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I am just grinning ear to ear that you’re picking this up right where you left off.  I love details, so I found this extremely satisfying.  I knew you wanted to continue but wasn’t sure of the plan.  This is perfect.  I’m enjoying the format of now and earlier.  I’m also really enjoying that we’re getting a peek into what they’re thinking as they prepare for this important date—trying to be casual but having such a difficult time.  Oddly enough, his hesitancy only made her feel more courageous. She wanted to push his boundaries. She was certain that if she could make him feel half the need and want and desperation that she was feeling right now that she could make him lose control and they could finally...finally...let go… The contrast of Jim’s hesitancy and Pam’s urgency is delicious.   She quickly recaptured his mouth before he could finish his thought. Go, Beesly!  :DIn the end, his arms had felt emptier for having held her and the ghost of her kiss had haunted him for an entire year. So sad.  This perfectly sums up the wasteland that exists from post-kiss Casino Night through “it’s a date.”  He… reached for his cologne. One squirt at the base of his throat and one on his chest. Just like his father had taught him on the night he had attended his junior prom. I think that is my favorite detail, especially in view of your previously mentioning this:  His skin was a little salty and she could smell the spice and musk from his cologne…   The fact that she noticed and appreciated his efforts is touching JHe had no idea what to do with his new haircut so he ran his fingers through it a few times and decided to do nothing. Tousled had always worked for him before. Maybe it would work again, tonight.  That is so, so Jim JHe hadn’t realized how much hurt and rejection and anger and shame was lying between them until she had mistaken his attempt at a new beginning for a final, ultimate rejection.  This is heartbreaking yet somehow makes me feel better about Jim’s behavior during S3--that he just didn’t realize the depth of the emotions that had built up between them.  There were so many hurts and dissappointments. So many unintentional slights and deliberate wounds. So many fucking misinterpretations. *sigh*  So true :’(Psyched that you’re feeling inspired.  Keep it up! 

Author's Response: Yay! I'm a details girl, myself, and sometimes those little nuggets of info about the characters are my favorite part of a story. It's so nice to get those glimpses that we would never get to see on the show. I really wanted to reverse their previous roles. Pam, who had been so afraid and stagnant during Season 2 and most of Season 3 is now ready to start a relationship (both physical and otherwise) and her growing confidence is allowing her to do most of the initiating which I don't think she would have done prior to Season 3. Jim, who has always made the bold, impulsive moves (both to start a relationship and try to move on from that relationship [moving to Stamford, dating Karen, interviewing at corporate, etc.]) is now the now the one who is hesitant and fearful of change. I really want to show that their separation (even though painful) did help them grow. Finaly, Season 3 was so painful (and we were only WATCHING it!). Jim and Pam both did a lot of OOC things during this period...but sometimes people become so focused on self-preservation that they don't realize how badly they're hurting the people around them. I'm almost certain that they wouldn't have felt the full weight of their actions until they could let their guard down and see things from the other's point of view. P.S. This review made me feel very inspired. So, thank you!

Holy guacamole--I very nearly missed this, Tuna! That would have been tragic! I am so thrilled for this update. I'm glad Jim's going through a mourning period for his relationship with Karen. He just seems like that type of guy. Just like Pam's outing with Penny, I love that Jim's spending time with his mom and that they're close. I can imagine a sweet guy like Jim having a good relationship with his mother. The chocolate cake was a perfect sweet touch :)

Author's Response: Thank you, Nan! Jim doesn't seem like the type to just drop one relationship and immediately jump into another one. Particularly with someone that he's been seriously dating for the last six or seven months. That's why it just didn't seem in character to have them jumping into bed on the first night he came back. As fun as that would have been. I'm glad his relationship with his mom seems authentic. He's just always seemed very close to his family (and his mother, in particular) and I wanted to show his relationship with them in this story.

I’m back as promised.  Where to begin?  How about here:  She shrugged out of the bra and dropped it unceremoniously onto the floor. I love that Pam isn’t playing coy or cute.  She’s just moving things along, going with the moment.  The aftermath of that decision-- Jim’s short circuit and her mounting embarrassment--is a perfect counter to the escalating passion.  It feels very true to character.  Things have never gone perfectly for these two.   

This makes my heart completely and totally melt:  “Pam,” he whispered.  That one word, and the way I envision him saying it, conjures up years’ worth of longing.  Moving right along, this is such a tender, beautiful gesture, it makes the puddle that is now my melted heart, actually ache:  He threaded his fingers between hers and brought her hand down to his lips; he closed his eyes and placed a lingering kiss on her wrist. He bent down to her lips once again and kissed her slowly and tenderly.  I think that’s the perfect description of somehow who is savoring a moment.  And when he finally finds the words to tell her what he’s feeling?  “You’re so beautiful,” he spoke softly, “So, so beautiful. I’ve wanted you since the day I met you and I didn’t,” he swallowed again and his voice sounded a little deeper the next time he spoke, “I didn’t think I would ever get to see you like this.” The puddle that was my aching, melted heart has now evaporated.  *sigh* 

Both of his grandfathers, his five uncles and his father were all courteous, well-mannered men and he had learned by their example. Hell, even his douche-bag brothers knew to hold the door for a woman. Very sweet and funny detail :)  And this is very clever IMHO:   …if he could condition Dwight to expect an Altoid every time he restarted his computer then he was fairly certain he could condition Pam to expect courtesy rather than be surprised by it. Gotta love a man on a mission :D 

But the truth is, he’d always been more drawn to the lush curve of her ass. This, my friend, is awesome!  Your detailing Jim’s sneaky glances and his thought processes tarnish his halo, and I love that.  I also happen to love the word “lush.”  /random fact   

Their date at the bar is just perfect, right down to the food selection and Jim’s story—light, fun, two old friends connecting, easing the tension.  Pam’s interest in Jim’s story is yet another perfect touch. 

I am swept away by this story.  I’ll be checking obsessively for updates ;)

::breathes a HUGE sigh a relief::  Really missed you, Tuna!  Hope you’re feeling well.    This chap was stellar.  I love the buildup, the pacing.  From the beginning, I’ve felt that this version of things has seemed very true to life (for a fictional couple—lol!).  The tension, frustration, awkwardness, arousal, joy are all beautifully in character IMHO.  The alternating points of view throughout the day worked well.  I enjoyed the methodical start to Pam’s day, a pleasant counter to the franticness of the night before.  No big surprise that neither Jim nor Pam slept well ;)  This is the first of many lines that I loved:  “The rich fragrance she had worn on her skin had worn off onto his hands...floral and musk, like something a 1920’s movie star would wear for her favorite beau...and the scent seemed even more intoxicating in the darkness of his bedroom.”  Being a lover of fragrances, I appreciate their role in this story.  “Her hands felt powerful and wanton for having felt his skin and when she picked up her expensive charcoal sketching pencil, it felt tiny and ineffectual in her palm in a way that it never had before.”  Awesome.  What a great way to convey Pam’s state of mind.  When he opened the medicine cabinet and reached for his deodorant, he saw the red scratch marks against the smooth skin of his back and lost his breath. Hellooo, scratch marks!  Isn’t that a pleasant little souvenir?!  Nice detail.    Your portrayal of Kelly is hysterical.  She added that if he took her to New York with him and bought her a fancy apartment in the city, she would totally give him anal; she had been saving that until she received an engagement ring but desperate times called for desperate measures.  So effing funny, and so very Kelly.  The fact that Pam would take all of Kelly’s crazy rantings into consideration and apply them to Jim and Karen is a little heartbreaking.  She knew that Jim loved her. She had believed him when he said he wanted her. But Karen was a beautiful, intelligent, driven woman and Pam was no stranger to insecurity. Poor Pam. 

As with the methodical start of Pam’s day, I also enjoyed Jim’s cleaning and purging of his apartment—very satisfying.  She had two suits and a few blouses hanging in his closet but he left those on the hangers so they wouldn’t wrinkle. This is another one of the details—along with the washing of Karen’s dirty clothes--that just brings this story to life.  I could envision Jim experiencing those little moments of guilt-riddled consideration towards Karen.  She had never experienced as many emotions as she had today. She had never felt like such a girl before. And not in a good way…She wondered how Kelly managed day after day. It couldn’t be easy.  These funny little zingers are perfectly placed. Anxiously awaiting more!

Author's Response: Thank you, NanReg! I'm finally feeling like myself again. Thank goodness! Sometimes when you're in a new relationship with someone (or right on the cusp of one), your mind can go in so many different directions at once...from a lovesick fool to a jealous psycho to a horny nyphm to a guilt-ridden soul and then back again...and I wanted to show them both experiencing that just a little bit.

Hiya, Tuna!  I know you haven't been feeling well, and you're busy with your other yummy fic, but...I'm going through withdrawal over here, and I'm willing to bet I'm not the only one...     /greedy

Author's Response: Sorry for the long wait! I thought I'd be able to bang out my other story really quickly but between being sick and losing power because of all these storms, it took a little longer than I thought. :( But no worries, I am definitely back in summer mode and will be updating this story soon.

There you are, Tuna!  I've been so patient!  You're making my day--a long, tiring one--so much better.

Pam quickly glanced around at the over-priced wisps of silk and lace. “Okay,” she agreed. “But nothing too slutty. And nothing green.”  That, my friend, is awesome :D  You just have to mention green and I immediately think of Karen.  I suspect Pam will wipe any thought of green right out of Jim's head.  This little shopping excursion, the interaction between the sisters, was such fun.  I'm so happy we know what Penny looks like, because I could picture her perfectly.

*sigh* So now begins the wait.  I hope you can post again soon!  You know how greedy I am ;)

That was utterly exhausting and totally satisfying.  Jim getting sincerely angry is glorious, and it's so totally in character for him to feel like shit after.  You made me feel bad for everyone involved.  It's heartbreaking.  This chap may have kicked your ass, but you won, buddy :)

OK, so I know I said this was satisfying...but I already want more...

Tuna, where are you????  It's been forevah!

Awww :)  Fun idea and sweet story, more_awake.

Author's Response: Thank you! :)

*sigh* If only.  Pam was so wrapped up in Jim’s presence, she barely noticed that every detail of the ceremony was an exact copy of her own wedding, right down to the dress.  I much prefer Happy!Pam at Phyllis' wedding to how it actually happened.  Thanks for finishing this :)

Happy Office Thursday, my dear little orphan spacey :D  What a great way to celebrate!  I love the way you tell a tale, the way the story slowly builds.  The insight into Pam's slowly building feelings, that she candidly admits to thinking of Jim during sex with Roy, is fascinating.  So enjoying this, my friend.

Spaceorphan, so glad you're back!!!! Great idea, great characterizations, fun story :)  Reading about Pam's first day and her thoughts on her new co-workers is novel.  I like that.  I also couldn't help but think that even though Jim wasn't there yet, I could feel his presence between the lines.  Nice job.  Really happy that this is just the start of a series!

Author's Response: Thanks, Nan! So glad you're taking to it right from the beginning. :) Yeah, having Pam tell the story as an older Pam helps keep that Jim connection near the front. Thanks again!!