Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Joss Whedon owns it.

Author's note: So I've already established that Xander will be more important in the fight against evil here as opposed to the show. As I said before in the previous chapter, some events will change as it seems that they would have benefitted the main characters greatly on the show. Also, I'm making it a point to not have everything come down to Buffy except for certain events, however, I haven't decided which yet, though you will see in the future. Also, expect this to be one long story. Without further ado, here is chapter 2.

February 26th, 1998

Sunnydale, California

Sunnydale High School

It had been almost two weeks since Whistler tipped Xander off about the danger that Ms. Calendar was putting herself in. He waited outside of her classroom a fair distance away so she would not notice him and he could keep an eye out in case anyone or anything would surprise her. Xander started thinking about why it's so important that Angel would be helped. It was clear that whatever kept his soul in place had broken and he had been on a rampage possibly for months. Xander couldn't help but to feel sympathy for the technopagan, given that the rest of the group had ostracized her for doing her duty to help keep the vampire in line.

A second presence in the school snapped Xander out of his muse, realizing that it must be Angel, or Angelus as he's been calling himself lately. Xander saw him nearing Jenny's classroom. The light in the dark room went out meaning she must've finished her work. Jenny exited her classroom hoping to quickly make her way to her car, when Angelus surprised her.

"Why Ms. Calendar. Or should I call you Janna? Doesn't matter to me. Just like to know why you're here at this time of night? After all, there are some weirdos out there. Believe me, I know," the vampire said snidely.

"How could you know I'd be here? I made sure no one followed me," she replied with fear lacing her voice, knowing full well the vampire standing before her.

"Let's just say a little birdy tipped me off. Of course, Dru may sound as sweet as a bird, but she's as crazy they come. Luckily her premonitions keep tabs on everything that could help me. After all, who'd be stupid enough to actually come here alone, at night?" Angelus asked smugly.

"Gee, I don't know. Maybe someone like me!"

Before he could react, Angelus heard Xander's voice echo throughout the halls of the school. And the next thing he knew, something hard and wooden was swung across his head, knocking him to the ground. Jenny looked to Xander with gratitude and confusion in her eyes, considering that she had never known Xander to be brave enough to be at the school alone. She would have expected Buffy but that was just wishful thinking.

"Xander! What on earth are you doing here?" she asked curious about the young man before her.

"I was here after school. Thought I'd stick around and see about getting in some study time before I left," he lied to her. Unfortunately for him, she could see through his deception.

"Okay, okay. I was...tipped off that you would be here from a friend. I figured you would need protection, and I'm afraid I was right. What were you doing here anyway?" Xander questioned her.

"I've been coming here the past few nights working on a soul spell. It's the same spell that my clan used curse Angelus. I just finished translating it, and I was hoping to let Buffy and the others know. I thought it would be a way to help them and for them to forgive me," she replied with some sadness in her tone.

"Well, we should get out of here before deadboy-" Xander was cut off.

"Wakes up? Too bad you won't be seeing tomorrow. And this time no one is going to save you Harris!" Angelus snarled before he charged Xander.

Xander kicked away Angelus, getting to his feet. The vampire threw a failed combo of left and right hooks at Xander. The young man was able to dodge both with relative ease and begins to retaliate. Xander threw every punch he could at his most hated enemy but the vampire only blocked.

"Is that really the best you can do, kid? But what could I expect from a worthless human like you? Besides, I've got two hundred years on you, kid," Angelus said arrogantly to Xander.

He wasn't sure where the feeling came from but Xander could feel something within him. As he looked intently as Angelus, Xander swung his arm in an uppercut. The punch not only made contact with Angelus' face but also sent him flying down the hall about twenty feet. Unnerved by what just happened, Xander looked down where Angelus was struggling to get up. He was shaken out of his stupor by Jenny shaking him.

"Xander! Come on! We have to get out of here!" she exclaimed getting his attention.

The pair made their way to Jenny's car, thankfully uninterrupted as Angelus had not caught up with them nor had any other vampires confronted them. Jenny started her car and drove away after they loaded themselves in. As the vehicle rolled down the road, a tense silence was felt between the two.

"Thank you Xander. If it wasn't for your arrival, I would probably be dead right about now," she said hesitantly as she was just as surprised by Xander's strength.

"I was just trying to do the right thing. And when I found out you were in danger, I couldn't let you get hurt," Xander replied.

"Why did you decide to be there for me? I thought you were siding with the others on the matter of Angel," she asked him with genuine curiosity.

"I'm not in agreement with the others about Angel. He may have had a soul but it's gone now. As far as I'm concerned he's a vampire at the core. And he's been causing enough damage as it is," Xander replied heatedly, thinking back to some of the murders that occurred before this moment. He remembered hearing on Valentine's day that a shopkeepers heart was ripped out. From what he read on Angelus, he remembered that the deranged vampire had flair for over-the-top murders.

"Besides, you're one of the few adults in the school, and possibly this town that I fully respect. You were only doing what you had to to make sure Angel wouldn't go nuts. None of this is your fault," Xander continued with tenderness in his voice. Jenny, or Janna, could not help but to shed a tear from hearing the young man's kind words. After being in Sunnydale for a number of years, she did not think she would meet someone who would care as much about others as Xander has shown.

"Thank you Xander," she said while slightly sobbing.

"You're welcome Ms. Calendar," he replied.

"Feel free to call me Jenny, or Janna," she replied smiling to him.

"Xander listen, this goes against certain, principles but I think it may be safer for the both of us if you stay with me for the night," she said hesitantly, not wanting to give him the wrong idea.

"That's fine, Jenny. I want to make sure that you're okay. Besides, the place I call home is more of a jail cell on the hellmouth, anyway," he said as they came closer to her residence. After a few minutes, they pulled into her driveway both of them still silent. Jenny's home was rather impressive. There were Romany decoratives lining the walls of her living, which was connected to a kitchen. The living room itself was lavishly furnished. There was also a couch for four, two lounge chairs, and a wooden coffee table. In front of them all sat a fairly large television. Jenny allowed Xander to make himself comfortable.

"So what did you mean about your home, Xander?" she asked him.

"I don't talk about it much, mostly because I prefer not to. But my home-life isn't exactly stellar compared to the other kids at school. My parents are both alcoholics, and my dad is worse than my mom," he replied solemnly.

"How so?"

"He's hit me more than enough times to get a point across. Mainly that he is the authority in the house, no matter what," he answered seething.

"I'm sorry," Jenny said to him, putting a hand on his left shoulder.

"It's alright. I won't be there forever. At least I'm hoping I won't," he confided to her.

"You won't. You will survive all of this. Anyway, what do you think we should do since we have the spell translated?" she asked the young man.

"I'm not sure. We could tell the rest of the group tomorrow but I can't guarantee it would go over so well," Xander answered her, still contemplating.

"Not only that, but there's one more thing as well. Soul magic is one of the most powerful types of dark magics there is. To even use this spell takes a considerable amount of power. If one person uses this spell alone, it could kill them," she replied.

"Damn. Well, no point in thinking this through tonight. We've dealt with enough stress as it is," he replied while yawning.

"You're right. Come on. I'll show you to your room," she answered getting up. Jenny led Xander upstairs to one of the guest bedrooms. It was medium sized, with a king-sized bed and a painting hanging over it. Xander started thinking he would like to own a house like this one day.

"Good night Xander. Sweet dreams," she said to him as she closes the door and leaves to her own bedroom. Xander stripped down to his undershirt and boxers and climbed into the bed. He found difficulty in getting to sleep as he thought about the night's events, from saving Jenny to his bout with Angelus. Even more disturbing was the display of strength he showed before the two ran away. As Xander let go of those thoughts, his eyes finally closed, only for his mind to be met with frightening visions. However, the one vision that caught his attention the most is of a young woman with dark hair, slightly pale skin, and an amazing figure. He saw her fighting the demons alongside Buffy. But the look in her eyes told him that there's something darker about her: either her future or her personality.