After all that "hey I remember this" chatter, I had a near panic attack when you shot Jim. I literally said "no friggin' WAY she just killed him"... thank GOD.

I enjoyed this one, Tree. I liked that Sam had his own struggle (even though he pretty much lost everyone he was with), I really liked Dean's having to remember who he was. I can't imagine how freaky that might have been to not remember anything and then to have WINCHESTER memories... gah. Talk about the things nightmares are made of.

I liked that Jim was a 'Nam Vet. It gave him layers and character more involved than just being a retiree who wanted to live the life of a fisherman.

I liked that Dean was made to memorize all the stuff about the demons -- and that he was the one to direct Sam to where to find the passage that would help them defeat the demon.

I wish we would have been able to see that big show down -- that would have been cool. But you ended it with humor, and that was a nice touch.

I'm glad I re-stumbled on this one. Thanks for writing.

I'm intrigued. Ready for more. And I like that Dean is Gordon's prey rather than Sam -- which is where it appears the show is taking us soon (but not soon enough, damn hiatus!)...

Looking forward to the next part.

PS -- What does the blue ribbon next to the title on the main page indicate?

Loved this:
"Paybacks a bitch, but she's also one of my best friends..." HA!

This is great -- looking forward to more.

Hey -- okay, I thought about your story when Gordon appeared onscreen last night and instantly thought 'Oh! I don't know how she ended it!'....

 I kinda wish Sam really had killed him -- but I get why you didn't do it. Because that would cross a line that I don't think Sam can cross yet. Dean has. Would again in a heartbeat for his brother. To save him. But I think that it's a bigger question for Sam...it's a question of his salvation, regardless of his reasons.

You had some clever lines in here. I especially liked the Jack Daniels chaser after the shower comment.

Congrats on your 2nd completed story. I'll certainly come back for more!

That's it, isn't it? It's not physical pain that would defeat our Dean. It's not being able to do his job, keep his promise, keep his family safe. Sigh. *hugs Dean*.

Thanks for writing.

I read this when it was submitted for a sensue award, but haven't had a chance to review. So nicely written -- flows well, emotional, just very well done.

Thanks for sharing.

My eyes are burning.

Okay, have you ever seen the movie "The Butterfly Effect?" Totally inside out, twisted up movie... plays with your head, and I really loved it. That's what this story is reminding me of.

First, Bethany is bad news -- not saying she's evil or a demon, exactly, but she is a common demoninator in our boys' lives and I don't trust her.

Second, this Dean simply broke me. Not just because of what he had survived, but the idea of running away at 7 (SEVEN) to get to his brother. And being lost in the system... it just breaks my heart how real that is in this world. I mean, not demonic foster fathers, but being moved around, unwanted children, abuse... gah, I'm so gonna cry right now.

I need to go give my baby a hug after I finish this.

This is so great -- I have to review fast because I have to finish this before 5 and I have to leave...

But the witch and the coven and the Dreamwalker stuff?? FANTASTIC! I'm totally digging it. And when she was explaining the whole experiment and Sam being lost in his own dreams I actually said out loud "SEND DEAN IN!!"

LOVE it...

*STANDS AND APPLAUDS LOUDLY*

Dude -- you wrote your own Djinn episode... only reversed... and with the people in the dream world convincing Sam to leave instead of stay. Just like it only different!

When John showed up I almost couldn't swallow past the lump in my throat. That was beautiful. And Missouri's comment about with a face like Dean's he'd never be alone -- LOVE!

And I knew -- knew -- that you were going to have John be real. I wanted him to have been real so bad and it's just your style, lady. You just... you get it. You really do.

And it was a "happy" ending -- Dean flirting with the non-nursy-witch... yet... his scars just dug a bit deeper, putting his knowledge of what Sam subconsciously blamed him for in that box inside his head with Roosevelt Asylum...

OH, so good. Man I read that fast. I'm spinning.

Okay, off to get the bambino and give her kisses.

Thanks for a fantastic read!!

Heh. Okay then, I don't feel so evil for the chuckle or two. Or the giggle. I like Mercer. Good doc, that. And I kinda don't really believe they'll go to a real clinic until Dean's on death's door and Sam has to drag his ass there... and though they exchanged glances at the word "stress", Mercer DID say injury as in previous as in werewolf as in WE NEED MORE OF HIS MEMORY... and, btw? Dig that he talks in his sleep.

Lovin' this story. Lovin' that I have no friggin' clue where you're going. You just tell your reader's to buckle up and hang on, and we're here for the ride.

I knew it! When you said that you couldn't believe people hadn't figured it out, I took that as a challenge and re-read 1-6... and I just knew that John had done something to Dean. I wasn't sure if it was to save him or accidentally, but I knew that it was more than that werewolf. This is great -- just GREAT!

I laughed out loud when Dean scared Sam bad enough that he actually tossed the cell phone away from him. Still chuckling about that.

And this realization on Sam's part:

>>"The fact that he still managed to function with his psyche constantly at war with the man he had become and the lonely, frightened child, desperate for approval, that lurked just under the surface gave Sam with a hollow ache and filled him with fear on Dean’s behalf."

This is something I wish Sam would realize on the show. Realize how this life has really screwed his brother up.

Also, want to say that I really like your Caleb -- there have been many versions of him throughout the fandom, but yours rings true to me so far. I hope that's him calling back to find out where they are, because someone is going to have to help Sam help Dean...

*Eagerly awaits more*

Oh thank God for your end note -- as the scroll bar (which I paid attention to this time) krept closer to the bottom I was like "this CAN'T be it... what happened with the werewolf? the hunt? the shooting? CALEB?"

Thanks for giving us a taste instead of making us wait. Whew. And I'm going to wait for the boys to come on now with the image of Dean with his head on Sam's leg... whimper. Poor, poor boys.

Oh, and to your point about taking yourself seriously? Good for you. Laugh and the world laughs with you...cry, and your mascara runs. ;)

Author's Response: I know. I hated doing that but I hated rushing the end to get it posted more. Everyone likes the leg thing. Me too.