Even with Airen's new concoction to help him, it took a few weeks of Ayla's therapy for Lane to regain himself, to get his confidence back. He finally realized that he was the same man, that it was the drugs that had taken away his "self." Taking over the work that he had loved, knowing that the Towers depended on him, he thought that now maybe he'd be all right. Ayla knew he would. He was Lane again.

Lane needed to go into town for a consultation with the City Council, who were having their monthly meeting on a particular Wednesday of that month. He didn't even try to kid himself. He was taking an escort. He did joke with Ayla that he was taking not a body guard but a whole cadre with him. He borrowed her James and asked Thomas and William, two of the more experienced guardians, to accompany him.

They all piled into a large black SUV, James driving, with William riding "shotgun," Lane sitting behind him and Thomas behind James. Passing the city's most prestigious hotel, The Crest Arms, located in not the city's best neighborhood, downtown being notoriously seedy, Lane called out urgently, "Stop the car!" James slammed on the breaks, with Lane already jumping out of his door. William was on his heels, and Thomas half a step behind them. The two guardians were following Lane into a grimy alley next to a small bodega.

Observing where they were headed, James backed the SUV into the alley, effectively plugging the entrance. He got out and stepped in front of the vehicle, keeping an eye on his three guys. He placed a hand on his holster, flipped the tab open, and stood at the ready.

Lane was screaming "Get away from her!" and charging at a couple of thugs manhandling a young woman. Thomas and William pulled their guns and each aimed at a thug. The muggers pushed the girl toward the slimy wall and ran down the alley toward a high chain link fence that blocked the exit. They didn't even slow, but jumped up to try to climb it (...the idiots...). Thomas and William dragged them down from the chain links and hand-cuffed them to the metal stanchion supporting the fence.

Lane had gone to the girl and pulled her into his arms. She was a little hysterical and resisted with a small shriek. She began trying to cover her breasts with what was left of her dress and sobbing hysterically. Lane whipped off his suit jacket and helped her to don it, buttoning the top button himself. Realizing that this man was trying to help her, she threw her arms around his shoulders. By then James had reached them and stood behind Lane, still keeping half-an-eye on his men. James inquired, "Sir, you do know who she is, don't you?"

"Yes, I do." He addressed the girl softly, "Isabel? Issy, are you hurt?" He gently examined a bruised jaw and a split lip on her pretty face. Her eyes widened in recognition.

"Toro?" She leaned back in his arms a little. "Oh, Toro, thank God you came along." She wound her arms tightly around his neck and cried all the harder. He slid his hands up to entwine his fingers into her hair and held her head against his cheek. They stood that way a long moment.

Totally forgetting the Council Meeting, he glanced at James. "Let's get her out of here."

James knew better than to ask for an explanation, but was mightily curious about the boss's involvement with this person. Lane scooped her up into his arms, snuggled her close, and headed for the car. By then, William and Thomas had caught up to them, Thomas having called the Crestfield Police Department and reported the two guys cuffed to the fence. James headed for the driver's seat. The two guardians opened the door for Lane, helped him climb in with his burden, and ran to seat themselves in their respective seats.

Four uniformed policemen turned into the alley as James pulled away. There sounded two gunshots from the alley, and after a couple seconds, two more. Thomas turned to look at William who was making a big production of wincing. James pulled into traffic, heading home to the Towers, shaking his head.

Lane was gently rocking Isabel fore and back, whispering soft soothing nothings into her hair. She was calming, but still sniffled occasionally and leaned into Lane. Catching William's eye, Lane spoke up to the guys. "I'm proud of you three. Great team work. Tell your boss to give you a raise." He chuckled softly and turned his attention back to Isabel.

James delivered them to the front portico. Thomas and William hopped out and held the SUV door open for Lane and helped him step down. Airen opened the door as Lane hurried up the steps with Isabel still in his arms and clinging to his neck. "Airen, is the yellow room available?" Airen nodded. "I'm taking her there. Please ask Dr. Perkins, Alice, and Ayla to attend me." He strode across the room, up the stairs, and down the hall to where the yellow guest room was kept ready for day visitors.

Thomas and William kind of shuffled around just inside the door until Airen wiggled his fingers at them, dismissing them. They wandered toward the back of the house, quietly discussing all that they had seen and heard that day.

Having partially recovered herself, Issy kept repeating, "All I wanted was a soda pop." Her lips trembled as she looked at Lane's concerned face. "I was walking to the bodega. All I wanted was a soda pop...a soda pop." Tears trickled again. "I..I was walking..."

Lane nodded and held her closer. "Shh, honey. It'll be all right."

Ayla beat the others to the yellow room and found Lane standing in the middle of the room, holding a young girl in his arms and gently swinging her back and forth. "Love, I need your help. Her clothes have been ripped off her. Can you find her something to wear?" Ayla stepped in front of him, glanced at the girl's face, and recognizing her, looked sharply into Lane's eyes.

Seeing only his special brand of personal responsibility, she promptly replied, "Of course, darling." She ran down to her dressing room and hurried back with a denim shirt dress and some underthings. Lane set Issy on her feet and turned away to give the ladies some privacy. Ayla gently helped her out of her shredded dress and into the clean clothes she had brought her. The outfit, having been provided out of Ayla's wardrobe, seemed to fit around the hips but pulled taut across Issy's more ample breasts. "Miss Isabel, are these all right?" Issy nodded and shyly lowered her eyes.

She addressed Ayla. "Thank you, ma'am. You seem to know who I am, and still you are so nice to me."

"If Lane loves you, then you are my friend, too." Both women looked in his direction, Ayla with genuine devotion, and Issy, with more than a touch of puppy love.

He turned and grinned at them. "You two through admiring me?"

Ayla threw herself at him and hugged him hard to herself. "Can't help yourself, can you? The guys said you charged in without stopping to think."

His forehead wrinkled as he looked down at Ayla. "She was in trouble and helpless. What would you have done, sweetheart?" She dropped her eyes, pursed her lips, and nodded.

"I just couldn't stand it if you got hurt again." She clutched at his shirt. She remembered Issy's presence. "Oh, Isabel, I am so sorry. I wouldn't have wanted him to let you be hurt. I just hate him taking chances like that. He's all I have..." She put her arms around his chest and snuffled softly into his shirt.

He held Ayla close against him while he continued, addressing his remarks to Ayla. He explained with sincerity, "Issy helped me cope while I was her father's guest. She even tried to save me, but couldn't. But I am in her debt. She helped me to survive that extra couple days that you guys needed to find me."

Issy, suddenly shy, clenched her hands at her sides, lowered her eyes, and pressed her lips together. Lane smiled his sweetest smile at her. Issy blushed. Ayla turned and pulled her into the hug. "Thank you for helping Lane. I'm glad he was able to help you." She leaned around to look into Issy's eyes. "Do you know who was trying to hurt you?"

"I'm not sure, but Papa's been having a difficult time lately with Senor Juanito Fuentes. He is not a gentleman like my Papa." Lane's brows rose perceptibly, and a genuinely amused smile curved his lips. "Do not laugh, Toro. Papa is the best of those in his peer group."

"Of course. I learned some things about him while I was his guest..." (...He thought to himself, "And a few things since...") He nodded reassuringly to Issy.

Alice and Dr. Perkins had arrived. Lane turned to greet them. "Alice, please be Miss Isabel's companion while she is here." Alice nodded and stepped back out of the way, waiting to assume her new duties when required. Turning to Dr. Perkins, he advised "Doctor, Miss Isabel was assaulted in an alley this afternoon. I believe we arrived in time to prevent the inevitable, but she did incur some injuries. Please examine her and administer whatever she needs to recover herself."

"Certainly, Lane. Now everybody but Alice, get out of here and give the little lady some privacy." He shooed them out with both hands.

Lane assured Issy. "Issy, after the doctor is through, call if you need anything. Alice, take care of her, please." Alice nodded quickly.