Chapter 3
Harvey and Jessica spent the next couple of hours working steadily. Donna spent the next three hours digging up everything she could on Mike's past. Jessica had asked her to try and find what she could knowing that there had to be some paper trail on Mike at least until he was seven and then pick up again when he was fourteen. She also searched newspapers and journals.
Mike was extremely happy to be back at work but after having been here for an hour and a half he had finished the ten briefs that Harvey had left on his desk and he was getting to be quite bored, normally he'd bring it up to Harvey but Harvey had e-mailed him telling Mike to bring the briefs up to his office at noon. Usually Louis would have found him by now and loaded him down with a huge pile of work to do which would keep Mike busy for hours and yet Louis hasn't stopped by Mike's desk once today. Mike was so bored that he decided to do a bit of research on the case that he had overheard Harvey working on while he was forced to sit on Harvey's couch. He had just started in on his research when he heard a rather irritated voice behind him.
"Young man this is a workspace not a play area, what do you think you're doing?" Hardman said annoyed while looking down at Mike.
Mike shot his head up, "Mr. Hardman" he said quickly, "Do you need something?" he asked trying to be polite. He knew that Hardman wasn't a good person but he was still a name partner so Mike wasn't about to be rude.
"I need you to go find your parents and stop playing around in the associate's cubicles" Hardman said irritatedly.
"Um…" Mike said confused, "I'm not playing sir, I'm working" he said slowly.
"You're working?" Hardman says sarcastically. He waited for Mike to nod yes before going on, "Really, then when did we start hiring teenagers and institute casual Monday's?" he asked.
"Casua…" Mike started but then he remembered how he was dressed, "Oh, I'm only working for half a day so I was told that I shouldn't dress up" Mike said.
"Young man, I am tiring of this game, tell me who your parents are so I can have them come pick you up" Hardman ordered.
"I'm here to work, I'm an associate here" Mike said, "Look just ask…" he started but he trailed off as he looked around and noted that he was the only associate on the floor. He quickly looked down at his watch and noted that it was 12:05, "Shit" he exclaimed as he quickly stood up grabbed the briefs and started heading out of his cubicle. "Sorry I'm late" he said as he tried to push past Hardman.
Hardman grabbed Mike's arm, hard, and started dragging him towards his almost finished office. "I think we'll just call security and have you removed from the building" he said and then looking down to what Mike had in his hands he grabbed the briefs Mike was holding. "You are not allowed to see these" he said.
"Let go of me" Mike said indignantly trying hard to get out of Hardman's grip, "I work here and I need to take those to Harvey" Mike insisted.
Hardman stopped, "Harvey?" he said disbelievingly, "As in Harvey Specter?"
"Yes" Mike said.
"You took these from Harvey Specter?" Hardman asked.
"I didn't steal them, he had me proof them" Mike tried to explain while still struggling to get out of Hardman's grip.
Hardman grabbed Mike harder and then changed their direction to Harvey's office, "We'll just see what he has to say about that" he said.
Mike continued to struggle until he could see Donna's desk, "Donna" he called hoping for some assistance. He didn't like Hardman and the man was really starting to hurt his arm, he didn't like having to call for help but he wanted away from Hardman more and he knew that Donna, Harvey and Jessica would help him.
Donna looked up from her computer when she heard Mike call out for her. He had sounded scared and when Donna saw him being dragged over to her by Hardman she understood why. "Let go of him" she told Hardman.
Harvey had heard Mike call out for Donna and had left his office immediately, he was not happy when he saw Mike being dragged over. "What the hell are you doing?" Harvey demanded as the same time that Donna spoke.
Hardman was startled at the two people calling out to him at once and he released his grip on Mike. Mike practically ran over to Harvey and Donna the instant that he was released. Harvey and Donna both grabbed onto one of Mike's arms but unlike Hardman's grip, which was painful and frightening, Harvey and Donna's grips were gentle and protective.
Harvey and Donna pushed Mike behind them as Hardman started walking forward. "Harvey he won't believe that I work here, he says that I shouldn't have been playing around in my cubicle but I wasn't I swear" Mike started rambling quickly trying to get Harvey to understand.
"Mike," Harvey said trying to calm him down, "Mike" he said again. Mike finally stopped rambling and looked at Harvey, "I need you to calm down OK" Harvey said. He was about to continue when he was cutoff by a rather irritated voice from behind him.
"This young man refused to tell me who his parents are" Hardman says, "He said that these were yours although I have yet to get him to tell me how he obtained them" he finishes.
"I got them from Harvey" Mike said.
"I gave them to him" Harvey said at the same time as Mike. Harvey was really hoping that he could get Mike into his office while Harvey talked to Hardman but he knew that wasn't going to happen he was just glad that the floor was almost empty because of lunch.
"Why would you give a child sensitive briefs?" Hardman asked Harvey. He was hoping that he could prove that Harvey wasn't following proper procedure and could get him demoted if not fired.
"I work for Harvey" Mike said getting exasperated. He was feeling irritable and a bit tired; he wasn't sure why he felt full of energy this morning.
"Mike is my associate" Harvey said to Hardman. He really needed to get Mike into his office.
"Mike why don't we start on lunch while they talk" Donna suggested sweetly. She didn't like how things were escalating and wanted to get Mike out of there but she knew that it wasn't a simple task.
"This boy looks to be no older than fifteen, if that, I don't know where his parents are but really they should have more control over their own son" Hardman said to Harvey, he was completely ignoring Mike by now.
"I'm twenty seven and my parents are dead!" Mike practically shouted at Hardman, "I am Harvey's associate and I do have a law degree so F… OFF!" Mike did shout that last part.
Hardman was speechless at what Mike had just said, whether it was because he was being yelled and cursed at or the information Mike just provided he couldn't really say.
"Mike, language" Harvey admonished.
"Screw you" Mike said, "You didn't give a shit about my language before so long as it wasn't in front of the clients and you don't have the right to care now"
"Mike go to my office" Harvey ordered. He was pissed with Hardman for what he did but that didn't mean that Mike could stand around cursing at any of them.
Mike was about to protest when Donna grabbed his upper arm and started leading him into the office but as soon as Donna grabbed him Mike started to struggle wildly.
Donna let go as soon as she saw the earnestness with which Mike was struggling she let go of him. Mike quickly backed away from all of them while covering his arm (Donna had, unknowingly, grabbed the same place as Hardman and it had hurt) he was in pain and he was tired and he didn't understand what was going on. Donna and Harvey had protected him and yet he was in pain after Donna touched him but she hadn't gripped him hard, gentle really.
Everyone had stopped to watch Mike, the boy looked scared and no one was sure what to do. Eventually Harvey stepped forward slowly with his hands raised where Mike could see them, "Hey Mike, it's ok" he said gently, slowly.
Mike watched Harvey as he approached but he didn't back away. Harvey took Mike's stillness as a good sign, he continued to move forward and Mike watched his hands, never taking his eyes off of them. Harvey stopped right in front of Mike and then slowly laid both his hands on Mike's shoulders, Mike stiffened for a second when Harvey made contact but then soon relaxed.
"Mike, let's go into my office OK" Harvey said gently.
Mike nodded his assent and allowed Harvey to turn him and guide him into the office by his shoulders. Harvey sat Mike down on the couch and couldn't help but notice that Mike still hadn't taken his left hand off of his right arm.
"Mike, can I see your arm for a second?" Harvey asks softly.
Out of habit Mike brought his left arm over for Harvey to check his cut but Harvey shook his head and gestured to Mike's right arm. "The one that you're protecting Mike" Harvey says. He can see the reluctance in Mike's eyes, "I'll be gentle, I promise but I really need to see your arm alright" Harvey said softly, reassuringly.
Mike hesitated for a moment but eventually brought his right arm up for Harvey to inspect. "Good boy" Harvey said. He gently took hold of Mike's arm just below the elbow and used his other hand to left up the end of Mike's sleeve. Even though Mike was wearing a short sleeve shirt his sleeves still ran down to just above his elbow. Harvey gave an intake of breath when he saw the hand shaped mark that was sure to leave a bruise. When Harvey was done he put Mike's sleeve down and then patted his elbow, "Thank you" he said. "I'm going to go talk to Hardman and Donna for a couple minutes and then I'll be back. I'll be right outside the door, you'll be able to see me the whole time OK" Harvey said gently.
"Tell Donna I'm sorry, I didn't mean to freak out on her" Mike said looking down.
"She knows that Mike and she's not mad at you. I promise." Harvey said. He stood up and headed back out into the hall once there he turned directly to Hardman. "What the hell is wrong with you?" he asked icily.
"What do you mean" Hardman asked confused. He was starting to get a headache from this, he was confused and becoming irritated. He had been shocked to hear Mike's age, the boy looked so much younger, but Donna had confirmed it. Now he wanted to know why Mike was dressed in casual clothes and why Harvey was so mad.
"What do I mean!" Harvey exclaimed.
"Harvey, what's going on?" Jessica asked walking up. She had heard shouting from her office but had to finish her phone call before she could come out to see what was happening. She had been surprised to find Harvey and Donna snarling at Hardman.
"What's going on?" Harvey repeated, "What's going on is that he" he pointed at Hardman, "dragged Mike over here and kept such a hard grip on his arm that Mike now has a mark, that will bruise, on his arm in the shape of Hardman's hand."
"What!" Donna and Jessica exclaimed. Donna had known something was up but he hadn't known that and Jessica was just walking into this.
"I didn't know I'd grabbed him that hard. He was struggling, trying to get away and I was trying to get answers…" Hardman dropped off. He honestly hadn't meant to hurt the boy he'd just wanted answers. "I'm sorry. Please tell Mike that I'm sorry if I hurt him" he said as he handed Harvey the briefs that he had confiscated from Mike and started to walk off.
"If you go near him again I will hit you" Harvey warned before turning and heading back into his office.
Jessica and Donna followed Harvey into the office, both fully intent on mothering Mike to death. They walked over and sat on either side of Mike on the couch. "Mike, are you alright?" Jessica asked softly, she brought her hand up and started rubbing soft circles on Mike's back like she had that night after his nightmare.
Mike looked at Jessica and studied her face, he was looking for something but none of them knew what. He must have found what he was looking for however because he suddenly launched himself at Jessica and grabbed onto her for dear life.
Jessica was stunned for a second because this was the first time that Mike had ever returned a hug let alone initiated one. Once she had gotten over her surprise she wrapped her arms around Mike and Donna took up rubbing his back. They sat like that for a few minutes until Mike slowly pulled away, when he looked back at Jessica he had tears in his eyes but had yet to cry.
"Sorry" Mike said quickly, "I shouldn't ha…"
"No" Jessica said cutting him off, "You have nothing to apologize for, you have done nothing wrong," she assured him.
Mike studied Jessica again before nodding his head but they could all still see that he was struggling with the idea that it was OK to seek comfort that it was OK to actually reach out for help and safety. That was something that they would have to work on but they could already tell that they were making some progress.
Everyone could feel the tension in the room and Harvey decided that they needed to move forward so as to keep mike from becoming lost in his own memories. "I'll call Dr. Richardson to get some type of cream for that bruise after lunch" he said.
Donna followed Harvey's queue and stood up heading over to the table and grabbing four styrofoam containers back to the couch. She handed out all of the containers to their rightful owners and three of them dug in immediately. Mike just sat there staring at it confused.
"You need to eat Mike" Jessica said. She reached over and opened the container for him revealing the grapes and sandwich that was inside.
Mike looked over at Jessica confused, when she put the food in his lap Mike jumped and looked down. The confusion went away when he realized that they wanted him to eat. He was confused and tired and he didn't really understand his reaction to getting his arm hurt. He put it down to a basic fight or flight instinct however he hadn't really done either, sure he had gotten away from Hardman but he'd done it by calling out for Donna and then he had freaked when she'd touched his bruise. It was just a bruise, it was next to nothing and yet he had freaked, that wasn't like him, he never reacted that badly to a simple bruise. He also doesn't go seeking someone else's help ever and yet he had called out for Donna, what the hell? Mike knew better than to rely on others either they would disappoint him or he'd end up owing them some favor down the line either way it wasn't good.
"Mike" Harvey called when Mike still hadn't started eating.
Mike started and looked up at Harvey. Yet another thing that was confusing him lately, he never let his guard down and here he was surrounded by three other people and he'd completely zoned out. "Sorry" Mike said quickly, it was a basic reflex to apologize whenever confronted by someone in charge.
"You don't need to apologize Mike, just eat." Harvey said.
Mike looked back down at his food and started eating mechanically while running the same thoughts over and over again in his mind. He wasn't getting anywhere with his answers and soon he was becoming full and starting to drop off. Donna took the container out from Mike's grip before it dropped and Mike let his head fall on Jessica's shoulder.
Jessica smiled slightly as Mike fell asleep on her shoulder. They all readjusted themselves and got Mike situated on the couch so that he could sleep. Once Mike was settled Harvey and Donna explained what they knew. Harvey told about Mike and Donna told them Hardman's story about his interactions with Mike. Once all the information had been obtained Dr. Richardson was called and then headed back to their work and let Mike sleep.