"Gather round people, gather round," nobody moved, despite Michael's attempts to gain attention. "Today is a very special day because..." he did a fake drumroll that lasted five seconds too long, "..because we are teaming up to go on sales calls!"

Jim raised his eyebrows at the camera. Dwight pumped his fists in the air. Most other people continued to ignore Michael. "Okay," he continued, "I have taken the liber-tay of assigning everyone partners. Phyllis and Stanley," Phyllis smiled; Stanley filled in number 18down on his crossword. "Karen and...Kelly."

"But, I'm not in sales," Kelly protested.

"Yes. You are in Customer Service. Today you will go out and...service...the customer. Moving on. Me and Ryan," Ryan shot a nervous glance at he camera. "Andy, and Dwight."

"No. Michael, no." Dwight jumped out of his chair. "I cannot work with him!"

"Why, you scared?" Andy sneered at him.

"Uh, yeah, scared that you'll beat me up because you have a purple belt. Oh wait, that's me. I'm the purple belt, and I'm the one who can beat you up."

"Okay, Okay," Micahel interrupted the arguing. "Geeze, you guys sound like an old married couple. And old...gay married couple. Just get along, okay? For one day. So let's see...who's left from sales?" Jim raises his hand, "Ah, Jim bag! Don't think I forgot about you. You will be accompanied by the lovely and talented Ms. Pamela Beesly."

Pam and Jim both gaped as Michael gave a not-so-subtle wink to the cameras. Pam recovered first. "Um, shouldn't I stay here and answer phones?"

"Automatic voicemail, Pam. It's easy, I'll show you how to do it. Besides, Jimbo is second in command now. You've got to be there for, you know, moral support. And, writing things down, also. Jim doesn't have time for writing. He's going to be too busy makin' sales, ain't that right, buddy?" Michael slapped Jim on the back. Before there could be any further protests, Michael threw his hand in the air, shouting, "Aaaaand break!"  He grabbed Ryan's arm and pulled him into the elevator. Everyone arranged themselves in their groups of two and headed out the door. Pam and Jim were the last ones to leave.

"Well," Jim started, "Shall we? I mean, well, I guess you really could stay here if you wanted. I can handle the sales call, and Michael wouldn't know the difference. You could even go home. If you wanted."

Pam barely hesitated before answering, "Yeah, but as Michael said, someone has to write things down for you, since you don't know how."

"Hey, That's not what he said. I'm just so important, I have peons to do that work for me."

"Oh, suck it Halpert. C'mon, I'll race you to the car." Before Pam even got the words out, she tore down the stairwell.

"Hey!" Jim panted as he and Pam reached the parking lot, "No fair! You had a head start!"

"Yeah, but you have longer legs, so it evens out."

Before Jim could protest, Karen walked up, grabbing him by the waist and pulling him towards her. "Hey," she said, "Have fun today."

"Yeah," Jim answered, "You too. Too bad we couldn't go together." Pam shifted uncomfortably at the words. Karen gave Jim a kiss on the cheek just before Kelly ran up and grabbed her arm.

"Oh my god, Karen. I am so glad Michael put us together. I mean, besides Ryan, and Pam...and maybe Jim, you are totally the only person I'd want to go with. And we have so much to talk about! Oh my god. Did you know that Tom and Katie--" Kelly dragged Karen off and her voice was drowned out by Dwight's who was standing a few feet away arguing with Andy.

"We're taking my car."

"I'm not getting in that...jalopy!" Andy demanded.

"Uh, yeah, you are. Fact: I have lived in Scranton my whole life. Fact: you just moved here. Fact: I know the quickest ways to get around."

"Puh-lease. I bet I learned more shortcuts in a month here than you learned your entire life!"

"Is that so? Care to test that theory? You take your car, I'll take mine. We'll see who gets to the sales call first."

"Oh you are so on!" Andy and Dwight eyed each other hatefully for a second before they both sprinted to their cars and sped off, leaving Pam and Jim alone in the parking lot, shaking their heads.

"Well," Jim said at last, "Your car or mine?"

"Fact:" Pam said, laughing, "Um...yours." They got in. "Where exactly are we going, anyway?"

"I don't know. Michael put the location of all our sales calls in envelopes."

"Are they marked with a stamp that says Top Secret?"

"No, but it may self destruct in 10..9..8..." they collapsed into giggles as Jim opened the envelope. "No. Way." He muttered.

"What? Where is it?"

"Well, you know how, since the merger, we're Dunder Mifflin NorthEast?"

"Yeah..."

"Well, prepare to go North. And east. For about two and a half hours."

"What?!?" Pam grabbed the paper from Jim's hands. "That's crazy!"

"That's...Michael." Jim sighed, then smiled. "Well, you know what that means. Road Trip!"

***

Two and a half hours later, Pam's shoes were off and she was attempting to headbang to "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen.

"Hey, uh...Garth?"

"Yeah Wayne?"

"We're...here." Jim shut off the car, smiling that smile that Pam knew was only for her. She sheepishly slid on her Keds and they walked into the squat gray building where they attempted to sell paper.

***

"Nicely done, Ms. Beesly." She bowed to Jim. He stared at her for longer than he knew he should. She had been amazing--persuasive, logical, and...beautiful. He shook his head. "Well, I'm starving. And I think we deserve a little something after that enormous sale."

"That's what she said."

Pam chose the restaurant (because, of course, Jim offered her the choice), a tiny cafe that they almost missed completely.  It had exactly three tables, seven chairs, and one smiling old lady at the cash register.  Pam knew immediately that she had made the right choice.  They ordered soup and sandwiches (they both had ham and cheese), and settled into the table nearest the front window.

"So..." Pam struggled, suddenly, to find something to say.  Maybe it was the intimate setting, her growing hunger pains, or that lingering memory of Karen kissing Jim, but the only words in her head were "I love you".  What came out was "I...like that tie."  Lame, Beesly, she thought. 

"Uh, yeah?  Thanks.  Actually, my mom picked it out.  Christmas present."  Jim could feel her nervous energy.  They stumbled through small talk until their food arrived.  After that, their conversation began returning to its normal, easy flow.

"So," Pam said between bites, "It was very interesting to see Salesman Jim at work."

"Well, it's about time you did.  I mean, I get to see Receptionist Pam all the time.  It's only fair."

"Yeah, I mean, I can sometimes overhear you on the phone with clients, but it's...different when they're right there."   It was true.  Jim acted differently when he was talking to a customer.  And it made Pam realize that, as well as she knew Jim, she almost didn't know him at all.

They finished their meal and returned to the road.  After about ten minutes, they passed a sign that said "Huxley 1/2 mi."  Pam squeaked.

"What was that?"   Jim laughed.

"Huxley!  That's where my mom lives.  I haven't seen her in almost...three months!  I know it doesn't seem like that long, but trust me, it is.  Do you think we could stop real quick?"

In no universe would Jim have been able to say no to Pam's pleading expression.  He took the exit and Pam directed him where to go.  As they pulled into the driveway, a few snowflakes were just beginning to fall.

***

Apparently, in Pam language, a "real quick" visit with her mom lasts around three and a half hours.  Jim didn't mind; listening to and sharing in their conversation made Jim feel closer to Pam than he had ever hoped to be, and happier than he would ever admit, even to himself.

Still, they had a long drive ahead of them, and Jim wasn't too upset when Pam began saying her goodbyes.  The two had barely even started outside before realizing that they didn't have such a long drive ahead of them after all. Not tonight, anyway.  The few flakes of snow had turned into a flood of white--there was no way Jim's Corolla was going anywhere until the snowplows came.  Each with a secret smile in their eyes, Jim and Pam retreated to the warmth of the house. 

"Well," Pam grinned in spite of herself.  "I guess we're stuck for the night.  Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Absolutely.  We'll do our nails, braid each others hair, play--" Jim was cut off by his cell phone.  He glanced at the caller ID.  "Oh.  Uh, I should probably take this."  Pam knew by his tone of voice that it was Karen.  Jim answered, "Hey...wait, Karen...slow down...what did Kelly say?"  He motioned to Pam that he needed a minute slone, and she directed him into the guest room.  He shut the door and Pam collapsed on the living room sofa.  Her mom, who had been lurking in the kitchen, joined her daughter.

"How're you doing, sweetie?" Mrs. Beesly asked, as if she hadn't just spent three hours talking to her daughter.  Pam whimpered and lay her head on mommy's shoulder.

"Oh mom.  I think I missed my chance..."

"Baby, look at me," she guided Pam's head so she was looking in her eyes.  "I watched you and Roy together for ten years.  I saw you the night of your first date; the night he gave you your first kiss; the day you got engaged.  But tonight, I saw the two most madly in love people in the world sitting in my living room.  You have to trust that everything will work out in the end, even if it takes a little more effort than you anticipated."

Pam nodded as her mom kissed her forehead.  "Well, Pamela.  I'm off to bed.  I'll, uh, let the two of you work out sleeping arrangements."

"Mom!" Pam rolled her eyes, feeling her cheeks burn.  After her mom went upstairs, Pam paced around the room.  She eventually settled in the loveseat by the guest room door.  From there, she could watch for Jim without being obvious that she was watching for Jim.  She couldn't help but be curious what he and Karen were talking about--knowing Kelly, Karen ended the day with a lot more information than she started with.

An hour later, Jim emerged, his face oddly blank.

"Ohmigod, what happened?  Is everything okay?"  Pam jumped up from her seat, forgetting that she was supposed to be nonchalant.

"Um, well...Karen and I kind of just broke up."  Jim's eyes pleaded with Pam not to ask anything more, so she didn't.  Instead, she put on her sympathetic friend face and suggested Ben + Jerry's and a chick flick.

"I know I couldn't have made it through High School without Cherry Garcia," she said, and Jim gave the tiniest smile.   "My mom usually has a pint in the freezer, and I also happen to know that there is a very well worn copy of Say Anything in the entertainment center.

Jim bobbed his head.  "Tht sounds better than manicures and hair braiding. Let's do it, Beesly."

"Once again, that's what she said." 

I love you.

What?

I love you.

How many more times do you want me to say it?

One more time would be nice.

By the end of the movie, Pam was holding back tears. This was a bad choice; too close to home. She glanced at Jim, but she couldn't read his expression. As the credits rolled, Pam stretched and excused herself to go to the bathroom. In there, she took a minute to regain composure and joined Jim back in the living room. He was sitting on the couch, finishing off his soupy ice cream. "Hey," he almost whispered when he saw her.

"Hey. How ya' doing?"

Jim shook his head. "I...really don't know. I...I keep thinking about Katy."

Pam couldn't hide her surprise. "The purse girl?"

Jim laughed. "Uh, yeah, I guess so. You know why I broke up with her?"

Pam knew. She hadn't known at the time, but after May...she knew. What she didn't know was why Jim would bring up that subject. They hadn't talked about it since, well, ever. Finally, she said weakly, "Because her favorite movie was Legally Blonde?"

Jim laughed. "Well, kind of, yeah. I mean, that was part of it. She was so awesome--beautiful, fun--but I just didn't care. I didn't want to be with her."

"So what makes you think of her now?" Pam really hoped this conversation was headed where she thought it was.

"Well, I kind of broke up with Karen for the same reason."

"You broke up with her?"

"Yeah, I told you that."

"No, you said that you and Karen broke up. I guess...I thought she broke up with you."

Jim just shrugged. They sat in silence for a while, until finally Jim yawned. Pam looked at the clock. "Oh my gosh. It's almost one."

"Yeah, Beesly. So if you don't mind getting out my bedroom..."

"Jim...your in the living room."

"Which is where I'll be sleeping. I mean, your parents only have one extra bedroom here, so..."

"Right...but...I mean, you can take the bed."

"Really? You sure?"

"Totally"

"But then...who will tuck me in and tell me a bedtime story?" His look was challenging, and Pam knew she couldn't back away.

"Who else? I'm the tucking in champion on the northern Pennsylvania area. I'll even check under the bed for monsters." Pam skipped into the bedroom with Jim following closely behind her.

"Let me see..." Pam got down on her hands and knees as Jim stood behind her and tried very hard to keep his eyes away from her posterior.  "Nope, no monsters here," she proclaimed.

"Well, I feel much safer now."

"So...I guess I'll be..." she motioned towards the door. "Good Night, Jim."

"Seriously?"

"What?"

"You're leaving me?"

She shook her head, feeling the pink on her cheeks. "I don't..."

"Well, I was promised a bed time story."

"Oh," she laughed. "Of course." Jim sat cross-legged on the bed (Pam almost died because of how adorable he looked) and motioned for her to sit next to him. She did, and started, "Let's see...you'll have to help me. I'm not the best story teller."

"Okay, but you start."

"Alright...Once upon a time...there was...a girl. A Princess. Who was imprisoned in her castle and forced to answer phones all day."

"Don't forget about her handsome companion..."

"Yes, the stable-boy. Who would sometimes come and steal the...magic beans she kept by the phone...but she tolerated him, because he would also relieve her boredom by playing jokes on the Court Magician...Samuel L. Chang." Pam started laughing at that memory, and Jim had to continue for her.

"Right. So one night..." Jim took a deep breath. Now or never, he thought. "One night, while the Duke of Scott was holding a banquet, The Princess and The Stable-Boy escaped to the...drawbridge. There, the Stable-Boy confessed his love for The Princess. But the Princess turned him down. Twice."

Pam had stopped laughing now, and she wouldn't let Jim say another word. "But the Princess really did love the Stable-Boy." Pam continued, "She was just scared because she had been betrothed to another man. Then the Stable-Boy left the castle, vowing never to return, and the Princess never got a chance to explain. She never got a chance to apologize. She never got a chance to say 'I'm in love with you, too.'" Pam was crying by this time, and Jim couldn't help but pull her into his arms.

"But the Stable-Boy came back," he whispered, "And they got a chance to make it all right."

Pam sniffed and pulled away. "I'm so sorry, Jim. I...I don't know what to say."

"Why didn't you call me Pam? Why didn't you tell me something...anything?"

"I was sure you hated me. You know, a phone works both ways--you could have called me too. But you didn't. And then when you came back, I tried to talk to you. I wanted to go for coffee. But you were dating Karen. And..."

"Well, I'm not dating Karen now. So..."

And Pam looked deep into Jim's eyes, and she decided that Fancy New Beesly couldn't wait anymore, and she kissed him. And he kissed her back. And pretty soon, they were all tangled up in each others arms and laying in bed, one room below Pam's mom. Jim was kissing his was down Pam's neck when she pushed him away ever so gently. "Jim...my parents...I can't. I mean...I want to. God, I want to. But...I can't."

Jim exhaled, "I understand...but, God, Beesly! After tonight, you have to promise me you will never use those words again."

"What? I Can't?"

"Yes! Nothing good ever happened after you said that to me."

"Sorry, Halpert. I'll try to remember that.  Well, I guess...I'll be...going..."

"What? Why?"

"Well, you know..."

"Pam, just because we're not going to have sex tonight, that doesn't mean we can't stay in the same room together." She tilted her head and looked up at him as Jim's voice grew suddenly soft. "Pam. I love you so much. Stay here, with me. Please?"

Pam smiled. "How can I say no to that?" She quietly got under the covers as Jim, suit and all, joined her. "I love you, Jim."

"I love you, Pam.  See you in the morning."

Jim couldn't make himself open his eyes. He was too happy. No, happy didn't even begin to cover it. This was...ecstasy, bliss, nirvana. He couldn't bear it if he opened his eyes to find that he dreamed it all. "Please God," he silently prayed as he let his lids flutter open. He smiled. She was so beautiful. How was it even possible? He had stared at this face--been in love with this face--for years, but she had never looked so beautiful as at this moment.

"Oh!" Jim's thoughts were interrupted by Mrs. Beesly's surprised voice. He fell off the bed.

"Mrs. Beesly, uh...oh. Hi."

"Oh, no no. Don't worry. I'll be in the kitchen making breakfast..." she looked over at Pam, who was still sleeping. "You two can join me whenever."

"I'll, uh..." Jim got up from the floor and followed her out the door, carefully shutting it behind him. "I'll join you. We...nothing...I mean...we just slept. That's all."

Pam's mom laughed. "How do you like your eggs?"

"Fried, please. Do you need any help?"

"Nope. Just sit and chat with me while I cook. How did you sleep?"

Jim wondered what kind of a mother this was. "Fine. Good. Lots of sleep."

"How was your conversation with...Karen, is it?"

"We broke up."

Mrs. Beesly was quiet for a long time. Finally she said, "Well, I can't say I'm sorry to hear that."

"Me either."

***

Pam smiled. She had been listening to Jim's conversation with her mom since he had oh-so-graciously fallen off the bed. Even though she wanted nothing more than to stare at Jim for the rest of her life, she also kind of wanted to hear what her mom had to say (not to mention Jim). And she knew they were both a lot more apt to say whatever was on their minds if she wasn't around.

***

"What took you so long?"

"What was that, Mrs. Beesly?"

"Call me Lori. And you know what I mean."

"Right. Well, Lori, I guess I was just being an idiot. I thought I could forget how absolutely perfect your daughter is. Oh my god! Is that PAM?"

Lori and Jim were sitting at the kitchen table, sipping coffee. Lori had the photo albums out, and the page was turned to a small, curly haired brunette. She was wearing a pink tutu, tiara, and leopard print shirt. "Yep. Five years old. She wanted to pick out her outfit for the first day of school."

"That is classic! Can I have a copy of this?"

Oh Crap. Pam thought as she eavesdropped from her bedroom. I better get out there. She quickly checked her hair in the mirror and joined her mom and Jim (doing her best to act like she just woke up).

"Hey, Beesly!" 

"Good Morning, Pamela."  Pam's mom smiled at her with a look that said I don't know whether to be proud or shocked.  Pam blushed in spite of herself.

"Morning.  So um..."  she couldn't think of anything to say.  Thankfully, Jim saved her.

"So your mom made an awesome breakfast.  Can I get you some tea?"

She smiled.  "Thanks.  So...is that the photo album with all my embarrasing childhood pictures?"

"Sure is.  Man, Beesly.  You were...and you understand how difficult it is for me to use this word, but...adorable."  Jim laughed as he set Pam's tea down next to her and Mrs. Beesly served breakfast.

***

"Yum.  Thanks mom.  Hey, how're the roads?"  Pam was almost afraid to ask the question as she finished her breakfast and sat sipping her tea.

"Oh, I didn't even think to look!"  Lori replied.

"Me either," Jim shook his head.  They peeked out the window.  The sun was shining, but there was still plenty of snow on the ground.  Unfortunately, it wasn't on the roads.  The plows had cleared all the streets.  "Well, I guess we can go.  We have a long drive ahead."

"Sure.  I just want to take a quick shower first."

Jim bit the inside of his cheek and nodded. She was killing him.  Pam took the stairs two at a time to the bathroom, leaving Lori and Jim alone again.  Jim got up to stretch.  "Thanks for everything, Mrs. Beesly.  I mean, Lori."

"Well, I have one more thing for you before you guys go...and before Pam comes back down here..."  Lori got up and went into the living room.  Jim followed, intrigued.  She took a small key and unlocked a tiny music box that was sitting on a shelf.  It played the first few notes of "You Are My Sunshine" before she grabbed something out of it and closed it again.  "Jim, I know you and my Pammy have a lot to talk about, and a lot of stuff you have to work out if you guys are going to work."

"Understatement of the year."

"But I also know that when all the talking is done, you'll need this."  She placed the item from the music box into Jim's hand.  He looked at it, his eyes wide.  "It was my mother's.  Pam's always wanted it."

"Why didn't she have it when she was engaged to Roy?"

Lori looked slightly guilty for a moment.  "I...never...really liked Roy that much, if I'm being honest.  I always hoped that Pam would come to her senses.  I just knew he wasn't the one."  Jim smiled as he made a fist around the ring.

"I promise I'll take good care of it...until I give it to Pam, that is," he said at last, already thinking of the perfect way to do just that.