Family reunion

Spoilers for the episode of January 19th 2020, albeit shifting the timeline around a bit for funsies. I wasn't going to continue this immediately but then that episode happened.

Kate was back in Gotham, and sitting in the back of a car with blacked out windows, trying to psyche herself up. She'd gotten this far, but she couldn't go inside without going onto a public street, and a public street meant being seen, which meant keeping up appearances. And in this new world...

Kate pulled off her top, then waited a moment, trying to get used to how just that felt. Even alone, having slid back to the back of the car, and out of sight, it felt oddly **** to be without the garment when she wasn't in the privacy of her home. And she wasn't even naked yet, far from it.

It was a few seconds before she convinced her hands to slide down her pants. She lingered a moment with them around her ankles, shifting, adjusting to the new sensation of the car seat against her. It wasn't like she wasn't presentable, she never knew when she might end up having a lovely woman see her in her underwear so she always liked to look good, but it was still far from decent.

Kate hesitated still. It took an effort to kick her pants off, and even then she sat almost demurely, hands on her lap, adjusting. There was an odd thrill to getting away with this, nothing but the car door between her body and the street outside, and the muffled voices she could hear. Somehow she knew that thrill would turn to embarrassment the moment the door was open.

And... Taking a deep breath, she reached back to unclasp her bra, slipping it off with a hand that was now shaking. One step closer.

Someone bumped into the car. She nearly jumped out of her skin, heat rushing to her cheeks. God, that had felt too close. She stared nervously at the tinted window, waiting for her heart rate to settle down.

How was it she could take on multiverse-destroying gods and this was what made her falter?

It was a while before nerves settled down, replaced by that odd mix of trepidation and the thrill at getting away with something risque. In a strange way getting away with this was almost fun, right up until she had to face the consequences. Kate squirmed. Then, slowly, started to nudge her panties down. She tensed as her butt touched the car seat.

It was a long, long journey for her to slide her last garment down her legs. Then, there she was, shaking slightly and knowing it wouldn't be long before she had to go outside. She couldn't spend all her time in her car after all.

Deep breaths. Kate shuddered. Then, forcing herself to move before she stayed in there all day, shuffled sideways across the car seat, bare skin against the surface, and reached for the door handle with a trembling hand. She tried to steady herself, then pushed it open.

Close the door. Walk the short distance to the door of her building. Go inside. Pull the blind down behind her.

In reality, it couldn't have taken more than five seconds. It felt like forever. The air hit her in a sudden shock, the vaguely risque thrill replaced by sheer self-consciousness as she took her first step. She still had on her shoes, for practical reasons, and the contrast between how her feet felt and the rest of her felt made her almost regret it.

The cool surrounded her, parts of her that had never been exposed to a Gotham street now proudly bared, and she walked into it. She could feel the eyes on her every step, imagine what the city was thinking. And this was just the first time.

She stepped inside, hastily pulled the blinds down to keep her out of sight, and took a moment to pant.

Naked in the foyer still felt risky, but no one else should be in there. She could relax, and maybe get used to being like this. She'd have to sooner or later.

She felt almost off-balance without her clothes. Kate walked towards the stairs, stumbling a little, then began climbing, wearing nothing but her shoes. The flush from the street had almost faded as she reached her office.

Then she turned the corner and saw a silhouette standing there. Kate froze.

"Happy birthday!" the woman said in a strikingly familiar voice.

Kate tensed, forgetting even to cover herself as she stood there in shock. That was Alice. Well, Alice's voice, but the hair, the clothes, her manner... All of that was off. Kate opened her mouth to speak, and hesitated.

Was this some other change to the timeline? Where she had... Beth?

"Hello?" Beth said, staring back almost in parody of Kate's own expression. "Honestly, I come home from a semester abroad and my apartment's a boys' dorm room, and look at you, apparently. Okay, not the biggest surprise, but why are you staring like I'm the one who's not acting normal?"

Kate's cheeks warmed. Then she couldn't help an undignified yelp as Beth hugged her, her sister embracing her, fondness overwhelming any embarrassment on her part. Kate meanwhile had never felt her face so hot, a clothed body against her bare breasts, arms wrapping around her bare back, the innocence of the gesture just making it worse.

Proximity confirmed it couldn't be Mouse, as if he'd choose such a bizarre lie. Kate tried not to think about how... real certain parts felt, awkwardly extricating herself from the tight hug.

"Missed you," Beth said.

Kate swallowed.

"I... yeah, missed you too," Kate stammered.

"So... nudist, huh?" Beth said.

Kate blushed.