Hi there. Sorry for the delay, life and its obstacles have gotten in the way as of late.

I have decided that this is a good place to end this story. I may decide to carry on with the 'aftermath' in a separate story at some point if anyone would be interested.

As always, I appreciate all of those out there in fanfiction land who have been following this story along and an extra thanks to those who have sent such wonderful comments my way. I'd love to hear you thoughts on its conclusion if you feel so inclined. Thanks so much to all, you make this hobby of mine very worthwhile. I hope you enjoy. :D

"That's right bro. He can't be here. Alistair is dead…"

"He's… but I can see him Sammy. He's right there. Right… friggin…there…"

"No Dean, he isn't. Look at me man. Right. At. Me. Okay listen, you are drifting, you need to stay with me and listen to what I am telling you. Are you with me? Dean?"

"Uh… yeah Sammy, always with you."

"Okay, good. I don't know about you but I have had just about enough of this tour of the top ten worst things that you have gone through in your life. So I have to insist this time Dean. You need to concentrate on only me this time around okay? We need to get this crazy shit over and done with so you can come back down from this bender trip of yours."

"M'listening Sam."

"You might be listening but you aren't looking at me Dean, not totally. I know you're trying, but I can see your eyes following the phantom demon in the room. I can see it in your face Dean; I can hear it in your voice and I can feel it in the way your body is strung so tight that one wrong move and something is going to pop in there. I can sense the fear Dean, and the pain. I just… I wish it wouldn't take something like this for you to let me see it; when that damn wall of yours has been stripped away and you can't keep it inside."

"Gotta… gotta look out for you S'mmy. Always. Shit… it's just so real… are you sure I can't go back Sam? Are… sure?"

"Yes Dean. You aren't back and you can never go back. I know for a fact that Alistair is dead. No matter what you see, no matter the sounds you hear or the sulphur you smell, that demon son of bitch is dead. Not in Hell, not waiting for his chance to pop back up here and surprise you with an unannounced visit. He is dead, as in no longer exists; snuffed out of the realm of any reality; turned into dust. Dean? Are you listening? Dean?"

"He's gonna make me scream again Sam. I… I can't scream anymore. I… I don't… want to…"

"Shit. Dean? DEAN!"

"Yeah S'my?"

"You are losing your focus again dude. He is never going to hurt you again. I promise."

"But… it… everything tells me all of this is real."

"Your senses aren't firing on all cylinders bro. You need to…to listen to me and you need to trust me. I'm your brother Dean. The one you sacrificed everything for to save. The one you swore to protect and have for your entire life.

I am the only thing in this moment that is real. I know you're confused and hurting and that everything else right now is screaming out to you; telling you that you are back there, all except for one… ME… I am telling you it is not real. You have to believe me Dean because I would not lie to you, not about this. Trust me when I say that Alistair is dead and gone. You trust me right Dean?

"What? Of course I do Sammy, you know that man."

"Good, then focus on that. On the trust."

"I trust you with my life Sammy."

"Good. I mean, this Alistair shit, I should know right? I'm what they call the ultimate authority on the topic of his death."

"What?"

"Well, seems to me that I should know, seeing how I'm the one who killed him. Remember?"

"Uh, not really dude…it's all kind of foggy. Oh yeah, and I was sort of on the verge of death right then."

"I know. When I saw you Dean I thought… I thought you were gone man. I thought I was too late and that I had failed to do for you what you have done for me time and time again. When I saw that smug bastard I… I didn't think, I just let him have it. I did it. I killed him. Didn't even bat one of my damn eyelashes.

He wasn't going to get the easy way out. Not just a trip back down to the pit, not this time. I felt the life, or whatever the hell demons have inside them, get pulled out of him; he was never going to make another person or soul suffer, I made sure of it. No doubt about it bro, he is dead"

"Dead? He… he's really dead?"

"Yes, Alistair can't hurt you anymore. He's gone, just like all those other evil pieces of crap who have messed with us. All gone. None are ever coming back. So, whatever Alistair is saying to you, whatever you see and whatever you feel are just memories forced back on you by that old hag."

"Sammy?"

"Everything you've gone through tonight, none of it is real. It's just you and me, two brothers with a hell of a lot of baggage hanging out and reliving the worst moments you've had to endure. I know, not the best way to spend the night but I ain't going anywhere bro, so let's just get this over and done with, I could use a stiff drink."

"You and me both. Okay. Yeah. You're right. Dead. Dead. D E A D…. Dead."

"You okay man?"

"Yeah, m'good. That slimiest of the slimy slimeball club is dead. Gone. Can't hurt me. Or you. Or anyone else ever again. Do you HEAR THAT AL? I don't believe in you. There's only one thing I believe in and that one thing is Sam. I believe in him and what he tells me. So you can take your smart mouth and your torture toys, bend over and ram them straight up your white, paediatrician ass.

I ain't gonna let you win, not anymore, not after everything Sam and I have been through. It's so over Al, so maybe you should take off before you start getting all misty eyed at the thought of being dumped."

"That's it man, that's more like the Dean I know; the one who is stubborn to a fault. Dean? What's the smile for dude?"

"I'm good man. Huh, just, who knew your chick flick fascination could actually come in handy. Pulled me back. I think Mr. Torturer over there is getting tired of the cold shoulder. I can't hear him anymore. Keep going Sammy, do some more talking, I… it's almost over bro, I'm sure of it."

"Okay man. Um, remember when you broke into my place and I kicked your ass?"

"Right. As if bro. I let you, I could have taken you anytime but didn't want you to break a damn nail or some shit. You were kinda soft back then bro, you gotta admit."

"Uh huh, would have never happened Dean. I had you. Just lucky for you I figured out who it was before I pummelled your ass into the floorboards. Good times man. Good times."

"Mmm… yeah man, good times. Uh…"

"Dean, what are you looking at now?"

"It's about fricken time."

"What is it? What are you looking at?"

"The best thing ever little brother. Nothing. Absolutely nothing."

The End. Thanks for stopping by and giving this story a chance, I appreciate it! :D