A/N: When I wrote "Stranger" I almost had Jack accept Sam's offer of a ride but thought better of it. It just didn't seem right for him to do that. But curiosity (and abject mushiness) has overcome me and I wanted to write a "what if" scenario. Yeah this is fluff or whatever kind of words are used to describe it but so what? I'm just in one of "those" kinds of moods. It doesn't feel as wrong writing something like this before he turns into the Joker, so it keeps me from feeling too guilty about the whole OOC thing. This is all pre Joker, so keep that in mind. Just like the "Stranger" story this takes place years before all the drama and violence.

And if the first few paragraphs seem familiar that's because they are from "Stranger". I just change it a little ways in.

CHAPTER ONE

One Friday as she was leaving work she saw him walking. It was a cold October day, drizzling rain and he already looked soaked. She slowed behind him, debating on asking him if he needed a ride. On one hand he was walking God only knew how far in this weather, on the other hand she didn't know him very well. No one else was asking him if he needed a ride though and sympathy goaded her on.

She pulled alongside him and rolled the passenger side window down.

"Hey, you need a ride?"

He peered into the car, looking surprised for second. He pushed a hand through his dripping hair, considering the offer.

"Okay." he finally said.

"Well let's go then." She hadn't expected him to agree and she suddenly felt very apprehensive. Another part of her was pleased.

Nice going Sam, you better hope this guy isn't as weird as he seems or you could be in some trouble.

As they started down the road she asked "Soooo, where to?"

"Do you know where Laurel Street is? There. Unless you don't want to go that far, if you don't you can let me off wherever."

Laurel Street was a thirty minute drive and in a bad part of town but she found herself saying "No, that's fine. I'll take you all the way."

"Ok." he said simply and settled back in the seat.

She fought the urge to glance over at him while she drove but finally gave in as they sat at a red light. He was staring out the window, body tilted away from her. Droplets of rainwater rolled down his neck and she stared at them, enthralled.

A car behind her beeped its horn impatiently and she realized the light was green.

"Shit." she muttered and started going, hoping he hadn't noticed she'd been looking at him. He glanced over at her curiously and gave a short laugh.

"What?" she said, a little more sharply than she meant to.

"Oh nothing. It's just funny, ya know?"

"What's funny?"

"That you're doing the same thing I do all the time."

"Which is?"

"You know....staring."

Her eyes widened and she thought to protest but realized there was no point in it. "Well....uh...yeah. I guess I was. Sorry." she said lamely.

"Don't be. Aren't you going to ask about me staring at you?"

"No." This was getting awkward.

A long silence.

"Well that's....disappointing." he finally said and she laughed despite herself, relieved that the tension had been broken.

"Okay, okay. I'll bite." she replied playfully. "Why do you stare at me Jack? Is it because I'm so beautifulllllll? That has to be it right?"

"Actually....nevermind. I'm not gonna tell you." He gave a little half smile and continued to look out the window.

She gaped in amazement. She'd never dreamed he'd have a sense of humor, not from the way he acted at work. "Oh what the hell. Okay fine. I'll just have to live in suspense then won't I?"

He didn't answer but she noticed his smile was still in place.

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The rest of the ride was spent in silence. Finally she pulled onto Laurel Street. Forget this being a bad neighborhood, this was a terrible neighborhood. Hers was bad, his was in the 'risk getting mugged walking out to your car in the morning' league.

"Right here." he said, pointing to a dilapidated Victorian style house. They were common in this area, falling apart and cheap to rent. Years ago neighborhoods like this were inhabited by the well to do. Now the residents were gone but their forlorn homes remained, refuges for addicts, the poor and those wanting anonymity.

She pulled into his driveway. "If you ever need another ride let me know." she said and he looked surprised.

"My car's in the shop. It'll be done in a day or two...I hope."

"Does that mean you need a ride tomorrow? If so just ask."

His eyes darted away from her and she realized he was ashamed.

"Really, it's no problem." she continued. "I always get up too early anyway, it's not like it'll inconvenience me if that's what you're worried about." That was a lie. She never got up too early. But suddenly she was willing to.

"Yeah, okay. If you don't mind." He seemed taken aback by the offer and it made her wonder what kind of treatment he was used to from people.

"What'd I say? It's no biggy. Really."

"Thanks.....ah.... Samantha." he said. The way he said her name gave her chills. She wasn't sure why. It sounded both good and.....wrong.

"I'll be here in the morning." she replied.

She watched him make his way through the patchy yard. He walked slowly, nonchalant to the pouring rain, just like when she'd picked him up. As he reached his porch he turned around and looked at her. Hesitantly she raised her hand to wave at him. He didn't wave back, only turned away and went into the house.

Samantha found herself eagerly awaiting the next morning.

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A/N: This is kind of a departure to what I'm used to. It's a "what if" scenario and appeals to my mushier side. However my idea of mushy may be a bit different than other people's. There will be sex (and slightly deviant sex at that, this is Jack/Joker and Sam after all).