Date: April 16, 2020 07:50 pm Title: Chapter 40: Dinner
I'm looking forward to the Stamford resolution. Is it rude for me to wish harm or calamity upon fictional characters? I'm thinking the Stamford receptionist could do with one.
Author's Response: That's a good idea. Let's see if they come up with it ;). And thanks for the review!
Date: April 16, 2020 10:40 am Title: Chapter 39: Train Ride
Oh, it's so lovely that Pam also has some memories about 'not a bad day' :)
Annnd 'a week after' turned into 'second day'! It's thrilling, a tad scary, and I wonder now where (and when!) that gas station is gonna happen in this universe...
Author's Response: I figure it might also not be the only time she fell asleep on his shoulder, given how Michael and his conferences are...but yeah, that's my headcanon and I'm sticking to it. I don't think we'll see this proposal, but it's probably sooner and less fraught (given the lessened trauma between them). Thank you!
Date: April 16, 2020 08:26 am Title: Chapter 39: Train Ride
Lovely chapter! Was Jim’s ring a diamond or crystal? I need to know. Anyway, in the next chapter, is it going to get steamy?
Jellybean!!
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm afraid this will stay T-for-Teen but we will probably resort to the good old-fashioned Alfred Hitchcock sex-by-implication at some point.
Date: April 15, 2020 09:51 pm Title: Chapter 39: Train Ride
A little bit of predictability is a very good thing! It fits with canon, and fits nicely within this story. I like that Jim has the ring as a reminder, and not so much a “I must do this immediately.”
I like that we’re still seeing little glimpses of this bolder Pam - the one that keeps leaving Jim flustered (even if it’s just in her thoughts).
Author's Response: Thank you! I appreciate hearing that. :)
Date: April 15, 2020 08:07 pm Title: Chapter 39: Train Ride
"Got it a day after we started dating" Love that image. Also that he's willing to wait to make sure they do the relationship right. Not just with the specter of Stamford, but because she's so fresh out of a broken engagement. I like that Jim's thinking of a the ring as a way to keep him grounded to her, and as a reminder to not screw up the relationship. Not that I think this Jim will of course.
Pam's fun here too. Nice that they already feel comfortable enough with each other to have some alone time. Of course the real fun is her dreams and thoughts. Nice way to let us know what she's thinking, but still stay subtle.
Author's Response: Thank you! I couldn't resist when I saw the store on the mall map. And I'm glad you're enjoying them!
Date: April 15, 2020 09:11 am Title: Chapter 38: The Mall
Aww, I also always buy sweets in foreign stores. Or, rather, always bought...
*sobbing quietly*
Anyway, I like how Pam and Jim continue to discover little things about each other. It feels like a ground (already quite a solid ground) for their further relationships.
Thank you for the story!
Author's Response:
SAME! So much so, and I'm so sad I can't right now. Living vicariously...
Thank you for reading!
Date: April 14, 2020 11:44 pm Title: Chapter 38: The Mall
Hmmmm What’s Jim gonna buy??
Jellybean!!!!
Author's Response: Exactly what you think ;). Thanks!!!!
Date: April 14, 2020 07:58 pm Title: Chapter 38: The Mall
Wait. Do you guys not have Cherry Ripes? That’s... I’m sorry. You’re missing out.
You’ve captured the quintessential Australian shopping centre experience well here. There’s one of the shops you listed in just about every centre. Although, H&M hasn’t been around here all that long. Maybe only the past 5 years?
It seems Jim has had a bit of quiet revelation, impacting on his own shopping experience just a little bit... Slipping into a jewelry store after a whole like 2 days is very in canon...
I’m very curious to see if he purchases what we all maybe suspect, or something a little different...
Author's Response: Nope! No one else but you has them, unfortunately. And thanks! I was working from the actual shopping centre map, but I'm glad to know I chose typical stores :). Thanks for the review, and the good guess!
Date: April 14, 2020 07:42 pm Title: Chapter 38: The Mall
Hmmmm, a Swarovski shop. I have images of a certain canon talking head with Jim holding up a pretty thing combined with this AU and an accelerated time line. Either that or just something nice for her. Both ways would be very cute nonetheless.
I love how much easier and freer Pam feels with Jim. This early after calling off the wedding, I'm sure there would be lots of those comparison type thoughts. Love that she's finding things so much better now that she's following her heart without reservation.
Author's Response: Yeah, it's not hard to guess is it? Not everything is super subtle ;) Thanks for the review!
Date: April 14, 2020 12:40 pm Title: Chapter 37: Walk Back
Oh, I have a feeling there is the sword of Damocles above Pam's head... poor girl...
But. But! Even more than The Conversation (if it would be The Conversation and not just talk), I'd like to see what they found in the mall!
Author's Response: I think she'll survive somehow. But the mall is up!
Date: April 13, 2020 11:50 pm Title: Chapter 37: Walk Back
I’m with you there, Pam has used a whole lot of strength lately. It makes all the sense in the world that she needs some time to regroup before diving into anything too contentious...
Klicks or ks is a very Aussie way to chat about distances so Jim’s blending in like a local. Although for some reason that makes no sense, I feel like we write it as “clicks” (but that just could be me...)
Author's Response: I think that's valuable for her, to have the strength at this point. And yeah, I see it spelled either way but I liked the weirder spelling ;) Thanks!
Date: April 13, 2020 10:11 pm Title: Chapter 36: Venues
Just got all caught up and I don’t have much to say that hasn’t already been said. This is so lovely, as all your stories are, and I am going to miss it when it is complete! I love Australian Jim and Pam. You write such complete versions of them no matter the setting. Looking forward to the next update!
Author's Response: Thank you! I really appreciate that. It means a lot coming from you!
Date: April 13, 2020 07:55 pm Title: Chapter 37: Walk Back
So a nice little filler chapter here. goo balance between speaking and thinking. Lots of fun little bits sprinkled throughout as well. I do like that Pam's thoughts. She's right. A lot of her courage did get used up just to get to this point. Relax and take a breather. Let the relationship grow a little more and then take on Stamford.
Author's Response: Thank you! I pride myself on my fillers of course ;)
Date: April 13, 2020 11:42 am Title: Chapter 36: Venues
Awww, it's so sad that this perfect idyllic mood was ruined by this lady. But I hope they'll have (apart from necessary angst) some meaningful conversations and more happy fluffiness!
Author's Response: Well, the conversation will wait a bit, so more fluff to come. Thanks for the review!
Date: April 13, 2020 08:34 am Title: Chapter 36: Venues
Every chapter is so great! Jellybean
Author's Response: Thank you so much!
Date: April 12, 2020 11:42 pm Title: Chapter 36: Venues
They are just so considerate of each other. Jim anticipating Pam’s sketchbook filling up. Pam encouraging him to try something new. Jim offering to be her sounding board as needed. There’s angst in every relationship, but I suspect that these two are on the right track...
Author's Response: Thank you! I think they'll get there, don't you?
Date: April 12, 2020 07:59 pm Title: Chapter 36: Venues
Just what the doctor ordered, a shot of fluff before bed!
As much as I don't like angst, I am looking forward to seeing Pam unload the emotional burden that she's been carrying.
Looking forward to the next one.
Author's Response: Well, it will happen, but not quite yet. More fluff soon! Thanks :)
Date: April 12, 2020 07:54 pm Title: Chapter 36: Venues
Of course Pam needs to deal with all of these feelings... she's been through quite a lot in a short time! Glad she has Jim's support. Looking forward to seeing how they work it out.
Thanks for writing!
Author's Response: She's still dealing slowly though, so I'm afraid the conversation will wait a bit...but it will happen. Thanks for reading!
Date: April 12, 2020 07:38 pm Title: Chapter 36: Venues
This was a nice update. I can't wait to see how their conversation goes. Angsty, but awesome. Great job!
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm afraid it will be a little before Pam's ready for that, but it will happen!
Date: April 12, 2020 07:15 pm Title: Chapter 36: Venues
"Best art of all the art," nice reuse of that line and in a much MUCH nicer context. Kinda fun to see Jim putting pencil to paper there. Yes he's nervous and clearly hasn't progressed past middle school art classes. However I'm sure Pam appreciates him trying. Here's something she can truly teach him, rather than him faxing being bad like stick shift lessons.
Yes the whole Stamford discussion does need to happen still. The fluff is fun, and their feelings are growing. However as Pam put here, honesty is important. However knowing you, I'm sure it'll all work out in the end.
Author's Response: Thank you! The fluff will continue but I do want to keep that Stamford discussion in the back of our minds...
Date: April 12, 2020 07:41 am Title: Chapter 35: Gift Shop
I can't get tired of admiring how happy and carefree both Jim and Pam are! I wish they had as much lovely time as they could before the shadow of Stamford appears again.
Oh, and the fact that Jim (in a little twisted way) kept the promise to Roy... that's so good!
Author's Response: I promise it will appear but also dissipate eventually. This story has a happy ending in as many senses as I can make it do so. Thanks so much for the review!
Date: April 12, 2020 05:02 am Title: Chapter 35: Gift Shop
Just like Pam's old habits die hard, so do Jim's. In this case having the specter of Roy hanging over everything as you put it. I mean I get it. Despite the length of this story, this is only the first full day Jim hasn't had that to worry about. I'm sure it's going to take some time for all those thoughts to go away completely. However the Jim section of this was great movement in that direction.
Loved Pam getting the pencil sharpener. It seems like she's starting to put together her own set of Bonus Gifts, which is of course adorable. Lovely chapter as always.
Author's Response: Yeah, it's a long story (well, a lot of installments) but it's only been like two and a half days, including the flights. So...yeah, lots of baggage still. Thank you as always for the review (which, I think, is the one that made this story the most-reviewed on the site since S7, which I'm probably too proud of but was a goal of mine for a long time).
Date: April 11, 2020 11:25 pm Title: Chapter 35: Gift Shop
Jelly bean!!
Author's Response: Thank you!!
Date: April 11, 2020 09:59 pm Title: Chapter 35: Gift Shop
Oh Pam, that she has to stop and think about the fact she can make a cheap, kind of tacky but fun purchase now, without having someone judge or question her. My heart. All these little things that have been a part of her life for years, but now just aren’t. No wonder Jim can see her letting herself feel the joy and have fun. There’s so much more joy in the little moments, for both of them, without the shadow of Roy. This was a truly lovely exploration of that.
Author's Response: Yeah, Pam has, I think, a lot of trauma built up. Hopefully we can help with some of that. Thank you for the review!
Date: April 11, 2020 09:59 pm Title: Chapter 35: Gift Shop
Excellent as usual. Looking forward to the next installment.
Author's Response: Thank you! It's up now.