Destination Set

Category: Angst/Romance

Summary: Feeling it's long overdue, Jessica arranges a holiday for her Pearson Specter and Litt alumni at a five star resort off the coast of Italy. Each find their own way to relax and unwind but Donna and Harvey struggle to come to terms with where their relationship is at.

AN: Based on a prompt idea from bckyx (Jessica, Louis, Mike, Rachel), all spending Christmas Eve, Christmas Day etc. together, possibly somewhere warm like the Bahamas. I chose Italy, sorry in advance for my terrible Italian haha.

Harvey adjusts on the lounger feeling the warmth of the sun beat down over his chest and he peers above his glasses as Mike returns with their drinks. Not necessarily to acknowledge the approach but to take note of two bikini clad Italian women sashaying behind him.

"Ciao ragazze." Harvey waves as the girls pass and catches Mike's eye-roll, sighing as he takes a beer from the kid. "What? You didn't bother learning any of the culture before we came?"

"If by culture you mean how to flirt, then no I didn't." He drops down pointing to where his wife and Donna are sat under the shade, "married remember?" As if sensing him Rachel glances up and he smiles broadly hearing Harvey huff beside him.

"It's called being polite." He shrugs taking a pull from his beer. According to Jessica the whole point of the trip is to relax before breaking in the new year and he glances around the five star resort skimming the ocean and clifftop views. He hasn't take a holiday like this in- well, ever. Occasionally he'll travel for business or to meet with international clients but the whole vacation thing is a new foray and he, unlike Mike, isn't attached. "Besides this is supposed to be fun remember?"

Mike smirks. They've been here two days and Harvey wouldn't know the meaning of 'fun' if it bit him in the ass. Jessica had to all but commandeer his phone to stop the continual checking of emails threatening it would go in the pool if he didn't start making the most of the all expenses paid for trip. "You could always join Louis and Sheila in the spa?"

"I could also dress in drag and do the hula." He gives a dissatisfied snort, "doesn't mean I'm going to."

The image conjured in Mike's mind is rather amusing but unfortunately for him they're in the wrong hemisphere. "They don't hula here Mr. Culture. You're thinking of Hawaii."

"Actually I was thinking of the Lion King." Harvey mutters flinching at the quizzical look Mike shoots him. The film was probably the kid's first Disney movie but he's referring to something that's at least a little more sophisticated. "Donna dragged me to a theater production last month."

"How in the hell did she manage that?" His eyebrows lift in surprise but they drop just as quickly. "Oh, wait I forgot... she's Donna."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Harvey throws back regretting it as soon as Mike opens his mouth.

"Nothing." He takes a sip of beer washing down the statement, "just that if I asked you to spot me five bucks you'd have to think about it."

He does almost have a point. The Art scene isn't exactly high on his list of spending priorities but it just so happens this time there were extenuating circumstances. "If you must know, I was trying to cheer her up after the whole Kessler thing." He keeps his tone flippant, acting like it wasn't a big deal but Mike sees straight through it.

"Come on, you're not even slightly relieved they broke up?"

Truthfully he is. More than glad, but he doesn't want to dwell too much on the reasons why. At the end of the day, despite is own personal reservations, Thomas seemed like a genuine guy and the last thing he wanted was to see Donna get hurt. "Doesn't matter what I think-" he breathes out a contempt sigh, "she deserves to be happy and Kessler was... a good match."

It's the biggest load of bullshit Mike's heard since he lied his way into becoming a lawyer and he leans back shaking his head, "yeah, cept for the fact he wasn't you."

"Watch it." Harvey snaps, frowning as his gaze unintentionally wanders to the women they're discussing. She's currently lathering herself in sunscreen, an attempt to protect her naturally pale skin, and his eyes wash over the elegantly cut out swimsuit making him swallow a hard sip of beer.

Mike ignores the warning tired of always ending up back at the same unresolved point. It's been obvious for years now there's something between his two friends they're just too damn stubborn to admit it. Harvey in particular. "You said it yourself, they were good together. Has to be a reason they ended it."

Harvey winces willing the conversation to be over and done with already. Donna hadn't gone into detail but for the most part it had seemed like an amicable split and so long as she was okay he could care less about the part Kessler played. "Whatever happened it had nothing to do with me."

Mike hikes up an eyebrow. "Sure about that?" He's expecting Harvey's glare and grips his beer warring with how far he should push. Past experience has told him it's a fine line but he takes the risk toeing over the edge. "Look I'm just saying, if you guys can't figure out your shit with other people then maybe there's a reason?" It goes down as well as expected meeting a stoney silence and Mike throws up a hand in surrender, "okay you win... I'm leaving it alone."

"Right." Harvey snorts. The kid has been bringing it up for the last eight years and nothing about his dog and bone personality says he's going to let it go any time soon.

"Prove me wrong then." He challenges, waving his hand from the poolside to the crowded bar, "you're not exactly short of options here." It's a gamble but Mike decides to play the man not the odds. Despite Harvey apparently having no problem flirting in Italian he's barely shown any interest and Mike smirks behind his bottle. "Unless you think Donna would mind?"

"You know what anyone has got to be better company than you right now." He forces himself up from the lounger adjusting his sunglasses, "and Mike... try looking up vaffanculo."

The insinuation the term's rude is pretty clear and Mike lifts his hand balling it into a fist. "Stubborn *cough* ass."

Harvey turns back with a glare. "What did you just say?"

"Nothing... hum, allergies."

Mike pats his chest innocently and Harvey doesn't dignify the action with a response, rather strides toward the bar softening his expression as he passes Donna and Rachel. "Ladies."

Rachel gives him a confused half-smile, catching Mike's shrug, and follows his trajectory straight to two women sitting outside the hut. He doesn't waste any time starting a conversation and she catches, 'ciao posso offrirti qualcosa da bere?' which she's pretty sure means 'hi can I buy you a drink?'

Her gaze falls back to Donna witnessing the brief flicker of disappointment in her best friends expression and a knot of frustration winds up at her husband's antics. "You know Mike baited him into doing that?"

Donna purses her lips together fixing the brunette with a smile. "Harvey's a grown man, he can flirt with whoever he wants."

"As long as it's not you, right?" She tests the waters knowing it's complicated but also that it doesn't need to be. If they could just moved passed whatever's holding them back they'd sure save themselves some unnecessary heartache. "So are you going to tell me what really happened with Thomas?"

"I did tell you." Donna insists, suddenly in need of more alcohol and reaching for her pina colada. Just because it wasn't right doesn't make it hurt any less. Thomas is an amazing guy but for the moment at least the timing is just all wrong. "He wanted me to settle down and start thinking about kids... which would've meant leaving the firm and I'm not ready to do that."

Rachel sits up on the lounger, turning and crossing her legs in front of her. "You aren't ready to leave the firm or you aren't ready to leave Harvey?"

Donna winces at the question and chooses to avoid it entirely. "I love my job Rach."

It's a clear attempt at avoidance and Rachel bites her lip preparing to broach the hard topics. She has to. Otherwise what kind of a best friend would she be. "So you don't want to have kids or you just don't want them with Thomas?"

There's nothing even remotely simple about the answer and Donna sips out the last of the alcohol in her coconut with a sigh. She thought she wanted children, had always planned on having them but Thomas was perfect and if she can't see a future with him then maybe it's just not on the cards. "I need another drink."

She stands up wrapping a sarong around her swimsuit and feels Rachel's light grasp on her wrist. It makes her stop and glance down finding no judgment in the brunette's expression, only love.

"I just want want you to be happy sweetie."

"I know." Donna feels herself smiling back despite the knot of apprehension balled in her chest. "I am. I will be after another one of these-" she holds up the cocktail giving Rachel's shoulder a squeeze. "Be right back."

She doesn't intent to break the promise but she does.

Instead of returning she catches the eye of an incredibly charming Italian man who despite his young age seems more than happy to lavish her with attention. In New York it would be borderline inappropriate but here it doesn't bother her so much and one drink quickly becomes three, the time dipping into late afternoon as they flirt back and forth in broken English. It's light-hearted fun but when he starts placing his hands on her arm, back and shoulders (anywhere he can really) she get's a sense they're heading into 'that' zone and she excuses herself to go to the bar.

She's not not considering it.

She's single, he's cute... why not engage in a little holiday fling?

"Looks like some one's having a good time."

Harvey's voice startles her and heat crawls across her cheeks as she feels his bare chest brush against her shoulder. She's been trying her best not to notice him across the other side of the open hut but the area isn't all that big and the two women he's been chatting up stand out easily in the crowd. "I could say the same thing..." she teases back, "guess you finally figured out how to relax after all."

He smirks at the comment, eyes drawing to her male counterpart. For the past hour he's been resisting the urge to go over (more so since the guy started getting handsy) but when he caught her heading for another drink he took it as his queue to casually intervene. "Let me guess, Pablo? No Lorenzo?" A guilty look flashes over her face causing his eyes to widen. "Holy shit," he exclaims with amusement, "you don't know do you?"

She wracks her brain trying to remember but draws a blank and quickly tries to gloss over the slip. "That's rich coming from the guy who can't keep a girl's name straight in his head."

"Only yours Debbie." He grins broadly leaning an elbow on the bar, finding he missed the comfortable banter. He's been enjoying himself but the thrill of meeting new people has waned somewhat over the years. The chase isn't as fun or challenging as it used to be and he's ready to start winding things down. "I was thinking about taking a walk along the beach before dinner."

The suggestion surprises her but she keeps her expression coy as she gazes behind him to the two blondes who keep glancing over. "I already told you I'm not interested in a ménage à trois."

"That's good because I wasn't inviting anyone else." He lifts an eyebrow catching the brief flicker of hesitation in her features and like an idiot he suddenly remembers the guy she's been drinking with. "Unless of course your busy with Mr. Valentino model over there."

She looks back at the Italian -who's already chatting with someone else- and is surprised to find she doesn't care in the slightest, flashing Harvey a grin. "Let's go before he realizes."

They slip out from the hut making a stop by the pool to find his polo- no sign of Mike or Rachel which means they've probably headed in, and she quickly reapplies another layer of sunscreen over her freckles. They have at least another another hour or so before the sun goes down and she smiles as Harvey joins her pulling the white shirt over his tanned skin.

She feels a little self conscious about her own color but doesn't let it show. She'd rather be pale than sunburnt and an easy conversation settles between them as they make their way down a narrow winding path of cobble stones. It leads them out to a large cluster of boulder overlooking the ocean. It isn't so much a beach as it is an alcove with gentle waves lapping the shore and Harvey jumps down first, extending his hand to help her navigate down the rocks. The small patch of sand feels spongy under her sandal's and she lets go of his grip to slide them off, sitting down and stretching out her legs. He joins her in a similar position and she smiles breathing in the fresh sea air.

"New York really does feel like a million miles away." She casts her gaze out over the horizon not even sure which direction home is. Although she's taken more trips recently Europe is still a continent of mystery and she leans back sinking onto her elbows."You ever wish you traveled more?"

He considers the question picking up a stick to draw lazy patterns in the crushed shells. He likes learning about different cultures but has never had the burning desire to be immersed in them or to be taken out of his comfort zone. "I hadn't really given it much thought."

She can't say she's all that surprised by the answer. Harvey Specter is a man who likes to be in control and aside from the fact he doesn't take vacation days she's never heard him boast about going anywhere other than the courthouse in Manhattan. "You're not worried you're missing out?"

He shrugs drawing his arms up over his knees. "I have everything I need in New York."

Rachel's words about starting a family come flooding back to her and she adjusts her sarong with a sigh. She thought she was on her way to finding everything too but now she isn't so sure. "I was going to backpacking through Europe before college."

He can imagine it; her being a wide-eyed drama student ready to take on the world but he glimpsed at her school record when he hired her. There was no mention of a break an he tilts his head curiously. "What happened?"

"Danny Howler..." she puffs out a humorless sound, "he broke my heart in about forty different places." She'd been completely and utterly head over heels in love with captain of the debate team and they'd made plans to travel together but when the year ended he'd suddenly changed his mind claiming to be more interested in getting a degree and like an idiot she'd believed him. "He said he wanted to be with someone who had two feet on the ground, not some adventure mad actress. So I stayed, tried to be a different person to make it work. He ended up cheating on me with his business professor and that's when I swore I'd never apologize for being myself again."

The story hits him hard, the insight winding in his chest and opening a window into the women he knows now. He hates that someone hurt her but even worse is the fact Howler wanted to change her and a spark of anger rushes through him. "You want me to track this asshole down," he threatens, not even kidding, "I know people who could make his life miserable."

She laughs touched by the sentiment. "That's sweet. Petty, but sweet. Am I bad person for considering it?"

Only if that makes him a bad person for actually wanting to do it. "Not if you believe in karma."

Her lips curve deciding it wouldn't be worth it but she does find herself musing over Harvey's no doubt promiscuous youth; the young baseball player who set out into the world to become NYC's best closer. "What about you, break-er or break-ee or do I even need to ask?"

He smirks, both of them well aware it wasn't the latter. He was too busy playing the field to ever really settle into a serious relationship but he likes to think he was at least honest about it. "I never lead anyone on, not intentionally."

"Because of your mother." She asks, risking the bold question. His expression hardens for a moment and she isn't really expecting an answer, surprised when he gives one.

"I wanted to work hard, build a career. Get a job earning obscene amounts of money." He isn't lying. Sure he had a fair of trust issues which had compounded most attempts to date but if he thinks back there was never anyone who stood out. No one worth taking the risk for. "I don't have any regrets. Well, unless you count never going pro in baseball."

Her mouth lifts slightly but doesn't quite reach a full smile. She wishes she could say the same. She loves her job and her life in New York but lately, since ending things with Thomas, she's been wondering if she gave up on everything else to easily. "Maybe I should do it. Take off six months and travel the world."

She sounds almost serious and it tugs in a place he'd rather not think about but in spite of the hesitation he can't help it. "That would be a problem."

Logistically he has a point. She can't just pack up and leave but there other options, the firm would just have to be willing to consider them. "I could work remotely, from a cafe in Paris or a gondola in Venice."

"I wasn't talking about your job." He watches the sun start to set on the horizon, the bright yellows and pinks mixing together in the sky. Technology has brought them more flexibility and they probably could work something out but the thought of not seeing her everyday is where he stumbles. "If you left... everything I need wouldn't be in New York anymore."

She frowns at the seriousness not sure whether to be moved or frustrated by the timid admittance. He's spent years saying he needs her but it never extends passed what he wants in the moment and she's tired of always being the one to make sacrifices. "What about what I want Harvey or doesn't that count for anything?"

"Of course it does." He swallows the lump resting in his throat focusing on the waves rolling in. Maybe it was niave to cling onto the notion she'd stick around. He thought- fuck what he thought. It's not like she's the first person in his life to up and leave. "If it's what you want I wouldn't stop you."

There's tension in his voice and she knows the flimsly control is deliberate. He might be saying the right thing but it's veiled and her lips pull tightly in response. "No you'd just make me regret it, like when I started working for Louis."

The blunt accusation stings and he snaps his gaze across to her. "Now who isn't being fair?" Okay, sure... he hadn't initially handled the transition well but the fact he's spent months making up for it should count for something. He put her first when he gave her a promotion, when he chose her over Paula and when she decided it would be a good idea to date one of Louis' clients. He stayed out of because he's goddamn trying and if she can't see that- "I let you be with Thomas."

The comment is thrown left of field and she reacts to the audacity with anger. "I'm sorry, let me?"

He inwardly flinches."That wasn't what I meant." It was taken out of context and he scrubs a hand across his face swearing, "shit, Donna... come on, you know I'm not good at this."

It isn't an excuse and even if it was she's too caught up on the insinuation to let it go. "You said you were fine with it."

"No I said I was happy for you-" he corrects, recalling his words at the time, "there's a difference."

Her jaw goes slack as she stares at him trying to figure out what the hell that means. As usual it's shrouded with ambiguity and she narrows her gaze in warning. "Care to explain it to me then?"

He doesn't look at her. Isn't sure he can and wishes to God he were somewhere else right now but the truth hovers poised on his lips until he finally breathes it out, "it means yes, it bothered me...but I didn't say anything because I didn't want it to become an issue."

The admission blindsides her because for once she hadn't seen it coming. He'd been fine around Thomas, a little out of sorts but that was Harvey. She hadn't expected a parade or marching band, just his honestly, and she doesn't understand where his sudden hesitation is coming from. "It's not like I was dating another Stephen Huntley. Thomas is a good person."

"I know that."

He sounds more defeated than frustrated and she sighs running a hand through her hair. A million miles from New York and they still manage to find themselves standing at the same threshold of awkwardness they keep trying to leave behind. "So you were jealous but that doesn't mean anything, right?"

His voice stalls in his throat wedging between the answer he should give and the one he can't. "What do you want me to say Donna?"

"How about the truth." It seems like an obvious starting point but he instantly tenses and she can see the anger building in his tight jawline.

"The truth?" He snorts not even sure what that means. It's been painted over with the same brush so many times she has no right to sit there and demand it from him now. "You said I was like a brother or a cousin, that you weren't in love with me and then you walked out on me when I couldn't give you more." He snaps the accusation unable to stop his frustration spilling out, "you said you didn't feel anything when you kissed me Donna, so which is it? What 'truth' do you want to hear?"

She flinches at the sharp tone, feeling moisture cloud her gaze but she blinks it back refusing to let the guilt take hold. He wouldn't have accepted anything else. She did what she had to and if he'd really wanted to see what was going on he would have tried looking instead of running away from it. "We slept together Harvey. What do you think that meant?"

"How the hell should I know-" he defends, ego getting ahead of him, "you told me to forget about that night remember? Never mention it again. Weren't those your 'exact' words."

"Don't lawyer me." She catches the wetness on her cheek with a quick swipe and pushes herself up needing the distance between them. He can fight on a technicality if that's what he wants to do but it won't change the fact he wasn't ready and she turns, arguing the reason with bluntness."You're honestly going to sit there and tell me you would have wanted to try and have a relationship?"

He stands to full height not wanting to be disadvantaged but his mouth snaps shut as he faces her heated gaze. She's right. He doesn't regret keeping things platonic. If they hadn't he would have screwed it all up and the irony (that he is anyway) isn't lost on him.

"That's what I thought." She answers for him tired of trying to break through the same impenetrable wall. She's no closer now than the day she opened her door with a tin of whipped cream in her hand and his deflection makes it pretty clear where stands. "You don't want this Harvey, you never have. "

The assumption stabs through him sparking his defenses again. She might think she knows everything but if she really believes that then she has it all completely flipped around. "You're the one who just said you wanted to pack up and leave, so who's running now?"

He regrets it the second it lands between them. He should be fighting for them but she takes the excuse as her answer because she's clambering back up the rocks so fast he doesn't know what to say to stop her and shit - he's Danny Howler.

Another asshole who just broke her heart.

What she doesn't realize is, his is busted wide open as well.