Thirty Seven

Hiccup stared at me for a long moment and shook his head. "I don't know," he murmured and peered at the message. His green eyes flicked over the words and I could see him analysing the phrases: when she had been back in the base after her capture, her manner had been...off. Hiccup and I had both seen it and been suspicious. I didn't know her that well but he probably did.

"Who knows her best?" I asked. He shrugged.

"Ozzie. Dagur."

"Neither of whom are likely to answer any time soon," I said and regretted the flippant comment. He winced but gave a resigned shrug.

"Eret," he added. I frowned. Heather's boyfriend-who had also noticed she had been behaving weirdly and who had mouthed his apologies for her treatment of me. Then I nodded though something was nagging at the back of my mind.

"Do you want me to speak to him?" I asked. He paused then shook his head.

"We'll see him together," he decided. He turned to look at his father: Stoick was barely awake, his eyes closing as he struggled to remain conscious. "Dad...I need to see Eret, to get an answer..." Stoick gave a small smile, his large face with the full beard unused to such a subtle expression.

"Let her stew," he murmured. "If she's honest, she'll understand your qualms. If not, she may start pressing. It's a big decision..." Hiccup leaned forward and hugged him again.

"Glad you're back, Dad," he murmured as Gothi appeared at the door. I nodded as Hiccup and I left and the General was surrounded by his worried medical attendants. He murmured into his com, requesting Eret to meet us in the Base Commander's office. Then we paced up the corridor and his hand automatically found mine. I looked up to meet his tired green gaze.

"You may want to ask Cami and Ruffnut as well," I suggested. He rolled his eyes at the suggestion of the female twin but my next words stopped him. "There is a girlie friendship thing they have that means they actually spend time together. And I think Cami may well have more insight than you guess. Even...Ruff...though she seems currently very interested in our sex life." He froze and turned bright scarlet.

"Wh-what?" he gabbled, his mouth working but no sounds coming out. "You...I...we..." I started giggling. I couldn't help it: he looked as horrified as an adolescent being told that parents have sex.

"I refused to say anything but she did start asking after you apparently dumped me yesterday!" I warned him.

"When you kicked my ass," he added carefully, realising he was in dangerous waters. But I had forgiven him and nodded.

"And then some!" I shot back with a smile. He visibly relaxed. Then he groaned.

"Oh Thor-please don't tell me that Tuffnut will be asking me the same thing?" he moaned. "Shoot me now!" I punched him lightly on his good shoulder and smiled.

"After you've spoken to Eret," I suggested. He nodded, squeezed my hand and we walked more slowly to the General's office. He was staring at the floor for a long time as he walked and I could tell, from the way he walked, that he was feeling very self-conscious again. The fact his face had almost caught fire when I mentioned sex told me all I needed to know. I squeezed his hand and he glanced up, looking embarrassed. "Don't worry," I whispered loudly. "It doesn't matter. Everything will happen in its own time." He shook his head.

"Useless," he murmured quietly and opened the door to the office. I followed him but as soon as the door closed, I grabbed his hands and pulled him to face me, standing close to his stiff shape and staring into his ashamed face.

"Look, you are the only person I want, Hiccup-so don't go overthinking everything again!" I told him gently, feeling his discomfort. His shamed green eyes flicked up to inspect my face. "If all I wanted was a boyfriend who had slept with everything in a skirt, I wouldn't have punched out Snotlout!" I squeezed his hands with an I can't believe I just said that look and he gave a small shrug.

"Hmm," he murmured. "Actually, that happens more often than you think." He stared into my face and looked defeated. "I really don't deserve you."

"Actually, you're the only one who deserves me," I told him sternly, battling against years of utterly shattered self-confidence. "And when the time is right, everything will fall into place." I sighed. "Talk to me, remember?" He smiled slightly, then leaned his head against mine, his breath gentle on my skin.

"Okay," he said quietly. "Though we've gone off point again." I started and heard a small chuckle. God, this place was infectious! And he was laughing at me. I huffed at him as his fingers curled around mine and then he reluctantly led me over to his father's desk, pulling up a chair for me and leaning against the desk himself. A knock sounded at the door and Hiccup invited him in. Eret marched in and saluted. Hiccup waved him to stand at ease, still clearly uncomfortable with the whole military protocol thing. He paused, inspecting the larger man for a long moment, then nodded.

"Astrid has been contacted by Heather," he said without preamble. Eret stiffened, his brown eyes darkening with hurt. His face tightened.

"When?" His voice was level but only just. Hiccup paused; he could understand the man's worry for his girlfriend.

"About half an hour ago," he said and gestured. I lifted my com and displayed the message for him. He scanned it twice and his eyebrows tightened.

"No." he said. Hiccup frowned.

"Why?" he asked calmly: this was why we called him.

"Because she didn't call me," Eret told us simply. "I love Heather and if you had just woken and found yourself somewhere very strange and very hostile, would you call your boyfriend or an officer you barely know?"

"A good soldier would call his commanding officer," I reminded him and then I stared at him. "But, frankly, none of you here are good soldiers. Not even Heather." He stared at me for a moment then shrugged.

"Point taken," he sighed and I actually felt sorry for him. It was plain he was very fond of her and her absence and betrayal had really hurt him. And his words made sense of the nagging wrongness I had felt at receiving her message. I didn't know her: we had only met up socially after she had been abducted and so she wouldn't have recalled that event.

"So she's probably still working with Dagur and Alvin," Hiccup said quietly. "So we take what she says with a grain of salt."

"Pinch," I murmured. He glanced at me. "We use more salt this side of the pond-even in metaphors."

"But if she is trying to trap us, then we can work out what they are planning because they assume we don't know about their backdoor and booby traps," he continued, his lips quirking in a smile. "And we can see if we can get her away from them. Gothi and the team should have analysed if anything was in her system to see if we can really undo what they did to her."

"Unless she made a choice," I murmured. They both glared at me. "Sorry, guys, but we have to consider that eventuality, no matter how unpalatable it may be."

"I won't give up on her," Hiccup said firmly. Eret glared at him, his expression suspicious. "She's Ozzie's sister: he believed she wouldn't ever choose Alvin's side. I promised I would get her back." The Corporal awarded him a curt nod and Hiccup sagged. "Do NOT tell any of the others, please?"he asked Eret. "I need to work out what to say to make her believe that we believe her." He rested a hand against his temple.

"Don't say anything too much," Eret suggested. "Heather is very bright and naturally suspicious. Just say what you would say if you were taking her up on the offer or speaking to her over the com. Don't mention me. Don't say anything more than you said to me. Play to her vanity and take her up on her offer." I nodded.

"I'll reply in the morning," I said quietly. "We'll come up with a response between us." I looked at Hiccup and he nodded.

"We'll run everything past you because you know her best," he told the other man, his expression determined. "I promise you, Eret-I will do everything in my power to save her." The man stared at Hiccup for a long moment, then nodded.

"I understand," he said gruffly. "I saw how you tried to save Dog even after all he had done to you. I know you'll do your best." He nodded and walked out, leaving Hiccup sagging on the desk. He looked exhausted. I leaned by him.

"You need something to eat," I reminded him and he sighed.

"You go ahead," he said and rocked to his feet. He was wincing slightly as he put pressure on his prosthesis and I looked into his tired face. It was easy not to recall how much abuse he had taken and I grabbed him round the middle and snuggled close.

"I'll bring you something," I offered but he shook his head.

"Get some rest," he advised me gently, his hands sliding down my back. "I'll see you later, Milady." He managed a smile and I stole a small kiss before reluctantly pulling away.

"You need it more," I told him quietly. "You're not going to be much use if you're exhausted…" And I instantly regretted my choice of words because I saw him bow in resignation. He had been called Useless for so long he believed it. "Dragon Boy-you are doing a great job-but you have been through a tougher time than any of us. And if you don't rest, you'll be too worn out to do your job-and your Dad's…and Spitelout's…" He sighed.

"See you later, Milady," he repeated as I walked out the door.

oOo

I knew he was right about food and relaxation. So I went for a run, showered and grabbed a light dinner before heading for the rec room and finding Cami and Ruff arguing about which of the Riders would make the best boyfriend. I slid in by them and grabbed a camomile tea as Cami inspected me.

"Boyfriend?" she asked.

"Hiccup-obviously," I told her with a grin. She rolled her eyes.

"Just…why?" she asked. I sipped my tea.

"Let me think…kind, caring, cute, intelligent, dorky, brave, determined…"

"Gay?" Ruff suggested hopefully.

"Not gay," I said firmly. "Very definitely not gay." Cami raised an eyebrow.

"Has he…?" she asked. I stared at the floor.

"Only snuggling so far…but he's a really good kisser," I admitted. "Snores a bit but he's really comfy to sleep on…" Ruff's eyes popped and I thought she might have a fit.

"You guys sleep together?" she choked. I laughed at her dismay as Tuff, Gustav and Snotlout wandered in and began playing pool loudly. "You and Count Dorkula?"

"How many insulting names have you got for him?" I asked slightly sharply. Cami grimaced as Ruff frowned, missing my annoyance and then lifted her hand to begin ticking names off.

"Useless, Captain Useless, fishbone, toothpick, dork, nerd, geek, dork again, Count Dorkula, pegleg, hop-along, gay…"

"…and we're done!" Cami interrupted quickly, seeing my face and elbowing Ruff sharply. "Look, Astrid-we respect you're with him and we can see he's trying really hard to step up. And to be fair, he's actually sorted out the traitors, secured the base and got us functioning more like a proper unit." She looked at me. "Though you had something to do with that?" I shrugged.

"So who do you guys fancy?" I asked, deflecting any more discussion.

Interestingly, they suddenly became really coy but I gathered that Ruff sort of had her eye on Fishlegs which surprised me as he seemed rather nice and quiet while she was crazy as a bucket of frogs and more indiscreet than anyone I knew. Cami was more open in admitting she enjoyed spending time with Snotlout (!) Gustav and Tuffnut and I sighed. Not even discriminating! And I allowed myself to relax and just treat them like friends and comrades because they were good fun to chat to about nothing of importance. When they invited me, I didn't hesitate to join them for the pool tournament (Snotlout beat Fishlegs in the final though Ruff and Tuff were disqualified for cheating) and I have to confess that I had a really fun time. Sure, they were loud and outrageous and rude and sometimes cruel about my boyfriend-though they quickly learned I wouldn't accept that-but they were also fun and carefree and able to relax utterly.

It was only when I glanced at my watch that I realised how many hours had passed and that I hadn't heard from Hiccup. I knew he wouldn't have eaten and worried he would have worn himself out. I waved goodnight to the others and leaned towards my com.

"Location of Commander Haddock," I murmured.

"Commander Haddock is in the Base Commander's Office," came the reply and I sighed. He hadn't moved since I left him-and had obviously been working on some of that paperwork he told his Dad about. I headed directly there and let myself in-to see what I suspected: his lanky shape slumped over a pile of dossiers, his head buried in his arms. He was snoring softly. I walked quietly up to him and peered over his shoulder. He was asleep on Eret's personnel evaluation. Gently, I laid my hands on his shoulders and began to massage.

He jerked awake as I accidentally massaged his stitches and he winced. He sat up abruptly and stiffened until he realised it was me. He sighed. "Ow," he whined, cracking his neck and blinking sleepily.

"Serves you right for sleeping on the job-and not taking your own advice!" I told him unsympathetically though I slid my fingers through his hair and massaged. He gave a little sigh.

"I've been trying to do these evaluations," he admitted, "but I kinda got stuck on Eret. I mean, how do you put that he's tried punching me twice in the last couple of weeks? That he's been absolutely massacred by you twice for mysogynistic and inappropriate remarks to a senior officer."

"You don't," I told him gently. "You walk away and in the morning, you sit down, rewrite the whole thing, reread again and finally finish it." He looked up at me and leaned back against me.

"How do you know?" he asked wearily.

"Most junior rank of commissioned officers? Gets dumped with all the crappy jobs? Team evaluation goddess!" I told him. "If Eret is a problem, what're you gonna say about Snotlout?"

"Not. He's my cousin and I'm feeling too sorry for him to be objective. You're doing his."

"THANKS. I'll kick your ass for that!" I growled, massaging his stiff neck. He gave a little sigh.

"Can't wait to do yours. Highly aggressive and very violent tendencies!"

"Efficient, professional, supportive."

"Bossy, far too frank to senior officers bordering on rude…"

"Hopelessly fond of one-legged dorks…"

He jerked round and wrapped his arms around my middle, staring up into my face with luminous green eyes. "My favourite Rider," he said quietly. The affection was dripping from his voice and brilliant in his eyes.

"You better believe it, babe," I told him, kissing him on the head. "Now, you are coming to bed with me because I need my pillow!" He levered himself stiffly to his feet, with a sigh.

"Is that all I am to you?" he complained, wrapping an arm around my shoulders as we headed tiredly for the door.

"Hot water bottle?" I suggested. He tightened his grasp around my shoulders.

"I know my place," he sighed as we wove out into the corridor and locked the door behind us.

oOo

He woke me early with a kiss, nuzzling against me until I blearily cracked an eye open and stared up into his face. His eyes were sparkling and he looked excited. He pressed another kiss onto my forehead and then I rocked my head to kiss him on the lips. "Morning, Milady," he murmured after a long breathless moment.

"Hiya babe," I yawned. "What time is it?"

"Early," he said but his eyes were glinting with excitement. "Get your flight suit and meet me in five back here. I wanna show you something." I stretched and yawned hugely.

"What?" I yawned.

"Get up, get up, get up!" he urged me excitedly, shaking me like a kid and I smiled at his sudden enthusiasm. Wearily, I scrambled up and dragged myself back to my room, hauling on my thermals, my flight suit and grabbing my weapon, my coms and helmet. I strode back to Hiccup's room, knocked and walked in-to see him finally in his flight suit. And I gaped.

His suit was jet black, fitted perfectly to his lean and lanky form, his bruised face and messy auburn hair topping the high-necked suit. There were subtle grey markings across his chest and he smiled at my expression. "Dreadful, huh?" he said with self-deprecating humour. "I look like a total…"

"Hottie," I murmured and he blushed scarlet. He walked to me and grasped my shoulders, staring deep into my eyes.

"You are beautiful," he told me earnestly. "And I have something to show you. Come with me…"

We headed to Pen One and picked up our dragons. Toothless was ecstatic to see Hiccup and the Night Fury capered and bounced like a puppy. He was purring loudly and I smiled at his happiness to see his Rider. Hiccup was hugging him ferociously and his face was filled with joy at spending time with his best friend. Stormfly was equally delighted to see me and I petted her adoringly as I saddled her and swung into the saddle. I pulled my helmet on and checked my coms as Hiccup mounted up and looked up at me. His helmet was customised and had small spines on the crest that mirrored the small ridges running along Toothless's spine. His eyes were sparkling as he nodded over to me as I fell into my 'follow the leader' slot. "Follow me," he murmured over the com. "We'll be going fast."

We launched out of the tunnel to the shadowy predawn glen and swooped in the cold sky then arrowed east and hugged the ground. Stormfly was happy, stretching her wings and keeping up handily while Toothless was slicing though the air like a knife, the whistle of his wings soothing. Hiccup leaned lower as we accelerated. "What's the hurry?" I called and he paused.

"I wanted to get you there at dawn," he admitted as we climbed over the shadowy hills and then scorched east again towards the pink sky, the horizon definitely golden now. "I hope we haven't missed them."

"Missed who?" I asked as the coast came into sight. We were facing a wide inlet and there was an island ahead…

"The Black Isle," he said, slowing and he swooped down, circling rapidly and checking the area was free of casual observers before landing on a dark rocky outcrop that camouflaged him perfectly. Stormfly touched down by him and he unclipped his leg from the tail apparatus, then clambered from the saddle, He pulled his helmet off and ruffled his auburn hair then looked as I landed by him. I pulled my helmet free as he wrapped an arm around me and pointed.

Below us, in the Bay, a pod of dolphins was playing-leaping and diving and just having fun. There were a dozen of them, smooth grey backs with dorsal fins bobbing through the golden waters as the rising sun turned the bay to fire. A dolphin leapt directly in front of us and I could see its apparently laughing face as it clicked rapidly and Toothless crooned back. The dolphin landed agilely and dived, then shot up and leapt again, doing a back-flip. Toothless gave a little barking sound and Stormfly echoed it. The dolphins leapt again, their clicks answering the dragons' calls. More dolphins began to join in, leaping in pairs and calling to our dragons and I snuggled closer to him.

"Are-are they communicating with the dolphins?" I asked. He nuzzled my hair.

"It seems so," he murmured. "Toothless loves coming here and the dolphins always arrive when they hear the sound of his wings to talk with him. Looks like Stormfly can talk to them as well. That's really fascinating as it speaks of a shared ancient heritage and means of communicating which can tell us…"

"Shut up, Dragon Boy," I murmured and pulled him into a deep kiss. It was a very effective means of shutting him up and an even nicer way of enjoying the view. Finally, we came up for air, his face goofy with astonishment. I smiled at him in amusement. "I have something to show you? That's one of the lamest, oldest pick-up lines in…forever!" I scolded him. He flushed scarlet and stared into my eyes.

"You-you didn't think that I-I was trying to…" he stammered and face-palmed. "Gods. You must think I'm…"

"The sweetest, cutest dorkiest reddest Dragon Rider I know," I murmured. "This is the best date ever. You deserve double points for this one!" He stared at me-and his face lit up with astonishment.

"You're letting me take the lead?" he realised with a slow smile. The sun gilded his hair and brought out the copper highlights and his smile was radiant. I couldn't help grinning back.

"Only until I manage to arrange some non-lethal social engagement that matches this!" I murmured, kissing him again. "Though that may be a challenge…" He gave a smug little smirk and rubbed his nose against mine.

"Are you ready?" he said in a quiet voice and I nodded. I lifted my com and tapped in the message I had discussed with him last night. Eret had commed that he agreed with it as well.

Hi Heather. Stay put and feed us what you can. Stay safe and if you need extraction, call. Astrid.

I pressed SEND and glanced up at Hiccup. His hand was curled gently around my waist as the send acknowledgement registered. Then we turned back to the dolphins. They were still leaping and playing in the dawn light as I felt my com buzz. I peered at the screen: she had been waiting for my reply.

They are going to attack the base in a few days. Before then, there is a plan to attack an economic summit in Birmingham tomorrow.

Hiccup frowned. "Why would Alvin attack an economic summit?" he asked. I stared at the dolphins and sighed.

"I don't think he would," I murmured, running the contents of the files through my head. Alvin was hiring dragons out to the highest bidder. And Stoick had already mentioned another player…someone who wanted power and wasn't afraid to use any means. "But I think that Drago might." His eyes widened and could see the fear seep in. Then he nodded.

"I think we need to get back," he said reluctantly. "Somehow, we need a plan to prevent them causing chaos in a city of a million people…and not being seen…" I sighed and tightened my arms around him.

"Somehow, they always manage to spoil it," I muttered. He pulled me close.

"Nothing is gonna spoil this moment," he promised me, kissing me again. "Milady."

A/N: Sorry, lots of fluff got in. Thought they all deserved a little down time. Back to the action next time…