The hospital was suddenly dead quite it was only then that Harvey realised just how late it was. It seemed unlikely he would make it in for that court case tomorrow. He didn't really care either, how many times had work come before Mike. His son was in hospital and Harvey knew that he was the main cause of this newly found delinquent behaviour. Mike was smart always had been, Harvey had corrupted him. He hadn't meant to but does any parent really purposefully set out to damage their child, their own flesh and blood. No, but somehow most adults bare the scars of some neglectful event or other. Harvey certainly saw his mother's handiwork every time he struggled to make any form of emotional connection. He was even struggling with his son now. The real question that swam through Harvey's head was what would Mike bare. He had a shit father and a mother that abandoned him. Hell even Harvey had abandoned him at a time when he was most vulnerable. He had turned his back on his screaming three year old son and walked away. Now he would have to amend that, well everything he could amend. It was hard to think that Mike could ever really move pass that. If he could do it all over again Harvey would never have walked away that night at Edith Ross' house.

He slipped silently into the sterile room. The sky was dark outside and only the small glow of the bedside lamp illuminated the room. He lowered himself in to the armchair beside Mike's bed and watched his chest rise and fall in his pattern of sleep, the only thing signifying he was actually alive. Harvey hadn't realise how exhausted he was but all of a sudden he could feel the weight of his eye lids as they began to droop. It felt like he hadn't slept in two days and he was sure that sleep would evade him for a lot longer. These were the tolls of fatherhood and Harvey was finally paying them.

Harvey thought back to his own father. He was a man that was loved instantly by everyone who met him, he was decent and funny but most importantly he was caring. He cared and he loved his family and Harvey wasn't sure that Mike had really experienced that. He couldn't remember the last time he and Mike had had a civilised conversation. He couldn't even remember the last time they had had any communication that could even be considered a conversation. Mike was the toughest case that Harvey had ever dealt with. If he was being honest it was the most emotionally draining thing Harvey had ever experienced. Emotions were foreign to him. Sure Harvey could bang any hot women but he couldn't remember a time when it was not just causal fun, a way to de-stress after a long day. The only women Harvey truly cared about was Donna, but she had earned it. She had worn him down and could see right through him. Harvey loved her, she was his family. He loved his baby brother Marcus but even he knew Marcus wasn't happy with how shit he had been as a father lately. Mike deserved so much better than Harvey gave him.

Mike rolled over and for the first time Harvey properly saw Mike's battered face. The bruise had come up and his face was swollen. He was patched with the dark purple and brown bruises. A small cast and a cotton patch were placed over his nose. The remnants of a dried blood stain remained but for the most part he had been cleaned. He was lucky Harvey thought and then laughed at the ridiculousness of the statement. Mike had begun to stir. He locked eyes with Harvey and instinctively rolled them towards the ceiling. Harvey wanted to yell at him. Hell he wanted to grab him by the shoulders and shake him till he grasped the severity of the situation. He calmed himself breathing in and out and for a few moments neither of them broke the silence they just stared at each other. Harvey taking in the full hatred of the glare, Mike was throwing his way. He sighed, sadness burying itself in him.

"Mike, we need to talk." Harvey finally caved.

Mike rolled his eyes once more before rolling over on his back and sighing.

Harvey couldn't help it. He snapped. "Mike, what the fuck were you thinking? Ecstasy, really, really? I thought I raised you better than that. You're angry Mike, great, take it out on me but for god sake don't damage yourself and your future in the meantime." He yelled loud enough for the whole ward to hear. He stopped trying to regain control.

He listened to Mike's controlled breathing. "You didn't raise me. Grammy did. Why do you even care about my future anyway it's not like you care about my present life or really about me at all." He said calmly.

"Mike… I'm sorry I yelled. That's not the way this should be handled. I'm sorry, okay kid. I'm sorry. I care… I do… I love you, Mike." Harvey tried. The strain in his voice was evident. He was scared, he couldn't admit it to himself but he was scared he was going to lose Mike for good.

"God why did Mum have to abandon me with you?" Mike yelled at the room before rolling away from his father.

Harvey could feel his heart clench. He could feel himself falling further and further away from his son and every time he tried to push forward he was forced further back. He was struggling, he was barely keeping his head above the water. He may not be exactly coherent in the way he showed he cared but he tried. He really tried.

Harvey had made an effort to go see Mike every weekend in his Grammy's and Mike spent every second weekend in Harvey's. Harvey could remember on Mike's fifth birthday going to Grammy's. He had a baseball bat, glove and ball all ready for the kid. He had wrapped them in light blue paper with baseball bats on it. A small birthday cared in his shirt pocket. Mike had run up to Harvey the moment he saw him coming like he always did. Harvey caught him in his arms hugging him tightly before placing him down. Mike's eyes grew wider and brighter the moment he saw the gift, if that was even possible. He was bobbing up and down on his feet, holding onto Harvey's arm.

"Daddy are they for me?" Mike asked the excitement gripping his voice.

"No they're for the birthday boy. I heard he was around here somewhere," Harvey teased. Mike retaliated by sticking his tongue out at him.

"Daddy, don't be silly. That's me," He said.

"Oh, is it? Well in that case here you go kiddo," Harvey said handing him the present.

Mike jumped up and down eagerly. Once the gift was in his hands he tore into it, shedding the paper. The moment the bat peaked out of the wrapping, his face lit up.

"I'm going to be like you," Mike said hugging Harvey.

Harvey could feel his heart jump, Mike was so easy to love. He had never felt something so strong and unconditional but every time he looked at his son he knew he would fight the world over to protect him. He took Mike outside and they began to toss the ball back and forth.

"Daddy?" Mike asked. "When can I live with you?" This question was Mike's most frequent but that night something had changed.

Harvey packed all of Mike's things up and brought him home with him.