Prompt by DarveyGreatness: Pre- canon. During a Christmas party Harvey sees tipsy Donna making out with another guy. He gets jealous.
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Cocktails & Confessions
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"I can't tempt you with a Christmas cocktail?" The barman said with a wink. "I can make you a Poinsettia, or a Brandy Alexander. Or maybe I can warm you up with a Hot toddy?"
Donna lifted an eyebrow. She'd normally enjoy the casual flirting. The barman - Troy, as she noted from his name badge, was perhaps a little young, but he was easy on the eye and oozed confidence. However, she really wasn't in the mood. She gave him a smile as she shook her head. "A Whiskey sour will do fine," Donna turned away from him, "sour fits my mood, tonight," she mumbled under her breath. She scanned the beautifully decorated ballroom, now brimming with colleagues, their plus ones, and clients. There was a soft hum of pleasant chatter, accompanied by a classy swing band playing Christmas songs.
Donna let out a deep sigh. This Christmas felt different. For the first time in well, forever, she just couldn't seem to get in the mood. She didn't have that buzz, that fun festive anticipation that normally consumed her throughout most of December.
She knew the reason. The last few months had been uncomfortable. Everything had felt off-kilter.
The dust had settled after Stephen's treachery had come to light. Shit had gone down, Ava's case had blown up, the merger with Darby International had been dissolved, and everything on the surface appeared to be back to normal.
However, nothing felt normal to Donna. Stephen's betrayal had really stung. Not only was she mortified and humiliated that the smooth talking miscreant managed to pull the wool over her eyes, but in doing so, she was consumed with guilt that her failure to see through his charm had almost cost the firm dearly.
No one said anything. Nobody held her to account. There wasn't even any questioning or doubting of her Donna skills. If anything, everyone was very understanding. Even sympathetic, which only compounded how crappy she felt about it all.
Then there was the awkwardness that seemed to have arisen between her and Harvey. They still joked, she still worked her magic behind the scenes and he still kicked ass, but underpinning that was constant underlying tension. It had been building before Stephen's villainy had been revealed, but Harvey's march to the bathroom to beat the crap out of the British lawyer seemed to have marked a definitive change in their dynamic.
Harvey maintained he wasn't defending her honor. He just wanted to pummel the shit out of the bastard for screwing over the firm and their client. But it didn't go unnoticed by anyone in the room at the time, that it wasn't Stephen's betrayal that propelled Harvey out of his office, but Donna's tears.
Donna believed that this unspoken understanding of Harvey's real motivations, alongside his confession that Stephen had bothered him, was the foundation of their awkwardness. Which was bad enough, but then Scottie returned. Both to the office as a senior partner, and also to Harvey's bed - and not for the usual casual hook up. Harvey and Scottie were now officially a couple. Outwardly, Donna supported this new development in Harvey's personal life wholeheartedly. Inwardly, she felt nauseous.
Donna respected Scottie. The woman could go toe to toe with Harvey. She pushed and challenged him, and Donna certainly understood the attraction and chemistry between them. But there was something about the woman that had always irked her. She didn't doubt Scottie's feelings for Harvey, but the feisty brunette could be volatile and calculating, and bottom line, Donna didn't trust her.
Now, to rub salt in her wounds, it was the night of the firm's annual Christmas party. Donna would usually have been giddy with excitement. Every year, she would have a new dress and shoes for the occasion, Harvey's Christmas present to her, courtesy of his credit card. She would happily direct and supervise the party organizers that Jessica would hire, oversee all the preparations and decorations, and then Harvey would accompany her to the ball, so to speak. An unofficial agreement between them, that they would go together. Harvey, pretending to hate every moment, whilst actually enjoying Donna teasing him about that fact.
Only this year, of course, Harvey would be accompanied by Scottie. This was totally to be expected. Scottie was a partner at the firm and his girlfriend, of course she would be his date. That didn't stop Donna from smarting about it though.
She could have easily arranged an alternative date for herself, but her heart wasn't in it. She was still licking her wounds following Stephen, and truth be told, she'd been half in mind to skip the whole thing entirely. Unfortunately, Jessica had made it known that she expected full attendance, and Rachel would never have entertained the notion of her staying home.
Her eyes cast toward the open doorway to the ballroom, her spidey sense having alerted her that Harvey had arrived. He looked effortlessly handsome as always, even more dashing than usual in his tux. He swept two glasses of champagne off a passing tray, handing one to the brunette on his arm. Scottie looked radiant, dressed head to toe in an exquisite Oscar de la Renta black and silver gown. The couple grinned at each other before Scottie whispered something in his ear, and he immediately chuckled, his face breaking out into that famous Specter smile.
"On second thoughts…" Donna turned back to the barman. "I'll have 'A Short Trip To Hell'." She threw him a challenging look as if to question just how good a barman he was.
"Three different types of Schnapps, Jagermeister, and Red Bull. Wow! Someone is hitting it hard tonight," Troy said, meeting her challenge with a cocky grin. "What about your whiskey sour?" He pointed to the drink he'd already made and placed on a coaster before her.
"I'll start with that while you busy yourself mixing the next. Make it heavy on the strawberry schnapps!"
"Yes ma'am!"
Donna knocked back her Whiskey sour, and held the glass against her lips as she savored the burn. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, reaffirming her decision to have a couple of drinks, say a few obligatory hello's, spread a bit of Donna charm as was expected of her, and then make a swift exit as soon as possible. The sight of Harvey and Scottie arriving together arm in arm had unsettled her more than she thought it would.
"You made it then." Rachel's voice interrupted her thoughts. Donna twisted in her chair to find Rachel standing behind her, wearing a stunning taupe Prada gown and a wry smile.
"You thought I wouldn't be here?" Donna asked incredulously, regardless of the fact that she had seriously considered bailing. After all, she always attended these events when invited.
Rachel shrugged. "I don't know, just a feeling I had. You didn't seem as excited about the Christmas Ball this year."
It was Donna's turn to shrug. "Nonsense. I'm having a great time." Troy appeared as if on cue and placed a tall bright red cocktail on the bar with a waggle of his eyebrows. "... Look, I'm already on drink number two!"
"You also appeared to have pulled the barman!" Rachel commented with a quirk of her lips and a nod to Troy, who had moved down the other end of the bar to serve an impatient and very purple looking Louis. The barman's eyes kept flitting back to Donna though.
"Don't I always," Donna said resignedly. "Where's Mike?"
"Over there with Harvey. He wanted to tease him about his tux. He's been rehearsing some James Bond quotes."
Donna's eyes followed Rachel's line of sight, and she chuckled as she spotted the two men. Mike was clearly reciting lines, before miming firing a Walter PPK, and ending with a flourish as he blew the tip of his finger gun, causing Harvey to roll his eyes. She noted that Scottie wasn't at his side anymore. A quick scan of the room revealed that she was already off networking the crowd, currently schmoozing with one of Louis's biggest clients. Donna gave a little huff to herself and shook her head.
"What?" Rachel queried, clocking who Donna was looking at.
"Nothing… just Scottie being Scottie."
Rachel lifted an eyebrow waiting for Donna to elaborate.
"The woman is only happy if she's causing trouble. It's a Christmas party, she's been here all of five minutes, and she's already deliberately trying to rile Louis up with a bit of power play."
Rachel rolled her lips as she nodded slowly. "Hmmm."
Donna's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean, hmmm?"
"Nothing." Rachel gave her friend an innocent look.
Donna lifted a hand as though to halt Rachel's train of thought. "You can quit that look, right the hell now. This has nothing to do with her being with Harvey."
"Of course not." Rachel agreed. "And that's why you're not going to leave this party early either."
Donna tilted her head and pursed her lips. "Rachel!"
"You've had one eye on Harvey and Scottie, and the other on the door since they got here."
Donna inhaled sharply, a little perturbed that Rachel had read her so easily.
"Listen, Donna. I know the last few months haven't been easy for you, but you need to snap out of this funk you're in. If anyone should let their hair down and have a good time tonight, it's you."
Donna shook her head as she twisted her glass in her fingers. "Rachel… I'm really not—"
"I don't wanna hear it. You look totally irresistible in what appears to be a Vera Wang number if I'm not mistaken, killer Loubatines, and yet what are you doing? Sitting in a corner, propping up the bar and biding your time until you can leave without raising any eyebrows."
Donna's shoulders dropped slightly, unable to keep up the facade in front of Rachel any longer. She took a large swig of her drink and lifted her eyes to meet the concerned frown of her friend.
"I just… I know it's ridiculous, but this is the first time in almost ten years that I've not been at his side for the Christmas Ball. Harvey has a different date on his arm to every corporate event held throughout the year, but at Christmas, we both kinda agreed, no dates, we'd just goof off and have fun. We'd drink our body weight in expensive scotch and champagne, I'd make him laugh busting moves on the dance floor, he'd try and outdo himself each year winding Louis up. It was just our thing, a kind of 'end of the year' celebration." She expelled a heavy sigh and gave Rachel a shrug. "But now he's with Scottie. Which is fine, she's his girlfriend, so of course, it's different this year. It's silly of me—"
"It's not silly, Donna. I understand." Rachel placed her hand on Donna's arm before lifting her chin and motioning to the barman. "But that's even more reason to let loose tonight and try to have some fun. You are no wallflower, and you don't feel sorry for yourself. You're Donna! It's Christmas and you are meant to be the life and soul of the party. So… I'm going to get you another drink, and you are going to go make merry, maybe consider working your charm on some of the single talent in the room and most definitely liven this place up with your special brand of Donna magic." Before Donna had a chance to respond, Rachel switched her attention to the barman. "I'll have a Vodka martini, and my friend here will have a Tipsy Santa!"
"Coming right up!" Troy flashed them both another wide smile.
"Rachel Elizabeth Zane! Are you trying to manipulate me into having a good time?"
"I learned from the best," Rachel replied with a wink. "Besides was anything I said untrue?"
"Of course not. We all know this party will be dull as dishwater without me." Donna knocked back the remains of her drink, followed it up with a hefty slug from her 'Tipsy Santa', and slid off the bar stool, making a beeline for the dance floor.
...
Harvey felt twitchy. Ill at ease. Like his suit didn't fit properly, or there was something he had forgotten to do.
He'd had two or three drinks already and although he could feel the familiar warmth in his veins, he wasn't relaxed. If anything, he became more uptight and on edge as the evening wore on.
Harvey had no problem with corporate events, galas, balls, and the like. His status was such that it wasn't unusual to be invited to two or three a month. It kind of came with the job, especially now that he was a named partner. Charity fundraisers or celebrations of supposed philanthropic work were really just foils for glorified networking opportunities. They offered the chance to do business with the upper echelons of New York society, and as the city's best closer, Harvey excelled at it. Not to mention he enjoyed the female attention, the free yet high-end drinks that invariably flowed and he knew damn well he looked good in a tux.
The Christmas Ball was his favorite event though, and it had nothing to do with tinsel, mistletoe, eggnog, or Santa Claus. Harvey looked forward to the annual Christmas party because it was the one where he and Donna would let loose a little and have a lot of, very often childish, fun.
Only it wasn't Donna on his arm this evening, but his girlfriend. Taking it to the next level in his relationship with Scottie had been a somewhat unnerving but a mature step in the right direction. So far, things had been going pretty well, and it really hadn't crossed his mind that tonight might feel any different.
However, with their first drink in hand, it soon became abundantly clear that letting loose was not in Scottie's gameplan. She was competitive to her core, and rather than kicking back and enjoying the festivities, she saw limitless opportunities to lay the groundwork for one-upmanship against her peers. Including Harvey.
Normally, he would be happy to go toe to toe with her. They were like peas in a pod, and her strive and thirst for power was only matched by his own. But tonight was the one exception. Tonight was the night that Harvey usually gave himself a free pass. Aided by Donna, he would normally set aside his work concerns and ambitions, and just relax, shake off all the tension, and have fun.
It certainly wasn't fun listening to Louis rant at him for ten minutes about Scottie sweet-talking two of his clients.
"Look at her now! You think I don't know what she's doing?" Louis was blustering, as he gestured in the direction of the buffet table where Scottie had sidled alongside Thomas Kessler in the guise of sampling the exquisite food.
"I think it looks like she's enjoying a shrimp vol-au-vent."
Louis continued, ignoring Harvey's response. "Kessler is one of my oldest clients!"
"Really? He doesn't look a day over forty-five!"
"Goddamnit Harvey, yes, while he does have unnaturally youthful and glowing skin for a man in his early fifties, that's not what I mean."
Harvey smirked as he took a sip of scotch. As fun as it was goading Louis, it dawned on him that this whole conversation would have been much more entertaining if Donna had been standing next to him. Instead, while his ears had been assaulted by Louis's somewhat paranoid histrionics, Harvey's eyes had been solely focussed on his secretary currently strutting her stuff on the dance floor. By his calculations, Donna was only one drink away from full-on free-styling. She had clearly had more than a few drinks, and yet she wasn't making a fool of herself. She managed to exude fun and joy while still appearing effortlessly graceful. Harvey couldn't tear his eyes away.
"What is that rapacious raven haired harpy up to now?" Louis was eyeing Scottie like a hawk. Harvey reluctantly looked back to his girlfriend at Louis's words. Scottie was whispering in Kessler's ear, but both of them were clearly watching Donna on the dance floor. Harvey's frown deepened as the two then separated. Scottie, making her way back over to Louis and Harvey, Kessler, weaving his way towards the redhead.
"Louis! Enjoying the party?" Scottie asked with a mischievous grin. "How many prunie cocktails you had so far?"
"Until my patent comes through, unfortunately none, as well you know. What were you whispering to my client about?"
"Who? Thomas?" Scottie replied feigning total innocence. "Oh, this and that, you know how it is."
"You mean you were trying to bewitch him with your sorcerous ways! Well know this, virago, you may believe yourself to be an invincible temptress, but I am the chief warlock around here, and my clients are wrapped in a shield of supreme Litt power! Kessler will not fall for your rabid charms."
"Oh, I don't doubt it, Louis." Scottie's eyes flashed with amusement. "But have no fear, it's not my rabid charm that Thomas is interested in." Their attention switched to the dance floor, where Thomas had looped an arm around Donna's waist. His lips were moving and Donna threw her head back and laughed. "He wanted to know more about the dazzling redhead, so I was happy to oblige. That's all."
Throughout Scottie's entire exchange with Louis, Harvey's attention had been solely fixed on Kessler. His eyes had followed him from the moment the man had approached Donna. Harvey's muscles were tense, his mouth had gone dry despite taking heavier swigs of his scotch, and with every passing minute that he watched Louis's client worm his way into Donna's good graces, his chest was tightening. Hearing Scottie happily confess that she had encouraged Thomas's advances in a bid to ingratiate herself to him, wasn't helping matters. It pissed him the hell off.
"Anyway," Scottie sighed, "I have promised to dance with Niall Wetherald, CEO of—"
"Alba Industries. Are you frickin' kidding me? He's also one of my oldest clients!"
"Niall? You surprise me Louis, I'd have said he's no older than thirty-five."
"Goddamn sons of bitches!" Louis grumbled under his breath as he stormed away.
"That was fun!" Scottie grinned as she linked her arm through Harvey's. He felt himself tense up even more and he shuffled uncomfortably on the spot.
"You shouldn't wind him up like that. This is supposed to be a party," Harvey mumbled still with his eyes fixed firmly on the dance floor. The band had started to play 'Baby it's cold outside' and the lyrics being crooned by the Dean Martin wannabe on stage were only unsettling Harvey further. Thomas was now swaying Donna from side to side, and she had wrapped her arms around his neck, a flirty smile plastered across her flushed cheeks.
"I thought baiting Louis was your favorite thing to do at the Christmas party?" Scottie retorted with a scoff.
"You're not baiting him. You are doing exactly what he suspects you are doing. Trying to poach his clients."
"Actually, I'm doing both!" She giggled and then stopped as she became aware that Harvey's eyes were still zeroed in on Thomas and Donna, and he hadn't looked at her once since she'd returned to his side. "Oh... I see what this is." She shook her head and smiled, as though cursing herself for being so dumb.
"What?" Harvey finally turned his head and met her assessing look.
"You're mad I pushed Thomas in Donna's direction."
Harvey rolled his eyes, but his stomach clenched. "Scottie!" he said wearingly.
"It's fine, Harvey. Really. When you've finished staring and stewing, do you think you could get me a drink? I've got a dance date with Niall."
Without another word, she swept past him and marched in the direction of Louis' client. Harvey cursed himself for being so obvious. He'd probably pay for that later, but it wasn't consciously done, and despite an awareness that he should follow his girlfriend and try to make amends, to reassure her, he found his feet were still planted to the ground. His gaze was fixed back on his secretary and her increasingly determined dance partner.
Harvey's jaw ticked as he noted Kessler's hands had dipped lower on her back. Earlier in the evening, Harvey had appreciated the amount of creamy freckled skin that had been on show courtesy of the low cut of the back of Donna's dress. Now, not so much. Instead, he had a burning desire to march on to the dance floor and rip Kessler's hands away and replace them with his own. Maybe landing a neat right hook to his chiseled face in the process. Christ! What the hell was wrong with him? He needed to get a grip.
Harvey knocked back his drink and decided he needed to refocus his attention on the brunette that had just walked away, understandably upset. But as he turned to head for the bar to buy her a drink, his attention was diverted once again. Donna's laugh carried across the ballroom. Thomas was foxtrotting her across the dance floor, seemingly intent on a particular destination, which was causing her to giggle incessantly. Harvey frowned as he tried to work out what Kessler was playing at, when with a sudden cold realization, he noted they had arrived under a huge clump of mistletoe, strategically strung near to the giant Christmas tree. Hell no! Not happening.
In the blink of an eye, Harvey found himself standing next to the couple without having any recollection of walking over to them.
"Is it okay if I cut in?" Harvey heard himself saying. His voice was low and soft, but his eyes were screaming at Kessler to back the hell off.
Thomas blinked a couple of times, initial confusion soon replaced by an understanding that Harvey was marking his territory.
"Uhm…" he hesitated, as he glanced at Donna, who was just staring at Harvey opened mouthed.
"Donna always makes me promise to dance with her at least once at our Christmas party," Harvey added, flashing Thomas a wide smile, but his glare was reiterating his earlier message. Back. The. Fuck. OFF!
"Of course!" Thomas choked out. "She's all yours." He placed Donna's hand in Harvey's open palm, the men not breaking eye contact. "It was a pleasure, Donna."
Thomas took a few steps backward before turning on his heel.
Harvey wasted no time pulling Donna to his chest as he placed his other hand on the small of her back. The warm softness of her skin instantly both calmed and lit a fire in him. The band was now playing "White Christmas" and he slowly began turning her around the dance floor.
"What the hell was that?" Donna finally asked.
Harvey lifted an eyebrow. "I don't know what you mean."
"Really! Well for starters, you never dance."
"That's not true. I happen to be very good at dancing"
"I didn't say you weren't good at it, I said you never do it."
"Just because I normally prefer to watch you throwing down some moves, doesn't mean I don't dance."
"Hmmm." Donna pulled her head back slightly to study him more closely. She was a little unsteady on her feet, the constant stream of drinks he'd seen her imbibe, clearly taking their toll. Harvey tightened his hold on her, whilst avoiding meeting her eyes. He changed the direction of their dancing and tilted his head so that her forehead was now resting against his cheek.
"You don't normally drink this much," he murmured.
"Yes I do, and especially at the Christmas party."
"Yes, but you don't normally mix your cocktails. What the hell were you drinking earlier? It was bright pink and had a sparkler sticking out of it."
"Hell, I can't remember. I think it was a 'Burning bush'."
Harvey smirked, and Donna chuckled. The song was coming to an end, and for the last few bars of music, they hardly moved, just swayed on the spot. As the final notes played out, Donna pulled her head away and their eyes locked. Harvey didn't relinquish his hold on her, and suddenly it felt like all the air was sucked out of the room. They stared at one another and Donna's rosy glow turned into a deep blush.
"Donna," he whispered, completely mesmerized by the deep sparkle of her hazel eyes. He released her hand, but lifted his fingers and brushed aside a stray lock of hair that had fallen across her face.
"Harvey!"
He frowned hearing his name, but well aware it wasn't the woman he was currently holding that had called him. Scottie had approached them, a tight smile on her face.
He immediately stepped away from Donna and cleared his throat. "Scottie! everything okay?"
"Super!" she answered with more than a little bite. "I think I'd like to call it a night. Are you good to go?" Her voice was steady, but Harvey sensed a tremble in her countenance.
He swallowed and with a quick smile at Donna, he gave a nod. "Yeah, sure. Let me just say my goodbyes to Jessica and I'll call Ray."
"Great!" Scottie's fixed smile remained in place. "Good night Donna. You owned the dance floor tonight, as always."
Donna gave a half smile. "Good night Scottie… and Merry Christmas!" She turned to leave the dance floor when Harvey called after her.
"Are you heading home soon too?"
Donna shook her head. "I think I need another drink first. One for the road." She took a step backward. "Merry Christmas, Harvey."
...
It was well past midnight when Harvey eventually made it back to his condo.
He was tired, and not just physically. There was a heaviness that seemed to smother him, and he longed to just crash out on his bed.
The elevator dinged, and he took two steps forward and halted.
There, sitting in a heap against his front door was Donna. Her arms were limp at her side and her eyes were closed. At first glance, he thought that she was asleep, but then he heard her humming.
"Donna?"
Her eyes flashed open and she looked up at him with a lazy grin. "Heyyyy!"
Harvey realised in an instant that she'd clearly had more than just one for the road.
"What are you doing here, Donna?"
"Lossmakeys!" she exhaled and then followed it with a hiccup.
Harvey quirked an eyebrow. "I see. But you have a key to my apartment, why are you sitting out here, you could have let yourself in."
"Lossyourkeytoo!" She lifted her shoulders in an over-exaggerated shrug. "Hey, how did you get up there?" She then asked, pointing up at him in wonder.
Harvey tilted his head and looked at her, more than a little amused. "Well, Donna. I'm standing and you're on the floor!"
Donna frowned, looking thoroughly puzzled. Harvey chuckled. "Come on, let's get you up and inside. I think someone needs a strong coffee!"
Harvey lifted her up by her elbows, but she was so unsteady that she fell against him, collapsing into his arms in a heap of giggles. "Ooops!" she snorted, her face pressed into his chest.
Harvey wrapped an arm around her to keep her steady while he fished out his keys to open the door. Donna was still face planted in his chest, but she lifted her chin and suddenly inhaled sharply, then gave a deep moan. "Good lord, you smell divine!"
Harvey froze momentarily, not knowing quite how to respond to that. Donna on the other hand decided to take another sniff, this time burying her nose in his neck.
"Christ, you're like catnip!" she gasped.
"Okay! The door is open… come on, one foot in front of the other!" Harvey practically dragged her through the hallway. It would probably have been easier if he'd just picked her up and carried her, but doing so would have given her more access to his neck, and he worried she was on the verge of taking a bite out of him.
He helped her onto one of his kitchen stools, and satisfied she was settled and not likely to fall off, he immediately set about making a pot of coffee.
Donna rested her elbows on the counter, and her face in her hands as she swung the stool back and forth, watching Harvey move about the kitchen.
He placed a glass of water in front of her. "Drink this while the coffee is brewing!"
"Sooo bossy!"
"And you're drunk!" Harvey said with a frown. It wasn't that Donna didn't usually drink, hell they both normally went to town at the Christmas party, but she could normally handle her alcohol consumption much better than him. He'd certainly never seen her like this before. "How many drinks did you have after I left?"
Donna dragged her hand from her face and began slowly counting her fingers, as she swayed in her seat. She looked up at him with a lopsided grin. "I have no idea!"
Harvey rolled his eyes.
"Where's Scottie?" Donna asked suddenly, and she slowly spun a full 360 degrees on her stool, as though expecting to spy the other woman somewhere in his condo. She ended back where she started and met Harvey's amused expression.
"Not here!"
Donna rolled her bottom lip between her lip and hiccuped again. "Oh dear. Is someone in trouble?" she asked with a wag of her finger.
Harvey stiffened. "Why would you think that?"
Donna theatrically threw her arms out to the side. "It's Christmas, there was a party, she looked veeeery sexy and you were in your hot! Tux!" Donna licked her lips and Harvey had to look away. "She should be here with you, bumping uglies. Pounding the punnani pavement. Having a hot beef injection. Hiding the saus—"
"I get the gist, Donna."
"No, I got more of these," she giggled. "Bagging the bishop, doing the four legged shuffle, or specific to Scottie, opening the gates to Mordor!"
"We broke up!"
Donna's elbow slipped off the counter and she stared at him open mouthed. "Shit!"
Harvey turned his back and opened a cupboard, retrieving a coffee mug. "It's fine!"
"What happened?"
"I don't wanna talk about it right now."
"Was it the dance?"
"Donna! I said I don't wanna talk about it. Here, drink this." He'd poured a mug of black coffee and pushed it toward her.
Donna held eye contact with him as she slowly picked up the mug and took a sip. Harvey returned her gaze, before dropping his eyes to the counter.
"Are you seeing Kessler again?"
"I did give him my number."
Harvey's jaw twitched. "Did you now."
"Yup. Well, he bought me a drink, so it only seemed fair." She continued to stare at him over her coffee.
"Depends on the quality of the drink."
"He had them open a bottle of Bollinger."
"Flashy bastard, then."
Donna smirked and took another sip of her coffee. "Yeah, but it wasn't the drink I wanted though!"
"No?"
"No." She placed her mug down on the counter, and Harvey lifted his eyes to meet hers.
"What were you hoping for?"
Donna licked her lips and leaned forward slightly.
"I really wanted a Harvey Wallbanger!"
They both stared at one another, the air completely still, almost heavy. Neither dared to look away.
"Donna…" Harvey whispered. He tilted his head to the side and gave her a pleading look.
Donna dropped her coffee mug to the counter and then threw her head back and burst out laughing. She gave Harvey a wave with her hand, reassuring him that she was just joking.
However, they both knew she'd really just given him an out, for the panic on his face was more than evident. Harvey closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh.
Donna slid off the stool and zig-zagged her way to his couch, her legs still unsteady. She collapsed onto the cushions and kicked off her shoes. "I think I'll just rest here a bit. My head's all fuzzy!"
Harvey nodded and his lips twitched with amusement, watching as she curled her legs under, making herself comfortable in the corner of his couch. She looked good there. Too good, like she was totally at home. The sight twisted something in his stomach and he felt torn between moving her and making sure she got home safely, or just leaving her be.
He went with the latter and after fixing himself a scotch, he moved to sit next to her, bringing her another glass of water in the process.
"Did you really give him your number?" Harvey found himself asking.
"No. He gave me his, though."
"Oh." Harvey took a sip of scotch, and he let the liquid burn away the sudden bitterness he felt. He steeled himself. "He's a good guy, Donna. Louis speaks highly of him. You should give him a call."
Donna's head had fallen back against the sofa, and she turned to look at Harvey. He was well aware she was staring at him, gauging the meaning of his words, but he kept his own focus straight ahead.
"Nah!" she answered with a sigh.
"Why not?"
"I lost his number along with our keys."
Harvey started laughing and he shook his head. She giggled too, and when their chuckles eventually subsided, they fell into an easy silence.
Harvey finished the last of his drink, and for the first time that evening, he felt at ease, even though he knew there was so much still being unsaid. He sat staring straight ahead, watching the city lights twinkle in the night sky.
"It was Scottie that ended it," he finally spoke, breaking the silence. "She said, and I quote, 'You were more concerned with who Donna was dancing with than you were with your own girlfriend'. I couldn't deny it, Donna. Seeing you with Kessler, it bothered the shit out of me, and yet when that sleazeball Niall Weatherald had his hands on her ass, I didn't even blink. I don't know what that means, except that it makes me an asshole. But it is what it is. Sometimes, all I can think about is the possibility of us having more, I just don't know if I'm good enough for you, or brave enough to try. Does that make sense?"
Harvey turned his head, and his shoulders slumped. Donna was fast asleep, mouth slightly open and her glass almost slipping out of her hand.
He gently removed it, placing it on the coffee table. He then watched her for a few seconds. The way her silky red hair fell across her shoulder, the rise and fall of her chest causing the soft material of her dress to ripple across her skin. He reveled in her sheer beauty, safe to do so while she slept.
With a heavy sigh, he stood up and scooped her up into his arms. He carried her to his bedroom and lay her across his bed, draping the comforter across her to keep her warm. He put a fresh glass of water, and a few Advil on the bedside table, leaning down and placing a kiss against her forehead before switching off the lamp and leaving her to sleep.
They returned to work after Christmas and neither of them spoke about that night. If Donna had heard Harvey's words, she never acknowledged it. She told him that she remembered very little of the Christmas party, and Harvey was more than happy to let it pass.
Donna didn't call Thomas. Well, not until after confessions and then retractions of love, and blonde therapists. Thomas turned out to be a true gentleman, but he wasn't Harvey.
So, while it may have taken a few more years, the inevitable did eventually happen. What almost started that night after the Christmas party came full circle one evening when Harvey knocked on Donna's door. And this time, he didn't need words to communicate his feelings and intentions, but when he did speak, Donna was listening.
The End.