Hey there,

here's the next chapter. Thank you so much for your lovely comments, I appreciate every single one. I'm really happy you're enjoying the fic 3

A few minutes later, Dr Gray comes out of Harvey's room.

"How is he? Is he okay? Donna asks eagerly

"He's fine, just a little tired. But he'll be fine again"

"What about his legs? Does he feel anything?"

"I don't know. He didn't mention anything and since he still needs a lot of rest and shouldn't get upset, I didn't either. Either the surgery went well and he's feeling it so he has no reason to mention it, or he's too sleepy to notice anything."

Donna nods "Okay. Can I see him?"

"yes sure"

When Donna enters Harvey's room again, she stands by the door. She takes a moment to look him up and down. she can't believe he's awake, lying on his bed without a ventilator. "Hey" he says softly.

"Hey" she says and walks towards the bed. She sits down next to him and takes his hand.

"Are you okay?" he asks worried

Donna shakes her head and smiles

"I'm not the one who lies in a hospital bed with a stomach wound" Donna says smiling

"He shot you" he says worried

"you remember?"

"yeah, at least till the second shot fell, after that everything is black"

Donna nods

"I'm fine, don't worry about it. It was just a graze"

"Is he...?"

"He is in jail" says Donna "he will rot there for the rest of his life" she squeezes his hand

"What about Mike, where is he?"

"He's fine, he'll come as soon as visiting hours start," says Donna. Donna notices that Harvey is fighting sleep. "Rest," she says, stroking his upper arm.

A few hours later Harvey wakes up again "you're still there"

"Yes, of course, what did you think?"

"You need to rest too, you seem like you haven't sleep in weeks" says Harvey, his worried look still there.

"Don't worry about it, I'll be fine" Harvey nods. He's too tired to argue with Donna and he'd lose to her anyway.

"What time is it?"

"10am"

"Did Mike come?"

"No, he called and wanted to talk to you, but you were asleep. He won't make it. Some of Lucas friend are sick an he wants to be sure L..."

"Donna stop" Donna looks at him

"Is he dead?"

"What no! Why do you think that?"

"He found out about Huntley and was stupid enough to tell him. He came to the company to kill us." Harvey stops for a second. "You're hurt, I'm in a hospital bed and he..."

"He's fine Harvey. You saved his life. You pushed him and the bullet hit you. Lucy's school just got the flu and wants to make sure Lucy didn't catch him." But he doesn't believe her and Donna notices. She picks up her phone and dials Mike.

"Donna? Something with Harvey?"

"He's fine, but he doesn't believe me you're alive"

"What?"

"Just talk to him," says Donna, handing the cell phone to Harvey.

Harvey feels a little embarrassed when he hears Mike's voice. "You idiot, you acted like a kid," he says to himself. After he's finished talking to Mike, he hands Donna the phone and says, "Thank you." She squeezes his hand and nods, "You're welcome! I'm so happy that you're awake again. You have no idea how scared I've been" and she starts crying again. As Harvey tries to sit up to hug Donna, he realizes something is wrong with his legs.

"My legs, what about my legs?" he asks Donna anxiously

"why can't i feel my legs?"

"Harvey please calm down! The shot hit some nerves, they have to heal first" Donna tries to calm him down.

"they've had plenty of time," says Harvey, and his breathing quickens and the breaths shorten.

"Harvey please! you just woke up please please don't get upset"

"Donna, I can't feel my damn legs, would you come down?" Harvey closes his eyes

"you ok? do you need a doctor"

"no, it's okay, I'm fine"

"Harvey, please listen. Yes, it may stay like this forever, but you may as well be able to walk normally again tomorrow or next week. So please, please calm down." Donna says in a pleading voice.

Harvey nods and takes a deep breath.

"you need anything?"

Harvey shakes his head "no"

The next day Mike can finally visit him. Jessica was there yesterday and he was on the phone with Marcus, even Louis called him to come and see him and Harvey agreed. He just doesn't want to talk to Lilly. He knows she was here and checked in with Donna several times a day, but he doesn't care.

Harvey has adjusted the bed so that he is in a semi-sitting position. "I really need Mike's help" he says "he has to get you home even if he has to carry you" says Harvey

"Do you really think he could?" asks Donna, raising an eyebrow

"Hey" Donna and Harvey look towards the door

"Speaking of the devil," says Donna

"Me? the devil? He's the one who's kept us waiting for weeks for him to wake up," says Mike while pointing at Harvey

"I thought I'd give you some time to see what you got in me" says Harvey sarcastically.

"yeah, well actually I really enjoyed it. Nobody complained about my being late or anything else" Mike teases.

"No you didn't" says Harvey

"No I didn't" says Mike in a serious tone and walks towards Harvey

"Welcome back Harvey"

Harvey nods and looks Mike in the eye "Thank you"

"How you feeling?"

"I'm good"

"Well, I have an appointment. I have to go" says Donna, knowing full well that the two friends need some time for themselves.

After she leaves the room, neither of them says anything until Mike starts.

"You know I could have killed you for what you did. Just getting yourself in front of a bullet, what's wrong with you?" Mike says looking at him.

"I wasn't thinking, I just saw the gun and that he was ready to shoot..." Harvey stops talking

"Thank you" says Mike "You saved my life. Only because of you Lucy won't grow up as a half orphan, You saved her from that and for that I will owe you a lifetime."

"no you don't" says Harvey honestly. "I would do it again, just so you know. I have no regrets Mike! You went to jail for me, let's say we even"

"No, not even slightest. You ha..."

"stop it, MIke. You would've done the same for me"

"You do not know that"

"Yes I do. Let's talk about something else. How are Rachel and Lucy? I can't wait so see the little cupcake"

"They good, they are over the moon that you are awake again. They will come later to visit you. Lucy really missed you and at some point she cried almost every day because she missed you so much. She can't wait to show you that she can ride a bike without training wheels. That's what she said after she got her present."

"I missed that?" Harvey asks, gulping as his eyes fill with tears. He blinks to cover it up, but MIke sees it and regrets telling him. Harvey shakes his head "Speaking of Lucy, why is her teddy bear with me?"

Mike smiles "She lends it to you until you're well so he can make you well and protect you from the bad man in case he comes back" And now Harvey can't hold back the tears and they are rolling down his cheeks. "She really is the best goddaughter in the world," says Harvey. "I told her so," adds Mike. "She really loves you"

-sometimes I feel like she loves you more than me… / stay awake, you have to hold on buddy" /… her own father / she will be fine / he needs help / Mike, do what he says / I promise.-

Harvey suddenly remembers the time after the shot and closes his eyes.

"Harvey" Mike jumps up from the chair "Hey, you okay. Shall I get a doctor?"

"No, I'm fine" he says quietly. "I just remembered something"

Mike looks at him with an questioning look. "you want to tell me what it was?" he asks softly. "what happend after the shot" says Harvey softly and Mike slowly sits back down.

"You risked your life too," Harvey says without looking at Mike. He warned you to leave, you didn't"

"I had to hold the wound"

"he could have shot you" says Harvey in an angry tone "it was my fault"

"bullshit! you have a child goddamn it" he closes his eyes.

"Harvey, hey please calm down. I did what I did cause you are my friend and whether you like it or not I care about you. I would do it again. So we can continue to discuss what we could and couldn't have done or we'll take it as it is. I'm fine, you're going to be fine and Donna's arm is going to be fine too." They look at each other for a few seconds and eventually Harvey speaks.

"Thank you" looking at him this time.

"I was really scared at the moment, actually more for Donna than for me, but I thought that was it, it's over. You put my mind at ease, knowing that I wasn't alone that was... Thank you" he says and he sounds so vulnerable.

"You are welcome Harvey" and squeezes his forearm.

"UNCLE HARVEY!" screams Lucy "finally you are awake" she says with a huge smile on her face while running towards him. Mike can just stop her. "Lucy! stop. You don't want to hurt him do you?"

"No" she says a little disappointed "I just wanted to hug him, I missed him"

"you can no..."

"help her on the bed Mike" says Harvey

"Harvey I..."

"Just do it. I want to give her a hug, too"

Mike sighs. He picks her up and carefully lays her on the bed. "careful Lucy, his tummy isn't healthy yet" The little girl gently wraps her hands around Harvey's neck and hugs him "I missed you so much"

"I missed you, too little cupcake"

"but you were asleep" she says confused

"I still missed you" they break the hug and look at each other

"You know what? I can now ride my bike without training wheels," she says enthusiastically

"Oh really? I have to see that. I can't wait for it. and Lucy?"

"yeah?"

"Thanks for your teddy, he did his job very well"

The little one beams all over her face "you are welcome. I am really happy that you are getting well again." She leans carefully forward again and gives him a kiss on the cheek.

He looks at Mike and Rachel, who entered the room shortly after Lucy.

"Hey Harvey, nice to see you," she says, leaning in to kiss his cheek.

"How you feeling?"

"Good, thanks. And even better because Lucy is here," he says, hugging her. She laid her down next to him and if Harvey's arm wasn't around her she would fall off the bed at the slightest movement. Rachel leaves after a short while, while Mike stays a little longer. He repeats everything he told him during his coma. Of boring partners, Luois's quote attempts...

After some time he picks up Lucy who has fallen asleep in Harvey's arms and leaves when Louis arrives.

"Hello Harvey, how you doing"

"I'm fine Louis, thanks" Louis nods

"Listen Harvey, I'm sorry. Not just what I said during our argument, everything."

"It's okay Louis," says Harvey.

"No, let me finish. You were right. I was jealous of you, always have been. I always thought I deserved more, that I work a lot harder and therefore deserve it. You were allowed to bring Donna, I wasn't allowed to have a secretary. But unlike you, I would never have paid her salary from my money. Then you became junior, senior and name partner before me and every time I was jealous and envious. It was only when you were in a coma that I understood that it was always my fault. You gave me so many chances and I screwed up every time. I'm sorry, really. You are one of the best partners and lawyers and you deserve everything.

"Thank you Louis, I appreciated you saying that"

"I'm very sorry, Mr. Specter, but I'm afraid you're going to have to accept the fact that you may never be able to walk again," said Dr Grey.

"But you said that everything went well during the operation" says Mike a little annoyed.

"Everything went well during the sugary and it has already been checked by the head doctor. The bullet – which we were able to remove it - just hit a main nerve and stopped the bleeding, but apparently the injury was too big. Listrn, there is still a chance for nerves to regenerate. You shouldn't stop the rehabilitation exercises under any circumstances."

"Out!" says Harvez in a cold tone "Everyone out!"

"Harvey..." Donna tries.

"I SAID OUT!" he yells and Donna flinches as she and Mike are about to leave the room, he adds

"You should've let me bleed to death. It's your fault" he looks at Mike with a mad look.

"Harvey" says Donna loudly

Mike freezes and Harvey sees the hurt in his eyes and immediately regrets his word but he won't admit it to himself.

"I'm really sorry Harvey you're paralyzed and I'm sorry the bullet which was meant for me hit you and caused this, but I'm not sorry that I wanted to save your life. I'd rather walk ten times a day between home, company and hospital than to look for your grave" says Mike hurting and leaves the room.

"Sometimes you really are a lousy asshole" says donna angrily.

"I said get out. And if I'm such a big asshole, then you don't have to come back." his tone is so cold that Donna leaves the room without a word. As soon as the door closes behind her, Harvey shed tears. "I'm really a big asshole" he whispers.

At that moment, Rachel and Lucy come in, who didn't notice anything about the incident.

"I want to...Lucy" says Harvey surprised and immediately wipes his tear away.

"Harvey, what's up"

"Nothing, I'm sorry Rachel, I really appreciate you being here, but..."

"It's okay, we'll come another time"

"uncle Harvey, what about you"

"everything ok just a little sad"

"why?"

"Lucy come now, we'll be back tomorrow." Rachel takes Lucy's hand and leaves the room.

Lucy keeps looking at the door in the hallway. Then she suddenly tears herself away from Rachwl and runs into Harvey's room

"LUCY COME BACK NOW" but she doesn't listen to her mother.

She opens the door and goes to Harvey. "Lucy"

"Please, let me hug you. You always do that when I am sad" she pleads and Harvey's heart melts - how much he loves this child. Rachel, who comes into the room, apologizes and goes to pick up Lucy, but Harvey asks her to put her on the bed.

"Does your stomach hurt" she asks worried.

Harvey shakes his head not knowing what to tell her.

"The bad man hurt my legs so I can't walk anymore."

Lucy tears herself from him and carefully turns to his legs, which are under the covers. She leans down and kisses her.

"Better?"

"Much better," says Harvey as his tears roll down again.

"hug me tight" he says and she does as told.

"Please stop crying" she says

Eventually they both fall asleep until Mike comes to pick up Rachel and Lucy. In the meantime, Rachel just did her university stuff. And she can't help herself but take pictures of the to of them.

Same evening

"Mike, what is it?" asks Rachel worried "

"Harvey… he, he blames me for being paralyzed."

"Please what?"

"Doctor Gray, told him today that he had to come to terms with the fact that his paralysis might be permanent and... he told me I should've let him die."

Rachel closes her eyes "Damn idiot" she thinks.

"Hey, listen. He was probably just shocked that he heard it officially for the first time. He probably regrets it already. Give him some time" she says and squeezes his arm.

"Daddy, are you sad" asks Lucy, who has just come out of her room

Mike lifts his head and shakes "No, I am fine, honey. I have no reason anymoree. Uncle Harvey's getting better" he says reassuringly and smiles at her.

"OK" she smiles believing him

Mike realizes she wants something

"Do you want something?"

"May I visit Uncle Harvey again tomorrow, please?"

"yeah, sure" Mike says and smiles while Lucy went back towards her room.

"Rachel" Mike calls "You might want to talk to Donna tomorrow when I take Lucy to Harvey's. She caught all of that today."

"of course" she just says

Next day

A knock in Hafvey door

"uncle Harvey" Lucy runs towards him"

"hey my little cupcake, oh l missed you" he says pulling her in a hug. Lucy sits down on Harbey's bed with Mike's help, who is currently sitting on his bed.

"I'll pick her up later," says Mike, turning to leave.

"Mike wsit"

"I'm sorry. I... couldn't think straight at the moment."

"You said I had you..." Mike stops realizing that Lucy is in the room.

"I am really sorry" He says honestly "I didn't mean it that way. I've always enjoyed my life, it's just... hard to accept that things will never be the same again. That I'm a burden now ..."

"That's bullshit! Would we be a burden to you if it was one of us?" Harvey doesn't answer.

"l'll need help for the rest of my life Mike"

"You don't know that. And even if you do we're all there you, just as you would be there for us. Harvey nods saying thank you.

"I'll help you, too" says Lucy and smiles, which also leads to a smile from Harvey.

In the meantime at Donnas

He didn't mean it Donna, he is just mad at the situation. He misses you alrealdy for sure"

"I know, finally he only said that because I called him an asshole"

"you had the right to"

"I'm just scared of losing him again Rachel"

"Donna... the last few weeks, You've hardly slept or eaten or drunk. I never wanted to talk to you about it cause it's not my business but you're my friend and I want you to be happy. Donna zhou have to tell Harvey how you feel about him." Rachel says looking straight in her eyes

Donna opens her mouth to say something, but she doesn't get around to it, "don't try to deny it. I know Mike knows, everyone knows that you love each other. Everyone out of you two"

"He doesn't love me Rachel, not in that way and if I tell him I'll lose him. I almost lost him and I've got him back. If I tell him now I'll lose him for good."

"Donna...yo"

"no Rachel. I won't do it and please let's talk about something else"

"okay..." says Rachel no wanting to push her.

Thanks for reading and see you in the next chapter.

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