"Your sister?" Kate asked slowly.
"Yes. She decided to give me a surprise visit. It's been an eventful day." Niko motioned toward the couch, inviting Kate to take a seat.
"Wish I was a little more presentable." Natasha mumbled as she knelt next to her luggage. She began rummaging through her bags, looking for a clean set of clothing.
She brushed her hair behind her ear, Kate noticing a small dark stone piercing in the side of the girl's nose. Her gaze wandered over to Natasha's left forearm where a bluish purple group of flowers and a series of birds above it was inked into her skin.
"I like your tattoo." Kate said, offering her a smile.
Natasha glanced at her arm before looking up at Kate, returning her smile.
"Thanks." She said, resuming her task. "It's the Serbian bellflower. Mother and I would pick them when we'd visit the mountains."
"Do the birds have meaning?" Kate asked, intrigued by how the girl was so open to sharing compared to her brother.
"Freedom." Natasha gathered the rest of the clothing she was looking for and stood. "I'm sure Niko has told you about our country, the war. I love where I'm from, but I don't belong there anymore." She noticed the toiletries Niko had purchased earlier sitting on the kitchen island and made her way over to grab them. "I need a shower, if you don't mind." She said, before heading to the bathroom.
Once the door clicked shut, Kate turned to Niko. "Why did you bring up your brother, but never said a word about her?" She asked.
He shrugged. "She's supposed to be in Serbia, and she's alive. I figured I'd bring her up when necessary." He laughed. "I guess now's the time."
"How long is she staying?"
"I don't know, she won't tell me." Niko said dryly. "I don't think she plans on leaving."
"Well, since you know all my brothers, maybe I should get to know her. If you don't mind."
"I think you'd be a positive influence for her. I'm warning you though, Natasha isn't as innocent as she leads people to believe." Niko looked over at Kate who tilted her head in thought.
"If she plans on staying, I'll do my best to keep her out of trouble." She finally said.
The door to the bathroom opened and Natasha walked back into the living area, drying her hair with a towel as she took a seat on the far end of the sectional.
"Much better." She said with a sigh.
"Natasha, I have some errands to run tomorrow, would you like to come with me? I'd love to get to know you." Kate asked.
"Sure!" Natasha said, grinning. "I'd like to see some of the city. We can go after Niko and I visit Florian, if that's okay."
"That should work. Niko can drop you off let's say around eleven? We can grab lunch too."
"That'll work." Niko said.
"Great." Kate stood. "I should probably get going so you both can get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow."
Niko joined Kate and walked her to the door.
"Thank you." He said quietly, giving her a quick hug.
"Anytime. I'll see you tomorrow. Don't forget about dinner." She said as she stepped out into the hall and turned toward the elevator.
"So she's the girl you told mother about." Natasha said, grinning at her brother as he shut the door. "She's sweet, you should date her."
Niko rolled his eyes, "It's complicated." He said.
"I don't see how. She seems to like you too. Be happy, brate. You deserve it." Without another word, Natasha abandoned her spot on the couch and headed toward the bed. It had been an exhausting day of travel.
Niko grabbed a blanket and once again settled in for the night. He stared at the ceiling as he contemplated his sister's words. The possibilities played in his head as he drifted off to sleep.
GTAGTAGTAGTAGTAGTAGTA
Sunlight pierced through the windows of the loft causing Niko to blink and turn his head away from the blinding light. He could smell coffee and sat up, looking around until his focus landed on Natasha as she poured herself a cup.
"Morning, sunshine." She said, taking a seat at the island.
Niko stood, rubbing his eyes as he made his way toward her. He looked down at the second cup she had poured for him and smiled.
"Thanks." He said, picking up the cup and taking a slow sip.
"So, when do we visit Florian?" She asked.
"Bernie…and we'll go…" he glanced at his watch. "soon. He should be awake within the hour."
"I'm excited." Natasha sipped from her mug. "I can't wait to get to know your friend Kate."
Niko groaned and turned his attention to her.
"And you'll behave." He scolded. "She's not as adventurous as you."
"Yes, papa. I'll be good. Have a little faith, yeah?" Natasha stood, kneeling by her bags. She pulled out a small box and handed it to Niko.
"What's this?" He asked, studying the box.
"Mother sent it with me. She can't even see what I see…" She said.
Niko carefully lifted the lid, grimacing as he stared down at the diamond ring that rested within the box.
"Mother says you need a nice girl to pull you out of your wicked ways." Natasha held her hands up in defense as Niko glared at her. "I told her not to send it with me, but she insisted. She said you met a nice girl here. She hoped that would persuade you."
Niko snapped the lid shut and set the box on the island.
"You do know she and I aren't dating, right? This is a bit much." He lowered himself down on one of the barstools, shaking his head.
"You've said that. Listen, just tuck it away somewhere. Mother only has the best intentions. She cares for your wellbeing is all." Natasha sighed. "How about we pay Bernie that visit, yeah? Forget about this for now."
GTAGTAGTAGTAGTAGTA
Niko rapped his knuckles against Bernie's door, Natasha eagerly planted next to him.
"Who is it?" Bernie called from the other side.
"Niko. I have…a surprise for you."
"Niko!" Bernie exclaimed as he pulled the door open. He smiled widely at his old friend before noticing who was standing next to him. His eyes widened and he shrieked as he pulled Natasha into and fierce hug.
"Moja devojka! What are you doing here! It's been ages!" He took a step back and rested his hands on her shoulders, taking a long look at her. "My, you have grown up!"
"Yes, I have." Natasha said with a smile. "You've changed as well." She always knew he was…different…but looking around his apartment as she was ushered inside confirmed it.
Bernie always loved Natasha like his sister. As she grew up, he and her brothers would teach her how to defend herself and how to survive in a time of war. Then they left for battle and returned shells of who they used to be. Most of them abandoned their village, some leaving the country entirely.
Natasha never held it against Bernie. She knew he needed to do what was right for him. But without her brothers or her friend life became difficult to handle.
"Would you like some tea? I just started the kettle." Bernie asked, scurrying toward the kitchen.
"Sure." They answered in unison as they took a seat in the living room.
"So tell me, love. What brings you all the way to Liberty City?" Bernie asked as he arranged three mugs with tea bags.
"I've missed Niko. I wanted to see why he chose to come here for myself." She said, ignoring her brothers stare.
The kettle screamed and Bernie poured the hot water into each mug before serving his guests.
"Oh, this place isn't as great and I'm sure he and…Roman…made it out to be." Bernie took his seat and crossed his legs as he took a sip of his tea. "But I am delighted to see you!"
"I was wondering where you ran off to you." Natasha sat her mug on the coffee table and looked at Bernie. "I don't blame you for leaving, the village is still the same shithole it was when you left."
Bernie chuckled and studied both his friends' faces. Niko seemed tense as always, but Natasha had a glimmer of joy in her eyes. He knew she was just happy to be away from their homeland and reunited with her brother once again.
"I'm glad you decided to pay a visit. Sadly, I must head off to work soon." Bernie said solemnly. "We should arrange to have dinner soon! We'll have all night to catch up. Let me give you my number, hun." He said.
Natasha pulled her phone from her back pocket and handed it to him. He quickly added himself to her contacts before handing it back.
"There. Now you can text me whenever you wish and vice versa." Bernie smiled at her.
"We'll let you get ready." Niko said, standing. "Natasha has a big day planned. She's making friends already."
"Really? That's wonderful!" Bernie beat Niko to the door so he could properly see his guests out. He held the door open with his foot as he gave them both a hug. "We will see each other soon. You can tell me all about what you're learning here."
They waved goodbye and the siblings headed toward the building exit.
"Sorry, I forgot his schedule." Niko said.
"It's okay. It's better we have a short visit than he learn elsewhere that I'm in town." Natasha said. "Now, let's go see Kate. I'm sure she won't mind if we're early." She grinned.