Mike checks his watch, glancing down the terracotta walkway at the adjoining doors. Jessica is already downstairs making diner arrangements. Rachel is inside changing her dress, Louis and Sheila are getting ready and he hasn't seen Harvey or Donna-

Hadn't.

The redhead shoots out of the elevator at the end of the hall, stalking down towards him without so much as a glance. He can tell she's upset. The stubborn set of her jaw and driven focus clues him in and he takes a step forward with a concerned frown. "Donna, everything okay?" She shakes her head swiping a hand across her steely expression and he can easily guess. Angry and crying go hand-in-hand with one other person around here but he keeps the judgment burried, leaning against the cool brick exterior. "What happened?"

"Harvey god-damn-specter happened!" She feels moisture prick her lashes and digs into her purse looking for her keycard. She doesn't even know why she's so upset. It's not like she was actually expecting anything to happen between them but for a second there she'd felt-

She swallows roughly, nothing. An echo of something that doesn't exist and to hell with it, maybe she really will pack up go travelling; leave everything she 'isn't' feeling in the past once and for all.

She drops the card in a fluster and Mike swoops down first collecting it between his fingers. The last time he'd seen them they were at opposite ends of the bar and a flutter of guilt knots in his stomach as he stands up. He'd practically pushed Harvey into flirting with other women, hoping it would knock some sense into the man not give him a reason to act like a bigger jerk. "Shit, Donna what did he do?"

She wipes her eyes breathing in a sharp breath. The last thing she wants to do is cause a scene and technically he hadn't done anything but she can't exactly admit that's the problem. "Nothing, I'm just being dramatic.." she offers the explanation, flinching when the door across from them swings open to reveal Louis dressed up in his suit. She'd completely forgotten Jessica has arranged dinner.

"Sheila's just-"

Louis stops, picking up that something is wrong and Mike mouths 'Harvey' over Donna's shoulder hoping the man will take the subtle hint. He does, sort of... but rather than play things cool his eyes switch from confused to protective as he crosses the small hall.

"Son of a bitch. Donna, what do you need me to do?" He squares his shoulders spurred by the glaze in her eyes. Harvey is like a brother to him but that said the man can be a renowned ass at times and Donna is on of his closest friends. If's she's upset he won't think twice about defending her honor.

"I'm fine Louis." She forces a smile. The resolution is touching, sweet even, but blowing things out of proportion won't help and she brushes his arm gently. "Really, I'm just running a bit late. I'll meet you downstairs."

"You're not fine, you're upset." He points out the obvious glancing between her and Mike waiting for someone to fill him in. In the beginning it wasn't always obvious but he's learnt to read when she's acting and her red puffy cheeks are definitely real.

"It was my fault." She says hurriedly, taking the keycard back from Mike. It's not the full truth but she hopes it's enough to deter their worry and keep them from getting caught up in drama that's over a decade old. "Honestly, let's just go and enjoy a nice meal. Tell Jessica I won't be long."

She swipes the keypad disappearing inside before Louis can argue and he glances at the man beside him with a semi-confused expression. "We should do something." Mike raises an eyebrow and Louis snorts, "come on... someone needs to knock some sense into them."

He isn't surprised by the ballsy response. Louis can be surprisingly observant and even if he wasn't the international space station could probably see the sexual tension that's been building between Harvey and Donna. Unfortunately the two of them are as stubborn as each other. "We knock them any harder I'm worried one of them might lose consciousness."

Louis looks miffed by the suggestion but if there's one thing he knows for sure the whole will they/won't they is a ticking time-bomb and it's either going to erupt with confetti or obliterate everything its path. He doesn't want to be be around if it's going to be the latter.

"I think... I have an Idea." Mike draws it out going over the plan in his head. It's not something he's ever considered before but then again there was never really an opportune moment until now and he spins his wrist catching it against Louis' arm. "Do me a favor? Wait here for Rachel, let her know I've gone down."

"Okay, but-"

"Thanks Louis." He slaps the man on the shoulder. If there's one person who knows Harvey better than Harvey it's Donna but if there's one person who Harvey listens to it's Jessica and maybe she'll be sympathetic to the plight. After all she can't have not seen it or at least that's what drives his determination when he finds her waiting at the reservations area.

"Jessica." He greets, standing a little taller to meet her blanketed smile. "You look... lovely." He almost flinches, not because she doesn't. The women always looks immaculate but no matter how friendly they've grown over the years he's always going to be the kid Harvey pulled in without a law degree and a part of him is always going to feel indebted to her.

"Mike." She reads him like an open book not sure if she's more amused or curious by his slight nervousness. "You know how I feel about beating round the bush."

He tugs his tie glancing around just to make sure they're still alone. "It's about Harvey."

A rush of humorous air turns in her mouth, "when is it ever not?"

"And Donna-" he adds, watching her features twist into a more thoughtful expression. Truthfully he'd never thought of coming to her with this. He always just assumed Harvey would figure it out eventually but if the man can't do that here, a million miles away from any distractions, Mike's not sure he's ever going to get there. Not without some gentle guidance.

"If you're asking me to get involved in whatever 'that' is-" she warns, pursing her lips with a raised eyebrow, "then the answer is a hard no."

It sounds resolute but Mike exhales slowly trying to appeal to her ego. "He listens to you."

"Harvey Specter doesn't listen to anybody-" she counters folding her arms over her chest, "he just hears himself in other people."

That much is probably true, he thinks, but she has the best known track record for swaying him and that is a fact. "I get this isn't a Hallmark movie. All I'm asking is that if there's a right time, maybe you could just talk to him about it?"

She doesn't give an answer. Instead her eyes draw to the rest of their dinner party arriving sans the two people in question and it puts her on edge, like she's suddenly about to be blindsided but she forces a smile as she moves to usher them into their seating arrangement. It's a large table sat by a floor to ceiling window over looking the ocean and she sits at the head of the table making herself comfortable. Louis leaves a spot for Harvey and Mike does the same for Donna leaving the two seats next to her momentarily vacant.

The redhead arrives first, forcibly cheery and Harvey fifteen minutes later with a quick apology and a much less sunnier deposition. She's definitely starting to get a sense there was a reason why Mike came to her but the conversation moves along civilly urged on by wine and then the arrival of their meals.

Once people start eating there are lapses of silence and she takes the opportunity to check in with the group as a whole. "How's everyone been enjoying themselves?"

Rachel is the first to answer, wiping her mouth with a napkin and smiling at her husband. "We were starting to forget places outside of Seattle existed. This was exactly what we needed."

"Us too-" Louis chimes in, "I wouldn't be surprised if baby number two is on its way after all the extracurricular activities."

Jessica isn't the only person to flinch at the visual but she does smile regardless. "Thank you for that lovely overshare Louis." There's a mummer of amusement from everyone except Harvey and she catches a look from Mike that makes her reach for her glass of wine. Whatever is going on she's hoping they can continue being adults about it but kind words never go astray and she would genuinely like to show her gratitude for everyone's attendance. "I wanted to thank you all again for coming. I know we all lead busy lives and the holidays are a time for family but it's about friendships. So I'd like to prose a toast to the new year and spending it with the people we care about."

Everyone reaches for their drinks but the good intention strikes a nerve with Harvey who mutters into his glass despondently. "Unless they decide to take off. Go traveling or some shit like that."

There's an air of hostility to the comment but Sheila is the first one to gloss over it. "Who's going travelling?"

"Actually Mike and I were thinking of going to Peru." Rachel smiles across the table at the blonde women feeling Mike stiffen beside her. Something is clearly off with Harvey, Donna too -she can sense that much- and she glances at Mike with a raised eyebrow. "Weren't we honey?"

"We were?" He feels a sharp kick in his shin and quickly clears his throat, "yes, we were thinking of doing that.

"Really, you didn't mention it?" Harvey shoots back feeling Donna's gaze burn into him.

"That's right..." she takes a quick sip of wine, "can't go without the Harvey Specter seal of approval."

Rachel inwardly flinches at the annoyance in her best friend's tone and does her best to placate the situation. "We're still only discussing it-

"Good..." Harvey snaps, "because I'm sure there are commitments you need to consider."

Mike bristles at the feud wishing he could telepathically tell his wife to let it go. Clearly there are some unresolved issues going on that neither of them are aware of and he tries to temper the awkwardness. "It would just be a holiday."

"Not like you're packing up and moving there." Donna adds, watching Harvey's eyes darken over his plate and she wants to recoil from the conversation. She hates the animosity seething between them but before she can offer anything in the way of an apology he hurls another quip back at her.

"Or why not move there... not like there's any reason to stay, right?"

The tension wavers in the air and Jessica clears her throat smiling over at Mike and Rachel. "I think Peru sounds wonderful."

Mike blinks between the three of them sat at the end of the table and mutters under his breath, "wow, totally not weird at all." Louis' head jerks up and he quickly catches himself. "I said, great steak."

The lawyer frowns glancing down at the meal on his plate with a shrug. "Mine's a little dry."

Harvey doesn't think about his response just opens his mouth with a grunt, "no Louis, that's just the company."

The dig hurts and Donna feels heat rush her cheeks as she slides her chair back placing down her napkin. "Excuse me." She stands refusing to look at Harvey, trying to keep the emotion from her expression as she catches Rachel's eye. The concern there is obvious but she shakes her head indicating the brunette shouldn't follow.

Louis isn't as subtle, waiting for Donna to leave before turning to the man sat beside him. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Harvey feels a sigh build in his throat but doesn't concede to letting it slip out. "Louis-"

"No." He states forcefully, shrugging off the attention he's receiving from the table. Screw it. It was already awkward long before he decided to say something and he can't just sit idly by and ignore both of his friends deliberately trying to hurt one and other. "You didn't see her before. She was upset, Harvey. What did you say to her?"

The way he says it makes Harvey feel like an even bigger ass. Although the flash of defeat on Donna's face right before she left did a pretty good job of that anyway. Still, it's his problem to deal with and he doesn't need anyone else butting in with their opinions. "Mind your own goddamn business Louis."

"Stop being a dick and I might."

"What did you just call me?"

"I said-"

"Enough both of you." Jessica holds up her hands firmly, ending the disagreement. She can just about handle a ruined diner but she knows Harvey and won't tolerate a brawl. He needs to cool down and like it or not she's being forced into Mike's insistence regardless of her stance on the matter. "Harvey, a word... outside."

Jessica pushes up from the table and he follows not because she's demanding it but because he needs out of the claustrophobic environment. He can already feel the knot around his throat tightening and he loosens it on the way out, Louis words ringing in his ears.

She was upset.

He never meant- or maybe he did. Maybe he had wanted to hurt her but even so he regrets it, feels the guilt wind in his chest as he steps out into the balmy night. It does nothing to help and he crosses the deck flexing his palms against the rail and breathing in the warm air. The pool below is lit up with changing colors, serene compared to the emotions warring inside him and he feels his anger leave in a rush as Jessica steps up next to him. He didn't mean for things to get so out of hand particularity when she went to so much effort bringing them all together. "I'm sorry..." he offers, the word sounding foreign on his tongue, "that was-"

"Deplorable behavior, yes it was." She folds her arms surprised by the apology. As long as she's known him he's never willingly conceded to being wrong. Not unless some serious shit was going down and she purses her lips watching his eyes draw to something -someone- below. The change in his expression is instant the defeat turning into an almost pained look and she leans over the edge catching sight of the redhead taking off her shoes to sit by the edge of the water. They're high up and in no danger of being spotted but she still turns her back to the women focusing on Harvey. "She's going somewhere?"

The question stabs through him. "No, I... we were talking and- maybe." He shakes his head not even sure if that's what the fight was really about but he feels sick just considering the possibility.

He pales slightly and she recognizes the reaction, the tense line of his jaw betraying the abandonment issues he's trying to shove down, but as well as she knows him she also knows he has a way of misconstruing people's actions particularly when they involve some form of distance. "She won't leave you Harvey, not unless you give her a reason to."

Six months in another country sure as hell sounds like she's leaving himbut there's an unspoken warning to the tone alluding to his tendency to be selfish and he breathes out a heavy sigh. It's not about him or at least that's the message Jessica's trying to send. It's about Donna and he watches her lean back, a hand swiping her face in the darkness and he's never felt so at odds with sacrificing a part of himself to make her happy.

"I can't lose her."

It's whispered so quietly she has to strain to hear it and shit, he really is a goddamn idiot. "Why?"

"Because I-" he stops short swallowing roughly, "it's complicated."

"Maybe from over there on your soapbox it is." His gaze snaps towards her and she raises an eyebrow, "what, you expect me to stand here and stroke your ego?"

He frowns with an irritated shrug. "Wouldn't hurt."

In spite of his annoyance she smirks at the comment, softening her expression. "You don't need a pep-talk otherwise I would have sent the pup out here."

The mention of Mike makes him tense and embarrassment heats the back of his neck. There's no way the kid's going to let this on go, not after how he behaved at dinner, but then again he knows Jessica and this isn't their usual foray into difficult subjects. For the most part she usually stays out of his personal life and he narrows his gaze suspiciously. "I get the feeling the pup is biting the hand that feeds it."

"You want my advice or not?" She shoots back trying to keep them on track. This isn't about telling him what to do he can figure out that much on his own. What he needs is someone to state the obvious, what he's too afraid to see even though it's quite literally in front of him. "Take the risk. Leave the play it safe mediocre bullshit to someone else because we both know you win when the stakes are at their highest."

Pretty fucking high rides on his tongue but he swallows the attack because she's right. Donna has and always will be the one thing he's most afraid to lose but if he does nothing it will happen anyway. He knows that from experience.

His fingers loosen over the railing, a knot forming in his throat as he backs away from the edge. "You mind if I cut dinner short? There's something I need to take care of."

Jessica folds her arms, a tight smile accompanying her nod and he exhales pulling on the edge of his sleeves as he crosses the deck, leaving to find his way down to the pool area.

Most of the other guests are either eating or by the bar, leaving the place quiet save for the dull beat carrying across the flickering lights.

He finds Donna in the same place, legs dangling in the water, and shoves his hands in his pockets keeping his voice low. "Mind if I join you?"'

She doesn't startle at the sound having felt his approach but the light tone makes her wary. She'd expected him to stay angry longer, at least sulk for a while and she glances up roaming her eyes over his towering presence. "What about your suit?"

He shrugs. The tiles are dry from the humid heat and he sits down next to her one leg crossed and the other bent. His tie is still loose from earlier and he pulls it all the way open landing his elbow on his knee. "I'm sorry Donna." It's the second time he's used that word in the space of twenty minutes and he clears his throat watching her features remain immune to it.

The apology does surprise her but she keeps the reaction to herself. "That all?"

"Louis said you were upset." He watches her wince and feels like an idiot for trying to use Louis when he can see for himself she's been crying. The guilt slams him harder and swallows roughly at her quick dismissal.

"I told him I was fine."

"Was?"

"Am." She corrects wishing he would drop it. They fought. It's not exactly an uncommon occurrence between them but she needs time to figure it out. Space to clear her head before they go in for round two. "Harvey-"

"I'm not." He dives in first upping the stakes as he glances behind them relieved to see the deck to the restaurant void of occupants. Jessica must have gone in to finish dinner and he shifts back to Donna with a serious look etched across his face. "The thought of you leaving scares the shit out of me."

"It was just an idea Harvey." She sits further on her hands, swirling her feet in the water. It's not like she was going to pack up and go tomorrow but even if she was, it's her decision to make not his. "Thomas and I broke up because he wanted to settle down and I love my job, I wouldn't have traded it for that... but I have the right to figure out if I want something else out of life don't I?"

He swallows thickly at the mention of Thomas and the fact she's right. He could have lost her to a different life completely not one where she goes travelling for a few months and he tries to focus on that rather than the tightness building in his throat. "You have every right..." he exhales slowly, ringing his fingers over his knee, "and if it's what you want I'll support you. We'll figure it out. Even if that means I'm calling you at god knows what time of the night." Her eyes find his, hesitantly at first and he doesn't blame her for being skeptical. He's never been big on compromising but this is different, she's different. "So long as you promise you'll come back to me I'll find a way to be okay with it."

She doesn't know what to say and something twinges in her chest making it harder to draw in air. She'll always come back to him because if nothing else they're friends and maybe distance is what she needs to put that into perspective. "You know I will. I think I've proved that by now, haven't I?"

He nods recalling the too many times she's been absent in his life already and if there's going to be another one this time he wants to give her something worth hanging onto, a genuine reason to find her way back. "You asked me for the truth-"

"Harvey, stopShe doesn't want to hear whatever excuse he's going to use to make things right between them. He's already given more than she expected and she forces a small smile onto her lips. "We don't have to do this. You're not going to lose me, you don't need to say anything else."

Usually he would take the out and half of him (mostly his pride) actually considers it but it's not about his ego anymore.

Whether she rejects him or not, high stakes- it all needs to go on the table.

"I see you in that other way Donna..." he pauses, stopping to watch the lights dancing across her face. An attraction has never been the issue. He hit on her the first night they met for Christ's sake and only dialed it back when she asked him to. The problem has always been what they stands to lose by blurring the lines but she asked for the truth and he's going to give it to her. "I try not to let myself because I need you in my life. I'm a better lawyer, hell a better person around you and if I lost you as a friend it wouldn't be half as painful as if I lost you as something else. So when I act a certain way and then say it doesn't mean anything, I want you to know it does. It means everything."

Her eyes widen as she stares at him her hand shaking beneath her thigh as she tries to grapple with what he's saying. Even after the surprising confession he didn't actually say he wanted things to change and she feels her heart lodge in throat, wondering if he's just saying what he thinks she wants to hear. Like when he admitted he loved her. "Why are you telling me this?"

There's an accusing note beneath the tone and he sighs heavily, "because Donna... if you go off searching for something, I think you deserve to know what you already have."

Her brows lift in confusion, "and what's that?"

"Me." He says with finality, trusting that no matter what happens between them they're strong enough to see it through.

She still doesn't fully understand and her lips pull into a thinly veiled line to hide her doubts. "What if I need more than that?"

He can see in her expression she doesn't get it, that the 'more' is what he's putting on the table and it's his own fault. Words never seem to reveal what he means and he uncrosses his leg nearing closer to the edge - in more ways than one. "Then take it."

The water changes to a purpley pink color and he's not sure if she's blushing or it's just the hues reflecting but he leans in inching towards her mouth. He lets it be her decision because he's trying to show it's not about him. His needs are already out there in the open and he waits, heart slamming in his chest when she finally skates her lips across his own testing the kiss. She feels her way and a groan builds in his throat at the slow tentative caress. It's akin to a form of torture and he risks lifting his hand to encourage her deeper.

She smiles against him, more confident as his fingers wind through her hair and she opens her mouth feeling an ache of desire swell inside her. She wants to fill it with every part of him and clasps his lapels reluctantly breaking the kiss to make sure it's what he wants too. Not just sex but the whole thing, everything. "Are you sure about this?"

"Just tell me we can figure this out-" he exhales holding her gaze, "you, me... us. I want to try. I want it to work."

"You won't lose me." She says softly, trusting in them like he's preparing to. After all, it's not like they're going in blind. Their history holds a lot of weight and nothing's been able to drive them apart so far. They'll find their way through the rest together.

"Good." A smile attaches to his lips, washing over his fear as he leans in to kiss her again-

"Halle-fucking-lujah!"

The shout comes from the greenery behind them and he pulls back sharply as Mike and Rachel make a mad dash from the bushes.

"I'm going to kill him!" He tears back but stops at the sudden tug on his arm.

"Easy tiger." Her mouth curves with amusement, "wouldn't you rather save some of that energy?"

She raises an eyebrow and he feels a calmness settle over him. All of a sudden he's standing outside her door thirteen years ago and she's showing him the whipped cream only this time it's more than just one night. He gets to enjoy her for as long as they both can stand it and he helps her up, making a grab for her shoes. "I'm going to kill both of them, after."

She keeps their fingers entwined, a smile lighting her face and he quickly succumbs to the amusement feeling it wind in his chest. This is it for him. He doesn't want anything else and he tugs her closer making sure she knows it. "What are we waiting for?"

She already has the keycard in her hand and holds it up with a grin. "For you to figure out it's time to go upstairs."