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 27

"He's perfectly fine, June," Duo announced, putting his stethoscope back into his bag and looking at the woman.

"Thanks, Duo." June led the black back into his stable and unclipped the lead rope. Bolting the door, she hung up the lead rope and turned to her husband. "How about we go back and watch the last of the rounds?"

"Sounds good to me," Geoff replied.

"We'll be right with you," Heero stated. "I want to stop off in the warm up area and have a few words with Peter before his round."

"No problem, we'll see you inside." June and Geoff left, Heero waiting for Duo to finish putting his bag away in the locker. Once Duo returned, the pair set off for the arena and the warm up area.

Peter was riding the bay around, Espresso looking calm and relaxed. Chrissy stood to one side watching her husband and the horse, a look of concentration on her face. She smiled as Duo stopped next to her.

"They're looking good," Duo commented.

"Yes, they are. Cocoa has settled really well and Peter is quietly confident they should produce a good round," Chrissy replied. "After both Heero and Treize have gone double clear he's determined not to let the team down and he'll be giving it everything he's got for a clear round this time too."

"At least this time they know where the traps are and how best to combat them," Duo stated.

"That they do and it will count for a lot."

"Good luck, I'll see you inside shortly."

"Thanks, Duo."

Heero finished having a few words with Peter, mainly discussing what they'd already talked about in regards to the course and turned to find his partner. Wishing Peter good luck, Heero joined Duo and the pair went back to their seats inside the arena.

#

"What are the overall scores looking like?" Heero asked Meiran as he took his seat, Noin having left to have a few last minute words of advice with Peter.

"I'm not too sure how you work all this out so here, take a look for yourself," Meiran replied with a smile and handed over the note book.

"Thanks." Heero took the book and scanned down the list of neat figures. Beside him, Duo peered across.

"What's the verdict?" Duo asked.

"It's still a close race for the blue ribbon. June, as you know, made four faults, the Japanese rider was eliminated, the New Zealander scored two time faults and the French rider had four. It will all come down to these last rounds. With the penalties as they are, we're on eight in total if we count June's score and the Kiwis are on six if they count the two time penalties."

Duo gave a low whistle. "That is close. Poor Peter, I guess he's got a lot riding on his shoulders then."

"Hai, he has. Although..."

"What?" Duo prompted when Heero didn't continue.

"I was just thinking, Peter doesn't know the current scores which could be a good thing. If he did know then it would put even more pressure on him to go clear and that's something he could do without, he'd be more likely to make a mistake if he knows just how much is riding on his going clear."

"I can see the logic in that," Duo mused, "Ironic as it is. Guess we'd better start praying that Peter goes clear and the Kiwis make mistakes."

"Duo! That's not very sportsman like," Heero chastised.

"Maybe not, but it's the truth," Duo replied with a grin.

Heero shook his head.

With the final rounds being crucial to the overall placings in the competition, everyone knew these last riders would be the make or break of the first three placings. Peter knew there was a lot riding on his performance, but just exactly how much, he wasn't aware of and Noin agreed with Heero, no one was going to tell him either.

The Italian rider was also feeling the pressure and it showed in his final score of eight penalties. The Swedish rider was unlucky and had a brick out of the wall after completing an otherwise faultless round. The German rider gave it his all and came out with a clear round. The South African rider approached the course with determination; he'd scored twelve faults in his first round and for all intents and purposes, fully intended to improve on that this time.

His determination paid off and much to his stunned relief, he came out with a clear round.

"It's the English rider next and with the scores as they are, they are carrying eight faults from their first round total and only have four at this stage for this second round," Heero whispered to Duo.

"Then I suppose I should start sending bad vibes their way?"

"I think we should just watch and hope they make a mistake," Heero muttered back.

Duo gave him a shocked look. "What happened to good sportsmanship?"

"I've been listening to you for too long."

It was Duo's turn to roll his eyes and shake his head.

The English rider came in and passed between the start flags, it was clear from the onset he was out to gain a clear round. Having made four faults in his first round, the rider had learned from his mistakes and from watching other riders complete the course and now put all that knowledge into play.

As they went further around the course, the confidence in both horse and rider grew. Jump after jump was cleared, Duo's spirits dropping with each cleared fence until he slumped in his seat.

The rider passed through the finish flags, the spectators all cheering and applauding the clear round.

"Damn and bugger," Duo muttered under his breath. He really wasn't trying to be unsportsmanlike, but he couldn't help the feeling of depression that hit knowing just how close the scores were. With the English rider's clear round, it meant the team would be dropping the only four fault score and that would leave them on a final score of eight faults in total. It would also put even more pressure on Peter and Espresso to go clear. If they didn't, then the best the Aussies could hope for would be a third placing as they would also finish on eight faults.

But there was also the Kiwis to think about...

Duo decided to put it all out of his head for now as all this thinking was giving him a headache. Besides, Peter was in next and he wanted to focus all his positive energy on willing the pair around for a clear.

"Our next rider to compete is Peter Verns riding Espresso, representing Australia," the commentator announced.

The applause started again as a very determined Peter rode into the arena. Espresso looked fit and eager, his bay ears pricked and a bounce in his step. Peter saluted the judge, the spectators fell silent and the bell went.

Peter collected his horse and rode for the start. "Come on, Cocoa, this one is a very important round and we have to get it right," he said softly to his horse.

The bay cocked back an ear to listen, not understanding a word his master said. But horses were funny creatures, they may not be able to understand the human language, but they could clearly pick up on vocal tones, tension and human body language. Espresso could sense in the tone his master used that this was important, he could pick up on the tension in the air and whilst that tension didn't translate into anything to fear, the gelding understood that he needed to be on full alert, ready to obey his master's requests immediately and precisely.

They passed through the start flags and bore down on the first fence.

Chrissy had raced back into the arena seconds after her husband had entered and flopped down into her seat on the other side of Noin. Her eyes tracked the pair in the arena, her heart going a hundred miles in her chest and she did her best to relax. Not at all easy when one's husband had the weight of a Nation riding on his shoulders.

Duo could sympathize with the woman, having been in a similar position himself when Heero had jumped off for the gold at the London Olympics.

Back in the arena, Espresso had made short work of the first two fences and was on course for the gate. The bay took the gate in his stride, sailing over it with ease and allowing his master to collect him up.

Sitting deeper into his saddle, Peter kept his horse at a steady, working canter; the water was next and Peter had no intentions of letting the bay gallop for it, the following jump five was too close to the water and Peter didn't want to be hauling back on the reins, have his horse unbalanced and end up knocking the jump down.

They made a sweeping turn to the left, Peter keeping a very firm hold on the gelding and using his seat and leg to keep the horse together. Like so many horses before him, Espresso spotted the water and instinctively tried to lengthen out his stride. The hand on his reins prevented him from speeding up and Espresso didn't understand. He fought for his head.

"No, boy," Peter soothed. "We need to take it steady." He increased the pressure on the reins and dropped his weight deeper into the saddle.

Espresso thought his master had lost all sense. It was a water jump and to clear it he needed speed. The gelding tried again to speed up only to be blocked by the firm hold on the bit. Deciding his master must have lost his marbles, Espresso decided to play it the way his master wanted – but no way would he be happy if he got any of his hooves wet!

"Good boy," Peter praised when the gelding stopped fighting him. Keeping his concentration fixed on the water ahead, Peter waited until he was four strides away before giving the bay the rein he craved and urging him forward.

Finally his master had come to his senses, the bay thought to himself and lengthened out his stride. It would be a stretch to clear the water, but the gelding much preferred to keep himself dry and gave a huge shove off the ground to skim across the expanse and land on the other side.

The steward's flag remained lowered and everyone in the stands breathed a sigh of relief. Noin turned and gave Chrissy a wan smile, one that Chrissy returned before continuing to twist and pull at the handkerchief she currently had in her hands.

With all four hooves back on dry ground, Peter shortened his reins and used his seat and leg to have the bay slowing and re-balancing. The barrels lay ahead and they were coming up fast. Spotting the jump ahead, Espresso grunted, slowed his pace and picked his take off point. Seconds later they were soaring over the jump and returning to earth. Another six strides and they were taking off over the ditch and rail. They cleared the jump with a couple of inches to spare, Peter picking up on his horse's loss of impulsion. Sitting deep, Peter took a firm contact and steadied the bay. He rode the gelding forwards, opting to take a couple of extra strides in his turn to give Espresso the chance to recover some of his lost energy.

"So far, so good," Heero muttered and turned to look at his partner. Duo was glued to the pair in the arena, his eyes never wavering. What amused Heero though was that Duo had the end of his braid in his hands, the fingers working on auto pilot as he pulled and twisted the tufted end. He placed a hand over his husband's and looked up into confused violet. "You'll give yourself split ends," he whispered.

A sheepish grin lit Duo's face and he let go of his braid. "Sorry, can't help it. The pressure is getting to me," he said softly. "Sounds stupid, I know. If I'm feeling this much pressure, I can't begin to imagine how Peter must be feeling."

"No, it's not stupid. We're all feeling the pressure, Duo. It just shows how much we all care about each other, the team as a whole and wanting to do the best we can for our country."

"I guess so."

"Now, leave your hair alone, it would be criminal to damage such lovely locks," Heero whispered.

Duo all but melted.

#

Espresso had managed to regain a lot of his energy and was motoring towards the double. He lined up the jump, picked his take off point and sailed into the air. Clearing part A, he touched down, strode forward and leapt into the air once more.

"Good boy," Peter praised, collecting the horse up and setting their track for jump eight.

The off-set rails didn't pose any problem to the seasoned jumper, Espresso taking them in his stride. He was really starting to enjoy himself. His master sat soft upon his back, the rein was light in guiding him and his master had finally come to his senses and let him stride out and do what he loved to do – jump!

With thoughts of the triple still to come, Peter did his best to keep the gelding balanced and listening to him. Knowing it would be a big ask of his horse, Peter was determined to have as much impulsion as he could in his horse.

The bay sailed over jump nine, landed and began a sweeping, left turn to come up to the triple in a straight line. Peter remembered what the other riders had said about the three elements, took Espresso out a little wider and dropped his weight into the saddle. Keeping the contact firm on the gelding's mouth, he collected the horse up and drove Espresso's hocks deep under his body. "This is the tough one, Cocoa," Peter muttered to his horse.

A bay ear cocked back to listen.

"It's bigger than before and we need to conserve as much energy as we can for the second and third elements. Keep listening to me and we'll be just fine." Peter gave the bay neck a scratch.

Although he couldn't understand the words, Espresso could sense the importance of his master's words. He steadied himself and waited for the instructions from his master.

#

"I don't think I can watch," Chrissy moaned.

"He's doing just fine," Noin soothed and placed a hand on the woman's shoulder by way of reassurance. Inside her stomach the butterflies were dancing madly about and Noin felt her own nerves going out in sympathy with the woman beside her. Although she hadn't competed for years, Noin was more than familiar with the pressures of competition on not just the rider and horse, but their grooms, family and friends too.

Part A rose before the pair, the arena was totally silent, the sounds of hooves, the jingle of the bit and soft grunt from the horse was the only noise to be heard. Espresso drew his hindquarters underneath him, gathered himself together and pushed off. The first part of the triple passed beneath his belly, front legs unfurling and coming out to brace for the impact of landing.

No sooner had Cocoa's front hooves returned to the arena surface and Peter was sitting deep, using his seat and leg to drive the horse together again and face the second element. Two strides and Espresso was again launching himself into the air. The second element was an oxer, high and wide, but not as wide as the one still to come. With that thought foremost in his mind, Peter gave his horse all the help he could, keeping his weight as much out of the saddle as possible, hands following the up and forward movement of the head and neck as the gelding sailed into the air.

Reaching for the width of the jump, Espresso gave his leap into the air all he could. The back pole passed beneath and front legs stretched out to greet the rising ground. A hind fetlock brushed over the pole and rocked it in its cups, fortunately not enough to cause it to fall and after a couple of rolls, the pole settled back into place.

Bay forelegs bore the brunt of the landing, hind legs touching down a moment later. Peter was immediately there, his legs, seat and hands all working together to help his horse. One stride and Espresso was rising into the air. Haunches strained with the effort of the jump, muscles, sinew and tendons all working together to defy gravity and launch the body into the air.

It was a wide jump, no doubt about that and Espresso put all he could muster into his leap. Peter was almost completely out of the saddle, the less weight on the horse's back the better his chances of clearing the element. The back poles looked far away to Peter and seemed to take an eternity to reach; but Espresso wasn't about to hit anything if he could help it. The extra couple of strides Peter had given the bay to regain his impulsion had paid off and the bay had that little bit of extra energy when he needed it.

They came back to earth, all poles still standing and cantered away.

"Bloody good jump," Heero muttered.

"Awesome," Duo agreed. "Just two more fences and he's home safe."

"Let's keep our fingers crossed he keeps this up," Heero replied.

Chrissy heaved a sigh of relief. "Almost home, Peter. Keep it together, just the hay bales and wall to go," she muttered under her breath. Beside her, Noin was having similar thoughts.

"It gets very exciting, doesn't it?" Meiran whispered to her husband.

"That it does," Wufei agreed. Although the pair of them didn't fully understand all the rules, regulations and concepts to this particular type of event, Heero had explained enough of it in simple terms for them to follow the basics. Fortunately for the pair of them, they weren't fully aware of the amount of pressure that was on Peter to go clear.

Taking his horse outwards a little more, Peter praised the gelding for his efforts. "Good boy, Cocoa, that was just the best," he told his horse and added several pats to the sweating neck. The gelding was feeling pretty smug in not having knocked anything down, but he was getting tired and looking forward to having a nice rest soon.

"Two more to go and we're home, boy. Let's give these two all we have and make Noin proud."

The extra distance gave the gelding a chance to recover a bit of his expended energy, something he really needed. The hay bales appeared ahead and Espresso adjusted his stride accordingly. He gave a grunt, drew his hocks right underneath and shoved off the ground. There was no sound of clattering poles so Peter knew they were still clear.

With one jump to go, Peter knew he needed to keep all his concentration. Noin would skin him alive if he let his mind wander now. The wall stood between them, the finish flags and a clear round. Peter wasn't too sure how his time was looking, but he figured he'd be pretty close to the time allowed and the last thing he needed would be to get a time penalty or two – especially as Espresso had given his all for Peter.

Narrowing his concentration to the wall ahead and the horse beneath him, Peter drove his legs against the animal's sides and rode with all the skill he possessed at the final fence.

With his energy waning, Espresso dug deep and found that last bit of impulsion, drawing his hindquarters underneath himself and propelling into the air. The wall was a formidable jump at the best of times, but now not only was big, but would be a real test of the horse's stamina being the last jump of the course.

The bay belly scraped across the top row of bricks, a couple of them moving slightly. Gravity began to exert her claim and pull the gelding back to earth. Hind legs passed over the top row, the breeze they left in their wake causing those couple of bricks to move a little further.

Everyone in the arena held their breath, eyes torn between watching those two bricks that were teetering on the edge and the horse that was landing. Peter felt the tension in the air and knew something was up, but what he wasn't sure. He hadn't heard anything fall, there were no groans from the crowd, so he put it out of his mind and concentrated on getting through the finish. Dropping his weight and giving Espresso all the rein he needed, Peter urged the bay on and through the finish flags.

Heero felt his heart go into his mouth, Noin also. Treize and Chrissy thought their hearts had stopped as they all tried to watch Peter and those bricks.

The bay reached the finish flags and galloped through stopping the clock. He'd made it through with two seconds to spare so there would be no time faults. The bricks still teetered.

As Peter sat down and began to slow his horse, the bricks made up their minds and slipped from the top row to crash to the ground.

"Ah, crap," Duo sighed. "He did so well too." He turned to look at Heero who wore a grin from ear to ear. "Huh?"

"He did do well, in fact, he did superb," Heero said, unable to keep the excitement from his voice.

"I don't get it," Duo replied and scratched his neck. "He knocked two bricks out of the wall, that means four faults – doesn't it?"

"Technically speaking, yes it does, but..." Heero's eyes were positively shining with joy. "Those bricks didn't fall until Peter had passed through the finish so the faults don't count."

"You're shitting me?" Duo said, eyes wide.

"No, I'm not. Peter had finished the course, he'd gone through the finish flags and stopped the clock, therefore under the rules, any pole, brick or whatever that should fall after the rider has passed through the finish is not counted."

"Well I'll be. So he's clear then?"

"Sure is."

"That's great!" Duo began to cheer loudly.

Peter had heard the falling bricks and turned in his saddle to see what had happened. For a moment there his heart plummeted. He wasn't sure if the bricks had fallen before or after he'd gone through the flags. Disappointment began to creep in, feeling that he's let his horse, team mates and country down.

"Ladies and gentlemen, that was a clear round for Peter Verns riding Espresso and representing Australia," the commentator confirmed.

No sooner had the commentator finished speaking the arena erupted into cheers and applause. Not one of the spectators had been game to make any noise before having the official result confirmed by the commentator

Chrissy took a moment to gather her wits before getting up and heading back out to the collecting ring, tears coursing down her face. Noin sat back in her chair and did her best to calm her rapidly beating heart. The rest of the team weren't much better, each having suffered a 'mini heart attack'. Within seconds though, they were all on their feet and heading out to congratulate their team mate.

Peter was overjoyed with his horse and their performance, the congratulations of his team mates music to his ears. Espresso was just happy with all the fuss and attention he was getting – the treats he was offered not being refused at all.

With the competition being so close and only two riders left to compete, Noin didn't stay outside for long, letting Peter know just how pleased and proud she was with him and that she would be talking with him further after the last rider had finished.

Heero, Duo, June and Treize all passed on their congratulations too before hightailing it back into the arena to watch the last competitors. Peter decided to wait in the collecting ring with Chrissy until the last rider had gone through, then he would have a much better idea of where their team had finished. Once the last rider had gone there would be a break before the final results were announced and he would take Espresso back to the stables then for Duo to check over.

#

Back in the arena the remainder of the Australian contingent were all absorbed in watching the New Zealand rider on course. The Kiwis were their biggest threat and final placings would depend on how this last rider went. Right now the Aussies were sitting on a total of four faults to Heero's reckoning. The Kiwis had two clears and two time faults from this round so far. If the last rider were to go clear it would mean a jump off between their two countries as they would be tied on four faults each. If this rider made any faults then it would mean the Aussies were pretty much guaranteed a win.

To say they were all on tenterhooks would be an understatement.

So far the Kiwi was clear and approaching the triple. In his first round he'd made eight faults, having a hoof in the water and knocking a rail. This time he was determined not to make the same mistakes.

The triple stood ahead of them, the horse gathered itself together and launched into the air over the first element.

tbc...