What Fades Away

chapter 2: if you leave, i'm coming with you

When Mara's father was killed, the Bishops took in Mara and moved her into the same room as their dark haired three year old, Kate. Mara's mother Angelica and Kate's mother Eleanor were best friends, having gone to the same all-girls private school in upstate New York and eventually marrying into the upper classes of Manhattan. Angelica and Eleanor were like night and day; Angelica more free-spirited and a lover of parties, whereas Eleanor was cool and collected, devoting all her time to the betterment of her community and her family. This created a strong connection, the women bringing out the best in each other and filling the gaps the other lacked. This bond lasted until the day Mara's father Dr. Edward Poole was killed. In the coming weeks, Mara's mother would be committed to a private hospital, increasingly more unstable and unable to care for her only child. Prior to her move, Angelica asked Eleanor to take care of her daughter and Eleanor without question agreed.

Growing up, Mara and Kate relied on each other to get through every dinner party, museum fundraiser, and recital performance. If you wanted one girl, all you had to do was look for the other. If Kate fell asleep during the Nutcracker, like she did every year, Mara was always the one to nudge her head off the back of the velvet theater seats. If Mara wanted to sneak out of the house to meet with a boy, Kate always made sure the window to their bedroom was unlocked and the pillows perfectly positioned to resemble a sleeping 15 year old girl. They had their share of secrets from everyone else as well. Once, Mara and Kate were arguing and she pushed Kate into the corner of the coffee table. Blood ran down Kate's neck and arms from the gash caused by the glass tabletop, while Mara ran to find Eleanor. Kate told her mom it was an accident and covered for her sister. To this day, no one knows the real reason Kate had to have four stitches and has hair missing at the base of her neck.

Mara knows that Kate is more than capable of being an Avenger; she's a little chaotic, thinks quickly, and always finds her target. However, it's the other aspects of being in this exclusive group that worries her. The philosopher Cicero once said "history is the witness that testifies to the passing of time". Mara has witnessed over a century of unbelievable events, thanks to her profession. She's cataloged countless photographs, articles, and items starting from the fall of Hydra in the 1940s, the creation of SHIELD in the 1950s, all the way up to the Blip and the Return. There is nearly always one common denominator: loss. The thought of losing Kate is more terrifying to Mara than any robot, alien, or assassin.

The day after Kate confessed about her meeting with Sam Wilson and his attempt at reforming the Avengers, Mara finds herself getting ready for dinner with the new Captain. They are supposed to meet at the restaurant at 7:30. Right now it's 7 and Mara is nowhere close to looking presentable for the new star-spangled man with a plan. Mara's hair is still in braids from her shower earlier and she has two different shades of eyeshadow on because she can't decide which one goes best with the white blouse she's picked out. As she gathers her unbraided hair into a high ponytail, her phone starts notifying her of text messages. Getting them in rapid succession, which is a trademark of Kate Bishop.

7:06 K: where is this place again

7:08 K: nvm found it

7:09 K: OHH THIS PLACE IS NICEEEE.

7:09 K: do you think it will matter if I order a drink?

7:10 K: too late. i already did it.

Mara rolls her eyes as she finishes pulling on her heels. She decided on her go-to "I'm gonna impress the shit out of you" outfit: white silk blouse, black skinny ankle pants, and black pumps that make her ass look amazing. Checking that her baby hairs are smoothed down and picking up the hoop earring that just fell out, Mara leaves her Brooklyn apartment at 7:29. I swear, I'll be late to my own fucking funeral.