She smiled to herself with pride as she hit the button for the elevator on the 50th floor. No one would be able to tell the intensity of the nausea that had been building inside her since this afternoon; she couldn't bring herself to eat lunch at all. Well maybe one person could have she thought wistfully, but she pushed that thought aside swiftly not wanting the feelings of sadness surrounding her best friend's departure to add to the swelling storm in her stomach. As she hits the button to take her down and the door closes on the otherwise empty box she clutches her Hermes bag tightly into herself. Again she tries not to think but she knows when she chose this particular bag this morning that she was going to want the feeling of safety and comfort it represented. It was one of her older purchases (not that she purchased this one herself) and rather than making her think of the reasons he took her out to buy it, it always represents security to her. It's not because he bought it she tells herself it's just a bag designed to make her feel better, so it does. As she walks through the lobby and out into the fresh New York air she wishes good evening to the security guards on duty and hails a taxicab. Having memorised the address earlier she reels it off with a confidence she's not feeling. As they pull away into the busy New York evening traffic, she can't help but feel like she's skipping school leaving work at this hour. She knows it's ridiculous, but leaving the office at 6:30 on a Thursday evening makes her feel guilty. It was the latest appointment she could get and she was lucky to get one at all this week and if she didn't go now she might never summon the courage again until it's too late.

He couldn't and certainly wouldn't deny he was feeling pretty pleased with himself. He'd finally settled a dispute for one of his newest clients against a company represented by what was left of Rand Kaldor and not only would that please Robert but it also sent a message to the world that they were the best law firm in the city once more. She was right; of course she was right he smiled to himself, this was what he needed, this is who he is. He finished signing the final papers that needed sending off to the client and telling his secretary she could head off early, he strode down the corridor with a spring in his step.

On arriving at a darkened office he did a double take and checked his watch. 6:50, this didn't fit into his plan at all, he checked under her desk to see if her bag was still there thinking it possible that perhaps despite the darkness she hadn't left the building, but he found only an empty space. Pulling out his phone he tapped to unlock it and immediately hit the favourites button. There were six names on the list, his Mom being the most recent addition, each of them having been put there by the person whose name stood clearly at the top, there had been a 7th that he'd added himself but that was gone now. Standing in her office doorway he hit her name and waited.

With early evening New York traffic, the journey had taken the anticipated 20 minutes to arrive. She'd filled in the paperwork and was nervously waiting in the clinic reception, still clutching at the bag when it started to vibrate. Knocking her out of her trance she pulled out the phone and swore inwardly at the name on the screen. If she didn't answer he'd just keep calling so moving to a secluded corner of the room she slid to accept the call.

"Harvey"

"Where are you?" Demanded the man on the other end of the line

"I have a meeting, what's wrong?" She wasn't really in the mood for his demands right now but the guilt she already felt at leaving work 'early' washed over her again.

"At this time of night, what client wants to meet now? You didn't mention you would be out earlier. I just came to your office because "

"It's not a client, it's more of an appointment" she cut him off.

"Donna Paulsen to consulting room 3" blared across the tannoy.

*shit*

"Where are you?"

"It's personal Harvey, listen I have to go to go maybe Gretchen can help, I'll call you back later ok" and she hung up.