Are you sure that Pam is newer to Dunder Mifflin than Jim is? I recall that it was she who warned him about Dwight and shows him his desk. I don't remember the episode, but I'm pretty sure that Pam's been there longer.

Okay, now to the important stuff.;) I loved this! It's just plain cute and I love the musical taste you gave Jim.=D Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens, the Shins.. Very nice.;) So it doesn't even matter to me that you used The Shins instead of Travis at the parking lot scene. I love me some shins.;) I really loved the story. I do however agree with Luna Mystik when she says it all happens a bit too easily. On the other hand though, I do believe that they'd know when enough is enough, and we have seen Jim act impulsively before, right? (Casino Night, anyone?) So, I actually thought it was quite accurate. Loved it. All of it.=)

great story

This is such a sweet and romantic line - "I just realized that it couldn't be Christmas without you," he said gently. "I'm tired of pretending that's not true."

Author's Response: Well, thank you very much.  I just tried to imagine the most romantic thing anyone could ever say to me, and I handed it over to Mr. Halpert.  ;)

6

This was very well-written and it's obvious that you put a lot of effort into it, but I wouldn't be a good reviewer if I didn't point out a couple of things that would make it more believable. Can you take a little constructive criticism?

First of all, as far as we the viewers know, the song in the parking lot was Sing by Travis. And it's Sufjan (no "r"). Also, everything we know indicates that Pam is newer to DM than Jim.

The second part was OOC for both Jim and Pam. They have a history of not communicating, of hesitating and, as we say in French "à tourner autour du pot", which, loosely translated means to never get around to saying what they mean.

Of course, the ending was something all Jam fans want, but it shouldn't be so easy to get there.

Author's Response:

I - as most writers should - definitely love constructive criticism.  :)  And I hope you'll allow me to respond, as well, and flex my creative license to make up for the little mistakes.  I'm very prone to those!  LOL.

I did know, or at least had the inkling, that the song from the parking lot was Travis...but I'd written it while at work, (away from my resources,) and I just went with it.

As for the part about Pam being newer than Jim - you know?  Even though I knew that, I always had this feeling that Pam would be the more experienced DM person.  I don't know why.  So for whatever reason, my stories tend to lean towards him being the newer employee.  I'm sorry if this gets to be confusing.  It's just the way my brain works.

And coming to the second part...  This story was inspired by a conversation between a friend and I.  We'd been talking about what would happen if they realized that enough was enough (kind of like we've all been doing out here in RL).

There are fics that stay loyal to the actual characters and their personalities, and there are fics that detour a little to allow for what the author and/or readers may actually want to read.  I tend to write the second half, for the sheer fact that I'm just not good enough to stay eternally loyal to the creator's interpretations of Jim and Pam. 

Again, though - thanks for the critique.  I do appreciate it, because it always helps for the next time I sit down!