"You look fantastic," Harvey said over Jessica's shoulder, admiring the way the dress hugged all her curves and contours.

"Flattery will get you nowhere." She responded with a sly grin, turning to face her mentee.

"Whatever do you mean?"

She shook her head. "Harvey, I know you. Just like I know you're going to be on your best behavior tonight." The look she wore could only mean one thing. It said, don't embarrass me or you will never practice law again anywhere.

He didn't have time to respond before they were joined but an uninvited third party. Jessica stepped closer to her employee, a warning to play nice. "Jessica, you are looking ravishing this evening."

"Why thank you, Edward, so are you." She let him take her hand to kiss gingerly, although she tensed enough for Harvey to step protectively closer.

"And Harvey, I hate to interrupt, but I'm wondering if I could borrow Ms. Pearson for just a moment." He turned to his new partner. "Care to dance?"

But Harvey's attention was already elsewhere. As Jessica stepped forward to walk with Darby, Harvey responded, "Not necessary, Edward, my date's just arrived."

Jessica eyed him suspiciously as he flashed a mischievous smile and backed away, turning to face his nervous looking associate.

"Mike," he greeted, extending a hand for him to take.

"Harvey," he replied suspiciously, taking the hand.

"Care to dance?"

"Isn't that a little much for Pearson Darby to handle?"

It was true. After everything they'd just gone through with the merger, a scandal like this was the last thing they needed to add. Harvey's smirk deepened. "Why, Mike, I have no idea what you're talking about."

Mike rolled his eyes, replacing the hurt with amusement as he allowed himself to be let out onto the dance floor. "You never change, do you?"

He might have been offended, but he beamed at Mike and pulled him around to face him, placing one hand on his hip.

"Why do you get to lead?"

"Because, Mike, I'm the leader." He said into his ear, earning another eye roll that he more felt than saw.

"You know what you are? You're a tool."

He squeezed his hip almost painfully and chuckled, bringing their cheeks together as he led them around the floor, smooth and suave as always. "You know you can't dance without me."

"I can dance just fine."

"Yes, milady, you're a lovely dancer." He was glad that the snark earned such a genuine laugh.

Together they spun around the floor; Harvey looking as tall and grand as ever, leading like a prince at a ball. Mike on the other hand, had more trouble keeping his professional front up as he felt himself slipping further and further into his boss as if he'd gone back in time to all those years ago.

They'd gone to a formal party once, for a friend of Harvey's. It was a wedding reception, but it was low key, so Harvey hadn't minded the date. That night had been kept as one of Mike's favorites; a memory that had gotten him through many difficult times. That night they had danced and drank and laughed and just been happy, and it had been the most carefree he'd ever seen the lawyer. Even alone, Harvey had always been guarded, almost on edge. But that night, he'd given in and let his walls slip.

His conscience didn't tell him he shouldn't as he leaned his head down on his boss' shoulder, lost in the moment – and apparently Jiminy Cricket was too. Harvey tensed, but didn't pull back. Instead he dipped his head down to say, "Jessica knows something's up."

He turned them around so Mike could see, and when he did, he straightened himself up, but still pulled himself flat against the man. "She doesn't look happy."

"She doesn't look unhappy," he countered. "Besides, I'm not happy either." He corrected himself quickly when Mike tried to pull away. "About the merger, Mike," he chuckled, squeezing his hip once. The kid nodded and closed his eyes, trying not to care. Sure, someone might try to take him away from his new position – what they were doing no doubt broke many, many rules – but he was not going down without a fight; and if Harvey was on his side, nothing could stop them. And if Harvey wasn't on his side, then...

They'd taken up seats at the bar, and had mingled here and there, but had mostly kept to themselves. If Jessica wanted him to behave, he was going to have to not talk to anyone who might tempt him. The lack of attention was not long last though; as soon as Mike left for the washroom, Harvey was approached.

"Scottie," he greeted with false glee. He was still sore about her part in the merger.

"Harvey," she greeted back, not bothering to hide that she was about to attack. "Are we so boring you had to bring a toy to play with?"

He smirked, ordering another shot from the bartender – he was going to need it.

When he didn't answer, she continued her prodding. "I hear he's your associate."

"Then you also here that I hand picked him." From the corner of his eye, he saw Mike approaching, looking rather self-conscious. It wasn't hard to guess why. He turned to the bartender once more and asked for two flutes of champagne - something he knew would look bad to the approaching associate. Thankfully, the glasses didn't arrive until he did. He took them, one in each hand and stepped out toward Mike, "Now if you'll excuse me, Scottie," he smiled a pleasant smile and handed a glass to the nervous looking blond and led him away.

It was in no time at all, that the two men were much more intoxicated than they should have been, and were tumbling around the floor sloppily, heads thrown back in laughter. It didn't take either by surprise, when Mike pressed an open mouthed kiss to Harvey's cheek as they twirled, although it wasn't a welcome gesture on both ends.

"Mike," the lawyer warned, pulling back slightly.

"Oh, just relax, Harvey. Have some fun for once." He teased, kissing him again. Harvey rolled his eyes, unimpressed, but was too drunk to care enough to stop the drunken antics. Instead, he hummed along with the song, and tried to keep them upright.

They were hailing a cab - Mike was seated on the edge of the curb, leaning against a post - and Harvey was standing behind him, when Jessica emerged from the hall. "Harvey," she drew his attention. "A word?"

Mike barely noticed the exchange as he fought with consciousness, but did notice the certain lack of Harvey Specter-presence behind him. The man really did fill a room. He turned his head to look at the man and the intruder of his moment, and was not pleased to see the woman he did. He turned back but strained his ears to hear the conversation, worried that he knew exactly what was being said.

"You know the rules," she hissed, sounding horribly displeased.

"I'm not breaking any of them."

"Oh, don't bullshit me, I know exactly what you're doing."

Mike's stomach clenched. Suddenly he wished he hadn't had so much to drink.

"And what exactly is that?"

"You like him."

"I do not."

"Yes you do."

"Do not."

"Harvey-"

He could almost hear the smirk from behind him.

"I don't want you sleeping with your associate." Well damn...

"Don't worry, Jessica, I know what I'm doing." Then there were footsteps, and Harvey was behind him again. Mike heard the clack of heels retreating, and with a sigh, he leaned back against his boss' legs, glad for his return.

All too soon though, he was being pulled up from the cold concrete and hoisted into a cab. Harvey appeared at the other door, and slid in smoothly, like he hadn't had a single drop. He hummed along in the back seat, tapping a finger against the cool material beneath them, and Mike had never been more mesmerized. There was something about Harvey when he'd had a few drinks... he seemed almost... happy? Not his usual powerhouse happy self, but a true, genuine sort of happy saved only for nights like these, when he felt secure that no one would touch him. It made Mike feel special, that he got to see this side of the man. It might have been he alcohol speaking, but he felt that it was a good idea to take those tapping fingers with his own, and trap them securely in his hand. He was impressed that they weren't pulled away. Glad for this new step they'd taken - even if it were only a temporary step - he closed his eyes and leaned his head back, letting the world slip away.

A/N: I know this was short, but I'm going to try to put up multiple chapters today to make up for my absence.:( Sorry guys... Also, still a little sick, so forgive the impassioned chapters:(((