Jen

Okay, so wow. I've really enjoyed reading some long and thoughtful posts about this couple, but now I'm feeling the pressure to contribute and make it make sense. I was a Dex/April fan the first time around. It took me a while to get there because Dex essentially made April cheat on Xavier (but as was mentioned, it seems even the show is ignoring that they ever happened), but they were cute and Dex was there for April when she was considered the "outcast" and Dex didn't really have any other friends. So they got together, and I really liked that they could have intelligent conversations and Dex could be funny and April would laugh and all that sickeningly sweet stuff that happens when couples first get together. I tried to resist, but in the end, I was a fan. Then, they broke up, which still bothers me because there was no real reason for that to happen. Except that the writer's wanted it to appear that sex was the most fundamental thing in a relationship and if April and Dex weren't doing it RIGHT NOW then they should break up. Yes, there was the whole Dallas thing, but that wasn't Dex's fault, and Apri over-reacted and thuys begins the April Scott Downward Spiral. From that moment April wanted to shed the "good girl" image. She slept with Heath (a lot, arguably also to get back at Bianca), and treated everyone else like they were in the wrong. Meanwhile, Dex was being a prefectly normal and caring human being by helping out Dallas. No romance necessary. I believe that Dex still had feelings for April after they broke up. Mostly because April did the breaking and Dex didn't actually cheat on her on purpose. He didn't set out to hurt her, and if that moment with Dallas hadn't happened they would still have been together. April, on the other hand, has changed. She isn't the same as she was pre-breakup. She now usees sex to get what she wants, and yes, Dex is a teenage boy, we get that, but there was more to their relationship the first time around. I don't altogether buy that they are "the love's of each other's lives", not in the same way you could say about Robbie/Tasha, Jack/Martha, even Aden/Belle. When those pairings were together they made each other better. They worked better as a couple than when they were apart, and that can't be said for Dex and April. Dex is just as awesome and sweet when he's single than when he's with April; he doesn't need her the way the show is trying to make us thing he does. Sigh. I can't actually remember what the point of this post was, except that I'm trying to figure out how I feel about Dex and April as a couple. I don't honestly see Dex/Lottie as a viable, long-term option; they just weren't that interesting together, and Dallas or Adrian aren't coming back, and I did prefer them as friends. The Dex/April pairing has it's moments where I'm very content to happily sigh at the screen and watch them be adorable and have moments where Dex just wants to make April happy. Those are the moments I choose to focus on, rather than the ones were Dex is clearly putting more effort into the relationship and we're expected to believe that they are going to run off into the sunset and live happily every after (until someone better comes along).

Red Ranger - Thanks for reading, Red. Yeah, it is a bit different both stylistically and pairing wise from my normal stuff, so hopefully you continue to enjoy it. The original premise was and that was it. It's in spoilers in case you are curious, but it doesn't end up going in that direction completely. pembie - I agree about your assessment of Liam. Having been there and done it before he definitely knows what to expect more, but I think that adds to the pressure he might be feeling. Beezzz - Wow. Thank you very much, Phoebe. Aden_Belle - Thanks! Next part coming soon.

*sigh* You are all far too nice to me. Thank you so much Dingo, Lesley, Phoebe, Bec, QA, Kristen, Hannah, Sabrina and Kristina .

^ Aw! Thanks so much, Red. I adore the Sasha/Dex dynamic a lot; that is, when the show gets it right. I'm glad that you thought I got it right .

Thank you so much Kristen, Phoebe, Cecil, Amy, Lesley, Sabrina and QA . Y'all are too nice.

oseri - Thank you for reading. I adore the Sasha/Dex relationship they've created in the show. One of the few things it's got going for it at the moment. Beezzz - Phoebe! Thanks for reading and the comment . JarlieFanEver - Thank you, Sarah. Much appreciated. soph1303 - Thankies . ScreamingQueen - I literally watched the episode and was like, I need fic for this right now, and sat down and churned out this fic. I'm glad you enjoyed.

Thank you so much everyone . This batch is very well-timed, if I do say so myself .

Aww, very cute ending. I like the idea of Dallas and Dex ending up together and making a family between them .

Gorgeous! I particularly like the colouring on #7, 18, 19, 24, 40, 43 and 44 .

Don't even get me started on that episode. I was a literal wreck for hours. So many emotions. Sammy Lieberman is the greatest character ever. Also, Tom Green is attractive. Thank you so much for the feedback on all the icons. (Wow, Barbara; that's a lot!)

Well, that certainly happened fast. I like the pace of this story; everything is happening really quickly, but it doesn't feel rushed. Favourite parts were definitely Dex inadvertantly closing his eyes before the climax and wanting to send in the girls as opposed to him, and really, as if you should suggest that a boy with the name Dexter should be allowed to name a child!

Awwwww. Dex and Dallas are so adorable. I could just read many many fics about them and their burgening relationship. Dex certainly gets around now that he's 'de-virginised' . But I hope Dex can figure out to balance Dallas and his relationship with Leah.

I keep coming back to this story - even though the thought of Dex impregnating Leah makes me squeemish - because your Dex walks that line between dorky and naive, as well as charming and self-aware. It's hard to do, but you manage . I'm definitely shipping Dex/Dallas in this story.

Thank you so much Cecil, Lesley, Kristen, Beezzz, Lose, QA and Sabrina . You are far too sweet. If you remember Tom Green (he played Dex 1.0) and are interested in his face, then I did a "Sammy in Every Episode" series on tumblr, which you can see here.

Thankies Beezzz, Cecil, Aden_Belle, MatildaHunterFan, QA, Bec, and Sabrina .

You should have just punched me in the face. It would have hurt less than that finale.

There can never been too much Dex . And as everyone else has pointed out, the colouring is fantastic too!

Phew! Glad you like 'em .

As requested by Laura and Zetti, here are some Heath and Bianca/Heath icons. I hope they are okay. Feedback always appreciated.

Ah! That make so much more sense now. Because I'm a massive Dex fan, as you know, and I could never in my wildest dreams have imagined this situation up. I was also thinking about how Dexter seemed to be related to half the girls in his age group and wondering if there was someone outside his age group he could be paired with.The thoughts kind of collided. It's so weird that you bring that up because when Sasha first arrived I was totally going to ship her and Dex and then I realised; oops, related. (Not that that has stopped me in the past.) I can just visualise Dex being all overwhelmed and daunted by everything but also now wanting to do the right thing so of course he considers proposing, because that is what Dex would do. Despite the craziness of the situation I like how you showed everyone's different reactions, although I thought Dex might be a bit more reluctant to tell people what was happening. But I guess it was going to get out eventually.

I don't really have many screencaps of them, but I can try. If you have any particular pics you want me to use then PM me with them. Same here. I can have a go for you, but I don't have many photos. So again, if you have any favourites, send them my way. Woah. That is some vintage posting. Ha! I remember the Nick Jonas thing. He has definitely grown up nicely. Go for it! I actually remember really liking that batch of icons when I posted them (if I'm allowed to say that). I'm home sick today so maybe expect an update because I'm gross and tired and am watching Glee Live on DVD, so you never know. Thank you so much for commenting. It means the world.

Ah! That make so much more sense now. Because I'm a massive Dex fan, as you know, and I could never in my wildest dreams have imagined this situation up. I like the different dynamics, particularly highlighting the difference between the Leah/Dex and Dex/April relationships. The age gap definitely shows. Favourite line was “Tell VJ I will be there with bells on ready to knock his socks off,”Dexter answered,“If you can find your way out of that curious metaphor."