There's No Place like Home
He was there to help Sam as he promised but this was almost getting to the point of ridiculous. He couldn't understand why Dean was so persistent in asking him to help others when he knew that he wasn't at his full strength and would cause him to be in his brother longer than he anticipated. There was also the problem with the fact that Sam was suspicious of Dean calling his name while he was aware of it and suspicious about the lost blocks of time. Ezekiel knew it was only a matter of time before Sam would become aware that something was not right but he would continue to be there.
After the events of the past few weeks, the angel could honestly admit that he had been thoroughly and anticipated to continue to be surprised with the Malachi. He already knew that she was… angry with him. She hated that he was around and privy to everything that she and Sam talked about; he noticed that Sam was picking up on her guarded choice of words with an occasional slip. She really, really was upset that he said Castiel had to go away and almost put herself into a 'panic attack' as Sam mentally referred to it in reference to the 'Purgatory problem' that Dean knew little to nothing about.
Ezekiel had also been privy to the nurturing and caring side of the Malachi and in all honesty he could see why it justified her anger. He had seen her interact with the Prophet Kevin and how the boy responded to her much like a child would to his mother. The occasional slips of her mask when she would give a loving gesture to Sam showed her true feelings. Her 'conversations' with the dogs also helped in his understanding especially since it was clear that she had an affinity for his Father's creatures, a surprising thing considering these dogs' lineage especially with one almost ready to whelp. Then there was Dean.
Ezekiel knew that she was angry with Dean for the situation they were in and the elder Winchester knew that and didn't seem to mind that he was under some form of punishment he conceived as such. As it were Dean readily admitted to him at one point that he deserved whatever it was she dished out to him because of his treatment of her. What was perplexing to the angel was that despite being angry at the situation, the Malachi continued to show her love for the elder Winchester that was in clear contradiction to the anger. The routine items were fairly obvious but it was clear to the angel that Dean viewed them as a showing of her love and actually smiled about some joke of two day old socks and kitchen duty. This was added to by the hug Dean grabbed her in with the head rub she gave and it was clear to the angel that it was not something that was common between the two.
Charlie and her relationship with the Malachi was an enigma to Ezekiel the moment he witnessed the two embrace along with a joke that had special meaning to them. Charlie called the Malachi her 'royal assassin' and the Malachi laughed and referred to her as her majesty. The resulting laughter from both puzzled the angel and the Winchesters seemed to accept it as it was.
Ezekiel knew that the Malachi kept strange company. The demon in the basement was ill advised but the way those two talked… Every day, when not on a hunt, at four she would take down tea and spend nearly an hour with the demon. Neither Winchester knew the content and didn't seem to care since it got what they wanted. The other was the Librarian who lived in the library and a special study room and lived to catalogue everything and even experiment in the laboratory. Again the Winchesters didn't seem to care but Ezekiel got the hint that Sam didn't like him overmuch especially when he was called 'Nanny'.
Charlie was just another in that category but it was clear that it was different. That she meant something to the Winchesters was a given since Dean put him in the situation to bring her back from the dead rather than go after the Wicked Witch. How he achieved that was a bit of an eye opener on his end when he agreed to help her.
The touch was gentle but he could feel the flow of power coming from the Malachi. There was no doubt she was of that level of healers. Her hand gripped his shoulder or Sam's shoulder and Ezekiel immediately felt like he was given a charge even though he was barely half strength. If he told the truth to Dean, he would have said that it was not him but the Malachi that directed the whole ordeal. It was her channeling through him to bring the redhead back.
When it was over and he let Sam back in, Ezekiel felt a bit more healed in the process. The barely half strength was over half strength yet there was a price for it. Ezekiel saw it through Sam's eyes even though the younger Winchester was more startled by what had happened; that took a toll on her and let him see clearly something was not right and e grew concerned. Yet there was no chance to worry or talk about it since there was the issue of the witch to deal with and that was dealt with in an interesting manner.
It disturbed Ezekiel that he couldn't help Sam when the witch possessed his vessel. Part of it had to be what he did at Dean's request but it still disturbed him. It was like a war was going on between four different entities. Him and Sam were obvious, the witch and then the fourth… Ezekiel couldn't get it and it never occurred to him to look at the connection between the Malachi and Sam much more closely. Had he done that, he would have discovered sooner that it had been started in the distant past, just before Sam said yes to Lucifer. It was like a fond saying of the Malachi; that she was the stray that decided to stay.
Afterwards, when Dorothy and the Winchesters met up with the Malachi and Charlie, Ezekiel felt something strange as he observed. It was obvious that Sam wasn't aware of what was going on. He was busy with his conversation.
It would be wise if you didn't let that happen again.
It clearly was the Malachi but she was talking. Yet to Ezekiel it was clear. He attempted a reply, "It was disturbing. I am barely at half strength."
I know. For future reference Ezekiel. I hate to wake that part up again but will only do it when necessary.
There was a hint of a warning in that. Ezekiel knew that it had nothing to do with the events that happened but more along what he had been allowed to witness. He replied, "Understood."
It's not that I won't help. I am afraid of what could happen when I do.
She cut him off and the angel was left with nothing more to do than be the observer. It appeared that Charlie was going to go with Dorothy to the land of Oz. The girl said her goodbyes to the Winchesters and saved the Malachi for last. To the angel it looked a little stiff.
It wasn't until the door was opened that the Malachi said, "Charlie, don't forget."
Through Sam's eyes, Ezekiel watched as the Malachi pulled something from her pocket and put it around Charlie's neck. It was an amulet of sorts. Charlie chuckled as the Malachi said, "Remember, he can be a bit of a spitfire."
"I'll make sure to have a fire extinguisher handy."
"I was thinking the Misty Mountains," the Malachi replied with a smile. Her hands had grasped Charlie's left arm and for a moment Ezekiel was certain that her hands glowed.
"Wow."
"Consider it a special phone. If you need me, call me."
"How?"
"You'll figure it out and I can listen too," the Malachi said with a grin that Charlie understood at once. "Just remember to think of home."
Charlie nodded and grabbed the Malachi in a hug. It was completed with a kiss from the Malachi to Charlie's forehead and a shared look between her and Dorothy before the pair left. Ezekiel was curious about the exchange between the Malachi and the girl but it seemed to be accepted by Sam and the angel took it to mean that it was something that was expected.
Ezekiel was not privy to past interactions of the Winchesters or the Malachi except through any memories that seemed to surface in Sam's mind. There was much in that interaction with Charlie that he couldn't grasp because of the lack of context but he could understand that the girl held a place in the Malachi's heart and made him understand more why she had been angry with him and his insistence about Castiel. It was quite a bit to ponder on.
"So, what was it that you gave Charlie?"
Ezekiel turned his attention to the conversation was having with the Malachi. She replied, "Just something that will keep an eye on her for me." It was rather a surprise to see the slight grin on the Malachi's face as she continued, "A little spitfire but he's hers and she knows what to do."
"What exactly?"
"A dragon."
Ezekiel was surprised at the nonchalant way the Malachi answered Sam's query and the younger Winchester didn't seem to mind it at all. The explanation that followed certainly was enlightening to the angel as the Malachi said that she expected Charlie would get into hunting and would need a helping hand and she had worked on a spell. It ended with, "I just needed to make sure. She will come back though."
"You seem sure about that," Sam replied.
"People go to home… where the heart is. No place like home right?"
Ezekiel heard the soft murmur from Sam and was surprised when the Malachi let herself to be pulled into an embrace. It was one of those rare times that her avoidance mask slipped. The angel though was certain that it wasn't a slip up. The Malachi was deliberate in most of her actions with people. She wanted him to observe and see. That much was certain and he wondered if this was how she taught Castiel. It certainly was much to think about considering that the Malachi seemed to have come to a certain decision regarding his presence in Sam. He knew she was important to Sam and while he recognized that some of the things he did were for a greater good, he didn't like the fact that she was further becoming non-receptive to him. He wanted her approval. It was strange but he wanted it.
A/N: Slumber Party was definitely a fun take on a timeless classic. Of course more musings by Zeke and the surprises he encounters from the Malachi. Enjoy.
