She notices it in two consecutive days. His face tired, the details of his outfit reflecting his state of mind: absent, distracted, nothing like the Harvey she knows. Sure, most of the people probably didn't notice anything different about him, but she was Donna, and she knew. Something was different.

"You were gambling last night?" she asks, strutting into his office. He doesn't even raise his face, buried in paperwork. "Yes" he answers. "And the night before" she continues. It's a statement rather than a question. "So?" he asks, unconcerned. "So, what's wrong? You didn't have any clients" she says, the worried lines showing on her forehead. She sits facing him, hoping he'd look at her. He raises his head then, his eyes meeting hers. He puts on his best poker face: "Nothing is wrong. I just felt like it" he says, before looking down again.

She knew he probably wasn't telling the truth, but couldn't think of a reason why he would be doing it excessively. Maybe it is just two nights in a row, she thinks to himself. She wonders if she has missed anything, she hasn't been hanging around lately after work, ever since she started dating Ryan. It had been a couple of weeks only; she shakes the idea out of her head, deciding to let the matter go.

It's only when Jessica calls her to her office that her doubts are confirmed. "What's up with Harvey?" Jessica asked upfront, making Donna raise her eyebrows in surprise. "Nothing" Donna said, her tone not convincing at all. "Look Donna, I get it if it's personal, but I'm worried. Someone I know has been seeing him gambling excessively for a few days. He told me he looks like he's drowning" Jessica explained. Donna swallowed, knowing the image Jessica was describing a bit too well.

"You can tell me it's nothing, but he only does this when something is terribly wrong. He's done it when his dad passed away, and when…" she said stopping for a second, before continuing. "And when I fired you" Jessica explained. Donna tries to keep a poker face, pretending to know the last bit of information Jessica dropped. "You're the only one who knows how to reach him" she finally said. She didn't need to say anything else. "I'll see what I can do" Donna said, walking out of Jessica's office, confused.

Donna didn't know where to start. His cases were fine, his relationship with Mike back to its best, and she was sure he still had more ladies than he wished for. She couldn't find the bleed to limit the damage. She walked into his office again, handing him files. Just before walking out, she turned around. "What are you up to tonight Harvey?" she asked, as he raises his face in surprise. "Not sure" he answered, "why?" he then asked. "I was thinking maybe we could watch a movie or something, it's been a while" she finally said. It was weird to hear these words come out of her own mouth. Truth be told, she had been avoiding these kinds of plans with Harvey for years. "No date with Bryan?" he asks, the bitterness in his voice reverberating. "It's Ryan" she snaps back, before reminding herself of the purpose. "I can reschedule" she said, breathing deeply.

"Don't" he says, making her heart ache a bit. He was cold, and it hurt her when he acted that way. She knew it was his defense mechanism, the way he acted when he was hurt, but he never had rejected her as bluntly as now. "Maybe another time" he adds dismissively, as she leaves his office without another word.

He watches her talk on the phone, a smile on her face. He knows he was being harsh, but he didn't know any other way. She's taking her purse and leaving, and he watches her throw a side look that lasts less than a fraction of second toward him, before entering the elevator. Ryan must be picking her up, like he's been doing for over a week. He looks at his watch, 8:00 pm. Perfect, he thinks, just in time to go change and hit the Casino. He drinks his whole whiskey in a sip.

[in the car, a few blocks away]

"You okay?" Ryan asked, reaching for her hand. "You look worried" he explained. Donna smiled faintly. "I'm just a bit tired that's all" she answers, as his thumb caresses her hand. Her thoughts travel back to Harvey, wondering how and if she should interfere.

New fic! Idea taken from one guest that left a suggestion in their review on my last story. This will be a couple chapters longer.

What do you think is wrong with Harvey? What can Donna do to help?

Hope you enjoyed reading it, and let me know what you think!

Review,

-G