Nico Bellic awoke to silence in his empty Algonquin loft. He rubbed a hand over his eyes, slowly sitting up. His vision was still blurred from the alcohol he had consumed last night and into the early morning. Stumbling into the kitchenette, he solemnly gazed at the empty bottles of beer and vodka. One half empty handle of whiskey sat in the center, a reminder of Kate, who had gifted the high end liquor to him on one of their outings.

This has gone on long enough. He thought to himself as he sank onto one of the stools in front of the island. Roman had been killed nearly a month ago, but that day set off a cycle of destructive behavior that Niko couldn't escape from. Every day was the same. He'd wake after noon, have a few drinks, then make his way to the strip club for more drinks and meaningless interactions with various strippers.

Agitated, he jumped to his feet and grabbed a trash bag from under the sink. Bottles clanked as he discarded them. Within seconds, only the whiskey remained. He tossed the bag next to his trash can, satisfied with his work.

After debating what to do for a moment, Niko turned toward his bathroom, knowing he reeked of stale alcohol and could probably use a shave. He turned on the shower, letting the water warm as he stared at himself in the mirror. He could use a haircut and his stubble was looking more like a beard these days.

Sighing, he undressed and stepped in the shower. The warm water relieving the tension in his shoulders. He pressed his forehead against the tiled wall and closed his eyes. Roman had promised him the American dream, something he wasn't so sure existed anymore. Now Roman was gone and he felt alone. No calls to go bowling or out for drinks. A few people had tried reaching out to him; Mallorie, Packie, Jacob, Kate.

Kate… he lingered at the thought of her. She was the only pure soul he'd found in this city. She had come to his cousin's funeral and offered her condolences. He could remember her pulling him into a hug, one he didn't fully return. All he could offer her was a nod and weak 'thanks'. She had tried calling him in the days after but he rejected them all. She sent him one last text, one that tightened his chest.

I'm sorry…I wish you wouldn't push away those who care about you. Honestly, I was starting to really like you but it's clear whatever I felt for you is never going to be returned. I'll miss you, good bye.

"You can fix this…" he said to himself before straightening up to finish cleaning himself off. Feeling efficiently clean, Niko stepped out of the shower and went to his dresser to change. He pulled a clean pair of jeans, boxers and a black v neck t-shirt from the drawers.

After donning his chosen outfit, he returned to the bathroom mirror and plugged in his hair trimmer before going about trimming both his beard and hair. He had no need for a barber when her had years of experience looking out for himself.

Satisfied with his appearance, he grabbed his wallet and slipped it into his back pocket before reaching for his handgun. He hesitated, wondering if he really needed the thing anymore, before securing it in the back of his waistband. Grabbing his leather jacket, he took one last look around the loft before stepping out into the hall.

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One thing at a time… he thought as he pulled up in front of the McReary brownstone. He stared at the front door for a while before shutting off the engine of his Patriot. He wasn't one to drop in unannounced like this, but after the way he'd ignored everyone he wouldn't expect Kate to answer her phone. He steadied himself as he stepped out of the SUV, gently shutting the door. He slowly ascended the stone steps to the front door, taking a deep breath before rapping his knuckles against the heavy wood.

After what seemed like an eternity, the door creaked open. Maureen stood at the threshold, eyes widening as she push the door open further.

"Nicholas?! Where have you been me boy?!" She asked, pulling him into a hug, unfazed by his long absence.

"Mrs. McReary, it's good to see you." Niko said, returning her hug. "I…uh…was here to see…"

"Katie." Maureen said bluntly. "She's upstairs. I tell ya boy, she's been nothin' but a depressed mess lately. Started talkin' about bein' a nun, can ya believe it?"

"Do you think she'd be up for a visitor?"

"Hard tellin'. At least I gave ya a warnin'. Maybe seein' you will pull her out of this funk." Maureen ushered Niko inside, shutting the door behind him.

"Kate! We have company!" She yelled up the staircase. "Take a seat, boy. I'll get some tea goin'"

Niko chose to lean against the door frame between the foyer and living room. He didn't expect to be this nervous. At least Maureen seemed oblivious to his behavior.

Or she chooses not to care… he thought to himself. He was pulled from his thoughts as footsteps neared the top of the stairs.

"Ma, who in the world would be visiting us?" Kate called out before skipping down the steps. She froze before reaching the bottom floor.

"Hi, Kate." Niko said, remorse evident in his voice.

"Wha…what are you doing here?" She stuttered, slowly taking the last couple steps down.

"I owe you an apology." He said, waiting to see her reaction.

"An apology?" Kate scoffed, crossing her arms across her chest. "You dropped off the face of the earth, Niko."

"I know, I shouldn't have. I've been thinking about that message you sent me…"

"The one from over a week ago?" She asked, rolling her eyes. "I mean, you could have just, I don't know, called? Even acknowledging what I sent you would have been better than nothing. You think you can just wander back and all is forgiven?"

Niko remained silent, letting her vent her anger. He deserved her ire.

"Don't get me started on how the past month has taken a toll on me." She continued. "Do have any idea what has gone on around you while you, God knows what you were doing. Causing mayhem? Robbing more banks?"

"Getting black out drunk." He said bluntly.

Kate let out a laugh. "Are you kidding? While everyone around you grieved or struggled you decided to self destruct?"

"I was afraid you'd get hurt." Niko said softly, glancing down at his boots. "I didn't want anyone else to suffer because of me."

Biting her lip, Kate took in the man before her. He was defeated, a shell of the Niko that had visited her family home before. That version of him was confident, ready to take on whatever highly illegal and dangerous task her brothers had in store for him. The opposite stood before her now.

"Come on, I think we need to talk." She said, grabbing a jacket from the coat hook.

Niko looked up as she pulled open the front door, following her lead as she ushered him outside. He followed her in silence to the park across the street.

"I'm sorry about Roman." Kate said, hugging her jacket closer against a cold gust of wind. "And I'm sorry you felt you couldn't come to us who care about you. No one should suffer alone."

"You still care about me?" He asked, glancing in her direction.

"Of course I do! Of all the psycho thugs my brothers have brought home, you were always the most normal." She stopped walking and turned to face him. "I wouldn't have agreed to go out drinking with you, let alone pour my heart out if I didn't trust you enough to keep it to yourself."

Niko spotted an open bench and gestured for Kate to take a seat. He remained standing in front of her as she obliged.

"I've done awful things in this city for awful people." He said, looking out over the park. "There are so many things I would like to do over."

Kate shook her head and looked away from him.

"I know about Derrick." She said softly, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand.

Niko looked down at her, eyes widening. "Kate…"

She forced herself to look him in the eye, holding up a finger to silence him.

"I know it's not entirely your fault." She took a deep breath before continuing. "I overheard them arguing not long before Derrick's death. It wasn't hard to piece things together. Frances threatened you, didn't he?"

Lowering himself next to her on the cold seat, Niko slowly nodded.

"Either kill Derrick or he'd take me in, charge me for everything. No matter what I chose a brother dies or my life became more miserable than it already is. I almost didn't pull the trigger, I considered killing Francis instead or just leaving Liberty City and going back overseas. But trouble seems to find me, so I don't know what good that would do." He drew in a deep, haggard breath. "I'm so sorry, Kate. I'd trade myself for your brother in a heart beat."

Kate remained silent, letting his words sink in. She had confronted Francis after Roman had been killed, when Niko began to distance himself. She knew when she saw Francis feigning grief at Derrick's funeral that he had something to do with it. She knew her soon-to-be commissioner brother was fed up with his brother passing out drunk or high on playgrounds and in parks. If anyone learned of their relation, it would tarnish his reputation.

"Francis tried to stick you with all the blame. I told him a few weeks ago I knew. I didn't suspect you had anything to do with it until he said you pulled the trigger." She scoffed, briefly looking in Niko's direction. "He said you didn't want Derrick interfering with his big promotion, can you believe that?"

"So is this conversation closure? After this do wish to go our separate ways?" he asked.

"No. I should probably hate you. I should tell you to stay far away from me, to never contact me again." She shook her head and began laughing through what was left of her tears. "But I can't."

Niko raised an eyebrow and turned toward her. "You can't?"

"Let's be honest with each other, okay? Why did you brush me off? Why are you here now?" She mirrored his action and turned to face him.

"I…I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you were to get hurt because people want to hurt me." He paused, trying to find the words to answer her second question. "I guess I'm here because not being around you hurts me more than my attempts to keep you safe. I drink to forget you, forget everyone only to wake up and realized it's not that easy."

"My…friendship…means that much to you?"

Niko nodded, "You refusing to go to that wedding was the only silver lining that day. I've never been so relieved someone was angry at me." He forced a half smile. "I had my reasons for taking that deal."

"Like what?"

"Like taking the money and disappearing from that life. I still haven't touched a cent of it. I took that deal in hopes I would have enough to finally live in peace. No more crime, just live like everyone else I haven't taken a job since then." He said, feeling a small amount of pride in himself.

"Do you mean that?" Kate asked softly. "Do you think a normal life is possible?"

"I've never wanted to live this way. My cousin promised the 'American dream', which I'm certain doesn't exist. I came here to start over, that's what I want to do." Niko said, looking away from her.

Kate placed a hand on his forearm, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"I must be crazy." She said, fresh tears welling in her eyes. "Here you are, the man who shot my brother, inherited everything he owns in this country through God knows what illicit means and took a deal in which he gained I'm assuming a large sum of blood money." She wrapped her fingers around his chin and forced him to look at her. "And I'm not giving up on you." She pulled him into a hug. "Let's start over, okay?"

"Sounds good to me." He said, returning her affection.

They pulled away from each other, simultaneously standing up from the bench.

"I'd say we've cleared the air, yeah?" Kate asked, receiving a nod from Niko.

"If it's okay with you, I'd like to take you to get something to eat tomorrow evening." Niko said as they began to walk back towards the McReary home.

Kate's eyes brightened and she flashed a smile his way.

"I'd like that." She said, looping her arm around his. "It's a date."

"Date?" He questioned.

"I'd say I at least owe you that. Before this mess you were nothing but patient with me, a near prefect gentleman." Kate said as they reached the steps of her home.

"I thought you could never date me?"

"Everyone deserves a second chance, Niko. Even you." She kissed his cheek before walking up the steps, "I'll see you tomorrow. Text me the time." She said before stepping inside and closing the door.

Niko's smile didn't leave his face as he walked over to his Patriot. As soon as he pressed the unlock key on his fob, he could feel his phone vibrate. Pulling it out of his pocket as he slid behind the wheel, he unlocked the screen and opened the unread message he'd received.

The smile faded from his lips as he read the words in his native language.

"Vidimo se uskoro, brata."

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I rarely finish works I start, but I'm determined to with this one. I've had this story played out in my head for a long time now, I figured it's about time I put those words to paper.