Chapter 11 - Harvey

I know it's going to be a bad day when Hardman is the first person I see when I walk in the firm.

"Harvey..." he smiles

Some day, I'm going to punch that smirk off his infuriating face.

"Daniel" I reply walking right passed him

"Could I have a moment of your time?" he asks

I stop walking with a sigh. I put a polite smile on and I turn to face him. "Sure. What can I do for you, Daniel?" I wonder, but not really

"I was looking over the Prescott hospital negations with their nurses union" he mentions

"I got it covered. I'm going to meet the judge right now for an injunction to end the nurses' strike" I reassure him

"You're never going to get an injunction. It's a safer bet if we argue for a temporary restraining order" he suggests

"A TRO only delays a strike, an injunction stops it and I want to stop it" I remind him.

"The judge won't--"

"Daniel, I'm fine with you sitting in your office and pretending to practice bullshit law with some pro bono cases. But when you stick your nose in my cases, that's another story" I warn him.

"If you haven't noticed, my name is on the door. So, all cases are my cases" he points at the wall

"The name of this firm is Pearson Hardman. But you're here as number 2. I answer to number 1"

"No matter who you answer to, you'll learn to respect me"

"That ship had sailed a long time ago. So, let me be clear; I don't work for you, and I -sure as hell- don't work with you" I state and walk away.

•••

I stayed in the airport for almost 5 hours after Anastasia left and then I spent the night drinking. I planned on doing that the next day too, but Jessica dragged me back into the office today. I have no energy to do any of this shit. Even sitting in my cubicle alone feels too quiet now, and I regret the times I told Ana to be more quiet around me. 

I grab the pen holder in front of me and empty it on the desk. Between the random pens falls a small blue butterfly jewel. The charm had broken off Anastasia's bracelet last week and she was playing with it and making noise while I was trying to focus so I took it out of her hands and threw it inside the pencil holder. 

I squeeze it in my hand and look up. I take a deep breath and try to blink away my tears. 

"Harvey!" Hardman calls

I drop the charm in my pocket and I get myself together quickly.

"What?" I answer sharply 

"Did you do the--"

"Nope" I answer before he could even finish.

"I didn't even tell you what I need"

"I don't care what you need. I don't work for you, and I will never work with you" I state.

•••

I enter the courtroom and my anger grows again as soon as I see Hardman in my seat.

"This hearing starts in 5 minutes, which means you have 4 minutes to get out of here" I tell him

"No, you need me here"

"I really don't".

Judge Atkins walks in and I almost freeze. She wasn't supposed to be in this case. God, the more I'm trying to forget Ana, the more I get reminded of her.

"Daniel, I'm prepared to rule on your motion" she smiles towards him.

When did these two become friends? I already knew she didn't like me, but I didn't expect them two to collude against me.

"TRO granted" she rules. "It's good to have you back. Finally, Mr. Specter can learn something" she adds

"Thank you for meeting me up on the docket, judge" Daniel says and leaves.

My blood is boiling. I follow him outside and stop him, "What the hell was that?" I ask

"I believe it was a victory"

"You don't reschedule my hearings"

"I did, and we won it. You should be thanking me"

"Would you like me to thank your face with my fist?".

"Judge Atkins would never grant you an injunction, especially to you" he claims

"What's that supposed to mean?".

"Daniel!" we hear judge Atkins' voice again.

I roll my eyes.

"What can I do for you, judge?"

"Oh, please. I told you you can just call me Dory. I'm so glad I caught up to you actually"

"What can I do for you, Dory?" he smiles again

"Well, Matt's in town today" she mentions

Dr. Dick is here? Why isn't he in Seattle with Ana?

"He mentioned that Ana is catching up with some work in Seattle, but he took a couple more days off to come back here and visit me"

"That sounds lovely" Daniel replies.

Maybe he should have taken those couple of days off to be with Ana at her mother's funeral.

"Would you like to join us for dinner later? Finally meet your soon-to-be son-in-law?" she suggests.

My breakfast almost comes back up my throat. I turn around and walk away. I don't care about their in-law meetings. I don't care about this wedding. I don't care about... her. I need to forget her. How long is the recovery time after a lobotomy? I need to find a good neurosurgeon. And now that I said neurosurgeon, I think of Dr. Dick and Ana again. STOP. 

I return to the firm alone, hoping no one else pisses me off today. But it's hard to stay calm when the first thing I see walking inside my office is Dr. Dick himself talking to Donna. They really want me to murder someone today, don't they?

"Hardman is not here right now. But, don't worry, your mommy already planned a dinner for the three of you" I speak as I walk passed him to get in my office

"I'm here to see you, actually" he says as he follows me.

I stop before reaching my desk. 

"I can't get out of my mind the image of you sitting besides my fiancée's hospital bed" he admits

"I wouldn't be there if her own man was besides her in those difficult hours" I remind him

"And how much did you help her in those difficult hours?" he asks.

Suddenly, my anger fades. A smirk appears across my face, "You came all the way from Seattle to ask me that?" I wonder

"Answer my question" he demands

I sit in my chair, relaxed. "I helped her in any way she needed" I tease, toying with him

"I swear to God, Specter--"

"I did not sleep with her. I wouldn't even if she wanted me to" I reply. 

And that's the right thing to say. I don't sleep with women that are involved, I'm not a mistress. But I'm not sure I wouldn't break my policy in a second if Ana asked me to. All she'd have to do is breathe sexy enough for me, and I would have caved in so easily. 14 years of no contact are no good to a man.

"How do I know that you're telling me the truth?" he questions

"I don't care if you believe me or not. Frankly, I even don't care what you do with what I told you. But if you have problems in your union, or you are getting cold feet about getting married and are looking for an excuse to get out, it's not my problem. So, stop beating around the bush and be a man about".

"You don't know anything about me. I am marrying Anastasia" he states.

I ignore the squeeze in my chest. "Congratulations. Do you want my wish?" I ask ironically.

"No. But I saw the way you look at her. So, I need to know if you are going to be a problem" he insists

"The fact that you consider me a threat when I live on the other side of the country is flattering" I smirk

"I'm serious!" he insists.

I drop the playful act. "I have no interest in getting involved with Anastasia or your marriage".