So dang good and so believable.  Amazing how you make all these characters seem real.

AHHHH!!!!  No Pam!  Don't do it!!!  Go get him!!!

Sorry.  I got a little caught up in this chapter.

Incredible chapter.  I actually gasped when he said "I'm in love with you".  Oh, and this rocked my world:

And then his lips are on hers, his hands sliding from her face to her upper back as he draws her closer. In that flash of an instant, he's transformed from the best friend who'd always been relatively harmless to the man who's effectively shaking the foundation of her life; she's almost acutely aware of the fact that they're crossing lines right now that they'll never be able to re-construct.

Beautiful and haunting.  Count me in as another person that can't wait for more of this story!

Ok, I know this sounds blasphemous, but I really like certain sections of this chapter more than canon. For instance, the way he verbally challenges her to deny that she feels the same way he does. And how he pauses before he kisses her initially, giving her an out, and again, another chance to deny the connection between them.
The intensity of your writing is what always gets me. I'm totally wrapped up in the story, barely breathing, waiting to see where you take our beloved couple next.

Author's Response:

Wow -- it really does mean a lot that you'd say you like sections of this better than canon.  While I think Steve deserves to be sainted or something for that amazing, amazing script (seriously), I have to admit that I was really disappointed at the way they picked it up in season three.  There were just so many questions left unanswered, so much that should've been resolved.  You mention that he verbally challenges her on her feelings -- when we watched GWH and he just let go of her hands and walked away, I was sitting there going, "Okay, but that can't be it; he wouldn't just give up that easily."  Mr. Girl7 pointed out that he'd already put himself out there, so what else could he do?  I could see his logic, but I was still dissatisfied (and convinced -- absolutely convinced -- that the tag at the end would be Jim ringing the doorbell at Pam's apartment -- like a hidden camera view.  I even wrote a fic about it, "Wishful Thinking," because I was that sure it was going to end that way).

I'm rambling, but I wanted to say that I agree with what you said regarding him not verbally challenging her.  I get it that he confessed and she said no in the parking lot, but I still don't understand how or why he'd walk away after she kissed him that way (never mind that she ADMITTED she'd wanted it to happen for a long time); it just didn't make sense that he wouldn't at least ask, "Okay, so what the hell was that...?" 

Sigh.  But I'm still extremely gruntled.  :o)

Thanks so much for the review, my friend!

10

Oh. My. Goodness. How do you do it? Honestly? It's like a superhuman power. How do you build so much tension that I feel like I want to explode? The trip from pure bliss to pure torture is so quick, yet so seamless and perfect that it's hard to imagine that moments before I felt anything else. You show the depth and breadth of these character's and their emotions while still staying within the bounds of their characters. And your angsty Jim makes me want to curl up in a ball and cry for him. So perfect.
I could continue the gushing, but I'll just say, you've done it again. As always, you've amazed me with your incredible, seemingly effortless, writing.
Fantastic!
More soon PLEASE!!!

Author's Response:

You are too kind!  All I can say is that I'm (apparently endlessly) fascinated with all the things that went unsaid between the two of them, particularly during season two; there's just so much raw material to work with there that I can't help exploring it.  And why I am so enamored with angsty Jim is also beyond me; maybe it's because JK just blew me away during the confession scene -- I still remember sitting there with my mouth hanging open, not breathing, then gasping out loud at the tear.  (Heh, I even pointed at the TV when I saw it, but I was still incapable of words at that point -- so I probably looked like a toddler pointing at something shiny.)  :O)

All this to say: I'm so glad you enjoyed this, and I really appreciate your taking the time to review!

8

Washington Post - February 2008

"Virginia woman dies suddenly from an unexpected broken heart".  When interviewed, her husband said "I thought we were happily married - how could she die from a broken heart?  She was sitting here like she does every night, doing something on her laptop, and then there was a big sigh, a whispered "now I'm nearing the edge" and that was it."

Seriously - this was the perfect storm of loving hopefulness and hot smoochiness meeting heartbreaking denial.  Awesome job, as usual!

God, that was heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. I cannot wait to see what happens next.

Author's Response:

I'm honestly sort of aghast at the reviews...really?  Seriously?  (BIG sigh of relief)  I'm so glad you enjoyed it -- really.  And I so appreciate your taking the time to leave feedback.  :o) 

(Am working on the next chapter as we speak, so I'll update soon.)

Thank you again!

As usual, this is so, so great! I mean, it's all kinds of painful, just choc full of veggies, but still so delicious. Though, if you plan on offering up a giant plate of tiramisu next, I'm all for that.

Great chapter, girl7. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Author's Response:

Tiarmisu is on the way.  (I think I owe you, anyway, do I not...?  That awesome challenge fic that I read on my recent one-day fanfic spree....whoa.  I'm looking forward to spring break in a few weeks, during which time I fully intend to inhale all the fics I've missed lately.)  :o)

So glad you're enjoying this -- and thank you for reviewing! 

10

Oh wow! I really wish I had a box of tissues near me for that chapter! haha...So I really love this story, your writing is fantastic. But the dessert better be awesome after that!! =)

Author's Response:

Thank you so much!  *handing you a box of cyber tissues...and a copy of "Money" so you can be reassured of how perfectly it all turns out*  :o)

I'm so glad you're enjoying this, and I promise: dessert will be worth every nasty bite of that cabbage!  LOL.

Thanks so much for reviewing!

Wow that was sad!  Very well written I might add!  I hope you continue it.

B

My god...that was absolutely heartbreaking, in a good way, I guess. That is, only if you're planning on making the end work out for our favorite tv characters.

Author's Response:

Well not to ruin the story for you, but I do promise a happy ending.  (Shall we all say it together?  TWSS!!  Thank you, thank you; I'll be here all week....)  But seriously, given the way I heap on the angst, I feel somehow obligated to make it all better by the end.  I'm kind of short-sighted that way.  :o)

Thanks for reviewing!

Wow.  Just ... wow.


Author's Response:

Okay, so I pictured Pam after Jim's uber-adorable chair turn and innocent gaze (when he pranked her by having Andy ask her out).  ...That explanation was far too clunky and awkward.  ;o)

I'm so glad you're enjoying this; I'm having a great time writing it -- feel like I've been in another planet for the past two hours.... :o)

Thanks for reviewing!

You're cranky when you have no inspiration, then you're cranky when the muse moves in and won't move from your sleeper sofa!  (You know which one I prefer, of course...)

OK, I ate my vegetables (they were yummy, too), now please reassure us that "Fun Run" follows "Gay Witch Hunt" in some fashion.  At least Pam gave a little more indication that she feels the same way, although the situation is 'impossible'.  *wringing hands*