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 49
Duo wasted no time in starting Orion off on the course of steroids. After the first week there was a slight improvement in the levels of hemoglobin, but not a lot. It was a step in the right direction so both Duo and June remained cautiously optimistic.
Heero continued to work the rest of the horses, gradually building the work up as the horses become fitter. Nataku and Shini had recovered fully from their illness, neither one showing any signs of lingering aftereffects. Lunar and Jester had also bounced back well along with Hyperion and Sandfire. Zero was still his usual self, although he was starting to show his age now. It didn't stop the older stallion from exerting his influence though.
Young Wing was improving by the day, his jumping getting better as Heero educated him further. Both Heero and Duo thought he would be as good, if not better than Shinigami. Angel had accepted the loss of her foal and Heero decided to wait until the following breeding season before putting her back in foal again.
June and Heero also concentrated their energies into young Missy. The filly was growing up nicely, Heero very pleased with her conformation and ability she was showing. He decided to start to break her in, commence a slow but steady education with her then take her out to shows and bring her through the grades. He hoped to have her to A grade within two to three seasons and compete at that level for two or three more seasons and then retire her to stud. She would be a valuable asset to his growing stud and he hoped to breed her to an outside stallion when the time came.
Given the smallness of his stud, Heero needed to be careful he didn't in-breed. With Comet and Angel his only brood mares and Shini and Zero his only stallions, he'd need to infuse some outside bloodlines to keep everything going along nicely.
#
Orion had been on the course of steroids for five weeks and June was on tenterhooks awaiting the results of the latest blood test. Duo had been doing the tests on a weekly basis and Orion's levels had marginally increased; while this was a good thing, Duo hadn't elaborated too much to June as he didn't want to get the woman's hopes up only to have them plummet. He kept quiet about his inner doubts, opting to let the blood test results speak for themselves.
Peering down the eye sights of the microscope, Duo twisted the knobs a little to bring the microscopic world into clearer focus. The slide began to lose its blurriness and the tiny world of cells came into view. Experienced eyes scrutinized the cells laid out on the slide, noting everything he could about them.
Leaning back in his chair a few minutes later, Duo rubbed at his eyes and blinked a couple of times. With his eyesight returning to normal, he reached over to pick up Orion's file and make a few notes. A soft beeping noise interrupted him and with a sigh he placed the chart back on the bench and stood up. The small machine had finished doing its job and the results should be through on the small screen any minute. Patiently, Duo waited for them, his patience rewarded a few seconds later when the machine beeped again to let him know the analysis was complete.
Not sure whether he wanted to know or not, Duo sighed again and scanned the screen. He shook his head and pushed the print button, the machine giving a couple of beeps and then proceeding to spit out the piece of paper with all the test results on it. Tearing the sheet off, Duo read over it again just to be certain and then entered the information in Orion's file along with finishing off what he'd been recording earlier.
Once done he decided he couldn't put it off any longer and gathering all the test results together, he headed out from the surgery to the stables to give June the news.
#
June had been present that morning when Duo had taken the latest blood sample from Orion and since then she'd been on tenterhooks waiting for the results.
"I hope it's good news," June said, scrubbing the water bucket with a lot more vigor than completely necessary.
"I guess we will know in a minute," Heero replied. "I think I can see Duo coming down the raceway now."
"Really?" June dropped the scrubbing brush into the bucket and stood up from her crouch. She quickly dried her hands by rubbing them on her jeans and made her way towards the front of the stable complex.
Duo gave a small smile to his lover as he approached the stables, Heero returning it with one of his own. Duo's eyes fell on June and he took a deep breath.
"Duo? Have you got the latest results?" June asked a little hesitantly.
"Yes, I do," Duo replied. He paused for a moment to order his thoughts and figure out the best way to let June know exactly what the results showed. He quickly decided it was probably better just to come out and say it. "June, the results show the same levels of hemoglobin as the last time. There hasn't been any further increase in the levels and I'm sorry to say, I don't think there will be any further improvement. It's not all bad though," Duo quickly carried on when he saw the woman's face fall with his news. "On a good note the levels have improved to what they were, but I'm still sorry to say that I'm pretty sure they aren't going to increase any further."
"I see," June said quietly. "Then this all means what exactly? Can he still be ridden, jumped? Or will I have to retire him completely? If he can still be ridden, what sort of work will he be able to do without stressing him?"
"His levels are steady enough that he can still be ridden and even a little jumping, but nothing competitive I'm afraid. Given the amount of stress an equine's body is put under when jumping competitively, his body wouldn't be able to cope without causing undue stress and strain to his heart and lungs. The levels are stable enough that he will cope just fine with normal flat work, bush rides and some smaller fences at home in the paddock, but I wouldn't push him any further than that," Duo explained.
"Okay, I think I understand," June replied and sighed. "I'm sorry, Duo, I don't mean to appear ungrateful, it's just that it's all a bit much to take in and come to terms with."
"There's no apology needed, June. I quite understand how hard this must be for you and I only wish I could have given you more positive news. His heart is fine, it's his lungs that are the problem. The virus did some damage to them which won't affect him if you stick to what I've said work wise; but if you were to continue to compete on him then his heart would end up suffering from overwork as it tries to compensate for the lower levels of oxygen in his blood."
"At least I'll still be able to ride him," June said as she slowly came to terms with the results. "And who knows, if Max decides he wants to learn to ride he would be a perfect horse for him to start out on."
"He would certainly make an excellent school horse," Heero said, doing his best to try and cheer the woman up by putting a positive spin on things.
"I guess so." June went quiet for a moment, obviously locked in thought. Heero and Duo allowed her the silence, knowing she would speak once she'd ordered her mind.
"I suppose I'd better start keeping an eye out then for another horse to compete on."
"I'll be sure to keep an ear out for anything I might think would be suitable too. I can always ask Treize to let me know if he hears of anything going that would suit you as well," Heero said. "In the meantime there's still Sandfire and Hyperion for you to work with and compete on."
"Thanks, Heero," June smiled, her eyes a little on the watery side. "That means a hell of a lot to me."
# # #
Three months had passed since the outbreak of the EI virus and the vaccine had proven to be the miracle the Country had been praying for. Despite its not having been tested before distribution, it had worked and most of the equine population that had been vaccinated against the virus had remained EI free. The last reported case had been a little over four weeks ago and the last property to have been quarantined was now declared 'safe'.
The Veterinary board and the Agricultural Department were growing more confident by the day that the virus had been eradicated and slowly but surely things were starting to get back to normal. Several meetings were held between the various departments of each State and Territory and the Federal Government to analyze the entire incident and discuss the outcome and ways to manage diseases in the future. Compulsory vaccination was one item that was high on the list of recommendations. The quarantine system had already undergone a complete overhaul and the new procedures were already in place. All in all the Departments and Government decided the threat was over and lifted the ban on equine movement.
Two weeks later they declared the country once more, EI free.
It was a huge relief to all those working within the equine industry, but it would take quite some time for the equine economy to pick up again. The virus may be gone, but the damage it had left behind would remain in the physical sense for many months...
It would take years for the mental and emotional costs to heal.
At the end of it all, a total of almost 500 cases of EI had been confirmed and 41 properties had been quarantined. A further 1,650 suspected cases were reported on a further 100 properties. Fortunately the equine death toll from the disease had remained low, only six cases being reported and recorded.
It could have been a lot worse.
With the ban on horse movement having been lifted countrywide, the racing sector once more began to function. Slowly but steadily the racing industry came back on line and the Melbourne Cup was run on its usual day – although the field was a lot smaller as many International horses had canceled their trip due to the Virus outbreak and interstate horses had been unable to travel due to the ban on equine movement.
The racetracks once again echoed with the thunder of hooves and the shouts and cheers of the crowds. The shows sprang up in full force and pony clubs again commenced their seasons. The threat of the EI virus began to recede in the memories of most people.
#
The jumping season was drawing to a close, Heero having not bothered much with the last few shows of the season. He'd brought Shini back into light work but not competed on him again that season. Wufei had decided to give Nataku the remainder of the season off too, stating he felt the mare could do with a good spell from work, let her completely recover from the virus and start her out fresh in the new year. Likewise, Frank hadn't bothered with any further shows for the season, opting to do as Heero had with Shini and only give Jester light work to keep him fit over the break.
The last show of the year that Heero had horses entered into had rolled around and once again had seen Heero, Duo and June kept busy with the four horses that had been entered.
The numbers in the various classes were still well below what Heero was used to seeing at shows, but they were steadily on the increase compared to a month ago. There had been a total of eight entries in the A grade counting Wing and Heero was very pleased with the young stallion's performance. Wing had done everything Heero had asked of him and finished a creditable second. Lunar had done well to finish third in a slightly bigger B grade class.
"What do you think we should do with Hyperion to wake him up a bit?" June asked as the goose-neck rumbled steadily along the road.
"Put a stick of dynamite under him?" Duo suggested with a snicker.
"Duo!" June gave the vet a smack to the arm. "I said wake him up, not blow him up!"
Ignoring his husband's comment, Heero changed gears to turn a corner and slowly accelerated again, his mind thinking over the problem with Hyperion. "I'm not too sure," he began. "I can try increasing his oats a bit, see if that helps, but he's a naturally placid horse so I don't hold out too much hope."
"I guess so," June replied and thought a little deeper on the subject. Hyperion had gone well, but he didn't seem to come 'alive' at the shows like the other horses did. June was used to jumping horses that wanted to jump - not that Hyperion didn't, he was more than happy to cruise around the course, but he didn't seem to be all that fussed with it and that had June questioning herself as a rider.
"You did very well with Sandfire," Duo said with a grin.
June blushed. "Thanks, Duo. He's a good boy and really did jump well. I'm really proud of him."
"He's improved a lot to the last time I watched him compete. He doesn't seem to rush as much, in fact, he seemed very calm all the time he was jumping," Duo remarked.
"It's all that work over the grids Heero had us doing," June said. "We did so many of them I was starting to have nightmares of an endless line of jumps and Sandfire collapsing with the effort of it all."
"It did the trick," Heero said smugly.
"Yeah, it did," June agreed.
"Well, whatever it was a second place on him was great," Duo said. "I think we should have a celebration when we get back home."
"Celebration?" Heero raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, to the successful end of this season and an even better one next year."
"I think that's a great idea, Duo." June gave the vet a warm smile.
"Heero?" Duo asked.
"Okay, I give in. We'll have a celebration-"
Duo gave a whoop, cutting Heero off.
"- once all the horses are stabled, fed and the goose-neck unpacked," Heero finished.
"Spoilsport," Duo huffed and poked his tongue out at his lover.
"Duo, you shock me to the core," June said and grasped at her heart.
"Eh?"
"I never thought you'd be the heartless type to want to celebrate before the horses are all fed and stabled."
"I don't have a problem with feeding and stabling the horses first, it's the unpacking and cleaning of the goose-neck I think could wait until tomorrow," Duo said with a grin.
"The unpacking and cleaning will be a lot quicker if we do it tonight," Heero interjected.
"How do you figure that?" Duo asked.
"Easy, there's four of us to unpack as Carl's meeting us back at the stables. If we wait until tomorrow, it will only be two of us."
"Point taken."
#
Carl had already opened up the stables and put all the feeds in by the time Heero, Duo and June rolled up in the goose-neck. Between the four of them it didn't take long to have all the horses brought in and rugged up for the evening. With the equines all happily eating, everyone pitched in to empty the goose-neck of all the gear and give it a clean out.
"Why is it that horses appear to wait until they're in the float and moving before they pass manure?" Duo questioned as he scraped another pile into the poop scoop. "They stand around for a while before being loaded up for the trip home so there's no reason they couldn't go before being loaded. It's like they have some sort of internal switch or something. I'm sure they must wait until they're on board and then say to themselves; 'Hey, I'm on the float and moving, must be time to cock my tail and pass a load'. I swear they do it deliberately," he continued to mutter as he scraped up yet another pile.
"You okay there, Duo? You seem to be muttering to yourself," June questioned as she brought the wheelbarrow to the ramp for Duo to empty the scoop into.
"Oh, just fine and dandy," Duo replied. "Just wondering why horses have to wait until they're inside the float before they crap everywhere. It's like they save it up all day and then let fly once they know they're going home."
June couldn't help it; she burst into laughter. "Duo, you can be such an idiot at times," she chuckled.
"I thought I was being perfectly logical," Duo huffed, but there was a twinkle in his eye. "Maybe someone should do a study on it sometime, see what results they get," he mused.
"A study on what?" Heero asked, having come to the goose-neck to help out with the cleaning and catching the tail end of Duo's words.
"Trust me, you don't want to know," June muttered.
"Just a study on horses and why they wait until they're in a float before crapping everywhere," Duo replied with a snicker.
"You're right," Heero said looking to June, "I don't want to know."
"Hey, you're the one that asked!" Duo shot back.
"I'm sorry I did," Heero said with a roll of his eyes. "You almost done?"
"Yeah, last pile going into the scoop now."
A short while later all the stable work was done and Heero slid the door across. The four walked leisurely through the raceway and up to Duo's cottage for their promised celebration.
#
"Thanks, Heero, Duo," June said as she made her way out of the cottage. "That was a lovely celebration."
"Yeah, thanks, guys," Carl seconded.
"You're welcome," Heero replied.
"It was just pizza and sodas, nothing special," Duo grinned.
"Ah, but we didn't have to cook it or clean up much afterwards; that's what makes it even better," June chuckled.
"Guess you do have a point there," Duo conceded.
"I'll see you on Tuesday morning, Heero," June said and waved as she started to walk towards the raceway that would take her back to the stables and her car.
"No problem, I'll be here," Heero replied with a smile.
"I'll drop by tomorrow after work," Carl stated and hurried to catch up to June.
Heero and Duo watched them head down the raceway before closing the door and returning to the kitchen. Heero began to pick up the dirty glasses and put them in the sink to wash whilst Duo collected the pizza boxes, placing the couple of left over slices onto a plate, wrapping them with cling wrap and putting them in the fridge. The empty boxes went into the trash.
Walking back inside, Duo snuck up behind his husband and wrapped his arms around the slender waist, his nose nuzzling into the back of Heero's neck. "God I love you," he whispered.
"Love you too," Heero replied and set the last of the glasses onto the drainer. Turning around he laced his arms around Duo's shoulders and leaned in for a kiss.
"You were so great out there today," Duo murmured, feathering kisses along Heero's neck.
"It was just a small show, Duo and we didn't do anything special," Heero murmured, tilting his head slightly to allow Duo easier access.
"I don't care, you rode so well and I was proud of you."
Heero could feel the blush rising on his cheeks, along with his arousal in his jodhpurs. "Mmmm, much more of that and I won't be responsible for my actions."
"Wanna do a little more riding?" Duo questioned pulling back and raising an eyebrow. A wicked grin teased at his lips and Heero had to swallow hard.
"I'm always up for a little more riding, Duo," Heero whispered out, his tone husky.
"That's good because I want to go riding with you."
"Ohh, Duo, the things you do to me."
"Mmmm, and I haven't even started yet," Duo murmured and returned to kissing just below Heero's ear, a spot he knew would have his lover squirming.
"Ah," Heero panted and tightened his arms around Duo. "Uh, we need to stop, Duo," he managed to breathe out, voice a little shaky.
"But I haven't even gotten going yet," Duo complained.
"That's why we need to stop now, in a few more minutes I won't be able to stop and I need to check the horses and lock up first."
"Ah," Duo replied and pulled back, realization dawning on him. "I'll come with you and give you a hand, then we can get back to more pleasurable pursuits," he murmured.
"Come on then, the sooner we lock up the sooner you can have your wicked way with me."
Releasing Heero, Duo took a moment to straighten his clothes before fetching his shoes and putting them on. Heero slid his feet into his boots and followed Duo out of the cottage.
#
"That's the last one for in here," Duo said as he stepped out of Angel's stable after hanging up her fresh haynet.
"Just the three outside ones and we're done," Heero replied, placing the three haynets on the ground before locking up the feed shed.
"I'll give Comet hers whilst you do Hyperion and Sandfire," Duo said and picked up Comet's haynet.
"I'll be with you in a minute then," Heero replied, picking up the other two haynets and exiting the stable block. Duo walked off towards the paddocks where Comet was, leaving Heero to lock the stables and give the other two their nets to munch on.
"Good boy," Heero said and patted the chestnut's neck after hanging up the haynet. He closed the gate behind him and began to walk down the raceway towards the cottage and Comet's paddock. With the mare close to foaling, he'd taken Duo's advice and left her out in the paddock now.
Duo slung the haynet over his shoulder and walked between the paddocks until he came to Comet's. The mare gave a soft whicker as he approached but remained standing under the tree by her feed bin.
Duo tied the haynet up to a limb on the tree and turned to look the mare over. He paused and squinted in the growing darkness. Moving closer his heart rate began to speed up a little as he took in her appearance. "Easy girl," he murmured and ran a hand down her neck. With the mare standing quietly, Duo ran his skilled hands over her flanks, a small grin appearing on his face. He pushed gently at the muscles on the top of her rump and finally lifted her tail. It wasn't easy to see in the approaching dark, but his eyes caught enough to let him know what was going on. Hearing Heero coming down the raceway he stepped back, gave the mare a pat to her neck and slowly walked towards the gate and his husband.
"Everything okay?" Heero asked as he reached the gate.
"Umm, yes and no," Duo replied cryptically.
"Eh? What's that supposed to mean?" Heero questioned with a frown. "There's nothing wrong with Comet, is there?" Thoughts of the EI Virus immediately sprang to mind and Heero did his best to quell the rising fear in his gut.
"No, there's nothing wrong per say." Duo gave a grin. "I'm pretty sure she's going into labor though."
"What?" Heero was stunned for a moment, his brain desperately scrambling to accept the words.
"You know, labor, giving birth, the patter of tiny hooves?" Duo teased. It never failed to amuse him how Heero always appeared to go into shock when one of his horses foaled.
"Shit!"
"No, Heero, she's not passing shit, she's passing a foal."
"Duo!" Heero smacked his partner on the back of the head. "I know what you said," he growled. "What do we do?"
"What we always do, my dear Heero. I go up to the surgery and get the supplies I might need, you stay here and panic," Duo replied and rubbed the back of his head.
Heero shook his head. "I'll go get a torch," he said, ignoring his husband's comment.
"Okay, I'll meet you back here shortly."
The pair set off in opposite directions, Duo to get the supplies he might need and Heero to fetch a torch along with a thermos of coffee and their jackets; he didn't know how long they would be out in the paddock for and didn't fancy shivering all evening as the temperature dropped.
#
Duo made it back to the paddock before Heero and checked Comet over again. He was happy with the way things were progressing thus far. Within five minutes, Heero joined him.
"How is she looking?" Heero asked, setting his supplies down on the grass but keeping hold of the torch.
"Like a mare that's foaling," Duo quipped.
"Duo..." Heero warned.
"Okay, okay, don't get your knickers in a knot. She's doing just fine, all appears to be on track. The rump muscles are starting to soften and the contractions are getting more frequent. I'd say we should have a foal within the hour."
"I wonder what it will be?" Heero mused, slipping his jacket on after handing Duo his.
"Hopefully breathing with four legs a head and a tail?" Seeing the look Heero was giving him, Duo thought he'd better stop with the teasing. "I don't know, guess we have a fifty/fifty chance of colt or filly."
"Another filly would be nice," Heero said softly. "I wonder what color it will be, if it will have any white markings?"
"Do you know what color Comet's sire and dam were?"
"No, I don't."
"Then I'm betting it could be gray, chestnut or a roan. Then again, I have seen bays and palomino's born to chestnut and gray parents," Duo mused.
"As long as it's healthy and Comet is okay then I really don't mind what sex or color it is," Heero stated firmly. "Shit, what's she doing now?"
Duo turned his attention back to the mare with Heero's panicked question. Comet was shifting and pawing at the ground. "I'd say she's getting close to delivering." Really, Duo thought, after having been present for three of his foals' births so far, Heero should be used to this. It was still quite amusing to Duo though the way his husband's anxiety and agitation levels went up.
Deciding to remain standing, Comet lowered her head and gave a soft grunt. Duo moved towards her, speaking softly and running a hand along her flank. Reaching her rump, he gently lifted her tail and took a look. "Feet are showing," he said quietly.
"Not much longer then?" Heero asked.
"Unless she gets into any difficulty we should have a foal in the next thirty minutes," Duo replied and shifted quickly as Comet suddenly decided she didn't want to stand up any more and buckled at the knees.
Both men moved around the mare, careful to stay out of her way, but close enough to see what was going on and be there should she require any assistance.
Comet strained a few more times, the tiny feet still encased in the amniotic sac, appearing a little more with each push. Heero stayed close to Comet's head, talking softly to her and encouraging her. Duo kept a careful eye on the business end of things. After another ten minutes of straining and not much more of the feet appearing, Duo decided it was time to intervene.
"Heero, I'm going to give her a hand." Before Heero could panic, he continued. "I'd say the shoulders of the foal are a little large and she's having a few problems pushing the foal out. Something like when Shini was born. I'd rather give her a bit of a hand now than wait any longer and possibly have more complications."
"Okay, Duo. Do what you have to. I'll stay here by her head and keep her calm, shall I?"
"Yeah, that would be great." Duo crouched down by Comet's rump and when the mare gave another push, he grasped hold of the tiny hooves, preventing them from sliding back in. There was quite a bit of resistance, the foal wanting to return inside, Duo holding on grimly and insisting the foal be born. A couple of minutes later, Comet strained again and this time Duo felt the shoulders pass through the pelvis and the foal start to come towards him with much less resistance. He let go of the hooves and moved back.
"The shoulders are through and she shouldn't have any further trouble," he informed his partner.
"Thanks, Duo," Heero said and then turned back to the mare. "Come on, Comet. Just another couple of pushes and your baby will be here," he encouraged.
Comet gave a grunt and strained again, this time three quarters of the foal slipped out and onto the wet grass. Duo came forward and grasped the amniotic sac, tearing it open and allowing the foal to take its first breath. Another shove and the hind end of the foal followed, the tiny animal giving a snort to clear the fluid from its nostrils and get the life giving oxygen into its lungs.
Immediately she heard the sound, Comet began a series of low rumbling whickers, the foal replying in kind as it recovered from the trauma of being born. Heero, along with Duo felt the prickling of tears behind eyes as they watched the miracle of birth.
The mare shifted a touch and extended her muzzle to the new arrival, instinct kicking in as she whickered and nuzzled the foal. In return, the foal shook its head and snorted, replying with small nickers of its own. Heero left the mare's head and moved slowly to stand by Duo's side.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Dunno, haven't looked yet." With a sheepish grin, Duo moved to the foal and pulled the sac from around its rump. Lifting the tail he took a quick look. Meanwhile, Heero was shining the torch carefully over the foal, trying to see what color it was and any white markings it may have.
"Congratulations, Heero. You have another filly," Duo said with a grin.
"Thanks," Heero replied with a smile. "I think she's going to be a chestnut too, with a couple of white socks on the front legs."
Duo stepped back to his husband and wrapped his arms around him, hugging him tight. Pressing a kiss to Heero's lips he let himself be lost in the moment of it all.
tbc...