CHAPTER 6
A knock on the door woke Mike up the next morning. "What the hell? It's 10am!" Harvey had given him the day off after the whole Scottie debacle yesterday and he had promised him to get some rest so that was ruling him out. He picked up his T-shirt from the floor and managed to put it on sleepily before answering the door to find Jessica Pearson in all her glory.
"Good morning Mr. Ross"
"Jessica" he stepped back and motioned her inside. He hastily emptied the couch from all the junk and dropped them to the floor but she preferred to stand, leaving Mike looking around awkwardly.
"What can I do for you?"
"I've arranged for Dana Scott and Harvey to appear together at our annual charity event tomorrow night" she cut to the chase, blunt as always. Mike's jaw dropped to the floor. Harvey had told him that Jessica knew about them so what the hell was she playing at? What the hell Harvey was playing at?
"And he accepted?"
"He doesn't know yet. All he knows is that he is required to make an appearance. The rest of it I've planned with Scottie."
"Why?"
"There is a rumor going around that mommy and daddy are heading for a divorce. We need to show that Pearson-Darby is as united as possible."
"By using Harvey and Scottie as the model couple… Something he could never do with me right?"
"This has nothing to do with you Mike. I'm just doing you the courtesy to know beforehand. There will be some things you won't like watching and I want you to know that it won't be Harvey's fault."
"Because you care about me all of a sudden!" Mike scoffed.
"Because I was wrong and I'm sorry." She replied firmly. "Harvey cares for you a great deal and I've already caused him enough distress where it comes to you. Despite what you may think he is my friend and I want him to be OK."
"But what must be done, must be done…" he mumbled.
"Mike I mean it." She softened. "I'm going to take care of this and get rid of Darby but, meanwhile, I need Harvey to keep playing ball. It's not going to take long now."
"He could help you, you know. He WOULD help you…We both would."
"I never doubted it for a second but Darby has all eyes on you two after what happened with the merger. He's been prying open your case files for months. If he even suspected that something's going on, then game over."
"That's why Harvey didn't want anyone to know about us!" It dawned on Mike.
"I never told him anything but let's be honest... He's Harvey… If anyone was going to figure out what is going on that would be him."
"Or Donna…"
"Most likely Donna." Jessica smiled. "I'm just glad he had the presence of mind to stay out of it."
"Why are you telling me?"
"Because after what I did you deserve to know. And because I trust you to keep a clear head better than I trust Harvey."
"What exactly you need me to do Jessica?"
"Nothing, I've got it covered. Just… Don't take tomorrow night out on Harvey."
"I'll do my best."
She nodded in gratitude and left Mike alone to contemplate but something didn't feel right.
"Wait!" Mike stopped her at the door. "Why did Scottie accept to do it?"
"She's in love with him."
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