25?

As they walked into the house they heard the phone ringing. Sam rushed to answer it as Jack let Rooster out. Jack listened to Sam's side of the conversation, wondering what was going on. He was sure she was talking to General Hammond, the amount of "Sir's" in the conversation guaranteed that. When she hung up she looked over at Jack with a frown. "The doctor from PX-QR56 came through the gate earlier this morning." Jack nodded. He raised his eyebrow as if asking for more details. "Gen. Hammond wants us to meet with Dr. Ivert at the SGC."

Jack tried to ignore the sense of foreboding that suddenly overcame him. With a shrug he called Rooster back into the house and then grabbed his keys. "Let's not keep the good Doctor waiting." He said, leading the way back to his truck. Sam followed quietly and opened the truck door for Rooster while Jack locked her front door. The trip to the SGC was silent, neither sure about what to say, each scared that Dr. Ivert was going to give them bad news.

They went to the briefing room and joined Gen. Hammond, Dr. Ivert, Janet, and Daniel around the table. Rooster lay down between Jack and Sam's chairs. "What's the news?" Jack asked, not wanting to delay the inevitable.

Dr. Ivert gave him a sad smile. He looked directly at Jack as he addressed the people gathered at the table. "I used the salve on a gentleman four months ago. He was chemically blinded much the same way you were, except it wasn't a curse but an accident." The doctor paused briefly, as if trying to figure out a way to finish his story. "He has lost his vision again. We tried reapplying the salve, but it was ineffective."

All eyes turned to Jack. "What? I can see just fine!" Jack objected, looking around the room at everyone.

"You've only had the cure for about two months Colonel." Janet reminded him.

Jack turned to Dr. Ivert. "How many people have you given the salve to?"

"Three."

"And how many became blind again?"

"So far, just one. The other two have been cured for almost two years."

"See! It was probably just a fluke!" Jack said, more to comfort himself then anyone else.

"Are you experiencing any vision loss Colonel?" Janet asked. "Light flashes? Floaters? Curtains over your vision?"

Jack shook his head. "No problems at all." He was even lucky enough not to have to wear readers. The ophthalmologist that cleared him before said it was uncommon for people in their fifties not to need help with up close vision.

"We'll give him monthly checks for a while." Gen. Hammond said to Janet, who nodded agreement. He turned to Jack. "If you experience any vision loss or any of the symptoms Dr. Jackson has just mentioned, inform her right away."

"Yes Sir. But I'm sure I'll be fine."

"We hope so." Gen. Hammond said. He stood, indicating the group was dismissed. "Thank you Dr. Ivert for the warning. We'll give you updates as we get them."

"Please do." He shook the general's hand. "Jack," He said, stopping Jack before he left. "I hope it lasts for you. But if it doesn't, we'll try the salve again. My scientists are working on a new cure, that might help too."

"Thanks Doc, but I'll be fine." Jack gave him a smile, then followed Sam and Rooster out the door. They walked silently to the truck, but as Jack turned the truck on he turned to Sam and grinned at her. "What do you say we stop by my place so I can load up the truck?"

Sam, deciding not to worry about the possible impending doom, smiled back at him. But she surprised him by shaking her head. "We can't."

"What? If its because I might go blind again-"

"No, it's not that." She said, cutting him off. "The regulations Sir."

"Ohforcryingoutloud!" Jack shouted. "Screw the regs!" He forced himself to calm down. "Sam, I want to be with you. Now. If I really do only have a couple of months of vision, I want to spend them with you."

Sam, trying to talk around the lump in her throat said, "I want to spend them with you too, but we can't."

"Well hell." He mumbled under his breath. Realizing that she wasn't going to risk both of their jobs, Jack turned the truck off. "Stay here, I'll be right back." He jumped out of the truck and told Rooster to stay when the dog tried to follow him.

He returned fifteen minutes later carrying some papers. He handed them to Sam as he started the truck again. "What's this?" She asked, looking at them.

"My retirement forms. Wanna help me fill them out? They need to know why I'm retiring, and I can't very well say it's to be with the woman I love." He looked over at her.

"You didn't have to do this Jack." Sam said, feeling as if she'd guilted him into it.

He nodded. "Yes I did. If we can't be together while we're both at the SGC, then it makes sense that I'm the one to leave. I've retired before." Jack shrugged. "Come on Sam. Don't look so upset."

"You did this out of anger." She held the papers as if they were a bomb, barely touching them.

"I did it because I love you and I want to be with you." He smiled at her. "I did it because I want to be able to do this-" He leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips, "without worrying who was around or what they'd say." He finished.

"Are you sure?" Sam asked, very aware of his presence now.

"Absolutely."

Sam smiled at him then. She leaned over to him and brought him in a hug. "I love you Jack."

"Love you too." He said, releasing her so he could drive home.

A/N: Gonna finish this one before I get back to MIA. Just be patient and eventually they will both get done. Thanks for being so loyal y'all!