I wake up quick just like I want to, yeah but I stay out much to late.

- Matchbox 20

Donna wakes up slowly, adjusting to the warmth ebbing from the body beside her and her lips edge into a smile. She can tell Harvey's awake, can feel his gaze burning her neck, and she flutters her eyes open rolling into the arm draped casually over her hip. He grins down, his untamed hair sticking out at all odd angles and she smirks lifting her fingers to sweep the five o'clock shadow grazing his jawline. She likes the rougher look on him, or maybe just that he trusts her enough to wear it, and she drops her hand wriggling further under the covers to keep warm. "Morning pretty."

"I thought we upgraded that to handsome?" His voice is still thick with sleep as he lazily trails his thumb down the length of her side. She shivers at the contact and he scoots closer sliding his palm round to settle at the small of her back.

"Maybe if you keep the stubble we can discuss it." She shifts her head on his pillow, one of several that got tossed around during their activities last night, and stretches against him working out the kinks in her aching muscles.

Her smooth legs make him twitch with anticipation but for the sake of his ego he manages to show restraint. "Women," he huffs, the tone light and playfully condescending, "we've been in this relationship five minutes and you're already trying to change me."

A laugh catches in her throat and her eyes gleam with amusement as she teases him back. "Relationship huh? Big word."

Under normal circumstances he'd be hesitant to label it so soon but he's had fourteen years to get used to the idea and he's quick to squash any doubts she might be having. "Miss Paulsen... would you do me the honor of officially being my girlfriend?"

She pretends to think about it but there's humor in gaze as her hands travel up and along the tight muscles of his chest. They constrict and release under the feather light touch and she grins meeting and locking with his expectant smirk. "Well, there are some good solid prospects to consider... how much is your salary worth again?" She lets out a girlish squeal as he flips her tickling the sensitive areas of her exposed skin and she gives in with a breathless laugh, "okay, okay... stop, you win. Yes."

He ceases the advance, propping up onto his elbow as he takes in her flushed cheeks and mussed hair. The sight hits him squarely in the chest and the warmth spreads urging him to lean in and kiss her tenderly. She hums into his mouth, the sound reverberating through him until she suddenly breaks the contact smiling broadly. A chill creeps in as she starts to roll away and he reacts thrusting his arm out and pulling her back against him. "We still have an hour before we need to get up."

His breath is hot against her ear and she flushes letting out a content sigh. How he made it to named partner with his time keeping is anyone's guess but... oh that's right, he had her as a secretary for twelve years. "We have to be in the office in an hour."

"You say tomato..." he presses his lips to the crook of her neck trying to sway her but she tenses at the contact and not in the way he's expecting. It urges him to stop and properly take her in, his brows furrowing at the far away look in her eyes. "Donna?"

She glances up at him and swallows shaking her head. "It's nothing."

He's not sure who she's trying to fool and a smirk tugs the corners of his mouth in response. "I know that look-" he slides his hand up brushing the hair from her face, "I know every look, remember?"

Heat prickles along her skin at the insinuating tone and his scrutiny. This isn't some foray into the unknown. They know how to read each other and she breathes out slowly, acknowledging the thought romping around. "I was just thinking about everyone in the office."

'Slim pickings for a three-way, right?" He raises an eyebrow expecting the light smack she retaliates with but he aims for serious as he stretches his hand over her waist. "Do you want to tell people?"

The question sounds nonplussed and she searches his gaze curiously. "Do you think we should? He shrugs casually and she's surprised by the reaction, not sure if it's entirely genuinely or he's just playing it safe.

He can see the doubt whirring in her mind and gives her hip a light squeeze. He doesn't care what they do, whether they tell people or not, so long as he gets to go home with her every night and wake up next to her in the morning he'll be a happy man. "Donna, this is everything I want-" he glides his thumb over her skin reassuringly, "I don't give a damn who knows. I'll shout it from the roof if you want me to."

She relaxes at the honesty and glances up covering his hand with her own. "I think we should probably stay away from rooftops from a while don't you?"

He lets out a low chuck entwining their fingers. It's a fair point but regardless of how they announce it, whether or not they do is entirely her call. "However you want to play this is fine by me."

His answer takes the pressure off and she nods weighing up their options. On one hand she doesn't like the idea of lying but at the same time it seems smart to give it some time, prove nothing would change before making it official. She worked her ass off to make COO and it's not just her reputation on the line. "I think we should keep it low-key just for a little while." She watches his reaction carefully just to make sure he's really okay with it and but the only thing that changes is the smirk that appears on his lips.

"That mean we can't have sex in the file room?" She rolls her eyes at the lewdness and he tugs her hand, "library?" The glare she shoots him is almost enough to break his composure but he manages to keep the grin from spilling across his mouth, "come on... I know you want to do it on Robert's desk.

"You're an idiot."

She gives in to her amusement smiling at him and he releases her, wrapping his arm around her back and pulling her closer. "In that case we're just going to have to utilize our time outside the office more productively."

Her fingers curl over his biceps and she grins into his kiss deciding she can work with that as a compromise.

...

...

They make it into the office an hour late, worth it in Harvey's opinion, but the day quickly sours despite his good mood. From the moment he sits down he's inundated with calls from the press about H&B Carter, Barnaby Joice and the whole goddamn situation but he draws some comfort from the fact Drake is now awake and according to his doctors going to make a full recovery. The news is what stirred the Media's interest again and although it's been additional work he's relived for Henry's sake. All the man needs now is for his ex-business partner to be apprehended but the police assured him this afternoon they're tracking Joice through Mexico which is only a small comfort but a reprieve no less.

With a sigh he leans back in his chair watching the lights of the city scatter on in the streets below. It feels like a lifetime ago he was waking up to a warm body pressed against him in bed and he'd give anything to be back the there. Hell he'd take just seeing a flash of Donna's red hair but she's been just as swamped today and he settles over his laptop rolling his shoulders to work out the kinks.

He manages to get another full hour of emails done before the desire to see her rears again and, as if answering his thoughts, she appears in his doorway clearly warn out but smiling. He instantly returns the gesture thinking back to several of the reasons (one in particular) that kept them awake most of the night.

"Wipe that smirk off your face," she admonishes with a playful tone, "otherwise people will guess before we get a chance to tell them."

"Tell them what?" He teases innocently, stretching away from his laptop, "that you're out of strawberries and whipped cream?"

She rolls her eyes sliding into the chair opposite him. "You're incorrigible."

"And you're too damn sexy." His gaze gleams with appreciation as her cheeks turn pink and his lips curve in amusement. Donna Paulsen doesn't blush for anyone and it spurs a territorial pull in his chest. Part of him almost wants to shout their relationship from the rooftop, let the word know she's taken, but he keeps the thought to himself out of respect more than anything. They'll start telling people when they're both ready and he can wait but there is one thing that's been circling and it encourages him to wear a slightly more serious expression. "Hey, listen... there's something I wanted to ask you." He sits up straighter sounding uncharacteristically nervous, "I know you want to keep things between us for now and that's perfectly fine, but-"

"Harvey." She stops him with a curious but teasing smile, "if this is a proposal I think it's a little soon, don't you?"

He throws her a look arching his eyebrow. "You honestly think this is where I'd choose to propose?"

Amusement catches in her throat but she swallows it just in case he thinks she's joking. "It had better not be-" she insists glancing around the room, "cause if I step in here and there are fairy lights strung up you can better believe i'm walking straight back out."

He blows a sigh into his cheeks huffing at the reference. He's never going to live the gesture down despite Mike practically forcing him to do it and he leans on the arm of his chair tilting his head expectantly. "Finished?" She holds her hands up in mock defense and he pulls at the edge of his tie readjusting the knot. "I was thinking and I know its short notice... but i'm flying out to Boston for Christmas and if you wanted, if your parents would be okay with it, maybe you could come with me?"

She's genuinely surprised by the offer and stares at him, her mouth parting slightly as she tries to get her head around what he's suggesting. "You want me to meet your mother?"

He nods and lets go of his tie, a hint of amusement filling his gaze. "Well she would be there. It might get a little awkward if I didn't introduce you."

The sarcasm doesn't quite filter through her thoughts as she glances at him from beneath her lashes. Given everything he's been through with his family it feels like a big step and she wants to make certain he's sure before she considers it. "I wouldn't be imposing?"

He looks at her slightly dumbfounded. They're not just colleagues any more. Truthfully they haven't been for years and he wants her in his life completely which is something that's long overdue. "Your my girlfriend now, not my secretary remember?"

The flippancy doesn't distract from the warmth in his expression but she's careful not to skirt around the issue. Holiday gatherings are still a tentative time for him and as much as she knows he means well, he has a habit of subconsciously looking for ways to avoid engaging them and she rephrases the question to be more poignant. "A distraction then?"

He smirks raking his eyes over her. "Oh you'd definitely be a distraction."

A flush warms her cheeks but she doesn't give into the embarrassment. "Harvey i'm being serious." She wants to say more but doesn't, pursing her lips together and watching him nod slowly in acknowledgement.

He isn't sure how he missed it but the doubt in her expression is clearer now and he keeps his tone light addressing her concern. "You remember when Katie wanted to file for custody of the kids?"

She does. He'd been to see Marcus shortly before Louis announced Sheila was pregnant. While there he'd admitted it had taken a piece of him and she nods letting him continue.

"I waited until I had it under control before I called you but the whole time I was there all I could think about was hearing your voice." It hadn't been about wanting her help or advice even though he would have appreciated both. It was because he'd known the second he spoke to her he'd instantly feel a sense of comfort and a soft smile turns the edges of his mouth. "i'm not looking for a scapegoat Donna. I just want to be with you, that's all."

She's touched by the genuine sentiment and lifts her lips in response. Her dad might take some convincing but her mother will be over the moon she's seeing someone and she nods accepting his offer. "I'd love to go with you."

A feeling of exhilaration stirs in his chest and he tries to keep the relief from spilling out as he holds her gaze. "Good." He lets the moment wash over him steering the conversation before he gets swept up in it. "Now that's sorted i'm guessing you're not here because you changed your mind about Robert's desk?"

She marvels at his ability to go from serious to offhanded in such a short stretch but he's right. Although the their talk took a pleasant detour she actually came in to discuss work and throws him an apologetic smile. "The Ducati case, I need your sign off before I can submit the paper-work."

"You've emailed it to me?" He doesn't know why he's asking. No doubt she sent it hours, if not weeks ago, and her nod confirms he has all the information he needs. "Consider it done, anything else?"

"I need to go go home and grab a few things." She crosses her legs watching his eyes follow the movement and smirks when his head lifts up. She can almost hear the despondent sigh working it's way out and for once she's in tune with his frustrations. With Louis working part time they've both had to pick up the slack but that doesn't stop her leaning back and subtly tempting him to leave on time. "Think you'll be much longer?"

He doesn't know how -he must have the control of a saint- but he manages to keep his gaze from returning to her exposed skin. Tormenting himself won't get the work done any faster and he goes back to his laptop clearing his throat and using the influx of emails as a distraction. "Another hour give or take." He catches her small pout out of his peripheral and offers a compromise in return. "I can grab us some dinner after, Thai?"

She raises an eyebrow. "My Thai?"

"You mean that shitty restaurant on 8th Avenue..." he gleams with a smirk, "sure."

She resists the urge to point out that every time they order from there he always finishes first. The only reason he doesn't like it is because he considers it street food not 'diner' food but she trades the quip for a smile, pushing up from her chair. "I'll meet you back at yours in a couple of hours?

He nods and watches her strut to the door but calls her back just shy of the threshold. "You'd better be bringing a suitcase with you."

She turns and amusement flitters across her expression as she challenges the comment. "Does that mean i'm getting half of your closet space?"

Hell no. He glances up over the laptop screen but despite the initial reservation considers an alternative. They both know his suits are worth more than most people pay for their cars but there has to be a compromise somewhere. "I'll get you your own built-in installed how does that sound?"

He looks almost serious and she can't quite tell if it's a joke but she doesn't take the bait. "Expensive."

"I'd consider it a solid investment." He means it and softens his gaze at the coy smile on her lips watching it disappears when she sashays out. He'll pay for twenty if that's what it takes to get her to stay over more and he casually minimizes his emails bringing up a search bar. Maybe it's getting ahead of himself but he figures there's no harm in taking a short break to entertain the idea and he spends the next twenty minutes researching furniture websites.

...

...

After what feels like the longest forty-five minutes of her life Donna pads wearily down the hall of her apartment building smiling at the Christmas decorations lighting the way to her door. The last twenty-four hours have been a whirlwind and she's happy -ecstatic almost- but also looking forward to decompressing with a glass of wine and she jams her key in the lock jerking it up and pushing on the wood paneling.

Darkness floods her vision and she feels for the light switch, muffling a cry when a hand suddenly clamps over her mouth. She stills going ridged with fear as a metal barrel presses into the side of her temple.

"Make any sort of noise and I won't hesitate."

An involuntary whimper escapes but she forces it back, nodding against her assailant, and when the pressure lifts she stumbles forward blinking as the lights come in. In front of her are the cold psychotic eyes of Barnaby Joice and shock coils in her stomach as the door swings closed.

He watches the panic flare in her gaze and it fuels the insatiable need for control firing through his veins. A few anonymous tips and a bogas credit card trail had everyone including the authorities fooled.

"You should really get that lock fixed," he quips, raking his gaze over her body. She's an beautiful women and it isn't any wonder Harvey's besotted with her. It's just a shame the part she has to play is going to end rather unfavorably but he doesn't dwell motioning his gun toward the dining arrangement in the corner. "Move, now."

Her legs wobble unsteadily as she follows the instruction and air drives painfully in and out of her lungs making her almost relieved to sit down. He's clearly unhinged but he wouldn't have shown up just to kill her. There has to be some other sort of misguided plan and she tries to stay calm as she places her keys and purse on the table beside her. "What do you want Barnaby?"

"How about my life back?"

She flinches as his eyes flash with fury and moisture burns behind her gaze but she blinks it back in order to formulate a response. She's taken self-defense classes but her instructor said unless an opportunity presents itself words are the best weapon, information is power and she's Donna. Talking is what she does best. "Henry won't give you H&B and Carter... Harvey can't help you with that."

"You think I want his help?" Barnaby spits angrily narrowing his gaze at the suggestion. He isn't here to make nice and do deals. It's too late for that. He's here to make Harvey pay for unraveling fifteen years of blood, sweat and tears. "Take out your phone."

She does, her hand shaking nervously as she lays it flat on the table.

"I want you to get him here. I don't care how you do it but if he suspects anything..." he waves the gun threateningly but still verbalizes his intention to make sure she gets the point, "I want him to watch but that's not a requirement."

A wave of nausea rams her hard as the walls start to close in on her plan to negotiate a way out. Clearly the only thing Joice cares about is revenge and she considers Harvey as her gaze locks onto the phone, the blank screen creating an anchor of dread in her stomach. If he comes round he'll do whatever it takes to protect her and she can't put him in danger like that. She won't. "No."

It's all she's able to force out and when he storms towards her, gun in hand, she screws her eyes shut feeling the metal dig into her shoulder.

"I can make it quick or painful-" he bites out removing the safety with a click, "which would you prefer?"

A sob claws at her throat but she locks her jaw defiantly, opening hers eyes and trying to think rationally. There isn't any doubt in her mind Joice will pull the trigger and her fingers tremble as they move to the table. It's risky as hell but if she can get a message through to Harvey it might buy her enough time to come up with another plan.

"Good girl." Barnaby watches her pick up the phone with a smirk, "put it on speaker."

She steals a second to compose herself thumbing through her contacts even though he's number one on her speed dial. She's an actress, she can do this. It's about playing the man not the odds and she dials Harvey's number exhaling slowly when he answers.

[Hey... missing me already?]

She glances at Barnaby trying to keep her voice steady. "You wish."

[What's up?]

Her heart drums loudly in her ears but just hearing him speak takes the edge off and she bites the inside of her cheek trying to pass off a lie. "I'm home but the lock on my door is jammed. I don't think I can get it open again."

[Donna, I told you to get that damn thing fixed weeks ago.]

He sighs into the phone and she wants to burst into tears but manages to keep it together. He's right. If she'd just listened to him she might have realised something was wrong sooner but she pushes the guilt down trying to stay focused. "Do you think you'll be much longer? I could really use your help."

He doesn't answer immediately and she holds her breath waiting for a response.

[I was just leaving]

There's another pause and she knows he's distracted by something on the other end but he comes back quickly and she doesn't know whether to feel relieved or terrified.

[I'll come round. Did you still want me to grab Thai or...]

Barnaby shake's his head and she swallows roughly into the phone, "no it's okay, we can order something from yours."

[Okay.]

She can hear a rustle of papers and after fourteen years working together knows he's only half-listing. It's what she's counting on and she hones her acting skills keeping her expression calm as if she were rehearsing a scene. "Harvey, don't forget to sign off on the Loderman case. It's important."

[yep. See you-]

Barnaby hangs up and she risks glancing at him, relief coursing through her when he seems indifferent to the subtle hint she'd dropped. All Harvey has to do is realise she said Loderman not Ducati and he should be able to figure the rest out. She closes her eyes trusting he will, that they really do know how the other thinks, because if she's wrong it's going to put more than just their relationship on the line.