They headed back to the cart, knowing that the boys needed to get home and settled. Willem was leaning against it, keeping an eye on the boys while carefully watching for anything suspicious. Jack hoped that there was nothing left to worry about.
At that moment, Abel and Hiram rode up on their rounceys and each man smiled and nodded towards the others.
"Everything okay?" Jack asked the three men whom he now considered close friends.
"Yeah," Willem nodded. "The boys haven't stirred, and I haven't seen anything to worry us."
"Everything looks fine," Hiram told them. "I'll come back in a day or two with some of my men to make sure everything is – uh cleaned up and to make sure there aren't any other bandits hanging around."
Jack nodded and glanced at Sam, agreeing silently with her that the two of them would also have to return. Although the Stargate had been destroyed, there might be other things for them to find. For now, however, they needed to get back to Hjem and Ethan's house and to look after the boys.
"Thank you, all of you," Jack told them. "I can't tell you how much I – we appreciate what you did."
"Me too," Sam added softly, with a smile. "Thank you for coming and saving us."
Hiram looked a bit uncomfortable but nodded in response to Jack and Sam's comments. The other two grinned.
"Most fun I've had in a long time," Abel told him.
"I'd say it was my job," Hiram added, "but honestly, there was no way I was gonna let some low-life criminal harm my friends. I'm glad he's gone."
"You don't think there'll be a problem, do you?" Jack frowned. The last thing he needed was to get into trouble for killing Leron.
"Nope," Hiram said firmly. "We all saw what happened – and the fact that he kidnapped Samantha and the boys means that he deserved what he got. Everyone is going to be relieved he's gone."
"I just hope he doesn't have another brother, somewhere," Sam interjected.
"Don't even think something like that," Jack told her. With a sigh he straightened up and headed towards the cart. "I think it's time we headed back," he said, suddenly feeling tired. "Willem and I will have to pick up our rounceys."
"I think you and Samantha should just ride in the cart with the boys," Hiram told him. "Willem can drive, and Abel and I will get your animals. Then I think the two of us will ride back ahead of you and tell everyone you're okay. I'm sure they're worried, and this way they can have everything ready for when you arrive."
Jack nodded, knowing it was a good idea. As much as he generally liked horse – or rouncey – riding, he was exhausted and figured a ride in a cart – even a bumpy one – was preferable. It also meant he could stay with the boys – and with Sam. He also agreed that it would be good for Hiram and Abel to head back to town. He was sure that Ethan and the others were worried sick.
A few minutes later they were all headed home. The boys were sound asleep, although Jack was worried about them. They were going to be traumatized after their kidnapping, and he knew they'd need lots of love and attention.
He glanced over at Sam, who was leaning against the side of the wagon, her eyes drooping with tiredness. The boys weren't the only ones who were going to have to deal with their experience. Even though he and Sam were experienced soldiers, what they'd just been through would be tough on anyone. It's one thing to be in danger yourself – another when the innocent, especially children, are involved.
"You okay?" he asked softly.
Sam lifted her head and smiled. "Just tired," she answered. "I can hardly wait to get back and sleep in my bed."
"Yeah, I hear ya. I'm getting too old for this kind of things."
Sam made a rude sound with her lips. "You are not too old," she scoffed. "I saw you fight – at least the end of it – and you did just fine!"
"Yeah," Jack sighed and leaned his head back onto the side of the wagon. "I'm glad he's gone," he admitted, "but I hated having to fight. I think I've gotten –", he stopped.
Sam looked at him quizzically. "You've gotten?"
He gave a half-grin. "I've gotten used to not fighting. I never saw myself as a – well – a merchant, I guess. If you'd asked me about it a few years ago, I would have said it was the worst thing I could have thought of but now –"
"Now?" she prodded.
"Now, I enjoy my life here," he admitted. He glanced at her quickly, wondering what his words would mean to her. He worried that she'd be angry – or sad or would resent him. Instead, she sat quietly, her eyes focused somewhere off into the distance.
"You know," she finally spoke. "I think I feel the same."
"Really? I thought you'd be bored. Someone with your – mind, your brilliance – you don't feel like you're wasting your life here?"
"No – not really," she admitted. "Sometimes I do wish I could do something more mentally challenging – but for the most part, I'm enjoying the – the peace. I've made good friends, I love the boys and -"
"And?" he grinned.
She rolled her eyes but didn't answer. After a few minutes of silence, where they both sat contemplating life on Varid, Sam finally spoke. "Since it looks like we're here for good, I am going to find something more challenging for myself. Maybe I'll try inventing some things."
"You could also teach," Jack suggested. "You could teach science – and how to hit bad guys over the head."
She snorted. "Yeah – that would go over well. But the science – that might be interesting."
They chatted for a few more moments, talking about possibilities for the future. It was Jack who finally stopped and took a deep breath.
"I guess - we really aren't going home," he said, softly. Although they'd both acknowledged it, it was now only starting to sink in.
"No, I guess not," Sam said. Suddenly her eyes filled with tears. Everything she'd been through, followed by the realization that they were never going home, welled up and suddenly overwhelmed her.
"Hey," Jack said, scooching over to her. "C'mere!" He put his arm around her and pulled her to him, so that she was resting her head on his chest. She sobbed out all her fear, and sadness and homesickness.
Jack held her for a long time. He rested his head back against the wood of the cart, and allowed himself to feel the same sense of sorrow and loss that Sam was experiencing. While tears weren't the way he handled things, he felt a deep sadness that almost threatened to cause him to break down.
He continued to hold the woman he loved, grateful she was here although he felt a momentary pang of guilt for that thought. He then glanced down at the two sleeping boys, and realized that, while he'd lost his home, his world, he'd gained something priceless.
Sam finally began to quiet down, her sobs turned into only occasional hiccups. He felt her head lift and she pulled back a little – but only enough so that she could look at him. His arm was still around her.
"You okay?" he asked.
She nodded. "Sorry about that," she told him. "I think – everything just came together and hit me."
"Understandable," he nodded. "I – uh feel the same."
"You do?" she asked, looking at him closely. "Need a shoulder to cry on? It really helps."
He chuckled softly. "No – at least I like the shoulder idea, but I don't need to cry." His expression sobered. "I've done enough of that," he admitted. "It's hard – but I look at you, at the boys – at our friends, and I tell myself how lucky I really am."
Sam nodded. "I know – I was thinking the same thing." She sighed. "The funny thing is, it's not really Earth that I miss but the people."
"I know," Jack nodded. "The crazy thing is what I have the most trouble with is thinking about them thinking about us. I wonder if they think we're dead or that we've been captured by the Goa'uld and made slaves or hosts. I'd feel better if we could just let them know we were okay."
Sam nodded. "I keep thinking about my father and brother."
"And Daniel and Teal'c – and George – ah hell!" Jack rubbed his eyes, suddenly feeling like he might, in fact, cry.
Sam turned slightly and put both her arms around him and snuggled up to his chest. She knew he needed comfort now, too, although he also needed a measure of privacy. She knew that Jack – and many military men - would be embarrassed to show too much emotion.
They two of them dozed as the wagon slowly made its way back to Hjem and their waiting friends. They didn't speak any more about the stargate, life on Varid, their lost friends and family – or their future. For now, they both needed to simply rest.