When I'm With You - A Suits Fanfiction

The Ultimatum

Harvey entered Paula's office tentatively. As he opened the door, he saw her sitting on the office couch, her beautiful face stained with tears. He lingered for a moment, and then gently sat down next to her. 

"Paula, about what my mom said- you were right. I wasn't talking about you when I told her that, but you are the special woman in my life now."

 "I know that, Harvey," Paula responded, "but-"

"But what?" There was a hint of concern in his voice. 

Paula sighed. "I know you know that Jacob cheated on me, but what you don't know is it happened with a woman that he worked with. They started off as close friends."

"So that's why Donna bothers you so much." Harvey felt a wave of guilt overcome him as he remembered the kiss. A kiss that was out of the blue. A kiss that he had never asked for. But, nonetheless, it happened, and he was facing the consequences.

"I know that I told you that I could handle you having her in your life - but I don't think I can." Paula nervously shifted in her seat.

"But I told you, I-"

"Please, Harvey." Paula looked up at Harvey, her blue eyes shining even brighter in the lamplight of her office.  She looked away, merely a second later, shying from his brown-eyed gaze.

"I hate that I feel this way - weak. Insecure.  I hate that my last relationship is affecting this one..." There was desperation and pain in Paula's voice.

"But most of all, I hate that I know I'm about to say what I told myself I wouldn't." Paula's blue eyes met Harvey's brown ones, a single tear rolling down her face.

"What is it?" Harvey gently touched her arm.

"I'm afraid if you keep working with Donna, we won't survive."

"Are you asking me to fire her?" There was shock in Harvey's voice. Underneath, however, there was a voice in Harvey's conscience that told him she was right. Their relationship couldn't survive with Donna in the mix. 

He thought back to the kiss with remorse. Harvey knew that it wouldn't end with a single kiss. It never does. He didn't ask for Donna to kiss him, but she did anyway.  Donna had jeopardised his relationship with Paula once, and she'd be sure to do it again.

"I don't know what I'm asking, but it feels like there are three people in this relationship. The last time it felt that way, there were."

 "Paula..." Harvey took her hand.

She looked at him with teary eyes. "I'm sorry, Harvey. I just can't do that again."

Harvey's office, 9:33 PM

"Goodbye Harvey, please consider this as my formal resignation"

Those were the final words on Donna's resignation letter from Specter Litt.

Harvey dropped the letter back onto the desk, feeling bittersweet. He knew it was the right thing to do, but he was still allowed to feel sad about it. The  "Great Harvey Specter" had a reputation for being emotionless, but in reality, that was far from the truth.

 He had emotions, he just preferred not to show them. 

Leaving the office that night, Harvey glanced at his name on the wall. Specter  Litt. He was a name partner, and he had made the right decision in making Donna go. 

Harvey walked out of the building into the busy streets of Manhattan, illuminated by car lights and street lamps. Calling a cab, he directed the driver to drive him to his apartment.

The silence of the cab was the perfect place for quiet reflection. For Harvey, that always meant thinking about a case, or doing work. Tonight, however, Harvey's mind was flooded with images of Paula. 

Suddenly, a realisation dawned upon Harvey. He needed to go to her.  He needed to let Paula know how he truly felt about her.

"Change of direction" Harvey said to the cab driver.

Paula's Apartment, 10:05 PM

Harvey felt his heart skip a beat as he walked up the steps to Paula's apartment.

Knocking three times, he waited at the door with anticipation.

Paula opened the door with a confused smile on her face. "I didn't know you were coming over, Harvey." she said.

"I didn't know I was, either, but I got in a cab, and I ended up here." Harvey responded, with a heaviness in his voice not unnoticed by Paula. They sat down on the couch, with a slight distance between them.

Reading his expression, Paula sensed the context of the situation. "You let Donna go." she said gently.

"She left her letter of resignation on my desk." Harvey sighed and looked away.

"I am sorry, Harvey." Paula clasped her hand in his.

"You didn't make me do it. I chose to." Harvey responded. He looked into Paula's eyes with conviction.

"Because you are the one, Paula." He paused. "I love you, and only you."

Paula's lip was quivering. "Harvey..."

"I knew that giving up Donna was the right thing. And if got the chance to have a do-over, I know that I'd do it again."

Harvey edged closer to Paula on the couch of her apartment until they were almost touching.

"I love who I am when I'm around you. You make me a better man." Harvey said, a soft smile emerging on his face.

Paula's blazing blue eyes met Harvey's brown ones. There was an indescribable magnetic attraction between the two of them.

"I love you too, Harvey" There was a sensual smile on her face.

Harvey cupped his hand on her face, and drew his lips close to hers. Paula looked up at him for a mere second, seeing the vulnerability in his eyes. She drew closer to him, and her lips crashed into his.

There was an undeniable chemistry between the two of them. The kiss started off gentle, as if it was a thing of such delicate nature that it could be shattered by the faintest touch.

Harvey caressed Paula's silky blonde hair with his hand, and kissed her lips gently, sparks flying each time that they touched. Paula drew her body into his, and wrapped her arms around his back, feeling the warm, silky material of his suit.

The kiss went deeper, bringing them into depths of passion and love. There was a magnetic attraction between them.

Gasping for air, Paula looked up, and saw Harvey's strong face. His hair had been perfectly in-place a few minutes ago, but now, it was tousled, softening his overall look.

Harvey leaned in, gently kissing her neck and face, his other hand on her waist. Paula giggled, and pulled him closer. When they finally let go, Paula's eyes were shining like orbs in the lamplight, and her lips were a rosy pink.

"You look so beautiful right now." Harvey said.

A heated blush came over Paula's cheeks. Smiling, she shied her gaze from Harvey's.

"How would you feel if I kissed you again?" he asked, with a teasing playfulness in his tone.

"I would love that." Paula replied with a grin.