Chapter 6
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In the car on the way to Harvey's condo Jessica and Jeff are sitting in the back of the car while Louis is in the front.
"So, where is this dinner?" Jeff asks curious.
"Harvey's Condo." Jessica explains, "The Dinner's for Mike's first night out of hospital." Jessica explains, realising that she probably should have explained that before they left the firm.
"Hospital? I thought Mike was in prison." Jeff says, sounding completely confused.
"Cahill got him a deal." Louis explains, "Mike helped Cahill get make a case by getting his cell mate, and his cell mates wife, to testify on a case and Mike was freed."
"Then why was he in hospital?" Jeff explains, knowing that it must have been something pretty big and important for Cahill to have used Mike.
"Mike was in with someone that Harvey put away as an ADA, he had been coming after Mike since the beginning and a lot of things happened." Jessica explains, not wanting to go into all the details right now, "Mike, being Mike, asked Cahill to put off his paperwork off for a night so that he could get evidence on the person Harvey put away and use against him." Jessica explains, "Mike was stabbed while getting the evidence, he almost died." Jessica explains and Jeff can actually hear a small amount of pain in her voice, "And Harvey's been blaming himself."
"Because he put the guy who hurt Mike away." Jeff realises and Jessica nods, "So who's going to be at dinner tonight?" he asks curious.
"Donna, Harvey, Mike, and the three of us.'' Louis answers.
"What about Rachel?" Jeff asks confused as he is pretty sure that Rachel should be at that dinner.
"Rachel cheated on Mike." Jessica reveals, doing so because she doesn't want Jeff to say something, that is taken the wrong way, just because he doesn't know, "Harvey caught her when he went to tell her what happened to Mike, Mike's staying with Harvey." Jessica explains.
"Isn't that going to make things awkward at the office?" Jeff ask as he remembers what things were like when he and Jessica broke up, but back then there was a lot more people at the firm.
"Everyone but Harvey's made it clear that we're not choosing sides." Jessica explains, "Mike's Harvey's guy so everyone knows who's side he's on, without him saying it, but no one else is picking a side."
"No kidding he always has been." Louis comments from the front, there has been times where that made him angry but while Mike was in jail, and during the trial he saw how much Mike means to Harvey
"When I found out about Mike Harvey told me that if Mike goes then he will." Jessica explains to Jeff, "It was when Hardman just came back and Harvey said that I needed him and that he wasn't staying without Mike." Jessica explains to Jeff, trying to be more open.
"That explains a lot." Jeff admits, being glad to know more, "How'd both of you find out?" he asks curious and Jessica and Louis start to explain what happened.
It has been a little while since Mike woke up and ever since he and Donna have been sitting on the couch while Harvey cooks.
"What is he making?" Mike asks Donna curious.
"You'll have to wait and see." Donna responds as everyone hears a knock on the door.
"Donna, can you get that?" Harvey asks from the kitchen.
"Sure." Donna says, getting up and heading to the front door.
About a minute later the Donna, followed by Jessica, Louis and Jeff walk into the main part of the apartment. As they do Mike stands up and once more gently sways on his feet, but he doesn't fall over, something which he is truly thankful for.
"Jessica, Louis, Malone." Mike greats, being glad to see them.
"Mike, how are you feeling?" Jessica asks, actually being concerned, not that she would let that show.
"Better than I was." Mike admits as he sits back on the couch, doing so because if he doesn't sit down soon then he is going to fall down.
"Wine?" Harvey asks everyone from the kitchen.
"Yes." Everyone, including Mike, says.
"Not happening Rookie, you heard Doctor Vance you're not allowed to drink for a month." Harvey informs her.
"I'm not a Rookie anymore." Mike says, rolling his eyes, as Donna hands wine to everyone but Mike who she hands a soda too, that Mike decides not to question why Harvey has as he's pretty sure Harvey never has soda.
"You'll always be my Rookie." Harvey says, causing Donna and Jessica to exchange amused looks as they realise what Harvey said, but no one else did, "Dinner should be ready in about ten." Harvey reveals as Donna, Jessica, Louis and Jeff all sit down.
"So Mike, have you given any thought to what you're going to do next?" Jeff asks, asking the question that everyone is curious about, but that no one wants to ask.
"Not really." Mike admits, "I thought that when I got out I'd have….. well I guess it doesn't matter what I thought." He says, looking awkwardly at the ground as Donna reaches out and squeezes his knee as she knows he's thinking about Rachel.
"You need to think about what you want, Mike. Go from there." Louis tells him, trying to make things less awkward.
"I don't need to think about it, there's one thing I've always wanted, it's also the one thing that is impossible." Mike reveals, saying what Harvey, Jessica and Donna already know.
"Become Legit." Harvey says from the kitchen.
"Yeah." Mike confirms, taking a drink and desperately wising that it is something more than soda.
"I don't get it, why was that always impossible?" Malone asks, "I've seen your work, know your brain, before Harvey hired you shouldn't have had a problem going to law school." He says, not noticing the glare Harvey is sending him from the kitchen.
"When I was in collage I applied for a transfer to Harvard, it was approved, and then well, the short version is my friend Trevor leant me money to win a poker game, a game that I should have won but the other people cheated, but it turns out the money wasn't his, but a drug dealer." Mike explains, "Trevor convinced me to sell a test that I had taken and memorized." Mike reveals, "He sold it to the dean's daughter and his last act before being forced to resign was to expel me and make sure that I would never get into Harvard." Mike explains to Jeff, telling the story that everyone now knows.
"Okay, enough talking about the past. Let's enjoy dinner." Harvey says, wanting to get the subject off things that are difficult for Mike to talk about.
"I like that idea." Jessica says, standing up, knowing exactly what Harvey is doing "Do you need a hand Harvey?"
"Sure." Harvey says and while Jessica gets up and heads to the kitchen Jeff cannot help but think about everything Mike said, what he didn't say, and what it all means, and as he does an idea starts to form in Jeff's mind, one that he is going to have to think about a bit more before he tells anyone.
A few hours later the rest of the dinner has gone quiet well and in fact everyone found themselves very much enjoying themselves, as it felt like the 'family time' as Donna came to call it that they've been having together since Louis found out about, and forgave, Mike. Having just seen Donna, the last to leave, out the door Harvey is walking back over to the couch where Mike is sitting leaning back with his eyes closed.
"You're in pain, aren't you?" Harvey asks as he sits down next to Mike.
"A little." Mike admits.
"You can't have any more medication yet." Harvey tells Mike, and if Mike wasn't in pain then he would have made a comment about Harvey keeping track of his medication.
"I know, I'll be fine." Mike says, turning to like at Harvey, "Dinner was good, right? It wasn't just my drugged and pain riddled mind thinking so." Mike says as he thought it felt like how things used to be, he just isn't sure if he can trust himself.
"It wasn't." Harvey assures him, "It was good, like old times. Even with Jeff joining."
"I'm glad for him and Jessica, they're good together." Mike comments.
"Yeah, they are." Harvey says, "Mike about the questions Jeff was asking, about what you're going to do once you're healed…." Harvey starts to say.
"I don't want to talk about that right now." Mike says, before Harvey can say too much.
"Okay, well when you do I want you to know that I'll do whatever I can to help." Harvey assures Mike, needing him to know that, in fact he already has a plan, he just has to get Mike to agree.
"Thanks Harvey." Mike responds, being incredible grateful thought the truth is that he doesn't want to impose on Harvey any more than he already has, he doesn't want to ruin his life anymore, Harvey is too important to him, "I think I might head to bed."
"Okay." Harvey responds and Mike attempts to stand up, but falls back down to the couch.
"Damn it." Mike says annoyed.
"It's okay, Mike. You're still healing." Harvey reminds him, "You'll slowly get better."
"I know that, it's just annoying." Mike admits as Harvey stands up.
"Well, until then, let me help you Rookie." Harvey says, sticking out his hands and Mike takes them, allowing Harvey to pull him up to standing position.
Once Mike is standing Harvey once more puts Mike's arm around his shoulder and the two of them head towards Mike's room. Due to how difficult it is for Mike to walk it takes Harvey a little while for them to get to Mike's room and once they are they Harvey helps Mike over to his bed.
"I'll see you in the morning." Harvey tells Mike once Mike is lying on the bed.
"Harvey…. Thanks." Mike says as Harvey heads to the door.
"You really need to stop thanking me Kid. I'm glad you're here." Harvey says before heading out of the room, planning on doing work for a little while.
After Harvey leaves Mike makes him as comfortable as he can under the covers and as he does he realises that it is the most comfortable he's felt in a month, as well as the safest.
A couple of hours later Harvey has headed to bed himself, having checked in on Mike before he did, and as he lies in his bed Harvey's mind is completely on the younger man in the other room.
After everything that has happened just having Mike so close means everything to Harvey as there has been times, more than one, where he thought he was going to lose Mike and he wouldn't be able to handle that.
Harvey knows that when he and Mike first meet he was a different person, and the reason he's changed so much, is because of Mike, Mike taught him to trust more than Donna and Jessica, Mike become someone who not only did he like to work with, but liked being with period.
After everything that has happened Harvey knows that he is in love with Mike, and as big as it is for him to admit that to himself, Harvey also knows that he won't do anything about that as Mike means too much to him to risk what they do have, he'd rather have Mike in his life as just his friend, not knowing how he feels, than telling Mike how he feels and not having him in his life at all.
Having been woken by a burning pain in his chest Mike has had to spend a few moments, fighting to catch his breath as the pain is making that rather difficult.
Once he is able to breath relatively normally Mike forces himself to sit up and once his legs are over the side of the bed Mike forces himself to stand up. Once he is standing up Mike reaches over to the wall and uses it to walk out of the room, being determine to manage on his own as he doesn't want to make things even harder on Harvey.
Walking out into the living area Mike is once more greeted by a sight that he doesn't think he will even be used too, no matter how amazing he thinks it is, Harvey in casual clothes, in his kitchen.
"Has the firm drastically changed its dress code since I've been gone?" Mike asks as he makes his way over to Harvey, needing to lean on the furniture for support.
"No, Jessica would never allow that." Harvey admits, "I'm not going into work today." He admits, watching Mike carefully as he makes his way over to the kitchen bench.
"Harvey you can't keep missing work." Mike says, feeling bad about how much work Harvey has missed.
"I'll go back in a couple of days, right now I'm working from home." Harvey explains.
"Harvey…" Mike starts to say says he gets to the bench and winces as he sits down.
"Nothing you can say will talk me out of this." Harvey says as he hands Mike his medication and a glass of water, causing Mike to give him a look, "What?"
"I've never seen this side of you." Mike says, choosing his words carefully, "It's domestic and…." Mike starts to say before trailing off.
"And?" Harvey asks, gently prodding Mike forward.
"It's nice to see, I like it." Mike mutters, looking embarrassed down at the table, and as he does Harvey can't help but grin proudly to himself as he is very glad to hear that.
"So, how's your pain this morning?" Harvey asks, changing the subject, though only slightly.
"Better than yesterday, which I guess is all I can hope for." Mike admits.
"Yeah, guess so." Harvey answers, though he still doesn't like that Mike is still in pain and probably a lot.
"So, um, my dressing needs to be changed, and I'm not sure whether I could do that alone." Mike admits.
"I can help with that after breakfast." Harvey offers.
"You sure?" Mike asks.
"Why wouldn't I be? You ashamed of what you look like without a shirt?" Harvey asks with a teasing grin.
"Of course not, I'll have you know I look good." Mike reveals, with a smirk.
"If you say so." Harvey responds, though from what he saw in the hospital he has to agree.
"I do say so." Mike responds and the two of them drift into silence as Harvey finishes making breakfast.
About half an hour later Mike is sitting on the couch with his shirt off and Harvey is walking back in the room, having collected the supplies he needs from the bathroom.
"It might be best that you lie down." Harvey says, thinking that might be best, "And don't even think about getting blood on my couch."
"I will do my best." Mike says, rolling his eyes.
Seeing the look Harvey kneels on the ground next to Mike and even though he very much likes the sight of Mike shirtless Harvey focuses on what he has to do and he takes the old dressing off, and for the first time since Mike was hurt Harvey actually sees Mike's injury, the injury that was caused because of him.
"Mike…." Harvey starts to say, looking up at his friend, guilt clear in his voice.
"It's not your fault, it's Gallo's." Mike reminds him, not wanting Harvey to blame himself.
"Gallo would never have hurt you if it wasn't for me." Harvey says.
"I still don't blame you, I would never blame you." Mike assures Harvey who just gives a nod and starts to place the new dressing over Mike's wound.
As Harvey changes Mike's dressing Mike realises that Harvey is being more gentle than he thought possible and truthfully, Mike realises that he very much likes the feeling of Harvey's hands on him, not that he would admit that, and he is pretty sure that Harvey is being more gentle than he has to be, and touching him more than he has to, though he isn't going to comment on that fact.
"There, done." Harvey comments, once he has changed the dressing, and has to stop touching Mike, though he would very much like to continue, "There doesn't seem to be any of the signs that Doctor Vance said to look out for."
"Good, that's good." Mike responds, "So, if you're not going to work what are you going to do today?" he asks curious.
"Some work, maybe, why have you got something in mind?" Harvey asks curious.
"Movie." Mike suggests.
"Sure." Harvey answers, "I'll go grab something, any preferences?"
"Nope." Mike responds and Harvey collects the supplies he brought with him and heads to collect a movie, very much looking forward to spending the day watching movies with Mike.
A few hours later, Harvey and Mike are on their second movie and as they are Harvey realises that it is getting close to lunchtime and so he turns to Mike to ask what he wants for lunch, but as he does Harvey realises that Mike is fast asleep, and as he realises that Harvey finds himself watching Mike rather than the movie, being amazed at how peaceful he is even though he is pretty sure that Mike must be in pain.
Harvey isn't sure how long he has been watching Mike when his phone starts to ring and so he quickly answers it, not wanting to wake Mike.
"Hello." Harvey says in a whisper as he stands up and walks away from Mike.
"Harvey? Why are you whispering?" Donna asks.
"Mike fell asleep while we were watching a movie." Harvey explains, speaking a little louder as he is a few steps away.
"How's he doing?" Donna asks curious.
"About the same as yesterday." Harvey answers, "Did you need something?"
"I was going to bring the two of you lunch, if that's okay." Donna comments.
"That will be great, thanks." Harvey tells his assistant.
"I'll see you soon." Donna says before hanging up.
After Donna hangs up Harvey heads back over to the couch where he sits down next to Mike, slightly closer than he was sitting before and just watches Mike.
In the office Donna is just getting to the elevators when the doors open and Rachel steps out.
"Donna, I was just coming to find you." Rachel says when she sees her.
"And I was just heading out." Donna says as she heads into the elevator.
"Are you going to see, Mike? How is he? Is he okay?" Rachel asks, her voice hurried.
"He's healing." Donna answers, being vague on purpose, "And yes, I'm going to see him, I'm bringing him and Harvey lunch."
"Can I come with you? I need to see him; I need us to talk." Rachel tells Donna.
"Rachel that's not a good idea." Donna explains, "Mike's made it clear that he isn't ready to see you."
"But we need to work this out, and we won't be able to if he won't see me!" Rachel says, feeling that it is more important for them to talk then giving Mike space.
"Rachel." Donna says, turning around and looking at Rachel, "Right now you have to respect Mike's wishes, if you don't then you have no chance." Donna tells her friend, her voice stern, "You've got to keep your distance."
"I don't know if I can do that." Rachel admits.
"You need to." Donna says as the elevator doors open and Donna walks out, leaving Rachel alone to think.
About an hour later Donna is letting herself into Harvey's condo, having decided to let herself in rather than use her key as she doesn't know whether Mike is still asleep.
Walking into the living area Donna finds Mike and Harvey on the couch, Mike still fast asleep.
"You know it's creepy to watch people sleep." Donna says, giving Harvey an amused look.
"Shut up." Harvey says, pretending to be annoyed, though he's not really, as Donna walks over.
"Mike." Harvey says, gently shaking him, "Mike you've got to wake up." He says.
"Leave me alone." Mike mutters, causing Harvey and Donna to exchange amused looks.
"I could do that Kid, but then you'll miss out on the lunch Donna brought." Harvey reveals, "you've got to wake up."
Being slightly more awake Mike moans and turns towards Harvey, so that he is basically lying on his chest and as he feels that, feels Harvey, Mike opens his eyes and realises what is going on.
"Sorry." Mike says, pushing back away from Harvey, though Harvey really wouldn't have minded if he stayed close, "Did you say something about Donna?" Mike asks confused.
"Yep, I'm right here." Donna says and Mike turns to the opposite couch where Donna is sitting, "And I come baring lunch for you too."
"Thanks Donna." Mike says gratefully.
"Please, like I would let you two starve." Donna says as she opens her bags and starts to pass out the food.
"You brought food for yourself, right?" Harvey asks.
"Of course." Donna assures him and together the three friends eat their lunch together and happily talk.
The following morning Mike is once more sitting on the couch, having just had his dressing changed, when Harvey walks out of his room completely ready for work.
"I've just got a few meetings today, and then I'll be home." Harvey assures Mike, feeling bad about leaving Mike alone.
"I'll be fine, Harvey, you don't have to worry." Mike says, resisting the urge to roll his eyes, though it is amusing him that Harvey is actually worried.
"I'm not worried, I just don't want you to bleed out in my nice apartment." Harvey jokes, not wanting to admit that that is one of his biggest fears.
"Your concern is touching." Mike says sarcastically.
"Donna will come check in on you and if you need anything call." Harvey tells him.
"Will do, now you should go. You don't want to be late for your meeting with Jessica." Mike informs him.
"Really don't." Harvey responds, "See you later." Harvey says before heading out of the apartment, really not liking that he is leaving Mike alone but he doesn't have many choices.
"Come home soon." Mike mutters as Harvey leaves.
Not even half an hour has passed since Harvey left when Mike hears a knock on the door. Knowing what he has to do Mike slowly gets up and heads to the front door, needing to lean on the wall as he does.
"Seriously Donna, I'm okay." Mike says as he gets closer to the door, "And why didn't you just use your…." Mike says as he gets to the door but when he opens it it's not Donna standing there, "Rachel." Mike says, it being a surprised, and a bad one at that, to see her.