Yeah lots of heavy emotions there. You've captured the dance-around-their-true-feelings-Jim-and-Pam do from canon well. Their old nemesis of fear has a powerful hold on them. Both Mark and Penny are there telling them both to be honest with each other and they're still digging in their heels. Great writing, even if it's a bit frustrating waiting for them to get a clue.

Very devious with Roy there. Clearly he's not taking things well and he still has a few hooks in Pam. Personally I think Jim should tell her about the picture. A big jolt to her system might be what's needed for her to finally break things off 100%. I did like that Jim was able to evade the punch and that the other warehouse guys were there to keep things under control. But yeah, Jim's right, Roy should have been fired on the spot for the picture. Great job keeping everything going with this.

Author's Response:

Hope it's not too frustrating! 

I actually spent the last few days agonising about the picture, whether or not to keep it in or take it out, and what Jim's moral responsibility is here (and my moral responsibility in introducing the revenge porn incident, and how to tackle its implications.)

Thanks again. It's much appreciated. 

1

I think this may just be my favorite chapter. It’s so perfect and so not all in the same breath. I hope those crazy kids can work it all out soon. I live for a good trope & this whole married, but kind of fake married thing that they’re doing is just the trope-iest. That last line, oh boy that last line. I say this a lot, but I definitely mean it - I can’t wait to see what comes next!

Author's Response: Thank you! There's a few chapters of them needing taken outside and given a good talking to, before they figure it out. 

1

Oh, I’m so glad that you’ve given us the night in the honeymoon suite! And what a delightful night it was, I loved that at the heart of it all, Pam and Jim were still them, even with a whole new layer of intimacy in the picture.
It was hard to see them then, after all that, still not communicate very clearly with one another. However, that very much keeps in canon character for the pair of them too, so it makes all the sense in the world that that is what their day after would look like.
Can’t wait to read more. I feel like there’s a few more miscommunications before they figure it all out...

Author's Response:

Thank you very much! I've never written smut before, and I found it a bit stressful... Next time there will be scented candles and prosecco.

There is a wee bit more miscommunication and some angst to come. Absolutely definitely ending happily though! 

1

I register to say 'Ohmygodohmygodohmygod!' Your story is fantastic, and I like every tiny piece of it (I'm still don't know what I feel about the whole cheating Roy thing, but that's in character, I guess). Please, continue!

Author's Response: Thank you very much indeed! Glad you've enjoyed it so far. I haven't done this before, so the encouragement really helps.  :0)

1

Sam, I am LOVING this story. You do a great job with the characters secondary to the JAM storyline. Your Michael is GREAT throughout this whole thing.
And it's so absurd but we know it's going to work out which is absolutely in step with the show. Bravo to you for pulling it off wonderfully.
I want to be so mad at you for not coming right out with what happened between Pam and Jim! But the way you're teasing and dragging us along is so delicious and giving us little hints to gobble up, so for now I'll just (im)patiently wait for updates.

:) Really this story is a delight. Welcome to the fandom!

Author's Response:

Thanks for your kind review. Having a kind of mini-crisis about the next phase, so it's very welcome!

And thanks also for your welcome - I've been loving the work I've read, and I'm constantly amazed at people's creativity. It really has been an inspiration. 

1

I was kind of hoping this was where we were headed with the whole bride & groom didn’t show for their wedding thing... I was a little sad when the chapter started with Mark, but at the same time I loved the inclusion of Mark. I was worried that you’d skip over what happened, but I’m glad the flashback was there. I am going to need to flashback to the honeymoon suite also though - fingers crossed that makes it into the next chapter!

Author's Response:

I wrote this straight and I wrote it with the Mark and flashback sandwich. Other people being able to see what they can't or won't is a bit of a theme, so I decided to go with that - hope I didn't completely ruin the moment!

Thanks for your feedback - it's really useful. 

1

Wow! This is just all full of twist and turns. It's one thing to have Jim say he'll her fiance, but to then just agree to get married, just like that! Again I say wow. Much better with the dialogue this time around. Good balance of talking, narration, and internal type thoughts.

Can't wait to see what Pam thinks about all this.

Author's Response: Thank you!

1

Ok, so first off I do want to say that I'm still enjoying this quite a bit. I do think there was quite a lot of narration when your meaning could have also been achieved through character conversation and dialogue. Actually having the actual conversation between Roy and Katy where they discover their previous high school connection could have been a good spot for that as an example. That being said the internal thoughts of both Pam and Jim are very compelling and very real.

Now that's a big change from canon, but not in an unbelievable way. I think just about everyone could envision Roy and Katy sneaking away like that. For Pam to discover them like that though, yeah that's a big kick to get her to get out of that relationship.

One of the things that's a hallmark in canon is the cringey awkwardness that sometimes comes about. You capture that sense very well with that scene with Captain Jack calling out Pam with the note. Especially after Jim steps up. All the supporting cast members reactions are on point. It's easy to see Jim as the knight to the rescue here. Something tells me that while Pam does appreciate such a gesture, especially to get her out of the immediate situation, she's more than able and willing to partner with Jim rather than simply rely on him to get clear of everything.

Great update.

Author's Response:

Thanks, Warrior. I did actually originally write a number of conversations into this, but I decided that since the only reason I included them was to break up the prose, it was kind of cheating. At this point they're both alone with their thoughts, mostly, and so I decided to stick with that. I take your point, though, and i agonised over it.

As for Pam and where she is on her personal journey, I'm thinking she's got a bit of coming and going to do before she can move on from years of passivity. She's found some strength and resolve here, but there will probably be some backsliding. We'll see.

Thanks for taking the time to review. 

1

This is great! Looking forward to the next chapter.

Author's Response: Thank you! And thanks for reading - it's much appreciated.

Interesting twist. The characters are familiar, but there is enough difference written in that one's not sure where this is headed. Very introspective to be sure once everyone in on the bus though. Pam's thoughts and feelings are rather telling. As of right now, she's not really seeing Jim as anything more than a friend. It looks like Jim is thinking he'd like more than friendship with Pam though, even with Katy sitting next to him. Very curious to see how this all plays out.

Author's Response:

Thank you very much for your reply, II appreciate it.

In answer to your point, things are about to be changing...

1

Welcome to MTT! This is great! I always love a different take on the booze cruise & this is certainly unique. I like that you’ve changed up the boat, the lake, etc. I’m looking forward to seeing what other change this could bring... It’s nice to see where Pam is at here, it seems far less likely to end in the mess that was setting the date which I am very excited about. Can’t wait to see where you take this.

Author's Response: Thank you for the welcome and for reading. Hope it lives up to your expectations!  :o)