Two parts here:

Part 1
I'm very close with a woman at work. We've gone out a few times. The problem is that I live far away, where there is nothing, and she lives in the city where we both work. Oh, and I live at home.

We are going out this week. I want to pick her up from her place. That way, we have somewhere to go at the end of the night.

Can you help me with responses to some likely scenarios?

-She says, "Why do you want to pick me up?" (She lives about 5 minutes from our destination, I live 30 minutes the other way, so it would be a valid question.)

-She says, "No, my house is a mess."

Part 2
There is a possiblity of LJBF. What's a good response to LJBF? We work together and really get along, so I don't want to do anything drastic.

Perhaps do something quick together before you go out.

1. Find somewhere a little far from her place, but far enough from yours that you have an excuse to go there. (i.e. a good happy hour bar, a nice pizza place, something small, quick, inexpensive) --> This gives you control of the night. If wherever you were plan on going sucks, you can leave. Plus, you also have the ability to drop her home at night.

The LJBF is not worth ruining with a co-worker. You have to weigh this out. A good LJBF, especially one who you work with opens you up to a whole new social circle of her friends outside of work. Plus, you may not want anything to ruin a good working relationship.

Also, the LJBF takes serious calibration to get out of if you're already in it. You generally have to use some drastic measure, ultimatum, or show some part of your charisma/personality/game that she hasn't already seen (which can often come across as incongruent).

I would say unless you really really want something to happen with her you avoid co-workers. But given the situation I will help you work it. Don't offer to give her a ride because you are being to forward. As you are new to town I would suggest you ask her to take you to some new place with means you will venue jump a lot and time distort. Be suprised by the places she takes you and act like you are so glad SHE took you out and not the other way around convincing her it was her idea to go to these places and to show you around.

And because she is a co-worker don't go for the single night lay!!

Take her out next time and pick her up.

hope that helps!