Mike's P.O.V.

I sat on my hospital bed, hating this place more than ever. It had been three days since I had been admitted, but on account of my "good behavior" (completely faked, of course) and rapid healing, I was being discharged today. The only condition the doctors had was that I have someone else collect me and stay overnight at my apartment. After declining politely to this request, I was told that I then must stay for at least another night at the hospital so they could look out for me.

Hating both options, I begrudgingly settled on the first.

Yesterday, an old man who never stopped snoring, even when he was awake, had moved with me in my room. It was a large room and we each had enough space and all, but I didn't get one hour of sleep that night. And he insisted on watching TV whenever he was awake, at a volume that I was sure would do permanent damage to my ears.

But who would come get me? Not Trevor, after finding out about Jenny and me, and then getting into a physical fight with him. Not Jenny, after she found out about the kiss and then I left her for Rachel. Certainly not Rachel, after seeing me with Tess in my apartment that day. And there was no way I would be associating myself with Tess, married Tess, again. Ever.

Damn, I needed to sort my life out.

The doctor had recommended my "brother", who had seemed "very concerned about [my] wellbeing and curious as to how he could help speed up the recovery". I had actually laughed out loud at that point, because this man obviously didn't know Harvey Specter at all. (Well, clearly; they all thought he was my older, caring brother. …Sheesh.)

I rolled my eyes and groaned, committing myself to the only option I had left: call Harvey. And then probably face endless humiliating comments from the associates at the firm, because they would all find out one way or another.

Maybe Harold would still be nice to me. But that was it.

I was actually a little bit scared to pick up my cell phone and dial his number. Deep down I knew it was because of my desperation to get out of here and the strong possibility of Harvey refusing.

Well, it was worth a shot.


Third Person P.O.V.

"So Oliver wasn't home when you tried the house?" Donna sat on the edge of Harvey's office couch with her legs crossed.

"No. But I'm gonna try again the next chance I get." Harvey clenched his jaw and walked to his window.

"Don't worry, it'll be just as satisfying whether it's today or tomorrow or next month."

Harvey didn't say anything, so Donna said, "And whenever it is, make sure to hide your bruised knuckles when you return to work afterwards."

He spun around and gave her a curious look. Then he shook his head in wonder at the know-it-all look that appeared on her face. "I'm not even gonna ask how-"

"Don't bother, I won't tell you." She smiled for a moment and then it faded. "But I'm serious, Harvey, and you know how rarely I get serious. You'd better cover every single one of your tracks, or you'll look worse than Oliver when I am finished with you."

"What do you think I am, a rookie?!" He smirked. She looked doubtful, so he added: "I'll be careful, you have nothing to worry about." Then he muttered: "I'm Harvey Specter, for God's sake."

"I heard that." Donna said, a little less serious now. "And don't think I'm okay with any of this."

Harvey was about to reply with, "Oh you totally are." but his phone rang on his desk.

He took three large strides and picked it up, checking the caller ID.

"Mike, what's wrong?" Harvey answered after the first ring. Donna hid her smile at the urgency in the lawyer's tone.

"Oh, hey Harvey. Um, nothing's wrong, just letting you know I'm being released from prison today. My sentence got cut short."

"On account of…?"

"Good behavior." Mike snorted. "Plus I'm practically fully recovered.""About time." Harvey turned away from Donna to hide the relief that washed over his face. He knew Mike was going to get better sooner or later, but sooner sounded better to him. That guilty feeling in the back of his mind was slowly slipping away, and the kid was going to be fine in no time…right?

"I…I had to work on two pro bono cases while you were away." Harvey was going to say "I need you here", but he bit his tongue and held it back. Didn't want anything going to the kid's head, now. "And you've got a towering pile of files on your desk eagerly awaiting your return."

"Oh wow, I can't wait." It sounded sarcastic, but to Mike's ears, anything other than hospital gowns, snores and deafening TV sounded like paradise right now.

"I don't appreciate your sass. And are you going to tell me why you keep using that 'you're-not-gonna-like-this-but-I-have-to-tell-you' tone?" Harvey furrowed his brow.

Mike squirmed a little on his sorry excuse for a bed. "Well, the doctors have one condition if I'm going to leave today…"

"Which is…?"

"I need someone to pick me up and sleep at my place tonight." Mike said uncomfortably.

"That's not so bad. Who is it gonna be?"

An awkward silence followed, then Mike finally said, "Er-I was hoping you might be able to…?"

And then it hit Harvey. Mike had no one else. His parents were dead, his grandmother had just passed away and his friends were messed up or had turned their backs on him. It was so strange to think of a kid who had no acquaintances closer than his new boss…yet Harvey was the one the kid had called. Someone he wanted help and advice from. Did Mike really think of he, Harvey, as a mentor? A friend? A brot-?

"Harvey? You still there?"

"What? Oh, yeah." Harvey snapped back to the present and saw Donna, wearing the look of a mother watching her two young boys play nicely together.

"So…do you have an answer? It's fine if you don't want to, I can find someone else, it was kind of a stupid idea to call you in the first place, it's honestly no bid deal, I don't know whyIthoughtyouwouldsayyestos omethingsoridiculousandnowI feellikeabigidiot-"

"Mike, Mike, stop rambling. I don't think you've taken a breath during this whole conversation."

When Mike didn't reply, Harvey said, "Fine, I'll do it. But you owe me big time, kid."

"I'll do anything." he murmured in spite of his awe and belief that Harvey had actually agreed. He stood up and grabbed his folded clothes off the chair, while still on the phone, all too eager to get out of this hell-hole.

"I'm gonna hold you to that later." The older man smirked, recalling his previous day's phone conversation with Donna and saying those exact words. "I'll see you in twenty minutes."

"Thank you, Harvey. You don't know how much-"

"Yeah, yeah, don't get all mushy on me." And the dial tone beeped.

With the biggest smile he had worn in four days, Mike put his phone down and changed.

Harvey pocketed his cell phone and looked up at Donna, and his worst suspicions were confirmed.

She actually had tears in her eyes.

"Donna-" he looked at her with a get over it expression.

She sniffed and said, "I'm sorry, it's just…you two are getting along so nicely and he looks up to you ever second of every d-day…" Then she began to cry and excused herself from the room, claiming that she needed to pee.

Harvey was left alone in confusion, wondering why Donna had been so touched. All he was doing was picking Mike up and making sure he healed well over night! It wasn't mushy. This wasn't a friendship or anything.

Women, huh?


Exactly twenty minutes later, Harvey arrived at the hospital waiting room.

Mike was bouncing like a five year old on his birthday, waiting to open gifts. "Harvey, I have never been so happy to see you."

"Well remember how it feels then, because you're not going to feel it again." His voice hinted at the slightest bit of amusement, but his face stayed impassive. "Let's go."

As they walked to the car, Mike said, "Just before you came, I told the nurse at the front desk to update the hospital's security policies. Turns out they let anybody walk through those doors and visit people, even if they're claiming to be someone else…" Mike smirked slightly and Harvey, shrugging, went along with it. "Wow, they'd better do something about that."

"I brought you something." Harvey said as he closed the apartment door behind him.

Mike looked up curiously as he poured himself a glass of water. "And what would that be?"

Harvey raised his eyebrows. "I'm not going to give it to you unless you cooperate and do what I tell you to."

"Nice," Mike replied. "but I'm not a child, the bribing isn't going to work."

"Fair enough, but this bribe will work: if you don't behave, I'll call your doctor and send you back to the hospital."

Mike drank his water and glared at Harvey over the rim of the glass. He swallowed and said, "You're cruel."

"I'm just playing my hand. And right now, I've got pocket rockets and you've got a two and seven off-suit."

Mike groaned, flopped down on the couch and closed his eyes. "I hate poker."

The certified lawyer smiled triumphantly. "I know. That's why this is so much fun."

Mike scowled. "Well, make yourself at home, then. Even though this is a dump compared to your home."

Harvey sat, very distinguished-like on the chair perpendicular to the couch. "This is a dump compared to a literal dump, but I will try my hardest not to snivel." He put his feet up and reached for the remote.

"Ugh, please, no TV." Mike said, without opening his eyes. "The old guy in my room always kept it blaring and that is the last thing I want to think about right now."

"Why don't you sleep in your bed, then, like a normal person? And I can watch TV. It's called a compromise, look it up." Harvey joked. "And it would be more comfortable for your injuries."

When Mike didn't respond, he added the incentive of turning on the TV because he really thought it would be healthier for the kid to pass out on the bed, rather than awkwardly curled up on his side here.

With no protests or whining coming from the couch, Harvey peered over and rolled his eyes.

Mike was already sound asleep.

Harvey sighed and looked at the clock: 11:03 a.m. I bet he's exhausted Harvey thought. He removed his suit jacket, loosened his tie and slumped back in the chair. Before he knew it, he was out too.


An obnoxiously loud CRASH jolted both lawyers awake and into a frenzied sitting position.

Oliver Reid had knocked the door down and was pointing a gun at Mike.

"You, stand up. S-stand up and close your eyes, right now."

Harvey and Mike looked at each other, both eyes wide in terror. Not knowing what else to do, Mike gulped and slowly stood up, placing his shaking hands into the air.