Chapter Three

"Is Harvey in yet?" Zoe asked, looking at Donna expectantly.

Donna laughed, "Its seven o'clock in the morning. Please. Harvey's probably just prying himself off the latest bimbo he hooked up with last night."

At Zoe's raised eyebrow, Donna just remembered that she wasn't supposed to joke or say stuff like that anymore. She agreed to help him with this mess – ordeal; and she was going to keep her word. "I mean," she added hastily, "I was joking, he doesn't do that anymore, have I told you that he's practically a different man now?"

Zoe laughed. "No need, Donna. While we were working on his trial, he wined and dined me without asking for the dessert afterwards."

Donna looked at her, "Oh, well…that's good to know."

But apparently the other woman wasn't finished, "Yes, he insisted we saw each other before he even referred me to Jessica. To make sure things weren't awkward, you know?"

You know, there was that term again! Maybe Harvey picked it up from her. "I'm Donna, of course I know," she replied.

"DONNA!" she heard her name being shouted from across the hallway. Saved by the pup!

"Hey, Mike," Donna greeted as he approached. "You had a little too much caffeine this morning, huh? Why are you in a rush? Harvey isn't even in yet."

"I need the merger file, five minutes…because...," he answered, trying to catch his breath. But before he could continue, Donna was already handing him the folder. "Is it done? I thought Harvey said he asked you to put it on hold to work on that new survey."

"What Harvey says he wants and what he really needs are two very different things," Donna replied nonchalantly, "but I always know what he needs." Mike smiled and nodded, finally starting to breathe normally again.

At that point, Mike finally noticed Zoe, who had just been observing their conversation quietly, "Oh, Ms. Lawford, I didn't see you there."

Zoe stretched out her hand, "Mike Ross, right? You were on Louis' team during the mock trial?"

Mike nodded, "Oh yah, you remembered me?"

"Well, Harvey did mention you were his associate to me one time or another," Zoe replied, "and I think that mock trial wasn't an event we all will soon forget." Her gaze never left Mike's but his quickly shifted to Donna.

Donna remained neutral, narrowing her eyes slightly for only a few seconds before directing a question to Zoe, "I'll tell Harvey you stopped by then?"

Zoe finally looked at her, "Yes, thank you." And she began to walk away.

Donna sat back down at her desk, noticing that Mike hasn't looked away from Zoe's retreating form. "No Mike," she teased, "It's not rude to stare."

He finally looked away, "I was not," he denied. "Anyways, I have to go. I promised Harvey I'd meet him out front! If I don't see you later, have fun tonight."

"Yes, nothing says fun like social torture," Donna said with a wave. She finally focused on her work, barely registering the dealings of the day until Harvey approached her desk. "Where have you been all day?" she asked.

"Out saving the world," he answered naturally. "I was in earlier, but you might have been at lunch."

Donna smiled, "Oh, my hero!" She eyed his attire, "You look nice. Ugh, is it dinner time?"

He nodded, "You better get ready. Am I having Ray send the car with you or do you have everything here?"

Donna motioned towards his office, "I brought the dress already, and I hanged it in your office so it'll stay safe."

"Yah, it should be given ultimate protection considering, I mean…" he started.

Donna stood up, "Hush, trust me when I say that this will the best way you've ever spent your money!"

And forty-five minutes later, when Donna knocked on his office door to say they can go, and Harvey saw the beautiful black dress hug every curve of her body; he realized it was definitely money well spent. Definitely. He couldn't get over the simplicity yet elegance that Donna exuded. "Beautiful," he breathed out.

Luckily, Donna had remained outside the glass door tapping on her watch impatiently as he had yet to stand up from his chair, transfixed by her form. Harvey quickly gathered himself, thankful he wouldn't have to explain his words. He stood up and met her at his office door.

"Well, I guess it wasn't a total waste of money," he greeted her cheekily. She narrowed her eyes at him and squinted as if he had something on his face. "What?" he asked.

"You got a little drool right there," she said, jokingly wiping the corner of his mouth.

"Ha ha," he said mockingly. "Can we go, please?" he asked, offering her his arm.

She took it graciously and they made their way towards the elevators. "Time to get Litt up, I guess," Donna chimed, as the elevator arrived to bring them to the lobby. They entered it together.

And as Harvey pressed the button for the lobby, he added, "Please, never use that phrase again, boo-bear."

"Ugh," she frowned, "You heard?"

"He told me," Harvey said. "And apparently he's Loumaster and I'm H-dawg."

Donna laughed but it was quick, replaced by a pained expression, "What are we getting ourselves into? You told Mike which restaurant we're going to be at, right? I mean, if these people raised Louis…"

Harvey took her arm again and guided her towards the car where Ray was waiting. He opened her door, "Don't worry, Donna…I'll protect you." He closed her door and rounded the car to enter from the other side. And on they went.