Growing Pains - A Stargate Story

Chapter 6 - Part One

Location: SGC Guest Quarters

POV: Marina Karssen

Rina took in the dark-haired, spectacled man standing in her doorway offering one hand while clasping a suitcase in the other.

"I'm Dr. Hutchison, the psychologist," he said.

Rina quietly accepted his outstretched hand, her expression passive.

"I'm here for your evaluation, but you probably already guessed that," Hutchison added with a friendly smile, "If you want, I can ask my questions here or we can go to—"

"Here is fine," Rina interrupted.

Hutchison paused for a second before stepping into the room and slowly closing the door behind him.

"Okay," he said, adjusting his smile, "Shall we sit down?"

Rina moved toward her desk, pulling out a chair for Hutchison before taking her usual spot on the bed. Hutchison placed his suitcase atop the desk, flipping it open once he'd seated himself.

"Are you familiar with inkblot tests?"

"Yes."

Hutchison produced a stack of cardboard from the open case before continuing, "So then you're aware of how this works? I show you a series of images and you tell me whatever comes to your mind first."

"Yes," Rina confirmed flatly.

Hutchison reached inside his jacket, withdrawing some note paper and a pen, which he laid on the desk beside him.

God, I'm already hating this.

Hutchison held up the first image.

"Okay. What does this make you think of?" he prompted.

Rina pursed her lips, exhaling loudly.

"An inkblot," she answered dryly.

For a moment, Hutchison didn't move. Then he put the inkblot aside and scribbled something in his notes before reaching for the next image. Rina stared at it, her frustration silently growing. She rubbed her fingers along her temples.

"A blot of ink on a piece of cardboard," she said, anger leaking into her tone.

Again, Hutchison paused, quietly sighing before swapping the image for the next. Rina cocked her head to one side, raising her eyebrows.

"Actually, that one kind of looks like a ribcage," she admitted.

Hutchison turned the inkblot around, taking a look for himself.

"Huh. So it does."

"I'm sorry, I don't see the point of this," Rina blurted.

"It's called a projective test," Hutchison explained, setting aside the cardboard in his hands, "It's designed to allow a little insight into your emotional state."

"And what exactly is this telling you about my emotional state?" Rina asked skeptically.

"I'm not confident in sharing my assessment at this point," Hutchison said, leaning back in his chair, "Um...maybe we could just talk for a bit? If you don't mind."

"Go ahead."

I just want this over and done with.

Hutchison folded his hands comfortably over his middle.

"I hear you haven't been able to give an answer regarding why you want to officially join the SGC."

"No, with everything happening lately, I haven't been able to give it much thought," Rina explained.