Jim and Pam on familiar ground. Spoilers (perhaps) up to mid-Season 4.Annabel, when you write it, it can be the Stone Age for all I care. So flirty, so sexy, so fun. Can't wait for more.
Author's Response: Thanks, Sweetpea! You are the owner of sexy fun, so that is a lovely compliment!
So funny and so heartbreaking. I could hear Jim's stomach drop into his shoes from here, Annabel. The "prank" was hilarious (you had me going) and Pam's responses were so perfect and very funny. Bunches??
Can't wait to see what you've got planned for Safety Training!
This is wonderful, Annabel. Just exactly what I imagine those moments on the beach and Jim's night might have been like - no big speechifying moments, but a big current of feelings running underneath. Love the closing line.
Oh, the "yes/no/can it be now?" set me on fire. Wow. How many first date fics have there been? Eleventy million? Doesn't matter. This is the perfect blend of awkward and weird comfortable and sweet and hot. So hot. I really love Pam's hand inching toward his neck and that slide down his chest under his shirt. Oh my! And HURRAY for no tears and loss of judgment! Can't wait for that! Welcome back, Annabel - you've been greatly missed!
Author's Response: Yay! I'm so glad you liked it, Sweetpea! Eleventy million and rising, but it's a fun scenario to write.
God bless you, Annabel. Just the most wonderful, delicious, warm, comforting, arousing bit of a medicine on my broken heart. Thank you so much.
Annabel, this is a response to your response to my first review for this chapter. You know, I remember thinking, right after I hit submit, that something wasn't right with my wording and when I read your response, I thought...really? THAT'S what you wrote to her? Well, THAT didn't come out right at ALL. So here's my second attempt:
There are a lot of scenes and moments in the Jim and Pam storyline that I have wanted to write about but when it comes to the "big" moments, I always hesitate and back off. I figure if it's already been done and done well and I can't bring anything fresh to it, what's the point? I know prevailing wisdom says that each author brings his or her own voice to it and make it unique, but maybe I just don't have that much faith in myself.
So, when I read this chapter, I was knocked out. First, you didn't shy away from writing it. Second, you took them on a wonderfully hot date. And since it was you writing it, it was all beautiful to read.
God, I hope that came out better than the first one. I need a preview button for reviews!
Things I love about this story (so far):
She whispered in his ear right then (because a moment like that should be marked): love you. I love you. I love you. His reply was just her own murmured name, and that marked it too. She’d clung to him and they’d stayed locked together for a very long time, even for them, past the ringing alarm, until the room was filled with light.
What a perfect way to start the new year!! So excited to read what's coming next, Colette.
Author's Response: Glad you liked that passage - wanted to 'mark' the moment, but in a quiet way. Re: Joni - I'm not usually one to name fics for songs (and can I go anymore un-hipster with my choice, lol?) but I've always loved that one and though it's about a v. different situation (unplanned teen preg, hello) I think it gets at something everyone feels in this circumstance - sort of a bittersweet mix of hope/anxiety/magic/not really being ready, etc. And that particular line just seemed right for that intangible thing between the two of them, especially now. So, I hope it makes sense here. (When you write these things, so much is in your own head, you never know.) And about it being 'M' - like I said, there are fics that deal with the sexuality of 'getting' knocked-up, but I haven't seen many that really focus on it once the tyke's in the oven. And, I know it's not just me who didn't turn into Carol Brady post conception ;-) Anyway, before I write you a whole new chapter here, I'll stop at saying thanks, Sweetpea! I'm psyched that you're psyched.
if he could get his hands on it, he’d rub it.
This made me laugh out loud, colette. Perfect way to describe his desperate attempts to do whatever it takes. And I really, really love annoyed, irritated crankypants Pam! You hit just the right note with her in this chapter and the swing from annoyance to dismay at her own words and actions to being struck by how much she loves him. Not that I've ever been on THAT mood swing, ahem, but it sure sounds right to me. :) And if it's wrong that I'm waiting not so patiently for the juicy stuff then I just don't wanna be right.
Lord have mercy, what can you do to torture me next, Colette? You did the towel and the shaving thing. The boxer briefs (thank you). Now you give me bare feet - what is it about bare feet and a ratty old tee shirt? Stubble? Check. But then you had to go and pull out the big guns. READING F. GLASSES. Stick a fork in me, I'm done.
But wait! There's more!
'This is almost too easy,’ he sighed, coming up for air, his chin resting on her newly rounded belly while she recovered.
Wow. Ahem. Thank you. But you weren't satisfied (and smiling) with that, were you, you vixen?
‘Oh, I’m sorry…can I help you?’ he asked, as if just noticing what she was doing. ‘Lose something down there?’
Mm, that’s okay,’ she grinned back at him, never stilling her hand. ‘I think I already found it… kind of hard to miss.’
‘Nice,’ he actually blushed. ‘It’s just that attitude that got us into this mess in the first place.’
Sweet, salty, funny, and so, so sexy, Colette. YAY for hormones and YAY for a new chapter!!
Surrounded by him, it was like being weightless, rocked on the waves.
Oh, lovely, Colette. I can just imagine all their fumblings (bonus points for "giant piston"), trying to work out the logistics. Love Jim's patience with her bemoaning her body - luscious is such a great word as used here. What woman, pregnant or not, wouldn't love to here that? Sigh.
I definitely see them in Paris with a baby and somehow that makes it even more romantic to me. And that's what I'll be imagining until we get some new shows!
How would things have turned out if Pam read the card that came with her teapot?Oh, I loved this so much for so many reasons. First, I got that very card from a friend this Christmas! And what you had Jim write in the card was just perfect. Funny and sweet and so Jim. I don't think we'll ever find out about the card on the show, but even if we did, I can't imagine the message could be any better than this. I loved the scene at Poor Richard's - a little liquid courage does wonders for Pam! Dwight and Roy are very real, too, and I loved Pam's conversation with Dwight. What a great after-holiday gift!
Author's Response: Wow! I'm so glad that what I wrote for the card is going over so well! Thanks for the detailed review!
That was the best airport delay ever! The dialogue is to weep, xoxoxo. So letter perfect and so much fun to read. Hurray for unblockage!
Oh, Pam! I definitely think she would have been sleepless this night and replayed his confession and their kiss over and over again (just like most of us have done with our DVDs!). I love that you mention the temptation she felt and I absolutely love the last line.
Author's Response: Thank you! Of course she was tempted, but I think she had years of history and also a sense of what was "right" for an engaged woman at that point. She had to convince herself that being happy was also "right". Thank you- more to come!
Oh, the last line just killed me. I love your writing, nqllisi. I'm struggling here to describe it, but you have such a light and delicate touch but the end result has an elegance that a lot of writers need more words and a heavier hand to achieve. I know Pam's got more sleepless nights ahead, so I'm looking forward to more!
Author's Response: Wow, thank you so much! I worry that my pieces are usually too short, but I find that I'm most effective when I just write what I need to write and let the rest speak for itself. It's reassuring that you agree! Thank you so much, and there will be more, for sure!
Was it just a couple hours ago I wished for another chapter? Man, I'm going to wish for a Mercedes right now!
When I thought about what nights you might tackle next, I knew this one was coming, but wow!
Finally, she had confessed to herself that she wasn't so much cleaning as she was preparing. She was getting ready for a guest who was long overdue.
Oh, this is just exactly right, both her preparing, and your description. Again, the last line...good grief, my heart is breaking for her! So well done.
I sincerely wish I could be a fairy godmother for you, Sweetpea! Heh. Thank you so much for your comments. That whole episode was such an emotional roller coaster, and you just know she was so excited...just to be crushed. I'm sort of imaginging Pam as someone like me- I sleep when I'm depressed (like hiding from the world), so it would have to be something else that keeps her awake (fear, or, like here, excitement). Keep your eyes peeled for more installments!
I'm sitting here at work with tears in my eyes after reading this. What a beautifully crafted chapter, nqllisi! I love the idea of her creating "negative space" for Jim to be - that's just gorgeous. I could quote the whole chapter back to you, every word is so perfectly chosen and placed. Just wonderful.
Oh, I love your description of Pam's room and why Jim loves being there! I think that's exactly how he would feel, just reveling in the intimacy of being in her personal and private space. Lovely. Also, loved their conversation in bed and now I'm itching to click "next" so....
Author's Response: Thanks! I realized that I have a minor obsession with Pam\'s apartment... I think maybe it has something to do with the fact that my landlord won\'t let me paint mine.
Wow. This is just fabulous writing, so real, so well done. You know, I love that feeling when I'm reading something and you get that first tingle about how good it is and with this chapter, I pretty much tingled all the way till the end. Such great dialogue and the description of Jim looking at her in the conference room was very hot - exceeded only by the perfection of drunk!Jim. How did you do that? I hope Pam answers that question really soon!
What a great blend of sweetness and heat this is! It's hard to strike that balance, but you did it beautifully, and gave us a little romance, too, with Pam's confessions. Loved that. Looking forward to reading more from you, Catie!
Author's Response: thanks, sweetpea! that means a lot coming from you. i\'m such a fan of your stuff! i\'ve been intrigued by the little confessions that the two came out with, especially after seeing \'when did you know you liked me?\' roof top scene.
Next best thing to a new episode! So much fun, LoveFool! Pam going in for...treatment, PHYLLIS, "your mom's 12", Jim throwing the ring at her and saying "take it or leave it" - so funny, such perfect characterizations. ::sigh:: It's been a rough couple of months...this helps. </Pam>
Awwwww!!! How sweet would Michael be? Just like this! Okay, so a little dumb, too, but so sweet. nqllisi, this is just like a delicious little truffle all wrapped up in pretty foil. Love.
Author's Response: Oh, what a sweet thing to say! I think Levinson-Scott babies would be the funniest of all the babies. Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment!
Michael Scott has a great plan to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., but no one else is happy about it. It's up to Jim to fix it. Part of my holiday series -- "Holiday: Just One Day Out Of Life."So happy to see a new story from you, TLK! Especially an ensemble piece that you do so, so well. Jim's got something better than Pancake Day (so funny) and rainbow sprinkles? I can't wait to find out what that is!
Sweetpea, you're such a faithful reviewer! I can't even tell you how much I appreciate that. :)
Jim's just full of good ideas! Michael may not think so in the end, though. Poor Michael! Just trying to par-tay rainbow style, and no one wants to join in.
Thanks so much for reading and reviewing, Sweetpea. I'm glad you liked this. Part 2 should be out on Monday.
Oh, Jim! No Michael or Phyllis or Dwight and all of Dwight's client calls? Yeah, that's a glorious day for Stanley! Your Dwight is spot-on and he seems to me the hardest voice to get right without going over the top, but you did a great job with him.
I love this line: He hadn't thought Michael Scott could get any whiter, but a bucket of paint proved him wrong.
So much fun, TLK. I read that President's Day is the next holiday? Oh, boy, I have a couple ideas of how that might go, and I can't wait to see how you tell it.
Best day ever for Stanley, besides the day he thinks he's going to be retiring (and of course, those hopes were dashed). I'm glad you think my Dwight is okay; he is kind of tough. ;)
I love my cheesy white paint line, too. That was one of the earliest things I thought of with this story.
There are actually other holidays before President's Day... Some of the holidays are pretty minor. ;) If you do have some President Day ideas you want to pass on, PM me. I have one sentence for that one so far, and it ends with a question mark because it's a whole lot of nothing, as the saying goes. (Is that a saying? If not, it should be.) I'd credit the idea to you, naturally.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this, Sweetpea. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! :)
This is just plain beautiful writing, shootingstars, but what knocks me out about this story (and hello, goodbye) is that you somehow manage to dig way underneath the surface and find the emotions that we all know are there. In fact, as true Office geeks are wont to do, we've examined those emotions, debated, speculated, and done it all over again. But you manage to shed new light on these emotional moments and make them seem brand new again. Such a pleasure to read, so clever, and a wonderful review of their relationship.
Author's Response: Wow! Thank you for such a detailed review. I\'m really pleased to see you find my writing original because I do often find with a much loved pairing like this, that the hardest thing isn\'t writing it\'s the moment before the writing when you have to find a new angle to take things from. Thanks again!
"I sort of turned into Barrette Girl." Why Pam let her hair down.
I love this, Wendy! I can remember when I cut my long hair off and realized that my collection of hair things was obsolete - I was so sad! I can totally see Pam being that way with her barettes! Love how they have to arrange themselves on her little couch and Jim's post-it note - yeah, he's been thinking about running his hands through her hair for a long time! Sweet!
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