Jim sat beside his newly minted fiance, Pam, marvelling at how the night had gone. David Wallace had seemed to readily accept that Michael should remain right where he was, and of course Pam had agreed to marry him, albeit not quite in the manner in which Jim had planned.
He realized he was childishly still a little disappointed that his plans had changed so dramatically, but he was looking forward to being able to tease Pam for the rest of their lives about how she had not been patient enough to wait for a proposal from him.
He of course realized that he was going to get his fair share of mocking in return for not having proposed first. But that was okay. He liked that this was yet another way he and Pam were equals in this relationship, and clearly had been on the same page. Buying the ring at least showed intent, he figured.
Jim couldn't help but notice that Ryan still looked absolutely blindsided, even as the evening had shifted from talk of work to more casual conversation. Jim was surprisingly finding that he was enjoying himself here with Michael, Ryan, David Wallace and Pam. If someone had told him before the evening began that this group of people would be at the table, he would have expected absolute misery. But his and Pam's public engagement had put the table in a good mood.
Well, except for Ryan. Of course, Ryan usually seemed fairly devoid of expression, so for all Jim knew he was giddy inside.
The CFO excused himself to use the restroom, leaving the Scranton group and Ryan alone together.
Michael looked at Ryan sadly. "I'm so lucky I have my loyal Pam and Jim watching my back, with heartbreakers like you trying to stab me in the heart," Michael said to Ryan in a cold voice, his eyes betraying the sadness underneath it.
Ryan shifted from detached to flustered, having clearly not been prepared for ever having to face Michael directly about this. Jim wondered if Ryan's plan had been to have Jim do the actual firing to avoid conflict.
Jim couldn't help but smile at the irony that Ryan shared one of Michael's primary managerial flaws, which was an incredible fear of conflict. Jim liked that he wasn't the only one who shared certain traits with Michael.
"Look, Michael, it wasn't personal," Ryan said, unable to contain his exasperation.
Michael hardened a bit more. "I told you before that this business is about people. I could have fired you before, you know, but I didn't. I thought you had learned under my guidance, but I guess I was wrong."
Jim had no clue what Michael was talking about, but sensed it might have had something to do with Ryan's shift to the annex a little over a year ago. To Michael, being sent to the back of the room away from the majority of the office would be about the worst punishment imaginable. Add in Kelly, and from Michael's perspective, more time with Toby, and you had a pretty thorough reprimand.
Ryan shrugged and rolled his eyes. He squirmed a bit, and Jim could sense how badly he wanted to flee.
"Michael, really. You still have your job. And considering how this whole day shows I am as bad at managing at Dunder-Mifflin as I am with sales, I might not be long for this job. So can we just move on, as we still have to work together for the time being."
Michael gave Ryan a long look, and nodded. "When I broke Jan's heart, twice actually, we still were able to work together. I suppose we can do the same," Michael said.
Jim looked on as Ryan took a deep breath, clearly trying to stop himself from pointing out what should be obvious differences between the two scenarios.
Jim wasn't quite ready for Ryan to be bailed out yet, given the torture he had put Michael through. Not to mention the torture Jim himself had been put through by Ryan's cold decisionmaking.
"I don't know Michael. How can we know it won't happen again?" Jim asked.
Ryan glared at him. Jim just smirked, thinking Ryan really deserved to squirm a bit more.
"Believe me, it won't. I've learned my lesson, really Michael," Ryan said, trying to end the line of discussion.
"Do you now admit that Michael's right about business?" Jim asked, not able to resist pushing things a bit more. Jim felt Pam kick him under the table. Jim looked at her out of the corner of his eye, and saw that she was trying really hard to look irritated but was also amused by Ryan's discomfort.
"Yes, Jim. Michael has taught me all about business, and now I see first hand how business is all about people," Ryan said in a monotone. "It has nothing to do with profit margins or bottom lines. Nothing at all."
Ryan shot Jim a look that said, "Are you happy?"
Jim smiled wider, and smiled and nodded in answer to the silent question.
Michael looked really moved and proud, with tears coming into his eyes.
"It's so hard to see your prodigies grow up before your eyes," he said, and stood up and forcefully pulled Ryan out of his chair into a hug.
Jim leaned back and put his arm around Pam. All was right in the world.
Jim decided that he had put Ryan through enough. After all, it was a night for celebration.
"Michael, I think you're going to suffocate him," Jim said.
Michael pulled away and went back to his chair.
"Jim, are you going to try and break Roy and Pam's record for longest engagement?" Michael asked, swiftly changing the subject.
Jim sometimes wondered why he does the things he does for Michael, and this was one of those moments.
Pam's jaw had dropped, and she looked annoyed. Jim decided it might be best to just let it go.
"Well, I think Keven might actually have moved into the front on that one," Jim said.
Pam smiled then, seemingly past her annoyance. "I don't know Jim, we'll have to take that one to the judges when we get back to the office."
Luckily, David Wallace came back then, ending that awkward line of conversation.
"Sorry that took so long. My wife called me as I was stepping out of the restroom, and it apppears I have a sick kid at home and need to head out. I'll just leave Ryan with the corporate card," David told them.
Pam looked sympathetic. "Oh, I hope he's okay," she said warmly.
"It looks like just a bad cold, but I need to pick up some supplies."
The CFO looked thoughtful for a second, then said,"Michael and Ryan, it's been a pleasure. Jim and Pam, would you mind walking me out?"
Jim had a feeling where this was going, but he didn't know why Pam would be involved.
"Of course," Pam said, tugging on his arm.
When they were outside the restaurant, the CFO looked at them appraisingly.
"Congratulations. I really wish you two the best," he said warmly.
"Thank you for not firing us after the big spectacle," Jim said. The other man laughed.
"Jim, while I admire your loyalty to Michael and value your opinion as to his merits as regional manager, I want to say I am concerned about you professionally," David said.
Jim nodded, feeling anxious. He decided it was best not to speak, and just to listen.
"I think it does none of us any good for you to stay indefinitely where you are. You're too good. And it seems your personal life is getting solidified, so maybe it's time for you to think about your career in a long term sense," the CFO continued.
Jim nodded again, not sure where this was heading at all. He looked to Pam, who just grabbed his arm, sensing something important was coming.
"Basically, I think you need to decide what you want. I think I am going to do some reorganization at corporate here soon, and I want you to be in Ryan's job, just as you should have been last year," he told him.
Jim couldn't believe the irony of all this. While maybe he and Ryan weren't especially tight, he didn't want to be moving Ryan out of a job either. What goes around comes around indeed.
Jim started to voice a protest, but he was cut off. "No, I know what you're thinking. I do value Ryan as well, but I think he might be better suited to a different job. Maybe one where he worked less directly with people."
Jim bit back a laugh at that, and nodded his understanding.
"I also asked Pam out here because I do admire her work on the website, and see real talent. I think Pam also needs to think long term as well, as I imagine she has aspirations beyond being a receptionist."
Pam blushed and looked a bit embarrassed by the praise. "Thank you so much," she told him sincerely.
"It's all something for you two to think about as you plan your future together. You both definitely have bright futures at Dunder-Mifflin, if that's what you want. What I need from you, especially Jim, is to let me know if a future here is indeed what you want."
"Right now?" Jim asked, not sure what to say.
"No, I will give you six months. You and I will have a meeting. And Pam, I think you need to get started in our graphic design internship next session. What do you think?"
"Yes," Pam said enthusiastically. Jim felt warm inside at the way she was beaming. It had been a wonderful night across the board for Pam.
"With that, I need to head home. Again, congratulations. Please think about what I said," David told them.
"Thank you," Jim said, not knowing what else to say.
Jim and Pam headed in, where Michael and Ryan were still at the table. It did not appear much conversation was going on.
"Well, guys, it's been quite the evening. I think Pam and I are ready to head out for the night," Jim said.
Pam shot him a look, and Jim shrugged. They both knew what was coming. But it was really inevitable, no matter how he excused them.
"Yeah, I imagine you two are ready to have lots of sex now to celebrate," Michael said.
"Probably all night," Pam said. Jim shot Pam a look of astonished glee as Ryan did a spit take with his drink.
Ryan coughed and sputtered for a second.
Jim couldn't resist one last little jab at Ryan.
"So Michael, where are you staying tonight? Hotels are really expensive here. Do you have any friends in the city you can stay with?" Jim asked.
Ryan's draw dropped and he looked at Jim in complete shock, and rapidly shook his head.
Michael looked thoughtful for a second. "Nope. Just Ryan here, who wanted to fire me earlier today. So I doubt he would do me any favors."
"Well, I just have a futon that is not really comfortable. It's more of a couch really, so you really wouldn't be comfortable," Ryan said pleadingly.
"I love futons! I slept on one for years," Michael said cheerfully.
"Well, you guys work it out amongst yourselves. Goodnight," Jim said cheerfully. Pam waved her goodbyes and let Jim walk her out the door.
Jim turned to Pam. "C'mon, Beesly. So early into this engagement, and we have unrealistic expectations. All night? Do you not remember this afternoon's activities?"
Pam turned a little pink but met his gaze head on. "I just thought you'd want me to try and earn you back some of your manhood after my emasculating proposal. I really figured we'd just go back to the room and cuddle, as I know that's more your speed," she told him.
Jim laughed, and felt incredibly light and happy. Things had really gone full circle in the course of the past year.
"So, is this the happiest day of your life?" Jim asked her.
Pam looked thoughtful. "Well, I had previously forgotten about being named Dwight's Secret Assistant to the Regional Manager being a part of the day you asked me out," she told him.
"Wow. That is a close call," he said.
Pam looked at her watch and laughed.
"I think we're already an old married couple. It's only 9 pm! I seriously thought it was pushing midnight!"
Jim reached out and took her hand and started to walk. "Beesly, would you be upset if we put the full night of cuddling off for a bit, and we went to a coffeeshop and just talked for awhile?"
Pam smiled at him, also remembering the evening the year before.
"I suppose that could be nice. Get some coffee into these old bodies of ours so we can sit and watch Conan tonight like any good old married couple would," Pam said.
Jim smiled. "Perfect. Just what I had in mind all along."
Somehow, despite everything, it appeared that evening was going to end up exactly how Jim had hoped.
Author's Chapter Notes:
This is definitely the last full chapter. I'll try and post an epilogue next week, but this is pretty much the end of this saga. Thanks to all those who stuck with it, I really appreciate all the kind words I received. It's kind of hard to put this first child to rest.
And, of course, I do continue at my day job. This alone says I own nothing.
And, of course, I do continue at my day job. This alone says I own nothing.
Chapter End Notes:
Again, thanks to those who have been reviewing. I really love to hear that I'm not only entertaining myself.
