LOSSES
Chapter Twenty-One
The United Nations
Washington
"I know this Assembly does not favor interfering in the internal politics of any free state. Neither do I. But this is not a free state. Hundreds of thousands of people have had to flee for their lives and there have been mass killings by the militia. The free world cannot sit by and watch a state fall apart. The people have no way of fighting back or purging themselves of these elements. Trade embargoes have only served to cause great suffering to the poor and displaced. Many have died from starvation and disease. This is an atrocity to humankind. The United Nations need to take a stance and the League is prepared to help in any way it can. I thank you for this opportunity to speak on behalf of these people who have no hope and need our help.
Superman's voice ceased and he stepped down from the podium. Half the members of the U.N. rose and applauded. The other half sat back and looked worried. He shook hands with several members and began to make his way out.
He heard the whispers as he left. They were in a quandary. He understood that. But the crisis was reaching epic proportions and something needed to be done. It was times like these being Superman made little difference. The most he could do was make an appeal to the U.N. and hope they deliberated and send troops in. It had, unfortunately, come to that point and if they did come to a consensus, he could finally go in and help.
He walked out of the Assembly room and stepped into the long hallway. Some members of the press were there and they rushed to him for some sound-bites. But he was pressed for time and told them so.
He had gone a few yards, when he heard a voice, "You never ran from the press, Superman."
Sitting on one of the benches on the side was none other than Lois Lane. She stood up and walked over to him.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I was in Washington for the weekend and Perry heard you'd be speaking here. So here I am." She put on her recorder. "Just one statement, for old time's sake?"
"I pretty much made a lot of statements inside there," he replied. "And I am pressed for time."
"Come on, one question at least? This is for the Daily Planet, the paper that has been fair to you most of your tenure." She looked at him expectantly.
He relented. "Fine."
"What course of action are you looking for?" she asked.
"The one that the UN requires to make to follow their mandate."
She narrowed her eyes. "You've gotten pretty good at answering questions without compromising yourself, haven't you?"
"That's two questions, Lois," he replied.
She switched off her recorder and put it away. She began wryly, "Just trying my luck. Look, I owe you an apology."
His brows rose skeptically.
She folded her arms. "Since you saved Metropolis, I have been watching what you and this League have been doing and it seems you have been a very successful outfit. I had my doubts. But I have seen that collectively you have saved a lot of lives and even stopped wars. I guess the world does need a Superman."
"That's very kind of you, Lois. I appreciate that."
She added ruefully, "I know I was hard on you and want to make it up."
He looked taken aback. "Excuse me?"
"I was hoping to rewrite an article …" She smiled at him. "On why the world needs Superman."
He looked gratified. "Lois, this is very gracious of you but you don't have to do that."
She said with a shrug. "I guess not but I feel I have to. You and I use to deal better than this. We were something of a team back then."
He nodded. That was true. "Yes and I know some of the blame lies with me. For which I apologized."
She looked up at him. "Yes, I know and I was just very stubborn about it. I was angry and you know me, I hate to back down. But I can be big about it too. Maybe we can move forward? Put that behind us?"
Superman's eyes suddenly lifted from her face. His hearing had already picked up voices. He looked over Lois' shoulder and saw Wonder Woman coming up the corridor with Julia Kapatelis and the Senior Human Rights Officer. Diana halted for a moment as she saw him. Lois turned to see what he was staring at and she schooled her expression but not before Diana saw the flash of annoyance in her eyes.
Superman looked at Lois apologetically. "Lois, that would be great. I am all for us putting the past behind us. Will you excuse me? I need to speak to Wonder Woman."
Lois shrugged. "Sure. You go on. Don't keep the Princess waiting."
He left her and walked towards them. Julia smiled and said hello and he returned her greeting. He turned to Diana who was regarding him with a rather blank expression.
"Can I have a word?"
"I am due to speak in a few minutes, Superman…"she replied coolly.
"One minute then." His eyes did not look as if it would take no for an answer.
She let out a breath and excused herself as she stepped away from Julia and the Officer.
"What is it, Kal?" she began impatiently.
His brows drew together. "You did not tell me you were going to be here."
"Well, it must have slipped my mind."
"Really? You sat with me in a League meeting today and knew I was coming here. We could have come together."
She replied stiffly, "I didn't want to keep you. I had to make calls and do some errands."
"I see. Well, I'll wait for you. You and I need to talk…"
She began hastily, "You don't need to wait for me. You look like you are fully occupied…"
"Occupied?" His eyes followed hers to Lois who was walking past with a wave and smile. His eyes turned back and he said quietly, "Lois is here in her capacity as a reporter. Nothing else."
Diana did not doubt him. But she was still upset with him about Mongol. Coming in and seeing Lois Lane looking up rather admiringly at him did not help at all. She wanted to take off her tiara and throw it at Kal's head when she had seen them and worse, lift Lois and fling her across the floor. This made her feel ashamed and bewildered. And she wasn't sure she wanted to be alone with him.
"Kal, I cannot do this now…" she muttered, and moved to go.
"How long are you going to punish me for what took place on Warworld?" His hand caught her forearm. "Diana, stop running from me."
Diana said rigidly, "Unhand me, Superman. People are watching. You want me subjected to more gossip than I already am?"
He saw people staring at them and let her go at once. She was right. He had forgotten himself for a moment. He gravely, "I'm sorry, Diana. I made a mistake, I guess, thinking we had something to discuss. I can see when I'm not wanted."
He nodded politely to Julia and walked away, leaving Diana staring after him in dismay. She put her hand out as if to stop him but saw Lois join him at the doors and dropped her hand listlessly and turned away.
Julia came up to her and asked gently, "Honey, what was that about?"
Diana had omitted to tell her what had happened in Warworld. Partly because she was sure Julia would ask questions that she was not prepared to answer.
She flushed. "Nothing. Isn't it time we went in?"
Julia frowned. Since Diana had come to stay with her last weekend for her little break she sensed something was amiss. The young woman had been restless and preoccupied. Now seeing the exchange between the two heroes Julia understood instantly.
"Diana, if you need to talk…"
"No. I don't need to talk. Can we go in now?" She gestured to the Human Rights Officer and they began to walk towards the Assembly rooms.
Julia could only sigh and follow her.
Clark lifted a wooden post and pounded it into the ground with a just a swift slap of his palm. He picked up another post and walked to the marker six feet away and slotted that into the ground.
Part of the fence around the property required repairing but Clark had stunned his mother by deciding to fix the entire thing. She got the impression he wanted to do something to occupy his mind. And ripping out the old posts and rewiring was a sure way to do that.
She knew something was bothering him the moment he came home but when he elected not to say anything she did not press him. However, she was his mother and it was lunch time as she stood on the porch and simply said in a firm voice, "Take a break and come in to have something to eat, Clark."
Clark's blurring figure appeared on the horizon and in the blink of an eye he was suddenly standing in the yard.
"I'm not that hungry."
"Well, I cooked for you and I am hungry and have no intention eating by myself," she replied and went back in.
He sighed and walked up the steps and followed her inside. After washing up, he sat down with her and she served up two helpings of quiche with a fresh salad. She watched him pick at his food. It wasn't until she was almost finished with her own did she drop her fork and say, "Well, are you going to tell me why you are moping?"
Clark looked up offended. "Moping? I'm not moping."
"You're not eating. I call that moping."
He put his fork down and picked up his fruit punch. "I'm thinking, Ma."
"Thinking about what? It's usually women that make you go all quiet. Is it Lois again?"
He gave a wry laugh. "No. Not Lois. I'm over her."
She looked relieved. "I'm glad. Nothing bodes well from having to hide who you are. If she was the right one for you it would never take her this long to see Clark and Superman are one. Love might be blind but it knows the truth. And Lois is not the kind of woman I could ever see happy in the likes of this place you call home."
"True. She is bold and vivacious. Just like the city she loves. Rustic simplicity would bore her to death."
She stretched her hand to cover his. "Is it the Princess?"
He looked at her startled. He thought he had kept a good poker face regarding Diana. He sighed. "Yes."
"Care to tell me about it?"
He told her about what took place on Warworld. She listened attentively, her color fluctuated at times as he had not told her any of this before. When he told her about the slap, Martha actually covered her lips and giggled.
"Hey, it's not funny!"
"Sorry, sweetheart. It's just the idea of someone slapping Superman for saving her is rather amusing. Diana sounds very brave and strong willed."
"Oh, she's that alright. And stubborn and imperious and impetuous. She's too beautiful for her own good. She is still a bit clueless about the world and relationships and she's a princess from an island where men are not welcomed. And she's angry with me still. All in all not a promising start to anything deeper than what we already have."
"It all sounds very daunting, Clark. So what are you going to do?"
He shrugged. "What can I do? I can't make someone want me, can I?"
Martha leaned her chin on her hands. "No, but what's wonderful is that Diana knows Clark is Superman. She figured it out herself. I wish I could meet her. She sounds fascinating. I think I might like her very much."
Clark smiled. "I think you might…I…Oh just a sec, Ma."
His comlink was beeping. He got up and went to the living room. It was lying on the coffee table. He pressed the communicator button.
"Superman here."
"Clark, it's Bruce. Metropolis is under attack."
Clark calmly asked, as one accustomed to this revelation, "Who now?"
"Toyman, Kalibak, Metallo, Weather Wizard and Livewire seemed to have teamed up."
"I'm on my way."
"Just be careful. This has trap written all over it."
Martha had come out to see him already blurring into his uniform.
She tutted. "Just when you decided to take the whole fence apart."
He smiled as he saw her. "This shouldn't take that long. I'll be back to fix it."
She smiled as he dropped a swift kiss on her head and was gone.
All six members of the League had turned out to face the five villains who were rampaging through Metropolis. They had not expected to see them working together, much less Kalibak with them.
Flash groaned as he dashed away from Weather Wizard's icy blasts. "Aw man, what is it with all this playing nice and cooperation amongst the bad guys? Aren't they supposed to be busy back stabbing each other?"
Green Lantern said on the comlink as he flew at Toyman in some sort of red and blue machine. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend, Flash."
Shyera smacked Live Wire with her mace. "I'm with Flash. This is getting ridiculous now. First Luthor and his little crew. Now this lot!"
The Martian Manhunter phased in and out and caught Metallo from behind. He lifted him and flung him into a wall. Metallo fell dazed.
Batman swooped in with his Batcraft and said, "It's clear they are here for one thing. That's Superman. J'onn keep Metallo contained. He has that kryptonite power cell."
"Will do, Batman."
"Shyera, move those civilians back now!"
"On it!"
He glanced down to see Wonder Woman flying in.
She faced Kalibak, who stared at her. "I didn't see you last time on Apokolips. Where have they been hiding you, pretty creature?"
Diana flew at him and smacked him over. "You do not know how tired I am of being ogled at!"
Kalibak sat up and shook his head. "Hnnn, you hit as hard as the Kryptonian. What are you?"
"I am an Amazon," she replied and came at him again. This time he caught her and flung her into a wreckage of cars.
Diana gritted and rose. She saw him aim his beta club at her. She deflected the beams with her bracelets and was driven back. She did not see Weather Wizard send a bolt of lightning at her after sending Flash tumbling within a twister.
She gasped and fell down. Kalibak snapped, "She's mine now!"
"I would think again."
The dark silhouette of Batman swinging from above made him look up. Booted feet knocked into his chin and sent him flying across the street on his back. Kailbak rose.
"Puny human. You think you can take me?"
Batman stood his ground and folded his arms across his chest. "No, I know I can't. But he can."
Kalibak turned and his face fell as a fist smashed into it.
Superman looked at Batman with a smile. "For the record, I think you could have given him some grief."
"Ah, why bother risking getting my knuckles broken? That's why we got you."
"Is Diana alri…?" He did not get a chance to finish his sentence as he saw the huge blue and red machine Green Lantern had been engaging suddenly began to turn and focus on him.
Batman shouted, "It's you he was waiting on!"
Superman grabbed Batman up and he flew above the beam that seemed to eat a huge hole into the ground.
"What the hell?" shouted Flash through the comlink, as he saw the blast coming at him and Weather Wizard.
Green Lantern had to turn and use his ring to shield them.
Superman put Batman down. "Check on, Diana."
He flew at Toyman who fired at him again. Superman turned and the blast flew past and burned a black hole in a building.
"Give it up, Toyman. You can't hit me with that thing," he shouted as he floated above the machine.
Toyman swiveled the machine. "Maybe not. But I can hit your friends."
Superman saw the machine hone in on Batman helping Wonder Woman up.
It fired and he shouted, "NO!"
A blur of red and blue shot in front of the beam before it could hit the two heroes on the ground.
The energy blast seemed to make him disintegrate like a husk and he was gone. There was silence and the smell of burning and a tattered piece of red cloth fluttering to the floor.
Everyone seemed to freeze, even the villains.
Flash put his hand to his head in disbelief. "No…no… no!"
Weather Wizard looked to try to get away but Green Lantern smacked him before he could go with a construct that looked a little like a giant fly-swatter.
Toyman squealed with joy. "He's dead! I killed Superman!"
He suddenly gasped as his entire machine seemed to shake. It was as if a wrecking ball had hit it. Toyman saw Wonder Woman smashing the machine to the ground. He fell with it and tried to crawl out.
"What did you do?" she asked her eyes looked wild with rage.
He backed away on his rump and tried to use a gun at her but she reached for it and crushed it. She lifted him by the collar.
"You can't kill me. You won't kill me…," he taunted.
"No, but tearing you arms off might make me feel better!" she gasped, not sure what was coming over her. Her breath was tightening and her throat had a lump. Her heart was beating so loudly she thought it might burst through her chest. This was a rage Diana did not think she could ever feel.
She pulled her fist back. A hand caught it. "Diana, no. Don't."
It was Flash. She choked. "He…he killed him, Flash…He must be punished."
"I know and he will. But not like that. Blue wouldn't want you to taint yourself for him."
Diana dropped Toyman as one scalded by fire. She backed away, looking mortified. She looked around. Everyone was standing looking lost. Shyera was moving to John who put an arm around her. J'onn held his head as if in pain. Wally was looking like a lost little boy. Batman stood looking emotionless. He knelt and picked up the red scrap from the ground.
One Week Later
Diana sat in her room at the Watchtower and looked at the sword in her hand. She was garbed in ceremonial armor. Today was the funeral of Superman. Her colleague and friend was dead. She was to be one of the pall bearers. The funeral was to be a large affair as he was known and loved by not only Metropolis but by most of the country and world.
She stood up and slipped the sword in its scabbard. She then went to don a cape. She stared at herself in the mirror. Only one thought thing kept going through her head. Their last conversation the day before at the U.N.
"Hera, I didn't know," she whispered. She didn't know that today he would be dead. That she would never see his face again or his smile and hear his voice. "I would have never been so hard on him. I don't know why I was…I just was so angry and disappointed…I don't know what's happening to me…Aphrodite, I…"
There was a knock. She turned. It was Shyera.
"Are you ready, Diana?"
Diana took in a deep breath. "Yes."
She joined Hawkgirl on the corridor. Shyera looked at her wan face and asked gently, "Are you okay?"
"Yes. I am fine."
They walked down the corridor together. Shyera said wonderingly, "I can't believe he was a simple reporter."
Diana's voice was clipped. "He wasn't just a simple reporter. He was a great reporter."
Shyera blinked at her. "Yes, I mean, sure, I meant that. I just didn't expect Superman would be so …so …immersed in the normal world. Clark Kent. No wonder he was so good with humans."
Diana said woodenly, "It's no more shocking to see Batman is Bruce Wayne and Flash is Wally West."
After Clark's death, Batman had revealed Superman's identity to Flash, John and Shyera. And in a gesture of goodwill, Batman had removed his own cowl. After everyone had stopped gaping Flash undid his own mask. There was to be no more secrets. The League had lost someone who was like family and they all realized that time was a luxury they did not have and it was best to be honest and open.
Shyera sighed. "Yes, that was a jaw dropping moment. So how are they going to explain Clark Kent's death?"
"J'onn said he would be his doppelganger for a while and then have Clark make an excuse to Perry that he needed to take time off."
"And his mother. Do we know how she is taking this?"
Diana felt that funny feeling in her throat again. She swallowed hard. "Batman called her. She'll be at the funeral today."
Shyera caught the catch in her throat and rested her hand on her shoulder. "Diana, are you okay? I know you cared for him. This must be hard for you."
The doors opened and Diana looked straight ahead. "No harder than it is for those who knew him longer than I did."
They stepped out and saw Flash, Green Lantern and the Martian Manhunter standing waiting for them. Batman was no where to be seen.
"He's not coming," said John, seeing the two women glance around as if looking for him.
"Why?" asked Shyera. "He could have come as Bruce Wayne if the Batman does not want to be seen."
J'onn said gravely, "I cannot speak for Bruce's actions. We who are here will represent the League."
Wally looked out the window and said dejectedly, "This is so hard. What are we going to do without him? I use to slack off and joke around because I always knew he was there to pick up the slack but now…I'm not sure if I earned the right to be here."
J'onn touched Flash's shoulder. "Wally, Clark always had faith in you. Honor that faith by not giving up and doubting the confidence he placed in you."
Flash looked unsure. He asked almost pleadingly, "Are you sure he's dead, J'onn? Maybe he's around somewhere…"
"Wally, I have searched and cannot connect with Clark at all. The only time I cannot sense someone I have had a telepathic link with is if they are dead or off-world. I do not think Clark is off-world."
There was silence.
Before the pause got too painful, John said, "We need to get going. I have the Javelin up and running. Let's go."
Diana sat on a pew with the League members and watched as the church filled up. People were standing outside the gates, on the road, and the nearby square set up with tv screens waiting for what was possibly going to be one of the most watched events of the decade. Scores of reporters were outside tripping over themselves to see the casket covered with the stars and stripes, as it was brought in by the pall bearers.
Walking bearing the casket through the streets of Metropolis seemed almost a blur for her. She had seen thousands of people lined along the route. Flowers were thrown and tears were flowing freely. She did not truly realize until then how much this man meant to the people. People from all walks of life. From the mayor to the smallest vendor. He had been a demi god but an everyman too.
Diana's eyes softened as she saw a gray haired woman walk in and take her place silently near the back. She recognized the face from a photograph Clark had on his shelf in his room in the Watchtower. Martha Kent. The woman should be at the front. She was his mother. But she just had to sit like a random civilian at the back and contain her level of grief.
Diana saw Lois Lane walk in with members from the Daily Planet. Richard White, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White stood with her. Superman's affiliation with the Planet was known and this gave them the privilege of sitting near the front. Lois was looking pale and she stared at the casket in dismay as she took her place on the other side of the aisle.
Other people continued to file in. There was suddenly a buzzing and everyone seemed to gasp. Walking in was none other than Lex Luthor himself.
Flash began to rise. "What the hell is he doing here?"
J'onn instructed calmly, "Sit down, Flash."
"What?"
"Luthor has been pardoned on humanitarian grounds."
Shyera looked bemused. "Pardoned?"
John nodded grimly. "Yeah he has cancer and only a short time to live. His lawyers have been successful in getting him off."
"This blows. Blue is dead and his arch-nemesis is standing there looking as if butter wouldn't melt in his mouth."
They watched Luthor walk in and then to the shock of the audience, Lois Lane rose and stalked down the aisle. "How dare you show your face here? Did you come to gloat? Get out!"
Luthor did not flinch. He reached out and touched her. "Lois, when a man faces his mortality he has to re-evaluate what he has done and believe it or not, I will miss Superman too."
She shook his hand off and slapped his cheek. "Liar!" Her voice broke and she began to sob. Lex simply drew her close. "I am sorry."
Diana stared at this scene in astonishment. Her eyes landed on Richard White's face and she saw the pain flash in his eyes.
The funeral service was over. The Martian Manhunter had delivered the eulogy and it had been televised live across the world. The flag was folded and handed over to the mayor and the casket made its way out of the church. Diana and the League followed as it was due to go by limousine to a memorial site in Centennial Park where it would be placed in a glass tomb for visitors to see.
Diana lingered back a minute to stop near a pillar where the gray haired woman now stood.
"Mrs. Kent?"
Martha looked up in surprise to see the young woman her son had spoken to her about in the flesh before her. She blinked. Television and photographs did not do Diana full justice. It was like being in the presence of a real goddess.
"Wonder Woman. It is an honor to meet you." Martha almost felt a need to curtsy.
"No. It is my honor to meet the woman who was responsible for giving us such a great man," Diana replied putting out her hand to her.
She shook her hand. "Thank you."
"I want to also say…I am sorry for your loss." Diana's voice had the slightest waver.
Martha's eyes glimmered with tears and she whispered, "I know."
"If I could swap places with him I would…He died saving me," Diana gulped.
"No. Don't blame yourself. He would not want you to feel guilty."
"It's just… I was not very nice to…"
"Wonder Woman? I'm sorry but it's time," said Green Lantern coming up to her and apologetically interrupting them.
Diana saw that they were waiting for her to join them go to the memorial site. She looked at Mrs. Kent wistfully. "I have to go…I…"
Martha's hand retained her for a few seconds longer. She said gently, "You must come and see me."
Diana blinked. She did not expect that. "Well…I…"
"Any friend of Clark's is welcomed at the farm," she replied and let her hand go.
"Diana, hurry up," reiterated John.
Diana nodded. "Thank you, Mrs. Kent. Goodbye."
Martha gave a sad little smile and watched her go.
Diana flew high above the clouds. The funeral was over and everyone had finally dispersed. Wally had to go home to Keystone City. John was still not up to full fitness and also went to his home city and Diana tried not to stare when Shyera went with him. It seemed those two had grown somewhat closer since Warworld.
J'onn went back to the Watchtower. Diana could have gone back with him or go to Julia's but she felt very unsettled. She needed to just breathe fresh air and not see anyone. She felt as if she needed to fly and fly and get away from anything that reminded her of Clark. But he was everywhere. From the blue of the sky that reminded her of his eyes to the sun itself that she so associated with him. Any flash of red she saw made her heart thud sickeningly.
Diana flew aimlessly until she realized she was above Gotham City. She did not know why but she called in to the Watchtower for the location of Wayne Manor. If J'onn was surprised to hear she was going to visit Bruce, he did not show it. He calmly gave her the address.
It was past dusk so she was able to land gently on the lawn and walk up quietly to the door without raising any alarms or drawing attention to her self. She rang the doorbell. A minute later a slim, mustached, middle-aged man with a placid expression appeared.
His eyes widened for a second. But just for a second. He recovered himself quickly enough.
Alfred Pennyworth asked calmly, "Yes, ma'am, may I help you?"
Diana said politely, "I am here to see, Batman."
Alfred said woodenly, "Madam must have the wrong establishment. We have no Batman here."
Diana frowned. "Yes, you do. I just asked J'onn. Can you tell him Diana would like to speak to him?"
Alfred suggested, "Perhaps you should check the docks or down town? Batman is usually there. Not here."
"Look, I know he lives here as Bruce Wayne…"
"No, Madam is mistaken. Good night." Alfred began to close the door.
"No, I am not! Do not close this door…I need to speak to him." She put her toe in the door and shouted through the gap, "Bruce Wayne! I know you are in there!"
A voice suddenly said impatiently in Alfred's ear-piece. "Oh, let her in!"
"Are you sure, sir?"
"Yes, she looks like she will not take no for an answer."
Alfred stepped aside and opened the door to her surprise. "Enter."
Alfred led her down to the Batcave and on the way, Diana asked, "Are you his servant?"
"No. I am his family."
"Oh. I see. I beg your pardon. I only just found out about his identity, you see. I am Diana, Princess of the Amazons. What is your name?"
"I know who you are, Wonder Woman and my name is Alfred Pennyworth."
"I am pleased to meet you but why wouldn't you let me in?"
Alfred looked at her with grave eyes. "It is not up to me. But the Master. He trusts very few people. In fact, of the League only Superman and the Manhunter know of this place."
Diana said perplexed, "He did not come to the funeral, not even as Bruce Wayne."
Alfred replied, "The Master lost his parents as a child, and now he has lost the closest thing he has to a brother. He does not deal with death well."
Diana looked sympathetically at Alfred. "I see."
They reached the main body of the cave. Diana stared in amazement at the structure. It was a perfect hideout, deep in the bowels of the earth and it was very large. She saw it accommodated a place for the Batmobile and other crafts. It had a computer system and a laboratory.
Batman was sitting at the computer console but the cowl was off. He looked up as she walked down the steps with Alfred standing on the upper landing. Diana had been surprised to see that beneath the cowl he had a handsome face but it did not have the humor, warmth and openness that made Kal's face so beautiful. Bruce's face was rigid. He had wiped out all signs of vulnerability from it.
"Thank you, Alfred. That will be all," he said to the butler who seemed to wait for further instruction. "She won't be staying long."
Alfred bowed and left.
"You do have a way of greeting your allies, haven't you?"
"My allies know better than to just appear on my doorstep. What do you want, Diana?"
"I wanted to see how you were."
"I'm fine," he said brusquely. "Busy if you really want to know."
She asked bitterly, "Is that why you didn't come to your best friend's funeral?"
"I didn't come to Clark's funeral because he is not dead," he retorted.
Diana looked at him startled. "What?"
He got up and showed her a darkened corner of the cave and flicked a switch. Light flooded over it and she saw it was the red and blue machine built by Toyman, now dismantled, in a pile of rubble.
"I examined every bit of metal and plastic and stone and dust and found nothing to suggest he was killed. There is no trace of his DNA or radiation …nothing."
Diana stared at it and said sadly, "Batman…I mean, Bruce…we all saw him get hit by the blast and his body disintegrated right down to the molecular level. J'onn cannot even sense him. Kal is gone." She went to him and touched his arm. "I know you suffered a great loss in the past but denying this will not help…"
He cut her off. "I know how loss feels. I have lived with it for years. Clark, however, is not gone. I refuse to believe it based on the evidence I have before me and if you cared one ounce for him, neither would you."
She flushed. "I did care…I do…You want me to doubt my eyes?"
Bruce gave her a shrewd look. "Do you doubt your heart?"
Diana paled. "What do you mean?"
Bruce said wryly, "You did not come here to see how I was. You came to find solace for yourself."
She looked to protest and he stopped her. "There is no crime in that. But I am not grieving and you are. I am not the right person to talk to." He walked to a table and picked up the small square of red cloth. The only thing left of Clark and he had refused to give it to the League to put it in the casket.
He held it out. "Take it."
Diana stared at him in disbelief. "But..."
He repeated. "Take it, Diana. I'm giving it to you."
Her fingers trembled as she took the cloth. She whispered. "Thank you."
Bruce turned his back on her and went back to the computer console. "I have work to do. I'll see you at the Watchtower. And next time please let me know when you are dropping by and I will have the cave entrance open for you. If you follow that tunnel you will eventually find the exit."
Diana turned and, clutching the red scrap to her heart, as if it were more precious than gold itself, she took her leave.
Author's Note: This is my version of "Hereafter". There is no way Batman can take on Kalibak and Diana can't. In JLU Diana went down without a fight but Bruce supposedly could "take him on". (roll eyes)
There is also a little homage to DC # 32 Superman and Wonder Woman for those in the know. :D
Diana must have experienced more emotions in this chapter than she has ever done in all her life and she is overwhelmed by it all. Plus it occurred to me how hard it must be for Martha Kent. There is no way Clark's family could really grieve as in JLU. In the public's eyes it is not Martha's son but Superman who died.
Thanks for the reviews everyone.