She-Hulk's Confidence

"Her...confidence," Sue Storm said. "The way she can wear whatever she wants. As little as she wants. You'd think with a body like that it would be easy to show off, but that's not it. She-Hulk wouldn't care if she was the size of Big Bertha. She's just so...assured. Doesn't care what other people think."

Moonstone took a breath and let her powers fade. Her head ached. She didn't dare push Sue any further. Still, the heroine was talking. All she had to do was keep Sue talking.

"Some of the outfits you've worn over the years are fairly revealing," Dr. Stone said, her voice calm. A handkerchief dabbed at the blood that oozed from her nose. Sue Storm, with her eyes still closed, was utterly unaware.

"That's not—it's different," Sue insisted. "As I've gotten older—had kids—I've kept in shape. Diet, exercise, yoga, massages, a whole beauty care regimen. But I'm not...I'm not as...pretty as that. Even my most revealing costumes never showed off my stretch marks."

Dr. Stone tilted her head and sniffed gently, so some of the blood oozed down the back of her throat, as she wiped the rest away. She thought of Sue's costumes. Skin-tight, but they didn't show a lot of skin. Someone that could turn invisible, yet didn't like to be seen.

"You don't like to be exposed, do you?" Dr. Stone said. "To show yourself like that, it makes you ****. She-Hulk doesn't have to worry about that, does she? She's almost invulnerable."

Sue Storm said nothing. In her mind's eyes, she saw the She-Hulk's green lips split, to show white teeth.

"But with your **** fields, you could make yourself invulnerable. So I don't think it's physical exposure you're afraid of. It's what other people think and say about you. That's one thing that can't bounce off your **** fields."

"I...I guess," Sue said. "I never really thought about it that way.

The psychiatrist tilted her head back. She stared at the blood-stained handkerchief, and then popped a compact out of her pocket, to stare at her face in the mirror. She dabbed at a few spots, then stuff both away.

"I'd like you to open your eyes now," Dr. Stone said.

Sue Storm did so. The blue eyes appeared, and adjusted to the light that streamed through the window. Dr. Stone stared at her, calm, collected, poised—a beacon of self-confidence.

"I think we need to work on your confidence. Both in your body, and in your ability to take criticism. The stress of worrying about what other people think about you is obviously weighing on your mind," Dr. Stone said.

"Okay," Sue said, and felt a little tension ease out of her shoulders. "So...how do we do that?"

Dr. Stone put her hands together and gave a flat-lipped smile.

"I know most people think psychiatry is all about talking through your problems and experiences, but if you actually want to change you can't just talk about it. You have to do something. My practice specializes in setting up exercises and scenarios so patients can face their problems. This is going to sound a little weird but—I think the best way forward is some controlled exposure."

Sue Storm's face showed her shock, her instant, reflexive protest. Dr. Stone held up both her hands.

"Just a minute. I'm not asking you to walk down Wall Street naked or pose full nude for an adult magazine. I'm talking about small exposure in a controlled environment to get you more comfortable with the idea of being naked, so that you can come to grips with your stressors. Confront those fears. Build your confidence. Get in touch with your inner She-Hulk."

The Invisible Woman's jaw worked for a moment. It still sounded like a terrible idea. Yet...at the same time...she surprisingly found herself open to the suggestion.

"What do you have in mind?" Sue asked.