[classic swim]

“People who fuck with me... get fucked WITH!” - Vlad

Roman: I hear you are working with Little Jacob. He’s a good man, Niko, a good man. Niko: I can’t tell what he is saying most of the time, but I like him.

- Concrete Jungle. • 2008 Jacob is grateful for Niko’s protection. The two weed out the ones who turned their drug deal into another ambush.

Roman: Niko, you do not know how great it is to have you here with me. Before you arrived in Liberty City, things were terrible. Niko: I still remember the emails you sent me, cousin. You should have told me how bad things were in this country before I got here. Roman: Okay, things aren't easy for us here. But together, we are doing alright. America is an opportunity for a new beginning. You were in need of one. Niko: There is no such thing as a new beginning, Roman. With every day we live we pick up new baggage, baggage that we must carry with us for the rest of our lives. There's no dropping it and pretending we are fresh and clean just because we get off a boat in a new place. Roman: Stop being so dramatic, Niko. Time is a healer. We live and we forget the past. Nothing helps a man forget like ripe, round American titties. You have to move on from the things that happened to you and think about all the opportunities in this country. Chances to make lots of money, chances to get college girls into bed. Niko: (Шансе да се претвориш у кретена.) Roman: I heard that. I haven't forgotten our language completely.

... • 2008 Niko’s taken a liking to working for Roman Bellic Enterprises. Sure, the pay is crap, but he’s helping his cousin legitimately... and the cab drives provide a better understanding of the city’s layout.

- Jamaican Heat (cont...) • 2008 Remnants of King Courtney‘s Yardie posse threaten the new ways of Little Jacob & Badman. Niko efficiently takes down Yardie traitors from above with only a pistol in hand.

- Jamaican Heat. • 2008 An unexpected cab run forms a friendship to last forever. Niko Bellic meets Jacob Hughes for the first time.

- Easy Fare. • 2008 Taking on scheduled rides for the Bellic cab business, Niko gets in a bit of trouble with the cops. Jermaine works the local Pay n' Spray, and knows what it’s like needing to shake off some pigs.

“Now stop fucking staring at me! I mean, I know I'm good looking and everything, but come on.” - Vlad Glebov

- First Date. • 2008 Niko & Michelle enjoy an evening at the Firefly Island carnival.

Niko: Bulgarin. He lived on the Adriatic. Believed I owed him money when I did not. He made my life impossible. There was no avoiding him. I had to leave. He is one of the reasons I came here.

- Bleed Out. • 2008 Roman Bellic’s bullied yet again by the Albanian loan sharks. Niko proves himself capable when Bledar & Dardan suffer fatal injuries.

- Three’s a Crowd. • 2008 It can be lonely out in LC, which is why Roman’s beautiful Mallorie hooks Niko up with Michelle. Niko’s encouraged to ditch the smelly clothes, but Michelle doesn’t seem to mind.

... • 2008 A bomb scare has caused bridges connecting Liberty City to be closed indefinitely as a safety precaution. On count of Niko not being a legal resident, Roman has advised sticking close to Broker and Hove Beach.

- It’s Your Call. • 2008 On top of lying about his wealth, Roman’s also somewhat of a depraved gambler and adulterer. Niko’s first apparent taste of the 'American Dream' would be protecting his cousin from Albanian mobsters and loan sharks.