Epilogue I: In the Archipelago's Service

The first sound he heard was the soft beep of the machine in the room, the regular bip-bip accelerating as he stirred. Impossibly heavy eyes slowly opened a crack to see it was day and he was in a room that seemed to be white and very clean. But he had extensive practice in unpleasant awakenings so he remained still while he waited for his vision to clear and assessed his surroundings.

His left leg was really painful.

...hadn't he been shot?

His right shoulder was also hurting hotly and felt very tight.

...it looked like it was bandaged...

There was something soft and warm by his left hand that moaned slightly and moved and he rocked his very painful and pounding head to glance down at a blonde head resting against his hand. Astrid was still in her Viking outfit, looking like a Norse Goddess and she had fallen asleep at his bedside.

He seemed to be in a white cotton hospital gown, an IV taped to his right hand and a sats monitor clipped onto his left index finger. There was a blanket and sheet neatly arranged over him and he was propped up on several pillows. The beeping was coming from a heart monitor and the sheet over his agonising left leg was lifted by an invisible frame. He groaned and his hand hovered, then stroked Astrid's silky hair. She mumbled and opened her eyes sleepily-to meet his bleary emerald gaze.

"Morning, Milady..." he managed in a hoarse whisper. "Have you been there all night?" She yawned and stretched, wiping her eyes and grasping his hand.

"You're awake!" she sighed in relief. "And it's been two days." He blinked and frowned, casting his mind back and finding...fog. "Do you remember what happened?"

"I got shot?" he hazarded. "Ow?" She nodded and rose to her feet for a second, leaning forward and pressing a quick kiss on his cheek.

"Yup," she said. He made to say something more but just managed a pained croak. Gently, she poured him a glass of water and helped him drink until he nodded. Then she sat by him once more. "Anything else, babe?" He frowned...and then his face cleared.

"Um... you went completely Valkyrie on the Red Queen's people and axed them to pieces?" he added, recalling the last few moments.

"Anything else?" she asked and he suddenly grasped her hand.

"I...I wanted to kill the President..." he murmured. "The Red Queen's Programming..."

"You overcame it," she told him reassuringly, perching on the edge of the bed. "And instead you threw yourself between President Larson and Dagur." Hiccup gave a wan smile.

"Yeah-for a guy with a perfect reputation, he's failed to kill me three times and he missed the President as well," he noted dryly.

"You mutton-head!" Astrid scolded him suddenly. "You could have been killed. And where did you learn to fight like that?" He ran a self conscious hand through his tousled auburn hair and then rubbed the back of his neck.

"You," he said simply. "I listened to everything you said. And I-I know I'm not very good but I did everything you told me to do..."

"Well-it was pretty awesome-and completely in keeping with an agent," she told him. He shook his head.

"No-you were seriously awesome," he said urgently. "An absolute Viking Warrior! And a worthy agent!" She gave a smug smile...and then she looked back at him and sighed, settling on the side of the bed. Her face fell and he felt a flutter of unease in his stomach. "How badly was I hurt, Astrid?" he asked quietly. She took his hand in hers, her thumb running over the back of his hand.

"Pretty badly," she admitted. "You were shot and bleeding badly-and they had run out of your blood because they used all the B negative for your father and Uncle."

"Story of my life," he muttered philosophically. "I'm always last in line. Wait-so how am I okay?" Astrid stared towards the end of the bed and a small smile lifted her lips.

"Now, don't panic," she warned him and he immediately looked worried. "But Snotlout volunteered to donate blood to you. A couple of pints actually." She shrugged. "Probably saved your life."

"So that's why I have an overwhelming urge to called you 'babe' and flex my muscles while flirting incredibly unsuccessfully?" he asked with a wry smile. She chuckled and very gently punched his good shoulder.

"Well, I still have the desire to kiss you, so it clearly hasn't taken hold," she smirked and pecked a quick kiss on his bruised cheek. He turned his head and quietly kissed her back, a very small and tender kiss.

"Tell me about my leg," he said quietly. "It hurts like Hel so I know something has gone badly wrong. And I remember being shot." Her grip on his hand tightened.

"Um...don't panic," she advised him again, making his anxiety levels triple. "One bullet went through the muscle but the other shattered the shin bone, the tibia. You were bleeding badly and out of it. They had to operate urgently to try to save the leg."

His hands clenched and she heard his breath hitch. The beeping accelerated to a crescendo and an alarm went off.

"Astrid?" he asked. She pulled the sheets down.

"They had to put the bones together using a big rod down the centre of the bone plus a load of screws plus some huge screws sticking out-and external fixator..." He stared at his left leg, various dressings over the shin and calf and pieces of metal sticking out, attached to a frame around the limb. He swallowed convulsively. "They actually looked quite pleased," said, trying to cheer him up as the door opened and a nurse and a doctor walked hurriedly in, the nurse pressing a button on his monitor to quiet the alarm.

"Ah, Hiccup-good to have you awake," the male doctor said, his blue eyes kindly. "I'm Dr Jonsson. I see your girlfriend has already told you about the leg...even though we told her not to..."

"I asked," he said firmly. "How bad is it?" The doctor sighed.

"You leg was shattered and needed a lot of work-as well as you losing far more blood then we liked before you hit the ED," he explained. "There is a permanent titanium rod down the centre of your shin bone and lots of screws which will remain. The bits you can see-the external fixation-will be removed in a couple of weeks once we're sure the bone has started to heal. It's going to be a long recuperation..."

Well, I have nowhere to live-and when I did, it was third floor up steep stairs. I won't have a job and my last hope of becoming an agent is gone with this leg. He nodded and gave a brave smile.

"Thank you for your help," he said defeatedly. "When will I get out?"

"Not for another three weeks until we are sure you are safe on crutches and able to get around..." Dr Jonsson said. "Nurse Alborg will get your pain meds and a drink. Tea or coffee?"

"Coffee. With milk. Thanks," he said dully as they left and he turned back to Astrid. "You-you should get changed," he said tonelessly. "You've been here since the whole disaster?" She nodded. "You need your rest. They're sure to make you an agent."

"And you," she told him reassuringly but he shoo his head.

"They wouldn't when I had two good legs, Astrid," he said tiredly. "Could you maybe ask Fish if he can lend me a laptop? I don't know where mine has..."

"Fish had it," she measured him. "It's on your table." He nodded.

"And Astrid?" he said as she got up. "Thanks." She grinned.

"Anything," she said and left.

oOo

The nurses helped him wash and gave him painkillers before he reached for his laptop, which was plugged in and ready to go, sitting with his Night Fury key fob on top of it. The hospital wifi was reasonably fast so he logged in and accessed his AI6 account, guessing it was for the last time. And for the first and only time in his career, Hiccup Haddock, agent VA1019, logged a report of his mission, of everything since he sat in the canteen and the world exploded.

He was exhausted when he finished, but he saved and sent the report FAO C and D and then closed the laptop. He had completed one mission and that was it: it was the perfect excuse his father had been seeking to finally be rid of him. He would be invalided out and that was it: homeless, jobless and without any qualifications... And no sign of any member of his family as the day turned into evening and night and he lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Despite everything he had done, he had lost.

The next day, no one visited and he eventually emailed Fishlegs, asking the hacker what was going on and if he would be able to visit. He received no answer. So he lay on his bed, his leg horribly painful and heart aching that no one who had been his colleague and friend on the mission had bothered to see him-not even his father. He tried to log into his engineering course and do some work but his mind kept wandering. Sometimes, he heard the whispered words, hissing at him...

"You belong to the Queen. You are her subject. Nothing else matters. Not family. Not friends. Not Berk. Only the Queen..."

No one wants me and I definitely don't matter, he thought miserably. No family, not my friends and certainly not Berk. I don't know why I bothered.

Another two days passed and he slowly began to withdraw, his answers monosyllabic to the doctors and nurses and they watched him with concern. No one seemed shocked that he had no visitors and even the person who had stayed by his bedside had abandoned him. And, miserable and defeated, he dropped into a doze.

It was sunset when he awoke to hear voices arguing in the corridor.

"I don't care what anyone's orders are-this is cruel!" Astrid yelled. "He's all alone in there and I know Hiccup: he's already decided the leg will stop him becoming an agent and no one visiting him is making him believe he's been abandoned."

"They were the orders we were left," Dr Jonsson tried to explain but there was a snort then the sound of a punch and Dr Jonsson exploded through the door and landed flat on his back on the floor, with the enraged shape of Astrid stalking in, her fists balled. She was smartly dressed in a dark trouser suit, a blue blouse highlighting her azure eyes but she had kept the leather headband from the Viking outfit, though her hair was back in its familiar braid.

"Get. Out!" she growled and glared at him until he crab-crawled backwards out of the room. Hiccup looked up and his face flooded with relief, emerald eyes shining with hope. She dragged a chair up and then huffed, tossing the jacket aside and clambering up to sit next to him on the bed. She took his hands and stared into his pale face.

"I am so sorry," she apologised in a rush. "We were forbidden to visit because the senior agents want to capture the rogue dragons and debrief them...but they vanished after the President was gotten away. They thought Toothless would come and see you-but he's stayed away."

"He's too smart and careful for that," he sighed, his hand closing on hers. "I-I really thought you guys had abandoned me."

"No chance, agent boy," she told him, kissing him gently on the cheek. "You are mine."

"Um...thought slavery was banned in the Archipelago," he said cautiously but she snuggled against him.

"Nah," she smirked. "But they've sorted out the apartments now...so would you like to come stay with me?" His eyes widened in shock.

"Um...me...stay with you...in your apartment?" he gabbled.

"Fourth floor, great views, elevator, spare room so you wouldn't have to combust with embarrassment..." she told him gently. "I really really want you to stay with me...because you are my friend...and maybe..."

"Yes?" he managed, suddenly realising she was embarrassed as well. She cast him an irritated look.

"Well, despite being given two pints of Snotlout, you're still cute and sassy and um...d'you wannabemyboyfriend...?" Disorientated with the switch from being abandoned to having Astrid, his longtime crush, actually asking him out, he nodded with an unmanly squeak.

"Yes...I mean yes," he managed in a more normal tone. "Um...if you're sure...I am sure Fish..."

"Oh, he offered," Astrid said firmly, "but his apartment has a spare room full of carnivorous plants and a really slobbery dog-not kidding there-and don't get me started on the twins. Bleurgh!" Fingers lacing with hers, Hiccup glanced into her face-organised, determined, completely Astrid-and he smiled.

"I presume there is only one correct answer?" he checked.

"Yes-unless you want the other leg in traction?" she told him and he waved his free hand.

"No, no, no-one is enough," he said quickly. "But this is gonna take time and you'll be busy being an agent..."

"As will you," she said sternly. "Look, the President was impressed so there is no way AI6 can throw you out. But I am a PT instructor...so I have every intention of getting that leg better than before so my partner can be out with me..."

"You're that certain?" he asked.

"Because I told her," a gruff voice said and Hiccup's head snapped round in utter shock. His grip on Astrid's hand tightened painfully as the huge, flame-haired shape of the Commander lumbered into the stark hospital room, his huge red beard, dark suit and bespoke shirt and loafers familiar. It was almost as if none of it had happened. "Dismissed, VA73."

"But I need to..." she protested.

"Dismissed!" he growled and she looked at Hiccup but he nodded and she reluctantly got up, then rebelliously dragged him close and kissed him full on the lips, a brief but searing contact that had his eyes half-lidded even as she swung from the room. The slam of the door pulled him back to the present and he looked up at the unreadable face of his father.

"So this is where you tell me it was all a mistake, you basically misjudged me and you want a relationship?" Hiccup asked him sarcastically. There was a sharp intake of breath.

"Not quite," the Commander said stiffly, lifting up Hiccup's chart and scanning it without understanding what he was reading. Hiccup blushed.

"Would you please put that down, Dad," he said in a very controlled voice. "That's a stool chart." Eyes widening in shock, Stoick hastily dropped the chart and looked anywhere but his son.

"Ahem...yes...very good," he said in complete embarrassment. He walked to the window and stared out. "I guess you didn't see the news?"

"Nah-been too busy with a wrecked leg and wondering why all the people who should have cared for me weren't coming," Hiccup retorted.

"Well...Spitelout thought..." he began and Hiccup sagged back onto his pillows with a groan.

"No offence, but your brother is a total mutton-head," he sighed. "It was a horrible and cruel plan to enact on a guy who has been badly wounded and needs some friends to keep him from going mad with everything swirling around his head. Notwithstanding he erased my completely valid weapons score and cheated to help Snotlout pass the Interviews-and you never said a word. You could have stopped that, allowed me and Astrid to be treated fairly-but you didn't. And don't give me that 'it all turned out well in the end' crap! It was despite you!"

"I realise I have been very hard on you, son..." Stoick admitted.

"Hard?" Hiccup snapped. "You threw me out to fend for myself when I was still at school! I was never treated like every other agent. I never asked for special treatment-I just wanted to be treated the same as everyone else-but instead I was always treated worse. You always thought the worst of me-and in the end, it caught you out. Eret's message was genuine. Heather was the traitor. And we had to rescue Snot and Eret and stop it."

"Those allies of yours-the Red Queen's men-are the first we have ever had a chance to talk to in AI6," Stoick told him. "She is so secretive and they are so...unique...that we know almost nothing about them. And you were saved from her by Toothless?" Hiccup nodded.

"It's all in my report," he said dully.

"Read it-it's a fine piece of work," his father complimented him and emerald eyes flicked up.

"Dad-you disowned me when I was desperate to see you, to make sure you were okay. Not as an agent but as a son. And you may be a horrible and useless father but you are still my only living parent. Mom died in this job and I only wanted to make her-and you-proud."

"I didn't want to fail her," Stoick said quietly. "She always told me to look out for you, because you would be the best of them all...but nothing ever seemed to go smoothly...and I feared if I helped you, people would assume you were useless."

"Instead, you made me feel useless all on your own," his son said roughly.

"But you're not," Stoick said. "You proved that throughout the mission. Daring, intelligent, innovative, skilled...you deserve to be an agent." Hiccup swallowed.

"Now you say it-when it's too late," he sighed, shoulders slumping. "This leg..."

"Will recover," his father told him, putting his right foot on the chair and rolling his pants up, then pull his sock down to display a horrible jagged scar. "Did something similar in Murderous, chasing a ring of people traffickers. Hurt like Hel, limped for a while but good as new now..."

"You tell yourself that, Dad-but never enter a 'who's got the best legs' contest at the Berk Festival. Please." The Commander's big face twisted into a broad grin and his eyes sparkled for a second before both men recalled their situation. "Dad-if you want to talk to the dragons-not capture or debrief but offer them sanctuary and a place they can belong-I will help." Stoick stared.

"As the person with most experience with these...individuals...what do you suggest?" he asked.

"Ask for their input," Hiccup said as a male nurse walked in and began to take his observations. "Offer them a place to belong. Maybe even...Auxiliary status?" Stoick scratched his beard and considered.

"Viking Auxiliary Agent, VAA?" he murmured then nodded. "Why not? AI6 is being rebuilt-but in the meantime, we're taking over the InterIsland Ministry Building with ramped up security. We'll need new agents and anyone with skills..."

"Even an agent outranked by two elevators and one-legged Helga the Cleaner," Hiccup muttered sarcastically.

"Or a man who escaped from AI6, prevented the President being assassinated and the Archipelago being taken over by hostile forces," Stoick said firmly. "As long as the doctors agree-and VA73 sorts out your rehab, I will make you a full agent..." The nurse looked up.

"About time," Toothless said with a grin as Stoick stared at him, about to snap at him for interrupting but the jet-haired man offered a tanned hand, the tattoo just visible on the underside of his wrist. "I'm Toothless, Night Fury Clan. I believe you were looking for me...and mentioned something about becoming part of AI6." Stoick stared at the confident man with his mesmerising acid-green eyes and for a second, he wondered how he had penetrated the tight security around the hospital-before he accepted the hand. Hiccup was grinning at the intruder and Stoick knew there would be time for questions later. "Sorry I didn't come sooner, my friend-but someone set a trap and I try never to walk into one without a plan."

"And that is?" Stoick asked in amusement.

"I want to join AI6," the dragon said.

oOo

It was several weeks later, up at the sumptuous white stone Presidential Palace that a Private Ceremony was held to celebrate the heroes who had saved the President and prevented a coup by Alvin Forraeder-now sentenced to seventy years in prison for treason-and the infamous Red Queen. Dagur DeRange and Heather Daguerre/Oswalddottir were still unaccounted for and Dragon Island had sent out signals that no aircraft or boats were to approach, on pain of destruction-which Toothless informed AI6 was a sign the Red Queen was furious and executing a purge on her hapless subjects.

Family and close friends only were invited which was a depressingly small group, since agents tended not to have lots of close ties as a matter of course and of course, many friends within the service had perished with the destruction of AI6. The room itself was a wide presentation room with a small raised stage and deep claret carpet, though the walls were cream with gilt highlights. President Larson was already standing up by a table on the stage, ready to make his presentations as Hiccup fidgeted in his chair. His fixator had been removed a couple of weeks earlier but he still needed arm crutches to walk and he had a nasty suspicion that he would trip up and fall over the President, which would probably win him a cell next to Alvin. He was dressed in a new dark grey suit that flattered his lean shape, though they had retrieved his favourite green shirt from his wrecked apartment. He was living at Astrid's now, meaning he had seen her in her stunning aquamarine dress before anyone else and had messed up her hair by kissing her very thoroughly before they left for the function.

What was more unnerving was that the twins actually looked...normal. Tuff was in a skinny brown pinstriped suit and Ruff in a khaki and cream dress, her braids wrapped in a monster bun at the back of her head.

"I do believe young Hiccup is somewhat astonished at our near-chameleonic ability to blend into these surroundings," Ruff told her twin with a broad grin.

"Indeed, dear sister-my twintuition tells me that he is going to be more astonished at the outcome of today's soiree," her brother added as Fishlegs sat down, adjusting his bow tie. His tweed jacket and brown corduroy slacks made him look a little underdressed-especially with dog hairs all over his lap.

"Sorry-Meatlug wanted a cuddle with Daddy before I had to come out," he explained. "Um...I left her on the couch..."

"You spoil that dog," Snotlout grumbled from the second row where he was sitting with Thuggory and the two doormen from AI6, Bucket and Mulch. He had been demoted to 'probationary agent' though he was still assigned to Eret, much to the top agent's chagrin. The rest of the senior staff were sitting on the front row, along with Bertha and Cami and the First Ministers of Paxlandia and Hopeless as President Larson cleared his throat.

"Thank you for coming to this private ceremony to honour the heroes who saved us from tyranny and oppression," he announced in his smooth, clear delivery. "With the sensitivity surrounding these brave men and women, we cannot televise this presentation, but I thank you all for your courage and dedication in protecting us all."

There was a polite round of applause and Mildew grumbled under his breath, hissing as Gobber elbowed him hard in the side.

"To Rachel and Tom Thorston, I award the Archipelago Medal for bravery and a promotion to full agent," the President announced. The twins instantly got up-though Tuff turned and gave a double thumbs-up to the room-before walking up to collect their medals. They remained standing by the President.

"To Fishlegs Ingerman, I award the Baldr Cluster for extreme bravery by a civilian in a crisis," Larson continued and Fishlegs squeaked and raced up to collect his prize. He was grinning from ear to ear. "I believe you are no longer eligible for this medal in the future, since you have joined AI6?" Larson asked and Fishlegs nodded.

"Um...yes, Mr President...because they needed me and they gave me a great deal on Pitcher Plants," he admitted. The President's smile grew a little strained and then he controlled himself, gesturing to beside the twins.

"To Astrid Hofferson, I award Thor's Star for extreme courage in battle and dedication," he added and Astrid trailed her hand over Hiccup's before she got up and accepted her medal. She flashed her glorious smile at Hiccup as the President kissed her hand. "I also believe that your have been promoted to VA18, a full operative agent."

"Thank you, Mr President," she said. "I look forward to serving the Archipelago."

"And finally," Larson announced, "before we can enjoy the drinks and the canapés provided, I have the most important award. The young man who is the recipient overcame a collapsed building, attack by foreign powers, being kidnapped, drugged and shot to warn the authorities, prevent the coup and save my life. Hiccup Haddock, step forward to collect the Archipelago Star and Odin's Cross for unmatched bravery, dedication and selflessness!" Hiccup levered himself up, almost overbalancing and finding a strong hand from Snotlout of all people in steadying him. He cast his cousin a nod, then limped up on his crutches, accepting the handshake and the award of the highest awards for bravery in the Archipelago from the man whose life he had saved. As he turned to walk to Astrid, the President caught his arm. "I am also happy to announce that you have been promoted to become VA17 and gained active status."

There was an outbreak of applause from the other winners-including whoops and a head-butt between the twins, who fell over, tipping over a small Victorian occasional table. At the back, Toothless, Hookfang and Meatlug were cheering and Hiccup nodded to the man who had helped him more than he could ever explain. Astrid's hand found his.

"See," she said smugly. "Knew it would be alright. My hero."

He leaned towards her and kissed her very sweetly.

"Milady," he murmured to wolf-whistles and Mildew complaining loudly about public indecency. But as he looked up, he met his father's eyes and they shared a small nod of tentative mutual understanding. And then he turned back to the beautiful blonde once more, trying to process everything that had happened.

So maybe it will be okay. I mean, I'm allowed to kiss Astrid...um...and more...my leg isn't dropping off-yet-and Fish and Toothless and the others have all joined AI6. Gobber's already told me he wants me back in Q department...especially since I guess Astrid yelled at him for not trusting me with the purse. I hear the twins even owned up to messing with it...though way too late. Though perhaps that saved my life as well, thinking back. Maybe I should mention it to them again because having them still owe me a life-debt is seriously creepy...

And Dad and I have an understanding. I can't forgive him for how he treated me...yet. Maybe not ever, though I really don't think bearing a grudge is me, to be honest. But it really, really hurt, being cast aside, ignored, always undermined and treated like dirt. And being disowned was the worst day of my life and I only coped because I had Astrid. But Dad at least realises what I can do and he's given me a chance. Sure, he's still cold and distant and a terrible father and can't get past the fact that I look like Mom and deserve to be an agent like her as well...but I promised to try to get on with him-and try to get on as an agent without his help. I'll just have to make it on my own merits-and that should be just fine because that's all I ever wanted. I will try to be the agent I always wanted to be-and maybe the son that my father will one day realise he has and should be proud of.

And despite everything that has happened, I have friends, a girlfriend and my dearest wish: I'm an agent in the Archipelago's Secret Service.

...

A/N: Well, this has been fun...and even though it took a lot longer than expected (dratted life intruding). I hope you have enjoyed it. I hope I ticked a lot of the James Bond boxes-mysterious assassin, traitors, things blowing up, kidnapping, escaping, flying a plane, the obligatory Casino scene and of course, the big finale! Thanks for all your supportive comments!

But even though Hiccup has joined the ranks of agents, his story isn't over. Apart from the challenges of working with a father who has got into the habit of believing the worst of him, There are too many loose ends...and a few unanswered questions. So there is one additional chapter to come...