A/N: I finally finished the first part of my prequel fic for Got Pants? Sorry it's taken so long. I've been dealing with writer's block. Again. Gah.

Anyway. It's kinda dark, but don't worry. Things get better. Those of you who've read Got Pants? already knew that, though.

-- Prologue --

There was nothing to worry about, nothing in sight but golden sands and rolling waves...until something loud and offensive screamed in Sam's ear. She moaned, rolling to grope for the cordless receiver. Her hand met the clock, which she mistook for the phone at first, and it crashed to the floor. On the fifth ring, she finally managed to find the offending phone. She thumbed the talk button and lifted it to her ear. "Carter."

"Sam, hey. It's me—Daniel."

"Daniel?" Sam squinted to see what time it was, only to remember her clock was on the floor. It was still dark outside, so she knew it had to be...early. It was unlike Daniel to call like this, especially when he knew she needed her sleep after a day like yesterday.

"Sorry, Sam. I didn't want to wake you, but... Well, I - I thought you'd want to..."

The familiar sick prickle of fear started in Sam's stomach, worming its way back to grip her spine. It was amazing how quickly adrenaline could chase away the fog of sleep. "Daniel, what's wrong?"

"Jack's been in an accident. I don't know what happened, but Teal'c's on his way to the hospital."

Sam's chest tightened; she couldn't breathe. General O'Neill had boarded a flight from D.C. hours before, not long after Landry had told him about SG-1's mission on PY8-C56. Sam had heard he was coming, but she'd never... She hadn't talked to him in weeks.

"Sam? They...they said it was bad."

"I'm coming, Daniel."

Daniel met her at the door, his hair uncombed and his clothes rumpled. He put an arm around her shoulders, then walked with her to where the rest of the team waited outside the OR. Cam pushed off the wall and went to Sam, resting his hand on her shoulder. Vala offered her a paper cup of steaming coffee, and Teal'c opened his eyes, rising from his Kel'no'reem to join his teammates at Sam's side. They were all together; the old team and the new, joined by friendship. Sam knew nothing short of a Prior walking through the hospital doors would pull them away now, and she loved them for it.

They stayed through the night, until the sun began to peer through the windows. Vala had drifted off, her head resting on Teal'c's shoulder. Sam sat in the floor, her back to the wall, while Cam and Daniel took turns pacing the floor. They should have heard something by now. The longer it took, the less chance General O'Neill... No, she wouldn't let herself think that.

She was still fighting that thought when the door opened at last. The doctor stepped out, shoulders sagging. He looked at each member of the team, searching for whomever was in charge.

Cam and Daniel stopped pacing as soon as they saw the doctor and intercepted him as Sam stood.

"How is he?" Cam asked.

The doctor's gaze flicked to the team again. "I understand he has no family?"

Sam's heart clenched. Daniel said something, but she couldn't hear him. No. No. He's alive.

"I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but he didn't make it."

He didn't make it...

No, he's alive. He's alive! She felt like someone had dropped her in a vat of ice water; she struggled to breathe, fighting against the water's pull, not realizing what she felt was Teal'c's arms wrapped tight around her.

Jack's dead.

A/N: Uploaded new version 1-21-08.