A/N: Thank you for the kind reviews on the first chapter! This one's a little bit longer than the first, but I am so excited for you guys to read it. Hope you guys enjoy-let me know your thoughts!

Past Takes

A Darvey AU

Donna's mind was still in a fog as she stepped out of her car to enter the cafe she has been a regular to since she was only starting to rise into stardom. She expects paparazzi to be on standby, and she would have made the effort to make her appearance less noticeable, but with her striking red hair, it has been nearly impossible to do so. Instead, she makes a mental note to get her order as quickly as possible and leave. With Thomas having things to attend to, she is enjoying leisure time by herself, because she knows that she won't have rest when filming starts in the next several days. Thankfully, most of the shooting locations (that she knew of) were starting in LA.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee surrounded her as she scrolled through her phone, looking at her social media platforms and responding to messages that needed tending to. Her fake name gets called, Debbie, and she smiles at the barista, receiving her order of coffee with a splash of vanilla. She was about to turn around when a familiar voice called to her.

"Donna Paulsen, as I live and breathe."

She turned to see Mike Ross grinning back at her. He looked every bit the successful PR agent he had become, but there was still a trace of the eager young man she remembered from the early days in the industry. She noticed that he was still wearing a skinny tie, and she smiles to herself.

"Mike!" she exclaimed, genuinely pleased to see him. "What are you doing here?"

"Just grabbing some coffee before heading to a meeting. What about you?"

"Me, too." Donna replied, even though she knew she was mostly there to escape her thoughts. Donna guides them to the nearest table and they both sit down, "How have you been? It's been almost what-"

"Too long." Mike offers, because they both knew that the last time she saw him frequently was also the last time she saw Harvey. Mike gave her a knowing look, "Rachel told me about lunch with Harvey."

Donna sighed, "It was a disaster. I have no idea how we're going through the movie without tearing each other apart."

Mike nodded sympathetically, broaching the topic carefully. "I get it. Harvey can be...a lot. But he's not a bad guy. You two just have some unresolved issues."

Donna chuckles lightly at Mike's forwardness. He was and still is too smart for his own good.

"That's putting it mildly," Donna muttered. "I thought I was over it, but seeing him again brought everything back."

Mike placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, which Donna appreciated.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Donna hesitated. She had always valued Mike's perspective, especially his ability to see things clearly when she couldn't, and it has been awhile since he has given her advice. "I don't even know where to begin." Donna says truthfully.

"How about from the beginning? What exactly happened between you two back then?" Mike suggested.

Donna closed her eyes, memories came rushing back to her like a dam that had burst open, "We were both ambitious, driven. You know that. Our careers were everything to us. We were in a good place, or at least I thought we were. But then Harvey got that big break."

"Right, the film that skyrocketed his career," Mike said, recalling events.

"Yeah," Donna sighed, "He had to move to Europe for the shoot. We promised to make it work but-"

Harvey and Donna stood in her apartment, bags packed and ready to go. Harvey was excited, talking about the film and the opportunities it would bring. Donna was doing a few more classes to earn her master's, but Harvey was already on his way to making a name for himself. She was so proud of him. But, despite Donna being supportive, a knot of anxiety still twisted in her stomach.

"Harvey, this is huge for you," she said, forcing a smile.

"It's huge for us Donna. We'll make it work," Harvey assured her, but his eyes were already distant, Donna noticed. They were focused on the future. "Who knows, maybe in the next few years, our names will be in one movie poster together."

He approaches her, sweeping her up into his arms and kissing her forehead, and he turns her around. Harvey's arm was draped around Donna, his head resting on her shoulder. Donna lifts a hand up to gently touch his face, trying to keep the tears from spilling. She was glad that they were facing the same way.

"I know this film is a big deal, Harvey," Donna said, her voice soft but edged with concern. "But promise me. No matter how crazy things get, we won't let this come between us."

Harvey gently turns her around in his arms, and looked at her with a serious expression. He gently lifted her chin, ensuring that she met his gaze, and swipes away at the few tears that made their escape. "Donna, you're the most important person in my life. This film is just a stepping stone for us. I promise you, no matter what happens, I won't let anything else come between us. I'll always make time for us."

Donna's eyes softened, and she leaned in to kiss him, feeling the warmth of his promise settle in her heart, part of her anxiety going away.

But, he ended up breaking his promise several months later.

There was more, more things that happened between Harvey and Donna that she didn't feel like divulging into, also, they were out in public and rehashing the past in a coffee shop with Harvey's manager did not feel like the appropriate timing.

"After that, we barely spoke. We both moved on, focused on our careers," Donna said, her voice heavy with regret, "And now we're here, forced to work together, and all those old wounds are opening up."

Mike listened intently, knowing bits and pieces of what had happened. He knew that Harvey and Donna's relationship never made it out to the public. When Harvey's movie premiere happened, they were long broken up before Harvey had the chance to let the world know about who Donna was to him.

"It sounds like neither of you really dealt with what happened. You just buried it and hoped it would go away."

Donna nodded in agreement, "I guess we did. But how do we move forward now?"

Mike was silent for a moment, choosing his words carefully, because after all these years, he still cares about Donna. He saw firsthand how the break-up had affected Harvey, and he never wants to see his friend go through something like that again. He could only imagine how Donna reacted.

"You need to find a way to separate your past from your present. You're both professionals. If you can focus on the project and not let old emotions cloud your judgement, you can make this work."

"I know you're right, Mike, but it's so hard," Donna confessed. "Every time I see him, I'm reminded of what we lost."

"If it makes you feel any better," Mike gave her a gentle smile, "I think he feels the same way."

"Mike..."

Mike knows she's in a relationship, but he can't help tell her the truth. Harvey is an idiot.

"I know, Donna," He pauses. "Maybe this movie will be good for the two of you. A fresh start."

Donna looks at him and wishes she had the same belief in her and Harvey as Mike does with them. "I hope so."

Mike's phone began to ring and Donna knows that he has to go.

"Duty calls. I'll see you around," Mike stands up and gives her a cheek on the kiss before he walks out the door.

His words still echoed in Donna's mind. Her coffee had gone cold, and her mind was still a conflicted mess. She stands up, tosses the coffee, and heads back to her car.

Harvey paced in his living room, replaying the lunch with Donna in his mind. He was frustrated with himself for pushing her away and frustrated with her for still holding onto the past.

"Get a grip, Specter," he muttered to himself. "It's just a movie."

But it wasn't just a movie. It was a chance to finally fulfill their dream of working together, albeit in way different circumstances. He hated that he still cared so much, but he couldn't deny it.

His phone buzzed, snapping him out of his thoughts. It was a text from Mike.

Mike: Just ran into Donna. She's struggling too. Maybe you guys should talk things out before filming starts.

Harvey sighed, annoyed that Mike was right, as usual. He needed to talk to Donna, really talk, and try to extend the olive branch.

A couple days before filming began, Harvey and Donna found themselves in a secluded park, away from the chaotic buzz of the city. The park was a quiet place with winding paths, shaded benches, and a serene lake surrounded by lush greenery. Donna had suggested the spot, hoping that a peaceful environment would help both of them have a candid conversation away from the public eye.

Harvey leaned against a wooden railing, staring out at the glistening water. He was dressed casually in a gray hoodie and jeans, but his usual confident swagger was replaced by a subdued expression. Donna walked alongside the lake, her own attire more relaxed than usual, a cream sweater and dark jeans. She looked out over the water as well, her thoughts clearly troubled.

"Thanks for coming out here," Harvey said, breaking the awkward silence, "I wasn't sure you'd agree to meet, again."

Donna glanced at him, her eyes tired but resolute. "I figured it was worth a shot. We need to talk, Harvey." She playfully nudges her shoulder against his and it was the first time they have touched since he walked out of their apartment door all those years ago. They both ignored the feeling of being so close to each other again.

He nodded, pushing off from the railing, "I've been trying to wrap my head around everything. This isn't exactly how I imagined reconnecting with you."

Donna's gaze remained fixed on the water, her eyes following the small ducklings that were heading across, "It's not how I imagined it either. But here we are."

The air between them was thick with unspoken words. Harvey's hands were shoved into his pockets, his usual composure faltering. "You know, I've been thinking about what you said back then. About how I was always chasing something."

Donna took her eyes of the water and faced him. "And?"

"And I get it now. I see how my focus on my career hurt us. But it wasn't just about the job, Donna, you have to understand that. It was about trying to build something bigger, something that could have given us the life we dreamed about."

Donna's eyes flashed with a mix of pain and frustration. "But you were never present after you moved. You thought that by succeeding professionally, you were making up for not being there emotionally. It just doesn't work that way, Harvey. You can't just buy back lost time."

Harvey's expression hardened slightly, "I didn't realize how much I was hurting you until it was too late."

Donna's voice wavered with emotion, "And in doing so, you lost sight of what really mattered. Us. I was left alone, trying to hold everything together while you were living a life I wasn't a part of."

Harvey took a deep breath, his frustration evident. "I know I made mistakes. But I'm trying to make amends. I'm here now aren't I? I'm trying to be better."

Donna laughs harshly, "Only over a decade late and because of a movie, again."

Harvey's face showed a flicker of regret, and he knows that she's right. "I don't expect us to be okay overnight. I just want to prove that I've changed. But if you can't see that-"

Before he could finish, a young woman in her early twenties approached them hesitantly, holding her phone and a hopeful expression. Her face lit up as she recognized the two stars.

"Excuse me," she said, her voice tinged with excitement. "I'm so sorry to interrupt, but I'm a huge fan of both of you. Could I please get a photo with you?"

Donna and Harvey exchanged a glance, the tension between them momentarily interrupted. Donna forced a smile and nodded. "Sure, we'd be happy to."

The young woman's excitement was palpable as she positioned herself between them. Harvey managed a warm smile as he put an arm around her. Donna stood beside them, her smile strained but polite. The woman's friend took the photo, and as they finished, the young woman thanked them profusely, mentioning how excited she was for their movie, before walking away.

Harvey turned back to Donna, his expression reflecting a mix of frustration and resignation. "As I was saying, I just want us to find a way to move forward, Donna. To make things right between us, if that's even possible."

Donna's eyes met his, a mixture of sadness and resolve. "We'll see, Harvey. I'm not sure if we can truly ever move past everything, but we have to try to work together. For the sake of the film, if nothing else."

As they walked back along the path, the peaceful ambiance of the park did little to soothe the unresolved tension between them. The confrontation had done little to bridge the tension between their past and present, leaving them with more questions than answers, but, they were able to talk more...which was a start.

The morning of the first day of filming arrived with a palpable energy on the set. The location was a luxurious mansion with a sprawling garden, chosen for its elegant yet intimate setting, which was a perfect backdrop for the romance that Harvey and Donna were about to bring to life. The crew bustling around, setting up lights and rearranging props. Jessica Pearson, the director, hovered near the monitors, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Harvey Specter arrived early, dressed in his character's perfectly tailored suit. He moved with his usual confidence, though today, his demeanor seemed a touch more dejected. He exchanged polite nods with the crew, his gaze occasionally drifting toward the entrance, as if hoping to catch a glimpse of Donna.

She walks in shortly after, dressed in an elegant, period-appropriate gown that complemented her character's sophisticated and vulnerable nature. Her makeup was impeccable and her hair was styled perfectly. Despite her outward calm, the tension was evident in the slight furrow of her brow and the tightness around her mouth.

Harvey saw her and approached, his smile trying to mask the underlying tension, "Morning, Donna. Ready for the first day?"

Donna glanced at him, her smile polite but distant, her mind still reeling from their talk the other day, "Morning, Harvey. I'm ready as I'll ever be."

As they settle into their roles, the atmosphere on set shifted. The actors and crew gathered around, the cameras rolled, and the first scene began. The scene was already pivotal, a dramatic confrontation between their characters, Liv and James. It was meant to be a raw, emotional exchange that would set up the tone for their turbulent relationship throughout the film.

Harvey's character, James, was supposed to be pleading with Liv to understand the choices he had made. As he delivered his lines with the characteristic intensity and charm that made him a star, Donna's character, Liv, was meant to respond with a mix of anguish and resolve. Their scene was set in an elaborately decorated study, with the dim lighting emphasizing the tone of the shot.

"You don't get it do you?" Harvey's voice rang out, a mixture of desperation and resolve. "I had no choice! it was either that or I lose everything!"

Donna's eyes, as Liv, welled with tears, her voice trembling with hurt. "And what about me, James? Was I just another thing to be sacrificed?"

Harvey's jaw tightened, the line between James' anguish and his own emotions blurring. "You think this was easy for me? You think I wanted to hurt you?"

Donna stepped closer, her gaze piercing. "You made your choice. How could you?"

The parallels of their characters to their own lives was not lost on both of them. The raw pain in Donna's voice made Harvey's heart ache, the past memories of their relationship flooding back. He felt the weight of their shared history pressing down on him, making it hard to separate reality from fiction.

"I did it for us!" James' voice broke, echoing Harvey's own regrets. "I thought that if I went through with it, I could achieve everything. For us. But I was wrong."

Liv shook her head, her tears flowing freely, "No, James. You did it for yourself. You left me behind, and now you want me to understand? To forgive you?"

Harvey's eyes locked into Donna's, and for a moment, he was no longer playing the role on their script. He was Harvey, standing before the woman he once loved and lost. The intensity of the scene took over, and before he knew it, he was closing the distance between them.

"Liv, I-" His voice faltered, Donna's eyebrows furrowing in confusion because didn't finish his line. But then, without thinking, Harvey leaned in and kisses her.

Donna's eyes widened in shock as their lips met, the kiss lingering for a moment too long. She could feel the desperation, the unresolved emotions pouring out of Harvey. The kiss was gentle, filled with longing and regret, and for a brief moment, Donna responded, her lips moving against his. It wasn't in the script, but it felt achingly real.

The set erupted in gasps and murmurs, breaking the spell. Donna pulled back, her face a mixture of surprise and confusion, her cheeks tinged red. Harvey's eyes searched hers, realizing the gravity of what he had just done. It was only day one, and he was crossing all kinds of lines.

"Cut!" Jessica's commanding voice rang out. She stood up, her expression filled with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "That was... unexpected."

Donna stepped back, and looked anywhere but Harvey. She could still feel the warmth of his lips on hers, the unexpected tenderness of the kiss sending her heart into a whirlwind.

Harvey struggled to regain his composure, his breath coming in shallow bursts. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice barely steady. He doesn't know if he was apologizing to Jessica or Donna at that point. "I got caught up in the moment."

Jessica raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the raw emotion she had just witnessed. "It was powerful, but let's stick to the script, alright? Take five, everyone!"

Jessica and everyone else steps away, leaving Harvey and Donna alone. They both remained rooted on the spot, an awkward silence stretching between them.

"Donna, I-" Harvey began, but she held up a hand, stopping him.

"Don't. What the hell was that, Harvey?" Donna says, her voice barely above a whisper.

Harvey ran a hand through his hair, frustration and regret etched on his face, "I don't know, Donna. I...I just got lost in the scene."

Donna shook her head, trying to process the sudden rush of emotions. "You can't just kiss me like that! We're supposed to be keeping it professional, Harvey."

"I know, and I'm sorry," he said earnestly. "It wasn't planned. It just...happened."

Donna's eyes searched his, looking for answers. "Was it the character, or was it you?"

Harvey hesitated, taken aback by Donna's question, but the truth lingered on the tip of his tongue, "I don't know, Donna. Maybe it was a bit of both."

The vulnerability in his voice caught her off guard, and for a moment, she saw the Harvey she had once known, the man who promised to protect her heart and failed. The pain of their past mingled with the present, creating a complex web of emotions that neither of them knew how to untangle.

The line between their characters and their real selves had been crossed, and there was no going back.