Poker Face

Category: Drama/Action/Romance/Darvey established.

Summary: Harvey and Donna infiltrate an underground poker match trying to gain intel on a case but wind up embroiled in a federal investigation that puts both their lives at risk.

AN: This was me trying to do fun, sexy and flirty with some drama thrown in but then it went all crazy action and demanded I turn it into a multi-chapter fic :P My last story was quite short so I've set myself a minimum of at least 1500 words per chapter which I know isn't that much but it's still been a challenge. I'll try to make them longer as I go along (how much can I fill with authors notes haha). Plus I'm writing everything out of order so please pull me up if you spot any plot holes!

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Harvey leans back in his chair, scrubbing a frustrated hand over his face as Donna figuratively digs her heels into the expensive carpet lining his office. Thirteen years of working together, six months of sleeping together and he know exactly which fights to pick but this one isn't up for negotiation.

"Donna, I said no." He's forceful with the response wearing it tightly across his expression. Usually with enough coercing he'd eventually give in but the stakes are too high on this one. An innocent man is about to go to prison for a murder he didn't commit and getting the evidence they need is going to be dangerous so he isn't involving her, no matter how she tries to turn the decision around.

Donna huffs, fingers curling tightly into her hips as she lifts her chin defiantly. Contrary to popular romanticized beliefs Harvey didn't appear at her door, kiss her senseless and wake up a changed man swooning all over her- and she would never have wanted that. What they have is real, honest, and she loves him along with everything that entails; including his relentless stubbornness, acting like a petulant child and sulking when he doesn't get his way. All reasons why she's prepared to step in now. "Either I go with you or it doesn't happen..." she throws out the ultimatum with a sharp look, "capiche?"

It's something Mike would say and for a second he misses his old partner in crime and not just because the kid can count cards. He hates to be the one to genderize but the underground poker night she wants in on is a man's club and the company there will be sleazy billionaires with no morals and even slipperier hands. Not to mention the whole thing is completely off the grid and illegal. One whiff of something amiss and not only will they fail to get the information they need, their ride out of there will be a trip in an unmarked van to a dumping ground. "Donna, this isn't a Bar Mitzvah-" he reasons, sinking forward in his chair, "I show up with you and l'll lose all credibility."

She gapes at the ridiculous notion she hasn't thought this through. Of course she can't appear to be his girlfriend. A show like that would expose them the second they walked through the door but he's forgetting one pivotal fact; she isn't just a brilliant COO, she's also an actress. "Not if you take me as your floozy." She counters his objection showing no ounce of hesitation. A hired escort might not be her ideal role but she knows the kind of men who will be there; rich, competitive, misogynistic and blind to paid for entertainment. She can fly under the radar where Harvey can't and keep his ego in check at the same time.

He knows she's being completely serious but he doesn't give any merit to the plan, tilting his gaze up with a raised eyebrow. "You want to be my floozy?"

She recognizes the banter as a diversion and isn't falling for it. They both know how important this is. They need information otherwise Declan is going to prison and she huffs her annoyance, removing both arms and folding them over her chest. "Harvey-"

"Donna, it's too dangerous." He cuts her off making the insistence clear. It doesn't matter how she tries to swing this there's simply no way he's letting it happen but she's equally defiant stepping forward and splaying her fingertips over the edge of his desk.

"But not for you, right?"

He shrugs keeping silent and she straightens, a sound that isn't even close to amused coiling in her throat. If he thinks for one second he can throw out double standards and lean on them without consequences he has another thing coming. She's not afraid to play hardball which is exactly why she's going with him. "Either you agree to let me help or I'll call the police and stop this whole thing in its tracks faster than you can hit the intercom and tell Cameron to get your tux dry cleaned."

The warning makes him instantly tense, his gaze determining she isn't bluffing or dicking him around. She'll actually goddamn do it and he brings his elbow down hard on the chair, shoulders heaving as his thumb settles under his chin. He's pissed as hell and hates himself for actually considering it but the corner he's back into has round walls; the way she can read people would be an advantage and he can't lie and say that this whole battle of dominance isn't appealing to some of his more inappropriate urges and desires. Obviously neither reason negates the danger but if he doesn't agree they'll be bound behind red tape and he drops his hand firming his jaw. "You blend into the background, don't do a thing to draw attention to yourself."

A smirk threatens her composure but she isn't stupid enough to give into it, not when she's this close to rolling him. "Fine."

"I mean it Donna." It's his turn to be serious, picking up his pen and clicking it in an effort to calm his anxiety. "I can't afford to have my focus split." He knows what he's asking, the compromise like telling a Peacock not to flash its feathers. The second she walks into that room every man's eyes are going to be on her but so long as she doesn't engage -so long as she stays safe- he can do what needs to be done.

The tension rolling off him softens her expression and steals the thunder from her victory but he isn't giving himself half enough credit. They've become stronger since taking their relationship to the next level. He doesn't need to prove himself by protecting her anymore and she edges around the side of his desk sliding her hand out to remove the pen from his grasp. He keeps his gaze forward, deliberately avoiding hers, and she places it down level on the glass with a slow exhale, "I know you'd rather have someone like Mike here for this but you have to admit... I look a lot better in a dress."

She does and that's exactly what he's afraid of, the teasing note doing nothing to reassure him. "You think this is funny?"

She raises an eyebrow and he lets out an exasperated sigh. Under normal circumstances it would be slightly amusing, he's just not in the mood to joke about it and toys with abandoning the whole thing completely but unfortunately that's not who they are. Letting the 'bad' guys off scot-free and screwing his client in the process might be worth it to keep her out of harms way but living with the decision is another thing entirely. They've always pushed each other where needed and the light pressure at his shoulder temporarily blocks the wave of hesitation, urging his arm up so he can rest his head against her joined fingers.

He's the kind of lawyer who fights because of her and he never wants that to change.

"You're are hotter than him, can't argue that."

She smiles, properly this time as her thumb grazes his cheek. They're a team and they rely on each other but more importantly they trust each other. It's how they got this far and what always leads them to doing the right thing. It's also what separates them from the people they're going up against and if Mike were here he'd be proud of the difference they're trying to make. "We should plan a trip to Seattle when this is over with."

The suggestion takes a second to register but he nods regardless, straightening and letting go of her hand. There's no reason why they shouldn't indulge themselves. If anything they're going to need it after this and he picks up his pen, the insatiable need to click it wavering when he finally meets her gaze. "We're staying in a hotel."

"The baby is still three months away-" she challenges, a teasing note to her voice, "we're staying in their guest room."

He could argue but honestly doesn't see the point. When he first went to reconcile with his mother Marcus insisted he abandon all lavish expenses and Mike and Rachel are just as much family. Plus ribbing his best friend about becoming a father over the phone isn't quite the same as doing it in person. "I'll get Cameron to make the arrangements."

"Just make sure he uses the purple post-its." She smirks swinging her hips away from his desk. They have a lot of ground to cover in the next few days but hopefully something to look forward to will act as a barrier, an easy reach to alleviate the stress, and not just for Harvey but for herself as well. They're both still finding their feet, learning to comprise, but so long as they keep being open with each other she knows there isn't anything to be afraid of.

They'll figure it out like they always do, together.