AN-Wow! Thanks for all the positive comments on the last chapter! In honor of hanging in for 50,000+ words, your patience is rewarded. Enjoy and rest assured, more goodness to come.

Chapter Seventeen-The Power of Love

Willow woke to the first rays of morning light streaming in the front window. The house was quiet and she could tell it was still quite early. Her body was sore from head to toe and she had a pounding headache, but she knew she was lucky to be alive. She had the woman snoring lightly in the recliner across the room to thank for that. As Willow was looking over at her, Elena opened her eyes.

"Good morning."

"Yes it is. I'm alive when I shouldn't be, and again I have you to thank for that." Willow stated quietly.

"You know it's more complicated than that." Elena responded as she made her way to sit next to Willow on the sofa.

Willow looked at Elena for a moment, sat up and hugged the woman from Khul fiercely.

"We probably have a lot to talk about, don't we?" Willow asked.

Elena nodded, not wanting to release the redhead from her embrace.

Willow sat back to get a good look at her friend. "Let's go back to my house. It's not far. I hope you plan to stay with me as long as you are here, it's the least I can do."

The two women headed outside where they found the Slayer asleep on the porch swing.

"Buffy." Willow spoke softly to her friend. "It's morning. I'm going home. Let us out of the shield and go to bed."

"Ok. You'll fill me in later?" The sleepy Slayer responded. When the witch nodded, Buffy opened the shield and headed inside the house.

As the two Light Witches headed down the street, Elena spoke first. "You're not allowed into the home where your daughter lives without permission?"

Willow kicked at the pavement as she walked. "Tara's being cautious. She doesn't want magick users coming in unaware."

Elena said nothing but pondered Willow's answer.

"This way." Willow said as she led Elena through the alley and into the backdoor of her home.

"Buffy and Tara know I live close, just not how close. You hungry?"

"Starving." Elena answered and then grinned. "I've never eaten in this dimension."

"Well then, let me whip up some food and introduce you to the wonder that is coffee."

Tara groaned when the sunlight struck her eyelids. She had slept fitfully all night, dreaming of Willow. Every time she closed her eyes, her mind was filled with visions of the redheaded witch at the park, defending her and Isobel; standing on the wall above her telling Tara she loved her.

Tara had hoped that Willow still loved her. She had seen no evidence the redhead was involved or interested in anyone else and Buffy had confirmed as much. However, her feelings about her former lover were so chaotic she had never wanted to confuse Willow by trying to hold a discussion she knew would not be rational.

Now it was out there. Willow had told her. They had spent a wonderful day together, as a family, and Willow had professed her feelings, even if it was in a life and death situation.

She knew her feelings for Willow had been growing. Every time she saw the redhead her heart healed a little bit more. Willow had changed in her time away, but she also seemed to have re-discovered some of the innocence that Tara had found so appealing when they first met. She was honestly an amazing parent and Isobel loved her unconditionally. It was just that the blond thought she had time. She wanted to let her feelings evolve organically, without pressure. That is why she had asked Willow to coffee yesterday at the park, to start a dialogue.

Now the woman from Khul was here, and she clearly loved Willow. Tara had heard her say as much last night. She had never considered that Willow might have had a relationship while she was gone. But of course she could have. Willow was smart and beautiful. Obviously other women would find her attractive. And Elena had made an interdimensional leap from Khul for Willow and had saved her life. All she had done for months was keep the redhead at a distance.

Well, she could at least start by showing her appreciation for Willow defending her last night with breakfast and her heartfelt thanks. Tara made her way downstairs to see if Willow was awake yet only to find an empty couch and recliner. Tara peeked into Buffy's bedroom to find the Slayer sleeping soundly.

She made her way into Isobel's room and curled up with her still sleeping daughter feeling more confused than ever. Sometime during the night or early morning Willow had left with the woman from Khul. Willow had probably taken her to her home. That thought on top of what she had heard the night before made her a little queasy. Had her reluctance cost her any chance she might have had at renewing their relationship?

"It's Maxwiel."

Following a hearty omelet and large Mocha, Willow and Elena made themselves comfortable on Willow's couch for what looked to be a long conversation.

"I knew he was despicable, but how? How is a member of the Light using Dark Magick?" Willow asked.

"We aren't entirely sure. He secretly broke the bond some time ago. He has been learning and practicing dark magick for at least three years, three Khul years." Elena sighed. "My mother sensed the presence of dark magick a few months ago, but it was only as he became stronger that we were able to track the source."

Elena stood up and began to pace the room. "The Light Council finally listened to my mother's warning and assembled a team to find him. I was appointed Commander. It took us time. Time Maxwiel used to begin acquiring patrons and soldiers from both the Light and the Dark. He was casting spells of deception and making promises of riches and power. We believe he was able to alter several local elections to favor Mayors, Sheriffs and Legislators who were loyal to him."

The soldier's anger was palpable. " Soon we found groups of young people who were holding off on taking the Light bond, curious about what Dark Magick could do. They were questioning the wisdom of permanently blocking access to such powerful sources. My mother feared for the stability of our entire way of life."

Elena stopped and looked at Willow with tears in her eyes. Willow got up and took her hands and led her back to the couch. She waited patiently until Elena could continue.

"We found that Maxwiel had established a base in a small village near the Dark border. He bribed the local officials to allow Dark soldiers to establish a crossing near the village with ease. He started recruiting the Dark with their advanced weaponry to train his people. He also took in young unbonded men from the Light he had corrupted to learn Dark Magick."

As Elena paused, Willow interjected. "That is how he is keeping the portal open. He has a team of Dark Magick practitioners sustaining it."

"Yes. Young men that he considers his favored, his Lieutenants. The portal is in Dark territory, so he needed the alliance with the soldiers in order to provide access. At least one member of the team is always at the portal site."

"But why?" Willow asked. "I understand being curious about interdimensional travel. I can imagine he could obtain knowledge or items here that could make him stronger or more powerful in Dark Magick. But why go to all this trouble just for Sunnydale? And why is he so interested in Isobel?"

"Your daughter? Maxwiel wants your child?" Elena asked somewhat bewildered.

"Yes. He has sent teams of Vampires and Demons after us and now the soldiers."

"I don't know anything about that Willow. We aren't entirely sure why he is so determined to be here, just that he is willing to destroy our society to gain power, and coming here seems to be an integral part of his plan." Elena explained.

"You are sure that he is here now, in Sunnydale?" Willow asked.

"Yes. I followed him through the portal myself. As usual, Morton's egotism was his undoing. When he realized we were closing in on him, he attempted a coup. Tried to get an uprising started amongst the people and tried to take over the Council. It failed. We had him on the run when he made it to the portal site. I lost the rest of my team in the battle. Good men and women of the Light."

"Oh Goddess Elena, I'm sorry." Willow stood up herself now and strode to the front window looking out at the house down the street. She wondered to herself how many more good people were destined to die protecting them.

"How many men does he have?" Willow inquired.

"I'm not sure. At least another squad of Dark soldiers the size of the one last night. He probably also has at least two of his Dark Magick Lieutenants with him. He had to leave several behind to keep the Khul side of the portal open. He would probably leave a Lieutenant near the portal site on this side as well. I could get us close to the portal. It was at a school. I was a little busy trying not to get shot to establish the exact location." Elena smiled wryly.

"That is one thing I do know. The portal is in Tara's old dorm room at the University. It is the original portal I opened; the one that I sent Rack through and then got pulled through myself." The redhead frowned.

"We need to tell the others what is going on, and I have an idea that might help us get some more information, but we will need Buffy's help." Willow went back to Elena's side. "I'm so sorry that this has happened and that you lost people. I don't know many people who would be so brave as to leap into a portal to chase an evil Warlock. Thank you."

Elena reached up and smoothed a lock of hair from Willow's forehead. "You know that's not the only reason I came. I had to see you, see how you were doing. I was always so scared not knowing what had happened when you got back here."

Willow took her hand and kissed the back briefly. "I'm good. I have an amazing daughter who means everything to me. Buffy, Dawn, Xander, even Anya have accepted that I have changed and are truly happy to have me back."

"And Tara? I didn't see much of her last night. How has she reacted?"

Willow sighed. "That's more complicated. I hurt her deeply, you know what I did. She has forgiven me, and allowed me to have a close relationship with my daughter. That is more than I could have expected."

"You still love her?" Elena asked.

Willow knew her answer would hurt her friend, yet again. She also knew she deserved to know the truth. "More than ever, if that's possible."

"And if she can never return your love?"

"Elena I know this sounds crazy, but it's not about that. My love for her is not dependent on her loving me back. It just is. If she can never love me than I hope she finds someone she can love, but it won't change my feelings."

Elena reached up and simply laid her palm against the redhead's cheek. "Actually Willow, that doesn't sound crazy, I know just what you mean."

The two women arranged to meet the others back at Buffy's for dinner and set out to get some non-uniform clothing and other essentials for Elena. They also took the opportunity to do a little recognizance around the campus to see if they could identify the Dark Magick Lieutenant near the portal.

It didn't take long. As soon as Willow stepped into the foyer of Fischer Hall, she felt a wave of Dark Magick emanating from the young Resident Assistant working at the desk. She quickly exited and led Elena away.

After dinner, Willow summarized what Elena had told her to the others. "This is bad. Morton was already powerful. The addition of Dark Magick would make him a formidable Warlock. Add in at least two more Dark Magick trained practitioners and a dozen or so heavily armed Dark soldiers and he could probably defeat us without too much difficulty in a stand up fight."

"We need to do something. We can't just sit in the house behind the shield." Buffy stated impatiently.

"I have an idea about that." Willow responded. "We need to even the numbers and we need information. I think Maxwiel's 'favored Lieutenant' standing guard at the portal needs to have his ass kicked by our 'chosen one'. That guy is alone and we know where he is. He has to stay near the portal. If we grab him Elena and I can bind his magick. Then we can 'persuade' him to provide more information about what Maxwiel is doing here and why he wants Isobel."

"We can't keep him here!" Dawn exclaimed.

"We could reinforce Oz's old cage. Maybe pay Spike to help." Willow offered.

Tara spoke up for the first time, "Yes, we need someplace to hold him securely. More importantly we need someone to help guard him, someone we can trust. Someone powerful enough to handle him and maybe to get him to talk. And we need more muscle for this fight, magick alone isn't going to be enough."

"Anybody in mind?" Xander asked.

"I can only think of one person." Buffy stated quietly. "Faith."

"Buffy no." Willow started. "We can take shifts, maybe Spike can help."

Buffy looked around at the assembled group. "Willow, come into the kitchen with me for a minute."

Willow was a little confused, but followed the Slayer.

"Will, I haven't told you, but I've been in touch with Faith over the last few years. She started writing to me from prison, trying to make amends. I've been down to visit her a few times to talk. She's trying to change. Angel has been trying to get her sentence reduced, but that hasn't happened yet."

After the shock had worn off a little, Willow thought about what Buffy was saying. "Everybody else knows, don't they?"

"Yes, Tara, Xander, Anya, Dawn. I've told them about Faith, showed them the letters. I wasn't hiding it from you; the subject just hadn't come up since you've been back. She could really help us and it sounds like we may need all the help we can get."

"Well then, far be it from me to question whether people can change. You gave me a chance when I probably didn't deserve one. I trust your opinion, and if everyone else is on board, then I'll go along." Willow shrugged. "How do we get her out of prison, to Sunnydale, and will she want to come?"

Buffy had gotten herself a drink and gestured back toward the living room. As the two women rejoined the others the Slayer speculated that Faith would be happy to help, but worried about the consequences of escaping from prison on her sentence.

"I could probably help with that." Willow said. "I might be able to access her court documents, make some changes. Or just give her a new identity, which is actually easier. But paperwork takes time we don't have right now."

"I'd have to get her out. Maybe Angel could help." Buffy announced.

A chorus of no's followed her statement. Xander summarized the reaction of the Scoobies, "Buffy, you can't leave Sunnydale now, not with everything that is going on. We need the Slayer here. I think we are all in agreement on that."

Seeing everyone nodding vociferously, Buffy challenged, "Ok, if not me, then who?"

Now the room was silent. Everyone looked at each other, evaluating their options.

This time the Slayer was more forceful. "I'm the only option."

"Not exactly."

All eyes turned to the speaker. The woman from Khul had been quietly listening to the haphazard discussion and thinking how much she missed the disciplined approach of the military. But this was a different place, in so many ways.

"I could help extricate your friend from her imprisonment and bring her here. You all have reasons you cannot or should not leave Sunnydale. I am somewhat ancillary." Elena explained.

"No, you are not ancillary." Willow argued. "We need you here too. You saved my life last night!"

Elena smiled at Willow. "Thank you for saying that, but I am the logical choice. My magick could be quite useful, and as you know, I have some experience breaking women out of prison."

Willow blushed at the comment, leaving the others wondering at the inside joke. Tara felt her stomach clench.

"Elena would need Angel to help. He knows the prison and could talk to Faith. She wouldn't know Elena or trust her." Buffy added.

"Can you call him Buffy? See if he will help?" Willow looked at her interdimensional friend. "I explained about Angel, right? Are you sure about this? I know you can take care of yourself, but this is getting in pretty deep."

"Willow, you told me about Angel. I understand this will be a nighttime operation. I'm the right soldier for the job. Besides, Morton is my responsibility. I will do anything I can to stop him."

Once Buffy had finished filling in Angel with the details and he agreed to help, everyone decided to call it a night. Willow went upstairs and kissed Isobel goodnight and headed out the front door with Elena. She let out a little groan when she realized no one was outside to let them out of the shield and went back into the living room with Elena following her. They found Buffy and Tara still talking.

"Could one of you let us out?" Willow asked.

"Of course." Tara stood up to go outside but found her way out blocked by Elena.

"I mean no offense, but this is the last time I will be coming to this house." Elena stated firmly.

All three of the other women looked at her with surprise.

"I cannot in good conscience ignore being treated like a criminal begging for permission to come into your yard. In my home, trusted Light Magick guests would never be treated this way. If you do not trust me enough to enter the premises, I should not be here."

Elena felt the tension her words had created, but she didn't regret them. She was appalled that Willow had accepted this treatment from people who called themselves her friends. She saw the redheaded witch looked embarrassed and walked over taking her hand.

"Perhaps I don't understand your customs; maybe Willow can explain it to me later." She said, hoping to defuse the situation.

"I doubt that." Buffy stated flatly looking at Tara.

Tara stood watching Elena hold Willow's hand. She wanted more than anything to talk to Willow alone, to tell her how she felt about her bravery the night before and how she felt now, how much trust she had. But Elena had called her out on the glaring evidence of her continued distrust in the use of the shield. Her talk with Willow would have to wait.

"Of course we need to get you access, both of you." Tara said trying to get Willow to look up at her without success. "So much has happened since yesterday, well, I just need to figure out how to make the adjustments."

"I can help with that." Elena offered. "In the morning then?"

"Great!" Buffy exclaimed.

Tara walked out and opened the shield, Elena and Willow following. She noticed the redhead had let go of the soldier's hand, but they were headed back to Willow's home together for the night. "Goodnight Elena. Goodnight Willow."

"Goodnight Tara." Willow answered quietly.

Tara couldn't stop wondering what was going through Willow's mind. She had been so quiet throughout the discussion of the shield. Was she angry? Embarrassed? Tara had always felt like she could read Willow's emotions, but since Elena had appeared she was stymied. She needed to talk to Willow, soon.

The shield adjustment didn't take long the next morning. Willow had not come with the Light Magick soldier, much to Tara's disappointment. With Elena's assistance Light Magick users unable to access dark sources were permitted. Elena tested her ability to enter several times and then thanked Tara.

"I should be thanking you. I should have figured out how to do this weeks ago, I just didn't." Tara responded as she frowned to herself.

"Can we talk?" Elena asked. "Maybe you will think it is none of my business, but I'd like to talk to you about Willow. In fact I need to talk to you, at least to say some things if that is all right."

Tara looked at the woman from Khul with trepidation, but nodded her assent.

"Maybe we could partake in one of those Mocha drinks? They really are delicious." Elena added.

Tara offered to treat and the two women made their way to the Espresso pump. After collecting their beverages from the counter, they found a table in the back. Tara waited anxiously for the other woman to begin.

After a few sips of the coffee, Elena sat back and really looked at Tara. "I can't imagine what you have been through. So, I won't even try to put myself in your place. Please don't think me rude, but my use of your language is probably very direct and I am out of practice since Willow left two years ago."

Tara looked up, "Will has been back in Sunnydale for less than a year."

"To you. Khul time runs faster, about two years for every one here apparently." Elena responded.

"But that means she was in Khul for eight years!" Tara exclaimed.

"Yes, she was. Tara have you not spoken to Willow about her time in Khul?" Elena asked.

Tara blushed with embarrassment and found her lap of great interest. "We talked about the magick, she explained the tattoos, but not much else. Buffy and Xander have talked to her more. It's been difficult for me. I guess I was more focused on what happened here and on Isobel."

"I can understand that Tara. Just so you know, Willow told me everything that happened, everything she did. I've never seen someone punish themselves with guilt the way she did. During her recovery, I think it was the uncertainty of what had happened to you, how she had left you, that troubled her the most."

"Recovery?" Tara's voice was so quiet Elena almost didn't hear her.

Elena frowned. "Much of what happened to Willow is not for me to share."

This time the short haired woman leaned forward and the intensity of her gaze was fierce. "What I can tell you, what I need to tell you is that I have never seen someone so lost, so damaged, fight so hard to come back from the depths of what must have been a personal Hell. I was privileged to help her with that battle."

Tears were welling up in Elena's eyes as she spoke. "I became her friend. Then I found I was deeply in love with her."

Tara felt as if all of the air had been sucked out of the coffee shop and was now unavailable for her lungs. She found she couldn't move a muscle as she waited to hear how Willow had fallen in love with Elena and now they were going to be together. Tara expected to hear how she had her chance and used it to try to punish Willow and now she just needed to gracefully step aside. She was so distracted with her internal chastisement she didn't realize Elena was speaking again.

". . .but you know Willow, she could never hurt me like that, let me think there was even a chance for us. Oh, she was kind when she said it, but it didn't stop her." Elena was saying.

"I'm so sorry Elena but I think I missed something. What did Willow say?"

"The same thing she always said if I'm honest, I just didn't want to hear it. She said 'I love Tara. I'll always love Tara.'"

The air was back. It was rushing in through the doors and windows fresh and clean and filling Tara's chest with a sensation both new and familiar. Willow loved her, just as Willow had always loved her. She felt light headed from the strength of the feeling, like she was high up on a mountain and dizzy from the altitude.

Elena was watching carefully, waiting for Tara to say something, but she seemed lost in thought. "Tara. I don't know you, although I know a lot about you. And I am clearly biased. But if you are the woman Willow says you are I know you'll do the right thing. If you love her, then love her. Tell her, show her. She is too amazing to spend her life in limbo, unloved. If you don't feel that for her anymore, then let her go. Do it now. I'll do everything in my power to make sure she knows I am here for her and I love her. I've helped put the shattered pieces of her soul and mind together before and I can do it again."

The tall brunette sighed. "Maybe if you truly let her go, she could let my love be enough."

When Tara remained silent Elena got up from the table. "Thank you for the Mocha. Tara, I'm a soldier, I know how to fight for what I want. I'll give you until I get back to Sunnydale with Faith to tell Willow how you feel. After that I'll do everything in my power to win Willow's love."

Tara was too stunned to acknowledge Elena with anything but a nod. That seemed to be enough for the soldier and she strode confidently away.

After coffee and spending hours wandering the park deep in thought, Tara realized she needed to get home. Isobel was fine with Buffy for the morning, but she was probably wondering where her Mama was.

The walk home gave Tara one more opportunity to mull over everything that had happened since Willow's return and everything Elena had said to her. Was it only the day before yesterday they had been in the park? She had asked the redhead on a date, but they had never had the chance to make arrangements. Then the attack had come and with it Elena.

Part of her wanted to embrace what Elena had said, to throw caution to the wind and open herself to a present and future with Willow, certainly her feelings were strong enough. But the scared, hurt parts of her cried out as well, saying now was not the time, they were in danger, she should not feel forced to rush expressing her feelings. Her insecurity whispered that Elena was better for Willow, she was brave and strong and loved her without all the baggage and reservations.

Her feet had taken her back to Revello Drive and down the sidewalk towards the house when she looked up at the sound of laughter. Isobel was running through the yard with Willow a few feet behind her. With a squeal, the young redhead found herself caught and lifted up by her redheaded Mommy and the two twirled and spun in circles in the yard, both laughing with abandon.

What struck Tara was the unrestrained joy and love Willow exuded in that moment. It flowed from the redheaded witch, pulsating like warm yellow waves of sunshine. As Tara came into the yard, Willow turned toward her and looked at her with those sparkling emerald eyes and a great swell of love washed over her silencing all those voices of doubt that had been plaguing her all day. Now was the time they had and danger was ever-present in their lives. Tara hadn't rushed her feelings, she had just needed time to allow the love of the amazing woman now gazing at her drive out the darkness and once again fill her heart.

"Tara?" Willow questioned as she set Isobel down gently so the young girl could scamper back into the house for a drink.

The blond hadn't realized she had closed her eyes as strong emotions ebbed and flowed through her. When Willow spoke she was brought out of her reverie. Tara felt her eyelids lift slowly as if she had been in a trance. In the span of a few moments she had found her center, the balance she had been lacking for months, years probably. She was not the same woman Elena had cowed at the coffee shop with her harsh, but honest words that morning. She was not the same frightened girl who had waited in the dark daring to hope that Willow Rosenberg might choose to love her. She was not the young pregnant college student, hurt and alone. For possibly the first time in her life Tara Maclay knew exactly who she was, what she wanted, and what she needed to do.

It took five strides for Tara to reach Willow across the yard. Four seconds to span the space between them. Three more heartbeats and Tara had placed her two hands on Willow's cheeks and pulled her close. It took only one kiss, one touch of soft lips uniting for both women to know they were in the only place they belonged, each other's arms.