Random, but I definately preferred this the second time of reading it, I think I picked more up the second time :)

I really like the relationsip between Caleb and Sam, how complicated it is, and how pretty much all different sides of it were shown in the story.

Oh, and Eli and Ethan are awesome!

Oh Ridley, here I am - finally - at the end of this story. I am so sorry I had to bail on being one of your avid fans for awhile while I was settling into my new life in Austin. But I am now plowing my way through the Brotherhood stories to catch up and have just finished this one. I wanted to review every chapter, but I figured it was better if I just read it all first.

I thought this story was - of course - phenomenal. While I've enjoyed this season more than I expected to, it hasn't really set me afire. This story managed to remind me of why I love SN so much - and particular why your AU is the coolest thing to come from it. You know I have a soft spot for Sammy and I've always thought that the Caleb/Sam relationship was the AU's one weak point - so it means a ton to me to see that fleshed out a bit. It still kind of makes me sad that it's so hard for them to care for each other directly, but I'm glad that they're trying.

My two absolute favorite parts of this story were when Sam picked up the amulet (I gasped), and when John and Mary showed up for the meal (I cried). I want to know if Caleb is going to bring up the amulet again to Sam, and I'm super excited to read Marked Time and In Victus to find out.

A couple of quick questions:

Will any of you guys be making an appearance at the LA con in March? I've heard that it's going to be the last one.

And what are the relative ages of everyone in the Brotherhood? I'm specifically curious about how Gideon, Ethan, and Eli's ages compare to Sam, Dean, and Caleb's. I looked on the Hunter's Tomb but I couldn't find anything.

Also, is there some kind of diagram that shows the lineage of the Triad? I'm trying to understand how the progression occurred at least from Julian forward.

Okay that's all I'll say for now, but I'm starting Marked Time tomorrow and I'm super psyched! Thanks for all you do! You are amazing!

Wow, what a pleasure to read. Thank you so much for putting so much time and thought into this immensely satisfying piece of work.

Your mastery of dialogue and of the Supernatural characters shone through beautifully in this fic. Even your arguments are elegantly crafted- I think I enjoyed reading them more than I did the resolutions. Oh, and I loved it when Sam and Caleb came to blows- I don't know if I should have- but that made me feel so much better about my own life.

Another aspect of this fic that I found greatly satisfying to read was the Pastor Jim/Dean conversations. Such honesty and contentment between the two. The world would be a better place if everyone had a Pastor Jim in their lives.

Thank you, once again, for having the patience to put your creativity into an organized fic! Keep up the good work.

hey Ridley :)

I know I'm slack lol but I've finally gotten to review. I could tear this whole story apart and give you dozens of moments which i love and adore but I'm not. I'm just gonna say this story is just one of the best ones i have read. The conflict between Caleb and Sam was sensational and it had to happen, I think you wrote it brilliently even if some people didnt like some of the things that were said, as they say, truth hurts.

The whole story was one i will remember and will look forward to your next one. And oh i cant wait for the first meeting between Mackland and John, should be good hehe

Just keep writing thats all we ask

Debbie x0x

300 pages?!?!? damn! anyway, awesome chapter! absolutely phenomenal. sad, but amazing. The part where Sam and Caleb were arguing by the pond and Caleb talked about when Sam shot him. Wow...just wow. I mean, how Caleb put it- i hadnt even thought of that. as usual Ridley, this was epic.

also, that part where Caleb was remembering Duran Hughes forcing Dean to remove the protection amulet- is that in a story? If so, could you tell me the title? Thanks Rid!! :D

Great finish, Ridley! I love that you had Caleb bring up the friendly fire incident from when they were kids. I'm glad that Sam & Caleb were able to work some things out...it was heartbreaking having htem go at eachother all the time here. Understandable & necessary, but heartbreaking all the same!

I also liked Eli & Sam having their discussion.

Looking forward to the next story!

I respect the goal of this fic, to bond Caleb and Sam, and I hope they actually do get along better in the future, but I must admit that it still seems like the ultimate revelations they both come to deal with Sam's shortcomings rather than Caleb's. It's Sam who apologizes in the end (for Stanford, which kills me--the kid should not have to be forgiven for going to college), and Caleb's respect for him comes from his ability to see that Sam has changed, not that he was a good kid all along. On the other side, Sam's ability to like Caleb comes from his own recognition of his wrongs and better respecting Caleb as a "brother." I just would have liked to see Sam validated a little more all around.

Still, kudos for addressing the Sam/Caleb issue, because the tension between them is palpable in the reader response to this AU. Also, the parallel parts of the story work well in terms of the storytelling--providing adequate backdrop to show where issues stem from and the resolution of them. I do think it'd be fascinating to see Caleb in a situation where he has to choose between the boys--because it'd be crazy the issues that would bring up. Not really relevant to your big picture, but it's something I think about.

Wow! This was a beautiful, gut-wrenching piece of writing. You've brought Dean, Sam and Caleb to vivid life and you keep managing to create characters I love (Gideon, Ethan and Eli) and love to hate (Rose, Griffin). Your stories leap off the page and it's easy to get lost in them. I'm sorry I didn't read this earlier now. :D I'm off to read Marked Time but before I go, I noticed something and I wondered if an editing piece got left in by mistake? Let me know if I'm overstepping reviewer boundaries... I only mention it because it jarred me out of the story a bit.

*

“So we’re good?”

“We’re good, Runt.” Caleb stood, offering Sam a hand up. “Now that this bitchfest is over, let’s go

Is this too quick?

check on your brother.”

“I wish he’d wake up.”

*

Please keep up the fantastic work!

Sheri

What a great ending. I really enjoyed this story -especially the side of hurt Dean. Classic.

And I really enjoyed the look into the relationship between Sam and Caleb - very interesting. I'm glad they reached an understanding at this final chapter, because Dean doesn't need to be the one in the middle of those two fighting as well as the former middle-man between John and Sam.

Can't wait for the next installment - great work.

I adored it. Every single moment of it. Most of all however, I think I really appreciated this little bit of insight into Sam and Caleb...a Sam and Caleb without Dean. Which I think is a very interesting point; this story seemed to be primarily about Caleb and Sam sorting out, or attempting to sort out those 'issues,' of theirs, but it was nevertheless, a story about Dean, a story about the boys, both individually and together. Ah, I like the way our boy hardly made an appearance in what I would call 'real time,' but he was nevertheless, suffused throughout the entire piece. It was lovely.

I'm very anxious to see where you're going to go with this, you said Tidia's piece should be out by... Thursday? Oh dear, I'm very nervous. The finale made me ball my eyes out, and I daresay that Marked Time and The Beginning of the End will have me sobbing like a baby.

Thanks, you continue to leave me in awe with this little world you've made for us. It's brilliant.

I can’t believe this story has come to an end already; it makes me wish the tale could extend just a little bit longer, alas the forgiveness is the key element to this and where there is a beginning; there is an end.

I do not have much time to get deeply sucked into your story/ies. I am working, studying, or playing guitar and exercising. After a long haul in life, I have also decided to pay special visits to Church on Sunday’s. It’s probably why my reviews are belated ones.

I can see where one review is coming from when it comes to Caleb and Dean. I often feel that Sam has been portrayed as a ‘bad person’ in this, and Caleb and Dean have been portrayed as innocent people who have gone through so much. I don’t want Caleb to overrule Sam’s relationship with Dean, which I can tell is a bit of an arduous task to please everyone with. You try to make Caleb and Dean best mates, and Dean and Sam best mates, and somewhere along the lines their ties get knotted and tangled. This is not a condescending review, mainly a constructive feedback. Maybe I just don’t read through the story properly and miss out the Sam and Dean moments that they share on the show, who knows.

I am glad you brought Gideon back, if only for one chapter! It made my heart flip into a somersault. I have always liked Gideon from the beginning. I hope you continue to bring these individuals back as a spiritual means to help these three boys carry on with their journey through life and troubled times.

This has been such a great read- I will look forward to Tidia’s new multi-chapter coming up. I am patiently waiting for it. 

Your loyal fan,
Farrah (Supernaturals)

Wow this story was excellent. I loved it. I love how everything tied in at the end. I'm glad Caleb and Sam have started their friendship. I agree that they needed to go through this in order to get to a point where they can work and trust each other. The bit with the amulet, whoa. I can't wait to see how that will be brought up again. At the end it was all about family and I love that. Especially with the return to the farm. I can't wait for the other stories to come. Amazing as always!

Those vids are very good...bigger sigh...you chose Calebs face so well...very nice I have to say. This was fantastic and I can't wait to see where you guys go with it I'm getting very excited and scared as to where its gonna go but I'm sure I'll love every second of it!
On another note can't wait for the John an Mac fic...great job as always dude I bow down before your authritic greatness...ok so maybe thats not a word but I now proclaim it one...

Oh i loved this!! my favorite chapter too :)

This was an awesome ride!!
well done!!

And yeah season 4 is almost here i'm so excited!

great job with the chapter. it was a little different than what i was used to reading, what with caleb and sam being at odds through almost the whole thing, but it was a really good story and a great read. i can't wait to read the next story in the Brotherhood series. again, great job!