Birdie.... birdie .... birdie..... what can I say, you bowled me over!!!!! I am sorry it has taken me a while to find this - I must have missed it- don't quite know how with that amazing banner and all!

I am a little stuck for where to begin - where can I not compliment you on something, would be a far simpler review to write. Your timing, style and even construction of prose was breath taking. You sent out your grindingly dark imagery with perfectly sculpted phrasing and the construct of the piece itself. I loved how you took us through his defenses almost like the demon horde were eroding it - Dean is unprepared for the torment that waits on him... he "thought he'd known" pain and fear, but you bring both to life on the whole new scale of hurt Dean is experiencing them on. Adored;

"The top notes of his pitiful song were wrought by the sporadic jolts of cruelty that pulsed pain of even greater intensity down the hawsers, governing his obscene aerial ballet."

It just dripped tears and pain - how can you go there and take us so effortlessly with you? Equally breath stealing was;

"They showed him, over and over again, the ruination of all he held dear and when he begged for mercy they screeched their pleasure and rewarded him with images of death and wanton destruction born of his failures."

Of course his darkest fears are born out of his insecurities about what he views as his failures - I think you have that right on the money.

Now that you have stripped away Dean's resilience and unshakable stoicism and cast iron 'Game Face' - you bring this baby home with the smallest glimmer of everything that is heroic in this man. He uses the ills in his life to build on and become stronger - I was blown away by the way YOU found to express that;

"It was his waking agony and his sleeping nightmare. And yet it would become

 

his strength

 

his redemption

 

his salvation. "

Knew you wouldn't take us to the pit and abandon us there!!!! The way he fights back converting the darkness with the strength of the constant light at his very core, brought tears to my eyes. Your description of his use of his memories of his Mother and of course Sam were nothing short of genius and absolutely true to character I feel. Loved how you stacked those pillars that he his bracing his soul against together ;"Love", 'Redemption", "Salvation". all add together and form this impenetrable shield bound by one word "Sam".

You have surpassed all the high expectations I already have of you - the feel of this piece was astonishing - I read it twice and dare say will come back to it again. You have an awesome talent - what more is there to say - BRAVO Lady!!!! 

 

 

NO WAY! Dean leaving Sammy without a word?!!!! No Way!

Ok now there are two suspicious characters Jed and Dave - both almost perfectly partnered to the interests and characters of each brother. Hmmm coincidence?

Love the way you build the misunderstanding and escalate the argument on both sides. There is a very natural ebb and flow to the way you write your brotherly disagreements, and using one word to call a truce and signal ceasefire was perfect. Only the Winchesters could use "Jerk" and "Bitch" as words of comfort!!!LOL.

Many questions - need some answers!!!! Great chapter!

Wow Sammy coming out swinging - Dean must think he's in the twilight zone!

My earlier Dave weariness is dissipating a little - he sure is handy with that shot gun. Loved big brother to the rescue, even the drug him first answer questions later tactic is touching ... don't you find it amazing exactly what all you'd let those green eyes get away with?!!!LOL! But seriously, you have a really accurate feeling take on both brothers - I lean towards Dean myself and sometimes find Sam a bit challenging to write, so your work is really good research, as well as a damn good read!!!!! Great Job author, loved the action in this scene - convincing. Can't wait to see what Bobby makes of it all!

Wonderful chapter. Your inspiration for Jim must come from a very spiritual source - he is such a lovable character, and I am glad you keep him in the picture, because he does nothing but deepen it. I found the talk about heaven and hell very evocative - you give such depth to Dean.

Taking the journey with Caleb and Sam is building that relationship with stronger walls - awesome writing pulling the past and present together. Overall brilliance Ridley!!!

Loved the unearthly reunion!!!! The face off between Caleb and Rose had me guessing there - especially with all that "Auntie" "Nephew" stuff. Will that confrontation be more final for Rose next time? She is a fantastic bad-girl - but I was so itching for Caleb to fulfil his and Sam's fondest wish and rip her head off!!!!! But I more than trust your storytellers sense of direction. Looking out for the next one - always worth the wait!!!!!

Author's Response:

Tidia and I needed to keep Rose alive for one more important story; but I promise she will get all that's coming to her. ;-)

 Ridley

So glad for that Kleenex warning. This did both the M n M nation and Dean's awesome brother skills justice!!! Of course Dean would find a way to make Sam's special day, special one last time - Winchesters have this way of reaching beyond Hells boundaries don't they?!

Enjoyed the snap shot of Bobby fulfilling the Father figure role for Sam here. Think your version of the older hunter was perfect, ever practical ever watchful Bobby is the safest pair of hands to catch Sam after Dean falls.

Lastly you capture Dean's tone effortlessly, with small bittersweet brother notes - Dean having read Sam's diary, the ever present "watch out for the car" reminder, and the overall effect of that letter is just so heartwarming .... and throat choking!!!! My favorite line was your very well put;

"You brought so much light and laughter into my world, I hate to think that I took it all away from yours when I left."

Thanks for the read. Congrats on the feature!!!!

Liked this picture of the brothers day to day lives - ok so this was not a "normal day", but their coping mechanisms were interesting. Liked the role reversal - Dean blabbering and Sam being the silent one, giving Dean what he needed. The topics for discussion were very funny - typical Dean!

Author's Response: Thanks!

This was amazing work - I guess you would call this a songfic? (I am still working on the lingo somewhat.) It was not forced or flooded with flowery angst and melancholy and because of that it broke my heart that much more convincingly. When you think about Sam's situation post NRFW it is this old and desolate place, the same one you bring to life in that Kansas cemetery.

Loved the gesture of the three fallen Winchesters lying together at the end of it all - Sam deluding himself because he is not ready to face the full truth, that though the battle is lost Dean's soul is still a POW. The way Sam gives his mother her son back - by burying the amulet was one of the most touching moments for me as was his comment about Dean deserving that Angelic cavalry that never turned up.

Just all over awesome, Bambers, well written and truly moving. Thanks.

OMG - Nice twist! Very clever having Sam give the reader the fuller picture, with his take on events. This chapter had some amazing use of language, powerful, lyrical in places, loved;"brittle light, glittering in wrecked green eyes" and "clutching the wheel, like it was the only solid thing in a world turned fragile and unsteady." these and others like them just draw you in.

Sam's "handling" of his brother was just amazing - wanting to be there but waiting on Dean to direct the way and allow that ever ellusive Winchester hug. The last paragraph was so touching, Dean finally leaning on Sam, and Sam being more than up to the task.

Very SAD, BUT so very worth the read!!!!! Thank you.

No Evil cliffee - R U coming down with something????? LOL!!! Thank godness everything else is the same - great action sequences, wonderful Sammy insights and what promises to be another enjoyable ride. Nice start!!!!!

Author's Response: *holds hand to forehead*...hmm, no temperature, but I do have the sniffles...yep, must be coming down with something - ROFL! Yes, that was rather out of character for me, wasn't it? I'll try to do better next story - lol. Thanks for that - hope that you enjoy the ride - more Protective!Sam coming up....Jules

Ok Bayre is writing - what do I need? Heart medication!!!!!! OMG Woman - how I love the way you launch the reader right in there in classic horror/thriller style by twisting the familiar events - pretzel style!!!! Sam taking a swan dive ?!!!! Do I need to go back and read your previous story in this series?

Love the brotherly banter and Dean's natural ease with kids - spot on as always.

Thank goodness you and Ridley have such an organised, well planned writing routine mapped out - I would actually keel over from Brotherhood withdrawals if not!!!!!

This looks to be a gem from the outset and I am very excited about where you will take this (seemingly) time warped town.

As much as I love how you do action Tida the real satisfaction in the Brother AU is the very real way you paint the ordinary lives of these extra ordinary individuals - they are just so accessible, despite their job!!!!! Loved Joshua's choice of fake ID and that Dean picked up some "other" skills from one of his lady friends!!!!!

Any Brotherhood story is just such a treat that I have literally cleared myself some space this afternoon!!!!!

Great a fellow Brotherhood fan!!!!! Liked that you were brave enough to tackle this part of the story from Caleb and other Brotherhood members (Mac) point of view. I have been itching to see what line this would take and will be keeping up with your take. Thought Mac's response to Caleb dreaming about Dean when they thought he was dead was pretty spot on - it made me smile!

Just one thing though - I thought Caleb would be angry at Sam for keeping the fact that Dean was alive from him ? Or is it that he is sooo happy that Deuce is back that nothing else matters?

Good start. Thanks for the read.