FORTY FOUR: The Waiting Game

Astrid awoke with a start, completely disorientated. She was in a sumptuous SuperChief bed in a wide, airy suite in the most luxurious hotel in Dragonia, the Asgard Suites. She blinked and looked around, seeing the sunlight seeping in through the gauzy white curtains across the full length windows. She glanced to her left and saw Zephyr curled up in the other side of the bed, bruises on her shoulders visible around the straps of her nightshirt. She blinked and tried to recall what had happened.

They had left the Presidential Palace in the limousine Cami had driven and had stopped at Aurora, the most exclusive and famous department store in Dragonia. There, the whole party had gone in and Hiccup had advised them to buy what they needed-clothes, toiletries, underwear, shoes-and then they had split. Zephyr and Astrid had paused, uncertain what to do until Hiccup had handed them a card.

"Take whatever you need," he murmured. "This has a five figure limit. They can always phone me if they have any queries." And then he had smiled, squeezed Zephyr's shoulder and turned away to the escalator to the next floor where the Men's Department was located. So they had bought what they needed, lingerie and nightwear, clothes and shoes for Zephyr and jeans, tops, jacket and boots for Astrid. Self-consciously, she had approached the checkout and the woman had suspiciously looked at the women who handed over the platinum card-until she saw the name.

"Ah-Mr Fury has alerted us that you will be using his card," she said smoothly. "Is this all? I was given to understand that you would be requiring additional clothes." Astrid blinked.

"Um…maybe?" she murmured, glancing over at her daughter. Zephyr's eyes sparkled.

"There was that cute top, Mom," she murmured. "And those jeans…" Her lips pursing in mock disapproval, Astrid relented and broke out into a grin.

"Could you hold these for us please?" she asked gently. "I think my daughter needs a few more things…"

The second round had garnered far more in the way of success, leaving Zephyr with dresses, skirts, tops, a coat and jacket, a purse and rucksack, boots and sandals and Astrid had conceded and bought a dress and leather skirt, a couple of blouses and a pair of strappy heels before they had paid-and when they arrived, Hiccup was waiting, a small smile lifting his lips at seeing the pile of clothing. He winked at Zephyr.

"I look forward to seeing you in the 'ART IS AWESOME' top," he commented as she blushed, dumping her purchases on the counter. "May I suggest…?" He reached out and handed over a jewelled comb that would compliment her auburn hair. She grinned.

"That's beautiful," she whispered and hugged him. Cautiously, he hugged her back, smiling.

"Zeph-when this is done, I am going to make sure you get the chance to do what you want, with no one trying to undermine you," he promised. "You are a remarkable and beautiful young woman. And wherever you choose to go to further your education, I will support you." Astrid nodded and smiled as the assistant continued to tot up the sale but she was astonished at the calm with which Hiccup paid the bill. "Look, the twins have bought the most outrageous sporting gear-and Snotlout is all in leather. As is Dagur. Cami has already sorted herself out while we were with the President. This is really reasonable." He winked. "Especially given the hotel I've booked us all into." They grabbed their bags and Astrid noted that Hiccup wasn't carrying anything. "They're already in the car," he said in answer to her unspoken question.

Once they pulled into the hotel, they had all been able to freshen up before they met for dinner. The twins were outrageous in fluorescent green tops and combat pants while Snotlout was surprisingly smart in black jeans and a white button down and Dagur was stubbornly in black leather pants and vest with a green tee-shirt under. Fishlegs looked geeky in a crumpled shirt and corduroy pants. Astrid wore her dress-a sleeveless azure form-fitting above knee silk dress with a boat neck and Zephyr looked beautiful in a green shirt dress with wide leather belt and the jewelled comb in her hair. Hiccup was in a dark linen suit and white open neck shirt, casual and relaxed as they had a private dining room and were able to relax and just unwind. Cami had gone to spend the evening with Heather and Hiccup knew the woman would care for Heather, no matter how their relationship developed.

Astrid sat up, taking care not to wake her daughter and walked to the window, peering down over the town. Memories of those days in the University Hospital in Dragonia, worried for Fink and gifted the use of Tallon's apartment, swirled back and she realised that there had been clues, even then. It was probably why she had felt comfortable revealing so much of herself to him, even though she knew he wasn't the biggest friend of her husband. But Hiccup had been generous and supportive and she had wished she had known who he was at that time. But he hadn't been ready, still believing that she had betrayed him with Eret and it was only now, once his revenge had been achieved, that he would contemplate, could dare to believe that she was still in love with him.

She rested her hands flat on the cool glass, resting her forehead against the window. Somewhere beyond her sight, her son was alone and in danger. And she truly hoped that he was smart and brave enough to keep his mouth zipped so that he could hang on until his parents came for him. Unsettled, she paced the floor, then paced to the sofa and sat, her feet folded under her body. Glancing at Zephyr once more, she reached for the phone and dialled the number for Hiccup's suite. He picked up immediately.

"Hello?" He sounded wide awake.

"It's me. Astrid." She hated that her voice still sounded uncertain.

"Couldn't sleep?" He was smiling-she could hear it in his voice.

"No," she sighed. "Zeph's out and I don't want to leave her…"

"You want me to come round?" he asked immediately and she sighed, grateful he had picked up on her unspoken question. "I couldn't sleep either. My mind keeps on going over what the President said…"

"Come round," she invited him and he grunted, then hung up. Silently, she rose to her feet, adjusting her blue pyjamas and running her fingers through her hair before padding to the door barefoot and unfastening the lock. He was already standing there, his hair wild and emerald eyes bright, his black pyjamas rumpled with sleep. He was wearing slippers but she now knew that he had a prosthetic leg and guessed he was very self-conscious about it. He smiled, the shy, slightly crooked smile that was so familiar to her from their youth.

"Morning," he said. "How are you?" She sighed.

"Come in, you goof!" she said and grabbed his arm, hauling him into the seating area. He glanced over at the sleeping Zephyr and there was a look of wonder on his face.

"I still don't believe it's true," he murmured. "But Fish explained they had managed to do a DNA test-I'm still not sure how the twins managed to get the samples and I don't actually want to know. Especially if Tuff was involved."

"You have very unusual but incredibly loyal friends," she murmured. "Was it true? That you were thrown into the sea as a corpse?" He nodded, his eyes growing distant.

"I was completely desperate," he murmured softly. "I had been tunnelling for years with Gobber-and then a cave in, inches from success, killed him. And I knew the chance to get out would be gone because someone else would be put in his cell and the tunnel would be lost. So I took his place in the body bag and let them throw me into the sea. It was insanity but somehow, the twins and Fishlegs picked me up. They were smugglers-really, really bad smugglers-but they welcomed me without hesitation and they saved my life. And I owe everything to them." There was a knock on the door and he rose, reappearing with a tray. "I ordered coffee and pastries-I hope you didn't mind but I'm famished." She chuckled and looked at him.

"You, sir, are still skinny as a rake!" she scolded him. "I see the high life hasn't really changed you at all."

"Except I apparently have the alcohol tolerance of a gnat," he said as she poured two cups of hot, freshly brewed coffee. "Honestly. After any of those horrible mixers or parties, I am always hung over!"

"You may have got out of practice," she said, snagging an apple Danish. "Mmm…this is awesome." He lifted a Portuguese custard tart and bit into it.

"Thor, I love these," he mumbled. "I'm still waiting for the word from the President but I am going in whatever. A full scale attack by our military would be helpful as a diversion but I am sure that Fink is smart. He won't fight for them-but in the chaos of battle, he may be able to slip away."

"I want to go with you," she told him determinedly, grasping her coffee and taking a sip. He sighed.

"I don't suppose telling you it was dangerous and that Zeph shouldn't risk losing both her parents would make any difference?" he asked. She shook her head.

"I need to know everything is being done to get him back," she said in a low voice. "He was my baby. He was so small, so fragile when he was born. And he fought so hard to survive…but he grew up stronger and braver than anyone else I know…except you." She smiled. "I remember that your Dad told me about you-that you were a real Hiccup. But he knew you would be the strongest of them all."

"He would have been so proud of Fink," he said in a soft voice.

"He knew about him," she whispered, taking his hand. "I sent him a picture of them when they were five. He will have watched their progress. It was all I could do…" He leaned forward and kissed her.

"I know," he said quietly. "And I don't blame you. You did the best you could in the circumstances. And you raised the kids to be brave, decent human beings…"

"And very tired ones," Zephyr mumbled from the bed. "Could you keep it down? It's still stupid o'clock." The couple shared a look and then burst out laughing.

"This is worse than being caught by my Dad sneaking in after Junior Prom," Hiccup chuckled. "Thor, I thought I would be grounded until Ragnarok! He was all for calling your Mom and having you have a pregnancy test there and then." She burst out laughing.

"We'd only just done the deed!" she giggled as Hiccup turned beet red. He covered his face.

"Oh my Thor, I had forgotten," he groaned as Zephyr grabbed a pillow and lobbed it at them.

"First up…damn! I do not need to hear that!" she grumped. "Second, will you go somewhere else to giggle like Freshmen? I need my sleep!"

"She's not a morning person," Astrid nodded and grabbed the tray. "Maybe we could go to yours?"

"Are you seducing me, Miss Hofferson?" he checked, rising from his seat.

"Possibly-but I really want the cooked Viking breakfast and once we've made it to your suite, I can order a supersized one with extra bagels!" she said. "And more coffee. And orange juice. And chocolate muffins. Seriously-I need those muffins. Zephyr-if you need us, it's 888 on the phone. Or the suite down the hall marked 'Chieftain's Suite'."

"See you in four hours," the girl grumbled and buried herself in the quilt as they left the room, giggling. The last thing they heard, as they closed the door, was her exasperated groan of 'Parents!'

Four hours later, when Zephyr joined them for a bacon sandwich, showered and dressed in jeans a bright green tee-shirt, the rest of the gang had congregated in Hiccup's suite. Every possible place was occupied and Cami had joined them as well. The twins had polished off an obscene number of pastries, though Tuff was bemoaning the lack of pop tarts and wondering how he would survive without his sugar rush. Snotlout and Dagur seemed to be having a meat eating contest and were ploughing though a plate of three eggs, sausages, Lincolnshire sausages, chorizo sausages, back bacon, streaky bacon, maple bacon, black pudding, haggis, one slice of tomato, fried bread and a Viking chop. Even Astrid-who appeared to have a bottomless pit for a stomach-had baulked at the offer, though she had finished a huge cooked breakfast and grinned smugly when she had needed to finish Hiccup's fried bread. His smile at the interaction had lit his entire face and Fishlegs-who had witnessed it-had felt his heart warm at the sight of his friend looking happy.

"So any news from the President?" Snotlout asked through a mouthful of fried black pudding. Fishlegs shook his head.

"Not yet-but Cami tells me the brass have been in and out all night," he reported.

"I was bored and couldn't sleep so I spent most of my evening on surveillance of the Palace," she reported, stealing a slice of fried bread and dipping it in one of Dagur's fried eggs. "All six of the senior Generals were there-and two left in different cars."

"How's Toothless?" Hiccup asked.

"He's refuelled and ready to fly-just give me the word, Boss," she replied, stealing a piece of Snotlout's bread to even things up.

"Hey!"

"I stole one of his," she explained.

"I thought you were helping me," Snotlout grumbled as Dagur effortlessly inhaled another sausage to go back into the lead. Hiccup sipped his coffee and glanced around the entire group.

"Whatever she decides, we go in today," he decided. "We can't risk leaving Fink there any longer-because we have no idea what Drago is planning or when he intends to make his move. By reputation, his men are nasty bastards and Fink…is a trouble magnet. And we can't all go either." There was a storm of protests but Hiccup shook his head.

"This is dangerous," he explained, glancing over at Dagur, who appeared casual but was actually completely focussed. The mercenary gave a slight nod. "Drago's men don't play games and the place is proper arctic cold…"

"Which is why Butt-Elf and I got white skiing gear and boots for everyone yesterday," Tuffnut explained calmly. There was a pause as everyone stared at the male twin. "What? Were we ever NOT going to rescue my boy Finky?" he checked.

"Um…no, we always were, but…that's great thinking, Tuff," Hiccup managed in shock.

"Happens about once a year," Ruff put in helpfully. "And he's been remarkably focussed twice in two days. That means his brain may melt…" Tuff looked cheered by that.

"Really? That can happen? Because that would be awesome!" he gushed. "Even better than a double pop tart with an extra thick melted sugar coating…"

"Bleurgh," Hiccup muttered, stealing a piece of Dagur's toast.

"So who's missing out?" Fishlegs asked calmly, meeting Hiccup's eye.

"You," the billionaire confirmed. "Zephyr…" The girl looked over at him, chewing her sandwich and then nodded.

"I understand," she said quietly. "And thanks. I was kinda terrified at the thought of going…even though I want to see Fink…"

"Honey, you going wouldn't help because someone would have to be there to protect you at all times…and that would mean one less person to actually rescue Fink," Astrid said quietly.

"Astrid…" Hiccup began but her head snapped round.

"NO!" she snapped. "I can handle myself. I shot that bastard Johann and I took down that lecherous yak in the brothel…" Eyes wide, Hiccup raised his hands placatingly.

"Okay, okay…in the interests of not being shot or turned into a eunuch, you can come!" he gabbled to the unsympathetic laughter of the twins.

"Hiccup-Fink will be scared and the last he heard of you was you turning us out of our home," Astrid explained. "And though he liked and trusted you, I'm not sure how he will react." Hiccup frowned and glanced at Fishlegs.

"He didn't get my offer?" he asked.

"What offer?" Zephyr asked. The billionaire frowned.

"Fish?"

"I couldn't get through," the lawyer explained. "The phone numbers were dead."

"They were to offer your kids a place of safety with me," Hiccup explained quietly. "In case you didn't want to share your father's fate. I assumed…though he was an ass…that you had stuck with him…" Eyes wide, the girl shook her head.

"Dad smashed our phones the evening the First Minister was arrested," she explained. "And burnt the SIMs. He didn't want us being contacted by you. At all. Ever again."

"So you could have prevented this…if he hadn't…" Astrid murmured, seeing the man's hands fist tightly, knuckles white against the skin.

"I'll cut his heart out!" Hiccup swore, his eyes flashing with rage. "That evil snake! He was determined to take you kids down with him-when all the time he knew you weren't ever his! Gods, death is too good for him…"

"But it will have to do," Snotlout sighed, pushing away his cleaned plate and gently patting his full stomach. "I presume I'm allowed to come?" Hiccup nodded.

"Only if you want," he said tightly. "And can actually move after all of that food. I ask no one to come who doesn't whole-heartedly wish to. This is very dangerous…"

"Oh, I'm in!" his cousin confirmed.

"And us!" Ruff said. "Look-we can shoot, we're not awful at infiltration and sometimes, you need crazy…"

"…which we got in spades!" Tuff confirmed. "Besides, I fancy being an arctic Viking warrior. That would be something extra-awesome to tell the grandchildren!"

"You're never going to have grandchildren!" Ruff told him bluntly.

"I mean yours with Meatlug there!" Tuff said, gesturing at Fishlegs. "Don't disappoint me, woman!"

"Are they always like this?" Zephyr whispered to her mother. Astrid glanced around the group, gently bickering and bouncing off one another and nodded.

"I think so," she murmured. "This is what a family is supposed to be like."

"You mean…they're all my family now?" the girl asked softly and Astrid smiled.

"Yes, I think they are," she smiled as Zephyr finally gave a small smile.

"I think…I'm going to like this," she said and then she sighed. "All I need is Fink back."

The harsh noise of the phone made everyone jump and every eye turned to Hiccup. He reached over and lifted the receiver.

"Hello?" he said. There was a pause and then he nodded. "Understood. Thank you." He put the phone down then looked over at his friends.

"Well?"

"The mission is a go."

oOo

The limousines swept onto the apron of the airport, ferrying Hiccup and his party back to the hangers where there was a hive of activity. Dagur's men were scurrying around, making final preparations and stowing weapons and cold weather gear. The twins were already in their skiing gear-though they were almost dying of heat stroke in the warm summer afternoon-while the others were more sensibly carrying their gear. Fishlegs and Zephyr were with them as well, the girl tearful at the sight of her parents-her real parents-both heading out on a mission to rescue her twin brother. Hiccup had tried talking Astrid out of the mission once more, asking her to think of Zephyr losing both her parents but the woman had been as stubborn as he remembered and had merely reminded him that he would probably need her presence to persuade Fink to come back with them.

Before they left the room, Fishlegs had bustled in with a document which Hiccup had signed and then got Dagur and Snotlout to witness. Calmly, he had explained that he had asked Fishlegs to update his Will which the lawyer would file with the Probate Office in Dragonia as soon as they took off. Zephyr and Fink were his main beneficiaries with Astrid also getting a generous legacy. At the calm, matter-of-fact words, the girl had stared at the billionaire and burst into tears, throwing her arms around him. Hiccup had known she was his daughter for two days and he had already granted her the consideration and protection that the man she had called 'Dad' never had in the seventeen years of her life.

Cami parked them up alongside Toothless and then clambered out, seeing Heather waiting for her by the aircraft. Smiling, her blue eyes lighting with hope, she had run forward to embrace the raven-haired woman and Hiccup had smiled at the sight. But then he was surrounded by Dagur and his friends and he concentrated on the details of the mission. He glanced up from his discussions as a tall military man walked up and saluted him.

"Colonel Oddvar, Archipelago Marines," the man introduced himself. He was a powerfully built man with a granite face, twinkling blue eyes and greying blond buzz cut. Incongruously, he was dressed in the white and grey snow camouflage uniform with a grey beret with the Archipelago crest. "I'm your liaison." Hiccup offered him his hand.

"Tallon Fury," he introduced himself, his mirror aviator shades back in place. "Pleased to meet you." The Colonel gave a smile and shook his hand firmly.

"Actually, it's an honour to meet you, sir," he replied. "The President has spoken highly of the aid you have given her in combating corruption and treason!"

"And you understand my involvement in this mission?" Hiccup checked and the man nodded.

"I am sorry your son was kidnapped," he said gravely. "And be assured-we will do our part. We have a plan for attack-and your ships will insert from the east under the radar and approach the main base through the forest. It's about half a klick only. We will be coming in from the south and do our best to blow the base and take out their materiel and fighters." He paused. "We will proceed with the attack no matter what so I suggest you get in and out as soon as possible."

"I understand the risks," Hiccup told him. "But this is something I need to do. Something I have to do…because this is a debt of honour. Of blood." The Colonel saluted him.

"I admire you, sir," he said honestly. "Gods speed!"

"To us all," Hiccup said, nodding and then watched as the man walked away, intercepting Dagur to finalise arrangements. Astrid drifted to his side with Zephyr and looked at his thoughtful face.

"You okay?" she asked softly and he nodded.

"This is my fault," he said quietly. "I should have checked that Fish got through to the kids. I should have made the appeal in person. But I was too stubborn, too determined to take Eret down and I…ignored the innocent victims of his actions. Zeph, Fink…and you. You all suffered because I was obsessed with my revenge…because I wanted to see him as broken as I was." Astrid caught his arm and pulled him to face her, pulling off his shades to stare into the recrimination-filled emerald eyes.

"First up-I wasn't innocent,' she told him honestly. "I married him eyes wide open. I knew exactly what sort of man he was. I married him for his money, to get him to support me and my unborn children. And though I did it for reasons that were honourable, I wasn't naive. So I supported a man who was reprehensible in every way and did all I could to protect my kids. But in the end, he was stronger than me. And Hiccup-what he did to you was so horrific, what you suffered was so appalling that I can't blame you for wanting the man responsible for that to suffer." She sighed. "The problem is that Eret is cunning, self-centred and amoral. He would never feel guilt, only self-pity and anger. He would never feel remorse, only the need for revenge. You aren't him-and I never want you to be."

"I let him get the better of me…twice," Hiccup said, his shoulders slumping. "Fool me once, shame on you: fool me twice, shame on me. I should have been there when he came home. I could have stopped him taking Fink…" She silenced him with a kiss.

"Babe," she murmured. "Hiccup. You're a decent human being, a good man. I don't think any normal human would imagine Eret would do what he did to me and the children." He leaned forward and kissed her again.

"No, they wouldn't," he admitted and then sighed. "But there will be no third chance. He's taken too much from me. When we get Fink out, I have one further mission." He looked into her eyes. "I find Eret. And I end him."