up from her chair and poured water into her orange mug, then walked over to the white door peering through the glass at who it was. She sighed seeing her fox through the small gap. She opened the fox's door to the house who grinned back.

"I'm back baby" cried Nick happily giving his girlfriend a hug. At the hug he could smell the aromatic perfume and gels that Judy uses. The scent of lavender and roses worked effectively on the nostrils of the fox, who looked approvingly at the rabbit, who with his ears down, tried to stop himself from smiling.

"Mmm you smell nice...is that how you prepared for me?" Said Nick quietly.

"For myself," replied Judy briefly. Nick could see that there was something wrong and the girl didn't look entirely happy. He expected what the reasons might be, but he didn't want to pre-empt the facts.

"Stop it, I know it's the only way you can prepare for me" replied Nick ironically sending his smile towards the doe which always impressed her. The doe pushed Nick away waving her head from side to side.

"Come on Nick...I'm not in the mood..." Replied Judy reluctantly pushing the fox away from her a little.

"Is something wrong?" Asked Nick when he saw that there was definitely something on. He expected it to be about the interview, but he wanted her to say it.

"I saw your interview with Caroline. I didn't know that going to catch a criminal ended with you having dinner together," Judy said ironically. Nick laughed briefly seeing the little fiery blush on her face that showed whenever Judy was feeling tipsy.

"I'll always know that blush. You're jealous" Nick said quietly placing his paw on her right cheek. Judy sighed heavily and rested her head on the fox's hand nodding with a motion of her head.

"Nick, I know we talked about it and you assured me, but you know how I react when I see you with another fox...and yes, I am jealous"

"Aw... you're cute when you do that..." Nick laughed. Judy reciprocated the smile, which quickly disappeared and turned into a grim expression.

"But that doesn't explain your encounter."

"Ekh...you know perfectly well that we were supposed to blend in with the crowd. We went there, we were in a meeting...I mean we met there to catch this guy. We didn't succeed, he managed to escape us, when we got back to the police station the commander was giving an interview and then we had to do it. To secure the success of the operation Caroline said we were in a private meeting.

"Actually the commandant said something about an unannounced interview...he called me" replied Judy thoughtfully.

"Well, you see! Anyway, I'm going with someone else so..."

"With someone else?!" Repeated Judy impulsively. Her vision was already filling with flame, which was quickly extinguished by the fox.

"Relax, that someone else is you!" countered Nick laughing as he saw Judy's eyes take on flames again.

"Only you can play with my emotions" laughed Judy.

"That's my charm isn't it?" Nick asked ironically. Judy nodded with a shake of her head, then hugged Nick as hard as she could, being careful not to let the towel fall from her ears.

"So what's the agreement?"

"Agreed."