Dedicated to the Snyder family, prayers and love going out to them. Do what you have to do, guys.

Secretary Swanwick

"Do what you have to do, General."

Secretary of State Swanwick stared at his reflection in a darkened window and tried to imagine Superman on the other side as he had been two years ago.

But he only saw himself reflected back. Tired. Weighted down. Worn. Lacking. If anything in the reflection resembled Superman, it was the well hidden look of disappointment in his eyes.

Tomorrow the nation would bury a hero they had no business burying because they hadn't earned him. And it was a real possibility the world would move on and in time forget him. After all, he wasn't one of them.

The glossy new coffin with Superman's 'S' boldly emblazoned on top was in the basement of the government building he was standing in, a secure area with guards posted outside the room as an added measure. The government couldn't take the chance that zealots or haters would try to do something with the body even after he was gone, like Zod.

And besides, the government had appearances to uphold. They couldn't very well bury their hero with all the trimmings if they didn't have him. Like plenty of soldiers before him, the country had sacrificed him and was now prepared to sing his praises only after he'd given his life for them.

Calvin glanced at the security monitors that showed the casket standing alone in a closed room. Its solitary stand was a little too familiar, an echo of its occupant. Tomorrow he and Major Ferris would walk alongside it and escort Superman to his final resting place. It was his job to do so, however disturbing it might be. And as always, he would do what he had to do. The soldier on monitor duty was taking a quick coffee break but once he returned Calvin figured he should go home and get some rest for the next day. It was already late and he should have left hours ago.

Major Ferris materialized at his side, so quiet she almost startled him. "All preparations ready for tomorrow, sir."

"Good. Thank you."

She nodded and went silent. They had worked together long enough he could usually read her face most of the time, but tonight was not the case. She had barely said ten words to him in the few days since the Doomsday incident, acknowledging his orders with a curt nod or monosyllabic response. Since he hadn't felt much like talking either he hadn't dwelled on it. Now he studied her face in the glass and when that yielded nothing turned his head to study the real thing. Finally, since she still didn't utter a word, he relented with a small internal sigh.

"Something on your mind, Major?"

Carrie's mouth opened slightly but it still took her a moment to speak, a clear indication that she was seriously considering her words before she uttered them. She was deeply bothered by something, he could tell that.

"Do you think we weakened him with that nuke?"

Calvin stared at the window, more comfortable making eye contact with himself than her, especially after such a question. It was probably their lifetime of military training, but Carrie seemed to be of exactly the same mind. They both faced forward as he answered.

"I don't think so. The kryptonite seemed to be the major factor in his death."

Carrie's jaw tightened. "He disappeared off the radar. He was gone for over five full minutes. Don't tell me he just shook it off."

He could sense the anger starting to radiate off her as she spoke, her emotions coming to the fore now that she was verbalizing them. It was a rare thing for her, and not something she had ever done in front of him. Their relationship had always been strictly professional, with only occasional lapses into personal conversation. He found himself distinctly awkward at the sudden change. The added factor of remembering that time just increased the tension. They had thought he was dead, then he was back, then he really was dead.

"The nuke didn't kill him. Doomsday did."

She pounced on his statement, aggressively eager. "But you argued against the nuke too, you thought it was a bad idea."

He refused to get pulled into the emotion of the moment. He weighed his statement, like an official response to the press. "It seemed like an overaggressive measure considering the risk."

"The risk to Superman." Carrie would have made a fine reporter. She was beginning to sound like Lois Lane.

He hesitated before confirming it. "Yes."

It was clear she'd received the answer she had expected. "Neither of us was happy with that order, but we did it anyway." She paused for him to reply, but he had nothing to say so she pushed forward. "We betrayed him."

"We followed orders. It's not the same." His rebuttal was almost instant.

She made a sound of rejection. "It's not? Sure feels like it."

"We were dealing with something we had never dealt with before. We did what we had to do." His own words echoed in his ears and brought back Superman's resigned but determined visage looking through one way glass at him, just after he'd told the alien they were under orders to hand him over to Zod.

Do what you have to do, General.

Considering the accounts they had received of Superman sacrificing himself to make sure Doomsday was dead, he was reasonably sure Superman would have told him the same if he'd been present for the debate over whether to go nuclear. But would he still have had that look of disappointment in his eyes? Calvin didn't like to think about it.

Major Ferris crossed her arms, holding herself together as she stared straight ahead.

"When Christ was arrested and tried, the Roman governor couldn't find any fault in him. He couldn't see any reason to punish him. But the crowd called for his crucifixion, and so he let the crowd pressure him into it. Isn't he guilty to a degree?"

"We are not Pontius Pilate, Major," Calvin bit out impatiently. He knew Major Ferris was a religious woman, but he didn't have the energy for it right now. As long as it didn't interfere with his job she could believe what she liked. He still knew the basics of Christianity after being raised with his church going parents, but he had long since left that behind.

Carrie was unperturbed at his displeasure, her determination to make her point overriding any concern she might have for his comfort level.

"No, we're not. Because Pontius Pilate still didn't recognize the man before him as the son of God. He didn't see him as the savior of the world, just as a man who was expendable or in the way. But someone else recognized Jesus' value and even followed him, believed in him. But when things got difficult and he was scared for himself, he denied knowing him at all and wouldn't stick up for him." She moved slightly closer, and Calvin had the feeling she was moving in for the kill. "Just like we handed over Superman because it was the easier option. Just like we fired a nuke at him and Doomsday because the collateral damage was acceptable. Just like we pulled away the moment his actions were in doubt even though it was all a set up by Lex Luthor." She stepped back, her disappointment in both of them evident on her face. "So, Secretary, who does that make us?"

She didn't wait for his answer, just moved away as the soldier entered to take up his post again. Calvin stared out the window again, sightless as he unwillingly realized the truth.

"Peter…"

He whispered the answer for his ears alone, a personal condemnation.

Despite his initial decision to go home soon, Calvin spent another hour contemplating his reflection in the window. Then, still unwilling to leave, he sat next to a very nervous soldier and stared at the coffin on the monitor. He couldn't shake the feeling that he hadn't done right by Superman.

Even after reminding himself that he had taken Lois Lane's experimental bullet and quietly followed up on it after deciding that Superman deserved a bit of the trust he had already given them, he still didn't feel vindicated. In the end he had helped uncover the massive set-up framing Superman to look guilty, but he hadn't wanted to risk his job to openly accuse Lex Luthor. And no matter how he spun it, Major Ferris was right. The nuke had hurt Superman, even if it hadn't caused his death, and Calvin had argued against it but he hadn't defied orders. In the end he always followed orders and did what he had to do, even if it didn't quite fit what was right. Superman had deserved more, considering he went up against his own kind for them and destroyed the last of his own people to protect them.

The soldier fidgeted next to him as he contemplated, having already bluntly been made aware that Secretary Swanwick wasn't in the mood for small talk. Calvin had been staring at the coffin room monitor for five minutes without uttering a word then he suddenly sat up straight, making the soldier jump.

Calvin stared intently at the monitor a few seconds more, then quickly stood up and headed out the door.

"Keep watching the monitor, soldier."

"Umm, yes sir." The befuddled solider went back to staring, but he couldn't see anything different about it.

Calvin made sure he was in the hall with the doorway closed before he pulled his gun out of his shoulder holster and quickly made his way to the stairs. Halfway there Major Ferris exited another room and opened her mouth to ask him a question but the look on his face and the gun in his hand immediately deterred her. Calvin slid past her.

"Gun out and follow me, Major."

"Yes, sir." She unholstered her gun and fell into step with him before they reached the door to the stairs.

Calvin put his hand on the door handle and looked back at her. "The security camera footage has been expertly looped, but whoever did it didn't expect the cockroach on the floor that suddenly disappears every two minutes. Someone is down there with him."

Despite their earlier conversation, her deep feelings on the subject of Superman still included protecting his remains. Carrie nodded her understanding, her eyes intense and alert. They both quietly went through the door and descended the stairs, watchful and ready.

Once they reached the basement level they covered each other down the hall and around the corner to the correct door. Two soldiers were still at attention outside it, guarding the room. But Calvin was sure something was wrong inside it. The soldiers gripped their weapons tightly and stared at him in consternation. They recognized him immediately but had no idea why he was suddenly there. One opened his mouth to inquire but instantly went silent when Calvin put up his hand.

"Soldiers, secure the exits on this floor immediately." Calvin's voice was quiet but intense.

They nodded in unison and moved in separate directions, guns at the ready. Calvin and Major Ferris communicated silently and moved to better positions, counting down until Calvin swung the door open and entered in a quick burst of motion, gun at the ready and Major Ferris covering him. Once they both entered the room they scanned it for danger.

The room was empty except for the coffin resting on a table. Calvin and Carrie swept the room and under the table but found nothing. Calvin glanced at the corner he'd spotted the cockroach in and even that was long gone. Once the room was secure they both lowered their weapons and looked at each other.

"Sir, are you sure? There doesn't seem to be anything wrong here." Carrie was still speaking in a whisper.

"I watched the loop twice. Someone is up to something." Calvin stopped next to the table holding the coffin and inspected its shiny surface, shifting his feet as he did. A faint, gritty, shifting noise emerged from under his shoes. Both he and Major Ferris zeroed in on the sound, each bending down to put a finger on the floor and raising it to inspect the tiny sand grains on them. Calvin looked at her, and her eyes shifted to the coffin as the realization dawned.

Calvin stood up and lifted the lid of the casket, knowing full well what they would see.

The coffin was lined with several bags of sand, just enough to mimic the appropriate weight of Superman's body.

Carrie gasped in horror, but the sound was lost as Calvin slammed the lid down and swore loudly. Calvin ran a hand down his face and tried to collect himself. They weren't done yet.

"How could they get out?" Carrie wondered aloud, already working the next step.

Calvin was right there with her. He looked around, quickly locating the only way someone could have taken the body out without going through the door: The air flow grate on one wall just below the ceiling. It was near the furnace room and larger than average size to provide return air flow. Calvin pulled a chair over and stood on it, then grabbed the grate and pulled. It was missing its usual screw attachments and came out easily. Calvin was grateful for his height as he peered into the dark air vent, shifting his head to allow in as much light from the room behind him as possible. Six feet away he could barely see the next section of vent branching off to rise vertically through the building, but if he strained his ears he could hear a soft whirring noise that indicated someone was grappling up it with some kind of climbing device that did the work for the climber. He pulled his head out of the vent and carefully replaced the vent cover.

"They're still in the building. I bet they're heading for the roof."

Carrie was already moving to the door. "Let's go."

They burst through the door to the coffin room and ran full speed down the hallways, desperate to head off whoever was stealing the body of their hero. Calvin barked at the soldiers to stay at their posts and be on guard as they flew up to the next floor. His longer legs should have put him far ahead of the major, but she was right behind him every step of the way. The building was six stories high and neither slowed their speed as they rushed to the top. Calvin briefly thought of calling for reinforcements but knew that every second counted and they just couldn't spare the time it would take. He hoped he wasn't running Major Ferris straight into danger, since he had no idea how many there might be. But Carrie looked just as determined as he to intercept the thieves, and he knew she would follow him no matter how many they'd end up facing.

They should have been out of breath when they came through the roof door, but adrenaline was still pumping through their veins and they didn't feel it. They scanned the roof, finding nothing at first, until the smallest bit of what looked like black metal protruding from behind the opposite doorway structure caught their attention. It was right next to the caged off ventilation system. Calvin pointed to Major Ferris and gestured for her to go around the far side of the ventilation system, while he would take the front. She nodded and moved quietly across the roof. Calvin did the same, creeping until he could peer around a corner.

A dark vehicle of some kind was too difficult to make out in the darkness, but light was glinting off something on the ground next to it. No one else was in sight. Calvin carefully approached the bundle, realizing the closer he came that it was a heavy figure carefully wrapped in what looked like military grade black parachute fabric made into a bag with rings for attaching ropes and pulleys. It had to be Superman, and the thief had loaded him in and hauled him through the venting to get him up here.

Calvin made a motion to reclaim the body and had only just realized he hadn't given enough thought to the thief when he was suddenly attacked from above. The rustling of fabric was his only forewarning before he was overpowered and disarmed, knocked to his knees in one fluid motion that seemed to effortless to be performed by a man. Before he knew it he was in a chokehold, his attacker behind him and clearly almost just as tall, held fast with a rigid arm around his neck and another braced on his head. He gasped for breath, wondering where his gun had gone, as a mechanically deep voice reverberated in his ear.

"You weren't supposed to catch on so fast."

Calvin pulled in a breath, realizing that if he wanted to his captor could easily crush his windpipe but was refraining. "What the hell are you doing? You can't have him." His hands were scrabbling for purchase on the arm around his neck, trying to pry it loose with no success.

"I'm afraid that decision is out of your hands, Secretary. You might need to take a nap for a while. When you wake up it will all be over. Just relax." The hold on his neck tightened, and Calvin realized he was going to pass out in a matter of seconds and had absolutely no way to prevent it. His vision was fading as he fought for a breath but found none, and he was so involved in trying to fight the inevitable slip into unconsciousness that he didn't even hear the click near his ear.

But he did hear Major Ferris speak.

"Don't do that. Let him go."

The hold on his neck slackened but didn't release him entirely. Still, it was enough to allow him to gasp for air and stay awake. He realized Major Ferris must have her gun pointed directly at his assailant's head. The thief still seemed remarkably relaxed, though. Nothing about his body language indicated tension or fear, and his voice just confirmed that suspicion.

"Major, should have known you'd be nearby. I'm not in top form tonight."

Carrie didn't lower her gun. "What do you want with Superman's body, Batman?"

"Batman?!" yelped Calvin, completely surprised. Batman let him go at that, realizing there was no reason to keep Calvin's eyes off him anymore. He staggered away, taking in a few extra breaths, and turned to stare at the vigilante. Batman looked more annoyed than anything, and still quite unperturbed that the major still had her gun to his head.

Carrie used a foot to kick Calvin's gun over to him without taking her eyes off Batman. Calvin moved to pick it up and point it too. Batman faced them down, unafraid.

"Sorry it came down to this, but I'm still taking him with me. You can't stop me. You can tell whatever story you want afterwards. I don't care if they know who did it."

Considering all they knew about him, both Calvin and Major Ferris realized it was a distinct possibility that he could still incapacitate them and escape but neither was willing to admit it. Carrie clenched her teeth and glared at the Bat.

"He deserves to be buried with honor," she spat. Calvin silently agreed with her, gun still trained as well.

Batman inclined his head. "Yes he does. By his family."

Both their faces went slack with surprise. Neither had considered that as a possible reason for stealing the body of Superman, an alien from another planet. Their eyes flicked to one another, checking to see how much the other one believed that statement.

Batman looked between the two, and his next words seemed to be pulled out of him. "Families…deserve to put their loved ones to rest."

And for some reason, they both believed him.

Calvin knew full well how much was riding on the burial ceremony tomorrow. He also knew his career was over if he lost custody of Superman this close to it. He might as well flush Major Ferris' down the toilet too. He knew what his orders were, and he knew what he had to do. He only hoped Carrie agreed with him.

It only took one look her way to realize that she did.

Calvin looked at Batman, taking in the glinting eyes in the cowl, the tensed body clearly ready for a fight if necessary, and the wrapped corpse on the ground.

"Give me your word you'll deliver him to his family. Your word."

It was a move of great trust from Secretary Swanwick, considering Batman's record recently. But Batman knew it was probably offered solely on the basis that he and Diana had been fighting side by side with Superman to take down Doomsday. He was grateful they knew less about the battle immediately beforehand. He was also grateful this was a promise he again had every intention of keeping.

"I give you my word. His family deserves that right. And so does he."

After taking a moment to measure those words, Swanwick nodded slightly and lowered his gun. Major Ferris followed his lead. They watched Batman quickly load Superman into his plane and fly away. That thing must have stealth mode of some kind because it was nearly silent. Calvin found himself somewhat envious of that kind of vehicle and wondered where Batman got his equipment.

The plane disappeared into the blackness. They stood together in silence, then with unspoken agreement holstered their weapons and went back inside. They worked together to put everything in order.

For so long Calvin Swanwick was a man who followed orders. His career and his identity depended on it. He was always the man that did what had to be done no matter how unpleasant. He realized he was gambling with everything he had pulling a move like this, and Major Ferris was caught up in it too.

But he still had no regrets.

He felt nothing but lighter as they went downstairs and reported a false alarm. He had no regrets as they made sure no footage survived from that night, looped or otherwise. They swept away the sand grains, screwed the vent cover into the wall that morning before the casket was escorted out, and one or both were always present to make sure no one was tempted to peek inside.

The funeral procession was grand and as illustrious as the government could make it. Throngs of people attended to pay their respects. For the first time Calvin could see the effect Superman's loss had had on the citizens. Their outpouring of grief and respect made him feel a bit more like they had earned him, even if it was after the fact. He and Major Ferris walked behind, strong and proud, but both were picturing a more intimate ceremony, most likely in Kansas somewhere, with a loving family to bid him goodbye. The fly over and the cannons and the twenty one gun salute were loud and showy, a sweeping gesture to expel any lingering guilt in the treatment of Superman. Calvin privately hoped Superman's real funeral, wherever that might be, would allow his family to properly mourn his loss.

The flag draped over the casket was folded and brought to them. Calvin realized he and Major Ferris were the honorary parents of the day. He accepted it, and as he looked down at Carrie he could read her expression. There was a small, sad smile on her face. He wondered if the flag would suddenly disappear and make its way to Batman somehow. He smiled too as he realized he hoped so.

As they left the graveyard Major Ferris looked his way.

"You remember Peter's story from the new testament, right sir?"

"Of course I do, Major."

She nodded, satisfied. "I always liked him. He wasn't perfect and he made some mistakes, but after he denied Christ three times, he became the leader of the church. He knew what he had to do. It just took him a while to figure it out. A good man."

He kept his face impassive, determined not to show how pleased he was. "Do you have a point to this, Major?"

She shrugged airily. "I'm just making conversation, sir."

"I see." There was a brief pause while he mulled that over. "Thank you for coming to my aid last night. You were there just when I needed you."

She inclined her head with a small smile. "Just doing my job, sir."

They walked in silence for a while before either spoke again.

"I hope he's at peace now. He deserves it."

"I agree. He's more than earned his place. He's one of us now." Calvin surveyed the graveyard full of fallen soldiers and the crowds of respectful mourners.

"Do you want me to get a case for that, sir?" She indicated the flag he was still carrying.

"Yes. A nice one. And I may have to ship it…home for safekeeping, perhaps you can take care of that."

"Of course, sir. The long way might be safest…through Gotham?"

"You read my mind, Major."

Thank you for all the support, it is appreciated.

Just a reminder that this is a project that may go in fits and starts, and I write what moves me. I'm not taking requests for particular characters. If they are on my list or pop into my head I may do them, but this isn't a prompt fic collection. Thanks for reading. :)