Just so you know, every time there was a visual with the petals, my heart became a mess of Jammy goo. Just saying. You need to keep writing here and never leave! Grab your passport and move into the archive, please. ;) This was such a delightful read.

So happy to see something new from you. Enjoyed this one from beginning to end.

Please stay around and keep writing for us, I love your stories and this one is no exception. :)

I really like this. Great details with both sides, and you made a good decision to go from Karen's POV and not Pam or Jim's. Wonderful.

Damn it, I told myself I wasn't going to read this one because it started out so heavy. Okay, well that didn't work and I'm here because it's great and I love the way you write the three of them together. But, so help me Dwight, if you kill any of these people... ;)

First of all: She brushes the hair back herself, closing her eyes and pretending her fingertips are his. Great line! Stop-to-reread great.

I will say that I don't always buy "fuck buddies" for Jim/Karen... Like, I think it was a little more emotional for both of them, but it's definitely not a huge stretch. Then again, it could be because Jim Halpert is kind of at saint-status for me most of the time, so who knows? ;) But really, I'm enjoying this. And this was a good fight; there aren't many written. It was passive enough to fit their characters but they're still fixing shit, which I think they were ready to do at the end of "the Job." Great job. Update soon!

Author's Response: Thanks so much! I know the fuck buddies thing can be hard to swallow, especially when Jim is kind of the idealized man. And while I'm not one of the ones who buys that he's only slept with Katy, Karen and Pam, I don't see him being able to pull it off fuck buddies for too long, but yeah, there's a big part of me that thinks the sex came before the romance with him and Karen, probably fueled by alcohol, definitely fueled by frustration, and probably only lasting in that state for a few weeks. Like I've said to others, I don't doubt that he liked her as a person, or that he was attracted (hell, I'd do her), but the sense of romantic intimacy between them lacked a sense of being anything organic. The relationship seemed largely stilted, forced, and that's why I think a lot of it was about trying to be something they weren't. Yes, if they started out as friends with benefits, fuck buddies, whatever, it clearly went to a more committed, emotional state quickly, but I don't think it was as emotional as they pretended it was, or even wanted it to be. The other thing to bear in mind is that he was pretty messed up for most of that season. If there was ever a time Jim was going to do something out of character, it was early Season 3. I'm glad you found the fight to be in character. I really struggled with how to get them to air some of their pain and conflict. Thanks so much for taking the time to review. It really is so appreciated.

Beautiful.

10

I haven't had time to really read any updates lately, but while I was here I read this one quickly. I can't watch this episode and enjoy it, really, except if I'm watching it for moments like Michael jumping up to catch a glimpse or something. But anyway. Lady, please update this soon. This was great. It's a nice treat when the dialogue and description meets perfectly for the character (the way Pam's "hi" is whispered and cracked, and the way she smiles and frowns at the same time). It all came together really well, the picture was already in my head before I put it together consciously.

Also, I'm glad they didn't kiss in the hallway. I like when Jim is faithful to Karen in stories. Keep up the great work, and seriously -- please post the next chapter soon! You're killing me.

Author's Response: Sorry about that yanana-- forgot to mark it complete. I do want to just leave it here. I like the idea of leaving it at their starting point. :) Like you I do not care for this episode much; just too much angst, heartbreak, and Michael at his cringeworthy worst. But that look Pam gives him on the dance floor has always seemed like one of the ultimate lost opportunities and one of the best places to try an AU. Glad you liked it. Thanks for reviewing!

this is great, lady. An awesome tag to the episode. This could've been the last bit of it, 100%. Plus, it's nice to have a fic where Jim isn't perfect... sniffling while holding onto the baby, but has, like, a four-course meal prepared for Pam and flowers on the table and all of this crazy crap... I shy away from baby/family fics sometimes because they aren't like this. I wish you were around writing more, because I read it all. Awesome job. Come back and play more often!

Author's Response: Thanks Yanana, I just laughed out loud at your description of perfect Jim - four course meal prepared and flowers. lolol.  And this from a guy who has a "famous" grilled cheese, right? Hilarious.  Thanks so much for the kind words, lady. I'll try and play more often. :-)