Yep...getting near the end now folks. Thanks to all of you who reviewed the last chapter. I really appreciate it. Glad you've been enjoying this.

Ready for some serious sap?

Then on now to the penultimate chapter...

None but the Brave Deserve the Fair.

By Lingren.

Previously:

Sam always knew Jack loved kids but until now she didn't realise just how much he must have missed Charlie. 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 others, and he was obviously trying to make amends for what he considered to be his inadequacy as a caring father.

Chapter 13

Jessa came across then and scooped Nemus up into her arms.

"Dr. Frasier says Nemus is fit enough to go with us to our new home now. Galen and I are so grateful to you Jack. And I know Marla and Tegan, Dorna and Torus and Juna and Dugan are too. We cannot thank you enough. We hope one day that you will come and visit us on our new world. I know the boys would be thrilled."

She handed Nemus over to his father and then Jessa leaned across Jack and kissed both his cheeks, taking both of his bandaged hands in hers and in turn kissed each of them too. A traditional farewell for her people for dear friends.

Now Jack was lost for words. He was so touched by her complete faith in him.

He shrugged the uncomfortable feeling off.

"I couldn't leave them Jessa. I didn't want you or the others to know... what it was like to... lose a child," he gasped, and was rapidly losing his resolve not to break down and cry himself. He knew that he was feeling at his worst just then, Charlie's death hadn't felt quite so close for a long time and put it down to his exhaustion, but Sam was there for him and she took hold of his arm and gently squeezed it, bringing a hesitant smile to his lips. "They're great kids," he continued, now fortified by Sam's reassurance. "every one of them. And you should be proud of Nemo too, he never once complained, even though he was so sick, and with everything he went through." By the time he had finished his voice was croaky with emotion and barely above a whisper.

Jessa acknowledged his statement, but was puzzled by the raw pain evident in his voice, though she was pleased her son had behaved so well.

Now was not the time to delve into the obvious hurt that Jack had reluctantly revealed, there would be another time and place for such things. Perhaps Daniel or Sam would explain it to her, she had no wish to upset Jack any more than he seemed now. She smiled down at him and said goodbye. Janet led them out of the room leaving Sam alone with Jack.

Young Nemus was waving and yelling 'Goodbye', at Jack over his father's shoulder before they disappeared.

The silence in the room was deafening, and after a moment or two Sam broke it.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly, sitting on the edge of the bed and stroking his arm with one hand while she held onto his poor battered hand in the other.

Jack looked up at her and smiled wistfully, seeing his own tears reflected back at him.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just..." he shrugged. "Can we not talk about it right now?"

"Okay," she said with sad smile, falling quiet again.

He lay back among the pillows and closed his eyes, feeling drained, both physically and emotionally.

Sam did know. She was learning to understand him bit by bit, and right now, she knew he needed some peace and quiet to regroup his thoughts, and to get some much needed sleep. Given a little while on his own he would be back to his usual self again in no time. Nothing could keep his spirits down for long. He was just a naturally optimistic person.

She waited until his breathing had deepened and gently laid his hand back on the bed before leaving him to sleep. She would get herself something to eat and be back again, probably by the time he woke again later.

OoOoOoOoO

Janet reluctantly released Jack the following day and he recuperated at home under Sam's the tender and loving care. With a generous amount of help from Daniel and Teal'c too, until their 'mothering' drove him 'nuts!'

The day he reported fit for duty again was one which surprised him and he would remember until the day he died.

A message had arrived while he was off sick. It was from Barran. SG-1 and Jack in particular were invited to a celebration, but they'd wanted to keep it a secret from Jack. General Hammond and the rest of Jack's team were perfectly happy to keep the Colonel in the dark.

Within minutes of arriving at the base, Jack was ordered to gear up ready to ship out on a mission. There wasn't time for a briefing and Hammond explained that Major Carter would clarify everything to him on reaching their destination. They rushed him to the locker room to gear up and although he pumped the others for information they made excuses and hurried away, leaving him perplexed if not a little annoyed and grumpy.

Jack was puzzled, he didn't even know where they were headed and no-one would tell him anything. He met them all in the gate room where the wormhole was already established and waiting for him to enter.

Before he could utter a single word of surprise, and despite his constant grumbling, he was pushed up the ramp and through the event horizon, quickly followed by his grinning team.

Jack stumbled from the wormhole into loud cheers and clapping. He sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. How could he have not known they would pull this type of stunt on him?

He turned to his team behind him and growled at them. They in turn just beamed back smugly, even Teal'c wore something he called a smile.

The boys ran forward and he bent down to lift little Nemus high in the air then settled him onto his shoulders, while the others grabbed his hands and his sleeves and pulled him down the steps towards the new village, where a vast array of food was spread out over an enormous table which groaned under the weight of all the delicacies. Their new home was a beautiful, rich and bountiful world, where there would be a constant SGC presence on a nearby base for their protection and from where they would mine for the Naquadah in the mountains and no history of Goa'uld presence. It was a proposal with which both parties were extremely happy with.

Jack was led to the middle of the spread and pushed down into a seat prepared for the guest of honour.

He felt rather embarrassed to be the centre of attention, but everyone was so warm and friendly it made him positively glow to know that there were such decent peoples out there among the stars, and it was his privilege to know them and be able to call them friends.

After the speeches were over and most of the food consumed, there was dancing and music and Jack was encouraged to chat with the boys' parents while the kids played games with Daniel, Sam and Teal'c.

After a pleasant day, and the children grew weary, the rest of SG-1 came to sit beside their leader and join in the conversation.

"Jack, we have no need to tell you what it means to have our children returned to us," Jessa began hesitantly. "Sam told us of your own tragic loss, so I know you understand how we feel. We would like to offer this gift to you as a token of our gratitude and thanks. We have no fancy gifts to offer you such as your world has, we are a simple folk, but what we have we willingly give to you with our abiding gratitude Jack. This is for you."

Jessa handed him a square parcel wrapped in cloth and tied with a bright red ribbon.

Jack stared down at the gift in silence. Once more he was moved by their actions and warmth, leaving him speechless among these gracious and humble people.

"Well, c'mon Jack. Open it up!" encouraged Daniel impatiently, dying to see what it was.

"Hey!" he frowned at his eager team-mates and with agonisingly slow movements he began to unwrap his present. It was heavy, obviously wooden, he guessed and possibly whatever was inside was made by Galen as he was a skilled carpenter.

When the box was finally uncovered he lifted the lid and gasped in surprise.

Inside was a delicate carving of himself, surrounded by four children and one small one clinging to his back. The rich tones of the wood shining chestnut in the amber evening light. It was rather reminiscent of his entrance into the village when he'd arrived earlier, he mused.

"Oh God. It's beautiful. Really. Thank you." He bowed his head a little to acknowledge their gift.

He was touched by the care and hours of craftsmanship that had gone into it. He lifted it gently from the box to show the others.

"Oh WOW!" Sam enthused, taking it carefully and holding it up close. Daniel was fascinated and even Teal'c was suitably impressed.

Jack sat back proudly as their faces lit up in wonder to match his no doubt.

"It's so beautiful Jessa. It actually looks like me. Can I presume that Galen carved it?" Jack asked in awe of the man's talent. It really did look like him.

She nodded, and beamed at his obvious pleasure.

"We'll have to call you the Pied Piper now Jack," Daniel stated gleefully.

Jack shook his head in denial.

"No way Daniel!"

"No!" Sam agreed with Jack. "That's one person he isn't."

"Huh?" Daniel gaped in surprise.

"I agree with O'Neill and Major Carter, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c added. "Do you not recall the words of that poem?"

Now Daniel really was confused.

Jack sighed and shook his head. He waved a hand at Sam so that she could enlighten their friend.

"Daniel. The Colonel could never do what the Pied Piper did. You know he would never leave a child behind, and he didn't. Not like in that story" Sam stated with feeling, looking up at Jack with passion burning brightly in her blue eyes.

"Ah! No. I see what you mean. Definitely a Gladys then!" Daniel stated grinning.

"Nope, not even that Daniel," Jack smirked. "I'm too tall, and definitely the wrong sex," he explained. "She was referred to as 'The Small Woman'," he added with emphasis.

"Wow, you amaze me sometimes Jack."

"'Scuse me? Why?"

"Well, that you knew that," he replied succinctly.

"Actually, I saw the movie, years ago!" he grinned.

Daniel sighed.

"I should have known it."

"And if you call me Gladys again Daniel..." he warned. "I'll make sure you don't leave the base for an off-world trip for the next three months."

The others all laughed, but Jessa hadn't finished with the surprises just yet.

TBC