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.
Great to see that they can enjoy a sports game like this. Yes they're making up for lost time, and in the best ways possible.
Short and sweet this time, but still good.
Author's Response: Thank you! I think this would actually be the ideal early date for them, so I hope it worked for you!
That's somehow fitting that Kelly would be right there and also attempt to Shanghai the conversation a bit. I also like that Jim and Pam planned out what was going to be said to make sure things go well. After all that time plotting together against Dwight, translating those skills to get Ryan on the line doesn't seem like much of a stretch.
Both Jim and Pam have a peg on Ryan though. Him being the kind of guy who will poke at people for fun. Thing is Ryan's a bit more intelligent than their usual targets so this more deft way of handling things seems to work well.
Author's Response: Thank you! I feel like they would instinctively plot. And I hope you enjoy the rest of it.
Operation Homecoming? Operation Bait and Switch? Operation Thank-God-We-Don't-Have-to-Endure-Needless-Angst-and-Can-Just-Enjoy-Jim-and-Pam-Being-Happy? Yeah, okay that one's a bit much. Hmmmm. I've got it! Operation Restitutio. You've been having us all go on Google hunts this whole story. Your turn.
Salesman Jim was on full display here. With of course I'm sure a ton of help from Pam's perspective. Great to see Jim lead Ryan down that line of thinking. Even better to get Dwight involved. If Dwight's training is anything like what we saw in canon, I'm sure nothing would please Ryan more than getting as far away from any seeds Dwight would want to plant in him.
Love that Pam can just be happy like that with him. It's a joy to read.
Author's Response:
Is there an Office reference there I'm missing? Because I know the Latin word, but I don't see any further than that...
Thank you!
First and foremost, I laughed enough to have my partner look at me strange from his seat in my ambulance cab when I read the title of this chapter. Well done in that regard.
Second, no over Office reference with the Latin mission name from last chapter. Just trying to go for something kinda fun. So there's that.
Good on you Jim for making sure to be the kind of boyfriend Pam deserves.
But then of course there's Pam. I love that she's not only embracing Fancy New Beesly for herself, but also remembering that it was Regular Old Pam that Jim fell in love with. And that he loves both of them. Great way to see her growth.
Have fun you two. You deserve it.
Author's Response:
Thank you! I did like the Latin name for the potential operation (though having in my life taken not one but two accelerated Latin courses to get language requirements out of the way, it did not require googling on those terms).
I hope you enjoy our fluff break before we get back to our regularly scheduled fluff-with-plot.
Make all the canon jokes you want. Nice way to get into their heads after their excellent evening. Jim being surprised at first to be in bed with Pam was cute. Pam being more than pleased to be in bed with Jim was lovely.
Next time I'll use Norwegian or Zulu to suggest an operation name. Because I care.
Author's Response:
Please do. I enjoy trying to figure out what you mean ;)
And thank you! I hope you like the next chapter when we get back to plot.
Great way to wrap up the whole Stamford question. Not that I really had any doubts mind you, but it's fun to see it all come to a resolution. Loved reading Jim's thoughts as he read the email. It all seems very fitting.
Pam being able to read bureaucratese was a lot of fun. Not only for a great new word, but because it also fits Pam so well too. She may not really like being a receptionist, but there's no doubt she's good at her job.
Can't wait to see how the rest of the vacation pans out.
Author's Response: Thank you! I hope you enjoy it, I am so far!
There's definitely a weight off them now that the Stamford question has been resolved. They're just having fun which is lovely to see. Another sit back an enjoy it kind of chapter.
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Jim sleeping through a concert sounds quite fun. Nice way to introduce a minor character flaw for him. Well not so much introduce since we did kind of get how he acted during the finer things club. Nice refference there by the way. However, it's also a good way to expand on that and show him growing.
Loved that Pam is there engaged with the music. More people need to be exposed to the true masters of music and I'm glad Pam is getting Jim engaged. Also glad that Jim is open and honest with her. Shows they're starting their relationship out right.
Bravo!
Author's Response: Thank you! I think Jim can't be perfect, even if I like it when JAM as a whole is.
I'll write my usually kind of review in a moment, but I'm pausing here. Caveman Jim watching a rugby scrum is just to perfect of a line. Well done there man, just well done.
I was kind of wondering how the second rugby game would go. You didn't dissapoint. I get the feeling that jim is now starting to relax a bit. In a good way of course. Pam's here, they're together, and he doesn't have to constantly impress her or do anything to keep her there. She wants to be with him for who he is not what he can do to impress her on a first date. It's a subtle but to my mind important change. Rather than building the foundation for their relationship, now they're onto building the first floor and room. What they like doing together and having fun at the same time. Just a lovely way to watch the relationship progress.
Same goes for Pam. Previous memories I'm sure will contine to be a part of her thinking for a while yet. This is still early in the Jim and Pam part of things. However it's a joy to see her explore this new and so much better dynamic with Jim. Great chapter.
Author's Response: Thank you! I really appreciate it.
So first they get Casino Night right, now they're getting the Booze Cruise right? I like it, I like it a lot. Man I wish I still had some jellybeans to give this story.
Lovely banter between them.
Author's Response: That's the goal! Thank you :)
Some well needed closure on one chapter and a new adventure for a different chapter in their lives. Lots of fun envisioning them in this scene.
Author's Response: Thank you! I appreciate your support.
You did it again. Sitting at work my partner looked over at me like I'm a crazy person. That last line implying that Stitch is smarter than Dwight? Genius. Accurate too. After all Stitch can operate an interplanetary spaceship. Dwight has issues with the copier from time to time so there's no real contest.
I digress. Adorable chapter. Educational too. There was some stuff in there I really didn't know. Lots of good times all around.
Author's Response: I'm proud of my ability to make you laugh. Especially in ways that make your partner think you're crazy. Glad you enjoyed!
Jim's thoughts about all the different animals was great. However, yeah listen to Pam there. Don't go taking the animals back home.
Pam was wonderful here. Thanks for the explination of how she has so many notebooks. I was about to comment on that until you cleared it up.
I love that they are just themselves. They can relax, have fun, and enjoy each other's company. It's a joy to read. Same thing with all the DM co-workers as animals. Jim and Pam are often at their best when having fun and this is no different.
Okay so with all that's left in this story, and based on how things have been so far, that's what, another 20 chapters or so? Not complaining mind, you.
Author's Response: Thank you! I think it's probably more like 10, but I'm not putting a number on it because it depends on my enthusiasm for the story.
That last line, you did it again. Seriously all my co-workers are going to think me even more crazy than they already do. I mean seriously, where do you come up with this stuff?
Beyond that. I love the fact that they have that familiarity with their area of Sydney now. Reminds me of the time I spent in Greece back in college. The first few and last few days were in Athens and it very much was the same for the group I was with. Places we liked, landmarks we used to navigate, all that kind of stuff. Nice job there.
They've both grown a lot in their time in Syndey. It's been a joy to watch.
Author's Response: Hah. Gotcha! Thank you! And yeah, it reminded me of my time studying abroad too, that is in fact why I wrote it!
The copier, right. Don't you mean the reception desk? Reviewing as I read here so there might be something later on I haven't read, but we'll get to that in time.
Love that even after their intimate times together at this point, Jim is still entranced by the thought of Pam in a swimsuit. Lovely detail.
Again a nice way of bandaging the hurts of the past with Pam explaining her choice of swimwear. I really like that even though it's still a new dating relationship, they still have years of prior friendship to fall back on which makes things fun.
I also have this image of Pam looking up at Jim during that conversation and at the end Jim jumping over her head and landing in the pool in a cannonball right next to her simply for the five year old joy of it. After all I think I read somewhere that according to man law, a man never enters a pool by the stairs or the ladder. But that's me.
Great job as always.
Author's Response: I mean, the copier is right past the reception desk...and thank you! I think Jim would wait for her at least, so that he wouldn't splash her too much.
Yeah, good choice to skip through the flights. Especially since there's not the whole specter of running away from Pam or dear-God-I-hope-I-find-Jim.
They're at peace, they're in love, and they're together. What's a day apart while flying back to the States in comparison to that?
Author's Response: Yeah. Not much to do there. Thanks!
Yeah, nice getting back type of chapter. I'm sure there will apartment hunting in the works for Pam here soon. Although the thought of Dunkin' for breakfast does sound lovely.
Great that they can continue their banter over the phone like this.
Author's Response: Indeed there will. Thank you!
Of course I want to know what they're planning! What with all the changes how could they not use this to pull one over on Dwight.
All that being said nice filler type chapter to get things firmly squared away now that they're back home. Lovely to see them so them.
Author's Response: Thank you! Hope you enjoy the prank...
I get the feeling of Asian Jim here, but of course without Asian Jim. Always fun to see an effective prank pulled. And a simple one too. Also kind of reminds me of when Jim and Pam found Dwight's wallet and just gave it back to him. Simple, easy, effective. Nicely done.
But of course, Jim right where he's supposed to be now. Even moreso since he and Pam are finally together. Nicely done.
Author's Response: That is definitely the vibe, so glad it came through! Thank you, as always!
I kinda like it that they're not really advertising the fact they're together. Though when that comes out, a whole year early in this world, I'm sure it'll be interesting to say the least.
Nice job on post-break up Kelly. I think it's very in character for her to just ramble on like that. Also I like how you've got Jim and Pam here. They realize Kelly's going through something and so rather than hurt her more, they go along with the plan.
Nice to see a non-jealous Jim too. I'm sure he's not thrilled about Pam going out on a date while he's not there, but the fact he doesn't blow a gasket about it I'm sure is a big relief to Pam considering who would be the jealous type.
Oh Pam, you keep getting yourself kicked out of places. Good thing there's still Olive Garden to go to. After all Jim does love Italian food.
Lots of fun here in AU S3.
Author's Response: Thank you! I really prefer non-jealous Jim, especially if they're already together, so I had to write it. And yes, Olive Garden does seem the next place, not that they'll necessarily go there but...
Very cute. Another nice Jim moment. And actually not that far off base from what Jim told Jan. Watching movies IS bringing the team together. It's kind of fun to see that for all his craziness Micheal actually is a pretty good boss. Unorthodox to be sure, but once you look past the 12 year old, he does inspire loyalty in his staff.
Of course Jim and Pam are also glad for the time to hold hands so I can't blame them there either.
Author's Response: Thank you! I appreciate it--and I'm glad you found it believable.
First of all, I love the graphic for this story in the description. Good job there.
I really like that Jim is there to reign in Michael a little and try to keep the meeting on track. He and Pam are also looking out for Kelly's feelings again and it's lovely to see.
Does the office know they're dating yet? The only reason I ask is because if not, I can easily see Roy showing up to the Diwali party, seeing Jim and Pam in the fancy duds and slinking away even more than we see in canon.
Speaking of fancy duds, another way to fix Casino Night. I really like it when they pull out those outfits and get it right. There's a few stories out there like that and they're always a lot of fun. This is no different. Great job as always.
Author's Response: Thank you! I worked hard to crop and type on that picture...but more importantly to find it. And you will find out how out they are in the coming chapter, in fact. Thanks for the insight and the review!
Well now, that's a bit of a turn to be sure. I'm not complaining in any way. I do like that we're staying with the main S3 story lines, but of course things are just shifted with Jim still around and of course with him and Pam together.
Jim's nervousness about asking her to move in with him felt very real. Also that "wait what," was another great moment. Very fitting for the relationship they've developed thus far. Not afraid to take big steps with each other. I like it. Same at the end there with Pam saying it doesn't matter Stamford or Scranton she still wants to move in with Jim.
Great use of Kelly to have the reveal that they're together. That was kind of fun.
I've been kind of wondering about Roy for this entire fic to be honest. Especially since the return from Australia. Nice move on Pam to avoid the Chicken or Fish pleading eyes of Roy there. Her going down to tell him in no uncertain terms that there's no chance of them getting back together also shows her growth. She's not afraid of the hard conversations anymore. She doesn't have to like them, but they are necessary. Also her realization that Roy needs to deal with his own emotions. Another good way to show how she's changed for the better.
Author's Response: I'm glad you're liking the S3 arc I'm writing here. I figured dealing with Roy comprehensively was the best solution; I think this Pam wouldn't be up for his sympathy-pulling tricks, so that is how I wrote it.
I really liked the thoughts going on in Pam's mind. Also nice to bring in the questions from Izzy and her mom. They have legitimate concerns after all. However they're also unaware of that purchase Jim made back in Australia so there's that.
To have a Karen as a friend rather than rival could be fun. Especially since she is willing to join in on the occasional prank. That raises all sorts of possibilities. Great update as usual.
Author's Response: Thank you! I think it's important to change that relationship because it has so much potential.
Okay so this time it wasn't a co-worker who looked at me strange when I burst out laughing. It was my wife. I'm not sure which one is better or worse. It was the hydrochloric and sulfuric acid line that did it in case you want to know. I love those more intellectual type jokes you manage to put in. Keep 'em coming.
Good interaction with Karen. Looks like a nice setup for a good friendship between them.
Author's Response: Hah! Thank you; I will endeavor to keep them coming.
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