Penname: warrior4 Real name: Eric
Member Since: May 31, 2018

Bio:

Author of the Month March 2020

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.


[Report This]
Reviews by warrior4
Summary: Jim starts work at Dunder Mifflin one day later than he'd been supposed to due to personal problems, which leads to a cascade of changed events.
Categories: Jim and Pam, Alternate Universe
Characters: None
Genres: None
Warnings: None
Series: None
Chapters: 30 Table of Contents
Completed: Yes Word count: 35504 Read Count: 55282 ePub Downloads: 21
[Report This] Published: September 24, 2019 Updated: December 30, 2019
Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: October 01, 2019 Title: Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Kelly

And there's the crashing down moment. After all the build up in his head and the very sweet first impressions he's been having, yeah it was going to come as a blow. Very believable dynamic for how the first day is going thus far. Everyone's delightfully in character as well.

Still I really do like how you've got both Jim and Pam noticing just about everything about each other. There are sparks flying all over the place between them. That part is fun to see. Can't wait to see where the rest of this is heading.

Author's Response: Thank you! I'm really enjoying writing them in this story (I've just leaned the hell into the romance novel tropes from the books I've been reading) so I'm glad it's working.

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed 1
Date: October 03, 2019 Title: Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Break Room

Great way to add in the bit with the Marvel comics. That Pam is primarily interested in the artwork before the story is a wonderful way to spin it.

Pam's confusion about Jim along with all the unbidden thoughts about him in more than a friend kind of way are endearing. It's kind of cute to seem them stumbling over themselves like this. As a fan of your many stories (and stalker of reviews and the responses to the same) I'm sure I know where this will eventually wind up. but the process of getting there is often more than half the fun. True to form you're not disappointing with this one either.

Author's Response: Thanks, warrior! That bit is of course a direct response to your comment, but I think it really helps flesh Pam out. I do think you know where this will end up (do I ever write pure angst?) but hopefully the journey will be worth it even if we know the destination.

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed 1
Date: October 05, 2019 Title: Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Great Scott

Yup, that would be awkward. Still, she didn't pull back so that's something right? Loved the way you added in the 27 seconds. Such pauses are a hallmark of the early JAM relationship so it's good to see such familiar elements pop up.

Michael to save the rescue. Now there's something that doesn't often happen. There are times Michael has his good moments, where he's being sincere and all. That's the usual place for such a moment. Here though in a typical blustery-Michael moment he "saves the day" as you will. Very creative writing in that regard. I liked it.

Also liked how despite everything, Jim's still going on with the plan he and Pam came up with. Hopefully we see what kind of payoff that brings.

Author's Response: Thank you! I appreciate the kind words about how I used Michael, since I was concerned about whether that worked. Don't worry, their plan will return in later episodes as well.

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: October 07, 2019 Title: Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Roy

This feels like some more exposition. Nothing wrong with that of course. Still good to see the beginnings of a friendship with Jim and Darryl.

His instincts about Roy seem to be spot on as well. I mean seriously, why can't the guy ever remember a significant thing about her?

Feels like something interesting might happen at Poor Richards as well.

Author's Response: Hey, there has to be some exposition to expose what's going on ;). But yeah, we have some transitions to get to before more action starts up. Thanks for the review!

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: October 08, 2019 Title: Chapter 10: Chapter 10: A Stairwell

More with Marvel! Yay! I'm really enjoying Nerd!Pam so thanks for including that. Lots of good introspection on her part here. I do like that she's already starting to think about what she wants and doesn't want out of life. When they're at their best, Jim and Pam are great together and you bring that out well.

Also a lot of fun to see the creating of their Air-Fives.

Author's Response: Thanks! I'm enjoying writing their dynamic, and dropping in Nerd!Pam is a lot of fun along the way. Thanks for the idea!

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: October 12, 2019 Title: Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Poor Richard's

A few interesting things going on here. First is Pam's thought process on her going out with Roy. It seems she's kind of confused as to whether or not she even wants him to remember to bring her with him. The being left behind on the first date is still a major thought. The way you have her here, I think she wants to think she wants to go out with her fiance but in actuality she'd rather be at home doing something else. I mean he can't even let her order for herself and also gets his order wrong. More warning signs that Roy's not right for you Pam.

The other thing is that she lets those kinds of thoughts project onto Jim. There she is thinking he's going to be made at her. Gotta feel for her if that's where her thought process goes first. No wonder other parts of her are intrigued. Listen to your gut Beesly. It's probably right.

Great job as alaways

Author's Response: Danke schoen! I think you have Pam exactly as I want her to be, so I'm glad that's coming through.

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: October 15, 2019 Title: Chapter 12: Chapter 12: Masks

Interesting introspection on Jim's part. I get why he'd be so confused. For the most part he and Pam get on great, but there's the flinch creating this tension. I like how he really starts to get to know her as a way to try and get to the bottom of it.

The DC vs. Marvel debate was wonderful. As was the fact that she carries around a comic book like that. Especially an issue that's not nearly as well known as some of the Marvel standards.

Hey look it's Roy in need of a punching. She's a person you dope, not a dog for you to command. You make it so easy to hate Roy in all the best, this that's the word for it, ways.

And it in now way surprises me that Dwight would go for Dark Horse. Probably go on some big rant about the over commercialization and trite narratives of DC and Marvel.

Author's Response: Yeah, sometimes the arguments just write themselves. Even the Dwight bits. Thanks! 

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed 1
Date: October 20, 2019 Title: Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Pizza

Hell yeah Pam! Tell that big caveman brute what for! I know this is well before Fancy New Beesly and all, but clearly she has that spunk within her. After all we did see Pam and Roy fight on camera in canon the night of the Dundies so it's not like this is out of character or anything.

Good on ya Pam for not letting Roy get away this kind of brutish behavior. I get that there may be some backsliding, but still good to see her stand up for herself like this. Keep up with those instincts.

Wonderful writing as always.

Author's Response: Thank you! We will generally see a more self-assertive Pam here because one of the changes I'm positing is that her relationship with Roy declines because of the weirder but more connective way she and Jim meet. 

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: October 22, 2019 Title: Chapter 14: Chapter 14: The Bar, Redux

Feels like kind of a filler chapter here. Yes Jim's getting better at reading Pam so that's good to see. Still it's nice to see how Jim got set up in the house with Mark. A curious little tidbit there about Jim's folks and Larissa. Looks like a bit of Halpert family drama. Still an enjoyable story. Looking forward to seeing how thing go over with Pam showing up there at the end.

Author's Response: It is filler! But necessary filler I think. Thank you for reading, as always. 

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: October 31, 2019 Title: Chapter 15: Chapter 15: A Good Parking Lot

Congrats on the kiddo! That's wonderful! Best of luck to you, sleep when you can as often as you can.

Interesting to see Pam's initial reaction to seeing Jim in the bar. I get it. She's had to pull Roy out of there so often that's right to where her mind goes. I love that the more she looks, the more Jim surprises her in a good way. I also like that she's starting to do more to separate herself from Roy. It's adding more and more to the pattern that she needs to get out of that relationship. Wonderful to see an update.

Author's Response: Thank you! I'm working on it! I do think Pam has certain patterns for men so thus certain reactions she'll have to recognize and possibly fix...

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: November 05, 2019 Title: Chapter 16: Chapter 16: Penny's

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.

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: November 19, 2019 Title: Chapter 17: Chapter 17: The Office

Lots of emotion right now. I can very easily see how Jim would get so tense around Dwight like this, especially since Pam's not there to calm him down.

By the way those lines at the start of this chapter? Pam in a truck with a drunk Roy. Her getting injured and losing her memory. *taps his nose* Nicely done.

However the real thing here is Michael. I really liked how you had a Good-Micheal moment here to diffuse the tension. Behind all the bluster, Micheal is a good guy and you brought that out well.

Great to see this one again.

Author's Response: *taps nose* thank you! I appreciate the thoughts on good-Michael; I find him hard to write, so I'm always concerned!

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: November 19, 2019 Title: Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Pam's Morning

I think this may have been the fastest I've seen you update a story in a good lone time. Not complaining in the slightest mind you. Really glad to see this one going.

Lots of introspection here, kind of. Part of me would have liked to have had the actual dialoge of Pam and Roy's fight, but still we got the jist of what was going on. Pam was trying to mend fences, Roy's a jerk, and hopefully this all spells the end of the Roy/Pam relationship in this universe.

I've got a feeling Angela didn't mean Roy when she said Pam's boyfriend was bleeding there at the end. Great job as always getting into the feelings of your characters.

Author's Response: Yeah, I've kind of fallen off the quick update wagon, I'll try to get back on (Thanksgiving permitting). Thanks for the comments! We're nearing the end, though it may take several actual updates to get all the emotional beats in there.

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: November 21, 2019 Title: Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Parking Lot

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. 

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: November 25, 2019 Title: Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Pam in the Parking Lot

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.

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: December 02, 2019 Title: Chapter 21: Chapter 21: The Same, Continued

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!

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: December 05, 2019 Title: Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Pam's Choices

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!).

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: December 10, 2019 Title: Chapter 23: Chapter 23: Pam's Desk

Interesting time jump here. Especially since the last time we saw Jim and Pam together it could be interpreted that Pam had tossed first aid supplies at him and then stormed off. Nice to see neither of them appear mad at each other.

This feels quite unique the way Pam's looking for an apartment. It's real in that it does take some time, so that's ok. I'm wondering why she didn't ask Jim to help her? Maybe she wanted to do this on her own, fresh new start and all. This is also fairly early into Jim and Pam's friendship so while they may be work-buddies at this point, maybe not the kind of friend you look to for something important like this. Until now that is.

Good on Jim though for giving her some time and when he does approach her, it's in a way that shows he's watching, he cares, and he's there to help her create her own adult life for her first. Great writing as always.

Author's Response:

Thank you! Yeah, Jim was watching across the parking lot, so I think he knew who she was mad at. 

 

I think you are spot on on the reasons why I don't think this Pam would automatically ask Jim to help--add to it that even though they didn't have Casino Night she was still accused of cheating on Roy with him and so is going to be a little leery initially of confirming that suspicion even though she broke up with Roy. Thanks for the review! 

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: December 11, 2019 Title: Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Corolla

"We, Miss Pamela=what's your last name"
"Morgan"

Whoops. I'm sure it's just an innocent typo. (wordo? is that a thing since the incorrect word IS spelled correctly, but it's the wrong word for what you meant)

I also like it that Jim's using this as an opportunity to get to know her more. Find out what she likes to do outside of work.

Yes, they are all sorts of adorable here. Pam's still kind of overthinking things, but her thinking is starting to head in the right direction at least. Nicely done.

What's also adorable is the continuation of their Marvel vs. DC debate. That's just so much fun. I can easily see in this world that once they finally get together they try and rope their kids into things, buying Marvel or DC clothes to send into the other one telling them to say something like "Look what Mommy got me!"

Author's Response: Oh good catch! I've edited that. Thanks for the support on both the general adorableness and the comics stuff. I always appreciate your careful eye!

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: December 17, 2019 Title: Chapter 25: Chapter 25: The Batmobile

Wonderful banter back and forth between them. When I read Pam's choice of tea I thought she might use the line, "tea, Earl Grey, hot," that Captain Picard so famously uses in "Star Trek: The Next Generation." If it's just a matter or word order error there and this IS a Picard reference, it's delightful. Let's face it, it's delightful either way considering how you've got them bouncing off each other like this.

Wonderful as always to see an update for this story.

Author's Response: Thank you! I should have quoted that more accurately, but I think I'll let the misquote stand. It was a lot of fun to create this banter, and I'm glad it worked for you!

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: December 22, 2019 Title: Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Apartment Hunting

Very cute. I think it's adorable that it seemed Jim was keyed up for the first apartment, but then it's the second one that fits so well. More and more thoughts from Pam's point of view about Jim and all good things. Nice way to get things set up for the future. Lovely chapter. Can't wait to read more.

Author's Response: Thank you! I think of Jim as really wanting her to end up in the one where he doesn't have to expose her to his past, but obviously that's the right one for her. 

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: December 23, 2019 Title: Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Office

Very cute. I think it's a nice bridge chapter. Let them both relax into a nice friendship where they can be happy. A good base to build off of for something more romantic. Lots of fun seeing Pam be devious like that about the yearbook. Must have been driving Jim mad in all the right ways to not be able to talk about it. Though I get the feeling that seeing that picture just about near melted his heart.

Author's Response: Thank you! I find this story is coming out in smaller bursts than usual, but I desperately want to make sure it gets done so there may be more short ones. Thanks for the comments!

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: December 24, 2019 Title: Chapter 28: Chapter 28: The Office Again

Very good introspection here on Pam's part. I like that she's working on getting things squared away in her mind. OF course there's that nibbling fear in the back that her feelings for Jim are how you described them. But I doubt she'll give much credence to them what with all this thinking about things. As always I'm on pins and needles waiting for one of your updates.

Merry Christmas to you too. Hope you have a good one.

Author's Response: Thank you! I enjoy writing their introspection, especially around key decisions, so this is my favorite point in the story to write. Merry Christmas! Mine has been great so far, hope yours is too.

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: December 25, 2019 Title: Chapter 29: Chapter 29: Parking Lot

Lots of fun there at the end. The awkwardness that seemed to pervade the first part of this chapter is more than made up for with the realization that he's taking her out on their first date. And it's to Cuginos. Wonderful way to tie into canon yet still remain in keeping with this AU. Very nicely done. Looking forward to seeing how this all wraps up. Hopefully with at least one more Marvel vs. DC debate between the two of them cause those were such fun throughout this tale.

Author's Response: Thank you! I really appreciate all your thoughts and feedback along the way!

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed
Date: December 31, 2019 Title: Chapter 30: Chapter 30: A Date

Wonderful way to wrap this up. Thank you so much for taking the whole Nerd!Pam thing and running with it like this. The way you wrote it added depth but also a lot of fun to their interactions. We all love classic JAM banter, but to have through the filter of Marvel vs. DC was really a treat. The last one here though with Captain Marvel vs Captain Marvel was a master stoke. I do like that even though it's a friendly debate, neither one really backs down. They know what they like, they'll stick to it. Of course they're, well in this case more Jim than Pam, also willing to explore the other studio a bit. To broaden horizons. Which of course is another great way to bring them closer together.

The other detail I liked it that glimpse into Pam's artist mind at the start. How she remembers the date by colors and how those colors make her feel. Lovely way to show how she thinks, not just what she thinks.

Yes it was kind of a slow burn to get to this point, but it was wonderful to see the development. Pam coming out of her shell some more, Jim finding his groove in this new world of Dunder-Mifflin. It was all just a ton of fun throughout.

Superb as always my friend. This one was a joy to read as it progressed.

Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat

Author's Response: I realized I never responded to this! Sorry for that. I always appreciate your detailed feedback, especially (for this one) on the Marvel!Pam elements. I'm glad those worked for you because they were a total blast to write. Thanks as ever for your incredibly valuable help in conceiving this through the prompting of your reviews. Si Quæris Peninsulam Amœnam Circumspice.