Dib glanced at the photo on his desk and smiled, reaching to pick up the small frame. If he looked hard enough, it almost seemed like his daughter's mostly-formed face was smiling back. He placed the photo into the box and placed the lid tightly on top. He stacked it next to the door with two other copier-room boxes and picked up his coat from the back of his chair, sliding it on slowly as he took one last look around his office. The barren walls, something most would find disquieting after spending years dedicated to a career, were a welcomed comfort after spending so much time within them. A rap on his door drew him from his reflection and he smiled.

"William, come on in."

The young man smiled and stepped into the room. "I wanted to come by before you left, thank you for everything."

"It's been great working with you," Dib reached to shake the young man's hand. He'd apprenticed the youth to take his place when he left the force and the day had finally come to hand the seat over. "You'll do great."

"Thank you, sir." William pocketed his hands and looked around, rocking on his heels. "May I ask you something before you go, sir?"

"Of course." Dib slung his scarf around his neck and shifted his shoulders, feeling the strain in them from years of hunching over files.

"I heard you were involved, you know, during the attack." 'The attack' is what they were calling the alien invasion. Not much of an attack, really. More of a terrifying close encounter with some unfortunate casualties. Many people denied it even happened, except for those who saw it, of course.

"Yeah?"

"Well.. I was just wondering.. I mean, you actually spoke to them, right? What was it like? I've always wanted to ask.."

"That was ten years ago, Will," Dib replied. "I don't remember much of it."

"Oh, of course. I'm sorry sir, I shouldn't have asked."

Dib smiled and clapped his shoulder before pulling him into a brief hug. He stepped back and nodded goodbye before picking up one of the boxes and making his way out of the office. He'd send for the other two later, right now he just wanted to get home and celebrate his early retirement from the force. He had made the decision to work from home not long after 'the attack', but it took him nine years to actually take the steps do it.

Dib slid the box into the passenger seat and started up his car, pulling out of the parking deck and starting towards home. He sometimes thought about Ellie, missing her demanding meows as soon as he stepped in the door. She'd been a good cat, right up until the end of her days at the ripe old age of twelve. He supposed he could have had a few more years with her if he'd fed her less canned food and maybe pushed her to exercise more but he'd loved his fat kitty just the way she was. He sometimes thought about adopting another, but the timing just never seemed right so he came home to an empty house every night.

He unlocked his door and stepped inside, setting the box on his modest kitchen table and peeking in the fridge for dinner. Nothing particularly appealed to him and he went into the living room to turn the nightly news on. His tennis shoes caught his eye by the sliding patio door and he decided to take a walk.

The evening air was crisp and chilly, but not unpleasantly so. His breath puffed in front of his face and he buried his hands deep in his coat pockets for warmth, glancing up at the sky. The moon cut through the smoggy haze like a thin curve of silver, reminding him of something but he wasn't sure what. He found himself heading towards the park, and nodded at a couple as he passed. They barely noticed him, caught up in the throes of young love. He smiled to himself as he turned onto a path, comfortably-lit by the evenly spaced street lamps. He hadn't been here in years, having almost forgotten the park existed even though he lived within walking distance of it. He spotted a bench up ahead near a split in the path and headed towards it, wanting to sit and enjoy the evening. He noticed a figure heading towards the bench as well and decided to let them have it, passing it by. The hooded figure stopped as he approached and he slowed his steps as well, glancing to see if he could gracefully take another route without seeming suspicious. The trail split was far enough behind him to be out of the way though and he kept moving forward, freeing one hand from his pocket and resting it at the front of his coat. His gun was nestled in one of his inner pockets. He nodded politely to the person as he passed and they turned to watch him. Dib reached into his coat and stopped a few meters away, turning to look at them. The being seemed to stare at him, though he couldn't see their face, before stepping towards him slowly.

"Back off pal," Dib said, closing his hand around the handle of his weapon and thumbing the safety. The hooded figure stopped and looked around before lifting a gloved hand to pull back the hood. Dib took a step back quickly, squinting. The figure stepped into the circle of light by a street lamp and Dib's eyes widened. His hand dropped in disbelief.

"Zim?"

The alien stepped closer. An unsightly scar ran across his face, drawing Dib's memory of what the alien had endured for him. He stopped before the man.

"Hello, human." Zim smiled up at him, crimson eyes glistening in the light. Dib stared down at him, lost for words. He reached and wrapped his arms around the alien, drawing him against himself and holding him tightly.