An hour later, Angela, Constantine, and Mary were seated at the table, a pile of books from Beeman's collection between them. It was quiet, each staring intently at his or her book, silently praying to find something to help them with the Raphael situation. So, naturally, when Constantine slammed his book shut with a loud thud, Angela and Mary looked up.

"Damn it," Constantine said. "There's nothing here that we don't already know."

"We've still got a few books to look through, John," Angela reminded.

Constantine shook his head. "No, it's taking too long." He stood up, pulling on his coat. "I'm going to see Midnite." He opened the front door, pausing to glance at Mary.

"I'll be back soon," he assured. "You'll be save here." Mary nodded, smiling at him.

"Be careful," she warned. Constantine mock saluted and then left, slamming the door behind him. Angela and Mary were left alone.

Angela picked up a large, dusty book. "So," she said as she opened it, "How long have you known John?"

"About a day," Mary answered absently, turning the page of her own book.

"Only a day?" Angela asked with raised eyebrows.

Mary glanced up at the tone of her voice. "Yes. Is that a big deal?"

Angela shrugged. "I don't know, you just seem to be on…friendly terms with him, that's all."

"Jealous?" asked Mary. There was no accusation or gloating in her tone, just innocent curiosity.

Angela smiled ruefully. "No, just surprised. I've known John for a while now. I've never seen him so open with someone. It's a little unnerving."

Mary nodded. "It's…weird," she admitted. "I only met him last night, yet I kind of feel like I've known him forever. He makes me feel…safe."

"Well, he certainly seems to like you," Angela said. "He isn't as rude as he usually is."

Mary laughed. "He's just under a lot of stress right now, I'm sure he'll be back to normal soon."

Angela smiled. She liked Mary, it was just odd that she and Constantine had only met the day before and were already acting a bit more than friendly. As Mary went back to studying her book, Angela studied her. She noticed a very, very faint glow on her green eyes. It was so faint, that Angela wasn't even sure that she saw it.

"A-are you…human?" Angela asked suspiciously. Mary looked at her guiltily, almost as if she had been expecting the question.

She shook her head. "No," she answered truthfully. "I'm part siren."

"Part siren?"

"Yes," Mary admitted. "But I can't really do anything, other than sing, I mean." Angela sighed, slumping in her chair.

It was going to be a long day.

(0)

When Constantine arrived back home, he found Angela, diligently reading another large book, and Mary, sleeping. He raised his eyebrows questioningly.

"She passed out," Angela explained. "She seemed so tired, so I didn't wake her up."

Constantine nodded, taking of his coat and slumping into a chair. "Anything?" he asked.

Angela shook her head. "No, nothing. What happened at Midnite's?"

"The only way to summon Raphael is to lure him with singing," Constantine said. "At least, that's what I figure. Midnite was still going on with his neutral crap."

"Singing?" questioned Angela. She tossed her head in Mary's direction. "She'll have to lure him then?"

Constantine loosened his tie. "Yeah, that's what I'm thinking." He turned his gaze to Angela. "She told you?"

Angela nodded. "She told me a lot."

"Oh?"

She smiled. "I never thought I'd actually see you fall in love with anybody, John."

"What makes you think that?" Constantine asked dryly, staring at Mary's sleeping form.

"It's obvious," Angela said. "Don't worry, she loves you, too." Constantine didn't bother to look at her.

Do I really love her, Constantine wondered, watching Mary's deep, even breathing. He resisted a smile when she let out a tiny snore. Yeah, I do. I haven't even known her for a full day and, Jesus Christ, I fucking do.

"I don't understand something, though," she continued. "She told me that all she has the ability to do is sing, so why is she getting visions of Raphael? It doesn't make sense."

"Maybe she just didn't know how to tap into her power. When you ignore it for a long time, it tends to disappear." Constantine looked back at Angela. "Remember?"

Angela smiled, remembering how she didn't even acknowledge her own power until Constantine had shown her how after Isobel had been murdered. Angela's heart contracted. It still hurt to think of her twin sister.

"I remember," she said softly. "But what if she's hiding something, John? I mean, how do we know for sure that she's just part siren?"

"I believe her," Constantine said softly. "She's not hiding anything."

Angela pressed her lips together, but said nothing. It was awkward to watch him watching Mary. He looked at her so lovingly, that she wasn't even sure this was John Constantine anymore. He's changed, she changed him.

(0)

"W-what? You want me to what?" Mary asked fearfully. "No, no, no, no. I can't do that. I mean, really, I can't. I'm not strong enough."

Constantine touched her shoulder comfortingly, lovingly. He stared into the green depths of her eyes. "Yes," he said. "You can."

"It's the only way," said Angela. "You're the only one who can call him."

Mary looked terrified. "You don't understand; there's something about him. He wants me."

"Mary," Constantine said, holding her face between his hands. "Do you trust me?"

Mary bit her lip, but nodded anyway.

"Good," he encouraged. "Then trust me when I say I know you can do this."

"I'm scared," she whispered brokenly. "He wants me, John, and I have a feeling that he'll get me."

"No," Constantine said fiercely. "He won't. I won't let him."

"Didn't you say that he needed a virgin to sacrifice or something?" Angela asked.

"Yeah," Mary answered, pulling away from Constantine and wrapping her arms around herself. "Yeah, but, that's the thing, I'm not a virgin."

"Then why do you think he wants you?" Angela asked reasonably.

Mary shook her head, trying to calm herself down. "I don't know," she admitted. "But I know he wants me anyway."

"Mary," Constantine said. "Please, we need you on this."

Mary shuddered, closing her eyes briefly. "Ok," she said, as if it hurt her. "I'll do it. Just tell me when and where and I'll sing."