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OMG! What a powerful, draining chapter. Your writing always gets me into the scene and I can see places, colors, textures, while I get to feel what the characters are feeling. And, of course, because of that I'm a little heartbroken right now.
So, kudos!
I am dying to read what comes next so, maaaybe you want to spare my life? And that of your other followers?
Anyway, amazing update!
(For a moment at the end of last chapter I thought they were going to figure it out quickly, you know? Date, drinks and getting back together sex. This is so much painfully beter!)

Author's Response: Oh, K3, thanks! Wow. Thanks for those specifics of how you get so immersed in a scene. I appreciate that. Hopefully a new chapter will be up somewhat soon! Don’t think that ending didn’t cross my mind. 😉 

Wow, so yeah, that was a chapter that made up for the long delay. You're right, this is on the angsty side. The flashback scenes, showing how Jim and Pam were drifting apart was a slow kind of burn. Then the end of the date. Considering everything that happened, yeah it makes sense that Pam would be so hesitant about him.

Jim, come on man, put down the damn phone! Use all those people skills of yours, get over yourself, and pay attention to her.

Hope to see a new update soon.

Author's Response: Thanks for your review, Warrior! Yes, that slow drift apart was kind of painful. I think (*hope*) Jim redeems himself in the next chapter. Crossing fingers it doesn't take me as long between posting chapters. :) Thanks again!

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I mean, I enjoy your writing so I'm here for this, but they're both so broken. It's like you took the two worst versions of each character (as people, not as characters: late-season neglectful Jim and early-season passive Pam) and put them in a room. Not that that last scene doesn't show some strength for Pam, but she's doing what she did with Roy in the flashbacks--and not with Jim, with her parents. Because if she actually stood up for her relationship with her Dad (or just didn't engage, more realistically), she might have the emotional resilience left to actually talk to Jim and not assume and project. She's right about your present-day Jim, though, as far as I can tell: he doesn't seem like he's actually changed at all except in income, and so this is a mistake.

Author's Response:

Oh, Comfect. I can't tell if you hate it or just dislike it a whole lot. ;)

Really, you hit on two Very Important Themes in this story. Can our Seemingly Best Choices break us? and What does it REALLY look when WE think someone has changed or stayed the same? (In other words, does that mean they really did change/stay the same or is that based on what we want to see.)

I did kind of have to bring out their worst, but I think (*hope) it's to get to their best. 

I'm interested to hear more about your thoughts on Pam and her Dad. (Family is another semi-relevant theme to this story.) I don't see Pam as the "put her parents in their place" type of character when they disapprove. I also don't see her unwilling to engage with them either though (as her character has developed in this AU). I think she probably stands squarely in the deeply difficult and uncomfortable quagmire of the middleground, likely serving as the unofficial mediator. Difficult spot, especially when it's about her. Keep in mind, it's canon until Casino Night. As painful as S3 was, this Pam (HMOH Pam) didn't experience that same type of growth we had the chance to enjoy. 

I hope they both redeem themselves a bit for you when we get to the next chapter.  I ALWAYS appreciate your thoughtful insight. 

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Why am I reading this this just now? Oh right, because until last night I didn't know ot existed. My bad.
This is so cute, flows so nicely and... leaves me with about a million questions. And I want to hit Jim, although I'm not really sure why and I suspect Pam needs some hitting coming too.

Author's Response: Yea! I’m so glad you found it. And you are right, they both probably need a good hit (and maybe a hug) for being so dumb in their past. But all in good ways, I hope!

Hi also.
Jim has a wedding ring???
jiM haS a wedDIng rinG??¿¿¿?
Again I say: I’m about to ignore this story until it’s finished because I just need all the answers now. thnx.

Author's Response: I think we should just have another chat so you and Coley can give me all your notes after I pitch all of my Thoughts. Then you won't have to ignore me and make me CRY! :)

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Ugh. GIRL. This is so GOOD. I love the flashbacks, and how real their struggles were when Jim moved to Philly, how Pam is annoyed with everything but then Jim is “old Jim” and finally himself when she’s around. It’s like they were in their heads and not communicating in the right way.
Honestly, I’m tempted to like, wait until you publish the whole thing so that I don’t have to wait for it to be done, because I’m seriously sad that I have to wait for an update now.

Author's Response:

Cool. Cool. Coolcoolcoolcool. I won't just fangirl over you giving me an all-cap GIRL and GOOD about this. Totally cool over here. But, yeah, they can be real losers who don't communicate. That won't serve them well...for a while. 

What do you mean you might wait?! Like, how is THAT encouraging? This kind of feedback keeps me going. I'm counting on you to tell me what you think. You wound me, Agian... 

So some questions are answered, other are hinted at. Pam's emotions are rolling in this one. I'm sure the rest of the journey will be just as up and down. However I did like the lines from "The Job" you put in there. Nice throwback.

Author's Response: Hey W4! Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, the whole story has a lot of rolling emotions and I'm a big fan of the ups and downs that end with ups. :D I'm glad that throwback worked for you! Thanks for that. 

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PLEASE KEEP GOING FORWARD WITH THIS.

Author's Response: I plan to! Thanks for the encouragement. :)

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LOVE LOVE LOVE, keep it going please!

Author's Response: Aw, thanks, girl! I plan on it. Thank you. :)

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I love that song. This AU is smart! I love it and can't wait to read more

Author's Response: Thanks PCC! I hope to post more soon. 

Normally I don't go for the Jim and Pam broke up but then get back together kind of story. I'm kind of a traditionalist like that. That being said this was well written. Good story dynamics and vivid descriptions. Bearded Jim for example. Lots of questions remain. What happened in Philly that made them break up? In four years did Jim break up with Pam, get married, get divorced, and now also be ready to get back with Pam? Interesting play on Karen's character too. She's still got the attitude from canon. However now as Pam's friend rather than rival it could make for an interesting dynamic.

Author's Response:

Hey Warrior! Hope all is well and everyone is getting sleep when they can! 

Yeah, I get it. There are some plot devices/genres in fandoms that just don’t speak to me, no matter what OTP is featured. Thanks for taking the time to read it, especially since this isn’t a topic you usually dig. 

I do have plans that answer all of your questions. But, yeah, Jim and Pam made some bad decisions in their four years apart that probably have a lot to do with each other more than they will ever admit.

And I’m a big karen fan. I’ve got too many thoughts about how she could have been a good friend to Pam so I wanted the chance to show her in that light here. But keep in mind this IS primarily AU so characterizations (even of Pam and Jim) will shift a bit to fit the world around without (hopefully) losing too much of themselves.