FIC Snapshots of Life
15/9/11 08:19![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shanachie_quillTitle: Snapshots of Life
Characters: Harvey Spector, Mike Ross, Donna, Meredith Specter (OC), random unnamed OCs
Fandom: Suits pre-slash
Series: Rebus in Amore Familia (Family Affairs in Love)
Written For: N/A
Prompt: N/A
Summary: Meredith might not have gone to Harvard, but she learned from the best to go after what she wanted, and she wants her older brother to be happy. Mike doesn’t stand a chance.
Rating: soft R
Spoilers: none for the show, minor ones for my F&B story What Jared Wants, but it’s more implied than said.
Warnings: Swearing—lots and lots of swearing—as my friend the Bama boy says “Use of the f-bomb”. (Sorry…Meredith has a potty mouth) Implication and intent of a future relationship between two consenting adult males.
Disclaimer: No one from the USA Suits show belongs to me (*pouts*) or we wouldn’t have had all that buuuullshiiit of Mike and Jenny and Mike and Rachel all season. Mike would have been a good boy and been with Harvey. Meredith does belong to me. And she learned from her big brother to go after and get exactly what she wants.
Author's Note: Okay so for those of you who actually read the bloody author’s notes…this is part of the prequels for the Franklin & Bash/Suits crossover that I am hopefully going to write at some point. I need to do some set up and connect all of the characters and all and this is going to do some of it. A lot more blatantly than a few of the other stories have. And look! I finally named the series. The Latin has been translated…hopefully it works…this is how Meredith starts meddling in Harvey and Mike’s relationship and how she meets Mike and well yes. Something in here is mentioned in passing in one of the F&B stories…and well…go forth and read. I’ll try to put up a post later today with all of the stories thus far so y’all get a better idea timeline wise. Thanks as always tofloat_on_alright (aka illfindmyway) who helped greatly with this)! Enjoy the show! Thanks to samjohnsson for catching my brain's hiatus and the misspelling of Meredith's childhood nickname--dude you'd think I could spell my own character's names. There's been a little confusion about the Latin, please don't take any I use as gospel. I plugged it into a translator and prayed it was correct. Its been many, many years since I had any exposure to Latin and most of that was either religious or swearing/insults (yes, gotta love my friends) so I'm kinda winging it. That being said...the translator had a few glitches and kept spitting out different words. If its short phrases I do normally look it up in my dictionary, but I was really lazy this time and didn't. If anyone wants, I can link in the translator I use.
Donna smiled brightly at the honey-blonde headed towards her. Breaking off her conversation with Mike (and ignoring his bleating at the action), she went around her desk and enfolded the other woman in a tight hug, her smile widening. “What are you doing here?” she exclaimed happily as she stepped back. “Does Harvey know you’re in town?”
The woman tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, smiling wickedly at the question. “Nope. I thought I’d surprise him. What’s his schedule look like tonight? I’ve only got a little time and I’d hoped to do dinner with him.”
“We have the Bryant deppo at six,” Mike spoke up from where he stood next to Donna’s desk. “But nothing after that.”
The two women turned to observe Mike and he gulped. Although the newcomer didn’t look like one of the slick women he was used to seeing Harvey parade around with, there was something about her. The jeans that clung to her like a second skin were definitely designer and she wore a shimmering silk shirt that probably cost more than his suit paired with a pair of shoes that could easily grind his balls into putty. Her green eyes slowly looked him over before she turned to Donna. “Who’s this?”
“That? Is Harvey’s new toy,” Donna replied. When the woman just looked at her in confusion, she explained, “His associate. Jessica made him get one when he was promoted to senior partner.”
“Ah.” She snapped her fingers. “Now I remember Harvey saying something about it.”
“Donna,” Harvey started as he approached the desk. “I don’t pay you to stand around and chit chat.”
“No, you pay me to run your life,” Donna replied.
Mike watched as the woman’s face transformed into a pout and she turned to face Harvey. “I can’t believe you’re not happy to see me, Vay,” she said.
He stared at her for a moment before sighing. “How much trouble are you in this time?”
“What? I can’t just want to see you?” she asked as she stepped forward and put her arms around his neck, hugging him.
Automatically he hugged her back. “You can, but history proves that…never mind.” He motioned to his office. “I’m not having this conversation out here.”
With a wave at Donna, she followed Harvey into his office. Mike looked in confusion from them to Donna, not sure if he should follow, but a barked, “Mike!” from Harvey decided him. He entered the office in time to hear Harvey ask, “How much money do you need this time?”
“I don’t.” She glared at him. “God damn it, Harvey. I didn’t come here for a hand-out. I really did just want to see you. But if that’s all you think…never mind.” She picked up the bag she’d set down on the couch and turned to storm out of the office almost running into Mike.
“Meredith!” Harvey thundered. “Stop.”
“You don’t get to order me around,” Meredith told him evenly, although she was still facing Mike and he could see the tears threatening to fall from her eyes.
“I know,” Harvey told her. “I’m just going on past evidence. Let’s try this. What did you come here for?”
“I’m in town for a shoot,” she answered, although she continued to face Mike. “I have dinner free tonight and I thought. I hoped. That we could have dinner together, but if you’re just going to accuse me of looking for money, it’s not going to happen.”
“Answer me this?” Harvey asked. “Are you doing okay? Money wise.”
Meredith rolled her eyes at Mike and he bit his tongue so he didn’t laugh. “Yes, Harvey. I’m fine. I’m even, oh my god, working for a lawyer.”
“A lawyer?” Harvey asked sharply. “Which one?”
Meredith sighed, reaching into her bag and pulling out a folder. “How did I know that would come up?” She held the folder out to Harvey and when he motioned, handed it to Mike instead. “A couple of junior partners at Infeld Daniels. I haven’t met them yet, I do all my work through one of the other lawyers and their PI, but it’s all above board. I just take the pictures.”
Mike had flipped the folder open automatically when he got it and he blinked at the name on the contract. “Specter?” he questioned. “Your last name is Specter?” He looked from Meredith to Harvey. “Um, Harvey?”
“Relax, Rookie, she’s my little sister. I haven’t been hiding a wife somewhere.”
Meredith laughed at Mike’s shocked look. “What? Which part is freaking you out? That Harvey has a little sister? Or that it’s me? Besides I wouldn’t marry him. No offense, Vay, but you’re an ass. I love you and all, but you are.”
“Did you actually need something or are you just trying to cost me money?” Harvey asked, ignoring her comment.
“Dinner tonight?” she replied. “Just not one of your hoity-toity five star places. I don’t think I have the clothes for that.”
Harvey looked up from the folder Mike had handed him. “I’m sure there’s a dress or six at my apartment that you can wear.”
“Mine or your bimbo of the week’s?”
“Meredith, I don’t allow any other woman to leave random clothes at my place.” Turning slightly, he raised his voice, “Donna, would you please make a reservation for two at Alessandro’s? For eight-thirty?” At Meredith’s nod, he confirmed, “Eight-thirty.” Meredith was pouting at him when he looked up again. “What?” he asked.
“Two?” she questioned. “Just you and me? I don’t get to spend time with your new boy?” She linked her arm through Mike’s, startling him. “But, Har-vey. You have to let him out of his little cubicle sometime. And he needs to eat. He’s so skinney and adorable. Have Donna make the reservation for three. Please? I can’t have him thinking all Specters are stuffy and asinine.”
“No, I really…” Mike started to protest.
Meredith clapped her hand over his mouth. “Hush. I’m trying to help you.”
“I’m not sure it will,” Mike groaned.
“His bark really is worse than his bite,” Meredith mock whispered. Her green eyes widened. “Or do you already know that?”
“Mere-dith!” Harvey snapped. “Don’t you have work to do?”
She grinned. “Nope. I can stay here and torment you for hours.”
“Fine, well, we do!” Harvey pointed at the door. “Hands off my associate. And get out!”
Giggling, Meredith danced over to him, kissing him on the cheek. “Love you, Vay.” With a wave, she escaped out of the office.
Mike blinked. “Is she…always like that?”
“She’s a little more hyper than usual, but yes. Don’t feel obligated to come to dinner.”
When Harvey looked at him, Mike had a look of consideration on his face. “I think it’ll be interesting,” the younger man said.
Suits! Suits! Suits! Suits! Suits! Suits! Suits! Suits! Suits!
Meredith rushed into the restaurant, not surprised to find her brother and his associate already seated at a table. She slid into the seat that was open across from Harvey, brushing a kiss across his cheek as she did so, and gratefully accepted the glass of wine the sommelier poured for her. Harvey raised a brow as she downed half the glass in one go. “Oh, don’t give me that look,” she told him as she set the glass down, nodding for the man to refill it. “You can’t even imagine what my day was like after I left your office. I’m not even sure if I’m going to be able to do my shoot tomorrow because my one of my damn models quit.”
“So you gulp expensive wine?” Harvey replied. “Did I teach you nothing? Or has the West Coast corrupted you that much?”
“Sometimes, big brother, booze is booze.” She turned to Mike. “Is he always like this? All hoity toity and holier than thou?”
Mike looked from Harvey to Meredith, not sure how he should respond. “Ah,” he started.
She reached over and patted his hand. “It’s okay, Mike.” Picking up her menu, she asked Harvey, “Any recommendations?”
For a few minutes, they were occupied with discussing their choices; Harvey taking the time to educate Mike on how he would be acting if Meredith was a client instead of them simply having dinner. Meredith lounged back in her seat once the waiter had walked away, her glass held loosely in her hand. “Mike, you have more patience with my brother than I ever did,” she commented. “I’d have told him to kiss my ass by now.”
Mike gave a slight shrug. “I owe Harvey a lot,” he attempted to explain. “And I’ve learned a lot from him.”
“So what happened?” Harvey broke in. “What made you late and put you into more of a tizzy than usual?”
She sighed, turning her attention to her brother. “I’m in town to do a photo shoot for a clothing line. Some teenage high class high line designer shit.” She waved her hand to show she really had no idea what exactly they sold, but that it was a big one. “Anyway they want to push their new boys’ line and tout it as multicultural.” She ticked off the models she had on her fingertips. “I’ve got an Asian, a Hispanic, an African-American, and a Native American, but I no longer have your average Caucasian.”
“Why does that mean you can’t do your shoot?” Harvey questioned.
“It’s very difficult to do a multicultural shoot when you’re missing one of the…” Meredith paused, her eyes lighting on Mike. She turned to Harvey. “Can I borrow your boy tomorrow? I promise I don’t need him the whole day.”
“I’m sorry can you what?” Mike demanded. “Harvey, wait.”
“I think he’s a bit old for your teenage photo shoot,” Harvey pointed out.
Meredith leaned towards Mike, tousling his hair and tilting his head to the side before he could escape her. “Nah. I can do it. He already looks like whitebread jailbait. And trust me, with the clothes they’re giving me, I could almost make you pass for jailbait.”
Mike wasn’t sure if he should comment on what Meredith said, but he wanted to get out of her grasp first. Harvey seemed mostly amused by her comments, although he had taken offense at something because he had the I’ve swallowed a lemon expression on his face now. “Mike is not jailbait, May May.”
She rolled her green eyes. “I didn’t say he was jailbait. I said I could make him look like jailbait. So can I borrow him? I’ll pay him. Hell, I’ll pay him his billables, plus some. You can’t need him for the whole day.”
When Mike saw Harvey actually considering it, he felt he had to say something. “Hey, don’t I get a say in this?” he asked. “I mean, I realize I’m your associate, but does that mean I’m yours to farm out as you choose?”
Harvey’s eyes flicked to him. “Essentially. Yes.”
Mike pushed back from the table. “Excuse me then. I’ll let you decide my fate. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Meredith waited until she was sure Mike was out of earshot to turn her attention to Harvey. “Okay. So did you fuck him yet?”
Harvey choked on the sip of wine he’d just taken. “Meredith, language. And I really think my sex life is none of your business.”
“While normally I’d agree because even the thought of you and sex is enough to make me hurl, I like him. And I think he might actually be able to get that stick out of your ass. So did you?”
“I’m not going to dignify that with an answer,” Harvey replied.
“So that’s a no. What are you waiting for?” Meredith responded.
“It’s not that easy, May May. There are rules,” Harvey tried to explain.
“Rules? Or laws, big brother? Because I seem to remember a man who doesn’t like to play by the rules.” She glanced up as Mike re-joined them. “Think about it, Vay,” she said as a parting shot.
“Think about what?” Mike asked.
“That I should let her have you for a few hours tomorrow,” Harvey replied. “And I don’t see a problem with it. You might even have fun with it.”
“Do I get a say in this?” Mike asked.
“No,” the siblings responded in unison.
Suits! Suits! Suits! Suits! Suits! Suits! Suits! Suits! Suits!
“Meredith?” Mike spun almost in a circle as he looked around for the woman he’d been sent to find. “Um, are you here?”
“Hey, Mike. Glad you found the place.” Meredith came out from behind a screen, tugging a t-shirt back into place.
Mike did a double take at the logo on the shirt. “I didn’t know people still wore t-shirts with Cyndi Lauper on it.”
Meredith glanced down at herself and chuckled. “It’s an old shirt. Harvey took me to the concert when I was like…twelve, I think. Actually I think this one was his.”
“Harvey. My Harvey? Went to a Cyndi Lauper concert?” Mike asked incredulously.
Meredith grinned at his words. “Yup.” She patted his cheek. “Be a good boy and I’ll find the pictures from it.” Spinning around and walking across the loft, her hips swinging with the movement, she called over her shoulder, “But for now, strip.”
“Str-ip?” Mike’s voice almost went up an octave as he repeated her last word. “I’m sorry. What?” Mike tried to keep up with her change in conversation.
“Well you can’t wear those clothes. I have others for you.”
Mike looked down at the suit (one of the ones Harvey had ordered him to buy) and then back to Meredith who’d made it over to a rack of clothes and was thumbing through them. “What’s wrong with my clothes?”
“Not a thing. If you’re an Ivy League corporate bitch like my brother, but I need you to look a bit more like jailbait or at least a teenager than you already do. So strip down, pretty boy, and put these on.” She handed him a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. “I’ll have the rest of your clothes ready when you come out. Oh, and no shoes or socks.”
He accepted the clothes she almost tossed at him and ducked behind the screen she’d been behind when he got there. As he took off his suit, folding it carefully, and pulled on the jeans, he called, “I thought there was supposed to be more people here?”
“Yup. They should be here in a few minutes,” she answered over the sounds of moving hangers. “I told you a few minutes early so you had time to change at least your pants. I wasn’t sure how shy you were.”
“Aw. Thanks?” he replied as he heard the door slam.
For the next couple of hours, Mike was worked harder physically than he had been in a while. He worked hard at the firm, but it was mental work and work he enjoyed. This was mostly mindless and he couldn’t imagine doing it day in and day out. For the most part the other boys weren’t mean, but they also didn’t have a whole lot of interest things to say. Mike was sure if this was his regular job, their discussions of make-up and fashion and who was sleeping with whom to get better modeling jobs might be a lot more interesting. But gossip like that had never interested him even before he became Harvey’s associate.
Even Meredith seemed only able to take them for so long because after about an hour of their inanity, Mike noticed her mumbling to herself. When he drifted closer to her during one of the breaks; he was amused to find she was swearing in Latin. Leaning over, he told her with a grin, “Nullam tincidunt felis sit vorax supplicium de fratre tuo didicit.”
Meredith’s lips quirked at his words. “Aliquam,” she responded before pointing back to the group. “We’re almost done.”
Despite her words, it was another hour before she dismissed the group of models. Mike gave a sigh of relief when the door closed behind the last of them. “Do you always get such airheaded models?” he asked as he immediately started to unbutton the shirt he was wearing.
“Wait!” Meredith exclaimed.
Mike’s hands jerked, almost ripping the shirt, and he demanded, “What? Who?” He glanced around as if expecting something to jump out at him. “Don’t do that!” he snapped when he didn’t see anyone.
“Tell me something, Mike,” Meredith said, her smile turning downright wicked. “Would you be willing to let me take some more pictures of you?”
“What type of pictures?” Mike asked suspiciously.
“Answer me something first,” she said. “How do you feel about my brother?”
“He’s my boss. I mean.” Mike shrugged. “He’s…”
Meredith rolled her eyes. “He’s an ass. I know that. But how do you feel about him?” She put a hand on his shoulder. “Mike, I know my brother. And he does a very good job at hiding the feelings he has, but he does have them. What I’d like to know is how you feel.” Looking at him for a minute, she asked, “Do you need to have your ass cherry popped before you make a move on him?”
“Meredith!” he yelped.
She looked up from where she was loading the memory card into her computer. “Not a virgin then? Good. Harvey will actually like it better that way.”
“No. I mean yes. I mean. Seriously? Why would you even ask me that?!”
She grinned at him. “Honestly, Mike, I don’t care whether you are or aren’t. I just want you to loosen up a little.” Setting the camera behind her, she looked at him for a moment. “Do you like my brother, Mike?”
“Are you actually trying to pimp your brother out to me?”
“More like trying to pimp you out to my brother.” She considered it for a minute. “Or maybe it’s a mutual pimping.”
“I don’t know if I should be offended or flattered by that,” Mike replied.
“Well, I wouldn’t encourage just anyone to get involved with my brother. He takes…special handling,” Meredith replied.
“And you think I can do that?” Mike asked.
“I think you don’t back down from him. And he needs that. Needs someone to get in his face and call him on being an asshole.” She reached out and touched his hand gently. “I’m not saying you should let him walk all over you, but I think you two work well together. You might work well as something more. If that’s what you want.”
“I don’t know what I want,” Mike admitted.
“In that case…” Meredith’s smile turned wicked again. “Let me take some pictures of you. Casual, formal, maybe a little risqué. And you can give them to Harvey.”
“And then...?” Mike asked.
“We see what happens. If you don’t want to take that step, I can hang onto the pictures,” she hastened to assure him when he looked leery.
“I don’t know,” Mike said, still hesitant.
Meredith reached out, tugging on his hand. “Mike. I promise I’ll be gentle.”
He chuckled. “I’m not a blushing Victorian bride.”
“No, but you are adorable.” She transferred her hand to his hair, ruffling it.
“Really?” he asked. “Are you serious?”
“Would I lie to you?” She picked up her camera. “Come on. Work it for me, baby.”
He started laughing at her words and she quickly raised the camera, snapping the picture. Moving towards him, she coaxed him into a more comfortable position for him. He moved to button up his shirt, but she pushed his hands away. “Meredith!” he yelped.
“Don’t you dare,” she ordered. “Show a little skin.”
He still looked anxious, but was willing to let her talk him into posing for her. He was straddling a chair while she moved around him when she stopped and looked him over. “We need to change your clothes. I’m thinking jeans. And bare feet. No shirt.”
“I don’t know how I…”
“It’s for Harvey,” she said in a singsong as she danced over to the discarded clothes. Picking through them, she found a pair of faded jeans with a few strategic rips. “These, I think.” She tossed them at him.
Finally she coaxed him into stripping down to his underwear, although he kept ducking his head shyly, peeking up at her. Meredith was careful to place things strategically, hinting at whether or not he was clothed. Eventually she shooed him behind the screen to put his suit back on, snapping a few final shots when he returned.
She straightened out his tie as she looked him over. “I know you’re leery about giving these to Harvey, but my first look says they’re fabulous. Think about it. Take him to dinner. Or better yet, cook something for him. I can send you some recipes. Just be honest with him.”
“I will think about it,” Mike promised. He turned his wrist over. “I’ve got to get back to the office.”
She reached up, kissing his cheek lightly. “Take my card. Call me when you’re ready for me to send the pictures. Or if you just want to bitch about my brother.”
Mike smiled. “Thanks. Have a safe flight.” He lifted his hand in a wave as he left the loft. Meredith turned back to her computer, quickly moving the photos she’d taken into the correct photos. She didn’t have long before her flight and she had some things she needed to take care of first.
Nullam tincidunt felis sit vorax supplicium de fratre tuo didicit—Maybe you learned to be a glutton for punishment from your brother
Aliquam—Thank you
Characters: Harvey Spector, Mike Ross, Donna, Meredith Specter (OC), random unnamed OCs
Fandom: Suits pre-slash
Series: Rebus in Amore Familia (Family Affairs in Love)
Written For: N/A
Prompt: N/A
Summary: Meredith might not have gone to Harvard, but she learned from the best to go after what she wanted, and she wants her older brother to be happy. Mike doesn’t stand a chance.
Rating: soft R
Spoilers: none for the show, minor ones for my F&B story What Jared Wants, but it’s more implied than said.
Warnings: Swearing—lots and lots of swearing—as my friend the Bama boy says “Use of the f-bomb”. (Sorry…Meredith has a potty mouth) Implication and intent of a future relationship between two consenting adult males.
Disclaimer: No one from the USA Suits show belongs to me (*pouts*) or we wouldn’t have had all that buuuullshiiit of Mike and Jenny and Mike and Rachel all season. Mike would have been a good boy and been with Harvey. Meredith does belong to me. And she learned from her big brother to go after and get exactly what she wants.
Author's Note: Okay so for those of you who actually read the bloody author’s notes…this is part of the prequels for the Franklin & Bash/Suits crossover that I am hopefully going to write at some point. I need to do some set up and connect all of the characters and all and this is going to do some of it. A lot more blatantly than a few of the other stories have. And look! I finally named the series. The Latin has been translated…hopefully it works…this is how Meredith starts meddling in Harvey and Mike’s relationship and how she meets Mike and well yes. Something in here is mentioned in passing in one of the F&B stories…and well…go forth and read. I’ll try to put up a post later today with all of the stories thus far so y’all get a better idea timeline wise. Thanks as always to
float_on_alright (aka illfindmyway) who helped greatly with this)! Enjoy the show! Thanks to samjohnsson for catching my brain's hiatus and the misspelling of Meredith's childhood nickname--dude you'd think I could spell my own character's names. There's been a little confusion about the Latin, please don't take any I use as gospel. I plugged it into a translator and prayed it was correct. Its been many, many years since I had any exposure to Latin and most of that was either religious or swearing/insults (yes, gotta love my friends) so I'm kinda winging it. That being said...the translator had a few glitches and kept spitting out different words. If its short phrases I do normally look it up in my dictionary, but I was really lazy this time and didn't. If anyone wants, I can link in the translator I use.Donna smiled brightly at the honey-blonde headed towards her. Breaking off her conversation with Mike (and ignoring his bleating at the action), she went around her desk and enfolded the other woman in a tight hug, her smile widening. “What are you doing here?” she exclaimed happily as she stepped back. “Does Harvey know you’re in town?”
The woman tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, smiling wickedly at the question. “Nope. I thought I’d surprise him. What’s his schedule look like tonight? I’ve only got a little time and I’d hoped to do dinner with him.”
“We have the Bryant deppo at six,” Mike spoke up from where he stood next to Donna’s desk. “But nothing after that.”
The two women turned to observe Mike and he gulped. Although the newcomer didn’t look like one of the slick women he was used to seeing Harvey parade around with, there was something about her. The jeans that clung to her like a second skin were definitely designer and she wore a shimmering silk shirt that probably cost more than his suit paired with a pair of shoes that could easily grind his balls into putty. Her green eyes slowly looked him over before she turned to Donna. “Who’s this?”
“That? Is Harvey’s new toy,” Donna replied. When the woman just looked at her in confusion, she explained, “His associate. Jessica made him get one when he was promoted to senior partner.”
“Ah.” She snapped her fingers. “Now I remember Harvey saying something about it.”
“Donna,” Harvey started as he approached the desk. “I don’t pay you to stand around and chit chat.”
“No, you pay me to run your life,” Donna replied.
Mike watched as the woman’s face transformed into a pout and she turned to face Harvey. “I can’t believe you’re not happy to see me, Vay,” she said.
He stared at her for a moment before sighing. “How much trouble are you in this time?”
“What? I can’t just want to see you?” she asked as she stepped forward and put her arms around his neck, hugging him.
Automatically he hugged her back. “You can, but history proves that…never mind.” He motioned to his office. “I’m not having this conversation out here.”
With a wave at Donna, she followed Harvey into his office. Mike looked in confusion from them to Donna, not sure if he should follow, but a barked, “Mike!” from Harvey decided him. He entered the office in time to hear Harvey ask, “How much money do you need this time?”
“I don’t.” She glared at him. “God damn it, Harvey. I didn’t come here for a hand-out. I really did just want to see you. But if that’s all you think…never mind.” She picked up the bag she’d set down on the couch and turned to storm out of the office almost running into Mike.
“Meredith!” Harvey thundered. “Stop.”
“You don’t get to order me around,” Meredith told him evenly, although she was still facing Mike and he could see the tears threatening to fall from her eyes.
“I know,” Harvey told her. “I’m just going on past evidence. Let’s try this. What did you come here for?”
“I’m in town for a shoot,” she answered, although she continued to face Mike. “I have dinner free tonight and I thought. I hoped. That we could have dinner together, but if you’re just going to accuse me of looking for money, it’s not going to happen.”
“Answer me this?” Harvey asked. “Are you doing okay? Money wise.”
Meredith rolled her eyes at Mike and he bit his tongue so he didn’t laugh. “Yes, Harvey. I’m fine. I’m even, oh my god, working for a lawyer.”
“A lawyer?” Harvey asked sharply. “Which one?”
Meredith sighed, reaching into her bag and pulling out a folder. “How did I know that would come up?” She held the folder out to Harvey and when he motioned, handed it to Mike instead. “A couple of junior partners at Infeld Daniels. I haven’t met them yet, I do all my work through one of the other lawyers and their PI, but it’s all above board. I just take the pictures.”
Mike had flipped the folder open automatically when he got it and he blinked at the name on the contract. “Specter?” he questioned. “Your last name is Specter?” He looked from Meredith to Harvey. “Um, Harvey?”
“Relax, Rookie, she’s my little sister. I haven’t been hiding a wife somewhere.”
Meredith laughed at Mike’s shocked look. “What? Which part is freaking you out? That Harvey has a little sister? Or that it’s me? Besides I wouldn’t marry him. No offense, Vay, but you’re an ass. I love you and all, but you are.”
“Did you actually need something or are you just trying to cost me money?” Harvey asked, ignoring her comment.
“Dinner tonight?” she replied. “Just not one of your hoity-toity five star places. I don’t think I have the clothes for that.”
Harvey looked up from the folder Mike had handed him. “I’m sure there’s a dress or six at my apartment that you can wear.”
“Mine or your bimbo of the week’s?”
“Meredith, I don’t allow any other woman to leave random clothes at my place.” Turning slightly, he raised his voice, “Donna, would you please make a reservation for two at Alessandro’s? For eight-thirty?” At Meredith’s nod, he confirmed, “Eight-thirty.” Meredith was pouting at him when he looked up again. “What?” he asked.
“Two?” she questioned. “Just you and me? I don’t get to spend time with your new boy?” She linked her arm through Mike’s, startling him. “But, Har-vey. You have to let him out of his little cubicle sometime. And he needs to eat. He’s so skinney and adorable. Have Donna make the reservation for three. Please? I can’t have him thinking all Specters are stuffy and asinine.”
“No, I really…” Mike started to protest.
Meredith clapped her hand over his mouth. “Hush. I’m trying to help you.”
“I’m not sure it will,” Mike groaned.
“His bark really is worse than his bite,” Meredith mock whispered. Her green eyes widened. “Or do you already know that?”
“Mere-dith!” Harvey snapped. “Don’t you have work to do?”
She grinned. “Nope. I can stay here and torment you for hours.”
“Fine, well, we do!” Harvey pointed at the door. “Hands off my associate. And get out!”
Giggling, Meredith danced over to him, kissing him on the cheek. “Love you, Vay.” With a wave, she escaped out of the office.
Mike blinked. “Is she…always like that?”
“She’s a little more hyper than usual, but yes. Don’t feel obligated to come to dinner.”
When Harvey looked at him, Mike had a look of consideration on his face. “I think it’ll be interesting,” the younger man said.
Meredith rushed into the restaurant, not surprised to find her brother and his associate already seated at a table. She slid into the seat that was open across from Harvey, brushing a kiss across his cheek as she did so, and gratefully accepted the glass of wine the sommelier poured for her. Harvey raised a brow as she downed half the glass in one go. “Oh, don’t give me that look,” she told him as she set the glass down, nodding for the man to refill it. “You can’t even imagine what my day was like after I left your office. I’m not even sure if I’m going to be able to do my shoot tomorrow because my one of my damn models quit.”
“So you gulp expensive wine?” Harvey replied. “Did I teach you nothing? Or has the West Coast corrupted you that much?”
“Sometimes, big brother, booze is booze.” She turned to Mike. “Is he always like this? All hoity toity and holier than thou?”
Mike looked from Harvey to Meredith, not sure how he should respond. “Ah,” he started.
She reached over and patted his hand. “It’s okay, Mike.” Picking up her menu, she asked Harvey, “Any recommendations?”
For a few minutes, they were occupied with discussing their choices; Harvey taking the time to educate Mike on how he would be acting if Meredith was a client instead of them simply having dinner. Meredith lounged back in her seat once the waiter had walked away, her glass held loosely in her hand. “Mike, you have more patience with my brother than I ever did,” she commented. “I’d have told him to kiss my ass by now.”
Mike gave a slight shrug. “I owe Harvey a lot,” he attempted to explain. “And I’ve learned a lot from him.”
“So what happened?” Harvey broke in. “What made you late and put you into more of a tizzy than usual?”
She sighed, turning her attention to her brother. “I’m in town to do a photo shoot for a clothing line. Some teenage high class high line designer shit.” She waved her hand to show she really had no idea what exactly they sold, but that it was a big one. “Anyway they want to push their new boys’ line and tout it as multicultural.” She ticked off the models she had on her fingertips. “I’ve got an Asian, a Hispanic, an African-American, and a Native American, but I no longer have your average Caucasian.”
“Why does that mean you can’t do your shoot?” Harvey questioned.
“It’s very difficult to do a multicultural shoot when you’re missing one of the…” Meredith paused, her eyes lighting on Mike. She turned to Harvey. “Can I borrow your boy tomorrow? I promise I don’t need him the whole day.”
“I’m sorry can you what?” Mike demanded. “Harvey, wait.”
“I think he’s a bit old for your teenage photo shoot,” Harvey pointed out.
Meredith leaned towards Mike, tousling his hair and tilting his head to the side before he could escape her. “Nah. I can do it. He already looks like whitebread jailbait. And trust me, with the clothes they’re giving me, I could almost make you pass for jailbait.”
Mike wasn’t sure if he should comment on what Meredith said, but he wanted to get out of her grasp first. Harvey seemed mostly amused by her comments, although he had taken offense at something because he had the I’ve swallowed a lemon expression on his face now. “Mike is not jailbait, May May.”
She rolled her green eyes. “I didn’t say he was jailbait. I said I could make him look like jailbait. So can I borrow him? I’ll pay him. Hell, I’ll pay him his billables, plus some. You can’t need him for the whole day.”
When Mike saw Harvey actually considering it, he felt he had to say something. “Hey, don’t I get a say in this?” he asked. “I mean, I realize I’m your associate, but does that mean I’m yours to farm out as you choose?”
Harvey’s eyes flicked to him. “Essentially. Yes.”
Mike pushed back from the table. “Excuse me then. I’ll let you decide my fate. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Meredith waited until she was sure Mike was out of earshot to turn her attention to Harvey. “Okay. So did you fuck him yet?”
Harvey choked on the sip of wine he’d just taken. “Meredith, language. And I really think my sex life is none of your business.”
“While normally I’d agree because even the thought of you and sex is enough to make me hurl, I like him. And I think he might actually be able to get that stick out of your ass. So did you?”
“I’m not going to dignify that with an answer,” Harvey replied.
“So that’s a no. What are you waiting for?” Meredith responded.
“It’s not that easy, May May. There are rules,” Harvey tried to explain.
“Rules? Or laws, big brother? Because I seem to remember a man who doesn’t like to play by the rules.” She glanced up as Mike re-joined them. “Think about it, Vay,” she said as a parting shot.
“Think about what?” Mike asked.
“That I should let her have you for a few hours tomorrow,” Harvey replied. “And I don’t see a problem with it. You might even have fun with it.”
“Do I get a say in this?” Mike asked.
“No,” the siblings responded in unison.
“Meredith?” Mike spun almost in a circle as he looked around for the woman he’d been sent to find. “Um, are you here?”
“Hey, Mike. Glad you found the place.” Meredith came out from behind a screen, tugging a t-shirt back into place.
Mike did a double take at the logo on the shirt. “I didn’t know people still wore t-shirts with Cyndi Lauper on it.”
Meredith glanced down at herself and chuckled. “It’s an old shirt. Harvey took me to the concert when I was like…twelve, I think. Actually I think this one was his.”
“Harvey. My Harvey? Went to a Cyndi Lauper concert?” Mike asked incredulously.
Meredith grinned at his words. “Yup.” She patted his cheek. “Be a good boy and I’ll find the pictures from it.” Spinning around and walking across the loft, her hips swinging with the movement, she called over her shoulder, “But for now, strip.”
“Str-ip?” Mike’s voice almost went up an octave as he repeated her last word. “I’m sorry. What?” Mike tried to keep up with her change in conversation.
“Well you can’t wear those clothes. I have others for you.”
Mike looked down at the suit (one of the ones Harvey had ordered him to buy) and then back to Meredith who’d made it over to a rack of clothes and was thumbing through them. “What’s wrong with my clothes?”
“Not a thing. If you’re an Ivy League corporate bitch like my brother, but I need you to look a bit more like jailbait or at least a teenager than you already do. So strip down, pretty boy, and put these on.” She handed him a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. “I’ll have the rest of your clothes ready when you come out. Oh, and no shoes or socks.”
He accepted the clothes she almost tossed at him and ducked behind the screen she’d been behind when he got there. As he took off his suit, folding it carefully, and pulled on the jeans, he called, “I thought there was supposed to be more people here?”
“Yup. They should be here in a few minutes,” she answered over the sounds of moving hangers. “I told you a few minutes early so you had time to change at least your pants. I wasn’t sure how shy you were.”
“Aw. Thanks?” he replied as he heard the door slam.
For the next couple of hours, Mike was worked harder physically than he had been in a while. He worked hard at the firm, but it was mental work and work he enjoyed. This was mostly mindless and he couldn’t imagine doing it day in and day out. For the most part the other boys weren’t mean, but they also didn’t have a whole lot of interest things to say. Mike was sure if this was his regular job, their discussions of make-up and fashion and who was sleeping with whom to get better modeling jobs might be a lot more interesting. But gossip like that had never interested him even before he became Harvey’s associate.
Even Meredith seemed only able to take them for so long because after about an hour of their inanity, Mike noticed her mumbling to herself. When he drifted closer to her during one of the breaks; he was amused to find she was swearing in Latin. Leaning over, he told her with a grin, “Nullam tincidunt felis sit vorax supplicium de fratre tuo didicit.”
Meredith’s lips quirked at his words. “Aliquam,” she responded before pointing back to the group. “We’re almost done.”
Despite her words, it was another hour before she dismissed the group of models. Mike gave a sigh of relief when the door closed behind the last of them. “Do you always get such airheaded models?” he asked as he immediately started to unbutton the shirt he was wearing.
“Wait!” Meredith exclaimed.
Mike’s hands jerked, almost ripping the shirt, and he demanded, “What? Who?” He glanced around as if expecting something to jump out at him. “Don’t do that!” he snapped when he didn’t see anyone.
“Tell me something, Mike,” Meredith said, her smile turning downright wicked. “Would you be willing to let me take some more pictures of you?”
“What type of pictures?” Mike asked suspiciously.
“Answer me something first,” she said. “How do you feel about my brother?”
“He’s my boss. I mean.” Mike shrugged. “He’s…”
Meredith rolled her eyes. “He’s an ass. I know that. But how do you feel about him?” She put a hand on his shoulder. “Mike, I know my brother. And he does a very good job at hiding the feelings he has, but he does have them. What I’d like to know is how you feel.” Looking at him for a minute, she asked, “Do you need to have your ass cherry popped before you make a move on him?”
“Meredith!” he yelped.
She looked up from where she was loading the memory card into her computer. “Not a virgin then? Good. Harvey will actually like it better that way.”
“No. I mean yes. I mean. Seriously? Why would you even ask me that?!”
She grinned at him. “Honestly, Mike, I don’t care whether you are or aren’t. I just want you to loosen up a little.” Setting the camera behind her, she looked at him for a moment. “Do you like my brother, Mike?”
“Are you actually trying to pimp your brother out to me?”
“More like trying to pimp you out to my brother.” She considered it for a minute. “Or maybe it’s a mutual pimping.”
“I don’t know if I should be offended or flattered by that,” Mike replied.
“Well, I wouldn’t encourage just anyone to get involved with my brother. He takes…special handling,” Meredith replied.
“And you think I can do that?” Mike asked.
“I think you don’t back down from him. And he needs that. Needs someone to get in his face and call him on being an asshole.” She reached out and touched his hand gently. “I’m not saying you should let him walk all over you, but I think you two work well together. You might work well as something more. If that’s what you want.”
“I don’t know what I want,” Mike admitted.
“In that case…” Meredith’s smile turned wicked again. “Let me take some pictures of you. Casual, formal, maybe a little risqué. And you can give them to Harvey.”
“And then...?” Mike asked.
“We see what happens. If you don’t want to take that step, I can hang onto the pictures,” she hastened to assure him when he looked leery.
“I don’t know,” Mike said, still hesitant.
Meredith reached out, tugging on his hand. “Mike. I promise I’ll be gentle.”
He chuckled. “I’m not a blushing Victorian bride.”
“No, but you are adorable.” She transferred her hand to his hair, ruffling it.
“Really?” he asked. “Are you serious?”
“Would I lie to you?” She picked up her camera. “Come on. Work it for me, baby.”
He started laughing at her words and she quickly raised the camera, snapping the picture. Moving towards him, she coaxed him into a more comfortable position for him. He moved to button up his shirt, but she pushed his hands away. “Meredith!” he yelped.
“Don’t you dare,” she ordered. “Show a little skin.”
He still looked anxious, but was willing to let her talk him into posing for her. He was straddling a chair while she moved around him when she stopped and looked him over. “We need to change your clothes. I’m thinking jeans. And bare feet. No shirt.”
“I don’t know how I…”
“It’s for Harvey,” she said in a singsong as she danced over to the discarded clothes. Picking through them, she found a pair of faded jeans with a few strategic rips. “These, I think.” She tossed them at him.
Finally she coaxed him into stripping down to his underwear, although he kept ducking his head shyly, peeking up at her. Meredith was careful to place things strategically, hinting at whether or not he was clothed. Eventually she shooed him behind the screen to put his suit back on, snapping a few final shots when he returned.
She straightened out his tie as she looked him over. “I know you’re leery about giving these to Harvey, but my first look says they’re fabulous. Think about it. Take him to dinner. Or better yet, cook something for him. I can send you some recipes. Just be honest with him.”
“I will think about it,” Mike promised. He turned his wrist over. “I’ve got to get back to the office.”
She reached up, kissing his cheek lightly. “Take my card. Call me when you’re ready for me to send the pictures. Or if you just want to bitch about my brother.”
Mike smiled. “Thanks. Have a safe flight.” He lifted his hand in a wave as he left the loft. Meredith turned back to her computer, quickly moving the photos she’d taken into the correct photos. She didn’t have long before her flight and she had some things she needed to take care of first.
Nullam tincidunt felis sit vorax supplicium de fratre tuo didicit—Maybe you learned to be a glutton for punishment from your brother
Aliquam—Thank you
