Joker's POV

The next two days I sorta laid low. The only thing I did was run out to Midtown to check out that neighborhood. Logistically in my mind, it made perfect sense. I inquired about rent in a couple of buildings. None of them were rented out by a large company, just individuals who lived in the first floor apartment. Perfect. Now to just see if Annie likes any of them, although I was waiting until she felt better.

Speaking of Annie, her fever had finally broken and she was looking much better. She was also much more active, seeing as how I had come home late afternoon after exploring Midtown a bit to see the kitchen wiped down and the living room dusted. The next day was the bedroom's turn. I noticed however that she didn't touch my desk. I knew she had shuffled through it, but I didn't really care. I would've too if I was her. Besides, it wasn't as if I was trying to hide anything. Which leads me to another curiosity concerning her; she never asked where I went.

Anyways, I had also procured some paint which I was eager to use. I had to bid my time though. Not everything was set in place yet.

"What are you thinking about?" I was so lost in my thoughts about my next move that she nearly startled me.

"Too many things." She chuckled. I turned around from my desk to face her. She was wearing her own clothes and she looked...good. "How are you feeling?"

"Almost completely better!" She smiled broadly. She did look well rested, the bruising on her face was nearly gone and her voice was back. She was up and about. Seeing her well again stirred up feelings in me I forgot that I still had.

"Excellent! We need to move and I want your opinion on our next abode."

"Oh? And where is this next place?"

"Well, it could be one of three. In Downtown. So, I thought I'd take you there and show you the places. Tonight."

"Well, let me see. I would need to check my schedule. I'm a very busy person you know." She stuck her nose up in the air for emphasis and pretended to be thinking hard."I suppose I have tonight free. But don't be late." She smiled mischievously at me.

"I wouldn't dream of it!" I countered. It was these moments that I loved the best. When she would be totally relaxed around me and show me her fun side. I noticed she was looking at my map.

"You added more circles."

"That I have." I was learning that she was an extremely observant and quick learner. Just another fabulous fact about my Anne. I mean, not my Anne. Just Anne.

"Can I know what they are for?"

"Of course." I got up and lead her right in front of the map. I stood close behind her. I could smell her lightly scented hair, a lingering feminine scent. It was really kinda turning me on but I tried my best to suppress those feelings. She pointed to a couple of circles.

"Aren't those places you've already um, been?"

"Those, yeah." I was impressed that she knew that. Really impressed.

"And those," she pointed to a few circles I had recently added, "are places you are going to...?"

"Here, probably plant a few explosives. And here, I need to set some equipment up. Here is what I'm thinking should be my target after the first one. And here..."

"Why are you telling me all this?" She turned around and suddenly I realized just how close together we were. She wore an extremely puzzled expression.

"Why not? I mean, you're going to figure it out eventually and there's no point in hiding it from you. Besides, maybe," I dragged out the maybe, "you could help me figure some things out." Her eyes nearly doubled in size.

"Haha I don't think I could be much help at all really."

"C'mon..."

"Fine." She grinned. "Also, did you know that your handwriting is atrocious?"

"Really? I can read it just fine, thank you very much." I smirked at her. "Anyways, I was thinking that after a very ambiguous explosion that could or could not be linked back to me at the Major Crimes Unit I..."

"Why the Major Crimes Unit?"

"To stall them a bit. Plus they are keeping tabs and safeguarding Benson, and I need to get to him." She merely nodded her head and turned around again.

"So after MCU I was thinking even more ambiguous. The mob has quite a bone to pick with a man in the stock exchange who mismanaged some funds. So, kidnap the man and set off a lovely little explosion. Or hire some hit men to do a shooting. This would make the explosion set off at MCU seem to be related to the mob. While MCU is busy dealing with all that mess, I can have a bit more freedom with Benson and Pines." I noticed her smirking when I started getting really animated with telling her my plans. I couldn't help it, these things excited me.

"Well, it sounds like you've got it all figured out. Clearly you don't need me." She didn't sound offended, she was just neutral on the matter. Which startled me the most. She was calm and composed about the whole thing.

"But see now I need to know what to do after that."

"Well, I suppose it depends if you want the public to know that it's you."

"And I don't know yet if I want that."

"Maybe wait and see after you um, get back in the swing of things so to speak?" Of course. That sounds just like what I needed!

"See, I do need you."

"I just have one stipulation, if you're going to take my advice, if you can even call it advice," always so modest, "then no blowing up places with animals or religious sites, m'kay?"

"Wait why?"

"Cause I love animals and..."

"So you're telling me that you're ok if a person gets hurt, that you don't care about that. You care more about the animals than people."

"Um...I guess. Animals are more tolerable than people. Actually animals are great! Animals aren't bogged down by..." she was struggling a bit for the right word. So she wore her thoughtful face, which was extremely amusing and a slight turn on at the same time.

"Society? Morality?" I provided. I was hoping that was where she was wanting to go with it.

"Yes. Those were the words I was looking for. They aren't...hypocrites if that makes sense. And yet, they're so damn adorable." I knew there was something special about her. I couldn't help but grin.

"It makes perfect sense actually. Why not religious places?" Now this one I was most curious about.

"Because my mother was a very devout Catholic and so I grew up that way. And so when I wanted to escape, uh, home, I would hide in the church. And when I was really little I was actually naive enough to pray. Like that did me any good. Anyways, it's more of a sentimental thing. The cathedral was my safe place." Escape home. I wondered why but this really wasn't the time to ask. I noticed that she couldn't look at me when she said that. Like it was something painful that she tried her hardest to block her emotions that surfaced when she mentioned it.

"Haha at first I was confused. I thought you were going to say you were religious."

"Haha no no. It's just very sentimental for me. Which is ridiculous I know, but still." It was silly, and it absolutely did not make sense, considering our shared belief system. But then again I could tell that she wasn't giving me necessarily the full story, and if something like that played such a huge role in sheltering her, maybe even protecting her, when she was young then I could respect that decision. Besides, blowing up a religious shrine would send a message, but in this day and age it might send a contradicting message than what I have in mind. I don't want the pathetic citizens of Gotham to think its religion that I have a problem with persay. It's something much greater than that.

"Fine." I drug out the fine to sound annoyed but really I wasn't. "Just for you." I tapped her nose lightly with my finger and she giggled. "Oh! Before I forget..."

"You? Forget something? I don't think you would ever forget anything."

"Probably not but still." I handed her the credit card. "This is one of many. You can use this one to buy yourself whatever you want. Especially since you have like nothing. And for the new place, which is totally empty."

"Aren't you afraid of giving a girl a credit card and telling her to just spend?"

"Haha with you? Never. I know you're not a big spender. Plus, you couldn't spend all the money that's on the card anyways."

"Fair enough."

"Ok, when you do buy stuff, if you order something online or whatever, ship it to this address." I reached for a piece of paper and a pen.

"Just make sure it's legible." I mock glared at her for a second then continued to write.

"And use this name, ok?" I handed her the note with all the information on it.

"Thanks." She smiled.

"The police have just found that the Joker's belongings, including his infamous suit, are missing from Arkham Asylum." The newscaster on the TV in the other room blared. I bounded out of the room to watch and Annie was close behind. This was brilliant. The whole city was probably on edge now, just waiting for me to pop up. Excellent. Annie must have noticed my excitement.

"You know, I would be horribly embarrassed if I was the subject of the news."

"I know." She looked at me curiously. "I know that because it's in your personality to be shy. It's why, even though we have the same morals, I act upon them in a blatant manner and do ridiculous things and you don't. You're quieter about it. But it shines through sometimes. Like when you like animals better than people. Also, you have empathy."

"You must have a small degree of empathy too. I mean, you took care of me. Unless it is some sort of game."

"Yeah I guess I do. And what do you mean, game?" I knew what she meant of course. She was finally letting on that she really didn't trust me all that much, which was fair to be honest.

"I um, uh well aren't you just toying with me? I would expect it..." She completely withdrew into her shell and became ridiculously timid. Though I didn't try to be, I did get upset and angry. I really didn't want her to think I was toying with her.

"I'm not toying with you." The words came out too darkly and I winced as soon as I said it.

"How am I supposed to know that?" She herself was getting a bit upset but she was trying her best to stay calm. I commended her for it. I could see now the stress that she was laboring under.

"I've taken care of you and looked out for you for how long now? I stood there and told you what I was planning. I-" I stood up and paced the room.

"So? You're the Joker for God's sake! How am I supposed to know that maybe one day you'll get tired of me and get rid of me? How am I supposed to know that you're being sincere with me? That you're not playing some game with me?" She was very upset by this point and was nearly in tears. I could see that this whole situation had been stressing her out and she had been thinking about it a lot. It had been weighing on her. Unfortunately that didn't stop me from getting upset either.

"Because I'm not fucking toying with you, Anne!" I yelled. I immediately regretted it.

"I just -"

"Listen," I cut her off and forced myself to calm down. I stood and faced her. "Tell me how to prove it to you. I'll do anything. Please, just tell me how." God, I'm disgusted with myself. I sound like I'm begging.

"I don't think there is any one thing you can do to prove it. I just need...time." She sunk down onto the couch. "I don't know what to, think. Or make of this whole thing. It's...stressful." She put her head in her hands. I sat down next to her but didn't touch her. I didn't really know what to do, which was frustrating because I always, and I mean always, knew what to say or do.

"I'm not, uh the Joker, with you. You don't have to...worry about that."

"Why? Why are you Jack when you're here?" In truth I had been dreading this question because I didn't really know how to answer.

"I don't know. Because you...I don't want to be the Joker when I'm around you. And I don't know why. The only other person I've ever felt this, um comfortable with, and empathetic towards was my mother. And then I meet you, and I feel that empathy again. It's strange. And I think it's because you're the only other person who understands me. And I like just being me, being Jack, with someone. It's...comforting and relieving. And, I uh, I like you. And I've never really liked another person at all before. I'm sorry, this isn't an adequate explanation."

"It's ok. I think I understand what you're trying to say. But what if one day you...hate me?"

"That's not gonna happen. I know it." She didn't seem particularly convinced but like she said...she needed time. And I understand that. I do realize that I am the Joker haha.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you." I tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and gave her a small smile, trying to be as reassuring as I could be.

"It's ok. I'm sorry for accusing you."

"No, don't be. I understand. My reputation does proceed me." I gestured towards the TV and she smiled very slightly.

"I need to get out more. Out of here." So that's what was part of it. She felt trapped.

"It's dangerous. And plus I thought you didn't like people that well."

"People are annoying and stupid, yes. But I feel trapped."

"Well, this new place in Downtown is relatively near two parks."

"Really?" She seemed to brighten a bit.

"I would let you go out you know. You're not my prisoner." That seemed to settle her slightly. "But it's really dangerous for you to right now. Plus you've been sick."

"I know I know." I looked at the clock. This conversation had lasted longer than I thought.

"You still up to going to see those places?" I was eager to change the subject and get her mind off of the intense stress she seems to be dealing with.

"Absolutely." I grabbed both our coats and tossed hers to her.

"Let's go then, shall we?"

Anne's POV

It was dark outside when we left and very cold. The truck Jack procured was still there and so we used that to speed off. Instead of going straight to Downtown however, we stopped at a shady diner.

"We have time to kill and I'm hungry." He smiled at me.

"Me too." I tried to smile back but I was still feeling so uneasy. I had repressed all these feelings until today, when they came erupting out and I don't know how to deal with them or this situation. I was feeling increasingly stressed and I knew that Jack sensed this. I do like him, but now it's a whole new ballgame being out in the real world. I am just having a hard time adjusting to the fact that I am living with the Joker and have no where else to go and that I like the situation I'm in, in a weird way. I was thankful that Jack had left me to my own thoughts during the drive. It was a comfortable silence though, much like our meals together back at Arkham. We walked in the diner and took a seat in the booth at the far corner. I noticed that Jack had his hood up and kept his head down. I then remembered the scars. Honestly I am so used to them I forget that they're there.

The too perky waitress came up to us. "Can I get you anything?"

"Uh...yeah. Some coffee and some...um...can I have this?" Jack pointed so some breakfast meal that came with like everything.

"And for you honey?"

"Some coffee and this. With an English muffin." I pointed to a vegetarian omelet. Jack shook his head and smirked at me. The food came soon enough and we had hardly said a word to each other. We again ate mostly in silence. I was so zoned out as I stared out the window that Jack had to say my name three times before I responded.

"Annie."

"Huh?"

"You ok there?"

"Uh, yeah. I'm fine." He just shook his head and looked down at his plate. I began to eat my food again and when I looked up a few minutes later he was studying me.

"Yes?" My voice came out in a timid whisper.

"You're upset. Stressed. Worried. I just wish...is there anything I can do?"

"No. It's not your fault I guess. I just need to sort it all out. I'm really sorry."

"No no. And I suppose it is kinda my fault. Don't apologize. I'm really impressed that you're handling the situation so calmly."

"Well, there's no use in panicking. It's not going to help me. Especially in a public place."

"I'm glad that you're like that." I smiled a bit and continued to eat my food. I just feel so helpless right now because I'm afraid. I'm afraid because I do like him. I'm afraid because I don't want him to go from being Jack to the Joker with me. I'm afraid of the future and what will happen now that I'm technically a runaway mental asylum inmate, living with Gotham's most dangerous and wanted criminal. I just feel afraid. And then I felt like crying. No. NO! I will not cry in a public place in front of Jack. I refuse. So I focused intently on my food.

What I didn't notice was Jack staring very intently at me and analyzing my every move.

"Jack?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm so very...scared." I felt stupid for saying it. I'm such a loser. And knowing what's he's like I guessed he would scoff at me.

"I know." He didn't sound angry, nor smug. Yet I couldn't look at his face for fear of crying.

"Look at me?" He gently prodded. After a pregnant pause I finally managed to look up at him.

"I'm not going to hurt you. And you don't have to worry about what will happen. I've got everything all taken care of. And I'll keep taking care of everything if that's what you need. I know its not something you're used to but it's not so bad." I knew he was referring to the uncertainty of my situation. My fear of the future. It was like right now he could read me like a book. I decided then to just go with it. To stop worrying about this thing with him for now, because it wouldn't bring me anything but heartache and stress. I might as well make the best of my situation.

"I believe you. At least I really want to."

"I know."

"Can I ask you something?"

"You can ask me anything." He was trying very hard to be open with me in an attempt to soothe my conscious. It was helping actually.

"You are completely sane. Why or how I guess, do you think of these...things? Like ticks and stuff. I don't know..." Basically I was trying to ask why the Joker without actually asking. He chuckled at me.

"It's the best way to prove my point. And it scares people. It gets in their heads. And the ticks and voice and all that theatricality, it's all part of the game I guess. If they knew I was actually sane..." He trailed off and I knew what he meant.

"You're a very brilliant man." I shook my head. He just smiled broadly and shrugged.

"I try." He winked at me and this time I couldn't help but smile.

"There it is!" He pointed at my face.

"What?"

"That smile!" I stared into my lap and blushed.

"Here's your check, darlin'." The waitress handed the check to Jack and he gave her the cash.

"Keep the change." He told her. And coming from Jack, it wasn't because he cared about the waitress or felt like rewarding her for her service. It was because for him waiting around for a small amount of money was a waste of his time and not worth it. It's what I loved about him. Even tiny things like that were from such a unique and refreshing perspective from his lens. It made life around him so great and comforting because I finally found someone who also looked through a lens like mine.

He then turned to me and offered me his hand. "Let's go." He didn't let go of my hand until we got to the truck. We then drove in silence for awhile while I contemplated asking him another question.

"Hey Jack?"

"Hmmm?"

"Would there ever be any way for me to get my stuff from my apartment?" I didn't look at him, but continued to stare out the window at the nightlife passing by.

"Uh, maybe. Probably. I'd have to check it out first. Eventually, yes."

"Ok. That would be really nice if I could have some of my stuff back." He merely nodded and smiled.

"We're here!" He sang out. I then realized that he was going to sneak me into these places. Oh dear lord, help me now. We got out of the truck quietly and walked a ways. We happened upon the first building, an old brownstone with a lot of old fashioned charm but clearly run down. That's ok though, I like the rustic look. We snuck in the back and quietly made our way up the stairs and into the apartment. It was musty, but fairly spacious. The kitchen needed to be replaced but otherwise it would work. It had nice high ceilings. The next apartment was nearly identical. However the third was something extra special. It had a fireplace and nice staircase because it spanned two floors instead of being one large single floor. The bathroom was also entirely made of old fashioned white tile and it had a bay window. The bedroom also had a small window seat. The floors were original hardwood and the ceilings still had the old crown molding. This place at one time would have been a beautiful home. It was falling in a bit now, but with a little elbow grease it could be beautiful again.

"Oh Jack...I like this one best."

"I thought you might." We whispered to each other.

"Except it needs a bit of work."

"I can do it myself."

"Really?" So he was also a handyman? I'm impressed.

"Well yeah," he surveyed the space, "shouldn't be too hard. Of course, I would need an assistant. Preferably one with small hands." He grinned and winked at me again.

"You did good." I smiled up at him.

"Uh, thanks. So you want this one?"

"Yes. Do you like this one?"

"To be frank, I don't really care. But this is nice. The best one out of the bunch." Of course he wouldn't care. I should have expected that. He looked at me and smiled. "I'll get this one then. Of course, you don't have to move in until everything is just the way you want it."

Though I wasn't sure if it was good for me to do at the time I gave him a big hug. To my delight he responded in kind and picked me up and spun me around. If anything it helped me feel better temporarily.

"Feeling better?" I nodded my head in the affirmative and I could feel him grin against my hair.

"I'm so glad."

"I know." We separated and he carefully helped me down the fire escape to the truck, where we drove in silence back home.