As Angela pulled out of the parking lot, Pam turned to look back at Jim, giving him a quick wave even though he wouldn't see her from where he was stood. With a contented sigh, she turned then to Angela.

"So, congratulations on your Dundie award," Pam grinned. 

Rolling her eyes, Angela shook her head. "That award is ridiculous. I would much prefer to be recognised for my work ethic. Or even my charity work with the local cattery. Or my work with the church!"

"It's just a bit of fun, Angela. We all know you work hard and love cats," Pam said. Turning to look out of the window, she watched the streets and late night stragglers go by as Angela drove in silence for a while. She felt cloudy and moody coming down from all the drinks she'd had, and rested her head against the cool window. "Nobody notices my ass. Just my stupid Keds." 

"I like that your Keds are clean," Angela replied.

Pam scoffed and rolled her eyes, kicking her feet up slightly. "Thanks."

"I'm sure Jim notices your shoes," Angela mumbled. An awkward silence blanketed their journey for a few blocks. She glanced at Pam while stopped at a red light. Somehow, she and Pam had an unspoken and unexplainable awareness and understanding of each others relationship issues. Angela didn't particularly enjoy having anything in common with Pam, but that didn't change the fact that those commonalities existed. And having feelings for someone you simply could neither process nor express was a pretty big thing to have in common. Making sure to color her voice with judgement rather than intrigue, as she pulled away when the light turned green Angela asked, "why did you kiss Jim in front of everyone when you won your Dundie?"

Pam whipped her head round to look at Angela in surprise, wincing slightly at the way it made her head throb. Angela had one brow raised and a frown on her face, but Pam still managed to catch the quick side glance she threw her way and knew it was more than just a judgemental question. "I, umm... I don't know," Pam shrugged, turning to look ahead as she fidgeted with the sleeves of her coat. She heard Angela sigh. "Haven't you ever just wanted to do something and found a moment where you don't care? Like, you can just... blame it on being drunk, or whatever?" 

She could have just said she was drunk and had no idea what Angela was talking about.

She should have just said she had no idea what Angela was talking about.

As they turned into her road, Pam unexpectedly felt tears come to her eyes. She turned to look out of the passenger window, blinking back her tipsy tears and the lump in her throat.

"Roy's not home. Do you have your key?" Angela asked as she came to a stop outside Pam's house.

"Oh, yeah, sorry," Pam blurrily rifled through her purse on her lap, fishing out her keys. Given the emotional mess she had found herself in after what had been one of the most fun evenings she'd had in a long time, she was dreading tomorrows moody hangover already. On the plus side, Roy wasn't home yet, so at least she could have her post-drunk emotional comedown in peace.

Maybe she'd call Jim.

She probably shouldn't.

"Thanks Angela," Pam said as she finally opened the door and made her way out.

"You're welcome," Angela gave her a small nod.

Pam waited a moment, expecting Angela to make some kind of comment about her behavior that evening. When none came, she uttered out a quick "good night," before closing the door. With a deep breath, she turned and made her way up to her house.

As she got herself ready for bed in the peaceful solitude of an empty home, tripping over her feet here and there, Pam let the rollercoaster of emotions take her on a ride. She shed a few more tears as she opened the fridge and snacked on some pickles straight from the jar before pouring herself a large glass of water to take to bed. After brushing her teeth and cleansing her face, Pam was about to get into bed when the phone rang. Curious and still tipsy, Pam went into the hallway to answer it.

"Hello?"

"I have wanted to do that," came Angela's voice on the other side of the line. "What you said in the car."

"Oh," Pam raised her brows in surprise, not just at the admission but the simple fact that Angela Martin was phoning her in the middle of the night. "Right."

"I get it. I don't want to."

"Oh. Sucks, huh?"

"Yes. Well, I just wanted to let you know I was home safe and make sure you're not choking on your own vomit."

"I'm not that drunk. But thanks. Glad you got home okay."

"Thank you. I'll see you on Monday."

"Angela?"

"Yes, Pam."

"I thought you'd tell me off for kissing Jim. When you asked me in the car. You know, because I'm engaged to Roy. I thought you'd tell me it wasn't right."

There was a short silence before Angela answered. "It's not right to kiss another man when you're engaged. I believe faithfulness is important. But I also believe that sometimes how we feel for other people can feel bigger than ourselves and it makes us question what is right and what is wrong." 

"Do... do you think I'm with the right person?" Pam asked, her voice almost a whisper.

"I think if you have to ask a co-worker that question, then you already know the answer," Angela replied honestly. "I'm going to bed. Please don't call me to complain about your inevitable hangover tomorrow."

A slightly stunned Pam held the phone to her ear as Angela hung up and the hum of the empty line filled her mind and began to give her a headache. She was itching to call Jim now, and her fingers ghosted over the number keypad as they did most weekend nights. It was silly, because he'd never actually told her his home number. She'd read it on his paperwork when he'd started and then she'd overheard him relaying it to his sister while talking on his cell, and she'd mentally recited it pretty much all day without realizing. So he'd probably be a little confused if she called, and maybe a little annoyed because it was late. 

She could text him.

"No," Pam sighed in response to herself. She had sobered up just enough by this point to know no good could come of that right now.

Checking the door was locked and that Roy's keys weren't in the bowl so she could sleep knowing he'd let himself in, Pam set about turning the lights out and got into bed. At least she could go to sleep finally knowing how it felt to kiss Jim Halpert.