Buffy and Angel took the long way back to the hotel, walking on the beach in the opposite direction of where Jarod was headed. The gentle waves lapped against the sand, looking peaceful in the moonlight. Buffy looked at Angel.
"Are you angry at my impulsiveness this afternoon? I mean now, someone else knows my secret. Do you think we can trust him?" She looked down guiltily, her pink painted toes sticking out of her sandals playing in the sand nervously.
He sighed and took her face in his hands tilting it upwards, their eyes meeting.
"No, I'm not angry. But it does prove my point about your being a little more cautious. As for Jarod, I think he's a good guy, a good guy with as many hidden hurts as we have. I think we can trust him."
They reached the hotel room hand in hand. Angel unlocked the door and Buffy followed him in.
"Shower or bath?" He asked as he walked into the tiny bathroom.
"Bath, please. I want to soak." She shouted from the other room.
He started the water and poured in some of the bubble bath from the tiny bottle on the counter top. Buffy soon joined him and sank into the warm bubble filled tub. He settled his tall frame on the toilet seat and got comfortable. They had some of their most interesting conversations while she was bathing, although he often wondered why. It was distracting to say the least seeing her covered in mounds of bubbles. "That little boy Alex, he was cute." She said a hint of longing in her voice.
"Yes, he was. Buffy..." Angel started only to be cut off by a handful of bubbles lobbed at him from the tub. He knew how hard this was for her, she longed for home and family just like any other young woman. Unfortunately their home seemed to be a van that transported them from hotel room to hotel room. He laughed out loud as the bubbles hit his shirt front. He leaned over the tub smiling.
"Buffy Anne, behave." Then he added seriously, "Buffy, I know how hard it is."
"It's okay, Angel. I don't want to go adopt a baby right this minute, okay. I haven't even been out of High School long enough to want a family even if I wasn't the Slayer. I think sometimes I just crave normalcy." She explained putting her wet hand against his cheek, smiling so he'd know she was okay with her strange life. She was * okay* with her life, as long as * he* was in it. She raised partially up putting her arms around his waist pulling him down into the warm water with her. They both burst into giggles as his mouth found hers.
"Water's getting cold. Time to get out." Buffy told him as her lips separated from his. They both stood up in the tub. Buffy stepped out and wrapped a towel around herself. She took Angel's wet clothes and handed him a towel. He followed her out of the tub and into the bedroom. She changed into his pajama top, he took the bottoms and they both fell on to the bed. Clicking on the tv, they moved closer together his arm around her pulling her tightly, possessively against him.
The late news was on, two more children had disappeared and the police were at a loss. Angel shook his head as he glanced down to see Buffy asleep in his arms. He gently lowered her head on to the pillow and covered her with the blankets. He would tell her about the missing children tomorrow, no reason to disturb her much deserved sleep. Kissing the top of her head, he turned out the bedside lamp and settled in to a deep sleep.
Morning came and Buffy awoke smiling, curled up next to Angel. She lightly traced the side of his face with her fingertip. He moved slightly, but did not awaken. She watched his sleeping form for a moment, then got up to get some breakfast. She hated going out for every meal. Next time she talked to Giles, she would see if the Council would spring for a place with a kitchenette if it was going to be a long stay here. She got dressed, kissed Angel and went out for breakfast.
Angel woke up and reached for Buffy. He panicked for a moment then realized she had gone for breakfast. He smiled as he heard the key rattling in the door. The love of his life walked in with a bakery bag and two cups of hot coffee. She smiled at him as she sat the coffee down along with the bag on the small table.
"Hungry?" She asked as she unwrapped the croissants. Noticing his raised eyebrows. "For food?" She added with a small smile.
He laughed out loud. She loved that sound and would never tire of it. He was at her side in an instant. Sitting across from her at the table, he took the offered croissant, peeling off a flaky layer he washed it down with the coffee. She lathered butter on hers and ate it quickly.
"I watched the news last night. There are two more children missing." Angel told her as he finished his croissant.
"Angel why didn't you tell me last night?" Buffy asked him a frown marring her pretty face.
"You were tired and there was nothing you could do then. Tonight we'll meet Jarod and we'll start hunting. Maybe Jarod can get some information from the authorities, people might be willing to talk to him more then you." Angel explained trying to ease her mind.
"Okay. I guess he does look a little more mature then I do." She smiled a small smile at him, batting her eyelashes at him she asked innocently. "So, what do we do until sundown?"
In a split second she was in his arms. He kissed her soundly as he carried her back to the bed.
"I'm sure we'll think of something mutually satisfying." He whispered into her ear as he started unbuttoning her blouse.