Episode 38
**
"Nash, why did you tell that nurse I was your wife?" Nash's earlier actions at the convalescent home bothered Rachel. She was beginning to think there might be to Nash's wanting help with Nick than Nick's well-being. Lately, his actions had said enough.
"I didn't think it would matter." Nash hadn't intentionally labeled Rachel as Mrs.Bridges, but when the nurse asked he just shook his head in agreement. He couldn't help but like the idea, but he knew she was with someone else for the time being. Nash accelarated the 'Cuda, wanting to get lost and go anywhere but back to the SIU. "Does it?"
"For right now, no --- but to anyone else, it might." Rachel couldn't help but wonder what Harvey or Cassidy might think if they heard Nash refer to her as his wife. "If I wasn't seeing someone, Nash, I wouldn't care. This is different."
"I guess I hadn't taken that into consideration." Nash had momentarily forgot about Harvey's relationship with Rachel while they were at the hospital with Nick. Nash knew how serious things were between them, but he couldn't prevent himself from thinking of what might have been. Nash smiled, "you can't blame a guy for wishful thinking."
Rachel considered her options, asking him to pull over and then announcing that she married Harvey, or insulting him by not giving in to his obvious advances. Neither choice seemed beneficial to the situation nor her career. Rachel smiled, trying desperately to change the direction of their conversation. "No, but I can tell you that you don't stand a chance."
"Thanks, I feel loved." Nash knew all too well that the relationship between Harvey and Rachel had solidified quickly, and Harvey deserved a shot at happiness after his futile romantic endeavors after Bonnie. Nash couldn't comprehend the idea of him going after the same girl as Harvey, and he often wondered if Rachel was as happy as she appeared.
"Nash, I need to ask you something." Rachel couldn't shake her feelings of discomfort. Something was very wrong. It was now a matter of Nash's honesty.
"Okay. Shoot." Nash had no idea where she was going with her question. With Rachel, it could be anything.
"Me helping you out, this is about Nick, right? This has nothing to do with what went on between us?" Rachel didn't know how to ask him in a subtle manner. She assumed it would be better to be straight-forward and not evade the truth.
Nash peered at Rachel over his dark glasses, not sure of what he should say. He had so much going on, she had been on of the few stable factors in his life. "I'm not going to lie to you, Rachel, if I had another chance to save our relationship --- I'd take it." Nash paused after getting a glimpse of the disgruntled look on Rachel's face, "But, more importantly, I've always appreciated your kindness towards my father. Nick trusts you, as do I, and that's the main reason I've asked for your assistance."
Rachel didn't know how to respond. Nash practically told her he wants her back. "Nash, I don't..."
Nash didn't know what to do next; he could relieve Rachel from her duties and clear his conscience or he could ask her to stick around for Nick's benefit and further complicate matters for everyone. He'd leave the choice to her, "with that said, I'll understand if you'd prefer to keep things professional."
"I want to help you with Nick; as long as you know where things stand between us, I think we can make this work." Rachel didn't want to turn her back on Nick because of Nash. She wished Nash would move on, that would make everything easier. "There's just one more thing I don't understand."
"What's that?" Nash felt completely exposed to the world. He shouldn't have told Rachel he still had feelings for her, he knew it would only be a source of problems in the long run.
"Nash, you know damn well that I'm not a doctor and I'm doing this as a friend, as a friend to you and Nick. I really don't know why you chose me to do this with you. It's obvious Nick got along with Lisa, and if Tamara were around, you could've called her or several other old flames. As a bonus, your daughter hates me. Why me, I mean, you've got quite a selection of women to chose from?" Rachel had to ask. There was no logical reason behind him asking her for help. "And don't say it's for my medical expertise, because I dropped out of med school and I've told you to seek another opinion."
"Do you really want to know?" Nash knew there was no real reason behind him asking her for assistance, but he needed someone he could rely on. She was different from the other women in his life, and their friendship was different than the ones he had with Joe and Harvey.
"I'm assuming no, but tell me anyways." Rachel knew she wouldn't like his answer. She wished that she saw his undying interest earlier and hadn't been so naive.
"The truth is, you were there for me. When everything with Nick started to get worse last winter, you were there for me and for Nick. I know I acted like a jerk and alienated everyone for a while, but you didn't leave. That's why I asked you, I knew I could rely on you."
**
"I thought I told you to bring Mrs. Leek with you for your appointment." Dr. Bradley wasn't happy that Harvey decided to come alone. He assumed at least if Rachel was their, than maybe would be follow his warnings.
"Mrs. Leek is a little busy, and I didn't want to cancel my appointment." Harvey didn't even bring up the appointment to Rachel, he didn't want to worry her and he didn't want her reorganzing her schedule just to come with.
"Harvey, I don't like this. I don't like the fact that you're keeping this from your wife." Dr. Bradley shook his head, "if what you got don't kill you, she might."
"Thanks for that vote of confidence." Harvey smiled sarcastically, "anyone ever tell you how wonderful your bedside manner is?" Harvey didn't see the point in telling Rachel if nothing was certain. He'd tell her when he had to, he didn't want to preoccupy her mind beforehand.
"Generally, my patients tell their spouses what's going on --- you're just being difficult." Dr. Bradley scanned Harvey's charts with the results from his latest tests, "your stress test shows you've got some problems."
"I work at the SIU and I've got a four-year old son, of course I'd be stressed out." Harvey didn't see a point in mentioning the other influences, it wouldn't make a difference.
"Cut back, Harvey, you've got to cut back." Dr. Bradley could see that Harvey was walking a fine line. Every day he continued with his hectic lifestyle he was further jeapordizing his health.
"Tell my boss that." Harvey couldn't imagine a feasible way to cut back at the SIU. It wouldn't be the same. It was front line or nothing.
**
"Cassidy, we've got to talk." Joe wanted to wait for Nash to have this discussion, but apparently he was coming in late. "Come with me."
Cassidy walked slowly with Joe towards the conference table, feeling the tension building as they approached. "So what's this about, or shall I say, who turned on me now?"
Joe knew this was coming, she thought they were all out for her head. When he thought about it, he couldn't blame her. A lot had gone on lately, but she was neglecting her work. "No one has turned on you, but, I just got word from Martin that Armstrong made another robbery this morning. That's ontop of the one he completed Wednesday, why you were on surveillance."
"So than get someone else, what do I care?" Cassidy had enough of everyone, she wanted out of the SIU. The only person she wanted to be with was Lucas, he was so much like Evan. He made her feel safe, and assured her everything would be okay. She didn't need the job or the stress that came with it.
"Listen, Cassidy, I know things are hard with you and your grandpa and that guy --- but I need you to tell me if you can't handle the work, I'll find someone who can." Joe couldn't let the SIU suffer because of Cassidy. Everybody had been doing more than their share except for her. She was still behind."
"You know what I can't handle, I can't handle you hypocritical idiots. You've all had problems and everyone cares, but the boss' daughter gets on and everyone wants her fired. Explain that to me, Joe." Cassidy didn't like the unfair treatment. She didn't have the benefits other employees did. She worked with her dad, and everyone expected more from her.
"Maybe we should discuss this when your dad gets back." Joe couldn't handle this without Nash. This was his daughter. He may have been cassidy's superior, but it was too hard to do anything or say anything without Nash's approval. If Nash didn't agree, Joe would have to go to Martin.
**
"How soon will I be out of here?" He was anxious to get out of prison, the years had not been kind to him. He had so much to do, and one person in particular to take care of.
"It's all a matter of time, boss. Lucas has got Cassidy, making me free and clear to roam the city. A few more hits and I'll make you're parole money." Pete was certain he'd complete the job and get his boss out in no time. He knew the boss had plans.
"What about Leek, what's he up to?" He had to know what Harvey was doing, he couldn't risk being in his line of fire again. Leek was his main target.
"He's been working with Cassidy, haven't seen his girlfriend though." Pete had been keeping an eye out on Harvey, making sure he didn't get too close. The boss couldn't risk losing another battle to Harvey.
"Well, I got one taken care of... I might have to meet the next one." He laughed loudly into the phone, surprised at how smoothly everything was running. He'd get his revenge in no time.
"I'll call you once I've got the cash together." Pete knew he had to leave before someone was out there again watching for him. "It won't be long."
"You do that, call me if anything comes up with Leek." Leek was his main concern. Bridges didn't bother him, if anything, Nash made his job all the easier. It was Leek he wanted dead, he had to pay for his crime.
**
"I've got this one." Harvey reached into his pocket to pull out the money he had put in earlier. Cassidy was waiting next to him at the coffee stand after they had been out trailing Armstrong most of the afternoon. As Harvey pulled out the money, a folded note fell to the ground. Harvey didn't notice and paid the cashier.
Cassidy bent over to pick up the note, recognizing Rachel's handwriting. She couldn't make out much of what was written inside, not wanting to open the note completely and give herself away. Cassidy thought about not giving to him for a minute, but she couldn't do that to Harvey. She tapped Harvey on the shoulder, "here, you dropped this."
"Huh?" Harvey took a sip of his coffee and accepted the note, not even realizing he had dropped something. He had no idea of what the note could be. "What's this?"
"I know I didn't write it, so it must be from Rachel." Cassidy didn't want to claim the author right away, that would prove she had seen some of the note. She had to keep one of the few alliances she had left.
"That woman." Harvey chuckled and opened the note, wondering what was inside. Only Rachel would stick a note in his pocket for him to find later on. Harvey slowly began to read.
I've been thinking, I'm incredibly desperate for some time alone with you --- especially outside of the SIU. Carmel is great, and we'll always have Carmel, but for now I think we need something a little different. I've done my investigating and happened to find the perfect romantic getaway, all you need to do is agree to take the time off work and I'll take care of the rest. I won't get specific about the destination, but I think we'll have a wonderful time. Tenatively, I should be free and clear of my added work load after this weekend and we can work something out for this coming week or the next. I'm sure Nash won't mind getting rid of the two of us for about a week, but Joe will miss the gossip.
Remember that I love you,
Rachel
Harvey refolded the note laughed, already looking forward to whatever it was that Rachel had planned for them. He needed the time off, as did she.
"What's Rachel got up her sleeve now?" Cassidy wondered what kept Harvey so amused, or what he saw in Rachel to begin with.
"Who knows, but I love her anyways." Harvey replaced the note in his pocket and took another sip from his coffeee, "let's get back to the SIU before your father hangs us both."
**
"Rachel, it's Louis." Louis had done his digging, yet come up with nothing. Until Connie made the next move, it was impossible for him to know what she had planned. Maybe no news was better.
"Have you found anything?" Rachel was desperate for any reassurance that Connie wasn't returning her son. It wasn't that Rachel didn't want him, it was that she was concerned with Harvey's reaction. She didn't want to say anything until she knew for sure.
"Has she sent you the paperwork yet?" Louis would get a better idea of what Connie had in mind once he saw the paperwork and had a number to reach her lawyer.
"No, hopefully I'll get that soon." Rachel didn't know what to think. Connie had been so certain of everything when she left, and suddenly Rachel's doubted her interests. This was something she never could've planned for.
"Listen, don't worry about this till we here from her." Louis didn't want to jump to conclusions, but he felt Connie's intent was pretty clear. "Maybe her fiance wants to adopt him, could be as simple as that."
"Your investigator didn't turn anything up on this?" Rachel laughed softly, if there was anything that the investigator could've dug up, this would be most useful.
"Unfortunately, no." This was one topic Kat hadn't gotten much on, she didn't like to pry. Louis was about ready to call her back onto the job.
**
"We need to talk, Nash." Joe couldn't put off the discussion any longer. Something had to be done about Cassidy.
"Not now, Bubba, I need five minutes of peace." Nash had been running non-stop all week. He needed a chance to gather his thoughts and get his mind in order.
"Nash this can't wait, it's about Cassidy." Joe normally would've respected his wish for peace and privacy, but he had to tell him before things got any worse. He didn't want to take the problem to Martin.
"Now what?" Nash didn't want to have to deal with that problem for the time being, his main concern was Nick. Cassidy needed help and he knew it. She just didn't want to listen.
"Nash, she's falling behind in her work and the quality has seriously deteriorated. Everyone else has been doing more than their share, but she's barely keeping her head above water." Joe didn't know what more he could do to help. If Martin found out about this, she'd be gone.
"What do you want me to do, Joe?" Nash's hands were tied. As a boss, he knew what he should do. As a father, he couldn't bare to see his child hurting. Someone else had to deal with the problem.
**
"That was a promising kiss, can we leave for Carmel tonight?'' Harvey knew the odds of that happening were slim, but he had to ask. He had been looking forward to seeing Rachel all afternoon, especially after finding her letter. "Or now?"
"You won't like my reply." Rachel would've preferred to leave and spend the evening with Harvey, but she knew she wouldn't get out of the SIU anytime soon. Leads on the Armstrong case were stacking up and she wanted to finish up so she'd have most of Saturday and all day Sunday with him.
"I probably won't, but I had to ask." Harvey kissed her again, this time a little longer. He found himself not wanting to let go.
"I'd like to finish up tracking these leads, the more I do now --- the more time I'll have for you this weekend." Other than some time with Nash and Nick Saturday morning, Rachel completely cleared her weekend so she could finally spend some quality time with Harvey.
"I like the sound of that, but weekends are supposed to start on Friday nights." Harvey smiled, knowing it had been quite a while since they were both off on a Friday night and able to spend it together.
"Didn't you get the memo? That rule excludes cops." Rachel grinned at Harvey's frustrated expression. "I take it they didn't tell you that at the academy either, huh?"
"Rules should be different if you're married." Harvey knew they'd both be well compensated for their time with the overtime pay, but he didn't now if the money was worth it.
**
"I want Dad." Jerry looked at Anna with a disappointed frown covering his face. He wasn't happy and it was all to visible. Jerry was too distracted to eat, he wanted to see his dad.
"I told you, Jerry, you're not going to stay with your father. He doesn't have time for you like I do." Anna knew she could dedicate more time to Jerry than Harvey could. His job kept him away for odd hours, she didn't want Jerry being raised with that. Her work was unpredictable, but she was there when she could be.
"But there's Rachel, too." Jerry couldn't understand why his mother wouldn't let him go. He knew he could be happy with him. When he was with his dad, everything was different.
Anna was desperate for something to say. Rachel was winning over her son and she wouldn't stand for it. "Rachel's too busy for kids, she doesn't want them around."
"But she's got one." His mom surely wasn't talking about the Rachel he had come to know and love. "I saw her."
"And you know what she did, she gave her kids up for adoption." Anna wasn't going to let Rachel and Harvey win the upper hand without a fight. She wasn't going to let them take her son. "She gave them to new parents because she didn't want them."
"No." Jerry shook his head in disbelief, surely his mother wasn't right. Rachel wouldn't do that. "No, no, no."
Anna tried to control her anger, Rachel and Harvey had completely brainwashed him against her. She had to get to work and didn't have time to deal with his tantrum. "Jerry, I want you to shut up and finish your dinner. You're going to bed before I leave, no whining either."
**
"Don't tell me you're still worried about Cassidy?" Harvey grinned as he posed his question, waiting for Rachel to return to her desk. She was staying late at the SIU trying to get somewhere on the Armstrong case, and he'd rather comiserate than be home alone. "The love notes in my pocket were a bit obvious."
"I was something I needed to tell you regardless of Cassidy." Rachel knew she hadn't been paying much attention to Harvey lately, and she wished things could be different. Right now, work managed to keep them apart.
"Well, I appreciate the gesture." Harvey pulled up a chair and faced her desk, he knew there was more to her change in attitude. "So what else is on your mind?"
"Why do you ask?" Rachel wasn't trying to be evasive, but wondered what gave her emotions away. Masking how she felt never came easily for Rachel.
"It just seems as if you've been at least a million miles away lately." Harvey knew she had been putting in more hours than usual and she was trying to help Nash with Nick, but something was wrong. Rachel was concentrating on the screen before her and Harvey was desperate for her attention. "Rache?"
"What?" Rachel wanted to finish up, go home and crawl in bed, the week hadn't gone well and she knew it wouldn't end well either.The last person she wanted to take her problems out on was Harvey. The call from Louis certainly didn't help. "What did you say?"
Harvey smiled, now he had her attention. He stood up and rested his hands on her desk, "I said, we're the only ones here..."
"You're not," Rachel grinned mischeviously, "oh no...no way." Harvey always knew how to put her mind at ease. He had perfect timing. "You are so not serious."
"Oh, but I am. You see, if I can't see you outside of work... there has to be some kind of compromise." Harvey stepped closer towards Rachel, not completely serious but willing to do just about anything to lighten her mood inside of the SIU and out.
"So that's how it is," Rachel laughed playfully, "well, then. I guess I might just have to clear my schedule for you later on." Rachel saw Antwon walk in and tried to keep herself from laughing, she knew he'd enjoy the scene.
"I was thinking more along the lines of clearing this desk with you right now." Harvey stepped forward again and leaned in to kiss her, oblivious to their company.
Antwon looked up casually from his desk, shaking his head. "Harvey Leek, what are you doing?"
"Trying to seduce my wife, do you mind?" He looked and saw Antwon laughing hysterically a few feet away. "When did you get here?" He turned back to Rachel, "you knew he was there, didn't you?"
Rachel responded with a guilty grin and a nod. Antwon retrieved a folder from his desk, "just remember, Rache, resistence is not futile." Antwon waved as he headed back towards the doors and exited.
"That's it, I'm going back to my desk. I can't work with such distractions." Harvey smiled and walked back towards his own desk slowly, it was his turn for a little fun. "Just for that, you're sleeping alone tonight."
**
Part 2
**
"So tell me about that partner of yours that I met the other day." Lucas sat next to Cassidy at the bar, trying to extract all the information he could. Every morning after she left, he returned to Pete with his findings. Tomarrow would be a good day to talk.
"Harvey?" Rachel was happy Harvey had been with her, he agreed and saw the similarities between Lucas and Evan. Someone else knew. She didn't feel so alone. "He's a wonderful man that's unfortunately with someone I don't particularly like."
"How so?" Pete had mentioned that Cassidy didn't like someone else on the force, someone her father had dated. "Does she work with you?"
"She's actually my partner, Harvey was just with me for the day." Cassidy was relieved to finally be talking to someone unbiased who would listen to her, and never hear Rachel's side of the story. "She's a force to be reckoned with."
"She the one who slept with your dad?" Lucas had to ask, off the record. He was fascinated by the complicated lives of cops outside of work and in.
"That too." Cassidy didn't know how to explain Rachel, there weren't the right words for her. "Among other things, now she's with Harvey --- one of my father's best friends."
"That's cold." Lucas honestly didn't care and thought the woman might be a joy to be around when compared to Cassidy. All she did was talk about Evan. It had become an obsession.
"I know. My father and Harvey, not to mention most of the SIU think she's wonderful but... whatever..." Cassidy didn't want to talk about her anymore, she wanted to talk about Evan. If he were there, everything would be different. "If Evan was still around, there's no way she'd be at the SIU."
"If he was still around, we wouldn't be together." Lucas wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed her, trying to silence her once again.
**
"If this is sleeping alone, I certainly will never be lonely." Rachel grinned as she turned towards Harvey on the bed. "Why the change of heart?"
"You were just lucky." Harvey smiled, he couldn't have passed up an opportunity to go home with Rachel and actually have some time alone with her. Their moments together had become few and far between. "Besides, we wouldn't want people to talk."
"You mean Antwon?" Rachel laughed, already imagining what rumours Antwon would have circulating by Monday morning. "He won't say a word."
"Yeah, right." Harvey knew Antwon better than that, Antwon was another Joe Dominguez. A great guy but fond of the gossip. Harvey remembered his earlier call from his lawyer, and wanted to bring that up while he had the chance. "I spoke with Mr. Allyn this afternoon."
Rachel tried to remember the name, she knew Harvey had mentioned it before. Nothing came to mind. Embarassed, she had to ask. "Is he your lawyer or your stock broker?"
"You are overworked." Harvey chuckled softly, not sure if she was serious or goofing around. She had a lot on her mind lately. "He's the custody lawyer."
"Okay. Right. Robert Allyn." The name rang a bell. He was the lawyer Harvey saw about getting more custody of Jerry. She meant to ask him about that earlier, but the thought completely slipped her mind.
"The other guy was no good, and my last lawyer wasn't worth much either." Harvey wanted to know he had a good lawyer from the start, someone who could fight and finish the battle. Robert Allyn was promising. All Harvey needed to do was ask Rachel what she thought before Allyn started their case. "Can I give him the go-ahead?"
"You're waiting on my approval?" Rachel wondered how long Harvey had been waiting to ask her, and suddenly felt worse about putting him on hold as frequently as she did.
"Technically, I have to wait, since we're married." Harvey was anxious to get the case started and have something worked out, hopefully by the holidays. "You've just been difficult to get a hold of."
"You should've told me." Rachel couldn't believe she had made Harvey wait for something so important. She wished he would've brought it up sooner.
"That's okay. We can go and take care of the paperwork on the way to Carmel tomarrow morning." Harvey planned on stopping to see Mr. Allyn anyways, but this way they could get the ball rolling. Jerry's happiness was his priority for the time being.
"Tomarrow morning?" Evidently Rachel wasn't the only forgetful one these days. He wasn't going to be happy and she knew it. "I'm going with Nash to take Nick to the home, but I can change that. I'll call him and..."
Harvey sighed heavily, this was exactly the response he had come to expect. Something else had come up. "Don't bother, we can take care of this someother time."
"I'm not going to be there all day, just long..." Rachel knew this wasn't what he wanted to hear. He was being put off yet again. She'd have to make it up to him, somehow.
"Don't worry about it, I'll call him tomarrow." Harvey's mood was suddenly dark, he didn't feel much like going to Carmel or doing anything else. He'd take care of things with Jerry himself if he had to, but he'd prefer share the chance with Rachel. "It's late, we should probably get some sleep."
**
"Anna, it's me." He breathed heavily into the phone, it had been a long time since he heard her voice. He could hear Jerry in the background. "I know it's early, but I had to hear your voice."
"What? When... are you out?" Anna knew he had to do some time, but she didn't expect him to be out this soon.
"I'll be out real soon, baby, real soon." He looked at the picture in his cell of Anna with Jerry, "how's the kid?" He hadn't seen Jerry since right before Anna took him to San Francisco to meet Harvey, that's when he was locked up for the first time after his five year streak. He looked forward to being with them again.
"Harvey's giving me problems again with custody, now that he's got someone new." Anna wasn't pleased with Harvey's decision to ask for more custody, she felt he and Rachel didn't deserve the time with her son. Anna was the better parent.
"I guess we'll have to take care of that once I'm out, huh?" He planned on stepping back into their life where they had left off. No one was going to stand in his way.
"So when are you coming home?" Anna wasn't sure if she was completely happy or not, it had been a while and a lot had changed. He could certainly help the problem with Harvey.
"Soon enough. I got someone working to get the money to make my parole, and then I'll be free as a bird." His plan had gone well thus far, as long as Pete finished his job and Lucas stayed with Cassidy, everything would be fine. "Listen, babe, I gotta go. Give my boy a kiss for me."
**
"Nash, I told you to stop worrying over me." Nick was quickly becoming frustrated with Nash's behavior. He wanted to be left alone in his misery. "Don't you have somewhere else to be?"
"My plans are with you, Nick." Nash wanted to spend all the time he could with his father, whether Nick agreed or not. Nash couldn't help but question his decision about placing Nick in Peaceful Waters. Nash looked over the morning paper towards Nick, he just wasn't himself.
"Where's your friend anyways? Isn't she supposed to be here?" Nick assumed Rachel would be coming sometime that morning, just as she had been every other day.
"She'll be here later, she's going to come with us --- do you mind?'' Nash planned on bringing Rachel regardless of what Nick said, but he guessed Nick wouldn't mind the company.
"If she keeps you off my back, why not?" It didn't matter to Nick whether Rachel came or not, the outcome wasn't going to change. Nash had made his decision to put Nick away. "Where's that granddaughter of mine?"
"I wouldn't know, she doesn't check in with me too much these days." Nash didn't want to get into great detail about Lucas or the rift that had developed between him and Cassidy. That was one less thing to boggle Nick's mind.
"Ha! Chip of the old block." Nick saw many similarities between his son and granddaughter. He only wished he'd be around to see her marry and have kids of her own.
"Maybe we should get you ready to go." Nash couldn't put off the inevitable any longer, still wondering why he had chosen to bring Nick in on a Saturday. He knew Rachel would be there within an hour, and it might take Nick a while to get going. Nash couldn't delay.
**
"What time do you want to leave for Carmel?" Rachel knew she'd be busy until early afternoon, but afterwords her day was open. She had been looking forward to finally getting some time alone with Harvey, away from the SIU and San Francisco.
"I hadn't planned on going, since you said you'd be with Nash." Harvey didn't see much point in going only for a few hours on Saturday and driving back early on Sunday. Harvey knew Rachel was trying to better divide her time, but he was still getting the bad end of the deal.
"I said I wouldn't be there all day, I'll be done by noon, maybe even eleven." Rachel knew Harvey was becoming frustrated with her lack of time for him. She couldn't blame Harvey, Rachel knew she'd feel the same if the situation were reversed.
"I'm just not sure I see much reason to go." Harvey knew his honesty would be brutal, but he couldn't help but tell her how he felt. Recently, their relationship was barely more than waking up in the same house and working at the same place. "We'll get there late, spend a few hours together mainly discussing work, get a limited amount of sleep due to other distractions and we'll leave early tomarrow morning so you can go help Nash or track Armstrong on your laptop."
"If you don't want me to go see Nick, just say so." Rachel was hoping it wouldn't come down to such an argument. Unfortunately, she had been wrong.
"That's not what I meant to imply." Harvey paced around the kitchen, hoping for the voice of reason to slip in sometime soon. He didn't want an argument, all he wanted was her time. Harvey loved Nash like a brother, but sometimes Nash didn't know where to draw the line."It's not Nick that I'm worried about."
"Then what do you mean, Harvey?" Rachel couldn't tell what made him angrier, the fact she was around Nash and Nick so often or the fact she wasn't with him.
"What I mean is that I talked to you more while you were dating Nash than I do now and I certainly saw you more often. I don't even know what's going on with you anymore, Rachel. He seems to know more than I do." Harvey needed this chance to vent, but also a moment to catch his breath. "You're here after I'm in bed and you're gone by the time I get up, it's been that way since you got back." Harvey shook his head in dismay, "when is this going to end?" Harvey knew there was no definite answer, but wanted to have some hope for their future. He understood her workaholic tendencies, but this was absurd.
"I can't answer that because I don't know when this will end." Rachel didn't want to make any promises she wouldn't be able to keep. Harvey meant too much to her.
"With the case? With Nick? With a divorce?" Harvey was desperate for any assurance she could give. He needed to know she was there, no matter what. She had to be in for the long haul, he couldn't do this alone. "Two weeks ago you said you'd make time, same with last week. I want to be with you, Rachel, but I need to know you'll put the time and effort in as well."
"You know I will, Harvey." Rachel knew there wasn't much she could do at this point to defend herself. Everything that Harvey said was correct, she had become more dedicated to her boss and the SIU than her husband.
**
