Sunnydale, CA.
Xander Harris has been Willow's oldest friend. Sure he was furious with her use of dark magic; he was still her friend and was concerned when he could not contact her. He tried her phone, went to her home and even the university library but he had no luck. So he went back to Buffy's house where the others were conducting research on their latest hunt.
"Hey Buffy, have you heard from Willow?"
"Nope, haven't heard a peep from her. Maybe she's somewhere clearing her head. I wouldn't worry about her. She can take care of herself".
"Come on Buffy, aren't you concerned? I checked everywhere but there is no sign of her anywhere".
Just as Buffy was going to reply, Xander's cell phone started to ring.
"Unknown number?" Xander said puzzled
Accepting the call, he was relieved to hear Willow's voice.
"Willow, where are you? I've been looking all over the place for you. I tried your cell, went to your house and even called Angel to see if you went to LA to join his P.I. business"
"Is that Willow?" Buffy whispered and Xander nodded his head
"I'm in Colorado Springs now" replied Willow
"You're where? Colorado Springs? What are you doing there?" Xander continued. At the mention of Colorado Springs, Buffy and the others stopped what they were doing. Even Giles looked up from his research notes surprised.
"I just wanted to leave Sunnydale for a little while. You, Buffy and the gang were so mad with me that I felt you guys won't forgive me for what I did. So that night I called a cab and left for the bus terminal. Then I closed my eyes, pointed at a destination on the map at the station and bought a bus ticket. And here I am" said Willow
"You didn't need to leave Willow, we're your friends. Hell I'm your oldest friend, I wish you would come back" said Xander. Buffy then signaled Xander to give her the phone.
"Hey Will, please come back. I'm sorry that I got mad at you and I've already forgiven you, so please come back. We could really use your help in this next case" pleaded Buffy.
After hearing Buffy and Xander plead for her to come back, Willow felt her resolve to put Sunnydale behind her diminish a little. But she had already made her choice.
"Buffy, can you put me on the speaker phone please" asked Willow sadly
Buffy turn on the speaker phone function and signaled everyone to join her.
"I wanted to apologize for what happened the other night. Giles you were right, it was wrong of me to practice dark magic when I had no idea what I was doing. That's the main reason why I am leaving Sunnydale for good. If I still stay there with you guys, I feel I will continue to delve in darker and darker magic just so that I can be useful. At first I thought I could do that, but after what happened, I don't think I want to. Buffy, you could contact Tara from my Wicca group at the university. She is a good witch, quite frankly the only other witch there, and I think she would be far more useful to you right now than me. Please give Dawn my love and tell Spike I'll miss him. Please continue fighting the good fight, I don't think I should anymore" everyone was stunned. Buffy was already crying and Giles' eyes were red. Anya just stood at the edge of the table with her head down.
"Xander, can you please take me off the speaker phone now?"
Xander picked up the phone and went to Buffy's lawn to talk to his best friend.
"Do you really have to go Willow?"
"Yes, I do. Don't worry about me; I've decided to continue my studies here."
"I'll miss you" replied Xander sadly.
"I'll miss you too, please tell the others that I love them very much. I'll try to visit soon" Willow said as she ended the call.
Xander was heartbroken but all he could do now was put his phone back into his pocket and walk back in to Buffy's house.