AN: I know I started the other story - Blame, it's just both of them popped into my head and I can't decide which one to focus on. Might do both. Just a warning, might be a while before another chapter is published

Chapter 1

Confession

Mike woke up to a blinding headache and his throat was killing him, not to mention the sun blaring in was not helping. He heard a pulsating ringing in his ears and groaned shifting trying to block the noise out when he fell onto the floor with a thump, whacking his head on the wooden floors. His vision blurred for a second whilst he slowly sat up. The ringing started up again and he groaned as it made the pounding in his head worse. He blinked a few times as he looked around his apartment and saw his phone on the coffee table by the window; he stood up and walked half asleep to it and answered;

"Hello" Mike was shocked by how raspy his voice sounded

"Mike? What's up with your voice?" It was Donna

"I think I got Mia's cold" Mike pinched the bridge of his nose; "Perfect that's all I need right now."

"Mike do you know what the time is?" Donna said is slowly as if speaking to a child

Mike turned his hand over and looked at his wrist; 7:45am

"Crap!" Mike yelled; "I'm late and Mia's going to be late for school!"

"Relax Mike I've sent Maria over she should be there any minute and she'll take Mia to school. Just get your ass in here, Harvey's pissed and I can't tell him why you're late without telling him about Mia." Mike knew that tone in Donnas' voice, she had been moaning at him for months to tell Harvey, that he had a daughter, but honestly he was scared too.

"I get it Donna, I'll tell him soon. Now I got to go!" Mike hung up and immediately rushed to his 5 year old daughter's room

"Mia. Come on Monkey it's time to get up" Mike murmured as he leant down and ruffled her blonde curls

"Daddy, no. Sleepy" Mia hid her head under the covers and Mike sighed; she was definitely his daughter, like him, she was not a morning person and refused to get up in the morning, which made it even more difficult to get to work on time. Consequently Harvey became increasingly angry and demanding into why he was late, Mike was surprised Harvey actually hadn't figured it out sooner

Mike tried to pull the covers back put Mia went deeper;

"Mia you need to get up now" Mike used his fatherly tone, one that Mia knew Mike used when he was serious. He didn't like to use this tone, but the way he was feeling, and the fact he was late, it made him feel irritated.

Slowly blonde curls appeared out from under the duvet and then blue eyes looked up at him and Mike felt his breathe be taken away. She was so cute, Mike knew every parent said that about their kid, but with Mia's big blue eyes and short blond curly hair, she was beyond cute.

"Morning Monkey" Mike pressed a kiss to Mia's forehead; "Time to get ready for school"

Mia buried her face in her brown soft monkey toy and Mike smiled;

"What's wrong Monkey?" Mike sat on the edge of her bed and quickly glanced at his watch

"Don't want to go today."

"Why not? It's the day of your play, I thought you were excited about it."

There was the sound of the front door opening and Mike heard Maria come in and she smiled at him as she peered into Mia's bedroom. Mike held up his hand indicating to give him a minute.

"I'm scared" Mia turned her head to look at Mike and held the monkey tighter and Mike knew what this was about.

"Come here" Mike held out his arms and Mia jumped up and sat in his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck, whilst still gripping the monkey.

"Honey I know it's hard, you still miss your mum. I do too, and it's ok to, but I know that your mother would want you to get up on the stage and do your best. You know she was always scared before she went on stage?"

"She was?" Mia looked up at her father with shock

"Hmm, and do you know what she said she did to get rid of her fears?"

"What?"

"She said she imagined a little box;" Mike put his hands in front of Mia and mimed a little box "and she put all her fears inside and snapped it shut, locked it and threw away the key"

"She wasn't scared anymore?"

"Uhuh she went out on the stage because she wouldn't let her fears hold her back. So when you go on stage tonight, you just remember that little box and know that it doesn't matter if you mess up, I am so proud of you and so is your mother." Mike hugged Mia tight

"You feel better?" Mike peered into his daughters face and she smiled at him and hugged his neck

"I love you daddy"

"Love you too Monkey. Now daddy has to go, he's late for work and Harvey's going to get angry if I'm not there soon. Maria's going to take you to school, then I'll be there later for your play ok?" Mike kissed the top of the girl's head as she nodded and he got up and left. He ran around his apartment like a maniac, getting changed, grabbing his bag and trying to get the files together for Harvey; whilst trying to tie his tie.

"That was sweet" Mike stopped half way putting his suit jacket on and turned to face Maria

"Huh?"

"What you said to Mia, it was sweet. She's lucky to have a father like you" Mike smiled back as he grabbed the rest of his stuff

"Monkey! I have to go are you dressed!" Mike yelled whilst texting Donna he was on his way

Mia ran out her bedroom and straight into his legs and wrapped her arms around them;

Mike bent down; "Right Monkey I have to go, you be good to Maria and have fun at school." Mike tried to get up put she didn't let go; Mike sighed, they went through this every day

"Mia we talked about this, I promise I'll be back." Mia tightened her grip

Mike knelt down again so he was eye level to her and she hugged his neck; Mike saw over Mia's shoulder that Maria was smirking at him.

"Mia look at me. I promise you that I will be back ok?"

Mia looked at him like she didn't believe him; "Mia we go through this every day and every day I say I'll be back and what happens?"

"You come back" Mia whispered

"That's right and today is no different ok?" Mia nodded slowly and Mike held out his pinkie finger;

"I promise" Mike stared right into her eyes and she linked her pinkie with his and nodded. Then hugged her tight and kissed the top of her head and left. Every time he did he felt his heart breaking, he hated leaving her.

~~SUITS~~

Harvey was seething with anger, Mike was late yet again. He didn't know why he was so surprised Mike had been late every day for the past few weeks. Harvey had let it slide as he knew something was bothering Mike, he read people and he just knew something was up. So he ignored it hoping Mike would tell him when he was ready. But now Harvey was determined to confront Mike today.

Not only that but Donna was acting strangely too, always on the phone and having secret conversations with Mike. It was driving Harvey crazy

Harvey was in a meeting with Jessica and was only half listening until it finished and he left Jessica's office and walked towards his office. but stopped when he saw Mike in deep conversation with Donna and he looked upset. He nearly tripped when he saw Donna hug Mike, damn this must be serious Harvey thought as he continued walking towards his office

~~~SUITS~~~

Mike got a cab outside his apartment building and heading for Pearson Hardmann. He checked his phone and read the reply from Donna;

Harvey's in a meeting, you better get your ass in here before he gets out.

How's Mia?

Mike didn't know how to respond to that so he just replied; fine be there in 5 and stared out the window. His thoughts drifted to Mia as he pulled out a photograph from his suit jacket, whenever he changed them he always remembered to put it in there. The photo was quite old and had a crease down the middle from where it was folded; it was a picture of Mike, Mia (2 years old) and Mia's mother. They were all happy, hugging and smiling. It made Mike's eyes water and he quickly put the photo away and rubbed his eyes.

"You alright buddy?" Mike turned to face the driver who looked at him and back at the road

"Fine" Mike said it but he knew he wasn't, he missed his daughter and he felt horrible. He rubbed his forehead as the throbbing started up again; now he knew how Mia felt.

As soon as Mike got to Pearson Hardmann he ran into the elevator and ran to Harvey's office, he let out a sigh of relief that Harvey was in a meeting with Jessica, only it turned into a coughing fit and Donna had to get him a glass of water

"Thanks Donna" Mike smiled as he regained his breathing

"God you look horrible" Donna frowned as she turned in Mike's flushed face, red eyes, sore throat and a bruise forming on his head.

"What the hell?" Donna reached over and lightly touched the bruise, Mike winced

" Gee you sure know how to compliment people. I Fell asleep on the couch last night and woke up on the floor" Mike muttered

"Here" Donna pushed a cup of coffee into his hands as well as a muffin

"God I love you" Mike muttered as he took a bite of his muffin and a sip of coffee

"Was that to me or the coffee?" Donna raised an eyebrow and Mike smirked

"Both"

"So you got Mia's cold?" Donna shook her head in sympathy. Donna had found out about Mike's daughter in a week and she and Jessica were the only ones who knew, Jessica knew because she had to help get Mia back. Mike was glad they knew, as it meant he had someone to talk to about it

"Yeah and it sucks. God it's bad enough having to juggle your daughter being sick and dealing with Louis and Harvey at work, now I'm sick and it's the night of Mia's play tonight and ergh" Mike groaned as the stress was hitting him

Donna again nodded in sympathy, then handed him a couple of painkiller;

"For your head. Now what are you going to tell Harvey?"

Mike glanced at her and then away as he took the pills

"Mike, you have to tell him, it's gone on long enough"

"I know, and I've tried. It's just every time I open my mouth to say it I see Mia's face and her sad eyes looking back at me. You know her Donna, once you meet her you fall in love with her and she's already lost her mother and I've just got her back. I can't lose her again."

"You're afraid if you tell Harvey that you'll lose her?"

"Donna you know Harvey he only cares about himself and if Mia meets him, she's going to get attached, then what happens when Harvey shrugs her off, or worse what if he hurts her, she'll be heartbroken. No she's lost too much already."

"Come on Mike, you know Harvey would never hurt Mia. What's this really about?"

Mike sighed as his took another bite of his muffin;

"I'm protecting her"

"From what?"

"The truth, about who I really am. Donna every day I say goodbye to my daughter and go to work. And every day she looks at me like I'm never going to come back, and it breaks my heart. And I stand there and promise I'll be back, but honestly I don't know that, I'm terrified that one day I won't come back because someone's going to find out my secret. Then what happens Donna? I'm all she has left and if I go to jail what happens to her?!" Mike finally said it, the fears that he had kept bottled up for months are finally out. Mike took a few deep breathes and felt his eyes watering. Mike was shocked when Donna pulled him into a hug. He hugged her back and then she pulled him back and looked him in the eyes;

"Mike nothing is going to happen. No one is going to find out about you. And even if they did Harvey would never let you go to jail, neither would I or Jessica. But Mike you're not all she has, I love Mia and you know I would never let anything happen to her."

Mike smiled; "Thanks Donna I don't know what I'd do without you"

"Mike you're late." Mike froze as he heard Harvey's voice and he quickly rubbed at his eyes and turned to face Harvey, plastering a fake smile on his face.

"Morning Harvey"

Harvey eyes him suspiciously as Donna handed him a cup of coffee;

"You look horrible" Harvey raised his eyebrow at Mike as he walked into his office and sipped his coffee

"Yeah I've heard" Mike replied and starting walking towards his cubicle but Donna grabbed him and propelled him into Harvey's office

"Harvey, Mike has something to tell you" Donna stood Mike in front of Harvey's desk and went back to her own desk, Mike turned to leave but Donna glared at him, so he sighed and turned back to face Harvey who was standing behind his desk and watching him

"So?" Harvey motioned with his hands for Mike to talk

"Right um..I have..I have a.." Mike felt his pulse quickening and he took another sip of coffee; "You might want to sit down" Mike whispered as his throat was too sore for talking really.

"Alright" Harvey sighed and sat at his desk; "What happened to you head?"

"I fell off the couch this morning" Mike sighed

Harvey scoffed; "Are you going to sit?" Mike looked and realised he was standing and went to sit then stopped;

"Actually I think I'll stand"

Harvey nodded; "Maybe I'll sit" Mike sat on the sofa and put his coffee on the table and put his hands in front of him, and Harvey saw they were shaking

"What's wrong with you? You're flushed, you got red eyes."

"I've got a slight cold." Mike ran a shaky hand through his hair

"Slight?" Harvey raised his eyebrow again

"Look Harvey, I um..what I have to say is that.. I um;" Mike looked into Harvey's eyes and he panicked; "I finished the files you wanted" Mike felt Donna glaring at him and he looked at his hands

"That's what you wanted to tell me? Wait you finished all those files in one night?" Harvey nodded his head; "I'm impressed" Mike blushed a little at that, rarely ever getting compliment by Harvey

It went silent after that so Mike took his cue to leave, feeling like a coward for not telling Harvey. He stood up and avoid Donnas' death stare as he walked to the door

"Mike" Mike froze and pivoted to face Harvey;

"Y-yeah?"

"The files" Harvey smirked

"Oh right" Mike walked over to Harvey's desk as he heard Donnas' phone ring, Mike went to put his muffin on the desk when Harvey glared at him, so he put it in his mouth and held it there, whilst he had his coffee in one hand and the other he put into his messenger put around his shoulder and pulled out the files and handed them to Harvey. Mike swore he felt something soft in his bag but didn't really think about it as he closed his bag again and took the muffin out his mouth and took another bite.

"These are good" Harvey murmured sipping his coffee and flipping through the files; "So you did these last night. How much sleep did you get?"

Mike blinked unsure if he heard Harvey right, Harvey had never asked before, Mike scratched the back of his neck;

"Um I dunno a few hours, I had to get them done"

"Mike I gave you till Monday to do these, why do you feel you had to have them done so quick?" Mike shuffled, his heart racing; Harvey knew. Mike just knew he did

"I have plans tonight and this weekend, and I didn't want any work interf-"

"What's this?" Harvey held up a folder which had a small child's drawing of a cat on one side

Mike gaped and grabbed the folder; "Dammit Mia" Harvey saw a flash of anger in Mike's eyes, and something else

"Mia?" Mike finally looked at Harvey

"Uh-"

"Mike, it's for you" Donna interrupted and gestured at the phone; "It's Maria." Mike's eyes widened and he dumped the cup of coffee and the file on Harvey's desk and snatched the receiver of Harvey's phone;

"Maria. What is it? What happened?" Harvey was shocked, he'd never seen Mike so scared in his life, he looked at Donna who looked worried

"What-" Harvey started and stopped as Donna glared at him

Harvey watched Mike grip the phone tight as he listened and nodded; "Yeah ok. Put her on."

"Mia honey?" Harvey was even more puzzled as Mike's posture and face changed, his body relaxed and Mike's voice became softer

"You have to calm down Monkey, now where did you last have it?"

"My bag?" Mike frowned as he looked in his bag and pulled out a soft brown monkey. Harvey raised an eyebrow and then he knew; the lateness, the kid's drawing, the monkey - Mike had a kid. Harvey couldn't bring himself to imagine Mike as a father.

"Mia I told you not to go through my bag or go in my office." Mike sighed as he stared at the monkey

"No Monkey I'm not mad, no I'm not. Yes, yes I'll bring it right over. I'll be there soon. Yes I promise" Mike put the receiver back down and stared at the phone for a second

"Mike?" Donna stepped forward

Mike pinched the bridge of his nose; "Mia put this in my bag to make me go down there" Mike chuckled as he stared at the monkey

"Smart kid" Donna smirked; "Like father like daughter" Donna eyed Harvey as she spoke and Harvey frowned and glanced at Mike who refused to look at him

"Mike-"

"Alright fine, yes Harvey I have a daughter. A 5 year old daughter" Mike blurted out; "And this is her toy which she can't live without, and she put it in my bag to get me down there, because she needs me." Mike turned and left, not waiting for Harvey's response.