Mike had fallen asleep somewhere in the middle of the third movie they watched, Harvey only noticing when Mike didn't quote one of his all-time favorite lines. For a moment Harvey just watched him slumped over on the arm rest as he breathed lightly. He couldn't believe how peaceful and innocent Mike looked or how young. It made the pain in his heart double as he thought of such a horrible thing happening to someone so young and unjaded. One of the things Harvey most loved about Mike was how, even after all the crap he had gone through in life, he still managed to be positive, to think the best of people. Harvey hated that it got Mike hurt sometimes but would never want Mike to lose it either.

Smiling slightly, he stood up, and after grabbing some bedding, pulled Mike so he was properly lying on the couch. When he was satisfied the young lawyer was sleeping soundly and comfortably, he retired to his own room, quickly stripping down to boxers before slipping into bed. Although it took him some time he too found himself slipping into sleep an hour or so later.

Harvey woke with a jolt as he sat up in bed, unsure of what had woken him. He rubbed his face and was running a hand through his hair when he stopped short, his hand still on top of his head. He could have sworn he had heard something, so he listened closely. Not a minute later he heard it again, only this time he could tell what it was. He could hear Mike crying for help in his sleep.

Harvey jumped out of his bed without thought and left his room, going toward the living room. Sure enough, as he entered he could see Mike tossing and turning on the couch, crying for help weakly. In an airy cry, Mike begged, "Please make him stop! Please, help me!" What he said next was what had Harvey taking a step forward, "Please Harvey, help me. I know you hate me, but please, make him stop!"

As Harvey knelt down next to Mike's head he could see tears running down the young man's face and being unable to resist, he reached out and wiped it away, softly saying, "Mike, wake up, it's just a nightmare." When Mike didn't immediately wake up Harvey gently shook his shoulder and tried in a slightly louder whisper, "Please, Mike, wake up." Harvey smiled as he found two bright blue eyes looking at him with hazy confusion.

In a raspy voice, Mike asked, "Where am I? Harvey? What's going on?" Mike's face looked so confused, his brow furrowed, a confused frown on his face, which Harvey couldn't help but chuckle lightly at.

Sitting back on his heels Harvey answered simply, "You fell asleep during the best part of our favorite movie then started having a nightmare. I thought it would be merciful if I woke you up." Harvey smirked slightly, making Mike smile back faintly. When Harvey saw Mike was feeling a little better he stood up and took a couple steps back, before asking, "Are you feeling okay now?"

At first when he said nothing he thought Mike was just being reserved, trying to hide his fear, but when he saw an unreadable look on Mike's face he followed his eyes and noticed Mike was looking at him, only not at his face, but at his chest. Looking down, Harvey realized he was wearing only boxers and for the first time in his life he felt a blush creeping up the back of his neck. Coughing awkwardly, Harvey sat in a chair across from the couch, before repeating the question, "Are you feeling okay?"

With a hazy look in his eyes, Mike finally looked up into Harvey's face. After a moment he shook his head slightly, as if to clear his thoughts, before finally answering, "Uh, ya, I'm fine. I have nightmares all the time, although it was nice to wake up from it." He rubbed his face tiredly as he added, "Thank you."

Harvey smiled slightly at Mike as he said, "Anytime, Pup." He wanted to say more but before he could Mike let out a big yawn, in turn making Harvey yawn, so he decided it was best if they both got some more sleep; standing up, he started to leave the room, throwing over his shoulder, "Night Pup, get some sleep, we don't have to work tomorrow." Mike said goodnight and Harvey was almost at his bedroom door when he added, "Call if you need anything."

Harvey didn't sleep much after that. He found himself constantly going into the living room to make sure Mike was sleeping peacefully, and even though every time he was, he still kept going back to check. At around seven in the morning Harvey gave up on sleep and instead made a pot of coffee and sat in the kitchen reading a book Donna had gotten him. After all, he knew better than not to read it.

A couple hours later when Harvey looked up from his book toward the living room it was to find Mike looking at him over the back of the couch. Harvey couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him at the sight of Mike peeking over it, only the top of his sleep mussed head visible, looking like a child playing hide' n' seek. He laughed even more when Mike asked in an innocent voice, "What?"

Getting some control over his amusement, Harvey held his hand up, shaking it, as he said, "Nothing." Before Mike could ask anything further Harvey told him, "There is fresh coffee in the pot but we are meeting Donna for breakfast in a half hour, so if you want to shower or anything you should probably get up."

Mike looked unsure for a moment as he stared at Harvey. He felt like he was going to get whiplash from the sudden change in Harvey's treatment of him from only the morning before, from the sudden change in mood. Deciding that Harvey was being kind for no ulterior motive Mike finally got up and grabbed a cup of coffee. He drank it quickly and happily, with a satisfied sigh, before deciding to have a shower.

As Mike closed the door behind him Harvey realized he'd had no clothes to change into, so he went to his room to find something Mike would fit.

Mike found his mind still in a blissful sleep haze as he turned on the water to the shower before getting in. He was startled into alertness as cold water hit him, making him quickly fumble for the handle. As he felt the water warm up he relaxed a little but now that he was fully awake the night before came back to his mind.

As Mike thought about it, about what could have happened if Harvey hadn't shown up, he found himself growing more agitated. Even though he had learned years ago how to keep unpleasant memories at an arm's length he was having trouble with it now. As he thought about Mark rubbing his arm he couldn't help drawing parallels to what had happened to him before and with that came a violated and dirty feeling. He turned the water as hot as it could go as he started rubbing his arm where Mark had touched him. He wanted to eras the feeling of the man but the more it did nothing, the more he tried to make it do something. Soon he was rubbing his arms and legs raw as he tried to wash away the memory of Mark and the man that has assaulted him before.

It took him a good ten minutes to dig through all his draws until he found a pair a jeans from when he was younger that would fit Mike. He also pulled out an old Harvard shirt from his closet. A few minutes later he was standing in front of the bathroom door and was surprised to still hear the water running. He knocked on the door but when there was no response he decided to go get ready to leave as well. Finally, after Mike had been in the shower for about twenty minutes, Harvey went back and knocked again, but like before, there was no response. Warning bells started going off in his head as he knocked again, this time louder.

Not sure what to do he tried yelling through the door, "We have to leave to meet Donna soon Mike, are you almost ready? I found some clothes you can change into." He waited half a minute before asking, "Mike? Are you okay?" He still heard nothing so he tried one last time, "Mike, if you don't answer me I'm coming in." He waited a minute but there was still no response from the other side of the door.

Taking a deep breath, Harvey took a step back before forcing the door open. When he looked over toward the shower he felt his heart ache at the sight of Mike, sitting on the floor of the shower, knees drawn to his chest, rubbing his arm fiercely. Harvey could see how raw his skin looked and couldn't help a slight wince. As he turned off the water, which was now cold, he grabbed a towel from behind him. He draped it over Mike and took a step back, asking, "Mike? Are you with me? Hello, Mike?"

With empty eyes Mike turned to look up at Harvey, and in that moment Harvey swore he had never seen such a heart wrenching sight. Mike was shivering, so reaching out very slowly, Harvey started rubbing his back. That seemed to bring Mike back enough as he quietly said, "I was trying to wash them off me."

Harvey smiled at him sadly as he said, "You can't wash away a memory Mike, no matter how hard you try. Hurting yourself this way won't do anything but hurt you." Harvey watched as tears sprang to Mike's eyes and felt them stinging his own. With a sad smile he held the clothes toward Mike and said, "I found you something to change into." Mike simply nodded and took the clothes. Harvey didn't want to leave Mike alone though so he made no move to leave, instead turning to face the other wall.

Harvey turned around when he heard a soft, "Thanks Harvey; for everything." Mike was smiling at him ever so slightly, so he returned it, but could tell Mike was still fighting back tears.

Harvey wanted to comfort Mike but didn't want to frighten him, so a little awkwardly asked, "Can I give you a hug?" Mike smiled faintly again and nodded, so Harvey took a step forward and gave Mike a hug. For a few moments they stayed like that, both needing to cling to the other, until Harvey and Mike's phones started ringing. They were late for breakfast with Donna.