MEMBER'S CHOICE - Katy and Jim are still dating during Jim’s “Email Surveillance” BBQ. When Pam sees them together it lights a fire under her.I don't know how I missed this story, but I just read it. Wonderful! I like your take on Pam's feelings about Katy as well as all your delicious steam.
10 I'm so glad you updated this! How much do I love... let's see... all of it! Oh so much. My favorite part:
"The three sat frozen, hands over their ears to try and block out an unfortunate event, until the bathroom door opened audibly. “Uh, Jim?” Larissa called out and the sounds of steps fell silent. “Jim?” She called again. The steps started again ever so quietly. “James.”
Very cute and funny. And I really enjoy this version of Jim's family. Thanks again!
Author's Response: oh, the pleasure is mine, i love the family i created. (since the family on the show totally sucks, as far as i can tell thus far.) thanks for the feedback!
10 I love this very hot and amusing piece of smutty goodness. More please!
Author's Response: well, i just started writing a hanukkah fic, right on time for hanukkah to end. hopefully i'll post it before purim ;)
10 Coming back to review one of my favorite stories. As someone who has gone to grad school, I totally appreciate the subtle way you show Pam progress. Yes, I was the same person afterward, but I felt like I sort of found myself. I love how you deal with Pam's development as a someone finding herself and developing her talents, but still being the same Pam that we all fell in love with. And I should mention the title is PERFECT.
Now that the show has shown us a different version of Pam's time away, I'm still longing for wanting to see Pam's journey. I have that here. Thank you so much for that!
10 I've read this story numerous times, and every time I fall in love with it all over again. It is so lovely and real. The love, nervousness, and passion you so brilliantly describe is tangible and spot-on. So very hot and so very tender. After reading this, it is hard for me to imagine a different telling of their story. Oh, and how Jim wrestles with wanting to tell her that he loves her.... ohh... it kills me. So amazing.
Author's Response: Thank you, WhatAWaste. You write some of my favorite reviews. I\'m glad that I struck the right note and that you find my stuff re-readable.
Just finished reviewing the companion piece to this and I had to come back and reread and review this as well.
I really enjoy that you give us the same story but with two perspectives.
A short list of my favorite parts (which is hard because I love it all):
--That you show Jim slowly coming to the realization that he is good at his job, and that he may not dislike it as much as he thought he did.
--The way they both remember their first night. Sigh and huba huba.
--The rooftop conversation:
"No, I mean, you know, someday. Do you want to get married?"
She had altered her tone a little, but the question hadn't changed. Neither did his answer. "Yes." The lingering pause before she continued let Jim know that she had caught the subtext. The easy way in which she kept talking told him that she didn't mind.
Oh dear me. So wonderful and angsty!
--The back story of her dress from both perspectives was just spectacular and made me wanting more. I swear no one tortures Jim as well as you! Want to treat us to more of these delicious angsty and romantic adventures? Please don’t make me beg!
--How you show that Jim is secure in his relationship with Pam; from the conversation about the cake, to his acknowledgment of guys checking Pam out, and the way he is so proud of her achievements, growth and independence without being all needy boyfriend.
--And finally the tub duck. And that fun phone conversation they have after Pam gets said duck.
Just wonderful. I totally heart the way you choose to be.
10 Ignore me. I'm just back because I forgot to rate it!
The documentary crew can't be expected to capture everything. In secret, stolen moments away from the lenses and booms, Jim and Pam shared much more than we ever thought they did. This is what might have happened, between takes, on days off, and after the cameras went home.
I'm so glad that you came back to this story! Please don't make us wait too long for the next chapters. I love your perspective on Jim's inner thoughts and actions. I'm so curious about what comes next.
Jim comes back, Pam's late, and it's time to talk. Takes place in the summer between S3 and S4.10 Coming back to review this story after reading it for the gazillionth time.
Like everything you have written, this is so beautiful, romantic, and believable. I love it all, but here are a few favorites:
--When Jim stares at his hand and finds the intimacy in the moment. Sigh. I truly love the way you write Jim. The way you highlight the silly nature of his character, but also address his maturity--just wonderful.
--The way they struggle with the newness and familiarity of a burgeoning relationship. Very realistic.
--And a big thank you for presenting Pam as being upfront and honest, rather than being so meek. She's finding herself and testing the waters of a very different relationship than she had with Roy. Yes she still has insecurities, but she's finding her voice and her strength. You can see that in this story. LOVE IT!
--And finally, your dialogue. As it has been pointed out by Morning Angel, you have such ab ability to capture the way Jim and Pam talk (and think). It feels so natural rather than forced--the way you incorporate pauses, inflections, and minimal but purposefully dialogue. You have such a talent for this. Are you sure you don't secretly write for the show?
Author's Response: Hey - sorry for the delay - I hadn\'t logged in for a few days. Thanks so much for your detailed review, Waste. And, as I said in another review for Inside Jokes, I\'m secretly B.J. Novak. Don\'t tell anyone, \'kay? :)
A colorful look at the evolution of Pam and Jim's relationship.10 Just wonderful. I love the mix of the fluff and the minor angst. Please keep writing such great stories!
Author's Response: Well, I can\'t seem to help myself, so I\'m sure I will. :D Thanks WhatAWaste (love that name btw), I\'m glad you liked it.
A golf pencil, two hot sauce packets, a Boggle timer, a mixtape, a high school yearbook photo, a card, and a teapot. Yup.10 Oh, you just made my day. Once again, you have done it. Where to begin, so much to love.
I thought the telling of Pam dealing with her breakup and move where just beautiful and perfectly in character. I love your take on Pam’s thought process. I can see Pam going through all of her past treasures and silently coming to terms with the reality of her time with Roy. Just beautiful and subtle. Also, I was moved by her finally, though hesitantly, admitting to herself and a perfect stranger that she loves Jim and that you mention that she really only allowed herself to think about him “that way” a few times. I feel this slow realization is very true to her character. As much as we the audience wants her to see and feel what we want regarding Jim and Roy, she had made a serious commitment to Roy, and it took a long time for her to come to grips with the truth.
I’m also glad that you addressed how angry she was at him for giving her an ultimatum. While I completely understand Jim’s motives, what did he really expect? I always thought that anger and perhaps a reevaluation of his feeling for her had to play a part in why she didn’t contact him.
Also, I’m just curious about your thoughts on the unexplained timeline between S2 and S3 that has left all Office fans wondering, if you wouldn’t mind sharing or perhaps you want to leave this up to our imaginations. How soon after Jim’s confession did Pam break up with Roy? And I want to make sure I’m reading this correctly, but does your story have Jim leaving for Stamford after he found out about the canceled wedding?
Once again, what can I say, your stories are wonderful and beautifully, perfectly written. I can’t wait for the next installment.
Author's Response: Hey, WhatAWaste - thanks for this lovely, thorough review. I agree (obviously) that she must have been pretty angry with Jim and that this anger played a part in how long it took them to get back in touch. I also assume that she must have been confused: he says he\'s in love with her and then he leaves? Pam\'s not the most assertive person in the world, even now. I imagine she would have had a hard time figuring out how to respond to that. As for the S2/S3 timeline - I didn\'t want to nail it down, but I\'m pretty sure that Pam would have called her wedding off in short order after Jim confessed his feelings. I can\'t imagine how hard it would have been for them to be at work together after that night. And, yeah, in this story, Jim leaves with the knowledge that Pam has canceled her wedding. My assumption here was that he had already made the decision to do leave before he got the news, and decided to go in spite of it. It seems to me that he\'s basically throwing a giant, months-long fit in S3. It had to start somewhere, right? Thank you again.
I'm so glad you posted the next chapter!!! Well, that was very sexy and angsty at the same time. I love how Pam tests the waters/ teases him unknowingly or on purpose. I also love getting the inner-working of Jim and how he struggles with his desires (which are quite hot my dear!). In particular I enjoy that his fantasies here are ones that involve love and his physical attraction to her; the reality before him as well as his physical desire.
Once again, I have to say that I love your writing and scenarios. They all fit so well into the canon.
Please keep this up! You're my favorite fanfic writer! Speaking of... wanna write some more present smut? Please?!?! You write it so well!!
Author's Response: Fitting my stories into the canon is important to me, so thanks very much for the high praise. I\'m also very touched that I\'m your favorite. I don\'t have any more smut scheduled for the last two chapters of this, but - hey! Where\'s everyone going?
My first review! I love this story, as well as everything else that you've written. Please continue this!
Author's Response: WhatAWaste, thank you for reviewing! We authors always appreciate it. I\'m glad to hear you like my work.
10 This is amazing! You are amazing! It is so cute and heart-breaking at the same time.
"You've got three minutes to do whatever you want to make yourself feel better." Pam why must you torture poor Jim? I love it though, and you know she soooo would say this. I can't wait for whatever you have next.
Author's Response: I\'ve begun to wonder if Pam used to say things like that because of some sort of subconscious impulse or because she really wasn\'t paying attention to what she was doing to that poor boy. Maybe both? Either way, she\'s lucky she didn\'t get her face kissed off.
Thank you for this wonderful story, Talkative! The final chapter was a bittersweet read for me--I love it, but now I'm sad that the story is over. Please don't make all your loyal fans wait too long for your next story.
There is so much to love here. I like that Pam finds the card rather than Jim giving it to her. Even though you torture Jim so well, it is so nice the way you show them sublimely content and at ease with one another as a couple.
I'm dying to know what's in the card. Dirty in places you say?
Author's Response: Like Jim said, I think the appropriate word is passionate. ;) Thank you for you kind review. I\'ve just put something brand new up, so no wait at all. Enjoy! I look forward to your review.
8 I'm really enjoying your trip down memory lane. Looking forward to the continuation of this story!
Author's Response: Thanks, I am trying to be better about updating. Sometimes life gets in the way!
9 I'm really enjoying this and looking forward to seeing it continue. I like how you describe a night for Jim and Karen and give some background on her. I can definitely see this happening. Her interest in him, his hesitation... just great. Got anything on the quick and thankfully short reunion of Pam and Roy?
Author's Response: Something about the Pam/Roy reunion will probably pop up. Poems and ideas are swirling around in my brain as we speak. I\'m glad you liked it. :)
9 I really enjoy these stories! Thanks for updating. It is always a treat to see another chapter pop up.
Author's Response: Thank you. I\'m glad you liked it. :)
9 What a treat! Two of my favorite authors working together!
Of course, once again, you've nailed Jim and Pam. I love the little moments and small talk that you capture.
Also your attention to detail is superb-- it helps set up the atmosphere and mood so well! And everything about the way you have written Dwight is SO Dwight! This piece is funny but it has a lot of heart.
I haven't read many ensemble fan fics, typically I'm a Jim and/or Pam fic gal, but I'd read anything by you two.
Looking forward to more!
I'm really enjoying this! Keep it up!
77 The title says it all.10 I don't know what happened, but I didn't read this story until the other day. Wow. Now I know what all the buzz was about. What a great collection of shorts. I adore this. Please don't stop any time soon! Very beautiful, cute, happy, sad, and just plain great. Love it!
Author's Response: Well thank you, WhatAWaste - I\'m really glad it didn\'t disappoint! I try to take a different approach with every story and I\'m glad you\'re enjoying it. :)
10 This was just what I needed to brighten my day. Ever since Stress Relief I've been waiting for a great back story on Pam's family and how Jim and Pam deal with the situation together. This is absolutely wonderful. Every word rings true. The characterization is spot-on. The story is beautiful, sweet, and very believable. And I love how you present her parents relationship and contrast that with what Jim knows. The little details about the dishes are a nice, subtle touch that gives us more insight into Pam's past.
This story feels SO right that I would love to see more of how they deal with Carl at their house and how Jim continues to be supportive. I'm being greedy, I know!
Really, I could quote you your whole story back to you to point out my favorite parts. So without being too repetitive and leaving you an epic review, I'll end by saying this story is truly beautiful. Please don't make us wait long for your next update!
A response to Grape Soda's mistletoe challenge. Set during S2.10 Do you know the amount of delight that I felt when I saw that you'd written another story? I could barely wait to find a quiet moment to read it. And as always, you're amazing.
I have read this story several times, loving it more with each read, and tried to compose a review in my head that justifies how much I adore this story (and you!)
Everything is just "right." I love the little details and dialogue that increase the palpable sexual tension. I swear I can hear Jim's heart break on the cab ride home, see his expression every time Pam teases him with the mistletoe.
Oh. My heart when thud with this: "As he's telling the cab driver that they'll be right down, he steals a glance at her. She seems to be attempting to decipher cryptic writing on his chest. When he kisses the furrow of her brow, she pulls away gingerly."
ASFHHASLFHFD FKSASDASD!!! That's the sound of my brain breaking.
I also love how you've left this a question of AU or not by not letting Jim confess what Pam already knows, which is that he loves her.
We really feel the hurt from Jim's point of view, but I'd be so curious to see the inner-workings of Pam's mind here. What is she be thinking and going through?! Lust, love, confusion, guilt...
In closing, you and this story are perfection.
Author's Response: Thanks for your lovely and thorough review, WhatAWaste. I\'d also be curious to know what Pam was thinking here, too, esp. since I originally attempted to write this from her pov and it just didn\'t work. Sister does *not* want to talk about it. She just wants to kiss her boy and, later, pretend that it never happened. Pain in my neck... Also, please know that I haven\'t forgotten about your prompts - I have a file among my fic things labeled \"WhatAWaste\" and I will definitely be getting to at least one of them.
"It takes eight hours to escape her, seven hours to come back, and two steps to reach her."9 This is very intriguing and a really want to read what happens next. Please don't leave us hanging! Maybe if enough of us beg you'll continue? Beg beg beg.
Author's Response: Thanks so much for the review! As much as it kills me, I think it would tarnish the overall effect of the story if I continue it... isn\'t it fun to make little scenarios in your head? ;) Also, your username made me laugh - very nice! :)
10 It is always a wonderful day when I see something new written by you!
This story is so lovely. I absolutely adore it. Can I sign a petition to have you write for the show? Count me as one of the folks who is slightly nervous about a Jim and Pam wedding on the show. But this… this just hits all the right notes. I’m crossing my fingers that the show can live up to your subtle, sweet, and beautiful version.
Eagerly awaiting your next stories!
Author's Response: A gig on the show would solve this pesky employment problem I\'m having right now, so I\'m going to go ahead and say yes to that. You might not want to mention the whole fanfiction thing when you\'re explaining why I should write for them, thought. ;) Thanks for your kind review, WhatAWaste. I\'ve got a couple new ones I\'m working on right you, one of your prompts included (it even has a title! how exciting!). Until next time.