Wow, drunk Sammy is a feisty Sammy! He was so lucky to have Dean and Dave come to his rescue, he might want to remember that when he wakes up! Although he might not be so understanding about the sleeping pills, even if it was for his own good.. I feel so sorry for Dean, worrying about what that demon said as well as worrying generally about what the heck is going on. Let's hope Bobby has some ideas! Great chapter.

Author's Response: He is, isn't he? And drunk and having-his-strings-pulled Sammy is a really feisty Sammy! Sadly no, Sam won't really remember - well, he will, but not quite yet, as the anger burns that regret right out of him. Hopefully he won't get into too much more trouble before they figure out what is going on...Jules

Awesome update and one major cliffie there - Sam stuck with a homicidal maniac and Dean faced with someone who knows who they are! You don't do things by half, do you? I feel so sorry for them both with all this tension, especially as it's making them throw out really cruel words at each other :( And now, just when Dean might have an idea, Dave thinks he knows who/what they are.. This is so not good! Even in the midst of the tension though, this made me chuckle:

"Dad didn't - do something..." Giving a snort of annoyance, Dean shook his head as he came to a halt on the sidewalk. "Come on, Dean - of course he didn't. And even if he did, it would have happened right away, not two weeks later." He suddenly stiffened, glancing around, a dull flush colouring his cheeks. And I'm standing here talkin' out loud to myself like some freakin' nut job.  That's just great.

*lol* Poor Dean, it really is driving him crazy! Can't wait for the next chapter and hope you're feeling rested now after your unfortunate trip :) 

That was tied up really nicely. Love Dean's gift to Sam, especially given he owes his own amulet to his brother. Although I'm not sure Sam appreciated him almost dying to go back and get it! The whole impromptu birthday part was so sweet as well, and I really did like Dave. It's a shame his job offer was so bittersweet. I enjoyed the conversation they had although my heart was breaking for Sam - how must it be to have to wonder if your own father would have killed you? Thank goodness he has Dean is all I can say.. Speaking of which, since a friend in the US kindly got me the S2 companion for my birthday I was absolutely stunned that they had Sam die and resurrect on his birthday, thus meaning Dean died on that day one year later. That to me just seemed far too cruel :( I have really enjoyed this though and I will look forward to reading your next one when I get back from holiday, as I will already be on my way next Friday :)

Nice to come back to something good to read :) And you're welcome, I'd totally forgotten that I'd already checked this for you! Worth the second look though as it's really good, as always. Loved Sam taking care of Dean and channeling him at the bar, although I think he was too easy on the doctor. Talk about no compassion.. Off to read chapter 2!

Author's Response: Thanks hon. And yes, you had looked over it, because I was doing my usual chew my fingernails off bit over the final chapter. Ah, the doc. Well, I suppose I could have let Sam channel Dean for a little bit longer and clock him one - lol. Perhaps next time....Jules

That was so sweet - just the right amount of emotion while still being 'Winchester'. I'm so glad Dean got the chance to tell Sam the accident wasn't his fault (which it wasn't) and I did giggle at drunk Sam. Although he is going to be the one needing those painkillers in the morning! I think this line amused me most so I'm going to quote it and look forward to the final chapter:)

Wincing, Dean sat down on the armchair facing his sibling and held his hand against his injured side. He laid the bowie knife on the low coffee table within easy reach, and made a show of patting his face and chest, trying for humour to break the tension. "Yeah, this is me awake. Look - got my eyes open and everything."

Sorry I'm late to the party, but well done as always - I loved chapter 1 and felt so sorry for both boys as they struggle their way through John's death. I feel for Bobby too, wanting so much to help but having no real answer. But oh dear - Sam fainting in a store? He is so never gonna live that down, bless him!

Author's Response: That's all right, Michaela. I know you've been away in Supernatural-Land. Pity you didn't catch a glimpse of the boys, but at least you had a great time. Oh, and as for Sam's fainting - well, the poor kid's not quite done yet - lol....Jules

Well, the tension is already ratcheting up in this one and we've only just begun! I've wondered if they will address at some point the fact there are some hunters out there who are not on their side, and now you've gone ahead and done it first *g* I hope Dean finds Sam soon, and I really hope they get the better of these guys. It just doesn't seem fair that on top of having to deal with the demons etc they also get stuck being wanted by the cops and other hunters.. Poor boys...

Author's Response: Thanks so much, Michaela. Your reviews always mean so much to me. I think Kripke was asked whether there are hunters who would still come after Sam in S4, and he said no. But then again, he could change his mind. Hopefully we've seen the last of them with Gordon's death, though. Poor Sam's got enough to worry about. And Dean, too, for that matter.....Jules

Very nicely done. I loved the scene between the boys when Sam took out the final hunter, I think a lot of people miss that part about him - despite the fact he was drawn into that world reluctantly he is just as good as Dean and John. They did train him after all.. I liked how you tied it in with the episode and pulled together all the loose ends. And this bit made me grin most, cos it was just so 'Dean':

Dean rolled his eyes and resumed his slightly uneven walk to the car. "Peachy. I just got the mother of all hickeys - from a guy. I'm freakin' fantastic." His lips twisted in disgust.

"Vampires don't care what sex you are, Dean - they just want to feed."

"Oh, that makes me feel so much better."

Great job :)

That was nicely done. You portrayed Sam's grief really descriptively and I really felt for Dean, doing his best to help in whatever way he can. It's nice to have those first few days filled in, even if only fictionally :)

Author's Response: Thank you so much, Michaela. I'm glad that I could tap into Sam's grief so realistically. I really feel for Sam - I think that I understand where he's coming from most of the time. Hopefully I can keep translating that to paper and make it work...Jules

That was nicely done. I liked the parallels between the first hunt and the second, although poor Sam. He really didn't have much luck on that job! Lots of nice brotherly moments, and more amusing lines than I could count. I really enjoyed that. On a side note, it's a shame you won't be applying to be in a Zine - your writing is more than good enough and I'm sure it would have been very popular :)

Author's Response:

Thanks Michaela. And no, I won't be applying for a zine. I'm much too chicken. I have a bad enough attack of nerves just posting on my two usual sites, here and SN.tv.

There were a lot of parallels in this story - the hunt being one of them. The other one I hope wasn't too vague - the parallel between Dean and his dad, and the fact that Dean took over as the father figure in Sam's mind. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed it. It was fun to write this one, and I really needed an angst break, especially with Metamorphosis running at the same time....Jules

That was a lovely yet heartbreaking story.

Lovely because there were so many wonderful glimpses of the love and (sometimes exasperated) affection between the boys as they all-too-frequently took care of one another, and heartbreaking because you showed so vividly how much both they and their relationship have changed over the years. As always you had both boys very much in character and there was enough humour laced within the angst to make me chuckle aloud several times. The way you wove the theme of medical supplies - and their use - into the aftermath of the various episodes was masterfully done. I actually enjoyed working out in my head which one it was at the start of every new paragraph. 

I could quote a dozen lines that I enjoyed most but in the end I went with this one, as it was so very them and despite the heartbreak behind it, it made me laugh. A lot:

Dean quirked a grin, returning his attention to the first aid supplies. "And I didn't come back with piles." He plucked a smallish box from the stack in Sam's arms and flicked it onto a nearby shelf. "So unless there's something you want to tell me, I don't think we're gonna need that."

The younger Winchester blinked in confusion at the discarded tube of haemorrhoid cream. "Uh..."

"Or acne cream," Dean continued, taking another item from Sam's hands. "And I think we can do without the facial scrub - unless your skin really needs to be apricot fresh."

A blush highlighted Sam's cheekbones.

"Dude, seriously," the green-eyed hunter went on, culling a few more unnecessary supplies from the collection. "How the hell did you survive without me?"

I didn't.... Sam bit his lip. 

So true.. Thank you for sharing another terrific and well written story with us. On a final note, I agree completely about the drabble thing. I don't even read them as I find it too frustrating, and I was put out to recently discover they seem to be cropping up in another favourite fandom of mine. I really can't see the fascination *shrugs*

Anyway - great story :)