Chapter Text
The departure board flickered, a sea of delays and cancellations glowing in red.
Harvey let out a slow exhale, the kind he reserved for losing a bet or dealing with idiots. Donna, standing beside him, didn’t even try to hide her irritation.
“This is a joke, right?” she muttered, crossing her arms.
They were at the airport, ready to leave for their business trip. It was just a random Monday afternoon at the end of May, and they had a meeting scheduled with a new client who had requested to meet them at his company headquarters before deciding whether to hire them to handle all of his legal matters.
Although Mike was also expected to attend the meeting, an urgent case in court had kept him occupied, so Harvey and Donna decided to leave without him, planning for him to join them the following day.
But now, looking at the departure board, they both knew all their plans had just gone to hell.
They stood there silently, not really knowing what to think and how to feel about the situation. Their flight to Oklahoma City had already been delayed due to bad weather, and now it was officially canceled. Just as Harvey was about to speak, the announcement came. In a matter of moments, the board flashed with at least twenty more canceled flights heading west. The calm, almost unnervingly serene voice of an airline hostess came over the PA system, informing all passengers that, due to a tornado alert in several destination cities, flights were being canceled or rescheduled.
People who had been quietly waiting suddenly sprang into action. Some rushed to the customer service counters, demanding to be rescheduled. Others frantically scrolled through their phones, desperately trying to rebook their flights or find alternative ways to reach their destinations.
“Goddamit,” Harvey muttered, his gaze sweeping over the chaos around them.
“We better join the other passengers at the customer service desk before the line gets too long,” Donna suggested, her tone laced with the same irritation that had been building in Harvey.
“The customer service desk?” Harvey scoffed, his voice tinged with frustration. He gestured around at the growing mob of angry travelers. “Sorry, I have Platinum status. I’m not wasting time with all of them. We’re going straight to the dedicated service desk.”
Donna raised an eyebrow, the corners of her mouth twitching into a small smile. “That was a really rich bitch thing to say. But I can’t deny, I’m ready to take advantage of your status.”
Harvey gave her a wry grin, already moving toward the VIP line. Donna shook her head, thinking how spoiled Harvey was, grabbed her suitcase, and followed him.
They approached the desk, certain the hostess would simply rebook them on another flight. However, they weren’t prepared for the news that all flights for the day had been canceled due to the tornado warning.
“What do you mean you can’t put us on a plane to Oklahoma City until Thursday?” Harvey snapped, his voice rising in frustration. “This is a business trip, we need to get there not later than Wednesday evening!”
“I’m sorry, sir, but all flights are fully booked, and if the weather doesn’t get better, they’ll probably all get canceled. You must understand, we can’t just bump people off flights to accommodate you,” the hostess replied, clearly irritated by Harvey’s rudeness.
“Okay, fine. Let’s skip the excuses. How much do you want me to pay to get on a flight?” Harvey shot back, his voice full of impatience.
“Sir, look…” the hostess began, but Harvey interrupted her before she could finish.
“Mr. Specter, if you don’t mind. And I’m not accepting excuses. What’s the point of paying for first-class tickets if I don’t get any of the benefits?” he demanded, his voice growing louder.
Harvey wasn’t used to getting a no as an answer. He always got what he wanted, even when the odds were against him.
Donna, who had been keeping an eye on him while he was letting his frustration out on the poor customer service lady, decided to intervene to avoid a scene.
“Harvey, c’mon. Calm down. It’s not her fault,” Donna said, trying to defuse the situation, her tone pleading but firm.
“I’m not calming down! We need to leave, and she’s the one throwing up roadblocks instead of offering a solution,” Harvey replied, growing more agitated with every passing second.
“Look, we have no flights available until Thursday. I’m sorry. If you need to be there before Wednesday, I can add you to a waiting list. Otherwise, may I suggest renting a car and driving?” the customer service lady offered, hoping that a practical solution might end the exchange and get them out of her hair.
“Rent a car? And what? Have a nice little road trip? Drive and sing along the way? Maybe stop for some sightseeing?” Harvey scoffed sarcastically.
“You wanted a solution. That’s what I’ve got,” the hostess responded, her patience wearing thin.
“Hey, look. It seems like we don’t have much of a choice. Maybe we should really consider renting a car and heading out as soon as possible,” Donna said to Harvey, trying to accept the situation and find a more diplomatic approach.
“This is a fucking nightmare,” Harvey muttered, shaking his head, his phone already in his hand as he prepared to make calls.
“I can help you book a car, but you’ll need to hurry. Most of the other passengers are probably thinking the same thing, and the cars will run out soon,” the hostess said, clearly eager to wrap up the interaction.
“I’d rather kill myself than get into one of those crappy rental cars,” Harvey snapped. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some calls to make and find a decent car.” He stormed off, looking for a quieter spot to get some privacy.
Donna, watching him with a mix of concern and exasperation, turned back to the hostess.
“If you could just refund our tickets, I’m sure he’ll find a way to get us to Oklahoma City. Thanks for your patience,” she said with a calmer, more measured tone.
“Sure,” the hostess said, still clearly upset by Harvey’s rudeness. “Is he always this… difficult?” she added with a wry grin, looking at her computer while refunding their tickets.
“No,” Donna replied with a sarcastic smile. “Sometimes, it’s worse.”
About ten minutes later, Donna rejoined Harvey, who had just finished making some calls.
“So, Mr. ‘I’m too rich to rent a car at the airport,’ did you actually find a solution, or do I need to find someone else for you to shout at?” Donna teased, her voice light but laced with sarcasm.
“What did you just say to me?” Harvey turned toward her, raising an eyebrow, his frustration still simmering beneath the surface.
“You heard me,” Donna responded. “So, what’s your solution?”
Harvey exhaled deeply and offered a rare, satisfied smile. “I called my car club. A car will be here in less than half an hour. We just need to grab our luggage and wait for it.”
“You called your car club? Are you joking?” Donna commented, but Harvey just stood there and smiled, all happy about the solution he had just found. “Wow, that’s the real rich person move, isn’t it? Just skip the lines, bypass the ordinary folks, and let your elite connections handle it for you,” she teased.
Harvey turned and looked at her. “How many times do I have to tell you: life is this, I like this,” he explained with his classic hand gesture.
Donna couldn’t help herself, she shot him a sideways glance, her lips curling into a playful smirk. “You know you don’t have to give me the Specter treatment. I saw you delivering this life lesson to everyone who stepped into your office. It doesn’t work with me, you’re not going to impress me.”
Harvey didn’t look at her, but he could feel the weight of her sarcasm. “You got a better idea, Donna? You want to rent a car from one of those dirty and cheap airport agencies? You go ahead, but I’ll pass. Thank you very much,” he said.
Donna laughed, shaking her head. “I’m just saying… it’s not exactly normal to call in a car from your club like you’re some sort of billionaire playboy, Harvey. Most people… well, they’re not that lucky,” her words were playful, but there was an edge of disbelief in her voice.
Harvey huffed, eyes scanning the overhead signs for their baggage claim. “Normal doesn’t get things done, Donna. And you know what? I am lucky. So sue me,” he muttered. “Also, did you just call me a billionaire playboy?” he added with a pleased smile.
Donna rolled her eyes at his last statement, not really feeling like giving him an answer.
“Yeah, lucky,” Donna repeated. “Lucky to be able to be rude to the poor customer service lady back there and get away with it. That was something, Harvey.”
He shot her a sharp look, his mood clearly still simmering. “I wasn’t rude. I was direct.”
“Direct? You basically yelled at her for doing her job,” Donna said, her voice rising with mock exasperation. “If you pulled that stunt with me, I would’ve knocked you off. You’re just so sensitive, Harvey. One little inconvenience and you go from zero to sixty.”
Harvey gritted his teeth. “It’s called getting things done, Donna. I don’t have time for pleasantries when there’s a problem to solve.”
“Yeah, you were so busy solving the problem that you made a scene in front of half the airport,” Donna shot back, her eyebrows raised in amusement.
Harvey’s lips curled into a tight smile, though there was no humor in his eyes. “Just trying to get what I’m paying for. What would you have done, huh?”
Donna chuckled, crossing her arms. “I would’ve gotten a refund without making a scene. Which we did, thanks to me,” she waved her hand dramatically.
Harvey shot her a look but didn’t respond, and they fell into a brief silence as they grabbed their suitcases off the carousel. Donna felt a little bad for pushing him, but it was hard to keep the teasing to a minimum when he was being so, well, Harvey.
He grabbed his suitcase and turned to face Donna, his brow furrowing in confusion as he glanced from her two full suitcases to the smaller handbag she was clutching.
“What?” she asked, noticing his look but not quite understanding what he was getting at.
“Seriously?” he asked, his voice incredulous as he pointed at her luggage. “It’s a three-day business trip, and you packed two full suitcases and a handbag. How much stuff do you really need?”
Donna rolled her eyes, a little exasperated. “I like to have options. Unlike you, I don’t just wear a suit and shirt every day. When I change my outfit, I also have to change shoes, jewelry, bags, everything,” she explained, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“Yeah, but two suitcases?” Harvey replied, raising an eyebrow. “Couldn’t you just bring clothes that you can style with the same shoes and bag?”
Donna gave him a pointed look. She wasn’t sure if he was being genuinely oblivious or just poking fun at her, but she couldn’t help her frustration. “How can a man who wears Tom Ford suits and takes me shopping at the most exclusive places not get why it’s important to mix things up? I don’t want to look like I’m wearing the same thing every day. I like to have options.”
Harvey smirked, clearly enjoying the banter. “I’m just saying, you should’ve packed lighter. Because this business trip just turned into a road trip, and trust me, you’re going to regret hauling all that stuff around.”
Donna glared at him, though she couldn’t completely hide the hint of a smile creeping onto her lips. “Well, I didn’t know this was going to happen! Now, are you going to help me carry this stuff like a real gentleman, or are you just going to stand there and watch me struggle?”
Harvey grinned, the playful challenge in his eyes. “Nah, you’ve got this. I believe in you, Donna. Show all these guys what women’s power really looks like. You don’t need a man to help you, you’re strong and capable.”
Donna muttered under her breath, half-joking, “You’re not going to make it out alive on this road trip, Harvey.”
“Oh, I think I’ll survive,” he shot back, his grin widening as he hoisted his suitcase higher. “Besides, I’m kind of looking forward to seeing how you handle it all.”
With their bags in hand, they made their way toward the designated waiting area. Harvey was already scanning the space for a place to sit. Donna followed him, but she couldn’t help but notice the tension in his posture, the way his shoulders were still tight, his jaw clenched. It didn’t take long for Harvey’s simmering frustration to boil over. A young man, his eyes glued to his phone, walked straight into Harvey. The guy stumbled back, instantly apologizing, his face flushing with embarrassment.
Harvey didn’t seem to notice or care. “Can’t you look where you’re going? Or are you trying to set a new record for how many people you can bump into while strolling through an airport terminal?” he shot back, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
The young man opened his mouth to respond but quickly closed it. “I’m sorry, I was just…”
“At your phone, right?” Harvey interjected, clearly unimpressed.
The young man hesitated for a moment, then just gave him a quick, almost dismissive glance before walking off without engaging further. Harvey huffed, shaking his head in disbelief.
“Why is everyone so rude lately?” Harvey muttered, glancing at Donna as if expecting her to agree with his sentiment.
Donna couldn’t resist. With a sly grin, she teased, “Ask yourself, because you were the rude one for the second time today. You know, you really should try to relax a bit, Harvey. I mean, you can’t go around biting everyone’s head off,” she commented.
“I could say the same about you. Why are you so pressed about my behavior? Just try and relax,” he muttered, slumping down onto a leather bench.
“I do relax, thank you very much. I just don’t take out my bad mood on random people,” Donna said, sitting down beside him. She glanced at him with a playful smile. “Seriously, it’s just a canceled flight, Harvey. You’ve been through worse.”
Harvey shot her a look, then let out a defeated sigh. He knew she was right, he had always tended to overreact to everything. But he wasn’t going to admit that to her. No, Harvey Specter doesn’t admit when he’s wrong. Harvey Specter is always right, even when he’s not. What he didn’t know was that this trip would prove him wrong so many times that, by the end of it, he would have no choice but to admit that Harvey Specter is, in fact, sometimes wrong.
“Fine. I’ll work on my attitude. Happy?” he said, hoping to make her happy enough that she would shut up.
Donna chuckled softly. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
While waiting for the car to arrive, Donna decided it would be a smart move to grab some snacks and coffee. She knew they would be on the road for a while before stopping for the night, and she didn’t want to deal with a hungry or under-caffeinated Harvey. The situation was already stressful enough, and she wanted to do whatever she could to make the road trip as smooth as possible.
She found a Starbucks nearby, ordered two coffees, and then picked up two bagels and a bag of chips.
While Donna was away, Harvey took the opportunity to update their client on the situation. He explained that, due to the delays, they would be arriving later than initially planned, probably just the night before the meeting. He also mentioned that, if Mike’s flight wasn’t canceled again, he would likely arrive before them, but assured the client that they were doing everything possible to get there as quickly as they could.
The client, however, wasn’t bothered by the change. In fact, he was genuinely impressed and appreciative of the effort Harvey and the team were putting into making it to Oklahoma City.
As Donna returned to the waiting area, she saw Harvey hunched over some papers, reading through the details of the deal they were about to close with their new client.
“You really can’t help yourself, can you?” she teased, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, I’m the best closer in New York, and I plan to be the best closer in Oklahoma City, too. But to do that, I have to be ready for anything,” he replied, his eyes still on the papers.
Donna shook her head and handed him his coffee and bagel. “You’re ready, Harvey. You and Mike have gone over those papers a thousand times. You’re just overworking yourself again,” she commented, her voice soft but firm.
Harvey didn’t answer immediately, so Donna added, “Black, two sugars, and a splash of vanilla. Drink it. You’ll be driving for hours. And eat the bagel, too. I know you run on coffee and bad decisions, but you need some food.”
“Yes, mommy,” he smirked, taking a sip of the coffee.
Even though the situation wasn’t ideal, Harvey felt a sense of gratitude. He wasn’t about to admit it out loud, but Donna was the one constant who kept him grounded, the one who always knew how to keep him moving forward, even through the toughest times. It was her presence that made him smile when he’d otherwise feel like breaking down. She had a way of making the worst moments bearable.
And in that moment, with the chaos of the trip and the pressure of the deal, he was grateful she was with him. If he had to pick anyone to share this “adventure” with, he would choose her, no hesitation.
Just as he was about to say more, a sleek black car pulled up to the curb outside the terminal, and Harvey’s face immediately lit up. “Here she is,” he said, standing up and brushing himself off. “Finally.”
“Did you just call the car a ‘she’?” Donna commented, confused.
But Harvey wasn’t listening anymore. He had already picked up his suitcase and made his way to the spot where the car was being parked.
Donna followed him outside, her eyes widening when she saw the car. It wasn’t exactly what she had expected.
A Bentley Continental GT 2004 model sat in front of them. The car was pristine, its long, elegant body shining like a jewel. Donna had to use all her strength not to laugh in Harvey’s face. It wasn’t a bad car, just… not the right one for a road trip.
“Wow,” she said, raising an eyebrow. “So this is your solution? This is what you asked your car club for?”
Harvey beamed as he walked toward the car. “It’s classy, just like me. And also comfortable. What else would you expect?”
Donna was already shaking her head, her hands on her hips. “Comfort and class, sure. But this is a terrible choice for a road trip, Harvey. This car isn’t built for that. Trust me, you’re going to regret it once we’re on the road.”
Harvey turned to her, a bit of a smug smile playing at the corner of his lips. “I don’t care about that, Donna. I care about driving in style. I’m not driving some crappy sedan. I want something that makes a statement.”
Donna rolled her eyes and couldn’t suppress a small laugh. “You know, when you’re behind the wheel for hours and I’m sitting next to you complaining, it’s not going to feel like a luxury experience.”
Harvey tilted his head, clearly unfazed. “But this is a Bentley, Donna. Class. Luxury. What else could I want?” he insisted.
“Right,” Donna said dryly. “Other than legroom, an actual trunk for luggage, and a seat that doesn’t make you feel like you’re trapped in an overpriced coffin?”
Harvey grinned, clearly undeterred. “Trust me. You’re just jealous because you don’t get to drive it.”
Donna narrowed her eyes, her playful tone returning. “Oh, you trust me. I couldn’t care less about driving it.”
Harvey smirked, grabbing their suitcases and putting them in the trunk. “See, they fit. Even if you overpacked,” he pointed out.
Then he walked to the passenger seat and opened the door for Donna. “You’re just mad because I get to be behind the wheel of this beauty and you’re stuck next to me,” he told her while she was getting inside.
“See, you got it. I am definitely stuck next to you and I’m not happy at all. Thank you for pointing it out and not letting me say it first,” Donna replied.
She took a deep breath, giving the car one last skeptical glance before sitting in the passenger seat. “Let’s just hope it’s as comfortable as you think, Harvey. Because I’m telling you right now, if it’s not, you’re so going to regret this.”
But Harvey only grinned. “We’ll see. Anyways, comfort is overrated. Class, on the other hand, never goes out of style.”
Harvey slid into the driver’s seat, adjusting himself comfortably. He ran his hand over the steering wheel. It was smooth, luxurious, with just enough weight to make it feel like he was commanding something special.
“Check this out, Donna,” Harvey said, his voice almost reverent as he gestured at the plush leather seats. “This car’s got everything. The seats? Heated and ventilated. Also, this isn’t just any leather. This is hand-stitched, high-quality leather. Feels like you’re sitting on a throne.”
Donna turned to look at him with a smirk. She knew Harvey loved cars. Hell yeah, he loved cars, he paid 50K per year to be part of that fancy car club. But she didn’t expect him to be so excited. He looked like a little boy opening presents on Christmas morning.
“Yeah, a throne that’s also the size of a shoebox. How’s that working out for you?” she mocked him, looking around and noticing how small the car actually was.
Harvey grinned, ignoring her jab. He tapped the dashboard. “Look at the craftsmanship here. All of this wood? It’s walnut, Donna. Genuine walnut. Not some cheap laminate like in your average car.”
Donna raised an eyebrow. “Ooh my God, walnut?! How exciting, can’t wait to hear more about it.”
“Yes, exciting!” Harvey replied, clearly not catching her sarcasm. “And check this. This right here,” he pointed to a small console screen that displayed navigation options, “is the most amazing infotainment system. It’s touchscreen, voice-activated, and it’s got satellite radio. Can’t wait to try it out.”
Donna leaned closer, peering at the screen. “You know, I’m pretty sure I could get the same thing in a Toyota. Minus the walnut, of course.”
Harvey shot her a playful glare but continued. “And the sound system? Premium sound. Like having a concert hall in here.”
“Right,” Donna said, her tone even more sarcastic than before. “Because what you need for a road trip is to feel like you’re standing front row at a concert.”
Harvey rolled his eyes. “Think about the experience, Donna. It’s about the journey, not just the destination. I’m not just driving, I’m living.”
“What was that? Is it a line for an ad? Are you trying to close a deal with me and make me buy this car, or what?” Donna burst out laughing.
“No, Donna. I’m trying to make you appreciate this beauty,” he insisted, shaking his head.
Donna looked him up and down, her smile widening. “Oh, how sweet. And yet I’m stuck here, about to watch you drive for hours in a glorified coffin with walnut accents. Amazing.”
Harvey chuckled, starting the engine. The roar of the car was smooth, not aggressive, but undeniably powerful. “You’ll come around. Soon enough, you’ll see the magic.”
Donna shook her head as she buckled her seatbelt. “Sure, Harvey. Magic.”
She gave him a pointed look, trying to get into a comfortable position in the seat. “Let’s just hope this work of art of a car doesn’t throw a tantrum halfway through the trip and leave us stranded in the middle of nowhere.”
Harvey rolled his eyes, ignoring her once again sarcastic comment. He wasn’t going to let her ruin his excitement for the car.
“Before we leave, we should check the route,” Harvey said, buckling up.
“And what a perfect occasion to try out your lovely infotainment system! Please, do the honors and show me how the maps work on this thing,” she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm, clearly still mocking him.
Harvey’s expression changed instantly. It went from smug and pleased with himself for driving his new car to pure panic. He started pressing random buttons on the touchscreen, desperately hoping to make it work. Donna watched him, a mixture of amusement and confusion on her face, unsure of what she was witnessing.
“You know, you should connect your phone to the system first,” she suggested, barely hiding the amusement in her voice, curious to see how Harvey would handle this next step.
“Right,” he muttered, pulling his phone out of his pocket.
He stared at the phone, then at the screen, and then back at the phone, as if waiting for some sort of miracle. After a moment of complete indecision, he gave up and looked at Donna with a lost puppy expression, clearly defeated.
Donna tried to suppress a laugh but couldn’t help herself. “You have absolutely no idea how to work this thing, do you?”
Harvey rolled his eyes dramatically, feigning offense at her laughter. “You know I have a driver,” he quickly added, trying to salvage his dignity. “And the few times I actually drive, it’s inside the city.”
“Damn, Harvey. You’re such a rich princess,” Donna teased, her voice laced with amusement. “Give me the phone, I’ll take care of it. Your old ass barely knows how to take a selfie, I’m not surprised you can’t figure out the maps on your phone.”
“I’m not tech-savvy, okay?” Harvey insisted, rolling his eyes. “No need to make fun of me.”
“Sure, but I’m telling Mike as soon as I see him,” Donna joked, her fingers already on the phone as she prepared to connect it to the car’s system.
“You wouldn’t dare! I swear if you do that…” Harvey started, his voice rising in mock warning, but Donna didn’t let him finish.
“Then what? You’re gonna fire me?” she cut him off, a teasing smile tugging at her lips as she successfully connected the phone. “Anyways, here you go. Now it works. Let’s check the route,” she said, opening the maps app and quickly inputting their destination.
Harvey gave her a mock glare but said nothing more. With the phone now properly connected, Donna tapped the screen, satisfied with her small victory, while Harvey settled back into his seat, accepting defeat.
She typed the address of their destination into the GPS, and they both watched as the route appeared on the screen.
“Sweet baby Jesus, it’s going to take over 20 hours to get there?” Harvey asked, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.
“Yeah, what did you expect? We have to cross half the country,” Donna replied, her tone unfazed.
“We’re barely going to make it there in time,” he sighed, frustration creeping into his voice.
“We should get going,” he added.
“Hold your horses, mister. Don’t you see this?” Donna said, pointing at a symbol on the map.
“What?” Harvey asked, clearly confused.
“Oh my God, you seriously can’t do technology. It means there’s roadwork ahead. It looks like there’s a major construction zone on the first part of the highway. It could delay us by several hours,” she explained, struggling not to laugh at his lack of tech-savviness.
“Perfect. As if we weren’t already pressed for time,” Harvey muttered sarcastically.
“We should take a detour. Even though it’s a longer route, it’ll save us time because we won’t get stuck in traffic,” Donna suggested, her voice calm and rational.
“We’re about to drive through some wilderness. Who knows, we might even spot a bear or two,” Harvey joked, a mischievous grin on his face.
Donna’s eyes widened in alarm. “Jeez, why would you jinx it like that?” she exclaimed, shaking her head.
Harvey laughed, glancing at her before turning the steering wheel and guiding the car out of the terminal. As they drove off, a few people glanced at the car, their eyes lingering on the sleek vehicle. Harvey smirked, clearly pleased by the attention.
“You really love being the center of attention, don’t you?” Donna commented, shaking her head with a knowing smile.
“Hey, it’s not every day people get to see a car this nice,” Harvey replied, the smirk still on his face.
Donna rolled her eyes. “You’re insufferable.”