A great first story [b]greengarnets[b]. I thought you
captured the hope and trepidation they would have
both had at the beginning of their relationship really well. Loved the idea of Michael's coming back drinks and Jim teasing Pam about mixing up movies!

Looking forward to reading more from you. :)

10

This whole piece was just so well done - a real treat. I love how you've incorporated the canon stuff we do know about the early part of their relationship alongside other believable scenarios (Kevin and Michael's comments about Pam's new hairstyle! Gold :)).

For my personal canon, this is exactly how I will now imagine that first week went - a little awkward, perhaps hesitant at times, but full of a lot of catching up (physically and emotionally ;)).

Hope you'll be writing more soon. :)

Author's Response: Thanks so much.  I really wanted to fill in the blanks on what went on that week and I hope I did it justice.  I did think that the two of them were probably riding the high of a new relationship so the physical aspect may have been really strong.  I know if I were Pam, it would be.  LOL.

This is no doubt beautifully written and you're incredibly talented, however I just don't think I could ever buy the scenario you've described with the characters that are on the show in mind.

At this point I could never see Pam leaving Jim, and if she did I'm not sure he'd ever really recover. Similarly the Karen we've seen since S4 does not strike me as a character who'd hold a candle of any sort for Jim or want to ever be with him again, even if given the chance.

Of course it's a story so one must suspend disbelief to some extent, but given the point in the show's arc where you've placed it makes it harder to buy. I never bought Jim/Karen though or saw what was in their relationship, so perhaps that colours my view too. ;)

Still bravo for sticking to your guns and brilliant use of language. I'd say I hope that you'll write some happy Jim/Pam at some point, but somehow I doubt it! :)

Author's Response: Thanks so much! Obviously, I disagree. ;) But there is certainly room for discussion. As for Jim and Pam, I think we disagree on the impact that a miscarriage would have on their relationship. Also, they both have a certain inclination to go along to get along. Due to the premise of the show (the documentary style), I feel like there's a lot of wiggle room in which to define the characters as they are seen outside of their work environments, which is part of why I think the audience relates to them so thoroughly. Writing a post-Pam Jim is difficult, I admit, but I don't think it's fair to say he would never really recover. People are surprisingly resilient in that regard, given the right circumstances. Though Jim is certainly carrying a lot of emotional baggage, he has matured six years post-Pam and is dealing with it. As for Karen, I think we see a lot of her inclination to want another chance with Jim, or at least A Jim. We see it in her hesitation to congratulate Pam and the striking lankiness of her husband. And part of it is that she's almost ten years removed from Scranton, and she's grown up a bit and gotten over some of her hangups (and developed new ones, of course). Of course, I bought Jim/Karen from the start and really liked Karen (and Jim with her), and while their relationship is undoubtedly different than Jim and Pam's, it always struck a chord with me. Thanks for your honest opinion! I'm glad you enjoyed the story regardless of our differing views on its believability ;) And never say never...Pam grows on me.

Wow. This is just wonderful Ivy. There have been a lot of first date fics but the way you've paced this makes it feel fresh again. I love the fact that Jim saw her over the summer and that he wanted to tell her - he knows he doesn't have to but he wants to - just lovely.

It's so clear how much they've learnt from the past year - whereas previously their conversation really would have consisted of 'umm... ahh' (love them lightening the mood by thinking of what they'd have said to each other btw!), now they both seem to want to work through the past and move forward.

Really intrigued as to where this goes next. You've really captured both their voices and demeanour - love it. :)

Author's Response: Thank you so much. I kind of hate the writers for not showing us what must have been a major turning point in the Jim and Pam story, but I also love stories that leave us imagining how things could have gone. Considering everywhere they had been and have gone since then, all the changes, I've been trying to capture the swirl of emotions I think must have been going on that night, so I'm so glad you think it's working. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with me so much. Thank you.