I never thought about the fact that Jim didn't know that Phyllis' wedding was an exact copy of Pam's -- how much differently that night might have turned out had he known at the time...

And it was perfect that you had Jim get the gossip from Kelly. This is the first fic I've seen where Jim gets all the details and really understands how much Pam has been hurting over all of this -- that maybe she's hurting more than he is.

Great chapter! Can't wait for more. 

Awww!  That last line!  So sweet!

I love your description of how Pam is not receptive to Jim's friendly advances.  And her being in reception and all!  The bit about her fearing he will hurt her is also so amazing, and would have to just pierce Jim to the core.

My favorite funny/snarky lines are “Mean to Kevin were you?” and “Ok, so how about Starbucks? Let’s see if we can get you banned from there.”  Those are really great.

Will Karen know they're going out for coffee?  I wouldn't think Jim would lie if asked, but I can't imagine Karen would be very happy about it.

If the next chapter gives you fits, you may want to check out Wikipedia about how to deal with those.  It has the very best of information.

I look forward to the next chapter. 

Everything strewn about is kinda what my apartment looks like right now. This week has been so busy and stressful, that its just, piles on the floor. Which is why I am going to try to have willpower, and stop reading fic once I am done with this one, and maybe clean it up...
I think you were good with explaining how Jim was angry. Because as much as I wish the conversation had gone the way Jim wanted it to, I do think he would be angry (dammit, why is my mind allowing all these excuses for these two to not just be happy together!? and that was a horribly formed sentence).
And then again, I can agree with Jane/you.... can you tell my opinions are very easily influenced by whatever I read in like, the past two seconds.
I think its been a weekend since you posted this, and I don't see an update lady!!! so get cracking.

(Although, if you think that is bad, I am spending my Saturday teaching 34 eleven year olds... guess what I am teaching them. how to be a babysitter. now, honestly, i could go on an on about this. but the odd thing is, that i actually enjoy kids. i mean, i know it is like free birth control babysitting them, but seriously, i can go home after spending like 8 hours with little demon kids, and i still want some of my own. and i enjoy it, enough to keep coming back. except for those demon kids, because they never hear the word no. so, i can go on a whole lecture about that. but honestly, this is long enough. and i am quite sure you don't want me to type up ten years of experiences with kids in this review.)

Author's Response:

I'm working on it, I'm working on it :-).  

Well I do think that any mention of Roy would cause Jim to be mad, but I think (sadly) I'm pretty mad at him about the whole thing.  So I(Jane) let him have it, and I think it was therapeudic.  Glad to know that your teaching the future babysitters of America to be responsible, but I will say that would probably wear me out.  I'm really kidding that the nieces make me want to be sterilized, but I can say that for sure I need a little more time.  :-)

Did I not read this yet? Craziness. Oh well, I guess I didn't since I didn't review, and I don't remember it... I just really thought I started this, and then bookmarked it for the second/third chapter. But apparently, nope. Didn't even start. Now to rectify this grave mistake!
And I love how you already mention that the guys don't sound like girls (yes, I am only readin the chapter notes still). Because, yeah, I tend to write guys girlish. And, so do most people. Except for those writers who can actually write them well. And so, I am glad that, even if it is with xoxoxo's help, you managed to make them do that.
I think Jim would be a fantastic story teller, esp since he can do all sorts of voices and stuff (I just watched Drug Testing today, so the impressions are really in my head).
"That guy is…..unexpected and……odd" Yep. Dwight is that and so much more!
I did really think that they sounded very guy like. Very good job.

Oh, and on a non story note, did you/do you go to UNC? I applied, and um, didn't get in. Haha. I'm too good for them. Yep. That is what I will keep telling myself... even though every once in a while I still do wonder how life would have been different if I got in....

Author's Response:

YEA!  I'm so glad you read it and reviewed.  I sort of look for your reviews and when you hadn't I was a little worried that this one sucked.  I'm happy that they sounded like guys, the first round had a statement that they talked on the phone about Pam and that's where xoxoxo had to remind me that guys don't really do that.....

I did go to UNC, actually I grew up in Chapel Hill born and raised.  so I probably bleed light blue.  But if it makes you feel better, I didn't get into law school there, thus the relocation to Kentucky where I met Mr. UNC.  :-)

One minor thing - you mean he has errands to take care of, not errors.  Unless he's going to take care of the error that he should let Pam apologize and he should listen to her!

I'm glad Jane has put some ideas into his head anyway.  Good ones!  Now he can mull those over a bit and get something right!  I'm sure Jim has never thought about Pam's probably lack of people to talk to.  (Tonight's episode looked like they are at least being friendly and not weird, so that's cool.)

Have fun with the nieces.  You can make little notes on all your writing projects...

This is wonderful: "He peeled his tongue off the roof of his mouth and realized that it was possible that something had died in his mouth over night"  I mean, icky, but wonderful.  I'm pretty sure I've woken up feeling like that.  Not often, thankfully.  And long ago.

Okay, Pam would like to hear about this: "Unless you count the pathetic rambling about how you love her and want to marry her, want her to bear your children, the usual."  If I were Pam, and I did hear that?  "Me too", "I do", "Let's start trying now".

Move to Guam?  Good line!

And yeah, that break room scene was rough, but through the miracle of fanfic, we can make it nice (just call it AU and it's all good)!

I like Jane; she's a good friend. 

Okay, Jane is my new best friend.  I love that girl, telling Jim to grow a pair.  LOL!

Author's Response: Thanks!  I picture her something like Ainsley Hayes from the West Wing or a good friend of mine from High School who was definitely spunky.  But she tells it like it is our Jane, and he does need a grow a pair.  :-)

They definitely need some cheese fries.  As I understand it, it's the only way men can talk about their feelings.


Author's Response: Cheese fries or wings.  That's the drill I think.  :-)  Thanks for the review!

Well, I'm a big fan, so what I liked was pretty much everthing and what I didn't like is that Chapter 2 isn't up yet.  For my tastes you manage to have substance and realism without laying on a massive layer of angst and melodrama.  The dialogue between the male friends is nicely done, especially given that you ain't a male. 

I liked this a lot! I love hearing guys talk and its very cool seeing Mark's perspective. I loved the "I vaguely recall a Pam" and "it wouldn't be unheard of for someone in that office to hide their true feelings". And finally Mark gets blunt with Jim. God, someone needs to!

And you took me down memory lane with 10¢ wings at BW-3s...my husband swears they were never 10¢ but I distinctly remember that, back in college. And they don't even  go by BW-3 anymore! All snooty with the "Buffalo Wild Wings" name these days... *sobs* 

More please!