Hello everyone. First of all, I want to apologize for the lateness of this chapter, as I had originally planned to have this up last week with the rest of my updates.
On that note... I would like to explain something to you all. I work two jobs, watch my sister's kids, and take care of my father, so there are times that I am unable to write like I wish to. I am also fairly shy and it really took a lot for me to start posting my stories. Since this fandom is full of nice people, I never expected that the fact that I wasn't able to update to upset someone so badly. I recieved a message a few days ago telling me that if I'm unable to update every day, or every other day at the latest, that I have no right to post multi-chapter stories. Now, I don't mind of people don't like what I write, really. It's their opinion and they are more than welcome to it, I don't even mind them sharing it with me. That is the way it is when you write for any fandom but.. if it is really such a big deal that I can't update that quickly, then maybe I should just stick to the books I'm working on instead.
I apologize for that... It took me several days to decide whether or not to say anything about it... but.. it was recommended that I should. Again I'm very sorry, and I hope you like the chapter.
The very last thing Harvey wanted was for his phone to ring at one in the morning. He was sleeping and didn't people know that you don't bother someone when they're sleeping? He ignored the incessant ringing twice but finally fumbled for it the third time. "What?" Rationally, he knew that it was very unprofessional, and not to mention rude to answer a phone that way, but at the moment he didn't care in the least.
"Finally! It's about time you answered." Donna's voice didn't have the sleepy quality to it that Harvey's did. "We have to talk."
"Now?" Despite the question, he struggled out of the cocoon of luxurious warmth, and into a sitting position. "Why?"
He could hear the disapproval in her tone. "Harvey Specter, are you questioning me? Do you think that I would call you and wake you up for anything less than an emergency?"
"Of course not, Donna." Harvey soothed to the best of his ability, now more awake. "What is it?"
"It's Mike."
Those two words had Harvey's complete attention. "What about Mike?" He honestly hoped that the kid wasn't in trouble again. While it was Harvey's job to keep an eye on him, there were times that the lawyer wondered if Mike was incapable of staying away from problematic situations. Granted, he was also very confused. Surely, Donna would have told him about it yesterday at work if it had been that important.
"Do you know that there's someone harassing him?" Donna demanded, sounding irritated.
"I heard something about it." He admitted, wondering just how it was that Donna knew everything. "But I don't know much. I overheard some street gang talking to Mike at the Farmer's Market Saturday. They mentioned something about a weasel."
"An accurate description. His name is Jacob Blake and he's a loan shark. I most of my evening finding out whatever I could about him. Apparently, Mike's ruining his business."
"Mike's a loan shark?" Harvey didn't mean for the question to sound so incredulous but the thought would have been funny if Donna hadn't said it so seriously. "Not possible."
There was a huff, then. "If you aren't going to take this seriously, then I'll just handle it myself."
"I don't think it's a good idea to get involved with a loan shark, Donna." Harvey reasoned. "Explain this to me better. How is Mike ruining his business?" Both of them knew that Harvey was going to help, that was never an option.
"What do you know?" She demanded.
"All I know, is that Mike got into some kind of altercation with someone for one of the members of that gang I mentioned. Something about medicine for a little girl."
"And I know that Mike gives food, clothes and other things to the people of his neighborhood. He spent all morning at a soup kitchen, and..."
"He did what?" Harvey couldn't help but interrupt.
"Remember I told you about that cafe? The one with the wonderful soup? Well, my favorite waitress is Mike's downstairs neighbor. She told me that Mike gives her and her daughter food and blankets. Then, I watched while he handed out food, and according to the woman in charge, Mike's the only one that goes out of his way to help. I saw as he took food to several different people, then took a huge box of things to a homeless shelter."
"Did... you follow him?" Harvey wasn't sure which part shocked him more, the fact that Mike was apparently a one man charity or that his secretary moonlighted as a spy.
"Of course, how else was I supposed to learn anything?" Donna's tone was almost the one she reserved for Louis and his posse. "Anyway, after that, Mike stopped at at ally and called out this Blake guy. He threatened Mike, telling him that he needed to stick to his own building, and leave the streets to Blake. Mike... The puppy was snappy, Harvey. He didn't back down and actually told him that he was doing the exact same thing his grandmother had done and that he wasn't going to stop. I'm proud of him."
"Proud of him? How is that something to be proud of? Throwing yourself into a fight that could easily be avoided isn't smart." Harvey chided, thinking of Mike's safety first.
"Is that so?" Donna's voice grew cold. "Standing up for yourself, and refusing to be intimidated isn't something to be proud of? Doing what you can for people that are unable to help themselves isn't a good thing? Is that what you're telling me?"
"That's not what I meant, Donna." Harvey tried to explain but she cut him off.
"Well, fine then. Sorry to bother you so late, Harvey." Without giving him a chance to explain Donna hung up on him, leaving Harvey, wide awake and frowning at his didn't like the situation, Mike being threatened by a scumbag or Donna being angry enough about it to handle it herself. That simply wasn't the way she worked. Donna knew everything and made sure that if she wanted something done, that Harvey was the one to do it.
Mike arrived at the office very early Tuesday morning. He wanted to leave Donna's present on her desk so that she could see it the moment she arrived. Mike would be worried about Donna if she wasn't Donna, the woman who knew and could do everything. She had given him some very odd looks yesterday, but had refused to answer him when he asked what the problem was.
Mike reasoned that of everyone he knew, Donna was the one most capable of taking care of herself, but at the same time, he worried about her. Mike worried about all his friends, whether they were capable like Donna, overworked like Christina, confident like Harvey, or elderly like Martha. Mike, knew, better than most, that at some point everyone needed help, whether they asked for it or not. That was the main difference between Mike and his Gram. Mike would keep his eyes on the people he cared about and looked after, his gram though, she always waited for people to come to her. She believed that they had to realize that they needed the help. Mike though, he wanted to make sure that they were taken care of, or that he was ready to help if they might needed it.
Despite his concern, the blond was determined that Donna, who looked after him in her own way, had the best birthday that she could. It was, really, the only thing he could do for her. Starting with the delivery of the homemade hot chocolate. Mike had arranged everything so that Donna would receive her gifts sporadically the entire day. After carefully setting the cup down on her desk, Mike headed toward his cubical, a small smile on his face, content with his plans.
Donna had originally thought that the steaming cup of the best smelling chocolate that was sitting on her desk, was a peace offering from Harvey, until she noticed that he hadn't arrived yet. She glared at the innocent cup, fully prepared to ignore it, as she was in no mood to accept bribes, especially today, and even more so after the phone call to Harvey. But, as she pushed the cup to the side, she noticed the piece of paper that had been attached to it. 'To Donna, I hope your birthday is everything a Goddess like you deserves. M' Very little startled Donna, but she did a lot to keep her birthday a secret from the people at the office. Harvey knew, Jessica as well, but that was it. Now, she wanted to know exactly how her puppy had figured out such carefully hidden information. She sipped the drink, reveling in the perfect mixture of cinnamon and nutmeg, that made the chocolate seem that much richer. Now she would have to demand that he tell her where he bought it from because there was no way she was ever going to drink anything else.
Her surprises kept coming. By the time Harvey arrived, looking as perfect as ever, minus the slight scowl on his face, another gift had been left for her. Ignoring Harvey, because perfect hot chocolate or not she was still mad at him, she took her time opening the small box, looking at the small bundle of fudge in delight. She pulled the small note out of the box, reading it as she toyed with the brilliant yellow ribbon, her favorite color. 'Consider this my small way of saying thank you for everything you have done for me. M' She popped a piece in her mouth, astonished by the way it practically melted in her mouth. "My god... where did that boy get this?"
Harvey accepting the snubbing as his due after the early morning phone call, but couldn't help but wonder who was sending Donna gifts. "Where did who get it?" He reached for a piece only to have her bat at his hand.
"Who said you could have one?" She rolled her eyes, in a much better mood now, but allowed him to take one. "To answer your question, I was talking about Mike."
Harvey raised an eyebrow, wondering how Mike knew that Donna adored fudge and bit into the desert, surprised at the taste. "He probably had his grandmother make them." It was a reasonable idea, since it tasted like something someone would get from their older relatives.
"It doesn't matter." Donna replied sharply, reminding Harvey that he was still in trouble despite the good mood. "He gave me presents on my birthday."
Harvey blinked, his surprise hidden from Donna thanks to another piece of fudge. "Well, good. You need more people to spoil you on your day." He was rapidly thinking of a way to keep from his fantastic secretary that he had forgotten. Not that she would be surprised, Harvey usually did forget, since he wasn't good with personal dates. Finding it in his best interest to make a quick getaway, Harvey went into his office to find a present.
Flowers arrived at lunch, peach colored roses, with what Donna swore later to be the best sandwich that she had ever eaten. Attached was yet another note, 'Peach is the color of friendship and gratitude, both of which I freely offer to you. M' Another cup of hot chocolate appeared mid-afternoon, but so far, Donna had not seen Mike even once. She knew he had been lent to Louis for the day, mostly because the slimy man had practically begged Harvey the day before.
It was five, and so far, Harvey had sulked around his office most of the day, vanishing for lunch and returning in an equally sullen mood. He had a gift for Donna now, but he knew that, despite it being a very lovely bracelet, that she would still be angry with him for his words that morning. The fact that he couldn't even interrogate Mike about the situation didn't help his mood any.
The phone call came through to Donna's desk at five twenty-seven. It was from Carson, the doorman, explaining that there was a woman downstairs waiting for Mike Ross and since he wasn't answering his phone, he was calling Donna to see if it was all right to allow the woman up. She was in the midst of considering it, when Harvey appeared at her desk, apparently, prepared to deliver her gift.
"Harvey, there is a woman downstairs waiting for Mike. He's not answering the phone at his desk, should I let her up?" She raised an eyebrow at the small package, but waited for a reply.
A frown. "Alright. It could be important."
After giving the all clear to Carson, Donna turned her attention to her boss. "So, what do you want?"
A long-suffering sigh, "Happy birthday." He offered the small box to her.
She smiled, opening the box and examining the silver bracelet. "It's pretty, thank you, Harvey." She slipped it onto her arm, making a point to admire it. While she loved jewelry, she found that Mike's gift was more touching, not that she was going to damage Harvey's ego by saying so aloud.
"Excuse me... but is Mike here?" The woman that asked was much older than Harvey, probably closer to to mid fifty. Her face was worn and tired, that of a woman who had lived a hard life. Chocolate eyes examined them both, as thin arms held a paper bag.
"He's in a meeting. I'm his boss, Harvey Specter. Can I help you with anything?" Harvey was well known as a jerk but his mother had instilled a great respect for the elderly.
The woman's face softened a bit, a slight smile creasing her dark face. "Can you deliver something to him for me? He asked me to bring this up here by six." She shifted the bag slightly. "It's for someone named Donna."
"I'm Donna." The redhead smiled politely, immediately interested in the contents of the bag.
"Oh, well, here, deary." The woman handed the bag over gently, "Be careful with it, it's fragile." A warmer smile passed over the worn face.
Harvey glanced from the bag to the woman. "And you are?"
"Oh... I'm Carmen Jackson. I own a little shop near Mike's apartment. He wanted something special for this young lady and I offered to deliver it." Almost warily, she extended her hand.
Harvey shook it, wondering what kind of shopkeeper delivered things personally since it was so much easier to have it done professionally, while Donna ignored them both in favor of opening the bag. She carefully unwrapped the small music box, made of delicate glass with an dainty ivy patter etched into the glass. After a minute of examining the beautiful object she opened it, finding another note accompanied by the light strains of Fur Elise. 'Just a small something. Gram told me many times that every woman should have a treasure box. I hope you enjoyed your birthday. M' She read the note twice before looking up at Carmen. "Oh.. where did he get this?" She was plainly touched, her soft tone surprised.
"My husband makes them. We sell things like this in our shop." The older woman explained. "It's not a very popular style, since crystal is prettier and sturdier. But, it's rather hard to come by."
Donna nodded, half in awe of the skilled work and half wondering if this was another of Mike's lost lambs. "Did he ask you to make this for me?"
"Not exactly." Here Carmen shifted, glancing from Donna to Harvey a few times. "He came in looking for something nice. My husband offered to make him whatever he wanted, since Mike is so kind to us."
Harvey had been listening quietly, looking at the box held so carefully in Donna's hands. "How so?"
Carmen bit her lower lip, white teeth stark against her dark complexion. "Mike brought my husband some medicine last month when he was sick, and ..." She shifted a bit, looking slightly ashamed. "He also paid for the doctor to stop by and check on him. Giving him that was the least we could do as thanks."
Harvey mulled over that bit of information while Donna insisted that it was the most beautiful thing she owned. Both were cool people, rarely caring about the feelings of strangers, but this woman meant something to Mike, who they both cared about, and neither could really say anything to embarrass her.
"Carmen! You made it!" Then Mike was there, giving the woman a warm hug and asking after her husband. He looked tired, as anyone would after spending nearly eleven hours at Louis' beck and call, but it seemed to be shoved aside, as he talked to her. It was Harvey's first glimpse into the side of Mike that he hid so well. He was still energetic, but he was calmer, more confident. Like he knew exactly what to say and what to do for this weary looking woman.
It didn't take long before Mike was staring at his boss, tilting his head in that slightly confused way he had. "Um... Harvey?" And gone was the confidence, and his skittish associate was back. "I'm going to walk Carmen downstairs and get her in a cab." A pause. "I'm finished with Louis' work... do you need anything?"
Mutely, the older man nodded, and after a nudge from Donna, who was still cradling her gift, he clarified. "Uh.. yes. Come to my office when you're finished." Abruptly, he turned and went back to his office.
Donna thanked Carmen again for delivering the music box, promising herself, as she watched Mike walk the older woman to the elevator, that she would thank her puppy the minute he came back.