p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"strongspan style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"The Oblivion Bar/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"There were a select few guaranteed places one would find John Constantine. One, was at his home, The House of Mystery. He wasn't there. Two, in some foul dark shadowy place, that smelled of brimstone and despair. But the third, and probably the obvious was a pub. Lately, John had been taking more of his share of whiskery off the poor bartender at the Oblivion. It was a local hang-out for mystical and magic types on all sides of the spectrum of mages./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"He sat in his usual corner booth all alone, slowly getting more and more drunk. He'd already gone through two packs of cigarettes in the past hour. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Detective Chimp, or Bobo to his friends, slid up on the other side of the booth looking concerned. "Heya Johnny. You're kinda gloomin' up m'bar here." He said pulling on his cigar. "Whatsamatter huh?" He said with earnestness. "You know you can talk to me. What is it ? Is it Zee?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John gazed forlorn at his longtime drinking buddy. "That bloody woman will be the death of me one of these days mate. Mark me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Heh. Wha'ja do this time?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Shes bloody pregnant."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Bobo's bushy eye brows popped. "Well hell! John that's great news …" He looked closer at Johns's face. "Uh…isn't it?" Constantine looked at him. "What the bloody hell do I know about being a father eh? More than that - what does she know? Were easily the worst sort to bring a child into this ruddy foul shithole of a world." He said downing his drink "Just another doomed soul I can add to the list of people whose lives I destroyed."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Geezsus man… that's dark even for you." Bobo said. He flicked his mouth from side to side trying to come up with a witty retort that would make his friend feel better, but he couldn't honestly think of anything. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""I'm just a miserable sod with a pile of dead bodies on me ledger and a severe drinking problem. Shes a broken mad woman with a bloody hero complex and too many daddy issues." He said with a frown. "All that will happen is we'll perpetuate the horrible Constantine cycle of grief, misery and hate through another unwilling generation."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Bobo knew John too long to give him any platitudes, so he tried a different tactic. "John, how long ya known Zee?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John smiled softly. "Heh… Since …geezssus.. I think I was what … 19 when we first met?" He said smiling like a drunken idiot. "She had this amazing magic act set …must have been like 40 minutes… I don't think I blinked once." His face blossomed into a love-sick memory of days past. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""And you both have been through a lot together right?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Constantine chuckled. "A lot together" doesn't even glimpse it mate. I ever tell ya the time we severed out our consciences through the house of Mystery?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""John, I've seen you literally break reality just to get to her. I've seen her forego all other life on earth just to save your miserable soul. I even remember the time you both saved the universe from a planet-eating despot because of the power you hold. Together." Bobo said with his hands/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Yeah…We've had a ride haven't we?" John said leaning back in his seat, breathing in cigarette smoke with his eyes closed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Right and in all that time… has she ever given you any reason to doubt her?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John's scowl returned. "What's yer point mate?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Well, she thinks you'd make a good father." He reasoned. "So maybe you should trust she knows more than you do." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""She doesn't know more that I do. At least not with this."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Bobo looked at him. "What do you mean?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""If she and me have a kid…its bound to be one of the most powerful creatures in existence. We'll be mixing two of the most potent magical bloodlines in history - not to mention I have no idea if demon blood is hereditary…or fucks up fetuses like bloody crack or something…she could literally be birthing the antichrist." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""But you don't know that for sure." Bobo reasoned./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""It dosent even matter, even if the kid isn't a monster from the start, I'm sure the both of us will turn it into one. It will be half Constatine, almost guaranteeing a lifetime of moral absence and of horrible misery. There will be demons to be fough inside and out." John flicked his cigarette. "And Believe me mate… I've dealt with having demon kids before…its no picnic."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Wait what?" Bobo's eye went wide. "Whatadya mean you've dealt with demon kids before—"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""I'll tell ya another time mate. I'm nowhere near drunk enough to tell that tale. Right now I just want to be left alone." He grumbled miserably/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Bobo relented and sighed. "Alright, you win John." Bobo slid out the booth and gave his friend an empathic look. "But youre wrong ya know. I bet yer kid would be proud to have you as their father." He said clapping him on the back and shuffling over back behind the bar to help serve people./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""If only mate," John muttered./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"The night wore on, and patrons came and went through… until the witching hour chimed. A woman John had never seen before entered the bar. There was something about her he couldn't quite place, but he was sure he knew her from somewhere. She was beautiful but not in a sexual way, like in a oil painting. She had poise and grace, but was approachable and almost slouched but had perfect posture. She eyes glinted in the darkness like small candles in the wind. Her hair was smooth and messy but remained perfect at the same time. Her outfit was working class but sophisticated, and her walk was with the airy conference of not a care in the world. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Alright Em?" Said one of the patrons/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Hi ya Charlie. Hows your dad?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Hes doing better now - full remission…Thanks luv."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Cheers mate" She called merrily/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"The woman sat on the other side of John. "This seat taken?'/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Uh… no luv still a free country innit?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Thanks." She said gratefully taking a long breath of her pint. "Blimey I love a good stout…don't get to have it very often where I work."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Oh yeah and wherezat?" John slurred/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Here and there." She said airily. "So whats the matter mate? You look glum."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Nothin' ya need to concern yerself with" He answered almost annoyed at the question/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Ahhh…woman troubles is it? Lemme guess you were a bastard and yer drowning' yer troubles trying t'think of a way to wheedle yer way back in the good graces of yer missus yeah?" She said emptying her pint. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Something like that."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Com'on John you can talk to me. Everyone else does."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""You know me?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Course I do. My son talks about you all the time. Kinda looks up to you - Says you too are a lot alike."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Bloody wonderful… a fan." John grumbled. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Something like that." She said smiling/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""No offense love but your son sounds like a wanker."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""He'd love to hear you say that about him."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John's lip curled over his teeth in annoyance. He motioned for another drink and fired up another cigarette. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""So com'on Johnny Ol' Boy… unburden your soul. What ales ya eh?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Call me balmy but 'ave we met before? Did I exorcise a demon from you or something?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"The woman snorted through her nose. "No. That's not where you know me from." She said reaching over. "Can I take a drag off that? I haven't had a proper ciggy in forever. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"In spite of himself, John passed her the cigarette without a quip. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""SSSHmmmm. Bloody hell that's gorgeous." She said breathing out slowly. "I quit a long time ago, but Oh my lord I miss it!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John smirked. "I could get to like you." He said "Whatsyername luv?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Just call me Mary."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Alright Mary. Next rounds on me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Cheers lad."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"As the night carried on, John felt his burden lesson. It wasn't gone, but it felt nice to laugh with a friend if only for a little while. Mary turned out to have a lovely disposition. She had great dirty jokes, drank like a fish and was all around pleasant to be around. After a few rounds, John began to loosen./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Wow." Said Mary after John had finally explained what was troubling him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""ya know … when I became a mum, I was terrified too. I mean I didn't know what the hell to do either. And my husband was rather a useless shit at everything back then. We were so young, and no one paid us any mind. I remember thinking, Oh God I don't think I can do this." She said flicking ash in the ash tray. "But then when he was born I just… I just loved him. The minute he was brought into the waking world I had this … I'dknow a kind of connection. It was like …magic. The Real magic. Old deep magic from the bloody dawn of time magic. No other feeling has ever come close to that."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John listened intently to her. "Yer not an ol' broken miserable sod like me though Mar' I destroy everything and everyone I touch. Its like Midas in reverse." He said with deadened eyes. "I don't know if I can handle it if it was me own kid I destroyed. I don't have it in me to make those sorts of connections."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Mary smiled softly. "Look Johnny, I know kids are rather a soft spot for you. They're like your Kryptonite."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John scowled. "There ya go again lumping in with those bloody pantyhose tossers. I aint a hero luv no matter what your plonker of a son thinks."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Mary snorted. "Well he thinks highly of you because its his bloody job innit?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John looked at her with understanding eyes, and his eyebrows popped. "Blimey." He said finally reasoning. "You… You came to answer a prayer didn't you?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Mary shrugged. "Well I was in the neighborhood. I heard ya and so I came."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John darkened and recoiled to the shadowy spot in his booth. "I don't pray." He said. "It wasn't me who called you." He growled. "I don't go in with all you bloody saint-y types. I run with a rougher crowd that your probably used to luv."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Mary rolled her eyes. "Give me a break. You can knock it off with the "John Constantine I'm so dark routine." She said blowing out smoke in the air. "Its okay John. You have nothing to be embarrassed about. No atheist in a fox hole and all that."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John bared his teeth. "You don't know what I am."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Yeah yeah yeah … Nasty piece of work….blah blah blah.." She said rolling her eyes. "Ok tough guy - whos not a hero. Tell me this, if you're so hard, why are you so worried about becoming a father eh?" She said with a cigarette between her slender fingers. "You could fuck off and leave. But you don't. Because you emdo/em care. You're worried because whether you like to admit it or not… you sir, have a big ol' broken heart. You work so hard to show everyone you're JOHN bloody CONSTATINE that you start to believe your own lie." She continued. "But beneath that manky old trench coat and the thick layer of self destruction, is a man who wants to be part of a family because hes never had a proper one. That a man who has faced down the worst of humanity has to offer and all the evil bile coughed in hell that all he really wants is a warm hand to hold in the darkness." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John narrowed his eyes. "Doesn't change anything." He said "Im gunna end giving the kid a kicking of his life because that's what m'old man done to me and what 'is old man done to. 'im." He spat. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""But you hope you can change." Mary countered. "You don't want to end up like your father, because like it or not, there are those out there who care about you. Myself included."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Bullocks! If you bloody cloud pushers actually cared, you'd stop evil blokes like me from ever spouting our seed in the first place. Salt the bloody earth from continuing the vicious cycle of torment that we inflict of each other. But you don't. You let it happen. Over and Over. Because for all your Deep magic from the dawn of time bullocks, there's your own son dangling from a couple of pieces of wood like a wanker instead of leading his people to freedom." John said with venom. "You think you make a difference in people's hearts? All you do is give people the cruelest emotion of all. You give the masses hope." He bared his teeth. "Hope is worst than faith. Because it's a lie of omission. You don't tell the masses that he died up there for no reason. And that you let it happen. You don't admit to the twisted fucking child molesting church their entire endeavor is a fucking joke do ya?…Nope… because the lord needs his cut too and its all fuck off and pay up!" He visibly bristled. "If you lot really gave a damn, you wouldn't let people despair so they top themselves, you wouldn't let kids get beaten every night by their drunken abusive fathers, you wouldn't let miserable tossers break the hearts of everyone that cares about them. Your boss is nothing but a cruel sick fuck who loves watching us mortals twist in the wind. He's a mad ol' bastard who probably had the best wank of his life watching us suffer and kill each other and fight over which version of him is the right one. All the while, down below his own son, whose only crime is free thought, gets thrown into the pit. Faith and Hope my arse."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Mary took all this in stride. She leaned back in the booth and breathed in her cigarette. "Faith is magic, John. You of all people should know that. Magic is the ability to change the belief of something into reality. But hope? Hope is deeper than that. Hope is the possibility of something changing. Its not a lie. It's a prayer." She said with kindness. "And yes, Ill admit the church completely bullocksed a lot of what we tried to set out to do… but we're working on it, and maybe well get there eventually." She emptied her glass. "But I don't have all the answers for you." John made to open his mouth in further protest but ultimately remained silent. "And no, I m going to say he works in mysterious ways." She said with air quotes "Because … lets face it he doesn't. Neither do I for that matter" She cocked her head to the side and considered him. "You want honesty? Let's be honest. 'God' is just like any other father. He can't make you do anything. All he can do is guide you, to make the best decisions you can for yourself. He's just trying his best, but yeah, sometimes he fucks up." Mary shrugged. "Sometimes his kids really piss him off. Sometimes he gets drunk and becomes abusive. Sometimes he forgets to fulfill a promise. Sometimes he gets angry and frustrated that he can't fix everything. And then hates himself for being such a bastard. But then sometimes...every once in a while, he's actually there when you need him. When you least expect him to be he comes through, and then there he is and you forget all the times he let you down. You love him because he shows up when you need him and not before. Why do you think we start the lord's prayer with "Our Father'?" Mary said with a knowing sigh as she watched John Constantine paused in reflection on his own relationship with his father. "Look - It's easy to be cynical John. Almost lazy some would argue. But I'm telling you that your love is the strongest magic you have. It's why you lament so about your past, its why despite everything, you'd walk over an acre of glass for her, and its why you care so much whether you will be a good father." She said pointing her cigarette at him. "Yer chimp friend there was right about you ya know."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""eh? About what?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Zatanna is smarter than you. So if she thinks you'd make a good Father, I'd listen if I were you." She slid out of the booth and stretched. "And yeah… you were right. I didn't answer your prayer." She smiled "I answered hers." John's mouth hung open at this. "He-Her pra-what?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Now com'here and give us a hug."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Against everything John would normally maintain, he did as he was told. He towered over her, but he let her hug him in a way that only a mother knows how to do. He'd never been hugged like this in his entire life. Her mousy body somehow wrapped around him and warmth enveloped him. As he held her, all his fear and doubt began to ebb away like ink into a towel and his heart felt light and soft. He could feel tears welling in his eyes and he swallowed hard. When they let go he looked at her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Sorry about ... ya know." He said looking down. "Callin' Jesus a wanker."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Mary grinned. "Don't worry, he forgives easily."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""I still stand by all the other stuff I said though" He growled. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""I know. It's okay." She smiled up at him. "Now go on' John, and put your poor wife's, heart at ease. She's worried about you." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Yes ma'am," He said solemnly with a wink and smile. The clock chimed 3am. "Last call you lot! You can go back to your own planes of existence, but you can't stay here!" Bobo called. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"When John turned his head, Mary was gone as was most of the bar, everyone else had shuffled out. The only person standing was a tall slender woman in a blue overcoat with her arms crossed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Hey." She said after a moment. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John looked at her "Zee." He breathed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Are you… are you okay? You look …I'dknow. You have a weird face…" She said eyeing him suspiciously. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"He wrapped his arms around her. "I'm so sorry for storming off like a bloody knob before. I didn't mean to scare ya love." He smiled warmly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Zatanna looked at him like he was going to scream April Fools at her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""You … you mean it? You're not …like totally freaking out over this baby…? because I'm totally freaking out over this baby John." Zatanna's face was fearful and tense. "I mean I have no maternal instinct whatsoever and you're…well… not great with kids."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""I was worried about that I'll admit it." He shrugged. "But ya know what? We always look after each other don'we? You're always there to pick me off the floor and Ill always be there when you call out."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Zatanna considered this and her burden lessened. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""And yeah…the world is a right bloody shite hole. But I s'pose every parent wants the world better for their own kids so they don't become little selfish bastards don'they?" John placed a hand on where her belly would soon be. "It's the best of the both of us." He said with an uncharacteristic grin. "Besides… we have the whole bloody Justice League to help out don't we?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""You mean you're going to let Bruce be the Godfather?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Well unofficially." He shrugged "Already promised Chaz hed have it." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Zee snorted. "How are you so …I'dknow you're like Zen right now. Are you high?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Nope. Just realizing what a lucky bloke I am to have the love of my life by m'side an' another Constantine on the way." He said with a relaxed smile. "Had this nice lady set me straight - gave me a proper chin wag tonight, and all."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Zatanna smiled a Mona Lisa smile. "She heard me." She said softly. She leaned her head on his shoulder as they walked up the misty streets. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"He said instinctively reaching for a cigarette and then stopping himself. "Bullocks." He said grunting. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Yeah… you're more upset that going to have to quit aren't you?" Constantine nodded annoyed. "Yep."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Were gunna have to Baby proof the House of Mystery…" Zatanna said. "that's gunna take forever."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John chuckled. "Ill have a pretty good kiddie protection spell I used on Gemma, and shes not dead yet so I must have done something right…"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Zatanna rolled her eyes and smiled softly at him. This was her favorite thing about John. Her private access to the warm hearted good guy. He only showed to her and an exclusive select few. She remained d grateful for him, and visualized him as a father, and this made her heart swell in joy. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"There were a select few guaranteed places one would find John Constantine. One, was at his home, The House of Mystery. He wasn't there. Two, in some foul dark shadowy place, that smelled of brimstone and despair. But the third, and probably the obvious was a pub. Lately, John had been taking more of his share of whiskery off the poor bartender at the Oblivion. It was a local hang-out for mystical and magic types on all sides of the spectrum of mages./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"He sat in his usual corner booth all alone, slowly getting more and more drunk. He'd already gone through two packs of cigarettes in the past hour. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Detective Chimp, or Bobo to his friends, slid up on the other side of the booth looking concerned. "Heya Johnny. You're kinda gloomin' up m'bar here." He said pulling on his cigar. "Whatsamatter huh?" He said with earnestness. "You know you can talk to me. What is it ? Is it Zee?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John gazed forlorn at his longtime drinking buddy. "That bloody woman will be the death of me one of these days mate. Mark me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Heh. Wha'ja do this time?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Shes bloody pregnant."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Bobo's bushy eye brows popped. "Well hell! John that's great news …" He looked closer at Johns's face. "Uh…isn't it?" Constantine looked at him. "What the bloody hell do I know about being a father eh? More than that - what does she know? Were easily the worst sort to bring a child into this ruddy foul shithole of a world." He said downing his drink "Just another doomed soul I can add to the list of people whose lives I destroyed."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Geezsus man… that's dark even for you." Bobo said. He flicked his mouth from side to side trying to come up with a witty retort that would make his friend feel better, but he couldn't honestly think of anything. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""I'm just a miserable sod with a pile of dead bodies on me ledger and a severe drinking problem. Shes a broken mad woman with a bloody hero complex and too many daddy issues." He said with a frown. "All that will happen is we'll perpetuate the horrible Constantine cycle of grief, misery and hate through another unwilling generation."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Bobo knew John too long to give him any platitudes, so he tried a different tactic. "John, how long ya known Zee?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John smiled softly. "Heh… Since …geezssus.. I think I was what … 19 when we first met?" He said smiling like a drunken idiot. "She had this amazing magic act set …must have been like 40 minutes… I don't think I blinked once." His face blossomed into a love-sick memory of days past. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""And you both have been through a lot together right?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Constantine chuckled. "A lot together" doesn't even glimpse it mate. I ever tell ya the time we severed out our consciences through the house of Mystery?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""John, I've seen you literally break reality just to get to her. I've seen her forego all other life on earth just to save your miserable soul. I even remember the time you both saved the universe from a planet-eating despot because of the power you hold. Together." Bobo said with his hands/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Yeah…We've had a ride haven't we?" John said leaning back in his seat, breathing in cigarette smoke with his eyes closed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Right and in all that time… has she ever given you any reason to doubt her?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John's scowl returned. "What's yer point mate?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Well, she thinks you'd make a good father." He reasoned. "So maybe you should trust she knows more than you do." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""She doesn't know more that I do. At least not with this."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Bobo looked at him. "What do you mean?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""If she and me have a kid…its bound to be one of the most powerful creatures in existence. We'll be mixing two of the most potent magical bloodlines in history - not to mention I have no idea if demon blood is hereditary…or fucks up fetuses like bloody crack or something…she could literally be birthing the antichrist." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""But you don't know that for sure." Bobo reasoned./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""It dosent even matter, even if the kid isn't a monster from the start, I'm sure the both of us will turn it into one. It will be half Constatine, almost guaranteeing a lifetime of moral absence and of horrible misery. There will be demons to be fough inside and out." John flicked his cigarette. "And Believe me mate… I've dealt with having demon kids before…its no picnic."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Wait what?" Bobo's eye went wide. "Whatadya mean you've dealt with demon kids before—"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""I'll tell ya another time mate. I'm nowhere near drunk enough to tell that tale. Right now I just want to be left alone." He grumbled miserably/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Bobo relented and sighed. "Alright, you win John." Bobo slid out the booth and gave his friend an empathic look. "But youre wrong ya know. I bet yer kid would be proud to have you as their father." He said clapping him on the back and shuffling over back behind the bar to help serve people./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""If only mate," John muttered./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"The night wore on, and patrons came and went through… until the witching hour chimed. A woman John had never seen before entered the bar. There was something about her he couldn't quite place, but he was sure he knew her from somewhere. She was beautiful but not in a sexual way, like in a oil painting. She had poise and grace, but was approachable and almost slouched but had perfect posture. She eyes glinted in the darkness like small candles in the wind. Her hair was smooth and messy but remained perfect at the same time. Her outfit was working class but sophisticated, and her walk was with the airy conference of not a care in the world. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Alright Em?" Said one of the patrons/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Hi ya Charlie. Hows your dad?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Hes doing better now - full remission…Thanks luv."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Cheers mate" She called merrily/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"The woman sat on the other side of John. "This seat taken?'/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Uh… no luv still a free country innit?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Thanks." She said gratefully taking a long breath of her pint. "Blimey I love a good stout…don't get to have it very often where I work."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Oh yeah and wherezat?" John slurred/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Here and there." She said airily. "So whats the matter mate? You look glum."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Nothin' ya need to concern yerself with" He answered almost annoyed at the question/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Ahhh…woman troubles is it? Lemme guess you were a bastard and yer drowning' yer troubles trying t'think of a way to wheedle yer way back in the good graces of yer missus yeah?" She said emptying her pint. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Something like that."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Com'on John you can talk to me. Everyone else does."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""You know me?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Course I do. My son talks about you all the time. Kinda looks up to you - Says you too are a lot alike."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Bloody wonderful… a fan." John grumbled. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Something like that." She said smiling/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""No offense love but your son sounds like a wanker."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""He'd love to hear you say that about him."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John's lip curled over his teeth in annoyance. He motioned for another drink and fired up another cigarette. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""So com'on Johnny Ol' Boy… unburden your soul. What ales ya eh?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Call me balmy but 'ave we met before? Did I exorcise a demon from you or something?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"The woman snorted through her nose. "No. That's not where you know me from." She said reaching over. "Can I take a drag off that? I haven't had a proper ciggy in forever. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"In spite of himself, John passed her the cigarette without a quip. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""SSSHmmmm. Bloody hell that's gorgeous." She said breathing out slowly. "I quit a long time ago, but Oh my lord I miss it!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John smirked. "I could get to like you." He said "Whatsyername luv?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Just call me Mary."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Alright Mary. Next rounds on me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Cheers lad."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"As the night carried on, John felt his burden lesson. It wasn't gone, but it felt nice to laugh with a friend if only for a little while. Mary turned out to have a lovely disposition. She had great dirty jokes, drank like a fish and was all around pleasant to be around. After a few rounds, John began to loosen./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Wow." Said Mary after John had finally explained what was troubling him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""ya know … when I became a mum, I was terrified too. I mean I didn't know what the hell to do either. And my husband was rather a useless shit at everything back then. We were so young, and no one paid us any mind. I remember thinking, Oh God I don't think I can do this." She said flicking ash in the ash tray. "But then when he was born I just… I just loved him. The minute he was brought into the waking world I had this … I'dknow a kind of connection. It was like …magic. The Real magic. Old deep magic from the bloody dawn of time magic. No other feeling has ever come close to that."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John listened intently to her. "Yer not an ol' broken miserable sod like me though Mar' I destroy everything and everyone I touch. Its like Midas in reverse." He said with deadened eyes. "I don't know if I can handle it if it was me own kid I destroyed. I don't have it in me to make those sorts of connections."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Mary smiled softly. "Look Johnny, I know kids are rather a soft spot for you. They're like your Kryptonite."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John scowled. "There ya go again lumping in with those bloody pantyhose tossers. I aint a hero luv no matter what your plonker of a son thinks."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Mary snorted. "Well he thinks highly of you because its his bloody job innit?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John looked at her with understanding eyes, and his eyebrows popped. "Blimey." He said finally reasoning. "You… You came to answer a prayer didn't you?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Mary shrugged. "Well I was in the neighborhood. I heard ya and so I came."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John darkened and recoiled to the shadowy spot in his booth. "I don't pray." He said. "It wasn't me who called you." He growled. "I don't go in with all you bloody saint-y types. I run with a rougher crowd that your probably used to luv."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Mary rolled her eyes. "Give me a break. You can knock it off with the "John Constantine I'm so dark routine." She said blowing out smoke in the air. "Its okay John. You have nothing to be embarrassed about. No atheist in a fox hole and all that."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John bared his teeth. "You don't know what I am."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Yeah yeah yeah … Nasty piece of work….blah blah blah.." She said rolling her eyes. "Ok tough guy - whos not a hero. Tell me this, if you're so hard, why are you so worried about becoming a father eh?" She said with a cigarette between her slender fingers. "You could fuck off and leave. But you don't. Because you emdo/em care. You're worried because whether you like to admit it or not… you sir, have a big ol' broken heart. You work so hard to show everyone you're JOHN bloody CONSTATINE that you start to believe your own lie." She continued. "But beneath that manky old trench coat and the thick layer of self destruction, is a man who wants to be part of a family because hes never had a proper one. That a man who has faced down the worst of humanity has to offer and all the evil bile coughed in hell that all he really wants is a warm hand to hold in the darkness." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John narrowed his eyes. "Doesn't change anything." He said "Im gunna end giving the kid a kicking of his life because that's what m'old man done to me and what 'is old man done to. 'im." He spat. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""But you hope you can change." Mary countered. "You don't want to end up like your father, because like it or not, there are those out there who care about you. Myself included."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Bullocks! If you bloody cloud pushers actually cared, you'd stop evil blokes like me from ever spouting our seed in the first place. Salt the bloody earth from continuing the vicious cycle of torment that we inflict of each other. But you don't. You let it happen. Over and Over. Because for all your Deep magic from the dawn of time bullocks, there's your own son dangling from a couple of pieces of wood like a wanker instead of leading his people to freedom." John said with venom. "You think you make a difference in people's hearts? All you do is give people the cruelest emotion of all. You give the masses hope." He bared his teeth. "Hope is worst than faith. Because it's a lie of omission. You don't tell the masses that he died up there for no reason. And that you let it happen. You don't admit to the twisted fucking child molesting church their entire endeavor is a fucking joke do ya?…Nope… because the lord needs his cut too and its all fuck off and pay up!" He visibly bristled. "If you lot really gave a damn, you wouldn't let people despair so they top themselves, you wouldn't let kids get beaten every night by their drunken abusive fathers, you wouldn't let miserable tossers break the hearts of everyone that cares about them. Your boss is nothing but a cruel sick fuck who loves watching us mortals twist in the wind. He's a mad ol' bastard who probably had the best wank of his life watching us suffer and kill each other and fight over which version of him is the right one. All the while, down below his own son, whose only crime is free thought, gets thrown into the pit. Faith and Hope my arse."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Mary took all this in stride. She leaned back in the booth and breathed in her cigarette. "Faith is magic, John. You of all people should know that. Magic is the ability to change the belief of something into reality. But hope? Hope is deeper than that. Hope is the possibility of something changing. Its not a lie. It's a prayer." She said with kindness. "And yes, Ill admit the church completely bullocksed a lot of what we tried to set out to do… but we're working on it, and maybe well get there eventually." She emptied her glass. "But I don't have all the answers for you." John made to open his mouth in further protest but ultimately remained silent. "And no, I m going to say he works in mysterious ways." She said with air quotes "Because … lets face it he doesn't. Neither do I for that matter" She cocked her head to the side and considered him. "You want honesty? Let's be honest. 'God' is just like any other father. He can't make you do anything. All he can do is guide you, to make the best decisions you can for yourself. He's just trying his best, but yeah, sometimes he fucks up." Mary shrugged. "Sometimes his kids really piss him off. Sometimes he gets drunk and becomes abusive. Sometimes he forgets to fulfill a promise. Sometimes he gets angry and frustrated that he can't fix everything. And then hates himself for being such a bastard. But then sometimes...every once in a while, he's actually there when you need him. When you least expect him to be he comes through, and then there he is and you forget all the times he let you down. You love him because he shows up when you need him and not before. Why do you think we start the lord's prayer with "Our Father'?" Mary said with a knowing sigh as she watched John Constantine paused in reflection on his own relationship with his father. "Look - It's easy to be cynical John. Almost lazy some would argue. But I'm telling you that your love is the strongest magic you have. It's why you lament so about your past, its why despite everything, you'd walk over an acre of glass for her, and its why you care so much whether you will be a good father." She said pointing her cigarette at him. "Yer chimp friend there was right about you ya know."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""eh? About what?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Zatanna is smarter than you. So if she thinks you'd make a good Father, I'd listen if I were you." She slid out of the booth and stretched. "And yeah… you were right. I didn't answer your prayer." She smiled "I answered hers." John's mouth hung open at this. "He-Her pra-what?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Now com'here and give us a hug."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Against everything John would normally maintain, he did as he was told. He towered over her, but he let her hug him in a way that only a mother knows how to do. He'd never been hugged like this in his entire life. Her mousy body somehow wrapped around him and warmth enveloped him. As he held her, all his fear and doubt began to ebb away like ink into a towel and his heart felt light and soft. He could feel tears welling in his eyes and he swallowed hard. When they let go he looked at her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Sorry about ... ya know." He said looking down. "Callin' Jesus a wanker."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Mary grinned. "Don't worry, he forgives easily."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""I still stand by all the other stuff I said though" He growled. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""I know. It's okay." She smiled up at him. "Now go on' John, and put your poor wife's, heart at ease. She's worried about you." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Yes ma'am," He said solemnly with a wink and smile. The clock chimed 3am. "Last call you lot! You can go back to your own planes of existence, but you can't stay here!" Bobo called. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"When John turned his head, Mary was gone as was most of the bar, everyone else had shuffled out. The only person standing was a tall slender woman in a blue overcoat with her arms crossed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Hey." She said after a moment. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John looked at her "Zee." He breathed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Are you… are you okay? You look …I'dknow. You have a weird face…" She said eyeing him suspiciously. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"He wrapped his arms around her. "I'm so sorry for storming off like a bloody knob before. I didn't mean to scare ya love." He smiled warmly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Zatanna looked at him like he was going to scream April Fools at her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""You … you mean it? You're not …like totally freaking out over this baby…? because I'm totally freaking out over this baby John." Zatanna's face was fearful and tense. "I mean I have no maternal instinct whatsoever and you're…well… not great with kids."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""I was worried about that I'll admit it." He shrugged. "But ya know what? We always look after each other don'we? You're always there to pick me off the floor and Ill always be there when you call out."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Zatanna considered this and her burden lessened. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""And yeah…the world is a right bloody shite hole. But I s'pose every parent wants the world better for their own kids so they don't become little selfish bastards don'they?" John placed a hand on where her belly would soon be. "It's the best of the both of us." He said with an uncharacteristic grin. "Besides… we have the whole bloody Justice League to help out don't we?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""You mean you're going to let Bruce be the Godfather?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Well unofficially." He shrugged "Already promised Chaz hed have it." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Zee snorted. "How are you so …I'dknow you're like Zen right now. Are you high?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Nope. Just realizing what a lucky bloke I am to have the love of my life by m'side an' another Constantine on the way." He said with a relaxed smile. "Had this nice lady set me straight - gave me a proper chin wag tonight, and all."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Zatanna smiled a Mona Lisa smile. "She heard me." She said softly. She leaned her head on his shoulder as they walked up the misty streets. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"He said instinctively reaching for a cigarette and then stopping himself. "Bullocks." He said grunting. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Yeah… you're more upset that going to have to quit aren't you?" Constantine nodded annoyed. "Yep."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Were gunna have to Baby proof the House of Mystery…" Zatanna said. "that's gunna take forever."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"John chuckled. "Ill have a pretty good kiddie protection spell I used on Gemma, and shes not dead yet so I must have done something right…"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Zatanna rolled her eyes and smiled softly at him. This was her favorite thing about John. Her private access to the warm hearted good guy. He only showed to her and an exclusive select few. She remained d grateful for him, and visualized him as a father, and this made her heart swell in joy. /span/p
