Chapter 1: Caged
Angelus clenched and unclenched his fists in anger. He was angry at himself for his behavior. He had done it again after he promised he would not hurt her. Not only had he promised her, but he had also promised himself. He stared down at her slumbering form. The tears drying rapidly. Her body curled defensively into the fetal position. He wished he hadn't had to keep her arm chained to the bed, but he knew she would try to flee. He felt a pang of disappointment surge through his heart at how their relationship had turned.
Buffy blinked open her eyes at the sound of the bath turning on. She heard heavy footsteps approaching her. Automatically she squeezed her eyes shut tightly and pulled herself deeper into a little ball. Angelus frowned down at her display of obvious fear. He reached up and slid the key into the cuff and released her wrist. Buffy didn't jerk away or try to flee, she knew better then that by now. Angelus rubbed the circulation back into her wrist and hand and kissed it several times. "Relax," he whispered to her as he scooped her up into his arms. He gently placed her in the warm soothing bath water. "I put some oils in for you they should help with the pain," he explained. He sat staring at her with an expectant look on his face. Buffy knew what he wanted and in order to spare herself she gave in. Barely above a strangled whisper Angelus heard the words he was waiting for, "Thank You." With that he smiled down at the petite girl and kissed her upon the forehead. He stood up and went to leave the bathroom, "Get some rest I'll be back in a few hours with lunch."
As soon as Angelus left Buffy let the tears she'd been holding in fall freely from her eyes. Her chest heaved up and down with the gasps for air she was struggling to take in. She knew it would be no use to try to escape. She was his prisoner now and she would have to walk on egg shells to keep herself alive. There had been several times since her stay here she was convinced it would be her last night on earth. She had prayed those nights. Prayed long and hard while he beat her. She didn't think she would ever see her mom, sister, or friends again. After several minutes Buffy let the water out of the tub and watched as it swirled down the drain. She stood up and turned the tap on and tested the water until it was the right temperature. She turned the shower on and let the cleansing water wash over her. She lathered up a wash clothe and began to gently purge the filth of his touch from her. She winced every time she touched a particularly bruised spot. She washed and conditioned her hair then stepped out of the shower. She wrapped herself in a large terry cloth towel and ventured cautiously to the bedroom. She breathed a sigh of relief when there was no sign of her captor. She opened the chest of drawers and pulled out a large t-shirt and draped it over her skinny frame. She found a pair of sweats and threw those on as well. Buffy knew the door would be locked, but she figured it couldn't hurt to try anyways. She let out the breath she was holding when the knob refused to budge. She stalked over to the bed and curled up under the blankets and fell fast asleep.
Several hours later Angelus returned home. It had been a month since he had basically kidnapped Buffy. He had forced her to write a letter to her best friend explaining she needed time to herself and didn't know when she was coming back. He had also forced her to write a letter to her mother saying a similar thing. He noticed Willow glaring at him through out the class that they shared. He just pretended that he didn't notice her at all. Angelus walked briskly up the stairs to the third floor. He unlocked the entrance to the east wing suite of rooms. He walked down several hallways before finally reaching the room that housed his blonde beauty. He unlocked the door and walked inside quickly relocking the door behind him. She was sleeping soundly on her stomach. Angelus sat the bag of food on the table then sat down slowly next to her. He gently stroked the hair out of her face. Buffy's eyes flew open and she quickly backed away from him nearly falling off the bed. Angelus' eyes flashed in anger. "I brought you lunch," he gritted out through clenched teeth.
Buffy's eyes gave away the obvious fear for the man that held her captive. Although she dutifully sat in his lap and let him feed her the yogurt he had gotten for her, he knew the fear and contempt she held for him. Her body language gave it all away whether she realized it or not. He allowed her to eat her sandwich on her own. It took every ounce of strength Angelus possessed not to smack the look of fear right off her face. He hated that look more then anything. He hated that she feared him. It was not long ago that she was totally and utterly infatuated with him. Hell he would even bet that she had loved him or was close to it anyways. Angelus knew he needed to be softer with her. So instead of hitting her he reached up and stroked her face lovingly. Buffy flinched involuntarily thinking he was about to do her harm. His eyes briefly showed his anger, but he was able to get it under control. "You're beautiful," was all he said. Buffy stared down at her hands nervously fidgeting. He looked at her expectantly until finally she uttered the words "Thank you." She hated doing that the most. She hated thanking him for every little thing, but she learned quickly that if she didn't he would hurt her. She knew she was weak, and she didn't think she could take another beating from the man she thought she could love and spend the rest of her life with.
Angelus stood and walked over to the bed and laid down on it. He patted the empty space next to him. Hesitantly Buffy walked over and sat down on the bed next to him. He pulled her into an embrace and began to glide his fingers over her arm causing little goose bumps to rise. He began to kiss her neck and nibble on her ear. He could hear her trying to hold back her sobs. "Shhhh it's alright Buffy," he soothed as he kissed her several more times. He forced her to turn around and face him. She tried to wipe her tears away because she did not want to anger him. He pushed her hands away and kissed her closed eyelids. "I'm sorry about earlier Buffy. I didn't mean to, it's just I have trouble controlling my anger. Especially when it comes to you," he explained to her. Angelus pulled her into an embrace and kissed the top of her head several times. He breathed out heavily, "You have to promise me Buffy that you will never try to escape again." Buffy's sobs became louder as she looked disbelievingly at her captor. How could he expect such a thing? How could he expect her to just stay here with no hope of ever escaping? Angelus sat up and brought Buffy up with him. He grabbed her arms roughly squeezing them and shaking her a little causing Buffy to yelp in pain. "Promise me," he growled into her face. "Please stop hurting me. I promise," she cried. Angelus realized what he was doing and quickly let go of her arms. He wiped the tears away from her eyes and kissed her several times. He laid her back down on the bed then began to slide his hand up her t-shirt. Buffy whimpered at the sudden molestation. "Please don't," she sobbed, "I'm so sore." Angelus' eyes softened and he pulled his hand out of her shirt. He kissed her once again on the back of the head then got up and walked out of the room. He returned several minutes later with a bottle of water and a couple of pills. "Take these they'll help with the pain," he ordered. Buffy was reluctant, but did as he asked.
Angelus just sat there staring at the girl that had captured his heart and soul. He had several girlfriends over the years, but none that he had gone to this sort of lengths to secure. None that he would let refuse his needs and wants as he allowed her. None that he could not see himself living on without them by his side. Angelus had always had a violent streak especially when it came to his women. His first serious girlfriend he had ever had was Darla. He was a sophomore she was freshman. They had dated for several months before he ever hit her. He saw her one day talking in the hall with another boy. Angelus had a jealous rage flash before his eyes. As soon as he was alone with her he hit her several times. Darla stayed with him for nearly a year before her parents found out what was happening. As soon as they found out they took their daughter and moved across the country. Then there was Drusilla. He had been a junior and she a freshman. She'd come from a single parent home. Her mother worked two jobs just to support Dru and her three siblings. All she ever wanted was the love from a male figure in her life. Angelus offered that and so much more. No matter how much he hurt her or how badly he treated her she always returned to him. Her mother was too busy to notice anything was going on. When Angelus finally grew tired of her and broke off the relationship she went crazy. He literally drove her crazy. She tried to kill herself and was committed to a mental institution.
Buffy stirred a little in her sleep and pulled Angelus from his daydreams. He watched her for several more minutes before taking another trip down memory lane. He remembered Faith they had both been seniors. She was kind of white trash, but he didn't really mind it at all. He remembered the first time he had hit her. Instead of cowering and trying to run she came back with a vengeance. She slapped him hard across the face and punched him several times. For nearly six months that was the extent of their relationship. Wild and painful sex as well as fist fights between the two of them. Then Angelus went off to college where he met Cordelia his sophomore year. She was a spoiled rich bitch that he just longed to knock off her pedestal. Which he did on several occasions. Eventually she tired of the constant belittlement of her character and bruises she suffered at Angelus' hands. He let her go and never thought again about his decision. Angelus dated no one for over a year, then his senior year he met Buffy in one of his classes. She was a freshman and sexy as hell. He longed to hold her and caress her. He pursued her for a long time, which she didn't even notice, before she finally agreed to go on a date with him.
Buffy sat up in bed holding her head in her hands. She had a killer headache. She had nearly forgotten where she was when she heard his voice, "Are you alright Buffy?" Buffy groaned and shook her head yes. She laid back down on the pillow and tried to go back to sleep, however Angelus had other plans.