Finally got an idea as to where to go with the story! Hope you like it :D I'm so glad we've finally got a date as to when the next season will start, so excited!


The days after the merger saw a definite change in the atmosphere of the firm. The previously cheerful atmosphere had now changed into one of monotony. No longer was there playful ribbing amongst the associates, or practical jokes amongst senior partners. Everyone had an air of brutal efficiency, as if they wanted to show up their British counterpart. Even the wall-to-ceiling windows couldn't illuminate the drab atmosphere. Harvey and Mike had a brutally cordial relationship nowadays, while Harvey had forgiven Mike, it didn't mean he still wasn't angry and disappointed at him. Mike would receive his workload in the morning, and give it in to Harvey and that was really all that was left of their relationship. No more going to see clients together. Or witnessing Harvey's brilliance in court. Or even joking about Louis.

On the other hand, Louis and Harvey had grown much closer together. Much like they were before Harvey got promoted to a senior partner. Perhaps the way in which Louis had tried to help Harvey over throw the merger had been helpful in repairing their relationship. They would even occasionally go out for lunch together. Mike felt as though he had been replaced with Louis, and was vaguely offended by Harvey's choice of substitute. But with his workload, which had quadrupled over recent weeks, feeling morose about the remnants of his relationship with Harvey really wasn't a choice. Louis realized how much this was weighing down on Mike, because he was giving him humane amounts of work with decent deadlines. He would rarely if ever, have to pull all-nighters for Louis' work.

The person who hadn't changed the slightest after the merger was Donna. She still walked the hallways like she owned them. She still knew everything there was to know about everyone; well almost. However, she was disappointed at Harvey for venting out his anger from the merger on Mike.

Jessica on the other hand was facing hostility from all fronts. The firm wasn't particularly thrilled with the inundation of the British lawyers and she no longer had a confidante to well, confide in. Her only saving grace was that Darby had remained true to his word and the contract allowed her to preside over Pearson Darby alongside Edward. The merger had made ripples in the world of lawyers, and now the partners and associates who had jumped ship were regretting their choice because from the outside, it looked like the law firm was excelling on every front- winning cases, signing prestigious clients. The façade it put up betrayed the cold atmosphere in the law firm itself.

As much as it pained Jessica to admit weakness, she missed Harvey's companionship. The exchange of movie quotes, the playful banter. From what Jessica could see, Harvey simply threw himself into his work each and every morning, rarely pausing for a break. Jessica could never pick a fault in Harvey's work, and it was exceedingly difficult now with its new level of perfection. So finding an excuse to drop by his office was even more difficult, especially with her new travel schedule which had her jetting off to meet their various international clients on their new Learjet. Harvey would never seek her out for conversation so she did the only thing she could do to force her to talk to her. Like an adult. So that the could clear this mess out before this Cold War became a fully-fledged World War II. That's what she kept saying to herself as she commandeered Mike for the next two weeks.


"You called?"

Mike was at the door of Jessica's office wondering what fresh hell she had prepared for him.

"Yes. Due to the merger there are a number of new international clients whom we shall be handling from this New York office. I'd like you to summarize the strengths and weaknesses of each client's past cases on this list and report to me when you're done. I'll tell Harvey and Louis that this work is a priority, and that you need not be doing any of their work till this is finished."

Jessica's tone was firm, and didn't betray her uncertainty. She knew loyalty couldn't be bought, and that Mike was fiercely loyal to Harvey but the associate's reaction surprised her.

"Ok. Anything else?" asked Mike. Jessica handed him the file of the clients' names.

"The files will be in the filing room by tomorrow morning. I expect that the work will be done as fast as possible, I need to review the folders to decide which of the partners get which clients."

"Ok." Mike turned to leave the office.

"Oh and take tonight off. You'll be working pretty hard on these files, so go home, sleep and relax." Jessica wanted Mike to be on her side, because she would be a fool not to recognize him as an asset to the firm. All she really managed to do by offering him this peace offering was remind him of the last time she asked him to go home, and the events following that.

"I don't think so, the last time you said that it didn't work out so well for me." Mike left the office with that, echoing the words of Ella Follman; leaving Jessica to count the number of bridges she had burnt to succeed.


The next morning saw Jessica breaking the news to Louis and Harvey. While Louis took the news in stride, it was Harvey's reaction that really bothered Jessica.

"Louis, I need you to layoff Mike Ross for a while. I'm having him summarize all the old cases and information about our new overseas clients."

"Sure Jessica. He's a good associate." Louis grudgingly admits. "Anything else I can help you with?" Louis asked.

"Nothing else Louis. Just keep up the good work, as usual." The compliment was most unlike Jessica, she never felt that she had to validate her underlings, considering that she didn't need the validation herself. However, recent events had left her without a lieutenant, and if Daniel could have bought Louis with flattery so could she.

"Thanks Jessica." Louis looked flabbergasted, as Jessica left his office to go see Harvey.


"Harvey, I just wanted to let you know I'm taking Mike Ross exclusively for the next couple of weeks. He's summarizing cases for the new overseas clients we are receiving." Jessica shrewdly surveyed Harvey with an impassive façade. An unidentifiable expression passed through Harvey's eyes before he replied.

"If you think you can 'control' me by using Mike as bait, you don't know me very well at all. You won the bet Jessica, now if you just want to blow smoke up my ass then why don't you just have me swap offices with Paul Porter or someone.", Harvey's tone was neutral and his face expressionless but Jessica wasn't fooled by this mask. She had hit him hard with the merger, and this move was just asking for trouble.

"I assure you Harvey, I had none of those intentions. That kid's work is impeccable, and I'd like our new clients to be happy. Not everything is actually about you." As Jessica turned to leave the office, Harvey turned to face the window outside, pondering his fate.


Reading had never fazed Mike, he'd been reading since the age of three so there really wasn't much to be fazed about. But the shear volume of files he was expected to get through and summarize was daunting to say the very least. As he got the first file out, he just wished he could do something to win back Harvey's trust.

Who would have thought that the answer lay in the files in front of him?


hikeyosemite- Thank you! I'm gonna try to include a bit of perspective from all the characters :D

iheartlife- Thank you :D

Raven Carmichael- Thank you! A fellow writer would sympathize with the pains of a writer's block L

Rae7788- Thank you! I plan to include some of Rachel, Louis and Donna's personal thoughts on the merger as well in future chapters, just to change things up a little.

And there's that! Hope you found that enjoyable. I'll try to update sooner. Reviews are most helpful :D