Sorry for the delay. RL and all that is such a pain sometimes. Anyway, here's the next chapter. I hope you all enjoy it as much as the others.

Thanks to everyone who sent in reviews. I love everyone of them. Thanks again for all your support.

Censure.

By LetitiaRichards

Previously:-

The wormhole snapped off shortly afterwards, but Hammond stared at the idle gate for a long time afterwards, wondering if he had done the right thing. He hoped to god he hadn't sentenced his young friend to death.

Chapter 10

Jack stumbled as he exited the wormhole and he slumped weakly between his team-mates, but Daniel and Teal'c hung on to him so he didn't fall. Barely conscious, they lowered him gently to the ground once they had cleared the platform.

"Jack," Daniel cried, half afraid they were going to lose him before they had a chance to work out the cure. "Jack! Don't do this!" he ground out through gritted teeth.

"His pulse is racing!" Sam cried, biting her lip as she held her fingers under his chin feeling the weak rapid beats beneath her fingers. She gasped in fear when it faltered and fluttered, almost stopping, but it picked up again much to her relief. It gradually slowed to a more normal pace as Jack came round.

"Daniel, you go ahead and see if you can find that device we need. We'll wait here until we hear from you. You go with him Teal'c, I'll stay with the Colonel."

"Will you be okay Sam?" Daniel wondered, reluctant to leave his friends just then.

Sam nodded vigorously.

"It's better if he rested for a bit, and it will save time if you went ahead."

He nodded okay and stood up, turning to hurry towards the prison building, Teal'c on his heels.

"Go careful about what you touch though!" she called after him as he started off.

He waved a hand to show he'd understood but didn't stop his forward momentum.

Jack shivered and Sam dug out her blanket from her pack to wrap around him, keeping the chill air from him. Looking down into his face she couldn't help but smile as she found herself under his scrutiny.

"You okay now? Warm enough?" she asked.

Jack merely gave a tiny nod in response, though he still shivered slightly. He felt drained and hadn't even the energy to answer her with words.

Her hand found its way to his cheek and her smile deepened with affection.

"Daniel's gone ahead while you rest for a few moments. I sent Teal'c with him to make sure he doesn't get into trouble," she said grinning. "They will find it Jack, I know they will. You're gonna be okay!" she stated more confidently than she felt.

Jack could still see doubt in her eyes but wouldn't pass comment; not because he couldn't muster the energy to utter the words, more because he knew how she must have been feeling inside. He knew how bad the situation was and he also knew how bad he would feel if their situations had been reversed. The thought of losing her was unbearable, as was the thought of him dying and leaving her behind to mourn for him was.

He closed his eyes in luxury when she added another blanket. It felt better now, not so cold. He drifted off to sleep again; not that he had intended to, but because he had no choice in the matter; his eyes just wouldn't stay open.

OoOoOoOoO

Daniel entered the room slowly, methodically, searching for the one item he needed to release Jack from his torment.

Teal'c was right behind him and advised caution when he approached any strange looking devices.

He dismissed several machines in the room, still unsure of their purpose. He knew what he wanted and focused entirely on that one item. The others could wait.

He stumbled over the debris littering the floor and Teal'c, so close behind him, grabbed his arm to steady him.

"Thanks Teal'c," he sighed, accepting the Jaffa's help.

"You must take care Daniel Jackson, it would do O'Neill no service if you were to fall and injure yourself."

Daniel knew his team-mate was right, but it still irritated him to be reminded. A moment later he felt guilty for getting annoyed with the man who was only thinking of Jack and he apologised inwardly.

"Yeah, sorry Teal'c. You're right."

After investigating each of the rooms, he finally found what he was looking for and excitedly examined it to see how he could work it. He was disappointed to find that he didn't know exactly how it worked. If only he'd found the manual.

"Sam?" Daniel called on his radio.

"Daniel!"

"We've found it," he sighed.

"And, but?" Sam envisaged it being damaged beyond repair with Daniel's voice sounding so disappointed.

There was a few moments of tense silence before Daniel answered.

"I'm not sure I can work it Sam. It lookscomplicated."

"Maybe I could take a look?"

Sam couldn't help feeling a little tearful. They had endangered Jack's life even further by bringing him here and now perhaps there was little hope of it working. She sniffed back the threatening tears.

"Sam? How's Jack?"

"He's sleeping," she informed him.

"We're on our way back Sam. We have to try this!" he said determinedly.

"I know Daniel. We have to give it a go...for his sake."

"See you in a minute."

Sam released the button on her radio and reached out to Jack.

"Jack!" she called, giving his shoulder a little shake.

He stirred at her touch.

"'smornin' already?" he asked drowsily.

Sam smirked.

"No sir. Daniel's found the machine Jack. Now we just have to get you there," she said, helping him to sit up.

He swayed a little when he was upright, but she steadied him, knowing to let him get used to being vertical before attempting to get him to his feet, especially without the guys to help her.

"You okay?" she asked, still concerned when he closed his eyes.

"Yeah. Just give me a minute huh?" he puffed breathlessly.

"Sure. Daniel and Teal'c will be along in a bit."

He would have nodded, but decided that perhaps he shouldn't. It wouldn't be a good thing to do right now.

A few minutes later and Jack could hear his team-mates coming as they crunched over the rubble strewn road. He opened his eyes and thanked god that the world was the right way up still.

Daniel squatted beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"You okay Jack?"

Jack swallowed then sighed.

"Let's get going," he gasped, holding out his arms for the others to hoist him to his feet.

Belatedly Daniel realised that Jack never actually answered the question, but let it pass as he could see Jack was struggling to stay upright on his shaking limbs.

They half carried him towards the building but getting him to step over the debris was another matter. He stumbled constantly, his legs felt like spaghetti and his feet kept slipping and sliding on the loose rubble. Several times they had to stop him from falling. It was hard work for all of them, but eventually they made it to the right machine.

Daniel had found a chair that was stable enough to hold Jack without collapsing under him and they made him sit down in front of the device.

Jack was panting heavily from the effort, exhausted by his walk and Sam carefully wiped the sweat from his brow with some of the cool water and a cloth that Janet had given her, anticipating the need.

They waited patiently for Jack to settle down before Daniel turned to the machine.

"You sure you know what you're doing Daniel?" Jack asked when he'd regained his breath, looking warily up at his friend.

"Ah...not exactly Jack," he sighed, not holding back the honest truth, knowing Jack wouldn't want him to lie. "I'm not even sure this will work, but we don't have a choice here."

Jack rolled his eyes in exasperation. What had he got to lose? he sighed.

"Then go ahead. It can only kill or cure, right?" he snorted with amusement, but it pulled the others up short. Sam gulped in distress, and Jack reached out to take her hand. "Sorry!" he sighed. "I shouldn't have said that, but I'm a realist. If it works, okay, that'll be great; but if it doesn't then, it doesn't." He hesitated for a moment. "Ah, guys, do you think I could have a minute alone with Carter?"

Daniel stopped peering at the machine, and jerked upright with embarrassment.

"Ah...sure Jack. Teal'c and I will be...outside. Give us a yell when you're ready."

He waited until they had gone before he looked up into swimming blue eyes.

"Sam. No matter what happens here, I want you to know that I love you. And if I ever get outta this, then I'm gonna see George about retiring," he said, squeezed her hand and closing his eyes for a second, then blinked, fortifying himself with a deep breath. "...No, don't stop me," he said when Sam went to interrupt. "I'm getting too old to go gallivanting round the galaxy any more. Maybe George can get me a job training the youngsters for the SGC, who knows? That's if you'll have me. I'm not much of a catch. I'm just a broken down old veteran with bad knees and even worse jokes..."

"Jack, don't say that please. I do want you. I love you so much. I have for a long time," she said, pleading with him to stop talking about leaving the SGC. "And you will make it through this Jack. You have to."

"Yeah, like I have a say in the matter. Sam..."

"No! I don't want to hear it Jack!"

She sniffed back the tears and he brushed the leaking onesaside, pulling her into a deep kiss. She flung her arms around him and sobbed into his neck, hoping to god it wasn't the last time she would be able to hold him.

TBC