"So, you want a deal." New York Deputy Attorney General Andy Malik stares at the tense, overbearing man in front of him with delight.
He nods, teeth gritted, his hands balling into fists. "I do."
"Well then, lucky for you, I had something prepared for this very occasion." Malik swiftly slides open a drawer and slaps a folder containing paperwork down on the edge of his desk, a devilish smile playing at his lips.
He looks up as he scans the document, emotionless. "Nine months. You going soft on me, Malik?" he says, half joking.
"Oh, I thought about giving you much more," Malik replies with satisfaction. "But then I figured, without your license…you'll be spending life in prison, anyway."
Arms crossed, the menacing Deputy AG speaks one last time as his adversary turns to leave. "This was bound to happen sooner or later, my friend. No one can hide from the Law forever- even the Harvey Specters of the world."
Harvey slams the door on the way out.
Donna is waiting expectantly when he returns, tightly gripping a now lukewarm cup of coffee on the kitchen counter. "Tell me you didn't," she begs, unable to meet his eyes. But Donna already knew the answer. Something had been off all day, and her suspicion was all but confirmed when he left work early.
After a moment's hesitation, he moved closer to her but stopped short. "I took a plea deal."
Donna sucks in a breath, barely able to hold it together. "Donna-" he says, attempting to press his hand to her back.
She jerks backwards, swatting him away, arm raised. "Don't." Another moment goes by. "How bad is it?"
Harvey steels himself for what comes next. "Nine months…and disbarment."
In the blink of an eye, the mug Donna was clutching shatters against the far wall, leaving a giant coffee splatter. "God DAMNIT, Harvey!" Whatever was holding her together had finally given out. Tears flow down her cheeks. "How could you do this to me!"
"I'm sorry. I was just trying to do the right thing."
"For whom?"
"I stipulated that Malik couldn't prosecute Cahill," Harvey explains. "I thought if I could keep him from taking the hit- "
She throws her hands up. "Great, at least there's that!" She chides.
"I didn't want to do this, Donna, I had to!"
"No, you didn't- prison is for guilty people!"
"I am guilty!" With that, a hush falls over the room, Donna's quiet sobs the only audible sound. Finally, Harvey speaks again after a long pause. "I did what he accused me of- I deserve to go to prison," He laments.
She wraps her arms around his waist, resting her head against his chest. "What you did was a good thing."
"Good…and illegal." Silence permeates the room once more. "It's time I paid my dues."
A short time later, Harvey is staring up at the offices of Specter Litt Wheeler Williams, having just cleaned out his office. It was almost more of a home than his own cushy apartment, but soon, it would be a distant memory. Soon, his name would be off the wall; the culmination of his life's work evaporated into thin air. Even so, Harvey forced himself to say his goodbyes and make peace with his new reality. With one last look, he slides into Ray's car and pulls the door shut. He knows there is only one thing left to do: savor his final day of freedom.
Harvey returns home to deafening silence. Bright red hair obscures a still figure hunched over on the couch, something gleaming in her hand. As he closes the distance between the two of them, the object comes into sight. It's his mother's ring.
"It fell out when I knocked the envelope over. I'm sorry." Donna's voice is almost a whisper; the skin around her eyes appears desiccated, as if completely devoid of moisture.
"I was going to tell you," Harvey assures her, taking a seat next to her. Donna stays quiet, and he takes her hand, curling her fingers over the ring. "Why don't you hold on to it?" he offers. Snapping out of her stupor, Donna's gaze suddenly meets his. "If you decide this is what you want, you can wear it when I get out, but Donna…"
"But?"
Harvey sighs. "I don't want you to feel like you have to wait for me." She opens her mouth to interject but is promptly denied the opportunity. "Be it nine months or nine days, prison changes a man. And even if it didn't, losing my legal career will change me. I'll be bitter and angry, and I won't be pleasant to be around. Whatever I have left to offer, it won't be enough." Harvey presses a soft kiss to her cheek and rises to his feet, leaving Donna stunned.
Three Months Later
Donna finishes pouring two glasses of champagne on her kitchen counter when she hears a rapping at the door. Pulling it open reveals a smiling Rachel on the other side, the two of them immediately embracing.
"Rach! I can't believe you're here," Donna enthuses.
"Are you kidding? When I quit my job, the first thing I wanted to do was come see you," Rachel says as they break apart.
"Another thing I can't believe. Are you sure that's what you want?" Donna emanates genuine concern.
"Yeah. It was time to move on." But Rachel's voice is less than confident. Donna ushers her over to the couch, grabbing the champagne on her way. Donna offers her one of the glasses as they settle in. Rachel happily accepts the drink. "What are we toasting to? I'm assuming this has something to do with the big news you've been tightlipped about?"
"I'm engaged," Donna announces. "To Thomas Kessler."
Rachel nearly spits out her champagne, suddenly noticing the diamond on Donna's finger. "Wow," she chokes out. "That's some rock. I didn't realize it was that serious."
"I didn't know what would happen when we started seeing each other again, but things escalated pretty quickly."
"Well, I believe congratulations are in order," Rachel declares as they clink glasses. A few minutes pass and she adopts a more somber tone. "So…Why'd you do it?"
"Do what?" Donna responds with uncertainty. Rachel gives her a look, and words are no longer required. "I just couldn't bear the thought of- "
"-of what? Of being with someone at their lowest point?"
"What? No!"
"Of being with someone who's been through hell?" Rachel continues to amplify the pressure, cheeks hot. "Of being with someone who's damaged goods?"
She shakes her head. "That's not true…Rachel, what's going on?"
Rachel sets her empty flute down and regains her composure. "Nothing. I just have a lot on my mind. Sorry." Donna can sense something is wrong but doesn't press further. "So, why did you leave him then?" Rachel asks again.
Donna looks down. "I didn't want to do it, Rachel. I had to," she admits, echoing Harvey's words. Rachel leans forward, listening intently. "I can't watch him drown."
"What do you mean?"
"I've built my whole brand around being the person everyone goes to for help." She takes a breath. "What if I can't help him?"
"Donna," Rachel starts, setting her glass on the coffee table. "You would help him just by being there." At that, Donna perks up, realization hitting her.
As Harvey enters the visitation room at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, a familiar face comes into view. They each take a seat on opposite sides of the glass window and remove the phones from their mounts.
"Rachel- what the hell are you doing here?" Harvey's brow furrows in confusion.
"I was in the neighborhood, so I thought I would offer my services," Rachel states matter-of-factly.
"I don't understand."
Rachel smirks playfully. "Louis graciously agreed to let me take you on as my newest client." Harvey's reaction is one of disbelief. "What do you say we get you the hell out of here?"