I'm a 21-year-old college student who got obsessed with The Office during finals week and hasn't let go since. Prior to joining, I hadn't written fanfic since 2004 (for Animorphs), but the Jim/Pam has sucked me in.
Post-"Gay Witch Hunt"; Pam's growing up and realizing that if you want something, sometimes you have to fight for it.So I probably shouldn't be giving serious consideration to calling that number and seeing if it really *is* Jim Halpert, right? It seems my addiction has gone too far. Okay, I'm going to refrain from reviewing every chapter of this fic, but before I go I will add that this is just perfectly spot-on - for both of them individually, for their situation, for their relationship. Wonderful.
"There ISN'T a point! A Lexus demands to be driven fast, to be pushed to its limits." Andy snorted. "You try telling that to a goddamn Connecticut State Trooper."
This made me laugh out loud in the solitude of my apartment. My neighbors may or may not be considering institutionalizing me right now.
I am in love with this fic. You write Fancy New Beesley just right, and this whole email exchange is just perfect. Way to go.
The last paragraph lays out exactly what I always thought Jim was feeling, but could never put into words -- and you described that emotion beautifully. You did a great job with Karen's character, too!
This is a Karen focused stream of conscious/pov on all things developing in Scranton... contains mild spoilers through The Convict. Since it is Karen centered right now it is mostly Jim/Karen focused, but clearly Pam is there too and will likely play a larger role in the future.
You are fantastic. These lines: In her head she had let him do the singing, let him do the asking; Besides, she suspects that Jim's prank has backfired a bit, as Andy has been telling anyone who will listen how well things are going with Pam and who is she to get in between a love match like that?; and She finds if she squints hard enough she can pretend it is a skyscraper flickering in the distance, as if it is getting ready to turn off its lights for the night and go to sleep beside her were heartbreaking. Especially the last one -- what a perfect metaphor for Jim.
Author's Response: You are too much! Thank you!! I really appreciate that you pulled out the individual lines that affected you. It is always fascinating to see what the reader responds to. That last line I wrote is, I think, my favorite line of anything I've written. It evokes such a sad image in my mind, like this dull weight, and I really think that feeling is what makes me feel for Karen through season 3. I'm glad to hear it did the same for you. Thank you so much for the review! I really appreciate it.
My first attempt at a 5 things fic.
I love the PB&J as much as (and possibly fanatically more than) the next person, but I'm really starting to feel for Karen. Great concept - great job. :)
It all starts with fun jeans! in the garbage can and ends with Casual Friday dead by the third week of November, in the year of 2005. Also known as the most tragic prank Jim and Pam ever pulled.
Spoilers through The Client (season 2). The premise is that sometime after The Client casual Fridays were seemingly abolished, as we have now seen the gang in work clothes on Fridays a couple of times. This story attempts to explain what happened to put an end to Michael's beloved casual day.. I've been re-bitten by the writing bug so hopefully I can complete my unfinished stories before it runs out..
Hee! Dwight! This is so old that I can't imagine you're planning on continuing it, but I wish you would! You nailed Dwight here. Great job.
Author's Response: haha Thanks!! I've always been a little sad that i didn't finish this, because i have it all mapped out in my head. We'll see how hard this writing bug has hit me. I would love to come back and finish it up at some point! Thanks for the review!
Jim gets fussy and Pam gets fed up.
Spoilers through The Negotiation.
This is absolutely the best post-Cocktails fic I have ever read. You really are wonderful at writing their fights -- all the low blows they have to be dying to get out after so long. I've already read this over twice and now I'm going to go read it just one more time before going to bed. I cannot gush enough about how perfect it is.
A year or two before the cameras arrived, Michael takes the staff to the Poconos for a camaraderie event. Much unresolved sexual tension and angst ensues (uh, between Jim & Pam, not the entire staff).
This fic is just perfect. You've captured their voices and kept them completely true to the characters, which is an impressive feat since this is territory Jim and Pam have never really tread into before. I like the drawn-out mistrust on Jim's part; it feels like when the happy ending gets here, they'll have earned it.
On a more personal level, I really owe you. I've been reading fics set after/during season 3 and feeling like the whole relationship has just been cheapened to a point of no return, and reading this made me like it again. Thank you!
It's always great to hear that a reader finds their voices authentic, but it's even more so with this one since it's so out there in terms of all that has happened between them. It's also nice to hear that you're enjoying the drawn-out mistrust; it's one of those things that I've been pestering my beta about -- "Is this believable? Is it believable that he'd be in love with her, sense that she's feeling something for him, but still not be willing to trust her?"
...But I just kept thinking that for her to have done what she did to him (i.e. sex then forget it), it'd have really hurt him & could take a while. Plus, drawing from season 3 -- I think that he sensed all season that all he had to do was say the word and she'd be his, but he was hesitant because of the hell he probably went through trying to move on from it.
A big rambling digression there - sorry. :o)
As for your last comment -- thank you so much, wow. I know what you mean; I've heard a lot of people say the same thing about season 3 cheapening the relationship a little, and I can see that point of view. I do think the writers made a few mistakes (though I was never one of the people threatening to jump ship or getting furious every week -- I was more like the cautious optimist, LOL). So to hear you say that this sort of redeemed their dynamic means a lot -- because truly, one of the reasons I write as much as I do about them is that the dynamic the writers have created (to say nothing of the two characters themselves) is simply amazing. I just love it.
Anyway - thank you so much for reviewing!
Terrorists invade Dunder Mifflin. Jim and Pam are the only hope for their officemates to get out alive. Close quarters in an airduct and looking death in the face give Jim and Pam the kick in the pants they need to get get together. Takes place after "Beach Games" and before "The Job". A/U.
Ahh! So good! I really hope you're still updating this -- it's fantastic. I love seeing Jim and Pam in a completely surreal situation like this. Even amid the insanity, you've managed to keep them well in character.
Pam wishes she had loved Jim all her life, and Jim rises to the challenge. Pure fluff.Oh. My. God. Emory is the most amazing satire character I have ever seen. I nearly killed myself laughing. I love this story!
Jim and Pam have 24 hours together before he leaves for Stamford. A lot can happen when you're on borrowed time.I'm really enjoying this. Can't wait for your next update :)
Ooh, I love this! I was initially skeptical about Jim's monologues at the beginning and end of each chapter, but they're really in character and well-developed. And I like these glimpses into pre-series Jim and Pam. I can't wait for more!
HAH! What a perfect prank! And finally, the mysterious Larissa Halpert alluded to back in The Fight. Well done -- I enjoyed this a lot.
Author's Response: Larissa intrigues me because it seems like such a young name, so I immediately assumed she was Jim's sister. But then we know from Safety Training that Jim's parents are still around Scranton somewhere, so I have no idea why he would use his sister as his emergency contact instead of his parents. Whatever. The point is, I still think Larissa is his sister, just because I say so. Plus I love the idea of Jim as the big brother taking care of his little sister. :)
"Getting settled. That was a good way to put it. He was settling down his brain, his nerves, his heart." -- great line.
Author's Response: Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. Those are the kind of lines that seem to sneak into even my fluffiest stories, and I sometimes wonder if they're too out of place, so it's great to hear that you liked it.
7 Wow, I didn't know either of them was Jewish... interesting! This was really, really well written, and I can see Toby thinking this would be his year. The line "Maybe this was the year Cool Toby would emerge" broke my heart. Love.
Author's Response: well we recently learned that pam was presbyterian. and while researching for my story \"halpert family tree\" i learned that halpert is an offshoot of the jewish last name heilprin. so. jim is jewish, at least to me. i think it gives him an interesting backstory. i\'m glad it broke your heart! that was my intention :) thanks for the feedback.
Post-Benihana Christmas fic!
Remember when Jim and Pam convinced Dwight that a CIA helicopter would pick him up on the roof? Well, neither of them could resist showing up that night to see the prank to it's conclusion.
I'm definitely willing to contribute to the grade-improving, fairy-life-saving endeavors, mostly because this was fantastic. I don't really like manipulative Jim, but I can see how it's a valid interpretation of the character; otherwise, I loved every line of this story. You write Dwight perfectly! Scream therapy? Spot on.
Author's Response: Hehehe, I love writing Dwight into all of my fics. He's so easy to write, which probably says something bad about me. Don't worry too much about Manipulative Jim. Our Jim could never be all that bad, right?
My (second?) contribution to the Money post-ep business. Jim and Pam have dinner and something's a little off.
Ooh, Jim angst! This was the scene I was waiting for in the ep, to be honest, and I was so relieved when the writers just kept it light. Darkness is for fanfic. I quite like this, although Pam's last lines ring pretty hollow. What was the significance of the butterfly necklace, by the way? I think I missed that.
Anyway, good job. Sad Jim makes me bizarrely happy (not in season 3, please, though!)
Christmas time at Dunder-Mifflin means two things. Romance, and celebrating African-American heritage. A script-based take on the Season 4 Christmas episode.Yay for Jim helping Dwight! Also, your cold open was fantastic. And of course... Pam + Wikipedia + Michael = unbeatable. There should be more of that.
After their shower adventure, Jim suggests they try another fantasy to prove to Pam that their relationship is still magical. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned. Once again, don't try this one at home. A continuation of Tales from the Bathroom Floor.
HAHAHAHA. <i>Please</i> tell me you're going to show the conversation in which Jim has to explain this to Dwight! Beautiful!
Author's Response: Kate, already written and should be posted soon. I'm really glad that I could give you a laugh. thanks for the review.
This is a great calling-off-the-wedding scenario. Well done. You captured the best side of Pam with her gentle but firm letdown of Roy, and even the best side of Roy with his willingness (matched by his inability) to change. I particularly liked this line: "Pam knows it would be like slapping a band-aid on something that required surgery. Three weeks of good behavior would fall prey to old habits that are too hard to break. She knows him." Great job -- I can't wait for more!
I really enjoyed this. There isn't enough Dwight & Oscar interaction in the world. The reactions of both characters when Oscar mentioned Angela, in particular, were priceless.
Author's Response: oh thank you! it was tough getting into dwight\'s head, but it was actually pretty comfy there... thanks for the feedback!
As soon as she got home she got in the shower, knowing she smelled like citronella and something warm she couldn’t quite place. The citronella washed away easily but nothing else did. -- Awesome. All of these chapters are great, but this is the line that struck me the most.
You captured Toby perfectly. I loved his former lunches with Jim and Pam and the idea of a fleeting Three Musketeers dynamic. His deteriorating relationship with Sasha was pitch-perfect, and I loved the mantra that knowing Toby Flenderson = not liking Toby Flenderson. Great job, all around. I feel a little heartbroken for him.
Author's Response: Thank you for the review. The feeling of being heartbroken for Toby is what inspired this whole thing--him fleeing and jumping the fence was pretty much the saddest the show has ever made me, even if I was cracking up the whole time.