Never complain about your chapters being too long. I can’t get enough of them. But I can’t believe you teased us with the shower thing and the coming out of the bathroom in only a towel, just to leave the story at a drawn curtain. We need details, PLEASE!
As always, a fantastic chapter. Hope to read more really soon!

Author's Response:

Ah, thanks so much! That's so great to hear :) And haha, I promise details are on the way...  

"if she’d been here with Danny he probably would have known exactly what to order. And she wouldn’t have got to choose a single thing" Yep. That's the ticket. And working in the hot sauce incident here is genius. The dynamic between them in this scene is just wonderfully captured.

And you brought in Drunk Pam! Perhaps the greatest of all the Pams. And the Italian food, except with Costa Rican food! You worked in a lot of canon references very organically here.

And the pool scene. And the bedroom scene! Ugh. This was just a joy to read.

The idea of Jim as a guy with sort of shifting identities, trying to be whoever it is that people like, is a fascinating one and one that I think should probably be explored more in canon settings. I'm glad you're getting into it here.

Author's Response:

Ah, thank you so much! :)  So I've sort of found I've had in the back of my mind for all these Danny comparisons what it would've been like with Roy (I don't think he'd have had any idea what to order. But I still don't think she'd have got to choose) - I'm really glad you liked that bit though! And to hear that you thought the canon stuff worked ok: I'm always worried it might be a bit shoehorned in. But also, I wanted to see the actual hot sauce scene. Drunk! Pam is definitely the greatest of all Pams. Apart from drunk Pam with drunk Jim.  

And yeah, I'm quite interested in that side of Jim's personality - I thought it was one of the more interesting parts of season 9/Athleap, although I could never really tell if the show was trying to suggest it was a good evolution or him pretending to be something he wasn't (unlike s3, where it was obviously the latter). But either way, I think that people-pleasing trait in Jim is a real thing: and I'm always fascinated by how that maps on to Pam, who does the same thing but in a different way. So I'm really pleased you're enjoying it here!    

Another amazing chapter! I love how you intertwine bits of canon like drunk Pam, or Toby kissing his girlfriend a little too enthusiastically.
And, as always, the chemistry between Jim and Pam is phenomenally written. I hope the next chapter is up soon. Can’t wait to read more!
Many, many jellybeans

Author's Response: Thank you so much! That's so great to hear, I'm really thrilled you're enjoying it! And hehe yes, Toby kissing his girlfriend too enthusiastically is such a great moment on the show. I can also never resist adding some drunk Pam. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review :) 

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I am so loving the sexual tension you are building. I really appreciate the writings where writers takes time to get them there, as it may appear inevitable, it's really interesting to see the Foreplay, if I could call it that.
You are an incredible writer and I love how you integrate canon in this A fic. The conversation about lame proposals was so cute

Author's Response: Ah thank you so much, that's so kind to say! I'm really glad you're enjoying it :) And haha, I am also a big fan of taking a while to get there (although for my own writing, some of that may be linked to my inability to write actual smut...) And I love that lame proposal conversation so much in canon 😍 Thanks so much for taking the time to review, I really appreciate it! 

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Yeah, here's me not caring that this is getting broken up into two chapters. This was just great. It really feels like they finally have a chance to just be themselves for a day. To enjoy each other's company and to no one's surprise it all goes great.

More than that all the adapted things from canon. Pam and the hot sauce, Toby making out in front of Jim and Pam with his girlfriends, getting drunk on margaritas, asking if the other is drunk, teasing banter with each other. All of it solid gold. It really feels like they've taken some much bigger steps together in how they feel. Just beautiful to see and experience.

Of course there's still some tension in the air. Drying off like that in the same room. Sharing a bed again. Hopefully they'll still remember and have the courage to say more things to each other in the morning when sober.

Wonderful update with this one!

Author's Response:

Ah, thanks so much! This one was a lot of fun to write, so I'm really glad you enjoyed it :) And yeah - I did want to give them some angst-free moments to actually enjoy each other's company...

Really pleased you thought the borrowing from canon worked too (that Toby scene from the show, I have to say, is one of my favourites. Just from the pure awkwardness). Thank you so much for taking the time to review!  

Here comes your 101st review. Congratulations !!!
I was just thinking about this story when your update showed up. I love how you are going with this. I like the slow movement in their relationship. No matter how much passion and love they have, Pam has just got out of/sort of from an engagement and facing a complete betrayal while he has merely re-entered her life.

Author's Response:

Ah, thanks so much! I'm so pleased to hear you're enjoying it - and yeah, I didn't want her to jump straight into something else while she's still dealing with Danny, but equally I do think she deserves some happiness at some point... 

Thanks very much for talking the time to review! :)  

You have no idea how happy I am that this was updated. Everything is right in the world again.
The plane ride was starting to scare *me.* I really wasnt sure for a second if they were gonna crash or not. But Pam distracting Jim was the cutest thing ever. I cant wait for that almost proposal to turn into a real one, and I sincerely hope that Jim will be able to explore Pam like he wants to. Amazing chapter. Good luck with the job hunt!

Author's Response:

Ah, thank you so much! And sorry for the delay lol, am very glad there's still interest in this though! The next chapter hopefully shouldn't take quite so long... 

And eek no, I could never actually let anything happen to them. (Although actually I'd definitely read a fic about Jim and Pam in a Lost-style situation). It was fun writing her distracting/comforting him for a change though, so really please you enjoyed that!  And thanks very much on the job hunt :)    

Good to see you back! I liked this chapter a lot. It’s so easy for me to imagine Pam being comforting to Jim, and I’m glad you incorporated that with the whole plane situation.

It’s sweet to see that Jim, in his heart of hearts, does want to marry Pam. And I’m not surprised that she’s a little nervous that he said that - it’s a big step, especially since Danny still thinks they’re engaged - but I hope she’ll come to realize the same.

Anyways, it’s great to see you back. Good luck with your applications!

BlindManCassidy

Author's Response:

Ah, thanks so much! And yes, sorry for the delay - really pleased there's still interest in this though, I'm hoping the next chapter won't take quite so long. I did want some more of Pam comforting Jim, so glad you enjoyed that! Pam is definitely getting there... 

And thanks very much! And thanks for reviewing :)  

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You're baaaaaaaack!!

I've missed this story so much! And it was well worth the wait. I adore the way Pam distracted Jim on the plane and how he let it slip that he definitely wanted to marry her. Ughhhh so good.

I love the nod to the Costa Rican honeymoon too! And I love the last paragraph. And I really love this Jim and Pam so much and I'm excited to see what happens next!

(Good luck with the job applications!)

Author's Response: Thanks so much! (And very sorry for the delay lol, I'm really glad you enjoyed this chapter though!) I think Jim/Pam accidentally letting thing slip is becoming one of my favourite things. I am definitely aiming not to take so long with the next chapter though, am now blissfully free of the job applications. And thanks very much! 

I think it's 100% in Robert's wheelhouse that he'd send Frank after Pam. There's a loose thread in his (Robert's) orginization and no one he'd been expecting either. Makes sense he'd try to send in the muscle. However now he's up aginst Jim and Pam.

When Jim and Pam get together it's rare that anyone can really stop them. Case in point here. Jim leading off Frank, Pam slowing him down with Dwight, (and a great call back to canon to boot) and now they're off somewhere I doubt Robert is expecting. The only thing I could see is that with Jim and Pam and co. out of the country it could give Robert time to cover his tracks. Remains to be seen. But enough about Robert.

Bit movement from Pam. Taking off the ring for the last time! YES!! All the yes! No better sign to pretty boy Danny that she's not going to dance to his tune anymore. Even better she and Jim can't seem to keep themselves away from each other. Even when they have to, they both want to get back to being next to the other one. Love, love, love that.

So, what will we find abroad? Really looking forward to finding out.

Author's Response:

Thanks very much! And yeah, I do love a Jim and Pam team-up (and the occasional Pam and Dwight team-up), so really glad you enjoyed that! I felt like it was time on the ring, haha. Although, with the size of the diamond that I'm imagining in my head, I personally would have followed Dwight's advice on selling it and not just left it in the house. But symbolic gestures etc. And yes - it's nice being able to write a Jim and Pam that at least aren't hiding their feelings from each other. 

Thanks so much for reviewing! :)  

As always, this was very well-paced, and the action sequences were tense. I kinda needed the breather afterwards. I love this use of Karen and this moment to bring her back, to - take that, Karen from "It would've been you." Her striking the balance of kindness and support to the Beeslys and continued rivalry with the Austin reporters is on point.

For the record, while I understand the concern (and enjoyed the solution), I say let Dwight at Frank. I bet he could incapacitate him real good. And reusing Dwight and Pam trashing Frank's car was greatly apprecited.

So many sweet moments with Jim and Pam here. The kiss on the bus, the kitchen scene... you've just given them a great vibe here. They're quite adorable.

Hey, not only is Karen back, you've managed to find a way to work Toby back into the story too! Fun! There's a lot of great use of character development and plot seeding here, including Jim's fear of heights looming... and the idea that plane travel is a novelty is very time period-appropriate.

Speaking of the 60s... did you sneak a freakin' Grassroots reference in here???

Author's Response:

Thanks so much! That is actually great to hear on the action sequences/breather - I found it weirdly hard to get back into the pacing for this chapter, it felt a bit jarring. I think I've come to the conclusion that I can't write extended action scenes, lol. And yes hehe, I am trying to make up for the Karen character assassination.

So I sort of wasn't sure what Dwight's actual fighting skills would be like without the pepper spray or nun-chucks (/didn't want him to get done for battery or accidental murder by going too far with Frank). But yeah, I would probs watch a Frank and Dwight show-down otherwise. 

And haha, I'm really pleased you noticed - it is a Grassroots reference!  (Except...the ring is now off her hand, geddit). So confession time is nigh 😏 There *might* be a couple of references to a slightly less niche 60s band in there too.  

That was stressful.

I could almost taste the tension in the room between Robert, Pam, and Danny. Everything about Robert disgusts me; the fact that he clearly has some obsession with Pam, was trying to get her drunk to tell the truth, and when that didn’t work, manipulate her using her family? What a dick.

It’s definitely unnerving that Danny hadn’t wanted her there from the start, but I don’t believe that it’s because he wanted to spare her from a stressful situation. Why would he care if she said something? Would it look bad if he’s married to a liar?

I’m also slightly concerned about Angela now. What does her father in Panama have to do with Robert? Why are the Californias spying on him?

It was cute to see how protective of Pam Jim was, which was a stark contrast to Danny. Jim is actually relieved to see her and the feeling is mutual, but Danny is probably more worried about saving his own skin.

I feel a climactic chapter coming soon. There’s always a storm before the rainbow, I suppose.

BlindManCassidy

Author's Response:

Thanks so much! And sorry for a stressful chapter and then a bit of a cliffhanger lol - but the next chapter is on it's way :) Yeah, I found Robert pretty disgusting on the show, so I may have just turned it up a bit here. 

And I will say on Danny: I wanted to make his intentions a bit more ambiguous than Robert's. But you're definitely seeing him through Pam's eyes here, where she now doesn't trust a single thing that he does. His motivations will be revealed though - and so will what's happening with Angela's father and Panama...  

Thanks so much, as ever, for reviewing! 

Kinda figured Gabe would say something. Simpering little toady that he is, I'll bet Gabe thinks this is his chance to make somthing of himself, show his boss his potential and all that stuff. Robert really comes off as creepy here. Just leaning in like that, expecting and demanding for Pam to break. Thing is, had all this happended without Jim back in her life, she probably would have. However also without Jim back in her life she would have never found any of this out. She's still be in her guilded cage and only vaguely aware of how much she hates it.

Looks like all this has finally broken through the vaneer of control Danny's been putting up. He knows something's afoot, but for once he can't charm his way out of it and I get the sense he's feeling rattled. Good, the jerk deserves it.

Loved Jim's concern for her. His timing with the doorbell seems just in the nick of time too. I once said good on Jim for not being the white knight to solve Pam's problems for her. However in this case it's good he was there. She was in a little over her head so him being able to pull her out of that situation felt like a relief.

Glad they can have a quick moment to re-connect once she's away from the house. So what exactly did they find? Looking forward to finding out.

Author's Response:

Thanks so much! And sorry for a bit of a gap in updates - yeah, simpering little toady is a very good description for Gabe haha. I did just find Robert pretty creepy on the show, although I've probably made him worse here...and yes, I think the thing is, Pam would probably never have been in a situation where she was confronted by Robert if she hadn't found any of this out.

I'm with you on the white knight complex lol - but yeah, I also couldn't see a situation where Pam was potentially in danger and Jim just sat around.

And more will be revealed on Panama/Angela's father...

Thanks so much for reviewing! :)