Author's:

So I'm not really sure if there's still a fandom for GTA fanfiction out there but I happened to have the urge to write one, especially after I decided to play GTA IV after so many years. Damn, old days GTA was good. To this day, I still find Niko Bellic as my favorite GTA character of all time. Please mind that I write what I thought with a little to no preparation at all. Heck, I mean I wrote this on my phone's note. So, without further ado.

#1

Loyalty.

Loyalty.

Loyalty.

Saying it all three times, as if calling out for it. Looking for it.

Had he done something wrong? Was he too kind? Or the world just seemed so unfair?

First were his war brothers turning backs on him, now this Dimitri bastard. All he did was be nice and followed orders. He didn't even ask questions.

And Bulgarin, the fuck he was doing here? Niko was certain he was somewhere in Europe probably making his way with those Albanian sex slaves and human trafficking.

And Roman... he had done nothing wrong yet he lost everything.

All because of him, Niko Bellic, stupid fuck who couldn't keep his anger shut and action down.

Loyalty. Fuck loyalty.

And now a fucking headache.

This was one of the reasons why Niko always trying so hard to find some work to do, some problem to solve, somethings to keep his mind busy. Five minutes of daydreaming and nightmare came around instead.

His phone rang and vibrated altogether, waking him up from whatever thoughts.

"Hiya Niko?"

"Hey Mallorie, what is it?"

"I just ring to let you know that you really impress Liz yesterday. And I think, you're gonna go see her soon."

"I could do that. Been looking for some more work lately."

"Great. You should really go check on her. How is she treating you, by the way? Is everything going well? Good, yeah?"

"She is cool. So far she pays well."

"Good, good. I'm sure," there was a pause from the end of the line. "So Niko, how you two doing? You doing okay?"

"We're fine, I guess."

"Please tell me, Niko. How is Roman?"

Niko glanced at the poor cousin by the sofa bed, face relaxed and quietly sleeping, different than earlier.

"He's much calmer now. He's sleeping. Very tired and shaking, you know, with everything that's been going on."

"Niko please if there's anything I can do to help. For you and for my Roman. I'll do anything."

"I appreciate it Mallorie. Alright. Anything else?"

"No, no. Just be careful, Niko. You and Roman, both. And don't forget Elizabeta."

Ever since that Dimitri bastard had his back turned on him, Niko swore to be more careful with what he did or who he did for. A drug lord like Elizabeta was very risky. But money blinded him; which in this case, putting your life in someone's game.

Loyalty. It slowly faded away to become meaningless. Less of a meaning, more about price.

Hmph. At least he was always good with the game they played.

...

Before Niko had the chance to cab away to Elizabeta's apartment, some guy had called beforehand, telling him to go see her this late afternoon for business talks.

For a supposedly discreet drug dealer, Elizabeta was far from secret. She owned a spot in huge apartment in San Quentin Avenue of Fortside. Her lifestyle wasn't the one you called hiding either. She openly stated about her entrepreneurship, often times bloat of it. Well how could she not? She got the money and the people. It was subjectively a success. She was basically enjoying life.

Oh, she even had party nights now.

"Aye Niko! How you doin." Elizabeta exclaimed, waving to him.

"Good. You?"

"Surround yourself with cocaine and the assholes soon follow."

At one point, Niko envy her seemingly unburdened freedom.

Niko was introduced to Johnny, who was going for a sketchy heroin deals, which of course Elizabeta wanted it watched over. Only this time he would take a stand on the ground. He then met with Playboy X, or Playboy, fun name. A great wolf of the town, no one dared to pull his tail, as he claimed.

Johnny took them to the place, which was located inside an old apartment complex, third floor, with not enough walls and covering. And not many people in the apartment, it seemed. Niko's war instinct soon came into play because there was something uneasy about the deal instantly.

Unfortunately, he jinxed it.

"Shit Money, the door's locked. We gotta head for the roof! Quick, cover me!"

Playboy X might have slightly toned down his 'I'm the man' attitude and replaced with slight nervous or even fright. But for Niko, the sound and smell of gunshots made him felt giddy. It was an automatic adrenaline rush he enjoyed. Probably a little too much.

"Damn it, Niko, we're trapped. The police had us man. Man, I'd rather poor than dealing with them feds. Fuck this."

"Calm down Playboy. Keep your head low while I think of something."

Playboy was right, they were trapped. The deal was a trap and now NOOSE agents had swarmed the place like hunting a prey. Damn, what choice he had? Going back in and down was not the best move, they were easily trapped inside. So, they needed to stay out. The only choice Niko could think of at the moment was jumping out of the five-floor building and hoped for the best.

"What the fuck!" Playboy jolted up straight when his phone began to rang vigorously, vibrating around his pocket. "That scared the shit out of me. The fuck callin' me just now? Hello! Who the fuck - Sid? H-how - Where - a-alright, yeah I see. Fine."

"Ey Niko my Money, prepare for a run to the other door there! It has been cleared. On the signal."

"What signal?"

Suddenly he heard a clinking of metal hitting the ground. And then smoke screen started to vaporize the view, temporarily blinding the cops. With limited time, Niko and Playboy ran off and went downstairs through another door. Niko could faintly hear the yell of an officer informing the target was off sight.

The building indeed had been cleared out, with dead cops all over the route downstairs. Coming out through the back door, Niko and Playboy was again screened by a couple of smoke grenade thrown on the streets. "Stay here, I'll make a run for that car-"

"No, playa. Use the smoke, stay hidden. Sid is coming to get us in any second now."

Through the thick fog, a pair of headlights was quickly approaching. "Get in now, hurry!"

"Shit Sid, baby. What the fuck are you doing here?" Playboy exclaimed once they were inside the car.

"Uh, you're very welcome?"

"Thank you! Now get outta here, bounce!"

"What you think I've been doing you. Just shut up and lemme drive. Shit."

At this point Niko was too locked on the cops tailing behind, that he didn't make a fuss about the extra lady in the car. By the looks of it Playboy seemed to know her. Sid, he had said her name was.

…

"So Sid, really tho. Whatchu doing around here, baby? How you know we are there?" Playboy X began once the coast was clear. "Thought you ain't back in Liberty yet?"

"But here I am. Just got off the plane actually. Look! Still have my luggage behind there all that."

It was then Niko realized an unzipped travel bag next to him. The top layer was a silencer and a couple of fog bombs.

"So what brings you back here 'nading cops then?"

"Geeh, we all know you always needs a babysitter with them deals. Momma Lizzyz called to get to you boys. She said some sketchy buyers," Sid shrugged. "Look how sketchy it turned up to be huh?"

"Shits man. I'd a fucking died instead of being caught by them feds. You take a bid on some heroin beef, you ain't seeing light for a long time. You rotting up in that shit."

Sid nodded. "Uh huh. I heard Dwayne's still in there."

"Yeah, Dwayne my boy inside for some old crack beef. Dunno if he's ever gonna out. But man things changed. There be more to it than the crack tip nowaday."

"Market's getting bigger and bigger. People just want more." Sid blurted out.

"Exactly. I'mma expanding my horizon, reaching for the stars and all that shit. You hear me Niko."

"Loud and clear, Playboy."

Niko could feel eyes began staring from the rear mirror. "So the new pet could talk." Sid sneered.

Niko curtly huffed. "Yeah, I can fetch stick too if you want."

"The fuck you are then bringing cops all over the place? Death wish or something? Huh?"

"Ey calm your lovely tits, baby. That ain't his deal. Niko here is decent. Been doing work for Lizzy for a good bit, taking your place while you gone." Playboy chuckled. He noticed his destination was close and then turned to Niko. "Hey man, I'll hit you up when I need your ass. Oh and Niko, have a bit with Sidney here. Ain't no worry about her, she barks worse than she bites."

"Get the fuck out, player."

"See? Chill Sidney. You still Lizzy's fave."

"Yeah yeah whatever," Sidney said as he exited the vehicle. "New guy, take the wheel, woulda?"

Within a blink, Sidney already jumped and sat on the shotgun. So Niko instantly climbed to the front drive. "As I said I just got back home only to deal with this drug shit. I'm fucking tired, it cost me my beauty sleep. Take me back to Bohan. Around Northern Gardens, yeah?"

"Yes ma'am."

For the first six minutes the ride was silent, with Niko stayed his mind on the road and Sidney lazily humming along the song, eyes were closed. But then Sidney decided that she couldn't actually sleep in a car with a stranger. His accent was kinda fun to hear anyway, a good song along the way home.

"So, dude, what your name again?" Sidney began.

"Niko. Niko Bellic."

"Bellic? Aren't you Mallorie's boyfriend?"

"No, that's Roman Bellic. I'm his cousin."

"Ah, right Fat boy Roman. I shoulda seen it. You don't give me that of fat retard vibe."

"And what does my vibe give?"

Sidney shrugged. "A suck-up asshole? I dunno. Anyways, I see you been working around the hood, callin' here and there."

"Just looking for money opportunity really."

"As you should. Money always starts everything, eh? Just look at Playboy. Look at Momma Lizzy, and her drug crown. All journey begins with money."

"And drugs?"

Sidney couldn't help but snickered a little. "And exactly drugs."

Niko couldn't agree more. "And what about you then? What kind of journey you are in?"

"Me? Tch, I'm no dealer, let's start there. I'm just some gig in between. Doing here doing there."

"If not drugs, what work are you into then?"

"Watch over deals, securing threats and all. Playboy said, you've been filling out my role while I was gone. I guess we're the same breed. I assume you understand how we roll."

"He said something about Elizabeta's favorite. Must have done a lot of gig for her then."

"Our partnership goes waaaaay back, dude. I trust her and she trust me. Mutual respect, that all."

When they arrived, Niko took a close attention to the woman who was packing up the bags on the back. Although she looked so small buried under those layers of coat, she actually came really tall and well-built. She was a fair woman, no older than early thirty. If he had met her across the street, he'd only think of her as regular pedestrian and nothing more.

"Alright then, dude. Lemme talk to Elizabeta about what happened. Now that the cops are tailing close, I suggest you keep your guns low." Suddenly she offered a hand. "I'm Sidney, by the way."

Slightly confused with the sudden introduction, he shook it. "We drove for a good hour. By then I already know your name."

"And now you know it from my own mouth. Go on now, Bellic, get movin."

"Where should I park your car?"

"What car?" Sidney waved him off before she disappeared behind the house.