Joker's POV

We had been working on the new place for a week or so now and it was looking quite good if I do say so myself. Anne was definitely impressed with my handyman skills, which boosted my ego significantly.

"You should order some furniture for this place." I told her. I wanted her to be happy, and I thought giving her free reign over the place would help out.

"You don't want a say?"

"I'm good with whatever. Plus, you have good taste." I smiled. Every time I complimented her she would blush and look away, but she always had this particular smile and way she turned her head when I did. And she really did have excellent taste. I know this because I did happen to drop by her old apartment. I just didn't tell her. It didn't feel...right. Nothing seemed to have been taken or messed with, so I left it for now.

We were finishing painting the living room a grey color; the only thing left was to paint the bedroom and clean the place up. The old lady who lives downstairs is one of those too sweet for her own good spinsters. Personally, I say someone should just put them out of their misery but she was the type who didn't ask too many prodding questions and she seemed ignorant of everything. Plus, she really took a shine to Anne and thought she was just the cutest little thing. Which she is of course. Also, Mrs. Kovacevic is from Croatia and I went out to get paint and I came back and they were animatedly talking in, uh, Croatian. Did I mention that hearing Annie break out into a foreign language with the accent and everything was a complete turn on? This of course made Annie so excited she literally could not stop talking about it that whole day. Not that I minded that she became chatty all of a sudden. It was a pleasant departure from her usually quiet self. Anyways, she asked us if we were married which created a bit of an awkward situation. I ended up telling her that Anne was my girlfriend, when Anne wasn't around of course. And yes, I did talk to Mrs. Kovacevic. She had a strong accent and didn't seem to recognize me in the slightest. Maybe this would turn out to be better than expected.

I must say, working with Annie gave me several fantastic views of her, um body and gave me an excuse to stare. I mean, I would use her to reach things under the sink and a couple of times I have to admit it was an excuse to admire her perfect ass. Other times I would just watch her paint and I'm pretty sure she had no idea I was staring. Good lord she was beautiful. And she didn't even know it. I am staring right at her as she paints, and she has no idea.

The room was finished and she turned and looked at me with a smile. I walked up to her and smiled back. She had a swipe of gray paint across her cheek that I attempted to wipe off with my sleeve. She suddenly became very self conscious, which I thought was the cutest, and tried to wipe it off herself.

"Haha don't worry about it. It's a good look."

"Whatever you say, boss." She playfully rolled her eyes at me. "We should be done for the day." I looked at the window. The sun was already down.

"Agreed. Leftovers?" Tonight would be leftover...Chinese. We had taken to eating 'bad' as Annie called it while we were working. It was easier. I'll admit, just sitting on the ground, admiring our hard work and seeing her happy about it left me feeling just as satisfied as I did when my previous plans, like blowing up the hospital. This week was a good week. I think it was mostly because when she was working, and at the end of the day during dinner, she would be totally relaxed. I could tell that overall she was somehow dealing with this situation and thus becoming less stressed, but this week in particular I enjoyed being with her. And I could tell she enjoyed being with me too. I was lost in my thoughts, as usual when I was suddenly jolted from them by her head on my shoulder.

"I'm tired." She let out a petite yawn and snuggled even deeper into my shoulder. I couldn't help but chuckle.

"I see that." I leaned my head on top of hers and we just relaxed for a few moments. If I could, I would have kissed her but realizing that she was not completely done dealing with whatever she was dealing with I would take it slow. Unfortunately to me it felt painfully slow.

"Before you get too tired I have something for you."

She sat up. "What is it?"

"I got the cell phone thing worked out. Here." I handed her a phone that was open to the contacts. "J :), that's my number for...normal things. Here. JICE..."

"JICE?"

"J for me and ICE...In Case of Emergency. Only use that number when you are in immediate danger or dying or something ok?"

"Ok. And I like the smiley."

"I thought it would be fitting."

"It most certainly is."

"Ready to go home?"

"Always." I helped her up and again I didn't let go of her hand. We walked outside to the truck. The weather was getting increasingly colder, which to my utter delight meant that Annie cuddled up next to me outside. We made our way home, she showered and I put on my war paint and suit. She was doing a few dishes from earlier in the sink, and she jumped and yelped when she saw me.

"Oh shit. Annie I'm so sorry! See it's just me. Don't be afraid."

"No no it's ok. I was just startled is all." She walked up to me and eyed more sorta cautiously. "I've just never seen you all...dressed up before."

"Fair enough. Shoulda warned you, huh?"

"No really, it's ok. Going out tonight?"

"Uh, yeah. Everything's all set for uh, some fireworks." I noticed that her eyes danced a bit when I said that.

"Well, have fun with that." She giggled at me.

"What?"

"You get so excited when you go to do things like this." I noticed that I was grinning the whole time. I was excited. What I didn't expect was for her to fix my collar and smooth out my shirt before I went. God it was such a turn on. While she did it, the hair suddenly became a bit hotter, in a good way, and we both went silent. I noticed how close we were and when she was done she looked up, her cheeks flushed.

"Can't have you looking frumpy when you go out, now can I?" she whispered. I was so close, so terribly close to kissing her. I could feel her breath mingle with mine but I was determined to hold back.

"No, of course not. Thanks." She nodded and I cursed myself for my shaky reply. I was better than that.

"Be safe, Jack." I took her hands in my own and kissed her forehead.

"Of course, Princess. You stay safe too." I walked out and made sure the door was locked, then stood there for a brief moment. I was trying to savor the last lingering bits of that moment and switch my thinking for the task ahead. Tonight was going to be a blast haha.

The next day. Joker's POV.

I woke up to the TV newscaster freaking out about my handywork at MCU. Annie was sitting on the coffee table watching it.

"Oh, I'm sorry if I woke you up."

"Don't be. Ah, so they like what I did to the place?"

"Oh they're...thrilled to say the least." She turned and grinned at me. "I'd say it looks like you had a successful night."

"Indeed I did!" I sat up.

"And you came back unscathed?" She intently studied me for a brief moment for any glaring wounds. She would.

"Of course, Princess." We listened to the newscaster speculate about whether it was me or someone else. I loved the mayhem it was creating. Too soon however, we ate our breakfast of cereal and left for the new place.

We were painting the last room. Once we were done we had a mini celebration and relaxed while Annie scoured the internet on my laptop looking for furniture or something. I was enjoying the silence. The rest of the day went by as normal, and I headed to bed early, tired from the previous night's antics.

Annie's POV

Two nights later Jack disappeared again until all hours. He didn't even come back until almost evening time and I began to worry about him. I constantly kept the news on to make sure nothing had happened. A shooting had taken place, and I was sure it was Jack's handiwork, but it was hard to tell. It looked like a mob situation but then I thought about what Jack had told me. No, it was definitely him somehow. Nearly the whole day I spent making furniture decisions for the new place, and let me tell you, I loved being able to get exactly what I wanted. This place was going to look fabulous. Leather couches, old world style. Woodworking and old fashioned book cases. It was going to literally be my dream home and I was so excited. Also, all the other clothes I had bought for myself Jack brought home one day. All he did was just shake his head and say, "Women." Nevertheless, he was smiling.

I also decided to make a real dinner since I had time. I carefully went to the supermarket around the corner. Seeing as I had all day I made a chicken and some vegetables and all sorts of things. Jack still hadn't come back so I showered, left a note on the counter for him and went to bed. Around two am he woke me up with a kiss on the forehead.

"Hey, thanks sweetie. For dinner." I was still groggy but I sat up. He sounded super tired.

"Oh, you're welcome. You sound exhausted. Are you ok?" By this time I was almost fully awake.

"Eh, I'm fine. Just took longer than I was hoping."

"The kidnapping and shooting?" I was hoping I was right, I didn't want to sound stupid.

"Uh yeah. I'm impressed! And it all went well, and no I didn't not get hurt." He answered all of my questions before I even asked them. That was Jack though.

"Take the bed." I felt so bad about having the bed to myself when he was obviously too big for the couch.

"No, I'm fine on the couch."

"Jack, I insist."

"I'll get paint on everything." He chuckled. I just took his hand and tried to pull him into the bed with me. Even though clearly I didn't have enough strength to make him, he finally obliged and collapsed into the bed. I was going to go sleep on the couch, but I was too lazy to move and I would really rather cuddle with Jack than anything else. I put the covers over both of us and I hesitantly snuggled up to him. I reached up and kissed his jaw; I couldn't reach his cheek all the way.

"Goodnight, Jack."

"Goodnight, beautiful." And he put his arms tight around me and we fell fast asleep.

I woke up that morning with my head on Jack's chest and our arms wound around each other. I had never woken up happier. If only it was like this all the time. It just made me like him even more, and yet frustrated me because I couldn't act on my feelings for him all the time. He was still fast asleep and his makeup had smudged off significantly. I decided to get up and let him sleep awhile while I fixed a decent breakfast. I had observed that he seemed to really love breakfast food, so I decided pancakes, eggs and sausage were in order this morning. I took the time to make everything right and make it look pretty on the plate yadda yadda and make coffee. It was much later in the day than he usually sleeps so I decided I would wake him up, make him eat and hopefully shower, then he could go back to bed if he wanted to.

"Jack?" I whispered and lightly shook his shoulder.

"Huh?" He woke up disoriented and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"You should eat some breakfast." He nodded and sat on the edge of the bed for a moment to reorient himself. He followed me out to the kitchen where he stopped dead in his tracks and grinned.

"You made this for me?"

"It's not my best but I figured that you should have something nice since you were out so late." I turned around to take the last pancakes off the stove when he came up and did one of my favorite things. He hugged me from behind.

"Annie, you're the best!" and he fixed himself a ginormous helping of food and plopped down in front of the TV, where the newscaster was visibly upset about the shooting and kidnapping.

"While there is no hard evidence, it is inferred that this shooting and kidnapping of Mr. Marino is mob related and that it is now believed that the bombing of last week is also related to mob activities." The newscaster said in a calm manner.

"YES! SUCCESS!" Jack leaned his head back and laughed. It was a real laugh, deep and husky. The laugh that only I get to see. I couldn't help but laugh along with him. His eyes never left the TV except to get seconds and then to shower. I had no idea a man could eat so much. Good thing I didn't always mind cooking!

The next week. Joker's POV

I couldn't have been happier when a few nights ago Annie so lovingly made me dinner and made me sleep with her (and I mean that in the most appropriate way possible!). The bed was not as warm as I would expect it to be with someone sleeping in it for hours but then again she's always cold. It was probably the best night ever and then I wake up to her making me breakfast! That morning was unreal. And her acting that way towards me was a relief. It also encouraged me to be more, uh, bold shall we say in my efforts to win her over.

The rest of the week went by the same way. Annie seemed to be getting better and better each day; though she was often quite lost in thought. I determined it was best not to disturb her so I let her be. We (mostly me this time while she watched) finished the last little bit of plumbing and random fixing of things. We also this week had started cleaning up, and I guess I never realized how OCD she was about it haha. I mean, she literally cleaned every nook and cranny thoroughly and dismissed me when I didn't do it well enough. So I went to go check over everything else and make sure that the locks on the windows and doors were secure, and other random things. About an hour later I walked back and peeked in the bedroom, bathroom, office room and even the hall closet. Everything was literally sparkling from floor to ceiling.

"Jack Henry, if you get one smudge of dirt in these rooms I will never cook you breakfast again." She said with a smirk as she walked up to me. I mustered up some courage and kissed her cheek. She replied by wrapping her arms around me and I held her for a few moments.

"I wouldn't dream of it, especially when your cooking is on the line. Good job by the way. I've never seen any place so clean in my whole life." And I was being serious. "You should be done for the day."

"Fine by me." We sat in the living room again eating leftovers. She had ordered some furniture I think and was now looking for a bed maybe. Or a mattress. What delighted me was that she was looking for one bed. One king sized bed.

"Jack, what kind of mattress do you like?"

"Huh? Oh, I don't really care. Just so long as it doesn't feel like a rock."

"Haha fair enough. Come help me pick these things out." As much as I protested and said I didn't care, she was adamant that I help her make decisions. So I obliged and tried my best to help her. She naturally already had things picked out, it was just a matter of me helping her narrow down her choices to one. I appreciated her thoughtfulness and she really did have good taste. We sat there for longer than I expected.

"Hey Annie?" She turned to look at me.

"Yes?"

"I've got stuff to go do here in like an hour or so and I won't be back until, I don't when actually. So we should probably finish up and then go, ok?"

"Sure." That was the thing about her, she was so willing to go along with me, yet she wasn't a pushover either. Well, sometimes she was with other people who intimidated her, but that's what I was here for haha. "Where are you going?"

"Uh, to the warehouse to round up the uh, gang," I winked at her. I referred to the crazies I hired as my hitmen as the gang. I refused to let her go to the warehouse where they all were and where much of my more, uh, explosive equipment was kept to keep her safe. And not from the gasoline, bullets and bombs. She could handle herself around that. It was from the crazies I wanted to protect her from.

"You mean henchmen?"

"Whatever," it was my turn to mock roll my eyes at her. She would tease me about them, calling them my henchmen. "Anyways," I dragged out the anyways for emphasis, "I need to check up on some things then..." I paused for dramatic effect, "to go check on our dear Dr. Benson." Her eyes widened not out of fear, but of some other emotion, curiosity perhaps, that I couldn't really place. She just nodded and we locked up and left. Little did this night was going to be the best night yet.