May your day be merry and bright with this new fic. Make sure to leave Santa a note to tell them what you thought about this lovely gem!

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Requested by: Laura (frenchdarvey) – Darvey are single (no TCM), it's Christmastime, a client asks for a meeting in the mountains with two ZSLWW representatives. Only D&H can make it.
Lots of snow. I'd love to see Donna being 100% prepared to face the cold and Harvey being unaware af. He's kinda having difficulties walking, almost falls and Donna catches him.
After the meeting they're supposed to share a big apartment(4 bedrooms:very important) with two other representatives from another firm AND THEY'RE NOT THERE.
A snowstorm makes them bored so they start to decorate the apartment (Christmas tree and everything) w/ fun, touching.
They hang mistletoe, deep looks and...nothing yet.
A scene where they're outside and at a fireplace, telling old stories, Harvey gives his coat to Donna because she's freezing (he's freezing even more - gentleman Harv), their talking leads to THE TALK.
Then they kiss AT THE FIREPLACE (details please), end in a bedroom (sex written or not, could be just the beginning and morning after).
Then end of the story or a quick something else.

Story by: Nathalie ( u/737303/Evenstar1002)

„Harvey?" her insecure voice echoes through the silence of his three glass walls.

He had already felt her coming, her distinctive footfall having given her away long before she had actually appeared in his office. With a pen to his lips, Harvey looks up from the files on his desk. He musters her for a second, taking in her appearance like he's seeing her for the first time that day instead of the tenth or eleventh time that it actually is.

"Donna?" he mimics her tone with an amused sparkle in his eyes. Even after thirteen years of working together, he can't remember ever having seen her so nervous.

Harvey watches her fumble with her fingers for a few seconds, before she finally decides to take the place on the other side of his desk.

"What's wrong, Donna?" he asks as the quietness drags on.

"Why would you ask if something is wrong?", Donna replies, sitting up straighter in her chair.

"Please… Look at you. I don't think I've ever seen you this nervous before," Harvey explains, looking at the COO expectantly. "So? What is it?"

"Mr. Mitchell called. He wants to see us."

"Okay. Then let Clara organize a meeting with him," Harvey suggests, already refocusing his thoughts on the case lying before him.

"Harvey. If that was all to it, don't you think I would have talked to your assistant directly?" Donna shoots back while crossing her legs, the slit running up her thigh catching all of Harvey's attention one second too long for it to just be a simple glance.

Donna either didn't notice or care, not commenting any further but looking at him with a raised eyebrow instead.

"Right. What is the problem then?"

"Mr. Mitchell wants to expand. He's planning on opening new branches, this time on the west coast. And for that, he's planning on hiring a local law firm in LA," Donna says, still not able to hide her uncertainty behind her otherwise composed posture.

"What? Why would he do that?" Harvey exclaims, a little louder than probably necessary.

"Knowledge of the area. Local expertise. Cost efficiency. Shorter decision making processes. You name it," Donna answers, repeating all of Mr. Mitchell's very comprehensible reasons. Donna had tried everything in her power to convince him otherwise, refuting all of his arguments with counter-arguments and an additionally added amount of her compelling charm, but it was to no avail.

"Is he fucking serious? This can not be happening!" Harvey replies with a loud exhale of breath, letting the pen in his fingers drop to his desk.

"I tried to talk him out of his plans but he wouldn't listen to anything I had to say. I'm sorry, Harvey," Donna apologizes, with her eyes falling to her entwined fingers in her lap.

"Stop it, Donna. It's not your fault. And it's also not your job to land new clients. Or to keep old ones on board. Or anything in between," Harvey tries to reassure her.

"I know. But I wanted to help anyway."

"I know and I really appreciate it. But that's something Louis and I have to take care of."

"Well… Uhm. Now we're getting closer to the real "problem" part of the whole thing," Donna murmurs, the insecurity even more palpable now. Harvey's gaze rests on her, coaxing her with his eyes to come out with the entire truth.

"Mr. Mitchell does want to see us. He's giving us a chance to convince him that despite all of his reasons we are still the better choice to go with."

"Well, that's perfect, Donna. Then that's exactly what we're going to do," Harvey returns with assurance and confidence in his voice and his broad shoulders.

"Except for…", Donna begins, before words fail her again.

"Except for what?" Harvey pushes, getting a little irritated by her nervousness now.

"He's already on Christmas vacation. In Aspen. Where he'll meet the two name partners of his favored law firm tomorrow night for dinner. And he wants us to join him. That is… You. And me apparently."

"But it's Christmas Eve the day after tomorrow," Harvey replies, letting himself fall back into his chair.

"I know. And I know that you wanted to spend it with Marcus… after everything that he's been through this year."

"Yeah, I did. Can't Louis go? Or Robert?" Harvey asks, despite already knowing the answer.

"Louis is never going to leave Sheila's side now in the last trimester of her pregnancy. And Robert and Laura are having Rachel and Mike over for Christmas."

"I know… I know…" Harvey sighs, closing his eyes. "I'm going to talk to Marcus." There is silence for a heartbeat or two. "When do we have to leave?"

"I booked us on the 7am flight to Aspen tomorrow morning. And we'll return in the evening of the 24th."

"You already booked the flight?" Harvey wants to know with a disbelieving shake of his head.

"Of course. I'm Donna. As if there was ever any doubt that you wouldn't do whatever it took to get that business."

Harvey looks at his former assistant with warmth in his eyes, missing for a second the days when occurrences like these happened on a daily basis. He missed having that connection, those non-verbal conversations and the feeling of someone just getting him without him having to say anything. Sure, Clara was great at her job and after a couple of months of working together now, she finally manages to anticipate his needs a lot better. But she isn't Donna. And no one ever would be. It probably would be easier if he only missed his former assistant Donna. But ever since she has moved on to being the COO, he also really misses his friend Donna. His rock. His guiding light. He missed being close to her, missed having drinks with her and just talking to her on a regular basis in general. They are still Harvey and Donna, no doubt about that. There was still some smiling and drinking and very very rarely some flirting. But their lines have never been as unblurry as they are these days. Something had changed, yes. Had been lost. And it is in moments like these that Harvey becomes painfully aware of the fact.

At 5:30am the next morning, Harvey stifles a yawn behind his hand, while an overnight bag dangles in his other one. The departure area at LaGuardia is unsurprisingly empty at this time of the day, a Saturday, the day before Christmas Eve no less. That's why it takes Harvey all but a second to spot his favorite redhead making her way towards him, two cups of coffee in one hand, the other one pulling her big, yellow trolley case after her. A cozy, white scarf is wrapped around the better half of her head, the plushy grey coat hiding her perfect body underneath it and keeping her warm.

"Are you leaving the country?" Harvey chuckles, motioning with his head towards her luggage.

"Have you already dropped your luggage at the counter?" Donna ignores his snarky comment, handing him one of the cups with his favorite blend of coffee.

"Thank you. And no. I'm travelling light," Harvey replies, lifting up his bag.

"Are you serious?" Donna asks wide-eyed.

"What? Why? We'll only be gone for one night, won't we?"

"Have you even looked at the weather forecast?" Donna wants to know, shaking her head in disbelief.

"No. But it's not like we're going hiking in the snow or anything, right? We go to the hotel, meet Mr. Mitchell for dinner and leave again next morning. End of story."

"In theory, yes. But there actually was a reason why I copied the link of the hotel into the calendar entry that I sent to you last night with all the travel details."

"That reason being?"

"The hotel is in the mountains, Harvey. It's a fifteen minutes trip with a cableway from the valley station in Aspen."

"You're kidding, right?"

"Do I look like I'm kidding?", Donna shoots back, patting the handle of her trolley case.

"Shit. What am I going to do now? This is all I have," Harvey explains, pointing at the suit he's wearing and the thin, woolen coat that's hanging over his arm. "And a pair of jeans."

Donna takes in his appearance, her gaze dropping at last to the elegant, black leather shoes. Her eyes sparkle and she has to fight back the urge to laugh. Sometimes she really wonders how Harvey makes it out of the house every morning, dressed as perfectly as he always is. Except for when it really counts. Like on this particular morning.

"Well. There is no a lot that you actually can do, is there?" Donna replies, still holding back that laughter that's bubbling in her throat. "Let's hope we arrive in Aspen before the snowstorm hits. Then we'll hopefully have a chance to get you a new sweater and some appropriate boots."

"Yeah, let's ho… wait. What? What do you mean "before the snowstorm hits"?"

"You really didn't check the weather forecast?" Donna asks surprised, even though she shouldn't be surprised at all.

"No, no I didn't. Why didn't you tell me?" Harvey asks exasperated.

"You're a grown man, my friend. And you've been on business trips for way longer than I will ever be. I thought you knew the drill!" Donna explains herself, shrugging her shoulders apologetically with a small smile on her lips.

"You used to look up those kind of information for me. Have you already forgotten?" Harvey throws back at her and for a moment Donna can't quite decide if Harvey is still joking or being serious. His eyes have turned solemn and the playfulness of moments ago has disappeared.

"No, I haven't. But it's been almost a year, Harvey," replies Donna, her voice more demure now as well.

"Two hundred and ninety-seven days. I know."

The number leaves his lips so suddenly that Harvey couldn't have stopped it even if he had wanted to. He didn't even know that he knew the number until it had slipped out just now.

He can feel Donna's eyes resting on him and he needs a second to muster the courage to look back at her, praying to whoever might be listening for her to not ask questions that he isn't ready to answer. While at the same time praying that she would just ask those goddamn questions, forcing them to have that talk that's been thirteen years overdue. And if not thirteen years then at least as many months as it's been since that one fateful night in her office. The one where she didn't feel anything and he felt everything. The night that, now that he thinks about it, has changed them forever.

They stare at each other in silence and it almost, almost feels like their old "normal" again. That normal from before, when lines were blurry and words were undefined and things between them complicated and uncomplicated all at once. When there was hope and optimism and love; feelings inside of him that had undoubtedly always been there but stayed as blurry and undefined as everything else between them.

"Wha…" Donna begins but is interrupted by a female voice echoing through the departure hall, reminding all travelers to look after their luggage and leaving no bags unattended. Harvey had almost been too caught up in that whirlwind of emotions and in Donna's gaze to even register the voice and yet it was still enough to break the spell.

Donna clears her throat and the eye contact is lost. Harvey doesn't know if it's relief or regret that's clenching his heart like a fist.

They arrive at Aspen airport approximately seven hours later, without any delay. Except for the landing, where the snowstorm had sent its first gusts of wind, the flight had been quiet and uneventful. The snow had just started to begin to fall, moments after they had landed. Heavy, dark clouds fill the air, hugging the surrounding mountains like cotton blankets.

After picking up Donna's suitcase, they make their way to the exit. Ever the gentleman, even though he would never admit it, Harvey carries the yellow trolley out of the arrival hall and towards the first taxi in line. Just when they are about to reach the car, Harvey having been unalert for just one second, he almost looses his step on a tiny, frozen puddle on the ground. A sharp "fuck" escapes his throat as he slips, the heavy suitcase no helping a tiny bit to find his balance. That's when he feels a warm and strong hand slip around his upper arm, grounding him once again. He looks at his partner in crime gratefully, a tiny smile relaxing his tensed features.

"We are going to buy you proper shoes now," Donna laughs as they are closing the final gap to the car.

The ride into the town center takes no longer than ten minutes, the beautiful scenery making it appear even less than that. The taxi driver stops at the end of the main street and helps them unload. "You'll find everything you need there," he says, pointing down the street. "The valley station is on the other end of the street. You can't miss it. But I would hurry if I were you, if you really plan on going up the mountain. If the wind picks up any more, they have to shut down the cable railway."

Harvey hands him two twenty dollar bills, as they thank him for the ride and the information. This time, Harvey pulls Donna's suitcase after him, not wanting to hear anything about her doing it herself.

They enter the first store for men's clothing that comes along and don't even have to look hard to find suitable boots for Harvey. They're black and simple but they would keep him warm and safe and that is all that matters. On their way to the cash point, they cross a table with cozy sweaters. Harvey almost runs by them but Donna comes to an abrupt halt.

"Maybe that would be a little more comfortable for the flight back tomorrow?" Donna suggests, lifting up a dark-gray cardigan.

"That's actually a good idea, thanks," Harvey replies, taking the garment out of Donna's hands. "Already the correct size," he notices.

"Of course. I'm D-," Donna begins her trademark line, but is interrupted by the man to her right.

"Donna. I know," Harvey finishes her sentences. The elderly woman behind the counter eyes them curiously, a soft smile playing around her lips.

"How long have you two been together?" the teller asks with warmth in her voice, as Harvey places his two findings on the counter.

"What? Oh. No. We're just colleagues. I mean… Friends," Harvey explains, not able to ignore the fact how wrong those words felt coming off the tip of his tongue.

"Oh, I'm sorry… you looked so close and comfortable with each other, I just assumed… I'm sorry," the woman apologizes, as a blush creeps over her cheeks.

"It's fine, don't worry," Donna chimes in with a charming smile.

Harvey pays and before they can leave, the cashier warns them as well to stay warm and safe in the storm that is coming. As the door closes behind them, Donna stops the man on her side. "Do we really want to go up into the mountains if the weather is going to be as bad as the are all predicting?"

„Are you kidding me? I've not travelled all this way to give up at this point, Donna. I'll change my shoes now and then we're on our way. And if I have to crawl up that damn mountain. I'm not letting anyone take that business from us."

And that was the end of the discussion.

As they learn upon arriving at the hotel an hour later, they had been lucky and caught the last cable car ride up the mountain for that day. When it would be operating again, no one could tell at this point. If Harvey is glad to have made it up the mountain or worried that he wouldn't make it down the mountain, he can't tell.

„Mr. Specter, Mrs. Paulsen, these are your keys. Mr. Mitchell has asked us to give you and his other business partners the lodge down the path. It's the biggest space we have, with four bed rooms, a lounge area with a small kitchen, two bath rooms and a secluded veranda that gives way to the breathtaking view over the surrounding mountains," Gerald, the receptionist, explains, as he slips the keys over the counter. „You will be staying alone however, as your other two colleagues were not able to make in in time."

Harvey and Donna look at each other surprised at the news they had just heard. Before either can say anything, Gerald starts talking again. „Mr. Mitchell will await you for dinner at 7pm here at the restaurant. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

„No, thank you," Donna replies, grabbing her purse from the counter.

„Alright. If you need any more information, want to book one of our spa treatments or need any suggestions for recreation, please don't hesitate to ask us. If you hit speed dial #1 on the telephone in the lodge, you will reach the reception directly. Here is also a flyer with details about breakfast, the restaurant and our little shop. I wish you a nice stay here the Sequoya Hotel."

As they make their way down the path, that a member of the staff is clearing from the continuously falling snow, the pair drinks in the beautiful scenery. Directly next to the main building, there are three small cabins, two of them with lights shining through the windows, the other one dark and unoccupied. Wherever the eye reaches, everything is covered in snow. The roofs, the ground and the mountain tops. Numerous pine trees stand proud and tall, yet start to bend under the heavy weight of the frozen water. The puffy clouds darken the afternoon sky, letting it seem like it is already hours later than it actually is. The amount of snow that is falling from the sky should probably be scary as hell and yet it only adds to the magical and soothing effect of the landscape. Even a guy like Harvey could appreciate a view like that. His last real holiday had been a long time ago and while they are here on a business trip, just being here in the mountains, in the snow, feels a little like being on holidays all the same.

It does even more so, after they enter their home for the night. The long hallway leads directly to the lounge area that has a glass window front with a view into the mountains. On the left side of the room, a sliding door leads outside onto the veranda, as promised by the receptionist. There is a fireplace in the corner of the room that someone must have enkindled prior to their arrival. In the middle of the room is a huge dark brown sofa and a coffee table, all facing the vitreous wall. To the right and the left of the lounge, doors lead to two of the four bedrooms.

There is no discussion when Donna chooses the cozy one on the left and Harvey the more woodsy, rustic one on the right. They quickly unpack, freshen up and meet again on the sofa half an hour later to go over the plan of action for the meeting with Mr. Mitchell. In thirteen years of working together, it's the first time they are doing such an important meeting together. When Donna pitches in some of her own arguments, Harvey is at awe for a second at how much she has grown into her role of COO. Of course, he always knew she would be great at it but seeing her in action this closely, it takes his breath away.

"Thank you for coming with me," Harvey says gratefully, as they clink glasses three hours later back at the lodge. The meeting had been a huge success, not only because Harvey gave his all to convince him with facts and his expertise but also undoubtedly because of Donna's indefinite charm, passion and convincing reasons.

"Of course, Harvey. Anytime," Donna replies.

"No really, thank you. I couldn't have done it without you. You were amazing with Mr. Mitchell and I can't believe we've never done a business meeting together before," Harvey muses, looking at the redhead. "You definitely are in your position because you earned it. And I'm sorry if I ever made you feel otherwise."

"It's okay, Harvey. But thank you for saying it anyway. It means a lot to me."

"And… I'm also sorry for never having boosted your potential all those years. I realize now that I should have done that a lot sooner. I guess I was too selfish. And too afraid to lose you."

Donna looks at Harvey for a long while, trying to come up with the right thing to say. "You know you're never going to lose me. We have always found our way back to each other," she says at last, letting herself sink back into the cushions of the sofa with a quiet sigh. A blanket hangs loosely over her lap, warming her as she stares into the darkness outside. Only distinctively can the both of them see the snow flakes still falling from the sky in a sheer endless stream.

Harvey wishes he'd have more courage. He wishes he could tell her all the things that have been brewing in the pit of his stomach for months now. How it still feels to him like he has lost her, how he misses her, how he misses them. How he wants more. So much more. Everything. With her. It had taken him a long while to realize it and additionally some intense conversations with Dr Lipschitz to come to terms with the deep-rooted fear of loosing her. And yet, in a moment like this, with success and adrenaline running through his veins, with having Donna right by his side to share it with, with feeling close and safe and with everything being perfect and yet not perfect at all, because he can't kiss her and tell her he loves her even though it's the only thing he really, really wants to do in that moment, that everything becomes too much and overwhelming in his heart and his head to find any coherent thought or word to begin with. So Harvey does what he does best. Take the easy way out.

"We'll never get down from this mountain again," murmurs Harvey into his glass, before taking a sip of the wine.

Donna chuckles, drawing Harvey's attention to her with the sound. "We will. It just may take a little longer than planned."

"Can we rebook the flights if it should be necessary?"

"Sure. I always book the flexible rate. So don't worry."

They both sit in silence for a little while.

"I'm sorry for screwing up your holiday plans," Harvey apologizes once more.

"Don't be silly, Harvey. It's okay. There were no real plans to begin with anyway. My dad is travelling Europe and my mom is with her husband and his family in Louisiana. So if we should end up spending Christmas here, at least I know I'll have great company," Donna tells Harvey, who's still mustering her. "But that's a big if. Maybe the weather will calm down until tomorrow."

"Yeah… maybe…" Harvey agrees with a slight nod of his head, sounding more serious and reflective than intended. Now it is Donna's turn to eye Harvey carefully.

"Are you sad that you don't get t spend Christmas with Marcus?" Donna asks.

"What? Why? No. I mean, it's okay," Harvey replies. "Why would you ask that?"

"I don't know… you just sounded unhappy there for a second."

"No. No, it's not that."

"What is it then?"

"I… no. Forget it. It's stupid."

"Come on, Harvey. Tell me. I'm sure it's not."

"I… I was just thinking that I actually wouldn't mind staying here for a little while," Harvey responds honestly, avoiding Donna's intent gaze however and instead staring outside into the endless darkness. "I mean… the lodge. And the snow. It's really nice. And I've always loved the mountains," Harvey explains absentmindedly. "And somehow… this feels a little like being on vacation. Here. And with you," he finishes, only then looking back at the woman sitting beside him.

Her eyes hold more questions than he dares to recognize and he can't believe he has catapulted himself right back into the situation he was trying to avoid only moments before. In his back, he can hear the cracking fire, the warmth a soothing sensation on the back of his head. The only other sound is Donna's heavy breathing that seems to slow down and speed up all at the same time.

The pair looks at each other for a long time, both waiting for the other to say something while at the same time figuring out what to say themselves. It's Donna who breaks the eye contact first.

"I should go to bed… it's been a long day," Donna finally says, emptying her glass with a gulp and putting it on the table. "Good night, Harvey." She gets up from the couch and squeezes his shoulder with a gentle touch.

"Sleep well," he sighs, and as he watches her walk towards the bedroom, he can't shake the feeling that she is slipping through his fingers.

He stays a few more moments, trying to dull the aching feeling of having missed another chance to tell her how he felt with another sip of wine but failing miserably. Instead, another aching feeling starts to burn in his heart. What if all of his chances, their chances, had finally been exhausted?

With her touch still reverberating on his shoulder, he goes to bed.