Okay, I have to review here too, not just because it is a brilliant story, but because I forgot to say I hate you.  Yeah, that's right...so you wrote this in five minutes on your lunch break and I toil for days and come up with bumkus?  Life is certainly not fair.  

Oh, and I also love how you have Michael practicing his smile in the mirror, that mirrors Lucifer's scene with Sam where he is looking in the mirror sparring with Sam.

So, well done...exceptionally well done.  And I forgive you, for the five minute thing, 'cause you're an awesome person.

Later, B.J.

Lovely! It is nice to think that John had these moments, times when he focused on his children and realized what was happening to them.

I really liked the line about the freckles on his nose being the only trace of Dean's childhood.  Nice.

Thanks, B.J.

Totally heartbreaking, but real.  And also expected and not, which is really good.

He is still there, still in Hell, at least in his head. It's not where his soul really is, his soul is here, safe with me.

This line stood out for me, most especially the part about his soul being safe with Dean.  It is so true and why Dean never would have left Sam's soul in Hell. He saved him, even if the wall cracks and Sam cracks.

I've often thought about One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in relation to the boys and what they would do for each other.  As tragic and sad as it would be, I know that Dean would save Sam from a living death or eternal torment locked in his head.

To think Dean would follow him is disturbing but again real.  They are that intertwined and the love is that great. Yeah, this story gets you thinking about all kinds of scenarios for our boys and so many of them are not good.  The good part is they are there for each other, through it all.

Great story.  You really took it it a fresh direction. - B.J.

Awesome story, Jules! I simply cannot get enough of caring Dean touching his brother in all those big brother ways, just holding on and refusing to let go.  Offering his encouragement in bursts of fierce protectiveness and gentle support.

Sam and his guilt, well...it proves Sammy's back. And his flashbacks were agonizing to witness.  Hell truly is hell for our boys.

I love Bobby and his sage wisdom, how the rift is still there trembling around the edges but he is also there for Sam.  And he is so wise!   For Winchesters it certainly would be easier to just give up and die, but they are made of sturdy stuff.

But Sam needs to learn to pick and choose his fights because trouble will always seek them out.  I love Bobby offering him a little hope and another approach.

Loved Dean working out his frustrations and fears on the firewood and then him silently listening and hoping that Bobby could reach Sam and together they could get him to stop kicking at that wall.

So much yummy Winchester goodness in here, I'm sure I'm missing something that struck me as so real and insightful. Lovely story, and quite the fitting finale to our little challenge.  Yep, I just finished reading all the wonderful tags.

Thanks again for the challenge, it was fun and revealing, seeing how each of the writers chose to approach their story. 

Oh, and great title and so fitting for our Winchesters, different and yet the same!

Later, B.J.

So bleak, so depressing...so possible and real!  This is why Dean is scared to death, why he hovers over Sam pleading with him to leave the wall alone.

I think Dean sees Sam, knows what's in his head.  No one else could, no one else but Dean has been to Hell and back.

I think Dean visits, comforts and if anyone can break thru and take Sammy home, it will be Dean...his brother, his protector, his savior.

Wonderful stuff, you really got me feeling and thinking.  Thanks, B.J.

Oh, yes...I really liked!  And it is so Sam, exactly what Dean is afraid of.  Sam always wants to do right, wants to right the wrongs he feels responsible for.  It is especially terrifying that a part of him wants to walk away from that wall, run to Dean and the safety of big brother.

But we know Sam, he is inquisitive and a part of him will keep chipping away at that wall.  It's in his nature.  I only hope either Dean can distract him from his need or else Sam can somehow overcome the guilt and terror from when that wall collapses.

You took me on a journey inside Sam's mind and it was both fascinating and terrifying.

Thanks, B.J.

I liked it!  And pretty hard to set the scene and then pursue the hunt in a 1000 words.  Well done!

I love that Sam knew the skeleton wasn't Monroes from the length of his bones.  Always observant, our Sammy!

Really creepy to have two bodies buried in the basement, but then that is one creepy old mansion.

Later, B.J.

Seriously, Vonnie...like?  I freaking loved this!  It was so awesome, all the emotion, all the truths, all the insight into all our Winchesters! You rocked this tag!

There were so many lines that stood out, I'd be here all night trying to pick out my favs.  Just know that it gripped me and pulled me through their turmoil.  And you perfectly realized the anguish each one felt, and how the overriding concern was always for the others, how they were feeling, how they would cope with the fallout of another Winchester tragedy.

Oh, and I love how you brought in so many past elements and yet kept true to the purpose of your story.  It was especially effective having Sam go all the way back to where he should have died in the nursery instead of his mom.

Truly heartbreaking and yet the resolution was uplifting.  Bobby forgives, just like Dean does, and just like Sam needs to do for himself.

Truly spectacular!  Thanks for the closure, B.J.

“I’m just trying to say that we all live in our own personal hell. So maybe your brother is right. The least we can do is not carry any more baggage than need be. I ain’t sayin’ it’s easy and maybe it’s even harder on the forgiven than the forgiver, but maybe that’s what those evil bastards want too- just one more way to drive us apart. Or drive us stark raving…”

Bobby is always such a wise old soul, and he is totally right. And with the Winchesters, I think it is definitely harder to be on the receiving end of forgiveness.  They are always hardest on themselves, beating themselves up for what they did and what they should have done.

Dean is the most amazing character ever and yes, I'm with you, his speech stuck with me.  I've always loved that he does what we all strive to do, he cares for his family above all else. And what's truly amazing is he doesn't even see the sacrifice in it.  He truly wants to care for them.

I loved this, how Sam frets over it all, how Dean dismisses it as nothing, and how Bobby puts it all into perspective in his indubitably smart and sassy way.  You hit all of them spot on and gave further closure to a compelling episode.

I think the only character who lost out here, was Rufus.  He was obviously friends with Bobby...family.  And yet he refused to offer himself and Bobby the greatest gift, the simple act of forgiveness.  That's truly sad.

But Bobby has the Winchesters and they all have each other, and that truly is all that really matters.

Wonderful read, Tree!  Let's hope the muse stays close.  We're all gonna need something to keep us occupied over the long drought of summer!

I think you perfectly captured Dean's ambivalence toward meeting up with Sam again.  He longed for the warmth and closeness and yet he feared the distance and coldness.  He put on a brave face, but it was heartbreaking when Sam insisted on going back to be there for his interview.

I think Dean wanted to ask him not to, instead he played it cool, like he was fine with traveling that road alone.  Sadly, Jessica's death gave him what he wanted.

Awesome job! - B.J.

Perfection!

If I said any more it would only detract from your words.

Thank you!