A/N: Sorry if you don't like this chapter, I just tried something slightly different, it's mainly thoughts so the storyline doesn't really change until the end of the chapter, so if you want to ksip everything beforehand, feel free.

As usual, please review, I like to know that I'm not wasting my time and people to actually enjoy what I'm writing.

Caged - Chapter Eight

Shit. Why did that little bitch have to ruin everything? Just when things were starting to get going she had to pull this fucking stunt. And his boy, he could have easily avoided the Slayer's grip if he'd wanted, he was just being stubborn, only the Slayer seemed too stupid to realise it. No matter what had happened in the past between them, all the little fights Buffy had won, she just hadn't realised that he had been playing with her.

The score card was highly in his favour at the moment, and one little win wouldn't set the balance spinning, but one could give her more confidence and lead to two and two to three and it might not stop.

He wouldn't let William die, there was no chance of that, but the question was how he would do it. He could let good old Buff meet her ending here and now, or she could do the little 'swap'. It wouldn't make any difference, he would still have them all trapped and under his control. But he still didn't want to give Buffy the feeling that she had won, even if it was only this once.

One thing he knew for sure was that his Childe would be getting a nice beating for this, why did these sort of situations always have something to do with Will? He seemed to attract this sort of trouble and take it around with him.

He glanced over at Buffy and saw her resolve slip slightly as she tried to work out the safest solution for her and her friends and he barely held back a smirk as he saw her dart her eyes around the room and find another solution, though even she knew it was hopeless.

The stake began to quiver in her hand, Angelus wasn't giving anything away with his facial expressions and she had no idea what he was planning on doing, but whatever it was there was going to be a casualty, or possibly more.

She considered dropping the stake and giving up to Angelus in hope of lowering any suffering that Xander may have to go through, but giving up wasn't in her nature, especially where the alter-ego of her ex-boyfriend was concerned.

Angelus' face twitched and she knew that he was trying to hold back a smirk, smug bastard. He knew just as well as she did that it was hopeless but she couldn't stop herself from trying to find a way out of it.

She didn't particuarly want to kill Spike, but she knew if it came between him and any of her friends she wouldn't hesitate to kill him, Angelus knew that as well, it was shown so clearly in her expression, it's why she didn't bother playing poker with Spike that time, it just didn't work with her.

She made the mistake of looking into Xander's eyes, he was still slumped up against the wall and Angelus had his back to him but he wasn't moving. Buffy looked away quickly. The fear she had seen in his eyes was just too much, they had to sort out this mess quickly, but she was well aware that it was Angelus who was calling the shots.

Ow. That was about the only comprehendable thought that was going through Xander's head at that moment in time. He knew he was only being used as a pawn in this huge game, Angelus was using him to get what he wanted, he wasn't actually causing him pain because he wanted to hurt Xander. He wasn't sure whether that thought was meant to be a comfort or not.

He had been thrown around on patrol plenty of times before, but this was different. For one there aren't all that many solid stone walls in a cemetary, and normally he had Buffy to stake whatever vamp had just attacked him and he could laugh as his attacker turned to dust.

He wasn't stupid or naive enough to think that that would happen this time though. He knew how hard it was for Buffy to even be in the same room as Angelus, but having to stake him? As much faith he had in Buffy, he wasn't sure that even if one of them was in direct danger she would be able to put a stop to it.

Even if she could bring herself to try and kill him, what were the odds that she would actually be able to beat him in a fight? So baisically they were buggered. Wow, he definatley had been spending way too much time around Spike recently, though he didn't think he had to worry about that any more. Even if they did get out of here alive he was doubtful that the bleached vampire would be hanging out around at the Magic Box any more.

Speaking of... He looked over at Spike who was standing calmly and not trying to get away from the stake.

Moron.

Stupid bint. Couldn't she see that Angelus was just playing with her and this would only turn out how he wanted to? What she did didn't matter, it wouldn't make a difference.

The stake held against him was shaking slightly and he knew that she was losing what little resolve she had had to begin with. The fight was obviously going to go Angelus' way, everyone knew that. The only thing they didn't know, was what exactly Angelus' way was.

He looked up into Angelus' eyes and found he couldn't look away. His sire held his gaze evenly and for an instant Spike wanted nothing more than to run to his sire. He quickly pushed those thoughts away, but he saw Angelus' lip twitch slightly and he knew that Angelus knew exactly what was going on inside his head.

He should have been scared for his life. He wasn't though, he didn't think Angelus would let the Slayer stake him, but he knew after this mess was cleaned up he was in deep shit.

Why didn't things ever go his way? You know, just for once something should go his way and work out well for him.

But does it ever?

No.

Angelus grabbed Xander and walked towards the cage door which he opened and held out another hand for Spike.

"No, I get Xander first"

"Oh come on Buff! You know I could just lock you all up in that cage once you have Xander and starve you to death, so they way I see it? You aren't in any place to be making demands of me"

Buffy looked unsure but one look at Xander and she passed Spike over who let out a small growl as he stopped himself just before he collided with Angelus.

Angelus turned around and for a sickening moment Buffy thought he was going to keep Xander out with him but just as the door was closing he threw the young slayerette in and once again locked the door and turned to face Spike.

"William, William, William. Whatever will I do with you?" Angelus mock tutted before throwing Spike across the room to the side of the wall that had four chains attatched. Two for feet, two for hands. Angelus took a moment to admire the shirtless form of his childe before speaking again.

"Three guesses what's coming next"