I was wondering how the "ice was going to figure in this! Nice touch with the mirror. Also clever how you worked the salt in there. Nice job!

Author's Response:

Writers always think they're being clever but the real feather in my cap is when a reader thinks that's the case...........!!!

Thank you so much,Abi, for the sweet compliments  ... I'm so happy that you enjoyed it!!      :0) jude

Sleepy Dean... Shivering Dean...Silent Dean....PASSING OUT DEAN?!!!!! I love the way you toy with him (and us!). Liked your "extra's" also, they set the scene and atmosphere well - comic book guy made me laugh.

By the way your authors notes make me chuckle as much as some of your one-liners!!!!

Every time I read something you have written, I get to feeling like a kid in a sweet shop... so many insightful, touching, funny, heartbreaking and downright HOT lines catch my eye, it's tough to know what to congratulate you on first!!!! Oh well- here goes, cavities be damned!!!!

For me it goes without saying (though I will as you deserve to hear it!!!) that you are a hugely talented writer, who just gets better tale after tale. But I wanted to congratulate you on how brave you were here, experimenting with your style and form. What I liked the most about this fic, was the way it made me think. I felt as if we were allowed to "swim" upwards through the levels of Deans well constructed armour. The first (ahem *smiles shamelessly) scene with Dean's encounter with the red head, is the most intimate look at Dean. Sammy believes he knows Dean's MO in this area, but he is way off. Deans actual motivation for his particular form of stress relief is far more touching and tragic.... "he craved the climb and yearned for the fall… he had to remind himself that he was still real, he still mattered as a person..."

Liked the way Dean keeps offering the girl an out if she needs it - he will not take what he needs at any cost. The way you write such incredibly hot scenes with just the right amount of feeling and tenderness in your characters is what makes them tasteful.

The second part highlights the post Deal tensions between the brothers. This section of Dean's armour is familiar to both us and Sam. Dean holds Sam just far enough away to protect him. Loved that Dean had a "protective grin" in his arsenal!! Deans masks help give both brothers something to hang on to.

And the last part is what the rest of the world sees - Dean in full cocky hunter mode. "You may have super strength, you sonuvabitch," Dean panted,... "But you're still in a human body."...  "And I know a thing or two about how easily human's break."

It's amazing how thinly that mask is stretched when Sam is threatened. And although your ending is dramatic it balances the rest perfectly.

Thank you for sharing your stories, you make it look effortless.

Didn't see that one coming!!!!! And here I was getting ready to close the curtains!!!!!! Devious .... ;-)

Powerfully finished. Love the way Dean sees crying and expressing emotions as normal, healthty releases - for Sam! Your portrayal of Dean breaking was so well written "sobs that felt as if they would rip his throat out as easily as any warewolf or vampire could" - it's almost as if he sees showing his emotions to be as dangerous as hunting. And my favorite; "he was tearing off pieces of his heart and soul... offering them to the one person he could ever trust with them" - awesome stuff!!!

Your AU has me wishing just one thing... IF ONLY. You always feel Deans childhood had to be that hard going to produce such a self sacrificing individual, he grew up way too fast and it often seem that he has traded everything to give Sam a taste of normality (by Winchester definition!). Really like the relationship you have set up between Damien and the Deuce, it's nice to see someone looking out for Dean. The way you show Caleb to be the influence for Dean's later tastes and attitudes (wrestling girls in church barns and the rules of musical conduct on the road- for example) is clever. Your Brotherhood series is original and your writing style is entertaining. Thank you for the read!

Liked this insight of John in his father role, it kind of gets overshadowed by his role as a hunter. Especially liked the image Ellen remembers on the night Sam left for college.

Author's Response: I'm glad you liked it and I know what you mean it always seems he's a hunter first and then a father.

It's a good thing that Dean's in this chapter so briefly I think the gentle, broken way you describe him might just make me cry!!!! Your empathy with the boys as they face Deans declining health is touching.

As for your portrayal of Action Sammy - I am impressed. His motivation, his will and driving force  to come through for Dean, is everywhere in this chapter. From the fact that he is being sustained by a packet of oatmeal cookies to what he endures taking on Sidley.

"The needles in his crotch, now those are above and beyond the call of duty. Except that really, they aren’t. How much is too much when your brother has sold his soul for you? " (LOL!!)

The desperation, determination and humor with which you write Sam is truly inspired. Your story continues to rock!

I love that poem, it brought tears to my eyes. As I read on I only got to feeling worse, only writing as good as yours could make me feel so damn bad!!!! *Smiles* I am a huge fan of Damien and the Deuce, the way you characterise their relationship makes me wish that it wasn't an AU but in-fact cannon! The brilliant part is that their bond takes nothing away from the Sam and Dean link, if anything it is a fantastic way to see exactly how much Dean cares for his brother and how fiercely loyal and loving he is, behind his closed doors. You style of writing is both funny and sharp, and I am going to be hanging out every week to see where this goes.

If I have thought it once I have thought it a thousand times..... a week is too LONG!!!!  Fantastic chapter. I like the way you throw in hints of Ian's involvement and plotting with Porter, maybe part of Porter's approval of Sam in the future? Joshua shows a more sensitive side, his growing admiration of the boys skills as hunters and his comment about Dean carrying on Caleb's memory - with his smart mouth!!!

The winding road to hope for Dean is really well plotted, and it is with a sense of desperation that Dean follows it. Sam's skills as a future scholar are displayed well here, even to the point of Dean hoping he could be a little less analytical.

 The way you reveal the other characters in the community - Esme and Mac, John and Bobby, is also interesting and provides depth. Mackland gaining a personal insight into the loss he has up to now, only witnessed in other parents during his professional dealings, was skillfully portrayed. The fact that he was so open with Esme, does make me smile faintly at the thought of Caleb and Josh dealing with the possible outcome?!!!

If I have ranted on like an obsessive fan, I am afraid that is what you and Tida have reduced me too, but boy am I enjoying the fall! Wonderful update in an inspired story!

Really enjoyed the trip down memory lane.  I am following To The Victor, and gather that Dean drops the bomb about his deal, so this relaxed almost bittersweet time becomes more touching. Every one's trying to avoid thinking about it as Deans last Christmas.

Loved "Esme, please tell me we are rich."!!!!! Great warm holiday glow.

Wow, thank you Tida, that really lit the warm fuzzies for me!!! I smiled the whole way through, from Caleb and Mac's father son exchange, to "action Mac" and Esme!!!! The action and adventure of the Brotherhood AU is compelling, but the truly spellbinding stuff is the boys day to day lives. The fact that these ordinary (beautifully made!!!) guys with great skill and courage, face off against the dark, because this life chose them is what makes Ridley's (and your) work an unmissable read.

Can't wait for Saturday, your Epilogue and Ridley's next chapter... booked the computer time!!!

Wow really, really abrupt and if I didn't know a little about the highlander series, I might be a little concerned.... as it happens I am just going to enjoy your action sequence instead. Nice start, liked the way you tie in the series, and the boys trying to avert innocents suffering because of Gung-Ho Gordon.