The operation was riviting, and I've already shared with you why I know how realistic it is, so I'll go to the other parts that got to me this time 'round.

Dean giving Sam permission in the last chapter to not do this culminating in Sam's recognition of Dean's need to say something -- only the something that Dean needed to say was The Secret and he couldn't get it out -- not because of his promise, but because of his pain, and my heart just BROKE when he said "...Sammy please don't cry."

I love how Sam knew Dean needed something and that he wasn't just hyperventaliting. And I'll ignore the cliffie because there's another chapter. :) Hee.

E -- you have outdone yourself. It is so evident that your heart and soul were poured into this chapter. I was sucked in once again almost immediately.

Having sat next to my husband through several medical proceedures, I had no problem with that scene -- what I LOVED about it was Sam's diversionary method of recalling the past when he was 12.

I also loved the Dean going into shock moment. My heart literally stops every time I read that. The way you intersperse Dean's thought process and the conversation happening around him... riviting.

And the MJ, nice touch. And realistic. :)

I am so looking forward to the epilogue -- if possible, my favorite chapter.

So there are some writers that you keep their books on your shelf and some you keep on your nightstand. The difference? How often you want to re-read the stories.

You're a nightstand writer, man. The first time you experience this story is a slow build through a relationship that we all *think* we know... we all see in different ways. And seeing them through your eyes is fantastic.

Then once you know the story, there are certain parts you just want to re-read to experience the intensity conveyed through your careful, simple use of words.

Thank you for sharing your talent. Please don't ever stop writing. I mean that. Don't ever stop.

Okay, I was gonna wait until I got to the last chapter you posted to review, but I had to stop here and say AWESOME toast. Very LOTR's... and Mara -- very creepy.

You're right. This is right up my alley. I read on...

Man, my head feels like a pretzel. Good job! I like how you're twisting up the banshee lore to not only foretell Dean's death, but totally screw with his mind. You are stripping him down... and I look forward to seeing how you put him back together.

Author's Response: hey girl, thanks for reading!! hopefully i'm toturing poor Dean enough for you...glad you liked the toast!! LOTRs very cool! well, hope you enjoy the rest!! thanks again, bambers;)

So I just got a chance to look you up on this site and I see that you are a poet! How wonderful. I couldn't write a poem to save my life. I thought the one you inserted into your bio was incredibly sad -- but moving, and rather thought-provoking as well.

This one, though, is very touching. I think that it's not just one Winchester, and it's not just one time in their lives. I think it could be John, Dean, or Sam, and that it could be a prayer of sorts that drifts through their minds when their lives turn dark.

Thanks so much for posting. I'm off to explore your others...

GS

OH, I love your word-play with Immanuel and Dean. I actually gasped when Dean saw the scars on the backs of his hands... I had tears in my eyes thinking about Dean actually having a conversation with Jesus... just not knowing it. I especially liked the line from Immanuel about his father's requests "...the last one really killed me, but it all worked out okay..."

I hope that the season finale doesn't let us down -- I hope Dean is able to save his brother and find his redemption in that act. But until then, I thank you for writing such a movie, yet funny, piece.

This was fantastic. I honestly never really thought about the specific little things that Dean would know about Sam -- as I read, I started thinking of how easy it's been for me to take for granted what I know of my husband (the one I spend the most time with).

I thought about all those little things you mentioned that Dean knows about Sam and thought... have I noticed those? Could I detail them like this? I read your paragraphs and actually found myself falling harder for Dean that he did notice.

And then... you come to the end... to the end and to Dean's thoughts about Sam praying. I remember that look on Dean's face when Sam said he prayed every night. And I thought I knew where you were going... I thought you were going to have Dean wonder how he hadn't noticed, when he noticed everything else.

But where you went with this gutted me -- Dean thinking that Sam's faith in a higher power means that he doesn't have faith in Dean to save him... *heartbreaks*

Because you're right -- Sam does have the one thing that Dean doesn't have: a big brother who would die for him. *sniff*

Well done.

I hope you can read this review because I can barely see to type it. It's hard to see font this small through tears like this. It's hard to see at all through tears like this.

Thru Terrys Eyes recommended that I check out these one-shots and I have to tell her thank you because the were fantastic. Moving, real, fundamental... you made the boys seem like people you encounter every day -- not characters on a TV show.

There was nothing unreal about any of the illustrated fundamental truths you showed us through Sam's eyes. Even the hunt of the jinjin felt like something people just do every day.

And the recount of the end of Devil's Trap... the way it played through Sam's eyes in this story was so moving and heartbreaking and... I have goosebumps just thinking about it.

Thanks for writing.

Oooo -- interesting twist. Freaky Pete was after Sam the whole time, huh? And he's torturing an already wounded Dean to get him...

So then what happens?? :)

Hmmm... interesting take -- liked the depth with the demon back-story and apparent focus on Sam. And now Sam's trying to reach out... connect to someone. Would be interesting if it were Dean.

Author's Response:

I wrote this in July, so the demon army story was a delirious of my mind....now it´s true..........

Thank you sweety for your review, you always light my day. 

God, Tree. Warn a girl.

This was wonderful -- I love how controlled you write at the beginning. It was tight and wound just like Dean as he headed for the store and the 12-pack... And then as the beer took down the wall brick by brick your writing became looser, almost desperate.

I was captivated with the voices in his head as he blasted away the bottles. And my heart broke a little when Dean wondered if that one shot took away what innocence Sam had left.

Okay, so maybe sleep is highly overrated if this is what comes from insomnia.