Five talents that Harvey didn't know that Mike had and one that he knew he did.
Apparently, I like sequels. Considering that I felt that Good With His Hands wasn't really something people would like, I very surprised that I'm writing one. Actually, I'm really enjoying this. It was just supposed to be just the talk but well it turned into this. *Shrug* Oh well. Thanks everyone for the suggestion, comments and reviews. I read every one of them, often more than once. I love you all.
I should be sleeping. I swear by all that I hold dear that I never sleep anymore. Anyway, here you go!
It was little over two weeks later that Harvey got his next hint. He had tried numerous ways to corner his associate but Mike continued to dodge all his questions. It was making the older man frustrated.
"So.. tonight? Around eight?" The slightly suggestive words made Harvey stop dead in his tracks and look to see who Mike was talking to.
"Sure. I have to experience this." Rachel's tone was amused. "Are you sure you can handle it? After all, Donna will be there too."
That made Harvey frown, torn between being very impressed and very angry. He settled on being a little bit of both.
"Of course." Mike sounded far too confident. "I know what Donna likes, and you'll try anything once so it will work out perfectly."
"Are you going to invite anyone else?" Rachel's question made Harvey scowl all the harder.
"Like who? I don't have any other friends here."
"Well, what about Harvey?" The paralegal's tone turned sly, and Harvey found himself, very interested in Mike's answer.
"Right. Like Harvey would even consider it." Mike answered promptly. "He's probably got a big date or something."
"Doesn't hurt to ask, you know." Rachel was still amused. "Check with Donna. She knows everything. See you later."
Once Harvey was sure that she had left, he rounded a corner and spoke making Mike jump. "Big plans?"
"Gah! Harvey! I've told you not to do that!" Mike leaned against the wall slightly, frowning.
"So? You know that we're working tonight, right?" Harvey leaned into Mike's personal space slightly.
"If I have to work then you'll have to deal with Donna." Mike warned, "She's really looking forward to tonight."
Harvey scowled, really not liking anything about the conversation. "Is that so? Rachel too?"
Mike shifted a bit, moving away from Harvey. "Um.. Yeah. Well, Rachel's more interested in the experience, but Donna's had it before."
Harvey stilled, his expression dark but Mike continued before Harvey could demand an answer.
"You can come too if you want..." The blond was staring at a spot just left of Harvey's head. "No one would mind... Rachel said I should invite you."
For a minute, Harvey considered the offer. He could accept or decline. Declining was not his first choice, because then he would never know exactly what was going on.
"What time and where are you meeting?"
Mike smiled. "Eight and at my apartment. Donna knows where it is." Mike slid away before Harvey could ask anything else, making the taller man frown and head directly for Donna.
"Donna. I hear you have plans tonight.."
"Yes, I do and don't you dare ruin them, Harvey!" The redhead immediately interrupted. "I've been looking forward to this for three days now."
"I wasn't going to." Harvey held up his hands in a placating gesture. "Mike invited me."
Donna narrowed her eyes, "You mean, you cornered him and then he did." She wrote something quickly on a piece of paper handing it over with a sharp smile. "Here, if you are late then we'll have to wait for you. Mike's rules."
The thought that Mike had rules for clandestine meetings bothered Harvey more than a little. Frowning, he spoke gruffly. "Any other rules I need to know?"
"Just one." Donna was smirking now, practically able to read the thought crossing her boss' face, and was amused by them. "No office talk. It's not allowed, or you won't get any." She deliberately kept her words vague and was rewarded by a muffled curse and Harvey stomping into his office.
When Harvey arrived at Mike's apartment, ten minutes early, he was greeted by Rachel who opened the door with a bright smile, ushering him into the small room. Donna was already there, sipping from something dark in a small glass. The apartment was clean, if a little run down and the whole place smelled fantastic. Before Harvey was sure exactly how it had happened, he was greeted by Mike, who pressed a glass into his hand and was seated next to Donna, who greeted him cheerfully.
No one had changed clothes, since they had all come directly from the office, but like Donna had said, no one mentioned work. Rachel hovered, mostly addressing Mike, who seemed to be moving all over his kitchen, and who, apparently, was a die hard Cardinals fan, which Rachel seemed to have a problem with. Donna, who like Harvey preferred the Yankees, kept interjecting, telling the paralegal that there was no chance of the Red Sox's winning anything. It sparked a huge baseball debate, which Harvey was drawn into despite himself.
Near the end of the debate, which was really just a polite term for argument, Mike appeared balancing plates like a skilled waiter. He served the ladies first, earning a happy sigh from Donna and a careful inspection from Rachel, before setting one down in front of Harvey.
"Okay!" Mike at home was different from the Mike at work, he was more cheerful, relaxed. Harvey found that he liked it. "Donna's favorite stew with bread and salad. Don't look like that, Rachel, it won't kill you. Besides, you like new food, remember?" He dropped gracefully into his spot next to Rachel, smiling at the sight of Donna, happily eating.
Harvey looked at his secretary, who looked like she was in heaven, to Rachel, who after a careful bite, made an approving noise, to Mike who was watching him in amusement. "You cook?"
"Why don't you tell me." Mike motioned for Harvey to eat. "Didn't Donna tell you that you were coming for dinner?"
Harvey scowled at the redhead, who grinned. "No. She didn't..." He felt a bit foolish now, thinking what he had. Deciding that it was best that he forgot all about it, he took a bite of the stew, eyes going wide. "Mike, this is fantastic. Where did you get this?"
Donna chuckled. "He made it, Harvey."
Rachel looked at her food, then at Mike. "Marry me. Because this is amazing."
Mike flushed, but Donna wagged a finger. "Oh no. No proposals tonight. Besides, he told me no when I said the same thing."
Harvey raised an eyebrow at Mike, who shrugged. "My gram taught me. She used to be a chef, and I spent a lot of time in the kitchen over the summers."
"Still food like this takes talent..." Harvey glanced at the two girls who were bickering good naturedly. "And brings you fans."
"It's not that big a deal..." Yet, he seemed oddly pleased by the compliment.