Chapter Text
Donna was focused.
She had been working on this report for nearly an hour and a half now — an internal disciplinary report concerning a young officer who had gotten a little too confident during an arrest, forcing the redhead to document protocol violations, excessive use of force, insubordination, and operational mistakes. As a second-grade sergeant (and, above all, one of the unit’s most exemplary employees), this kind of report was routine for her and although many people disliked her for it, Donna remained focused, determined to make it home on time for once.
At twenty-eight years old, the redhead had climbed the ranks quickly, earning the nickname of the NYPD’s prodigy.
Barely out of college, she had been accepted into Yale’s criminal psychology program, graduating at the top of her class, securing an early internship with the NYPD, and already building an intimidating reputation. Then, at twenty-one, she entered the police academy, shattering every score in firearms training, procedures, law, negotiation, and tactics. During her first years in the field, every report she wrote was flawless and earned praise for her analytical abilities.
However, at twenty-four, after brilliantly handling a major sensitive case, the redhead became well known throughout the department, which led to a fast-tracked promotion — and because of her exceptional abilities, her boss personally pushed for her transfer into the Organized Crime Division. And so, now seated in her office, dressed in her typical sergeant’s uniform — fitted navy-blue pants, a matching shirt, the NYPD patch on her sleeve beside her rank insignia, various badges pinned to her chest, and her small tie — the redhead suddenly paused when she heard a male voice.
« Paulsen? »
« Yes? »
« Pearson wants to see you »
« Alright »
As soon as she saved her document, she stood up and walked through the neon-lit hallways to the far end, where she spotted the older woman seated at her desk. As she motioned for her to sit across from her, she complied, looking at the brunette with a curious expression.
« How can I help you, Chief? »
« I need you for an assignment »
« Of course. What’s it about? »
« We’re waiting for your partner »
« My partn... »
« …What’s up, Chief? »
No way.
Donna didn’t even need to turn around to know who was standing behind her, and within a fraction of a second she closed her eyes, praying to every god on Earth that she was mistaken, that she had imagined it. But even before she dared glance over her shoulder, only a few seconds were enough to confirm her fears.
« Paulsen »
And just like that, she sighed before turning around, seeing her worst nightmare standing before her. There, leaning against the doorframe in navy-blue cargo pants, a bomber jacket bearing NYPD patches, his gun still attached to his belt, and his hands buried in his pockets, stood her nemesis — Harvey Specter.
Though he seemed just as dismayed as she was at the prospect of being in the same room together, Jessica Pearson wasted no time motioning for the young man to sit beside her as both of them fixed their attention on the brunette as she began speaking, placing a file in front of them.
« Cape May. New Jersey »
« I already hate that place » Harvey sighed.
« For the last eighteen months, several shipments have been coming through the port without official inspections. We suspect money and drug trafficking, and either the local police are incompetent... or compromised »
While Donna had already opened the file and was quickly reviewing the notes with her usual seriousness and methodical approach, Harvey slouched further into his chair, sighing and letting his head fall to one side, giving the file only a brief glance as though annoyed to even be there while Pearson continued his explanation.
« The problem is that this town operates like a family. Everybody knows everybody, and outsiders are noticed immediately. A federal task force would scare off the entire network within forty-eight hours »
« So what? We infiltrate the port? » Harvey asked.
Pearson gave a faint smile, the kind of smile that always signaled disaster as Donna grimaced, already realizing she probably wasn’t going to like where this was headed. But seeing that Harvey still hadn’t quite caught on, Pearson straightened up and spoke in a firm yet professional tone.
« No. You’re going to move there. Long-term undercover assignment, rented house, new identities, slightly nosy neighbors — the full package »
« With who? »
At the way Harvey furrowed his brow, Pearson calmly folded his hands together and then, as if it were the most normal thing in the world, said softly.
« Together. You and Paulsen »
A silence so heavy filled the room that one could almost hear Harvey reevaluating every decision he had ever made in his life. Then, after a few seconds, Donna spoke first, a hint of despair in her voice.
« Absolutely not »
« Me and Miss Procedure? I’d rather resign, Chief »
« All this for what? So I can write reports about him every five minutes? »
« I’m not going. No chance »
« Neither am I »
While the two of them argued against their chief’s decision without even looking at each other, Jessica Pearson didn’t wait. Without allowing them to continue, she professionally ignored their complaints and spoke with a trace of irritation.
« You’ll keep your first names, but you’ll be Donna and Harvey Bennett, newlyweds who left New York for a fresh start, looking to build a future with maybe one day children and all that kind of nonsense. You move in on Sunday »
« Are you serious? »
« Chief, with all due respect… » Donna started.
« Sergeant Paulsen. With all due respect, you and Detective Specter are the two best officers I have, and unfortunately for you, your skills complement each other perfectly »
« We hate each other » Harvey gasped.
« I know. And if you can survive eight weeks of fake marriage without killing each other, this… maybe cartel probably won’t scare you »
And just like that, she stood up, ending the conversation while Harvey and Donna remained speechless as she left them alone in the office. After a few seconds, the redhead rested her elbows on the desk and buried her face in her hands, muttering through clenched teeth, while Harvey stood with a sigh.
« So? How are we handling this? »
« What do you mean? You’re not actually going to accept this, are you? »
« I don’t really have a choice »
« Of course you do »
« No, I don’t. Need I remind you that I have several reports on file — including one you so kindly wrote about me? If I refuse, I know exactly what Pearson will say: Cape May or a desk job. And there’s no way I’m rotting behind a desk »
« This isn’t just about you and me. How do you expect us to pull off this mission if we can’t stand each other? We’re just going to ruin the whole thing »
« Well, Pearson thinks it’ll work, and I trust the boss »
« Great… »
« Hey, come on, Paulsen. I’m not any more excited than you are, but we don’t have a choice »
And just like that, because she knew he was right, she grabbed the file from the table and left the office to return to her own, while Harvey sighed and headed toward the locker room.
They only had three days left and even though neither of them really wanted to take on this assignment, their chief hadn’t given them much of a choice, and they both knew they had to study. So as soon as they got home, they began reading their files and memorizing a life that looked nothing like the one they were actually living.
Donna and Harvey Bennett, married for nearly six months at the Worcester courthouse. The young man’s parents were Teresa and Richard Bennett, while the redhead’s parents were Amy and Anthony O’Connor. They had met at Yale, where he studied law and she studied theater, falling in love at first sight. They had moved into a small apartment in Queens as soon as they graduated but recently, Harvey had quit his job, and as the couple made plans for the future, they decided to start over somewhere new.
As Saturday approached and the two of them were expected at the office for a final briefing with Jessica, Harvey was still at home, coffee in hand, reviewing some documents when he heard a knock at the door. Curious, he dropped everything onto the kitchen island and headed to the entrance, revealing Mike standing there with a knowing grin.
« Hey, you »
« What are you doing here, Mike? »
« I haven’t heard from my best friend in almost a week. I’m allowed to worry, right? »
« Well, you’d better get used to it because I’m going away for a while »
« What? Undercover assignment? »
« Yeah » Harvey sighed.
« How long? »
« I don’t know, but it’ll be several weeks, maybe months »
« Damn… And it’s for… »
As Mike walked over to the kitchen island and grabbed the file, he immediately burst out laughing while flipping through the pages, shaking his head as he spoke, an idiotic grin never leaving his face.
« No way »
« Not a word »
« You’re going on a mission with Donna Paulsen? THE Donna Paulsen? The sexy redhead who drives you crazy? »
« She’s not that sexy »
« Not with me, alright? The few times we ran into her at the bar downstairs from the precinct, I saw you making eyes at her and checking her out all night. You couldn’t stop looking at her. So yeah, you decided to act like an idiot to get her attention, it backfired, she wrote you up, and ever since then you’ve pretended to hate her. But I’m your best friend — I can see how you completely lose your composure whenever she walks into a room »
« You’re talking nonsense… »
« You know I’m not. So? What’s the plan? »
« We’re supposed to play a married couple with baby plans and all that crap in some town where we suspect there’s a drug trafficking operation »
« Marriage? A baby? Pearson lost her mind… »
« Looks that way, yeah »
« And why do you have files on her? »
As Mike flipped through the pages — old reports written by the redhead, her service records, her commendations — Harvey stepped forward and snatched the file from his hands, slightly embarrassed. Quickly, the blond chuckled, respecting a brief silence before stepping closer to his best friend and speaking softly.
« Hey, don’t be embarrassed. It’s me. I won’t tell her »
« It’s just that… as annoying as she is, she’s also… brilliant »
« She is. I know you two aren’t exactly close, but if there’s one person in that precinct who can make this mission a complete success, it’s her. Besides, did you know she’s also a theater actress? She’ll play the role perfectly »
« How do you know that? » Harvey chuckled.
« She’s Rachel’s best friend. And unlike you, who’s not exactly the type to admit his weaknesses, Rachel is mine, so… »
As the two men laughed softly, Harvey rolled his eyes before being interrupted by his phone ringing, reminding him that they had a meeting with Jessica today. So after chatting with Mike for a few more minutes, the two best friends parted ways, Harvey casting one last glance at Donna’s file, her small photograph suddenly making his heart beat faster before he left his apartment as well, heading toward One Police Plaza.
Apparently the first one there, Harvey greeted a few colleagues along the way before noticing that Donna’s office door was open but empty as the redhead clearly hadn’t arrived yet, so he took a quick look around. Her Sergeant’s badge. Photos from her promotions. A meticulously organized desk. Files sorted by color code. Everything in the room screamed Donna Paulsen. And as he picked up a framed picture of her as a teenager standing beside what was probably her mother, Harvey jumped when he heard a female voice behind him.
« Make yourself at home »
« Hey, Paulsen »
« You’re already here? » the redhead sighed.
« Yeah… »
Ordinarily, he would have made some snarky comment just to annoy her — something about her being late — but suddenly he had nothing to say, and he knew exactly why.
He was used to seeing the redhead in her police uniform, always impeccably dressed and serious, always the first to arrive and the last to leave.
But not like this.
For a few seconds, Harvey found himself looking her up and down, taking in her wide-leg pants ending in beige mules, an olive-green knitted top that exposed her long freckled arms, a brown leather tote slung over her shoulder, a phone in one hand and a takeaway coffee in the other, while her long red hair and bangs seemed to make her glow.
As she walked into her office without another word, Harvey watched her place her things on her desk before turning to hang her bag on the coat rack. The moment his eyes drifted a little too low, he immediately fixed his gaze on the floor.
Man, oh man... That bouncy ass…
As she moved around the office, Harvey quickly forced himself to look away, pushing aside thoughts that would only complicate an already difficult assignment as he realised that playing the perfect married couple was going to be hard enough without letting his imagination run wild.
Clearing his throat, he finally spoke.
« You ready? »
« I am. What about you? »
« Me too »
« Yeah, sure… »
Clearly, the redhead didn’t seem to believe him. So quickly, he decided to step a little closer, muttering.
« How are Amy and Anthony doing? »
« I see you studied » Donna smirked.
« I’m not just a pile of muscles, huh? »
Watching her roll her eyes while organizing a few files, Harvey felt his heart pick up speed again as he scratched the back of his head, unsure how to approach the subject, before clearing his throat to get her attention.
« About being ready... Here »
As Donna looked up at him, her pulse immediately quickened when she saw him extend his hand because resting in his palm were two wedding bands and an engagement ring. In a second, she swallowed hard.
« Oh »
« Yeah. What kind of married couple doesn’t wear wedding rings, huh? »
« Was this your idea? »
« What? No. I mean, Jessica ordered it — and she gave me the money — but I picked the designs. Hope you’ll like them »
Without waiting for an answer, he slipped a simple silver wedding band onto his own finger, discreet but meaningful. Then he gently took Donna’s hand and did the same. First came the engagement ring — a delicate band covered in small diamonds with a larger oval-cut stone in the center. Simple but eye-catching. Exactly the kind of thing Donna liked. Then came the wedding band, similar to Harvey’s but slightly thinner.
Both fit perfectly.
Finally, Harvey looked up as their faces were only inches apart and he still hadn’t let go of her hand.
« Well, you already look like a married couple »
Immediately, they both pulled away, avoiding each other's eyes just as Jessica walked into Donna’s office.
Quickly, she invited them to sit down and spent the next hour reviewing the investigation one last time before they headed out for what would likely be several weeks undercover. After nearly an hour, Harvey and Donna agreed on a meeting time for the next day before going their separate ways as both felt the same strange mix of panic and anticipation, each spending the remainder of the day organizing their lives before leaving.
Starting with Donna, who met Rachel as the two women sat on the terrace of the redhead’s Soho loft, sharing a glass of wine while watching New York life unfold beneath them. After a few seconds, Rachel glanced at Donna’s hand and smiled.
« He has good taste, huh? »
« What? »
« The ring. The one you haven’t stopped staring at since I got here »
« Well, it’s... weird »
« What? The mission or the fact that you’re about to spend months with Specter? »
« Ugh, don’t remind me » Donna groaned.
« Come on, it’s not that bad… »
« Not that bad? Rach, that guy is a walking disaster. He’s probably going to provoke someone, get into a fight, pull his gun, blow our cover, sleep with every potential witness because he can’t keep it in his pants, and we’ll be in trouble within days »
« Hey. I know the guy is... reckless, but he’s professional. I know he’s not perfect, that he’s a womanizer, and that he loves playing the tough guy, but I don’t think he’d sabotage a mission like this »
« Yeah... I don’t know »
« Look on the bright side. The guy loves female attention, and for months he’s going to have to play the role of a devoted husband deeply in love with his wife. I’m sure your evenings won’t be spent just watching television, if you know what I mean »
« Rachel! » Donna gasped.
« Oh, please. Don’t act innocent with me. You broke up with Mark three months ago and apparently Specter is incredible in bed. Remember Nadia? She slept with him once almost two years ago and she still hasn’t gotten over it. Let me tell you, if you give Harvey half a chance, you’re going to have some very enjoyable evenings »
« I can’t believe you just said that »
Rolling her eyes, Donna took a sip of white wine to hide the blush spreading across her cheeks before quickly changing the subject, determined not to think about what Harvey might be like when they were alone every evening.
On Harvey’s side, things weren’t much different as the two best friends sat side by side watching a baseball game, beer bottles in hand, while Mike couldn't help snorting with amusement.
« The wedding ring suits you »
« Shut up »
« So... Mr. Paulsen. How are you feeling about tomorrow? »
« I don’t know. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long assignment »
« What? Because you’re going to spend the whole mission trying not to jump her or…? »
« Because she’s annoying, Mike »
« She’s not » the blond chuckled.
« She is. Always perfect. Writing reports on everyone. Strict and demanding. I’m going to be bored out of my mind »
« She’s just professional. Trust me, she’s a lot cooler than she seems. You just need to get to know her — and stop constantly giving her a hard time »
« Yeah… »
For a few moments, neither of them spoke as Harvey slowly rotated his wedding band around his finger before muttering, the words escaping before he had time to think.
« How often do couples touch each other? »
« Excuse me? » Mike muttered.
« To look natural »
« Harvey… »
« Mike, I haven’t dated a girl since I was eighteen. I have no idea what it’s like to be in a relationship, let alone be married. So I need your help. Just answer the question »
For several minutes, Harvey and Mike discussed the complex subject, the blond’s vague answers frustrating the cop, who was trying to understand what exactly when it feels right was supposed to mean. Little by little, the conversation drifted, and before they realized it, the two friends found themselves discussing a topic neither of them had really been prepared to have.
« What else? » Harvey whispered.
« You pay attention to the little things »
« Such as? »
« The way she takes her coffee, when she’s tired, what stresses her out, what annoys her, what makes her smile... You know, that kind of thing »
« Yeah, right… »
Harvey fell silent for a few seconds and seeing his best friend lost in thought, Mike took it as a sign that it was time to leave. After a simple squeeze on Harvey’s shoulder and a quick good luck, Mike grabbed his spare set of keys from the dresser and headed out, leaving Harvey alone with his thoughts, wondering how he was going to survive this assignment with Donna.
As the hours passed and neither of them slept particularly well, the moment their alarms went off felt like a brutal return to reality.
At barely six in the morning, Harvey stepped into the shower, then dressed in a simple pair of black dress pants and a dark gray polo shirt as after a close shave, some hair gel, and gathering a bag containing his most important belongings, he took one last look around his condo before leaving. Unfortunately, Harvey had been forced to leave behind his Aston Martin sports car in favor of a vehicle provided by Manhattan Police — a GMC Acadia.
Overnight, he had gone from eternal bachelor to future family man.
Once settled behind the wheel, he headed toward Soho, where the redhead lived, driving from upscale neighborhoods filled with men in tailored suits and trendy bars into a more bohemian, artistic district. Eventually, he stopped in front of a large red-brick building where Donna was already waiting ans after parking, instead of simply honking as he normally would have, he remembered Mike’s advice. He quickly got out of the vehicle, walked around it, and called out loudly enough for her to hear.
« Hey »
« Harvey, hello »
« Here »
Without hesitation, he opened the passenger door as Donna climbed into the vehicle, blushing slightly when she noticed him making sure she was comfortably seated before gently closing the door and returning to the driver’s seat. As she watched him walk around the SUV, Donna couldn’t help taking a deep breath, realizing just how difficult it was going to be spending weeks alone with him. As irritating as he could be — always pushing things too far whenever work was involved — she had to admit that his personality wasn’t the only thing that affected her.
He was attractive.
Very attractive.
Handsome, even stunning if she was being honest.
And despite the fact that she had occasionally entertained a few rather embarrassing fantasies after some of their heated encounters, she genuinely wondered whether spending weeks confined with him was a good idea — but they had no choice, it was the mission. So once they were both seated in the vehicle, Harvey started the engine and entered the address of their new home.
The first miles passed in silence, Harvey focused on the road while Donna watched the scenery roll by. Then, shortly after they passed Newark, Harvey cleared his throat.
« How are you feeling? »
« About the mission? »
« Yeah »
« I don’t know... I’m not exactly a field operations expert, as you know. I’m more into paperwork and analysis, so I really have no idea how this is going to go »
« Well, if it makes you feel any better, I’m terrible at paperwork and analysis. I’m more of a field guy »
« Maybe Jessica was right to put us together, then »
They glanced at each other for a few seconds, faint smiles appearing at the corners of their mouths, then both quickly turned their attention back to the road, unwilling to let the other see how strangely unsettled they felt.
The rest of the drive was peaceful.
For nearly two and a half hours, the fake married couple discussed the mission, their cover identities, what awaited them, and what they hoped to accomplish during their first week. They crossed from New York into New Jersey, following the coastline deeper and deeper into Cape May County until Harvey spotted the sign welcoming them to Cape May.
« Fuck, we’re going to be bored out of our minds here. Do they at least have a trendy bar? »
« They don’t even have a nightclub »
« Sweet baby Jesus »
As they drove down Ocean Street, observing the quiet roads and family homes lining both sides, Harvey stopped at a red light, and taking advantage of the pause, he gently tapped his forehead against the steering wheel.
« I already regret this… »
« Great… » Donna whispered.
« Hey, it’s not about you. It’s just... I miss Manhattan »
« Trust me, I know »
Just like that, Harvey started driving again.
A few minutes later, he turned onto Benton Avenue and stopped in front of a large white house with a blue roof, a small staircase leading up to the porch and after parking, both of them took a moment to stare at their new home. Then, after a few seconds, they stepped out of the vehicle as Harvey grabbed their bags before following Donna inside. Together, they entered the fully furnished house, quietly looking around and after a moment, Harvey stepped closer until he was standing just behind her as softly, he asked.
« You ready? »
Donna took a deep breath and looked around one last time before whispering in turn.
« Let’s do it »