Gossip - S02E04 'Discovery' missing scene
"Out with it." Donna folds herself into the chair across from Harvey's desk, tired of having spent the afternoon being treated as persona non grata. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
He doesn't look up from his laptop, and she leans back, crossing her legs to show she's prepared to sit and wait him out.
Harvey catches the movement in his peripheral and rolls his eyes. "Nothing is wrong, Donna. I'd just appreciate it if you kept your exploits in the filing room private."
Her surprise mixes with amusement. "That's what you're upset about?"
She was thinking on her feet when she mussed up her hair and ruffled Mike's appearance, giving the illusion they were in throes of passion. Harold has more balls than she thought if he pioneered a rumor. But it's more likely the kid's bumbling nerves let something innocent slip.
Either way, the gossip somehow reached Harvey's ears and she tilts her head quizzically. "You know nothing happened."
Harvey flashes her an annoyed look. The mere suggestion of his secretary and protégé shacking up is absurd. He'd have to be an idiot to believe the story fast tracking its way around the office.
Donna determines from his irritated expression that he knows the rumor is bullshit, so she doesn't understand why he's spent the afternoon sulking. "What?"
He glances away, but she still catches the flicker of uncertainty that sweeps over his features. To anyone else the reaction wouldn't serve as an explanation, but to her, it unveils everything he can't or won't access about his feelings towards herself and Mike.
The issue isn't people thinking she got hot and heavy with Mike in the filing room. Harvey's problem is people thinking his secretary and his associate were romping around behind his back. In some ways, his bad mood is actually cute. It means he's grown to value Mike as a genuine friend. "Your ego is safe, Harvey. Tomorrow this will be old news, just like our scandalous hook-up we had in the elevator last week or the affair I'm having with Jessica."
His gaze whips around and she smirks. "What do you expect from associates working thirteen hour days? They need something to keep themselves going."
Harvey growls under his breath but relaxes. She's right. He shouldn't be letting baseless comments set him off like this. Except his childish nature gives way to a protective instinct. The only time he should overhear Donna's name in passing is if she's getting merits. Clenching his fist around his pen, he sighs. "It doesn't bother you?"
His soft concern washes over her, stalling the reassurance on her lips.
She's had her share of cruel speculation over the years, things she never troubled him with, because the people who matter know the truth — she's never used her sexual prowess to win acclaim.
Maybe she's trying to make him feel more at ease or maybe their lines are starting to blur, but she shrugs the truth. "Sometimes, sure. But then I look at everything we've accomplished, see all the things we're going to do, and that side of things just falls away."
After a day where his muscles have been coiled tight, he finally relaxes in his leather chair. He'll never be comfortable with insinuations about Donna floating around, but her strength always gives enough self-preservation to reel his doubts back in. "So, telling me about this Jessica rumor is off the table?"
"You're an idiot."
Relieved she managed to get through to him, she pushes down the small sting in her chest as she stands up.
Her heels glide across the carpet of his office, stopping at the door when he breathes out a heavy whisper.
"The rumors, if they ever get too much…."
His voice trails off, and she can see him fiddling awkwardly in the reflection of the glass. This is the first time he's ever really tried to access how much he cares about her, and she bites her lip, her cheeks warming as she pushes on the door.
"Goodnight, Harvey."
He isn't ready for more, and she isn't either. They have a long way to go, but maybe with more time, they'll find a way to unlock everything.