Hello everyone!

Thank you for your support and reviews! I always appreciate them!

There is a pinch of salt in this chapter, it was unavoidable. Mind you, it's not the drama I had in mind. Thank you all for voicing out your opinions about that!

IMPORTANT MUSIC NOTE The song Nick and Judy are talking about is "Fingers to the Bone" by Brown Bird. It's important, because it inspired the whole scene and IMHO fits Nick's life so far.

Chapter 8

„Hello Chief..." the bunny stated in a weak voice, not sure what to expect.

There was a pause, just enough for someone on the other end to take a deep, calming breath.

"Hopps..." her superior greeted her and already his voice made her even more nervous than she was before the call. "I have only one question for you. Are you in that fox's bed?"

Judy shut her eyes tight and groaned internally, while promising herself to prepare a nasty payback for Nick. "It's… complicaded, sir," she replied with caution. "I mean, nod exactly in bed, more lige on dhe couch… I mean…" her voice started trailing off when she realized that she's not exactly helping her case here. "Poind is!" she said quickly to regain some composure. "He accidendly learned aboud my flu and offered to accommodade me for dhe time of my recuberation, nothing more!"

Yeah, right… Muttered a sarcastic voice in the back of her head.

"I'm here simbly for the purpose of gedding better in a fasder way dhan in my own apartmend."

Smooth, Hopps. Really smooth…

"I'm nod-" her hurried explanation was interrupted by her sore throat and an attack of cough that shook her entire body. That break made her lose any momentum she had built up and when she could breathe normally again, Judy heard a disapproving huff from the buffalo.

"I'm not going to inquire why one of my best officers is currently living under one roof with the biggest pain in my ass," Judy let out a mute sigh of relief. "As long as you assure me that it's only temporary and there is nothing else to it."

Judy froze.

"Uh… um… well…" she stammered, completely clueless what to answer her boss.

Bogo's voice dropped to a lower, fiercer tune. "Are you telling me…"

"No! Nothing of dhat sort!"

Yet. Sniggered the voice in her head. Still, in a way it was true. They went on a couple of dates, but never exactly stated what they are to each other.

"So it's just friends? With a mammal that has been a thorn in our side for so long?" he asked in a sickly-sweet manner.

Judy squirmed with the phone in her paw, trying to find a way out of this situation. The fact that she never lied to her boss wasn't making it any easier.

"Um, I wouldn't say friends…" she tested the ice before stepping on it. "More like… close friends?" she got no response to that. "Very close friends?" the doe dared to say.

She heard Bogo taking in another deep breath, but apparently, luck was on her side and she broke into another coughing fit. It was stronger than the last one and she coughed for longer period of time and at the end her chest ached. However, she was glad for it.

"Sorry, sir…" she croaked. "Too much talking…"

There was silence in the speaker and after few seconds her superior spoke once more. This time with a softer voice. "Alright, don't talk anymore. Get better and I'll expect you in my office the moment you get back to work."

"Thank you, sir…" she mumbled to the phone and ended the call. Judy dropped back on the pillows, completely drained. Although it was a mess and she'll have to deal with this after getting better, she wasn't exactly mad at Nicholas. He simply told Bogo the truth, she did spend the night in the fox's bed. Without the vulpine in question, of course, but still… What if he would be there with her? Not in any naughty way, but just by her side? The memory of his body warmth was so fresh in her mind that she could almost feel warmer just by recalling that scene.

Would he mind if I asked? The voice suggested a brazen scenario.

"Hey Nick, wand to sleep with me tonighd?" she whispered to herself and giggled right after that, pulling her ears down to cover her blushing face. Her wild imagination was getting far ahead of her and she needed to step on the brakes. Going too fast with such things wouldn't do them any good.

To distract herself, Judy turned her attention to the TV mentioned by the fox attorney. She wasn't exactly in the mood for watching any shows or movies, but then she noticed the stereo placed in a niche below the massive screen. Music was an entirely different thing. Wrapping herself with the blanket, Judy slid off the couch and approached the shelf full of CD's. The doe recognized quite a few of them and was happy to discover that Nicholas had a similar taste in music as she did. Gun's an Rodents, Mammallica, Red Furred Chili Peppers… Though she decided to go with something unknown to her, to try something new, as uncharted territory always attracted her. Judy randomly selected one of the CD's and looked over it.

"Brown Bird…" she read it in a low voice.

Without further ado, the bunny placed the CD in the stereo and hit the play button. Going back to the couch, she was already pleasantly surprised with the music as it started seeping from the speakers. It had a nice, folk ring to it with a drop of a slightly darker vibe. She sat down, listening to the songs as they played one after another. Sitting with her eyes closed and music filling the room, she barely noticed steps as they got closer to the couch. Judy's eyes popped open to see a smiling fox right beside the piece of furniture she was resting on, a cup in his paw.

"Don't mind me, I'm just grabbing myself a cup of coffee," he stated. "Would like something to drink too?"

She nodded with a smile and handed him her own cup. "Yes, please."

"One hot drink, coming right up," he was about to turned towards the kitchen, when he pointed at the stereo with one paw. "By the way, I can hear that you're enjoying some good music."

"Yes, I never heard dis band before, bud I'm really enjoying id!"

"Well, it's an album I got before Michael was born. I have listened to it so many times in the past…"

Judy raised a curious brow and folded her paws on the couch's backrest to look at the fox. "Really? So I'm guessing id's your favorite band?"

He chuckled at her words, but Judy's nose twitched as she picked up a bleak tune in it. "One of my favorites, yes."

A new song started playing and due to the fact that she was looking directly at him in that moment, the doe saw a tiny twitch on Nick's face. The fox closed his eyes and a sad smile crept up his face.

"…Get up off the ground
You can lay down when the day is done
And on the seventh day
You can lay in the morning sun…" he hummed to the music, citing the lyrics of the song. The fox let out a sigh and it caused Judy's ears to fall behind her head.

"Nig, whad's wrong?" she asked with worry in her voice.

The attorney opened his eyes and met her gaze. "Oh, it's… nothing, that's just…" he paused, unable to continue under her stare. "Well, it's as good moment to tell you as any."

With these words, he walked up to the doe and sat beside her on the couch, placing the cups on the tea table. His eyes however did not meet hers, but stared directly in front of him.

"This used to be our song…" he confessed, not clarifying what exactly he meant by that, but Judy didn't need any additional information. She shuffled on the couch to be a little closer to the fox.

"Your wife…" she said quietly, focused on his expression. She coughed a few times, annoyed at the distraction.

Nicholas let out another sigh and leaned back on the couch. "Ex-wife, if you will. We're divorced. Have been for several years now."

Judy's heart thumped harder in her chest. It was the first time she could hear something more about Mike's mother and the fox's mate. Well, ex-mate… Her heart went out to the troubled fox and she felt a rising urge to hug him.

"Whad happened?" the bunny asked in a soft voice.

He didn't reply, only cast her a gaze slightly fogged by memories that came back to him in abundance at this moment. Nicholas shook his head and stood up. He directed his steps towards the bedroom. Judy began thinking that she asked this question too soon, but the fox returned after a moment. He sat in the same spot and handed her a small object. The doe blinked with surprise and eyed the small thing she received from him.

It was the ring she saw in the drawer.

"You can read it," Nicholas told her in a voice she couldn't exactly decipher, but it definitely carried a lot of emotional baggage.

She turned the piece of jewelry in her fingers and read out loud the description.

"Two are one. In body, soul and love. Sylvia,"

Judy's eyes grew wide and she felt tears forming to be spilled. She turned her saddened face to Nick. "Id's… id's your wedding band…"

"Was…" he corrected her with a sigh. "Now it's just a piece of metal…" he rubbed his forehead with one paw. "Still, I never got myself to throw it out, sell it or whatever..."

"Oh Nick…" she whispered and placed a paw on his forearm. He gave her a small smile in return for this gesture.

"It was years ago… Just after Michael was born. See, I met Sylvia during my student times and she was one year below me. Pretty, self-driven and ambitious…" once again his gaze wandered off. "Yes, very ambitious…" he leaned forward and supported his elbows on the knees. "It's a simple story, male and female get to know each other, fall in love and move in together. Two years later we decided to marry. Nothing fancy, a small ceremony just for our closest family. We were rather poor at that time so couldn't even afford anything bigger. Anyway, another year flew by and she tells me the big news, we're going to have a baby."

"Michael…" she whispered, not trying to stop the tears flowing down her cheeks.

Nicholas nodded and continued his story. "After the initial shock, I was consumed by happiness. We would have our baby boy and give him a good start in life with our combined skills and knowledge as attorneys, giving us a good chance of a profitable career in the future. However, Sylvia was slightly hesitant. She voiced her doubts that, while happy about being a mother, she also wanted to continue her career," one side of the fox's mouth twitched, for a moment forming a mocking smirk. "I assured her that we'll make it work and there's nothing to worry about. Together we could do anything. And I kept believing that after Michael's birth, until the day when Sylvia got a letter. A big law firm overseas invited her to join them…"

Judy let out a gasp and put a paw over her mouth. "Don'd tell me she…" the doe placed her other paw on his arm once more.

Nick nodded with a solemn expression. "We had a big fight. I practically begged her not to leave, but it all fell on deaf ears. She wanted to follow her ambitious dream and considered this a sign from fate. No arguments would reach her and one thing led to another, we got divorced. I gave up everything I had at the time, just to have full custody of Michael and full parental responsibility. She agreed and it stung me that she didn't even fight for him."

Judy felt him tense under her paw, as his muscled shifted when he clenched his fist. She thought about saying something, but noticed that he still had more to say.

"The first week after the divorce was hell. A tiny newborn in my paws, job piling up and bills to pay, not to mention the loan I had to take to complete my studies. But after that I figuratively stomped my hindpaw and drew a line. No more whining, complaining or feeling sorry for myself. Grit your teeth and get to work, Wilde. You're a father now! Is what I said to myself and followed it wholeheartedly."

Judy's heart swelled in her chest, accompanied by a wave of respect for the single, fox parent.

"I won't lie, it was tough. I had a lot of help from my mother. She took us in so I could save some money on rent and took care of Michael when I had to go to work," he looked down on his open palms. "Busy all around the clock, that how my life was since Michael's birth. Waking up at dawn, getting ready for work, spending a bit of time with my son and off to do my job. Getting back, eating a quick dinner, taking care of Michael, playing with him till it was time to give him a bath and sing him sleep. Then a supper with my mother and a mountain of paperwork to go through. Rinse and repeat for years. Still…" a shadow of a smile appeared on his face. "I don't regret one second of it."

At that point, Judy couldn't hold it any longer and slid her paws around his arm to pull her small frame to him. "Really…" she whispered. "Stob telling stories like thad or you'll mage me fall for you…"

These words caused a blanket of silence to cover them for some time. None of them counted for how long. It was of no matter. Just the two of them and the words she said, still echoing in their minds and hearts.

Eventually, Nicholas turned to the doe and showed her a small smirk. "I thought I already did that," he spoke softly.

Their eyes met. The mesmerizing emerald joined with a determined amethyst. And both pairs of gems asked the other if it's going to end only with looking.

A second later the fox's phone rang in the pocket of his pants.

The fox and the bunny stayed still in their positions, gazes locked.

"Do you have to answer thad?" Judy asked with a little plea in her voice.

"Regretfully," the fox answered with a smirk. "It's my secretary and she calls only when it's important," he reached to his pocket.

"Didn'd know you habe a secredary," she let go of his arm with a smile and wrapped herself in a blanket again. The doe did it in a way that only her head stuck out from the cover. "Should I be jealous?" she inquired playfully.

"Of a female that's twice your age?" he laughed. "Hardly, Fluff."

She frowned at him. "And how would you know my age, hm?" there was a slight spark in her voice that suggested it wouldn't be wise to stir it up to a full-blown fire.

Nicholas shrugged at her words. "Just a wild guess."

He managed to get Judy to laugh with his pun. The fox stood up and answered the call. "Yes, Cynthia?" he headed off to his office, leaving Judy on the couch, the doe wearing a broad smile.

.

.

Five minutes later the vulpine attorney returned to the living room.

"Sorry, but I need to go out. It will take me some time, so right after that I'll go and pick Michael from school. I need to drop him off at my mother's place so it will all take several hours."

"Oh, okay," there was a tiny bit of disappointment in her voice. Her ears fell down an inch, which was noticed by the fox's keen eyes. He walked in closer and leaned down to place a soft kiss on top of her head, just between the ears.

"Don't look so sad, Fluff. Though it's nice to know that my absence saddens you at least a bit," he gave her a wink.

A small blush appeared on her cheeks, but it quickly faded and a playful glint flashed in her eyes. Judy's paw shot up and she grabbed his shirt.

"Wha-" the doe yanked him down and when his face ended up on the same level as the bunny, Judy placed a kiss on his cheek. The fox's eyes widened in surprise.

She let go and he straightened up, his fingers gingerly brushing the spot where her lips touched his fur.

"Now, who's more disappoinded thad you habe to leave?" she showed him a smirk paired with a half-lidded gaze.

Nicholas moved his paw to neaten his shirt. "Sly bunny," he chuckled.

Judy stuck out her little tongue. "Dumb fox."

"Manners, young lady. Besides, that is the second time you're trying to infect me with your disease."

She threw her arms in the air in a dramatic gesture, letting the blanket fall off her. "I've been figured out!" she let out a short laugh.

"Seriously, what's the point in me getting sick?"

"Well, if you'd god down with dhe flu too, dhen you'd habe to lie down and I think dhe bed is big enough for two," the moment the doe said that her eyes widened and her paw shot up to cover her mouth.

Nicholas raised his brows and his expression shifted into serious one. "Judy…" he said, the playfulness no longer present in his voice. And he even used her first name, not a nickname, which she took for a bad sign.

You screwed up, you overeager bunny. The voice in her head stated the obvious.

Her ears drooped miserably behind her head and she reached out to him, hoping to repair the damage done. "Nick, I… I'm sorry… I jusd…"

The attorney picked up the cups from the tea table. "Don't be," he shook his head and headed to the kitchen. "Just…" he stopped for a moment, without looking back at her. "Let's not run so fast with this, alright?" Judy could tell that he tried to sound casual, but she could tell that his voice was a little strained.

"Okay," the doe nodded. She berated herself for what just happened. He just told her that he got burned in a relationship and here she pops up with a proposition to jump into bed together.

Nicholas made her another cup of a warm drink. When he brought it to the table by the couch, Judy scanned his face, trying to figure out his state of mind.

"I am not upset, Judy," he answered her unasked question, but did not meet her gaze. "Only need to think a bit."

She dropped her gaze and stared at her drink. "Sorr-" right then she felt his paw on her head.

"I am sorry," he said with a gentler voice than before. "It's not as easy as I thought it would be…" he gently moved his fingers over her fur, almost drawing a purr from the bunny. "I have to go now. Drink up and rest, please."

Judy nodded, understanding that there was no point in dragging the conversation. For now, she was content with his words.

Nicholas lifted his paw and headed to the front door of the apartment.

"Thank you for dhe drink!" she called to him.

The fox half turned his head and she saw a small smile one the vulpine's face. "You're welcome."

.

.

Down in the garage, Nicholas unlocked the car and got into the driver's seat. After closing the door, he slumped in his seat. The fox ran a paw down his face and let out a sigh.

"What are you doing, Wilde?" he said out loud.

Once again, he replayed the doe's words in his head. He wasn't sure what exactly happened. Maybe combining the topic of Sylvia and such a form of physical contact in such a short period of time was still too much for him.

The fox clicked his tongue.

He decided to move on, but a logic seemed to have little power over one's heart. Exchanging little pecks here and there was one thing, but suggesting… The fox took a deep breath. Nicholas blamed himself for reacting in such a way in front of the bunny. He dropped a lot of hints and teased her on more than one occasion. What else was she supposed to think?

Nicholas didn't go on any dates after the divorce years ago. It's not that he stopped seeing females as attractive anymore, but simply never had the time to consider it. And to be completely honest with himself… he wasn't all that keen on finding a new partner. In that matter foxes had it difficult. They were monogamic and mated for life. A loss of a mate was almost like ripping off a piece of your own soul. Sylvia's departure was a devastating blow for Nicholas, even if for years he refused to show it. He always held a strong front in the presence of others, especially Michael, to not show how much it had crippled him back then.

Then something unexpected happens… Here comes along a smiling, beautiful rabbit and in just few days disarranges his mind completely. From their first, cold meeting up to this day, when just her smile makes his heart beat faster. It's not like he didn't think where this relationship could lead them, but there was a long way from a thought to action.

He propped his elbow on the door and rested his forehead on the fingers of his paw.

Still…after his parting with Sylvia, was he truly ready for embracing another female? What if…

How long are you going to use the 'Sylvia excuse'? Mocked a voice in his head.

Nicholas sat completely still for several moments. Eventually, his lips formed a small smile.

"No excuses…" he said to himself and started the engine.

.

.

After dealing with the urgent things in his office with Cynthia's help, the fox headed to school to take his son for a 'vacation' at Martha's place. He thought that the boy would be somewhat saddened by the fact that Nicholas kept him away from the bunny. It was another surprise for the adult fox, how fast his son got attached to Judy. But given the doe's friendly attitude it wasn't that difficult to understand.

"Dad!" the boy was already fully prepared to leave and jumped to hug his parent.

"Hey, little rascal. What's with the good mood?" he petted his son's head.

"No reason!" the little fox grinned, immediately raising Nicholas' suspicion.

"Michael?" he asked with a hint of sternness.

"What? Just happy to visit grandma!" he replied innocently, still hugging his father.

Nicholas shook his head with a smile and they headed to the car. On their way there the fox took out his phone and called Martha.

"Hey, mom. I just got Michael and we're on our way," a pause. "Great, thank you. Sorry again for this, I'm just buried in work this week," the fox ignored his son's eye roll. "Really? Okay I'll tell him."

He ended the call and turned to the boy. "Guess what, you lucky rascal. Martha will make a blueberry pie for you."

"Really?" the boy jumped with joy. "Yes!"

They got into the car and Michael eyed his father once they were on the road. "Dad?"

"Yes?"

"Why did you lie to grandma?"

Nicholas showed a smirk. "I didn't. With a sick bunny and my regular duties, I'm going to have my paws full."

"But why not tell her?" the boy pressed on. "Are you ashamed of dating Judy?"

Nick moved his arm and flicked the boy's ear. "One, we're not officially dating yet. Two, you have no idea how overbearing your grandmother can be when it comes to certain things. Three, don't you teach me about relationships."

The little fox rubbed his ear and grinned. "Yet?"

Nicholas shot him a look with the corner of his eye. "Okay, that does it!" he paw shot forward and attacked Michael's side. The boy squealed with laughter. "A wise guy, huh? Come on, got something more to say?" he mercilessly tickled his son.

"Hahhahaha! Stop! No fair! Haha!"

.

.

The vixen opened the front door to see her son and get attacked by her grandson with a loving hug.

"Why hello you two! I was wondering when you were going to show up," she stated with a chuckle, hugging back Mike.

Nicholas followed his son, luggage in paw. "Sorry, got stuck in the traffic a bit."

Michael tugged at his grandmother's sleeve. "Dad said that you'll be making a blueberry pie! Is that true?!" he beamed at the elderly vixen.

She laughed and ruffled the fur on the boy's head. "Of course I will," she smiled at the boy's eagerness to eat her homemade pie. Both she and Nicholas sometimes joked that Michael's love for blueberries is the best proof that he's the attorney's son. They were both almost addicted to the fruit.

"Yay!" the boy almost jumped in the air.

The female clapped her paws. "Alright, to the bathroom you go! I want to see clean paws, young mister!"

"Yes, granny!" the boy kicked off his shoes and darted into the apartment.

Martha laughed at the little fox's eagerness. "You really should be more like him," she said to her son.

Nicholas shrugged at her words. "Sorry, left my smiling mask at home."

She rested her forehead on a paw and sighed. "Nick… I don't mind having Mike over for several days, you know I like him being around, but you really need to loosen up a bit. Work, work, work, that's what you're all about."

"You're overreacting again, mother."

Martha folded her arms. "All I'm asking is for you to take a break sometimes, okay?"

Her words made Nicholas remember the kisses he received from Judy. "Don't worry, I can find myself a… distraction if needed."

The slight pause in that sentence made Martha's ears twitch a bit. She eyed her son, but knew better then to push him into confessing something.

"Alright…" she gave him a peck on the cheek. "Drive safely and don't overwork yourself."

"Yees, mom," he groaned in a theatrical manner, earning a slap on the arm from his mother.

When he was gone, Martha rubbed her paws together and turned around to look for Mike. She knew her son almost like the back of her paw. That included the fact that the more you pressured him, the more defensive he would become. Therefore, she had to go after a softer target.

"Ohh, Michael?" she sang with a sly grin.

.

.

Nicholas' drive back home took longer than normally, due to a stop at a certain store. He couldn't exactly decide what to buy so he had to consult an otter staff member. With this matter done he departed home. After parking the car in the garage, he headed up to his apartment. The fox walked into the entrance hall and took off his coat, placing what he brought on a shelf.

"Fluff?" he called out and walked to the living room. "I'm ba-" his voice got trapped in his throat when he saw Judy. The bunny was standing next to the couch, no longer dressed in the clothes she had in the morning.

She was wearing one of his shirts.

To be precise, ONLY a shirt. He could tell because due their size difference it reached to her ankles and bare hindpaws were visible underneath. Also, most likely to have some sort of mobility, she unbuttoned the bottom two buttons, so she could move her legs freely. Therefore, it was visible that she didn't have any pants too.

Seeing Nick, her ears shot straight up and she let out a nervous giggle. "Ahaha, hey… I can exblain…"

Nicholas blinked. Then he blinked again. Only then he regained his senses and turned around. "Maybe you should dress yourself first?"

"Um, I'd do dhat, but I don'd habe any dry clothes…" she explained sheepishly.

"Then at least the blanket?" he suggested, still with his back to her. "Though, I'm not saying that it's not a welcomed sight," he couldn't help himself and had to tease her a bit.

"Har, har," she replied, hopping on the couch and wrapping herself with the blankets, but still happy with the compliment. "Done."

Only then he turned around. "Okay, this should be interesting," he approached the mummified bunny. "Why are you in one of my shirts?"

"I spilled dhe juice…" she mumbled.

Nicholas raised a brow and eyed the empty cup on the tea table.

"Dhe whole boddle…" she supplied, a blush of embarrassment showing on her cheeks. Indeed, the bottle of juice that he left on the kitchen table was no longer there. "I had to tage a shower and afder that discovered thad the lock in my suidcase is broken, so I couldn'd ged to any of my clothes," she finished with a cough.

"Alright…" the fox said, fighting a smile that tried to force its way to his mouth.

"Don'd laugh…" she grumbled, pouting slightly.

"I'm not," he replied, covering his mouth with a paw.

Judy narrowed her eyes. "You're smiling."

"No," his voice became strained from his struggle to not burst with laughter.

The doe growled and reached out to grab his arm. "Really? Show me!" she pulled, trying to make him to reveal his face.

"This is police brutality, officer Hopps," he couldn't stop a chuckle this time and struggled to keep his paw in place.

She pulled back, only to show him a dangerous smirk. "I'll show you brutalidy," with these words she jumped at the fox and tackled him to the floor. The vulpine attorney landed on his back with the vicious bunny straddling him at the waist.

"Nod so confidend now, huh?" she attacked him with her fingers, forcing a loud laughter out of him. The fox shivered and squirmed under her tickling assault, pretty much like his son not so long ago.

"Hahaha! I yield! Enough!" he finally managed to grab her arms and hold them still. They both panted and Judy coughed a bit. Once again, they experienced the absence of time when they gazed at each other. Nicholas looking up at the beautiful bunny clad only in her underwear and his shirt, sitting… right… on top… of him…

Judy seemed to realize her position too, as her eyes started to widen.

"Ehem!" coughed a voice from the entrance hallway, making both their heads snap in that direction.

Martha was leaning against the wall with her arms folded and the smuggest grin the fox ever saw on her face.

"Buried in work, eh? Well, I can see that you got your paws full right now."