The results of the scan confirmed the doctor's theory; an aneurysm, about 8 millimetres in size, had formed on one of the arteries in Mike's brain. It explained the headaches and the seizure, and because of his age and general health, his chances of full recovery were high. The sooner they operated the better. Harvey had these facts, had all the information he could need. And yet, He still found himself worrying. While Mike slept (a heavy, drug induced sleep, but it was sleep none the less) the lawyer found himself ignoring his phone as it buzzed with irritation on the table top across the room. It'd been going off periodically for the past two hours, but each and every call and message had fallen on deaf ears.

See, clients could be appeased – he'd gone to meetings, closed as many cases as he could in the short time he spent at the office nowadays. It was all just moving money around and keeping the rich happy – but then this had happened and suddenly everything had been turned upside down for him. Suddenly, Mike came before clients. Mike came before keeping up appearances and keeping Jessica in the loop and money. Harvey wasn't even sure when things had changed between them. It wasn't some sudden realization, and it didn't happen like it did in the movies (when do things ever?) It was just gradual. Mike hadn't ever really addressed it. One evening they'd been in Harvey's office when everyone else had gone home, and slowly as the drink went to their heads and dulled inhibitions, heads were leaned on shoulders and playful shoves made. Soon there was hesitation. Then cautious kisses, and playful shoves were returned as fists in shirts and being brought in closer. Just as they'd gotten comfortable with it, Harvey had been the one to break it off, leaving his office in a slur of muttered excuses, and leaving Mike a pile of mussed hair and flushed cheeks.

The next day, Harvey had hoped that the previous evening would go forgotten. It hadn't been professional, it hadn't been a woman. Of course there wasn't a personal issue with that, but Harvey had very little patience when it came to gossip, especially when it concerned him and his private life. But as Mike knocked on his door and came in, greeting him with new found information on the case he'd dug up after Harvey had left, it became clear over the course of the day that not only did he remember (of course he remembered; it was Mike…) he was choosing to not bring it up. More than likely because Harvey was his boss. Most likely because he was his boss and male. They were both in very much the same boat on the subject, or so Harvey imagined. He didn't even seem to notice when Harvey hinted at whether or not he felt hung-over. He was doing it on purpose, and whether or not it was to try and spare Harvey of any potential embarrassment, he had to take another (sober) leap before he fell or flew.

Only, he didn't notice when Harvey followed him to the file room, nor did he turn around when he silently bid another first year their leave, and quietly locked the door. Though spending the next fifteen minutes continuing the previous evenings encounter got more than Mike's attention. It became clear to Harvey that not only was this insane and completely unexpected, but that he was well and truly stuck with the kid. After ties had been straightened and shirts tucked in and school-boy smirks suppressed, neither man said anything on the topic. It just happened naturally after that. At Pearson Hardman, they were partner and associate. Out of hours, they were arguing over which movie to watch while popcorn burned in the microwave and Mike took up a little too much couch so Harvey would be forced to let him use his lap as a pillow.

And that's how it had been for months now. Six next week, as it happened. But, all of that was teetering on the edge of being lost. For once, facts offered Harvey no comfort. Every surgery carried risks. The chances of complications during or after the operation were low, but the fact there were any chances at all was what kept Harvey at the hospital, still ignoring his phone and watching Mike sleep as though any second he would evaporate. Eventually, at around 5am he did fall asleep, though a few hours later, he was gently woken up by a familiar voice. Lifting his head from where he'd been slouched on the bed, Harvey squinted at the light streaming through the windows, eyes finally adjusting enough for him to recognize Donna leaning over him. She didn't need to say anything for him to know how he must of looked, but of course, she did anyway.

"You look like hell…"

"I feel like it"

"Oh my God" Going round to the left side of the bed, she slowly approached Mike, her face a picture of worry. He was still fast asleep – a good thing, too – because even though fatigue heavy eyes, Harvey could tell she was about to get emotional. Her fingertips grazed the cast that hugged his arm as if seeing if it was real. Harvey was glad that his face was mostly healed – if she'd seen him the day after he'd been brought in, he was sure she would have had a meltdown.

"Is he going to be okay?" Her hand came up to cover her mouth when Harvey glanced up at her, not quite knowing what to tell her.

"He'll need surgery, but his chances are good. Try not to worry about him"

"You're right. I'm going to ignore you, but you're right."

"He'll be happy you came by"

"Most people would be. Besides, I figured he'd appreciate a change of scenery. No offence to your face, but I don't know how much it'd help the healing process of the wounded."

"You're kidding – this?" Harvey gestured to his face pointedly, but half heartedly. "This is pure magic right here." She smiled at the joke, and went about moving his suits off the spare chair, and dragging it over beside him. For a while, neither of them really said anything of any substance; he updated her about Mike, what had happened, what was going to happen. The rest of it was small talk. Until finally, she touched his shoulder gently, her tone sincere and her smile kind.

"…You really care about him, don't you? I mean, past work." Unsure of how to respond, Harvey just looked at Mike. So, she continued, bringing her hands together in front of her.

"You've been in here nearly every day, and every night without fail since he was brought in. I've never seen you act like this, ever. I mean, I'm sure if I was in Mike's place, you wouldn't do that-"

"Donna, of course I-" She stopped him.

"No, you wouldn't. And you know it. That's fine, Harvey –it's normal. If it were me, you'd be hell to work with while you found who put me in here and skin them alive. Or at least, I hope you would. Maybe not the last part. But you'd fight for me. With Mike though…you haven't left his side" At first, Harvey wanted to snap at her, but he realized he'd have no grounds to do so. She was right.

"He needs someone here, Donna"

"I know. And I admire how much you're committing to him. You know Jessica's been hell-on-wheels lately? It's been a party trying to keep your clients happy, I'll tell you that."

"What's your point, Donna?"

"My point is that...you…aren't acting like you. You're acting like your relationship with Mike isn't just employer-employee anymore" Harvey didn't know why he was surprised that Donna knew. She was scarily good at reading people, measuring changes in relationships, platonic or otherwise. And yet, he found himself unable to deny anything. He just looked at her, waiting for her to finish. After a moment, she did, tucking a rebel piece of auburn hair behind her ear.

"I'm not asking you to tell me everything, Harvey. Feel free to tell me if I'm wrong here, but if there is something going on…I don't know, I guess I'd just like to know. I'm used to knowing what happens in your life. And if that happens to be Mike, well…I'm happy for you. Really."

Harvey was rarely stuck for things to say, but this was one of those times. Not for long, but long enough to confirm what Donna had just said. Without another word, she pushed her hand into one of his, squeezing his fingers. She had to leave soon after that, but not without giving Mike a kiss on the head, and Harvey with an affectionate hug, and the advice to call Jessica before she had his office converted to a personal gym. He gave it another few hours before finally finding his phone and stepping outside. Jessica was angry, but more in a concerned way. She understood, but only to an extent. It wasn't professional. Harvey putting his work onto the back burner to keep Mike company wasn't good enough. Though she was worried for him and sent him her best, she had an obligation to make sure Harvey did his job. Half of him knew she was right, but it was the other half that told her that he'd be in here whether she liked it or not (of course, not quite worded that way, but it had much the same effect.)

"I'm going now, Jessica. Fire me, don't fire me, do whatever you need to. But I can't leave him."

"You can't? Or you won't?"

"Pick your favourite."