Chapter Four: Grand Gestures

Watching her hips sway, both elbows pointed at each side as she struts down the hallway with files in hand, not even glancing in his direction, he knows she has him. Whether she knew he would follow or not, he doesn't know, or care. But he'd never felt more like a moth to her flame in his life.

Having absolutely no good reason to get up and fly after her, he gives it a couple of seconds until he does exactly that, fingernails taking turns wrapping against his desk before the back of his legs are pushing his chair away as he stands and makes a swift exit, hardly managing to hide his titillated smirk.

Donna makes it to the file room and feels him creep up behind her moments later. The carpeted floor not enough to silence him, not for her anyway. Before she allows trepidation to set in her stomach, she gives the machine her signature hip-thrust to get it working, watching smugly as it comes alive. She picks up a document from the table next to her and puts it into the copier.

"Are you gonna help me with these, or just stand there and stare at me all day?"

Harvey swallows, pushes himself off the wall he was leaning against and fills the gap. Lingering over her shoulder for a second longer than necessary before planting himself at her side, meeting her scolding smirk with one of feigned seriousness as he picks up the piece of paper now making its way out of his side of the machine. She goes to take it from him but he doesn't let go. Forcing her to hold their gaze for a moment longer. Until he breaks and his eyes fall down her front zip that sits between the valley of her breasts, one slit giving the perfect peek into what lay beneath as material covers her chest all the way up to her collar bones. Just asking to be unzipped all the way down her torso and legs. Long black sleeves covering the freckles on her arms that he knows all too well. The sun kissing her over the years in all the places he wanted to. Her honeycomb hair falling neatly over each shoulder, never a strand out of place. He wonders how she does it, day in day out, on top of everything else. Looking flawless seemed to come so natural to her, even though he knows it would have to take her at least an extra forty minutes each morning.

"Maybe if you didn't wear dresses like that you wouldn't have to ask." he murmurs, face straight and brows raised.

If she didn't know him so well she'd think he was in a mood because of his expression. But she does know him, and this was him setting the tone after the intimate night they just shared. Making sure she didn't have time to overthink it this morning. After she woke up alone.

She pulls the sheet from his grasp and places it on the other side of the machine. "Please, you'd still be ogling me if I was wearing a trash bag." She places another document over the scanner and the sound of the copier fills the silence once again.

"How do you know that?" He hands her the photocopy, noticing how she doesn't let herself look up this time.

"Because you're you." She shakes her head lightly, brows raised, allowing some of the hair on her left side to fall over her face, acting somewhat as a copper curtain even though he could still see her features.

"Actually it's because you're you."

Donna pauses for a second, absorbing his charm. And then she just lightheartedly scoffs. Her wit failing her now that his flirt was managing to flatter her.

"You should just wear nothing from now on." he teases. "It would solve all of our problems."

"Yeah, because that would be less distracting.." she quips in that sarcastic tone of hers. Before it dawns on her that she's openly having a conversation about her being naked, with the man who's only seen her bare once before, long ago. And the only man she wants to look at her in that way ever again. Even if she won't tell herself that just yet. She feels a light burn under her cheeks.

"Donna."

She can tell by his voice that he's had enough of the blanketing back-and-forth. Signaling that it's time to talk about what's underneath the covers.

Glancing up at him to her left, a knowing smile forms slowly across her face. Trying her best to hold onto her composure, stay calm and take control of the situation before he can get his hands behind the wheel.

"We had a lot to drink, and we fell asleep together." Her nerves separate her lips, causing her teeth to show as she grins. Until she's ready to have a certain conversation, and ready to find out exactly what he wants with her, she's more than happy to start rebuilding the walls she had let crumble under a few tumblers of scotch and a few too many glasses of wine. "We don't have to talk about it."

He's almost in shock at how okay she is about not discussing anything. Guessing that she was too afraid to hear what he had to say about it. Their tables have turned, done a complete one-eighty in recent years. He can't help but contemplate about it, inwardly wondering if it's his karma. And if he even believes in that shit.

"I don't want you to think that I.." He tells himself he's pathetic as he fails to find words.

"It's fine, Harvey. It's not like we.." Slept together.

It was as if they were both competing to be most incapable at finishing a sentence that has something to do with their feelings - for one another.

Her mind forces her back to this morning. How she woke on her couch just after six. Still in last night's dress. Lightly tucked under her a thin blanket. Wondering if it was him that had placed the lock of hair behind her ear, when the rest of her manes were showing the effects of sleep. And whether it was before or after he had left a glass of water and some aspirin on the coffee table. She was too comatose to remember the kiss he left on her forehead, moments before she came to. Probably a good thing.

He sighs, tired of getting nowhere, so he just spits it out. "I don't want you to think that I just left this morning. I didn't wanna wake you, so I slipped out to go home and get ready for work."

"Okay." she nods, tone feigning nonchalance, pretending as if she didn't want to know when he left. Like she hadn't been wondering for the last four hours if he had vanished as soon as he woke back up, desperate to flea the scene as the effects of expensive alcohol wore off. One in the morning? Two? But no, apparently he stayed all night.

Her stare dances back and forth between somber eyes and sensuous lips, clearly uncomfortable about addressing last night. The intimacy of it still etched in her skin. His therapeutic breathing pattern. The promise of his pulse beating under her palm. His firm arms securing her spine. Legs entwined as they lay down as one. Her thigh grazing against his hardened crotch whenever they would shift slightly. If she hadn't been so in need of sleep, she's sure she would have been waking up in her bed, sans clothes. But the thought of ever waking up without him after something like that is what really makes her feel exposed. And this morning felt like a wake up call. Would he ever leave her like that? Years of 'but that doesn't mean' begins to mess with her head, even at a time when he seems to be chasing her with all the right intentions.

"I didn't wanna leave."

Her most recent wonders and worries seem to be a complete waste as his reassuring eyes refuse to look away. And she feels guilty for even thinking he would do such a thing. Especially when he didn't the last time. The other time.

"Good to know."

Harvey inhales, letting the seriousness fade on the exhale. His lips remain level, but she knows he wants to smile when he tilts his head a certain way. "Thought you were supposed to know everything?"

"I do." she blinks, tongue teasing the roof of her mouth before her guise fades into a more solemn expression, eyes oozing with gratitude as she speaks, using those sweet vocals that always force him to smile right back just as charmingly. "But sometimes it feels good to be reassured."

They secure a stare that has both of them birthing ridiculous twin smirks. Before she snaps out of it and attempts to shoo him away so she can actually get something done.

"Now go get back to work, you're slowing me down here. I've got a merger to prepare for."

He doesn't feel like complying as easily as she might like. Even though deep down she loves him following her around like a stray dog. Refusing to budge, he challenges her apparent composure.

"I've got a few extra minutes to spare. You can teach me that thing you do with the copier."

"Like you'll ever need to use this." Donna scoffs, finger pointed at the old machine she's known almost as long as him. And just like him, knows how it operates, what makes it tick, and what's needed for it to achieve optimum performance. Which in the case of the copier - and perhaps even Harvey - is a firm, but gentle thrust of her lower body.

"No, that's what assistants are for.." he says in a way that he knows won't offend her. "I just wanna see those hips in action again."

He watches her shake her head, elated at being able to visibly witness the effect he's having on her.

"I know I just said this last night..but you're an idiot." she bites, her tone significantly less salacious than when she had uttered the same words less than a day ago.

"I know I said this last night, but you're beautiful."

He said it with a smirk. And that boyish charm of his. But knowing he meant it is enough to hitch her breath and have her glare up at him. Before casting her eyes back down to the task at hand as she shuffles some papers around without the need to. Her chest feeling tight. Her heart thumping away as if it were beating between each ear.

"I know this room seems to be the office go-to for whatever it is you're looking for, but it's gonna take a bit more than that.."

He knows she's playing with him, using humour as a veil. Acting as if she thought he was joking around too when he said it. To make it easier to brush it off. But he's not paying attention to her words, letting her body speak its language instead, telling him everything he needs to know.

He hasn't let himself read her like this since they first met. Or more specifically, her rule hasn't let him. Complimenting her, openly and unapologetically showing his interest in her, makes him feel as though he's a decade younger. And if only the age lines and darkened shadows under his eyes would fade, he'd believe he was. Because chasing her was freeing him. Reviving the deeper parts of his soul that he thought to be long lost under the murky fog which housed his demons.

"God loves a trier."

"Actually, I love someone who is useful.." she quips. "Now either hand me those papers or get the hell out of here."

Harvey picks up the newly photocopied documents, a new payroll list for all the new partners entering the firm this week thanks to the merger. He doesn't break eye contact once, letting the heat of his stare get to her exactly where hers was getting to him.

"So you're God now?"

"Have you ever seen us in the same room?"

Her comedic nature has him scrunching his lips together in an attempt to kill the huge grin she was getting out of him. She lets out a near silent chuckle examining his nostrils flare and his signature smirk forming handsome creases in each cheek.

"All the time." he jokes back, pointing a finger back to himself, watching her roll her eyes and glance back down at her files.

He begins to see why she made her rule in the first place. Dating colleagues could get messy, yes. However, it could also get in the way of productivity. And for a workaholic like Donna Paulsen, that wasn't an option.

But he doesn't care anymore. Because for once it seems, neither does she.

…

Four more days pass and Specter Litt's self-made COO sits in her office, focused eyes scanning over legal minutia on a bright screen that she's sure is going to have her needing glasses at some point in the near future.

"Donna Paulsen." she hears, as if it were a question, but not asked as one - seeing as her name is quite literally on the wall.

The busy yet distracted redhead looks up after her train of thought gets derailed. She takes in the leggy blonde making her way into her office. All white and cream - and confident.

"Depends who's asking." she quips with a hint of a smile.

"We haven't formerly met yet." She inches closer, her grin too large for Donna's liking.

Because you've been too busy hijacking Harvey's case all week, she thinks to herself.

"Samantha Wheeler. Formerly of Rand Kaldor Zane."

"I know who you are." Donna stands up and offers a warmly outstretched hand over her desk. "Nice to meet you, Samantha. Welcome to the firm."

"Thank you."

Donna naturally slows down the handshake but the woman doesn't loosen her grip. Staring into her eyes with a twinkle in her own that she annoyingly can't place.

They break the firm hold then. She can see a question forming on the tip of the lawyer's tongue.

"I take it you didn't come to my office just to clarify names." she implies, gesturing for the woman to take a seat while she does the same, swinging one leg over the other and arms laying on each rest as she sits back in her office throne - perfectly fitting for the new queen of the empire.

"No..I didn't." Samantha confirms, also crossing her legs as she settles in, hands clasped, elbows pointed out as they rest on the arms of the chair. "I came to get the lowdown on things around here."

Donna tilts her head, skeptical and intrigued all at once. "What kind of things?"

"Name partner things.."

"Meaning Harvey."

She just knows a woman like that wouldn't come to her to suss out Louis Litt. And although his name isn't on the wall just yet, she guesses it's not about Zane, seeing as she must know the man better than Donna herself.

She's also well aware that firm management is about to take a huge turn in the coming weeks. But as long as Harvey's still managing partner, she'll act as his COO. And she isn't about to disclose any merger details to someone who's still a stranger. Especially not when he hasn't officially made up his mind yet. Though deep down, she knows his heart just isn't in it.

"So you are as good as they say."

"I am." Donna breathes, leaning in, elbows on her desk, hands interlocked. "So, what is it?"

Samantha inhales, chest rising, mouth closed, dark brown eyes fixating on lighter ones. "I want name partner."

"It's your first week." Donna frowns in bemusement, a cold and cautious smile cracking at her lips.

"And I want it before the year is out." she finishes bravely.

Donna laughs briefly and humorlessly, becoming more unsure of the woman before her with each passing second. On the one hand, she admires her ambition. On the other, she wishes she'd go be ambitious somewhere else. Her gut was usually telling her exactly what to make of someone by now. But this time her initial instinct doesn't prove as strong.

"Why are you telling me this, and not Harvey?"

"Because I wanna know how to approach him about it."

"And why do you think I should help you get your name on the wall, when I don't know the first thing about you?"

Donna purses her lips, subconsciously sitting back in her chair to present power and prejudice, just like the managing partner would when he's challenging someone. She knows more about the woman than she cares to let on. Harvey had been filling her in during late night drinks at either one of their offices once or twice this week. So far, she doesn't seem to fit Specter Litt's family dynamic. But then again, nothing much feels the same around the firm lately, bar a few familiar faces.

"I don't. But if what I've heard about you is correct, you'll soon figure out all you need to know about me." Samantha doesn't break eye contact as she bigs herself up, something Donna respects. "And once you do, and you come around to me.. you'll see that I deserve it."

"Lots of people deserve it." She turns up her palms and shakes her head lightly, remaining perfectly poised. "Doesn't mean they get their name in silver capitals. It's just not how it works."

Samantha smiles, tongue grazing her teeth in light vexation, as if she was about to state the obvious. "And I'm not gonna be one of those people."

"You're driven I'll give you that." Donna blinks once, arching her brow at the woman.

The blonde sighs before sitting forward. "Look, Donna. I came to you because when I heard there was a female COO slash silent partner around here, I was relieved."

Donna doesn't give her the chance to continue, cutting in, coated in a heavy layer of apprehensive armour. "Because I'm a woman you think I'll just roll over easy?"

"Because women have to stick together in the type of environment we work in." the lawyer clarifies straight away. "I thought being next door to him..you'd know him pretty well." she defends, unapologetically. "I tend to come across standoffish and if I know a bit more about him, other than his reputation, then maybe what I'm asking for won't be as hard to swallow."

"It's Harvey. I assure you he won't even digest it at first, let alone swallow it."

Donna briefly wonders why she's acting so protective. Samantha isn't a major threat to either of them. Just another arrogant lawyer looking to climb the ladder, never happy with whatever rung they're currently on. She could manage them in her sleep at this stage, and sometimes wonders if she has actually done so in the past when their lawyer jargon would leave her brain numb. But this was going beyond loyalty. Venturing into something messier - greener.

"And I do know him. But not because we're neighbours."

Her words earn a look of intrigue from the blonde. However, she's smart enough not to over-divulge on their private past. But she also lets her in on details that don't concern her. Deciding to blame it on her lack of female conversations of late.

"This is all still relatively new." She raises her palms a few inches and glances around her office briefly. "I worked at his desk for years before I got promoted."

"Ah, I see." Samantha presses her lips together afterwards, nodding in thought.

"Excuse me?" Donna feels that familiar frustration building inside her. Insinuations like these were so common over the years that they almost slid right off her back, like water off a duck's. But it was always harder to ignore coming from a woman. And this woman was about to experience Donna Paulsen's fiery temper firsthand if she didn't explain herself properly.

Samantha smirks thinly, realising how she may have sounded before she recrosses her legs and attempts to put herself in the clear.

"I see why you're so loyal to him. And why you're so hesitant to trust me." she elucidates. "You two have obviously become close over the years. Which means you get a lot of shit over your promotion. People thinking you didn't deserve it. Or that he just bumped you up because you two are a thing."

Donna understands what she means now, and even finds herself inwardly impressed at how intuitive the woman seems to be. But she was still being overly forward for her liking. Not that she's one to judge on that kind of behavioural trait.

"If you want my help, I'm not sure you're going about it the right way."

"I'm not saying it's true. Or that I think it. I'm saying that I get it."

Donna sighs almost silently, and then accepts her answer. She pauses for a second, before she verbalises her next thought. One that had been brewing in her brain since Samantha had claimed that she wanted to be on the same page as Harvey.

"Zane wants you on good terms with him, doesn't he?" She watches the blonde open her mouth to speak before she cuts her short, certain that the woman knows more than she's letting on about the switch up of names and titles that were more than likely just around the corner. "And you'll do whatever he wants because you really want him to make you name partner some day. Not Harvey."

Samantha's silence speaks for her. She's beginning to realise that withholding bits of information from the woman before her isn't going to get her anywhere, because she seems to know everything anyway.

"He may have suggested it..but I wanna make amends, regardless."

"I'm sure.." Donna mumbles, inwardly wondering if she was being overly guarded. But she's long been accustomed to the comforts of surrounding herself with high fences when staring uncertainty in the face and she doesn't feel like making eye contact with it.

Samantha stands up after a few seconds spent engaging in a silent staredown. Feeling as though she was hitting a brick wall here. A dead end, protected by a vigilant guard dog - a feisty, faithful red setter.

"Well it was nice to meet you, Donna. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other. A lot more."

"I'm sure we will."

They share a gaze before she watches the woman leave.

"Samantha?" She waits for her to turn back just as she reaches the door.

"Please." she smirks, eyes bordering on something Donna dare interpret as flirtatious. "Call me Sam."

Donna smiles before raising a brow and schooling her features. "He's as cocky as they come. And cocky doesn't like cocky."

"So I should just flutter my lashes and giggle like a schoolgirl?" she quips sarcastically, amused at the ridiculous thought.

"No, he'll definitely hate that." the redhead almost chuckles. "What I'm saying is, your 'and I want it by the year is out' won't help you with him. He doesn't like change. So don't shove it down his throat."

"Make my demands known, without demanding them." Samantha nods in understanding. "Got it."

"And that's still not gonna guarantee you anything."

"Thanks, Donna."

"Don't thank me yet. He's also as moody as they come, and I can't help you with that." her adviser jokes, even though it was the furthest thing from a lie.

Samantha lingers at the door longer than necessary, fingers planted on the glass right under her name, lighting tapping away as she nods with an appreciative smile.

The COO waits until the woman has vanished down the hallway before she allows herself to release the breath she'd held since the interaction began. It seems as though everyone wants their name up on that wall lately and she's concerned at how Harvey will take it. Which is the main reason she decided to give Samantha advice in the first place. To make it that little bit easier on him when she goes to see him about it.

She can't help but feel as though he is growing tired of this old, repetitive game. And wonders if she herself even finds it as fulfilling anymore. Because if you take away the firm, what are either of them left with?

Each other. Only each other.

Perhaps the answer as to why they have both devoted more time to their careers, than to themselves. Take away one building, and they're left without shelter from the biggest storm of all. Their ever-repressive love for one another.

…

Harvey sits in his soon-to-be former office. He's going through case files for a client when she walks in. He hears the heels first and smiles almost invisibly. Until he looks up. His face morphs to discontentment in less than one second flat. No Donna. In fact, to him, this woman is the furthest thing from the one he was expecting.

"And to what do I owe the pleasure of your company today?" he growls, eyes reverting back to his paperwork to exude as much disinterest as humanly possible.

"Can't a fellow partner just stop by to say hi to her colleague these days?"

"Boss." he corrects with authoritative eyes. "And she can. If her billables are good enough to be wasting the firm's valuable time."

"Oh I assure you," She steps closer to his desk, knowing she won't be sitting down like her previous meeting with Donna before lunch, "my billables are more than good enough."

Harvey leans back and the spine of his chair bends with him. "What do you want, Samantha?"

She sighs with a dry smile, wondering if he was ever going to look remotely happy to see her. Then remembers she hasn't really given him much reason to since she had arrived at the beginning of the work week. Commandeering his case and butting her nose in where he didn't want or need it was strike number one. He doesn't even feel like giving her three. He just wants her out.

"Look, I know we got off to a bad start.. but I just wanna say that I'm not here to tread on anyone's toes. I'm here to do my job. Just like I always have."

"Well, if you could do it without getting in the way of mine from now on, that'd be great." He leans back into his laptop, purposely dismissive as he starts to mindlessly type up some document he had left open.

Samantha watches him for a second, anger building inside, but she bites her tongue. She deserves his cold shoulder. So she battles against her ego until she wins, remembering the advice Donna had given her. Cocky doesn't like cocky.

"I would like to make name partner before the year is out."

Harvey rolls his eyes. He actually finds himself glad that Robert would be taking over soon and will have to deal with this sort of shit from now on.

He had made his mind up the night he fell asleep on his best friend's couch with said best friend in his arms. Reminding him of the finer things in life. His wake-up call as he began to fall asleep to her steady breathing.

Even though he hasn't told her yet. Or anyone, for that matter. Not even Robert himself.

"Get in line."

"I know you probably won't be here much longer.." She raises her hands mid-air as she glances around his office, ignoring his rude remark, only making Harvey more agitated. It's as if she doesn't even know how brazen she is. Or just doesn't care. "But being a managing partner yourself, and a longstanding colleague of the firm.. you have influence."

He frowns even further, wondering why the hell she would need his influence when she's practically Zane's right-hand woman. Until it hits him almost as quick as it had dawned on the redhead.

"Robert doesn't think you're ready, does he?"

His quick instinct silences her. But not for long.

"Why does everyone around here seem to know everyone else's business?"

"I don't follow."

"Your little guard dog next door." She lazily waves her left arm in her direction.

"Watch your mouth." Harvey reprimands, sounding overly defensive, if not protective. Which he soon realises, but doesn't care.

He can't help but wonder what Donna had said or done for Samantha to call her that. He knows that she would always have his back. That much isn't surprising. It's just protocol at this stage. Though he can't help but inwardly smile at the image all the same.

Samantha knits her brows lightly, her lips breaking into a curious smirk. She was beginning to see what everyone else always sees.

"It wasn't an insult." She raises the backs of her palms to her chest in exaggerated defense before they neatly fall back at her sides and she exhales. "I can see why she's so valued around here." With a brief pause, she meets his eye again. "And I happen to quite like her actually.."

Her lowered tone makes Harvey suspicious. Or curious. Maybe even jealous. He can't figure it, or her, out.

"Good. Because the last thing you wanna do is get on her bad side. Thing's won't run smoothly for you around here if you do." He sounds proud at the fact.

"Oh I have no intentions of pissing her off, trust me."

The suggestiveness in her voice doesn't help ease his suspicions. Making his fists tighten. So he decides to get back to their previous topic, still waiting for a proper answer.

"Why aren't you asking Zane?" He knows she knows he's about to be the new managing partner around here. Even if nobody is saying it out loud yet.

Her sudden silence speaks volumes. Before she decides to explain the situation.

"I brought it up with him last year and he shot me down. I don't plan on being shot down twice. And besides..he wants us to be on good terms."

"So that's why you're really here dressed in sheep's clothing all of a sudden?"

"Oh, I would never hide my fur, Harvey."

It almost worries him how much she means it. There's no denying how much of a wolf she is, so she doesn't even try to.

Harvey sighs, wanting to massage his head with his thumb and forefinger to offset the minor migraine threatening his temples. But refuses, not wanting to let her know how tired he really is.

However, he can all too vividly remember the many times he was desperate for Jessica to promote him, and she refused. So something in him switches slightly, deciding to think about giving her the benefit of the doubt and treating her with the respect she never showed him upon her arrival. Choosing to believe she means it when she says she's not interested in continuing the way they had started off. Like cats and dogs.

"Look, even if I could convince him..this firm has been through more than its fair share of name changes. I'm not sure we can afford another marriage that soon."

"I'll just have to show you then."

"Show me what?" he frowns, looking her up and down.

"How much of an asset I am to this firm."

He almost scoffs, raising his brows but his tone letting her know he was warming to her. "You'd have been off to a better start had you not stuck your nose in my case this week."

"Did I get the job done or not?"

"Not the point."

"Morello Assets would beg to differ."

He can't believe Mike Ross abandoned ship and seemingly left this more experienced, but far less likeable version of him to fill his work shoes. She would never be Robin, that much was clear from the get-go. But then again, who could? He could at least let them mend bridges to prevent her form becoming the Joker.

"You wanna be friends? Then start acting like a friend. And as for your name on the wall? I can't promise anything. And I'm not gonna act like it's my top priority to convince Zane. Or even a main one. So if you wanna prove yourself, just do it. Instead of talking about it."

He suspected his blunt advice would shut her up. She presses her lips together in a slow nod, staring him down as if she was considering his counsel, before she backs away and retreats to her own office. Waving a reg flag around for the agitated bull isn't something she sees as wise, or tempting, right now.

He breathes heavily and spies the time on his laptop. Just six more hours until he can clock off. And maybe slip into the redhead's office for another nightcap.

…

One week later, Donna finds herself alone in the executive kitchen for lunch. Unaware that she's smiling to herself, thinking of him. And some joke he had cracked before he dropped her home last night. A new reoccurring routine of theirs.

They still haven't talked about their situation. Letting actions speak in place of words for the time being. Growing closer and becoming more comfortable with each intimate moment as they come. Both aware that when all this merger business is behind them, they - or more accurately, she - won't have any more reason to remain silent on the matter.

She hears him before she sees him. His signature steps as uplifting to her as the keys of a grand piano after the strenuous work week she's had. Which involved helping Harvey through the new firm-alliance as they navigated fresh politics and new partners. Robert Zane growing more impatient and irritable by the day. Threatening to impose even further and achieve his demands by way of vote if Harvey doesn't sign something official soon. Bringing twenty new partners with him for this new union had many benefits for him, and this was one of them.

Donna was the one staying with him late at night, both sitting around his office table thinking of ways out of this. He hadn't told her he had more or less made up his mind. Using these meetings as an excuse to spend more time with her. Even if it was about business. Until he would get bored that is, and make his way over to his decanter, changing the conversation to anything but work. She wouldn't push him, knowing his limits all too well. But it still unsettled her. Seeing him like that. She'd never known him to not let work consume him. And without that part of him, that was both his greatest strength and contradicting weakness, he seemed to be consuming her. Asking about her day. Complimenting her outfits. Digging into her personal life in a way he's never dared to before.

His eyes engulf her slender frame. Tight white dress clinging to each heavenly bend in her body. Before the metallic sound of a spoon stirring inside a cup wakes him back up.

"What are you doing two weeks from now?"

"Uhm, working?"

She doesn't even turn around, but he knows what face she's making thanks to her intrigued tone. There's a smile birthing at the left side of her mouth and her brows are raised in wait of his response.

"On July 4th weekend? That's depressing. Your boss must be a real dick."

Donna gives him chuckle. It would be too easy to make a joke out of that. She wonders if he was intentionally handing her a witty remark on a silver platter. But it's never as fun when he wants her to mock him. She spins around, a steaming white coffee cup in her right hand.

"I forgot what weekend that was."

His initial question hits her then. Trepidation and excitement line her stomach at the same time, both battling for her attention as they thrash against her gut. Why does he want to know her plans?

She adopts her most casual stance as she steps towards the marble island in the middle of the larger kitchen, and closer to him, before she eyes him suspiciously. "Why do you ask?"

"Because," He can't hide his grin no matter how nonchalant he tries to act about his grand gesture, "I've booked us both tickets to 'The Emerald City'."

"What!?" Donna loses her cup to the counter.

"Oh wait," Harvey looks at the beverage and smirks until his playful eyes meet widened ones, "you probably know it as the 'Coffee Capital of the World'?"

"I know which city you're referring to, Harvey." she replies, arching her left brow before furrowing both with her next retort. "And you drink as much coffee as I do.."

"Not since you don't get it for me anymore." he chances, nostrils expanding as he licks his lips, just about tasting the drop of vanilla that was distracting him more and more with each inhale. "It's not the same."

She presses her palm against the cool marble, ivory meeting ivory. Her knuckles dig into her waist as she extends her hip and cocks her head at him.

"You think you're gonna guilt me into worrying about your caffeine intake when I have a major law firm to operate?"

"Worth a try."

"Harvey." Donna exhales then, eager to get back on topic. She takes a step towards him, frowning out of worry. There's something he's not telling her. "Why now?"

"Two weeks from now."

She need only arch one brow to force him to explain himself.

"I talked to Mike after our drinks the other week.." His words transport them both right back to their tipsy selves falling asleep on her couch in each other's arms like it was the most normal thing in the world. "And we decided it's time you and I pay them a visit. Together. And our great nation celebrating its independence gives us the perfect opportunity to get away from here." he finishes with exaggerated patriotism.

To get away from here.

She's now more taken aback at the fact that he wants to leave the firm - with her. At a time where he should be putting his heart and soul into the place, like the rest of them were. That, combined with his indifferent comment about work outside her door almost a fortnight ago, and his lack of focus during their unscheduled one-to-one meetings, she once again begins to question how devoted he is to their home as of late. Something she's never had to second guess before these last few weeks. Bar once, when she had to convince him not to walk out on everybody after Mike went to prison to save them all.

"Harvey, we're right in the middle of some major changes here. I'm not sure both of us taking an entire weekend is a good idea." She knows she doesn't have to remind him, but she does anyway, because it's all she can think to do when Harvey Specter is standing three feet away, subtly asking to whisk her away for the weekend.

"We'll fly out that Friday night after work, and be back by Monday." he reasons with a persuasive smirk, as if it's the most logical thing in the world and she's crazy for even considering not going. "Don't you wanna see them?"

He's giving her the pout now. The one lined with feigned innocence, and a sweet caramel smile that complements his dark chocolate eyes far too handsomely. And always manages to disturb the lowest muscles residing deep within her abdomen.

She had almost forgotten how spontaneous he could be. However, he seems to have put plenty of thought into it all the same. As if he predicted her initial apprehensiveness.

"You know I do."

"Well, it's settled then."

Her mouth bends into a crooked grin as he nods at her, before turning his back to go about his day. As if half afraid she would change her mind before he had the chance to leave.

"Harvey?" He spins back around immediately, brows raised in wait of what she had to say. She smiles sweetly, sending him a shy, appreciative smirk that matches her tone. "Thank you."

He presses his lips together, his humble smile telling her she doesn't need to say it. If anything, he feels like thanking her for agreeing to it. Because she's right. It is mad. The two of them leaving like this. But he doesn't care about that. He needs a change of scenery. He wants to feel alive again. And he can't feel anything without her by his side.

"We all deserve a little celebration, Donna." They engage in a mutual gaze of gratitude before he opens his mouth again, offering her his for Donna only vocals. "Especially you."

His words may be true, but watching him waltz away, she can't deny feeling more excited about the company than the actual festivities. She's always loved the holidays. However, some things just wouldn't feel like a celebration without Harvey.

…

Donna Paulsen has never been a fan of being left out of the loop. Probably because she never is left out. She invented the loop. Especially when it has to do with the firm. And him. But this had slipped right under her knowing nose somehow. It had been almost two weeks since they fell asleep on her couch together after those drinks. Eleven days he'd been plotting this getaway. And she had been none the wiser.

But she is however, a fan of his flirt. And this was clearly a move. As much as it was a thoughtful gesture, it wasn't an entirely altruistic act either. It had romantic motives behind it. And even though he told her he lied when he said he didn't want more, she hadn't expected such bold actions to follow his brave admissions this soon. Too used to overly long intervals between any intimate moments they shared.

She sits back in her office chair after her lunch. Her nails taking consecutive turns tapping the marble desk with an impatient rhythm. She waits for the call to pick up with a grin on her face. Her heart beating more excitedly at the thought of hearing a certain soft-spoken voice for the first time in a few too many days.

"So..you finally get back from your honeymoon, and decide to conspire with Harvey before you find the time to catch up with your best friend?"

Donna hears the familiar giggle she's missed too much of late. It feels like it's been months, not weeks.

"Well hello to you too."

"Hey, Rach." Donna beams softly, eyes warming as her smile widens. "How was Sicily?"

"Amazing! I feel so relaxed. Mike memorised some Italian and now he thinks he's fluent." she chuckles on the other end of the line.

"With that elephant memory, he practically is."

"Heard that!" Donna hears his faint shout as he passes through the room carrying a box full of kitchen appliances.

"Sorry, I have you on speaker." Rachel calls out to the phone laying on the coffee table as she throws some cushions down on the couch. "We're still in the middle of moving in now that we're actually back in the city. Making the place more homely before work has the chance to take over."

Donna straightens up, the flexible back of her chair rising with her. "Of course! I'll leave you both to settle in, I don't wanna get in the way of-"

"No!" Rachel interrupts with a semi-frown, sitting herself down on the couch alongside a box marked 'ornaments'. She takes the phone off speaker, bringing it to her ear. "I've missed your voice. And I'm due a break. We've been decorating the place since this morning."

Donna smiles, thrilled that she still gets to catch up with her closest female confidante. "I can't wait to see the place." Shes pauses before adding, "And you and Mike, I suppose."

"We can't wait to see you too, Donna." Rachel sends a warm smile down the phone that the redhead can all but see. "And Harvey.." the younger woman finishes in a lower, more suggestive tone.

"Yes.." she frowns with a crooked smirk, spinning her chair to face the window, eyes landing on her very own view of the concrete jungle but not taking it in in the slightest, "he is the one who organised it after all.."

If she were using a landline, she would be absentmindedly twirling the cord around her index finger right about now.

"My point exactly." Rachel's tone was letting her know that her friend's eyebrows are wriggling and she's probably biting her lower lip, smugly and shyly all at once.

Donna raises her chin a few degrees, brows lowering as her free arm crosses over her abdomen. "What are you getting at, Mrs. Ross?"

"You're the first person to call me that!" Rachel realises. "Other than Mike.."

"Michelle, I've been calling you that for years." Donna reminds her, fond memories of their blurry bar-ventures flashing through her mind.

"That is true, Harriet." Rachel nods in remembrance, followed by reminiscence. "But what I was getting at was how much Harvey has.." She trails off in search of the right word, "grown?"

"How do you mean?" Donna chuckles. She has her own opinions and observations on his emotional evolution - and revolution - but she is more curious to hear Rachel's.

"Planning to take you away for the weekend." she elaborates. "And not just any weekend."

"It's the 4th of July, Rach. Not the 14th of February." Donna reasons. She's starting to feel like a schoolgirl again and her logical self won't let her heart go all in. "And he's not taking me away. I'm agreeing to go with him. To see our friends. Who left us here, so bored out of our minds that we couldn't even last an entire month without going to visit them." she finishes, with a touch of her - somewhat retired as of late - dramatic flare.

"I don't know..pretty romantic if you ask me.." She can almost feel Donna rolling her eyes through the phone. But she knows her friend secretly wants to talk about it. She just needs a little push. "You can't deny that a couple years ago, it would have been you thinking of doing something like this to cheer him up."

"Are you implying that I've lost my empathy?" Donna inquires humorously, with feigned offense.

"I'm implying that he's gained some. Because of you. And because of what he wants, with you."

Nobody could deny that she made him softer. More lovable. And approachable. But what Rachel was getting at is still too much for Donna to discuss in depth right now.

"Rachel.."

Her intuitive friend picks up on the light warning and senses that she should veer away from them, without going totally off topic.

"How has he been? Since the wedding?"

Rachel thinks back to the two dancing in each other's arms for more than their fair share of songs. She was so happy for them. And was probably guilty of letting her expectations run wild. Hoping that the next time she saw them, they'd have finally made a go of things. She also remembers the advice she gave her friend before she left, and is eager to see her actually take it.

Donna recalls her and Harvey's elevator ride during their first day back at work the morning after the wedding. Proceeded by a profession of desire. Soon followed by their scotch-sharing. And couch-cuddling. And office-ogling.

She isn't sure how much she should reveal to Rachel. She partly wants to disclose it all. But saying it aloud will only let her get her hopes up. And one thing that has never went her way, is him.

And then there's the kiss. You'd think that would have been first on her mind. But the physical is actually far less complicated than the emotional. Especially between them.

Even though he has made her aware that he wants more - whatever his definition of the word may be - talking about it with someone other than herself still feels strange. Foreign. And she doesn't know the language. Can't get the words out passed the lump in her throat. So they remain lodged in her larynx, just like they always have.

"Normal.." she hums unconvincingly, side-eyeing the wall that divides them in more ways than literal.

"Normal?"

Donna inhales, preparing to accept defeat. If she wasn't ready to discuss it with Harvey just yet, she might as well try to voice it to someone. For her own sanity. She clears her throat in a feeble attempt to get her tongue moving.

"We may have had a moment.."

"You do know I'm just gonna keep repeating your words back to you if you keep being this ambiguous, right?"

"Jeesh, three thousand miles have really made you brave, huh?"

Rachel giggles softly. "Donna. I haven't had a girly conversation in two weeks. I need this. And you need it too."

She hears the redhead take a deep breath. One that suggests she's about to cave. She patiently waits during the silent few seconds that follow.

"We kissed."

Rachel bites her bottom lip. She scrunches her eyes shut with a grin, trying to hold in a squeal of delight before she exhales and gathers herself.

"The night of the wedding, right?"

"Yes." She's not even going to ask how her friend was so confident in her guess. But being honest with herself, she knows exactly how intimate they appeared on the dance floor together that night.

"That was twelve days ago, Donna. What have you two been doing since? Knitting?"

"We've been adjusting.." she defends, shrugging in defeat when she realises how pathetic it all sounds. They may as well have been knitting.

"To what?" Rachel wonders if the pair have actually verbalised anything yet. "The realisation that you two should be together?"

Donna wasn't expecting her to be so forward. They'd never had such an upfront conversation about her love affairs before. Definitely not when Harvey was involved in them anyway. Donna always divulged as much as she was comfortable with, and Rachel would never overly pry.

But there was a change in the air lately. Harvey was being proactive about his feelings now and Rachel knew it. Which made it easier to discuss it, and tease it out of her friend at the same time.

"To your father and his demands." Donna deflects. An action she has expertly mastered since she agreed to come to the firm with him all those years ago.

"Oh."

"Yeah, oh."

Rachel exhales a breath as she imagines the power struggles going on at the firm right now. "I miss the hell out of that place, but I'm glad I'm not around for that."

"You're telling me."

"I assume he and Harvey are at loggerheads?"

Donna raises her brows in reflection. "Not as much as I initially anticipated.. Harvey has been pretty level-headed about it all. Sometimes it's as if he doesn't even.." Her words die out, not allowing herself to say them in case they weren't true. Or in case they were.

"Doesn't even what?"

"Nothing..it doesn't mean-" Donna smiles dismally, cutting herself off, feeling ridiculous for almost voicing it.

"Donna.."

"I better go, I've got a meeting in fifteen minutes." She hates herself for shutting Rachel out, but the idea of Harvey losing interest in the firm at the same time he's gaining interest in her is frying her brain and she needs a breather, unable for the heat. "It's been great talking to you, Rach. I really needed it."

"You too, Donna. Talk soon." she hears Rachel say, knowing she was wearing that sympathetic smile of hers.

In no way is the brunette finished with this topic yet. She's more than willing to wait another two weeks to bring it up in person. When Donna can't use fake meetings as an excuse to hang up on her feelings when things become too personal.

…

Donna heads out of her office later that night, coat and bag hanging over her forearm. She glances inside his own office hoping to see him, knowing she wouldn't get to do so much longer with the changes that were fast approaching. It's dark and empty. It's late and nobody is around but she thought he would have said goodnight before leaving. He usually does. As does she. Both terrible creatures of habit when it comes to one another.

She picks up the pace again, red wine and the classic movie channel on her mind now. Until her heels meet the tiled floor of the reception area. Her eyes immediately falling on his still figure that would give any actual statue a run for its money. His back is to her, facing the wall as he stands in the middle of the space, alone, elevators on each side of him.

He knows she's there.

Her vision soon picks up on what he's staring at. But she only takes in the silver letters for a couple of seconds before her line of sight is returning to focus on her main concern. Him.

He hears her footsteps echoing through the empty space once more, becoming louder with each step until they cease and he feels her warmth right beside him. Shoulder to shoulder. Both facing straight ahead. Hearts intertwined, soon followed by hands. Their smallest fingers kissing first, until they link, encouraging the rest to follow and weave together without further hesitation or tentativeness.

His thumb greets the skin between knuckle and wrist after fingers interlock and she gives a gentle, reassuring squeeze. Both feeling their pulses bounce as one, throbbing away under warm flesh.

She doesn't need to ask any questions. What's done is done. He had officially given in. Knowing she would be there. And that's all she could even think of being in this moment. For him.

As they stand, arms glued, she makes mental notes to come in extra early in the morning to have his office cleared and everything moved back into his old one at the other end of the hall, still empty from Mike's departure. To make it easier on him. One less thing he has to think of tomorrow. And besides, the movers wouldn't know where to put his record player, his records, the canvas or even his precious balls. They wouldn't treat any of the treasured items with the respect they were owed. For they would never know the history behind a few signatures on leather, an old turnstile, a scratched Miles Davis or a picture of a lost painting, and even more specifically, the artist behind it.

He doesn't care about the expensive shit housed inside those walls. And his materialistic shell has never been enough to prevent her from seeing the most sentimental man she's ever met, beneath the facade of fast cars and penthouse apartments.

Her soothing energy soon radiates from her hand to his body. He manages a smirk and looks at her first, cocking his head only slightly in her direction.

"There are more important things to fight for." he chokes out hoarsely, eyes warmer than his dwindling smile.

He squeezes her hand back, succeeding his less-than-subtle sentiment. The action telling her exactly what words couldn't do justice. He watches her eyes shake as she conjures up a wobbly smile. Emotions hitting her left, right and centre.

Without losing eye contact, a smirk tugs at the corners of his mouth and he motions his head to the elevator behind him. Dragging it back in a slow, suggestive manner.

"Let's get out of here." she whispers in response, knowingly mirroring what he was saying.

He grins, igniting a fire in her belly as he leads her into the elevator. Heated palms beginning to perspire together. From both nerves and contact.

Neither look back to the wall, only focusing on one another.

The elevator doors close. And they leave Zane Specter Litt behind for the first time ever.

…

They share Ray's Lexus after he insists on dropping her home. Only breaking hands when he has to open the door for her. The ride is quiet. No words are needed. His ease with the silence tells her that her presence is enough for him.

She jumps out once Harvey holds the door open and extends his palm to help her onto the pavement. Inhaling a sharp breath, she presses her lips together, stalling for a second, making him wonder if she even wants to part ways for the night.

"I made sure you get to keep your position." She frowns lightly, before it hits her. After it sinks in, her eyes almost well up but she bites down on her tongue. "It was one of my conditions before I agreed to anything. He won't come after your job."

He had told Zane that she deserves COO more than anyone he knows. And that he would never support him hiring someone new just because they have more qualifications on paper. Eventually having Robert agree, providing that he could see what Harvey was saying was true in the coming weeks. He knows that she'll show him exactly what she's made of without even having to try. So he got it in writing, they shook hands, and that was that.

Another condition that they only needed agree on verbally, was that of a certain weekend away.

She finds herself caught in one of those situations where not even a thank you would feel appreciative enough. So her eyes speak instead. It had never even crossed her mind that she might lose her job. Too focused on his. And yet it had worried him enough to have it entirely dealt with before she was even made aware of the possibility. He could have easily had her back at his desk, outside his old office, bringing the past back to the present, and their old dynamic back to life. After telling her that there was nothing he could do about it. Yet instead, he put her first. At a time where everything in his life was screaming for his prime focus, she was it. His initial thought. His main concern. Without even needing, or wanting, to ask. Feeling paramount in his world isn't something she is used to. Even though she has never been anything less.

"I'll see you tomorrow." Is all she can manage, desperate to flea before he could see her break.

"See you tomorrow, Donna." he all but whispers.

The redhead goes to move but finds herself stepping back in front of him just as quick. Without letting herself over-analyse what it means for them, she leaves a chaste kiss on his cheek, just grazing the corner of his mouth. Now having him wonder if that was her intention.

"Good night, Harvey."

Donna pulls away and he pulls her back even quicker. Firm hands upon her waist. Pupils engulfing her reaction for any sign of refusal. He brushes his lips over hers when he doesn't find a single thing.

The kiss is short, but wanting. Deep but closed. Freeing, but frightening how much they didn't want to stop. She leans back on her heels having stood on her tip-toes to feel more of him, fingers grasping each lapel. Both pairs of lips popping as they break apart, but remain grazing, gently hovering. Edges of smooth skin tickling against the other. Heated breaths warming their noses in the summer-night chill. Her lengthy lashes transfixing him with an alluring arousal as they flutter up at him, jet black, enhancing her already magnetising pair. Both groins aching for closer contact.

Her expanding eyes soon tell him not yet. He still hasn't told her what his more is, and she's not sure she even knows the meaning of hers these days. Or if she ever really has. Yes, she wants him. But do they want the same thing? As much as finding out that the answer is yes would petrify her, discovering that it's a no, after finally allowing herself to find out, would devastate her.

Absorbing her stunned features, ebony eyes and rosy lips, he feels guilty for kissing her - almost. His plan had been to wait for her to bring it up again. Seeing as she was the one less willing to talk. She needed time and he had agreed not to push her. Until she went and held his hand. Something she's done thousands of times over their thirteen years, figuratively. And less than a handful of times physically.

But then she smiles coyly and he knows he's okay, because she's okay.

"Good night, Donna." he breathes, eyes clearly wanting to stay with her.

He watches her gather herself in the way only he notices. Too great an actress for anyone else to pick up on her self-composing cues. Donna smiles with her eyes as the one on her mouth shrinks. Her tingling lips still in shock from his spontaneous, yet not entirely surprising touch.

The redhead soon turns and feels him watching her walk all the way to her doorstep. She glances back and he hasn't moved an inch. She smirks sweetly at him as her warm palm grips the icy handle and he raises his hand lightly, holding it still for a few seconds to signal a goodnight wave.

She had asked for time to figure out how she felt about his last kiss. Not to forget his admission to wanting something more with her, whatever that was. And as the doors close shut behind her and the bricks and glass remove her from sight, still feeling the phantom of their spur of the moment embrace grace his lips, he can't help but beam. Knowing that she's slowly but surely letting the last bits of sand fall through the hourglass.

.

.

.

So that's the rest of the chapter I was going to post with the last scene! The longer ones take up so much time editing, sorry! But I wanted throw the last of the 'season 8' type chapters up before Suits is back because the rest of this fic will be in Seattle mostly, which makes it kind of AU I suppose :)

Not really sure how I feel about this update because some scenes are brand new and others I've had written for weeks if not months, so I hope it all tied together well while reading!

Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter, I know it was a smaller update but your feedback still means the world and I appreciate it so much.

Love you all,

-E xx