This was a nice break from Michael's antics, tbh! I like Randall's take on this, I hope Pam and Michael use it

To start, I loved Michael bringing up Elvis. Nice little callback to our friends in Part II! Also, Michael bringing up Pam's artwork?! Ugh, I love their friendship in this so so much!

Poor Pam, a lot on her mind. I hope she makes the right decision!

Hi, I am so behind on reviews for Part III. My apologies, now:

MAX. THE EARRING 😭. I love how well you tie their universe along with the canon one. I always enjoy reading it. Poor canon Pam is coming closer and closer to realizing Roy's truth, I can feel it. LOVED this chapter!

Love Kelly's reaction to Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston (and Michael's) and Pam's observation that Michael, too, is growing on this journey.

*Katy, with who it never would have worked with anyway. Pam knew as much from just the one longer conversation she had with her on the boat. She was not right for Jim at all and in time he would have seen it. Or would he? It took her over nine years to see how wrong Roy was for her.*

I like Pam's self-awareness here.

I'm pretty sure this is not your plan, but it would be a really fun idea (if Pam really does get together with Jim in s2) to see how the events of s3 would transpire differently? The merging of the branches, etc. Or maybe they messed something up by getting together too soon?

Anyway, nice chapter. Let's see what tomorrow brings...

Finally a breakthrough! This was a very satisfying chapter to read.

Author's Response:

Thanks Lady.

(if I'm not mistaken, the next few chapters are new to you too, hope you enjoy.)

Gahhh I feel we’re so close and I can’t wait!

“She needed to understand she was the catalyst of her own happiness and while the whole world was singing songs and posting up signs to point her there, she had to be the one to make it happen.” YES PAM!! You can do it

Love the idea that she’s leaving herself this little journal entry so that she’ll have the courage to do everythjng!

Looking forward to the next update!!

Author's Response:

I know you like fun facts so here's one: I'm often inspired by music lyrics and this line came about after listening to No No No - Pumpin Blood. 

Just to clarify the journal entry is to make sure any changes she does make are not overturned when/if she no longer remembers being this other version of herself and doesn't remember what she is about to do. Like a secret message to herself to explain what she went through - a lot like Lucy has in 50 First Dates. (hope you saw the movie, it was sweet).

Thanks for your review and being so invested. Cheers. 

AHHHHHHH THE TIMELINES ARE CROSSING. PAM IS NOTICING THE DIFFERENCE. SHE FOUND THE COAT. MICHAEL IS IN A STATE OF SHENANIGANS. HELP. (I thought Michael tiredly forgetting not to show up to The Office was a nice nod to the incident during the MSPC arc.)

Katy still being right at the forefront of Pam's mind and the subtle ways her jealousy and feelings for Jim are poking their way through into her conscious is really deftly done. That's our denialist Pam.

I thought this was a quite tasty amuse-bouche!

Author's Response:

Yes, time travel is messy and Doc Brown and Randall and any other characters who said not to toy with future events were absolutely right in that it creates results like these. But if it's Dumbledore we are looking to as our guide, he was well aware this is the intention of the time travel anyway.

Yes, still jealous of Katy but there was another reason that whole but was there. Another layer yet to come.

Always appreciative for your reviews and excitement.

So Past Pam is feeling out of sorts. Makes sense considering the night she had after getting back. A fight with Roy and all the implications that brought. Though if I remember, Pam did stand up to Roy in that fight. I can also easily see her holding onto the emotions from the fight now in the morning. I can also see that Roy thinks the fight is over and he can just go about his day. Though considering he all but ignores Pam maybe he's got some lingering feelings too? My guess, if he is still feeling anything, it would still be resentment towards her considering how he acted. Past Pam is also noticing some of the changes that have been going on. The furniture askew, the extra coat, disheveled Michael. She is an artist after all and has an eye for detail. Thing is even if she can see the details, the big picture sometimes eludes her, especially with her tendence to stuff feelings into boxes.

Future Pam though has had no choice but to look into some of those boxes. She's got the details and more and more the big picture is becoming clearer. Another big point is her realizing what the song is about. So, she's getting better at realizing what's what in her life.

It doesn't quite feel like the avalanche has hit yet, but it's clearly getting closer. Only a matter of time before no matter what she does it'll hit full force. Yet, Future Pam is now wiser, sees clearer, and to a degree has a bit more steel to her spine. Really looking forward to seeing how it holds up. Nice job.

Author's Response:

I am trying to get what was meant to be the rest of this chapter out as soon as I can, because of all you point out and you'll see a few nods to things you've said (and written) and I'm anxious for you to see what they are. 

In the meantime- YES, YES, YES (TWSS in this response too).

Thanks for the continued investment in this one and your reviews always. They always make me happy to read. 

"Distant memories of good times with Roy were now interrupted by Jim’s ‘may I cut in’ as thoughts of him flooded the crowded dance floor that was her mind." I love this metaphor. You can just picture that image so clearly.

"Despite the locking door she hadn’t been sure she could get completely undressed with Michael anywhere in the building." This seems... VERY wise.

Okay. Randall nearly got me there. That would have been *extremely* complicated. Not that this isn't... what else have you changed, Pam??? What have you lost???

"There among more of the same binders that were piled on the shelves, some old plaques and framed artwork was a half empty bottle of Wild Turkey and a leather and metal strap contraption attached to a small red ball." MEREDITH. AND WHY IN THE OFFICE????

"“I see time like a rubber band, for the most part it, the band will snap back. However, I amend my original statements on the matter. When you stretch it too much, at some point it will lose its elasticity and won't stretch anymore or any longer.” NOT GOOD. And I appreciate you putting this back in perspective... Pam's going to get to where she's supposed to be.

Okay. A LOT of food on the table. Looking forward to seeing how it all gets eaten.

Author's Response:

Sorry for the delay but always want to make sure you hear back. Reviews always such a treat and getting yours are always so fun to read.

Of course at this point it's hard to comment much about what's to come but you know at least that one thing you nailed on the head already. 

Time travel theories vary wildly the more stories, movies and shows you watch and I find them all fascinating - but this goes for time travel and life in general - there's only so much you can stretch before you can't any longer. (time travel perhaps just exacerbates the process).

Thank you again for the review.  

To quote "Lord of the Rings." it's the deep breath before the plunge. Or maybe to use my avalanche metaphor, she's stopped trying to outrun the snow, has turned to face it, and in a moment of calm, closed her eyes and said to herself, "whatever's going to happen will happen. Let it come."

That being said there's something there at the start that did peak my interest. Regardless of how hard she might have tried, thoughts of Roy vs Jim are out and are very much there. The image of a dance floor and Jim asking to cut in seems appropriate.

So, has the rubber band stretched past it's stretchiness? Is it still being pulled to past its breaking point? Right now, really there's only one thing she/we can do. Await the dawn.

Author's Response:

Thanks Warrior for your review. Not much to say but, yes. Boxes or not, it's hard to put something out of your mind when its weight is getting to much to bear. But all you can do is try and wait for what's next.

Thanks for always dropping in to share your thoughts. I do enjoy hearing them so.

1

So...........that was a lot to take in. Now I'll also admit it's been a few days since I read this chapter and writing this review, so I may have forgotten some of my initial feelings and thoughts. That being said lots to unpack here.

Big forward movement in the plot. Just when Pam is feeling discombobulated from seeing how Roy treats her art, the Time Turner breaks and she sees how Roy has been treating Past Pam. The rage and anger he's shown. First with the road rage, the arguments over the missing money, him saying she ruined the vacation after said vacation was over about something he never paid attention to anyway in regards to the earing. Kind of tears apart her thoughts from last chapter that Roy picking on her is "just in jest." Roy isn't joking around, he means what he says even when he is misguided.

Then she finds Jim's hidden treasures. Oh wow, does that set off a host of everything. As you wrote, he doesn't just like her. He cherishes her. I loved the use of the Pensive imagery. I've often thought that had Pam really had some objective outside perspective, she might have realized sooner how wrong Roy was for her and how right Jim was for her. She's clearly gotten that perspective over these past two weeks. All the discussions with Randall and Gabby. The overheard conversations on the Booze Cruise. It feels like it's been leading her to the moment where she finally understands just how deep Jim's feelings are for her and how deep hers are for him. Thing is, you've written this latest revelation with subtly. After all, they're just doodles. At least that's what Roy would say. But clearly Jim's not Roy. He cares about her and that one thing that makes her so special. Michael has already set up how important her artwork is. So, she's already got it in her mind that her creativity is important. With Roy, it's a hobby that lets him break away for a bar night and a scrap of paper to write down notes. For Jim her artwork, is worth their weight in gold. Until now she might have just said, "oh they're just doodles I do when I'm bored." I doubt she'll ever draw another doodle again with that mentality. Now that she knows what they mean to Jim and all the implications that go with them. Loved seeing that play out.

Pam's journey with Michael is another great piece that's really starting to come together. It feels like she's really seeing the core of who Michael is. A guy who wants desperately to belong and to surround himself with those who want him around too. In that regard it makes sense why he clings so hard to Packer. Packer might have been one of the few people in Michael's early professional career that not only tolerated him,but wanted him around. I have no doubt that for Packer the only reason he wanted Michael around was for a host of selfish reasons rather than a healthy friendship. For attention and affection starved Michael that means attaching himself to someone who is clearly a toxic personality. Pam rightly calls him out on it. When Michael refuses to let go. I mean who hear doesn't want to scream at Pam right then to look in the mirror for herself. Now, granted she's tired with all this mental and physical wrangling she's had to do. Yet I also get the feeling that these thoughts will stick with her.

But where do we go from here. Now we're REALLY in uncharted waters. Packer's deposit wasn't left. So now Roy upstairs all day and no Michael to steal Jim's chair. Future Pam also has all of Past Pam's memories and two weeks of soul searching under her belt. Really feels like the pace is picking up. I mentioned a while ago an allusion of a snowball rolling downhill to create an avalanche. Well, the avalanche is here and it's only getting bigger and sucking more snow and debris into it. I get the feeling that before long Pam might need to reach out a hand to help her get above the cascade. But who will be there to grab it? Who will she want to have grab it? Roy? Jim? Michael? Randall? Gabby? Or will she be able to fight her way to the side of the slide herself and in so doing realize she's has the strength all along to chart her own course in life?

Great job for what feels like a hugely important chapter for her.

Author's Response:

All I can really say is YES! So much coming to focus for Pam - and yet she is still stuck in the past both literally and figuratively.  Even canon Pam was still stuck when he professed his love and then kissed her like he did. SHe needed time (in my head it was always about two weeks before she came to her senses and then it was too late)...hhmmm, how long have they been back now?

I love your insights about Packer too. And I had always contended this would be a Pam/Michael relationship growth story too so I love you are picking up on that.

Your avalanche theory is spot on. One chapter of the calm before the ----actually I'll say no more. I hope to have it up soon.

THANK YOU so much for your review and your support as I start the process of bringing this full circle. As you know, the reviews are so encouraging and ones like these are a huge boost.

*“In the words of the King…” he went on…

“A little less conversation, a little more action. Seriously, I could carve out a space for you in my Caf? Disco where you can paint and put up a little gallery. We could host some pancake breakfasts with the artist.”

Once again, Michael’s words turned her insides to mush causing her to blink back tears from her lashes.

“Serve them up with a little espresso,” he said the word both correct and with a slurred southern drawl.

Despite her attempts to keep them contained, the droplets fell from out of the corners of her eyes as she began to laugh and cry simultaneously.

For once Michael stayed serious, as serious as he could while doing a poor impersonation of the famous pompadour-coiffed entertainer.

“Mark my words little lady, you keep at it and you’ll do very well. I see it very clearly. You have a future to go after if you just never ever, ever give up.”*

*Never before had she had the opportunity to witness his vulnerability, or feel his loneliness, or get a sense of the genuinely kind heart he had. It was only through this experience she was able to observe how he saw the best in his people and wanted to inspire them to achieve greatness all while still showing them a fun time while doing it. It was only through the intimate moments they had on the boat, at the library, the ice-skating rink and during their lunches, out and at her home, that she came to see more than just the immaturity and idiocy that until now she’d thought were his most defining traits. She knew now, he was so much more than he seemed.*

It's not necessarily a Jim/Pam story... it's a Pam/Michael story, and the lessons she's learning are working their way into her subconscious regardless of what she's going to end up changing/ remembering. Yet again, I really adore the way you write Pam and Michael together.

*Despite reflexively thumbing the scale, which she realized she'd been doing for years, it wasn't enough to keep all the weight of the recent days from tipping the other side down. And yet, she still felt paralyzed, locked into the life she had settled on when she put on Roy's jersey and posed for the photo that still hung in his locker.*

This is beautiful.

I love the idea that she is/ has been actively ignoring her feelings for Jim and she's deciding to pay more attention to them now, letting them take over. It remains my contention that S2 Pam is very much aware of how she feels about Jim, her self-confidence level (and the fact that he tells her he's completely over his crush) are what allow her to convince herself he doesn't feel the same way, and never even entertain the possibility of actually being with him. Then CN shoots all of that to shit. (This isn't a direct commentary on your chapter, just my own personal musings.)

*What fell from her eyes was the joy of knowing she was cherished, not by Roy but by Jim, but with that joy came the fear that her whole life was meant to change, had to change, and she still didn’t know if she had the strength to make it happen no matter how much she wanted it to.*

UGH UGH this is painfully beautiful! I'm ready for the home stretch here, Max! Please don't keep us waiting long!

Author's Response:

I did say at some point this story was not just about Jam but about the Michael/Pam relationship (which I have a soft spot for) and Pam's growth in general. 

I agree - a lot of what she knew and felt got buried until CN unearthed it - but even then she couldn't act immediately. She still needed time- I figure she needed about 2 weeks, so that's what I gave her here.

Thank you for all your support with this story. Reviews and beans have meant the world to me as I put this out there. 

It should be long now - the final chapters I hope to post faster now that the whole tale is mapped out.

Thanks again. 

Well this was an interesting read!!
As much as I obviously don’t want Pam to get cheated on, I was kinda like ‘nooo’ when it turned out Roy hadn’t used that condom because I was so sure that was going to be a confrontational point there.
As gross as the thought of sleeping on other people’s sex sheets are 🤢 I think you totally nailed early seasons Darryl where he was just a bit of a douche really.
Pam finding the artwork (loved the clueless references) again I was like ‘nooo Roy has redeeming qualities’ but then to find out he uses it for Fantasy Football kinda crushed me for Pam.
If you couldn’t tell, I hate Roy 🤣
Looking forward to the next update!