Chapter One 

Jim leaned back in his chair as he watched the two women sneak a quick glance, first toward him...then Pam's way.  Angela had sauntered over from accounting to whisper something in Phyllis' ear, but with the kind of harsh and annoyed look that made Jim's ears stand up and his brow curl.

It was just his third week on the job...junior sales rep for a company he'd never ever heard of before seeing a small two-line ‘Help Wanted’ ad in the Scranton Sunday Times.  He'd quit his call center job months earlier and a life of basically hanging out and binging on beer and pizza and video games with no discernable form of income had finally burned a pretty serious hole in his wallet.  Party time, he'd concluded, was over.   So he'd caved...called the number, gotten the interview and somehow managed to charm the boss just enough to score the gig.

It was all still really new and even strange to him...a desk mate who reeked of jackboots, mustard brown shirts and a penchant for bears and fictional mythological heroes; a black guy with his nose buried in a crossword puzzle about half the day; Angela, the perky little blonde with a severe case of moral indignation slapped firmly across her ass; and a boss who quite incredulously fancied himself the spiritual spawn of Robin Williams and Forest Gump with a splash of Eddie Murphy and a twist of Harry Houdini thrown in to top it off.

These people were so weird.

Well, not really all of them...there was Pam.

See, the thing was...he'd already fallen in love with Pam...head over heels in just his first couple of days.  He really couldn't explain it.  Nothing like it had ever happened to him before...but it had.  Sure she'd been nice to him right from the get go...even warning him about Dwight and how his life would never be quite the same. 

And damn if she hadn't been right.  His life had changed...it was definitely not the same.  Only it wasn't Dwight who'd changed it.  It was her. 

It was her frizzy curls and crooked smile and the way the tip of her tongue would sometimes sneak between her teeth when she was utterly surprised at just how amused she was by his lamest of lame jokes.  It was the tender lilt of her voice and the pure joy in her laugh.  And it was that unexpected, but genuine sparkle in her eye that very first time when he'd nervously asked her to secretly help him take all of Dwight's pencils and pens...and replace them with the Crayola crayons she'd kept half-hidden in her top drawer.

Yeah, he was a goner.  He knew it.  But, he just couldn't help himself...even with that one big, awkward catch. 

Pam was engaged!  Yeah...verrrrry awkward.

Phyllis and Angela turned their gaze back to him, only this time a quizzical look greeted him.

“What?”  Jim glared...a hint of exasperation in the near scowl that crossed his lips.

Startled by the bite of his voice, the two women winced...clearly surprised at being so flat out caught.  They thought they'd been subtle enough for him not to notice.  Obviously, they needed to work on that.“What?”  This time he leaned forward...looking for an answer.

Angela shot one more glance toward reception, then crossed her arms and leered at him.  “Hhrrrummmmph!”  With that, she quickly turned her tail and scurried back to her corner, but not before Jim saw Phyllis roll her eyes and purse her lips...almost sympathetically. 

                                                     ****** 

Phyllis was seated at the back of the break room, sipping a coffee and quietly reading an article from one of her women's magazines when Jim strolled in looking for his mid-morning hit of grape soda.  He fed the quarters into the slot and pushed the button.  As the can thumped to a stop he turned to his colleague with an almost weary resignation.

“So, what was that all about?”

Without looking up, and sounding totally disinterested Phyllis offered little.  “What was what all about?”

Jim chuckled...mostly to himself as she'd more or less come out with the kind of answer he'd pretty much expected.  But his laugh was just loud enough for Phyllis to hear.  “Oh, I don't know.  How about that thing earlier...with Angela?  Ring a bell?”

Her glasses perched halfway down her nose, Phyllis lowered the magazine and turned to stare at him.

“Jeeez, Phyllis...I saw the two of you looking at me!  What gives?”  He watched as the older woman bit down nervously on her lower lip, almost as though something about his line of inquiry was somehow making her feel guilty.

“Angela doesn't want anything to do with planning the party tomorrow.” 

Jim flinched, no idea what Phyllis was talking about.  “Planning the party?  What party?”

A slightly sly smile broke out on Phyllis' face as she gave it up.  “Pam's party.”  Her smile broadened when she saw Jim was still confused.  “Her birthday party...tomorrow is Pam's birthday!  We always have a party for someone's birthday...in the conference room.”

A flash of surprise washed across Jim's face, “Oh...I didn't know.”   This was something new...they'd never done ‘birthdays’ at his old job.  “So what's Angela's problem?”

“She doesn't think Pam deserves it...” the sarcasm dripped from each word, “....and Angela's the head of the party planning committee.”

Jim shook his head.  Sure he was still new, and Pam had somewhat clued him in on just how stern and rigid Angela could be.  But he really didn't want to believe that she'd actually be vindictive.   “So why does the ice queen think Pam shouldn't have a party...if everyone else gets one?”

Now it was Phyllis' turn to snicker.  “Gee...I don't know, Jim.  Why do you think a solid, upstanding, god-fearing woman like Angela might all of a sudden have a problem planning a party for a receptionist who just happens to be engaged, for who knows how many years, to one of the warehouse guys we all work with?”  A snide smile formed at the corners of Phyllis' mouth as she calmly awaited Jim's reply.

The words cut like a knife.  Jim knew exactly what she was driving at.  He'd seen the looks from a certain few people and heard rumblings from others about all the time he seemed to be spending around reception.  And he didn't need a knock on the  head to understand that it all had absolutely nothing to do with the number of Pam's jelly beans he'd been eating.

But the pang of guilt he felt was real.  He'd tried hard to play it cool, camouflaging his feelings for Pam in a screen of jokey banter and conspiratorial pranks.  But, truth be told, he just wasn't that good at it...never had been.  So the revelation that at least some of his co-workers had pretty much caught on didn't surprise him.  What it did do is make him angry...with himself.

"Pam hasn't done anything wrong?"

Phyllis cocked her head to the side and smirked, “Tell that to Angela.”

The very idea that his failure to hide what he felt could somehow be turned against Pam, especially by someone like Angela riding her almighty high horse...well, that was way more than he could take.  It hurt like hell...and it was his fault.

“So what's Angela going to do...just not have the party?”

“Well, if she could...but we all know it's Pam's birthday.  And Michael...well, Michael is expecting it...and if you haven’t already figured it out he just lives for these things...so she'd have to explain and everything.  She’s sneaky...but she’s not that brave.”  Phyllis looked nervous...as though Angela might suddenly rush in and slap her a good one...just for good measure.

Jim leaned against the vending machine, taking a quick glance toward the door... just to make sure.  “Well, what then?”

“She can make sure the party pretty much sucks!  She can certainly do that!"

Jim's brow furrowed.

"Oh it's easy.  Delay everything 'til the very end of the day when everyone just wants to get the hell home.  Maybe forget the decorations or get crappy food...order a yellow sheet cake.  Pam hates yellow sheet cake.” Phyllis half-smiled, “She's a double layer chocolate devil's food girl all the way...in case you're taking notes.”

He caught just the faintest hint of self-satisfaction in her voice.  “So...just who else is on this committee?”

“Just Angela and me...and Pam!”

Jim shook his head.  “She'd do that...Angela would really do that?”

“You don't really know Angela...do you?”

He hesitated, not really wanting to believe that someone who tried to pass herself off as such an almighty, holier than thou know it all...would stoop so low.  “I guess not.”

“She has very high...standards.  And she expects Pam...er...people to live up to them.”

Jim just bit his lip...and fumed. 

                                                     ***** 

“Hey, Jim...you've been busy.”  A distinct twinkle in her eye grabbed him. “We really haven't talked all day, have we?”

Every afternoon just about three, Pam would make her way to the kitchen for a relaxing cup of freshly brewed tea.  And lately...well lately Jim had found himself coming up with almost any kind of an excuse to wend his way through the kitchen at precisely that same time...in the hope of stealing just a few quiet moments with her.  Moments that helped get him through his day...and moments, he sensed, she was starting to look as forward to as he. 

“No we haven't...not really.”  Jim waited while she finished stirring...two lumps of sugar, then a dash of cream.  Wrapped around the pink ceramic mug, her hands were small and delicate as she softly blew across the still steaming brew before slowly raising the tea to her lips.  Her cheery sigh and the look of pure pleasure that spread across Pam’s face as she took the first tentative sip made him smile. 

Jim loved seeing her this way...all comfortably contented and calm.  And he’d definitely noticed that more and more, it seemed the case when he was around. 

Pam lifted her soft green eyes and nodded slowly.  “Yeah, it’s been that kind of a day.” 

Her eyebrows arched and Jim wasn’t surprised that he immediately understood that something was weighing on her mind.  “What?”

Pam took another sip, then shook her head slightly...not as an indication she didn’t wish to discuss it, but more an affirmation that she thought something, whatever it was, wasn’t making a whole lot of sense.  “Angela’s been acting kind of strange.”

Jim smirked, “Pam...would you just mind explaining to me how Angela acting kind of strange...is in fact, strange?”

She laughed, sheepishly.  “Yeah, right!”

Jim sat down at the table, leaning back and cocking his head to one side...an open invitation for Pam to continue.

“I don’t know, she’s just acting...sort of all...”

He interrupted, “Judgemental?”

Pam’s brow knitted, “Yeah...exactly.”  Her gaze honed in on Jim’s face trying to read him. “You saw something?”

“Uh...me? 

No!”  Under the circumstances, Jim thought it best if he didn’t say too much...at least for now.“But...how?”

“Well, I’ve certainly been here long enough to see firsthand what you’ve already pointed out to me...she can be harsh.”

“I think she called me a hussy!”

Jim’s head snapped back, “What?”

Pam’s eyes narrowed as she bit at the corner of her lower lip, obviously somewhat more shaken by the thought than she was letting on. Jim leaned in, folding his hands in front of him.  He didn’t want to push her too hard for a response...hoping instead that his patience would encourage her to open up. 

“She was making copies...talking to Meredith.  Kind of whispering...but not really.  I mean that’s how she is.  Sometimes she’ll just say something straight out...right to your face...and that’s fine."  Pam's head dipped...averting her eyes.  "I mean, it’s not fine...but at least it’s more honest.  But there are other times...like when she’s trying to be mean...she’ll drop some snide remark just loud enough for you to hear.” 

Pam turned away, a first glint of moisture beginning to well up in her eye.

Instinctively, Jim reached out, taking her hand in his...rubbing small, gentle circles over her skin with his thumb.  It actually took him a second or two to realize what he’d done...he was holding Pam’s hand.  He’d never touched her before.  Well, not unless he counted brushing her shoulder as he’d helped her with her coat that one time he’d invited her to lunch at Cujino’s on his second day at work.  But all he’d actually gotten was a fleeting touch of her cardigan....so that couldn’t really count, could it?

Now, he was touching her skin...her bare, naked skin.  And it was incredibly soft.  What was even more incredible was that Pam didn’t pull away...never even flinched.  Instead she slowly turned back, looking straight into his eyes...a quietly piercing look.  A look he hadn’t ever seen before, but one that inexplicably made his spine tingle, his breath catch and the bottom fall out of the pit of his stomach.  And, as he continued to caress the back of her hand he swore he could feel her tension ease and her breathing calm.  Of course, this was all happening at the very time his own heart appeared to be doing its damnedest impression of a sleek new race car throttling up for its first Indy 500. 

“Look, don’t even bother with her...she’s not worth it.  Just ignore her.”  As he spoke, Jim tried to keep it lighthearted, fighting to hold in any hint of his brooding anger.

“You think?”  Her voice barely a whisper, Pam smiled softly, allowing her hand to linger in his...her cheek showing only the slightest blush of pink. 

Jim nodded, “Besides, Beesly...I need your advice.”  He arched his brow and half rolled his eyes hoping to brighten her spirit.

Pam’s eyes widened at the mention of the pet name he’d adopted for her.  In her entire life, no one had ever just called her ‘Beesly’.  She should hate it....thinking how it sounded so ominous...even threatening when as a child she’d heard a teacher or some other adult call one of her friends by just their last name...it always meant trouble. 

But when Jim said it, in that oddly affectionate and conspiratorial way he had...it was just something else altogether.  It was about them, just him and her...and somehow that idea had become very special to her.

“Advice?”  Pam arched her brow and pursed her lips in a playful smirk.

"Ummm...yeah,"  Jim smirked, too as he gave a quick and knowing glance Dwight's way.  "I've been sort of thinking about...Jell-o.

"Pam's grin broadened, "Niiiiice!"

"But, Pam...I don't know...I'm kind of stuck." 

"Stuck...how?"  Pam leaned in, her brow knitted and her curiosity clearly aroused.

"What flavor do you think would go best with Dwight's calculator...raspberry or lime?"

Pam's eyes widened.  "Jim...raspberry, for sure!"

"Raspberry?  You think?"  Jim nodded affirmatively as he gave it his immediate and fullest consideration.

"Oh, definitely!"  Pam's lips pursed in a quick but vibrant smile.

Jim smiled back, "Well, then...raspberry it is."  As he saw the gleam return to her eye, his heart skipped and he was more determined than ever to make sure nothing...or no one was going to spoil Pam's party.

                                                               Chapter Two 

The morning broke bright and clear and Jim felt a surge of excitement as he turned into the parking lot and slipped the Corolla into its usual spot.  No one else was there...exactly what he'd hoped for. 

The building would be open as the Vance Refrigeration office opened at eight, a full hour before Dunder-Mifflin.   And, it was Pam who usually opened up, coming in a few minutes early to finalize Michael's schedule for the day and put on a fresh pot of coffee before everyone else managed to stroll in sometime just before nine.  But he'd managed to swipe Dwight's not so "secret" key before he'd gone home the night before and while he'd given himself some extra time, Jim knew he had only thirty-five to forty minutes to get everything done, so no time to waste. 

First, he strung the streamers, blue and green ones around the edges of her desk and along the wall surrounding her work space.  Then, more...all around the conference room.  Next, back downstairs to his car for a large silvery balloon boldly pronouncing 'Happy Birthday' in big purple letters.  Tying it to a wrapped gift box of dark chocolate creams, he anchored it next to Pam's keyboard assuring it would be the first thing she'd see when she walked through the door.  Finally, he booted up his computer to print the giant, ten-inch letters to spell out a great big 'Happy Birthday Pam' that he proceeded to tape to the conference room wall.

Once finished, Jim shut off the lights, locked the door and returned to his car and drove out of the  lot, careful to make the right turn onto Slough Avenue.  He figured a quick coffee at the Glider would occupy just enough of his time to guarantee that he wouldn't get back until after Pam had arrived.  As he drove away, he couldn't stop the tinge of anticipation that surged inside him. 

                                                       ***** 

When Jim pulled back into the lot, he saw that Pam as well as Michael and most of their other co-workers had indeed made it in.  So far...so good.  As he rode the elevator to the second floor, he couldn't help but wonder what Pam's reaction had been when she'd opened the door.  And while he would have given almost anything to have been there to see the look on her face, he was far happier to know that he'd been able to do just a little something to assure her a true birthday surprise...especially given what he'd learned the day before.  Besides, the day wasn't over.  

As he walked through the door, Pam's head lifted...a glowing smile greeting him.  He saw that the balloon had been tied to her stapler and the box of chocolates now opened, sat invitingly on top of her desk.  "Hey, happy birthday, Pam!"

Her smile grew wider as he tapped the top of her desk.

"Chocolate?"  Her voice brimming with enthusiasm, Pam steered the box toward  Jim's direction. 

Jim hesitated, afraid that accepting might somehow draw too much unwanted attention...from certain people.  "A bit early, maybe...later." But when Pam curled her lip in a comically exaggerated pout... he just couldn't resist. "Well, okay, maybe just one if you really insist...you know, just to be polite." 

Pam's smile returned and she quickly opened the box for him to pick.  Seeing that it was still full, Jim couldn't help but wonder if she'd purposely saved the first one for him.  The thought sent a cold shiver up the length of his spine.  On one hand, the idea filled him with added hope.  Maybe his sense that something might actually be happening between the two of them wasn't just a figment of his oft demented mind.  On the other, she was still engaged...and maybe it wasn't such a good idea to be playing things so close to the edge.  For him to keep thinking this way and creating these kinds of situations that only fed all the gossip and speculation...and could so easily be...misinterpreted. 

But, he couldn't seem to check himself...to hold himself back.  There was just something about her that made him totally incapable...or at least unwilling to say no.

"Oh..I think that's the cherry one."  Her eyes fixed to his as he popped the morsel into his eager mouth.  With each bite, its slightly fruity tartness oozed slowly over and around his tongue, melding with the bittersweet chocolate smoothness.

"Hmmmmm...yup, that was definitely a cherry one."

"Oh good...I like those the best."  She seemed genuinely happy for him.  And he found that... utterly charming.

"Then I really should've let you have it."  Jim pointed to the balloon, " After all, this is your day."  

"No, I'm glad you got it."  She grinned brightly.

"Well, alright then."  God, she was beautiful...he could look at that smile all day.  But Jim's gaze was suddenly interrupted by a steely stare that greeted him from just across the low partition separating Pam's domain from the accounting department.  It was Angela...and she  was doing her best impression of Lucrezia Borgia at her most solemnly judgmental.  Jim wanted to flash a patented retaliatory smirk her way, but before he could manage, Angela marched off in Phyllis' direction.   

                                                       ***** 

The morning passed in a generally uneventful way...at least the first part of it.  Uneventful except for the overly animated conversation Jim couldn't help but overhear from the conference room.  Angela had come by Phyllis' desk about quarter past ten and requested, rather pointedly that the older woman accompany her for a little 'chat'.  She may have asked Phyllis to meet with her...but the arched tone in her voice and the force with which she had closed the door behind them made it perfectly clear that it was not really a request. 

The gist of it was that Angela was more than just a little pissed off that she'd walked into the office that morning to find balloons and streamers decorating the entire office...all for that little hypocritical 'strumpet' Pam.  Yeah, that's right...."strumpet."  God, what century was Angela living in, anyway?  She may have been exaggerating somewhat for effect, but the message was loud and clear.  She'd made her feelings known the day before and as the head of the Party Planning Committee she'd expected...no, demanded  that her plans be followed to the letter.  It was obvious that they hadn't been and she had no compunction at laying all the blame squarely at Phyllis' feet. 

Despite her repeated protestations to the contrary, Phyllis could not get Angela to even consider the possibility that she had absolutely nothing to do with the appearance of the decorations that morning.  Angela even went so far as to accuse Phyllis of conspiring with Michael to leave the office unlocked so she could return after work to put up the streamers and balloons and other decorations that she knew Angela wanted no part of. 

As he listened, Jim became more and more uncomfortable, thinking that maybe he should step in and say something.  But what would that really accomplish?  Maybe nothing but the one thing Angela would actually need to assure that Pam's birthday was completely ruined...to find out what he had planned.  Surprise, he figured would be his best ally...and Angela's worst enemy. 

                                                     ***** 

Jim had purposely kept himself busy and otherwise occupied throughout the morning trying to keep his contact with Pam at a minimum, hoping to deflect any serious speculation that he was somehow involved in the day's turn of events.   But, he also knew that if he avoided her completely, it would just give rise to even more suspicion instead of diverting it.  So, at about eleven o'clock,  he finally made his way to the reception desk. 

"Well, Jim...aren't you the busy little beaver today?"   Pam had just sat down, having finished shredding a pile of old faxes that Michael had kept piled in his office over the past several months.

"Yeah...I figured I should try to catch up on my cold call list before Michael asks me."

"Huh...huh."  Pam rolled her eyes, letting Jim know that she knew it was just B.S.

"And now, after all that hard work, I'm feeling the need for a quick sugar fix...so I thought I'd just amble on by to see if I might rate another one of your chocolates?"

Lifting the box toward him, Pam tilted her head as if to assure him that he didn't even need to ask. 

"Wow, they're more than half gone.  Looks like someone's gonna have some extra explaining to do to the dentist."

Pam chuckled.  "Hey, what can I say?  These are really good chocolates...whoever left them knew what they were doing."

Jim picked one that had some light green swirls on top...probably mint flavored.  "You mean you don't know who gave these to you?  No card?"

Pam shook her head...but never taking her eyes off his.  "Nope...no card....no note."

"Wow...big mystery.  Maybe Roy wanted to surprise you."  He felt a small twinge of guilt immediately after saying it.

"Please."  She rolled her eyes, but not in a fun way.  "I had to remind him this morning when he woke up...said he'd pick me up something on the way home."

"Well, I'm sure he'll come up with something nice." 

"Sure.  Last year he gave me a thirty-five dollar gift card for the Steamtown Mall...and took me out for beer and pepperoni pizza with a 'half off" coupon from Poor Richard's."

"Hey, so what's not to like about some good Italian food...I love Italian food?" 

This time Pam nodded, but with a sort of pensive, far off look in her eye.  "Yeah...I remember."

Jim held his tongue for an extra beat or two, letting her words sit there...not wanting to make the conversation any more awkward.  "So...what's the plan for today, anyway...I heard something about a party?"  Jim tapped lightly on the top of her desk.

Pam blinked.  "Um...yeah...I guess.  But it's weird."

"Weird?  How?"

"Well, it's all kind of strange." 

Jim looked at her, confused. 

"I mean, we never put up decorations this early and we don't decorate  each others' desks."

He tried to play it cool.  "What do you mean, we?"

"Oh...uh...the Party Planning Committee....Angela, Phyllis and me.  We do all the office parties.  Well, not me...not today...'cause it's my birthday."  Pam's face flushed and Jim thought she was a bit flustered...but still, very cute.

"I mean...I'm on the committee and we've never decorated so early. We always put up the decorations during our lunch break and then have the party about mid-afternoon."  Pam scanned the room.  "I don't think either of them would have stayed late last night to put all this stuff up for me...especially Angela since she seems sort of ticked off at me."

"What about Phyllis?" 

Pam looked for Phyllis who was on the phone at her desk.  "I don't think so...I really can't see her doing anything like that without Angela's okay."  Pam turned back toward accounting.  "Besides, something's going on between Angela and Phyllis, today.  Neither one of them has even said anything to me about the party. Nothing about the color of the decorations or what kind of cake I might like and even though most of the time we go with a mint chocolate chip ice cream cake, we always have some discussion about it."

Jim's brow furled.  "Mint chocolate chip?" 

"It's Michael's favorite." Pam's lips tightened as she shrugged her shoulders.  "And then, this morning...did you see them?  They were in the conference room for almost a half hour and when she came back I heard Angela tell Kevin or Oscar something like, she said she didn't do it...I just figured it was about the decorations and Phyllis saying she didn't put them up."

"Well, Pam...seems like somebody did."Pam nodded slowly.  "Yup, Jim...somebody did." 

                                                      ***** 

At precisely twelve noon, an attractive young woman walked through the door carrying a large brown box, wrapped tightly with thin white string.  She caught the attention of most everyone in the office.

"Can I help you?"  Pam's eyes narrowed as she eyed the package the woman held in her arms.

"I'm delivering this for Angela Martin." 

Before Pam could say anything, Michael bee lined it from his office.  "Well, well, well...my dear...what have we here?" His grin as wide as a Cheshire cat's.

"It's for an Angela Martin...for a birthday.  Does she work here?"

"Oh she most certainly does."  The way Michael was beaming, you'd have thought whatever was in the package had to be for him.  "Right this way, young lady...just follow me."  As they turned from Pam's desk , Michael sang out, "Oh...Angela, my pint-sized party planner...something for yoooou!" 

They were quickly confronted by the small...and glaring...blonde who sprung like a cornered rat from behind the copy machine.  "What the hell is that?"

Jim swore he could see jets of hot, hissing steam shooting from both nostrils.  Catching Pam's gaze, he arched both eyebrows and mouthed a silent "Wow!"

Pam, even in her confusion at Angela's reaction, tried to hold back a laugh, but couldn't.

Though taken aback by the less than cordial greeting, the young women thrust the box toward the petite accountant.  "It's a cake."

Angela shot Phyllis a withering glance.  "I didn't order any cake!"

"Look, all I was told was to get this cake to Dunder-Mifflin Paper by noon... and to deliver it to you!   So...here it is."

"Well..I didn't order it and I'm not paying for it."  She crossed her arms firmly in front of her chest.

"It's already been paid for." The woman stood firm.  "You going to take it...or do I bring it back...your choice?"

Michael stepped in, "What kind is it?"

"Uh...double devil's food...with buttercream frosting."

Michael frowned and turned immediately to Pam.  "Not mint chocolate chip?"

And while Pam threw her hands up to indicate that she, of all people would be the very last person that Michael should ask, Jim thought he could feel the sudden sting of Phyllis's stare burning straight through the back of his head.

                                                                 Chapter Three 

When Michael emerged from his office donning one of those funny pointed party hats a five-year old would love and holding the over-sized card they'd all signed earlier, everyone knew it was time.  Trooping one-by-one into the conference room, almost everyone, including Pam, took one of the brightly colored hats offered by Phyllis who stood vigilant at the door.  Angela, on the other hand remained quietly stoic in the far corner...arms crossed, stern-faced and hatless.

As Jim approached, Phyllis narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips.  "Hat, Jim?"

He half shrugged.  "Uh, no thanks...I'm not really a hat kind of guy." Jim was reluctant to meet her eyes directly, fearing some form of verbal retribution for having more or less put Phyllis in a tough spot, making her the undeserving object of Angela's wrath.  Not that he wouldn't have  deserved it...he did feel bad about that.  "Hey, uh...about the..."

Phyllis cut him off.  "But I think I'd be willing to wager a guess that you do like double chocolate devils food...hmmm?"   The sly smile that spread across her face made Jim think Phyllis wasn't just talking about a certain birthday cake. 

Well...who doesn't?"   He thought that might be cryptic enough.

Phyllis broadened her smile as she turned and silently arched her brow in Angela's direction.

Jim cocked his head to the side.  "You might just be right." 

The table was set up at the front of the room.  The cake, prominent in the center, sported multi-colored candles and was surrounded by several large bottles of soda, a bowl of  French Onion potato chips, two cartons of vanilla ice cream and the usual assortment of brightly decorated plastic cups, plates and flatware.  Someone, Jim noticed, had moved his 'Happy Birthday Pam' sign from the back wall so that it was now displayed on the wall directly behind the table.  It all looked pretty nice and festive...it really did.

"Can I have your attention please?"  Michael's voice suddenly boomed above the still gathering crowd. 

Just then Roy and Darryl made their way into the room and Jim's heart sank just a little.

"Now, let's get the birthday girl up here?" Michael scanned the room, eager to get things started as the master of ceremonies...and just as eager to be the center of attention.  "Come on Pamalama...no time to be shy...let's shake that pretty little booty right on up here....front and center." 

Jim saw Pam wince.  She was standing next to her fiance, but her eyes caught his as she started making her way toward the table...a hint of nervous trepidation in her gait. 

"Alright...here she is."  Michael took Pam's hand, swinging her around to face her waiting co-workers.  "Now, Pamela...I just want to take this opportunity to wish you a hearty happy birthday."

"Uh...thanks."  She seemed somewhat unsure.

"And what are you, now...like pushing 30?" Michael stepped back, dropping his eyes towards her chest, "Better get a crackin' before those start a saggin'..."  Michael laughed and Jim heard low snickers from a few people, mainly Kevin and Tom from accounting...and surprisingly, well, maybe not so surprisingly...even Roy.

Slowly shaking her head, Pam bit her bottom lip.  "No, Michael...you know I'm only 23."  The embarrassment was clearly etched on her face.

"Oh, Pam...a little sensitive are we?"  Michael turned to his audience.  "Well, to get us all back in the mood I have written a special birthday rap...so Dwight can you give us a little background scratch...from da hood?" 

Dwight stepped forward, covered his mouth and began making a scratchy sound to a rap beat.   

"Aw yeah, Pammy...here we go

Let's have a hapy one...yo, yo, yo

Aw yeah, Pammy...here we go

We're all gettin' down for your birthday show!

Mic one, check

Listen to my rhyme

It's your b'day

And it's Party time

We don't play

When we partt-ay

Especial-lay

When it's your b'day

Uh, huh...uh, uh...uh, huh

Yo, yo...Pammy

Happy, happy, happy birthday!

Yeah, happy, happy birthday!

Aw yeah, Pammy...here we go

Let's have a happy one...yo, yo, yo

Aw yeah, Pammy...don't you fro

Smile on your b'day...you aint no ho!

Aw yeah, Pammy, here we go

Bitch gonna have a big one...yo, yo, yo

Yeah, yeah Pammy, here we go

A big shout out on your birthday, oh!

Uh, huh...uh, huh...uh, huh

Ha-ha-ha-happy birthday...to you

Uh, huh...uh, huh...uh, huh

Ha-ha-ha-happy birthday...to you!

The silence was deafening.   Jim had no idea.  Sure, he'd seen Michael in action before...but nothing like this.  Not even close.  And Pam...well she just looked totally shell-shocked. 

Even Michael seemed stunned...but for all the wrong reasons.  "What...no likey?"

Pam stood perfectly still, her lower lip pulled tight behind her teeth...just staring glassy-eyed at her boss.

Jim couldn't take it any longer.  If everyone else was as uncomfortable as he was...well, well he just had to do something.  "So, everybody...how about some of that cake?"    

                                                     ***** 

After everyone sang the real "Happy Birthday" and Pam blew out all the candles and cut the cake, things had settled into what Jim supposed, was a pretty typical routine.  People seemed to congregate in small groups and Pam, who had taken it upon herself to help Phyllis pass out pieces of her birthday cake, made it a point to spend a little time with each one.  Jim somehow wound up with Kevin and Toby and Meredith and no one, as it turned out, wanted to talk about Michael. 

"Jim?"  Pam sidled up to him, managing to balance three plates in her hands.  "Would you guys like a piece of cake?  It looks really, really good."

He turned, relieved to see that she appeared to have more or less recovered as he was greeted with a warm and inviting smile.  "Sounds good...guys?"  Jim helped pass along a piece to everyone but Meredith, who after nearly finishing her soda in a single gulp, respectfully declined and then immediately excused herself...offering vaguely that she'd forgotten something or other in her desk.

"She's allergic to dairy...but she'll be fine."  Pam seemed to know something he did not.

Noticing that Pam was now empty handed, Jim pointed to the table.  "Hey...what about you...haven't you had a piece, yet?"

"Oh...I just want to make sure that everyone gets some first." 

"Well, Pam...there seems to be plenty left and it just wouldn't do for you to miss having a piece of your own birthday cake, so let's take care of that, right now!  Besides, I think I'd like some ice cream with mine...so no arguments...follow me!"

Pam raised her hand in a snappy salute.  "Yes sir...lead the way!"

Jim purposely cut an extra large piece., slicing through the velvety layers with ease.   "It does look good, doesn't it?" 

As he started to place the over-sized wedge on her plate Pam balked, "No, Jim...I really don't think so.  It's way too big!" 

"That's what she said."

They both turned just in time to see Angela smirking at them from the doorway before spinning on her heel and walking away.

"Just what is her problem?" Jim felt his temper rising, but he managed to hold it in check. 

"I really don't know...she hasn't talked to me at all  But she's definitely angry with me about something."

"Hey, don't let her spoil this for you...it's your day...enjoy it?"

"I am."

"You are? Even with Michael?"

"Oh, yeah...definitely!  I mean, sure...Michael...well that's just Michael...he's never going to change."

"Yeah...that was just totally weird."

"But you know what?  I've actually had a pretty good day.  There was the balloon and chocolates right off the bat...and the decorations are nice.  In fact, it's all a bit more than what we usually come up with.  And this cake...it really is good."  She took another healthy bite.  "It's my favorite you know.  I just love double chocolate devil's food.. and this is yummy." 

She and Jim stood quietly, almost oblivious to everyone else around them.  Yes, Kevin...only a few feet away...was in the middle of an animated discussion with Darryl and Roy about the Eagles' chances.  And in the far corner, Oscar and Creed had partnered up with Dwight and Kelly as Michael kept trying to make one of her gold earrings disappear.  And Toby, hanging near the window was explaining to Devon why he shouldn't get too worked up about those persistent downsizing rumors that had been gathering steam over the past few months.

But Pam and Jim...even in the midst of the hubbub surrounding them, seemed almost alone and to themselves.  Sometimes, it was almost like an outside world didn’t really exist.  As though they’d somehow stumbled upon a secret, hidden place, stuck somewhere between time and space where all the little, nit-picky problems that crossed their paths each and every day were simply blown clear on the gentle winds of their humor and the compatibility of their own good cheer.  A sort of refuge of the mind and spirit that materialized only in each other’s presence.  Jim felt it...and he was sure Pam did, too.  Well, pretty sure. 

"So...you're really having a good time?"

Pam nodded, "Uh...huh; uh...huh; uh...huh!"  A sly smile breaking free as she began rocking back and forth to an imaginary rap beat.

Following her lead, Jim tried mimicking Pam’s moves...moves he could only describe as ‘quirkily dorky’...but to him, each one was, nonetheless just so effin’ cute.  “And yo, yo, yo...it’s your birthday show!”  Quickly grabbing her hand, Jim raised it high above her head as Pam twirled in an even cuter impromptu pirouette.  

“Oh my god...look at you.  Michael would be soooooo proud!”  He marveled at the sparkle in her eye and the pure look of joy that beamed across her face.  In that instant, seeing her sheer happiness, he felt giddy, almost buoyant and carefree...and he just couldn't hold back the laugh that bellowed through the room, causing everyone to turn...and stare.   Everyone!  

Like that, the spell was broken and suddenly it all seemed just way too claustrophobic...for both of them.

Pam quickly withdrew her hand from his, a concerned, almost panicked look on her face.  "I, uh  think maybe I should go find Phyllis...to...um...thank her."  She seemed to purposely avert her eyes from Jim, even as she abruptly stepped past him and through the door.  "Because I know Angela would never have done all of this for me...especially not today."  

                                                     ***** 

Jim caught Angela as she came out of the ladies room...maybe 'ambushed' was the more apt term.  "Hey...what the hell is wrong with you?"

"Whatever do you mean?"  The smugness in her voice dripped from her tongue as she tried to brush by, but Jim moved quickly to block the doorway. 

"No way, Angela...you're not going anywhere...not just yet."

She stopped abruptly, only inches from his chest and she had to strain her neck to lock her steely glare on Jim's eyes.

Jim glared right back.  "I've got a few things to say...and you're going to listen."

Angela, shifted her weight, obviously very much annoyed.

"First, don't lay any of this on Phyllis.  She had nothing to do with any of it.  It was all me, no one else.  I was the one who came in early this morning with the chocolates and the balloon.  I put up all the decorations.  And...I ordered the cake.   So, you got a problem with any of that...you take it up with me!"

The words shot from his mouth...pointed and sharp...and meant to stick.

"Second.  I did it because I wasn't going to let you ruin Pam's day.  Yeah, I'm still new, and I may not know that much about the way things are done around here...but I know this.  If it's someone's birthday and the thing here is to have a fun little party...then damn it...you give them their fun little party.  If I hadn't ordered that cake...there wouldn't have even been one...would there?"

Angela squirmed, clearly uncomfortable at being so unceremoniously put on the spot with the truth.

"And third...Pam is my friend and yes, I think a lot of her.  Think what you will of me, that's fair...but Pam has not done one single thing to warrant anyone...and I mean anyone trying to turn that friendship against her.  Not one single thing!   And you had no right to anoint yourself some kind of holier than thou judge and jury passing judgment on her or me...or anyone else.  I think I've made myself clear!" 

With that, Jim stepped aside.  He wasn't expecting a response...and he didn't get one. 

                                                       ***** 

It was just about quitting time and Pam was still in the conference room helping Phyllis with the last of the clean up.  Every now and again, Jim caught her glancing his way...something of a questioning look on her face.  As everyone packed up for the day and began heading for the exit, he found reasons to linger...re-filing the stack of client folders piled high on his desk, re-checking his voice-mail...even rearranging the photos he’d brought in from home.  Anything to mask the obvious...he was waiting for her.         

Phyllis emerged first.  As she passed by, Jim caught her arm.  Quickly glancing back over her shoulder, Phyllis beat him to the punch.  “Don’t worry about it, Jim...you did good.  It was worth it, just to see Angela stewing in her corner all day.”  With that she winked, offered the faintest hint of a smile, then turned and walked out the door. 

                                                        ***** 

“Hey.”

As she slipped the last remaining portion of cake into the box, Pam looked up to find Jim leaning in the doorway, his sleeves rolled up...his left hand tucked behind his back.

“Can I...um...help with anything?”  His words were tentative...as though testing the waters.

Pam looked around.  Her shoulder bag sat open on one of the chairs, the corner of her mega-sized birthday card sticking out one end and her birthday balloon tied to one of the straps.  Her coat was draped loosely over the back.   “Uh...no...I think I’m pretty much done.”  Her voice noticeably subdued as well.

Jim shuffled his feet, clearly unsure of what to do next.  They stood just a few feet apart...looking almost too carefully at one another.  He hated this awkward and anxious silence between them...so unnatural...so unlike them.   What was she thinking?  He didn’t know...no idea at all. 

He did know one thing.  He’d let things get out of hand....totally out of hand.  He’d let his feelings get way out in front of his brains and now...now he knew there’d likely be a price to pay.  Would it be the ultimate price?  He didn’t really want to believe that...almost as though his mind wasn’t willing to accept there might or even should be consequences for falling for an engaged woman.  Well, not if she had feelings for him, too.

But Pam had kept her distance through the rest of the day, not even catching his eye ‘til this very moment.  Was she now second guessing everything?   Questioning him...questioning even their friendship?  

“Some day...huh?”  Jim’s mouth quirked in one of his patently ironic smiles...again masking the jump in his nerves as he warily awaited her reaction.

Pam’s lips tightened, her eyes drifting to somewhere that was not exactly...there.

The cautious, almost dispirited look he saw in her eyes cut him to the quick.  He'd never seen her this way, and all it did was start his insides churning up and around and inside out.  He'd only wanted this to have been such a special day for her...to make up for Angela and her spiteful narrow-mindedness.  All he really did, it seemed was to ruin it far beyond anything Angela could have imagined. 

Was he selfish?  Was that it?  Had it all come to this because he just couldn't leave well enough alone?  Some self-absorbed need to show off or play the big shining knight hero for his imagined damsel in distress?  What an ass! 

What about her...what about Pam?  Had he really ever thought about her...about what all his attention, his not so innocent school-boy crush was doing to her? 

Yes...he'd thought about that...a lot.  Mostly at night as he lay in bed trying to sleep, but instead, staring at the ceiling and trying to make sense about just what it was that this smart, pretty girl was doing to him.  So many times he'd told himself it was hopeless...that nothing could...or would ever come of it.

But then, he'd walk through that door and see the luminescence in that smile and hear that sweet, lilting laugh and he'd be good to go for days.  That's all it took...that's all it ever took.

Now?  The look he saw in her eye, all question, hesitation and doubt...stung deep.  There probably was no turning back from this.  He'd been foolish and foolhardy, thinking it was somehow up to him to put things right...that somehow she'd expect it.  That somehow, she'd need him.

"Hey...I...uh...I'm sorry...about before."

Slowly, her eyes came back to him...her brow only slightly furrowed.   “Jim...”

“I...I didn’t mean anything.”  His stammering bore the air of apology.  “I...I...just got carried...”

Before he could finish, Pam stepped forward gently wrapping her arms around him and tenderly resting her head against his shoulder.  “Thank you.”  Her words were muffled...nearly buried in his chest.

Jim was speechless.  This was not what he’d expected...not at all.  “Uh...”

Pam raised her head, her eyes searching his as she slowly, almost reluctantly stepped back, letting go. “Phyllis told me.”

His heart throbbing, Jim bit down on his lower lip, still caught in the surprise and wonder of her embrace.  “I just wanted a nice day for you.”

“I know.”

He found a new softness in her features as he keenly studied her face...a quiet serenity that had a calming, almost healing effect.  “Well?”

A gentle smile turned the corners of her mouth.  “I had a really nice day, Jim...really nice.” 

The hushed sincerity of her words left a nervous hollow in the pit of his stomach, but not one of pain.  No, it was something different...almost...dare he think...hopeful?

“So...then I guess it’s okay to give you this?”  Jim swung his left arm out from behind his back...a neatly wrapped box in his hand. 

Pam’s eyes brightened as she tilted her head in surprise.  “You didn’t have to...”

He extended it toward her.  “It’s just a little something...not that big a deal.”

Taking it eagerly, Pam unfolded the wrapping...careful not to tear the brightly colored paper.  As she lifted the cover, her breath caught with genuine excitement.  “Jim!”   Reaching in, she pulled out a small box of artist’s oils and three long sable brushes. 

“I just thought you might like them.  You said something about liking to paint.”

She looked up, and Jim could see a slight glistening around the bottom of each eye.“I love them... I absolutely love them.”  And without any hesitation, she lifted herself on the very tips of her toes and kissed his cheek. 

The soft warmth of her lips against his skin was intoxicating and as she hung on his shoulder, for that very split second,  Jim was as happy as he could ever imagine himself to be.

But the sound of a horn, honking from somewhere below in the parking lot interrupted the gentle quiet that had enveloped them.

“I guess Roy must be waiting?” Jim tilted his head towards the windows.

“Uh....yeah.” 

“Well, then...I guess you'd better be going.”

Pam looked up into his eyes.  “Yeah...I guess.” She gathered her things, stuffing all but the cake into her shoulder bag and giving the room one last look around.

Jim wanted to offer to carry the box downstairs for her, but thought better of it...thinking it would most likely only complicate things with Roy.  So as she started through the door, Jim moved aside, letting her pass.  "Tomorrow?"

Pam smiled.  "Definitely."

As she walked by his desk, Pam suddenly stopped and looked back...staring silently at him for an extra beat or two before whispering an almost imperceptible, “Thank you so, so much...for everything!” 

Jim could only nod. 

With a doleful sigh, Pam smiled one final time...an almost painfully ironic smile...then turned slowly and walked away.

As the office door clicked shut, Jim swore he'd seen the sad reflection of a regretful tear slipping ruefully down the curve of her cheek.  The thought made his breath catch.  His heart pounded in his chest and suddenly his skin was afire with a pulsating white-hot heat the seared through every fiber of his body. 

That's how it came to him...inexplicable as it was.  But that's exactly when he knew.  Yes...he absolutely, definitely, and most certainly was...he was going to marry Pam Beesly! 

                                                       THE END