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A/N: Hey all. Glad some people seem to be interested in this  - makes me feel all warm and fuzzy! Thanks for the reviews, they're much appreciated!

Chapter 3: Problem solving

Spike breathed a sigh of relief as he left his apartment and what remained of his family behind. His parents had accompanied him and Jenny back to LA 'until he got himself sorted out'. Roughly translated until they were sure he wouldn't just leave the girl to her own devices. Spike really had no idea what he was supposed to do with the girl. They hadn't said a single word to each other since he had met her a week ago beyond 'Hello'. He could understand the girl's quietness. How would he feel if he'd lost the two most important people in his life only to be told he was going to live with someone he had never met before, but had probably heard numerous horror stories about? In his own defence he just didn't know how to talk to kids, he hadn't had to do it since he was one himself.

As he made the short drive towards Oz's office he considered his options. He could always send her to a boarding school, but it just seemed mean to pack her off so soon – maybe later but not viable right now. Spending more time at home was a possibility, but not one he liked to think about – and he still knew bugger all about looking after a nine year old so neither of them would be much better off. He decided to give the subject a rest as he pulled into a parking space in the office building's underground parking lot. Right now he had to focus on the meeting and the deal he wanted to make – it was worth a lot of money if he could pull it off…

"So, you going to tell me what's wrong?" Oz asked Spike the moment the ME representatives were out of the office. Spike had been unusually quiet during the whole meeting. Usually you couldn't shut him up when he talked about his work, he had a right to be proud of it, but today he seemed as if he were barely interested. Even when the sums of money talked about had been enough for the extremely laid back agent to nearly make a facial expression Spike hadn't reacted. Something must be seriously wrong.

Spike sighed and looked up at his agent but didn't move from his slumped position in his chair. "Remember I cancelled the meeting last week?" He began at last. If he was going to tell anyone it may as well be Oz. At least he could rely on him not to make a big deal out of it. He was confused enough without anyone else adding to it. When Oz nodded he continued. "Well I had to go back for my brother's funeral."

Oz simply nodded – he knew the relationship between the brothers had been tense. Empty condolences wouldn't exactly be helpful, and he assumed that wasn't all that was bothering his most profitable client. "Yeah well," Spike continued "It turns out I'm now the legal guardian of my nine year old niece who I'd forgotten even existed until last week."

"Harsh." Oz commented.

"That's one word for it." Spike muttered. "What the hell am I supposed to do with a nine year old kid Oz? I'm not exactly a family guy!"

"Neither was I." Oz noted, "But I like to think I'm a pretty decent father to Tara now."

"Yeah, but you and Red were together." Spike pointed out.

"But we weren't expecting to start a family so soon." Oz argued back, knowing logic was the best way to go with Spike. "We both had lives and jobs. We just had to adjust."

"My life isn't child friendly. I haven't got a clue what I'm supposed to do!" Spike was aware that he was bordering on whining but at that point he didn't really care. He had expected his parents to be able to tell him how to deal with all this, to tell him how to be a parent. But they'd just insisted he'd figure it out. Apparently these things didn't come with an instruction manual.

"So you hire someone who is to help you out." Oz suggested reasonably. "Willow and I did."

"Huh?" Spike questioned as intelligently as he could.

Oz almost rolled his eyes at the obliviousness of the man in front of him. He really wasn't kidding when he said he knew nothing about raising a child. "Hire a nanny." He explained as if talking to a particularly dim five year old.

Spike nearly hit himself in the head. Why the hell hadn't he thought of that? He could hire a live in nanny and she'd look after Jenny while he got in with his life. He grinned, liking the idea already. His place was plenty big enough for three people without them getting in each other's way. Sure it might cramp his style with the ladies from time to time, but what did he care if the occasional shag was put off by his being guardian of a kid? It's not like he was going to ask any of them to marry him! "You wouldn't happen to know any nanny's for hire would you?" Spike asked Oz, his grin growing wider.

Oz resisted the urge to roll his eyes – he knew exactly what Spike was thinking. He liked Spike, he really did, but he had to be one of the most self-centred people he had ever come across. He really hoped he grew out of it soon for the kid's sake. It was all well and good for Spike to live his life like this while he had no responsibilities, but things had obviously changed. All of a sudden Oz was hit by an amazing idea. Spike obviously needed a good hard kick in the ass to point him in the right direction, and he knew just how to do it. He almost smiled when he answered Spike's question. "As it happens, I know just the person!"…

Spike was still in a good mood as he packed Rupert and Anne off in a car for Sunnydale. Oz had promised to get the girl to call him later that night after Willow had spoken to her. Apparently She had been their nanny just after Tara was born three years ago and she had become fast friends with Oz's red headed wife. Oz told him the girl had been a godsend and was highly qualified in childcare. She had just finished her most recent job in New York and hadn't had chance to look for a new position yet. Oz expected her to be thrilled to have a job ready and waiting for her when she got back in a few days time. Spike was sure he would be able to handle Jenny on his own for a few days until the details were finalised. With one last chuckle of triumph he headed back upstairs to wait for Buffy Summers to call.

A/N: Yes I know Spike sounds like a selfish prat right now but give him time! And I know not a lot happened but I needed a way to bring Buffy into the story. Please let me know what you think. Love you all!