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I feel you on crazy work and life, all good.

You have this so perfect - such a great balance with the funny and the angst. The relationships - I am so feeling for Mark and Isabel right now, making my heart break that they just can't connect. I know Pam and Jim are going to be OK. And as for Holly and Michael, I sense that this has got some way to run. Same for Dwight and Angela. I loved the mixed up notes. Told us so much. Really nicely done.

Author's Response: Thank you so much! And sorry for the slow reply. That's so kind, I'm really thrilled to hear you're enjoying it! And delighted you're liking the Mark and Isabel, I know they're a bit of a rogue one since they're neither Jam nor canon...but I am really enjoying writing them. Thanks so much for reading, and for leaving such lovely feedback! 

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Sorry to hear things have been crazy... but really glad to see this one updated!

You did some really fun stuff in this chapter. The chaos with the envelopes and the ultimate mixing up of Dwight and Angela's with Jim and Pam's to delay another confrontation seemed pretty organic... and also emblematic of Jim and Pam's issues about delaying any confrontation of their problems. You really see clearly again here how they got into this mess... their ability to make each other happy on command shields them from having to address how often they're not doing so. (And simultaneously you managed to humanize Dwight and Angela here... Angela being convinced that Dwight fears nothing even as he worries about infertility is brutal. Also, Angela's favorite color is eggshell, because of course it is.)

On the other hand, I'm feeling a little better about my beloved Misabel ship. They're a nice contrast with Jim and Pam - things look darker for them right now because they're actually starting to get real. It's progress! Slow, painful progress. :/

P.S. POOR SADIQ. Sadiq deserved better, dammit.

Author's Response:

Thanks so much! (and sorry for the very slow reply to this review). I'm really glad you enjoyed the envelope chaos - I feel I have a much deeper appreciation for the show's writers' ability to create this kind of chaos and make it feel natural and not contrived, which I slightly struggled with when I was trying to work out how the mix-ups could happen...so I'm relieved you think it worked! 

I do also love some humanised Dwight and Angela. And haha yes on the Misabel (although pls don't hate me for the chapter I've just posted). Sadiq I feel just always deserves better :( On the plus side, he did manage to escape Michael's island, and I'd like to think his marriage is all the stronger for it.

Thank you so much, as ever, for your review! :)  

I've been very behind on reviews - I read this when you first posted but not had a chance to share thoughts.

“Sometimes,” Dr Flax is saying, “We get so caught up in our lives that we forget to just be with each other. To appreciate the small things, like touching each other. Something as simple as holding your partner’s hand.”

This really resonated with me. Really loved her message and methods and can totally see Holly as a therapist - her helping Michael choreograph the dance is so cute too.

I enjoyed the new backstory for Pam and Jim and that Pam was the initiated of the kiss here - but still got the line - I’ve wanted to do that for a long time. It was too bad she never got her teapot.

The romantic Jim gesture -awww - and think I got a little, You bought me a house vibe in the "I love it" I only wish she hadn't been thinking he was busy with work - that she wasn't thinking the worse when he really was trying so hard.

I also am hoping some of the re-connection our Jam is experiencing will rub off on Mizzy. I know they're not our main focus characters but I'm kinda routing for them too.

Author's Response:

I am even more behind on replying to reviews (and most things on this site, it is catch up time now) - but thank you so much! I'm really glad you're enjoying Holly as a therapist, it didn't feel like a huge stretch for me either, so glad it's making sense here :) And I know, I did actually feel a bit bad about doing that to the teapot, haha. I was thinking about the house-buying scene with this one too! Also so pleased to hear you're routing for Mark and Isabel, I'm really enjoying writing them. I can promise each couple will sort of have their own journey... 

Thanks so much as ever for the review!  

Awww, man. I love this chapter. Like a lot. A lot a lot.

I'm particularly impressed by how well you managed to find the humanity in the very real struggle of a deeply-cartoonish Dwight and Angela. They feel like fully realized human beings who are still consistent with the judgmental religious hypocrite and crazed beet farmer we see on screen and on the beach. This line about Angela appreciating his rigid resistance to her Christianity really encapsulates a lot of his appeal to her, and you've done well bringing in their very particular ideas of the roles of men and women and how that can cost them.

And as a Misabel shipper, very much appreciate the look behind closed doors. I'm feeling much better about the two of them now, and have a better idea of what made them tick in the first place. They're a couple who has relied a lot on nonverbal communication to express their love for each other beneath the tempestuousness, and that nonverbal communication has been failing them as of late.

Ryan is wonderfully obnoxious. And Jim and Pam really feel like they're headed back on the right track, even if they still clearly have a lot of road ahead of them. A great update!

Author's Response:

Ah, thank you so much - that’s so great to hear! :) I was slightly nervous about getting Angela’s voice right, and about the Mark/Isabel bit - so I’m relieved they came out ok! 

Really interesting take on the four couples here.

Feels like maybe Mark is starting to get it a little. That a joke isn't always the best way to go. True communication may be a bit hard, but it's the way forward. Almost felt like the ice between him and Izzy started to crack there a bit. Still a lot of ice left between them but it's a start.

Angela's worries seem to run true. She's got a huge stick up her butt about everything. Her holier-than-thou attidute really comes across well in all those thoughts of hers. But she's also feeling distant with Dwight. A bit of self-realization there too.

Ryan is of course a jerk. Very much feels like he thinks he's perfect and thus deserves a chance at the singles resort. Espeically with that line of him not wanting Kelly to be with anyone else but he's chomping at the bit to leave her for a night or two. Yeah, he stayed with her that night, but out of competition not out of actually wanting to be with his wife.

Then of course what feels like the best connection Jim and Pam have had during this trip. Not only do they connect physically, but they're still sharing some jokes and laughter. Lovely to see. I can still see where some progress needs to be made though. It's not just about holding her or surprising her Jim. It's about getting to the reason you need to come back to holding her and suprising her. Methinks he'll get there though.

Nice work as always.

Author's Response:

Thank you! I’m really glad you enjoyed this one. Yeah, Mark and Isabel are taking some baby steps…and Oscar’s therapy might be working slightly better on Angela than she thinks, haha. I always love writing Ryan’s jerkiness, especially when it comes to his relationship with Angela (I did briefly consider giving them a real issue to work through, but then I figured: it’s Ryan and Kelly). And yes! on Jim needing to do slightly more than just surprising Pam. He has also had the advantage of not being interrupted as much by Athleap…so far.  Thanks so much for your review!

Major Minor - now that is good! And getting Charles into the mix here - mwahh. Love Idris Elba (although not the character he played on show - fan from watching The Wire) But the way you had him give Jim a hard time here was a perfect parallel to the conflict on the show.
Don't really blame Angela and Kelly reactions here (and again written very true to their characters.)

Glad Jim realizing he is missing things Pam is doing as he is busy with job - but glad he hold his ground (pose) and stays with Pam through Baby Pose and of course in classic Jim- makes Pam laugh.

Onto next chapter!

Author's Response:

Thanks so much! And haha, I'm really glad you enjoyed the Major Minor and Charles - his character was awful on the show, but I did still love the episodes he was on/the different ways everyone reacted to him. (I also love Idris Elba, but mainly from Luther). And Jim is getting there...

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! 

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"Dwight over-shared in graphic detail when Michel asked each of them to rap a truth about themselves to the beat of the bongos." WRITE. THIS. RAP.

No, but seriously, Pam's attitude here is just perfect and such a reflection of both canon and in-universe JAM - two people who love each other so much it's actually creating obstacles to dealing with their problems. So obviously they're going to enjoy Michel's weird exercises and dread the part where they have to communicate like adults. (In many ways, they really could have benefited from couples therapy way before it came up...) In that sense, the combo of approaches might be perfect for them... letting them exercising and get joy from their strengths and having that help confront their weaknesses.

And this is such a gorgeous rendering of their history. They're such cute kids! Oooof, the loss of the Secret Santa sack leading both of them (I'm assuming) to hunt around in the trash and  that ultimately producing their first kiss is lovely... as is the shadow that memory casts over Jim. So nice to see him come through for Pam in this chapter.
I don't know whether the way Mark and Isabel seem to be on the same page about being on a different page should make me hopeful or worried they're just heading towards a relatively uncontested and calm divorce. #Misabel4LYFE

Author's Response:

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Lots of great call backs to the show here. Charles seeming to target in on Jim. A bit unfairly I always thought. Yeah, Jim could have done more, but I always thought Charles was a bit of a bully to Jim. Also in the show I wished Jim would have stood up to Charles a bit more. So I really liked it when Jim wouldn't let Charles but in on him when he was helping Pam. Same when Pam wouldn't let Jim be batted away.

Feels like there was some good progress made here. Jim realizing there's an entire part of Pam he doesn't know. And it's because of his job. Feels like a bit of a revelation there.

Also feels like a small return to form for him and Pam. They're joking with each other. Smiling at each other. Bonding over a common annoying personality. Some of the hallmarks of the JAM relationship. Really nice to see that brought out.

Of course Kelly is milking it for all she's worth. Was that a bit of Office Ladies trivia in there? Angela Kinsey ran cross-country so Angela Martin-Schrute has good running form. Nice touch if so.

Great update.

Author's Response: Thank you so much! Yeah, I definitely though Charles targeted Jim unfairly - but I also really enjoyed the dynamic of someone coming in who didn't automatically love Jim (/actually preferred Dwight, at lest initially), it did make for great TV. But yeah: Jim also should've stood up to him more! Jim in this fic is very slowly getting there...but maybe not quite all the way there yet. And haha, I loved the Kelly/Angela rivalry over Charles on the show, so I wanted to bring that out here. It is a bit of Office Ladies trivia! Well, I remember them commenting that Angela was actually doing proper running form, so it was fun to include here. Thanks so much for reading, and for the review :) 

This chapter got all sorts of interesting.

Now I don't know if the whole disrobing scene was from the movie or your creation, however I am surprised that Angela didn't haul off and smack Michael or Michel at the mere suggestion of it but I did like where you went with Pam's insecurity and her feeling as if Jim had evolved even physically, while she had stayed the same. But thanks for the image of Jim in his boxers, enjoyed that.
Oh and classic that Ryan was commando.

The therapy sessions were interesting and I'm actually very drawn in by the Mark/Isabel conflicts (which reminds me how I loved the earlier part where Pam notices how Jim seemed to be concerned for his friends due to his caring nature).

The way Holly seems to be drawing out the problems that do exist but weren't yet at the surface (at least not until that blackberry came along) sets us up for more conflict but I'm here for that (as long as it gets fixed).

I will say I am sad that Pam didn't get her art school experience in this world but I guess that adds to the issues.

Author's Response:

Thanks very much! And haha, the disrobing scene was lifted from the movie (but I thought fit well for Michael / also wanted an excuse for Jim in his boxers). For Angela, I was sort of going with, she was ok with following Michel’s instructions up to a certain point…until he went too far. But yeah, she 100% would have smacked Michael Scott for that on the show. I’m really glad you’re enjoying the Mark/Isabel conflicts! I know they’re not Jam or any canon relationship, which is always a bit trickier to get into - but I’m having fun writing them. And yeah, I was interested in the conflict of Jim getting his dreams with Pam not quite getting all of hers…but the art school thing still felt a bit mean. Although I’m not saying she won’t ever get those dreams here! 

Curious developments here that's for sure. Clearly Jim and Pam still love each other. That much is evident in the way their thoughts go when they look at each other on the beach. However there's still a divide between them. I think you hit the nail on the head with the trust fall exercise. As much as they love each other, they're also scared. In that fear of losing just about everything they've built up, they're also scared to really communicate. What they want to say sounds harsh especially with Mark and Iz sniping at each other that they just clam up. At least Jim didn't pull out the blackberry. He's got that going for him at least.

Also I'm kinda with Iz. If your marriage is in that kind of trouble Mark, enough with the jokes and take it seriously. Especially when she straight up tells you that. Feels like he needs to learn time and place. The other two couples are also a hoot to read.

Author's Response:

Thanks so much! And yeah, it’s possible the trust fall exercise might be slightly more of a symbol of Jim’s relationship than he’s hoping, lol…but that point about Pam clamming up because she thinks that what she wants to say is too harsh was something I found really interesting in season 9, so I’m really glad it came across here! I am also slightly with Iz. Although in Mark’s defence, I think he does know that, and is potentially a bit scared about what happens when it actually gets serious…thank you so much for reading and reviewing! 

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I think you've done well in this chapter finding the balance in the Jam relationship issues - you can see both the deep and still-present affection and love for each other living alongside the problems that are cropping up, and the way they exist in relationship to each other. This is a relationship where you don't have to take their word for it that there's something there worth saving or that they still like each other. And you've found some really interesting ways to bring in a dynamic I think is a HUGE missed opportunity in canon - wherein Jim gets to succeed at his dreams and Pam doesn't get to succeed at hers. (Pam not being able to do a trust fall is surprisingly painful to read. And JFC Jim. LEAVE THE GODDAMN PHONE.)

Definitely thinking a lot in watching Mark and Isabel about the challenges to that type of relationship. If a lot of your communication is cheerfully sniping at each other, it must be difficult to tell when the sniping becomes... not so cheerful. Poor kids. #Misabel4Lyfe And the reveal that the doctor's orders are a requirement of fertility treatments is a really smart choice, I think - a realistic way to get them there and something you can both imagine this kind of cartoonish couple going through and find some pathos in, and I'm looking forward to seeing how you plan to use Oscar.

"The eternal question is whether nurture or nature will help you survive the apocalypse" is absolutely a canon Dwight line that should've happened. And I absolutely love the runner with the musical accompaniment. Well worth making it a running gag.

(Also, thank you for sparing It Would've Been You Jim and Pam from this.)

Author's Response:

Thank you so much! And yes! to the missed opportunity in canon: it really felt like that should have been at least mentioned in season 9. (It’s also why I found Jim helping Pam get an identical office job in Philly a bit jarring. I get it, the Bob Odenkirk gag was funny. But also, ouch).   

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This is so freaking good. Its hilarious but you can also feel the tension between Jim and Pam. The way they think their marriage is great but we have already seen that theres issues already, ugh. I already know this story is going to wreck me, and I cant wait.

Author's Response:

Thanks so much! Haha, I’m sort of trying to go for comedy rather than loads of angst, but…I think Jam are just naturally angstier than Vince Vaughn/Jason Bateman? It’s a struggle. Thank you so much for your review!