1

Nice little fast forward through the rest of the season. Jim is killing it in his new job. He's not afraid to call out Andy's poor behavior, which thank you, Andy was a jerk in S9 who deserved to lose Erin. And then after all is said and done, things come back around and they're still bound for Austin. Nice job. A great exercise in what could have been.

Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat

Author's Response:

Thank you!  I had a lot of fun with this concept and though it's not my best, I wanted to see Jim actually enjoy his job enough to really want to stick around.  And I agree with you on Andy, woof.  Talk about character assassination.

Thanks for all the reviews! 

1

Love the fact they have an easy and family filled weekend. Feels like just the thing they needed. Then another heart to heart talk, this time a lot more gentle with each other as they admit what they should have done.

And here comes David with the key to really letting them realize everything. Gotta love Jim slamming the door in Dwight's face. Great moment there.

Author's Response:

Yeah, I wanted to take it easy on them after all they went through.  Plus, the kids deserve some time with their parents.  And they’re definitely easier on themselves and each other, though in the last chapter, they still have a bit to go.

I always planned for David to swoop in and save the day, so to speak.  He always saw potential in Jim and it makes sense that he’d want to promote him, if only to keep him around.  I loved writing that scene with Dwight, it’s definitely plausible, even in S9.

1

Yikes, Dwight. Way to put your finger on every single way to make Pam uncomfortable. Glad to see him step back from the edge there... feels like that makes sense for the progress of their relationship at this point in the series.

I am glad to see Jim being willing to keep exploring other, Pam-approved options for moving forward with his life. That feels like an important discussion we never got to see in canon.

Author's Response:

I think Dwight didn't want to make Pam uncomfortable, he just wanted to rub it in Jim's face.  Naturally, after seeing Pam like that, he'd rethink what he said and how it'd get to her.  She is his friend, whether he admits it or not.

I also thought that sort of conversation was missing.  I think it'd be a good thing for him to explore actually moving on from Dunder Mifflin while also considering Pam.  Likewise, I can see her supporting him if she knew how he really felt about his sales job.

Thanks for the review! 

1

Figured Dwight would try to get in a few digs. It makes sense that Pam would still let some of her feelings get the best of her. Everything is still raw after all. Even in canon it took her a while and Jim's video for everything to really sink in. I am surprised that Dwight apologized like that. Early season Dwight would not have done so. However late season Dwight who does have a good relationship with Pam could. Under all the bluster Dwight is a good guy, it's just surprising when it comes out unexpectedly like that.

Sounds like Jim and Pam had a wonderful evening at home and then a great time when the kids came back. Feels like things are getting more and more back on track.

Author's Response:

Dwight is my second favorite character, and it's mostly thanks to his character progression.  You're right, S2-3 Dwight would have doubled down, but now he seems more considerate for other people's feelings, *especially* Pam's.  I never wrote it, but he did notice her running off like that.

And yeah, things are still raw and going so quickly that of course she'd break down.  She just wants him to be happy and will do everything to ensure that.  Meanwhile, Jim just wants things to slow down after everything.

Thanks for the reviews! 

1

Ah what could have been. I really like that they finally break through all the BS and are 100% honest with each other here. Yes it hurts, but I think they realized the pain of losing each other would hurt worse. So a hard conversation and a hard decision to be sure, but it feels like they're back on track. Of course there could also be other consequences of everything so we'll have to see how this all plays out.

Author's Response:

Yeah, I wanted there to be a nice mix of optimism and angst, Jim's almost rash decision culminating in them getting back on track.  I enjoyed writing this chapter the most, it's the most cathartic for me. 

1

Well I'm an idiot. I didn't realise this wasn't not a one shot, so I'm really happy to see it's not over yet!
Really liked that we got to see what went down at Athlead (loved your little reminder at the end, thank you for that!) and how everyone reacted. Looking forward to the next chapter!

Author's Response:

Thank you!  You’re not an idiot, I never made it clear that there’d be more to come.

Glad you appreciate the end note, it even helps me keep track of who’s who from what little we’ve seen of Athlead.  I figured there’d be mixed feelings on the matter of Jim leaving, with even Darryl wondering why he’d ever want to leave.

Thanks for the review!

1

I love the premise here, and the fic to follow did not disappoint! You wrote both sides of their conversation so well and all of the angst came out so well
Really great job on this one

Author's Response:

Thank you so much!  I wanted something angst-ridden with a twinge of hope, and I’m glad that came across.

Thanks for the review!