Great story.

I ADORED this part: “Dad was gone so long I got scared he wasn’t coming back. Do you remember what you said to me, Dean?” Sam continued without waiting for a response. “You said, ‘No matter what comes through that door or what doesn’t, you and me are in this together.” The older Winchester finally turned to face him, Sam’s hazel eyes staring back with understanding and a bit of something else. Fear? “I need you in this with me.” LOVED the glimpse of their childhood, and how a very young Dean managed to make an even younger Sammy feel safe and secure. Loved Sam showing his need for his brother.

This is just wonderful! I love it! I liked how you ended the first part with the beginning of Croatoan and ended at the beginning of Hunted. Of course, I fell in love with the brother moments between those two, especially a ten-year-old Dean's line of "No matter what comes through that door or what doesn’t, you and me are in this together.” Great job as usual!

LOL... "We're not going to have to hug are we?" Totally awesome! I love a good laugh amidst the angst!