Thanks to everyone who read this and especially those of you who reviewed once again. debcole; Daydream Omega; Revvie-S; Froggy0319; Gwil; StargateFan; janissima and Soozy87. I'd be lost without you guys.

Please keep those reviews coming.

Here for all you shippers is the promised reunion. And boy are you in for a treat!

None but the Brave Deserve the Fair.

By Lingren.

Previously:

It was a long time before she spotted a far away blur on the landscape. Her heart swelled with pride; it had to be them. Jack was coming home.

Chapter 10

For the umpteenth time, Jack fell to his knees utterly exhausted. His breath came in great gulps, making his aching chest heave with renewed coughing which made his ribs scream in agony. He knelt there for a few moments trying to gather some strength to carry on. Nemus shivered against him, and he pulled the boy from his back to check on his fever.

The boy was far too hot now, though Jack dared not take the meagre blanket from his back to cool him down. Nemus' fever ridden eyes flickered open and gazed upon his.

Jack smiled down on the youngster, brushing the long dark strands of muddy hair from his sweaty brow.

"Hey li'l' fella, how ya doin'?"

Nemus answered with another coughing fit until he dry heaved again, but Jack could offer him nothing with which to moisten his parched throat. Everything he had set out with had been lost now. He'd even lost his coat, so although he was shivering from the cold and alternately chilled and sweating from the fever, he was still sweating with all the effort of putting one foot in front of the other.

They had eaten nothing for three days now, but the boys had never once complained about it. The only thing Jack could give Nemo and the twins was the comfort of a much appreciated hug. Jack took heart from their uninhibited affection, but desperately longed for the embrace of the once who held onto his heart strings.

It was with a deep sigh that he was thankful that he had not yielded to his heart's desire and allowed Sam to accompany him on this dangerous journey. After everything he had been subjected to he knew he'd made the right decision to send her home. There was no way he wanted to put her through this crap.

"I don't feel good Jack," Nemus whined, his voice barely more than a whisper, and even though he had not once complained before.

Jack pulled him closer wrapping him in his strong arms, to nestle his cheek against the over-heated head.

"I know ya do kid. It won't be long now. We're nearly there. And when you get better, I'll buy you the biggest damn ice cream in the world. You'd like that huh?"

Nemus nodded but his eyes were already shutting again.

Jack sat and cradled the limp boy to him until he knew he would have to make a move. Not only for the boy's sake but because his knees were locking up and he'd be stuck there for ever otherwise.

He staggered to his feet, sinking into the sodden mud up to his knees once more. If it was tough going for him then it must be doubly so for the twins.

Ashon pulled on his arm on one side while Anson tugged on his sleeve on the other side, and between them they helped him move along, both were looking up at him with worried frowns.

"Jack...is...Nemus going to be okay?" they asked together as was usual for them. They only ever spoke together and neither of them deviated from their twin.

"He'll be just fine boys. As soon as we get back to the SGC he'll have the whole place fussin' over him, all eager to make him well again," Jack assured them, hoping to god that fate wouldn't make a liar out of him.

They plodded onwards in silence towards the gate which was growing larger now in the distance. The only noise to break the eerie peace was the squelch of the mud as it sucked at their feet and legs, and Jack's heavy breathing as he struggled onwards.

Jack was beginning to feel the full effects of his own fever now, but he ruthlessly pushed it away as much as he could. Every now and then he would lose his footing and almost fall as dizziness swept over him. Luckily the boys held onto his elbows and supported him, helping him to keep his balance. There was just no way he wanted to drop his precious bundle, and now they were this close there was no way he was giving up.

He couldn't help feeling light-headed; hunger, thirst and fever had almost robbed him of his senses, but he ploughed on relentlessly. The twins roused him from his numb thoughts when they began yelling excitedly, both tugging on his sleeves.

"We're nearly there Jack. Look! Sam's there Jack! She came back for us."

Sam!

Jack's head snapped up to see for himself.

Surely he was dreaming. He shook his head but the vague outline remained.

He peered myopically towards the Stargate and did indeed see a blurred image. An image that had blonde hair, and was running or at least trying to run towards them through the mud. Relief overcame weariness as elation swept over him. He'd made it. Just a little further and he could let go; he would soon be able to give in to his body's demands for rest.

The boys released his arms and ran hand in hand to meet Sam, excitement and relief giving them the extra adrenalin to move quicker. Jack could hear their animated chatter as they left him behind.

Jack teetered for a while, bereft of the boys support, he swayed on trembling legs before sinking backwards to sit on the mud, too tired and shaky to continue on his own. All he wanted was a hot shower and some sleep, he was beyond hungry; in fact the very thought of food made him feel nauseous.

He sat and watched as Sam greeted the boys with an enthusiastic hug, encompassing both of them at once. He smiled at the sight and hoped his own greeting would be no less joyous. How he'd longed for this moment; to be able to see her again was a joy beyond anything. It was almost too much to take in after all he'd been through and felt a prickle of tears sting behind his eyes, but he kept them at bay, managing simply because he didn't have that much moisture left in him. He knew Janet was going to have her hands full when he got home.

He sat there in a daze, watching as Sam gave the boys a drink from the canteen of water and instructed them to make their way to the Stargate and to wait while she continued on her way towards Jack and the child.

Sam grew nearer and the closer she got, the bigger her smile became, and the more his widened at her approach.

Then suddenly she was there. Dropping to her knees in the mud beside him, she flung her arms around his neck and held him close.

Words never passed their lips, they weren't necessary. It was enough that they were here, both safe and together again. They held each other close for a long time, though Jack still held onto Nemus but his free hand gripped her tightly. They kissed; their lips hungry for the taste of each other. Sam ran her hands over his battered face, through his filthy hair, down his arms, everywhere while she wept tears of joy.

His mud encrusted stubble was no deterrent to her as she kissed him over and over. Hands so busy feeling his body to reassure herself he was no mirage; that he was actually there. He was safe. He was back again. And Jack revelled in the sensations of being loved so much by the woman that meant everything to him.

Only when the all consuming need for reassurance had passed, did Sam take a closer look at the man she loved. While he drank some of the water with ecstasy written on his face she saw he was plastered in thick clinging mud. Some of it had dried hard, some, where he had been sweating hard had run muddy trails down his face and disappeared beneath the collar at his neck. His face was scratched and he sported a nasty cut over his brow which was crusted over with dirt and dried blood. His silver hair was brown once again, thickly coated with mud. All in all he looked a sorry sight, but to Sam, she had never seen him looking anything less than wonderful right now. He was indeed a sight for sore eyes. She hugged him again and he leaned against her, his reserves of energy almost spent. She watched him gulp down the precious liquid and then offered some to Nemus, though he all but refused it.

The child was still wrapped in Jack's arms and hadn't made a murmur throughout their frantic greeting, even though he watched them through fevered eyes. Sam checked on the child's pulse, worried that he was so weak. The throbbing beneath her fingers was fast, too fast, and he felt so hot to her touch; he needed Janet's skills and so did Jack. She wondered if he'd had to carry him far. They both needed to get home, and soon.

"Jack...c'mon, let's get you home. I know a nice hot shower with your name on it. Come on Jack, please! Up we get!" she coaxed, pulling at his arm.

She tugged firmly and heaved him up with difficulty as Jack struggled to gain his feet again, still holding on tight to the bundle in his arms. He stood there wavering for a moment before Sam's arm snaked around his waist and they both took a tentative step forward. Then another. Gradually they walked in this fashion towards the waiting Stargate, step by aching step and each one nearer to home.

Sam eased him to sit down on the edge of the platform, and immediately the twins came and sat either side of him, latching onto his elbows once more. He glanced down at them in turn and smiled, but still didn't utter a single word. In fact Sam suddenly realised, he hadn't said anything at all. Not even to her when she'd greeted him. She could see he was shattered, almost dead on his feet, so she hurried to dial out and send through the iris code when the wormhole established. He would need time to recoup after this. It had obviously been a harrowing experience for all concerned, though she would have to wait for him to tell it in his own time if ever.

Sam made the boys go through first, instructing them to tell the General or Daniel that they needed Janet for little Nemus, and Jack too. They nodded eagerly. This would be their first ride through the Stargate and they were excited despite being so tired. Sam assured them that Daniel would be waiting for them on the other side and urged them on.

She smiled as she watched them go, both holding the other's hand and together, as in all things they did, they stepped through to the SGC. Then she turned her attention back to Jack, who sat there almost dreamlike, seemingly unaware of anything around him. She eased him upright again, steadying him as he stumbled a little, then guided him through the Stargate and home.

TBC