Author Notes: Thank you for the kind reviews, they mean a lot. I hope you like this chapter!

Chapter 20: Reunions and Meetings

Jonas sat curled up by the window. He was still in the Government buildings, and would likely stay there for the rest of his life. However much the Kelownans hated his people, they could not deny that his intelligence and knowledge would be useful to them. All they had to do was keep him away from anyone from Earth.

The door opened, but Jonas did not look up. Silence reigned in the room for many minutes after the door was locked behind the newcomer, until, "Why have you come back?" The tone was laced with venom, but Jonas was too far gone to even care.

Reciting in a dull tone, he replied, "I am sorry to taint your nation with my presence, ma'am. It was required of me to return."

"Why?" The tone was more upset now, "You were safe Jonas! You shouldn't have come back! Earth would have given you a chance for a new life!"

Frowning, Jonas turned towards the voice. It belonged to a young girl, with sandy blonde hair and sparkling green eyes that had not yet given up. Around both wrists were manacles identical to his own, "Pasha?" Tears ran freely down her cheeks as she walked forwards, "I thought you were a Kelownan-"

Jonas was cut off by Pasha throwing her arms around his neck and breaking down completely. Her legs gave, and Jonas was forced to sit on the floor to make her more comfortable. Not caring about any rules, Pasha started sobbing in another language, the language of the Langarans, "I'm so sorry, it's all my fault you came back! You should have stayed with those people you met. I don't want to make you live like this-"

Jonas cut her off before anyone could hear, "Sssh. Pasha, I would never blame you, I blame Dreylock for making both our lives hell. Please promise me you won't ever speak in our tongue again – if she hears…" Jonas shook his head, trying to rid that thought from his head, "Pasha, I promised your brother to keep you safe, and I've done a rubbish job of it so far. We just need to abide by the rules and…" Jonas didn't know how to finish; he didn't know how their situation could get any better.

Pasha shifted her position and leaned against his shoulder. Soon, her breathing deepened and evened out as she fell asleep. Jonas stayed awake for barely a few minutes more.

"He did what?" Jack was livid. He couldn't believe Jonas had just upped and left like that.

Sam, Daniel and Teal'c could hardly believe it either. The four had come straight to the briefing room upon arrival, and were now just staring at General Hammond, willing him to retract his statement. "He has been gone ten days. I was unable to convince him to stay…" Hammond trailed off.

Jack frowned, his anger abating slightly, "Sir?"

Their commanding officer sighed, "There was something odd about the whole incident. I haven't ever seen Jonas act like that, except when he was turned into a child. I was under the impression that Dreylock scared him."

Teal'c raised an eyebrow, "I have never observed Jonas Quinn being afraid of the First Minister."

Daniel ran a hand through his hair, looking decidedly worried, "Yeah, but he hasn't seen Dreylock since before the whole Aquiell experience. What if he remembered something and never told us?"

"You three have started to make a habit of that." Jack commented, causing Sam and Daniel to look away. "Sir, I don't buy that Jonas would suddenly just ditch us for Kelowna, or Langara, or whatever the hell they call themselves nowadays. I mean, he's not exactly popular there, regardless of the whole kicking Anubis' ass thing."

"I agree Colonel, which is why you are going after him. You leave at 0900 hours tomorrow. Dr Jackson-"

"I'm fine sir, I want to go."

"Very well. Colonel, I do not want to jeopardise our relationship with the Langarans, but I also want our boy back. Find out what's going on; I don't like our allies deceiving us."

"Understood sir."

"Dismissed. And get some sleep."

"Colonel O'Neill, what is the reason behind this honour?"

"Oh, just here to catch up; never got to say goodbye to Jonas. He around?"

Dreylock's smile became rather fixed, "I am afraid he is not. He is helping in securing a mining treaty within the Andari Federation."

Jack didn't believe her for one second, "Oh, never mind, we'll stick around and wait."

"I am afraid negotiations are a tedious business, Colonel, he will be away for many months."

"You got a phone?"

"Excuse me?"

"How about lunch?"

"I-"

"Great! Shall we?" Jack strode ahead, leaving Dreylock storming after him. The rest of SG-1 smirked; it would be interesting to see how long Dreylock could withstand Jack.

"Jonas!" Pasha came skidding into the lab.

Immediately, Jonas was worried, "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Four people have come through the portal! I think they're your friends."

"Pasha, not so loud, you're not supposed to know about the Stargate." Jonas had told Pasha everything when SG-1 had first come to their planet, "How do you know?"

"I saw them! They look just like you described. You have to come and tell them everything!"

"I can't. I won't endanger our people. Dreylock is powerful."

"And they are more so! They could even free us."

"I can't take that chance. Whenever they come here in the future, I'm not allowed to see them."

"Jonas…" Pasha pleaded, "Please, they will not believe me."

Before she could continue, Jonas leapt to his feet and looked immediately at the floor. Pasha whipped around and followed suit; a guard was standing in the doorway, "The First Minister commands that you remain on this level until otherwise instructed. You, girl, are to come down and serve food."

"Yes sir." Jonas was thankful that Pasha kept her voice in a subservient tone, and watched as she followed the guard out. He prayed that she would hold her tongue.

Lunch was, to say the least, interesting. Jack wouldn't let Dreylock have time to think or eat, bombarding her with the most ridiculous questions. As the second course was brought in, Sam decided to ask a few more questions to the point, "So, how is Jonas?"

"He is well. Please eat, it is delicious."

Sam did not miss the attempt to change the subject, "We'd love to talk to him. Now that the peace is being observed between your nations, it should be fine to talk to him after lunch, shouldn't it?"

"He will be rather busy, I fear, for most of your visit."

"Oh no!" The girl who was serving the drinks lost her balance, tipping the water into Jack's lap. "I am so sorry sir! It was an accident, I swear-"

"Silence, girl, and get a cloth!" Dreylock barked.

"Yes First Minister." The girl bowed and left.

Jack, however, had been watching the girl with interest before the accident; there was something oddly familiar about her that he hadn't been able to place. He also knew for a fact that she had tripped on purpose, "You know, don't bother, I'll get one myself."

Before the Kelownan woman could protest, Jack was up and out through the door that the girl had disappeared through. Behind him, he heard Daniel launch into one of his lectures – something about Mayan pottery. Dreylock was powerless to do anything.

Jack walked swiftly down the thin serving corridor, looking for the girl. He didn't go very far when a small hand grabbed his arm, and pulled him into a storage cupboard.

To Be Continued…

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