WELCOME TO DREAMWIDTH, HERO...

You know, before I came to the City, I always knew criminals could be stupid but I always thought they just exaggerated it in the comics.

[Joel's in his CPD uniform tonight, the flashing lights of a police cruiser off screen illuminating the picture.]

Just an example but I didn't think any criminals actually threw their guns away when they ran out of ammo. I thought it was just something they put in the comics and TV shows to make the bad guys seem dumber. But since coming to the City, it seems like every dumb crook took some kind of training course that tells them to do it.

It's like, if none of your bullets worked, what is you chucking your weapon at me supposed to do? Do they hope their gun is going to suddenly turn into a grenade? What's the logic in that?

[Joel shakes his head.]

Were the real criminals in everyone else's worlds just as dumb or is this something unique to the City?

[The video is a little shaky, starting out showing the ceiling of the Porter room. Slowly it turns to focus on Joel. He tries to offer a weak smile but it doesn't last. Getting killed and being back have obviously shaken him.]

I...hi.

[An awkward little wave. His hand drops back to his side quickly, eyes darting to the side. He takes a deep breath before continuing.]

It's over, right? Someone rescued the other hostages and stopped those two monsters?

[A 'please tell me someone did' is silently implied.]

How bad did things get after...?[He's not saying it. Just letting it end there.]

[Joel's in the process of walking home from work as he turns on the video. He's quiet for a moment and then offers a small smile.]

So I just got my request for some time off work approved. Apparently it was a surprise I didn't ask for any sooner according to the boss. [He looks off camera a moment, free hand rubbing the back of his neck. A shrug and he goes on.]

The only problem is I have no idea what to do for this vacation. I could just hang out at my apartment but I'm pretty sure I'd just end up getting involved in some of the City's usual craziness. [That gets a little smile, Joel not the type to sit back and relax if there were people he could help.]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good vacation spot? Somewhere not too expensive. And preferably with something to do there? Laying on a beach is great and all but I wouldn't want to do it for a whole week.

[Joel's on patrol in his police uniform right now in a not so nice part of the City. He's walking slowly, not in a big hurry.]

You know, I've seen some pretty stupid graffiti out there. I'm pretty sure that 'ImPorts go Home!' is the most stupid though. Don't these people realize that most of us would go if we had any say in the matter?

I've caught three groups of kids trying to tag walls like that this week and I...

[He pauses as a new voice yells from off screen.]

Die, freak-pig!

What the...Whoa!

[Joel looks up and his eyes go wide. His costume can be seen forming on him seconds before he blurs out of sight. There's the sound of gunshots before the video settles. Joel's in costume and yelling at someone off screen]

That wasn't even a remotely good idea!

[Houston glances down at the comm quickly.]

I'll have to get back to you. I've got some work to do.

[When the camera clicks on, Joel's still catching his breath. Apparently he was running before turning on the camera. Regaining composure, he swallows before speaking.]

I've got some bad news. I'm pretty sure Sergeant Seras Victoria was Ported out sometime last night or early this morning.

[He runs a hand through his hair and glances away for a few moments before going on.]

She was supposed to meet me for patrol earlier and never showed up. She's not answering any calls either. I've been checking around and no one's seen her anywhere. So I'm thinking this is Port out.

[He pauses for another deep breath. He's trying not to show that he is worried about this. Things are bad at the station as it is with everything that happened with Jack. With Seras gone too, he's thinking things will get worse.]

If I'm wrong and someone's seen her around today, please let me know.

[Just a few hours after the sun rises in the City, this video clicks on. At first it's almost too dark to see much, just the sounds of someone walking through the brush heard. Eventually a brighter spot is reached and the camera gets lifted to focus on Houston. He offers a small smile. When he speaks, he's keeping his voice down.]

Good morning, everyone. I was just getting in a run when I saw this.

[He turns the camera slowly around to show the Network a spectacular sunrise. Wherever Joel is, its obviously in a different timezone than the City. He leaves the camera focused on the natural sight as he starts to speak again.]

It looks...amazing so I thought I'd share it with everyone. Sorry if its too early.

[He goes quiet for a few moments longer. Eventually he turns off the camera. The sharp ear can hear him murmuring something about it being time to get back to the City right before the feed ends.]

[Joel's looking a little freaked out when he clicks on the camera. And wherever he is, its outside somewhere. Likely a park.]

Okay, oh man...but uh...we have a problem, sir. A big problem. Like really...really big I think. I found something in the station you really need to see, sir. Is there somewhere I can meet you?

Between the whole thing with Joker, Calendar Man's attack, and getting promoted, I kind of missed it. But...wow. I've been in the City for a whole year.

[Just a long pause, Joel looking at something off camera a bit sadly.]

Its felt like longer. Maybe just because this is the longest I've ever been away from home. People usually celebrate this somehow, right? Any suggestions?

Hi.

I know most people are going to be celebrating Christmas but I was wondering something. Is anyone out there on the Network going to be celebrating Hanukkah this year?

[Joel's pouring himself a glass of orange juice as he clicks the video on. He blurs out of sight a moment and puts the carton away before stepping back into the picture.]

Good morning.

I've got a question for people who don't live in the MAC. I was thinking of moving out of this place and I was wondering how long it took you all to find places that aren't here? A place that was affordable and not too terrible I mean. How hard was it to find a new place to live?

[It's pretty dark in Joel's apartment when he turns on the video, just the light of his TV. Listening closely will reveal he's watching the news. After a second he flicks on a small light and offers a slight wave.]

I was wondering something.

For the people that are old enough for this to apply to...what did you do on you eighteenth birthday? Was it something special or just like any other?

Mine is coming up this week and I sort of feel like I should do something but I don't know what. It's supposed to be some kind of important milestone right?

[He goes quiet, frowning at something the news says before turning off the feed.]

[Joel's in civvies today, a bit bruised up but recovering nicely. Sitting in his apartment, he sets a bottle of water down off screen and gives a little smile.]

Hi, Network. I'd just like to apologize to the people that actually hired me but I'm closing down that delivery service of mine. It's really not working out at all. If someone still really needs something brought somewhere fast, I'll do it but the service is otherwise done for.

[He looks away from the camera for a moment.] Everyone make it out of that zombie craziness okay?

( [Private to Jack Bauer] )

[The com clicks on and focuses on Houston, somewhere outside and by a river by the looks of the background. He looks like he's been running and is worried about something, looking off camera for a few moments before focusing on the camera.]

Does anyone know some good places away from the MAC to stay? Like a hotel maybe?

Okay, this is kinda a weird question but...when do you have to start paying taxes? I mean...if you don't have a job, would you have to pay them if you started doing odd jobs for people and made a couple hundred dollars or something? And another one...is there anything special you have to do if you're gonna start like...some kinda business? Not like a store or anything but something small like a dog-walking service?

[The camera focuses on Houston sitting at a table in some sort of generic office looking room. He's got a lot of papers stacked on the table in front of him and looks tired.He looks down at all the papers he's got and then back up at the camera.]

Well, guess I have a little more work to do first but uhh...if the Mayor or anyone that works for him is around, I made sure I kept records of everything me and the other people working shipping did. Ya know, where we put all the cars we moved off the bridges, which places food and supplies went to as well as how much...ya know. That kinda thing. So...yeah. I've got all that for whoever is normally in charge of this kinda thing. It might make getting everything back into working normalness a little easier.

[He shrugs.]

I'm glad this whole mess is ended.