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

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.

Fic 5 in the Equine Intervention Arc.

Commenced December 2013 – ShenLong

AN: My apologies for the lack of updates recently. I've been having issues with my Internet connection, sometimes I'm connected, other times I'm not. The issue finally appears to be resolved so I can now update once more. My apologies for the dleay and thanks for your patience. *hugs and Gundam Pilots* Shen :-)

"Rival Riders"

Chapter 16

"That should be enough for him, Frank," Heero called out and watched as the rider brought his horse to a walk and allowed him to stretch out. With Jester walking a large circle, Heero addressed Frank once more. "He's settled really well and has his mind back on the job at hand which is what you want. Depending where in the draw you are, I'd suggest bringing him out at least half an hour before you'll be due to ride and give him some solid work to have him really listening to you."

"Thanks, Heero, I'll do that," Frank replied and patted the sweaty shoulder. He was pleased with how Jester had gone for him once the stallion had settled.

Jester had started out with a few of his usual tricks, but once Frank had sat into him really hard and pushed him to work, the bay had given in and begun to listen and work properly. He remembered the smacks he'd gotten the previous day for his misbehavior and really didn't want any more of those.

"How did Shini go this morning?" Frank asked as they walked back towards the stable block.

Heero smiled. "Very well. I couldn't be happier with him." Shini had gone exceptionally well for Heero that morning. He was eager, fresh and raring to go, yet remained obedient and finely tuned to Heero's every aid. Depending on what the course designer had set for them and if lady luck decided to favor them both, Heero was quietly confident that Shini should finish in the top four.

"I take it that means I'll have my work cut out for me to try and win this competition?" Frank teased.

"It all depends on the course and lady luck," Heero replied with a smile, "Oh, and I'm sure the other competitors would like to win the event too."

Reaching the stable block, Frank dismounted and ran his stirrups up. "Would you mind walking the course with me later when it's open, Heero?"

"I'd be happy to, Frank. Once you've settled him we'll take a walk down to the officials' office and see if the draw is up yet."

"Thanks, I won't be long."

#

"It's a big field," Frank muttered.

"It is, but you'd expect that for a Championship event," Heero replied.

"At least we're not first to go."

"No, we're not and overall I think we've drawn pretty well." Heero studied the board and list of entries for the A grade event. There were a total of twenty-three entries with Frank drawing twelfth and Heero twenty-first. Judging by the list of names and horses, there were some really good ones in there and that was to be expected considering the selectors would be present. It would also make the event all the more interesting.

"It's going to be a tough competition," Heero stated as they walked back to the stables.

"I agree. There's some pretty big names in there," Frank replied.

"Don't let that put you off your game, Frank. Don't even think about who you're up against, just go out there with the determination to give it your best shot and let Jester do the work. You've both come a long way and have a season at A grade under your belt so there's no reason why you can't go out there and jump clear."

"We haven't seen the course yet," Frank pointed out helpfully. "For all we know it could be a real shocker."

"Well, yes, there is that minor detail," Heero conceded with a grin. "We will know soon enough though. They should be building the course somewhere in the next hour and it will be open for walking at two-forty five."

"I'll meet you back at the stables at two-thirty if that's okay?"

"I'll be there and once we've walked the course I'll spend some time with you in the warm up arena prior to your turn if you would like me to?"

"Thanks, Heero, I'd really appreciate that."

"No problem."

# # #

"Wufei, Meiran," Duo cried as he spotted the familiar dark head of hair. "Glad to see you could make it." Duo shook the Chinese man's hand warmly before turning to his wife and giving her a hug.

"Nice to see you too, Doctor Maxwell," Meiran replied.

"Where is Mr. Yuy?" Wufei asked politely.

"Heero's just gone with Frank to see what number they are in the A Grade event. They should be back any minute," Duo replied.

"Did Nataku travel down okay?" Wufei questioned and spotting his horse's head hanging over the stable door, he headed in her direction without waiting for Duo to reply.

Meiran smiled and shook her head. Turning to Duo she lowered her voice. "He won't admit to it, but he's been worrying himself over the distance Nataku has traveled."

Duo snickered softly. "She traveled down fine, all of them did. No trouble at all with any of them, but I have to admit, they were just as relieved as Heero and I were to finally get here. Although I'm not officially the team vet this time around, I have been monitoring and checking all the horses and every one of them is just fine, no ill effects at all."

"Thank you, that is most kind of you, Doctor Maxwell and I'm sure Wufei will be thanking you as well." With a smile to the vet, Meiran walked over to join her husband and pet their horse.

Nataku had scented her owner and hung her head over her stable door, eager to see the man she adored. When Wufei stepped up to her stable, she rubbed her face against his chest and gave soft, wuffles of delight as her ears were gently scratched.

"Hello, girl," Wufei greeted. "Are you being good for Mr. Yuy?" Wufei reached into his pocket and pulled out a couple of carrots, feeding them to the mare who was overjoyed with the treats.

"I see he's finally learning," Duo said to Meiran with a snicker and a nod in Wufei's direction.

"Yes, he's definitely been watching Heero, and you too for that matter when it comes to carrots and horses," Meiran replied with a laugh.

"Wufei, Meiran. I see you arrived okay," came Heero's voice, the rider having returned from checking the order for jumping.

"Heero, you're back," Duo said, his eyes softening.

"Obviously," Heero replied, with a grin.

"Smart arse," Duo muttered.

"Mr. Yuy, thank you for taking such good care of Nataku on your trip down here," Wufei said and offered his hand to Heero.

"No problem, she was a pleasure to have in the goose-neck. And please, call me Heero," he reminded the man.

"How has she settled in? Have you worked her at all yet?" Meiran asked.

"She's settled fine and yes, I worked her yesterday with Noin and again this morning. The Cup competition starts tomorrow afternoon so I will be riding her again in the morning. I'm sure Noin wouldn't object if you wish to watch the coaching session."

"Thank you, that would be nice," Wufei replied.

"Where did you and Frank draw for the A grade?' Duo asked, getting them back to the main topic.

"Ah, Frank is twelfth to go and I'm twenty-first," Heero replied.

"How many entries?"

"Twenty-three all up."

Duo let go a whistle. "Wow, that's quite a few. How do you think you'll go?"

"No idea yet. The course will be set soon and then open for walking. I'll know more after that."

"We wish you all the best for the competition, Heero," Wufei said, turning from his petting of the mare to speak again to the rider.

"Thank you, Wufei. Will you be staying to watch the competition?"

"You can count on it," Meiran smiled.

# # #

"Wow, they certainly aren't planning on taking any prisoners, are they?" Duo said as he looked over the course he was currently walking with Heero and Frank.

"I have to agree," Frank said as he eyed off the large triple.

Heero snorted. "Yes, it's a difficult course, but you would expect that being as it's a Championship event. However, I've jumped much more difficult courses than this and you've jumped a few too, Frank." Heero paused to look back over the various colorful jumps. "Both you and Jester are capable of jumping this course and the difficult part will be in keeping him between your hand and leg. He will need to listen to you if he's to clear it all successfully. The really difficult part will come in the jump off if we're lucky enough to get through to that; and there's no reason why we shouldn't," he added hastily when he saw Frank raise an eyebrow.

"Well, you should know, Heero, you're the expert here. I'm just a lowly groom and vet," Duo replied with a grin at his husband and a wink to Frank.

"I wouldn't say I was an expert," Heero spluttered and then caught the teasing look in those violet eyes. He shook his head and turned to Frank. "Ignoring the comedy relief here, let's concentrate on walking this course again."

With a soft snicker, Frank followed his mentor and teacher.

The course was a tough one with the majority of the jumps standing between 1.3 and 1.5 meters in height. The water jump was set at 4 meters wide including the small hedge at the front.

"Fancy a dip?" Duo asked as they stood before the water jump.

"Not particularly," Frank replied.

"I wonder if many will get their feet wet?" Duo mused.

"I don't really care just as long as neither Jester or Shini do," Heero said and turned back to look at the track from jump seven to the water. "Those parallel bars are going to take a lot out of your horse so as soon as you land start to sit deep and ride him together. Push Jester out towards the right a bit and that will give you an extra couple of strides to get the impulsion back before you let him stretch out to make the spread of the water," Heero advised Frank.

"I'll do that," Frank replied and mentally ran through the track he would take. "It's going to be a tough call after the water to clear the triple," he noted as they continued to walk ahead.

"Hai, it will be and this is where you will need to have your wits about you. As soon as you land over the water you will need to bring Jester right back, half halt him several times and drive those hocks right under his body. The first element is a simple upright, but then you have two large spreads straight after with just two strides between part A and B then one stride between B and C. It's going to be a tough ask."

"In Jester's case more like an impossible one," Frank muttered.

Knowing his pupil and friend was simply suffering from nerves, Heero decided to take a stronger approach and shake his pupil from those nerves. "Frank, there is no reason for Jester not to clear this course, he's in fine form, jumping superbly well and the only reason he won't score a clear is if you let him down by not having faith in yourself or him. I thought I'd taught you better than that?"

Duo paused in mid stride, his mouth slightly open and turned back to look at Heero. He couldn't believe he'd heard those words coming from his partner. One look at Frank's face and then Heero's though told him his partner wasn't being insensitive – quite the opposite in fact. It seemed it was just what Frank needed to hear and jolted him from his defeatist attitude.

"You're right, Heero," Frank said as he straightened himself up and rolled his shoulders back. "Jester deserves every chance to show the people and selectors just how good he is and I promise you, I won't let you down."

"That's more like it," Heero nodded and started to walk once more.

Duo fell into step beside his lover and lowered his voice. "Nice going, Heero."

Heero shrugged. "Sometimes hearing a few home truths is what a person needs and in this case, both Jester and Frank are more than capable of clearing this course. He just needs to believe in himself a little more."

"I seem to recall someone else having a similar problem not all that long ago," Duo replied slyly.

"And I was lucky enough to have a good teacher to point out these things. Now it's my turn to encourage the next generation of top riders and horses."

"That's just one more of the many things I love about you, Heero. You're always willing to share your experience and help the up and coming."

Heero gave his partner a warm smile as his cheeks flushed with the praise. "Thanks. I think we'd better move it though and finish walking this course as they will want to start very shortly."

"Lead on to the next fence oh wise and masterful one."

Heero rolled his eyes.

# # #

"That's much better, Frank," Heero praised as the rider brought the bay to a walk and patted the warm neck.

"He feels a lot more responsive now than he did earlier," Frank replied as he halted beside Heero who was holding Shinigami.

"Just keep him together and listening to you and you will both do just fine," Heero said.

"Thanks, Heero. We will give it our best shot."

"That's all I ask." Heero turned as Duo approached.

"There's four to go before you, Frank," Duo informed the pair. "So far there's been two clear rounds."

"Thanks, Duo. I'll just put Shini back in the stable and come and watch your round, Frank." Heero said.

"I can hold him and walk him around if you'd rather stay here with Frank," Duo offered.

"Would you mind?" Heero would prefer to stay with Frank and offer last minute advice, but he didn't want to keep Shini standing around either.

"Of course not," Duo snorted. "I am supposed to be his groom after all." Taking the reins, Duo checked that Shini's light rug that sat over his saddle to keep him warm was secured before walking the stallion away.

Heero had worked the stallion for around fifteen minutes with Noin earlier and was pleased with the gray. He'd worked with Frank during his warm up and would warm Shini up a little more before his turn to compete. For now though, Heero wanted to give his undivided attention to his pupil.

Having watched a couple of horses and riders compete, Heero knew that the trickiest part of the course seemed to be between jumps eight – the water - and nine – the triple. Of the seven riders already gone on the course three had ended up with either a hoof in the water or part of the triple down.

The tenth rider came out of the arena with eight penalties and the eleventh rider went in to try his luck. Frank moved closer to the entry and let the steward know he was there.

"Good luck, Frank. Sit down hard after the water and ride him together." Heero patted the bay shoulder before rubbing the stallion between the eyes. "Be good for Frank and listen to him, Jester," Heero told the stallion.

Jester blew softly through his nostrils. His eyes were bright and he knew he would be jumping soon.

"I'm going inside to watch," Heero informed the rider and with one last wish for luck, he headed inside the arena to find a seat with the other team members and his friends.

"How is he?" Treize asked when Heero sat next to him.

"Nervous," Heero replied.

"That's good then. Means he will be careful."

Heero nodded and sat back to watch.

The eleventh rider came out with eight penalties, having had both parts B and C of the triple down and then it was Frank's turn.

"Our next rider in the A grade event is Frank Lowe riding Royal Park Jester," the commentator announced.

Frank rode into the arena amid a smattering of applause. Keeping a firm hold on Jester, he wove between the jumps to where the judge was sitting and saluted. Collecting his horse together, Frank pushed the stallion into a slow canter and headed for the start flags. The bell went and the arena fell silent.

Jester cleared the first two jumps with ease, his ears pricked and looking for more. The double followed, the bay taking it in his stride and listening to his rider when Frank sat deep and checked him back to make a right turn. The brush fence and following Swedish oxer were also cleared before Frank sat deep again and insisted his horse come back to hand for another right turn.

"That's it, keep him steady," Heero muttered. Back in the collecting ring area, Duo had managed to sneak up as close as he dared to watch whatever he could of Frank's round. He couldn't see a lot from outside, but his ears told him that the man must be doing okay so far as he hadn't heard any groans or gasps from the crowd.

The fancy gate and parallel bars followed, both being cleared easily by the bay.

"Steady up, Jester, this next couple are not nice at all," Frank mumbled and sat deeper. He checked the stallion, rebalanced him and then rode fast towards the water jump. Mindful of Heero's warnings, Frank kept a light contact with his horse's mouth and once Jester landed safely over the water he immediately shortened the reins, half halting and bringing the stallion's hocks right under his body.

Treize let go a soft whistle under his breath. "He certainly has improved to the last time I saw him, Heero. Well done on your hard work with them both, they're a credit to you."

Heero suitably blushed and muttered something about Frank and Jester being keen and easy to teach.

Jester spotted the triple ahead and shortened his stride. Gauging the height of the first element, the stallion picked his take off point and lengthened out. On his back, Frank remained quiet, using his legs and hands to keep the horse firmly in check and retaining the impulsion. Three strides out, Frank let the horse go.

Bounding up to the first element, Jester pushed off the ground and soared into the air. Once he was safely on the other side, his master's hand and seat were there to push him together. The second element loomed, Jester taking the two strides and launching into the air once again. Immediately he landed, Frank was there again, pushing his horse together for the final element. The bay responded, digging his hind hooves deep into the dirt as he propelled his body up and over the large spread. His near hind caught the back pole, the pole rocking slightly in the cups before settling back into place.

In the stands, both Heero and Treize held their breath, releasing it in a slow sigh of relief when the pole decided to stay put. "Fuck, that was close," Heero whispered.

"He was damn lucky with that," Treize agreed.

Outside in the collecting ring, Duo heard the gasp from the crowd but couldn't see what had happened. He could only hope that Frank hadn't made a mistake.

Back in the arena Frank continued on, unaware that the pole had nearly fallen. He'd heard the crowd gasp but didn't dare turn to look back and see what had happened. He hadn't heard the sound of a falling pole so he presumed he was still okay. Shoving everything from his mind, Frank set his sights on the next jump - the wall.

"Three to go, keep it together, Frank," Heero muttered to himself.

Jester was beginning to pull, sensing the end of the course wasn't too far away. Frank did his best to sit into the animal and check him back. The wall lay ahead and the pair came into it a bit faster than Frank would have liked, but Jester managed to scramble over it and leave all the bricks there.

"Settle down you big lump," Frank growled and hauled back on the reins, effectively slowing Jester's forward charge. "Two more to go and the next one is a nasty one, Jester."

A bay ear swiveled back to listen, the stallion slowing and letting his master ride him together.

The impulsion was once again concentrated in the hind quarters, Jester using those powerful muscles to clear jump eleven.

"Good boy, one to go and we're home," Frank praised.

"Keep it together, Frank. Don't let your concentration waver now, there's only one to go and it's not as easy as it looks." Heero absently chewed on a fingernail.

The fancy planks were the final jump in the course and whilst they looked attractive, they were also the flimsiest jump on the course. By the time the horses got to this last jump they were getting tired and their riders quite often let their concentration slip a bit. It was crucial that they didn't as just the smallest of touches would see the planks falling and four faults added to the rider's score.

Frank remembered his lessons with Heero well though and didn't lose any of his concentration. He remained fixated completely on the final jump, riding Jester together and containing the energy the bay would need to clear the final fence.

With a grunt, Jester pushed his hind quarters under him, shoving his front legs off the ground and into the air. His body arced over the planks, the brightly painted wood flashing beneath his belly before front legs unfurled and reached for the rapidly approaching dirt. Those forelegs touched down, hind ones following and Jester was once again moving forward.

The finish flags lay directly ahead and Frank aimed his horse for them. He had no idea if he was within the time allowed or not and wanted to stop the clock as soon as he could just in case.

The bay shot between the flags and broke the beam, the clock stopped, indicating Frank was well within the time allowed.

Once the bay and his rider were through the finish, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause.

"Clear round for Frank Lowe and Royal Park Jester," the commentator stated.

Sitting deeper into his saddle and bringing the stallion to a more collected canter, Frank felt the joy swell inside and rained pats down on the bay neck and shoulders. "Good boy, great work, Jester," he enthused as he rode towards the exit.

Once Frank had passed through the finish flags, Heero let fly with a loud cheer. "Go, Frank!" he yelled and punched the air. Beside him Treize snickered but added his own applause to the rest of the spectators. Giving Treize a huge grin, Heero got to his feet and began to make his way out of the stadium. "I'll be back soon," he said.

Treize nodded, opting to wait for a couple of minutes before heading outside to pass on his own congratulations to the other rider.

As Frank rode out into the collecting ring Duo was waiting for him, hopping from one foot to the other in his excitement. He'd heard the announcement and startled poor Shinigami when he'd let fly with a loud whoop of joy. "Well done, Frank," he congratulated as Frank rode over to him. Reaching into his pocket, Duo pulled out several carrot slices and began to feed them to Jester who was looking pretty pleased with himself.

"Thanks, Duo," Frank replied as he dismounted and began to loosen the girth "He was such a good boy in there."

"Heero's going to be over the moon for you," Duo continued on, still feeding Jester carrots, much to Shini's disgust.

The gray wasn't at all happy to see those carrots... or rather his carrots being fed to the other horse. He let his displeasure be known by pushing Duo in the back.

"Hey, steady on, Shini," Duo chastised and turned around to push the gray back a touch. Seeing the 'look' on the gray's face, Duo had an idea of why Shini had nudged him in the back. "Here," he said, offering Shini a couple of carrots. "I've still got plenty for you so you don't have to get all jealous."

Heero arrived then and the congratulations started all over again.

"You weren't kidding when you said it could be tricky between eight and nine," Frank commented. "It's really tough to get him to come back to hand and I didn't think I was going to for a moment there."

"But you did exactly what I'd advised you to do and it paid off. You're though to the jump off along with two others at this stage," Heero stated. "I'm also sure that the selectors will be pretty interested in you both too after that performance."

"You really think so?"

"I'm sure they will be. Even more so if you go clear in the jump off."

"Then I think I'd better have Jester really on his toes so we can not only go clear in the jump off, but set a fast time too; one that will be really hard to beat," Frank said.

"Aren't you forgetting one thing?" Duo asked with a grin.

"Um, I don't think so," Frank replied, clearly mystified by Duo's words.

"Heero and Shinigami here still have to jump and I'm sure they will have something to say about winning this event." Duo gave the other rider a sly smile.

Frank began to color a little. "Oh yeah, I did kind of let that slip my mind."

tbc...