*Extra special note - Hey all, I'm pretty sure that some of you didn't notice, but the last chapter is new as well. (An author's note that was posted as a chapter was removed so...yeah.)So, please read the previous chapter before continuing.

A.N. - Sorry this took so long, I've been really stuck on a way to end this fic. No, this isn't the last chapter, but I expect it to be one of the final three. Innit sad? ;p

- Chapter Seventeen -

Time had lost all meaning, being stuck in the same spot for hours tended to do that though. A cramp in his leg had awoken him from his doze, but now he wished for the numbness that had previously taken control. He blinked away the red spots that seemed desperate to keep him blinded. A sharp stab of pain shot through his hands as he tried to adjust himself into a more comfortable position.

He hissed through his teeth, struggling to keep quiet. He had no idea how long he'd been alone nor did he know when Angelus would return. You're gonna die down here ... Bleed to death ... Maybe it'll be starvation, the cold voice in his head reminded him of a serpent - slimy, cold.

Unwanted images from the tape flashed through his mind and a twinge of guilt connected and flared.

.:.:.:.

"It's not like I did anything wrong," Buffy propped her head on her hands, palms covering her eyes.

"No one's saying you did," Faith wrapped her arms around her and laid her head on Buffy's shoulder. "We just want to know why you didn't tell us."

"I ... I needed to do this," tears slipped past her palms. "I was too late before and ..." She turned into Faith and cried. The same helpless feeling Faith had experienced earlier when she'd overheard Buffy and Angelus returned.

An awkward silence held on to the others as they stood by.

Spike cleared his throat and looked at the others to find the same uncomfortable look he was sure mirrored his own. "Well, now that this touching moment is out of the way ... we have something to tend to, don't we?"

.:.:.:.

"Wakey, wakey," Faith laughed coldly as she descended the stairs.

Riley raised his head only to have it pushed back down by Faith's punch. He felt himself slip sideways as the chair almost fell over. Faith didn't seem to notice, or care, that his hands were oozing fresh blood.

"Careful, Faith," Angelus chided lightly, "We don't want him to die before the others get a chance to have a little fun with him."

Faith decided against arguing and opted, instead, to spit at Riley before walking away.

Riley watched a cold smirk come to Angelus' mouth. "We've been thinking a lot about what to do with you..."

"My brother won't let you kill me," he strained to believe the bravado he had forced into his words.

"Kill you? Who said anything about killing you?" Angelus raised his eyebrows in mock confusion. "Oh, Buffy, right. We would never do anything that hasty, didn't you know?"

"Then, what are you planning to do?"

Angelus laughed loudly. "Stick around and find out."

They both listened quietly as footsteps signaled the arrival of the others. "I guess it won't be that long of a wait..."

"Please don't hurt me! The guilt is eno-"

"Shut up! I don't give a fuck if you've decided to repent! And no, the guilt isn't enough! But don't worry about that... We'll make sure you never forget what you've done."

"Have you ever seen The Princess Bride, Riley?" Buffy walked towards Angelus.

Riley felt his blood run cold at the sight of the matching smirks Angelus and Buffy wore.
Something bad is going to happen, he thought to himself as he watched them move to her "torture table."

Moments later, his screams began their second tour of the basement.

.:.:.:.

Buffy removed the latex gloves she'd been wearing for the past hour and tossed them in the dark green garbage bin behind the bar. "I don't really feel better," she whispered.

She felt Angelus' arms wrap around her waist. "It'll get better, easier to deal with. I promise."

"What if it doesn't? I mean, yeah, Riley was forever be scarred and he'll always have that nice reminder that he's not invincible but, where does that leave us?"

"Trying to survive the rest of our lives? I've been thinking a lot about what we should do... Maybe we should leave. Just the two of us, and let everyone else do what they want to do," Angelus suggested softly.

She looked down at their intertwined hands, "I couldn't do that. Faith needs me."

"Or you need Faith."

"Well, there's that too." She frowned then looked out the window, "Ever feel like you're being watched?"

"At this moment, yeah."

She tried to shrug the feeling off, "Come on, we should start packing Liz's things."

He sighed, "Yeah. I guess now is as good a time as any."

.:.:.:.

He pulled his hood over his head and walked out of the alley before they could get to the door. They were so close and the last thing he needed now was to ruin it by being seen. Everything was almost going according to plan - Liz was dead, Riley was out of commission, and the gang had reunited but there was already tension thanks, mainly, to Spike. Time was running out and they needed desperately to pull the plug on this game... But how?

.:.:.:.

Hey guys! What'd ya think? Please review and let me know. :] - Also, the sooner you review, the sooner a new chapter comes out and I don't think you want to wait for the ending. ;] Also, Special thanks to Jess and Liz for noticing the previous update. That's awesome.