Chapter 2: Spider-Man & White Tiger

Valentine's Day was coming up at S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy. Peter Parker, aka the Ultimate Spider-Man has just finished another lesson with his 5 students. His 2 best friends Harry Osborn, aka the Patrioteer, and Mary Jane Watson, aka Spider-Woman, Alex O'Hirn, formerly known as Rhino, Adrian Toomes, formerly known as Vulture, and Frances Beck, the new Mysterio and daughter of the original Mysterio.

Peter walked out of his classroom and headed for the locker room. As soon as he got there, his eye soon caught the prettiest sight he had ever seen. Ava Ayala, aka White Tiger. Ava was one of Peter's original teammates from when he first joined S.H.I.E.L.D. At first, Ava thought of Peter as an immature and incompetent person, unfit to lead their team. But overtime, they've earned each other's friendship. Peter had developed a bit of a crush on Ava during the first time they went after Kraven the Hunter, who killed Ava's father, the original White Tiger, to try and gain control of the power of the White Tiger amulet. Ava secretly felt the same about Peter. But she was too busy taking her studies and duties seriously to even tell him.

"Hey Ava." Peter called. Ava turned and saw him. "Oh, hey Pete. What's up?" She asked. "Oh, you know, same old, same old." Peter said. "How's the teaching going?" Ava asked. "Better than expected." Peter said. The 2 then looked away blushing. "So, I was thinking." Peter started. "Yes?" Ava asked. "If you're not doing anything later, would you, maybe, like to hang out? Just you and me?" Peter asked. Ava was wide-eyed. Her longtime crush had just asked her out. "Yes. I'd like that." She answered. Peter felt his heart beat like a speeding cheetah. "Okay. So, how about a walk at the park at 6:00?" Peter asked. "Yeah. Sounds like fun." Ava said. Both Peter and Ava chuckled nervously while blushing harder. "Well, I better get to my next class. I'll see you tonight, Pete." Ava said, walking out. As soon as she left, Peter felt like having a heart-attack. He had just asked out the girl of his dreams. That is until his mind went back to a very terrible time. A familiar face.

Outside, Ava slunk against the wall beside the door. She held her books against her chest, her heart racing, her eyes sparkling and her smile wide. Peter Parker, the man of her dreams, had just asked her out. That is until her mind went back to a very terrible time.

Afterwards, Peter went back home and prepared for his date with Ava. Just then, his Aunt May walked into his room. "Hey Peter." May said, getting a good look at her nephew. He wore one of his deceased uncle's old suits from when he was young. "Well, don't you look handsome. You got a date tonight?" She asked. "Yeah. I'm meeting Ava at the park tonight." Peter answered. May smiled. "I always had a feeling you felt something for her." She said. Peter smiled, but then turned it into a frown. "Something wrong, Peter?" May asked. Peter didn't answer and just sat on his bed. May knew what her nephew was thinking about. Or who. "You're thinking about her again, aren't you? About Gwen?" She asked. Peter hesitated to, but nodded. May sat down next to Peter and tried to comfort him. "You know it wasn't your fault." She said. "I know. I just wish I was quicker." Peter said. "I know." May said, rubbing Peter's back. "After that, I wasn't sure that I'd be able to move on. But that changed when Fury brought me into S.H.I.E.L.D. When I met my team. When I met Ava." Peter said, thinking about Ava's beauty from when they first met. "Well, I'm very proud of you, Peter. Gwen would've wanted you to move on." May said. "Thanks Aunt May." Peter said. May kissed the side of Peter's head and walked out of his room.

Meanwhile, Ava was also preparing for the date. She had just finished applying some eyeshadow and had moved to nail polish. "Ava? You about done?" A woman's voice called from outside her room. "Yeah Mom. Just about done." Ava called. Then Ava's mother walked in. "I hope you picked out something nice." She said. Then she got a good look at her daughter. Ava was wearing her mother's glitter dress from when she and her father were young. "Ava, you look beautiful. Just like I did when I wore that on my first date with your father." She said. "Thanks mom." Ava said. But then she got a sad look on her face. "Ava, what's wrong?" Her mother asked. "Nothing." Ava lied. "It's about him again, isn't it?" Her mother asked. Ava slowly nodded with sadness. Her mother walked over and cupped Ava's cheek. "Sweetheart, I know you still feel bad about what happened to him that day, but you must know that it's time to put the past aside and look towards your future." She said. "Peter's a great guy. I know he'll make you happy." "Thanks Mom. And I'll be sure to make him happy too." Ava said. She then hugged her mother.

5 minutes later, Peter walked up to Ava's house and rang the doorbell. Ava's mother answered. "Ah, you must be Peter Parker." She guessed. "Yes ma'am." Peter said. "I'm Ava's mother. It's so nice to meet you." Ava's mom said, shaking Peter's hand. "Good to meet you too, ma'am." Peter said. "Ava! Your date's here!" Ava's mom called. "Coming!" Ava called from upstairs. Peter stared in awe as Ava came downstairs in her dress. "Wow!" He said. "I second that." Ava said, staring at Peter's outfit. "Alright. Don't be out too late, you hear?" Ava's mom said. "Yes mom." Ava said. "Don't worry, Mrs. Ayala. We're both in good hands." Peter said, smiling with Ava. Both then walked away with linked arms. Ava's mom looked on, putting her hand over her heart, happy that her daughter was with a good man.

Once they got to the park, Peter and Ava sat down on a bench and started talking. "You look really beautiful, Ava." Peter said. "Thanks Pete." Ava said. "Where'd you get that dress?" Peter asked. "It was my mother's from when she and my dad started dating." Ava explained. "Really?" Peter asked. Ava nodded. "What about that suit you're wearing? Where'd you get it?" She asked. "It was my Uncle Ben's from his and Aunt May's youth." Peter said. "Shut up!" Ava said in disbelief. Peter nodded.

After a while of talking, they couple continued on their walk. As they walked, Peter looked at Ava. Then his thoughts turned to Gwen, getting a sad look on his face. Ava looked at him and saw this. "Hey, are you okay?" She asked. "Yeah." Peter said sadly. "What's wrong?" Ava asked, stopping the walk. "Well, I was thinking back to a bad time." Peter said. "What time?" Ava asked. "When I lost my first girlfriend. Gwen Stacey." Peter said. "Gwen Stacey? Like that Spider-Gwen you and Miles met in his universe?" Ava asked. "Almost like her." Peter said. "Tell me about her." Ava said. Peter felt unsure about it. "Please?" Ava asked. "Okay." Peter sighed. "Well, Gwen was one of my oldest friends from high school. She was smart, beautiful, funny…you get it." Ava nodded. "A few weeks after I became Spider-Man, we started going out. I really loved her. And she loved me. But then one day, I lost her." Peter said. "What happened?" Ava asked as Peter's voice started to break. "Well, I revealed my identity to her, and it put her in great danger. She was kidnapped by Shocker. He took her to an abandoned apartment. Our battle caused a complete demolition. I tried to save her, but she died from the whiplash. I lost my first girlfriend all because of my duty as Spider-Man."

Ava started to shed her tears. "I know how you feel." She said. "You do?" Peter asked. "Yeah. I too lost someone that special to me once." Ava said. "You had a boyfriend before you met me?" Peter asked. Ava nodded. "His name was Andre. He was one of the closest friends I had in my village. We've dated for almost 2 years after I took the White Tiger." She explained. "What happened?" Peter asked. Ava let her tears fall as she went on. "One day, there was a robbery in the village square. I was helping the cops deal with a shootout. After we brought them down, Andre arrived to see if I was alright." Her voice started to break. "One of the robbers, he managed to get loose from the cops and pulled his gun on me. Andre stepped in front of me and took the bullet that was meant for me. He died right in my arms. I too lost my first boyfriend because of my duties as the White Tiger."

Peter put a comforting hand around Ava. "Afterwards, S.H.I.E.L.D. tracked me down, got me certified into the academy and brought me here. After I met Luke, Danny and Sam, I put my duties to S.H.I.E.L.D. above everything else. I thought I would never fall in love again. That is, until I met you." Ava said. Peter stared into her beautiful brown eyes. They then slowly moved towards each other and kissed each other on the lips. Ava cupped Peter's cheek as their kiss started to get passionate. After a few minutes, Peter and Ava broke the kiss and hugged each other. "I love you, Peter." Ava said. "I love you too, Ava." Peter said.

Afterwards, Peter brought Ava back to her house. "Thanks for the walk, Peter. I really had a great time with you tonight." Ava said. "Yeah. So did I." Peter said. Both of them blushed hard. "So, can I take you out again sometime? But for a nice dinner somewhere?" Peter asked. "Sure. I'd really like that." Ava said. They then hugged each other. "I'm so happy you're my boyfriend." Ava whispered. "And I'm happy to have you as my girlfriend." Peter whispered. They then pulled out of the hug and gave each other one last passionate kiss for the night.

As Peter walked back to his aunt's house, both he and Ava thought long and hard about each other. They knew they would have a wonderful future together.

Next Couple: Star Lord and Gamora