Reviewer: Leigh Ann Wallace (Signed) · Date: 13/04/11 08:30 PM · On: Chapter 1

Good story, Vonnie. I especially like the way you do the POV switcheroo. And since all I can think to say about the torture scenes is "ick ick ick!" I think we can agree that you did a great job on those, too! 

 Later!  

Leigh Ann

Author's Response:

Thanks so much. This one had me a little worried after I wrote it, but now I actually like it, so I'm happy you do too. Hugs, Vonnie

Reviewer: bjxmas (Signed) · Date: 24/02/11 06:24 PM · On: Chapter 1

Ah, Vonnie, they are definitely stronger together and if anyone can hold back the fall of that wall, it is the Winchesters!

You captured both boys, how they are stronger when they are fighting for their brother, how their focus always shifts from their own peril to the needs of their brother.

I firmly believe that Dean being there, calling out to Sam is enough to pull him back.

Great job, glad I finally had the time to savor it.  Later, B.J.

Author's Response: Thanks, I'm glad you savored it, because I definitely savor your review. I completely agree with you and am glad I could get that through. Hugs, Vonnie

Reviewer: Primrose (Signed) · Date: 20/02/11 10:44 PM · On: Chapter 1

*shudder*  Pulling Dean into the memories too?  Oh man, that's so painful!  At the same time, the brothers stay true to each other, and that's priceless.  

Author's Response: Thank you. I try to keep them true to each other, that's how I love them. Hugs, Vonnie

Reviewer: mizpah (Signed) · Date: 19/02/11 05:40 PM · On: Chapter 1

Horrible glimpses of Hell and the cage - I have no doubt that Lucifer and Michael teamed up to take their considerable frustrations and hatred out on Sam's vulnerable soul for thwarting their cosmic bitch-slapping session. And I could easily picture them laughing and congratulating themselves for coming up with new and crueller ways to torture the puny human who had proven himself better and stronger then they were. 

But Dean being dragged into Sam's memories/visions - that was unexpected, and equally horrifying for the elder Winchester, as his own memories hit him full force with the added terror of seeing a slice of what had been done to his baby brother. 

And Alastair!!! Of course, Dean's main torturer would be firmly embedded in his memories of hell, and what better way to enforce the pain and fear than to have his greatest nemesis appear? 

The mind is a powerful weapon, but it can be turned against us as easily as it can be wielded against others. 

But I loved how Dean realised it wasn't real, and to Sam's eyes his brother faded from existence. Painful as it was for Sam, still locked in the memory, to watch, it was a wonderful scene to visualise. 

And then we were right back in the fear and angst when Sam didn't wake up at the same time as Dean, leaving the elder brother in agony wondering whether this was it, if he'd be bringing nothing but a mindless shell back to Bobby's for the final time. I think my heart was racing right along with Dean's at that thought. 

Loved the imagery of Dean standing firm in front of the breach in the wall, and Sam's overpowering love for his brother sending him careening out of his mind and back into reality to hug Dean as if there was no tomorrow, holding fiercely to his sibling in case something from the wall threatened or hurt Dean again. 

You know, some people think Sam doesn't love Dean as much as Dean loves Sam. I think that's utter bullcrap. And your tag showcased that fact. Sam's pleading to the archangels not to have his brother hurt, his terror when he saw Dean's image standing right in front of the breach in the wall, that desperate lunge to grab his brother and save him - that was pure Sam. 

Absolutely wonderful work. The emotions, the imagery, the brotherly bond that might have worn very thin on occasion but always has the ability to repair itself and become even stronger - it was all laid out like a feast on a table. You should never doubt your work, hun. This came from the heart, and when you write like that, how can you ever go wrong?

hugs

Jules

Author's Response: Wow and wow again, I am so humbled by your awesome review. At the same time I'm completely uplifted. I guess you are right, I shouldn't doubt my work, but that's my middle name. Doubt that is. You analysed this story and you completely got me. I don't know why I thought it was important to bring Dean's hell in this, maybe because I wanted to show that Dean get's it and that because of that he can make Sam stronger. At the same time Sam needed to see his brothers hell and it become more important than his own. So when he saw Dean appear in front of the breach he needed to save him. To me that's how Dean fixed the wall. And you are right, I think they love one another equally. Thanks again for this wonderful review. I'm going to treasure it. Hugs, Vonnie

Reviewer: ziggy (Signed) · Date: 19/02/11 09:57 AM · On: Chapter 1

Really awesome tag Vonnie.  Can so imagine Sam comparing his soulless self to when he was hooked on demon blood and pushing aside the fact that there was a difference, convincing himself that it was totally him both times.  He really does need to give himself a break sometimes.

Very effective too that when Dean touched Sam when he was having his flashback of hell, it ignited Dean's memories of his time in hell too and both sets of memories were so graphic you could feel what they were going through and feel their pain.

You showed so well how both boys need each other and just loved how you said  Dean is the mortar which hold the bricks of Sam's internal wall together. Perfect.

Together they are stronger, so true.

Sarah

Author's Response: Thanks so much.I was really worried about this one. You made me feel good, but then you always do. Those boys need one another so desperately and I'm glad the show finally gives us more of that. Hugs, Vonnie

Reviewer: bia1007 (Signed) · Date: 18/02/11 04:24 PM · On: Chapter 1

Stunning, already loved the title - Validus Una so much the quintessence of Sam's and Dean's bond, a deep and wonderful truth. Like the episode itself, the images you created here won't leave my head (and no way I will be able to read all the challenge stories at one go), you gave us a haunting and vivid glimpse of what Sam's hell was like. But then there's Dean who shares this hell with Sam and helps him to withstand; a beautiful and comforting thought, Dean is "the mortar, which helds those bricks together" for Sam. You said it so perfectly, this is what it will be like in the end, they stand together - "Dean smiled, it was a concerned smile, yet also one filled with hope. They made it through one tear in the wall and Sam survived...if he stood with his brother, he might just be able to reinforce it and make it stronger instead". Thank you so much and did I tell you how much I love the SH banner :))!!!

Author's Response: Thank you so much, you always know what was important for me. I really struggled with coming up with a title, I always do, so I'm glad that agree with this one. And yes, Chris outdid herself with all the banners, but the SH banner speaks for itself. Hugs, Vonnie