Chapter 14: Home

His mind was filled with fog when he first came around. He opened his eyes and squinted into the fading darkness. There was the soft light of early morning flickering through his window, his closed window. He breathed a sigh of relief at the realization, both because it was daylight, and because his window was safely shut.

He cast a gaze around his room once more, and saw the form of Colonel O'Neill sleeping soundly in the chair near the desk, his head resting on his crossed arms atop the table. Jonas resisted the urge to move, because he didn't wish to wake O'Neill. The older man looked completely worn out, sleep was likely the best thing for him at the present moment.

Slowly, Jonas struggled from bed, his entire body protesting as he did so. He quietly made his way past the sleeping Colonel and out into the hall, shutting the door silently behind him. He heard shuffling coming from downstairs and leaned over the banister to get a better look. As he did so, the wound across his stomach protested, and he drew in a sharp, pained gasp.

Commotion downstairs, then footsteps, hurrying up the stairs. Jonas turned in time to see a butler headed his way, a look of concern etched on his face.

"Sir, you should not be up and about." The butler replied sternly.

Jonas shook his head. "Please, I'm fine." He replied, batting away the butler's helping hand.

"You have had two encounters with the walking shadow in a single night.You are far from fine. Look at yourself. You look terrible. Please, just go back and rest." The butler replied, taking in Jonas's haggard appearance.

"No, I can't. Please, just let me go downstairs. I want a drink of water." Jonas stated and brushed, gently past the butler.

"As you wish." Was the reply that Jonas received, and the butler stepped out of his way, but followed him down to the kitchen, where he prepared a glass of water for Jonas, casting anxious glances to the young man as he downed the cold liquid. Jonas returned the butler's glances,wearily over the lip of the glass and sighed. He was fine.

Up in Jonas's room, Colonel O'Neill came awake with a start, and he quickly lifted his head from the desk and turned it to see Jonas's empty bed. His heart beat harshly in his chest, and he stood, knocking the chair over in the process.

He ran to the door and threw it open.

"Jonas?" He called, his voice echoing through the large home.

"Jonas, where are you?" Jack called once again.

There were footsteps on the stairs and Jack turned to see Jonas mounting the landing. A look of alarm on his face.

"Colonel?" Jonas asked, his voice slightly startled by the look of utter terror in Colonel O'Neill's eyes.

"Jonas!" Jack called in relief, his expression relaxing.

"I'm fine, Colonel, really." Jonas replied, walking to where O'Neill stood.

"You don't know how glad I am to hear you say that." Jack sighed simply.

Sam and Teal'c wandered into the hall, after hearing Colonel O'Neill's desperate shouts.

"Uh, good morning?" Jonas attempted, seeing the look of disbelief on the two faces that had just appeared.

Sam smiled gently and walked toward him. "How are you feeling?" She asked.

"Not bad." Jonas replied.

Sam searched his face for any sign of lying, and when she found none, she smiled again.

"We are so going home! We're leaving right now." Jack yelled.

He quickly stormed out and left a message with the butler for Johnston when the head of the house awakened. The butler swore that he would give the message to him, and walked the team to the gate.

Carter dialed home and the gate roared to life, the blue puddle springing from deep within the centre of the stone ring. When it had settled back into place, Jack literally pushed Jonas through, following him to be sure he got to the other side safely.

Jonas felt the shove on his back and the moment he entered the gate, something felt wrong. The wormhole slashed at him, and felt as though it was driving hot spikes through his wounds. He drew in a sharp breath and before he knew it, he was staggering out the other side into the gate room at the SGC. He walked slowly to the base of the ramp, the room spinning around him, while his stomach flipped sickeningly. He sat down hard on the ramp and waited for the other members of SG-1 to come through.

General Hammond entered the gate room and saw that his lead team had once again returned in one piece, aside from the tear in Jonas's shirt that showed a dressed injury through it and the white bandage on his upper right arm.

"Welcome back, SG-1." Hammond spoke and then saw Jonas's paled face.

"Jonas, are you feeling okay, son?" Hammond asked, kneeling in front of the younger man.

"Not really." Jonas admitted.

"What seems to be the trouble?"

"I, I don't know." Jonas replied and shook his head as if to clear it. The young man smiled and locked eyes with Hammond.

"Never mind, General. Guess I just got a bit of a head rush. It's fine now."

"Ah yes, that can sometimes happen." Jack spoke dryly from behind him, but his voice sounded unconvinced.

"Do you want me to call up Doctor Fraser?" Hammond asked, eyeing Jonas suspiciously.

Jonas shook his head. "No, that's okay. I'm fine, really. I'll go and see her later." Jonas replied and pushed himself to his feet.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Sir." Jonas said.

"Very well, we'll debrief in an hour. Don't be late." Hammond said and walked out of the gate room, with a final glance back at Jonas.