I was ecstatic to see an update, VB! Totally made my day. As the five hundredth review (damn!), I think you should grant my wish first -- update, STAT. =) Get that boy out of Karen's life and in Pamela's bed, please. ;) I can't wait for them to finally talk. I'm so invested in this story. The "slow burn" is killing me, but it's way too lovely to quit. You're awesome, can't wait for more.

Author's Response:

Wow!  Over 500 reviews!  I can't believe it!  Never thought I'd see THAT when I started writing this story ... oh, almost two years ago!  I'm so grateful that you guys are sticking with me, even though it's taking me FOREVER to finish this story.

But, yanana, Jim has BEEN in Pamela's bed for the past two nights!  You want more?  ;-)

Still love this story as much as ever! Can't wait for more!

Author's Response: Thank you!  The next one is partially written.  Shouldn't take a month this time!

10

You live for reviews, I live for updates. I'm so excited that things are starting to come to a head now! (twss?) I loved so much of what this chapter is. :) As always, I'll be eagerly awaiting the next update. Oh, I hope your new job is going well for you!

Author's Response:

Oh, yay, a review fix!  I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter.  I kinda liked this one, too!

The job is going great!  Thanks a lot.

10

Do I dare ask if another chapter may appear soon?

Author's Response:

Hey, jslasb! 

On the way back from our Hawaii vaction, I received a call back from a company I'd interviewed with.  I received a really good job offer (woot!) and gave my notice.  Unfortunately, it was a HORRIBLE time to leave my job.  I worked in the business office of a govt agency and October 1 is the beginning of the new fiscal year.  Really busy time of year anyway, even before you get into all the stuff required to hand off your responsibilites to other people.  PLUS I had to totally rewrite a database b/c the agency was changing how they calculated costs.

All this is to say, I was working every night till midnight, sometimes later.  Absolutely no time to write a word of Cardiac Care.

I started my new job last Wednesday.  Now I'm trying to recover my house, which truly looks like there was an explosion.  I will start writing again soon.  But I was OBE like you can't believe.

Oh and, hey, it's my birthday!  So thanks for leaving a review today.  It's like a little extra present!

i love this story so much, even if the "slow burn" is pure torture to my little shipper heart. but i know you're always heading in a great direction. i'm still enjoying the medical side of things, but i love getting a break from it to hear jim's thoughts. can't wait for the next chapter!

Author's Response: Thank you!  Thank you! In the end, I will try to bring great joy to your little shipper heart.  (What a cute phrase.)

First of all, some general observations about this story. It's very good, obviously. The premise is interesting and original, so points for that. I see a lot of quiet strength in Pam in the show, so I think it's very realistic that she could rock for Jim in a time of crisis.

All the hospital stuff you've written is so very fascinating. I keep thinking about the advice Pam gives Jim about dealing with the nurses. It's interesting to me, because where I live, some of that might be considered too intrusive, like the candy and coffee. I can't be sure, but it's my impression. So, your fic has made me think about etiquette and cultural differences quite a bit, so kudos for that too.

Finally, this chapter. Poor Jim. He really has been trough the ringer. Methinks he could really use a hug. And it's fantastic that he finally saw the light re: Pam's feelings for him.

In conclusion: riveting story, some very good writing, can't wait for more.

Author's Response:

Thanks very much, Syk.  I'm glad you like the premise of the story and find Pam's strength to be believable.  Your perspective on the etiquette & cultural differences is interesting.  Can I ask where you are that these would be considered intrusive offers?

I'm working on the next chapter.  Hope to have it up soon.  (TWSS!)

Woot! I liked what you did with this - it turned out well, and I'm totally in love with this paragraph: Laughing aloud, Jim shook his head and leaned forward, burying his grin in his palm. Jesus. She was still as indirect and ambiguous as ever but Pam was trying to tell him that she loved him. He was totally, completely, 95% positive of it.

Author's Response: Thanks, jazz!  And, as ALWAYS, thanks for your input!  The chapters always come out better after you have a whack at them!

First - you suck, Hawaii? urgh, so jealous. I can only imagine how stressful this must have been writing while on the beach :)
This was an amazing chapter - I hope he finishes things with Karen soon, and I so wanna see more with him and his mommy aw!!!

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!

Author's Response:

Well, the most stressful part about writing at the beach was combatting the wind.  It really was blowing the pages all over and it was a constant battle to keep the pages flat to write.  But it sure was gorgeous!

I'm glad you enjoyed the chap.  Hm ... I think you have been peeking at the drafts I've got for future chapters.

Not much to do with two sleeping women in their beds.
that's what she said.

He was totally, completely, 95% positive of it.
Now that's a Micheal-ism if I ever heard one. Jim must have caught it.

This is great. For so many reasons. I love your miniscule but important details (i.e. hospital rooms get messy so easily, how it happens is a mystery to me). LOVE that Jim is starting to think outside of his own head now that he is in a new environment. And realizing that expecting Pam to lure him into infidelity was a little unreasonable *eyeroll*

I ♥ this fic.

Author's Response: Thank you, variella!  I'm glad you like my details and the way Jim's character is developing.  It's funny, this story is decidedly different than what I first had in mind, oh almost 2 years ago.  Geez, I can't believe I am so slow.  But I think the way the story has developed is much stronger than what I originally had in mind.  Less soap opera-ish.  So thanks for sticking with me!

10

Just had to stop by and say "Hi!"  I've been reading great things about this story for months in fanfic recommendations thread, but for some reason, never read it..until today.  (I think I was intimidated by it's length.) 

OMG!!  I'm twenty chapters in and can't stop!  Going to finish the rest after I write this review. 

I have no words...

I LOVE this story! Seriously, when I see a new chapter posted, I read it in minutes because I'm so excited. It's so well written and descriptive. The way you write Jim and Pam is so believable. I can't wait for the next chapter. Thanks for taking the time to write on your vacation to Hawaii! That seriously took some dedication! I went last year and stayed as far as I could with any technology or any connections to the mainland so I know what a sacrifice writing was!

Author's Response: Aw, thanks so much!  It was really kind of relaxing to write while on vacation.  My husband was at a conference for the first day or so and I didn't have a car, so I wrote while sitting on the grass and watching the waves.  Not all day, of course, but some...

This is the only story that my heart does a leap every time I see an update.  I'm glad you had a nice trip and can't wait to see the picture.  Now I am so happy that Jim believes Pam loves him.  I'm nervous though that he will doubt himself before he gets back to her.  I absolutely love this story.

Welcome back, VB! Thanks for the lovely chapter! I got all excited with Jim when he comes to the realization that Pam loves him. I can just see him with a goofy grin on his face, a beacon of light found in tragic circumstances. Can't wait for that next chapter!

Author's Response:

Thanks!  Our Jim is finally seeing the light, yes he is.  Hope to have the next one up in fairly short order.  Since writing this chapter, I have to completely rewrite the beginning of the next.  This is the problem when you write out of order.  But you gotta write what comes, you know?  Some chapters end up getting completely trashed but that's how it goes.