Late to the party, but so glad I came. {That's what she said}
Pam and Jim just started dating, and Pam’s curious about Jim’s romantic past. He pretty much knows all about hers, such as it is, so it seems only fair.
1 IDK how I should feel about this, but I really loved this chapter. Jim having a Gretchen is...well, this just worked. So good and I really like Pam's curiosity without jealousy over this.
Sprinkles!! It gets better every chapter!
1 I could actually seeing this being canon. Jim having one other serious "potentially the one" relationship before Pam. Very nicely done.
I really like Betsy's role here. I like how this fandom embraces that Betsy must have been a pretty great mom for Jim to turn out so good. :)
1 UGH! I mean, if you had to take me on that emotional roller coaster I'm glad it was in the last chapter.
First of all, I love that she doesn't remember the falling asleep on his shoulder. I feel like there's a whole treasure trove us shippers value that IRL Pam and Jim (you know, if they existed) wouldn't remember at all. Nice touch!
I accept that assessment of Katy.
But I really like Jim flirting with Pam about lingerie so too bad, Katy!
I mean the Karen thing was good, but you get a standing ovation from me on the Betsy front. Man, I love a badass mom who tells it like it is and Betsy is def in a spot to do that.
And, I mean...that ending. Girl...
Sprinkles, this was so wonderful! I won't contain my excitement for your writing. What's next?!?!
Author's Response:
You write such great reviews - thank you! I'm glad you liked it. I figured that Jim would tell less and Pam would be more jealous about Katy and Karen because she watched that happen. And she was jealous while it was happening.
Gretchen was super fun to write! I mean, don't we all want to have our way with Jim just a little? ;-)
Thanks again for reading and reviewing!
There sits that bag of chips, on the passenger seat, to remind her of him, of his skin, and of the things that need to be fixed in her life.
What if Pam reacted much sooner than Casino Night?
Set after S02 E06, The Fight.
I like the rhythm of sound in the first part of this, how it was a welcome distraction. That set a nice tone.
I think you did a good job with her near-obsession of him touching her and that nice balance of desire and guilt. Well done and congratulations on your first MTT posting!
1 Oooooh, I love how desperate/hopeful/pitiful it sounded in my head when Jim gives her a last minute plea that this wasn’t a mistake. You created great build-up to that moment.
Really enjoying where this is going.
1 Great job with getting into Pam’s head about why this is so complicated for her. Nicely done, especially adding in the realistic distractions of shopping, movies, and Chinese food. 😀
Great bit of dialogue at the end, especially when she just can’t help herself but invite him over.
Author's Response:
Thanks very much! You're very kind.
I like about Pam the fact that, even though she is so careful in some aspects, she is witty and sometimes has a snap ready. I like to think that sometimes, especially during the first two seasons, those come more like an instinct. As if something just jumps out ofher mouth and at the end it turns ou to be just the right thing.
1 Oh, great. Jim Halpert showing up with an entire ice cream bar in tow. If he was carrying a puppy and a bottle of wine you would’ve included ALL my favorite things. 😉
Big Fish is an amazing movie; the musical is equally as good.
Oh, Jim. You’ve beautifully made him this outsider in her place but making his way in, just like he always does with her, even before that kiss.
And that kiss! Wonderfully detailed without being over the top.
The entire paragraph of “You shouldn’t just be kissed, Pam.” Every damn word in that paragraph was perfection.
I can’t wait to see where you take this.
Author's Response:
Thanks so much!
While I love Big Fish in itself, I put it here also because David Denman, the actor that plays Roy, also has a part on that movie.
I hope you like what's coming next, even if it's not as fluffy ;)
What if Pam had found her voice a little bit earlier?
Set during Season 3, at the end of "The Merger"
1 Wait?! Wha?! Marked complete? That was so great and I want MORE. I like Angry!Pam too, especially in this scene. Lovely dialogue; I could absolutely see this in canon.
Author's Response:
Yeah, I know! I want more too, but I don't seem to be able to scape clichés! I'm going to write another chapter, I just need to find my mojo. Or muse. Or chocolate. Or something.
Thanks so much!!
1 So...if this is what happens after our chats, come to Every Single One. Really good stuff here. JAM Angry Sex is on point here and I’m for it. Great work!
Author's Response:
I can't believe I never replied. Thanks so very much!
I really enjoy the chats so count me in.
1 Sprinkles this was written a while ago, but this is my third (fourth? fifth?) reread. I can't believe I haven't reviewed it! This one is so good and very very hot. Love this delightful one shot from you!
It’s the ten year anniversary of Stress Relief and all the love floating around Twitter over the past couple of days got me thinking – what if the fire “drill” at the beginning of the episode had taken place in Season 3 instead. Set sometime between The Merger and Phyllis’ Wedding.
1 Oh my goodness! I wonderful blend of the beloved Booze Cruise and this gloriously painful song. Really wonderful concept and beautifully written. I hope you will continue to contribute to this fandom and offer the same great content you've given us here. :)
Author's Response: Thank you! I appreciate it so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it :)
The summer she calls off her wedding, she spins a little bit out of control.
An AU that could be considered canon if you drink enough wine and squint your eyes just so.
To begin, apologize for NOTHING. Nothing. You write Broken Pam beautifully and I love this.
Also, there are too many wonderful references here. You know that right? Grey's, Friends,Celibacy Hall Pass, Phillies T-shirts that coordinate with lipstick, craft beer. You know all of these little details make it magic, yes?
"This is it. This is how she dies." I mean, yes for Pam, but also yes for me when I read about Jim in DARK JEANS and NIKES and now all of my fave people are in a TSwift song so, yeah, thanks.
"Ten years with Roy finally pays off." Nope, that one was actually how I died.
But also, let's take a moment of Silence for Flirty Jim, not acting like the platonic BFF he was cast into. That ass-appreciation builds a girl's confidence. Good job, Jimothy!
But then there's this perfect, perfect angry-fuck in the BWW bathroom and I have Feelings because that pedestal bit? That is part of Pam's Wild Summer and what she's proving to herself (and maybe everybody else, even in Jim's absence) and then he leaves. He Leaves. he leaves. What the actual fuck is up with him leaving? Again. I'm fine. It's fine.
But then there's Kitchen Things and she's telling him to leave and that's So Complicated and she's looking at his desk and I don't think I'm fine after all. Because every bit of that at Isabel's gutted me in All Kinds of Ways.
"He snorts but his tone is anything but malicious when he says no and it makes her heart ache all over again because even though it’s just one syllable it sounds like Flonkerton and staplers in Jello and the end of a game of Jinx all rolled into one." 2019 Dundie for most intense/nostalgic/gut-wrenching sentence in a fic. I'm not crying over these fake people... Nope, not me.
So...I've read that rooftop scene 942 times and I can't review it because it's All So Perfect. Like, I get so consumed in every sentence and the feelings it evokes that I just can't. Then they say Drive Safe/Be Good and I want to yell at both of them. Yes, these fictional characters, that's who I want to yell at.
I did not expect this to go canon, especially so season 3 canon, but I really love it. That whole argument, he leaves and comes back and clean slates. Oh my, that's such rich backstory and I want more of it. I can't lie.
And that ending! So perfect.
I mean, clearly, I write a dissertation on my reviews of this amazing story so I love it. But you do this amazing job with their dialogue and banter, even when they are in pain. Thank you for this gem. It is absolutely one of my all-time favorites.
Author's Response: I mean. I can’t even say anything here. I’m just so happy you loved it, seeing as how its your birthday story and all. I also really love that you picked up on the “10 years with Roy” line and well, every other minor detail/Easter egg/hidden gem you found. Because you found them all. a86;a039;
1 THIS is absolutely Pam's Wild Summer and she deserves it and I am HERE for it.
I love how everything at the beginning is about Pam evolving and how she is (not) trying to move past Jim. Ryan just happens to get in the way and exist. And, god, I love that he is an ass to her even here. Not only because it's so in-character (YOU CAN WRITE RYAN!!) but she kind of needs that (to not be adored).
That parallel between Nights with Isabel and Nights with Kelly is 100% on point and absolute perfection.
Side note: Pam's name obsession alongside her current, understandable and completely normal identity crisis is a fantastically quirky gift and I pray you never stop giving them.
Old-fashioneds and high school English teachers and Semi-Charmed Fucking Life! I am so exposed and I love it.
"She doesn't hate it. She doesn't exactly love it, but she definitely doesn't hate it." -Pam's Summertime Mantra
Asking Ryan if he's 70 and she knows herself enough (and is a good enough person) to not pursue Benjamin and dragging Ryan into the supply closet are ALL SO PAM.
"She'll be damned if something doesn't spark" might be my favorite line/literal technique in this whole damn story.
God and if there isn't something so real about the fact that they Know they don't like each other and they're perfectly satisfied playing these games with each other. "they both know it [ugh, Katy] has nothing to do with him and everything to do with the one who moved away" I'm fine. I'm fine.
The Katy part pissed me off and made me laugh. "The cheerleaders can't always win" I'm cracking up over Pam's satisfaction at that moment.
That shot scene blew my mind. I was not expecting it. You wrote it with this perfect sexiness of the mechanics and teasing familiarity but not an intimacy of two people who care deeply. In other words, it was Perfectly Written for these two dum dums. God, that wink was a nice touch. But I also don't think Pam is quite as bored as she lets on. ;)
Hi, amazing moment where Ryan can't handle tequila shots so he does lemon drops. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.
She left to go to Danny Cordray and clearly did Something to momentarily not think she was such a dork and hi I'm dead.
That Roy situation was too real and the perfect setup for this scene. But can we talk about how Pam still thinks about Kelly AND Jim in the car and it's a little heartbreaking and desperate and oh so Pam?
UUUUUUGGGGGHHHH, I was NOT expecting that part with them in the backseat, but it is so good. You wrote them perfectly in character and that moment where she realizes she's not the only one look for a distraction just makes this all the more perfect.
Hey, do you think I at all like this story and am interested in it and what happens? Hm?
Author's Response:
You know that this is all your fault, so yay! Happy Birthday!
I’m just really happy you understand how hilarious the idea of Ryan doing lemon drops is. You get me.
1 Hi. Hey, me again. I want to make a slight amendment/addition to my initial dissertation on this chapter.
The RuBbErBaNdS were from Jim's desk. Read everything AG pointed out about that and hi I want to die a little bit.
Also, I know, I KNOW, this comes from so many conversations about Ryan, but I love how you've really made it a story about Pam. Cause that's what it is.
Have I mentioned I can't wait for that next chapter???
Author's Response:
I Very Much appreciate that both of you picked up on that because it’s one of my favorite small parts of this chapter. :)
Annnnnd, I figured I could tell this as Pam’s story so as to leave the door open for anyone who might have an idea or five for Ryan’s side. Weird, I know.
You know how The Office is our collective comfort show? This is definitely my comfort story. I’m so glad I asked about music and had a birthday. This is just as perfect as the day it was published. d84;a039;d84;a039;d84;a039;
1 Oh, Comfect. I love how sweet this one is. My absolute favorite element is that not only is Dwight rooting for them but Jim is completely dependent on him for this to work. Dwight’s begrudging encouragement warmed my heart. Thanks for this holiday piece! Great stuff!
Author's Response: Thanks DC! Dwight was a lot of fun to write here, because I think he and Jim actually have a really cool dynamic in the early seasons, where Dwight resents Jim but also actually respects him a lot more than he'd ever let on--and Jim returns that respect in the form of making Dwight his nemesis. I do think Jim could predict Dwight this well, but also that Dwight would not actually sabotage Jim's happiness; he'd just try his best not to be obvious that he was actually helping.
A little one shot set somewhere in season nine. My take on some of the thoughts and feelings of our favorite couple as they work through the changes and difficulties that Jim's new job brings. Some angst, some smut, and a good hopeful ending. Enjoy! 1 Maddddiiii! This is so fantastic. I won’t regurgitate all of NLM’s wise words, but I WILL say you’ve perfectly captured what makes season 9 so painful and lovely and unbearable and hopeful.
It’s so frustrating to see people divide these two because of these struggles into all wrong or all right. You didn’t fall trap to that all; you captured the conflict beautifully while making it clear that it doesn’t have to be a screaming match and that you can struggle with the person you love.
I love that steamy scene (so well written!) but I really love how their interaction was ALL so Pam and Jim. Their moments getting ready for bed where just so lovely! Thank you for this wonderful contribution to the poorly lacking season 9 fic. I can’t wait to see what else you give us! 😃
1 MaDi!!! That little season 9 moment does NOT get enough fic so thank you for filling some of that void! I really love the sfss BUT you absolutely brought in the connection between these two. I love how she appreciates that he knows so well what to do for her but that he also remembers their first time. And the teasing at the end is So Them. Just a lovely piece and a lovely tie-in to canon and a perfect pace for these two. Well done!!
1 Hey, hi this is sooooo good. I mean we start with this “last several months had taken a toll on him, amplified exponentially the moment Roy and Pam announced a date for their wedding” and it all goes downhill (in the best possible way) fregarding Jim’s angst and just keeps better (for the reader, not Jim’s poor broken heart).
Ooooohhhhh that ending! Loving where this one is going!
Author's Response: thanks DC, both for reading it and for the awesome feedback. I'm a big fan of angst so expect a healthy dosage of it as it continues haha!
1 Uuuggghhh! You captured those scenes so perfectly. And Jim’s multiple attempts to call her were so pitiful and desperate but I loved every one of them.
One thing I particularly enjoyed from this chapter is how you showed Jim discovering Pam’s engagement being broken. So many fanfics take the approach that multiple people from the office sought out Jim to tell him. That’s great but I really enjoy how here you took the opposite approach and made it more subtle, filtered into a mundane conversation with Toby. Really well done.
Author's Response: I feel like it would be MORE heartbreaking to have him find out completely by accident...that NO one bothered to call and tell him. It was just fortunate that he overheard the Toby/Pam convo. I'm really glad you enjoyed that take. Thank you for reading it!!
1 I audibly gasped when Karen invited everyone for drinks. I wish I could tell which direction you are taking Karen, but I really kind of like trying to figure out what her motivation is and how much of a threat is she REALLY.
I love where this is going! So glad Pam took that moment in the hallway (great moment between those two btw) to be honest with Jim for once.
Great work!!
Author's Response: To be honest, I'm not entirely sue what direction I'm taking Karen most day (haha), which might be the reason why you can't get a good read on her. I'm glad you like where it's headed. Hopefully, I won't disappoint!
1 Oh, you. My love of AU is deeply rooted in the area where you are so gifted: keeping the characters behaviors, mannerisms, etc. the same while plugging them into a different world. You are SO good at that. This is fantastic and I can't wait to see where you align canon moments with the New World you've created.
And, oh my! Kelly is so perfectly written in this chapter. So perfectly.
I sort of want Jim to succumb to the temptation, just so he can hear what Pam's mom has to say about him.
And I really, REALLY love what you did with the date/not a date and the "pull" comment. Geez, so good. This is great and I so look forward to where you take it.
Author's Response:
Oh, DC, that means so much to me, especially coming right after you finished your own freaking amazing, somehow-still-in-character AU that still gives me chills. I really appreciate hearing it!
1 Comfect, see, the thing is I don’t understand sci-fi but I GET this and it’s so wonderful and not just because it’s Jam-centric (I’d really love to hear more about Kelly and Ryan in this universe, I can’t lie). And, oh my, that part where Jim is weighing out what to say to Pam was just perfection.
Author's Response: Oh, DC, how did you know exactly what I wanted to hear? That was really my goal, to write this SF but make it accessible to anyone who wanted to read Office JAM regardless of whether that's their jam (pardon the pun). Thanks for the feedback!
1 Please tell me this next chapter is coming soon! I love where this story is going. And you’ve had so many creative ways to incorporate elements and scenes from the show. Good stuff here!
Author's Response: And the next chapter is up right now! I was writing it when I saw this come in! Thanks, I really appreciate hearing all of this, it helps reassure me that I'm on the right track with this.
1 Yesssssss, Comfect. This chapter is so good! I love seeing badass Pam like this. I love Roy being clueless about not only what is going on around him but also who he’s venting to. I love the mental picture of Lt Jim leaning against the wall outside
the Almanac, all brooding and sexy in his uniform (sorry, not sorry). Idk that I love that there are only one or two chapters left! 😭
Author's Response: Thank you! I appreciate all of this, and I hope the last few chapters make it ending worthwhile (if that makes sense).