A/N: As stated in the summary, every chapter will be based off a song from the solo album Works Well With Others by Hugh Dillon (Nick's voice actor). I plan on going in order of the track list, so here's the first one.

Disclaimer: I don't own Left 4 Dead. It belongs to Valve.

Track #1: Friends of Mine

"Hey Nick?"

The conman sighed in frustration, burying his face in the bed sheets they'd been fortunate enough to find in the saferoom. He lay on his side, facing the wall, away from the hick that rested just a few feet away. The saferoom wasn't too roomy—mostly just one big space with a closet full of supplies and food and—surprisingly—pillows and blankets. They'd spread themselves out on the floor, and, not surprisingly, Nick was forced into the far side of the room, with a barrier of Ellis to separate him from the other two.

"What?" he whispered harshly, "I was almost asleep."

"Sorry," Ellis mumbled. For a moment it was silent. Then, "You got anybody waitin' for you out there, Nick?"

Nick's breath caught in his throat.

Never thought I'd trace the lines, thought I'd say goodbye. Thought I'd left it all behind, the pages of my life.

For a second his mind raced through those memories—everything before this supernatural apocalypse. And, he realized slowly, that no. No one was waiting for him. He'd abandoned his family long ago. Any stranger he met would become his enemy. He was a conman. Making any sort of relationship would only hinder him. Nick took in a sharp breath to answer him, but he lied.

"I don't know."

Again, silence, as if Ellis was contemplating what he'd said; if it would be inconsiderate to prod further. There was a shuffling sound as the mechanic shifted, filling the awkward silence. He sighed.

"My buddy Keith is dead." Nick flinched at that, a little shocked at his abruptness. Ellis continued, "So's Dave, 'n my Ma… 'n everyone else I knew, prolly."

Maybe it's not that pretty. It's just a place in time. Those days are gone forever, and so are those friends of mine.

"… Don't got nobody no more."

Somehow Nick felt guilty. Responsible. Fucking stupid. Because all this time he'd been an asshole, jabbing at Ellis's life and personality and accent and… god, everything. Yet under that optimistic attitude, he was suffering. Fuck, he couldn't imagine that. Losing someone important. There was no one he cared for enough for whom he could mourn. But Ellis… losing all of that…

"Sorry, kid." He mumbled back, not sure what else to say. Ellis chuckled slightly—a sad, fake chuckle. Silence took over again. For a while, Nick thought Ellis had fallen asleep, but when he began drifting off himself, he was interrupted.

"Hey, Nick?" His voice was weak this time. Cracked. Hurt. He didn't wait for a response. "When we get outta all this… promise… promise we'll still be buddies… a'right?"

Nick hesitated, a little surprised by the request. A little conflicted. He knew he couldn't keep that promise. He knew that the moment they were safe, he would be gone. He'd be back in that cycle of conning and running. And fuck if he knew how to be friends with someone… God, let alone the fact that one day he'd probably have to watch that person die. So…

I finally got it sorted. You've heard it a thousand times. And you can check that story…

He lied, "Yeah, I promise."

You know they're no friends of mine.

A/N: Kind of a crappy oneshot. Sorry. Did this in like forty minutes because the idea kept nagging at my brain. Anyway, hope you enjoyed. Reviews are always appreciated.

Track #2: Sentimental Me