AN: Hi guys! So this is basically a rewrite of my fic The Perfect Mate, which surprisingly has gained a lot of support! I can't thank people enough for taking the time to read this story! Originally this was a one-shot but my new re-write is longer than 10k words now and I was having trouble uploading it to the website so I had to spilt it in two parts. Stay tune!

If you see grammar errors PLEASE LET ME NOW! I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER!

anyway..

Next part will most likely be uploaded tomorrow or the latest the next day!

Enjoy!

Judy was not a picky bunny.

At least she didn't think she was.

Growing up in a small knit community like Bunny Burrows, Judy had been given a plethora of advice when it came to relationships. It's seemed like everyone thought it was their right to impose their opinions on what she should be looking for in a mate. Most of Judy's childhood friends had already seemingly followed the community advice and found themselves a nice mate that everyone approved. Even Gideon Gray had found himself a vixen who everyone liked. While everyone was off living their romantic dream it seem like she was stuck here with-

"Carrots! Lovely to find you and those donuts you have.."

Nick, the sly trickster she met on her first day on the force. Although she was weary at first, he had helped and believed in her when no one else did. She was thankful everyday for having him in her life. Except right now as he was lazily eating up the donuts she had just gotten.

"Careful Nick, Clawhouser isn't going to be happy if you eat all his glazed donuts." Judy cautioned him. Her stern glance was met with Nick's famous sly grin and him taking another donut. Judy laughed him off, setting of to look for Clawhouser so that he could have his donuts.

Later that day, she sat on her bed pondering about what had crossed her mind earlier. She had just sent Nick on his way after one of their weekly movie sessions; which of course ended with popcorn on the floor and Nick laughing insisting that next time he was going to pick the movie. (They both knew Judy always ended up winning that battle.)

Her eyes were drawn to her beloved blue notepad that came with her from home. No one knew, but she collected every single piece of advice people have told her over her life to look for in a potential mate.

Judy's Must-Haves in Mates (with help from others)

He must listen to you always

He has to have a busy Sunday not a lazy one

His fashion sense must be good

He must always agree with you and admit you're right

He has to be serious in every way

He must be accomplished

He must have the same interest as you

He must inspire you

He must be funny

Judy sighed as she knew all the requirements were going to be hard to fulfill. But everyone who was happily married have given her these pieces of advice and she hoped they would lead to her eventual romance. She was already a dedicated police officer and had a stable life. She just wanted the extra piece of romance as well.

1.)He must always listen to you

"Judy dear, if you want to be as happy as your grandfather and I, you must look for someone who listens to your every needs because if he doesn't it means he doesn't care."

"Yes grandma."

Judy was ready. She signed up for an online dating site the previous night. She was excited at the idea of possibly meeting her mate. Nothing could hold her back.

Nick had other opinions.

"You're trusting a computer to pair you up with your 'mate for life' Carrots?" Nick asked while she was telling him her story, "How ridiculous is that?"

"It's not like that Nick," she fought back, "And beside were you even listening to me earlier?"

Judy felt the car swerve on the road as she turned to face the now blushing fox. Nick ears flattened down as he shot her a nervous smile, "Uh, I may have tuned out for that last part, Carrots." He nervously chuckled. Judy narrowed her eyes as she turned to look away from the sly fox.

"If you were paying any attention me, which you should, you would have listened that I am not dating just anyone on the site, Nick. I have a list requirements that they need to pass." Judy stated with an obvious look on her face.

That had caught Nick's attention. Curiosity growing, he smoothly asked, "What's on the list, Carrots?" Judy smirked, as she knew he was trying to play it cool with a non amuse facial expression plastered on his muzzle, but she also knew that in reality he was dying to know what is on that list.

"Wouldn't you like know, huh Nick?" Judy teased. "It's not that important Nick, we have to get back to patrolling now. We'll talk later, ok?"

NIck narrowed his eyes and silently chuckled to himself, "Oh, I'll get that list Carrots, just you wait."

Later that week Judy received her first date offer from the site. Buck Tail, a sheep who offered to take Judy out to a nice restaurant, to which she happily agreed to.

Nick however was, not surprisingly, being unsupportive, "I don't know Carrots, the guy looks weird. What if he is secretly a serial killer who wanted to kill you?" Judy scoffed as she heard Nick's voice over the phone, "Nick! This isn't some lame soap opera where that stuff happens. I'm sure he's fine. Now, for the last time, the pink or green?"

On the other line, Nick couldn't help but feel a mixture of anger and hurt bubbling inside. It was begging him to prevent Judy from going on this date. Wait, I'm not jealous am I? No that's ridiculous! We're only friends...Ignoring his gut, he got back on the line with Judy. Sighing, He agreed to the pink dress that Judy had ask him about. "Well, I hope it all turns out well, Hopps. But if anything happens-"

"I know who to call. Thanks Nick.." Judy softly said smiling before she hung up on the fox. She rushed to put on the pink dress Nick had suggested, and started to fix her ears. Nothing could ruin her growing excitement for this date. Not even Nick.

She was wrong.

The night went terrible by Judy standards, she didn't know about Buck's. At the beginning they were both having fun, they both seemed quite interested in each other. Judy was excited to learn that they both had careers involving law, as Buck told her that he was a lawyer. Judy had started talked about working in the police department and he was carefully listening to every single one of her stories. Judy thought it was great. She thought it was nice to have someone listen to her for a change. However, Buck quickly informed her of how he thought she talked too much. She did know that she rambled of a bit too much sometimes. Blushing, she apologized and let him have a turn to speak, but all he spoke about was of himself. Not even about his job or his family. Just about himself. Judy couldn't stand it. How could this mammal not allow her to speak about herself and her accomplishments and dreams yet believe that he reserved the right to talk all about himself and his good looks? Realizing that he was only a self minded git, she quickly called it a night and took a cab home.

The next day she, naturally, was telling Nick about her date. She felt like she needed to get it off her chest. "I've never seen anyone so rude in my life, Nick! He was so narcissistic, he didn't care about anyone but himself."Judy rambled on. Nick just turned and gave her an "I told you so" look. He did feel bad for Judy for having an awful night, but he did warn her about it. He knew that guy looked weird and sketchy. But, he also felt… happy?

"I knew there was something weird with that guy, Carrots. I tried to warn you but did you listen? No, no you didn't." He turned towards her, a weird combination of a smirk and grin plastered on his face,"Maybe you should try listening to me more often, huh carrots?" Judy rolled her eyes and went back to her patrol. Nick just kept sipping his coffee with a smug look on his face.

2.) He has to have a busy Sunday, not a lazy one.

"Judy! Judy! Where are you?" Judy giggled as her older sister was slowly walking towards her hiding place. They were supposed to be helping their parents by selling blueberries but they were having too much fun.

Judy bit her tongue, trying to keep herself from laughing. She went under the quilt vendor's cart and crossed her paws that her sister didn't notice she moved.

"-I''m telling you Lin! It's not decent for a young mammal like himself to spend all Sunday wasting around and doing nothing! Why! Do you want him to marry a nice young female? No nice female would ever want to marry a lazy mammal! And you know how you can tell a mammal is lazy? Hmm? By asking him what he does on Sunday. That's how!"

Judy's eyes widen as the women's words were being permanently plastered on her mind. She wanted to be a nice young female, and she was going to make sure she never marries anyone lazy on Sunday's. She ran off to get her blue notebook, forgetting all about her game of hide and seek.

"You have a date? On Sunday? Geez Carrots, why would you ever do that to yourself?" Judy sighed as Nick pester her about her date today. He had called earlier to ask her if she wanted to have another movie night but she told him she had other plans. Which brings her back to-

"Carrots, come on! It's a date you can reschedule, right? Where is he even taking you?" Nick asked. Knowing that the fox wouldn't give up until she told him everything, Judy informed him that her date, Bert, was going to take her out on a hike. That's what got her to accept his offer in the first place, after the first disastrous date she went on.

"Nick, it's fine we can have movie night tomorrow, alright? I promise!" Judy tried to comfort her friend. She heard Nick sigh though the phone signaling her win. She smiled, "Nick you're the best!"

"I already know that Carrots, have fun! Oh, and if anything happens, call ok?" Judy rolled her eyes, "Duh! Ok bye!" Hanging up, she looked for her favorite pair of shorts that make her tail stand out…

It was now seven and the sun was setting. Judy took another sip from her water bottle. She glanced down, peeking sadly She had been waiting at the base of the mountain for almost two hours now. She knew most people would have left by now but hoped that he would show up soon. Hopefully…

Another hour went by and Judy knew that she had to leave. It was quickly getting dark and Judy knew that even if the guy did make it, it would be unsafe to hike in the current conditions. Judy was now instead worried about how she would get home. She was a little hurt at being stood up but Judy knew there had to be a good explanation for all of it. Hopping on the bus, she sat down and pulled out her phone.

There were no missed calls, no text messages, nothing. Judy wondered why this guy would contact her. She opened her contacts app, finger hovering over Nick's name. She was torn on whether or not she should call him. She quickly turned off her phone and slipped it back in her pocket. No, she was ok and nothing serious had happened, there was no sense in calling him now. Looking out the bus window, she saw a hippo couple walking in the moonlight, holding hands and looking very much in love. The guy had whispered something to his girlfriend and she giggled, while snuggling closer towards him. Judy sighed. She knew she was eventually going to find that special someone, but she did wish he would come sooner than later.

"Don't worry Judy, it's only been two guys. I'm sure the others are better…" She tried to reassure herself. Sighing for the millionth time she got off and slowly got into her apartment.

Judy ended up not wanting to tell Nick about how her date really went. She knew that he would either rub it in her face that she should have stayed for movie night or he would feel sorry and try to act comforting. (To which he's ok at but Judy didn't want him to worry.)

"How was the hiking, Carrots?" Nick asked. He glanced down to check on his bunny-er-partner.

She looked up to meet him with her expressive purple eyes. His heart skipped a beat.

"Carrots?"

"It went ok, I guess. He had to cut it short because he had a work thing." Judy looked out the window, sighing. She had never lied to Nick before, yet she wasn't lying exactly. Bert had called her last night to inform her that his meeting had gone longer than expected and he was sorry about it. When she had asked him to reschedule for tomorrow he laughed and told her that he didn't have another free day until next month.

He was busy, and Judy knew she couldn't handle someone who was always that busy. So, she wished him the best of luck and hung up on him.

"Huh? That's rude. I hope you didn't re-ask him out Carrots…? Oh you did didn't you!" Nick grinned as he felt Judy panic. "No! Well, I did but… he said he was too busy until next month…"

Nick's eyes popped out of his skull, as he dramatically threw his paw over his chest, "Next month! Wow you sure know how to pick them huh, Carrots!"

The slap that Judy had given him was heard throughout the ZPD, and she victoriously smiled as she knew it would hurt until next month.

3.) His fashion sense must be good

"I'm telling you Bonnie. It was awful, I can't believe I married him."

Judy's eyes peek into the living room where her mother was currently trying to calm her crazy Aunt Martha. Or at least that's what her dad calls her.

"Martha what was so wrong about it? I thought it was very original!" Bonnie reasoned, trying to comfort her sister. Martha sniffed and blew her nose into a tissue.

"Bonnie! You make sure your daughters end up marrying someone whose fashion sense is impeccable! Designer clothes and everything luxurious!"

By now Judy didn't heard the rest of the conversation. She had run upstairs to get her blue notebook.

The next guy that asked Judy out was another lawyer. Ross Biggoat was a seemingly nice enough person on his profile that it seem ok with Judy. She agreed to meet him so that they could go ice skating together. It was October and the weather was getting colder. It's been a couple of weeks since the hiking date, and Judy was starting to feel better. She still had not told Nick that she got stood up last time and wasn't planning to tell him any time soon.

"Ice skating, Carrots? Since when do you ice skate?" Nick asked as his attention was drawn away from his paperwork. Judy sighed as she faced the fox, "Doesn't mean I can't try something new, Nick. Besides I'm going to give him a chance. He seems nice and while we were texting each other he seemed to listen to me while I rambled off, without him tuning out or anything."

"But Carrots! I listen to you….."

Judy gave him an unamused expression. Nick jaw tightened as he started to ramble off, "Don't give me that look Judy! I do listen to you when it's important. You just ramble off sometimes but, that's ok right?"

"But I would never purposely ignore you... you're the most important animal to me." Judy face softened as she got up and approached Nick at his desk. She pulled him down into a hug, smiling into his fur. Nick's eyes shot up and heat rushed towards his cheeks.

"I know Nick… I just- I'm glad you're so supportive of this whole situation. Thank you."

Nick slowly nodded and out his arms around her, hugging her back. "Anytime Carrots."

"Anytime."

Judy quickly paid for her skates and set off to go find Ross. She glanced down at her phone, comparing the picture from his profile to the animals in the rink. Finally, she spotted him over by the bleachers where he was sitting on a towel wearing a cashmere sweater with some khakis. His fur was swept over to one side and he had dress shoes on. He looked amazing. Judy went over towards him with her hopes up high.

"Ross?" She anxiously questioned him.

"Ah Miss Hopps! Pleasure to meet you!" He said gracefully while taking her paw and giving it a kiss. She blushed as he looked at her with a weird smirk on his face. Which oddly reminded her of Nick and his heart clenching trademark smirk…

"All right!" She said snapping herself back into reality. Ross looked at her, puzzled at her sudden outburst. Confused from her thoughts, she blushed and quickly changed the subject, "So are you ready?" He looked at her even more puzzled, "Ready? Ready for what?"

"Um, to go ice skating of course!" Ross shuddered and shook his head, "Of course not! Why, my clothes would get dirty in there! These are super expensive, and I would rather not have them ruined from the ice and water."

Judy was confused, "Well then... what are we doing at an ice skating rink?" He laughed, "Oh we are going to see people ice skate! Way better than actually ice skating and getting dirty!"

"Oh yeah sure we can watch and talk….. What do you do on Sunday?"

He was a nice guy and certainly fit the first three of her list. So Judy agreed to another date…. which ended up being more boring than the first one. It was always the same thing. His clothes could get stained or wet and he would always worry about them. She knew that she couldn't handle having a boyfriend like that so she sent him in his way, reassuring him there was someone out there for him.

She just hoped there was someone for her…

And of course when she told Nick, he bursted into laughter and told her that he was glad she didn't end up with someone like that. Honestly, she was too. She was so in thought that she didn't even notice the permanent smile on Nick's muzzle as they set out to his apartment for another one of their movie nights.

4.) He must always agree with you and admit you're right

"Oh sweetie! Please don't cry!"

Judy's head snapped up as she heard sniffling behind the tree she was currently reading under. Peering behind the tree, she saw one of her older brother's friends. One of the bunnies had wrapped the other one into an enormous hug and the other was bawling nonstop into the other one's shoulder.

"Why can't he ever admit that I'm right? I always am! He needs to agree more!" The sobbing girl yelled. The other one hushed her and looked around. Judy carefully climbed up the tree to listen to their conversation better.

"Well, have you ever considered darling that you might be wro-"

"I'm never wrong! And the perfect guy would know that about me!"

Before she could correct her friend, Judy had hopped away blue notebook in hand.

"NICK! I'm telling you no!"

Nick ducked under some rocks as Judy tried to catch up to him. "Carrots it's fine I've got this, just go over there like I told you! We have to get the girl!"

Judy was annoyed, she knew Nick's plan was better than her own, but she couldn't help but pick a fight with the fox. Recently something was off between the friends, she couldn't pinpoint what though. She knew that listening to him would be extremely helpful in their situation, but then again she was a very stubborn animal. Nick however, didn't allow her to think twice about it. He wrapped his toned arms around her waist, causing a rouge blush to graze her cheeks. He threw her over to the other side of their hiding position and quickly got up from under the box.

Nick whipped out his gun, slightly bearing his teeth, "Get out and freeze! Hands up in the air!"

The kidnappers had the missing little tigress with a paper bag over her head. Judy growled as she got ready to hop out of her hiding spot. She trusted Nick's plan completely as it was set up perfectly to work so she's crawled over behind the thugs. She unconsciously looked over at the auburn fox, noticing his muzzle. His jaw was clenched as his emerald eyes narrowed. His frown showed the hidden strength of his muzzle and his eyes held a hidden passion behind them. Judy felt an overwhelming sensation in her stomach as the sun hit his muzzle just right...

"Now you wouldn't want us to pull this trigger now would you, officer?" They smugly spat. Nick didn't bat an eye as he held his gun up facing the thieves, "I would say the same thing, huh?"

That was her cue. Judy jumped out from behind the kidnappers, kicking the gun out of the guy's hand and forced him onto the ground, "Freeze! You have the right to remain silent! Anything you say can and will be against you!"

Nick smiled warmly as the bag fell of the little tiger's head and she looked around, running towards the smiling police officer she saw. She was sure her heart stopped as Nick's smile grew.

What is wrong with you, Judy? It's only Nick, for god's sake… you've seen him smile a million times before… why is this one different?

He picked up the little tiger as the backup they had called earlier were busy handcuffing the criminals. Nodded sharply to them, Nick locked eyes with Judy before his attention turned to the little tiger that was crying in his arms.

"Shhh… It's alright. What's your name darling?" He asked trying his best to soothe her. Judy quietly walked over and stood behind him. She looked at Nick who was genuinely concerned about the little tiger. She admired his concern as a burst of uninvited warm emotion ran through her nerves. The fox put on a little show with his sunglasses for the kit, trying to place them on top of his head without the help of his paws.

The little tiger's whimpers softened, captivated by the fox's attempts to make her laugh with his sunglasses, "My- my name's Lily sir… I like your glasses.."

Nick laughed heartily as he pulled the little tiger closer, "I like you already, Lily. Hey! Guess what? Your parents are waiting for you at the police station! Let's go see them, ok?"

Lily's face instantly lightened up as she giggled happily, "My mommy and daddy! Oh please, let's go ! Let's! Let's!"

Satisfied with her happiness, Nick gently pulled the tiger away from him and strapped her into the child seat that was placed in the back of Nick and Judy's police cruiser. Nick turned around, ready to call out for his partner but was struck when said bunny was staring at him in awe. He stared back into her deep lilac eyes, throat instantly dry, and blushed slightly. He quickly regrouped shooting her a curt annoyed look, disguising his feelings.

Judy sighed without breaking her eye contact with the fox, "I'm sorry Nick, you were right. Your plan was better and we could have gotten that little girl killed if it wasn't for you….."

Nick gave her a half smile, placing a comforting paw on her shoulder as he looked away, "It's alright, Carrots. I'm just glad we got her. Sometimes your plans work better and sometimes mine do. We aren't always right you know…." Judy lowered her eyes to meet Nick's piercing green orbs. Eyes were locked as Judy held her breath. She swore Nick started to lean in, her own eyes starting to flutter. Her paw unconsciously started to reach up, movements away from being placed on Nick's heaving chest. And the craziest thing was she was leaning in too. She was milliseconds from kissing her best friend, Nick Wilde…

Nick?...

"Are we going to go see my mommy now?" Lily giggled, interrupting them. Reality snapped though their bodies as them jumped apart from each other. Neither could face the other, both were still confused as to what almost happened. Nick opened his mouth to say something before snapping his muzzle shut and walked over towards the cruiser. Judy stood still and watched him get into the cruiser, shaking her head.

What the hell…

"Carrots?... You coming?" Nick asked slowly. Judy nodded without meeting his glance and jumped into the passenger seat. They didn't talk the whole car ride to the station. He didn't crack any of his usual jokes and she didn't tell him about her date that night. The only chatting that was heard was Lily occasionally singing along to the radio.

Later that day, Judy slipped into some jeans and a casual sweater, getting herself ready for her date. They were meeting up at a small local coffee shop, where she was sure they would have plenty of time to talk. His name was Luke O'Hare. He seemed like a nice hare and he was very polite towards her online. She couldn't however stop thinking about what had happened between Nick and her that morning.

Throughout the day, the best friends rarely looked at each other, failing miserably at any attempts of small talk between them. He gave her a short goodnight before heading home with a confused look etched on his muzzle.

He had almost kissed her. If Lily didn't interrupt them… She knew she would have kissed him back….

Shaking her head, she brushed off the incident as a mere accident. They were both obviously very tired and stressed out. Optimism coming back, she focused on preparing for her date that was happening in an hour instead of Nick's lips on hers.

Luke was a nice guy. He listened to her and wore a cute button up with some khakis. On Sunday's he always went to his mother's house to visit and help her. Judy smiled happily, maybe she finally found the right one. That wasn't the case.

After a couple of minutes of chatting, all the questions she had asked him were all answered with, "Whatever you like." or "I don't know, whatever you pick. Judy strained her smile, not knowing how much more kiss ups she could handle.

"I think maybe we should call it a night, don't you think so Luke?" She stated after an hour of agony. Luke nodded, "Ah, yes! You make a fabulous point, sweets. I agree one hundred percent with you! Let me walk you home-"

"No, no! It's already I have a ride already! It's fine, seriously! Just get home safely, ok?" Nodding, Luke bid her goodbye and she went home with no hope and a huge headache.

And of course it only grew once she swiftly threw the topic into a conversation with Nick. Once again, he laughed about her date's kiss ups, secretly happy her date was a disaster. She laughed as well when he tried to imitate them and she knew everything must have gone back to normal between them.

Boy, was she wrong.

Thank for the read and next part will come out tomorrow or the day after that!

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-MyIdentityIsSecret