Chapter 3: Time's Awaiting
"Um, that was the hospital. Apparently, they couldn't reach you so they called me. They said that your MRI results were now conclusive. They want to schedule an appointment in the next few days. Mike, please tell me what they said is not true."
"Rachel, I was going to tell you."
"Oh my god," she said while sitting down putting her head into her hands. Mike moved across the table and sat right next to her.
"Rachel, look at me."
She looked up and saw his eyes. He was trying to be strong for the both of them. His eyes always told the truth. "Everything is going to be fine."
"No, it's not. Mike, you have cancer. Do you know how serious this is? You could die!"
"I know, but I am going to fight this. I am."
"And what happens if you don't survive?"
"I will. I promise."
Rachel was trying to control her tears and attempted to push all of her emotions down. She wiped her tears and turned to him. She laid onto his chest and held each other for awhile.
Mike woke up to Rachel resting on his chest. After their little silent moment last night, she asked him to tell her everything. He told her what he knew, which wasn't most. The doctor scheduled another appointment for him today sometime during the afternoon. He felt better after telling her his news, knowing that he wasn't alone in this. His family was gone and he didn't have anyone else. Rachel woke up soon after and they both laid in bed in peace. Neither wanted to think about the negative aspects of the life-threatening disease. After ten minutes of their short-term tranquility, Rachel finally spoke up.
"When are you going to tell Harvey about this?"
"Huh, I never even thought about Harvey."
"Mike, I think you should tell him soon. Maybe find a moment today where you can talk to him."
"I don't know, Rachel. Things are already difficult with the Hessington case. I don't want to make things more complicated."
"If you don't tell him now, you're going to regret it in the future."
"Okay, I'll try. Who knew you were so persuasive?" he said while kissing her.
"How do you think I got you in the first place?"
Mike gave her another kiss and then got up for work. He wished every morning was like this.
Mike and Rachel came into the office hand in hand. Cancer wasn't going to separate him from the woman he loved. He dropped off his stuff at his cubicle and went to Harvey's office. On his way there, he saw Harvey walking towards him.
"Harvey, what's going on?"
"Gianopolous is trying to take over the company. I'm going over there to set there to try to stop him. You coming along?"
"Uhh, yeah."
Both men went to Gianopolous' office and tried to get him to back off. It didn't work since they technically didn't have evidence to blackmail him. They went back to the office to find another way to save Ava, which led Mike to Rachel standing in front of him when the elevator doors opened.
"Rachel. Where are you going?" Mike said after Harvey walked past them.
"I have a meeting with my professor. Where did you come from?"
"We just went to Gianopulos' office."
"I take it things didn't go so well?"
"How'd you know?"
"You guys don't look like sunshine and rainbows."
"Well, yeah. Harvey's pretty upset. Things can't be any worse."
"Speaking of which, I'll meet you at the hospital, okay?"
"Sure. The appointment's at 2 pm."
"Did you tell Harvey, yet?"
"Well, you saw him. Now's not really the time."
"When is?"
"Rachel, I will tell him soon. I promise."
"Okay. I have to go. I'll see you later."
"Okay," he said giving her a quick good-bye kiss.
Mike walked to Harvey's office and they both looked the boxes of files Hessington sent over, hoping they would somehow prove her innocence. They poured through everything for the next two hours and there was not a single shred evidence that helped them. This was going nowhere. Mike looked at his watch and knew that he had to leave soon before he got stuck in traffic.
"Harvey, I think we should take a break."
"No, we're going to look through this again. There has to be something here."
"Harvey, we will, but I have to go do something."
"What is it? Is it more important than saving an innocent woman? You know what? If you want to leave, then go ahead."
Mike knew that he didn't have time to argue with him so he just left. He felt bad in doing so, but the faster they got through the appointment, the faster he could go back to work and focus. He wanted to work while he still got the chance. Of course, he wanted to help Ava Hessington, but this cancer had distracted him more than he wanted it to. He just had to get through this. If Harvey knew about this, he would have gone easy on Mike and that would have just been worse.
Author's Notes: Hello, everyone. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please review. Thanks!