AN-You got me blushing again. Thanks for the wonderful reviews. And of course, any comments available. As to one comment, I am technically a published author. If you go to my profile, you'll see my home page. It tells you how to order my two books. Thanks a million.

Tara stood watching the sleeping witch. She had removed the protective barrier. Though they still did not know what exactly was going on, she somehow in her heart trusted the woman that lay sleeping in front of her. The cage, however, was still in use. It was something she hated to see. After all, she had felt like she was in a cage since her mother had died.

But that was a different story for another time. The story she was most concerned with was what exactly Willow had done in the past. She claimed to have killed two people. And she had claimed to have tried to kill Buffy, Giles, Xander, Dawn, and the whole world. The name Dawn caused her to pause for a moment. She was still new to the witch's life, but she could not remember anyone by that name.

Though it pained her to leave her love alone, she went up the stairs to Giles' study where the slayer and watcher were going over books still trying to figure out what exactly was happening. Xander had called and they had explained the situation. He was on his way, bringing Anya with him. The slayer looked up and smiled sadly at the witch. "Still nothing here."

Tara nodded and sighed. "I-I've thought of something." She came closer to see the books that the two were studying. One caught her eye and sent a gentle shiver down her spine. It had to do with locating demons. That was something she feared a great deal. "W-while we were alone Willow said the name Dawn" The older gentleman and the slayer just looked at each other. "D-does that mean a-anything to you?"

Buffy stood and began pacing. "Only Dawn I know of is the many crack of dawns I'm out to slaying. I've never before heard of anyone named Dawn." She paused in her pacing and turned to the man that she looked up to in so many ways. "How bout you, Giles? Does Dawn ring any bells for you?"

"I'd have to say no." Giles put the book down that he had been reading, much to Tara's relief. "Of course, there could be someone in the future that somehow has a connection to either Willow or to you Buffy. That would be the only way I could think that she would be someone of importance enough specifically to name regret, well shall we say killing."

"E-exactly." Tara watched nervously as Giles once again picked up the book and resumed reading. The slayer had resumed her pacing as well. "I-I just thought it m-might be important. Another p-piece of the puzzle." The young witch sighed. There were so many pieces. So far, none of those pieces was a perfect fit.

Meanwhile, Willow once again found herself in that white that was oblivion. It was a place she was loathing and loving at the same time for it was a place that held her Tara. She searched and searched for the blond. But there was no one here this time other than herself. It was of great disappointment till she heard a familiar voice.

"Hello, Willow." The witch turned to see Buffy's mom standing in front of her. "It's been a long time since we've seen each other. I thought you could use some advice."

Willow was a bit confused. Mrs. Summers had found out about Tara and her relationship and had even grown to accept it. But she had never really understood the witchcraft being a part of who they were. It was hard enough accepting the fact that her daughter had to try and save the world each and every day. "Mrs. Summers? Color me a bit confused. I mean, not that I'm not happy to see you, but I was expecting…"

"Tara?" The witch nodded vigorously. "I know you were. But you see, some things have happened since you've traveled back in time. In fact, you've changed your future quite a bit. I don't want you to worry about her, for she is not in pain, but the Tara that unfortunately died is in a state of limbo."

"What?!" Willow hated the thought of the woman that she loved more than her own life was in any kind of torture. "What exactly do you mean limbo? Of course, it's all might fault. I'm trying to right the things I've done wrong in the past. And now I've hurt her just like we did when we pulled Buffy out of heaven." The young redhead was on the verge of tears.

"It's all right, I assure you." Mrs. Summers came and gave Willow a quick hug. "You didn't know my daughter was at peace when you did the spell. You were all afraid that she was suffering like Angel had. And it was amazing that you were able to bring her back. It was meant to be. But this is a different time you've created. Tara is in a place where she feels no pain. She can feel your love. She's waiting for you. It's a matter of time and how things come to pass that will tell when and if she is released from the limbo."

"No." Willow shook her head. "I mean, she shouldn't have to suffer just because of what I've done in the past, future, and present. I don't even know what the present is anymore. I'm starting to forget the things I did in the future. To me, that's not a good thing. How am I supposed to avoid doing those evil things if I can't remember doing them?"

"You have to trust yourself. And you have to trust the Fates." Joyce smiled at the young woman that had become like a third daughter for her. She was such an amazing woman that was unfortunately human and had gotten caught up in the bad elements of life. "Things always work out the way that they are supposed to. You'll just have to wait and see. I was just sent here to tell you that you are doing fine. And that Tara will always love you. But then, you knew that."

"Yes." The young woman smiled and felt a warmness throughout her entire body. It was the feeling of love that the two witches shared and would share throughout eternity. "She's my only love. The only one I'll ever love. She's my breath. She's my soul. She's the very blood pulsating through my veins. Without her, I don't work. I'm incomplete. I am not alive. I'm just an empty shell of the person I used to be."

With that, Willow found herself drifting. When she awoke, Xander and Anya were staring at her. There was a bit of fear on the future construction worker. The ex demon just seemed to be bored. "Hey sleepy head. So, I understand you're from the future. Do you come in peace?"

A small laugh escaped the red head. There was the reason that she had loved Xander so when they were in high school. He was an amazing guy with an unusual sense of humor. He was simply adorable. "I come in peace. You don't have to be afraid of me."

"I wasn't." Anya went and threw herself on the couch. "I'm bored. This is boring. We could be having sex."Xander turned and glared at Anya. "Remember, private things said in private." The ex demon simply shrugged her shoulders. He then turned his attention back toward Willow. "So, why would we be afraid? Oh, right. I almost forgot. You try and kill us in the future?" He had a goofy smile on his face trying to hide his fear.

"It's true." Willow manages to get to her feet though she is still a bit weak and dizzy. "And you are the big hero. You save not only me, but the whole world." She smiles at the surprised look on his face. "You are more than a Zeppo. You are amazing." The witch looks around. "Do you know where Tara is?"

"Nope." He doesn't want to dwell on being told he's going to be the savior of the world. Though it sounds cool and great and all those little words, it just doesn't feel like the real him. He makes his way and sits next to Anya. "We just got here. No one was down here."

"I'm here." Tara made her way over to the cage. "I-I was just checking in with Giles and Buffy." She leans in and whispers so softly that Willow can barely hear it. "I have to know something. Do you find out the truth about me?"

For a moment, Willow's anxiety leaves her. Her smile is radiant as she remembers Tara's birthday party. It had turned out so differently than anyone had expected. And yet, it had been the best night the two had spent together. After getting her family to leave, they had spent the rest of the night talking about both their pasts. The two had never known someone so intimately before. It was what made their relationship so strong.

"We did." Her voice is also a whisper. "And I'll love you even more when I find out. Well, I do love you more than I can say."

Tara blushed. "I love you too." The witch forgot that Xander and Anya were in the room. She forgot about the entire world. She took Willow's hands in her own, through the bars. Slowly, she leaned in closer. The two shared a kiss that was full of passion, love, want, need, understanding, and most important for Willow, it was filled with forgiveness.