"What am I going to do? I hate lying to him, but if I tell him this. I mean this, Aunt Mary. This is huge. It could make or break everything I've worked for, everything he and I have. I'm just… oh, I don't know, Aunt Mary. I just don't know."

"Now calm down, Samuel. It's nothing to get all flustered about. I understand the times are changing, and I am sure that young man will, too." Marion raised her thin eyebrows in assurance and pride. At her age, very few witches understood the times in which they lived. Marion had always been wise beyond her years… or in this case wise behind her years. It was always the young people in each era that felt misunderstood, but she was the most misunderstood of all, especially in her condition.

"Oh, Aunt Mary. It's so nice to have you here. I wish I could believe you. If only there were a way," Sam began, wide-eyed. His finger pointed upwards, as if to say "eureka" or in which to cast a spell.

"Now, now, Samuel, you know as well as I do that we're not allowed to look into our futures. It would be an abuse of power. I will not allow such a thing in my presence." Sam knew his Aunt Mary was right. If he abused his powers, he might lose them. At his age, that might mean death. Or a new beginning. Perhaps that was the answer: to lose his powers and start again. No, he would miss his family dearly, even if they were a pain in the broom-rider.

Sam decided he would have to tell Derek the truth, no matter what the consequence. If Derek truly loved him, he would love him despite his witchery. Or warlockery. Well, hopefully not despite of it, but certainly not because of it. Sam had seen it happen before, and that was not a pretty site. A man consumed by the power of his lover, abusing it to his own advantage, and then fearing the power he used. It had led to many a man's downfall and many a witch-hunt.

"Oh, I believe in you very much, Sam. And I promise you whatever happens, you can always stay with family." Marion smiled at her great-nephew. "I think I'll just let myself out." She walked towards the wall leading to the hallway and ran head first into it. "Oh, my!" she exclaimed. "I must not be… concentrating." She smiled awkwardly at her nephew, nodding, "I think I'll just try it… again. You know…" She smiled. Then, her face went solemn quickly as she disappeared beyond the wall, succeeding in her spell and her journey home.

Derek's phone rang as he sat down at his usual lunch spot. It was Sam calling to discuss dinner. He would only say that they needed to discuss some things, not what those things were. Derek feared for the worse.

"He's been so distant lately. I mean… I hope he's not in love with someone else. Or just not in love with me. That might hurt worse."

"I'm sure that's not it, Derek. I'm sure he's worried about the same thing. You guys just moved in together. Things are gonna be rocky at first," Toni smiled reassuringly at her best friend.

"I don't know, Toni. I think Derek is right. Something fishy is going on, and he has to get to the bottom of it. If Sam is cheating, you need to throw his boney ass to the curb."

"Donnie! Don't talk about Sam that way!" Derek was appalled at his friend's behavior. How could his friend, his friend, be so cruel about his lover and partner. Donnie had no right to speak about Sam that way. But what gave Derek the right to think that way about him? Toni had to be right. Sam was just as worried about their relationship as Derek was, and Derek knew it must be true.

"Sammy?" Derek walked into the darkly-lit apartment. It was just after 5, and the sun was still out. However, when Derek walked into his… their apartment, the shades were drawn. The small dining room to the right of the entrance was lit with candles, and a soft glow came from the kitchen doorway. Suddenly the light in the kitchen clicked off.

"Relax, baby. Dinner's ready. It's not as good as last night, but… I tried. Honest, I did." Sam smiled at his lover with true sincerity. This was the Sam he remembered, and Derek was glad to have him back. Derek took off his shoes, jacket, and tie and settled down into a chair.

"Smells good. What is it?"

"Hamburgers with spinach and macaroni and cheese." Sam blushed, embarrassed by his actual lack of culinary skills. "I told you. Sometimes I can. Sometimes I can't. I hope you like it."

Derek leaned over the small table, avoiding the candles in the middle, and kissed his partner on the cheek. "It's perfect," Derek responded. And he truly meant it.

As the two neared finishing their dinner, Sam decided it was time. Scared, though he was, he looked across the table and assured himself that Derek would love him no matter what.

"Derek, I have a confession to make about last night." Derek's eyes looked at Sam in absolute horror. But Sam had been with him the entire night, hadn't he? He didn't arrive late from work, but had he been at work at all? "I didn't cook the dinner."

Derek sighed with relief. "Leftovers from your old place?" Derek went back to finishing his meal.

"No."

"Well you couldn't have ordered it. I was sitting right on the couch."

"No. I said I didn't cook it. But I did make it."

"Don't be silly," Derek laughed softly. "What's the difference, really?"

"Well…" Sam grimaced. "I am not sure how to put this delicately, Derek." Derek paused, looking up in confusion. "You see…" Sam paused again. Finally, he flopped his arms down in defeat, giving in to the love he had for Derek, ready to confess his misgivings. "I'm a warlock."

Silence.

Derek smiled, half-confused.

"Okay," Derek said. "You're a warlock? I don't get it." Sam rolled his eyes, and gestured to their almost empty plates. With a twitch of the nose and a flick of the wrists, the plates and silverware began to take themselves to the kitchen. Derek's eyes opened in shock. Then, from the kitchen came two small plates with a piece of pie on each of them. They landed in front of the two men.

"Told you," Sam shrugged. "Dessert?" He picked up his fork and began to eat.