1 [Report This]Date: September 12, 2020 07:20 pm Title: Chapter 1
The only reason this isn't absolutely something that happened in canon is that I have a hard time seeing Pam being able to come back from this - this is perfectly S2 Jam.
10 [Report This]Date: January 04, 2009 05:23 pm Title: Chapter 1
"It was killing me. Just killing me." He keeps his tone and expression steady, but he feels that familiar delicate, rising sense of vertigo that he always gets when they joke like this.
This is what made me love this story. It sums up first and second season Jim so perfectly and completely. You've captured their brand of sexual tension so wonderfully; it's painful and dangerous and heartbreaking and thrilling all at the same time. I usually don't like it when authors write another first kiss for Jim and Pam that happens before Casino Night, but you've really nailed it here.
One bit of criticism. It was sometimes a little unclear what the setting was. I didn't realize jim had come back inside after putting the tree out. That's all. Fantastic job :)
Author's Response: I've found that, in a well-established fic community like this one, one must sometimes invent events that stretch the canon just a hair if one doesn't want to move through well-trod territory. I'm very determined to play around with the possibilities without stretching plausability too much, as pushing it too far does make me uncomfortable. I'm glad you think I succeeded. In response to your criticism, I thought I made the fact that he had come back inside fairly clear when I wrote - "When he comes back in, Pam, her coat on, is leaning against her desk, staring out into the room. His bag is on the floor next to her and the mistletoe is on the counter at her side. "Ready?" she asks when he walks in." I'll take it under advisement, though. Thanks for your review.rnrn
Date: December 26, 2008 05:21 am Title: Chapter 1
It's so heartbreaking and bittersweet. It's the essence of Jam in season 2! I love it! It was beautifully written and completely believable.
Author's Response: Thank you, snoz! I'm glad you liked it.
10 [Report This]Date: December 24, 2008 08:08 pm Title: Chapter 1
Aww, that was so cute. It was very real, I almost feel like it actually happened on the show.
Stupid Pam. It's a rule of thumb that when Jim kisses you, you do not stay engaged.
Author's Response: Thanks for your review, JamFan. Perhaps if some of us had gotten together to write these things down for Pam... sheesh. :)
10 [Report This]Date: December 18, 2008 06:08 pm Title: Chapter 1
I started out copying some lines I liked in this, but then tossed them all out because they're all good enough to quote. I love how you have captured that mood between Pam and Jim pre-Casino Night, the sense of them tiptoeing along the edge of something, the breathless feeling when the submerged sexual tension bubbles to the surface, the hint of desperation in their flirting, joking relationship...you caught all of that perfectly. I am very jealous. :)
Author's Response: Hiya, NEJ, thanks for the love & sorry for the delayed response. The holidays, you know... I'm glad you liked it. Sexual tension is a pain to write without being over-the-top or too understated. I'm glad you think I succeeded. Cheers!
10 [Report This]Date: December 18, 2008 12:46 pm Title: Chapter 1
A very good and enthusiastic "WOW", Talkative. I really enjoyed this... Man, I wanted to kick these two so badly during season two and this brought all of that back. In a good way. : )
Author's Response: I know! I kind of forgot how much I wanted to strangle the two of them during S2 until I started writing this. What a way to remember! Thanks for your review. :)
9 [Report This]Date: December 17, 2008 04:59 pm Title: Chapter 1
You really captured the Season two angst and longing, and I could definately feel the Canary tribute vibe, which just made it even more wonderful. This was amazing and I loved it.
Author's Response: Thank you, pigeon. I wanted to show my love for Canary without ripping it off. Hope I've managed that.
10 [Report This]Date: December 16, 2008 09:16 pm Title: Chapter 1
Wonderful, wonderful!!
Author's Response: Thank you, thank you!!
10 [Report This]Date: December 16, 2008 05:51 pm Title: Chapter 1
Oh Talkative. It's so nice to see something from you - it's been a stellar few weeks here with new fic from my favorite authors, and of course you are no exception.
This hurt, but in a good way. Although I love love love Jim and Pam right now it's always nice to look back on the angst and this totally fit the bill. I love how they held hands in the cab ride, and the back and forth between them through the whole thing. So good!
And frosting? How did you know I love frosting? Looking forward to it, my friend. Frosting, by the way, makes a lovely holiday present - just saying ;)
Author's Response: Hey, kells. Thanks so much for your kind feedback - I'm glad you enjoyed it. And, yes, I've gathered that many of the fine people here at MTT are frosting fans. :) I'll see what I can do.
Date: December 16, 2008 04:42 pm Title: Chapter 1
YES! Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is exactly the sort of thing I envisaged when I proposed the "mistletoe" challenge. However, you've penned this ten thousand times more eloquently than I ever could have dreamed. Well done you!
Author's Response: No, thank you for sharing that prompt with us. The best kinds of prompts are very open-ended, leaving any interested authors plenty of room to explore the possibilities. At the time that your prompt got posted, I was working on a story that took place in Feb. 2006, containing many of the elements that ended up in By Night. I couldn't find a way to anchor it, but your prompt provided the structure that I desperately needed.
Date: December 16, 2008 02:16 pm Title: Chapter 1
I would like some frosting.
frosting is very satisfying ;]
Author's Response: One cannot live on frosting alone, but, I, too love frosting.
10 [Report This]Date: December 16, 2008 11:46 am Title: Chapter 1
Wow.
Author's Response: Before I respond, was that a good "wow" or a Jim "wow"? Just want to be sure...rn
10 [Report This]Date: December 16, 2008 10:10 am Title: Chapter 1
Do you know the amount of delight that I felt when I saw that you'd written another story? I could barely wait to find a quiet moment to read it. And as always, you're amazing.
I have read this story several times, loving it more with each read, and tried to compose a review in my head that justifies how much I adore this story (and you!)
Everything is just "right." I love the little details and dialogue that increase the palpable sexual tension. I swear I can hear Jim's heart break on the cab ride home, see his expression every time Pam teases him with the mistletoe.
Oh. My heart when thud with this: "As he's telling the cab driver that they'll be right down, he steals a glance at her. She seems to be attempting to decipher cryptic writing on his chest. When he kisses the furrow of her brow, she pulls away gingerly."
ASFHHASLFHFD FKSASDASD!!! That's the sound of my brain breaking.
I also love how you've left this a question of AU or not by not letting Jim confess what Pam already knows, which is that he loves her.
We really feel the hurt from Jim's point of view, but I'd be so curious to see the inner-workings of Pam's mind here. What is she be thinking and going through?! Lust, love, confusion, guilt...
In closing, you and this story are perfection.
Author's Response: Thanks for your lovely and thorough review, WhatAWaste. I'd also be curious to know what Pam was thinking here, too, esp. since I originally attempted to write this from her pov and it just didn't work. Sister does *not* want to talk about it. She just wants to kiss her boy and, later, pretend that it never happened. Pain in my neck... Also, please know that I haven't forgotten about your prompts - I have a file among my fic things labeled "WhatAWaste" and I will definitely be getting to at least one of them.
10 [Report This]Date: December 16, 2008 06:59 am Title: Chapter 1
::NanReg reaches up for desk from her position collapsed on the floor...falls back down again:: Talkative, best Christmas gift EVER--better than a visit from Santa--especially since I'm expecting a big lump o' coal ; )
OK, I shall attempt to sift through the rambling thoughts in my head. LOOOOOOOVED this. Really. You had me at Canary. Let's start from the beginning, shall we?
She takes her can, puts her mouth where his had been, and he doesn't think about it. Because he's not twelve. Oh, Jim, Jim, Jim...you poor boy.
Love the thought of the mistletoe being batted around as the tension builds.
Jim's discovery of the lipgloss? The label told him that it tasted like blackberries. It was just too much to consider calmly. Delicious. And they're listening to Counting Crows which, lame or not, is my favorite band :)
"It must have felt good to unburden yourself like that."
Oh, you are a tricky one, Pammy. Don't pretend that you don't know what you're doing! "It was killing me. Just killing me." *sigh* We all know it was, James.
She shakes her head and looks down at her feet. He would love to run his thumb down her instep, to hold her heel in his palm and lay her back on the cushion under her elbows. Guh. You with the details, lady!
He's determined to keep joking until he can speak normally, but he can feel his control slipping. Whew.
This time, he makes no pretense about being friendly or sweet or experimental. When he presses her back against her desk, takes her bottom lip between his, and she moans quietly, he's pretty sure that Roy can fuck right off, because never in a million years did he think he would get to do anything more than feverishly imagine that sound. *thud* (you really earned that one)
And the cab ride home? Perfect, perfect ending.
In closing, you are a goddess. Frosting? Let me go grab a spoon...
P.S. to callisto: Expect a shower of Schrute Bucks for helping the lady out. As if I needed another reason to love you ; )
Author's Response: I can tell it's time to start composing my review responses when I have to step over Tink to get to the "respond" button. Know how I know you're awesome? You always pull quotes when you review - it's tremendously helpful (and amusing, as you consistently find my last-minute edits). And, as Jim was drunkenly attempting to explain, The Counting Crows are not lame (well, at least until you get past This Desert Life, then all bets are off. Believe me, that's totally what he said to Pam.). Thanks for the *thud*, the love, and for always being so supportive. I've got a post-S3 smutcake in the oven. I'll put it on the windowsill when it's done.
Date: December 16, 2008 05:08 am Title: Chapter 1
This is one of those stories where if I started quoting lines/moments I loved, I'd practically have to copy/paste the entire thing. Such a vividly rendered portrait of that very particular, almost fragile moment - with these very specific characters. The writing is emotionally consuming yet so delicate - not an easy combo to pull off. I especially liked the metaphor of tossing the mistletoe ball back and forth - really captures that thing they did: using playfulness to mask subtext...until in CN, like what you've drawn here, Jim dropped that pretext. And your ending hits the perfect forlorn, bittersweet note - that cab ride hurt very, very good. (Especially liked your final line - I'm a big fan of single lines that convey more than entire paragraphs ;-) Anyway, I could go on, but my point is this was all kinds of subtle and melancholy and just right.
Author's Response: God, Colette, I think you should be paid to follow people around and boost their egos - you always write the best reviews. Of course, I think it helps that you are one of the best writers here, so feedback from you means a. lot. As I'm sure you know, it's really difficult to keep things on an even keel when putting these two through the paces, so I'm glad you think my take on it worked. "Delicate" is quite a compliment - thank you. And, as I've written and rewritten this and other stories, I've discovered that their entire relationship comes down to pretext and, very specifically, Jim's willingness to maintain it. Pam won't let it go for love or money, so it's all on him. I've come to appreciate how emotionally draining Jim's experience must have been and I'm frankly, astonished, that he was able to maintain his "friendship" with Pam for as long as he did. Again, thank you so much for your generous review.
Date: December 16, 2008 04:33 am Title: Chapter 1
Oooooh. I loved the angst and the heartbreak. Lovely writing! Thanks!
Author's Response: Thank you, persephone. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
10 [Report This]Date: December 15, 2008 09:40 pm Title: Chapter 1
I have been marathoning my S2 DVDs recently and have been a tee bit wistful for the old days so this fic was really perfect for my state of mind these days. Perfect indeed, Talkative. So sweet and sad yet charming and so in character and believable. Just a really, really lovely read. I especially loved this part:
When he presses her back against her desk, takes her bottom lip between his, and she moans quietly, he's pretty sure that Roy can fuck right off, because never in a million years did he think he would get to do anything more than feverishly imagine that sound.
Just.. yes. So heartbreakingly beautiful. I always enjoy reading your work and I hope to read more soon.
Author's Response: Thanks for the review, oobadnama. One of the beauty parts of being a fic writer is that you can drag the tension back into existence any time you feel like it. And then you can undermine all of the angst by working on a post-S3 fic while you do it. :) I hope it'll be up soon.
10 [Report This]Date: December 15, 2008 08:53 pm Title: Chapter 1
That was, wow, I'm speechless. That was amazing and wonderful and I loved it. I knew I'd enjoy it, because you wrote it, but that was seriously amazing.
God, sorry for such a crap review, but LOVE :)
Author's Response: "Crap review" is a contradiction in terms. If it's a review, and it's constructive/positive, it's automatically good (at least for my ego). So thank you, Hannah. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
10 [Report This]Date: December 15, 2008 08:50 pm Title: Chapter 1
Unfortunately life has gotten in the way of my fanfic reading for the past few months...but what a treat to come back and read this! I always love how you write Jim and Pam...only certain writers can really capture these two in both conversation and description, and you're definitely one of them. Your dialogue is never trite or contrived and I can always picture the characters saying each of the lines. So thank you for that...can't wait to see what's next from you :) In the meantime I might just have to go and read Week's End for like, the hundredth time...
Author's Response: Real life has been doing that to my fanfic writing, honey, so I completely understand. Welcome back. I spend the majority of my writing time reworking the dialog (and, weirdly, watching clips of the show on NBC's site to make absolutely sure that I'm "hearing" them correctly), so thank you for complimenting me on it. As I said, next from me is going to be a heap of post-Job frosting. I'm not sure when it'll be up, but I hope you enjoy it when it is.
10 [Report This]Date: December 15, 2008 08:20 pm Title: Chapter 1
Oh, Talkative, this is so gorgeous. So wistful and sad and sweet and exactly in character--I am so glad you were able to get it straight how you wanted to play it, because it turned out so wonderful. I'm happy that our little conversation was worthwhile, and very honored that you should mention me. ::bear hug::
Now for the parts that stood out (many, but here are a few):
They're frozen like that for a moment, before the serious expression on her face melts into a small smile that doesn't match the inexplicable things happening in her eyes.
He has momentarily decided that he is done with things like being careful. --Oh, if that doesn't define a moment like this so perfectly.
And the whole cab ride home, and that last line... well. You're so awesome. :)
Author's Response: callisto, my little nymph... again, thanks so much for taking the time to hear me out. After struggling with this, I'm even more impressed that you're attempting Pam's voice in Give Me a Sign - being confronted with the way Jim feels about her seems to make her clam up for me. And thank you for noting the cab scene. It was a last-minute addition, about the fifth or sixth possibility that I came up with for how this story could have ended. I think it's my personal favorite.
Date: December 15, 2008 08:08 pm Title: Chapter 1
This was SO great. I don't often like to revisit these days of them being apart, but when it's done like this - so incredibly in character and sexy and wistful all at once, then how can you not be into it? Really, really plausible scenario for them kissing way back when. Loved it!
Author's Response: Hi, LoveFool - I'm glad you bought it. This one required a sizable amount of self-doubt and rewriting, as a plausible, temporary break in the tension is very hard to locate at this point in S2. Thanks for your review.
Date: December 15, 2008 07:59 pm Title: Chapter 1
Yes! I love challenges, and I really love when awesomeness such as yourself responds in a mega awesome way. It's sad and sweet, perfect season 2.
Author's Response: I love challenges, too, as I am far more interested in trying to make a scenario work than I am in trying to devise said scenario. I think of fic writing as a game, and it's more fun when someone is telling me the rules. Thanks for your review, dear.
Date: December 15, 2008 07:52 pm Title: Chapter 1
Oh, my. This was still great -- I do love a little trip down S2 Memory Lane every now & then. Electric Screwdriver. Nice.
Now you can write the AU version where wasn't wearing the ring, she goes home with Jim and rocks his world. You know, like a "Choose You Own Adventure"
Author's Response: Hi Lisa - S2 is a happy, happy place for the writers among us. So much drama and so many gaps to fill in. And, thankfully, I've found that you can keep turning and turning the narrative and finding countless ways to tell the story. In fact, the working version of this story has about six different endings, one of which sounds a whole lot like your proposed "Adventure." But I decided I wanted to stick to the canon, so no. Thanks for your review.
Date: December 15, 2008 07:40 pm Title: Chapter 1
I'm gonna come right out and say it. I'm a horrible truth and dare player. Worst in the world. I hate the truth, so I always lie, and I'm too much of a scared little girl to ever do any of the real dares - so I never pick them. Plus, my questions or dares were always pathetic little ones like "do you ever stay up past bedtime" or "go kiss the poster on your wall"
True story.
God, this was great. So glad friend made me read it. Totally worth it. Painful, but the good kind. The kind that makes you happy they've worked it out now, but still look back on those days... I really don't know what I'm saying besides the fact I enjoyed it. I'm gonna go off in my own head where I make sense (most of the time).
Author's Response: Oh, God, so am I. Though I did manage to get myself kissed by an adorable boy during a game of Truth or Dare when I was 13. And I didn't even have a mistletoe! Thanks for your kind review (and thanks to your friend for foisting my writing on you).
Date: December 15, 2008 06:12 pm Title: Chapter 1
Oh it's heartbreakingly good! Just what I needed to take the edge off of today :)
Author's Response: Thank you, Jenn. I'm glad you enjoyed it.