A/N - Just a brief update to tie it over until the reveal scene. Lots of Harvey in here which is always a good thing!
Harvey had dropped Mike off an hour ago, hoping that he would find some peace in seeing Stan's success. However, he couldn't just leave it at that. His former associate had been so down and broken and Harvey had meant what he said. I'll do everything I can for you.
Besides he wasn't going to allow Forstman to take another victim. Not on his watch.
That's how he found himself strolling into the offices of Jonathan Sidwell's company, feigning a look of confidence. He hadn't just set up a meeting for Mike but had also rung (was it Amy?) the kids former secretary and set himself an impossible task too. Harvey was trying to convince himself he wasn't just running at a brick wall.
It had taken him a long time to get over Mike's betrayal of himself back when Jessica had threatened them and the kid had given up his plan of attack which had cost himself a lot more than just named partner. Even though he knew it wasn't entirely the kids fault, he'd always been angry when it came down to distrust and disloyalty. He supposed he should blame his Mother for that.
But Mike hadn't deserved this. He had again been put in an impossible situation and had done all he could to get out. What had Harvey taught him? When a gun is pointed at your head there are 147 different ways out. And Mike had exhausted them all. He just had to get Sidwell to believe it.
He was in the offices now, surrounded by glass walls and the buzz of people trying to make deals and meet deadlines. He could imagine Mike here, number crunching and putting that amazing brain of his to use, making tonnes of money. Of course, Mike would always be better suited sat on the leather sofa in his office, discussing cases and going through briefs. But he had made it clear that wasn't exactly what he wanted. And as much as his chances of getting Sidwell's approval were low, he knew his chances of convincing Jessica to take Mike back were at rock-bottom.
He sucked it up. Harvey had to try for the kid and so with that motivation, he marched into Sidwell's office.
"The answer is no." Great start, thanks Jonathon.
"You don't even know what I'm here for." Harvey laughed trying to keep things relaxed for the time being. He thought informality was the best approach currently.
"I know what you're not here for, to tell me that after a night of soul searching, you've decided to give me full control over Gillis industries." Johnathon was barely looking at him, feigning disinterest. But Harvey knew how to get his attention.
"You're right, I'm not. But I am here to give you full control of this." Harvey handed him a folder and Johnathon reluctantly took it, his facial expression one not quite of surprise but suspicion. He took a moment to read the file.
"This isn't public information…"
"It will be in 24 hours. So it's legal to give it to you."
"And it gives me a 24 hour edge if I decide to act on this information." Finally, Harvey sensed that he had Johnathon under his belt. He just hoped this worked.
"Which, as you can see from that file, would be a very profitable thing to do." Harvey smirked at the investment banker who looked more than pleased with what Harvey had offered.
"And all I have to do in return is use your law firm?" If only it were that simple, Harvey thought nonchalantly.
"Oh, I don't care what law firm you use. I just want you to let Mike Ross run head of the deal." Johnathon expression dropped quicker than lightning.
"Then we're back where we started. And you can get the hell out of my office." He sounded pissed now and Harvey struggled to keep him on his side.
"Johnathon. I know what he did. But he thought he had no choice." He added a hint of sincerity in his voice. Harvey had lost the essence of surprise now, but he could still do this.
Johnathon grimaced and scooted away from Harvey to drop the file in the bin besides his desk. "When a person thinks he has no choice is when you see his true character."
"You think you have no choice other than to be vindictive right now." The conversation was starting to get heated now. Harvey could feel the stubbornness radiating off the investment banker.
"This isn't vindictive. It's common sense. And where I come from, you don't give the fox another run at the henhouse."
"You wouldn't have even had a shot at the henhouse if it wasn't for him getting you out from under Tony Gianopolis." Harvey hated his own desperation. He wasnt used to feeling like this. Mike deserved this second chance. Come on Sidwell.
"And I repaid him for that by giving him his first shot at investment banking."
"And where I come from, the way you really repay someone is by giving them a second goddamn shot."
"Then go the hell back to where you came from." Johnathon's tone had a sense of finality to it and Harvey knew that the conversation was over. Even if he could think of something else to say, it wouldn't be worth it. Sidwell had made his case. But as the darker haired man sat back at his desk, he changed his expression slightly and added one last comment.
"And hey. If you think he's so great, take him right back there with you." Harvey's shoulders drooped and he strolled back out of the offices. If only he could. He really felt the need to hit something. He hated feeling this helpless. All he wanted was to be able to support his best friend and get Mike back on the right track. This is why he hated losing, because he hated feeling so shit afterwards. But he still had one more bullet in the gun and he knew exactly where to fire it.
-SUITS-
Rachel was sat in a seminar doing her very best to keep track of what was going on around her. The older professor man was rambling on about something to do with civil law but her mind just kept drifting to more significant aspects of her life.
She had barely slept the night previously. Everytime she closed her eyes, she was taken back to the other night; her mouth on Logans and she had to admit, it had been a good kiss. But she had never wished she could take something back more.
What was really tearing her apart was the length of it. She really shouldn't have let it go on that long. But it had been a really intense week and she knew with every bone in her body that there was no one she wanted to be with more than Mike.
Mike. He had been so torn up last night and she wished she had been able to stay with him today, she wished she'd been able to give him the support that he deserved. Rachel had been so close to telling him last night, but the words just hadn't formed properly. She had watched as he beat himself up and couldn't bring herself to knock him down as well.
But she would have to tell him at some point because she was starting to feel really worn out from the weight of the guilt she was carrying. More than once she had been scolded by Harvey or a teacher this week for not focusing properly. No, this couldn't go on. At the same time she realised that Donna may have been right. This was one of the worst times to tell him. She'd just have to wait it out and have hope that he'd find it within him to forgive her. She couldn't bear to think about losing him.
She was awoken by the movement of fellow students and realised that the session was over and was eager to get home and make sure Mike was alright. He hadn't replied to her text earlier and she had left before he woke up this morning. She had hoped that he had managed to sort something out today and told herself as she climbed into a cab that she would be there for him better tonight. This was what mattered now.
-SUITS-
Harvey had returned to the office and had attempted to get on with some actual work. He was gutted that he hadn't been successful at Sidwell's. But it had been a long shot. He felt his blood boiling with resentment. Why couldn't he just give Mike a job?
He'd worked his ass off for this firm, missing his last chance to see his Father before he died, given up so much and was now named partner. So, why couldn't he just hire the kid on the spot? He was way better than all the other associates in the ballpen anyway. Mike had also given his all to this company.
Harvey threw the file he was working on on the floor but it didn't make nearly enough noise to satisfy his anger and the adrenaline that it had fueled. However, it had got Donna's attention. The redhead strolled into his office with a stern expression on her face.
"What's the matter with you? You've been barely focused since you returned from Mike's. And I can see the tension in your shoulders."
Harvey sighed, "Donna…"
Donna could feel the combination of stress, helplessness and anger in Harvey's voice. She came up behind him then with a pitied expression and began rubbing his shoulders and massaging his back. Harvey instantly relaxed. He owed so much to this beautiful Women. She started bossing him around which was totally against the status quo but Harvey didn't mind so much because he ended up on the couch, a glass of half filled Scotch in his hand. He couldn't argue with Donna anyway, right? After all, he didn't like losing.
He downed the scotch way too quickly and felt the familiar burn of alcohol engulf his system. He was the great and powerful Harvey Specter. He could do anything. It made him laugh that those words were actually Mike's. Of course, he could do anything. He stood and poured himself another scotch and turned back towards Donna who was just about to leave his office.
"Donna, can you get Jessica in here?"
Donna's face instantly flickered with realisation. "No, Harvey. That's a bad idea."
He took another mouthful of scotch and did his best to make his face look serious. "It's not what you think, it's for a case."
Donna looked at him suspiciously and he couldn't help but look slightly amused. He smirked at her and continued to try to convince her. Harvey ambushed her with a load of words about legal technicalities that he didn't even fully grasp and she gave in relatively quickly so he sat back on the sofa and continued to drink the scotch, patiently awaiting the managing partner. He thought back to Johnathon's words, "If you think he's so great, take him right back there with you." He'd bring Mike back for sure.
It wasn't long later that she bossed straight into his office wearing a brilliant white dress and said, "You wanted to see me?"
"We can talk about it later.." Instantly Harvey realised this was a bad idea. He was already pouring his 3rd glass of scotch but still detected that Jessica was in a bad mood from her tone.
"I walked all the way down here, we can talk about it now."
"I was just going to ask how Louis' talk went?" Harvey recovered. But Jessica didn't buy it.
"Bullshit. That is not an 'I have to come talk to you' conversation." Harvey looked at Jessica dead in the eye and realised that she wasn't playing around. He'd have to just come out with it. He decided to stand in order to become more level with Jessica but she still towered over him with those heels. His confidence was dwindling and he was desperately trying to think of a way out of this.
After stalling, Harvey just came out with what he wanted to say. "I want to bring Mike back."
What surprised him was that Jessica began smiling and then laughing. "That is not a conversation I ever want to have."
"Jessica-"
"Harvey. I haven't slept better since his last night except for every night since. And I'm not going back." She made her point clear and Harvey knew this wasn't the time to argue.
"And incase you really were wondering, Louis took his thank you like a Dick. So, if that's all, I'm going home." Harvey let her leave, feeling worse than when he had started the conversation. Donna glared at him from her desk and then turned her back on him. He decided it was probably best to just go home too. Mike would have to figure something out soon.
A/N- Next chapter it should start getting exciting. As always, any comments welcome.:)