Chapter 17

"Uuuhhh..." Astrid whimpered as she became lucid. She tried to open her eyes but one had blurred vision while the other eyelid was difficult to open.

"Astrid... oh Thor... you're awake," A familiar voice exclaimed before adding "Don't try to open your eye. There is some swelling. Also, don't try to talk a lot. Your... uhm... your jaw has a fracture,"

"Uhh..." At first, she couldn't understand what this person was saying. It took her a bit to call forth the events that had transpired. She let out an involuntary shiver while feeling discomfort in her torso as well.

"Hivvup?" She slurred, having finally recognized the voice. Her hand left hand twitched upon noticing that there was a needle inserted in her palm. "Wha happe-?"

"I think we should talk about that when you feel better," Hiccup told her. "You've been asleep for more than two days and the morphine the doctor prescribed isn't going to wear off soon."

"Damian?" Astrid managed to croak out.

"He is safe," Hiccup assured as he held up a glass of water that had a bendy straw in it for her to sip from. "He's currently asleep since it's already past 9 PM. You can see him tomorrow morning but for now, you need your rest. The doctor said that you have a severe concussion as well as a broken rib, bruised ribs, and a mandibular fracture."

"And before you ask, that psycho won't hurt you or anyone else ever again." Her boyfriend assured. "He's being... taken care of,"

"M'kay," She mumbled as her eyes drooped from the medicine. Astrid didn't even question what Hiccup had meant by his sentence, not that she didn't want to know but that she already knew the fate of that bastard.

"You pretty," She managed to mumble as Hiccup tucked her in a bit more. He blushed but thought nothing of it as it was probably the meds talking.

"I or one of my staff will be keeping an eye on you through the night," He uttered but Astrid was already sound asleep, be it from meds or pure exhaustion, Hiccup was glad they had found her. He left the room and addressed the twins who had been waiting outside.

"She's had concussions, check in on her every few hours,"

"Righto Bossman," Tuffnut saluted.

"The doctor's on speed dial and..."

"Yes Hiccup we know," Ruffnut uttered before ushering him down the stairs. "Don't you have some cleanup to do boss?"

"Indeed," Hiccup said as he grabbed his dark blue pinstripe suit jacket and black longcoat. He slung the coat over his arm after he'd put on the jacket. "I hope Heather hasn't killed the guy yet. I told her to keep him alive for me,"

"I like her," Tuffnut said. "The copper, not your lady friend," He quickly elaborated. "Think she'd be a good fit?"

"I always liked her," Ruffnut piped up "Even with her always throwing me in the drunk tank,"

"You got to lay off the bar brawls, sis," Her brother admonished.

"Hey, you start them!" Ruffnut retorted. "I just finish them,"

Hiccup just shook his head and left the bickering twins. Fishlegs was already waiting by the car for him. When Hiccup approached he handed him three files.

"Thought you might want to see these," his friend said before walking to the driver's side.

Hiccup's car made its way through city traffic relatively unnoticed. Fishlegs kept driving as Hiccup looked over the thick folders he had been handed in the back. Soon the city lights and sounds were behind them as a more rural area took over. Gone were the towering skyscrapers and suburban homes. Now farmland bathed in the moon's glow was the passing scenery. Hiccup had placed the files next to him and had poured himself a tumbler of whiskey.

Fishlegs observed through the overhead mirror as his boss and childhood friend was lost in thought and conflicting feelings.

"How's Astrid?" Fishlegs asked not to make the silence awkward.

"She woke up, which is good," Hiccup answered. "She had a mild jaw fracture though and probably isn't going to like the liquid diet the doctor will have her on for the next few weeks though."

"Ouch," Fishlegs winced. "At least it's not the twins blendering stuff up this time. Remember when Tuffnut tried to feed Viggo that 'healthy' smoothie when you picked up the Grimbornes?"

"Thor-forbid," Hiccup exclaimed. "The twins know better now... hopefully... maybe..."

"Change of subject. How is everything with Heather going?" Hiccup asked.

"Wait what? Nothing... nothing is going!" Fish was shocked and nearly stepped on the break when Hiccup brought it up.

"Oh really?" Hiccup's brow rose. "Hmmm.."

"Hiccup," Fishlegs muttered. "What was that hmmm???!"

"What Hmmm?"

As a response Fish's eyes narrowed. "You and I both know that having relationships with our profession is dangerous," He stated. "You got a good thing going with your girl Hiccup but it's not easy for me. Unless you've forgotten, I don't just know your secrets, I know your father's as well. There's a reason I'm called 'The Accountant'. If anyone wants to get at the Family they go through me."

"I'm pretty sure Heather's already figured that out," Hiccup responded. "And she didn't seem turned off,"

"Hiccup, you can't actually be serious! She's a cop!"

"Who just spent more than two nights in the mansion of a Mafia family," Hiccup deadpanned. Fishlegs just shot him a look through the mirror. "We're going to have to park this convo here. We're at the farm already,"

It was then that Hiccup noticed the familiar automated security gates. Fishlegs stopped the car, rolled down his window and then punched the intercom button. "Boss's here," Was all he said before the gates opened.

With the exception of the high-tech gate the rest of the property looked like any other farm in the neighbouring area. Rustic-looking farmhouse with paint peeling, a red barn in the distance, and further back on the property several animal pens and a broken down tractor. The sleek black car stopped in the driveway and an old couple came out to meet Hiccup as he stepped out with the three folders under his arm.

"How are you dearie," The elderly lady asked.

"Eunice, you can't just go asking that willy-nilly. Show the Don some respect. He's our benefactor after all," The elderly man spoke up.

"It's fine Robert. Your wife is very caring," Hiccup said. "And Eunice I'm doing as well as can be given the circumstances,"

"Dreadful circumstances indeed," Eunice commented with a grave face. "The poor girl,"

"Yes well, your men are in the barn further out back. My wife and I don't want to know what ya'll are doing in there. Just leave it as clean as it was,"

"Of course Robert," Hiccup nodded. "I hope my men haven't been too much of an inconvenience given that they've been here for the last two days,"

"Not at all. It was nice having a few more helping hands around the farm. Eunice and I have been getting on in the years and ever since our no-good grandson scampered off with our savings things had been tight. You better watch out though. My wife has been feeding your men her famous pies. They might not want to leave,"

Hiccup had a good chuckle at that before he bid the elderly couple good night. He and Fishlegs left the car in the driveway and made their trek to the barn outback on foot.

It was quite a sight when Hiccup opened the barn door. Everyone inside stopped to look in their direction. He looked back at Heather, the Grimbornes, and Doc all gathered around a whimpering bald man tied to one of the wooden support beams with several electrodes running from a car battery to several parts of their body.

"Hiccup's here. So I can ask him right Doc?!" Heather exclaimed upon spotting Hiccup.

"Uhm yes," Doc, a man in his 40's muttered while looking non-perturbed by the scene.

"Hiccup! Can I cut off his balls already?! Doc said you ordered him to keep this pile of crap alive." Heather asked in a sweet sickly tone that made the bound and gagged man whimper.

"Yeah sure," Hiccup shrugged.

A strange glint came over Heather's face as she approached their captive. She picked up one of the hunting knives on the nearby table, stroking it while looking at her landlord. "Let's get down to business now shall we,"

"Brother, she scares me," Hiccup could hear Ryker whispering to Viggo who was watching the scene with great interest.