Chapter 25

An hour later, the gate started spinning and a wormhole was formed. Jack and Daniel hid behind some big boulders and waited. They noticed five people walk through the gate. Then it shut down.

Jack and Daniel walked out of their hiding spots. "Sam, what is SG3 doing here?"

"General Landry's idea and 'hello' to you, too, Jack." They hugged and kissed.

"So, who's looking after the base?"

"Cam is."

"OK. Shall we?"

They walked together side by side as they talked until they reached the building.

Daniel, Sam, and Jack walked while Daniel told Sam about what he told Jack. Jack watched Sam as she opened up a bag, pulled out a device, and started walking around the room while listening to Daniel.

He knew it was just like old times but there was one member missing... Teal'c. He knew if Teal'c was with them also, it would be just like old times. He heard foot steps and turned to see Dixon walking in.

"Hi, Jack."

"Dixon."

"I heard you scared the shit out of Lieutenant Brown."

"Did he tell you what happened?"

"Yeah." Then he turned to Sam and Daniel. "Some things will never change."

"What? Sam and Daniel?"

"Yeah. It's just like old times."

"Yeah, but Teal'c is not here."

"True. So, how did it go with the priors?"

"They've all seen the light and the eight planets the Hammond visited all were having parties."

"I bet they were."

"Yeah. They even brought out their moonshine. That stuff was gut rot."

"Did you try some?"

"Oh, yeah. Strong but smooth. All Daniel would have needed was one mouthful and he would have been drunk."

Dixon laughed.

"How much did you have, Jack?"

"One goblet and I was so drunk one of the captain's had me beamed up into my quarters before I passed out."

"Does Sam know about it?"

"Nope. I knew what she would do when we get back."

"What's that."

"Tell doc about it and she would bring out her large needles."

"Well, that's what happens when you eat or drink something off world."

"Yeah. Don't remind me."

"I'm going to head back to camp."

"OK. Take SG3 with you."

"Sure. We will be back before the eclipse starts."

"OK."

Dixon turned and walked out of the building.

Jack watched Sam and Daniel talk. He could see how happy they both were when it came to Ancient devices and writings. When it was almost time, both SG4 and SG3 returned to the building.

"Are they still at it?" Dixon asked.

"Yep. Sam took a brake five minutes ago."

Daniel turned when he heard the foot steps and saw who walked in.

"Hi, guys. It's time."

"It is."

"OK. Jack, Sam."

They walked over and stood in the circle.

"How are you feeling, Sam?"

"I'm good. You?"

"I'm fine."

"Colonel, it's starting," one of the lieutenants said from outside.

"Daniel, look up."

Everyone looked up when they saw the circle above Jack and Sam start to glow.

"Everyone stand back," Daniel said.

Then they saw the circle on the floor start to glow and the holes in the walls started to glow as well.

"I suggest that you all get out of here," Jack said.

"No, Jack."

"Daniel, we don't know what's going to happen. Turn all the recorders on and get out."

"Sam?"

"Colonel, take Daniel and get out of here. That's an order."

"Come on, Daniel." He went to grab Daniel.

"Wait the video." He ran around the room turning all the cameras on. Then he picked up Sam's laptop and went back to the others.

They looked at Jack and Sam before walking outside. Daniel quickly turned the laptop on and put it on a flat rock. He pushed a few keys and waited. Then it showed the video footage of what was going on in the room. All that he and the two teams could do was watch.

Inside the room they noticed the lights were getting brighter and then some sort of shield appeared and the room got darker.

"I wonder what's going to happen next, Sam?"

"I don't know, Jack." Then the lights got brighter and the lights from the walls were shining on them both.

When it was dark again, they knew that the moon had blocked out the sun. After that happened, there was a bright light in the circle where Jack and Sam were. Daniel couldn't see them for fifteen minutes. When the moon started moving away they noticed the bright light in the circle started fading until they could see both Jack and Sam. Daniel let out his breath knowing that they were OK.

When the eclipse was over and the lights were gone from inside the room, Daniel quickly ran into the room.

"Are you guys OK?"

"Yeah, except for almost being blinded."

"Sam, are you OK?"

"Yeah, nothing happened."

"OK, that's strange."

"Meaning?"

"Well it said fifteen years, but what?"

"Perhaps something happens in the next fifteen years?" Sam said.

"I don't know, Sam."

"So, now what?" Jack asked.

"We go home," Sam said.

"Sounds good to me."

"I'll let you know if I find something more," Daniel said.

"OK, Daniel. Remember you've got another two days."

"I know, Sam."

"Come on, Jack. Let's go home."

They all walked out of the building and to the stargate. Daniel watched SG3, Sam, and Jack walk through the gate. Then it shut down.

"Daniel, any idea what will happen to Jack and the General?"

"No, I don't know. I'm going to head back to the building." Then he turned and walked back to the building.

When Jack, Sam, and SG3 returned to Earth, they all went to have their check-ups and something to eat and drink.

Five hours later, the Hammond was in Earth's orbit. They beamed everything down to the SGC before going to the underground hanger. The personnel were given a week off, since the last time they had time off was for the paint ball contest.

Two weeks later, it was a Friday night poker night. Everyone showed up for it. While playing poker, Jim looked at Jack, then to Sam, and back to Jack again, while one of the players was dealing.

"Jack, you look different."

"Different how?"

"Younger."

"I thought it was me. I noticed it in you, too, Sam," Andy said.

"Really? I still feel the same," Jack said.

"Same here. The only change I've noticed is here," she patted her stomach.

Jack smiled as he picked up his cards.

"So, how come you two have changed? What's your secret?" Jim asked.

"We're still the Same, Jim. Are you playing?" Jack asked.

"Yeah. Two." He put two cards on the table.

They played for the next three hours before leaving after Sam won again.

That night, while Sam was in the bathroom doing her nightly routine, she looked in the mirror and noticed the change. Before she went off world, she'd noticed wrinkles. Now, there were none and her skin looked younger also. Then she saw Jack walk into the bathroom looking at Sam in the mirror.

"Hey, are you OK?"

"Yeah. Jack, look at yourself in the mirror."

"Why?"

Sam turned to him. "Jack, you look like you did a year ago."

"So?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Younger. I'm thinking that the device is making us look younger, but it's a slow changing process."

"Slow changing..."

"One month for every year."

Jack thought about it. "So, in fifteen months, we will be fifteen years younger?"

"That my best guess. I'll talk to Daniel about it in the morning."

"OK. Come on. Let's go to bed."

"OK."

Sam turned off the light and followed Jack to bed.

Once they were in bed, Jack snuggled up to Sam's back like he did every night.

The next morning, Sam walked down to Daniel's office. She walked in to see him taking a sip of his coffee. "Morning, Daniel."

He looked up. "Morning, Sam. How did poker go last night?"

"I won again."

"Gee, you should let someone else win for once."

"It's the way the cards fall."

"True. So, what can I do for you?"

"Have you finished translating everything from that device on PYX 374?"

"Ah, yeah, I did. Everything, but since part of the wall was damaged, it's hard to tell who wrote it, when they wrote it, and what 'fifteen years' meant. Why?"

"I think I know what it means, Daniel."

"Oh?" He raised his eyebrows.

"A couple of Jack's friends noticed a change in both Jack and me. They said we looked younger."

Daniel looked at Sam and he noticed the change in her.

"Oh my... Sam, you and Jack should be tested."

"For what?"

"It's just a hunch. Can you call Jack and ask him to come in?"

"Ah, why?"

"Trust me. Oh and meet me in the infirmary." Then he ran out of the room.

Sam looked at door. Then she went over to the phone and called Jack.

"O'Neill."

"Jack, ah, can you come to the SGC?"

"When?"

"Now. I spoke to Daniel about what's happening to us."

"OK. Why does Daniel want me to come in?"

"I have no idea. After I told him about what happened last night, he looked at me for a minute then told me to call you."

"OK. I'll be there in twenty minutes."

"Alright. I'll be in the infirmary."

"Why? Is everything OK?"

"Daniel wants us there."

"Alright. See you soon." Then they both hung up.

Sam walked down to the infirmary to see Daniel talking to Carolyn. She walked over to them.

"Daniel."

He turned to Sam. "Sam, is Jack coming?"

"Yes. So, I'm here."

"Ah, yeah, I spoke to Carolyn here. I asked her to run some tests and scans."

"Why?"

"Just a hunch. So, please..."

"OK."

"General, if you'll lay on the bed, I'll get started."

"Sure." Sam walked over and laid on the bed.

"Daniel, are you going to tell me?"

"No, not until the tests are done to see if I'm right."

"OK."

"I'll leave you to it when Carolyn returns."