A/N- Thanks for the lovely reviews you guys! I really appreciate them. This one is a bit shorter, because I've been crazy busy this week. Next one will be longer!

Cas and I appeared in an empty ally behind the restaurant where no one could see us pop out of thin air. I'd somehow expected teleporting to be more of a rush but it was really more like blinking than anything else. I closed my eyes and when I opened them I was somewhere entirely different. I hadn't felt a thing. However, I realized that I'd been squeezing Castiel's arm with all my strength. He didn't comment or seem even remotely bothered by it. I cautiously unlatched my arm from his and took in my first breath of fresh air in weeks. It was exhilarating. I had always loved the outdoors, but never in my life had I been so grateful for it.

With a giant, dopey grin on my face I looked up at Cas and said, "Thank you so much, Cas. I've been dying to get out of that place."

"We can't stay long…" Cas said looking over his shoulder, "But you're welcome."

After that short exchange ended my gaze shifted from Castiel's face to the space between my feet. The tension in the air was near tangible.

"Um I…"

"Would you like to…" We both started at the same time and then stopped, recognizing that we were talking over each other. Finally Cas broke the silence and finished with, "Would you like to go in?"

"Sure." I said, trying to smile through the awkwardness. As amazing as it was to be out, the fact that I was on a date with the person that I need to sleep with "soon" in order to stop Armageddon was not exactly relaxing.

My stomach did so many loops while we were being seated that by the time we sat down I wanted to throw up. At least Castiel had requested that we sit outside. It was a really sweet restaurant. Little purple and yellow potted flowers sat on every table and Christmas lights flickered around the walls. I wondered if Dean would consider this "overdoing it"- not that he ever had to do much to get into a girl's pants.

Immediately I made a grab for the menu and held it up in front of my face. Cas followed suit and for a long while we were both totally silent. When I began to collapse inwardly from the uncomfortable quiet, I put the menu down and asked, maybe a little too loudly, "What are you going to get?" Castiel stared at me for a moment and I realized I must have nearly shouted it at him. I squirmed under his gaze until finally he said,

"Since I consumed Theo's grace, I have had no need for food. But while I was human I found spaghetti and meatballs to be… satisfactory." A certain scene in a certain Disney film popped into my head, but I pushed aside the reference I was about to make, sure that it would go over the angel's head

"Spaghetti and meatballs sounds good. I think I'll get that too." I said, setting down my menu. I thought about asking him to 'tell me about himself', but I could only imagine the all too truthful and depressing answer he would give me. Besides, playing at 'first date' would feel like lying. Aside from the restaurant, the lights, and the flowers, there wasn't much that was really romantic about our situation. I decided that whatever the results were, the direct approach was probably best.

"So… Um, Cas… Not that I don't appreciate it… Because I really do… But… What exactly were you hoping to get out of…" I gestured at the table and restaurant, "this?" Castiel looked perfectly prepared to sell his soul in order to get out of answering that question. His expression alone let me know that the answer was something along the lines of 'baby making'.

"I had hoped that we could… get to know each other. You could… um… tell me about some of your… interests." Every word was so strained and uncomfortable that it was almost cute. He was struggling just as much as I was, and that was comforting in a way. I briefly wondered how this awkward and innocent creature could be the same person that killed hundreds of angels and humans in a mad grasp for divinity. Sam and Dean had told me all about it when I first met them, as a part of what could have easily been a powerpoint presentation on all things supernatural and totally nuts-o. They'd insisted that he was a changed man and I was starting to believe them.

"Well, I like art." I said, fiddling with the straw in my water. "I was going to art school before… all this."

"I have always thought the human ability to create art was one of your most redeeming qualities." Cas said.

"Yeah… Me too." I cleared my throat, "I actually, uh, I actually think about that a lot. Why we make art, you know? Like, I feel like a lot of people are generally afraid of any kind of emotional release, but they… they need it, so they sort of live through the catharsis that comes through the art. And, uh, that's why it's so important that artists remain honest, because it's a responsibility to people who can't be." I was blushing so brightly by the end of that little speech that I almost reached for the menu to cover my face. My thoughts about art were very close to my heart, and I always struggled with putting them into words. It never came out the way I wanted to. But before I could retract any of it, I glanced at Cas across the table scrunching up his forehead and staring thoughtfully at the table.

"Yes. I think that if angels had been given artistic ability things would be very… different. We would be less… cold."

"I don't think you're cold." The words came spilling out before I could stop them "You've been nothing but supportive and kind to me this whole time and whatever I say to the contrary later, I really appreciate it."

"I'm glad that I could make this easier for have been a comforting presence for me as well." I let an extremely loud and unattractive snort.

"Yeah, I'm sure I was very comforting. Shouting at you and then disappearing into my room for three days."

"I believe your emotionality has been… cathartic for me." He said, using my word, "I am not happy that you were upset, but it was, like you said, a release for you to say what I was feeling."

"Ha!" I exclaimed with a grin and a pointed finger across the table, "So you are just as freaked about this as I am!"

"I'll admit that I haven't given much thought to being a father since…" He paused, amending his train of thought, "At one point, I wanted very much to be a father figure, but that ended up being… very wrong." The look of deep regret that passed over Castiel's face made me want to wrap him in a hug and tell him it was going to be okay, and that he was forgiven, but it didn't seem like my place to do anything like that. Regardless of the game we were playing, I didn't know the angel very well.

"If it's any consolation, I think you'll be a great father." Cas furrowed his brow, clearly thinking that I was lying to make him feel better. "Really. Our super-powered, world saving, Nephilim baby will be lucky to have you."

"Thank you, Margaret."

"Oh and that's another thing. You can call me Maggie. I've never liked Margaret- sounds like an old lady." I said trying to lighten the mood. Cas nodded in acceptance. "So, Cas, what are some of your interests?" Repeating his question from earlier.

"I mostly enjoy watching people."

"Oh yeah, I guess that's kind of in the whole angel job description, huh?"

"Yes. I never thought I would have to experience what it was to be human, and for a long time I was fascinated by your needs and desires. I didn't understand the necessity of forming bonds with one another. Dean was the first individual with whom I felt any profound connection. I enjoy watching over him." I smiled a little. It was extremely evident how close the two of them were. I imagined that if I had spent all of eternity without bonding with anyone, the first person I made a connection with would be very special too. Still, I could only imagine how Dean would feel about Cas 'watching over him' when he didn't know it. I decided that when I was undoubtably forced to recount the whole evening to the two of them, I would leave out that particular detail.

Around that time our waiter took our orders and interrupted the already somewhat forced conversation. Castiel clearly did not know how to progress in any way from here. He looked a little like a child being forced to interact with his scary great aunt. I decided that if anyone was going to make this date not dissolve into tears and one long awkward silence, it was going to be me.

"So, should we jump right to the good stuff and talk about baby names? A college fund? Retirement plan?" Cas swallowed hard, not picking up on the lightness in my tone.

"I… I will not age, so I will not retire and by the time you are of an old age, ideally I will have restored my grace and be able to provide for you without a 'plan'." I didn't miss the fact that he'd just promised to take care of me all my life, but I didn't want to delve into it. I jutted out my chin and nodded with mock thoughtfulness.

"Good to know." Cas tilted his head slightly, as if he thought he might be picking up on the joke.

"However, when it comes to baby names, many human cultures have a tradition of naming sons after their fathers or grandfathers. Castiel or God Junior for example." I coughed loudly, nearly choking on the water I was sipping on. He couldn't be serious. Cas's eyes widened, "It was a joke. I do not think such names would be very inconspicuous among humans." I smiled at his explanation and said with what I hoped was clearly a joking manner,

"No, I think God Junior is perfect for a boy. We can call him YHWHJR for short. Of course if it's a girl, we'll name her after my mother, Gertrude."

"If you are especially fertile, we could be lucky enough to use both." At that I erupted into a fit of laughter, and even Cas gave the first genuine sounding laugh I'd ever heard from him. He had a truly beautiful smile.

"Is that flirting, Castiel?" I chided.

"It is customary." I giggled. If I hadn't been paying attention I would have missed it, but in that moment I noticed how Cas's face lit up when I laughed, and it only made me turn a bright shade of pink.

We joked and laughed in that manner until our food came, which we ate heatedly. Any amount of time could have gone by and I wouldn't have noticed. Somehow something had clicked between us, and all awkwardness was gone. Cas still made overly innocent or inappropriate comments occasionally, but I found him more and more hilarious as the night wore on. In between mouthfuls, I filled Cas in on what art I loved, my frustrations with feeling like I couldn't do anything to help the Winchesters, and ultimately we got around to my family.

"Well, my parents own a plumbing company." I said.

"So, that is where the smell comes from." Cas teased cautiously, looking like a four year old who had stolen a cookie and was checking to see if his parents would find it funny or naughty. Still, I had never seen him so playful, and it made me want to burst out of my skin to know that I'd had such an affect on him. I gasped and jokingly slapped him across the table.

"Shut your stupid face." I said smiling, "At least I own more than one outfit." Castiel's energy shifted suddenly. He narrowed his eyes, giving me the most threatening stare I'd ever seen from him.

"You will regret that comment, girl." He growled. My breath hitched in my throat, thinking I had offended him, but also suddenly aware that there was something inexplicably sexy about him in that moment. Almost immediately, he broke out in a toothy, childlike grin and I realized that he'd been playing with me.

"You jerk!" I exclaimed, laughing. "You friggin' scared me."

"I apologize." He said, still smiling from ear to ear, "You were telling me about your family."

"Yeah, well now I don't want to talk to you at all." I said, with an overdramatic pout.

"I will make it up to you."

"You'd better."

"Actually… I have an idea." Castiel placed some money on the table and reached his hand to me from across the table. I took it, cautiously, and within another blink of an eye the restaurant was gone.