Constantine and Mary arrived at his place a few moments later. Mary still had not said a word since the second demon attack. Just their luck, it also started to rain. I really wish I had a cigarette, Constantine thought, before popping a piece of gum in his mouth.

He stepped out of the cab, heedless of the rain pouring down. He opened the door for Mary and held out his hand. Mary took it, pulling herself and her guitar case out with her. Constantine couldn't help but notice how her fingers were trembling. Without thinking, he put his arm around her, steering her in the right direction to get inside. She followed his lead blindly.

She feels so warm, Constantine thought absently as he opened his front door. Mary stepped through the doorway and stood awkwardly next to his table, waiting for him to make the next move.

He took off his coat, draping it across the back of a chair. "You're wet," he observed, mentally slapping himself. Mary smiled slightly.

"Yes, that appears to be so," she teased lightly. Constantine found himself smiling back. He jerked his head to his bedroom.

"Come on," he said, leading her. "You can borrow something of mine." He opened his closet and pulled out a white oxford shirt, much like the one he was already wearing. He handed it to her.

"Until your clothes dry," he explained. Mary nodded, and took the shirt. She stared at him expectantly. He simply stared back, wondering how it was possible for her to look beautiful even when she was drenched.

"You don't expect me to change in front of you, do you?" Mary asked with raised eyebrows. Constantine inwardly cursed himself.

"Oh, yeah, sorry," he said. He pointed to a small room. "There's the bathroom." Mary smiled again, and walked to the room he pointed to, stopping in the doorway.

"Um, Mr. Constantine?" she asked, turning back to look at him, pushing her hair away from her face.

"John," he corrected without thinking.

"John," she repeated, "What happened to your bathtub?"

(0)

Moments later, they both sat across from each other at Constantine's table. Mary seemed to be only dressed in Constantine's shirt, and he had a bit of trouble concentrating on something other than that fact. Noticing her great legs didn't help much either.

"T-there's something I should tell you," Mary said, looking down at her lap.

"Well?"

"Um, you see, I'm not exactly human." When she said "human" she looked up to see his reaction. His face was blank. "I'm part siren."

"Part siren?" Constantine repeated. Well, that explains her voice.

"Yes," Mary confirmed. "My mother was a half siren…and I also know who you are."

Surprise, surprise, Constantine thought. Who doesn't know who I am these days? He did wonder why he never saw the glow in her eyes, the glow that all half breeds had. Probably because her blood is far too diluted.

"Anything else?" he asked dryly.

Mary shook her head. "That's all, I promise. That's all I've kept from you." Constantine raised an eyebrow.

"It's true," Mary insisted. "I didn't even know who you were before you saved me the first time from that demon."

"Why were you there?" he asked. At Mary's taken back expression, he said, "There had to have been a reason you were there. I was sent there to find you." Now, suddenly, Midnite's last words to him "remember to listen" made sense.

She was a quarter siren. Constantine should've known it was impossible for him to be attracted to anything, well, normal. After all, he wasn't normal, so why should his significant other be normal as well? Significant other, he thought, why did I just think that? But none of this explained anything that had to do with the rogue angel.

"I don't know," Mary answered honestly. "I just felt like getting out and, well, singing. But I didn't use any of my power; I wouldn't do that, John. I swear."

"That's why you brought the guitar, isn't it?" Constantine asked, indicating to the case beside her on the floor. "I thought sirens only played lutes and harps."

"Misconception," Mary corrected wearily. "We can pretty much play anything we want. I really like the guitar." She bit her lip. "Besides, since I'm only a quarter, I don't have all the…advantages other sirens have." Constantine nodded, unsure of what to say.

"Well," he said finally, getting up to retrieve a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. "Now that we're getting everything out in the open, there's something I didn't tell you." He poured himself a glass and offered it to Mary. She shook her head.

Shrugging, and chugging the drink, Constantine sat back down. "I'm on a mission," he said somewhat arrogantly. "Seems that there's a rogue angel running around town."

"And?" prompted Mary. Constantine rubbed the back of his neck.

"And that's all I know," he said. "Damn half breed couldn't tell me anything else, so I went to this guy I know, told me to find you."

"You know," Mary said fiercely. "The term 'half breed' is really offensive, especially with me being worst than that. I'd appreciate it if you didn't say that around me."

Constantine shrugged again, and just drank some more. "Whatever."

Mary's shoulder's sagged. "Are you mad at me?" she asked, her big green eyes watery. Constantine just looked at her.

Oh, fuck, is she going to cry?

"Uh," he said. "No…"

Mary's eyes were still swimming in unshed tears. "I can't help it, you know, being what I am. I didn't tell my mother to seduce my father and then dump me with him after I was born. I didn't ask to sing or to play any instrument I wanted, and I think it's very wrong of you to judge me for something I have no control over."

Shit.

Constantine felt a weird ache deep down in his stomach. "Mary…" he started.

"And I'm sorry someone told you to find me," she continued. "It's not as if I enjoy being attacked by demons, either. And, frankly, I don't even see how I can help you out with any of this. I have no powers whatsoever." She was going to say more, but Constantine cut her off.

"I'm sorry," he said, surprised to find that he actually meant it. "I shouldn't take out my anger on you."

Mary sniffed. "Well, you're forgiven then," she said. She pointed a polished finger at him. "But you do it again, I'll kick your ass."

Constantine smiled without realizing it. "I thought you didn't have any powers."

"No, but I have a great right hook," she teased, flashing him one of her brilliant smiles. He chuckled, glancing at her. Mary's heart beat faster, loving the sound of it. He probably never laughs, shethought.

"I have no doubt of that," he said, the humor evident in his voice. Mary was about to retort before a large yawn prevented her from doing so.

"You're tired," Constantine said, getting up and holding his hand out to hers. "You should sleep."

Mary smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, I should," she agreed, taking his hand. She was already growing used to the feel of his large hand engulfing hers. It was nice, comforting.

It's amazing that he can be so gentle, Mary thought as Constantine led her to his bed. Who'd have thought this was the John Constantine?

Mary sat on the edge of the bed, and was surprised when Constantine flopped down on the other side.

"Um, John?" she asked.

"Hmm?" he grunted, eyes closed.

"Um…"

Constantine cracked open one eye. "What?" he asked. "You think you're the only one who's tired?" Mary bit her lip, turning red.

God, I love it when she does that…

"Well…" she trailed off, still red as a beat. Constantine resisted a smile.

"Don't worry," he said. "I'll stay on my side if you'll stay on yours. Here, I'll even be nice and sleep over the covers."

"That's supposed to make me feel better?" Mary asked dryly, apparently over her bout of shyness.

Constantine sighed. "Fine. I'll sleep on the chair."