Hi, Susan, and a belated welcome to the site. Sorry that I've been so very tardy to respond - I'm not usually this bad. But real life has had me by the throat over the last six to eight months. So I'm taking advantage of my Christmas holidays to catch up.

Thank you! I'm chuffed that you loved this slice of Dean's thoughts. I wanted him to sit down and have a good hard think about both himself and Sam. I've never pandered to the whole 'Sam's to blame' or 'it's Dean's fault' thing - I've seen faults and lies from both brothers, and it all contributed to allowing the angels and demons to drive that final wedge between them during season four. 

I've cried at the screen "oh, Sam, don't do it!" or "oh, Dean, you should not have said that!" numerous times. And I think in his most private thoughts, Dean would admit that it wasn't always Sam who lied. Dean's done his fair share, as has John, and Mary. Actually, it started with Mary, and the hunter life she led, which she felt to protect 'civilian' John from. 

I think that has been the underlying motivation for all the untruths - the reasoning that the liar is doing it to protect his or her family. But it's always backfired, no matter how good or noble the intention. 

Again, thank you so much for your review, and I'm so glad you loved the story. 

Jules