Chapter 12

*strong T for violence this chapter*

Expensive dress shoes pounded on the immaculate marble floors as Hiccup raced away from the spot he and Astrid had just been dancing. Commotion on the other side of the ballroom drawing everyone's attention away from him as he made a beeline to his friends. Who were exactly where he and Astrid had left them not long ago.

"Hiccup, wha–"

"No time, we have to go. Bad guys are here." He huffed out, cutting Heather off. Immediately the eyes of his friends widen as he spoke as they realized what exactly was happening. No more words were needed as he took off again, the group following him. Fishlegs had linked his arms with Heather's as Tuffnut and Ruffnut ran side by side in unison. While Snotlout ran next to Hiccup an increasingly worried look grew on his face and he fumbled with something in his pocket. All of which was missed by Hiccup and the others in their mad dash to leave.

They reached the service door in very little time with the help of the screaming and chaos coming from the other side of the room. Astrid and the would be assassins no where in sight. Wrenching the door open Hiccup charged through it without a second thought, his friends following closely behind. Their combined breaths and heavy foot falls echoing down the long hall way as they ran at a blistering pace.

As they reached about the half way point in the hallway, the door they had just entered through swung open again. Sparing a glance over his shoulder, Hiccup hoped it would be Astrid, instead what he found cooled his blood instantly.

Four tuxedo clad men with menacing looks on their faces and strange looking blades in hand, had now joined them. Charging down the tight hallway behind them. Whipping his head back forward Hiccup picked up his pace, as did everyone else. Harsh breathing increased as did the pounding of their hearts and feet.

As they neared the exit door Hiccup reached out his hand in anticipation, not wanting to waste a moment with his usual uncoordinated fumbling. The moment the cool metal of the handle touched his skin he turned and pushed with everything in him. While still maintaining his forward motion. The door flung open, swinging with so much force it loudly hit the exterior wall of the hotel.

The hired security that stood guard beside the door jumped to attention as the group barreled through the doorway, "what's happening?!" The security guard shouted with urgency as they flew past him.

Still running for the black SUV, Hiccup looking over his shoulder and pointed. "People, trying to kill us!" He shouted brokenly between his gasping breathing.

Not needing to be told anything more the security guard pulled the gun from its concealed location under his jacket and thrust himself through the doorway and into the hallway. While they knew the guard had now bought them enough time to make it to the car no one slowed. The clicking of heels and dress shoes on cold asphalt being all, they could hear until suddenly several gun shots rang out from inside the hallway.

Taking a shuddering breath as dread kept up his spine, Hiccup pushed hard the last few feet, straining his muscles, before throwing open the door and practically leaping into the passenger side seat. His friends scrambled into the large SUV as well, the twins taking the last row while Fishlegs and Heather climbed in to the middle. The slamming of the drivers side door, pulled Hiccup's attention away from the now closed building door that the guard had bravely went into moments before.

Turning his gaze to the left Hiccup was surprised to see his cousin in the drivers seat, pulling out a second set of keys–about to put them into the ignition. "Wha–What the Hel are you doing Snotlout?!" Snotlout's entire body grew tense at the question but it didn't stop his movements.

"Snotlout?!" Hiccup shouted his voice becoming terrifyingly similar to his Father's. Something about this seemed wrong.

"She made me promise, Okay!" Snotlout yelled back as he ran a trembling hand threw his slicked back black hair. As all attention in the car was now on him. "Astrid made me promise if something happened, that I would get you–us out of here. She gave me an extra key and some code to put into the computer and told me to follow the directions it gave." He paused, looking Hiccup in the eye.

"I'm sorry Hiccup, I promised." Snotlout said firmly now, as he turned the key in the ignition as the engine roared to life.

"No, NO! Snotlout! We can't leave her! We can't leave–" the sound of more gun shots rang out. Cutting Hiccup off as all the attention was now on the door. Holding his breath Hiccup silently prayed that it would be Astrid who emerged through the door.

Unfortunately for him two out of the original four assassins pushed through the door instead, the one in front, now in possession of the guards gun. Immediately raising it to eye level the assassin pointed in Hiccup's direction and with no hesitation fired. The bullet hit the bullet proof glass of the passenger side window, just as he heard the deafening sound of it firing. The glass though held strong, stoping it's deadly path right in front of Hiccup's eyes.

Heather and a few other of the cars occupants let out shrill screams and Snotlout let out a curse at the sight of the spiderweb cracks running around the suspended bullet. Hiccup could do little else other than stare at the spot where the tiny piece of metal had tired to penetrate. Knowing if it had, it would have gone directly into his skull, killing him instantly.

"Fuck this. We're out." Snotlout said as he grasped the shifter ready to throw the car into drive and get away from the men trying to kill his cousin.

Still in a trance from his near death experience Hiccup didn't hear his cousin or feel the car shift into gear, it was only when he saw a flash of red behind the spiderweb cracks did his brain come back to the present.

"STOP!" He screamed as he tilted his head to look past the bullet hole to see Astrid running at a blinding pace threw the exterior door way. Two gleaming knives in her hands.

Astrid schooled her breathing as she charged threw the doorway, her target in her sights. The man directly in front of her had his back to her, gun still raised and pointed at her black SUV. Her eyes darted to said SUV, and to the bullet ridden passenger window and the auburn haired man who sat protected behind it.

With her anger surging at seeing such a near miss, she brought the knives forward–poised for attack and before the would be killer could stop her she struck. Her knives running deep into the back of the gunman.

Hiccup watched in morbid awe as the man who had shot at him hit the hard ground. Unmoving and unresponsive. Revealing Astrid standing behind him, two knives still in hand and a cold and deadly look on her face. One that Hiccup wasn't sure he would ever be able to erase from his memory. This side of Astrid–her killer side–was something he was sure she never wanted him to see. And now he knew why.

It was terrifying.

His eyes followed her as charged at the other assassin, two blades in hand while the man carried a strange plastic looking blade. Furrowing his eyebrows he squinted at the deadly object before he lost sight of it in the fray. Astrid and the man's movements becoming almost to fast to follow as they swung, dodged and charged at each other. Over and over again.

With the vehicle now stopped again it seemed everyone in it was pressed against the bullet proof glass watching the fight with rapt attention. "Thor, remind me never to piss off Astrid again." Ruffnut mumbled, eyes glued to the blonde bodyguard as she swung again at the man. Slicing his cheek with her blade. All the heads in the car nodded except one.

Ignoring them, Hiccup never took his eyes off of Astrid's quick moving form. His breath fogging the glass as he pressed himself as close to it as possible. His heart squeezing in pain knowing that at any moment anything could happen and it could cost her, her life.

And then just as suddenly as the fight had started it was over.

With a guttural yell and knife clutched in her right hand, Astrid made a viscous strike, hitting the man deep in the abdomen. Ending the fight. Astrid panted slightly as she watched his body drop to the ground and quickly bleed out, not bothering to retrieve her knife–still buried deep in him.

I've got more, she thought with a shrug.

Closing her eyes she took a few deep breaths trying to calm her body down from the onslaught of adrenaline pumping threw her veins. A technique she had mastered.

Hiccup all but jumped out of his seat when he saw the man fall to the ground. She did it. His heart un-clenched is his chest in relief as he watched her breath heavily over the man. Not wasting any time to evaluate how much his views had changed in such a short time that a dead man would now relieve him–he turned to his cousin.

"Snotlout, pull up beside Astrid so she can–"

"Shit!" Snotlout interrupted, causing Hiccup to whip his head back around in Astrid's direction. Just in time to see her hit the ground, another man standing over her–large pipe in hand.

"No!" Hiccup shouted and without thinking reached for the door handle, only to find it locked. Pulling it rapidly back and forth several more times Hiccup looked up again only to find the man now lifting back his dress shoe clad foot and surging it forward–straight into Astrid's midsection.

"Snotlout! Unlock the damn door!" He shouted at his cousin as he continued to try to open the door.

He watched as a another kick was delieverd. Astrid's body curling in defense.

"I-I can't do that Cuz! You could get killed!" He answered back in desperation. Hating every second of what he was doing to the man beside him, but knowing it was for the best. Hiccup's safety was top priority.

Hiccup growled in frustration, his eyes sparing a quick glance at Astrid's fallen form before made up his mind. Leaping across his cousins lap he extended his thin arms across the confined space and slammed his hand down onto the unlock button on the driver side door. Not wasting another second he reached for his now unlocked door handle and pushed it open. The door flew free and he scrambled out of the car quickly. Screams of his friends could be heard behind him as he ran towards Astrid and his potential killer.

Using his skilled eye for detail Hiccup scanned his surroundings as he charged forward, hoping something–anything would help him form a plan on the spot. Sweeping it to the right, his sight fell upon the neglected gun lying uncomfortably close to the dead body of the man that shot at him.

Not second guessing his good luck, Hiccup closed the distance between him and the weapon. Before kneeling down and wrapping his hands firmly around the cold metal. Awkwardly grasping it he took a deep intake of air, helping push past the foreign feeling of the guns weight in his hand. He stood, gun firmly in his left hands grasp and continued towards the two people now brawling on the ground.

Astrid felt the hired killers weight pressed directly on her aching abdomen as he straddled her to the ground, the pipe he had beat into her back now pressed directly against her throat. Holding both sides of the pipe Astrid continued pushing with all her strength, or have her trachea crushed. Unfortunately at this point her strength was waning dangerously. Causing the pipe to inch deeper and deeper to her neck.

Then in her peripheral she caught sight of a certain lanky form, who was now standing within six feet of her and the hit man.

Un-familiar panic rushed her system as Astrid saw Hiccup raise the discarded gun, his hands shaking so much that aiming would be damn near impossible at a farther distance. Gritting her teeth Astrid locked eyes with his. Giving him a hard glare as she did. Hoping that even in his panic induced state he would be able to understand the meaning behind it–and listen to what she was telling him.

Hiccup watched as Astrid writhed on the ground under the man, the shuddering gun pointed straight in his direction. His finger on the trigger. He knew he could take the shot. He was barely six feet away the fear of missing him and hitting Astrid was not even present in his mind.

And yet he couldn't pull the trigger.

Something inside him resisted completely the physical act of pulling the trigger. Of taking another humans life. Even if it meant saving Astrid.

Astrid.

Looking towards her face he saw her eyes locked on him, a heavy glare on her face directed towards him. As if she was trying to tell him something, through the look. It was almost if she was–

Telling me not to do it…

Astrid watched as confusion flooded his face as he stared at her, the gun dropping slightly as he did. It was in that moment that the man on top of her shifted his weight, lessening the pressure on her neck, seemingly distracted by Hiccup's presence.

It was all she needed.

Thrusting against the metal on her neck with every drop of strength she had left, Astrid threw the man off her midsection. His body hitting the hard ground with a thud while the pipe clanged noisily and rolled away. Quickly rolling her body in Hiccup's direction, Astrid reached up from under his hands grasping the gun with her right hand. While still laying on the ground Astrid leveled the gun in the killers direction, firing three quick rounds into his abdomen without a second thought.

Hiccup felt the gun being pulled from his hands, heard the concussive sound of it rapidly going off and watched as the bullets hit the man, rendering him motionless on the ground. Not able to pull his eyes off of the man due to his shock, Hiccup didn't notice Astrid stiffly rise to her feet beside him or when her small hand grasped his arm and began dragging him backwards. It was only when he heard her start cursing like a sailor did he come back to the present.

"I told you to stay in the fucking car Hiccup! Is that so impossible for you to do? Run and stay in the SUV that's built like a fucking tank?!" She shouted at him as they raced back to the said SUV. Before he could respond though she had already flung him back threw the open passenger door, slamming it securely behind him.

Smartly Snotlout had chosen to crawl into the middle seat next to Fishlegs after Hiccup had left the car. Knowing he was already in deep trouble with Astrid, he didn't want to be physically any closer to her than he needed to be.

Sliding into the car Astrid took no time to throw the car into gear and speed out of the alley way, not paying the dead men a second glance. When the SUV was clear of the buildings Astrid shot a glare in the rear view mirror, directed straight at Snotlout. "And you! You promised you, ass! I trusted you out of everyone in this group to be able to keep your head and get Hiccup and the rest of them to safety. And you let him out of the damn car!" Her hands clamping harder on the steering wheel as she yelled at the man. Snotlout shrinking farther into his seat under the glare.

"Hey! It's not his fault." Hiccup interjected. Finally finding the ability to speak up.

"He was responsible for you Hiccup." She shot a glare in his direction, "So, yeah, it's his fault." She spun the wheel in her anger, cutting down a narrow one way street. Where she was heading a mystery to everyone except her.

"I'm not a little kid Astrid!" Hiccup's arms flailed in her direction, "and anyways, he tried to stop me and leave but I wouldn't let him. There was no way in Hel I was leaving you behind! W-which by the way, was a terrible plan. You should have known I wouldn't have gone along with it." Crossing his arms across his chest he shot her a glare, that could easily rival her own.

"Of course you're not a kid Hiccup–but you are the one I'm charged with protecting. A job that if needed to I would die to complete!" She pulled the SUV over to the side of the road, confident that there was no one following them. Their distance from the hotel far enough for her to relax some. "Don't you get it Hiccup? I don't matter here," she pointed directly at him, "you being alive is all that matters. So when I ask someone to take over that job-the job of protecting you-I expect them to do it and do it right! And when I ask YOU to run and get to the car, I sure as damn well don't mean for you to get out of it for any reason!" Her breathing was harsh as her finger stayed raised in his direction. The air was thick with tension between the two.

"I got out to save you!" Hiccup countered his voice raising along with hers.

"Which you shouldn't have done! I can't have you rushing into danger, saving me, when it could cost you your life. Dying is a risk I accepted when I took this job."

"But I don't accept it!" He roared right back.

Silence permeated the vehicle as the couple in the front seats glared each other down, the other occupants inside not willing to break it. Lest they receive their anger directed at them. Finally, as if the Gods had intervened themselves a ringing sounded out from the flat screen built into the dashboard. Breaking the uncomfortable silence.

Taking a deep breath, Astrid moved her gaze from Hiccup's non wavering one and to the screen. She let out a quiet swear when she saw who it was that was calling.

Clicking the receive button she mentally braced herself for the ass chewing that was about to come. "General Haddock, sir."

"WHAT IN THOR'S NAME IS GOING ON CAPTAIN HOFFERSON?!" His booming voice cut threw the speakers. Causing all in the car to flinch, except Astrid and Hiccup.

"Sir, it was an ambush. Thirteen men total, including the one in charge. They struck after you and Colonel Hofferson left. When we left the hotel there were three dead in the ball room and five dead in the service hallway and outside." She gave the brief report in a clipped formal manner.

"Gods damn it. Security said they took out another four, that just leaves one still in accounted for." Everyone in the car could hear the frustration bleeding from his voice.

"Sir, did any of those four men have a large scar on his face?" Astrid asked, even though she had a sinking suspicion of what the answer would be already. A moment passed before he answered.

He let out a sigh. "No one fits that description. I'm guessing that's the one who's in the wind?"

"Yes sir, I believe he's the–"

Before she could finish their SUV was sent lurching forward. Something with incredible force smashing into the back of it. Astrid was sent into the steering wheel, while Hiccup hit the dashboard. Neither having put on their seatbelt after their hasty entrance. The rest of the occupants fairing only slightly better than the two-since they were buckled in-despite being closer to the collision.

A chorus of screams and curses rang through the car, almost drowning out the sound of Stoick Haddock's concerned voice coming over the speakers.

"Son? Hiccup?! What's going on–what happened?!" He asked as Hiccup rubbed the spot on his forehead where it had connected with the hard plastic of the dashboard. Blood already dripping down his hand.

"We're Okay, Dad. S-something hit us…" he stopped as he he felt the car leave park and shoot forward.

"I think we found number thirteen, Sir." Astrid answered beside him as she accelerated the vehicle down the dark back streets of Berk.

"Can you loose him, Captain?" Astrid glanced back out the now internally shattered back window, which was only holding together due to its bullet proof outer layer. From what she could tell a large red SUV was following right behind them and closing fast.

"Not sure Sir, he hit us pretty good." Astrid glanced out the side window as she spoke, getting a better view of the pursuing vehicle.

As all the commotion was happening upfront, Ruffnut and Tuffnut, who took the brunt of the hit in the back seat were still reeling from the hit.

"You sure you're okay bro?" Ruffnut asked as she placed a hand to her bleeding scalp. An injury she received when she hit the window closest to her.

"Yeah sis," he said as he adjusted himself in his seat uncomfortably. Sore but other wise unharmed. While shuffling in his seat his foot collided with something hard next to it, that must have been shoved forward in the crash. Bending over he swayed to the right as Astrid took another sharp turn. Once they were straight again he went to retrieve the object. Surprised by the weight Tuffnut hefted the sturdy metal box into his lap.

"Whats that Tuff?" Ruffnut asked quietly as she leaned closer to her brother.

"I dunno, but I have a feeling if it's in this car I'm gonna like it." He grinned mischievously to his sister. Who in turn gave one right back. Not wasting anymore time Tuffnut sprang both clips holding the lid shut and carefully opened it. Not wanting to chance breaking whatever was in it. Once open the twins grins grew even wider. One thought running threw both their minds, simultaneously.

Oh this is gonna be good.

"Astrid where are you taking us?" Hiccup asked as he desperately clung to the handle above his window as Astrid took yet another perilous curve.

"Right now–no where. I'm just trying to loose this guy and not get us killed. Also I really don't feel like fighting anymore today." She wretched the wheel to the left quickly, the vehicles tires squealing loudly as she did it.

"Captain Hofferson," Stoick's voice came over the speaker again after a prolonged break. Seemingly trying to get a plan together to assist the beat up group.

"Yes sir?"

"I have a vehicle in route to your location. It will intercept the purser leaving you able to get away. They should get to you in five or so minutes." Astrid let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. While she wouldnt admit it to anyone in the car and especially not her boss–she was exhausted and in a fair amount of pain. The blows from the pipe on her back along with the kicks to her stomach were throbbing painfully. So even though not killing the bastard behind her was a shot to her pride, she would take it. If it meant her getting some rest and alcohol.

Lots and lots of alcohol. Doctor Seaclaw be damned.

"Understood Sir, we will–" An explosion rocked the air behind their car, cutting her off as the back window shattered and she slammed on the breaks in reaction. The tires squealed loudly again, this time though due to her stopping suddenly and not from a semi dangerous turn. The moment the vehicle had come to a complete stop she was whipping her head backwards trying to locate the cause of the explosion.

Only to find everyone else in the car still crouched down in fear–except for the two highfiving twins in the back seat.

"That was EPIC!" Both Ruffnut and Tuffnut shouted at the same time, covered in glass and debris.

With eyes wide Astrid quickly looked around, finding the back window gone and an open metal box between the two.

Oh Thor…

Palming the gun that rested in the cup holder beside her, Astrid grasped the door handle and pushed open the driver side door. Gun drawn she quickly made her way towards the flaming pile of metal that was once the red SUV pursuing them. Carefully she inspected the wreckage, it wasn't until she came to the driver side did she relax.

"Damn…they got you good." Astrid said, covering her mouth and nose as a certain smell–one that can never be forgotten–flooded her senses. Letting out a small cough, as her eyes started to burn, Astrid turned back to her own crumbled SUV. Not needing or willing to stay any longer. Burning bodies were never something she enjoyed being around.

"Yeah, yeah and so we just took the little hand grenade out of the metal box, flipped the switch on the side and tossed it out the broken back window." Tuffnut explained excitedly to the rest of the car. All of which had looks of horror on their faces at what the twins had done.

"Can you believe we hit him on the first try bro?!"

"No, I can not my sister from the same mister! I swear it had to be divine intervention of the Loki kind."

Astrid listened to the whole interaction, leaning against the door frame, a small yet exhausted smile on her face. Surprisingly as stupid and dangerous as the stunt was, it had worked. Ending this deadly night on a rather explosive note but ending it non the less. Shifting her eyes over she stared at Hiccup. A pang of guilt ran through her as she thought back to their screaming match in the car and what was said during it. All of which was the truth but not something she had ever wanted to say out loud. Especially to Hiccup. Unfortunately for her, it seemed panic and fear made her spill her secrets in a very open fashion.

Hiccup could feel her gaze on him from the moment she returned to the car. The only reason he had yet to look over was the anger he still felt towards her. For what she had angrily revealed to him.

She doesn't matter…she would die for me to live. Yakshit.

He narrowed his eyes in anger, the words still striking him deeply. Didn't she realize that she was worth living, not just some tool? That protecting him didn't mean automatically dying for him? That under no circumstance would he want or accept that?

"So from what I'm hearing Captain, is that the threat is neutralized?" Stoick's relieved voice said from the speakers.

Straightening up, she pulled her eyes from Hiccup and answered, "yes Sir. The twins found my stash of zipple bombs. Clearly I'll need to invest in some locks around these two." The pair grinned at her in unison.

He made a noise of agreement before Astrid continued again. "Sir, I think for the time being I should take everyone to a safer location. These men are getting bolder, it's only a matter of time before they turn up at the house or Hiccup's school."

Stoick paused. "And where do you intend to take my Son and his friends that's safer?"

Astrid looked around the car, catching everyone's gaze before look back at Hiccup, who had finally decided to look at her. She knew where she needed to take them, probably the safest place anyone on Berk could go to hideaway. A place that only four people including her knew the location to. The only problem...

"My home Sir."

Sorry the wait for this was a little longer than expected, life has gotten hectic!

Between my Great Danes causing havoc daily, to my husband gone for work and all the work that comes along with little people. I am beat. Anyways, I'm glad I could get another chapter out.

Thank you as always for all the reviews and love!