Here's the next chapter. Sorry this took a while to update, I've been going through some things lately. About a month ago, my baby girl of nine years, my precious cat Cleo passed away. She had to be put down after it was discovered that she was diagnosed with cancer of the mouth. She had been battling it for over a month and by the time we brought her to the vet... there was basically nothing they could do for her. The cancer had spread far, it was basically eating her alive and she had stopped eating for weeks. The cancer had started under her tongue where the cancer was just breaking her tongue down causing he to loose a lot of blood and it had spread to her gums, so it was only a matter of time before her teeth would be falling out. She was suffering, she was in pain and the only option was... was to put her down. I had no choice. Its been very difficult for me and my family, she was the first pet I ever had and I loved her so much. It hurts so much because we've had her for so long and she was such a big part our family and our lives.

So... I would like to dedicate this chapter to Cleo.

I will always be thinking of her and she will always be in my heart even when the day comes that I'll be ready to welcome a new pet into our lives, she will always hold a special place in my heart.

I just hope that wherever she is now, she's safe and happy.

I do not own USM or any of it characters

Enjoy

Chapter Twenty-One: Aftermath

Tamera's POV…

I have been sitting on the roof of the Triskelion for the past few hours now. I was clutching Ben's mask in my hands as I looked down at it and fresh tears filled my eyes again. I still couldn't believe what happened, Ben Reilly, someone I loved so much was now gone… he was dead. I just couldn't wrap my mind around it, it just doesn't feel real. It literally felt like my heart had been ripped right out of my chest and was crushed under a heavyweight. That's how much it hurt.

I've dealt with loss and death before, my grandmother and my mother. My grandmother died when I was three from cancer and my mother died when I was six after she was killed in action while being stationed in Afghanistan. It hurt a lot when she died, but why does this hurt so much more?

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear footsteps behind me until my name was called "Tamera"

I look up and see my father standing behind me with a soft smile on his face "Hi, daddy" I then looked back down at the mask as my father took a seat next to me.

"I guess it's safe to say that your new appearance is the reason why you didn't come home," my father said as I see him looking at me from the corner of my eye.

I nodded my head as I kept my gaze down "Yeah… I thought by doing it, I was protecting you all"

"From what?" my father asked.

"From the person who did this to me," I said as I gritted my teeth "I was afraid he would find me at home and you all would be put in danger because of me"

I glanced at my father and saw him nod his head as he sighed and looked out at the ocean "I was scared, too…" he looked back at me when I said that.

"Afraid of what?" he asked, confused.

I felt more tears fill my eyes as I looked out at the water "I was afraid that… that you guys would turn me away, seeing me like this"

I heard my father sigh before he spoke again "Tamera... you know that I love you so much no matter what. I'll admit, seeing you like this is a shock, but you're still my daughter and nothing will never change that" he placed a hand on the back of my head causing me to look at him "When I look in your eyes, not only do I still see you, but I see your mother" I smiled at that and the tears began to spill from my eyes "You're so much like her, Tamera; kind, brave, strong and a heart of gold. From the day we lost her and as you got older, I always saw her in you. She's still a part of you, Tamera, no matter what your mother will always be a part of you and I know that she would be proud of the young woman you've grown up to be"

Hearing my dad say that, really warmed my heart. I missed this, being able to talk to my dad and him always making me feel better after something bad happened. After my mom died, dad's the one who's been there supporting me, my sister and grandpa. He's had to be both parents for years and I know it hasn't been easy on him, but he always had grandpa to help him out.

"So, um…" dad cleared his throat as he placed his hand back on his lap "That boy back on the ship, Ben was his name?"

I nodded my head "Yeah"

"Was he, uh… special to you?" he asked.

I swallowed hard as I looked down again "Yeah… he was boyfriend"

"I see" my dad said nodding his head in understanding "I'm sorry for what happened to him, Tamera. I'm sure he was a good man"

"He was" I said looking back at the ocean "He just trusted the wrong people, but he was a good man and he had a good heart. I know he did"

I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked over at my dad "I'm sorry, sweetheart. At least he died a hero, he did the right thing in the end. Remember that"

"I know, thanks dad" I smiled small at him and returned the smile.

"Were you two, um… was it serious between the two of you?" my father asked awkwardly.

I chuckled quietly when he said that "Yes, we were, dad"

"Oh, ok…" my dad said rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.

"It's ok, dad" I told him "We don't have to have that talk, it's all good"

I chuckled when he sighed in relief "Good, because I really didn't want to have that discussion right now"

"I know" I nodded with a small smile on my face before looking back at the water.

"So… I'm hoping that you'll be coming home now that we've cleared the air between us" Dad said hopefully.

I let out a sigh before looking at my dad with a small smile "I will dad, but right now…I… I need some time to myself… after everything that's happened today"

My dad smiled at me and nodded in understanding, "I understand, sweetheart" he placed a hand on my shoulder "Take all the time you need, but remember we will always welcome you back home. No matter what"

I smiled at my dad, "Thanks, dad" I then stood up from my spot "You can talk to Spider-Man about getting you back home"

He nodded with a small smile before I returned the smile and walked back into the Triskelion. As I was walking through the halls, I could feel eyes on me and people whispering. I knew what they were whispering about and what they were thinking, pretty much everyone in the Triskelion knew about me and Ben being together, they also knew about his betrayal. They're all either wondering how I'm taking it or if I knew all along, but chose to ignore it. I never knew, but my wolves did. They tried to tell me on several occasions, but I didn't listen. Right now, I really wish I did, maybe then I could've done something to stop Ben from doing it.

I headed out into the city to get some time to myself. This rooftop I'm currently at right now is special to me. Why? Well, because this is where I first told Ben about my mom and when we were really opening up to each other.

I couldn't stop the tears that filled my eyes as I shut them tightly. I felt the tears running down my face, damping my fur again. I just… don't understand. Why? Why is everyone I love either put in danger or I end up losing them. My mother and now Ben. Am I not meant to be happy? Am I meant to be alone for the rest of my life?

"Hey… are you ok?" I heard a voice behind me. I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts that I didn't even hear anyone come up behind me.

I turned around to see another mutant, like me except she looked more like a cat or panther. She was covered in jet black fur, shoulder length straight black hair, big emerald green eyes, small black ears on the crown of her head and a long black tail coming from the base of her back.

"Who are you?" I asked cautiously as I eyed her suspiciously "And what are you doing here?"

"My name's Tanya" she answered with her hands on her hips "And I was in the middle of my patrol when I saw you here crying and became curious. So, I ask again: Are you ok?"

"Not really" I answered with a sniffle as I stood up "The past six hours have been pretty shitty for me. I'm Tamera, by the way"

"That bad, huh?" Tanya asked, taking a few steps towards me "Oh, it's nice to meet you, Tamera. You wanna talk about it? Might make you feel better"

I thought about it for a minute before letting out a heavy sigh "I guess so. I don't really have anything left to lose at this point"

She then smirked at me "Tamera, I think you and I are gonna be good friends"

Let me hear your thoughts, guys :)