I've been writing fanfiction for awhile now. Just recently discovered The Office and figured I'd try my hand at that as well.
At first I thought of having all my stories in the same universe, but then I had some AU ideas. So any stories that occur within a common universe will be in a given series.
The CIA needs receptionists, too. A short, silly story where Pam ends up a clandestine operative. Post Negotiations.
1 So yeah, that was differnt. A huge departure from canon, but still Pam saving herself. In that regard I did like it. Also a bit of tease there with Jim at the end. A Jim without anyone on his arm no less. Don't mind me, I'm just going to sit back and head-canon your final authors note as to the conclusion of this story and that eventually they do find their way back to each other.
Author's Response: Thanks for the review, warrior4! The way I see it, they'll inevitable fall toward each other here--it's just spiced up with spy intrigue instead of pranks this time.
In different places and different times, Pam meets Jim, and these meetings change both their lives.
1 Well I'll give you credit for an interesting set up that's for sure. Teenage Pam with and older time travelling Jim. I have no idea where this is going but I'm anxious to find out.
Author's Response: Thank you, Warrior! I hope you'll like the way I chose for this story.
1 There's absolytly a very strong Dr. Who vibe in this chapter. Of course there's not TARDIS, but the key and hallway of doors are definatly bigger on the inside.
This chapter was a lot of fun. To see teenage Pam go from despondant to her lighting up with Jim there was a lot of fun to read. I still have no idea where this is going, but it's a lot of fun. Especially with Jim inspiring Pam to be more creative with her artistic side. Lots of fun there.
Author's Response:
Thank you, Warrior! I like that Tardis joke and I thought about it while writing, but otherwise, Tardis and the Corridor have little in common.
Hope you'll like the next chapter!
1 This was fun. Lovely to see how this Jim and Pam interact. I like that we're getting a little more of the backstory of how everything is set up as well. Jim goes on missions, certain things can't be changed, timeless clothes and the right attitude will get you far.
Pam's delight in looking at the paintings was a joy to behold. It was so sweet to envision how her face lit up. When she saw that she was the inspiration for the new painting I thought that part was well written too. Felt in keeping that Pam would start to freak out about some of those things. Nice to have Jim there to calm her down and explain a bit more. Likewise giving her the beacon was a great tidbit to put in.
Still lots of questions about how's, where's, and why's, but it's all a ton of fun. Well done with this one.
Author's Response: Thank you so much, Warrior! I'm glad you liked this story, and I hope you enjoy the continuation as well.
This was fun. I kinda like that Pam gets to join Jim in these travels. The bit with the time capsules was a nice way to have a place for a reprieve. Very descriptive of everything too. Nice job.
Author's Response: Thank you for your kind words, Warrior! I'm glad you like it.
Interesting chapter. Lynn is there to give some needed perspective. At least that's how it feels to me. She opens Pam's eyes that there are deeper feelings coming into play now. All of Pam's introspection after that play out realistically. Same when they're watching the shooting stars. Now that she has a bit of clarity it's becoming more clear that there's something more than just friendship and companionship between her and Jim.
Also seems like there's something else brewing. Jim wanting to leave rather than check out the fallen star seemed almost ominous. Feels like there's going to be something to that. Time will tell.
Nice job with this one.
Author's Response: Thank you, Warrior! I guess sometimes it's hard to see what's under your nose without friendly assistance.
I can't say much about the rest without the spoilers, but something will be revealed in the next chapter :)
Kind of a heavy chapter this time around. Feels like Pam's getting herself deeper into things here. She's not content to just go along for the ride, she wants to know more of what's going on. That he can't talk about it all is a huge frustration I'm sure. Especially with the way her feelings are running. She tries to take some time away from him, but it's no use. He's all she thinks about. So the scene there at the end where he does give some answers is a nice way to aliviate some of that tension. They do still want to be with each other, even if there's still some tension about everything. Great writing.
Author's Response: Thank you, Warrior! I totally agree that it's a heavy chapter (for me to write too), but I'm glad to give them an opportunity to be open and honest with each other... at least, as much as it is possible in this world.
Loved the use of canon lines sprinkled throughout this one. Really lots of fun, especially with the big moments they've had together. Pam coming to the realization of her true feelings for Jim. Hearing him say the same to her. Getting some more backstory about everything. All great.
Loved the line that happiness can stop time. Especially for them wrapped up in their little cocoon of love there.
Then all of a sudden the Casino Night dress makes an appearance. And it's something else from his past. Curious.
That ending though. Hoo boy. This seems ominous. Jim being petrified of her going through that door, and when she turns around, he's not there. Really interesting. Should be a treat to find out where we go from here.
Author's Response: Thank you, Warrior, I'm glad you liked this piece. And that was fun to me to weave canon moments into the different setting. I hope my real life won't get in a way, and I'll publish the update sooner than the previous one!
Hoo boy, so yeah, that's a chapter. Saving the translations for the end really helped set the mood of fear and uncertainty. Not knowing what they're saying, Pam not knowing what's going on, just everything conspires to really get the terror Pam is feeling here. Magnificent writing to bring that out. Even if it was hard to write, the feelings came across really well.
And more so that ending. She knows this voice? Huh, this should really be interesting going forward.
Author's Response: Thank you so much, Warrior! It was hard to write, but I'm glad it was worth it.
So, at least she's back in her own timeline. The cold hard Jim who got her out and the one who shows up are clearly not the same guy she left. What with the feeling of abandonment and getting thrown into a middle ages prison no wonder she breaks. Of course when she gets back to her own timeline everyone is trying to help her, but there's no way they can. They'd all think she was crazy if she told them the truth. So she's just there. Existing. That's really the only word for it. As much as it hurts to see her like this we all know there's really only one way now for her to get any sort of healing. She needs to find the Jim she loves. Though I'm sure there will also be all sorts of bagage to unpack with that reunion. Why he didn't come for her earlier and all that. Great writing to pull all the emotions out of this one.
First and foremost, WELCOME
BACK!!!!!! Really glad to see you writing again. I know it's incredibly hard for you right now, but the fact you're posting again is wonderful.
So feels like we're a few year down the road now. Pam had kinda settled into the dull doldrums of life. I mean if she's seriously considering going out with Toby of all people, right? Jim's reappearance is all sorts of interesting. At first it feels like canon Jim, but clearly we all know different. Her shock was quite telling to read for sure. Then the brief fight with the temp? Something's afoot for sure. Hopefully we'll find out soon what's going on.
1 Always fun to see a better resolution to just about anything from S3. I did really like this. It may have taken a little liquid courage, but the rewards were great. The image of Pam beaming up at him as he accepts her gift/prank is a lovley one to imagine. Likewise his expression at her kiss on the cheek under the mistletoe.
And when they finally get together it's with some classic feeling JAM banter. What's not to love?
Lots of fun with this one to be sure.
Author's Response: Thanks so much! Yes, I am a big sucker for season 3 better resolutions as well, and for endless JAM banter :)
1 So this was a lot of fun really. To see eveyone (mostly) loosen up and have a good time was nice to think about. Pam drunkely singing out an ABBA song to Jim is all kinds of adorable. Even if it's in the middle of the Season of Angst.
However it just stops. Is this a one-shot? Will there be more? I hope there will be more. It's great writing but no real conclusion. I'd love to see this continued. Will Pam in her drunken state call Jim and make some big declatation? Will the protective side of Jim come out and not allow Pam to stay at a bar when she's that drunk so he drives her home? Lots of questions about how this all pans out.
Still it was fun to read and I did enjoy it.
1 This is another lovely story. Great banter between Jim and Pam. Yes it has that feeling of awkwardness but it's still sweet. However it also feels like there should be more. Jim and Pam seem to be getting on well. I'd love to see this continued since it's really fun to envision.
1 So, wow. This was one heck of a chapter. Really interesting to have it from Karen's POV and with all the added backstory. Seems like Jim's evolution is not entirely of his own making. Actually by the reading of this story, none of it's by his making. But I'm getting sidetracked here.
Karen's viewpoint is really interesting here. From where I'm sitting she doesn't really see Jim as a boyfriend. More like he's a boy-toy she can mold into her vision of what a boyfriend should be. She's also doing a great job of self-deception. She may tell herself she wants a nice guy like Jim, but she hasn't really gotten to know him. So all the things with Pam are clearly a surprise to her.
Great writing to bring this all out. Can't wait to see Pam's view of all of this.
Author's Response:
Many thanks, Warrior. Yes, Jim in this story sees the trappings of his 'evolution' as a trade-off, at least in part. And Karen is, maybe subconsciously, not viewing Jim as who he actually is.
Thanks very much for reading and reviewing!
1 Okay so this is just all sorts of interesting. I mean really there's a lot going on and I'm here for all of it. Mainly of course Pam. Lovely how she's taking such good care of Jim. Despite everything, she's there for him, and Karen isn't. Now of course there's the whole, "fever-crazed-Jim-called-out-for-Pam-and-not-Karen," but even after Karen is done working she stays away. Even after Pam calls her to say Jim's feeling better, she stays away. Tha big Future she talked about last time? The one that she's going to make for herself. *cough mold Jim into cough cough* Not sure if that's really the plan or not.
But I digress. Pam IS there for him and really going above and beyond. Calling Pete and the sister-in-law, changing the sheets, and of course wiping him off with the towel. Very sensual there. Especially with that inner monologe. Just great.
Also really interesting to see how Jim has basically let Karen take over. Black, chrome, and big cats? Yeeah, clearly something is off because there are very few guys I know who would willingly go for that kind of decor. However what I do REALLY like and how you described it, is the "kind of a slob" Real Jim still peaking through. The magazines, the clothes lying around, and of course there in the back of the fridge, the grape soda. Mayhaps Real Jim isn't as quite far gone as we think.
Like I said a lot going on here and it was a joy to read. Can't wait for the next update.
Author's Response:
Thank you very much, Warrior.
And you might just be right about Real Jim - perhaps he isn't gone for good after all... 8o)
1 Great chapter here. I really like that we're getting multiple POV's. I'd been looking forward to Jim since we hadn't heard from him yet and you delivered.
His feelings are all over the map. I really like how you said he didn't have the energy to balance the spinning plates anymore. What a great metaphor. It would be tiring. Trying to feel something for Karen. Trying to avoid feeling anything for Pam. Trying to keep his heart from re-shattering. Trying to figure out who he is and what he wants to do. Seems exhausting. So all he's really left with is Karen trying to put his life together for him but who isn't there. And Pam who seems to just want anything he can offer, who is still there.
I love that Pam is sticking around. Clearly her feelings towards Jim are still there otherwise I feel like she would have left or called Karen to come over. She's still being her sweet self in that she's updating Karen. I know it's hard on her, but it shows her character. However she's not ready to leave his side. Really great to see that.
Kind of a nice bit of levity with Tom showing up. Very brother-esque between them. Even though Tom is ribbing at Jim, the fact he shows up with soup also shows he cares.
And to end things with Karen. As others have said, yes this shows just how out of the loop she is. Not just with Jim and Pam, but with everything in Scranton. This is a world she doesn't understand and sorry to say can't really fit into. However she did stumble on something. Pam is the heart of the office. Without Pam there, all these things start to build up. Great bit of perspective there.
Can't wait to see what comes next.
Author's Response:
I think his feelings probably would be all over the place: he's portrayed as a reasonably decent chap, so I'm assuming his motivation isn't purely cynical...but he's hurt and bitter and needing to move on from the pain, and that's probably a contributing factor in his decision to get involved with Karen - even though it's too soon for him to be emotionally available to someone else.
And because he's basically decent, it would likely be messing with his head when he's forced to confront the reality of what he's doing, and what the implications of his choices are.
And thanks for the review, Warrior!
1 A long chapter but well worth the wait. Loved all the scenes of Pam changing during the summer. Standing up for herself, embracing new things she hasn't before. Seemed like it gave her the warm ups to deal with the current situation. That is trying to really mend things with Jim. Loved all that.
Also loved her settling in at Jim's place. Drawing differnt pictures of the panther, making observations of the decor, loved to see her mind work.
Jim feels like he's starting to come back. They're bantering again which is adorable by the way. You wrote all the easy JAM banter really well. Getting closer to the hard discussions though. Still not there, but it feels like there's groundwork laid for it.
And then there's Karen. Feels like she's finally getting a clue and so she's going to try and dig in her heels. Though it feels like being on the verge of despiration. She can feel Jim slipping. Though part of me feels like the more she digs in, the more he'll slip through her fingers.
A little heartbreaking to see Jim just let Pam leave like that. Though if it's to have a hard conversation with Karen before a hard conversation with Pam then that makes sense. Feels like we're on the verge of something big and I can't wait to see what it is.
Author's Response: Thanks, Warrior. Difficult discussions are on their way...
1 Big time on the confrontations here. First between Karen and Jim. I find it really interesting that she's not listening to him at first. She just steamrolls on as if nothings amiss. In a way I kinda feel sorry for her. She's got this vision in her head of what is supposed to happen. Part of a successful relationship is adapting to your partner and I don't think she's in a place where she can accept that. She seems to want things her way and if that's not going to happen, she'll hit the road. Her going through Pam's desk provided another insight to her mindset. Her seeing all the things Pam's kept as junk is another thing that's telling about her. She's not sentimental about the little things. Yet another sign she's not right for Jim.
Jim is finally facing up to things. He finally stands up to Karen and lets her know he's not what she wants out of a relationship. He doesn't want her running his life for him. The fact that he also drags himself over to Pam's was lovely as well as brave and somewhat foolhardy. He's still very sick and and all that.
Pam has a right to be angry. Condidering how she left Jim's place I don't blame her for getting upset. Likewise when they finally hash things out it's a hard but needed conversation. Going back a little, despite everything, she kept the teapot gifts, the Olympic medal, and a host of other things. Love that.
Of course the image of them at the end laying in bed is all sorts of sweet. Once they finally openly communicate what else is there to do considering Jim's condition? Great chapter with this one.
Also that little talking head with Creed was a delightful bit of levity in a big chapter. Loved it.
Author's Response: Thanks, Warrior, as ever. Glad you're still enjoying it, and glad you like the Creed talking head. As I've said below, I was a bit worried it was too ridiculous, so I'm glad people seem to have enjoyed it!
Lovely way to wrap this all up. And an epic wrap up in terms of length too. They finally get together and can just be together. Also they start to heal the scars of the past. There's honesty, passion, love, and fun. Great job to tie everything off with this one. I really liked it.
Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat
Author's Response: Thank you so much, Warrior. I'm really glad you kept with it, and I'm really grateful for all your reviews.
Jim and Pam go to Jim’s house for the night after what happened in the lobby, both almost ready to crack.
Takes place after Night Out, and is canon compliant.
1 Great one shot. That scene is always really awkward. Jim's right there and Toby still does that. Now I know there were a lot of times Jim touched Pam before they were together, but not when Roy was around and absolutly not in the way Toby did. So where I'm sitting it makes a ton of sense that Pam would have that kind of reaction.
It was a stressful day and you caputured those emotions really well. I really like that they can take the time to process things. They're communicating which has alwasy been a struggle. A bit heated at times, but the way everything calms down shows how deep their relationship is.
The images of them falling asleep like that though were wonderful. After all is said and done, it's in each other's arms that they're safe, warm, and loved. Bravo.
Author's Response: Thank you so so much! I’m so happy you enjoyed this, as I enjoyed writing it. I always wondered what happened after the whole Toby-touching-her thing. I always hate how mild Jim’s reactions on the show are.
Author's Response: Thank you so so much! I’m so happy you enjoyed this, as I enjoyed writing it. I always wondered what happened after the whole Toby-touching-her thing. I always hate how mild Jim’s reactions on the show are.
1 This was a great look into Pam's mindset. All the hope she had of Merger day dashed and she's feeling back to plain old mousy receptionist everyone overlooks me Pam. It does hurt that these kinds of thougts are going through her head. However there's still a bit of steel in her. If you don't like what you see, change it. Stop wishing and start doing. I did really like that part in that it helps to further progress the Pam-saves-herself theme that's really big in S3.
You wove the angst and the hope together really well with this one.
Author's Response: Thank you for your lovely review, Warrior! To be honest, I didn't plan to add any hope in this story, but I think it's great that it still could be found here.
Look at this idiotic fool that you made me
You taught me a secret language I can't speak with anyone else
And you know damn well
For you I would ruin myself
...a million little times
Song fic based off of illicit affairs by Taylor Swift
1 Not thrilled with the ending? How do you say something like that? That was the best of endings. Here I was thinking that the reason Jim is trying to cut off Pam's speech is because Karen is going to come around the corner and break all our hearts again. Thank you for not doing that.
Ok, so I've gotten ahead of myself. Outstanding look into the mess of things Pam let herself get into. The fact that she knows what she's doing with her 'friendship' with Jim was a great way to portray this. The half-known, half-unknown denial of everything she feels for him really sells this.
Then of course once he's gone and everything is finally laid bare, she has no choice but to finally accept everything. I really like that before she went after Jim, she went after herself first. She built herself back up and inso doing gained the courage to finally knock on that door. The reward for everything is just the best.
Great job, even considering the late-night scramble to write. Sometimes that's when we get our best stuff done.
In their new house in Austin, Pam gets inspired by a certain Taylor Swift song and leaves out one of her old journals by accident. Jim gets Pam's perspective of The Job and some other events from season 3.
Just a cute little one-shot of future Jam reminiscing over old memories.
1 Really great way to get into Pam's head here. I loved the insight to her mind during those times. The fact that they've moved past all those times together is very sweet. I'm unfamiliar with the album in question so I'll assume that all references are on point.
Nicely done with this one.
Author's Response: Thanks Warrior! Yeah I like writing Jam fluff, haha. The album is new and was thus the talk of the last chat! The other fans on MTT gave me the courage to do something with it and I’m sure you’ll only hear more about the album in the coming week lol.
It takes a few endings to get to a beginning. Season 3, but make it exile.
(When I was talking about folklore inspiring fics I didn’t mean me, whoops...)
1 Wow! So this was a whirlwind. Great job in getting so many different POV's through everything. I'm trying to pick out a part I liked best, but it's all good. Actually now that I think about it, everything with the yogurt lid was a good way to tie things together. I liked the symbolism there. Something lost, something found, something given again, and one chance to get things right. Lovely.
Well done for this one.
Author's Response: Thanks Warrior! This is essentially a series of somewhat connected drabbles. I was hoping those few elements like the yogurt lid would help it fit together well enough despite that.