Chapter 35: Keeping Up with a Queen

Donna was in the file room on a Monday afternoon sorting through boxes of files on a table when Rachel came in. Rachel was holding a piece of paper and was about to head straight towards the copier when she saw Donna.

"Donna!" greeted Rachel.

"Hey," answered Donna looking up.

"Another busy day?" she asked, smiling sympathetically at her friend while glancing at the boxes in front of Donna.

"Yup," sighed Donna, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Why are you going through the files yourself? Isn't Tom supposed to do that?" asked Rachel as she walked towards the copier.

"Oh he is. I've asked him to bring some of these boxes to my office. I'm just sorting out which files we need."

"I see."

Rachel pressed a button on the copier and the machine started to whir then stopped. She tapped the side of the copier but the machine still wouldn't start.

"Paper jam?" asked Donna, turning towards Rachel.

"Looks like it."

"Here, let me fix that," said Donna. She stood beside Rachel as she banged on the machine twice using her little hand-and-elbow trick and hip thrust. The copier made another whirring sound then started working.

"Thanks," said Rachel.

"No problem," smiled Donna. She turned and looked at Rachel.

"By the way, I've heard about what you did for Harvey."

Rachel smiled.

"How was dinner with him? I hope his cooking turned out good."

"Oh it was. I enjoyed the meal immensely. You taught him well," answered Donna.

"So you had a good time?" grinned Rachel.

Donna nodded with a smile then proceeded to describe her evening with Harvey that weekend.

"Who knew Harvey could be such a romantic," chuckled Rachel.

"Well, he did his best. I'll give him that."

"Wait a minute. You didn't… you know… ?" asked Rachel with a sly look on her face.

Donna instantly knew what she meant.

"No," she replied shaking her head.

"Seriously?!" asked Rachel, the look of disbelief evident on her face.

"I told you, Rachel. After dinner, we hung out in his living room and listened to his records and talk. Nothing more."

"I can't believe you haven't slept with him yet!" exclaimed Rachel.

"Well, we made out for a while but didn't go all the way. I just think it's too soon. I mean, I slept with Stephen too soon and look where that got me. I just want to take things slow this time, especially since it's Harvey," explained Donna.

"I see. You want romance," said Rachel, nodding slowly in understanding.

"Yeah, you could say that. And Harvey understands. He was so sweet and patient about it, so…" Donna said with a shrug.

"Wow, this must have been a first for him. The old Harvey would have jumped into bed with a woman in a minute," commented Rachel.

"True. But I'm not just any woman," said Donna while walking back to the table full of boxes.

"No, you aren't," agreed Rachel with a smile. She picked up the paper on top of the copier then headed towards the door.

"Well, see you around, Donna."

Donna gave her friend a little wave then resumed going through the boxes.

Weekend came. Harvey picked up Donna at her apartment early Saturday morning. Wearing a green fitted T-shirt, khaki shorts and sneakers, he stood in front of the building beside his parked Ford Mustang while waiting for Donna to come down. After about eight minutes, Donna emerged from the entrance carrying a backpack and a picnic basket. She wore a blue tank top paired with black leggings and hiking shoes. Her hair was neatly tied in braids.

"Hey," greeted Harvey, rushing over to her and taking the picnic basket from her.

"Hey. Ready for your rock climbing adventure?" she smiled broadly.

"Yes, I am. Thanks for your tips. And those video tutorials you sent me were really helpful," he answered while putting the basket in the trunk of his car.

"Good."

Donna handed him her backpack while he put it inside the trunk along with his bag. She giggled as she glanced down at what he's wearing.

"Well, you don't look like Steve McQueen now," she commented.

He shut the trunk and looked at her.

"I might not be dressed as the King of Cool today but I still got my swagger," he said with a lopsided grin.

"Damn straight you have."

"You look like a 12-year-old girl," he teased while playfully flicking her braided pigtails with a finger.

She made a face at him then went around the car towards the passenger seat.

"We better hurry. I don't want Maggie to wait for us for too long," she said.

He chuckled as he opened the door on the other side and got in the driver's seat. Donna settled in her seat while Harvey started the car. Soon, they were on their way to the Shawangunk Mountains. It was agreed upon that they would just meet up with Donna's friend Maggie and her brother at the Minnewaska State Park Preserve in the midst of the mountains.

After about two hours of driving, Harvey and Donna finally arrived at the state park. Donna introduced Harvey to Maggie and her brother Ed. Maggie was a slender young woman with short, strawberry blond hair while Ed had dark hair, a strong chiseled face and broad shoulders. Standing beside Maggie, he easily towered over her and even Harvey.

"How about we go up in pairs?" suggested Maggie.

"Since you're a beginner, I think it would be best for you to go up with Ed while I climb with Donna," she added while speaking directly at Harvey. She and her brother were seasoned climbers.

"That's a good idea," said Donna.

"No problem," replied Ed. He turned and looked at Harvey.

"Don't worry. I'll guide you every step of the way. Climbing is rather easy but rappelling is trickier. I'll make sure you climb down safely and in one piece," reassured Ed.

"Ed has been doing this for years. You're in safe hands, Harvey," said Donna.

"Okay, if you say so," answered Harvey.

The four took their backpacks and gear and hiked towards an area of the cliff best for beginners and intermediate climbers. Donna and Maggie climbed first, leaving Harvey and Ed watching them from below. Both women reached the top in less than an hour, after which they proceeded to rappel back towards the ground.

"Whew! That was exhilarating!" said Donna with delight.

"Yeah, and the view at the top is amazing as always," agreed Maggie.

"It's your turn, Harvey," said Donna.

Harvey gamely took his position while Ed helped him with the ropes.

"Okay, I'm ready," said Harvey with excitement.

"Good luck, Harvey!" said both women.

Harvey and Ed faced the wall of the cliff.

"Hey, Ed?" called Donna. Ed turned around and looked at Donna questioningly.

"Be gentle with him, okay?"

"Sure," replied Ed.

Slowly but surely, Harvey climbed the cliff alongside Ed. Ed stayed close to him while guiding Harvey in every step. Harvey could hear Donna's words of encouragement from below as he ascended higher and higher. As he was beginning to enjoy the climb, he looked down from where he was hanging and realized how far he climbed. He suddenly became conscious of the height and stopped short. He gulped as he took his time before taking another step.

"Are you okay, Harvey?" asked Ed.

"Oh shit! This is too high," said Harvey, gritting his teeth.

"We're only at 150 feet. We have 20 feet more to go."

"Only?" gulped Harvey. He swore it felt like they were at 200 feet already. As far as he knew, he never had a fear of heights. But working in the 50th floor of a building in Manhattan was definitely different from climbing a 170 feet cliff in the mountains.

"Come on, Harvey. You can do it," prodded Ed.

Mustering courage, he tentatively reached and held on to a rock above him as Ed helped him out. He took another step and then another. Before he knew it, he and Ed were at the top of the cliff. Ed let him enjoy the view for a few minutes before they descend.

True enough, Harvey found out just how tricky rappelling was. It took him longer than expected to climb down the cliff. He finally descended to the ground after almost an hour, with Ed not far behind. With trembling hands, he untied his rope with the help of Ed.

"You made it, Harvey! Congratulations!" said Donna excitedly, hovering beside him.

"Yup, you did well, Harvey. Not bad for a beginner," said Maggie.

"See, I told you I'd bring you back in one piece," smiled Ed.

Harvey was speechless.

Weakly, he walked towards a nearby tree and leaned on the trunk as he collected his bearings.

"Donna…" started Harvey while panting heavily.

"You'll be the death of me!" he gasped, shaking his head at her.

"Oh come on, Harvey. Wasn't that fun? Admit it, you loved the thrill of the climb," laughed Donna.

"Next time we go outdoors, I'll call the shots," he said still panting.

"Ha! You wouldn't even want to go outdoors if it wasn't for me," she replied, slapping him on the shoulders teasingly.

"Oh I swear I'm getting my reward after all this!"

"After all what, Harvey?"

"After I win you over, I'm getting my reward," he said while regaining his strength.

"Oh? What's that supposed to mean?" she asked arching her eyebrow, with hands on her hips.

Harvey glanced back at Maggie and Ed who were standing not far from them and lowered his voice.

"It means you're not coming out of my bedroom for a month while I have my way with you! That's my reward!" said Harvey in a sexy drawl.

Donna pretended to be shocked.

"Is that a threat?" she said clutching her chest.

Harvey stood up straight and smiled at her.

"It's not a threat. It's a promise."

Donna giggled and smiled then turned back towards Maggie and Ed. Harvey followed suit.

It was already noon by the time the group trooped back together to their car and deposited their gear. Donna took the picnic basket from the car while Maggie and Ed brought out their pack lunch. The four made their way to the picnic area where they settled on a table beside a group of cyclists. Harvey ate with gusto, recharging his energy with Donna's cheesesteak sandwich, cupcakes and lemonade. Half an hour later, Maggie and Ed went back to the cliffs towards an area for advanced climbers while Harvey and Donna decided to hike and see the waterfalls. They reached the waterfalls in no time.

"Wow, this is beautiful!" said Donna as she bent and sat on a big rock not far from the waterfalls.

"Yeah, and peaceful, too," agreed Harvey, sitting down on the rock beside her.

"Very different from the view on the cliff, huh," she said.

He nodded.

They took in the view and the surroundings. All around them were lush bushes and trees and piles of boulders and rocks. The chirping of the birds and the trickling of the water could be heard in the background.

"So how did you feel when you were at the top of the cliff?" she asked, looking at him.

"You were right. It was exhilarating. It felt like I was on top of the world."

"It sure was," she smiled.

"I must admit, I had a moment of panic while climbing. But the adrenalin rush and Ed's prodding kept me going. I mean, the only time I have adrenalin rush is whenever I drive my sports car at high speed. This was a different experience," said Harvey.

"Well, I'm glad Ed stayed close to you and helped you out in every step. I wouldn't want you to return to work with a broken limb now, would I?"
Harvey's face suddenly softened.

"Thanks for looking after me," he said as he looked at her.

"I always look after you," she answered.

"That's my point, Donna. You've been looking after me and your friends at the firm for years – Rachel, Mike, Louis, and even Jessica to some extent. But who's looking after you? It's about time someone takes care of you. Let me take care of you," he said softly, his eyes filled with tenderness.

Donna looked at him with a mixture of surprise and affection. He surely was perceptive when it comes to her. She took his hand and cradled it for a while.

"You know I always care about you, Harvey. And I appreciate all the things you're doing for me. Just be a little more patient, okay? I promise I'm getting there."

Harvey didn't need to ask what she meant. He already knew. He clasped his hand with hers and pulled her closer to him as they sat on the rock and enjoyed the view for a while. They left the waterfalls an hour later then hiked back to the car where Maggie and Ed were waiting for them. At dusk, Harvey dropped Donna off to her apartment then went home.