Dr. Aaron Hotchner had already talked to General Landry, which had been… interesting. He expects some push back. This isn’t just military he’s dealing with, it’s a top secret base that had become insular over several years. Of course it had; these people only have each other. He’s worked with people who had confidential jobs before, and all the strain that puts on families and friendships, but this is something far more isolating than the typical kind of secret life. So, of course, Hotchner being an outsider, a civilian, and someone who claimed to understand what was going on in their heads? No, he does not expect anyone to welcome him with open arms.
General Landry had been somewhat different than he expected, though. Good at seeming welcoming while he gave very clear indications of what he expected and where the boundaries were. However, when Hotchner asked to speak to SG-1 first, Landry suggested he talk to the leader before he talked to the rest.
“If you win him over, you might reel in the rest of them a little easier,” Landry had said, clapping him on the arm.
Hotchner doubts it’ll be that easy. He’s read their files, he knows he’s got a long road ahead of him. But he also knows they have been at this for a long time, that they’ve had the worst of it, they need him the most. He might not need them to like him, but if there’s a chance, he’ll take Landry’s suggestion.
“Thank you for coming to see me,” he says. They’re in what will be his office, but is mostly boxes now, stacked around a desk with chairs on either side which were here when he arrived. He’ll have to rearrange that, but for now… Well, he doesn’t want it to look too much like a psychiatrist’s office just yet.
“General Landry told me that everyone has been made aware that I’d be here, but maybe an introduction wouldn’t hurt anyway. I’m Dr. Aaron Hotchner. I’m going to be acting as therapist and behavioral specialist here for a while.” He offers his hand over the desk and tight smile. He knows he often comes across as ‘too serious’ but he’s making an effort. “Most people call me Hotch.”