Eight.

Yawning and stretching, Hiccup dragged himself to the door, wearily unlatching the chain and opening it...to see Heather looking up into his crumpled face. Emerald eyes snapped wide and he stumbled back a pace in shock.

"H-Heather?" he gasped, his voice gruff with sleep. She smiled up at him, seeing his eyes bleary with sleep, bed hair and morning scruff.

"Hiccup," she said clearly. "How are you?" He blinked and blushed slightly, acutely aware he was in rumpled pyjamas while Heather was neat in her black suit, white blouse and patent black leather heels, her jet hair in a braid over her left shoulder. The similarity to Astrid's favourite hair do stabbed him with pain at her absence once more.

"Um...surviving," he admitted, his voice clearer. "Sorry-would you like to come in? I'm making coffee..."

"And you know how I like a coffee," she smiled, walking in as he stood aside. He closed the door behind her and walked soundlessly after her, stepping over the sprawled sleeping Toothless and rolling his eyes before clicking the coffee machine on and loading in ground coffee. He scratched his chin and found two mugs-though he carefully avoided removing Milady from the cupboard. Heather sat at the table, her green eyes bright.

"To what do I owe this honour?" he asked, yawning as the black liquid bubbled into the jug. "I haven't seen you since the funeral." She sighed and stared at the table.

"Sorry," she said in a soft voice. "I-I just found coming here was so painful...because every time I've been here, it has been so...happy. I just picture Ast here, with you, just how she was meant to be." He didn't respond, mechanically sloshing coffee into the cups and adding cream and sugar to his and a tiny dash of milk to Heather's. Sitting opposite to her, he placed the mugs down and took a long swig of the steaming fluid, giving a sigh of relief.

"So why now?" he asked her, taking another long drink. She shrugged, sipping her own coffee.

"I wondered if you wanted a hand sorting through Astrid's stuff," she offered. His eyes widened and then he shook his head automatically.

"Thanks but...no," he replied, gently placing his mug down. Automatically, he glanced to the photo of Astrid, this time a picture of her hugging Toothless, her smile lighting the image. "I-it's too soon," he said lamely, not meeting her eye. She leaned forward.

"That's okay-I haven't touched her desk at work," she revealed. "I can't...because that would confirm she wasn't coming back..." He nodded, sipping his coffee.

"I know what you mean," he mumbled, sitting back. "Sometimes, I'm okay and then I see or hear or-Thor help me-I just think of something and suddenly, it hits me again, full force. And it hurts, Heather. It's like part of me has been ripped away and I am constantly aware of the ache..." He shrugged. "It's like missing a limb...you're always aware it's gone and it limits what you can do all the time...and sometimes, it jabs excruciating pain, reminding you of what you've lost." She reached across, her hand gently landing on his.

"Just...call, if you need to talk," she reminded him. "She was my best friend as well-and I really miss her. Just being here makes her feel closer, you know?" His emerald eyes flicked up and he offered a wan smile.

"Thanks, Heather," he murmured. She squeezed his hand.

"I need to ask you something," she said after a pause. He nodded. "You know the account access codes?" He arched an eyebrow. "I need them. We're due to make some payouts to investors and I can't release the money. Only Astrid had access to the Prime Business Holding Account." Hiccup sighed.

"Astrid had the codes all in her head," he admitted. "She was brilliant with figures. She kept back-up details in her little blue diary." He sighed. "You can look in her office, if you want?" She nodded and flashed a brilliant smile.

"Thanks, Hiccup," she said in a relieved tone and stood. Then she paused. "Are you taking me up?" He nodded and rose, following her as she walked ahead of him up the steps, her hips swinging as she walked. Pausing partway up, she smirked at him. "Like anything you see?" she purred and he flinched, wondering what she was doing. Then she sped ahead, pausing to wait as he trudged up the stairs and walked to the door. Then she paused, her eyes wide. "Could you...?" she asked him and he reached over, opening the door. Quietly, he walked past her and in, peering at the meticulously neat desk, the pen aligned with the side of the papers, the little image of the lovers framed in plain pine the only decoration on the work-space. He quietly walked to the desk and gently stroked the image of Astrid.

Heather gently nudged him and began to rifle through the papers, searching the drawers thoroughly and then huffing in exasperation.

"Nothing here," she muttered. "Where is it? Where has she put it?" Hiccup stared at her.

"What is it?" he asked gently. "Can I help?" She glanced up into his concerned eyes-and flung herself against him, sobbing softly. Shocked and momentarily frozen, he warily wrapped his arms loosely around her and gently patted her on the back. "Um...Heather...? Are you okay?" he asked warily. There was a pause and she sniffed, hugging him closer.

"It's just so sad," she mumbled, her voice mumbled by her contact with his tee-shirt. "And-and I don't want to ruin her company because I can't access the funds..." She lifted her face and swiped her eyes. "If you find anything-please let me know, okay?"

"Um...yeah?" he said warily as she abruptly lunged forward and pressed a firm kiss on his lips, her eyes closing and arms winding around his neck. He went rigid, his eyes snapping wide open and he urgently pushed her away. "Heather-please!" he said desperately. "I-I don't..."

"Oh Hiccup-you can't give up on life," she murmured. "It's not what Astrid would have wanted..." He pushed her back more determinedly, looking shocked and completely stunned.

"Um...I'm good, thanks," he gabbled, totally discomposed. What the Hel? And he almost sighed with relief as the doorbell rang and he pulled away from her, almost racing through the door. "Gotta get that!" he said and ran down the stairs. He wrenched the door open and gave a huge sigh of relief. "DAD! Oh, I'm so pleased to see you!" he exclaimed as Heather elegantly walked down the stairs, a small smirk of her face. Following his father's surprised and mildly disapproving gaze, Hiccup blushed and then turned back to face the huge man, gesturing wildly to the jet-haired woman. "Um-you remember Heather? Astrid's friend? She-she came here to ask something about the business..."

"And to check how you are," she said sincerely. "Good to see you again, Mr Haddock. I should be going, Hiccup. Busy, busy! I've still got Astrid's company to run." She pressed a quick platonic kiss on his cheek and swung away. Stoick watched her leave before he walked in, staring very disapprovingly at his dishevelled son, clearly just from bed and the beautiful, jet-haired woman who had walked out of his home.

"Son?" he asked gruffly, "what was that?" Hiccup waved his arms wildly.

"I really have NO idea!" he exclaimed. "I mean, she comes here to check on me then she wants to see Astrid's office and then she's all over me!"

"Of course, I have nothing against you moving on, son, but don't you think it's a little soon?" he asked cautiously, sitting on a chair that creaked alarmingly and grabbing Hiccup's coffee. The young man rolled his eyes and poured two fresh mugs, rescuing the remains of his previous coffee and tidying them away then sitting in the chair Heather had vacated.

"I am not moving on," Hiccup said in a low voice. "Thor, I'm not sure I'll ever be ready to move on! And certainly not with Heather! I mean...she never really approved of me because I distracted her perfect, ruthless, business-orientated friend and turned her into a happy, domestic...person! She's not my type. Ever. At all. Totally..." His father sighed.

"While I know the feeling, I truly hope you do eventually move on, because I hate the idea of my boy being wedded to grief for the rest of his life without even the comfort of a son to help him through," he sighed. "When your Mom passed, I had you to remind me of her and keep her alive for me. What do you have?"

Hiccup closed his eyes. "Toothless and my memories," he said softly. "And I have to pray that's enough because there is no one else for me."

oOo

The taxi pulled up outside the house as Heather's car pulled away. Astrid peered through the window and frowned.

"What's she doing here?" she murmured, surprised. It had been the longest she had been away from Hiccup since she had died and she was disappointed that she had missed her best friend's visit...but what she was doing was more important. But beside her, Ruff was gaping at the house.

"Hey-you didn't say you were rich!" she said accusingly to the ghost and Astrid smirked.

"I'm just very skilled at investing wisely," she said smugly. Ruff reluctantly handed over the taxi fare and clambered out, Astrid beside her. The ghost peered at the limousine parked on the drive with the solid shape of Gobber sitting at the wheel reading 'Viking Monthly' in the driver's seat. "Hmm, Stoick is here?"

"Who?" Ruff asked, peering around. This was a very nice neighbourhood and she felt immensely underdressed in her khaki combat pants, white tee-shirt and combat jacket and boots.

"Hiccup's father, a financial heavyweight," Astrid explained, heading towards the steps to the front door. "Come on." Ruff paused, then huffed and followed.

"You know financial heavyweights and we're friends with Mulch from Sven's Viking Pizzeria," she grumped. "He's not going to believe me, you know?"

"If you say exactly what I tell you, you'll be fine," Astrid assured her as Ruff rang the bell and waited. There was a pause and a shape approached, then opened the door. Ruffnut stared up into the tall, lean shape with casually tousled dark auburn hair, pale stubbly face and bright emerald green eyes, dressed in a tee-shirt and loose green leggings. Ruff gave a slow smile.

"Grr. You didn't say he was one hot tomali!" she murmured. Astrid stared at her and felt jealousy rising in her chest.

"Hey-don't get any funny ideas!" she warned the spiritualist. Ruff smirked.

"What? I can look!" she shot back. "Besides, you're already dead!" Hiccup frowned.

"Excuse me? Can I help you?" he asked and Ruff gave her unsettling smile.

"No," she said, "but I need to speak to you. You're the boyfriend of that girl who got murdered in the park?" Astrid saw him stiffen and the pain darken his emerald eyes. He nodded. "I have information about her death. May I come in?" He paused and seemed to be debating silently-and then he sighed and nodded, stepping back to let her in. Astrid walked ahead, groaning as she saw Stoick. She was very fond of the man but he was sharp as a tack and would see through any embellishments Ruff attempted.

"Listen carefully," she hissed to the female twin. "His father is here and he is impossible to get anything by. Don't exaggerate-just say exactly what I say."

"C'mon...what's the fun in that?" she whispered as she was directed to sit in the chair while Hiccup settled uneasily by an enormous mountain of a main with huge fiery red beard and cool grey-green eyes. His expression was incredibly stern and Astrid knew the financier would be extremely protective of his grieving and vulnerable son-as Astrid herself was. She just wished she could reassure him that she meant no harm. Hiccup looked at her, his gaze level and wary.

"Okay-who are you?" he asked directly and Ruff shrugged.

"I'd be suspicious in your shoes," she said honestly. "My name is Ruffnut Thorston and I'm here because I was a witness to the murder..." Hiccup gasped and his eyes widened. He had paled and his father kindly rested a hand on his shoulder. The older man leaned slightly forward.

"Then why didn't you come forward?" he growled. Ruff scowled back at him.

"I was scared, okay?" she retorted. "Look, this guy tried to rob people with a gun in his hand, meaning he's pretty dangerous. And my Great Uncle Duffnut turned in a murderer and ended up as part of the Jotunheim Street Bridge! I didn't want to end up entombed in concrete!" Hiccup stared at her: there was enough honesty in her words to attract his attention.

"So why now?" he asked her and she huffed.

"My conscience," she huffed. "Wouldn't let me rest. Because I saw the newspaper article in the Terror Mail and they mentioned the police had spoken to you. But I know there was someone else there." Stoick shared a look with his son.

"Did you see him?" he asked urgently. She nodded.

"Buff guy, about five foot ten, short carrot red hair and green eyes," Astrid said.

"Buff guy, five ten with bright red hair and green eyes," Ruff reported.

"And he had a tattoo like three claw marks over his left eye in blue," Astrid murmured thoughtfully. Ruff frowned and then sighed.

"He had three blue claw marks tattooed over his left eye," she added.

"He grabbed my purse and I fought. He shot me without hesitation and ran off..." Astrid murmured, a chill running through her. Ruff looked in the direction of the voice.

"I saw him ambush your friend, Astrid, and grab her purse. She began to fight and he shot her immediately and then run off into the park. I hit behind the bushes until he was gone and then I ran for it."

Hiccup stared at her and his eyes shone with sudden grief at the reminder of that horrific day. Instantly Toothless was on his feet, walking up to press against his leg. Astrid smiled at him.

"It's okay, boy. I'm here. Good boy!" she said to him and was rewarded by an eager wag of the tail. Hiccup hugged the black dog-and then looked suspiciously at the blonde stranger.

"He's not normally that great with strangers," he admitted. "Does he know you?" Ruff shrugged, having heard Astrid's words to the dog and guessed that the animal could see her.

"What can I say? I'm good with animals," she admitted. Stoick stared at her.

"Are you willing to tell the police what you saw?" he asked. Ruff opened her mouth to protest but Astrid leaned close to her ear.

"I've got my axe and I've got my mace..."

"Hel, yeah!" the spiritualist said swiftly. "Look-this guy is dangerous and it's not fair you being suspected when I know you didn't do it!" Hiccup looked at her, the gratitude in his eyes making Astrid sigh. She walked forward and ghosted a kiss on his forehead.

"Trust me, babe," she whispered as he reached for the phone and dialled.

"Hello, police?" he said. "Can I speak to officers Mala and Throk? This is Hiccup Haddock. I have found a witness to my girlfriend, Astrid Hofferson's murder..."

oOo

At his huge mahogany desk in his office at Haddock Corp, Stoick Haddock scratched his beard and frowned. Hiccup had been given hope by the appearance of the young blonde woman, Ruffnut Thorston, because her testimony to the police had provided his son with an alibi.

But the woman's explanation as to why she only came forward now concerned Stoick. She didn't look like a good citizen and it was his job to ensure that some lowlife didn't seek to blackmail or profit from his son's vulnerability. Because the article she had referenced in the Terror Mail Newspaper prominently mentioned the fact that Astrid's lover was the son of prominent financier Stoick Haddock-and thus was well able to pay any blackmail. And as Ruffnut Thorston was the only witness who had come forward to remove his son from being prime suspect in Astrid's murder, she was in a prime position to hold him to ransom...

He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. His suspicion about people was a trait he shared with Astrid, who had been an impressive and pragmatic woman who plainly loved his son and would protect him against any gold-digger. Now she was gone, he had to resume the burden he had hoped she would continue in his declining years and after his death. He loved Hiccup dearly but the young man was a very different man to him-a kind, gentle, trusting man who lived for his art and was heart-broken by the loss of the woman he loved. His thick fingers stabbed at the buttons on his phone and he hated himself for what he was about to himself.

"Eretson Investigations?"

"Eret-it's Stoick Haddock," the financier said grimly.

"Sir, my condolences on your recent loss," the PI said in his clear, British accent. "How can I help you?"

"There is a woman, Ruffnut Thorston, who claimed to witness the murder," Stoick said. "Find out everything about this woman. I don't want any surprises."

oOo

Hiccup looked up, his emerald eyes shocked.

"Is this true?" he asked, his voice toneless. Stoick nodded heavily.

"I'm sorry, son," he said quietly. "I put my best man on it...because I was worried this was why she was here." Hiccup flipped up a mugshot of Ruffnut-alongside her twin brother Tuffnut-with an impressive rap sheet.

"Fraud, false representation, petty theft, shoplifting, conning old woman out of money..." he said and sighed.

"Son of a half-troll!" Astrid snapped. "And she couldn't have mentioned she was a professional liar?"

Toothless whined in response and the woman rolled her eyes.

"Yeah-but what choice did I really have?" she admitted. "But it means she has zip credibility and less worth as a witness. Thor, I may just have made things worse for him!"

"Do the cops know?" the young man asked worriedly, folding his legs under him as he sat, cross-legged on the couch. Stoick nodded.

"I disclosed immediately-even though they could have found out themselves from their database. I am hoping they appreciate our transparency," he commented but Astrid recalled Mala and Throk's hostility.

"I bet," she grumbled. Hiccup patted the couch by him and the mutt bounced up and sat at his side so the sculptor could wrap his arm around his pet.

"So what do we do?" he asked. Stoick sighed.

"You can call her or go see her?" the young man asked and his father sighed as Astrid sat on the chair, her arms folded.

"I'm going to see her," she growled.

"Let's go see her," Hiccup said, rising suddenly to his feet and heading for the coat stand. "I want to look her in the eye as I asked her what she's doing!" Stoick rose as well.

"I'll drive you, son," the financier said shortly. "I don't trust this woman and want to make sure..." Hiccup turned to him, emerald eyes glittering.

"I'm not a small child, Dad!" he said bitterly. "I mean yeah, I'm no financier and I'm a poor artist with a dead girlfriend, being suspected of her murder and being taken for a ride by a con woman but I can take care of myself!" Stoick sighed and raised his hands appeasingly.

"Son, I never meant to offend you," he said quickly. "You are a Haddock! But you are my son and I love you and worry about you. This woman lives in the worst possible part of town. The least you can do is let your over-protective father make sure you get there and back safely!" Hiccup stared up at him, then smiled.

"Thanks, Dad," he said honestly, allowing the big man to hug him. No matter how much Stoick pushed his son, the young man was never in doubt that his father loved him dearly. "I'm glad you're here!" Stoick smiled and hugged him tightly.

"No matter that I didn't agree with your choices, son, I still love you and will do everything I can to protect you and see you happy." Hiccup sighed at his words.

"If you could bring Astrid back, that would make me happy," he said.

The drive to Ruffnut's neighbourhood in Stoick's limousine with Gobber driving was silent as Hiccup stared out of the window and watched the buildings blur by. Honestly, he was feeling a chaotic mix of emotions-and for once, his grief for Astrid wasn't uppermost. He felt angry that he had been duped, ashamed that he had fallen for the con-woman's story and betrayed that the story wasn't true. And still afraid because he was certain the detectives would think he put the woman up to making a false report to try to divert suspicion from him.

"Gods, they really see me coming, don't they?" he murmured, sitting back in his seat and pulling his long coat tighter around his lean shape. The green scarf she had given him was tucked warmly around his throat and his scruffy converse were the only clue to the incredibly casual clothes he was wearing.

"No, babe," Astrid sighed, sitting next to him. "You're a decent man and what she says is true...she's just not the one who saw it..."

"You were always going to be a target for con men and women," Stoick admitted as the limousine turned and glided past Fungus's Bar. "Are you sure you want to go in on your own?" Hiccup nodded, his face determined.

"This is something I have to do, Dad," he said quietly as they pulled up outside Thorston Spiritualists. The young sculptor stared up at the signs and his heart sank: he shared Astrid's reservations about such establishments. He shook his head as he slammed the door of the car and headed into the shop. Tuff looked up from the desk in the waiting room.

"Can I help you?" he asked. "Who are you hoping to speak to?"

"Your sister!" Hiccup growled. "Get her-now!" Tuff frowned.

"Does she owe you money?" he asked urgently. "Because we've almost got the rent and..."

"My name is Hiccup Haddock!" the sculptor said and glared at him. Tuff looked nervously at him, his eyes flicking to the door. "Thanks," he added and strode to the door, shoving it open and striding in.

"Wait-you can't go in there!" the male twin protested, going after him. But Hiccup had scanned the parlour and noted the only other door so he wrenched it open and burst into the kitchen diner-to find Ruff eating noodles from a box. Her eyes widened and she dropped her chopsticks.

"Ah..." she said in shock. "I can explain..."

"Don't bother," Hiccup said tightly. "I know all about you."

"Really?" The tone was wary.

"Yeah, he's seen your rap sheet!" Astrid added.

"You're a con woman!" Hiccup accused her and she rose, opening her mouth to protest...but realising that him finding her at their business probably wouldn't convince him.

"In the past," she confessed, "but not in this!"

"I don't believe you!" Hiccup accused her "You weren't there, were you?"

"No."

"Oh Thor, you had to blow it," Astrid grumped.

"No, I had to tell the truth!" Ruffnut hissed in the direction of the ghost. Hiccup's emerald eyes narrowed and he looked at her suspiciously.

"Is this some other con?" he accused her and her head snapped round to him.

"Wish it was" she sighed. "Look-I wasn't there-but I got the information from someone who was. Someone who can't come forward and give testimony."

"Who? Some other con artist or professional liar?" he snapped.

"Burn," Astrid murmured.

"No!" Ruff growled. "I'm a spiritualist, a medium. And I am unexpectedly good. The witness-was Astrid Hofferson!"

Hiccup stumbled back, eyes wide and face stricken. He stared at her with shock and loathing, sickened by her callous words.

"Astrid...is dead..." he choked out, breathing hard.

"Yeah-and I speak to the dead," Ruff tried to explain. "I'm not a fake! Not in this, at least!" But Hiccup-shocked, hurt beyond words and heartbroken-shook his head.

"Stay the Hel away from me," he said gruffly. "Or I will get the cops to arrest you for perjury and perverting the course of justice!" Then he shoved past Tuff and almost ran from the shop. Tuff stared after him.

"Business is really going downhill," he muttered as Ruff collapsed onto the couch.

"And you couldn't have say mentioned your criminal past or total lack of credibility?" Astrid snapped.

"Not you too?" Ruff groaned. "What part of this set-up and job-would make you think I wasn't a con artist?" She gestured to the parlour. "Until you turned up, my entire job was conning desperate and sad old ladies who missed their dead husbands or occasionally children. And I sort of made them happy for a bit. But now, thanks to you, I end up trying to help someone out and get threatened by your boyfriend-who is even hotter when he's angry...seriously, I can really see what you saw in him-and the cops who have already told me they don't believe my testimony! So I've done everything you asked and all I'm getting is grief from all sides."

"But the killer is still out there!" Astrid shouted. Ruff leapt to her feet.

"Yeah-and I don't intend to be his next victim!" she retorted. "I've done my part and everything you asked. So that's it! Leave me the Hel alone! Go and take your suspicions and your hot but untrusting boyfriend and stick them where..." Astrid glared at her.

"You know, you have an amazing ability," she said scornfully. "You could really help a lot of people-alive and dead-get some closure. But instead you just look out for yourselves and cheat and lie." She shook her head. "Take it from someone whose life was stolen from them far too soon-it's never too late to make a difference and do what you could for someone else!"

"Yeah-well if I help you any more, I may well end up without a life as well!" Ruff shouted as Astrid walked through the walls into the parlour, into the waiting room and out onto the street, fuming at the failure of her plan. The limousine and Hiccup had already gone and she was faced with a long walk back to the house. But for now, it was a relief so she could try to clear her head. She had found someone who could hear her-but Hiccup would never trust her and anything she said. She had no idea what she could do now to find her killer and protect her lover.

In fact she was so distracted she almost walked through a man who was making his urgent way down the sidewalk into a nondescript unmarked store. She automatically opened her mouth to apologise, even though she knew he would never hear her...

...and looked straight into the face of her murderer.