SO! Long time no posting… turns out bed rest and stress while pregnant will put you into labor early. Go figure. But after the LONGEST hospital stay of my life, I am home, back to work, back to whatever life is, and managed to edit and fix some stuff in this chapter. Without further ado, here it is. Chapter 8. Enjoy! One Love.
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The sun peaked through the large window, slowly making its trek up the bundled comforter toward the sleeping forms. Slow movements, rustling sheets, and a content sigh tickled his ear. He was warm, comfortable, and relaxed. His mind was softly stirring toward consciousness, and he shuffled toward the source of heat that was pressed firmly along his side. The solid mass huddled closer to him and he lifted his arm to be able to pull it closer.
A hushed, sappy sounding sigh blew across his chest, and he nuzzled into the thick pillow against his cheek. He couldn't remember a time when he let himself just tumble back toward sleep and he shifted ever so slightly to find the perfect position to drift back off.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
A vibrate shot across the pillow and he grumbled at the interruption.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
"Ugh… Not today…" Niko moaned as he cracked his eyes open to the brilliant sunlight that poured in and covered the floors and foot of the bed.
"What's that?" Kate mumbled, trying to tuck herself back under the covers and resting place against Niko's chest.
"Stupid phone. Probably some lame ass job…" Niko yawned heavily and turned toward Kate, pulling her into his arms and settling down on the bed, trying to ignore the way his pillow vibrated.
"Job? Whaaa…" Kate echoed his yawn and grumbled a couple of incoherent words, going lax against his body.
The buzzing stopped and they both sighed with the quietness that fell over the bed once more. There was a peaceful lull to the way their minds drifted off back to la-la land. Their bodies were warm, tired, and happy to just simply be still and recharge a little longer. The rest of the world could wait a few more hours.
That was till the annoying buzzing and vibrating started up again.
"I'm gonna shoot whatever it is that is trying to wake me…" Niko halfheartedly warned, rolling to his back to try and find his own cell phone to silence the call. He blearily opened his eyes once more and looked over toward his nightstand.
"Go ahead. I'll just be laying here waiting for you to return." Kate's muffled words caused Niko to chuckle. She reached out to him and playfully tugged on his arm to try and get him to roll back over toward her. She didn't like the space or coldness that tried to seep into the bed.
He caught her hand and reached out with his other to lift his phone off the nightstand, only to see that his screen was blank and there was no missed calls or text icons flashing, "Huh. Not my phone."
"Shit!" Kate shot up in bed and lifted her pillow trying to find where her phone had ended up after their numerous love making sessions, "It's probably Mal. Damnit…" She frantically started to flip the covers back, patting around to locate the vibrating device.
"What would Mal want at this hour?" Niko squinted his eyes to read the time on his phone and balked. It was past 0900. He looked back toward the window and sure enough the sun was definitely up and shining brightly against the pale blue sky. 'How long have we been out?!'
"She- Ugh!" Kate turned over to lift up on her knees, throwing a spare pillow over her shoulder to the end of the bed, "Long story."
Niko rolled to his other side to watch his girlfriend panic and comically flop around on the bed to try and find the blasted cell phone, "I have time." He let a small, bemused smile grace his lips as she angrily swiped at her mess of hair to get it away from her face.
"I texted her last night to check in with her. You know she's only got like four months or so to go before the baby gets here." Kate huffed and turned to look at Niko expecting him to join in helping her find her cell phone.
"June something right?" Niko slid his hand under his own pillow, easily finding the annoying device.
"Humorously, it will probably end up being Father's Day at this point." Kate held her hand out to him and waited for him to hand over the phone.
"Roman!" Niko let out a deep laugh. Only his cousin would land his luck so perfectly. It was rather fitting that his cousin would officially become a dad on the holiday designated for celebrating fatherhood.
"The phone please. She is probably wanting to know if I plan to join her this morning or not." She waggled her fingers and got ready to pounce on him should he refuse to hand it over easily.
"Join her?" He lifted his eyebrow as the phone call went to voicemail. His eyes trailed over her nude form and turned the phone in his hand to get a firm grip on it. If she was feeling playful, he didn't mind.
"Yes! Her doctor told her to start getting some light exercise. Since Roman has to work, she has been going to Middle Park for morning walks. She hates doing it alone and asked if I would join her." Kate scooted closer, watching as he moved the phone further away from her. Once her words clicked to him, Niko paused his movements.
"Alone?" Niko lowered his hand that held her cell phone and felt his stomach still coldly. Just what was she thinking walking around in the park all by herself?! After everything that had happened no less! Did they really think things were over and done with? Then again Mal had never been the target…
"I was going to talk to you about it. I just found out myself last night. I don't like her being out in the cold, alone, with no one around to help her should she need it." Kate sighed and turned to lean back into the headboard pulling the covers over her legs, "I know how you feel about me being by myself, and I can only image how paranoid you'd get if I was in her condition."
Niko's eyes darted to her flat stomach and back up to her face. The alarm bells blared loudly in his head before he shook himself from the thought. Kate most definitely wasn't pregnant. Would not be getting that way any time soon. Dread built along his spine, and he lightly dropped the cell phone by her hip. But Kate did make a very valid point. He most certainly would not appreciate Kate walking around outside, exposed, and a moving target without being within range should something happen. Too much wanted to fall down around them, and he wouldn't take the chance anymore.
"Roman is either unaware of her walks, or he's just as big of an idiot as I assume him to be." Niko sighed and sat up on the bed, "And no. I don't like her being out in the park by herself."
The cell phone started to ring again, and Kate hurriedly answered the call, "Hey-"
"If he doesn't let you out of bed right this instant to talk to me, I am marching up to the apartment and dragging you away from him!" Mallorie's angry, accented voice screamed over the line causing Kate to remove the phone from being pressed against her ear.
"Easy Mal!" Kate clicked on the speakerphone, "I have you on speaker. We just woke up. Late night."
"Is that so? Well at least you aren't plagued by pregnancy insomnia. Literally can't sleep at all." Mal huffed out a string of what sounded like Spanish curse words.
"I'm sorry to hear that." Niko spoke up and leaned over the phone to kiss Kate's cheek, "I'll get the shower going. We can be out the door in ten." He whispered the words against the shell of her ear before rolling over to get out of the bed, collecting a few articles of clothing as he went.
"Well thank you! At least someone has pity for me. Idiota Roman can't be bothered to quit breathing long enough for me to pass out before him!" Kate slapped a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing out loud.
"How very inconsiderate of him." Kate bit her lip and shook her head when Niko glanced over his shoulder completely confused by her words, "Anyway. You at the park already or are you on your way?"
"I'm sitting on this freezing bench, ass frozen in place, waiting on your lazy butt to get down here- Yes! Good morning, Tom!"
"Okay! Okay! I'll get dressed and be down in a minute, or just head up to the apartment and get out of the cold. Lord above woman." Kate sighed and scrambled out of bed, doing a weird hopping walk as the floor felt ridiculously cold against her bare feet.
"Great! I'll be up in a second!" The call ended with click.
"Better hurry up Kate. I've seen her impatient side." Niko smirked at her as she nearly dashed across the room toward the bathroom door.
"She won't get mad at me." Kate stuck her tongue out at Niko as she brushed past him into the cold bathroom, "She likes me more."
"Oh really? And when did my ranking get passed up?" He laughed as she squirmed to get out of his reach when he went to grab her. His amusement only grew as she continued to dash around out of his reach. He felt better after having such a dark and heavy day prior.
"Around the time I decided to host her baby shower." Kate rushed over to the shower door and immediately cranked the knob to ungodly hot to hopefully warm up the room quickly. She was starting to shiver with the unwelcomed cold air that hovered in the apartment.
"Not at this apartment." Niko spoke flatly as he pulled the bathroom door shut, dropping his clothes to the top of the bathroom counter. It wasn't that he didn't want to support his cousin and cousin-in-law, but the thought of having a bunch of women in his personal haven, talking babies, marriage, girly things set him on edge. It really shouldn't be an issue, but with the way yesterday had played out kept him feeling guarded. They had just gotten to a good place between them, and he wasn't ready to reopen the subject just yet.
'One thing at a time…'
"There wouldn't be enough space here anyway. I was thinking of either booking a hotel ballroom kind of thing. Or- I don't know. The community center does have a few rooms that are attached to an outside playground. I do think her family will want to be part of this child's life. And her extended family has loads of kids, babies, cousins, friends…" Kate ran her fingers over the edge of the shower door watching the steam billow up off the tiled floor. Her mind was starting to spiral out of control, and she longed to keep her reservations at bay just a little longer.
"You sound unsure of something." Niko moved closer and trailed his fingers over her shoulder blade. He knew the look she got when her mind wanted to bring something up, but her heart told her no. Her nose would wrinkle, eyes would slightly squint, and her bottom lip would disappear into her mouth. He had seen it numerous times over the past few months, and he figured she would speak on things when she was ready.
"It's a lot of people we don't know. And… Well. I have this feeling that our calendar is about to be chalked full of events, parties, and things we will be forced to attend... Or endure. If dinner was any indication of that…" Kate shook her head slowly and carefully ducked into the hot spray of the shower, her body immediately going lax under the calming effects of water. There was still a bitter taste that wanted to surface with the vivid memories of being at the dinner table with her brother.
"Like what?" Niko followed her in and nearly flinched at the temperature of the water. Scalding hot was not how he liked to shower. How Kate's skin didn't melt off he would never know.
"For starters, you really think we won't be invited to Francis' swearing in party?" Kate soaked her hair thoroughly before grabbing the shampoo bottle. It was a thought that kept circling around in her mind. Once Frankie got better, he was bound to be sworn in as Commissioner as soon as possible. And her mind wanted to think it was a good thing- something to celebrate, but a darker, more prominent thought derailed her.
'Just what will Gerry think…Or do?'
"I hadn't given it much thought." Niko twisted the knob back a hair in order to stand the heat of the water before moving under the showerhead. It wasn't necessarily a lie, he had a brief thought about what all was going to happen once the title fell before her brother's name, but otherwise his mind had been preoccupied with Derrick's death, and how he was going to either cover up the incident or come clean- neither was a pleasant thought.
"His Deputy party was a very upscale and froo-froo ordeal. Ma enjoyed the glitz and glam, but I felt so out of place. I don't exactly fit in with the rich and famous in this city. Granted I was rather star struck by a couple of people. Mitt's retirement party will also be something I know I will be invited to. I'm too close to everyone at the station to not be on the guest list." She paused in lathering her hair to give Niko an expectant look, "Don't forget Saint Patrick's Day. The parade and ensuing madness can't be missed this year."
"What now?" Niko frowned at the thought of having to buy yet another suit or two in order to go to some stuffy rich party, but he would be damned if he let Kate go alone. Just the thought of her being done up in a room of prying eyes without him was not something he was willing to let happen. Didn't matter how much security was present at these events. Plus, Francis would be a huge target and it would be the most optimal chance to strike. A sour thought about the wedding drifted across his memory before he focused on washing himself.
"You know? Saint Patty's Day! You wear green, drink a ton, and celebrate everything Irish. With Gerry being out of prison, I'm sure he is going to want to throw the over the top Dukes parade this year. Hell, I wouldn't put it past him to use it as cover to get some big drug deal accomplished. The cops will be focused on the parade and crowd control that the harbor will be nearly deserted." Kate huffed as she scrubbed her body quickly. Knowing Mallorie, she would be in the apartment already and pacing around the living room waiting on her.
"And of course, Easter, but without Ma this year the family probably won't even acknowledge it. Mal also told me about Roman's wish for having a legitimate wedding reception. Without the guns, explosions, and kidnapping." Kate rolled her eyes and finished rinsing off her hair and body.
"Sounds like we are about to be very busy." Niko watched as Kate maneuvered around him to the shower door in order to grab a towel. She was barreling through the conversation, and he knew something was lurking beneath the surface with her. She didn't sound excited, happy, or like she was looking forward to any of the mentioned events. Granted he wasn't exactly thrilled about having his months planned out so unwillingly, but their relationship was new territory for him, and he was willing to endure some of the motions… So long as it kept them happy and safe.
"The problem is, I kind of don't want to be busy." Kate sighed heavily and wrapped the towel around her body, before leaning into the glass door. 'I just want to focus on Valentine's Day and making sure you and I are on the same page. Truly, wholly, and steadily headed toward the same things…'
"Fair. Could use some actual downtime." Niko went back to washing his own body not wanting to be caught in the shower when Mallorie barged into the apartment. He knew her patience only lasted so long.
"Exactly! But I just know how this is all going to play out. First Francis is going to somehow guilt me into agreeing to go to Mitt's retirement soiree. Even if I already feel obligated to go. Then I know you and I will be his guests of honor to his swearing in ceremony. Where the news media will hound us, outliers will want to get to know us, and the ever growing target on our shoulders will expand." Kate stepped out of the shower and started to dry her body off. The resentment of Ma no longer being around squeezed her heart. Ma always enjoyed getting to celebrate her children's accomplishments, and this was the one thing she always bragged about when it came to Francis.
"And while having a boyfriend for the Saint Patty's Day festivities is going to be awesome, I can't shake this ridiculous fear that the parade will be attacked or something. There is always an uptick in murder, crime, and violence that day in Dukes. Never fails." She rolled her eyes to the ceiling and bent over to wrap her hair up in another towel, completely ignoring Niko in the shower, "I mean honestly. Drunk Irishmen stumbling around boasting about who has better tolerance isn't exactly how I envision showing you the holiday."
Niko watched her walk over to the counter and wipe the mirror clear in order to study her reflection. He wasn't exactly thrilled about the thought of having to scope out so many places for enemies, but the idea of getting to have fun wasn't so bad. They hadn't ever had just a fun, relaxed, and normal-ish date. One where they could just be themselves out in public. Not trying to hide their feelings or trauma. He couldn't even think of a time where he had been able to cut loose outside of his apartment. Especially with her.
"And then I got to figure out how to plan a baby shower and help them with a wedding reception?" Kate sighed and pulled the towel loose from her hair in order to dry her curls.
Niko turned off the shower and quietly secured the towel around his waist as his girlfriend somewhat deflated against the bathroom counter. He could see the stress build along her shoulders and spine. Not how he wanted them to start the day after spending most of the early morning taking away the tension and anxiety. On silent feet he approached her from behind and dropped a kiss to the top of her shoulder, "Remember. One thing at a time."
She met his gaze in the fogged up mirror and let a small smile lift her lips, "Together though, right?"
"Together." Niko let the silent sigh slip between his lips before placing another kiss to the top of her exposed shoulder.
"But Valentine's Day first?" Kate shifted off the counter and into his solid frame, her body giving a shiver of relief at the feel of him against her. The way she knew he'd feel- no boney shoulder, cold hands, and off smelling scent. Just firm, tone, and secure Niko.
"If you two are done steaming up the bathroom, a pregnant lady would like to use the toilet!" Mallorie knocked on the door and sarcastically called out.
"Be right out." Niko raised his voice slightly and smirked at Kate in the mirror, "Just making sure the room is nice and warm for you."
"I swear you are worse than Roman!" Mal huffed and jiggled the doorknob playfully, "Leave my girlfriend alone and let her escort me around the lake in Middle Park. Need to stretch these legs and get the blood flowing."
"Oh I know one way to stretch the legs and get the blood flowing…" Niko whispered into Kate's ear before dodging backward as she spun around to swat at him.
"Coming Mal!" Kate bit her lower lip and dragged her eyes over Niko's bare chest wishing they had more alone time. Quickly she picked up her towel and covered herself as best as she could before marching over to the bathroom door. A long walk outside with her friend sounded good to her and it would give her a chance to ask some questions for the upcoming holiday. She wanted to do something special for Niko and only felt safe discussing it with Mallorie.
"I didn't think you'd ever get away from him." Mallorie smiled brightly as Kate opened the bathroom door. She studied her two friends and felt content with what she saw. They looked at ease, happy, and in high spirits. A complete change from what Kate was texting her about last night. If there was any two people that belonged together, it was her two friends, and she was determined to keep them that way.
"Hard to want to leave, if you know what I mean." Kate returned the smile and nodded toward the bedroom asking Mal to move aside in order to go finish getting ready.
"In so many ways." Mal winked toward Niko and turned away from the bathroom to give Kate space to exit, "Now if this is going to become our thing? Maybe set an alarm so I don't have to wait on you?"
The bathroom door softly clicked closed and Kate let out a silent sigh. The anxiety of the upcoming months wanted to crush her building optimism of her and Niko's newfound level of commitment. Just how much was Niko willing to endure with her? Family events were one thing- Mallorie would be able to convince Niko to join them for any number of holidays, but high society events? Something that was so far out of both of their comfort zones? And now of all times? When danger was waiting around every turn?
"Earth to Kate?" Mal moved into Kate's line of sight; eyebrows drawn down in concern. 'Okay maybe she isn't as happy and calm as I thought…'
"Sorry. Lots to think about." Kate snapped her eyes up to meet her friend's gaze and attempted to smile away the questions she could see building on her face. She would need to pull it together quickly before Mal unearthed everything with a simple guess.
"Like the bombshell announcement on the news this morning?! Mitt is retiring. After twenty something years on the force!" Mal crossed her arms and glanced around the room noticing the large suitcase on the floor by Niko's dresser, "Then again it was Weazel News, and they don't always get the full truth before blasting their headlines out there for all to hear…"
"Oh? They broke the news this quick?" Kate hummed out an annoyed sound and knelt down by her suitcase, immediately opening it to find some warm winter clothes to wear for their walk. She had hoped the announcement could be held off till her brother was out of the hospital.
"You knew?" Her voice raised slightly and caused Kate to grimace at giving something away. 'Not the best at keeping secrets now a days…'
"Well. After what happened in Holland yesterday, I was visiting my brother in the hospital and happened to be present when Mitt let Frankie know." Kate thumbed the collar of one of her heavy winter sweaters and decided it would be thick enough to withstand the cooler air down by the lake. The faded notebook paper sticking out from under a pair of jeans caught her attention and her mind went blank.
'Derrick… Just what was going on with you?'
"Is he okay?" Mallorie moved to sit on the edge of the bed, rubbing her growing belly lovingly, worry evident in her voice. She had seen the news, talked to Roman extensively about it. But neither one of them could get ahold of Niko or Kate. Then she had seen them climbing into Niko's car and dashing away from the apartment building on the broadcast. The news anchor had been rather rude in assuming her friends had something to do with the explosion.
Kate's texts late at night had put some of her fear to bed, but there were other concerns now…
"Oh yeah. A day or two tops…" Kate pulled the sweater and the pair of jeans out of the suitcase and stood upright, "Not sure the extent of what happened, but he seemed to be doing good yesterday." She tried to snap out of it and back on the topic at hand. Her family's crazy, eventful lives would have to wait a few more hours to process.
"That's good to hear. But what happened to land him in the hospital?!" She watched as Kate dropped her clothes to the bed next to her and went about opening a drawer on the dresser.
"Bomb went off at a crime scene." Kate sighed heavily and turned in time to see Niko emerge from the bathroom dressed in his usual jeans and long sleeve shirt.
"How awful! One of the hairdressers at my salon said her boyfriend lost his apartment due to some kind of explosion yesterday. Was just insane what they were talking about! So I guess it's true? Some crazed Russian gangster rigged his unit to explode in order to get rid of his competition?" Mallorie shifted her eyes between her two friends as they stilled their movements with her words.
"I wouldn't say that's entirely true. But close enough. The last of the Rascalov gang was murdered in the unit, and someone else rigged it to blow up to cover their tracks." Niko figured it was a better summary than what the news outlets were going to be giving people. But he was curious now as to who was connected to the unit and mentioned it to Mallorie.
"Sounds like you know a lot more than what is being said." Mal tilted her head to the side and took Niko's outstretched hand, standing up slowly from the bed.
"I do. Let's give Kate a moment to get dressed and I'll fill you in." He noticed Kate send her thanks as he guided Mallorie back toward the living room.
"Look if things are about to get ridiculous again, I'd like to know now before we end up in another war zone." Mallorie huffed as she let Niko walk her back into the living room. She didn't blame him for anything that happened during her wedding to Roman, but she also wasn't prepared to go through it all again while pregnant. Everything in her life was changing or losing its meaning rapidly. The only thing she seemed to truly focus on was the growing blessing inside her. And it raised her level of fear drastically every time the news mentioned one of her friend's names.
"I really don't know. I thought I'd be able to just put this all to bed and be done with it." Niko released her and moved around the kitchen island to start disassembling the sniper rifle he had brought up to the apartment from his car. Kate had been so adamant about him bringing all his weapons with him to the dinner that he momentarily forgot he had the thing in the storage compartment of the Infernus. Kate had to hold the gun on the ride home since her suitcase took up the entirety of the small trunk.
"Since when has anything ever worked out that way?" Mallorie dropped down on to one of the kitchen bar stools and watched Niko release the magazine to the giant weapon, frowning at the sight of it. Since her wedding day she had grown suspicious of just about everyone around her and she was draining herself trying to stay aware of what was said and what shouldn't be said. She had messed up bad enough with inviting Michelle, aka Karen, into their lives. And with how the past few months had gone? There was no way she wanted to be responsible for making that mistake again.
"I am getting the feeling that things will never be over with." Niko jerked the bolt action back and caught the round that tumbled loose from the chamber. That was the honest truth and what he felt with his entire being. Things would never be done. Not until he knew without a doubt his past was done haunting him.
"Never say never. The bitch is dead. And so is everyone else?" She lifted her eyebrow as Niko leaned into the island marble top. She could see the worry as it etched in the crease of his eyes, the strain that wanted to pull on his arms, and the flash of something dangerous flick along his brow. 'Just how bad is it all about to get?'
"Everyone directly involved, yes." Niko thumbed the large caliber round in his hand and glanced down the makeshift hall toward where he knew Kate was taking her time getting dressed. Whether to give him a chance to talk to Mal or just needing her own space, he wasn't sure.
"But we all know how these things go- kill one leader, just for someone else to take over. Happened with Vlad. Happened with Mikhail. And I'm sure it will happen with Dimitri and Natalya's passing. You can never really get rid of criminal divisions." She fiddled with the edges of her puffy jacket sleeves, "But as long as they know to leave you be, things will be alright. I haven't heard anything from my inner circle of friends that imply someone wants you gone."
"I don't want you having to go asking around Mal. You have enough on your plate without the added risk of my fucked up mistakes coming back to hurt you." Niko picked up the magazine and seated the loose round. The last thing he needed was his own family to start sticking their nose into other people's business to figure out if he was being hunted. This was something he was going to have to figure out on his own… And preferably without anyone getting hurt.
"Niko I am literally friends with everyone in this city. Ain't no way I won't hear something eventually. And after Roman settled all his debts things have been easier to handle. I don't have to worry about random strangers approaching the taxi depot asking for money, or leaving threatening messages on the answering machine, or worse the awful emails. First it was the Albanians, then the Russians, and now its no one. The way it needs to stay." She turned as she heard footsteps approaching and smiled as Kate emerged into the kitchen, looking fully insulated to handle the cold weather outside.
"You two ready to head out?" Kate fastened the zipper closed on her large winter coat and glanced between her boyfriend and best friend. She could see the uneasy tension and figured they were talking about what had happened yesterday. She would fill in Mal better once they were able to talk one on one.
"We having Niko tail us?" Mallorie smirked at her cousin-in-law and slid off the bar stool, "I feel so special. Like the President or something."
"It's safer this way…" Kate shoved her hands into her jacket pockets and shifted on her feet. It really was safer to have Niko within reach in case whoever tried to blow up her brother and him decided to show back up. And after how badly her emotions were stretched, she could go for having a security net to fall back into again. She couldn't trust herself to handle perilous situations right now. Not after firing a gun and almost…
'Stop. He is okay. He didn't get shot…'
"Alright. I won't argue for now. But I am definitely itching to get moving. It seems like whenever I stop moving this little one throws a fit." Mallorie trailed her hands over her growing baby bump and nodded toward the closed elevator doors, "Lead the way."
aaaaaa
Just as the apartment had felt cold, the outside air was nearly unbearable. It was heavy with a chill that froze a person's bones. Kate tired to pay it no mind as she linked her arm with Mallorie's. The walk over to the park had been nearly all giggles and peels of laughter as Niko retold them his meeting with Roman down at the docks. It was rather humorous to know the extent that Roman embellished his life in order to get his cousin to come to Liberty City. Mal had even joined in and explained where some of the outlandish tales had stemmed from- movies, random stories from people he drove around town, and blown out of proportion childhood memories from her and Roman's life.
Niko had kept a rather aloof appearance, but Kate knew better; he was studying the streets around them and the few people they passed.
It was heartbreaking in a way she wasn't prepared for. It caused her to wonder for not the last time whether he ever just went about his day without looking over his shoulder. If he was always on alert and how exhausting it must be to not be able to run to the store without being ready to spring into action. Mallorie talked exuberantly on her arm next to her, while her boyfriend was a step behind them, head on a swivel, partaking in the conversation as if nothing was wrong.
It kept nagging at her the longer it took them to reach the edge of the oddly shaped lake in Middle Park. Just what did Niko go through all these months alone? Did he ever get a chance to just breathe and relax? Would he ever get that chance? Would she now?!
"Alright ladies. I'll hang back some. Let you two have your privacy. But if anything feels off, we are leaving." Niko shrugged his jacket up on his shoulders and cracked his neck. Nothing had seemed off on their short journey to the park, but for a cold morning, the place was rather busy. Joggers paced randomly along the trail of the lake and food cart salesman hawked their goods as they passed. His eyes scanned the horizon and upper levels of the area for people who might be scouting them out. He felt the weight of his handgun in his waistband and the secondary one in his inside jacket pocket.
"Yes dad. Just give us whatever signal you come up with and we will take off for the apartment." Mallorie tried to sound playful, but one look at him caused her to bite her tongue. Maybe things weren't as settled as she thought they were. That her inviting Kate was a bad idea…
"We will stay within reach and range…" Kate nodded her head at Niko and shoved her free hand into her jacket pocket. She knew the drill now- Not to far ahead, stay within shooting range, or where he could jog to catch up. It was unsettling to say the least. Was this going to be how it always was when they leave the apartment? It hadn't felt this way when he dropped her off at her therapist's office. Granted. That was supposed to be a safe haven.
'Not so much anymore…'
"Thank you. And take it easy Mal. Don't stress yourself out power walking away." He snorted at her dark look and waved them on. He watched as they both turned away from him and started out at a leisurely pace on the recently shoveled concrete path. The water's edges were still covered in ice and the trees creaked when the wind picked up. It was an eerie place, and he didn't like it very much. It reminded him of the frozen forests back home and watching endless fields of snow covered hills for enemies.
The Libertonian stood tall and proud against the bight sunlight as they passed it in order to get down to the other walking path. He could remember the heart pounding gun battle that took place within its walls as he had failed once again to get the diamonds. And now he had some of those very diamonds tucked away in the dining room of his apartment. He could scoff with the insanity that entire ordeal had been. Bulgarin's diamonds had caused one large headache for so many.
He read the large banners claiming the reopening date and new exhibits of precious gems and crowned jewels from around the world. He partially wondered if any of the missing diamonds would be on display. Would be rather fitting given how many lost their lives in the shootout.
A loud round of laughs caused him to refocus on Kate and Mal. They walked easily ahead of him, arms linked, heads leaned against one another. He smiled at seeing them so at ease and happy. Something swelled in his chest and warmed his insides. He longed for family. Missed his mother more and more with each passing day. Now with Roman growing his own family, he wondered if he'd get the chance to explore that idea any.
'Just not now…'
Cool air brushed past him from across the somewhat frozen pond. He scanned their surroundings and noticed a fairly large group of people on one of the slightly snow covered knolls. It looked like they were following the direction of a teacher and going through the motions of Tai Chi. He frowned as he recognized the blonde hair of Bernie. Just what was he doing?! Mal and Kate had also stopped ahead of him, and he could only assume they had recognized Bernie too.
He casually approached the females and had to fight the smirk that wanted to lift the corners of his lips. They were both quietly discussing how Bernie kept redoing a pose since a couple of people couldn't quite get into position. They could all see the quiet frustration that was building on Bernie's form. His typical singsong voice was growing deeper each time he had to redemonstrate the move.
"We should probably go rescue him before he snaps." Mallorie giggled and looked over her shoulder to Niko. The mischief that gleamed in Niko's eyes made her own wicked smirk grow.
"Nah. He's got this." Niko shook his head negatively and waved toward a bench close by, "You should rest your feet for a bit."
"How thoughtful! Thank you." Mallorie snickered and tugged Kate along with her to go sit on the nearby bench with the perfect view of Bernie's Tai Chi class. While the meltdown that was coming was amusing to see, she really was impressed with the way Bernie flowed from one pose to another.
Niko followed them over and stood close by. Bernie looked about ready to drop all politeness and rage about how easy it was to hold their arms out to the side. And while he would normally just roll his eyes at the idea of martial arts, of any kind, he did miss the warmups and training he went through to learn Krav Maga. It had been so many years since he just simply sparred for the sake of keeping his skills up. Now it seemed he was forced to use it just to survive. And survive he had.
"I think they are finishing up." Kate spoke up as the group returned the slight bow Bernie had given them. The group broke apart and headed off toward the exit of the park or toward the pile of duffle bags and water bottles. Bernie started talking to a couple of people who approached him and seemed rather animated in the conversation.
"Come on. Let's go say hi!" Mallorie carefully lifted up off the bench and headed off toward Bernie wanting to catch up with her other friend.
"Wait up!" Kate quickly stood up and had to jog a couple of paces in order to catch up.
Niko watched the other people as he trailed behind them. Most of them looked to be rich kids that were skipping school or class at the university, while others looked about ready to head into the office for work. He could remember Bernie saying something about being a life coach or trainer, so maybe this was his job? Teach a calming, meditative, Chinese defense technique in the disguise of getting his own work out in. Where he had picked up the skill he didn't know. It wasn't something they learned back home.
"It is good to see you again. Be sure to study hard for that exam. You fail the class one more time and you will have to wait another year before getting to take it again." Bernie smiled at a dark haired, young female that wore an incredibly tight, matching work out outfit.
"Not like my dad can't afford another semester. But I get it. Won't look good if I still want to transfer out." She nodded her head and took a sip from her water bottle.
"Hey Bernie!" Mal patted Bernie's shoulder before he lit up in a huge smile and enveloped her in a tight hug.
"Oh my goodness Mal! It's a surprise to see you out here!" He looked up in time to see Kate and Niko approach them and he put two and two together. Clearly Mal was wanting to be out in public, had asked Kate to join in, and that meant Niko was dragged along. For there was a zero chance Niko would leave Kate out in the open now.
"Tell me about it. Doc said I need to go on walks." She returned the hug and pulled away noticing the other female had yet to leave or move on, "Well? Introduce us, Bernie."
"Oh! My bad. Mallorie this is one of my students, Brianna Dawkins, Brianna this is my good friend Mallorie Bellic." He gestured between the two women and made the necessary introductions, "Also this is my other friends, Kate McReary and Niko Bellic."
The last name was not lost on them, and they all shared quick glances. Niko could see some of the resemblances to Bryce Dawkins. Just what in the world did Bernie think he was doing teaching his boyfriend's daughter Tai Chi?!
"I have heard SO many stories about you three from Bernie! Sometimes I hang back after the lessons, and he talks nonstop about his friends." Brianna laughed and wiped some sweat off her forehead, "You all should join! Would be cool to put faces to the hilarious stories."
"I don't know about that!" Mallorie laughed nervously and lightly punched Bernie's arm, "If he tells stories like my husband, they are bound to be wildly outlandish and over the top."
"I'd say they are rather accurate." An accented voice spoke up and everyone turned to see who had joined into the conversation.
"You would know Detective Rosen." Bernie rolled his eyes and took a quick moment to assess Niko when he saw him stiffen up in the presence of the police officer.
"Good to see you again Miss McReary." Avia Rosen nodded at the youngest McReary and her boss' sister, "Niko, a word?" She zipped up her jacket, making sure Niko spotted that her handgun was securely on her hip, and that she wasn't looking for a fight. Her small duffle bag was at her feet, and she bent over to throw the strap around her body.
"Yeah. Alright." Her jerked his head to the side to let her know whatever needed to be said should be done out of earshot from everyone. He didn't trust this female. While he may understand her brash and unapproachable attitude, he wasn't about to take chances of the wrong thing being said in front of Kate. There was no telling what the detective had found in the ruins of the apartment or what she had figured out.
"Thanks." Avia straightened up and tightly smiled at the small group of people before turning on her heel and moving off toward a couple of trees to be just far enough away that their voices wouldn't carry, but close enough that Niko could keep watch. She had seen the hesitancy to accept her request to talk, but she had things she needed to say.
"You better not be taking Bernie's class just to get close to him to expose anything about me. Bernie isn't stupid." Niko walked a few arm's lengths behind her and wearily watched her movements. This was either a shake down or some kind of weird truce. He didn't like the idea of her trying to edge out his friends and dig up info on him. That may have been a tactic he would use in the past, but he most certainly didn't like it being used against him.
"I know that. I was hoping to gain his trust in order to get a sparring partner. While I do enjoy beating up everyone in the LCPD, it does me no good out in the real world. If my enemies are on my level, I will be unprepared to attack correctly if I am never prepped. I need someone who can come at me and force me to use my training to keep in shape. Not everything is offensive." She turned to lean back into the thick bark of the nearest tree. She crossed her arms after dropping her bag to the ground and glanced around the park.
"Understandable. But Bernie isn't exactly active. If you know what I mean." Niko shoved his hands into his jacket pockets and watched as Kate, Mallorie, Bernie, and Bryce Dawkins's daughter continued to talk and laugh about something.
"Ah. Too bad." She frowned slightly before observing a couple of joggers as they ran past, "I have a question."
"I'm not going to fight with you." Niko knew he could use the extra help, but he would rather get Bernie to agree or track down Darko and see what all he remembered. But with how untrusting Kate was toward Avia, he wasn't about to cross a line. Even if there wasn't a line to cross.
"No, Niko. How do you feel about fishing?" She tilted her head when he turned toward her with a weird, questioning glance.
"Explain in what context." The undeniable itch that came before a fight, burned along his spine. His mind raced down several paths, and none of them sounded like a good idea.
"You know. Fishing. Fishing line, lures… Bait." She lifted one of her hands and picked at her nails with her thumb. The nerves in her stomach were going haywire and she took a deep breath. Late in the night she had found a way to get her answers, and it was going to take a lot of convincing in order to put plans into motion.
Niko felt the air leave his lungs as he nearly snorted at the absurd notion. He had figured she wanted to dangle something out in the open to get the person who attached everyone to expose themselves. He had been thinking along the same lines, but he had nothing to leave hanging, nor wanted to have as bait. The people, person, or organization that wanted to tear down him and Francis would be smarter than to fall for an easy trap.
But if her tell sign was anything to go off of, she wasn't feeling one hundred percent confident in her plan.
'Still…'
"I'm interested." Niko kicked some of the snow away from his feet before leaning back into the tree next to her. He would hear her out and either shut her plan down quickly or build on it. It was more than what he had planned out so far. And if he was being honest with himself, he wasn't sure where to start.
"Do you like parties?" Avia locked her eyes on Kate as she kept looking over at them. She could see the mistrust and fear that kept coming and going from the redhead. It should be amusing to her, but it only left a hollow feeling in her chest. 'No one gets it… This whole city doesn't understand.'
"Too many players." He shook his head and readjusted his stance against the tree.
"Yes. Innocents would be present. But I can get you and Francis together at an event and put everyone I do trust there. It's private, secure, and the perfect setting." She lifted her eyebrow and turned her head in order to see Niko better. When he nodded his agreement to continue, she took a fortifying breath.
"Every year the mayor throws a huge Valentine's party. It's lavish. It's over the top. And it has every single powerful person in one building. Including a few people you and I know shouldn't be in attendance. They all bring their bodyguards, friends, and business partners. It's pretty much a front to resettle agreements and payments. Francis will be announced as Commissioner there at the party. If this person wants him dead, there is no way they won't attempt to be present. And with the bonus of you being there, it would be hard for them to resist the tee' d up shot."
"You want to place Francis in danger, with me as bait to sweeten the deal, and hope this person goes in guns blazing with the entire crowd of Liberty City's finest there?" Oh no. Bad idea. Very, very, bad idea. Nothing she had said sounded safe or good. There was no agreeing to this.
"You make it sound worse. No one would be dumb enough to attack. But if they work for any known criminal organization, they will be there. It will give us a chance to have everyone's faces, fingerprints, and can identify them all. For all I know Kenny has some stupid double agent. Or it's the Albanian's, who are on the rise, or stragglers left of the Rascalov's clan. Yes. Senators, Congressmen, foreign dignitaries, heads of IAA and FIB will be there. But I have this feeling." She lifted up off the tree and stretched out her arms.
"So, this is simply recon? And you think this person is going to be there and not attack?" Not as bad, but still bad. Valentine's Day was supposed to just be him and Kate. He frowned and looked toward Kate. It would devastate her if he changed their plans, and he dragged her back into possible danger. And after the near rant she had gone on about this morning about being overtly busy and having to attend so many events, should he really even consider this party?
'Don't go and mess this up… We are finally on the right path.'
"Now you get it. Play the part of loving boyfriend, taking his girlfriend to a fancy dinner party, who happens to be related to the new Commissioner, and expose those that want to get another look and second chance." Avia let a small smirk lift the corners of her lips, "I mean. Dinner, wine, dancing, money thrown around, sounds like a pretty decent date."
"You and I have very different ideas on dates. And the last time we went to a fancy dinner, someone attempted to kidnap her…" He sighed heavily and tried to think of how he could convince her to go along with this plan. If he should tell her what the ruse was, or if he should keep her in the dark about the true meaning of going. He had said he would be truthful with her… But the lingering need to find this person was resurfacing in him and he knew he needed to eliminate this threat quickly. To shorten his list. He scratched the back of his head and looked up in time to see Brianna walking off toward street level.
Bernie met his eyes and frowned.
Once more Niko scrubbed over his hair and sighed heavily. So much was about to get out of control, and he didn't want that for Kate. They were at a somewhat decent understanding and place within their relationship. How was he supposed to throw all that away in the name of defending her and him? Or defending her family? This had to be some kind of bad dream that had the potential to get much, much, worse- before either coming to an end or starting up fantasy.
"Yes, but Jason is dead." She tucked one loose strand of hair behind her ear and avoided looking at Niko. She wasn't sure who all knew the truth about who was really killed at the prison break in. She would let some of her cards be known, but not all of it. Trust had to be built upon and if she wanted to gain his trust, she needed him to know that she was privy to certain things.
'Well. Fuck.'
"No comment." Niko knew now that she knew more than she was letting on. It was unsettling. Jason was going to be the cadaver for Gerry. The news outlets had taken the story. So had everyone else in LC. But here was another person who knew the actual truth. The supposed small circle of people who knew it all was growing. 'Too many people. The truth is bound to get out at some point… I got to stop this.'
"Pretty sure that is going to be your standard answer to me on everything." She let out a dry laugh and shook her head, "Look Niko. I don't like putting people in danger anymore than you do. But someone nearly killed my partner. I want-" She huffed and crossed her arms, turning away from Niko and started to pace. This was harder than she expected.
"Revenge gets complicated." And he knew that truth. Had spent a decade hell bent on achieving it, "Sometimes it's best to let it go."
"Just like you have? Don't lecture me on revenge or getting justice. You nearly died getting your revenge. And if that's what it takes for me to track down this person, so be it." She wheeled around and pointed at him, feeling her anger getting the better of her usually cool headed approach to people.
"Yeah. I get it. I really do. But this anger you have clouding your better judgement will get others hurt. Just like it had hurt Kate and Roman. And if this plan of yours disregards everyone's safety, are you really any better than the person who threw the knife?" He took one step back as she closed some of the space between them.
"I know what to watch for. No one is going to get hurt. Not on my watch. This is my op. Mitt gave me the green light and so far us three are the only ones who know. So, if the cover gets blown that means Mitt is in on it." She took another threatening step closer and watched his every move to see if he was in agreement or not. She jabbed her pointer finger at him and tried to drive the point home.
"That's your real plan. You think someone in the LCPD is behind it." He used his index finger to move her own out of his face, "The real fishing isn't this dinner party."
"That sets the stage. I've known he was on Kenny's payroll for about as long as I've been in the country." She sighed and felt her shoulder's slump, "Even overseas people know about Kenny. And Bulgarin." She glanced back at him to see his reaction to the name.
"That man deserved what he got." Niko used every ounce of self-restraint to not flinch at the mention of his past employer/ enemy.
'Shit…'
"In my homeland that's considered getting off easy." She rolled her eyes and set him with an expectant glare.
"Mine too. But it is what it is. He had it coming. So." Niko huffed out an annoyed sigh. If the LCPD was behind it, then Francis was in more trouble than he knew. Which ultimately meant he was in worse trouble. Bernard's briefcase needed to be opened and he desperately needed his opinion on things. The man seemed to know everything.
"So? Do we agree? We can both flush out our enemy while playing dress up?" She held her hand out to him and waited for him to shake it.
"Give me your word. I need it. I won't put Kate in danger. She also can't know." Niko looked down at her outstretched hand then back up to her face. He could read the vengeance she wanted. How badly she needed this to work out, and in that moment, he knew she was more hellbent on taking out the assailant than him.
"We have a saying back home. It gets lost in translation. But I vow on my life." She shook her hand toward him again urging him to take it.
"My comrade- he had said something when we got cornered. He got us out of the situation. That night he and I spoke on night watch. He had a saying, a dying wish and commitment. If that is what you are promising, then okay. I will take your word and hold it to you." He hesitated before reaching out and clasping her hand. He yanked her forward and pulled his pistol from his waistband and pressed it against her stomach, safety clicking off in one fluid motion, "If you go against me, I will not hesitate to be the one who puts a bullet through your head in the middle of the night."
"Not before you walk into my set defenses. We walk the same path. I have no loyalty to these people. I protect my own. By way of deception, thou shalt do war. But I do not betray those I have a standing agreement with." Her Hebrew rolled off the tongue. And she pressed the tip of her sharp knife against his thigh, "Deal?"
"Deal." He flicked the safety back on and slowly moved his gun away from her stomach, "We don't have to like each other, but we need to get this resolved quickly. I don't think they will wait much longer before taking another strike." He met her hardened gaze, "Now remove your knife."
She smirked at his demand and felt the thrill of the fight take over before the knife was slapped out to the side with his pistol. He spun her around before she was ready for it, and roughly pulled her arm up he still held by the hand, locking her in a hold. Bernie stood before her with a pistol drawn and mere inches away from her face. The murderous look that graced his face wasn't one she felt normally adorned his typically jovial look.
"I believe loyalty is a necessity. You can't do this life alone. You need a partner." Niko whispered the words into her ear and tightened his hold, "I don't take too kindly to betrayal. And neither do the McReary's." He looked up and met Bernie's gaze. They nodded to one another in understanding. He had watched Bernie look over to him several times before he gave the distress signal they used back in the war days. Bernie had excused himself from the conversation and silently approached them.
They did have many years of learning to walk in snow and not be heard.
"Then why was a crew of Kenny's top interrogators killed in a van not far from the McReary residence early this morning?"
aaaaaa
Yes, yes, I know. Cliffhanger. But I am back to wanting to post regularly and on time. I had a couple of readers reach out to me and it sparked my inspiration to keep writing and get this done. I have so many wild ideas for where to go next! So, stay tuned. Please. I won't take as long as last time. Promise.
Thank you to everyone who has stuck around, commented, sent me reassuring messages. You know who you are. Thank you, a million times over. It's been a rough couple of months on me.