Reviewer: ziggy Signed
Date: 17/01/10 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1

You were right about needing Kleenex for this fic, from the get-go it brought a lump to my throat.

So true that Dean would have remembered Sam's birthday, putting the letter and present in Bobby's drawer so the old hunter would find it and give it to his little brother.

Perfect the present being limited edition m&m's (don't have that sort in the UK, just the yellow, brown and blue packets), something true to Dean's heart but also representing the cherry chocs he remembered his little brother eating all those years ago.  The letter did it for me, so emotional but so Dean, I totally choked up there.

Could so see Sam rereading the letter and carefully folding it and loved that it didn't get Sam crying as I expected but gave him fond memories of his big brother and allowed him to get some peaceful sleep, still clutching Dean's words.

Awesome

Sarah

Author's Response:

Hi Sarah,

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing Last Gift. It's one of my favorite stories, because, for once, the ideas flowed easily into the keyboard, and it just *felt* right.

Sue

Reviewer: ziggy Signed
Date: 20/03/09 Title: Chapter 2: Chapter 2

So I'm back here reviewing again!!!  Jules, Jules, Jules, you so love to tease and mess with our minds so looking at the right side of your banner - and by what you said last week at the start of the fic - no death fics and you love to mess with our minds, I'm going with the fact that Sam isn't dead!
What a dramatic, traumatic and seat gripping chapter that was!
So Dean was right, Ruby had a hidden agenda, she knew Sam was the key to open the seal and was going to use him and spit him out. Lilith did Sam a big favour by turning up when she did and, for once, telling him the truth.  Don’t think that she thought for a moment though that Sam would be so angry  he would destroy her.  And Ruby certainly paid the price for her betrayal, being destroyed by Sam the same way as Lilith had! How awful for Sam, realising his brother had been right and he had blindly followed and believed her.
Great battle between the angels and the demons, bitter and bloody, and totally fitting for the confrontation that could bring about the destruction of the world.
Could totally understand Sam’s unbridled rage at Lilith and Ruby and how he unleashed his powers without thinking! Thank goodness that he came to his senses in time and realised that he was about to open the gateway and set Lucifer free. 
So heartrending his anguished cry to God, thinking he wouldn’t help him, but he didn’t desert Sam in his time of need, telling him he would do this and by concentrating with everything he had, managing to reseal the gateway before Lucifer and the other demons could escape! And beautiful touch that when he collapsed his mother appeared to him and he just knew John was there but out of sight too.
Can imagine Dean’s distress at being told Sam was the key but they didn’t know which way he would go and could see why he was so desperate to get to his little brother. And his anger at not being told was understandable.  So was his anguish at finding Sam with no pulse. 
Am keeping faith that taking Sam home to burn his body has a twist and that the youngest Winchester is not dead, there’s only so much trauma a girl can take! And I do know how you just love to mess with our minds!
Have a great weekend my devilish sis!
Sarah 

Author's Response:

Hey, sis! You are back here again - are you feeling all right? LOL!

Ah, you're so sure that I'm sticking like glue to number 3 rule as well as number 2, eh? Well, we'll see, won't we?

No, I don't think Ruby thought that her little "pet" would bite the hand that fed him - guess she just didn't know Sam as well as she thought she did. 

Thanks for helping me with Dean's speech, hon. I needed it to resonate, and from the reaction we've hit the mark pretty close.

Jul

Reviewer: ziggy Signed
Date: 03/04/09 Title: Chapter 4: Chapter 4

OMG just what are you doing to our boys Jules!  They are finally back together, then you have Sam run off again!  

At least the youngest Winchester finally started to improve, though it was inevitable that he would wake up thrashing, not knowing where he was and manage to pull out the iv.  Thank goodness Dean had the experience to put it in again.

And what a relief that Grace thought to bring supplies with her, even if Sam was not yet eating, Dean needed to keep his strength up to take care of his little brother.

But why, oh why did Dean mention to Sam that they needed to talk before he went out for more supplies, prompting the youngest Winchester to panic that Dean would hate him after hearing what he had to say, and not being able to face that, doing a disappearing act again!  I guess after their previous parting and what had gone on since, Sam was sure Dean would react badly, and after having his caring brother back for a while, he just couldn’t bear to have Dean disappointed and angry with him again.  He really needed more faith in his older brother, but once bitten, twice shy.

And really felt for Dean on arriving back at Bobby’s to find Sam’s note and realising his brother has taken off again.  You could really feel his anguish in his anger.

Methinks there is more trauma to come before the boys are, hopefully, reunited again.

Great chapter sis, you are really putting the boys and us readers through the wringer!

Sarah


Author's Response:

Um.....well......*shuffles feet*..... can I blame Cookie?

Hmm, suppose not....  Yes, Sam's on the run - he's really not in a good head-space right now. And more of that will be revealed later. And yes, Sam needed to have more faith - and Dean needed to stop pushing.....and the list goes on.

Thanks, sis, for all your help with this one, despite the fact that I've given you a few sleepless nights over it - lol

Jul

Reviewer: ziggy Signed
Date: 27/04/09 Title: Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Hi sis, late to reply here as not long back from Paris yesterday and it was an experience!    And I do trust you with Sam sis, even though you are a Dean girl!   And love Chris' awesome wall of the OzCon!

So Dean turns up and saves Jo from certain death from the shape shifter, more than she really deserves for the trouble she has served up and the fact that she wants Sam’s head on a plate.    At least Jo decides to quit looking for the younger Winchester and mentions Phoenix to Dean.  Interesting though that he has not yet heard of the particular source of intel.

And interesting too that Phoenix rings Dean wanting one of Bobby’s books.  That leads me to believe that Sam is involved somehow as both Winchesters spent about the same amount of time at Bobby’s but Dean didn’t know of the book and had to search for it. Research geek Sam would know that Bobby had that book and would have probably read it, so I’m pretty sure he’s involved.  There again, knowing how you love to play with our minds I could be barking up the wrong tree, I have done it many times before, other hunters must have known of Bobby's vast libaray!  

Trust a go-between to be sent to collect the tome from Dean, not giving him any clues as to who the real Phoenix is … until he finally tracks him down (if he ever does). 

Whitesnake is an interesting character and he and Dean worked well as a team, sending the demon back to hell and not surprised that they hunt together again.

Great end to the chapter, some inner sense telling Dean to stop at that diner for breakfast and then having Sam come in, obviously a regular from the way Maybelle greeted him!  And there is no way that Dean could be wrong as he knew the voice and the profile of his little brother only too well.  And how lucky that he was driving a restored car and not the Impala :car as Sam would have recognised it immediately and turned on his heel and disappeared!

Fantastic chapter as usual Jules - does this mean that the boys will be reunited in the next chapter as they have been apart far too long?   And will we find out what Sam has been doing during those two years? 

Eagerly awaiting next Friday for answers, and probably more questions!

Sarah

Author's Response:

Thanks sis!

Ah, Phoenix - let's just say that I loved keeping you all guessing about poor, harmless, mega-geeky Alvin - LOL! And yes, I'm sure the hunters would have known about Bobby's books - and the fact that Daen had inherited them along with the property.

And you like Bill Whitesnake? Petra's been working on his backstory - I've had a peek at the journal entry, and it's pretty damned good.

And yep, at least the boys are in the same town now, although it might not go quite to plan......and yes, we are going to find out what Sam's been up to, and why he ran, and why he stayed out of sight. Lots of angst coming up!

Jules

Reviewer: ziggy Signed
Date: 08/05/09 Title: Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Oh dear, Dean not being able to hide the blood and bruises on his knuckles and the paramedics and docs putting two and two together and realising he had done the damage to Sam.  Not surprised that the doc has shooed Dean out of Sam’s room and sent him packing.  Dean doesn’t really have a leg to stand on there and he’s lucky that the police haven’t been called.

How awful for Dean to hear snippets from the nurses and realising that this is not the first time Sam has been in this hospital, and for something serious it sounds.

Typical of Dean to do a thorough search of Sam’s place when he goes back there and not surprised at his concern when he finds the heavy duty painkillers and anti-nausea tablets.  Nice touch though the pic of Dean polishing the Impala, showing how much Dean still means to Sam despite their separation.

Not surprised either that he logs into his little brother’s computer to try and gain more information.  But it proves how Sam either never expected Dean to turn up and how much Dean knows his little brother that he guessed the passwords and found the files on himself and other hunters, plus Sam’s journals.  And Dean finding Bobby’s books has now revealed that Sam was Phoenix.  Though they say you shouldn’t read someone’s private stuff in this case it is necessary as Dean has now found out about Sam’s cancer and realises that why punching and hitting him caused him to now be unconscious.

Just hope him going back to the hospital and following Blake Monroe home does not have disastrous consequences and that the doctor gives him a chance to talk and lets him know what is going on with Sam.  The odds aren’t in his favour though as Sam is his patient and has been for some time and it is Monroe's priority to protect him, plus he is already pissed off with Dean.

Again you leave us in suspense!  Typical!  Can't wait for the next instalment and more of Sam's journals letting Dean and us know what happened to him in the missing two years.

This story is certainly one to win awards!

Sarah

Author's Response:

Hi, sis!

Yes, Dean got found out - but in his defense, it wasn't all Sam's blood - most of it was his from when he clouted the industrial bin.

Glad you liked the photo - that's how Blake recognised who Dean really was, actually - he'd seen that photo when he'd come to see Sam on house-calls.

And no, Sam isn't Phoenix, sis - Alvin is Phoenix. Sam's just the puppet-master - lol. But that's explained in the next chapter.

Yes, Dean's going to bitterly regret those blows to the head - especially once he reads about the radiation therapy and how sick Sam was.

Jules

Reviewer: ziggy Signed
Date: 23/05/09 Title: Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Wow, what an epic and emotional chapter that was girls - but totally amazing. :clap  Hope my review does your update justice.

Dean's emotions and comments were spot on as he read Sam's journal, reacting to his little brother's words, but also bringing back painful memories as Sam delved into the past.

Sam's journal was fantastic, even with the radiation treatment and the meds running through his system and messing with his emotions, he laid himself bare and put down all his feelings and thoughts, letting Dean know as he read, exactly what was running through his mind during the time that their relationship was fracturing.  He also emphasised that all along he was using his mojo to defeat demons and for the right reasons and was not going darkside as Dean so obviously thought.   His anger and pain was so evident and he certainly didn't hold back there about Dean and felt betrayed as he seemed to listen to Castiel and not him but he also was angry at himself for believing Ruby more than his brother and blindly following her, only to find out at Stull that he had been wrong and Dean had been right.  If only the boys had sat down at the time and had a real heart to heart and explained all their thoughts then everything could have been avoided.  Hindsight is a wonderful thing though.  No wonder he wanted to hide behind his new persona of John Campbell and start afresh.

So telling that when Sam woke up in the hospital, totally disorientated, he immediately thought that Catherine was Ruby, come to try and finish him off but equally telling that he yelled for Dean as the sedative took him under.

Thank goodness Catherine rang Dr Monroe who realised he had been wrong and that Sam needed his brother.  Great that he was man enough to admit it.  And great too that he gave Dean the letter even though Sam was still alive so that he read Sam's apology for his wrong choices, letting Dean know that Dean was right all along.

Loved the end to this chapter and Sam's unconscious move towards his big brother's voice and hand of comfort.  Maybe they can have that much needed talk and get back to being brothers again as, boy, do both of them so need it.

Wonderful update Jules and Petra, have a fantastic weekend.



Author's Response:  Wow, Sarah, what a wonderful review, it sure does our chapter justice.

Thank you so much for such a detailed and well thought out review. You are such an integral member of this little team and your words mean the world to us. We are humbled that after all your work you still find the time to review.

Thank you for saying that you think Dean's reactions to reading Sam's journals were spot on, we really strived for this.  Dean knows his brother better than anyone - there was no way he could not see and understand the real Sam as he read, no way he could not feel everything for and with his brother.

You totally get everything we wanted to portray in your interpretation of Sam's journals, and we thank you for that. With Sam at rock bottom emotionally and physically, there was no way he wouldn't lay himself bare, and let everything just come tumbling out. Since he never intended for his journals to be read by anyone, let alone Dean, it was his way of venting.

Yes, it would have be wonderful if the boys had sat down and had a real heart to heart, but that just isn't the Winchester way is it??

We love it that you understand Sam hiding behind John Campbell was his way of coping.

Your comments about the end of our chapter are awesome, I know you have put a huge smile on Jules face with your thoughtful praise.

Thanks again, Sarah.

And yes, we had a terrific weekend!

Petra and Jules

Reviewer: ziggy Signed
Date: 05/06/09 Title: Chapter 12: Chapter 12

No worries about the two week hiatus, Jules' health is the priority (just hope you stay flu free Petra) and I know how much neither of you would want to post a chapter you were not totally happy with.

What an awesome chapter that was. Finally Dean got Sam to open up and let his emotions out but it wasn't easy , he had to push all Sam's buttons to do it. And not surprised that it brought tears  to the elder Winchesters eyes either, the past two years haven't been a walk in the park for him, though Sam did get the short end of the stick.

So Sam has told Dean almost everything - just the one big secret to go, and you can so see how he wants to just enjoy brotherly time with Dean before opening that can of worms. Just hope when he does finally come clean that Dean is understanding as the last thing Sam needs is to lose his brother again, it would just about kill him.

Perfect ending to that chapter, loved Dean's little story about the fireflies and his comment that at twenty-eight Sam still goes out like a light with a bedtime story!

Have a great weekend girls and Jules, have some of Willa's vegetable soup, take it easy and fight that flu off.

Sarah

Author's Response: Hey, sis! Alas, Jack caught the flu and gave it to Petra just days after I caught it from one of the girls at work, so she's been feeling yucky too.

Yes, Dean finally pushed Sam enough for him to tell all - well, almost all. The final secret's going to be a hard one for Sam to tell, and for Dean to deal with. Fingers crossed that they've come back far enough to each other to be able to weather the final storm. For as you say, if Dean walks out now, Sam may just not survive.

Jules & Petra

Reviewer: ziggy Signed
Date: 03/07/09 Title: Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Wow, another great chapter girls.

Loved how you had the Archangel Michael visit Dean as he stormed off after Sam's revelation, and kinda fitting he ended up in a cemetery.  And Dean was right on track insisting the Michael gave Sam the message himself rather than through a messenger. That was a stroke of genius Michael's message from God for Sam to start praying again, as to me, losing his faith played a big part in Sam being manipulated by Ruby and taking the path he did, even though his intentions were good.  

Not surprised that Sam was horrified when Michael appeared in his living room and terrified that he would smite him, but Dean would never have someone else carry out his dirty work, he's no coward.  Great twist Michael not only giving Sam back his faith but also curing his cancer permanently.  My heart was in my mouth when I read that it had started to come back again, too small to be detected by machines.

And what an ending - Bill Whitesnake turning up.   Not 100% sure but I'm guessing other hunters led him to Sam.  Surprised and intrigued as to why he has slashed Sam's wrist, something about the demon blood?  There again you could be leading us to think wrong and that Whitesnake's intentions may not be bad.  Sam would have thought long and hard before pairing Bill with his brother for hunting and Dean got on well with him but, there again, he could have been got to by other hunters.  Hedging my bets here!  Guess I will have to wait for next week's instalment to find out!

Sarah

Author's Response:

Thanks, sis.

Actually, I think we kept the Archangel bit from you as a surprise - were you surprised? LOL. We really wanted that scene with Michael and Sam - and Sam finally having an angel appearing to him to do good, not to threaten him or take his brother away. And no, Dean would have stepped in front of Sam in a heartbeat if he thought Michael had other plans.

Yep, we brough the cancer full circle, too - it's all part of the freeing process - freeing Sam to go home.

As for Bill - well.....there could be something up his sleeve apart from his arm - sort of depends what he's going to do with that knife next...

Jules & Petra

Reviewer: ziggy Signed
Date: 11/08/09 Title: Chapter 16: Chapter 16

Well, I'm on my holidays so don't know how long it will take me to get to reading parts 1 and 2 of the epilogue, but never fear I will!

Great chapter girls, so much to comment on that I hope I don't forget anything.

Loved how Sam was coming through, allowing Ginny to hug him, something John rarely allowed.  Totally Sam that he would confess all to Ginny and great that she accepted everything he said especially when he mentioned the archangel. 

Spot on how distracted Sam would be waiting to hear from Dean,  though not so much so at the library but definitely at Willa's as he was waiting for his brother's call to say he was safely home.  So Dean, not only taking a phone pic of the funky horse but also getting a replacement jelly bracelet for his little brother, making the do-over even more like before.

Perfect touch too, how neither brother slept well, each having a nightmare around the same time and both waking up regularly during the night, missing the presence of their sibling.

So glad that you had Jo arrive at Bobby's and Dean putting her straight about Sam, even telling her about the cancer, so that when she left there was no danger of her trying to hunt down the younger Winchester.

Logical that Blake would question Sam as to whether he really wanted to go home or if it was because Dean wanted it and when Sam explained things it was spot on how Blake would see Sam as someone different, not as John his patient.

Loved the scene with Sam shaving off his beard, completing the transformation from John to Sam and the commentary going through his head at the same time.

Had my heart in my mouth when Dean started skidding on the black ice, thinking Sam's nightmare might come true but, for once, luck was on his side and he and the Impala came to no harm and he managed to stop and ring Sam.

Great that both their prayers were answered with the arrival of the snowplough and that the roads Dean needed had been cleared so he could continue his journey to his little brother.

Almost perfect timing that he arrived during the early hours of the morning, coming in through the window, less than quietly as he did so long ago in Stanford  waking his little brother with his noise, prompting the same word "Dean"!  

Awesome as he gave Sam the jelly bracelet and Sam gave Dean back his skull one, everything was almost in its place, and giving Sam an almost identical watch to the one that had been destroyed was the icing on the cake!

Great end to the chapter, them finally bunking down together to get some sleep with the typical Dean comment - "I'll just bunk down with you. It's only for a few hours." Dean held up a cautionary finger. "Just three rules, dude - no hogging the blankets, no kicking - and definitely no gas."

Hope I haven't missed out anything and that I've done this chapter justice.  Off to hit the sack myself now, will catch up with the epilogue as soon as I can!  Well written girls.

Author's Response: Yay, you're here!! How AMAZING was it all being in the same room for this last post, wine glasses clinking as this epilogue threesome went up!! Just freaking AWESOME wasn't it!?!

And now this wonderful review. WOW, we are loving all your detailed comments and deep understanding -your comments are very important to us.  The fact that you have taken the time and effort to highlight all the important events of this chapter and analysed them in terms of their significance to the story and to you emotionally is simply stunning. No wonder you are such a great beta - you get this fic and you get us.

In these two words we mean everything - THANK YOU.

Petra and Jules

Reviewer: ziggy Signed
Date: 27/08/09 Title: Chapter 18: Epilogue Part 2

At last I have got around to reviewing part 2 of the epilogue! Sorry it was such a long time coming!

Perfect final instalment and Dean finally bringing Sam home.

Your writing was pure perfection, pitched perfectly, not at all mushy and totally believable. Loved how you wrote Grace stirring feelings in Sam that he hadn't felt for so long and Dean's humour over Sam's not-so-little problem was just so brotherly, still knowing how to gently tease him and get him all flustered and embarrassed before fleeing the room!

Sam's meltdown in the Impala was so believable, and his fears set against the lyrics to Desperado fit so well. And Dean, being the awesome big brother he is, just knew what was happening and how to counteract Sam's panic attack. My heart melted with the hug "Hurry up, while no one's watchin'." was so Dean but he needed that hug as much as Sam.

Perfect ending Dean allowing shotgun to choose the music and Sam making the perfect choice for both him and Dean with AC/DC's Back in Black. Yeah, Sammy is finally home.

Thank you for an amazing read, and the fact that you tied up all the loose ends, not leaving the reader wondering, was the icing on the cake. It was an honour and a privilege to beta for you both.  And thank you Jules and Chris for a fantastic two weeks and Petra for an awesome weekend.  Miss you all.

 

Sarah

Author's Response:

oops, wrong button! Here's our real response. Working on getting rid of the dud one...

No apologies needed, my friend. Doing the tourist thing around Australia for two weeks - no wonder you have only just got to the last part of our epilogue.

Thank you so very much for your terrific comments to wrap our story up. It was important for us to tie up all loose ends and reach closure for all the threads of our fic, so we are delighted that you think so too.

We are glowing with your praise, especially your "pitched perfectly" observations. We strived to balance the deep emotions with the lighter moments within the brother's relationship, and it is very satisfying when our readers notice and enjoy these aspects of our story.

We love it that we melted your heart and that our song choices resonated with you.

How can we ever thank you for everything you have contributed to the development of this story? The honour and privilege is all ours. Your skills as a beta are second to none, your patience as we fiddled with certain parts ad nauseum is much appreciated and your understanding for the time pressures we imposed upon you as we crashed and burned in real life or when our muses were on a roll is treasured. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Meeting you and getting to know you was truly a highlight of our lives.

Petra and Jules

Reviewer: ziggy Signed
Date: 03/03/10 Title: Chapter 11: Chapter 9

Interesting that they are not werewolves but witches who have changed into wolves.  Nice twist, I have not heard of Mai-cob  before.  At least the alpha female is dead but Dean is probably right that the alpha male is after them for revenge for his partner being killed.  Pity Bobby is too far away to come help and although Jenni seems determined to help and probably wants to get revenge for Greg being killed she really needs to stay at home with young Chris as he will need his mum more than ever now he only had one parent.

Author's Response: I've done tons of lore on werewolves as I like to make my stories as mythology bases as possible, but werewolves are so commonly done. When I saw the Mai-cob legend I was very excited as it gave me something new to work with in an otherwise commonly used creature. I hope that you enjoy the final chapter. Thanks for the review, Sarah.

Reviewer: ziggy Signed
Date: 17/01/10 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1

Great addition to Mystery Spot!  You really got Sam getting more and more freaked out at having watched Dean die so many times.  What an awful way to go this time, being accidentally harpooned by some woman in the Flora’s Fins and Fauna: A His and Hers Gift Shoppe!

Really well done.

Sarah

Author's Response:

Hi Sarah,

Mystery Spot is one of my favorite episodes, and when Sam dropped that tantalizing line about how many Tuesdays he'd lived through, I just had to write a couple of missing scenes.

I was looking for an unusual way for Dean to buy it, and I took the harpoon and ran with it. But, remember, he did shove Sam out of the way, first, so in that respect, it wasn't an unusual way for Dean to go, at all - protecting Sammy.