Chapter Text
Five years later
As Harvey was deep in thought over his case, he was pulled back to reality by three soft knocks on the door, followed by the voice of his secretary, a little too sensual for the moment.
« Mr. Specter? Don’t forget your two o’clock hearing »
« What time is it? »
« One-thirty »
« Alright, I shouldn’t be long then — thanks, Nadia »
He quickly gathered his things — his jacket, phone, briefcase, and a few key documents for the case — before stepping out of his office. As he brushed past Nadia, still leaning against the doorframe, he caught a glimpse of her longing gaze, but he didn’t acknowledge it, his focus entirely on the trial in half an hour. Harvey had been working at the DA's office for three years now, and at twenty-eight, he could see himself climbing the ranks bit by bit, heading toward the goal he’d set years ago. Jessica had promised him a place at Pearson Hardman, and until then, he was willing to wait, stacking up victories, becoming the star prosecutor in the DA’s office while dominating any room he entered. All eyes were on him — especially the women’s — and he felt untouchable.
As the taxi stopped in front of the courthouse, he paid the driver and got out, walking up the steps that led into the building. After clearing security, he checked his courtroom assignment and made his way to it, spotting Kasey Rader, a fellow attorney he was working with on the case. Kasey was full of ambition, eager to make a name for himself as Harvey found him a bit annoying.
« Kasey, hey »
« Specter, good to see you. I hope this case will wrap up quickly »
« I don’t think it’ll take long... The opposing counsel is some Brigid Campbell — never heard of her in my life, this should be an easy win » sighed Harvey, adjusting his tie.
The case involved a small theft of merchandise, with an employee of a major online retailer, Jenkins, accused of diverting high-value products over several months. Harvey's role in the trial was to prove that Jenkins acted deliberately, that he had planned the theft, and that his criminal behavior couldn’t be excused, despite his difficult family background. He knew the opposing counsel's aim was to argue that Jenkins didn’t have criminal intent when he took the merchandise, but deep down, Harvey was confident the opposing lawyer would struggle, and he was sure he would win. After exchanging a few pleasantries with his colleague, Harvey and Kasey entered the courtroom, greeted the judge, and took their seats, waiting for the opposing side to arrive.
« What’s the judge’s name again? » whispered Kasey.
« Brigid Campbell »
« Which firm? »
« Skadden, apparently » sighed Harvey.
« And you’ve never heard of her? »
« Nope. She must be new — like I said, this’ll be quick »
« Let’s hope »
No sooner had Kasey finished speaking than the sound of heels echoed in the room, rhythmic and confident, as the opposing side finally entered. As the sound got closer, Harvey turned his head as he swallowed hard before whispering softly.
« Shit »
« What? What’s going on? » asked Kasey.
He could have recognized her in a crowd of thousands — long, slightly wavy red hair, legs for miles, hips swaying with each step, a designer pencil skirt hugging her perfect body with the matching blazer, and eyes that had made him fall for her over six years ago. After a few seconds, as Kasey seemed to wait for an answer, Harvey murmured.
« We’re going to lose »
« What? What do you mean? »
Before Harvey could answer, the opposing lawyer approached with a wide smile, and Harvey sighed seeing her so hot and beautiful before muttering.
« What happened to Brigid Campbell? »
« Oh, please, she only started two months ago. I wasn’t going to let her get humiliated. I’m not a monster. And when I saw your name on this case, I thought it’d be a great chance for us to catch up. Anyway, you're ready? »
As she now placed her hands on the desk they were occupying, Kasey visibly losing the ability to speak, she couldn’t help but chuckled while Harvey bit his lip, murmuring nonchalantly.
« I am... What about you? »
« You’ll see »
With one last wink, she disappeared to sit beside her client as Harvey exhaled, and Kasey murmured, wide-eyed as he looked at his partner, not understanding anything.
« Who is she if she’s not Brigid Campbell? »
« Kasey… Meet the lawyer Donna Paulsen — or Donna Specter in a few months »
« What? » the young man gasped.
« My fiancée »
« Your fiancée? »
« We’re screwed, dude »
Before Kasey could add anything, the judge slammed her gavel, signaling the start of the trial. Her voice, sharp and assured, filled the room as both attorneys felt the same excitement they always did when a trial began.
« Good. We will now begin the hearing in the case of People v. Jenkins. I remind everyone that this is a serious proceeding, and I expect all parties present to respect the order of the court and follow proper procedures. Prosecutor, you may begin with your opening statements, and you, Ms. Paulsen, be prepared to present your arguments once the prosecution has concluded. I remind you all that the defendant, Mr. Jenkins, faces serious charges, and the purpose of this hearing is to allow each party to present their case clearly and concisely. Please adhere to the time limits and stick to the facts — the hearing is now open. Prosecutor, you may begin »
Immediately, Harvey stood, taking the floor to present the case and the charges brought against the defendant. He highlighted key pieces of evidence and focused on the seriousness of the crime and as he spoke, he couldn’t help but glance discreetly toward his fiancée, seated across the courtroom. Despite the tension in the room, the presence of Donna, his partner in both life and the courtroom, added a layer of unspoken strength that fueled him — just like in Harvard. As Harvey neared the end of his statement, he turned to the judge, his tone firm and composed.
« I ask the court to consider the evidence and deliver justice to the victims of this fraud »
With that, he returned to his seat, exuding quiet confidence as Donna rose, her eyes gleaming with defiance. She knew exactly what Harvey was trying to do — leaning into the emotional gravity of the case to sway the jury — but she had no intention of letting him take the narrative unchallenged. As she took her time walking to the center, every step deliberate, owning the courtroom like a stage, she addressed the jury directly, delivering her opening with cool composure, throwing a quick, knowing glance at Harvey.
« Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you’ve heard the prosecution. But before you let yourself be swept away by emotion and grand speeches, let me say this: this is not a tale of malicious manipulation or a cunning fraud. This isn’t some courtroom drama, this is about facts. My client, Mr. Jenkins, acted with the best intentions — trying to help, to serve — while staying within the expectations of his role. The charges against him are nothing more than speculative conclusions with no foundation in law »
Then, slowly, she turned toward Harvey, catching his gaze with a sly, almost playful smirk, as her voice dipped into a more teasing cadence while she added, just loud enough for the jury — and Harvey — to hear.
« And believe, ladies and gentlemen, if Harvey Specter seems confident today, it’s only because he’s forgetting one crucial truth: he may be great at talking… but that doesn’t mean he’s right »
A few surprised murmurs rippled through the courtroom as the tension between the two attorneys was palpable while the room collectively leaned in, sensing the sparks of a far more personal battle underneath the polished legalese. Facing her attack, Harvey’s grin stretched wide — damn, she was good… and infuriating… and impossibly hot when she challenged him like that — this was going to be one hell of a trial. For nearly an hour, the courtroom became a chessboard — and Harvey and Donna, the only two players who mattered. Arguments flew back and forth, sharp and calculated, but laced with a constant undercurrent of flirtation that didn’t go unnoticed. Despite the magnetic pull between them, neither lost sight of their primary goal: winning the case for their client.
As Harvey called his next witness, a pharmaceutical expert, he approached with the same calm precision that had earned him his reputation. The man began to explain the legal protocols for handling controlled substances asHarvey nodded along, listening intently — and when the expert confirmed a crucial point that supported his theory, Harvey threw a subtle wink in Donna’s direction.
Donna rose slowly, smoothing the front of her skirt, and began her walk toward the witness stand with deliberate ease. Halfway there, she turned her head just enough to meet Harvey’s gaze — her expression unreadable until, with a single smooth motion, she ran her tongue sensually across her top teeth as Harvey's jaw flexed instinctively, understating the meaning — I want you. Quickly, she began questioning Harvey's witness, skillfully exploiting the lack of direct evidence, while the man started to stammer, realizing that the redhead was gaining the upper hand as she didn’t forget to glance back over her shoulder at Harvey, who let out a quiet sigh, as if trying to keep his composure facing his sexy fiancé.
« Counselors, we’ll take a thirty-minute recess. Please be back in this courtroom at precisely 2:30 PM. Court is temporarily adjourned »
As Donna wrapped up her cross-examination, having thoroughly unsettled the expert witness — likely by both her striking beauty and unwavering confidence — the judge called for a recess. Without missing a beat, Donna turned gracefully on her heels, exiting the courtroom with one last glance and a knowing smirk toward her fiancé as Harvey didn’t waste a second before hurrying after her, a huge smile on his lips as he felt like a horny teenager. Running after her, he caught sight of her slipping into the women's restroom — stirring a few vivid memories — and without hesitation, he followed, not caring in the slightest about protocol at that moment. As he pushed the door open, he found the redhead standing before the mirror, adjusting her hair and makeup as Harvey glanced quickly around the room to confirm they were alone before murmuring, his voice low.
« I see what you're up to »
« Really? » Donna smirked.
« That’s naughty… »
« Oh? Since when do we not play dirty, the two of us? »
« Since we’re in court, baby »
« My bad, then… honey »
She walked slowly to the door, locking it with a soft click, and then turned to face him, her hand trailing up his crotch with a teasing squeeze that made Harvey growl softly.
« Baby… »
« Yeah, it’s me — you need something? » laughed the redhead, wickedly.
« Don’t do that »
« Do what? » she asked, eyes gleaming with mischief.
At the same time, she gave another squeeze, Harvey's pelvis instantly jerking, hissing as if to release the pressure while he groaned.
« Donna… »
« Harvey… »
While she could see her fiancé tense, the redhead didn't stop there. Feeling his shaft slowly harden under her hand, she started to stroke him through his pants, dropping kisses on his neck as she whispered, hot breath against his neck.
« I forgot how damn good it was to watch you argue in court — it brought back some memories »
« Baby » Harvey groaned, the heat in his voice unmistakable.
« You remember our last mock trial in 3L? When I blindsided you last minute with that airtight argument? You were so mad you made sure I felt it after, fucking me for hours until I couldn’t walk straight »
« Don’t do that… »
« Or all those times you fingered me in class when we were sitting in the last row just because I answered the teacher faster than you and you couldn’t stand it — that was hot »
Of course he remembered, how could he forget... The way he moved his fingers discreetly inside her, the way he curled them just the right way the moment the teacher questioned her and she started to stutter, the way she suddenly closed her thighs and gripped his wrist tightly — Jeez, they were insane. But while he was now sore in his boxers and slightly embarrassed to be walking back into the courtroom with a boner, he had no idea how his break was going to turn out. As Donna slid her tongue down his neck, her hand still busy stroked his now hard length, he murmured in a slightly shaky voice.
« What you're busy doing is bad »
« Tell me to stop then »
The moment she sank her teeth forcefully into his carotid, Harvey gasped as he closed his eyes. He was unable to say no to his fiancée, and while he wondered how these long minutes would end, he absolutely didn't expect to see Donna pull away, grab his belt to undo it, open the button, and pull down his zipper.
« What are you doing? »
« What kind of fiancé would I be if I left you like this? »
As his breath caught, he watched Donna getting on her knees, pulling his pants down just enough to reveal his strained boxers before shedding them as well, freeing his length, which stood proudly in front of her face. Harvey was already pretty horny from all his foreplay, but as he saw Donna on her knees in front of him, raising her eyes sensually to lock his gaze with hers, he could have come right now and very quickly.
« You're aware this is a serious ethical violation, right? » whispered Harvey.
« Attempted bribery of opposing counsel or unethical conduct involving bribery — I know, I mean, I did go to Harvard » chuckled the redhead.
« I thought maybe you'd forgotten that… since you're currently — »
Before she even let Harvey finish, she wrapped her thin fingers around the base of his length before taking the rest into her mouth, knowing full well that she couldn't take it all since he was too big for her. Instantly, Harvey was moaning at the idea of his fiancé giving him a blowjob in the courtroom during the break of a trial where they were rivals. It was the hottest thing that could exist, seeing her magnificent mouth around his length and the enormous diamond on her finger busy stroking it gently, he could do nothing but close his eyes and let his head fall.
For a moment, he let her do it, her expert mouth and hands working wonders as they always did, while he could feel his knees buckling and his jaw clenching with each wet movement — and sound — she was doing. He knew that going slowly, building up the pressure gently, was a way to drive him even crazier, and as he grabbed the back of her head to begin fucking her mouth, she let his length go with a pop, murmuring a little breathlessly.
« Don't touch my hair »
They knew they had to get back to court, and if the fact that he knew she'd sucked him off a few minutes earlier made things much more complicated, if that hair was a mess from where he'd held it was apparent, it wouldn't work at all. So he gripped the restroom counter behind him with both hands firmly, his head still tilted back and his eyes closed as she continued to move back and forth, obscene wet noises filling the room and mixing with his moans as he recognized the signs. Muscle tension increasing more and more, involuntary body movements, his heart racing, tingling in his groin area and spreading along his spine, until, finally…
« Fuck »
In a split second, he came hard and fast, seeing stars, while Donna moaned around him — damn it, this woman would one day be the death of him. If he didn't say anything for a moment, still too shaken from what had just happened, he didn't even realize that Donna was back on her feet and was already busy getting him dressed while chuckling.
« Are you alright? »
« Do you realize how insane that was? » gasped Harvey.
« What? Blowjob in a courthouse bathroom? Hey, let me remind you that I was a good girl before I met you — it's your fault I turned out so... wild »
« Oh please, you were never a good girl »
For a moment, they both chuckled before Donna stepped ahead to grab her luxury handbag — a gift from Harvey — and pulled out a travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, and her lipstick, making the groom-to-be laugh. He couldn’t help but smile, watching his fiancée always so perfectly prepared and as he observed her for a moment while she applied a layer of Gucci’s 201 The Painted Veil lipstick, he couldn’t resist stepping closer to her, pressing himself against her, sliding his hands over her hips, stomach, and breasts while placing kisses on her neck.
« Don't start something you can't finish, Harv »
« Who says I can't finish? We have, what, five minutes left? I'll make you come easily »
« You know what? Letting the tension run high »
« What? » whispered Harvey, half scared, half turned on.
« Let’s see if you can keep your defense coherent, knowing that I’ll be wet for you all this time »
« Donna… »
« What? » giggled the redhead.
« This is a bad idea »
« Why? Because you’re gonna lose? »
« What if I win? Do I get anything? » smirked Harvey.
« Whatever you want »
« I’ll put a baby inside you »
« Mmmh… tempting. Maybe I'll consider letting you win then... We'll seee winked the redhead.
Without another word, she unlocked the door and walked out of the restroom, leaving a stunned Harvey standing in the middle of the room as he quickly rushed after her, then composed himself as if nothing had happened and walked back into the courtroom. As soon as Kasey saw him enter, he gave him a confused look and whispered the moment sat next to him.
« Where were you? »
« We’re definitely going to lose »
« What? »
« I’m telling you now, we’re going to lose »
« What are you talking about — wait, Specter, is this a bite mark on your neck? Did she bite you? »
« Told you. It’s over. We’re going to lose »
And Harvey couldn’t have been more right. As soon as the trial resumed, their little game of flirtation picked right back up, and the tension in the room was even more explosive than the first time. One after the other, they stood up, fiercely defending their arguments while exchanging looks that were as sultry as they were tender. Their little game was unstoppable, the jabs they threw at each other becoming more vicious, laced with innuendos and layered tension and after being called to order several times by the judge — for both of them — the verdict was finally delivered. And even though they had both come out somewhat victorious, Donna had clearly done a solid job. The result: Jenkins was found guilty of petty theft, but he was only sentenced to community service, required to enroll in a reintegration program, and ordered to repay part of the losses — not much for a man like him. While Harvey had won on the legal principle — having proven intent, secured a guilty verdict, and upheld the law — Donna had managed to keep her client out of prison.
As the judge banged her gavel to mark the end of the hearing, Harvey glanced over at Kasey with an apologetic smile — though there was definitely a hint of "I told you so" in it — while the young lawyer was still trying to recover from being thoroughly humiliated by Donna. Meanwhile, the redhead was packing up her things as her client — a man in his fifties with a clear weakness for younger women — looked at her with a wide grin, his deep voice murmuring.
« Ms. Paulsen, you did a remarkable job today »
« Thank you very much »
« How about a drink to properly thank you? »
Donna knew exactly what the man was trying — relying on prestige and money to seduce a young, ambitious lawyer. But as he waited for her answer, looking smug and confident, the redhead chuckled softly and replied calmly, with just a touch of arrogance — after all, she was Harvey Specter’s fiancée.
« That’s very kind, but I’m afraid I’ll have to decline »
« You sure? »
Noticing the man’s hand creeping a little too close to hers, she straightened up and said with a wide smile.
« More than sure. And if I were you, I wouldn’t get too close. You see that lawyer over there? Specter? He’s the one who put that massive diamond on my finger »
« Which one of the two is your fiancé? » chuckled the man.
« The sexiest one »
« So you just humiliated your fiancé in court? That’s not very… manly »
« Oh, trust me. He’s going to get his revenge the second we step through our front door — or maybe even before, knowing him… if you know what I mean »
Faced with the redhead’s confident smile and provocative look, the man laughed, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender, murmuring with amused resignation.
« Alright, message received… I’ll let you go back to your fiancé, then. And once again, thank you for the stellar defense »
« No problem »
After a final nod, Donna gathered all her documents before walking over to the bench where Harvey was still seated, slouched comfortably in his chair, gazing at his fiancée with love and that signature smirk on his face.
« Hey you »
« Hey — you were stunning »
« Really? » Donna chuckled.
« Yeah. Even if you cheated a little… it was worth it. Especially the bathroom »
« Oh, I noticed — well, felt it too. Shall we go? We've got wedding cakes to try »
« And the backseat of the car too » smirked Harvey.
« Oh my God »
As Harvey finally stood up, wrapping his arm around Donna’s shoulders and kissing her cheek, the couple was abruptly interrupted by the judge calling out to them, still sitting at her place with an annoying face.
« Specter, Paulsen! »
« Yeah? »
« I never want to see the two of you arguing a case together again — this is a courtroom, not a mating ground. Watching you circle each other like that was painfully awkward. Got it? I don’t want to see both your names — or your shared name, one day God help us — on the same case ever again — understood? »
« Understood, Your Honor »
After one last knowing look between them, the couple walked out of the courtroom hand in hand, smiles on their faces, eyes full of love and joy. They had started out as rivals in the crowded lecture halls of Harvard Law, each one too proud, too brilliant, and too stubborn to admit what the other truly meant to them. For nearly three years, they sparred in classrooms and across study groups, their tension sharp enough to draw blood as they pretended to hate each other, but deep down, neither of them was truly fooled. Beneath the sarcasm and cold glares was a silent truth: they saw each other as dangerously perfect — the kind of perfect that could upend everything. Because falling for someone like that didn’t just mean love — it meant surrendering control, inviting chaos into their meticulously built lives.
And yet, here they were — years later, no longer the reckless students pretending not to care, but two people who had built something far more powerful than fleeting attraction. What existed between them now went beyond love — it was admiration carved from respect, devotion born of shared battles, and the unshakable knowledge that no one else saw them quite so clearly. They had grown together, clashed, fallen, rebuilt — and through it all, their bond had only deepened. The last five years had flown by, marked by victories, compromises, laughter, and more than a few arguments. They weren’t those impulsive, guarded twenty-somethings anymore… and yet, in all the ways that mattered, nothing had changed. They were still each other’s greatest weakness and fiercest supporters, still madly in love, still choosing one another, every single day.
If their story had once started as a courtroom battle, it turned out, was their most brilliant case yet.