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.
A brief snapshot of Pam and Jim's first date after "The Job", completely based on the lyrics of the Taylor Swift song "Begin Again".
1 This was a lot of fun. Yes cheesy and fluffy, but that's a big part of what makes JAM so much fun. I did like that they spend most of their time rebuilding their old connection. If you choose to add to this story I could easily see that since they've re-built that part of their relationship, the deeper parts would be a little easier to talk about.
First date fics are always fun and this one didn't disappoint. Great visuals. Wonderful to envision Pam coming back to life like that as she got ready and the date progressed. Very fun.
Author's Response: Thanks warrior! Yes, the fluff and cheese is part of what we all love.
Short but it's got good bones. I think Pam going from giggling and laughing to crying and back again so quickly was a little out of character. Anxious or worried that she'd made a mistake, but I'm not sure she'd get to full on crying so quickly. I get what you're doing though.
I will admit I'm curious to see how this pans out.
Inspired by the deleted scene from Dwight Christmas. What happened that night when Jim decided to take the 5 AM bus instead?
1 Lots of great introspection here AG. The deleted scenes with both Jim and Pam add a lot of nuiance to the episode. The way you expounded on it with Jim watching the reunion was a great catalyst to get him to return to the office for the rest of the party.
I think it can be a challenge to write S9 fics. You hinted at some of the reasons here. In S9 the conflict that Jim and Pam face is of their own making rather than more external forces. I loved Jim's confession. That he needs to explain himself to her since he knows how she deflects things. Real communication has always been an area of struggle for Jim and Pam. This is a good attempt on Jim's part to break through that, but there's still a few barriers in the way.
Like you said, the hole is still there. So yes Pam is supportive of him here, but even this big speech of his is really only a band-aid on a broken bone. It's something yes, and clearly they're not giving up on each other, but the deeper issues still remain.
Great job at getting all that out. If this were to continue I'd love to read your take on the night after when they really connect again in "Paper Airplanes." Maybe see why those good mornings caused Pam to blush and smile so much.
1 Of all the fics I've read dealing with Casino Night, this is a rare treat. You did a great job at getting into Dwight's mind here. His rambling thought process, his assurance of how right he is when we all know he's still been fooled, even the way you have him try to figure out this puzzle. All spot on. This was a lot of fun to read.
1 Very cute. Good for Jim to help her realize things for herself rather than really try to push her one way or another. I liked Pam's moment of clarity there when she realizes just how much Jim means to her and how little Roy does. Not exactly last minute, but definitely a last hour save there at the end. Great little one shot, I liked it.
Answers the question that no one asked - what if Michael unwittingly got the cocktail party cancelled and Jim ended up in the bar with his co-workers?
'Cocktails' with a twist.
1 Great storytelling. This seems like a very believable scenario that would have happened had Jim shown up to the bar that night. I can easily see Roy acting exactly like that. The same goes for Pam.
Jim's introspection on the events of the past year is also on point. I like that he's finally thinking rather than just reacting. Though I am a little sad it took Roy's fist to literally knock some sense into the guy.
Can't wait to see what comes next.
Author's Response: Thanks Warrior! I’m glad you found the scenario believable. I was hoping it would seem true enough to all their characters. I so love your note about literally knocking some sense into him!
1 Loved the way this wrapped up. Jim was floundering there at the start. Good on Dwight for that phone call. He, Jim, and Pam really do make up a fine trio of an odd friendship and you did that justice here.
I really liked that moment on the couch where Jim realized what he'd done to Pam on Casino Night. Asked her to give more than she could. Great way to write that. It added a lot of depth to Jim's character and the scene. Of course I'm glad the outcome was such a far cry from Casino Night as well. Good on Jim and Pam to get a lot of the big stuff cleared up before moving on to other more enjoyable activities.
Kevin was a treat too. Not only last chapter where he was right there to fend off Roy, but this time too. He may be a little creepy at times, but he's got a good heart and he's loyal to his friends. That came across well.
Wonderful job with this one. Thanks for sharing it.
Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat
Author's Response:
“Fine odd trio” is such an apt description of Pam/Jim/Dwight...
I enjoyed adding Kevin into this, so it’s nice to hear he was a welcome addition.
Thanks so much for your lovely review - I always look forward to hearing your thoughts 😊
It's the kind of reckless that should send them running, but they know they won't get far.
She's known him most of her life, but this summer Pam sees Jim in a completely different way.
1 Ok, so for the first time, I'm going to be writing this review as I read and the first thing I have to say is, holy crap 90's call backs. Jim with frosted tips and the puka shell necklace? There's an image. The cargo pants though, no big deal. Cargo pants and shorts are among the greatest gifts to mankind. It's rare nowadays that I don't wear cargo pants or shorts, so good on ya Jim. Ok, moving on.
All of Pam's growing up awkwardness, lots of fun to envision there. Sassy Granny is being a hoot here. I love it.
Ok, you might have all those girl power country songs stuck in your head with this one, but honestly the only song coming to mind right now is, "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy." Have fun with that image.
Jim and Karen drama this early? Yeah I'm with Kelly here, what the hell Jim? Moving on. Ok just the actions of a mildly drunk Jim.
Tipsy Sassy Pam is kind of funny too. I like that they still have the feel of their canon banter. Looking forward to seeing how this all plays out.
1 Took you long enough! Here I was thinking that "Maybe Coley has gone on to other pursuits. Fare thee well Ms. Coley. Clear horizons." Then you go and do this. This lovely, silly, steamy, fun filled chapter of wonderful. Still there shall be further badgering next chat session, you have been warned.
Ok so let's get to the highlights shall we.
"'Chocolate chip or banana nut?' 'Yes.'" As a wise woman once reviewed on one of my stories, actually about a year ago now, Amen Pam, Amen.
Aww the teapot. Also I love Gran here. For many things. You've got her bond with Pam so wonderful and it shows in things like the teacup set aside only for Pam when she comes to visit. It's a small but lovely detail.
Good on ya Jim for the realization that you'd been kinda of a jackass at that party and the adorableness in apologizing to Pam. Likewise it's good that they get over any hangups from previous relationships. Gets that all out of the way for everything that comes next.
So the build up to that first kiss? I was expecting a cliffhanger there. Because that's kind of what always happens. All this buildup and then...bupkis. Granted there was still some of that what with the honking of the horn and the distractions during the date. However thank you for just getting right to those first kisses under the apple tree. Very cute and romantic, even if Gran is still being her sassy self with the porch lights.
Pam's mini-freakout for the rest of the weekend seems very appropriate. An amazing date and even more amazing kisses then nothing? Yeah, makes sense she's freak out a bit. Good on ya Jim for calming her down with everything.
Lots of fun imagining them running around all over the place in the following scenes. The hayloft, the orchard, the cab of his truck. Seriously, who doesn't love Smitten Jim and Pam?
Then that last little scene in the bed of his truck by the lake? Hoo boy. Getting steamy there for reasons other than the temperature and in all the right ways. Annd there's the cliffhanger. I'd mention up a specific plan to get you to update quicker, but I'll hold off....for now.
Seriously, great to have an update for this wonderful story.
1 Quick pause in reading before I get to the rest of the review. Founders Fest? A little local inspiration there? Just wondering is all. Moving on.
Also, yes paramedics can ABSOLUTELY drive like maniacs. Considering how often I've been tossed around in the back of one, yeah, good call.
Other than that, a really great chapter. Well worth the wait. No I'm not disappointed about the lack of some overt highly detailed sex scene. The other ways you have describing them while together paint a clear enough picture that there's not really any leaps involved.
Ah look at you go Jim, falling in love with her quickly and being the first to say it. And of course Pam is a bit more hesitant, but who is she kidding? The feelings are still there even if it takes her a bit to verbalize them.
I love how much Jim is there for both Pam and Gran. He's a great guy in these moments and it's very sweet to see. This may have started out as feeling like a summer fling, but clearly its a lot more than that now.
It'll be really interesting to see what happens when Helene shows up all piss and vinegar for Pam to head back to school and Pam wanting to stay where she is. Nice set up for that.
Fantastic job as always.
Author's Response: Oh! You know what? I've never actually been to Founders Fest and didn't even put that together until you said it... Honestly, I just love and needed the idea of a small town festival in this story and was too lazy to come up with anything more creative than that. :) And I am so excited to bring Helene to town so I'm glad you're ready for that too. Thanks for reading!
This story started out being a one-shot inspired by the Taylor Swift song Gorgeous, but then it became so much more. Thanks to Coley for reading and giving feedback.
Pam and Jim meet right before Jim starts at Dunder-Mifflin. Pam develops a crush on Jim and has to figure out what to do about it.
1 Now this is an interesting premise. Lots of fun to see this version of how Jim and Pam met. Part of me thinks there will be more drama with Roy ahead. Considering all the pairings in the story description I'm sure there will be drama with Jim and other women too. Still this has a lot of potential. Looking forward to seeing where you go with this.
Author's Response: Thanks warrior! Yes this story has already grown beyond my intentions so who knows what other drama awaits. I always appreciate your thoughtful comments.
I like this different take on things. Jim knowing right away she's engaged does color things a little differently. He's open to friendship, but it's not the love at first sight type of thing we normally associate with in canon. Still I'm looking forward to seeing how things play out now that Pam is single. Well done as always.
1 So a few twists and turns here. A lot of the classic JAM elements we all know and love. Jelly bean eating at the reception desk, partners in crime against Dwight, and even a little bit (maybe a lot a bit) of the shyness one can sometimes see in Pam during the early seasons. Then the twist that Katy is involved. This could prove to be an interesting development.
That Kelly is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to getting our favorite pair of idiots together should also be a treat to read. Lots of good introspection on Pam's part here. Looking forward to getting some more of Jim's take on things next time around.
1 Lots of interesting conflicting things going on. I liked how Larissa was there to help Jim figure a few things out. Kelly too, in her own particular kind of way. It's been interesting to see how you've spun this tale. Looking forward to seeing how it all wraps up.
1 This last chapter was really sweet. I did kind of like that there was still an element of will they/won't they even though I kinda figured we'd be heading to the resolution we did. Still this chapter, like this story has been a fun ride.
You captured the inherent sweetness they have for each other along with a lot of the "I just met this person and I like them but do they like me," kind of vibe that really does fit them meeting for the first time like this. I really liked how Pam pulled out the stops with the new top and it had its intended effect. The kiss there at the end was just all sorts of the right kind of sweet and steamy. Great visual right there.
Lots of fun with this one. Thanks for sharing it with everyone.
Jim and Pam say the wrong things at the wrong times..
These stories all do add a different dimension to Jim and Pam. Clearly they've had feelings for each other for a long time. This does a good job at exploring some of the heartache that not only Jim and Pam went through but their partners did too. Welcome to MTT.
1 This was great! I loved how Jim had all the other voicemails running through his head as he listened to all these new ones. It was a great way to tie in that piece of their history.
Their banter with each other was perfectly on point. Even with and probably because of the liquid courage. They're bouncing from silly to serious and back again so easily. Regardless of Casino Night or the distance between them, they're still Jim and Pam here. Me thinks that's exactly what they both needed. To just be them one more time to really cement that their connection, though frayed, is still intact.
Can't wait to see what happens with the next encounter.
1 Double review because I read to fast for my own good at times. First time around I missed that little line where you had Jim all but pull Pam out of her car. Forget what I said earlier. That's also a very nice image.
1 Great blend of humor, sweetness, and of course a long overdue conversation. I can imagine that it was Kelly who changed Jim's name in Pam's phone like that. Great little tidbit that added depth to this story. I'm really glad Pam had the courage to say all that to Jim here and that he has the insight to just listen and take it all in.
Also even through the seriousness of the conversation, there are these little bits of banter that take a lot of the edge off. Very skillful writing to pull that off. It didn't detract from what Pam was saying in the slightest.
I would have maybe liked a little more about the actual reunion in Middleton. However considering how the rest of their conversation went I'm sure it was a very sweet moment where Pam flings herself at Jim and he maybe gives her quick twirl before they simply hold each other for a few minutes before heading into the diner.
Great job as always AG, this was a treat.
1 So there's a lot going on here. The initial hesitance of Jim starting at DM which is blast aside when he meets Pam. It's fun to see him light up like that as they talk and converse over lunch. Till it all comes crashing down when she gets that phone call. Kind of a microcosm of S1-S3 in a short package. Still it's heartening to know how that it'll eventually turn out right for them.
Loved the Ego the Living Planet reference there. Great job slipping that in. I also love how Pam comes to all these realizations. That Roy is not the kind of man she wants to be with and more importantly she's not a doormat to just sit back and take it.
Wish I still had some jelly beans left to give to this story but I ran out a while ago.
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm trying not to forget my Marvel!Pam along the way ;). Hope you keep enjoying even if you're out of beans (for which, thanks!).
Short and sweet but powerful. Seems like Pam's heart is a couple steps ahead of her mind here. I liked that she looks up and it seems that only then she notices that she's basically packed everything up in order to move out.
What I'm curious about is Penny saying leaving Roy "this time." This implies there have been other times Pam's shown up like this, Penny has expressed her disapproval of Roy, but Pam's gone back to him. Interesting tidbit there.
Also welcome to the baby-kicks-while-on-the-computer club.
Author's Response: Thank you! I think this is going to accelerate a little, but you're still right that Pam's not entirely caught up with her own heart yet. And yes, good catch on the tidbit--that's fleshed out a little (not a lot) in the next chapter.
Short yes, but full of impact. Clearly Jim and Pam have a strong connection here. That Pam can list off all of Jim's tells like this is a great way to show that. That Jim is flummoxed until he has no other choice but just spit it out is also a good choice. He's trying to be the nice guy but at the same time he can't deny what's he's feeling towards Pam.
Seems like Pam is off to have her own confrontation. Lots of heated emotions right now. Looking forward to more as always.
Author's Response: Yes, I think short but dense is the way this will probably go from here on in. Thank you for the review!
Nice job on the Micheal bluster. You got him portrayed nicely as a chicken-with-his-head-cut-off fluttering about.
As always I like how you've got Pam here. Her immediate concern over Jim and how's she's going to fix him up are heartwarming. So are those little tells, like how his voice is comforting to her. Keep paying attention to those kinds of things.
Looking forward to seeing more of the outcome of all these events.
Author's Response: The dominos will keep falling, never you fear! Thank you so much for the kind words.
Now that's a different take on the confrontation. It really gets out of sorts with Micheal right there in the middle of it. Angry Roy is in true form here. Kinda hoping Darryl and the warehouse guys can maybe talk some sense into Roy but I kinda doubt it.
I did like how through your writing everything seemed to slow down from Jim' POV. Michael's "punches" Roy's tackle, falling into the car. It's actually a very real effect of the flight or fight response. Not sure if you knew that going in but for me at least it comes out in the writing.
Looking forward to seeing how this all shakes out.
Author's Response: Thank you! I was trying for something like that, so I'm glad it came through.