Chapter 7: Small Smile

It's a week later before she's fully lucid, and he's there when she finally wakes. At first he pays barely any heed to the small movements of her shoulders, or the twitching in her face, having witnessed her stirring numerous times over the past seven days, each time ending in disappointment as she fails to break through, settling back into a restless unconsciousness.

He'd spoken to her constantly, reassuring her that he was there, that he was looking after things, but most importantly, that he was sorry.

He's pouring over a copy of the police's interrogation of Adam, having gathered enough evidence to have him arrested in record time following Donna's shaky accusation. Luckily, all CCTV footage as well as all interactions with the smart home systems were logged at a remote data base. He had made the mistake of using the owner's login rather than the guest's, something only Gwen and her closest staff would have access too. That linked with the fact that the gas and fire place controls had been tampered with was enough to condemn the young associate.

The case looks promising, and he's just about to retire from windowsill turned make shift desk when he hears her, "Harv-?"

He freezes, half standing, his back still turned to her, willing himself not to indulge in the idea that the sound he'd heard was any more than a figment of his imagination, his overtired mind playing tricks on him constantly.

But then again, "H-hey." It's weak, barely above a whisper, but it's her.

"Donna?" he turns slowly, as though any fast movements might cause her to slip away from him again. But she doesn't falter, eyes open, head turned meekly in his direction, her cheeks bearing the slightest tint of colour, and finally, what drives hime forward: her hand out stretched.

He's by her side in a heartbeat, clutching her hand, feeling the relieving warmth there as she gazes up at him, a small smile playing on her pale lips.

"Donna I-"

"Ah- don't," she stops him, having anticipated the inevitable apology, "I don't want to hear it… I wouldn't be here without you so no more apologies."

Her voice is hoarse, but she somehow still manages that tone of command she's known for and he can't resist the smirk pulling at his cheeks, "Good to see your intuition isn't broken then."

"Much to your dismay I'm sure." She jests in response, eliciting a soft laugh from them both, "Don't worry Harvey, nothing's ever going to keep me out of your head."

"I'm going to have to ask you to start paying rent."

Her laugh fills the bleak space they'd inhabited for the past week, brightening it somewhat, before a nasty cough catches in her throat, her lungs still weak from smoke inhalation. She wheezes harshly, clutching at her chest as she gasps for relief. Harvey helps her sit forward, having watched the nurses assist her through past fits in her sleep, he rubs her back gently, reaching for the bowl by the bed and holding it for her as she clears her airways.

When she lies back, she's much more deflated, the initial buzz of seeing him having worn off, reality setting in.

"So, what's the verdict? How bad was it?" she questions, her voice almost unrecognisable post coughing, her brow creased with worry.

He swallows roughly, having relived the night he'd found her over and over in his mind, retelling now seeming like and insurmountable task. He stumbles over his words as he explains the events to her, pausing briefly to gather himself at the thought of how he'd discovered her, not breathing, grasping at life. He lists off her diagnosis, doing his best to explain. Although he's hopeful that now she's conscious, it shouldn't be long before he's discharged.

She's quiet for a moment, soaking in the details, her own memories of that night reignited in her mind from his retelling, but there's still one burning question left unanswered.

"What about him?"

"In custody," she lets out a breath she didn't know she was holding at his reply, feeling a sudden rush of ease, "Looks like you were right, I should have listened to you." He hangs his head slightly, and she can feel the guilt radiating from his skin.

"Hey, don't do that, don't blame yourself." She urges him, "You wouldn't be you if you didn't listen to me, even though you know I'm always right."

He chuckles, a slight sense of relief accompanying her response, when suddenly he remembers, perking up, "I have more good news."

Donna raises her eyebrows, "what is it?"

"When I found you, I was rushing back to tell you that I'd had word from Louis, Faye was removed as special master by the Bar, your suspension's been revoked." He smiles as he delivers the news, watching as her own lips curve in glee.

"And more than that, I've been in contact with your friend, from the theatre, I've worked it out, she's willing to either come up with a rehearsal schedule that allows you to balance work, or you can take a temporary leave to focus on acting, the choice is yours."

"Harvey, how did you…"

"I think you'll find I'm pretty well connected." He grins at her reaction, delighted to see it had the desired effect.

"Just promise me two things." He continues.

"What's that?"

"One, we are never, ever, getting one of those smart home systems."

"Agreed." She chuckles.

"And two, never let me get in the way of what's going to make you happy, because you know that's all I've ever wanted Donna." There's real sentiment behind his words, all times, pre-relationship they'd wished each other happiness flashing behind their eyes, an always weighted gestured.

"I promise, but you're what truly makes me happy, you know that, don't you?" she breathes.

"I know." And he does, more than he could ever put into words, a shared understanding between them, that as long as they had each other, they would be content.

Xxx

Hey guys! It's been a while...

Hope you enjoyed the final installment of this fic, sorry it took so long, life got kinda crazy there for a while but with all the lock downs due to covid 19 I have plenty of free time and energy to put into writing again! So please drop some prompts, either on twitter or here, you know my style :)

It's good to be back x