A/N: This is the second of a total of six parts to this story. It's meant to be a short alternative to the episode, which is why every "chapter" is shorter than my chapters usually are.

Part II

Finishing off the glass of water, Alex took a moment to assess the situation. Okay, maybe it's not so bad, she thought. After all, Mom was able to cast this spell, right? Why shouldn't she be able to cast the body switch spell? But Alex knew she was kidding herself. It took a certain amount of magical control and concentration to cast spells, often learned by a wizard the first few weeks or so after first receiving his or her powers. Her mother only had Alex's powers for five minutes.

But it was still worth a shot. Anything was better than…

"I don't like this, Alex…" Theresa said, going back to pacing. "I want a Quinceanera, but not when I could be stuck as a fifteen-year-old! My teenage years were tough enough the first time around! We have to tell your father."

Alex tried to keep her anxiety down. While she knew her mother would get behind her plan, her father… Well, she had a feeling that the blatant use of unapproved magic would overshadow any selflessness of the act. And in this case, she doubted even having her mother on her side would help. "No! We can't!" Alex protested. At her mother's reluctant face, she added, "I mean, uh, let's just see if you can cast the spell first. If you can, we'll switch back and you can enjoy the Quinceanera you've always wanted."

"I still think we should tell Jerry," Theresa said, hesitant to be convinced.

Out of persuasive ideas, Alex said, "You know, I only did this for you. If you tell Dad, I'm taking you down with me." Feigning tears and a pout, Alex mocked what she'd say. "'D-Daddy, I wanted to tell you, but Mom wanted a Quinceanera!'"

"Don't push it," Theresa warned her. "Besides, he'll know you caused trouble the second 'Daddy' comes out of your mouth. We catch on to your tricks."

About to protest, Alex just shook her head. "Yeah, you're right, the 'Daddy' thing is a little over the top. But just try the spell!"

"Alright, fine, I'll do it," Theresa said. Letting out a deep sigh, she focused her concentration and mimicked Alex's hand movements. "Alex, Theresa…what was that spell again?"

"Cambia Corporum Meum Corpora Sua Nominavi," Alex supplied without hesitation.

Theresa stared at her as if Alex were trying to teach her a foreign language. "Okay, you're going to have to say that again."

More slowly, Alex began, "Cambia Corporum…"

"Cambia Corporum…" Theresa repeated.

"Meum Corpora…"

"Meum Corpora…"

"Sua Nominavi."

"Sua No…" Theresa trailed off. "You lost me."

"And one more time," Alex said. "But only if you realize that you can't give me a hard time about mispronouncing Spanish words without being hypocritical."

"Ha ha ha. Just tell me," Theresa urged. When Alex repeated the spell, she made the hand gestures again and said, "Alex, Theresa, Cambia Co…rporum…Meum Corpora…Sua…Nominavi."

There was a flash of light, and both Alex and Theresa closed their eyes in anticipation. After a second, Alex opened them…and sighed with disappointment. It hadn't worked. "I thought this would happen. Man, I am so dead!"

"Wait, I don't get it, why didn't it work? It worked when you were the one casting it," Theresa said, staring at her…well, Alex's…clasped hands in confusion.

"But you've only had my powers for five minutes! You don't know how to use them!" Alex explained.

Offended, Theresa replied, "Hey! I did that water glass appearing spell!"

Making a noise as if to say "so what," Alex answered, "Please, even Max could conjure a glass of water when he first got his powers."

"Well, okay, but I still think that was a pretty good attempt for someone who's normally human," Theresa retorted.

Trying to think of options, Alex said, "Okay, okay, we can fix this…we can..." She whirled around and snapped her fingers. "I've got it! My wand!

"What about your wand?" Theresa asked.

"Wands are like…spell training wheels. Maybe if you used one along with the spell hand movements, the spell will be easier to cast," Alex said.

Nodding in agreement, Theresa replied, "Alright, then, where is it?"

"I think I brought it…" Alex trailed off as she got out her backpack and rummaged through it. She'd filled it with stuff to keep her occupied in the hour or so before the party. Looking under tabloid magazines and her MP3 player, she realized that her wand was not in the bag. Glancing up, she gave her mother a weak smile. "Uh oh."

"You lost your wand? Alex, how many times do your father and I have to tell you to be careful where you leave your wand?" Theresa yelled.

Turning to her mother, she explained, "Relax. I know exactly where it is." At Theresa's look, she once again smiled sheepishly. "I, uh, left it at home. In the lair." When her mother groaned with frustration, Alex argued, "But you said no magic when Grandma was visiting, so I listened! At first…"

"Oh, yeah, that lasted," Theresa retorted. "Well, we're just going to have to run home and get it."

"You're not running in that dress. I'll have to go. You're going to have to stay here – people will wonder what's up if I'm missing," Alex said.

"But Jerry will wonder where I am too," Theresa pointed out.

"I guess we could make an excuse…eh, it's just easier to ask Justin to borrow his wand. You'll have to do that," Alex replied, opening the door. "Come on, let's go get this over with before the party starts."

Going into the hallway, Alex and Theresa bumped into Harper. Alex momentarily forgot who's body she was in and said, "Uh, hey Harper. What's up?"

"Uh…I came to ask Alex if she was ready for her dad to introduce her," Harper replied, confused at "Theresa's" uncharacteristic greeting. "Well, are you Alex?"

"Right, that's me," Theresa said before she could catch herself. When Harper raised an eyebrow, Theresa quickly added, "Uh, yeah, I'm ready. B-But I need to ask Justin…my brother… something first."

"Oh, you're probably nervous about the dance," Harper reasoned, oblivious to "Alex's" confused expression. "Don't worry, I'm sure Justin will be great. He's so great at everything!"

Alex rolled her eyes while her mother realized Harper's crush on Justin. "Y-yeah, that's it," Theresa fibbed. "But I'd still rather talk to him."

"But you can't go in. You're the Quinceanera girl, and you have to be introduced," Harper argued.

As Theresa was about to object, Alex interrupted, "Harper, you're absolutely right. Mo…I mean, Alex…why don't you let Da…Jerry…introduce you now?" At Theresa's confused look, Alex hinted, "So that you can talk to Justin after?"

"Oh, right! Let's go! I can't wait for my Quinceanera!" Theresa exclaimed, getting swept up in the moment. "I just love saying that! My Quinceanera! I love being fifteen!"

"I knew she'd come around," Harper said as she watched "Alex" run down the hall towards the banquet room. "But I wonder why she had a change of heart."

Alex smirked. "You'd be surprised." At Harper's bewildered look, Alex said, "Well, you would," then walked down the hall after her overjoyed mother.