Dexter awoke the next morning, Rita sleeping on his chest. He rubbed her shoulder and she woke soon after. "Morning sweetie." she said, "Hi." Dexter said, sitting up. He checked the alarm clock, "Shit…" "What's the matter?" Dexter jumped up and slipped on a new shirt, "I was suppose to fax those blood splatter reports to LaGuerta. I'll be back in an hour." Dexter kissed Rita and left before she had any time to ask questions.

"Fax, blood splatter reports? That's the best excuse you could come up with?" Harry asked Dexter, "I can tell she doesn't want me to be working. Besides, could you have thought of anything better?" Dexter turned to the empty car seat next to him, "Didn't think so."

Dexter pulled into the parking lot of the Albuquerque Police Department. He showed the front desk his badge and headed into the forensics section. He opened a filing cabinet, "What are you looking for?" Harry asked. "Anything that can tell me more about our killer." A file titled School Trouble caught his eye. He browsed through the different schools until he found East High. He began to read, "Drugs in the hallways….3 drunk students spiking drinks at the school dance…. Student threatens other with weapon-bingo."

He took the article paper and slipped it into his pocket and headed back to his car. "This could be what you want." Harry said. Dexter read aloud, "A call was made the department at one-thirty. The principle had reported that 2 senior males began to argue, when one pulled out a….pocket knife-" "Isn't that what you suggest to be the weapon?" Dexter continued, "…backing up the other into the lockers, he held the blade to his neck and told that if the senior talked to him again, he would promise to rip the smile off his face. 2 teachers pulled the seniors apart and showed them to the office. The one senior was charged with attempted assault with a weapon and spent one month in OSS."

"What was the kid's name Dexter?" Harry asked. Dexter scrolled down, "….Troy Bolton, and the other kid's name is blobbed out." "Looks like you've got a suspect." Dexter closed the folder and leaned in the seat, "But it's too risky, everyone will report a missing high school student ASAP." Dexter started up his car and drove back to Lava Springs.

Ryan and Sharpay entered the school together. Neither of them had spoke to each other after their "pillow fight". Ryan held the door for his sister, "Thanks Ry." she said, Ryan let out a breath, feeling a big relief push off his shoulders. He entered behind her.

The bathrooms were closed throughout the whole day, which became a problem very quickly. The principle didn't take any chances and decided to end school early for the East High Students. They cheered as each student exited the building. As Ryan was walking to Sharpay's car he heard a hissing noise. "Psst! Hey, Ryan!" He turned to see Red leaning on the stair railing. "Hey Red, what's up." the two shook hands, "Nothing man, just decided to check out your school, man it's huge!" Ryan chuckled, "Well we are the show offs here I guess. Hahaha!" Red laughed with him, "So school's done for ya?" Ryan shook his head, "The bathrooms were all closed, so they decided to just kick us out." Red laughed at this, "Hahaha! When the shitter's out, so it the workers!"

The two males laughed and finally met at Sharpay's car, she was seated in. She gave a questionable look when she saw Ryan. "Well, is this you're babe Ryan?" Red asked, nudging him in the arm. Ryan chuckled, as he grew bright red "Yep, but we aren't together just yet." "What? Dude if you're good enough to buy that piece of meat from the shop, I don't know why it's taking you so long to fry it up!" Red said to him. Ryan frowned, he didn't like hearing his sister being called a 'piece of meat'. He walked away from Red and jumped into Sharpay's car.

"You okay Ryan?" she asked sweetly. "Fine, let's just head home." he said, his anger began to grow as he continued to think of what Red said. She shrugged it off and turned on the radio as she pulled out of the school. "Hey all you Wild Cats out there! This is 67.9 Love FM, News of a murder have spread through the East County like fire. Police have not reported anything to the public yet, but we'll keep ya updated! Moving on with the songs, here's Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode!"

Words like violenceBreak the silenceCome crashing inInto my little worldPainful to mePierce right through meCan't you understandOh my little girl-

Ryan glanced over at Sharpay, she was stroking her hair with one hand and steering then car with the other. She look so concentrated, and Ryan loved that about her, when she was focused on something, she never made any mistakes. The song struck Ryan's eyers as he began to imagine a scene into his mind-

All I ever wanted, all I ever needed

Is here in my arms

Words are very unnecessary

They can only do harm

Sharpay walked into Ryan's room. "Ryan, I have something to tell you." Ryan sat up form his bed and looked at his sister, "I love you.." she walked over to his bed and lightly kissed him on the lips. She rested her head on his chest as Ryan tangled his arms around her. He breathed in her scent and kiss her head many times, stroking her hair with his left hand. Ryan…..Ryan…

RYAN!

Ryan jumped slightly as Sharpay hit him in the arm. "Wha-what?" "You were dazing out, we're home now." "Oh….yes, of course…." he felt slightly hurt that his fantasy was just that, a fantasy. He took a breath and walked in their house. Sharpay took a note that was on the counter table, "Dear Ducky and Pumpkin, we are attending a business trip and won't be returning for about 4 weeks. Love you both, hugs and kisses, Mommy and Daddy." she read aloud. "Wow, what a shock!" Ryan said sarcastically. Sharpay giggled, "They are always too busy." she said, throwing her bag on the couch and sitting next to her brother. "So, want to do anything?" she asked him. He shrugged, "Watch TV I guess." he flicked on the TV and saw a news reporter interviewing Dexter Morgan. "Hey, it's that cop!" Sharpay said, "Turn it up Ry!"

"I'm not to familiar with this area, but I can tell you that this homicide will be solved before I head back to Miami. I can tell that we are not dealing with just some 'killer'."

Dexter walked away from the news team and began walking back to his apartment room, until his phone rag. "Morgan." "Hey big fucking brother! How's your vacation going?" Debra Morgan, asked her adopted brother. "A homicide in less then 2 days. But I'm sure it'll be solved quick." "Jesus, what do killers just follow cops from Miami around?" Dexter smirked, "Like a dog and chew toy." "Just hurry back here whenever, LaGuerta's putting a lot of shit on Vince's back cause you're gone." "Please come the fuck home!" Vince Masuka yelled from the background. Dexter chuckled, "I'll be home soon, take care." he hung up the phone and entered his apartment.

The day pasted quickly as sunset finally struck. Dexter snuck out of the apartment when he saw Rita doze off on the bed. "Make sure you have enough tranquilizer." Harry said to him, "I know." he said back, pulling out a bag that was attached under a fake floor in his suit case. Inside was many knifes, plastic sheets and tranquilizer shots. Dexter loaded into his car and drove off to the Bolton's address.