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.

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 24

"Are you alright, June?" Duo asked in a worried tone. The woman had gone very pale and quiet after Noin's announcement and Duo was a little concerned that she just might faint.

"Uh, sorry. What did you say?" June asked and turned to face the vet.

"I asked if you were okay," Duo replied with a smile.

"Ah, yeah, I think so." June wiggled her finger in her ear. "Did I just hear correctly that Noin wants me to fill in for Sam?"

"I believe that is what she said," Heero replied in an amused tone.

"I thought so, I just wasn't sure if I was dreaming or not."

"I do believe that is why we have a reserve rider, in the event of something happening to one of the other team members then they can step in and take their place," Treize stated and gave the woman a grin.

"Um, I guess so." June looked lost in thought for a moment. "Sorry, guys, it's just taking a little time to sink in."

"I can see that," Heero said. "Look, you wouldn't be here if you weren't good enough, June."

"I just hope I don't let you all down after the efforts you've all put in today."

"You won't, in fact, you will be doing us all a favor," Peter said.

June gave the other rider a confused look. "How so?"

"By having four team members again it takes a lot of pressure off the three of us. As you know, three scores count and if there's only three of us riding then the pressure to go well is pretty strong. Even with four of us the pressure is still there, only not quite as bad," Peter stated.

"I guess you're right," June replied slowly.

"Okay everyone, how about we all head back to the stables and check on the horses. It will be time to feed up shortly and then there's our own dinners to be had. I also expect you all to get a good night's rest and be fresh as daisies in the morning for tomorrow's competition. June, I'll talk to you a little more at dinner tonight in regards to tomorrow's competition." Noin finished her talk and began to leave the arena, the rest of the team followed along behind.

# # #

"How do you think June will go tomorrow?" Duo asked, pulling the covers to the bed back and sliding in-between the cool sheets.

"As long as she can keep her nerve she should do just fine," Heero replied, turning out the light and joining his husband in the bed. He wrapped his strong arms around his lover, Duo snuggling up against his chest. "Orion is quite capable of completing the course and so is June."

"She still looked a little pale to me at dinner," Duo replied and pressed a kiss to Heero's chest.

"The nerves are to be expected, but once she rides into that arena all those negative thoughts and nerves should disappear and she will do just fine." Heero dropped a kiss to the chestnut head.

"After seeing both you and Treize complete clear rounds even you have to admit, that's a hard act to follow and she's bound to be feeling some pressure to also go clear."

"Hai, I agree. But, with four riders again it really doesn't matter if she scores penalties, both Treize and I could go out there tomorrow and flatten every jump. No one is guaranteed a clear round and those jumps are going to be bigger tomorrow."

"I guess we will just have to wait and see."

"That we will."

"Sending a couple of prayers might also help," Duo snickered.

"Anything you think might help us to win that Cup short of nobbling the opposition is more than welcome, Duo," Heero replied with a grin.

"I wouldn't dream of nobbling the opposition as you put it," Duo huffed, "Although I'm sure I could send bad vibes their way if you think that might do any good?"

"Duo?"

"Yes?"

"Go to sleep."

"Yes, mom."

# # #

Breakfast the following morning was a mixture of friendly banter and nerves. Everyone was feeling the pressure to a point and all were doing their best to support their team members. Heero, Treize and Peter were doing their best to soothe any nerves that June was feeling, letting the woman know that it didn't matter if she scored faults or not; by being a part of the team she was helping their chances of finishing in the top three.

June appreciated all their helpful advice and comments, even their attempts at humor to lighten the mood, but at the end of it all she knew she had a lot riding on her shoulders. It wasn't the thought of scoring penalties that had her worried; it was the thought of letting her team mates down.

Once breakfast was finished all the team members and grooms fetched their riding attire from their rooms and made their way to the stables. With the horses all fed and stable work completed, the team sat around and shared their respective knowledge of the course they'd jumped the previous day with June. The woman grilled all three riders, picking their brains for any and all information that would help her when riding the course.

Noin arrived and took June out for a brief lesson with Orion, the black working well and listening intently to his mistress. Noin was happy with the way the pair were traveling and Orion's calmness and willingness seemed to settle a lot of June's nerves and doubts as to her own capabilities.

Having brushed Orion down and put his light rug on, the team all disappeared to have a light lunch before returning to the stables to walk the course.

# # #

"The course is exactly the same as it was yesterday other than a few height and width changes," Noin explained, more for the benefit of June than the others who already knew what the changes would be. "The tough part is still going to be from the water jump to the barrels, even more so now as the barrels have been raised to the full permissible height of 1.60 meters. I suggest we all walk that part of the course two or three times so you can all get it into your heads which line and track you're going to follow and how much room you have to slow your horses and rebalance."

The group all went through the section of the course, taking mental notes of exactly where they expected their horses to land and just how many strides they would have before fronting the barrels.

Heero had found it hard the first round to bring Nataku back enough and knowing that the water jump was remaining at its first round width of four meters, he planned on coming into it a touch slower this time.

Seeing Heero locked deep in thought and staring between jumps four and five, Treize approached. "I'm thinking we need to slow down a little more than last time on the approach to the water if we want to clear the barrels."

"I was just thinking the same thing," Heero replied. "Both our horses cleared it in the first round with a little room to spare so I'd suggest a slightly slower canter for it, more of a working canter and then let them go in the last three strides."

Treize nodded. "That sounds perfectly logical to me. I think we should share that with the other two riders."

"Good idea."

The information was passed on, Noin agreeing with the two that a slightly slower canter on the approach should work well and give the riders enough time to have their horses back in hand and full of impulsion for the barrels. With everyone agreeing on that and walking the striding again, they continued on around the course.

"This is going to be the other problem area," Noin said as they stood before the triple. "Both height and width has been changed. Part A is still the same, part B is now at 1.6 meters and part C has been both raised and widened. It now stands at 1.6 meters high with a spread of 2 meters."

All four riders studied the triple carefully. Part A shouldn't pose too much of a problem for any of them, it was part C that would be the challenge. With one stride from B to C there wasn't much hope of getting much in the way of impulsion going. One would need to have the horse as balanced and full of that energy as they could right from the get go.

"I would advise shortening your stride and really driving your horse's hocks underneath them once you've cleared nine. You have enough space and time between nine and part A to have your horses balanced and full of energy – and that is going to be the trick to clearing all three elements," Noin said.

The team members all nodded and turned back to the triple. Heero flicked his eyes back to jump nine and followed an invisible track in his head, mapping out how many strides he would have with Nataku before meeting the first element of the triple. June joined him and Heero explained how he planned to ride the track from nine to the triple.

Having walked the course a couple of times and now settled in their own minds as to how they intended to ride it, the team left the arena to return to their waiting grooms and start preparing their horses for the afternoon's event.

#

Treize patted the bay neck and brought the stallion back to a walk. "Good boy, Romeo," he praised and let the bay stretch out. As the stallion walked around, Treize glanced across to where Heero was warming Nataku up. The mare was responding well, listening carefully to Heero and doing everything her rider asked. Treize gave a soft smile at the pair. The mare had certainly proven Heero right in his assumptions that she would be a top A grade horse. Wufei and Meiran had definitely gotten a bargain when they'd purchased the mare from Heero. Down the track, once Nataku had finished her jumping career and went into foal, those foals would make a decent profit for the Changs.

Spotting Noin to the side, Treize collected Romeo up and rode across to the coach. "Miss Noin," he addressed the coach.

"Romeo is working well, Treize," Noin commented.

"He's as fit as a fiddle and raring to go. I hope to complete another clear round," Treize said with a smile.

"Just do the best you can, Treize and I'll be happy with that." Noin gave the stallion a pat. "I just came to tell you they're about to start the first rounds so I'm heading back in to record the scores. I'll speak with you again before your round."

"Thanks, Noin."

The coach left to return to the arena and watch the first of the fourth riders to go through, Treize began to walk his horse around and keep the stallion warm.

#

"I think that will be enough for now," Heero said as he brought Nataku to a halt beside Duo. "I can bring her back out and finish off shortly before it's our turn to jump."

"Whatever you say, Heero." Duo fed the mare a carrot and patted her neck. "You're a good girl, Nataku."

"Let's get her back to her stable and then go watch Treize jump."

"Right with you, Heero."

#

"What rider are they up to?" Heero asked Peter in a hushed tone as he and Duo slipped into their seats.

"The German rider is just about finished and it's the South African next," Peter whispered back.

"Ah," Heero turned when a hand rested on his elbow to see Meiran holding out the notebook for him. "Thanks, Meiran." Heero took the notebook and offered pen.

"I've been writing down the scores whilst you've been absent. I hope I've done them correctly," the woman smiled.

Heero glanced at the page before smiling back at Meiran. "Thank you, that's wonderful."

"How are the scores looking so far?" Duo muttered as the German approached the second last fence.

"The Italian rider had another four faults, the Swede went clear..." The sound of falling poles greeted their ears and both men looked up to see the German rider pass through the finish flags. "I'd say the German made four faults unless he had any other jumps down." That fact was confirmed by the commentator a moment later announcing four faults for Germany.

"It's still going to be a tough competition," Peter stated from the pairs' other side, applauding along with everyone else as the German left the arena.

"Then you're all just going to have to make sure to jump the best you can and come out with minimal faults," Duo told them.

"I guess we will," Heero replied with a smirk, Peter also grinning in reply.

"Bugger," Duo muttered as the English rider left the arena to deafening applause with a clear round.

Choosing to ignore the comment from his lover, Heero wrote the score down. "Both the English rider and the South African went clear which means there's still just four faults between us and the English."

"Fingers crossed that Treize can produce another clear," Duo muttered and quickly pulled his legs back as Zechs slipped along their row and dropped into a seat. Turning to face the blonde vet who was looking a little pale and getting his breathing back under control, Duo smiled and patted Zechs' knee. "How are Treize and Romeo?"

"Nervous, determined and ready to give their all," Zechs replied with a soft sigh.

"And you?"

"Worried, scared and determined not to bite my fingernails."

Duo snorted. "Yeah, right. Good luck with that."

Zechs gave his boss a wan smile. "Don't forget it's your turn next. Heero will be jumping after Treize."

"Don't remind me," Duo growled and looked at the sorry state of his own fingernails.

Zechs snickered.

"Representing Australia, Treize Khushrenada riding Romefeller," the commentator announced, putting paid to any further conversation between the two vets.

Treize rode into the arena, scanning around at the jumps as he made his way between them to where the judge sat. Saluting, he collected his reins and turned Romeo around, pushing the bay into a trot and riding towards the start flags. "This is a tougher one than the last one, Romeo. We have to get this right, listen to me and do what I ask and we will both be fine." Treize ran a hand down the bay neck.

Ears pricked forward, Romeo glanced at the jumps around him. He was feeling fit, full of himself and ready for anything. Feeling the pressure against his sides and his master's weight shifting on his back, Romeo lowered his nose and broke into a steady canter.

The bay and his rider passed through the start flags and were on their way. The first three jumps posed no problem at all to Romeo, the bay sailing over each one of them with ease. After jump three, Treize sat a little deeper and kept a firm hold on the reins. The water was next and he had no intention of letting the stallion go at all until the last three to four strides away.

"Now for the difficult one," Heero muttered under his breath and watched his former boss closely. He noted how Treize was keeping Romeo firmly in check and so far the stallion was listening.

The bay spotted the water jump ahead and fought for his head; water needed to be taken at speed and Romeo was still confused as to why his master hadn't let him gallop on yet.

"Steady, Romeo. We can speed up shortly," Treize soothed, keeping his hands firm but steady on the reins. It wasn't easy keeping the exuberant stallion to a steady canter and Treize used all his skills to maintain a good, working stride, one that would see them with enough impulsion to clear the water when he did let Romeo have his head, but still be able to have the horse back in hand and listening for jump five once they were over the water.

Although Romeo didn't like being restrained, he respected his master and allowed himself to be contained. Four strides out and Romeo felt the pressure on his mouth ease, the legs against his sides push and he surged forward. About time, he thought to himself. Hind legs pushed the bay body forward, Romeo flattening out a touch and stretching with his forelegs for the other side of the water. Front hooves bit into the sand, the back ones a second behind them and Romeo was moving away from the water having kept all four feet dry.

"Very nicely done," Peter whistled between his teeth.

"I hope I can keep Orion to a steady canter like that when it's our turn," June whispered.

"You will," Heero said with a smile. "Orion is a well educated horse and he will listen to you. You might have to apply a little more pressure than normal to his mouth, but he'll listen."

"Thanks," June said, her tone grateful. The words of reassurance did do a lot for June's confidence in herself and her horse.

Having landed over the water, Treize sat down hard, put the legs on and took a firm hold on the reins. Romeo shook his head and tried to poke his nose in the air, ignoring the aids his master was giving him. The rein shortened further, the legs against his sides forcing his hind end to work harder and reluctantly, Romeo lowered his head, rounded his back and came back to a steady canter.

The barrel jump appeared before them, Romeo having re-balanced and regained a lot of his impulsion took it in his stride. As soon as the stallion was back on firm ground, Treize was instantly there, checking the speed, driving those powerful hocks back under the bay body and giving the horse every possible chance to build as much energy as he could.

The ditch and rail appeared before them, Romeo's ears went forward and he lengthened out his stride, launching into the air and sailing clean over.

"He's riding a much better round than the first one if that's at all possible," Noin said, eyes watching the pair intently.

"He's definitely got Romeo listening to him," Heero replied.

"It's okay, Zechs. Treize is half way around the course and doing really well," Duo offered in sympathy to his fellow vet.

"I think I might take a leaf out of Hilde's book before coming to watch him compete in an International competition again," Zechs moaned.

"Eh?" Duo clearly didn't follow.

"I think I'll visit the beautician and get some false fingernails," Zechs enlightened the other man. "I assume they would be a lot tougher to chew on and therefore save my own."

Duo cocked his head to the side, glanced at the sorry state of his own fingernails and back to Zechs. "You know, I just might have to join you," he replied with a grin.

Romeo had cleared the double, the extra height and width not giving him any grief and he had also shown a clean pair of heels over jumps eight and nine. "Now for the triple," Treize muttered, eyes fixed on the three elements ahead.

The course had started to take a little of the edge off the bay and Romeo thought it would be better for him to concentrate on what his master was asking and save his energy for that rather than waste it trying to fight his master. Feeling the various signals through the reins, his master's legs and subtle shifts of weight in the saddle, Romeo adjusted his striding and drove his hind legs deeper under his body. His forehand lightened as the power began to manifest in those muscular hind quarters.

"I don't think I can watch anymore," Zechs moaned and covered his face with his hands.

"Oh, don't be such a big baby," June teased. "Anyone would think he was going to his execution."

Zechs slowly turned his head in the direction of the woman. Sitting beside him, Duo raised his hands in surrender and pointed at June. "She said it, I didn't."

"I'll have you know I am not, nor have I ever been a big baby! I'm what you would call a concerned partner," Zechs huffed and folded his arms across his chest in defiance.

"Sure, sure," June continued to tease. "You and Duo make a good pair."

"Hey, leave me out of this," Duo defended.

Zooming her gaze onto the braided vet, June couldn't help but continue to tease the pair. "Well, neither one of you has any fingernails left, you're going to start hacking up hair balls, Duo – preferably not on me – if you keep biting your braid and if Zechs gets any paler he'll disappear into his locks."

Both vets gaped at the audacity of the woman, neither having a witty comeback at that point. "Now you know why I much prefer the male of the species," Duo muttered to Zechs.

"I agree." Zechs replied before staring at the woman. "Next time you need help delivering a baby don't come to me. I only deliver babies for females that have fur or hair all over them."

"How do you know I don't have fur or hair?" June snickered.

Both vets grimaced. "That is a thought I'd rather not go anywhere near, thank you very much," Duo sniffed.

June laughed. "You two are so easy to tease."

Having listened in on the conversation, Heero decided now might be a good time to rescue his husband and friend. "Treize is at the triple."

All eyes switched back to the arena where Romeo was launching into the air over part A.

Landing safely over part A, Treize used his seat and leg to drive Romeo together and forward for the next element. The oxer was wider and higher than before, but Treize was quietly confident the bay wouldn't have any problem with it; they had jumped higher and wider at the Olympics. It would be part C if anything that could cause them trouble.

Heaving his body off the ground again, Romeo stretched upwards and forwards to gain both height and width of the oxer. He managed to clear it - barely - and reached out with his forelegs for the brunt of the landing. Hind legs touching down a second later and his master was there, pushing him together as there was only one stride before the massive oxer that made up part C.

The oxer stood at maximum height and width, 1.60 meters high and a spread of two meters. Keeping the contact with the horse's mouth light, Treize drove his legs against the bay hide, even going so far as to add a small kick in there. Romeo responded, the soft kick startling him a little and he made a huge leap. Forelegs went up close to the chest, hind legs followed the line of the body as the stallion soared over the top of the oxer and gave into the pull of gravity. Front legs extended to take the landing, hind ones following and pushing the bay away from the jump.

"Thank god," Zechs muttered and slumped slightly in his seat.

"Beautifully ridden," Peter commented.

"Just two to go and they're safely home," Heero mumbled.

"Nice and easy, Treize. Don't lose your concentration now," Noin breathed.

Treize wasn't about to lose his concentration, he knew there were only two jumps left and he fully intended to clear them. "Come on, Romeo. Two left and then you can rest."

Romeo rallied himself together, regaining some of his lost impulsion as his master swung him out a little wider than the last time to give him a better chance to settle before taking the next jump.

The hay bales passed beneath the bay belly, Romeo plodding tiredly towards the final jump.

"Last one, Romeo," Treize encouraged. "Let's give it all we have."

Drawing on the last of his reserves, Romeo lined up the wall, gauged the height and picked out his take off point. With a last shove of those powerful hind quarters the bay soared into the air and over the top of the wall. In the stands everyone held their breath, complete silence abounded.

The grunt and soft thudding of hooves broke the silence, Romeo sprinting for the finish flags and breaking the beam. The arena exploded into cheers, applause and whistles.

"Clear round for Treize Khushrenada riding Romefeller for Australia!" the commentator cheered down the microphone.

"Yes!" Heero punched the air.

"Woo hoo! Go Treize!" Duo yelled.

"Fantastic round!" Peter joined in.

Meiran, Wufei and June all smiled, the feeling of relief almost palpable.

"A double clear," Noin said with a wide grin. "Now that puts us in a very strong position to win that cup."

"I shall be so glad when he retires," Zechs muttered under his breath.

"Come on, Zechs," Duo encouraged, tugging on the other vet's arm. "You have to go congratulate him. It's not every day you score a double clear in a Nations Cup event."

"Shit!" Zechs scrambled to his feet and galloped along the row before taking the steps two at a time.

"I hope he doesn't slip," Heero said, amused at the blonde vet's antics.

"Somehow I think he's grown wings," Duo snickered. "Come on, we'd better go out and congratulate Treize too."

tbc...