When at a bar it was a good thing to have marines along for the ride. For one thing, they made excellent drinking buddies. For another, they kept any trouble well away and if trouble did attempt to show its face, they were quick at clearing it out. And last but certainly not least, if the cops showed up, one of them was a marine meaning at worst he would tell you to have a good night and at best he was there to help bury the body because that was just how marines got down. Irene Connie Franklin was not a marine. But the same principles applied. Doubly so given she was a battleship.

The bar she had chosen was a distance from the wharf but it was one of the few in the city that none of the crew had attacked yet and she was keen to be the guinea pig. "If it's good enough for me. It's good enough for them." She said and Emery had yet to find a flaw in her logic. She sat next to him at the bar, putting back the beers at a rate that would make even the most hard-core drinker in need of a stomach pump.

For his part, Emery admired the decor. "Kind of reminds me of the Horse and Cow." He mused.

Irene shuddered. "You wouldn't catch me stone cold sober anywhere near that place." She said, knocking the rest of her beer back.

"Scared?" Emery teased. The alcohol was making him bold.

Irene glared at him. "No!" She snapped a little too quickly. He smirked and leaned back in his chair. Perhaps realizing she needed more of an explanation if she was going to win this one, Irene sighed. "It's their turf, not mine. If the little sneaks want to let off steam, that's fine with me. I'm all for a good time." She said.

"I can see that." Emery chuckled as he too finished his beer. Both were feeling the need for something stronger and Irene signaled the bartender to come over. "Whiskey on the rocks. Leave the bottle."

While they waited for their drinks, a group of loud patrons entered the bar. Initially, Irene and Emery were content to ignore them but they weren't to be ignored as they came right over to the pair. Or more accurately to Irene. She was used to such behavior at bars. To the average person, she looked like a hot babe in need of a good time. While it wasn't a concern in a navy bar as nearly everyone knew better than to take on a battleship, this establishment wasn't as accustomed to kanmusu and these patrons were clearly locals.

"Shit." Emery poured himself a shot of whiskey and downed it in one go. He had a feeling he would need it.

The first dude shoved at his chair harshly as he walked past while his cronies took up positions on either side of Emery, preventing him from intervening. Irene glanced at him before turning her focus on the first dude. "What do you want?" She asked.

"Can I buy you a drink?" He asked.

"No thank you. I already have a drink." She replied, raising her glass.

"What is a sweet thing like you doing in a place like this? Come with me and I can show you a much nicer place." He offered.

She rolled her eyes. "That the best you got sonny, I've heard all them lines by now."

"But you haven't met someone like me before. Come one, sweetheart. You can do better than this lowlife." He thumbed at Emery who by now had stood, earning himself a hand digging into his shoulder.

Now Irene changed her tune. Her amusement faded away and anger invaded her tone. "Leave him alone, boys." She said. "Don't make me do something I'll regret."

"I'd listen to her if I were you." Emery cut in.

"You wanna go boy? A little punk like you isn't worthy of this dame."

"I think I can decide for myself who's worthy, thank you very much." Irene snapped.

"You don't know who you're messing with man." Emery still tried to calm things down. "Now let me buy you a drink." He offered.

The lead man advanced on the officer, fists balled and ready. "You ain't buying nothing except a ride home you fucking-"

That was as far as he got before Irene hit him from behind. He went down instantly. His two cronies dropped their hold on Emery and went for her.

Emery tackled the second one while Irene dodged the first's punch while simultaneously twirling around and delivering a roundhouse kick that sent him flying into a table.

The one Emery was fighting wiggled free and raised his hands in surrender as his partner found his feet. Given this was their last night in port, Irene wasn't keen to cause trouble. She pointed at him. "You, find nicer friends." She growled. "Now get!"

They didn't need to be told twice, grabbing their unconscious friend and carrying him outside. The place erupted in cheers, confounding Irene who expected trouble. She turned to the bartender. "Sir, I apologize-"

The man raised his hand. "No need. You've done us a favor. Those three have been nothing but trouble for the past three months. Just for that, you've earned that bottle. It's on the house."

Irene poured herself another drink off the decanter, doing the same for Emery when he offered her his glass. "I didn't need the help, but I appreciate the support, Ensign." She said, raising her glass.

"What are shipmates for, Commander?" Emery asked, bringing the two together in a toast. It had been a good last night.