They took thier drinks from the Starbuck's counter and sat down near the window. It was a nice day, mild and sunny. Pam had taken her hair out of the clip and put it in a messy bun on her head.

"Hmm."

She looked over at him, "Say something?"

"Oh, no no. I just like your hair like that."

She smiled slightly, thanked him, and looked away. She started to feel awkward, like the last 6 months had not even happened.

"Oh, I have been meaning to ask you, Jim...is everything alright with Karen? She's looked pissed all day, and you want to prank her too? Should I be worried?"

She said that in a sarcastic voice, but Jim took the comment to heart. Things were not alright with Karen. He knew sooner than later it would end. He just keeps holding on to her, afraid of being alone.

"Uhm...well. No, actually, were just fine."

She averted her eyes and looked back a few minutes later, trying to shake off his response. She didn't need to hear they were doing 'just fine.' She wanted them to be over. So over...

"So. Operation Filepelli. What's going down, Halpert."

He smiled, and took another sip of his latte.

"Well, I'm going to be completely honest first alright?"

"Oh, ok sure...."

"Karen and I are not doing that great...she's been out late, doing god knows what, and I need to know....what she's doing. Are you up for that? It'll be our little mission."

She wanted to say no, because she felt it was just a scheme to get her to help thier relationship, and to be honest she could give a flying fuck about them. But being the good friend that she is, she decided to help.

"Fine."

He tried to hold back his smile, because he didn't want her to know this 'mission' was just an excuse to be close to her. He didn't want to make any moves on her, especially because he doesn't know where they stand as of now.

"Alright, well I've been looking on her computer for a little while she would go get food, or use the bathroom over at her apartment and I noticed she's been in these chats. I don't know for what, but she has. I'm thinking we make up a username, and track her down...not to sound stalkeresque but I think we can figure out where shes going. Her name on there is ItalianChick."

"So. You need me to think of a name? But....it's got to be something she won't recognize as you or me.....what about...."

"PonyRider?"

"Jim! C'mon!"

She slapped his arm and giggled at his childish idea, even though she knew he was only kidding. Then she put her finger on her chin and began to think hard about it.

"Got it. How about guitarDude. Simple. Easy. You don't play guitar right?"

"Do you think I do?"

"No. Then it's settled. Let's go to my house, I've got a better computer than you."

She smiled devilishly at him, and they began to walk to his car.

"You know I am really happy to be with you right now."

He was shocked. It was something he was longing to hear, and he just looked at her, intently.

"I..I am too, Pam...really."

It was a moment of silence, but not awkward at all. Comforting actually. The only noises were the sounds of thier own breath.

"Alright, let's go Halpert. You can't be at my house too late, you need to be home before your bedtime!"

"Oh, shut up."

She gave him a tug on his arm as he went to get into the car. She pulled him from the seat and gave him a friendly hug.

He could hardly breathe as he held her in his arms. It only reminded him of that lovely May night, when they shared that amazing kiss. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her, right now, but he knew it would be bad timing, and she might get upset.

------------------------------

They arrived back at Pam's place around 6:30. They sat and ate some microwave pizza before thier mission started.

"Nice, gourmet. You know how I like it, Beesley."

She could do nothing but smile at him, and keep the picture of him and her in her kitchen as long as she wanted to.

After thier meal, Pam pulled out 2 beers and a chair at the desk.

"Alright, let me long in here....GuitarDude001. Sounds good?"

"I'm good with that."

They opened the chat room window, and no sight of Karen yet.

BillyMcSilly> I'm so friggin bored. Someone tell me a funny joke.

PianoBiotch> Hah. You really are an ass, arent you? We are not here to tell jokes, BMcS.

Kelly452> Any word from Italiano? She told me last night her and the BF were fighting.

"Uhm wow. We are not fighting. We will be soon..."

PianoBiotch>Yes, see! This is why I'm here! GOSSIP PEOPLE! Oh yea, she told me that she was going to a bar with a friend...she should be on soon thought, Kell.

BillyMcSilly> GD001, you there? Have you talked to this ItalianoChick yet? She sounds hot.

"Hah. Wow." Pam just laughed at how these online geeks have no lives.

GuitarDude001> No, I'm new here. Well, she is a 'chick', so she'd better be hott! : )

"Ass!" She slapped his arm and she pulled the keyboard from his lap.

ItalianChick has entered the room.

BillyMcSilly> Hey hey hey! If it ain't our little hottie ItalianChick! What's crackin?

"Bingo. Let's give her a few minutes to warm up before we start cracking down."

"Nice! I'm starting to like this mean Jim...it's a major turn-on."

"Thank you, Miss Beesley."

GuitarDude001>Hey IC! How's it going? ASL?

ItalianChick> ASL? People still say that? Well, I'm 29, single female, from Scranton PA.

"Bitch, shes not single!"

GutairDude001> Nice, I'm from Carbondale!

PianoBiotch> Well, anyways blah blah...IC, tell him about that guy...what's his name again?

Kelly452> Oh that Roy character? I thought you were going to keep your hands off!

BillyMcSilly> Yea, GD001, he just broke up with his fiancee. Aparently she's a real whore from what Italiano has been telling us! The story's getting really good! You should stick around! ; )

"God damn, woman! How much can a person tell about her personal life in just like....2 days!"

Jim had no intention to leave that night. He patted his shoulder for her to lean her head against him, so she did. She laid her head on his chest, and before he kknew it, she was asleep. He continued to talk in the chat, because he needed to see what she was doing with Roy....bastard.