Yes, spot on.  Dean's a hunter but he's also more than just his daddy's blunt instrument.  He's complex, and the past few years we've been led to believe that he can perceive the rare good in evil beings, the occasional gray within the mass of black and white - and differentiate between the two.  That's what made his actions against the Kitsune so shocking.  But you're right, at the base of it all he's a pure hunter who's first instinct is to take down the monster before it kills again, especially if it means he's ultimately protecting his brother from learning that Sam's merciful approach has only led to the death of a future innocent. And I agree with your end notes.  Dean's actions reflect the manner of someone at the end of his rope.  The betrayals (Cas), the heart break (Lisa & Ben), the seemingly endless run of bad luck (Sam) - Dean's lost all hope.  There is no light at the end of the tunnel.  There must be no respite for the wicked. There's only black and white.  

Author's Response:

Oh, your comments are spot on! Dean is so complex and while he wanted to believe in good and that people could change, recent history has shown him that is false hope.

I think Cas and Lenore both play into his decision.  John would have done the deed and not agonized about it.  Dean will do the deed and then feel guilt and remorse, even though he knows it is the right thing to do.

Dean was raised to only see black and white, to hate evil and he did. Sam showed him a gentler way and he tried, he wanted to believe and yet, what happened?  Nothing good.

Dean is cracking, he is holding firm to the one thing he's always had to believe in, you kill evil.  Everything else has disappointed him and caused more death.

He is back to black and white.  I only hope he again can someday see the gray and find hope again.  He needs help.  I hope he finds it.

Thanks for the wonderful discussion. I love looking beyond the actions to the root cause of why he believes as he does.

Later, B.J.

Splendid story. Never guessed it was a hobgoblin but it all made sense that Dean could see him and Bobby and Sam couldn't.   So pleased that DEan got to do what he does best in the end - hunt that sucker down, outwit him and send him packing.  And even better that Boby and Sam had no clue.  Very satisfying tale, Thank you.

Author's Response:

I love me some smart Dean, so I tend do use that side of him as often as I can. Glad you liked it :))))

 Thank you!

Oh yeah.  This has got huge potential.  Can't wait for more.  Already added to my favourites.  Cheers.

Author's Response: Thank you, hope you enjoy now I've posted the whole story :)

Very satisfying tale, well told.  The awful tragedy of Sam's very reasonable desires for a life outside of hunting clashing with Dean's understandable fears of losing Sam has always fascinated.  Such an impossible situation and your tale expresses that heartache eloquently.  Please write more mutli-chapters, particularly pre-series.  It has huge potential for the angst and reckless behaviour you write so well. Cheers.

Author's Response:

Diana,

I think I can accommodate your request for more pre-series. I have one now that I'm working on... as well as a shorter S7 story. I hope you might enjoy them as well.

Thanks again for taking the time to read and review. I wish you the best for the upcoming new year!

Tree

It's cool we could choose either brother 'cos it really works well with either in the hot seat.  Liked it a lot.  Cheers.

You haven't lost your touch.  That was good.  I especially liked your take on Lisa and her perspective. Lisa strikes me as an intelligent as well ask caring individual and I've often wondered if, after her experience with the Changelings and her brief reintroduction with Dean, she didn't look into the supernatural world.  Ben was bound to be curious and perhaps Lisa also wanted answers to questions.  I wonder then too, if that might have influenced her relationship with Dean.  Just idle thoughts.   Please keep writing, though.  Cheers.

Author's Response:

Wow! Thank you, I was not expecting a response and it kind of made my day seeing yours!

That's a really interesting and totally plausible idea - who wouldn't be curious if something like that touched their life? It could well have prepared Lisa for that year's experience with Dean.

It is my 2012 resolution to come back to writing, so you may well be subjected to more of my scribbles!! :) Can't thank you enough for taking the time to review though - what a great welcome back!

Abi.