Chpater 7

"Dad I'm fine," Hiccup stressed as his Father as he nervously paced behind the doctor who was flashing a bright beam in his eyes.

Hiccup had been at the government hospital for hours now undergoing test after test. Most he was sure were unnecessary but he knew his Father had probably insisted. Truthfully, he was more worried about how Astrid was, since she took the brunt of the explosive hit.

It had only took seconds but it felt like an eternity when she jumped on top of him and shielded his body with her own. Shoving him backwards where his head hit the ground a bit to hard, knocking him out briefly. He was momentarily disoriented when he awoke moments later to screaming college kids and blaring car alarms. For a minute he had no idea what was happening around him and then in a flash it all came back to him. The party. Astrid and him fighting. The explosion.

Feeling the dead weight on his chest Hiccup snapped his head up from the ground, causing his already blistering headache to pound even harder. Not deterred he looked down on his chest and to his dismay found the unconscious and battered form of his bodyguard, Astrid.

She looked overall fine, except for the blood he could see running down her left arm, from shrapnel he assumed and obviously that she was still out cold. Slowly bringing his arms up and around her limp body, Hiccup gently shook her, his fear growing by the second as she didn't respond.

"A-Astrid, wake up." No change.

His thoughts began to race as fast as his heart was at the minute. 'She protected me, after everything, she still protected me.'

Knowing that Astrid could have easily saved herself from the blast but instead she had chose to shield him. Protect him. Even after he was a jerk all day, snuck out and then yelled at her, she still protected him. His grip on her tightened slightly trying to show a bit of appreciation for her sacrifice, since at the moment he had no words to express himself. A spot he isn't put in very often.

It felt like it was only a few moments later when he was broken from the one-sided embrace as a government official pried Astrid from his grasp. Weakly Hiccup tried to hang on to her, trying to protect her the best he could. Unfortunately, the man was much stronger than him and not injured so the struggle only lasted seconds and then she was gone. Her weight lifted off of him, leaving him alone until two pairs of hands picked him up as well. As he was carried through the crowd he turned his head trying to catch sight of where they had taken Astrid but much to his dismay he lost her in the panic all around him.

And that had been hours ago.

Now he sat in his hospital room doing hopefully his last test before he could be given the all clear and could go and find Astrid. He really needed to see her.

The doctor pulled back and clicked the light off before putting it on the counter, "everything checks out fine General Haddock." He said looking at his Father, "your Son is very lucky, just a bump on his head." Stoick nodded his head as relief washed over his face, "thank you doctor." The doctor nodded at the two men and exited the room.

Having heard the all clear Hiccup launched himself off the examination table and to his feet ready to leave his room and search for Astrid. "Well you heard him, let's get out…" he would have continued but the look his Father was giving him made him stop in his tracks.

"Sit back down Hiccup. We need to talk." He begrudgingly sighed and climbed back up on the table.

"Well for starters what were you doing at that party? Huh?" Stoick's knowing green eyes narrowed on his Son.

"Partying?" His sarcastic answer only caused his Father's eyes to narrow further.

"Ok ok, I snuck out." Seeing the Fury cross his Father's face sent Hiccup scrambling to spit out more of his explanation. "Dad it's just been hard this week a-and I felt kind of like a prisoner under Astrid's watch and then…well." His shoulders slumped and his whole posture deflated a bit. "Why didn't you say anything Dad?"

Thick eyebrows furrowed, "say anything? What do you mean Son?"

"About how I've been acting. No one said anything. Well except Astrid, she pointed out how strangely I acted from what she read in my file. My file!" Hiccup ran his hands through his hair, "you guys just sat back and watched me change into this shell of who I used to be and you-you didn't say anything!"

Finally realizing what his Son was talking about Stoick relaxed his features and slowly walked to the exam table. Sitting on it in a much gentler fashion.

"Son…after your Mother and Gobber…well…after they disappeared you got so depressed and I tried. You know I did but you fought back and it only made things worse. Don't you remember Son?" Thinking back Hiccup faintly remembered lashing out at his Father the months following his Mother and Gobber's deaths but most of it was a blur. Between very the little sleep he got and his extreme depression and guilt there wasn't much to remember.

"Sort of…"

"I wanted to get you help but every time I suggested it you fought me so one day I stoped trying and after a while you seemed to come back to the living. So we all agreed to not push you anymore and hope…hope you came back to us." Stoick shook his head, "then you started to wall yourself up and well I didn't know how to bring you back after that…can ever forgive me Son?" Hiccup turned to look at his Father, sincerity shining in his older green eyes.

"Of course Dad, if only you forgive me…I-I just feel like I wasted so much time being a crummy Son and friend." He gave a shrug, "and then for Astrid to come here and point it all out after only one week, well yeah…"

Stoick let out a chuckle, "honestly it doesn't surprise me, the lass has an eye for details. Is that why you were at the party? Trying to force yourself to change? You know that's not the way to go about it, Son."

"Yeah I know, and I snuck out on Astrid and almost got me and a lot of people killed." He let out a sigh. "Is everyone ok Dad?"

"Oh aye, the bomb just destroyed Tuff's car and a few around it but there weren't any other injuries other than you and Astrid. Thank Odin. We told the press that it was a gas explosion." Hiccup's ears perked up at the knowledge about Astrid's injuries. "Can I see her?" His Father chocked and eyebrow at the question. "I-I mean I'd like to say thank you, she did save my life and all."

"You know that's her job right Son?"

Hiccup crinkled the paper covering the exam table in a nervous fashion, "well yeah. Especially since she's one of the Berk Guard…when we're you going to tell me that one Dad?" It was his turn to look suspiciously at his Father.

"Oh, well you know. I wasn't honestly planning on telling you, since the identities of the Berk Guard are generally kept Top Secret. Though I'm glad you do know, now you can take this threat seriously." Stoick said as he hopped off the table and stood before his Son, "no more sneaking out, understood?"

Hiccup nodded with a grateful smile on his face, "oh and Hiccup if you would happen to be wondering where a certain blonde is, check down the hall in room 10." Stoick gave a laugh as he exited his Son's room, seeing the boy turn red faced at his last comment. Stoick walked down the hall and passed room 10 where Astrid was at, pausing to stare at the door.

'One week. One week and she did what I couldn't do for two years.' He thought as he realized that Astrid Hofferson was going to do much more for his Son's life than just protect it. He quickly glanced upwards, 'did you have something to do with this Val?'

Hiccup stood in front of room 10, the door slightly a jar, contemplating what he would say before he went in. 'What do you say to the person who just saved your life? Even if it's only because it's their job…'

He stood there for several more seconds hand poised over the door when he heard an unfamiliar voice drift through the crack. Knowing he shouldn't listen Hiccup was about to back away but then Astrid's clear voice cut through the air.

"I'm fine, I'm fine." Hearing her voice Hiccup took a quick glance down the hall both ways and drew closer, opening the door a fraction more.

"I know, Astrid but I worry about my favorite patient." A mans voice spoke back to her. 'Who could that be?'

"Don't you mean your most complicated patient, Dr. Seaclaw?" She gave a small laugh. 'Dr. Seaclaw?'

"Ah that you are, Astrid. Anyways how's the head?"

"Fine, just a mild concussion, I've had them before. No big deal." Hiccup's eyebrows furrowed, 'she's had multiple concussions before?' He suddenly found himself worrying about her prior health.

"Still, how are you feeling now? You know after what happened?" Dr. Seaclaws questioning voice came through the space.

"You know I've never been gun shy Doc, explosions and gunshots have never bothered me much. I mean not unless they hit me of course." She gave a chuckle as if the idea of being shot at was hilarious. Something that bothered Hiccup greatly.

"I know, I'm just checking. How's your day to day going, have you been cutting back on your drinking like I asked? Especially when you're on a mission." Hiccup heard shifting on the bed, obviously Astrid.

"I tried…but…the civilian involved with my current job…I don't know what it is. Something about him just gets under my skin." Hiccup cocked an eyebrow, 'gets under her skin, gee that's a nice way to put our relationship.' He thought sardonically.

"He gets under your skin…how so?" Dr. Seaclaw asked. It was then that Hiccup realized exactly what kind of doctor he was exactly. 'He's her therapist…'

"I-I don't know. Just something about him, drives me crazy…but not completely in a bad way. Like…like I know there's more to him, underneath everything…" Hiccup's breath caught as he listened to Astrid describe him. Mainly because this was probably the most he had ever heard her talk at once. And secondly, she spoke about him and his potential to be more, it was like she actually–.

"–But then he can be so fucking annoying it's driving me crazy!" 'Annnddd she's back…' he thought dryly.

"Astrid, give the boy a break, not everyone can be a perfect soldier like you. Maybe find something in common, so he won't be so "fucking annoying" ."

A pregnant pause hit the air before Astrid answered, "I'm far from perfect, you know that Doc."

"We all are, Astrid. Get some rest." Hiccup could hear the moving of fabric and clicking of shoes on the tile as he headed toward the door. The door Hiccup was currently pressed against. 'Oh crap.' Was all he could get think before the door swung open and he came face to face with the man behind the voice, Dr. Seaclaw.

The two stared at each other for a moment before the doctor slowly closed the door and a small smile spread across his face. Both giving the other a once over, Hiccup found Doctor Seaclaw to be a gentle looking clean cut middle aged man. Completely approachable and disarming. 'Makes sense since he's a therapist.'

"You must be him?" He asked with a smirk, cutting right to the chase. "Uh…yeah I-I was just coming to check on her and…I didn't plan to eves drop." Hiccup told him slightly ashamed.

"I'm sure you didn't Son, but I understand the need to when it comes to Astrid. She's like a steel trap. Getting information out of her is a job all in its self." Doctor Seaclaw slapped a hand on Hiccup's shoulder as he gave an exasperated noise to the what the doctor said. "Don't worry you'll find out all you need soon enough. You're already doing amazing things for her Son."

"Um not to sound rude sir but you-you don't know me. So how do you know I could do anything for Astrid? Other than annoy her apparently." He grumbled as he crossed his arms across his chest and glared at the door.

"You're right, I don't know anything about you. Other than Astrid just complained about you. You got underneath her skin long enough for her to tell me about you..." he looked over Hiccup again. "I'll let you figure out how many times something like that has happened. Stick with her Son. You might be able to do what none of us can." Hiccup watched as Doctor Seaclaw started to walk away. His mind frantically trying to go through what the doctor had just said. "W-wait, what can I do that no one else can?" He asked, desperately needing to know the answer.

The doctor turned around, a gentle smile on his face as he looked at Hiccup, "make her human again." He said and walked away leaving a stunned and wide eyed Hiccup standing in his wake. Mulling over the words he left him with, Hiccup turned back to the door and stared at the stark white wood.

'Make her human again…what happened to you Astrid?'

A gentle knock came from her door as Astrid sat in bed clicking through channels on the tv. "Come in," she called out not bothering to turn her head. The door tentatively opened and an auburn mopped head stuck through it.

"Uhh hey Astrid, want some company?" His nasally voice asked hesitantly.

Astrid shook her head and took a deep breath, "I said you could come in, Hiccup." He slid inside and shut the door quietly behind him and started walking toward the chair by her bed. "Well that's before you knew it was me. I-I thought you may change your mind when you knew who was knocking."

Turning her head to look at him fully as he sat in the chair she was pleased to find no obvious injuries on his person. "Don't worry Hiccup. So how do you feel?"

"Fine just a headache and a knot on the back of my head, thanks to you." Immediately Hiccup realized what he said came out completely wrong, making eyes widened as he began profusely apologizing. "N-not thanks to you. I-I mean, yes thanks to you but th-that's because you saved me. Not…oh Thor." Slapping his hands to his face Hiccup couldn't believe how much he bungled just one sentence up. 'I can't even say thank you properly! Mutton head!'

He was pulled from his thoughts by a small chuckle from in front of him, peeking gingerly through his fingers. Hiccup found Astrid staring at him with a half smirk as she finished her small laugh. "I know what you meant, Hiccup. Remember it's my job to protect you. No matter how much you piss me off." Green eyes softened a bit as they stared at her bed bound form, "so how are you feeling?"

She shrugged, "mild concussion, and twenty stitches to my left arm. Piece of metal got me. Other than I'm right as rain and ready to get my ass out of this place." Her blue eyes glared around the room, "I hate hospitals."

"Me too." He answered quickly before the two fell into an awkward silence. Neither knowing what to say to the other. After several minutes Astrid turned to Hiccup with a curious glint in her eyes. One that sent Hiccup on edge but not for any bad reasons.

"Hiccup, I was thinking we should find some common ground. Maybe share some similar interests." Hiccup had no idea where this was going but he nodded along with what she said. Agreeing wholeheartedly. "So what do you think about you teaching me all about your dragons and stuff like that?" She asked as his eyes lit up at her idea. Genuinely excited for the idea.

"Deal." He nodded his head in approval as an idea popped into his head, "but only if you teach me how to fight." Astrid's eyes went wide in shock, the first time he had ever seen such a thing. Before narrowing and a large grin spread across her face, "deal."

"You failed me." A deep voice told the frightened man kneeling on the floor.

Feeling the sweat drip down his face the hitman gathered his courage and responded back to his terrifying leader, "I-I'm sorry. The bomb, it detonated early." He clenched his hands repeatedly beside him, "I assure you it won't happen again, Master."

The deep voice chuckled ominously as the person behind it stared down the assassin, "oh I know that Ryker. And do you know how I know that?" The bald man shook his head.

"Because you won't be doing the job. GUARDS!" Several men immediately surrounded the large man and grabbed his arms. Restraining him.

"Brother please! Say something!" Ryker screamed to the form standing beside his now former master.

Another man stepped closer to the fray his eyes critical and unwavering. The ominous presence next to him turned their head. "What say you Viggo? What should be your brother's fate?"

Viggo stared at his struggling brother, silently contemplating his fate for a moment before answering. "Kill him."

The guards snapped to attention dragging Ryker out of the dark room. The sound of his screams and flailing boots on stone floors, was all that was heard as Ryker was dragged to his death.

Viggo turned to his leader no remorse on his face, "he always was a failure."

His Master turned away from him to face a large desk, files spread across it. On top a picture of the burning shell of the car. "There is no room for failure in my war, Viggo. A war which will not happen unless that boy dies." His master said, hatred dripping from each word. Viggo nodded, knowing all to well what his leaders plans were. "Who would you like me to contact to take over the job, Master?"

Viggo felt the piercing gaze of his leader on him before answering, "activate Krogan and his team. I expect better results next time Viggo, or you will pay the price." Viggo bowed silently in acknowledgment as his master turned briskly and left the room.

Oooo bad guys. So long Ryker.

Thanks as always for all the review, favs and follows!