Karen, the adult who knows people's motives are shades of grey.
Good onya

1

I live for slow careful builds like this story. Wonderfully done.

Just read this one in its entirety this morning. LOVED IT!  It was SOOOO cringe-worthy I almost couldn't stand to read Michael's "outing" them during the mediation talk. I hope you continue to write. I'm in the process of reading everything you've written so far, and I want you to continue so I'll always have more to look forward to. I don't care how many times you re-write Casino Night... it's always great. That parking lot scene was THE best scene in television history and I never get tired of reading about it.

Author's Response:

Wow -- thank you so much!  It's always fun to get a review of an older fic. :o) Glad you liked the cringe-worthiness; as I mentioned in the story notes, several people on the fanfic boards had mentioned wanting to see a fic wherein Michael just blurted it all out, and I couldn't resist the urge to explore that.  (Because at that point, I fully expected him to do so -- or at least mention to either Pam or Roy his conversation with Jim in "The Convention.")

Thanks, too, for your kind words about all my stuff; I love knowing that somebody's reading the older stuff (well, some of it -- unfortunately, a lot of it makes me cringe, lol).  After a long bout with writer's block (or maybe just the absence of any motivation whatsoever), I'm starting to feel that urge to write again and have begun something new that'll be posted very soon.  :o)

I agree wholeheartedly, BTW, about your assessment of the parking lot scene in CN -- it never ceases to take my breath away, no matter how many times I re-watch it. 

Thanks for taking the time to review!

Say it out loud, Pam!

Author's Response: I know, right?  YELL it, Pam!  :O)

10

"Michael"

Jinx.

They just left the room so Jim could buy Pam a Coke, right?

p.s. For the horror that the scene is, I think you did a great job with it. I knew what was coming and I grimaced while reading Michael's comments!

Author's Response: I'm glad you enjoyed that scene -- it was the catalyst for the entire fic, actually.  A few people on some message boards were saying they wanted someone to write a fic wherein Michael just blurted it all out, so I did.  :o) Thanks again for reviewing!

9

Ahhh, the teapot...

I meant to say that you even write slurred speech well in the last chapter but my finger slipped (oops) and I hit 'next' instead :)

Author's Response:

Hee - glad you like the slurred speech!  I'm always torn when writing a drunken scene (which sounds odd, I realize, lol) as to whether or not to try to write in the slurred language or not.  Very strange.  :o)

Thanks for reviewing!

No receding into the background! Wear the red sweater again, Pam!

Oh boy. It's late.

Love the way the story is moving. And quickly, too (which is good cause, like I said, it's late!)

Author's Response:

Heh - I had to go back and re-read the story again to figure out what you were talking about!  (Re-reading old stuff is weird sometimes, especially when I completely forget having written a given scene, hee.  Senility is striking early, I'm afraid....)

So glad you're enjoying the story -- and yeah, it's a rarity for me in that the chapters are fairly short.  :O) Thanks for reviewing!

10

Omigod!  That was awesome!  Such a train wreck!!!!!  Well done! 

Author's Response:

So I've only in the last few weeks signed up for the email notification of reviews...which is a wonderful thing, because I never would've known about your review for this old fic!  (By old I mean chronologically speaking, hee.) 

So here I am working away on Climbing As We Fall, when I get an email that there's a review for this fic -- what a treat!  Yeah, there was a discussion about how it seemed as though Michael knew enough post-Convention to just do some serious damage, and a few people said they'd love to read it -- so that was the inspiration here.  :o)  I personally was surprised at how many moments the show left sort of unexplored/unexploited (hee): Pam's crying, Jim's confession re: why he really transferred, etc. 

Anyway, I so appreciate your taking the time to review this fic even though it's an older one -- it's still really exciting to get a review for it! 

This story was so sweet.  The Michael chapter had me laughing out loud- I can totally picture Michael embarrasing the crap out of Pam and Jim.  Beautiful ending, beautiful story.

I so love how you wrote Toby in this chapter. He should be the one to give Pam some good sane advice.

I loved Toby's advice to Pam - and Pam finally getting the confidence to overcome her fears to grab her golden ring.

10

FINALLY!

I am really impressed with how you have captured Pam. Corny or not, I liked the story about the stairs. I kind of see Jim as the one who has been helping her down all these years. Now it's Pam's turn! Here is to hoping she steps up to the plate on the show like she did in you story! Bravo, I have REALLY enjoyed this fic.