Jim and Pam. Tropical elopement. You do the math. I suspect Jim would be more inclined to boast than blush if Pam said that about getting him alone, in public. Loved the "congratulatory smirk". One receptionist to another, sort of...
For the first time in as long as she can remember, she can't wait for her wedding day.
Awwwwwwww.
I, on the other hand, care nothing for weddings. I'm all about the wedding NIGHT. Looking forward to it....:D
Can I get you anything? Hairspray? Peeled grapes? I could totally see Jim saying this.
Maybe Jim will have private signals with their own daughter. The thought makes her stomach flutter happily. Flutter. Yeah. Bet it would. (grin)
She even fakes a yawn, but her cover story fools no one. Not sure why a bride would think she even needs a cover story on her wedding night. This was the only slightly false note in this, it sounds like a much younger Pam here.
I love that you always give me something to untie. It's like unwrapping a present every day. Ooh! I love Jim saying this. Soooo erotic.
He's all hers and wearing nothing but a gold wedding ring. And a smile. Don't forget that smile. Great line.
Looking forward to coconut oil....
Whoa! Coconut oil! Golden tanned forearms! Jim's sexy purring voice! You really pulled out all the stops on this one. I cannot thank you enough. And I adore that last line, about how pina coladas will turn her on for the rest of her life. Yay!
Thanks for a wonderful story. Really needed that tropical interlude!
Speedo? Why can't Jim swim naked? Works for me. :D
Lovely little fluffy piece. Needed this. Thanks very much.
Whoa! Way to leave us hanging! I like this: short, sweet, simple and devastating. You say so much in so few words. Well done!
Author's Response:
Oh, thank you! I'm a sucker for a good cliff-hanger.
Jim. From Casino Night to post The Return. Sometimes things go in a circle.
Disclaimer: Own not a thing related to The Office. No copywright infringement is intended.
10 The only reason I didn't review this earlier was because I was hiding under a rock. This is one of my favorites of yours. Love the line about the entanglements, grown-up suits, and neckties that feel too tight. Yeah, Jim would want to loosen that tie. And maybe a few others. I like how you made him so aware of Karen's suspicions while he was laughing with Pam, but he doesn't care. And that's a big ole' wake-up clue to Jim, if he'll only listen. Thanks for this.
Author's Response: So glad you've returned to public life! I'm glad you liked this...sorry it only had physics, not chemistry references! And yeah, I think he genuinely cares about Karen, but being with Pam sort of obliterates everything else for him (including that poor doomed interloper.) Thanks, you!
This is along the same lines as my other Away From the Cameras, in the sense that I'm exploring scenes that might have happened off-camera (or simply those that we didn't get to see).
A few things: First, I'm working on the assumption that a lot of what I wrote in the AFtC for season II stands (though I likely won't reference any of it here), up until Casino Night. (Clearly I was quite off about what happened after the kiss...heh.)
Second, there will be flashbacks filling in the blanks of what happened immediately after CN (how long did Jim work? how did he and Pam ultimately leave things? how did she end things with Roy? how did Jim find out about her cancelling the wedding?); the flashbacks will happen largely in the chapters pre-merger (to keep things interesting for Jim/Pam fans during their physical separation).
10 You: she'd found herself unavoidably distracted by the realization -- sudden, assaulting, mesmerizing -- that there was a sensual side to him she'd not really glimpsed before...might not ever again...He'd be the kind of guy who would spend forever trailing his tongue down your skin, the guy who would want to kiss you if he saw you eating dark chocolate or drinking red wine...the kind of man who would put a hand on either side of your jaw, tilting it at an angle, his eyes narrowing and clouding even before he touched his lips to your neck...he'd been assailed by all-too-tangible images of what it would be like to trail his tongue down her bare stomach - to taste the sweetness of whipped cream on her skin, to feel her tremble beneath him uncontrollably.
Me: *foom*
Erotic desserts...lips...tongue...wow. I need a cigarette.
when security confiscated Dwight’s spud gun, it totally made up for it.
OMG that was so funny. Of course that idiot brought a spud gun to an airport.
I just don’t trust their beady little eyes
Precious!
I haven't mentioned how much I like your giving Jim a fear of flying. Makes him human, more real, more Everyman. Good idea.
A two hour bus ride? From the airport? Either those vans are really slow, or they drove halfway from Miami to Atlanta. Sheesh!
Love Dwight's call signs. And Michael's exasperation with them.
Phyllis's quiet "Oh, Dear"...so in character.
haha, i was actually incredibly exact about the time there! i mapquested towns that were two hours away from the miami airport and on the coast and that's how i ended up with vero beach. i knew that if i stuffed everyone into a van for two hours, some magic would happen.
and then there's the part where the buses are pieces of crap! :P
I think you need a nighttime break here. You started out in Pennsylvania during a normal workday, then got everyone to the airport, then had a long plane ride to Florida followed by a three hour drive. So by the time they get to the trust building exercise it's what, four in the morning? Just a suggestion that you might want to explain the timeline here.
And of course Jim caught her. :D
i'm not so great at timelines :P or making sense!
sorry about the confusion though, i hope it didn't make the story less enjoyable. i promise to let jim and pam sleep soon!
p.s. this is how i imagined it:
they leave the office around 9:30 AM
they arrive in vero beach around 5:00 PM
then they do the trust fall after dinner at around 8:00 PM.
maybe it's a little unrealistic, i'm not sure
Bring on the Speedo!
On Jim, not Dwight, please. *shudder*
Loved her drawing him on the beach.
Jim's shoulders....
*thud*
Unlike the others, which are various fantasies and wishes and ifs, this kiss is a when....he’ll look at her, and kiss her with his eyes before leaning in
Wonderful line.
"Hanging with my peeps."
Groan. Good one, but nothing tops the pink Bobble Duck.
Written in response to the Evening Coming (aka the Scarf) challenge. Not usually one for prompts, but this one got me thinking.
Colette, this is the first time a story has actually brought physical, actual tears to my eyes. Thank you. I don't even know where to start with my praise of this story.
I'll start with the wonderful, secret sensuality of Pam not only making scarf-sniffing a ritual, but sleeping with a scarf that has touched that mouth, that cheek, that man. Her draping herself in his scarf at night is one of the most erotic things I've ever read.
Then the scarf becomes a noose--what a brilliant transition and symbol and metaphor all at once. The scarf, like her unsaid love, is strangling her. YES.
Thank you for putting their reconciliation IN THE PARKING LOT. Thank you, thank you. What a lovely scene that is:
He might be stunned, but he doesn’t hesitate. He just opens his mouth over hers and lets it be real.
Their brief exchange, non sequiturs and all, is so THEM, so real, so full of the depth and unsaid connection between them, like so much of their communication--just breathtaking, Colette.
And finally, you bring the metaphor of the scarf full circle by turning Jim himself into cashmere and wool, touching her in the same places his scarf did. That next to last paragraph is one of the most loving, sweet, sexy paragraphs you've ever written.
You so absolutely own me, woman. I love this story. I love this story. Did I mention I love this story? Thank you.
Actual tears? Now you're going to make me cry!
So glad you picked up on the noose idea - tried not too hit that note too melodramatically, but wanted it to convey exactly what you said. Just when she thinks her loss is final (the other one) - but still can't let go, even as she knows how self-destructive it is. Anyway, I'm thrilled that you liked this and especially that you thought it really felt like them (throw erotic and sensual into the mix, and my job is done!) Thanks, NEJ, as always, for such a detailed review!
Typical slow days at the office with the Ladies of Dunder Mifflin.
Wow I'm on the edge of my seat here. *bounce bounce bounce* You CANNOT leave us hanging like this! Waaaahhh!
Author's Response: "bounce bounce bounce"? I could NOT stop laughing when I read that!!!
OMG Jim's "review" of Michael is so hilarious!!!!!!! (I added the extra !s for Kelly's sake.)
Author's Response:
Kelly totally thanks you NEJ!!!!! I wanted to type up the whole review because I just got my quarterly review at work and I rewrote it for fun! I was laughing so hard! I also did Dwight's evaluation of Jim, Angela's evaluation of Kevin, and Michael's evaluation of Karen. I could do it for hours!!! It is so hysterical. So yeah, that's what I'll be doing at work today. ;) Up next, Jim's evaluation of Dwight! Oh yeah.
Your 'Dwight' conversation? I totally believe he would say all those things. Brilliant!
Have I mentioned how much I love the voice of Meredith in these emails? I love how she is coming through as a sassy (if bent) hoyden.
Author's Response: I was so so so so so HAPPY to see the Deleted Scene from Business School where Meredith tells Oscar that nasty joke! I was like YES YES YES! THAT'S MY MEREDITH! I looove her!
7 Oh, what a MONSTROUS dare! I giggled all the way through.
10 I am so loving Meredith's saucy humor through all of these.
And what a great way to "out" the Pam/Roy engagement to Karen.
This is all very brilliant and funny. I cannot thank you enough for writing something FUNNY about The Office, since I am wallowing in JAM angst these days!
OMG this was hysterical! I loved the WHOLE OFFICE pranking Dwigt. Thanks!
LOL at Meredith's "miehnnaM" tattoo!
I am just creeping out imagining naked Ben Franklin covered in hot sauce and knotting cherry stems in his mouth… I think I might be scarred for life.
I think I might be, too. :D This was hysterical!
I have to fast forward past that scene in BF because it just freaks me out! Only sex kittens should be able to do stuff like that! Ben Franklin? I don't think so!
Fanfic is a fun outlet for me after a long day at the office, but it's also a chance to work on some writing issues: character development, style, pacing. So thanks to anyone who gives me reviews!