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There was many a funny line in this chapter, but the most Jack-esque one is...

“Hmm,” Jim provided, clearly not trusting his voice with anything more complex.

Speaking of which, how's that collaboration going?

Author's Response: Thanks babe, and it\'s going well. :)

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These are adorable! You balance cute dialogue and thoughtful introspection just perfectly, and you do it all in a very believable tone too! I can actually hear their voices in your dialogue sometimes, it's so freaky. And speaking as someone who is in a long-distance relationship, you got Jim's perspective on the subject just right. Amazing job!! Please continue!!!

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Oh what a wonderful picture you paint! I feel like I really understand that episode's story line and even Pam a little better (or at least, the canon for Pam you and I have discussed). The choices you made about them having a very traditional family totally made sense with FOB's (that's Fancy Old Beesly) demeanor, and even little details like why Pam's mom liked Roy so much. And I loved how you were so real in their struggle to decide if they should let her dad stay there, how really neither of them wanted to but they felt that obligation... very believable. Two thumbs way up!! :D

Author's Response: Thanks so much, friend...this was sort of uncharted water for me so I\'m so glad you thought my ideas got through clearly. I was really nervous about it. And as for keeping it real...I always try. Thanks for thinking I succeeded. :) You\'re the best, as always.

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Very nice!! What a wonderful look into their time in NY. I loved all the details you included in this about all the people Pam was meeting and all the things she was experiencing, and how all of it attributed to Jim's lowered self-esteem. The story line really flowed well because of those small mentions of clubs she'd heard of and stuff, and then way to bring it back at the end and show that she's still the small-town girl she's always been. Loved your take on Alex as well. Non-threatening, amicable, and just the slightest hint of awkward. I

Author's Response: Thanks, buddy! Yeah, I can see them both feeling a little out of sorts during that whole experience, and even though I think Pam enjoyed herself, it wasn\'t what she wanted for good. And I\'m glad you liked \"my\" Alex...he gets a bad rap, but he was her buddy, not a threat. Thank you as always!

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Congratulations, my friend. You made me snort, cringe, and downright laugh my head off. Best one is definitely a tie between TMI Phyllis and the rap one, but the farting one is a very close second... ahhh, I don't know! I loved them all. Fantastic job.

Author's Response: Yay! Thanks, buddy - I\'m so glad you liked this! I love when Phyllis gets feisty, and her crush on Jim - while weirding me out - makes me laugh too. And farts...farts are funny, as we\'ve discussed. Thank you as always! :D

Well, someone was inspired by the ending of Horton Hears a Who, weren't they? ;)

I loved this in first person, to hear all of Jim's mushy thoughts in guy-speak was delightful. This one especially killed me:

To say that I fell more in love with her, watching her not just hold her own in a roomful of smartasses but wrap them around her little finger? It would be an understatement.

Guuuuuuhhhhhh........

I loved their process of picking a song as well, trying to argue each other down from their initial choices. And of course this wouldn't be your fic without a mention of "the boys." Way to sneak them in in a realistic way. Wonderful job!

Author's Response: Thanks buddy! I gotta say, I haven\'t seen that movie, so I\'m not sure the end inspired me. Just my love of cheesy music. Of all kinds. And I do think Pam might share that guilty pleasure, although not to the same degree. Glad I GUHed you! Thank you as always!

Really wonderful!!! I can tell you've been thinking about this, because you really captured all the angles of the situation and explained them perfectly. I swear, I think I've had that kind of call dozens of times. (God, stupid plot that keeps hitting home with me! I'll stop that, I swear.) And way to work in that "he'll never get over Pam" profoundness about him being the constant cheerleader for her. You're really making me inspired enough to contribute to this! If you still want me to, that is. :P Fantastic job!!

Author's Response: Oh, you. :) Yeah, I\'ve thought a lot about it, but more lived it (see? I can relate to plotlines too! ;) ), and had to explain for her, why accepting failure is brave, too. I\'m glad you picked up on that Jim note, as I already told you. :) YES I still want you to contribute, so get on the ball - it ain\'t like you\'re busy. ;)

Aww, so adorable!!! Such a perfect mix of humorous and heartwarming, and I love the choice you made to use simple quotations without who said what. It really emphasizes that you can write both characters so distinguishably. (Is that a word? Eh, if it isn't then I've just made it one.) Wonderful job, and snaps for branching out of your comfort zone and writing about kids!! :)

Author's Response: Well thank ya, darlin\'! I tried to keep this as streamlined as possible, so I\'m happy you thought it worked. (And I think it\'s a word, so yeah...there you go.) And like I said in another response, these - in my mind - are all discussions pre-pregnancy/kids, but if people want to pretend, that\'s cool too. Thanks as always, babe! :)

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Fantastic oneshot! I love the comparison you made between his two "loves," and all the self-sacrifice that he had put himself through for them. You really have his perspective down in that regard. The part about cheeseburgers also made me laugh, and now I consequentially have His Cheeseburger stuck in my head. :) Really nice job!!

Author's Response: LMAO. His cheeseburger huh? lol. Thanks so much for the kind words Dundie All-Star. 

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Really beautifully written! I love how you create the illusion that hours are passing in their little exchange, even though it's only a couple seconds. I love all the mystery that's there too; you really got across how much she doesn't know about his life and how she wants to know more, but at the same time she doesn't, or rather, can't. Lovely start!!

Author's Response: She was kind of a mystery, even to herself back then, wasn't she? Thanks much, Dundie All-Star - really appreciate your comments!

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Fantastic job! You totally conquered all the issues of s3 with real clarity without rehashing the drama too much. The tie in to your first chapter with the possessiveness of the freckle near his neck was really amusing and still understandable, and I love how you addressed how Karen and Jim weren't right for each other without putting Pam in the middle of things. That's just how it should be done. I can't wait to see if her introspection in the last few paragraphs comes to fruition in the next chapter. Keep 'em coming!

Author's Response: Glad to hear that - I've never been a big fan of fics that turn S3 into a melodrama, cause to me its power was that it was about such quiet, internal suffering. And yeah, Pam or no Pam, Karen and Jim just didn't jibe. Thanks again, Dundie All-Star!

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This was so adorable! What a wonderful ending!! Their banter was so clever, I could really hear each of their vices in the conversation. I also liked the subtle comparisons to Roy in this chapter, especially because we saw all the wedding planning she did for that one, so the differences are very easily recognized. This was such a joy to read, and such a clever topic, and I will definitely miss it. Bravo!

Author's Response: Love hearing you could hear their voices - the banter is really fun to write, but you hope you're striking that balance between how witty they are and overdoing it.  Thanks so much for all your lovely feedback, Dundie All-Star!