With Donna's hand tucked firmly around Harvey's bicep, they signed his discharge papers and returned to their rental home around 6 am the next morning. Although Harvey loved his wife dearly and was thankful for all her help over the last two days, he was starting to grow annoyed at her overly cautious behavior. Donna watched him constantly, her eyes seemingly full of pity. During his hospital stay, she had refused to leave his side and longed to touch his flesh in some way at all times. His body heat constantly reassured her that he was indeed okay.
As they crossed the threshold of the treehouse, Harvey unraveled himself from her and began to walk towards the bathroom. Donna drew in a small gasp as her hand chilled where his had previously been. "I'll be back in 20" he called out over his shoulder. "I just want to take a quick shower before we head out". What did he just say? He couldn't seriously think that they were just going to drive away as if they could leave this nightmare here. Donna was at a loss for words and sat on the edge of the bed briefly before working up the courage to talk to Harvey about their plans.
About 5 minutes into his shower, he felt Donna's hand slip around his torso and her bare chest press against his back. Slightly aroused, Harvey turned around to face her but soon realized she didn't share his excitement. He sighed, "What's the matter, Don?". She looked up at him with the same look of pity he had come to resent before speaking. "I think we should stay here for a few more days and just relax", she replied shyly. She wasn't quite sure how he was going to respond, but her fears were confirmed when he took a step back from her and furrowed his brow. He was going to fight. Frustrated, Harvey swerved around his wife and stepped out of the shower to grab a clean towel. Donna tried to grab his wrist, but he pulled away. She felt tears sting in her eyes, but she held them back. Her emotions would only worsen his mood. "Donna, there is nothing to discuss", his tone stern. "We have work at 9 am tomorrow morning and we need to leave here soon if we are going to arrive in Seattle and get any sleep before the alarm goes off". "Harvey, Mike and Rachel assured me that our start dates are more than flexible. We don't need to rush…". "You told them?!", Harvey's voice roared and bounced off the tile surfaces before piercing through Donna. Although hurt by his reaction, she redirected her feelings into anger to match his tone. "Yes, Harvey. I called our best friends to inform them that you had taken a heart attack", her voice cracked before adding, "and as your heart seized in my arms, so did my own. So don't go acting like this only happened to you, Specter!". The hurt was evident on her face, but Harvey's body buzzed with rage and clouded his judgment. He was so embarrassed by the recent events and felt so feeble. He was her husband and his job was to protect her, not the other way around. He clenched his fists and his jaw stiffened. Donna noticed the stress radiating from his body and stepped forward to try to calm him, afraid of what might happen if he got too wound up. Harvey shrugged her off and stormed out of the bathroom to grab some clothes. He hastily threw on grey sweatpants and a T-shirt and she followed fearfully behind him. "Don't!", he warned harshly as he snatched his jacket from a hook near the entryway and turned the doorknob. Her voice shook as sobs threatened to escape, "No Harvey, please don't leave me. Talk to me. Let me in.". He kept his head facing the door as he spoke, his tone a mix of anger and pain. "Despite what you might tell yourself, this happened to me, Donna. Not you. I know how I feel. I am a grown-ass man and I should get to goddamn choose how I proceed". He slammed the door behind him as he left without ever turning to meet her eyes. If he had, he would have broken into a million pieces at the agony that was evident on her twisted face and quickly collapsing body.
Her knees hit the floor as the door slammed and her hands held her face as she sobbed hysterically. How could he say that? Deep down she knew he hadn't meant a word he said, but that didn't make them hurt any less. She felt like a part of her died when he collapsed into her arms that night. Nearly 13 years of friendship, blurred lines, jealousy, sexual tension, buried feelings, and regret had sped through her head as she watched the love of her life slip away. They had finally gotten their happy ending and begun the life together they had both dreamed of. Her heart shattered thinking of all the milestones and memories that could have been stolen from them. She had been so thankful last night when it looked like they were going to get their forever after all, but now this?
Donna wanted to run after him and apologize before scolding him for treating her this way. She longed for his kiss, his body against hers worshiping her as he realized how much pain his words had inflicted. She wanted him to talk to her and help her understand what had been going through his head, but her body wouldn't permit her to stand. The best she could manage was to crawl over to the large balcony, where she had once planned to do some calming yoga, and watch as his form grew smaller and smaller in the distance along a wooded trail. She wanted to call out to him, to make him look at her, but her voice failed. Rather she hugged her legs to her chest and sobbed into her knees, shaking violently with emotion.
Harvey had been walking around for about 30 minutes when his anger began to morph into guilt. He never meant to lash out at Donna and he certainly didn't mean what he had said, but he was just so frustrated. He hated what had happened to him and how it had affected her. Harvey wanted nothing more than to drive away from the painful memories of the last 48 hours and leave them in their rearview mirror. Seattle was a fresh start; the beginning of their lives as husband and wife. Their new jobs represented an opportunity for him to wield his talent for the law and play in the grey to help the good guys for a change. He had also hoped that the new job would come with a reduction in stress and fewer hours so he and Donna could talk about trying to start a family. Now all of those dreams seemed so far away. How was Donna going to forgive him? How would they move past this? They had only been married for 2 weeks, they couldn't fall apart now.
Harvey turned around and began following the dirt trail back toward the treehouse. About halfway, it began to rain. As he bounded up the stairs, drenched, his eyes caught her curled up on the deck of the balcony. Guilt overwhelmed him and tears escaped his eyes as he ran to her. Donna was soaked and shivering slightly. Harvey slipped one arm under her back and the other under the bend in her knees to pick her up and bring her inside. He gently sat her down on the edge of the bed and she looked up at him, hurt and sadness speaking through her gaze. "Come on Don, we have to get you dry", he said as he grabbed the bottom of the wet shirt that clung to her body. She raised her arms to help him and he threw her shirt to the ground before starting on her leggings. Next, he grabbed a towel from the bathroom and dried her body before squeezing the water out of her hair. Harvey then removed his own wet clothes and used her towel to quickly dry himself before scooping her up and placing her under the covers to warm her. He turned away to retrieve clothes, unsure if she wanted to be near him after the terrible things he had said, but she grabbed at his leg. "Please don't leave me again" she whimpered in a hushed tone. Tears began to stream down both of their faces as their eyes met, communicating silently all the words they couldn't convince their mouths to utter. "Donna, I will always come back to you". Harvey placed a soft kiss on her forehead and slipped into bed behind her. She rolled over to face him and placed a long kiss on his lips before running her hand around his waist and down his back towards his muscular ass. A small moan escaped Harvey as her touch electrified his body. He looked down at her, searching her features for confirmation of what her body seemed to beg him for. She could tell his mind was turning, and although she did want to talk, she wanted to be one with him more. "Yes Harvey, I want you", she whispered leaning up to his ear. They made love, reveling in the feeling of touching every inch of each other's flesh, before succumbing to sleep; spooning each other's naked body's for warmth and security.
Donna woke up first and turned to face Harvey. He looked peaceful and for the first time, she realized he looked like himself, rather than a sickly man who had just taken a heart attack. She thought back to how she had hovered around him and felt guilty. Yes, he needed to take it easy, but Harvey had grown up with a strained maternal relationship and a lack of trust. Although her actions were well intended, she finally began to understand how patronizing they must have felt to her husband. She glanced over at a clock adjacent to where they laid. It was just after 9 am. Donna snuck out of bed and packed their bags to surprise Harvey when he woke. As a peace offering, she decided to agree to drive to Seattle. She was hopeful that the car ride would give them time to talk, but if he wasn't ready to talk to her yet, she knew he could confide in Mike and her to Rachel.
Harvey woke up to the sound of a woodpecker about 15 minutes later. He reached over to Donna's side of the bed to find it empty. His heart sank. "Donna?", he called out. No answer. Shit, did she leave? Did she regret their recent entanglement? He sat up and swiveled his head around the room to find their overnight bags missing. There was no way she would leave him…right? "Don where are you", his voice raised as worry set in. Still no response. Harvey walked over to the reading nook and sat down. He squeezed the bridge of his nose and shook his head in defeat. About 2 minutes later, which felt like an eternity to Harvey, the front door opened and in swayed Donna. Harvey's head shot up and he strode over to his wife with a sense of urgency before enveloping her into his arms. "Harv, what's the matter" she cooed with a slight chuckle. He pulled back and rested his forehead on hers, meeting her hazel eyes. "I thought you left me". She cocked her head to the side slightly before echoing back to him what he had previously told her. "I'll always come back to you, Harvey". Donna leaned up and gave him a quick kiss. "I decided you were right. We should get to Seattle and show those young lawyers how the world's best closer and his girl Friday get the job done". Harvey's face stretched into his signature Cheshire smile as he picked up Donna and spun her around. "How in the world did I get so lucky? I truly don't deserve you, Donna". Donna smiled and laughed as she studied his face at this moment. She loved his slightly mischievous grin and the way it forced creases to appear next to his eyes. "Harvey, I have loved you for 13 years and I will love you for the rest of our lives. I'm finally where I am meant to be". "We both are", he replied tenderly while caressing her face.
"Well, that is quite enough sap for right now", Donna snickered, "We will have plenty of time to talk on our trek". Harvey nodded and gave her one last peck before getting ready to leave. They pulled out of the driveway just after 9:30 am and were in for a late night.