Chapter 20: Search Your Memory

Jonas stared up at the sky and saw a twisting whirlpool of green light above them, his breath caught in his chest as he witnessed it.

Weakness continued to wash over him and he tried his best to fight it, but wasn't quite as successful as he had first hoped to be. After attempting to stand, he immediately hit the ground again and he hit hard, the breath being forced out of him in a strangled choke.

This did not seem to be one of the best days he'd ever had.

He gasped, as he tried to suck in as much air as he could, which sadly wasn't much amidst his heaving diaphragm. Nevertheless, he pushed himself back to his feet slowly and backed away from the whirlpool above.

It began raining then, a terrestrial downpour. Huge drops of rain fell, gaining potential with every strike, and within no time at all, Jonas was soaked and shivering. Lightening flashed across the sky, followed by a loud, echoing clap of thunder. Jonas cringed against the echo.

OOO

Jack watched Jonas closely, as he had been for the past few moments after just previously meeting a ghost. When he turned back to address the ghost who he'd spoken with he was surprised to find that he and Jonas were alone in the tiny room, lit in a spooky, pale white glow.

"After this, I am never watching another spooker movie, never!" O'Neill mused to himself, mainly to break the silence, but also to be sure he wouldn't forget that goal.

He scooted over to where Jonas lay twisting and turning on the floor, ignoring the uncomfortable feeling that had continued to wash over him.

"And I'm never complaining about a slight cold again, this has got to be worse then any cold I've experienced. And if the temperature drops by a few degrees, who cares? I will be able to say truthfully that I've experienced way worse." Jack continued talking to himself, making a list of things he'd never do again when Jonas inhaled sharply, startling him.

He shook the unconscious man slightly. "Jonas." He replied.

It didn't help much, nothing really changed, Jonas's position, slightly, but other than that, nothing.
From far off, he heard thunder clapping and raindrops hitting, and he knew they were in for another storm. He looked up at the roof, hoping that it would hold up and not leak, but not really expecting it to do his wishes and instead he sighed and moved to the door, casting another glance over his shoulder before pulling the door open and sneaking a gaze out.

The forest was dark again, no sign of Coris in her mad search. That suited Jack just fine.

He felt a light breeze sift in through the doorway and blow past him, brushing against him as it passed, he shivered against it. He closed his eyes as the wind, gaining force hit him, and breathed it in to calm his stomach. It worked for a sheer second and then the feeling was back again and seemed to carry with it more force. He grimaced against it, before opening his eyes once again.

"Colonel O'Neill?" The voice was weak, but it was there, and it was coming from behind him. Jonas was awake.

O'Neill turned to where Jonas lay on the floor, head turned towards him and he smiled before making his way over to his team-member and pushing the door shut behind him.

"Welcome back." Jack replied, quietly.

Jonas regarded him in confusion for a slight second. "Where did I go?" He asked.

Jack had to laugh. "You didn't go anywhere, Jonas. Did you?" Jack raised his eyebrows in question and waited for his reply.

"I...uh, I don't know to be exact. I was somewhere, but it wasn't here. I don't remember right where I was, but I remember everything else. The execution, the cold, the odd feeling, that green light. Thunder, lightening and rain, lots of rain and wind. Oh and there were a lot of people around me too, the man with the green eyes was there and the other villagers as well. I think they were the villagers, but I don't remember where I was." Jonas rambled.

"Uh huh, execution?" Jack replied, pressing a hand against his churning stomach. He noticed Jonas was experiencing the same discomfort as he was, but didn't say anything.

"Yes Colonel, Coris's execution." Jonas stated simply.

"Uh huh." Jack replied quietly.

Jack felt the presence of another person long before he saw that person or even before that person said anything and he turned to face a very concerned looking Dr. Jackson.

Daniel was standing next to the wall, arms crossed, dressed in a white sweater and khaki white pants and he was regarding the two men sympathetically.

"How're you two holding out?" Daniel asked softly.
"Holding out? Holding out? You have no idea what we're going through." Jack replied stunned.

"No, you're right I don't. This light that Coris created isn't affecting me, because I'm not really here." Daniel replied solemnly. He walked towards them and knelt next to Jonas who had managed to lift himself into a semi-sitting position, but hadn't made it any further, and Daniel was also on Colonel O'Neill's right.

"You know Coris?" Jack asked, rasping to choke back the nausea that threatened to overwhelm him.

"Well, um no, I don't know her, but I do know of her and what she's been putting you all through, especially you Jonas. And I know how you can stop this, but it includes your cooperation." Daniel replied turning to Jonas.

Jonas looked at him through stunned eyes and nodded slowly. "I'll do what I can, Dr. Jackson, just tell me what I need to do."

"You have to remember where you are when you experience these memories and flashbacks. I know you can't remember, but in order for this to work, you have to search your memory Jonas, for the answers you need."

"Why?"

"Wherever this place is, it's the very seat of Coris's energy and she can only be stopped from there."

"Daniel, you're a ghost, go and...uh... mingle with the spirit world and help Jonas out a little bit." Jack stated from where he was seated on the floor.

"I can't Jack, I'm not a ghost, how many times have I told you that?"

Jack was silent as he tried to think of something to say.

"A lot." Daniel finished for him.

"And I still don't quite believe you. Look around Daniel! Dark, cold planet. 'Ghost planet' if you will. And you just happen to be here with the other ghosts? Ya gotta admit, it looks a little, oh shall we say off?"

Daniel sighed but, let it drop.

"Okay, for your amusement, let's just say I'm a ghost. Do you honestly think Coris would want to have anything to do with me if she knew I was your friend, and needed information to help you stop a disaster that she created in the first place?"
"Yeah...no probably not." Jack replied, it sounded different when it was put that way.

Jack turned back to Jonas who had all of a sudden become very silent and O'Neill wanted to know why.

What he saw was a very pale looking Jonas Quinn who seemed to be very deep in thought and he moved over to him.

"Jonas?" He asked.

Silence.

"Jonas!" He yelled this time, loud enough to wake the dead, and Jonas seemed to have a momentary relapse in memory, blinked and looked around in confusion.

"Sorry Colonel, I still don't remember." Jonas replied, looking at his commander blearily.

"Think Jonas. Forget everything else, and just think. It's the only way." Daniel replied in encouragement.

Jonas's eyes glazed over momentarily, and he pitched back and would've hit his head if it hadn't been for O'Neill's gentle catch.

"Jonas! Jonas, wake up." Jack replied.

Seconds dragged on and turned into minutes that seemed to stretch into hours, and finally Jonas seemed to snap out of it, after about seven agonizing minutes, he opened his eyes, blinked wearily and sat up quickly, despite Jack's gentle restrain.

"I got it Colonel! Dr. Jackson, I remember the place!" Jonas cried triumphantly and both Jack and Daniel broke into a smile at the regain of memory.