On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

A long awaited confession and an apology.

The next morning, Donna arrives at the office extra early and finishes up the final items on her to-do list so that she can catch the 5:45pm flight she had booked to her mom's. They planned on closing the office up at noon and she wanted to make sure she was out right on time so that she had enough time to finish packing.

There's no sign of Harvey when she arrives in the office, which isn't unusual seeing as most of the associates aren't even in yet. Donna impatiently sits at her desk, rearranging the colours in her calendar while she waits for him to come in.

When 9am rolls around and she still hasn't seen Harvey, she begins to wonder if he regrets what happened at the party and wonders if maybe he's avoiding coming into the office and facing her.

She enters his office and tidies up his desk, looking for a way to keep herself busy. Mike stops by looking for Harvey, and tells Donna that Jessica wants to see them all in her office before they leave for the day.

Donna tells herself not to overthink anything just yet. Giving Harvey countless chances had always been one of her most fatal flaws, but this time, she was certain things would be different. She isn't sure how she knows, but her Donna instincts are telling her to give him time. He was just running late, he wasn't running from the possibility of them.

Tidying up her desk, Donna heads to Jessica's office where she finds Mike and Rachel hovering around an unopened bottle of champagne.

"I thought we could toast to a successful year," Jessica grins as she gestures for Donna to come in.

"Where's Harvey?" Jessica adds.

"I haven't seen him come in yet," Donna replies. Rachel tosses a concerned look in Donna's direction but Donna shrugs her off.

"I'm sure he just had too much to drink last night and is running late. You know Harvey," Mike pipes up.

"Where's Louis?" Donna asks.

"He's on his way, he just had to finish something up with a client," Jessica tells her, "We'll wait for him. You two did a lovely job last night."

"You did," Rachel adds, "it was stunning."

"We had a few hiccups but overall I think it was pretty successful."

"I knew I could count on you to keep everything in order," Jessica smiles at Donna. Moving to open the bottle, Jessica gestures for Donna to lean towards her and whispers, "I'm not sure if Harvey conveyed the message but thank you for the gift, they're lovely."

"How did you know it was me?"

"Please, that man has struggled with giving gifts for as long as I've known him," Jessica chuckles. "We both know he'd be lost without you."

Jessica turns her attention back to the bottle that she's attempting to open, leaving Donna to think about what she's just said.

Would Harvey be lost without her? If you'd asked her five years ago, she would have agreed that he would be, but they'd come so far in the past decade, she sometimes wondered if he no longer needed her the way he used to. He once told her he didn't want to find out what type of lawyer he'd be without her, but he'd become such a well established lawyer that she felt that statement no longer applied. He most certainly could be him without her. She just hoped he wouldn't want to be.

"You never called me last night," Rachel says to Donna. "Did you watch?"

"I'm so sorry Rach, I was at the venue late and it completely slipped my mind."

"It was sooo good. Did it slipping your mind have anything to do with that dance between you and Harvey?"

"Oh I- You saw that huh?"

"You two looked cozy," Rachel smirks, "Is there something you're not telling me? Is something happening between you two?"

Flustered, Donna looks down at her palms, intertwining her thumbs so she can fiddle with them. She wanted to tell Rachel, but she wasn't sure what to tell her because she herself had no idea what was going on between them.

"I…" she stammers, "I'm not sure."

Rachel hooks her arm through Donna's elbow and pulls her aside from Mike and Jessica, who are engrossed in their own conversation.

"Oh?" Rachel cocks her head. She was so used to Donna telling her that nothing was going on between her and Harvey, that the sudden admission that Donna was unsure of what was happening between the two of them catches Rachel completely off guard.

"He kissed me, beneath the mistletoe in the lobby," Donna whispers.

"Excuse me?!" Rachel squeals loud enough that both Mike and Jessica turn their heads. Rachel waves them off and stares wide-eyed at Donna. "When?"

"A few days ago."

"Days?!"

"I didn't want to make a big deal about it because I wasn't sure what it meant."

"And now?"

"I'm still not sure. He told me last night he wanted to do it again."

"Donna!" Rachel excitedly squeezes her arm, "this is huge!"

"Is it? He hasn't come in today… what if…"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence," Rachel cuts her off. "He would be crazy not to want to be with you. That is what you want, isn't it?"

"Yes," Donna admits. "No, I don't know, maybe. I think it's what I want but I'm not sure it's what he wants."

"My god you two are just like Mr. Shawn and Michelle. You're both so crazy about each other that you're afraid to take the risks required to make it work. He's crazy about you, you're crazy about him, what more is there?"

"We have a history. What if things don't work out?"

"What if they do?" Rachel beams.

"What if he doesn't want the same thing?"

"Was he not the one who kissed you and then told you he wanted to do it again?"

"Mr. Shawn always kisses Michelle but he's not ready for a relationship," Donna points out.

"That's fiction Donna! This is real life, it's different!"

"How?"

"You two are so infuriating. When has Harvey ever been so forward about what he wants?"

"He hasn't even bothered coming in today so we can talk about it. He could have changed his mind."

"So you be the one to bring it up! Donna you go after everything you want in life, you're the boldest person I know, what's preventing you from going after this?"

"I'm afraid."

"What's the worst thing that can happen? If he doesn't want the same things, it's his loss."

"I still work for him, Rach."

"You can find another job."

"You're being ridiculous," Donna replies.

"I just want to see you happy."

"What's meant to happen, will happen. I need to talk to Harvey first."

"Well now's your chance because here he comes," Rachel says, gesturing to the hall where Harvey is marching towards Jessica's office.

Harvey strides towards Jessica's office with a purpose and pushes through the door, panting. He looks as if he hasn't slept in days, his hair is matted against his forehead and his tie is sloppily tied and hanging to the right.

He bursts into the office with a huff and awkwardly looks around at everyone who had turned and stared at his dramatic entrance.

"Donna, can I talk to you in the hall?" he finally manages to say, all the eyes in the room still glued to him.

"Um, sure?" she responds. She eyes him curiously but does as he asks and moves into the hall outside of Jessica's office. Donna ignores the look Rachel tosses her direction and waits for Harvey to catch up with her. When he does, he reaches out and stops her with his palm, and then leans forward to catch his breath.

Everyone in the office exchanges quizzical glances and watches as Harvey and Donna stand a few feet apart and Harvey begins speaking. Jessica asks Mike a question to distract from the scene that's begun to unfold with Harvey's abrupt entrance, but the three of them keep an eye on the couple while they pretend to be ignoring them.

"Is everything alright?" Donna asks. She'd never seen him show up to work looking so rough and the chaotic energy he's emanating concerns her.

"I went home and I finished watching," he begins to explain.

"Finished watching what?" she asks, confused.

"That show," he sighs.

"I know we need to talk about us and that this stupid show is irrelevant but, I need to know how it ends," he whines. "I need to know when she finally smartens up and tells her boss she's in love with him."

"You think she's in love with him?"

"Please, it's so obvious. Tell me that she tells him in the next season? I don't think I can keep watching the two of them run in circles pretending they can't see what's right in front of their stupid faces."

He huffs out a breath and looks up to find he's standing inches from Donna's chest. He hadn't realized how close they were, but suddenly he can see the details in the browns of her eyes and he gulps.

"You're right," she nearly whispers. "It's right in front of their stupid faces."

Donna steps towards him and places her palm on his chest. Drawing in a deep breath, she leans forward and allows herself to enter his space. Their eyes lock, a knowing glance is exchanged, the charged energy in the room now only existing in the minimal space between their bodies.

He exhales, tilts his head and gives in to her touch. With one palm on his shoulder, she looks him in the eye and smiles softly. "Harvey, I-"

He swallows her words, his lips coming into contact with hers with such force that she gasps. It's explorative at first, Harvey's lips gently grazing against Donna's as if he wants to taste every square inch of her lips. As soon as she begins to kiss him back, all sense of self control he thought he had gets thrown out the window and his tongue presses into her mouth as he desperately deepens the kiss.

Her hands fall into place in his hair and the kiss feels like falling and coming home all at the same time. One hand on her waist rugs her closer as he pushes her lips open with his tongue and continues to ravish the inside of her mouth. It's becoming far from office appropriate (if any kiss is office appropriate) but she just can't bring herself to pull away. She's high on the taste of him.

"Harvey," she finally manages to whisper when they part for air. "Everyone's probably staring."

"I don't care," he whispers, leaning down to brush his lips against hers.

This time, they're both aware they have an audience and abruptly end their kiss. Harvey rests his forehead against Donna's and sighs.

"Let's finish this conversation later?"

"Please," she whispers.

Louis mumbles to himself as he strolls down the firm hallway towards Jessica's office. He pauses a few feet outside, eyes growing wide at the sight of Harvey with his arms wrapped around a woman and he bursts into Jessica's office.

"Did I miss something or has Harvey always gone around making out with women in the hallways?" he angrily yells.

He turns back towards the glass windows where Harvey is just barely visible to those inside the office, his hand wrapped firmly around the waist of a woman, while the other was tangled in her red hair. Red.

"Holy shit! Is that Donna?!"

"Louis," Jessica warns.

"I need a day," he mutters to himself. He sits down on the sofa and places his palm to his forehead.

"It's Donna," Mike snickers.

"We're all adults, now let's behave like adults," Jessica warns the group. Now, who owes me money?"

Harvey and Donna take a moment to catch their breath, Donna re-adjusts her hair and follows Harvey into Jessica's office as if nothing had just happened.

"Everything alright?" Jessica asks Harvey.

"Yup, just had to talk to Donna about a business thing."

"Yeah, that looked like business," Mike snickers.

"Mike!" Rachel swats his arm.

"What?! This office has glass walls."

"I think we were about to toast," Jessica says, effectively cutting Mike off. She hands both Harvey and Donna a glass, a queasy looking Louis stands to join them and the six of them toast to one hell of a goddamn year at the firm.

Once the toast is over, everyone begins to mingle and Rachel watches as Harvey slips his palm into Donna's and squeezes her hand before leaving her to talk to Jessica. Donna catches Rachel's eye and silently promises she'll fill her in on everything later.

Mike finds Donna and smirks as he approaches her, "Donna."

"Mike."

"So, Harvey huh? You can do better," he teases, playfully nudging her elbow. "I'm happy for you Donna," he whispers as he pulls her in for a hug.

"Thanks Mike."

Mike moves on to find (and tease) Harvey, and Rachel replaces him at Donna's side. Before Rachel has a chance to ask, Donna says, "I promise I'll call you later and fill you in."

"You better! We're about to head out but I expect a full report. Have a safe trip," Rache hugs Donna. She and Mike wish everyone a happy holiday and are the first to leave for the day, followed shortly after by Louis who mumbles something about needing the rest of the day to process everything.

Harvey comes up behind Donna, who is staring out Jessica's office window at the skyline and whispers, "Think we could continue our earlier conversation in my office?"

She nods and turns to face him, finding him smiling at her with a massive grin. "We're going to also head out," Harvey tells Jessica.

"I should as well, I've got a flight to catch. Happy Holidays," she smiles. Harvey takes Donna's hand and leads the way to his office. When Donna looks back, Jessica winks at her.

.

.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Chapter 11: A long awaited confession and an apology

Standing in the snow outside the office, Michelle is attempting to hail a cab so she can officially begin her holiday break when the crunch of the snow behind her announces the presence of Mr. Shawn.

"You're leaving?"

"I was attempting to," she admits.

"You didn't say goodbye?"

"I thought it might be easier if I didn't."

"You know that's not the case," he sighs. He stuffs his hands in his pockets and kicks at the snow that's beginning to stack on the ground.

"Why are you out here? Don't you have work you should be doing?" she snaps.

"I needed to talk to you."

"Why?"

"Don't go."

"I'm going to my parents for Christmas."

"Stay in the city, spend it with me and the girls."

"I can't. Besides, I should be with my family and you should be with yours. We aren't anything…"

"Michelle, I love you."

She turns to walk away but he calls after her, "Michelle!"

"I can't do this."

"Do what?"

"THIS!" she gestures between them. "I can't keep letting you rope me in like this. You can't tell me you love me because I know you're just going to take it back! And I want you to love me. I want to believe you, but I can't pretend that this time will be different."

"It is going to be different this time."

"Why?"

"Because," he draws in a breath and steps towards her, "I love you."

"That's not enough," she cries, a tear rolling down her cheek. She begins to walk away again but he reaches out and stops her, hand clutching at her wrist.

"I love you," he repeats. He steps towards her and forces her to turn and face him. "I know I've done things in the past to make it seem like I was ready when I wasn't, but that's not what's happening here. A year ago, when you walked into my life, I wasn't ready. I honestly thought I may never be ready but you… you've changed that. You make me laugh when it feels like I should be crying, you came into my life and turned it on it's side, and I have to admit, I like the way things look from this chaotic, upside down view. I'm not going to get down on one knee here, but I want to, someday. Michelle, I love you, my girls love you and we would really love it if you spent Christmas with us."

Michelle stares up at him with wide-eyes, processing everything he's just told her but it's a lot and she feels overwhelmed. She opens her mouth to speak but finds no words, instead, she cocks her head and grins as she steps towards him.

He watches as she moves, eyes trained on hers. She leans up on her toes and kisses him, both hands settling on the back of his head. He leans down and scoops her by the waist, deepening the kiss. When they finally part for air, she smiles and whispers, "I love you too."

"Good, because I'm terribly in love with you."

He kisses her again, feeling her smile against his lips as her body crashes into his.

.

.

Harvey tugs Donna into his office and closes the door before promptly pinning her up against it, his lips greedily capturing hers.

"Harvey," she whines against his lips, "someone could see."

"I don't care," he groans, kissing her again. His kiss is soft and explorative while his hands gently cup her cheeks and keep her grounded. When they finally part for air, he rests his forehead against hers and smiles.

"Wait," he breathes, "I meant what I said, I want to talk."

"Right," she steps towards him and presses her chest against his. "Me too."

Donna reaches for his tie and eliminates the remaining space between them, kissing him and pushing him away from the door and into the center of his office. They blindly stumble backwards until her calves hit the side of his sofa and they're forced to part.

"Donna, wait," he says softly, standing up straight and helping her step away from the couch and do the same. "I have to tell you something."

Her heart is racing as she rounds the leather and takes a seat, waiting for him to follow her lead. He does, taking a seat right next to her. He rests his palm on her knee and faces her.

"The other night when I told you I wanted to kiss you again, I meant it was something I wanted to continue to do."

"You do?"

"I do. I-" he pauses and reaches forward to lift her chin with his thumb. Her eyes scan his and she holds her breath while she waits for him to speak. "I love you."

"W-What?" she blinks.

"I love you," he repeats, this time with more confidence. "I know you have a strict rule against getting involved with co-workers but I needed you to know."

It takes her a moment to come to terms with what he's said, and suddenly it dawns on her that maybe the reason he held back all these years was because he thought it was what she wanted. It's a can of worms to open another day, but it provides an entirely new perspective on their relationship that rocks her to the core.

"That was a stupid rule," she gushes.

"Was?"

"Was," she nods, scooting closer.

"So it's no longer a rule?"

She shakes her head and places a hand on his shoulder.

"Harvey," she purrs.

"Yeah?"

"I love you too."