(Here's the next chapter guys.)

OfficialUSMWriter: You'll find out.

Man285: Well things are…difficult…

Adamh619: Thanks.

Gold Testament: You'll see.

Death Fury: Thanks.

Chapter 17: Being Vulnerable

(New York City, Manhattan, S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy, Director Fury's office, the next day)

The group had returned to the academy yesterday licking their wounds. After the Hobgoblin humiliating them in the fight, their pride was hurt…but for others…it was far more than that. Spider-Man hadn't said a word since they got back, but they could all hear him crying. The group didn't really know what to do. Even though White Tiger tried to talk to him, he didn't say anything. He just felt to depressed to even make a quip for the situation. She went to talk to Director Fury about the team's leader. She sat in the Director's room…nervous…a rare emotion for Ava.

"He's not said a word sir…no dumb jokes, silly quips…anything. I haven't ever seen him like this." White Tiger said.

Fury is rubbing his temples, stressed by the news the team had given to him yesterday. When he saw Spider-Man walking in with his head down and not making a sound…he knew something was wrong…very wrong.

"So…Harry Osborn is the Hobgoblin…this isn't good…since he can manipulate fire…it makes him more dangerous than when Norman first became the Goblin." Fury said.

"I know sir…but…but what can we do to help them?" White Tiger asked.

"Doctor Conners has the cure…but considering how powerful Norman is and the difference in Harry's body…it might not be as easy. We'll have to make a serums strong enough to bring down the Hulk and we'll have to get a sample of Hobgoblin's blood for our new friend." Fury answered.

"What about Peter?" White Tiger asked.

"*Sighs* There's nothing I think we can do…he's lost a friend…a good friend since he was a child. I don't know what we can do for him…" Fury sighed.

"But sir…" White Tiger started to say.

"Go talk to him if you want…but I seem to recall that the two of you haven't been on good terms lately…" Fury said.

White Tiger lowered her head.

"I know that tempers have been flaring, but it's both your faults. You need to try and rebuild that bond between you two…especially if you seek what you desire Ms. Ayala." Director Fury said.

"W-What?" White Tiger gasped.

"There isn't a secret involving my agents that I don't know about." Director Fury calmly replied.

White Tiger blushed under her mask. She thought her secret had been well hidden, though she suspected Danny, Luke, and unfortunately Sam possibly knew. Her secret…is that she has a…'thing' for a certain wall crawler. Even though she couldn't stand him at times, there was something about him that made her smile. Though lately of course…things have been unfortunate, their quarrels had become more heated…and they haven't exactly been on the best of terms. White Tiger hoped that would change soon.

"What you want is a normal part of life…but in these circumstances Ms. Ayala…" Director Fury sighed.

"I…I know sir…" White Tiger stammered.

"We need to focus on bringing down the Goblins…we know how dangerous the original Goblin was alone, but with his added power and the Hobgoblin by his side…we can't imagine what havoc they'll wreak." Director Fury said.

White Tiger nodded. As she got up to leave, Fury thought he saw wet spots under her mask…from where he believed she had been crying. She then left.

'Harry…what have you done?...' Fury sighed in his mind.

(Hallway)

White Tiger is walking through the halls, thinking about the past couple of weeks.

'Everything started ok…but…it turned so bad so quickly…Why? Why did this have to happen to us?...To…To him?...' White Tiger whimpered in her mind.

White Tiger has always tried to keep this visage of a strong, disciplined warrior…yet…on the inside…no matter how much she tried to hide it…she was still vulnerable. Iron Fist, Power Man, and Nova are walking down the hall.

"Ava?" Power Man said.

"Yeah, what?" White Tiger grunted.

"It's alright, my friend. Things will change, bad times don't always remain." Iron Fist said.

"Yeah, I mean we all have to look at Spidey's actual face every now and then, but we eventually he puts the mask back on." Nova joked.

"Really?" White Tiger hissed.

Nova smiled nervously.

"Ava, it's ok to be vulnerable. I have impenetrable skin, but I still can get hurt. Don't be ashamed." Power Man said.

White Tiger didn't look at him; her eyes were glued to the floor. Iron Fist put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Things like this take time, they will get better. We just need to get through the hard times." Iron Fist said.

White Tiger didn't say anything. Her mind was still on the overwhelming turmoil of emotions she's currently feeling.

'Why does it always have to be like this? We always have to suffer…Peter most of all…" White Tiger whimpered in her mind.

"Ava, are you listening to me? Are you ok?" Iron Fist asked, waving his right hand in front of her face.

White Tiger's eyes blinked a few times.

"H-Huh? Y-Yeah! I…I got to go." White Tiger said, then walked away.

"She's worried about Spider-Man. We all know it…" Power Man said.

"I know Web Head can go through a lot, don't tell anyone I said that…but this is something else…something none of us should go through." Nova added.

"True that." Power Man sighed.

"Come, we must talk with the Director." Iron Fist said, then walked away with the others following him.

White Tiger continues to walk through the halls, her mind exploding with several similar thoughts, her heart being gnawed at with her conflicting emotions.

'Everything has gone so bad…why can't things just be good for once?! Why?! Why?!' White Tiger cried out in her mind.

White Tiger then saw Spider-Man walking through the halls. She approached him.

"Spidey…I…" White Tiger started to say.

"Ava…no…I don't feel like talking…not now…" Spider-Man said, then walked away.

White Tiger felt tears roll down her eyes, then she jogged away. She found a spot to hide and began to cry, not wanting anyone to see her vulnerable.

To be continued…