Written for scripps at Comment Fic Livejournal.
Prompt: Dexter, Dexter & Deb, she knew from the start what he was doing and became his partner. She'll never divert a case their way but she always finds people in need of their particular brand of justice.
WHAT STAYS IN THE FAMILY
It started with Richie Baxton.
Deb still remembers the grin on the bastard's face, the earnest way he pleaded his case to the students' council and the headmaster, swearing that of course he'd always liked Misty and he even thought he loved her and it was all one big misunderstanding. He even spouted all that trash to Misty's parents and they, all too eager to bury the deed and the shame, swore they believed him and that Misty had always been a hysterical child.
Misty kept her silence after that.
Two weeks later, Misty hung herself.
(Misty was the older sister of Deb's best friend.)
xxx
Deb investigated. She found out about Harriet Jones, Barbara Darren, and Gwen Sanders. She found out about Tina Jay, Frannie Campos, and that girl whose name nobody remembered because she'd just up and left town and refused to contact any of her old friends.
When she had her evidence, she contemplated telling their father. Going to the police station. To the news, even.
Then she remembered Richie's friendly grin, the way he'd talked himself out of each of these situations, and made her choice.
xxx
The day Richie died, Deb watched from a corner of the room.
xxx
The day they discovered Richie's body, Deb held her best friend's hair back as she vomited in the bathroom and swore she'd never meant for something like that too happen. "No human being deserves that," she'd gasped wretchedly.
Deb said nothing, but she silently promised herself to hang out with people who actually understood what humanity meant.
xxx
It's almost twenty years later, and Deb hangs out with Dexter most of the time.
"What's up, sis?" he asks as she comes into his apartment and heads straight for the couch.
She groans. "Long day at work."
"Bad guy still at large?"
"Why does every bad guy make it so hard to catch him?"
He hands her a cold beer. "You say the same about the good ones," he teases.
She puts a finger into her mouth and flicks a few drops into his face, laughing when he grimaces at the mix of beer and saliva. He gives her the middle finger and rushes in search of a towel - and probably some disinfectant, he's a bit of a freak that way - while she takes the moment to sink into the couch and relax.
When Dexter comes back, he knows to exchange her empty can for a new one. "You'll catch him," he says, trust and pride clear in his voice.
It's so great to have a big brother that believes in her.
They sit in silence for a while. Deb, letting the stress of the last few weeks of chasing and missing her quarry melt away at least for a half hour; Dexter, giving her the space she needs.
Yep. Big brothers are the best.
And talking about that...
"Hey, Dex. I could use some help. You know, with a new package." When he arches an eyebrow, she explains. "Not about the case. Gods, no. It's this woman - Martha. Martha Perry." She fishes out the copy of the file from her back pocket. The black and white pictures don't make justice to the bruises the woman had sported when she arrived at the station. "It's bad, Dexter. I can feel it."
He takes the paper. "I'll look into it," he promises.
Deb nods.
"If it pans out," Dexter says next, sitting on the arm of the couch and starting to massage her temples, "wanna come with me?"
She must be the only little sister in the States who's invited to tag along after her big brother. She grins happily and tips her beer in his direction, a silent toast. "Count me in."
THE END
17/07/14