A/N: I love you all! Thanks for all the lovely reviews and welcome new readers!


Hands brushed over skin, sighs filled the air. He said her name reverently at first then desperately as the air thickened with desire. His hands threaded into her hair as he kissed her, promising forever.

Donna woke with Harvey's name on her lips. Her throat clogged with emotion as the dream slowly faded. This wasn't her; she wasn't this weepy woman who pined after a man. More than anything she wanted to turn her face into the pillow and cry, so she threw off the covers and got up instead. She turned the water scalding hot in her shower and stood beneath the spray, trying to burn the memory of his touch from her skin. Things had been going so well lately too; they'd actually had a normal conversation the other day without any of the recent awkwardness. She hated how moments like these would sneak up on her and break down any progress she made towards moving on.

Donna had a sinking feeling that he was the one, her soul-mate. God that sounded pathetic. She'd never been one for wild romantic thoughts or daydreams; it made so much more sense to be practical about things. It was easier to laugh at those sappy notions than realize that being meant for only one person would leave her empty and alone. She'd always wondered why she had never fallen in love, hated that it was because it had been Harvey all along.

Donna shut off the spray and stepped out to wipe the steam from the mirror. Her skin was pink from the heat, her eyes looked sad even to her. She took a deep cleansing breath, slowly letting it out. When she opened her eyes again her reflection was smiling back at her. Oh today was definitely a day for a black dress and red heels. For some silly female reason the color combination made her feel powerful and that was exactly what she needed.


She looked breathtaking. He supposed he shouldn't be surprised by that anymore. Harvey felt the desire begin to pound in his veins as Donna bent over and the tight black dress strained against her. He shook his head and tried to concentrate on the file in front of him. This was the kind of thing that had almost lead them into ruin in the first place and he couldn't afford to let it happen again. It amazed him that he could still want her, that when the reflexive brush of his hands over sheets met with nothing he could feel so undone. He had honed his emotions down to a fine control; the competitive world in which he lived demanded it. Now he was met with wave after wave of unwanted emotion. The most prominent being the empty longing he felt for the woman who could ruin him.

He snuck a glance at her again because his self control was shot to hell anyway. She looked happy, satisfied. He didn't know why it should stick in his craw. He should be grateful that she'd forgiven him. If he cared for her at all he would be happy that she had moved on and he wouldn't have to live with the knowledge that he had caused the terrible hurt he'd seen in her eyes the night he'd sent her away. He rubbed the heel of his hand over his heart as if that could ease the ache.

Harvey let out a frustrated growl and snapped his file down.

"Donna I need coffee, a triple espresso."

Harvey waited for the answer and got none. He looked at her with a puzzled frown and then with sudden understanding he looked down at the intercom. The little red light that indicated a connection was off, probably for the first time since they'd come to Pearson Hardman. It made sense; the connection had been an intimate one, almost as if she'd been inside his head. Donna had been privy to all his most private conversations, including those that had absolutely nothing to do with the job. It felt like he'd lost something vital and it stung. He forgot all about the coffee and stood to turn on a record, pacing in front of the window as he read the file. Slowly the tension eased out of him as he watched the traffic inch along congested streets. The music scraped away at the hollow feeling in his chest and filled him with the kind of peace only music can.

His mind suddenly clear, he built the argument he would present to opposing council in his head, jotting down a few notes to keep himself on track. His forehead smoothed out as the work pushed the roiling emotions to the back of his mind. The case would be an easy win and that rush of success flowed through his tired bones, revitalizing him.

"Here I brought you a coffee, triple espresso." Donna said setting the paper cup in front of him.

The scent of the coffee hit him first, bringing on a welcome smile. Then her scent curled around him alluring as a siren, desirable as sin. He recognized that scent, could almost taste it again as he had the first night he'd tasted her skin. Flashes of the benefit shot through his mind and his jaw tightened as he stood up, almost knocking over the coffee in the process. They both lunged for the cup and their fingers brushed. Donna jumped away like she'd been burned and Harvey steadied the cup, watching her carefully.

"Do you need me to file those?" Donna asked, grabbing the stack at the end of his desk.

"Yeah, that's fine."

Donna nodded curtly and walked out.

Harvey sighed heavily and sat down, stirred up more than he cared to be.


Donna's hand trembled slightly as she stood and reached for a filing box on the shelf a foot above her head. She could blame it on the caffeine all she wanted but the truth was that Harvey still had a powerful effect on her. The age old adage about time healing all wounds was bullshit. Time wasn't doing anything; in fact it seemed to be making her even more sensitive to him. A simple gaze could send a shiver down her spine; the slightest touch sent her heart throttling into her chest, hell even a dream had practically wrecked her. Donna shoved files forcefully into the box, letting out a colorful stream of curses when a paper cut stung her finger.

"Ooh, did someone leave a file in the wrong place again?" Rachel asked playfully, coming around the corner.

Her eyes traveled over Donna's face and noted the frustration. She decided not to mention it.

"Hey are you free tonight?" Rachel asked.

"Anytime after seven" Donna replied, sliding files in calmly into their places.

"Oh good, I had reservations at Blue Hill tonight at eight but my date cancelled and I really wanted their Ricotta Gnocchi."

"Please tell me there is chocolate dessert."

"Their chocolate bread pudding is to die for, salted caramel, cocoa ice cream…" Rachel trailed off with a smile.

"You had me at salted caramel." Donna said with a delighted sigh.

"Perfect, we can bash men and drink too much." Rachel said, making Donna laugh.

Donna left the filing room feeling lighthearted. Since she felt a twinge of hunger she swung into the partner's kitchen to grab an apple, munching on it as she checked the emails on her phone. Five new e-mails in the short hour since she'd checked it last. She rolled her eyes at the e-mail that had URGENT typed into the subject line. Claudine Stevens was one of Harvey's most melodramatic clients and a week without an urgent e-mail would be almost unfathomable. Donna scanned through the e-mail, tossing her half-eaten apple into the trash. Since there wasn't anything of real importance Donna would just give her a courtesy call and let her know that her concerns were Harvey's highest priority.

Her eyes lit up at the e-mail from his private investigator. It looked like he'd found something big on the defendant in Harvey's _ case. Harvey's wins excited her almost as much as they excited him so she dashed out of the partner's kitchen and back to his office, reading through the attached file as she hurried along. Her progress was halted when she slammed into Harvey who'd just rounded the corner. Her phone shot out of her hand and skittered across the floor as his arms came around her and they both grunted at the impact. She nearly tumbled but his hands clamped onto her arms and held her up. For a stunning moment they froze that way, both painfully aware of their bodies molded against each other. Harvey stepped back first and stooped to pick up her phone.

"You weren't watching where you were going again," his voice was stiff.

"Sorry" Donna said, taking her phone from him. The both shifted awkwardly and Donna almost bolted again before she remembered the reason for her rush.

"The PI found something big." She said, opening the attached file and handing the phone to Harvey.

Harvey scrolled through the file, a slow smile forming as he realized what the PI had found.

"O'Ryan has been a very bad boy." He said as he looked over the highlighted financial records clearly proving that he was embezzling a great deal of money from the company.

"Print these out for me" Harvey said, as they walked back to his office. "And get me another copy of the allegations he made against my client, I think that will provide a nice little visual."

Donna pulled the e-mail up on her computer and sent the attachments to the printer. She quickly jotted down the time and place for her dinner with Rachel onto her calendar before hurrying off to the printing room.


Harvey glanced over the messages Donna had left for him.

All documents from closed Miller case have been filed in records room.

Jessica wants you to come see her when you get a chance.

Rescheduled meeting with CEO of IGN to Friday late afternoon check with me.

Since she hadn't returned from the printer room yet he went to her desk and checked her calendar where she would have noted down the new meeting time.

He was putting the new meeting time into his phone's appointments when his eye caught the circled note written in the blue ink that indicated Donna's appointments.

Blue Hill, 8.

His eyes narrowed, she had a date. The surge of jealousy grabbed him by the throat and squeezed. He hadn't thought about her dating, the idea didn't sit well with him. He rose stiffly from her desk and returned to his office, trying not to let thoughts of Donna with another man slide into his head.

Donna came in to hand him the printed documents and he accepted them wordlessly. Instead of leaving she grabbed his day planner and started filling in newly scheduled meetings. He watched as her hair fell over her shoulder and imagined another man's hands tangling in it. The light scratching of her pen over the paper set his teeth on edge. Donna finished scheduling his meetings and set the day planner back in its place. He got a whiff of her shampoo and got flashes of her in the shower, moving sinuously against him.

Aroused and angry Harvey shoved back his chair.

"I'm going to see Jessica" he snapped, ignoring Donna's puzzled look as he strode out of the office.


Donna watched Harvey's retreating back as he headed to Jessica's office. She wondered at his sudden change in mood but shrugged it off. It wasn't her concern anymore and if he wanted to tell her he would, not that they shared much anymore. Because the thought only depressed her she gathered the scattering of files on his couch and headed back to her desk to reorganize and label them.

Mike approached Donna's cubicle with a guilty look on his face.

"Hey, Donna" he said, shifting from foot to foot.

"You didn't get those case files done in time did you?" Donna said pointing to the folder in his hand.

"I can get a box of cupcakes up here in less than twenty minutes," Mike said edging towards Harvey's desk.

"I'm off sugar", Donna said.

"That's a shame because they have this new triple chocolate dipped cupcake…" Mike trailed off, watching Donna's eyes narrow.

"Fine, you've got twenty minutes."

"Thank you Donna" Mike said gratefully, dropping the folder on Harvey's desk and bolting out the door.

Donna suppressed a grin and returned to her desk to type out a quick e-mail to Claudine Stevens. The mail carrier dropped off a heavy stack of letters and Donna sifted through them, separating client's thank you letters and gifts from the manila envelopes holding various legal documents. Mike came running up to her desk and dropped off the cupcake, thanking her profusely as he rushed into Harvey's office.

"I was here at three!" He shouted over his shoulder.

Donna gave him a thumbs up and took the first glorious bite sighing appreciatively. She saw Harvey approaching and hurriedly stashed the cupcake out of sight.
Harvey stopped short when he saw Mike, taking in the way his foot tapped nervously, and walked back to Donna.

"How long has he been there?"

Donna looked up innocently.

"Oh he got here just before three."

"Hmmm…" Harvey leaned on the cubicle wall, eyes boring into hers.

Donna leaned back in her chair.

"Anything else I can help you with?"

"No," he reached behind the folder where she'd hidden the cupcake and pulled it out, taking a bite.

"You've got chocolate on your mouth" he said, setting it back down in front of her.

"Dammit" Donna muttered swiping at the chocolate that clung to the corner of her mouth. .

Harvey shook his head and went back into his office to berate Mike for being late.


Harvey found his focus drifting to Donna more often as the clock ticked towards eight. The possessiveness that rose in his chest fogged his brain to the point that he wasn't doing much more than staring at the same document for over an hour. If Mike noticed this he said nothing. He had no right to feel this way, he knew it, but that didn't keep the raging beast inside him quiet. His gaze slipped to Donna again, he could have sworn she looked even more beautiful each time he looked at her. Harvey grit his teeth and forced himself to look back at the document in front of him, he imagined her in candlelight instead.

Mike set the last file down carefully and cleared his throat hesitantly.

"All done" he said, trying not to smile at the fact that he had twenty folders piled beside him compared to the one Harvey still held.

Donna walked in at just that moment and Mike struggled between the desire to stay and watch or steer clear of the crossfire. There was a crinkle as Harvey's fist closed around the document and Mike's eyes widened. He got up slowly and mumbled a goodbye before slipping away surreptitiously.

"Who are you having dinner with tonight?"

The question caught her off guard and she almost answered out of habit until she caught the look in his eye. The idiot bastard was jealous. She almost laughed in disbelief.

"It's none of your business." She said crossing her arms.

Harvey nodded once, his lips thinning as he stared at the floor.

"I need the Chatfield court documents."

"Right," Donna said shaking her head. She spun on her heel and headed for the file room, frustration quickening her step and adding an edge to her gaze.

She turned left at the shelf labeled Property Law: 168-07 C-F

The door clicked shut and she knew Harvey was behind her but she chose to ignore him.

"Are you trying to make me jealous?"

Donna briefly wondered if she could plead insanity for murdering him and yanked the filing box from the shelf before turning around to glare at him.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"You wrote it down in plain sight"

"What my dinner reservations? It was on MY calendar you flaming idiot!" Donna shouted

"You moved on fast," Harvey spat out knowing it was wrong, but the jealousy he'd kept strapped down all day was snapping on its last tether.

"You ended things Harvey! You were the one who told me to leave!" In a rare show of temper Donna shoved the box of files off the counter and sent papers scattering everywhere.

"Find your own damn file I'm going home." Donna said brushing past him.

His hand snaked out to grab her of its own accord and he yanked her back roughly. All five foot eight inches of her tumbled against him and all he could think was finally. His mouth claimed hers and it was like coming home. She stiffened for only a second before her hands fisted in his suit jacket. The kiss was desperate, their breath harsh in the silence of the filing room. She vibrated with energy and the taste of her filled him, her body imprinting itself on him all over again. His hand trailed into her hair, putting pressure on the spot just behind her ear, and he reveled in the way she trembled.

One moment she was practically melting in his arms and in the next a slap stung his cheek. All the blood in his brain had traveled south and he could only stare at her in stunned silence. Donna had a hand pressed to her chest and she was trembling in fury.

"I said I would stay on as your secretary, not so you can scratch an itch whenever the hell you feel like it."

"That wasn't what this was," Harvey said angrily. "I want you back." He hadn't known it was true until the moment the words left his lips. He watched Donna's mouth part slightly and he clung onto the fragile hope as she stared at him.

"Why is it every time another man looks at me you suddenly make your move?" she demanded.

The small bubble of hope deflated like a balloon and he stared helplessly at her.

"I-"

"No," She held up a hand to stop him. "You don't get to say anything. We're over, we were over the moment you decided you couldn't trust me anymore. And my dinner reservations were with Rachel you asshole." Her voice hitched and she pressed a hand to her mouth.

"Donna I-" he trailed off as she brushed past him.

He watched her go and rubbed his face over his hand. There were about a million ways he could have handled that better. He wondered if he'd finally pushed her over the edge, and because that thought frightened him he went after her. He refused to leave things like this between them so he headed to the roof access door, relieved to see it standing ajar. Harvey stepped through it and was frozen in place by the sound of Donna crying. In all their years together, through all his most vicious tempers, and harshest demands he had never once made her cry. The bitter taste of guilt coated his throat and he stepped back. He knew she would be humiliated if he saw her now and she would never forgive him for that so he jogged back down the stairs and walked to his office. He would fix this somehow and he knew one thing for certain. Living without her was much worse than the uncertain fear of their future together.

He was going to get Donna back.


I know technically Harvey made Donna cry in chapter 6 but he didn't know that. ;) Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed chapter eight.