But I wonder where were you
When I was at my worst
Down on my knees
And you said you had my back
So I wonder where were you
When all the roads you took came back to me
So I'm following the map that leads to you
-Maps, Maroon 5.
Prologue; Then.
She tried to keep a straight face, not wanting to show any emotion, but it proved to be harder than she originally thought. No one had told her anything; as far as she was concerned this could be a kidnapping or just an elaborate prank pulled by the guys at work. They had left the familiar surroundings of Manhattan over an hour ago, and she knew that wherever she was heading, wasn't in the City.
Her perfectly groomed eyebrows scrunched up in confusion as they pulled into a small airport, scattered with a handful of private helicopters and airplanes. She would have called Harvey to ask what was going on, but her phone had been taken off her before she was forcefully asked to step inside the car, if anything, right now she could be in grave danger. The car came to a halt in front of a large building, housing what looked like a very expensive aircraft. She inhaled deeply as someone opened her door, the bright sunlight blinding her as she let her eyes adjust from the dark confines of the car.
She slipped out the car elegantly, brushing down her teal colored dress as she let her gaze wonder her surroundings "Donna Paulsen?" She turned at the sound of her voice, her expression faltering slightly as she saw a man dressed in a black suit with the United States Government badge sewed to the shoulder.
She nodded slowly, realizing that even Harvey couldn't pull off a prank like this, this was real.
The mans expression softened as he noticed the fear etched across her face, her hands trembling as they laid by her side. He was a young man, perhaps the same age as Donna, yet the permanent bags under this eyes told you that the information trusted on him in his line of work, was taking it's toll. "Perhaps I should tell you why you're here."
She didn't reply, she wanted to, but words failed her, the sound of her erratic heart beat too distracting.
"Donna Paulsen, executive assistant to Harvey Specter at Pearson Hardman?" he asked, just to clarify what they both already knew, she nodded. "I'm Derek Heely with Homeland Security." He introduced himself, a slight smiling tugging at his lips, he felt bad for her, she knew that much. "It has come to our attention that Mr Specter unknowingly took on a client that we've been investigating for months regarding the threat of domestic terrorism"
Her eyes went wide; her mind racing as she mentally ran through all of Harvey's new clients, trying to figure out whom this guy was talking about. "Okay" she muttered, barely audible, a polite gesture to assure the man that she was listening.
"Upon researching about this client, which from your computer and telephone records proved you did on behalf of Mr Specter, you have unknowingly put our investigation at risk, by relaying classified information to the client which raised alarm bells."
"W-what information?" she stuttered, she knew that nothing she had discovered about any of the clients she was asked to run a background check on, had come back with anything out of the ordinary.
"That doesn't matter now, Ms Paulsen. What we do know is that these individuals know you are the source, therefore putting yourself and Mr Specter at danger if they believe they are about to be exposed"
"What are you trying to say?" she asked firmly, her voice gaining confidence, her initial fear for herself, now clouded by her worry for Harvey.
"We believe that until we have successfully reprimanded this group of individuals neither you or Mr Specter are safe remaining at Pearson Hardman, and New York City. It is our understanding that you are single and without immediate family?" he asked as Donna's heart sunk
"That's correct."
"See this plane?" he pointed to the small private jet, pilot standing by the door. "This aircraft will take you to an undisclosed location within the United States where you will be provided with a new identity and location until we are confident that you are out of risk"
Donna choked out a breath she didn't know she was holding, her head shaking continuously as she refused to believe the words that were being said to her. "No" she whispered, a wave of panic washing over her, tears welling up in her eyes. She hadn't anticipated this, perhaps if she had, she would have worn waterproof mascara.
"I'm afraid we have no choice in the matter"
She ran her hands through her hair, trying to make sense of it all, how could she just leave her life behind without a second thought… How could she leave, him. "What about Harvey?"
"Don't worry Ms Paulsen, Mr Specter will remain as he is, under the close surveillance of the government, he is unaware, but he will be protected."
"I don't want to go" she begged, feeling embarrassed for letting her emotions overcome her like this, a tear escaping from her eyes.
"I am sorry Ms Paulsen, but to keep Harvey Specter safe, we have to remove the target from his back."
"C-can I talk to him? Please? I can't just leave. What about my family, my friends?"
"We will inform your family, but no direct contact can be made, only through US Marshals. They cannot know your location. As for Mr Specter we cannot allow any form of communication for the long term future, until we are guaranteed that you are both safe."
She closed her eyes, letting her head fall back to look to the sky as she let the tears roll down her cheeks, when did life get this complicated? She asked herself, still hoping that any second she would wake up from this ridiculous dream and tell Harvey all about it. "So, I'm entering Witness Protection?"
"Not in the conventional sense, but yes, a program similar. We have every intention of returning you to your old life at some point, however we cannot say with confidence when that will be."
"What will you tell people?" she asked, in reference to her just disappearing, people would worry, she was loved around the office, her lack of presence would be known.
"We tell them nothing. We can grant you one contact who you can communicate with through secure telephone lines, however they can not be a relative or Harvey Specter, to prevent raising suspicion. They will be instructed to keep anything discussed between the two of you confidential, including your whereabouts."
She wanted to pull her hair out, she wanted to kick, scream, cry, but she couldn't, everything was moving too fast for her brain to register what was happening. She found herself nodding, blurting out Mike Ross' name without a second thought, as she was escorted to the aircraft. She looked at the man who had ruined her life, not knowing whether she wanted to hug him or punch him in the groin, she was Donna Paulsen for crying out loud, how do you say goodbye to that?
She took her seat as the plane closed its doors and taxied towards the runway, her body rigid as she finally let her mind fall on him. She let out a shaky breath, knowing that this was the right move, that even though she was sacrificing everything she had worked for, everything she loved, it was all worth it to ensure that Harvey was safe. She had said on numerous occasions that she would go to the ends of the earth for Harvey Specter, but now, she really was. Who knew when their paths would meet again, if they would ever meet again? Her body jerked as sobs racked through her fragile frame, regrets bubbling to the surface, as she couldn't hold it in anymore.
Donna didn't even notice the steward that joined her, taking a seat beside her, handing her a glass of water. She sniffled, wiping her face with the back of her hand as she mustered just enough energy to return a polite smile and accept the glass. "It'll be okay" the stranger tried to assure her, but they both knew the emptiness of her words.
She looked up at the girl through blurred vision and shook her head "It won't." she sipped the water "For years I kept putting it off, promising myself that tomorrow, tomorrow I would tell him, but tomorrow came and I'd always put it off a day. Now I'll never get the chance to tell him, I'll probably never see his arrogant, self obsessed, gorgeous face ever again." She closed her eyes and laughed, "I'll never get the chance to prove everyone right."
"What about?" the steward asked as the plane raced down the runway, pulling them back into their chairs.
"I'll never get the chance to tell Harvey Specter that I love him, that I've loved him all along."
LALALA, prologue! I don't know a thing about the US government, the witness protection program or generally anything, so forgive me. I am so excited for this story, it's not going to be doom and gloom and a happy ending is always in store, so tell me what you think. If I hear good things, ill continue, if not ill just focus on Crossing the boundaries of Pretend until I come up with something else.