Donna's back!

"Some bitter memories can be bitter sweet when you share them with a friend." -Donna

I dropped by Mike's place after work. He had left early saying that he needed some more rest after the stomach bug he'd gotten on Monday. Of course I knew it was a lie. I was the one that made it up so Harvey didn't get suspicious that Mike was with Charlie. How far that "with" went was beyond me. As much as I wanted to know, I didn't want to know. The relationship Mike and Charlie had was complicated enough without them adding other complications. I knew Mike had spent his two days with Charlie, just relaxing with her, putting her at ease. However, my problem was keeping Harvey from finding out about his daughter's love life, her whereabouts, and the real reason why his associate had to leave early. Damn, that pup owes me much more than the coffees he gets me for doing things for him.

Mike was the one to open his door, just as I thought he would. He had changed from his suit into a solid colored T-shirt and a pair of lounge pants that just looked old and comfortable at the same time. He gave me a small look when he saw me standing there, fresh from the firm.

"Donna?"

"Yeah, I'm here to check on Charlie, you know, to make sure you aren't lying to me."

Mike sighed, letting me in. He shut the door and walked into his room. Now, I was never fond of Mike's apartment, but the design seemed to fit him nicely. The mismatched items seemed to just call out Mike's name. I turned to Mike when he came from the "bedroom" with Charlie at his arm. I smiled, seeing them together really made me think they were made for each other, however, that scared, hurt look in Charlie's eyes wasn't. I had a feeling that it was because I was still Harvey's secretary and most-trusted confidant.

"Donna, what are you doing here?" she asked, her tone almost worried that she was about to be hauled off from another place she liked.

"Checking up on you. I hadn't heard from you in a couple days."

Charlie nodded, quiet. Quiet wasn't too much like her. Mike and I knew that. "I've been here."

I nodded, knowing that the whole time. "I know. I was just making sure Mike was telling the truth and not lying to me."

Mike chirped in. "Hey, now why would I do that?"

"I don't know." I looked to Charlie, watching her gently squeeze his hand for reassurance.

I'd have to admit that I had been a little disappointed that Charlie didn't go to me when the whole thing over the weekend happened, but seeing how she was with Mike made me completely forgive her. She might have been more comfortable with Mike. I guess I wouldn't have gone to me if I was in her position knowing Harvey and my relationship. Mike didn't have that relationship, so of course she'd go to him.

I returned my look to Charlie. "I see your fever broke."

She nodded. "Yeah, it broke over the first night."

I nodded, watching Mike look to her in that way. Fuck me, he was in love with her. He isn't supposed to fall in love with her until she turns eighteen when Harvey can't do a God damn thing about it except for try to talk him out of it and bitch about it.

"Hey, Mike, can you go take a hike? I need to talk to Charlie in private," I said, not taking no for an answer from him.

Mike sighed. "Yeah, I guess so." He looked to Charlie, who looked to him back. "Philly cheese stake for dinner?"

Charlie shrugged. "How about some take-out? We had cheese steak last night."

Mike smiled, pecking her lips gently. "Then I'll be back. You want the sesame chicken with everything, right?" Charlie nodded as an answer, kissing him one more time before he disappeared to change his pants and grab a jacket. He smiled to her as she looked at him the same way Mike looks to her. "I'll be back soon." Mike turned his attention to me. "No making her cry."

"I make no promises, and you don't know the content of our discussion. Now, be gone."

With that, Mike left, leaving me with Charlie. I took my coat off and sat on Mike's couch, bidding her to sit with me. When she sat down, I scanned her. She looked tired, worn-out, but she looked happier. She had a sort of pleased look to her eyes when she had finally gotten over that I wasn't there because Harvey sent me. That's when I pretty much had it. Scanning her one more time, I could pick up on the smaller details some wouldn't have been able to if they weren't me. Now, looking to Charlie, I could see something that almost knocked me off my feet.

"Oh. My. God."

Charlie looked to me concerned. "What?"

I felt the color drain from my face, knowing I had to be right. I hoped I wasn't right for Mike's sake when this eventually is all found out by Harvey somewhere down the road. You can't keep anything from Harvey forever. "Please tell me you didn't sleep with Mike yet."

Charlie let out a breath. "Define 'sleep with Mike'. I've been literally sleeping with him in his bed since Friday night."

That's not what I was afraid of. "I mean, have you had sex with him?"

Charlie looked down and bit her lip harshly. It was really all I needed to confirm my suspicions. When when he finally walked back into the office after his leave, Mike had smiled more than usual, his tie was a little more off center, his hair almost looked like it was a mess from laziness of not knowing what to do with it, and he didn't seem to argue too much with Kyle or Greg like he usually did. As for that look he gives Charlie, I just hoped Harvey doesn't ever see that look come from Mike when Charlie is around, and vice versa.

"Oh, Charlie," I said before she gathered up the courage to answer me, "you didn't."

She nodded, saying in a small voice. Her eyes didn't leave mine. "I did."

"When?"

"Over the weekend."

"You consented, right?"

She gave me a look. "Of course I did. Mike always let's me take it as far as I want, and over the weekend, well..."

Never in my life had I actually performed the act known as the facepalm until right then. "Charlie..."

"Oh, calm down, we were safe. We didn't bare back it. We're not stupid."

You'd be surprised at how many "smart" people lack common sense.

I looked to her after a minute of composing myself. "So tell me, how do you feel about Mike? Don't say I already asked. That was before you two decided on seeing each other behind Harvey's back was a good idea."

Charlie sighed. "We had already started seeing each other when you asked all that time ago. Besides that, I think you and I both know how I feel about Mike. That hasn't changed very much since the last time I told you besides those feelings becoming stronger. Look, Donna, I know you're worried about me, but please, don't beat yourself up trying to protect Mike and I from Harvey. Yeah, I am still so fucking pissed at him that I am still considering moving out, but this relationship is going to come out to Harvey at some point. I mean, if it's bothering you that much, you don't have to help us."

That wasn't my problem with this. My problem was about what would happen to the two of them when Harvey did find out. I didn't mind covering for them, watching Charlie's happiness and fondness for Mike grow into something that is truly something to admire, but it was Harvey's reaction to it all. He isn't one too much for change let alone finding out his associate and arguable best friend, and his seventeen-year old daughter are seeing each other, and had been seeing each other. Not to mention he might treat Mike like a punching bag if he found out how far Charlie and Mike had gone. The age of consent might be sixteen, but Harvey wouldn't like that law too much when that law pertained to someone he was starting to hold dear to him like he held a select few.

"Oh, I plan on helping you still. You two idiots need someone to distract Harvey for a while until you're eighteen."

"If we make it that long," she muttered. "Harvey's gotten too close for comfort a few times."

"I know," I said, now debating on telling her what Harvey told me the day she took off about how he was finally feeling like a dad. "He is worried sick about you, and does care about you. Hell, he told me that personally. He's just trying to figure this out being clueless and without instructions to go on. It isn't like there is another one of his kids out there he can compare notes to."

Charlie nodded. "I know, but I just want to stay in this bliss for a little while longer. In the time I've spent with Mike like this, just being able to be a couple without worrying about someone walking in on us, just made me start to really love him." She perked her head up. "Don't tell Mike I said that."

I shook my head. "Your secret is safe with me. Just do me a favor?"

"What?"

"Consider going back to Harvey's condo. You don't have to talk to him anymore than you had before; he just wants you back in his sights. Like I said, he's worried sick about you. It's nearly killing him that he doesn't know where you're at."

"Good," she barked as she watched me put my coat back on, "he hurt me."

I sighed. "I know, Harvey told me everything. He regrets telling you that. Harvey let his temper get the best of him when he said that to you. Just trust me on that one. Just think about heading back to his place in a few days. Please? Just consider it?"

Wow, begging, Donna, really? You're better than that.

"Just because I am considering it doesn't mean I will follow through."

I smiled to her. "Oh, I know, but at least you're thinking about it. I'll text you later, alright?" Charlie nodded. "Then I am off."

With that, I left Charlie in Mike's apartment alone. I knew she'd be alight in there, but I was still uneasy. Maybe it was because I now know exactly what happened between Mike and her. I just hoped they are steady by the time Harvey blows up about it. Just as I was getting to the outside door of the apartment building, Mike was walking in.

"Leaving so soon?" Mike asked with a smile, the bag of Chinese take-out in his hand.

I nodded. "Yeah, our talk is over," I said with a gentle smile to return his. I let him take a few steps away from me before I turned to him. "Mike?"

Mike stopped, looking to me. "Yeah?"

"I know what you two have done over the weekend. She didn't tell me directly, but I hope you know what you're doing."

Mike nodded. "I do know what I'm doing."

I nodded, but before I could stop myself, I heard my voice ask him, "Do you love her?"

Andi's thoughts: You better freaking love her, Mike, or this story might go to shit.