Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing, it belongs to Bandai, Sotsu and associated parties. I just borrow the guys from time to time and return them a whole lot happier. I do own the plot and any other characters, especially the equines, that you will find in this fic. Please do not take them without permission. Written for pleasure not profit.

Pairing: 2x1x2, 3x4, 13x6, H+C

Warnings: Yaoi, lemon, sap, angst, vet themes, AU

Rating: NC 17

Archive: gundam-wing-diaries. 150m. com and gundam-wing-diaries. foreverfandom. net. Anyone else please ask.

Betaed by Karina *snugs*

Summary: Set 2 years after Equus and Heero is doing so well in his own business that he's taken June on as a working pupil. The qualifying shows for the International teams are well underway and it looks like it will be a good year for Heero, his pupils and horses... until Mother Nature steps in.

AN: This fic, although a complete work of fiction is based partially on fact. I will add notes at the end of chapters where necessary to clarify events and provide links where needed.

Dedication: To Leslie and Karina. Leslie for giving me the original idea for Equinity and encouraging and supporting me through the writing of all the fics thus far in the arc. And Karina for not just taking over as my much needed beta, (poor woman needs a medal!), but for also poking and prodding Fred until he went on strike, refusing to work on anything at all until I let him start this. Needless to say, we managed to come to a compromise... Fred gets to write a chapter of this one week... the next week he has to write a chapter of 'Bound'... Did I ever tell you all I hate my muse? :-)

Fic 5 in the Equine Intervention Arc.

Commenced December 2013 – ShenLong

"Rival Riders"

Chapter 3

"Duo? We're almost there."

The calling of his name and gentle shake to his shoulder had Duo waking from the nap he wasn't aware he'd been taking. Dry washing his face, He straightened in his seat and yawned. "Did I drop off?" he asked, stating the obvious.

Heero chuckled. "Yeah."

"Sorry."

"It's fine, Duo. We should be coming up to the turn in a few minutes."

"Ah, okay." Duo yawned again and gradually brought his mind back from the haze of sleep. Looking out the window of the car he began to recognize landmarks and the excitement once more infiltrated his system. Reaching over to the back seat, he grabbed the small cooler bag he'd put there and pulled it over and into his lap. "You want a drink?" he asked, reaching into the bag and removing a soda.

"Please."

Extracting another can, Duo opened it and passed it to his partner.

"Thanks." Heero took the drink and downed several swallows.

Placing the bag back on the back seat, Duo opened his own can and drank. Moments later he placed it in the cup holder of the car and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. A rather loud burp followed. "Oops, pardon me," Duo said with a grin. "How much further did you say?"

"The turn off should be just up here, then it's a couple of kilometers to the Waybridge entry."

"June still with us?" Duo scrunched in his seat, trying to see in the side mirror if June was still behind them.

"Yes, she is," Heero replied and began to indicate whilst slowing the car and changing gears. The turn into the street was made, the horses never moving in the float and Heero gradually picked up speed again.

"Did Treize say what he planned on doing this week? As in, is he going to commute or stay?" Duo asked.

"He's going to commute too. He said he would be leaving Joe here with Romeo same as he has in the past."

"Do you think Joe would keep an eye on Nataku and Orion for us?"

"I'm pretty sure he would if we ask him, but I'd need to clear it with Treize first. I wouldn't expect him to do any of the stable work though, he'll have enough to do with taking care of Romeo."

"I wouldn't expect him to do any of the stable work either," Duo chuckled. "Isn't that what you have me here for?"

"I"m sure between the three of us we will manage to look after two horses okay," Heero returned with a smile.

"Any idea how many countries will be participating this time?"

"No, I don't. I'm sure we will find out though either at the camp or if we're lucky enough to be selected, they will tell us prior to the competition." Heero began to brake again. "Here we are," he said and turned the vehicle into the familiar drive. Moments later they were pulling up outside the U shaped stable area.

Cutting the engine, Heero released his seat belt and got out, Duo following suit. June pulled in beside them and also exited her car.

"Wow, nice place," she commented, her head turning one way and then the other as she took in the splendor of the old stables and surrounding area.

"It's quite majestic, isn't it?" Duo said as he walked over to the woman.

"It's beautiful."

Whilst the other two conversed, Heero wandered into the stable area to see if he could locate anyone to tell him where the horses were to be stabled. He spotted a familiar figure to one side and began to approach. As he drew near, the person stopped what they were doing and turned to look at Heero.

"Mr. Yuy, it's a pleasure to see you again."

"You too, Mueller. I wasn't sure if you would still be working here or not," Heero greeted and shook the head groom's hand.

"Ah, I think the place would fall down if they got rid of me," Mueller joked.

"I wouldn't doubt it," Heero replied with a grin.

"Which horse are you riding this time? Is it that lovely gray stallion again?"

Heero shook his head. "No, Shinigami is still in work but I'm trying to qualify him for the Olympics again. I think it would be a bit much to ask of him to try out for the Nations Cup as well. No, this time I'm on a client's horse, a bay mare by the name of Nataku."

"So you're not working for Mr. Khushrenada any longer?"

"No, I'm not. I've set up my own business now. I take in other horses to educate and campaign, agist some as well; something similar to what Treize does. Actually one of my pupils has also made the short list so I've brought her horse up with me."

Mueller scratched the back of his head. "I see I have a lot of catching up to do. Ah, Doctor Maxwell, it's so lovely to see you again too," Mueller said as Duo and June walked into the stable area.

"Hey, Mueller, good to see you again as well. Still here then?"

"Yes. As I was just saying to Mr. Yuy, the place would fall apart if they got rid of me."

"That much a part of the furniture, hey?" Duo chuckled.

"Ah, Mueller, this is June Bailey, my current working pupil; she is the one who has also been short listed," Heero introduced in an attempt to get them back on track. "June, this is Mueller, the head groom at Waybridge."

"A pleasure to meet you, June," Mueller greeted and extended his hand.

"Likewise," June replied and shook the offered hand.

"I guess you want to know where your horses are going to be stabled?"

"Please," Heero replied. "I'd like to get them off the float as soon as possible, they've had a bit of a trip to get here."

"No problem. You said you had a mare this time, Heero?" Mueller said over his shoulder as he shuffled along a line of stables.

"Yes, Nataku is a mare and June's horse is a gelding."

"In that case, you can put the pair of them side by side in these two stables here," Mueller indicated. "Put the mare in the corner box and the gelding next to her."

"Thank you, Mueller." Heero took a quick look around, noticing two other horses already in residence in the section reserved for the team 'try outs'.

"The same room as in previous years has been allocated to you all to use for storage of your feed and gear. There's water buckets already filled in each stable and the wheelbarrow, rake and scoops are all in the same place. Oh, the manure pile hasn't moved from where it was last time either," Mueller chuckled.

"Thanks, we'll leave you to your work and get these horses off and settled then." With a nod to Mueller, Heero turned and headed back outside the stable area to where the float and horses awaited, June and Duo followed right behind.

"Let's get these animals off and settled first, then we can bring in all the gear, feeds and stuff," Heero said when they arrived back at the float. A loud neigh came from inside as if the horses were agreeing with Heero.

June opened the front door of the float while Heero and Duo lowered the tail gate. Heero went back to the front to untie Nataku and gave Duo the word once he had the mare's lead rope in his hand. Duo undid the tail chain, moving to the side and gave the all clear. Ducking under the chest bar, Heero gently coaxed the mare back and out of the float.

Nataku stepped cautiously down the ramp, her ears swiveling around, nostrils flared and eyes wide. She'd been expecting all the atmosphere of a show, but this was totally different. She gave a snort, kinked her tail over her back and pranced a couple of steps to the side.

"You ready, June?" Duo called out as he stepped back onto the tail gate again, one eye on Nataku's antics.

"Ready when you are, Duo."

"Okay, chain's free. You can bring him out anytime you're ready. Just watch out for the princess on your right." Duo glanced across again at Nataku who was trying to take everything in at once. The way she was prancing around Duo began to wonder if she had bed springs instead of hooves!

Orion walked sensibly down the ramp. His ears pricked up when he noted this wasn't a show and he gave a loud snort. Growing about a foot in size and scenting the air, he tried to drag his mistress along with him in an attempt to check out all the new smells and sights. Nataku snorted back and whirled around, almost pulling Heero off his feet.

"Nataku!" Heero growled. "Stand up and behave yourself." Heero gave the lead rope a hard tug, bringing the mare up short.

"Orion! That's quite enough!" June bellowed at the black and gave him a smack to the neck. Orion visibly deflated, hanging his head and peering apologetically through his forelock at his mistress.

Nataku had similarly stopped her nonsense and pushed her muzzle against Heero's chest.

Duo couldn't help it, he laughed out loud at the pair of equines and their handlers, especially Orion and June. The black towered over his mistress, but to see the large horse cowering like a naughty puppy when June scolded him was just hilarious in Duo's eyes. Feeling four sets of eyes on him, Duo stopped his laughing and looked up. "What?"

"If you've quiet finished laughing at our expense, do you think you could give us both a hand to settle these two into their stables?" Heero asked with a raised eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching as he did his best to suppress the smile.

"Umm, sure." Duo gave his husband a sheepish grin before turning to June and giving the woman a wink.

Shaking her head, June turned Orion around and followed Heero into the stable block, where the antics began all over again as the horses exchanged 'pleasantries' with the other two there.

#

"There, that's the last of it," Duo said and dumped the bags to the ground. Wiping his bangs back from his sweaty brow, he glanced around at the pile of feed and gear he'd just finished bringing in from the car. Heero had started to put it into some sort of order, hanging the saddle up on the bracket, the bridle on the end and stowing as much of his gear underneath as possible.

"How many of us will there be?" June asked as she started to arrange Orion's gear into some sort of order.

"There's usually around eight, but that may have changed."

"Don't forget you all have to get your gear into here," Duo reminded with a grin. Heero gave June a long suffering look before glaring at his partner.

"I know that, Duo, and there will be lots of room for everyone." With a huff, Heero turned back to sorting out his feed.

June snickered and tucked the last of her gear underneath the saddle bracket. "Looks like there's only a couple of others arrived so far." She nodded across the room to where two saddles sat on brackets, gear piled underneath. "Any idea where they would be?"

"If they're staying for the week they are probably up at the house unpacking. Otherwise they could be checking out the grounds or waiting in the conference room where the board will meet with us all and give us the low down on the week's itinerary," Heero replied.

"Ah, I see. I'm glad I've got you here to look after me, Heero. I'd be completely lost otherwise," June replied with a grin.

"Just remember, he's a married man, June, and you're a married woman – and not to each other either," Duo quipped and stood possessively at Heero's side, a broad grin on his face.

"Idiot," Heero muttered, but took the chance to squeeze his husband's hand anyway.

June snorted. "I think I'll see how Orion is settling and maybe get a look at the other horses that are here," she said and made a move towards the door.

"Sizing up the opposition, hey?" Duo said with a snicker.

"Why not? Pays to be aware of what you're up against," June shot back with a smile.

"Come on, Duo. Treize should be arriving any moment." Heero followed June out, Duo right beside him.

#

The next couple of hours were a flurry of activity with horses and riders arriving in short succession. Gear was unloaded and packed away, horses placed into stables, greetings exchanged, horses chastised and soothed in an attempt to settle them and through it all Mueller remained a calm presence, showing people where things were kept and explaining the stable lay out and routine to those who were new to the situation.

Heero, Duo and June all gave Treize and Joe a hand to unload Romeo and his gear. Grabbing a quick, quiet moment with Treize when fetching some gear in, Heero managed to ask if it would be alright with Treize if Joe kept an eye on Nataku and Orion for him. As Heero only requested for Joe to check that the horses were okay each evening before retiring and maybe topping up their haynets, Treize agreed readily. Joe was happy to do so and that set Heero's mind at rest.

With everyone having arrived, word was sent from the house for all riders and grooms to make their way to the house and conference room for introductions and information on the week ahead. The Salsbury group all walked together towards the building, chatting comfortably amongst themselves.

"Do you know any of the other hopefuls?" June asked the group as a whole.

Heero shook his head. "No, I'm not familiar with any of them."

"I think I've seen a couple of them before at some of the shows," Treize responded, "Although I couldn't tell you their names. I recognize a couple of the horses."

"Funny that," Duo mused and seeing the questioning glances, he elaborated. "I mean it's strange how half the time you couldn't put a name to the human's face, but you recognize the horse."

"When you think about it, I guess you're right," June snickered.

"Can we help it if we notice the equine and not the rider?" Treize said with an amused smile.

"In my case, I'm glad that Duo did take a good look at the rider too, otherwise I wouldn't have the most endearing man in the universe as my life partner," Heero said softly so only Duo could hear.

Duo all but melted. "Heero, you say the sweetest things," he whispered. Further conversation was halted as they arrived at the house and entered.

Entering the large room, Duo took a look around the other people there. Aside from themselves, June, Treize and Joe, there were another ten people. Everyone seemed a little nervous and glanced shyly at each other as they all found places to sit. Seconds later a couple of familiar faces entered the room and everyone fell silent.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the training camp for the Nations Cup. I hope you will all enjoy this week, work hard and take something away from it. Congratulations to you all for having made the short list, you are here because you and your horse have shown ability, consistency and the desire to be the best at what you do. This week will be spent in some intensive instruction both on and off your horses with the final team being selected at the end of the week. Before we get down to details I think some introductions are in order. My name is Lucrezia Noin and I am the head coach of the International teams for the EFA here in Australia. This is Captain Dermail, my assistant coach and the two of us will be working with you all during the week."

Everyone nodded and smiled to the woman and the older gentleman sitting beside her.

"As we have done in the past, we will go around the table one by one so you can introduce yourself, your groom if you have one and your horse. Treize, would you start us off please?" Noin smiled at the man she had worked with several times in the past.

Treize stood up and glanced around the table. "My name is Treize Khushrenada, Joe here is my groom and I have the bay stallion Romefeller." Treize sat again and Noin looked to Heero who was next to Treize.

"I'm Heero Yuy, Doctor Duo Maxwell here is my groom and I'll be riding the bay mare, Nataku."

"Welcome back, Heero and you too Doctor Maxwell," Noin said with a warm look. "It's lovely to have you both here again." Both Heero and Duo nodded to the coach. "Next?" Noin said and looked to June.

"Ah, June Bailey, my horse is the black gelding, Orion and I don't have a groom with me, although Doctor Maxwell has offered to fill in where necessary." The words garnered a few chuckles from around the table putting June at ease a little.

"Cheryl Menzies, Bianca here is my groom and I've got the chestnut stallion Rainstorm."

"Welcome aboard, Cheryl. Next?"

"Sam Goringe, the rather aloof gray mare, Morning Mist is mine and Greg here is my groom."

"Peter Verns, my wife Christine is playing the part of groom and I own the Bay gelding, Espresso."

"Wonder if he likes coffee?" Duo muttered to Heero who almost choked in trying to keep his laughter at bay.

"He might have a Cappuccino, or maybe a Latte at home?" Heero whispered back.

"As long as it isn't a Flat White," Duo snickered. "Or maybe we could rename Orion to 'Long Black'."

Heero had to shove his fist into his mouth and bite hard on his knuckles to stop from laughing out loud.

June nudged Duo with her elbow. "Cut it out before I explode," she choked.

Giving the woman a cheeky grin, Duo reined in his humor – for the moment anyway.

Noin gave the three a funny look, Duo smiled charmingly at her and she shook her head, knowing something was going on there and not at all sure she wanted to know what that something was. She turned her attention to the next rider.

"Victoria Markham, my groom Lori and Rocket Man, the chestnut stallion with the white socks is mine."

The last of the group stood up. "Tim Alderson, my brother Barry is my groom and looks after Court Martial, the big, bay stallion who looks like he's always asleep," Tim said with a grin.

Immediately everyone knew which horse he was talking about, the bay stallion having been the only horse not to have shown anything in the way of excitement when he'd arrived. In fact, he'd followed behind his groom and settled well into the stable, ignoring all the other horses and simply finding a corner of the stable to stand and doze in.

"As long as he wakes up when under saddle," Sam said with a laugh.

"Oh, he will," Tim replied. "He doesn't believe in wasting energy, that's all." Tim retook his seat and all attention returned to Noin.

"Thank you everyone. The board has asked me to apologize on their behalf for not attending this meeting. Unfortunately they are dealing with something else right now and couldn't spare the time today. They will be calling in though throughout the week and will be present on the final day to select the actual team we will send through to compete." Noin looked from one rider to the next, noting the look of interest on each person's face.

"I will now explain the weeks agenda to you all..." Noin handed a sheaf of papers to Treize. "Please take one and pass them on to the next person, thank you." Noin waited until everyone had a copy in front of them. "Those of you who have been here before will already know the basic agenda and how this camp will run, but for the benefit of those who haven't been here before, we will go through everything for you and explain as best we can. If you have any questions, make note of them and we will answer them all at the end. Okay?"

Everyone nodded that they understood.

"Good. Each day will consist of two mounted lessons, they will vary from flat work to jumping exercises. You will be split up into two groups of four, one group will have a lesson with me in the morning, the other one with Captain Dermail. In the afternoon we will swap. In between mounted lessons we will have lectures, study footage of previous Nations Cup competitions and study how our competition tends to ride their courses and so on..." Noin continued to explain to the group all that would be required of them through the week, down to the final selection and when the team announcement would be made.

Heero half listened to it, knowing most of the routine from his previous attendances, Treize also looked like he was listening intently but Duo could tell the older rider was only putting on the appearance, underneath he was quietly dozing. June listened intently, taking it all in and making note of anything she wanted clarification on.

When Noin came to the end of her 'talk' she asked for questions. Several were asked, all being answered clearly and concisely.

"Are there any further questions?" Noin asked. None were forthcoming. "Okay, if that is all I suggest you all adjourn to the dining room where lunch will be served. After lunch I want you all to saddle up and present to myself and Captain Dermail in the large schooling paddock where we will be putting you all through your paces and dividing you up into the two groups. Good luck to you all, I'm looking forward to working with you as is my associate coach." Noin picked up her paperwork and gave the group a nod. With Dermail beside her, the pair left the room.

Duo stretched, feeling his spine pop before he turned to Heero and grinned. "Best we go get something to eat, Heero. You're going to need all the energy you can get if the work is going to be anything like it was in the past years."

"Don't remind me," Heero grimaced as he stood up.

"Ah, but it is well worth it," Treize interjected. "There's always something to be worked on, something to be fine tuned."

"That's what I love about horses," June said, joining the men. "It doesn't matter how much you know, there's always so much more to learn."

"Amen to that," Heero agreed.

tbc...