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If Judy thought the Mark's improvement would stop in just getting out of the room and talking to her, she was greatly but happily mistaken: the macaque woke up roughly at the same hour the rest of her family did and he helped serve breakfast to the kits as they were being awaken by her parents. He had offered to do so and, while his smile did not entirely reach his eyes, he seemed to enjoy it. Maybe, Judy thought, the activity was serving Mark as a distraction to stop thinking about his mother so much, or maybe he finally had started to accept her passing, if last night's events were any indication. Whatever the reason, the bunny was glad that the monkey was feeling better.

At the memory of the previous night, she couldn't avoid some blushing that, thankfully, was covered enough by her fur and didn't attract her little siblings' questions about it. She had not planned for that to happen, nor she thought she would be able to do it if she had. However, it felt right at that moment, and she couldn't deny it made her smile a lot since.

Mark didn't seem so affected by it. He treated her as always, like the kiss never happened. Still, the bunny was quite sure she had found him eyeing her a few times and avoiding her gaze when she noticed

He seemed to want to make up for his isolation the previous day and socialized with the young bunnies and some of her older brothers that also were helping. Encouraged by that, he soon found himself surrounded by curious bunnies that the day before had no chance to meet Judy's new police partner and interact with him. When the second round of bunnies entered the dining room, the first one was still asking questions and wanting to play with him, which produced several smiles and giggles coming from Bonnie and the older siblings, who understood this was a good sign.

It wasn't until it was finally the adults' turn to sit and eat that Nick appeared through the door, looking like he barely had any sleep last night but managing to smile to everyone there.

• Good morning, Ni... Wow, you look awful. Did you sleep at all last night?- Asked Judy, worried about her friend.

• Actually, not much.- Answered the fox, accepting the coffee offered by Bonnie and drinking some of it.- I kept having this nightmare about bunny-sized piranhas eating me hole all night and couldn't close my eyes for long.

• You didn't happen to see the lottery number too, did you?- Said a male bunny by Judy's left, a few years younger than her.- Because that nightmare is probably a vision of what is going to happen tomorrow.

A groan escaped Nick as he took another sip of his coffee, making Judy to giggle a bit.

• Oh, come on! Don't tease him this early in the morning!- Defended Judy.- You know foxes are mostly nocturnal and Nick has been playing all day with the young ones.

• Thanks, Carrots! Finally, someone is on my side!- Thanked Nick raising his cup to her.

• Well, you won't have any "piranhas" eating you today, Nick.- Said Bonnie, smiling at him in understanding.- Stu and some of the older ones here are taking them to see a street play near the Colson's field, so we will have the house empty except for us. You can rest today all you want.

The fox placed a hand over his heart and looked at the matriarch of the Hopps with gratitude.- Miss H, those are the most sweet words anyone has ever said to me.

Bonnie smiled at the praise and served him more coffee.

• Why don't we go take a walk around town?- Suggested Judy causing the fox to look at her with dismay, the hope of taking a nap that could last all day vanishing before his eyes.- Mark has not seen it yet, and it would be a shame to waste a day we are not needed here.

• It would also be a shame not to use this time to relax!- Replied the fox, his face exaggerating astonishment for the incomprehension of his friend.- What do you have against sitting on a chair on the porch, a bowl of blueberries by your side and just let your muscles recover from so many hours a day of running, driving, making reports and fighting criminals all day every once in a while?

• Actually, he does have a point.- Intervened Mark before the bunny could open her mouth, surprising both her and Nick, though the later quickly looked at the macaque with suspicion as he saw a sly grin on his face.- Nick is not is so good shape as we are, he needs to rest every chance he has. We could go for a walk and let him take the day off, if you want.

• Har har, very funny.- Said Nick looking away as if offended, the present Hopps laughing at the joke.

• Seriously now, if you want to stay, then do so.- Said Mark once the laughter died out, with an understanding and friendly tone.- You do look like you need it and, after what I saw yesterday, I think you earned it.

For the briefest moment, so much that Judy thought she had imagined it, Nick looked at Mark like he had actually said something to offend him, but then Nick smiled tiredly and patted the macaque's shoulder in appreciation.- Thank you, pal. I knew I could count on you to have my back.

• I guess you two won't be coming home for lunch, then?- Asked Bonnie to her daughter.

• I don't know. I suppose I could tour Mark around and show him everything there is to see. We could eat at Clay's in that case, but I don't think we are going to take that long.

• If you go near Rain Street, you will see the play the kits went to.- Said Judy's brother.- That's probably going to keep you entertained.

Judy actually was interested in seeing that play. It had been many years since she saw or played in one. Maybe she would even meet some of her friends and catch up with them.

• What do you think? Sounds good?- Asked to the monkey by her side, who nodded.

• Sure, why not?- Then, he turned to Nick.- Are you sure you want to miss it?

• Yep, pretty sure. Don't worry about me and have fun.- Was the fox's answer winking an eye to his friends.

With that plan, Judy and Mark finished their own breakfast and, after saying goodbye to the bunny's family and Nick, both walked out the door to the road that led to the town.

After he was done, Nick helped the rest of the Hopps clean the table and the dishes. Each of them had their own plans, some to stay in their rooms with their hobbies, others left to visit some friends. The fox, since his plan was simply to relax and take a nap, went to his own room and laid on the bed, relaxing the mask he had been wearing on his face.

He was indeed tired, he really had not slept at all, but not because of any nightmare. To see Judy giving Mark that kiss just when he had gathered enough determination to tell her how he felt, or at least make some movement in that direction, had crushed him. Badly. The fox had come to terms with the fact that the macaque was romantically interested in the bunny, but there was still a chance for him to be the one ending up with her, even with such a late start. Now, Judy had clearly decided to be with Mark.

He knew it was not Judy's or Mark's fault, and was trying his best not to place any kind of bad thought or blame on them. They were his friends, they had no ill intent towards him. Judy didn't even know Nick's feelings for her! And yet, he had been forced to smile and act normal when sitting at the table with them.

Of course he would have liked to take a walk with them through the town! After Suzie's death, Nick had been as concerned for Mark's well-being as Judy had. Now, the macaque looked quite better, and Nick enjoyed the thought that their talk the day before had something to do about it. The fox was glad that he wanted to go outside and let his wounds heal, but he couldn't see them both together. Not now, at least. He needed to regain his composure first. He had to accept it and be their friend, be happy for them.

Even if it hurt like hell.

...

• You are kidding...

• Nope.- Replied the smiling bunny beside Mark, internally giggling at the dumbstruck expression on his face.

• You can't be serious...

• I am.

• But... but this... this is HUGE!

Judy couldn't hold it in anymore and started laughing, Mark's eyes not leaving the sight in front of him, the reason he was so shocked.

• Well, of course it is! With a population so large, and still growing, how did you expect the local school would be?

She was right, of course. But that didn't take away even a drop of disbelief from the macaque.

After half an hour of walking, Mark could see in the distance a big building and asked Judy about it. She just grinned and told him to wait until they got there. Getting on a bus a couple of minutes later, they arrived at the very entrance of it, and a quick explanation of the nature of the place had left the macaque feeling suddenly small.

The school was so massive that, in Mark's exaggerated imagination, it would fit and entire Zootopian district inside: it was about eight stories high, and that was the only specific measure he could get from it. He could not begin to try to put a number on how long the building was and, if Judy's words were true, it also was very wide and had an enormous playing ground.

• But what kind of... I mean, what... how do you even program all the schedules for so many students? The playground time alone must be madness!

• That's what I thought while I studied here.- Admitted Judy as she signaled him to follow her to what seemed a different bus-stop.- But as I grew up, I saw that it is actually a matter of organization, just like my mom back at home. Remember how we take turns to eat? Here is basically the same, but on a bigger scale.

• That... actually sounds logic.

• Right? For example, each floor is dedicated for kits between certain age and make different groups. While one group is learning History, another is learning Math. When a class is over, the teachers simply trade rooms with each other, making it easier than hundreds of kits roaming the halls for hours to get to the next class.

• That's smart. But then, they all get to school, out of it and to the playground at the same time too? That would cause the same problem, right?- Asked Mark.

• That's why we don't do that. Younger kits, those from the first, second and third floors, go to school at 8 am. Fourth, fifth and sixth floors come one hour later and seventh and eighth one more later. That also means that they get out later but, since they are older, they can get home by themselves and are mature enough to stay at school at that hour and can use the time before coming in to study without their younger siblings making noise at home. Playtime comes three hours after you get in, so only three floors are actually playing outside at the same time. There are still a lot of students coming in and out at the same time, but it's more manageable.

• Wow! That is amazing!- Exclaimed the macaque, sincerely astonished, making her blush a little.- You bunnies make all this seem so easy! I bet many mammals in the city would pay anything to get just a few pointers in how to organize things like you do!

• Well, we had to control our fertility issues somehow. Being great at organizing, among other things is one of our strong suits.- Said the bunny proudly as he smiled, moments before he realized something.

• What do you mean with "fertility issues"? Aren't you precisely known because of how many kits you have, among other things?

• That is correct.- Replied her, her mood changing slightly to a little more serious tone.- It has been a joke on us for ages, but the fact is we ARE very fertile. When we still weren't evolved, having as many kits as possible was a way to ensure that our species would not become extinct. Predators fed on us, so losing a couple of us, while tragic, would not hurt our numbers so much. Since predators do not hunt us anymore, there is no need for us to have so many kits, but we still have that gene in our blood. So, we had to invent different ways to get some control over our "baby-making gift".

• Don't you know of "fertility control" pills?- As he asked that, Judy turned her gaze at Mark, looking for signs of him joking with that, but found none.- I'm sure there are methods available that you could use to get less kits.

• Yes, there are.- Confirmed her.- My mom told me there was a time, around the time I was three, where it had been discussed about it. It would make our lives easy, that is for sure, but it was decided at the moment that having so many children was actually a good thing.

• How so?- His question was put on hold while the pair got into the bus and sat at the back of it.

• We are basically farmers. Sure, many of us decide for other jobs...- Judy gestured at herself, pride again showing on her posture.- ...but we tend to stay to our traditions and help our parents in the fields, getting our own farms... All that. Zootopia is a big city, but the food has to come from somewhere. One of those places is Bunnyburrows. There are so many farmers, growing such a massive variety and quantity of products that we can provide for so many mammals of all different sizes. I could pass a day with only a dozen carrots, but an elephant... I doubt they would even fill a cavity on one single of their molars. They eat way more, and there are many big-sized mammals there.

• I guess that is the reason your family, and obviously, all the families here, can afford such houses, furniture and other stuff, right?- Ventured the macaque, thinking of all the things, including quite a number of big TVs and other tech, that her family possessed.- You provide all that is needed in the city and get payed for it.

• Correct.- Said the bunny, happy to see that he understood.- If bunnies had started taking the pill and having less kits, at some point there would be less farmers and, by consequence, less product to offer. Who would sell all the food needed in Zootopia?

With a sigh, Mark leaned back against his seat, deep in thought.- Now I wonder how is that accomplished in Animolia. I do not know how is food grown there, and it is almost as big as Zootopia. I never actually thought of that until now.

• Aren't there any bunnies in Animolia?

• Hares, mostly. Answered Mark.- And I don't think they favorited farming over any other job. In fact, I remember seeing one in the precinct once, though I never met him. Bunnies I haven't seen many there. I guess farming is done by other mammals, but I am not sure. Never asked about it.

After a couple of seconds in silence, Mark with his own thoughts and Judy trying to find anything to say, the macaque chuckled once and let a shy smile show on his face.- Sorry, it seems I am showing how ignorant I am about many things.

Judy playfully elbowed him, reassuring the monkey that he should not worry about that.- You know about other things, you know? Like that time during our date, remember?

He started thinking hard what she could be talking about, but couldn't remember.- What do you mean? What did I say?

The doe looked around them, checking for anyone having their ears in their direction, but the bus was almost empty except for a pawfull of other passengers at the front and minding their business.

• About how bunnies react with the word "cute".- Said in low voice. A second later, the memory of that moment flashing in front of his eyes, he snapped his fingers in realization.

• Oh, that! Wait, you have pondered about it? Are you gonna let others call you "cute" from now on?- Asked with a sly grin that Nick would have perfectly approved.

• Of course not!- Responded Judy, a little higher that she intended and checked again for anyone eavesdropping.- But it made me think that, as you said, if someone that knows me and calls me that because they actually want to compliment my looks while acknowledging my feats, I shouldn't be mad at them.

• Soooo, that means that I CAN?- Tested the monkey with mischievous eyes. That, with the prospect of what would probably come in the future after this, made Judy blush slightly.

• That MEANS that, if I hear you or anyone calling me THAT as a joke or to mock me, you will receive a sample of why I graduated valedictorian at the academy.

A shiver ran down Mark's spine and his throat felt dry at that. He had seen her giving samples of precisely that before and he didn't want any. Not if he wanted to keep working as a police officer.

Or play any sport.

Or simply be able to walk to the bathroom by his own.

• But...- Continued the doe, this time in a softer voice that captured Mark's full attention.- If you or Nick say it and actually mean it, maybe, and just MAYBE, I might accept it.

Mark's smile showed how glad he was that Judy would consider allowing such thing because of him. It probably had not been easy for her to say that, after so long rejecting the very word. It made him feel honored to be given such permission.

• I promise I will not make you regret that decision.- He said using two fingers on his right hand to make a cross over his heart to mark his vow.

• You better.- Warned the bunny, though she knew that thread was empty. She doubted very much that he would actually use that to joke around.

What happened next she did not expect, as Mark leaned in her direction until his face was mere centimeters of her ears and whispered very softly.

• I will save it for the right moment to tell you.

The shade of red on her face had yet to be named as she turned her head away from him, in a futile attempt to hide her embarrassment. Not only that had already entailed calling Judy "cute" without saying it, but it also promised her she would hear it again at some point, when she least expected.

Her respite from that line of thought came when two new passengers entered the vehicle, paid and went to sit but saw her. The two sheep, one black female and a white male of the same age, almost ran through the bus to meet her childhood friend.

• Judy! Oh, dear, it's been so long!

• How are you, Judy?

• Tara, Jaden! It's so nice to see you!

The three friends managed to hug despite the movement and the small space available. Even after Judy moved to Zootopia, Tara and her brother Jaden had remained her friends. Every time she visited, the bunny tried to hang out with them even if it was just for a brief chat around a cup of coffee. This time, with the situation with Mark, she had not expected to meet them at all.

After they broke the hug, the siblings noticed Mark waiting politely for them to greet each other and Tara started asking questions.

• Who is your friend? Is he also from Zootopia? Where did you meet? Is he also an officer? What happened to Nick? Is this your new partner?

• WAIT! Please, one question after another!- Begged the doe to her friend. After so long, it still amazed her how curious the sheep was.

• Oh! Right!- She seemed to realize she was been too fast and smiled nervously.- So, name first!

Judy gestured towards Mark, who was smiling politely to the two siblings.- This is Mark, he is...- At that, she hesitated. After that kiss last night, she didn't know if it was right to keep presenting him as her friend. Where there at that point yet? Maybe it was too soon?.- ...a friend from Zootopia. He is also a police officer and works with Nick and me. Mark, they are some friends from my childhood. She is Tara and he is her brother Jaden.

• Pleased to meet you.- Said the macaque as he extended his hand for them to shake. He noticed that Tara seemed quite extroversive while Jaden was just the contrary. His shake was brief and shy.

• And as for Nick, he is at my mom's house. He had a rough night after playing yesterday with my siblings and he wanted to rest.

• Oh, that's a pitty! I would have liked to meet him again!- Said the female sheep. While Mark crooked an eyebrow at that comment, Judy just smiled wider. Since the first time she had presented her friends to Nick, Tara had acted a little different around the fox. The bunny suspected her friend might have a little crush on him, which was weird after all the crap Gideon Grey put her and her brother through when they were younger.

• Are you going to the play too?- Asked Jaden, sitting down but turned back to face the couple. Tara did the same on the seat in front of her brother's.

• That's the idea.- replied her.- After that, we will tour around town so Mark can see the place.

• Nice! Don't forget to go to my mom's store, she has been asking about you lately.

• Will do.- Was Judy's answer as the bus stopped again, this time at the group's destinations. The quartet stepped off the vehicle and walked down the street. A couple of meters ahead, a large crowd surrounded a platform elevated so everyone could see even from a distance. On it, several mammals of different species were preparing the set while all those congregated there chatted loudly.

A voice and waving paw among the crowd and calling towards them made the group watch in that direction. A tall gray feline that Judy recognized as one of her friends from her childhood, that she had not seen in many years, was beckoning to them and Tara was already hugging the feline as her brother shook his paw. He had been in charge of sound effects during one of her plays and his family moved away shortly after. As Judy was told, his parents got a job on a town a couple of hours away and had to move there.

The bunny had already started running to hug him too when she noticed Mark was not following her. Turning back, she saw the macaque looking at the crowd with apprehension. Judy stopped and walked back to him.

• Are you ok?- Asked her. Mark looked at her, suddenly noticing that his friend was talking to him, and smiled as if it were nothing before directing his steps towards her and the crowd.

• Yeah, I'm fine.- He replied. Then, he pointed at the feline, talking to the two sheep.- Is he also a friend of yours?

So much time with Nick had taught Judy to recognize a fake smile, one that a mammal puts on to hide something. Probably the fox would still be able to fool her if he really tried, but Mark had no experience at all. It was easy to tell that there was something wrong.

And, just as more mammals ran very close to him to join their own groups and the macaque's body reacted to that by taking one step away, she understood. And she felt like an idiot.

• Come.- Said as she firmly grabbed Mark's hand and pulled him away from the crowd and the scenario. The initial surprise had Mark trip before regaining balance and following her into the same street they had come from moments before just as applause could be heard, signaling the start of the play.

• What is wrong, Silk? Why are we leaving? Weren't we going to watch the play?

• Yeah, but I had a better idea.- Answered the bunny, now walking at a normal pace but not letting his hand go yet. She turned and walked a couple of meters backwards to wink at him.- You have seen my old school, but that is not the only amazing sight here.

• But... What about your friends?

• Oh, I will call them later and apologize. I'm sure they won't mind.

Surrendering to her antics, Mark smiled again, this time meaning it, and followed his friend.

After a couple of empty streets, except for some mammals hurrying to the play, Judy made a sudden stop when they entered a plaza. Instead of asphalt, egg-sized stoned embedded in cement covered the ground of the circular space. Around a garden in the center, many tables and chairs belonging to the many restaurants and bars occupied the majority of the surface, leaving just enough so the mammals could walk around. Obviously, because of the play, there weren't many customers, so the full view of the plaza was available to enjoy.

Mark thought that the plaza was what Judy wanted him to see and, while he admitted that it was very charming, it didn't look that special. Still, he didn't want to offend the rabbit after she dragged him there leaving her friends behind and not watching the play.

• Wow! It is very... lovely.- He said, hoping that she didn't notice he was pretending. However, Judy was not looking at the plaza, or even paying attention to Mark. She was looking for a specific place whose existence popped in her mind when they arrived there. After a couple of seconds, she found it on the very corner at the farthest side.

• Ok, small change of plans.- Started saying the bunny turning to the macaque, who looked at her with confusion and interest.- I want to take you elsewhere but, now that we are here, there is something I want you to try. It's something you can eat and it's made by a friend of mine that I would like you to meet. Is that ok?

The question confused the male. He had no problem meeting Judy's friends. So far, they had been very nice. Why would she be concerned with him meeting more now?

• Sure, let's go.

Judy's smile widened as she again dragged Mark through the plaza and into the store. The macaque barely had enough time to read the sign outside saying "Gray's patisserie".

As the door opened, the soft ring of a little bell welcomed the pair inside as well as the sweet aroma of chocolate, caramel, marmalade and many others. At their left were several empty tables with individual lamps above each of them and chairs around to sit on. Right in front of them, a counter with a display of many tasty-looking pies, cakes, and other delicious things. Behind it, a double swinging door led to what their noses guessed was the kitchen. A male voice came from it.

• Welcome! Please, give me a second and I'll attend ya! Feel free to look around or sit at a table.

• No rush, Gideon!- replied Judy, placing her hand on her pockets.- It's not like it's been ages since last time we saw each other!

Several noises, including a very identifiable metallic bowl falling to the ground, were heard along with some curses before a fox came out through the doors with a very wide and toothy smile of his muzzle. Used to see Nick on a daily basis, Mark thought that this new fox was bigger and wider than his partner.

• Judy! S'so nice to see ya! When were you back?- Greeted as he pulled her into a brief and friendly hug.

• We came just yesterday. Sorry I didn't call before coming.

• Nah! Don't worry 'bout it! Everymammal is down at the play, so I was just making some pies back there. Are ya on your way there too?

• No, we just come from there. We decided to take a walk instead.- Explained her before realizing that introductions weren't met yet.- Oh! This is Mark Rhesus, a friend from Zootopia. Mark, this is...

• Gideon, right?- Ventured the macaque, surprising both mammals.- I've heard about you.

While Gideon's expertise on patisserie was known in the Triburrows, it was not so outside it, less so in Zootopia and surely even less in Animolia. Judy couldn't remember any occasion that she or Nick had commented Mark about Gideon or his products. So, a bit of concern about what had he heard and from whom planted itself in her mind. If someone had told him about Gideon being her childhood bully, this friendly meeting could turn a little awkward in a moment.

• Nick told me that there was another fox living in Bunnyburrow called Gideon, so I guessed that could be you.- Explained the monkey as he shook the fox's paw, Judy surreptitiously letting out the air she had been holding.- Nice to meet you!

• Same here! Speaking of the devil, where is he?- Asked Gideon, looking around in case the other fox was sitting already at a table or waiting outside.

• He came with us, but he is now at my parent's.- Said Judy.- So, aside from what we are eating now, I would like some blueberry pie for him.

• Sure thing!- Beamed the fox and gestured with his thumb in the kitchens direction.- Got one in the oven right now, you can take it with ya when it's finished.

• Perfect! Do you mind if we sit?

• Please, go ahead! What do ya want while you wait? If ya don't mind my suggestion, I've got a delicious carrot cake waiting to be eaten.- Offered Gideon as he led the couple to one of the free tables and sat them down.

• Oh! I want a piece of that!- Exclaimed Judy, her eyes open and ears straight up in joy.- What about you, Mark?

The macaque pondered for a second before deciding.- Strawberry cheesecake, if you have it.

The box clapped his paws once with a beaming smile as he turned to go behind the counter where the products were.- Coming right up! Want something to drink too?

Mark was about to reply, but Judy was faster.- Carrotffee for me and orange juice for him, please.

• Got it!

As Judy turned her head to face Mark, she found him looking at her in confusion.- What's wrong?

• How did you know what I wanted to drink?

• Oh, that. Well, you always drink that when we are on patrol instead of coffee, so I just remembered.- Explained the bunny with a smug smile as Gideon returned with the drinks and left again.

• Smart bunny.- Said the macaque as he took a sip of the juice. She responded by winking at him.

• So, here ya go!- The fox returned with the pieces of cake on a plate with some cream.- Now, if y'all excuse me, I'll be in the kitchen for a few minutes. I'll be out as soon as I get a couple of pies in the oven and then we can chat for a bit.

• Sure! Just don't rush your works because we are here, ok? We don't want to be the cause of anyone eating a bad pie.- Joked Judy.

• Understood, Officer Hopps!- Said the canid with a salute as he entered through the door to the kitchen, sounds of activity coming out of the rooms soon after.

• Nice guy, your friend.- Commented Mark with his eyes still on that door before turning them to his piece of cake and taking a bite. Judy waited patiently for his reaction, knowing very well that Gideon had not acquired his fame in the Triburrows with medium quality products. The slow transformation on the monkey's face, from relaxed to great surprise, made the bunny smile widely.- And an amazing chef! This cake is delicious!

• I knew you were going to like it. Gideon is very known in the Triburrows for his products. Also, some of the ingredients he uses come from my family's farm.

• Really?- Asked Mark, further surprised, as his friend nodded.- That is awesome!

Judy was glad he was so relaxed again. She still didn't understand how couldn't she notice he was still not comfortable in large groups. While he seemed recovered enough to be around her family, large as it was, he still was going through a very hard moment and he obviously didn't want to be surrounded by that many people as there were at the play. Why didn't he say anything? They could have stayed at home if that felt better for him. Why then to force himself...

"That was it, isn't it?"- Thought the bunny as her eyes stayed on her friend, who seemed to enjoy every new spoonful of cake as if it was the very first he ever had.- "You were pushing yourself for us, right? For me. So I wouldn't worry."

...

After a while of walking around through alleys, up and down stairs and up a not-so-smooth hill, they were about to reach the top and finally sit on the benches Judy promised were there. Looking over her shoulder, Mark was as good as she expected him to be being a trained SWAT: he was still climbing after her, determined to keep walking until they reached their objective, but the long day they had and this last idea Judy had to finish the day on top, both metaphorically and literally, had him showing signs of being tired.

Gideon had joined them as he promised and they had been chatting with the fox for a while, the macaque finding the fox a very nice and friendly mammal. When he had shared that thought with Judy, she had to make an effort not to tell him Gideon's past. While neither the fox was a bully anymore nor Mark would judge him for his past, she didn't want to go around sharing private things of her friends. Still, it would have been interesting to see mark's face if he discovered what the "nice and friendly mammal" did in his youth. After a very pleasant while, the first client came it and Gideon had to attend it. Unfortunately, after that one came another, and another... and soon the whole town seemed to have had the same idea for lunch. Having the store so full, Judy and Mark thought it was best if they said their farewells and continued their tour around. After paying for the blueberry pie and their tab, they left and Mark followed his friend.

Their first stop was a greenhouse where the entrance cost five Zooleans each, but the doe in the counter selling the tickets recognized Judy and allowed them a free pass for the day. The only thing she had to do was to take a selfie with her, which she graciously, though with some embarrassment, accepted.

The reason for the tickets in order to visit the place was, as Judy told Mark, because it did not serve as the common greenhouse, where you could come in and buy some plants and flowers, but it served as investigation center that researched better, cleaner and cheaper ways to improve crops and keep the flora around in the best health possible. It was in fact there where the Nighthowlers were initially investigated before their negative effects were known. When it was noticed their effect protecting the crops, it was bred there to provide a cheap alternative to chemicals for farmers. Now, they discovered as they got inside, there was an empty section that was once dedicated to that plant.

• After the Nighthowler's incident, the government ordered us to either send them all the specimens so they could control and study them or destroy the specimens and forbade us to grow more.- Explained one of the caretakers, a female beaver that presented herself as Carla.- Since we don't have a need to grow other plants at the moment, that section has been left empty in case we get something new or an extra order of other plants.

Carla insisted on showing them around the place and even explained some of the experiments they were running there, including a substitute of the Nighthowlers but without the "Savage effect". However, what Judy liked most was simply to see the huge and diverse garden they had. Roses, lilacs, lotus... it seemed like all the flowers of the entire world had grouped there. While macaques didn't have a sense of smell as powerful as other mammals, even Mark was baffled at so many aromas he could perceive.

After that, it was time for lunch, if Mark's stomach was correctly timed as he announced its wishes with a growl. The initial idea was to go to a very nice looking restaurant called Clay's, but, yet again, the bunny changed their destination by choosing a simple pizza place where they ordered a big pizza for the both of them and sat on a bench away from the other customers. Mark didn't understand her behavior, he knew she would probably want to be around others and, more importantly, meet some friends she had around. However. He didn't complain since he was very at ease like that. Judy was glad to see him relax like that and she almost could see him as he was before Suzie's death.

The rest of the afternoon was not a tour around town as much as it was a visit to each one of the town's plazas, markets and mostly every place Judy assured were charming. Mark thought at the beginning that Bunnyburrow, being a country town and all that, was quite common and with only a handful of places worth sight-seeing. Judy, after a whole afternoon, proved that statement to be wrong. He had to admit that it was indeed charming, as each of the places Judy was taking him had something special, be it a small park with a fountain at the center and surrounded by flowers, a whole street with houses still built underground like centuries ago or the one they were enjoying now, right after a while of climbing up to the highest spot of the town, the top of the hill behind the town where you could see the whole town and a huge part of the farming fields surrounding it, all under the dying light of the sun going down. He doubted he could see the Hopps family property even from there, but it was indeed impressive to realize just how much terrain was dedicated to farming and actually how many workers were needed to maintain all that.

• Wow.- Was all he could say after a couple of minutes, making the bunny by his side to giggle.

• Nick said the same I brought him here. Well, he needed to recover his breath BEFORE he would think of taking a moment to look.

• I don't blame him.- Said the macaque, looking back the way they had come from.- If you made him go around town like today, then I understand he preferred to stay home.- He turned to see that Judy was frowning at him, so he rushed to add:- But it is very worth it. The view from up here is astounding.

Satisfied, the doe smiled and set her eyes on the horizon again. That was her very favorite spot, where she went every chance she got to reinforce her determination of becoming a police officer. They were high enough to see Bunnyburrow and part of its surrounding fields, but not enough to see beyond the Darnel's field. She knew there was a city beyond it, at the end of the train-line going from the east side of the town and directed to the north-east, a city that would welcome her and her objective of making the world a better place. A throaty chuckle escaped her as the image of a younger and very naïve self flashed in her mind.

• Judy.- Mark's voice returned her mind to the present to look at him, especially since, as she noticed, he had used her real name. He was sitting on the grass, looking at her intensely.- Thank you.

Judy looked at her friend in confusion.- What for?

• Today, all of it.- He replied.- I... had a great time. I didn't expect to actually enjoy it because of...- His voice lost strength as he spoke, his expression reverting to his gloomy state before he came to Bunnyburrow. Luckily, it lasted only a couple of second until he recomposed himself with a smile.- You already did a lot for me these past few days, Nick too, and today you just walked me around to get my mind off my mother. You even miss that play and avoided meeting some of your friends for me.

• Mark, I told you I can...- She stopped when the monkey raised a hand to interrupt her.

• You didn't have to, but I thank you for that. Although, meeting Gideon was nice.- Added with a happy smile, which spread to Judy's face as well. Then, he looked away somewhat embarrassed.- Also... I want to thank you for... Last night.

Judy blushed at that and looked away too, grabbing one of her ears and fiddling with it.- Well, I... That was...

• Unexpected.- Finished the male for her. She looked at him, who was looking back, and his smile told her much of how he felt about it.- To be honest, I wasn't expecting anything like that giving the circumstances. That is why I don't really know what to do.

A brief silence fell over them. The doe, just like him, didn't know where to go from there. That moment on the bus when she presented Mark as her friend made that obvious. That kiss, even if she liked it, put them in a situation she had to resolve.

However, before she said a word, Mark continued.

• I just want you to know that, while I liked it a lot, I don't want you to feel forced because of what happened. You know how I feel about you, even with this mess that is clear to me; but I only want us to become something if you really want, not just to make me feel better.

• I didn't do it because of that.- Said the bunny, both her ears straight up. She surprised herself by saying that so firmly, yet she continued as she turned to face him and sat down in front of him.- I wanted to do it. It was on the spur of the moment, of THAT moment, but it felt right.

• Are you sure?- Asked Mark, hope visibly restrained in his voice.

• Yes.- Was her answer, and again she how was she so sure about it.- Honestly, I don't know if that means anything at all, but after two dates I think we...

• Wait wait wait, hold on.- Interrupted the monkey, looking confused.- When did we have the second day? Are you counting TODAY as a date?

• Yeah, well...- Blush returned to her face as the tone of the conversation changed completely.- I didn't plan this at all, I just rolled with it, but I think we could count it as such, can't we?

Mark looked befuddled at Judy, but a smile quickly crept in his face as seconds passed.- I guess so. Though, had I known it was a date, I definitely would have taken you to that restaurant we saw earlier.

• Na-uh. Remember, it was my turn to take you somewhere of my choosing.- At this point, she was also smiling as the conversation was in a more joyful and joke-filled tone.

• And you chose pizza?

• Yes, I chose pizza. Any problem with that?

• In fact, I do!- Exclaimed him in an offended fashion, but it was clear it was all an act.- I take you to a very fancy restaurant and, in exchange, you only buy a pizza? I don't think that is fair.

• Hey! If I remember correctly, YOU insisted in going there.- Retorted her, trying very hard not to start laughing. And, by the tense muscles in Mark's jaw, he was going through the same.- I was very happy just to go anywhere else and eat cheap. But no, you wanted to get fancy with food I don't even remember the name of!

At that, both burst into laughter, Mark even letting his back fall all the way to the ground.

• I only remember there was some kind of salad and a soup. What else did we eat?

• Eggplant.- Replied her, still giggling.

• Eggplant, that's right!

• And that because you wanted to, so don't go complaining now about it.

• Touché. You are right, of course.- The male admitted his defeat as he outstretched his arm so Judy helped him sit up, which she gladly did.- So, what were you going to say before I bluntly interrupted?

• Oh! Well... Ehm...

She was back in shy mode, all the strength she had before completely gone. She again felt she didn't know what to do or say, her thoughts again a mess.

Then, as if he had understood her trouble and intentions, Mark placed a hand on her cheek, not moving for a second expecting rejection from her, which didn't come. Her blush was visible even though her fur and the red light of the sun, giving its last beams of warmth to the couple.

Slowly and unsure, he leaned forward, feeling his heart beating like crazy, the same happening to her. After agonizing second for both of them, they connected, feeling some tingling making their fur stand on end. It lasted a couple of seconds, just like the sunlight left before the sun finally gave up to the night.

As they parted, they stayed in silence, looking at each other. Mark was the one to break it, needing to express too many things at the same time. Instead of that, he just said two words, and Judy understood.

• Thank you.