A/N: Thank you again for your reviews, I'm really happy there was enthusiasm for the idea of Donna going back to school! Although I doubt we'd get to see it on the show, it's always been something I imagined as a possibility for her. I absolutely love that she's COO now, just wish that storyline of personal growth could have been developed more organically over a longer time scale. That's where fics come in, I suppose :) Hope you enjoy this chapter and thanks again for reading xx

"So, Donna, how long have you been considering this?"

It was a week after their session, when she had first given voice to her idea, and Stan had invited her to come back on her own, if she wanted, to talk through her decision.

"I think I always wanted to prove to myself that I could do more than just sit at my desk and answer the phone. It took me a while to figure out how to do that. And when I asked for my promotion I knew I deserved more…but still, at the end of the day…it was only because Harvey valued me enough to agree to it." It wasn't really the accusations that she had slept her way to her position that bothered her, because she knew it wasn't true. It was that a part of her wondered, if it hadn't been her, would he have given anyone else with her resumé a chance?

"I suggest that you view this differently," Stan proposes. "I would say it is because you made yourself so valuable that he couldn't not promote you."

"Well, I know I'm valuable to him, and to our firm. But even though I don't want to leave, I guess I still want to know in my heart that I could walk into any law firm and be the best candidate for my job. I think this is the best way to do that. It's just that…if I fail…" Her voice shrinks as she admits the thing that terrifies her the most. "I'll be proving that I wasn't good enough for my job, in the end. And I don't know if I would be able to live with that…"

Stan leans forward and speaks reassuringly. "Donna, everyone who knows you appreciates that your strengths go far beyond material we can learn from books."

Yes, she certainly knows that. But it somehow feels like a compliment and a slight at the same time. After all, she's the only partner at the firm without a diploma on the wall. And as much as that always made her proud, there are times when she would rather blend into their world. "Sometimes…it's hard when everyone you know went to Harvard Law, and you're the underachiever who only has a theatre degree."

"I would say it is all the more impressive to reach the level you have in your career despite having focused your education in a different area. You should not judge your worth, to the firm, or to Harvey or anyone else, based on the degrees after your name. Moreover, it is quite natural to have feelings like this when we challenge ourselves to leave our comfort zone. But the important thing to remember is that even though it is uncomfortable leaving it, in the process we will widen its borders, and extend our own perceptions of what we are capable of."

She hesitates. "I want to push myself…but…if I put in all the effort, and then it turns out to be for nothing…"

"I assume that by 'nothing' you mean, not getting accepted to the program you wish for. Do you not think that, in the process of learning the material for this admission exam, and being forced to build on your multitasking and learning skills, you would inherently be accomplishing your goal of developing as a COO?"

As usual, he's managed to help her see things in a completely new light. "I guess I hadn't even…considered that, but you're right, Stan…it's absolutely true..."

He smiles knowingly. "Well, then, I think you have your answer."

So she'd taken a leap of faith, with Harvey's encouragement, and decided to do it. Now, though, two months later, she was finding it incredibly difficult to deny herself the little free time she had with him to instead spend long hours revising.

They had been settling into a satisfying rhythm, spending their days at the office sharing illicit touches and glances, and their nights at his place or hers, falling into each other's arms with as much desire and abandon as their second first time. And Harvey seemed determined to be nothing but understanding as she started having to turn down lunches and lazy mornings in bed, but she could read him well enough to know that he regretted it too.

It was gradually starting to wear her thin, and today, after squandering her entire lunch hour attempting to solve a single math problem, she just needs to hear that it would be all worth it in the end. So she decides to call someone who'd been there before—someone whose absence she still feels every day, even after six months of getting used to it.

"Donna!" Rachel exclaims. "How are you? It's been so long." In their case, so long meant a couple of weeks, more or less, but it still felt like a long time to go without your best friend. Donna knew it was her fault.

"Rach, I'm so sorry, it's just been so hard, trying to balance everything…I don't know if I can do it. If I have to look at one more equation I might give up completely…"

"Oh, Donna, trust me, I've been there…eventually I had to accept that regardless of whether it all ended up working out, my life was still pretty great…I had an amazing boyfriend, a job where people cared about me, and the best friends anyone could ever ask for...and you have all those things, too."

Rachel had always been able to find exactly the right words of comfort and encouragement, and this time was no exception. "You're right, Rach…I know how lucky I am…it's not the end of the world if I don't get in, but I can't get past the fear of failing…"

"I guess I had to get to a point where I convinced myself that the potential reward was worth that risk. And that…I would regret it for the rest of my life if I didn't try."

Yes, she had come so far now, that if she backed out now she would never forgive herself. As much as she talked a big game of confidence, she didn't always live up to it inside. But now was the time to prove to herself that she was indeed every bit as badass as she let on. "Thanks, Rach, I needed this…I miss you…"

"I miss you too, Donna…" Her friend sighs. "You and Harvey need to come to Seattle for Christmas. Mike says he still can't believe it until he sees you two with his own eyes. He won't take no for an answer, you know."

"Oh, I know first-hand how persuasive Mike can be…" She laughs, thinking back to the day he'd somehow convinced her to let Harvey know exactly how she felt, despite all the complications in their way. As usual, another one of his improbable plans had worked out in the end, and they were both forever grateful for his inability to keep his mouth shut.

"Don't we all…I have to run to a meeting, Donna, but I'm so glad you called! Just think…if I can kill the LSAT despite having crippling exam anxiety, you can definitely do this, okay? I know how hard you're working. Go teach that GMAT all about the genius of Donna."

It's getting to be that time of day when Harvey finds it increasingly difficult to focus on work, and prefers to start thinking ahead to an evening with Donna. They haven't made plans for tonight, not officially, so he decides to swing by her office, feeling the now familiar rush of anticipation at the thought of seeing her after hours apart.

But she's not there, and her bag and coat are gone too. Disappointed, he leans on her desk with a sigh, wondering how he can feel so unsettled just from not knowing where she is. He really doesn't feel like going back to his case files, so he pours himself a drink and settles into her chair, feeling comforted by the faint scent of her and the warm décor that was so unlike anyone else's at the firm. He leans back with a sigh, unconsciously staring down the hallway for a sign of her return. He's feeling nostalgic for some reason, and he knows exactly who to call when that happens.

"Hey Mike, how are you, buddy?"

"Harvey! Things are good, man, can't complain. How's life at the firm without me?

"You know, it's weird, we're actually making money now that you're not here giving away half our cases for free anymore," he jokes.

"Oh haha, very funny. Miss you too, dick. How's Donna?"

He sighs. "She's been…I don't know…really focused on her applications. I guess it just feels like lately she's been…drifting away from me."

"Harvey," Mike says with exasperation, "She's studying for an exam, not dying."

"I know, but I can't help wishing that she…ahh, I'm over-reacting. It's fine." He says, feeling a touch of embarrassment.

"Hey, listen. Do you remember when I thought Rachel might go to Stanford? I think you know better than anyone that I was an absolute mess, and yeah, I definitely felt like I was losing her. But I had to come around, because it was her life, and you can't love someone by making their decisions for them."

"But…now it's my life too…"

"OK, I'm not trying to piss you off, but I have to say it. You were her boss for a long time…you're used to having her put your needs first. But you can't always have it that way in a relationship—it has to go both ways. You have to show her you can do that for her too."

"What are you, the love guru?" He grumbles.

"Hey, man, someone's gotta help you out, you have the relationship experience of a fifteen-year-old."

"At least I don't use the preferred mode of transportation of a fifteen-year-old."

"Okay, you know what, smart-ass, in Seattle bikes are way cooler than whatever pretentious sports car you're driving this week."

"I'll take your word for it." He chuckles, happy to be momentarily distracted from his insecurities.

"Seriously, Harvey, it's going to be OK. It's a tough phase, but it doesn't last forever."

He knows that, but it doesn't feel like any consolation right now. "It's the timing, you know…we just figured things out. And now she's so busy all the time…"

"Harvey, this is the time for her to do it. Once you guys have kids, it won't be—"

"Whoa, whoa, I'm sorry, what now? Who said we're having kids?"

"Um, I did? Like five seconds ago. Keep up." Mike's cockiness is oddly endearing, as ever.

"Okay, hot shot, something tells me Donna might want a say in that."

"Oh, don't worry, I'll get her on board."

"Shouldn't you be worrying about your own reproductive choices instead of mine?" He says with a snort.

"Hey, I've got plenty of time, I'm not a dinosaur."

"Really? The age thing again?" He reprimands. "Isn't it about time you came up with some new material?"

"Isn't it about time you start getting a move on before your—"

"Okayyy, we're done talking," he says jokingly, in that tone of voice where he wants to sound mad but really isn't. Because as much as he's enjoying giving Mike a hard time, the topic of conversation isn't scaring him in the slightest, and the realization brings a smile to his face.

"Fine, but I've still got dibs on godfather."

"We'll see about that."

"I'll make you an offer you can't refuse?"

He grins, missing their endless movie quote marathons. "Bye, Mike. And thanks…I needed this."

Right then, he decides that instead of moping around in her office, he should do something for her—to show that he knows what she's going through, and that he wants to be there for her. In the past, that might have been breakfast and a shopping trip. But this time, he thinks, it needs to mean more, to carry more weight. As he's wondering how to do that, he remembers Stan's words.

"You can give each other everything you need."

An hour later, he hears the door open and sees a pleasantly surprised expression on her face when she enters the kitchen and sees him standing there, jacket removed and sleeves rolled up, slicing onions. "Hey, you," she says softly. "How long have you been here?"

"Just a little while. Feel like some dinner?"

She gives him a look of gratitude and nods, coming over to stand behind him so she can rest her head on his shoulder.

"Were you at that prep class?" He suddenly remembers her mentioning it yesterday.

"Yeah. Ugh, it's been the longest day…but coming home to you just made it all better…"

It's exactly what he wanted to hear. "Donna," he begins tentatively, turning around to face her and grazing his hands down her sides, "what if I…move in with you?"

She's taken by surprise. "What? You want to live…here," she glances around questioningly, "instead of in your giant luxury penthouse?"

He needs to make her understand, because she's looking at him skeptically. "Yes…I mean, if you want…I'm so proud of you for challenging yourself. I know you're only going to get busier and I can't do anything about that. But what I can do is try to be there for you every step of the way. I want to try to make your life easier. And I don't want to go home to an empty penthouse anymore—I want my home to be with you," he says earnestly, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

Now all the skepticism in her eyes has been replaced with tenderness. "Harvey, your home will always be with me…"

"Good." He gives her a gentle kiss and then rests his forehead against hers. "Then it's settled."

After a moment, she pulls back and considers him with narrowed eyes. "So, would I be your…landlord then, technically?"

"Now, now, don't go exploiting your position of power over me." He gives her a mischievous smile.

"Oh, I think it's about time we had a role reversal. I charge very expensive rent, you know."

"Any alternative payment plans?" He says, wiggling his eyebrows in that ridiculous way that never fails to make her laugh.

She responds by raising her own eyebrows suggestively. "Oh, you'll be paying me back for a long time, mister."

"I wouldn't get too used to it. How about…after your exam, we can start looking for a new place of our own?"

At this, she flashes her dazzling smile, the one he hasn't seen enough of lately. "Only if I get to have a bigger closet."

"I think that can be arranged."

"Maybe…a grand piano?" She says hopefully.

"Done."

"And…a second bedroom."

He eyes her carefully. "For…"

She blushes faintly and looks down at her hands. "You know…Mike and Rachel, when they come to visit."

Smiling at her nervousness, he kisses the top of her head and cups her chin, coaxing her eyes up to meet his. "Just so you know…it can have as many bedrooms as you want."

It's an opening, a moment of ambiguity for her to take or leave, because he doesn't think he's ready to say it out loud yet, but still wants her to understand. And like always, it turns out he doesn't need to tell her in words, because she already knows.

She searches his face, wordlessly confirming his meaning. "I think you mean…as many as we want." Her arms envelop him and she lays her head against his chest.

As he strokes her hair and breathes all of her in, he wonders how on earth he'd been lucky enough to find a woman who knew his every thought, usually better than he knew them himself. "Yes. Or maybe…" He trails off and she looks up at him, expectantly.

"…as many as we're lucky enough to need?"

Their eyes meet and her expression conveys everything she feels as she suddenly kisses him fiercely, pressing him backwards into the countertop while her hands seek his hair and his neck. He pulls her hips snug against him, sliding one leg in between hers, and in response she gently bites his lip and digs her fingernails into his skin. The heady feeling of pleasure from her touch spreads through his body, chasing everything else from his thoughts. Needing all of her, he takes her hand and leads her wordlessly to the bedroom, like he has so many other times before. But this time, it's their bedroom, and instead of drifting away…she's never felt closer.