Chapter 8

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

Angry, Mike was ready to grab his falling friend and punch the stranger himself. When he did, he went to kick the stranger, but he dodged it. Sadly, he didn't see Joel's fist connecting with his stomach. At the same time, Mike grabbed him by his shoulders and spun him towards himself. He landed a punch, splitting stranger's lip. He landed the same punch, only stronger not a moment later.

The fight started to get gruesome. Punches and kicks were flying back and forth. Waiters tried to intervene between the three man, but they couldn't stop them. Chairs from the table they were sitting at were swung across the room. Emma could see bloodied facies of both soldiers and the stranger. If they were counting, the stranger managed to pull more punches and one might say he was winning.

Not Emma, she certainly wasn't thinking about that kind of thing in this situation.

Valerie was getting worried. She and Emma both went to separate them. Emma was trying to fend Mike of one of the chairs he grabbed to kick the stranger with. Valerie found herself in the middle of Joel and the stranger fighting, when a hit came her way. Joel has punched her in her throat. The punch, which was aimed at the stranger, hit her instead. Valerie's eyes watered, as she struggled to breath. She fell to her knees, gasping for air.

When men saw what has happened, they paused their fight, some looking concerned and angry, others indifferent. Emma was by her side in a flash.

"Breath, Val." Emma didn't now how to help her friend much. "Somebody, please bring water!!"

At that, the waiter that was standing nearest to them, also trying to prevent the imminent fight from the start of it, hurried to get a glass of water.

"Come on, doll, we need to get you some air." Emma saw the stranger pick up, breathless Valerie in his arms and then he carried her outside to get her to breath better.

"This isn't over." Emma said to two soldiers as she ran after her friend.

Outside of the club she could see the stranger and Valerie sitting on the pavement. He was trying to calm her down and get her breathing in order. The waiter that was bringing Valerie her water bumped into Emma, who said she will take the water herself.

"Okay, you've got it." he sighed looking uncomfortable. "I'm sorry this has happened, truly. I think maybe we should call the police on them; would you mind asking your friend if she wants us to?"

Emma looked at Valerie who certainly looked a lot better than half a minute ago. The stranger was caressing her back gently getting her to calm down. He looked pissed, though.

"I'll go and ask her, please try to keep them inside." said Emma to the waiter. "Oh, and please can you bring some ice."

Emma walked towards Valerie and the stranger. Now she looked just exhausted, tears smearing her mascara and lipstick.

"Here you go, Val." Emma handed her a glass of water while shooting glares at the stranger. She knew he tried to defend them, but she didn't know if she could trust him with her friend, yet.

"Thanks, Emma." Valerie's voice sounded hoarsely, like she was smoking three packs a day.

"Valerie, are you okay now?" Emma sat beside her friend still cautious of the stranger.

When he saw Emma sitting next to Valerie and her glaring at him, he removed his hand from Valerie's back. 'Good choice.' thought Emma.

"Yes, I can breathe almost normally now." she was wiping tears away from her face. "My throat hurts, though. I think it will swell up quite a lot."

"I should go get some ice." The stranger suddenly stood up.

"No need, waiter is going to bring it. He also wants to know if he should call the police." Emma said stopping stranger in his track.

"Okay, then I'll go and tell him to call it." said the stranger.

"Wait." Valerie was the one who stopped him this time, by grabbing his hand. "I don't want them to call the police. If they do, it will only complicate things. Let's just go home."

At that moment waiter came bringing small ice bag to give to Valerie. She sadly smiled and him and thanked him. "Thank you. There is no need to call the police, so don't worry. Could you please just call us a cab?"

Before waiter could agree to request, the stranger stopped him. "No need, I will drive you home, doll."

"Okay." Valerie looked up at 'her' stranger and decided to trust him. He did earn it after saving her three times now. She hoped she wouldn't get into those situations anymore. She thought of a way how to repay the stranger. 'That I can think about later.' she thought.

Waiter looked a bit confused but decided to just go and kick those two soldiers out of the club, so he went back inside.

Emma and the stranger helped Valerie up and she felt glad she decided to wear flats.

"My car is parked over there, that blue Shelby Cobra." the stranger said. They walked to it and Emma helped Valerie to get in the car, she herself went to sit in the back.

Valerie hissed in pain while she tried to sit still. She looked over at 'her' stranger observing his injuries. His lip was split, and he had a nice big bruise on his left cheek. His usually neat hair was disarrayed and went in all directions. His suit now wrinkled and torn up in some places.

Suddenly she felt piteous. Man helped them so much and this was the outcome. It bothered her a bit. She hoped after this evening she would never have to endanger this man with her situations again.

"So, stranger…" said Emma after he sat in his seat. "Thank you for helping tonight. Could we now the name we owe gratitude to?"

"Well, since I know your names already, it would only be fair." he chuckled. "I'm James, nice to have your acquaintance, ladies."

Valerie just smiled in front seat. "It really looks like third time's a charm. Right, James?"

He looked at her and smirked. "Well, doll, at least I learned your name finally."

Emma felt both confused, happy and regretful watching the scene before her. A man was flirting with Valerie. A man, who apparently, she already met twice, both in dangerous situations, as she concluded from their conversation. She saw glimmer in Valerie's eyes when she looked at the man. She worried if he was a good or bad news. For now, she gave him points, he did save them, well Valerie more than once, so that was a good thing.

"Okay, ladies." He started the car. "Where to?"

After telling him their address they fell into a comfortable conversation. Emma seating in the back, watching Valerie and James exchange small talk and smiles. She felt bad for trying to set Valerie with Joel and then for everything else that happened after.

'I should apologise when we come home. I hope she will be able to forgive me.' Emma thought sullenly.