Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
AN1: So, I'm not entirely sure where this idea came from, I just started to think about a story where Mike actually went to Law School, and then I realised how much I like it when Jessica and Mike actually get along, and that I wanted the story to be Marvey, and then I decided to combine everything together and this was the result.
To make this story work I've had to change things timelines wise, the biggest of which is that Mike was born in 1986, Harvey was born in 1974. I tried to stick as close to the show timeline as I could, but that's hard when there are contradictions, so I've done my best. THOUGH, one of the biggest changes is that Mike was in the car with his parents.
The first four chapters will be very Mike focused while the story explores his changed relationship with Jessica, but once he and Harvey meet he'll be involved more.
April 12th 1997
Four days ago Mike Ross's life changed forever in a split second. While driving home from dinner with his parents, a dinner he wasn't even supposed to go to as his parents were celebrating their first date, but then his grandmother called and said she couldn't take Mike as she wasn't feeling well, there was an accident, and Mike watched as both his parents were killed.
As the crash was head on and Mike was in the back Mike only received some minor injuries, the most serious of which was a concussion, but his parents didn't even make it to the hospital.
Ever since the accident Mike has been in the same hospital room, feeling numb, feeling alone, and as he read something once Mike knows that it's not his injuries that are the reason why he is still in the hospital, but something else, and if he had to guess he would say it has to do with where he is going to live.
As he reads one of the books his grandmother, his only family, brought him the day before Mike hears a knock on the door and as he closes his book to look over he sees his grandmother, followed by a tall, well dressed, woman who Mike has never seen before who looks to be in her late twenties or early thirties.
"Grammy?" Mike asks in a quiet voice, not sure what to think as going by the way the woman looks he guesses that she is someone pretty important.
"Michael, this is Ms Pearson, she's going to help us." Edith introduces.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Michael, I've heard great things." Jessica tells the young boy, as she walks towards the bed, "I'm sorry about your parents." She tells him.
"I prefer Mike." Mike corrects, "Are you here because that other man came? The one with the bad shoes, Mr Rinaldi?" he asks.
"I didn't think you were awake when he came." Edith tells her grandson, feeling bad as Mike shouldn't have had to hear what that man had to say.
"I was just waking up, I heard him say his name and that he wanted to speak to you outside." Mike explains to his grandmother.
"Yes, I am here because of him." Jessica confirms, having been warned beforehand about how smart Mike is and so to treat him as more than just a kid, "I heard Mr Rinaldi talking to your grandmother when I was here for another matter and I offered to help her, help both of you." Jessica explains, as she was at the hospital visiting with her husband, but when she heard what Rinaldi was saying to Edith she knew she had to help, "I'm a lawyer." She explains.
"What kind of Lawyer?" Mike asks.
"I work at a firm called Gordon Schmidt Van Dyke." Jessica explains to Mike.
"That's a big law firm in the city, a corporate law firm." Mike says, causing Jessica to give him a surprise look, "My friends dared me to memorise the phonebook." He explains, like it's the most normal thing ever, "I heard people talking after the accident, they said that they could smell alcohol on the other driver." Mike says, causing both Jessica and Edith to have a lot of sympathy for the young boy, "That makes this a criminal matter, not corporate."
"You're right, it does." Jessica tells the eleven-year-old, honestly being impressed, "I'm helping you and your grandmother pro bono." She reveals, "I heard the lawyer for the other driver, and the restaurant he came from, talking and I felt like the need to help." She explains, "Do you know what pro bono means?" Jessica asks.
"Yes." Mike says with a nod, "You want to know exactly what happened, don't you?" he asks, looking upset.
"Only if you think you can tell me." Jessica tells the young boy, "And you only have to tell me what you remember."
"I remember everything." Mike tells Jessica, "I can tell you everything." He reveals.
"Michael…." Edith starts to say.
"I want to Grammy." Mike admits, looking at his grandmother, "I want people to know what he did to Mom and Dad." Mike says sadly.
"That's very brave of you Mike." Jessica says as she sits down on the edge of her bed, "If it's okay I would like to record this so that you don't have to keep talking about it." She tells him, "Is that okay with you?" she asks as while she has Edith's permission, she wants Mike's too.
"Yes." Mike says with a nod.
"Thank you." Jessica tells the young boy and she pulls out a tape recorder.
"Where do you want me to start?" Mike asks.
Hearing that Jessica debates for a second, trying to decide when would be the best place to start, when would be the least painful place for Mike, as even though she knows that this entire thing is going to be painful she wants Mike to suffer as little as possible.
"How about when you left the restaurant." Jessica requests.
"Mom and Dad were walking in front; they were talking about their first date." Mike reveals, "We walked past a black SUV, then a green station wagon, a blue sedan, a silver sedan and two motorbikes before getting to our car." Mike says, and to Jessica's surprise as she wasn't sure exactly what to expect Mike begins to explain, right down to the smallest detail, everything that happened leading up to the crash, and the more he talks the more Jessica is impressed with the boy and she realises that they are getting closer to the time of the crash, "The light turned green, Dad drove through, crossed the intersection, sixty-one seconds later a black car, number plate JIO 0049 crossed over the dividing lane and was coming right for us, fast, Dad swerved and braked but the car hit us. I was pushed forward and hit my head, and my arm, but the seatbelt protected me. I heard a moan, it was Mom, I think she tried to say something, I think…." Mike starts to say, becoming upset.
"That's okay, Mike. That's enough." Jessica says, reaching out and putting her hand on Mike's arm, "I don't need to hear anymore." She says and Mike just nods as he does he starts to cry and so Edith walks over and hugs her grandson, holding him tightly.
"You did very well Michael, I'm proud of you." Edith informs her grandson as she hugs him and Jessica turns of the tape.
"You have to say that." Mike responds.
"I'm proud too, Mike." Jessica tells the young boy, "Not many adults could talk about what you just did."
"Will it help make the man who hurt my parents pay?" Mike asks Jessica.
"Yes, it will." Jessica assures him.
"What is it like being a lawyer?" Mike asks curious, before he can stop himself.
"Michael, I'm sure Ms Pearson is too busy to answer your questions." Edith tells her grandson.
"It's okay. I have plenty of time, Mike can ask me whatever he would like." Jessica assures both Edith and Mike, "And please, call me Jessica." She requests, "And as for your question." Jessica says before she starts to explain all about what it's like being a lawyer, noticing right away that Mike is watching her with complete interest.
April 17th 1997
Five days have passed since Jessica visited Mike in the hospital and ever since then she has been fighting on behalf of Mike and Edith to get a fair settlement while Mike has been discharged from hospital, attended his parents' funeral and has gone home with his grandmother, an arrangement that may not be permanent.
As she has gotten a settlement offer, an offer that Jessica has negotiated to a fair amount as the amount Rinaldi first offered, and several more in their negotiations were far from it, Jessica is walking up Mike's house, where he and Edith are staying for a little while longer before moving to an apartment, to tell Edith about the offer.
"Jessica, come in." Edith says, letting her in once Jessica knocked and Edith realised who it is, "Is something wrong?" she asks worried.
"No." Jessica responds as she follows Edith into the house, "I have something I need to discuss with you."
"Of course, sit down." Edith says and she leads Jessica over to the table, "Is there a settlement offer?" she asks as they both sit down, assuming that that is why Jessica is there as Jessica explained the procedure of what is likely to happen to her and Mike.
"Yes." Jessica says, pulling the file out of her bag, "All hospital bills and funeral costs will be paid for." Jessica reveals, "And a trust of this amount will be set up for Mike." Jessica says as she points to a number, "He won't be able to access it until he is twenty-five, except if it's needed for school, and a payment now of this amount." Jessica says, pointing to another amount, "Which you can choose whether to get in a lump sum or I can set up something for you so that you get a certain amount a month." Jessica explains.
"Jessica this is…... so much more than I was expecting." Edith admits, looking amazed, "After what that man said about my James…." Edith says, starting to get upset.
"Don't think about it. It was a tactic to make you agree to whatever he wanted." Jessica reveals.
"What happens to the driver? And the restaurant?" Edith asks, needing to know.
"The driver is going to jail, I've talked to the DA and he will not be out for a long time." Jessica reveals, "The restaurant is facing other charges but if you agree to the settlement you have to sign a no disclosure agreement, which means you cannot talk about what they did to you, or try to sue again in the future." Jessica explains, "You can choose to take this settlement or not, it's your choice, we've talked about what happens next if you decide not to and I will continue to help you whatever you choose." Jessica assures Edith.
"This will help us so much; this will allow me to truly look after Michael." Edith admits, still feeling amazed at the words in front of her, "I'll take it."
"Okay. Then I need you to sign." Jessica says, pulling out a pen, and for the next few minutes she watches as Edith signs everything she needs to sign, "Okay, now I'll file that and within the next few days I'll get everything set up for you." She reveals as she puts the documents in her bag, "Where is Mike today?" she asks curious.
"Up in his room." Edith answers, "He barely leaves." She says sadly.
"Do you mind if I go upstairs to talk to him? I have something for him that he may like." Jessica reveals.
"Of course." Edith says, "I don't mind at all."
"I'll leave my bag down here." Jessica says as she pulls what looks to be a text book out of her bag, though Edith can't read the name, and heads upstairs.
Less than a minute later Jessica arrives at the door marked 'Michael's room' and reaches out and knocks.
"Mike, it's Jessica, can I come in?" Jessica asks as she knocks.
"Yes." Mike voice responds and so Jessica pushes open the door and walks in, as she does she finds Mike sitting at his desk, in his room that has more books than anything else, "You came with a settlement offer, didn't you?" he asks.
"I did." Jessica confirms, "Your grandmother took it." She explains, "But it wasn't the only thing I brought with me." Jessica admits as she pulls over a chair and sits across from Mike, "This is the first law text book I ever brought, and I would like to give it to you."
"I can't take your book." Mike tells Jessica, not overly sure what he is feeling.
"You're not taking it; I'm giving it to you." Jessica assures Mike, "When we were talking the other day I could tell that you weren't just asking those questions because you could, you were asking because you were truly interested." Jessica explains, "I want you to have it Mike, I think you're going to really love reading it." Jessica says as she offers Mike the book.
"Thank you." Mike says as he takes the book from Jessica and then to her surprise he hugs her, "And thank you for what you've done for me and Grammy." He tells her.
"You're very welcome Mike, but you don't have to thank me." Jessica assures the young boy, as she returns the hug, being pretty sure that Mike Ross is one of a kind and the most amazing kid she has ever met.
April 22nd 1997
Since Edith signed the settlement agreement Jessica has seen Edith and Mike once more to finalise the agreement and give Edith the details of everything, but, before she left them Jessica promised Edith and Mike that she is just a call away if they need anything.
"Jessica, Jessica." A panicked voice says as Jessica is returning to the office after going on a coffee break. Turning around Jessica is surprised to see Edith.
"Edith, what's wrong?" Jessica asks worried.
"They took Michael." Edith says, tears coming to her eyes.
"Who?" Jessica asks.
"Social Services. They said I'm an unfit guardian." Edith says, "They're taking him to foster care! I need to do something; I can't let that happen to him!" Edith says, looking even more upset, "Is there anything you can do? Can you help me?"
"I can try." Jessica tells her, "I'm not promising anything, but I can try."
"Thank you." Edith says gratefully, "This is what they gave me." She says, handing a document over to Jessica.
"I'll call you as soon as I know anything." Jessica assures Edith.
"Thank you, Jessica, thank you." Edith says, feeling completely grateful to Jessica for what she has done and what she is willing to do for her and Mike.
April 29th 1997
It has taken a week but Jessica has finally been able to arrange a visit between Mike and his grandmother, a visit that will take place with both the social worker on the case and Jessica present.
"How long can we stay with him?" Edith asks Jessica as they approach the room where Mike is.
"A few hours." Jessica tells Edith.
"Good, that's good." Edith says, sounding glad as she really wants to spend time with her grandson and she knows, from what Jessica has said, that her chances of reversing social services decision is low.
"It is." Jessica confirms as she and Edith continue to walk towards the room where Mike is.
As they walk in the room Jessica and Edith find Mike sitting at a table with his head down, while a social worker is sitting on the other side of the room.
"Michael?" Edith asks and Mike looks up, but as he does but Jessica and Edith are shocked as Mike has a large bruise forming around his eye.
"Grammy, Jessica." Mike says, sounding glad to see them.
"What happened?" Edith asks worried as she hurries over to Mike, or goes as quick as she can considering her age.
"It was an accident, it's nothing." Michael says, trying to be as convincing as possible, but Jessica can tell he is lying.
"You can tell the truth, Mike." Jessica tells the young boy, wanting to know the truth.
"It was just an accident, my fault, it's nothing to worry about." Mike tells Jessica, giving her a look saying, 'please don't ask more questions.' "I've missed you Grammy." Mike says before hugging his grandmother as they hug Jessica walks over to the social worker, a woman who looks to be in her fifties that seems to have a kind but stern look to her.
"Mrs Jefferies?" Jessica asks.
"Yes, but call me Gina." The woman requests.
"Of course. I'm Jessica Pearson, we talked on the phone." Jessica says, sticking out her hand for the woman to shake.
"of course we did." The woman responds, returning the handshake, "It's good to meet you in person."
"What happened to Mike?" Jessica asks social worker.
"There was an incident in the foster home, one of the other kids attacked Mike." Gina explains in a quiet voice, making sure that it's just loud enough for Jessica to hear.
"Why? What happened?" Jessica asks, needing to know.
"Mike correct him, showed how smart he is, the other boy didn't like that." Gina explains, "Mike's being moved, but…"
"With how smart he is there are chances that it will happen again." Jessica realises with a frown, "I've read the report about why he was taken from Edith, and the recommendations of everyone involved in his case, so I know that chances are he will not be able to go back into Edith's custody." Jessica says, though that doesn't mean that she doesn't intend to fight for that, "What are his other options besides foster care?"
"There's only one." Gina admits, "Apart from foster care the only other thing there is for him is for another family member or family friend to agree to take him in."
"He has no other family." Jessica says sadly.
"Then either a family friend will need to offer to take him or he'll continue to be in foster care." Gina explains with a frown as thanks to all her years as a social worker she knows that someone as smart as Mike likely won't do well in Foster Care.
"I see, excuse me for a moment." Jessica says as there is something she wants to do, but there is someone she has to talk to first.
"Of course." Gina responds and Jessica heads out of the room.
Once she is in the hallway Jessica pulls out her phone and calls the number for Quentin's office.
"Hello." Quentin answers after a few rings.
"Hi, it's me." Jessica tells him.
"Jessica? You never call during the day." Quentin says, sounding surprised.
"I know, but this is important." Jessica admits.
"Something's happened to Mike in Foster Care hasn't it? And you want us to take him in." Quentin realises.
"How'd you know?" Jessica asks surprised.
"You've been talking about him since you met. I know that you've become attached." Quentin reveals as the last person Jessica talked about as much as she has been talking about Mike is Harvey Specter, and he wasn't a child when Jessica met him, "Whatever you decide, I'll support you, but Jessica are you sure that this is what you want? This is going to be a huge change." Quentin reminds his wife.
"I'm positive it's what I want." Jessica admits, "He needs someone to who can take him, he needs someone who cares, and he needs someone who can help him understand what he can do." Jessica explains to Quentin, wanting him to understand just how special Mike is, "But taking in Mike affects you too. I want to make sure that it's okay with you too."
"It is." Quentin answers.
"Thank you." Jessica responds, feeling completely grateful, "I love you."
"Love you too." Quentin responds and then he and Jessica both hang up.
After hanging up with Quentin Jessica takes a deep breath and heads back into the room and once more she heads over to Gina instead of where Edith and Mike are talking.
"Gina, what would I have to do to be able to take in Mike?" Jessica asks as she knows the long term law requirements, but what she doesn't know is what she would have to do in the short term to make it so Mike can live with her straight away.
"You can be granted temporary emergency foster parent status, which will allow you to have custody of Mike for a month, but during that time you'll have to fill in all the requirements and be assessed for whether you would be suitable for permanent guardianship." Gina explains to Jessica.
"How do I get the temporary status?" Jessica asks.
"I can arrange that with a phone call." Gina admits, as she had to looked into Jessica when she started calling about Mike, so she knows that Jessica will have no problem getting the temporary status, the long term status might be more difficult, but from what she knows she very much doubts it will be that much of a problem, "But are you sure?"
"Positive." Jessica answers, "But first I want to talk to Mike and Edith, make sure it's okay with them." Jessica informs Gina.
"Of course." Gina responds and Jessica walks over to Edith and Mike.
"Jessica, I finished the book you gave me." Mike says, sounding excited.
"You have?" Jessica asks, a little surprised as while she knows that Mike reads fast he's managed that even quicker than she was expecting.
"I've had a lot of time." Mike reveals, "Ask me anything, I can tell you anything in the book." Mike admits, sounding pretty proud of himself.
"I'm sure you could." Jessica says as she has seen what Mike's memory can do, "But I want to ask you something else." She admits, "Ask you both something else." She says, looking between Edith and Mike.
"What is it?" Edith asks, wondering what it could possibly be.
"If the two of you are willing I would like Mike to come live with me. I'll continue to fight for you to be granted custody again, but while that is happening, and if the judge decides against you, I would be wiling too, I would like to, have Mike live with me." Jessica reveals, looking between Mike and Edith as she speaks.
"You would do that?" Mike asks, looking amazed.
"Yes, I would." Jessica assures him.
"Jessica, that's incredible." Edith tells her, "You've done so much are you sure you'd be willing to do this?" Edith asks as she knows how low chances are of her getting custody of Mike are again, and she would rather Mike be with someone who really care about him, which she knows Jessica does, as well as understand his mind, which Jessica definitely does.
"I would be more than willing." Jessica assures her, causing Edith and Mike to look amazed at her, "Is it okay with you?" she asks Mike as she doesn't want to do anything he wouldn't be okay with.
"It's more than okay." Mike assures her with a smile as he would give anything not to go back to that foster home.
"I'll make the call." Gina says, causing Jessica, Edith and Mike to be completely relieved as none of them want Mike to go back into foster care.
A few hours have passed since Jessica asked Mike if he would be okay living with her and the two of them are just arriving at Jessica's house.
"Wow, this place is really big." Mike tells Jessica, sounding surprised.
"Yeah, I guess it is." Jessica responds, not really sure what else to say, as she looks around to see where Quentin is and as she does she see that lights are on in the living area so she figures that is the best place to look, and without even needing to be told Mike follows behind her. "Quentin." Jessica says as she walks into the living room and Quentin stands up, "Mike this is my husband Quentin. Quentin this is Mike Ross." Jessica introduces.
"It's really nice to meet you." Mike says with a polite smile.
"It's nice to meet you too." Quentin responds, "Have you two eaten?" he asks curious.
"Yes." Mike and Jessica say together.
"Jessica, I'm tired." Mike admits as he's been too scared to sleep in foster care.
"Okay, I'll show you your room." Jessica tells the young boy.
"Goodnight Quentin." Mike says politely before following Jessica out of the room.
About ten minutes later Jessica has shown Mike to his room, and left while he got ready for bed, and has once more returned and is sitting on the edge of the bed while Mike is under the covers.
"Do you want to read for a little while first?" Jessica asks the young boy.
"No, I just want to sleep." Mike admits, trying to figure out how to ask Jessica something he wants to ask, something which he wasn't sure how to ask in front of his grandmother.
"What is it Mike?" Jessica asks, being able to tell that there is something that Mike isn't saying, "What would you like to know?" she asks.
"I went to the library the other day, I read about child custody." Mike reveals, "Grammy's not being able to look after me is going to be permanent, isn't it?" Mike asks in a quiet voice, not sure whether he wants the answer or not.
"I don't know for sure." Jessica admits, "But it doesn't seem likely." She admits, having learnt after she spent her first hour with Mike that if you lie to him he can usually tell.
"Oh." Mike says, looking disappointed.
"Look, Mike. I know it's not the same, but I meant what I said. If the court doesn't allow your grandmother to have custody of you I will." Jessica tells him, "We've got a hearing on Monday about your grandmother and if it doesn't go your grandmother's way then I will apply for permanent guardianship." Jessica tells him, "I will do everything in my power to make sure you don't go back to foster care." She says and Mike just hugs her.
"Thank you, Jessica." Mike says.
"You're welcome." Jessica responds, returning the hug, "I'll let you get some sleep." Jessica tells him, "If you need anything just come find me." She tells Mike.
"I will." Mike responds and Jessica stands up, "Goodnight Jessica." Mike says as Jessica tucks him in.
"Goodnight, Mike." Jessica responds with a small smile before heading to the door.
"Jessica." Mike says when Jessica gets there and Jessica turns around, "I'm really glad you were at the hospital that day."
"So am I, Mike. So am I." Jessica says, completely meaning that, "Sweet dreams." She tells him before heading out of the room, closing the door behind her, knowing that she is going to fight for what's best for Mike, and probably never stop.