fandomhigh | Comparative Religions--Monday, Period 3, Class #4--Atonement, Absolution, and Redemption

"Well," Vala said as everyone was seated, trying not to look like she'd obviously been listening to the radio over the weekend, "we were supposed to continue on in our exploration of the religions of this planet, but instead of highlighting the differences, I think today will be about exploring one of their similarities--the idea of forgiveness, for those who truly repent for something they've done wrong, whether it has hurt anyone or not."

"The methods may vary--some fast and ask repentance for everything in one shot, others involve going to a small booth and reporting everything done since the last report, others involve writing the sin down and sending it off into the ether, others involve asking forgiveness of the person who has been wronged. Some also involve sacrifices, but I'm told that is no longer socially acceptible on this planet. What is important, however, is that the message is the same--if you're sorry for what you have done, and wish to do better, you can acknowledge what you've done wrong and prove by your actions that this is true, and you will be forgiven."

"So. I'm going to leave you to it. There are various methods available, and whether or not you choose to repent is up to you, since that's none of my business and is between you and your supreme being of choice. Whenever you're ready, you can use that method, or just leave the room when you're finished."

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"I know," Sam said just as seriously. "You did pretty well with that this weekend, even with everything else going on."

"Yeah. Uh, about that everything else..." Dean began nervously.

"I remember you saying something about kissing Dawn," Sam said. "And it's okay. I mean, it's not okay but we were all screwed in the head, and I know you wouldn't do that if you were in your right mind."

"Of course not," Dean said quickly. "And even if I wanted to, she'd just hit me with a frying pan again or something." He paused. "There, uh, might've been more than kissing."

Sam stayed silent for just a moment. "How much more?"

"Do you really want to know?" Dean asked, hoping the answer was 'no'.

"Do you think it's better if I don't know?" Sam asked.

Dean shrugged. "Depends I guess. On if which way would make you crazier."

"I think my imagination could be worse than the truth," Sam said. "What happened?"

"We both thought we were free agents," Dean emphasized. "Hell, I thought I was Alec for crying out loud." He took a deep breath. "She sorta spent the night. With all that usually euphemises."

Sam's imagination certainly could have come up with worse things, but that didn't keep the thought of Dawn and Dean being together from hurting. "Oh," he said. "Okay."

Dean winced at the look on Sammy's face and did what he always did when Sammy was hurt. He tried to make it better. "It doesn't change anything between you two," he told him. "She loves you, dude. She never would have without the amnesia. Hell, I wouldn't have either. She's a great girl, but she's your girl. This was like with what happened with the musical cookies. An altered reality. It doesn't have to impact the real reality."

Sam knew that Dean meant everything he was saying. If there was one person he could trust Dawn with, it was his brother, and reminding himself of that made things hurt a little less. "Yeah, I know what you mean," he said with a deep sigh. "Believe me, I understand."

Dean was an expert at reading between Sammy's lines. "Yeah?" he said, giving his brother a questioning look.

Sam might have noticed the look better if he wasn't determined to keep staring at his hands. "I slept with Peter," he said. "We thought we were together and...yeah."

"Oh." Dean regarded his brother. "You okay?"

"Aside from being completely mortified at having cheated on my girlfriend and wondering if Peter's ever going to speak to me again? Yeah, I'm okay."

"Hey, if it helps any, you have a lot of company in the completely mortified boat."

"That only helps so much," Sam said. "How pissed do you think Dawn's going to be at me?"

"How pissed are you at her for sleeping with me?" Dean countered.

"I'm not, not really," Sam said. "I know she wouldn't have done it under normal circumstances."

Dean shook his head and chuckled. "You two really are a pair. She's not going to be pissed at you, Sammy. She's too busy worrying that you're going to hate her."

"What? I can't hate her," Sam insisted. "She's really worried about that?"

"To the level of pass the kleenex box so you don't get snot all over from the crying," Dean told him.

Sam frowned. "I don't hate her. I hate whatever it was that made us all lose our memories, but I don't hate her."

Re: Talk to the TA

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