AN: Hello Hello and Happy Holidays! This little holiday story idea has been rattling around in my head so we're going to give it a go (let's see if I can manage to do the daily update thing in the midst of crazy real life) I'm tempted to say this is an AU, but it could fit in the suits timeline though to me it's pretty AU. It's two stories, an original based on the Nanny, and the suits story (it'll make sense I promise). Yes, it is a pun within a pun. As always, would not be possible without the greatest gal beta'ing and putting up with listening to my crazy ideas, May, you rock!

Happy Twelve Days of Christmas !

The Twelve Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me….

A job at his company.

Staring out the window in the staff kitchen at the streets covered in a fresh sheet of snow, Donna stirs sugar into her coffee and marvels at the city-turned-snow globe.

Christmas time in the city always felt magical. The streets were lined with festive lights, office buildings were framed with snow and shoppers from all around the world filled the stores on 5th Avenue. It was her favourite time of the year, after Halloween, of course.

"Are you ready?" Rachel squeals as she comes up behind Donna and pours her own cup of coffee.

"Please, I've been ready for a year. I can't believe it's finally time," she replies as she takes a seat opposite Rachel at the table.

"Do you think they'll finally get together?" Rachel grins.

"God I hope so. Don't you hate it when writers drag things on when you just know the characters are meant to be," Donna scoffs. She rolls her eyes and takes a sip from her mug.

Donna and Rachel had been counting down the days until their favourite series from the year prior, The Twelve Days of Christmas, returned to Netflix for it's second season. The show was surprisingly addictive and what they began watching on a wine night the year before had become one of the most highly anticipated parts of their holiday this year.

After work, Donna planned on heading over to Rachel's apartment where the duo would order Thai food and drink cheap wine while watching the final episode from last year's season before the newest episode premiered.

The show was better than she expected, Donna had to admit, and even she had fallen victim to the two stars' charm and chemistry. She didn't often have time to watch television, so she rarely found herself hooked on current shows, but this one was different. One of the things she loved most about The Twelve Days of Christmas was that Netflix released one episode a day, for the twelve days leading up to the holiday. She appreciated the authenticity it added to the program, and seeing as she was once again single for the holidays, it gave her something to look forward to.

"We're going to watch the finale before we watch the new one, right?" Rachel asks.

"Of course."

"Thank god, I kind of forget how it ended."

Donna smirks and turns to face Rachel with an amused expression, "You just want to watch that kiss again."

"So? Is that such a crime? It was a good kiss."

"It really was, wasn't it."

"I swear to God if they decide not to act on it, I'll stop watching," Rachel whines.

"No you won't."

"Okay, you're right. I won't. But I'll be really pissed off. Who leaves an audience hanging for an entire year like that?!"

"Oh god, not this show again," Mike says as he strolls into the kitchen in front of Harvey.

"What show?" Harvey asks, absentmindedly moving to make himself a cup of coffee.

"Donna and Rachel watched this ridiculous show last year about some girl who goes to work for this rich CEO of a record company at Christmas time and they fall in love and it was such a cliché. That ending, come on."

"You know quite a bit about it for someone who just called it ridiculous," Rachel points out.

"You two watched it every night!"

"You could have gone out, no one was forcing you to stay home and watch it with us," Rachel fires back.

"Actually, do you remember that one night we decided to watch at my place, Rach? Didn't Mike ask you to tell him what happened?" Donna chuckles.

Donna stands and walks over to the counter where Harvey is still hovering over his coffee mug, too fixated on Mike trying to explain why the show is dumb but had it's funny moments to finish making it.

Without hesitation, Donna reaches into the cupboard behind Harvey, gently nudging his arm out of her way with a timid smile, so she can retrieve a small bottle of vanilla and pour a few drops into his mug. He watches her in silence, allowing the sound of Mike and Rachel's bickering to fall to background noise as he leans forward, briefly squeezes her elbow and whispers "Thank you."

She nods in response, an involuntary blush creeping across her pale cheeks as she places the bottle back in the cupboard and picks up her own coffee mug, leans against the counter next to Harvey and returns her attention to Mike and Rachel.

Though getting Harvey coffee wasn't part of her job description, she found herself drawn to him and saw the coffee as an excuse to relocate. She can't explain why, but she'd been drawn to Harvey this way for years. When they were in crowded rooms, she often found herself searching for him. When they spent time together with mutual friends, they somehow always ended up splitting a cab home or seated next to each other. It was as if they orbited one another, always finding their way back to one another even in a casual setting such as this one.

Donna knows Harvey sees her as more than just his secretary. They're friends, co-workers, she might even dare to call them partners in crime. He didn't, however, see her as anything more than that. Sometimes, when his touch lingered and his eyes locked on hers, she wondered if maybe he felt it too; the fluttering feelings that tore through her body and set every nerve fiber within her on fire, but she doubted he did. He'd made things perfectly clear after the other time and knowing him better than anyone meant she knew he wasn't ready for something real.

"It's a Christmas show?" Harvey asks the group.

"You've never heard of it?!" Rachel gasps.

"Does that really surprise you?" Harvey asks.

"No," she admits, "But I thought maybe Donna mentioned it."

"I know better than to talk Christmas with Mr. Grinch here," Donna laughs, shrugging towards Harvey.

"I am not a Grinch," he protests.

"Harvey, you just complained about the tinsel they had in the elevator," Mike points out.

"It's tacky."

"You also complained about the music…"

"So, what's this show all about?" Harvey asks, cutting Mike off.

"It's about this girl Michelle, who goes to work for the CEO of Stacks Records, Mr. Shawn. He's a widow that overworks himself at Christmas but she shows him the holidays don't have to be so bad and…"

"I think I get it," Harvey says, "Mike's right, sounds stupid."

"Boys," Rachel scoffs, "you just don't get it."

"Do you want to grab drinks tonight?" Mike asks Harvey, "I don't think I can handle these two crying over a kiss for hours again."

"Hours?!" Harvey's eyes widen.

"It was a good kiss," Rachel shrugs as she heads for the door, "see you tonight Donna?"

"I'll bring the wine," Donna smiles. She watches as Mike and Rachel continue bickering up the hall and laughs. How those two managed to share an apartment, she'd never understand. She supposes love was strange like that. They were such opposites, and yet, they just worked as a couple.

"Hours?!" Harvey asks again as he and Donna walk stride-in-stride back towards his office.

"Oh shush. It was Christmas, there was wine, I was lonely," she admits, "and it was a good kiss."

"I'm not sure any kiss is that good," he muses, partly to her but mostly to himself. "Well maybe…" He trails off but stops talking.

Our first kiss, she thinks to herself. The drunken elevator kiss they shared at the DA's office, just weeks before she quit, comes rushing back and she blushes. That night was a decade prior and she could still recall every moment of it. The way his lips were on hers the second the doors clicked shut. The way her back hit the wall with a thud as he walked them backwards, his hands greedily roaming her sides, teeth tugging on her lower lip. The hours of flirting and anticipation that lead to the moment. The way they never spoke of it again once they reached the ground floor and parted ways for the evening (at least, until The Other Time). The kiss had been one of those things they silently decided to put out of their minds, but there were evenings she lay awake wondering what would happen if she brought it up.

"What made this kiss so special?"

"Well, there was mistletoe… Wait a minute, do you actually care?"

"No," he admits, "but you do so I figured I could listen."

"Who are you and what have you done with Harvey Specter?"

"Consider this conversation your holiday bonus," he smirks.

"You're an idiot," she laughs. They reach her desk and she takes a seat and turns her computer monitor on while Harvey lingers awkwardly near the threshold of his own office.

"Your next meeting is in a half hour," she calls over to him.

"Thanks Donna," he smiles. Harvey makes his way over to his desk, places his coffee down and then re-emerges from his office and plants himself in front of Donna's desk.

"Something on your mind Harvey?" Donna asks with a knowing grin.

"I was wondering if you had any plans for tomorrow afternoon?"

"You mean besides my plans to be at work?" she smirks.

"After that."

"Nothing major, why?"

"I was wondering if you would mind helping me with some Christmas shopping?"

"That's sweet Harvey, but you already bought me a new Hermés bag."

"I meant for Marcus… hang on, I did?"

"You did, you were really generous this year," she beams.

"You've really got to stop buying your own Christmas gifts," he shakes his head. "What if I already bought you something?"

"Did you?"

"I can't tell you now, it'll ruin the surprise."

"You're going to go out and buy me something after work now, aren't you?"

"You can't prove that."

"You're such a lawyer," she rolls her eyes. "Anyways, you wanted help shopping?"

"For Marcus and the kids, yes."

"I think I can fit you into my schedule tomorrow afternoon," she says with a smile.

"Thanks," he says as he turns back towards his office. "Have fun with Rachel tonight."

.

.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Previous on The Twelve Days of Christmas...

Standing in the doorway of an office labelled "Mr. Shawn, CEO." Michelle prepares to leave, her coat tossed over her arm.

"Don't leave."

"Why?"

"Because this company needs you Michelle," he pauses, gets up from where he is seated at his desk, and walks towards her. He stops a few feet away from her and stuffs his hands in his pocket nervously. "I need you."

"You're just saying that. You and I both know you only gave me this job out of pity and I think it would just be easier for everyone if I quit."

"It might be easier, but I would miss having you here," he says, reaching for her arms and locking eyes with her.

"I can't keep playing this game," she sighs, "You told me you weren't ready for anything serious."

"I'm not," he says, "But I'm also not ready to have you walk out of my life."

"You've hardly known me for two months," she points out.

"You've changed things around here. You make everything seem… better." He steps towards her once again, and this time rather than step back, she holds her ground.

"Please, please stay," he whispers.

"I can't."

Michelle turns on her heel and begins to talk towards the staircase that leads to the parking lot. She hears footsteps behind her but continues on her way without looking back.

She pushes open the door to the stairwell and is surprised to turn and see her boss, Mr. Shawn, standing behind her.

"I want to be ready," he admits, "but I need time."

She draws in a deep breath and as she does so she notices the mistletoe hanging in the threshold of the door. He follows her gaze upwards and a small smile settles over his lips.

"We can't break tradition, it is Christmas after all."

He leans down, cups her cheeks in his palms and kisses her. Her hands immediately fall into his hair as she gives into the kiss.

The screen fades to black.

.

"Ahhhh, I'm so excited," Rachel squeals next to Donna. "Michelle is so good for him. She brings out all of his best qualities."

"I think he's good for her too," Donna says. "They're good for each other."

"Ouuu it's starting, it's starting!" Rachel yells.

.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Chapter 1: A Job at His Company

One year later and Michelle finds herself sitting at her desk, waiting for Mr. Shawn to return from a meeting so she can inform him that his babysitter called and had to cancel for the evening.

So much had happened in the past year. After their impromptu kiss beneath the mistletoe, she headed home to her parents for the holidays and he spent the time between Christmas and New Years with his kids at his house in the Hamptons.

When Michelle returned to work in the New Year, an unspoken agreement that everything that happened the year prior should be swept under the rug took place, and she and Mr. Shawn never discussed what had happened under the mistletoe.

Now, here they were, a mere two weeks before Christmas, once again treading the fine line between colleagues, friends and lovers. She spent weekends with him and his kids in Central Park, and evenings grabbing drinks at the bar on the corner near the office, but he still wasn't ready and she'd grown tired of waiting.

She began dating Greg in September, and while he was a decent guy, she wasn't sure of where the relationship was going and it ended not long after it began. Mr. Shawn didn't ever ask her about Greg, but she could tell he wasn't his biggest fan.

Just as she's about to head home for the night, her boss saunters over to her desk and grins at her.

"Michelle," he smiles.

"Yes?"

"Do you have any plans tonight?"

"Not really, why?" she asks.

"I was going to stop at the department store on my way home and pick a few things for the children, I was wondering if you wanted to join me."

"You have no clue what to buy, right?" she smirks.

"Absolutely no clue," he admits. "Will you help me?"

"What did you do last year?"

"I gave them cash," he replies.

"You gave them money for Christmas?!"

"And I'd really rather not repeat that this year, what do you say? Come with me?"

"I guess…"

"Perfect, I'll have the car brought around and I'll meet you downstairs. God, what would I do without you?"

"Give your kids cheques for Christmas," she replies with a chuckle.

.

Rachel leans back against the couch and sighs, running her hand through her curls. "They're so in love. Why do they suck so badly at communicating."

"Because it's a television show?" Donna suggests, taking a sip of her wine. "You know they're going to end up together…"

"But look at them, wandering around Christmas shopping. She knows him and his family so well, they're soul mates."

"I bet by day 6 they'll kiss again," Donna says.

"I'll take that bet, I'm going with day 8," Rachel replies.

"What are we betting?"

"Loser buys the wine for day 12," Rachel laughs.

"You're on."

The following afternoon, Donna marches into Harvey's office in high spirits, rounds the corner of his desk and leans with her back against the top drawer next to his chair.

"Donna," he says in a tone that causes her to blush.

"Harvey," she grins, hopping up onto the corner of his desk and swinging her legs. She was clearly in a good mood and while Harvey was trying to power through some paperwork, he knew it was no use trying to finish anything. Donna, ever the workplace professional, rarely allowed herself to be giddy with excitement in the office, but after years of working side by side, Harvey knew that if she came into his office whistling and perched herself on the corner of his desk, he was as good as done working for the day.

It was typically something she reserved for holidays, Halloween often being the culprit of her swinging her legs near his chair, waiting for him to put down whatever he was working on and pay attention to what she had to say. Today, he assumed her chipper mood had to do with their afternoon plans to go Christmas shopping.

"Are you done?" she asks.

"Just about," he concedes, closing the blue folder on his desk and swivelling his chair so that his knees collide with her feet. "Someone's cheerful."

"What makes you say that?"

"Donna, you only ever sit on my desk when you're about to ask me for something, or when you're in a good mood, and usually that mood is a result of some type of corporate scam marked up holiday."

"You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch," she smirks. She knows how much he hates to be called a Grinch but her playful mood has the words tumble out of her mouth before she can stop them.

Harvey rolls his eyes and glares at her, but his stern resolve quickly falls away as she places a hand on his knee and smiles at him. "I'm kidding."

"I know," he remarks, standing and buttoning his suit coat. "Ray should be waiting downstairs, why don't you grab your coat and I'll meet you by the elevators? I just need to bring these to Jessica," he motions to the stack of forms on his desk.

Donna retrieves her jacket from her desk, tosses her purse over her left arm and readjusts the way her curls fall over her shoulder as she waits for Harvey. He joins her in front of the elevator, jacket in hand a few moments later and they silently wait for the elevator.

"Where should we go first?" Donna asks.

"I was thinking we start with the toy store across from Macy's."

Before Donna can agree, the elevator arrives and a crowd of people step off and into the lobby. Donna waits for everyone to pass before stepping into the threshold of the car in front of Harvey, where she nearly runs into Stu who reaches for her elbow to steady her.

"Jesus, Donna I'm so sorry," he apologizes as he steps back.

"Stu, what on earth are you doing here?"

"Jessica asked me to stop by," he explains, his hand still secure on Donna's elbow. "I should get going. I don't want to keep her waiting, but we should grab drinks sometime, catch up."

"I'd love that," she replies.

"Great, I'll call you," he says as he steps away from her and into the firm lobby. He passes Harvey with a small nod and begins on his way to Jessica's office.

Harvey steps into the elevator behind Donna and presses the button for the ground floor, leaning back against the far wall as he grinds down on his inner cheek. It's just the two of them in the elevator, but it feels as though the air has been sucked out of the room.

He scuffs his shoe against the floor and clucks his tongue against the roof of his mouth.

"So, drinks with Stu."

"Yes?" she says as a more of a question than a statement. She's standing in front of him and can't see his facial expression but she knows he's scowling and she finds herself enjoying the fact that he's jealous of what's just happened.

"I didn't know you were interested in him."

"We're friends."

"Right," Harvey huffs.

Donna turns to face Harvey and folds her hands over her chest, "You and I have drinks all the time, does that mean that there's something going on here?" she asks, gesturing between them.

Yes.

"Well, no. But…"

"You're ridiculous," she says. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were jealous."

"I'm not… Sorry, I didn't mean to sound rude." He bites his inner cheek harder. "I'm glad you and Stu are friends, he's a decent guy."

She smiles triumphantly, knowing just how hard it was for Harvey to admit he was wrong, and her mood lightens once again.

"Just for that, we're stopping at Prada too."

"For the kids?"

The elevator beeps, indicating that it has reached the ground floor and Donna readjusts her purse on her arm.

"Nope," she smirks as she marches through the lobby and leads the way towards where Ray is parked out front.

Donna leads Harvey around for the remainder of the afternoon, helping him choose toys she's sure his niece and nephew will love. Two hours, four stores and several bags later, they find themselves strolling through Macy's, searching for a gift for Marcus.

"What about something for his kitchen?"

"Donna, he's a chef. I'm sure he has everything he needs in the kitchen."

"What about this?" she asks, holding up an orange piece of silicon.

"What the hell is it?"

"I have no idea, you know I can't cook," she laughs, placing the item back down on the shelf.

"Trust me, I'll never forget your attempt to make Thanksgiving dinner a few years ago."

"Hey, that turkey was only crispy!" she exclaims, playfully swatting at his chest.

"It was charred, we had to order Thai food," he points out.

"Which you also complained about."

"That Thai place is so shitty!"

"Hey now, I was nice enough to invite you over for a home cooked meal, beggars can't be choosers, Mr."

"But we didn't actually eat a home-cooked meal," he teases her. He unintentionally leans into her as they continue to stroll down the aisle.

"You know, it's getting pretty late, I'm sure you can find something for Marcus all on your own," she smirks. She turns to step away from him but is stopped by his hand on her elbow.

"Please stay, I promise not to make fun of your inability to cook."

"And?"

"And what? And I won't ever mention it again."

"And you feel like stopping by the shoe department."

"You've gone mad with power," he scoffs. "But alright."

They continue to wander around the store, Donna suggesting a variety of items for Marcus, each of which Harvey shakes his head at. They finally settle on a pair of brown leather gloves, and Donna sighs a breath of relief that Harvey is finally content with a gift for his brother.

As he pays for the gloves, he looks over with a soft smile. She catches him staring and looks down at her shoes.

"What?" she laughs, nervously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Nothing. Just… thank you. For helping me out with this. I wouldn't have had a clue what to get if you hadn't agreed to come."

"What did you get them last year?"

"Since I didn't go to Boston, I just sent them gift cards."

"Harvey! That's so impersonal! What would you have done if I wasn't around to help?"

He shrugs sheepishly and sticks his hands in his pockets and she rolls her eyes.

"Thank you, Donna."

"You're welcome," she smiles.

"What do you say we stop and grab some of that shitty Thai food before I drop you off at home."

"Alright, I just want to be home before 8."

"Stupid Christmas show?"

"It's not stupid. Plus Rachel and I made a bet."

"Okay, now I'm intrigued. What's the wager?"

"Wine."

Harvey chuckles, not at all surprised and his smile widens so that the corners of his eyes crinkle. "And what are you betting on?"

"Which episode the main male character will finally make a move in," she admits. "Don't" she wags a finger in his direction before he can begin laughing. "Let me have my holiday fun."

"Alright Donna, I won't laugh."

"Don't laugh on the inside either," she remarks, accepting the bag with the gloves from the sales lady and leading Harvey towards the exit.

The pair reach the car in stitches, Donna laughing at Harvey's pathetic attempt to keep a straight face and Harvey at Donna's annoyance with his laughter.

Ray greets them with a smile and takes their bags before opening the back door and ushering them into the car.

Harvey instructs Ray to take them to the Thai place near Donna's apartment, and Donna greets Ray with a friendly smile.

"Hey Ray, would you mind putting on some Christmas music?" Donna asks.

"Sure thing, Ms. Paulsen."

"Ray, do that and you're fired," Harvey calls out.

"Don't listen to him Ray, he wouldn't dare fire you."

Donna leans back against the leather seat and smirks in Harvey's direction as the soft sounds of White Christmas begin to play over the car speakers.

"Don't pretend you hate Christmas music. We both know you have an entire shelf of Christmas records."

"Having them doesn't mean I listen to them. I like how I'm the one who pays his salary and yet he listens to you."

"He knows what's good for him," she replies with a playful wink.

"Just for that, I'm taking the extra egg roll."