Donna was still shaken, trembling in Harvey's arms, her heart pounding furiously. Every image of the frenzied crowd, the hands that had grazed her, the screams, all of it kept replaying in her mind. She had felt overwhelmed, vulnerable, crushed by an unstoppable human wave. And then she had fallen into the pit, and a surge of uncontrollable panic had washed over her.

But now, in the car, hidden away from prying eyes, curled up against Harvey who seemed to shield her from the world, she felt that fear slowly ebbing away. With her face still buried in the crook of his neck, she breathed in his scent. A unique blend of his natural aroma and his cologne. Masculine but gentle, warm and enveloping, it seemed to dispel her panic bit by bit. Each breath she took brought her a little more calm, as if that scent, unknown until recently, had the power to pull her back to the surface.

Harvey wasn't saying much, but his mere presence, his strong arms around her, was more than enough. She listened to the rhythm of his heartbeat, steady and reassuring, which she tried to match with her own, and the warmth of his body against hers chased away the cold grip of fear.

She felt a slight movement and heard him whisper softly, "I've got you, Donna. I've got you." And she believed him. Ever since he had come into her life, Harvey had always been there when it mattered, always ready to protect her. Even when they bickered or disagreed, his work never suffered from it. Although she knew rationally that he was just doing his job, she sensed a care and concern that she hadn't felt in years.

A movement from him pulled her out of her thoughts. He took off his suit jacket and draped it over her bare shoulders. She wrapped herself more tightly in the fabric, seeking the warmth he offered without a word.

She heard the engine slow down and then stop completely. Donna barely opened her eyes, still slightly dazed, but she understood they had arrived. They were home. She vaguely heard Harvey telling Mike he could leave, that he'd close the garage himself.

His arms tightened gently around her, his hand still caressing her leg. Donna wasn't ready to move, not yet. As long as she was in his arms, as long as she could breathe in his scent and feel the soothing rhythm of his breathing, she could allow herself to breathe again.

"Are you asleep?" Harvey's deep voice broke the silence inside the car.

Donna shook her head slowly, her face still nestled in his neck, savoring the comfort of his body.

"We should get out of the car, get you to bed."

The redhead lifted her head, forcing herself to leave her bubble of comfort, her face mere inches from his on the back of the seats, their breaths mingling in the small space of the vehicle. There should have been some awkwardness in that moment of forced intimacy, but it felt surprisingly natural.

"I want to check on Max first," she said, her voice still trembling but resolute.

Harvey nodded. "Can you walk?"

"Yes."

They stepped out of the car, and the cold of the garage immediately seeped into her limbs. She stood up, slightly unsteady.

"Are you hurt?" he asked, searching for any sign of pain.

"No, I don't think so. Just… numb." She didn't want him to worry any more than he already did.

.

Without another word, he started walking and she followed, climbing the grand staircase of the house. She softly opened the door to Max's room, and the sight of her daughter's peaceful silhouette sleeping under the covers brought immediate comfort. Donna let out a long sigh of relief she hadn't realized she was holding. She lingered there for a moment, her hand still on the doorknob, then slowly closed the door.

They headed to her bedroom farther down the hall. She sat on the edge of the bed, feeling the weight of exhaustion pressing heavily on her shoulders. She winced slightly as she adjusted her posture, and Harvey noticed immediately.

"Donna, where does it hurt?" he asked, his deep voice softened by underlying concern.

"My ribs," she admitted, trying to downplay the pain, even though it was more pronounced than she wanted to let on.

"Let me see," Harvey said, kneeling in front of her. His hands slipped under the jacket, and she shivered slightly at his touch. He gently felt along her ribs, searching for the source of the pain.

"Ouch, right there," she gasped when he pressed a particularly sore spot.

Harvey stopped, concentrating, and felt even more delicately. "It's not broken. And if it were fractured, you'd have trouble breathing," he concluded after a moment, clearly used to assessing injuries. "But you'll definitely have a nasty bruise by morning."

Donna exhaled, part exhausted, part amused by his diagnosis. "Yeah, I think I got kicked when I was down or something," she recalled vaguely, remembering the chaos when she had fallen.

Harvey sighed deeply, as if carrying the weight of the day on his own shoulders. "It's not your fault, Harvey," she whispered, pressing her hand against his shoulder, feeling the tension that had his body wound tight. She knew he would blame himself for not preventing what had happened.

"I didn't see that coming," he replied, almost to himself.

Donna shook her head gently. "Yes, you did, and I forced you to hold back." Her eyes found his, hoping to convey the sincerity of her words. "I'm glad Louis made me hire you," she added with a small smile, hoping to lighten the mood.

He smiled back. "Try to get some sleep. We'll talk about everything in the morning."

.

He lingered a moment longer, searching her gaze, ready to stay if she needed him, but she didn't say a word.

Harvey climbed the stairs to the second floor slowly, his footsteps heavy. The adrenalin that had coursed through his body all day was beginning to fade, but the weight of the events still clung to him, refusing to let go.

Once in his bedroom, he moved automatically towards his dresser, grabbing an old T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. His movements were slow, almost mechanical, as he undressed.

The image of Donna, trampled on that stage, haunted him. He had been so close but hadn't been able to prevent what had happened. His fists clenched, a wave of anger rising within him. How could he have let her end up in that situation? Yes, she had held him back, but that shouldn't have been enough to stop him.

He let himself fall onto the mattress with a heavy sigh. As he pulled the covers over him, he stared at the ceiling, unable to close his eyes. His thoughts raced endlessly in his mind. Jessica had recommended him because he was the best, the most qualified person for the job. And today, he had failed. Just like he had failed years ago on that mission. At least this time, no one had died.

He couldn't turn back time, but he could make sure it never happened again. Whether she agreed or not, he would never hold back from intervening again.

Harvey turned over in his bed for what felt like the hundredth time, unable to find sleep. With a resigned sigh, he sat up, ran a hand over his face to chase away the fatigue, and got up, deciding to head down to the kitchen, more to distract himself than out of any real hunger.

When he reached the ground floor, the faint light from the kitchen caught his attention. Donna was there, sitting on the counter, her legs dangling and her back turned to him. She wore an oversized T-shirt, which made her look strangely small and fragile. She was hunched forward, focused on what she held in her hands, her shoulders shaking in a rhythm he recognized as silent sobs.

As he stepped closer, he saw the crumpled letters in her trembling hands. She must have searched and found the threatening letters Louis had been hiding from her for months.

"Donna, don't do this," he said quickly, taking the letters from her hands.

"I had to know," she replied between sobs, not even seeming surprised by his arrival.

"Donna," he murmured softly, his voice full of regret.

"I... I couldn't sleep," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I came to get a painkiller and then… I started looking for the letters."

He nodded and moved a little closer, placing a hand on the counter beside her. He glanced at the letters before looking back at her face. She had stopped crying, but her eyes were still red, and the trails of tears still marked her cheeks.

And it did nothing to diminish her beauty, quite the contrary.

"Look, reading all of this doesn't help. Once you've read one, you've read them all."

She nodded, running a trembling hand through her hair.

"We'll find him, Donna. And I won't leave your side until he's caught," he promised, his voice filled with unwavering determination.

She closed her eyes, leaning into the comfort he offered. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, nestling her head into his neck. He embraced her, drawing her closer and rubbing her back soothingly.

They stayed that way for a few minutes, and then Donna began rubbing her nose against his collarbone. At first, Harvey thought he'd imagined it, but the gesture grew more insistent, then trailed up to his ear, sending shivers down his spine.

"Donna..." he breathed, but she ignored him and replaced the brush of her nose with soft kisses along his neck.

"Donna, we can't do this," Harvey tried again, but the lack of conviction in his voice was evident. He didn't return her kisses, still struggling to stop before they did something irreversible, but his body betrayed him.

"Of course we can," she murmured between kisses. "Your body wants this too, I can feel it."

"What I want and what we… Fuck... should do are two different things." But Harvey was losing the battle, and he'd never felt so tempted to surrender. When Donna started trailing her tongue along his skin, he knew he was fucking screwed.

"It's just for one night, Harvey. I just need you to help me," she pleaded, sounding almost annoyed that he hadn't immediately accepted her advances. She lifted her head, brushing her nose against his, her lips seeking his.

"Help you to what?"

"To forget." And without waiting for his response, their lips found each other, and Harvey lost the battle for good.

Their breaths intermingled, their tongues met, and it was an explosion of sensation for Harvey. He had given in to the course of the night. He wanted her. Here. And now. His hands slid over her thighs, slowly moving up to her waist, gripping her hips firmly, drawing a moan from Donna's lips against his.

"I hope for your sake there are condoms in that kitchen," he threatened, his voice thick with desire.

Donna pulled away from him, making him growl in disappointment, and ran off down the corridor. She returned a few seconds later with a condom, and thank God, she had been quick enough that his brain hadn't started giving him a thousand reasons to back out.

He felt his heart race as Donna came back toward him, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes despite the dried tears still streaked on her cheeks. He watched her settle back onto the counter, her oversized t-shirt riding up slightly, revealing her bare legs dangling in the air.

"Watch your ribs," he warned thoughtfully as she hopped up on the counter.

"Relax Gunny, the painkillers are already kicking in."

Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, the weight of everything they were going through seemed to melt away. All that remained was that raw, visceral desire to lose themselves in each other. Harvey had never been one to give in to his emotions, but he was slowly learning that Donna was his exception.

She set the condom beside her on the counter, and a slight, almost provocative smile played on her lips. Harvey, standing in front of her, let himself be drawn in by her warmth, his hands returning to grip her hips possessively. He pulled her closer, moving in until he could feel her ragged breath against his skin.

Donna wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning in to capture his lips once more in a kiss that was anything but gentle. It was voracious, urgent, a desperate attempt to drown their fears in something tangible.

He pressed her more firmly against the edge of the counter, his hands sliding along her thighs, caressing her soft skin with intensity. She shivered under his touch, arching slightly, and he felt her surrender to him, without any hesitation.

She made a move to remove his t-shirt when he swiftly grabbed her hands and broke the kiss. "Not my t-shirt," he said in a rough tone.

"Okay," she agreed softly, as if to soothe him, letting the fabric fall back down. "The t-shirt stays, it's all right."

Harvey kissed her again, silently thanking her for not asking any questions. He felt her hands continue their exploration, moving lower to slip inside his sweatpants. She pulled them down just enough to access what she desired, but then she suddenly froze.

He sensed her freeze and broke his kiss again to look her in the eyes. "Did you change your mind?"

Donna didn't answer but looked down, her gaze landing on his erection.

After a dramatic pause, she spoke up: "That's never going to fit."

"In the condom?"

"In my pussy, Harvey," she clarified, as if she were talking to an idiot.

"Of course it's going to fit," he softened his tone, realizing she wasn't joking. "I'll go slow, I promise, it'll be fine. And besides, it's not that big."

She gave him a pointed look that spoke volumes.

"Okay, it's big," he admitted with a cocky grin, clearly proud of his body. "But if it helps, it's always fit just fine so far, and everyone's loved it."

"You say that like you've slept with half of Manhattan."

"Well—

Donna didn't let him finish and kissed him again. He pulled her closer, enough for his erection to press against her underwear, drawing groans from both of them. The Marine swiftly removed her panties, which landed carelessly on the floor, and resumed their friction, with no more fabric barriers between them.

"Harvey…" Donna moaned.

"Lie down."

She willingly complied with his demand, laying back on the counter as he began to lazily massage her clit.

"Fuck…" she whimpered, feeling his thumb making slow circles.

The bodyguard wasn't naive, he knew he was good. He knew women's bodies. He adored women's bodies. But Donna was on a whole other level. She was still half-dressed, and would likely stay that way, in the middle of the kitchen where someone could walk in at any moment. Yet he could vividly imagine the curves of her body, her firm breasts, her hard nipples, her slender waist, her almost transparent skin, and the freckles that contrasted it.

He slid two fingers into her, preparing her for his intrusion, while continuing to caress her. The dual action seemed to send an electric shiver through Donna, judging by the way her body arched.

"Harvey…"

"You're so wet," he murmured, kissing her legs that were lifted onto the counter.

He grabbed the condom and managed to slide it on with one hand while the other kept preparing her. Then he removed his fingers and positioned the head of his cock at her entrance.

"Okay, breathe, we'll take it slow," Harvey whispered gently. He pushed into her gradually, watching for any sign of discomfort, but aside from a slight furrowing of her brows, Donna seemed relaxed.

Once he was fully inside her, he paused to let her adjust to him. "Shit, I didn't think you'd be this tight."

"Do you like it?" she asked, almost as proud of her body as he was of his.

"I love it," he confirmed, leaning in closer. "How does it feel?"

"Fucking amazing."

Harvey chuckled at her comment and started to move slowly in and out. "Fuck…"

Feeling more at ease, Donna sat up, wrapping her arms around Harvey's neck.

"Harvey… Fuck me…"

Her begging shattered the last bit of restraint he had left. He grabbed her under her thighs for a better grip and quickened his thrusts. She repeated his name in his ear like a mantra, trying to keep her voice down so they wouldn't get caught. He cursed their impatience for a moment for not having gone up to the bedroom, where Donna could be as loud as she would like, but there was something so thrilling about knowing someone could walk in at any moment.

She lifted her face to his, her eyes closed in pleasure, focusing hard not to scream. He could tell she was close. Sliding a hand between them, he touched her clit again, making her gasp so loudly it sounded like she couldn't catch her breath.

"Look at me," he ordered, but she didn't hear him, too lost in the pleasure building inside her.

"Donna," he barked gruffly, making her nearly jump. "Eyes. On. Me."

She opened her eyes, her gaze feverish with desire. "Good girl."

Donna moaned louder at the praise but kept her eyes open. He increased the pace of his thrusts, feeling himself nearing release as well.

"Harvey," she gasped, her eyes watery with the desperation to come, implicitly waiting for his permission.

"Come for me." A scream almost slipped from her lips when she heard his approval, but he caught her in a passionate kiss, making sure not to wake anyone.

His own orgasm followed a few seconds later, making him groan against her mouth, his cock pulsing in Donna's warmth, staying deep inside to prolong the moment.

They stayed in this position for a while, catching their breath and collecting themselves. Donna was the first to move, and Harvey withdrew, quickly disposing of the condom.

"So… Did it help?" Harvey asked in a smug voice.

Donna laughed at his mock-disinterested tone. "You could say that."

He picked up her panties, but she didn't bother to put them on, and he helped her down from the counter, guiding her back to her room.

"Oh… I'm gonna feel that in the morning," the young woman complained as she got to her feet.

Harvey couldn't hold back a smirk. "Is that funny to you? I'm in pain here, Gunny."

"You weren't complaining five minutes ago."

Donna said nothing but answered him with a middle finger in front of his nose, making him laugh heartily. As they climbed the stairs, Harvey tried to think of an excuse to make the moment last a little longer. Having slept with the redhead without getting to see her fully naked left him feeling unsatisfied.

.

As they approached her room, Donna tried to come up with a reason to keep things going. It had been incredible, even if she wouldn't give Harvey the satisfaction of admitting it out loud, but it had been far too short.

Reaching her door, she put a hand on the handle, then turned to face Harvey. And though he was excellent at hiding his emotions, tonight she could read him. He didn't want it to end either.

"You know, we said earlier that this would just be for the night…" Donna began, testing to see if he'd take the bait.

"Yeah… But the night is far from over," he replied, casually.

Bingo.

"As much as I'd love that, I'm not sure my body can handle another round without breaking," she joked.

Harvey smiled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh if only you knew. I don't need my cock to make you come."

"Now that's a teaser," she smiled, grabbing him by the t-shirt and kissing him deeply.

When Harvey lay down beside her, Donna was still catching her breath. One thing was for sure, he could definitely make her come with just his tongue. He pulled the covers over their bodies, and she took the opportunity to cuddle up against him, using his shoulder as a pillow. For a moment, she watched his chest rise and fall with his steady breathing, and the chain he wore around his neck caught her attention. Absentmindedly, she slid the dog tags between her fingers, feeling the cool metal against her still-warm skin.

She broke the silence with a playful grin: "You know what's even better than having a man with a big dick in your bed?"

Harvey raised an eyebrow, intrigued but amused. "What?"

"That said man doesn't need his dick to make you see stars," she quipped, clearly satisfied with how the night had turned out.

His laughter echoed in the quiet room. "So you're saying I make you see stars?"

She looked up at him incredulously. "I'm literally gasping for air, is that not enough for you?"

He laughed again, and the rumble of it enveloped Donna in a warm, comforting cocoon. As the calm settled around them, she continued to play with his chain, her fingers brushing over the cold metal of the tags, while Harvey ran a hand through her hair, twirling a strand between his fingers.

"Why do you still wear them if you're not on active duty anymore?" she wanted to understand what the tags meant to him. She had always seen military men wearing them in all circumstances, not to mention movies where it always had a central place, like a sacrosanct object.

"Funny, your daughter asked me that same question a few days ago," he said with a tired but amused tone.

"What did you tell her?"

"A cute little lie you tell kids to make them stop asking questions."

"Well, I'm not a kid."

He drew in a breath, letting her continue to turn the tags over in her fingers. "It's like… a good luck charm," he admitted. "I know it sounds silly. But there have been so many times I could've… you know, not come back. I like to think that in some way, these tags helped me make it through."

Donna's fingers stilled for a moment against the cold metal. "Was it that bad?" she whispered almost inaudibly, as if she didn't really want to hear the answer, afraid he'd confirm just how bad it had been.

Harvey nodded, his gaze drifting slightly. "Sometimes. Not always."

A wave of emotion washed over Donna, and she instinctively tightened her grip on his tags. The ghosts of Harvey's past were clearly still haunting him. She snuggled even closer, if that were possible, nestling her face into the crook of his neck.

"They say you leave a part of yourself over there. That you never really come back whole," he confessed slowly.

"Well, I'm glad you're here, no matter what pieces are missing," she breathed, her voice laced with genuine sincerity.

They stayed like that, wrapped in a comfortable silence, their breathing slowly syncing. The steady thump of Harvey's heart beat against Donna's palm, and she let the sound soothe her.

After a while, Harvey murmured, his voice low and hesitant. "I should go back to my room."

Donna's brow furrowed slightly, unwilling to let go of him. She even tightened her embrace in response. She wanted him to stay, to remain in this suspended moment where she finally felt at peace.

"Can you wait until I fall asleep? I'm almost there." Her voice had softened to a whisper, confirming that she was indeed falling asleep.

He didn't answer right away, but she felt him relax, settling back down as he silently agreed to stay. The arm he had around her became more secure, enveloping her in a protective cocoon. Her eyelids began to flutter as a wave of calm washed over her body.

Just as she was on the brink of sleep, she realized that Harvey's eyes had also closed, his features softening as he, too, let himself drift off. They fell asleep there, wrapped up in each other, sharing a rare and tranquil serenity.

.
When Harvey opened his eyes, the first thing he noticed was the sunlight streaming through the window. He could've sworn he'd only closed his eyes for a few seconds, but he had indeed spent the entire night here. In Donna's bed. With Donna. Curled up in his arms.

Fuck.

Bad idea. Very bad idea. The night before, he had promised himself to keep his distance, to not let his emotions interfere with his work, but he had let his guard down. It had been a moment of weakness. He shouldn't have stayed, in fact, they shouldn't have slept together at all. Yet, every fiber of his being protested against that thought. He had wanted it, and he cursed himself for not regretting it. Worse still, for wanting her again.

He watched her sleep for a few moments, knowing he would have to break this moment, but finding it almost impossible to do so. He noticed the freckles scattered across her cheekbones, her fiery red hair tousled around her face, her upturned nose, and her facial features relaxed with sleep.

Donna stirred slightly, her eyelids fluttering gently under the morning light that filled the room. She slowly opened her eyes, still heavy with sleep, and her gaze met Harvey's. For a moment, she seemed disoriented, staring at him as if she wasn't sure what she was seeing. Then, her expression softened, and a small smile appeared on her lips.

"Harvey…" she murmured, her voice husky from sleep.

"Hey," he replied softly, a hint of hesitation in his voice.

Donna sat up a bit, blinking, studying his expression as if trying to read his thoughts.

He took a deep breath, trying to summon the courage to put some necessary distance between them. "I should go," he offered, trying to end the lingering tension in the room.

Without waiting for an answer, he got up, pulled the blanket off himself, and walked around the bed toward the door. The faster he left, the sooner they could forget about last night and return to how things were before. Before the fevered caresses, before the kisses that left invisible marks, before… the best fucking night of his life.

Suddenly, Donna broke the silence. "Wait," she said hastily, her voice laced with urgency. Harvey froze and slowly turned to face her. She had straightened up, wrapping the blanket around her naked body. She moved to the edge of the bed, drawing closer to him.

"Last night," she began, "was… good. Really good."

He clenched his jaw. "We can't do that again," he replied, trying to sound as firm as possible.

She sighed, her face showing she had expected that reaction but refused to accept it. "Harvey—"

"Donna," he interrupted, as if trying to convince himself, "we can't keep doing this."

She frowned, her gaze sharpening. "Keep doing what exactly?"

"Getting involved, risking this turning into something serious, falling in love," he listed, "I'm your bodyguard, Donna. If I get emotionally involved, I can't protect you properly. I can't afford to lose that objectivity."

The redhead stared at him intently, her eyes flashing with a blend of playfulness and exasperation. "First of all, whether you like it or not, you're already emotionally involved," she stated confidently. "Don't pretend otherwise. It started way before we slept together."

Harvey swallowed nervously. She could see right through him, and he couldn't help but feel a bit impressed—rare were those who could read him so well.

"And secondly," she continued, stepping closer, "no one said anything about love. It's just sex, Harvey. A way to blow off some steam." She gave him a teasing smile. "You can't deny we're… compatible, you and me."

Harvey's breath quickened slightly, a familiar heat creeping up his spine. No, he couldn't deny that undeniable connection, that electric chemistry he'd never experienced with any other woman.

He narrowed his eyes, searching for flaws in her reasoning. "It will never work," he countered, almost desperate. "What happens when you start having feelings?"

Donna raised an eyebrow, a malicious glint in her eyes. "Me? What about you?" She let out a soft laugh, but her smile faded quickly, giving way to something more sincere. "But seriously, I don't have feelings for men. I don't fall in love, so you don't have to worry about that."

"Why not?"

Her voice grew softer, tinged with sadness, bitterness, and the echo of painful memories. "Because no one stays forever."

Harvey nodded, understanding the implication. "Finally, something we agree on," he murmured, facing his own painful memories, though very different from hers.

She leaned in closer, their noses brushing, and Harvey felt his defenses crumbling dangerously. He was on the verge of giving in, of screwing everything away, because the temptation to kiss her again was overwhelming.

"So, is that a yes?" she whispered, a triumphant smile lighting up her face. He was so close to breaking, and she could definitely sense it.

Say no. Say no, you idiot. You're signing your own death warrant.

"Let's say it's not a no," he muttered, and Harvey could've sworn he heard his own brain groan in frustration.

Donna burst out laughing, a pure, ringing sound that filled the space between them. "I'll take that as a win," she said, her smile radiant. "Now, get out of here, Gunny. It's only 6 AM, and we mere civilians need our sleep."

"Just admit I wore you out," he joked, a wry grin spreading across his face.

She rolled her eyes, sighing. "Out."

Harvey chuckled softly and left the room. Once in the hallway, he paused to process everything that had changed since last night. He had slept with Donna, it had been incredible, and he had more or less agreed to become friends with benefits. He needed to clear his head, and nothing would do that better than a morning boxing session.

Because Harvey was supposed to think with his head. But Harvey was just a man. And men think with their dicks, not their heads.