Hey Everyone!

Here's another update for all you die-hard fans. I'm stretching this story as much as I can so you all can read it much faster.

So Enjoy!

P.S. Suits is not mine.

"What?" The simultaneous sound of Donna and Rachel said as the two of them sat on Max's couch.

"You. Harvey," Rachel gasped.

"Broke. Up?" Donna screeched.

Max shook her head, "No, we didn't."

"But you're not together," the caramel-skinned woman clarified.

"Not exactly," Max said, placing her coffee cup down.

"Then clarify before my hair turns gray," the redhead said sitting up straight.

The brunette sighed, running a hand through her hair, "I love him, and he loves me. And I told him that I love him but-"

"He didn't say it," Rachel concluded.

Max nodded, "I know he does. But if he can't tell me he loves me, then I can't be with him physically."

"Physically?" The other two women said at the same time.

"We don't touch. Or try to touch each other. Hell, I haven't seen Harvey in three days," Max said as she was looking out the window, "but he calls me. Every morning when I wake up. Every night before I go to bed. Like clockwork. We talk, we joke, we laugh, and it's good. We're us. But as we say goodbye, he's quiet. Like, he's trying to tell me that he loves me. I can hear him sigh in frustration, unwilling to give up. He's trying, and that's what's keeping this alive. He loves me enough to become someone he's not."

"So it's a long distance relationship, without the distance," the dark-skinned woman said as she leaned back in the couch.

Max smiled, "That's exactly what it is."

"No," Donna said placing her cup down, "What it is, is bullshit."

Before the brunette could respond, the redhead continued, "You love him, and he loves you, so why complicate things? Why do this to yourself? Obviously you're hurting, and he's hurting too. So why are you doing this to yourself? And to Harvey?"

Donna got up to pace, "Max, he loves you. God, does this man love you. He's never said he loves someone, nor should he? Isn't there a whole spiel on 'actions speak louder than words'? Harvey's done nothing but show you that he loves you! I thought you were smart, woman!"

"I know he loves me," Max reasoned, "But... I've had people who loved me, and never told me. Those people left, Donna. The ones who couldn't say it left me. My father loved me for my entire life, yet he never told me he loved me, he just left. He didn't want to deal with that," the woman wiped away her tears, "I love Harvey too much. I don't want him to leave. I know, it's such a childish reason, but I want him to fight for me."

Donna sat beside her, taking her hand, "He will. That damn man loves you too much. And when Harvey Specter loves something, he won't let it go. Not even easily. He will never letyou go. One of these days, he will say it. Just be patient."

Max nodded, "I believe you."

Rachel stood, "For now, can we please go to work? If we don't leave now, we'll get stuck in traffic."

The two other woman gathered their things as Rachel practically ran down the hall to get to Ray who was waiting for them. Although "not together" anymore, Harvey still sent Ray to Max everyday to pick her up from work. If Harvey couldn't be there to keep Max safe himself, he'd send someone he'd trust with his entire life, also known as Ray. After all, he sold her Vespa.

As Max was putting her jacket on, she noticed that Donna's stomach peaking out from under her heavy sweater, and the memory came flooding back.

"Donna," Max whispered, pointing to her stomach, "Did you ever find out..."

Max never got her answer, as Donna walked off.

Harvey threw the remote on the couch, rubbing his tired eyes. He couldn't sleep again, for third night in a row. Watching late night television was not helping, and Harvey needed coffee. In reality, he needed sleep, but if he knew that if he slept in his bed, it would hurt even more, knowing that Max wasn't going to be beside him when he woke up. He pushed himself off the couch, getting ready to go to work. He moved in a robotic manor, showering quickly, shaving precisely, dressing impeccably... he seemed out of body. As if there was no life to him, Harvey got ready for work. How was it that Harvey Specter, the man who exuded confidence, could barely pull himself off of a couch and place a facade smile on his face? He was surprised that he at least held his hygiene together. If he wasn't calling Max every day, he would have resorted to wearing a dirty, grease-covered v-neck and wearing cotton boxer shorts while eating cheese balls out of the tub, watching re-runs of Star Trek.

He snapped out of his thoughts as his cell phone began to ring in the living room. He walked out of his closet, suit jacket slung over one arm as he applied his cuff link. It would have been easier to put on if he had Max to do it, but alas, it was his fault she was not putting his cuff links on at that moment. He picked up his phone, rolling his eyes at the caller.

"Mike," Harvey said, sitting on his couch, placing his jacket over the back of the leather.

"Harvey," the blonde responded.

It was silent for a moment.

"You called for a reason?"

He could practically hear Mike shrugging his shoulder, "Just making sure you're okay."

"Just peachy," he told his associate, "Now stop calling me and get back to work."

"Wait, wait, wait," he heard him say, "Listen to me for a second, Harvey."

He placed the phone back to his ear, "Well?"

The brunette heard shuffling on the other side of the line, "Let me tell you a story."

Oh dear God, Harvey thought, I'm not in the mood for this shit.

"One night, a while ago, I had Rachel sitting on my couch, watching a movie. She was smiling and giggling," Harvey rolled his eyes at that part, "I just looked at her; stared at her. She sat right beside me, and I felt like I shouldn't touch her, because she was too heavenly. I thought to myself; why did she choose me? Why did she choose to love me?"

Harvey felt the same way about Max.

"But I noticed something: she didn't chose me. I chose her," he could hear Mike's smile, "Well, you never choose the one you love, you choose to accept it. Once I figured that out, I pictured it."

Harvey's eyebrows furrowed, "Pictured what?"

"Our life. I pictured us sitting on a bench at Central Park, Rachel still looking beautiful, even though she was a little older. In front of us was a little girl, half of Rachel, and half of myself. I don't want kids, but just picturing it... Harvey, it was perfect."

Mike sighed, "That's when I told her. I felt it in my stomach. At that second, I told her I loved her. Granted, she told me two days earlier, but I did it. I told her."

Harvey shook his head, "How is that supposed to make me feel better?"

"Because if it can work for me, it'll work for you."

He chuckled; the kid was right.

"Keep you head up, Harvey. You'll get there."

When the hell did the puppy get so smart? How was it that the tables had turned on Harvey? Was it that bad that he ended up getting a pep talk from Mike? Well, if anything, the younger man of the two was returning the favour.

"Thanks Mike," he said, hanging up before Mike could say goodbye.

Harvey thought about what Mike had said. A feeling in your stomach? How the hell was Harvey supposed to know that? He felt all sorts of things when he thought of Max, so how the fuck was he going to differentiate from all the other feelings? His mind was swirling with thoughts as he leaned his head on the back of the couch, trying to clear his mind. His mind was foggy as Harvey was registering that he was falling asleep, but his body would not let him wake up. It's probably for the best, he thought, at least I'll be able to catch a few minutes of sleep.

"Harvey... Harvey..."

"Harvey," the soft sound of Maxine snapped him out of his thoughts.

He turned to face her, with a wide smile on his face.

"You did it again," she said, placing a tray of food in front of him as he sat on a porch, looking out onto a large yard.

"Did what?" He asked innocently.

"Thought about me," she said, sitting on his lap. He looked at her closely, noticing that Max had aged a touch. Early thirties at least. But damn, she aged like fine wine. Was it possible that she was even more gorgeous than she was the first moment he laid eyes on her? Her eyes remained the same; the rambunctious hazels filled with life and excitement. Her smile was still sweet, and she smelt the same as always; comforting. Her touch was familiar. Max felt like home. She always felt like home.

He winked, "You caught me."

She rolled her eyes as her thumb stroked his temple.

"Is that gray I see?" She said, grasping the strands of hair between her fingertips.

"A few," Harvey said, "I think it adds character."

"I think it adds sex appeal," she leaned in, kissing him. The same way she always kissed him.

A pair of giggles from behind them caused the two to turn around. The couple turned to see a set of twins. Harvey looked at the two little children quickly before his mind clicked. There were his children. A small boy and a girl, with smiles on their faces as if they had seen an awe-inspiring moment at Disney Land. Harvey couldn't tear his eyes away from them; they were perfect.

"Spying on us again?" Max said in a coy voice.

The two ran off quickly, running towards the open field where they played with each other. No sooner than a minute, a small, black Labrador ran from the house, and towards the little children, playing with them.

Harvey couldn't bear to look away.

He felt Max snuggle onto his collarbone as they both stared at their children.

"Faroese jumpers," he commented on, "they actually look nice."

Max smiled, "I always did have a great sense of style."

"You should. We do live in France," Harvey said looking down at her.

She looked up at him, and Harvey tucked her hair behind her ear.

"I love you," he told her.

She smiled.

"I love you too, Harvey..."

His eyes snapped open as Harvey looked at his empty condo.

What was that? Was that real? No, it couldn't have been. It was just a dream. But the dream... it had felt so real. It had been so real. It had been perfect. It had been everything Harvey wanted. Wasn't it? Was it what Harvey wanted? A year ago, possibly, where the countless women every night would be good enough for him. But now, the thought of another woman besides Max made Harvey jump in fear, and he had never been afraid of anything.

He shot up off the couch, and began pacing. His adrenaline was rushing through him. Was he happy that he had that dream? Or was he sad that it was over? He couldn't decide what he was feeling. Anger? Joy? Sadness? Happiness? What the fuck was he feeling! Every second he thought about that dream, he wanted more of it. The dream... Max... France.. The kids... The dog... The gray hair... The Faroese jumpers...

Harvey stopped in the middle of the room.

Love.

That's what he was feeling.

Harvey's hand subconscious hovered over his stomach. He felt this surge of energy rush through his body and hit his core. He could feel this... need, this desire in the pit of his stomach, and he needed to let it out. Was this the feeling that Mike was talking about? That urging desire to just... let out what you feel? Scream it to the world? Pour your heart out on the floor? Was that was it was? That feeling? That euphoria that seeped through his veins, electrifying every nerve in his body? God, how could someone feel like this? How could someone be this blissful, just by a dream? By a woman? By love? Was this how love was supposed to feel? Was this how was he supposed to react?

No, Harvey knew how to react.

Harvey ran to his phone as he grabbed his jacket. He called Ray immediately as he rode the elevator. As soon as he hung up, he dialled another phone number.

"Hello?" The confused voice said.

"Max!" He practically shouted, "Where are you?"

"I'm at the office..." she was hesitant to respond, "Is everything okay, Harvey? You sound odd."

He smiled as he sighed, "Oh Max, everything... everything's just perfect."

"What's going on?" She said breathlessly.

"What's going on is I'm doing something I should have done a long ass time ago."

Max's breaths were heavy, "Harvey, you don't mean-"

"Don't leave the office," he told her as he ran out of the elevator, entering the lobby, "I'm coming to you, okay?"

He heard the smile in her voice, "Okay. I'll wait for you, babe."

Harvey hung up then, leaving his condo building as he waited for Ray patiently. A yellow cab pulled up to the curb as Mike popped out of the back, shutting the door behind him.

"What's taking you so long?" Mike said, paying the cab driver, "I called you an hour ago, why the hell are you still here? I thought I was the only one allowed to be late."

Harvey smiled as he stood in front of Mike, "I love her."

Mike's eyes widened, "What?"

"I love her," he said a little louder.

He turned around and shouted, "I love Maxine Harris!"

"Okay," Mike said, grasping Harvey's shoulder, "Not that I don't actually love this, but you're losing it, Harvey."

"Oh no, I'm not losing anything," Harvey said, noticing that Ray was pulling up to the curb, "I'm taking back what's mine."

He waited for Mike to go to the other side of the car.

"I'm going to tell my girl that I love her," he said getting into the back seat.

Mike smiled as he pulled the door open, "About damn time."

Harvey quickly told Ray what he was doing, and it seemed that the driver decided to push the car a little faster than he usually drove. Harvey could barely keep his foot planted on the bottom of the car as it shook in anticipation. He needed to tell her he loved her, and he needed to do it in person as soon as possible. He needed her to hear it, and he needed to see the look on her face when he did. He needed to hold her in his arms when he did it, because he needed to feel her. He needed her. He wanted her. He just... God, he couldn't explain it.

Ray suddenly started to slow down just as they were arriving to the building. Both Mike and Ray looked at the gathering crowd, confused. Harvey began to notice this too as Ray stopped the car entirely, as it was beginning to become stuck in traffic. Harvey opened the door to his car, with Mike following suit, as they began walking towards Pearson Hardman. As soon as they saw the building, a SWAT van swerved onto the pavement as officers poured out of the truck and into the building. Harvey's heart dropped. He spotted Jessica standing in front of what looked to be the Lieutenant in charge. He approached her, and Jessica's face had a flicker of pity before she masked it. Harvey's curiosity and fear peaked.

"Harvey," Jessica said calmly, "This is Lieutenant Quentin Lowe, he works with the SWAT division."

He shook the big man's hand out of courtesy.

"What's going on?" He asked the two individuals, curious.

Jessica looked to Lieutenant Lowe, who nodded.

The man had a authoritative voice, "We have a hostage situation."

Harvey was afraid to ask.

"Who's the hostage?"

Jessica licked her lips as Lowe did not respond.

Harvey's throat closed as his chest heaved. His hands started to go numb as the sensation of touch was just a mere thing of the past. His heart was spiked with razor-sharp blades as he ached to grasp his hurting chest, but his arms wouldn't allow him to move. His legs could not give away as they stayed immobile, his knees locked in. Never moving. His eyes closed as he tried to process his brain, going a million miles a second. His brain had never worked so hard in his life. He's never worked so hard in his life to try to hold himself together. He needed her right now to hold him together, but she wasn't there. She couldn't be there.

No. Not Max.

WHAT?

ON THE NEXT TAOP: We all know that Max is strong and resilient, but is that sometimes a bad thing?

xoxo N.