Chapter 4: When Donna starts sniffing

"So what is up with you and Louis?" she asked as she put the papers down on Harvey's desk as he was preparing to leave.

"Nothing," Harvery replied without missing a beat.

"Harvey, I'm Donna, I know everything. You might as well just tell me. I'll find out. You've been dancing around each other all week."

"There is nothing to find out Donna," Harvey insisted. "And I don't dance."

"Your pants are on fire."

"Only cause I'm hot!" he smirked and closed his briefcase.

He left the office with a cocky smirk. He exchanged a CD with Ray and discussed the presidential election on the drive to his flat.

Walking into the empty penthouse he left his briefcase on the kitchen counter and his jacket neatly folded on a chair. He headed straight to the safe and opened it with practised ease. He pushed a few documents, his passport and a gun out of the way. He picked up the old envelope and went to the couch. Carefully he fished out the pictures.

His heart clenched as he saw his younger self, beaming with joy, his arms wrapped around Louis who was laughing hard. He remembered he'd been breathless as Harvey ticked him mercilessly.

He remembered how they'd made love that evening.

He remembered how he'd screwed up only a few days later.

Sighing heavily he started getting ready for that blasted gala.

Not too far away, Louis was getting ready as well. He ran a towel through his hair, frustrated with the thick wild mess.

He was exhausted. The merger was taking everything out of him. If he'd still been a junior partner he could have bowed out of this thing, but no, now he was a senior partner. The company's interests were his interests.

Getting dressed in his newly fitted tux he noticed the waist was a little loose. Cursing he ties the belt extra tight and got going.

He sighed and put his sleazy lawyer mask back on as his car pulled up in front of the venue. He pointedly ignored the people queuing and strode past them. The doorman, recognising him from previous events, crossed his name off the list as he approached and greeted him, "Mr. Litt."

Louis nodded in greeting and headed straight to the bar. For his nerves. "Louis," Harvey and Jessica greeted, "you're late."

"I'm right on time," he replied without missing a beat and accepted the scotch from the bartender.

"Don't hit that too heavy," Harvey teased, "I know what a lightweight you are."

Louis, not feeling up to the banter didn't reply, settling for an impassive glance at his colleague.

"We never did get our defences straight," Harvey continues as if he hadn't noticed Louis ignoring him. "Jessica wants to involve the firm in higher ups politics, but..."

"This guy is not the way to go," Louis cut him off. "I don't have words that describe how much the guy should not be in any seat of power."

"I agree..." Harvey trailed off, "but I don't get why you're so... Passionate about your hate for this guy."

"He's the creep of all creeps, Harvey. He knocks Darth Vadar out of the competition for douchbaggery."

"Why do I have a feeling this is personal?" Harvey asked, "beyond your political views?"

"I care about politics Specter," Louis replied. "politicians make laws that I think are fucked in the head-" Harvey raised a brow as Louis wasn't really one to swear up a storm, "-then I have a serious issue with that."

Louis noticed Harveys attention wander for a brief moment until all colour seemed to drain from his face. "what, Lord of the Flies just walk in?"

"Narcissa Jackson," Harvey said with clenched teeth. "Louis, I know you hate me, but could you please do me a huge favour tonight?"

"Depends," Louis replied. While he enjoyed Harvey begging, he knew Harvey did not beg for scraps.

"Be my partner tonight."

Louis burst out laughing, "haha, eh, no," he replied.

"Louis please," Harvey whispered, his jaw clenched, "you know what kind of vulture she is. The only reason she backed off in law school was because I was dating you. You're the only one she never beat at everything!"

Narcissa Jackson had been no2 in their class and boy had she made sure everyone knew that. The only one she hadn't treated like shit was Louis, because he was no 1. And Harvey, because she had at some point decided that he was the perfect husband, and if nothing else, she would have her heir by him.

He couldn't deny that his genes were excellent, so he couldn't blame her for wanting them. And she was hot. Really hot. He'd stepped right into her trap a few times, until he realised she was trying to sperm-jack him. If it hadn't been for his very, very strict rule about using his own condoms, he would have been a parent right now. He really couldn't stand children. His brothers girls being an exception to that rule.

Louis couldn't stop giggling, "oh Harvey, thanks for that, I needed a good laugh. But no. We never dated, and we're still not dating. And your karma is your own."

"You can have Mike for a week!" Harvey offered, hoping to start a negotiation.

"No."

"My eternal gratitude!"

"No," Louis said as he walked away, laughing.

Harvey cursed under his breath as he saw Narcissa walking towards him.

"Harvey," she greeted in a velvety voice.

A?N haha, oh dear harvey is in a tight spot right there!