TheShamanMaster presents....

Niko's Dilemma

Story & Script by TheShamanMaster

Grand Theft Auto IV © Rockstar Games & Take Two Interactive

Disclaimer: GTA IV and it's respective characters are properties of Rockstar and Take Two Respectively.

A/N: I just want to say thank you to everyone that reviewed! I can't believe so many people like this! Anyway here's Chapter 3!

Chapter 3: First Night

Kiara sat on the sofa for awhile now, skipping through various channels to see what was on. She ended up watching episodes of Looney Tunes on Cartoon Network, something Niko had only seen in his childhood for a little while, growing up in the war-torn country. Another episode of Bugs Bunny started, and Niko got up to check his laptop.

"Whatcha doin' Niko?" She asked, turning her head slightly.

"Just checking some E-Mail, that's all. If you want, when I'm done, I'll make some dinner if you're hungry."

She raised her eyebrow. "You can cook?"

Niko blinked at her. "Yes and why not? Had to learn eventually..." Clicking the 'Home' icon on his screen, the browser came up. The email page appeared, displaying 5 NEW MESSAGES on the top. Clicking on the first one, it was from his mother.

Niko,

How are you doing? It's been awhile since your last message. I'm so glad to hear Roman and his new wife are settling down, and are having a child of their own. His mother would have been so proud of him. I'm glad to hear that both of are you are finally doing well and I'm proud of both of you. I'm sorry to hear about your friend Kate, she sounded like a charming lady and I would've loved to have met her. I hope you are coping with your loss and I pray some day you'll return home to see me.

Keep in touch, dear.

Mother.

Messages from his mother were always pleasant. She was the only family she had besides Roman, and he couldn't bare if she had lost her. Clicking on the reply button, he typed:

Mother,

Nice to hear from you as always. I'm doing what I can to get by, and Roman is getting along greatly. I thank you for everything you've done for me and I too, hope one day I can return home to see you. Speak to you soon.

Love, Niko

He clicked on send, and decided to check out the rest of the messages. The next one was a junk, asking to claim a million dollars from someone. Utter trash, he thought. The next message was one from Johnny Klebitz, of The Lost MC, but decided to answer that one later on. The fourth one was a message from Roman:

Cousin,

It feels like ages since I spoke, but it's been three weeks! I'd like you to come visit me and Mallorie if you have any spare minutes! Mallorie is introducing me to some of this American music and it's really hip I'll tell you that!

Ciao for now!

Typing back, Niko replied:

Roman, I have something of the utmost importance to discuss with you and I insist you not let anyone know about this. I will come and see you sometime tomorrow. Make sure you're in the taxi firm at around one o'clock. Niko.

If there was one person he could tell about all this, the one person he could trust, it would be his own cousin. Sure, Roman could be a bumbling idiot most days, but he knew how to keep a secret from most people. Closing his account, he let out a hefty sigh, which in turn, caught the young girl's attention

"What's up, Niko huh? You seem all hot, bothered and you look as if you can't be asked to do anything?" She pulled a face at him.

Looking up at her weird face, his head sunk into his arms. "What can I say?" He droned in his heavy accent. "Life sucks sometimes..." Moving his eyes slightly he added "Tell me when was the last time you ate?" He noticed that she was slightly thin.

"At around six in the morning...I'm starving..." Kiara shook her head in dismay, and her stomach growled loudly. She went red in the face, which made Niko chuckle.

"Alright then." Closing the laptop down, he stood up and stretched. "Let me see what we have...." Checking the fridge and cupboards, he only kept a few things, so doing anything major was usually beyond him. But the girl hadn't eaten for a good eight hours or so, she MUST have something. Looking through, he ended up with finding eggs, green peppers, two large potatoes, an onion, and tomatoes.

"Err..." He said, thinking quickly. "How does Spanish omelette sound?"

Kiara smiled. "Sure... if you don't burn it!" She teased him in a childish rhyme. "Haha!"

"You're looking at the greatest cook this side of the Yugoslavian border! I'll show you how I do things!" Cracking his fingers boldly, he got out a frying pan and started to chop and prepare the ingredients quickly. Turning on the gas, he added a drop of olive oil to the pan, and it sizzled loudly.

Kiara leaned on the kitchen worktop, watching him cook. A real go-getter, she thought childishly. Noticing that she her hands were grubby, she decided now would be a good time for a quick shower.

"Hey, would you mind if I used your shower?" She asked politely.

Niko still cutting the onion, stopped and stood stiff. Swallowing, he responded slowly "Sure....no....problem....there are towels in the room...."

"Hm?" She wondered at his strange behaviour. "You've never had a girl stay with you before?"

"No it's not that...." He spoke, trying not to cut his fingers. "It's just I've never had an underage girl stay at my apartment before..." Saying that line made Kiara go beetroot red in the face!

"Pervert!" She shouted. With a huff, she turned around and headed towards the shower in the other end of the apartment.

"I'm sorry! I was kidding!" Niko called out quickly, but she had slammed the door shut behind her loudly. "Oh goddamn it!" He slapped himself on the head, not realising he still had the onion in hand, and had crushed it to pieces. He reached over to the sink, washing his hands and face. Luckily he had another onion on the side, and began cutting that.


Kiara had stripped off completely, turned on the shower and stepped in. The bathroom was quite pleasant looking with plain white tiles, a marble sink with silver-polished taps, toilet and an average-sized looking shower with a decorated blue interior. Pulling back the curtain, she stood there in silence, letting the warm water envelope her soft skin like a warm hug. It had been a few days since she had a wash. It had been when Mrs. Darell had the day off, and went home with her to help wash and check to see if she had any scratches, bruises or cuts. Closing her eyes gently, she hummed a tune softly. When had a shower felt this good to her? Where she had been living in the care home, she had a bath everyday, but this seemed just to take her worries away and solve all her problems. Like nothing had ever happened. Like she was in heaven....Reality check, she thought, running fingers through her hair. Grabbing the shampoo bottle on the side, she washed her hair. Moments passed, with Kiara wondering if she had made the right decision. He's not that bad of a person, I guess he was trying to be funny. I guess I can see that he's hurt deep down too, just by looking at him, she thought sadly. Turning the handle, the water stopped running. She stepped out, and picked up the nearby towel. Wrapping it around her, her eye had quickly caught something in the mirror opposite her. Just above her right hip, a medium-sized scar ran along in a semi-circle. Running her fingertip along it, it felt prickly and irritating. Shutting her eyes, the memory came back to where she had acquired that scar.

It had been when she was in the home, and one of the carers decided to 'teach her a lesson' if you would. It had been where she had been attacked, and when she tried to get away, she had caught herself on a sharp nail, protruding out of a doorway. She blamed it on them, and they had just laughed and decided that a cut so deep and painful was 'punishment' enough. Looking down at her leg, there was a large red mark going across her knee and upper thigh. This is where she had been beaten for stealing food from the kitchen one night because the people decided that she was a selfish, spoiled brat who got too much and didn't feed her that evening. Why did they do this? She didn't know. When she first got there, it was peaceful. People were friends with everyone. Everyone did as they were told, and they all got along. It was only after the first year of living there is when things got nasty. She didn't want to think about it. Her eyes watered slightly, but she quickly wiped them away.

I have to be strong. Niko has said he would help me, and I have to show him I can be brave. Tightening the towel around her, she had realised that she had left her backpack on the sofa.

Opening the door slightly, she slowly tiptoed out the bathroom to grab her pack. Meanwhile, Niko was almost finished with the dinner. He was about to flip the omelettes, and add his own touch of salt & pepper to taste. Flipping the pan, he caught it, and began to pepper it slightly. Applying the salt, out the corner of his eye he noticed Kiara grab her backpack.

"Oh dear god..." He mumbled slowly. He noticed that the towel around her made her slim figure look....well....let's just say....well-developed in a sense that he did not wish to continue thinking about. Trailing his eyes back to the food, he almost caught his finger on the edge of the pan.


Kiara had managed to sneak back to the bathroom, and came out a few minutes later changed. She had put on a pair of black skinny jeans, a white t-shirt with a golden heart in the middle and tied her hair up into a ponytail with a black scrunchie. Walking over, Niko had just served the food on the plate.

"Here, I hope you like it." Passing the plate towards her, he noticed her outfit. "You look...interesting."

"Thank you." She said sweetly. "And thanks for the food. Maybe I did doubt you..." She took her plate, and placed on the table in front of the TV. The omelette looked delicious.

"Yes." He replied slyly. "Yes you did."

Taking the first bite, her face brightened up. When was the last time she had something this deliciously home-cooked? Seeing her face, Niko chuckled.

"So, you like?" He asked.

She nodded with another mouthful, then swallowed it. "Yes, this is one of the best things I've ever had! Where did you learn?"

"Well..." Niko commented, looking at his food. "..I grew up, and fought during the war. When I was not on the battlefield, I picked up a few skills from my comrades...and well...yeah. My time in the war is something I don't like to talk about. During the war, I did a lot of bad things. I feel because of it, my soul is not what it was. It feels tainted by the devil..." His voice grew lower and lower. "I don't feel I can ever be free of my past..."

"You've had it hard too, haven't you?" Kiara said looking sad. "I'm sorry to hear. But you shouldn't worry..." Her eyes made direct contact with his, making him feel like he had a strong sense of judgement. "I believe you're a good person, Niko. I don't know much about war or any of that stuff, but I know that you've showed me that you're a good person by taking me in and promising to help. That proves something..."

Niko was surprised at how mature she was reacting to all this. Nether had anyone seem to had understand what he had been through. But a child who he had only known for a few hours was already reading him like a book.

I guess that what she's been through, she understands what it's like to have pain, he thought.

"Kiara...." He said. "Thanks..."

"It's okay." Kiara smiled. "I've tried not to dwell on the past too much....Thanks to Mrs. Darell, I know I have to look for the future, and I know I'll do something great one day..."

"I hope so too..." Niko replied.


The rest of their dinner was quiet, and after they had eaten, both sat on the sofa to watch some television. Looking at the time, it was seven o'clock. Niko saw that Kiara was yawning a lot, and her eyes were looking slightly dark.

"I think you need some sleep. What time do you normally stay up to?"

She yawned. "Ah...until the sunsets mostly. I climb on top of the ferris wheel to watch the sunset across the sea. It's beautiful at times..."

"What?" Niko responded in shock. "Surely, you must hurt yourself."

She stuck her tongue. "Nah, I'm careful. I climbed trees a lot when I was little, so a ferris wheel that was busted didn't really take that much of a challenge..."

"Oh." Niko answered blankly. Thinking quickly, he added "Tell me, how would you like to go shopping tomorrow?"

"Hm?" Kiara wondered. "Really?"

"Yeah. I want a few things, and since you're here, I'm gonna let you have whatever you want. Just name it."

As soon as the words 'whatever you want' were mentioned, she wrapped her arms around Niko and gave him a big hug.

"Thank you, Niko." She spoke softly. "Thanks a lot. It'll be a fun day."

Niko smiled, and returned the hug. "It's alright. I think first you'd better get some sleep. I think you need it..."

Letting go, she sulked. "Since when did you give me a curfew?"

He sighed. "I think it's for the best. Don't you think?"

Sighing as well, she got up. "Alright, I guess I could use the sleep...where am I sleeping?"

"Take my bed." He replied. "I'll sleep on the sofa."

"You sure?" She asked with a puzzled look.

He nodded. Surprised, Kiara walked over to the bed. Niko's bed was a large double, with two pillows, and a large white duvet over the top. She kicked off her shoes, and got under the covers. The bed was so soft and comfortable, that her muscles felt relaxed instantly.

"Wow, it's so nice since I had a bed this soft..." She sat up, and fluffed the pillows. Reaching over to her backpack, she unzipped it and pulled out a small stuffed brown teddy bear. It was a chocolate-brown bear with dark eyes and a soft expression on it's face. What was also quite odd was that the bear had a cross-stitched colored square on its tummy.

"A teddy?" Niko asked.

"Hmm.." She sat the bear next to her. "I've had this teddy since Mum bought me it for my 7th birthday. I guess it's the only thing I have to remember her by..." Her face lowered in sadness. "..and the square is where he got cut by one of the people at that home, and I had to stitch him back." She turned her head, looking at the funny colored tummy the teddy had.

Niko smiled. "Reminds me of my childhood. I had a bear once..." Kiara laughed instantly.

"Seriously? A grown-man like you even had a teddy? What was his name?"

"Dogmeat..." He said with a stale look.

"Why?" Kiara tried holding her laughter.

"Because it's arms kept getting chewed by my neighbors puppy, so I had my mother stitch him back a lot of times..."

Both of them laughed at the thought of the poor bear. Niko was in deep set of mind when he saw her giggling and happy. I hope I can give her a better life then the one I was given, he thought.

Moments later, the two had finished talking, and Kiara snuggled down in bed with her teddy.

"I promise tomorrow, we'll have fun. It's the start of something new, and I'll make the most of it, for you anyway." The Serbian pulled the duvet over and tucked it around her.

"Thanks, Niko. Goodnight." She closed her eyes softly, and began drifting off to sleep.

Going over to her, Niko leaned over her and kissed her on the forehead. "Sweet dreams."

Sitting back on the sofa, he switched off the television. Gazing over, he noticed the young girl with a smile on her face.

"I'm glad I could be here. The hotdog guy was right, it was my lucky day." Taking his cell phone out of his pocket, he began typing a message.


In Broker, Brucie was in his apartment weight-lifting. His girlfriend was quietly reading on the sofa in the other room.

"C'mon Brucie." She called across the room. "I want some 'us' time, babe."

Brucie was halfway through his two-hundred-and-fifty presses. "Don't worry baby! The Bruce-meister must finish his routine before his 'love-making' workout! Yeah!"

"You always say that!"

"And I mean it! Can you feel it! 126, 127, 128..." His cellphone went off on the table next to him, which threw him off his counting.

"Oh goddamn it!" He yelled angrily. "Who the fuck dares to disturb Brucie Kibbutz during his intense power-workout!?" He placed down his weights, and went to check his cell. "This son of a bitch better have a good..." Looking at the message, he went silent, as his eyes widened, and his jaw parted slightly.

"What's wrong?" His girl called back.

"Oh yeah! Power to the max!" He shouted with enthusiasm.

"What's going on, Brucie?"

Brucie walked in the room, and jumped on the sofa. "I just got a call from the man himself!"

"The president?"

"No!" Brucie was feeling really pumped. "From my man, Nicky B! I haven't seen him in ages, and tomorrow he wants us to hang together like old times! And he mentioned he wants to see you as well!"

Brucie's girlfriend reached over and kissed him. "That'll be fun. I can't wait. You've told me so much about him, he sounds like a interesting man..."

"Hell yeah! Tomorrow is the day when the indestructible duo of Brucie and Nicky reunite again! Kicking ass and taking names!"

To be continued....

Hey, I bet you're all thinking, why the bloody hell is Brucie doing at the end of the chapter? Well, I wanted to use this chapter to explore a softer, comical side of Niko and how he would cope looking after Kiara. I hope this doesn't annoy anyone, but I thought I the idea would be better. However, this and the whole shopping Brucie chapter was edited as one whole chapter, so I decided to cut it and leave it until Chapter 4. I hope you enjoyed this, as I really enjoyed writing the short comical moments as I believed Niko could use some more life in his character.

And yes, Johnny Klebitz from The Lost and Damned will make an appearance later on, as well as our good friend, Roman and his beloved Mallorie. I just need to work Johnny into the story. And if you want to know the whole connection, I've placed this after the main GTAIV story and TLAD stories, so there are no hard feelings between Johnny and Niko. More will be explored as this fic continues.

Chapter 4: Shopping with Brucie (if you live that is)