The Night We Met (And Fell Apart)

by suitsxmasfics

It's the office Christmas party and Harvey and Donna both have dates, but their dates seem more interested in each other.

Prompt #43 by teganlyon: "It's the office Christmas party and Harvey and Donna both bring dates but the dates end up hooking up with each other."

---

Late Tuesday morning, Donna finds herself stirring sugar into her coffee when Rachel wanders into the staff kitchen at Pearson Hardman.

"Hey Rach," Donna greets her, "coffee?"

"If I have a third coffee, you're going to have to take me to the ER," Rachel chuckles.

"Busy morning?"

"Isn't it always around here?" Rachel replies. "Louis has me helping with the menus for the holiday gala and he's being particularly annoying with choosing a font."

"I expect nothing less from Louis. You're coming right?"

"I think so. I was thinking of asking William," Donna admits.

William was an older investment banker she met at the coffee cart outside of her yoga class. They'd gone on a handful of dates and while she thought he was attractive and sweet she knew there was no real future between them. William had recently gotten out of a long-term relationship with his college sweetheart and despite the fact he never mentioned his ex, she could tell part of his heart still belonged to her. He wasn't going to be the man she married, but he was good company, and the gala was only a week away and she had her heart set on bringing a date. She knows she doesn't need a man on her arm to attend, but she wanted a nice night out where someone told her he looked nice and asked her to dance.

"Things are going well between the two of you then?" Rachel asks.

Outside the kitchen, Harvey strolls into his office with Mike following eagerly behind him. Mike catches Rachel's eye and smiles before giving his undivided attention to Harvey. Rachel shuffles to face Donna and leans back against the counter.

"They are. He's a decent guy," Donna answers.

"A decent guy?"

"Okay so he's probably not the one, but he's not bad company either. And I wanted to bring a date."

"What about-?" Rachel begins to ask but Donna promptly cuts her off. She follows Rachel's gaze to the two men, who are now hovering over a file on Harvey's desk and shakes her head.

"Don't finish that sentence," she warns. "Not a good idea."

"Oh?" Rachel smirks and cocks her head.

"He hates the holiday events. I doubt he'll even go," Donna reasons. Both she and Rachel know it's a bullshit reason, but Rachel let's the lame excuse slide without question. Lately, Donna noticed Rachel had more and more questions about why she and Harvey never pursued a relationship past their working friendship. Each time she was asked, Donna did her best to deflect and avoid admitting that there was a time when she herself wondered the same thing. She never dared to admit that part of her still wondered what it would be like if they were to cross that line, because admitting that would mean admitting she had feelings for her boss and she absolutely did not. Or so she tried to convince herself.

"Are you sure? Because Mike told me he was going. Something about impressing this big client Jessica is trying to land…"

"Maybe he is. It doesn't matter, I've already made up my mind about inviting William."

"You wouldn't have asked him even if William wasn't in the picture," Rachel states.

"You get me Rach," Donna smirks while Rachel rolls her eyes. "Are you and Mike going?"

"We are."

"Remind Mike that he owes me a drink."

"What for?"

"He lost a bet last week."

"Again?!"

"He really needs to stop doubting my Donna-ness. It's a powerful thing."

"I'll remind him," Rachel laughs.

"I should get back," Donna says. "Best of luck with Louis."

Strutting into Harvey's office after Mike leaves, Donna perches herself on the edge of his desk and swivels to face him. "Rachel tells me you're actually going to the firm party this year. What on earth did Jessica bribe you with to make that happen?"

"Nothing," he grins up at her, "I just told her I would go."

"C'mon Harvey. We both know you'd never just volunteer to come to one of these things. What gives?"

"There's this client…"

"I knew it!"

"Alright, calm down," he jokes, "there's this client Jessica wants me to sign."

"So, she wants you to bond with him over a glass of eggnog?"

"Not exactly. Alvin is a huge family man. She wants me to show him that I am as well."

Donna stifles a giggle and does her best to keep a straight face but fails. "And how exactly do you plan on showing him that?"

"I'm bringing a date."

Eyes nearly bulging out of her head, Donna slips off the desk and stammers while steadying herself on her heels. She pauses before speaking, blindsided by the bluntness with which he just announced he was not only attending the gala but bringing a date.

"I didn't know you were seeing anyone," she says softly.

"It's nothing serious. But it should help land the client."

His casual attitude towards the entire situation unsettles her. He'd asked some random woman to help him land a client when he could have asked her. But - did she want him to ask her? She imagined that if she was acting as his date, they would have to be more intimate than they usually were and while she and Harvey knew each other extremely well, they seldom touched.

"Besides, if I want to be the next name partner, I should probably start going to these things. Are you going?" he adds.

"I am."

"Great. At least I know I'll have one person there that I can tolerate."

"Mike and Rachel are going," she points out.

"I stand by my previous statement."

"Be nice," she warns. He laughs and she sees herself out of his office. Back at her desk, she buries herself in work for the next few hours, not wanting to process whatever jealous-type emotion was pulsing through her.

Over a glass of wine that evening she decides that she isn't upset that Harvey didn't ask her to be his date to the gala. It made sense that he hadn't asked her because if he landed the client they would have to play pretend every time the client came into the office. She even manages to convince herself that she isn't jealous of this new woman in Harvey's life, but that she's only upset that she hadn't figured out he was seeing someone new. She was usually quick to pick up on these things and today in his office she'd been completely blindsided.

Harvey arrives home from the office a little after 7 pm, showers and puts on the freshly dry-cleaned suit he'd chosen to wear to the gala. He does his best not to keep Ray waiting and the pair arrive outside his date's apartment just before 8 o'clock. Penny was a tall blonde that worked as an art curator at a museum he'd never heard of. They met at a bar up the street from his condo a few weeks prior and had been on two dates since meeting. Though he wasn't sure they really counted as dates seeing as the evenings both involved drinks at his apartment and waking up in bed together.

He isn't sure why he asked her to be his date to this thing. He wasn't particularly into her and knew there was no future here, but she was decent enough company and Jessica wanted him to impress a potential client, so he asked her to accompany him. She seemed surprised when he asked, likely under the same impression as he was - that what was going on between them was casual, but after he explained the situation she agreed to help him out.

He waits for her outside the car and opens the door to the back seat once she emerges from the lobby of her apartment. Dressed in a stunning blue dress, Penny greets him with a kiss on the cheek and shimmies into the back seat.

"You look nice," he compliments her.

"You don't look so bad yourself," she smiles.

"Thanks again for doing this."

"I'll take an excuse to wear this dress any day."

They talk about their respective days on the way to the venue and Harvey fills Penny in on the potential client he is trying to sign. When they arrive, he introduces her to Jessica, who whispers to Harvey that Penny is far out of his league just loud enough that she can hear and chuckle.

Louis and his date, a woman Harvey recognized as Sheila, introduce themselves to Penny while Harvey excuses himself to get them both drinks. If he was going to listen to Louis talk about why he would make a better name partner than him all night, he was going to need a double.

Harvey approaches the bar, pausing to wave to a few colleagues before ordering a whiskey neat for himself and a gin and tonic for his date. It isn't until he's handing over his change that he notices Donna a few feet away. Dressed in a long black sleeveless gown with her hair pinned back behind her shoulders, the initial sight of her winds him. She notices him and offers him a soft smile.

"Hey," he says, moving towards her.

"Hey," she beams.

"Look at you," he marvels. "You look beautiful."

"Thanks man, you don't clean up so bad yourself," Mike slaps Harvey on the shoulder as he comes up from behind Donna and intercepts the compliment intended for her.

"Rachel, you look lovely," Harvey greets her as she hugs Donna.

"What are you two doing hiding at the bar?" Mike asks.

"I was actually just waiting," Donna explains, waving to a tall middle-aged man with dark hair that was approaching. "William, this is Rachel, Mike and Harvey. Everyone, this is my date, William."

She avoids looking Harvey in the eye and instead chooses to focus on the way Williams' tie is hanging slightly too far to the left. She has no desire to fix it, but it bothers her.

"I hate to meet you and run but I see my dad over there and we should go say hello," Rachel announces.

"Nice to meet you," Mike calls out before joining Rachel.

"Harvey," Harvey extends his palm to Donna's date.

"William."

They awkwardly shake hands and Donna finally dares to steal a glance of Harvey. Is she imagining things, or does he look pale?

The three of them stand in awkward silence for a moment before William decides to ask, "So, this is your boss?"

"Yup," Donna replies quietly.

"I thought you were bringing…" Donna stutters when realizing she'd never asked Harvey what his date's name was.

"Actually," he grins, waving a lengthy blonde in a blue dress over to them, "This is…"

"Penny?" William finishes for Harvey, jaw hung slightly open.

"William," she states.

"I'm sorry, do you two know each other?" Donna asks, looking between them.

"We used to date," Penny says dryly, refusing to look up.

"We were engaged," William corrects her.

Donna and Harvey share a confused glance and Harvey awkwardly clears his throat. "I think there's some people I should go and great before Louis starts whatever nonsense he's planning for tonight. Penny?" He invites her to join him by extending his arm. She accepts and hostility walks away without saying another word to Donna or William.

Turning to face her date, Donna stares at William confused and waits for him to explain what just happened. Instead of speaking, he takes a prolonged sip of his drink and looks around the room.

"You were engaged?"

"Yes," he nods. "Do you remember me telling you that I had just gotten out of a serious relationship?"

"Yes," Donna replies.

"It was with Penny."

"You two were engaged?" Donna asks. Part of her feels like she should be upset but she knew headed into this evening that things with William weren't going anywhere and rather than feel upset she finds herself intrigued.

"We were. She broke it off about six months ago."

"If you don't mind me asking, why?"

He pauses before speaking and then quietly says, "We were young when we started dating, 17 or so. Everything was always so easy with us. It all came naturally. After college, I began working as an investment banker and Penny decided she wanted to change career paths and go back to school to focus on art. It was all fine for a while but then she landed a job and started hosting client shows and events. Our working hours started to misalign and we hardly ever saw each other. She would leave for work in the early evening as I was returning home and we only exchanged a few words in passing. She was frustrated that I could never attend her events because my job demanded so much of my time. I couldn't be there to support her like she wanted me to and so she gave back the ring and told me that she needed some time to focus on her career."

"Sorry," he adds, "You brought me here as your date. I'm sure you don't want to be hearing all of this."

"You still love her, don't you?" Donna asks.

"I think part of me always will. She was my first love," William sighs. She notices that he's watching her and Harvey mingle across the room.

"May I offer you some advice?" she asks.

William nods.

"If you still have feelings for her, and you still want to be with her, show her that you're willing to be there for her. Show her that you can compromise and come up with something that works for you both."

"That's just the thing Donna, I've learned that sometimes the right people meet at the wrong time and things just aren't meant to be."

"Not to play devil's advocate but two people who want to be together aren't confined by the rules of time. If you both want to be together, you'll find a way to make it happen."

"You sound like you're speaking from personal experience," he chuckles.

"Believe me," she laughs, "I'm not."

"Why don't we grab another drink, and you can tell me why you found that so funny," he suggests.

Donna turns back towards the bar with William but happens to steal a glimpse of Harvey and Penny over her shoulder. She's shocked to find Harvey's eyes locked on her and she looks away, blushing.

She and Harvey hadn't both attended the holiday party since their early days at the DA's office and she was starting to remember why she liked the fact he didn't attend. It was easier for her to not have to think about whether he was looking at her.

Leaning against the bar, Donna pinches her eyes shut and momentarily closes out the world.

"Dance with me?"

"Dance with me," Harvey whispers as he comes up behind Donna.

"Here?" she whips around to face him and notices his massive smirk.

"Yeah here. C'mon this party is boring, let's make it more fun."

"You've only been here for twenty minutes," she points out.

"And all twenty have been boring. C'mon. Dance with me before Cameron finds me and starts trying to get me to do more work when I'm trying to enjoy this watered-down drink instead."

"Fine," she agrees, "one dance."

Donna follows Harvey onto the small dance floor in the center of the room and lets him put his arms around her waist. This was her first time attending the holiday party at the DA's office and she was surprised at how nice her co-workers looked when not in office attire. She looks around and notices a few of the other secretaries and their partners dancing and panics, wondering what people will think when they see her and Harvey dancing. The two of them were already a favourite gossip topic for the office and the last thing she wanted was to add fuel to the fire.

This year's event was being held at a smaller hotel and included a silent auction and a dinner dance. Both she and Harvey managed to miss the dinner due to working late and had arrived when the dance portion of the evening was in full swing.

Donna places her hands around Harvey's neck and follows his lead as he moves them to the music. "People are going to get the wrong idea," she informs him.

"And what's the wrong idea?"

"Don't play dumb. You know people talk about us."

"Let them."

She raises an eyebrow in question. "You know you're beautiful Donna. Is it such a crime that the men in our office think I have a shot with you?"

"You don't," she teases.

"Oh, I'm well aware," Harvey admits. "Seriously, if what other people think bothers you we can stop."

"I guess just this one dance can't hurt."

"Admit it, you were hoping I'd ask you to dance tonight."

"I hadn't thought about it."

"We both know that's a lie," he flirts. "You find me cute."

"Did you just describe yourself as cute?"

"You didn't deny it," he points out.

Flustered, Donna opens her mouth and closes it without speaking. Harvey uses her fluster as an opportunity to pull her closer and she bumps into his chest with a thud.

She blushes and turns her head away, while allowing him to hold her tighter. She wonders if he can hear how fast her heart is racing. She'd never outwardly admit it to him, but she found him extremely attractive and would be lying to herself if she said she wasn't into him. If she didn't work for him, Harvey would be exactly her type.

"You know you're attractive," she states in an annoyed tone. The office rumours were no mystery to Donna. She and Harvey flirted with each other mercilessly. While one part of her had the better mind to keep things between them professional, the flirty banter they'd developed was far too much fun to pass up on. She'd decided months prior that the rumours didn't bother her as long as they didn't interfere with her career.

"You know I have a room upstairs," he smirks down at her, hands clasping her waist.

"Is that an invitation?" she smirks.

"Do you want it to be?"

"You're ridiculous."

"You like it."

"If that's what you're choosing to believe."

"So, about that room…"

"In your dreams," she huffs.

"Exactly Donna. In my dreams."

"Did you just admit to dreaming about me?" she teases.

Before Harvey can respond the song comes to an end and is replaced by an upbeat jazz tune. Harvey releases Donna from his hold and the two of them awkwardly walk away from the dancefloor. He ends up getting roped into several conversations with peers and Donna doesn't see him again until they're both waiting for the elevator to leave.

"You headed out?" he asks.

"I am. There's a taxi waiting out front. You?"

"To my room," he beams. "Offer still stands."

"As tempting as that sounds, I'll have to pass."

The elevator dings, indicating its arrival and Donna steps into the empty car. She drapes her coat over her arm and presses the button for the ground floor.

"I'll ride down with you," Harvey smiles, getting in with her.

"So," he smiles, "have any plans for the holidays?"

"I'll probably just head to my moms for lunch on the 25th. What about you?"

"Work."

"On Christmas?"

"Someone has to do it," he shrugs.

"Do you want me to come in?" she asks.

"Not necessary."

"I could keep you company?" she offers.

"Seriously Donna. I'd never ask you to come in on Christmas. Go home. Enjoy lunch with your family."

"If you're sure," she replies.

"I mean unless you want to wander around the office until we find some mistletoe. In that case you should most definitely come in on Christmas."

"I thought you didn't believe in cliche holiday traditions?"

"I believe in that one," he lies.

"You wouldn't have the balls to actually go through with it," she smirks.

"Wouldn't I?"

He steps closer to her, close enough that she can smell his cologne and see every detailed speck of colour in his eyes. He's teasing her, trying to call her bluff and though she is well aware of the game he's playing, the effect it has on her is paralyzing.

Her shoulder blades collide with the cool metal of the elevator wall as she tries to lean back and catch her breath but it's no use, her pulse is racing, and her face feels hot.

Placing one palm on the wall next to her head, Harvey leans towards her and smiles. "Nothing to say?" he prompts.

Finally finding her words, Donna does her best to seem casual when she remarks, "you're all talk."

"Does that mean you want me to stop?" he practically whispers, his gaze fixed on her lips. He leans towards her slightly, waiting to gauge her response before removing fully.

Donna's lip quivers and she feels a pulse ripple through her body. "I- "

She's about to tell him she doesn't want him to stop when the elevator door dings, indicating it has reached the ground level and two staff members get on.

Too stunned to get off the elevator, she and Harvey separate and silently ride the elevator to the basement. When the doors open, Donna mumbles something about taking the stairs to the ground floor and Harvey, who is just as flustered as Donna by what almost happened, nods and wishes her a happy holiday.

When he gets back to his room, he flops down on his bed and punches the bridge of his nose until it goes numb. He and Donna had always had a flirty relationship, but he would never dare cross the line without her permission. Of course, he wanted to cross the line, she was witty and smart and beautiful, but he genuinely believed he'd never have a shot with her. Tonight, the look in her eyes was telling him she wanted the same thing he did, and he had a strange feeling that had they not been interrupted they would have crossed the line they so delicately walked without a second thought. He had half a mind to follow her out of that elevator and finish what he started but the mere thought of being with her clouded his mind and he still wasn't thinking straight. Dizzy with that thought of what almost was, he fetches a bottle from the mini fridge, downs it in one swift motion and heads for the shower.

"Dance with me," William repeats, snapping Donna out of her daydream.

"Oh," she blushes. "We don't have to."

"You brought me here as your date. The least I could do is be a good one. What do you say?" he asks, extending his palm.

"I don't mind if I do," she smiles as she accepts his hand.

While walking towards the dance floor, she wonders if Harvey ever thinks about that night at the DA's office. She doubts he does. Despite having slept together mere months later, she can't picture him thinking about what almost was. Besides, they agreed a long time ago that they would put it out of their minds and move on and Harvey was nothing if not a man of his word.

She inwardly curses at herself for spending another Christmas party wondering if he ever thought about them.

Donna places her hands on William's shoulders and pretends to listen as he starts telling her how much he likes the song playing but she doesn't hear a word. Her focus is devoted to the tall brunette leading his date to the dancefloor, or more accurately, to the blonde who was dragging him onto the dance floor.

She involuntarily cringes as her boss and his date begin to dance. William must sense the sudden tension in her body but she's grateful he doesn't question her. The song comes to an end and William graciously releases Donna's hand and offers her a soft smile.

Before Donna can ask if he wants to dance again, Louis' voice echoes through the room. From the small stage in the corner of the room, he is trying to gain everyone's attention by clearing his throat into the microphone.

"Attention everyone," he bellows. "As you all know we will be doing a king and queen's waltz."

Donna watches as everyone's confused faces as they look around and whisper.

"It was on the third page of the invitation," Louis specifies, as if everyone studied the invitations he'd mailed out.

"Since it seems like the majority of you have missed the memo, this is a king and queen's waltz," Louis rolls his eyes as he launches into his explanation. "Gentlemen, please ask someone you didn't come here with tonight to dance."

Donna excuses herself and tells William she is going to fetch another drink. She runs into Jessica a few steps after she leaves William with a squeeze of his shoulder and smirks.

"Did you know Louis was doing this?"

"I tuned him out after the five-minute rant about tinsel," she snickers. "He mentioned it briefly, I figured it couldn't hurt. In some backwards way it may land us some new clients," Jessica adds, smiling at where one of the junior partners was leading a CEO of a company, they'd been trying to sign for months to the dance floor.

Donna continues her way back to the bar when she notices William approaching Penny in her peripheral vision. Doing a double take, she whips her head around and nearly gasps. She considered herself to be a confident person, but she doubts she would have the courage to ask Penny to dance if she were in William's shoes. She was impressed. Maybe some of what she's told him stuck. He was a good man; she hoped the two of them figured things out.

In her moment of shock, Donna completely forgets to watch where she is going and finds herself colliding with a man in a suit. Nearly taking them both out, he reaches for her elbows and steadies her on her heels.

"Oh my god, I am so-" she mumbles. When she finally looks up mid sentence, she locks eyes with a familiar face. "Harvey."

"Donna. You alright?" he asks with an odd grin.

"Sorry. Guess I wasn't paying attention."

"Where are you headed in such a rush?"

Flustered by the way his thumbs are still hooked around her elbows, Donna looks down to where he's holding her and stutters. "I was going to get a drink."

He follows her gaze and promptly releases his hold on her, his cheeks flushed.

In a hushed tone, she attempts to fill the silence, "Sorry, I didn't mean to keep you from…"

The music for the waltz begins to play, drowning out most of the chatter in the room. Donna can see Penny following William onto the dance floor and smiles to herself.

"Sorry, I'm sure you…" Harvey begins apologizing at the same time. "Do you want to dance?"

"What?" Donna asks over the music.

"What did you say?" he asks, hoping to avoid repeating himself.

"What did you say?" she parrots.

"Do you want to dance?" he repeats, louder this time.

Donna studies his expression, searching for any signs of pity and perhaps sarcasm but she finds none. He smiles at her with honest eyes, chiselled jaw line locked while he impatiently waits for her to answer his question.

She knows she shouldn't. But she wants to.

"Alright," she nods.

He extends his palm and smiles. She places her hand in his and follows his lead back onto the dance floor, doing her best to ignore the pulsing sensation crackling where their hands are interlocked.

Harvey wraps his hands around her waist and waits for her to place her palms on his shoulders before he begins to lead. There's plenty of room between them, enough that she can choose to look into his eyes or look over his shoulder.

"I think our dates are dancing," he laughs.

"Did you know that they were-?"

"Absolutely not," he replies. "Did you?"

"Nope. It's just as well. I don't think there was much of a future for William and I."

"Oh?"

"We're not a good match," she offers in explanation.

"What a shame. He's missing out."

Donna blushing and stares down at their feet. "What about you and Penny?"

"Just casual."

"Right."

Both Harvey and Donna glance in the direction of their dates and find Penny laughing at something William has said. She's pressed up close against him now and their body language has changed since the dance first began.

"Don't we know how to pick good dates," Harvey jokes.

"They look like they're having a great time," Donna says.

"A great time without us," he points out.

"We don't need them to have a good time."

"You're right. This thing was going to be lame either way," he laughs.

"Isn't it always?"

"You like these events I thought?"

"I mean, I'll never turn down an opportunity to get to wear a dress like this," she laughs. "I'm guessing you don't get excited to break out a new tie."

"I'll have you know I bought this tie specifically for this evening."

"Is that why you've tied it crooked?" she smirks.

Harvey looks down and frowns. "It's not crooked. Is it?"

"May I?" Donna asks. He nods and she drops her hands from his shoulders to his tie, where she fiddles with the knot until she's happy with it. The smell of his cologne overwhelms her while she drops the tie back into place and allows her palms to linger on his chest for a moment.

"There," she whispers. "All fixed."

Time stands still for a moment as the static air between them crackles while their eyes lock. It's a fleeting moment. Brief. Sudden and almost over before it begins. But she feels it. It's charged, lustful and leaves her confused and wanting more; Of what, she isn't quite sure.

She places her hands back on his shoulders and they resume dancing. "What would I do without you?"

"Honestly, I have no idea."

The song finally comes to an end and Harvey suggests they find their dates and resume their respective evenings. They turn to where Penny and William were last dancing, but the pair is now where to be seen.

"Do you want to get a drink?" he asks. "I'm sure they'll turn up."

"I think I'm going to go and look for William so I can head home. Thanks, though. And thank you for the dance."

"Anytime," Harvey whispers once she's wandered out of earshot.

Donna roams the halls in search of William and is moments away from giving up when she hears Penny's giggle across the lobby. She realizes that she and William are canoodling behind one of the marble pillars and laughs to herself. At least some people were having a nice night. She, on the other hand, couldn't wait to get home and out of these heels. She was going to pour herself a generous glass of wine and slip into something comfortable.

She watches as William and Penny leave the venue, arm in arm, and makes a mental note to never invite men she didn't see a future with to events. At least she helped him rekindle his past relationship.

Wondering if she'll ever find someone who is right for her, she tunes out and allows herself to get lost in a daydream. One in which she pursued a career on Broadway and was happily married with two kids. She loved her life, she really did. She felt fiercely independent, successful and accomplished. She wouldn't change a thing about it but sometimes, specifically around the holiday's, she found being alone hit harder. Was it so wrong that she wanted someone to share the holidays with?

"Donna!" Rachel calls out, "there you are! I've been looking for you. Where's William?"

"It's a long story," Donna laughs.

"Oh?"

"He and Penny left a few minutes ago," she explains.

"Oh?!" Rachel exclaims.

"At least some people are having a nice night. I'm happy for them. Seems like they finally got to talk about some unresolved issues and things worked out."

"You don't say," Rachel smirks.

"Okay, what?"

"What?" Rachel asks.

"What's with the face?" Donna asks.

"I didn't make a face."

"Rach, you're a terrible liar."

"I'm just saying maybe you and Harvey can learn a few things from your dates. I saw you two dancing out there."

"You know it's not like that," Donna groans.

"I'm just saying, it could be like that."

"That would imply that both of us wanted it to be like that. And we don't."

"Are you sure?" Rachel asks.

"I'm sure," Donna nods. It's a bold-faced lie, but she convinces herself it's alright to tell Rachel because though she might want more, Harvey doesn't.

"Now," Donna smiles, "come with me to find my coat."

"Hey Donna, have you seen Penny?" Harvey asks when he finds her lingering near the coat check.

"I don't think you'll need to wait for her," she replies.

"What? I'm not leaving, I need her to come with me to talk to Alvin Jensen."

"Who?"

"The man who's walking directly towards us," he says quietly, "quick. I need you to be my date."

"Excuse me?" Donna's eyes flash wide.

Harvey places a palm on Donna's lower back and grins at the middle-aged man with slicked back black hair approaching them.

"Harvey," the man greets him with a handshake.

"Alvin," Harvey grins, "this is my partner. Donna."

Hearing him refer to her as his partner, Donna smiles. While the facade they were putting on wasn't real, she liked to think of herself as Harvey's partner in the platonic sense. Hearing him say those words out loud validated the way she'd felt for years, even if his words bore a different meaning.

"Pleasure," Alvin smirks as he shakes her hand. "Harvey, you never told me you had such a beautiful wife."

"I don't like to brag," Harvey smirks. Donna nudges him with her hip. If they were alone, she would have rolled her eyes and told him that she thought bragging was his favourite past-time. She doesn't acknowledge that Alvin has just referred to her as Harvey's wife but ponders why Harvey hadn't corrected the man.

"A man who knows how lucky he is, I can't tell you how refreshing that is to see," Alvin smiles.

The two men spend a few minutes making small talk about cars and Donna uses the mention of Alvin's business to bring up some of the firm's assets. Harvey stares at her with amusement as she steals Alvin's attention and effortlessly begins to talk business with him. She catches him staring and tosses a subtle wink in his direction. He's amazed at how quickly she picked up on the task he was asking her to help with, but he isn't one bit surprised. Donna was good at everything she did, and for years at the DA's office she insisted that her role with him would only be temporary while she auditioned for acting gigs. He'd gone to a handful of her shows and learned that Donna was an incredible actress and was surprised that she'd never landed a major role. Tonight, she was playing to her strengths and with her arm wrapped around Harvey's, Alvin was eating up every bit of her "not-a-pitch" pitch.

Alvin smiles at Donna and says, "you two must be very close. Working together and being married."

Panic pulses through Harvey, he hadn't thought about the fact that Alvin may find it odd that Donna worked for him when they were pretending to be together. He doesn't get a chance to give in to the panic threatening to consume him, because Donna laughs, tightens her grip on his arm and smiles. "What can I say? He'd be lost without me," she giggles.

"I have to ask, did you two meet through work?"

"We did," Harvey answers. "She's probably the reason I'm so successful."

"You know what they say, behind every great man there is a greater woman," Alvin laughs.

Harvey begins to talk business with Alvin, while Donna leans against his arm and nods along with a smile. She knew she'd done exactly what Harvey needed her to and she planned on reminding him of what an excellent help she'd been the next time she decided she needed a new handbag.

"What do you say about you and I setting up a meeting for later in the week. I'm looking for some new representation and based on what I've seen tonight, I like the way your company operates," Alvin asks Harvey.

"Why don't you leave me with your card and our office can set something up?"

"Sounds good. Can I buy you two a drink?" Alvin asks.

Harvey looks to Donna, who stifles a yawn and forces a smile and shakes his head. "I think we'll have to take you up on that offer another time. Right now, I'm going to dance with my wife."

Harvey leans over and whispers into Donna's ear, "Is that alright? We can go right after."

She nods and tells Alvin that it was nice to meet him, then follows Harvey back onto the dancefloor.

Harvey extends a hand and pulls Donna in close to him. "Is he still looking?"

"Yes," she nods, staring at where Alvin is looking on with a grin.

"Do you think we convinced him to sign?" Donna adds.

"I think he'll take the meeting."

"Do you think he believed we're together?"

"I can't see why he wouldn't. Though, if we really wanted to sell it…"

Harvey sheepishly turns his face away from her, his cheeks burning red. "I don't mean to make things awkward but, can I kiss you Donna?"

Without taking time to overthink, Donna nods and Harvey leans in and places a chaste kiss on her lips.

"Is he still watching?" she whispers. Though the kiss was brief and pg-rated, she uses her hold on him to steady herself from the light-headedness she feels.

"Yes."

"I guess we should keep dancing," Donna replies.

"I guess so."

"You didn't correct him when he thought I was your wife," she points out.

"Is it so wrong that I let him believe I could marry a girl like you?" Harvey smirks.

"I guess not," she muses. "But you wish."

From across the room, Mike and Rachel look onward with puzzled expressions. "Do you have any idea what that is all about?" Mike asks Rachel.

"Honestly, I don't have a clue," Rachel admits.

After their dance comes to an end, Louis steals Harvey to come and talk to a client and Donna heads to finally fetch her coat and head home. Instead of allowing herself to overthink and overanalyze the evening, she decides she'll stick with her original plan and head home to a glass of wine.

Harvey finds her while she's waiting for the elevator and approaches her with a smile.

"Thank you, Donna."

"For what?"

"Playing along. I appreciate it. I'm sure Jessica will as well," Harvey says.

"Happy to help," Donna smiles.

Harvey looks down at the coat draped over Donna's arms and says, "are you headed out?"

"Yup. I was just about to go and hail a cab," she tells him.

"No need. Ray and I can take you."

"You don't have to do that," she reassures him.

"I insist. Let me just grab my coat."

"Okay." Donna slips her arms into her jacket while waiting for Harvey to return. She catches herself staring at his hands as he walks away, a chill running through her body when she thinks of his hand on her lower back.

When Harvey returns, the two of them silently get into the elevator and head to the ground floor. Once they reach it, he lets her lead the way to the door, where Ray is waiting for them. Ray opens the car door and Donna slides in, followed by Harvey.

"I can't believe our dates ran off together," Harvey chuckles to break the awkward silence.

"I can't believe you wasted a perfectly good date on the office Christmas party," Donna teases.

"She was supposed to help me land a client, I don't consider that a wasted date," he points out.

"Wow, a hardcore romantic," she mocks.

"May I point out that you also brought a date tonight."

"Yeah. But I knew it wasn't going anywhere."

"Then why waste a date?" he asks.

"Why not?" she counters.

"I guess it all worked out in the end anyways. Thanks again Donna. For helping me out."

"Anytime," she smiles. The back of her palm brushes his on the seat between them and she immediately draws her hand back. "Just remember, you owe me one."

"Noted," Harvey smiles.

When they reach Donna's apartment, Harvey insists on walking her up and she reluctantly lets him. They ride the elevator up to the twelfth floor and walk down the hall towards the door marked with a brass 206 while joking about Louis' idea of holiday fun. When they reach Donna's door, she notices someone has placed mistletoe over the threshold and pauses.

Panicked, she looks to Harvey and finds him also staring up at the small green plant. When he looks down and locks eyes with her, she senses his hesitation.

"Don't kiss me under that," she instructs.

"Oh, thank god," he breathes.

"Thank god?"

"I don't mean… I just mean," he nervously runs his hands through his hair as he stutters. "When I kiss you Donna, I don't want it to be because of a stupid holiday tradition."

He doesn't mean to say when, but the one too many whiskeys and the way her dress is hugging her hips just right and her red hair frames her freckled face has him dizzy with emotion and it slips out.

"When?"

"Goodnight, Donna. Happy Holidays."

He tucks his hands into his pockets and takes two steps in the direction of the elevator and listens for the sound of her key unlocking her apartment. He doesn't hear it.

Under his breath he mutters, "Fuck it," as he whirls around, takes two brisk steps back towards her, cups her face in both hands and captures her lips in a kiss.

She's caught off guard but within seconds she's kissing him back. He draws back sooner than he wants to and smiles down at her, letting his hand fall from her cheek as he backs away once again.

"Happy Holidays, Donna," he repeats. He steps into the elevator before she has a chance to say anything in response to his rash decision.

As he steps out of her apartment lobby and into the sharp winter air, he finally lets himself breathe. That was a stupid thing he just did. Yes, he'd wanted to do that ever since their first Christmas event at the DA's office, but it wasn't the right time. He wasn't ready and somehow; he knew she wasn't either. A gnawing feeling begins to eat away at him as he makes his way to the car idling out front of the building.

"Harvey!" Donna's voice shatters the still air around him.

"Donna? What are you doing out here?" he asks.

"That was different," she says.

"What?" he asks.

"That kiss was different. From earlier I mean."

He pauses for a moment, contemplating what his next move should be but, in the end, the honey of her eyes causes him to forget all sense of reason and fear and he's answering her question truthfully.

"Well, yeah." He sticks his hands in his pockets and shrugs. "It was real."

"Unless I imagined before, that was also real," she teases.

"Very funny," he remarks. "You know what I mean."

Not quite ready to face her own feelings, Donna rocks on her heels and waits for him to speak again. When he doesn't, she swallows her pride and asks the question that's been on repeat since she began chasing after him. "Why?"

"You know why," he gulps. He takes his left hand in his right and fiddles with his thumb. She looks at him with wide eyes and waits for him to elaborate and he knows that he should tell her. He should tell her that his day starts when he sees her smile and that he spends every year wondering if she remembers the night that they almost crossed the line at the DA's office Christmas party, or the night they did cross the line in the months that followed. He should tell her that he can't keep wandering into bars and hitting on strangers, pretending that they're her. He should tell her that he loves her even though he's not sure he's ready to love himself. That he's terrified to love her but it's how he feels. She isn't his to love but he loves her anyways.

The words don't seem to form on his tongue and the cold winter air is suddenly hot and he's sweating because this is Donna. His Donna. The Donna that had spent every day of the past decade by his side. Suddenly, it seemed ridiculous to be pent up about telling her that he loved her, because after all this time she had to know. Didn't she?

After what feels like several painstakingly long moments, he finally pulls himself together and forces himself to look her in the eye before saying, "You know I love you, Donna."

The words strike her with impressive force, and she takes a physical step backwards in response.

"You know we can't do this Harvey." She sounds absolutely defeated when she speaks.

"I know."

Harvey's phone begins ringing in his pocket and Donna waits for him to answer it. He ignores it and instead stands, staring at her through the falling snow. The phone begins to ring a second time and this time he fishes it out of his pocket to see the caller ID.

"I'm so sorry, I have to take this," he mumbles. "I'll see you next week in the office?"

Donna nods.

Harvey climbs back into the car and Donna stands out in the snow, watching him drive away. Stuck in their unfinished conversation, she fixates on his last statement. You know I love you.

She watches as the car turns the corner, her next question rolling off her tongue and into the empty night sky for nobody to hear.

"How?"