I love that your stories always come across as so honest.

 "I stole you"...I can totally hear her saying this, not enough guilt to make her stay away, just enough to put a tiny shadow over everything - but still in love so all of the other things fade into the background.  This was lovely.

I love the way you've styled this story, and I'm looking forward to more.

The conversation was beautifully done and the idea of Jim pulling the hat over Michael's ears just made me smile.

Author's Response: Thank you so much! I love throwing little things like the hat in there.

YAAAYYY!  Oh, I've been wanting them to kiss for way too many chapters.  That was excellent - loved the lent analogy.  And now I want a Hostess cupcake.

10

*Stands up to applaud*

Wow.  I love this on so many levels!  First, I always wanted there to be missing piece between those episodes; it was just way too abrupt the way they went from her confession after the coal walk to his epiphany with the yogurt lid.  Your backstory makes everything make sense.  Also, I loved your characterizations - Kevin being totally clueless and only caring about the jellybeans and  Ryan wanting to band a rebounding Karen, all of your story tellers were perfect at seeing what they wanted to see while telling their stories.  The Rear Window tie in was also brilliant. Thanks for this! :D

Michael navigates his way though the day and tries not to fall in love or set himself on fire.   --And isn't that really the best any of us can hope for in this life? :)

This is adorable and you write the jokes that could have/should have been in the show.  You've done an excellent job getting into Michael's head (which is probably a very scary place to be) and everyone's dialogue is spot-on perfect.  I'm looking forward to updates.

First off, that was the most brilliant use of transition I've ever seen!

Secondly, I absolutely adore the parallel between Dwight and Jim and the way "engaged ain't married" came back to haunt him.

Third, you guys are all amazing.  All this talent in one place is going to spoil us readers - please keep it up.

10

So you're completely brilliant.  I've thought so for awhile, but this story proves it.

I  think I'm most impressed with the way you write Karen - so obviously the woman who is trying desperately to keep a man even though deep down she knows it's a losing battle. The flashes between seductress and insecurity and the carefully casual love you said mostly to fish for a response all reminded me of the little games we sometimes play in relationships, and it all felt very real and genuine.

Awesome, as usual.  Can't wait for your next one.

By all means bother with this kind of thing again!  The world needs this kind of thing! :D  Nice job.

10

That was amazingly good!

I loved the way his hands in his pockets symbolized all the restraint he's had to use because of her.  It was a nice mix of the early angst (which I sorta miss) and hotness (yay for the conference room table image!) and happiness.

Favorite lines:   "He tries to get rid of her imprints on his hands...it doesn't work." and "Holding her so closely, feeling the material of her dress, clutching her gently, he knows he's found peace. Her rejection stings more after feeling her return their kiss."  The phrasing is just beautiful there.

" He figures corporate probably wouldn't appreciate him grabbing the receptionist and fucking her over his desk during work hours...after hours however were fair game." - This line made me grin like an idiot...and I loved the last line most of all.  It was a beautiful way to wrap everything up.

If you ever felt inclined to write more Office fic, I would love to read it.  Thanks for this.

Well, that was a neat little piece of story. :)

Personally, I don't think I'll ever get tired of well written first date fics.  It was like the time in the relationship where the energy was just so intense, and you did a really nice job capturing that emotion.  You description of Jim seemed like the perfect counter balance to Pam's reaction right after he asks her to dinner, and it was nice to imagine that emotion carrying them through the entire night.

Excellent work.

I think the phrase "hurts so good" might just be applicable here.  Amazingly well written angst,  painful and uncomfortable, but I just couldn't turn away from it.  This feels very honest - exactly what they day after could have looked like.

If you ever felt inclined to write another Office fic, I would be a very happy reader. :)