Chapter 25.

Harvey didn't dare to move, and he didn't dare to stop stroking Mike's arm up and down. The younger man's eyes were closed now, and he had stopped sobbing. But Harvey wasn't sure if he was sleeping or not, so he decided to keep this up a while longer, just in case.

He had been sleeping on the chair in front of Mike, when the kid had started screaming for help. It had been terrible. Mike had been totally gone this time. Harvey hadn't been able to get any contact with him at all. It had been scary, and Harvey had seriously contemplated whether he should call an ambulance or not. But eventually Mike had calmed down. Harvey was almost ninety five percent sure now that Mike was sleeping.

Fever this high couldn't be good at all. He felt so sorry for Mike, and of course guilty. He was sure that the fact that Mike had spent two nights at a graveyard had something to do with his current situation. The trauma that came from what Harvey had told him might had played a part as well, but also, the stress and anxiety Mike had been under the last few weeks must have played a part as well.

As he now carefully fixed the blanket over Mike, he hoped with all he had that Mike would stay asleep for the rest of the night. Harvey didn't think that he ever had felt this bad for another person before, and it just made it worse that he also felt like he was to blame for it.

Mike had been so scared just now. And if he was this scared now, in a feverish delirium Harvey wondered how scared he had been while he was held captive.

He didn't know how to fix this for Mike. What could he do to make Mike feel less scared? One thing would be to make sure that those bastards were caught. He had called the police multiple times, but it seemed that they were doing a really bad job with the investigation. Harvey was furious about that. He was also mad at himself for not being more active, for not pushing more. It wasn't just what they had done to Mike, they were also getting away with the ransom Harvey had paid, and the fact that they had been rewarded for causing Mike this much anxiety made it so much worse.

In a way he almost felt like he himself deserved to never see the money again, he had been a part of it. He had been neglectful, hadn't dealt with the issue and now the only person that was paying for it, was the only person innocent in it all. Mike.

Harvey carefully removed his hand from Mike's arm. For a moment he held it above the kid, ready to resume his stroking, but Mike didn't stir. Harvey leaned back in his chair and let out a deep breath. The man was still sleeping. That was good. Harvey sank down a bit more in the chair so that he was able to lean his head somewhere. It wasn't that comfortable, but it would have to do. He would stay here until Mike woke up again or until morning.

Mike woke up once more during the night. At least Harvey thought he was awake, but he couldn't be sure. He had his eyes opened, he moaned a bit and moved around for a bit but didn't really react to what Harvey was saying. He soon fell asleep again and Harvey was able to sleep for a few hours himself.

Harvey woke up a little after eight the next morning. His neck was hurting from the weird angle he had slept in. He rubbed it a bit and looked over at Mike. He was sleeping still, curled up with his arms pressed against his chest. Harvey immediately was reminded of last night, the graveyard and everything. He knew that he wasn't going to be able to fall back asleep, even though his eyes felt dry from lack of sleep. He carefully got up from the chair and headed for the bathroom. He needed a shower.

-SUITS-

Mike was dreaming, but by the time it woke him it had faded away and left him with a feeling of unease. At first, he didn't know where he was. He coughed a little and looked around. He was laying on something soft, and he realized that it was a couch. Harvey's couch he remembered then. It all came back to him in a flash. Everything he had done and everything he had said.

"Oh no…" He mumbled and pulled at the blanket. What had he done? He looked around again, but he couldn't see Harvey anywhere. Had he left? Had he gone to work? What would he say when he returned?

At once he was sure of the fact that Harvey wouldn't want him here anymore after he had behaved last night. He had screamed, he had cried, and he had been so afraid. He felt afraid now too. He wanted to disappear. He couldn't deal with this. Harvey wouldn't want to deal with him, why would he want to do that. He wasn't here now, that was clear evidence of that. Even though he tried to stop himself, he started to cry again. He was so damn pathetic. All he did was to cause problems. Harvey must hate him. Harvey had been up with him last night; he had been nice since Mike had been feeling bad. He didn't feel better now. He needed to do something. Harvey couldn't see him like this. He needed to find somewhere he could hide until he felt better again.

It was a challenge to sit up, his arms felt weak when they supported his weight. He didn't know where to go. It felt a little like he was going to tip over, like something was dragging him down again. He didn't like it. He moaned as he tried to stand up. He had to try twice before he managed. He brought the blanket with him as he stumbled out onto the floor. He coughed and wiped his eyes. Things were a bit blurry. He needed to find somewhere he could sit down. The place was so open, they could find him everywhere. He stumbled past the dining table and saw a corner next to a cabinet. He sank down on the floor and pressed himself against the wall. They wouldn't find him here. They couldn't.

His head was hurting so much. He was a bit unsure of where he was. All he knew was that he was scared. He couldn't stop crying; he didn't even know right now why he felt so destroyed. He used the blanket to wipe his face and then hugged himself hard. He leaned his pounding head against the cool surface of the cabinet, in hope for some relief. Not much of that came.

He coughed again and closed his eyes for a moment. He felt so confused. He wasn't sure where he was, and he didn't know what to do. He pressed himself closer to the wall and tried to slow his breathing. If he just could calm down a little, he might be able to think. All he knew was that he wanted to get away, that he needed to hide, or they would find him and hurt him.

-SUITS-

Harvey felt much better after the shower. He had stayed a bit longer under the hot water then he used to. Somehow, he dreaded stepping out of it, or maybe not dreaded, but he felt nervous about dealing with Mike. What if he was still sick? What if he got even worse? And how on earth was Harvey ever going to make him feel better?

He got dressed and then went to see if Mike was still asleep. He wasn't. Harvey stopped in shock as he saw that the couch was empty. Where the hell was Mike? He looked around the living room, but he couldn't see him.

"Mike? Mike, where are you?" He called out but didn't get a reply. Did he take off? Harvey was just about to start heading for the door when he heard a sound. It sounded like whimpering.

"Mike?" He called out again as he tried to follow the sound. And there! Mike was sitting on the floor wedged in between a cabinet and the wall, with his knees drawn up and a blanket around him. He had his face pressed against the side of the cabinet and Harvey only had to threw one look at him to know that Mike wasn't feeling better today.

He hastily sank down on his knees next to Mike. He hesitated, but then reached out and touched Mike's knee. He wasn't that surprised when Mike jerked away and seemed to cover more in the corner. He moaned a bit too.

"It's me, Mike. It's Harvey." He pulled away the part of the blanket that covered Mike's face, so that the kid could see him. Mike did look at him then, but Harvey could see that he was pretty much out of it.

Mike mumbled something that Harvey couldn't make out, then he pushed at Harvey's chest. Harvey held up his hands and backed away from him.

"Okay. Okay, Mike." Harvey breathed out. He didn't know exactly how to handle this. Mike clearly didn't want him close; he had pulled the cover close to him again and was yet again leaning against the cabinet. He must still have a fever. Maybe the first thing to do here was to try and get that down. So, he got up and went to get some pills and a glass of water. Getting it into Mike turned out to be a bit difficult, but after some coaxing, he got Mike to drink some of the water and then swallow two pills.

"Mike, what do you say about getting up from here? You can go and lay down, get some rest."

Mike nodded and took the hand that Harvey reached out for him. Harvey needed to steady him as he stood up. He grabbed Mike's arm and led him back to the couch and got him to sit down. He really should get the kid into other clothes. More comfortable ones then the suit he still was wearing. He grabbed the clothes he had laid out the night before and held it up for Mike to see.

"I want you to change into this Mike." He said slowly as he tried to meet Mike's eyes. He didn't see understanding in them. Mike was panting and Harvey saw that he still had tears in his eyes.

"Let me help you, okay." Harvey said and put the clothes down on the table next to him. He stretched out a hand and slowly took a hold of Mike's arm. Mike just stared at him, but let him help him remove the suit jacket.

"What… why?" He whispered as Harvey reached for the buttons on his shirt.

"I'm helping you to change clothes Mike. You have been in this shirt for three days."

Mike's lips trembled but he didn't protest as Harvey started to unbutton his shirt. A few tears ran down his cheeks as Harvey pulled it off him. His whole body was shaking now and Harvey just wanted to be done with this. He could see that Mike still had bruises on his chest. They had kicked him so hard that still, weeks after, it was showing. Harvey reached for the t-shirt and gently help Mike with it. As soon as he was done Mike wrapped his arms around himself.

"I'm cold." He whispered. Harvey nodded and tried to smile.

"I have some pants for you as well." He said. He didn't do anything though, the shirt had been difficult enough, could he really get the kid the change pants in front of him?

"No… I… I don't want to." Mike said, not looking at him. Harvey nodded.

"Later then." He said. "They are right here."

Mike looked at him like he didn't understand a word he had just said. Harvey told him to lay down and then helped him with it. He draped the blanket over Mike and watched how he pulled it close.

"I'll get you one more." He said. Mike said earlier that he was cold. When Mike was laying there with two blankets and looking out the room with shiny eyes Harvey sat down on the coffee table in front of him. He placed a hand on Mike's shoulder.

"Mike, it's okay now." He said.

Mike squirmed away from him.

Harvey sighed and stood up. Maybe he should make them some breakfast. Getting something in the kid might help.

When he was finished and went to check on Mike again, he was sleeping. Maybe that was for the best, Mike needed to sleep it off.

Harvey kept close to Mike the next few hours. He wanted Mike to see him the first thing he did when he woke up. He didn't want to have a repeat of last night. He didn't want Mike to feel scared.

However, it didn't work out that well. Mike woke up in a panic three hours later. He suddenly sat up on the couch and screamed right out. Harvey jerked so much that he almost dropped his laptop. Just one look at Mike told him that the pills he had given him hadn't had the desired effect. Mike's eyes were glazed over, his face was flushed, and his hair stuck to his forehead from sweat.

"Mike! What is it?"

Mike looked at him with wide eyes. "What? Where is… where…?" Was all Mike said.

"Calm down. Everything is alright." Harvey got up and sat down on the table again.

"No…" Mike mumbled and shrank down on the couch again. Harvey watched how he curled up and how his eyes teared up. He was panting and it just seemed to get worse, soon he was shaking.

"Mike…it's okay." Harvey tried, but Mike ignored him. He stretched out a hand and stroked Mike's shoulder, but that didn't sit well with the kid either, and Mike moaned and tried to get away. Harvey quickly backed away then.

"Sorry." He mumbled. "Mike, I'll be over here, okay."

He stood up and went back to the chair and picked up his laptop again. Mike was crying. It felt wrong to work like this. After just a few minutes he couldn't do it anymore and he put it away again. He found himself just sitting there opposite of Mike, watching him. It tore in him to see Mike like this. He felt like shit for just sitting there doing nothing, but Mike hadn't reacted well to him, and he couldn't force the younger man. But he needed to do something. Mike needed help, and if he didn't want to accept Harvey, maybe he would accept someone else.

Thirty minutes after he had called her Donna knocked on the door. Mike was in the same state as before. During that time Harvey had tried to talk to him, to reassure him, calm him, but he didn't get anywhere. Mike mumbled incoherently and just curled in on himself more. He tried to turn his head away from Harvey.

Donna surprised Harvey when he opened the door for her, by giving him a hug.

"You looked like you needed it." He said and smiled at him.

"Yeah." Harvey smiled back. "He's in here. He's in a pretty bad state."

"Okay." She took of her coat and followed him back to Mike.

"Oh god." Harvey heard her whisper as she saw Mike. She sank down on her knees next to the couch.

"Hi Mike, oh sweetheart. Mike…" She whispered to him and stroked his hair. Harvey sat down at the chair again.

It took some time before Mike reacted to her. But she noticed how he tried to catch her eyes. She smiled at him when he managed.

"Hi there." She said.

"D-Donna…" Mike's voice was hoarse.

"Yes, I'm here." She stroked his forehead. It got her worried, he was burning up. Mike blinked a few times and more tears ran down his face.

"Help me…" He mumbled.

"Of course." Her heart ached for him. She turned towards Harvey and asked him to get some water, pills, and tissues. Harvey almost ran.

Donna managed to get Mike to drink some water, she wiped his face and neck. He calmed down a bit, stopped shaking. She held his hand. She kept talking to him the entire time. He was starting to breathe deeper and soon his eyes fell close. Donna didn't stop until she was sure that he was sleeping. For some time, she continued to stroke his hair. She felt how she was close to tears now, when the worst was over, when she didn't have to put all her focus on Mike. Over and over Mike's plea for help replayed in her mind. She was fairly certain that she had managed to give him help, some peace from the war that was going on inside him.

She felt how hard her heart was beating as she slowly stood up, she didn't want to wake him up by any sudden movements. She paused and watched him, but he remained asleep.

"You alright?" Harvey asked quietly.

"Yes. Are you?" She turned towards him. Harvey just shrugged. It wasn't like him. He got up from the chair.

"You want something to drink?"

She raised her eyebrows.

"I meant coffee."

They sat down at the kitchen island, still with Mike in view. Neither of them spoke for a couple of minutes.

"How was it last night?" Donna then asked.

"At bit like what you just experienced. He had a high fever, he was out of it, delirious and scared."

Donna nodded.

"This is all on me." Harvey said next. "He is like this because of me."

"Harvey…"

"They took him because of me Donna."

"But you got him back, you saved him. You are helping him now."

"I made him feel worse, I forced him away. He spent two days at damn graveyard! Because of me!"

"Lower your voice." Donna looking towards Mike. "Harvey, you are not going to be of any help to him like this. I know you feel guilty, but you need to stove that away for now. Mike needs you; you know he does."

Harvey rubbed his face and clenched his teeth. "Yeah, I know. I know… I just… It's just hard to see him like this."

"I know."

They didn't talk so much more after that. They finished the coffee and then had something to eat as well. Mike slept on. When he did wake up again, he wasn't that much better than before, but he seemed to be a bit more aware of who they were at least. Harvey's heart sank when Mike shied away from him again, he didn't know why, last night Mike had wanted him to be close.

Clearly, he had nightmares that made him confused. Maybe that was what had woken him as well.

-SUITS-

Mike had a hard time distinguishing what was real and what wasn't. He had been back there, on the concreate floor, he had been tied up and they had been there, he was sure of it. But now when he looked around all he could see was Donna and Harvey. Harvey hadn't come for him. Harvey blamed him and Mike just wanted to get away. He didn't want to deal with Harvey right now, he couldn't. He didn't feel good. He didn't know what was happening and he didn't know what to do.

He felt so damn warm, the clothes he was wearing were sticking to his back. He tried to push the blanket off him, but Donna kept putting it back. Wait, Donna was there. That was good. She would help him; he was sure of it. She had helped him before. She let him stay with her. Maybe she would let him do it again. He needed to ask her; they could leave. He wasn't really sure of where they were. He didn't remember getting here and that scared him. His head hurt.

"Donna…" He thought he said her name, but he wasn't sure that she had heard him. She was saying something to him, but he didn't know what it was. He couldn't hear her, why couldn't he?

His body was aching. Had they hurt him again? He didn't know what was going on. He couldn't see them here. Had Harvey hurt him? Was Harvey mad at him. He didn't want that. It made him feel incredibly sad. He hadn't done anything, had he?

"Mike, honey?" Donna was talking to him.

He tried to look at her. She was close, almost too close, but he didn't want to push her away. What if she left then?

He felt Donna's hand on his cheek then. It felt strangely hard and he tried to twist his head to the side to get rid of it. He might have moaned.

Donna felt helpless. Mike's eyes flickered around like he was having trouble focusing them. They needed to do something to get his fever under control. Harvey said that he had given Mike medication, but clearly it wasn't helping. Unfortunately, Harvey didn't have a thermometer so they couldn't find out how high his fever was. Maybe they should take him to a hospital. They would have to if Mike didn't calm down soon. Not that Donna thought that Mike would get calmer then. If she just could get him to talk to her. He knew that she was there at least, he had said her name. She was careful with touching him, he seemed to want to move away when she stroked his cheek.

"Here, try this?" Harvey held out a wet clothe towards her. She hadn't even noticed when he left to get it, but she took it and folded it and carefully placed it over Mike's forehead. Mike moaned and shook his head, but Donna grabbed his hand before he removed it.

"Leave it there, Mike." She told him.

"Donna?" Mike mumbled her name again.

"Yes, Mike."

"Where… where are we?" He didn't look at her, but a little to the left.

"We are at Harvey's place, sweetheart."

"We are?"

"Yes."

"Where is he?" Mike whispered.

"He is here, don't worry."

"But…but…is he… is he mad at me?"

"What? No, of course not. He is not mad at you. I promise."

"But I was… He doesn't like me."

"What are you talking about? Of course, he likes you."

"But he didn't come. I was waiting. When is he coming?"

"Mike, he is here. Harvey, talk to him."

Harvey swallow hard where he was sitting on the coffee table next to Donna. He hated this so much, Mike thinking that he didn't like him. What was that about?

"Yeah, Mike. I'm here. And I do like you."

Donna looked at Harvey, with wet eyes. "Is he talking about when he was… you know."

"Yeah, he is." Harvey said without hesitation. He knew where Mike's fevered head was at.

"Oh god…" Donna whispered before turning back to Mike again.

"Honey, Harvey came for you. He brought you home. You are safe now. You don't have to worry, I promise."

Mike looked at her then. He tried to take in what she was saying. He was safe? But why couldn't he stop thinking about being hurt? He remembered Harvey being angry. He remembered being alone. He didn't feel good. His head was cold.

Mike threw his head to the side, and with his free hand, the one Donna wasn't holding on to, and ripped away the clothe over his forehead. Donna quickly put it back.

"No, please leave it there, Mike. It's for your fever."

"Fever? I have a fever?"

"Yes, you do." Donna smiled at him.

"Oh…I don't feel good." Mike said, and then he started crying. It surprised both Donna and Harvey and they exchanged a shocked look. They both did their best to calm him. Donna stroked his arm and continued to hold his hand. She spoke to him, as did Harvey. It didn't seem to help Mike though, he curled up on his side and hid his face in the pillow and just cried.

Mike cried himself to sleep eventually. It took nearly an hour and left both Harvey and Donna exhausted. They had tried everything, but Mike just stayed in the same position and continued. He didn't want anything to drink or eat, refused more pills, and didn't want to move. He kept his grip on Donna's hand the entire time though. That was something according to Donna, it told her that he at least wanted her there, and she hoped that her stroking his hand with her thumb helped.

Mike slept about two hours before yet again waking up in the same state as before. It was terrible for all three of them. At least Donna managed to get Mike to take a few pills this time. He also drank some water but refused to eat.

"You need some food in you though, Mike."

"No…"

"Yes, kid." Harvey tried. "You'll feel better. Just some yoghurt. You can drink it."

Thirty minutes later Harvey was successful in his attempts and Mike had half a bowl. He seemed to be a little bit better. He looked terribly though. He was pale but at the same time his cheeks had red stains on them. His eyes were bloodshot and watery, and his t-shirt stuck to his chest.

"Maybe a shower would help." Donna suggested.

"I don't know if we can get him up at this state." Harvey said. It turned out that he was right, and Mike didn't think it was a good idea at all.

"No…please." He said, so Donna backed off right away.

It was almost dinner time when Mike started to squirm on the couch and breath faster.

"What's wrong Mike?" Harvey asked getting worried.

"I feel bad, Harvey, I feel bad."

"Okay, okay. What can I do?"

"I feel bad." Mike repeated unhelpfully. "I feel bad, Harvey."

"I know, kid. Can I help?"

Mike coughed and didn't answer. Then he swallowed hard.

"I need to throw up." He said then.

"Oh, shit. Okay. Here, I'll help you." He got Mike to sit up, by practically dragging him up. "Donna!"

They both got Mike to stand up and steadied him as they made their way to the bathroom. When they got there, Mike broke free from them and stumbled over to the toilet. They watched helplessly as Mike threw up, not once but twice. After that he hung over the toilet and exhaled hard. He didn't move in a long time, and Harvey and Donna looked at each other. Should they do something?

"Mike? Are you done?" Harvey asked after another minute.

"No…" Was the answer.

So, they waited. It was both terrible and awkward. Mike threw up again, but this time it was only bile. He felt awful, and his arms were shaking. He spit and coughed, the taste in his mouth was disgusting. The room was spinning, his head was aching, he felt cold and so tired. He also felt so embarrassed. Donna and Harvey were both just standing there looking at him. He wanted them to leave, but at the same time he didn't want to be alone. Somehow, he felt scared still. It was just an unease at the back of his mind, like something bad was going to happen, it was always there.

He coughed a little. It felt like his arms were going to give out. He needed to lay down. As he started to do so both Donna and Harvey sprang into action.

"Oh sweetie." Donna said.

"Don't lay down on the floor, kid." Harvey said at the same time.

Mike ignored them both, pushed Harvey's arm away and sank down on the floor. It was hard and cold but right now he didn't care. He wished he could pass out already. He didn't want to be here, feel like this. It was all too much. He wasn't in control.

The floor was just as cold as it had been where they had held him. He didn't want to think about that place. He felt himself shudder. He wasn't back there; this was Harvey's bathroom. He knew that. He still screamed when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He couldn't help it, he just needed to get away. He pushed himself forward and away from the hand. He didn't get far though because he suddenly slammed his head into something hard. They were hitting him! He screamed again.

"Damn it!" Harvey swore as Mike, in his attempt to get away, rammed his forehead into the foot of the toilet seat. He felt almost a kind of rage inside him when he heard Mike screaming like that.

"Mike, honey. You need to calm down." Donna tried, both her hands hovering over Mike, but she didn't dare to touch him.

"Le-leave me alone." Mike coughed. "Don't…"

"No one is trying to hurt you. We are trying to help you Mike. It's me, Donna. And Harvey is here."

Mike had both of his hands pressed against his forehead, it must have hurt him a lot to hit it like that. But he had stilled somewhat. Harvey nodded towards Donna and she spoke again.

"You're okay Mike." She said. "You are safe here with us. Please, let us help you. Look at me, sweetheart."

Harvey had never heard Donna speak like that before, like Mike was a small child. However, it did the trick. Mike carefully removed his hands a bit and turned his head up towards her.

"Hey…" Donna whispered. "It's okay, Mike. Come here."

She helped lay his head on her lap and leaned a little forward as she put an arm around him. She laid her other hand along Mike's face. Mike was breathing hard and was looking up at Donna.

"You…are you going to help me?" He whispered and Harvey clenched his teeth hard together.

"Yes, I am."

"You will. You'll help me?"

"Yes, don't worry. I'll help you."

"Okay…"

Donna started to stroke Mike's shoulder, and Harvey leaned back from them. He felt a little at a loss of what to do. Donna was helping Mike now and Harvey just watched. Mike hadn't asked him for help, instead Mike had screamed and pulled away when Harvey had touched him. He felt too hot in here. It was like it wasn't enough air.

"I'll be right back." He whispered to Donna and stood up and left. She didn't even look at him, all her attention was on the kid.

Harvey went to the balcony; he needed some fresh air. A drink wouldn't have been wrong either, but he could wait. He felt so sorry for Mike. And he felt guilty. Ever since Mike had been taken what had he done? Sure, he had paid the ransom, but after that? He had dropped the ball on Mike. The younger man was clearly traumatized. Of course, he was. Harvey had known that, but he had let Mike out of his sight anyway. Then he had pushed Mike down even further. A lot of this was on him. He had realized that Mike would have gained from a lot more support from his part than he had gotten.

He didn't know how long he stood there, but eventually he went back inside. He needed to do something. He grabbed a water bottle and went to the bathroom. Maybe Mike could use something to drink?

Harvey didn't recognize the feeling he felt as he stepped into the bathroom. The sight that met him was heartbreaking. Both Donna and Mike was on the floor still, Donna sitting with her legs outstretched and her arms around Mike, who was laying on her lap, tightly pressed against her.

Harvey stopped in the doorway and just watched them. Donna looked up at him and smiled tiredly.

"He's sleeping." She whispered.

Harvey nodded. "Do you need any help?"

"Maybe you could get him a blanket."

Harvey left to get it without another word, he then helped Donna to spread it out over Mike. The kid didn't stir at all.

"I can help you move him." Harvey said.

"No. We'll just let him sleep for a while now. His fever is pretty high."

"Yeah. Okay." Harvey carefully sat down right there on the floor next to them. He raised his hand and lightly stroked Mike's back.

"I'm going to help him." He said. "I'll get him better."

Donna nodded next to him. "He might need more help then you can give him." She said.

"I know." Harvey agreed.

"He asked me to help him, over and over again." Donna said then and when Harvey looked at her he saw tears in her eyes. "I said we would."

"Good. You did good Donna."

They were quiet for some time.

"I'm going to set up my office as a guestroom. I'll get him a bed. He can stay here as long as he likes or needs."

"Good, Harvey."

They both stayed on the floor in the bathroom until Mike woke up again a couple of hours later. He was confused at first, but then reached out and took a hold of Donna's shirt. With some effort he turned on his back and looked up at them. Harvey smiled when Mike met his eyes.

"How are you doing?" He asked. Mike stared at him with a blank expression for a couple of seconds.

"I'm cold." He then said.

"Okay. What do you say about getting you to lay down somewhere warmer?"

"Okay." Mike agreed. They helped him to sit up and Harvey pulled him up on his feet. He wrapped an arm around Mike's waist and steadied him as they walked to back to the couch. Harvey helped him to lay down and put a blanket over him. Mike was silently looking up at him. Harvey squeezed his shoulder a little.

"You are going to be okay here. Things are going to be better. I'm going to make sure of it." He promised Mike.

"Yeah?"

"Yes." Harvey smiled a little at him, but Mike just closed his eyes.

"Is he sleeping again?"

Donna came out in the living room a while later.

"Yes."

"I've cleaned up in the bathroom."

"Thank you, Donna."

She sat down in one of the chairs. "He seems to be a doing a bit better."

Harvey agreed with that. It was relief. Hopefully, Mike would stay asleep now. Harvey stayed where he was while Donna went to the kitchen to fix them something to eat. They ate and Donna went home after Harvey had insisted that he was capable of looking after Mike. She didn't seem that convinced, and he had to promise to call her straight away if he thought it would help Mike.

Mike kept sleeping and Harvey figured that he too should get some sleep. He wasn't sure that he could leave Mike here though. What if he woke up and didn't know where he was again?

Eventually he decided to set an alarm for a couple of hours and then go up to check on Mike.

It was a long night for Harvey. Every other hour he went up and checked on Mike. The second time he did he found Mike awake. His whole body jerked when Harvey approached him.

"It's just me." Harvey said and sat down on the coffee table. Mike didn't say anything. Harvey got him to drink a little and take two more pills for the fever. Then he stayed until Mike went back to sleep.

Harvey still felt tired when he decided to get up the next morning. Mike was still asleep on the couch, curled up on the middle of it. Harvey decided to let him be and had breakfast alone. The he set up his laptop at the table so that he could see him.

He started by checking his e-mails, replying to the most urgent ones. He wrote one to Jessica as well, telling her he would stay home with Mike until he was better. He didn't care what she would answer, he had a lot of vacation days saved up anyway.

Mike woke up a little after ten. It must have been from a nightmare, because he suddenly sat up and panted as he looked around. Harvey went over to him, and his heart clenched when he saw that Mike jerked as he saw him.

"Hi there." Harvey said and sat down in front of him.

"Hi." Mike swallowed a few times and Harvey worried that he would throw up again.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Yeah." Mike breathed. He looked around again. "Is Donna here?" He asked.

"No, she left last night."

"Oh."

"How are you doing?" Harvey asked, but Mike just shrugged and laid down again.

"I'm sorry about last night." He said quietly.

"Mike. Don't worry about it."

Mike didn't answer.

"You had a high fever, you were sick."

"I'm still embarrassed." He muttered.

"Don't be. Do you want something to eat."

Mike shook his head, without looking at him. It almost looked like he was on the verge of tears. Damn it.

"You should eat something anyway." He went to the kitchen and got some cereal and milk. Mike slowly sat up as Harvey put the bowl down in front of him.

"Thanks." Mike ate about half of it, and Harvey decided to not say anything about that. Mike refused the pills Harvey offered him and said that he was going to sleep a bit more instead. Harvey went back to the computer.

He opened a new window and typed a little. He needed to make some changes around the condo. If Mike was going to be staying here for a while now, at least Harvey should make sure he had his own space. If he moved some furniture a bit in his office, he could fit a bed in there. He just needed to buy one first. He chose one at random and made sure that he got delivery all the way inside the condo. He was able to choose the time they would deliver it as well. Mike would have to sleep one more night on the couch, but Harvey figured that he would be fine with that.

He told Mike about it when they had a late lunch together.

"Thank you, Harvey." Mike said and turned his attention back to his plate.

"You can stay here as long as you like." Harvey said.

"Yeah?" Mike said without looking at him.

"Yes, in fact, I won't let you out of my sight for the next two weeks."

He meant it as a joke, but Mike looked up at him then. "Thank you." He whispered. Yet again he looked close to tears and Harvey considered if he should hug him. He didn't though, instead he smiled and nodded towards the younger man.

Mike bit the inside of his lower lip hard and tried not to blink. Harvey was going to let him stay here. He felt so grateful. He stared down at his plate. It was all blurry. He quickly dragged his hand over his face and hoped that Harvey didn't see it.

He felt slightly better after the last nap. He knew he still had a fever, but it was much lower than last night. He had been out of it then, now he just felt too warm, tired, and uncomfortable. He felt sad and nervous too, and maybe even a bit scared. He didn't know why exactly. He was safe here and Harvey was being nice to him.

He was still fighting against tears. He didn't know where they came from. He wanted to leave the table, but at the same time it felt good to sit there opposite of Harvey. He just felt exhausted, he didn't want to make any decisions right now. He didn't want to think about yesterday. It had been one of the worst days of his life, excluding the days he was kidnapped and a few other days. He had been so damn pathetic. He couldn't let that go.

He had told Harvey everything as well. Harvey knew now. He felt embarrassed about that. He wondered what Harvey thought of him now. He probably despised him now, but he was too nice to say anything. Mike couldn't think of any way to fix this, and maybe that was the worst part.

-SUITS-