When last we found Pearson Specter Litt's managing partner, he was uncomfortably but soundly sleeping in Donna's hospital room. He had also been mistaken as Donna's husband, a mistake he would have probably loved to hear and one he was unlikely to clear up, but alas he wasn't conscious. Instead Donna was left to deal with this mistaken identity all on her own as well as the man himself sleeping in the chair next to her bed despite asking, almost begging him to leave.
Part of her thinks it is sweet that he was willing to stay despite her protests, but a larger and louder part of her remains angry and hurt and his presence just makes things that much tougher. However, she had no fight in her at the moment, after all that had happened to her and the fact that it was 3:30 in the morning. She just wanted to sleep and so once the nurse was finished with testing, Donna hit the button for more painkillers and tried to return to sleep. Normally it takes her a bit to actually fall asleep with all the thoughts in her head, what did she get done that day, what needed to be done the next, etc. But thankfully the painkillers provide just enough for her to quiet her mind and slip back into sleep quickly with all her frustrations, namely Harvey, washed out of her mind.
While Donna was able to slip back into restful unconsciousness, Harvey's sound unconsciousness was decidedly less restful. Normally, Harvey would have had a drink or two before going to bed or watched a movie to help settle his mind down, but that is not what happened tonight. His state was caused by sheer exhaustion after the high level of adrenaline he has been running on for the last couple of hours bottomed out and his body could do nothing but sleep, without the ability of Harvey to settle his mind. So his mind decided that reliving his discussion with Paula before heading to the hospital was in order.
After watching Mike, Rachel, and Sheila hustle into the kitchen with dishes, Harvey, clearly upset, asks "What the hell is going on? What is your problem with Donna? We get news that she is in the hospital and your first reaction is `Let's get back to the party?'"
"I don't have a problem with Donna, Harvey. I just find it convenient that despite not being invited, she manages to mess up tonight. She's probably just fine." Paula responds, herself upset that her night has been ruined and that Harvey was apparently blaming her.
"She's in the hospital. Clearly not fine. And I think you do have a problem with her. Don't think I didn't notice that any time her name was brought up, you changed the topic of conversation to something else. It's clear you do have a problem with her and I would really like to know why, especially since you don't know her and never met her." Harvey is exasperated, trying to remain calm despite knowing where Donna was but not knowing how she is and trying to figure out why his girlfriend is clearly set against Donna. In his gut, her knew that things were leading to a impasse and he was going to have to make a choice but he didn't think it would happen tonight of all nights,
"Like I said, I don't have a problem with her, but I have met her and I really want to know why you lied to me about her." Paula responds.
Harvey is flabbergasted. "I have never lied to you about anything, let alone Donna. And when did you meet?"
"Well, you certainly never told me the truth about her. When you initially came to me about your attacks after Donna left you told me she was a long-time loyal secretary. The way you initially talked about her, well you led me to believe that she was . . ."
"Was . . . what?" Harvey has no clue what Paula is talking about.
"You never told me she was your age or . . . beautiful." Paula's insecurities were becoming clear to him.
"What does that matter and . . ." Harvey racks his brain trying to think of the times during their sessions where he actually did talk about Donna and he can't remember a time when Paula actually asked him about Donna, who she was beyond a secretary or what she was like. "Paula, when did you ever ask me about her because I don't remember that being a topic of conversation. In fact I don't remember you ever really wanting to know about Donna at all, about our relationship or our history. You never broached that subject."
"Well that was because I just assumed . . ." Paula starts to respond but stops herself, looking down at the floor.
"Assumed what?" Again Harvey has no idea where this is going.
Paula sighs. "I assumed she was older. Like Gretchen's age. You talked about loyalty and how she had stuck by you for so long so I naturally just thought of an older secretary. I never thought Donna could be your age."
Harvey shakes his head, unsure of how to react to this information. However, some things start to make sense. Why Paula never delved into the years with Donna at the DAs to Pearson Hardman. Why she never questioned just what type of relationship they had.
"Wait . . . so the whole time I was in therapy, you thought Donna was like in her sixties?" And as if by magic, things just slot into place. "Oh my god. You assumed she was older. No wonder why you made everything about my mother and saw my mother in everything. My god, it all makes sense now. I know I had my issues with my mother but when I told you I had a dream about Donna in bed, you were thinking of an older woman so you connected that to my mom. I thought it strange at the time, but didn't dwell on it, but you never looked at it as a straightforward dream. About Donna herself being in my dream. No wonder why we never talked about her. About why you never had a problem with her until you met her, which, by the way, you never mentioned. So . . . tell me the truth. Was not inviting Donna tonight really about not wanting to make her uncomfortable or about not wanting to make YOU uncomfortable? And I'm going to guess the thing just for the ladies is never actually going to happen, is it?
Harvey can see that Paula is caught and doesn't know what to do. "I'm sorry but I shouldn't have to compete for my boyfriend's time and attention. And tonight was about me and you, not her, so you're right I didn't want her here. For one night I wanted to have your full attention. I'm sorry if Donna is actually hurt, but that wasn't my fault and it does still seem a little convenient timing. What happens the next time, will you just happen to get another call to help her? The longer you keep allowing her to pull you in, the harder it will be to move on. Or for her to move on."
"Pull me in? It sounds like you want me to cut her out of my life." Harvey has reached the point he thought was coming. Choose one or the other.
Paula doesn't answer but is unable to look Harvey in the eye so he knows he is correct but now is not the time as he desperately wants to get to the hospital.
"Paula, I don't think you want me to make that decision and frankly I am not going to right now. I just want to get to the hospital. And I also need to think about how I just learned that my therapy was only half done since apparently you missed actually dealing with the reason I was there in the first place. My mind is in a jumble and I don't think I can think straight. So I am going to go."
Paula just stands quietly but Harvey can see her eyes beginning to tear up, but he doesn't have time to worry about that now.
He needs to go.
He needs to get to the hospital.
He needs to get to Donna.
He needs Donna.
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Sorry this is shorter than the previous chapters. I wanted to post something today and this is what I had.
