10

Wow...that scene could not have fit any more perfectly.  And I loved that they both realized it (how could they not??)  And...how could Jim reject Pam's card like that!!  FNB is finally making an effort!!  (even if it is rather small)

p.s. I only had time to read one story/chapter tonight and your won because you have me completely hooked. (and I love your writing style)

10

So I'm normally a Karen hater. I sheepishly admit that because I know its a petty way to feel. But this latest chapter (and really, the way you've handled her through this entire story) has endeared her to me in a way I didn't think possible. So kudos to you! At the same time, am I glad she's now out of Jim's picture? Yeppers. Yeppers, I am. Eaglerly awaiting your next update...

Author's Response:

You are not petty for hating Karen; you'd be petty if you hated her because her hair's flat.  :o) I'm glad you were sympathetic to her here - it's what I was going for!  

Thanks for reviewing! 

10

Love this...I really hope on the show that Karen pulls something like this off, realizes it just isn't there and ends it with compassion and dignity.  You've given her a compassion and maturity here that few people possess, but I still think it's a fair take, and anyway even if you do give her a shade too much credit it's a refereshing change from too little. 

And Pam's note...I was thinking before I read this chapter that she needed to be braver, clearer, becuase that note was too vague and too easy for Jim to interpret just like yu made him interpret it.  There's a lesson, I think; if you're going to open your heart, open it all the damn way.  I'll be refreshing often until I see Chapter 9.  Thank you so much for generously sharing your talent.

Oh wow. (Is that my response to every chapter?) I had stopped watching Ally McBeal by the time RDJr. was on there, so I never thought their innocuous viewing of an old TV show would tie in to their relationship in this way. Go Karen for realizing it, and especially for this line: I don't want to be the girl you have to really...try to feel it for. That is the exact right way to describe how Jim feels about Karen, even though he can't admit it to himself. *hugs Karen AND Jim*

And poor Pam. Here she is, making (what to her is) a huge grand gesture, really putting herself out there -- only to get absolutely no outward reaction from Jim. At least Jim's grand gesture got a reaction from Pam. Pam's attempt to reach out just leaves her further in limbo. Poor girl. *hugs Pam*

Excellent update. Can't wait to see how you envision this situation getting resolved! More, please! 

(Would it be mean to do a happy dance now?  Ok, sorry)

I think I am the only female I know who never watched Ally McBeal.  But now I sort of wish I did.  Karen saying  "God, I wish she'd just go away."  I think that is what they call 'irony'.  Hee!

This is just lovely.  The "Okay" at the end is a great call-back to the ending of Casino Night shown in Gay Witch Hunt.  Of course, I like the result of this "Okay" better than in GWH!!

Poor Pam; she had such hopes for that clover & note, but Jim is determined not to misunderstand and be even more broken.

Angsty!  I look forward to more. 

oh agony. But amazing I'm kind of stunned how you worked it back to that moment, because now its like I can see every little underlining emotion that went on when he said those things. Fantastic. 

Author's Response: Yay - thank you so much!  I'm working toward making up for all that angst...

I like how you're presenting this story from both characters' points of view.  Keep it coming!

Author's Response:

Thanks! The point of view thing has tripped me up a few times here, because it's hard to vacillate between them consistently, I swear....

Thanks for reviewing! 

AWESOME! I love the history you've created here and how you've tied it to the present. I can't wait to see how Jim reacts to this. Oy...

Author's Response: Starry Dreamer totally helped me come up with the stuff that was in the box; I was at a total loss there.  I'm working toward a resolution; I promise...

Just finished chapter6 and that was amazing!  That break room scene broke my heart and you just broke it all over again...off to read the next one!!


Author's Response:

I never know what to say when reviewers tell me I broke their heart, because it just seems mean to respond, "Yay! I broke your heart!" (I'm totally kidding.)  I'm glad it moved you, because that scene was one of the catalysts for this fic, actually. 

Thanks for reviewing! 

Wow - you brought out the big guns: that heartbreaking toast from the BC deleted scene? It hurts just to think about it! Really, if there were ever a question about JK's acting chops, that moment would absolutely settle it. And you made it vividly painful all over again...(and what's with me, that I enjoyed it?)

What if you had to make a toast to him and Karen because they were engaged? 

That sentence just galvanizes the parallel between S2 Jim and S3 Pam. Ouch.

So, this cryptic note...curious to see how that goes over. Or not. (Oh and, Van Gogh as the image for a moment of compulsion, driven by unrequited love? Very clever.)

Nice.  I love how Pam finds a memory of her own to give to Jim.  Now, if only she gives him time to sort it out for himself, and doesn't run off to somewhere that feels far away.


Author's Response:

She will not run away...because I am not Greg Daniels, nor do I have a perverse desire to torture people for an extended period of time.  Hee.

Thanks for reviewing! 

Wow, you made the toast from The Booze Cruise hurt even more, if that is even possible.  This was what he'd lived with for all those years - the same thing that she felt was absolutely draining the life out of her after having struggled with it for a mere ten months.  

I'm so glad to see Pam taking some action -- I sure hope we don't get dragged through pain this intense in the next few episodes, or I don't think I'll make it to the season finale.  

And let me just say again, I'm glad you aren't stringing us along until May for resolution.  Gah!