Chapter 4 is here! I feel more nervous every time I post, but I'm happy you guys seem to be enjoying it so far! Let me know your thoughts on this one, I really appreciate them all :)

Donna and Mike had eventually stumbled back to the hot tub, with Mike clambering back in first, snacks in both hands. He takes his seat between Rachel and Harvey, places the snacks behind him and motions for Donna to hand over a couple of beers from the box he had brought down. She does so, with Mike handing one to Harvey, who utters a thanks. It was Donna's turn then to retake her seat in the water. She was evidently a little unsteady on her feet, her hand gripping the side of the tub as she stepped down with her right leg. Harvey watched carefully, fixated on her long limbs as she re-joined them. She had just stepped down with her left leg, about to take her seat, when she stumbled, slightly missing the step. Harvey's arm shot out to the side of him and Donna instantly gripped it for stability. Harvey's eyes bored into Donna's face, who was purposely avoiding looking at him. She didn't want to. She hated to admit that she was a little upset following their round of questions. It wasn't like she was angry at him, angrier at herself for how she felt about him, and in particularly, the way she had allowed herself to get caught up in his friendliness. And with that in mind, she chose to back off a little. It wasn't her intention to appear cold or distant, so she would remain friendly and involved in the group, but she decided to try and refrain from sharing looks with him and watching him when he wasn't looking. And she would be sure to avoid having to spend time alone with just Harvey. After having decided this in her mind during her brief moment in the bathroom. She stared down at the water as the electricity bolted through her body as she held onto his arm.

Had to be his arm, she thought.

"Thanks" she muttered, unintentionally sounding curt. She released her grip and eased her body down into the water, accepting a topped-up glass of wine from her best friend with a small smile. Donna had been so caught up in her own thoughts, and the way Harvey's touch had made her skin feel like it was on fire, that she had missed the expression Rachel was giving her as she passed her the wine. Rachel was bubbling at the surface with information, but had no choice but to wait for an opportunity alone with her.

Harvey hadn't missed the way Donna had responded to his gesture then. He wasn't sure why she was acting differently. Sure, they hadn't been on good terms for a while and hadn't officially made amends yet, he was still hoping to do so, but they had been friendly enough most of the day. There was a silence in the air. Rachel was desperate to speak to her friend and seemingly unable to think of anything else to say. Harvey was staring at Donna, a puzzled look gracing his face. Donna was staring into the bottom of her wine glass as she took a long drink to act like she couldn't feel his eyes on her. And Mike. Mike had drunk so much that he was oblivious to everything but was also the first to feel the need to break the silence.

"So, are we continuing with the questions game? Or are we moving on?" He asked.

Rachel looked at her two friends, Harvey's gaze still fixed, and Donna's gaze so obviously avoiding returning it. She decided to answer, mostly on behalf of Donna, who probably wouldn't be able to stand another round of personal questions right now. "I think that's enough don't you? You know, considering you're already drunk and are too scared to answer the questions anyway" she teases, hoping he would accept the redirection to end the game.

"Yeah, I am pretty drunk, aren't I?" He responds with a laugh.

Harvey snapped out of his trance, hoping Donna's change in demeanour was just a reaction to the near-fall. He joined the conversation, "I'd say you're a lot drunk. It's okay though buddy, not everyone can hold their liquor" he joked.

At the sight of Mike and Rachel laughing, Donna joined in, forcing a small chuckle to avoid drawing attention to herself.

"Truth or dare?" Mikes asks.

"Absolutely not. You're such a teenager" Harvey is the first to respond. Donna is secertly grateful for his quick response. Any other time, she would have totally been up for it, would have found it hilarious even. But today, she just dreaded anything that could provoke an awkward encounter with Harvey.

"See that's funny, because I feel like one at the side of you, old man" Mike responds, and everyone is laughing.

"Good one" Harvey says, fake smile on his face and beer bottle pointed in the direction of his best friend.

"Come on, what's the harm? Could be funny?" Mike half asks the last bit with a shrug.

"Haven't we basically just played it? Just without the dares?" Harvey says.

Donna doesn't want to be the one to say no, which is why she's supporting everything that Harvey says, only inwardly. She doesn't want to seem like she's being boring. Suddenly, she stops thinking pessimistically. She stops worrying. She trusts her friends. Surely, they wouldn't put her in a terribly awkward situation, not on purpose anyway. She remembers how she very rarely turns down any party game or any antic when drunk. I'm the life of the party, she thinks. And before she knows it, she's throwing her hands up in the air. "Fine" she says, "but a quick round, it's getting cold and that cute little fire pit over there in the seating area is calling for me", she muses. Rachel laughs along with a slight nod in agreement.

Donna feels his glare on her skin. She hasn't needed to look at him since their days at the DA's office to know when he's staring at her. She just knows, and right now, it was setting her alight. She aims to discourage him, to distract him so he stops. "Right" she starts, "who's first?"

And it works. He turns away. He takes a sip of his beer, looks towards Mike and clears his throat. "Truth or dare, kid"

"Dare"

A smirk spreads over his face. "I dare you to give your phone to me, and let me send a text of my choice to someone in your contact list" Harvey says, amusement purposely radiating in his voice, his hand outstretched to MIke.

"You sneaky son of a bitch" Mike says. He reaches over to where the drinks holder is behind him and takes his phone from there, begrudgingly handing it over. "Don't be too much of a dick, Harvey"

"And for that, I will be the biggest dick" he responds.

Rachel is finding this hilarious. She's calling out suggestions to Harvey, who laughs along as he scrolls through Mike's contacts list.

"Rachel!" Mike shouts, "stop encouraging him". He turns to Harvey then, "don't listen to her"

Donna is loving watching this evolve. She had to admit, she's a sucker for seeing someone in a sticky situation, and she knew Harvey. She knew he wouldn't hold back, and actually; she was a little worried for Mike. This wasn't going to be pretty.

Harvey suddenly stops scrolling, a mischievous grin spreading over his face.

"What? Have you sent it? Who is it?" Mike asks desperately.

"Hold your horses. I wanna check with the girls first" Harvey says, thriving off Mike's desperation.

What Harvey really meant by that was, he was willing to be a dick to Mike, but wanted to double check with Rachel that she was going to be okay with this. He turns the phone in her direction first, revealing the contact he had selected. Rachel's eyes widen, and Mike's stomach drops. She nods, stifling a laugh, and Harvey can't hide his excitement then. He quickly flashes it to Donna, who mumbles an "oh shit" and Mike is almost sweating. He hasn't experienced anxiety like this since his fraudulent days. Hell, even those were less stressful most days, he thinks. He's watching Harvey type away on his phone, heartbeat ringing in his ears. Harvey hands him the phone and Mike snatches it.

"Go on" Harvey says smugly, "read it aloud for everyone"

Mike's already staring at his sent messages. Eyes wide open, face drained of colour. "Robert Zane? Are you fucking kidding me? I am going to kill you. Plus you've sent two messages!"

"Oh just read it" Harvey repeats, urgency in his tone.

Mike starts, "You look totally hot in that bikini, can't wait to rip it off of you" he gulps before continuing to read the next message, "oh sorry, wrong Zane. Totally meant to send that to your daughter" he slams his phone down onto the drinks holder as all three of his companions burst out laughing. "I can't believe you've just sent that to her dad, Harvey. HER DAD"

Harvey is clutching at his sides now. He had found it funny before, but listening to Mike read it out had been the highlight of his night.

"Oh you are so mean" Rachel says, "but very smart I must say" and she's still laughing, clearly unfazed that her dad would see that, or maybe just too drunk to recognise how awkward this is. She notices the straight face of her fiancée and feels a slight pang of guilt, "don't worry, Mike. He'll see the funny side of it" she tries to comfort him, but she's still giggling away.

"Will he Rachel, really?" he knows she's lying. He sounds accusatory.

"Nope" she pops the 'p' sound and Donna and Harvey are in hysterics, with Donna crying actual tears of laughter. She's wiping them away and she can't help but think about how much she loves them. She loves each and every one of these idiots. She's really going to miss this, and a part of her feels sad that they hadn't done something like this before.

"Truth or dare?" Mike asks, eyes looking at Donna, trying to move the conversation on, but mostly trying to forget that he's awaiting a dreaded awkward response from his father-in-law.

"Hmm, dare" she shrugs. Truth is way scarier, she thinks.

Mike can't think of anything insanely embarrassing off of the top of his head right now, his mind way to occupied on his own experience just minutes before. He looks around, seemingly looking for inspiration. He spots the snacks he had brought with him earlier that he had forgotten about. He takes some hot Cheetos and holds them open in front of her. Donna stares back at him, confused.

"What?" She asks. "Surely you're not daring me to eat a hot Cheeto" she says.

"No" he states matter-of-factly, "I dare you to put one up each of your nostrils until the end of this game"

She laughs. She wasn't expecting that, but she does it anyway. Everyone watches as she takes out the Cheetos and places them in her nostrils. She squints her eyes and everyone starts laughing.

"How does it feel?" Rachel asks, a laugh escaping her lips.

"Hot" Donna squirms as she faces her best friend, "and weird" she adds.

It was a simple dare. But it was funny. Harvey is still laughing, chuckling away in disbelief that he's sitting in a hot tub with Donna, who has two Cheetos sticking out of her nose. He takes his phone and snaps a picture of her without her realising. That will come in useful, he thinks.

Donna is still looking at Rachel and decides it would be easier for her to ask Rachel than Harvey. "Truth or dare" she says to Rachel, voice a little nasal as she's trying not to breathe through her nose.

Rachel bursts out laughing. "Sorry. It's just I can't take you seriously when you've got shit in your nostrils"

"Not shit, Rachel. Cheetos" Donna says, straightfaced.

Rachel's laughing even more now. "Okay, stop it. Right. I'll mix it up a little. Truth"

Donna thinks for a moment, before saying "Rachel Zane. Which player would you like to swap lives with for a week?"

"Interesting" Rachel hums.

"Pretty good question actually' Mike utters and Harvey nods, "make sure you give some reasoning" he nudges Rachel.

"I think" she draws out, mouth twitching as she considers her options. "Harvey" she says finally. Harvey's eyes widen. He was expecting her to say Donna. He sits up a little straighter, genuine interest evident in his eyes. "Because, of the money. I'd wanna go shopping every day" she says, earning herself an eyeroll from Harvey. He was a little disappointed, he had to admit. "No I'm kidding. I mean I'm not, but not just because of that. I don't know" she starts again "I obviously know a lot about Mike because we live together and I feel like that would be boring for me to experience"

"Thanks" Mike murmurs jokingly and Donna laughs.

She gives him a slight nudge before continuing. "Donna, you were a strong contendor because you are quite the mystery even as my best friend BUT saying that, you are my best friend and I do know you pretty well and I know what you get up to sometimes in your spare time. But Harvey, honestly, outside of work and these group gatherings, I know very little about what you get up to. And I'm intrigued to see what New York's best closer gets up to in his spare time. And also, I'd quite enjoy having your confidence and arrogance and I'd love to just glare at people and watch them run away" she finishes.

Harvey laughs. "People don't run away" he says a little shyly. Donna can't refrain from finding his comment a little cute. Once upon a time, Harvey would have thrived from a comment like that, but he was different now, slightly more emotionally attentive.

"Oh but they do" Rachel says.

He chuckles again. "Well thanks, anyway I guess"

Rachel nods in his direction, then sips on her wine. "I suppose it's your turn now. Truth or dare, Harvey"

"Truth" he says.

"What's your biggest regret?" she asks

Harvey breathes out a laugh. A nervous laugh, which Donna had instantly recognised. Obviously. "Seriously?" he says with a smile. He didn't sound rude, his tone was light and friendly. He motions with his thumb to Donna "She's sat here with cheetos up her nose and yet I get hit with the deep and meaningful questions?" he laughs. So does Donna. She's holding her hand to her face now, trying to stop the Cheetos from falling out into the water.

"Well, you didn't choose dare" Rachel retorts, mockingly.

"Fair enough. My biggest regret" he repeats. He's really thinking about this. He has a lot of regrets, he realises. He wouldn't want to admit most of them, but the list was pretty long. "I have quite a lot, I'm not actually sure what my biggest one is" he says honestly. He looks lost in thought and Rachel empathises a little, slightly regretting her question.

"Okay, well maybe just choose any then. Doesn't need to be your biggest one. I'll rephrase it. What is something you regret?" Rachel says softly.

"Make it interesting though, Harv" Mike says, not wanting his best friend to have an easy round in the game.

Harvey gives a nod in Rachel's direction, silently thanking her and she smiles in acknowledgement. Everyone's eyes are fixed on him. He feels nervous. Shit, he thinks, something interesting. Just say one, he's telling himself.

"I regret sleeping with so many women" he says. He's happy with that choice. Not too personal, slightly interesting and definitely an honest regret. He looks at his friends, all silent and eyes wide. They werent expecting that, he thinks.

"Bullshit" Mike announces.

Harvey smiles. He knew Mike would comment first. "I swear to god, man. Honest truth" he replies, hand held over his chest.

"Why?" It's Donna who speaks next. She can't quite believe she's just said that. So much for trying to be uninvolved, she thinks.

Harvey wasn't expecting any more questions about this, especially not from Donna. But because it was Donna, he chooses to answer, eyes moving from her Cheeto nostrils to meet her hazel eyes. "I think I just realised that it's way better when it means something"

"The sex is?" Mike interrupts, always one to ruin a moment.

Harvey chuckles. "Definitely"

"You've gone soft, old man"

Rachel swats the arm of her fiancee. "You should be agreeing with him Michael Ross"

He holds his hands up as an apology and they both laugh. Harvey watches the exchange and laughs along with them. He wasn't embarrassed, maybe he had gone soft. Or maybe he'd just come to realise a few things since accessing his emotional side. Donna wasn't saying anything. She knew that this game would somehow make her feel a little down. She didn't want to hear about how Harvey's new relationship had him feeling all kinds of love and affection. She was jealous. The worst thing to feel, she thought. She had to admit though, she was proud of him. She was proud that he had been able to access that information, and share it. She liked to see this side of him, open and slightly vulnerable, even if it meant him sharing information she didn't really want to hear. She felt selfish, then, and tried to focus on Harvey, and how important that realisation must have been for him. He probably loves Paula, she thinks. And although it's painful, she feels happy for him. He deserves happiness. And she removes her Cheetos, and decides it's time to move on from this game.

Mike spots her doing this. "Does this mean it's game over, Cheeto nose?"

"That the best you could come up with?" she says, laughing.

Mike shrugs in response.

"Yeah, game over. I'm cold. We moving this party to the sofas?" She asks. She wasn't lying. She was cold. She'd noticed the goosepimples on her skin a little over an hour ago, certain the alcohol is the only reason she wasn't shivering to the core already. Everyone agrees, and they start to exit the hot tub, Rachel leading the way and Donna starting to follow, drinks firmly planted in each of their hands.

"There are some spare blankets in my bedroom wardrobe" Harvey says, "I'll grab them for us all". He watches as Donna exits the tub. Water covering her freckle-defined pale body, droplets threatening to fall from the escaped strands of hair on her neck. He's staring actually. He'd never noticed how amazing she looked in red, it wasn't a colour she wore too often. He also didn't fail to recognise how amazing she looked in a bikini. A body he's seen properly only once, yet a body he remembers so clearly. Mike gives him a slight splash, pulling him from his trance. Harvey's cheeks blush instantly but he tries to remain oblivious, choosing to give Mike a face that says 'what the fuck?' only to receive raised eyebrows and an expression that says 'you know what' from Mike. Harvey laughs at that. Goddamn Mike, he thinks, the kid sees everything.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It was almost midnight and the four friends had dried off and changed into some clothes and they had been sat around the fire for almost 20 minutes, blankets wrapped firmly around them. The fire crackled gently, casting a warm glow on each face, creating a calm and homely atmosphere. Above them, the sky was now an ocean of dark blue, stars shining and flickering in sequence, though casting no light. Rachel and Mike were seated on one sofa, a single blanket surrounding the both of them, with Rachel snuggled ever so slightly into the side of her husband to be. Donna and Harvey were seated on the sofa opposite them, on the other side of the fire. They each had their own blanket wrapped around them. Harvey's feet were planted firmly on the ground, and Donna's were pulled up onto the sofa, crossed beneath her body as she rests her glass of wine in her lap.

"I can't believe he hasn't text back yet" Rachel says.

"I'm kind of glad" Mike says

Harvey is laughing. "I hope he responds soon. I don't want to miss your reaction when it comes"

"ha ha" Mike mocks, and Harvey gives an overly sarcastic and smug smile.

"Yeah. I kind of want to see what he says too" Donna adds, chuckling at Mike's exaggerated eyeroll.

They fall into comfortable conversation then, mostly talking about work, and Mike and Harvey listen intently to some gossip about some of their other colleagues, courtesy of Donna and Rachel.

"You know, for two people who claim to be extremely busy at work, you do know a hell of a lot of information about other people's private lives" Harvey says inquisitvely

"That's because we're women" Donna breaths, mocking exasperation "and we're awesome".

Harvey smiles in response. He should have expected a response like that.

"Wouldn't dream of arguing against that" Mike says, Harvey nods in agreement.

"Good boy" Rachel mocks, tapping him on the arm lightly.

"I'm going to go grab a couple more beers from inside and go to the bathroom" Harvey announces as he stands from the sofa. He's wearing some grey jogger-type bottoms and a black hooded jumper. He's got a slight stubble forming too and Donna enjoys seeing a less perfected side of him. As they watch him enter the door of the cabin, Rachel turns to face Mike.

"Mike, would you mind going to grab Donna and I another bottle of wine?" she pleads, eye's feigning innocence.

"You couldn't have just asked Harvey then?" he says

"I didn't think" she lies. She wanted to be alone with Donna. Needed to be alone with Donna. She had been dying for the opportunity to tell her about Harvey and Paula, but hadn't had the chance. Until now.

"Okay" Mike says reluctantly, "be right back" and he gets up to leave. Rachel's eyes burning into his back, urging him to hurry. She was about to burst.

The second he's out of earshot, Rachel faces Donna and looks her straight in the eye.

"What is it?" Donna says, a little worried yet also very intrigued.

"Harvey broke up with Paula" she blurts.

"What?" She's taken aback, slightly at a loss for words and slighly unsure of how she's feeling.

"He's single, Donna. They broke up yesterday"

"How do you know?"

"He told me, earlier, in the hot tub"

"He told you? Not Mike?"

"Nope, Harvey. I don't know the full story but yeah, they definitely broke up"

"Well, shit"

"What do you mean, well shit? Isn't now your chance?"

Donna shakes her head. She hasn't once thought of it that way. She knew deep down how Harvey felt about her so she wasn't holding onto much hope.

"I think it's not really my chance" the redhead says, "i think it's more likely just my fault" she finishes, sad and guilty boring into Rachel's.

"I don't know, Donna. I feel like Harvey would have behaved differently if you had been the cause, you know? I mean you said it yourself, he changed massively when you kissed him, started acting different with you and being a bit mean. So don't you think if you had been the cause of his break-up, that he'd be this nice to you?" she asks, "because I don't"

Donna's expression changes. Rachel had a point, she thought. Harvey had treated her like a stranger after the kiss. He couldn't look at her, never mind talk to her, so if the kiss and led to relationship issues, surely he would still be acting the same way? She was confused, and a little overwhelmed.

She sighs. The reality was still the same. "Nothing changes, Rachel. He doesn't look at me that way. We're just friends, best friends. I'm just happy that we can navigate our way back to that right now" She wasn't lying, but she wasn't being completely honest either. Sure, it's what she wanted, but she still wished for more.

Rachel looks at her best friend intently, studying her, trying to work out if there's more behind that answer. She decides to leave it, having faith that the two of them will come together in their own time. "I'm happy you guys are on good terms again" she decides to say. It's the truth. Harvey and Donna being friends again has been important for this weekend. It wouldn't have been the same if they were at odds with each other.

"Yeah" Donna says, softly, "me too. But I can't just move on and leave things left unsaid, you know? I need to talk it through with him, the whole thing. I'm dreading it, and it'll be awkward as shit, but we need to do it" she says, nodding in the direction of the doors as if to signal to Rachel that they reappearing so not to respond. Rachel smiles softly, a smile that shows she's understood her best friend, and Donna is happy enough with that.

"What were you two gossiping about?" Mike asks as he and Harvey re-take their places on the sofas.

"Handbags" they say in unison, both hiding smirks behind their glasses. They were so in sync, and both proud of their ability to do that without planning.

Harvey rolls his eyes and looks at Donna "don't you have enough?"

Rachel smiles at the interaction she witnesses. They're like a married couple already, she thinks. The sooner they realise that, the better.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Mike seriously, we're going to bed. I bet you can't even see" Rachel says, attempting to scoop his arm over her shoulder.

It's the early hours of the morning now and the four have consumed more alcohol than they could attempt to guess. They're all obviously drunk, but Mike was definitely the worst. He was struggling to stand, slurring his speech and refusing to go to bed.

"I'm not even drunk" he retorts.

"You definitely are" Donna says "BED!" she tells him.

Mike looks at her, fakes a solute and stands up, leaning into Rachel.

"Oh great, you'll listen to Donna but not me" she jokes, holding his weight.

"She's the boss, Rach" he says, as serious as possible. Donna quips an eyebrow at Rachel"Too right she is" Harvey mumbles, and they all laugh.

Mike and Rachel say their goodnights and stumble their way towards the cabin. Harvey is taking a video on his phone of Mike being dragged along by his future wife, and Donna is laughing at the way Rachel is threatening to leave him outside on the grass all night if he doesn't at least try to walk. She shakes her head and turns back around to face the fire, grateful for its warmth. She realises then that it's just the two of them. She had wanted so badly to avoid this. She had told herself she wouldn't be left alone with him. Did she subconsciously ignore it since he's single? She wasn't sure. But she was sure she felt nervous. Harvey puts his phone down and realises the same thing. Neither says anything, they're both staring at the fire, fidgeting with the drinks in their hands.

And suddenly they both feel sober.

A silence blankets them. It's smothering them. Donna can't stand it. She breaks the silence. She doesn't say much.

"Sooo" she half-sings.

A pause and then nothing.

"So" he repeats.

And then he's looking at her. And she's looking back at him. And neither knows what to say next.