Hello Suitors! I just checked when I updated this last and nearly died because it was freaking 2014. It's been niggling at me a long time to finish this fic because I still get lovely reviews with people asking for an update. It was a bit tricky dipping into this timeline after so much unfolded on the show, but I persevered with the longest chapter yet (you guys deserve that much). This has been a long time coming, so I hope it doesn't disappoint you! Thanks again to everybody that has read and reviewed this story over the years. I'm considering the fic complete, but let me know if you want a little epilogue.

Chapter 13

The sun is shining as Donna exits her building. Harvey is there to greet her at the foot of the stairs with a takeaway coffee in each hand.

He speaks before she can, "No flowers this time. Just coffee."

She eyes the cup. "Got anything stronger?"

Harvey's mouth quirks as he hands her the cup.

"Thanks," she says, toying with the lid. She twists of the top and inhales. Vanilla.

They sip their coffees in unison, dragging out the familiar moment of normality. Donna scans the street for Harvey's car.

"No Ray today?"

"I thought I'd walk for a change."

"All the way to the office?"

"It's not too far from here."

"You're not wearing stilettos."

"I could piggyback you."

"Let's just start with coffee, okay?"

Harvey nods, offering a small smile. Harvey is unnervingly calm, while Donna's heart is hammering in her chest.

They fall into an easy step. Donna keeps her gaze fixed on the street while Harvey steals glances at her and she pretends not to notice.

"I'm sorry about Saturday. It was…"

"A disaster?"

"Well, yeah," he admits. "I hope you know that I didn't put Mike up to it."

Donna scoffs, "Please, I know you weren't behind that clumsy attempt to get us in the same room together."

"In a crowded bar with watered down scotch? Never," he says, offering a small wink.

He turns his head again, looking at her until she shares his gaze. "I was a mess Donna, and I took it out on you and that idiot kid that was hitting on you."

"I can take care of myself."

"I know that. It just pissed me off seeing you with that guy."

Donna tears her eyes away and takes another sip of her coffee.

When she speaks, her voice is even, steely, "How do you think it makes me feel picturing you with Scottie?"

Harvey stops, gently touching her elbow to slow her.

"Donna, I'm so sorry that you have that image in your head."

"I know you're sorry, Harvey," Donna sighs, "It still hurts though."

Harvey drops his hand from her elbow and they resume their glacial pace.

"Scottie's leaving the firm."

"That doesn't fix things, Harvey."

"I know."

This time Donna stops. "Look, I appreciate you coming to see me. I know things have been pretty volatile between us the last few weeks."

"I can't stand it, Donna. I just want us to go back to how we were before."

The words sting, but she knows this is better. This is all they were ever supposed to be.

"That's what I want too."

She feels oddly compelled to shake his hand, as if striking a deal. Another line drawn in the sand, another vow to keep things platonic between them.

"My feet can't handle the miles," she tells him, gesturing to her heels. "I'll just take a cab and see you at the office."

Harvey furrows his brow. "The office? Donna…"

Donna sharply changes direction, hailing the first cab she sees.

Harvey sticks to his guns and walks the remaining distance to the office. Mike rolls up to him just as he reaches the building. He really needs to ditch the bike.

"Harvey?"

"Mike."

Mike's eyes flit around, "Did you walk here?"

He shrugs. "I needed to clear my head."

"Donna problems," he says with a nod.

"I'll see you later, Mike," Harvey says. He starts to veer away from his protegee but Mike peddles in front of him and swerves, cutting him off.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Do I look like I want to talk about it?"

"Well not talking about it hasn't done you much good."

Harvey eyes him with mild annoyance. "You're particularly irritating today."

Mike smirks, "And you're particularly stroppy today."

"Mike…"

Mike rolls his eyes and smiles, stepping off his bike and wheeling it toward the rack. Harvey relents, because what does he have left to lose? He's at a complete loss. He thought this morning would mark a new beginning for the two of them; a do-over. Instead, Donna seems to have made the decision to move on as friends.

Mike locks up his bike and takes a seat on a nearby bench, motioning for Harvey to join him.

"Right, so let's get the obvious out of the way…"

Harvey braces himself."

"You and Donna are sleeping together."

Harvey rolls his eyes. "Wow, Mike, how did your genius brain crack that code?"

"I'll kindly ask you to refrain from mocking while I'm trying to help you."

"Mike."

"And Scottie is involved."

"In a way, yes," he confesses, "We kissed after we had drinks to discuss Darby's case."

"That's more than, in a way, don't you think?"

Harvey looks at Mike incredulously. "Am I actually getting judgment from you on this?"

"Ouch."

"Sorry," he laments. "I know why I did it."

"You were scared," Mike states. At Harvey's expression he says, "Genius brain, remember?"

"Yeah, I was scared."

"I mean, I get it. You and Donna have known each other a long time. There's no such thing as casual dating with you too." He pauses for effect. "All or nothing."

"When did you get so insightful?" Harvey asks. He sees Mike start to answer but interjects, "That was purely rhetorical."

After a moment, Mike asks, "How long have you had feelings for her?"

Harvey laughs sadly. "Probably as long as I've known her."

"Harvey," Mike says, forcing him to look at him, "I don't think she knows that."

Harvey sighs, his hands coming to rest on his knees.

"I think I missed my shot; she seems pretty intent on forgetting we were ever together."

"Even if that's true, I still think she'd like to know. For closure."

Harvey shoots Mike a look of curiosity – he knows more than he's letting on.

Mike holds his hands up defensively, "Just my opinion."

Harvey stands, smoothing out his suit jacket. "I'll think about it," he acquiesces.

The next few weeks limp by with Donna and Harvey coexisting. It's a new facet of their relationship; Harvey has dealt with Donna straight up ignoring him when she's pissed at him – and vice versa – but now there's a stoic cordialness that underpins all of their interactions.

It's a lot of:

Morning, Harvey.

Morning, Donna.

Your messages are on your desk.

He wonders if they can even salvage a friendship at this point. It was safer when he could only speculate how great they could be together. Being around her now is a whole new brand of torture.

Harvey has a lot that he'd like to say to her, and Harvey wants to make sure Donna has all the information before she draws a final line under their romantic relationship. He's learned from previous experience that Donna doesn't tend to respond well when he ambushes her with his feelings.

Harvey isn't exactly one for self-reflection, but he's had a lot of time to ruminate over his feelings for Donna in the last month. Every day seems to bring with it a new set of realisations that Harvey is aching to share with her. If the situation wasn't about Donna, then Harvey would have run to her by now so that she could dissect his feelings. When he kissed her in the elevator, it had been an impulse. Which, quite frankly, had surprised him.

For ten years, Harvey had become a master at curbing his baser instincts when it came to Donna. Every touch, every lingering glance carried the weight of years of built-up sexual tension. Even for a gambler like him, getting close to her was too big a risk.

With Jessica visiting the London office for the week and Mike out with Rachel, Harvey finishes out his Friday night at his desk, working long past sunset. Donna is only a few feet away from him. Her eyes focus intensely on her computer screen and her fingers fly rapidly over her keyboard. There's a slight furrow in her brow as she bites her bottom lip, but she never stops typing.

He tears his eyes away from her for a moment, and when he looks back up, she's gone from her desk. He whittles away the next twenty minutes stealing casual glances at her cubicle. Her coat is still over her chair, so she hasn't actually left the building.

Fuck it, he thinks, pouring two glasses of Macallan. For years their relationship has thrived on the outskirts of their working days. He's hoping tonight will offer the same.

He sets down the decanter and sees her; fiery hair hanging in loose curls over one shoulder, her curves enhanced by a fitted, white lace dress that sits just shy above the knee. Ethereal is the word that comes to mind.

She approaches his doorway, coat draped over her forearm. "Night, Harvey," she says, and he realises with a pang that she got dressed up for someone else. He looks down at the two drinks, then back up at her. The movement is quick, but she catches it. Pity is etched all over her face.

"Enjoy your date."

"Harvey."

"Goodnight, Donna."

He turns his back to her, hearing the scuff of her heels as she walks away from him. After he's sure she's gone, he reaches for both tumblers, transferring the scotch to one glass.

"That's a big drink. Is there one for me too?"

Harvey smiles limply at Mike, who saunters unawares into his office. His timing is impeccable.

"All yours," Harvey says, handing the glass to Mike. He pours another large measure for himself and tilts his glass toward Mike's.

"Should we toast to women?" Mike says with a smirk.

Harvey scoffs, then swigs his drink. Mike does the same, trying to hide his wince.

"Trouble in paradise?" Harvey asks.

"We're just having a night off."

"A night off?"

"Well, girls' night usually excludes me."

That catches his attention. "Is Rachel with –"

"Donna, yeah."

Harvey grimaces. He feels like a prize idiot.

"What is it?"

"Oh nothing, just another fuckup in a long line of fuckups with Donna."

"You're getting good at those."

The server sets down two vodka martinis. "Thank you," Rachel says. She checks her phone, hoping for a message from Donna. Her friend can put together a look faster than most – even in the Pearson Hardman bathroom – so it's unusual for her to be late.

After about five minutes, a guy approaches her table, sitting down in the seat reserved for her best friend. Rachel resists the urge to roll her eyes.

"Is this seat taken?"

"There's two drinks on my table and only one of me, what do you think?"

The guy's eyes widen. He's quite good looking; navy suit, well groomed hair and a sharp jawline. He's obviously not used to rejection.

"Hey, I was just being friendly, I'm not trying to hit on you. Jeez."

"Hi, guy trying to hit on my very uninterested friend," Donna's voice cuts through as she appears behind him. "You're in my seat."

"Whatever," he mutters, retreated to another corner of the bar.

Rachel and Donna share smile. "Sorry I'm late, Rachel."

Rachel waves her off and slides a martini in front of her. "Here." She scans Donna's face. "You kind of look like you need it."

"Will you judge me if I down it in one?"

"That bad?"

Donna shakes her head. "No, it's fine really. Nothing major."

"You can talk about him if you want, Donna."

"Rach, my whole working life is about that man. He gets enough airtime."

"Did he say something to upset you?" Rachel asks, trying to gently pry it out of Donna. Rachel won't interfere with her friend's love life, but she and Mike talk, and they both agree that if their idea to get the two of them in a room together hadn't already supremely flopped, they would do it again in a heartbeat. Donna and Harvey's partnership predates most of Rachel's friendships. She thinks it would be such a waste if ten years amounted to nothing between them.

"It seemed like he might have wanted to talk, but then he saw me dressed up after work and assumed I was going on a date," Donna spills.

"Did you set him straight?"

"I didn't get a chance, he snapped at me and I left."

"Oh, Donna."

"I don't get it. A few weeks ago he told me he wanted us to go back to the way things used to be. But he still thinks he has the right to get jealous?"

"God, that man."

"And I've had nearly twelve years of it, Rach."

"But you still care about him," Rachel surmises.

"Too much for my own good." Donna takes a long sip of her martini. "Sometimes I think I'd be better off if I just quit." Rachel's eyes widen. "But the thought of being away from…"

She watches Donna struggle with the words, trying to unpack the unshakeable bond she has with a man that has broken her heart more than once. Rachel squeezes her hand.

"Hey, I hate the thought of you leaving almost as much as he would."

Donna squeezes her hand in return. "Well, if all goes to plan, you'll be out the door first," Donna says. "How are the applications going?"

Rachel takes the hint. "It's going. Harvard was my dream, but now I'm just trying to find a new one."

"Are you still hoping to go interstate?"

"Maybe."

"Columbia?" Donna asks hopefully. "It's a great school and it would keep Michelle Ross and Harriet Specter together…"

"Well, it would be a shame to break up the dream team," Rachel says with a wink.

Much to her boyfriend's disappointment, Rachel is in her office by 7:00am on Monday. The office is usually deserted at this hour, save for a handful of eager junior associates, so she arrives with a plan to polish off the last of her applications without any distractions. She sips on her almond latte, waiting for her computer to fire up.

She sets down her takeaway cup and enters her password. When she looks up, she sees Harvey at her door. He dutifully knocks, offering her a half-smile.

"Morning, Rachel."

She can count on one hand the number of times Harvey has been in her office. It's always a little disconcerting.

"Hi Harvey. You're here early."

"Actually, I'm here to see you." Seeing her look of confusion, he says, "Mike mentioned you were coming in early."

"Do you need my help on a case?" She asks, despite having a strong hunch that his visit has nothing to do with work, and everything to do with Donna.

"Actually, I'm here about–"

"Donna?"

Harvey tenses. Rachel knows by now that the only person Harvey will tolerate finishing his sentences is Donna.

"Yeah," he admits.

"Harvey, anything that Donna has said to me is in confidence. So, if you're looking for answers, you'll have to get them from her."

"You're protective of her," he notes, "I am too." They share a look of mutual respect. "But I'm not asking you to betray her confidence."

She studies Harvey; he's open and vulnerable in a way that she has never seen him.

"What are you asking?"

"For a small favour."

Harvey is in court most of the morning so Donna doesn't see him until the early afternoon when he slides a large coffee onto her desk.

"See, I thought I'd continue this trend of making an ass of myself and then apologising with coffee."

Donna eyes the cup, then looks up at Harvey wearing his most apologetic expression.

"Apologising with actual words is usually more effective."

She tears her eyes away, pointedly ignoring the coffee.

"Donna," he says, pulling her attention again. "I'm sorry I snapped at you Friday night."

"Thank you," she relents, taking the coffee. "How was the hearing?"

"Dull. How was the office without me?"

"Peaceful."

"Another word for dull," he quips, retreating to his office.

Donna gets lost in her work for the remaining hours of the day, getting up only to go to the copy room every now and then. At seven o'clock when she returns from the copy room, she finds Harvey's office empty and a note on her desk:

Left to meet a client. Don't stay too late.

- H

Donna follows his lead, quickly finishing her filing for the day and gathering her coat and handbag. Her phone chirps. Donna worries that there might be a last-minute crisis and she can kiss her free evening goodbye, but it's just a text from Rachel:

Hope you're still at the office, need some advice! Can you meet me on the roof? x

She texts back:

You caught me just in time. See you in five x

Donna drops her bag back on her desk, bundles herself up in her coat and heads for the roof.

She slips outside, expecting Rachel, only to find Harvey waiting for her. He's standing beside two chairs and a cloth-covered table with a bottle of wine, two glasses and takeout.

"Harvey?"

"Sorry for the decoy."

Her lips twist into a reluctant smile. "What is all this?"

"I thought we could talk on neutral ground," he says. "I haven't had great success on your doorstep."

She crosses the distance between them and spots the label on the takeout food. "You ordered from the shitty Thai place you hate?"

"I ordered from the shitty Thai place I hate because you like it."

He pulls out a chair, gesturing for Donna to take a seat. She obliges and he takes the seat opposite hers. Harvey pulls a corkscrew from his suit pocket and uncorks the wine.

"Got any more gadgets in there, James Bond?"

"I've got a few tricks up my sleeve."

He pours them both a healthy measure and they gingerly clink their glasses. She takes a sip. It's one of her favourite pinot noirs.

Harvey notices her smile of appreciation and says, "I know things about you too."

"Let's not play that game, I think I'll win."

"I wouldn't be so sure."

"Don't think that a few weeks of sex will give you the edge."

A look of hurt flashes across Harvey's face, and Donna instantly regrets her misguided joke.

"Donna, I've had feelings for you for a long time. They didn't just emerge when we started sleeping together."

Donna releases a breath, thinking about every one of their fights, leaving the D.A.'s office together, all of her failed relationships and the string of women that have entered and left Harvey's life in the time she has known him; Scottie, Zoe and Scottie again.

"How long?" she asks.

He sighs, "I don't…have a timeline. It's just always been about you Donna. You're the most important person in my life." He pauses, smiling, "And not just because you run it better than anybody else."

Donna laughs, feeling noticeably less tense.

"When I came to see you last week, I said I wanted things to go back to the way they were. You thought I meant as friends, right?"

"I did."

"When I said that, I meant before our fight. Before the thing…with Scottie."

"Harvey you can't just un-ring that bell."

"And I get that now," he assures her. "I wanted to fix things as quickly as I could, but having this time apart has made me realise that we rushed into this relationship blindly."

"Harvey we've been friends for nearly twelve years, this has been the slowest of slow burns."

"And it only took me a matter of weeks to screw it up, so what does that tell you?"

Donna doesn't have an answer for that.

"I kissed you without thinking what it would mean after."

"Do you want to be just friends?" she asks unequivocally.

"Is that what you want?"

"We've done it before."

Harvey smiles wickedly, "Well, it didn't really work, did it?"

Donna nods gravely. "It's not what I want – I can't just be your friend or secretary anymore, Harvey. But I also don't think we're ready to be a couple."

"No, you think I'm not ready, but I am, Donna."

"Harvey –"

"I love you, Donna," he says. "And for years, that scared the shit out of me. I thought it would ruin everything we already had. But I want more." He grabs her hand. "I want all of you."

Donna can hardly believe the words are coming out of Harvey – her Harvey. He's never laid out his feelings for her so plainly. It's been years of hints and insinuations, backpedalling whenever he had revealed too much to her.

"Wow."

He laughs, "Yeah." He smooths down his tie with his free hand – an unconscious, nervous habit. "I thought we'd have dinner and then I'd work up to that."

"It'll probably be cold by now," she says, gesturing toward their takeout. "We can heat it up at your place."

Harvey grins. He stands, gently pulling her up with him. He walks around the table, never letting go of her hand. When he does let go, he wraps one hand around her waist and rests the other on her cheek. He kisses her deeply, without hesitation. It's slow and unhurried, as they grin like idiots against each other's lips.

They arrive to his place in record time, embarrassing Ray quite a few times on the journey over. Harvey makes a mental note to double his driver's Christmas bonus this year.

When they get through the door their hands all over each other; Harvey gripping Donna's firm ass and Donna yanking at his tie with one hand, while the other expertly undoes the buttons on his shirt. The bag of takeout is quickly discarded in the hallway. They make it past the kitchen and somewhere along the way, Donna frees him of his tie and shirt, while stripping off her coat and stepping out of her heels.

Donna reaches for the button of his pants and Harvey places his hand over hers. She pulls back, looking at him was questioning eyes and thoroughly kissed lips. Harvey cradles her face in his hands and gently kisses her. He reaches for the zipper on the back of her dress, dragging it slowly, trying to prolong the moment. He's hoping this is the last 'first time' they'll ever have, and he vows not to rush it again.

He pulls Donna's dress down her body, feeling a rush of pleasure at the thought that after seeing her wear it all day at the office, he gets to be the one to take it off. His erection hardens at the sight of her.

Donna unzips his suit pants and Harvey kicks off his shoes and socks. When they're both down to their underwear, Harvey places his hand just under her buttocks. Donna quirks an eyebrow as Harvey lifts her, coaxing her long legs around his waist. Donna kisses him eagerly, grinding against his torso as she slides her tongue against his. Harvey carefully manoeuvres them into the bedroom, pausing as his knees touch the foot of the bed. Harvey uses his strength to lower them both gently onto the bed.

Donna breaks the kiss and says, "Very impressive, Harvey Specter."

"Yeah, my back is going to be real impressed with my efforts tomorrow."

Donna hooks her feet into the band of his briefs and pushes them down, with Harvey kicking them off the rest of the way. Harvey reaches behind Donna's back and swiftly unhooks her bra.

"Nice colour," he comments. "Peach looks good on you."

"All colours look good on me, Harvey," Donna remarks impatiently. Harvey takes her cue, sliding the straps down her shoulders and removing her bra completely. He bends his head, taking a nipple in his mouth. Donna moans and Harvey sucks harder while sliding off her underwear. He diverts his mouth to her other nipple, tugging gently with his teeth. He feels between her legs, marvelling at how wet she already is.

He releases her nipple and kisses down her stomach before reaching her clit.

"Harvey."

He stops, glancing up from between her thighs. "Yeah?"

"Normally I would have you stay down there all night." Her breath catches while he teases her for effect. "But I want you now."

He grins, sliding back up her torso.

"So impatient."

Donna squeezes are thighs tightly around his hips, forcing him up. She flips them both so that she has him pinned beneath her.

"Any more complaints?"

Harvey thrusts up into her, eliciting a deep moan from them both.

She recovers with a chuckle. "I'll take that as a no."

Donna takes charge, grinding on top of him and setting a slow, torturous rhythm. Harvey can't get enough of her; caressing her breasts, her waist, the round curve of her ass. She leans back, offering a different angle and unobstructed view of her body. He slips a hand between her thighs to stroke her clit, hearing her breath grow more erratic. She leans forward again and Harvey rises to meet her in a desperate kiss. He thrusts harder with long, precise strokes and Donna cries out. He feels her tense around him and it sets him off. He holds her tightly while he comes, moaning her name into the crook of her neck.

He holds her in his arms until their breathing returns to normal.

"I've missed you," she confesses.

"Donna, you have no idea."

She smiles, kissing him deeply. When she breaks the kiss she asks, "You hungry?"

His mind wanders to the forgotten bag of takeout and his stomach rumbles.

"I guess so."

Donna eases herself off of him and climbs off the bed. She slips into the bathroom and emerges after a moment wearing his robe.

"Cold or heated up?" she asks.

"Whatever gets you back her faster."

Donna keeps it simple, fetching the bag and two forks. She hands the bag and forks to Harvey, strips off the robe and joins him back in bed.

"God," Harvey says, "This is going to be even shittier cold."

"You can't complain now, you big softie."

Harvey hands her a fork and they dig into a very questionable chicken pad Thai.

Donna practically moans at the first bite. She inches the takeout box toward him. "Come on, you need fuel."

"Is that right?"

"Lots of time to make up for."

He chuckles. "Should I call in sick tomorrow? The rest of the week?"

Donna smiles before her face gets very serious. "I love you, Harvey. I didn't have a chance to say it before."

Harvey sets the takeout aside. "I know I already said it, but I love you too."

Donna's face brightens as she straddles Harvey again. Her hands slide up from his shoulders to tangle in his hair. Her lips brush his. "Show me."