Together Forever (Sequel to You Know I Love You)

Chapter 10 -United Against An Enemy

Donna was beside herself. She was copying Mike's employment records as fast as she could. The last thing she needed was for Louis to come find her. He had already lectured her twice on not becoming involved personally. Stating that it was good that she no longer worked for Harvey and then she could not be implicated. With her eyes focused on the papers the machine spit out, she looked up to see a concerned Louis.

"What are you doing?" Louis said as he confiscated a paper and saw it as a part of Mike's employment records.

"Donna, I told you. You can't help right now as much as you want to." "Louis. This is Mike. We have to pull together to try to get him off or have the US ADA drop the case. Harvey needs me to do this for him."

"Donna, they will coerce you into making decision if they get into your personal life. I couldn't bear to see what they could do to you, " Louis emotionally admitted.

"I don't care," Donna said shaking her head and sorting more papers into file folders.

"Then I forbid you," Louis attempted in a commanding voice.

"You forbid me?" Donna looked at the ceiling. "Then fire me because I don't care."

She turned on her heel and left the room leaving a Louis who knew he had to make a sacrifice.

Donna came by Harvey's apartment later that day. He had been home most of the day. The only times he left were to see Mike and try to make a strategy, confront the US ADA Anita Gibbs, and then box a little while to get all the fury out of his blood before Donna's arrival.

Donna knocked and waited for Harvey to open the door. Donna had a key, of course, but being their relationship contained a question mark after their kiss the previous morning she felt a little to detached to use the key.

"Donna," Harvey said with relief. He noted how tired she looked. Still beautiful but she could probably use some TLC.

"Harvey, I copied everything you asked for and other things that I thought would help," she said as she handed him an untabbed, unmarked legal size accordian folder.

"Thank you. I really need to dive into this," Harvey said flipping through the papers already. His eyes flickered to her face as she began to turn away from him.

"Hey, where are you going?" Harvey asked.

"I have to go home. I'm rather tired. I haven't slept well the last couple of nights," Donna said hoping against hope he was not going to ask her to have a drink with him. It was one of the few times in her life that being with Harvey was not uppermost in her mind.

"How about I put on a pot of coffee and you can help me wade through this. Just like old times," Harvey said softly.

Donna bit her lip and lowered her eyes. Oh, Harvey, how that invitation sounds so good, but what does it mean? Do you want us to be back where we were earlier this year or do you just want me back to help you like the two friends or co employees we always have been? I look in those eyes and see your love, but is it romantic or just platonic again. God, I love you. How you torture me.

"Ok, Harvey. Don't make the coffee too strong or Louis will question the bags under my eyes tomorrow morning," Donna joked and ventured into the apartment.

"How is Louis taking things?" Harvey asked as he placed the papers with Mike's resignation letter on his kitchen counter.

"Well, he's concerned and he doesn't want me anywhere near you, right now."

"Isn't that your decision? I know what Louis means and I have to remind you that this Anita Gibbs is going to come at us at every angle. So we all have to stick together," Harvey said needlessly.

Donna sat on the other side of the kitchen counter and Harvey came around and placed on had on each arm. Are you going to hold me? Do you want me to hold you?I look into your eyes and all I see is fury and determination to help Mike get exonerated from this crime that although you both committed I know you feel just as bad, if not worse, than Mike. She moved her head a little and Harvey caught the look.

"Donna, I wouldn't ask you, so I will leave it up to you whether you want to be in or not while I fight this".

"I'm just wondering if this is all we're fighting for right now. We haven't talked since our dinner at Del Posto. Don't worry, Harvey, I'm in this just as much as you are. You can count on me as always," Donna said. God, how I want to kiss him and all I want to do is stay and hold him and have him hold me. But we have to stay focused on Mike. I know that's where his mind is without him even having to say it. So she let him release her and she walked slowly to the door.

"Donna," Harvey said in the singsong way he had when he needed her to understand. Why can't I move? I want to hold you so badly and feel you physically here with me as my comfort. Mike has Rachel, and at one time I thought we had each other just like that but I have never been one to give comfort while I'm in work mode. I promise you, though. I will fight for us but I cannot think about that right now until Mike's situation is resolved for which I am to blame for that I know.

"Yes, Harvey," she acknowledged before opening the door. She turned her head and brushed a strand of hair out of the way to look at him while he spoke to her from where he stood seemingly miles away; though, just a few feet next to the kitchen bar.

"This won't be forever. I do still love you, you know," Harvey said trying to reassure her as he smirked attempting to lighten the somber atmosphere between them.

"It's ok, Harvey. You don't have to say that. I know," Donna said and then walked out the door closing it swiftly so he would not see her tears stream down her face.

Sitting her desk outside Louis' office the next day only exacerbated Donna's focus on Mike's situation and, therefore, on Harvey. Today Mike was going to be formally arraigned and Rachel had left a few minutes before hoping that Mike would be free of his own recognizance. Bail was bargained not to be posted if Anita Gibbs was assured that Mike would stay in town.

In the judge's chambers another war had broken out. However, the judge ruled in Harvey's favor so he was secure from being thrown off the case as Anita Gibbs had recommended. So the judge dismissed all three parties.

At the dismissal from the judge, Mike ran directly to Rachel's arms and she fairly jumped into his arms. After watching Mike envelope Rachel in his arms, Harvey came up behind them and said their first line of strategy was going on offense.

"What does that mean?" Rachel wondered.

"It means we make a list of everyone that knows Mike's secret and we question them and deduce who tipped Feds off and then see how much they have on him," Harvey explained. After explaining to Rachel what that meant, Harvey swiftly left the courtroom to return to the firm.

While Harvey was negotiating terms for Mike not to spend another night in jail, Donna had an epiphany of her own. She decided she needed to speak with Gretchen before her plan could come to fruition. Louis' reaction would border on Kindergarten variety but she had to do it.

Gretchen was at her desk typing away when she noticed Donna approach.

"What can I do for you? He's not back from court yet," Gretchen said looking at the tall redhead whom she knew had been or was still romantically tangled with her present boss.

"No, I know that, Gretchen. It was actually you I wanted to speak with."

"Sure. Pull up a chair. I've got to have this document finished by the time he comes back. Oh wait a minute you know he's not actually supposed to be in the office right now, right?"

"Gretchen, I know that you know about the Forstman bribe and yes I do know. Besides when you told me the other day that he was sick, I knew Harvey never gets sick; so I went to see him."

"Uh. Sounds like you're a lot closer than I understood," Gretchen said eyeing the beautiful redhead.

"It's a long story. Anyway that's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about."

Gretchen finished typing, saved her document, and then turned around in her chair to face Donna.

"Ok, Red, tell me what's on your mind."

"Would you be opposed to me coming back and working for Harvey at least during this rough time with Mike?"

"Where would I go?"

"To work for Louis," Donna said experimentally.

"Does Louis know yet?" Gretchen asked. She knew that Donna wanted to come back the minute she heard the kid had been arrested. Besides she had known all the happenings at PSL for years thanks to Norma.

"I want you to promise me something if I say yes," Gretchen said looking away and then eyeing Donna.

"What's that?"

"That you take care of that man who owns that office in there and that you both work like hell to keep that kid from going to jail."

"I promise, Gretchen. Thank you."

"Now all I have to do is tell Louis," Donna said to Gretchen.

Gretchen laughed and said, "Heaven help us."

Donna smiled for the first time since Mike had been arrested.