Very nice! Just because they're finally on a date doesn't mean all those issues will just go away. I really liked the imagery of Jim grabbing Pam's hand in the car!

Author's Response: Thank you! Yeah, it isn't going to be all puppies and roses for them, but I honestly think they'll do fine. I'm so glad the hand-grabbing worked for you- the idea was that he'd do it in frustration but it brings them back to their connection to one another. Thanks for reading!

Whew. Wine brings out the best in us, right? I like how you're exploring the fact that Pam knew on some level that Jim had feelings for her the whole time. I think that the main reason she stayed with Roy for so long was that it was her plan - she wanted to be that girl who marries her high school boyfriend and has 2.5 kids. But that's not what life has in store for her :-)

Anyways, you are very good at ratcheting up the tension. And I love that you included Meredith. Poor girl gets no lines on the show and isn't even very present in the fanfic world either! I'm excited to see where you go with this. One question, though: do you plan on this being backstory for their current relationship? Only because I can't see them holding out for years if they had this kind of sexual tension back then!

I think the real story here is with Meredith and Abe Lincoln! Haha. Kidding! Another great installment. I love how you have portrayed Pam as being so conflicted over what she's feeling for Jim. Last chapter I was getting a little annoyed with her, but now I remember how tough it is for her as well. And the dream was pretty hot :-) Can't wait to find out what happens after he opens the door!

Author's Response:

Meredith and Abe!  I toyed with the idea of her bringing Creed back to their room, but I figured that would've probably traumatized Pam so much she'd have been unable to even move, heh.  I'm glad Pam's inner conflict came out here -- you'll likely be annoyed at her a few more times before this is all over (LOL), but...well, she was a long way from FNB/DCMP back then.  :o)

Thanks so much for reviewing - and so quickly!

That was intense! It felt like how both of them would react - Pam flipping out and wanting to deny it ever happened, Jim almost desperate, trying to get her to admit to the attraction. Also, so heartbreaking to have Pam push Jim to tell her about the one person he's ever loved...and she doesn't know he's talking about her! How the hell did Jim have the patience to stick around for so long? If I were him, I'd high-tail it to Stamford ASAP. Can't wait to see the awkwardness when they try to move on from this!

Author's Response:

You leave the most awesome reviews -- just saying. :o) Seriously, it's great to hear what particular parts resonate with a reader.  So glad you thought it was in character -- I really was trying to go for what their real reactions would be in such a situation.  As for how he had the patience to stick around so long -- that's where the suspension of disbelief comes in, I think.  :o) I hope the scenario I present will be plausible -- roughly, it'll be a combination of desperation and hope.  He's biding his time -- half in denial, half in a kind of stubborn hopefulness that one day she'll find the guts to face it.  Because one of the things that I've always found to be most...tragic about Jim is that he seems to just KNOW she feels it, too, despite the circumstances and her efforts at pretending all's well.  I think it's simple hope that's kept him hanging on -- again, the hope that she'll eventually wake up and really see it all. 

...And up until "Beach Games," I'd have said that therein lies the tragedy of the two of them -- but thankfully, we all know that they're gonna get there, right?  :O)  (...Yeah, okay, am working on an uber-angsty chapter and need to console myself, LOL.)

Thanks - as always - for your review!

So, I was pretty sure I was not going to be satisfied with this "ending," but I really am! I will never doubt you again. :-) Using this as backstory, it really makes Pam's "What are you doing?" on Casino Night make sense. Also, in Valentine's Day, when Jim tells Kelly, "It'd be really great if he was into you. But he's not." With this backstory in mind, that means a whole lot more. Also, both of them thinking that the other doesn't remember the night? Uggghhh, my heart!

I've really enjoyed reading this story, and I'm sure I will enjoy the, um, alternate ending :-) You did a great job bringing it full circle as it stands right now, though!

Here I was thinking these AU chapters would be somewhat happier! But you do the angst so well, it's not like I'm complaining :-) It's so sad to me that Pam still can't think of leaving Roy, even after he's cheated on her. I think it makes sense, though, because she really does love Roy. But man, it's frustrating! I like the concept that Pam just wants to know what it's like to be with Jim "once." But, I bet that just once is not going to be wholly satisfying! I hope so at least :-)

Author's Response:

Heh -- nooooo, the AU chapters are all about the sex and the angst and the drama, baby!  :o) (I will make it all right, though; I promise.) 

Glad you found it plausible that Pam wouldn't be able to even conceive of leaving Roy, because that's really the way I perceive her -- even after all this with Jim, I think she'd still be so scared (maybe even MORE scared).

Thanks so much for reviewing!

Oh, Ryan. It's not that much of a difference. I really like this and am definitely intrigued to see where you go with it next!


Author's Response: Thanks so much!  I really appreciate you taking the time to comment-I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Ohhh, snap! Well, this should be interesting! Can't wait to see what happens next.

Author's Response: Thanks! I will do my best to get out an update pretty soon.

This was very cute and believable. I love how you referenced the moments where he almost gave in:

(Oh my god it's really you...I think we broke his brain...I called off my wedding because of you).

You might want to think about breaking the text up into separate paragraphs. It's hard to read one big block of text. And this deserves to be read!

Very cute! And I think this is perhaps the most dead-on description of Michael I've read in a long time:

Jim’s voice stops him and he can’t help but be excited that someone is interested in talking to him.

Poor guy!

Ohhh, that's right, Pam. Remember! This is good stuff. I love that she is slowly remembering her old life - like being drawn to the button down shirt!

Author's Response: Yup, Pam's going to start remembering a little at a time... hopefully she will remember who the real Jim is soon? :) Thanks for reading!

Haha, take care of that real life stuff so you can properly attend to your fanfic responsibilities! Just kidding, of course. But this installment was very fun and entertaining. I especially liked this line:

He wonders how many times this has happened: near misses in the dark, behind a curtain of Good mornings and How was your weekends.

So true!