Chapter 3: Catching up.

New note: dialogue in a different language.

8 Ball's auto shop, Harwood

Since the Cochrane Dam Massacre, 8 Ball has gone legit and closed down his bomb shop. He now spends his time working on cars, and occasionally keeping his promise to Mark by looking out for Katie since he's been gone. Today, he's just working on cars. Today is a little different though; because he's about to get a special customer.

Marcus Raze drives up in his Diablo Stallion as he passes Easy credit Autos. He pulls up into the driveway of 8 Ball's garage. 8 Ball looks up from the car engine he was working on and he shakes his head in disbelief as he recognizes the man who steps out of the car in question.

"Aw man, I don't believe it. Shadow."

"Hey 8 Ball, long time no see hermano," replies Mark.

The two men exchange hugs and handshakes as they both get reacquainted.

"Damn man, when did you get back?"

"Not too long ago brother," replied Mark as he walked over to the car that 8 Ball was working on." What's this, a Dodge Charger 1970?"

"Close, it's a 1971. I've been fixing it up since old Salvatore made the obituaries."

"Yeah, I heard about that. Any Idea on who killed the old fossil?

"Yeah, some dude who used to work for old Salvatore," said 8 Ball as he walked over to his toolbox. "Rumor has it; he's the same guy that was behind the Cochran Dam massacre."

"Man that must have been a real fireworks display," replied Mark.

"Yeah, you could see it all the way from the projects in Shoreside. That reminds me. Have you seen your girl yet?"

"Nah, not yet. I figured that I'd come see you and se what was going on in Portland before I went to Shoreside. Speaking of which, what's up with the mafia activity?"

"The Leone's have split town and Moved on to Los Santos, and the triads are still running china town. The Ferellies run Saint Marks now. So you're going to have to lay low if you're going to stay here. Oh yeah, if you want to know anything else, head for West Belleville park and find a guy with a Limp named Joe Fink."

"Ratfink," Mark Said.

"You know him," Replied 8 Ball.

"I gave him the limp," said Mark as he smiled.

"Anyway, talk to him if you need any inside scoop on this city. If the mayor so much as pissed in the river, he'd know about it."

"I'll remember that," replied Mark. "So, how's Katie holding up? I haven't talked to her since the day before I left Vice City."

"She doing alright," replied 8 Ball. She hasn't been the same since you left town. She's been kind of down lately.

"Yeah I can't believe I just left her like that." Mark turns towards the far end of the garage. "Then again, I had a good reason for doing it."

8 Ball walks over and puts his hand on Mark's shoulder. "Dude, you need to stop hanging around here and go see your girl."

"I guess your right. I'll see you later 8 Ball."

"Be seeing you Shadow."

"Later."

Marcus Raze heads back into his Stallion and 8 Ball continues to work on his car. The two men give each other one last wave as Mark drives back down the driveway, and into the street. With his meeting with 8 Ball now over, he now heads towards Shoreside vale. To meet with the one person he cares about.

Katie, I'm coming home.

Kenji's Casino, Staunton Island.

Asuka sits on a bench in a garden located on a balcony in the back of the building feeding the pigeons. She's wearing a light grey kimono. The look on her face displays sadness. As if she's mournful.

It's been almost six month since my brother was killed, and I still feel remorse. If only Mother were still around. She always knew how to make things better.

Just then, the young Schoolboy looking assassin Known as Yaz exits the casino and walks over to Asuka. He's holding a Japanese sword and is accompanied by a tall Caucasian man in glasses and a black suit, holding a suitcase.

"You're late Mr. Rosenberg. I do not tolerate tardiness." Says Asuka as she tosses some birdseed towards the edge of the pond.

"Sorry, but the traffic in this town blows," replies Rosenberg.

(Authors Note: This guy is not Ken Rosenberg from the Vice city videogame. This is his brother John who's from up state.)

"Do you have what I asked for?"

"Yes I do" replies Rosenberg.

He opens up his suitcase and pulls out a file folder. He hands it to Asuka Who opens it and begins reading the file inside.

"Now so far this is all that we have on Marcus Raze. He's suspected in three mafia killings, never been convicted. Has a grudge with the Ferellie brothers for a business deal that went bad with the Leone family, then he disappeared two years ago. He's highly skilled in martial arts, and all kinds of weapons. He also has a girlfriend who lives in Pike creek."

Asuka then stand up and faces Rosenberg. "Who else knows about Raze's return," she replies.

"No one else but us," replies Rosenberg

"Good," says Asuka. "Let's keep it that way. Have a couple of our men follow Him. I don't want our future employee to get hurt until we need him.

Katie's Apartment, Pike creek.

Katie Kwan is in the kitchen fixing dinner. It's around 6:00 and the city has become quieter. Her mother is sitting on the living room couch reading. Katie's brother Chang is on the far end of the couch typing on his laptop computer. As she is almost through cocking the pasta, when there's a knock on the door.

"Hey Sis, can you get that," Asks Chang.

"You're closest to the door Chang, and can't you see I'm busy cooking?" She replies.

Chang and Katie's mother looks up from her book, and straight at Chang.

Get off you're ass and get the door. She said to him in Chinese.

"Alright, Alright I'm going."

Chang sat his Laptop on the coffee table, and headed for the front door. He looks through the peephole and sees a young, Black/Caucasian male in a black motorcycle jacket, short black hair and blue eyes. Chang cracks the door just enough for him to get a good look at the unexpected visitor.

"Uh, may I help you sir?"

"Don't give me that innocent look Chang. You know who I am." Replies Mark.

Recognizing the sound of his voice, Katie rushes towards the door, pushing Chang towards the direction of the couch. She opens the front door all the way and stands just a foot of the doorway, looking at Mark as if she had seen a ghost. Mark on the other hand stands there with his hands in his pants pockets and stairs into her eyes with a look of curiosity. Wondering how she felt at that particular moment. Mrs. Kwan looks in the doorway and looks at Mark as both he and Katie stand in the doorway with only a few feet between the two of them. She has a look of concern on her face as she wonders how this reunion between her daughter and her would be son in law was going to turn out. So after two years, he finally shows up. This ought to be interesting. She thinks to herself.

"Hello Kate," says Mark Breaking there silence.

Katie doesn't say a word. Just gives him the same look she's been giving him since she opened the door. Then after a moment of silence, Katie walks out of the apartment, closing the front door in the process. Chang walks over to the front door of the living room and puts his ear to the door. Just then out of nowhere, he gets hit in the head by a large dictionary. The force of the book sends him flying across the other side of the room.

Let them talk alone Chang, Yells Mrs. Kwan.

Chang sits up from the floor rubbing his head and replies, "Damn mom, did you have to hit me so hard?"

She replies with, Serves you right you jerk.

Outside in the hallway, Katie and Mark are still apparently standing in silence. Then after about a couple of minutes of complete silence, Mark Speaks.

"I know that I haven't called in a while. But I really haven't had anything to say. To tell you the truth I..."

His statement is then interrupted by Katie grabbing him by his face and kissing him. With no objections what so ever, he falls into the kiss, placing his hands around her waist. After a few minutes of making out in the hallway the couple breaks the kiss and they stand in the middle of the hallway holding each other. Katie looks up at Mark with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face.

"Oh Mark, I... I've missed you."

"I missed you too Katie," he replied.

"What took you so long," asks Katie. "Salvatore Leone been dead for at least six months."

"I realize that, but I had to make sure that it was safe enough for me to come back," he replied.

Katie breaks the hold and punches him in the arm.

"Took you long enough."

"How's Chang and you're Mother," he asks Katie.

"There doing ok. We were just about to have dinner."

"Just in time," replies Mark. "Lets eat!"

Reunited for the first time in two years, Mark and Katie both walk back into the apartment when they are greeted by Mrs. Kwan.

"It's about time you came back Marcus. I was wondering if you actually cared for my daughter."

"Nice to see you too Mrs. Kwan," replies Mark with a small chuckle. "Hey, since when could you speak English?"

"Since old Don Salvatore said sayonara," she replied. "Anyway, it's good to see you again son."

"Likewise."

"So what's on the menu," He asks.

"I hope you all like Cajun Spaghetti." says Chang standing by the stove.

"Why," replies Mark.

"Because the Sauce is burnt."

Katie's eyes widened as she rushes to the stove. And looks in the pot where the spaghetti sauce was once was.

"Oh my god, my dinner is ruined," she yells in hysterically.

"Aw it's not that bad," says Chang. "Put some water in it and pop it in the microwave for about a couple of minutes, it'll be as good as new."

"Chang, just shut up," replies Katie.

"This calls for a pizza. I'll call round table," Says Mark. I've only been back for Five hours and already I'm calling for Pizza. Man, what's this world coming to?"

As Katie sits at the table in pity that her dinner is ruined, Mark calls for a pizza while Chang and Mrs. Kwan try to cheer her up. Outside Yaz stands in the middle of the sidewalk just outside of the building. He looks up at the 5th floor and smiles. Then he turns around and hops on a black Kawasaki motorcycle. He gives one last look at the building and drives off.

I bet your all wondering what's the deal with Yaz. I plan on telling his origin in a later chapter. So keep a look out. Also I like to thank all the people that took the time to review my story. Thanks guys and see you guys later. I'll have chapter 4 up real soon, so keep a look out. Until then, peace out.