Happy Saturday! In case I didn't have time before next week's episode, I wanted to post another update to this story, which includes my version of a proposition for Donna. Fingers crossed the 100th will be one we all enjoy! Don't forget to leave me a review to let me know what you think and thanks for all the support! :)

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Chapter Ten

Over the next couple of weeks, Donna focussed on work and reconnecting with Jonathan. She knew she was avoiding Harvey again, for a number of reasons; confusion as to how she felt; anger that he was yet again interfering in her life; and maybe even sadness, in knowing how much their relationship had changed. She also knew he was avoiding her too; the last meaningful time they had spent together being the night he'd brought dinner to her office, the night before her first date with Jonathan.

Her phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. "So, good news Donna," Jonathan announced excitedly. He'd been in a great mood all week and it was infectious. "What?"

"I just heard from Louis that the terms have been agreed. Louis and Rachel achieved a pretty great deal. I'm coming by later to sign the papers."

She smiled. It was a huge deal and propelled him in to the next level in the theatre world. He had big dreams for the future and she knew this was a key stepping-stone for him. "That's fantastic news Jonathan. We should celebrate."

"I thought so too. We should invite Louis and Rachel, as they've been pivotal to the whole transaction."

Donna agreed it was a lovely gesture and that he should suggest it later. She looked up as she hung up the phone and caught Harvey's eyes as he passed her office. He stopped in the doorway. "Hey."

"Hey," she replied. She missed him. She really did, but it was easier this way. "Good news?" he asked, motioning towards the phone.

"Oh, yes. It seems Louis and Rachel agreed the commercials for Jonathan's deal. He's very happy with what they've achieved."

Harvey nodded and lowered his eyes briefly. "Well, that's good. Maybe he can pass on his praise to some other potential clients." She nodded. "Maybe." He hesitated, as if about to say something, but changed his mind, backing out of the doorway. "I have a call to make."

Donna closed her eyes sadly. How were they ever going to get past this awkwardness?

…..

After entering his office, Harvey sat down behind his desk and sighed. His head turned in the direction of Donna's office, where she was sitting just the other side of the wall. He wanted to go to her, to talk to her the way they used to, but he had no idea what to say. Thinking too much about it terrified him and he found himself reaching for the phone.

"Couldn't wait until tonight to talk to me Harvey?" Paula's voice sounded light and relaxed. Everything is so much easier with her. "I guess not. I have a meeting that may run over, so I'm not sure what time I'll be able to meet you."

"That's alright. I'll come to you and wait. It's nearer the restaurant anyway."

He agreed and hung up, taking a breath. He closed his eyes, his mind automatically going back to the red headed woman next door. He sighed and opened his bottom desk drawer, rooting around for a familiar black folder. It was where he kept copies of all of his important personal documents in case of emergency. He leafed through them until he found the smaller item caught between two pages.

It was just a scrap of paper to the untrained eye, but to him it had been the start of something. He stared at Donna's handwriting, now so recognisable to him, her name and number staring up at him. He remembered her writing it that night in the bar all those years ago and handing it to him, already so confident he would agree to her working for him. Everything had changed that night whether he'd realised it or not.

He took a final look at it, before returning it to the file and shutting the drawer again; locking up the feelings he wasn't ready to acknowledge.

…..

The elevator doors were just starting to close when Jonathan noticed the woman try to catch them. He pressed the doors open button and the blonde-haired woman smiled as she slipped in to the elevator next to him. "Thank you," she murmured.

"You're welcome. What floor?" he asked politely. She glanced at the panel before responding. "It seems we're both going to the same place."

They rode the way up to the 50th floor in silence and exited together. Mike was chatting to Rachel and Gretchen by the reception desk when they appeared. He tried to hide the look on his face at the two of them together and he heard Gretchen mutter under her breath, "Well, well, there's an unlikely pairing." Mike glanced at Rachel too and she met his eyes. This place was getting crazier!

Jonathan moved towards them and Mike watched Paula head in the direction of Harvey's office. "Mike, Rachel, good to see you." Mike smiled and shook his hand. He rather liked Jonathan, even if Harvey couldn't bear him. "I hear congratulations are in order Jonathan. It's great news about the terms."

Jonathan nodded enthusiastically. "All there is to do is for me to sign these papers. Oh, and then we are going to celebrate." He held up the gift bag in his hand, containing a couple of bottles of champagne. "I thought these could be a warm up and then we can grab some dinner. You're of course invited too Mike."

"Sounds great. I'll pop by in a few minutes." He nodded his thanks and disappeared towards his own office to send a couple of emails, while Rachel walked Jonathan to Louis's office.

…..

Donna had watched Paula pass her office on her way to Harvey's. She was relieved her door was closed, avoiding any uncomfortable forced conversation. She'd said all she ever needed to say to Paula at the firm event. She knew Harvey wasn't back yet, so she took the opportunity to put some distance between them by making her way to Louis's office.

She bumped in to Mike on route and he smiled at her. "Jonathan invited us all to dinner. Plus he brought pre-dinner champagne. I like this guy Donna!"

She laughed. "Well, I'm glad he gets your approval Mike!" They entered Louis's office, as Jonathan was finishing signing the final page of the final copy of the documents.

"Perfect timing!" Louis declared. Jonathan shook his hand and then Rachel's. "Until the next one!" Louis nodded, thrilled that he had yet another satisfied client. Donna reached for the champagne. "Time to open this!"

…..

Harvey was a little surprised as he stepped in to his office and found Paula sitting on his couch. It still felt strange her being here, in the office. It didn't feel right somehow, like a puzzle piece forced in to the wrong place in a jigsaw. "Paula, hey, what are you doing here?"

She frowned a little. "I said I'd meet you here. Did you forget?"

"Right, yes, sorry. Give me a couple of minutes and I'll be ready to go." He moved to his desk and put his files down, glancing back at his computer. Paula moved to his side, a hand on his arm. "The food at this restaurant is meant to be incredible!" He looked down at her and smiled, a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

As they were leaving, they walked by Louis's office, where the group gathered inside were enjoying their drinks. He nodded his head in acknowledgement as they were passing. Jonathan noticed he was with the same woman from the elevator and he realised who she was. So, this is Harvey's girlfriend. Donna was across the room chatting to Rachel and he made a decision. He walked to the door and called out to the retreating couple. "Hey. Do you have time for a drink? We have plenty here."

Harvey was a little taken aback by the invitation. He knew he had never been particularly pleasant to this man and he didn't really know how to respond. He just knew that he did not want to be around him, no matter how nice he was being. "Thanks, but we have a dinner reservation…." Paula, however, cut across him. "We have an hour before our reservation. That's plenty of time. A drink sounds lovely. Thank you."

She moved past Harvey and followed Jonathan back in to the room. Harvey felt nauseous at the thought of getting through this excruciating experience. As he silently entered the room behind the others, Donna noticed them and Harvey caught the startled look on her face, before she was able to hide it.

Rachel noticed that Donna had suddenly gone quiet and she frowned. "You okay?" Donna nodded, her eyes still across the room. Rachel followed her friend's gaze and understood what had unsettled her. Oh, God, she thought. Looking from Donna to Harvey, she couldn't decide who looked the most uncomfortable.

Harvey recovered his demeanour quickly and took the glass Mike was holding out to him. He made sure not to make eye contact with his friend. Jonathan meanwhile, wandered across to Donna and Rachel, topping up their glasses. He put his arm around Donna's waist. "What are you two whispering about over here?"

Donna laughed, putting her arm around his waist as well. "Nothing that concerns you." Rachel laughed and excused herself to go over to Louis, to ensure everything was in order with the documents. Jonathan looked at Donna. "It seemed right to ask them to join us when we were all in here. That's okay with you right?"

She looked up at him. "Of course it is." He smiled back warmly and gave her a quick kiss. Across the room Harvey felt his stomach tighten at the sight of the couple and he looked away. He wanted her to be happy didn't he?

Paula watched his face, studying it for any indication as to what he was thinking. On realising who the man she'd met earlier and who had invited them to join was, she was taking the opportunity to see if her growing doubts would be confirmed or not. Donna seemed happy to her and yet her professional radar was picking up on all sorts of signals that she didn't want to face.

After thirty minutes of small talk, Harvey and Paula left the others for their dinner. Harvey was quiet as they made their way to the car. "You don't like Donna's boyfriend. Why not?" It was direct and to the point. No messing around.

He was tired of his every emotion being dissected. He looked at Paula. "It's not what you're thinking Paula. He cheated on her the first time. I'm just concerned he'll do it again, that's all."

It was the truth, he thought. Well, partly the truth. Paula stared at his face and recognised the honesty in his words. "She's a big girl Harvey. I'm sure she can look after herself."

He nodded. "Yeah. I'm sure she can."

…..

The rest of the month passed relatively calmly at PSL for everyone except Harvey. He wasn't sleeping, spending sleepless nights lying awake in bed, sometimes next to Paula, sometimes alone. He'd gone back to his late night, or early morning runs, pushing himself harder each day.

The honeymoon period with Paula had passed and deep down he knew it. He was trying to pretend it hadn't, that everything was fine, but he was starting to find it harder to believe his own bullshit.

All the while, he watched Donna grow closer and closer to Jonathan. He picked her up most days, they were spending weekends away together and she seemed happy. He hated that the happier she seemed, the more upset and frustrated he felt. He'd been sure they wouldn't last this long; that the guy would stuff it up, but he hadn't. God, I'm an ass.

As Harvey made his way from the executive kitchen that Sunday afternoon, yet another one he was spending at work, away from his problems, he came across Mike and Rachel in the library, surprised to see them there at the weekend. It reminded him of all those years ago, when Mike had only just started at the firm and used to find excuses to work with the young paralegal. Harvey smiled. They'd certainly grown up and they seemed to get being in a relationship right. Unlike him. Why isn't it this easy with Paula and me?

They had their backs to him, so didn't notice his presence, as they continued to talk. "So you're saying you think tonight is significant?"

Rachel nodded excitedly. "It has to be. I know where he is taking her and it's not your typical, average date. It's special and that must mean something!"

"How do you know and Donna doesn't? Donna knows everything." The image of Harvey drunk in the bar a few weeks ago, grumbling about Jonathan came to mind and Mike amended his comment. "Well, almost everything."

"Because I overheard him on the phone, the night we all went to dinner, setting something up for tonight and Donna mentioned he was taking her somewhere this evening."

Mike shook his head at his fiancé's sleuthing skills. "Well, how about we wait and see when Donna tells you, as let's face it, you'll force it out of her, whether she wants to tell you or not!"

Rachel punched his shoulder affectionately. "What?! I can't help that I'm excited for her. It's nice to see someone truly appreciate her the way she deserves."

Harvey felt the comment like a punch and backed away, deciding he'd rather have this weekend work time in peace. His mind however was starting to race at all the possible scenarios for Donna's night, none of which made him feel anything but sick.

…..

That night, Donna slipped her forest green dress over her head and applied her lipstick. She was perfectly on schedule, so gave herself the once over in the mirror. Not bad at all. She was still rather curious as to why Jonathan wasn't picking her up. He'd simply told her where to meet him. Slipping on her green Dolce & Gabbana heels, which were always surprisingly comfortable, she picked up her handbag and a shawl and locked her apartment.

After hailing a cab, she gave the directions and sat back against the seat. To think I ended things with Stu because it was all so complicated and now look at me! Out of the frying pan and in to the fire.

After the cab drew to a halt twenty minutes later, she paid the driver and stepped out in to the warm Manhattan evening. It was still a cooler summer than previous years and she was pleased she had her shawl for later. She was familiar with this area around Central Park, but had been unable to decide where Jonathan was taking her.

She looked at her watch. 8:00 p.m. Right on time. She couldn't see Jonathan and turned on the spot. Central Park West opposite 80th Street. I'm definitely in the right place.

As she was reaching for her phone, a young man approached her. "Miss Paulsen?" He took Donna by surprise, but she nodded. "Yes, that's me."

The young man smiled. "My name's Matthew. I've been asked to escort you the rest of the way." She frowned. "By?" He knew her name, but she wasn't about to walk off with a random man on just that. He smiled. "By Jonathan. He didn't want you to get lost."

Donna laughed. "Well, I can't get lost when I don't know where I'm going!" He motioned for her to follow and she did, her curiosity peaked. She was normally so aware of everything and yet she found herself enjoying being surprised these days. Jonathan had always been good at that.

Matthew led her off the street and in to the park. It was one of her favourite times of day to see the park - just before sunset. He glanced at her. "So, Matthew, how do you know Jonathan?"

He smiled. "We've known each other years now. He's always been a big supporter of my work. I'm a theatre director. I'm working here at the moment, well, for the summer."

Donna suddenly realised whereabouts in Central Park they were. They were close to the Delacorte Theatre, home of the summer Shakespeare in the Park season. She glanced at the young man at her side. "Is there a show tonight? I didn't think Sunday shows started until next month."

"I'm pleased to see someone familiar with our schedule and you're right. There is no show tonight. I hope you won't be too disappointed though."

She gave him a curious look and followed him along the path towards the amphitheatre; somewhere she'd visited every year for the Shakespeare season, including with Jonathan over a decade ago. So many memories filled her head as she walked the familiar trail.

As they rounded the corner to the entrance, Matthew waved for her to go ahead of him and up the stairs. "Have a lovely evening Miss Paulsen."

After a few minutes, she found herself at the top of the amphitheatre, every seat empty, as the sun started to drop below the trees that surrounded this little oasis in the park.

What she saw in front of her left her speechless.

The bare semi-circular stage was empty of set. Instead, in the centre, was a round table, set for dinner, as if in the classiest restaurant in town. The lighting rig for the theatre was on low, bathing the stage in a warm glow, only made more perfect by the setting sun. With Turtle Pond and Belvedere Castle as the backdrop, it was almost as magical as the production that was running there during the week. Every night except Sunday, she thought.

Jonathan stood by the table, in a tailored suit, with a broad smile on his face. He'd tried to impress her many times during the time she had known him, but this was a whole new league.

She made her way down the steps to the stage and at the bottom, took Jonathan's hand to help her up. He smiled. "The leading lady, back on the stage." She slowly walked in a circle around the space, taking in the view and the effort he had clearly made in order to pull this off. "Jonathan….I….this is beautiful. How did you do this?!"

His eyes sparkled and he gave her a warm smile. "Well, I didn't do much of it myself. I am fortunate to count among my friends the executive and artistic directors of the Public Theater. Called in a few favours I'd been saving up." He gave her a wink and she laughed, shaking her head.

"You are full of surprises aren't you?" He said nothing, simply moving to pull out a chair for her. After they were both seated at the table he poured the wine and raised his glass to her. "What are we toasting?" she asked quietly, still a little stunned by the evening. "New beginnings perhaps?" he answered.

Donna's heart started to race. Is he going to propose? If he does, what do I say?!

Jonathan cleared his throat. "I know you and I know if I don't give you an explanation now, you'll only be thinking about it all night." He saw her blush at his accurate assessment and continued. "There's something I've been discussing over the last few months and everything is falling in to place, so now things are more certain, I wanted to share it with you, as it will, I hope, affect you too."

She frowned and he took a breath before speaking again. "I've agreed a deal with a friend who is a British theatre director and former artistic director. He recently left one of the big London theatres after running it for over a decade and is planning to open his own. A new theatre in the heart of London. He's looking for a partner to invest and help him build the theatre and theatre company, plan the season; everything. As he's a director too, he plans to direct some of the season himself, as would I. I've been having my financial adviser check the deal and whether it was feasible for me to do it from a financial perspective."

He paused, knowing the next statement would surprise her. "I also asked Louis a couple of weeks ago to review the proposed legal documents alongside my lawyers in London. I asked him to keep it to himself."

"Of course. You're his client, so he would always respect your confidentiality." He nodded; relieved she wasn't angry about Louis's involvement. Donna met his gaze. "And the deal is possible, legally and financially?" She wasn't sure what she felt in that moment. "Yes. It is."

She swallowed. "Well, that's incredible news. You must be excited. I take it you'll be moving to London?"

"Yes, although I'll fly back and forth as need be, but it'll require me to be there for the next few months to start the ball rolling. There will be lots of decisions to make."

Donna remained silent, her heart racing, as Jonathan reached for her hand. "I want you to come with me Donna."

Her head shot up at his words. "What?!" He gave her a sincere look, his eyes softening. "We'll be setting up a theatre company and we'll need people to help us run it and someone with a background in company management and personnel, as well as theatre, would be the perfect fit. You'd be perfect Donna."'

He'd left her speechless twice in the space of half an hour. "I…..I don't know what to say Jonathan. It's a lot to take in."

He nodded, linking his fingers through hers. "I know that and I know you'll need some time to think about it, but please just promise me you'll give it some serious thought? Imagine it though Donna. Living in London, all that incredible theatre on your doorstep. Plus, you could think about stepping back on to the stage once in a while."

She smiled and could feel herself welling up. It was an astonishing offer. She'd only thought about a trip to London recently. She hadn't been back for almost 20 years and the thought of it excited her. I could make a name for myself on my own merits. A new start… "I'll think about it Jonathan. I promise," she murmured.

He leaned across the table and kissed her gently. "Good. Now, how about we eat this amazing meal?!"

Over the next few hours, they ate and talked and laughed, as the New York summer night set in, leaving the only lights illuminating their night being those from the stage rig, which reflected off the water of Turtle Pond and the candles on the table. It was truly a night Donna Paulsen would never forget.

…..

Okay, so I swear the Shakespeare links were always in my plan, which I wrote long before watching 7.07, but I'm glad he's getting mentioned on screen too! Seeing as the show isn't filmed in New York, this scene would never happen in reality, but in the fictional world of the characters, I thought it was the ideal setting, based on Jonathan's work and links to the theatre world. Shakespeare in the Park is another NYC event I want to do one day. I always end up just missing it whenever I go! Anyway, thanks for reading! :)