Astrid's relief, Bekka, was ten minutes late but Hiccup waited patiently, his wary green gaze watching her every move. She smiled at the girl, curiously glad she was on a short shift today, though she had come in to cover sickness, because it meant she had miraculously got to see Hiccup-and it was painfully clear he needed a friend urgently. She emerged from the back in her warm coat and boots, her shoes in her bag, to see Hiccup achingly lever himself to his feet and look at her expectantly. She smiled.

"I'm just parked at the side," she said and he limped hard to her side, pulling his collar up.

"This is really kind-and I'm sure I'll be fine," he began and then grimaced. "Maybe not," he added tightly and she hastened to his side, letting him lean on her. He was heavier than he looked and the way he moved told her that he was immensely self-conscious at needing her help, though his grasp was warm and gentle. They opened the door and stepped out into the frigid Berkian afternoon where the dusk already falling. Hiccup was limping hard, trying not to put any pressure on her arm but as his foot slipped, she suddenly found herself sliding under him and they ended up sprawled against the wall. She gave an embarrassed smile but Hiccup was scarlet with mortification.

"I'm so sorry!" he gabbled. "Oh Gods, I..." She gently righted him and shook her head.

"It's fine, Hiccup," she reassured him but he curled back from her, hands rising to dig into his tousled auburn hair, his shoulders hunching. He was shaking his head, his eyes stricken.

"No, no it's not!" he protested, backing away. "Gods, you must be disgusted by my even touching you and..." She stared at him, seeing him cringe back and wonder what had happened to the gentle. goofy man she had known.

"Hiccup!" she said more sternly. "What are you taking about? That was an accident, right? Everyone slips on ice-and I'd rather catch you than see you sprawl on the floor."

"But..." He was on the brink of hyperventilating and she grasped one arm and forced him to still, staring into his shamed green eyes. Her expression was patient.

"Hiccup-it's freezing," she reminded him. "Come with me and I'll get you home." He nodded wordlessly, blinking hard and limped after her. She unlocked the passenger door to her small blue car, leaning in to toss a pink cloth doll into the back by the booster seat and stood back to help him in. She couldn't help but frown as she saw him flinch when he put pressure through his left leg, her mind running back to his words and wondering what injuries he had suffered. He nodded wordlessly, allowing her to close the door and then scoot rapidly round to the driver's side. He was still sitting still and rigid, his seat belt fastened across his lean shape. She slammed the door, turned the key in the ignition and turned the heater up to maximum, then looked across to him.

"Sorry," he mumbled, horrific lack of confidence making him curl a little more and she extended a gentle hand to land on his arm.

"It's okay," she said lightly, patting him gently. "I'm not bothered, I'm not disgusted, I'm not repulsed or any other nonsense. You're my friend, Hiccup, and I am taking you home because that's what friends do." She paused. "And sorry about the car."

"What about it?" he asked, his voice slightly more calm. "It's not gonna crash, is it? Coz I have to tell you...I'm not a great passenger since the accident..." She smirked.

"Nah-I am very careful how I drive," she told him cheerfully. "No, I apologise because the car looks like a garbage dump inside and there are pink things everywhere..." His lips quirked and his embarrassed green gaze flicked up to inspect her face. There was a peace in her expression that he found calming, realising she was at ease with her situation, even with a strange man in her car.

"Why are there pink things everywhere?" he asked, his eyes flicking over the dashboard and seeing a multitude of pink stickers, a plush pink unicorn jammed in the open glove box and a pink-haired troll hanging from the rear view mirror. She checked the road ahead, swiped the wipers across the windshield and very carefully shifted into gear.

"My daughter, Emma, is in a pink phase," she said, her brow wrinkling very slightly as she scanned the road again before pulling out. "Well, she's been in a pink phase from as soon as my Mom could warp her mind into being totally girly!" But she was smiling nostalgically as she spoke and they accelerated gently along the road.

"How old is she?" Hiccup asked, his voice curious. Of course, he had never heard her speak of her child because there had never been need. Emma was Astrid's business, her pride and joy and reason for working long and antisocial hours in the diner.

"Three," she said, her eyes flicking up for the briefest of instants to catch his expression-but it didn't shift. Of course, he had no clue how old she was so he couldn't assume the circumstances surrounding her existence.

"My Mom used to say I was a complete handful at that age," he commented with a small smile, lifting the unicorn. "Hmm-this is ludicrously pink." Astrid nodded wryly.

"It's a struggle keeping her in pink things and a roof over our head," she admitted lightly. "I mean, I could spend my entire wages four times over and still not get everything she wants." He allowed his smile to widened slightly.

"I have complete confidence that you are an amazing mother," he said almost absently, oblivious to the sharp glare she cast at him. She felt a keen sense of inadequacy because life was always a struggle and felt very sensitive that he had mentioned it. "I mean, you have picked up a complete stranger who is utterly useless and worthless and are taking him home to prevent him from having to haul his sorry ass pathetically back through the snowy streets! Anyone that kind and compassionate could only make a brilliant Mom!" Her cheeks warmed slightly at the quiet endorsement.

"Th-thanks," she said softly, slowing at the intersection. "Which way?"

"Night Fury Avenue, off Strike Street," he said absently and she peered at the lights, which were red.

"You're right-it is the wrong direction," she hummed. "That's a really high rent area.I could barely afford to walk down the streets there!" The light changed and she paused-then jammed the brakes on as a truck raced through the lights and missed them by a foot. Astrid glared at him and leaned hard on her horn before starting off-but Hiccup froze, all colour draining from his face as they drove on. He was hyperventilating and his emerald eyes were dark with terror. He was trembling from head to foot and it was only as they turned away from the main highway that Astrid noted his utter panic.

"Hiccup?" she asked gently. He just stared through the windshield, the snow beginning to fall, wiped in smears across the glass. "Hiccup?" But he was lost in some horrific vision and she quietly pulled over and put the car in neutral, then reached across and gently caught his arm. "Hiccup?" She gave him a little shake.

He began to breath raggedly and his eyes focussed once more, the shaking worse. Instinctively, she unfastened her belt and slid an arm around his rigid shoulders, pulling him towards her. For a long moment, he resisted-and then he leaned towards her, the tension oozing from his body. His head momentarily curled into her shoulder and her hand rose to tenderly stroke his unexpectedly soft auburn hair. "Shh, shh-you're safe here. You're safe with me," she assured him, stroking, feeling breaths heave through his lean shape. His hand rose briefly to grasp her other shoulder, giving her the briefest squeeze before ashamedly pulling away.

"Thanks," he mumbled.

"It's okay, I'm shaking as well," she soothed him gently but he shook his head with a despondent grimace.

"I saw the accident!" he sighed, closing his eyes. "I saw that truck heading straight for us...I saw the impact and...." Her hand gently closed on his, her eyes understanding.

"That was the past, not now," she told him softly. "We're alive and we're safe, Hiccup. I will get you home safely. I promise." He licked his dry lips and swallowed. He took a shuddering breath and his wide green eyes stared into her face.

"I-I believe you," he mumbled, raising a shaking hand to his face and a few hints of colour returned to his cheeks. He nodded. "Thanks." He swiped his face. "Gods, you must be wondering what kind of lunatic you've got in your car?" She gave a smile and put the car in gear again, then carefully pulled off.

"Well, I had wondered," she said in a teasing voice, "but since I'm still shaking from that near miss, I can hardly blame you for being anxious-especially since you...well, didn't have a miss last time. I'm guessing you don't drive any more." He gave a small, self-conscious shake of the head.

"This is the first time I've been in a car since I was driven back from hospital," he admitted. "Hopeless, huh?" She cast him a small smile.

"Explains why I haven't seen you around," she murmured. "I guess your leg was injured in the accident so you're not been able to walk far?" He stiffened for an instant...then nodded.

"Yeah," he admitted as they rounded a corner into a wide, tree-lined avenue and pulled up outside an elegant brownstone.

"You said 29A?" she asked, peering at the large house. He nodded and unfastened his belt.

"It's been made into apartments-I have the ground floor and yard," he admitted shyly, opening the door. She switched off the engine and clambered out-to his surprised look. "Er...Astrid?" he asked, limping badly.

"I promised I'd get you home safely," she reminded him firmly. She insinuated herself under his arm and he leaned on her as they reached the steps to the front door, clambering them painfully until he stood before the black-painted door. He fumbled for his key and half-turned to the blonde who was smiling at him.

"Um...would you like to come in?" he asked quietly and she paused.

"I don't want you to feel awkward," she admitted but he unlocked the door and shook his head.

"Actually, I should get you a coffee before you head back," he murmured. "And I should pay for your gas..."

"I won't hear of it," she said immediately. "But a coffee might be nice..." He nodded eagerly and limped in, pausing to drop his coat on the chair by the door. She followed him in and closed the door, taking off her coat and boots. He kept his on, limping across the hardwood floored hall onto the deep brown rug, that led though a living room-kitchen-diner that was probably larger than her whole apartment. Beyond, she could see a set of french doors onto the yard and doors leading to the other rooms. He dumped his bag onto a white leather couch and limped badly as he turned to the kitchen. She stared round: the room was furnished simply but elegantly, the couches expensive leather, the rug excellent quality, the tables and chairs dark hardwood. The walls were painted a pale green with a large mirror over the fireplace, a discreet cabinet housing the television and a pair of laden bookcases that seemed neatly stacked with everything varying from engineering to dragons. Self-conscious, she perched on the closest chair to the kitchen.

"How do you take it?" he asked, wincing as he put pressure on his left leg.

"White, one sugar," she said, suddenly discomposed. She abruptly felt out of place in this obviously extremely expensive apartment with a guy she hardly know anything about-while she had just blurted out about Emma, that she had a child and had no money and worked in a crappy diner to make ends meet... She rose abruptly. "I should go," she said urgently and he turned, hissing in pain, his eyes wide.

"No, please..." he begged her softly. She stared, frozen at his tone. "I-I'm sorry I was pathetic, that I froze...but please don't go because of that..." She stared, suddenly realising how he had interpreted her sudden desire to leave. "Gods, what was I thinking? That anyone would want to be with me when I am...so worthless..." He turned away, his shoulders slumping. "I-I really am grateful for the lift," he mumbled defeatedly. "Thank you, Astrid..."

And he froze when he felt her hand catch his, his shoulders stiffening. He peered round to see Astrid holding his hand, her strong fingers curling around his.

"I would love to have coffee with you," she told him gently. "I was just feeling totally out of place here..." His emerald gaze widened in surprise at the gentle tone and he nodded.

"You-you don't have to if you don't want to," he told her worriedly but she swatted his shoulder irritably.

"I know," she reminded him, softening the words with a small smile. "But it would be nice-just for once-to have someone make coffee for me..." He managed a small smile and spooned instant coffee into two mugs then delicately added the sugar to hers before sloshing boiling water in. He added milk then very carefully limped over to the table and took the seat next to hers, placing the coffee on the table. She took a small sip and smiled at his hopeful expression. "Perfect," she said and was rewarded by his smile.

"You now, this has been the best day since..." he told her, sipping his own coffee self-consciously. "Astrid-thank you!" And though she felt suddenly self-conscious, she met his smile with her own.

"Any time."