Notes:

- A very special thanks to Beregond5 because without his encouragement and help these stories would never have been brought to you all. And also my thanks to my dear friend Shicashula for reading my chapters, offering suggestions and urging me to go on.

And now without further delay:

Lying in Wait

Defying human nature might have been troublesome for someone who wasn't like me.

My life has always been a sequence of carefully planned moments…

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Dexter rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off some of his sleepiness.

"What's the location? I'll be right there."

He still lay in bed for some time, even though he was already fully awake.

For the first couple of minutes, he had dwelled over the strange sensation he had experienced the previous night. It wasn't there anymore, so he finally just dismissed it.

It was just a sensation – maybe a reflection of how excited I am.

He was eagerly anticipating that moment - savouring in advance the joyful freedom that would follow.

Nevertheless, his enthusiasm hadn't deprived him of blissful sleep during the night. And he had awakened, he stayed there, lying on his stomach, enjoying the quietness of early morning.

Unfortunately, there had been that call. Several minutes had passed in the meantime. Now it was time to go to work.

…Sometimes you just have to take a chance. I'm ready to try different things, different approaches.

Enough day-dreaming and joyful thinking.

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"Hey, Dexter."

Dexter shrugged away the thoughts crossing his mind. He realised he had been staring at his instruments for God knew how long, hovering over the corpse.

A somewhat heavy hand landed on Dexter's shoulder.

"Sorry, Angel."

"I know the guy isn't going anywhere, but we want to wrap this up and take him down to the morgue."

Denying my desires leads to anxiety, anxiety leads to absentmindedness, and that might lead to otherwise avoidable mistakes.

Dexter shrugged and raised his eyebrows.

"You're right. I was just…"

Dexter observed with mixed feelings as Angel knelt before him and patted his arm in a friendly, reassuring manner.

"Is it Rita? We're men; we're buddies. You can tell me."

Oh! He thinks I have some romantic problem.

Dexter grabbed Angel's shoulder vigorously.

"I know, buddy. I know. But there's no problem in that department…"

And then someone else knelt by the pair.

"What's up guys?"

"Erm…nothing." – said Dexter.

"I always enjoy some male bonding."

The other two men got on their feet.

"Coming from you, Masuka, that's creepy."

"Angel, Angel, don't dismiss something you've never tried."

"Oh, but I do, I completely and utterly dismiss it. And I'm not the only one…right, Dexter?"

"Right. Sorry, Masuka, but you're on your own."

Dexter and Angel walked away.

"Guys? Guys! You know I was only kidding!"

"Sure, Masuka, sure."

Saved by Masuka – what are the odds?

Masuka started to follow the other two, but he was stopped by Lieutenant Laguerta.

"Masuka, finished with your analysis?"

"Yeah, Lieutenant. All packed up."

"Angel, Dexter? All finished?"

"Yeah, Lieutenant. We were just discussing timelines and…stuff. Right, Dexter?"

"Right. Well, I'm off to the lab."

"I'll meet you there, buddy.

"Later, Dex."

"Later, guys."

Okay, that was weird

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And on the third day – make it night – He shall rise again.

Life is so fragile and unstable, filled with uncertainty. Every breath might be the last one. I don't empathise with my victims; I can't. I feel nothing of the sort. But, if I could, I don't think I would. Every one of them deserved their fate.

Because I take my time. Because I make sure. I can never be wrong. I have no doubts.

Finally. After the last excruciating days, the long awaited night finally comes. No Rita, kids, Debra or bowling. Just Dexter and his tools; Dexter and his blood slides; Dexter and his prey.

Here I am.

Shortly after finishing his shift at the lab, Dexter went home. He stayed there for a while, leaving only to have dinner with Rita and the kids. With the excuse of working in a night shift because of a new case, where his expertise was needed and numerous blood spatters just had to be tested right away, he managed to leave Rita's house soon after eleven. He read to the kids till they all fell asleep and then finally kissed Rita goodnight.

This is a constant in my life: lying, deceiving. It's not like I have issues with this situation – it's necessary.

Already sitting behind the wheel he smiled warmly and waved the woman goodbye.

Tonight's the night. I feel it in my whole body. It can't pass tonight, no more waiting. I need this, I really do.

With a final smile, Dexter started the car and left.

I have no remorse, no sorrow. I am what I am. I am who I am.

I'm Dexter Morgan.

Dexter had took his time while studying his target, and by now he had come to know most of Timothy's hangout places.

The strange feeling of the previous night was long gone from memory, and Dexter felt in control again.

Friday night in Miami. Where can the bastard be?

After some seconds of hesitation, Dexter decided trying Timothy's house first. This was the obvious first choice.

The drive wasn't too long. Timothy lived in a safe and quiet part of town.

Dexter knew there weren't any surveillance cameras in the area. He was free to go as he pleased.

He drove past Timothy's house once.

No lights, it seems. Did Timothy decide to enjoy the pleasures Miami has to offer on a Friday night? That would be very unkind of him. We have an appointment tonight…

I've been waiting to meet him face to face for so long.

I'm on the edge. I don't feel like tracking him across town waiting for an opportunity.

Dexter finally parked in an alley between two houses across the street.

Maybe he's already asleep.

At that time, there were no passers-by.

Dexter unfastened his seat belt and took a long deep breath. He thought the absence of movement and lights to indicate that his target wasn't on the premises. In any case, it was worth checking.

He might as well take a look around.

But, just in case he is fast asleep, I can always come back to the car and pick up what I need. I don't have to carry the extra weight for the moment.

Absentmindedly, Dexter prepared the syringe and placed it inside his right pocket. He stored the narcotic inside its box. He left the box, the other needles and his tools' bag on the car's back seat. With a small smirk, he put on his black gloves.

I was waiting impatiently.

Feeling confident, Dexter took a look around before exiting the vehicle and closing the door quietly. Once at the vehicle's side, he stopped and looked around one last time.

No one in sight.

There was a small distance between houses. In one of his last night-outs before tonight, Dexter had managed to certify himself that there were no surprises of the canine type lying in wait there. Timothy didn't come out as the type of person to have a dog anyway.

Dexter crossed the street and walked around the small wall till he reached the back of the house. There, he stopped. He was in a small alley and he couldn't walk any further. This was actually the perfect spot.

Now the most difficult part.

Using the tree that stood by the wall for support, he climbed his way to the top. He landed on the inner side without so much as a sound. He listened. Everything was silent.

Dexter started to walk around the house. Neither light nor sound came from the seemingly empty house. Next, Dexter took up some tools from his side pocket and forced the door open. There was still silence.

The intruder entered every room. He didn't disturb anything. He just watched and registered his surroundings in the moonlight.

No luck. It was too much to hope that Mr. Pierce would be sleeping home on a Friday night.

I'm disappointed, I won't deny it. I was really looking forward to it.

Dexter retreated. Pausing outside the door, he looked at his watch.

Midnight. A fine hour.

He continued on. Reaching the wall, he climbed it and, supporting his body weight on his arms, he scanned his surroundings before settling on the top of the wall and jumping to the ground.

No use driving around aimlessly. I'm going home and rest. Or at least try, rest won't come easily tonight. Damned bad luck.

Dexter opened the door and settled behind the wheel. It was then that he felt a light sting of pain on the right side of his neck. At the next instant, he felt faint. He was rapidly losing consciousness.

Just before his eyes rolled back he had the time to register a smirking face through the mirror.

Oh no…