There's something about the reaction that you've described here that's just so TRUE and BEAUTIFUL. The fact that a part of him would be angry, but an equally substantial part would just be PROUD of her for finally coming alive! Great.

Author's Response:

Before I respond: Holy mother of god, woman, I took a sneak peek at the latest chapter of Baby Love (like, a cursory glance out of sheer lack of time) and realized that I started reading it back when you first posted it -- LOVE IT!  I'm not caught up (obviously), but I'll be reading fanfic week after next (out of town next week, so no internet, BOO), and yours is on the list. 

Okay - now...thank you so much for the review!  I really don't agree with the perception of Jim as a total jerk (though I think I'm in the minority, from what I've read on the boards); I think he was devastated by what she said.  

And I'm convinced we're going to get a happy ending - well, not THAT happy, hee!

Thanks for reviewing! 

10

So sharp and insightful as usual.  I feel like I've come to know these characters, really, really well, but you never fail to bring something to the table that I just didn't think of.  Of course he would be proud of her.  And how you managed to whip this out, like, four minutes after the episode ended is beyond me.  Whatever it is you take, I want a prescription.            

Author's Response:

Wow - that's really a compliment; thank you very much.  It's what I hope to do, anyway (i.e. provide some insight/bring something new to the table).  Because it's such a subtle, understated show wherein so much goes unsaid (well, it didn't in this episode, thank god), I'm just fascinated by exploring what the characters might've been thinking, feeling, their motivations....

Still planning on checking out your stories - haven't forgotten, just haven't had time yet.  I'll leave feedback when I do, though.

Thanks again for the review! 

So good.  I just love that you had him be her cheerleader, even though he was trying to keep a straight face for Karen's sake.  You've captured the moment so well, and its so great to hear/see/read what is going on in Jim's head, especially at that moment.  I'm dying to know where you're going to go with this!

Author's Response:

Ah, my faithful sounding board/beta!  I really hope he was secretly cheering her on in some way.  (I mean, I'm sure he wasn't feeling like standing up and applauding, but still....) 

Thanks for everything - you rock! 

10

Love it!  Can't wait to read more!  Very soon hopefully... :)

Author's Response:

Well there has been more of a lapse between the first and second chapters than I'd hoped, but I can tell you that I've been sitting here writing all day (and I do mean that quite literally!), so I should have a few more updates as the day/evening goes on.  And it will be finito by tomorrow!

Thanks for reviewing! 

10

good writing - i love how jim is proud of pam - i hope that is what he is really feeling!! keep writing!

Author's Response:

I tell you, in the HD screenshots I've found of him, he's definitely, definitely looking moved.  And I'd like to think he was proud of her - how could he not be, in some small way, you know?

Thanks for reviewing! 

Wow, you work fast! I love the last section...Jim should be proud! Do you think Jim really feels that way about Karen, or is he brainwashing himself?

Can't wait to read the next chapter!

Author's Response:

That's a really good question, FNB (heh).  This latest episode seemed to show a genuine connection between the two of them (I thought the "in well" exchange was freaking adorable - though I'd swear it was improvised).  So yeah, I think he really feels happy with Karen; I don't think he's sitting around wishing she were Pam all the time.  But I do think he has to make a conscious, concerted effort to ignore the fact that what he feels for Karen is nothing near what he feels for Pam.  YMMV, of course. 

Thanks for reviewing! 

Great start!  I can't wait to see where you go with this (and where the writers go with it too)

Yay for Pam! 

oh you have no idea how excited I was to see you started this!  I like how you have set up the Jim/karen dynamic because I really think the show was trying to show us the struggle Jim will be having soon.  His face and the way you described the fire scene was perfect! I can't wait to see where you're going :) Yet again great job girl7!

Author's Response:

I'm telling you, it is freaking me out that there are actually people who are happy to see that I posted tonight! I don't know...somehow I envisioned all the Office fans wandering around in a catatonic state or something.  :o) Really, though, it's thrilling to hear that. 

And again - love to hear that it wasn't just me who picked up on the Jim/Karen sweetness (though I must admit to being heartily annoyed by it at first - no matter how much I love Karen/Rashida Jones). I do think they're setting Jim up for a difficult decision (not really comparable to Pam's - ten years is really an incredibly long time), but definitely a situation I don't think he'd ever envisioned.

That said, though, I really have never wavered in my conviction that the writers will give the people what they want.  Granted, I could be living off in the happy vodka-soaked muffin land they talk about sometimes in TWoP, but...let's just say that if I was a betting woman, I'd bet the farm that this season will end with Jim and Pam mutually agreeing that they'll be "more than that."  If not immediately, then sometime soon (like, say, September, when it's premiere time).  :o) 

Thanks for the review! 

I was hoping there would be a good story up soon about Beach Games. And hooray :)
I'm really looking forward to how you work this out.

Author's Response:

I'm really glad to hear you say that!  Because I have such a twisted, fanfic centered mind, as soon as my repeated, "Oh my gods!" were over, I immediately wanted to write, but I was thinking, right - like anyone is going to be reading tonight....

So THANK YOU for the feedback and the enthusiasm!  I will work it out...somehow.  :o) 

I think you got Jim so right here - he's got to be feeling a strange mix of fury, confusion, and pride for Pam - not sure whether he's happy that he didn't "misinterperet" but furious that she let him believe that for a full year and then sets things straight exactly as he feels he's really moving on.

And really love that you caught the absolutely adorable Jim/Karen in this episode. So many people cheapen their relationship in fics, but I think they do have a good relationship - not love yet, but it could get there with time - and I think you hit the nail on the head with that.

Author's Response:

Wow - what a great review.  I love it when reviews make me sort of re-evaluate what I've written - because honestly, even though I'd mentioned that he ought to be livid, I hadn't really thought about the fact that yes, he probably would be angry that she'd waited a full YEAR to be honest with him.  Wow. 

I've never been a Karen hater (though, as I emailed to Starry Dreamer earlier, when Karen was looking at Pam with that "Oh really?" look, it was the closest I've ever come to wanting to smack her - even though I had to concede that in her position, I'd have had the same expression).  But I do think the writers have done a good job this season of painting some believable moments between Jim and Karen - a sweetness and a genuine attraction.  I do believe JK and RJ have a great chemistry - just not the same chemistry that he has with JF.  

I've been in the minority (from what I read on the web, anyway) that has always believed this season was geared toward bringing Pam and Jim together, so maybe that contributed to my sympathy for Karen.  Never saw their relationship as contrived (though I do think she'd have left him after the "yes" heard round the world), but always believed that when it all came down to the truth, he would find himself at Pam's feet again.

Sigh.

Thank you so much for the review - well, for ALL the reviews, actually!

girl7, I love you for this.  I never even thought about the tiny bit of sweetness between Karen & Jim in this ep.  And how the real Jim (under the BS Fancy New Halpert) would be cheering Pam on, just as he did when she won the art contest.

I'm so excited for them!  (I know I sound like a dork, but we're all a little dorky here, aren't we?)