Twenty-Two: Contract Fulfilled.

Hiccup Haddock, the man known as the hitman Night Fury, went rigid as he heard Heather's words echo throughout the cellar where they had just emerged from the Whispering Death tunnel from the Greek Temple.

Hand yourself over to us or I will order Agent Eretson here to execute your friend.

He looked over at Astrid and she was frowning, her eyes flicking over his worried face.

"Who is it, T?" he asked quietly, for they couldn't see the screen.

"Ruff," came the reply, the word bitter and concerned.

"Where are they?" Hiccup asked, his hand automatically finding his gun.

"Ballroom-but it's suicide. The place is ringed with ASS and there are four in there not counting Agent Eretson..." Toothless's tone was warning.

"Bludvist is in there as well," Hiccup growled.

"And getting yourself stupidly killed won't release Ruff," Toothless counselled him urgently. "You need a plan-and running into a hail of bullets isn't it!"

"No-because you need to remember it's not just you this time," Astrid said firmly. "You have some allies-and a back-up plan. What you need to do now is regroup and come up with a way of finishing this without getting killed."

"I don't matter," he said automatically-and then he flinched as she slapped him.

"Yes you do," she said sharply. "Hiccup and Astrid, remember? Partners?" He sagged, his eyes filling with shame.

"Ruff and Tuff found me, along with Taron," he told her quietly. "They picked me up from where I had collapsed over my own grave and got me medical help. They made sure my wife and son were treated with respect. I owe her my life."

"But running in there won't help," she reminded him softly. "All that will do will allow the President's men to gun you down before you even get close."

"That's not what Heather would be planning," Hiccup said grimly. "She'll know I killed her brother..."

"Then we use that against her," Astrid encouraged him warmly. "Look-she's clever, cold and ruthless...but she's not infallible. She believed you and you observed her. She hit on you, didn't she?" He nodded with a shamed blush. "Okay-so needy, desperate and angry. That means she's vulnerable. We get to the VP and see what he has to say."

"And then we need to persuade Heather than not killing Ruff would be a good move..." Hiccup murmured.

"NF-you better have a plan because that's my sister," Tuff murmured over the com. "And if you don't do something, I will..." The hitman scrambled to the door and peered out, then began running along the hallway.

"Don't do anything stupid, Tuff," he warned the male twin. "It doesn't help anyone if you get killed..." He paused. "Taron-where's the main junction box?"

"Up ahead, about thirty metres," the handler said. "But what are you planning?"

Hiccup raced to the box and pulled the grey door open, staring at the trip switches for a moment and then pulling the main switch down. Immediately all the lights went out and the small dim emergency lights flickered into life along the hallway.

"And now we make our move," he said, pausing at the junction and shooting the ASS agent who was waiting just round the corner. Astrid appeared at his shoulder, shaking her head.

"Whatever you're planning, any minute now would be good," Ruff murmured, sounding strained. "I think this psycho bitch is really seriously psycho..."

"I'm coming, Butt-Elf!" Tuffnut replied grimly but Hiccup froze.

"Theodore Thorston-don't even think of running in there and getting yourself killed!" he snapped. "I need you in the kitchen-now!"

"I know you've got a great metabolism...well, you are a bit of a fishbone...but is now really the time for a snack?" Tuffnut retorted. Astrid frowned and then she gasped.

"Tuff-I will shoot you myself if you don't do what he says," she told him shortly. "We won't let anything happen to Ruff..." There was a reluctant pause and then Tuff slowly replied.

"I'm almost there," he said shortly as they headed for the kitchens.

"They're carrying explosives, aren't they?" she asked him and he nodded.

"They always carry explosives-but they've got weapons as well..." he murmured as they approached the kitchens again. Crashing through the doors, the chefs looked up again, muttering and still preparing the meal by the light of the ovens. "Smells great, guys," Hiccup said as they stopped. "Have you got any vinegar, lemon juice, potassium salt, Scauldron oil and Changewing acid?"

"Sorry-what were the last two?" the nearest man said, looking surprised.

"Scauldron oil is used in curing shark for Loki'd Shark and Changewing acid is used to etch glass and in opening Abalone and Reaper Clams for Vanaheim Salad," Hiccup told them without hesitation. "A Michelin-starred kitchen such as this will have these ingredients in your store room..." The sous-chefs shared a worried look, fully aware the man had a pistol in his hand and then led him to the cupboard where the rare and very expensive ingredients were kept. Frowning, Hiccup collected the ingredients and then handed them over to Tuffnut, who had just arrived, guns hanging from various points on his body.

"Um...what are you planning, sir?" the bravest cook asked. He seemed to be trying to assemble a tart tatin despite the lack of light and excess of gunmen passing through the pastry section. Tuffnut grinned.

"An explosive that will surprise all the bad guys," he said with a manic grin. "Can I have a saucepan?"

Three chefs ran forward with various pans as Astrid sighed.

"I think you need to temporarily evacuate," she suggested. "I know your Boss is in the Spa and that would be a good place to head." There was fervent nodding and the kitchen staff swarmed to the back door as Tuff switched on the cooker and cracked his knuckles.

"OK, one batch of Thorstonblast coming up," he grinned. They watched him in surprise as he mixed the various ingredients-along with the contents of a couple of shotgun cartridges and produced a slimy blackish brown paste that looked like really thick coffee. Astrid leaned close to smell it-but Hiccup pulled her back.

"I wouldn't," he advised her."It's highly unstable...just throwing it around makes it explode...but it does look and smell fairly like coffee..." As he spoke, he was casting around for a mug and grinned as he found one, carefully holding it as Tuffnut decanted the goop into the mug. And then he smiled. "Now this feels more like a plan..." he said.

"And what does it involve?" she asked him. The hitman grinned.

"Tuff and I go and rescue his sister while you head to the Vice President and persuade him to declare the President unfit," he said calmly. Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth to protest but he gave a small smile."Please-I know Fish and Snotface are there but I would rather you were in charge. Please?" Reluctantly, she nodded.

"You better not get yourself killed, Hiccup-not after all the effort I put into finding out your middle name!" she warned him and he gave a broad grin.

"Definitely not-Astrid Freya!" he teased her and carefully headed for the door. Tuff looked up from the sink where he had carefully filled the pan with detergent and milk and frowned.

"What is his middle name?" he asked.

"Horrendous," she told him and he shrugged.

"Only asking," he said and ambled off after the hitman.

Hearing the male twin behind him, Hiccup accelerated towards the Ballroom, careful to keep the Thorstonblast explosive very steady. The only ASS man they encountered was shot without hesitation by the hitman and he paused as they reached the doors up ahead.

"Tuff-I need you to go to the junction box and put the lights back on when I go in there," Hiccup said. "Cut them again when I yell. You'll know when..."

"But Ruff..."

"I promise I won't let anyone harm her," he said calmly. "Trust me..." There was an awkward pause and then Tuff nodded.

"Only because it's you...and because you have the TB in your hands," he said reluctantly and then turned and ran off in the direction of the junction box. Hiccup sighed and walked towards the doors, seeing the ASS guards cover him with their weapons. He calmly raised his gun and then tossed it aside, though he hung onto his cup of 'coffee'.

"Well, here I am," he said cheerfully. "You got me."

oOo

Astrid arrived at the door and paused, then ducked behind the large ornamental plant before taking a breath. She was armed with her gun and a mini stunner that she had been given by Fishlegs before they had left HQ. The Secret Service agents were alert and armed...but they imagined they had the upper hand. Pausing, she gently crouched down and pulled out the magazine and teased a bullet free-then slid the magazine back into the pistol, before she took took the stunner in her hand. She swiftly tossed the bullet high and fast through the air and heard it hit the wall to the left of the ASS agents. Both instinctively turned-and in that moment, she stunned the agents guarding it without hesitating. As they slammed to the floor, she popped up, quickly setting to haul them away safely. She knew there was little to gain in walking around: at present, being safe and sequestered and apparently out the way was a positive advantage but she only opened the door and slid in once the men were securely tied up.

Eyes landed on her and she carefully closed the door, scanning the room. The Vice President glanced up and saw her piercing glare.

"Ah, Agent Hofferson," he said smoothly. "I trust your audience with President Bludvist went well?"

"As well as expected," she said. "Sir-President Bludvist is in league with the terrorist Dagur and he helped him commit his atrocities to advance his personal repressive agenda." Viggo Grimborn steepled his fingers and looked thoughtful.

"We all saw the enlightening footage, my dear," he commented.

"Sir-his men are trying to kill Hiccup Haddock and I and they have you imprisoned," she pointed out.

"Sir-I have to agree with Agent Haddock," Director Jorgensen said, his blue eyes narrowed. "The man is corrupt and has caused the deaths of hundreds of his citizens just to permit him to bring in legislation to tighten his grip on power. He is unfit to rule." Cold dark brown eyes flicked up as Viggo looked round the room. The other cabinet ministers were all looking appalled and Atali Winger took her to feet.

"I concur," she said determinedly. "We have to invoke Article 47 and remove him from power pending legal proceedings. I will issue a warrant for his arrest through the Justice Department to investigate his ties, communications and dealings with Dagur Oswaldson and his part in the terrorist attacks that have happened over the last two years. I believe Director Jorgensen will support the motion. But we require the support of the Vice President."

Grimborn looked around the room, reading the mood in everyone's eyes and faces and then nodded.

"I believe you are correct," he conceded. "As long as this is conducted all according to the legal framework, I concur. There must be an unbiased investigation and, if necessary, a properly conducted trial. Is that understood?" Atali nodded while Director Jorgensen scowled.

"We all understand the process," he said. "Can we get a move on." Grimborn looked up.

"It is done-we have all consented and expressed our concerns-so, as of 11.42am today, Drago Bludvist is removed from the Presidency pending investigation into his crimes under Provision 47 of the United Archipelago Constitution." He glanced over at the Cabinet Secretary, who had already made the necessary official notes and was preparing the documents. "Now-Director Jorgensen, I would be grateful if you and your agents could stop the Secret Service from killing us all." The Director gave a broad grin.

"It would be my pleasure," he growled as the lights snapped back on and the screen filled with Drago Bludvist's face.

"Ah...I guess that you are all huddled together, plotting against me," he growled, his expression unpleasant. "But as you can see, I hold all the cards." He gestured to Ruffnut-still being held by Agent Eretson-with Hiccup standing by, still casually holding his mug of 'coffee' and covered by Krogan while the President stood with the suited and lithe shape of Heather and the tall, buff shape of Ryker Grimborn at his side. Viggo Grimborn stared.

"Ryker," he mouthed.

"I suspect you have attempted to enact Article 47-to impeach me and remove me from office...but I have already outmanoeuvred you," he sneered. "Viggo Grimborn, Atali Winger and Director Spitelout Jorgensen are all declared traitors for plotting against me and are removed from office. So now you cannot remove me from office...and my new Security Minister Oswaldson and new Vice President Grimborn will ensure you are all given a fair trial..and then a fair execution!"

"Little brother-you really shouldn't have listened to that woman and even considered acting against Bludvist-you know he will always win!" the big man sneered. "But there is no problem. If you are disloyal to him....you can expect disloyalty in return. I knew I couldn't rely on you when you didn't fight that hard to get me the Security Minister's post. Now I have a better one!"

"Ryker, you idiot," Viggo muttered. "Too much. I mean...family above all..."

"So you see-I hold all the cards," Bludvist sneered and gestured to his men. "So I don't think we need all these hostages..."

Astrid turned and stared at Snotlout and Fishlegs.

"Get the politicians down to the cellars. Behind the boiler, there is a hatch to a passage to the Greek Temple in the grounds. You should be safe there for a while. If you can, get to the Spa. Help is there."

"What will you be doing?" Fishlegs asked her. He wasn't much of a field agent and was grateful for a less exciting assignment. She frowned.

"Going to help Hiccup," she said but then she froze as she heard him speak over the screen and they all turned to watch.

"Let her go," he said, gesturing to Ruff. "You got me. Let her go free."

"Why?" Krogan asked cruelly. "You seem fond of this woman. Maybe she could be a lever?" He lifted the coffee mug and looked the man in the eye.

"Let. Her. Go!" he snapped then inclined his head to the mug. "Raquel knows what this is, don't you?" Eyes wide and pressed back against Agent Eretson, Ruff nodded.

"Thorstonblast," she said in an awed voice.

"What?" Krogan sneered impatiently.

"An incredibly powerful, volatile and unpredictable explosive that we whipped up in your kitchen," Hiccup said, balancing the mug on the tips of his fingers. "Of course, I don't have a detonator...but if I spill it, throw it down or just drop it, it will detonate."

"You won't do it," Bludvist sneered. "You'd be injured or killed yourself."

There was a pause and Heather looked concerned. She knew how determined the man had been in pursuing her brother. Silently, she edged back a few steps. Ryker did the same on Drago's other side.

"And you think that matters?" Hiccup asked him bluntly. "You and Dagur took everything from me. I've killed him for his crimes-you think I care if I live or die? Now let her go..." He glanced at Agent Eretson. "I thought your job was to protect the President. I will kill him and us all unless you release her!" The Agent nodded and made to let her go as Krogan levelled his gun at the Agent.

"Remain where you are!" he growled. "You obey the President and him alone!" Then he levelled the gun at Hiccup. "And you...I don't believe you..."

"I am a man of my word," Hiccup said evenly.

"Oh no..." Ruff murmured and began to struggle. "You...let me go! He's not kidding!" Emerald eyes expressed his regret.

"Sorry, Ruff," he murmured and spun, throwing the mug to slam into the floor just at the President's feet.

The explosion blew everyone off their feet, especially Hiccup, Ruff and Agent Eretson who were all leaping sideways. The female twin landed in a heap with the Agent landing across her. Hiccup flew through the air, his side slamming into the table before he collapsed into the floor. The roar reverberated through the room and with a crack, half the ceiling collapsed on them.

And then the lights went out.

oOo

The building shook just as the whole place went dark once more and Astrid staggered at the sudden jolt.

"Hiccup," she breathed before snapping her head round to glare at Snotlout and Fishlegs. "I gave you an order-get them to safety!" she growled. There was a pause and the husky agent nodded, followed immediately by Snotlout, who had calculated that appearing to be a good agent in front of his father would help dispel some of the accusations of being an utter muttonhead quite effectively. Spitelout Jorgensen looked at her with an amused look.

"And do you have an order for me, Agent?" he asked softly. She paused.

"Technically, I can't give you any orders, sir, because you are my superior officer-though I would hope getting the Acting-President and Cabinet to safety would be your highest priority while I go and see if I can rescue the man who has helped us uncover this whole mess." There was a pause and cold blue eyes crinkled with a smile.

"You know, I think I made a mistake not listening to you when you proposed your plan to end Dagur," he admitted. "And a good leader learns from his mistakes-especially when the man he believed in turns out to be a traitor and a despot. Hoark, Ack, Sven-get the politicos to safety with Agent Ingerman and me. Snotlout-go with her, boyo. And try not to mess it up!"

"Yessir!" his son replied with a grin and waggled his eyebrows at Astrid. "Just you and me, babe?" he suggested. She groaned.

"Thor help me. Do exactly as you're told!" she snapped and headed out through the door.

The corridor was full of dust and there was an ominous crack in the ceiling, damaging the beautiful stucco work. The ASS men were still tied up where they had been left and the two BHS agents raced past, heading for the centre of the building. As they rounded a corner, there was a creak and dust filtered down from the roof.

"What's happening?" Snotlout asked, his gun levelled up ahead. Astrid pulled him back into an alcove behind a fake suit of armour.

"The bomb must have damaged the Ballroom...and that has made the whole building unstable," she realised, peering round the corner to see three ASS men trying to break through the doors, which seemed to be stuck. "There was a side entrance from the kitchens-that may still be open. Come on!"

"Yeah-I was going to ask when we were getting lunch..." Snotlout added as they turned and sprinted off back the way they came.

oOo

Ruffnut awoke to the admittedly not-unpleasant sight of Agent Eretson laying over her-though he appeared to be partially pinning her with his dead weight. Exasperated, she slapped him hard-her brother always told her she slapped like a man-and he groaned, his delicious caramel-brown eyes fluttering open.

"Ow! That was uncalled for..." he mumbled, frowning as he tried to mentally check for injuries. "I threw myself over you to protect you."

"Oh. That was nice of you," she said briskly, feeling curiously uncomfortable. She really wasn't used to anyone being particularly nice to her-even her brother, though she knew he loved her in his own extremely crazy way-and it felt weird. "Now can you get off me? I need to find Fury..." The Agent looked contrite and levered himself up to his knees, scrambling off her.

"Sorry," he apologised. "I didn't realise that you and he...I mean, he was with that other blonde..." Ruff sighed.

"We're not," she snapped. "He's a friend. And I really hope he and that other blonde are...sort of...because he really needs it. But he came here to save my life with that ridiculous plan that only he would even try and think he could pull off..."

"I wouldn't have shot you!" Agent Eretson protested. "I'm not a murderer. But it seems Bludvist is...and I work for AIS, not ASS. We've been suspicious about how Dagur the Deranged was getting his intelligence and support for a long time...and the presence of Heather, Dagur's sister seems to at least partially answer that..."

"Wow-you really should talk to your friends in other agencies," Ruff said, swiping the dust out of her eyes and peering around in the dusty gloom. "BHS...well, Fury... finished Dagur off."

"I was there," the agent told her and then sighed. "My name is Eret Eretson III."

"Ruffnut Thorston," she replied automatically. "Boy, your family doesn't believe in changing a winning formula, does it?"

"While yours seems to be a bit coy about names...or did I hear him call you Raquel?" Eret grinned back. She shook her head.

"Our Mom really liked impressive names-my twin brother is called Theodore, if you would believe it!-but we're a pair of nuts so we've always been known as Ruffnut and Tuffnut..."

"Hey, sis-stop flirting with the nasty Agent!" a voice hissed from the gloom and a very grubby and dusty Tuff crawled up. Ruff paused for an instant and then hugged him-before punching him.

"I'm very glad to see you but he's on our side...and kind of cute as well," she hissed back.

"We need to get you out of here," Tuff hissed back urgently. "The Thorstonblast was too strong. This whole building is structurally unsound! Half the roof has fallen in already and the best option are the windows..."

"I agree," Eret added. "Eret Eretson III, AIS. This place is coming down any time." Tuff glared at him suspiciously and then nodded.

"No!" Ruff growled. "Fury is still here. He gave himself up to save me-and we have to get him out." There was a pause and then the two men nodded as they peered into the gloom, the dust swirling around the table, collapsed ceiling and debris. Eret pulled out a small flashlight and skimmed it over the vicinity, seeing two of Bludvist's men lying sprawled and clearly badly injured, half-buried under chunks of plaster.

"Where is he?" Tuff muttered.

"He was moving towards us when the explosion happened...so he should be this way," Ruff murmured, crawling through the debris, her eyes searching the rubble. Tuff paused, then grabbed a chunk of plaster and lobbed it through a window. A stream of grey light filtered into the room as the tinkling smash died away-but there was an ominous rumble and more dust filtered down from the unseen roof.

"Don't do that!" Eret hissed. "This place is really really unstable..." There was another groan...but they realised it was from close by, just beside the large table. Ruff and Tuff scrambled forward and started tossing pieces of debris aside-to reveal the dusty and semi-conscious shape of Hiccup. His eyes fluttered wearily open.

"Not dead yet?" he murmured as Ruff leaned over him, leering. "Agh!"

"Nope," she grinned. "Try harder next time." He rested a hand against his aching head, feeling blood smeared on his temple and hand.

"Not planning on a next time," he mumbled as he tried to get up...and then hissed in pain, almost cringing. His side lit up with the hot pain of broken bones. "Thor...my ribs..." he breathed and pressed a hand desperately against his side to try to support the injury. Breathing was really painful as he hauled himself to a sitting position and he chewed his lip.

"Fury?" Tuff asked. "You okay, man?"

"Broken ribs," he grunted. "Is he dead?" There were the sounds of movement from the gloom and then two figures loomed behind them. Eret punched at one and there was a whine, while Tuff lunged at the other. There was the sound of a very firm punch and the male twin whimpered.

"Oh, I am hurt, I am very much hurt!" he protested.

"Shut up, I didn't hit you that hard!" Astrid snapped.

"He hit me!" Snotlout whined.

"Shut up, Snot!" the blonde agent snapped. "Hiccup?" There was a sigh.

"Still kicking, Astrid," he assured her, his lips lifting in the slightest smile-which both twins noticed. There were sounds of movement as well from the other side of the room.

"Check they are dead! I want them dead!" Bludvist's voice echoed through the dusty space and they all instinctively cringed down under the table. Astrid held her gun out to Hiccup and he gratefully accepted the weapon.

"You're a better shot than I am," she murmured as the twins hunkered down as small as they could and Eret trained his gun on the sounds of movement.

"Keep quiet," Hiccup whispered. "Let them come to us. Astrid-can you cover the left? Agent Eretson-take the right. I'll wait for the shot..." Tuff tapped him on the shoulder and handed over the long wrapped parcel...and even though it hurt to stretch out and grab it, he felt a sense of relief when his hands closed on the Valkyrie. Not the most agile of weapons...but it came fully loaded with night sights. So he wrestled the weapon out as quietly as he could and trained it in the direction he had seen the President. The swirling dust fouled his vision but in Night Vision, he could see the shape clearly. And it was oh so easy to train the crosshairs on the man's head and curl his finger round the trigger. One gentle squeeze and he would have paid back everyone who was responsible for his family's deaths...

...but there were many others who deserved to know the truth, people whose lives had been ripped apart simply because Dagur wanted everyone to pay for his father's death. A death Hiccup had effected on orders from the President. And the same man had helped Dagur, protected him...and used him to tighten his own grip on power. And while Hiccup would gain the personal satisfaction of gaining his revenge, the truth needed to be known.

Behind him, the twins were gently squabbling and as he heard them, he knew others could as well. So he swung the Valkyrie round and saw Krogan and two of his men closing amid the gloom. He snapped off two shots and dropped the men, but Krogan threw himself down, crawling towards them. Eret snapped a volley of shots on the direction as a shape rose up behind them. Heather was armed but Astrid threw herself on the lawyer and bore her to the ground, cracking her fist into the other woman's face.

Heather yelled and punched Astrid back but the blonde was seeing red, recalling the state she had found Hiccup in when she rescued him from Dagur's Townhouse-and who had overseen the torture. Heather elbowed her neck and she rolled back, choking-just long enough to allow the lawyer to her feet...but Astrid swept her legs away and threw herself onto the raven-haired women once more, a punch spilling blood over Heather's face.

The twins were watching Hiccup, seeing him frozen and fighting an internal battle. They could hear steps closing and both knew it would bode poorly for their friend...so, as one, they flung themselves at the approaching Krogan. The man gave a shout of anger and his gun discharged. Tuff grunted in pain and fell back and Ruff yelled in despair.

"TUFF!"

Time slowed for Hiccup, every motion clear and focussed to almost painful sharpness. The man, Krogan, with the white scar over his right eye, his dark skin dulled in the dusty environment but cruel eyes glittering as he swung the gun up. Ruff on her knees by Tuff, who had red smeared over his stomach. Snotlout and Eret who looked up from where there were trading shots with the remaining ASS men who had finally broken through the main door. Dust filtered down and the creaking of surrendering structural integrity grew far louder. And Astrid, her fist landing on Heather's nose and exploding blood over the corrupt lawyer's clear skin.

The Valkyrie was too slow, too unwieldy-but he had Astrid's gun and his arm swung up, shooting before his aim was complete to bury a round in Krogan's body ahead of the kill shot. The impact threw the man backwards, spoiling his aim as Hiccup's hand swung inexorably up and the second shot was straight to the face. Krogan went down without a sound, his body slamming across the debris.

The dust swirled and the remaining men were outlined, allowing Eret and Snotlout to take them out. But Hiccup was raising the Valkyrie once more, facing his mind past the agony of his broken ribs and the raging desire to kill Drago Bludvist for all the deaths he had caused. Death was too good for him: he deserved to lose everything first. A thud signalled Astrid finally punching Heather out, her blonde hair wispily escaping from her braid and floating to frame her bruised face. Breathing hard, she looked up at him and nodded.

The Valkyrie pointed at Drago's chest.

"Drago Bludvist, former President of the United Archipelago Government, you are hereby under arrest for terrorism and treason," Hiccup said. "Please resist because I really want an excuse to shoot you."

"You have no right to arrest me!" Drago sneered.

"But I do!" Eret announced, lifting his real ID. "Eretson-Archipelago Intelligence Service."

"Hofferson, Berk Homeland Security," Astrid added. "You are now in our custody." She nodded and she and Eret took station on each side of the disgraced President and grabbed him.

"Unhand me! You're going to regret this!" Bludvist yelled.

"Not as much as you are," Hiccup said, lowering the Valkyrie and handing it to Ruff...then lifting Tuff in his arms, ignoring the pain. "You shouldn't have sent me to kill Oswald."

"I didn't!" Bludvist snarled as he was frog-marched from the room. Snotlout covered the room-but there was no sign of anyone else moving so he grabbed Heather and slung her over his shoulder as Hiccup with Tuff and Ruff with the gun sped to the door. The ceiling creaked as the stocky agent and the prisoner scurried out as well. With a roar, the rest of the ceiling caved in...and the corridor started to crack.

"RUN!" Astrid yelled as they all sprinted for the main entrance, making their way through just as the main atrium collapsed as well in welter of stucco, plaster and dust. The first sirens were sounding and Hiccup checked the male twin: Tuff was alive but losing blood from a bullet to the middle and needed urgent medical help.

"Don't you leave me!" Ruff begged. "I refuse to spend my life doing anything on my own!" His eyelids fluttered and he gave a small smile.

"Don' worry, Butt-Elf..." he mumbled. "You're never getting rid of me!"

And then there was a flurry of blacked out AIS cars along with regular police and ambulances all arriving in the manicured entrance before the collapsing hotel. Men in black suits surrounded Drago Bludvist as Mala and Throk took charge and the Acting President and rest of his Cabinet emerged from the gardens, slightly muddy and the worse for wear. Astrid ensured Heather was arrested and handed over as well and Eret promised to go with the prisoners to ensure none of Krogan's men tried to liberate the traitors. Ignoring all of this, Hiccup made sure Tuff-and Ruff-were loaded into the first ambulance and safely away before he paused and allowed the pain to really kick in. Strong hands caught him as he swayed and he looked into the familiar green eyes of Toothless, who had emerged from the Catering Van he had been using as his base for monitoring everything that was happening.

"You okay?' he asked the hitman worriedly and Hiccup smiled.

"A couple of cracked ribs," he said, though his pallor said otherwise. "But we got them."

"All the news feeds have shown Bludvist's confession," he confirmed with a grin, his green eyes warm with triumph. "He's finished."

"And so am I," Hiccup said, his eyes searching for Astrid. She looked at him and smiled.

"Now the Contract is fulfilled," she said.

A/N2: Not quite the end...