Here is the fourth chapter of our collaboration project. For those who were trying to guess Miss W's object, it was a mixtape! Carol also got an object to write into her chapter, you can put your guesses in reviews or on Twitter. Enjoy reading! xx

Author:

Carebearmaxi

carebear1471 on Twitter

Inevitable

Chapter 4 – Searching

"Oh, Mr. Specter, do call me Madeleine or even Maddie, since it seems we're practically family," Madeleine Keery says, her voice dripping with charming sarcasm. She holds out her hand again for Harvey to take it.

"Madeleine." Harvey clasps her perfectly manicured hand in his for just a moment. He catches Donna's eye roll at her sister's uber charmed performance trying to impress a man whom Donna knew was not easily impressed.

Harvey still wonders what caused such a rift between two sisters who had apparently been as close as bees to honey. Attempting to forget Donna's vehemence in her words to Madeleine regarding their own relationship, Harvey's mind wanders back to the picture he had seen in Donna's apartment all those years ago. If Donna wants to talk about it then I will listen. However, in the meantime, we need to close her sister since it seems she is really wanting to jump lawyers. For now, she is a client. Not Donna's sister.

"Madeleine, since you're here early, did you want to get started?" Harvey asks, eager to get to the crux of the weekend as soon as possible. Although he is hurt by what he thought he had overheard in Donna's voice concerning their relationship status, he knows that this meeting is far from easy for Donna. However, like the true professional she is, Harvey knows Donna will play her role no matter what the personal issues are at hand.

"Mr. Specter, I know I am just as eager a beaver as you are to get down to business, but I would like to freshen up a bit. I spent five hours in a car coming up here, so I do need a little "ME" time. I hope you understand?" Madeleine comments.

"Certainly."

"Why don't we have breakfast on the kitchen terrace. It overlooks the lakeshore beach and most of the scenic area. My cook should be arriving with food shortly," Madeleine says. "Lorne can make breakfast as soon as he arrives."

"Cook?" Donna says surprised. "Since when did you employ cooks?"

"Since I realized that I can't keep my girlish figure unless I have someone who can cook nutritious meals. I highly recommend it."

Donna rolls her eyes again and notices a smile tease at the corner of Harvey's mouth.

"I look forward to our meeting then. Madeleine," he smiles as she brushes past him to run upstairs to her own rooms.

Harvey watches as Donna's casual clad form rushes into the kitchen. He follows slowly in her direction. As he passes through the swinging door, he notices Donna is making herself a cup of caffeine filled courage. The Keurig takes only a minute and Donna is crafty enough to find a slim bottle of Vanilla in the spice cabinet. She leaves it on the counter as she knows Harvey is headed in the same direction.

As she is putting an extra teaspoon of sugar into her coffee, she looks over at Harvey and says, "There is a pod there for Vanilla Latte if you prefer, rather than adding the vanilla later."

"How do you know I still take my coffee that way?"

She turns to the side leaning her hip against the counter. "Really? With all that goes on between us, that's the question you ask me?"

Harvey realizes that he had touched another nerve. He has no answer and reaches for the Vanilla bottle and pours two drops into his coffee. He takes a seat at the table which sits in the middle of the spacious kitchen and faces the terrace doors which look directly out onto the lakeshore beach. Funny, he had not noticed it when he was on his walk.

Donna takes the seat just opposite him so her back is to the window. She now blocks Harvey's view. He looks at her and notices that she is sipping her coffee rather quickly. Her body is in constant motion filled with nervous energy.

"Are you ready for this?" Harvey asks knowing that her sister's arrival though expected was unexpected at this early hour.

Donna looks up at Harvey's question. She really wants to show she is in control as always. Donna knows she's there for two reasons. The first was at her sister's behest and the second is to ensure that Harvey does not get the firm into deep water. Donna has always had faith in Harvey, but her sister is an insidious person who could trick any man or woman into doing exactly what they should not.

As much as Donna cares for Harvey, she feels in her heart of hearts that she only wants Harvey to be happy. Donna is very glad he chose her over Paula, but the last thing she wanted to do was ruin his personal happiness. If Paula was really the reason for Harvey's happiness then Donna would have accepted it. However, Harvey choosing her over Paula for professional reasons is still a tough cookie for Donna to swallow.

They sit quietly together sipping their coffee. Donna prepares a new cup when Madeleine's cook, Lorne, arrives through the back door.

"Oh, I'm sorry," the cook says coming in. "Ms. Keery didn't tell me we had visitors. She just told me to come and cook for the weekend."

He drops the bags he had been carrying on the floor and begins to stock the refrigerator with fresh vegetables and wrapped paper bundles. He is nearest to Donna and stops in mid motion and then stands erect and tall.

"Mmm, you must be Donna Paulsen, Ms. Keery's sister," Lorne assumes.

Donna examines the rather large man with blonde hair named Lorne and who is apparently at Madeleine's beck and call. She averts her eyes as she is curious as to how Lorne was told about her. Was it in casual conversation? Does Madeleine talk about her long lost baby sister regularly with him? Anyway, she knew she should answer the man rather than keep him waiting.

"Yes, I'm Donna," she greets and steps forward to shake the cook's hand.

"You look like Ms. Keery. Yes, I can tell you're her sister. Same coloring just a little different around the eyes. I have heard so much about you. It is a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Well, I confess, I have heard nothing about you. I'm surprised my sister talked about me. It's a pleasure to meet you also," Donna smiles releasing his rather large hand. She shakes her hand out from the sudden loss of circulation.

Turning in Harvey's direction, Lorne addresses him.

"You must be Harvey Specter. The new great hope for Ms. Keery's vision."

"Yes, I am," Harvey says, rising and shaking the cook's hand.

Suddenly, Madeleine is back in the room refreshed and ready to take on the world. Donna turns her eyes to look out the terrace doors as Madeleine makes her entrance. Donna has confidence when it comes to her own professional ability and she knows she is also more than capable of turning heads when she enters a room, but Madeleine is the most melodramatic actress Donna has ever seen.

"Since when did you play tennis?" Donna asks, suddenly noticing the tennis racket in her sister's hand.

"Between husband number one and husband number two," Madeleine answers. "Didn't Louis tell you? That was how we met. That's when I started my inquiries about the firm. He was in a couples match with one of the female pros at the club in Manhattan."

Harvey smirks. He thinks there may be some good points to this weekend even if he is still at odds with Donna. Madeleine is different from Donna. He finds her mildly entertaining with her affectatious performance. She is definitely more entertaining than some of his other female clients. As entertaining and interesting this weekend may be, Harvey knows it is still difficult between her and Donna.

"No, Louis didn't tell us. I don't play, Maddie, but I guessed you figured that out already," Donna answers.

"I know. Tennis was never a strong suit with you. I was wondering if Mr. Specter plays? I am meeting one of my regulars here later and I thought I could get some practice in before our breakfast meeting," Madeleine remarks, seeming to enjoy the silent telling looks between Donna and Harvey.

A quick silence suddenly pervades the room, Madeleine is entertained as she observes the looks between Harvey and Donna. Although Donna claims there is nothing between them, Madeleine definitely notices the tension in the air.

Harvey clears his throat and answers Maddie's question.

"No, Madeleine, I'm sorry. I don't play either."

"Don't think about us if it is part of your normal routine, Maddie," Donna interjects. "Harvey and I need to prepare anyway before our meeting this morning."

"That's fine. I will only be about an hour and then I will join you for breakfast on the terrace," Madeleine says. She then turns in Lorne's direction.

"Lorne, so happy you were available for me. Could you prepare whatever my sister and her man need?"

Harvey winces at the term "her man". Who the hell does she think I am? I am the furthest thing from "Donna's man" at the moment.

Donna smiles a little at her sister's use of the words "her man" like he was hers to keep around at her bidding. She could see Harvey's peeved reaction, but he remains silent.

As her sister walks out the backyard to where Donna and Harvey figure the location of the tennis courts are, Lorne asks them if what he is planning to prepare will suit them.

Donna and Harvey look at one another as they rise from the table to prepare for the meeting.

Harvey grins. "Knock yourself out, Lorne. Sounds great."

Donna starts up the stairway first. Her hand lightly grasps the balustrade. Harvey walks behind her and, not for the first time, appreciates her beauty as it walks in front of him. Harvey is hoping that they can get the business at hand completed and then head back to New York with good news. He also hopes, as they reach the top of the staircase that the air between them can be cleared as well.

Donna climbs the stairs amused by her sister's term of calling Harvey "her man" and Harvey's reaction to it. However, she realizes that she needs to really keep a guard on her feelings. Madeleine had given her a look during the kitchen conversation. Donna did her best not to show any feeling at all toward Harvey, but it seems her sister might assume more than she really knows. Donna is wound tight and she only hopes as she reaches the top of the stairs that something does not set her off.

Harvey reaches his room first. Upon opening the door, he looks at his suit which sits suspended from its hanger on the chair. My armor, Donna always called it. Right now, I don't want to put that armor on if it means that all I am to Donna is a co-worker. Someone that after 6 pm means nothing to her. I thought it was different between us. I chose her over Paula. I sacrificed a good relationship for one that I know I can't live without professionally or personally. Shit! Donna's the real one that pushed me into the reconciliation with my mother. Donna's the woman in my dreams. How can she not realize that? She accused me of just wanting her back professionally. Yes, I do, but she's had her rule more years than I care to count. We could not handle both, I'm sure.

In spite of these thoughts, Harvey dons his armor and decides to make a stop before proceeding down the grand staircase. Closing Madeleine Quinn Keery is the only thing on his mind.

Meanwhile, Donna strides over to the spacious closet and pulls the burgundy Mouret dress she packed specifically for the purpose of the meeting. Her sister's early arrival had put Donna's nose out of joint catching her when she was not at her best or dressed in her own weapon of choice-haute couture.

Donna refreshes herself by taking a quick shower and spritzing on her favorite perfume. She is in such an anxious mood. Not only does she want to prove to her sister she is a capable COO and indispensable in her job, but also she wants to show Harvey what he actually sacrificed when he decided he did not want her for himself. Harvey's eyes always light up when she is dressed in her best outfits and she wants to make sure that his eyes still carry that admiration.

As Donna puts the finishing touches on her toilette as the French used to call it, there is a knock on the door. She smiles at herself and opens it. Donna at once notices where Harvey's eyes fall. They are not fixated on her face. No, you keep looking at what you didn't want.

At his question 'Are you ready for this?', her anxiety heightens a notch. He does care that this is somewhat traumatic for her, and Donna cannot help but respond.

Donna throws up her hands as she exits her room, shutting the door behind her. "Ready as I'll ever be."

"Any words of warning about your sister?"

"Not right now. She can be disarming, so I will try to signal to you if I think she is leading us down a path the firm should not go."

"You mean a path I shouldn't go," Harvey says, looking into her eyes and seeing that her face has become a little softer than it had been earlier. For some strange reason, he just wants to take that beautiful face in his hands and kiss those delicious lips until he no longer knows where he is and why he's at this country mansion.

Harvey, don't look at me that way. I don't want to forgive you right now Donna thinks as she sees a sublime look on his face.

They walk down the stairway together slowly.

They join a seemingly more business prepared Madeleine at the wrought iron table outside. The table is set and each place setting has a water glass, a coffee cup, and a small juice glass. Lorne has set the sideboard with everything needed for a large classic breakfast: brioche, eggs scrambled, omelets replete with cheese, vegetables and whatever. There is also quiche and Danish. Cranberry, orange, and apple juices as well as milk and even champagne on ice are also available if you wanted a Mimosa with your breakfast. It is still early, but Madeleine had told Lorne to spare nothing.

"Well, here they come, the heartbeat of Pearson Specter Litt," Madeleine says as she watches Harvey pull out Donna's chair for her to sit. "You look breathtaking in that dress, Donna."

"Thank you, Maddie. Let's get started, shall we?"

"Not quite yet. I think we all should eat first. I know I'm starving after my tennis practice."

Harvey sits down, smoothing his tie and unbuttoning his jacket as he does so.

"Are you as good at tennis as you seem to be in your investments?" Harvey asks having spent the previous night looking at her properties and examining the profitability margin as well as projections for next quarter.

"I would say I am, Harvey." Madeleine smiles taking a sip of her Mimosa.

Lorne comes to the table at that moment and states, "Breakfast is served. Please help yourself. Let me know if there is anything I can specifically make for you. I assure you we have anything that you may not see here."

Donna looks behind her before rising and asks, "Maddie are you expecting anyone else for this meeting? I could feed the whole firm on that breakfast outlay."

"I am expecting two associates of mine who brought me the proposed properties I want to take over. Scaddon made such a mess out of my offer. It's one of the reasons I decided I needed new representation. Therefore, I want to get their opinions on our negotiations. They are the real people who will present the offers to the clients. I like to work in the background."

"That sounds like you to a T, Maddie. Always sneaking behind, never wanting to come out front and take ownership," Donna says snidely.

Donna feels the pressure of Harvey's foot on hers to which Madeleine sees her sister's face wrench.

"Harvey, what are you doing?" Donna stage whispers in the same tone as he heard last night.

"Excuse us, Madeleine, I need to discuss a misunderstanding with my COO," Harvey says, rising from his chair and taking Donna solidly by the arm, he leads her into a corner of the terrace out of Madeleine's earshot.

"Can you please keep your claws in while I'm trying to close? We haven't heard her proposals yet and already you want to just dig in and turn the knife. Think about how much her business means to the firm. You need to keep the personal out of it."

Donna looks at her feet. She has experienced much more painful discomfiture while in a business meeting. She feels badly. Harvey counts on her for being professional, no matter what. That's what he values her for. She has to remember that.

"No, you're right, Harvey. I'm sorry. I can do this."

Harvey almost places his finger under her chin so she could meet his gaze to let her know that he understands her discomfort and that he is not really mad at her. He just wants to get this whole ordeal over as fast as he can and return to the firm with good news for Louis.

They stand for a few minutes in silence. Harvey licks his top lip and his eyes are soft with understanding. He realizes that Donna really doesn't need reprimanding and that he knows that this meeting with her sister is awkward and churns up a lot of bad memories.

"Donna, if you ever want to talk about this, let me know," Harvey offers.

Donna's green eyes are filled with shock. "That's odd. Usually, it's me coercing you into talking. What's happened?"

Harvey shoulders rise. "I don't know. I do know it helps, though."

Donna smiles at him for the first time in days since they knew they were on their way to Vermont.

They return and resume their seats across from Madeleine.

"I hope all is well and we can discuss how you will represent me," Madeleine says as Harvey and Donna sit.

Madeleine puts a grape in her mouth and wiping her hands on her napkin rises.

"I'm going to indulge in some of this lovely food. Care to join me?" Madeleine invites. She appears perplexed as she cannot understand why these people are not eating.

Donna rises again and smooths down her dress joining her sister at the huge sideboard. Madeleine takes a moment to speak to Donna.

"Don't worry, Donna. I realize I may have behaved badly. I know why you said what you said. I am sorry. I promise that all I want out of this situation is to get what I need and with people who know how to get it for me."

Donna stops dead in her tracks listening to her sister's objective. She has filled her plate and is about to return to the table when she turns to the side, tilts her head, and gazes at her older sister. Once beloved, now just barely acknowledged as a relation.

"Doesn't sound like you changed all that much to me?" Donna remarks then walks back to the table to join Harvey.

Madeleine keeps talking and notices her sister stops with her back to her.

Madeleine's response to Donna's rejoinder. "I know our past cost you a lot more than me but, believe me, I do have regrets. I hope, in time, you will see that and accept me back as your older sister who loves you."

Turning around to face her sister, Donna retorts "I'm not the only one to whom you owe an apology. Keep that in mind if you ever expect me to forgive you for what you did," Donna says and storms off with her full plate.

After a rather lengthy and sumptuous breakfast, Harvey pulls a few files from his briefcase. He hands copies to Donna for her perusal and places the others in front of Madeleine's seat. Donna has partially written these papers, so her perusal is just to familiarize herself with where Madeleine's financial net worth stands.

Harvey is all business now. When he addresses Donna, she examines her copies of the files between bites of food. They point to figures and graphs on the pages and speak about how to handle some of the items that are less profitable in Viribus' portfolio. They speak quietly together until Madeleine returns to the table with the two associates she had spoken of earlier.

Donna is surprised but happy to know that she and Harvey are familiar with the first dark haired man who runs a hedge fund. Stu Bezzini hugs Donna and shakes hands with Harvey glad to be working with them for this client.

"I had no idea that Madeleine Quinn Keery was your sister, Donna. She and I have done business since her early days with Stanley Keery," Stu expounds. Donna just smiles and says she and Harvey were not aware that they would be working with familiar people for her sister.

The other man Donna also knows, but Harvey does not. Harvey notices the sudden haunted look on Donna's face when Madeleine introduces him. Donna shakes hands with the all too familiar man. Harvey shakes hands with him also.

"This is Brandon Cleary. He used to be a Broadway producer at one point,but he decided to go into business with me after his Broadway days were over," Madeleine says.

Harvey sees Donna resuming her seat again after the introductions. The look on her face has gone from haunted to absolute terror. Obviously this is something she was hoping would not happen.

As Brandon and Stu take their seats around the spacious table, Harvey leans toward Donna and asks if she is all right.

"Who is Brandon Cleary to you?"

"A man who made a lot of promises to me and my family. Then he met my sister. He's also her first husband. She won't admit that though," Donna says looking into Harvey's eyes for strength.

He sees that this meeting is already difficult for her. He needs her though for her sound business judgment. He also sees that she needs him to be a friend. He hopes he can be that for her.

"It's a long story, Harvey. Please don't ask me anything else. Let's just get through this meeting," Donna states as she uses her acting chops to put on a pleasant face and sits back with the Viribus files in hand.

A/N: Thanks for letting me be a part of this. I hope this chapter (after the numerous revisions) helps move the story along.

Carebearmaxi