The One with the Mud Slide

He's not sure exactly what the hell happened, but before he knows it, it's 2AM and he's out walking the streets of New York, looking for… something… to do.

Rachel's pissed at him. Which really comes as no surprise since he was being a dick.

Mike buries his hands in his coat and tries to figure out what to do. She needs some time to stew, he needs some time to clear his head, and mostly he needs to find a florist that is open at 2 in the morning so that he can get Rachel the flowers she most definitely deserves. He knows he has to learn to make the important decisions in his life with her. He can't tell her he's not taking job, and a day later tell her he is taking the job, all without consulting with her. Granted, she had pissed him off when she tried to make the decision for him, but still. She was right. It wasn't about the actual decision he makes in the end, it's about the process and the fact that he hadn't talked it over with her.

Or at least he thinks that's the reason.

Pie. That's what he needs right now. A piece of pie.

Harvey once took him to a greasy diner in midtown. Back then it had surprised Mike that Harvey, with all his access to all the fancy restaurants and clubs, preferred a shabby diner when it really came down to it. Once he got to know the man, he learned better.

It only took a cab ride and a few dollars and Mike was sitting in a booth at the back, hidden away from the rest of the world, munching away on his piece of mud slide and drinking away at his vanilla milkshake. An 11 year old's comfort food, but screw the world.

He'd taken a look around the joint as he walked in. It was a habit. Two waitresses, one short order cook, a couple hidden in a booth on the other side of the place, a security guard from one of the buildings nearby at the counter, two girls at a table by the window, chatting away about a guy.

At nearly three in the morning.

And then Donna is standing in front of him.

Donna.

Harvey's Donna.

Mike doesn't actually notice her at first. He knows someone is crossing the diner, probably to get the restrooms conveniently located behind him. He knows it is a woman because there is a certain kick to her step in his peripheral vision.

But when that person stops by his booth and doesn't continue further down, he looks up and his eyes meet…. Donna's.

"Rough night, Mike?" She asks.

Mike isn't sure if she's being purposefully loud as if to alert someone to his presence or just too inebriated to notice that she's yelling. He thinks it may be both.

"I needed pie," he answers simply as if that answers her question.

"Oh, so one of those." She nods, and he notices she's lowered her voice to a more appropriate level, which immediately puts him on guard.

"Where's Rachel?" She asks.

"Home. Seething. At me."

"So you told her you're leaving after all."

"Yeah, that wasn't why she was ripping me a new one." Mike sighs and takes a bite of his cake.

He assumes she'll leave him alone and go on with her night – date, girlfriend, who the fuck cares- but she's still standing there when he looks up a moment later, a perfectly manicured raised eyebrow and half a smile on her lips.

"You know where – "

"Flowers?" She sighs and slides onto the bench across from him. "No, Mike. No flowers. Chocolate, and jewelry, and cake, and chocolate canapés, and…" She stops, stares at him for a moment before continuing, "For Rachel? Oh, I don't know, an engagement ring?" She smiles sweetly.

"Do not propose to Rachel as an apology!"

Mike's so slack-jawed over Donna's suggestion he doesn't notice Harvey is there, sliding in next to Donna.

"Why not?" Donna almost whines, but her eyes are shining and there's a definite giggle in her voice.

Harvey cocks his head and looks at her with that half smile of his and the big brown puppy eyes and Mike stares at him because he doesn't know where that thought just came from. Donna isn't looking at him anymore, she's staring at Harvey with her own half smile.

"We're already married," she says softly, "you don't have to worry about a ring."

"Ten years and going strong, I know that," Harvey replies sweetly.

Mike feels superfluous in this conversation and he really isn't sure if they are being serious or just joking around. They are still flirting and aren't paying much attention to him so Mike takes the time to assess the situation and tries to find the best possible exit strategy possible. It's not like he owes Harvey anything now that he's not his associate anymore. He looks at them, waiting for an opening to say goodbye, even opens his mouth to remind them he's there, but instead he notices the way Harvey's right hand is on the back of the seat, his fingers curling into Donna's arm, and how the fingers of her right hand are caressing the wrist of his left hand, sliding under the sleeve of his white shirt.

Oh, shit.

Both Harvey and Donna look at him. Did he say that out loud? He covers up quickly. "I know you joke around about being married, but are you really?"

Harvey's lips curve into a smile. "We're not married."

Donna smiles sweetly at him.

"I haven't found a ring I know she'll like yet," Harvey adds. "Anyway, don't propose to Rachel as an apology. Even if she does accept, she will forever wonder if you did it to appease her."

"You are such a hopeless romantic, Harvey," Donna smacks her lips.

"I thought you don't care about your clients, Harvey." He stands up, drops a twenty on the table. "But you did give me an idea."

He leaves them in his booth, hears them calling out a 'Goodbye Mike' after him and go on flirting. He doesn't ask when this started, how long it's been going on and who knows. He's on the inside even though he doesn't work with them anymore, and all three of them know he will never use it against them if something ever comes up. Well, never use it against them in any way that mattered.

He stops at a sushi place and picks up Rachel's favorite roll on his way home, and proceeds to face the music; to face her.

Rachel accepts his apology and his explanation between bites of her sushi roll. She's happy he figured out why she was upset. As a show of good faith he tells her about Harvey and Donna. She doesn't promise to never use it for her own benefit.

But then again, she's not Harvey's client.