Yes! An update! ::jumps for joy:: As deliciously tense as ever. So happy you broke through your block. Just as with the show, you manage to portray Jim and Pam as a team amidst the uncertainty and chaos. I think that's pretty great :)

Author's Response: Thanks! So glad you liked it. I've always loved how strong of a couple Pam and Jim are when they're together.

This chap just flew by!  I really enjoyed it.  Their sweet awkwardness toward each other feels real, and the element of danger--of their getting caught--is rather exciting.  I'm invested, so please keep the updates coming :)

Wow--you're back already, italianfood?!  Very nice :)  Off to a promising start.  The end of this second chap has me wanting more.

Author's Response: Yep, back again! Chapter 3 should be up by tomorrow or maybe tonight if I can pull it together.

Best chapter yet--the time format, the pace, everything.  I'm feeling so anxious right now, and that's all because of you.  Yeah, I'd say this worked ;)  All this great fic is making me so happy!

Author's Response: Oh my god, thank you! I really did not expect that. It's always when you least expect people to not like things that they do.

9

This keeps getting better! The hickey and Pam's scent on Jim had me in a tizzy--great details. Their chemistry and the tension are outstanding. Must remember to breath when I read this!
Oh! Can't forget to mention that I adored their interaction as they're about to jump in, about their expectations. I could envision that conversation. It was perfectly in character--sexy, tense, awkward, cute and really just perfect

Author's Response: Thanks NanReg! Yes, please remember to breath! HAHA. I'm so glad that you're enjoying their interaction. We'll focus more on just them next chapter, so more sexy, tense, awkward, and cute coming up.

I'm really glad that you got Phyllis' wedding over with in one chap.  I think what always irritates me most is the fact that Phyllis lifted Pam's ideas.  I actually enjoyed it this time around!  The tension and fear of getting caught was very exciting!  I didn't expect them to exchange "I love you's" yet, so that was a pleasant surprise.  I'm impressed at your characterizations of Jim and Pam.  Despite the fact that this story is AU, you've captured the rapport that is a hallmark of their relationship on the show.  Eager for more :)  (TWSS)

Author's Response: So glad you enjoyed it this time around! I wanted to make the awful day for them into something to remember--happily remember.

Yahoo, you're back!  I've been waiting...

How is it that I'm so pissed at Daniels when she's merely a fictional character that you've created?!  She makes me anxious.  I don't trust her.  [note to self:  remember, Daniels is even more of a fictional character than Jim and Pam.]  I dislike her, yet I'm dying to know what she's got up her sleeve.  Happy to know you're well into the next chap!

Sexy and sweet. Of course it couldn't be smooth sailing. *sigh* Despite the warning of messy stuff, I'm trusting you, just like Pam's dad is trusting Jim ;)

9

So romantic <3

Very sweet, a_dork_like_that.  Thanks for starting my work day with a smile :)

Author's Response: And thanks for ending my work day with a smile :) I'm really glad you liked it. Thanks for the review, and sorry for being so late in answering!

Just catching up with this one, DP.  Enjoyable insight into the mind of Oscar.  "Log Cabin" cracked me up :D  As usual, Meredith and Creed steal the show :)

Oh my god, I have just been dying waiting for an update to this!  Seriously.  Wasting away.  I saw Vampiric Blood's recommendation of your update over at the forum on my phone while I was on the train and I was just waiting for a quiet moment to read uninterrupted.  Of course I was interrupted, but only once, so that's OK ;)  The honesty was real and not pretty and painful to read—in other words, just perfect.  The lack of sugarcoating made it feel authentic.  The fact that these two people who find it so difficult to otherwise be honest would put themselves through this torture, to me, shows how much they love each other.  Your description of the waitress and the deli were so vivid, easily imaginable, and the interaction was a nice addition.He took the top layer of bread from the basket, slathered it with butter and held it towards her. “Here. I know the heel is your favorite,” he smiled, offering her the best piece. This, and other seemingly insignificant details like it, are what gives your writing such depth in my opinion.  Their back-and-forth about Casino Night proves to me that their separation was necessary, that they needed the time, that even though they were destined to be together it just wasn’t the right time.  Hearing how Jim felt as he heard from everyone in the office but Pam that her wedding was canceled was heartbreaking.   “I was just so...hopeful,” he explained, “But then, when you didn’t call, I figured maybe...maybe you really didn’t love me. Maybe I really had misinterpreted everything.”  And then Jim admitting being with Karen when Pam’s text came in was more painful still.  …he paused for a minute and averted his eyes in a way that caused her to brace herself...she wanted me,” he stated, the surprise evident in his voice. “It was so nice to be wanted for a change.  I liked seeing Jim get angry that Pam shared with Roy that they had kissed.  …After all the years that we had known each other and all the times that we had danced around our feelings, that kiss was one beautiful moment of honesty between us. And out of everyone, you went and told him about it? How could you do that?  At cross purposes all along, these two—just like Rhett and Scarlett, only with a happier ending, thank goodness ;)  This made me teary:  I would have been devasted[sic], Pam. Losing you was hard enough the first time but...I just don’t want to do that anymore,” he spoke softly, “I don’t want us to keep hurting each other.”  And this gave me chills:  …he lowered his eyes shyly, “and I want to have a house and a dog and like...ten babies. And I want to do all of that with you. You’re the only person that I’ve ever wanted to do that with.”  Beautiful, just beautiful.  Don’t mind me…I’ll just be sitting here…waiting…not so patiently…no pressure…  ::drums fingers, whistles::  Would you consider a bribe?  ;)

Author's Response: Sorry to make you wait so long for the update! Stupid flu. :( I definitely feel like this conversation would be torture. They finally have to own up to all of the painful things they've done to each and acknowledge all of their missed chances. But it's worth it because once they get through this, they can finally be together. Reviews are all the bride I need. But if you wanted to come over and do my laundry, I wouldn't complain. :)

Tuna, I can't even begin to express how happy I am that you're back!  I'm so invested in this story and was worried that you'd given up :'(  Thanks so much for updating.  Speaking of which, once again, I was totally absorbed by your writing.  I love the slow pace at which this is playing out.  I'm relieved that Pam is patient and understanding and that they finally had some interaction.  I hope you can update again soon!