Mike started awake, nearly falling out of the bed he had occupied at Harvey's apartment for over a month. He kept expecting Harvey to kick him out, but the closest he ever got were a few half-hearted quips about house guests. He checked the clock and saw that it was six a.m., meaning Harvey must have woken Mike as he got ready for work. Mike debated briefly staying in bed, but he decided to get up. He needed to talk to Harvey.

Harvey was in his kitchen, brewing some coffee and leaning against the counter while he read a newspaper. Mike stood awkwardly in front of him and worked up his courage.

"Harvey, should I go back to work?" The younger man asked shakily.

"That depends." Harvey answered as he folded the paper neatly on the counter. "Do you want to?"

"I don't know. I just feel so...so useless. Like I'm in your way." Mike shrugged slightly. "Don't you get tired of having me around?"

"Listen, kid. You aren't useless. You work on cases from here, so don't worry about it right now. And while it took some getting used to, I'm not tired of having you around." Harvey cocked an eyebrow. "I told you before that you can stay as long as you want."

"Harvey, I have to leave sometime." Mike said quietly.

"I know. And when you're ready, you will." Harvey checked his watch. "I have to go to work."

Mike looked like he was going to say something, but instead he just nodded and crossed his arms over his chest as if he was cold. Harvey hesitated for a moment before he walked briskly out of the apartment leaving the faint scent of expensive cologne in his wake. Mike made his way to the living room and the stack of waiting briefs and papers that needed editing or proofing or whatever. Mike was soon absorbed in the comforting black and white of legal documents, forgetting himself for awhile. He paused briefly for lunch and was watching TV with a sandwich when his cellphone rang. It was Detective Smith's number.

"Hello, Detective." Make answered.

"Michael. How are you doing?" Smith sounded nervous.

"I'm fine, but I doubt that's reason you phoned me."

"I don't know how to tell you this, but you have the right to know." The detective paused. "Mike, Zachary has begun to wake from his coma."

Mike dropped his phone.

"Hello, Mike." Dr. Reilly smoothed her hands over her blue suit.

"I'm sorry for just barging in on you." Mike fidgeted by the door, hesitant to enter the room.

"It's alright. I have a free hour after lunch. Please, sit down before you fall down. Are you alright?" Dr. Reilly sounded concerned. Mike walked slowly to his chair and just about fell into it.

"I didn't..." Mike took a deep breath. "I didn't know where else to go."

Dr. Reilly waited patiently for mike continue She could tell the young man was nervous, anxious about something. What she really wanted to know was why Mike had come to her instead of talking to Harvey.

"When I first woke up in the hospital, I thought...I was glad that I had shot that man." Mike rubbed the back of his neck as he continued. "It was weird. I felt like...even though my life was changed forever, at least it was over. And then Harvey told me...he told me..." Mike blinked back some tears. "He told me that Z-zachary was still alive, and it was like...like everything changed again."

"Zachary is in a coma, yes?"

"Not...Not anymore. Detective Smith called me today. Zachary has started showing signs of waking up." This time Mike couldn't stop the tears from rolling down his face. Dr. Reilly handed him a box of Kleenex which Mike took sheepishly. "Sorry, I'm kind of a mess."

"You have nothing to apologize for, Mike. You're actually handling this better than many in a similar position would."

"How is this "handling" it well?" Mike tried for humor as he gestured to himself. "I'm a mess."

"I would be far more concerned if you weren't." Dr. Reilly leaned forward. "Tell me, why did you come to me instead of Harvey?"

"I needed...I just needed to talk to someone who's job isn't to talk." Mike shook his head. "Wow, that made perfect sense. I guess...I just didn't know what do to and your number was the last one I called on my phone. I Just wanted to tell someone, and I don't know how Harvey will react."

"As honored as I am that you thought of me first, I think you need to tell Harvey sooner rather than later. He'll handle it the way that suits him the most." Dr. Reilly watched her young patient struggle with his thoughts.

"Dr. Reilly...I've been thinking about what you said last week."

"Really?"

"You said that you would always be here to talk...And I feel like I've let my memories fester like a wound." Mike took a deep breath. "I want to talk about what happened."

"If you want to, that's up to you. You can tell me as much, or as little, as you want to." Dr. Reilly watched Mike nod and wring his hands.

A few moments later Mike began to tell his story, about how the calls started and how he ignored them at first. Dr. Reilly listened intently, her unusual memory locking every detail away. She had been a therapist for almost a decade, and she had heard many stories that would give anyone nightmares. She often had them herself. But there was something about Mike's narrative that made her want to take his pain away. The amount of pain he had been subjected to in just a few days and the obvious torment he still felt. Mike reached the part where he asked Zachary to make a phone call to Harvey.

"He told me...He made me take a sh-shower with him." Mike rubbed his eyes again with tissues as tears ran. "I was so...desperate to get away, to call Harvey and h-hear his voice..." Mike trailed off.

"You were in a bad place, Mike. It sounds like Harvey was a life-line for you."

"Yeah. Zachary made me...he made me do things to him in shower. He told me if I didn't 'make an...an effort to enjoy it', I wouldn't get to make my phone call." Mike shuddered and stopped talking.

"You don't have to continue." Dr. Reilly knelt in front of Mike and met his eyes. "Mike, none of this was your fault, or your choice. You did what was necessary to survive, and to get back to the people who care about you."

"I can't get away from him." Mike said suddenly. "During the day, everything I see is connected to him. The coffee maker even reminds me of him. And then at night sometimes, I have nightmares. "I have to seep in Harvey's room at least twice a week." Mike flushed with embarrassment. "I can't believe I just told you that."

"I have a trustworthy face. And nothing you say leaves this room." Dr. Reilly reminded him. Mike smiled a teary smile. He stayed until the hour was up and hugged Dr. Reilly before he left. Dr. Reilly was surprised, but she would never push a patient away.

Harvey was waiting for Mike when Mike returned.

"You're back early." Mike walked to the kitchen for a glass of water and Harvey watched him. "What?"

"When did you know, Mike?" Harvey said tightly. Mike gripped the counter tightly. Harvey had obviously received a call from the detective as well.

"Right after lunch, I got a call from Detective Smith." Mike turned to face Harvey. "I went to see Dr. Reilly."

"So you called your therapist before you called me?" Harvey snapped. "Why?"

"Because I thought you'd overreact." Mike said softly, recoiling slightly from the look in Harvey's eyes. Harvey softened his gaze and sighed.

"I'm sorry, Mike." Harvey crossed the space to Mike's side. "It's been a long day, hasn't it?"

Mike let out a choked laugh that sounded more like a sob and Harvey caught his associate as he collapsed to the ground. Harvey lowered them both safely to the ground and held Mike tightly as he cried. Mike felt gentle fingers running through his hair and heard a voice murmuring soft words to him. But what he felt most was the warmth of the man who many believed was a cold-hearted bastard.

They were wrong.

So I hope you liked this chapter, everyone. I just thought a little gushing to the therapist was in order. Also, her character turned out to be much more accepted than I thought she would. So review me and stay tuned.