I had to hand it to Castiel—the man could drink. I watched as he downed shot after shot. I did a few, but definitely not as many as him.

"You better slow down," I said as he placed an empty shot glass down on the table between us. We had opted for a booth for privacy, though I don't really know what we would need privacy for. I guess I just didn't want to deal with anyone else. "I'm not carrying you out of here if you pass out."

"Why would I pass out?" he asked, staring at me with curiosity in his surprisingly clear eyes. I shook my head.

"You are strange," I said. I watched Castiel throw back yet another shot. "So, are you gonna tell me how you got into my apartment?"

He set the now empty shot glass next to the other ones, his eyes meeting mine briefly. He looked around the room, almost as if maybe the answer was hiding in one of the dark corners of the bar.

"I—I'm," he started, but stopped exhaling loudly through his nose. "It was a mistake."

I was about to sigh, roll my eyes, and ask for a better explanation than that, but something in his eyes was telling me that that was the best he could come up with. Something was telling me that he was sincere; that he was sorry.

"I apologize for the intrusion," he said when I remained silent, only confirming what I had been thinking.

We were both silent for a bit, finishing our drinks.

"I think I should head home," I said. "If I drink any more, I won't be able to drive."

"You shouldn't drive anyways," Castiel said, staring at me intently. I shrugged.

"I'm just down the road," I said. "And I didn't drink much. You can do a sobriety test on me if you don't believe me."

I stood up pulling on the light jacket I had been wearing earlier. I watched as Castiel watched me before he hastily reached into a pocket in his trench coat, pulling out some money. He put some of it on the table before pocketing the rest.

I headed out of the bar, aware that Castiel was right behind me as I made a beeline for my car. I turned on him quickly, and he somehow managed to stop fast enough that he didn't run into me.

"Do you think you're following me close enough?" He tilted his head to the side, which I was starting to realize was a common action of his.

"Sorry," he said, and I could practically see the light bulb in his head turn on when he realized he was too close and he took a step back. I shook my head.

"You are so strange," I said quietly. I turned around to unlock my car and opened the door before turning back around to thank Castiel for the drinks. I jumped slightly when I realized he was gone. I looked around me in every direction, but there was no sign that Castiel had even been there.

I sighed, locking and closing my door. Maybe this was just a sign that I may have had a little too much to drink. At least my apartment wasn't far away.

I didn't see Castiel again for a few days. He showed up at the liquor store when I was working with Emily again. I didn't even see him come in. It was Emily's elbow pressed hard against my ribs that made me look around and realize that he was there, standing at the counter watching me.

"Well look who's decided to magically make an appearance," I said.

"It's not magic," he said as I approached the counter to be a bit closer to him. I didn't want Emily to hear everything we were saying. "I only walked through the door."

"I wasn't sure I was going to see you again," I said. "You sort of vanished on me the other night."

"Sorry," he said. "I've been told I suck at goodbyes."

"I'll say," I said, glancing at Emily who was pretending to be occupied with some papers on the back counter. "I didn't get a chance to thank you for the drinks."

"It was no problem," he said. "I've actually come here… I was told that I should, well, I wanted to ask you on a date. Maybe we could get dinner? I was told that was a typical thing to do on a date."

"Well, whoever you're getting your information from, they've got that right," I said, smiling. "Maybe you should get some tips on how to leave someone at the end of the night instead of seeming to vanish into thin air."

"Yes, I suppose I should do that," he said. "When would be an appropriate time to have this date, if you are willing, then?"

"Hmm," I said, thinking. "Well, I have to work all night, but if you really insist on taking me out, then you can pick me up tomorrow night. Seven work for you?"

"Yes, that will be fine," Castiel said. The corners of his mouth twitched ever so slightly. It almost looked like a smile, but it wasn't. He was definitely strange, but something about him had piqued my interest.

"Then I guess I will see you tomorrow," I said. "I'm assuming you can find your way to my apartment."

"Yes, that shouldn't be a problem," he said, not picking up on the joke. "I look forward to tomorrow, Darcy."

I watched as he left the liquor store before turning to look at Emily who was now openly staring.

"I can't believe you got a date with him," she said. "I expect lots of details."

I rolled my eyes, already thinking about tomorrow. I really had no idea what I was starting.