Chapter 16
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
AN1: Double update today to celebrate the fact that I've finished writing the chapter that I've been very much looking forward to.
Sitting at her desk, one of the few people who wasn't in the library, Donna looks up when she hears fast footsteps, and as she looks up she sees Katrina and Mike walking towards her, both looking like something is wrong.
"What happened?" Donna asks worried.
"Hardman just revealed my secret to the entire firm." Mike reveals.
"What!" Donna says, sounding both shocked and angry, and as she does she notices people starting to come from the library, "Go, wait in Harvey's office." She says and Mike and Katrina head in there, and even though she would like to go talk to them Donna doesn't follow, instead she waits outside so she can stop anyone from bothering Mike, at least until Harvey and Jessica come by as she is sure that they won't be far behind.
"You want to talk about it?" Katrina asks Mike, putting a hand on his shoulder, once the two of them are in Harvey's office.
"Not until Mom and Harvey are here." Mike explains and Katrina nods, while Mike paces around the office Katrina sits down on the arm of one of the chairs and just watches with a worried look on her face, knowing that things aren't going to be easy for her best friend.
After only a few minutes of waiting the door opens and Harvey and Jessica, followed by Donna, walk into Harvey's office.
"Are you okay?" Jessica asks her son concerned.
"I think so, but ask me once I have to deal with the other associates." Mike tells his mother who walks over and hugs him, "We always knew this day was coming." Mike says as he returns the hug, "I was just hoping that I would have a bit more time to prove that I deserve to be here, that I earned my job and didn't just get here because of who I am." Mike explains as the two of them break apart.
"You have gone well above that. You've proved, without a doubt, how good you are. You've proved that you are the best associate we've got" Harvey tells him, completely meaning that.
"Thanks Harvey." Mike says, feeling touched by Harvey's compliment as he doesn't give compliments often, or ever.
"Did Hardman reveal the truth on purpose, or accident?" Katrina asks, curious, looking at Jessica.
"It was an accident, right?" Mike asks, "He wouldn't have known that I was going by Ross."
"Actually, he did." Jessica tells him, "There's no doubt in my mind that he did it on purpose."
"Does this have to do with why Hardman really left?" Mike asks.
"Yes." Harvey confirms.
"What are we going to do? How are we going to handle this?" Donna asks, "Because it's going to have to be handled right."
"Donna's right. If we don't confirm it, or say something, then the rumour mill is going to go into overtime, and it will make it seem like we are hiding something, or that we hid it for a negative reason." Mike comments.
"I'll send an email out today setting a firm meeting for tomorrow morning." Jessica says, "As for what I'll say then and how we'll handle everything else, we'll figure that out tonight."
"Tonight?" Katrina asks in confusion.
"Dinner, all of you, my place eight thirty, I'm cooking. Don't be late." Jessica says, looking around at everyone in the room, knowing that it would look bad if they were to have too long of a closed door meeting at the firm right now.
"You cook?" Harvey asks surprised.
"Of course I do." Jessica says, thinking that Harvey shouldn't be surprised by that, "What did you think I've been feeding Mike since he was eleven?" Jessica asks.
"Judging by his apartment, take out." Harvey admits.
"I don't eat that much take out." Mike says, annoyance in his voice.
"Yes, you do." Jessica and Katrina say together.
"We've had this conversation before, Michael. If you keep eating the way you have been we're going to have another conversation." Jessica tells her son.
"Incoming." Harvey says before Mike can respond to that and as soon as they hear Harvey speak Mike, Donna, Jessica and Katrina turn to the door just in time to see Louis walk in, looking angry.
"I want to know if it's true." Louis says.
"Louis…" Jessica starts to say.
"No! The associates are my responsibility. I need to know truth about who they are!" Louis comments.
"So you know who you're blackmailing?" Harvey asks, not being able to help himself.
"What?" Jessica asks in confusion, turning to look at Harvey while Louis looks worried as he knows what that means.
"It doesn't matter, Mom. It's ancient history." Mike says, taking control of the situation, "Yes Louis, it's true." Mike confirms.
"Tomorrow morning I will be telling the entire firm the truth, explaining everything, and you'll understand why we decided to keep this a secret." Jessica reveals.
"How's he your son?" Louis asks confused.
"I took Mike in when he was eleven, adopted him when he was twelve. As I said, I'll tell you the rest of the story tomorrow." Jessica tells him.
"Now get out of my office, Louis." Harvey requests.
"Fine! But this being kept a secret isn't right." Louis says before leaving.
"More people are gathering out in the hallways." Donna notes.
"Which is exactly why we need to get back to work." Jessica says, "You going to be okay?" she asks her son as she knows that most people won't dare to approach her, they won't dare to give her a hard time, Mike on the other hand is another matter.
"Yeah, I'll go work in the file room. I'll be fine." Mike assure his mother.
"Good. I'll see you later." Jessica tells her son before leaving.
"You can stay in my office if you want." Katrina tells Mike.
"Nah, right now I'll prefer the file room." Mike admits.
"Okay, if you change your mind my door is always open." Katrina says before leaving as well, and so that she can control the situation outside Donna leaves as well.
"Guess I better go face the wolves." Mike comments, not looking very happy about that, though he is glad that he has his bag because that means he can avoid going to his cubical.
"Mike, you're twice the associate of anyone else at this firm." Harvey says, walking over to him, "So don't listen to a word they say, because you belong here, you earned your place and every day since you have proved that. Don't let anyone make you think that you haven't." Harvey tells Mike, stressing the anyone.
"Thanks Harvey." Mike says gratefully, before heading to the door.
"Oh, Mike." Harvey says and Mike turns around. "The worst thing you can do right now is make them think that they're getting to you." Harvey informs him.
"Got it." Mike says before leaving.
It has been a few hours since Hardman revealed Mike's secret to the firm and ever since Mike has been in the file room working, not on work, but on something he should have done a long time ago; letter telling Trevor that they're never going to have a romantic relationship again, and that he should stay in Montana.
Ever since Joe Gibbs gave him Trevor's address Mike has been debating what to do and after a lot of thinking and a lot of debating Mike has come to realise that his mother, Katrina and even Harvey are right; cutting Trevor out of his life is best.
Even though he could easily get on a plane and go to the address Joe gave him Mike knows that if he does that then chances are Trevor will do something to get him to give another chance, where if Mike sends him a letter he won't have that chance.
"Why didn't you tell me?" A voice asks and Mike isn't at all surprised to see Rachel walking into the room, and as he does he quickly hides the, just finished, letter.
"For the same reason, I'm guessing, you don't tell anyone who your Dad is." Mike reveals.
"You know?" Rachel asks surprised.
"Of course, you actually use his last name. It wasn't hard to put together." Mike explains, "I figured that you of all people would get why I keep who I am a secret."
"You want to be your own person, not just been seen as your mother son. You want to prove that you've earned your place, on your own." Rachel realises, sitting down on the table, understanding that, "You don't want anyone to treat you differently."
"Yes." Mike confirms, "My Mom's been my inspiration since the day I met her. I wanted to be just like her since the day I first saw her in court, but I've worked hard to get where I am, and I don't want anyone to think that I only got this job because of who my Mom is." Mike explains to Rachel, wanting her to understand and knowing that she is more likely than anyone to understand.
"Day you met, so you're adopted?" Rachel asks curious.
"Yeah." Mike confirms, "My biological parents died when I was eleven. My grandmother was going to take me in but she was declared unfit because of her age, financial situation, and health. Mom had been helping me and Grammy out with some legal issues and she offered to take me in." Mike explains to Rachel, "She adopted me a year later and I became Mike Pearson-Ross."
"Wow." Rachel says, trying to digest that, "So, you've meet Hardman before?"
"Yeah, when I was a teenager. I spent a lot of time here." Mike admits.
"Which is why you do all your research alone, you know the library really well." Rachel realises, as she's never completely believed Mike's 'I do research better alone.' Line.
"Yeah, I have most of the books memorised." Mike admits.
"So, before today, who else knew about you?" Rachel asks curious.
"I went by Pearson-Ross at the DA's office." Mike admits, "And Donna knew since I was a teenager. Katrina knew since Harvard, and Mom and I told Harvey everything after my first case here." Mike explains.
"We're you ever going to tell me?" Rachel ask curious.
"Honestly, I don't know." Mike admits and as he does he catches glimpse of his watch, "SHIT." He says worried.
"What's wrong?" Rachel asks concerned as Mike starts to hurriedly pack up his stuff.
"If I don't leave right now I'm going to be late for dinner, with my Mom." Mike admits.
"Do you two have dinner together often?" Rachel asks curious, as she helps Mike pack up his stuff.
"Yeah, once every couple of weeks, at least." Mike admits.
"So, you have a good relationship." Rachel realises, finding that odd as she and her Dad are a lot like Mike and his Mom, but unlike her and her Dad Mike and Jessica seem to have managed to find a way to have a good relationship.
"Yeah, a really good one." Mike admits with a smile, "I've always been able to count on Mom, she's always been there for me, no matter what." Mike reveals knowing that the only time that they don't have a good relationship is when they are fighting about Trevor, which is one of the, many, reasons Mike has written the letter.
"That's nice." Rachel says with a small smile.
"Yeah. I've got to go. I'll see you tomorrow." Mike says before heading out of the room, knowing that he is going to have to ride fast to get to his mother's house on time, especially considering he's planning on stopping and mailing the letter, before he changes his mind.
Just like he knew he had to Mike road as quick as he could to get to his mothers, having only stopped to mail his letter, managing to get there at twenty-five past eight.
"Mom? I'm sorry I'm late." Mike says as he manages to make his way into the kitchen.
"You're not late, not yet." Jessica tells her son, from where she is cooking at the stove, "You're actually the first one here."
"Huh, I'm surprised I didn't see anyone at the firm." Mike admits, though he realises that he ran out pretty fast, "What can I do?" he asks curious, as he puts his bag down on the kitchen bench.
"Go set the table." Jessica tells her son.
"On it." Mike responds heading to the cabinet, "It's just the five of us, right?" Mike asks, wanting to be sure.
"Yes." Jessica says.
"Okay." Mike says as he collects everything he needs before heading across to the dining area.
For the next few minutes Jessica continues to cook while Mike sets the table, until they hear the doorbell.
"I'll get it." Mike calls and he heads to the door where he opens to find Harvey, Donna and Katrina on the other side.
"Told you he'd already be here." Donna says with an amused look on her face.
"Come in." Mike says, letting them in, "Mom's in the kitchen." He reveals, leading them there.
"Mike do you want to get everyone drinks?" Jessica asks her son, as they walk into the kitchen.
"Sure, wine or scotch?" Mike asks curious.
"Before dinner, wine." Jessica tells her son, "Red." She says.
"Got it." Mike says, heading over to where the wine is.
"Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes." Jessica reveals.
"Which means we have time to talk." Harvey says.
"Yeah, we do." Jessica confirms.
"My first question is what did Hardman do to get you two to force him out?" Mike asks his mother and Harvey curious, "Because I'm betting it was more than embezzlement." Mike comments bringing the wine over which Harvey takes as Mike goes and grabs glasses.
"It was." Jessica confirms, as she and Harvey exchange looks, "What happened back then is only known by Harvey, Donna and I, Hardman, and one other person." Jessica reveals, "Mike, Katrina, I trust you both, and I know you're both loyal which is why I'm going to tell you, but for now I need you both to keep it under wraps." She explains, causing Harvey to realises that he was right when he assumed Katrina could be completely trusted, Jessica wouldn't be telling her if she didn't think so.
"So it can be used at the right time, if there is one." Katrina realises, as Harvey pours the wine.
"Exactly." Jessica confirms.
"Don't worry, Mom. I'll keep it a secret." Mike assures her, "What happened?" he asks as everyone takes a glass.
"I confronted Hardman after Harvey found out about him being behind the embezzlement." Jessica reveals, "He told me that he was using the money to pay for his wife's cancer treatments. It turns out that he was using the money to support his mistress." Jessica explains, "That's the kind of man he is, the kind that cheats on his dying wife and then lies about it."
"I confronted Hardman, got him to resign so that I didn't show Alicia what was going on." Harvey explains, "And after Alicia's funeral I went to Hardman again, threatened to tell his daughter, which he has now done himself." Harvey explains, doing so because Jessica and Mike deserve to know the complete reason why Hardman just revealed their secret, and judging by the look on Jessica's face she isn't too happy about that.
"And because you used his family against him he's going to use Me against Mom. That's why he greeted me as Mike Pearson-Ross." Mike realises, "I'm in the middle, because being your associate he can use me against both of you." Mike realises, looking between his mother and Harvey.
"Yes." Jessica confirms, "But Mike, I'm not going to let him hurt you."
"Neither am I." Harvey thinks to himself, though he doesn't say that outload.
"Mom, I can handle whatever Hardman wants to throw at me." Mike assures his mother, "Don't worry about me."
"I'm your Mother, I always worry." Jessica tells her son.
"He's going to try and get control of the firm, isn't he?" Katrina asks, "Force both of you, and probably Mike, out of the firm."
"That's what makes sense." Harvey confirms, "Which means we can't let him."
"We've forced him out once, we can do it again." Donna comments.
"How long do you think it will take him to get the support he needs?" Mike asks, looking at his mother.
"Hard to say, but knowing Daniel like I do, I don't think it will take long." Jessica admits, "He's good, when he wants to be."
"He's also an ass." Harvey comments.
"Which may not be a mark against him when it comes to this." Katrina realises and as she does she gets a look on her face which Mike recognizes.
"What are you thinking?" Mike asks his best friend curious.
"Louis, he's the obvious choice for someone for Hardman to go after and get over to his side." Katrina reveals.
"Louis isn't a senior partner." Harvey points out.
"But he's still someone in a very valuable position." Katrina explains.
"And you've been trying to get Louis to work with you for weeks and now that my secret is out he's likely going to agree so that he can use you to be kept in the loop." Mike reveals.
"Which means, if he does, I can use him right back. If he does end up being Hardman's side, we may be able to find out what he's up to." Katrina explains.
"That's a really good plan." Donna admits, "You're devious, I like it." She admits.
"You'll have to be careful. Louis is devious too, this could bite us in the ass." Harvey points out.
"I know." Katrina tells him, "But chances are that even if I don't do this it will bite us in the ass anyway." Katrina admits, saying what they are all thinking and the group of five drift into silence.
"So, tomorrow morning. What's going to happen?" Mike asks his mother.
"Everyone will be in the library at eight." Jessica reveals, "I explain that I took you in after your parents died, that I adopted you. I'll reveal when you graduated high school, how quickly you finished college and law school, and the fact that you graduated first in all your classes" She explains to her son, "Then I'll talk about the deal we made when you got Harvey to hire you, and make it clear that you've received no special treatment." Jessica tells her son.
"Then make it clear that I will be going by Mike Pearson-Ross." Mike requests.
"You sure?" Jessica asks her son as she wasn't sure whether he would actually go by that even though his secret is out.
"It's my name. I've always been proud of who I am, now that my secret is out I am definitely going to go by it." Mike assures his mother.
"Okay." Jessica tells her son, being glad about that, "Harvey I might have to make it clear that you are Mike's direct superior and that you will handle things such as bonuses and performance reviews." She explains.
"I figured." Harvey says as that's something that he and Jessica already agreed to, they are just now going to make it official.
"Dinner's ready." Jessica reveals as she heads over to the oven.
"It smells amazing." Donna comments.
"Really does." Katrina confirms.
"You're all going to love it, Mom's an amazing cook." Mike says with a smile, being pretty sure that the only other person who has had Jessica's cooking is Katrina, as he goes over to his mother and helps her serve everything up.
"I'm sure we will." Harvey comments and as Mike and Jessica start to serve everything up Harvey, Katrina and Donna head to the dining room, a couple of minutes later Jessica and Mike join them and the group enjoy a quite enjoyable dinner with one another.
After a dinner lasting a few hours, during which time Jessica, Mike, Harvey, Donna and Katrina quiet enjoyed each other's company, Harvey, Donna and Katrina headed home while Mike decided to stay at his mother's house instead of going home.
As he came into the firm with his mother Mike was at the office well before everyone else and at his mother's suggestion he decided to sit in her office and get some work done, while waiting for everyone else to arrive.
"It's time." Harvey says, walking into Jessica's office a while after Mike and Jessica arrived, "Everyone is there." He says as both Mike and Jessica stand up.
"Do you want me to stand up with you?" Mike asks his mother.
"No, stand with Harvey." Jessica tells her son.
"Okay." Mike says and the three of them head towards the library.
A minute or so later Jessica, Harvey and Mike arrive at the library and as Jessica heads to the front of the group Mike and Harvey walk in and stand together towards the back. Once they see them Donna and Katrina both walk over.
"I know there is a lot of rumours going around after the way Daniel Hardman greeted an associate yesterday and I decided it would be best for me to address those rumours." Jessica reveals, "Yes, the associate that you all know as Mike Ross is my son." Jessica reveals, causing people around the room to exchange looks and start to mutter amongst themselves, "Mike's biological parents died when he was eleven and I took him in, adopting him a year later." Jessica explains, "Mike went on to graduate high school at seventeen, finishing first in his class before completing collage in three years, two of which he completed at Harvard as a transfer student, and then went on Harvard law where he once more finished first of his class at twenty-three." Jessica reveals, "After two years at the DA's office Mike attended Harvey's associate interviews and without Harvey knowing who he really is, Harvey hired him." Jessica explains, "Once I discovered that Harvey hired Mike, Mike asked me to keep who he is a secret for one case so that Mike could have a chance to prove what he could do without Harvey knowing who he is." She reveals, "After that first case Mike and I told Harvey the truth, but Mike asked that we keep the truth about who he is from everyone because he didn't want you all to see him as only my son. He wanted to prove what he could do and how much of a valuable member of this firm he is." Jessica explains, "Mike never has, and never will, receive any special treatment and to alleviate any concerns Harvey will be the one deciding Mike's bonuses, and any disciplinary action if needed." Jessica reveals, "Now that the truth is known Mike will officially be going by Mike Pearson-Ross, his legal name, that will be all." Jessica says and the group starts to disperses.
"With me to my office, I have work for you." Harvey tells Mike.
"Okay." Mike says, and after giving his mother a look the two of them, and Donna head out of the library and head to Harvey's office.
About five minutes later Harvey and Mike have arrived at Harvey's office and Harvey have given Mike work.
"As much as you don't like it you should work at your cubical today, not the file room." Harvey informs him.
"You mean work in the lion's den?" Mike asks with a frown.
"It's better that you do. If you don't things are going to be even harder for you." Harvey tells Mike.
"I know, and whatever they say or do I can handle. I'm just not looking forward to it." Mike admits.
"There would be something wrong with you if you were." Harvey admits, "Get everything done as soon as possible." Harvey tells Mike.
"Eye, eye, Captain." Mike says before walking out and even though he would like to Harvey doesn't tell Mike to come to him if the associates get too bad as he knows that this is something that Mike has to handle on his own.
After leaving the meeting in the library Katrina stopped by the kitchen to get some coffee before heading to her office, where she is a little surprised to find Louis sitting on her desk and waiting for her.
"You want something Louis? Because you've made it perfectly clear that you don't want to work with me." Katrina says, knowing that she can't make it seem that she will automatically accept Louis changing his mind, because if she did he would be suspicious.
"I was thinking about that, maybe I was too hasty in turning you down." Louis says, "I looked at your work, it was good." He admits, telling the truth about that, though he has another reason for wanting Katrina to work with him.
"Right, and this has nothing to do with the fact that Mike's secret is now known and you know how close I am to Mike." Katrina tells him.
"You're the one who used that as one of your selling points, not me." Louis reminds Katrina.
"You're right I did, and I do want to work with you Louis, but I won't let you use me against my best friend." Katrina informs Louis.
"Fine. This is what I'm working on." Louis says, referring to a file box that he has put on Katrina's desk. "I want you to be completely familiar with it all by lunch."
"Will do." Katrina says and Louis heads out of her office.
After leaving Harvey's office Mike makes his way to the bullpen and as he goes he isn't surprised when he notices everyone looking at him as he walks. Once he gets to his desk Mike sits down and as he does he realises that someone, and he's going to guess Donna, put the box of Mike Pearson-Ross business cards that Harvey had made on his desk, and as he realises that Mike can't help but smile to himself.
Doing his best to avoid the looks off the other associates, though he knows they won't stick to just looking for long, Mike gets to work on the work Harvey gave him knowing that more than ever before he has to prove just how good he is, he has to prove that he belongs at Pearson Hardman.
Just like Mike suspected not even ten minutes' past until there is someone standing in front of his cubical.
"What do you want Kyle?" Mike asks, getting annoyed.
"I get it now, why you're Harvey's guy, why you're involved in cases the rest of aren't. It has nothing to do with you." Kyle says, "It's because of your Mommy. That's why you're here, I bet she even helped you cheat to win the mock trial."
"Wow Kyle I knew you were a sore loser, but this is just pathetic." Mike comments, "I beat you, fair and square, Mom didn't, and would never help me to cheat." Mike says and he stands up, "Oh, and considering she is your managing partner you should watch what you say." He points out.
"You threatening me Ross? You going to go running to Mommy?" Kyle asks, looking like he isn't at all scared of Mike, as basically every associate in the room try and makes it look like they aren't listening.
"It's Pearson-Ross." Mike corrects, "And no, I'm not going to go running to Mom, I never will. I fight my own battles." Mike reveals, "but if I ever hear you implying that my mother would ever consider cheating or being dishonest again then I'm gonna kick your ass." Mike says, being sure that every associate is listening, before heading to the kitchen, wanting to get away from Kyle before Kyle says something else about his mother as while he can handle anything Kyle says about him what he can't handle is someone insulting or talking bad about his mother.
As he walks into the kitchen Mike doesn't really pay attention to his surroundings, instead he heads straight to the coffee.
"Why'd you let me do it?" A voice asks and Mike turns to see Louis sitting at one of the table.
"Why'd I let you do what Louis?" Mike asks in confusion.
"Your first week, you knew that was a fake test, and yet you still let me blackmail you into getting high with Tom Keller, even though you knew that if we went to Jessica she would believe whatever you said. Why?" Louis asks, needing to know.
"First, I didn't get high with Tom, I found another way." Mike reveals, "And second, like I just told Kyle I don't go running to my Mom. I deal with my own problems, fight my own battles, I always have and I always will." Mike reveals, taking a step towards Louis, "You knowing who I am doesn't change anything, treat me like every other associate because that's exactly what I want." Mike informs Louis, "Now, if you excuse me like everyone else at this firm who seem more interested in my personal life, I have work to do." Mike says before heading to his desk, planning on listening to music as he works at his desk, as a way to help him ignore everyone.
"Here you are, everything you needed." Mike says a few hours later as he puts all the work that Harvey gave him on Harvey's desk.
"You got it done quicker than I thought you would." Harvey admits, "How bad are the associates?"
"Annoying at first, but they've basically left me alone since I threatened to kick Kyle's ass." Mike reveals.
"What he do to deserve that?" Harvey asks curious, wondering if he should get involved.
"Said that Mom helped me cheat at the mock trial." Mike reveals, "I don't care what he, or anyone really, says about me, but what do care about is what people say about my Mom." Mike reveals.
"Don't blame you for that." Harvey admits, honestly admiring how protective Mike is off his mom, as it reminds him of how protective he was of his father, and how protective he is off his brother, "Come on, we're meeting a client." Harvey says, standing up.
"We are?" Mike asks surprised.
"Yes, let's go Rookie." Harvey says as he was planning on going alone but considering everything it might be a good idea to get Mike away from the firm for a little while.
