A/N - Thank you HEAPS for all the wonderful reviews. I am truly humbled by the number of folks reading this. Thank you!

Previously on Mongolian Blues

"Easy Captain," Jack said putting a hand on the canteen to prevent Sam from drinking any more. "We don't want you to..." his words were lost as Sam suddenly bent over, cried out at the movement, and then promptly threw up.

"get sick," Jack finished.

Jack reacted instantly, dropping the canteen and taking a step forward. He wrapped one arm around Sam's hips, while pulling slightly with his free hand on the loose-fitting t-shirt in an attempt to keep it clean. Luckily, Sam hadn't eaten much the night before, so there was little to come up besides the water. Every dry heave was agony to Sam, but thankfully it was over in less than a minute. Jack could feel her body shudder and relax as the last spasm ended.

"I'm done," Sam whispered hoarsely. She hated that she had put all of them into this situation. She needed to show the Colonel and her team that she wasn't some weak-ass damsel in distress and just suck it up and get the hell home. Then, maybe, she'd allow herself to feel a little self pity. Maybe.

"That's happened to the best of us, Carter," Jack said releasing his arms, while maintaining a close distance in case Sam wasn't too steady on her feet.

"Daniel, help me move Sam over to the log." With Jack on one side and Daniel on the other, the pair half carried, half led Sam to the impromptu 'chair' and lowered her down. Once seated, Sam began the odious task of moving her back from the slightly hunched over position to something more upright. She knew she was trembling, and hated how the Colonel felt the need to hover nearby as she painfully maneuvered her body into a more comfortable position.

"Well, that sucked." Sam's voice sounded far weaker than she would have liked.

"Sorry I didn't get the water away from you earlier, Carter," Jack said apologetically. "But on the plus side," he continued with a slight twinkle in his eye, "you usually only make that mistake once." Sam was feeling too miserable to roll her eyes, but recognized that the Colonel was probably right.

"Good to know, sir." Sam unconsciously wet her lips, and then chastised herself at how pathetic that must have looked. Damn. She was still very, very thirsty. She looked at Colonel O'Neill hopefully.

"I could really use a little more water sir." Sam hoped that didn't sound as desperate as she felt.

Jack looked at her critically, seeing the spots of high color across her forehead and cheeks. He knew she had a fever from her infected back and needed to stay hydrated, but repeated bouts of vomiting were only going to delay their return home. Sam's large blue eyes looked at him beseechingly. Although Jack was making the decision out of concern for her fever (and not due to those eyes, dammit), he idly wondered how Carter's parents had dealt with those eyes.

"OK. But we're talking mere tablespoons, Carter, got it?" Jack motioned for Daniel to fetch a full canteen from their pile of gear a few feet away.

"Got it sir, thank you."

"Here you go Sam," Daniel said kindly, unscrewing the lid and passing the water to Sam. Sam eagerly accepted the prize and carefully raised it to her lips, grimacing only a little as she felt the familiar pull of her injuries against the bandages. It was odd, Sam mused. Somehow in the span of the last few minutes (or was it hours?), she seemed to have grown accustomed to the pain. Lifting the canteen to her lips had seemed insurmountable earlier, but now? It still hurt like god-awful-hell, but she could do it. Sam's logical mind told her it was probably because she had more medication in her system, but her kick-ass Air Force mind told her it was because she was just that much stronger.

Sam took two small sips, and although her body craved more, screwed the lid back on and handed it back to Daniel.

"Thanks." Three sets of eyes looked at Colonel O'Neill expectantly.

"Right!" Jack slapped his hands and pulled open the velcro covering his watch to check the time. It's 1350 right now. I estimate we have a 2-3 hour walk in front of us. He looked at Sam. "Captain, as soon as you feel up to it, we'll hit the road." Jack turned away from Sam, and made a shooing motion with his hands towards Daniel and Teal'c.

"Gear up, kids!"

While Teal'c and Daniel readied that rest of their things, Jack sat next to Sam on the log. He fished into his pocket and came up with two little packets of Tylenol, along with a protein bar. Sam wrinkled her nose at the bar. Food held little appeal right now, and those things were so damn dry.

"I see you like these about as much as I do," Jack joked lightly, as he opened up the package and broke off a small piece. Sam took the offered portion and grudgingly put it in her mouth. She knew the Tylenol had a better chance of staying down if she had something in her stomach, but that didn't mean she was going to like it. Sam chewed carefully for several moments before swallowing. To Jack, it looked like the face he always imagined he made when forced to consume cod liver oil.

"What were they thinking making an apple cinnamon flavor?" Sam made a face as she accepted the Colonel's offered water canteen. Yippy! More water!

"I know, right?" Jack said with an exaggerated shudder. "Not only does it taste like crap, but c'mon! We're Air Force! We fly plans! Kick Ass! We need macho flavors like...steak! Or better yet, beer!"

"Colonel!" Sam admonished, as she shook her head at the ideas and then bit back a moan at the motion. "We're trying to get my stomach to not react, remember?" Sam paused. "I suppose it does make sense though, sir. Bland flavors like vanilla and banana, and even..," Sam made a face, "apple cinnamon" are probably easier to digest than more exotic flavors." Sam took another small sip of the canteen before passing it back to the Colonel. Jack looked at her expectantly and after a few moments, Sam smiled.

"I think we're good, Colonel."

"Well that is just mighty fine to hear, Captain." Jack stood back up and glanced over at Daniel and Teal'c. Both had their jackets, vests and backpacks securely in place. Teal'c held his staff loosely at his side.

"You guys look like you're ready to go." Jack reached down to grab his own slightly over-stuffed pack and buckled it firmly in place.

"I believe we are all ready to take leave of this planet, O'Neill." Amen to that brother, Jack thought.

Jack walked back over to Sam and held out a hand. "Ready to go home, Dorothy?"

"Looking forward to it sir," Sam replied with a slight grunt, as she was helped to her feet. Jack handed her the remaining P90 and was pleased to see that although Sam couldn't loop it across her shoulders, she was holding it perfectly poised for instant readiness.

The team began to move forward, with Teal'c taking point, followed by Daniel and then Jack and Sam in the rear. They moved quite slowly at first as Sam got used to the movement. Each step was agony on her back, but after a few minutes, her body adapted and the predictable cadence helped. Each step became easier as her torn skin grew accustomed to the movement and although it by no means felt good, it also wasn't excruciatingly painful.

Jack allowed Sam several minutes of silence as her battered body adapted to walking. He watched as a myriad of emotions and expressions crossed her face. First came the deep, pain-filled furrows across her face and grimaces with each step. After a minute or two Sam audibly exhaled and her face relaxed. She straightened her back ever so slightly as if realizing she now could. Her breathing evened out, and Jack watched in fascination as her eyes left the security of looking at her feet and began to look ahead, glancing from side to side as she took in her environment. Jack smiled. Good. He knew this no way mitigated the significant damage to her back, but he was damn proud of his Captain for reaching deep and compensating. Jack had been a little concerned that they would have to build a litter to carry Carter home. Not that he wouldn't hesitate in a minute to do so, but this was much easier. And faster. Jack glanced at his watch. 90 more minutes. Tops.


Jack O'Neill did not have telepathy.

He knew this because all of his attempts to silently get Daniel's attention had failed. If he could telegraph his thoughts to Daniel, the archaeologist would have heard Jack's loud S.O.S. and Turn. The. Hell. Around! It was nearly 15 minutes before Daniel glanced casually over his shoulder. At once, he realized how far behind Jack and Sam had gotten and called on Teal'c to stop. Jack couldn't hear the words shared between the two, but they had stopped moving. Good.

It was about freakin' time.

After finding her stride, Sam had done great and for nearly an hour SG-1 had moved at a slow, but steady pace towards the Stargate. It was shortly after the one hour mark, that Jack began to notice her falter. Sam's steps started to lose their regular cadence, and he could see tiny tremors of fatigue across her arms and shoulders. Sam hadn't said a word in nearly 15 minutes, and Jack was missing their idle conversations. Who knew Carter liked the Simpson's Halloween specials? But that had been nearly a half hour ago, and now her breathing was hitched and Sam was back to staring at her boots again. She needed to rest, and Jack was glad to see Daniel and Teal'c had already stopped up ahead. Jack spied a rocky area that might make a good resting area, and led Carter a few feet closer.

"Let's take 5," Jack called out in a clear voice, jarring Sam out of her thoughts. She immediately looked up, hoping for a brief moment that they were at the Stargate. No such luck.

"Sir, you don't have to stop on the count of me..." Sam began.

"Captain," Jack interrupted. "Not everything is about you. I've gotta pee." Sam blushed and mumbled an apology. Jack felt a little bit bad about lying to her. He supposed he could take a pee if there was time...

"Hey, guys!" Daniel called from about 50 feet away. He started to take a step towards them, but Jack shook his head ever so slightly.

"All right kids," Jack began. "Eat if you're hungry, drink if you're thirsty and water your favorite tree if you are so inclined, we move again in five minutes." He casually walked over to a large stone on the side of the path and dropped his pack.

"Carter, why don't you take a load off for a few minutes," Jack suggested, as he took the P90 from Sam's hands and helped her to sit. She hands were ice cold. "I'll be back, in a few." He flashed her a reassuring smile and walked off towards Teal'c and Daniel. Sam was just unfocused enough that Jack didn't think she'd catch that he was walking away from the tree line and not towards it. In less than a minute he met up with Daniel and Teal'c.

"How's she doing, Jack?" Daniel asked worriedly, as he glanced at Captain Carter.

"She's hurting, her fever has increased and I honestly don't know how much more she has in her." Jack sighed as she took off his sunglasses and adjusted the straps. "Teal'c, how far from the Gate do you think we are?"

"According to Captain Carter's instruments, we are approximately 4 kilometers away, O'Neill." Four clicks. Two and half miles. So close. If this were basic training, they could be there in under 30 minutes.

"Okay," Jack began. "Carter can't safely hold her gun any more. Daniel, I'm giving it to you..." Jack held in out, and before Daniel could object, placed it in his hands. "I know you don't like them, but I need you to carry it for Sam, okay? I don't expect you to shoot it."

"Of course, Jack." Daniel gripped the uncomfortable weapon firmly. He doubted he'd ever get used to all the armament that came with working with the Air Force.

"Teal'c, I hope to hell it doesn't come to this, but if Carter collapses, can you carry her the remaining distance?"

Teal'c bent his head in agreement. "Of course, O'Neill."

"All right then," said Jack, putting his sunglasses back on. "Let's bring Carter home."

Sam knew the guys were talking about her, but was in too much pain to really care. She knew she was slowing them down. She also knew, logically, that this wasn't her fault. But logic had fled with each agonizing step, and at this point Sam was almost...almost willing to be carried back through the Stargate on a stretcher, or hell, piggy back style on Teal'c's back. She nearly giggle aloud at the image.

"Carter," Jack asked worriedly. "You okay?"

"Just peachy, sir," Sam said, looking her CO straight in the eye.

"I'm sorry Carter, but I'd like to take a quick peek at your back before we leave," Jack said apologetically.

"Are you asking my permission, sir?" Sam paused as she sucked in a breath. "Because if I have a choice in the matter, I'd really prefer if you didn't."

"Colonel's privilege, I'm afraid, Carter. I just need to make sure there's no heavy bleeding." Jack moved behind Sam and gently pulled up the hem of the shirt, exposing half of her lower back. Sam bit down hard on her lower lip hard to keep silent. She drew blood and quickly sucked it away. Jack noticed the very obvious twitch of her back and how still Sam had become. He wished like hell they had some stronger drugs for her.

Jack quickly scanned her back for problems areas and was thankful there was little to be found. Although a few bandages showed spots of blood and obvious seepage, it wasn't significant enough to require a field dressing change. Jack lowered her shirt back in place.

"Looks fine." Jack moved to her front again and saw the pain deeply etched on her face. He also noticed a fat bead of blood on her lip where she had obviously bitten it. Once again Jack was filled with quiet admiration at the young Captain. He honestly didn't think he would have done any better. "You ready to move?"

"Yes, sir." Sam forced herself to look into the Colonel's eyes. She knew she was going to see deep concern in those brown eyes of his. Man, how had his parents handled such eyes?

Jack held out his hand, and Sam took it gratefully. "Only two more miles, Sam."

Two more miles. She could do this, right?


It was a full hour later when they rounded a bend in the path and the Stargate sprang into view. Jack let out a deep sigh; they'd made it. He glanced over at Sam, not surprised to see her eyes staring at the ground in front of her. He was pretty certain she wasn't really focusing much on anything at this point.

"Carter, we've made it," Jack said softly. Sam continued to walk slowly forward. "Carter!" Jack repeated in a louder voice. Sam stopped and looked up. Her eyes were brilliant blue with fever.

"Stargate," Sam whispered.

"The one and only," Jack joked lightly. "Let's get you home." Sam offered little resistance as Jack assisted her down a small hill. He was certain that if she fell at this point, she'd stay down. Daniel had already started dialing the symbols for earth. With a familiar 'whoosh' the gate sprang to life. Daniel entered SG-1's code and then turned to face Sam and Jack.

"We're clear to go through."

"Let's go home," Jack repeated. "T, you've got our sixes?" Teal'c bent his head in acquiescence.

With Jack on one side, and Daniel on the other, the three human members of SG-1 stepped through the event horizon.


A/N - I cannot believe it took nearly 20,000 words to get them home. I swear, this was a far shorter story in my head... I have to be honest here. I actually envisioned one more scene between the two mile mark and going through the Stargate, but at this point I just want to get them the heck HOME (and I want to post now before I need to help my son with homework). I hope you are still finding the story entertaining! I promise to post the next chapter tomorrow. **rubs hands gleefully**

A/N 2 - I moved this bit to the end! Read on if you'd like a little more explanation about the two version behind chapter 6. I completely agree with the majority that the first Chapter 6 version was better. That's why it got top billing! The alternative version just seemed a bit too contrived. It actually started with that little scene I wrote with Daniel saying, "Not it" (heh, glad you liked it, taurigirl1) but totally took on a life of it's own. Like Kate and ASpecialKindOf, I don't think our SG-1 hotties would be too hung up if they saw Sam's breasts. And although boobs (especially those belonging to 20-somethings) can pretty much turn (usually 20-something guys) into puddles of awestruck mush, after a bit of maturity (not to mention babies), that region of the body just isn't quite so ...exotic. *Ahem*

Now, having said that, in this story, SG-1 has been together for only a month or two. Everyone is still getting to know one another, and while I'm certain by the third or fourth year (season) each and every member of SG-1 has probably flashed pieces of themselves to everyone, it's all shiny new at this point. There would be some awkwardness if they were overly exposed for more than a few moments. And Sam is what? 29? Which means she's got a super hot body that hasn't had.. shall we say gravity issues yet. But that's just background stuff. The reality is that in my story, her back is seriously messed up and Jack knows it. Which means lifting her hands over her head is next to impossible and would hurt like bloody hell. I kinda think Sam would have figured out a way to do it, despite the pain, but in my story, she's just too injured. Which means Jack's solution (in v1) rectified the issue as fast as possible in the least painful way while allowing Sam to retain her modesty. Win-win. And it made for some fun story telling!