Mike reclaimed their luggage the next day. Everything was still there, except for Harvey's phone but that could have gone missing anywhere between New York and the London hospital. Mike simply bought a new one, not really caring that is was more expensive there than it would have been in the States. He could most likely charge it back to the firm anyway.
"I got your suitcase," he pointed out to Harvey when he stopped by the hospital, though it was pretty obvious from the fact that he was dragging the thing behind him. "Also got your wallet," he handed it to Harvey, "and your passport. Your phone is gone, but I bought a new one and put in all the numbers I remembered, which were... let's see... all of them."
"Thanks, Mike." It was only when Harvey took the phone that Mike realised something was off.
"Is that a bruise on your cheek?" It was very light but as Mike came closer he was sure to be right.
"Did you get into a fight with one of the nurses?"
"No," Harvey said affronted. "It's nothing," he added shifting away from Mike's gaze.
"Whoa, if you put it like that it's certainly not nothing! What happened, Harvey?"
Harvey looked at Mike defiantly, probably trying to throw him off, but Mike wouldn't have that.
"I fainted," Harvey admitted at last.
"You fainted? When were you thinking to tell me that? Were you even going to?"
"No, I wasn't. Look, it's hardly relevant. Actually, it's a good sign. Fainting is a sign of low blood pressure. That's good for my heart."
"Not when you hit your head when you fall down," Mike snorted, reaching out to touch the bruise. Harvey flinched away at first but then allowed Mike to gently prod it.
"You know, I'd just stopped worrying about you a little…" Mike bit his lips. He had to go now, to get to the next meeting, but he wasn't sure he could leave Harvey alone. What if something happened while he was gone? He would never be able to forgive himself.
"Mike, I don't need a wet nurse watching over me all day," Harvey pointed out when he saw Mike was planning to settle in. "Just go to the meeting, I'll be fine."
Mike did not move.
"I can give you hourly updates with that new phone you got me if you want…" Harvey suggested, waving said phone around.
Mike gave Harvey a once-over not sure how to react. Yes, Harvey looked all right, but if he had fainted he couldn't really be… On the other hand it was stupid to blow the merger, just for sitting next to a hospital bed when there wasn't much he could do anyway…
"Hourly," Mike said sternly. "And if you miss one, I'll throw the meeting and come right back here."
"Deal."
9:05 #1: Lying on my bed. Nothing happened.
9:57 #2: Lying on my bed. Nothing happened.
10:56 #3: Maybe I should have made you stay. I'm bored out of my mind.
11:50 #4: Are you sure you want me to keep doing this? I don't know what to write because nothing goddamn happens.
12:30 #5: The hot nurse asked for you. Think she's got a crush on you. Or more likely she has a crush on me and just wants to make conversation.
13:13 #6: Are you even reading this? Or are you busy blowing the merger?
13:14 I'm not blowing the merger!
13:16 #7: Whoa, you're touchy. Calm down, too much stress might give you a heart attack.
13:16 Not funny.
14:10 #8: Sorry…
15:16 Harvey? It's been over an hour, but if you reply in the next five minutes I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.
15:21 You promise not to freak out?
15:21 No. What the hell happened?"
15:23 I overdid it a bit at the CPX. Got that stupid oxygen mask again."
Mike stared at the text. It was clear Harvey was trying to make it sound as though it was no big deal, but Mike knew that deep down he was probably just as terrified as he was.
"Mr. Ross?"
Mike blinked only now becoming aware that he was still sitting at the conference table. "I'm sorry, Mr Banks."
He glanced back down at the text. "I'm really sorry, but I need to go."
Their client did not seem thrilled to be left without legal support, but most of the negotiating was already done anyway and the signing wouldn't happen until the next day.
"Just send me any adjustments you make to the contracts, I'll go over them tonight." Before Mr Banks even had the chance to reply Mike was already halfway through the door.
Mike thought Harvey was asleep when he came into the room, but the lawyer opened his eyes as soon as he stepped in. His face had gone back to a slightly greyish colour.
"Mike," Harvey said in a hoarse voice, reaching up to take off the oxygen mask.
"No," Mike said firmly, gently taking Harvey's hand to stop him.
Harvey opened his mouth to talk again, but Mike shook the head to that too.
"Sh, don't talk. Just rest. I promise I'll stay."
Harvey complied, shooting Mike a thankful look. It took some minutes before Harvey closed his eyes again, but when he did his breaths soon evened out and Mike was quite sure he was starting to doze off.
"Oh Harvey," Mike whispered, only now realising he was still holding Harvey's hand. He let go but as he did Harvey started to shift uncomfortably.
He took Harvey's hand again and reached up with his left hand to run his fingers through Harvey's hair, trying to force them upright. They looked sad clinging to Harvey's forehead. Mike wondered if Harvey even knew. They were probably not running around with mirrors here.
For a while Mike just sat there listening to the sound of Harvey's breaths and the soft beep of the heart monitor.
He tried to focus on Harvey's face, tried to focus on the fact that he looked almost peaceful. But with the oxygen mask it didn't get past almost.
Eventually, he took out his phone calling Rachel's number.
"Mike?" She answered after the first ring.
"Hi, Rach…" he said with a smile.
Thanks to Zimdan19 again for proofreading!
Please let me know what you think! (As more than a hundred people made it to the last chapter it can't be too horrible after all ;) )
