Happy Sunday everyone. Here's the next chapter of my season 8-set story. I cover a similar scene to one I've written in another story (Stay With Me) when it comes to them visiting a jazz club, but hopefully this is a little bit different. Anyway, thanks for the reviews so far and please do let me know of this next chapter!

...

Chapter Two

As Harvey arrived through the doors of the bar, his brother couldn't hide the smirk that appeared on his face.

"What's with the look?" Harvey commented dryly, as he took a seat at his brother's table.

"Just the two of us, is it? Too chicken to ask her?" The smirk grew wider, as he sipped his beer.

Harvey rolled his eyes and reached for the beer already waiting for him on the table. "She's running late. Told me to go ahead of her."

Marcus smiled, his face changing to an impressed expression. "I admit; I was certain you wouldn't invite her."

Harvey pulled an exasperated face. "And why wouldn't I?"

With a shrug, Marcus continued to drink. "Just the look of terror on your face when I suggested it!"

"Screw you, Marcus."

Laughing, Marcus reached for the bar menu. "Lighten up, Harvey. Are we ordering, or waiting for Donna?"

"She told me to order for her." He met his brother's eye and cut him off before he could comment. "Don't."

"Fine. You win. For now."

On ordering, Harvey looked across at his brother, concern on his face. "You doing okay?" The last thing he wanted was for this to drive Marcus back down a darker path.

"Yeah Harvey, I'm okay. I spoke to the kids today. They're having a good time with Katie's parents."

Harvey gave him an encouraging smile. "Do they know what's going on?"

Marcus shook his head. "Not yet. We wanted to give ourselves some time to work everything out before bringing them in to it."

Harvey's mind went back to his recent trip to Boston and reading bedtime stories to the children. He'd enjoyed himself far more than he'd expected; had been a little jealous of the life his brother had managed to build. It seemed surreal that it was ending.

"Mom called. Said she'd try and come down one day next week."

Harvey looked up from his thoughts. He hadn't seen his mother since their toe-curlingly awkward dinner with Paula. What a fun evening that had been, he thought sarcastically. Marcus caught the expression on Harvey's face. "She still feels bad about her last visit."

"I've told her there's no need Marcus. What happened wasn't her fault."

Marcus tilted his head and raised his eyebrows in a question. "What did happen? You've never really said."

Harvey let out a sigh. He'd fallen in to that one. "Don't pretend she didn't talk to you about it."

His brother smiled at being caught out, but his expression quickly changed to a sympathetic one. "She did, but she didn't have the answer to the big question."

Harvey's eyebrow arched in question, even though he knew what was coming. "If it wasn't Paula you were talking about…..who was it?"

"Marcus…."

"For one thing, that's someone I owe a big thank you to after all these years of being wedged between the two of you."

Harvey fixed him with his best "leave it alone" stare, but before more could be said, he caught sight of Donna's red hair, as she entered the bar and he smiled. Marcus caught the change in his brother's demeanour and turned in his seat to follow his gaze. Donna noticed them at that moment and Marcus raised a hand in hello, as she made her way across the room.

Gone was the designer dress she'd been wearing earlier; instead she was dressed in an emerald green cowl-neck jumper and pair of dark blue jeans. Harvey hadn't seen casual Donna often, but it was absolutely a sight he would like to see more.

"Sorry I'm late," she commented, as she took a seat at the table between the two brothers.

"That's okay. Harvey said you were working late."

"How'd the interviews go?" She turned to Harvey to reply. "They went well. I think we've got some promising applicants. Are we eating here?"

Right on cue, a barman appeared with their food and she smiled on seeing Harvey had indeed ordered for her. "I hope that's okay."

"It's perfect, thanks. I'm starving!"

Marcus looked on, fascinated by the exchange, more sure than before that this was going to be an insightful evening.

….

Half an hour later, the conversation between the three was easy and natural and Harvey had forgotten this was the first proper meeting between the pair, until Marcus turned to Donna.

"So, Donna, how have you put up with my brother all these years? How many is it, now?"

She smiled as an easy laugh escaped her. "13 years."

"Long years? Does it feel more like 30?!" Marcus was clearly enjoying himself far too much for Harvey's liking.

"I'm sitting right here!"

Donna couldn't stop her laughter on seeing the appalled look on Harvey's face. "How about you tell me something I don't know about him?" She raised an eyebrow, challenging Marcus to play along, leaving Harvey shaking his head in dismay.

"Think very carefully before you answer that, little brother!" Marcus grinned at him, relishing seeing his brother so uncomfortable. It hadn't happened since they were teenagers and he planned to take full advantage of it. He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms for effect.

"Something you don't know about Harvey Specter. That's tough. I think I'll have to think about that one."

Donna smiled and let it go, changing the subject to the evening's plans. "So, who's playing tonight?"

Harvey smiled, his eyes lighting up at the subject. "A few of dad's guys from the road. They still get together and play every so often and I try to come along when I can. They haven't seen this one in a long time!"

Marcus pulled a face. "I've been kinda busy! We can't all lead the single, player lifestyle like you have."

Donna noticed a flicker of discomfort and perhaps hurt cross Harvey's face, but before he could say anything, his brother had a revelation of his own. "Jesus, I have to be that guy again now, don't I?" He reached for his beer and finished it up, as Donna caught Harvey's eyes, before placing her hand gently on Marcus's shoulder. "You just have to be yourself, Marcus."

Harvey felt for his brother. He may have lived a single life for years, but his brother had settled down and enjoyed a family life and he couldn't imagine how it must feel to have that slipping away from you.

"Hey, we should get going. Give us time to find a good table."

Marcus nodded and stood up with a sigh. "You're right. Let's go."

He led the way out of the bar and Harvey realised again how glad he was to have Donna there to help him navigate what his brother was dealing with. As usual, he needed her to help with the emotional bumps in his life. He was certain he always would.

…..

Donna excused herself to go to the bathroom once they'd arrived at the jazz club and found a table towards the front. She knew the two brothers needed some time to themselves.

"Sorry to bring the mood down back there, Harvey. I know this was meant to be a fun night."

Squeezing his brother's shoulder, Harvey offered him a sad smile. "You didn't, Marcus. You're going through a difficult time. I can't imagine what that's like."

Marcus nodded. "I hope you never have to." The comment made Harvey smile sadly. "I didn't think settling down will ever be on the table for me, so I think I'm good."

Marcus frowned. "But you'd want it on the table? With anyone in particular…?" He let the question hang in the air between them, causing Harvey to shake his head in pretend annoyance.

Donna was making her way back across the bar, skilfully holding three beers between her hands. "Enough Marcus."

His brother gave a frustrated sigh and sat back in his seat, letting the conversation go for the moment. Instead, he decided to watch these two complex people and come to his own conclusions.

"Everything okay over here?" Donna placed the drinks down on the table and took a sip of her own.

"I don't think I've ever seen you drink beer before," Harvey commented with a smile. Together with her more casual look, he liked this side of her.

"There are many sides to me, Harvey," she murmured with a small smile, as she brought the glass to her lips, causing him to shift in his seat.

…

The night passed easily between them and Harvey found himself more relaxed than he'd been in years. Being in this place always brought his father closer to him and not being here alone, but with Donna and Marcus was very special.

As they finished their set for a break, Harvey caught the eye of the group and they moved across to the trio. "Well, well, Harvey. Is it possible? You've actually brought your brother along?"

Marcus held up his hands in mock surrender. "I know, I know. It's been too long. Sorry guys. How about a drink on me?"

"It's a start, squirt."

Harvey chuckled at the nickname and at his brother's embarrassed expression, as he escaped to the bar for the drinks. The oldest of the men, who reminded Donna of Gordon in looks, turned to her. "So, are you Katie, or did you take on this one?"

Dipping her head briefly, to hide the slight blush, Donna then met his eyes a few moments later. "I'm Donna. I work with Harvey."

The man's expression seemed to change a little, in a way she didn't quite understand. "Jim," he replied, shaking her hand, before introducing the other two men beside him, both of whom were delighted to meet the stunning red-head with Harvey; he'd never brought a woman with him in all the years they'd known him.

"It's good to put a face to the name Donna and a beautiful face it is too."

The cheesy line made her laugh. "Clearly a charmer," she replied warmly.

Harvey frowned. He was sure he'd never mentioned Donna to this crowd, but before he could ask, Jim responded to his confused expression. "Your father liked to talk, Harvey. You know that!"

It was Harvey's turn to look flustered then, as Donna turned her head in his direction to study his face. "Interesting," she murmured, amusement lacing her tone.

As Marcus arrived with drinks, Donna leaned in to Jim and his friends. "So, I bet you have some stories about these two, right Jim?"

He laughed. "You better believe it, Donna!"

"Believe nothing. These guys are not to be trusted," Harvey countered.

"You still play Marcus?" One of the others, who Donna had learnt was called Ben and used to occasionally play with Gordon and Jim, asked, earning him a chuckle from the younger Specter.

"I haven't played in 20 years. Dad kept telling me to take it up again, but I got married, had kids, run a business. I let it slip. Maybe I'll give it a try again."

Donna was intrigued. "What did you play?"

"Guitar. I used to be half decent."

"Yeah, we won't talk about the other half," Harvey muttered cheekily.

"As if you can talk! I remember you trying to play the sax! How long did that phase last? A week?!" Marcus looked to Jim for backup.

"It was probably a couple of months, if memory serves me."

Donna's eyes went wide and she looked to Harvey, who was trying hard to avoid her gaze. "You played the sax?!"

"Hey! Don't sound so surprised!"

She smiled and a light laugh left her lips. "I'm just trying to picture it. How old were you?"

"14, 15 maybe."

Jim smiled at the memories. "You should have stuck with it. Gave up too quickly," before he addressed the rest to Donna. "He wasn't as good as his old man after a couple of months, so that was that. Always so impatient!"

Donna smiled at the comment and the idea of a teenage Harvey sulking over a saxophone. "He's right, Harvey. The girls would have fallen over themselves for a musician!"

Before he could respond, Marcus interjected, asking how often they played and who they still saw from the old days, drawing them all in to a trip down memory lane. There were so many good times and yet Harvey knew he'd focussed so much on the bad. Maybe it was time he changed that.

Feeling a little overcome with the emotions the night was bringing up, he excused himself and disappeared to the bathroom; unaware Donna was watching from the corner of her eye. Before she could think too much about it though, Jim had another question for her. "You ever play, Donna?"

"The piano when I was younger. I loved it, but it's been a very long time."

Ben overheard and grinned. "Well, we don't have a piano, but we could try a few chords on this. Remind Marcus how it's done! We have a few minutes before the next set."

Harvey's brother chuckled as Ben held up his guitar. Leaning in to Donna, he advised her that resistance was futile with this gang.

With a shrug, Donna moved from her seat to sit on the bottom steps of the stage with Ben, who passed her his prized possession. Taking hold of the instrument, Donna smiled. "Okay, what next?"

…..

The last sight Harvey had expected to be greeted with when he returned from the bathroom was that of Donna, tentatively, but enthusiastically, attempting to play the guitar. He stood just shy of their table, taking in the sight before him, the sparkle in her eyes and her easy laughter overwhelming his senses. Marcus noticed his brother's presence behind him and stepped back, his arm on his shoulder.

"She's a pretty incredible woman, Harvey. Dad was right about that."

His brother's eyes glanced towards him. "What did dad tell you?"

"I'm sure you can guess; that you'd managed to find yourself someone special and he had no idea what was holding you back."

Harvey shook his head. "It's not that simple. He knew that."

"I think all he knew for sure was that she brought out the best in you and he wanted you to be happy."

At that moment, having successfully navigated her way through a few notes, Donna laughed and glancing up, caught Harvey's eyes, her own softening in reply.

Marcus, although aching to preach more truths to his idiot of a brother, kept quiet and a few moments later, the men were needed back on stage.

As Donna reclaimed her seat between Harvey and Marcus, the group began to play again and she looked to Harvey. "Is this one of your dad's?"

His eyes met hers and she noted the surprise. "How'd you know that?"

"It sounds like him, but I don't remember ever hearing it before."

Marcus seemed puzzled too. "I don't remember this either."

"You were a little young when he wrote this. I remember going with him to the studios when they recorded it. I was so proud of him."

Donna watched his face, as he recalled the childhood memory, one not tinged by hurt and sadness. Jim caught Harvey's eye and winked, causing him to chuckle in a way Donna had rarely heard.

"What?"

Shaking his head in amusement, Harvey grinned. "I believe they're dedicating this one to you tonight, Donna."

She frowned, a question starting to form on her lips, until Harvey continued. "The piece they're playing. It's called Boppin' With Donna."

Both Donna's and Marcus's eyes went wide at the information. With no idea what to say, she looked from the men sitting beside her to the group on stage. "It is? Really?"

Harvey nodded, taking another sip of his beer. "No joke. I haven't heard it live in a long, long time."

Marcus whistled, revelling in the serendipity of the moment. "Damn. Dad's still setting the perfect tone, even now!"

Meanwhile, Donna turned towards the stage, focussing on the trio playing enthusiastically, unable to look Harvey's way when her emotions were swirling through her, taking her to dangerous places she'd worked so hard to avoid.

Harvey watched her watching the show, his head and his heart duelling for control, before catching Marcus's amused expression. God, he was going to be insufferable later.

….