As they exit, Donna watches Jules approach Charles and Will. The crowds are dwindling down heading towards the exits. Charles is graciously saying his goodbyes as Jules joins them. She sees it. As Charles walks away from a group of people, he drops his hand behind him and reaches for Jules. The gesture is simple and sweet.
She takes Harvey's arm as they walk out of the Forstman mansion towards the valets. Harvey brought the Astin. Donna smiles at yet another poke at the bear but she can't help but notice the whole Harvey Specter 007 vibe that comes with it.
There is nothing quite like this car and they are certainly dressed for Bond adventure. Donna can see the wheels turn in Harvey's mind with the same thoughts of adventure. "Care for a drive, my lady?"
Donna glances back at him. "Road trip?"
Harvey acknowledges. "Road trip."
Donna lets her hair down from the bob to blow in the breeze from the convertible. It is a warm and sultry night which is perfect for a drive. They head towards the coast. Harvey reaches down and turns up the tunes. There is no need for them to talk right now. This is a moment to just enjoy. She is no longer Harvey's assistant. This is the first moment of a new beginning.
They drive and listen to music for hours when they realize that they are both starving. Harvey pulls into a diner for a mid-night snack. The fun of being ridiculously overdressed offers the element of mystery to the couple as they enter the door.
Donna has to admit that this has been fun. They have been so hot and cold with each other, right now, they need warm. They order breakfast and linger over coffee. They haven't talked like this in a long time. There is not a mention of the office. There is not a mention of anything about work. She shares stories of her and Jules from way back. Harvey actually shares stories of law school and the good times of his childhood with Marcus.
Harvey finally learns the story that Donna began so many times about how her and Jules met on that spring break. The Heathers left Donna stranded in Key West on the first day of what should have been an epic spring break. Donna was so naïve that she didn't see the set up until it was too late. Jules found her when she stopped to feed her never ending coffee addiction. The two got to talking which ended with Jules offering her a ride. They clicked and ended up spending the whole trip together. She tells Harvey of how she truly was the mousy drama geek and Jules was the goth baby.
Meeting Jules changed the game. Jules was born with swagger and she got Donna to embrace, as she termed it, her inner badass. As Jules termed it at the time, you have to be your own badass, Red, no one will fight harder for you than you. Harvey asks Donna what she gave to Jules. Donna pauses and thinks about the question. Harvey says that there is give and take in every relationship, he asks about what she gave and she is not sure.
As she thinks back, she realizes that she gave Jules a foundation. Jules was never close to her sisters. Jules used her brain to escape her life. Next to Mike Ross, Jules was the smartest person that Donna had ever known. Jules became family. They were there for each other at their highest highs and lowest lows. It brings a smile to Donna's face to think about it. It is the one sure thing in her life.
Harvey listens to the stories as he watches the emotions ebb and flow from Donna. He has truly never felt closer to her. This is the side of her life that she never shared until tonight. The pictures that he saw in Jules' apartment are coming to life through Donna's words and so is the bucket list. He is finally getting to know the woman who had those dreams.
Charles and Jules kick off their shoes and take a walk from the house down to the beach away from the hustle and bustle of the wrap up of the party. Will has disappeared off to his own adventure. They walk down to the Adirondack chairs that are set up. Charles reaches into his pocket and pulls out his cell phone. He brings up some music. "I only got one dance tonight."
He pulls her into his arms as they begin to dance. After several songs, Charles looks down at Jules. "You know… I meant what I said." Jules doesn't answer with words. She doesn't know what ones to say. Instead, she looks up into his eyes and kisses him. Charles is surprised by the passion of the kiss. This is Jules' I love you too. For as eloquent as Jules is in conversation… he knows those particular are very hard to say. All he can do is smile.
The next day:
Jules is having breakfast at the diner as she is approached by Offie, Pepper and Donna. She looks up from her coffee with a knowing smile. "Samantha, Charlotte… Miranda."
They take their seats in front of her and order up their breakfast. Over the Bloody Marys, Offie breaks the seal on the topic of conversation. "So, it takes billionaire to replace me, huh?"
Jules looks up with a smile. Donna reads her like a magazine. Jules is in love and that is best discussed when it is just the two of them. "Well, you certainly don't do anything half assed. Charles Forstman… holy shit Jules… that is the crack cocaine of powerful men."
Pepper weighs in. "Say hello to my little friend."
Jules looks up with a wicked little smile. "Et Tu, Pepper and I am NOT touching that one."
They settle in and enjoy breakfast and in Donna's case… breakfast again but this is so worth it for the company.
In the afternoon, Jules and Donna take the afternoon to enjoy the last day of a beautiful weekend at the beach. "So did you have fun with Harvey last night?"
"It was good. We went for a drive and for breakfast." Donna lays her head back in the chair. The sun is delightful and the soft breeze and the salt air are heavenly.
"He brought the Astin, didn't he." Jules assumes a similar position.
"Yep." Donna is beginning to drift off due to the lack of sleep from the night before.
"Very James Bond."
"Are you crazy about him?" Donna peeks open an eye at Jules. She can see the smile before she answers and that is all of the answer that she needs.
"I just might be." Jules closes her eyes.
The next week:
Donna stands outside the building considering the consequences of what she is about to do. The last time she did something like this… she ended up with the possibility of prison. She knows that there will be hell to pay if she is seen here but this is something that she must do. She walks into the elevator and hits the button.
The office is elegant as is the office of any powerful man. The desks are always measuring contests. This has touches of the old world and reeks of money. He greets her with a smile. "Hello Donna, what brings you to see me?" The gentleman motions towards a chair in the sitting area of this enormous office.
"You know who I am?" Donna takes the offered seat.
"You are Ruby Bond's best friend and Harvey Specter's assistant so of course I know who you are. Might I ask which capacity that you are here to see me?" Charles is cordial and elegant in a crisp white shirt and custom suit as he takes the adjoining seat.
Donna wastes no time since her courage is in control. "I have one question for you."
"Ok, what is your question?"
Donna takes in the man before her. He is handsome in a rugged sort of way with intense blue eyes. He is definitely Jules type.
"Do you love her?" Donna straightens in the seat as the words leave her mouth.
Charles is shocked at the boldness of her question. He likes her moxie and her loyalty to her friend. He knows how close this woman is to Ruby so he will indulge the very personal nature of this particular conversation.
He sits back in the chair assuming a thoughtful position. "Donna, has Ruby ever told you the story of how we met?"
Donna hesitates for a moment. "No, she has never shared that story. Actually, she has kept you quite the secret… even from me." She finds it interesting that he actually calls her by her name. Few people call Ruby Bond anything but Jules.
"Donna, I met Ruby at an embassy dinner in Berlin almost 10 years ago." He pauses for a moment to read Donna's initial expression. Donna knows that the timeframe would have been when Jules was still in the Army and still married to Offie. Now, she is very curious.
"Here I was in a room of beautiful women in beautiful gowns at this dinner and there at the bar was a soldier dressed in her uniform chatting with other soldiers. Do you know what I said to my companions?"
Donna is unsure of how to follow this story but it has captured her interest. "Now, she looks like the most interesting woman in the room. That is the moment that I was introduced to Major Ruby Bond, M.D. I enjoyed her company at the dinner and then ended up shooting billiards until dawn where she sufficiently fleeced me. Over the decade since my wife passed away, I have managed to be on a collision course with our dear Doctor."
"But when you met her she was still married." Donna throws some bait to see what kind of man Charles Forstman is.
"She made the boundaries quite clear to me at the time. I believe she used the term conduct unbecoming an officer and that she would have no part of it. I was a widower who had women throwing themselves at my feet because of who I was. What I loved about Major Ruby Bond was that she did not give a rat's ass as to who I was. My money did not impress her. She liked conversation and companionship."
Donna acknowledges that is her Jules. Jules was very proud of her work in the Army. She would have never done anything to jeopardize her position in the Army.
"You know what I discovered?" Donna shrugs at Charles' question.
"That I was right, she was the most interesting women in the room and to this day… I still think she is the most interesting woman in the room… any room."
Donna can see that this man that she despises for the situation with Louis and with Harvey is in love with her best friend. She watched Charles' expression as he told the story of when he met Jules. His expression could not hide the light in his smile at the thought of her and the mention of her name.
"You know that they are gunning for you… with the backing of the SEC." Donna is surprised to hear these words coming out her mouth. Harvey would shoot her dead where she sits.
Charles is equally surprised to hear them. "Yes, I know. Why are you telling me?"
Donna rises from her chair and preps herself to leave.
"Because I am banking on the fact that Harvey loves me more than he hates you." She walks towards the door pausing for dramatic effect with the door handle in her hand. She looks back towards him. " If you hurt my girl, I don't care who you are… I will end you. Do we understand each other?"