A/N: Ok. This is my first attempt at FF. Be gentle! I've read so many fics and I had an idea about one of my favorite ships EVER. Since we're on quarantine mode I decided to give it a go. So here we are. Hope you like it. I own nothing, just a very weird brain.
Thanks to the best beta anyone could ask for. Cassie, you've got wings, baby!
There were two things Donna did not like about her job. Sure she loved the acting part, the memorizing of lines and the thrill to be on stage. What she didn't appreciate were some of her acting friends and celebrating the closing night with said friends. Friends? No. Colleagues is a better word for them.
They liked to be on top and they would do anything to get there. When they say "break a leg", they don't mean it in a friendly way. Or course she knew that because if there's one thing she knows how to do it's read people. Those eyes. That smile. That little neck bend. Oh! They can't lie. Not to her, at least. Thus, she was polite, but not stupid.
And that is why she is in a bar, having drinks with people who are just not worth her time. But she had to go when the invitation came. If the director makes an appearance, then there was a chance to maybe get another part on another play with him. She's unemployed now and if drinks in a crappy bar with these people are what it takes to show interest and make connections, then so be it.
"Oh! Come on, Lady Macbeth. You've never tried a dating app? It's so much fun! You should totally try it! "
Donna smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes. She would not try a fucking dating app just to please no-brains Dorothy, who had. a very round face and was petite in comparison to the older redhead.
"I told you. I don't believe in them. I can find a man on my own without the help of a stupid algorithm. Thank you very much. "
"Donna! Come on! Download it! Put a nice face on it and see what happens. What's the worst that can happen? "
Donna sighs and looks around with a 'Please save me' look.
"Red, when was the last time you went on a date?"
She did go on dates but as her sister liked to point out, she was a rotten picker when it came to dating. Emotionally unavailable was her favorite type. The second best was the pricks. Either way, she was fine on her own. A hook-up here and there? What's the harm? But now she had to focus on her career and paying rent.
Before she has a chance to reply, she feels a shiver run down her spine with a voice coming behind her ear.
"If you do it, it'll shut her up. "
Of course, Macbeth would show up. Anything to make sure the other actresses would kiss his ass. But no, not her. Sure he is charming. With cute dimples and beautiful skin. His attitude was the problem, though.
"I don't know, Luke. YOU seem like someone who would need it." She says in a harsher tone than intended, so she corrects herself. "I mean, why don't you give it a try? I'm sure you and Dorothy here would be a... A match, is it? " She looks at the brunette, trying to divert the attention from herself.
"YES! You're already totally getting the hang of it. "
Says Dorothy, ignoring her comment and not acknowledging the sarcasm in her tone. Luke had a point though. She promised to stay for at least another hour before the director came around. So if it shuts her up... Well... Why the fuck not?!
"FINE! Jeez! Here's my phone. You can download the fucking app, but I'll keep an eye so you don't make anything stupid! "
Dorothy squeals with excitement, grabbing the phone and already choosing a picture from Donna's Instagram account. Taking the opportunity to step away from Luke, who was lurking above her like a predator, Donna goes to stand behind Dorothy. The other members of the crew, the more unbearable ones, were sitting on the far corner of the bar, near the entrance gossiping through their teeth and judging everyone in a mile range.
After choosing the most recent picture, because how can you choose the best when all of them are great?! And downloading the app, they start swiping left and right. Instead of sitting at the bar, Dorothy, Donna, Alex, and Luke decide to sit on a table and play with Donna's phone.
Of course, Donna would never admit it was fun to choose men like they were meals in a restaurant.
Especially after one too many when she had Alex on her side. He was by far the only person Donna did not despise from the crew. He had the most perfect sense of fashion and was very fun to be around. Besides, it didn't hurt to have him around when she needed a make-up artist and a hairstylist.
"STOP swiping right on all the ugly ones!"
They all laugh at Donna's remark on Dorothy's taste. It's not that all of them were ugly, but some had the weirdest pictures ever.
"I'm not swiping on the ugly ones! That one with the big belly was a mistake!
"See! Why would you swipe right on that blond one? Did you see his face? Why would someone take a picture coughing, for Christ's sake?"
"What? He seems like a funny guy! Besides those two moles were kind of cute! "
Donna sighs and takes the phone from Dorothy, allowing Alex to take the phone from both of them. Accidently, Donna's thumb brushed lightly on the screen, swiping left on a particular cute guy. Annoyed, the redhead just let the phone go, but she gasps when she sees Alex start a conversation with one of the guys who matched with Donna.
"Oh! Not you now, Alex! Gimme that! If you say something dirty, I swear to God! "
"Relax, Red. "
As soon as he says her nickname, the phone vibrates indicating a new match.
"Look! The two moles coughing guy likes you back! "
"Start talking to him! Do it! Do it !"
Dorothy says with a high pitched voice.
" No! Stop it! For all I know he is just someone stupid taking a picture like that, and those moles are cancerous! "
"Jeez Donna! You're no fun! Besides, for someone who doesn't 'believe' in dating apps you sure care alot about what we say. "
At that, Donna looks at Alex with a murderous look. But gives in. There's no point in arguing with them so she just stands up and goes to grab more beer.
Waiting for the beverages, she spots Luke talking to the director a few feet from her. He had left her table after her second "match". Even though she can't hear what they're saying, she doesn't get a good vibe from them. The way shifts his weight from one leg to the other and the way he seems to look around as if asking for help. She thinks Luke is probably gossiping about the other members of the crew and she knows enough to know he doesn't like gossiping but is too polite to just cut someone off. Donna takes the beers then puts them on the table she was seated at, and heads to save from the boring man.
"...but you know I would never do something to jeopardize the play just to..."
Donna doesn't let Luke finish his sentence.
"Mr. Freeman! Thank God you're here! I've been meaning to talk to you about a few things. Luke, would you excuse us for just a moment? I'm sorry for interrupting, it's just that I'm about to head home and this is really important."
She looks at Luke with puppy eyes and back at with a wink. The older man exhales and touches her arm.
"Oh! Sure! If you excuse us, Luke. I've been meaning to talk to Red too."
Luke looks at .
"OK. I'll talk to you later. " He says to the older man, turns to Donna, just nods and heads to the restrooms.
"So, mah Lady," he says with an accent, "what can I do for you?"
Of course, he would never admit she just saved him from the most boring conversation ever, but his look of relief is thank you enough.
"It's just that now that the play is over, I was wondering what are your next plans? If you have another play in mind or..."
He cuts her off. "You know you're always my first choice Johanson," he says, referring to her as if she was actually Scarlett Johanson as Black Widow. "But for now, I intend to take some time off to go to Arizona and visit my daughter, " he pauses and looks into her eyes. " You know you've always reminded me of her. Not for the looks, obviously. She reminds me of Etta James, especially with that voice." He says with a glint in his eyes. " But you're both fierce and kind. And both of you know how to not let men mess with you. "
Donna laughs at his remark and thanks him anyway.
"Well, Morgan." She knows it's not his real name, but refers to him as if he was actually Morgan Freeman. " I hope you have a nice trip and when you come back, give me a call so we can grab a burrito."
He laughs at her reference and the mention of the burrito. An incident about said food in the back of his mind.
"Sure! I'll give you a call, but I'm avoiding burritos for at least another year or two."
"I bet you are." She gives him a daughterly hug and they say their goodbyes.
She sighs and goes to her table. Being unemployed sucked, especially when one does not have many prospects.
Sitting down she looks at Dorothy and Alex beaming over each other looking at her phone. The redhead had totally forgotten about the stupid app.
"What did I miss?" She says in a loud voice, startling them both because they hadn't seen her coming.
"Nothing!" They say in unison with guilty looks on their eyes.
"What did you guys do?" She stares at Alex's green eyes and then at Dorothy's blue ones.
"Nothing! It's just that... Ouch!" Donna sees Alex's elbow hit Dorothy on the ribs, shutting her up. Alex sighs and looks at Donna raising his hands in mock surrender.
"OK! We may or may not have given your phone number to some of the guys!"
"YOU DID WHAT?"
"Relax!" Dorothy begins. "Alex chose only the cute ones and if you don't want to talk to them, all you have to do is ignore them"
Donna shoots them a deadly look, taking her phone back.
"Enough both of you! Jeez! I leave for one second and you kids start making a mess!"
"Sorry, mom," Alex says but after looking at Donna's hazel eyes, he corrects himself. "I mean Doooon."
And at that, they all laugh at his attempt to imitate Chandler Bing's tone of voice.
The night drags out for at least another hour before Donna has a chance to grab her coat getting ready to finishing their beers and paying their bills, they say their goodbyes. Promising to keep in touch.
Donna hails a cab and gives her address to the driver. Checking her phone, she sees her battery had died and decides it's for the best, not wanting to deal with the men her friends had given her number to.
Harvey was dreading that afternoon. He loved his brother very much, but he knew he was going to bring their mother into the conversation and he just did not want to hear about her. They hadn't talked for many years already, since the fallout of her marriage with their father. Albeit not being his fault, he still felt guilty.
Looking to the side, through the almost crowded restaurant close to the DA's office, he sees a big figure looking around. Although being the younger brother, Marcus was a sturdy guy and slightly taller than Harvey. Raising one hand, the older Specter calls the attention of his brother from the back table of the restaurant.
"Hey yo! Looser, how's life been treating you? For what I can see, it hasn't been kind." Marcus greets Harvey with a brotherly hug and a mischievous grin on his face.
"Hey, Lil' Bro! How's Katie and the baby?" Ignoring Marcus' first comment, they sit and keep making small talk until the waitress comes back with the menu and some bread. They order without even looking at the menu, already being familiar with the restaurant and its dishes.
"So, Marcus, we both know you did not want to see me just to talk about how perfect your married life has been. What do you want?" Asking with a glint in his eyes, Harvey knew his Brother wouldn't invite him for lunch just to chat.
"OK, never very keen to exchange pleasantries, right? In that case, Katie, Haley, and the baby are shopping right now. So I thought I could bring them over to your apartment and we can have dinner." Marcus looks at Harvey with a sheepish look that does not go unnoticed by the lawyer.
"Cut the bullshit, Marcus."
Sighing, the younger Specter gives in.
"Fine. I've been wanting to open a new restaurant for a while now and I need you to look over a few documents for me, but Katie and the kids can't keep shopping all day while we talk business..."
"Why didn't you bring them here?"
Before answering, a new waitress comes over with their order. Besides the steak looking amazing, Harvey did not have much appetite anymore.
"Because they said they were already having lunch. I spent the whole day looking at new places to rent in NY." He says with a full mouth which makes Harvey reach for the wine.
"Fine. What time are you guys coming over?"
"I was thinking around six?"
"You're lucky it's Saturday, otherwise your sorry ass would have to wait a week."
"Why do you think I called you yesterday, big bro?"
...
Around six, Harvey received a call from the reception of his condo about some visitors. He approved their entrance, and kept on stirring the sauce. After his lunch with his brother, which fortunately did not involve a conversation about his mother, therefore contributing to his good mood, he went to a store to buy a new phone since his old one broke after he'd lost his temper with a difficult client. That only makes him chuckle now, remembering Big Bertha's face after seeing the phone hitting the wall. He hopes he can restore all his contacts and call the waitress who left him her number on the bill earlier that day.
Three knocks wake Harvey from his daydream. He goes to the door greeting Haley first who jumps onto his arms, almost knocking him out of balance.
"Uncle Harvey!"
"Oh my God! Haley! You're so big! Look how beautiful you've gotten! Soon your father will have to deal with boyfriends or girlfriends coming to the house."
Marcus and Katie roll their eyes at the same time.
"It's good to see you, Harvey. I can see you haven't left the bachelor's life."
"Don't worry, Katie. Once he finds the one, he'll trade this penthouse to a house with white fences."
Now Harvey is the one to roll his eyes. He kisses the sleepy baby's head, who is snuggled on Katie's chest.
Once they're settled on Harvey's kitchen island helping with dinner preparations, Haley comes to the kitchen holding a rectangular box.
"Uncle Harvey? Is this the new iPhone?"
"Haley, put it back where you found it!" Katie says in a warning tone.
"It's fine, Katie." Harvey squats to talk to Haley looking into her eyes. "Yes, it's the new iPhone. You wanna play with it?" Her eyes sparkle and she gives him a big Cheshire cat grin.
"Harvey, I don't know if that's a good idea..."
"It's fine, Marcus. Besides, I haven't had the chance to update it with my information yet. If she promises not to drop it I don't have a problem with it."
"I won't! I won't! I promise! Please, Daddy! Uncle Harvey says it's fine!"
"Fine! But if you drop it you'll be grounded for at least a month!"
Harvey just rolled his eyes at Katie and winks at Haley who turns around and walks very carefully back to the sofa in the living room."
When dinner is served, everybody finds themselves sitting in comfortable silence in the dining room. Haley is the first to break the silence clearing her throat and addressing her uncle with a fake mature tone of voice.
"So, Harvey. When do we expect to meet your girlfriend?"
At that, Katie and Marcus start laughing and Harvey almost chokes on a piece of shrimp. Still coughing, the young girl takes the opportunity to take a picture of her uncle, tearing with the effort to breathe.
"What's the problem with my bachelor life, for Christ's sake?" The older brother asks with an amused hoarse voice.
"Are you gay, uncle Harvey? If you are, we accept you, ok?" Haley asks shamelessly, making her uncle start looking concerned.
"She's right, big bro. You gotta find yourself a woman or you'll end up those old guys screaming 'Get out of my lawn' to every passing kid"
"Now that's not fair. First of all, I wouldn't have a lawn, since I live in a penthouse. Second of all, I'm just waiting for the right woman to show up." He looks nonchalantly at Haley.
"Don't worry, uncle Harvey. I'll help you out."
The truth was, Harvey wasn't looking for 'the one', nor looking for his brother's life. He was looking forward to moving to a law firm and having his name on a goddamn wall. A hook-up here and there to take the edge off and that's it. But the image of ending-up alone was dreadful. What was he more scared of? Being like his mother who cheated on his father for years and asked him to keep it a secret or not having a family as Marcus does?
The night dragged out with business talk and Haley was very quietly playing on Harvey's phone. Sometimes she would come up with some questions like if he preferred brunettes, blondes or redheads.
She only stopped coming up with questions when she asked Harvey if he had anything against republicans or democrats. Her parents made her stop being nosey and she went to mind her own business. Or so they thought.
It was around eleven when they left Harvey's condo to get a cab and go to their hotel. He asked them to stay, but the hotel was already paid. At least their discussion was productive. They decided to wait two more months before opening a restaurant in NY so they could get a better offer on the place they had their eyes on.
Harvey was pleased to see them doing so well, but Haley's questions brought a few daunting unresolved issues of his own.
He sighed, closing the front door and heading to take a shower, still thinking about his mother and what he really wanted in life.
After replying to a few emails on his laptop, Harvey remembered his new phone that he still had to set up his contacts and info on.
The first thing he noticed when lighting up the screen was that his email is already logged in and aside from one app he does not recognize, everything seems already in place.
"How the fuck can an eleven-year-old do these things?'' He inquired aloud, never being good with devices himself.
Curious to this new app, his finger touched it and he was met with a few pictures of women lined up on the left side of the screen.
He shook his head smiling to himself. Haley wasn't kidding when she said she would help him. His finger hovered above the arrow to close the app and uninstall it, but a flash of fiery hair called his attention. He opened the chat and saw her picture. Hot. Very hot. Apparently, he could have answered his niece's question. Redheads are indeed his favorite. Thinking about Ricky Garfield's mom he saw she sent him her phone number. He decided to save it under the name that could be read on top: Debby. He uninstalled the app then, no one else calling his attention anymore.
Turning off his phone he decided it was time to sleep. Tomorrow he'll think of something to say to this Debby girl.
A/N: Should I continue with this? Does it suck? I found out there's a movie called Swiped, but I'm not changing the name of this FF. I think it sounds better like this, even if it does not have anything to do with the movie. Just saying...