Author's Note: Yet another older story. I wouldn't be surprised if someone had played this idea out at length somewhere -- if someone has, I'd appreciate being pointed towards it.

Disclaimer: The Buffy characters were created by Joss Whedon. I'm not him.

X X X X X

"Buffy! I didn't expect you back so soon." Joyce was overjoyed.

"Well, I made a promise."

"Yeah, but you have your own life - you don't have to-"

"Mom!"

A bit hurt, Joyce said, "What is it, Buffy?"

"Nothing - sorry. Stressful day. There were these vampires at the church -"

"I saw that. You got the parishioners free?"

"All but one."

"Is that why you're so down? You saved the other nineteen."

"No - that's not it. Remember what I said about neglecting you? I'm not going to do it any more."

Amazedly, Joyce said, "Now, really, Buffy, you're NOT neglecting me. Why are you like this all of a sudden?"

The answer came wistfully. "I made a promise."

Earlier:

"So, Willow, the spell can't work?"

"Not anymore," Willow said angrily.

"Why not? I mean, there has to be some variation that'll get us switched back."

"No. Tara and I have both checked. You're stuck where you are. I hope you like it because you're never getting out." Willow was sounding more and more pissed by the moment.

"Damn."

"Damn, hell. Try fuck."

Her eyes widened. "Never heard such language from you, Willow."

"Shut up."

"Willow. Look. I promise I'll -"

"Shut the hell up."

"I promise," she whispered.

Earlier:

She fought off the third vampire. Damn, he was strong. Stronger than most.

It was on top of her, pummeling.

Summoning every last ounce of strength, she rolled over and sent the vampire sprawling. She kept rolling and got to her feet.

The vampire faced her. "You cannot triumph. My new leader has shown me the way! I fear nothing!"

She grabbed a piece of a smashed pew and held it in front of her. "Your mistake."

The fight took a few minutes but the outcome was inevitable.

One vampire, drifting to the floor to await vacuuming.

Riley came in. "I heard the fighting stop - you okay?"

She smiled back at him. "Never better."

"Good." Then they turned to walk out of the church.

Then they came face to face with Willow. A very angry-looking Willow.

Riley spoke first. "Willow, what's wrong?"

Earlier:

Willow and Tara knocked on Giles' door.

He was just putting down the phone.

"Giles!" Willow shouted. "Buffy's not Buffy!"

"How do you mean?"

"Well, Tara here - by the way Tara this is Giles -"

"Hi." The other witch waved.

"Well, anyway, Tara is a very powerful witch. She noticed that there was something wrong with Buffy's energy. We did some magicking and it turns out Buffy and Faith switched bodies."

Giles paled. "No. No."

"Giles?" Willow asked. "What's wrong?"

"That was the Council on the phone."

But no matter how he was pressed Giles couldn't say anything else for quite a while.

Earlier:

The Watcher looked in. The traitorous Slayer bitch was still unconscious. Just to be sure, he fired another needle into her arm.

Then he turned on the gas.

Then they poured it.

And right before they left they lit it up.

They say the explosion was heard for miles.