After having been gone for six months and then having made it home to Ayla alive, he discovered that she had been arrested by Colonel Varda. Her tenure as his guest had left her physically wounded and psychologically damaged. Discovering her in such a physical condition and her psyche so fragile, Lane was desperate to find a way to examine her without outright asking. He was also unable to ignore the fact that she was in such an unhappy mental state.

He was afraid that some of her wounds and scars may need medical attention and was absolutely sure that she needed psychiatric therapy.

Although he still loved every tiny millimeter of her beautiful skin, he knew she was very afraid that he'd be disappointed if he actually saw her. She hid herself from him, even when they were in bed. She wore Granny gowns, and there was no love, no cuddling, no closeness. Among other things, he was suffering from a unending effort not to develop an "interest" in that closeness. The way she was feeling now, God forbid that he should get an erection.

He did hit upon an idea that might just work. He showered with her (...worrying that he might get that not so elusive masculine response he tried to avoid every night...) and had photos and videos taken of all her wounds. Once Lane had explained his plan to Airen, to "view" all of Ayla's wounds from her abduction, Airen was able to get what they needed with the in-house security monitoring equipment. The exercise made for a very uncomfortable morning.

Pretending that his own Varda scar was bothering him, he enlisted Airen to find him a dermatologist for himself. Airen was able to locate the best dermatologist within three hundred miles. Lane and Airen sent images of what they needed to interest this special specialist. The doctor had been clued in to what they were actually doing and was expecting to engage in a simple subterfuge.

But Lane really hated tricking her. He had never been dishonest with her, and it galled him to be so sneaky.

Dr. Stanley Perkins made a house call and was more than they could have hoped for in a physician. The doctor was nearly traumatized himself when he examined and interviewed Ayla. With Lane listening in, she described all that the Varda Troops had done to her in disturbing detail. Both the doctor and Lane came away more than a little shaken.

The good doctor visited several more times to minimize Ayla's physical as well as mental scarring. Staying in close contact with Lane, he wanted to be sure that Ayla's rehabilitation and therapy were progressing well. He liked these people so much that he actually looked forward to his visits. A couple times, he made up a flimsy excuse or another just to visit.

Ayla was so enamored of the doctor's care and attention that she wanted to find a way to reward him.

Then Ayla's worst nightmare brought them all together again. Lane was detained by Varda's people and was tortured by the Colonel for almost two weeks. Ayla called to ask advice on how to handle Lane's woeful physical condition. Stanley, as he requested she call him, (...and which she could found difficult to do...) came right away to care for Lane, knowing how much this man meant to this lady, for both of whom he had developed more than a professional fondness.

He stayed on site for several days, mostly because Lane was a lousy patient, refusing to stay in bed (...and paying for it in pain when he disobeyed...) and requiring special care. Lane had suffered some of the similar mental trauma that Ayla had, and it took a while for him to regain his old self confidence. The doctor also had to calm Ayla again. She hadn't fully recovered from her "visit" with Colonel Varda herself, and now had almost lost her Lane. To say the least, she had had a bit of a setback.

Working with the doctor to recover her own mental comfort, she hit upon the idea of how to help Lane. She used the same "therapy" that Lane had used to save her sanity. At the time, Dr. Perkins even told her that her "therapist" was doing a good job. The same therapy was evidently what Lane needed also. When Lane seemed in good enough shape to resume some of his work, his doctor released him for "light duties."(...Assuming that Lane, an incurable workaholic, knew what light duties meant...)

Having conferred with Lane, Ayla offered the good doctor a job as the Towers Concierge Physician. After doing his own research on The Towers, he accepted and was promptly received as family...by everyone except one longtime resident, Lisa Towers. For whatever reason, he just rubbed her the wrong way, and she was determined not to like him.

Lane, Airen, and Ellis went to considerable trouble to set up an office, exam room, and residential apartment for Dr. Perkins. They finally had to confer with the doctor as to whether he would want his office and apartment next to each other or, Lane's decided preference, his office on the ground floor for easy access, and his apartment in the family residential section on an upper floor. The doctor liked that idea as well. When his day was over, he could escape to his "Home" and put the medicine aside.

Ayla insisted that he have a "co-habitation" apartment with, not just a sitting room, balcony, bedroom and the usual amenities (...dressing rooms, bathrooms, and bonus room...), but a second bedroom that he could do with as he pleased. Lane sent professional carters to move the doctor's things and set up his office as he preferred. Once he was in the Towers, he was very quickly satisfied, with the minions working around their clock for him.

His first day off onsite, Dr. Perkins was requested to join the family in the old kitchen for lunch en famille. He was flattered and showed up five minutes early, standing in the doorway, waiting for someone to tell him what to do. Lisa noticed him when she was setting a large salad on the battered old table. "Have a seat...Stanley." She gestured at a chair in the center of one side of the table. He moved toward the table, and slid onto a hard-backed chair before scooting up close to the table. Lisa went back to the stove and ignored him. Blinking his eyes rapidly, he sat with his hands in his lap. (...That woman makes me feel like a guilty child...I don't know what to say to her...)

Lane, Ayla, and Ted arrived and greeted the doctor warmly. He smiled broadly at them and watched as they seated themselves at various predetermined seats, Lane directly across from the doctor and Ayla to Lane's right. Ted sat to the right of the doctor, but left an empty seat between them...for Lisa. Uncle Wright wandered in and kind lounged in the seat next to Ayla, leaning back and stretching his feet way under the table. After a minute or two, Alan and Marie strolled in hand in hand and smiled at Lane and then the doctor, before seating themselves, Marie next to Lane and Alan next to her.

Lisa finished distributing family-sized serving dishes and seated herself next to Stanley. He smiled sweetly in her direction; she returned only a blank stare. He glanced at Lane with raised eyebrows. Lane cocked his head once, smiled and nodded. (...It seems Lisa isn't as enamored of the doc as the rest of us...)  Lane served himself a large helping of Lisa's vegetable casserole and passed it to Ayla, who copied him and passed it on.

Lane inquired of the doctor, "How are things going, sir?"

"Pretty well. The word must have gotten around to the staff here. I've had a few visits from some Guardians for the various bruises and such that they incur during training, and two kitchen staffers came in with burns."

Lisa piped up, "No one's told me that they've had a problem." She looked perturbed.

"They wouldn't have to, ma'am. When I took this position, I knew I'd be on call for anything and everything. They really wouldn't need a referral from a supervisor to come see me. Believe me, I'm not overworked."

Lane chuckled, "It's will get busy. We have some staff and family that are going to be residents that are bringing children."

"That's fine. I feel guilty when I have nothing to occupy me other than puttering around or doing research."

Lisa spoke up again. "You should. Lane and Ayla went to a lot of trouble to get you here." The whole table turned to look at Lisa. "Well, they did," she responded with a pout. Appearing as if he had offended her, she turned her attention to her plate.

Stanley glanced in  her direction, then at Lane. Lane shrugged, but seemed decidedly uncomfortable with Lisa's outburst. Lane continued conversations with as many people as he could include without having to shout. Everyone contributed, even Lisa, if only in monosyllables. The meal was mostly congenial, and Lisa received her usual spate of compliments on the food.

As the meal came to a close, most folks excused themselves, until no one was left but Lisa and Stanley.  (...And Lane, who was lurking out in the hall, hoping he wouldn't have to break up a slug fest...) Stanley reached across the short space between them and laid his hand on top of Lisa's. "May I speak with you a moment, Miss Lisa?"

She pulled her hand from under his and replied, "Certainly. What do you want?"

"Miss Lisa...Lisa, if I may?" She nodded haughtily. "If I have offended you in some way, I am truly sorry. I don't want anything from you...except perhaps a truce. Initially, I had wanted to be your friend, but if that is not possible, could we at least be civil to each other?" He seemed sincere and a little hurt. She stared at him with raised brows for a moment, then barely nodded her head.

" I shall try."

"Will you tell me what I did wrong?" Seeming genuinely unhappy, he added "...Or didn't do?"

She addressed her lap. "Oh, nothing. It's just that I...Well, I...No one told me...I guess I resented that no one included me in the plans to hire you." She looked up directly into his eyes. "I wouldn't have objected,  but I'd like to have been included...And then when you arrived, you didn't so much as say 'hello' to me." 

Once she got started, she couldn't seem to shut up.  "I'm part of this family. Do you realize that today is the first time that you've actually spoken to me?" She sniffled. "I work hard here, more than most of the family does...except Lane, maybe. The idiot doesn't know how to relax." She paused a moment and looked up at the middle distance toward the far wall. "I...I guess I'm just tired. Maybe I need a vacation."

Stanley listened attentively.  (...And Lane listened as well, a thoughtful expression marring his face...) She turned back to face Stanley and realized how close to her he had leaned, and that he was absorbing every word. "Dr. Perkins...Stanley. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have spoken to you like I did. I know how much you do for the Towers folks. Maybe I was just jealous of all the attention everyone gets." She shook her head back and forth. "I'm never sick."

He smiled an understanding smile and reached for her hand again. She let him take it, and blushing, relaxed her fingers. He murmured, "I hope you catch a bad cold." She giggled and put her hand to her mouth to hide her smile.

Stanley thought about the fact that this family must believe he'a shrink as well as a medical doctor. Almost everyone he had come see him wanted to talk as much as be healed. Maybe he needed to put a bug in Lane's ear. (...Lane was already "bugged" and was waiting for this confrontation to be over, so he could confer with Airen about a concierge "counselor"...) Thinking it over, Stanley admitted to himself, ("Nah! You know you enjoy it. Maybe you should get a nurse for the basic everyday injuries and such.") "I'm thinking of asking Lane to find me a nurse. Have you thought about getting an assistant to do the daily stuff, so you can concentrate on the things you enjoy: like baking or parties?"

"How'd you know I like baking?"

"I've been exposed to some of your confections. Nobody could make such wonderful pastries without loving doing it." He smiled and looked up as if remembering something good. Lisa was flattered and dropped her eyes to her lap. "I regret that I must get back to my office. Are we friends?"

She nodded and smiled softly.

Stanley stood and helped Lisa pull out her chair. As she stood, she caught her foot on a chair leg and stumbled sideways away from the doctor. Snatching the chair out of the way and diving across the floor, he caught her just as she would have hit the floor, breaking her fall with his body and wrapping his arms around her to keep her off the ancient boards. "Lisa?" He tucked her close to his chest. "Are you hurt?"

"I..I don't think so." She glanced at his face and saw the genuine concern in his eyes. "Thank you. I don't get sick, but I'm evidently a klutz." Stanley chuckled. He struggled to sit up and hold her on his lap. "I'm sorry." She clambered to her feet, and reached down to take his hand and help him up. 

He accepted her help, but murmured, "I kind of enjoyed holding you..."

She looked him in the eyes, saw the masculine interest, and blushed prettily. (Lane hadn't heard the softly murmured comment, but developed an interest in the direction the conversation had taken.) Lisa took one step closer and smiled shyly up at the doctor's handsome face. "I didn't hate it,"she whispered on a smile.

The good doctor took her hand and kissed her fingers lightly. "Is this a truce then?" he asked. 

"I believe so." She dropped her eyes, feeling decidedly out of her element. It had been a very long time since anyone had flirted with her. She glanced back up at him and saw an elusive glimmer of something in his eyes. He smiled softly and, still holding her hand, decided to take one more chance.

"Would you be willing to join me for dinner tonight?" He looked hopeful. "Airen has promised me room service this evening, so I can have a real day off. I'm sure I could persuade him to provide enough for two."

Lisa didn't know whether to keep mum or hurt this nice man's feelings. She was the one preparing his room service meal. She decided to be kind. "I'd love to...Should I dress up?"

"Certainly. We'll make it a date." He smiled hopefully again. "I need to go, so I can make arrangements." He started to turn away. He turned back. "Lisa? Thank you. I look forward to our date." Never having expected to be this elated, Lisa realized that she was looking forward to the "date" also. She hummed softly as she made her way to her apartment, nearly catching Lane snooping.

Lane ducked around the corner and down the hall to his turret-adjacent office. Calling Airen, he asked him to come to see him there. Dr. Perkins showed up first. "Lane, do you have a minute?"

"Sure. What do you need, sir?"

"I need a nurse." He sat in one of Lane's visitor's chairs. "I seem to spend a lot of time being a shrink, and I really don't mind that. Healing the mind is as important to me as healing the body. If I had an assistant to handle the day-to-day simple injuries and illnesses, I could devote more time to work with those that really need me. Is this something I can ask of you? Can you hire someone for me, or should I do it out of my part?"

"No, sir. We need you happy. A nurse should be doable. I'll pull my applicants and see if I already have anyone who is qualified. I had some nurses apply for other positions. Maybe there's someone I can invite back in for a follow-up interview, before we have to go looking again."

"Thank you. I'll wait to hear back from you. Now, if you'll excuse me right now, I have to get ready for an, uh...appointment this evening." Lane's brows rose slightly and he nodded.

"Yes, sir. I'll let you know what kind of progress I make. Enjoy your uh, appointment." He grinned as the doctor turned away. (...date...)

As Lisa was getting ready to prepare a special "to go" meal for Stanley (...and herself...), she had resigned herself to a short grooming period, and hoped that he wasn't to picky at how she "dressed up." To her great surprise, Airen and Ayla showed up and told her to "get out," that they were there to cook supper. Airen moved to the stove and was looking over the ingredients and summoning up all he had observed of Lisa's techniques. Ayla hugged her and whispered into her ear, "Go get beautiful for your beau." Lisa leaned back and looked into Ayla's eyes, and saw only sincere good wishes. 

"Thanks."

"If the food is inedible, you have someone to blame."

Stanley spent a little extra time on his grooming and his clothes. He ruthlessly scraped the stubble off his face and splashed on his favorite scent, Agua Lavanda. (She won't be able to resist that!) He donned his best navy blue suit with a burgundy paisley power tie. (...Need all the help I can get...) Examining his sartorial splendor in a full-length mirror, he had a moment of trepidation, thinking that she was far prettier than he was handsome. (...I'm not even acceptable-looking...She's a ten if anything...) He followed this observation with a big sigh. (...At least she didn't blow me off altogether...Buck up, son!...)

Meanwhile in a hall around the corner, a lady was feeling her middle age and having similar feelings of inadequacy. Lisa had squeezed into her slinkiest dress and was suffering her highest high heels. (...The man is so tall!...and attractive...)  She bent forward and whipped her hair over her head and stood back up trying to achieve the natural "windblown" look. She resigned herself to achieving a "just out of bed look." Oh, well.

She took very careful pains with her make-up and deciding what was her sexiest perfume. She opted for Opium. Surveying herself front and back, she decided that at least her butt hadn't totally fallen. Facing the mirror again, she lifted her bust, pushed the "girls" together, trying to achieve cleavage, and then kind of tugged the collar of her dress down. (...Just half an inch....) She wrinkled her nose and with a big sigh strolled out of her room.

Promptly at 7:00, Stanley answered a soft knock at his apartment door to find Lisa standing in the doorway in the classic "little black dress" and heels. Taking a moment to rake her toe to head with his eyes, he murmured, "You look ravishing, my dear." She was pleased with his obvious male appreciation. He opened the door wide and gestured for her to enter.

On the balcony he had set up a candle-lit table with a long white tablecloth. There was wine chilling in a bucket. Soft music was playing in the background. He proffered a tiny bouquet of pink rose buds. "I have a bud vase on the table for them, if you like." Sniffing the sweet fragrance, she looked up through her lashes and nodded.

"Thank you."

He offered his arm, escorted her to the table, and seated her. When she was comfortable, she discovered a pretty pink box tied with a pink ribbon. "For me?" He smiled an sweet indulgent smile.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Stanley, you're doing too much." She released the bow and popped the lid off the box to reveal a gorgeous pink rosebud-patterned India-silk scarf. Her eyes widened, and she practically squealed with delight. "Oh, it is so lovely." Lifting it out of the box, she pulled it across her fingers. "My favorite color. How did you know?"

"I have eyes. You wear pink more than any other color, and it looks so well on you." Her eyes moistened as she wrapped the scarf twice around her neck. (...He may be the only person in the Towers that has ever noticed...How can I have been so blind to such a nice man?...) 

"Thank you, again. I'm overwhelmed." She beamed a beautiful smile at him, while stroking the scarf. She lowered her eyes to the table and whispered another, "Thank you..." Stanley was moved himself by the way she expressed her genuine gratitude. (...Such a pretty lady, and feeling so hurt...)

"Would you like some wine?" He picked up the bottle and smiled gently. "Airen assures me that this is a good year." She nodded, and he poured a generous serving into a stemmed goblet. Watching Stanley pour himself a glass, she took a sip. "It is good." Licking his lips, he nodded. "Trust a robot to know a good wine." He chuckled, and she smiled broadly. He sat across from her and gazed at her pretty faced bathed in candle light. "Lisa...I have to tell you this. You are a strikingly beautiful woman," he whispered. She lowered her eyes and blushed.

"It's sweet of you to say so...Stanley."

He leaned toward her and whispered earnestly, "It's not just a perfunctory compliment. It is an unassailable truth." At that moment, a couple of minions appeared, each with a covered dish to serve the couple their meal. Stanley's face went blank and he sat back in his chair. Lisa smiled at the little guys and accepted her plate. They went around the table and served Stanley. He thanked them and excused them. "We'll handle it for ourselves from here on. Thanks, guys." They disappeared down the hall to the dressing rooms. He turned to Lisa. "We should be alone the rest of the evening."

They nibbled at their supper and spoke of inconsequential somethings and nothings until time for the dessert, a fluffy mocha mousse. Somehow, she managed to get it on her face, and Stanley reached across the table and wiped it off with a thumb. He wiped her cheek again in a soft caress a couple times. Lisa didn't even realize that she had leaned into his caress. He noticed and was inordinately pleased.

When the meal was over, he asked if she'd like to sit for awhile and talk, or watch TV or a movie. She was game for any of the choices. Stanley turned down all the lights until only the moon and his candles lit the area. They moved to his sitting room and managed to sit very close to each other by trying to sit on the same cushion. After a moment of flustered jostling, they just sat close. 

Putting his arms around her shoulders he leaned back, and she lay her head on his shoulder. They opted to listen to his music, which not surprisingly were mostly sensuous love songs: Stay With Me, Sexual Healing, Stay, To Love Somebody, etc. (..She wondered, no, she hoped, that there might be a message there...)

She forced herself to relax and released a soft sigh and lay her hand on his chest. He glanced down at her just as she looked up at him, bringing their lips only millimeters apart. His eyes roamed her face and settled on her mouth. Slowly his lips moved toward hers, giving her a chance to stop him. She locked eyes with him and held his attention.

Her mouth dropped open on a small gasp, as his lips touched hers. He moved his lips over hers very gently and closed his eyes. Closing her eyes, she pressed her mouth closer and touched her tongue to his lips. Deepening the kiss, he slid his tongue just inside her mouth and gently laved her tongue. Her hand crept up to his cheek, as he tightened his arm around her and pulled her closer with his free arm. They held each other and savored each other's kiss for a long couple of minutes. 

They reluctantly opened their eyes. His lips clung desperately as he lifted his mouth and gazed into her eyes. "You make it very difficult to be a gentleman, my darling." He ran his fingers through her hair. "I want you so badly right now, I think I may have to leave my own apartment."

"There's no need for that." 

His eyes opened wider. "Lisa... Are you sure?" She nodded enthusiastically. He kissed her quickly, stood, took her hand, and pulled her up to stand in front of him. "I must admit I'm out of practice. It's been too long since I've loved a woman."

"Loved?"

"What else would it be?" She blushed prettily and smiled a beautiful elated smile.

He pulled his tie off and threw his jacket onto the sofa. Lisa tried reaching behind her to unzip her dress. He turned her around and unzipped her dress, and let it fall to the floor. She wasn't wearing a bra. She wore only a lacy thong, and as she turned back around, he sucked a breath between his teeth. "You are unbelievably gorgeous." He ripped his shirt off. She took a moment to admire his chest, stroking his pecs and glancing lower, as he unzipped his slacks. He freed his "out of practice" manhood, evidently ready to make up for lost time, and stepped out of his pants.

Scooping her up into his arms, he carried her to his bed. Setting her on her feet, he threw the covers back, and picking her up again, he leaned over the bed and fell forward with her in his arms. She scooted sideways a little and held up a sheet for him to slide under. Reaching for her waist, he pulled her close for a deep and fervent kiss. 

She threw her arms around his neck and lay back, as he moved over her. Sucking in a deep breath, her eyes half closed as his un-practiced manhood entered her feminine core. Looking into her eyes, he felt so virile at the wondrous joy he saw there. He moved his hips, loving her slowly, carefully maintaining a gentle rhythm, watching her face as she seemed to float away, fighting his own body's need. "I want...need to kiss you," he whispered. She stretched her neck up and pressed her lips to his. He crushed her tender lips, his tongue diving into her mouth. She seemed to go slack, her body relaxing, as he felt a throbbing pressure in her center.

Unable to hold himself back any longer, he moved harder against her as her pleasure washed over her. His need mounted, and he fell into burning joy himself just as she came back to him. Seeing her hazy eyes, he tried to carry her through, but was just unable. She wrapped her arms around his chest and thrust her hips against his to carry him through. Sweetly, she whispered in his ear, "Darling...You don't need practice." Having recovered his senses, he chuckled softly.

"Thank you, ma'am." He lay down beside her and drew her against his chest. They lay there whispering nonsense and nothings until they drifted off. Early in the morning, they loved again, their lonely hearts bursting with the joy. Before the sun came up, Lisa dressed in the dark and tiptoed back to her own rooms. Just before she pulled his door closed behind her, she glanced back where he lay sprawled and admired his handsome face resting on "her" pillow. She closed the door softly and walked down the hall, carrying her shoes.

Lane, the workaholic, out and about to visit Airen at dark-thirty, saw her slip into her rooms, and went on his way, whistling under his breath. (...Lisa and the doctor, who'd a-thunk it?...It's gonna be a good day...)