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You mean I'm free forever of AP style anything? Really for true? *needs a moment while his bottom lip quivers in joy and single tear trickles down his face* Thank you.

Okay, now that I have that out of my system. I'll admit AG that when I've seen updates for this story a twinge of nervousness hits me. Mainly due to the subject matter. Reading about Jim and Pam as broken as they are here is tough. This chapter was a nice break from that.

I know it's trite and everything, but even still even some progress is progress. I know there are still huge emotions that they're not ready to delve into this early in their relationship. I fully expect there to be more shouting, screaming, and probably more than a few more tears shed on both of their accounts before all is said and done. However this chapter, where we don't have any of that was a nice break.

Again echos of canon Jim and Pam here in their banter at the diner. In the show when they're at their best, Jim and Pam always have an easy back and forth that's a lot of fun to watch. That we get a taste of that here is great to see. Not only for their states of mind right now, but I can see the foundations of a more meaningful relationship starting to be built as well.

Great job as always.

Author's Response:

You are free!

I know it's hard to read, and I knew going into this that not everyone was going to like it, but honestly, this story has been screaming to get out of me, so it had to be done *shrugs*

Thanks for reading! 

AG I'm loving this story. Holding my breath with each chapter to see what gets revealed.

Author's Response: Thanks so much! I'm really enjoying writing it :)

First off, I did really like that Pam can't get Jim off her mind. The reasons why are clearly so much different than in the show, but at least it has echos of the connection we usually see with them.

More hints of past darkness here which is fueling Jim and Pam's spirals. They're both not just broken but shattered. Time for yet another weird analogy by yours truly, that I'll also probably keep using and expounding on as this story progresses, but it fits.

When one breaks a bone, if it's not set right it will heal incorrectly. The thing is, setting the bone can sometimes be just as painful as breaking one in the first place. People clearly don't want to be in pain so sometimes they'll forgo having the bone be set correctly, thus the bone heals improperly and the net result is that the arm or leg won't work right. In order to regain full use of the limb, the bone needs to be re-broken and then re-set so it can heal the proper way. Again a very painful process many feel they can't go through. And the whole process can't help but leave lasting scars that only serve as a reminder of the past trauma.

The heart is the same. The initial breaking hurts, repairing the hurt often makes one come face to face with whatever it was that broke the heart in the first place, which also hurts. People don't like pain so they'll find and use any excuse to avoid more pain if they can. "No one will/can/could understand," "At least it's just booze, not something worse," "I can handle things just fine on my own." That last one particularly is a really tough bastard of a lie. I've seen people break down weeping on my ambulance cot when I ask them that if they're doing so well, why are they in the back of an ambulance on the way to the Emergency room, sometimes for the umpteenth time that week.

That it's so easy to see Jim and Pam here and that it's so easy for me to draw that comparison is testament to your writing. Like I said last chapter, even though it hurts to see Jim and Pam like this, you're writing them in a very real way.

I do very much appreciate the bright spots that are Larissa and Penny though. Even the darkest night can't snuff out the light of a single candle. Here's hoping that both Larissa and Penny can stay as the candles for Jim and Pam.

Author's Response: I definitely plan on incorporating Penny and Larisa a ton in this story. They’re kind of my secret weapon. I’m glad that, even broken, this Pam and Jim still resonate with their true characters. What a great metaphor! But I won’t hold you to AP 12 English style psychoanalysis for every chapter ;)

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Boy, oh boy, I feel like this fic is going to break me... but hopefully, ultimately, in a good way! You’ve definitely got me interested in this first couple of chapters. I’m dying to know more about what you’ve hinted at Pam’s history and whatever has gone on for Jim to have them both in a super dark place.
Looking forward to seeing where you go from here!

Author's Response:

My goal for every fic is to break my readers, so I’m glad that it’s working ;)

Thanks so much for reading! 

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I'm hanging on the edge of my seat with this one. Absolutely here for what comes next. Wake Me Up and Prank Wars were the first stories I read on this site and they got me hooked so its great to have more AG material to read.

Author's Response: Oh wow, you’re making me blush! Hopefully I can keep up with that standard :)

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This fic will not be for everyone, but I dig it. I actually think the downtrodden Pam of S1 and S2 is only a few wrong turns away from your version here. Jim is a bit more of a stretch but you've written him well enough I can go along for the ride.

Author's Response: It definitely won’t be for everyone, but hopefully I can do the topic justice! Thanks for tagging along :)