Beating the odds

by LioSky

Something was going on with Mike, and it wasn't anything good. He felt it, and Harvey had noticed it. It was not like it was the first time either. But this time it was nothing that either of them could control. As it turns out Mike is sick, really sick. He is going to need help, and a lot of it.

81. Chapter 81 - Overworked

Chapter 81.

A few good weeks followed. It almost felt strange to Mike, and he wondered if this was the best he had felt since his journey with this illness started. It felt very promising. At a hospital visit him and his doctors had talked about the possibility of having long term side effects. Or Mike hadn't talked that much, just listened as always and Harvey had done the talking for him. The older man had complained about it afterwards.

"It's time that you get more involved in your treatment plan." He had said.

Mike didn't see the point in that. They were at the end of it, weren't they? But he had started to listen more closely at least. When they had gotten home from that meeting, he had spent some time on his phone searching for long term side effects. The doctors had mentioned all sorts of unpleasant things that could happen to him, and his Google searches didn't make him feel better.

Harvey thought that he was stupid looking it up.

"You won't feel better knowing about that stuff. And nothing has happened yet, so stop worrying."

Mike pointed out that he was the one that had said that he should be more involved.

"Well, not too involved then." Harvey had said then and Mike had rolled his eyes at him.

He had found out that different treatments could mean different late effects. The effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment ranged between hearing loss, lung disease and nerve damage to, ironically, heart problems. He figured he would have a higher chance of getting that, than anything else. What scared him most though, was that memory issues were one of the late effects. He had asked especially about that, but they only told him that it was different for every patient.

The trial drug could also bring its own late effects. Dr. Jansson had been on the meeting as well, and had talked a lot, but all Mike could gather from it was that she didn't know anything. How could she, it was a trial. She wanted to see him regularly though and test him.

So far though, he didn't think that he had seen signs of any of the issues they had talked about. He was still receiving treatment, so maybe it wasn't so strange. But just the fact that they had had the meeting was hopeful. It meant that it would end soon. Maybe not end, but at least lessen. He really looked forward to that day.

Another thing that had happened was that Dr. Jansson had approached him and asked if he would be willing to take part in an article about his recovery. It was for some sort of medical magazine, and she had seemed so excited about it.

"You have to think about it of course. Think about it Mike." She had said a bunch of times.

Mike had thought about it and discussed it with Harvey and then he had said yes. It felt like the least he could do. Harvey had been against it. Mostly because of the fact that he was a fraud at work.

"What if someone looks into your background?" He had said.

"Or what if someone goes through how I got on the trial." Mike had added.

"Yes. That too."

"What if they find out anyway?"

Harvey had shrugged. "What are they going to do? It's a bit late to kick you out."

"Sue me?"

"They can't do that either. You didn't do anything. You were half dead then, couldn't even feed yourself."

"Yes, I could."

"That's debatable. Anyway, it's me they have to sue, and they won't stand a chance."

"I don't know… It's…"

"Mike. Don't worry about it. It was worth it no matter what."

They had smiled at each other after that, and then spent some time arguing about if Mike had been able to feed himself or not. When Harvey brought up that even Louis had spoon fed him at one point Mike left the room.

He had agreed though to be in the article under the condition that he was anonymous. Dr. Jansson had happily agreed to that. She had told him that a lot of her colleagues had shown a lot of interests in his case, and that he shouldn't be surprised if more people wanted to talk to him.

It often struck him as surreal that he was set to survive his illness. He remembered times of intense fear when he had thought that he wasn't going to make it. Countless nights in bed when his mind had kept spinning and he hadn't been able to get out of the bad thoughts, it was all edged in his mind forever.

However, lately he had noticed a change in the way he was thinking. He was starting to have a different approach to the cancer, like he had more distance to it. His mood was a bit more stable as well, at least most of the time. Harvey probably didn't agree with that, but he felt better overall. He felt more hopeful, happier, and that was great. He didn't think he was depressed anymore. At least most days.

The therapy he went to helped more than he ever had thought it would. He had gotten to know the other people in the group and now felt comfortable with sharing his thoughts with them. Even though it sometimes were heavy subjects that came up. Once he had even cried, in front of all of them. The group leader, Annika had hugged him for a long time and the guy sitting beside him had patted his back. It was strange that he didn't feel embarrassed afterwards, he had thought that he would. His best friend in the therapy group, Tobias, had been there a few times too lately. The older man had moved to a hospice but had said that he was feeling a lot better now when he was off the meds as he said. Mike didn't know if he was speaking the truth, or just telling them this so that they wouldn't worry about him.

He focused a lot on work now, as much as Harvey allowed him to, and as much as he could fit in between trips to the hospital. The older man was constantly on him to take it easy, to take breaks, and seemed to enjoy sending him home early. Harvey denied that though. He had started to bring work with him to the hospital to pass the time there. He didn't care what Harvey had to say about that. He felt fine for the most part, more sane.

"Did you take the Jakob's file?" Harvey asked him one day when they were at the office two days after Mike's latest hospital visit.

"No?" Mike said.

"Yes, you did. It was on my desk ten minutes ago."

"I've been here the whole time."

"And I went to the bathroom, and it was here before I left."

"You were at the bathroom for ten minutes? Are you okay?"

Harvey glared at him. "That's not what we were talking about. Give the file back Mike, you don't need to work on that." Harvey stretched out a hand towards him, and Mike only hesitated for a little while before he handed Harvey the file.

"Harvey. I can work. Let me help you."

"I'm not having this discussion again." Harvey said and sat down at his desk and seemed to do his best at ignoring Mike.

"Again…" Mike muttered. It wasn't much of a discussion they had had anyway, Harvey just told him what to do all the time. But he pretty much ignored Harvey too. He had managed to dig out a few pro bonos that he had started to look a little at. He was careful though with working on them, so that Harvey wouldn't notice it. However, he wasn't that lucky since Harvey found one of them a few days later.

"What is this?" Harvey snatched the files from his hands and held it up, so that Mike couldn't reach it.

"Nothing." He still tried to get it. "Give it back."

"Is this a case Mike?" Harvey asked and backed away, looking closer at the file.

"No?"

"Yes, it is. Where did you even get this?"

"I just found it laying around somewhere, and I just thought I should look through it."

"Just laying around somewhere, huh?"

Mike shrugged but didn't answer. He was waiting for Harvey's reaction.

"Where you trying to hide this from me?" He asked now.

"Well…"

"Are you trying to work a case right now? On your own?"

"I was just looking at it."

"I've told you that you are not taking on any cases of your own yet."

"I told you I was just looking!"

"Bullshit! You were hiding this from me Mike. Damn it!"

"Harvey, calm down. It's not like I have done anything, I've just read it. What's the difference between that, and what I'm doing for you?"

"What I just said! You are hiding stuff, and that's not going to happen here."

Mike clenched his teeth and tried to decide his next move. He wanted to argue, but Harvey had this look on his face that told him that it wouldn't be a good idea.

"Fine." He muttered.

"You are not getting this back." Harvey said and walked back to his desk and opened a drawer that he threw the file in.

Mike let out a deep breath and pulled the files for Harvey's case towards him. He had seen which drawer Harvey had put the file in, and the older man had a meeting in two hours.

"Don't even think about it" Harvey said.

"What?" Mike tried to sound innocent.

"I'm giving it to Donna when I leave for the meeting."

Mike glared a little at him. How had Harvey known what he had been thinking? And what was the harm with him just reading through a file? Harvey was overreacting.

"Mike, you know I'm just trying to look out for you." Harvey said after a moment of silence.

"Yeah. I know."

"And I need you to take it easy. I know you don't think that you have to anymore but do it for me then."

They looked at each other while Mike thought about what to answer.

"Okay. I'll do it for the both of us."

"Thanks." Harvey said.

Mike nodded. He decided to do what Harvey wanted for now. So what if he had to wait a bit longer to be more independent again. Clearly the older man worried about him still, more than Mike thought he did. Harvey had been acting more and more like before the cancer lately. Not by much, but Mike remembered instances from before, that now reminded him about how Harvey acted or things he said. He didn't mind that, even welcomed that kind of interaction between them. But here they were back at Harvey acting as his caregiver once more. Or like a parent. Even though Harvey was a bit annoying at times, that thought warmed him, and he promised himself that he wouldn't look at any more pro bonos. At least not for a few weeks.

-SUITS-

Mike had started to come to the office with Harvey more and more. He had decided to not refuse the kid any longer. Instead, Harvey made sure to keep a close eye on Mike, to be able to see if he wasn't feeling well. He had also had a discussion with Mike's doctor about it, without the younger man's knowledge. They had agreed that it would be fine, as long as they didn't overdo it. And the kid seemed to follow his instructions of not working any cases on his own, and only worked on what Harvey was giving him.

Louis had made inquiries to see if it was okay for him and the other partners to give Mike work some of their work as well, but Harvey had forbidden that. In that case they had to go through him, and if he deemed Mike up for it, he could pass it along. A file or two from Louis he had given the kid, when he didn't have anything himself that was light enough.

Mike made regular trips to the hospital. Harvey accompanied him occasionally, but mostly Mike went by himself now, or sometimes with Donna or Rachel. Generally, the kid was doing so much better than before, but last night Harvey had heard him in the bathroom. He had been throwing up. Harvey had waited a while and then made his way over to Mike's room, only to find him sleeping soundly on his stomach. Harvey had stayed and watched him for a few minutes. He had just needed to make sure that everything was alright.

The next day was a Saturday much to Harvey's enjoyment. He had been looking forward to getting some more sleep and had gotten it. Mike was awake, but still in bed when Harvey went to look for him. The last couple of weekends Mike had been up before him and had even made breakfast for them a few times. Not today though. He was laying on his back, with an arm covering his face.

"You good?" Harvey asked him.

Mike grunted and didn't remove his arm.

"What was that?"

"Just a bit nauseous. I need to lay down."

"You are laying down." Harvey helpfully informed him and got a rude gesture as a thank you.

"I heard you were up puking last night." He said, "How bad is it now?"

Mike groaned. "I don't know. If I lay down it's okay, I guess."

"Then do that. You need anything?"

"No."

"I'll bring your meds."

Later during the day Harvey had also needed to bring a bucket for Mike. He had managed to get Mike to take the meds, but he had refused to eat or drink anything. It always kind of amazed him that the kid could throw up that much on an empty stomach.

"I think it's your superpower." He told Mike, who did not find it amusing.

"It was you who wanted to watch every single Marvel movie. I get inspired." Harvey laughed a little at him when he pulled the blanket up over his head.

Mike remained on the couch while Harvey went out for a bit to do some shopping. Before he left, he tried to hand Mike his phone, but the kid didn't really react, so Harvey had just put it on his chest. He always felt a bit uneasy the times when he left the kid alone and he worried some when he did, but this time when he got back Mike was in the same position as when he had left.

"Still feel sick?" He asked.

"Yep."

"You throw up?"

"Yep."

"Gross."

"Shut up."

"Okay. Rude."

Mike ignored him. He was laying on his side with a blanket that covered his legs. Harvey stepped forward and pulled it up to his shoulders.

"You need anything then?"

"Maybe some water?"

"Sure thing."

Mike didn't touch the water though, not until it was time for dinner. He stayed on the couch the entire day and slept on and off. Harvey heard him throw up once as well from Mike's room where he was getting some work done. Harvey didn't have to nag that much, Mike tried to eat what he had on his plate.

"I'm kind of hungry. But… shit… it feels like it's going to come back up." He swallowed hard and then carefully sipped the water.

"You're doing good." Harvey said automatically. He had managed to get Mike over to the table, but now he wasn't sure it had been a good idea. Mike certainly didn't seem to think so.

Mike closed his eyes and breathed out deeply. He then leaned his face in his hands. Harvey sighed a little as he watched him, he then reached out and patted the kids arm a little, before he took both of their plates to the kitchen.

It was often that Harvey had to remind himself that Mike wasn't going to just one day be healthy and back to the way he was before the cancer. He had that idea in his mind, but kept having to correct himself, because that wasn't a realistic scenario. The way Mike was feeling now was proof of that. It pained him to see how Mike pressed his eyes closed and wrinkled his forehead in pain or nausea. This was a slow process. Slower than any of them liked. There was also a possibility that this could turn around too, that Mike could get worse again. The cancer could return again they had been told on several of the doctor visits. Mike would probably need to remain on medications for the rest of his life. He most likely would need to have check ups often as well. And they didn't know what side effects the cancer and the treatment would bring.

Harvey also sometimes worried about Mike's mental health. It was good that he went to therapy, but Harvey didn't know if it was helping him enough. Mike sometimes did things that a healthy person didn't do. He behaved differently, almost like a child at times. Not that Harvey blamed him, absolutely not. Mike had been traumatized from this; he was aware of that, and maybe that wouldn't go away for a long time.

Harvey was going to do everything he could to help Mike though, without a doubt. He thought that Mike knew that as well.

Mike groaned now and laid his head down on the table. He should be in bed or on the couch! Harvey abandoned the mess in the kitchen and went over to him. He laid a hand on Mike's shoulder.

"Let's go." He said.

Mike didn't move, just groaned again.

"Are you going to throw up or not?"

"Not right now."

"Good. Then stand up. Couch or bed?"

"Couch."

"We'll do it quick. Ready?"

"Yeah."

Harvey slipped under Mike's arm and heaved the other man up to standing, grabbed Mike around his waist, and dragged him over to the couch where he laid him down. Mike seemed to have kept his eyes closed the entire time. He looked exhausted and breathed out deeply. A few minutes later he was asleep, and Harvey returned to the kitchen.

Later that night Harvey helped Mike to the bathroom, waited next to him as he brushed his teeth, and then helped him to bed.

"Thank you." Mike mumbled and laid down on the pillow. He sighed and then felt around on the nightstand.

"What are you looking for?" Harvey asked.

Mike raised his head a bit. "My phone. It's not here. Can you get it?"

"Why do you need your phone? You are going to sleep now."

"I need to check something."

"Check what?"

"If I've gotten any text."

Harvey rolled his eyes, nodded, and left the room. "Where did you put it then?" He called out as he walked.

"I don't know." He heard Mike call after him.

Harvey sighed and pulled away the blankets on the couch. After a bit of searching, he found the phone between the couch cushions.

"So?" He asked when he handed it to Mike. He got his answer as he saw Mike's face fall.

"Nothing huh?"

Mike didn't answer him, just put the phone on the nightstand.

"Are you going to work?" The kid then mumbled.

"Now? No. I'm going to bed too."

"Okay."

"Good night then." Harvey hesitated a bit, but then left. As he brushed his teeth he thought about Mike's question. It was almost eleven at night, why would Mike think that Harvey was going to work now? Did he want Harvey to stay with him? He hesitated a bit, should he go and check on the kid? But Mike hadn't said anything, so Harvey left for his own bedroom.

The next day Mike claimed that he felt better. He argued that he felt good enough to go to the office, and after only a mild protest Harvey agreed that he could come. However, he got a bit annoyed with the kid since Mike spent most of his time checking his phone. He decided to not say anything though.

-SUITS-

Mike had woken up hungry this morning. It wasn't often that happened, but he hadn't had that much to eat for dinner the day before. Harvey had argued with him this morning that he should stay at home, but Mike had refused. He felt like he needed the distraction that work could provide.

He had felt quite bad yesterday and had spent the entire day laying down feeling ill. It had been boring and depressing. He had also missed his therapy session, which bothered him. He had wanted to go. He hadn't heard from Tobias in a while now, and he was getting worried. He constantly checked his phone to see if he had gotten any message from the older man.

The last few times Mike had seen Tobias they had both stayed behind after the therapy session for a while. Tobias had a loved one who picked him up after each time, but they were unable to be there when it ended, so the older man had to wait up to an hour every time and Mike kept him company. Sometimes he would stay the whole hour and would only leave when he had made sure the man was taken care of. Mike usually helped him up from the chair or couch since he had trouble with his balance. Tobias would press his hand and lovingly squeeze his neck as a thank you. Then he told Mike to take care of himself and stagger towards the exit. He brushed away Mike's first attempt to help him walk so forcefully that Mike didn't ask again.

During that hour they were alone they told each other stories about their lives. Mike mostly talked about being raised by his grandma. He somehow found it so comforting telling the older man about her and what their lives had been like. Tobias mostly spoke about his children and his grandkids, but also about when he had been young and been in the military.

Sometimes Mike considered telling Tobias about his work situation as well. That he was a fraud. He just thought that the older man could offer some insight in that. Maybe point out things that Mike hadn't thought about. But he didn't do it. Mostly because of Harvey. He didn't want to risk anything, or somehow taint Tobias image of Harvey. He only wanted Tobias to know that Harvey was good. That he was his family. The one that was always there for him, and who had saved him.

"You know that you have been saving yourself too, Mike." Tobias had said when Mike told him about Harvey. "You have done all the fighting."

"But I told you that he has literally saved my life. He gave me CPR multiple times."

"Oh, well. That's true. But that was just because he was there when it happened."

"Exactly my point. He is there."

Tobias had nodded. Then closed his eyes for so long that Mike became unsure if he had fallen asleep or not. But then the older man jerked a bit and breathed out slowly through his teeth. Mike understood that he was in pain. He laid his hand on the man's bony shoulder, and they hadn't spoken anymore that hour.

Tobias hadn't been at the last few therapy sessions and the last time the group leader had said that she hadn't heard anything about him. Normally he would always let her know if he intended to come or not, she had said. Mike worried a whole lot about that. He had texted Tobias a bunch of times, asking how he was, but so far, he hadn't received any replies.

He didn't want to think about the reason why he didn't get any replies. Besides it might be a lot of reasons. Tobias might be away on a trip to one of his children, or he might have lost the charger to his phone. There were a lot of reasons.

Mike had decided that he needed a distraction though. Today was a day when he was forbidden to work. Harvey got annoyed when he called it that.

"You have a day off. You are not forbidden to work." He said. "There is a difference. Go and rest."

It was so boring to stay at home. Harvey was working from home and was useless company. He just told Mike to be quiet and that he needed to concentrate every time Mike tried to strike up a conversation. He was tired of watching TV, he didn't want to read. He didn't have the patience for it. He listened to books sometimes but lately he was tired of that too. He didn't know what else to do to pass the time though. Sometimes he slept a couple of hours during those days, but he wasn't as tired as before.

He could work more now. He really thought he could. Probably even every day by now. At least full days on the days he was allowed to the office. But Harvey didn't agree at all. Mike couldn't help but to think that he was overacting. He had told Harvey that, but it had not gone well.

He had tried again the other day to convince Harvey to take on a case of his own. He had found a really interesting pro bono that he thought that he could win, but Harvey wouldn't let him do it. They had argued about it at the office, but it didn't get him that far.

"Harvey! I'm telling you that I can do it!" Mike had said.

"Yes, I know that's what you are telling me, but that doesn't mean that I agree with you." Harvey barely looked up from his computer.

"What are you so worried about? Do you think I will work myself to death or something just because I take…"

"What are you two yelling about?" Donna walked into the room and interrupted Mike's attempt of convincing Harvey.

Mike turned towards her and smiled. "I'm just trying to get Harvey to give me my own case."

"Don't you try anything with her." Harvey told Mike, before turning to Donna. "We are not yelling." He said. "And I'm not sure that's a good idea yet, Mike."

"Why not?" Mike let himself sound just a little bit whiny.

"Because I'm saying so." Harvey said.

Donna smiled at them both. "Why don't you go and ask if Louis have something for you?" She suggested.

"Yes, that's a good idea." Mike laughed a little. "He would let me do anything for him."

"You do that, and I'll fire you."

Mike leaned back in his chair and rolled his eyes.

"Let Harvey decide this, Mike." Donna then said, sounding serious now. He looked at her for a moment and then over at Harvey.

"Fine." He sighed.

She was right, he should let Harvey decide. If the older man didn't feel comfortable with him working a case on his own yet, he guessed that he could wait. He owed Harvey so much, so it was the least he could do. It was just that he longed for something more challenging, and he wanted to know if he still had what it took. He was going to wait now though. At least another month or so, then he would try to bring it up again. Maybe the third time was the charm.

"Good, that's decided then." Harvey said now. "Off you go." Harvey waived at him.

"What?"

"You are coming home with me." Donna said. "Why do you think I came in here?"

Mike opened his mouth and was about to protest that as well, but he decided otherwise, to Harvey's surprise. He looked like he had expected Mike to argue again.

"I'll see you at home then." Harvey said and turned to his computer. Mike muttered a goodbye and followed Donna out the door.

"You know I could do it right. Take on a case." He couldn't help but say to Donna when they were in the car on their way home.

"Of course, you could. But you shouldn't." She said. "You know that Harvey worries a lot about you. Don't argue with him about this Mike. That day will come."

"Yes, I know. But when? I mean it's not like I'm going to get worse if I read some other files then the ones Harvey gives me."

"And what if your case leads you to court? And what if the court date is right after a treatment session Mike, and you can't go? Maybe Harvey also takes that into consideration. That it might not be good for the client."

Mike looked down at the ground. "Did Harvey say that?" He wanted to know.

"No, he didn't. But you do know what I mean, right?"

"Yeah." Mike muttered. "I wouldn't want to let the clients down."

"I'm not saying that you would do that."

"I know."

He wouldn't let the clients down. He didn't bring that up with Donna though, he knew he would never be able to win her over on his side. But it annoyed him that she had said that. He wondered if that was what Harvey thought as well. That he would be unable to fulfill the commitment it was to take on a client. But so what if he would have to postpone court hearings at times. It happened all the time and it wasn't that big of a deal then.

He had found a case that really interested him, and the people involved deserved to have someone on their side. Mike believed that he really could be that person. Maybe he could do it anyway, no matter what Harvey or Donna though. Maybe they didn't have to found out. If he needed to go to court or somewhere else, he could just tell them that he had a hospital appointment or therapy or something like that.

When they got home Donna wanted him to rest and told him that he looked pale. He reluctantly went to go and lay down just to please her. It was annoying when he actually fell asleep. He felt as he woke again that he just had proven her right.

He was in a bad mood the next day when he had to stay home again. He and Harvey argued about it, because Harvey needed to head into the office and Mike wanted to come with him. Harvey of course won the argument and left being pissed. Mike had a bad day; he was bored and angry. Harvey wasn't being fair.

He decided that he was going to take on the pro bono. He didn't care what Harvey thought; he was going to do it. It would be good for him to have something to occupy his mind with. Harvey should think that too.

The day after when he was allowed at the office again, he started working on it. He had already finished everything Harvey had given him, and he hadn't asked for anything new. Besides, Harvey was still a bit angry with him about yesterday, so Mike didn't feel like talking to the older man more than necessary at the moment.

It turned out that the pro bono was a bit more complicated than he had thought. He had to make quite a lot of phone calls, and that was a bit difficult to do while he was working in Harvey's office. Or not difficult, it wasn't possible. Then Harvey would find out what he was doing.

It wasn't like it felt good to hide something from Harvey, he felt a bit guilty about it. But it also felt so good to be working for real. Sure, he had done real lawyer work for Harvey all the time, but he didn't get to do the important stuff. The things Harvey gave him were things that he would be fine without. Mike knew that. He knew that some of the files Harvey gave him sometimes didn't matter for the case at all. Sometimes he resented that.

It was like his mindset were changing now, the healthier he got. He wasn't entirely healthy. He felt awful at times, he went to the hospital all the time, he was in pain often and he still took a whole bunch of pills. But there were less pills, and he slept better, and he had a little bit more of an appetite than before. He was making progress, and he could feel the changes.

Harvey wasn't allowing him to progress mentally though. Harvey still thought that he was deadly ill. At least that was what it felt like. Harvey still went on about him having to eat more, to take his meds, to get more rest, to take it easy. He knew it was out of concern for his wellbeing, but sometimes he wanted Harvey to give it a rest.

He had a deadline on the pro bono. He needed to finish it in a week now, otherwise the client would lose. It was getting increasingly harder to keep it hidden from Harvey and Donna, that he was working on something on his own. He did feel bad about it as well, he had told Harvey he wouldn't do this, but here he was working harder than he had done since he got the cancer diagnosis. When Harvey thought that he was just relaxing on his computer at home he was really doing research on the case. That worked until Harvey came to join him and wanted to keep watching the TV series they had started on last week. They watched a few episodes each night. That meant that they went to bed pretty late, so Mike would work on the case in his room at night.

He knew he shouldn't do it. He knew that, but he still did it. He thought that he could handle it. It was time. He did notice though, that the significantly less amount of sleep he was getting now affected him much more than he had thought.

"Is something wrong, Mike?" Harvey asked him in the car on their way to the office one the third or fourth morning of Mike staying up late to work. Harvey looked worried and he felt a pang of guilt hit him. He shook his head though and leaned back against the headrest and closed his eyes. If he could just get a few more minutes of sleep, he would probably feel better by the time they got to the office.

Harvey had to shake him awake when they arrived and when he stood up, he felt a bit dizzy and stumbled a to the side.

"Hey, hey!" Harvey yelled out and grabbed his arm and steadied him. "Mike, are you alright?" Harvey tried to meet his eyes.

"Yeah, I'm okay."

"Are you sure?" Harvey still held on to his shoulder.

"Yes." Mike shook Harvey's off him. "I'm fine. Let's go."

Harvey muttered something behind him but kept walking towards the office building. He needed to get a grip. He just had to kept at it for two more days, after that the case he was working on would be done with. He hoped it would be resolved at least, otherwise he needed to continue, which wouldn't be ideal.

Unfortunately, Harvey seemed to know that something was up, because he kept a really close eye on him during the next few days. He barely was left alone, so he was forced to work late at night. It led to him not getting enough sleep. The last two days he had also kind of skipped lunch a little bit because it was a great time to work on his case, for that short time that Harvey left him alone. Harvey got a bit annoyed with him when he refused to go with him to lunch, but he claimed that he was tired and that he was going to take something from the breakroom. He didn't have time for that though.

Lack of sleep and not enough to eat turned out to not be a great combination. He knew he shouldn't have gone to the office, but he couldn't come up with any good reason for why he was so exhausted that Harvey would buy. At least in his current state he couldn't come up with anything, so he went with Harvey to the office. He slept the entire ride over, and Harvey didn't look happy when he woke him.

"I should just take you back home." He muttered, but Mike ignored him. He felt off though, he knew something was kind of wrong. It took too much effort to walk from the car up to the office. He felt winded and dizzy as they walked into Harvey's office.

He ended up passing out. They had been working, and Harvey had asked him for a file. When he stood up, the world almost immediately tiled to the side and the next thing he knew he was laying down on the couch, with something cold and heavy on his cheek.

When he tried to move his head, he noticed that Harvey was sitting right next to him and pressing the cold stuff to his face.

"Hey, hey. Mike. Stay still, don't move."

Mike grunted and did what he was told.

Harvey stroked his forehead and Mike closed his eyes. It felt kind of nice to just lay there. He was so tired, and now his face kind of hurt.

"You passed out." Harvey said. "You hit the coffee table on your way down."

"Mm…" Mike said.

"You're an idiot"

There was a pause and the pressure on his cheek went away.

"You need to hold that yourself." Harvey nudged his hand, and Mike did what he was told.

"Does it hurt? Are you in pain anywhere else?" Harvey asked.

"No."

"Care to open your eyes and tell me what the hell happened?"

"No…?"

Harvey huffed.

"Well, get up from there then. We are going back home."

Mike opened his eyes then and went to sit up. He had to try again and managed to do it then. When he looked up Harvey was standing there glaring at him.

"What?" Mike stupidly asked.

"What? Are you asking me that? I'm the one who should be asking you? What just happened Mike?"

"I passed out?"

Harvey rolled his eyes.

"And why did you do that?"

Mike shrugged. He had no energy for this. Besides, he didn't know.

"Mike. I know you are hiding something from me, and when we get home we are going to talk about that. Now, get up."

He heard how Harvey walked away. He slowly lowered the towel with ice down and put it on the table. He carefully felt along his cheek and tried to open and close his mouth. It hurt quite a bit but he didn't think anything was broken.

He looked after Harvey, but didn't see him. He caught Donna's eyes though and she got up and came over to him.

"How are you feeling sweety?" She asked and lightly stroked his cheek.

"I'm good."

She raised an eyebrow and Mike added that he was a bit tired.

"Harvey is really worried. You need to remember that. And you better tell him exactly what has been going on lately."

Mike looked at her. Did she know about the pro-bono? She didn't say anything else though, just offered him a hand and helped him to get up from the couch.

Mike was quiet during the car ride home and Harvey followed his example. He had a hard time trying to stay awake, but he didn't want to sleep so that Harvey saw it.

When they got to the condo Harvey wanted to talk right away.

"So, are you going to tell me why the hell you passed out? What's going on with you?"

"It's nothing… I was just tired." Mike tried.

"No, you're not just tired. You passed out for gods sakes."

"I do that sometimes. I got up too fast… I don't know."

"No, you don't get to deflect. Tell me the truth! Tell me what's going on, right now! I know it's more to this."

"Harvey…"

"No, Mike. Tell me now!"

Mike rolled his eyes, but Harvey meant business and glared at him.

"I've… I've just been working a bit that's all."

"You have been working? What have you been working on then? There is nothing that I have given you, that's to stay at the office."

Mike closed his eyes for a moment but opened them in surprise when he felt Harvey's finger touch his chest.

"I want an honest answer, Mike. You owe me that."

Mike backed away a little bit, and sighed.

"Fine!" He said. "I've been working on a pro-bono, okay."

He saw on the look of Harvey's face that this wasn't going to end well for him.

-SUITS-

Harvey stared a the younger man. He felt so angry. What the hell had Mike been thinking? He had been scared when Mike had suddenly collapsed at the office. It was always scary to watch. And this time it had taken Mike a while to wake up again. Him and Donna had together dragged him. Over to the couch and Donna had gone to get some ice while Harvey had stayed and attempted to get Mike to wake up again. And Mike had been working a pro-bono case, even after Harvey had forbidden him to take on any extra work. Mike had cased this himself. He had made Harvey worry, he had scared him.

"What the hell were you thinking!? There is no way you are ready for this! You know that! Why are you doing this Mike?"

"I was just…"

"Don't interrupt me!"

"You asked a question." Mike muttered.

"Don't!" Harvey just said the one word and Mike pressed his lips together, looked down and waited for what Harvey had coming for him. And he had a few chosen words to say. He could feel himself shaking from anger. He couldn't understand how Mike could have been so stupid as to ignore his health like this. He had practically worked himself into exhaustion without Harvey noticing. He blamed himself too, and that made him feel even angrier. Mike was his responsibility and he had let the kid work like this. He should have ignored Mike's claims that he was good, he should have known better. He didn't tell Mike that, but he told him other things. He was yelling into the other man's face. Told him how stupid he had been.

"Harvey, stop!"

Harvey did stop. Mike's voice didn't sound normal. He had sounded scared just now. Harvey paused and looked closer at the kid. His anger came to a halt at once. Mike was backed up against the wall and was holding both of his hands in front of him, like he was trying to protect himself. It took Harvey a couple of long seconds before he realized that Mike was protecting himself against him. That was when he noticed that he had been stepping closer and closer the younger man and was now towering above him. He took several steps back and stared at the kid.

Mike slowly lowered his hands but didn't move away from the wall. He didn't say anything. Harvey saw that he was biting his lip and had gone a bit pale. Damn it. What had he done just now?

For a moment they just stared at each other, but then Mike just slid down onto the floor. Like the air just ran out of him. Harvey hesitated but then stepped a bit closer to him. Mike didn't move.

"Did I scare you?" Harvey asked after a minute or two. He felt that his anger was fading. He didn't feel like yelling anymore.

Mike opened his mouth but then closed it again. Then he spoke quietly.

"Yeah, you did." He just said.

"Sorry."

Mike laughed nervously then. "I thought you were going to hit me or something."

Harvey did not laugh. "I will never hit you. No matter what you do I won't hit you." He started to back away from Mike and found a chair behind him and sat down. Mike just stayed where he was, he kept his eyes down at the floor.

Harvey leaned against the table and rested his head in his hand. He sat like that for a moment and glanced over at the kid. He was in the same position.

"Mike…" He said.

"Yeah." Mike still didn't look at him.

"I'm sorry. I was just angry with you."

"Yeah. Can I go?"

"Of course, you don't need to ask me."

"Okay." Mike quickly met his eyes and smiled a little and then left for his bedroom. Harvey looked after him. He stayed where he was. He didn't know how things had gotten to this. What had he done? Mike had thought that he was going to hit him. Had he been that forceful? He sat there for a long time. He didn't really know what to do now. Why had he been so angry? Sure, Mike had been stupid, but apparently, he might have reacted a bit too harsh. He needed to fix it.

He got up and walked over to Mike's room. The door was slightly open and so he didn't knock when stepped inside the room.

"Mike?"

Mike was laying on top of the bed with his eyes closed, breathing deeply. He was asleep. Harvey sighed and sat down in the chair next to him debating with himself whether he should wake him or not. But he decided not to and let the man sleep for a bit. He sat there watching how Mike's chest moved up and down. He smiled a little to himself.

So, Mike had worked a bit too much. Was it such a big deal? Mike had most likely learnt his lesson. Passing out was a clear sign that he had overdone it. Harvey wondered when he had done it though. Maybe at night after they had gone to bed. That would have explained why Mike had been a bit off in the mornings lately.

Harvey stayed where he was, just sitting next to the younger man as he slept. Mike woke up again about three hours later, and during that time Harvey had barely moved.

Mike opened his eyes slowly and blinked a few times. He jerked a bit when he saw Harvey sitting there. Harvey held up his hands and smiled.

"What are you doing here? You watching me sleep?" Mike slurred a little on his speech.

"Yep."

"Why?"

"I wanted to be here when you woke up."

"So how long were you sitting there?"

"About three hours. You really needed a nap."

"I did. I know I went too far Harvey."

"You did. But so did I. I'm sorry."

"No, you were right. But I just wanted to feel normal. You know, like before. I wanted to see if I still could do it."

"I know Mike. But you have to let it take time."

Mike looked away then but nodded.

"Hey." Harvey leaned forward and squeezed Mike's arm a little. Mike closed his eyes.

"Do you need anything? How are you feeling?"

"I'm good. I'm just exhausted."

"Well, get some more rest then. You want something to eat?"

Mike shook his head.

"Okay." Harvey patted his shoulder a little and stood up.

"Harvey?" Mike stopped him.

"Yes?"

Mike didn't look at him. "Can you stay a bit longer?" He asked.

Harvey stopped and looked at the kid. He hadn't expected this, that Mike wanted his company, but he sat down again. Mike still didn't look at him, but his breathing had sped up. Harvey moved the chair closer to the bed. He reached over and took Mike's hand, not surprised when Mike held on to his hand hard.

"Sorry." He whispered.

"Don't say you're sorry."

Mike was quiet a little. "Okay." He said then but didn't let go of Harvey's hand.

"I don't know what I would do without you." Mike suddenly said.

Harvey smiled down at him. "You won't have to find out."

Mike smiled a little, squeezed Harvey's hand and then closed his eyes.

"I know I was stupid." He said. "I know I shouldn't have worked that much."

"It was my fault as well. I let you go on."

"But I should know what I can handle and not. And clearly I can't handle that much..."

"Oh, come on."

"I'm sorry that I hid things from you."

"Yeah. I know you are sorry. It was stupid. I'm just trying to look out for you."

"I know." Mike looked away.

Harvey squeezed the kid's hand a little harder. "You won't do it again."

Mike smiled a little and yawned. "No, I will never work hard again. I promise."

"Well, you're not allowed to do that until I tell you at least."

"You're so bossy."

"That's because I am your boss."

"Yeah. My boss who's holding my hand."

"Aren't you going to sleep soon?"

Mike smiled again and squeezed Harvey's hand. After that they didn't talk anymore, and Mike's breathing slowed down until he was sleeping. First then did Harvey let go of his hand. Sometimes he had a hard time understanding how Mike's brain worked. One minute he was scared that Harvey was going to hit him after being yelled at and then the next Mike wanted him to comfort him. But he wasn't going to questioning it, if this was what Mike needed it was his job to provide it.

He was pretty sure that the yelling he had done had hit home too. Mike was going to take it slower, and Harvey was going to force him if needed. He didn't want a repeat of today. He had lost control and he had yelled. Donna would not have been impressed with him. She constantly went on about that he had to talk to Mike, or that they needed to talk to each other. He guessed that she was right about that. They had talked now though. Mike seemed okay.

Mike slept for a long time the next morning, and Harvey let him. He stayed at home and had canceled two meetings. He also called Mike's doctor and they talked a bit about what had happened. The doctor seemed to think that Mike passing out was do to just being over worked. It made sense.

When Mike got up and had had breakfast Harvey decided it was time for another discussion. He forced Mike to tell him everything about the pro-bono and how and when he had worked on it. Mike told him everything. He apologized a few more times as well.

"I was stupid Harvey. I know that."

"Well, show me what you got." Harvey said.

Mike stared at him for a while and then quickly went over to his bag. The next few hours they went over Mike's pro-bono case. He had a good case and they finished it together with Harvey promising to take care of the last of it. Mike was grateful.

"You're the best Harvey!" Mike exclaimed.

"I know."

They smiled at each other.

"Did you really get scared that I was going to hurt you?" Harvey asked.

Mike shrugged. "I don't know. A bit I guess. I was so tired and you were yelling and stepping closer and closer. I just wanted you to stop."

"Hm. Well, I'll never hurt you like that."

"Yeah, I know. "

Harvey nodded.

"Good boy."

-SUITS-