The best way to Learn

Inspired by the latest episode of Suits, I didn't catch the episode name, but it aired 8/06/11 (aka tonight). Enjoy!

Mike decided to check in with Harvey before he left for drinks with the associates and then go home to drink himself silly. He stepped into Harvey's office, "Hey. You need anything? If not, I'm gunna head out."

"Celebratory drinks with the associates?" Harvey questioned.

Mike nodded. "And what are you celebrating, Mike?" Harvey said; the sarcasm thick in his voice.

"You know what; save the disappointment-" Harvey interrupted him.

"You just proved to every partner that you have a weak stomach; that you don't have what it takes." Stated Harvey coolly.

"I'm trying." Mike replied, sounding defeated.

"Then try harder." Harvey stood. "I gave you this opportunity, take it. Why are you hesitating? Every time you get close grasping it, you scare yourself away. Why?"

Mike looked away. "I'm not sure I can take it, if I do have it. God, everything that got me here feels like a cop-out. I let everyone I ever cheated for cop-out, let them avoid that risk of failing. Now I can't take that risk myself." Mike swallowed. "I take just reach out and grap it because there are miles of shark infested waters between it and me and a pit of snakes waiting for me once I have it."

Harvey walked to Mike and looked him in the eye. "Courage isn't an easy thing to have, but I can't hold your hand forever."

Mike shook his head and laughed a bit, "This is holding me hand? You handed me to the boogieman on a silver platter!"

"You still don't get it. I can teach you everything you would ever need, but I can't teach you how and when to use it. That has to come naturally and with you it does, but you have to have the courage to treed water o your own, trust that you're right. The best way to teach that is to let you fall on your face a couple of times so you learn not to let it happen again."

Mike sighed. "God, I hate it when it's like this, then there's no one to mad at but myself."

Harvey nodded, "Does that mean you're going to be upset all night?"

Mike turned to leave, "Probably, I really don't feel like going to drinks anymore."

"So you're going straight home then?"

Mike sighed again, "Yes, Harvey, it does, do you want me to wait for you?"

Harvey smiled at his exasperated associate, "Sure, pookey, I'll just be a sec." He went organize some papers and to shut his desk lamp off. Harvey walked back around the Mike and held his elbow out.

"Come along, my weak stomached boy toy, I'm in the mood for sex."

Mike shot Harvey a 'you're an idiot' look but took his arm anyway.

They walked to the elevator and once they stepped in and the doors closed, Harvey took Mike's face in his hands, "Toughen up, little boy, become as mean as or meaner than I am. If you're not the bully then you're the victim, remember that, okay?"

Mike refused to look Harvey in the eye but nodded and smiled. "Will you teach me how to be mean?"

Harvey smiled, "Well, there's a twelve step process…"