"So, why do you think that demon was after me?" Mary asked. Constantine shrugged.

"Damned if I know," he answered honestly. He was trying not to think about how good she smelled, or how he could feel the warmth of her body almost against his own in the backseat of the cab they shared.

"Are you a virgin?" he asked bluntly, thoroughly enjoying the blush that crept over her face.

"That's a very personal question, Mr. Constantine," she said. He shrugged again.

"Maybe that's why he wanted you," he said. "They do enjoy corrupting the pure and innocent."

"What makes you think I'm either of those?" Mary asked with raised eyebrows. Constantine felt a little warm all of the sudden. He didn't know what to say.

"Maybe because you seem like you are," he settled for. Jesus…

This time Mary shrugged. "Well, it's really none of your business." She paused. "Um, I want to stop by my apartment before we go wherever it is we're going."

Constantine massaged his neck. "Yeah, sure."

Mary breathed a sigh of relief. "Good," she said. "I kind of want to change and stuff."

Constantine's eyebrows rose at "and stuff" but let it pass. It did seem a bit…odd that Mary was so suddenly willing to accompany him to his place, maybe there was something he missed about her. He closed his eyes, letting his mind drift towards hers, but was met with resistance.

He opened his eyes again and glanced at Mary. She was leaning her forehead against the cab's window, idly watching the other cars. He inwardly sighed. Ok, so she wasn't a telepath, that's good right? Or is it bad?

Damn you, Midnite, he thought. What the hell am I supposed to do with her?

The cab stopped in front of Mary's apartment a few moments later. Mary practically jumped out the door, leaving Constantine to pay the cab driver. She smiled apologetically.

"Sorry," she said sheepishly. "I don't have any money."

Due to a broken elevator, they had to climb the stairs. Constantine felt around, making sure there was no demon in sight. Luckily, there wasn't. He breathed a sigh of relief, and willed himself not to stare at Mary's ass in front of him. He lost.

"Here's my floor," she said as she pushed the metal door, holding it open for him.

"Finally," Constantine breathed. Mary glared at him, but stayed silent as she reached her door and opened it. She was about to enter it, but Constantine's hand stopped her.

"I go first," he said, his voice clearly stating that there was no room for argument. Mary nodded and stepped aside, letting him through.

Constantine walked slowly through the apartment, mentally checking its safety. It was small, only three rooms: bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen/living room. There wasn't a demon or evil spirit there.

"How…quaint," he commented, motioning for Mary to come in.

She glared at him. "I can't afford anything else," she said tensely. "Sorry it doesn't appeal to you." She walked past him, dropping her guitar case on her old, beaten couch.

"I'll be out soon," she said without looking at him as she opened her bedroom door. She closed it, leaving Constantine alone. He sat next to her guitar case, observing the blank walls around him. When Mary came out, she was wearing jeans, a white tank, and a black zipped hoodie. She was also wearing a simple gold cross necklace.

"Done?" Constantine asked, trying to sound like he didn't notice how pretty she looked, even in simple clothes. Mary pursed her lips together and nodded.

"Good," he said standing up, "let's go."

Mary glared at his back, mimicking him with her mouth. Suddenly, Constantine's hand jutted out and stopped her from passing him. She bumped into him, and looked at him questioningly. He motioned her to be quiet while he listened.

He grabbed her arm. "Come on," he said, pulling her along with him.

"Wait!" she cried, pulling away from him and rushing back into the apartment. Before Constantine could even utter a response, she came back, only this time she had her guitar case with her.

"What the hell?" he said, with disgust apparent on his face.

"I need it, ok?" she said, closing her door. Constantine rolled his eyes, grabbing her once again, and hurried down the steps to the street.

"What's the hurry?" she asked harshly. Constantine glared at her. For someone so pretty, she could be a real big pain in the ass.

"I heard something," he said shortly. He hailed a cab. "Get in."

Mary slid in the cab pouting, ignoring the feel of Constantine pressed up against her. Her guitar case was lying across their laps. He was so darn annoying…

Of course, she knew who he was; practically everyone who knew about the Balance knew who the infamous John Constantine was. He was the one who stopped Satan's son from taking over Earth. He was also rude, arrogant, snide…the list could go on and on.

Too bad he's so good looking, Mary thought.

Truth be told, when Mary first laid eyes on Constantine at Versailles, she didn't know who he was. She lacked the ability to read minds or anything else for that matter, so, naturally, all she saw was this attractive guy sitting at the bar. It was a complete surprise to see him come to her rescue when that demon attacked her; it was then she knew that this was John Constantine, which ultimately meant she was in trouble.

Constantine didn't know what she was; at least, she didn't think he knew. Mary Draven was a siren—well, a quarter siren anyway. She didn't have the full capabilities that a real siren had; in fact, all she could pretty much do was sing well. If concentrating really hard, Mary could hypnotize someone, even with a strong mental barrier, but that was it. Mary shifted and sighed, trying to ignore how good Constantine smelled. The breeze from the cabbie's open window didn't help.

First there are demons after me, and now I'm crushing on John Constantine. Great.

Constantine sniffed suddenly, causing Mary to jump out of her reverie. She watched at he narrowed his eyes, watching the cab driver. "You just missed the turn," he pointed out suspiciously.

The cabbie never answered, just smiled wickedly. Mary felt Constantine stiffen beside here, which, in turn, made her blood run cold.

Oh, no, she thought.

She glanced at Constantine with wide eyes, but he wasn't paying attention to her. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a little square package. He shook it, and a high-pitched screeching sound followed.

The cabbie shrieked, making the cab swerve into the next lane of traffic, causing other drivers to honk in response.

"Damn it!" Constantine bellowed. He pushed Mary's guitar case aside, thrusting Mary against the cab door, and jumped into the front seat. The cabbie lunged toward him, heedless of the car's swerving. Constantine shook the little package again, making the demon retreat to the driver's seat again.

Mary started to hyperventilate.

"You cannot stop me, Constantine," the demon screeched. Constantine resisted rolling his eyes. He kicked the demon out of the open window, and then jumped into the driver's seat, hastily rolling the window up and trying to get into the right lane all at once.

"That's what they always say," he muttered as he gave the finger through the now closed window. He glanced at Mary through the rearview mirror. "You ok?" he asked. Mary nodded, not quite yet ready to speak yet.

"Don't worry," Constantine said a bit awkwardly. "We're almost there." He gave a short laugh. "Good thing he was stupid enough to leave the window open."

Jesus, what's wrong with me, he thought, when did I become so awkward?