Peter had avoided talking about his girlfriend's death since the funeral. He knew his feelings would only get worse without opening up, but that wasn't going to make it any easier for him to do it.

"I suppose you know what happened on the George Washington Bridge," Peter said meekly to Ashley. "That's all I can think of these days. She's all I can think of."

"That's understandable," replied Ashley. "You really loved her."

"Of course I did!" exclaimed Peter. "She was the first girl who actually loved me for who I am as Peter Parker. She wasn't in love with someone who can lift cars and climb walls. She loved Peter Parker the science nerd. No girl ever felt that way about me the way she did. I was going to tell her I was Spider-Man. I was going to propose to her, but now she's gone because of me."

"What else could you have done?" asked Ashley.

"I thought I saved her when I caught her with my web, but I didn't. I should've dropped down toward her instead of using my webs. If only I knew, she'd still be here and I wouldn't even have to talk about this!"

"But you didn't know it wouldn't save her."

"I should've though! I was supposed to save her, and now she's gone because of my stupid mistake."

Ashley understood Peter's pain, but she knew he couldn't keep beating himself over the ordeal.

"I totally get that," she said. "And it's natural to feel that you could've done more, but the thing is, there's only so much we can do to protect the people we love. I know it may be easy for me to say since I don't have superpowers, but you're not the only superhero in the world who's failed to save the day at one point or another. The Avengers couldn't stop Thanos when he first came to Earth. Red Skull and Hydra are still around even with S.H.I.E.L.D. in the picture. And what about Tony Stark? He let terrorists take his technology, and he didn't even know it. He still makes mistakes more than you realize.

Peter knew what Ashley said was true, but it would've been much more comforting if what he was dealing with wasn't as severe of a loss as it was for him.

"Yeah, but how can I move on by just hearing the words "I did my best,"?" asked Peter tearfully. "My best wasn't good enough, and now I have to spend the rest of my life without the woman I love. That's not something I can just move on from. I just can't. I'm not strong enough to live without her. She was the love of my life. I'm not strong enough to do it."

Ashley sighed as she handed Peter a box of tissues. She was fortunate to never have been in his situation, and could only imagine how badly he was feeling after his loss. But if there was any way she could help steer him away from his negative emotions, it would be by reminding him of all the good things he had, even if it was easier said than done.

"You did a good thing coming here Peter," said Ashley. "I can help you through it, but I'm not the only one as long as the other people in your life are there for you, too."

As Peter rubbed a tissue over his eyes, he thought about what Ashley just said. His aunt and friends have been offering to help him, but he brushed them off in response. He knew now that being away from them wasn't the way to tackle his troubles. He needed them, now more than ever. Aunt May, Mary Jane, Harry, and everyone else who loved him. All this time, Peter was looking for a way to cope, and he didn't realize until now that it was right in front of him. But part of him was still hesitant.

"I do need them," admitted Peter. "But, I just, I don't want to look weak and vulnerable in front of them. I know it doesn't matter what people think of me, but I don't want them in particular to think I'm weak and sensitive. I hate asking someone for help when someone else could probably do it on their own."

"Everyone needs help every now and then Peter," replied Ashley. "Even people with gifts like yours can't do everything on their own. The Avengers were formed for a reason. They can't keep the world safe without each other. Taking the easy way out and asking for help may sound like a cowardly way, but it's not. If anything, it means you're strong enough to know your weaknesses, and it's not a bad thing."

Although Peter still had that small feeling of vulnerability, Ashley's words made sense to him. For him, it was hard to acknowledge his weak spots, and the fact that he did showed he wasn't completely afraid of showing them.

"You're right, Dr. Kafka," said Peter. "When I got my powers, I thought I could do anything. I thought I could get through my problems all by myself. But I guess even with the spider-strength and spider-sense, I guess on the inside, I'm still human. I'm not perfect, and I never have been. I wanted to think at some point that I could've become a perfect man, but I guess nobody can be."

"You're right Peter, nobody's perfect," agreed Ashley. "Well, that's all the time we have for today, but I'll see you a month from today. Same time?"

"Yeah, that'll work," answered Peter as he got up from his chair. "I'm still grieving, but I do feel a tiny bit better. Thanks for hearing me out Dr. Kafka."

"Your welcome," replied Ashley. "I hope I was able to help. Just remember to surround yourself with the people who want to help you."

"I will," said Peter, as he walked out the office door. "Have a nice day."

As unsure as he still felt, Peter definitely believed he got some answers and assurance from his session with Ashley. He just hoped that by going through with her advice that things would turn around for him by the time he saw her again.