I continue to really appreciate the way you've built the light moments into this very heavy story.

1

So does Michael’s call with Utica mean that Karen
will soon be out of the way?
It was nice to see JAM doing something normal
like playing pranks on Dwight, and having a little fun. I agree that Pam should call for help even if she’s mistaken. It’s better to be safe than sorry given her history of trauma.

Loved this heart to heart conversation. They've been having a lot of them true, but considering everything they've gone through, it makes complete sense that they'd need a lot of time and talks to get through everything.

It seems that Jim still wants to be the knight riding to the rescue. Pam though seesm to be saying that while she appreciates the gesture, she doesn't need a hero she just needs him. Then beautifully tells him how just by being him he's already made things better for her.

It's conversations like these that are the mark of a really healthy relationship. To be open and honest with everything. Including the hard things. Espeically the hard things. Feels like a lot of progress was made into strengthening their relationship with this one. Great job.

Obviously some big on-paper milestones in their relationship happening here, and some fraught ones for anyone that are then exacerbated by Pam's experience with Roy. I thought you did a good job playing with how her history heightens the tension of these moments like their meal with his douchey brothers... they'd be unpleasant under most circumstances, but they are really walking through minefields here.

There's some interesting work being done in Jim and Pam's confrontation at the end I think? Jim really needs to see Pam as an equal partner who he *can* lean on in these moments, and before now he really hasn't been there, and that gets drawn out a little. And in the end, it ends up doing them some real good... seeing him vulnerable and needing her makes Pam feel a little stronger and helps her continue to grow.

1

Okay. Wow. This chapter brought a lot.

First of all, I don’t hate Tom and Pete. A lot of people do, but I don’t. I don’t think they served much of a purpose in the show other than being douchebags who thought they were funny, but I don’t think that they were intentionally being mean; they were just idiots who would do whatever they could for a laugh.

So at first, I didn’t really understand why Jim was so upset with them. They were making stupid, uninformed jokes. Even Pam wasn’t upset.

And then - wow. I can literally feel Jim’s waves of emotion; how scared he is of his father’s near-death; how upset he is with himself for not knowing that Roy was physically/verbally/sexually assaulting her every day and wallowing in his own misery because she was ‘taken’; how frustrated he is with both her and himself because she doesn’t fully trust him yet( and how angry he is at himself for being frustrated because she was in an abusive relationship and it’ll take time for her to trust again. All of that could drive anyone insane.

And then Pam knows what to do, how to comfort him, while also acknowledging everything he said and admitting to herself that it’s okay to love again.

This is a very powerful story. I’m excited for the next chapter.

BlindManCassidy

This was a very sweet chapter - it's lovely to continue to see a stronger side of Pam and her being there for Jim and his family in a time of need. And it feels important for her still battered psyche to get some reassurance that she is in fact good for Jim.

Eager to see what happens next here!

That was an interesting chapter to be sure. Sadly I've known cops like that. To long on the job that they've become jaded and are only still on the beat because they're waiting for retirement. Makes sense that Jim and Pam would have a bit of a tiff. She's still going through a lot and at zero-dark thirty it's hard for anyone to be at their best. Still it's nice that they can make up and enjoy each other's presence in bed.

The morning now brings a new set of challenges. As if there's not enough going on, now we have Halpert family drauma. Though I think it's telling that Pam is right there to be with Jim. She's not letting him walk a hard road alone, just like he didn't let her walk a hard road alone. Love that. Looking forward to more as always.

I'm right there with Jim. Ready for all this to be done. Seems like a bit of a backslide for Pam here. Just when it feels like she's gotten some strength in her it comes down again. I get why. I am hoping she finds that strength again. Finds a fire in her to burn Roy to the ground for what he did to her. Though Dwight's comment there seems interesting. The when the hunter becomes the hunted is when the hunter knows fear. Could serve to foreshadow something? I really hope so at least. Really looking forward to where we go from here.

Wow, crazy chapter. Lot happened. We are really getting into the good stuff. But I do have a question. I’m a little confused on why Mrs.Beesly has to testify. Why doesn’t she have a choice?

Slowly but steadily, Pam is still making progress – she’s clearly TRYING to work through the scars Roy left and be the kind of partner she wants to be. It’s tough to read how it’s all tied up with the damage she’s trying to repair, though, the way she doesn’t quite feel she *deserves* what Jim is giving her and feels the need to make up for it. You’ve written it as intertwined and complex, which makes it feel real.

This dinner scene was cute, but I’m glad they touched on the incident with Karen. That feels like it demanded a certain amount of follow-up between the two of them, just to acknowledge that it happened.

You made some interesting choices in the sex scene. I think I like it. Like there’s obviously not much question in our minds that Jim is going to respect her and provide the comfort and security she needs, but especially after the mess on their trip it does feel like Pam needs to see that for herself, and what she’s doing here makes emotional sense.

Karen is pretty awful throughout this fic, but wow. She is just peak hellacious here. Screw her and the horse she rode in on. That being said, you having Pam refusing to flee with Jim's support and then confronting Karen right to her face made it all worth it. I love seeing Pam with this kind of fire again.

And then she plans a romantic evening with Jim! She's feeling more confident, she's standing up for herself, she's stepping up in her relationship. Especially after everything that happened on her trip, it's just lovely.

Although the way you left it off gives me a terrible feeling about what's coming. Please update soon.

1

Thank God that Pam finally told off Karen. Anyone who’s reading this - know that sexual assault is not the result of being too ‘weak’ or not making yourself ‘equal’ to a man, or a woman. Victim-blaming is irrational and horrible.

That said, I enjoyed this chapter thoroughly and I am excited to see just how Pam’s surprise for Jim works out.

BlindManCassidy

You're really going to town on these heavy hitter type chapters. Jim's introspection seemed warranted. I like that he has the wherewithal to take a step back and shelve his own agenda. He's here for her, to support and love her. Not to fighter her battles or be the knight riding in to save the day. It's not easy to realize that even your good intentions were misplaced. So good for him to call the hotline and get some better info on how to handle things.

More honesty in the car there. Seems like the thing Pam really needs to hear. So now she can really let it go. And Jim's still there. Well done Jim.

Nice way to lighten the mood too. A quick phone prank to get a smile and laughter out of Pam again. That's your ticket Jim. Just be the same fun loving, bantering, prank loving guy. That's what she needs and its wonderful that he's stepping up in that regard.