BAE Chapter 50

Sometimes Gotham is pretty in the evening. This isn’t one of those times. There’s a storm brewing, and the distant thunder is more ominous than calming.

The home that Aki Aramaki shares with her wife is a luxe apartment downtown, several steps down from Bruce’s penthouse, but about a thousand steps up from Barbara’s place. It’s all high ceilings, elegant arches, and exotic rugs. The décor is a strange combination of sensibilities. Someone in this apartment likes warm colors and art that pops while someone likes neutral colors and dislikes clutter.

“Beautiful space,” Barbara says as Aki lets her in. For the occasion, she’s donned an outfit that Alfred picked out for her: a lighter, more stylish pantsuit with a satin blouse. Rather than a businesswoman, she feels like an executive at a record label dressed this way. But it looks good.

But she has overdressed: Aki is wearing a silk robe and while Barbara can’t be sure what’s underneath it, there is definitely no bra. Barbara didn’t expect this. Aki is a difficult read. Maybe she’s very relaxed at home, or maybe Barbara’s instincts about flirting were correct.

She plays it cool.

“You look nice,” Aki tells her, closing the door securely and locking it.

“So do you.” Barbara can reciprocate a little, at least until she knows what she’s in for.

Aki has cooked a simple meal of salmon, rice, and vegetables. She serves it at her dining table, which is meant for ten, but she sets Barabara at the end and sits directly to her right, very close. The wine that she pours is a Riesling. It’s a nice meal. Maybe it’s normal for people like Aki. Barbara’s more accustomed to eating cereal or grilled cheese while studying.

“What’s the scheme?” Barbara asks directly. Maybe there’s some very clever way to play this, but Barbara is a busy woman. Aki’s going to have to compromise a little.

“The idea,” Aki says, nonplussed as she continues to eat, “…is that we build trust.”

“How do we do that?”

“By being honest with each other. Completely honest.”

Barbara’s about to reply, but Aki sets her knife and fork down. Perfectly casually, Aki unbelts her robe, still sitting, and slips it off her shoulders. She’s topless underneath. All Barbara can see is skin.

Barbara has been in some strange and shocking situations. She’s not prepared for this.

She stares openly. First, it’s a weird thing to do. Second, Aki dresses to downplay her physique.

Barbara freezes, but at least she’s had enough practice in the field to not let on. Her calm expression does not flicker. Aki must be hoping for a reaction. Barbara will not give her one.

Barbara takes a bite of salmon, then points at Aki with her fork.

“Is this like a metaphor for what you were saying about honesty?”

“What?”

“Like being naked represents being honest? Am I supposed to get naked too?”

“No,” Aki replies.

“OK. So if it’s not that, is it a power move? Are you trying to make me uncomfortable? Can I ask a question?” she asks before Aki can reply.

To her credit, Aki is handling this table-turning flawlessly.

“Of course,” she says.

“Why do you dress to downplay your boobs? They’re nice,” Barbara says.

“I dress for the part.”

“Are you being honest right now? You just said something about honesty.”

“I am being honest. Honesty and my state of undress are two separate issues. I was planning to take them up separately,” Aki says.

“OK, then why not finish the honesty thing then, uh, disrobe?” Barbara asks, doing everything she can to keep from laughing. She keeps the pressure on while matching Aki’s energy.

Aki gazes at her, then she blinks. “It’s not a power move,” she insists. “Not exactly. I can see why you would think it was one. But it’s not.”

“You’re still not telling me what it is. Not very honest of you,” Barbara says in a singsong voice, taking a drink of wine. It was Aki’s bad luck that she was having dinner with Batgirl; no doubt she would walk all over a normal intern or executive. “Is this a test? Am I supposed to not look? Because I’m looking.”

“It’s because you were looking that I did it.”

“Excuse me?”

“Barbara, you are not as discreet as you think,” Aki says.

Barbara feels a flash of embarrassment, thinking back on the board meeting. Did she check Aki out? She doesn’t remember, but it’s possible. Checking women out is now a thing that she does… it’s true. Did Aki read her? She might be bluffing. She might not. Barbara can’t be sure. The thoughts that she’s been having about Summer, Kate, and even… Talia… she’s not keeping track anymore. Hell, she watched Harley walk away last night.

Aki cocks her head and Barbara feels the tables turning again.

“Was I not supposed to notice?” Aki asks. “Honesty.”

Barbara hesitates. “I guess not. I don’t remember checking you out. But I probably did.”

“Probably,” Aki says with a small smile.

“Do you show your boobs to everyone who checks you out?”

“No.” Aki’s composure is perfect. “Can we get back on topic?”

“I think it’s messed up for you to say that,” Barbara notes. “What if I start stripping and then tell you to stay focused?”

“I would stay focused,” Aki replies placidly.

She would. Barbara sighs. “Okay. What was the topic? Was it the temperature in here? Must be a little chilly,” she says, looking very obviously at Aki’s small, dark, extremely hard nipples.

“It’s just right, Barbara. The topic is honesty. The idea of us helping each other is built on an understanding of what we each want. If I’m going to help you, I need to know which division you have your eye on.” Aki picks up her fork and knife. “Or is it the top job?”

Barbara quickly realigns her thinking. She’s still not sure if Aki is joking around, but she’s leaning toward not.

“What about you? What do I get for tipping my hand?” she asks.

“My wife is going to be mayor of this city,” Aki says.

Barbara takes that in, feeling a slight chill. There hasn’t been a single second of this evening that Aki hasn’t been in control. Her theatrical nudity isn’t quirky or misjudged; it’s dead on target. Barbara’s off-balance.

Barbara masks her hesitance by taking a bite. She’s lucky that Aki wants to work with her and not against her. She hasn’t forgotten Lucius’ warnings. She’s good with criminals. Executives? This is certainly different.

Barbara keeps her cool and nods. “OK. With Wayne money, District Attorney Saxena cruises into office with crime up right now. Does she have Wayne money?”

“No official endorsement yet.”

“Lucius doesn’t like to directly meddle in politics. Neither did Mr. Wayne when he was still around. Unless there was a large anti-poverty component,” Barbara adds.

Aki’s smile grows. “Your turn, Barbara.”

“The truth?” Barbara stares at her. “All right. I don’t have my eye on any one division. I’m focused on Isley right now. I’m not aiming for anything.” She hesitates. Aki knows how to read her. She can’t lie. Or even omit… too much. “But I am going to position myself so that if something happens, I’ll be ready to make a move.”

Aki’s face doesn’t betray much, but Barbara senses that she likes what she’s hearing.

“Do you think we could help each other?” Aki asks simply.

Obviously, they can. Aki can clear the way for any internal moves that Barbara wants to make. Barbara is a clean influence on Lucius and the board on the subject of political contributions. It’s a match made in heaven. Aki already knows that; that’s why they’re here.

“Sounds negotiable,” Barbara says.

“Now, do you want to tell me about the nudity?”

“Certainly.” Aki wipes her mouth. “My wife was a victim of the Seed Attack.”

“You think that’s a conflict of interest with bringing in Dr. Isley?” Barbara folds her arms, considering it.

“No. Not at all. How is that connected to my body?” Aki asks.

“Oh, right. Continue.” Barbara needs to focus; Aki’s not making that easy. It’s no accident.

“This is a recent matter. Little is known about the anatomy that comes with the attack. Insofar as how similar or dissimilar it may be to the ones traditionally attached to men,” Aki says eloquently.

Well, that’s not exactly true. Barbara only has Dick’s penis as a frame of reference, but based solely on that she’s comfortable stating that are few if any differences apart from the obvious. But Aki’s married to a woman and was even before the attack; Barbara can’t assume that she’s ever been with a man. Or that anything she’s saying should be taken at face value.

“OK,” Barbara says neutrally.

“My wife is sensitive,” Aki says, speaking as though she is discussing the weather. “One touch and she’s finished. She’s a proud woman. She assures me that this is normal for all victims of the attack.”

“I see,” Barbara says, smiling. “You don’t believe her.”

“I just thought that if we were going to invest so much in Dr. Isley with the Seed Project, it might be beneficial if I had a more fleshed-out understanding of the subject matter,” Aki says, managing to sound completely reasonable.

Should Barbara flesh out Aki’s understanding?

Or refuse?