Bandai holds the rights to Gundam Wing. Lucky them.

This is it – the final chapter of The Champions. If I get enough response, I might write a short sequel with the gang at the U.S. Arabian Nationals, but we'll have to see. The muses are leading in a different direction – you all who write know what I mean. Cheers.

Chapter Twenty-Two: We Are the Champions

"I can't believe its here," Middie said, gazing around with soft eyes at the Dover Country Club where their Prom was being held. Trowa stood beside her, resplendent in a tux he had rented, a faint smile on his face.

"I guess we should go in," Relena said and felt Heero's protective hand on the small of her back. She relaxed into his touch. He smiled down at her, an encouraging smile. It had been a rough month for her, but he had constantly been there for her. Duo took a step forward, his right arm around Hilde.

"Come on, gang. Let's party!" he said, and his excitement broke the nervousness. They laughed and entered the Club, and were momentarily dazzled by the display of flowers and lights that heralded the grand party for seniors and juniors.

This moment, this party, had been long in coming. The group of young people had been pushed through the emotional wringer and were just now starting to recover. Beyond the entrance lay the ball room, and they could see people slow dancing, entwined in each other's arms, some more so than others.

Quatre whispered to Dorothy, "May I have this dance?" and was rewarded by a sleek smile and a quick nod. They moved off to join the dance, and became a shimmering part of it, Dorothy's ice-blue sequined halter dress a shining beacon. Relena smiled as she watched them, happy that Quat was happy. They made a nice couple; it was easy to envision them in a New York paper's society pages.

Duo and Hilde made the move next, Duo glaring at several friends who were all eying the petite pixie he had on his arm. He held her close, smiling, cobalt eyes holding all the joy he had at being with her. Gretchen was divorcing Danial, and Hilde hadn't seen her father for the past month, much to Duo's intense relief. Her ribs were still sore, but she was riding every other day, staying in practice for the next show. She was determined not to let any injury slow her down. And Duo loved her all the more for her tenacious spirit.

"Mid?" Trowa looked down at the blonde he had his arm around, and his gaze softened. She smiled, flirtatiously, and nodded, eager to show him off to her friends. Her willowy gracefulness contrasted graciously with his lean, tall self-assurance, and several of her classmates took notice. Middie sweetly smiled at the other girls, but there was venom in her eyes, and they all backed their stares off. Trowa laughed a little and hugged her tight, loving the feel of her in his arms. She belonged there.

Heero watched their friends dancing and was glad they could all relax tonight. There hadn't been much downtime for any of them lately, and he knew they were all feeling the strain. He felt Relena shift beside him and squeezed her hand. "You ready, Honey?" he asked, voice low and soft. Since their trail ride, they had become even closer, even more dependant on one another. He'd been at her side when she faced down her mother, and surprisingly, Madeline had relented, a little. And Zechs had finally shown some support, telling his little sister not to worry about a new horse. Flash was getting better, and would probably be ready for the next year's show season.

"Not yet," Relena whispered and gazed steadily up at him, her gentian eyes lustrous with light. She admired his tousled chocolate hair, knowing he couldn't tame it more than it was, and loving that. And his Prussian eyes – she'd never seen such a deeper, more mysterious blue. They made her weak when he watched her like he was – like he wanted to devour her.

Heero wrapped her in his arms and began to sway slowly, gently, subconsciously hearing the music's rhythm. Relena relaxed, head on his chest, relishing just the feel of him, so solid, so there, her heart racing. He kissed the top of her head, wanting to taste her lips, capture her mouth, but refrained for now. There would be time later for that.

"Hey, the dancing's in there." A cruel voice interrupted their moment, and Relena flinched, making her boyfriend frown. She took a few short steps out of his arms and faced their antagonizer.

"Brent," she said slowly, his name like poison on her tongue, vile, distasteful.

"Wow, Relena." Brent's eyes raced over her body and back up to her face. "That dress will look great on my hotel room floor tomorrow morning." He grinned but there was only malice in the expression. He couldn't believe she wouldn't go to the Prom with him. Heero's blues flared with unparalleled fury and he stepped around his girlfriend, glancing at her just long enough to see her blushing embarrassment.

Brent opened his mouth and it couldn't have been more perfect. Heero's fist caught his opponent right in his pearly whites, breaking two of them and splitting his lip. Before Brent could even react, Heero grabbed him by the collar and slammed him into an unforgiving wall. He leaned forward until his eyes were millimeters away from Brent's.

"If you ever speak like that about her again, I'll break you. If you even ever so much as glance at her, let alone come near her again, I'll put you in the ground," Heero snarled, his eyes glittering pools of hate. Brent recognized the feral validity of his words and meekly dropped his gaze. Heero shook him once before letting go. "Get out of here," he ordered sharply. Brent nodded and left the building, wanting nothing else to do with Relena's date. And his mouth was in terrible need of pain relief, and a dentist.

Heero sucked in three calming breaths and looked at Relena. She was shaking a little, her eyes cast down, and she looked so frail... "Honey, look at me," he said, trying desperately to gentle his tone. He hadn't been this angry in awhile. "Baby, please," he added and moved to stand before her. He raised his hand to lift her chin and stared at the blood lightly staining it. But he wasn't going to apologize to her for hitting the guy. No one talked about his girl that way.

Relena looked up and saw him staring at his hand. "You're hurt," she whispered, and he looked at her, shaking his head a little. "Heero—"

"It was worth it, Honey. I won't let guys talk like that to you," he said, and his deep eyes reflected how serious he was. Relena's heart hammered as he leaned toward her, those Prussian blues darkening with stormy heat, his mouth descending like lightning—

"Hey, everything okay?"

Heero growled and backed off, shooting an icy look toward Duo, who met the glare with a narrowed look of his own. Relena swallowed hard and turned to her friend. Anger began to spark in her gentian orbs as she observed the scowl on his face. "Duo, we're fine. Brent was being an idiot and Heero took care of him," she explained, not trying to hide her irritation. She hadn't had as much time lately to spend with her boyfriend, and Duo ruining a sweet moment really irked her. Especially since she was pretty positive he'd done it on purpose.

"Sorry." Duo turned and walked away, and Relena sighed quietly. Whatever great visions she'd had of him and Heero becoming friends were dying a slow death. She knew Duo resented Heero for suddenly coming into their lives and sweeping her off her feet (literally, that day in the barn when Flash had stepped on her foot), but she couldn't hate her friend for feeling as he did. After all, she and Duo could very well have started dating if they hadn't met Heero and Hilde. And she knew Heero mainly disliked Duo because he felt the young man with the braid didn't trust him. And he was probably right to assume that.

"Honey?" Heero's voice was soft, and the hand he placed on her cheek even softer. "You okay?" He had wanted her Prom to be wonderful, but so far it'd been anything but.

"Yeah. I'm okay. Come on." She took his hand and led him toward the dance floor, determined to have a good time tonight. She saw Middie's questioning look and shrugged at her; she wasn't in the mood to explain what had just happened. Heero put his strong arms around her and pulled Relena close, his clear blue gaze discouraging any unwanted attention.

The slow song ended and swung immediately into a fast rock beat, and the couples broke apart. Relena laughed at Heero's head banging, especially when he and Trowa joined forces. Duo and Quatre were not to be outdone, however, as they mimicked playing guitars. The girls banded together to dance in their own circle, and Relena was glad that Hilde and Dorothy melded together so well with herself and Middie.

Two hours later, Relena was ready to leave. She had danced to nearly every song, dancing mostly with Heero but also with Duo, who had begged her forgiveness, and Quatre. Heero was ready to go too, wanting some privacy with his girlfriend. He should've known he wouldn't get it.

"So...I'm thinkin' food," Duo said, one arm around Hilde's shoulders. The black-haired pixie snuggled up tight against him.

"Yeah, us too," Middie said, leaning against Trowa. She saw Heero and Relena glance at one another and shook her head. "Oh no, you two. We're all together tonight."

"That's right," Quatre agreed with a smile. He knew Relena wanted alone time with her handsome horseman, but Prom was a special event, even if it was only their junior one.

Heero rolled his eyes and sighed, but did so internally. He didn't want to seem antisocial. Relena flashed him an apologetic smile and he gave her a quick kiss, showing his understanding. "Well, let's go get food," he said with a shrug.

"Where?" Dorothy asked, her voice friendly. Since becoming Quatre's girl, she had softened up, and they'd found that she was really quite fun and very spirited. And her social status made her a natural for being Quat's girlfriend.

"Steak and Shake?" Trowa quietly suggested, knowing it was one of Heero's favorite places. Heero nodded and turned for the door, one hand gripping Relena's. Everyone else followed them, agreeing to meet up at the restaurant. Heero opened Relena's door for her and helped her in, wishing they could just go for a drive and be together, alone. He was pretty sure the others wouldn't miss them that much.

"Is your hand okay?" Relena asked as they left the parking lot. Heero flexed it and gave her a reassuring smile.

"Yeah, it's fine. And like I said, it was worth it," he told her firmly as he shifted into second. Quatre's BMW raced by, Dorothy waving at them. Duo's Tacoma soon followed, but Trowa stayed behind them, content to get there last. "Honey, don't worry about it, okay? I'm fine."

"I know. I just wish it hadn't happened. Brent is just like Scout," she said, twisting her hands in her lap.

"What? You didn't like me defending your honor? Isn't that what the Duke would've done?" Heero's voice was filled with teasing laughter, and Relena giggled, nodding. "Besides, I don't mind protecting you. You should know that by now."

"Oh, I do. And it is romantic, don't get me wrong. But why tonight?" she asked, lamenting a little.

"Because he is an idiot, just like his cousin." Heero leaned forward slightly to turn down the radio. He glanced at his girlfriend, wondering about her sudden melancholy. "Baby, what's bothering you? Tell me."

Relena bit the inside of her cheek. "Nothing's really wrong, sweetie." At his accusing look, she added, "Okay, I guess I'm just down because the show season really picks up this month, and even though Flash's recovering well, I still won't be able to show." She looked down, hoping she wasn't sounding like a spoiled brat. Some of her classmates had given her the nickname "princess," that totally irritated her. She wasn't spoiled, no matter what certain people thought.

"Are you still going to the shows anyway?" Heero asked, hoping she said yes. He knew it would be hard for her, but he couldn't really fathom going himself unless she came along.

"Yeah. I mean, I want to be there for you and everyone else. And unless Zechs can get the ruling overturned, Middie won't be able to show either," Relena said, sighing. She smoothed her pale blue dress and tried not to think anymore about the shows. But that wasn't going to happen. She'd been showing since age six, and to have a summer of not showing was, well, unheard of.

"I'll let you take Windsor for rides while we're there so you don't get bored," Heero told her, his voice gentle. "I promise, it won't be too bad, baby." He wasn't sure if his concern for her was normal, since most guys his age dated as many girls as they could and didn't get attached to just one, but he didn't really care. Relena meant more to him than anything else.

"Thanks." She smiled and it was a real one, unlike most of them that night. Heero pulled into the parking lot, parked, shut off the Wrangler, and looked at her, his eyes searching.

"You're welcome. You sure you're okay?"

"I'm sure. Come on. If Duo gets in there first, there won't be any food left," she said, winking at him. They hurried inside and milled around with their friends before finally settling down enough to order. The few other customers there smiled at the young couples, enjoying seeing the tuxes and dresses. The group's conversations quieted while they ate, and then Duo brought up what to do next.

"Well, I don't know about tonight, but tomorrow I thought we could all go trail riding," Heero said, his quiet but firm tone taking attention. "I know a guy who has eight horses, and they're all really good," he added, seeing Duo's speculative look.

"Sounds fun to me," Dorothy said, glancing at Quatre. The blonde nodded his agreement.

"Okay, that's settled. For tonight – I say bowling!" Duo said, earning a glare from his date. "Aw, come on, Hilde. You can't be that bad!" he protested.

"She is," Trowa and Heero both said, and quickly backed out of reach of their feisty friend.

"Most places are closed, anyway, by now," Middie pointed out, trying to defuse the situation, even though she knew they were all kidding. Or, maybe not, judging by Hilde's stormy sapphire eyes.

"Horror movies?" Dorothy suggested, drawing everyone's gazes. "I have just about every one ever made, and my parents are on vacation."

"Scary movies and a beautiful girl to snuggle with? Where do I sign up?" Duo inquired, pressing his lips to Hilde's.

"Smooth, buster," she told him, trying not to laugh.

"Sounds good to me," Trowa said, glancing down at Middie, and she nodded. She could handle cuddling with her boyfriend all night.

"Movies it is. Follow us," Quatre said and escorted Dorothy out to his Bimmer. The other couples dispersed to their own vehicles to head out to the massive Catalonia mansion.

School would be ending soon, and their schedules would totally revolve around their horses and showing. This would be their last big reprieve from the stress and long hours, but they were ready for the hard work. Horses ran through their blood and made them their own little family, bonded together by a deep love for equines.

And even though they all still had everyday problems to deal with and get through, they knew they had each other to lean on and talk to. At the end of October, perhaps one of them would be the National Junior Champion in Kentucky, but they didn't dwell on that too much. Or at least, tried not to.

Because they all knew that life would go on after that, and they still had one more year of showing left. And in their young, free minds, they knew winning a big trophy didn't necessarily make them any more important. It only meant that for that one ride, for those few minutes, whoever won was on top of their game. And then life would go on.

But knowing this, and believing in each other and in themselves, made them all what they dreamed of being: true champions.

GUNDAM WING

A/N: And there it finally is. I hope the story was everything you expected it to be. I won't say it was all fun and games for me to write, because it wasn't. This story just didn't seem to want to happen very badly, but I'm glad it did, in the end. Thank you for your patience with lack of frequent updates, and thank you for all the hits and reviews. Currently, there are 2, 804 hits on it. Thanks again. You make me want to write. RL2