The conflicting emotions that Jim is feeling are just so spectacularly displayed by the conversational snippets.  And meeting Roy.  I knew it had to be coming, I mean, obviously he'd known Pam's family for years, but unexpected in the store, late at night?  Ouch.

Damn.  I'm not even sure how to sum up this one.  All I know is that I think I'm a little bit in love with Frankie.  Kid is wise.

Oh my god that was amazing.  My face must just be a red wreck after trying so hard to suppress bawling at work.  That scene with Jim and Frank Sr...even though I knew what conversation was coming...it was beautiful.  And I don't think any of this qualifies as angst in the fanfic sense.  Not one bit.  Angst always seems to be shorthand for keeping UST unresolved for as long as possible.  But this was real.  It wasn't a soap opera.  It was a tragedy.  And like life, it was funny and sweet and heartwrenching and painful and amazing and worth every second.

Author's Response: YOU. ARE. AWESOME. Thanks so much for the wonderfully thoughtful feedback!  I'm so glad you listened to the recommendation!  And you know -- I hadn't really thought of that distinction between tragedy and angst, but I like that distinction! Thank you! So, so glad you enjoyed it.

Awww, it brings tears to my eyes remembering our first words to our son.  This reminds me of the "letters" we wrote in his baby book.

Katy rescues Toby or Ryan?  Jumanji?!  You are a weirdo.  I love it when strange things happen when I'm beta-ing for nqllisi.  Heh.

Author's Response:

My beta didn't think it made sense either. She resuced Toby. And I couldn't figure out a way to phrase it that I liked.

I long ago accepted I am a weirdo. Now I am just unleashing it on the masses :)

Thanks! 

*shakes head*  Emily my dear, I have officially decided that you are a prude!  ;-P

Author's Response:

Prude: a person who is excessively proper or modest in speech, conduct, dress, etc.

Hmm. I don't know. I am not modest persay. However I am not naive or innocent because I know the ways or the world. I just like to ignore it. Live in denail.

Weird. Yes. Duh.

Awwwww!  (It seems that someone's been taking brevity lessons from nqllisi!)

Author's Response: yeah, i am liking the short stuff now. but i do have like three longer pieces being written right now, so once i finish those, its something.

Lovely.  Absolutely wonderful.  I like that even though Roy is self-aware enough to know that he isn't without fault, that he can't change anything, that it's been a long time coming, he still can't stop himself from what he's about to do.  The brief flashes of memory were just enough, too.  Really well done.

Author's Response: Thank you! Roy is such a slave to his own self-destructive instincts. I think that he knows, on some level, that Pam deserves better than him but that mental part just manages not to convey to the rest of him.

"Daddy said damn it."  BWAHAHAHAAA!!!  You saved the best for last.  Honestly, I don't see anything at all wrong with any of Dwight's parenting techniques.  Seems like a normal father being outwitted by his daughter to me!

Author's Response:

Mary outwitted him, but Dwight had the burlap sack as back up. ; ) I'm glad you liked that line. I always like to end my stories with a laugh! Thanks, belsum!

-Rose

Ooh, just going through the motions.  Yikes.  What a great peak into the history of Jim!  I saw this one discussed in comments for another story (nqllisi's latest I believe) and decided to check it out.  It's really good!

Author's Response: Well, I'm glad you found it! And that you thought this bit of backstory seemed believable for Jim. Thanks so much, belsum.

Gorgeous!  I'm so glad that Jim's back in it for the love of the game.  What a great mix of haircut and basketball metaphors.  And Kelly Kapoor continues to rule the universe!

Author's Response: Back in it for the love of the game - exactly. Whatever he ends up doing, at least it won't be about going through the motions. That Kelly scene was way too much fun to write - glad you enjoyed. Thanks so much for reading/reviewing, belsum.

Fascinating.  Were the first four all the same alternate universe then?  I was a little confused by the abrupt switch to "now" in the final vingnette.  Still, I really enjoyed this a lot.  Fun to play with.

Author's Response: Thanks! No, I didn't mean for them to be in the same AU. Basically the first one is if Jim had made a move on that first "date", the second one is if Pam had broken up with Roy ahead of time, three is if she'd reciprocated on Casino Night, the fourth if Jim and Karen had broken up before they did and the last one is as it is now. Sorry for the confusion, but I'm glad you enjoyed it anyway!