Chapter Four

Louis was waiting by the bar with his parents when he spotted the two walk in. Donna in a very beautiful black dress that made her look like a goddess upon mere mortals. And well, Harvey looked like Harvey—signature three-piece and all. He pointed them out to his parents and his father immediately said, "I think your best friend is stealing your gal, Louie."

"Dad," Louis countered, "I told you they've known each other for years, but they're just friends. And it's Louis or Loumaster, as you're about to hear my best friend refer to me."

His mom then butted in, "Well, I can't say any for the way she's staring at him either."

Louis sighed. "Can we just…go? Please." He motioned for Donna and Harvey who immediately walked towards him and his parents.

They both smiled. Louis decided to take his chance and moved his hand to caress Donna's face but she's got some reflexes. She grabbed his outstretched hand, and gripped it so tight that Louis was sure it was broken, "Boo-bear, behave!"

Harvey smirked and introduced himself to his parents. Donna finally did the same. And after all the pleasantries, they finally sat down to dinner.

..::..

"So, I said, 'I don't care who you are, you're not getting my grapefruit…" Donna beamed as she recalled the story.

"…And what could I do?" Harvey added, "I had to give her my grapefruit."

Louis' mother laughed, "Oh, you two are a hoot and a half. Louie here tried to tell me that story awhile back, but it just wasn't the same." She turned to Louis, "It wasn't as funny the way you told it, dear."

Louis grimaced, "Thanks, Ma."

Their group stood outside the restaurant, having just survived what could be describe as a pleasant-enough dinner. They had all just been about to say their goodbyes when Mrs. Litt asked for one last story, hence the grapefruit tale.

She now clasped Donna's hand, "Now, dear…even if it didn't work out between you and Louie, do not hesitate to ever call me. You're practically family anyways since we've had those pictures Louie sent of you hanging on our mantle for a while now."

Donna tried to keep the shocked look off her face; instead she smiled and nodded instead (reminding herself that she needed to ask Louis where he got those pictures). And after Harvey shook hands with Mr. Litt and assured him that he would be attending the "Litt Men Night Out" the next evening, they all went their separate ways.

..::..

Donna and Harvey were currently walking away from the restaurant towards Donna's place. "Don't be so pouty," she said, "I can tell you didn't really mind when I agreed that you can go out with your boys tomorrow. I'm sure you can probably bribe Mike to go with. Plus you like him, Louis's dad, I mean."

Harvey looked at her and nodded, "Hard to believe that Louis is his spawn." Harvey chuckled, "Reminds me of…"

Donna looked at him, "I know." A beat. "I'm sorry I didn't go with you this year. With everything that happened, I didn't want…I didn't think…"

"It's fine," Harvey answered. "I know, too. But, weren't you a little scared he'd know you didn't show up?"

"Hell yah," Donna said, "That's why I went the next day, apologized, and told him that my absence was due to his son being a wuss."

Harvey rolled his eyes, "Whatever, he always took your side anyways."

"Oh," Donna remembered, "you left the shot glasses there and Jim gave them to me, they're at my apartment." Before Harvey could respond, "Also, Zoe came to see you this morning. Sorry I didn't get to tell you until now."

"A little late, don't you think? You might be losing your touch," he teased. "Don't worry, I paid her a visit when I came in, after Mike met me with the merger file. Good call on that, by the way."

Donna nodded, letting the information sink in as they rounded the corner. She stopped, and looked at Harvey with a puzzled expression.

Harvey smirked, "What? You thought I had Ray waiting sneakily for us around the corner, like some Alfred to my Bruce Wayne?"

Donna nodded, "Well, Batman, I just thought…you know, best closer in the damn city wouldn't make a lady walk."

Harvey laughed, "Oh, well, I remembered that little speech you made at the store yesterday." He raised his voice an octave, even complete with girlish had gestures, "Oh, Harvey…let's buy these shoes instead—even if they cause $3000 more—they're just so comfortable."

Donna stopped and put her hands on her hips, "Is that you trying to sound like me? That is insulting if that's how you hear my voice. You sound like a cross between a baby crying and a screeching cat."

Harvey narrowed his eyes at her and motioned that they continue on.

"I'll have you know," Donna kept on talking, "these are very comfortable and I'll be more than happy to walk all the way to my apartment!"

"Good," Harvey countered, "Because the Batmobile really isn't coming tonight. I gave Ray a break."

"Just as well," Donna rebuffed, "I'm not really into the Dark Knight. I was hoping, really, that you'd rip off that suit; reveal that glorious red \S/ on your chest…Super Specter…" she whispered those two terms so seductively that Harvey could only grin as she continued, "…and sweep a girl off her feet."

Donna raised her eyebrows at him, daring him to answer. "Well," Harvey started, "I don't know about ripping this suit, there's something that sounds so wrong with that. Maybe if I remove it carefully…" Donna rolled her eyes at him as Harvey finished, "…but the best I could do is a piggy-back ride; your feet will never touch the ground, I promise.

Donna laughed. "But only if you admit those shoes are not comfortable at all," he added.

"Never," she huffed and walked briskly ahead of him. Harvey chuckled and jogged to catch up.