Disclaimer: Zootopia and all related characters are owned by Disney. All other characters, product names, trademarks, and copyrights belong to their respective owners.

…...

Nick had been standing outside the door to Judy's apartment for a few minutes now. Looking down at her carrot print welcome mat, he sighed. Amazing how much can change in a week. Last time he stood here, it was just before Judy dropped the bomb on him. He'd left that afternoon, knowing they'd never be together and probably wouldn't even last as partners. Today there was hope, maybe not much, but he'd learned a long time ago that sometimes a little hope is all a fox needs.

Nick knocked on the door and heard shuffling inside. "It's open, come in."

Opening the door, Nick stepped in and saw Judy loading up her wheeled cooler with some vegetables. With a twinkle in his eye he asked, "Carrots, how did you know it was me? You need to be more careful, I could've been Hannibun Lecter come to make a dinner out of you?"

Judy zipped up the cooler and turned around to face Nick with a big smile on her face. Pointing up at her ears, "You know these aren't just for decoration, I had no problem hearing a disreputable fox shuffling around outside my door for the last few minutes." Giving him a light punch in the side, "What took you so long to knock, afraid the big bad bunny might eat you?" She emphasized the last part by putting her paws up and making a clawing motion.

"Okay, okay, put those claws away. Remember, I'm the scary predator in this relationship."

"Pfft, sure Nick. How about you get your scary self over there and grab the cooler."

As Judy was closing the door to her apartment, she asked, "Are you sure we shouldn't wear our uniforms and sign out the cruiser?"

"Carrots, the last thing a fox wants to see is a ZPD cruiser stopping in front of their den. Landlords are always looking for an excuse to evict foxes and cops showing up too often is at the top of the list of reasons to boot someone out. We want to keep this meetup relaxed and low-key. Besides, I love your casual-girl outfits."

After Judy practically begged him to leave his yellow and green flowered Pawaiian shirt home, Nick had gone with khaki pants and a nice fitting black golf shirt. Judy was dressed in her newest blue jeans with a solid pink V-neck shirt over a white tee.

"Is this okay? You look so handsome and I look so… ugh, I spent like an hour trying to figure out what to wear, I can change again if you think I should."

"Carrots, you look great. Let's go or we'll miss the metro."

…...

Nick sat down in the nearly empty train car with Judy next to him. Nick's tail rested between them, the tip brushing against Judy's leg. Smiling, she reached for the fuzzy appendage as the train pulled away from the station. Suddenly, Nick called out with a nervous look on his face, "Carrots, this is no good, everyone is staring."

Judy's paw stopped mere inches away from Nick's tail as her head snapped up and she looked around. "Who's staring at us, I don't see anyone?"

"Not us, the cooler. Where in the world did you find a carrot print cooler?" Gesturing toward the green cooler with orange smiley-face carrots printed all over it. "You know, I'm a fox and I have a reputation to uphold. If I see a picture of me and that cooler posted on Muzzlebook, I'm going to blame you."

Judy elbowed Nick in the side. "Very funny, it was a graduation present from some of my sisters, so be nice."

Turning in her seat toward Nick, Judy folded her arms across her chest and looked at him. "We have some time, how about you finish prepping me for this dinner."

…...

Judy stood in front of the door, arms at her sides with her fists balled in tension. Nick stood well behind Judy at the edge of the small porch.

"And you gave me a hard time. Come on Carrots, it's not like they're going to bite you."

Judy looked back at Nick with an eyebrow raised.

"Okay, well, I suppose they might. Just knock already."

Judy sighed, reached out a paw and knocked lightly on the door. Stepping back, she waited. A moment later the door opened and Judy was facing two silver foxes. She recognized the bluish-gray furred vixen as Mrs. Greytail from earlier in the week. The silver gray-furred tod next to her must be her mate.

Out of habit, Judy started to raise her paw to greet the couple, but she checked her motion and just said, "Good afternoon, my name is Judy Hopps."

Judy willed her ears to stay erect and her nose not to twitch as she stood on the porch. As one, the two foxes both bent down low and partially exposed their neck fur to Judy.

The Vixen spoke, "Welcome to our den. Thank you for interceding with your partner and helping my family. We owe you a debt of gratitude."

Judy stepped forward and put out her paws palms down and was about to reach toward the foxes when she heard a quiet noise behind her. A quick glance back and she saw Nick motioning with his palm up in a lifting motion. Judy grimaced and reversed her paws. Lightly placing them on the underside of their shoulders, she gently lifted up until the two foxes were upright.

"Thank you for extending the hospitality of your den to me. I know that this was to be the greeting of a guest, but I wish to be considered a friend to your family. And as such, I would be honored if you would allow me to contribute a portion of my harvest to your meal that we may learn more about each other in comfort."

The two foxes looked at each other. The tod shrugged his shoulders slightly and then the vixen raised an eyebrow. They both looked back at Judy who was now fidgeting with her paws and then Mrs. Greytail took a half step forward and replied, "As friends."

Judy heard Nick step forward with the cooler. "This is my Kohai, Nicholas Wilde."

Nick stopped one step behind Judy and remained quiet. He tipped his head forward in a slight bow and focused on a spot on the ground in front of the couple.

Both of the foxes acknowledged Nick with a measured nod and then faced Judy again. A final nod and the greetings were complete. Judy let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding as the formality of the moment dissipated. The tod waved Judy and Nick into the house, "Please, both of you come in."

Nick placed his paw on Judy's shoulder and whispered, "You did good, Carrots."

As everyone entered the foyer, the tod reached out a paw to Judy and introduced himself, "Officer Hopps, I'm Walter Greytail and this is my mate, Toni."

"It's nice to meet you, please call me Judy and this is my partner Nick." Looking at the vixen, she added, "Toni, Officer Garrison isn't my normal partner, Nick is."

Before Toni could reply, a couple of loud voices halted the conversation as two kits came tumbling into the room. They both stopped and yelled out, "Mr. Nick, Mr. Nick what are you doing here?" Eyes wide, they looked back and forth between their parents and Nick, excitement growing on their faces.

"Boys, Officer Hopps is here to check on you, is this how you behave around a respected mammal?"

In unison they replied, "No, sir." Both boys then bent down in a posture that sort of resembled what their parents had just done. The position was marred by the fact that both the boys were smiling as they kept trying to look over at Nick.

Judy saw Walter as he rolled his eyes and motioned to Judy with a nod of his head toward his kits.

Judy put on a stoic face and went through the forms with the boys. When they were done, Judy kneeled down and said, "Where I come from, we say 'Hi' to friends with hugs." Opening her arms up wide she added, "If that's okay."

Both boys jumped into Judy's arms and enjoyed one of her special hugs. Before releasing the boys, Judy gave them a serious look, "What happened the other day was not right and I've made sure that officer Garrison won't ever hassle you guys again. So, if anyone ever gives you guys a hard time make sure you let Mr. Nick or me know right away, alright."

"Yes, ma'am."

Judy smiled as she reached out and ruffled their head fur.

Both boys squealed as they raced over and nearly tackled Nick. "Is that Officer Carrots? Is she your partner?"

"Yes, yes she is." Nick winked at Judy as she shook her head.

"Wow, would you ask her to show us how to do some bun-fu?" Aidan started to do some high kicks and punch an imaginary foe.

Tyler chimed in "Yeah, I want to be able to knock out a rhino too!"

Aidan pulled on his mom's pant leg, "Mom, Mom, Mr. Nick said she can jump like twenty feet in the air."

"And she has super ears that can hear bad guys through walls six feet thick."

"And she can punch through steel plates."

"And…"

Toni could see Judy starting to blush at all the talk. "Boys, why don't you two go find some games to play while your dad and I visit with Miss Judy and Mr. Nick."

"Awww, mom, she's so cool though."

Judy facepalmed and shook her head, "Nick, what have you been telling those boys about me? For that matter, how do you even know each other?"

Nick laughed, "Carrots, I told you, I know everyone."

Judy just lifted her eyebrow and stared at Nick, she was getting really good at her 'seriously' look.

"Fine, fine. I had no idea it was Aidan and Tyler that you were talking about. I know them both from Sister Mary's."

Motioning for everyone to sit down, Toni chimed in. "I never put two and two together that the Mr. Nick the boys mentioned was THE Nicholas Wilde, first fox officer at the ZPD. You've made quite the impression on my boys."

Nick and Judy had made themselves comfortable on a small couch while Toni and Walter each took chairs. Judy had scooted next to Nick as his tail wrapped behind her back and draped itself next to her leg on the couch.

Judy looked at Nick with a smirk and gave him a light punch in the arm. "Yeah, quite the impression. What's that about me punching through steel plates?"

Nick pulled on his collar as if to loosen it and replied, "No idea Carrots, I'm sure all I told the kits was that you set records at giving out parking tickets. Well, maybe the part about the ears too, but that's true."

Judy looked over at Toni. "Can you believe this is what I have to deal with on a daily basis?"

Judy shook her head and absentmindedly picked up the tip of Nicks tail, placed it in her lap and started to gently stroke it. "So, Toni, I've never heard of Sister Mary's, is that a school?"

Toni's eyes widened for a moment at what Judy was doing and then she answered. "Sister Mary runs a center for kits. The center includes an orphanage, a school, a daycare, and a youth center. Mostly predator kits from around the Foxburg area attend, although a few prey go there now too."

Toni reached over and patted Walter's paw as she added, "Sister Mary's was one of the reasons we moved here a few months ago. Now that we've settled into our jobs, I'll start spending a couple of half-days each week helping at the center to offsets some of the costs of our kits being there."

Nick added, "Helping at the schools and centers like Sister Mary's is a way for the mammals in Foxburg, Happytown and a few of the other neighborhoods here to pool their resources and help take care of the kits. Since some of the politicians in city center don't think the mammals here are worth bothering with, the community has to be much more involved."

Walter added, "The city throws enough money here to keep up appearances and we make sure the kits get a real education instead of leaving it up to what the city establishment thinks is right for young preds in neighborhoods like ours."

Judy looked confused, "What do you mean?"

Nick put a paw on Judy's leg as he answered her question. "Basic educational plans, old supplies and computers, older facilities and sometimes teachers that don't want to teach here. Some of the city educators don't think poor young preds, especially foxes, are able to do anything more than the most basic jobs, so fighting for funding and resources is always a challenge."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know."

Toni smiled and looking at Judy, said, "It's okay, we're foxes it's just something we deal with." Looking at Walter she added, "Honey, I left the appetizers in the kitchen, would you help me please."

"You two relax for a moment, we'll be right back."

Toni and Walter stepped into the kitchen. As Toni pulled a veggie tray out of the refrigerator, Walter silently mouthed, "Are they mates?" Toni smiled and just shrugged her shoulders.

In the living room, Judy was still processing the conversation. Her nose started twitching more rapidly as she tried to understand how that kind of attitude could exist in city hall, Zootopia was supposed to be better than that.

Nick reached over and put a finger on her nose to still her thoughts, "Relax Carrots, it's not a problem you're going to be able to solve while we're here."

Judy reluctantly nodded, "Fine."

From in the kitchen, Toni called out, "Are either of you thirsty? Is water alright?"

Nick turned to reply when he heard the front door being opened. Another silver fox, this one carrying a couple of bags, was backing his way in while pushing the door open as he went. "Hey Sis, I got the beer and that gross juice you wanted. Who actually drinks carrots anyway?"

The black-furred fox had turned around while yelling toward his sister and was now staring at Judy. Judy and Nick had both stood up and were about to greet the new fox when instead, they heard a loud growl and the clanking of bottles as the bags the fox had been carrying dropped to the floor.

"YOU! What the hell are you doing here!" The black fox followed his yelling with a gekkering screech and reared up with claws extended and teeth bared.

Judy stood looking at the enraged fox when her view was suddenly blocked by her partner. As Nick took a position in front of Judy, his fur bushed out as he bared his own claws and teeth. Nick's tail reached out and brushed against Judy's thigh and maintained contact so he had no doubt where she was. Nick returned the other fox's gekkering with a deep growl.

Judy tried to move around Nick to be able to clearly see the other fox and figure out how to help if necessary.

A hissing voice came from Nick, "Carrots, stay back, you're not armed."

A blue-gray blur swept past Judy as Toni slammed into her brother pushing him back toward the front door. "Kyle, what do you think you're doing threatening our friends?! They are our guests and under the hospitality of this house. If you're going to disrespect my family and me with your behavior, then you need to leave!"

Nick had quit growling but hadn't moved. Judy still felt his tail on her thigh even as she tried again to get around him to see what was going on. This time Nick didn't try to stop her, but he still didn't let her move far enough away that he couldn't feel her.

Judy saw Toni yelling at her brother and heard Walter holding back the kits behind her. She also saw Nick, claws out and teeth bared, ready to defend her against any animal that came near.

Judy jumped in front of Nick and as he started to hiss again, she yelled, "Nicholas Piberius Wilde, you stand down this instant!"

Nick looked at Judy and then back at Toni and her brother. Judy could see it in his eyes that Nick was evaluating her words, but he wasn't ready to back down.

With her most threatening growl, Judy grabbed the front of Nick's shirt and pulled him close enough that their muzzles were almost touching. "Nick, I know what you're doing and I appreciate it, but right now you need to holster your claws and relax."

Nick sighed and nodded once. He sheathed his claws and resumed a more casual non-threatening stance. Judy noticed the only thing that hadn't changed was that Nick's tail was still hooked lightly around her leg.

With her paw on Kyle's chest, Toni growled out, "You will apologize to our guests immediately."

Kyle yelled back at his sister, "No! That animal ruined my life. I lost my job because of her rant about predators at that press conference a year ago." Turning to face Judy, he shook a finger at her, "Do you know how hard it is for a fox to find a job? Ever since you shot your mouth off, it's been open season on any mammal that wants to discriminate against predators by playing the 'he might go savage' card."

Walter stepped up from the back of the room, "Kyle, you know that whole thing was orchestrated by Bellwether to create hate and distrust between predators and prey and what you are doing right now is exactly what that psycho ewe wanted."

Toni backed away from Kyle to join her mate. She grabbed Walter's paw and made to try and reason with Kyle again.

Judy silenced everyone when she exclaimed, "Everyone, please stop! He's right, all of this is my fault."

Judy stood looking down and wringing her paws, "I'm the one that should be apologizing. Not a single day goes by that I don't regret everything I said at that horrible press conference. I was naïve and small-minded and I hurt so many predators that day."

Nick reached over and put his paw on Judy's shoulder, "Carrots, you were set up to fail by Bellwether. There is no way that anyone should have allowed a rookie cop with only a few days on the force anywhere near a press conference, especially with no prep from the PR mammals." Looking earnestly at her, "Judy, none of that was your fault!"

Judy turned to face her partner, "Nick, I'm a grown doe, and I need to take responsibility for my mistakes. Even a year later, I still get letters and emails from the mammals I hurt. Some lost jobs, some didn't get promotions and others had friends or family hurt in the riots. I even have a letter from a Grandmother whose kits and grandkits moved away because they were afraid for their lives, she misses her family horribly, and it was all my fault."

Judy sniffed. She looked at Nick and then focused on Kyle, "Not only did I make life so much worse for so many innocent predators, but I also hurt the best friend I've ever had. He stood up for me when I was about to lose my job and he was there for me every time I needed help, he even risked his own life to help me find all those missing mammals. He did all that for me and I repaid him by saying all those terrible things. I made him hate me." Judy's voice hitched as she held back her tears. "When he left me after that news conference I died inside. I tried as hard as I could to make things right, but it hurt so bad I quit my dream and went home."

Nick pulled Judy into a hug as she started to tremble. "Judy, I could never hate you. You're the most important mammal in my life."

Judy hugged Nick a little tighter, "The day you forgave me under that bridge and I got my best friend back was the happiest day of my life." Judy sniffed and then said quietly, "And then a week ago, I hurt you again."

Nick loosened the hug enough to look Judy in the eye, "Judy…"

Judy pulled Nick back into the hug and whispered into his ear, "I'm sorry."

After a moment, as everyone looked on in a growing silence, Judy gently pushed out of Nick's embrace, wiped her eyes and faced Kyle again. "I won't ask you to forgive me because I haven't earned that, but I want you to know that I'm sorry for what I did to you and to all the predators in Zootopia and if you give me a chance, I'll spend every day trying my best to make up for what I did."

Judy moved closer to Kyle with her small paw extended and offered it to him. Kyle stood with a stunned expression on his face. He had expected a lot of different things but not this. The cop he had hated for so long was apologizing to him. Kyle stared at the outstretched paw for another moment and then reached out and gently grasped it.

Walter walked over and picked up the drinks Kyle had dropped while Toni properly introduced Kyle to Judy and Nick.

Toni clapped her paws, "Alright, that's enough drama for one night. All the boys outside to the grill, Judy, you're with me in the kitchen."

Judy rushed to the kitchen before anyone else moved. "Hold on, I brought something that I read is good grilled." Judy opened up her cooler and pulled out some fruits and vegetables and put them on the counter.

"I'm sorry, but I'm a terrible cook and I didn't know exactly what to bring, so I looked things up online. I hope this is okay." She pulled two plastic-wrapped trays out of the cooler and gave them to Toni. "Here you go."

Judy rocked on her feet as she looked at Toni with anticipation. Toni looked at the packages in her paws and said, "Judy, thank you, this is very generous of you. It will be a wonderful treat."

Walter came into the kitchen, "Do you have the tofu steaks so I… Whoa, salmon!"

Toni laughed, "Think you are up to the challenge?"

Walter started grabbing various jars, sauces and spices as he replied, "Pfft, I'm a fox with a grill, prepare to be amazed."

Walter took everything out to the grill where the other tods were and was met with a chorus of oohs and ahhs.

Judy and Toni arranged the vegetables for cleaning and Toni had some lettuce, shredded cheese, assorted dips, hummus and some dough for rolls. Oven going, the girls started peeling and slicing the veggies Judy brought along with some tomatoes and cucumbers that Toni had.

Judy had been humming as she rinsed off some peeled carrots when she noticed Toni looking over at her with a smirk on her face.

Judy looked down at her shirt to see if she had spilled anything on herself. "Whaaat?"

Toni laughed, "So how long have you and Nick been together?"

Judy smiled broadly, "We've known each other a little over a year now. We met right after I started with the ZPD. I convinced him to help me with the Missing Mammal and Nighthowler cases even before he went to the academy. He graduated about six months ago and we've been partners ever since."

Toni couldn't help but smile as she continued to prep more veggies. Leaning toward Judy in a more conspiratorial fashion she said, "I meant together, together, you know, the way you two are around each other, I assumed Nick was your boyfriend."

Judy got a wide-eyed look on her face, "Oh, no, we're just friends." She saw that Toni was still smiling. "Um, I mean I really like him, a lot, but I'm a bunny and he's…" Toni was nodding now as if she didn't believe anything Judy was saying.

Judy huffed, "It's complicated."

"Uh-huh"

"Really complicated."

"Gotcha"

"Ugh, I mean, how would the fox community react if Nick were to date a bunny?"

"Hmm, well, I'm pretty sure that half the population would be pretty upset to hear about that."

Judy looked stricken, she knew how the rabbits of Bunnyburrow would feel about a fox and a bunny dating, but hearing that foxes would react the same way was disheartening.

Toni laughed at the crestfallen look that darkened the bunny's face, "Judy, I'm talking about all the vixens that will be heartbroken to hear that a handsome tod like Nick has been taken off the market."

Judy perked back up and smiled at Toni's statement, "Sooo, you'd be okay with it then?"

"Oh, Judy, of course, you two seem so happy together." Pointing a paw toward the sliding glass door leading to the patio, Toni whispered, "Besides, just look at him!"

Judy leaned around the side of a cabinet to see Nick standing by the grill, talking with Kyle and Walter. As she stared at Nick, she started to see him differently. The academy regimen and their workouts together had treated him well, his form-fitting shirt was showing off his lean frame and his exposed fur was glistening in the waning light. Her eyes landed on his fuzzy, warm tail and she felt a shiver go through her. As she started to chew her lower lip in thought, Nick looked at her, smiled and gave her a cheers motion with the water bottle he was holding. Judy gasped and jumped back as if she were a kit caught spying on the boys in their locker room at school.

Seeing as Judy was in full-on blush mode, Toni decided to up the ante. "Rowrrrr, you don't need to be a predator to want to eat that up, hmm."

Giggling, Judy pulled her ears over her eyes to hide from Toni, "You're so mean."

Toni patted her lightly on the back, "I know, it's a vixen thing. Let's get the appetizers set up outside. The cool air should help you get that blush under control before your ears catch fire."

…...

Walter unwrapped the salmon and placed it on a cutting board next to the grill. Rubbing it down with a mix of spices, he prepped it for cooking.

Looking up from his work, Walter smiled at his guest, "So, Nick, you and Judy seem pretty close."

"Yeah, she's something else. I helped her out when we met a little over a year ago and then she asked me to become a cop. She's completely turned my life around."

Kyle drank a sip of his beer and then asked, "How do you mean? What were you before you were a cop?"

Nick looked over at Aidan and Tyler playing nearby and chuckled, "Well, let's just say that I wasn't the tod my parents hoped I'd grow up to be. And if it hadn't been for Judy, I wouldn't have gotten a second chance to make something of myself and maybe become the kind of mammal that my parents would have been proud of." Looking back at Walter, Nick continued, "Judy's my best friend and an amazing girl. I don't want to think of what my life would be like without her in it."

As Walter continued to prep the salmon, he smiled to himself, realizing that his question from before about this unusual couple had been answered. They may not be mates yet, but Walter could tell from the look on Nick's face and the wagging of his tail that he was head over tail in love with his bunny partner.

Kyle spoke up again and with a little bite in his tone, asked, "You and that rabbit… even after what she did?"

Nick sighed, "You saw five minutes of her at her worst, I've known her for over a year and been her partner for the last six months, Judy is a great cop, and a great mammal. Not a day goes by that I don't see her trying to help someone, pred or prey, it doesn't make a difference to her, all she wants to do is make the world a better place. And I'm not kidding about that last part, I used to laugh when she said it, but she means it and she's gotten me to believe in it too."

Kyle thought about what Nick had just said and what Judy had promised him inside, "Fine, maybe I overreacted a little, I'll try and keep an open mind and see what happens."

Nick nodded at Kyle and then went still as he felt a tingle run up his back like someone was staring at him and trying to undress him with their eyes. Looking around, he spied a pair of long ears poking out from around the side of a cabinet inside the house. Nick smiled at Judy and lifted his water bottle in salute. Nick laughed as the suddenly pink ears quickly slipped back behind the cabinet and out of sight.

…...

Judy raised her head as Walter finished the blessing. She was holding paws with Toni on the end of the table to her left and Nick to her right. Tyler sat next to him, then Walter on the other end of the table, then Karl and Aidan sitting next to his mother.

As Judy released paws with Nick and Toni, she clapped them together as she looked up and down the table. It all smelled so delicious. There were grilled peppers, asparagus, onions and baby potatoes and Toni had put out a few dipping sauces including a garlic butter cream sauce that looked yummy.

Judy gushed, "It smells so wonderful!"

Judy filled her plate as dishes were passed around. She wanted to try some of everything. Walter had given Aidan the special task of walking around to each person at the table and serving them some of the main course. Judy smiled as she saw how the young tod carried the dish so carefully and he seemed so proud of the fact he was serving the most important part of the family meal.

Aidan stopped next to Judy with the platter in his paws and offered her some salmon, Toni gasped. "Aidan, no! Miss Judy is prey and some prey mammals find it very disrespectful to be offered a predator dish. Please apologize to Miss Judy."

Aidan looked panicked, the first time he had been trusted to serve a guest and he had messed up. Judy could see a tear start to form as he bent to apologize. "Actually Aidan, thank you for offering me some salmon, it smells delicious and I would very much like to try some."

Relief flowed across Aidan's face at Judy's words and he gladly placed a small piece on her plate. He served his mom last and then sat down to join everyone else in eating.

As Aidan was talking with his uncle Kyle, Toni leaned over to Judy and whispered a quiet 'Thank you' to Judy who nodded and smiled.

As Judy emptied her plate, Nick reached over with his fork and took aim at her salmon. "Hey Carrots, may I have a bite?"

Judy lightly slapped his paw away, "Nuh-uh, keep your paws to yourself Slick, you know better than to come between a bunny and her dinner."

Judy took a bite of the salmon and as Aidan watched, she chewed. The last time she had tasted fish was on a dare in grade school, it was a couple days past its prime and reheated in a microwave, it was awful. So, fully expecting the intensely fishy taste and rubbery texture of the catfish she'd had before, she prepared one of her best fake smiles. As she chewed though, the honey sweet, spiced glaze hit her tongue and after the next chew, the flaky, fresh taste of the salmon, grilled to perfection came through. "Wow," She looked at Walter, "You weren't kidding, that's fantastic!"

Suddenly covering her muzzle, "You guys won't tell anyone, right?"

Everyone at the table laughed as Walter said, "Don't worry, what happens at the dinner table stays at the dinner table."

"Good!" She passed her now empty plate over to Aidan, "May I have a little more, please."

Judy heard a snickering noise from Nick. Without even looking she elbowed him in the side. Hearing a satisfying 'Umph,' she set her plate down and delicately used her fork on her seconds.

Figuring she better say something before her partner started the teasing, she spoke up. "Before Nick here busts a gut laughing, I've had predator food a few times before. Once when I was in grade school on a dare and more recently, Nick and I have been privately sampling each other's species foods."

Looking at Aidan and Tyler, she said, "I've tried fried crickets, a bite of a bug-a-burger, it was a little greasy, uh, tofu, kind of bland, and stir-fried shrimp, those were pretty good."

Staring down at her empty plate, "Nick's jokes aside, I'd appreciate it if you would keep this to yourselves, my family would freak if they found out I've been trying predator food."

As everyone around the table nodded and promised to keep the bunny's secret, she turned to Nick and waved her paw toward the kits. "I shared, how about you tell the kits about some of the delicious prey foods the big bad predator has sampled."

Nick laughed, "Okay, okay. I've tried some grasses including a salad of rye, wheatgrass and Alfalfa. At least three different types of kale, dandelions, homemade sunflower seed crackers, and steel-cut oatmeal, which was pretty good with cinnamon. And of course, I've sampled every fruit and vegetable that is grown on her family's farm, even the carrots." Folding his arms, he gave Judy a 'So there' look.

Seeing that the two competitors had finished, Walter spoke up. "So, kits, next time Mom asks you to finish your vegetables I expect you to remember that both Miss Judy and Mr. Nick have tried and enjoyed all sorts of different foods, both pred and prey."

Nick whispered to Judy, "Should I warn them about Brussels sprouts?"

"Shush, you. The kits might like them." As Nick gave her his most incredulous 'You can't be serious' look, Judy boxed him in the side. Nick came back with a pretty good pouty face which Judy disarmed by reaching down and stroking Nick's tail which had found its way into her lap sometime during the food discussion.

Nick remained remarkably quiet as the dishes were cleared, maybe something to do with how good it felt to have someone without paw pads pet his tail. Toni brought in the berries that she and Judy had prepared earlier and Nick quickly sat at attention when a bowlful of his favorite blueberries with a side of vanilla ice cream was placed in front of him.

The adults talked for another hour or so while Tyler and Aidan relaxed playing a board game.

Judy gave Nick a nudge when she spied Aidan yawning. "I think it's about time for Nick and me to head out."

Tyler lightly punched Aidan in the arm and nodded toward Judy. Aidan pulled a phone out of his pocket and walked over to Judy. "Miss Judy, I took a picture of you and Mr. Nick without asking and I was wondering if it's okay if I keep it."

Aidan unlocked the phone and handed it to Judy. The picture was of her petting Nick's tail while the two of them were sitting on the couch. She cooed to herself, they both looked so relaxed and happy.

"You were right to ask. Some mammals think it's rude if someone takes their picture without asking permission first. How about we make a deal, you can keep it if you send me a copy and promise not to post it on the internet. We'll keep it between us. Alright?"

Aidan smiled as he forwarded a copy to Judy and promised not to share it with anyone but his mom.

After giving both Aidan and Tyler a hug goodbye, Judy went over to say goodnight to Kyle, "It was nice meeting you Kyle, I hope the next time we meet I will have been able to demonstrate that I am not the same ignorant mammal you saw a year ago."

Kyle inclined his head slightly, "Judy, now that I've spent some time with you, I don't think you were ever the speciest mammal I thought I saw. I think it's time I looked a little harder in the mirror and stopped blaming others for the fact that I'm a fox. Nick told me how much you've helped him turn his life around and I need to take his example to heart and see what I can make of myself."

"Kyle, you know if there is ever anything we can do to help, please let Nick or me know."

Nick had already said his goodbyes to the kits and Toni and was now talking with Walter. Judy went and gave Toni a hug. "Thank you for a wonderful evening, everything was delicious."

Toni returned the hug, "You're welcome. It was a pleasure having you and Nick here. I was anxious about someone having to visit, but since it's you, I'll look forward to it. You call in a few days so we can schedule the next visit. We both need to keep you on the good side of your boss."

"Thanks for understanding."

Toni leaned closer to Judy and whispered, "Be sure to take care of your fox, you've got a good one there. Wrap your tail around him and don't let him go."

Judy nodded. Finishing her hug with Toni, she whispered back, "I will."

…...

The trip back to Judy's apartment was uneventful. Thankfully, the metro car was empty except for a young beaver couple in the back, too busy making out to notice a fox and a rabbit sitting much closer together than decorum would typically allow. Holding paws so no one could see, both mammals were content to sit quietly and enjoy each other's company, Nick didn't even make another joke about Judy's carrot print cooler.

Nick walked with Judy all the way up to the door of her apartment. Standing on her cute welcome mat, she inserted her key into the door lock. As she did, Nick stepped forward and gently put his arms around her waist. Judy let go of the key and putting her paws on his arms, she leaned back into his chest. Judy fit nicely under Nick's chin with an inch or so to spare and as their hug deepened, she could feel him resting his chin lightly on her head between her ears.

Judy closed her eyes and enjoyed the warmth of Nick holding her so close. Judy started to quietly purr, something she'd been doing more of when she was near Nick.

Nick held her for another minute before he quietly cleared his throat and whispered, "Judy, there's something I have to tell you. Something I can't keep inside me anymore."

Judy gently turned around to face Nick. She did it by pressing even deeper into his chest so he would know that she wasn't trying to break their hug, but that she wanted to look into his eyes as they spoke.

Nick continued, "Judy, I—"

Judy reached up and placed a finger across his lips. Looking deeply into Nick's green eyes with her own violet ones, she pleaded with him, "Nick, please don't say it. If you do, I'm scared I won't know what to do and I'll mess everything up again."

Judy gently removed her finger as the brightness in Nick's eyes dimmed with disappointment and hurt. Nick nodded and his head drooped, "I understand."

As Nick loosened the hold he had on Judy's waist so that he could leave, she reached up and placed her paw on his cheek. He looked up at the touch and Judy smiled as she gently pulled his head down so that she could press her cheek against his.

As the fur of their cheeks intermingled, she whispered, "Nick, I wish there was some way I could promise that we could be together. I just…"

"Shh, not now."

Judy nodded at Nick's words. He was right, being held by her fox right now was all she wanted.

As the moment grew longer, the feelings she'd had a week ago after their date returned and grew stronger. Her head tried to say 'no' but her heart wanted this, she wanted him in her life. Judy slid her cheek down the side of Nick's muzzle and rested her chin against his neck and started to lose herself as she tried to nuzzle deeper into the wonderfully soft fur in the crook of his neck.

Suddenly, Judy jerked away from Nick looking flustered. "Oh, no. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that."

Nick had kept his paws on Judy's waist, so he was able to stop her as she tried to turn away. "Shouldn't have done what?"

Judy looked up at Nick and saw the confusion on his face. Breathing a sigh of relief, she quickly replied, "Nothing."

Nick was about to ask another question when Judy derailed his thoughts by reaching up with both paws, pulling his muzzle down to hers, and kissing him. As she hummed in pleasure, Nick recovered from the surprise and deepened the kiss by brushing her soft lips with his tongue until she returned the touch with her own. They enjoyed each other for a time neither kept track of until Judy reluctantly ended the kiss.

Still in Nick's arms, Judy turned her head and gently, rested it against his chest and listened to his heartbeat while breathing in his strong scent. Neither said anything as they once again enjoyed the feeling of holding each other close.

Nick finally whispered, "Carrots, you can do 'Nothing' to me anytime you want."

Judy laughed into Nick's chest for a few moments and then let their hug relax a little. Reaching up with her paw she gently rubbed Nick's chest and then used a finger to trace a line halfway down his front. Nick slipped his paws down and gave Judy's waist a final squeeze and then let go so that she could finish unlocking the door to her apartment. Pushing the door open, Judy turned around and smiled at Nick. "Thank you for today, Nick. See you in the morning."

As the door latched closed, Nick stood staring at the space Judy had just occupied. He knew he must have the goofiest look on his face. He had no idea what had just happened, but he really wanted it to happen again.

Nick straightened up after a moment and headed down the hall to the stairway. He made it to the top of the stairs when he picked up a scent. He turned his head to the left and then to the right, it was stronger to the right, he turned again and started to feel like a young pup chasing its own tail, he could smell something so he knew it was there, but he couldn't put his finger on where it was.

What he smelled was all Judy, but different. It complemented her usual earthiness with a sweetness like a morning dew glistening on a field of daisies, but it also had a deeper more possessive component, something that any mammal that could smell it would recognize as a warning – Mine!

Nick did a 360 as he sniffed around trying again to isolate the source of the complex scent when he reached up to his neck and felt where Judy had nuzzled him. His heart pounded louder in his chest when he realized what 'Nothing' really meant. Judy had accidentally left a tiny, tiny bit of her scent in his neck fur when she had caught herself about to mark him.

…..

A/N: Kohai = Junior partner in a Senpai (Senior partner or mentor) / Kohai relationship.