A/N: This was the toughest chapter yet, to write. I procrastinated...lots! Could not make decisions for the life of me, but I got there in the end.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your feedback & reviews. They inspire me every week. Please, please keep them coming, if you can.

Once again huge thanks to my support network, Blue for being my beta extraordinaire and a wonderful friend, but I also wanted to make a special shout out to my cheerleaders, who keep me going, when writers block hits - Mai, Aimee, Charline, Jen & Cassie. This chapter is for you, big hugs, ladies!

Stay safe - love to all.

Jo x

Battling Fate

Chapter 22

"Donna was wrong...when she told you that the kiss was all her... and that the way she felt about me was not reciprocated."

"What?" she choked.

Harvey tilted his head slightly and he looked intently into Paula's eyes. He didn't repeat what he'd said, though. He didn't need to. She'd heard him loud and clear, they both knew that. However, the shock of his words meant that she was failing to process their meaning.

She whipped her hands from his grasp and stepped back, as though she had been burned. As she stared back into his deep brown eyes, the words he'd just murmured to her, in that soft and gentle tone of his that always set her aflame, reverberated around her head.

Donna was wrong.

The kiss wasn't all her.

The way she felt … reciprocated.

Reciprocated!

Paula felt nauseous. Her heart was pounding. All her worst fears had been realised, and she stumbled further back away from the man that she desperately loved. Desperately wanted.

"Paula…" Harvey began, but she lifted a shaking hand to halt him.

"Tell me you just said that to hurt me," she gasped.

Harvey immediately frowned. A look of disbelief flashed across his face. "What?... of course not."

Paula began shaking her head as fresh tears began to fill her eyes. She looked up at him almost pleadingly. "Please tell me you just said that because you are angry with me for what I did. For going behind your back. Please, Harvey," she sobbed.

"Paula. Do you think I'd be that cruel? That's not who I am," he said a little more softly.

She nodded as the tears began to fall. She knew he wouldn't be that spiteful, but she was desperately trying to cling on to the hope that he hadn't meant what he'd said. Lashing out to hurt her was preferable to the notion that his words were spoken in truth.

"I'm sorry, Paula. I really am. I haven't been honest with you, because I haven't been honest with myself." He took a tentative step towards her. She'd wrapped her arms around herself as though to shield herself from his words, from the pain.

"Donna might have instigated it, but I did kiss her back. Deep down, I knew it. Even though I convinced myself that it wasn't the case. I should have told you about the kiss the night it happened, but I felt guilty. I was a mess, Jessica had been disbarred and then Donna—"

"Oh my god, was that the night that you first asked me to move in with you?" Paula asked, a look of horror on her face.

Harvey swallowed. He nodded and then winced when he saw realisation dawn on Paula's face.

Her hand lifted to her forehead as she started to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Harvey's sudden desire to move their relationship up a gear had been a surprise to her at the time, but not unwelcome. As much as she hadn't expected it, it had thrilled her. He had become more tender, more affectionate and she'd just lapped it up.

Normally, warning bells would have rung, especially after her last painful breakup. But she had been so smitten by him, that those usually reliant peeling alarm bells had been smothered and silenced by her desire. She'd been taken by his charm, revelled in his attentiveness and passion. She knew his past. She knew how he felt about infidelity, so she'd relied on a false assumption that she was in no danger of it happening again. That knowledge gave her the freedom to fall in love with him. All her conventional reasoning and cautiousness had been brushed aside, and as a result, she'd chosen to ignore the signs. Signs that she now realised, with a crushing blow, had been there all along, staring her in the face.

"I should have known," she huffed as she shook her head. "I mean, it's always been her, hasn't it?"

"That's not fair, Paula. I really wanted this to work. More than you know."

"Did you Harvey? Or were you just using me to fill a void?" she said bitterly. She knew that was uncalled for. Not that she didn't believe it to be true, in fact, she was certain of it. If she was honest with herself, she'd always suspected it deep down, but like all her other fears, she'd pushed it aside and ignored it. No, her comment was uncalled for, because whilst it might be true, Harvey hadn't been cognizant of it. He'd been oblivious to his true feelings, and she'd chosen to ignore that too.

Harvey shook his head and he looked at the ground. A difficult silence ensued.

His reluctance to answer her question told her everything she needed to know. Paula lifted her chin and she wiped the tears from her face. She wanted to argue, to lash out at him, but with a sinking feeling, she realised there would be no point. It was over. His heart belonged to someone else, and to fight that would just prolong her pain.

"I think I'll stay at my apartment tonight. I'll come back tomorrow and collect the rest of my things. I'm assuming you will be in the office then?"

Harvey cleared his throat. "Yes, I'm meeting Mike and Rachel. We need to sort out a defense strategy for Donna in case she's charged," he said quietly.

"Well I can tell you now, that she's already sought legal counsel," Paula announced.

"What?" Harvey questioned in surprise, his forehead furrowed.

"When I last saw her, I asked her what she would do if she was charged. She told me that she was going to ask Louis to represent her. I believe she planned on going to see him as soon as she left the FBI."

"She what?" Harvey's face turned to stone and his fists balled until his knuckles were white. His face went from pallor to crimson and he looked ready to start punching if Louis had been in front of him.

Paula's eyes scanned him as a realisation set in. Her mouth dropped open. She let out a huff as she shook her head. "Of course you'd be mad at that. Louis was good enough for me though, wasn't he?" she snapped, her eyes wide with indignation.

Harvey's shoulders dropped and he pursed his lips. "That was different, Paula. Yours was a business matter, this is a criminal case!"

Paula let out a humourless chuckle and she waved a hand to stop him saying anything more. "Don't worry about it, Harvey. It doesn't matter. Donna could have hired Robert Shapiro and Johnnie Cochran, and we both know that you'd still think they wouldn't be good enough for her. Like I said, it's always been different with her," she said with a shake of her head.

Harvey closed his eyes and he expelled a deep sigh before stepping forward and closing the distance between them. "I never meant to hurt you, Paula," he said with earnest.

Paula forced a smile on her face and she nodded at Harvey. "I know," she said, a tremor to her voice clearly audible.

Harvey lifted his hand, but let it drop again, and Paula sensed that he wasn't sure what he should say or do next. The awkwardness was palpable, and she felt herself flush, humiliation now starting to seep into her veins, resting alongside a profound sense of sorrow. She reached over and picked up her handbag and stepped around him.

"Paula!" Harvey called after her. She paused and looked back at him. "I am sorry," he said again.

Paula bit her lip and looked to the ceiling. She swallowed, debating whether she should say anything more, as the desire to escape grew ever stronger.

"Harvey, if I can just leave you with one piece of advice… don't be afraid to tell her how you feel," she choked out, before stepping away and leaving without another look back.

Louis marched through the offices of the New York State's Attorney's office. A man on a mission. Adrenaline pumped through his veins and his heart was thumping wildly. He was firing on all cylinders.

He'd not long concluded his meeting with Donna, and he had been satisfied that he was as prepared as he could be for whatever might be thrown at them. That was until just a few minutes after Donna had left his office, when he'd received an alarming phone call.

The news that had been relayed to him over the phone had caused the colour to drain from his face. Plan A was immediately tossed into the trash. It was on to Plan B. He rallied his spirits, focused his mind, and bellowed for Gretchen, barking out his orders to her before grabbing his coat and making a swift exit.

As he exited the elevator and rounded the corner, the office he wanted was now in plain sight at the end of the corridor, he whipped out his phone, ignoring the many missed calls from Harvey, Mike, and Samantha, and dialled his secretary.

"Is it done, Gretchen?" he whispered into the phone.

"The troops are rallied. They're not happy though. Harvey, in particular. It took everything I had to convince him to stay put and wait for you. He wants to know what the hell you are planning."

"You didn't tell him where I was, did you? I can't have him railroading me."

"What do you take me for? This is not my first rodeo, Louis."

"What you do in your spare time with ropes and bareback horses is none of my concern, Gretchen. Anyway, I'm here now. I have to go," he said, switching his phone off and placing it in his coat pocket. He took a deep breath and tapped on the office door, before opening it.

The woman behind the desk looked up and frowned, before a smug smile crept across her face.

"Louis Litt. I wondered how long it would take for you to pay me a visit."

"Anita Gibbs. I'd say that it's a pleasure to see you again, but we both know that's bullshit!"

Harvey had been pacing up and down for what felt like several hours now.

As soon as Paula had left, and he'd heard the soft click of his front door shutting, he'd grabbed his phone and dialed Donna's number. The call went straight to voicemail. Harvey pinched the bridge of his nose, and tried Louis instead. With any luck, she was still with him, the sting of that notion still keenly felt. Louis's phone rang out and also went to voicemail. Harvey let out an exasperated groan and was tempted to throw his phone against the wall, but then it began ringing.

He looked down and saw Gretchen's caller ID.

"Gretchen," he almost shouted. "Is he there in the office? Is Donna there? I need to speak to them."

"Simmer down, Harvey. He's asked me to call you. Louis isn't here at the moment—"

"Is Donna there?"

"She was, but she's not anymore—"

"Where the hell are they?" he bellowed.

"If you stop interrupting me for one damn second, and let me speak, I might be able to answer you… Donna left just over an hour ago. I believe she was going to meet up with her mom and visit her dad. Louis is at a meeting, but he needs to speak to you. Are you at home?"

"I am, but I need to see Donna—"

"Well, I'm afraid that's gonna have to wait. Louis has asked that you stay there and he'll come see you as soon as his meeting is over. I've called Mike and asked him to meet you there too."

"What's happened, Gretchen?" Harvey grabbed the kitchen countertop and closed his eyes, his anxiety levels peaking once again.

"Honestly, I'm not sure. All I can tell you is that he had a phone call from the FBI, he ordered me to call you and Mike, and then he left here quicker than you could say 'lickety split'."

Harvey's head dropped and he gritted his teeth, trying to keep his frustration in check. "He didn't say anything else? Gave no indication where he was going?"

"No. I did ask, because I knew you would ask me, but he just replied with 'someone's about to get 'Litt Up'."

"Jesus H Christ. This is all I need. Goddamn it, Gretchen. This is Donna's life we are talking about here."

"You think I don't know that? Harvey, you need to have a little faith in him. Louis is a kick-ass lawyer and we both know he'd do anything for Red. Just hang tight. He'll be there soon to explain everything, I promise."

"He'd better be, Gretchen."

With that, Harvey hung up. He threw his phone down onto the couch and lifted his palms to his eyes and took a deep breath. The feelings of uneasiness he'd had earlier were back in full force. His skin prickled again, and his stomach was in knots. The letters Paula had given him were burning a hole in his pocket. He knew he needed to open them and read their contents but he already suspected what they might be, and he just wasn't ready.

He wanted to see Donna, but he was still angry. Angry and hurt that she'd colluded with Paula, and put herself in this shitty situation, especially when he'd been so close to resolving it. However, those weren't the only feelings that coursed through his body, as a result of what she'd done. Alongside his anger was something else that he couldn't properly name or place, something that he wouldn't have been able to describe if he was asked.

He heard a loud knock at his door and strode down his hallway to answer it. Pulling the door open, he was faced with an equally weary looking Mike and Rachel.

"I understand our meeting tomorrow morning has been brought forward to this afternoon instead," Mike said with a wry grin.

Harvey smirked. "Apparently so. Come on in, I'll pour us a drink, while we wait for his highness."

They followed him into the living room, as Harvey walked up to his drinks cabinet and proceeded to pour their drinks.

Mike cleared his throat. "Harvey… I take it, you haven't heard."

Harvey halted his movements and he immediately tensed at the tone of Mike's voice as well as his words. He spun around and looked between his two friends with a frown. "Heard what?" he asked.

"They've arrested Roman."

Harvey's eyes widened and a look of relief flashed across his features. "They have? When?"

"Earlier this afternoon by all accounts. He was picked up pretty quickly after Mathison's body was found. I don't think he'd even tried to go to ground."

Harvey scoffed. "Of course not. He's an arrogant bastard who thought he was untouchable. God, I wish I could have been there to see the smug look wiped off his face when they read the charges out to him."

Harvey reached out to pass their tumbler glasses to them, but faltered when he saw them exchange a worried look. "What?" he said. "Fuck, what now? What's happened?"

Rachel took her glass from him and swallowed heavily. "We don't know whether Roman was tipped off, or whether he just got one of his minions to do it but…Harvey, he's released the video footage from the Beaufort club," she said nervously, as though wary of Harvey's reaction.

Harvey paled. His stomach dropped, and he felt the bile rise up in his throat. "No," he whispered.

Mike shook his head. "Apparently, he released it onto social media and sent it to a local cable network. It's too graphic not to be taken down quickly, but it's out there Harvey, and it doesn't stop the network showing a censored version."

Harvey closed his eyes and he clenched his jaw. He felt his muscles coil and tighten, the rage and frustration bubbling up inside him and before he knew it, he let the anger and despair just take him. "Son of a bitch!" He launched his half-full whiskey glass at the wall above the fireplace, the glass shattering on impact.

Rachel gasped and Mike looked on in horror as Harvey stood there, panting, the despair rolling off of him in waves.

"I had him, Mike. I had a way to stop that bastard from ever thinking about releasing that footage. I fucking had him," Harvey said, his voice course.

"You still have him. The video might be out there, but the fact that Donna confessed already means—"

"...shit! It means shit, Mike. If the media spin it the wrong way, and they infer it was premeditated, it increases the chance of her being prosecuted," Harvey interrupted.

"The FBI won't be swayed by the media, Harvey," Rachel said, trying to reassure an obviously spiralling Harvey.

"Don't be so naive. All it takes is the wrong prosecutor with a chip on their shoulder and a point to prove and Donna is staring at second-degree murder!"

"You mean a federal prosecutor like Anita Gibbs?" Louis's voice rang through the room, and the three of them turned to see the man himself standing by the kitchen counter.

"You are shitting me!" Harvey groaned. "What the fuck, Louis. Anita Gibbs? Please tell me you are making a sick joke."

"I'm not… but I have it in hand. I promise. She's not going to prosecute."

Harvey shook his head, a mixture of confusion and disbelief fuzzing his brain. "What?"

"I've just come from her office. She had taken the case, but she agreed not to take the matter any further. It's sorted Harvey, and I think I have a fix for the media issue too."

Harvey eyed Louis in bewilderment, then he frowned. "How the fuck did you get in here?"

"The way all of us get in here," he scoffed, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Now pour me a drink, sit your asses down, and let me tell you what happened and what I think we need to do next!"

The sun was dipping low beyond the horizon, and Donna gazed out of the window watching the last remnants of daylight disappear.

She had been listening to her mother chatter away for about an hour. Well, it was less chatter and more incessantly fretting over her. Clara had understandably been horrified at the circumstances that both her ex-husband and her daughter had found themselves in. She'd made it abundantly clear that she was less than happy that she'd been kept out of the loop for so long, regardless of the fact that she had been thousands of miles away at the time and powerless to do anything to help.

They'd both visited Jim together at the hospital, and had been relieved to hear that it looked likely he would be discharged the next day. Clara had already made plans to stay with Jim while he convalesced at home. He'd protested of course, but Donna didn't fail to note the sparkle in his eyes when Clara had insisted, stating emphatically on more than one occasion that she wouldn't take no for an answer. Jim had done a poor job over the years of hiding how much he was still in love with her mother, and Donna was in no doubt that he was secretly thrilled that she would be staying with him for a while.

That would be tomorrow though. Right now, Clara was focussing all her energy on her daughter. She was playing the role of good cop, bad cop all by herself, continually switching between berating Donna and then fussing over her. Donna had done her best to appease her mother's worries. She'd assured, comforted, promised, smiled. She'd even attempted to make light of everything with a few jokes. However, truth be told, she wasn't on her 'A' game. Her heart wasn't in it. She was exhausted and weary, and so for the last ten minutes or so, she'd taken to just gazing out of the window of the cosy little cafe they were situated in, allowing her mother's words to almost wash over her.

She suddenly became aware that Clara had stopped talking. Donna turned away from the window and looked back at her mother almost apologetically.

Clara had tilted her head and was studying her daughter intently. Donna felt the weight of her mother's stare, the scrutiny making her squirm a little in her seat. She smiled and gave a little shake of her head, as though to acknowledge that she hadn't really been listening.

Clara sighed heavily and she reached out and rested her hand on Donna's arm. "Talk to me, Donna," she said softly.

Donna took a deep breath and plastered another smile on her face. "I've told you all that there is to say."

Clare quirked an eyebrow, and she dipped her head slightly in order to hold her daughter's eye contact. She didn't possess Donna's empathetic skills, but she knew her daughter well enough to know that something unspoken was troubling her.

"Mom!" Donna huffed.

"You're bottling it all up. You're distressed—"

"Well, of course I'm distressed. Were you not listening when I told you everything that's happened over the last few days? Did you forget the part about me being kidnapped and drugged or the fact that there is a possibility I might be charged with murder?" she snapped, instantly aware of a few startled glances that were thrown their way from some of the other customers.

"Donna!" her mother scolded, as she looked nervously about her.

Donna huffed, and she leant back in her chair. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap. I'm just really, really tired. I should be heading back, really. I've already left it too long to call Rachel. She must be worried sick."

"You're deflecting again," her mother said with a sigh.

"For God's sake Mom, what do you want from me?"

"I want to know why you are running away?"

Donna wrenched her arm out from her mother's grasp. "What? I'm not running away. I confessed. I'm ready to face the music."

"I'm not talking about the shooting. I'm not talking about the kidnapping, the Karimov's or Samuel, Donna! I'm talking about Harvey!"

Donna flinched. She recoiled further from her mother as though she'd been slapped by her words. "What's that supposed to mean?" she whispered.

Clara took a steadying breath and leant forward towards her daughter once more. "You're in love with him." Donna opened her mouth to protest, but her mother lifted a hand in warning. "Don't insult my intelligence by denying it, Donna. We both know it's been true for a very long time. You're in love with him and you are shutting him out. Going to Louis, resigning your job, your plan to leave New York? You are running away from your feelings."

Donna looked away and pinched her lips as she tried to stay calm and composed. "He has a girlfriend, Mom. They live together. He's in a serious and committed relationship and I don't want to stand on the sidelines anymore, and watch him love someone else." Her voice cracked on those last few words.

"Oh, Donna," Clara squeezed her daughter's hand. "Have you told him?" she asked tentatively.

"What?"

"Have you told him how you feel?" her mother pressed.

"No. I kissed him, and he wasn't too happy about it. Our friendship was fatally wounded as a result," Donna murmured as she continued to gaze out of the window, desperately trying to keep her emotions in check.

"Kissing him, is not the same as telling him you are in love with him."

"Yes, well, I'm not going there, Mom. He was so angry. He made it quite clear that it was the last thing he wanted, and he made me promise not to do it again."

"Hmm. Well, actions speak louder than words, Donna. The lengths he went to, was prepared to go to for you… let's just say those aren't the actions of someone who just cares for you, and nothing more—"

"It's called 'guilt' Mom. Harvey was the target and I was the bait—"

"There...that's what I'm talking about. You're running away from your feelings, from any possibility of some happiness, because we both know that's nonsense. He was going to throw everything away for you, Donna. His career, his freedom...everything. You're hiding from the truth, and do you know what I think? I think you're afraid. I think you're afraid he loves you as much as you love him, and even though it's something you've longed for, for too long now, the thought of him loving you like that, scares you to death."

Donna stared at her mother open-mouthed. She was visibly shaking. She stood from the table and grabbed her bag and coat. "You have no idea what you are talking about, Mom, and I am done with this conversation. I need to go." She buttoned up her coat, her bottom lip trembling. "Call me tomorrow and let me know Dad is home safely, okay?" she added with an attempt at a half-smile, not wanting to leave her mother on a sour note.

Her mother looked disappointed but resigned and she nodded at her daughter's request. Donna made to leave but her mother grabbed her arm and halted her movements.

"Donna...I'm worried sick about these potential charges you could be facing. Please let me know as soon as you hear anything," she said, her voice thick with emotion.

Donna immediately softened at her mother's words and worried expression. "I'm sure it will be okay, Mom. Louis is one of the best," she said, as much to allay her own fears as well as her mother's.

"Promise me something, Donna," her mother said, her tone serious.

"What?"

"Promise me you won't shut everyone out. You've always been there for others when they need you, but you have a habit of closing yourself off, when you are the one in need. Asking for, and accepting help is not a weakness, Donna. It's a strength. Let them be there for you. Let them in."

Clara's eyes pleaded with her to heed her advice and Donna swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. She knew the truth to her mother's words. She'd always found it easier to build a wall around herself when it came to her own troubles, to hide her fears from those she loved the most.

She nodded and leant down, kissing her mom on the cheek. "I love you, Mom," she whispered.

"I love you too, sweetheart."

All four of them were now sitting in the living room, a drink in hand.

Louis was frowning as he eyed the fireplace. "Is that whiskey dripping down your wall, Harvey?"

"Yes, it's a new feature I've installed. Now, do you wanna tell us what the fuck happened with Anita Gibbs, or carry on discussing my decor?"

"Point taken," Louis mumbled with a nod. "Okay, so, I heard about Roman's arrest and the video footage being released, from Agent Gutierrez. He also called me to tell me that Anita Gibbs had been assigned the case, and she was asking a lot of questions. He suspected that now that the footage was out there, she would use it to build a case against Donna."

"Of course she would," Harvey said with a scowl.

"So I hightailed it over to her office to speak to her." Louis took a gulp of his drink, seemingly enjoying the rapturous attention he was getting from the room.

Harvey cocked his head to the side and lifted his eyebrows. "And?"

"She basically told me that she wasn't satisfied with the version of events that Donna had given, she highly suspected that it wasn't a simple case of self-defense, and as federal prosecutor, she intended to press charges for second-degree murder."

Harvey pursed his lips and gripped his glass a little tighter. Louis picked up on his aggression, and hastily continued.

"I then pointed out to her, that going after Donna would be very foolish. My client had been kidnapped by an organised criminal gang at the behest of a high profile, convicted felon. She'd been physically assaulted and had her life threatened on more than one occasion. I reminded her that this gang was not only responsible for a string of serious federal offenses, but they had been on the FBI's most-wanted list for over two years. I then told her that it was a good thing that the video had been leaked to the media. It showed the physical state Donna was in, it showed Samuel murdering two men in cold blood, and it also clearly showed him turning the gun on the three of you. I then informed Miss Gibbs that the network that had obtained the video had requested an interview with Donna. They wanted an exclusive on her side of the story. 'Brave kidnap victim triumphs over vicious criminal overlord.'" Louis flurried with his hands as though the words were written on a billboard.

Harvey almost spat his whiskey out at that, and he flushed red. "What the fu—"

"Wait, Harvey. I'm not finished. I told her that Donna would be the people's hero. The beautiful COO that was kidnapped and tortured. She took on the bad guys and against all the odds she won. I asked Gibbs, if after all of that, if, against the advice of the FBI, and despite video evidence to the contrary, how would it then look, if a federal investigator even dared to suggest that what happened was anything but self-defense. The public would crucify her for attacking such a fucking goddamn hero!"

Mike shook his head, but he started smiling. "She backed down?" he asked in amazement.

"Yeah. I told her that Donna didn't want to do any interviews, that she was traumatized enough. But that we'd make it happen if Gibbs continued with this vindictive persecution, because after Mike's case, and the fact that it's common knowledge that she wanted to take Harvey down, that's exactly what it would look like."

"Oh my God, Louis," Rachel grinned. "What did she say?"

"She just smiled at me. She shook her head and she smiled at me. Then, she told me that I could consider the case closed. The bitch even asked me how Donna was doing as I made my way out."

Harvey closed his eyes and he let out a relieved sigh.

"Is that it now?" Rachel asked, her fingers pressed against her mouth as she felt her eyes start to water. "Is it really over?"

"There's still the video," Mike said. "We don't want that out there, for Donna's sake. Like you said, Louis. She's been traumatized enough without that horrible situation being aired on T.V. Even if it is censored."

"Well I think we can take care of that too," Louis said with a smile as he looked up at Harvey in particular. "I checked back with Gutierrez for the name of the cable network that Roman sent the video to. Guess who's the largest shareholder?"

"Who?" Rachel asked.

Louis grinned from ear to ear. "Only Tony fucking Giannopolous."

Harvey stared at Louis, and his lips started to curl into a smirk.

Louis nodded. "I'd say your client owes you a very big favour, don't you, Harvey? Karimov blackmailed you, threatened your life, and you still wouldn't sell Tony out. I think a quiet word, and that video will never see the light of day."

Harvey leant forward and placed his empty glass on the coffee table in front of him.

"Louis… I could kiss you," he said with a wide grin. His eyes then softened as he looked across at his old adversary. "Thank you, my friend."

Louis instantly teared up, and he swallowed multiple times as he nodded in response. "Anytime, Harvey. You know I would do anything to help you, and to help Donna."

"Where is Donna, Louis?" Harvey asked softly, his tone serious again.

Louis seemed to take a moment before answering, as though deciding whether he should say something.

"Louis?" Harvey said with a frown.

Louis crossed his hands in front of him. He was trembling. "Harvey. Donna told me that she was going to resign from the firm," he almost choked out.

Both Mike and Rachel gasped at the same time.

Harvey swallowed and nodded. "I know."

"You know?" Louis asked, shocked.

"She left two letters for me. I have them here in my pocket. I haven't opened them yet, but let's just say that I guessed what one of them would be," he said quietly.

"She can't leave, Harvey. Our firm would fall apart. I'd fall apart!" Louis cried.

"Where is she, Louis?" Harvey asked again, his tone more firm.

Louis sighed. "She knew there would be fallout from what she did. She didn't want to go home. She was worried about facing people—"

"Louis, I'm only going to ask you one more time. Where is she?"

Louis glanced at Mike and Rachel before looking back at Harvey and meeting his glare.

"She visited both her parents this afternoon. But then I offered for her to stay at my beach house in the Hamptons. That's where she'll be for the next few days. She wanted some time to herself. She's been through so much, Harvey."

"I know."

They all sat for a moment in relative silence as they finished their drinks. Then Mike stood and he reached his hand out to help Rachel from her seat.

"I think that's our cue to leave," he said.

Harvey and Louis both stood too, and Harvey stepped forward and embraced Mike with a heartfelt hug. "Thanks, Mike. For everything."

"Anytime, Batman. Hey, you do realise that we missed Thanksgiving through all of this. How about you guys all come and visit us in Seattle for Christmas?"

Louis and Harvey both agreed, and more hugs were exchanged between the four friends.

Harvey followed them to his front door and as the last goodbyes were spoken and Rachel and Louis called the elevator, Mike hung back. He grabbed Harvey into another embrace and as he pulled away he kept hold of his friend's arm.

"Go get her, Harvey," he said.

He stared at the letter of resignation in front of him. His eyes had been fixed on it for a few minutes now.

It was a completely formal letter. It could have been a template, it was that impersonal. Harvey knew why. It was the reason he was still clutching the other letter in his hand. The other envelope held the personal letter, and he still couldn't bring himself to open it.

He sighed heavily as he finally reached for his letter opener and sliced the envelope open. A single note was inside, Donna's elegant handwriting clearly visible.

He reached for his glass of water and chugged it down before resting back on his couch and lifting the note up to read. His breath hitched immediately as soon as his eyes fell on the first few words.

Dear Harvey,

I'm sorry.

I know those two words barely make up for everything that I've said and done, but please know that I mean them sincerely.

I know that you are angry. I understand that you might feel betrayed, but I want you to understand that I never lost faith in you. I have always trusted you, Harvey. I have less faith in the system, however, and I could not allow you to risk your freedom and your future on a lie, even if you were trying to protect me. Thank you for that. Thank you for coming for me and for saving my life.

But now, you need to live yours. You have found someone that loves you very much. Please don't be angry with her. She did what I asked of her, and she did it to protect you. Forgive her, and be happy, Harvey.

I want to thank you for taking a chance on me, in that bar, twelve years ago. These truly have been the best years of my life and I am so grateful to have been there to watch you grow into the man you are today, and to have been able, throughout that time, to call you my friend.

I wish things between us hadn't ended this way. I wish that after everything that we have been through, our friendship had survived, but sadly it wasn't to be.

I will miss you, and everyone working at the firm, more than I can say.

Take care, Harvey.

All my love,

Donna

Harvey dropped the letter to his side, his insides were burning. He realised as he stared out of his window at the New York skyline, that his face was wet with tears.

He'd done this. He'd caused this. Donna may have kissed him, but he was the one that tore them apart. She'd been brave, and he'd been the coward.

He was so sick of being angry, and he was so sick of being afraid.

He stood up from the couch, his legs shaky and he pulled his phone from his pocket, pressing his speed dial.

"Ray. I know it's getting late but...thanks. I'll see you in ten minutes."

Donna dropped her bag by her feet and looked out of the huge bi-fold doors of Louis's beach house. She couldn't see too far, darkness having fallen and with the sky full of clouds, there was little moonlight to illuminate the view.

She could hear the waves crashing on the shore though, and she immediately unlocked the folding glass doors and pulled them back so that she could breathe in the sea air.

She stepped out onto the patio. There was a biting cold wind, but it was refreshing. She wrapped her cardigan tightly around herself, to try to keep warm, not ready to go back inside just yet.

She felt numb.

She had just heard from Louis that she was in the clear, but she was struggling to register that her ordeal was finally over. Her mind had been filled with so many chaotic thoughts for what had felt like forever, that she was finding it impossible to switch off her fears and worries. She should feel elated, relieved. But instead, she felt empty.

She'd regained her freedom, but all she could focus on was everything that she had lost.

Donna looked back at the beach house that was to be her home for the next few days. It was beautiful. Extravagant, with a colonial feel. Typical Louis, she smiled to herself. The house was so still, so silent that she suddenly felt suffocated by it. As cold as she was, she didn't want to go back in there and sit on her own, in the quiet. There would be time for that later. Time for her to sit in peace and reflect. Time for her to decide what the next stage of her life might be, what adventures might await her, once she was healed. For now, she needed to breathe. She needed the freedom that a walk along the beach offered, and she quickly stepped back inside to grab her coat.

She walked for about an hour, she wasn't sure of the distance. The other houses along the beachfront were predominantly in darkness, most of the owners back in the city after Thanksgiving weekend. The wind had dropped slightly, and with her warm coat and scarf wrapped around her, she no longer felt the cold.

It was getting late though and she'd already turned back, her aching muscles reminding her that she hadn't slept properly for many days and she really did need to try and rest. She decided that a bath and bed were calling to her.

As she neared Louis's house, her legs now heavy from trudging in the softer sand that led up to his decking, she faltered slightly when she thought she saw someone standing on the open patio. She squinted her eyes, and sure enough, a figure of a man stood in the darkness.

Donna froze. Fear licking her insides as she felt the impulse to bolt. Roman had been arrested, Louis had assured her. Maybe it was one of his men. She took a shaky step back, but then the man stepped forward, and despite the clouded sky, there was enough moonlight for her to make out his face. Her breath hitched, and she began shaking her head, a sob escaping her throat.

Harvey.

He climbed down the steps of the decking and began walking towards her.

Donna continued to shake her head, tears already falling down her cheeks as she retreated further from him.

"Donna?" he said, his velvety voice cutting through the darkness, but also stabbing her in the heart. She couldn't do this. She couldn't face him. She didn't have the strength anymore. Instinct kicking in, she promptly turned on her heel and with another desperate sob, she began to run.

Run away.

Away from him.

Away from pain.

She cursed the sand that impeded her speed as she tried to increase the distance between herself and the man that had owned but broken her heart. It was futile though, as she felt his presence behind her, his own heavier footsteps gaining on her, as he continued to shout her name.

Then, he caught her. His strong arms wrapped about her as he spun her around. Her arms flailed helplessly in his grasp, as she weakly tried to pummel his chest with what little strength she had left. They both sunk to their knees in the sand. He was still calling her name, but he wasn't shouting anymore. His voice was gentle and she felt his breath on her face, as he kept hold of her. She surrendered to him, then, collapsing into his embrace, all fight drained from her. She looked up at him, her eyes telling him all he needed to know.

He kissed her.

It was soft and gentle at first, and then with a growing intensity that seemed to restore her energy and her strength. It was as though he was breathing life back into her. He held her tightly to him with one arm, as his other hand weaved into her hair to cradle the back of her neck.

Their lips parted, but she clung to him as they stared into each other's eyes for a moment, both of them panting. He tilted his head slightly as he drew his hand from her neck to her cheek, and he brushed the tears from her face.

His eyes searched hers, and he dipped his head to kiss her gently once more. His tongue gently teased her bottom lip, coaxing her mouth open and her breath quickened as he deepened the kiss. Her heart was thumping so loudly in her chest, she was sure he would feel it in the vibrations of their kiss. Her previously limp arms now weaved their way around his neck as she pulled him even closer. Harvey groaned as their tongues did battle, the kiss becoming more passionate by the second, only stopping when they were both gasping for air.

They rested their foreheads together as Harvey dropped his hand from Donna's face, and grasped her hand instead, intertwining their fingers. He then pulled back slightly as he gazed intently into her eyes.

"I love you, Donna," he whispered.