A/N: Couple things. First, I usually post these in 1k+ words because that's the fastest I can write, review, and approve to get it out to you guys. However, I can make it longer. Updates will just be slower. Let me know what you guys want.
Second: Still adjusting to writing again so any feedback is much appreciated. Still feels rusty to me.
P.S. Format won't let me line break right now so horizontal lines are taking place of ellipses.
Again, I point out, I don't own shit. I barely own this POS computer I'm typing on.
Chapter 8 - Choice is made, at least for one...
The rabbit and fox stood in silence for several moments. Neither one wanted to be the first to break it, yet both knew that they needed to talk, and fast. Taking a deep breath, Judy went first. "What do you think we should do, Nick? I mean we work so well as partners. We're so efficient and effective. I can't imagine not being in the cruiser with you , always knowing you had my back every day. But at the same time, I don't want to just toss away a chance we may have at being…more, you know? This could be something new for us. To go beyond just being…friends," she mumbled, her ears turning crimson.
"Well Carrots," Nick said with a smirk. "I think the first thing we should do is probably get out of Buffalo Butt's office before he makes it 3 weeks."
Judy's eyes widened as she gulped and sped out the door faster than Nick could process. Chuckling to himself, although with no real humor behind it, he followed and closed the door behind him.
As they trudged down the stairs, they saw many colleagues leaning out office doors or loitering around the breakroom and water cooler. He exchanged glances with Judy and raised his eyebrow. "They're gonna find out eventually. Do you want us to just take the plunge or let them stew in rumors for the next 2 weeks?"
Judy tilted her head, winced, and nodded. "Oh man, I was hoping for rumors," Nick smirked.
"Suspended. 2 weeks." Nick's voice rang out, as all the officers turned to listen. They had been waiting to hear something but were running out of ways to stall until the two newest officers had come out of Bogo's office. "We're still coming back, have no fear. Spots, we'll bring you an extra box to celebrate. Oh c'mon Ben, please stop crying. You're scaring the convicts. Wolfy, baby, don't you worry. I'll be taking good care of our token Masco- OOF!" Nick winced as something sharp hit him in the gut. "Okay then, remember poker is still on for next Thur- Oomph! Damn Carrots! I'm gonna break a rib at this rate."
"I think they get it, Nick."
"Right you are, Fluff. Just trying to make sure they remember us for the next couple weeks."
"Dumb fox."
"But your dumb fox?" replied Nick, with a spark of hope in his voice.
Judy hid her face as the tips of her ears turned pink. "MY dumb fox."
Nick's grin widened until his whole muzzle hurt. 2 weeks? SOOOO worth it.
"So. We got two weeks off, Carrots. What do you wanna do? Want to see a movie? We could go clubbing I suppose. Oooh! Bowling! I haven't been bowlng in ages. We sho-"
"Nick. While all of that sounds…well dreadful really, we need to go somewhere and talk."
Nick sighed heavily. "I know. I know we do. I'm just not sure where we would start at this point. I do know that I don't want to be doing this out in public. I need someplace quiet so we aren't distracted. Life decisions usually need peace. And quiet. Oh and pizza. Maybe some smoothies."
"Do you want to go to my apartment?" Judy offered, ignoring her partner's rambling. "We should be able to get some peace there."
Nick scoffed before putting his hands over his head to form horns. "Are you kidding? With the Bucky and Pronk show next door? Sure why not. We'll be able to figure out what we want to talk about first by next month."
"Okay, okay. Bad idea. How about your place? It's at least big enough there we can spend some time looking at our options. And later we'll have a normal movie night. I just rented The Lago Movie."
"Isn't that that weird animated rabbit movie? Eh whatever, I'm sure it will be funny. Yeah let's grab a few things, order some pizza-"
"Why Mr. Wilde," purred Judy. "Are you asking me out on a date?"
"Am I asking? No. No I'm not-" Judy's face fell. "I'm making it mandatory," Nick announced watching her face light up.
"Sly fox."
"Dumb bunny."
After a quick dinner of 2 or 3 pizzas and a couple of carrot smoothies, a pox on the bastard who wrote down 2 carrots instead of blueberry, they settled on the sofa to watch the new movie Judy had brought.
Even though they hadn't begun discussing their future yet, an unspoken agreement seemed to have settled on them to at least try to become closer. Judy was curled into Nick's side, head almost in his lap, his arm draped over her pulling her in tighter, both lovingly and protectively.
The movie was really funny, but rather odd. Bunnies made of weird connecting blocks fighting other weird connecting blocks. Nick was sure there was a plot in there somewhere but he was too busy thinking about Judy.
How did I end up here? I know how I feel about her. There's no doubt in my mind that I would choose being with her like this. But does she feel the same? Can our friendship really evolve that way?
Dude. Shut it. You have a sexy bunny in your apartment. On your couch. In your lap. The same bunny you've been obsessing about for a year. Just let yourself be content for one stupid night.
Nick smirked as he looked down at his bunny. At some point during his internal battle she had fallen asleep. She burrowed further into his lap, getting as close to the warmth as she could. Talking could wait until tomorrow. Grinning, he wrapped her in his arms and carried her to the bedroom. Placing her on one side of the bed, he covered her with his blanket before, he shed his shirt and lay down next to her. Running his paw over her cheek he whispered "Goodnight Fluff."
He rolled over to face the wall before voicing the one thing he had never been able to say, to anyone. "I love you, too."