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“Denied, Major.”
Really, Hayes supposes, the answer should have come as no surprise. Whatever is going on, it’s being kept tightly under the wraps. The crew is all in the dark. All anyone knows is Reed is in the brig. No reason has been given, but with Doctor Phlox missing and that ship that was supposed to be carrying him destroyed by Klingons, it’s caused rumours to fly and people to draw their own conclusions.
Hayes has strategically avoided speculating on the nature of Reed’s involvement. The truth is his goal. Which is why he asked to see Reed in the brig in the first place.
He keeps his eyes front and his shoulders straight, lifts his chin to meet the captain’s eyes. “Yes, sir.” He doesn’t question the captain’s answer to his question, and maybe this surprises Archer a bit, but Hayes has already turned and left the ready room. He stalks across the bridge and enters the turbo-lift.
With Reed relieved of duty, it’s Hayes who has taken up the position as chief security and tactical officer in conjunction with Ensign Meng. His current duty is to the armoury. But when he lands on Deck F and steps out of the turbo-lift, he takes a left instead of a right.
Myers is standing guard in front of the brig door. Only the slightest eyebrow raise gives away his surprise at seeing Hayes there. “Sir.”
“I’m here to see Reed,” Hayes says.
Myers’s face returns neutral. “I’ve been ordered not to let anyone see him, sir.”
“Captain’s orders.” Hayes knows he’ll get found out eventually, but that’s a problem for the future, the consequences of which he’ll be able to deal with. “Captain Archer thinks I might be able to get something out of him.”
Myers hesitates, but eventually steps aside. “I have to accompany you,” he adds, moving to follow Hayes.
“He’s not violent, is he?”
“No,” Myers says, “but I’m under orders to supervise any visitations.”
“Reed will be less likely to reveal what he knows if you’re present,” Hayes says. “Thanks, Myers, but I can do this alone.”
Myers nods and retreats back to his position by the door.
Hayes presses the door controls and steps inside. The door slides shut behind him.
Behind the glass, he can see Reed. The lieutenant is sitting on the bunk, leaning slouched against the wall, rubbing his thumb across his forehead. His eyes are closed, but they snap open when Hayes approaches. Hayes presses the comm. button that allows for communication between the cell and the outside.
Reed is clearly shocked to see him. His mouth works soundlessly for a moment, then he clears his throat. “Hayes,” he says quietly.
Hayes looks him over carefully. There’s something in Reed’s posture that screams defeat. The way his fingers tighten around the edge of the bunk but there’s a sag to his shoulders, and he eyes Hayes like he’s bracing for something. Neither of them speaks for a minute that seems to stretch on.
Reed sighs. “Come to see the monkey in the cage?”
“No,” Hayes says simply.
“Mm?” Reed quirks an eyebrow. “Then what did you come here for? To gloat?”
“I’ve not come to gloat.” Hayes bristles slightly at the implication. “Not to gloat, to boast, or watch you wallow in misery.”
Reed deflates a bit and mutters an apology under his breath.
Hayes lets out a huff. “What’s going on, Malcolm?”
The use of his first name causes something to flash in Reed’s eyes. He lifts his head slowly and peers at Hayes out of the corner of his eye. “The captain sent you, didn’t he?”
“Actually,” says Hayes, “I asked the captain, and he denied my request to see you.”
Reed frowns. “Then why are you here? How?”
“I may have disobeyed the captain’s orders. And because I need to hear the truth.” Hayes pauses. “There’s been rumours. People are saying you’re a traitor, that you committed treason.”
Reed glances away at this.
“But I don’t believe them. You’re loyal to this ship almost to a fault.” The faintest of smiles tugs at Hayes’ lips. “You literally fought me over it, remember?”
Reed doesn’t react.
Hayes sobers once again. “So, tell me. What’s really going on?”
“What does it matter?” Reed mutters. “Even if I tell you—which I can’t, by the way—it sounds like people have already made up their minds about what I am.”
“But you can change their minds.”
Reed shakes his head. “Not after what I’ve done.”
His words hang heavy in the air.
“What have you done?” Hayes asks softly.
Reed looks back up at him again. “I’ve betrayed worse than this ship: I’ve betrayed myself. My morals.” He seems to examine Hayes’ face, then shakes his head. “Not that you’d understand.”
“I might understand more than you think,” Hayes says.
Reed’s narrows his eyes and doesn’t respond.
“Whatever you’ve done, lieutenant,” Hayes continues, “it can be reversed. Whatever sins you think you’ve committed can be forgiven. You just have to tell us the truth.”
“I knew it. The captain did send you.”
Shit. He’s slipped up and said the wrong thing. “No, he didn’t.”
Reed chuckles humourlessly. “You almost had me, you know. Tricky. Tactical. I guess that’s what you MACOs do best.”
Hayes clenches his jaw in frustration and presses his fist up against the glass. “What have you done, Malcolm? You can tell me. I promise, if you do, I won’t tell the captain. No matter what you say.” You could tell me you’ve killed someone in cold blood and I’d still do my best to protect you. Okay, where did that thought come from? He shoves it aside.
Reed examines him, long and hard. Hayes can almost see the wheels turning in his head as he tries to decide what to do here. A part of him hopes.
His hopes are dashed when Reed shakes his head and says, “There’s no point.”
Hayes uncurls his hand and exhales slowly. “Alright,” he says. “If that’s what you want.”
Reed’s jaw tightens. He opens his mouth, but nothing comes out.
Hayes nods. He turns around and starts for the door, but Reed calling out his name—his first name—makes him stop. “Jay!”
Hayes turns around. Reed is standing up, staring at him, looking surprised at what came out of his own mouth. He glances away, then glances back. “I… I didn’t mean to…” He trails off and presses his lips together. “I mean, I’m not… I…”
Hayes patiently waits for him to continue. But he doesn’t. Reed merely sighs and sits back down on the bunk, burying his face in his hands.
Hayes lingers for only a couple seconds longer before taking his leave. He wonders, how is he supposed to help a man who refuses to help himself?