Disturb Not the Water

Disclaimer: I don't own, you don't sue…

Chapter 3. Santo Patrono

Translation: (Patron Saint)


"They laughed at their gods
and fought them in vain
So he turned his back on them
And left them in pain
Now here come the saints
With their banners held high
Each one of them martyrs
Quite willing to die"

Saints in Hell by Judas Priest


Molly's Burger. Ah, a fine diner indeed. John and Angela had decided to go there after the exorcist had been questioned about the attempted burglary. They had chatted a little on the way; Angela driving them in her SUV while John looked at the outside world around the vehicle. Cars passed by them in the rush of traffic, the blaring of horns and the cussing out of words filling the air as they tried to maneuver their way through the streets without breaking any laws. John smiled inwardly; noticing with faint amusement Angela's scrunched up forehead, her determined eyes, and her mouth quivering just a little as anger flashed across her face; trying not to give into the temptation of just speeding up and hitting the back bumper of the next jackass who honked at her who flipped her the bird.

Parking rather abruptly near the sidewalk across from the diner, they quickly crossed the bustling street and walked up to the empty stools. Leaning her elbows on the counter, Angela smiled at the fat, greasy man that came out from the kitchen who smiled back at her. Taking out a pad and pencil from the pockets of his stained white apron, the cook set his hand readily to take the orders.

"Hey Roger, how's it going? I need a set of fries, a small cherry coke, and one of those bacon cheeseburgers with that certain extra spice."

Getting a wink from the fry cook, she turned to Constantine with a pleasant smile and quirked a brow at him; her way of asking him what he wanted. Quirking a brow back at her, he turned back to the cook; noticing that when the fry cook smiled, there were gaps in-between his smile.

"Hey Roger, I'd like a cheeseburger with some fries and a large coke. If that's alright with you?..."

"That it?"

"Yeah, that's it."

With a simple nod, Roger put the pencil back into his pocket and went into the kitchen to cook the food. Turning his attention back to the cop next to him, John stifled a laugh when he caught the glare Angela sent his way for being so nice to her friend; the fry cook. Oh yeah, this was his day. Smirking just the tiniest, John decided now would be good chance for some conversation about certain subjects.

"So Angela, tell me, how's your life been? You know, with the police work, the occasional prick other than the people you work with, the demons you've been sending back to Hell…"

Her eyes widening, Angela choked for a second on the instant response she was about to give him; surprise etching on her features before the logic set in.

'Of course he would hear about you exorcising demons, Angela. He was the Great John Constantine once…maybe he still is. You weren't able to hide your almost nonexistent abilities before; what makes you think you can hide the truth from him now too? Still, it is kind of creepy that he knows almost everything about you…I hope he can't read my mind.'

Looking down at her hand that was currently fiddling with the napkin she had picked up, Angela swallowed lightly; feeling like a child under her father's probing gaze.

"Yes John, I've been exorcising demons; saving souls, doing weird rituals…you know; the usual. I just don't let it interfere with my other work. And as for the occasional prick, I think he knows not to mess with a cop when they show their badge or kick said prick's ass. Other than that, my life has just been peachy."

Smirking triumphantly at her lack of comfort in his presence, John noted to himself to keep more tabs on her in case some rapist was wandering around the streets and decided to have some fun. Especially if the whacko was a half breed demon. Half breeds were known to act on their human desires; just with waves of evil pouring into the essence of the experience. So much for making love to someone.

"So tell me, Angela, how have you been doing these exorcisms? I mean, you need certain things; such as a Bible, holy water, some ancient relics to protect yourself; not to mention the sets of symbols I use for saints. Just wondering if you have all these things, of course."

Turning a glare onto his form while he studied his own napkin, Angela replied with a crisp tone; hoping to get a reaction out of the usually stoic man.

"Yes John, I have my own set of things that I use when getting rid of demons. I wonder why it's such an interest to you as to how I do my own exorcisms."

Shrugging nonchalantly, John looked up as the prepared meal he had ordered was set down in front of him. Picking up his cheeseburger and taking a bite out of it, John looked over at Angela and chewed rudely. He quirked a brow and she rolled her eyes, turning her attention back to her own food and beginning to eat it. Chuckling at her immaturity; they ate in compatible silence, relishing in the fact that they were so near each other and yet worlds apart.

Wiping his hands of the grease, John chewed on the last bite of his burger and the two fries left over. Swallowing, John took a swig from his coke cup and set it down; looking over at Angela as she chewed slowly on her last bite; swallowing as well. Crumbling the napkin and placing it in the food basket, John reached into the pocket of his trench coat and fished out a ten; paying for their meals. Without saying a word, he stood up and walked away; heading down the street and stretching out his feelers to see if any psychic turbulence was going on in the neighborhood. A flash of short blond hair caught his attention in the corner of his eye and he turned in that direction; determined to get an answer out of Gabriel about what it knew about what Chas had told him this morning.


Angela gaped as Constantine stood, paid for their meals, and stalked off; leaving her alone at the small burger joint. Looking down at her watch as she finished off her fries, Angela saw that it was ten after twelve. Oh, shit…she was late. Grabbing her coat, Angela hoped off the stool quickly and turned around; cautiously running across the street and opening up her SUV, never noticing the half breed demon in the back with the hand gun until she sat in the driver's seat and felt it pressed to her temple. Feeling her heart race in fear and anxiety, she raised her hands up slowly and felt the pressure of the safety switch being pulled off.

"Seems to me, little miss psychic cop likes to mess around with a certain John Constantine after putting a couple of my pals in the slammer. So tell bitch, how does it feel to be trapped; I'm dying to know."

After receiving no answer, the demon growled and pushed the pistol into her temple more fiercely; hearing her gasp through her teeth tightly. Angela clenched her eyes shut; praying that this scum would suddenly be vanquished by some holy presence from behind him.

"Alright, seeing as how you don't like to answer questions, miss detective; how about we take a little ride to Mr. Constantine's place and see if he has an answer, mmm? Does that seem like a good idea to you, whore! Now, put your goddamn hands down and drive the fucking car!"

Gulping slightly, Angela nodded as best as she could. Complying with the orders from the hostile demon behind her, she put her hands down behind her slowly and turned the ignition on; shifting her gear from park into neutral and pulling out from the parallel parked position. Turning down the street towards the Twenty Lanes bowling alley; Angela prayed for help, for guidance, and also for John's safety so that he could forgive her later on if he was still alive.

'Lord, I know I didn't want him to hear my thoughts before but I'll make an exception today if you help me save his life. I can't bear the thought of another person dying by my hands. Please God, don't let John Constantine die today.'

Parking on street across from the bowling alley, Angela heard the demon curse when he realized that Constantine wasn't around. Automatically feeling him tense the gun at her head again, Angela got the feeling that they were going to be sitting in her car for a while.


After wandering around the downtown area for a while looking for Gabriel, John gave up and decided to head to Papa Midnite's club. It was a little after eight and he had time to kill; there hadn't been any exorcisms today surprisingly. Usually there would at least be one but he guessed that some of Hell's spawn weren't up to having their asses kicked today.

'Alright, one day of vacation sounds fair enough. Tomorrow it's back to business; another demon, another asshole to banish. Hopefully, no one will get in my face tonight; it's nice to have a day off for a change.'

Chewing on his gum to delude his nicotine thirst, John walked quickly and silently down the street towards the small underground club. Upon reaching the red lit doorway, John came across the body guard with the usual deck of cards for identification. Clearing his mind for a minute, an image came into focus as he spat his gum out in to corner behind him.

"Hippo riding a unicycle on a high wire."

The body guard released the link from the entry rope and let him pass, closing it behind the swish of John's trench coat. Walking through the dark room; ignoring the lit stares and twitching tales while feathers rustled, John made his way to the silver doors and knocked on it once. Placing his hand over his mouth, John glanced around at the club; noting that some of the looks he was getting were either intense or heated. Feeling the door open from the rush of air he felt flow around him, John turned and walked into the dark red room; waiting patiently near the wall as Midnite finished his meeting with a half breed, her tail twitching with irritation as her dragon eyes blinked in understanding.

After nodding one last time, the half breed stood and walked out; giving John a once over as her snake tongue flicked out between her fangs. Walking over, he sat down in the chair across from Midnite and got straight to the point.

"Word is that there's some new shit brewing on the street. I don't know if this pertains to that hypocritical bullshit that you're always preaching about; which by the way, is also known as the Balance, but I need to know what's going down so I can save the world's ass…again. By the way, it's nice to see you again Midnite."

Looking up from underneath his hat, Midnite smiled faintly and shook his head with a faint chuckle. Picking up his glass of vodka, Midnite shot it back into his mouth, swallowed, and set the glass down. Folding his hands, Midnite leaned forward and smiled tolerantly.

"Hello, John. Nice to see you as well."

"Yeah, yeah; let's cut the tea party crap and get with the program. I need information and knowing you, mister witch doctor, have it. So, what can you tell me that hasn't been sold to the tabloids."

"From what I know, John, it has something to do with that girl you swore nothing revolved around.

"Angela? What's any of this got to do with her?"

"Don't tell me the once Great John Constantine is losing his touch."

"Don't play with me Midnite. I'm not in the mood right now. Just tell me what I need to know and I'll be on my merry way."

"An enemy that you thought gone is coming back, John. Coming back with a vengeance. I don't know what you did to piss him off John, but he wants you. I would be cautious, Mr. Constantine. Not everything around you is as it seems."

"Dammit, will you stop talking in riddles and give me a straight answer for once."

"I'm sorry John, but that's just the way things are. Your time is up. Goodbye, Mr. Constantine."

Grumbling, John got up rudely and walked out of the back room; quickening his step as he walked through the club while feeling eyes watching his every move. Once out of the club, John walked down the sidewalk towards his home, stretching out his feelers to test the air around him while he moved for any strange or erratic vibrations.


Angela gnawed on her lower lip, feeling anxiety seep into her once more as her psychic senses caught the faint trace of John's aura; heading straight towards his home. Glancing slightly out the side window, Angela could make out his trench coat swirling around him as a breeze blew by; the faint echo of his shoes hitting the sidewalk entering her ears even from inside the car. Feeling the demon bring his gun away from her head, Angela heard the distinct sound of the door unlocking and opening just about a half an inch; the faint pulse of adrenaline screaming at her from the half breed's spring coiled body.

Feeling a sense of power and fear crash down on her, Angela kicked her door open and ran towards John; ignoring the stunned look on his face and the gut clenching feeling of a gun about to be fired. The sound of thunder rang out as bullet zipped past her head, hitting the corner of the bowling building instead. Tackling John to the ground, she buried her face into his chest as she covered her head while shots rang out around them. However, the sound of just empty clicking occurred moments later and Angela picked herself up off from John. Turning around swiftly, she grabbed her gun from the back pocket of her pants and fired once with precision.

The bullet entered the half breed's chest, right above his heart as he flew back from the impact; his body falling to the pavement with a heavy thud as his eyes glazed over. Bending at the waist, Angela rested her hands on her knees and heaved in the cold air of the night; feeling relief flood her for the first time in hours. Straightening up, Angela turned around and faced the bewildered look of John Constantine as he lay sprawled on the sidewalk. Walking over to him, she dropped to her knees with a resounding thud by his head and placed her gun into her back pocket once more. Huffing still from the quick run she had to do to save his life, she rested her hands back on her knees and watched him watch her. Once she caught her breath, Angela stood and offered him a hand. He took it as she pulled him up beside her.

Looking down at her with a confused look as he huffed a little from having the wind knocked out of him John decided that Angela Dodson was the craziest person he ever met. Also, the most lifesaving. Without noticing it, neither of them had dropped the other one's hand. A few moments later, Angela did drop his hand and turned; walking towards her car while John followed. He knew Angela didn't want him to follow her but he wanted answers. Looking down at the dead body on the ground that lay only five feet from her car, John felt the faint demonic aura as the half breed's spirit made its way back down to Hell.

Turning on the transmission radio, Angela grabbed the receptor and turned around to face John, leaning back on the side of the car.

"This is the 12th precinct of LAPD. What's your status twelve-ten?"

"This is twelve-ten to base. I have a shooting down at the corner of Twenty Lanes bowling alley; suspect has been taken out due to defense. Send back up to retrieve the body A.S.A.P. Over."

"Roger that, twelve-ten. Back up is being sent. Over and out."

Throwing the receptor back into the car, Angela stood there leaning against her car as she waited patiently for the eerily calm John Constantine to start questioning her. Taking a step closer to her form; John's jaw twitched as he glared at the psychic cop in front of him.

"What the hell was that?"

"If you didn't hear me before, Mr. Constantine; I just stated to the precinct that there has just been a shooting. Would you like to know what a shooting is?"

Narrowing his eyes, John took another step towards her; making her feel trapped between him and the car.

"I know what a shooting is, detective. What I'm wondering is why that shooting was directed at me."

John took another step closer; now they were only a foot apart. Angela looked down for a moment; mulling over in her head as to how to tell him about being taken hostage in her own car. Looking back up, she took a deep breath and told him her story.

"The reason there was a shooting directed at you is because that half breed you see lying on the ground was after you. He was in my car, John. When you left, I got in my car and there was gun pointed at my head. The guy told me to take him to you so he could kill you. There, you satisfied now?"

John took a step back and turned his back on her, breathing heavily all of sudden while anger laced over his features. He had never been so mad; especially at a pathetic half breed. He heard her straighten up behind him; sighing as she looked down.

"I'm sorry if it seems like I betrayed you; I didn't mean too. I just…didn't know what to do. Being a cop, I have rules to follow; procedures. Unfortunately, we were never really taught what to do when we're being held at gun point without back up. Usually we just kick the guy's ass, but I don't know if I can do that while in a car."

"It's alright."

She snapped her head up; surprise taking over her features. Tentatively; hesitantly, she took a step closer to him.

"You mean, you understand. That what I did, was out of fear for my own life…as well as yours."

A muscle twitched in his jaw; he turned around and faced her with his usual blank and stoic expression. His eyes were hard and empty; scrutinizing her with an intense expression as she shuddered inwardly at the callousness of his personality.

"Yeah, I get it…"

She swallowed…

"Alright then…I guess I'll see you around?"

"No."

"No?"

"No…you're coming upstairs. I have something to tell you."

With that, John turned around and proceeded to walk into the small building; his trench coat twirling around him at his abrupt departure. All Angela could do was stare at him for a moment; wondering for a moment about what in God's name had gotten into that man all of a sudden.


Well everyone, here's chapter three! I hope you like it; as well as the Midnite's character. I don't know if I described him right but I hope it's to your liking as well. Thank you all to those who reviewed. You have my deepest gratitude.

Expect the next chapter in a couple of days!

By the way, I couldn't find any Latin words for the title of my chapter so I had to write it in Italian. I mean that's close to Latin, right? If anyone here knows a free translator online that has the Latin language; tell me the address of it in the review. Thank You!

Later Peeps!

P.S. Thank you to Kiara for the correct translation for"Patron Saints" in Italian. Unfortunately, a lot of the online translators are not very reliable.