I have to confess, I haven't seen the episode yet - Australia has only seen up to epi 8 Wishful Thinking. I've seen 9 & 10 at a friend's house, courtesy of one of her overseas friends, and I got a blow-by-blow description from her the other night about the fight, and the words that the boys lashed each other with. So I've got a fairly good idea what went on.

I've read a few of the tags, and I like this one best. Because my Pollyanna soul needs hope to survive, and this is the only one I've seen so far that has given some hope. I can't believe that Sam hates his brother like some people are saying - the utter helplessness on his face when Dean first told him about Hell is proof of that.

I love how you had both boys doing some pretty deep introspection on their own time. And the fight with the muggers was well thought out - could see Sam just getting into the zone and then realising when it was all done and dusted that he was hurt, and badly hurt at that. My heart was in my mouth when he started coughing blood and collapsed on the motel room floor.

And the jolt that Dean received when he found him - and that dying apology - tear-jerker territory. As was the moment Dean had when he pulled out the dvd and the bag of M&M's and realised it was a Sam apology.

I'm hoping, rightly or wrongly, that the boys won't fracture too far apart because of the opposing forces that are pulling at them at the moment. This has given me something to hold onto.

And it's good to see you back on the boards, too. I've read a few of your stories/tags, and I have enjoyed them. Thanks for sharing this one.

Jules

Author's Response:

Jules! No way Sam hates Dean - no freakin' way, some people in this fandom are crazy! Haha. I'm so glad you liked this - I just felt compelled to write it 'cause I was desperately needing some hope of my own.

 Thanks for the lovely review my dear, I love hearing what you think!

-Ashley