I needed a good Jim and Pam prank, and this filled that void perfectly. Then the sprinkles of them missing each other and how different it is now that theyre not living together were perfect. I love how protective they are of each other, especially Pam over Jim. Risking her new job to make sure Jim doesn't get yelled at again, ugh, it warms my heart.

Author's Response:

Thanks so much :) I do love a good Jim and Pam prank. And I felt like they needed one, after all the misery I'm heaping on them...

Thanks for reviewing!  

Jim is so close to the breaking point but I'm so afraid what is going to happen to him. I hope that Pam can be there for him in case that happen.

Please let them have a moment!

Author's Response: Thanks for reviewing! And I’m sorry haha - there will be moments... 

So yes they're moving, but they're clearly not happy about it. Nice that Pam is with someone friendly. Karen just seems to still be walking all over Jim. It's like she has this blind spot when it comes to things that truly get him upset. She doesn't want to think about it so she'll pull a screen down over it and color in what she wants to see.

Should be interesting to see how working together goes for them all.

Author's Response:

Thanks so much! And yeah, Karen is - although to be fair to her, Jim is also not being entirely honest about how upset/why he’s upset about the bowl.

And hehe, there may be some shenanigans when they start working together... 

Thanks for reviewing!  

Im sorry.... THEY ACTUALLY MOVED?? What is happening. Their scene in the kitchen broke me. Him hugging her while she cries is just heartbreaking. And then him being so insistent on keeping the bowl only for it to break during the move. Ughhhhh. Im dead inside. But its okay because this story is so worth it.

Author's Response: Haha, I’m sorry - they did! I promise it’s all part of their journey...but I’m really glad to head that, thanks so much :) 

I just realized I never reviewed this chapter. Which is a crime, really, for how much the ending broke me. I'm so happy that Pam got the job, and the reasoning on why she's receptionist instead of office administrator is perfect, even if I also wish she had gotten the administrator job. But then her and Jim's celebratory dinner and their hands brushing. And then saying "let's go home" and they both realize they won't be able to say that soon. Ugh. I'm gonna need this story to go on for forever but also like please make them kiss soon.

Author's Response:

Thanks so much for reviewing! and lol, sorry about the ending... but there will be kissing. At some point :D 

“She thinks of holding his hand on another reckless night when he’d been mad at Karen (and she knows he’s mad at Karen now). She manages to smile at him, and then gently pulls her hand back to drop into her lap.”

That was a low blow, Karen. Hiring Pam as the receptionist and promoting Polly just because she thinks Pam is to incompetent? Also, Pam has literally never done anything to present herself as incompetent? Not everyone is as arrogant and harsh as Karen is. I’m not surprised she views that as a weakness.

And the goddamn excuses. She might’ve ruffled a few feathers, sure, but in the end there’s no harm done. She’s playing her last cards to try and keep Jim happy, and she knows that he’s reaching his breaking point.

Lastly - as always - the quote above. Does Pam really think that Jim only wants to be more intimate with her when he’s mad at Karen? Does she really think he would use anyone like that, much less use her like that? This poor girl. They’re wearing me down. They need to get together soon.

BlindManCassidy

Author's Response:

Thanks so much! And on Karen: yeah, I think it comes down to, she’s selfish and is generally only prepared to do things for other people as long as they work for her. She was never going to totally stick her neck out for Pam. Jim is getting close to breaking point though... 

For Pam, I think there is an element of: Jim is even more aware of how much he wants to be with Pam/lets his guard down around her more when things are bad with Karen. Pam just doesn’t know that the subtext is, because he’s in love with Pam. 

Thanks very much for reviewing! :) 

Karen is probably the most clueless person ever. Those videos she sent Pam??? C’mon. But I get it, Pam doesn’t really put herself out there as a confident person. But her looks and beauty aren’t changed by her happiness! So, to see Karen surprised at Andy being attracted to Pam is just crazy. But, it will be great when she finds out the truth. I can’t wait to see her reaction to Jim being in love with Pam. I desperately hope you show us that. Great chapter as always.

Author's Response: Thank you! And haha, I think Karen thinks she’s being helpful...but sadly not. Thanks so much for reviewing! 

I'm going to miss college stories so much!! Mainly because the way you wrote them, there was still this layer of hope despite us knowing how they end up-- and that's just brilliant writing!!
The whole swing conversation is giving me the whole something borrowed feel again; Jim is silently begging her to stop him. The first time he wasn't sure of her feelings, and this time maybe he's sure that she's not up for this. Breaks my heart
The whole Jim/Karen getting back together is super telling of the whole foundation of thier relationship is based on insecurities, escapism, and maybe some desperation of settling. Really well written!

Author's Response: Thank you! That's really kind :) I really did love writing them - and dashing Jim/Pam's hopes, lol - so really glad you enjoyed them. And I think you're right, the second time around is slightly more of Pam actively shutting Jim down than she does the first time (but the fact that the first time happened makes it easier to do that the second time, and for Jim to believe it). Thanks so much for all these reviews, I really appreciate them! 

Oh what a tangled web we weave. Though it does seem like with the return of Iz and Mark some things are starting to unravel a bit.

Pains me only a little to say Karen does have a point. Jim probably should have talked to Pam about the potential of a new job before approaching her. However that's the only thing that pains me. Karen is still only focued on herself it seems. She can't remember where Iz went. Can't remember where Pam used to work. Doesn't really ask what Jim wants, and keeps talking over him.

Is it odd to say I'm kind of glad Jim is getting more and more upset about all this? He's standing up for himself and I think that's great. The talk with Iz helped I'm sure.

Interesting dilema with Pam. She doesn't want to leave but what other choices does she have right now? Nice of Mark to show up and give her some advice. Though Mark says to Pam, go to Stamford while Iz says to Jim stay in Scranton. It almost feels like attacking the problem from either end. One one hand it seems like contradictory statements. Yet, I feel once everything is processed the end result will be a good resolution. I could be wrong though.

Nice job.

Author's Response:

Thank you! I do think Karen has a point haha, Jim is not the best at consulting people before he springs surprises on them (although tbf, this one was an impulsive/slightly drunk decision, where he wasn't really thinking). It is definitely a - series of very small - turning point(s) for him though, you're right. Although his ability to stand up for himself is generally connected to Pam at the moment, i.e. if it's in her defence or about his relationship with Pam. 

Thanks so much for continuing to review! :)  

I love that Isabel and Mark, after all these years, are still the ones who have to push Jim and Pam towards each other.

And I’m not too surprised that Pam’s father has gotten another girlfriend. It’s unfortunate that he didn’t tell them about her and about selling the house and moving, of course, but I can sympathize a little with him. You either go all in or go out.

Which leads us, as always, back to Jim and Pam (and Karen). I’m a little annoyed - again - at Karen’s total apathy towards Pam’s situation. She just got fired and she probably would’ve been evicted if she didn’t find a new place to move. Yet there’s no sympathy? Also, it annoys me so much that she didn’t even try to hide that she thinks Pam is just a token for Jim and that she can use her to make Jim happy instead of actually talking to Jim. In the end, I think it was more wanting to be with Jim and Mark’s advice that pushed Pam to apply for the job, but Karen’s manipulation still irks me to no end.

BlindManCassidy

Pam, Pam, Pam. Why? Jim was going break up with Karen and you go out and apply for the job. Now he is going to stay with Karen. Basscop you are evil. Luckily there is hope on the horizon. This engagement party is going to be important I feel. I’m not going to lie at the beginning of the story when you said it was loosely inspired by “Something Borrowed”, I couldn’t stop myself from looking up that movie and seeing the summary. And the summary says something about a certain 30th birthday party and is this engagement party the equivalent? I don’t know but I feel like the climax of this great story is soon.

Author's Response: Hehe, sorry :D There is hope on the horizon though. And I can confirm stuff will be happening at the engagement party, but I will say that I'm not following the Something Borrowed plot down to the letter (just to manage your expectations, lol). Thanks so much for reviewing!! 

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I just dropped in on this story and got sucked in, blinking into the sunlight hours later. Well done, you. The lack of communication and abundance of assumption is classic JAM. And oh so frustrating. And you do it so well. I'm dying for a resolution but this AU has me baffled as to what happens next. I love the college storyline interwoven.

Author's Response: Ah, thanks so much! That's really lovely to hear :) I do love some JAM frustration, lol. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review, I really appreciate it! 

It’s so condescending how Karen continuously disregards Pam and doesn’t view her as the threat she really is. When Pam and Jim get together, hopefully we get to see just how shocked she is.

Also, Isabel? Of all people? Isabel and Jim spent time together, sure, but only when Isabel was berating Jim for not asking Pam out. I love how Karen thinks she’s completely right, too, and says that he doesn’t ‘pick up on those things’ when the biggest threat to her relationship has been living with her boyfriend for years.

And now I finally get why Jim went back to Karen. Of course he would listen to Pam, especially since she called their hookup a ‘mistake’ and basically rejected him. But I don’t understand why he would stay with her for so long when she so clearly makes him unhappy. Just say what you want to say and be done with it!

I’m gonna miss these college chapters, but I’m looking forward to seeing what happens in the ‘now’.

BlindManCassidy

Author's Response:

Thanks very much!  And haha, so in Karen's defence...there is a bit of Pam not letting herself be seen as a threat here (rather than just Karen overlooking her). Isabel is much more openly hostile to Karen, and to Karen's relationship with Jim, so to me it made sense that Karen would see her a more of a threat.  The thing that Karen's missed is that Isabel is partially doing that for Pam, and not because she's after Jim herself. 

And in Jim's defence on staying with Karen, lol - he has conveniently, up until now, not actually had to live with her, while being able to blame their problems on long distance (and happily living with Pam). So part of is that he's been stuck in a bit of a holding pattern, even if he doesn't quite realise it...  

Thanks so much for reviewing!