past prologue.

[TEXT-TO-SPEECH: ELISE]

- Does this number still work?

WHO. Foggy Nelson & Matt Murdock
WHEN. A couple of days after Matt got introduced to Elektra's nice, sharp sai.
WHAT. Matt can sit up without looking like garbage. There is stuff to be done.
WHERE. His place.
STATUS. In progress log.

***

( I am incapable of tolerating my own heart. )

Voicemail #1, 9:27 a.m., to Matt Murdock

Buddy, hey, where are you? It's your day for bagels and Karen's getting growly.

Text #1, 9: 41 a.m. to Matt Murdock

» Dude. Where are you? Seriously, we have a surprise hearing this afternoon, you need to be here.
» Whoever she is, I hope she's worth it.

Voicemail #2, 9:54 a.m., to Matt Murdock

Matt, where the hell are you? It's almost ten o'clock. Call me back A-S-A-P, or I will kick your ass.

Voicemail #3, 10:10 a.m., to Matt Murdock

The line hisses for a moment, then voices are heard. It went to voicemail again, and he isn't replying to my texts. Where the hell-- The call is disconnected.

Text #3, 10:05 a.m., to Matt Murdock

» Matt.
» Matt.
» Matt.
» Matty.
» Matty.
» MATTHEW.

Text to Claire Temple, 10:32 a.m.

» Hey, this is Foggy Nelson. Have you heard from Matt? He didn't come to work and he's not answering his phone.
» Or his texts.
» If you see him, tell him he's an asshole and that I'm going to kick his ass when I see him.

WHO: Elektra & Daredevil
WHEN: Tonight then? Sure!
WHERE: A car park in Hell's Kitchen.
WHAT: A reunion unwittingly dressed up as a conflict.
WARNINGS: Bloody violence.
STATUS: Complete

___

( Do you think that’s how Sisyphus felt, watching that boulder roll back down the mountain? )

[TEXT-TO-SPEECH MESSAGE FOR CLAIRE TEMPLE]

» Meatball subs. What are your thoughts?
» I ask because I'm in line.

( State of the Company. )


[Avengers]
I see that both you and Coulson made it out alive, Cap. Good talk?


[Jan]
Hi. Hoping the flowers are still sitting in a nice vase somewhere and not at the bottom of your garbage bin.


[Science Brother from Another Mother]
Hey -- could use your medical expertise. I've brushed up on my bio/chem/physio in the last 12 hours but I'd like to not take chances.


[Jane]
I never did ask, but...dark matter detector?


[Barton]
One more game. Eight-ball.

I have to say thanks to everyone who volunteered at the soup kitchens over the holidays. It meant a lot and we broke our records for the number of meals we served to those less fortunate. It might sound odd, but I really can't imagine spending Christmas anywhere else than with those folks who are so grateful just to have a roof over their heads and a warm meal for one night.

It's always nice to go into the office during break. A lot of the justices take weeks off for christmas which means that there's no trials or court appearances. Of course, tomorrow everything goes back to normal.

At least the crime seems to have momentarily quieted down as well, apart from the yearly credit card leaks which I can't do anything about.

[Elektra]

Now that we've gotten the issue of chemistry out of the way, would you agree to dinner out? Just the two of us - a date.

WHO: Matt Murdock & Elektra Natchios
WHEN: A Friday evening in late December
WHERE: Elektra's hotel room
WHAT: Matt surprises Elektra with a visit. It's not breaking & entering if you get the hotel staff to let you in. aka No one suspects a blind man.
RATING: PG13/R for clothes coming off during discussion.
STATUS: Complete

( To think you were going to just leave me to drink this on my own )

WHO: Matt Murdock & Elektra Natchios
WHERE: Posh New York location - think rooftop restaurant
WHAT: Reuniting and tormenting bartenders
WHEN: Saturday night, Dec 20
STATUS: Complete
Rating: PG13 - kissing of fingers and innuendo

( Occasionally we are called upon to grace mere mortals with our shining brilliance )

WHO: Daredevil/Matt Murdock & Steve Rogers
WHEN: Dec 17, Shortly after this
WHAT: Daredevil's bleeding and Steve is a good samaritan
WHERE: An alley near Avengers Tower
STATUS: In Progress


( He couldn't exactly go into a hospital like this )

Dry Cleaning Bill Sent to Tony Stark

• Vomit on leather boots - $250
  
• blood stain - $75
  
• repair bullet hole - $50
  

WHO: Tony Stark (new SHIELD code name: "Princess Peach") & a Daredevil
WHEN: December 17th, early evening
WHERE: En route to the city
WHAT: Tony celebrates Dead Dad Day with yet another attempted kidnapping and an unlikely rescue from someone who is most definitely not an Avenger.
STATUS: COMPLETE
___

( By now news should have gotten out that he was the world's worst hostage given how little patience he had for staying, well, actually kidnapped, but since age five, it was as if some someone had taped a cosmic sign to his back that said Come and get it! )

I dislike reading headlines like the ones I have seen recently. Not about Black Widow's girlfriend - I don't care who's dating who - but about the kidnappings. New York may be a bit city, but as concerned citizens, we should take care to do what we can to improve it.

[Avengers]

Can I do this? Is it like a bat signal?

Some of you know me, but I just wanted to know if the string of kidnappings is on your radar and if there's anyway I can help. I have some skills

Charlie Brown, wow. (I'm burning through my DVR - all the Rankin Bass specials are next, so watch out.)

When you sit back and look at everything that one Christmas special gave to the world (and even though it's 50 in your mind, it's still pretty new to me) -- not only do you get a host of really good jazz, but we all get to sit on our laurels and be reminded that Christmas is actually about giving.

I remember
whe It's important, more than ever before, to remember each other. And it's important to put others first -- if we're all looking out for one another, I can guarantee that everybody's back is covered.

[AVENGERS]

Let's circle the wagons. You've had a tough few weeks, (days, months, lifetimes ...) and I want to hear about what's happened. I also want to hear about our next steps. We've been batting clean up to HYDRA too much and I'd like to get one step ahead of them.

So, that means sharing key learnings and re-molding our strategy. And Stark, I know that sharing really isn't your strong suit but give her a whirl.

[America]

Hey, you.

Who: Tony Stark & Matt Murdock
When: Tuesday afternoon - Nov. 18
Where: Murdock's sweeeet 8th Ave offices. Doin' well there for a Hell's Kitchen boy, Murdock.
What: Tony Stark meets Matt Murdock, crusading lawyer, blind, son of a prized fighter, and in possession of some other interesting qualities.
Rating: PG at best.

( I’m an unapologetic rich asshole, Murdock. I know how rich assholes think. )

[TOWER RESIDENTS]

If you're in country, and not given to random explosive acts of violence
scary
st
if you're not a liability ... explosiveness, why don't you consider joining us at the Covenant House, where we'll be serving Thanksgiving dinner. On Thanksgiving.
Think of the good press
So, there will be turkey too.

New York is never a dull newsday, it seems. Though reading about superheros and caped crusaders in the daily news still takes some getting used to.


[Avengers]

If you find yourself in need of legal counsel in the wake of the congressional investigation, I am at your disposal.

[Tony/Pepper]

Trial against the punks who robbed the Maria Stark Foundation soup kitchen starts Thursday. It'd be good for the case if Tony showed up to court.

Peru is a country that has carved out a place in my heart for being filled with beauty, warmth, and immense generosity. I was so moved by the wonder that is this country that I picked up a souvenir of my newest favorite R&R destination.

Ladies, Gents, and Other, I would like to introduce you to the newest member of the Avengers Family:

( Steve Rogers. )

The resemblance is uncanny.

( Steve'n'Steve. )

It disgusts me, sometimes, what goes on in this city. Last night, the Hell's Kitchen branch of the Maria Stark Foundation Soup Kitchen & Shelter was robbed. They stole our donations, clothes and a bunch of supplies. I know most of you will say that stuff like this happens every day and what do you expect in Hell's Kitchen, well, I'll tell you. I expect folks to behave with some decency. And not steal from those who have nothing.