A/N: It has been a really long time since I updated, and I've probably lost some readers because of that. Hopefully you all still remember what's going on in this story. The next chapter, (Chapter 26) is really important. Probably one of the most crucial chapters in the pre-Joker's life.

Chapter 25 - Set Up

After lunch, Anthony left for other business, leaving Jack by himself. He returned to his room and put his new clothes away with distaste. Jack looked out of his window, which faced the pool, and noticed Teresa standing at the edge of the water. She was wearing a one-piece, dark green, low-backed bathing suit. Jack continued to stare at her as she dove gracefully into the pool and did a few laps. She was alone, and Jack wondered why she was in the water in the freezing cold, as well as why she was swimming just after eating.

Sure enough, within a short while, she staggered out of the pool, holding her side. She plopped down onto one of the plastic chairs and pulled the towel robe closed. Jack was sure she was cold. And it was a slightly breezy day.

After a few moments, Jack saw her get up and hastily walk back towards the house. Apparently she couldn't take the cold anymore. Finding an opportunity to look at her more closely, Jack grabbed a couple of towels from his own room and hurried back to the kitchen. He saw the butler still in there, but now he was cleaning, unaware of Jack's presence. Jack waited and watched Teresa, now running, across the grass towards the glass door. She threw it open and slammed it shut, making Richard jump. But he composed himself, and chided, "Miss Teresa, this is not healthy."

Trembling uncontrollably, she ran through the kitchen, right past Jack.

Jack followed her, the towels outstretched. "I saw you swimming," he called lamely.

She continued on, into the central hall that contained the grand staircase. She completely ignored him.

"Hey wait, I have some towels for you. You're dripping all over the place."

She started up the stairs when Jack grabbed her shoulder. "Don't ignore me," he warned, not amused anymore.

She shook from the cold under his hand, and he removed his hand, allowing her to turn. Her hands were clutched at her chest, holding the robe closed. Her lips had a bluish tinge, as did her fingertips. But her eyes burned with fire. She jabbed him angrily with her left finger. "Keep it in your fucking pants, all right? I'm not interested and I never will be!"

She snatched the towels from his hand and threw them down in defiance, then ran up the stairs and turned left into the off-limits wing.

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Jack gaped after her, stunned but at the same time, liking her even more. She was totally different from Marisa. He never recalled her ever being so feisty. And Teresa's perception, and the blunt way with which she dealt her words, floored him.

"Hey come back!" He called after her, half-playfully. There was no reply.

Over the next few days, Jack found himself fall deeper into a hopeless crush that was probably going to lead nowhere. She was out of his league in a way different from Marisa. First of all she was about ten years older, and he was always rebuffed by her. Instead of his constant attempts to get her attention wearing her sturdy wall thin, it seemed to add more bricks to it, making it stronger.

Around eleven on a cold night that November, when it was not yet cold enough for snow, but pretty fucking cold anyway, Jack snuck outside and caught a glimpse of her standing totally naked by the pool. If that wasn't dangerous enough in the cold, still night, she raised her arms above her and dove into the water. He didn't understand why anyone would want to risk hypothermia on a regular basis, but maybe it was some sort of thrill for her. Or maybe she was just suicidal and was tempting Death.

Jack jogged to the pool after a few moments and barely saw her dark shadow gliding like a stingray under the water.

She rose back to the surface on the other end and gave a scream as she gasped for air. She let out a mist of water vapor and climbed out, water streaking down her gorgeous body. Jack saw a few towels nearby, but decided against offering her one, since it had gone so badly last time.

She hugged her body in the cold and walked over to Jack. She didn't seem embarrassed or even a little bit surprised. "I wondered how long it would take," she chattered through her teeth, the sarcasm not diminished by her shivering.

She grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her chest, much to Jack's disappointment. "Why do you do this?"

"Don't you know how to respect a girl's privacy?"

Jack snickered. "Privacy? This is kind of a public pool, isn't it?"

"This is my house, you little prick. I can do what I want. This is private property. Mine."

"I thought it was your father's."

"Just leave me alone," she muttered, pulling the towel tight around her body and she started to walk away.

Jack went after her. "What is it that you have against me?" He was a little frustrated. This hard-to-get game she was playing hadn't gotten old yet.

"You're just a kid who's going to end up some misdemeanor criminal, and if you're smart enough, a felon. I don't have time to waste with you."

Jack grabbed her shoulder. "Hey. I'm not a waste of time."

She shuddered and winced at the cold. "I'm not interested in getting nailed for statutory rape."

"How about just getting nailed?" Jack grinned and winked.

He half expected to get slapped for that last comment, especially since she didn't react for a while, but then she gave a little laugh. "Funny."

Jack shrugged. "I try."

She started walking, and quickly broke into a run.

"Hey wait!" Jack caught up to her again and stopped her. "Can't we just go on a fucking date or something?"

"No," she muttered and shook his hand off. "I'm freezing. I have to get inside."

"Why do you go into the water when it's so cold?"

She didn't reply but kept moving and rushed into the kitchen through the glass door. When Jack tried to get inside he discovered that she had locked it from inside. "Bitch," he muttered to himself and ran around to the front of the house, the way that he had used to sneak outside.

To his surprise, Joe and the same two buddies of his were standing outside, smoking on the unlit, grand porch. They stopped talking the instant Jack approached them, looking guilty and angry at the same time. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

"Nothing. Just wanted some fresh air."

Joe came closer and pulled in some smoke through the cigarette. The end of it glowed brighter. Joe narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Jack's stoic face. He raised his head without moving his eyes from Jack's face and scratched his throat. "You want to come with us?" Joe exhaled some smoke.

Jack frowned. "Come where?" Jack smelled the smoke on a gentle breeze.

"You can't tell anyone that you came with us."

"What do I look like, an idiot?"

"I especially mean Anthony."

"Fine. My lips are sealed."

Joe blew another cloud of smoke, this one right in Jack's face. "You're dead if you do, understand?"

"Yeah."

Joe narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "I got a job to do. If you do it instead of me, I'll give you fifty percent. Deal?"

Jack sensed this wasn't something small. "Fifty percent of what?"

"Twenty-five grand."

Jack remained still at the mention of the sum, wondering if he should agree.

"What do I need to do?"

Joe laughed and flicked the cigarette away. "Just follow my orders tonight. Just do what I say. And the money is yours."

Jack hesitated, but agreed. "Deal."