Chapter Text
Hanging up the phone, a worried Bonnie Hopps turned to her husband. "Call the meeting, Stu," She said. Bonnie had just finished a phone call with her daughter, the first bunny of the Zootopia Police department, Judy Hopps. "You know what we have to do. It's time for us to get involved." Bonnie added, her voice worried.
A look of regret and determination spread across Stu's face as he left his wife and disappeared into the burrow to make the preparations for what was to come.
It was a little while later, hidden in a small dark, windowless room, deep within the Hopps' family burrow, that the heads of the Hopps family, Stu and Bonnie, eight of their eldest kits, Stu's brother Harvey and Bonnie's father, lovingly called Gramps gathered. Combined, these twelve mammals made the decisions that shaped the future of the Hopps family, their business, and the farm.
Everyone was seated around a table, looking nervously at one another. It was rare for an official meeting to take place. Most of the time, simple conversations taking place between chores or during meals suffice in handling whatever issue arose. A formal meeting was reserved for only the most serious of threats or in matters in which secrecy was valued.
Breaking the uncomfortable silence, Stu called the meeting to order and addressed his family gathered before him. "I know we haven't had one of these in a long time, but we have a problem," Stu said as he looked out amongst his family, nervous about what he had to say.
Turning first to the senior members, Stu said, "But first, I want to thank you for your continued support of our family." Turning to the kits, he said, "And welcome. Being here is a big responsibility. I know you won't take lightly. I called this meeting because we have work to do. We have a problem that needs to be addressed when Judy returns from Zootopia to celebrate her 27th birthday."
A murmur filled the room as the bunnies looked amongst each other, trying to figure out precisely what problem Judy might be bringing with her. Stu paused and looked around the room. "Heck, I'm going to drop the ceremony, and I'm just gonna be honest. Judy is, different. She wanted different things in life and went about different ways of getting them. She's a dreamer," Stu paused as he thought about how he had described his daughter in the past. "And, She's an achiever."
Stu shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "But that doesn't change the fact that she is going to be twenty-seven and still has yet to find a mate. As you all know, it is rare for a bunny not to have found a mate by twenty-five." Stu paused as he tried to choose the correct words to go on, but instead, Bonnie stepped in.
"Or so she would have us believe," Bonnie said, finishing her husband's sentence. Instead of searching for a buck like her sisters, Judy has chosen to spend her time with her partner of the police force, a fox." Bonnie paused allowing the weight of her words to settle on the other bunnies. "We have spoken to Judy, and she claims she and Nick, that's the fox's name, aren't a couple. According to her, they are just best friends who spend an inordinate amount of time together. But they way Judy speaks of the fox and how protective she is of him lead Stu and me to believe that she has feelings for him."
A murmur again spread throughout the room, until Stu raised his paws quieting the chattering bunnies. "As Bonnie said, Nick is a fox." The room remained quiet as the assembly focused on Stu. "We don't know what he wants or what he might be planning. Either way, we can't allow this to continue on its own. Intervention is required."
The bunnies in the room nodded, understanding where the patriarch of the family was headed.
From his chair a few seats away from Stu, his brother Harvey spoke. "I know this is the first time we have included any of the kits in this sort of thing, but I want y'all to know this isn't the first time we have done this. We know that If we force it they will rebel. We have to make them think it was their own decision."
One of the bunnies in the audience, Stu's daughter Sarah, raised her paw. "How are we supposed to do this? I mean, as mom said, he's a fox. I don't know about you guys, but I don't know much about foxes or the way they do this type of thing."
"I don't know either," Stu said. "Bonnie has been reading up on foxes all day and thinks she may have found a few things that will help us. But either way, we are going to only have one chance at this, and we are going to need everyone's help."
The room grew silent as Stu raised to his feet. "So unless there is anyone disagrees, it's time our Judy got together officially with the mammal she loves. I want her and that fox to be a couple by the end of the visit."
"Operation Fox's son-in-law is a go!" Stu said triumphantly as Bonnie shooke her head slightly embarrassed at the ridiculousness of the name. Stu looked at Bonnie confused as he noticed her reaction. "What?"
Earlier in the day, -
Sitting at their desks in the crowded bullpen of Precinct One of the ZPD, Nick and Judy diligently tapped away at their keyboards trying to make their way through the mountain of reports that made up the majority of police work. Leaning back from his computer screen, Nick stuck his arms out in front of himself and stretched. "You know Carrots," Nick said, his voice pulling Judy away from the report she was working on. "When you asked me to be your partner, I envisioned much less typing and much more chasing bad guys."
Looking across her desk at the fox, Judy shrugged. "It's just part of the job. Now keep working I want to be done with this soon so we can go get some lunch."
"But I don't wanna," Nick whined playfully. "I'm tired of reports."
"It's not so bad. Look even Wolford is almost done with his reports." Judy remarked, pointing to their fellow officer with much less paper on his desk.
Nick scowled. "He's only almost done because he can't catch anyone to write a report about."
"Har har har. Hilarious Wilde," Wolford said in response to the playful jab from the fox.
Raising his paws in the air to show he wasn't a danger, Nick looked at the wolf. "Calm down there, Wolfy. A mutt your age shouldn't be getting himself too excited, bad for the ticker, you know." Nick said as he tapped his chest.
Wolford frowned. "We're the same age!" He said, a little taken back at being accused of being older.
Feigning surprise, Nick placed a paw on his chest. "Really? I just figured with how slow you moved you had to be older. I mean, all that grey fur just isn't a good look for you."
"You don't like grey fur?" Judy asked, pretending to be hurt.
A huge smile crossed Wolford's face. "Don't worry, there little bunny, something tells ol' foxy there is quite fond of that particular color grey," The wolf said with a grin.
Instantly Nick turned, shooting a dirty look at the wolf while the pink of Judy's ears turned a noticeable deeper red. Twirling in his chair, Wolford ignored Nick and looked directly at Judy. "Or so I've been told," he said, causing the red in Judy's ears to deepen even more as she hid a smile and returned her focus on her paperwork.
Nick glowered at the wolf as he left before turning back to look at Judy. It was then he noticed her peeping at him from the side of her eye, with a slight smile on her muzzle. "Nick," She said teasingly. "Have you been talking about me?"
"I um, might have, you know, when in the locker room, the guys were talking, and I might have said, the color it, I mean I like it, on many different females, and um, like vixens and stuff… I hate that wolf," Nick said, resting his head in his paws as he stumbled over his words to Judy's delight. Nick couldn't figure it out. Why he, the fox with the silver tongue, who had talked himself out of so many tough situations, suddenly gotten so tongue-tied around that bunny?
Looking to change the subject, Nick said, "So Carrots, what establishment are we going to be spending our precious lunch break at today?"
"There is a new vegetarian place not too far from here. I want to try."
Throwing his head back, Nick moaned. "Vegetarian? I'm a growing fox, you know. I need my proteins if I am going to be big and strong."
"First of all," Judy said, holding up one paw to keep track of the points of her argument. "It's Tuesday, which means my turn to pick."
Nick rolled his eyes, which luckily for him Judy didn't see. "Second of all," Judy continued. "The only thing growing on you is your stomach if you keep eating all that junk," Judy said as she turned to look at the fox.
Sucking in the little bit of a gut the lean fox had, Nick looked away from Judy. "I don't know what you are talking about." He said.
"I'm talking about you complaining that your pants were getting tight," Judy remarked.
Wolford smiled as he but into the conversation. "What were you wearing Hopps? I might have a second theory on why Nick's pants were tight."
Jaw slack, Nick turned to look at the giggling wolf. He didn't make any noise but mouthed "Really?" at his fellow officer who was still chuckling away in his chair. At the same time, Judy turned away, not wanting Nick to see the smile the thought of Nick's tightening pants had brought to her face.
Turning to look back at Judy, Nick saw her buried in a file. Wrongfully, he assumed she didn't hear any of what Wolford had said and let out a relieved sigh. A few minutes later, Judy called out to Nick. "Hey, Slick, I'm hungry. Let's go get some lunch." She said as she closed the manila folder containing the report she had just transcribed into her computer.
"Sounds great," Nick said, just happy to escape the uncomfortable situation. Closing the file he was working on and turning off his computer, Nick stood from his desk and followed Judy as she made her way to the front of Precinct One, stopping only momentarily to smack Wolford, who broke into a whole new fit of laughter at watching Nick walk by.
Out on the sidewalk in front of the police precinct, Nick and Judy walked side by side. Talking about the cases, they were working on as they continued towards the restaurant. It wasn't long before the two police officers arrived. The hostess, a pig wearing a clean white apron, took them to a booth by the window. Nick and Judy took positions across from each other at the booth as the waitress handed them menus.
As they looked at their choices for lunch, Judy called Nick's attention from the menu. "Hey, Nick?"
"Yes, Carrots?"
"You know there is one other reason I wanted to come to this place."
"And that is?" Nick asked curiously as he slid his menu down to get a better look at Judy.
Looking Nick in the eyes, she smiled. "The lighting makes the grey in my fur shine."
Not saying anything, Nick quickly hid his face and his embarrassment behind the menu, as Judy giggled behind hers. Thankfully for Nick, respite came soon as the waitress returned to take their order.
"So, what can I get for you today?" The waitress asked as she pulled a note pad from her apron pockets.
Looking over the menu, Judy quickly selected a salad with sliced apples and cranberries accompanied by a lovely homemade vinaigrette.
Turning to Nick, the waitress asked the fox, "And you hun? What can I getcha?"
"The vegetarian nachos with extra cheese and extra sour cream."
But before Nick could even finish the order, Judy spoke up. "Nicholas Wilde, I thought you were going to eat healthier."
"It is vegetarian," Nick suggested, knowing that Judy wouldn't accept that as an excuse.
Turning to the waitress, she said, "He will have the same salad as I am."
Confused, the waitress looked from Nick to Judy, unsure of who to listen to.
"Fine," Nick said, solving her problem. "But I want Thousand Island dressing,"
The waitress paused, looking at Judy. “It’s fine,” She said looking at the pouting fox. Smiling to herself Judy looked back at the waitress. “Why don’t you throw some feta cheese and some blueberries on his too.”
Nick’s ears perked up when he heard Judy mention the blueberries. As the waitress walked away, Judy smiled at Nick. “What? I know how to keep my favorite fox happy.”
For a moment the two sat and waited on their food in silence before Judy couldn't take it anymore and asked Nick excitedly,
"You know what happens in four days, don't you?"
"Arbor Day?" Nick answered with a smirk. He knew it wasn't the answer she was looking for but was still unable to pass up the chance to tease the bunny, especially since she made him order a salad.
"No," Judy said, slightly annoyed before taking a drink of her beverage.
"Is it payday?" Nick asked, continuing to avoid giving Judy the answer she was looking for.
Not answering, Judy just stared at him.
"Talk like a pirate day?"
"Nick….." Judy pouted at the fox's refusal to give the right answer.
Trying to look as innocent as possible, Nick said, "I'm sorry fluff, I can't think of anything."
Judy rolled her eyes and shook her head before looking at the fox. "It's your favorite bunnies birthday!"
Nick stopped, dropping his fork and looked at Judy with a shocked look on his face. "It's famous bunny action star, Jack Savage's birthday?" Nick asked as he excitedly bounced in his seat.
Judy stared at him for a minute with a look that let him know she wasn't buying it. Knowing he was caught, Nick smiled before saying, "Of course I know it's your birthday."
"That's right," Judy said confidently as she took another big sip of her drink.
Watching the bunny sit there, confident in her victory, made Nick smile again. Reaching into his pocket, Nick grabbed a small box that held a pendant on a silver chain. He had purchased it a few days ago, after investigating a break-in at a local jewelry store.
While he was busy taking the business owner's statement, Nick had seen Judy stare longingly at the necklace and pendant. It was a small orange sapphire with a fleck of green emerald resembling a carrot. Nick watched as Judy looked at the pendant, placing a paw on the base of her neck where it would hang.
It was that very night, when he got out of work, that Nick rushed back to the jewelry store to purchase the necklace. He remembered looking at it the next day. It was an expensive gift. Way too fancy and extravagant to come from a coworker or a friend.
But Wolford was right. Nick didn't want to be just Judy's coworker or friend anymore. Over the last few years they had been together, she had become the most important mammal in his life. He loved to spend time with her and looked forward to every day at work just because he got to see her.
Nick was in love with the bunny and had a sneaking suspicion that Judy felt the same way.
Just then, their waitress arrived with each of their salads, setting one in front of Judy and the other in front of Nick. After thanking her, Nick and Judy both looked at their food hungrily. Nick watched as Judy took a big bite of her salad and chewed happily. This caused him to smile as he plunged his fork into his salad and took a bite.
For a few minutes, the two ate in silence, satiating their hunger was more important than any conversation. Breaking the silence again, Judy spoke up between monster bites. "Nick, I forgot to tell you," She said. "I'm going home this weekend. My parents invited me back home for the weekend to celebrate."
Instantly Nick's smile dropped only to be quickly replaced with his hustler's smirk. Poking at his meal, Nick went back to eating, his plans to reveal his feelings to the rabbit on her birthday now laying in ruins. Not wanting Judy to see his disappointment, he said, "That's very nice of them."
Reaching for his glass of water, Nick took a sip before replacing it on the table. He held on to the glass, using it to steady himself and not reveal how he felt. "I guess I am going to have to find something to do with all my free time now that I am not going to have to babysit a little country bunny in the big city."
Suddenly, Nick felt something soft touch his paw holding the glass. Looking down, he was surprised to see Judy grabbing at his fingers. Looking first to his paw and then to Judy, Nick was unsure what was going on.
With Nick now looking at her, all of the confidence Judy had moments before disappeared. "Um, Nick," Judy started, before pausing trying to muster the courage to continue. "You wouldn't want to," Judy paused again, searching for the right words. "I mean, would you want too, maybe come home with me?"
Nick looked at the bunny, surprised at the question. Pulling his paw from her, he reached into his pocket. Nick nervously fiddled with the box holding it tight, afraid that if he let it go, it might disappear. "I, uh," he stammered as his mind raced, and conflicting feelings left him off balance.
"You don't have to if you have something better to do," Judy said quickly, giving Nick an out. "I just thought it would be fun. It would give you a chance to get out of the city and see where I come from."
But Nick wasn't looking for a way to say no. In fact, he was excited to be asked. Nick was being quiet because he was scared. "Fluff, I would love to come with you," He finally said, causing Judy's face to break into a broad goofy smile. "But," Nick said, wincing as he caused Judy's smile to lessen and disappear. "Are you sure your family will be ok with you bringing a fox? I mean, your dad did purchase an entire armory of anti-fox stuff when he found out you were coming to Zootopia."
Nick watched silently as Judy's smile returned. "Oh, is the little foxy scared?" She said mocking him. "Don't worry. In the time since that happened my parents have gotten much more open-minded. They got rid of most of that stuff my dad bought."
"Most?" Nick asked, still concerned.
Shrugging Judy said, "Well, one of my brothers did keep the fox cuffs, but no one was willing to ask why."
Shaking his head, Nick couldn't help but smile. "Ok, as long as I won't make anyone uncomfortable, I would love to join you for the down-home celebration of your birth."
"Great!" Judy said before happily taking another big bite. Nick smiled too. Despite not wanting anyone to see, they got to him, seeing Judy smile always made him feel better.
Finishing their lunch, the two officers paid their check and began to make their way back to Precinct One. They hadn't gotten very far when Judy's cell phone rang. Pulling it from her pocket, she checked the screen to see a picture of her parents. Turning to Nick, Judy put one finger over her mouth to shush Nick before she walked a short distance away.
Pressing a button on the phone, the picture the screen flipped, revealing a live video of her parents as they answered the phone.
"Hey, Jude the Dude!" Her father, Stu, said when he saw his daughter's smiling face. "We just wanted to check in and make sure you are still coming back here to the burrow this weekend."
"Of course I am, I can't wait to see everybody." Pausing Judy looked back at Nick who was looking away from her seemingly interested in something going on above them in one of the buildings. "Also, I have a surprise," Judy said, pretending to be more confident than she was.
"A surprise?" Bonnie said a hint of hopefulness in her voice. It wasn't a secret that Judy's parents had been pressuring her to meet someone. They had long ago accepted that Judy wasn't going to be like the rest of their kits, but that doesn't mean they didn't want what they thought was best for her. "Are you bringing someone with you?"
"Yup," Judy said.
Instantly both of her parents' faces turned to excited smiles. "Might this someone be male?"
"He is, I am bringing Nick with me," Judy said,
Looking at each other, Stu and bonnie were quiet for a second. "Nick, your partner? The fox?" Stu noted a bit of hesitation in his voice.
Hearing the tone of her father's voice, Judy began to get defensive. Placing one paw on her hip she looked into the phone. "Is that a problem?"
"No, no, no," Bonnie said quickly. "Of course, Nicholas is welcome here."
"Good," Judy said triumphantly. "Nick is my partner and best friend. He, well, if he wasn't welcome, I wouldn't be coming either."
"Don't worry," Stu said butting in. "Your fox friend is welcome here."
A few seconds of uncomfortable silence hung in the air as the rabbits on either end of the video call just stared at each other. Finally, Bonnie spoke up, breaking the silence. "Judy," She said hesitantly as she carefully chooses her words. "Bun-bun, I need you to be honest with me. You and Nick really spend a lot of time together. He is the only mammal I ever hear you spending time with. Please be honest with us. Are you and Nick, involved?"
"WHAT?" Judy answered back quickly and nervously as she looked back to be sure Nick hadn't heard her mother's question. Fortunately, Nick was still standing a few feet away, staring at his own phone oblivious to the conversation Judy was having. Flustered, Judy stumbled for words. "um No, He's my partner and my best friend, and it's not that I haven't considered it but…"
"It's just you two spend so much time together, Jude the Dude. It makes us wonder." Stu said
Next, it was Bonnie's turn. "And when you call or visit, all you can talk about is Nick. If you two are a couple, you can tell us we won't be mad."
"Nick and I aren't a couple," Judy said.
"Ok," Stu said, looking towards his wife instead of his daughter. "We believe you."
"Thanks," Judy said, suddenly desperate to get off of the phone.
Seeing the frazzled state, their daughter was in Stu, and Bonnie decided to end the questions, at least for now. Smiling, Bonnie said, "Ok, Bun-bun. We love you and you have a good day at work and say hi to Nick for us. We can't wait to see you two this weekend."
Judy exhaled a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "I love you guys too. I will see you then."
Again Judy looked back at Nick. Her parents were right. She did want to be more than just friends with Nick. He was special. Nick was everything she didn't realize she was looking for in a mate. Unbeknown to Nick, that was one of the reasons she wanted him to come to Bunnyburrow. Judy figured they would get some alone time away from everything, and she could finally tell him how she felt.
Looking again at Nick, Judy jogged the few yards to catch up to him, and the two chatted as they walked back to Precinct One.
Elsewhere, back in Bunnyburrow. Bonnie had just hung up the phone when she turned and looked worriedly at her husband. "Call the meeting, Stu," Bonnie said. "You know what we have to do. It's time for us to get involved."