10

I have tried to get to read this chapter all morning and am just now alone in my office without my coworker distracting me! After last night's episode, I really needed to read this, and I just read it through twice. It brings me back to the time when the show had substance and meaning and things they did weren't broad and done just for laughs and there weren't huge guest stars. I could go on about what I'm not liking about the show for hours right now so let me get back on track here...

This chapter nails every single point that about Pam that I believe is so true. She was afraid, and started trying to convince herself that she was happy. I love this hindsight, how things are so clear for her now. We know so much about Jim's feelings that it's so nice to read something about Pam and what she was going through in a way that doesn't bring Roy down to just a dolt with no common sense. There are so many passages I would point out that hit me as being the most realistic thing I've read in fanfic history.

We both remained quiet for a long time. I wasn’t sure how to explain the situation better or how to undo it, even though I wanted to put everything back the way it was. And I don’t think Jim could speak without letting out everything he felt. The tension that would build over the next three years was born in that moment.

Again thank you for this spot on characterization. It reminded me of why I fell in love with this show and this couple in the first place. I look forward to reading more of this.

Author's Response: Thanks so much for the review! Glad you're feeling that it's staying close to Pam. I think that she was still pretty young at that point and still wasn't quite sure how to handle everything she was feeling, so I'm glad that's coming through. And yes, my intention was to make Roy sympathetic, cause he wasn't a bad guy, just not the right one. So glad it helped bring you back into the fandom, that's quite flattering. :)

Just thinking about that first date hurts so much :'(  I'm so enjoying Pam's commentary, SO, learning what was going on in her mind as these events played out.  I think you're very clearly detailing what a tough situation she was in.  I'm feeling sorry for Jim, of course, but for her, too. 

It's heartbreaking to read about that first date at Cugino's, but at the same time it feels as though this is exactly what happened. I liked that you had Jim almost say what he thought about Roy because he hadn't learned how to keep silent yet. Indeed; this chapter was very bittersweet, which was entirely appropriate. Great job!

Author's Response: Thanks! It is interesting to explore what Pam and Jim were both like before they were able to hone in their self-denial skills. I like to think that there were a few times were Jim had a hard time keeping his mouth shut and he had to teach himself to keep a distance from the situation. Thanks for dropping a line!