Chapter 7

!!Warning! This chapter contains foul language, mentions of attempted molestation and grusome fight scenes!!

When they reached the table and sat back in their sits, Mike immediately grabbed onto Emma. On the other hand, Joel was a real gentleman and pulled Valerie's chair out when she went to sit down.

"Listen, Mike." said Emma. "I am not really feeling well so I decided to go home for tonight."

Mike grinned at her. "Okay, I know what that means. Let's go."

Emma was startled as he held her by her hand. "No, I think you misunderstood me. I am going home, alone."

"Yes, yes I understand." Mike still wasn't letting go of her. "I know how all this works."

"Brother..." Joel tried getting Mike's attention.

What bothered Valerie was that even though Joel tried to call his friend, to probably explain that he misunderstood, the pleads were falling on deaf ears.

"Mike, brother." he said. "She doesn't want it like that. Let her go and sit down."

At that Mike's eyes went red with fury. "So, now you are acting all innocent. While we were dancing you weren't that way." he grabbed Emma's forearm with a tight grip. "I mean I thought you would at least give me a farewell present. Judging by the way you dress and that hair colour, you have probably done it a lot of times by now."

That earned him a slap, not from Emma. She was still too shocked. Her hair and dressing were discussed, sure, but she never had a man say something like that to her just because she rejected him. Slap came from a shaking brunette figure sitting across from them. Valerie really wasn't a person for conflicts, but this was too much.

"That hurt, you skank." he yelled, which caused quite a commotion at the club. Everyone looked at them now. Joel looked at his friend in horror, how could he act so low. Most of the people decided to ignore the row and just continue to engage in their own activities.

"It's not very gentlemen – like to say something like that to a woman, now is it?" there was a familiar voice addressing Mike. Valerie who was still feeling the adrenaline looked behind her to see the man, always her saviour.

"Well, hello there, doll." he said almost surprised. "Third time's a charm, isn't that right?"

His smirk radiated the room, well at least it did for Valerie. 'How is he always around when somethings happen to me.' Valerie thought and observed the stranger.

He was wearing a navy-blue suit, which fitted him like a glove, in Valerie's opinion. His hair slicked back by some hair product. Because of his proximity she could even smell his cologne. It was rather intoxicating, instantly making Valerie think of its price. Good colognes were quite expensive.

'He does smell very nice.' thought Valerie. 'What are you thinking? Snap out of it! We have bigger problems on hand.'

She quickly reprimanded herself and turned her attention back towards the conversation happening before her.

"Now, young man, would you mind unhanding the lady?" he asked Mike, it was pronounced in a normal tone, but it had danger written all over it. That accent she once heard at the bus stop showing a bit, but it was only she who noticed it.

Mike shrugged Emma off, like she was a potato sack. Joel left Valerie' side and stood next to his friend. They stood there, in a defensive manner, while eying the man across from them. The moment Emma's hands were free she came to stand by Valerie.

"Now, mister, how would that be any of your concerns?" Mike scoffed at the stranger. "We were just having some fun together, no ill in that, sir."

At the same time Joel was very confused by this man. He stopped Mike from harassing Emma, which is more than he did anyway. Still, the moment he saw Valerie, his whole demeanour changed. From a man wanting to fight with Mike if necessary, to smug bastard showing off his "evening prize".

This man showing up made Joel mad, especially. He wanted to score that evening since it was his last night of the leave after all. He hoped Valerie would've been a good choice, since she was kind of easy to charm. All his plans were ruined first by Mike and then after this man showed up and asked for a fight.

"I don't know what they teach you in the army, soldier, but when a woman refuses it usually isn't fun for her." Valerie watched as her stranger walked pass her and Emma towards two soldiers. "Well, your parents should be able to explain that to you at young age."

He stopped in front of Joel and lowered his head to meet his eyes, since Joel was a bit shorter than him.

"It would be wise of you to take your friend away from here." he smirked. "You see, he is making quite the ruckus. You should maybe go and find ladies that are actually interested in you."

That made Joel mad. It's true that Mike has gone overboard but it wasn't all his fault. This Emma girl was clearly asking for his attention, that is, anyone's attention really. Even though he already said goodbye to his night fun with Valerie, he thought maybe there is still some hope left in that department.

"It's okay, sir." Joel said mockingly. "The ladies were really having fun, weren't we Valerie?"

Joel directed his question at Valerie and that did shock her a bit. She saw stranger's eyes on her, and she really didn't know how to answer Joel's question. Because she did have fun with Joel, but Mike was whole another matter and that bothered her.

She didn't want to put Emma in more danger, clearly seeing that Mike wasn't really a nice guy. She just didn't know what to think about Joel. He did try to stop Mike but now he was standing at his side and saying these things.

Seeing that Valerie was hesitating, Joel asked again, now more in a pressured manner.

"Valerie?" his eyes narrowed on her. "Tell this gentleman that we were just having a bit of fun before deployment."

"Doll is it true what he is saying?" the Stranger looked at her, his eyes showing he already knew the answer.

Valerie opened her mouth to respond but was rudely interrupted.

"Doll?!" Joel yelled. "Who are you calling a doll? She is my girl. I don't think you should be calling her 'doll'"

While Joel was having a tantrum, standing next to Valerie and holding onto her arm, Emma observed the whole situation. She was glancing at Mike back at forth, a little bit scared that he might start a fight. He just stood there fuming, ready to fight at any moment.

Then, there was a whole situation with Joel, who was annoyed at the stranger. The same stranger that was giving Valerie his whole attention, both exchanging somewhat secret glances. Emma also noticed the disappointment on Valerie's face while Joel talked. She really felt bad that she tried to rush Valerie into sleeping with a guy like that.

Valerie looked at Joel with furious eyes now. "What do you mean your girl? We just met, like four hours ago. Yes, it was fun, but now you have crossed the line. That friend of yours is only after one thing and he is acting like a jackass. And frankly you aren't any better. He tried molesting my friend and now you're defending him."

She didn't know where all that courage came from. When she usually talked back to somebody, which wasn't often she would never use curse words, especially with her parents. 'That would earn me more than a slap.' she thought.

"That is all I needed to hear." Valerie's eyes focused on the stranger who decided to sock Joel in his nose.

Whole attention was on them once again, but this time on three men fighting. Still, nobody wanted to interfere.