A/N: Spoilers if you haven't watched the new movie yet.

It was a slow news day. Only robberies, vandalism, and violence that had become commonplace stories. The city became more like Gotham everyday with no superhero patrolling the skies. The cops did their best and stopped some of the crimes. Wonder Woman and Batman occasionally lent a hand having anticipated the increase in crime in Metropolis, but the city wasn't the same as before.

Lois wasn't the same. Exposing the truth didn't inspire her anymore. She was drifting, but at least coming to the Daily Planet gave her a reason to get up in the morning. She sighed as she struggled to concentrate and get the department store manager's quote on the break-in into the article. She'd read over the notes she had taken during the interview more than once and still her mind hadn't latched onto meaning.

The TV caught her attention though. "In breaking news, a man was caught breaking into Superman's burial site only to discover someone had already beat him to it."

So they'd discovered Superman's grave had no body, Lois thought. It was only a matter of time. Let them wonder where it went. They'd never find out he was really buried in a family plot in Smallville, Kansas.

"Somebody probably sold it to a black market group of scientists," said one of the reporters in the newsroom.

"He was almost indestructible. Maybe he came back from the dead," said another.

"He's not God!" she shouted, silencing them all. More calmly though still visibly upset she added, "He wasn't God."

"Lane. Office. Now," Perry called.

She came, but she refused to look up at him. She only simmered and prayed she wouldn't get put on that story.

"That outburst wasn't about Superman, was it, Lane?" he asked.

"Of course it was about Superman. He was my friend. They hounded him in life and now that he's dead and gone, they still can't leave him alone. They can't let him rest in peace!"

"You were upset before that. This is about Kent."

A lone tear fell. How she hated appearing weak, but she could no more control its escape than she could the wind. "It's been 3 months today and the pain still feels as fresh as ever. Like I just laid him in the ground. But it's been 3 months, Perry. And then it'll be 6 months and then a year. Time's moving on, but I don't think I can move with it."

"Like you said, it's been 3 months. It was rough for you losing your partner. There's no timetable for grief. Take the rest of the day off."

"I'm in the middle of a story and-"

"That's an order. Not a request." His look was fierce. He meant what he said.

Lois walked out, slamming the door behind her to show her resentment.

He didn't understand. Work was what was keeping her going. But as she saw on the screen that a team of people were discussing what had happened to Superman's remains, she was glad she could go home.

"You're the strongest person I know. Things will get better," he said in an uncharacteristic softness, having opened the door again.

She nodded, but she didn't look around, afraid she would lose it altogether. And she almost did when she saw Clark's empty desk.

But the empty apartment wasn't any better. It was full of ghosts, happy memories that invaded her mind until she couldn't take it anymore, and she went to the park to read.

So she was sitting on a bench and reading a New York Times Best Seller, hoping not to get mugged or more likely in these times waiting until she was, when her cell phone went off.

She knew it was Martha Kent before she answered, but she could barely understand the woman she was so distressed.

"Hold on, Mrs. Kent, slow down. What about Clark?"

"They've dug him up. I went to put flowers on his grave and the coffin was just laying there open, discarded. They've taken my baby, my son. I don't know how they found out, but somehow they have."

"I'll be there on the first flight to Kansas," Lois promised.

Whoever had stolen his body would pay. They would not turn his body into a science experiment like they had with Zod. Not while she lived and breathed.