Chapter 2
Mike jolted awake to the sudden freezing sensation. He pried open his bleary eyes and see almost nothing. He looked tiredly and found a figure sleeping in a chair next to him.
"Harvey?" he rasped weakly.
Harvey awoke, shaking the cobwebs from his brain and looked at him with a smirk.
"I see you're finally awake."
"How long was I out and why am I so cold? Where am I?"
"What's with the 20 questions?" chuckled Harvey.
Mike smiled weakly and shrugged as he closed his eyes. "You gonna answer them?"
"You've been asleep for a day and a half-in my bed- whereas I had to sleep in a chair, but considering that you had a high fever, I'll let that one slide." Mikes eyes opened, shocked at the amount of time he'd been sleeping. Harvey continued.
"Again, since you had a pretty high fever, I was told by Donna to put some ice packs around you to keep the temperature down; but it looks like you can be done with them now." Harvey stood up and took the melted ice packs and returned them to the freezer. When he returned, Mike was already getting under the covers. Harvey shook his head and went back to sit down.
"You don't have to answer the last question, I figured as soon as I saw the giant wardrobe of suits, I was obviously at your house." smirked Mike. Harvey rolled his eyes and sat back on the chairs as Mike closed his eyes once more. After a few minutes of silence, Harvey was sure that Mike had fallen asleep.
"Why can't you just say it Harvey?" asked Mike suddenly.
"What?"
"Why can't you just admit that you care?"
Harvey sighed and watched Mike's face, his eyes remaining closed. Someone once told him that there as going to be at least one moment in his life where he was going to have to admit that he cared. This was that moment. The room remained silent for a moment, only the steady sound of Mike's raw throat disturbing it.
"Mike I... I know I can be a hard ass and probably a jack ass, but it doesn't mean I don't care. Since you've started working here, I've started to like you better, treat you better. I have to admit that you are probably the best associate that I've ever had."
Mikes eyes popped open at the strange and rarely said words. He looked over at his Boss, surprised.
"So you want me to say it? Okay, yeah, you're right. I do care about you and it would suck if something bad ever happened to you. One, because I consider you as a friend; and two, I don't want to have to go through the trouble of finding a new associate."
Mike stared at him in shock, hardly believing what he just heard. Then his face broke into a grin and he slumped back into the pillows.
"Do you really mean that, or are you just saying that so I'll stop aggravating you?" coughed Mike.
"I mean it, Mike. But, if you tell anyone-and I mean anyone, even the neighbor's cat counts, I will personally kill you myself."
Mike smiled as he closed his eyes.
"I promise I won't tell."
Harvey sat back in satisfaction and sighed. That was easier then he thougt it would be.
"Harvey?"
"Yeah, Mike?"
"Thanks... that's all I wanted to hear."
"Whatever...you're welcome." Harvey replied. All he had to do was say it.