"Look at the dolphins….there's so many of them!" Jaime Austin's excited voice carried up to the balcony of the hotel, and Rick laughed at her enthusiasm.

"Laugh all you want, Pal…..honest, she's never been that close to them before." Steve peered up at his friend through his shades, enjoying the November sunshine. Both men reveled in kicking back and watching their wives play on the beach.

"I know, but it's still cute…Yes, darlin', I see you!" Rick called down, seeing Laurie splashing in the waves with Jaime.

After seeing their grandchildren and the warm response at Ian's celebration, the additional two days at the beachfront hotel had worked wonders for the four of them. Oscar and Rudy had even surprised them by coming to the show, then remained in Ojai for a conference.

Laurie's sadness was eased by the sea air and the sight of her beloved dolphins. Each morning she and Jaime would get up and go for a dip, then join Rick and Steve for breakfast before heading out to go sightseeing.

Rick had to admit, he too felt better soaking in the sun and rediscovering little shops and restaurants with Laurie. Already he'd booked another weekend before Christmas so she could rest and recharge before the holiday.

Just then a knock on the door let the two men know that breakfast was served, and Steve went to let the waiter in while Rick went to the balcony edge.

"Laurie! Jaime! Breakfast!"

"Coming, love!" Laurie answered for both of them, then grabbed up her towel and dried herself as she started for the beach stairs, Jaime right behind her.

Suddenly Rick tensed, a feeling of foreboding covering him. Telling Steve, "Be right back.", he rushed out of the hotel room and over to the access stairs. Halfway down, he "heard" his wife's voice. "Rick!"

Rounding the corner, he saw a man in a motorcycle jacket go slamming against the wall, then pick himself up and run out of the beach access area.

"Laurie! Jaime!" Rick ran to the two women, now holding each other and shaking on the stairs. Jaime was the first to speak. "Call security, that man tried to grab me..if Laurie hadn't seen him…."

'It's all right, honey…here comes security!" Rick tried to sooth her, then Steve appeared behind her. "Thank God you're okay!"

"We are….but Steve, he's getting away!" Jaime pointed at their attacker, now running toward a motorcycle parked in the lot next to the hotel.

"No he's not!" Steve snarled, taking off at a run. Coming to the wall dividing the hotel from the beach parking, he didn't hesitate, but leaped it as if it was a hurdle, then picked up speed. As the man reached the motorcycle, Steve yelled, "Stop!!"

From Rick's vantage point, it looked like the attacker turned in slow motion, then froze, as Steve reached him, then picked him up and slammed him to the ground.

Appearing dazed, the man held up his hands, shouting, "Please….I give up!"

Just then hotel security and a policeman arrived, and Steve quickly told them, "I'm Colonel Steve Austin, this man tried to attack my wife and her friend at the hotel beach."

Jaime turned to Rick and Laurie, having tuned in on her husband's words. "Come on, I want to make sure this guy gets locked up."

"I want to do more then make sure he…" Rick started angrily, his arm tucked around Laurie. At once she reached up and stroked his cheek reassuringly.

"Darling, we're all right, thanks to you coming so quickly. It's all right." Rick caught sight of Jaime's nod, and let out a deep breath. "Okay, but no one lays a finger on any of our ladies…." Jaime smiled and leaned over to kiss his cheek.

"Thank you, Rick…but "your ladies" are on, let's rescue that jerk from Steve."

Minutes later the four friends stood with two policemen, explaining what happened, then Steve turned to the subdued man, now in handcuffs.

"All right, you, what's your name and why did you attack my wife?" The attacker shook his head fearfully, glancing at the officers.

"Just call me Alexander Hamilton. Some guy offered me $5000 to grab her …it was just too easy…but I didn't hurt her…Don't hit me again…I can barely walk…"

"Yeah, sure, okay, take him away!" Rick had to restrain himself from kicking the miscreant. "Wait a minute," Laurie intervened. "What guy? What did he look like?"

"Lady, I…I'm not crazy….Rats buy it in stir. No!" he shrieked, seeing Rick raise his fist. "He was really sharp, looked like a politician…showed me her picture and said did I want some easy money." He continued, pointing at Jaime.

"You mean…like him?" Rick interjected, spotting an older man in a suit, watching them from the bluff above. Immediately the man turned tail and disappeared. At once the police officers radioed for back up, and soon a police car sped up the road.

"Yeah, that's him…but I'm had for sure, take me away and lock me up, please!" the would-be attacker begged. Steve shrugged, "I have no objections."

As the officers took the cringing man away, Jaime shook her head. "I don't understand, who's going to go to such lengths to come after me?"

"I don't know, honey, but no one's going to come near you again. Let's go back home." Steve said, determined to protect Jaime and Laurie.

"You're right, pal. As soon as we hear what the police find out, we'll pack up. We can always grab dinner on the way to the airport." Rick agreed, secretly relieved.

Unfortunately, by the time the investigation into the attack wrapped up, the sky had clouded over and rain was now in the forecast.

Rick was very frustrated, fuming "What are they, Keystone Cops?" pacing as Laurie finished packing and closed their suitcase. She sighed.

"No, Rick. Unfortunately they're just not as competent when it comes to following a suspect. I can't believe that man disappeared that fast."

"Neither do I….I wish we'd gotten a better look at that man…wait a minute!" Rick went to the phone, and called down to the front desk. "Excuse me, can I speak with Security?"

Being put on hold, Rick turned to his wife. "Darlin'-can you get Steve and Jaime? I've got an idea."

Ten minutes later the four of them and the hotel security chief were looking at a surveillance tape. "See…..because you had a camera at the employee lot, we might just have a picture of…yes-there he is!" Rick crowed, pointing at the man in the suit. Immediately the tech operating the VCR enhanced the picture, and Steve and Jaime gasped.