Chapter 29

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It has been a week since Mike started back at work, and because they had been so busy fixing not just what Hardman did to the Jefferson contracts, but others as well Mike and Harvey are only just having their date as they have been either working or too tired to spend time together.

"I can't believe you cooked this." Mike says as he and Harvey carry their plates over to the kitchen.

"You're not the only one who can cook Rookie." Harvey says as he puts down the plates, "And we've been postponing our date for a week, cooking for my boyfriend is the least I could do." Harvey says putting down the plates, but as he does he turns to look at Mike, "What?" he asks as Mike is looking surprised, though Harvey can tell that he's not having a flashback.

"That's the first time you've called me your boyfriend." Mike says as he puts down the plates he is holding.

"Huh, so it is." Harvey realises, surprised that he didn't realise that, "Do you have a problem with that?" Harvey asks, a little nervous.

"No." Mike says, "In fact I loved hearing it." He says, kissing Harvey.

"Well, it's a good thing I loved saying it." Harvey says, wrapping his arms around Mike's waist, and pulling him in close, "You sleeping here tonight?" he asks curious, hoping that the answer is yes.

"Well, I did bring my spare suit." Mike reveals.

"I did notice that." Harvey says with a smile, leaning down and kissing Mike again.

As they kiss Mike and Harvey make their way back to Harvey's couch, their lips barely parting as they go.

For a while Mike and Harvey make out on the couch, once more going from vertical to horizontal. As they make out Mike's shirt become untucked and Harvey starts to put his hands up under Mike's shirt.

"Too much?" Harvey asks, wanting to be sure.

"No." Mike says between kisses, "I'm good." He says as he continues to kiss and as they do Harvey runs his hands along Mike's bare skin and while he does that he starts to un do the buttons on Harvey's shirt.

After a few more minutes Harvey starts to move his kisses down Mike's jaw and neck, moving slowly to make sure it's not too much for Mike, but he quickly realises that Mike doesn't seem to have a problem so he keeps going, making sure to move slow.

Before too long neither Mike or Harvey have shirts on, but they are still making out on the couch, and they are both kissing each other's body rather than just their lips. As he kisses down Mike's chest and stomach Harvey feels Mike tense and so he quickly stops and pushes himself up, and off Mike.

"Too much?" Harvey asks.

"No, just…" Mike says and Harvey sees that he can see is struggling.

"Mike, be honest." Harvey requests.

"A little, yeah." Mike answers, "I'm…." Mike starts to say.

"Don't." Harvey tells him, knowing what Mike was going to say, "I told you, we'll go as slow as you need us to, I'm completely fine with waiting." Harvey assures him, saying something that he is pretty he's going to have to say more than once.

"I want to be ready, Harvey. I do." Mike says, sitting up, "There's so much I want to do with you."

"And I'm sure we'll do it all. Once you're ready." Harvey assures him, "We'll take our time."

"I feel like I'm disappointing you, that I'm not good enough, because I'm not ready." Mike admits, telling the truth.

"Mike you could never disappoint me." Harvey says, moving closer to Mike, "And you never have to worry about being good enough, because you're incredible, and I'm happy to wait as long as you need."

"I love you." Mike says, kissing Harvey.

"I love you too." Harvey says, as they break apart, "You know, it's getting late. Maybe we should head to bed."

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea." Mike realises, "We do have work in the morning."

"That we do." Harvey says, standing up and sticking out his hand for Mike to take, which he does and the two of them head to Harvey's bedroom.

Ten minutes later Mike and Harvey have both used the bathroom separately before heading to bed. Once they are both lying in bed together Mike and Harvey both move and Harvey wraps his arms around Mike and pulls him in close.

"Night Harvey."

"Night Mike."

The two of them respond and before long they are both fast asleep.


A few hours later Harvey wakes up, and at first he isn't sure what woke him, but then he hears Mike muttering and tossing and turning, he realises exactly what would have woken him up.

"Mike." Harvey says, turning on the light, being able to do so without a problem as Mike has moved out of his arms, "Mike, wake up." Harvey says, speaking louder.

"No…. don't…" Mike mutters as he tosses and turns.

"Mike, you need to wake up." Harvey says, speaking louder as he reaches out and gently touches Mike, even though he knows that it will cause Mike a few seconds of pain, it will help him in the long run, and to his relief Mike bolts up right a few seconds later, wide awake.

"You're okay, Mike. You're safe." Harvey tells him, sitting up next to him.

"Harvey…" Mike breaths out, sounding relieved.

"Yeah, I'm right here." Harvey promises him, "I'm not going anywhere.

"I woke you." Mike realises, "Sorry."

"It's okay." Harvey assures him, "Do you want to talk about it?" he asks.

"Not really." Mike admits, trying to calm himself down.

"What can I do?" Harvey asks, reaching out and putting his hand on Mike's leg, "How can I help?" he asks curious, desperately wanting to do something.

"You're already helping." Mike assures him, "You make me feel safe, Harvey. That exactly what I need."

"Okay." Harvey says, leaning over and placing a kiss on Mike's cheek, "Do you want to try and get back to sleep?" he asks curious.

"I, don't know." Mike admits, "But I do want to lay here with you." Mike admits.

"Okay." Harvey says and the two of them both lay back down, and once Harvey turns off the light Mike moves and lays on Harvey's chest, putting his arm around Mike.

After a little while Harvey is asleep once more and after a while longer Mike has once more fallen asleep.


After a few more hours of sleep both Mike and Harvey get up, take separate showers, because even though Harvey would be more than happy for him and Mike to share a shower, he knows without even having to suggest that it is something that Mike isn't ready for.

After getting ready Mike and Harvey both enjoy breakfast and coffee together before heading to the office, and even though it is risky arriving together they both get driven by Ray, because if they didn't either one or both of them would be late.

To both of their surprised when Mike and Harvey step off the elevator Donna is waiting for them.

"Okay, first tip of keeping a secret relationship a secret, don't arrive at work together." Donna tells them, looking amused, once she is sure that no one is around.

"It was either arrive at work together, or be late." Harvey explains as the three of them start to walk.

"Which wouldn't odd for either of you." Donna comments.

"Maybe wouldn't be odd for Harvey, but would for me." Mike reminds him.

"I would argue, but it's true." Harvey says with an amused look on his face.

"Why were you waiting for the elevators? Do you and Katrina skip your coffee gossip session this morning?" Mike asks curious.

"Coffee gossip session? You got to be kidding me." Harvey says, giving Donna a look.

"Speaking of Katrina she asked me to remind you that you're having drinks tonight." Donna informs Mike.

"Like I need reminding." Mike mutters, "So, why were you waiting by the elevators?"

"Trent Devon is waiting in your office." Donna tells Harvey.

"We didn't have anything scheduled." Harvey comments, with a frown, as he knows that Trent just showing up something must be wrong.

"He just showed up." Donna answers.

"Okay, looks like we're getting right to work." Harvey says and he and Mike head to Harvey's office while Donna heads to her cubical.


As Norma told him that something he was waiting for has arrived Louis isn't at all surprised to find several boxes waiting for him. Putting his stuff down Louis heads over to the first box and opens it, pulling out the first folder and reads the front,

People V Trevor Evans

Trial Transcript

After checking to make sure it is the first one Louis picks it up and heads to his desk so that he can start to read doing so because he wants to know what happened and he figures that asking Jessica, or Harvey, or Katrina or Donna, if they'd even talk to him, wouldn't be a good idea.


In Harvey's office Harvey is sitting on one of the comfortable chairs, while Mike is sitting on the couch and Trent Devon is pacing.

"I think It's a bad idea, Harvey." Trent comments.

"We'll double the share price by the end of the first quarter." Harvey reminds him.

"That's not what I meant." Trent says, causing both Harvey and Mike to exchange looks, neither liking the sound of this, "I'm not sure going public is the best move right now." He reveals.

"That's why I'm here. Trust me, these aren't valid reservations." Harvey tells him, "You're just getting cold feet.: "

"Harvey…" Trent starts to say.

"I'll have Donna send you some fuzzy slippers. You'll be just fine." Harvey assures him.

"Are fuzzy slippers gonna stop the Tittle sixteen ruling that came down Friday?" Trent asks.

"Title sixteen rulings? They're nothing." Mike says, causing both Harvey and Trent to look at him, "They're just another form for you to fill out, a nuisance really." He reveals.

"See, nothing to worry about." Harvey comments, being incredible grateful for his boyfriend mind, something which isn't the first time, and won't be the last, "It won't change the value of your site." Harvey says, leaning forward, "Trent, you've tripled your reach in the past ten months. Everyone is talking about you. Now's the time." Harvey reveals, "Come on, we've agreed on this." Harvey says as Trent sits down, still looking hesitant, "What's this really about?" Harvey asks, realising that there is something up.

"It's about the changes around here." Trent reveals and hearing that both Mike and Harvey feel their hearts sink as they realise what is going on.

"Nothing's changed. I'm here." Harvey says, trying to get Trent to say what is going on.

"Harvey, I may be a teach head, but I'm not oblivious." Trent says, "This firm just went through a battle, and I know it."

"Are you telling me that you don't trust me to put your needs above the firm's?" Harvey asks, there being some anger in his voice.

"No, I've always trusted you, Harvey. I'm saying, I don't, I think you might be too distracted to give me the best advice." Trent admits.

"Trent…" Harvey starts to say.

"I have to consider my options." Trent reveals.

"About the IPO or Pearson Hardman?" Harvey asks.

"Both." Trent answers, to Harvey and Mike's shock.

"Trent, you have my word that there is nothing for you to worry about." Harvey informs him, completely meaning that.

"I can't be sure of that, Harvey." Trent says, "Like I said, I need to consider my options." He says, "And I should go." He says before getting up and heading out of the room, without another word to Harvey and Mike.

"That's not good." Mike says, torn between shock and anger.

"No, it's not" Harvey confirms, "There's got to be something bigger going on, I need you to find out what."

"Will do." Mike says, standing up, "What are you going to do?" he asks curious.

"I'm going to make sure that there is no one else who's planning on leaving too, because I don't lose clients." Harvey informs Mike.

"Well, I'll figure out what is going on with Trent and make sure that he doesn't go anywhere." Mike says before leaving.


Hours later Mike, having not managed to find what was going on with Trent, as he wasn't sure where to start looking, is sitting at a bar drinking a beer and waiting for Katrina, who's informed him that she's going to be a little late.

"Wow, you know drinking alone is never a good look." A voice says and Mike turns to see Jimmy, a former associate that he was semi close to before Mike got him to quit to protect Rachel who got blamed for something Jimmy did.

"Jimmy." Mike says, "You here to pick a fight with me?" Mike asks, "'Cuase I'm really not in the mood." Mike says as he's annoyed with himself for not being able to figure out what's going on with Trent.

"No, no, Mike, it's not that that, man." Jimmy assures him.

"Oh, yeah? You're not still pissed at me?" Mike asks, sounding surprised.

"You gave me an out. I might not have respected it at the time, but I do now. As far as I'm concerned, I owe you one."

"Okay." Mike says, sounding surprised.

"Yeah, let me buy you a drink." Jimmy suggests, and figuring that Katrina will still be a little while.

"Two conditions, one you still owe me one, two you still owe me one." Mike informs him.

"As long as I still don't owe you one. Bartender." Jimmy says as he sits down next Mike.

"It's good to see you, Man." Mike says, meaning that.

"You too, buddy." Jimmy says and as he taps Mike's shoulder he has to fight not to react to that, something which he manages to do.

"So, why you drinking alone?" Jimmy asks.

"I meant to be meeting a friend." Mike reveals, "But she's an associate too and Louis has been on the warpath recently." Mike explains to Jimmy as even though Katrina has been refusing to work with Louis he's been making things hard for Katrina.

"Wow, I don't miss that." Jimmy admits.

"Yeah, he's been a hell of a lot worse lately." Mike reveals, "Here's to the wonderful world of being an associate." Mike says, using his glass to clink with Jimmy.

"Yeah, and Pearson Hardman." Jimmy comments, and the way he says the firm name causes Mike to remember that Jimmy left before his real identity was revealed.

"What does that mean?" Mike asks curious.

"I'm at Bratton Gould, I got an office." Jimmy reveals.

"Shoot me now." Mike says, with an amused laugh, "That's great." Mike says sarcastically.

"Listen, Mike. When I said that I owe you one, I mean it, cause you didn't hear it from me, but we're expanding, so if you want to jump just let me know. I'll put in a world for you." Jimmy explains to Mike.

"I can't leave Harvey." Mike says, choosing to say Harvey rather than him and Harvey and his mother as he figures that the second he reveals who his mother is Jimmy will stop talking, but considering everything he figures that it would be best to get more information out of Jimmy.

"Screw Harvey." Jimmy says and honestly Mike has to think about the fact that that's what he's trying to do, "I mean, what's he done for you?" Jimmy asks curious.

"More than you know." Mike answers, knowing that he won't leave Harvey, especially now that they're a couple.

"Okay, maybe. But a year under Harvey Specter, they would kill to have you, and you wouldn't be the only one." Jimmy reveals.

"There are people from Pearson Hardman going to Bratton Gould?" Mike asks shocked, "Who?"

"I can't tell you that."

"Jimmy, you have to tell me that." Mike informs him, as he knows he has to tell his mother, and Harvey, what is going on.

"Mike, come on, if they knew it came from me….'

"They won't." Mike assures him.

"I saw Clark and Owens meeting with our partners." Jimmy reveals, to Mike's shock.

"Hey Mike." A voice says and Mike turns to see Katrina.

"Hey." Mike says, standing up and walking over to her, greeting her with a hug, "I've got to go tell Harvey something big, about the firm, raincheck?" He asks, in a whisper.

"Sure." Katrina responds, knowing that it must be a big deal for

"Jimmy, this is my friend Katrina. Katrina, this is Jimmy, he used to work at Pearson Hardman." Mike explains.

"It's really nice to meet you." Jimmy says with a grin.

"Katrina happens to be a great drinking partner. You're gonna get along great." Mike says as Katrina takes Mike's empty seat and Mike heads out of the bar, knowing exactly where he has to go.


While Mike and Katrina are at a bar Donna is at the firm and is heading to Louis's office as there is something that she needs to talk to him about.

"Donna." Louis says, sounding completely shocked to see her.

"I know what you've gotten your hands on, and I want to know why." Donna informs Louis, closing the door behind her, "And you can either explain to me or to Harvey and Jessica, and I promise you they won't be nearly as pleasant." She reveals.

"The day Wolf was here, after Jessica sent us home, I looked for the name Trevor Evans in Wolf's recent cases, and I found out what the charges against him were." Louis explains to Donna, "I…. just wanted to know everything." Louis explains, pain in his voice, "I can't believe that happened to him."

"I can't believe you decided to get the transcripts instead of just talking to one of the four people you know who know." Donna says angrily, "You took away Mike's choice to decide who knows the details of the most horrific thing that has ever happened to him." She says, "That's low, Louis, even for you." She says, turning to leave.

"Donna, wait!" Louis says, and because of the desperation in his voice Donna turns around, though she still looks furious, "I got the transcripts because I saw the way Mike reacted in Harvey's office that day, and I wanted know the details so I could know what not to do around him. You might not believe me, Donna, but I got the transcripts so I could help. I don't want to do something that causes him to have a flashback." Louis explains, meaning that completely.

"Don't say the name Trevor around him, don't touch him without warning, don't hurry at him, or run towards him, or move quickly towards him, if you do see him having a flashback don't touch him and talk calming, and get Jessica or Harvey; they're the best at he helping him come back to reality during and after a flashback." Donna explains, her voice completely serious, doing this for Mike rather than Louis, "And above everything else, do not bring this up with Mike. I will tell him that you know, but don't you dare talk to him about it unless he brings it up." Donna informs Louis, "Do you think you can do that?"

"Yes." Louis says with a nod, "I meant what I said Donna, I just wanted to know so I could help." Louis informs Donna.

"I believe you." Donna says before leaving without another word.


After leaving the bar Mike goes straight to Harvey's condo as he figures it would be better to tell Harvey what is going on rather than his mother as he figures that Harvey will know what to do.

Getting to Harvey's door Mike once more reaches out and knocks on the door to the place he knows that he will be spending a lot more time at.

"I thought you were going out for drinks with Katrina tonight." Harvey says, opening his door and seeing Mike, looking glad to see him though he is surprised.

"She was running late, and I was drinking alone, when one of Pearson Hardman's former associates came up to me and offered me a job." Mike explains to Harvey as they walk into Harvey's condo.

"Congratulations." Harvey says sarcastically, though Mike can hear the undertone of anger, as he really doesn't want Mike to leave.

"I never even considered saying yes." Mike explains, and those simple words fill Harvey with a lot of joy, "But it made me realise something."

"Oh?" Harvey asks, interested, as they stop in the hallway between the door and lounge room.

"Bratton Gould is poaching our associates. They've already got Clark and Owens, but he's also coming after…." Mike starts to say.

"Our clients." Harvey realises, "Trent Devon."

"Someone's whispering in his ear." Mike says.

"Allison Holt. She was brought in a month ago." Harvey explains.

"She was ready to throw you under the bus." Mike realises with a frown.

"And your mom threw her out." Harvey points out.

"So, you think she's in this for revenge?"

"Maybe, but we both know who brought her in."

"Hardman." Mike realises, "You think this is him?"

"I don't know." Harvey admits, "But it's something we have to consider."

"God, is that guy ever going to stop screwing us over?" Mike asks, sounding annoyed.

"Who know." Harvey says, heading over to his drink cart, "Why'd you come to me instead of your Mom?" he asks curious.

"Seemed like the better idea, plus I wanted to see you." Mike says, causing Harvey to smile.

"And you wanted me to be the one who has to tell your Mom." Harvey realises.

"Just an added bonus." Mike says with a smirk, "Because seriously, she is going to be pissed."

"Well, I'll deal with that tomorrow." Harvey comments, "Want to stay for a drink?" he asks curious.

"Sure." Mike says and they head over to the drinks cart.


After having a couple of drinks with Harvey the night before Mike headed home, even though he wouldn't have objected staying with Harvey. As he got a message from Harvey not long ago Mike isn't at all surprised when he arrives at Donna's cubical at seven thirty and sees no sign of his boyfriend.

"Morning." Mike great.

"Morning." Donna responds, leaning back in her chair, "So you really ditched your best friend last night to see your man?"

"I had to tell him about this Bratton Gould thing." Mike explains not even surprised that Donna knows, "How mad is she?" he asks concerned.

"Not very, she actually ended up having a couple of drinks with Jimmy and found him pretty good company." Donna admits.

"That's good at least." Mike comments, though he does feel a little bad about leaving Katrina.

"You're not off the hook though." Donna informs him.

"I figured." Mike responds, "I should get to work. I'll probably be in the file room when Harvey gets here." He reveals, before starting to walk away.

"Mike." Donna says and he stops and turns around, "I need to talk to you." She reveals.

"Okay, what about?" Mike asks confused, walking back over.

"Not here." Donna says, getting up and heading into Harvey's office. Confused about what is going on Mike follows and Donna shuts the door behind him, "Sit down." She says, referring to the couch.

"Okay, you're worrying me, Donna. What's going on?" Mike asks confused.

"Just sit Mike." Donna says in a kind voice and Mike does what she says, once Mike is sitting on the couch she walks over and sits down on the chair closest to it.

"Donna, what's going on?" Mike asks, feeling his worry grow as his mind automatically goes to something being wrong with Harvey, which is something he couldn't handle.

"After Wolf mentioned his name last week Louis got curious so he looked up Wolf's cases and saw the charges." Donna explains, knowing how Mike is about hearing Trevor's name so she decided not to mention it at all.

"He knows." Mike says, starting to panic.

"Yes, but that's not all." Donna says, feeling that even with how hard it is Mike deserves to know everything and telling him all of it one go might be best, at least that's what she suspects.

"What else could there be?" Mike asks confused, as he is sure that he could think of the answer if he thought about it, but he's not exactly in the best shape to do that right about now.

"He got the trial transcripts. He said he did it because he wanted to help, because he wanted to know what not to do so that he doesn't cause a flashback, and I believe him." Donna reveals, and as she does she notices Mike starting to breath heavier, and a look of panic appears on his face, "Mike?" Donna asks concerned.

"Louis knows, Louis knows everything." Mike says, his breathing becoming even heavier as he becomes more and more panicked, "Louis knows what he did to me. Oh god." Mike says, loosening his tie as he feels like he can't breathe.

"Mike, look at me." Donna tells him, slowly moving closer to him, "Look at me and do what I'm doing." Donna says, breathing deeply, "Just in and out." She tells him and she continues to breath deeper, trying to get Mike to imitate her, honestly if she wasn't so worried about leaving Mike alone she would be hurrying to call Katrina about now, but he doesn't want to leave Mike.

"I can't… he knows….. I can't….. see… him…. Again." Mike says, it being clear to Donna that Mike is having a panic attack "He'll know…. He knows how week I am." Mike says, "He knows…. He broke me…"

"Mike listen to my voice." Donna says, there being a part of her that wishes she waited to Harvey was there to tell Mike, but there is another part of her that knows, if she had then Harvey would likely kill Louis, "You're okay, just breath, in and out. Can I take your hands?" Donna asks and Mike gives a nod and so Donna reaches out and takes both his hands.

For well over ten minutes Donna helps Mike through a panic attack until he is on the other side of it.

"That's good, Mike, that's really good." Donna tells him, seeing that he is calming.

"I think I need some water." Mike admits.

"Okay." Donna says, getting up and heading across the room where she pours a glass of water which she brings back over to Mike, "Here." She says, handing the glass to Mike as she sits down next to him.

"Thanks."

"Mike, you're not broken." Donna tells him, "He didn't break you."

"It feels like he did." Mike admits, "Donna, how can I face Louis after this?" Mike asks worried, "It's bad enough that you, and Mom, and Harvey, and Katrina know everything, but Louis too….. I don't know if I can face him knowing that he knows."

"You can." Donna tells him, stressing the words, "Mike, Louis got the transcripts because he wanted to know what not to do. He didn't want to accidently cause a flashback."

"Why didn't he just ask someone?" Mike asks, pain in his voice and honestly feeling betrayed.

"I don't know for sure, but I can guess." Donna admits, "He won't talk to you about it, Mike. I've made it clear that he isn't to mention it to you, and I believe he won't."

"Thanks Donna." Mike says, feeling slightly relieved about that, "Did you tell Harvey?"

"No. I know I needed to tell you first." Donna explains.

"Good. I'll tell him." Mike reveals, being pretty sure that it would be best to wait until everything with Alison Holt and Trent Devon is dealt with.

"I know you would have preferred no one knows, and he shouldn't have gone behind your back to find out the truth, but Mike I do believe Louis was trying to help." Donna assures Mike.

"Doesn't feel like it." Mike mutters as he takes a drink, "I didn't want anyone to know." He admits.

"I know." Donna says reaching out and placing her hand on Mike's leg, squeezing it comfort, "For what it's worth I don't think Louis is going to tell anyone."

"I hope you're right." Mike responds and the two of them drift into silence.

For a while Donna and Mike just sit side by side, Donn watching Mike out the corner of her eye as she attempts to make sure he's okay while Mike tries to think about everything Donna told him, without causing another panic attack or flashback.

"I should get to work." Mike says, after a while.

"Yeah, you should." Donna says with a nod.

"Thanks Donna." Mike says, standing up, and starting to head to the door.

"Mike." Donn says once Mike gets to the door, turning him to turn around, "If you need anything, I'm here."

"I know." Mike says, before leaving to get do his work, feeling incredible grateful for Donna's support and friendship, as well as the fact that he has an appointment with Doctor Jenkins during what should be his lunch hour.