Side note: This chapter has also been heavily edited from the old version. If there's an old reader here, just so you know

#2

Playboy did finally call and invite him to the apartment. Well it was less of an apartment and more like a suite, complete With big TV screen, bass boost, pool table. Even he had a jacuzzi on the balcony. It was big, but it wasn't as bigger as whatever tension between Playboy and Dwayne had.

Niko remembered Dwayne from a short conversation between Playboy and Sidney the other day in the car, saying he was imprisoned for drugs. And now he got out. At their little greetings alone, Niko could tell Playboy was already sick and tired of him. Poor Dwayne, the closest thing he got of a welcome party was being ditched by Playboy instantly. Couldn't blame him, they had a job to do.

"So what do I have to do exactly?" Niko asked once they were on the road.

"Dog, you need to get rid of them mafia. When we fuck their people up they'll realize Yusuf Amir isn't a cat to be messed with and they'll back off. You feel me?"

"Okay. How many are they?"

"Shit. My guess is a lot but you can just kill off the big cats runnin' the place. Them gone, the rest is easy. Don't worry, you'll get help." Playboy said. "Hey, pull up on this alleyway here. Our things should be there."

Niko parked the car right next to a black SUV on the corner of the alleyway. Once out, he and Playboy walked up to the car. The driver then got out too.

"Sidney my baby!" Niko watched as the two exchanged handshakes and hugs. "Baby, you got what I need, right?"

"Of course! Here." Sidney then opened the trunk. At the sight of weapons and thrown objects, Niko couldn't help but smirk. "SMGs and ammo, grenades, take anything you like. I bring the radio piece too as you want."

"Lovely!"

Sidney spoke to Playboy yet her attention slowly shifter to Niko. "You didn't tell me the cat's Niko? What's up, dude?"

"Hey." It was the only thing he could think of.

"Alright, dog. Did ya know, Sidney here is the best sniper this town could possible have? She'll guide you through the construction site."

"Sure. I can take down the lookouts on the cranes from up there." Sidney said already setting up her rifle. "I guess we'll split for now. Come on Playboy, let's go up."

Niko watched as the two walked up to the window cleaner cart, or whatever it was called. As the platform moved up, Sidney had looked down and randomly waved at him. He shook his head and snorted. If he had to admit, seeing Sidney was the least he expected, let alone Sidney with full on sniper gear. He knew she had a thing for stealth but shit, it was an AW Magnum she was carrying, a rifle specific for soldiers at war. How did she got that? This only made him a bit curious with her. He knew she was just like him; gun for hire, cat to kill. I know we killers does have shitty story to begin with - he remembered her saying something like that. So what did her story tell?

"Hey Niko, you hear?" Sidney's voice could be heard on the earpiece.

"I'm in position."

"Okay. I'll have a go on three lookouts. Actually I think I can clear out the outside of the yard. But when I do so, they'll be alerted."

"I guess that's my cue to get in."

Hiding behind some containers, Niko scanned the area. There were indeed a couple of guards on the site but there were also more people inside the construction. He was about to turn and sneak pass the guards when a car alarm had gone off, drawing the people to the other side of the site.

"Sidney, what was that?"

"The last one's body fell and hit a car. Whoopsies—hey this is actually a good time for you, dude. They are investigating the car. The east wing is clear. Go to your right." Sidney advised him.

Playboy confirmed. "Yo Niko, big cats. The first cat is in the scaffolding on the east. He's nearby."

"On it."

Niko made his way between the containers, looking for the perfect opening to go in the building. With everyone seemed to pay close attention to the car on the other side, Niko found a good position to shoot the first guy. The second guy was slightly on the back and hiding above. Even that didn't stop Niko from sending bullets straight to his body. The same could be said for the third guy.

"Shit, Money. The last guy is up to the east. And he's surrounded by a lot of mafia cats. Better watch out, man."

Niko had to make a run for a detour, passing back the front yard to cut off the mafia from the other side of the building. As he ran pass, he already saw a couple of bodies laying dead on the ground. One of the body he saw closely had a bullet through the eye. Sidney, he immediately thought, she had done her own duty from above. Glancing up to the building they were at, he was impressed. That was a long way yet she had done pretty neat and silent too.

"Playboy, man. We've got company." Niko heard Sidney abruptly said.

"Shit. You're right. Niko, there's a chopper coming in. I think the last cat is making an escape—Sidney can you take down the pilot?"

"I can try."

"Yeah, do that. Niko, do you have an eye on the cat yet?" Playboy asked.

"Yeah. I see him."

He noticed the unstable helicopter taking bullet damage all over its body. That's when he spotted the target running closely to the copter's direction along with his goons. Niko began his shoot-out, covering behind metal crates and structures. Suddenly there was an explosion on his right side; the helicopter was burning and fell into pieces. At the same time he had a perfect aim to the mafias.

"Yo, Money. I don't see no hear anymore guns. Is it over?" Playboy called out.

"It's done. I got rid of all the union problem in the site."

"I knew you were the right Slavic killer for this job. We'll speak of money later on."

"Nice job boys." Sidney said. "We better bounce. Cops is going to check on the place – hey Niko, come back to the car. I got something for you."

Sidney was already waiting behind the wheel when Niko made it back to the alleyway. Once she saw him, she gesture him to get in.

"Where's Playboy?" He asked.

"He got to deal with the Yusuf guy first. Don't worry he'll be in touch soon. Anyway you did good down there. I might have something for you to do while you're at it. How are you with smuggle item?"

"Been there, done that."

"Here." Sidney said, handing over a piece of paper. "Call this number. Say you're taking my place. He'll down for you."

"How's the pay? Any good?"

"Money is fair, I suppose."

Niko nodded, already slipping the paper to his pocket. "Anything else?"

"I guess not. Now get out of here, dude. I have somewhere else to be."

Niko watched as she drove off to the street and disappeared after the turn.

…

Exactly the next day, Niko came to an apartment on Colony Island. The number Sidney gave him belonged to Roy, a hot-head for illegal auction. Not sure how he got there, Roy operated by taking smuggling items from other cities, even countries, and horde them for potential auction.

So Roy had a delivery coming in, ready to pick up. He was going to pick it up and store it to the lock-up. Sounded simple. The problem was just now the package was stolen by some gang punks who got lucky hijacking a truck of good stuff. Roy didn't want valuable item fell into the wrong hands. So he sent Niko for it.

Contrast with what he had done before, this men were fairly easy to deal with. They were after all some young crooks with limited plan and less of a courage. Within two minutes of Niko's beatdown to three of their guys, they scattered away from the building. One of the punches was quiet effective though, Niko still felt the pain on his jaw tingled slightly. In less than an hour, he already on his way back to Roy's to retrieve the bag.

By the time he got his portion, he received another call from Elizabeta's associates, inviting him to come over this evening. It seemed he didn't have a time-break today. Not that he wanted to. He needed to keep the money rolling.

Some time past and Niko came to Elizabeta's apartment. When he arrived, Elizabeta was having really loud jokes with a couple of people. She noticed him, though, raising glass to him.

"I see you've made it here." Sidney leaned over the bar next to him. "Hey dude."

Niko nodded to her. "New look."

Sidney instinctively reached out to her now auburn hair she recently dyed from her previous blonde. "Do you like it? I got a date with this guy. He likes redhead."

"I dunno. How's the date."

"Yep. Unfortunately it didn't go too well. He treat me like a bitch. He tried being tough on me, tough guy's gotta go." Only then Niko realized that, in her understanding, date was another word for a job, or simply a kill. Sidney casually shrugged. "So how was it? With Roy I mean?"

"Nothing unusual. Though Roy is a bit freaky cowboy. Always talking about Texan this Texan that. He pays good, I'll give you that."

"Now you know why I let you have him on the first place – yeah so anyway, whatcha doing here?"

"I'm not sure. Elizabeta says to be here, so I am."

"Hungry for money, huh?" Sid offered a bottle beer, which he waved off.

"Nikooo! I see you've met my gal here, Sidney!" Elizabeta had swung by the bar to them. "Ey, Donchu dare mess with my gal Niko, or she'll return the favor. She's pretty good at it. Sidney here, she's the best of the best. And most importantly, she is my best."

"I'm so flattered. You sumbitch." Sidney laughed and pecked Elizabeta in the cheek. "Aight, Gotta ride, dude. Next time, yeah babe?"

"Always baby, thank you so much." Elizabeta took a sit at the stool nearby, waving Niko to come. "She might look soft but I promise you really don't wanna mess with her."

"She looks fierce enough."

"Lemme tell you one something, man. With Sidney, I've come a long rocky road with her. Her life ain't so easy. That's what makes her strong. I mean that gal has some balls, man. More than most men." Elizabeta said. "You can say I'm very lucky to have her on my good side. Else, I be a walking dead."

"Such a lovely girl. How you two meet?"

"Prison, man! Freaky prison if you must know. I didn't know her at that time but I knew she was planning. So I reached out. Best decision yet."

"You know, she doesn't seem like the type to get dirty with this business?" Niko blurted out, watching the redhead walked out the door.

"That's cuz she wasn't s'posed to. Unlike me, she was a clean canvas got tainted. But that's an advantage, right? Looks to fool." She told him. "So anyways, man. A bit of business here, Niko. Hear me out."

A simple drug deal took place downtown Dukes, which relatively a clean hood. Still, Elizabeta wanted an insurance Niko could give.

And he delivered, as he always did.

…

"You dickhead. I said, stop gambling! Stop wasting money."

"I'm sorry NB. But I know I can win this bit. It's so close. B'sides we'll be fine. I have saved some of our money."

Niko couldn't help but groaned. "You mean my money? Shit. I gave you half of what I earned just to get you out of debt. And now you're gambling? This is how you waste them? Do you want me to sell you fat ass to some sex trade instead?"

"Ah heh, Niko come on now. Alright I promise I won't be betting of big number."

"I want you to bet no more."

"Mallorie, baby, do you need help in the kitchen? What? Alright I'm coming."

"She is not saying anything. Don't you walk away - Roman! You such a dickhead!"

Mallorie and Roman had invited Niko to have dinner together. Roman decided it would be best if he moved in with Mallorie even though Niko didn't mind to share the room. Perhaps Roman had enough of constant babysitting. The feelings were mutual actually; Niko got tired of him. Mallorie could have his fat ass.

"So Niko, how's things?" Mallorie asked one all were set dining on the couch. "Honestly I rarely seen you anymore."

"Yeah, trying to get busy here and there. Unlike someone else in here," Roman only rolled his eyes. "But things are going great."

"Glad to hear. Good to know you boys are doing okay." Mallorie took a sip on the cream soup.

"Hey Mal, what you know about this woman, Sidney?"

"Sidney? Oh she is one fierce lady. She is awesome. Sidney is like Elizabeta's trusted partner. You know what I think, she is like a ninja. She moves in the shadows, watching over everything. She has returned, hasn't she? Oh I should call her sometime." Mallorie exclaimed excitedly.

"Lots of history, two of them?"

"For sure. Prison bonded them together. They met inside, hook up and et cetera. When out, they saw each other again and started to run the business—why you interested all the sudden?"

"Niko needs someone to warm the bed, right NB?" Roman bantered. Instead of a laugh, he got smacked with rolled napkins.

Eventually Niko ignored him. "I met her on a couple of occasions. She actually gave me a contact. That and also I've been warned about her. Playboy, Lizzy, even that muscle dimwit Brucie knows about her. So I want to make sure."

"Oh chillax about that. Sure she has a rep but guarantee she isn't a threat or a setback. I mean you could watch out, she can be a ticking time bomb. So don't rub her off. But honestly she is cool when you're cool." Mallorie said. "Hmm 's not my place to say this, she has been through a lot in the past. I mean til this day I'm not sure myself. I guess when you know, you know."

"By the way Niko, call Michelle. She misses you," Mallorie reminded him. "Or there's something going on between you two? You know you can talk to me."

"Or me." Roman piped in.

Niko shook his head. "No, nothing's wrong with us. Just, I don't think I can prioritize her more than I have now. But I'll make time."

"Please. She really likes ya, you know. I'm sure she want this to work out."

Niko curtly nodded. "I can only hope so."

#2

Dwayne was rotting too long in a cell and now having a hard time coping with all of the bullshit in his life right now. He didn't realize how life changed, how money changed them. Playboy did warn about his old school mind, but after listening in, Niko concluded Dwayne just needed help.

Hmm. It wasn't so farfetched. Dwayne's life turned upside down reminded so much of Niko's own troubled life. The difference between them was the fact that Dwayne'd given up already, tired and dying. That was one thing Niko couldn't stand. Nothing personal, he just hated weak wuss altogether.

Being the good guy he tried to be, Niko offered help. Said there was some brothers taking over Dwayne's business while he was locked up. By the looks, Dwayne really wanted that strip club. Shit, it was all left from his rep.

So there Niko was, driving out to the Triangle Club on the other side of the town. Dwayne had texted him, that the targets were these three brothers managing the squatter. By the time he reached the parking lot, he took a moment to scan the surroundings.

Suddenly his passenger door was wide open. Entered oh-so-familiar looking face. Niko couldn't help but groaned. "I will never believe if you said you weren't following me."

"I wasn't, tough guy." Sidney snickered. "Ain't my fault you park your car next to mine."

"What do you want? Why are you here anyway? Don't say you actually a stripper in there."

"If I were would you like to see?" Sidney let out a chuckle. "Dude, this hood is my area. I literally live five minutes of here. You, on the other hand, what are you doing in my turf?"

"I wanna see a stripper, getting a nice lap dance. What do you think?"

"With a gun at pocket? I didn't think so." She glanced at the butt of a gun visible under his jacket. "So who is it this time?"

At this point Niko didn't have much choice pushing her nose away from his business. He knew she was the type that always going on and on until her intention was fulfilled, whatever it was. Besides, her presence was strong. He didn't want to put the wrong foot in with her. "If this is really your turf, then you should know who runs that strip club."

"Ah suuure. The Trunchez brothers, Jose, Jésus, Javier. They came to Liberty about three years ago. Joined the Spanish Lords and now owner of the Triangle Club."

"Eek. Wrong answer. This place belongs to Dwayne Forge."

"Dwayne? Oh I see where this goes. What would you get from that old fool? Some old crack?"

"Hey, my work isn't always about money. I'm talking about gentleman's integrity."

"Yeah, whatevs. So what you gonna do huh, tough guy? Raid the place?"

"That's exactly what I'm gonna do. Get in, kill them all, get out."

Sidney nodded curtly. "Oh I see."

"What's wrong, Sid? Cat got in your tongue? Well no worries. I'll be stealthy today. I still have your gun. I'll make a use of it."

"Sure. I warn you though, you mess with them, you're gonna mess with Playboy X. They're sorta business partners."

"Yeah, well I don't care."

"Also, the problem is I'm kinda working for them Trunchez at the moment. So basically what you just said is, you're gonna kill my boss."

"As I said I don't care. But I think you do." Niko asked, his body gestured a more serious mood, as in face to face with the enemy. "Do you?"

Sidney went quiet for a little while, which suddenly became unnerving. The least he wanted to make was an enemy, let alone an enemy right beside him before he could pull something off.

"Okay, Sidney. Time's ticking. I'm going in soon, be back with their heads."

Reluctantly she just shrugged. "Oh what the hell. They've paid enough anyway. Go ahead and shoot."

"Are you planning to snitch?"

She dramatically gasped. "How dare you think so low of me. Damn you Niko Bellic. Well, now that we're talking, I want twenty percent on whatever you're getting from Dwayne, though. You rob me off some good money source, I say that's fair."

"Eh, ten percent?"

"Fifteen then."

"Alright. Deal. Now leave me be."

Niko left her and went into the club, his gun—or perhaps her gun, was securely hidden under his jacket. So Jose, Javier and Jesus, must be triplets, he thought randomly. Niko decided to stay with stealth, killing Jose and Jesus easily since they were inside a closed door. Javier, however, he was seen playing along with one of the strippers there. Stealth time was over. Niko took out his SMG and voila. The three of them flopped dead, along with other bodies.

Quickly he bailed out from the strip club and off back to Algonquin to clear any suspicion. Just then he noticed a piece of paper being fold between the dashboard.

Changed my mind. I keep that 20% thank you very much – Sid (smiley)

…

During a lovely date with Michelle at the bar, Niko received a phone call. A weird one. He didn't think that Elizabeta would want to call personally. Usually it was always Mallorie or her guys who passed information about work or something. So when she suddenly called and asked him to go to a warehouse in south of Algonquin, he couldn't help but slightly suspicious.

And well, so did Michelle.

"Who was that Niko?" she asked once he hung up. "Was it Elizabeta?"

"Why would you think it's Elizabeta?"

"I told you not to get attach to her, Niko. Her world is full of drug addicts."

"I might do errands for her but I'm no dealer, though. I assure you on that one."

"So it was Elizabeta?"

Niko pursed his lips. "It was not. It was Roman."

Michelle nodded, reaching out to hold his hand. "Just please be safe, Niko. Be careful. If you wanna talk about something, anything."

"I promise, darling."

Only after he had dropped her off, he went straight to the address Elizabeta had texted him.

It was a production warehouse and by the looks of it, it was still running. Even at late hour, he could see a couple of active workers as well as security all around the main gate. He looked around the site, trying to figure out what to do or what happened. The location was exactly there yet Niko didn't seem to see any sign of her or anyone at all. If anything, there was no way a drug deal happened inside the warehouse with so many people around.

Suddenly his phone rang. "Elizabeta?"

"Hey dude."

"Oh you have my number now?"

"Don't mind if I do." Sidney said, chuckling to the phone. "Anyway cut to the chase. There's a music shop across you. Go there and take a package. If you're done—"

"Whoa, whoa. You see me? Where are you?" Niko began looking around the area, scanning for the source of the caller. "What the fuck is this?"

"Hey, chill. Don't cause too much noise over there. People might think you're crazy. I'm guiding you, that's all. Lizzy's bid." She said casually. "Okay so as I said get a package from the music shop. It goes by the name of Rachel Abrams. Just say you're her driver or something. When done, go out to this same spot so I can inspect the box."

Niko reluctantly spotted a music store just across the streets. Sonic Sounds, the name of the store was called. As instructed, he went in and retrieved the package, a wrapped box no bigger than a regular. The weight wasn't so heavy either. Once he had it, he went back to cross the street.

"Is this the package?"

"Yep you got them. Now, you see the big apartment right in front of you, yeah?"

"Hard to miss." He said now looking up to the building towering everything else.

"Get in there. There's an emergency exit you can come through on an alleyway next to the book store. When you're in, take the elevator on the far left and go to the sixteenth floor to room twenty-two. Lizzy's waiting."

Once he reached the room, he could hear noises inside the room. Niko knocked several times, secretly his gun was ready if it was necessary. The door opened by Jorge who said something in Spanish presumably telling him Lizzy was in the kitchen, following the finger he was pointing at. He did spotted Elizabeta who was casually sitting on the diner table.

"Elizabeta, what's going on here? What is it?"

"You're right on time, Niko boy—um what's that?" Elizabeta asked looking at the package on his arm.

"I don't know. Sidney told me to take it."

"Oh, okay whatever. Listen, I need you because I trust you with this one. So you better not fuck up." Elizabeta warned him.

"I know how to do stuff. What is it you need?"

"I've been holding back bids because there's this son of a bitch who has been stealing from me for days, harboring my coke for himself. See all of this shit he took from me? That son of a bitch." Elizabeta said pointing to a bag of cocaine on the floor. "Your job is to take them back to my lock-up."

"That's it?"

"Two thing, Niko. One, don't you dare try to steal my fucking coke. Two, if the police are onto you, you're on your own."

"I know the rules." Niko pointed out. "And the son of a bitch?"

"Ah, Sidney is taking care of it."

Just then the other door on the other side of the room opened. Sidney had come out from the bathroom, looking rather dirtier than cleaner. Most of her clothes were soaked wet, especially around her torso. Her face was also wet from splashes of water. Niko's eyes immediately caught with something inside the bathroom. A man wearing only shower robe laying lifelessly on the floor, body sprawled in different direction.

Niko rose an eyebrow. "Is that the guy? Did you kill him?"

"No. He slipped and fell, hit his head on the ceramic sink. If you know what I mean." Sidney answer casually, looking around the bathroom. "Oh yeah, you got my box?"

"This one?"

"Nice. Take that to the lock-up too."

Niko frowned. "What exactly is this?"

Sidney let out a quick laugh. "Ehee, that's a package you stole from Rachel."

"You prick."

"Oh relax. She stole it from me, might as well steal it back, right?"

"Alright that's enough both of you. Niko, take the boxes to the truck. Jorge will help you to it. Sidney, hurry the fuck up."

As he began packing up, he couldn't help but watch whatever Sidney did and how she always moving the dead body in different position. "What exactly is she doing with the body?" Niko asked abruptly aand amused. "Don't you just dump it somewhere?"

Elizabeta turned to him. "Oh so you have done that? Disposing bodies?"

Niko had a quick recap on what happened to Vlad. "Humboldt River helps."

"Nah, too much movement all at once. We deep in the middle of the public. Too risky." Elizabeta opposed the idea. "Besides, Sidney's is good at making accidents happened, you know what I mean. Listening to the news, don't think any of her kills has ever reported as murder. Whaddaya say Sidney?"

It was now Sidney's to turn her attention to them "What you were saying?"

"I said none of your kills are reported."

"Oh sure. So far, at least."

Niko knew of fair rumors and enough warnings that made him think Sidney was someone he shouldn't mess with. He remembered what Mallorie said, what Lizzy said, what Brucie said. He had heard her skill from people's claim. He had seen what she could do on the field. By then he already had a guess about who she was and how she did things. She had a thing for stealth and what he just witnessed now made sense.

That then, he began to realize her true position in this crime world. She was no ordinary killer. She was secretly an ice killer who 'accidentally' had killed what he could assume was a lot of people, which sound all too familiar. To this day he didn't know much about her, her background. But there were similarities that himself could see in her. Always looking for money, good with guns, even better at stealth, and best at killing. And the best part, no one every suspect her for everything she had done. Sidney was a serious business. And he should pay attention to her more.

He realize that of her, and began to wonder. He wondered of her story and why she did what she did on the first place. He wasn't so sure but there was something interesting about her and her life.

But right now it could wait. He had drugs to be taken care of. Besides, he had a feeling that they would meet again soon.