Chapter five - Proposition

• I'm serious, Mark.

• So you say, but THAT I do not believe.

The three were at Judy's place, relaxing on the couch in front of her TV. It was on, but only Nick made a sporadic glance at the screen every once in a while, having a better source of entertainment right at his right. He was at the far left, Judy in the middle, looking at Mark and the macaque sat at the right side, facing them both.

Their days writing reports were finally over, and to celebrate their return to patrolling the next day, they decided to stay at her home together watching movies and eating take-out food, which was on it's way at that moment.

• I swear, I printed two hundred tickets in one morning on my first day.- Insisted the bunny, amused by the monkey's incredulity.

• So you are telling me that on the very first time you had to do parking duty, with no previous experience at all and in a city you didn't know, you printed that many tickets in barely five hours?- Resumed him, not believing any word.- You do realize that is about one ticket and a half per minute, right?

• Yep, I do.- Judy tilted her head up in pride. That was not her best time, since she had to do parking duty a few times after the Nighthowler's case, but if he had so much problem believing that one, her true record would be impossible for him to acknowledge.

Mark looked at Nick expecting a confirmation, but he just shrugged.- Don't look at me, I wasn't there.

• You liar!- Accused Judy, feigning being betrayed.- I printed the two-hundredth about seconds before I saw you outside Jumbeaux's store!

• That is right, Carrots.- Conceded the fox with a smile.- I was outside that store, but not with you on the same side of the street of even controlling your work. I didn't even see your printer when we met. Therefore, I cannot serve you as a witness of your achievement.

She let a groan out just as the doorbell rang, announcing the arrival of their food. The bunny stood up and, on her way to the door, retrieved her wallet from the back pocket of her jeans. She opened the door and found an antelope with their order inside a box in his hooves.

• Hi! How much?- Asked her taking out a fifty zooleans bill.

He checked the paper on top of the box for a second.- 18,45 zooleans, ma'am.- He then saw the bill she was handing him.- Do you have a twenty? I have only coins and small bills.

• Sorry, I only have this.- Replied her, apologetic.

The antelope sighed and began rummaging in his money belt with one hoof while holding the box with the other. Judy took it to help the delivery guy, who thanked her.

Inside the house, her phone started ringing with the tone she had predefined for her parents when they wanted a videocall. With her hands full and the antelope dealing with the change, she couldn't go and get it.

• Nick! Could you please take the call for a minute?

• Sure thing!- Came the voice from the living room.- Hi there, Mrs Hopps!

• Oh, Nick!- Her mother's voice sounded through the speakers of the phone.- Isn't Judy around?

• Yes, she is at the door, flirting with the delivery guy.

• I AM NOT!- Shouted the bunny scandalized. With a blush growing on her face, she looked at the antelope and he showed some red on his face too.

• Judy, is that true? You are flirting with a delivery guy?- Now her father's voice could be heard with a concerned voice.

• Oh, sweet cheese and crackers!- Judy took the money the other herbivore had collected in his hoof, still around ten zooleans short.- Keep the rest of the change.- She said before closing the door, leaving the guy befuddled looking at it, and rushing to leave the box on the table and grabbing the phone out of the grinning fox's paws.

• How long has that being going on? Why didn't you tell us you were interested in somebody?- Asked the patriarch of the Hopps family when she finally appeared on the screen.

• I was NOT flirting with anybody. It was just Nick joking.- With the last word, the bunny glared Nick very intensely. You could perfectly understand the words "I will kill you" in that glare, Though Nick, who was sipping from his drink at that moment, couldn't see it. Mark, unrelated to all that, was muffling down a laugh that tried to escape him.

• Oh, give me that back!- The screen shook for a moment and Bonnie appeared on it with a disappointed look directed at her husband.- How could you fall for that? Now, how are you, sweetie?- Asked her to Judy, now looking at the camera and with a more softer look.

• Tired, but otherwise fine.- Replied her with a smile at the image on the screen. While with one paw her mother was pointing the device at herself, cuddled in the other arm she had a baby bunny fast asleep. It was one of Judy's four new siblings, born two months ago.- We finally finished this paperwork week and tomorrow we begin the patrol, so we are all hanging out at my place.

• That is nice, dear! Oh, is there your famous new partner then?

• Yes, he is here.- Judy turned her head to Mark, who looked a little tense.- Do you want to meet my mother?- Asked her in an inviting tone, telling him it was ok if he didn't want to. After that moment at the ZPD a few days back, he had felt much better, but still not completely fine. She understood that this could be one of those moments he would prefer not to be involved with.

The macaque, however, seemed to draw strength from somewhere and nodded, coming closer to Judy to be visible to the matriarch.- Hi! I'm Mark Rhesus, nice to meet you.

• Likewise! I'm Bonny, and this here is my husband Stu.- The camera moved to show the buck seated on the armchair at her left, who weaved a hand at him before Bonnie came back.- Oh, and this little one is Zack.- She added as she approached the camera closer to the sleeping kit. He was covered in a blanket, but his face and ears, covered by light-brown fur, were visible.

• Awwwwwww- Nick's voice came from behind Judy and Mark, who turned to find him behind the couch, looking at the screen between them.- Isn't he cutAUCH! Hey!- Protested when the bunny pinched his right ear with her fingers.- Every single baby of every species in the world is cute! Why can't I call THIS baby cute?

• I just don't want you to get used to call ANY bunny cute. You would end up getting a bad habit out of it.- Replied her with a grin. Mark took mental note to never call a bunny that. Lucky for him, the fox had said it before him and took the blame.

• How old is he, Mrs. Hopps?- Asked the monkey.

• Two months. He is the younger of a litter of four.

• The last litter, I imagine.- Interjected Judy.- You have reached the letter Z.

The doe laughed softly so not to awake the little one.- Maybe. We could always start again with "A".

• That's the spirit, Mrs. H! Keep the bunny legend alive!

• Shush you!- Judy tried to hit the fox, but he retreated on time and she missed.

• Anyway, I just wanted to know how you were. I'll leave you to enjoy your party.

• Thanks, mom.

• Oh, before I forget! Tell me when you want to come see your new brothers and sister. It's been a while since last time you came. You are invited as well, Mark.

The alluded couldn't hide his surprise at that. He had never been invited to any home minutes after he had met the person.- Me? Are you sure? Well, thanks! I feel honored!

• Oh, come on, don't be shy. You are Judy's partner, anyone that protects our daughter is welcome in this house.

• Hey, that is not fair.- Nick sounded outraged while appearing in front of the device again, but his eyes were clearly playful.- You didn't invite me there like that, and I protect your daughter too!

• Of course I didn't! I didn't have the chance to, Judy just brought you here without telling us anything.- Defended the doe.

• I didn't want my family to have time to prepare our arrival with shotguns and tasers.- Explained Judy to Mark confidently, but loud enough for the others to hear.

• You know we wouldn't do that, Jude.- Out of sight, Stu's voice raised.- No-one here has a shotgun, and I took care of the taser I had. We would take out the torches and pitchforks, though.

• Har har har. Glad to hear you too, Mr. Hopps- Nick took the joke and smiled at the screen.

• I'll tell you when I can take a few days off to go there. Bye bye!- Judy said goodbye to her parents before terminating the call.

• Nice! I will meet more members of your family!- Exclaimed Nick on his way to the fridge to get another soda.- And this ones are small enough not to trample me to death. That is a good change!

Some cracking noises reached his ears and turned slowly, just to find himself face to face against a death-glaring bunny.- Is that so? Nice to know. Now, about that joke from earlier...

...

It was nice to drive the cruiser after two weeks, especially after so much paperwork. Now, Judy at the wheel, Mark, and Nick at the right seat were starting their patrol.

But first, a stop was mandatory, and they were headed to the usual place for it.

• Do you seriously want me to buy all our coffees for three days, Carrots? I already said sorry!

• I'm sure you are, but this will teach you a lesson.- Replied the bunny with a wide smile on her face. Last night all three slept at her home, so Nick had no way to escape Judy's punishment for what he had done the day before: She had several photos of him in a very embarrassing situation, and was about to publish them on Furbook in retaliation. Nick, being the negotiator he was, managed to convince her not to do that but, in exchange, he had to buy them their morning drinks for three days. He grudgingly accepted. That made Mark wonder what those photos were if the fox was so willing to accept that deal.

The only thing that seemed to cheer him up was the box of blueberries that Mark bought him, as he had promised, and he was devouring at the moment.

• Bunnies have no sense of humor?-Joked Nick while munching on the berries, which had dyed his tongue blue.

• You already have to pay for the coffees, don't push her or you will end up writing her reports when we have to do them.- Advised Mark wisely with a smirk, earning him a scowl from Nick and a par on the shoulder from Judy.

• You see? He knows me after only three weeks working with us.- Said while she stopped the cruiser in front of the coffee shop.- Don't take too long or I'm leaving you here.

• Evil bunny.- Muttered Nick while opening the door and hopping down, but Judy's ears picked that up easily.

• Dumb fox.

A last annoyed look from the fox that quickly turned into a friendly wink and the fox disappeared behind the doors of the store.

• I am on your side, buy you must admit that the joke was good.- Said Mark, now that he was alone with the bunny.- It was funny seeing you react all flustered, Silk.

Her reply came in form of a soft punch on his shoulder and a red tint on her cheeks.- Remember that your mother has invited us to dinner tomorrow night. Don't make me tell her on you.

He raised his hands as a sign of surrender and both mammals laughed.

• Say, Mark.- Started Judy, suddenly becoming serious, nervous even.- Does your mother know that I know?

The monkey sighed and kept silence for a moment before answering.- I don't know. I haven't told her if that's what you mean, but she is very perceptive. Maybe she suspected something at dinner that day, but I couldn't tell. Why do you ask?

• Well, I just don't know how to behave with her: if I should admit that I know, if act normally...

• That last one, no doubt about it.- Interrupted the macaque.- My mother does not want to keep it a secret, but she also doesn't want that to change how people treat her, reminding her every minute...

Mark stopped talking when his voice cracked and, with his eyes closed, took deep breaths until he relaxed and returned to normal.- Sorry.

• No, it's my fault. I shouldn't have asked that.

The monkey rubbed his eyes his face for a few seconds and looked at her, trying to change topic and mood.- Speaking of dinner, I still owe you one.

Judy crooked a brow and an ear in confusion.- Since when?

• After all your help with my family, I wanted to treat you to dinner, and you accepted.- Explained him, enjoying how Judy's face changed from confusion to understanding and then embarrassment.

• B-but there is no need for that! I did it because...

• Because we are friends, I know. But still, I want to compensate you. And Nick is enjoying his compensation already.- Added pointing to the box of blueberries the fox had left on his seat.- It wouldn't be fair if you didn't.

Judy didn't know what to say. On one paw, she had no problem hanging out with mark and eating dinner with him; on the other, his conversation with his sister gave her ideas about this dinner she was not ready to handle yet.

Noticing her hesitation, though he didn't know the reason for it, Mark interrupted her train of thoughts.- I'm not saying it has to be now, Silk. Just keep it in mind.

At that moment, Nick appeared with his paws holding a tray with three cups. Once he hopped inside the cruiser, started giving them.- One carrotffee for Carrots, an orange juice for the weird guy and a black coffee for me.

• Thanks, Nick.- Said Mark taking a sip from his cup. The fox nodded and was expecting the same from Judy but it never came. She Just started the engine and drove away. He did notice, however, she was blushing.

...

The day was quite boring in Judy's opinion. The only thing worth mentioning that occurred was a motorcyclist that didn't stop at a red light, but he did stop when the cruiser's lights and the siren went off and did not resist the fine. He admitted being distracted and didn't see the light turning red in time.

Aside from that, their shift was uneventful. It seemed that Bogo's speech about crime rate being low was not exaggerated. They had really earned those vacation days.

Still, it has been better than paperwork. Her find was mostly focused on driving or looking around for infractions instead of in the dilemma she had since that morning. Now she was at her apartment, sitting on the couch and with too much time to think about it.

Why did Mark invite her to dinner? He claimed that it was just as thanks for the help in his time of need, but his conversation with Shana hinted otherwise. He said he liked her and admitted some interest. Could this be his way of asking her out? But he also said that he felt it was too soon for that. Then was it just a simple dinner?

And the most important question of all: Why was she so nervous by that? Where did all this worry come from? In any case, he was still Mark. Granted, she knew him only for three weeks, but he was a nice mammal to be around. She was very comfortable with him, almost as much as with Nick. Why then she felt like that?

She at least was able to answer that: He was the first one ever to ask her out, if it was that. Judy had been so immersed in her studies to become a police officer that didn't pay any attention to the guys in her class. The fact that she had to wear braces a couple of years didn't help much, she guessed.

Anyway, if any had any interest for her, she did not perceive it at all. So Mark would actually be her first date ever. If it was just a friend's hang out, it wouldn't be a problem; but if his intentions were more romantic inclined...

But what if...

She groaned and stood up. All this going on and on like that was giving her a headache. There was no way she could figure it out thinking in circles. She needed to know what was it to be able to face it properly.

She looked at her phone on the table. Should she ask? Would it be rude? Would he feel disappointed that she didn't know?

She facepalmed. Again the infinite loop questions. There was only one way to find out.

Judy went to grab the phone when it rang before she even touched it, a message icon blinking on the screen.

The bunny unlocked the device and saw that it was from Mark, so she started to read.

"Hi, Silk. I think I should take that invitation to dinner back. I shouldn't have brought it up, I didn't know it would affect you so much. You have been absent all day and it's my fault. Sorry about that."

• Judy, you are an idiot.- Said to herself. Of course she had been absent. Only she would worry about having dinner with Mark. He seemed to be worried about her and felt bad for it. She wasted no time in writing back.

"Don't. I know I have been... weird today, but I had things on my mind, and some were about this dinner."- She erased some words back, deciding for being completely honest.- "...and they were about this dinner. But that doesn't mean I don't want to go. So it is still up."

She hesitated a second before pressing the send button, and when she did she felt like some weight was lifted from her.

The phone rang after just a few seconds, so it was no surprise that the reply was short.

"What has you so worried?"

"The reason why you invited me. I know you said it's because you want to thank me, but I also know that you like me. I heard that too that day."

Judy wondered if that answer was good enough. It was direct and honest, but it felt like she was accusing him or something.

"I can't deny that. What you heard is true, all of it. That also includes the part where I said that I would wait until we knew each other better. I would be very happy if you wanted this to be an actual date, but this time I was meaning it to be as friends."

"Then why remind me today about it? You could have used it to ask me out later."- Now that worry had disappeared, curiosity took place.

"True, but then it would be a little forced. Don't you think? I ask you out because I owe you a dinner, so you have to go out with me. That doesn't sound romantic at all."

Judy giggled imagining that scene. She was about to reply when another text came in.

"Also, my sister was nagging me since that day to ask you out."

Now it was a full laugh what erupted from Judy's mouth.

"So, you want this to be some sort of trial run in friendly zone AND a way to get Shana off your back?"

"2 birds with one stone. Can't think of a better deal. "

"Me neither. "

Now that the tension and the big doubts had been resolved, there was only one issue to be addressed.

"Now that all that is cleared up, what am I supposed to do at dinner?"

She wanted to know if to expect a friendlier setting or to expect any romantic advance, even if small. The response she got was not what she expected, but it did resolve the problem.

"Enjoy yourself, of course! That is my own goal, at least. If anything comes from that, we will see."

She should take notes from him. She had been so worked up for such a lousy thing when he just wanted to have a good time with someone he cared about. It's like he said: they were friends and could have dinner together as such, she had done that with Nick already. If anything were to happen, then they would deal with it as it came. They weren't teenagers filled with hormones that would eat each other out on the first date, and if things did not work that way they were still friends and partners.

The now smiling bunny wrote a last reply and left the device again on the table and she stood up and, while stretching happily her arms, directed her steps to the bathroom to take a shower.

...

Mark closed the book he was reading. It was one of his old edition, but still valid, books from when he was at the academy. He was not the nerd type, but he was very forgetful, so studying every now and then was his way of keeping all the laws and rules fresh enough in his head.

This night, however, he was very distracted and couldn't focus on the task. Not that he minded, of course.

And the reason for that sounded at his right. He picked up the phone and checked the text he received. A big happy smile showed in his face.

"Very well. We've got a date"