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. foreverfandom. .net and gundam-wing-diaries. 150m. com 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 7
Once the team had been announced the room burst into loud chatter. Noin and Prescott simply shut up and waited for the noise to die down a touch. It would be impossible to try and continue; aside from the noise level, most wouldn't retain what was said anyway. Better to wait a few minutes and let the reality sink in first.
Both Heero and Treize broke into huge smiles, Duo and Joe wore similar smiles and all but hugged the two riders, congratulating them, clapping each other on the back and shaking hands. Peter and Sam were similarly being congratulated and finding it hard to accept that they'd made the team.
June...
One moment she was swallowing disappointment, the next she was wondering if she was suffering from heart failure. She sat as still as stone in her seat as the words sank in. She'd made the reserve... Granted it wasn't the actual team itself, but she hadn't been completely dismissed either. The role of reserve was just as important – should one of the members or their horses suffer a reason for withdrawal from the team, she would be required to fill their place. As the reality began to dawn on her so the smile started to form. Suddenly she found herself being hugged by a long haired vet.
"Congratulations, June," Duo said with a huge smile. His violet eyes sparkled and there was genuine warmth in them.
"T- Thanks," June managed to get out, still coming to terms with the announcement.
"Great work, June."
The woman looked to her left where Heero was smiling at her and she suddenly found herself pulled into another hug. "Thank you," she whispered, "If it hadn't been for you and Treize I don't think I would have made the reserve," she managed to get out around the lump in her throat.
"Sure you would," Treize said with a grin and offered his own congratulations. "You're a talented rider with a good horse that are only now starting to realize their full potential."
Blushing furiously at the kind words, June shook her head. "I'm just lucky to have a good horse and an exceptional teacher," she said softly.
Before any further emotion could pass between them, Prescott cleared his throat and brought them all back to the matter at hand.
"Thank you all once again for giving up your time to attend this camp. My congratulations to the successful riders and my commiserations to the others. None of you have anything to be disappointed about, you all rode very well and any one of you would do your country proud. I know I will be seeing a lot more of you all in the near future. Now, I'll hand you back to Noin who will explain the procedure from here." A smattering of applause followed Prescott as he left the room.
Standing up, Noin smiled at the riders and grooms. "Congratulations to the five of you," she said and nodded at those in question. "To the other three, I'm sorry you missed out this time, but there are more International competitions coming up and I'm sure you will all have another chance in the future." Turning her attention back to the five selected members, she continued. "I will send out all the relevant information to you all in due course. In the meantime, go home, relax and enjoy a little time off. The competition will be here soon enough."
With the words said, Noin smiled at the group and with a nod of her head, exited the room, leaving the rest of the group free to filter out and return to their respective lives.
"I can't wait to tell Geoff, he's going to be so pleased," June said, her voice carrying her excitement.
"I think we should let Wufei and Meiran know as soon as possible too," Duo said to Heero.
"That might be an idea. I'm sure they will be getting rather anxious to know what has transpired by now," Heero replied and stood up to make his way to the door.
"Wonder if we will need a medic?" Duo mused, following behind.
"Pardon?"
"Remember how Wufei and Meiran reacted when you told them Nataku was short listed?" Heero nodded and then paled. "Yeah, exactly. I think you need to break this to them gently, Heero."
"I think you could be right."
# # #
"Shit! I thought I said to break the news gently, Heero!" Duo scolded from where he was crouched on the grass stuffing a horse rug underneath Meiran's feet to elevate them.
To the side of him Zechs was attending to Wufei. "That's it, nice and steady. Breathe in, breathe out," Zechs encouraged and assisted the man to hold the paper bag over his mouth and nose whilst he breathed.
"I thought I did," Heero defended. How was he supposed to know that Meiran would go into a dead faint and Wufei start to hyperventilate?
"I do not call saying: 'Congratulations, we're all going to Werribee in a couple of months to represent Australia,' breaking the news gently, Heero," Duo continued to scold.
"It was a damn sight better than saying, 'We made the team, we're representing our country', or something similar," Heero huffed.
"I think it would have been better if you'd said something like; 'We have good news. The team has been picked and we were lucky enough to be included in it.' Far better than shocking the living daylights out of them," Duo returned. "Meiran, Meiran, can you hear me?" Duo's attention switched from chastising his husband to the woman currently lying on the grass who appeared to be coming round.
Blinking open blurry eyes, Meiran registered the voice calling her name and as her vision cleared she was able to make out Doctor Maxwell's face hovering over here. "What happened?" she asked and struggled to sit up, only to have strong arms gently push her back down again.
"You fainted," Duo informed her. "Just lie still there for a couple of minutes. Once your head has cleared then you can try sitting up."
Casting her eyes around she started to remember where she was and what had happened. "Nataku... Did Heero say they were going to Werribee to represent Australia?"
Duo nodded. "Yeah, he did. That's why you fainted, it was a bit too much of a shock I think." Duo shot a glare at Heero who shrugged his shoulders and gave his lover a look of 'It wasn't my fault'. "They made the team, they were selected along with Treize, Peter and Sam. June is the reserve rider," Duo stated.
"Ah." Meiran thought on that for a moment and then took a good look around. She spotted Wufei just to the side and her eyes widened. "What on earth is Wufei doing?" she asked.
"Ahh, when Heero broke the news you fainted and he sorta started to hyperventilate. Zechs took charge of him and luckily we found a paper bag for him to breathe into. He's going to be just fine," Duo replied. "Would you like to sit up now?"
"Yes, thank you." With Duo's assistance, Meiran managed to get herself up into a sitting position.
"How are you feeling now, Wufei?" Zechs asked.
"Better, thank you," Wufei replied through the bag. The Chinese man was looking better too, the golden hue beginning to return to his skin in place of the sickly pallor that had been there a couple of minutes earlier.
"I think we can try breathing without the bag now. Just remember to take slow, even breaths." Zechs took the paper bag from the man and waited to see how he would manage.
Doing as he was told, Wufei found it much easier now to draw oxygen in and keep his brain functioning normally.
Seeing that Wufei was now almost back to normal, Duo addressed the Chinese man. "Feeling better?"
"Yes, thank you." Wufei turned his onyx eyes to Heero. "Did you say that Nataku has been selected?"
Heero nodded, wary of speaking right now in case he caused any other form of medical emergency. Lucky for him, Duo spoke on his behalf.
"Yes, Wufei, Nataku and Heero have made the team along with Treize, Peter and Sam. June is the reserve rider," he added quickly when he spotted Wufei's eyes darting to June who stood off to the side with her husband.
"Then I think congratulations and a celebration are in order." Wufei looked across to his wife for confirmation. Meiran nodded with a wide smile. "Meiran and I would be honored if all of you – and I do mean all of you - would be our guests for a celebration dinner at our restaurant this evening."
"All of us?" Duo asked, his eyes a little wide in shock.
"I do believe that is what I said," Wufei stated as he got to his feet. "The invitation is extended to both yourself and Mr. Yuy, Mr. Khushrenada, Doctor Merquise, Mrs. Bailey and her husband, and also little Max. I'm afraid I do not know your groom's name, Mr. Khushrenada, but he is also more than welcome to join us."
"Thank you, Mr. Chang, that is most kind of you," Treize replied. "I'll let Joe know and bring him along, that's if you are absolutely sure you can put up with all of us."
Wufei gave a wry smile. "Trust me, in my trade I've seen and done it all. I think we can more than put up with you all. Besides, the restaurant is closed this evening, but that doesn't mean we can't open it up to our friends for a celebration."
"Then I thank you for your kind offer. I will most certainly be there."
June, Zechs and Heero all passed on their acceptances as well. "Good. Meiran and I will take our leave now and head home to prepare. Shall we expect you all around seven thirty?" Everyone replied in the affirmative. "Thank you. I will see you all a little later this evening. Good afternoon everyone."
With Wufei and Meiran's departure, the rest of the group headed back to the stables to start loading up the various cars with the gear and start to transport their horses home.
# # #
Wufei and Meiran had outdone themselves. As Wufei had said earlier, the restaurant was closed to the general public which meant only those invited were there for the celebration. Wufei had cooked up several dishes, Meiran setting them all out in a bain-marie for the guests to help themselves. Everyone had brought some form of refreshment with them which Wufei had placed in a cooler to one side for people to help themselves to as they wished.
Everyone ate and chatted, spirits high with the good food and company. Little Max was just starting to find his feet and was quite happily 'furniture walking' his way around the restaurant. Most of the tables and chairs had been stacked to one side, only a few left out for their guests to sit at if they wished and so the toddler was pretty safe in his explorations. June kept a close eye on him though, as did Geoff. Meiran also kept an eye on the little boy, her delight in spending time with him evident to anyone who looked close enough.
After a while people began to sit down to chat, their bellies full. Gradually the talk came around to the Nations Cup itself and as Treize and Heero had both competed before in a Cup competition, they found themselves the center of attention and being plied with questions. June knew the basic outline of the competition, but Wufei and Meiran didn't have a clue and were eager to find out all that was involved.
"The competition is run over two days. Each team has four riders and they are numbered one to four by the coach. The stewards do what's called a 'country' draw and that determines which order the countries jump in. The competition starts with each country's number one riders going first, then the number twos and so on. At the conclusion of all the riders, the coach may choose to discard one score from the team, usually the worst one and the remaining three scores are added together to give a team score for the first round. The second round or final is held the following day over the same course, only the jumping order is reversed. The number fours go first followed by the number threes and so on. Again the coach drops the worst score and the remaining three scores are added to the total from the first round to give an overall total for the team. The team with the lowest score wins."
Heero looked around at everyone to see if they had been able to understand what he'd said. He'd done his best to keep it as simple as possible for them all, knowing they wouldn't understand the technicalities attached to it all and quite frankly, they really didn't need to know either as it would only confuse them all more. Even the basic explanation was confusing enough!
"I'm reasonably sure I follow what you've said, Heero, but what happens if there are two counties with the same score at the end?" Wufei asked.
"If there is a tie then the countries concerned will nominate one of their team to jump off against the clock," Treize stated.
"I see. And is this jump off along similar lines to other jump offs I've witnessed at shows?"
"Yes, Wufei. It will be the fastest time and least faults over a shortened course that will break the tie and take the placing," Heero finished.
"What would happen if both members went clear and got exactly the same time?' Duo chuckled.
"I think that's highly unlikely," Treize said.
"It would be something like a million to one shot," Heero said with a frown.
"Oh, I don't know, I seem to recall either Treize, Zoe or Heero scoring exactly the same time once in a jump off – and they were both clear." Duo gave the pair a pointed look.
"Ah, that's right, it did happen, but it was ages ago and in a normal event," Heero responded.
"If by some totally remote, cosmic or divine chance the times and scores should be equal then the two countries would share the placing," Treize said with a roll of his eyes.
Meiran snickered at the antics of the three before asking a question of her own. "The cup, it is being held at Werribee?"
"Yes, it is," Heero replied, glad for the slight change of topic.
"That is in Victoria, isn't it?" Zechs asked.
"That's right. It's being held at the Werribee equestrian center. They have a lot of International three day events amongst other major shows there. I've heard that the facilities are excellent," Treize informed them all.
"Will it be similar to last time when we went to Sydney?" Duo questioned.
"I would assume so," Heero replied absently. His mind began to swirl with thoughts. "I would think the horses would all be stabled on the grounds and the riders, grooms etcetera will be put up in local hotels."
"How many teams will there be?' Geoff said, making a mental note to check out what hotels there were in the area so he could book a room.
"I'm not sure," Treize stated. "Once Noin sends through the paperwork it might be in there, who the other countries are and how many."
"Ah. Is it just the jumping then or are there other things going on?" Geoff queried.
Treize explained that there was usually around four to five days of competition. Aside from the Nations Cup jumping, there was the Nations Cup dressage, A grade championships, puissance, a speed and agility competition of some sort along with pony club competitions and the like.
"So it's rather a big shin dig," Duo summed up.
"Sounds like it. Will June be required to attend? I'm asking as she's only the reserve rider," Geoff explained.
"I'm guessing that Noin will want June to come along just in case anything should happen to any of the team members or their horses. Seeing how the event is being held in the next state, it's not too far to travel, but still a distance enough away that it would be better if she were there and not needed than to have to try and get there in a hurry if she is needed. Does that make sense?" Treize said.
'Yes, it does. Thanks."
"My pleasure."
"How do you intend to get Nataku there, Heero?" Wufei asked.
"I'll drive her down in the goose-neck," Heero replied and then turned to June and Geoff. "I'm more than happy to take Orion too if you wish?"
"Actually, that would be really good if you don't mind, Heero. I can then travel down in my car with Geoff and Max and bring some of the gear with me if it will help?" June replied with a smile of gratitude.
"I don't mind at all," Heero replied. "We can sort out all the details later when it's closer to the date."
Duo stretched and did his best to cover his mouth as he yawned. "Oops, sorry about that." He glanced at his watch. "I hate to be a party pooper, but I think it's time we got going."
"That's quite alright, it is getting rather late," Wufei replied.
"Then I think we will take our leave, if you're ready, Heero?"
Standing, Heero placed his empty glass on the table. "We should help you both to clean up first," he said with a look around at the dishes and glassware.
"Leave it, Heero, that's why we have a dishwasher. Trust me, it will only take Wufei and myself a few minutes to tidy up." Meiran also stood as did Wufei.
"If you're sure?"
"Of course we are. Thank you all for coming and celebrating."
'Thank yous' and 'good nights' were exchanged between everyone as they all made their way back outside to their respective cars and the drive home.
# # #
Things settled back into a routine for the guys after the camp. Heero not only had Nataku to keep fit, but he still had Shini and Wing in work, not to mention Lunar too. Angel hadn't been put back in foal, Heero opting to give the mare a year off between foals. Comet still had another five to six months to go before her foal was due and Missy was in the early stages of being broken in. Heero was starting to teach the filly to lunge and so far things were going well. June had Orion to keep fit and Sandfire to work as well. Hyperion, the other horse Heero had picked up was also showing promise and either himself or June would work the gelding, depending on who was free at the time.
"I think that's all of it," June said as she dropped the last of the items to the pile. "Shall I leave you to go through it?"
"I don't think there's any need," Duo replied, eyes roving over the pile of gear June had sorted out and deposited onto the tack room floor in readiness for the show. "At least you know how to pack for a show which is more than I can say for Heero."
"Someone call me?" Heero stuck his head inside the tack room door.
"No, no one is calling you, Heero," Duo replied with a smile. "Just sorting through the gear we need for tomorrow."
"Don't forget to put in the spare jumping boots, and we mustn't forget the spare-"
"Heero!" Duo growled and cut his husband off. "I think I'm more than capable of sorting out and packing the gear for a show, after all, I've been doing it now for almost twelve years."
Heero gave his lover a sheepish smile. "I'll go finish bringing the horses in then, shall I?"
"Yes, you do that and leave June and me to the packing side of things." Once Heero had retreated, Duo shook his head. "I honestly thought I'd trained him out of the spares for spares thing."
June patted him lightly on the arm. "Somehow I don't think Heero will ever get over his obsession for having spares."
"I think you could be right."
The goose-neck was loaded up with the gear and haynets, the small grooms compartment had been topped up with snacks and drinks. Heero's clothes hung in the small closet whilst full haynets hung inside the horses compartments. All that remained now was for the horses to be loaded on in the morning.
"Any ideas on how you will go tomorrow, Heero?' Duo asked, passing over a cup of coffee to his partner and taking a seat next to Heero on the lounge. Seeing a vacant lap, Smokey immediately crawled across from the other end of the couch and into Duo's lap where she curled up and began to purr softly.
This would be the last show Heero would attend before going to Victoria to compete in the Nations Cup competition, but it was important in more ways than one. Heero had decided that if Shinigami went well at the show tomorrow he would seriously consider entering him in the A grade championships at the Cup competition. The entries didn't close for another two weeks and as he was already taking Nataku and Orion, Heero thought he might as well take Shini too if the stallion went okay at the Exbury show.
"I'm hoping Shini will do well and finish in the top three. If he does and pulls up alright after the show then I'll most likely enter him in the A grade Championships that are on during the Nations Cup week."
"What about Lunar and Wing?" Duo absently scratched behind Smokey's ears causing the cat to purr even louder.
"I'm hoping that Lunar will go clear and make the jump off. She's only been in B grade competition for the last couple of shows so it's still a little hard on her with the extra heights and all." Heero had managed to get Lunar upgraded to B grade at the end of the previous season and whilst the mare was consistent, she was finding some of the courses a little more difficult. Heero knew in his heart that the mare would never make A grade and he'd let Carl know that too. Carl had accepted the fact, he was happy enough that the mare had managed to get this far and he planned on retiring her at the end of this season. He had already talked to Heero about putting her in foal and secured a booking to Zero when she was retired.
"What about Wing?"
The younger stallion was following in his sire's and brother's hoof prints, showing a natural talent for jumping and being eager and willing to learn. His temperament was much like his sire's, Wing remaining calm and well behaved. He did have that vital spark in him though, the will and determination to give it his best, just like Shini did, but Wing didn't share his brother's stronger personality, but he did have a streak of curiosity in him that did see him getting into his own fair share of trouble.
"All being well, Wing should cope fine and I'm hoping he will also finish in the top three," Heero replied and made a mental note to double check his partner had put in a spare lead rope for Wing. The youngster had learned how to open his paddock gate and then his stable door, nearly giving Heero heart failure thinking someone was trying to steal his horse. It wasn't until he'd installed security cameras in the stables and literally caught the horse in the act that the colt's penchant for mischief became apparent. A second bolt to the stable door and clip on the gate latch had put paid to any further escapades... until Wing learned how to undo his lead rope.
"Do you think June will be okay?"
"She will be fine, Duo. Stop worrying. Sandfire is only in D grade and there's nothing difficult about those courses. June's becoming quite an accomplished horsewoman and she will be perfectly safe with Sandfire." The chestnut was progressing well and Heero had decided to take him along for the D grade event. Seeing how he was already taking the other three, one more wouldn't matter and it would give June some valuable experience in riding another horse over a course. Sandfire had already competed at several shows prior to Heero buying him and knew what they were all about.
Duo yawned and stretched. "It's getting late and we need to be up early in the morning so I think I'll go to bed." Picking Smokey up he cuddled the cat before depositing her back onto the couch where he'd just been sitting.
"Bed, now that sounds like a good idea," Heero replied with a sultry look.
Smiling at his husband, Duo held out his hand and pulled Heero from the couch and into his arms. Kissing the rider thoroughly, Duo leaned in close and whispered softly, "I'll lock up while you turn the bed back."
Heero could only moan in reply.
tbc...