A/N: YOU GUYS! I have an idea. Who's with this?! I'm thinking that when this is done, I want to make a prequel about their "past". IS THAT A GOOD IDEA?! I think it might be. But I'm not sure. I need your thoughts/ideas. PLEASE. I'm bouncing in my seat contemplating this.

Mike was glad Donna had taken a liking to him. Hell, he'd probably be totally screwed if she hadn't. At this point, he didn't care if her kindness was out of pity or affection. He needed it. It was the only thing keeping him together at that point. Was there even enough room in his elite brain for a list long enough to count off everything that was going wrong?

Well, for starters, and probably most importantly, Grammy wasn't doing so well. She'd been falling a lot lately, even with the extra assistance the retirement home gave her. The doctors said it was just an unfortunate symptom of her age. She would soon need full time care; something that made Mike absolutely sick to the core. It was his greatest wish to see her strong and happy again, living it up in her little apartment, baking and sewing with the girls on Tuesday nights, and watching Jeopardy on Wednesdays. But if that were impossible, his next greatest wish was that he could be the one to care for her. It was no big secret that he owed her a lot. He owed her everything really. Well, almost.

That brought him to the next thing that was going wrong in his life. Harvey! Harvey who had given him everything his Grandmother couldn't and more. He gave him a chance. A real shot in life. And along with that blistering hope, came a great deal of feelings his heart would lend to only him. To say it like that made it sound great, but no, Harvey had proven himself to be life's greatest complication. Mike could deny to no one that Harvey made him feel like he was on cloud nine; floating through life on a high that was complete and utter bliss. And yet, at the same time, gave him a crushing, helpless feeling, that usually made him feel like he was in mourning. Mourning of what? A relationship he'd never really had? Surely not. But Harvey had made it very clear; what had happened had never happened, and he was just going to have to live with it.

And somehow, that tied in with a whole other situation. Rachel. Mike liked Rachel. Hell, Mike could probably love Rachel one day. But Harvey was preventing that fantasy from ever becoming a reality. It seemed that even when Harvey blatantly told him no, that he still would never be able to be with anyone else. Not even the quirky paralegal who so liked him back. It was a plague. A disease called Harvey Specter, and there was no cure. He'd already asked her out, gotten rejected, kissed her – or, been kissed by her that is – gone out with her, dumped her, and become wary friends – unless after what happened that day caused her to never speak to him again - all since he'd begun his strange new whatever-you-call-it with Harvey. He wanted her. He really did. But Harvey made that impossible.

And that is what had given Donna the idea to drag Mike out on a lunch date; away from the office and all its consuming dramas. Silently, he thanked whatever god was out there that there was such a thing as Donnas. He didn't think he could survive without one.

The redhead seemed pleased enough for his company, though she maintained an air of inadequately concealed concern for the man across from her at the shabby table in the diner. They were sitting in a booth, and the light pouring through the windows was both enough to blind them, and to illuminate all of the scratch marks and graffiti littering the old plastic surface. The place was not to be underestimated though; their steak sandwiches were indescribable. For a second, Mike was sure that he had to bring Harvey here, but the little voice in his head reminded him that that idea would probably never see the light of day. Even if Harvey did agree to lunch with him, this place didn't exactly scream Harvey Specter. And even if it did, did Mike really want to risk the torment?

"You seem to be enjoying yourself," Donna smirked, licking the vinaigrette from her side salad off her lips. She'd ordered an easy club sandwich with fries – she was allowed the fries because of the lovely garden salad she had to go along with it.

"It's so good," Mike all but moaned through a mouthful of what was probably the best sandwich he'd ever tasted.

"You are too classy." She scolded, sipping lemon water through a bright pink straw.

"I know, that's why Harvey hired me," he jived back, grinning in response to the twinkle he saw in his friend's eyes.

"Are you sure it wasn't for your unflattering immaturity?"

Her deadpan hardly struck him, he knew her well enough to see the glittering amusement in her features. "Oh, god no, he hates that." The teasing tone never left his voice for a second.

Donna chuckled darkly, enjoying that they could talk smack about their boss. There was nothing she hated more than someone hating on her favorite lawyer, but with Mike, there was so much love and openness and vulnerability in what he was saying, she felt like they could really discuss the man without really discussing him at all. It was a strange feeling to be had, but it put her at ease. "But speaking of Harvey," she decided now was as good a time as ever to get to the point. Ignoring the way Mike tensed, she cleaned her mouth with a napkin and continued, "How are things on that home front?"

Mike looked hopelessly uncomfortable at the change in subject. They could talk about Harvey all they want, sure, he had an endless supply of things to say about the man, both good and bad, but this was different... this was a topic that even his inner monologue had been deprived of as of late. It was a dangerous thing to think about, this Harvey Specter – in this light anyway. "They're fine. He's a great mentor." It was mostly true anyway. As much as he wasn't exactly the greatest guiding hand, Mike learned incessantly from him. The copious education barely weighed on him, he devoured his boss' ever word like a thirsty man drinks from a pond in a desert.

"Don't bullshit me, Mike." Her expression turned to that of annoyance. She wouldn't have asked him the question had she not already known the answer.

"Everything's fine, Donna, I couldn't ask for a better opportunity."

Oh no. Her eyebrow raised, and immediately he knew he'd said too much. "What kind of opportunity are we talking, here?" Her voice was hard, but otherwise gave way to no other emotion. He gulped before proceeding, choosing his words carefully. Donna was no one to lie to – not that he'd ever lie to her anyway.

"I might have been offered an associate position with another lawyer in the firm." He cleared his throat awkwardly, not making eye contact with the woman who was now giving off horrible vibes of he didn't know what exactly. Anger? Possibly.

"Louis?" He didn't have to answer her for her to know, and she took the silence as confirmation anyway. "That dirty little..."

"Don't be mad at Louis," he jumped in quickly, doing little to hide his new eagerness to protect the man. "He's just looking out for me."

"Looking out for you, or trying to snake you away from Harvey?" This was seriously not the topic she had been planning to discuss.

Mike's blush was deep crimson as he answered quietly, "He's a very good lawyer, Donna, I could learn a lot from him."

A million emotions rushed through Donna at once. Betrayal that after all Harvey had done for him, and appreciation for the man who was trying to help her friend succeed being the two that won out – and oh what a horrid combination they were. And so, instead of throwing her opinion at him, she took the easy way out and asked, "What do you want to do?"

The question seemed to catch him off guard, and his eyes widened before his brow knit firmly together and he looked back down to the table, meal long forgotten. "I don't know," he answered truthfully, a strained note in his quiet voice.

Donna nodded her understanding – not that he saw – and opted to change the conversation back to the one she had originally been interested in. They would discuss this later. "How's Rachel?"

At this, Mike's eyes shot back up to hers, immediately excited for any news his friend might have to offer. "She still won't talk to me," and had she not known what he was thinking, his exuberance as he spoke would have been alarming. "Not since she found out I had a secret. She wanted me to tell her." Blue eyes searched blue eyes; his were so young seeming, so exposed to the world, showing both years of hurt and ironic innocence all at the same time. He was so hopeful for this girl.

"She's upset with you," Donna nodded, pursing her lips. "She really likes you, you know." And for some reason, she almost felt like she was betraying someone by telling him this – and who that person was she hadn't the slightest idea. "But you can't tell her, Mike, you know that."

He nodded quickly, knowing full well what the consequences would be, and wanting none of them. Well, there was one consequence he'd be quite happy for... "That's why I haven't tried to talk to her..." he began ruefully. "I can't give her what she wants. I won't have a relationship with secrets and..."

"I know, Mike." She smiled, putting her hand over his briefly before pulling it back. "But it'll be ok." She felt her heart clench slightly at his answering grin. He had so much faith in her – in them both.

SUITS

"Wow, are you really doing this?" Mike quipped, expression composed of mock admonishment.

Harvey looked up, eyes wary as usual, and expression mirroring Mike's. "I can do what I very well please." He threw another scrunched up paper into the garbage can, getting it in with a grace that would have fans of both teams cheering. Or maybe it was just Mike. Yeah, probably. He was after all, his biggest fan.

"You're a great role model."

"You're fired."

The associate couldn't help the grin that spread without permission across his face, and it was all Harvey could do to not slap it off – or use other, even less appropriate means to rid the kid of it. "I'm fired? You're fired. From throwing papers into waste baskets. You suck." He widened his eyes and nodded, wetting his lower lip quickly as he challenged the domineering man to refute.

"You're on." He challenged back, handing a page to Mike, and then throwing another paper skillfully into the bin.

Mike's eyes were dark and playful as he stepped up to throw his own.

The game went on for, well, they'd lost track of the time. It went on for a while to say the least. It wasn't until they were nearly out of papers – they'd moved onto blanks, having run out of old documents – and shouting competitively at each other through equally dazzling smiles, that Mike suddenly jumped from where he stood towards the door.

"The files!" He shouted as he left, half jumping like a star in the doorway.

Files? Ah, yes. Harvey smirked to himself as he noticed the time. He'd told Mike to have the files on his desk by six. It was now ten after. The kid probably hadn't even started. It was because of that train of thought, that Harvey could barely contain how impressed he was when Mike was standing in front of his desk, holding a folder out for Harvey to take. The lawyer looked up from where he sat, expression unreadable. When he went to take the file, his eyes snapped up quickly and he froze, the sound of Mike's sharp intake of breath stunning his senses completely. It was like electricity was moving through the papers in a current, locking them together. It was Harvey who pulled away, snatching the papers out of Mike's hand aggressively and looking them over. "You can go." He dismissed harshly, pretending not to notice his associate's hesitation before he rushed out of the office.

"Mike?" Donna asked from her desk, watching him warily. He raised a hand to halt whatever she was about to say, and continued passed her into the men's washroom. This was not happening. There was no way this was going to work. Louis was right. How was he supposed to work for Harvey when all he ever wanted to do was throw the man down onto his own desk and have super hot kinky office sex in front of glass walls? No, this was definitely not going to work. He needed a distraction, maybe. No, he needed to get the hell over Harvey. What had it been, 5 years now? 6? 7? He had no idea. A long time, to say the least. Further proof that there was just no getting over him. Well, it stopped now. He was going to get under his skin no longer.

The voices in his head seemed to wage a war over this. On one shoulder, his angel shook his head slowly. He makes us so sad, Mike. It told him, a heartbreaking, distressed face told him just how true this really was. We deserve so much better... Leaning over the sink he splashed his face with cold water, hoping it would bring him to some kind of sense. Tell me your secrets, oh sink of shame. He thought bitterly. Did the running water have no wisdom to share? His shoulder devil appeared then, pushing back the angel's thoughts. He's sexy. He's ruthless. He's powerful. He's great in bed. He's everything we've ever wanted, Mike. The thought brought a smile to his lips. Everything indeed...

He was fucked. Completely, and royally fucked. This was not how this was supposed to go...

He decided to put those thoughts aside for the time being, and go back to finishing his work. He'd taken enough breaks that day – he hardly ever took breaks, what had gotten into him? Harvey, that's what, both his shoulder angel and devil said together.

With a sigh, he slumped down into his swivel chair, and pulled the lid off his highlighter with his teeth. Once he was all plugged into I-pod and music was blaring in his ears, he got to work.

Most of the office had emptied before he bothered looking up from his mile high stack of papers. He'd stumbled on a most interesting piece of information... or really, lack of information. Harvey had to see this. Getting up quickly, he realized that Harvey would be leaving around now, if he hadn't already. They didn't have any big cases going; he might have gone home early.

Picking up the documents, he raced through the firm, muttering an apology to the janitor he nearly flattened in his hurry. Donna was gone; Harvey's office door was closed. "Shit," he grumbled under his breath, racing back to his desk and grabbing his coat and bag, running towards the elevators.

He made it just in time.

"What are you doing?" Harvey asked, astonished. His associate was red faced and breathing heavily.

"I found something." He gasped between heavy breaths, crouching with a hand on his knee, he held up the papers. "You need – to see – it." He worked out.

Harvey stared at him with a look of pure weirded-out-ness as he stepped into the elevator. "We'll look at it at my place," he said slowly, sizing Mike up. "I'm done with this place for the night."

Mike sighed with relief – at what? – and followed his boss down to the street and into the back of his car. "You drove today?"

"Ray's kid has a dance recital tonight," he explained briefly.

Of course Harvey would let him take the night off. He was adamant about being a cold hearted – or altogether heartless – jerk, but the man was generous and brutally loyal to his friends. If Ray needed the night off, Harvey probably gave it to him without the man having to ask. But of course, Mike settled for a much less enticing response. "I didn't know Ray has kids." Harvey nodded as they pulled into traffic. A beat passed between them. "Do you want kids?" The look he received told him what the answer was immediately. It wasn't a yes or a no, it was more of a, did you seriously just ask me that kind of answer. Mike kept his mouth shut for the rest of the ride.

They worked on the newfound loopholes for hours; Harvey being so impressed after the day they had, that he actually praised Mike, so much as letting a bit of awe slip into his voice. Oh, yes, Mike was pleased. So pleased in fact, that when Harvey poured them each a drink, he let the alcohol go straight to his head, and without thinking, gave the briefest of squeezes to Harvey's thigh. He hadn't even realized he'd done it, but the sudden change in energy in the room let him know exactly what had happened.

He heard more than saw Harvey put his drink down, and then mostly just felt the couch shift beneath him as the man stood up. Shit. He put his drink down as well, and stood, not looking at the lawyer. He didn't want to know what he'd see there. Tentatively, he stepped away from the couch, and crossed the room. He needed to put distance between them. The angry tension was stifling.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

"I'm your boss, Mike."

"I know."

"So what was that?"

"You know what."

"Mike," it was a warning.

Mike threw himself a step backward, arms coming up in exasperation. "How do you do it?" His voice was angry, but it was also pleading. He just wanted it to stop.

Harvey had half crossed the distance between them, having taken deliberate predatory steps toward him as they argued. Upon hearing the question, his demeanor changed. Was that panic? He turned around, and casually, as if regarding the weather, said, "I keep my personal life over here, and my business life over there."

"Yeah," Mike was speaking before he could stop himself. "That seems to be working really well for you, but it's not for me."

Well, that got his attention. Harvey turned around immediately, expression guarded, unsure. The mask was breaking. But that wasn't good enough... Mike slipped his hands in his pockets, staring at the floor with resign.

"Mike,"

"It's fine." He said easily, slipping his jacket on and heading for the door. "My fault. I'll see you Monday." And did he ever...

SUITS

"But Michael, I just don't understand! You two were so good together."

Mike sighed, taking her hand. "I know, Grammy. I realize that. I mean... no. We weren't. I mean..." He dropped his head into his hands, taking her hand with his. "There's someone else."

"A new man?" The surprise in her voice was not lost on him.

"A girl," he blushed, reddening further when he saw the amused shinning in her eyes. "Grammy," he warned.

She raised her free hand in surrender. "I was just going to ask her name, Michael."

"It's Rachel," he smiled, heart warming as he said it.

"She sounds lovely."

"I haven't said anything about her!" He protested.

"I like that name!" She wasn't apologetic, her smile was mischievous. "So tell me about her."

"She's amazing," he started, pushing the irony aside. "She's smart, sassy, beautiful, full of life..." He shook his head as if to clear it. "Honestly, Grammy, she's just amazing."

"She sounds amazing," the twinkle was in her words now, lacing them with a pretty sound. She sounded happy. The thought squeezed Mike's heart.

SUITS

Monday came all too soon. Mike had hardly been working for an hour when a hand slammed down on the top of his cubicle. Looking up, he quickly tugged the earphones out of his ears, fear gripping him at once. Harvey looked beyond pissed.

"Your job is to help me, not to screw me." He said angrily, danger seeped out of every syllable.

Mike could feel the blood drain from his face as he stood up, deciding that this conversation needed to be taken somewhere a little less public. Hopefully, Harvey would think so too.

He found out about Louis. He must have. Had Donna told him? Of course not... Maybe Louis? No... Maybe... His shoulder angel and devil had once again returned, and were fighting it out themselves. Mike tried fervently to block out their battle, focusing on the angry clack of shoes in front of him. No, that wasn't good to focus on either. He could feel his heart rate quicken with every step he heard.

SUITS

"Are you ok?"

Mike looked up unwillingly to see who was speaking. He was so lost in his thoughts that the voice was unrecognisable. Or maybe it was unrecognisable because he hadn't heard it in so long. "Rachel," he breathed, relaxing visibly.

Concern was etched into every corner of her face as she sat down beside him. When did that chair get there? "Hi." Her lips quirked up in an almost smile, a shy smile, before returning to their worried frown seconds later. "How are you?" She asked uncertainly, unsure of where this conversation could go.

He shook his head. "I left Harvey."

"What?" This was not at all what she'd expected. What was Mike without Harvey? And in more recent addition to her brain; what was Harvey without Mike?

"I signed a contract with Louis." His voice lacked emotion. It was unsettling. Was he in shock? Surely not. The day's events must have just not settled in yet.

"Oh..."

"I need a drink. Care to join me?"