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

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

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Notes: All the information on showjumping, horses, etc is taken from my own knowledge of the sport having been a competitor and now judge for many years and is written from an Australian perspective. The rules and regulations are courtesy of the E.F.A Handbook. (Equestrian Federation of Australia) Should you have any questions just e-mail me.

 

Many thanks to Yami_tai for the title! *hugs*

 

 

"Equinity"

 

October. 2004 ShenLong

 

 

 

Chapter 35

 

Winter progressed steadily, the cold winds and rain playing havoc with Heero's riding time, not to mention driving him mad with worry every time Duo had a call out. He was always on the edge when Duo left to visit a case, his mind supplying him with all sorts of horrible scenarios, Duo running off the road with the blinding rain, another car ploughing into Duo's as it lost control in the wet weather. Duo had reassured his boyfriend that he was perfectly capable of driving in such weather but despite Duo's confidence and abilities, Heero still couldn't help but worry.

 

Hilde had teased the accountant mercilessly over his 'protective' streak and dubbed him 'chook' as she insisted he carried on like a mother hen at times.

 

The new vet had settled into the routine of the practice well and Duo had no qualms about leaving Hilde in charge whilst he enjoyed his time off. If the woman had a problem with a case she always came to Duo with it and sought his advice, even though Duo knew that in some areas of veterinary medicine Hilde had had more experience than himself.

 

Winter finally started to come towards its conclusion and the spring flowering bulbs began to push through the ground indicating that the warmer weather wasn't all that far away. With spring just around the corner the practice began to gear up in readiness for the rush of work that always accompanied the onset of the warmer weather. The few farms that resided in the district were expecting lambs and calves and Hilde couldn't wait to get stuck into the larger animal work. Duo had tried to warn her it wasn't all a bed of roses; that quite often it was dirty, smelly and damn uncomfortable but Hilde's enthusiasm never waned. She'd wanted to learn more about the larger animals and she was determined not to let anything dampen that desire.

 

Duo had her accompany him on a couple of larger animal call outs. One to a bull that needed 'ringing' and another to a cow with overgrown cleats on her foot. The bull ringing hadn't been too hard. The animal was still young and fairly docile. Duo had had no trouble injecting the local anesthetic into the tough nose and then once the area was numb he'd brought out the nose 'punch' and quickly punched the small hole through the cartilage and then threaded the ring through, securing the screw. The bull was okay, the farmer happy and a shiny new brass ring in the bull's nose meant he could be handled easily. Hilde thought it had all gone well and looked easy enough, Duo hadn't told her about the strength you needed to apply to those punches in order to get through the tough membranes of the bull's nose. He figured she could do the next one when it came in and find out for herself.

 

The cow wasn't as cooperative. One of the cleats on her foot had become overgrown and was curling up and outwards making it awkward and uncomfortable for her to walk. It was a straightforward enough case, simply trim away the excess horn, level up the cleat and the cow would be fine. That was in theory.

 

The cow had other ideas.

 

She didn't want anyone touching her foot and let it be clearly known. As it was a hind leg as well, which made it even harder. Every time Duo would grab the leg the cow would kick violently, the hind leg pistoning frantically with Duo hanging on for dear life and trying not to get kicked in the process. Eventually they realized that this approach wasn't going to work so Duo tried another trick. They took a series of ropes and managed to rig them up around the cow's fetlock joint, between the legs and over a large beam inside the farmer's barn. Now the cow could try and kick as much as she liked but it wasn't going to happen. After that it took Duo half an hour to trim off the excess horn and level up the foot. By the time he was finished the sweat was running off him and he distinctly smelt of bovine, the cow having chosen another way in which to convey her displeasure.

 

She'd cocked her tail.

 

Hilde had shared the ride back to the surgery with the windows wound completely down despite the frigid air outside.

 

Heero had immediately hustled his boyfriend into the shower upon arrival back at the surgery and then attended to the bruises and scrapes the vet had gained whilst treating the cow. Duo swore that the next cow case that came in the woman could take it regardless of what it was and discover for herself the joys of large animal practice. Duo was seriously looking forward to some simple cases of vaccinations and nail clipping, preferably on cats and dogs.

 

Heero was now well and truly at home in his office part of the surgery and had the area set up exactly how he wanted it. Duo found it much easier to ask Heero for a file or information than to try and locate it himself. Heero knew exactly where to put his hand on anything. Even Nrobbuts was behaving itself, something Duo found amazing. He still couldn't get the damn thing to work properly and he swore that he only had to look at the thing or make a move towards the mouse and it would instantly go blue screen on him.

 

To say Duo was happy to leave Heero to play amongst the files and electronics would be an understatement.

 

Scythe was getting larger by the day, her gut swelling out with the growing foal and Duo estimated the mare was roughly four to five weeks from foaling. Every night when the horses were brought in, Heero would check her over to make certain nothing was amiss. Duo checked her weekly and was happy with the progress of the mare and unborn foal.

 

Trowa and Quatre were regular visitors as well, always bringing a gift for Scythe, usually a bag of carrots. After the incident with Zero and the apple Quatre didn't dare bring another one within a ten mile radius of the stallion. He was sure that horse had apple radar. The inspector and animal shelter manager met Hilde and took to her immediately as did Hilde to them. The female vet had a naturally bubbly personality, similar to Duo's and you couldn't help but like her. She also had that soft, feminine touch which Duo discovered was a great asset to have in the world of veterinary practice. She had the knack of being able to turn even the surliest of clients into pussy cats.

 

Needless to say Hilde usually got the more difficult clients to deal with.

 

The guys didn't try to hide their relationship any longer around Hilde. The woman was smart enough to know how the world worked and what was acceptable and what wasn't. She made no reference or indications to their relationship during working hours, she was the complete professional. When they were together outside practice hours she was as comfortable with the two of them sharing their affections as she would have been with any other couple. It didn't matter one damn to Hilde that they were both guys.

 

It was the first day of spring, although you wouldn't have known it from the overcast skies and Heero went to check the mail box. He shuffled through the many envelopes and arranged them in stacks, those for Duo, the practice and any for himself. Once the pile was sorted he handed Duo's to him and began to go through the ones for the practice. They consisted mainly of bill payments, fliers for drugs or equipment or invoices. He sorted through them, placing them in the appropriate areas and then looked up as Duo came into the reception area a serious look on his face and letter in his hand. Hilde entered the building a few moments later ready for her morning shift and gave Duo a curious glance before turning her eyes to Heero who just shrugged.

 

"What's up, Duo?" Heero asked as he entered another payment into the computer.

 

"You remember the agricultural show I officiated at? The Salsbury one?"

 

"How could I forget?" said Heero flatly, it had been the one he'd had his fall at with Zero.

 

"This is a letter from Lady Une, the organizer. She wants to know if I will officiate again this year."

 

"That's good, isn't it?" said Hilde as she hung up her jacket.

 

"Yeah, it's good but..."

 

"What's the problem?" asked Hilde.

 

"Heero?"

 

"Hai?"

 

"You were planning on entering the show again this year, weren't you?" Duo turned his gaze to his partner.

 

"Hai. I've got the entry forms in the house. I was going to take Zero and finish off the season with that show. I haven't sent them yet though. Why?"

 

"If I officiate again it means I won't be able to help you like I usually do at the shows."

 

"Aa." Heero knew how much Duo loved going to the shows with him and helping him out with Zero. Heero also enjoyed having Duo there with him, the vet seemed to bring out the best in Heero and he always felt he rode better when the vet was there to offer support.

 

"Bull shit!" said Hilde.

 

"Pardon?" Duo turned to look at the woman.

 

"There's no reason why you can't still help Heero."

 

"How can I when I'm the vet on duty?"

 

"Simple. Geeze, don't you guys have any brains?"

 

"Huh?"

 

"Can I have a look at the letter, please?"

 

Duo handed the letter over to Hilde who quickly read it. "Duo, all it says is the organizers would appreciate it if the Maxwell veterinary Practice would be the vet on duty for the duration of the show. It doesn't state you specifically."

 

"I don't follow," said Duo.

 

"The show is on the Sunday in three weeks time, correct?"

 

"Yes."

 

"The practice is closed other than emergencies on a Sunday, right?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Then write back to the woman and tell her that the Maxwell Veterinary Practice would be happy to provide a vet on duty for the duration of the show and that the vet will be me." Hilde gave Duo a smug look.

 

"Hilde, you're a genius!" said Duo and gave the woman a hug. "You sure you wouldn't mind doing it?"

 

"Of course I don't mind,” snorted Hilde. "It will be fun. At least I will be getting VIP treatment, lunch, refreshments and such, not reduced to sandwiches or that take away van stuff like you two will be."

 

"Bitch," stated Duo.

 

"And proud of it," retorted Hilde with a grin. "Go on, get Heero to write out your reply and tell her that I will be officiating in your stead as you have a previous engagement that you cannot get out of. That way the show will have its vet, Heero will have his groom and you will have peace of mind to chew your fingernails without feeling guilty."

 

"I do not chew my fingernails!" huffed Duo.

 

"Sure you don't," teased the woman.

 

"Makes sense to me," said Heero from his chair where he'd been listening in. "I can draft up a letter this morning and give it to you to okay. If it meets your approval, all you have to do is sign it and I'll post it when I do the mail run into the village later on."

 

"Okay. If you two are sure about this," said Duo.

 

"More than sure," said Hilde with a smile.

 

"Ditto."

 

"All right then. Go ahead and type up the letter, Heero. I'll take a look at it afterwards and then you can post it." Duo took the show committee's letter back from Hilde and handed it to Heero so he knew who to address the reply to. "Come on, Hilde, we have a shit load of appointments to get through this morning."

 

"Right behind you, oh fearless boss," snickered the female vet.

 

Duo rolled his eyes.

 

* * *

 

The letter was duly typed up, signed and sent. Duo received a reply from the show committee three days later accepting and confirming that Hilde would be the vet on duty at the show. Entry passes were also sent along with an outline of the day's activities and the role they requested Hilde play during the event. Duo had given Hilde as much information as he could based on his own experiences as vet on duty the previous year and the woman seemed happy enough with the arrangements.

 

Heero sent his entry form off and had received his receipt and copy of the program. His class wasn't due to start until one in the afternoon which meant they could go to the show mid morning and have plenty of time to get Zero ready.

 

Heero had entered the gray in the same class as he'd had his fall in the previous year. The open AM3 event. The fences would be roughly four to five feet in height with anything up to a six inch increase for the jump off.

 

Heero was looking forward to laying his demons to rest.

 

Duo was hoping he would survive the experience.

 

Hilde was contemplating opening a 'book' on the pair to see who cracked first.

 

* * *

 

The Friday prior to the Sunday of the agricultural show rolled around and Heero had just finished working the stallion. Duo was watching from the safety of the trees, acting as assistant and putting the various jumps up as Heero asked. Scythe was dozing underneath a tree on the other side of the fence, her belly now huge with the unborn foal. From time to time she shifted her weight, resting one hind leg then shuffling to rest the other.

 

Duo kept watch on her out the corner of his eye. There was a niggling feeling in the back of his mind but he chose to ignore it for the moment, concentrating on Heero and the way that the gray was going. Despite having had a short rest and only being back in full work for a couple of weeks, the gray looked magnificent. His muscles rippled hard beneath satiny skin, his coat shone with good health and feeding and the animal's eyes were bright and alert. Since his return to full work, Zero's leg hadn't given him any trouble and Duo wanted to make sure it stayed that way. There had been no hint of lameness after any of the other shows Zero had been to and Duo was confident that there wouldn't be any further trouble from the ligaments or tendons given the treatment and Heero's protective measures.

 

They were going to be hard to beat come Sunday.

 

"I think that will do for today," said Heero as he let the gray stretch out his neck and relax. "I'll take him for a bush ride tomorrow, that way he'll be fresh for Sunday." Heero brought the horse to a halt beside Duo and dismounted.

 

Absently Duo stroked the gray's sweaty neck.

 

"You okay, Duo?"

 

"Yeah, I'm fine, Heero."

 

"Got something on your mind?" asked Heero as he loosened the girth and ran the stirrups up.

 

"Not sure. I want to give Scythe a check over when we bring her in."

 

"Oh?" Heero turned to glance at the mare who was still dozing under the tree. "Something wrong with her? She looks fine to me."

 

"I've just got an uneasy feeling, Heero. I'd rather check her over and settle my mind, that's all."

 

"Okay, you're the vet," said Heero and leaned in to steal a kiss whilst Duo was distracted.

 

The kiss brought Duo's mind back to his boyfriend and he smiled. "You're going to knock them all for six on Sunday, Heero."

 

"Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," quoted Heero as he began to lead the stallion back to the stables. "I'll be happy if we get around in one piece."

 

"You will, and you will go through to the jump off and totally cream the opposition," stated Duo with a grin.

 

"Cream the opposition?" asked Heero as he removed Zero's saddle.

 

"Beat them, thrash the pants off them, leave them floundering..."

 

"I get the idea, Duo," said Heero dryly.

 

Duo snickered and reached for a brush to begin brushing down Zero.

 

The stallion was soon cleaned up, rugged and put into his stable. Heero fetched the feeds whilst Duo went back out to get Scythe who was waiting at the gate for him.

 

"How you doing, girl?" said Duo softly as he slipped the halter onto the mare's head.

 

Scythe nuzzled Duo's pockets, looking for carrots.

 

Duo produced one for her and she crunched it happily. "Ready for your dinner?" Duo opened the gate and led the mare through. The pair strolled slowly towards the stables, Duo watching out the corner of his eye the labored gait of the mare that was now heavily pregnant. He still couldn't get rid of that niggling in the back of his mind. Once he had Scythe inside her stable, Duo removed the rug and fetched his stethoscope.

 

Heero wandered over and hung over the stable door as Duo examined the mare. "What do you think?" he asked, chewing on a stalk of hay.

 

Duo bent over and checked the mare's udder. "She's really bagged up, Heero." [1]

 

"She started to bag up just over a week ago," replied Heero as he slipped inside the stable to take a look.

 

Duo slid his hand underneath and felt the mare's udder. It was hot to the touch. He looked again, studying the teats intently. "I'd say she's starting to get candles, Heero. [2] What do you think?"

 

Heero approached the mare's flank and peered underneath. "You're right," he replied and then straightened up noting the mare shifting her weight again. "How long do you think?"

 

Duo gave a sigh as he thought deeply and then replied. "Somewhere in the next twenty four to forty eight hours I'd say."

 

"Fuck!"

 

"Yeah." Duo scratched the back of his neck as he was apt to do when something was worrying him. It wasn't so much the mare foaling, it was her timing.

 

"What are we going to do?"

 

Now that was a good question. They had Zero to get ready for the show tomorrow, the gear to organize and the car to pack. If Scythe didn't go into labor until the Sunday there was a new set of problems. Duo and Heero would both be at the show. Hilde couldn't stay with the mare either as she was officiating as the vet on duty.

 

"I guess I will have to stay here with her if she hasn't foaled by Sunday," said Duo. As much as he was looking forward to going to the show with Heero, he couldn't leave the mare, his conscience wouldn't let him.

 

"If you don't go than I won't either," said Heero.

 

"Now, Heero, there's no need for the both of us to miss out on the show," began Duo only to be cut off by his boyfriend.

 

"No, Duo. If Scythe goes into labor I want to be here for her. She is my responsibility even if there won't be much I can do. I wouldn't feel right going off to the show and leaving you here by yourself to cope."

 

"I think I'm quite capable of delivering a foal, Heero. Besides, most of the time mares deliver by themselves without any problems at all and the first thing the owner knows about it is when they get up the next morning and find the new arrival."

 

"I'm not saying you're not capable, Duo. You're a damn good vet, the best, but I won't leave you and Scythe by yourselves."

 

Duo knew he was having a pointless argument. Heero could be so stubborn at times. Duo sighed. "I guess we will just have to wait and see. Only Scythe knows when she's going to foal so we may as well just play it by ear for now."

 

Heero wrapped his arms around Duo's waist. "I think that's a good suggestion. Come on, I'm hungry."

 

They left the stables after securing the doors and headed back to the house. Duo immediately set to work in the kitchen, preparing their dinner whilst Heero went up to the surgery to see how Hilde was doing with the evening consults and put the necessary paperwork onto the computer.

 

* * *

 

Saturday morning dawned cold but with clear skies. Heero was up and out of bed early, going down to the stables to check on Scythe. He'd paid a late night visit to the mare with Duo before retiring and found her comfortable and not showing any further sign of foaling. It was with mixed feelings that he slid the large doors open and wandered inside just after day break, not sure if he would find an extra animal or not. Zero greeted him with a soft whinny but he bypassed the stallion, giving him a gentle pat to the neck as he headed for the mare's stable. Anxiously he peered over the door.

 

Scythe was standing at the rear of the stable, her belly still full with the unborn foal. Heero gave a sigh. He didn't know whether to be pleased or disappointed. He shook his head and went to the feed shed to fetch the horses' breakfasts and put the animals out in the paddock.

 

Having put both horses out, Heero returned to the stables to find Duo already there and cleaning out Scythe's stable. "Still nothing," said Heero stating the obvious.

 

"I gathered that much," replied Duo with a smile. "If she had foaled you would have been back in the house in record time to wake me up with the news."

 

Heero laughed. "You're right, I would have." He turned and picked up the full manure bucket and took it outside to empty and then start on Zero's stable.

 

"When do you plan on taking Zero out?" asked Duo as he fetched both horses' water buckets.

 

"I thought I'd take him out in the bush this afternoon. I can spend the morning after consults sorting through the gear for tomorrow, that's if we're still going."

 

Duo gave a sigh. "Heero, we are still going to the show, even if it's only you. Let's get everything ready anyway. The way I see it if we have the car packed then we are ready for either circumstance. If Scythe should foal now everything is ready for the show. If she doesn't foal and we stay here then it isn't going to take much to unpack the car."

 

"You're probably right," replied Heero as he leaned the rake up against the wall.

 

"Scythe's not going to foal until she's good and ready to, she doesn't give a shit about shows, timing or anything else. This is Mother Nature at work here, Heero, and she won't be rushed for anyone."

 

Heero gave a smile. "I know. I'm just anxious. I want to compete and yet I don't want to leave Scythe if she's on the brink of foaling."

 

"That's understandable. You're concerned, Heero. Any horse owner would be the same."

 

"I thought it was supposed to be the father that got all worked up and paced the floor when his partner was in labor, not the owner. Look at Zero, he doesn't seem to give a damn!" Heero nodded out to the paddock where Zero had his face buried in his feed bin not caring about anything other than the food in front of him.

 

Duo burst into laughter. "Oh, Heero," he chuckled and shook his head. "Come on, let's get some breakfast then you can go for your ride whilst Hilde and I do the morning consults."

 

The pair left the stables and went back to the house, Duo still laughing and Heero on edge.

 

* * *

 

Heero took the stallion out for a ride later that morning, by the time he returned the morning consults were finished and Hilde had gone home. Duo was in the house finishing up some chores when Heero stepped inside. They ate a quick lunch together before heading back outside and to the stables to sort through the gear Heero would need the next day. It was a part of going to shows that Duo enjoyed. Going through the different bits of saddlery, filling up the haynets, getting the water bucket, brushes and other seemingly endless items together.

 

They would pile everything in a heap in the middle of the floor then sort through and pack it all away into respective carriers and then try to fit it all into the car; no mean feat in itself with the amount of stuff Heero liked to take. Spare bridle, spare girth, spare stirrup leathers... Duo teased his boyfriend about the amount of 'spares' even suggesting that maybe he should take a 'spare rider'.

 

Heero had not been amused.

 

Duo was even less amused when Heero told the vet that Duo could be the 'spare' rider and jump Zero for him.

 

With the gear finally sorted out, Duo began the task of carting it out to the car and getting it packed away. He'd just managed to get the water bucket squished in alongside the spare haynet when he heard a whinny from the paddock. He peeked out from inside the boot of the car and strained his eyes to see the horses in the paddocks. He could make out Zero but couldn't see Scythe. He frowned and looked again, moving to the side of the car and scanning the paddocks. Then he saw her. She was over the far side by the large tree and alarm bells began to go off in Duo's head.

 

Without waiting to shut the trunk of the car, Duo turned and sprinted for the stables, yelling for Heero at the top of his lungs. "HEERO! Quick," he screamed as he charged into the stables and straight for the small drug room.

 

Heero looked up in alarm as Duo yelled for him and spun around as the vet came belting into the stables and straight into the drug room. "Duo? What's up? What's wrong?" he called as he headed for the drug room, his brows knitting together.

 

Duo came flying out of the drug room, a couple of bottles clinking in his pocket, the tip of the plastic cover of a syringe visible and stethoscope slung around his neck. "Scythe, I think she's foaling," he gasped out. "Come on, not a moment to waste."

 

Heero didn't need any further explanation; the words `Scythe' and `foaling' in the one sentence were enough to have him motivated and his feet running for the paddock, hot on Duo's heels.

 

The pair crossed the gravel driveway in record time, they sprinted across the paddock until they could see Scythe ahead of them, only then did Duo slow his pace to a brisk walk. "Don't want to startle her," he said quietly. "Heero, have you got her halter and lead rope?"

 

"Iie, I didn't think to grab it."

 

"Would you mind fetching it from the gate, please?"

 

"No problem." Heero turned around and shot off in the direction of the gate and the mare's halter. He grabbed it from where it hung and took off back across the paddock to where he could see Duo approaching the mare. Heero slowed to a walk as he got closer, noting that Duo was now at the mare's shoulder and talking in a soothing tone to her.

 

Duo approached Scythe carefully, talking softly to her to alert her to his presence. "Easy, girl, it's only me, I'm not going to hurt you, just want to check you out, that's all."

 

Scythe turned her head a little and saw Duo out the corner of her eye. She gave a low wuffle and then tensed as another contraction passed through her system. She didn't know what was happening, she wasn't in any pain as such, more like discomfort as her belly began to contract on a regular basis. Her instincts told her something important was happening but she didn't know what. She was scared. When the nice human showed up and began talking to her she wuffled her relief at seeing him. The gentle hand on her neck and shoulder reassured her that now that this human was here things would be all right. She pressed her muzzle against Duo's outstretched hand, seeking comfort.

 

"It's okay, Scythe. I'm going to take care of you, girl," said Duo softly hoping that Heero would hurry up with the halter. He needed to examine Scythe and he couldn't do that without her being restrained. He also sensed the mare's unease and knew that Heero's handling skills were going to be extremely useful right now. He heard Heero's soft footsteps coming up behind him and breathed a sigh of relief.

 

"How is she?" asked Heero as he approached and then slipped the halter onto the mare's head, buckling it up and petting the horse.

 

"Not sure. I need to check her out more fully. Can you hold onto her and reassure her whilst I carry out my examination, please?"

 

"No problem." Heero began to talk in low tones to the mare, stroking her ears, face and petting her gently. The trust she had in her eyes made his heart melt. After all she'd been subjected to in her past, the starvation, the neglect, that she could still find it within her heart to trust humans had Heero in awe of her. He continued to talk to her whilst Duo removed her rug and then got busy with his stethoscope and hands.

 

Duo listened to Scythe's heart rate, her breathing and checked her membranes. Then he ran his hands over the swollen belly, feeling the tautness of the skin and occasional tremble of muscle. Her udder was more swollen than it had been the day before and milk dripped freely from the teats. Moving to Scythe's rear end, Duo lifted the mare's tail and noted the relaxed state of the muscles. He checked the larger muscles of her rump, they too were loose and dipping in. Lastly Duo took out the lubrication from his pocket and applied some to his arm. Gently he slipped his hand and wrist inside Scythe's vulva, moving slowly as his hand felt along the passage. His face suddenly lit up into a grin and he removed his arm.

 

"How is she?" asked Heero anxiously from Scythe's head.

 

"She's definitely in labor, Heero. The muscles have all dropped and relaxed in preparation for foaling."

 

"How long?"

 

"Hard to say, but I don't think it will be much longer. I could feel the foal's front feet in the vaginal passage so the cervix has dilated quite a bit."

 

"What should we do? Should we take her inside to the stable? Fetch her a feed?"

 

Duo chuckled. "No, it would be best if we leave her out here in the paddock, Heero. She's comfortable enough at the moment and if we need anything at all we can easily get it from the stables. It's best to sit back and let Mother Nature take its course."

 

Heero looked frustrated to say the least. Patience and waiting had never been one of his strong points. He didn't know how Duo could remain so calm.

 

"Unclip the lead rope, Heero. Let her go and wander around a bit. We can sit here, watch and wait, okay?"

 

Nodding, Heero did as Duo suggested and then sat on the grass as the mare wandered a few steps away and lowered her head to graze for a moment. "How can she be so calm?" he thought out loud.

 

"Can't answer that one, Heero. I'm a vet, not an animal psychologist," smiled Duo and then dropped to the ground behind his boyfriend. Duo let his hands fall to Heero's tense shoulders and began to massage them. "It shouldn't be too long, Heero. Most mares tend to drop the foals within a half hour of the feet arriving at the entrance to the vulva."

 

"Aa." Heero closed his eyes briefly and relaxed into the massage. It felt good. They stayed like that for ten minutes then noticed a change in Scythe. The mare had stopped her grazing and gave a couple of low grunts and strains. Both men were on their feet immediately.

 

"What's happening?' said Heero.

 

Duo walked quietly to the mare, speaking softly as he approached and then laid a hand on her flank. He managed to grab Scythe's tail and pull it aside as the mare grunted again and her belly tightened. "Heero, over here please." Heero was there in a flash. "Don't put the lead rope back on but stay at her head. Reassure her, pet her and talk to her. If she wants to walk around then let her, just follow and keep soothing her, okay?"

 

"Hai." Heero approached Scythe's head and did as Duo asked. Scythe rubbed her face against his chest and then grunted again.

 

"Feet are here," said Duo quietly.

 

Heero could feel his excitement mounting and continued to praise the mare. "That's it, Scythe, good girl. You can do this, Duo and I are here to help you."

 

Scythe gave another grunt and then moved off to the left, Heero and Duo following but staying out of her way. Heero could clearly see a pair of tiny hooves poking out but couldn't determine the color as they were still encased in the amniotic sac. Scythe gave a low whinny and stopped to paw at the ground. Across in the other paddock Zero began to walk the fence line, calling out from time to time.

 

"Now he acts like an expectant father," muttered Heero.

 

Duo laughed. "Oh, shit, look out, Heero." Duo grabbed Heero's arm and pulled his boyfriend to the side as Scythe buckled at the knees and lay down. "Not long now," he stated. They both stood to the side and watched as Scythe began to strain, the little hooves pushed out a bit more and then slid back inside.

 

The process was repeated over the course of the next fifteen minutes; Scythe would strain, the hooves would slip out a little further only to slide back in as the contraction eased. Duo began to frown as he watched the drama unfolding. He had an uneasy feeling in his gut. After another ten minutes passed without the little hooves gaining any ground, Duo thought it time to intervene. Scythe was sweating and getting nowhere fast.

 

"Heero, go by her head and talk to her. The foal is stuck and she's going to need some help to deliver it,' said Duo as he prepared to help the mare out.

 

"What are you going to do?"

 

"I'm going to grab hold of those front feet and pull as she strains. I'm guessing that the shoulders are a little large on the foal and it's stuck in her pelvis. She won't deliver normally if we don't help."

 

"What if you can't help by pulling?" asked Heero.

 

Duo looked at his boyfriend. "I'm not even going to think about that scenario, Heero. Come on, she should have had this foal out fifteen minutes ago, the more she strains the weaker she's getting and I need her to help push."

 

Heero went to Scythe's head and fussed over the mare. He could see the fright in her eyes and did his best to reassure her. Scythe was really scared. She was straining and pushing as her instincts and hormones told her to but nothing was happening. Why she was straining she didn't know but she did know that there was some reward at the end of all this. She grunted and tensed again as another contraction rolled through her.

 

Duo settled himself behind Scythe, careful to keep out of the way of the mare's hind legs as much as he could. The tiny hooves were still sitting on the edge of the vulva and as Scythe gave another push so he could see the muzzle of the tiny foal resting on the forelegs. Quickly Duo grabbed the front hooves and held on as the contraction eased and the foal went to slide back in. As another contraction happened so Duo braced himself and began to pull.

 

The pair continued for a full five minutes; Scythe pushing and Duo pulling with each push. Gradually the foal began to slide a little easier and Duo distinctly felt the slip as the shoulders came through the pelvis. Seconds later Scythe gave an almighty shove and the foal shot out to land in a slippery mess in Duo's lap.

 

"Yes!" cried Duo as he reached for the muzzle and began to tear the amniotic sac, pulling the membranes from around the foal's muzzle so it could breathe.

 

Scythe had rolled up a little and turned her head to investigate the sounds and smells coming from behind and to the side of her. She gave a deep throated wuffle followed by a series of soft grunts and edged her nose closer to the bundle that was still sitting in Duo's lap.

 

Heero couldn't contain himself. Tears shone in his eyes as he moved around to check out the newcomer. Duo began to ease the foal from his lap, pushing it towards Scythe who gave another heave and deposited the afterbirth in his lap as a replacement for the foal.

 

"Yuk! Thanks a lot, Scythe!" Duo looked down at his ruined clothes and sighed. He managed to push the afterbirth off himself and move away a bit, giving the mare a few moments with her newborn. Heero came to crouch beside him. "Congratulations, Heero. You're a granddaddy."

 

Heero couldn't get the silly grin off his face. "Is it a colt or a filly?"

 

"Dunno, I hadn't looked yet," replied Duo and then eased forwards to pull the sac from off the remainder of the foal's body.

 

Scythe was busy licking away, deep rumbles coming from her chest as her mothering instinct kicked in. She was delighted with the result of all that effort and was quite astounded at what she'd produced. The tiny foal gave a couple of snorts and little whinnies, Scythe answered them with her own throaty calls.

 

Duo managed to pull off most of the membranes and carefully lifted the foal's tail to see if he could find out the sex of the baby. He grinned and turned to Heero. "It's a colt," he said and then moved away from the foal and mare.

 

"A colt?" Heero stood in a daze for a moment staring at the mare and foal. "A colt..." he murmured.

 

Duo stood next to his boyfriend and the pair of them watched the warm scene before them before Heero suddenly grabbed Duo in a bear hug, almost crushing the vet before he kissed Duo senseless.

 

"We have a colt, Duo," he laughed. "A colt!"

 

"Yes, I know, Heero," replied Duo with a touch of amusement.

 

"I have to go tell Zero he's a daddy," said the excited accountant and with another kiss to Duo's lips, Heero tore off in the direction of Zero's paddock calling out to the stallion as he went. "Zero! You're a father, you have a son!"

 

Duo shook his head and smiled as he watched Heero's enthusiasm then he turned his attention back to the mare and foal that were clearly getting to know each other. He still had to check that all the afterbirth was there and intact and then he would need to check Scythe out internally to make sure she hadn't torn and then there was the foal to check as well; but for now it could all wait.

 

Duo sat back down and simply lost himself in the euphoria of mother and baby and the miracle of birth.

 

~ * ~

 

tbc.......

 

 

 

[1] Bagged Up: When a mare gets closer to foaling her udder begins to produce and fill with milk ready for the foal; horse people call this 'bagging up'.

 

[2] Candles: Usually as the mare gets to within 48 hours of foaling the milk in her udder begins to drip out. As this first milk is thick and rich it tends to gather around the teats and solidify forming a waxy, white deposit similar in appearance to the wax that dribbles along the sides of a burning candle.