Chapter 15

Jackie stood atop his brewery, just having come down from the literal mountain, only to be dropped right into this shit between him and Babs. He shoulda known this was coming, it ain't like it hadn't been on the horizon for a minute already. Jackie sighed, he'd hoped that he wouldn't've hadta deal with this so quick after coming back from Olympus, but since when'd life ever let him do shit on his terms? Shaking his head, Jackie turned to look at Babs.

She had a new costume, black and purple, with yellow boots and gloves. It was a change from the gray and purple that she'd been wearing previously, plus if Jackie didn't know any better, the armor that'd been built into it was new. The older shit ain't hugged her form quite so well, which ain't doing him any favors. It'd only make what was coming next harder on him.

"Nice costume. That armor new?" Questioned Jackie.

"Yeah, actually. Something developed as a joint project between WayneTech and Queen Industries. You've got some new gear too, it seems." Answered Babs.

"Magic gear, among other shit. I don't look half as good on me as your new shit looks on you, though." Shrugged Jackie.

"Don't. Just, don't. Look, don't change the subject, you're sober right?" Sighed Babs, holding up a hand to stop any more compliments.

"Ain't touched a drop in at least five days." Confirmed Jackie.

"Good. This will be easier then. I know you've been having a hard time lately, and I've tried to let you go through your process, but we need to face facts here." Frowned Babs.

"Ah. Yeah, I been waiting for this conversation. I ain't gonna pretend like I don't deserve it, neither. We had a pretty good run, but I been acting like an asshole the past couple months. I get it, really." Nodded Jackie.

"You do?" Queried Babs.

"Yeah. This is the breakup conversation, like I said, I been waiting for it. Had a bit of time to reflect and I gotta say, I deserve it. Was too up my own ass and it caused a buncha fights, then I crawled into a bottle and caused even more. Now here we are." Admitted Jackie.

"Here we are." Agreed Babs.

"It was fun while it lasted, though." Grinned Jackie.

"It was. That doesn't mean we can't stay friends, you know." Offered Babs.

"Think I'd like that if you'd gimme a shot at it." Concurred Jackie.

"Friends then. So, where were you? It's been two weeks since Wonder Woman came looking for you. What happened?" Asked Babs.

"That's a whole big story, I dunno if you've got the time for the long version." Hedged Jackie.

"Well, what about the short version?" Pressed Babs.

 "The short version's that I got voluntold to help out dealing with a War on Olympus that got caused by a buncha Gods getting spooked by the Apokalips thing. I killed a literal Titan, Babs. Shit was fucked." Responded Jackie.

"You killed a Titan?" Deadpanned Babs.

"Yeah, and not the kind Grayson pals around with. A real Titan. Also dealt with an insane Vengeance Goddess, though that was sadder than the Titan. Plus I hadta beat down a buncha Demigods, the God of Fear, and a Big-Ass Dragon." Informed Jackie.

"I think I need the Long Version." Blinked Babs.

"You got time for that?" Questioned Jackie.

Just then, Babs put a hand to the side of her cowl in the sorta motion she always did whenever Bruce was in her ear over comms. Jackie knew then that she ain't had time for the Long Version of events. Whatever she was getting called in to handle took priority over his war stories, least that was how Bruce'd see it, and Jackie ain't gonna gainsay the Bat in his own city. Even aside from having the resources to make living here an issue, Bruce was some sorta tactical genius, which meant he hadta know how to prioritize.

"Right, looks like I have to take a rain check on that." Insisted Babs.

"Trouble?" Queried Jackie.

"Nothing I can't handle with Tim for backup. It's just Doctor Double X." Shrugged Babs.

"The Guy who can make copies of himself? I thought he'd been locked up in Happydale upstate? That place don't have the revolving door reputation of Arkham. What gives?" Asked Jackie.

"He was, apparently he lost his memory after his third encounter with Bruce during his first year out. He shouldn't have been able to rebuild his Duplicator Machine, but I guess he regained his memories while in Happydale. Bruce is tracking down the records, but it seems like they let him tinker in the machine shop since he had an amnesia diagnosis. I guess they figured he wouldn't remember how to build the thing." Explained Babs.

"You want some extra backup?" Questioned Jackie.

"No, I think Tim and I can handle it. It's just Doctor Double X, after all. Not Solomon Grundy or something." Smirked Babs.

"All right, well Good Luck." Nodded Jackie.

Then there was a shot as Babs fired her Grapple Gun and she was swinging away offa the roof of Jackie's Brewery. With a sigh, Jackie watched her go. Friends was all they'd be for now, seemed like. Jackie sorta doubted that'd develop to the point where Babs'd give him another shot. Not after how he'd spiraled after Big Blue ate it and wrecked their relationship. You never knew, though. Life was funny like that. Least she ain't outta his life altogether. Then there'd be no chance in Hell of any kinda second chance, so he had that going for him.

Jackie shrugged and headed for the roof access to the Brewery. He had an office in the building he'd decked out like the sorta places he used to sleep in when he'd been with the Yaks. He'd crash there for the night before making his way back to Yuen Manor to check in with his folks. He already had a whole buncha ideas for how to use the Dragon Parts, but he was gonna bet there were loads more practical ideas in the Yuen Library that he'd haveta check out before making a final decision. As he entered his office, though, he found it ain't as empty as it's supposed to be.

"Evening, Mate. Heard you was back in town." Grinned John Constantine from behind Jackie's desk.

"Outta my chair Constantine." Growled Jackie, moving toward the fucking asshole.

"Easy! I remember what happened last time, no need to dump me arse over teakettle this time!" Placated Constantine, immediately vacating Jackie's chair.

"So you can learn." Snorted Jackie.

"My whole sodding life's been a learning experience, Mate. I should think that'd be obvious." Pointed out Constantine.

"Coulda fooled me. So what do you want?" Demanded Jackie.

"Can't a bloke pop in on an old friend without any ulterior motives?" Queried Constantine.

"You ain't just a bloke and we ain't old friends. Spill." Scoffed Jackie.

"Fair. I need your help." Admitted Constantine.

"Yeah, I figured. What with?" Asked Jackie.

"There's this bloke in New York City, an old Houngan goes by Papa Midnight. He and I have a touch of history and the word is he's looking to pay me back for what happened during our last encounter. Midnight's old, older than this Country, even. If he wants to work his mojo on me, well, I figured it might be a good plan to have a bit of backup." Answered Constantine.

"And just what sorta shit did you do to piss this guy off?" Questioned Jackie.

"I may have stolen an enchanted, antique, rifle from the bloke, but in fairness, he stole it first." Defended Constantine.

"And he swore a vendetta on you 'cause of a rifle?" Pressed Jackie.

"Well, it was a fairly powerful rifle. You might've heard of it, the Ace of Winchesters." Hedged Constantine.

"Yeah, that'd do it." Sighed Jackie.

The Ace of Winchesters ain't just any enchanted rifle, after all. Halosteel, Hell Gems, and the Bones of Saints all went into it, plus a buncha enchantments on top. It was the only modern weapon that'd be able to outright kill a Demon. Not just banish it back to the pit, but kill it outright. The rumor was the mystic what made the damn thing had to sell his soul to be able to do it. That sorta shit ain't the kinda thing most folks could just up and lose without some sorta big to-do. No wonder this asshole swore vengeance on Constantine. If it'd been Jackie, he might've done the same.

"So what do you say? Help a bloke out?" Queried Constantine.

"What do I get for risking my neck? If this Asshole's as old as you say, he's gonna be packing some pretty heavy mojo." Asked Jackie.

"I thought you were a White Hat these days?" Frowned Constantine.

"That don't make me an idiot. I know you, there's bound to be some kinda bullshit surprise to deal with. Shit always goes south with you." Scoffed Jackie.

"Fine. I was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but I might have a line on an Archmage-level Abjuration Grimoire. Help me out and it's yours." Offered Constantine.

"That'd work. Assuming it ain't cursed or some shit." Huffed Jackie.

"Where's the trust these days? It's a perfectly fine grimoire." Snarked Constantine, rolling his eyes.

"With you? Trust don't enter into it most've the time." Retorted Jackie.

"Look, do you want it or not?" Demanded Constantine.

"I want it. I'll help you out." Affirmed Jackie.

"Brilliant. The Bloke lives in and runs a fair chunk of the mystical underground of New York City. I can't enter the city for obvious reasons, but you can." Nodded Constantine.

"Fine. Anywhere you think I oughtta look?" Questioned Jackie.

"Last I heard, he owned a Jazz Club in Harlem he used as a front. Place called the Blue Bayou. You might start there." Responded Constantine.

"Great, I'll get on that tomorrow. Now fuck off outta my joint." Growled Jackie.

"Sure, Mate. Just don't take too long. The Warning Fate gave me said Midnight's got some special mojo cooked up for me on the full moon." Cautioned Constantine.

And with that, Constantine left Jackie's Office. Not the usual way, neither. Asshole stepped into the bathroom and then teleported out like a fucking show-off. Jackie hated dealing with Constantine, but the Guy did technically work for the same sorta folks Jackie tended to help out. Least he did since Fate put that mystic leash on him. Thing was, he always caused some kinda complications whenever he showed up. That's why Jackie ain't surprised he was feuding with some, apparently centuries-old Houngan. It was also why he ain't surprised when Constantine went running to Jackie to solve his problem for him. That's just how that asshole tended to work.

Still, though, Jackie'd put up with his bullshit if there was an Archmage-level Abjuration Grimoire in it for him. That sorta magic would come in handy when it came time to duke it out with the New Gods of Apokalips. Ever since Hecate gave him that Cryptic-ass warning, Jackie'd been trying to figure out a way to increase his Chi and Magic abilities. This'd go a long way towards that. After all, if he was gonna go up against whoever this Last Daughter was during the invasion, he'd need it. Especially given the hints she was related to Big Blue. For that sorta survival aid, Jackie'd be willing to deal with Constantine's shit.

First, though, he needed a shower. He'd gone without one for a couple days of high-intensity combat and smelled like it. Once he did that, he could start to get a handle on something to do with Dragon Parts, some sorta defensive charm or talisman that'd protect him from Necromancy, Spiritualism, and the other kindsa shit that a Houngan could do. He ain't about to go against this Papa Midnight Asshole without some sorta ace in the hole, after all. He had time to prep since the full moon was still a couple weeks away. Once he had that ace in the hole, then he'd head to New York City and throw down with the guy.

Then he'd collect his Grimoire and hopefully not haveta deal with Constantine again for a while. As soon as that thought entered Jackie's head, he snorted in amusement at it. Gods knew he ain't that lucky. A man could dream though. As he turned the water of his office shower on, Jackie couldn't help but laugh at the optimism. After all, if he kept solving the Man's problems for him like this, Constantine ain't ever gonna leave him be. Turning the shower off and changing into fresh clothes, Jackie decided it didn't really matter whether Constantine kept running to him or not. He needed the Grimoire. With that in mind, Jackie hit the hay.

Tomorrow he'd get to work on the issue in earnest. . .

XXXX

AN: All right so, a couple of things here. First, Jackie and Babs are officially broken up. Second, we see Tim is finally out of training and acting as Robin. Lastly, we get a bit of insight as to the next arc. Jackie is helping Constantine deal with Papa Midnight in exchange for an Archmage-level Abjuration Grimoire that Constantine may or may not have stolen. Given how Hecate's warning made him think he'd be fighting a Kryptonian during the Apokaliptan Invasion, he figures he'd need the shielding spells from such a Grimoire.

At any rate, the next chapter will be Jackie prepping to head to New York City.

Stay tuned. . .