TWO

She had spent a restless night in the chair, keeping him company. He had woken twice more and she had given him a few sips of water while the nurses gave him morphine through his drip for the pain in his chest and in his broken and repaired ankle. She had stared at the window, watching the sky slowly lighten from black to blue through pink and orange as the dawn broke and recalled all the times they had been together. She smiled as she remembered meeting the skinny auburn fishbone at High School, clumsy and stammering and secretly falling for his goofy smile and his unfailing optimism. Becoming his best friend, she had watched him as he had grown, as he had emerged like a swan from his cygnet scrawny self, becoming the tall, handsome young man he was now with a quiet confidence, a determination to succeed and an unfailing kindness and care for his friends. In Senior Year, he had taken his life in his hands and had confessed that he was in love with her and she, popular and athletic, hadn't hesitated to confess her own feelings for him. They had become a couple that day and had never looked back, going to College together and marrying on graduation. And as he took up his post as a Public Defender, she had started work as an Elementary School teacher. And they had planned their whole life together…

She was dozing when the cops arrived, a buff pair of Berk's finest with the obligatory large blonde beards, cheerful dispositions and brisk attitude. The first man cleared his throat and she opened her eyes and then gasped, her hand tightening around Hiccup's.

"Who…?" she mumbled, her voice rough with sleep as the policemen as the man smiled.

"Mrs Haddock?" he said. "My name is Officer Ack. This is Officer Hoark-Berk PD. May we speak with your husband?" Blinking and sitting more upright, Astrid yawned and gently turned to the dozing Hiccup, seeing the clock read 0914. She groaned.

"Hiccup? Babe? Are you with us?" she asked gently, stroking his forehead and his brows had furrowed before his eyes fluttered open, weary but clearer.

"Not going anywhere, Milady," he murmured and focussed, stiffening as he saw the cops. His hand tightened on hers.

"Mr Haddock-can we ask you a few questions?" Officer Hoark asked, his deep voice understanding.

"Can't it wait?" Astrid asked protectively, seeing him shaken. "He was badly hurt and…" Officer Ack gave a sympathetic smile.

"It's important that we get his statement as soon as we can," he explained. "Especially since he was the only witness to the murder…" Astrid gasped and his breathing accelerated.

"M-murder?" she gasped. "But I thought my husband was attacked and he was almost killed…"

"There was another man in the alley," Hoark revealed, flipping open his notebook. "He intervened and stabbed the man who was attacking your husband through the heart. Then he called 911 for the ambulance and waited with him until the paramedics arrived. We arrested him on the scene."

"N-no…that's not what I remember…" Hiccup mumbled, fighting his foggy recollections. He could see the attacker, visualise the tattooed eyes on his cheeks, see the knife flash…and recall his own ferocious defence…

"Tell us what you can remember," Hoark asked him kindly. "We know from the medics that you had a bad concussion so your recollections may not be clear but anything you can recall will help…"

"The man who intervened confessed to the murder," Ack added. "Man called…" He checked his own notes. "Tallyn Fury…known around the less reputable parts of town as 'Toothless'. Man has a rap sheet long as your arm and had been suspected for several murders and assaults and has done time for attempted murder. Nasty piece of work, in fact. He claimed he was following your attacker-a man wanted for several murders and known as 'Red Death'-because he had a personal grudge…and stepped in when he saw him assaulting you. He said he wrested the knife from him and stabbed him through the heart."

Hiccup stared at him, his mind whirling. He knew that he had managed to turn the knife on his attacker…though the stranger, this 'Tallyn Fury' had distracted him at the crucial moment. And though he had killed the man attacking him in self defence, he had been the one to strike the lethal blow, not this stranger.

But why would a stranger take the blame for a murder when there wasn't one? At worst, it had been manslaughter on the grounds of self-defence…and Hiccup knew there wasn't a jury in the land, let alone in proud Viking Berk, that would convict him for fighting back and trying to save his own life. What was his game-especially when he knew he wouldn't get bail because of his rap sheet…?

But even self-defence would ruin Hiccup's dreams. He blinked.

"I was attacked while I was cutting through the alley to get to Berserk Jewellers," he said honestly. "I realised that I was being followed just as he jumped me. He wanted my things and I fought back…" Ack tutted and shook his head.

"You know we advise civilians to just hand over your valuables," he reminded the patient.

"And you know this is Berk where almost no one does that?" Astrid pointed out. Both officers shrugged.

"Why there are so many more injuries and murders than there should be," Hoark sighed.

"Though many of them were probably related to Red Death," Ack added. "His death is almost certainly a civic service…"

"Except it was murder," Hoark sighed. "Do you remember anything else, Mr Haddock?"

Hiccup paused…and then shook his head.

"He hit me, tried to strangle me and broke my leg," he admitted, cringing inwardly at how pathetic it sounded. Odin Almighty-he was supposed to be a man, not a wimp! But he had failed in even managing to walk safely to the shops. No wonder he couldn't protect his wife! "It-it's all blurred…" The officers sighed and flipped their notebooks closed.

"It was worth the effort," Ack said heavily. "It will still be an open and shut case. He's confessed and the trial will be scheduled quickly to get it off the books." The officers turned towards the door.

"We will need you to testify, sir-and we'll keep you updated," Hoark said. "We wish you a speedy recovery-and best wishes to you both." They saluted and let themselves out as Astrid stared after them…then turned back to Hiccup. He was looking pale, his eyes dark with worry. She was on her feet in a moment, wrapping her arms gently around his neck and offering him a careful hug.

"It's okay, babe-it's over," she reassured him, feeling his arms wind around her and hug her back. "You're safe." He closed his eyes as memory flooded back and he realised how badly he had failed her…and what it may cost.

"I'm sorry," he murmured.

oOo

Hiccup had been discharged after four days with crutches to help him get around…though Astrid had insisted on taking him down to the car in a wheelchair. He had thanked the nurses and doctors genuinely and had left cards and chocolates for the staff who had looked after him. He was given his painkiller meds, advised to avoid alcohol for a month because of his concussion and handed appointments for Fracture Clinic, Neurology, Cardiothoracics and Physical Therapy before they left and with an unexpectedly full diary, he headed home.

Astrid was stern, her face scrunched in the concentrating expression he knew and loved. She was clearly upset and worried but she was masking it with her usual brisk exterior. She was tough and brave-her family motto was 'Fearless', after all-but their recent setbacks had knocked her confidence…because they had never expected their desire to have a family to hit such catastrophic rocks.

Astrid had conceived after six months of trying and had miscarried. And again. And again. Investigations had followed-hormone levels, scans and some more invasive tests. She had been deemed to have 'idiopathic' recurrent miscarriage and was told it may just be bad luck since losing a pregnancy early was relatively common. But the fourth pregnancy was much worse-for she had bled throughout, passing the twelve week mark for the first time. But as she got further on, the bleeding had gotten worse and she had required three transfusions by fifteen weeks. And then, in March, at sixteen weeks, she had haemorrhaged.

Hiccup stared at her, seeing her sea-blue eyes focussed on the hallway ahead. He could still recall those eyes, filled with fear as she had stumbled into the bedroom. There was so much blood. And he recalled the barely-concealed panic of the doctors and nurses as they had struggled to transfuse her and realised that the bleeding wasn't settling. She was going to bleed to death unless something was done. And there was only one option. So they had talked in frantic, desperate whispers, his legal calm not concealing his panic about his beloved Astrid and terrified that he would lose her…especially as she had not wanted to endanger their child. But the words of the doctors-that they couldn't stop the bleeding and the baby was two months shy of viability still, that she would be dead long before the child would ever be able to be born and survive-had shattered her heart and he had held her hand as he had signed the papers-she was barely conscious and unable to give consent-and they had ended the pregnancy to try to save her. But it hadn't been that simple and she had continued to bleed, causing the doctors to try heroic measures and informing the devastated Hiccup that they may need to perform a hysterectomy to save her. And end any chance of having a child. But he loved Astrid, not some hoped-for but mythical child and he had given permission to do whatever it took to save her life.

She had survived without the ultimate procedure but critically ill from blood loss and the battering her body had taken from the experience and Hiccup had spent day and night at her side on the ICU as her lungs recovered, her kidneys started working again and her blood clotting slowly returned to normal. And Astrid, strong and determined, had pulled through…only to have the devastating talk with the obstetrician after the immediate danger had settled. In view of her problems and the fact that she had come so close to losing her life, he had recommended that they didn't try any more. He didn't believe that she would ever carry a child.

That had broken her heart, thwarting her dreams of a family, of a strapping son and fierce daughter, of a mini-Hiccup and little Astrid. Astrid had always succeeded at whatever she did and she had always in her heart believed that she would conquer this enemy, would thwart the odds and have the family she had always desired. She became withdrawn and silent, staring at the scans of their doomed child-a boy they had named Finn after Astrid's favourite uncle-and feeling an utter failure. And though he was equally devastated, Hiccup knew that Astrid felt it more, for she had felt the child in her body and felt that she was failing him by being unable to provide him with a child to complete their family. So he had supported her, been here for her, done everything he could to make her smile…and this time, it had almost cost him his life.

He gently moved his hand and managed to rest it on hers, the gentle touch reminding her that she was not alone. Her eyes flicked down and her pink lips tilted into a small smile.

"You okay, babe?" she murmured and she nodded, craning his neck to look up at her.

"I am now I'm going home with you," he told her.

"You sap," she smiled and as he heard the affection in her voice, he smiled as well.

"Your sap," he reminded her as they reached the car and he determinedly levered himself up, sliding his body into the passenger seat. Astrid stowed the crutches on the back seat and clambered into the driver's seat. Carefully, she pulled out and drove them home, out of the main city and towards the suburbs. Hiccup had been adamant that he wanted to provide a home for his wife and family in a safe location so soon after they had graduated and married, he and Astrid had trawled the city for suitable locations. It must have been fate when they waked into the dilapidated house, the roof half-gone and everything in need of a repair-because the house was big, with four bedrooms, a large yard and double garage. In a quiet street not far from a good school and a little group of local shops, Astrid had fallen in love with the place and Hiccup had put in an offer for the fixer-upper.

He had used his family connections through his uncle Stefan and cousin Simon's (or Snotlout's) construction company to get the roof and all major building works done at trade prices but after that, Hiccup and Astrid had renovated the house themselves, learning to plaster, sanding and varnishing the wooden floors, installing the new kitchen and decorating the house from top to bottom…including the beautiful nursery that would never now be used. But it was their home and they had hoped to somehow still have a family to bring laughter and joy back to their home.

Pulling onto the drive, they had found their friends Frederick 'Fishlegs' Ingerman and his wife Heather waiting for them, both grinning and happy to see Hiccup home. Astrid's face lit at seeing Heather, who had been her best friend in school while Hiccup was relieved when Fishlegs opened the door and helped him out, handing the lawyer his crutches. Fishlegs was a tall, husky man with strangely short legs on his powerful body. His round face was topped by blonde hair in a pudding cut and round blue-green eyes that were usually kind and filled with curiosity. His large hands gently helped Hiccup's lean shape up and walked alongside him, making sure he made it safely in as Astrid followed, holding her purse and the carrier bag of his things. Limping along slowly, Hiccup glanced over his shoulder and saw her, still tense and worried and he sighed.

"I'm sure she'll forgive you," Fishlegs reassured him in a low voice as they made their way to the living room. There was a fire dancing away in the fireplace, the flames warming the large room. Hiccup was exhausted, his head spinning as he reached the couch and almost collapsed. Astrid hastened to bring up a footstool and gently lifted his splinted and pinned leg onto it, then plumped a cushion behind him.

"Are you okay?" she asked in a concerned voice and he beckoned her close, giving her a gentle kiss.

"I am now I'm back home," he assured her. "Don't worry, Astrid-I'll be fine. And thanks…" She rested her hands on his shoulders and kissed him passionately back.

"I just worry about you, babe," she murmured. His hands slid around her waist and gently slid up and down.

"I always worry about you-but sorry," he told her gently. He nuzzled against her. "You go and talk to Heather-I know you've been missing her." She kissed him again.

"Love you," she murmured. "You get some rest…and I'll bring you a cup of coffee…" Reluctantly letting her go, she smiled and headed off with Heather, leaving Fishlegs to quietly sit in the armchair opposite from Hiccup.

"What happened?" his friend asked immediately. They had been friends since High School and when Hiccup had decided to go into the Public Defenders' Office, Fishlegs had immediately joined him-but he had been in court that fateful night so Hiccup had been working in their office alone.

"You know I told you about that bracelet I ordered for Astrid?" he answered. "It came in and I wanted to get it before I went home. So I took a short cut…"

"And you got attacked," Fishlegs rushed on. "Thank Thor that guy intervened and saved you…" And then he paused, seeing Hiccup stare at the floor. "Hicc? I'm sorry-I can see you don't want to talk about…"

"He didn't save me," Hiccup said in a shamed voice. "I did. I stabbed my attacker. I killed him. That man-even though he claimed he struck the blow…didn't. It was me. And he's in prison because of me."

Staring at him, his mouth hanging open, Fishlegs looked shocked and incredulous in equal measures. "You have to say something," he said.

"I know," Hiccup admitted wretchedly, his voice filled with self-loathing. "But I know that if I get charged with manslaughter in self-defence, if the adoption services learn about it, they may remove us from their list…and that will break Astrid's heart. She will lose her only chance of having a child…and it will be my fault. I had to choose to save her…at the cost of our child…and now I may cost her the only chance we have…" Fishlegs sat back and steepled his fingers in front of his chest.

"You are an attorney and you know that there is a miscarriage of justice," he reminded his friend. "You could lose your license and an innocent man could be sent to prison for life for a crime he didn't commit."

"But there are plenty that he did commit," the auburn-haired man explained. "I'm not letting an innocent man go to jail…"

"But he is innocent of this," Fishlegs said. "And you know that just because he's a bad person doesn't mean that he deserves to be framed for this…" Hiccup sighed and slumped back.

"I-I know…" he confessed wretchedly. "Gods, what a choice…but I know what I have to do, Fish. It just means…I will fail Astrid every way…" His friend gave a reassuring smile.

"She will understand," he reassured his friend. "She adores you. Gods, she'll mother you to death as you recover…" And then he winced as the expression fell from Hiccup's sad face.

"Because I can't protect her, can't help her to have the family she would give her life for," he said bitterly. "And now I have ruined it for her because I wanted to give her a gift…"

"I'll fetch it, Hicc," Fishlegs offered. "But you need to speak up." Hiccup frowned, then nodded.

"I will first…once I ask him why," he said thoughtfully. "I mean…why would he do this? His record indicates he's a career criminal, a recidivist who doesn't care for anyone else…so why did he take the blame and not say he saw me stab the man in self-defence? I would have admitted it…"

"Unless he expects you to go and confess-and then he will have a hold over you?" Fishlegs suggested. Shrugging, Hiccup closed his eyes.

"Why would he bother?" he asked. "Anyone can find out I am a Public Defender. I'm sure he's probably heard my name anyway. I don't have much money and I am going to confess anyway…so why would imagine he could have a hold over me…?"

"Because he believes that your job would be threatened and you would want to make a deal to hide what happened?" Fishlegs suggested.

"I was going to be killed," Hiccup snapped. "There is a knife-wound in my chest that was within half an inch of my heart! If I hadn't been so…determined, I wouldn't be here today and you and Heather would be trying to find a reason to persuade Astrid to go on living!" He shook his head. "No-I need to know why he's done this…and what he hoped to gain…"

"I'll get his rap sheet and all his details from the databases and bring them here…along with the bracelet…" Fishlegs volunteered.

"Thanks." The word was grudging and heavy. There was a pause.

"If you choose not to say anything…I would never give you away," Fishlegs admitted, leaning close and lowering his voice. "I mean…I can't understand how desperate it is not have a family when you dearly want one. We're so lucky with little Thor…and I know how we almost lost Astrid…and we can both see how withdrawn and sad she is whenever she thinks about it. I would never compromise your chances, my friend…" Raising his eyes, Hiccup managed a wan smile.

"No-I can do that on my own," he admitted sarcastically. "Thanks, Fish. And I know I can always trust you…and I will need to do some research…but I have to see him. I have to find out…what his game is. And if it threatens Astrid."

...

2/9 published 24/10/18