One note: Italics means a telephone conversation and the person is voice only. Ok - now back to our story. "I love Soap Operas, too" - carebearmaxi

Donna Meets Lily

Chapter 17 -

"Donna, please.."

"Lily Specter?"

"Last's name changed, but yes. Who is this?"

"This is Dana Scott. I don't think you will remember me. I was Harvey's girlfriend from law school."

"Oh, yes, I remember now. We met before Gordon and I divorced. How are you? To what do I owe this call?" Lily asked somehow befuddled but instinctively knowing that something happened to her son. Why didn't Donna call? Uh-oh.

"Well, Harvey is in the hospital," Dana said bluntly because she did not know how else to address the woman or the situation.

Lily was grateful for the call. She was very glad that someone besides immediate family new of her renewed relationship with her firstborn. She was also very alarmed at Harvey's condition since he was not making the call himself.

"Hospital? Why? Where? When?" The questions flowed with an urgency from a mother's heart. Lily never stopped loving her son even if he had stopped loving her at one point in time.

"He had a car accident a few days ago. He was released from the hospital but is now back at the hospital as complications have set in," Scottie explained.

"Oh my God, Harvey," Lily said haltingly starting to feel frightened that she may lose her oldest son permanently. Lily took a chair as Bobby noted the tone in her voice and came to her side to lend support as best he could. Bobby and Harvey had been getting along much better now, so Bobby was concerned as well even if it was just to be there for his wife.

"St. Vincent's? Of course, I'll be on the next train or plane out whichever is fastest," Lily said.

Before Lily hung up the phone, she asked Scottie of Donna's whereabouts.

"Do you know Donna Paulsen?"

"Yes. I also know that Harvey and Donna were having some complications in their relationship. I know they belong together, so I am not calling to get between them."

"She is Harvey's assistant, so why did she not call me? Did something happen to her as well?" Lily could not help but ask.

"She's missing."

"Missing? So you know the nature of their relationship then?"

"Yes, as I said I am not here to come between them," Scottie said regrettably. "Donna seems to be missing. However, I am going to try to find her because I know how much Harvey needs her."

"Do you know what happened?"

"Not really. I only know he had a car accident a few days ago. I only called because the doctor thinks it imperative that someone from Harvey's immediate family is here as he may need surgery. By the way, I told the doctor that Donna was Harvey's wife and I am his lawyer. Otherwise I would never have been able to call you at all."

"Yes, thank you, Ms. Scott."

" You can call me Dana or Scottie. Here's my number 212-xxx-7846. You call me when you get into New York. I will have Ray, Harvey's driver, pick you up from the train station or the airport whichever one."

"Thank you, Dana."

"I look forward to seeing you."

Lily finally hung up and immediately made reservations for the train trip to NYC.

Scottie left the hospital and made her way back to PSL with Ray's help. They saw Harvey and he mumbled something about the firm and called for Donna. It broke Scottie's heart that Donna was not there. Scottie still loved Harvey, but she knew that Donna was Harvey's true love.

Scottie swiped a tear away from her eye when she saw her former lover. He was such a complicated man but right now he looked like a lost little boy mumbling in his sleep for Donna and then reverting back to his firm and how Jessica might be disappointed with him.

"Listen, Harvey, its Scottie. I'll find Donna. Everything will be fine."

"Thanks, Scottie," Harvey said having a moment of clear lucidity.

"Hey, Ray, it's good to see you," Harvey said giving Ray a little wave.

"Hey Harvey. Don't worry about anything."

"I won't. These drugs work better than Scotch," Harvey joked.

Scottie felt a little better when she left seeing Harvey conscious and joking. He was drugged that was for sure or he would be fighting everyone so he could get out of bed and go back to work. The real tell was that he asked for Donna point blank. If Harvey was himself he would think it and if he really wanted her he would find her himself-not leave others to do it for him.

Scottie went to Mike's office. It was still strange for her to see Mike's things in the spacious office instead of Harvey's Harvey had been ensconced in that office for a long time. Too long, perhaps.

"Mike, did you know that Harvey was in the hospital?" Dana asked as she bypassed Amy's cubicle. Amy had gone home early as she had a family emergency herself.

Mike immediately rose from his seat behind his desk.

"Which hospital? I'll get Rachel…"

"Hold it, Mike. That is one reason I came to see you."

"Thanks for pitching in, Scottie, but if Donna finds out you're in the midst of this…"

"She will thank me for taking care of him. Look, I know they are together. I saw them the other night looking very comfortable. Harvey drove me home and told me how she convinced him to reconcile with his mom and all about how he and Donna had became a couple in Boston."

"So?" Mike said playing innocent.

"You need to find Rachel and see if she can contact Donna or at least find out where she is."

"Ok, but you really don't have to stick around. I can takeover," offered Mike.

"Well, I already told the doctor I was his lawyer. How else do you think they would let me see him?"

"So, what is the diagnosis and the prognosis?" Mike asked as he turned around from leaving.

"The doctor is waiting until his mother arrives," Scottie said becoming rather impatient with Mike's attitude like she did not have a right to be there

"Well, if you're his lawyer, I'm his younger brother," Mike said and then left his office leaving Scottie to loose ends.

Donna, in Los Angeles, made the audition and was the best Lady MacBeth that the Shakespeare in the Park Company had seen in a long time. So before she could put down permanent roots, she had obtained a theater part. Not much money, but she had not needed much of that. Harvey and the firm had been extremely generous in her salary and her annual raises.

So tonight after a grueling rehearsal, she sat outside the terrace of her hotel room and drank a glass of wine. Her opening would be next week. Then her real schedule would start. Brenda had also set up a couple of other auditions for her. Donna was also thrust onto an agent who was not not happy to meet her and definitely set up a photographer for head shots. He thought Donna beautiful for a mature woman and said 'yes, sweetheart,' there is definitely work for a beautiful woman like you'. Donna was not sure that she should not be offended but decided that since this was California she would take it as a compliment.

It was twilight, now, and Brenda had left her in the lobby of the hotel. It was only now, after a couple of days and she saw the California sky that she contemplated Harvey and Scottie.

To tell the truth why do I keep linking them together? Harvey never made any overt move to sleep with her, but I guess old habits die hard. Oh my! I forgot to call Rachel, the other day, and let her know my new number and where I am. Seven-thirty, it must be 10:30 or 11:30 in New York. I can never remember. Is it three or four hours' difference? I would think Rachel and Mike are still up. I will give her a call in a few minutes.

The sky is so beautiful tonight. I do so wish it would have worked with Harvey. We were happy in our little cocoon in Boston. Oh well, get over it Donna! You're here and you have an actual professional acting part...Shakespeare nonetheless! Wait until Louis hears.

At the thought of Louis and how proud of her he would be, her thoughts immediately remembered Harvey. Donna felt rather guilty that she had not stayed in New York to confront Harvey and see what his explanation was for the other night when Scottie had come between them.

Donna rose and retrieved her phone. She had had the number changed for the main purpose that she wanted to be in control of who called her. For many, many years everyone had her number and some just used her for her skills at doing the impossible.

Donna took her phone and went outside to continue to enjoy the beautiful sky and warm temperature. The sun was setting and a little chill was in the air, so she grabbed her sweater and went back outside.

"Rachel Zane", Rachel answered.

"Hey, Rache, it's me," Donna greeted. "You are not going to bel-"

"Donna! Thank God! Where are you?" Rachel asked frantically.

"I'm in California. I got a part already. Can you bel-" Donna was cut off again.

Taking another tact, Donna really heard the tone of Rachel's voice.

"What's wrong, Rachel? Is it Mike?" Donna asked prolonging the question she really did not want to ask.

"No, we're fine...It's… Harvey," Rachel said with difficulty.

"What's happened to Harvey?!" Donna asked feeling the old panic and overwhelming love she reserved for Harvey.

"He had a car accident a couple of days ago. He suffered some head trauma. We thought he was fine but during a settlement conference he fell unconscious. Scottie and Katrina called 911. The ambulance took him to the hospital and he's been there for the last two days."

Donna was all ready and set to come home until she heard Scottie's name.

"What's wrong with him? Is he going to be all right?" Donna asked trying not to panic knowing that as long as Scottie had been there he did not need her except as an old familiar crutch.

"He has a subdural hematoma which translated…." Rachel began to explain.

"I don't need an explanation. He has bleeding on the brain. I'm familiar with that. My sister is a nurse, you know," Donna said bitterly trying hard to be cold and unemotional as Harvey sometimes would be when he was complicating his next move.

"Donna, why are you so bitter? Are you not coming home now?" Rachel asked.

"Why? You said Scottie was there. He obviously doesn't need me," Donna said.

"Donna, Scottie called his mother. The doctor specifically wanted his immediate family near him. I believe Harvey's mom is with Harvey right now."

"Well, that's great, he definitely doesn't need me," Donna said but was hiding her panic or trying to hide her panic and concern.

"Donna, Scottie was only able to get information because she posed as his lawyer. Mike is over there and his mother is going along with the story that he is Harvey's little brother." Rachel explained and could not really understand Donna's apathetic attitude. This was Harvey whom Donna had sacrificed and loved unconditionally. Perhaps that was it, Rachel thought. Donna misunderstood and had had enough of Harvey's ineptitude and fear of being committed to one woman.

"No, Rachel, you can call me with updates, but I got a part and I can't leave LA," Donna explained.

"Part, already?" Rachel asked

"Yes, my first day here Brenda, my friend, threw a Shakespeare script in my hand and drove me to an audition. I got the part!"

Rachel shook her head and did not want to seem uncaring, but right now Donna's love of her life was hovering between life and death and all Donna cared for was a role she managed to snatch on her first whirlwind day.

"Donna, Scottie told the doctor that Harvey's "wife" was missing. Scottie specific called you his wife, so you are expected back," Rachel explained as if she were confronting a child with bad behavior.

"Bullshit, Rachel! Were you there when she did that?" Donna asked refusing to be sucked into helping a man who had made it somewhat clear he really did not want her that way after all.

"No, I wasn't there…Ray was there, though," Rachel said using all the facts that she knew.

"How do you know that?"

"Mike went to the hospital and talked to Ray who told him he was standing right next to Scottie when she told the doctor you were his wife and you were missing. She used your name to the doctor. Now I know that Harvey's mother has arrived, so I suggest if you really want to know what happens to the man you love than get your butt back to NY!"

"Rachel, please understand. If Harvey really wanted me he would have called me. He never lets anyone fight his battles for him."

"Donna, I am only talking to you about this once because I think I can make you understand how much Harvey needs you and how much you really want to be with Harvey if you have the chance"

Donna scowled at the other end of the line. She refused to be called back under false pretenses. Donna was contemplating a way to confirm everything Rachel told her as truth.

"Listen, Rachel, thank you for telling me. It's not that I don't believe you, but I have to be absolutely sure what you tell me is the truth. I am calling Harvey's mom because I know how much she loves Harvey and wants to see him happy. She also knows Scottie and can confirm what you tell me."

"Under the circumstances, I won't take offense to your disbelief. However, you can call her she will only confirm what I told you about Scottie." Rachel hung up loudly.

Rachel was very angry. Donna is not thinking straight. She could not be that resentful of the situation that it would keep her from thinking with her heart. She will think differently once she talks with Lily. I am sure. Rachel thought.

Donna hung up her phone, but she did not call Lily immediately. Instead she pulled out her script from her portfolio for the small but important role in a TV Series that her Brenda had obtained for her. Her audition was tomorrow; and Donna told herself that no matter what was happening in New York with Harvey's situation she was not giving up this dream for herself.

As she started to page through the script, Donna's tears fell and stained the pages of the script.