Starstruck II: Saruman's Curse

Pass the Forks (Twilight AU)

Castiel sat at the desk in his office, Ezri across from him with her feet up on the desk.

"You're here ahead of them, so I assume they're gonna need you?"

"Yea, Cas, it'll help to have a girl in this mix. Your traveling sausage festival is a little testosterone heavy for some assignments. I'm not stepping on your toes, am I?"

Cas gave her a closed smile. Her job, as spirit guide to the Winchester brothers, put her in a position to guide and comfort them in a way he wanted to but could not. She would show up intermittently in their lives, usually in times of turmoil when there was no one else to find spiritual, soul-level comfort with, or when they needed some directional guidance. Cas spent far more time with the boys than she, but still felt envious at her presence. He understood the necessity of her, so he played his part. "No, of course not. I'm figuring you're thinking what I'm thinking: maybe we shouldn't be in a hurry to get out of here. The boys could be useful here; this place is literally crawling with monsters."

The bus rattled over the railroad tracks, bouncing Sam's head against the window. He snapped awake and looked to the right, seeing Dean zoned out, eyes closed with ear buds blasting classic rock. He tapped him awake as the bus pulled into the school parking lot.

Sam and Dean Winchester wound their way to the front office and waited as the dark haired Native American boy in front of them finished up at the counter.

"Now, Jacob, I hope your transfer here to Forks High School isn't just so you can keep tabs on Bella Swan. I don't want any trouble with you and the Cullens."

"No Principal, I just felt that some time off the reservation would be good for a...well-rounded education." Jacob shot a dazzling smile at the Principal.

"Ok, then Mr. Black, I'll have Alice here show you around."

Alice Cullen wrinkled her pixie nose at Jacob as he gave her a wink, and they were on their way. The exchange looked flirtatious but felt anything but. Sam and Dean raptly watched the interaction, looking at each other questioningly.

"Hello, boys. You must be the Winchester twins. I'm Principal Castiel."

Sam and Dean turned their attention toward the principal, wrinkling their brows simultaneously. Dean spoke first, "You look familiar, do we know you?"

Cas knew the drill by now. "I hear that a lot. Anyway, welcome to Forks. Transferring as Seniors, that's a tall order. I hope you'll like it here. You are all set up with your admissions, so I have assigned you an escort. This is Ezri, and she'll accompany you around."

Ezri came into view, her waves of warm coppery hair in contrast with her stormy gray eyes.

Sam just smiled openly at her but Dean commented, "Now I definitely know you, and if I don't, I want to."

"So, gentleman, my name is Ezri and I will be your liaison while you get acquainted with the high school, or Forks in general, for that matter." She stopped and leaned against two lockers which she indicated to be theirs. Dean pressed into the space between them.

"Then let's definitely make plans to liaison as soon as possible."

"Ezri," Sam pulled his brother away and stepped into the space, "excuse my brother, he likes to dive right in," Dean lifted his eyebrow, winked and smiled at her, "but I have to agree with him: the principal seems familiar and I know I know you from somewhere. And know you well." Her smile was warm and inviting, and he knew he was on to something. "And this place, I speak for both of us when I say it feels really weird. Even that kid in front of us...what was that all about? I could literally smell the distaste between him and that cute chick."