What if Jim never went to Stamford? What if Pam started making life changes a little sooner?
An AU look at season 3.
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Another captivating chapter. I love the gradual two step forward, one step back pacing - very natural. These things are rarely linear, are they? (Especially with these two.) Jim's gleaning affirmation from small gestures is spot-on too - the way her drawing (laughing just imagining it) meant hope to him - was pure Jim (read: melted my heart). Also just before he impulsively hugs her - when she leaned her face against his bicep, hand on his shoulder, as he read the screen - so subtle, but you could feel how charged it was. And their virgin-flirting was lovely and adorable - understated and very in character.
Okay, may I gloat now cause I knew what the colors were? (All those years of painting class finally paid off, Mom!) Apropos, here's a little factoid: did you know Chartreuse is also a liquer? Wretched stuff. But, I digress...loving this, thirtypercent. Want more. And more. (I'm a greedy gloater ;-)
Colette, I love your reviews! I *did* know that Chartreuse was a liqueur, but only because I was looking up chartreuse for this story to make sure I had the color right. Some of these just do not fit for me. Cyan? 80s-esque blue? Really? Sounds like burnt sienna to me (yes, I had crayons as a child). Magenta, though. That's a good one. Entirely appropriate. ;)
Anyway. I'm so glad you think the pacing is natural -- the problem for me, whenever I read about the two of them getting together right after Casino Night, is that I find myself thinking "yeah, but...." I've always thought that when Pam dumped Roy, beyond deciding that he wasn't right for her (or Jim was), she also decided she wasn't happy with herself, and had a lot of changes to make.
Oh, the flirting. :) We know Jim can be pretty smooth (hello, purse girl), but something tells me that blatant flirting with Pam would totally throw him off his game. And we know Pam has no game to begin with (REM cycles?), so.... Glad you're liking it, Colette, and hopefully I'll have chapter 5 up soon! (A Michael scene is in progress. Wow. Michael is about as much fun to write as Kelly. It's like free association by a crazy person without filters.)
You had me at Mr. Buttrill. Ha!!
Then this: “No, come on. This is a good conversation.” He’s practically gleeful now. Love how he doesn't let her off the hook - pushes her a little. So funny, but also, sneakily sexy as hell. Almost may indeed be agonizing, but simply having this convo (especially him getting her to acknowledge she's feeling it too) is as charged a sexual connection as if they were actually touching. All the more potent for being tacit, in fact. Great character voices too, totally believable. I think you've made us all 'feel it.' Well done.
Ha! Truth time: Mrs. Buttrill was actually the name of my 3rd grade teacher. Why it came to me when writing fanfiction will forever remain a mystery, I guess....
So glad you liked the way he pushed her on it, Colette, because I tinkered with that scene for quite awhile. It doesn't quite feel real to me when Saint Jim is eternally patient with Pam while she's figuring herself out, with no frustration or impatience on his part. But at the same time, I don't really see him saying "really? Let me just whip out my little black book, then. Thanks Pam!" So I wanted to strike a balance somewhere in between that felt believable.
And I *love* hearing that I have the character voices down. Thanks so much, Colette!
Still loving how you're pacing the progression of this - so natural, and their voices are intact at every phase. This chapter was such a hoot - wonderful balance of funny/touching/little bit awkward. Love how taken aback, but tickled, Jim is by enebriated, verbalizing Pam (“I’m drunk dialing you!” Hee!) Also, I find the email format can often get really overworked, but it seems really fresh here - and makes sense because there's actual distance between them. What else? Hooray for the thought of Pam psyched about design and talking to Jim about it, and love thinking about her at MoMA (I once worked there, many moons ago.) Okay, I think I'm as excited about Jim going to NYC as he is. Seriously. (Btw, I have a little phone-sexish thing hanging around I was thinking of posting soon too - must be something in the cyber-water ;-)
Author's Response:
Ok, first I'm going to apologize for the super late response. I can only describe this last week as... epic. And ridiculous. And absurd. And a soap opera. Ok, so I don't lack words after all.
Secondly, is it MoMA without the 'the'? I noticed both you and Sharipep referred to it as such. I'm trying to wrap my brain around that, so far unsuccessfully (I've always used 'the' with SFMoMA, but probably inaccurately, as it turns out). Also, I seem to be learning a lot about your artistic background from writing this story, Colette! :) First knowledge of chartreuse, now a history of working at MoMA? The plot thickens. ;)
Anyway, on to fanfiction. I fully approve of any and all fanfics involving phone sex. Actually, I take that back. Any and all Jim/Pam phone sex. And I'm glad you liked this chapter, because I loved writing it (much less painful than some of the earlier ones, I'll tell you that much!). And I'm also excited about them going to NYC, though concerned about striking the appropriate romantic/goofy/cheesy balance that is the two of them. I really appreciate the comments about their intact voices, because running the emotional gamut while trying to keep them in character is tricky (as I'm sure you know!).
Thanks again, and now I'm off to catch up on my reviewing!
I am speechless. Seriously - this is one of (possibly the) hottest Jim/Pam scenes I've ever read. And real, and full of heart and so, so true to the characters - precisely what I can imagine them feeling, then.
From the very first sentence, the build up was just perfect and the payoff was exquisite. I love his tentativeness and the fumbling and how liberating her sureness is and how overwhelmed/amazed he is that it's happening and just...well, everything. This proves one can be lushly vivid, yet succinct. (The smell of her hair..sigh.) See, I told you you'd rendered me incoherent.
Okay, off to rec this, nay, command that everyone read it. Few fics are worth a long wait between updates. This was.
Yes! Since it was apparently partly my pestering superpowers (there's Super Girl, Wonder Woman and now, Nudnick Girl ;-) that got you going again, I must admit - it was worth the wait - and it's a rare WIP I'd say that about.
The wake-up scene is so warm and intimate and natural - just the right tone after your last scorching chapter. I especially loved Jim realizing how long Pam has reciprocated his feelings via her remembering small things he's told her, maybe years before - so affirming. (But are you trying to kill me with your choice of details? Jim is so right about Ray Davies and I have black labs - kryptonite, I tell you.) Also really liked Jim's awkward uncertainty about how to 'be' - what he can expect once they returned to Scranton - that whole scene is just spot on. And so very sweet. Now I want them to go upstairs and smooch, and here comes freaking Roy?!?! Dang, sister...way to introduce a little tension. I'm riveted and waiting.
Hey, me again.
I just noticed the Moondance ref...forget The Kinks and black Labs, now I'm certain you've infiltrated my head. That's long been one of my internal soundtracks when I write certain J/P scenes. Dang. (Do you know his song Natalia?Totes in my head the entire time I was writing my recent fic, One down...) Just thought I'd give a cyber high-five over the power of old Van ;-)
Well, maybe brain infiltration is *my* secret power. Sadly, this power is actually less awesome than it appears, as it seems to be relegated strictly to Office-related material. Oh well.
And yeah, isn't Moondance amaaaazing? (/Kelly) Apparently the power of old Van is far-reaching, since I believe Sweetpea also said Moondance was one of *her* favorites when I floated it as a chapter theme song. I too do the internal Jim/Pam soundtrack while writing (well, and not-so-internal, since in my infinite coolness I often put a song on repeat while writing). I've gone through a few, but I really seem to be stuck on Landslide by Fleetwood Mac for the fragile romantic scenes, and 6 Underground by the Sneaker Pimps if seduction is on the agenda. The chapter titles for Shift generally come from whatever song I've been listening to obsessively during that chapter -- though I try to make them actually relevant as well... with varying degrees of success. ;)
Hm, I must read this "One Down" you speak of...
10 Why oh why did this not happen on the show? Think of the agita we could have been spared!
“Yeah, I’d share with you. I’d share anything with you.”
Yup, there it is. You're always so good at writing these intense little moments (that aren't really simple at all,) where the emotions just sing. Loved this much.
This is the last of my "near miss" rewrites for season three episodes. This one is based on "The Negotiation" and also a Pam talking head from "Michael's Birthday". It's also more angsty than the others.I must be losing it, cause I'm seriously worried about Pam now - must repeat to myself: Pam is not real. Pam is not...
Really like your explication of the 'cute' Karen/Jim banter from Pam's p.o.v. at the beginning (this line is really apt: ... Karen asked a lot of questions that sounded liked they ended with periods, not question marks.) Also, Pam thinking how easy it is for Jim to simply follow Karen (kind of playing with that idea myself in a fic I've been writing.) And this: I started watching Jim cave in on himself. Wow, what a powerful description and I could really see that being his reaction. Looking forward to seeing where this goes.
This story has been a hell of a ride ;-) I really like how you structured it - alternating Pam's coma-dreams with 'reality'. And her thoughts truly had that dream-like, almost hyper-real, detailed quality to them. I also thought you skillfully merged the two modes, in the chapter where Jim just knows she's back (sob...) Loved his jokes later about what she murmured while waking, by the way. Couple more things: the image of Pam at the Pacific, at the very edge of the continent, was a great metaphor for what she (and Jim) have had to go through to finally connect - also a nice allusion to their chat at the lake in BG, that also propelled them forward. And when Jim first sees her, and cries with his head on her stomach, I actually teared up, which I almost never do while reading fanfic. So, yeah...really enjoyed this.
PS : this story is marked as incomplete - since you've already posted an Epilogue, did you mean that?
Well, this satisfies my fluff craving big time. Did you see that JF interview I posted yesterday? (After, I think, you posted this fic though.) She talks about how into sending Christmas cards she is. How topical! Jim wanting to sign too? Makes me want to take a bite right out of him ;-)
Author's Response: believe it or not - I hadn't seen it! I guess Pam's a lot like Jenna, huh? Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the review :-)
Glad I'm not the only one with preggers Pam on the brain ;-) Loved this: I remember throwing in a pack of Trident and a KitKat bar with the purchase, as if somehow it made me look more casual. Ha! Perfect Jim and very BOY. This story is still a happy pill, Mox. Is it April yet?
It's a "12 Days of Christmas"-theme for this year's party...but the five gold rings aren't appetizers.
This story is too much fun. Like the way you're using in the Angela preggers situation - and her voice really comes through (love how when she impunes Pam's 'morality' , her response is a flat 'OK.' Ha!) I also like how you're using the TH's - in some fics, they seem superfluous to me. Beyond mimicking the show's format, I often find them redundant to the narrative/disruptive - but they work really well here, with the ensemble and as sort of a breather amidst the multiple interwoven stories. Three french breads...hee! (And can I admit, it made me recall Michaels, uh...dangling participle?)
Author's Response: Oh, thank you! I'm having fun with it, for sure. I especially appreciate your feedback about the THs- I try to use them like the show does, for extra information on the narrative or just as a funny transition. It's hard to strike the balance, because they are fun to write, and it is easy to go overboard with them. I'm happy you think I'm doing OK! More to come soon...
Loverly indeed...this is what this made me think of, LoveFool: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/soundtracks/m/myfairladylyrics/wouldntitbeloverlylyrics.html
And that's high praise ;-) The intimacy of them being in Jim's childhood room (I've got a thing for the idea of him as a little boy...uh, not like that ;-) Pam listening in, and Jim's joy at having her there with his family. Just in his life (the hand to his lips, sigh...) In fact, this entire story feels like a sigh of relief.
MEMBER'S CHOICE - What it came down to was that she didn't know how. Mostly season four Jim/Pam fluff.Such big emotion in such small, delicate detail.This line: And when he finally asked her with the timid voice of a little boy...says so much more about Jim's state of mind than long passages, explicating his 'feelings.' And this is so elegantly phrased: Later, half drunk on the beach, he’d told that spot behind her ear that he loved it and she could only laugh, her hands moving against his freckled shoulders. Spare and so immediately Pam. One brief moment like this, that's truly 'written,' is more moving to me than 10 chapters of being 'told.' Just lovely.
Jim and Pam, moments from each month, starting with May 2007. Just sort of filling in some blanks. Some fluff, a little angst here and there. Eventually I'll get through a whole year. Spoilers through "The Job," I guess. So much to like here - beginning with how they had a bumpy start and it wasn't instant magic. Also that Pam doesn't panic about it, but rides it out, while Jim makes that transition. Also liked how Jim recognized something Pam shared when he met her father - him picking up that there's more beneath his surface fits with having been naturally drawn to Pam in the first place. (And mom's liking Jim - perfect. Yup, he'd know his way around a mom, alright, lol.) I also think you're handling the dual-character pov really well - which doesn't always work for me. Anyway, glad I finally had a chance to read this - looking forward to the upcoming months.
Author's Response:
Thanks Colette! Definitely great to hear from you, I'm a huge fan as I hope you know. I'd be really surprised if there was ever a mom that didn't adore Jim. Glad to hear the pov is working, because it's totally haphazard-I just write it however it comes in to my head.
Jim and Pam on familiar ground. Spoilers (perhaps) up to mid-Season 4.Well, I hear 2006 is the new 2008. (Huh?) So glad to see you back, Annabel!
“She’s not giving you much to go on, dude.”
“Wrong,” says Jim, “she’s making it easy.” And: “Don’t worry,” he says, darkened eyes flashing at her, “you’ll get used to it.” Yowza...if anyone can hone into the sexual tension in that CN 'all in'/gambling motif, it's you. Can't wait to see where this goes. Pam and me both with the goosebumps ;-)
This is just so right. From Pam's exchange with Roy to the final killer sentence. This line: "I see how it is. You can dish it but you can't take it?" sums up so much about them in S2 and really, everything from that on had me holding my breath. His nod, her head shake - their whole tacit bittersweet agreement is there in those simple gestures. Please don't stop until you've done every single episode...who me, greedy?
I'm thoroughly convinced this is what happened - it should be official canon, lol. Their convo is just so incredibly well done: perfect voices, funny, touching and moreover, full of that specific creativity they have together. Right from the start (sigh.) Jim's deflation is so subtly but powerfully - achingly - written. This kind of says it all:
“Isn’t that what you ordered?” she asks.
He nods. “Yeah, I guess it just isn’t what I was expecting,” he says.
And your last paragraph could stand as a paradigm for their entire S1/S2 relationship. Fantastic.
Now what's this I hear about Safe Smut? I'm bracing myself ;-)
You really capture that hard to describe (and harder to write!) feeling of ST, seeing them playing (betting) together/collaborating (dealing with Michael) again, after so, so long. The relief, mutual recognition, wistfulness, bittersweet vibe, shared humor, sense of loss, shred of hope... it all comes through here in such a natural way. Also loved Pam's fantasy - subtly hot and interesting that the context was before they'd even met, when she was still in school and perhaps her life had more possibilities - coupled with how you began with her early Roy recollection, very insightful about her, I think.
"Heroin sandwich," suggests Pam. "Sliced uranium. Porn soup." Loved that. And that Jim responds, 'Exactly.' Ha!
Now what's this I hear about things getting naughty?
Pam giving Michael his 'present' and his reaction was so touching too - I love the Pam/Michael (and Jim/Michael) connection, it's so integral to the whole equation.
My goodness, Annabel. This series is like a drug. Agree with everyone's comments re: that killer last line. But before that - the image of Jim walking laboriously through the sand, then retracing his steps away from her - such a palpable sense of the exhausting effort it takes for him to just not, when it comes to Pam. Terrific.
Okay, bring on the evil robots, sister ;-)
This made me ridiculously happy. Images like this: their faces so close her features are just a soft blur...just put the reader right there with the characters. Fantastic. Such great details - from the perfect awkwardness of the woman asking him to take a photo in the midst of his break-up with Karen, to the lush ones when he's with Pam.
Love how you always seamlessly mingle the sexy with the vulnerability and the wit (just as I imagine they'd be together.) “Yes,” he says, reemerging from the shallow valley of her navel. Now that is a gorgeous and unspeakably hot moment. And this: “Pam—” he says thickly, “I’m going to… I can’t stop…” Oh, my.
But, if I went back a cited every line, image, bit of dialogue I loved, I'd have to transcribe your entire story.
(And how generous of you to deliver this to us, when you must be very close to your actual delivery! Hope you're feeling well...how exciting!)
PS for some reason this review is formatting all wonky. Please excuse ;-)
What a great, quiet, stylish ending to this series...though the only thing that surprises me about that is your getting it written with an infant around - and yes, the notion of babies sleeping all the time is a big scam, in my experience too ;-)
Anyway - I love how Jim expresses his intuitive understanding of how Pam sees herself in three simple words - and she gets it just as clearly. That brevity is so true to the characters. I also like the metaphor of blindfolded Jim - he's heading into their future just as blindly as she is, but he's willing to let it happen, have fun with it. His joyful embrace of that - like an excited kid who finally got what he wants (love that he races back in 12 minutes) contrasts so well with her natural self-doubt and anxiety. And how perfect that just seeing him - just the fact of him - is enough to restore her faith.
Beautifully done Annabel, as usual. (Now about that wardrobe malfunction...hee ;-)
I saved this to read today. These resolutions are such a creative way to frame little mini-portraits - honestly, they're all so spot on, it's hard to pick favorites, but I love Meredith's self-negotiation; Dwight's beet-centricity (also when he offers to aid Michael in his 'quest' - hee!); the essence of Creed; Kelly's kellyness; and of course, Jim's I don't need a third provided the swoon. And I like how you wrapped it up with Jan behind the scenes, and her 'resolution.' Very, very clever, TLK!
Author's Response:
Thank you, Colette! I'm clapping like Amy Adam's character in Enchanted; it's so neat that you saved this to read until today. :)
With Meredith, I feel like she's been through the resolution cycle before and failed a lot. She's just trying to find something (anything) she has a shot at sticking to. I think not drinking for a particular 15 hours a week (except holidays) could work for her. (Fingers crossed!)
It was a lot of fun to come up with these, and really interesting to see the reviews. Reviewers pick out such different things as their favorites; I get a real kick out of that. We all have our views into the world of The Office -- our favorite characters and themes -- and it can often come out while we're reading, and of course writing. ;)
I'm really glad you liked it. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing, Colette!
Jim and Pam and some sex.
This is like a lightening rod - quick, searing hot and leaves you wondering what hit you. From: She knows he’s close. Oh my goodness. To: Don't. Let me. Mmm hmmm. And finally: They cling to each other as the chair creaks and creaks…Creaking was never so sexy. You have a knack, my friend. ;-)
Closing in on midnight, Jim and Pam await the start of 2008.
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Aw, grandma knows best. 'Pretty damn close' indeed. Very sweet and so hopeful, Mox....thanks for the New Year's fluff! (Nice image of them wrapped in that afghanistananni too, my dear.)
Author's Response:
yeah, I had originally put them in a generic 'blanket' - but I pictured them in a multi-colours granny square afghan, so I had to go back and clarify. Thanks for noticing!
Here's to more JK and happiness in the new year! :-)