Thanks guys for the reviews, love them. Keep 'em comin' pretty please?

Here's just a little bit of fluff to keep you going until later.

None but the Brave Deserve the Fair.

By Lingren.

Previously:

Janet had thought about transferring Jack to a private room, but she fully expected him to make a fuss if Nemus wasn't in the same room when he awoke. That's why she had kept him in the next bed to the child, and that was another reason for her decision. She didn't want the youngster to wake without be able to see where Jack was. This way they could at least see each other and know they were both safe.

Chapter 12

Sam stepped softly up to the bed, Daniel beside her. They were both worried about his condition, and what had exactly happened to him. The children hadn't explained how he'd come by some of his injuries, only that he'd arrived at the cave in a terrible state, which all meant that he'd had a tough time reaching them. The numerous scratches and cuts on his hands were testimony of having to dig himself out of one scrape or another, probably before he could even think of returning with them.

Daniel had gleaned as much information about their rescue as he could from the older boys while they had waited for Jack and the twins to reach the Stargate. They were more or less unscathed, very damp, muddy and bedraggled, exceedingly hungry and tired, but they were excited and agog at their surroundings too, so it was pure adrenalin that kept them talking about what had happened, until the news came through that the others were about to gate home, then like a light switch, they had simply shut off and fallen fast asleep.

OoOoOoOoO

Nemus had responded well to the treatment, in fact Janet was really pleased. She and Sam discussed the probable reasons and came to the conclusion it was because the Abbarrians' physiology was slightly different to an Earth based Human.

He'd woken up a few days later feeling much better and was happy to see Jack lying in the next bed to him, although he was a little frightened when Sam explained that Jack was sick too.

Janet had assured them that Jack would be fine, when the boy and Sam had grown worried because he'd not shown any signs of waking yet.

Sam was spending most of her time sitting in between their beds, watching over Jack whilst talking to Nemus. By the next day the boy was well enough that Sam was able to occupy both he and herself with some games while Jack slept on. Nemus had rediscovered his appetite and remembered Jack's promise to give him 'Ice Cream'. Sam grinned and knew Jack well enough to know it would be true so Nemus had his first taste of the chilled dessert. He was happily tucking into a dish filled with vanilla and chocolate and strawberry flavours, and was chatting excitedly about how good it was, when a rough croaky voice interrupted him.

"Hey! Hope you saved some of that for me!" he rasped with a cough.

Sam's head swung round a huge smile on her lips as she realised Jack was awake and watching the boy enjoying his treat. She offered him some water which he sipped gratefully, his eyes fixed on her smiling face.

"Jack!" the boy yelled with delight making Jack flinch slightly at the loud shout.

"You like?" Jack asked, smiling at the look of sheer pleasure on the youngster's face while he ate.

Nemo nodded vigorously but was too busy eating to pay much attention to talking. That would come later.

Sam automatically took Jack's hand.

"Hi there. How're you feeling now?"

"I've been better!" he rasped, then coughed painfully again.

She offered him another drink.

"Thanks!"

"You want me to get Janet?"

"Nah, I'm fine. I'll live!"

"I was worried about you. You were gone so long I thought..."

"Had to wait for the waters to subside. Wasn't exactly an easy journey for the kids."

"I...I thought I'd lost you!"

Jack looked up and down the infirmary to see if they were alone.

"Sam. I've waited like forever for this. I wasn't gonna throw away an opportunity just like that." He squeezed her hand and pulled it to his lips to brush a tender kiss over the back of it. "Come hell or high water, the thought of you waiting forever kept me going Sam. Whenever I wanted to give up, I thought of you, and the kids. I couldn't fail them, and I couldn't let you down."

Sam returned the same gesture of kissing his hand and gazed into his dark eyes filled with love.

"So where do we go from here?" she asked hesitantly.

"I don't know. That's up to you..."

"Jack!"

Jack and Sam both swung their gaze round towards where the shout had emanated from in time to see Daniel and the boys entering.

"Hey Jack!" Daniel said. "You're awake!"

"Ya think?" he said, ending it with yet another cough. He really could do without the damn cough; his ribs hurt so whenever he did.

The boys ran over to the bed, crowding round their hero. To Jack's eyes they looked well rested and definitely well fed. They were bright eyed and bushy tailed, filled with the wonders of things unknown to them before. They were chatting excitedly about television and told Jack all about the 'Playstation' they had played with.

Jack laughed until he coughed again, wincing as it pulled on his sore ribs once more. He lay back exhausted.

Janet stood at the entrance and surveyed the scene of utter disruption in her infirmary.

"Okay everyone!" she called, grabbing their attention. "What's all this rumpus in my infirmary? I have patients that need to rest here. Daniel! Would you mind taking the boys to the briefing room I think General Hammond has a surprise waiting there for them."

"Really?" "A surprise?" "For us?" they all asked eagerly.

"Now that would be for me to know and you to find out," she replied cryptically, laughing at their faces as they tried to puzzle that one out.

Nemo wanted to go too, but Janet wouldn't hear of it.

"Not yet Nemus. Because you've been sick you get to have some very important visitors come here to see you."

"Who Janet?" he asked innocently. He couldn't think who it could be.

Janet waited until Daniel had led his boisterous quartet from the room and then she disappeared for a moment. When she returned Nemus was ecstatic, and bounced up and down on the bed, ice cream forgotten.

"Mama! Papa!" he squealed in delight, but ended up coughing.

Both his parents had entered behind the petite Doctor and his Mother flew to his side, lifting him into the circle of her arms to hug him tight, muttering words of comfort, relief and love in his ear.

Janet looked on happily at the reunion, while Sam and Jack were unconsciously still holding hands.

"The other boys' parents are in the briefing room to take them home," Janet whispered before turning her full attention to Jack, and placing her hand on his brow.

"Your temperature has dropped," she commented, smiling, as she took hold on his wrist feeling for his pulse.

"Great!" Jack smiled. "So does that mean I can get out of here anytime soon?" he croaked.

"Not so fast Colonel. Maybe in a day or so."

"Aw c'mon Doc! I'm fine. A little sore maybe but I'm okay. I'll take it easy. I promise!"

"I'm not so sure about that!" she frowned.

"How about if I looked after him? Made him take his medication and ensured he got plenty of rest," Sam interrupted.

"Could you do that?"

"Course she can Doc! I'll be good. Honest!"

"That'll be a first!" she sniggered, and Sam joined in with a smirk.

Jack cast them both a tight lipped scowl.

"Doc?"

"Tomorrow perhaps! Rest for today. You were exhausted. To the point of collapse."

He was about to argue but he encountered a stubborn glare and relented,

"Okay. Fine! Tomorrow," he confirmed gloomily.

A giggle from the other bed made them all look round.

"I'm sorry," Jessa laughed. "For a moment there I wasn't sure which patient was the child."

Janet and Sam exchanged looks and both had to hold a hand over their mouths to stifle the laughter. Jack's face was a picture, but with everyone else in stitches he had to give in and see the funny side.

Nemo jumped from his mother's grasp and climbed onto Jack's bed, throwing his arms around the Colonel.

He looked across at his mother who nodded to him. He took a deep breath and began his little rehearsed speech.

"Thank you for rescuing me and the others Jack. Mama and Papa say they are... forever... in your debt," he gasped out, pleased with himself for remembering it all.

Jack was speechless and there was a tell-tale sign of moisture in the corner of his eyes, though no-one would dream of noticing this. Then Nemo almost made him lose it altogether when he added his own thanks.

He clung to Jack, his little arms reaching round Jack's neck almost strangling him.

"I love you Jack."

Sam and Janet both blinked rapidly while Jack squeezed his eyes shut to stop the tears from leaking out as he hugged the child back.

When he could speak again, he ruffled the boy's hair.

"Hey! Backatya!" he whispered gruffly.

Sam always knew Jack loved kids but until now she didn't realise just how much he must have missed Charlie or how good he must have been as a father. It was so obvious to her now. It made her heart swell with love, and she adored him all the more; and now she fully understood the reason he was so adamant in finding the boys in the first place. There would never be another Charlie, but Jack still had plenty of room in his heart for other kids, and he was obviously trying to make amends for what he considered to be his inadequacy as a caring father.

TBC