1 [Report This]Date: February 17, 2021 05:33 pm Title: I'm always gonna be about us
Doing some bookshelf dusting and reading some stuff that's been collecting the stuff for way too long.
I'm so glad I started with this one ...chosen specifically because I love how you write.
This was a delight and while I'm reviewing on last chapter I speaking about the whole thing. Early on I noticed how you had them paralleling each other in thinking about quitting their jobs to avoid their issues/duties. I really enjoyed the whole balls in her court stuff and Jim huffing off it and the card game metaphors. But I adored the quarters in the handset metaphor- that was perfect.
Speaking of perfect, the way you back ended them into a date when they were both just a little scared to come out and just go for it was a wonderful plot device.
And I love a happy ending so thanks for that.
1 [Report This]Date: October 04, 2020 06:22 pm Title: I'm always gonna be about us
I love the parallels you write in here with the first chapter - very cool. And again in giving PoVs from both of them - in comparison to earlier, the dual perspective shows they're very much on the same page now.
You have a bunch of really enjoyable small touches here - both the comedic ones like Jim scheduling time for a breakdown, and the romantic ones like the line about the speeding ticket being nothing as compared to the rest of his life.
The date is just cute! There are so many great little moments like Pam finally reaching out to take his hand, and them bonding over messing with Dwight.
And finally, given that this would lose us a lot of fun moments in Season 4, I'm glad you 'preserved' some of them for this AU.
This was a lot of fun!
1 [Report This]Date: October 04, 2020 06:19 pm Title: Chasing you like nothing else matters
I loved the use of remixed dialogue here - put to very sweet effect! And it's just nice to think of them having that early relationship giddiness considering where things were in canon at this point.
You've also done well illustrating the affection they have for Michael somewhat in spite of themselves and why he kinda deserves it sometimes.
1 [Report This]Date: October 04, 2020 06:18 pm Title: I waited to make the call
You've done a good job here portraying the defining tension of their relationship at this point - they're reading from the same book without at all being from the same page.
I also think the use of the dialog from the Initiation demonstrates why this is headed in a different direction- the sense they each have that they're intentionally reconnecting completely reframes how they're thinking about it after the fact.
1 [Report This]Date: October 04, 2020 06:17 pm Title: I thought about laying low
You've done a good job identifying WHY this rather clunky scheme works here - this is a moment when really, all they need is to know the other is in the game, and Michael gives him that opportunity.
I love Pam's bit where every other word is stupid - you convey her frustration accurately while leaving it comedic, which is nice.
I liked the tequila line. Oh, Jim. You should know you can't trust tequila by now. Especially when it tells you you can dance.
I do think Michael's silliness is pitched well - he needs to be pretty ridiculous to keep him in character in a story where he's semi effective and emotionally aware, otherwise he risks coming off as way too mature.
1 [Report This]Date: October 04, 2020 06:16 pm Title: I think of the mess we made
I'm a sucker for a good Stamford-era fix it fic - feels like a moment when they could have fixed things with a lot less drama - and this is a solid concept for it. It makes perfect sense that Michael would've taken Jim's reveal during the convention and taken it upon himself to fix it and get his best friend back, and that the way he chose to do so would've been about as subtle as a brick to the head. Your character voices sound very accurate, in particular Pam's mix of resentment and longing and loneliness. (And I love the idea of Michael needing to be restrained from contacting Oscar about his scam resistance - very funny and very Office.)
1 [Report This]Date: May 24, 2020 09:56 pm Title: I'm always gonna be about us
Love this! So good! Love that you cut down the angst of season 3. I wish there was more it's so good. Thank you for sharing.
Author's Response: Thank you! I love anything that cuts down the angst of Season 3! I’m glad you liked it!
1 [Report This]Date: May 24, 2020 12:51 pm Title: I'm always gonna be about us
Why is everything you write so good? I swear. Teach me. Everyone’s voice was so perfect and I loved their parallel thoughts and feelings as you switched perspectives. Too bad we couldn’t have skipped the angst IRL! Amazing job as always, Jenna!
Author's Response: BT! Thank you! It means so much to have you say these lovely things. Truly.
1 [Report This]Date: May 23, 2020 12:50 pm Title: I'm always gonna be about us
It was worth every day of waiting because it's a wonder. I'm in awe of how you take the raw emotions and wrap them into the words. Every single nervous bounce, heartbeat, smile, brush of fingers... gah, I had an enormous stupid grin when I read the part before their meeting (because a few things could compare with agitated anticipation of something so long-awaited) and I literally covered with goosebumps when they finally interacted (and they didn't even kiss! but that hand-holding was so intimate and genuine that they shouldn't have kissed, honesty — just let them hold each other till the rest of their days).
And the party was so, so sweet! And Michael... so Michael, and I love him there. Also, have I told you that I adore the way you mix the canon events into something unique and awesome? Well, I'd like to repeat it :)
Thank you so much for that journey!
Author's Response:
Ahh, thank you so much Dernhelm! I’m so glad to hear you felt was worth the super long wait. It makes me so happy that you feel like I capture the emotion well. That’s what I was aiming for!
1 [Report This]Date: May 23, 2020 12:44 pm Title: I'm always gonna be about us
awww love it!
Author's Response: Thanks Iris! I appreciate it!
1 [Report This]Date: May 23, 2020 12:01 pm Title: I'm always gonna be about us
So glad you updated!
The date is going great. I really like how you conveyed their nerves and excitement.
And Michael is just the best.
Looking forward to si much more!
Many jellybeans
Author's Response: Thanks Merria! It’s so nice to hear that you liked it!
1 [Report This]Date: May 23, 2020 09:20 am Title: I'm always gonna be about us
Been looking forward to this chapter. Great set up with their nerves at the office and right after leaving. After all this a BIG THING for them. The lead up to everything deserves some attention.
I was kind of hoping for them to see each other and fall into their arms. However the gradual hand holding route you painted here worked well too. The relationship had been fractured and then on thin ice. It makes sense to go slow and test the footing. But as they venture further together the footing is more and more stable with every step. Maybe that big embrace will happen later.
Micheal's reaction is nothing but sheer joy to read. You got him perfect. His rapture in Jim and Pam combined with his thoughts of self-promotion are right on cue. Wonderful to behold.
Author's Response: Thanks Warrior! I hope the fact it was a little longer than the other chapters made up for the fact it took a million years for me to update.
1 [Report This]Date: May 23, 2020 08:26 am Title: I'm always gonna be about us
I loved how this was written with going back and forth with their perspectives. Being able to know both sides of the story was great and I loved how super nervous they both were while also finding that just being next to each other was everything they ever wanted. It's so great. And then, again, I have to say that I adore Michael. I was laughing throughout his entire section, it's amazing.
Author's Response: Thank Aly! I went all sappy and soft with this one, so I’m glad it worked!
1 [Report This]Date: May 23, 2020 07:57 am Title: I'm always gonna be about us
That was a great finish, I especially liked Michael's perspective at the end, it was wonderful.
Author's Response:
Thanks DG! I’m glad the Michael finish hit the spot. I really loved the idea of him thinking it was all because of him.
Date: May 23, 2020 06:59 am Title: I'm always gonna be about us
This was great...and I would love to see one more chapter. The description of their excitement at seeing each other was perfect. Such a sweet story.
Author's Response:
Thanks Sprinkles! I marked it complete, but I did debate another chapter. Time will tell, I wouldn’t hold my breath on it though...
1 [Report This]Date: May 23, 2020 06:49 am Title: Chasing you like nothing else matters
Your Michael is perfect!
"She doesn’t even seem that devastated which is a testament to his subtle avoidance skills. He’s pretty impressed with himself to be honest. She doesn’t even notice that he isn’t talking to her. Yeah, he’s that good."
 So, so good! And the Jim/Pam interaction is sweet. I can feel their cautious excitement.
Author's Response: Oh, I’m glad you like my Michael! I feel like he’s so hard to get right... Thank you!
1 [Report This]Date: May 23, 2020 06:29 am Title: I'm always gonna be about us
This update was worth the wait! The tension both Jim and Pam had prior to the date, their sweet first safe nerves, and Michael's excitement made this absolutely perfect!
Author's Response:
Thank you, Beth! I’m so glad you felt it was worth the far, far too long wait!
Date: May 23, 2020 05:31 am Title: I'm always gonna be about us
I enjoyed this sooooo much! I love the way you wrote their nervousness and attraction. Spot on.
And Michael! You nailed his reaction perfectly. Love it!
Author's Response:
Thanks so much, boredhswf! I wrestled and wrestled with this chapter so I’m so, so glad to hear you liked it.
Date: May 23, 2020 04:42 am Title: I'm always gonna be about us
Again, you perfectly articulated their emotions. I do hope there's more to this story!
Author's Response: Thanks Donna! I did mark it complete because I kind of felt it came pretty full circle. Although, I do have a half baked idea for a little more, but I wouldn’t count on it...
1 [Report This]Date: May 23, 2020 02:28 am Title: I'm always gonna be about us
I really love this, the update was worth the wait!
One of my favourite bits was the way Pam described her nerves ‘ Her nerves are stray cats fighting, spitting and hissing and darting all over the place.’ I can say from experience that this is exactly what feeling nervous is like!
I loved Michael’s enthusiasm, the ‘I did this!’ and the classic ‘My heart soars with the eagles nest.’
And ‘It is your condo’s birthday.’ Pure genius. Loved it.
Author's Response: Thank you! I write about the nerves from experience, I’m a nervous mess 99.9% of the time!
1 [Report This]Date: May 17, 2020 04:26 pm Title: Chasing you like nothing else matters
aw i love it so far, cant wait for more!
Author's Response: Thanks! More to come soon!
1 [Report This]Date: May 03, 2020 08:19 pm Title: Chasing you like nothing else matters
I love this. The banter, the Jamness, and just how much of a healing balm this is on the angst of season 3. I'm so excited for them to finally have their date!!!
Author's Response: Thank you! I’m all about fixing the angst of Season 3...
1 [Report This]Date: May 03, 2020 12:46 pm Title: Chasing you like nothing else matters
This was just all sorts of sweet. This banter feels a lot more earned than in canon because of the earlier conversation. Like you put it, there's a huge weight lifted off both of them which is allowing them both to have so much rebuilding going on here.
I loved Pam's courage here. That she's the one to take Jim's idea and run with it like that. It's wonderful to see them like this.
Aww, a serious but sad Micheal moment. He's truly rooting for both of them. Don't worry Micheal, it'll turn out alright.
Can't wait to see them finally reunite in person as well as the surprise dates they're bringing to the party. Should be a lot of fun.
Author's Response: Thanks Warrior! You won’t have to wait too much longer for them to reunite in person. I should finally have an update up in the not too distant future...
Date: May 03, 2020 12:29 pm Title: Chasing you like nothing else matters
Oh man, I am so excited you updated this! I love that they are pulling this on Michael, it is so very them. I can't wait to see how their 'date' turns out.
Author's Response: Thanks! I’m glad you feel this ridiculousness is even slightly in character!
1 [Report This]Date: May 03, 2020 12:27 pm Title: Chasing you like nothing else matters
Oh that is both so sweet and so in all their characters that I cannot wait to see Michael's reaction when he finds out. So delightful a premise. Good work.
Author's Response: Thanks Comfect! I hope Michael’s reaction (when I finally post it) lives up to your expectations.