The sun outside was setting as Willow began to tell her story.

"Once upon a time, I met and fell in love with this woman. Her name was Tara Maclay and she was a witch, like me, only she had been doing it much longer, her whole life actually." Willow paused and took a breath. "She helped me through a lot, and I mean a lot. I had the same problem as you, Charlotte, I was addicted to magic. Dark magic."

Charlotte held her breath, her attention completely on Willow. "You were?" she whispered.

Willow nodded. "You girls barely scratched the surface of magic. I went to Mako, Charlotte. The magic pulsing through it was incredible, pure, and it comes from a very good place."

The wisdom in Willow's voice drew Charlotte even more into the story she was telling. This was the explanation she had been looking for.

"See, there is dark and light magic in the world, and… I was completely addicted on the dark magic, to being so powerful. That was why Tara broke up with me, and when she did, I just got worse. I even put Buffy's little sister in danger when I accidentally summoned a demon during a fix." She looked down with shame-filled eyes at the memory.

"Oh my god, Willow," Charlotte breathed. "But wait, what happened to Tara? Did you guys get back together?"

"No," Willow replied, clearing her throat. "No, um, she… She was killed." She lifted her hand to her eyes and wiped away the tears that were starting to form.

"Oh, Willow, I'm so sorry," Charlotte murmured. She took a pause, and asked hesitantly, "If you don't mind me asking, how did she die?"

"She was shot, by someone trying to kill Buffy," she replied in a flat voice. "And then… I killed him, in the worst way."

Willow stood and walked to the screen door, looking out to river that ran by Charlotte's house. "I absorbed as much black magic as I could, then went on… on a rampage. I killed Tara's murderer. I shot him, then flayed him alive with a wave of my hand." she finished quietly.

Charlotte gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. Willow turned to her, and there was a tear going down her cheek. "I was just angry-"

"You don't need to explain yourself to me, Willow," Charlotte interrupted softly. She walked over to the witch and patted her comfortingly on the back, before giving her a hug. "It's okay," she murmured.

"Charlotte, you'll be alright," Willow murmured.

"Thanks, that means a lot to me," she replied sincerely. If Willow could go through all that and still be alright, then Charlotte definitely could get over what she had done.

They broke away from each other and laughed quietly, the kind of laugh that people do after a good heart-to-heart and need to break the tension.

At the front of the house, the door opened, and Annette called out, "Charlotte? I'm home. I brought some ice cream and brownies for dessert. That alright?"

"Sure, Mom, sounds great," she called back. She turned to Willow and asked, "You want to stay for dessert?"

"Yeah, thanks. I love ice cream and brownies."

Annette walked into the kitchen and jumped a little in surprise when she noticed Willow. "Oh, hello. Charlotte didn't tell me that she was having a friend over." She smiled and set down the pan of lasagna before holding out her hand. "I'm Annette Watsford."

Willow shook her hand. "Willow Rosenberg, nice to meet you, Ms. Watsford."

"She's the English tutor I told you about, Mom," Charlotte quickly interrupted. "She was helping me with a paper. Is it okay if she stays over?"

Willow looked at her in confusion, and Charlotte gave her a look indicating that she would explain later.

"Of course, there's enough for everyone," Annette replied, getting the bowls out of the cupboard. "Could you girls set the table?"