ONE WEEK LATER
Mary was watching Constantine sleep. He had been doing that a lot lately, but Mary didn't mind watching him. Angela had told her that the last time he had had a big mission, he slept for almost a week straight, so there was nothing to worry about.
"He'll be fine," Angela had encouraged. "Just watch over him, and make sure he takes care of his shoulder."
"I will," Mary promised. "Be careful going…wherever it is you're going." Before Constantine had passed out, he made Angela promise to take the Spear of Destiny somewhere safe, somewhere that wasn't the Vatican City, where any angel could get hold of it.
Mary had gone to her apartment, gathering some essentials, including a backup guitar, and temporarily moved in with Constantine to take care of him. Due to the serious wound in his shoulder, he didn't do much. He woke up occasionally to use the bathroom or to eat what Mary made for him. Other than that, though, he slept.
She sat on the edge of the bed, tenderly checking his bandage. Seeing that it was ok, she gently caressed his face, brushing the tendrils of hair on his forehead with her fingers.
"Oh, John," she sighed. "I really do love you." His face twitched, and his eyes began blinking furiously. He smiled when his eyes focused on her.
"Hi," he greeted.
"Hi back," Mary said, grinning. She held his hand, holding it against her mouth as she kissed each knuckle. "How are you feeling?"
Constantine sat up awkwardly. "Fine," he said. He leaned against his headboard and put an arm around Mary. After pressing a tiny kiss on his wounded shoulder, Mary cuddled against his side, throwing her arm around Constantine's stomach. He ran his fingers through her hair.
"What time is it?" he yawned.
"Around five," Mary answered, sounding very content. She kissed his bare skin.
"Hmmm," Constantine glanced down at her. "Hey, is that my shirt?"
"Yeah," Mary said.
"I thought you went to get some of your stuff from your apartment."
"I did," Mary admitted, "But this smells like you." She peered up at him. "Does it bother you that I'm wearing it?"
"No," Constantine answered truthfully. "I was just wondering." Mary smiled and settled back against him.
"You don't have to keep me company here, you know," he said after a few minutes. He twirled a piece of her hair around a finger. "I know it must be boring."
"We've had this conversation before, John," Mary said patiently. "I don't mind being here, and I don't mind taking care of you." Constantine smiled gently, amazed at how much he already seemed to love this woman after only days of knowing her.
"I just don't want you to be bored," he said, closing his eyes. "But it is nice not being alone." He let out a big yawn. Mary sat up, looking at him with concerned eyes.
"Come on," she said, helping him lay back down. "You need to sleep more." Constantine didn't bother arguing with her; he was tired. When she moved to go back to her respectable chair, however, he grabbed her arm, stopping her.
"Stay with me," he breathed. Mary smiled, nodding. She laid down facing him, draping her arm across his stomach.
"Always," he heard her whisper before he drifted out of consciousness.
