Ch 9. December 19th– PSL Christmas Party (Part 1)
"Mikeeee, get in here" Harvey called
"Do you have the files for the Pengiton case?"
Mike hustles in to Harvey's office and hands him the files, "I've gone through them and I think I found something" he says sliding another folding across Harvey's desk.
Harvey looks it over and then looks up at Mike, "This is some great work, it might just be enough to get this thing dismissed, good job"
Mike looks back slightly confused, "Are you serious? Two compliments in one sentence? Are you feeling alright?"
"No one likes a smart ass, just take the compliment" Harvey says
"Alright, alright compliment accepted" Mike says, turning to leave the office
"Mike?" Harvey calls, "Why don't you take that to court this afternoon, consider it an early Christmas gift" Harvey smiles
"But you're the living embodiment of the grinch, and with the mandatory party tonight I figured you called me in here to yell at me" Mike rambles
"Do you want me to start yelling at you? Because I can" Harvey says
"So why don't you take your files and go put your big boy pants on and get ready for court" he adds
Mike is just about to leave but he can't help himself from making one more smart ass remark,
"Tell whatever chick you hooked up with last night that she has no idea how grateful I am for her improving your holiday spirits" he laughs and heads down the hallway.
Harvey smiles to himself, if only the kid knew, he could stop next door and thank her himself.
Rachel and Donna leave the office around 3 and head out for a late lunch before getting ready for the party. Donna is in incredibly high spirits. Not only does she love Christmas and any excuse to doll herself up, but the last few days with Harvey had been incredible. After his terribly sweet gesture of recreating her ideal first date and their romantic evening together she didn't think it could get any better but waking up in his arms the following morning she was proven wrong. Tuesday was a busy day at the office for them both and they hadn't seen much of each other since Harvey was in court for most of it and took a client out for dinner afterwards. He did however send Ray to pick her up and take her home where she was greeted by a small note reading "This has always belonged to you" with her key to his apartment attached to it. Then earlier this morning she brought him a coffee and he told her he couldn't wait to see her later that night. Her stomach had been in a constant state of flurries since the moment he told her he loved her, and she hadn't felt this giddy about a man since well, ever.
Rachel clearly sensing some of Donna's happiness questions, "Donna are you ok? Something just seems different this past week"
"I'm fine Rachel, my minds just been a little preoccupied is all" she says
"Does this have to do with last weekend?" Rachel asks
"Sort've" Donna concedes. Donna and Harvey had discussed their holiday plans over dinner at the start of the week, and both agreed they would tell Mike and Rachel they were keeping up the charade for Harvey's family over the holidays; since neither of them were ready to leave their little bubble just yet. Donna figured this was a perfect opportunity to fill Rachel in on the plan, convincing her that they were going to play pretend one more time for the sake of the Specter family. Rachel looks at Donna, willing her to elaborate.
"It's just we didn't exactly think the entire plan through. Marcus invited Harvey and I to spend Christmas with them and Harvey doesn't want to have to tell them we aren't together."
"Okay" Rachel says, question lingering on her lips
"Since my family isn't celebrating Christmas this year, I figured pretending for a few more days can't hurt" she concludes her lie only to be met by a shocked Rachel.
"So, let me get this straight? You and Harvey are going to spend Christmas with his family?" she clarifies
"Yes, I know it sounds crazy Rach, but I couldn't put him in a situation where he would have to tell his family he lied to them! He and his mother are finally on speaking terms and I can't be the one to jeopardize that" she explains. God, she's good at this she thinks to herself.
"I get it Donna, just be careful okay? I don't want to see you get hurt"
She smiles at Rachel, she can't express how grateful she is for her friend being so concerned. It's almost enough to make her want to tell Rachel the truth, and she will, just not yet.
The two of them finish lunch, finishing up a debate about who is most likely to drink to much and make a foul of themselves at the party; Louis ranks pretty high on both of their lists. Donna excuses herself to go to the restroom and Rachel takes the opportunity to send Mike a quick text.
Did you know Harvey and Donna are spending Christmas playing house again? Hmm maybe playing pretend isn't as scary for them as admitting how they feel about each other – R
Rachel isn't surprised that Donna agreed to help Harvey again. She knows her best friend still harbors feelings for him and getting to pretend they aren't real must make it way less intimidating. Donna can say and do whatever she wants and then claim she was just playing the part. She wonder's if Harvey asked her for help again because he feels the same way? Whatever the reason, she really hopes they figure it out soon.
After lunch the girls head back to Rachel's place to get ready before heading to the office. Mike was scheduled to be in court late with Harvey and was meeting Rachel at the firm. Donna had decided on an elegant but understated emerald green dress. It had thin straps that crossed at her lower back but was otherwise backless and cut just low enough to show off her cleavage. She paired it with her silver Louis Vuittons that were visible through the slit that ran up the left side of the dress. Her hair fell loosely around her face and she completed the look with a daring red lipstick. Rachel had opted for a simple silk strapless red dress that perfectly highlighted her petite frame. After they finally finish getting ready, they polish off the bottle of wine they started and head to the office.
She finds him in his office, sitting behind his desk wearing a fitted black suit and silver tie. He smiles when he sees her come in, standing up to greet her and to tell her how incredible she looks.
God, he must've done something right to have earned the love of this women. He takes her in, fitted gown highlighting her curves, his eyes moving up, pausing briefly at her chest and settling on her eyes which sparkle in the light. He wants to take her in his arms and kiss her until his lungs collapse but he can't. Not here and not now. So, he settles for the next best thing. He walks over to his records and pulls out the Miles Davis album and begins to play it. He walks back over to her and holds out his hand.
"Dance with me" he says
"But were in your office" she replies
"It's not like we haven't done it before" he smiles at her. She smiles back, she wasn't sure he remembered that night, her favourite Christmas party to date. What harm could it possibly do, she thinks, it's practically part of their tradition.
She takes his hand and lets him pull her in close to him. He moves them to the music, his mouth resting just above her ear, one hand in hers and the other wrapped around her waist; thumb tracing small circles across her bare back. She wraps her hands around his neck and they move to the music in silence. She feels his heart beating against her chest and wonders if he can feel her pulse racing. She's never felt happier than in this moment, sharing in the comfort of the silence with him, it's almost overwhelming. The song comes to an end and they stay wrapped up in each other for a few moments longer before he places a delicate kiss on her forehead and releases her. He grabs them both a drink and sits on the edge of his desk.
"Do you remember the last time we danced in your office?" she asks
"I do"
"Your tie was crooked that night, you were nervous beforehand" she recalls, she'd always wondering if he was nervous about spending the night alone with her, since that was one of the first night's they'd spent time alone together since he slipped up and told her he loved her.
"Oh, was I?" he raises his eyebrow slightly, "And what's it looking like now?"
She examines his ties and smiles, slightly crooked, he was nervous about tonight. She steps forward so that she is standing between his legs and reaches to fix his tie. As she reaches for it, he holds her gaze, his look conveying just how grateful he is for her. He tucks a strand of hair behind her ear causing her to blush. She leans in ever so slightly, placing a hand on his chest and kisses him. His kisses her back in a way she's never been kissed. This kiss shares the passion of their first kiss but a sense of urgency as if it were to be their last. She pulls back and finishes fixing his tie. She's catches a glimpse of the time on the clock behind him and sighs.
"We should get downstairs"
"I just need a minute" he says sheepishly. She is about to protest that he can't avoid the party forever but quickly realizes what he means and smiles knowing she's responsible for the delay.
She wipes the red lipstick off his lips with her thumb, removing all evidence of her lips and tells him she is going to grab her purse from her office and to meet him downstairs.
He calls after her, "You better save me a dance!"
Jessica had flown in early that afternoon to surprise her old friends at the Christmas party. She immediately spots Mike and Rachel talking to Louis and his fiancé and makes her way over to them. After catching up, she asks Mike if he's seen Harvey. When he tells her he hasn't, she knows exactly where to find him. Some people never change, and Harvey was always one to avoid the Christmas party for as long as he possibly could. She heads down the hallway towards his office, noting that his light is still on and prepares herself to drag his ass downstairs. After all she didn't fly across the country to visit for him to hide in his office doing paperwork. She's about to barge in and lecture him when she notices he isn't alone. She freezes taking in the site before her; Donna and Harvey standing in his office sharing a moment while Miles Davis plays softly in the background. Donna's stance and adjusting Harvey's tie might be slightly more intimate than the relationship she's used to seeing between these two, but it's the way Harvey is staring at Donna like she is the only women in the world that tells her she may have walked in on a moment far more intimate than the typical moment that would accompany the friendship these two once shared. Her suspicions are confirmed when the two share a kiss, and she turns and heads back to the party, not wanting to intrude. She smiles to herself as she heads back down the hallway, it's about damn time those two figured it out!
Before heading into the party to find Donna, Harvey runs into Jessica in the lobby. When she pulls him in for a hug, she whispers to him, "I'm happy for you Harvey"
"For what?" he questions
"For finally getting your shit together" she grins
How could she possibly know? He thinks. Is it that obvious? No one else seemed to have figured it out.
"But how could you possibly…?"
"Let's just say I knew you'd be hiding out in your office" she cuts him off getting straight to the point.
"I'm happy for you two" she adds
"Thanks Jessica, I can't say I've ever been happier" he smiles
"Well good, I hope she keeps you on your toes" she says before turning to head into the party
"Oh and Jessica, were trying to keep it low key, just while it's still new so I'd appreciate if you kept this to yourself" he says
"Will do" she says. He follows her into the party, searching the crowd for her flaming red hair, or that dress. God, that dress.
He spots her standing by the bar talking to a brunette that looks oddly familiar. It isn't until he gets closer that he realizes who she's talking to.
"Harvey" the woman greets
"Scottie?"
Brace yourselves Darvey lovers! We've got a long way to go before the Specter family Christmas and New Years Eve and I promise it'll be worth sticking around to read! Stay tuned for Ch. 10 - PSL Christmas Part (Part 2)
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this one!
