Date: February 09, 2008 06:25 pm Title: Chapter 3
Love that Jim has no clue what is going on under the hood. Ah, well, his talents are elsewhere, right? Like remembering the hoodie for Pam?! I was waiting for that! Like where this is going, esp. since there's gonna be lots of Halpert(s)-Beesley banter next!
Author's Response: Heh -- I couldn't help but include that little bit. (And - *cough* - I'll just bet his talents lie elsewhere.) I'm so glad you're enjoying this -- and thanks so much for reviewing!
10 [Report This]Date: February 09, 2008 07:54 am Title: Chapter 3
Pam with Jim's brothers is like my favourite non-smut scenario ever. Can't wait until next chapter. :D
Author's Response:
Now see, just think if you'd been careless and forgotten to include the "non" in that first sentence -- oh the scandal! (Hee, I couldn't resist!) So glad you like the brothers; I just love envisioning them all....sigh. :o)
Thanks for reviewing!
Date: February 09, 2008 05:16 am Title: Chapter 3
Yay!!! Pam's spending the evening (and night? dare I hope?) at casa de Halpert.
Ok, excitement is out of the way. I've read enough of your stuff to know that it won't be that easy. I can't wait! to see how you'll play out their dynamic as they attempt to ignore what can't really be ignored anymore...and in front of his brothers and a drunken Mark who I'm hoping will say something completely inappropriate that gets Pam thinking!
With that said and done, I loved this chapter! For me it gave more insight into Pam's character...what she finds important in a man, a confidant, and how for the most part she's trained herself to ignore the fact that Jim is what she wants. Sure, his entrance into her life is inconveniently timed, and I can't imagine a scenario in which it would be easy to throw away a relationship that's lasted a decade...but I have faith in you, girl7 (you hear that? I'm putting my faith in you!). This will turn out ok, though I'm fully prepared to be frustrated, amused, sad, on the verge of ecstatic laughter, on the verge of woeful tears, or some strange combination of all of the above before we get to the happy ending so to speak.
In conclusion, I'm hooked, and I can't wait for more!
Author's Response:
Okay, first of all: What an awesomely thorough and thoughtful review. Thank you so much for that! Second of all: I'm glad this gave you insight into Pam's character, because it may sound weird for me to say this (given the fact that I've written god knows how many fics in the last year and a half), but it occurred to me that it's been a long time since I've really explored her state of mind with regard to her willful obliviousness to what she really feels for Jim. I went into a lot of that in my very first fic (I think), but since then, I've tended to emphasize her attraction to him. So I wanted to get back to representing not just her attraction to him, but also to exploring the ways that she attempts to rationalize it all away and talk herself out of it. Because I think she did a lot of that during season 2.
Well I certainly hope this lives up to your expectations! :o) Thanks so much for your review!!
Date: February 08, 2008 07:17 pm Title: Chapter 3
Awww he brought her a sweatshirt!! That's so sweet and thoughtful. And OMG yes I look forward to Pam and the Halpert brothers. =)
Author's Response:
I'm glad you liked that little detail; it just seemed like such a Jim thing to do, you know? And part of what I'm going for here is that it'll ultimately be the little gestures like that one (or rather, Pam's memory of them) that sends her over the edge. And yay that you're looking forward to the Halpert brothers & Pam!!! You guys are giving me so much motivation to write those scenes!!
Thanks so much for reviewing!
Date: February 08, 2008 07:09 pm Title: Chapter 3
Don't make us wait to long for the next chapter! This is great!
Author's Response: You have my word that I won't make you wait too long! :o) I'm hopefully going to get some time to work on the next chapter tonight and tomorrow. Thanks so much for reviewing!
Date: February 08, 2008 07:06 pm Title: Chapter 2
OMG! *flais* Jim brothers! Brothers of Jim! I want them all, they're so cute and I love how the three interact with each other!! And that last part with Roy was so emotional -- eeep Pam doesn't have a lot of girlfriends so Jim counts as one? Ouch! And that whole thing with Roy just not seeing or knowing about Jim's true feelings about Pam. *sigh* Oh by the way, because of you, I started watching Chuck. LOL! So thanks. =)
Author's Response:
Okay, this? Made me literally laugh right out loud. "I want them all!" Hee - get in line, sister. :o) The Roy bits were inspired by his comment to Pam at the coffee shop that he thought maybe Jim was gay "or something." I don't think Roy ever really believed Jim was gay (hello, The Alliance), but I do think he completely underestimated the threat that Jim represented. And obviously by CN, Roy had cast Jim in the role of harmless best friend. Poor Roy. Hee.
Yay for a Chuck convert! I absolutely adore that show, and I'm impatient already for it to come out on DVD. Glad to hear you're watching it because of this! :o)
Thanks for reviewing!
Date: February 08, 2008 06:24 pm Title: Chapter 3
Oh, yeah! Beesly and the Halpert brothers!
This is getting better by the chapter. You have really captured the tension between these two. It's exciting to read.
Author's Response:
Yay for more sexy Halperts, right? LOL. I'm glad you're enjoying this, and I'm also happy to hear that it conveys the tension, because that's exactly what I was going for.
Thanks so much for reviewing!
Date: February 08, 2008 05:29 pm Title: Chapter 3
oh I LOVE this already, I'm so excited to see where you're taking this...and I really hope the M rating is a wonderful indication.
I'm not a Chuck watcher, but I think casting that guy as Jim's brother is brilliant. So he has been added to my permanent mental image of the Halperts, next to Diane Keaton as Mom.
I'm so excited! Update soon!!! :D
Author's Response:
I chuckled at your comment re: the M rating (and I'll deliver on that, I promise, hee). I also grinned so big at your reference to Diane Keaton as Mom -- seriously, I'm so flattered that you remember that from "Only." :o)
Thanks for reviewing -- and I'll update soon! :o)
Date: February 08, 2008 03:30 pm Title: Chapter 3
aw, damn. no more chapters! :) great start. i like the dynamic of the brothers, and i totally see the jim/chuck connection. can't wait for them to meet pam.
Author's Response:
Yay, another Jim/Chuck supporter! I swear, the resemblence is uncanny at times -- not so much the physical, but their mannerisms....
Thanks so much for reviewing!
10 [Report This]Date: February 08, 2008 03:09 pm Title: Chapter 3
Pam. C'mon. Watching Law and Order: SVU is always an adventure. Always. ;-)
Ok seriously though I love this story. LOVE. I cannot wait for more. You are definitely my prolonged strike salvation, and your stories never fail to be entertaining and fresh!!
Author's Response:
Amen, sister (on the SVU comment -- I have to give my shout-outs to sexy Chris Meloni whenever I can....) I'm really glad to hear you're enjoying this, and thanks so much for your kind words about my stories. :o)
Thanks for reviewing!
Date: February 08, 2008 02:09 pm Title: Chapter 3
Oh I can't wait for Pam to meet the brothers Halpert. More please.
Author's Response: It just makes me smile so big to read that people are liking the brothers thing - I was so worried about it! I have to admit that I'm really looking forward to writing the scenes with Pam & the brothers (have already written a bit). Anyway, thanks so much for reviewing!
Date: February 08, 2008 01:56 pm Title: Chapter 3
What a way to end the work day!!!! I'm so happy...but I'm addicted. I need more!
Author's Response:
Glad it made the end of your work day! :o) I'm also happy to hear that you're addicted -- knowing that there are actually people who care what happens next is lovely incentive to get my butt in gear and write some more. :o)
Thanks for reviewing!
Date: February 08, 2008 01:52 pm Title: Chapter 1
Excellent as usual!
b
Author's Response: So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for reviewing!
10 [Report This]Date: February 08, 2008 01:37 pm Title: Chapter 3
I really liked this line : It had been like those moments out on the deck of the Booze Cruise, when it seemed so many things passed between them -- all those things left unsaid echoing in the silence surrounding them.
I'l be waiting on the edge of my seat for another update!
Author's Response: I'm glad you liked it -- I swear, I'm obsessed with that scene on the deck. :o) Thanks so much for the review -- and I'll hopefully be updating really soon! :o)
Date: February 08, 2008 01:33 pm Title: Chapter 3
Shouldn't it be Josh who is debating sandwich merits? Hee!
Love the details about Pam thinking of her engagement as a safety net. So true. And that Jim couldn't possibly want her if he has Katy. So wrong.
Author's Response:
Bwah! "Oh no, sister; I'm just getting started!" (God, I loved that scene....)
Yeah, I've always envisioned Pam as thinking it's all harmless with Jim because he wouldn't possibly say anything while she's engaged. I also loved that scene in Hot Girl with Pam putting on the lip gloss -- so sad, but so relatable. If only she'd known....
Thanks, my friend, for reviewing!
Date: February 08, 2008 01:26 pm Title: Chapter 3
Awesome! Pam is going to get to meet Jim's brothers? Very cool.
I love this: "For a second all he can do is stand there staring down at her, blinking in shock, because he's sure he didn't imagine what just happened. It had been like those moments out on the deck of the Booze Cruise, when it seemed so many things passed between them -- all those things left unsaid echoing in the silence surrounding them." C'mon, you two! You can cut the sexual tension with a knife. You two kids belong together. ;) (I'll just talk to your borrowed characters a while. You don't mind, right?)
Nice job; I look forward to more.
I noticed one misspelling - sponteaneous should be spontaneous.
Roy's going to be really sorry he was out of town. :)
Author's Response:
Gah, thank you for pointing out the spelling thing! I've only got wordpad on my laptop, which doesn't have spell check (grrrr), and this chapter was unbeta'd. (Usually Starry Dreamer catches that sort of thing for me.)
I'm glad you're excited that Pam's going to meet the brothers, because I actually wrote the scene when she meets Josh immediately after I watched the final two episodes of Chuck (a few weeks ago). I never write things out of sequence, but I couldn't help it; I was dying to write that scene! So I'm glad to hear that you're looking forward to it -- I tried to capture some of Zach Levi's/Chuck's bumbling, foot-in-his-mouth-dorkiness-while-trying-to-recover. :o)
And you can talk to my borrowed characters all you want, my friend -- after all, I dream up their dialogue when I'm driving around, running errands. :o)
Thanks for reviewing!
Date: February 07, 2008 09:22 pm Title: Chapter 2
Jim's brothers are like the devil and the angel on his shoulders. I look forward to more!
Author's Response:
Thanks, TLK -- that's exactly the feel I was going for, to have each of them represent a side of Jim's conscience (sort of).
Thanks for reviewing!
Date: February 07, 2008 09:15 pm Title: Chapter 1
I love how you've described the 27 seconds of silence. I'm interested to see where all this is going. :)
Author's Response: Ah, I love that 27 seconds of silence -- I've written it a bazillion times, I still find it fascinating. So glad you're enjoying the story! Thanks for reviewing --
9 [Report This]Date: February 05, 2008 03:24 pm Title: Chapter 2
Really wonderfully written!
Author's Response: Thanks so much! And your screen name makes me smile for some reason. :o)
Date: February 05, 2008 07:33 am Title: Chapter 1
I am really enjoying this so far - plus, hey, another brother for Jim!!!! I always love the way you write jonathan, and i'm kind of excited to see what Josh will morph into.
Great job!!!
Author's Response:
Heh -- I'm sort of greedy with the wanting to include another hot brother for Jim. :o) I blame Zachery Levi entirely. :o) Glad you like Jonathan, as he's so much fun to write -- I hope you'll like Josh, too!
Thanks so much for reviewing!
Date: February 04, 2008 11:20 am Title: Chapter 2
Oof. This one is really packed with punches, isn't it? I loved the interaction of the guys at the game and especially the brothers. It felt very warm and familial and true. The reminiscences did a great job of not only illustrating Jim's state of mind then but also in showing how easily he could have said something then instead of waiting until Casino Night.
Author's Response:
I aim for the punches, angst whore that I am. :o) So glad the dynamic with Jim's brothers seemed natural, as it was one of the things I was really worried about. And this whole story came out of the desire to explore what could've happened if Jim had spoken up earlier -- because like you said, he so easily could have done it on the Booze Cruise.
Thanks for your review!
Date: February 01, 2008 08:19 pm Title: Chapter 1
WOW, you always amaze me with how you can capture the thoughts of Jim & Pam so perfectly -- I can just visualize their exact expressions when you write! Thanks so much for always bringing a smile to my face and bringing out my creative side.. No- wait I mean you are the truly creative one that helps me imagine the Jim & Pam dynamic perfectly! You ROCK.
Author's Response:
Wow -- what a flattering review! Seriously -- it's amazing to hear that you can picture their expressions (as that's precisely what I'm going for here....). As far as bringing out your creative side is concerned -- yet another humbling thing! I'm always so inspired by the other awe-inspiring writers on this site (and that's no exaggeration) that to know I might just spark the same feeling in you is amazing. ;o)
Thanks for taking the time to review!
Date: February 01, 2008 08:10 pm Title: Chapter 2
Marvelous. Just marvelous. I like the interaction between Jim and his brothers and Mark--very "guy" like conversation. :)
But the really great thing about this chapter is similar to what was so great about the previous one--that you were able to give so many insights into Jim's character and thought processes.
Also, this? "That toast...." Roy shook his head, weaving a bit on his feet. "Thing is, Pam's never really...had a lot of close girlfriends. And you really just...kinda make up for all that...y'know?"
Ouch! :)(but in a good way.)
Excellent chapter!
Author's Response:
I'm well aware of the negative, credibility-compromising aspects of the verb "squee," but still...I must say that I squee'd just a little at your review. :o) I was really, really uncertain about this chapter, primarily in terms of capturing the dynamic between the guys. I was writing it with the intention of representing opposing foils for Jim who could articulate his internal struggle, but when all was said and done, I was left sitting there wondering if this was completely ridiculous or far-fetched.
My particular concern was whether or not Jim's brother would be so vehement about his (Jim's) love life. ...But when I saw the second to last episode of "Chuck" (you're a fan, right?), I felt a little vindicated, as Chuck spent much of the episode attempting to persuade Casey in the same way that Josh is trying to convince Jim here.
Still, though, it's great to get confirmation from a guy that these scenes ring true. :o) Glad Roy's comment resonated with you -- my beta, Starry Dreamer, had almost exactly the same reaction. :o)
Thanks so much for reviewing!
Date: February 01, 2008 07:52 pm Title: Chapter 1
I just found this story...and it's wonderful. I love your take on the infamous happenings of the booze cruise. You've captured Pam's anxiety--not to mention her refusal to really address her own feelings--just perfectly. I look forward to the next chapter!
Author's Response:
All right, so this has absolutely nothing to do with your review, really, but it needs to be said: (...Though, it's, er, not as dramatic a proclamation as it sounds....) :o)
While I manage to always find time to write, I'm woefully behind when it comes to keeping up with recent fics; that said, I lurk on the boards, so I have a sense of those fics/authors that are "must reads" (which only frustrates me more, at times, because I can't stop and read them...).
All this to say: You're one of those authors that I've filed away in my memory as one whose catalogue I need to devour when next I have a prolonged period of time off (which will be in about eight weeks -- so prepare yourself for an onslaught of reviews!).
Honestly, though, almost every day when I take a lunch break, I hop on to MTT to lurk and see what everyone's up to, and I'm always frustrated that I can't take the time to really read and offer feedback to all those authors who are so deserving of recognition (yourself included!).
All this to say: I've read your stuff, so to receive a positive review from you is doubly thrilling. Thanks so much for reviewing -- and as I said, prepare yourself for a deluge of reviews in a few months from now. :o)
Date: February 01, 2008 07:06 pm Title: Chapter 2
Oh, I am so rooting for this to turn out better than when Jim spilled it to Pam on Casino night. I like how Josh contrasts with the ever sensible Jonathan.
The scene with Jim/Roy was brilliant. Jim feeling guilty when Roy didn't even know was so appropo. And, did he bring that extra hoodie for Pam?
p.s. Saran wrap traps in the deli was LOL funny!
Author's Response:
While I can't guarantee a set-in-stone happy ending (or rather, a clearly defined happy ending), I can tell you that this will end better than CN. (Seriously - I am constitutionally averse to writing Pam as accusing Jim of "misinterpreting" her. No freaking way. ...Not that I fault Steve Carell, whose script was brilliant. :o)
It's great to read that you like the contrast between Josh and Jon, because that's exactly what I had in mind -- two people who're very close to Jim that represent vastly different perspectives. (And I must admit that, much as Jon is influenced by Scott Foley's Noel from "Felicity," Josh is every bit as much inspired by Zach Levi's "Chuck" -- right down to the optimism when it comes to love.)
I'm rambling yet again. :o) Thanks so much for your review -- glad you liked the Saran wrap traps joke (seriously - I steal dialogue straight from my husband whenever I can because I'm generally inept at witty reparte & jokes, LOL).
Also -- the extra hoodie? Yep, totally for Pam. :o)
Thanks again for reviewing! :o)