Author's note: Takes place immediately after the season finale. (Spoilers ahead!)

Many many virtual chocolate chip cookies (the homemade kind) to all the other Suits fanfic writers out there. Thank you! It makes the long wait for new episodes that much more bearable.

Guarding Jupiter

"I take it back," said Mike, turning from the window of the town car to give Harvey a sly glance. "You wouldn't make it as a criminal. You kind of suck at the not giving a shit part."

The evidence of this had just been deposited at Hannigan House, a halfway house that catered to individuals that had been incarcerated longer than two years. Harvey had pulled strings to ensure that Clifford Danner completed his court-mandated residence at a facility that typically catered to those convicted of white-collar crime. Over Harvey's horrified objection, Mike had taken Clifford shopping (on Harvey's black AMEX, of course) for a jeans and t-shirts wardrobe at several nearby department stores. Harvey insisted on buying several suits, but after several minutes of heated negotiation, in which Clifford protested that he was going to end up back in jail again if the two of them continued to fight over his wardrobe, they left the premises with an additional supply of khakis and dress shirts. Mike had smirked as Harvey gave Clifford his business card with his personal cell number written on the back, but reserved his commentary until after they had departed.

"That?" said Harvey, indignant at the suggestion. "That was just me cleaning up my mess."

"Mmm hmmm," said Mike with a raised eyebrow. He met Harvey's eyes and his tone dropped to a more serious note as he added, "You did good today."

"Correction. We did good today. You know, I'm still amazed that crazy plan of yours actually worked." Harvey grinned and shook his head.

"It wasn't crazy. It was epic. Evil mastermind epic."

"It was," agreed Harvey amiably. Mike beamed until he added, "Now, If you could just manage to keep your briefcase closed, you could take over the world."

"Ha ha," said Mike. Harvey wondered if he practiced pouting in the mirror.

They rode back to the office in a companionable silence. Harvey watched Mike out of the corner of his eye and marveled that he could see the wheels turning in the younger man's head, as evidenced by his sudden fidgeting.

Like clockwork, Mike turned to him and said, "Hey, um…I meant to ask you before, but it wasn't the right time. I don't know, maybe now isn't either but… look I'm going to ask, and don't be offended, and don't answer if you don't want to,"

"Yes?" said Harvey.

"I'm just trying to help…"

"Mike, spit it out already," said Harvey, his irritation beginning to win out over his concern.

"Are there more?" Mike said suddenly. "Cases like Clifford's, I mean. " He smacked his forehead and added, "Crap, I wasn't going to put it that bluntly. I just meant-"

"I know what you meant," said Harvey brusquely. He couldn't blame the kid. It was the first question he'd asked himself after finding out about Danner's file.

"Harvey, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up," said Mike, suddenly wary of his boss's reaction. His voice softened and he added in a small voice, "I'm just … worried."

"I don't need you to worry about me, Mike. I'm fine," said Harvey, sounding slightly more offended than he intended. To soften his reaction he added, "But I appreciate the gesture. And the answer to your question is no. I'm sure there are other cases that I don't know about, but I've been through the paperwork on my own cases and I'm fairly satisfied this is the only one that-" That Cameron tainted, he thought, but couldn't bring himself to say the words.

Mike rescued him from his thoughts with a well-timed interruption. "Okay. Good. You know," he said, his tone suddenly lighter, "Rachel and I found a photo of you from your days at the DA's office."

"I didn't know," said Harvey, "but I do happen to know that there's room for one more desk down in the records room."

"It would almost be worth it," mused Mike. "Especially if I can still get pizza delivered."

Ray had pulled up to the curb in front of the office building. Harvey shook his head as he reached for the door handle and said, "Come on, Dr. Evil, there's a pile of files on my desk that are calling your name."

They were halfway to Harvey's office when Donna came briskly walking down the hall towards them. Harvey had worked with the woman for over ten years and seen her subject to the wrath of senior partners, irate clients, and overeager process servers, but until that moment he had never seen her terrified.

"What's going on?" said Harvey, his heart sinking.

"Jessica wants to see both of you in her office. She said the second you arrive on the floor." Harvey's gut twisted as she glanced at Mike. "Your friend Trevor was here. He spent about twenty minutes in Jessica's office, and after that she went nuclear."

"Oh God," whispered Mike. "It's happening, isn't it?" Harvey put a reassuring hand on his back and pushed him forward as they continued their walk to the office.

"We don't know anything yet," said Harvey, his voice far calmer than he felt. "Let me do the talking and don't offer anything unless Jessica asks, okay?"

"Harvey-"

"Okay?" He squeezed Mike's shoulder gently but firmly for emphasis.

The contact seemed to give Mike strength and he said, "Okay" resolutely before they headed into the office of the managing partner.

* o * o * o * o * o * o *

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