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Excellent fic, Sarah.  I could envision this happening...and if only it had!  Really well done.  And was the "self-preservation" comment a nod to Love Actually? Love it :)

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Beautiful story, this in particular:  "You remember holding your baby in your arms after she was born. You remember passing her off to her daddy, wrapped in a pink blanket with red hearts, a white hat pulled snuggly down over her ears, and how Jim sat down with her. His eyebrows were pulled together, looking puzzled, before he looked up and you saw the tears in his eyes. You remember how you’d never felt more real; how nothing on earth could have felt as tangible or as perfect as that moment, as Cece’s hand slipped from the blanket and found her daddy’s index finger, squeezing tightly. You remember the guttural noise that escaped your husband’s mouth, the hiccupping gasp. You remember just knowing that he’d never felt more substantial than right at that moment, too."  I'm actually feeling choked up right now! Great job.

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This is fantastic!  The image of Jim and the Pam's parents is so vivid, ivy, that I felt like I was there.  Jim's "speech" is sincere and perfectly in character.  Great job.

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Wow!  Lovefool, this was excellent, although that's no big surprise :)  It felt so real.  You can still love someone yet feel annoyed with them, and the tiniest little thing can turn a situation around for better or for worse.  Jumping on the crowded bandwagon that this should have been part of the ep. 

Author's Response: Nan, you're the best.  Thanks so much for the kind words and for wiggling your way onto the wagon. I like you there! ;-)

Perfect_match, you say this is your first attempt at fanfic?!  Wow!  Great, great job!  I really loved it.  I have such a soft spot for first-date stories, and it seems like it's been so long since I've read a new one. 

“Good night, beautiful.” The way he says it makes her believe it’s true. *sigh*  That makes me all tingly :)  Well done!  Hoping this is the first of many.

Perfect_match, you're back...and I'm so glad.  I really enjoy your writing style.  Problem is I have a lump in my throat right now.  You're continuing, right?!  Please say yes, because this is an excellent start.  I'm so not bored!

Author's Response: Thank you NanReg! I'm so happy to hear you're not bored! Sorry for the lump in your throat! I'm guessing I struck a chord with you and I'm so thrilled that you like my writing style. More on the way soon!

LOL!  Such a clever idea, Steph.  As always, your characterizations--even in voice mail messages--are perfect.  Thanks for reminding me that Toby is an employee of Dunder Mifflin Sabre ;)

Author's Response: Thank you! And yeah, no one else seems to remember that he still exists. But I remember!

*gasp!*  Genius!  Such a perfect tie in.  Again, my heart is hurting for Pam, lonely and pregnant.  And of course Kelly would let the cat out of the bag.  Yikes.  Your spin on this story is so intriguing.  We can't be mad at Jim, because he doesn't know what's going on.  Certainly can't be mad at Karen.  In fact, I feel badly for her.  And I can't even be mad at Pam.  She's in such an awful situation.  On the edge of my seat waiting for part 2 (and beyond).

Author's Response: Ah, thanks so much, Nan!! Yeah, there really is no bad guy in this one. I'm not fond of fics that make Karen a villain, I wanted this story more to be about how people screw themselves over by not being honest with themselves. Internal conflict over external. So, yeah, I'm glad you can really feel for everyone here. Hope to get you more soon! :)

Woooooooo! Another update--just what I was hoping for tonight :) Those spidey senses were tingling again! If I may weigh in, as much as I love a long chap, I'm glad you didn't elaborate on the prank. I think it was detailed enough, any longer and it would have bogged down the story IMHO. So theeeere's that sketch. You're a tricky one. That portion of the chap flowed well and advanced the plot nicely. I am jumping out of my skin about what you'll come up with next. The integration of all the little canon details is really fun.

Author's Response: Nan, you're always so quick with these, are you sure you're not stalking me? lol. No, no, I very much appreciate your continued support of the story, it's incredibly encouraging!! Yeah, I struggled some with this one, it just didn't want to be written, so I'm glad the end resulted worked at the length I have it. Glad you liked the return of the sketch. Had to work that in there somehow. ;) Thanks for the review, hope you like what's next!!

Woohooooo!  Lurking on the archive on a Saturday night paid off ; )  Actually, I think I've developed some sort of sixth sense for your updates--my spidey senses were tingling again.  

Was that really 3000+ words?!  It went by so fast!  One step forward and two steps back. *sigh*  I must be a masochist, because I'm enjoying this angst so much.  Pam's inner dialog and your nod to the "27 seconds of silence" is a killer, spaceorphan.  I'm just going to camp out here...like waiting for concert tickets...or the iPad...

I'll have you know that I just shooed my boss out of my office to read this.  He thinks I have some phone calls to make...which I do...after I'm done here ;) 

This is just as frustrating as the episode on which it is based.  That's not a bad thing.  I expected it, and you're right--I don't want the story to end--but it doesn't make it any easier.  I need a spoonful of sugar to make this medicine (or something) go down!  It's just that the stupidity and the circumstances surrounding these two makes me want to tear Roy's hair out (I would not look good bald--trust me). 

Now that the torture that is Phyllis' Wedding is over, I look forward to more angst of a non-Phyllis' Wedding variety.  Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!!!!  /greedy

Spaceorphan, I don't think you have any idea how happy and excited your story makes me.  Each chap is like a gift.  I remember years ago reading The Green Mile.  When it first came out it was a serial--I think there was a book every few weeks, and I so looked forward to each new installment.  That's how I'm feeling now.  Just wanted you to know and to thank you :)

Author's Response: Nan, I just want you to know that I'm absolutely flattered that my story means so much to you. I think the best thing an author can hear is that the words they've written/story they've created has touched another person in some way. And you have no idea how much I appreciate your support, it's encouraging to have such an avid fan. So, you're welcome :) And much thanks to your readership :) I hope the story doesn't disappoint.

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::claps wildly:: Congrats on popping your smut cherry! Bwahahahahahaha! That was HAWT...and funny and just wonderful. This did not seem like your typical one night stand. There was such love. Speaking of love, I love, love, love this story. That phone call still drives me nuts, even in this context. Tell him you weren't talking to him, Pam!!!! Tell him! You don't have to hang up!!!

These two have such palpable chemistry. You've conveyed that beautifully. If you ever run into John K., you should ask him if he wants to do a table read ;)

Author's Response: Oh, my, NanReg, if I interpret the way I think you mean that, then you are one dirty lady ;) Thanks so much for the review. Yeah, it wasn't supposed to be like a one-night stand. I agree about the phone call, the end of the Initiation still breaks my heart every time I watch it.