Ummm... yeah...

I've been...

Really...

What's the word...

Lazy......

Enjoy!

::slaps the chapter up and runs away::

::chapter 25::

"Begin."

The second the old man said the word Chance and Duo approached the bike, mumbling to each other what should be done first.

As they were examining the bike, the other four stood close together, praying that the two mechanics could make one more miracle happen.

"Do you think they can pass this one, Trowa?" Wufei asked his quiet lover.

Trowa calmly wrapped his arms around the Chinese man's waist, and whispered into his ear. "I believe that those two can do anything together... But something's not right...." He trailed off as his green eyes focused on the old man.

Heero noticed his brother's gaze and followed it. The old man was grinning practically from ear to ear, which seemed very suspicious to him. "I think he's holding information back... " he muttered as he pulled Chase closer to him.

"Information? Like what?" Chase asked, worried that this may be all a cruel trick.

And the near evil smirk on Jay's face only increased their cause for concern.

But the old man paid no attention to them, and looked on at the young determined couple at his bike, occasionally looking at his stop watch. ::If they are as good as I suspect, then they should pass in the next five minutes...:: His grin widened and a slight chuckle escaped his lips, catching the attention of the two mechanics.

Duo frowned slightly and looked back at the bike. "God that geezer's creepy..." he mumbled.

Chance wanted to agree, but there was something about the way the man was grinning made her think. "Duo... Let's try to start the bike..." She said quietly as she looked back to the braided mechanic.

His curious violet eyes looked at her for a moment before asking "Start it? But luv he said it wouldn't start."

"It may not actually start, but it might make a noise that'll give us a hint where the problem might be." She pointed out as she moved for the ignition. Her pale hand took hold of the ignition and she attempted to start it.

It made a loud puttering noise as it misfired for a few seconds then died. When she tried to start it again nothing happened.

Duo blinked in confusion when he recognized the way it misfired. "No.. It can't be that simple.... " he muttered. "I thought he said it would be hard."

Chance shrugged and smiled. "Maybe he was trying ta make us think it was hard, but let's see if we're right first." she said as she moved to remove the seat of the bike. Carefully the two removed the seat of the motorcycle and quietly moved to one of the tool carts and picked up a wrench. He moved quickly and zeroed in on one portion of the bike that held the spark plug. He loosened the spark plug with the wrench and then he took his hand and unscrewed it the rest of the way. When the spark plug was free from the rest of the engine Duo held it up to get a closer look at it. When he saw the state of the plug he raised his eye brows in shock.

"Chance, this plug is filthy.... " he said, but when he turned to meet his partner he saw her already heading towards the bike with a fresh sparkplug in hand. Chance hunched over the bike and began screwing in the spark plug, then held out her hand towards Duo. He handed over the wrench without prompting as he watched her. "Check the gap first?"

"Of course, I'm not an amateur here." Chance huffed as she looked up and stuck her tongue out at him. Once the sparkplug was secure in the engine Chance replaced the sparkplug cap and took a step back, chewing on her lower lip as she looked at Duo. "Try it...."

Nodding, Duo reached out and took hold of the ignition. His violet eyes closed and he whispered a prayer as he turned on the ignition. Everyone was silent as Duo attempted to start the bike. They held on to their respective partners tightly as they held their breath in hope.

The noise that erupted from the motor drowned out the screaming cheers that came from the four bikers waiting nearby. They ran up to the two mechanics and began hugging them and congratulating them over the rumbling noise of the bike's engine.

But Duo and Chance pulled away from their embraces and Chance switched off the ignition as the two mechanic glared at the old man who was still grinning at them.

"What's the deal, old man?" Duo asked gruffly, not sure if he should be pissed or not as he moved closer to Chance.

Jay snickered slightly as he grinned at them like a Cheshire cat. "Oh please... Do you honestly think I would put you through another ordeal like I did with the truck? The truck was the real test. If you two could fix that then you can fix anything as far as I'm concerned. This was just to see how you diagnose a problem, and I like your methods. Most would only take the information I have given them and tear the bike apart. You thought to question me. I like a team that can think independently." He hobbled over to them and grinned ever wider than they thought possible as he began to speak again. "Besides, I've had my eye on the lot of you for quite some time now. I would have to be senile not to see the potential of your group. So.. If you're up to the task I would like to make you all members of the gundam bikes racing team."

Duo and Chance were speechless as they looked to one another then back at the old man. Seeing that the crazy old codger was being serious, the two mechanics looked back to their partners and waited for their verdict. "Well, Heero... You're team leader.. You make the call." Duo said with a childish grin and a careless shrug to his best friend.

Heero's eyes widened slightly and he raised an eyebrow as the sudden notion. Then he stepped forward towards Jay and regarded him calmly. "What all would you require of us to do under your sponsorship?" He asked in a flat serious tone.

Jay chuckled in his gravelly odd pitched voice and cocked his head to the side in amusement. "Ah, the true team leader, wanting to know the conditions his comrades will have to work under... I will give you the contracts to look over to your heart's content, but I will tell you right now that all that I expect you young people to do is ride in the races using my products. And, by all means, if you find something you disagree with either the contract or the products merely give me a call and we'll discuss it and come to a compromise. I think that is a generous offer. You don't have to accept now, take time to think about it...." Jay turned away from them and began walking towards the exit where his limo was waiting. Before he made it to the exit he paused. "Oh.. But do take this into consideration..." He peered over his shoulder at them and smirked. "Think of how nice it would be to enter the races on Tuesday under a Gundam bikes sponsorship? Hm.. Just a thought. Call me when you've made a decision." With that he continued on to his limo, climbed inside and drove off leaving the six bikers there in a complete daze.

After a moment Chase stepped up to Heero and held on to his arm gently. "Well, Heero?" He asked softly.

Heero looked down at his love's pale face, then he looked over to his brother and Wufei. The two had their hands joined together as they both nodded their consent with small smiles on their faces. His cobalt eyes then flickered over to where Duo was gently hold Chance in his arms. The two merely grinned widely and shrugged as they held one another, so with a deep sigh Heero pulled out his cell phone and a small card from his jacket pocket and began dialing the number that was on the card.

"Jay? It's Heero... We accept."

::TBC::

hehe..

Next part everyone gets drunk...

Funny times ahead, stay tuned

Don't worry, I'll finish this, I promise

Later!