It was 1900. Having missed their appointed rendezvous the previous evening because a strategy meeting with his team had gone on longer than planned, Hayes was looking forward to his drink with "Ensign" Shaw. Also an entire shift wrestling mentally with Malcolm Reed had left him on edge and slightly drained. He'd been anticipating a nice relaxing hour or two in good company.
He was standing outside her door with a bottle from his modest stash when he noticed her strolling down the corridor towards him in loose pants and shirt, looking incredibly relaxed - and damn hot if he was being honest with himself. He tamped that thought down remembering who exactly she was and what she represented to this mission. He first and foremost respected her, of course. But he could still harbour admiration - physical and intellectual - for the person without acting like a horny teenager.
"Major Hayes. Good to see you."
"You look like you've just spent 24 hours on Risa, Ensign Shaw. What gives?"
She laughed. "Well I'm glad my outward appearance is reflective of the inner calm. Sub-Commander T'Pol kindly accepted my request to participate with her daily meditation. I miss sharing the experience as I did while on Vulcan."
She keyed in her code and they entered her quarters.
Hayes nodded. "Of course. Vulcan. To be honest, I don't know a lot about them. The Sub-Commander is my first contact in that respect and she's not exactly easy to read."
"You couldn't be more right there, Major. There are more expressive glaciers than some Vulcans, though T'Pol is extremely expressive. Like my time on Vulcan, her time with Humans has made quite an impression."
She sat cross-legged on the bed. "So are you just gonna stand there all evening modelling that fine looking bottle or are you actually gonna grab a couple of glasses from over there and pour us a drink?"
Hayes obliged. He wondered what kind of energy the woman exuded that he felt so comfortable in her presence. He knew what she was capable of. Her file - or at least the part of it he had access to - would have had most normal folk quaking in fear. But then, Hayes could hardly be considered as a man existing within the realm of normal. He was good with that. Apparently, Meara Shaw was as well.
She took the glass from Hayes outstretched hand with a smile and settled back on her pillow. Raising the glass to her lips she swirled the contents and inhaled. "Now. I believe there is the subject of a person of mutual interest that we were going to address…"
Hayes raised his glass, smiling warmly. For sure, amongst many other things, he could see that Meara Shaw had a talent for breaking down barriers and repairing damaged goods. Maybe he'd learn something about himself as well as Malcolm through this burgeoning friendship…
Malcolm's shift had ended. Two days had passed and having recovered from the initial surprise of Meara Shaw's re-entry into his life, he thought it was about time to hopefully pick up where they had left off. She had been nothing but professional in the Armoury and during training. Malcolm had appreciated her giving him the space he needed to adjust to her presence. It made him realise how important she had been to him in the past, revisiting those memories of their time in the Academy had warmed him. He strolled towards her quarters and paused to take a breath before reaching for the chime on her door.
Voices? There was someone already here. His hand hovered as he listened in an effort to recognise the visitor. Hayes? HAYES?!
Malcolm dropped his hand to his side, clenching his fist, trying to calm his rising anger. Damn, if the man wasn't trying to undermine his authority, he was trying to muscle in on his friends. Bloody shameless! Malcolm contemplated overriding the access code in the hopes of finding them in a compromising situation and justifiably tear them both a new one…
He thought better of it. He'd save his rage for a sparring session with Hayes. He'd tear him a new one then.