Chapter 5

Clem was waiting for Spike when he got back to Xander’s apartment. Spike grunted a hello and used his shoulder to push the door open. His arms were laden with a huge cardboard box, filled to near overflowing of things he’d acquired – everything he needed to make the boy stay put, and keep him out of trouble until he came to his senses and started acting like Xander again.  

“Come on in… just watch your step. The place is a pig sty.” 

He could practically hear Clem’s nostrils crinkle in distaste as he stepped over the threshold and pushed the door closed. Not that Spike blamed him. He’d refrained from breathing from the moment he’d climbed the last step and had started walking down the hall.  

“Beer’s in the fridge,” he called out over his shoulder as he walked towards the overly-large closet to store his box of supplies. “Grab two and I’ll join you in a minute.” 

Spike had finished his first beer and gotten up to get a second before he explained to Clem what he wanted.  

“Need someone to come round the place. Clean it up.”  

“Got a cousin. Nancy,” Clem replied. “She’s got a passel of young ‘uns and could use the break. Shouldn’t take her long. Few hours at the most.” 

“I’ll pay her a decent wage.” 

“She’d appreciate that. I’ll swing by her place later… have her come over in the morning?” 

“Yeah…” Spike’s voice trailed off and his eyes strayed to the couch, narrowed his gaze like he could see through it to where Xander lay stretched out sleeping. “Boy’s probably gone off and lost his job. Need you to look into it for me. Have someone put in a word for him. Dead aunt or some such.” 

“Alright.” 

“Not sure how long it’s gonna be either,” Spike said, still staring off into the living room. “Boy’s got—he’s…” Broken. Damaged. Fallen off the deep end. “He’s… I’m not sure what he is. He’s not right, I do know that much.” 

Clem nodded, saying nothing. He was no stranger to a person’s grief. Living on the hellmouth wasn’t the safest of places, especially one with a slayer in residence. Or one that used to be in residence. There’d been no sign of the Slayer’s replacement as yet, though he’d heard rumors of one doing hard time out in California.  

“Gonna try and fix him though. Promised the Slayer I would.” And that promise was an albatross around his neck. Steadily squeezing. 

“It’s a good thing you’re doing, Spike. Looking after the Slayer’s friends,” Clem said after some time and another round of beers – there’d been no shortage of the glass bottles in the refrigerator.  

If Clem found out what Spike had done to Xander, or what he planned on doing to the boy now, he doubted his friend would continue to think that way. Then again, Clem was a demon, if a rather harmless one. 

“Yeah… well…” He changed the subject. “Need you to stay here for a few. Broke the lock off earlier and I really don’t feel right leaving the boy here all alone until it’s fixed.” 

What he didn’t say was that he didn’t trust Xander to still be at home if he was left by himself for any length of time. 

“Sure thing, Spike.” 

“Shouldn’t be gone too long,” Spike said as he stood. “Couple hours at most.” 

Spike was hoping for an hour… tops. He and the Bin Tok were going to have a little chat. And, if the demon didn’t see things his way…  well, he still had some anger issues to work out.  

He was half hoping the club owner wouldn’t see things his way. 

~*~*~*~*~ 

When Spike got back to Xander’s, he wasn’t surprised to see that the lock on the door had been replaced. Clem’s contacts were far-reaching, and it was just like the demon to be helpful and fix things where he could. 

“Your boy’s still asleep,” Clem said as he met him at the door.  

Spike’s brow went up at the “your boy” comment, but he didn’t correct his friend. He bid Clem goodbye then walked over to stand behind the couch and stared down at Xander. His expression softened at seeing him in the same position Spike had left him in. In sleep, Xander looked peaceful… not the troubled boy he had become in the wake of the Slayer’s death.  

His brows drew together, and his face became grim.  

He didn’t want to carry out the plan he’d set in motion, but to do nothing— 

No! 

Spike shook his head. He wasn’t going to lose Xander to his demons. Damned if he wasn’t!  

The Slayer’s family had become his at some point over the past year, and while they all got on his nerves at times – most times, if he was truthful – they were still his.  

“It’s for your own good, Harris,” Spike murmured as he rounded the corner and bent down and lifted Xander in his arms.

tbc... 

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