Direct sequel to Five Times Mike Explains His Situation And The One Time Donna Makes Sure People Listen, because people asked me to, and I am a sucker for things like that.
How Harvey Tried To Fix His Mistake
Chapter 4
Harvey's new plan had been in effect for a week with fairly positive results. Mike smiled a bit more, and relaxed when around Harvey and Donna. Granted, Mike insisted on spending an entire day, doing whatever Donna wanted. The redhead openly enjoyed Mike fetching her coffee, and stopping often to see if she needed anything. Despite everything, Donna continued to punish, in her own way, all the others that had offended her. In fact, the only person she was even remotely friendly toward was Mike. It even got to the point where Gregory practically begged Mike, on his knees, to drop off a file at Donna's desk, because the redhead would ignore him until he was making a scene and usually got hauled away by Luis, who wasn't fairing well himself. Luis had cornered Harvey several times, demanding that Harvey do something about Donna. The rat-like man couldn't seem to keep any of the files that he needed for any of his cases. Luis claimed that it was because Donna was scaring all the associates. Harvey knew better.
Harvey, himself, hadn't exactly returned to Donna's good graces himself, yet. Oh, she delivered his messages and took his calls, now, but she still refused to speak to him, or deliver any of her indispensable assistance. When Harvey had explained what he was doing, she had shrugged at him, telling him shortly that it wasn't good enough. He had to fix it. Harvey was, getting sick of that expression.
Part of Harvey's plan was to spend time with Mike outside of the office. Harvey didn't really mind, not now. For almost a month now, all Harvey had been thinking about was Mike. He never admitted to anyone, save Donna, that he liked the kid, in fact, he denied it outright. But, you can only lie to yourself for so long, and Donna was right. Mike was Harvey's. There was no changing that fact now, and Harvey wasn't sure he wanted to.
As if thinking of Mike had summoned him, the associate passed Harvey's office, and pausing at Donna's desk. Judging by the expression on Mike's face, it was a working visit. Mike always went to Donna now when he needed help. Apparently, the problem was a small one because Mike wasn't there long. Deciding to go and check on the kid, and to drag him out to lunch, because Mike was far too skinny, Harvey left his office, moving straight for the associates cubicles.
"Why not, Mike?" Harvey could hear Rachel's voice before he could actually see her. He quickened his pace and rounded the corner pausing to take in the scene before him. Rachel was standing next to Mike, hand clutching the sleeve of his shirt, apparently trying to get him to go somewhere.
"Rachel, I can't. I have to finish this proposal for Luis, then I have to fill out a form for Harvey. On top of all that, I have to call the nursing home." Mike was stubbornly trying to work out of her grasp. "I can't go to lunch."
"Mike, you have to eat, you know." Rachel stated sternly. "I don't think Harvey will be angry if you take a break. He's a hardass, but he isn't that hard."
"I'm not worried about Harvey, I'm worried about Luis." Mike countered, finally getting his arm free. "I have all of ten minutes to finish this before Luis is back breathing down my neck." He frowned when Rachel rolled her eyes. "I know it's an expression, but he really does do it. He leans over and breathes all heavy, like he's training to be Darth Vader for Halloween."
"Luis is far too short to be able to pull off that role properly, kid." Harvey inserted himself in the conversation, leaning against the short wall. "What's going on?"
"I'm trying to take Mike out to lunch." Rachel's expression told Harvey everything. The paralegal felt bad, and was trying to make it up to Mike.
"And I'm telling you, I don't have time. Even if I did blow off Luis' work, I still have to call the nursing home." Mike insisted, writing at rapid speed. "Can't we go tomorrow?"
"No, we have court tomorrow." Harvey replied, fully on Rachel's side. "Finish Luis' work and go to lunch with Rachel. You can call about your grandmother on the way there. You look like you haven't eaten all week."
"He hasn't." Rachel supplied, ignoring the dark scowl Mike was giving her. "I've been trying to get him to go all week."
"Hey, I eat!" Mike protested, "I eat at home."
"Okay, what did you eat last night?" Rachel instantly shot back, making Harvey smile. She would be an exceptional lawyer, someday, the woman was vicious.
"If you must know, I had Ramen." Mike replied just as quickly, seeming to forget that Harvey was there.
"What the hell is Ramen?" Harvey demanded, and was promptly ignored.
"That's hardly food, Mike."
"It is too!" Came the protest. "Ramen actually has four of the major food groups, depending on the type, and if you add something to it, it's perfect for multiple meals."
Rachel made a face. "Oh like what?"
"Ham. Or those little cocktail hotdogs, or tofu." Mike answered around his highlighter cap.
"That's disgusting."
Harvey scowled. He didn't like being ignored. He reached over and lightly smacked Mike in the arm, gaining his instant attention. "I'll ask again. What the hell is Ramen?"
Mike blinked, looking at Harvey in surprise. "You're never had Ramen?" Rachel had a similar expression. For all her love of new foods, even she had eaten it at some point.
"No. Now what is it?"
"Noodles." Rachel supplied helpfully. "It's a type of packaged Asian noodles. It has several varieties and is very inexpensive."
"There, I eat. Can I finish this now?" Mike was looking from one to the other with a dark look, then his eyes widened and he started writing again frantically.
Harvey looked up to see Luis headed straight for Mike. "You know... I forgot about getting you a new boss, Rachel. I won't forget again."
"Mike, do you have my proposal?" Luis ignored Harvey and Rachel completely, leaning over to read what Mike was writing, far to close to be comfortable.
Rachel looked surprised, and glanced from Harvey to Luis, to Mike and back again. "I thought you were exaggerating about that, Mike."
"I told you, I wasn't. I'll have this done in just a minute." Mike wrote a few more lines then handed the paper to Luis.
"Good. Now, take care of these, I need them by one." He pulled two fat files from behind his back and dropped them on Mike's desk.
Mike took one look at the files and dropped his head on the desk, hard.
"Luis." Harvey intervened. "Mike has a meeting with me at the moment. Oh, and Rachel will be joining us."
"Sorry, Harvey, I really need these done and Mike is the only one available." Luis made no excuses. "Can the meeting wait until one?"
Slightly surprised, Harvey looked at Mike then at the files. He glanced at Rachel then shrugged. "I suppose we can push our meeting until one, but no later." Harvey found it hard to find a valid excuse when Luis wasn't being a complete bastard.
Mike made an odd noise into his desk but raised his head, and reached for the files, wordlessly.
"However, since Mike is busy helping you then I will have to borrow Rachel." Harvey added, looking at Luis.
"Fine, fine." Luis was scanning the paper. "Rachel, go help Harvey with whatever he needs." He muttered a few things as he headed back toward his office.
Harvey leaned over the short wall whispering to Mike. "Call about your grandmother first, then do the files." The smile Mike shot Harvey was worth the effort. "We'll be back at one, come along, Rachel."
Rachel looked confused, but Harvey motioned for her to follow him. He led the paralegal into his office, ignoring the very dark look Donna shot Rachel.
"So... what do you need me to do?" Rachel looked a little nervous.
"First of all, why were you trying to take Mike to lunch? I thought it was the other way around."
"Oh.. well." Now she looked very nervous. "See.. I have been thinking lately... That.."
"Listen, just tell me and we can move on." Harvey may be willing to tolerate such behavior from Mike, because well, he was Mike, but not from anyone else.
"I felt bad." Rachel admitted. "I stopped by your office to see if Mike was okay, after Jessica called him out on his bag, and I heard everything Donna said. I felt terrible, because when Mike tried to tell me about his bike, I thought it was funny that he was so worried about it."
"What exactly did happen with the bike?" Harvey glanced outside, noting Donna had her headset on and was paying careful attention.
"He parked it outside, like normal, but a cab pulled up to the curb and ran over the entire bike rack." Rachel explained. "Apparently, the man inside was in a hurry. Mike's bike was completely ruined and the bike rack had to be removed."
Harvey scowled. "Okay, so you invited him to lunch...?"
"Mike's a good person." Rachel defended. "But, he's still a guy." At Harvey's raised eyebrow, she clarified. "Guys don't like accepting charity, so I know he will never let me buy him a new bike. But, if I drag him to a new restaurant with the excuse of not wanting to try it by myself, he'll go with me, as a favor. It was going to be my way of apologizing. Besides, Ramen isn't that great to live off of."
Harvey blinked. Rachel's explanation was something he had never though of. That was why Mike had been so insistent about paying Harvey back for the briefcase. Also, why Mike never wanted to talk about it, he was ashamed that Harvey had helped him.
"Alright, thank you Rachel." Harvey smiled slightly. "Now go and pick whatever restaurant you want to try. We'll take Mike there at one."
The paralegal looked shocked. "We will? But... my lunch is over in twenty minutes." Her protest was weak.
"No it isn't. You heard Luis, you are supposed to help me with whatever I need. I need you to find a restaurant to take Mike to."
"Why?"
"Because, you aren't the only one that wronged the kid, and." Harvey smirked. "I need to figure out a way to get you a new boss." He then shooed Rachel out of his office, fixing Donna with a look.
"What?" Her tone was sharp.
"Donna, I think I need an education in exactly what it is that Mike has apparently been living off of."
I can't believe that I stayed up all night and all day to finish this... Oh well, I hope you all enjoy.
