He's scared to face his future. She's struggling with her past. Two brokenhearted strangers. One night in New York City.
Inspired by Before We Go
1 Sweet chapter, dude. Especially the use of Kevin. Looking forward to learning more about these two alternate versions of our couple. Very much enjoying it.
1 Well that was much creepier than I expected but in a very good way. I liked what you did with it, and that you didn't spend too long on backstory (always a danger with this kind of story). Good work!
Author's Response:
Thank you so much :)
I thought the backstory wasn't that interesting, so I didn't focus on it too much. Glad it worked out well.
1 Oh, very nice. I'm intrigued by this setup. I'm hoping we get some of Pam's art abilities involved here. But whatever you do, I'm into the concept.
1 Aww. Some interesting changes in (back) story there but the characters seem to click so I'm enjoying it.
So that was sudden. Not saying it was bad, just sudden. A lot to digest for them and us both.
1 I like the story, but sometimes it feels like you're rushing some of the beats, or the inner monologues are placed a little weirdly. Interested to know why this Jim is so hesitant, and what's going on with this Pam and her past.
1 Again, quite sweet, carry on, enjoying it a lot, but just a little rushed in places. Glad you gave us some back story. Looking forward to how they go on.
Author's Response: Thanks, planning on a long story, so I was trying to move it along a bit quicker than I probably should have.
Set in Season 3, immediately following "The Convict," wherein Jim gave Andy false information to woo Pam. Pam surprises everyone, however, by agreeing to go out with Andy. Unbeknownst to Jim, Pam is seeking revenge against him for his brilliant prank. But will Pam take things too far? Will the turntables?
AU bit of romance, humor, and maybe a little angst. Rated M for adult language and situations.
Disclaimer: I own nothing belonging to The Office. No copyright infringement intended.
1 Oh I'm very much here for this. It's a great kind of AU; taking a prompt from the show that didn't get picked up and running with it. Excited to see where Pam goes.
Author's Response: So glad you're with me on this. You'll have to check out chapter 2 :)
1 Oh I like the setup of both of them pranking each other but boy howdy will this blow up in Jim's face. Hello Karen...
1 Glad they confronted each other. Nice to have them in the know about their feelings. Interested in what Andy and Karen might have to say... Especially Karen.
Author's Response: Thanks for reviewing chapters 2 and 3! Yes, there will definitely be more about Andy and Karen in the next chapter. I appreciate the awesome feedback.
1 Wow. Mean-Karen is a staple on this site so you're well within that tradition. But wow. Although Jim...didn't think anything was weird about Andy still being there? He's obviously out of it, but I hope he catches on, because Pam deserves better even if he doesn't necessarily.
Author's Response: Glad you didn't mind mean Karen. I was afraid I'd gone too far. Don't worry though; I won't drag out the pain. Thanks for reviewing.
1 I'm very interested in how you handle this reveal of another reveal. It's been good so far, so I'm just excited for it. Also, "“No,” he said. “I’m definitely not okay.”"--great to see some actual honesty between those two (and the rest of the chapter too).
Author's Response: Thanks so much for the review. I hope you continue to enjoy it. One of the things I like to do in fics is make the characters do what I wished they'd done all along instead of putting us (and themselves) through hell, lol. So, I try to make them honest and not drag them through the angst for long. Chapter 6 is up now. Hope you get a chance to read it.
This chapter made me feel good about Andy, which is rare for me. Karen deserves to be mad but still... Wow. This did a good job of bringing things (almost) home and the reaction of getting drunk was very reasonable for Jim.
Author's Response: I admit I'm not an Andy fan myself, but I actually started liking my own version of him too, lol. I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. The next one is up now. Thanks for the review!
Oh I like that epilogue. The ending to the story too; but that was more predictable. In a good way of course. Very nicely done.
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter.
Pam calls off her wedding. Roy goes from zero to "I'm going to kill Jim Halpert" in a second.
Note: no Jim Halperts were harmed in the making of this fic.
1 Love this. Love love love it. I was going to say a lot about how I liked the puzzle metaphor, especially the line "He thinks that she may still have some of the pieces." I was then going to say something about how I really appreciated the observation that yeah, Michael's behavior really must be a huge drag on the other offices because of all the retrainings and that's a great point I somehow hadn't noticed before. But then I just got caught up in the AU story and I really enjoyed it. Perfect Michael and Dwight, excellent Pam and Jim, just a joy to read.
Author's Response: Thanks so much, Comfect! This review really made my day. I love the idea that all the other branches have no tolerance for Michael because all the training that the Scranton branch is subjected to due to their “incidents” is somehow rolled out company wide also...
And maybe someday it's me and you,
But right now I can't seem to feel it too,
You're on my mind,
I know it hurts it's just not our time.
A song fic to Our Time Together by Ivan B. A deeper look into Casino Night and the weekend following it.
1 I enjoyed the emotional beats here (I'm a sucker for a good third rejection on Casino Night fix). I want to emphasize that because what I'm going to say next will feel nitpicky, but it's true. The moments where the tense (present/past) and especially the person (first/third) would randomly switch for a sentence really threw off the rhythm for me. I say that because generally, through most of it, this had really good momentum that pushed the emotion on through, so those points where it failed were really jarring. It was a good fic and I really liked it overall though.
Author's Response: Thank you for the criticism! I knew I was going to mess that up throughout the story, but I did really try not to lol. Years of high school and college essays where professors banned using "I" makes it hard for me to remember how to use it lol. I reread the story this afternoon after posting it last night and saw all my slip ups, whoops. But anyway, thank you again, I'm really glad you liked it!
Pam's father is leaving her mother. Somehow, Jim is to blame.
Set Season 3, sometime after The Merger.
(Don't ask me why I took a perfect canon moment, put it in Season 3 & sprinkled in some angst, but I did...)
1 That was well written and honestly made better use of that divorce than I think the show did, so I think we all know why you did it. Please feel encouraged to do so again.
Author's Response: Thanks Comfect! The divorce gave us, the “my kids are going to be right about that” moment so I can’t fault it too much. It also paved the way for that Michael dates Pam’s mother storyline, so that’s...something...
"I wanted you to fight for me and you didn't."
A deeper look into "Benihana Christmas" and "Back From Vacation" with an AU at the end of Jim and Pam getting together.
1 I really enjoyed this. I like AU of S3, and this is a great moment for it. I especially like your Dwight. Very in character and yet very kind. I'm glad you're with us, and I look forward to your "Job" fic (and any others you give us).
Author's Response: Thank you! I considered switching to AU before the Pam/Dwight scene, so I wouldn't have written about that, but I couldn't resist. Like I said, that scene is probably in my top 10 moments of The Office. I just finished watching season 3 last night so hopefully I will have my next fic up soon!
1 Oh I like this a lot. I don't think you're being flippant about quarantine; I think you're doing exactly what you said you'd do, which is throwing these two crazy kids into isolation together. I want Revenge to finish too, but I'm super excited for this.
Author's Response: I'm so glad you liked this! The next chapter is up now :)
1 Oh I like your Penny. It's fun using the sibling characters, isn't it? And boy Roy... Anyway, good chapter, really looking forward to more.
Author's Response: I loved writing for Penny! I wish we'd seen more of her on the show. So glad you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks for the great review!
1 Oh poor Jim and Pam. I mean, awesome that they got to do that but yeah they're going to have some serious guilt, even him. But hey, no pain no gain.
Author's Response: There will definitely be some guilt. This situation could never be easy. Thanks for reading. Ch.4 is up now!
1 Well shoot. That will make the rest of the time VERY awkward especially if I'm not right that Roy cheated on her. But if I am, good timing dude. Nice chapter. I do expect better of Jim later though, 'cause dude, pressing more ain't super nice.
Author's Response: You'll just have to wait and see with regard to Roy. As for Jim, I want to emphasize the fact that Jim was being persuasive with Pam; he wasn't pressuring her. I even made sure to give his thoughts that he would stop the second she stopped him. I think loving couples do this all the time--tempt each other with their sexual prowess. If you misunderstood, it wasn't my intention. Thanks for the review.
Author's Response: You'll just have to wait and see with regard to Roy. As for Jim, I want to emphasize the fact that Jim was being persuasive with Pam; he wasn't pressuring her. I even made sure to give his thoughts that he would stop the second she stopped him. I think loving couples do this all the time--tempt each other with their sexual prowess. If you misunderstood, it wasn't my intention. Thanks for the review.
1 Oh man, Roy being worse than I expected. But yeah, that does help Pam out. Hope she gets where she's going OK. I enjoyed her and Dwight interacting.
Author's Response: Thanks so much for the review. And yes, I always have enjoyed Dwight and Pam's relationship, so it was fun writing some of that. Ch. 7 is up now.
Aww. A lovely coda to a lovely story.
Author's Response: Thank you so much :)
So. There is an entire deleted B-Roll from "Sex Ed" where Pam and Jim are fighting all day, and then he slaps her butt on the way out. It's never explained. This is my explanation.
1 I enjoyed the heck out of this. Very nice B-roll usage and I loved the way Jim immediately tried to get back in her good graces because he realized this isn't something he needs to "win"--or rather, that he wins if she's happy too.