Yes. I did an oops. The story was written, but in travelling and everything else, it got deleted. Then I got lazy, and never rewrote it. Until now. So here it is. Hopefully there will be more. Besides, I didn't reeeally lie. I said it would be uploaded on a Thursday. It's a Thursday. So I told the truth. Anyway. Enjoy!

Judy sat on one of the chairs in front of Chief Bogo's desk. The buffalo stared back at the tiny rabbit, his eyes conveying his anger and disappoint in her. Judy had absolutely no idea how the Chief had found out that she had been hanging out with Nick, but she imagined that the subject would come up in the lecture she was about to get. For the time being, it was just her, the Chief had told Nick to wait outside. Finally, after what seemed like the longest time, the Chief spoke. "Hopps, I just received a very interesting phone call from your parents. They called to thank me for giving you such a nice partner." Bogo glared at her, clearly not done. "Now, that wouldn't concern me so much, because I'd expect you to have spoken to them by now, and probably mention it. What did concern me is that they mentioned they just met him. After visiting your house." Judy put her head on her paws. Of course her parents would do that, they couldn't just stick to their own business, could they? Chief Bogo continued speaking.

"Hopps, you were supposed to be doing the report on Wilde this weekend. You know that means that you cannot interact with him, because it could affect what you write in your report. I made it very clear when I was explaining it to you." At this point Nick, who had been listening from outside, came bursting into Bogo's office. Judy turned in anger, what was he thinking?! All he was gonna do was make things worse! Nick spoke quickly, getting in before the Chief could speak.

"Chief, don't blame officer Hopps, it's not really her fault. She tried to make me go, I stuck around despite her trying to tell me to go. It's my fault. If you…"

"SHUT your trap Wilde, I'll get to you!" Chief Bogo stood as he bellowed at Nick. "Officer Hopps still has to be held accountable for breaking the rules. Sit down, and be quiet. Now, Hopps, because this is a relatively minor offence, and because of what you did with the missing mammal case, I'm willing to list this as a warning instead of an infringement. That goes for you too Wilde. First strike. Next time there will be more consequences. Now. Get out of here. Before I change my mind." Bogo sat down and turned away from the duo. Judy glared at Nick as she stood up, before leading the way out.

Nick followed Judy in silence. Over the time they'd spent together, he'd learnt how to read her body language. Most of the time, the ears gave it away. But sometimes, like right now, there were… other signs. The way she held her body, the way she walked, her eyes… the eyes were the worst, by far. Those normally peaceful, lilac coloured eyes he loved, they conveyed a sea of emotions. When she was mad, they were like two little lilac coloured storms. Although he couldn't see, he had a feeling that's what they were like now. Finally, Nick couldn't take the silence anymore. He spoke, using the first thought that came into his head.

"So. Carrots. Should we start planning that dinner that we talked about?" Judy stopped dead, not turning around. Nick winced, knowing he'd started with the wrong thing. He was about to cop it from Judy.

Judy took a deep breath. Had he seriously just...? The nerve! Disobeying the rules, convincing her to disobey the rules, then playing it off as if it was nothing. 'No Nick,' Judy thought to herself, 'you are not getting away with this that easily. She turned.

"Are you serious? Did you seriously just say that. We've just been called in front of the Chief for breaking the rules, you barged in and interrupted and spoke over him, and now you want to play it off as if it was nothing? Are you actually serious? Ugh, I should never have let you stay today. I should've trusted my instincts. But no, I let you convince me to ignore the rules, and now look." Nick started speaking, trying to defend himself.

"Come on Judy, don't be so serious about this. He let us off with a warning, it's not like it's going on record or anything. Besides, it's hardly my fault he found out, it was your parents who called him in the first place. So, don't go blaming me for all of this. What's more, and don't lie to me rabbit, I think you enjoyed today! So don't go acting as if the world is collapsing around us. If Chief…" Nick stopped and looked in both directions. "If Chief Buffalo butt wanted you in trouble, he would've actually reprimanded you. And didn't you see me stick up for you in there? I think that should count for me." Judy couldn't take this anymore. She exploded.

"Nick, shut up and listen! I can't be your partner if you're always going to show such a blatant disregard for the rules. It's not even about the what happened today, it's your attitude to it all that has me mad! You don't seem to care about these rules that are in place for a reason! What happens if one day we're out in the field, and you ignore a rule and something bad happens because of it? There are real life consequences to your actions, you can't just shrug everything off!" Nick recoiled at how Judy was reacting. He'd seen her mad before, but not like this. Judy took a deep breath, and continued, calmer this time.

"Nick, I'm sorry. But I need you to understand that this is the way life will be. We're officers in the Zootopia Police Department. We can't just take a laissez-faire approach to this work. We can't pick and choose what rules we pay attention to, and shrug the rest off. Your friendship... it means so much to me." Judy stopped, gathering her thoughts. His friendship really did mean so much to her, more than he may ever know. "Nick, I couldn't bear the thought of losing you because we didn't listen to something as simple as a rule. I love having you as my partner. I…" Judy stopped again, before she said too much. Taking a breath, she went to start again, before being interrupted by Nick. In all this, she hadn't really been focussing, and now she noticed a single tear running down his cheek, and his ears were flat against his head. Nick spoke.

"Judy, I'm sorry. You're right. This job… it's so different from the life I led previously. It's so much more responsibility. But you're right. We can't just pick and choose which rules to listen to. If something happened to you because I didn't listen to a rule, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. I'm sorry Judy. I really am." Nick took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. "Please, give me a second chance. I'll do better! I'll follow all the rules to the letter! You won't even recognise me from the old Nick!" Judy chuckled internally, she almost didn't recognise this Nick already. She didn't want Nick to change, the Nick she knew was already perfect. And dreamy. And…. She snapped herself back to the present. He really was sorry. She felt bad for exploding at him, but maybe they both needed it. She reached out and put a paw on his shoulder.

"Nick, that's not what I mean. Don't change, I want the Nick I met and got to know as my partner. You just need to start understanding the importance of the rules in this new job. Both of our lives could rest on a simple rule. Don't change, please. You wouldn't be as good of a police officer if you changed. Now, why don't you take me home, and we can try and put all of this behind us. I'd like to finally get around to that shower I never had, and you look about ready to move beyond all of this." Nick's ears shot back up, something that Judy noticed. She wondered if she had any equally obvious indicators of her mood?

Nick smiled internally, trying to hide his mood externally as much as possible. He genuinely felt so bad about what he had done, especially since it had upset Judy. The one animal he cared about the most, all he wanted to do is make her happy. Today, he had the exact opposite of that. "I'm still sorry Judy, really. But I understand. Let's go." They walked towards the car in silence, and the silence continued all the way to Judy's place. Nick pulled over to let her out, finally speaking. "So cotton-tail, I'll see you at work on Monday?" Judy nodded, answering his question before adding her own part onto the end.

"Of course you will Nick, I'm not quitting on you. In fact, I'm looking forward to meeting this new 'responsible, rule-abiding' Nicholas Wilde." Judy winked at Nick. "Also, Nick?"

"Yeah?"

"We're still on for dinner. I wouldn't miss it for the world." Judy smiled. "Now, let me go inside, I'm about ready for that shower.

"Alright then Carrots, I'll see you on Monday. Bye!" Nick smiled at Judy.

"Bye Nick, see you on Monday." Judy smiled back, wishing he didn't have to go, but knowing it was for the best. She shut the door, and watched him drive off. She sighed. Monday couldn't come soon enough.

So, I have planned out the rest of this story, so there should be more. But I would appreciate any reviews, advice, criticism or anything. I really would. Everything helps. Anyway. I hope to hear from you guys. Until next time (and hopefully that is sooner than last time! Sorry again!)!

Et Facta Est Lux!