This time, the headache didn't let up for a good hour – much longer than usual. At first they tried carrying on with work to take his mind off of it, but it soon got to the point where even talking at normal volume was uncomfortable for him. So they sat quietly, Harvey reviewing notes, or updates on his latest client, Mike nestled against him, trying to sleep and failing miserably. There was still some time until he was due for his MRI, but Harvey was close to insisting they fit him in sooner; something was wrong, and having the two of them knowing nothing while this new doctor sat up on his pedestal pissed Harvey off beyond belief. But, of course, he had his ways of getting what he wanted. Leaning down an inch or so, he placed a kiss into Mikes hair, so softly it was barely registered, and when he spoke he was mindful to keep his voice just above a whisper.
"You should do it. I want you to." Though he couldn't see his face, Mike frowning lightly.
"Could you be more specific..?"
"Put me down as your contact."
"Harvey, we've already talked about this…"
"No, you said some things and I'm electing to ignore them." Letting his hand drop back to Mikes shoulder, he rested his chin carefully on top of his head, rubbing small shapes into his skin with his fingertips. "I don't like the thought of you not having anyone with you. If this had been worse, or if I hadn't found you…"
"Harvey…"
"You calling me if you get brought into hospital isn't you being a pain in the ass. So stop being so damn difficult and list me already." Smirking to himself, Mike felt around for Harvey's free hand, taking it in his tentatively. His knuckles were healing over well, the bruising that danced its way around his wrist and up his forearm now just faded stains.
"Can I take that as a yes?"
"I'm thinking I don't have a lot of choice anymore"
"And you'd be right" He laughed softly, despite the ache that seemed to have spread from the back of his head to his temples. Sitting up a little, he pulled his hand free and rubbed the fatigue from his eyes, hoping it was just the lack of sleep that was making the pain worse.
"Okay, alright…"
"You alright?"
"Yeah, fine – sorry, it's just really started to hurt again" Harvey closed the file, and pushed it to the side as he removed his arm from Mikes shoulders and got up from the bed, although this wasn't met without protest. He left Mike a moment later, alone with reassurances. The ICU was pretty quiet, which hopefully meant he would find someone to help him with ease. What he found was both better than he expected, and worse. Mike's doctor was on the phone at the nurse's station, nodding occasionally and jotting down a note here and there. Had it been anyone else, Harvey would have waited for him to finish, given him his space. This time, however, he made his presence known immediately, much to the taller mans disdain.
"I need to talk to you"
"Hold on a moment –Mr Specter, I'm in the middle of call. I'm sure whatever it is can wait" That was fair enough. Maybe Harvey was being a little childish. And maybe, had the doctor not then turned his back on him and continued talking, Harvey wouldn't have leant over the counter, and hung up the call. His smirk was met instantly with an angry scowl as the doctor spun back round, straightening up to his full height.
"That was a important-"
"And so is this."
"I don't know who you think you are, but in this hospital-"
"Yeah, you know what, that argument isn't gonna cut it – so far, 'in this hospital' means keeping information from patients and treating their loved ones like they're idiots."
"Perhaps if their loved ones were a little more respectful of hospital staff and procedures, they would be given more leeway. But as it stands, Mr Specter, all you have done is interrogate anyone who steps foot into Mr Ross' room, and make a sad attempt to bully me into providing you with information you have no right to. There is still another forty five minutes before your 'friend' is due for more tests." The inflexion in his tone only darkened Harvey's expression. Noticing this, the doctor continued, his tone professional, yet laced with sarcasm.
"Until then, I suggest you go back to that room and stay there. Keep him company. After all, you've been doing such a solid job so far"
"You can take that shit-eating attitude and shove it up your ass. As of this afternoon, Mike's asked for me to be listed as his next of kin, so as far as withholding things from me goes, that's out the window. Secondly, he needs to go for a scan sooner."
"Does he now?"
"The pain in his head is getting worse; something's wrong, he needs-"
"I'll be with him as soon as I can to check him over."
"No, you'll come back with me right now and do it"
"Mr Specter, I have let you stay here all this time as an act of kindness. Mr Ross isn't fond of hospitals, is he? I can see how having you here has helped him. But may I remind you that you can be removed from the premises at any time, with or without help from security. Now, I have to retrieve the call you interrupted, but I will be there as soon as I'm finished." The amount of effort it was taking Harvey to not completely tear this man a new one was worthy of an Oscar. Or a round of applause at the very least. Instead, he took a breath, and tried one last time;
"He needs help now. Surely you can just call back later, he's your responsibility"
"Yes, as are several other patients in this hospital. Mr Ross may be the centre of your universe, Mr Specter, but I can't afford to put him at the centre of mine."