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.
Post Casino Night AU where Jim goes to Australia, and Pam follows.
Not done reading the chapter yet, but that Biblical reference. Wow. Not sure I've ever read something quite like that. Heck of a way to describe it though. Made me grin. On with the rest of the chapter.
Okay, so yes there's still some stuff to work through. As much I love rides off into the sunset or happily ever after, the real world rarely works like that. Thus such things are unavoidable. However with everything they've set up thus far, hopefully they won't go to far down the angst trail.
Author's Response:
Heh. I like that moment in the Bible and so I work it into things whenever I can.
Thanks for the comment! I think it's important that they work through things even if we know they'll work through them.
Well written to see Jim worried about everything there at the start. Also good to see him realize it's best to be honest with her. It may be hard at times, but it's usually worth the price.
Love Pam standing by him here. She's caring, supportive, and encouraging. Lovely to see her shine like that. Can't wait to see what kind of ram they'll pull from the thicket.
Author's Response: Thank you! I am enjoying writing this Pam, so it's good to hear your feedback on her.
Yes filler, but cute filler. I love the idea that they got so lost in each other's eyes that they also got lost in the city. Great fun to be sure.
Author's Response: Thank you! Great fun is what I'm after after all.
Love the Jim face at the end there. Also glad the suspicions proved correct about their accommodations. Nice set up earlier. I foresee the payoff to be delightful.
Pam getting Jim all flustered was all sorts of adorable. I mean just how many times can she knock his socks off? What are we up to now? Three? Four? Is there a Guinness World Record of Number of Times Jim Halpert can be Flummoxed she's trying to go for? My bet is yes.
Wonderful as always.
Author's Response: Thank you! Good guessing, as usual. I am enjoying flummoxing Jim, as I imagine Pam would, so there may be a few more coming...
Once a jolly Swagman camped by a billabong.
Under the shade of a coolibah tree.
And he sang as he sat and waited 'till his billy boiled.
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me.
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda,
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me.
And he sang as he sat as he waited 'till his billy boiled.
You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me.
Great song. Which I in no way shape or form have listened to quite a few (dozen) times for research purposes for one of my own stories. *shift eyes around for one of the other constant reviewers on this site*
Anyway, I digress. Great banter between them. As good as your introspection is, the playful and teasing banter we have on display is just as good. Great to see them having fun like this.
Author's Response: I wonder what story? Thanks for the review! I enjoyed the banter, so I'm glad it's working for other people.
Back to introspection. Nothing wrong with that mind you. Considering the subject matter of the chapter, it's rather fitting. Love the comparisons of them choosing their wardrobes. Jim's pink shirt, green henley, and a bomber T-shirt. (Gives Comfect a quick Jim face and resolves to keep working on his own stuff as soon as this review is written)
Pam's dream was fun to envision. Written subtle enough to keep the rating, but considering the talent for writing more detailed fics about such things on the forum, still plenty there to one to envision. Nice balance. Also kinda of fun to envision Pam, Penny, and Kelly heading out for a girls night with Penny and Kelly trying to do their best to get Pam out of her normal attire.
The last lovely image was right at the end of course. Where Jim sees her coming out of her room. Something tells me he'll be looking like that at her for some time. Which is of course adorable.
Author's Response: Thank you! I will always take introspection breaks, especially if I can make Jim look ridiculous ;). Bombers and Jim just go together you know (I'm behind on reviewing, sorry).
Gob-smacked Jim was a delight. No other word for it there. He's still in shock from everything and it come off as adorable.
Good on Pam for stepping up to the plate. Quick little stumble there with the "out of our...Roy's place." However it's a great little character moment. Old habits die hard so quick slip-ups like that are bound to happen.
Good on Jim to not make a big deal of it though. They're both just enjoying each other's company and it's lovely to see.
Author's Response: I love writing gobsmacked Jim. It's so fun! And yeah, there's no way Pam's not still thinking of it partly as her place. No matter how much she's moving on. And she definitely is.
Gah! Why do I not have any jellybeans left! If anyone out there is reading this and can jelly bean this chapter, please, make it like the Easter bunny tripped and fell all over this chapter.
I mean, this was just pure simple, grin inducing, fun. Of course Jim is a better boyfriend than, *cough him cough*. I love how Jim is being respectful of her in several ways and at the same time giving as good as he gets in regards to her teasing.
Him finding the Halpert Helper was a hoot. As was all of their banter here. Still great fun.
Author's Response: Aw, thanks! I always take it as a point of pride if I can run you out of those before I run out of story. I hope you keep enjoying!
Ah Crocodile Dundee, I was wondering if any sort of reference to that would show up. Still waiting for an overenthusiastic "Crikey!" at some point. Hopefully when the promised fluffy things make an appearance and not the many pointy, pokey, or poison-y things make appearances.
The thing of it is though, I never once got the impression Jim and Pam were ever lost in this chapter. A bit befuddled about the location of their destination to be sure, but they're not lost. They're right where they're supposed to be, together.
Author's Response: So, confession, I've never seen it. But I knew a reference was a necessity. And yes, I do think that's an appropriate reading of "lost" here. Thanks for the review.
Delightful banter. Good on Jim to get one back at Pam for her making him go all agog since her arrival.
At first I was thinking Jim was going to offer to give her a foot rub. Her being hesitant because she's ticklish. Jim saying something sweet like he'd never tickle her if she didn't want to be tickled. Him giving her a nice foot rub, and then her falling asleep on his shoulder or some such. Ah well, maybe later.
One thing I haven't mentioned thus far. Of all the Pam-goes-to-Australia fics I've read, I really love this one because the story doesn't end there at the airport or wherever Jim and Pam meet. So thanks for giving us what is so much more to the story. It's a ton of fun.
Author's Response: Thank you! I appreciate the feedback! I don't see that happening right out in public like that, and I don't think Pam would be OK with that if it did, so that's why it didn't.
Double review because soon after my first review I realized something. It's one thing to make a suggestion to an author, it's another to write the story for them. So if my last review came across as pushy or anything like that, I apologize. It's your story to write and you're doing a masterful job with it.
Author's Response: Not a problem! Didn't feel pushy, just like you wanted to convey where the scene had led you in your head.
Lovely chapter. Kinda fun to see Jim's thoughts of now and his looking forward into the future. Also loved the "dating a Crayola factory" line. Made me laugh and my wife quirk her eye at me, thus me needing to explain the laugh.
However for me the standout moment is Pam here. Yes we've known forever she's an artist, but it was really great to get a peak into how her mind works. Also the fact that she's now with someone who knows when to stand back and let her enjoy this thing for herself. I saw it as yet another way that Pam is blooming into a Fancy New Beesly even without distance, other significant others, or fire walks. Great little scene there.
Author's Response: Thank you! And yes, I enjoyed writing Pam a lot here. It's important to show her blossoming here, I think, in ways she doesn't get to do until later in the series, since she has a different more positive trajectory in this AU.
Just like Pam's old habits die hard, so do Jim's. In this case having the specter of Roy hanging over everything as you put it. I mean I get it. Despite the length of this story, this is only the first full day Jim hasn't had that to worry about. I'm sure it's going to take some time for all those thoughts to go away completely. However the Jim section of this was great movement in that direction.
Loved Pam getting the pencil sharpener. It seems like she's starting to put together her own set of Bonus Gifts, which is of course adorable. Lovely chapter as always.
Author's Response: Yeah, it's a long story (well, a lot of installments) but it's only been like two and a half days, including the flights. So...yeah, lots of baggage still. Thank you as always for the review (which, I think, is the one that made this story the most-reviewed on the site since S7, which I'm probably too proud of but was a goal of mine for a long time).
"Best art of all the art," nice reuse of that line and in a much MUCH nicer context. Kinda fun to see Jim putting pencil to paper there. Yes he's nervous and clearly hasn't progressed past middle school art classes. However I'm sure Pam appreciates him trying. Here's something she can truly teach him, rather than him faxing being bad like stick shift lessons.
Yes the whole Stamford discussion does need to happen still. The fluff is fun, and their feelings are growing. However as Pam put here, honesty is important. However knowing you, I'm sure it'll all work out in the end.
Author's Response: Thank you! The fluff will continue but I do want to keep that Stamford discussion in the back of our minds...
So a nice little filler chapter here. goo balance between speaking and thinking. Lots of fun little bits sprinkled throughout as well. I do like that Pam's thoughts. She's right. A lot of her courage did get used up just to get to this point. Relax and take a breather. Let the relationship grow a little more and then take on Stamford.
Author's Response: Thank you! I pride myself on my fillers of course ;)
Hmmmm, a Swarovski shop. I have images of a certain canon talking head with Jim holding up a pretty thing combined with this AU and an accelerated time line. Either that or just something nice for her. Both ways would be very cute nonetheless.
I love how much easier and freer Pam feels with Jim. This early after calling off the wedding, I'm sure there would be lots of those comparison type thoughts. Love that she's finding things so much better now that she's following her heart without reservation.
Author's Response: Yeah, it's not hard to guess is it? Not everything is super subtle ;) Thanks for the review!
"Got it a day after we started dating" Love that image. Also that he's willing to wait to make sure they do the relationship right. Not just with the specter of Stamford, but because she's so fresh out of a broken engagement. I like that Jim's thinking of a the ring as a way to keep him grounded to her, and as a reminder to not screw up the relationship. Not that I think this Jim will of course.
Pam's fun here too. Nice that they already feel comfortable enough with each other to have some alone time. Of course the real fun is her dreams and thoughts. Nice way to let us know what she's thinking, but still stay subtle.
Author's Response: Thank you! I couldn't resist when I saw the store on the mall map. And I'm glad you're enjoying them!
Thanks for not leaving us hanging with the whole Stamford thing. While it's been fun to see them out and about, it's their biggest issue right now and one that's not going away anytime soon. So yeah, good to see them talking about it.
Other than that, delightful banter between the two of them. The open flirtation is a lot of fun. Also nice that they can now transition to a more serious topic without losing a feeling of togetherness.
Author's Response: I mean, it'll take a bit to resolve, but it's important to keep them at least a little on topic. Thanks for the review!
You mean this story will continue while we wait for a resolution to this situation. And all the while Jim and Pam continue to act cute and openly in love with each other. Oh horror of horrors, whatever shall we do?
Seriously though, nice to have some talk about the Stamford question. Also nice that Pam remembers the Chili's kiss. It was always a cute moment and it's nice to know she remembers it.
Author's Response:
Haha. I mean, it's coming around the corner, but it's definitely nowhere near over.
And thanks!
Good for Jim to keep looking in at this. I've got a feeling he'll have something up his sleeve. When Jim really puts his mind to something it usually pays off well. Can't wait to see what he'd got figured out.
Good introspection from Pam too. I love that she's trying to find a solution as well. And it's not, just, so she doesn't feel odd about inviting Jim into her room with the specter of Stamford. It's also because she really cares for him and I love that.
Author's Response: Thank you! I hope you find this appropriate to the situation.
Did you just in one fell swoop solve many of the issues that plagued DM Scranton in S3? Lets see, provided this works, it means Jim stays so that's a fix. Jim gets his desk back, also a fix. We get rid of Ryan, who has always been a bit of a jerk so that's a fix. So yeah, that fixes a lot. Well done.
Love that Jim was able to focus and get this plan in motion. When Jim puts his mind to it, good things usually happen and that comes off well here. Even better with Pam at his side for it all.
Author's Response: I mean, it may take several swoops to make it actually happen but yes, I think that would solve a lot of S3--though what will happen when the branches remerge? Thank you for the review!
Another sit back and grin chapter. Sports references, paraphrasing civics lessons, Star Wars, all wrapped up with adorable JAM-ness, what's not to love?
Sleep tight you two. You've got the rest of forever to plot and scheme.
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed, and I hope you like the next one too!
"and he’d needed to change the subject or not stand up for an hour."
Another one of your gem lines that just makes one grin.
Loved that they just collapsed into a small bed and passed out. Even more fun is the size of the bed which of course means they're pressed so close to each other. Calls of nature not withstanding, also fun to imagine them just tumbling off the side in mess of sheets, arms, and Pam's flyaway hair. Loved that.
Also that she just cuts him off with a kiss like that. Even on waking she's still going for that Guinness World Record of Number of times Jim Halpert can be befuddled. Go get it Pam.
Yup, that's a pretty good morning all the way around.
Author's Response: Thank you! I think this is a fun day for them. At least I hope.
Lovely way to get them going to breakfast, though it's also lunch time now considering how long they slept, so brunch? Sure, we'll call it that, yes? Yes.
Delightful banter between them as well as an adorable line there at the end.
Author's Response: Yes, brunch. The place in question opens at 10 am. Thank you!
Considering how long this story is by now, it can sometimes be a challenge to remember they're been together less than a week at this point. Good introspection on Jim's part. I love seeing his relief and delight that things are going so well with Pam.
Likewise it's good to see her acknowledge some of the harm done in the past and attempt to reconcile it. They're caring for each other in lovely ways and it's a joy to read.
Same with the quiet moment looking at the Opera House. Just a wonderful moment that adds to just how nicely you've got them paired together.
Author's Response: Thank you! Yeah, it's hard for me to remember at times too--but we're roughly 2 days into their actual relationship. Doo doo doo doo doo.
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