This is super different from my usual gigs, but you may have noticed I'm expanding in more genres, themes, and fandoms. It's exciting and fun and I'm surprising myself with all the things that I come up with (when coming up with new ideas was my biggest struggle). So anyway, here's a crossover of Jessica Jones and Batman, pairing the two grit bombs of Jessica and Jason together (eventually). I'll be posting parts of this series as one-shots. On AO3 they'll be all together under a series and easier to navigate, so if you're in that space as well, I'd suggest following the story there. Funny how I presume there will be readers for a pairing with only 2 other fics on AO3. Whatever. I'm rambling. If you've clicked on this I hope you enjoy :D

First work of "In Their Defense" series. Or how Jessica met Red Hood.

Warnings: Swearing (duh, it's Jay and Jess!) & non graphic description of canon-like violence (mention of the iconic duffel of severed heads)

Nights hit differently in Gotham City. Somehow the dark is thicker, the light dimmer, and the sirens louder. She liked it, Jessica decided. Hair whipping around her face in the strong, cold wind, she gazed ahead, taking in the shimmering cityscape against the sky's black ink. Reaching into her leather jacket's inner pocket, she fished out a cigarette and lighter and proceeded to light it, using her hand as a windbreaker. The acrid smell of burning tobacco mingled with the cold, crisp air. Her eyes caught a glimpse of movement in the shadows behind her. Not bothering to turn around, eyes still fixed ahead, she straightened up and drew a long hit from her cigarette. Its burning tip cast a short-lived streak of light on her face, momentarily illuminating her features.

A long exhale of smoke before her question. "Who the fuck are you?"

"Who the fuck are you? A distorted voice asked right back.

She rolled her eyes, invoking her non-existent patience. A voice modulator. How very original. The cold wind stung her cheeks as she turned around, bringing the cigarette back to her lips for another drag. Just then, a large figure emerged from the shadows with heavy footfall. A guy by the looks of it. A really tall guy, built like a linebacker on steroids. A ridiculous red helmet covered his whole head. He sported a decent leather jacket and cargo pants with multiple holsters of firearms on his muscular thighs. Combat boots scuffed against the ground as he approached. She would dig the ensemble if not for the ridiculous headpiece. Still better than Daredevil's, she had to admit.

"I asked first, asshole."

A siren of a police car tore the silence that lingered between them as it zoomed down the street.

"I'm Red Hood!"

Jessica snorted.

Red Hood growled ominously.

Or at least that's what Jessica thought he was going for. Voice modulators sounded plain funny to her. She let out a chuckle and resumed her smoking.

"Red hood? Red hood? Where's your damn wicker basket? Don't tell me you forgot the pie… Granny's gonna flip!"

"You think you're funny?" Red Hood barked, taking a step towards her.

"No, I think you're funny. Thought I made that clear," she answered, taking a step towards him. Lowering the hand holding her cigarette, she patted it with a finger, causing ash to scatter in the wind.

"I'm Gotham's most feared crime-lord…"

"And you went with a code-name straight out of a kid's bedtime story."

"I am known for carrying duffel bags filled with severed heads, not fucking bedtime stories."

Jessica noticed his fists clenching at his sides and she smirked. Some dudes were just so easy to work up. Serves him right for ruining her smoke break.

"So... You're going by Red Hood and lugging around a duffel bag full of heads... You missed a real chance there, big guy. Named after a little girl with a wicker basket, rocking a silly red helmet... Just fully commit to the lore and carry a damn basket. Imagine hopping around with it, complete with a red checkered cotton tea towel on top? Pulling severed heads out from there? Now that's something I could potentially get behind."

Jessica took another drag of smoke. Red Hood just stood there. She could swear he was gaping at her under his stupid, blank helmet.

"Now please fuck off to another rooftop. You've interrupted my smoke break," she concluded, turning her back to him once again.

"You interrupted my smoke break! This is my rooftop!"

Jessica shot him an unimpressed look complete with a single raised eyebrow. "You own the building, pal?"

"I own the fucking city!" Red Hood answered angrilly.

"But not this building. So it ain't your rooftop. And as all the cool kids at school can tell you: first come, first served."

"Quit pissing me off. Your cigarette's almost gone, so get lost before I make you," Red Hood growled.

"I'll take my chances, Little Red Cap," Jessica scoffed. "Look, I'm feeling generous today, so what the hell... you can smoke here too. I don't mind."

"Oh, you don't mind? That's a fucking relief," Red Hood growled.

Jessica smirked. "Go ahead. Forgot your pack or something? I can spare one if you're short." She watched him with intrigue. Would he take his helmet off? Unlikely. Maybe he would in fact fuck off and leave her alone.

To her surprise, he reached into his jacket with a huff and drew out a pack and lighter, each movement emitting frustration. Jessica watched as he lifted the helmet just enough to expose his lips. She briefly wondered if this glimpse of him would be enough to figure out who the guy was. That would be a nice challenge. His lips were full, and his jaw strong and angular. Her eyes traced the lines of his jaw down to his muscular neck, then back to his hands, which cupped the cigarette between his lips and the lighter. As he lowered his hand, pushing the pack and lighter back into his jacket, his cheeks caved in as he took a deep drag. The skin pulled taut against his bones, creating sharp, hollowed contours. The ember glowed warmly against the chill.

"Looks like you needed that, Red," she quipped, eyes drilling into him.

He remained silent.

"Ah, so the voice modulator's in the helmet, huh?" Jessica nodded, lips twitching.

Red Hood turned his head to the side, looking away from her. He leaned against the roof hatch behind him and tilted his head upwards as he slowly exhaled smoke. Jessica took him in and had to begrudgingly admit to herself she liked what she saw.

"What would Granny say about smoking, Red?" She needled, hoping to provoke even a single word from him. Another clue. Her eyes roved over his bare skin again. No visible tattoos. Damn it.

"You're no fun without your helmet on," she huffed.

It was then that her eyes caught movement on the street below, her head snapped to inspect the street below. Taking a last quick drag, she threw the cigarette on the ground, stomping on it. Pulling her black hoodie over her head she tilted her head to Red Hood.

"Watch out for the big bad wolf, Red."

Not expecting a retort, she walked to the edge of the rooftop and jumped.

Red Hood's loud yell of "What the fuck!" broke the silence, and Jessica smirked. He had a nice voice.

She landed on the asphalt with a soft thump and immediately set off behind a dashing figure. Turning her head toward the rooftop for a second, she saw Red Hood's imposing figure leaning over the edge of the building, helmet now in place. Turning her back on him, she continued walking away as if nothing had happened.

"Who the fuck are you?" he yelled at her.

Jessica's lips twitched upwards but she remained silent, walking hastily toward a dark alley and into Gotham's night.

If you read all the way, please drop me a review :)