A/N: Okay, this chapter should hopefully be less controversial. Unless I get attacked by the members of the Association of Nerdy Swirly Glasses Wearers (an-sug-wuh?)

By the way, the disease Carly had is called orbital cellulitis. I decided it would be more realistic for her to not know the exact name.

It was a lazy afternoon. Jack and Carly were sitting on the couch together, watching a random movie on TV. It was muted, since Jack could never quite catch all the dialogue and Carly couldn't understand it at all.

During a commercial break, Jack said, "Carly...there's been something I've wanted to ask you?"

"Huh? Oh...what is it?" Carly had been in that sleepy, trance-like state that boring television can produce.

"Have you ever thought of getting some more flattering glasses?"

This finally got Carly's full attention.

"You're not suggesting I get a makeover, are you?" she mused. She was only being half-serious, but Jack bristled.

"Of course not!" he answered defensively. "I just want more people to be able to see your eyes properly. They're your best feature."

Carly blushed. Jack had never said such a thing before.

"Thank you, Jack...but I have to wear these," she said sadly.

"No you don't! There are so many different kinds out there! You'll be able to find another one that works just the same."

"Jack, you don't get it. It's not a matter of my personal preference...I actually have to wear them."

Jack scratched the back of his head.

"Oh? Why's that?"

Carly looked away. She hadn't wanted to tell Jack this until they were more established in their relationship. In fact, she rarely told anyone about it at all, but now it seemed she had no choice.

"When I was four," she began, "I got really sick. It was some sort of infection around my eyes. Mom waited to take me to the hospital because we were tight on money. She didn't want us to go broke if it turned out to be nothing serious...but it was."

She sneaked a look up at Jack. He was gazing intently at her; for once not cutting in with his own commentary.

She continued, "In the end...the doctors were able to save me from going completely blind, but only just. Now these glasses are the only ones that are strong enough to allow me to see properly. They have to make them special..."

She broke off and buried her face in her hands, probably smearing those glasses dreadfully in the process.

"So...your mother...she's the person you want to get back in contact with?" Jack inquired in a deceptively soft voice.

Carly knew where this was going to lead.

"It wasn't her fault!" she snapped as she lifted her head back up. "How was she supposed to know...we all make mistakes! And besides, I really don't remember that much about it anyway."

What she didn't tell Jack was that the little she did remember was quite traumatic.

Jack opened his mouth to say more, but then evidently decided against it. Instead, he clapped Carly on the shoulder hard enough to make her wince.

"Don't worry!" he told her confidently. "I'll find a way to get you another pair anyway. I promise!"

Well, that was sweet of him, but Carly's expectations weren't set very high.

After this, they resumed watching the mute TV, not comprehending much of the plot but not particularly caring either.