I like this! There are fics out there about Dean going back and changing things, but...most of them seem ever so slightly OOC. THIS, on the other hand, feels very Dean-ish to me. He's someone who tries to live with no regrets but has some anyways...but, being stubborn, he's only willing to go back and start over when it's really the only option left to him.

BUT what I especially liked was looking at everyone's perspective of where things went wrong-Cas thinking it was not accepting prophecy and Sam tracing things all the way back to beginning, while Dean went for the point where things could most easily be changed.

I actually liked the ending. You gave us a logical story and an ending where everyone is at some kind of peace. thanks

interesting premise...I think with what Dean knows now that he would make the decision you had him make in the story...no deal again...great job

I like it. Can't wait to see what you do in the next part. Have often thought about this myself. :D

Nice one. :)

Catching up on my reading (wow, am I behind, lol.) Loved this fic, hon. Terrific job describing Dean's state of mind and interweaving Death's lesson. But poor Dean- both scenarios are so bleak! My heart just aches for him.

Looking forward to the second part- I'm intrigued by what's coming up next...

Actually I've imagined this scenerio myself as one of the perfect ways to end the series...A lesson learned (except perhaps with Dean taking what is behind door number 2 and still chosing not to live without his brother but not chosing to bring him back).

Even if Jake still opens the gate,while bad, it wouldn't be the end of the world.

Oh a new story from you! I was just wondering the other day if there'd been any new stories from you. Yay!

But oh so bleak! ( Wonderfully written and makes a scary amount of sense. I was sad to see Cas die, but at the same time felt some vindication considering his actions this season. Love, love, love the tie back to how by not having Dean say yes to Micheal and thus not fulfilling the prophecy made way for the Mother-of-All's escape.

This was the best part for me:

"What the hell, Dean. How do you figure that?" Anger tinged his voice. "For not saying yes to Michael? You heard Cas. He stopped you. And I stopped you, and Bobby stopped you. We were the ones who turned out to be wrong."

"You thought it was the right thing to do," Dean said, giving absolution to Sam and the others. "But, no, not for that. It all goes back to that damn deal, Sam. Without that, the first seal never breaks and the dominoes never start falling." He bowed his head, grief etched into every line of his face. "In the end, I let everyone down."

Sam was across the room in two strides, grabbing his brother by the shoulders and giving Dean a slight shake. "The hell you did! Why stop at the deal, Dean? How about my stupidity at leaving a knife next to a declared enemy? Or my not taking Jake out to begin with? Or Dad's deal? Or Mom's deal?" Sam growled. "Oh, and let's not forget Dad's and my working so hard all through your life to make sure you thought that your only purpose in life was to take care of us."

Sam brushed a hand tiredly through locks that were too long even by his standards. "I had a whole year to stop listening to my ego and need for revenge—and a damn demon bitch—and the last seal would never have been broken." He stared at Dean and the older man could practically feel his brother willing him to agree. "This isn't all on you, Dean. Each of us bears responsibility.

If only Sam would acknowledge this! If only Dean could understand how important he is! *sighs*

I wasn't expecting to be taken back to when Sam was first killed by Jake, before Dean made the deal. Nice twist! *sniffles* Poor Dean having to go on without Sam. I look forward to the coda!

And please, please, please write more in general if you can! Your stories are highly missed.

Wow! I repeat, Wow! I always look forward to your stories, but this is something special in my estimation. First of all, the title is fabulous, because if this really was a test of what Dean would do with future knowledge, I believe he would "pass" his exam as he has in this.

What a powerful story. My heart ached for Dean with Cas' words - how they should have let Dean fulfill the prophesy as the Righteous Man - and that he could no longer help them. And my heart broke when Dean lost everyone whom he had loved. Guh! (You know, it's not easy to read through tears)

I just love that you have written this because I have thought about this scenario often during the seasons since Dean's deal. What if? Just to show you how crazy I am, when I re-watch "AHBL-1" I always yell to Sam to pick up the knife. :( Dean always thinks about everyone else - except this one time when he couldn't contain his grief at losing Sam. Love how you have Death show Dean what would come because of his inability to soldier on without Sam - and that this "view" became our subsequent seasons. Well done!

I did laugh at the "do-over" line, and yeah, he is seven, which endears him to us even more. I'm looking forward to the coda, because I am a glutton for punishment and love your ideas. ;) Thanks for sharing this with us. Until next time...

I'm not usually a fan of the bleak stories but I kinda like this one, I thought that everyone was very much in character. I for one would be very interested in reading the coda. I know, no happy ending but I'm hoping for one not so sad!

Bleak, yes, but very nicely done. It's interesting to wonder how things would have changed had one thing been different. I always wonder what would have happened if Sam had shot John when he had the YED in him in Devil's Trap!

I like the idea that Dean could actually walk away and NOT make the deal for Sam. Knowing Dean, he'd convince himself, "It'll be different this time," and still do it! But I do like the idea that he could have learned that lesson and realised everyone, including Sam, might be better off if he didn't sell his soul.

Looking forward to seeing what you do with your coda!

I read it at work, and I'm glad I'm alone over my noon hour, because people would be asking what's wrong with me. I'm tearing up. I started tearing up at Cas' death, and you just kept going from there!

Post the second part soon!

Kat

Good story. Great lesson for Dean, but I would be sorry never to have met Cas. I think Dean would have lost an opportunity to meet such a great friend also. However, yeah, the world would have been saved. *sigh* decisions, decisions. :)

You killed Castiel. Good for you!:)

I didn't think this fic was too bleak at all, but you know I'm twisted. I feel sorry for Sam, but you make a good point, one that Dean himself has said on the show, namely, that the fuglies know the brothers themselves are each others' only weakness, the one thing that the bad guys can hold hostage in so many ways. The only way to stop that is to let go. Might not be too popular a notion in this fandom, but there it is.

Add a coda if you must, but I like this fic just fine just the way it is. I can only hope the Show will bump Pigeon Boy off, though not as nobly. As it is, if I'd been in the room when Castiel ignited, I would have pulled out a long stick and some marshmallows. WHEEEE!

Oh. Sorry.

It's time to get back to the Winchester Family Business of saving people, hunting things, and no angels are allowed.