I cannot BELIEVE how fast you are posting. Really interesting twist on the whole Ben Franklin episode! To have Karen talk to Pam about their one night stand?!?! And what the hell kind of conversation are Karen and Jim going to have tonight after Pam gave two different answers about who is the father.

No, I definitely did not see this being the way Pam told Jim. I hope the next chapter comes as fast, because I am dying to see Jim's reaction.

Oh WOW! First of all, this is an absolutely incrdible story! A friend told me about it and from the first I was hooked! I've been ill and not really up to reviewing until now but I've been following and excited to see each new chapter posted! (and incredibly happy about how quick you update!) I admit, 'm in agony, each new chapter I think, now THIS chapter is the one where either she finally says something, she's had a few false starts so it seems like she should be able to get up the courage and it seems like once he knws, I would think Jim would want to know all about and be involved with the pregnancy. Anyhow I think either that OR Jim has enough information to be able to put things together. I mean, I keep wondering, with as perceptive as Jim is, why isn't he repeating in his mind the fact that right before Karen brought the margaritas over and Kelly outed Pam's Pregnancy, Pam was just asking Jim about getting together after the holidays and I think she had starte to say she needed to talk to him or something. BIG tip off. Also, he had asked her about how far she was, it seems like he would not just back down on that and not ask again. I would love to know his reaction to Roy helping her put together baby furniture since he seems to always have the reaction of wanting guys to stay away from her. I mean, if he knew Roy was helping her, on thing he knows for certain is that it isn't because Roy is the father because Pam told Roy he wasn't right in front of Jim. I would think that if Jim knew that Pam was needing help with that type of stuff, he would volunteer if for no other reason to get a chance to talk to her outside the office and outside of Karen's scrutiny and also just to spend time with her.

This last chapter was GREAT! I LOVE how you combined the prank with Dwight and Andy and I could see Jim wanting to do the prank even if he didn't need to get at Andy because it seems lke it would make him upset that Dwight is making Pam ill like that with the eggs.

I do want to question your timeline, maybe I read something wrong. The conference was in September, and the prank was in late January, right? I think you said Pam was six months or nearly six months but wouldn't that only put er at just over 4 months along? Who knows, math was never my ting.

It doesn't surprise me that Karen finally pushed Jim in a corner here though I do think that Jim needs to make sure that Pam knows that Karen now knows this. It's so sweet just how much that drawing that Pam made means to Jim. Thing is, Karen was so upset over it but really, she doesn't even know it's significance which is the thing that would be really upsetting.

You know, I would just hope that Jim, with all te information he has now, he KNOWS he has strong feelings for Pam that won't go away, He KNOWS there is a really good chance that he just may be the father of Pam's baby. He KNOWS Karen is trying to push him out of Scranton, away from Pam, and that's not something he is really willing to do. Most of all, he Knows that Karen as said she thinks she's in love with him and more importantly, he KNOWS he isn't in love with her and he has tried to be so it isn't likely to hapen so my goodness, do the right thing and let it go!

One thing that has bothered me since the convention... yes, Jim gave Pam HIS phone number and as far as e knows, she didn't call (and that would be a GREAT question for him to slip in one morning when he's talking to her so he can find out she DID call and he erased it!) anyhow, he put all the pressure on her to call when the fact is, they BOTH knew he may not have gotten her personal number but he could have very easily called her. She is after all the person that answers the phone in Scranton so it would have be very very easy to call her. I feel that him sitting back, easig into a relationship that he never really wanted to be in because the girl that was really on his mind didn't call was acop out on his side. He owed it to himself to at least call her once. I did and continue to adore how you showed that they had/have that connection that was just absolutely instant. The chemistry between them is so awesome and the really sad thing about how they dance around it all is that it's something so wonderful that doesn't happen for everyone, or even most people and for them not to open their eyes and see what's right in front of them is almost a crime!

Awesome AWESOME story!I can't wait for more and please put my heart to rest and let Jim find out soon which ever way it's going to happen!

Author's Response: Wow, just...wow, love lengthy reviews, thank you so much! I'm so sorry to hear that you're not well. I do hope you feel better soon!! Alright, lots of points to comment on. Jim has plenty of information to put it all together. In fact, subconsciously, he knows. But he's under the impression that he keeps misinterpreting what Pam feels for him and it doesn't help that Karen is constantly harping on him, and doing what she can to bring focus to her and not to him. I don't necessarily he's going to take well to Roy taking care of Pam/The baby. And at first, it's not going to be all sunshine and roses. They need to work through some of their issues first. Jim's a good guy, but he's not perfect, and he's not in the best of places after this chapter. I loved the prank, I kinda wanted to take Dwight and Andy on, hence both of them are pranked, glad you liked it! The timeline is tricky, but here's how it works, Pam got pregnant at the beginning of Sept. Sept is her first month of being pregnant, making Jan her 5th month. By the end of Jan she's almost to her 6th month. Make sense? I had to write that all down to get it straight when i started writing the story. I think Karen gets that it has significance and that scares her a lot, that her boyfriend has sentimental feelings over an object from another girl. That's going to kick Karen into defense mode. Lol, you'd think with all that info that Jim would do the right thing--but how often in life do we do what's right for us? Yes!! I love that you brought up the point about Jim never calling her. That will come up eventually. It is definitely not fair that the blame all falls on Pam's shoulders. So, I know Pam gets a lot of the blame, but Jim does as well. They were both being cowardly, I think, though, too, they were both a little afraid that what they share was real. To them, they're used to relationships with Karen and Roy, to think that they could have a relationship as easy as one they'd fall into if they did date each other is a foreign concept to them. And, you have to remember, they've just met. They don't have years of back story, so they both worry that they could have just read the other wrong. I think, in order to trust any kind of relationship, they have to trust each other as friends first, and they're still working on that. Of course, Roy and Karen are definitely going to be pain in their sides and playing on their doubt for their own reasons. It is a really sad dance, which, unfortunately, will continue a little while longer. It's a sad commentary on life that I think we all occasionally miss out on great things because we are afraid or we don't see it all. It's a part of being human. I'm so, so glad you've enjoyed it and taken the time to leave such a review. Very much appreciate it! :)

I think the prank moved the story forward -- you had Jim & Pam interact (!) and a crumb that small was was kept us all going in S3.  And while I'm disappointed that Karen figured out that Jim is the father before he did, that does sort of fit with Pod!Person!Jim we saw in S3 who tried to block out anything that might mess with his delicate house of cards.  The characterizations are still in line, so I think that's the most important thing. 

Keep on keeping on, girl.

See, in season 3 I always imagined Karen and Jim having these kinds of arguments, of her pushing him too much and he eventually caving in. So, to read it here really feels like it actually happened. I know this is AU but it really doesn't feel like it is, and that's a compliment to your writing and ability to keep them in character. I love how you're throwing things from all seasons into this chapter, Danny and Todd Packer being let go, and Karen pressuring Jim to get his hair cut, and Isabelle's thing for Dwight. I wish they'd bring that back, I liked Isabelle. And now that Jim thinks it's Danny he has no real reason to hang around Scranton, and Pam thinks he's leaving so why would she tell him to burden him, she wouldn't want him to stay in Scranton because he has to, she'd want him to stay because he wants to. Oh man, what a tricky situation!

Author's Response: Thanks so much for your kind words. Yeah, I agree, I think that Karen did a lot of talking and arguing, never quite understanding where Jim was coming from and Jim was so numb that he kind of took it because he didn't feel like dealing with his life. You're right, now that Jim feels he doesn't have a connection to Scranton anymore, he does have more reason to follow Karen in her attempt to leave. I'm glad you enjoy the dynamics I've set up and how Jim and Pam just keep missing the big picture. I love, love, love working stuff in from the show, so I'm glad you're enjoying it. More soon!!

The way you mix stuff from the show is brilliant. I feel sad for Karen, but not enough for it to bother me LOL. Can't wait for the next part

Author's Response: Aww, I feel sad for Karen but she's going to get cutthroat soon, and then I won't feel so bad either. Poor girl is in love with the wrong guy. Thanks for the review, much appreciated!!

First rule: don't apologize for your choices. ;) I personally wouldn't have minded reading the whole thing, but that's because those two episodes with the phone prank are my favorite of all S3 (til the last two, of course). The condensed version is fine too and you're right, that would have been an epic chapter length if it had been included. I loved the prank you invented for Pam and the way she and Jim interwove them to create The Perfect Storm. It's freaking brilliant. They should have done that on the show!

The Jim/Karen stuff was very good. You're doing such a good job of interweaving the real elements of the show--from all seasons, and I like that a lot-- and maintaining a great illusion that this alternate universe could have happened.

In other words, I'm still enjoying this story. :)

Typo at the very beginning: should be her back against HIS chest.

Author's Response: Thanks so much for your kind words, Callisto. I suppose I should just put my stuff out there and let the writing speak for itself. :) Yeah, in my head, the prank was epic stuff, when I tried to write it, I found that it was just straying too far away from what the story was. I think I may write up a one-shot suppliment to go along with the story if I ever feel up to it. I'm so glad you enjoyed the prank. My nugget of inspiration was--how do I get Dwight and Andy to take each other out using stuff that happened on the show. And then that prank was born. I'm so glad you're enjoying the canon elements being applied to the AU and that you find the characterization strong. It's what I really strive for when writing. Thanks so much for the feedback, I really appreciate it. (Oh, and type fixed, thank you)

I thought the prank stuff was just right. I sat with a grin on my face thinking about them doing all that. You should be proud of the Jim/Karen stuff. It was really good. Looking forward to the next.

Author's Response: Oh good, I'm glad you did. :) Thanks, I (for some weird reason) love writing Jim and Karen's crappy relationship. lol. I don't know what that says about me. Thanks for the review!!

I don't think there is any way you could make me a bigger fan of Isabelle. Even if she does find Dwight appealing, she is such a rock star friend. Love her response when she figured out who Jim was. You really gave Pam an awesome support system here.

Oh Kelly, so wrong, and so nice of you to share your wrong with your break room buddies. I kept thinking, when Danny finds out he is Pam's baby's dad, that is gonna be fun for noone.

I could just imagine Karen's ears perking up when Kelly mentioned overhearing that the father worked with them. And when Phyllis was talking about the speculation of a conference hookup, she was likely on full alert. I feel like the all night, let's discuss the relationship conversations for Jim are very near.

Jim! Push Pam to tell you what you already maybe know already, already!

More please.

Author's Response: Aww, thanks! I'm so glad you like Isabelle because since she's barely a character on the show, she runs the risk of becoming a Mary Sue Original Character--which I personally hate in fics, so I try to use her sparingly. But I do like that Pam has a support system and it's hard to believe that Pam literally had no one during season three, so I gave her Isabelle. Oh, Kelly, Kelly, that was fun to write. I kinda love using her as a foil for things. Um, not sure Danny's going to find out but lets say when word gets out to the rest of the office, it may not go over swimmingly. Yeah, Karen, subconsciously knows something's up with her relationship and is extra sensitive to anything that could possibly be relating to Jim. I, too, think that Jim's going to have a bumpy ride soon. Jim's gonna know soon! I promise! ;) Thanks for the review!!

Karen knows something, she may not know WHAT she knows, but she knows somehting.
Having Kelly hear Isabelle and Pam talking in the kitchen, and then misunderstanding what she heard was classic Kelly.
Can't wait for more.

Author's Response: Oh she suspects something's up. And soon she's gonna call Jim on it ;) Yeah, I love writing Kelly, she's so fun. Thanks for the review!!

Hmm .. very interesting. I'm starting to think our boy, James, should just ask Pamela. Girl's a coward.

Maybe someone can let Jim in on the fact that Pam was all "glowy" the week after the convention. ;-)

Author's Response: Girl is a coward, isn't she. Granted, Jim's not that much better in this story. But it will be soon before they stop beating around the bush and I do think Pam's gonna do some growing in the second half of this story. She should, after all she's having a baby. ;) Oh, someone will let Jim know, hehehe. Thanks for the review. :)

Well, that broke my heart.

Karen, I wonder if she senses the connection that her boyfriend has with the receptionist? I keep tryna figure out what her response will be when she finds out that Jim is the father of Pam's baby. The rest of the office should also have a pretty good reaction as well, I'd imagine.

I cannot see Jim agreeing to leave Scranton once he finds out that Pam us having his baby. I want them to be happy so bad! Soon, they'll talk, right? Promise me, okay?

Author's Response: Aww, i know, it broke my heart a little writing it. I do think Karen's going to start to notice something's up. Especially when he becomes so interested in Pam's baby. Unfortunately, Karen's has a one-track mind and she's going to cling to her vision as long as she can, despite all the red flags telling her to jump ship. Oh, I imagine the rest of the office will have a field day. ;) I think Jim's going to have some tough choices up ahead. They'll talk soon, I promise. :) Thanks for the review!

Well, I got sucked into this story... I was going to wait until it was marked complete to read it, but I kept seeing all the rec's and the ribbon, and I just couldn't wait! This story is amazing! I know I do need to go back and review all chapters, but I just kept reading and reading! I can't wait for more! I'm also going to check out your other stories!

Author's Response: Thanks so much for the kind words! It means a lot to me just to have you jump on board and that you're finding the story enjoyable. Don't feel obligated to go back and review. Um...I don't really have other stories, but thanks anyway!!