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Finally! I’m finally reviewing this! Per usual, To y’s meh-ness is just so blah. I’m glad he took Pam on this trip so she could meet Jim, but no, she doesn’t need to hang with you, Toby.

Oh Jim. I can see and picture EXACTLY which checked shirt he’s wearing, AND I can see his widening smile when he eyes Pam through the window. Very convenient too that Toby unfortunately has another allergic reaction to deal with. I lol’ed at Pam’s very quick assertion to Jim that Toby wants to be sick alone, too!!

Sweet Jam picnic, with all of their favorite canon things! And an exploding soda too!! I love the chemistry that is brewing between them with their sweet banter, and knowing that they’re gonna connect up in NYC. What a crisis with the canoes!!! I’m so glad Pam is okay, and Jim is taking excellent care of her— even if he does need to strip her down to do so. He’s still gentlemanly if nothing else!!!

I love that Pam asks him to stay with her to recover and doesn’t think twice. I know these two are clearly gonna be an item after Pam warms up— how convenient too that Jim has no dry clothes?!? To y’s arrival is clearly awkward… but so is every Toby interaction. Sweet little ending that isn’t too much but just sweet enough… gotta love gentlemanly Jim— though I’d never be able to resist a towel clad Jim in my bed— Pam, you are a very strong woman with immense self control!! Sweet little story that was a fun AU! Loved it! Love you!

Author's Response: Thank you so much as ever for your wonderful reviews!!!! So glad you liked this! 

Awwww! Thank you so much! I wasn't expecting this one to get an update but it's wonderful that you would.

Look at Pam getting all her hopes up that it's Jim who will wake her up. So yeah being disappointed that it's Toby makes sense. Guy just can't get a break can he? Sad to say because bourbon flavored maple syrup is a wonderful thing. In a move that should surprise no one, I have some of my own at home too. But it clears the way for Jim and Pam to spend more time together.

A brief hint of some of the canon insecurities Pam has there while wondering who Jim is on the phone with. But that's it, just a hint. Glad he was able to clarify it all really quickly.

The bike ride out to the lake sounds delightful. The perfect kind of easy date for the setting. Then let the chaos commence.

Jim having to change and Pam noticing it all was a great way to amp up the tension. In a very fun way of course. And he pulls out a Red Ranger Power Ranger shirt! Excellent! Then he gets his hero moment too. This Jim feels like he was once involved in Boy Scouts, what with his first aid and outdoor knowledge. The image of Jim getting her out of those wet clothes to find that set of underwear? Pam! What did you have in mind? Something nice probably.

And Ethan and Steve show up! Hooray! Thanks for including them. Especially with the Power Ranger actor reference there. Nice guys to offer them a ride back.

Then some more tension building when they arrive back at Pam's room. The wandering thoughts of both of them. Stripping down so they're both in towels and robes. And then of course in comes Toby again. To put the final nails in the coffin. Sorry Toby, but it was never going to happen.

Backtracking a bit, nice that Pam is upfront about her relationship status and what's she's up to on the weekends. Also nice big green flag waving there that she wants Jim to come up and meet her in New York. Great scene.

Then to end it like that in a cozy blanket covered pile after another kiss was delightful. You can really feel how easily these two are falling for each other. Delightful all the way around.

Author's Response:

You are so very welcome!

Definitely wanted Ethan and Steve to make an appearance! The Power Ranger story you'd told me was too good an opportunity to pass up, so they needed a little cameo :)

So glad you liked this, and a very happy birthday again! 

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Just read this again and I think it is so so so good and has a ton of potential! I really do hope you continue! I love this AU and yet Jim and Pam are still as cosmically connected as ever. The Toby angle makes it so cringingly awkward… but I’d love to see this continue. The dialogue is so flirty and great! I’d love to see the bike ride date!!

Author's Response:

Ah thank you so much!!

We had a lot of fun writing this one for sure, and bossing YB around is always fun :D

I’m sure you’ll be seeing more from these guys in 2023 😉 

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Well this was pretty cool! I really enjoyed this - nice work, fellow Brits! And happy belated birthday to Warrior!

Author's Response: Thanks very much!!

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Thank you so much for this! Brought a big smile to my face when I saw the opening note. You two are great!

So, starting out, Pam is bored at reception but no Jim. Hmm could this be an pre-season fic? Now Toby is coming up and she mentions when she was with Roy, past tense, Pam's single! Interesting.

Just going to get this out of the way really quick, sorry Toby, as much as you might have a crush on Pam it's not going to work. Though she is a kind enough soul to go with him. Nice that she also is pretty clear in her expectations for everything. Good job.

Now onto other fun things. Whiskey?! Whiskey did you say? Oh, how fun it is to be known for something that people can play off. Really liking where we're going with this.

Jim and Pam instantly bonding is just wonderful. Really like Jim as a distiller too. And Pam's room looks like a dream. Yeah, she's coming back with her sketch book no doubt.

Well done on the whiskey making tour. I've taken a couple distillery tours myself and yeah you got everything right. Also "Warrior Liquor" even if you stole the name from a real place (dang there goes my idea for a backup plan(kidding)) that was a lot of fun to read. Same with Betsy finding the English translation for my personal motto. And also Gerald and Betsy referring to their kids a little warriors. And to a degree Doodlebug too because one of my pet names for my daughter is "Bug." Thank you for all that. Also later in the fic Pam saying she's going to be leaving a quality review. It's like you guys know me or something. Loved it.

I was wondering how you'd get Toby out of the picture. That works. Leaves Jim and Pam time to get to know each other more. Love that they linger over the tasting and start sharing stories. Buidling up some more things in common before anything physical takes place. Pam unzipping Jim's lips was just all sorts of adorable. They're bantering with each other so well. Love it.

Then Jim taking her to the private area to tasty his new concoction? Yes please. They may both be a little tipsy at this point but two things, "in vino veritas," and as you put so well, "fortes fortuna adiuvat." The first one means "in wine (or alcohol) truth," by the way. They're both brave and bold and thus Fortune smiles on them. Their kiss was beautiful to imagine and you even got a little more banter in with it. What more could one ask for?

And they're going bike riding! you probably didn't know this, but that's something my family is really trying to get back into this spring! So that was great fun too as well as a nice tie in with canon.

All in all a lovely birthday surprise. Thank you so much. I really enjoyed it. All the jellybeans!

Author's Response: