Not one of my greatest chapters, but atleast the brain is thinking of ideas.

Chapter 31

"What we've been waiting for"

The fortunate thing about being in Cleveland was we were far away from danger, and the danger that tried to follow us was eliminated. We were sure that the Russians now had no clue where we were. Even I was so confident that there'd be no attacks that I let my guard down last night and fell into a very deep sleep. Sharon was in a deep sleep just as I was.

My phone rang atleast five times. I let it go to voice mail. Whoever the caller was could leave a message. Right now, I wanted to sleep.

A pounding on the door was what made me wake up and answer whoever was rude enough to wake me up.

"Aren't you going to answer your calls? The agency is trying to get a hold of you." Karen said once I opened the door.

My eyes could barely stay open as I stared blankly at her. She handed me her phone with her contacts on the other line. Their voice entered my ear, but whatever they were saying didn't register with my brain. Something about papers.

"Did you hear us? You got your legal residency papers. You're a legal US citizen. How does it feel?"

"To be honest, I'm too tired to care right now."

"Yeah. It will set in once you have your papers. We heard what happened to the jet. Are you all okay?"

"If we're still breathing, I guess we're okay."

"When can you come up to sign these papers?"

"I guess I could come up now. I'm awake. Uh, where can I meet you?"

"We have a sister office about three miles up the road from you."

"I'll call a cab. I will be there when I can."

"You're not bringing your girl?"

I really wanted her to come, so she can share my excitement as I was handed my citizenship. But I figured she wanted to sleep in.

"No. She's asleep."

Hours later, I arrived at the location. It was a small three story building. It was smaller than I was used to. The office was easy to find. Right off the elevator. Karen's contact was waiting for me inside.

"How'd you get here so fast? Weren't you in Liberty City when you called?" I asked when I took a seat.

"I flew in overnight. It was better than flying by day." He handed me my papers and I glanced over them. He was right. The realization hit me and I trembled with immeasurable happiness.

"How did you get these knowing the courthouse was demolished? Weren't the files destroyed?"

"Shockingly no. The judge had them protected in a brief case to prevent anyone grabbing them. A lot of people wanted you to not become legal by any means necessary."

I looked at the social security card. The flimsy paper was just that if it didn't have that nine digit number on it. It was irreplaceable. I also recieved a copy of the bill of rights, a driver's license, and a list of banks that were interested in my money. It was truely a gift that I could not be thankful enough for.

I shook the man's hand and rushed home. I couldn't wait to tell everyone that this part of the story was over. The only thing now was to deal with the Russians. It looked like I was on my own in this endeavor. I still had Karen and her connections, but if I asked a favor from them, they'll hold me to it that I repay them. It may be an endless cycle of favors.

"I have good news!" I greeted to everyone who was sitting in the living room.

"Good news? Spill it, Niko!" Sharon said.

"I am a totally free man! I have my legal documents of citizenship!"

She stood up and the kitchen chair tipped over behind her. She didn't care about it at all as she jumped at me and shared my glee.

"I can't believe it, Niko! Is this real?!" She read through the papers, held the social security card, my driver's license, and my certificate. Just feeling them felt unreal to her. She had gone through this process with me for months. For myself, even longer.

"Yes!" I held her face in front of mine. It was my energy that was feeding hers as I did a victory dance with her still in my arms.

"How did it go so fast?"

"I had the right people on my side. I had the right documents."

"Wait, didn't the courthouse get blown up?"

"I was fortunate. The judge held the papers in a brief case. After the explosion, it was recovered. I guess the judge already made up his mind, and along with the jurors, granted me this. That's what the rush was about. Before the explosion, a member of the jury found me in the waiting room. He was in a big rush to get the session going again."

"Well, congratulations, Mr. Bellic. What happens next?"

I smiled at her. She was quick to move on.

"I plan to buy a house, fill it with memories, and marry you."

She flushed and squealed as she didn't bother to hide her excitement.

"But first, I have the Russians to worry about."

"Why? We can live here! The Russians have no idea you are here."

"They want me bad enough, they'll get to me somehow. It's happened before. I don't want them getting to you either. They kidnapped Roman, they'll get to you. I do not want that."

"How do you plan on taking them all out? Isn't there, like, a whole bunch after you?"

"I'll get them. They are a group, but they lost a lot of their threat throughout the years."

"You're going to go as a one man army and take them out?"

"I don't know. I have a few friends I can rely on. They will help me."

"I won't allow it. We are finally free. Don't poke the hornet's nest again. Wait a few weeks and see if they find you."

"That's not how it works. The Russians can be sneaky and will use other people to get to someone."

"That's not what happened yesterday when they found us with the chopper!" She cut me off.

"Then that's a hell of a reason to take them out. They can be ballsy too."

"I thought you said you didn't want to kill anymore, Niko."

I held my comments atleast for now. I did want the killing to stop. Then, and only then, will I be able to move on. I couldn't just leave things the way they are. My past always comes back and fucks me. For now, I took her advice. I kept low, I didn't answer any unknown phone numbers, and I wanted to relocate to another home. An actual home. Where Sharon and I can call our own and make a go out of what I wanted for so long.

"Alright. I'll do it your way. I'd feel more comfortable if we moved out of this place."

"Do you know of a place?"

"These banks are willing to do business with me." I handed her the list. "Anyone who has the amount of money I have will be able to find a home fast."

"How much do you have?"

"A lot. I'll put money down on a home, and if the bank is interested in giving me the deed, I'll pay in full. Just need to do research on the perfect home for us."

Hours later, after dinner, I was doing just that. Searching for the perfect home for the two of us. There were a few houses I saved. I kept it a secret for now. This was also a waking call to Ethan that it was time for him to move on. He couldn't leach off of his sister forever. I had plans for her.

My searching came to a hault when Ethan asked me what I was doing so studiously in the corner of the apartment. I turned off the screen to avoid him seeing the houses I was looking at. He wasn't really good at keeping secrets.

"I was sending my cousin an e-mail."

"You were doing that for hours. What were you really doing?" His eyes squinted to see through my lie.

"I told you. Roman wants to chat with me. Nothing else."

"Sharon told me what's going on. Why are you hiding things from me?"

"What plans?"

"God damn it, Niko. Stop pretending I'm retarded. You plan on moving out with my sister and leaving me on the street."

"I didn't say that. You have to agree that you can't live with us forever. You have Karen, right? Find somewhere to live with her."

"I can't support her." He calmed down and sat heavily on the couch. The flimsy furniture couldn't handle the sudden force and he fell through the seat. He remained where he was though.

"Why can't you?"

"I am a fucking low life. All I know now is dealing drugs and doing drugs. I have no skills."

"Then get some. You said you were going back to school."

He shook his head. "Nobody will give me a loan. They looked at my criminal history and my low credit score and they declined my application."

"That's not right."

"Will you please help me? I feel awful asking money from you."

I knew I was his last chance in doing what he wanted to do. The guy really was computer smart, and I would hate to see his talent go to waste.

"Let's just figure out where we are going from here."

"I really need a place to stay too."

This must be his way of saying Karen dumped him. I sort of knew it wouldn't last.

"Alright. You can stay with us. Only until you get your diploma. Find yourself a college and I will pay for it."

"Thank you, Niko! I won't let you down. I promise."

With that, he left. I felt like charity, but atleast I knew it was going to where I know it will do the most good.

(Sharon's POV)

Niko and I both woke up in the late afternoon. It was a well deserved rest after dealing with so much. I heard that Niko was willing to loan Ethan money to get back into school. It earned him one of the 'best blow jobs he's ever gotten'. I know some men always say that because as long as something is warm, wet, and tight it will bring them to an orgasm. I explored a little and tested the waters of slight bondage on him using various items that was strong enough to keep him still. He was powerless as I teased him. I wouldn't allow him to cum without my permission. He liked the dominatrix role I played. It was like I was edging him. Each time I thought he was ready, I stopped. Try as he might to stroke himself, his hands were bound. All in all, it was a good night for both of us.

"What is the plan today?" I asked as I threw on a sweater. The fall weather had a slight nip.

"I guess we will take it easy. Provided things don't happen. You know as well as I do, that things might happen." The idea sparked in his head and grabbed his pistol. He held it tightly, reminding himself he had it in case he needed it

"You know, Niko. Not everything needs to be taken as a threat."

"Oh yeah? Do you remember what happened last time I let my guard down at the beach? Even for just a minute?"

"I remember. But we are far away. They can't find us."

"You're naive." He smiled and hugged me close.

"Better than being... high-strung?"

He chuckled. "Being naive gets you killed."

He swayed back and forth with me still in his embrace. His scent was making me go crazy. His close proximity was enough to make me push him to the bed and take him over and over. Even his warmth with the cool afternoon made me really lose myself. He made me forget all the problems, all the pain of life, and made me forget about what he's done. It was just me and him, saying nothing. I closed my eyes for a while. I found I was relying on his strength to hold me up. I was weightless. He was my everything.

The moment we shared was interrupted by Karen. She opened the door without knocking again. She told the two of us she was leaving. She had plans to return to the agency and her part in this was finished. There was nothing more she could provide for him.

"I really can't thank you enough, Karen."

"Save it, Niko." She held her hands up before he could shake her hand.

"What is this about?"

"I am moving on. Saying lengthy goodbyes is just a waste of time."

That was cold!

"Well, alright. Thanks. Say goodbye to Ethan before you go?"

"I am just leaving. He'll turn it into a sob ending."

"Karen! He cares about you! Didn't you say you wanted someone who was able to give you that?"

"That's for the weak."

"Are you on the rag or something?"

This earned a snort chuckle from me and a glare from Karen. I was never her favorite. I didn't plan on starting now.

"I'm leaving."

And with her cold hearted farewell, she vanished. I reflected a little on how we first met. A heavily wounded Niko slung over her shoulder. She did care. Deep down, I know it. But her rough exterior never allowed her to show it.

"Okay. Now Ethan is going to be a mess." I said. "He really did love her."

"I did warn him on how she was. She plays people. She was always like that. He fell in love with the wrong woman."

I scoffed. "I thought you'd show more sympathy for him."

"I do. I can speak from personal experience. I'll go see if he is okay."

I agreed with Niko and we found him sitting in the living room. He did have the look of hurt, but he wasn't crying. In fact, he had a strange look about him. I didn't want to think he was happy he was dumped. He said a few times he really did love her.

Niko and I sat on either side of him. He looked at both of us before we said anything.

"I'm alright. I should have seen it coming. I should have known better. I had no chance with her."

"You had a chance. Karen is difficult woman. She leads you to believe something, but then she blindsides you."

He nodded his head and I could see he fought back a few tears. "Is there anyone out there for me?"

"Of course there is. You need to look for a woman who we don't know."

His phone rang, interrupting the conversation.

"Hello? Who is this?..." His caller was long winded as they explained who they were and what they wanted. "How'd you get this number?" Niko growled. "I will end you if you touch her!"

He rose from the couch and began gesturing erratically. Something was going on. It figured...as soon as Karen left, the shit is hitting the fan.

"Go fuck yourself!" His words were loathsome.

"Niko, who is it?"

He raised his finger telling me to wait a few minutes. As soon as his heated phone call ended, he dialed another number. It took a few attempts to get a hold of whoever he was trying to contact.

"Packie. Why are you so hard to get a hold of?...Well, stop snorting so much and you'll be awake before noon... Listen, I need your help...Yeah, they are after me again, and you're one of the few I can trust...I can pick you up... I'll see you soon."

I looked at him. He was silent as to what he was doing. The only thing he told me was to wait at the apartment until he came back. He grabbed his duffel bag again and I knew what his mind set was. He had to take care of something and for good.