1

This was all kinds of goodness! Jim being there for his best friend even though he really didn't want to be but he couldn't NOT be, Michael being the support system for Jim once again and the fiesty best friend in Isabel! That ending though, oof! Roy was a big jerk for that, glad she had Jim there to be her support.

Well done!

Author's Response:

Thank you!  Writing Michael and Isabel were great fun, and Jim showing up for the wedding despite not wanting to is something that I wanted to explore, since he most likely wouldn't have in-canon.  As for Roy, well I just don't see him being a responsible father yet, which explains why I wrote him the way I did.

Thanks for the review! 

Aww! This was a really cool AU..!

Author's Response: Thank you so much!

1

Nice little fast forward through the rest of the season. Jim is killing it in his new job. He's not afraid to call out Andy's poor behavior, which thank you, Andy was a jerk in S9 who deserved to lose Erin. And then after all is said and done, things come back around and they're still bound for Austin. Nice job. A great exercise in what could have been.

Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat

Author's Response:

Thank you!  I had a lot of fun with this concept and though it's not my best, I wanted to see Jim actually enjoy his job enough to really want to stick around.  And I agree with you on Andy, woof.  Talk about character assassination.

Thanks for all the reviews! 

1

Love the fact they have an easy and family filled weekend. Feels like just the thing they needed. Then another heart to heart talk, this time a lot more gentle with each other as they admit what they should have done.

And here comes David with the key to really letting them realize everything. Gotta love Jim slamming the door in Dwight's face. Great moment there.

Author's Response:

Yeah, I wanted to take it easy on them after all they went through.  Plus, the kids deserve some time with their parents.  And they’re definitely easier on themselves and each other, though in the last chapter, they still have a bit to go.

I always planned for David to swoop in and save the day, so to speak.  He always saw potential in Jim and it makes sense that he’d want to promote him, if only to keep him around.  I loved writing that scene with Dwight, it’s definitely plausible, even in S9.

1

Yikes, Dwight. Way to put your finger on every single way to make Pam uncomfortable. Glad to see him step back from the edge there... feels like that makes sense for the progress of their relationship at this point in the series.

I am glad to see Jim being willing to keep exploring other, Pam-approved options for moving forward with his life. That feels like an important discussion we never got to see in canon.

Author's Response:

I think Dwight didn't want to make Pam uncomfortable, he just wanted to rub it in Jim's face.  Naturally, after seeing Pam like that, he'd rethink what he said and how it'd get to her.  She is his friend, whether he admits it or not.

I also thought that sort of conversation was missing.  I think it'd be a good thing for him to explore actually moving on from Dunder Mifflin while also considering Pam.  Likewise, I can see her supporting him if she knew how he really felt about his sales job.

Thanks for the review! 

1

Figured Dwight would try to get in a few digs. It makes sense that Pam would still let some of her feelings get the best of her. Everything is still raw after all. Even in canon it took her a while and Jim's video for everything to really sink in. I am surprised that Dwight apologized like that. Early season Dwight would not have done so. However late season Dwight who does have a good relationship with Pam could. Under all the bluster Dwight is a good guy, it's just surprising when it comes out unexpectedly like that.

Sounds like Jim and Pam had a wonderful evening at home and then a great time when the kids came back. Feels like things are getting more and more back on track.

Author's Response:

Dwight is my second favorite character, and it's mostly thanks to his character progression.  You're right, S2-3 Dwight would have doubled down, but now he seems more considerate for other people's feelings, *especially* Pam's.  I never wrote it, but he did notice her running off like that.

And yeah, things are still raw and going so quickly that of course she'd break down.  She just wants him to be happy and will do everything to ensure that.  Meanwhile, Jim just wants things to slow down after everything.

Thanks for the reviews! 

1

Ah what could have been. I really like that they finally break through all the BS and are 100% honest with each other here. Yes it hurts, but I think they realized the pain of losing each other would hurt worse. So a hard conversation and a hard decision to be sure, but it feels like they're back on track. Of course there could also be other consequences of everything so we'll have to see how this all plays out.

Author's Response:

Yeah, I wanted there to be a nice mix of optimism and angst, Jim's almost rash decision culminating in them getting back on track.  I enjoyed writing this chapter the most, it's the most cathartic for me. 

1

Well I'm an idiot. I didn't realise this wasn't not a one shot, so I'm really happy to see it's not over yet!
Really liked that we got to see what went down at Athlead (loved your little reminder at the end, thank you for that!) and how everyone reacted. Looking forward to the next chapter!

Author's Response:

Thank you!  You’re not an idiot, I never made it clear that there’d be more to come.

Glad you appreciate the end note, it even helps me keep track of who’s who from what little we’ve seen of Athlead.  I figured there’d be mixed feelings on the matter of Jim leaving, with even Darryl wondering why he’d ever want to leave.

Thanks for the review!

1

I love the premise here, and the fic to follow did not disappoint! You wrote both sides of their conversation so well and all of the angst came out so well
Really great job on this one

Author's Response:

Thank you so much!  I wanted something angst-ridden with a twinge of hope, and I’m glad that came across.

Thanks for the review! 

1

I can see this as very plausible. Jim realizing he doesn't want to be manager, figuring out something on his own, and trying to not worry Pam about it by keeping it close to his chest which of course makes her worried. Feels very in character for him. Likewise Pam reassuring him that they're a team and it's best to be honest with her.

The rest of the cast is great too. Michael thinking he knows what he wants but actually wanting to stay in charge. Oscar being snarky. Erin being adorably socially awkward. Ryan looking like a deer caught in the headlights. Even Dwight being oddly supportive of this decision. Nice touches all around.

Good job with this one.

Author's Response:

Much appreciated!  Something I do actually love about S9 was that shift in Jim and Pam's dynamic, with him wanting more and her wanting them to be honest with each other, and I figured it'd be fun to see how this shift would have played out a few years earlier and with a lot less needless angst.

As I've mentioned, I love this cast and love writing them, and this was no exception.  I'm glad you appreciate the Ryan bit, the realization of Jim somehow surpassing him even further hitting him like a truck was a fun touch to add.

Thanks for the review! 

1

Hey, cool idea! Would have solved a lot of problems down the road. (Good to see you back, btw!)

Author's Response:

Thanks, good to be back!  Yeah, it really would have wouldn't it?  LOL

Thanks for the review! 

1

Very wish-fulfilling ending! Pam and Jim are happy, Karen and even Roy get to exit with dignity, Dwight and Angela get to feel slyly superior. Everyone gets what they wants. Again, VERY Christmas movie. Nice job!

Author's Response:

Thank you!  Very wish-fulfilling, indeed.  The Christmas movie energy is something I loved making, especially considering Pam's Christmas pastime.  They were in one all along, even I didn't realize that until after the fact. 

Thanks for all the reviews! 

1

Thank you for making Karen not a shrew- she really didn't deserve the hate - I'm a huge Jam shipper but still felt bad for Karen. She was really got a raw deal, and really did nothing wrong. Thanks for that.

Wish Pam and Jim didn't wind up fighting here but that gives us more to come.

Author's Response:

Yeah, I like Karen a lot myself.  She felt like a character that was well-integrated for a specific season, like Nellie in S9.  Sure, she has flaws, but Jim ain't blameless, either.  #KarenDeservedBetter

The fight was certainly tough, but I figured it be a bit more realistic.  Of course, they were gonna reconcile, but with the amount of regret and denial these two have, it's no wonder they'd lash out at first.

Thanks for the review!