Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Cowboy ❯ Chapter 35 ( Chapter 35 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

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 don't own the song 'Rodeo' either. It belongs to Garth Brooks and as such all rights remain his. This fic is based loosely on the lyrics. Written for pleasure not profit.

Pairing: 2x1x2, past 1xR (sorry!) 3x4

Rating: NC 17

Warnings: Angst, fluff, sap, yaoi, Lemons, Lime, AU

Summary: Heero is a rodeo rider, the best on the circuit and looks set to remain there until an up and coming young cowboy appears on the scene.

AN: This fic is based loosely on the lyrics of 'Rodeo' by Garth Brooks - although it is not a song fic.

Dedication: To my lovely beta; Sakura for giving me the plot bunny and for all her hard work in editing my stuff. (No easy feat!) Thanks hun! You're the best!

gCowboyh

October 2010 ShenLong

Chapter 35

[Itfs the ropes and the reinsAnd the joy and the painAnd they call the thing, Rodeo
Rodeo ? Garth Brooks]  


Duo practically had to force his legs to keep moving, his pace slowing considerably as he moved along the back of the chutes where the broncs were waiting. Spotting Charlie up ahead, he took another deep breath and did his best to bury his nerves.

Walking just to the side and slightly behind Duo, Heero couldn't help but notice the slowing pace and a soft tremble pass through his boyfriend's body as they neared the chute where Reaper would be waiting. It was tearing Heero apart inside, watching his usually confident, if not a touch cocky partner, reduced to this nervous state. Fully understanding his partner's reactions, Heero did his best to press a little closer and offer what support he could.

gI've double checked the rig and no one has been near the chute or the horse,h Charlie informed Duo as he arrived.

"Thanks, Charlie.h With the rig confirmed to be perfectly fine and fitted properly, Duo knew the only reason he would come off the bronc now would be through his own inability to stay with the animal.

"If you do come off, promise me you will run like hell,h Heero said softly.

Turning to meet the concerned blue eyes, Duo mustered up a grin and replied, gHeero, if I come off I'll be running on air.h

Heero grinned back. This was more like the Duo he knew and loved. gAnd I'll be waiting there to haul you over the rails,h he promised.

Another figure appeared beside them and the cowboys looked up to see Zechs standing there.

gZechs,h they both greeted.

"Hey, guys. I was just coming to have a quick look at that bronc and wish you all the best for your ride, Duo,h Zechs replied to them.

Zechs turned and cast his professional eye over the black demon.

Not having had the chance to locate Treize and speak with him regarding Reaper as yet, Heero thought he may as well ask Zechs what was going on with the horse. gZechs? I thought Treize was going to remove Reaper from the string?h

The blonde vet turned back to the pair. gHe decided to turn him out for a couple of weeks to see if that would improve his temper. This will be his last chance. If he still proves himself to be nasty and vicious, Treize will have him put down.h
gI thought the rodeo board would have put a cowboy's life at a higher priority,h Heero snipped.

"The rodeo board does have the cowboy's safety and well-being uppermost; but you have to see it from their point too, Reaper is a major draw-card. As I just said though, if this bronc displays any sign of attacking a cowboy again, he will be destroyed.h

"Guess that's one consolation,h Duo muttered.

Heero wasn't happy, but he had no choice but to accept the board's decision. Unfortunately, it would be Duo's life at risk out there and Heero didn't want his lover to be hurt again, regardless of what the outcome for the bronc would be.

gDuo? You need to get on,h Charlie interrupted.

"Yeah, I'm coming,h Duo replied. He turned to Heero. gI'll see you in a few seconds.h

"I'll be right here,h Heero promised. gGood luck.h

"Thanks.h Duo left them and approached the chute. He could see the black devil shifting restlessly inside and paused to look at the horse for a moment. Reaper still looked mean, a touch of white showing around the edge of his eyes, ears spending more time back on his skull than anywhere else.

Knowing it was now or never, he tried to swallow past the dryness in his throat. With slightly shaking hands, Duo began to climb up the spars until he was at the top and straddling them, beneath him the black back awaited. Carefully he lowered himself down, keeping his legs to the side as he knew the bronc would try to crush him against the side of the chute if given the chance.

As his backside settled onto Reaper's back he felt the muscles ripple as the horse's anger began to mount. With his braid down the back of his shirt, he kissed his cross and sent a silent prayer to any god listening that he would come through this in one piece - preferably still alive.

Reaper snorted and rolled his eyes, a front hoof began to paw at the ground and he shifted restlessly in the chute. His back began to hunch up a touch as the cowboy's weight settled on him.

Duo worked his gloved hand into the webbing hold, pulling at the rig until the rope was as tight as he could get it. He flexed his fingers and clenched them tight. Once the chute opened he would only have a split second to get his legs lowered and knees jammed in hard against the bronc's sides.

gReady?h asked Charlie.

"Almost,h Duo replied. Butterflies were migrating madly in his stomach, to the point where Duo thought he was going to be sick. His body felt cold and clammy and yet he was sweating up a storm. Putting a lid on his fear and forcing his heart to slow down a bit, Duo wedged his hand in tighter, closed his eyes for a second and pushed everything to the back of his mind. 'It's just another bronc, it's just another bronc, it's just another bronc,' he repeated to himself silently.

'Like hell it is! Who the fuck are you trying to kid?!'  his conscience snorted back at him.

He opened his eyes and gave the nod.

*

gStay close,h Quatre said to Wufei as they moved themselves into position in the arena.

"You don't have to tell me twice,h Wufei returned and made his way across with Quatre to stand close to the chute where Duo was settling himself onto Reaper. A few meters away, Trowa stood beside his barrel, eyes firmly fixed on the chute gate. The other rodeo clowns were also present and scattered discretely around the arena, each one of them just as determined as the other to help out the cowboy should the worst happen and Reaper turned on him.

On the grassed area, Meiran waited with baited breath. Wufei had given her a little more information on the black bronc known as Reaper and she was curious to see the animal for herself. Not that she doubted Wufei's words about how vicious and vindictive the horse was, she just found it difficult to understand what could have made an animal that way.

The commentator was giving a bit of a spiel on Reaper and also Duo, how the pair had ended their last encounter. Fortunately he didn't go into too much detail.

Meiran tuned out the commentator, her eyes sweeping over the arena and noting how close Wufei, Quatre and Trowa were in relation to the chute Duo was about to come out of. She couldn't see Heero anywhere and assumed he was most likely around the chute area somewhere. Her musings were cut off as the chute gate opened, the crowd roared and a black horse exploded into the arena.

*

The chute gate opened and Reaper reared, spun around and charged out. Once clear of the gate, the bronc put his head between his knees and went into a bucking frenzy. Hind legs shot into the air, touched down briefly and then pushed upwards again. As he bucked, Reaper twisted his back, adding an extra threat to his bucking.

Duo's hand was jammed as tight as he could get it into the rig hand hold, his fingers clenched tightly and his other arm waving in the air. The crowd cheered him on, urging him to go the eight seconds. Pain lanced through his arm and shoulder as the bronc jarred and jolted him in an attempt to dislodge him.

When the straight out bucking didn't work, Reaper changed tactics. He added a few spins to the bucks, pivoting rapidly as his haunches continued to piston into the air.

gFuck, that hurts,h Duo gritted out between clenched teeth as a particularly nasty jolt sent his muscles screaming in protest. Grimly, he hung on, legs moving back and forth with the rhythm of the horse and his bucks, blunt spurs egging the animal on and a torso let its displeasure at the rough treatment be known.

"Hang on, Duo,h Heero muttered as he glanced between the clock and his boyfriend. He willed Duo to stay aboard, prayed for Duo to have the strength to stay on for the time.

As the black demon bucked and spun his way across the arena, Wufei and Quatre shadowed him; close enough to help if needed, but far enough away that they wouldn't interfere in the ride. Trowa also followed the pair, his heart racing as he watched the drama unfolding.

Reaper reared up and once his front hooves hit the dirt, he crow hopped a few paces then went into another series of bucks and spins. With the cowboy still sticking to his back like an annoying insect, Reaper became even more enraged. His fury sparked more energy and with a loud snort, the black bronc exploded into a flurry of  bone jarring bucks.

gShit!h Duo groaned as his arm let him know it wasn't at all happy with him. He could feel the strapping pulling tight and doing its best to support his shoulder, a shoulder that was currently being pulled apart with the force of hanging on to the bucking animal. When Reaper let fly with a barrage of rapid bucks, not only did his shoulder protest, but his teeth clicked together hard, narrowly missing biting his tongue.

Duo was determined though, no way was he going to bail or get thrown. Once he departed company from the bronc he had no doubt the animal would turn on him. All he had to do was stick out the eight seconds and once Quatre or Wufei picked him up he'd need to hang onto them until they could drop him in the safety of the chute area and rails.

With a snort of anger, Reaper jackknifed, spun sharply to the left and tossed in a couple of bucks. Dropping his right shoulder he prepared to spin right and changed his mind at the last minute, spinning left again and throwing in another couple of sharp bucks.

That nearly ended it for Duo. He'd expected the animal to spin right so when Reaper suddenly went left again, Duo found himself slightly off balance. gFuck!h he cursed and jammed his knees tighter in an attempt to stop himself from being tossed off to the side.

Back on the grassed area, Meiran's eyes had widened as she watched the battle between man and beast. Now she clearly understood what Wufei had been saying earlier about this particular bronc. Even she could see the animal was a lot more vicious in its bucking than any of the others had been.

The bronc moved further into the arena and thus a little closer to Meiran. Her eyes watching the action, she hoped and prayed that Duo would be able to stay on for the eight seconds, if he didn't she shuddered to think what might happen to him.

The crowd around continued to cheer Duo on, the cowboy giving his all and staying with the bronc by sheer will power and skill. Reaper's bucking carried him further across the arena where Meiran got a good, close look at the horse.

A soft gasp let Meiran's mouth as she took in the black demon. Her eyes scanned over the horse, from the tips of his ears to the black of his hooves. A memory came forth and she eagerly compared the mental picture with the real one in front of her.

gRaven,h she whispered.

There was no doubt in Meiran's mind that the horse in the arena that was currently doing its best to rid itself of Duo and extract revenge was her Raven, the horse she'd trained and ridden, had her accident with all those years ago.

'But how the hell did he end up here?' she thought to herself. 'And what had happened to him to turn him into this vicious, vindictive animal she was witnessing now?' Those were questions she fully intended to get answers to.

A snort of anger left Reaper as the cowboy continued to stick to him. He bucked repeatedly, Back legs flying high in the air, front hooves biting deep into the arena surface. He jumped forward, twisted his back and threw in a savage buck, kicking out as he did so and causing him to jar heavily as his four legs came back to earth.

Clenching his teeth, Duo sat the bucks and twists as best he could, body tossed from side to side as his injured shoulder and arm repeatedly reminded him of their unfit state. When Reaper returned to the earth with a severe jolt and then followed with another series of bucks, Duo felt something in his shoulder tear. He bit back the cry of pain that wanted to leave and forced his hand to remain in the hold.

Reaper was getting more frustrated by the second. It didn't seem to matter what he threw at this cowboy the man just wouldn't budge. Two more bucks followed by several spins, another couple of bucks with added twists and a sudden rear up did do a little to aid his cause in removing the object of his annoyance.

"Shit!h Duo felt himself starting to slip to the side.

"Stay with him, Duo,h Heero cried out from his place on the top rail by the chutes.

"Almost time,h Quatre yelled to Wufei, the Chinese man nodding in reply and pushing Nataku a little closer to the black bronc.

Trowa moved himself and his barrel closer to the action, body tense and ready to jump forth.

The crowd were on their feet, all cheering madly as they watched the clock and the show Duo and Reaper were putting on for them.

Glancing at the clock, Heero held his breath.

"Now, Wufei!h Quatre yelled as the clock hit the number eight, the siren sounding a split second later. Both guys urged their horses forward to where the black demon continued to buck.

Duo heard the siren but refused to let his concentration waver for a second. This would be the most critical part of all. His free hand dropped to the webbing and he grabbed hold tightly, trying to relieve some of the pressure from his injured arm and shoulder. He could see Quatre coming at him from the left, Wufei approaching from the right and did his best to ease his right hand from the hand hold. Reaper continued to buck beneath him, jolting him around and making it harder for him to release his hand. In one way he was reluctant to let go, but if he didn't he wouldn't be able to leave the bronc's back and he didn't particularly fancy being dragged along whilst the horse was in this state.

Watching the drama in the arena, Heero noticed Duo's struggle to get his hand free and his heart shot into his mouth.

"Duo?!h Quatre called as he rode alongside.

"Hand's stuck!h Duo called back.

"Shit!h

Wufei had reached the other side of the bronc by this time and released the flank strap; Reaper didn't skip a beat, he continued to buck solidly.

Gritting his teeth, Duo gave an almighty tug, his hand coming free from the glove and leaving it stuck in the webbing. His left arm shot out towards Quatre who leaned close and grabbed him under the armpit. Quatre bodily hauled Duo from the bronc's back, Duo's left hand and arm coming to the back of Quatre's saddle and grabbing hold. Quatre turned Sandrock and urged the horse forward and away from Reaper.

Feeling the weight leaving his back, Reaper stopped his bucking and snaked his head around to see where the cowboy was. He spotted the dangling form at the side of the chestnut and immediately he propped and turned. Ears went flat against his skull as Reaper lunged forward in pursuit of the chestnut and the cowboy that had ridden him.

Wufei spotted exactly what the bronc was up to the second Duo left his back and he spun Nataku around, intent on chasing the maddened animal down and cutting him off. As he neared, Reaper let fly with a savage kick in Nataku's direction, the bay propping suddenly to avoid the kick connecting.

Up on the top spar by the chutes, Heero's eyes never left the arena and the dramas unfolding. Noting Reaper turning to come after Quatre and Duo, he took a deep breath and yelled with everything he had. gQuatre, Duo! Look out!h he screamed.

In his position of dangling precariously on Sandrock's side, Duo managed to turn his head slightly when he heard Heero yell out. What he saw turned his blood to ice. That black demon was heading right for them. gMove it, Quatre,h he called out to the pick-up guy. gThe devil is after us.h

Quatre took the chance to glance behind him. gFuck!h he exclaimed. With his ears flat back, nostrils flaring and showing the red insides, Reaper really did look like a demon from hell. gGo, Sandy!h Quatre cried to his horse and using his legs, he urged the quarter horse forward.

Sandrock had already heard the hooves boring down on him and wasn't particularly keen to encounter the other horse either. Powerful hind quarters dug into the arena surface and Sandy sprinted for the safety of the chutes.

The crowd had all fallen silent as they witnessed the display of an enraged bronc hell bent on getting to the cowboy that had ridden him and the rodeo staff just as intent on preventing that from happening.

Reaper was closing fast, his eyes fixed firmly on the cowboy hanging down the side of the chestnut. His mouth opened and he gave a roar of rage, back legs suddenly finding a little more energy and lunging the body forward.

Sandrock dropped his shoulder and pivoted in full gallop, Duo heard the snap of teeth as they just missed his hip.

With a snort of rage, Reaper spun around and shot forth again.

gHang on, Duo,h Quatre yelled to his charge.

"I ain't about to let go in a hurry,h Duo returned through gritted teeth. His right arm felt like chewed string, his ribs burning with the effort of keeping air in them; but if he were to let go a fate far worse awaited him.

Trowa could see that the pair weren't going to evade the black bronc for much longer, he looked frantically around for anything that might help the pair to get to safety. Aside from Duo being in danger, Quatre was too and Trowa didnft want his lover getting hurt by that beast either. Spotting the smaller corral gate beside the chutes, he sprinted towards it.

Nataku had recovered from the attempted kick and was rapidly homing in on the black bronc, Wufei intending to try and collide with the horse and knock it off balance, giving Quatre and Duo a little more time to get to safety. He heard Trowa call out and glanced to where the clown was running.

gQuatre! Over here,h Trowa yelled out as he swung the gate to the small corral open.

Seeing what Trowa was up to, Heero dropped over the top spar and into the chute. As soon as his feet hit the dirt he was running towards Trowa to give the clown a hand.

gBloody hell!h Duo cried out as Sandrock propped and turned again, Reaper's teeth just missing his backside.

"Sorry, Duo,h Quatre said, keeping his full focus on avoiding the bronc. Hearing Trowa's yell, Quatre looked across the arena to where his lover stood beside the small corral. He spotted Heero with him, the pair hauling the gate open. gHang on tight, Duo, this is gonna get rough,h he told the cowboy.

With Sandy going at a full gallop to avoid Reaper and the corral being a small one, there wouldnft be much room for the quarter horse to pull up in.

gJust get me outta here safely and I'll worship you for the rest of your life,h Duo called back.

Quatre allowed a small grin to grace his features.

Reaper screamed, propped and turned, hot on the heels of the chestnut.

gGo, Sandy! Go!h Quatre urged, pushing the horse with all he had. Sandrock was tired, he'd been working hard all day so far but somehow he managed to dredge up a little more energy and lurched forward. Quatre turned the chestnut towards the corral.

"Close the gate as soon as they pass through,h Trowa instructed to Heero. gAnd climb up as quickly as you can.h

Heero nodded, he couldn't speak right now, aside from the lump in his throat, his mouth was as dry as the desert.

Wufei's eyes were watching the action ahead very closely.  Watching Trowa and Heero open the small corral gate he understood what the other guys were trying to attempt. Seeing Quatre spin Sandrock around and aim for the corral, Wufei urged Nataku on faster.  Cutting across the arena he would pass behind Sandrock just as the chestnut would reach the corral; if he timed things right, he'd make contact with Reaper as the black tried to follow them. If Nataku could collect the black around the shoulder area it would knock the bronc either off course or completely off his feet. Wufei didn't really care what happened, just so long as he could get there in time. gFaster, Nataku!h he cried out to his horse, the bay responding gamely.

gOh, god,h Meiran screamed, watching the action taking place. She couldn't believe that Raven, the horse she'd so lovingly tended and ridden had turned into this mad creature. With just one thing on her mind, Meiran stood and was running for the staging area of the rodeo before she was aware her feet were moving.

Sandy's stride was eating up the distance between himself and the safety of the corral. Duo swung precariously off his side, Duo certain his fingers were that deeply imbedded in the back of Quatre's saddle that he'd never pry them loose. Quatre's arm was still around his shoulders, hand digging into his armpit and causing further pain to the already tormented muscles and tendons, but Duo didn't pay it any mind. He'd rather suffer through that pain than any pain the bronc would inflict if he caught up to them.

Hearts in their respective mouths, Trowa and Heero could do nothing but watch as Sandy bore down on them, Reaper hot on their tail and Nataku closing in from the side.

The chestnut could see the open corral ahead, the guidance from his master telling him this is where he was to go. Legs pistoned beneath the body, Sandrock pushing himself to his limits to reach that safety. Moments later they shot through the open gate.

Trowa and Heero sprang into action, shoving the gate closed between them and hightailing it up the fence and out of reach of the mad bronc. The chestnut tail disappeared into the corral, the gate swinging shut and cutting Reaper off. The black was traveling fast, very fast and didn't register the bay coming straight for him from his right side until the horse connected with his girth area.

Spurring Nataku on, Wufei knew they would get the timing just right. The gate swung closed, Heero and Trowa scaling the fence in record time as Reaper was almost upon them. Nataku collided with the black's girth and shoulder area, the force of the headlong gallop shoving the bronc clean off his feet and down to his left side. Nataku stumbled, fell to his knees and then regained his balance. Wufei was tossed around in his saddle but managed to hang on.

The wind was knocked out of Reaper as he hit the dirt hard, a loud groan escaping his throat. Legs flailed in the air for a moment before finding the arena surface and pushing the body back to shaky hooves.

Shooting inside the corral, Quatre leaned back with all his weight, pulling on the reins and trying to stop his horse.

Noting the rails coming up fast at him, Sandrock slammed the brakes on, his hind quarters dropping so low in the dirt they left deep furrows and sent a dust cloud into the air. Duo's feet connected with the ground as Sandy dropped his hind quarters to try and stop.

Unfortunately, Sandrock couldn't stop quite quick enough and his chest hit the rails on the other side of the corral, bringing him to a very sudden stop. Quatre was pitched forward in his saddle, face connecting with Sandy's neck and his hand releasing Duo. The sudden jolt pulled Duo's fingers from their hold on Quatre's saddle as his forward momentum continued. Duo also slammed into the rails.

Reaper shook his head and drew in a few lungfuls of air, his eyes scanned the arena but couldn't see the object of his torture anywhere at all. His anger still running through him, he turned and went after Nataku.

gOh, fuck,h Wufei stated, turning the bay and aiming for the larger, exit corral that was used to return the animals to their holding pens. gI suggest we shift it, Nataku,h he told his horse. The bay didn't need any encouragement, he hightailed it as fast as his legs could carry him to the corral.

The rodeo hands that had been stunned by the display that had just occurred, suddenly realized that Wufei was now in danger and realizing his intent, they sprang into action. Two cow hands clung to the rails beside the main gate, ready to close it up. Another two cow hands opened another gate inside the corral, one that would take Wufei through a narrow 'run' and into fork where two smaller corrals waited. They hoped Wufei would go one way and then they would close that gate, sealing Wufei off from the enraged bronc as Reaper would be forced to take the other 'fork' and end up in the other corral.

Nataku sped inside, Wufei spotting the cow hand waving to him by the smaller gate. He turned his horse and aimed for it. Shooting through the second gate, Reaper was closing in on them and Wufei had to slow a touch or risk very real damage to himself and his horse. Nataku negotiated the 'run', his Morgan heritage serving him well and giving him nimble feet when he most needed them. Noting the next cow hand up ahead, Wufei aimed for the gate and the bay galloped through.

Reaper found himself with nowhere to go, the gate before him cutting off his intended route in running that bay horse down. With no other option, he spun to the right and found himself inside another corral with no way out.

Heero and Trowa scrambled down from the rails and into the corral, both intent on getting to their partners.

gQuatre?h Trowa called, approaching the horse and his rider. Quatre was slumped forward in his saddle, Sandrock standing still with his head lowered and his flanks going in and out like bellows. Reaching the blonde, Trowa placed his hand on Quatre's thigh. gAre you okay?h

Turning his blue eyes to meet with the green of his lover, Quatre managed a shaky nod of his head. gI just wish the world would stop spinning,h he groaned.

Trowa reached up and partially dragged Quatre from Sandy's back, his eyes running over Quatre's body and appraising any damage. Other than the apparent shock setting in and a bruise appearing on Quatre's cheek where he'd connected with Sandrock's neck, Quatre appeared to be perfectly fine.

Slumping slightly against Trowa's strong form, Quatre turned his eyes back to his horse. gShit! Sandy,h he said and placed a soft hand against the quarter horse's shoulder.

gHe's okay,h Trowa informed, gjust a little out of breath but not hurt in any way.h

"Thank god. He was such a good boy.h Quatre gave the horse several soft pats. From the corner of his eye he spotted Heero with Duo. gShit! Duo, is he okay?h Tearing himself from Trowa's support, Quatre stumbled around his horse to where Duo sat in the dirt, Heero tending to his boyfriend.

Heero had jumped down from the rails and rushed to where Duo had collapsed, the force of the sudden stop into the rails having completely knocked the wind out of him. Kneeling beside his prone partner, Heero reached out and gently caressed Duo's cheek. gDuo? Duo? Can you hear me? Where does it hurt?h

Duo groaned and greedily sucked air back into his burning lungs, the effort causing another moan of pain to leave his throat. gFuck! Now I understand the term 'running into a brick wall', I don't recommend it at all, fricken' hurts like hell.h

gJeeze, Duo, are you okay?h Heero's concern showed clearly in his blue eyes. gHow's your shoulder? The ribs?h Gently he brought his hands forth to explore Duo's shoulder and ribs.

Still groaning, Duo pushed himself up a little to a half sitting position, it was a little easier to breathe that way. gI'm okay, Heero. Just shook up.h

Relieved, Heero leaned back on his haunches, noting the pain registered in those violet eyes with each breath his partner took. gYou frightened the living shit out of me,h he said softly.

gI scared the crap outta myself too,h Duo replied with a small grin.

"I think you should let the medic take a look at you.h

"Nah, I'll be okay. Just need the nerves to settle a bit and get the air back into my lungs. I'll be fine once you re-strap me and I take a couple of those pain pills.h

Heero wasn't at all convinced, but he held his tongue. The rodeo board would probably insist Duo be checked over by the medic anyway before allowing him to continue. Quatre came stumbling over to them both with Trowa in tow.

gYou okay, Duo? I'm so sorry about the abrupt halt,h Quatre apologized.

"I'm okay, Quatre and don't sweat it, it's not your fault. Actually, I'm indebted to you, you saved my life,h Duo said quietly, the horror of the entire experience settling into his recovering mind.

"I only did my job, looking out for you guys,h Quatre replied with a blush.

"Yes, you did, but you also went above and beyond the call of duty, Quatre. If you hadn't hung onto me and kept me away from that demon, I'm pretty sure I'd be decorating the dirt by now. That horse of yours certainly has a turn and some speed on him. Thank you.h

"He was a good boy, wasn't he?h Quatre beamed and promised himself he would be giving Sandy lots of apples tonight.

"You okay to get up?h Heero asked.

"Yeah, I'm feeling much better now,h Duo replied and took the offered hand. He winced a little as he was pulled to his feet and once there swayed a touch before his equilibrium settled. gWhere's Wufei?h

"He's over the other side in the small holding corral. I'm sure he will be here as soon as he can,h Trowa stated.

"I need to thank him too,h Duo said.

"Any thanks is going to have to wait a bit,h Heero muttered. gWe've got company coming.h Heero nodded towards the outside of the corral where a group of people were all approaching at a run.

Further conversation was cut off as the various rodeo officials, cow hands and other cowboys descended upon them.

~ * ~

tbc...

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