Mike is tickled pink (pardon the pun) to be driving Tess' Porsche. "Can I ask you a question?"
Mike's voice is tinged with genuine interest. Tess nods an affirmation. Tess already knows the question. "Sure."
"How the hell can you afford a car like this on a city salary?" Mike estimates that he makes a lot more money than Tess... or at least he thinks he has to or he is seriously in the wrong line of work.
Tess laughs. Harvey didn't tell his mini me about the trip to the shop. So she will indulge with an answer. She is both pleased and surprised to have confirmation that Harvey may in fact keep his personal life, personal.
"I am partners in a custom body shop. This was a wreck a month ago hence the dealer plate." Mike literally does a double take in his seat.
"You own a body shop?" He finds that fact unbelievable. Everything about Tess O'Brien seems a bit out of the range of normal which may just be why Harvey seems so fond of her. Truth be told, the improvement in Harvey's mood when she is around is making her grow on him too.
"God's honest truth." Mike survey's Tess' expression for a tell. He doesn't see one. He has prided himself on his ability to read people since right now, his whole career is contingent on his prowess as a con man.
"You never cease to surprise, Tesla. Can ask you what is with your name. It is kind of unusual." Mike is well into twenty questions but he is doing her a favor so Tess continues to indulge.
"It is all about context my dear, all about context." Tess' answer is vague and ambiguous.
"Context?" Mike is intrigued and there is time to kill so he decides to play along.
"Let me give you context. My sisters are Alessandra and Alexandra. My brothers… Westinghouse, Maxwell, Edison, Franklin… and Nathan."
"Do I sense a theme? But what is with Nathan. There wasn't a Nathan." Mike is quite enjoying this exchange, it reminds him of Harvey.
"The privilege of the first born, a legacy. The rest of us are not so lucky." Tess plots directions and navigates their way through the wilds of New Jersey.
Mike and Tess continue to make small talk as they head to Jersey. Mike asks her about the annual bachelor party. Tess tells him of the house tradition. It started from a guy who was stood up on his wedding day… and the tradition continued for two decades. They use it as an excuse to party without the wives and kids. He asks what about what happened this time. Tess is not actually sure what happened but she knows what can happen when firemen and cops get together and it is never pretty.
"Why did you bring me over Harvey?" Tess is actually surprised that it has taken this long for Mike to ask that question.
Tess looks Mike over before she answers. The close scrutiny is putting Mike on his guard. "Because, Harvey looks like a lawyer, you look like my kid brother who just graduated law school."
Mike laughs, she even thinks like Harvey. If she only knew. They get to the station in short order. Mike handles the cops as Tess posts the bail.
Mike manages to get most of the charges dropped or reduced down to nearly nothing and mostly fines. He walks with Tess into the waiting area as the boys are processed out. As the appear one by one, they are a haggard bunch. Mike laughs as to how Tess handles them. The men are quite obviously fond of Tess but what Mike also notices how much they respect her. It is genuine and is on display. There are slew of apologies and thank yous as Tess simply points towards the doors like a flocked drill sergeant.
As they emerge from the station, they are greeted by a wagon train of mini vans, wives and Sully. Mike is surprised by the sight. Mini van after mini van with one or more wives leaning against the doors.
"Why did you call their wives?" Mike leans in and asks of Tess.
"I didn't… he did." Tess points towards the Captain who is leaning against a pickup truck. Tess walks up and takes up a position against the truck.
Sully looks down at Tess with a comical grin. "Damn Tess… that dress should be illegal. Did they issue you a ticket?"
"Trust me Sul, I think it fell off of truck." She smirks back. Mike watches the interaction between the pair. He can see the friendship but that Tess holds the gentleman in high esteem. There is obviously a history here.
Mike and Tess head back to the car after the last of the wagon train departs. "Thanks, Mike I truly appreciate your help." Tess' voice is full of sincerity and appreciation. Mike walks around the car and opens her doors. On the way home, Mike initiates a different conversation with Tess.
"You know I am sorry about the other night. You know ruining your date with Harvey and all."
Tess is a bit shocked at the sudden diversion into that particular topic. Tess is unable to hide her reaction. Mike realizes that this was perhaps a sensitive topic.
Tess smiles back at him. "Never say you are sorry… it is a sign of weakness." Tess winks at him on her recovery.
"You know Scottie and Harvey have a history… a long history." Mike offers the information but it was something that Tess had previously surmised.
"If someone thinks they have the upper hand… break it." Tess tosses a wicked wink at Mike before continuing. "I know they have a history. Dana Scott doesn't intimidate me. You don't play the woman in these situations. You play the man. Ain't my first rodeo." Tess offers with a mock accent.
Mike glances at her. He can see what Harvey likes. She is just like him. This might as well have been an evening spent with Harvey... in drag. The visual makes Mike chuckle out loud.
Tess drops Mike off at Rachel's building before she heads home. She walks up to her apartment to the expected sight.
There are four bodies slumped against the walls near the door. All are fast asleep or a fair proximity there of. She rouses all of them and brings them in inside like a herd of feral cats. Tess' home for wayward firemen is now open for business. Face, Roxie, Oneski and Mack head towards the couches and floor.