Thanks to all you folks who took the time to read this story. Thank you for your reviews, they were much appreciated and kept me going.
Here's the last chapter…hope it doesn't disappoint you all.
None but the Brave Deserve the Fair.
By Lingren.
Previously:
"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.
Chapter 14
An obviously very pregnant Marla joined the group. She was extremely shy in front of the team.
Jack smiled his most disarming smile and she smiled back, relaxing a little.
Jessa spoke up for her timid friend.
"Marla would like to know if she can call her unborn son after you Jack?"
Jack was rendered speechless once again, his jaw dropped open and he swallowed noisily. His team grinned at his floundering, marvelling that these kind people could do that to him so many times. It was unheard of around the hallowed halls of the SGC. Even when facing a pompous Goa'uld Jack was never short of a few words to express his opinion.
"Really?" he asked "What if it's a girl?"
Sam sniggered. That comment was so typical of Jack to cover his embarrassment.
"The Birthing Nurse assures me of another boy," Marla responded quickly
"Oh!" he said, thinking, 'Ask a silly question?'
"It would be my honour," Marla whispered in awe. "And the twins would be well pleased too."
"Sure! If you're really sure you want that." Marla nodded, and Jack shrugged. "Ah, okay. Sure!" he stuttered.
"Thank you. 'Jack' shall bear your name with pride for the service you have rendered to his brothers," she said as she bobbed a curtsey to him, making him feel like royalty and he coloured up, though the usual sarcastic comment was missing.
Sam brought her chair closer to his, reaching for his hand.
"You okay?" she asked when Marla moved away again.
He turned to face her and grinned, feeling inexplicably hot for some reason.
"Yeah. Fine. Just...a little overwhelmed I guess."
"All this is due to you Jack," she whispered, soothing his chin with his hand.
"Yeah, not bad for an old guy huh?" he grinned.
"Jack!" she warned. "Don't let's start that again." She nudged him playfully.
"I'm just sayin'."
Sam looked away and saw Juna and Dugan approach with their own gift.
"More offerings I think Jack," Sam said gesturing towards the approaching couple.
Whatever it was, it was big and bulky and Jack didn't have a clue what it could be.
They handed it over in silence; Juna too emotional to utter a word, but Dugan shook Jack's hand as he pressed the gift into Jack's arms.
Jack opened the plain cloth and found a beautiful warm comforter, exquisitely hand stitched from a myriad of different fabric scraps.
Jessa smiled at his surprised face, especially when he saw the picture in the middle. It was a collage of his previous precious gift. Himself and the boys again.
"We all contributed Jack," she said, speaking for her shy friends. "While the men worked to rebuild our homes here in this beautiful new land, we stitched and sewed with our thanks.
"Geez...I'm overwhelmed here, Jessa. I...I just don't know what to say. Thank you doesn't seem adequate enough somehow."
"You have gifted us with something far greater Jack. That of the lives of our children. That cannot be denied or recompensed. Accept these gifts with our love."
Jessa stepped forward and he rose to meet her, handing over the quilt to Sam. Nemus' mother then kissed him as she had done so when in the infirmary, the other women following suit, until he was quite pink with embarrassment, and Sam was almost green with envy.
Daniel found it highly amusing, but refrained from laughing out loud when Jack shot him a warning glance. Teal'c looked on as if it were an everyday occurrence.
Nemo came running up just then, and leapt up into Jack's arms.
"Jack, you will come and visit us again won't you?"
"Yeahsureyoubetya!" he grinned, ruffling the boy's hair. "Wouldn't miss it for the world kid! Hey, isn't it time you were in bed?"
Nemo frowned. He was having too much fun to go to sleep.
"Yes, but Mama said I could say goodnight first."
"And right she is too. First though I have a little something for you," Jack smiled, winking at Sam.
Sam had been busy while he knew nothing of this arrangement, she had been to the stores, hiding the evidence in her backpack for the right moment. After Jack's initial shock when they'd arrived Sam had filled him in on the details of her shopping expedition. He was in awe that she would think of such things, and was grateful for her forethought.
"For me?" Nemo asked his eyes boggling with surprise.
"Sure. Sam?"
Sam delved into her bag and came up with a gift bag from the Disney store. She handed it over to Jack who promptly handed it to Nemo.
"Here. This is for you," Jack said, opening the bag for Nemo to pull out the soft toy he found in the bottom. He looked at it curiously. Soft toys were strange things to see let alone have.
"What is it?"
"It's a fish. And ya know? His name is Nemo too. Just like yours," Jack grinned.
"It is?"
"Sure it is, isn't it guys?"
Sam and Daniel nodded vigorously with huge grins on their faces, and Daniel pointed out the name in bold letters on the label.
"Cool!" shouted Nemo, making everyone laugh. He'd definitely been around Jack too long.
Jessa reminded her son that it was still bedtime so he hugged Jack and said goodbye.
"Thanks Jack," he laughed, and was happy to walk beside his mother back to their new home, cuddling his namesake.
Jack gave all the boys a gift too; they each received a Swiss Army knife and were thrilled by all the gadgets attached to it. Not that they needed all of them, but they were well pleased.
Sam held onto Jack's hand and squeezed it. She leaned across to brush a tender kiss over his cheek.
"I don't deserve all this ya know," he sighed, looking down at his wonderful gifts.
"Yes you do! You were so courageous and never once gave up on them Jack. You rightly deserve this and more," Sam replied softly.
"I don't deserve you," he answered in denial.
"Oh no Jack. I don't deserve you. A more intrepid and wonderful man I never knew. And I love you dearly. I told you before, you're far more worthy than any number of people I can name. There aren't that many people around in the world, let alone the SGC that could have done what you did. You can be my hero any day."
"Despite my gammy knees and grey hair? I'm not exactly the image of a champion for the cause," he answered brushing off her praise and blushing slightly.
"Maybe not, but it's good enough for me Jack! I love you!"
He pulled her into another kiss and held her close while Daniel turned away, this time pulling Teal'c's eyes away from the pair.
"I love you Sam," he sighed, whispering into her ear. "I'm the luckiest guy alive,"
"And you're mine Jack," she whispered back.
They stood wrapped up in each other for a long time, knowing that once they got back they would have to watch themselves. Here they were among friends who wouldn't divulge their secret. Daniel gave a little cough to remind them it was getting late.
Jack straightened up, putting on his Colonel's hat once again.
"Well kids. I think it's time to leave these good folks to themselves. I don't know about you guys, but I'm definitely in need of a beer. My place?" he asked.
"Sounds good Jack," Daniel said.
"Indeed!" Teal'c acknowledged. "Do you wish me to collect a video from the store O'Neill?"
"Yeah, sure! Just so long as it's not a disaster movie T! I don't think I could stomach something like 'Daylight' just yet."
"How about 'Meteor'?" Sam giggled. "Or perhaps Die Hard: With a Vengeance'!" she suggested.
"Or there's always 'The Inn of the Sixth Happiness'?" Daniel smirked.
"Daniel! Kids!" Jack warned, visibly sagging under the weight of their sardonic wordplay.
"Enough! You kids really wanna come over?" he asked, stopping them all with one leery glare.
"Of course we do Jack!" Daniel assured him innocently.
"Good! Then cut the crap! Teal'c, don't listen to 'em!"
"Sam? You are coming, right? You're not going to leave me on my own with these two?" he pleaded. "Please?"
"Don't worry, I'll be there. You can count me in Jack. I'll pick up the Pizzas."
"Great. Let's go home kids," he waved a languid hand towards the Stargate before picking up his gifts, passing the quilt over to Sam to carry and taking his leave of his new friends .
"You know, I just thought of a great movie Jack! It's called 'Intrepid'! It's about these special ops guys who have to rescue a load of people..."
"Daniel! You are so gonna get your ass kicked!" he threatened.
Sam sniggered, and Jack merely sighed.
He shook his head and tried to ignore the string of movies that Daniel was now suggesting, all with the same theme. He just knew he wasn't going to live his 'Hero' status down anytime soon.
The End.
Another story on the way just as soon as I can get it organised into chapters. Thanks again guys. Luv ya all!