She felt guilty for chipping the vent and peeping into the box. It seemed that with every passing day it got worse. She couldn't understand quite why she felt this bad. It wasn't like she had stole anything thing or hurt anyone. She decided the next day after he got back from work, she'd come clean and hope he wouldn't fire her.

…...…...

"Hey Jamie," Dexter greeted as he came home.

"Hey Dexter. How was work?"

"Oh just, the usual, stressful cases. Nothing I can't handle."

"Harrison's napping," Jamie informed.

"That's good."

"Dex, I did something really terrible," her palms were sweaty and she twisted her hands nervously. "I invaded your privacy. I hope you won't be mad, at least not too mad." She avoided his eyes. "I'd understand if you'd want me to leave right now."

"Jamie," he stopped her gently. "Just tell me," he said even though he already knew what it was about.

"I saw something in the air conditioner, behind the vent. I'm really sorry. I knew it was wrong. It was none of my business, IS none of my business. I'm sorry."

She didn't mention the box specifically but she implied it and seemed extremely ashamed of what she did. He let her go on with her apology gauging her sincerity. Noting how embarrassed she was and how she couldn't look him in the eye for more then a moment.

"I broke the air conditioner vent when I was in a hurry putting it back on. I've been feeling so terrible that I just had, had to tell you even if I loose this job." She was afraid of what he'd say so she just kept talking and planned to excuse herself. "I'm so sorry," she said again. "I understand if you want to fire me. I'll completely understand. I can go right now." She hurriedly stepped past him but he took her arm.

"Hold on," he said carefully. "I get it Jamie, we all get curious. Relax, I take it that you won't do it again."

She looked straight into his eyes that time. "Yes, no never." she answered flustered.

"Good," he smiled crookedly. "I'd hate to have to get a new sitter."

…...…...

Dexter was getting ready to go to the Pearl with Deb while Jamie kept an eye on Harrison.

He came out dressed in a steely gray suit with a blood red tie.

"Wow," she said.

"You think this is appropriate?" He asked

She rounded him. "It's too bad it isn't a date. You look killer in that suit." Her cheeks reddened. "Oh, sorry," she put her hand over her mouth out of embarrassment. "It looks good, really good," she said moderately. "You need to take pictures and post them on face book."

"I don't have facebook."

"Tell your sister to post them on face book."

"Ok." He looked at his watch. "I should go. I told Deb I'd pick her up at 7. He kissed Harrison good-bye.

"Have fun," Jamie called to him.

"Thanks."

…...

The phone rang at around 10. It was Dexter. He told her he was going to be back really late so she shouldn't worry and not to wait up.

He got home exhausted. Opening the door to his apartment he expected to see her asleep on the couch but she wasn't there and everything was quiet. His heart jumped up in his throat wondering where she had gone. He checked on Harrison, he was asleep. Then he went into his bedroom and found her in his bed. His eyes widened. He grabbed a change of clothes and changed out of his suit in the bathroom. When he came out intent on sleeping on the couch he found her there instead. He stood there for a few moments.

"I heard you come in," she said sleepily. "Good night."

"Good night," he replied. She hadn't slept in his bed before. He was only partially put off because he know what lingered in his closet, he didn't see a reason to tell her to stop because she practically lives there alone all day anyway, besides, he did think his bed smelled nice.

…...…...

Another day at Dexter's demure dwelling.

He came rushing in the door. "Hey, I need you to do a really big favor for me. I have to leave again. I won't be home till late."

"I would but I can't, I have plans."

"Come on Jamie please, I need this."

"I don't know…I suppose I could reschedule."

"I'll make it up to you. Thanks, you really saved me." He put his hands together and nodded his head. She had never met someone who she constantly forsook her plans for. She didn't know how he did it and she held no hard feelings.

He headed out the door thinking to himself. Too bad for Dustin Lehmen, no one will save him from me.

…...…...

He came in and found Jamie reading Harrison a bedtime story.

"Hey Jamie. Can you still stay for a few? I've got some things to do."

"Sure," she replied. She came out of the bedroom and sat on the couch with her school books. She had noticed him rub his neck and shoulders repeatedly, warily. She approached him and he closed the screen he was reading and brought up something else. "Dexter, can I try something?"

He looked at her inquisitively and a little scared. "Uh, maybe."

She started to rub his shoulders. He sat there tense but then gave over to how surprisingly relaxing it felt. "How is this?" She asked.

"That's…nice." After a while he added, "I should be paying you more."

She laughed. "I'm thinking about taking classes to become a license masseuse."

"You should, definitely."

"Have you been to a spa?"

"No. Lying naked on a table naked, helpless, not my thing."

"How was the Pearl?"

"It was pleasant. They have a lot of interesting food choices from different countries such as Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East."

"How did Deb like it?"

"We went there on live music night. She enjoyed herself, especially their champagne lounge. She got a little tipsy and wanted to dance with me."

"Did she? Jamie laughed. And did you?"

"Dexter doesn't dance," he said simply.

She playfully smacked him on the shoulder. "Ladies love a guy who can dance or ones that will at least try."

He moved his neck and shoulders around. "Wow." He rose to his feet. "Wow," he said again. She smiled. He rotated the chair, took her shoulders and pushed her to sit down. "Keep in mind I have no idea what I'm doing but I'll do my best. Besides, I owe you for earlier. Thanks for staying." He started to return the favor. She wore a skimpy dress for the hot Miami weather leaving his hands access to her bare skin. He started to work on her shoulders some albeit awkwardly.

Usually when he was behind someone touching them he either had them in a sleeper hold, was injecting them with M99 or had their neck wrapped tight in fishing wire.

His hands wondered around her neck and his mind wondered for only a moment, of what it would be like to choke her. he'd do it from the front while sitting in her lap so he could watch her eyes. Feel her hands push at him, and her fingers scratch at him. He'd do it slowly, teasing at unconsciousness and death, reviling in the control he craved and the kill he needed. Then suddenly as fast as it began, it passed and he was pulled back to the moment at hand. "Sorry," he said absentmindedly.

"For what?" Jamie asked.

"For my amateur work," he replied.

"No it feels good," she insisted. "Sometimes I don't realized how stiff I become leaning over my books." He went back to working on her shoulders, still less then graceful. He moved up to her neck and did something that felt amazing. Right next to her spine he did something with his thumbs that made her tingle all over. "Just like that," she said.

"Just like that?" He repeated. "Oh," he said realizing what she was talking about. "Like this?"

She gave a drawn out, "Yeah. What is that? What are you doing?"

"Uh, give me your arm," she did and he placed his fingers on her arm in the same way as on her neck. His hands returned to her neck, repeating the same movements.

"God, you're good with your hands," she complemented, making him think dark thoughts.

His smile was predatory and replied with, "I like working with my hands."