Trying something new. In the sort of middle of the chapter, I will be switching POVs indicated by the break of the chapter and a note that will tell you. I figured the story was getting a little stale being in my POV (yeah, that's right, I am the Sharon in this story) *muahahahahahahaha*

So, here we go. And please! Please let me know if it works. If not, I will think of other ideas to keep my readers enthralled!

Hvala vam! (Thank you)

Chapter 28

"Trialling times"

The court trial came faster than any of us thought possible. Karen had been ready and waiting for Niko. Ethan again stayed home. He was to focus on recovering from his heart attack. I really wanted to go with Niko and Karen to continue to show my support for him, but to also make sure she kept her hands off of him. Niko ensured me when she left to start the Calvacade that she wasn't going to even lay a finger on him. He seemed confident in his claim.

"If she touches me, I'll knock her out." He said as he threw on his tuxedo jacket. "Srećan rođendan by the way."

"Aw. Thank you." I gushed.

I watched him button a few, leaving the white longsleeve undershirt exposed at his chest. He blew a kiss to me. I knew I'd rip that tuxedo off of him if we met in a kiss.

He was gone again. Ethan and I were alone. I was sort of responsible for keeping Ethan calm and to make sure he didn't overexert himself. It was 9:30 in the morning and I tried to prepare us breakfast. To prevent the kitchen going up in flames, I made us cereal. I wasn't kitchen savvy in the slightest. And I wasn't afraid to tell others either.

After breakfast, I put on some calming music while he sat on the couch. He insisted that he wanted to help me clean, but I wouldn't even allow him to dust. I wanted him to rest.

"I can help you with something." He protested from the sofa.

"I can't have you doing things you can't handle. If your blood pressure gets too high, you could damage yourself. I wamt to make sure the doctor says it's okay for you to do more things."

"He didn't give me restrictions."

"But he said to keep calm. That's a restriction. Just relax for a few days."

He didn't like my decision, judging on how he slouched in the sofa. People could argue that I was being too strict, but I didn't play around.

(Niko's POV)

Karen and I arrived at the courthouse with time to spare again. She was one of those people who preferred to be a little early. We used our time to discuss our trial again. It was if she wanted me to robitically repeat my lines. I wasn't one to follow in uniform.

"What do you say if the attorney asks you what you did for a living? And do not say you were a hired gun."

I hated when she reminded me. I knew what I was to say.

"I was a vigilante with the interest of community saftey." I had a dead tone as I sighed my answer.

"Good. What will you say when you are asked why it took you so long to become legal?"

I stopped in the hallway and sighed heavily, putting my hands acrossed my chest. I was really annoyed now. She was treating me like a child.

"For fucks sakes, Karen. We've been over this atleast one hundred times. I know what to say!" I whispered just loud enough for her to hear.

"What will you say when they ask you why it took you so long?" She repeated herself not hearing my annoyance.

I continued on without her, but she caught my jacket as I tried to walk by her. I leered at her as a warning for her to let go of me.

"Answer the question, Niko."

"What will I say? Well, maybe I'll just say it was to not be a cunt like you." I snapped.

She surprisingly didn't hit me. She moved on without me saying nothing. I shook my head and followed her into the court room. We had another ten minutes until we started. I organized all my papers and made sure I had everything I needed. The familiar twist of nervousness came back before we started. My phone vibrated in my pocket and I silently swore. I forgot to leave it with Sharon.

Good luck today! Remember why you're doing this, and you'll do fine.

I felt a little better reading her text. I still felt a mixture of confidence and uneasiness. All my years of going into a gunfight and I felt nothing. I still wasn't prepared for this. Even during the first day, I felt the same way. I was to answer for my crimes. And it was possible the trial could go against me.

As if like clockwork, the jury filed in the booth. Organization and simultaneous marching footfalls as they made their way to their seats. My palms were getting sweaty as I watched the do no evil jury was judging me again. I could see it in their eyes. They spoke, wondering why I took such a long delay. A few even leaned into one another and whispered to each other. Questioning why I had a few bandages on my head and a few on my hands. I tried to mute the voices as I looked over to the American flag that stood next to the judges seat. It was at that moment that all seemed to become silent.

"All rise for the Honorable judge Johnson."

My attention snapped to the man as he made his way to his seat. We all stood when asked to, and sat when the judge told is to.

"The case of Mr. Bellic vs the state of Liberty City is now in session."

The judge remained silent as he looked through documents. The first testimony was called up. It was Kiki. She was examined and crossed examined within the hour and she reamined true to the story. From time to time as she was being crossed examined, she stole a couple of looks at me. I made no indication I acknowledged her. It might give away slight hints that the jury would see.

The next testimony was Brucie. I prayed he didn't say anything stupid, and I hoped he wasn't unnecessarily loud as he gave his story. I was let down as he took the oath.

"Of course I wouldn't lie under oath!" His voice rung in everyone's ears, I was sure.

"Sir, you don't need to speak that loud." Judge Johnson told him. I guessed the first time he was loud, they let it slide.

His cross examination came after a while of being questioned.

"For the records, Mr. Kibbutz, how do you know Mr. Bellic?" The defence attorney paced back and forth before Brucie as he sat.

"Me and Nicky? We know each other through his cousin. He introduced us weeks after Niko came here."

"And what sort of work did you provide Mr. Bellic in order for him to get paid?"

"I had him gather broken down cars and he brought them to my shop."

"But you specialize in auto sales. Correct?"

"You got that right. The sweetest rides Liberty City has to offer!"

"Mr. Kibbutz, this isn't a commercial. Please stay within the questions." Judge Johnson asked.

"Sorry, your Honor. It's an old habit."

"Thank you, your Honor. So, why would you be interested in old broken down cars?"

"I tried to fix them up again. Whatever was wrong with them, I fixed and sold them. The ones I couldn't fix were sent to the junk yard."

"So, you sold broken down cars with stolen parts?"

"They weren't stolen, man. They were purchased. I am a major motor head, and if it was an easy fix, I sold them."

"These cars were stolen then?"

"I didn't say that, man. These cars were abandoned. The police contacted us to get them."

"Then you have these police ordered towings, I assume?" He looked at me and Brucie, directing the question to both of us.

I sifted through my folder and found the documents in question and handed them to the judge. He lowered his glasses almost to the tip of his nose as he read the police documents. I knew those were fake, conjured up by Karen's employers. It was to make it look like I didn't steal the cars for Brucie for his chop shop.

"These papers state every tow done by Mr. Bellic from the months of February to May. Were there any other tows you did, Mr. Bellic?"

"No, your Honor. I only did those tows."

"May I ask why you stopped working for Mr. Kibbutz?"

"I worked for my cousin at night at his cab depot. I towed cars during the day. I was overwhelmed at the time, your Honor. I wanted to stop working for Mr. Kibbutz."

"How was he able to hire you without legal status, Mr. Bellic?"

That was a question Karen prepared me for. One of the blindsided questions. I knew it would pop up, and I was prepared for it.

"I was able to get paid under the table. I was working to become legal, but in this country, you need money to do anything. I wasn't able to buy a car, buy a home. I wasn't even able to buy a coffee if I had no income."

He seemed satisfied with my answer. The jury murmured amongst each other and the judge called order to the court.

"I was oppressed here in America. Even my cousin had it hard when he came here. He had to borrow money, and he was threatened almost daily. I had to step in and help him pay off some of his debt. I had to sort out his problems before I handled myself."

"How much was your cousin in debt? Why was he being threatened?"

"He was thousands in debt. His cab business wasn't getting him much money. I took two jobs at the time to help him pay. He was being harassed by people who loaned him money."

"Sounds like loan sharks. Did your cousin deal with loan sharks?"

"No. It was, at the time, his friends. He no longer associates with them."

"And why is that, Mr. Bellic?"

"I saw to it that they didn't bother him again."

"What did you do?"

"For once, I paid his debts. And, how he was threatened, I threatened them back."

"Objection, your Honor. He is badgering Mr. Bellic. He isn't even on the stand." My attorney interrupted.

"It's alright. He has questions, I have answers. I have nothing to hide."

"May we remind you, Mr. Bellic, you are under oath. Even though you aren't in the stand, you're under oath as soon as you enter this building."

"Your point being?"

"All the men your cousin owed money to turned up dead. You didn't have anything to do with that, did you?"

"A few I killed. The others were not my doing."

I think Karen made a sigh of irritation. I heard her next to me.

"And why did you kill those men?"

"May I ask you call Mr. Bellic to the stand before you continue to examine him, Mr. Wilson?"

"By your request, your Honor." He gestured Brucie off the stand and asked me to take his place. I swore under oath that I wouldn't lie like usual and my interrogation began.

"So, Mr. Bellic. Please tell the jury your story."

"As I've said, my cousin was in debt to his friends. Thousands of American dollars. He borrowed money for his depot, rent, paying for cab repairs."

"What were his friends source of income that they were able to loan him so much money?"

"A few men made their money illegally."

This had the attention of everyone in the court.

"How was it illegal?"

"They were hired hitmen. They killed men, women, and children at the contractor's digression. Whoever had a contract on them, these men were to kill them, collect the money afterwards, and it was loaned to my cousin. I did the community a favor by erasing these scum. I know for a fact the police of this city wouldn't have done a thing about it."

Gasps came from the room and whispers and mutterings of disbelief at my bold statement.

"Order. Order!" Judge Johnson banged his gavel.

"That's a rather accusatory statement, Mr. Bellic. Care to explain your comment?" He turned to me.

I hooked up my phone to the projector provided within the room and showed the judge the video of the man who robbed the bank and killed the young mother and child I witnessed. The officer was shown taking the bribe from the robber in the alleyway when he was confronted. Again, the audience and jury made comments to each other as the video played on the white screens behind the judge.

"This is gross behavior. But this doesn't excuse you to take the lives of these friends your cousin associated with, Mr. Bellic."

"This is true, your Honor. I made horrible mistakes. I look back on all that, and I realized I was stupid. But I couldn't let anything else happen to my cousin. If I hadn't, I was fearful that these men would kill my cousin. These officers gave me the wrong idea of this country. And in all honesty, your Honor, if I didn't kill these men, think of the other innocent people these hitmen would have made money off of. I eliminated bad people, and in return, the city was safer."

It went silent for longer than I even cared for. I hoped my story swayed the jury that it was in the best interest that these people were killed by me rather than being supported by the tax payers in jail.

Finally, the judge spoke up, breaking the silence.

"Mr. Bellic, your story not only gave me the idea that this city has let you down, but this country let you down. America believes justice for all, and this gross abuse of power by the authorities has given you the wrong idea of this country. From the people of America, we extend our apology to you."

"The people have nothing to apologize for."

I was asked to step down from the stand. The cross examination was over and other testimonies were called up. Patrick McReary, Dwane Forge, Carmen Ortiz, and Jacob Huges. His testimony took the longest because the Rastafarian was barely understood and was often asked to repeat himself slowly.

The judge called for everyone's attention asking if any other questions needed to be asked before we were dismissed for lunch. Both sides had no further questions. It was around 3 when we were set out for a break. Five hours of questioning and stories from everyone, and that's just the people on my side. Who knows who they have to testify against me. All I know is that the woman who lied to the court was no longer in this. They probably found others to go against me.

I found the waiting room and sat down hard on the chair. Karen came in and verbally attached me again. I was in no mood for her bullshit.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing? Why did you confess to killing those men? Do you think before you speak?!"

"Shut the fuck up, Karen. You know as well as I do that those questions were not included in the story. What was I going to say? I think I handled myself rather well."

"The jury is in there now talking to each other saying they don't think you should be here. They are saying you should be in jail! You fucked yourself!"

"There's still a second half to this trial. Wait for the very end. Then you'll see."

"The end is coming near. It seems they've made a decision already! They might not even need an opposing side."

"You forget that their side lied! If I lied, I'd really fucked myself."

"Well, you won't have to fuck youself when you go to prison. There will be a bunch of prison Mary's that will fuck you."

"Go get fucked yourself, Karen. I have the judge's favor."

"It's not the judge you need the favor of. It's the jury!"

I stood before her and she made herself taller as I stared her down. I really hoped I didn't have to see her again after this.

"I'll let it go to the very end before I give up. You seem to think this is over. I'll wait for the opposition to talk before I throw this out."

"You're done before you started."

Before I could say more, she spun on her heels and left me alone. I was too angry to even eat anything. I really needed to hear Sharon right now.

I didn't make myself wait any longer and I dialed her number. It rang a few times and went to her voice mail. I hated leaving voice mails, but I left one with desperation in my voice so she can call me back quicker. I still had another thirty minutes before I had to go back. I stared at my phone, hoping she'd call me.

Hey. Are you on a lunch? I can't call you right now. I am doing some cleaning, and I am preparing dinner for you. It's a surprise! I'll see you when you come home. Sorry, I can't call you.

I could hear the franticness in her text. Just reading her message made me smile. I could see her with ten different things going on and Ethan begging her if he could help. He's not one to sit idly by with someone darting around the house.

It's alright. Just wanting to talk to you. I'll wait to tell you what's going on when I get home.

I thought the cliff hanger would have her call me out of curiosity, but the half hour went by quickly and I was asked by Karen to meet her in the courtroom. Everyone was inside already. Light comments came from around the room at my entry. I had my folder ready to be used if the opposition was called.

"Before we begin, do we have any questions about the events that transpired within the first hours of this session?" Judge Johnson asked.

"Nothing here, your Honor." Mr. Wilson said.

"Nothing, Sir."

"I have nothing, your Honor." I said.

"Just know that we are ready to proceed in this case."

We all nodded and prepared ourselves for the opposing arguments.

"I'd like to call to the stand, Miss Natasha Rascalov."

I felt blood drain from my body. This was Dimitri's daughter from the looks of her. I prepared myself for the past that caught up with me.

"Miss Rascalov, do you mind telling the court how you know Mr. Bellic?"

"I had the displeasure of knowing him. He is responsible for my father's death. I was only five years old when I found out he was killed."

"And did you know Mr. Bellic was still in the country?"

"No. I thought he was killed himself. I was hoping all the horrible deeds he's done caught up to him."

She began to cry, and I only rolled my eyes. It had to have been a show. As far as I knew, Dmitri had no family of his own. He was too busy making a name for himself, snaking around while stabbing people in the back and selling out everyone he knew.

Natasha was handed a tissue and continued on.

"If there is any true justice in this country, you'd put Mr. Bellic in prison." She held the tissue over her eyes.

I felt like throwing my arguments out before I was condemned further. Karen held my arm down and shook her head when I looked at her.

"What?" I mouthed.

"She's not his daughter." She silently said.

My eyes darted over to her and examined her face. There was no way I could see if she was his daughter. Only a DNA test would support that.

I looked back at Karen, who was tapping on a file folder. I couldn't tell what was in it, but I hoped it was evidence that would get the court to be swayed my way.

The opposing testimonials carried us all the way to seven at night. The judge asked this trial to be put on hold until tomorrow. It was going to be another long day tomorrow as well with cross examinations to the opposite side. I gathered all my documents together to meet Karen outside. She left before I did to meet up with someone. She was in there for a good half hour as I sat in the Calvacade listening to music to pass the time. I was burned out from the long day and all I wanted was to fall asleep.

I heard the door shut and Karen took a long drag from her cigarette.

"You know, the opposition is really desperate." The smoke came from her mouth as she spoke.

"How so?"

"They are paying actors and actresses to pose as family members of those you killed."

"How do you know?! Why didn't you say anything?!"

"We need to wait our turn to cross examine them. We'd be held in contempt of court if we outbursted. You need to have more patience."

She made our way back home, but she stopped at a convenient store for more cigarettes. I waited in the Calvacade while she made her purchase.

We're on our way home. Are you guys still awake?

Karen hopped back in the Calvacade and continued home.

"You know, I thought you were going to stop smoking."

She lit up another as I spoke to her. I could see the stress etched on her face when the street lamps and traffic lights lit her up as we drove by. She was contemplating on how to approach the next day of the trial. I was wondering as well.

"I was going to stop after this trial. It is stressing me out."

"You?! How do you think I feel?"

"I know how you feel. I want you to be legal, Niko. We've been friends for a long time."

My phone beeped and I read over the message as she waited at a stop light.

We're awake. Your dinner and surprise are waiting for you. ;)

Personally, I hated using text messaging. I preferred face to face communication. I loved it when she messaged me. Her excitement was clear when she did. I cracked a smile when I read it.

I burst through the door around 8:15. Her face lit up and I felt myself have that familiar and welcomed pulse of joy all over my body. Even when she approached me from the kitchen, I got more excited. I really missed her.

She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me down for a long overdue kiss. The taste of her drove me crazy. I wanted more of her, but she broke apart. She lead me to the table and asked me to sit down. Her hair bounced as she hopped away to retrieve something from the refrigerator. She was extremely happy for some reason, and I don't know why. As slong as she was, who was I to question? A long cooking pan was put in the oven and she turned the dial to warm up whatever it was. Her eyes locked with mine when she sat by me. I felt myself getting warm under the collar, and other places, as she talked with me about her day. I sat there, thinking this is the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.

"So, how was your day in court? Acutally, I probably should have asked you how your day was before I told you mine."

"That's alright. Court was boring as usual."

I began to smell something that reminded me of home after a while. It made me think of my mother, and the farm, and just the feeling of comfort. I took a few more smells and she smiled at me.

"I made Sarma...Sarmma? Did I say it right?"

I nodded. "You said it right the first time."

"Anyway. Ethan and I went shopping at the European Market today. But that's not your surprise." She grinned at me and had my curiosity well above peaked.

"Oh? What did you get?"

"Well, it's more for us. You'll see what it is later."

She and I talked for a short while before she stood to bring her cooking over. I was actually shocked to see the kitchen wasn't a mess. And when she placed the Sarma in front of me, my stomach growled. The smell was enough to make me start eating immediately without second guessing the flavor.

"How is it?" She asked when I was just about finished.

"Very good. It reminds me of home." I nodded my appreciation.

"You mean it?" Her pride swelled over her.

"Yes. This was very nice of you to do this for me. You made my difficult day that much better."

"It's too bad it was short lived."

"Even if it was only five minutes, you made me feel like I am not totally exhausted."

She smiled at me and I knew I just made her day. She wasn't afraid to admit she couldn't cook, but this time, I could see she really wanted to get it right.

After dinner, she lead me into the bedroom. She didn't hide her excitement at all. On the way into the room, she told me Ethan had turned in early. He was really tired from being in the hospital and from his sleep test. Those few days he was in there, he didn't get much sleep. They had dinner around five because of it.

I was asked to sit on the foot of the bed and she disappeared into the bathroom. I leaned over to the right to see what the hell she was looking for. It wasn't long when she came out of the bathroom with a long box that looked like a shoe box. I couldn't figure out what was so exciting about a shoe box. It must be a woman thing. She grinned at me, asking me to open the box. My eyes widened as I pulled out a sex toy and some warming lubricant.

"It's for both of us. I went to the sex shop after going to the European Market. I wanted to get it and the lube. The man said this sex toy was one of the best rated by women, and the lube is supposed to increase arousal and release."

I chuckled at her. "It's like we don't have explosive orgasms together at all." I said full of sarcasm.

"Well, now we'll be able to have planet shattering orgasms. Don't you like my gift?"

"I do. But it's your birthday. I should have gotten you something."

She scoffed and began taking off my tuxedo jacket. I was burning up in more ways than one with that on. The chill from the air conditioning raised goosebumps over my body. She laid me flat on my back and danced seductively over me. I was being taken over by her movements. My arms went around her body, surrounding her in my embrace. I couldn't wait to use that lubricant, and I could tell she couldn't either. But I wanted to build up to our love making to give us more of a stronger release. Just in case the lubricant didn't live up to its name.

She undid my fly but didn't release me from my confinement. It was getting way too tight in there. I watched as she threw her arms over her head and displayed her chest. I stared wide eyed at her as she tantalized me. Her movements were way better than any stripper could ever hope to achieve.

Her shirt went to the floor. She was wearing my favorite bra. The one that had little beads on it. They reflected the light, making her breasts my main focus. Her body snaked over mine and I really wanted to feel her soft skin, the curves of her hips, and her warmth. I decided to allow her to tease me more. I was already building up lust.

"What's the matter, Niko? Don't you want to touch me?" She asked after a few moments of her rubbing on me.

"Oh, I do." I breathed heavily. "I just want to watch you. I love looking at you."

"Bullshit." She laughed. "I see you sweating. You want me bad." She moaned.

Her hands groped her breasts and I just about lost it. My heart was pounding in my chest. She pursed her lips as she air kissed over me.

"You are so beautiful. I can't get enough of you."

She giggled and lowered her upper half closer to my face, kissing along my chest, and eventually meeting me in a euphoric kiss. I felt my eyes roll back as my eyes closed. Her tongue coated mine as she took control of it. I felt her hands move down my chest, fiddling with the buttons.

"I want to feel you, baby." She whispered in my ear when the kiss broke.

My hands ripped open my shirt. The buttons scattering all over the bed. I couldn't handle it anymore. The clothes were preventing us from fully enjoying each other. Her feminine fingers raked along my chest. My chest hairs being pulled along her touch.

"I want you to fuck me so bad."

Her words made my body move without thinking. My hands found her hips and I flipped her on her back. She squealed at my sudden choice.

"You're in for it now." I mock warned.

"Try me." She grinned at me.

I ripped off her shorts and my hand went down her panties to tease her. The panties matched her bra I noticed, and I commented on how she never needed to wear flashy undergarments to look beautiful. From under me, her hands explored my body. She was looking for something, and I found out when she undid my buckle and my button. She was determined to set me free.

"Hold on, Sharon. I'm in no rush to finish."

"I can't wait!"

Instead of answering her begging for my penis, I tried to take the edge off. My hands removed her panties completely to taste her. I parted her legs wide open and she whimpered. Her moist pelt aroused me as I felt a surge of arousal. I almost acted on my impulse again, but this time I couldn't surpress it. My thumbs lightly ran along her lips. Her moan came next and her hands gripped the blanket.

"I can't wait either, Sharon."

I freed myself of my trousers and displayed my hunger for her. Her head lifted off the bed to see how ready I was. The lubricant was used liberally and I slid inside her. We completely ignored the fact that she purchased a vibrator with the intention of using it. Neither of us could handle being teased anymore. Grunts of bliss came from under me that matched my thrusting. Her beautiful body rocked with each thrust as well, moving her breasts with the motions. Her belly had shock waves. It was delighting me seeing her meeting me for every movement. The bed creaked, as I lowered myself to her for a kiss. She and I moaned together, making sweet music.

"Niko!" She whined after our kiss.

My response was to lift her leg under her knee to get better access. I changed my movements by going deeper into her and at an angle to increase her pleasure. To my surprise, she began to play with herself and she shook from the sudden teasing. We made our way past the foreplay and we were on the fast track to our release. Moments later, after I pinned her down on her belly and pleased her from behind, we both came together. I collapsed on top of her and placed my head on her back while we recovered.

"So, we didn't even need the sex toy, did we?" She asked after a few minutes.

"Nope." I said still recovering.

I decided to roll off of her to allow her to breathe freely. The first thing she did was roll over on my chest. Something I really adored her doing. The women I've been with who did this didn't seem to make me feel wanted. I can't explain it at all on how she made me feel the way I feel. She cooed against me. I took a deep breath and played with her hair for a bit. She recovered a lot faster than I did. I must be getting too old.

"So, are you ready for the trial tomorrow? I seem to miss out on everything now."

I sighed again. "I'll be ready when the time comes. I don't even want to think about it right now."

"That bad?"

"No. It was...how can I explain it?"

I thought for a moment. The feeling I had that the opposition hired people to pose as my victim's family just to gain the jury's favor was hard to describe. It made me feel like the whole country didn't want me here. Almost like I wasn't important. Like I didn't matter. I was cast aside. Unliked, no friends, betrayed.

"It hurt."

She lifted her head to look at me. The look of anger was etched across my face as my eyebrows lowered the more I thought about it.

"Hurt how?"

"They are doing desperate actions."

"Like what? It's not Karen, is it?"

"No. It's the opposing side. Somebody somewhere out there doesn't want me legal. But they forget that I have an awesome team who will help me. And the American government if that's not enough."

"What are they saying?"

"It's their side. They hired people to act as the victim's family. Karen knows for a fact that the one lady they examined isn't who she said she is. The DNA testing will prove it tomorrow. And the other one who lied to the court the first time was stricken from the trial. They bought people. I feel like someone is double crossing me. And I have to admit, it makes me feel like I am not worthy of anyone's time. Like I'm just another worthless immigrant who doesn't have a story. A nameless man."

I dumped my feelings in her lap as she continued to comfort me. I could tell she thought I was just thinking that.

"You are not nameless. You are Niko Bellic. A man who has everything to prove. And you'll give them Hell in court tomorrow. And the DNA test will prove that that person is a piece of shit for stopping you from being legal."

Her arm reached across my body to set the alarm for six in the morning.

"I know, but if I hadn't known Karen, think of how difficult it would be for me to prove they were lying. And think if I became legal, how many people would just spit on my name."

"Don't give a shit about them, Niko. Seriously. You have every right to be here. Even though you came here illegally and did illegal things, you belong here. You can change, and most Americans believe in giving second chances. No matter what you did. And as for knowing Karen and how difficult it would be without her, think of how lucky you are in getting this second chance. You have a new reason for life. You have me, you have Roman and Mallorie, you have Ethan. Use this second chance to the fullest."

Her words nailed straight through me. She was right. I was given many chances in my life to do things right, but I never used it. I looked at her with a ferocity to make love to her again to thank her for making me see things more clearly. I was too tired from the first time and from the damn trial, that I settled with kissing her passionately.

"You'll knock 'em dead tomorrow." She said, caressing my cheek with the back of her hand.

I chuckled at the irony of her comment and rolled over to drift off asleep. The only thing I remember was Sharon wrapping her arms around me to keep me strengthened to start the morning right.