Chapter Text
Truthfully, all was not well in Judyville.
After the surprisingly heavy and worrying conversation, the world shattering fact that they were suddenly on a surprisingly short timer, and the fact that they were now swinging for a very sudden marriage, the date had proceeded to very well. So well, in fact, that when he walked her home, he kissed her cheek. A full on near smooch, on her face and everything.
Maybe she was being a prudey Judy, (A pun that was ironically not a jab at her name, but a unfortunately matching and preexisting joke of the burrows), but the fact that he went from a forehead kiss to a cheek kiss was exhilarating. A near rush of adrenaline, and a moment that had given her a spring in her step that lasted her the rest of the week. But like all good things, it had eventually came to an end, and when it did, the itch returned. The constant nagging of her own curiosity, the urge that even Bogo admitted had made her a good detective. But being a positive trait for a detective didn't automatically make it a positive trait in general, and in the end, regardless of her very suddenly furthering of their romance, she was still Judy. She had to know why, regardless of her trust and faith in Nick.
And yeah, the urge had nothing to do with how much she trusted Nick. She trusted him far more than was probably wise, and she knew him well enough to know that when he said about being unable to tell her, she knew that it was important and not some small or light hearted joke. And not only that, but if he was doing something scummy, he’d just lie to her face, and she’d be none the wiser. But instead of just tricking or deceiving her, he took the time to elaborate, and say he was completely unable to tell her why he suddenly had to rush their relationship.
It was weird, but it showed oddly how important it was, that even the emotionally constipated Nick who was still totally willing to lie to her face refused to do so when it would be most convenient.
He even trusted her back, and let her ask some basic questions for her own sanity; things that ultimately would’ve influenced her response.
Yeah, he couldn’t tell her pretty much anything, and yeah, he begged her to not tell anyone or let it slip that he even brought it up, but…
Judy was Judy. And she couldn’t leave well enough alone.
Such as right now, where instead of being able to go on another rapid pace date, she instead took an extra shift to “help with clerical backlogs” without Nick being there, under the excuse of “increasing their budget for further dates”. And yeah, the extra money was nice, but the truth was dirty. Instead of trying to raise more money to further their dating pace to meet some stupid fox quota before engagement, she was here, at her computer and using a borrowed profile to do a “technically unsanctioned” background check on Nick.
Sure, she’d done one or two before, not counting the very first one she’d done on him, but this time she wasn’t looking for unfiled taxes or crimes that hadn’t been formally charged, but instead things like known associates, family history, and things or the sort.
Something that would be a clue.
Anything that could sate her curiosity.
Really, just a clue-
“Having fun, Hopps?”
The deep rumble of his voice literally shook her computer monitor, and more so, it practically stopped her heart.
Oh.
Oh no.
Judy immediately stood at attention, standing on wolford’s borrowed office chair.
”Chief Bogo, uh, sir.”
His expression was…
Well, not good would be underselling it.
Actually, the last time she’d seen him this angry was the night with Manchas.
“Tell me, Hopps, any particular reason why you’re pulling unauthorized background checks on my officers?”
The was many things she could say. The truth. A blatant lie. But instead of something intelligent or wise, or, heck, even just a mess of gibberish, she asked,
“How’d you find out?”
To be honest, she was surprised to see that the chief’s expression went from rage to something akin to being dumbstruck, as if he was surprised and almost impressed at her sheer audacity.
”Wolford is on vacation and yet, it seemed his paperwork still lives. Now, need I repeat my question?”
Ah. This was why Nick was the sneaky one. She couldn’t lie her way out of a codependent, laughably overly trusting paper bag.
”I, uh…”
She honestly had no idea what to say. And while she trusted Bogo, the words “Don’t tell anyone” rang in her ears. And Bogo was definitely someone. And if it was something pseudolegal, it might cause Nick a ton of trouble.
”I…”
But Bogo would know if she lied. And she couldn’t tell the truth.
Her mind scrambled. She let in a deep breath.
”I-“
She had to say something, but what?
What did Nick always say was important about lying?
Big lies are easy to see, but almost truths are hard.
”I wanna marry Nick.”
There was a moment of silence, and Bogo stared. Not surprised, but clearly expecting her to continue.
Roll with it.
”I was, uh, needing to find out more about Nick. If he was ever previously married, or… well, anything. The internet doesn’t have any good advice about dating foxes, and I don’t know if there is anything special I gotta do to propose or if I even can, and, uh… if he’s from a clan or pack or something I don’t even know exists, and, and-“
And the verbal vomit came free. And Bogo stared for a moment as it came forth, before finally sighing, his fury disappearing and he put up a hoof to tell her to stop. Which she did, because she was not that dumb.
”Alright, alright, I understand. But regardless of your intentions, I can’t have you ‘borrowing’ other officer’s logins to do unsolicited background checks. So, log off.”
Judy did exactly that. Three keystrokes and a enter was all it took.
And, with that, Bogo then asked a very unexpected question.
”So, did your ‘research’ bear any fruit?”
Huh?
”Huh?”
Bogo rolled his eyes at that, and Judy found that she was completely at a loss for what to say.
”Really, Hopps, just because I’m the chief, doesn’t mean I can’t root for you. So, did you or did you not find out anything useful?”
Uh, er… What was she even supposed to say?
”Uh, foxes need to have a certain number of dates before they can get married?”
Bogo’s eyebrows raised, before he gave a small nod.
”That’s good.”
Wait; it was?
”Y-Yeah?”
Bogo only nodded sagely.
”Indeed. It means that you got something useful out of it; I’d hate to have you cover a night shift as punishment without actually finding anything from your foolish gamble.”
Oh.
“Uh… what day?”
Bogo’s question was almost expected at this point.
”When’s your next date?”