Happiness Is

Drew provides an apology of sorts for inadvertently terrorizing his two Zootopian friends. They find some happier topics to discuss which seem to range all over but accomplish the goals of getting their fox friend caught up on their activities while he was absent their company. It has been awhile since the three delivered such massive rapid-fire dialogue and they take full advantage of the opportunity delivering almost 6K worth covering far too many topics to list.

Zoodate: 121 P.C.

After being sure the bout of nausea had thoroughly passed, Drew cleaned the bathroom and emerged from the upstairs weakened but his mind was clear and focused. As he surveyed the scene below, he looked for the two victims of his unintentional assault. Apparently no signs of life were apparent from this vantage point. He felt quite guilty for his words. While everything he said was completely true, he had forgotten that when his mind begins to analyze all the possibilities, the impact of those spoken thoughts could be quite devastating on the innocent Zootopians. The problem was that he had gotten in the habit of telling his friends the truth without considering the consequences. But in the case of such heavy current events, he would have to be much more tactful when discussing such issues.

As he slightly stumbled down the stairs, he reached out and grabbed a nearby supporting rail to steady himself searching for signs of his friends. He found his foxy friend lying slouched down in the recliner looking queasy but otherwise unharmed. Nick gave him a weak grin and Drew gave him a small smile and brushed him with thoughts of strength and health. After a brief tour of likely locations he found the bunny sitting at the table adjacent to the kitchen they normally used for eating meals. She had her head down at the table with her right paw within reach of a partial cup of what appeared to be carrot juice.

He slowly stood beside her and gently rubbed her head and droopy ears with both hands and then leaned over placing his arms lightly in front of her giving her a slight squeeze and then a gentle hug and doing his best to send her pleasant thoughts. She stirred from her numbed state and leaned against his arms and he gave her a gentle kiss on the head. Words were unnecessary at this point as actions were a far more capable a means of communication.

Drew slowly released his hold with one last pat to finish his soundless discussion, and headed into the kitchen where he prepared a tray of apology from the available resources. He made his way to the living room with the tray and set it upon the central table in front of the seating area and took a warm damp cloth and handed it to the fox and helped him find the spots around his mouth that were casualties of his recent trip to the restroom. The human gave the fox a thumbs up and gentle smile once the muzzle and fur appeared to be clean and took the now stained cloth away and presented him with a plate with a couple bananas, some rice infused with darjeeling tea and fresh ginger, a new fresh cloth and a cup of warm peppermint tea. The fox gave him a curious look and the human gave him a knowing nod and a lift of the head to indicate to the curious canine that he should eat this strange meal.

Wandering over to the kitchen he carefully collected the figure seated at the table and carried her over to the sofa depositing her gently and offered her a similar plate sans rice and prompted her to eat. He took the plate identical to that offered to the fox and followed the example of his two compatriots. Once finished the trio sat in relaxed silence with satisfied looks on their faces no one wishing to break the stillness.

Finally after a brief respite the human spoke words of levity in an amused tone with a grin on his face, "Well that was quite an interesting discussion."

Nick grinned at the human and responded in kind, "Just a typical bit of evening conversation."

The bunny weakly laughed, "Well typical for us."

Drew: "I dream of the day that we could have an ordinary mundane conversation."

Nick: "Boring!"

Judy: chuckling "We can't have that."

Drew: "Well I believe that the refreshments will help with any discomfort as long as we stick to some happier topics."

Judy: grinning "Well that would be pretty much anything else."

Drew: "Let me rephrase. How about much happier?"

Nick: "Sounds good. Surely something juicy happened while I was gone."

Judy and Drew stared and each other and broke into laughter.

Nick: confused "What did I say?"

Drew: explaining "Well it is more where do we begin?"

Judy nodded.

Nick: "Well just begin after I left and go from there."

Drew: "Okay. You know that club we saw near Savanna Central. The one you said Judy would never in a million years hop into voluntarily."

Nick: thinking and then realizing "You mean Tail Whip?"

Drew: "Yep."

Nick: stared in disbelief at Judy "Carrots?"

Judy: feigning shock "Oh I can't go out every once in awhile?"

Nick: shocked "But… how… impossible. Wait! You went there together?"

Drew: grinning "You think I would ever let her go there alone?"

Nick: in denial "You guys are putting me on. No way you would go there voluntarily."

Judy: hesitantly "Well I have this friend."

Nick: "Wait. You are serious? Are you crazy? The two of you together… that would be among the worst places in Zootopia to be seen as a couple considering your… situation."

Judy: "Well there was a special costume ball."

Nick: understanding "Ah. But… why there? And how in the world did you hide your identities. I can see Carrots but this thing… how do you disguise him? He sort of stands out."

Drew: "Apparently Margie is quite convincing."

Judy: "I just thought it would be fun to go out together for once. And it was a perfect opportunity."

Nick: fascinated "Okay. Well I have to hear this story. Do not leave out any details."

Drew and Judy then proceeded to tell the story in extreme detail with only one omission. They intentionally told all the embarrassing bits in order to distract from neglecting to mention the card and invitation the mysterious fox gave them. They described the first part of the meeting but then deflected attention emphasizing the virgins comment instead resulting in their fox friend chuckling "Virgins… good one" while they quickly continued to the end. They then showed Nick the pictures they had taken of them in the costumes both with and without heads.

Nick: "Wow! I am really impressed with the costumes. I haven't seen anything like them either."

Drew: "What would you have gone as?"

Nick: "Hmmm Nick So… I mean… Han Solo probably."

Drew: "Interesting choice. I can see that."

Judy: "Oh… the space guy?"

Nick: "Space fox you mean. We could have disguised the human as ChewFin… I mean Chewbacca."

Judy: "Who would I be?"

Nick: "The princess of course."

Judy: "I wouldn't mind being a princess. It would be funny being both a knight and a princess and saving myself."

Drew: "I didn't think of Chewbacca. That would have been a much easier costume to locate."

Nick: grinning "When did you ever do anything the easy way?"

Judy: laughing "He has you there. Just look at your one real romantic relationship for proof of that."

Drew: grinning "Okay I never claimed to be the most efficient. But I wouldn't trade our relationship for any easy one with someone else. I will happily push the massive boulder up the hill."

Nick: "What?"

Judy: "He explained that one to me. Has something to do with some guy named Sissyfuss."

Drew: "Sisyphus."

Judy: "That's what I said."

Drew: "Okay... close enough. It had to do with a Greek myth about a king that was forced to push this massive boulder up a hill for eternity."

Nick: "Who forced him?"

Drew: "He was punished for his greed and deceit as well as thinking that he was better than the Greek gods, and punished by the greatest god Zeus while he was trapped in the Underworld."

Judy: teasing "He sounds like Nick. Good thing you aren't in this Greek place."

Drew: laughing "Greece... and it was ancient mythology. But yes I can see you point about those aspects of our foxy friend. He would have been in trouble."

Nick: grinning "I'm sure I could outsmart those guys."

Drew: dubiously "Sure Nick… sure."

Judy: frowning "Hey! So you are comparing our relationship to a punishment from the gods?"

Drew: explaining "No… I merely meant it was worth such an effort… and would gladly take on such a task to keep it instead of another which was easier."

Nick: "Good save."

Drew: "Thanks."

Judy: "Well it isn't that hard. And is a whole lot more fun than pushing a boulder."

Drew: grinning and giving her a slight hug "It is that for sure."

Nick: "Well you have sufficiently tried to divert my attention but I am not fooled."

Drew and Judy then look at each other with some concern.

Drew: hesitantly "From what?"

Nick: "Why from this kinky friend of Carrots. This Margie."

Judy: looking relieved "Oh… well you are not exactly her… type."

Nick: "No. Not like that. I meant so how did you meet her? And what do you guys talk about?"

Judy: "Oh she helped with a case of ours awhile back. I interviewed her. You were being lazy as usual and were wasting time telling jokes to I believe McHorn and Fangmeyer. Anyway we got along great and hit it off. I started seeing her regularly just whenever we had some free time."

Nick: "And what did you talk about?"

Judy: "Girl stuff."

Nick: "Just girl stuff?"

Judy: "Well you are not a girl… so stuff I wouldn't talk with you or Drew about."

Nick: "Ah… isn't that what your sisters are for?"

Judy: "I can be a lot more open than with my sisters since she doesn't know Drew or you and they do. And she is quite a lot more knowledgeable about things than them."

Nick: "What does that mean?"

Judy: slyly grinning "Become a girl and you can find out."

Nick: "What do you mean?"

Drew: "They don't have sex change operations here?"

Nick: "Sex change! Oh… yes they do but. No thank you... I can live with not knowing."

Judy: "Well your loss. We could do all sorts of fun things like braiding each others fur and talk about boys."

Nick: "Pillow fights?"

Judy: "Why do all males think girls have pillow fights together on all worlds?"

Drew: "The visual is just too enticing."

Judy: "That's the whole problem. You guys are far too visual."

Nick: "Well I like smells too."

Judy: "Of course you do. You're a fox."

Drew: "And I like the emotions."

Judy: "Okay… I take that back… you two are not exactly normal guys but..."

Drew: "Would you be with normal guys?"

Judy: "Hmm… well… I don't know."

Nick: "You would be bored silly Carrots."

Judy: "Maybe… but you are missing the point… get one of those sex change thingies and find out."

Drew: "They call it gender reassignment now on human Earth."

Nick: "They love to make things sound palatable on your human Earth don't they?"

Drew: "Politically correct they call it."

Nick: "Whatever… well nothing palatable about having stuff chopped off that is there for a good reason."

Drew: "It is important to be available for certain individuals who believe otherwise."

Nick: "Well I like things the way they are thank you."

Drew: "Same. But I am glad it is available for those who need it."

Judy: "They could make me into a buck?"

Drew: "I am really unsure. Do you know anyone who has had that done in Bunnyburrow?"

Judy: "I have heard of a few bucks who did become does but not the other way around."

Drew: "Probably a good bit trickier."

Nick: "They would have to inject them with humping instinct."

Drew: "They probably have that to begin with and thus why they wanted the change."

Judy: looking disgusted "Why would anyone want that instinct?"

Drew: "Don't think it is a matter of want. It is just they were born feeling that way but were in the wrong body."

Nick: "How did we get on this topic again?"

Judy: "Margie."

Nick: "Oh right… so what kind of freaky stuff is she into? And what could you possibly have to talk to her about in that area?"

Judy: "Well that is confidential girl talk. And I keep telling you I am not that innocent."

Drew: "Well I think you are."

Nick: grinning "Well prove otherwise. A demonstration perhaps?"

Drew got a bit of an ill look for a brief second as he thought of certain events that occurred just after the one they were currently discussing.

Judy: "Always a demonstration with you. You don't give up."

Nick: "Persistence pays off."

Judy: "Well not in this case."

Nick: "It will pay off… I just know it."

Drew: "How about I demonstrate a foot rub?"

Judy: excited "I can get behind that."

Nick: "Not exactly what I had in mind"

Drew lifts Judy's feet and cleans them off with one of the damp cloths and then begins giving them a good massage.

Judy: giggles "Hand things are good for that."

Nick: "What else are they good for?"

Judy: coyly "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Nick: slyly "A hint?"

Drew: "Head, ears, shoulders..."

Nick: "Boring!"

Drew: "Fluffy tail?"

Nick: "Better."

Judy: "We'll keep it at that."

Nick: "Booooo!"

Drew: "So when are you going to call Fila?

Nick: "Trying to distract me again?"

Drew: "Trying to give you a healthier distraction is all."

Nick: "What other mischief did you get into while I was gone?"

Judy: "We saw Tala."

Nick: "How is she? I really need a good nickname for her besides Little Carrots. She is getting bigger."

Drew: exasperated "Don't remind me."

Nick: "What do you mean by that?"

Judy: "Oh… she is just getting a lot more curious is all. You know how the human is, talking about those kinds of things."

Nick: "Like you are?"

Judy: "With her I don't have that much of a problem. It is just something between bunny sisters especially her."

Nick: "Because it is like talking to yourself?"

Judy: "You know she is not like me. She just looks like me."

Nick: "What happened with Tala?"

Judy and Drew had discussed this prior and knew telling an embarrassing half-truth would be needed to satisfy the fox.

Drew: "She has a lot of questions."

Nick: getting a grin "Oh? What kind of questions?"

Drew: "Um… questions about how things worked… well with me and Judy."

Nick: grinning "Do tell."

Drew: "I'd rather not."

Judy: "I sort of encouraged him to. She is my closest relative."

Drew: "She is like a little sister to me. That was so uncomfortable."

Nick: "So you told her all the things you refuse to tell me?"

Drew: "She is cuter."

Nick: putting his paw over his heart "You wound me. But I take your point. She is very… heh! Why didn't you get punched?"

Drew: explaining "Honorary Bunny."

Nick: "Honorary Bunny?"

Drew: "I still haven't gotten my badge or certificate."

Judy: explaining "A romantic mate of a bunny who is not already a bunny gains Honorary Bunny status."

Nick: surprised "That's a thing?"

Drew: "It is now."

Nick: "What does a police partner of a bunny get?"

Judy: smirking "The pleasure of a bunny's company."

Nick: "While that is nice but I'd like a title as well."

Judy: "How about Bunny Buddy?"

Nick: "Hmm… that doesn't sound too bad. Do I get a badge as well?"

Judy: "We'll see."

Nick: "Well so what questions did Tala have?"

Judy: "Well typical questions any curious bunny of her age would have about a couple."

Nick: "And you answered them all?"

Drew: "Well we tried. But don't ask her about any of them. We agreed to keep everything between us. It would make her uncomfortable and we wanted her to feel free to ask anything she wanted without fear of judgment or anyone finding out."

Nick: "I would have loved seeing Furless trying to answer any of those questions."

Drew: "I had to get very drunk."

Nick: "Drunk?"

Drew: "I drank this stuff called alcohol we had on human Earth that lowers your inhibitions and relaxes you."

Nick: "Ah I saw them drinking that in some of those movies."

Drew: "Well I had to drink quite a lot. I ended up drinking too much and getting sick."

Nick: "So what is a drunk Furless like?"

Judy: "He is really tough to handle. But he is a lot of fun. Just a bit too exuberant. But he is able to do those things he wouldn't normally be able to do."

Nick: "Like actually answer my questions?"

Drew: "It's not exactly truth serum Nick. It just helps to relax you. But you really need to want to answer the questions or do whatever it is you are doing. It won't alter your personality that much. But it does help you do things you want to do normally but are too uncomfortable to do."

Nick: "Well we'll have to try it sometime anyway and see. What else did you and Tala do?"

Judy: "We went downtown and saw the Museum of Natural History and many downtown sights but we had already discussed that. But we didn't really go over the whole Protectors rally."

Drew: "I thought we were going to keep with happy topics."

Nick: "Well how about we discuss it and then go back to more happy topics."

Judy: "Sounds good."

So Drew and Judy described in detail everything that happened at the The Protectors rally including the danger and intense anger they felt directed at the trio.

Nick: "Wow… I thought you guys were exaggerating all that."

Judy: "I wish we were."

Drew finished his foot rub and pulled Judy sliding her next to him. She turned around and reclined against his chest while in relaxed in the corner of the couch with his arms lightly around her.

Nick: "Do you think they mean to push all this agenda and destroy the will of the people like Honey said?"

Drew: "Well what concerns me is what they are not saying. I am more worried about their real agenda and goals."

Nick: concerned "I think they might have designs on fluffy red tails."

Drew: "You may be right. I haven't seen any foxes supporting them."

Judy: "It was mostly herd type animals. We only saw a smattering of predators."

Nick: "Predators are too smart to be taken in by that fear scam."

Drew: "Fear scam?"

Nick: "The are just running a con on all those followers. Create fear and blame the powers that be. In this case Mayor Le Pew. They fail to remember that the Mayor is the only politician to ever have the peoples interests above her own. These Protectors only want power not to protect Zootopia."

Judy: disgusted and frowning "They only want to protect their political ambitions."

Drew: "Well the question is what can we do to help?"

Nick: "I will find out what is really going on tomorrow when I check with my contacts."

Judy: "Drew and I need to contact our retired friend to see what he might suggest."

Drew: "Retired… oh… yeah. I need to follow up on the examination of the human UAV and the options we can get approved to bring over which hopefully the Mayor can use to gain public support for her campaign."

Judy: "Well on a happier topic Drew and I got to meet Ben and his boyfriend the other night."

Nick: astonished "Whoa! Way to bury the lead."

Drew: "Well we had quite a lot of other high priority stories to juggle."

Nick: "So Claw was able to actually catch some prey?"

Drew: "Huh?"

Nick: "He's not exactly speedy for a cheetah… or well for anything."

Judy: objecting "That's mean."

Nick: "Still doesn't make it untrue."

Drew: "Well they are a cute couple and want to meet you. I will get to that later, but they gave us permission to tell you the story if you agreed to keep their relationship secret just like ours."

Nick: hurt "Furless, you really have to ask me that?"

Drew: "I know Nick… you know Judy and I have complete trust in you but I only ask for them."

Nick: "Well duh… of course I will keep it secret just like yours. And yes I would love to meet the prey our cheetah was able to finally capture."

Drew: smiling "Well all good then. Judy you want to start?"

Judy: grinning "Sure. We got a message from Ben saying he wanted the two of us meet his significant other..."

Judy and Drew then continued the entire story of their meeting with Ben and Brian until they finished telling the story of the kiss.

Nick: "You guys seriously made out in front of them for over five minutes?"

Drew: "We have no idea how long it was. It was like both us were outside of time."

Judy: "I can't explain it either. It was surreal."

Nick: gets a mischievous grin "Pervy. I like it."

Drew: "Yeah I can see that perspective from you but it was just supposed to be a passionate kiss not something otherworldly."

Nick: "Don't happen to have a video of it do you?"

Judy: "I think it would have broken the camera."

Nick: grinning "That ugly huh?"

Drew: "That bizarre more like it."

Nick: curious "Can you try it again?"

Drew: "What? Like right here and now?"

Nick: "Yeah."

Judy: "I don't think that is a good idea. I am not sure if the circumstances could be re-created or even if they could if it is a good idea."

Drew: "I agree. I almost lost myself inside her."

Nick: "You do realize how dirty that sounds."

Drew: "I know. But it is accurate."

Judy: "I am not sure what would have happened if Ben hadn't broken us out of it."

Nick: "Hmmm well maybe you can retry it sometime. Just make sure I am there. It sounds like something I would have to see to believe."

Drew: "Brian thought we were glowing."

Judy: "I think it may have to do with Drew's empathic thing."

Drew: "Possibly… I don't really fully understand it myself. And I am wondering if being here in Zootopia has altered it in some way. It is far stronger now than ever before."

Nick: "Could it be because of Carrots?"
Drew: "Very likely but that doesn't explain some of the other bizarre things that have been happening like even reading stuff through the door when I got there."

Judy: "Maybe because you are using it far more. Maybe it is like exercising a muscle and making it stronger."

Drew: "Possibly… you are starting to sound like me now."

Judy: grinning "I guess you are rubbing off on me."

Nick: grinning "Again with the dirty talk."

Drew: "Dirty talk? Oh… yeah… Nick you really do have a dirty mind."

Nick: chuckling "Just figuring that out now? You really are slow witted."

Judy: enthralled "Well I really loved their meeting and first kiss. It was so romantic."

Nick: "What? Your meeting wasn't romantic?"

Drew: smiling "Sure what was more romantic than that… the girl tortured and sick... ?"

Judy: defensively "Well the rescue was."

Drew: "Well I can't argue that. Although it was nothing like the rescues in the fairy books."

Nick: "You are not reading the right fairy books."

Drew: "What do you mean?"

Nick: "Dragging the girl out naked and unconscious. Sounds like some of the stories I read."

Drew: "What the hell fairy books do you have here?"

Judy: disgusted "Those sound like those dirty magazines you were trying to show me not a fairy book."

Nick: "You read what you want to. I'll read what I like."

Drew: "I didn't even know you had those."

Nick: "Well they are sort of underground."

Drew: "Well nothing sexy about that situation. It was life or death."

Nick: grinning "That made it even better."

Drew: "Pretty sick minds."

Judy: upset "Tell me about it. He kept trying to tell me some of those. They were disturbing. I threatened to taser him if he didn't stop."

Nick: "She would have done it. You should have seen how mad she got."

Drew: "Quit trying to corrupt my girlfriend."

Judy: touched "Awww… that is sweet."

Nick: "She needs a bit of corrupting."

Drew: "Well if there is any corrupting to do let me be the one to do it."

Judy lightly punches Drew.

Drew: "Ouch."

Nick: "Well you're not doing a good enough job."

Judy: "Well I prefer my ears free of that kind of stuff."

Nick: "Noted. How about I find some human stories. Furless can you get me some of those?"

Judy: with a look of disgust "I have seen what kind of disgusting things humans come up with. No thank you!"

Drew: "Sorry Nick. You heard her. I really prefer her sweet and innocent anyway."

Nick: "Miss pure and white as snow. She's a rabbit for goodness sake."

Judy: defensive "Rabbits don't have to be slutty and vulgar."

Drew: "I haven't even met any rabbits that were. They have all been very sweet."

Judy: "Well… I have heard what bucks talk about when they think females aren't around. You would change your opinion about that."

Drew: surprised "Really? What about your brothers? They have all seemed really nice."

Judy: "Who do you think I am talking about? They have some filthy minds but they keep it hidden."

Drew: "How come they never mentioned anything like that to me?"

Judy: "Well you may be an Honorary Bunny but I am quite sure they will never see you as another buck."

Nick: "Besides you are with Miss Purity here."

Drew: "So many does aren't like that as well?"

Judy: looks down embarrassed "Well..."

Nick: smirking "I think we have our answer right there."

Judy: defiantly "Why is it wrong to not want to be like that?"

Drew: hugging Judy "Nothing is wrong with that love."

Nick: "Be who you want to be Carrots. It is fun teasing you but I like you the way you are."

Drew: rocking her back and forth hugging her "I do too."

Judy: smiling "Well good."

Nick: "Want to finish the story?"

Judy: "Oh right. I forgot."

Judy and Drew continued telling the story from the point after their kiss re-creation that turned into something else. Nick got quite a kick out of Clawhauser's difficulty accepting the news about the special access to Gazelle at her upcoming concert and his Gazelle tribute room.

Nick: "That Gazelle obsession is a bit much. He is flirting with stalker territory."

Drew: "I agree, some of that is excessive."

Judy: defending "It's good to be passionate about some things."

Drew: "I'd rather be passionate about a certain bunny instead."

Judy: touched "Awwww..."

Nick makes some gagging noises as he motions putting his paw down his throat.

Drew: "I didn't mean to sound corny. I meant it."

Judy: hugging Drew smiling "I know you did."

Nick: "Well yours is a lot healthier than that Gazelle madness."

Drew: "Well this one is a bit mad about her as well."

Judy: "I just like her music and message."

Drew: "Some of the stuff is catchy and her hips are hypnotizing."

Nick: "I would just want to see what happens when Miss Bouncy here and our roly-poly cheetah meet her."

Drew: "Well we planned to invite you for sure."

Nick: grinning "You two need a chaperon?"

Judy: excited "It will be so much fun."

Drew: "Especially after recent events."

Nick: "Certainly can't argue that."

Judy: "Good. We will be a six-some."

Nick: "Is that a word? And again with the dirty talk."

Drew: shakes his head "What isn't dirty to you? I thought Fila would have calmed you down a bit. The sixth would be my assistant Marvin."

Nick: "Ah… how sexy is he? An office romance perhaps?"

Drew: "Well if you like amiable brilliant raccoons I suppose he might be up your alley. And I had planned on him being my date... so sure."

Judy: "I can't wait to meet him as well."

Nick: grinning "Are you really supposed to let the missus meet your little office tart?"

Drew: "She can meet him all she wants. He is a great guy and the best assistant I could have hoped for."

Nick: raising his eyebrows and grinning "He does everything for you I am sure."

Drew: "Everything he can."

Nick: getting frustrated "Come on Furless… quit ignoring me."

Judy: grinning "I find it works best when he is annoying and ridiculous."

Nick: capitulating "Fine I will just find something else."

Drew: grinning "Quitter."

Judy then realized there was something she need to deftly weave into the conversation.

Judy: "Drew would your Mom have wanted to go to the concert?"

Drew: taken aback "My Mom?"

Drew was a bit thrown by this question but then quickly realized what his brilliant little lagomorph was up to.

Drew: "Oh well I am not sure any of my family would be into that kind of music. But my Mom would probably like the VIP thing just to feel important. What about your Mom Nick?"

Nick: "My Mom? I am not sure what kind of music she would like."

Drew: "Would she like to attend an event like that?"
Nick: "She is not really one for crowds. She likes it quiet."

Drew: "What about your dad?"
Nick gets an uncomfortable look on his face.

Nick: "I have no idea. I never knew mine."

Drew: "Sometimes that can be a good thing."

Nick: frowning "I wouldn't know."

Judy: "Where does… what's your mom's name again? Where does she live again?"

Nick: "Marion. She still lives near Shady Place in the old Happytown area where I grew up."

Drew: "Happytown?"

Judy: "It was a predator only area but that has changed."

Nick: "Not exactly a ritzy area if you know what I mean."

Drew: "When was the last time you saw her?"

Nick: "I visited a few months ago."

Judy: "How was she doing?"

Nick: looking downcast "She seemed okay."

Drew: "Does she like company?"

Nick: "Not really."

Judy: "Think she would like to have dinner sometime?"

Nick: "Probably not. Why do you want to meet her so bad?"

Judy: "Well both of you have met my whole family."

Nick: "What about tall and pale here's family?"

Judy: "Nick quit being silly. You know why I can't meet his family."

Nick: "Well she is uncomfortable around strangers."

Drew: "I thought it would be nice to get her something anyway. What would she like do you think?"

Nick: "Hmmm I don't know."

Drew: "Well what do you get her as gifts?"

Nick: "I… why do you want to bring her a gift?"

Drew: "Well I brought Judy's family something special so it is only fair."

Nick: "Well Carrots is your… whatever you guys are calling it… "

Drew: "Well you are my friend so… tell me or risk getting hugged."

Nick: "Okay okay… anything but that again. I just usually bring her some groceries."

Drew: "That's a strange gift."

Nick: looking uncomfortable "She… she doesn't like to go out much. So I just pick up some things she needs."

Judy: "Well it would be nice to meet her."

Nick: "She is not exactly the meet and greet kind."

Drew: "Well I still would like to get her something. Do you have her address and phone number handy?"

Nick: "I guess. Just say hi and drop it off."

Nick flips to the information in his mobile and hands it to Drew who copies it onto his phone.

Drew: "Thanks I will look around for something unique she might like we have brought from the human world."

Nick: reminded of something "Oh. Can you get me one of those fancy coffee makers like Carrots got for Honey?"

Drew: "Oh course. But that is unnecessary. We have one here. Oh right, you haven't seen it. It's near the microwave."

Nick: "Well… I wanted to use it at home."

Drew: looking at Judy "You haven't told him?"

Judy: "I hadn't gotten a chance to."

Nick: looking interested "Told me what?"

Drew: getting a big smile looking at Judy "Can I tell him?"

Judy: "Sure."

Drew: excited "Judy said you could move back in."

Nick: "Well she told me that."

Drew: excited "No… like indefinitely."

Nick: "Indef…?"

Drew: "Like for good."

Nick: surprised looking at Judy "Carrots?"

Judy: "It's been two and a half months… I think it has been long enough."

Nick: looking at Drew "You're fine with that?"

Drew: smiling "What do you think? I never wanted you to leave in the first place."

Judy: frowning "Sure make me the bad guy. It was very necessary and very justified."

Drew: looking guilty "Of course it was. I never meant to suggest it wasn't."

Nick: "It's fine Carrots. You know I agreed as well."

Drew: "Well I am happy to get us a van from the motor pool and help you move."

Nick: "Don't need anything so fancy. Your place is already furnished with pretty much everything. I can just put the stuff in storage in case Carrots kicks me out again."

Judy: looking annoyed "Don't push me and I won't."

Drew: "Well you can sleep later now since you can just walk to the precinct."

Nick: grinning "That is always a great bonus."

Judy: chastising "You hold me up you're walking alone."

Drew: yawning "Speaking of sleep I think it is about time we actually got some."

Nick: "No argument from me."

Judy: "We get to sleep in late?"

Drew: "Yeah I told them not to expect me to call until the afternoon. I need to catch up on beauty sleep."

Nick: "So how many weeks should I say you will be sleeping for?"

Drew: flatly "Ha ha."

Judy: "Not really original for you."

Nick: "Give me a break, I'm exhausted."

Judy: "Don't expect me around early either."

Nick: "Like I will be?"

Judy: "Well you still haven't finished the paperwork."

Nick: rolling his eyes "Just when I thought I would have some good dreams."

The trio bid each other good night and headed off to their sleep chambers.

Once they were in the bedroom Drew congratulated his shrewd mate.

Drew: praising "Nice move on the Marion thing. I had forgotten."

Drew shared the contact info for Marion with Judy.

Judy: smiling "That's what I'm here for."

Drew: grinning mischievously "I hope you are here for a lot more than that."

Judy: "I thought you were exhausted."

Judy finished putting on some pajamas and Drew some shorts and a t-shirt.

They go into the bathroom and brush their teeth and prepare for bed.

Drew: "I am. But I would have to be dead before I would neglect you."

Judy: "Well no talk of that."

Drew: "I seem to recall you promising me something earlier when I invited you to a shower anyway."

Judy: "What?" understanding "Oh… you can't remember to take out the trash but that you remember."

Drew: grinning "Priorities."

Judy: grinning mischievously "Well what did you have in mind?"

Drew takes a running leap diving onto the bed and rolling so he is on his back.

Drew: grinning "Surprise me."

Judy takes off from the bathroom and leaps high into the air as if to body slam Drew.

Drew: weakly "Help!"

Judy giggles as she extends her arms and legs to land flat on top of him.