Disclaimer: I do not own Dexter, Inception, or any other material that is identifiable as belonging to another author, producer, director, etc. I don't even own the original plot bunny! This was inspired by some of inklou's work on deviantART.

Summary: Things aren't looking up for Dexter. After murdering his own brother, some very dangerous evidence is being dragged up. Miami Metro are no longer the only ones on the case: the government is pulling together all of the finest in order to catch this 'Bay Harbour Butcher'. Serious AU warnings, crude language, references to violence, and awesomeness that some may find disturbing. Reader discretion is bull! :)

Amaglam

Prologue

There's nothing quite like Miami in the summertime. No tourists, no serial killers.

Click. Click.

And apparently, no air conditioner.

Click. Click.

Thunk!

I sigh. This would be annoying. I usually don't mind being a few days without the A/C while I fix it myself, but this summer was turning out to be one of the worst the city had ever seen. My polyester bowling shirt, usually only a little bit damp around the back and armpits, was soaked through with perspiration. It was hot. Way to hot and muggy. I was starting to feel trapped by the heat. Crushed really.

The moon started singing in my veins. I felt my heart jump a bit. This was too early! Too soon after my last kill!

Click. Click! Click click click!

Wham!

And with this damned air conditioner broken, I would have to stick around while I wait for a repair man to come by. Not to mention I'd have to find a new hiding place for my slides. Not able to stay in my apartment any longer, I opened the door to the balcony. There was a sudden breeze and I felt instantly relieved.

Looking outside, I wasn't all that surprised to find it almost abandoned by the human race. Of course, anyone with enough sense and a functioning A/C unit would spend today indoor, just like they had yesterday.

It was a bit odd though. Yesterday, the pool had been full of young people and children, those who couldn't stand being cooped indoors but didn't want to die of heat stroke either. Today, there was a young couple in the pool, possibly university students, and three other men sitting around it. One of them was an Indian man, by the looks of it, fanning himself with some paperwork of his, briefcase at his side. Beside the two remaining men were talking to each other casually.

One of these men, the one with ear-length blonde hair, seemed to notice me and waved, smiling just enough to be polite. I waved my hand in return. After all, there's no point in being rude and having people questioning my cover. Especially not now...

"Hey!" I jerked back to reality with a start. The blonde guy had left the pool and was now at the bottom of the stairs. Seeing that he had my attention, he continued talking. "Do you have something to drink? My friend over there," he gestured to the Indian man, who looked decidedly far too hot in this weather. "Anyway, I don't want him overheating, and I was wondering if you had something he could drink?"

Fuck my life. I just want one quiet afternoon with just me and some criminal files...

"Sure. Let me see what's cold in the fridge." The man said a small 'thanks' and followed me up to my door, before he stopped politely. At least he has some manners. Opening the fridge, I took one of Deb's water bottles and tossed it to the man. "Do you want anything?"

"Do you happen to have a beer, perhaps?" He grinned almost shyly at this request. I just wanted to roll my eyes. But, darkly dreaming Dexter needed to keep the mask up.

"Is Heineken good for you?" He nodded yes and I pulled two bottles out of the fridge.

"This is some heat wave, huh?" Oh great. Small talk about the weather. My favourite. I really wish he would leave.

"Yeah, it's killer alright. Just in time for my A/C to break down." Where the hell did that come from? I close the fridge door, the Barbie head ticking against the door. A sense of unease coils in my stomach. I am frozen in place, staring at the head with my back to him.

"Oh, do you need help fixing that? I used to be a repairman..." I tune him out and flick Barbie a few more times. Tick. Tick. What the hell? The man starts moving to the A/C unit on the wall when I finally register what he just said.

"Nah, it's okay. I've got someone coming later to fix it." He turns for a bit and pauses, but he doesn't move away from the unit.

"It's alright. It should only take a few seconds..."

"Why don't you give your friend the water first and finish your beer, okay? I'm sure he's dying in this heat." Something is seriously wrong here, something is off.

He nods his head in thanks as he moves towards the door. He calls out to his friend and lobs the water bottle from the balcony. I hear someone cry out and guess it's hit him on the head or something. I hear laughter...wait. I feel their laughter. I know and sense their emotions. The pieces all fall together now.

I make sure he is not aware of this revelation. He turns, all smiles and innocence. I open a drawer and make to get a beer bottle opener.

"So, about the..." He doesn't get a chance to finish his sentences. He has a steak knife handle-deep in his neck, but it wasn't me who attacked him. It's the other me. My Dark Passenger.

The world begins to explode and before I know it, I'm awake in my apartment. The air is disturbed, like someone else has been here. I check my wrist and see small puncture marks in my skin.

I launch myself from my bed and make for the fridge. Barbie is still there, charming as ever. I playfully swat her head. It thumps against the stainless steel of the door.

Thack.

Someone was here. In my apartment. In my head. God help them if I find out who is was.