I Think You Want Me
Disclaimer: People and Places belong to Joss. The rest is mine.
Summary: During a spell gone wrong, Buffy and Spike learn more about each other than they ever thought they would.

This is my response to a challenge I was given (my first!). Heres the requirements...

1. Set AU. After Glory, but Buffy never died, she and Spike never hooked up, and he's not in love with her (At least, he never told Buffy he loved her in my world... ;) )
2. Soul-swapping or Personality-switching is the problem (you pick the people)
3. Buffy/Spike (lol, duh.)
And at least five of the following: a water balloon / makeup / a stake used for something other than killing vampires / grand theft auto / fireworks / vegtables / a jump rope / an apple / the movie grease' / bunnies

So on to the story!

**** Chapter 1 - A Spell Gone Wrong ****

Buffy slammed the stake into it's target and leaned back against the counter, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.

Dawn chose that second to come home, and started laughing at the sight in front of her. Buffy was backed against the counter, breathing heavily, as if she had been in a fight. And on the island counter sat a knife and an apple. And the apple had a wooden stake through it.

Dawn finally calmed down, and raised an eyebrow to her sister. That a new demon we should be worried about?

Buffy opened her eyes and, for lack of a better response, stuck her tounge out.

About what?

Buffy sighed and slumped to the ground, out of Dawn's sight. Nothing. Everything? I don't know.

Dawn made her way around the counter and sat next to her sister. You wanna talk about it?

Buffy rubbed her temples and turned to the brunette next to her. It was amazing that they were here. Buffy had managed to stop Glory, right before Dawn was bled. But the battle... had it really only been a week ago? It seemed like it was so far away. The battle had been one of the hardest things Buffy had ever done. And that included the time she had to kill Angel. She shuddered at the memory, and looked at her sister. She and Dawn had grown close after the whole situation, even talking about things sometimes.

Come on... Dawn grinned and playfully punched her sister.

Buffy sighed. Fine. I guess... I guess I'm kinda lonely.

Confusion crossed Dawn's face. What do you mean? We're always here for you and stuff.

No, I mean... I guess I just kinda... wantaboyfriend. She said the last part in a rush and looked at Dawn, biting her lip.

The brunette giggled. That's all?

Well, I haven't dated since Riley left. It's been a really hard year... Dawn nodded enthusiastically. It's hard to meet guys anyways, and then I've got the whole Slayer thing, and the few guys I know are either old or taken. And I just want a boyfriend! You know? Anyways, I just got frustrated at not having one.

And the poor apple was on the receiving end of that frustration.

Yeah. I guess I should feel bad. But hey! Buffy smiled. At least it didn't fight back. No bruises for Buffy!

Dawn laughed and then looked thoughtful.

Spike? What about him?

You know him. And he knows you're the Slayer...

Mainly cause we've tried to kill each other a few times. Buffy interrupted.

AND he is pretty cute...

Buffy made a face. Cute? Eww, he's Spike! He's eeeevil!

But in a really cute way! Dawn protested.

Buffy covered her ears. Not listening! No more talk of cute Spike!

Dawn rolled her eyes and stood up, heading to the doorway. Okay, but seriously... he's really good looking!

Buffy playfully threw an unstaked apple at the teen as the girl ran out of the room.

Ugh. Spike. Buffy grimaced, pulling the stake out of the unfortunate apple.

*I still want a boyfriend.*

****

The sisters had already called the pizza place when the Scoobies started showing up around six. Almost every night since the Glory incident the gang had gathered together to watch movies and eat pizza. Sleep had been a priority low on the list of things to do, everyone still a little wary. They all still had a hard time believing it was all over. And so they stayed up until three or sometimes four in the morning, just keeping each other company. Usually they showed up at Buffy's, but sometimes they crashed Giles' place, and sometimes they went to Xander's.

They had even gathered at Spike's crypt a couple of nights before, which the vampire hadn't been too happy about. That night they had played Truth or Dare and managed to embarrass Spike by making him recite one of his poems. Needless to say, he hadn't hung out with them since, even though they had finally accepted him as a friend.

Dawn and Anya were arguing over what movie to watch first when Spike walked in. Xander smirked, Willow and Tara tried to hide giggles, and Buffy laughed at the scowl on the blonde's face.

Finally decided to join us, Spike? She giggled.

He turned his scowl to her. Nothing better to do. Where's the Watcher?

Sleeping. Something we haven't been able to do much of lately.

The vampire took off his duster and settled himself into his' chair, tossing a throw pillow at Buffy, who caught it and hit him on the arm with it. So what's the movie tonite, luv? He asked as Buffy sat on the couch nearby.

Dawn's pick. But Anya's fighting it. Actually, She dropped her voice to a whisper and leaned over. I think we're all hoping she wins. Dawn wants

Spike recoiled. Bloody musicals!

Dawn heard him and pouted. So nobody wants to watch it? Everyone shook their heads, giving the teen apologetic looks. She threw herself on the floor and leaned up against the couch, defeated. Fine. Anya's pick.

Anya grinned and put a tape in the VCR. She turned off the lights and joined Buffy and Xander on the couch. Willow and Tara sat by Dawn on pillows on the floor with a bowl of popcorn in between them, and Spike still sat in his chair. As far away from the rest of them as he could get.

An, honey? What'd you pick? Xander asked, pulling his fiancee into his arms. They had told everyone about their engagement the same night they went to Spike's. So of course, there had been a party in their honor. Which consisted of movies and popcorn.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I hear it is very amusing. There are these knights, and they're looking for a grail, and it parodies the King Arthur legend...

The Scoobies tried to hide their laughter. Xander giggled. You know there's a killer rabbit in it, right?

The movie was out of the VCR before any of them could blink.

So... now what? Tara asked.

Everyone looked at each other.

Buffy sighed and stood up. I guess I should do a quick patrol. Haven't done one of those in a while.

Need some help? Spike asked.

Don't think there will be much out there. I mean, there never is right after a big apocolypse scare. But I could use the company, I guess.

Right, then. Spike stood and put on his duster, following the small blonde to the door.

We'll be back in an hour or so. You guys will be okay? Buffy asked, turning back the the people in her living room.

Xander waved her off. Nah. You two crazy kids go find something to kill. We'll be fine. We got movies, and junk food, and the pizza will be here soon. We're great!

Buffy smiled, and she and Spike left the house.

****

Oh, please. Could that really even happen?

Dawn was flipping channels on the TV when she stumbled across the movie Freaky Friday'.

Willow walked into the room and studied the screen, sitting down on Spike's chair. Sure, Dawnie. It's easy, really. I mean, I don't think they could just wish to be each other, but they could be switched.

You could do something like that?

Yeah. You're just swapping two bodies. Their personalities are the same. You just do an incantation over something both people have used. I've never tried it though. Actually... She grabbed a book off the desk and flipped through it. Ah. Yeah, it's in here.

How's it go? Dawn was intrigued.

I probably shouldn't. I mean, I don't know what could happen.

Oh, come on! Dawn begged. Switch me and you. Just for a few minutes.

Tara joined the conversation. I don't know. Willow's right. It could be dangerous. And I don't think Buffy would like it.

Please? I'm so bored! And I know if Buffy were here, she wouldn't want me to! Please? Before she gets back? The teen begged.

Willow looked at Tara. Well... it would only be for a little while. And you guys are here just in case.

Tara looked skeptical. Long minutes passed in silence. She sighed. Dawn squealed and jumped up, standing by the chair Willow was in. Do you have something?

Dawn scanned the room and picked up a pillow. We've both used this.

Willow smiled. Okay. Sit. Dawn sat and Willow joined her on the couch. Xander and Anya got up to give them space. Holding the pillow, Willow closed her eyes and began to chant.

****

A weird feeling came over Spike. Buffy saw him sway and fall to the ground.

But before she could do anything, the dizziness washed over her, and she fell to her knees too.

The feeling passed, and she opened her eyes, slowly standing up.

But she was a lot taller than she used to be. And her clothes were heavier. She was wearing...

*A leather duster?*



That was her voice. Turning around, Buffy saw her body standing there, eyes wide in shock.

In Spike's deep voice she answered. I think we've got a problem, Spike. Her body nodded.

(A/N - Buffy in Spike will still be called Buffy, cause it's still her personality. Spike in Buffy will still be Spike.)

****

Willow opened her eyes.

Guess it didn't work.

Dawn pouted. Oh well. Guess it's back to the bordom of TV. She flipped back on the set, and everyone else joined her in staring at it.

****

The five heard Spike's voice yell from the front door. They all stood up and watched the two blondes rush in.

Are you guys okay? Tara asked, worried.

The smaller blonde answered in a sarcastic English accent. I'm stuck in the Slayer's body, while she's stuck in mine. Of course we're okay.

The Scoobies stared at them for a few minutes, jaws slack. Anya was the first to speak.

So... Buffy is Spike, and Spike is Buffy.

Vampire and Slayer nodded.

We think it's a spell. Buffy-in-Spike answered. We both got dizzy, and then we were each other.

Okay, Spike without an accent. That's weird. Xander noted. Everyone stared at him. What? I'm just saying...

Uh, I think I know what happened... Willow spoke up. Tara bit her lip, Dawn stared at the ground, and Xander shuffled his feet. Anya didn't react.

Well, Red? Spike asked. I don't fancy spending my life in this body.

I uh... Dawn was watching Freaky Friday', and she wanted to know if that could happen, and uh, I tried to do it to me and her, but it didn't work... She trailed off, unable to meet Buffy's... or was it Spike's? eyes.

Okay, yeah I'm a little mad. But right now, can you fix it? Buffy asked.

Umm, yeah, lemme get the book... She hurried to pick up the heavy volume and turned back to the spell. Her face paled a little when she read the reversal.

Uh oh.

Spike grabbed the book from her, reading what she had just read. Slayer, we may have a problem.

Buffy stood next to him, reading over his shoulder. This spell cannot be broken. It must be allowed to run it's course, and will only end when the two it is cast upon have each learned what they would about the other.' What's that mean?

This spell is used to let people, basically, Walk a mile in the other person's shoes.' Just finding out what the other person deals with. I guess you have to find that out before you'll be in your body again... Tara answered.

Great. Just bloody great. Buffy's body answered.

*******

A/N - feedback is yummy. I'll try to get the next chapter up by Friday. hehe. There was an article in the AJC today that talked about Fan Fiction. It mentioned that the biggest show section was the Buffy one. lol. Is anyone surprised?