Here is our first edition of collaboration fic. Each writer writes one chapter and the next one continues. Each author is given a random object to write into the chapter. Put your guesses of what the object is in reviews or on Twitter. Enjoy reading!

Author:

Pegtastic

jobiefreeman on Twitter

Inevitable

Chapter 1 - Revelations

Nine days.

The doors close with a ping and as the elevator begins its slow ascent, Donna relaxes her posture and expels a deep sigh.

She lets her head fall back against the mirrored wall and closes her eyes, thankful that she is the only occupant. She uses this brief moment of quiet solitude to calm her nerves, readying herself for yet another difficult day ahead.

Her week has been a turbulent one.

Scratch that. It's been hideous.

Nine days.

It's been nine days since Harvey had shown up at her door and ceremoniously torn up her resignation letter in some kind of grand gesture. She's not gonna lie, her initial reaction had been one of relief. That instant realisation that he had chosen her. That he'd refused to let her leave.

After all the turmoil, he'd ended his relationship with Paula and she still had her job. The weight on her chest had been lifted and she'd felt like she could breathe again. Her lungs had filled with hope. Even when he refused to come inside, she'd still been okay. She understood.

Then, pretty much the moment she'd closed the door on his retreating form, a feeling of uneasiness had started to grow.

Uneasiness as she considered the last few days and all that had transpired. Stu's visit and the revelation that he had brought with him. That Harvey had tried to get rid of her like a problem that needed to be fixed. Not only that, but he'd done it behind her back. She's not sure which stings more, the fact that he was so ready to let her go, after everything they'd been through, everything that she'd done for him, or the fact that he'd not respected her enough to talk the problem through with her.

She'd tried to fix it anyway, but Paula had seen right through her. Paula had seen how deep her feelings for Harvey ran, and even though Donna had no intention of breaking her promise to him by kissing him again, she'd still hesitated at Paula's question. Because she knew that if ever he was to make a similar move, if he was ever to show any signs of reciprocating her feelings, she wouldn't resist him.

So, Paula had remained resolute, and seeing no other way out, Donna had fallen on her sword.

It had been a gut-wrenching decision. One that she had wrestled with, desperately trying to find an alternative. Her job and her still fairly new position at the firm meaning so much to her. But there was no other way, so she'd stepped away. For him.

She then proceeded to get drunk that night. Really, really drunk. It had been her go-to coping mechanism as the uneasiness turned into pain and hurt. As she'd finished the bottle of merlot and moved on to the Macallan, the pain and hurt then morphed into anger. Alcohol fuelled anger that permeated her thought processes, so much so that 'how could he?' became 'how fucking dare he?'. She was incensed.

She still is.

The thought of him placing that phone call to Stu. The realisation that he had consciously made the decision to surreptitiously maneuver her out of the firm, to see her walk away, had begun to fester inside of her. Even now, it's still like a simmering pot of resentment in the pit of her stomach.

She'd eventually made it to bed that night, at some ungodly hour, and as she'd lain there, staring at her bedroom ceiling, feeling just a tad nauseous from the way the room was spinning, another revelation had hit her. A revelation that just compounded her festering resentment.

Harvey hadn't chosen her over Paula. He'd chosen work over Paula.

He'd made it obvious over the years that he needed her. He'd told her as such, right to her face. And even though she was no longer his secretary, she knew that he still needed her, by his side, steering him in the right direction, preventing him from screwing up. So it is of little comfort to her that he'd sacrificed his relationship so that she could stay at the firm.

Bottom line is, he still doesn't want her. Not in the way she's always hoped. He'd been prepared to get rid of her in an attempt to salvage his relationship, only for him to realise that his work would suffer as a result. Hence his decision to take it back. He'd done it purely for selfish reasons, his work taking precedence over his love life. Paula may not have been the one, she may no longer be a threat, but that fact still felt bittersweet.

The relief and hope that she'd initially felt, dissipated at that realisation. His gesture of tearing up her resignation letter had left a bitter taste in her mouth.

She should have walked away. Taken that job with Stu, or maybe looked for something herself. After all, she didn't need Harvey to find her a job, she had stronger connections than him anyway.

However, despite Harvey's apparent motivations, she really, really doesn't want to leave the firm. She's invested so much of her life here, worked so hard to get where she is, she doesn't want to walk away. PSL is part of her life, it is her family, so regardless of how she would like to shove that torn up resignation letter up Harvey's ass, she would only be cutting her nose to spite her face. She doesn't want to leave, so why the fuck should she?

She expels another heavy sigh and opens her eyes, noting that she is now only a few floors away. As she nears her destination, the tight ball of tension in the pit of her stomach twists a little further. She takes another few deep breaths, putting into practice the breathing exercises she's learnt from her many yoga classes.

The elevator pings at the 50th floor and Donna grips the handles of her Gucci bag a little tighter, as though the action might give her the final boost she needs.

Striding out she makes a beeline for her office, keeping her focus ahead. She makes a point of not glancing at the office next to hers. She sees him though, in her peripheral vision. She can see that he's sitting at his desk, typing away. It's early for him, but that seems to be the norm of late.

Nine days.

Nine days and they have barely spoken. For as angry as she is with him, she's more than aware that he's just as pissed with her. He's not said the words but it doesn't take Einstein to work out the reasons why. He's angry his relationship ended, and even though he is the one who finished it, he's laying the blame for it squarely at her door. His anger seems to have taken its normal path. He's spent most of the time largely avoiding her, and when that hasn't been possible, he's been cold, distant and bordering on hostile. He's certainly made a poor attempt at hiding his animosity.

It's ridiculous really. The reason he made the decision to rescind her resignation, was because he needs her at work. Yet, he's been actively avoiding her ever since. She suspects it's the reason he has been in the office so early every day. When he's out of sorts like this, he doesn't work as fluidly and every thought, decision and action takes more time than usual, not to mention he's not coming to her for help with anything unless it's unavoidable. Therefore, his hours have been longer. Work has always been his method of distraction anyway, especially when confronted with anything emotionally difficult.

Things can't continue like this, though. The atmosphere at work is almost toxic and everyone has noticed.

She can feel the tension in her bones. She and Harvey are building toward one hell of a showdown, and whilst many might think that would be a good thing, potentially clearing the air between them, she's afraid of what damage it might do to their already fragile relationship. The fall out could ruin them for good.

So, for now, she's happy to play along with this tactic of avoidance and she strides past his office without a sideways glance. As she pushes open her own office door, she finds Louis standing in front of her window, gazing down at the picture of her as Ophelia.

"Morning, Louis." She hangs her coat up and places her bag down by her chair.

He returns the photo frame to the window ledge and he looks up at her. She graces him with a warm smile, but even though he reciprocates, she notices that he seems a little tentative.

"You okay?" she asks with a slight frown.

Louis clears his throat. "Erm, yeah. I just wanted to catch you before you started for the day. Do you have any meetings this morning?" he asks cryptically.

"Not until mid morning, why?"

"Would you be able to drop by my office at 9.30am. I need to speak with you about something."

Donna places her hand on her hip and she narrows her eyes as she studies him. It's not unusual for Louis, as one of the two named partners, to need to speak with her, but there's something in Louis's demeanor that tells her he's nervous about whatever it is.

"Well, you're here now, and there's no time like the present."

Louis mirrors her stance, placing his hand on his hip. He then steps forward slightly, pointing his toe at the ground as he does so, and Donna swallows back a smirk at how awkward he looks.

"I can't right now, I have a highly important phone call to make that cannot possibly wait," he says.

She lifts an eyebrow, taking in his stance and the look of sudden irritation on his face, and she immediately deduces what his phone call might be about.

"Let me guess. You want to call the editor of 'Pointe' about the fact they've changed the frequency of their publication from monthly to quarterly."

"You bet your ass I do, Donna. It's the only relevant and authentic insight into the high stakes drama and ruthless professional world of Ballet, and when I subscribed, I was promised monthly editions. That asshole of an editor has some explaining to do."

"Well, woe betide I delay you from that critical conversation, Louis. I'll make sure I'm in your office by 9.30am," she adds, her tone serious, but with a hint of amusement behind her eyes.

"Great." Louis nods and he makes his way out of her office.

"Are you sure everything's okay, Louis?"

"No, Donna, it's not. I'm seriously considering ditching Pointe and switching my subscription to Dance magazine."

"I meant with you in general." She rolls her eyes with frustration.

"Oh… Yeah, of course. It's just a case I need to discuss with you, that's all." Louis smiles with a wave of his hand and then walks away.

Donna isn't convinced by his nonchalance, but she refuses to add it to her long list of things to worry about. She'll find out anyway in a couple of hours.

Just before 9:30, and with her emails all up to date, she closes the lid of her laptop and picks up her phone. She decides another coffee is required, especially if Louis is about to throw a curveball at her, something her gut is telling her is most likely. She notices on her way to the kitchen that Harvey's office is empty, and she wonders if he might be out for the day. That possibility simultaneously makes her feel relieved and somewhat discomfited.

She may find the atmosphere between them unbearable, but when he's not around, she still feels out of sorts. Like there is part of her missing. Goddamn that man and the feelings he evokes in her.

Armed with a fresh mug of coffee, she marches towards Louis's office, her face in her phone as she scrolls through her calendar, noting all her appointments and meetings for the rest of the day. She sighs as she realises it will be another late one tonight. With her trusty tri-colour pen in her mouth and both her hands full, she backs into Louis's door and as she swivels into his office she practically steamrollers into Harvey.

"Oh Crap!" she exclaims, spitting her pen out as half the contents of her mug spill on to the carpet, thankfully avoiding both her and the managing partner.

Harvey's eyes bulge in shock, and from his expression, Donna could swear that he's warring with himself whether to ball her out or ask if she's okay.

His lips then purse and his eyes narrow. "There's a reason people normally face forward when they walk through doors," he snarls as his eyes flash to her hand that is wet and slightly reddened from the hot spilt coffee.

"Well, Harvey, you know how I've always liked to buck the trend." She deposits her mug on Louis's desk and lifts her hand, wincing slightly from the sting. Her eyes cast around his office, looking for something to dry her hand with, when Harvey thrusts a handkerchief under her nose.

"Here," he says.

She bites her lip and takes it from him, mumbling a thank you under her breath.

"You should run your hand under cold water, and find a first aid kit." he adds, his tone still clipped but with just a smattering of concern seeping through.

"Who needs a first aid kit?" Louis's voice rings out as he appears in the doorway. "Oh my god, what happened?" he exclaims as he rushes over to Donna's side.

"I'm fine," she says, looking up and giving him a reassuring smile. "I just spilt some coffee on my hand, but it's okay. I'm afraid your carpet got the worst of it, Louis. I'll make sure it's cleaned by the end of the day, I promise."

"I don't care about the carpet, let me see your hand?" Louis demands.

"I said it's fine!" Her response is more abrupt, embarrassment now replacing her initial shock. The last thing she wants is to feel vulnerable in front of Harvey. She knows it's a ridiculous notion, but it is what it is.

"Stop being so stubborn, Donna, and just let Louis take a look at your goddamn hand!" Harvey snaps.

An equally biting retort is on the tip of her tongue but she swallows it down, realising an argument now will get them nowhere.

"Fine!" she huffs as she sits herself down resignedly.

Louis grabs his first aid emergency box from the wall where it is fixed in place and Donna's eyes grow wide at the sheer size of it.

"Jesus Christ, Louis. What have you got in that thing?"

"Everything one might need in a medical emergency of course," he scoffs, as though it's the most obvious explanation in the world.

"I imagine you could fit a whole field hospital in there. Does New York Presbyterian know that you have half of their supplies?" she quips, in an attempt to make light of the situation and distract herself from the growing stinging sensation on the back of her hand.

Louis looks nonplussed as he unlocks the medical case and lifts the lid, revealing a mountain of medical supplies, and alarmingly, an axe.

"What the hell is that for? You're not planning on chopping my hand off are you, because I promise you, it's really not that bad."

Louis looks her dead in the eye. "If I still had the sorry excuse for an ointment that was originally in this kit, then I might have had to resort to that, yes. Fortunately for you, I have replaced it with an exclusive cream I sourced from Japan. It's made from bio-fermented sea kelp that is only harvested on three specific days a year and as a result it has the most amazing, almost magical properties."

He then gingerly takes her hand, inspecting it closely. Harvey meanwhile sits on the couch opposite and crosses his legs as he nurses his own coffee. There is an unmistakable hint of a smirk on his face, as he slowly sips his drink. She's aware he's watching her and she feels herself flush as a result. Her attention is diverted back to Louis though, as he mumbles something about her hand not being that bad.

"Told you," she grumbles petulantly.

Louis looks up and gives her a wide smile. "You'll be relieved to hear that there will be no chopping off of hands today! A touch of my own special cream should be sufficient."

She hears a snort come from Harvey and she grits her teeth, keeping her eyes trained on her hand.

To be fair to Louis, the moment the undoubtedly extortionately priced ointment is applied to her hand, she can feel the pain subside, the concoction instantly soothing her skin.

"Thank you, Louis," she says gratefully.

"Make sure you see me before you go home, and I'll apply some more."

Donna nods and she stands, making to leave.

"Where are you going?" Louis asks, looking confused.

"I know you asked to see me at 9.30am, but clearly Harvey wants to talk to you, so I'll come back later," she answers, keeping her eyes locked on Louis and away from the arrogant asshole seated to her right.

Louis shakes his head. "Harvey is here, because I need to speak to both of you."

Harvey scowls and Donna's stomach flips. She knows that the spat between her and Harvey has not gone unnoticed, and she's also well aware that aside from Rachel, and therefore Mike, no-one knows the reason why. As a named partner of the firm, it's also understandable that Louis might want to get to the bottom of what's going on, but if this is his attempt at getting them in a room together and thrashing it out, he can forget it. She's not doing this now, and certainly not with Louis acting as some kind of mediator.

Harvey seems to be thinking the exact same thing, since he gets up out of his seat, buttoning up his jacket.

"Whatever it is, talk to me about it later, Louis. I don't have time right now."

"Yes, you do," Louis replies instantly. "I checked with your secretary, and you have time."

Harvey's head lolls to the side and he begins to protest when Louis cuts him off.

"Look, I'm not going to pretend to know what the hell is going on between the two of you, and quite frankly, right now, I don't give a shit. I need to speak to both of you about a case, and it's important."

Donna sits up slightly at that, her curiosity peaked. She's still not completely convinced that this isn't some kind of ploy by Louis, but for the time being, she'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

Harvey huffs in annoyance, but he nods, sitting himself back down.

"What case?" Donna asks.

Louis relaxes a little, somewhat relieved that neither one of them has bolted from the room. Yet.

He takes a seat next to Donna and clasps his hands together, as he clears his throat.

"Okay, as you know, following our statement about Jessica's disbarment, our firm has taken yet another hit."

"You don't say," Harvey sneers, clearly still smarting about the decision to denounce his former mentor.

"Harvey, we both agreed that needed to happen to get Stanley Gordon off our back—"

"Okay... let's not get into a fight about that now," Donna interrupted. "Louis, the case?"

Louis scowls at Harvey, but he nods at Donna before continuing. "So, yes, we've hemorrhaged a few major clients as a result of the hit to our reputation. But an opportunity has presented itself, that could put us right back on the map."

Harvey raises his eyebrow. "I'm listening."

"Have you heard of Viribus Properties?"

"Of course I have, they're a real estate giant. They're also one of Skaddon's biggest clients."

"Yes, well, their founder and CEO died a year ago, and after a very lengthy and expensive court case, ownership and management of the firm has finally been passed to his grieving widow…"

"So?"

"So… I've been reliably informed that she's not too happy with the way Skadden handled the case and she's looking for new representation."

"What do you mean, you've been reliably informed. By whom?" Harvey eyes Louis skeptically.

"By the grieving widow herself. She called yesterday asking to speak to you, but you were in court."

"Okay, well, then, sign her up, Louis. You took the call, I'm okay with you being the one to make the deal, if that's what you're worried about."

"That's the thing, Harvey. She made it quite clear that she wants you, as managing partner, and she's insisting that you go out to visit her at her home in Vermont to discuss it. She says, if you don't, she'll look elsewhere."

"Fine...when?"

"This weekend."

Harvey groans. "You're fucking kidding me?"

"Nope."

Donna is watching the exchange with a growing sense of confusion and a feeling of unease. Remembering how nervous Louis was when he asked to see her this morning, she decides it's time to speak up.

"Hang on a minute. Why am I here, Louis?"

He swallows before answering.

"I'm glad you asked me that, Donna. She's insisting that both of you go."

Donna's frown deepens. "Wait, what? Why the hell does she want me there? I'm not a lawyer."

"Well, I was hoping you could answer that for me, Donna. Because all she would say is that it was personal."

Donna's eyes widen. She's completely baffled.

But then the name 'Viribus' suddenly starts to ring a distant bell in her memory, and as it starts to chime a little louder, she feels a sickening sensation in her stomach. An awful possibility dawns on her.

Shit!

No. She wouldn't, would she?

"What's her name, Louis?"

"Madeleine Keery."

Fuck. Yes, she most certainly would.

Donna pales and she rests her elbow on the arm of her chair and lifts her fingers to her forehead in defeat.

Silence falls in the room. The two men look at each other, and then back at Donna, perplexed.

"Who is she?" Louis asks nervously, for clearly, Donna isn't too happy hearing that name.

She shakes her head. "I'm not going. I can't. Harvey will have to handle it on his own."

"Who is she?" This time it's Harvey that's asking, and by the tone of his voice, he's not going to let her leave the room until she answers the question.

Donna drops her hand and she breathes out a heavy sigh. She looks up and straight ahead, her body rigid and tense as she knows the next few words that leave her mouth will reveal a truth about herself that she had consciously chosen to keep hidden.

Even from Harvey.

"She's my sister."

A/N: Just a quick note to say a huge thank you to Wika (polishandRUDE on Twitter) for organizing this crazy but exciting idea.

To everyone taking part for their input and enthusiasm. I can't wait to see where the story goes and what each writer will produce!

Finally to Aimee and Blue for being my incredible Beta's. You guys always improve everything I write and I'm so grateful for it.

Jo xx