Chapter Text
After twenty-four straight hours in the ER treating reckless idiots and yelling at incompetent interns, Harvey was exhausted. All he wanted was to go home, pour himself a few glasses of whiskey, and pass out — knowing he had the next three days off anyway. At thirty-five, the young cardiac surgeon had built a reputation as a skilled, cutting-edge doctor, but he was also seen as arrogant, self-absorbed — a blowhard who thought he was the smartest person in the room — but that suited him just fine. He didn’t need to be liked or admired, he just wanted to be the best — and save lives.
« Procedure complete. Coronary bypass performed as planned, no major complications. The patient is stable, hemostasis is satisfactory. Please upload the operative data to the file and prepare the report for tomorrow's staff meeting. You can proceed with the transfer to intensive care »
Done. His day was finally over, and as the team around him began tending to the patient, Harvey was already peeling off his sterile gown, gloves, surgical mask, cap, and shoe covers until inside the sterilized antechamber, he took a deep breath. Harvey had always done well in school, once dreaming of becoming a lawyer and living the high life in New York, but just as he was about to apply to Harvard, his phone rang. It was Massachusetts General Hospital, delivering the worst news imaginable: his dad had suffered a heart attack during one of his concerts, and due to a shortage of available doctors that day, the saxophonist hadn’t received timely care — and had died. After that call, Harvey went through all the classic stages of grief: denial — refusing to believe it had actually happened, anger — blaming every single person involved for not doing their job properly and as he had expected to eventually move through the rest — bargaining, depression, acceptance — he never thought he’d get stuck in the anger. Maybe that’s why, today, he didn’t have any real friends apart from Mike, why his colleagues admired and feared him but never got close, why he was incapable of loving anyone — too afraid of being hurt. That... or maybe it was his mother’s fault. Hard to say.
« Professor Specter? »
« What? » sighed Harvey.
« Doctor Pearson asked to see you »
Without even responding, he sighed once more and continued walking, slipping back into his memories. As soon as he’d heard of his father’s death, he’d changed his plans — applying to Harvard for his bachelor’s degree, spending four years there before moving on to Harvard Medical School, where only two percent of applicants were accepted. After graduating among the top in his class, he began his surgical residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, walking the very hallways he’d first entered the day he lost his father. Harvey had stood out immediately, quickly becoming one of the most sought-after residents in the program as he went on to complete a fellowship at the same hospital, training in advanced surgical techniques. Now, fifteen years later, he was a tenured surgeon — and had just been invited to teach at Harvard Medical School, passing his knowledge down to the next generation. There was power in that — admiration, too — but looking out at his students, he couldn’t help but think: Jesus... what a bunch of morons.
« Shit »
As he walked down the hallway, dimly lit by harsh fluorescent lights that only worsened his migraine, Harvey sighed again. Then came the sharp beep of his pager, followed by a short code flashing on the small green screen.
OFFICE - NOW - J
Alright, there was no avoiding Jessica now. With no choice, he quickly changed direction, heading toward the head of surgery’s office instead of the locker room. If normally, he would’ve skipped it — doing whatever he wanted, as usual — Jessica was different as from the beginning, she’d seen his potential, paid for his education, and made him her protégé. She knew him better than anyone else — his strengths, his flaws, all of it. A few minutes later, stopping just in front of her door, he let out another deep sigh, then knocked as a moment later, her voice called out from the other side.
« Come in »
« Jessica »
« Specter — please, have a seat »
« Is this going to take long? I just finished a twenty-four-hour shift and I want to go home »
« Don’t worry. I just wanted to let you know that your intern starts on Monday »
« My intern? »
« Yes. Your intern, Harvey »
« Jessica, I thought we had an agreement. I teach at Harvard Medical School, but I’m not taking any more interns. These last two years, I’ve only had incompetent ones who slowed me down and were a real pain in the ass. I don’t want one, got it? »
« Harvey, this isn’t up for discussion — your intern starts on Monday. Now go on, it looks like your shift has worn you out, right? »
Seeing Jessica go about her work as if he’d already left, Harvey stood with a sigh and headed out — first to the locker room, then home. It was only noon, so he changed clothes, poured himself a few glasses of Macallan 18, and fell asleep until his alarm rang just a few hours later, and he swapped his light gray sweatpants for black dress trousers and a simple white shirt, spritzed on his Hermès cologne, and made his way to a trendy bar in downtown Boston, scanning the crowd for a pretty girl. That night — like many nights when he was alone — he went home with someone, had intense, unforgettable sex, then came back to his place, showered to erase every trace of her, and poured himself one last drink before crashing into bed. His days off followed a pattern: spending time with Mike, rewatching games he’d missed, working out, running through the city, and eventually ending up in a stranger’s sheets. His life outside the hospital boiled down to this — and for now, he liked it. Alternating between whiskey and sex helped him sleep, helped him forget the unease that clung to him like a second skin, almost as effective as a twenty-four-hour shift. But even in that fragile balance, something was already off, as the incoming intern — arriving Monday — was giving him a headache. So, as planned, he stopped by Jessica’s office first as the brunette looked up and smirked when he walked in. In a second, Harvey sighed and dropped into the chair across from her, slumping back as if bracing for impact.
« Come on — tell me everything »
« Donna Paulsen, fourth year at Yale School of Medicine »
« Yale? » snorted Harvey.
« Yeah »
« I thought you only took students from Harvard Medical School »
« Yeah, but this one is special, really talented — you’ll see »
« Alright » sighed the surgeon.
Seeing that her protégé was about to leave the office, a look of quiet despair on his face, the brunette called his name — her voice firm, yet soft, with just a hint of teasing.
« And Harvey? »
« What? »
« Don't have sex with her »
« What am I? An animal? » chuckled the man.
« Just... leave that poor girl alone »
Intrigued by Jessica’s last suggestion, Harvey headed to the locker room, swapping his baggy jeans and plain white T-shirt for his scrubs — the sleeves hugging his biceps just enough to draw attention — as he made his way to the central station in the cardiology unit and reached behind the counter to grab one of the tablets. Just as his fingers closed around it, he felt a hand on his shoulder and turning his head, he saw a familiar face.
« Specter, hey »
« How's it going, Alex? »
« Great — did you get some rest during your time off? »
« Yeah... but I feel like it’ll be no use » sighed Harvey.
« Why do you say that? »
« Fucking intern today »
« Ah »
« Ah, indeed »
« Good luck, dude »
« Thanks »
Just as he was about to open his patient list to review the cases of those who would be operated on and the follow-ups for the day, he heard a soft, enchanting voice behind him.
« Professor Specter? »
Turning quickly, Harvey swallowed hard as he saw the young woman in front of him. Tall, with mesmerizing brown-green doe eyes, red hair tied in a low bun, and a face dotted with subtle freckles with a small, perfect mouth and fine, straight nose only added to her striking beauty. If he had lost the ability to speak for a fraction of a second in the face of such beauty, he cleared his throat and finally murmured.
« Yes? »
« I’m Donna Paulsen. The fucking intern »
As she looked at him with an unreadable expression, Harvey swallowed hard before whispering softly.
« Sorry, I didn't mean to — »
« Oh please, of course you did, but it's fine. Should we see the patients for today? »
Normally, Harvey never apologized, and he never let anyone talk back to him either, but this time, the intern hadn’t simply nodded and moved on as she should have. Instead, she quickly disagreed with what he said and kept going, not wanting to linger on it. Her calmness and rigor stirred something in him — something he couldn’t quite name, to the point where he wasn’t sure what was happening inside him. But unwilling to question it or try to understand, he cleared his throat once more and murmured.
« Sure — let’s do it »
As he turned back to lean against the central station counter, tablet in hand, he felt his intern step up beside him, her slender, freckled arm brushing lightly against his muscular one, and the delicious scent of her perfume filling his senses, making his head spin just a little. Though briefly distracted by her, Harvey felt Donna turn toward him, and he mirrored her movement as their faces were now just inches apart, and for a moment, he found himself lost in her eyes. While he struggled to refocus, his intern remained composed, leaning in slightly as she murmured.
« First patient? »
« Yeah, sure, of course — uh… Mark O. Carter, 64 years old, suspected severe aortic valve stenosis with exertional dyspnea, intermittent angina, and effort-induced syncope… you following so far? »
« I’m a fourth-year med student — of course I’m following. What does his transthoracic echocardiogram show? »
« Sure, yeah — well, calcified and immobile aortic valve, valve area estimated at 0.7 cm², mean gradient: 53 mmHg »
« And his chest CT? » murmured Donna , leaning in a little closer to the tablet — and therefore, to him.
« Dilated ascending aorta at 42 mm, no dissection or aneurysm »
« So, surgical indication confirmed for an aortic valve replacement »
Faced with her sharpness and the way she anticipated his questions, Harvey couldn’t help but be impressed. Most interns didn’t dare speak up — or when they did, they completely missed the mark — but Donna hit every point with quick, relevant questions, making it clear she was, indeed, different — and as talented as Jessica had promised. As his attention drifted again to the delicate pale skin of her bare neck, he was snapped back to reality when she tapped the screen and he whispered, almost without thinking.
« Aortic valve replacement, indeed. Let’s aim to schedule it for today »
« Alright — next one? »
For another ten minutes or so, Harvey and his intern reviewed the day’s patients before attending the morning meeting with the cardiology team to discuss the events of the night. Afterward, they began their rounds to gather the first updates of the day and throughout the morning, Harvey watched as Donna charmed everyone around her — reassuring, social, and genuinely kind. While she clicked effortlessly with the staff on the floor, Harvey noticed something more: she was hardworking, fast-talking, confident, and, above all, impressive. Somewhere between observing her handling patients and managing the staff with grace, Harvey realized something surprising. He was beginning to appreciate strong, independent women — not the ones who fell for his charm and ended up in his bed, but the ones who didn’t need him at all — like the beautiful redhead. The way she carried herself was flawless — assertive but never overstepping, respecting the hierarchy while treating everyone as equals. She listened intently, learned quickly, yet never hesitated to share her perspective, always with respect. For the first time, Harvey felt as though he actually had a competent intern and once the rounds with the post-op patients and those scheduled for surgery were finished, he and Donna headed to the OR to prep for the operation, which would last nearly three and a half hours. As soon as they were alone in the sterile antechamber, Harvey could already feel himself distracted by her perfume as he hesitated, almost tempted to ask her to stop wearing it, just so he wouldn’t be tempted to press his lips against her neck. But as his mind shifted from the scent to the sight of her long, delicate limbs, he realized it was her presence itself that was throwing him off. Watching her rub the soap block over her arms and hands, between her slender fingers, Harvey never thought such a simple gesture could turn him on so much. Wanting to break the tension, Harvey murmured, feeling the weight of the intimate moment hanging between them.
« Are you comfortable in the OR? »
« I’m not afraid of blood, if that's your question » chuckled the redhead .
« That's already a good thing, then »
Quickly, the two of them finished getting ready and entered the operating room, scrubbing in with the help of the nurses before gathering around the patient. Once everything was in place, Harvey seized the opportunity, now that everyone was in position, to begin his briefing.
« Alright, we’re ready to start. I’ll quickly go over the key points. Today’s patient, Mark O. Carter, 64 years old, severe aortic valve stenosis with moderate ventricular function. We have a 23 mm bioprosthesis ready, and we’ll be proceeding with a mini-invasive incision to the right of the sternum, aiming to minimize postoperative pain and reduce recovery time. We’re targeting 32°C for the body temperature. Team, I need everyone very focused during this procedure. We have a smaller access, so visibility will be reduced. The operation will take about 3 hours. I’ll cut into the thoracic cavity, and we plan to achieve rapid myocardial ischemia reduction with extracorporeal circulation. We also need to monitor for any risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation and potential complications with the aorta. Any questions before we begin? »
As everyone shook their heads, signaling no questions, Harvey quickly reiterated the team’s roles, assigning Donna to handle the instruments during the surgery and with that, they dove in. For the next three hours, Harvey guided the team with clear, precise instructions, almost forgetting about the beautiful intern by his side. In the meantime, Donna anticipated every one of his needs, perfectly fulfilling her role without ever overstepping, remaining the ideal assistant throughout the entire operation until they were done.
« Alright, the procedure went well. The valve was replaced without major complications. I’ll start closing, but I’d like you to take charge of closing the thoracic cavity, Miss Paulsen. I’m sure you have the necessary experience for this, but I’ll guide you through it, of course. So, you’ll begin with the internal layers, first the pleura, then the intercostal muscles that you — »
As Harvey was about to dictate the next step of the procedure to Donna, he watched in quiet awe as she made precise, tight sutures, ensuring the edges of the muscle and skin were perfectly aligned while she worked faster than his instructions, closing the incision flawlessly. Her dexterity with the instruments and thread impressed him, though he held back from offering a compliment — after all, his reputation had to be maintained. Once the surgery was finished, he and Donna exited the operating room as Harvey, convinced that for the first time in his career, he would spend his lunch break in good company, was surprised to see the redhead pull out her phone and murmur softly to herself.
« TAVI at one? »
« Sure »
« Alright, see you professor »
In the blink of an eye, she disappeared down the hall, leaving Harvey speechless as he watched her walk away. Her scrub-clad figure, with its bouncy, confident stride, had a way of commanding his attention. He quickly snapped back to reality and headed to the cafeteria for a coffee before returning to the operating quarters until, as planned, Donna was waiting outside the correct OR, reviewing the notes she’d taken. She looked up as she heard him approaching, offering him a smile that was both charming and professional as they quickly got to work, prepping for the second procedure of the day. For the rest of the day, Harvey had Donna join him in the office to fill out postoperative reports and attend the interdisciplinary meeting with the cardiologists, anesthesiologists, and imaging staff. After discussing the most complex cases, the two of them went back to the ICU, checking on the patients from the day’s surgeries and discussing the cases with the night team, leaving instructions for overnight monitoring. As the day wound down and 6 p.m. approached, Harvey and Donna walked down the hallway toward the locker rooms, the weight of the day’s intensity hanging in the air, as Harvey hesitated before speaking softly.
« Um, I wanted to congratulate you for today, you did really well. And sorry again for this morning, it’s just that usually, my interns are shitty, more of a pain than anything else »
« Well, you'll see. I’m not like the others… But you’ll have six weeks to find that out »
As she murmured the last words, stepping away from him and walking backward toward the women’s locker room, Harvey watched her with a mix of admiration and curiosity. There was a glimmer in her eyes — was it flirtation, or was she simply naturally alluring? He couldn’t tell. With a final glance, she disappeared down the hall, leaving Harvey to make his way toward the men’s locker room, her face lingering in his mind. About twenty minutes later, as he was about to leave for the night, he saw her in the distance. Her wide-leg jeans hugged her bouncy ass perfectly, a fluffy olive-green cardigan draped across her body to ward off the evening chill with her hair blew gently in the wind as she spoke into her phone. God, she was beautiful. It threw him off, making him realize just how complicated the next six weeks were going to be. By the second day, Harvey and Donna were back at it, working from six in the morning until six in the evening, returning home exhausted but enriched with knowledge and experience, as days passed, and Harvey found himself becoming less indifferent to the redhead’s charm. He allowed himself to linger a bit longer in her eyes when their gazes crossed in the operating room — her large doe-like eyes, highlighted by her surgical cap and mask, drew him in more than he cared to admit. The rotation, however, continued at its steady pace, and so did his internal battle.
« Goodnight, professor »
« You can call me, Harvey »
« I won’t do that » smiled Donna.
« Why not? » chuckled the surgeon.
« Because I’m your intern and intern don’t do that »
« Well, like you said, you’re not like others. And consider yourself lucky since you’re my only intern, so you’re the only one who can call me Harvey »
« I’ll think about it. But only if you stop with Miss Paulsen and call me Donna »
« Well, I wanted to ask you — Donna — if you were interested in doing two night shifts with me Thursday and Friday? »
« Sure, yeah »
« Alright. So take your day off tomorrow and by ready for that, then »
« Of course. See you… Harvey »
After a final smile, Donna walked away, leaving Harvey to swallow hard, a strange sensation stirring within him. He realized, with surprising clarity, that those two nights shifts with her was likely to be complicated — and undeniably tempting. Though he was accustomed to working alone, Harvey found that spending every day with Donna, especially for such long hours, brought him an unexpected serenity. It also pushed him to be his best — not for the usual reasons, but because, as an individual, he genuinely wanted to teach and help. He no longer sought to reassure the broken parts of himself, instead, he felt driven by something deeper. Hours later, as his day off stretched out endlessly, when he arrived just before seven in the evening and spotted Donna from afar in the parking lot, a sudden urgency stirred inside him as he hurried toward her, feeling like a teenager with his first crush — running after her, almost unable to contain the anticipation.
« Donna, hey! »
« Harvey — so? Ready for the night? »
« I am, yeah — what about you? »
« I’ve got coffee, so that's already something » giggled Donna.
« Yeah, you're right — I didn’t have time to grab one before coming »
« Here, take mine, it's not much but it's something »
« Oh, you don't have to »
« It's fine, here »
As Donna handed him the cup, she disappeared into the women’s locker room, leaving Harvey frozen in place. He stood there, holding the Starbucks cup, clearly surprised because, knowing Donna, she’d done this purely out of kindness, with no ulterior motive, but as he stared at the faint lipstick mark on the edge of the cup, he swallowed hard. He could easily take the top off and drink straight from the cup, but the idea of placing his lips where hers had been tempted him more than he'd imagined. In an instant, he gave in, pressing his mouth to the edge of the cup. The still-warm, sweet liquid filled his mouth, and he could taste a faint aftertaste of lipstick… definitely the best coffee he’d ever had. At exactly seven o’clock, both of them were in the department, starting with a handover meeting with the day team before beginning the rounds on the postoperative patients. After monitoring for any complications, Donna and Harvey hurried to update patient records, writing clinical notes and preparing for the surgeries scheduled for the next day. Harvey, who usually followed after the interns since their work was rarely done properly, had blind trust in Donna as he wasn’t sure if it was because he had fallen under her charm or because she had proven time and again that she was fully capable. Either way, he felt confident with her at his side. The evening had been calm, but at exactly eleven o'clock, they were bleeped for an emergency clot removal as both ran through the hospital corridors, adrenaline coursing through their veins. After about an hour and a half, they found themselves alone at the control desk in the cardiology ward with all the patients were asleep, the floor bathed in dim light, illuminated only by a few ceiling spotlights. The night nurses were on break and with the calm settling in as it was time to finally talk and get to know each other — well, at least, that was Harvey’s hope — as he cleared his throat and softly murmured.
« You know, Donna, I think I'm starting to understand why Jessica wanted to assign you as my intern. I thought I’d never get someone competent, but you... you really managed to surprise me »
« That’s kind of you. But I think you surprised me more by actually letting me manage things. Normally, surgeons tend to control everything » snorted the redhead.
« I don’t like to do that, but you’re the exception. I’m not sure if it’s because you impress me, or... if it’s something else — anyway, are you interested in cardiac surgery? »
As Harvey realized he might have gone too far, he quickly shifted gears, steering the conversation toward something lighter, hoping it would give them a chance to exchange a bit more while a small, knowing smile crossed his face as he glanced at Donna, trying to keep the mood relaxed and open.
« Well, without offending you, cardiac surgery is very interesting, but I want to do pediatrics »
« Pediatrics? Why? »
« Because I love children. I love the idea of helping people who will later grow up to be accomplished adults, and maybe, just maybe, it could be partially because of me. And then, there’s that innocence and playful strength that care takes on — it’s not just medical, there’s a bit of acting, magic, showmanship — you know? »
« Yeah, I see »
« What about you? Cardiac surgery? It's pretty prestigious »
« Well... I had planned on being a lawyer, I thought it was prestigious, but when it came time to send my application to college, my dad passed away from a heart attack, and I decided to dedicate my career to him. I mean, those doctors couldn’t save my dad that night, and it destroyed my life, but I hope I can maybe change things for another kid »
As he shared this, his eyes fixed straight ahead, Harvey realized it was the first time he had explained the real reason behind his career choice. No one else, except Mike and Jessica, knew about it, yet with Donna, he felt so comfortable that he could tell her everything. After a few seconds in silence, the redhead whispered.
« I’m sorry, Harvey »
« It’s fine. It’s been seventeen years »
He didn’t want anyone to pity him, because even though it had been almost two decades, it still hurt, but seeing Donna remain perfect as always, she didn’t push further, simply murmuring.
« That’s noble, anyway »
« Yeah — what about you? You're from Yale, what are you doing at Massachusetts General Hospital? Shouldn't you be at Yale New Haven Hospital? »
« I should, yeah, but my parents are in Hartford, and they need me, so I asked to do my last-year rotations here in Boston »
« What about after? »
« My residency in pediatrics? »
« Yeah »
« I think I’ll stay here in Boston »
« Good »
« Good? » smirked Donna.
« Yeah... I mean... We have a really good pediatric department, and you know... it could be good for you »
Seeing Harvey stumble over his words, she chuckled before squeezing his forearm and murmuring softly.
« Hey, I’m just kidding — so, tell me, you're from Boston too? »
« I grew up in Riverside before my parents moved to Boston, and since my dad passed away here, I decided to stay »
« What about your mom? » muttered Donna .
For a few moments, the room fell into silence as Harvey hadn’t expected the turn in the conversation. Talking about his father was one thing, but his mother… that was much more complicated. As Donna realized she might have gone too far and was likely about to apologize, Harvey interrupted her, his voice hesitant.
« My mom and I don’t... get along very well. The truth is, we haven’t spoken in almost twenty-five years »
« I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked »
« No, no, it’s fine, really. It’s just that, even though my dad wasn’t exactly the best definition of a good father, he was my role model — I loved him. And then one day, I saw my mom cheat on my dad and break his heart, and since then, I just can’t forgive her... makes me sound like a horrible person, huh? »
As he laughed nervously, fiddling with his fingers, Donna gently squeezed his forearm again as her voice was soft and sincere while she looked at him with warmth in her eyes. Her touch lingered for a brief moment, offering a quiet reassurance that, and for once, Harvey didn’t feel the need to hide behind his usual bravado as she whispered.
« You’re anything but horrible, Harvey »
« Really? You must have heard the rumors about me »
« That you’re arrogant, self-absorbed, a blowhard who thought he was the smartest person in the room? Yes, I did, but I think it’s better to make your own opinion, and I’m glad I didn’t listen to the others — you’re a good person, Harvey »
At that moment, they could have easily jumped into each other’s arms, the vulnerability of the moment making it feel right, but before either of them could act on it, they were interrupted by a second emergency — an aortic dissection. The next few hours were spent checking on postoperative patients and running through morning rounds with the day team until by exactly seven o’clock, their shifts were over, and as they walked across the parking lot, a quiet tension lingered between them. They stopped, facing each other, both sensing that something had shifted that night, though neither knew how to articulate it. It was Donna who broke the silence, her voice soft yet carrying a weight that was almost palpable.
« See you tomorrow night? »
« Sure — sleep well, Donna »
« You too, Harvey »
That evening, both of them fell into a peaceful sleep, eagerly anticipating the next night shift — a chance to learn a little more about each other. As always, just before seven o'clock, they crossed paths in the hospital parking lot as Donna handed him the last of her coffee, a quiet gesture that had become a small ritual between them and they spent the night chatting about everything and nothing — both trivial and profound. Their conversation was interrupted by a few emergencies, but they always found their way back to the cardiology service control room, talking in the dim light, surrounded by the soft hum of monitors. Again, both of them felt at ease, in their element, as if they could talk about anything and everything, forgetting the hierarchy that existed between them — she was just an intern, and he was her superior — yet, in that moment, it felt like those roles didn’t matter. As the hours passed, their bodies grew closer, and their conversations became more intimate until by the end of the meeting with the day team, they exchanged their usual goodbyes, both heading home for the night. Donna celebrated the halfway point of her internship with a restful night, while Harvey continued to question the changes happening within him, especially when it came to the redhead. As they resumed their daily shifts, growing closer with each passing day, Harvey couldn’t ignore the feelings that had begun to develop — he was falling for his intern. It was something he hadn’t expected — discovering new emotions and sensations that were still unfamiliar to him. The calmness of being alone with her, the jealousy that stirred when a patient flirted with her, the way his heart raced when she laughed at his jokes, and the butterflies that formed when she looked up in the operating room to meet his gaze. Despite everything — despite the undeniable connection they shared — Harvey convinced himself that nothing would change, they would finish the internship as they had started — as strangers. But fate had other plans and as Harvey saw her walking toward the bus stop one evening, something inside him shifted. Without thinking, he hurried after her, calling out her name.
« Hey, Donna! »
« Harvey? »
« You taking the bus? »
« I do, yeah »
« You don’t have a car? »
« Well, I’m a med student, I’m kinda broke » chuckled Donna.
« Come on, I’ll give you a ride »
« Harvey, it’s fine, I’ll — »
« It’s not a question. Come on »
A bit hesitant, Donna finally agreed, and they both made their way to the car. As they walked, she silently prayed not to be seen, not wanting to be labeled as the intern who was more than just an assistant to her supervising doctor. Once inside the car, she gave him her address, and Harvey started the engine of his large black SUV, pulling onto the road toward her small apartment. As they drove, the conversation flowed effortlessly, touching on everything and nothing — the shift in their dynamic now that they weren’t in the hospital anymore. Despite the age gap — twenty-seven for the redhead, thirty-five for the surgeon — Harvey found himself increasingly drawn to how mature she was, how well they matched on so many levels. The evening air seemed to shift with each mile they drove, their lighthearted chatter revealing a new layer of connection as Harvey hadn’t expected to feel this comfortable, this at ease with her outside the sterile walls of the hospital. As they pulled up to the bottom of her building, Donna turned to him, her face softening into a smile while she hesitated for a moment, then softly murmured.
« Thanks for giving me a ride »
« You're welcome — it's definitely better than the bus, huh? » chuckled Harvey.
« Definitely better » giggled Donna.
« Can I pick you up tomorrow morning? »
« I don't know… »
« Look, think about it and let me know, alright? »
« Sure, yeah »
« Good — well, see you tomorrow? »
« See you tomorrow »
As she kissed him on the cheek unconsciously, realizing that Harvey was still her supervisor and not a friend, she froze as their cheeks brushed again, the redhead shocked at having done it without thinking, while Harvey was taken aback by the gesture. As she murmured a timid sorry, she slowly moved back to her seat, her face now just a few inches away from Harvey, while the surgeon could no longer resist. In a split second, he slid his hand along his intern's jaw, pressing his mouth against hers before sighing contentedly, the taste of her lips making his head spin. While Donna knew she should end this right away, the kiss was so good that she couldn't even pull away, letting him lead the way as he devoured her mouth. As it grew hotter and hotter, their tongues battling passionately, the moment she felt Harvey's hand slide under her shirt to caress the pale skin of her hip, she pulled away abruptly, muttering against his lips.
« Harvey, don’t »
« What? »
« Don’t »
« Why? »
As he looked desperate, still dropping soft kisses on her lips as best as he could, his eyes still closed, Donna reluctantly pulled away before running her fingers through her hair and murmuring softly.
« Because I don’t want to be the intern who has sex with her attending to pass her rotation »
« You know very well that’s not what you are »
« Of course I do, but the others don’t know that... I don’t want to give them anything to talk about. I worked too hard for that »
Without waiting for a response from him, she looked at him sadly before getting out of the car and disappearing into her building. As he expected, she didn’t ask him to pick her up, and the two of them found themselves in scrubs at exactly seven in the cardiology department and if they thought it would be awkward after the kiss, both of them pretended that everything was fine, staying professional. But more than that, their closeness had evolved them into something more than just an intern and a doctor over time, as the days of the internship continued until they reached the final week and, hurtfully, the final day. When they were called in for an emergency, they both rushed to the operating room and although it was usually the nurses who helped him with the sterile dressing, seeing that everyone was busy preparing the patient and the equipment, he heard Donna whisper.
« Come here »
Barely face to face, she approached a bit more and helped him slip the gown over his scrubs, both arms in the sleeves, sliding her hands behind his neck to fasten it at the back before working on the sort of belt on the disposable gown around his waist, their bodies now brushing against each other and their mouths mere inches apart. As they could feel the warm breath blowing on each other's faces, Harvey murmured softly.
« My turn now »
Barely separated, Harvey grabbed another disposable gown before helping Donna in turn, dreaming of sliding his hands down to her hips and placing his lips on hers again. Only, before they could even be tempted, they were brought back to reality when one of the nurses indicated they were ready. In the end, the surgery went very well despite the tension in the room every time their eyes met, to the point where Donna had to take deep breaths to steady her slightly trembling hands while doing her sutures. After nearly an hour, the two of them found themselves on the cardiology floor, Donna in the stock room, and Harvey, making sure no one saw him, slipped in right behind her, murmuring softly as soon as they were alone.
« Hey, you need help? »
« I’m looking for an infusion set, sterile gloves, dressings, and sterile gauze »
« Wait — here... here... and here »
As Harvey handed everything to Donna, the redhead smiled and thanked him, finding herself slightly trapped between his muscular body and the wall as the surgeon placed his hand just behind her to lean on it, then spoke in a soft voice.
« It's your last week »
« It is.. yeah »
« Aren’t you too sad? Because I am, you know » smiled Harvey.
« You are? » chuckled Donna.
« Yeah, you were a great intern »
« Maybe the next one will be good too, who knows? »
« Oh, there won’t be a next one… »
« Why not? »
« Nobody’s gonna do better than you… and I’d rather leave on a good memory »
As their bodies hovered just inches apart, the tension between them thickened as Donna let out a soft sigh, a bittersweet smile tugging at the corner of her lips, while Harvey bit his lower lip slightly, clearly holding back — whether it was words or something else, she wasn’t sure. Outside the door, the hospital bustled with life, the world continuing on around them, but inside the stock room, time seemed suspended. They should’ve been back out there — rounds to do, files to complete, a team waiting — but neither could seem to take that next step, not yet. In just a few hours, Donna would be done — her last rotation, her last shift, her last time with him — and neither of them knew if they’d ever be in the same place at the same time again. As they moved closer, the door suddenly burst open, forcing the doctor and his intern to separate abruptly and return to their tasks. The minutes seemed to drag on, growing increasingly painful as the end of their shift crept dangerously closer and at exactly seven p.m., both of them left the ward to head toward the locker rooms. While Donna usually waited for him or they crossed paths on the way out, tonight she was nowhere to be seen. Harvey waited nearly an hour, sitting on the bench, hoping to catch one last glimpse of her but she was nowhere to be seen. That night, he went out to a bar, spotted a stranger, and ended up at her place as he spent part of the night in intense, mechanic act, trying to pour out all his frustration, anger, and sadness into his movements. Later, he stumbled home and downed three glasses of whiskey before falling asleep — a first in nearly six weeks.
« Good evening »
« Good evening, Miss »
Meanwhile, Donna stepped off the bus, nodding politely to the driver before walking toward her apartment, wiping away a stray tear that had escaped despite her best efforts. The entire ride home, her mind had been consumed by the whirlwind of the past six weeks. She had fallen in love with her attending — like something straight out of a sappy romance novel — and for a brief moment, she had let herself dream. But, of course, it had been too good to be true. He was handsome, perfect, charming, funny, talented, and carried himself with such confidence that falling for him had been effortless. And she? Just an intern, nearly ten years younger, who had let herself get swept up in the moment. How many times had people heard that kind of story? Far too many. So, she made a decision: to focus on what truly mattered — her studies, her future — even if thinking about Harvey still stung from time to time. As soon as her rotation ended, she packed up the small apartment she’d been renting, channeling all her energy into her residency applications — writing them carefully, obsessively — before sending them out to the programs that mattered: Boston Children’s Hospital, Cambridge Hospital, and, of course, Massachusetts General Hospital. She already knew where she wanted to go. Not just because it was one of the top hospitals in the country — though it was — but because, deep down, a part of her hoped she’d run into him again someday. Just… maybe not while he was shamelessly flirting with a new intern. For days, Donna was a ball of nerves, checking her inbox more times than she cared to admit. Then, the moment finally came — the email she had been waiting for.
Dear Dr. Paulsen,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into the Pediatric Residency Program at Massachusetts General Hospital . Congratulations on this achievement!
Your application was thoroughly reviewed, and we were impressed by your qualifications, experience, and dedication to pediatrics. We are excited to welcome you to our program, where we are confident you will continue to develop your skills and make meaningful contributions to our team.
That was it. She had done it. A few months after earning her medical degree, Donna was finally settling down in Boston, where she would spend the next three years as a pediatric resident before officially becoming a practicing physician. The journey had been long and challenging, but now that she had made it, it felt deeply fulfilling. With her heart pounding in her chest, she walked toward the hospital for her first official day — nearly five months after she had last set foot inside Massachusetts General. As she stepped through the doors, it didn’t take long for her to feel the familiar warmth of the team’s welcome. Her natural kindness and easygoing nature immediately earned her the respect of her new colleagues as it was a new beginning, and Donna felt ready to embrace the challenge. Hours later, just as she was about to leave the hospital at the end of her first shift, a nurse called out to her, halting her in her tracks.
« Doctor Paulsen. One moment, please »
« Clarisse? Is everything alright? »
« Sure, yeah — we just forgot to give you this this morning. It was already on the counter at the central station when the day shift arrived. Apparently, it’s for you »
« Oh — hum... thank you »
As the redhead took the bouquet — the biggest, most breathtaking arrangement of red roses she had ever seen — she noticed a small note tucked between the flowers. Intrigued, she gently pulled it out, her fingers trembling slightly as she unfolded the paper. The moment she saw the familiar boyish handwriting, her heart skipped a beat — she hadn't expected this.
You did, indeed, leave a good memory, so good that I haven’t been able to forget you, no matter how much time has passed.
You’re not my intern anymore, so if you’re still interested… we could grab a coffee together.
I know I am… In fact, that's all I’ve been waiting for.
Call me. I’m desperate. – H
After reading it a few times, she stood there, the card trembling in her fingers, her lips parted slightly in surprise, overwhelmed by a rush of emotion — disbelief, joy, longing… hope. He hadn’t forgotten about her, just as she had never forgotten about him. As the night shift team began their rounds, she rushed out of the pediatric unit, hoping to catch a glimpse of him in the hospital parking lot — even if it meant waiting an hour on the bench. With each step she took, she realized more and more that her presence here wasn’t just about professional growth, it was about him, too. She wasn’t just chasing a career, she was chasing the possibility of something real.
And God, she couldn’t wait to see him again.