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More trials and tribulations, but they're getting closer to home.

None but the Brave Deserve the Fair.

By Lingren.

Previously:

It was the same with the twins. In the end they had seen enough to basically get down themselves and were justifiably proud of themselves for conquering their fear.

Chapter 8

Next Jack wrapped Nemo in the blanket and wound the makeshift rope around him in a sort of cradle then lowered him as gently as he could to the boys below. He was thankful the child seemed oblivious to what was going on and that he'd stayed quiet during his rather bumpy descent.

Now it was his turn. He knew it was dangerous. He stepped up as close to the edge as he dared and yelled down to the boys to take Nemo and then stand well clear, in case he should fall. He wasn't holding out much hope of escaping his descent without incurring some sort of damage. He was taking a big risk as there was nothing nearby on which to anchor the vine for himself to rely on; the trees were too far away.

He watched as the boys carried Nemo a safe distance away, then gingerly lowered himself over the side. He slipped and slithered, his feet and fingers flailing in the hope of finding something more solid to cling to. Suddenly the whole cliff face crumbled and down he went, landing with an agonising thud and a painful groan, getting covered in loose mud and detritus for his pains.

The older boys rushed over to his prone form, dusting him off as he lay there momentarily stunned.

"Jack!" they called, clearly worried that he was dead.

"Jack!"

The sound of his name penetrated his brain at last and he stirred, moaning and expressing a few soft curses when it hurt to move.

"Jack...please wake up!"

The plea roused him fully.

"Crap!" he muttered as his senses came to. "Okay! I'm okay. Just give me a moment huh?"

He rolled over still uttering silent curses with his movements and blinked, his sight filled with four anxious faces peering down at him. He offered them a smile, and pushed himself to sit upright, wavering slightly.

"Jeeez, I'm getting' too old for this kinda crap!" he swore, kneading and stretching his back with his hands to ease the newest aches and pains away. He hurt just about everywhere now, and this last incident just added the icing on top of the cake when he felt the stab of pain from his abused ribs.

Merus pushed a dressing into his hand and moved it up towards his head.

"You're bleeding Jack," he explained and Jack nodded, holding the pad firmly in place until it had stopped bleeding.

"You okay kids?" he asked.

"We thought you were dead!" the twins informed him.

"Who me? Nah! Not that easy to kill me," he grinned, "Just a bump on the head. I'm fine now. See?" he stood up albeit shakily, and had to close his eyes for a moment to force the nausea down, even knowing that his stomach was empty, he knew it was gonna hurt if he gave into it. Then he plastered another huge grin over his battered face to show them he was fine. "How's Nemo?" he asked, trying to deflect the worry from himself onto the youngest boy.

"He's so quiet Jack. He's really sick. I'm scared."

Jack laid a reassuring hand on Merus' shoulder.

"I know Merus. But we're not that far from the gate now. Let's get going," he sighed.

Jack picked up the boy and although his eyes lit up when he saw his friend, Nemo never made a sound except to cough.

They plodded onwards, and with each step Jack hurt a little more. His head spiked in pain with every footfall, and he actually longed for Doc Frasier's happy pills and a few days in her infirmary to recover. That was something he knew would be waiting for him when they finally reached the SGC. Janet was certainly going to have a field day with his accumulated injuries.

OoOoOoOoO

Where Jack had had to ford the river behind the waterfall last time, now there was nothing but a swollen lake. There was little water left to cascade down over the rocks high above them, but Jack knew it could still be potentially hazardous to the younger boys. The once crystal clear water was now nothing more than a mud bath.

"Okay, here's what we're gonna do. Merus, Nerin. I want you to boys to go first. You know the path so it shouldn't be too bad. Watch your step though. It's gonna be very slippery out there. Take your time, no need to rush. Rushing only makes it harder, and you'll make mistakes. Okay?"

They nodded solemnly.

"Once you reach the other side, I'll send the twins across and I'll follow them with Nemo."

"Okay Jack," they chorused.

Jack watched the older boys make their way over the hidden rocks. Where because it had at one time been clear the rocks had been easy to see, but now they were well and truly hidden under the mud. Several times his breath hitched as one or the other slipped. At one time he was ready to dive in a rescue Nerin as the boy disappeared beneath the water, but before he had chance to move the boy's head reappeared. Merus helped him back onto his feet, giving Jack a reassuring wave before they carried on.

He yelled encouragement at them, and made them focus on the path. It was a huge sigh of relief he shuddered when they reached the other side.

"That was great kids," he yelled, before turning to the twins. "You guys up to this?"

They both looked a little nervous.

"Okay, tell you what. I'll take Nemo over first then I'll come back for you guys. Okay?"

The twins looked relieved and Jack picked Nemo up and placed him onto his shoulders. He winced a little at the painful pressure, but sucked in a deep breath and took the first steps into the filthy water.

He was almost at the other side when he slipped. He fell heavily wrenching his knee again, and went right under the water. He came up spitting an coughing but Nemo had slipped from his grasp and had yet to surface.

Jack looked around him frantically, panicking when he couldn't see the boy. He dived under the water again, blindly feeling for the bulk that would be the child. Eventually he found him and dragged his limp body to the surface. Not caring about his painful knee, he rushed over the slippery stones cradling the small limp body in a desperate attempt to revive the child.

The boys looked on in horror and dread as he worked to revive the youngster. Long moments passed and the cry of relief that came to Jack's lips as Nemo took his first shuddering breath was wrenched straight from his heart. After the boy had recovered sufficiently, Jack gathered him into his arms and hugged him securely, running a smoothing hand over the boys filthy hair, as unashamed tears ran down his face. He couldn't face losing another child. Charlie's death still haunted his thoughts and Nemo in his own way had filled a little of the ache which his own son's tragic demise had left behind. Silently he thanked god for the boy's recovery. The older boys were crying too and Jack reached out to both, hugging them too.

When he was sure Nemo was okay he stood up stiffly and limped his way back across the water to reach the twins. He could see they were both curled up on the ground, hugging each other for dear life, obviously worried about their young friend.

He swept them into a huge hug and knelt with them for some time until his knee protested too loudly. He climber painfully to his feet and took each one by the hand and led them to the water's edge. He made Anson lead the way while he placed Ashon just in front of himself. There were a couple of spills from the boys but Jack dragged them spluttering from the murky depths and helped them reach the safety where once again they all hugged each other, with little Nemo being the centre of attraction.

After a brief respite, they set off again and Jack could now relax and breath a sigh of relief because he knew the worst was behind them. Ahead lay shallow hills and once green pastures which were now buried in thick mud.

TBC