Authors Notes: I in fact do not own any of these characters except my oc James Hartson
Once back in the safety of Atlantis, the adrenaline rush from their encounter with the Wraith began to subside, and Dr. James Hartson could not help but feel the familiar signs of weakness creeping in. His Type 1 diabetes, usually well-managed, was now demanding his attention. Likely due to this being, one his first off-world mission and two having his first run in with a wraith ship. Not a very good combination. As he removed his gear and sat down in a quiet corner of the briefing room, James retrieved his insulin pump, which had been securely stowed during the mission. His hands, still trembling from the adrenaline rush, fumbled slightly as he checked his blood glucose levels. The numbers on the monitor were higher than he had anticipated. Concern crept into his mind as he realized that the stress and physical exertion of the mission had affected his blood sugar levels. James knew that managing his diabetes was a delicate balance, and fluctuations like these could lead to exhaustion, weakness, and other complications. However, he couldn't bring himself to excuse himself from the debriefing meeting, not when it was his first meeting with the main crew.
Sitting in the briefing room, James tried his best to focus on the discussion about the Wraith encounter, but the nagging symptoms of weakness and fatigue were hard to ignore. His hands occasionally trembled, and he felt a bead of sweat forming on his forehead. Managing his diabetes while under the scrutiny of his new colleagues was adding an extra layer of stress. Dr. Weir was leading the discussion, and the rest of the team was actively contributing their insights and observations. James felt the weight of his own silence, his passion for geology and his desire to impress the team warring with his need to address his health.
Dr. Jennifer Keller, who was seated next to him, noticed his discomfort. She discreetly passed him a supportive glance, aware of his struggle, but didn't want to draw unnecessary attention. As the meeting continued, James couldn't help but feel torn between his eagerness to contribute and his need to manage his diabetes. He knew he should have excused himself, but the fear of making a poor first impression held him back.
Finally, as the meeting drew to a close, Dr. Weir addressed James directly, her concern evident. "Dr. Hartson, you've been quiet during this debriefing. Do you have any insights or observations you'd like to share?" James swallowed his nervousness and found his voice, even as he felt the waves of weakness persist. "I'm sorry, Dr. Weir. I've been trying to gather my thoughts, but I don't want to hold up the meeting. I'll provide my geological analysis in a follow-up report."
Dr. Weir nodded understandingly and added, "Of course, Dr. Hartson. We look forward to your detailed analysis. And please, feel free to speak up in future meetings."
With the meeting adjourned, James knew he needed to prioritize his health. He took a deep breath, excusing himself from the debriefing, and headed to his quarters to rest and address his fluctuating blood sugar levels. His first meeting with the main crew hadn't gone as he had hoped, but he was determined to strike a balance between his passion for geology and his commitment to managing his diabetes in the challenging environment of Atlantis.
After excusing himself from the debriefing, James, with a growing sense of weakness, made his way towards the infirmary. His intention was to manage his fluctuating blood sugar levels and regain his strength, but as he walked through the labyrinthine corridors of Atlantis, the symptoms of hypoglycaemia, low blood sugar, became increasingly pronounced. His vision blurred, and his steps became unsteady. James felt disoriented, a disconcerting haze clouding his mind. He realized that he needed help, and he urgently reached for his communicator. But before he could make contact with the infirmary, his legs gave way beneath him, and he collapsed to the cold, metallic floor of Atlantis. His consciousness wavered as he fought to remain aware of his surroundings, and a sense of vulnerability washed over him.
As the minutes passed, James lay there, struggling to summon the energy to call for assistance. His mind was foggy, and the situation was growing more dire with each passing second. He was grateful for his colleagues who were also exploring Atlantis, and he hoped that someone would happen upon him and realize the urgency of his condition. His earlier fear of making a poor impression on his new team had now evolved into a more immediate concern: the need for help and understanding in this moment of vulnerability, as he battled to maintain consciousness and recover from a severe low blood sugar episode.