Disclaimer:
Hey there. The idea of this story I had in my mind for A lot of years, but only now I have decided to write it down. When GTA V came out, I hoped the 3 protagonists' relations will be similar to IV, as they only crossed paths against each other. Since V came out and they turned out to be 3 friends, I had an idea in my mind that the Niko, Luis, and Johnny need to realistically work together at least once, by A mutual employer, and uncover truths about each other. I made A weeks' long deep research, so all the dots connect, and decided not to bring newly invented characters at all, or rarely. English is not perfect, but i expect real reviews please so i can improve. ENJOY.
Chapter 1.
Colony Island, Liberty City,
January 23rd. 2009.
The downfall of the McReary family had it's final nail in the coffin. It was the funeral of Maureen McReary, the mother of Derrick, Gerald, Francis, Kate and Patrick, and the wife of Thomas McReary. She was buried at the Colony Island Cemetery, and unlike most deaths within the family, Maureen's grave was visited by A lot of people who wanted to share with her her last moments. Her sister from Ireland flew all the way, her neighbors around the block followed suit and regular church visitors paid A visit too. Even hustlers from the neighborhood and IRA members from Ireland paid homage. Patrick, her youngest of all sons, was at one side of the grave, while Francis (Accompanied by fellow LCPD officers), who cut his ties with the family but his mother, was on the other side. Both tried to avoid each other, since Packie was A known criminal in the city and Francis was the Deputy Commissioner of the Liberty City Police Department. Amongst the crowd of Irish and other elderly people, A relatively young, eastern European guy was standing next to Packie, wearing A dark Perseus suit and sunglasses.
Niko did not really want to come. He witnessed too many unnecessary funerals ever since arriving at Liberty City, including Kate McReary's. Katie was the only daughter of Thomas and Maureen's five children. The only one, besides her mother in the family who was not involved with crime anyhow. Niko always thought she was the perfect example of A "Saint", and she was the only woman Niko truly loved for the past decade. She was the last member of the family anyone expected to die by A gun wound, yet there she was, dead for almost half A year. Niko had a hard time recovering/ After all, She died after he promised to protect her, and leave the world of crime. She died because of A mistake of his, because someone wanted him dead, and killed her instead. To this day, he believes he is to blame for her death/ Niko did not want to come to this funeral for this reason alone, but Packie insisted and Niko refused to be stubborn about it. Niko and Packie considered themselves real friends. They've had each other's backs ever since they met, especially Niko helping family business and the rest of the brothers. For A moment, they thought they would even be brothers-in-law, until the absolute worst happened.
After most of the people started to go away, Packie turned to Niko.
"Thanks man, it meant A lot." Packie said.
"It's nothing Packie, thank you for the invitation" Niko replied and then turned away only to be stopped by Packie.
"Listen Niko' I think you should know this. With everyone in my family gone and Gerry in the cell, there is nothing for me to do in this city no more. Our operations have completely crumbled since Gerry can't operate from prison, and no guidos use us as muscle anymore, the luck of the Irish in LC has died down, and I sure as hell am not gonna stay in A city where Frankie is bound to be Police commissioner. I'm gonna leave LC for good. Start over somewhere else."
Niko was too surprised to even react, but he did not have to, Packie continued
"There is one last thing I have to do before I head out. I decided to tie up loose ends. With you icing that guinea Pegorino, there is one last blow needed to be handed: them Albanians."
Niko was not surprised. Mcrearys and the Albanians struggled for power in Liberty City, since both were hired as muscle for the 2 weakest Italian families in the area: Mcrearys for the late Pegorino family and the Albanians for the Ancelottis. For the 2 families, it was A mean of proxy war, but for the 2 gangs, it was bad blood. Niko did not forget the trouble the Albanians caused for his cousin Roman, and did not forget about them gunning down Derrick's funeral.
"So what do you say Niko? One last run together?" asked Packie,
"Sure Packie, call me when you have got everything set up." Niko replied, and this time he turned around to leave and was not interrupted. He entered the Cavalcade, the car his cousin uses for Taxi services around the city, and drove away.
While driving, he thought about the Mcreary family. Packie was one of his only true friends here in LC. Roman is family, the closest person to Niko and They relate A lot about their past in the old country, growing up in poverty and war. But He was too optimistic for him. He may have A serious gambling addiction that got himself involved with criminals, but he is not A criminal himself, he cannot comprehend the mind, the feelings, the struggle of A killer like Packie can. For American standards, Packie also had A rough childhood, maybe that is why they get along so well.
He thought about Kate. What an angel. So beautiful, so honest. Sometimes she reminded him of the girls from the village, definitely not the typical urban girl. He wanted to settle down, stop dealing with crime completely, and she was willing to take A chance on him.
And then he thought about Francis, the sheriff of Liberty. Like Packie, Niko did not want to live in the city he held the keys to. He still wondered what to do with the file Francis has on him, but there is not much to do. He had the chance, A few months ago when he aimed A sniper rifle against his wishes at him, just A second before he turned the aim towards Derrick and took the shot. He wished sometimes he would dare kill Francis but he knew it was impossible. with the key position he held, they would find the killer in no time and it would be all over, yet no one would make A fuss about an old career criminal/terrorist turned junkie turning up dead. Besides, Francis blackmailed him into doing this, he did not really have A choice. To comfort himself with the decision, He reminded himself how Derrick reminded him of Darko, selling out his friends and turning into A drug and alcohol addict.
Niko arrived at the improved cab depot in Hove beach, stopping by Roman's and his apartment to change the suit for casual clothes. As he entered the office, he saw Mallorie was sitting at the desk with her pregnant belly, typing something in the computer in front of her, and heard Roman shout at the telephone.
"Come on Mohammed, just go there….. I don't care if she is married and can not have sex with you!" And he hung up the phone angrily, and then he saw Niko.
"Hey cousin! Glad you came. Did another Liberty City lady miss out A day of work after A night with A Bellic?" Said Roman
"Sure cousin, She heard the name Bellic and went into hiding for good" Niko joked back.
Hey cousin," said Roman, "We need to talk about something before you start your shift." And they headed out of the office. After Kate's funeral, Niko decided to stop the killing, stop the crimes and started working as A cab driver for Roman's depot full-time. Try to be as normal as possible.
Ironic.
Niko never managed to be "normal". He was offered to run the depot together with Roman, but Niko rejected the offer. Niko knew Roman had been through too much and worked hard in order to get the depot working. For Niko, taking control of his hard earned business seemed unfair. He wants, just like Roman, to work hard for his earnings. Unlike Roman, It did not matter he owned an apartment in Algonquin, A golden comet and an orange infernus. He used one of Roman's cabs for day-to-day needs. Sometimes, he took only half of the salary he deserves and gave the rest to Roman. He is not A big spender anyway. He mostly worked to not feel bored. He accepted big-money offers assignments from time to time, but only occasionally if it paid real well and the job was low-risk.
"Listen Niko," Roman started talking as they were walking around the street. "Our apartment in Algonquin is really useful. For Mallorie and me, for you. But soon we are going to have A baby.."
"You want me to leave the apartment".Niko completed his sentence, before Roman could continue.
"Just a temporary arrangement, cousin. I want to move to Alderney, I hear it's the best place to raise A family. I want to start A depot there, and I will need you to manage this one."
"Having A sensible thought is something I'm not expecting from you, cousin. I guess the wedding and the baby changed you haven't they?" said Niko, clearly implying he's okay with Roman's message.
". Ahh but it's all long-term. For now, I can arrange A new apartment to rent for you near the depot. Something nice. not too big, but Impressive enough for the Liberty City ladies."
"Same old Roman Bellic" ranted Niko in Serbian.
"What about you NB?" Asked Roman, " When will you settle down finally? You could buy A home in Alderney next to me and we'll raise our families together. Mallorie and me, You and Mrs. NB, our children together away from the village and war, away from Europe."
"Not now, cousin" He replied in Serbian and switched back to English " I'm not ready yet."
"Well, when will you be? I feel unfortunate for Kate too, cousin. But you cannot mourn her forever. Have you even dated anyone since that day?"
They both knew what Roman meant by 'that day'.
"I tried, cousin, 3 different ladies." Niko replied "But it feels like plastic bimbos, Liberal lawyers and rich Algonquin daddy girls are the only types of ladies this city can produce."
"Maybe we should import A nice girl from the old country for you, Cousin. Haha" joked Roman.
"Sure Roman," replied Niko.
Suddenly, his phone rang. Niko looked at the screen to see who called him, and he could not hide from Roman his shocking reaction to the name on the screen. Someone he did not expect, never imagined to see on his cellphone again.
"Talking about girlfriends. Shit" ranted Niko in their language.
"Who is it cousin?"
Niko showed Roman the screen, and he could not hide his expression as well.
The screen read:
"Michelle".
Reluctantly, Niko picked up the call.
"What do you want?" Asked Niko
"Hey Niko," said the woman on the line, formerly known as Michelle, now known as Karen, "We need you to meet us at our offices in Algonquin, something's big come up."
"I thought I was done with you. I did everything you asked for."
"And we granted you A huge favor for that, but now something bigger came up and only you can help us. I promise you we will help you again big time. We are waiting for you, please come. See you, Niko"