Three little facts about me:
1) I'm a work-from-home mom from Kyiv, Ukraine.
2) I'm super late to the party, but I do my best to turn my excitement with the show into the content (hopefully, qualitative).
3) I care about Pam Beesly more than about any other fictional character in all the existent fandoms.
During mandatory lockdown there is still work to do, and Pam is nothing but a professional.
Contemporary AU lockdown JAM.
Oh, the excellent chapter as usual!
I feel sorry for Pam so much, you painted her turmoils so vividly, and they were so, so real (it's so familiar with me when you're sick and every little imperfection annoys you so much!)
To be honest, I was scared a little while reading your chapter, two times: firstly, when Pam received a package from Roy and thought nice of him ('No, Pam, you can't get back to him!' I thought back then and I was relieved when she thought about who would have taken care of whom in case of sickness) and the moment when Pam heard banging ('Noooo,' I thought, 'I was a terrible idea to give Roy your address!..')
Turned out, I think of Roy much worse than he deserves it :)
Oh, and Jim's just the sweetest. I love their interactions so much! And this line:
"To her mind came the phrase “in sickness and in health” but she forced that thought away. She was definitely going crazy."
made me smile so much that my cheeks hurt :)
Thank you, and looking forward to the next update!!
Author's Response:
Hi! Thanks very much for your review!
Re-watching season 3, because of office Ladies, made me notice two characters that are supposed to be "mean" but that are, in fac, quite interesting: Roy and Karen. No Karen in this fic, though.
I toyed with the idea of making Roy come over and check on her, but it seemed a little bit out of character. He's a selfish person, he wouldn't just go there and risk his own health.
Jim, on the other hand... oh, Jim.
Hi! Thanks very much for your review!
Re-watching season 3, because of office Ladies, made me notice two characters that are supposed to be "mean" but that are, in fac, quite interesting: Roy and Karen. No Karen in this fic, though.
I toyed with the idea of making Roy come over and check on her, but it seemed a little bit out of character. He's a selfish person, he wouldn't just go there and risk his own health.
Jim, on the other hand... oh, Jim.
Oh my, oh my, oh my! This is fantastic, and I don't even know where to start.
I love that we saw that happened inside Jim's mind, and I love that he came to help Pam. Their first interactions were lovely, and, of course, she tried her best not to infect him and felt guilty when it happens. And her suggestion... just awww.
Also, you make me reconsider my opinion on masks. I couldn't imagine that wearing masks could be that... intimate. Perhaps, it's the magic of JAM :)
And the rest... oh, the rest I can't describe properly, I just fan myself. I hate to see them sick, but I'm so happy to watch them together.
Thank you so much for your chapter, it's amazing and beyond! Looking forward to the next one!
Author's Response:
Thanks so much for your review!
You know sometimes while writing you get this image in your head and you want to get there? Well, the image was of somebody taking off the other's mask, and making it look like something intimate and even sexy. I'm glad and relieved it landed!
And also the idea of them looking at one another for real, for the first time.
Next one is half-formed, so I hope I won't take very long.
That was fantastic! I love how cozy they are and how naturally they crossed all the lines! It's just how it should have been. And the intimacy of their communication... just perfect.
Thank you so much for writing this story and for sharing it with us!
Author's Response: Thank you for all the encouragement. I'm happy you liked it!
Jim returns to Scranton from Stamford in a world where Karen doesn't exist. Pam wants to pick up where they left off on Casino Night but Jim tells her he's done all the pursuing so far, and he'd like be pursued (read: seduced). "Give me a reason to come back."
Inspired by the Taylor Swift song "I Think He Knows".
1 Oh, he still drinks grape soda!
Oh, he said, 'it's a date!'
And Pam having Jim's shrine it's something I've never read about before.
Amazing start, and I can't wait for the next chapters!
Thank you!
Author's Response: Thank you!
1 Lovely chapter!
I really like that Pam is both panicked and insecure and determined to do the seduction part. The kiss was perfect, the plan is incredible, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it will play out.
Thank you!
Jim reaches an important and final decision that started from a simple lunch break with Pam in the break room.
Takes places during Conflict Resolution, and is canon compliant.
1 It was so lovely, yet so sad... The part I like the most was when Pam asked Jim how it was not to care about other people's opinions. It was so, so in her character!
I hope you'll write more!
Author's Response: And I will! The people of this archive are so kind, thank you.
1 'After all I love him, I would never do anything to hurt him.' Uh-oh, so many terrible things started with that phrase... but I'm excited that in this case, it all played out so great! I like your concept and very curious to see the next part :)
Thank you!
Author's Response: Thanks for reading it and enjoying it!
The CIA needs receptionists, too. A short, silly story where Pam ends up a clandestine operative. Post Negotiations.
1 It wasn't silly at all.
It was beautiful and heartbreaking, and I'm fighting t my tears back right now. The moment when Pam returned the teapot to Jim utterly broke me. This story feels so, so real, and that's why it hurts so much...
Probably, I'm overly emotional (and I probably have to learn to read tags before reading the stories), but the world there Pam and Jim are not together is so unjust. I just can't help myself with it.
And yet, this story is amazing. You're amazing. Thank you for sharing!
Author's Response: Thanks so much for your kind words!!! In my mind, even in this story, they always, always get together eventually ;)
1 Somehow I missed your story, but wow, it's so great! And enlightening - I had only a vague idea of half of the shaving process rituals before.
And I like that bringing Roy here didn't cause awkwardness or bad memories; I guess they're happy enough to not be bothered with the ghost of the past :)
Thank you for writing this lovely story!
Author's Response: Thanks Dernhelm. As far a shaving goes, it can be as simple or as complex as one wants. Yup, they're just happy to be together now. Glad you found your way to this one.
1 Aww, that was unbelievably sweet! I'll never get enough of 'fix-the-season-3-mess,' and this story was a great one. Especially I like their 'Hi, I'm Pam' - 'Hi, I'm Jim' exchange :)
Thank you!
Author's Response: Thanks for reading! Season 3 makes you want to keep writing fix its. Glad you liked it! :)
1 Oh, this is something. Amazing start! And I like how thoughtfully you described Karen, her thought and feelings, and all of it makes me feel sorry for her and feel strange about Jim. He's definitely a villain here (but that's just my opinion).
Also, I like Oscar so much! I can't imagine what could happen if he didn't intervene.
Looking forward to Pam's chapter, and thank you!
Author's Response: Thank you!
1 I was really sad when this chapter ended. It was so beautifully written that I wanted it to be endless.
I feel for Pam so much here, with her doubts, and fears, and insecurities, and this dreading feeling of hearing 'go away' once, and at the same time, I was so proud of her, that even in this situation she kept doing the right things as well as she could. And it was so lovely to see that she allowed herself little moments of... I don't know how to call them? Curiosity? Self-care? Like the moment she made those discoveries of Zombie Jim's new life (by the way, I adore this definition!) or her stalling before calling Karen... I liked these moments she took for herself.
I'm very curious to see what will happen next!
Thank you for your writing!
Author's Response: I'm really glad you're enjoying it, Dernhelm. Many thanks.
1 Excellent chapter! It fulls of tiny moments that look like pieces of the puzzle and create a perfect picture.
The things I like about this chapter probably the most are Pam's thoughts that she kinda admired Karen and Karen's
'She’s like a pink-cardiganed, tan-pantyhosed fucking Wonder-Woman.'
That's so, so great!
Thank you for the awesome chapter and looking forward to the next one.
Author's Response: Thanks for your reply, Dernhelm. Glad you're enjoying it so far! And I'm really glad you found the pieces made a picture - i was kind of worried it was a bit fragmented.
1 What a chapter! I like it so much!
Where to start? So many moments that I want to point at and say 'fantastic!': the puzzle analogy then Jim thought about him and Karen, the comparison Pam to Boudica (I love her so much!), Daisy the Panter, and Pam's sketches of her... the whole 'Zombie Jim isn't coming back.'
I love Pam here that she changed so much and yet remained herself. You nailed to show this transformation of her!
I love Karen here that she felt that something off while being obscure to the real reason. The way she discovered about Pam and Jim's connection was heart-aching, and I thought she was on the edge if she seriously considered asking Kelly about things... I want to hate her for popping the 'happy bubbly,' but I can't since she had all rights to do that (and the whole scene was so cool, though it hurt my JAM loving heart).
I want to like Jim as well, but he was so wishy-washy that I... oh well, he's sick and tired, I shouldn't judge him so much.
But the last scene! Fantastic and heartbreaking. It made me think of Casino Night, but this time it was Jim who chose someone over Pam. I feel so much compassion to her here, she suffered enough. All I wish is that she has a tad of happiness in the end.
Thank you so much, and I'm looking forward to the next part of the story!
Author's Response: Thanks again, Dernhelm - much appreciated. And don't be too hard on Jim - like you say, he's sick and tired...
1 I don't even know where to start because this chapter has so, so many incredible moments and lines!
My top-5 (in no particular order) looks that:
1) Sick Jim rushing after Pam — it was so stupid and romantic and so entirely in his character (I take my words about not liking Jim back!);
2) Karen discovering Pam's collection — I feel so much sorry for her, and yet I'm glad she found that stuff;
3) CREED!!!
4) 'If I'd given you like a couple of hours instead?' and the following discussion;
5) The fact that he didn't kiss her! I don't know why, but this is soft and tender and made me feel quite emotional.
Thank you so much for this angsty, sweet, fantastic story, and I anticipate the final chapter beyond measure!
Author's Response: You're very kind, Dernhelm. I'm glad you're still enjoying the story.
What a perfect ending! I like so much to see them happy, and the slight bitterness of missed chances at the beginning of the chapter only made the sweetness of the final part taste better.
And I found it very cute that the new owner of Daisy the Leopard was Michael (he'd treat her the way better than Jim), and that Karen met Danny (and I hope they'll have their... well, probably not the 'happily ever after,' but something more interesting than that she had with Jim).
Thank you very much for this journey!
Author's Response: Thank you very much, Dernhelm! I'm really glad you enjoyed the story, and really grateful for your reviews. Much appreciated!
Jim and Pam go to Jim’s house for the night after what happened in the lobby, both almost ready to crack.
Takes place after Night Out, and is canon compliant.
1 I like this story for its coziness and comfort. It's endearing to watch that Pam and Jim, even in the most unpleasant moments, could communicate and find solace in each other.
Thank you for this story!
It takes a few endings to get to a beginning. Season 3, but make it exile.
(When I was talking about folklore inspiring fics I didn’t mean me, whoops...)
1 Jenna, that was beautiful. Just beautiful. I like this sweet pain in the beginning and the triumph of the ending.
'She had the yogurt lid. She has the rest of him. He's coming to reclaim it.' I adore this part... and the symbolism of it.
Also, it's impressive to see some from Roy's and Karen's points of view. Roy's part was especially heartbreaking.
Thank you so much!
P.S. I've never heard Taylor Swift's songs, but I'm thrilled with the newest updates so much! Hope her album inspires you for something more ;) Sorry if I'm too greedy...
Author's Response:
Dernhelm! Thank you! You’ve never heard Taylor Swift! I think we may need to change that... I definitely think it will inspire more (& not just from me).
I was a little worried people wouldn’t like this version Roy. He tends to be made the villain most the time. I definitely went with a softer version here.
She leaves Phyllis’ wedding reception with Roy and unbeknownst to her the last remnants of her friendship with Jim up and follow them out the door.
Yes, it’s another Season 3 fix-it... don’t judge me...
1 It hurts. It hurts so much because you totally can relate to Pam in this situation when you feel so lonely, and every you attempt to change this state feels like banging at the wall with only hurt and no other result. And watching dear Pam so broken, and Jim so cold is painful beyond measure.
And yet, I like that Pam made these baby steps. There are so much kindness and honesty in them, and they make me fall in love with Pam even more.
You know me, I'll wait as much time as you need to write the continuation.
P.S. I feel sorry that your honeymoon had these angsty moments... and I hope that they didn't last long.
Author's Response: Oh Dernhelm, thank you! Don’t worry, my honeymoon was like 99% joy, but when you’re traveling for a month with anyone there’s bound to be an argument every now & then...
1 I didn't expect that from me, but most of the chapter, I wanted to punch Jim over and over again. And then a miracle occurred and I suddenly wanted to make a lot of 'awww' noises ;)
"I was drowning in the loneliness and he threw me a life preserver. I'm back on dry land now." Love this line so much! And I'm glad for Pam...
And, of course, I wouldn't be mad at you for changing the rating. In fact, I couldn't be mad at you for anything. I'll anticipate the update very much!
P. S. Yikes! Traveling could relly be unpleasant... but (even if that makes me a terrible person) I'm glad that your adventures inspired you to write these little spicy moments...
Author's Response:
I’m hoping Jim will make a lot more sense next chapter - I know he’s pretty unlikable here! I’m glad you’re not too mad at me despite this!
Traveling can be sort of unpleasant at times, but all the fun definitely balances it out very nicely in the end! I miss the idea of traveling with the way the world is at the moment...
1 I'm so excited about your update! Yay!!
The explanation for Jim being a jerk was believable and almost enough for me (he had to try harder, but since Pam forgave him... who am I to hold grudges against him?) And I liked that Pam worried about Karen, that she wanted to make things right instead of 'steal' or 'rent.' And that she compared her thoughts with her vision of pre-CN Jim... I think that was really great.
And then... Okay, it's the middle of the day here, and I read your story, and I feel like I should turn on our AC soon. Because... wow. Just wow!
'She was worried. That somehow their friendship would be lost, consumed in intensity of the love and lust burning between them. She feels more like his friend in this moment than she has in forever. It's everything.' Oh god, I love this line so much! Her worries among the overwhelming feelings were so sweet and real.
'She watches a tube of lipgloss roll away over his shoulder and honestly what's $4.95. It can be replaced.
This moment. Not so much.' Yep. Treasure moments, not things.
Okay, I had to put on pause my reading and make a couple of circles around the room before continuing, but that was fine. I'm fine. Actually, that was awesome, but I'm still feeling too shy to tell you about every moment that made me blush or say 'awww' or grin like an idiot. But, I hope, you know about my attitude toward your story even without these details :)))
And you have so much talent! Please, never stop writing, and I wish you so much inspiration and free time as you would like to have.
Thank you!
Author's Response: Thank you, Dernhelm! I love this review so very much! I get very nervous about posting smut - especially considering I haven’t written it much before. It’s so nice to hear that it worked. You are so, so kind. I wish I had more inspiration and free time, it’s really too bad I have to go to work all the time...
1 Such a great start! I've never read or watched 'Safe Haven,' so I know nothing about plot twists, but I'm very curious to find out.
And I like this Karen very much. I hope she and Pam will keep in touch...
Author's Response:
Thank you! It's a very good book and movie (although I prefer the book more), but I won't spoil it for you!
This is the Karen we deserved: one that won't break Pam down, but lift her up. I sure hope they keep in touch as well!
Thanks for your kind words!
1 Awww, that's wonderful! And I like that Dwight is their closest person to a friend :)
Casino night one shot of what happens under the neon moon in Poor Richards. Based on the song Neon Moon by Brooks and Dunn- specifically the version with Kacey Musgraves I heard for the first time last night.
1 Lovely story! I feel sorry for Jim, his sufferings were too real and the way he dealt with them... yep, that was too.
But I'm happy how things ended up, so thank you for a great fix-it!
I should listen to this song as well, the lyrics are good.
Author's Response: I hope you had the chance to listen to the song! I think it's a permanent favorite of mine now! Thanks for reading!
1 Oh, this story is adorable! I like to send and receive postcards and get all these emotions that they bring... and watching as my favorite character shared some of my own experience is something amazing!
I like the bond Pam and Michael have, it nice that they care about each other and, at the same time, could drive each other mad. It's so real and so lovely!
And it's great that some postcards Pam saved for herself (I wonder if she showed all of her mail to Jim when things became right between them?).
Thank you for this cute little journey through the seasons!
Author's Response: I bet she kept them all and she and Jim have revisited them lots of times. I think in the end they both truly did love and cherish Michael’s friendship. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! I’m glad you liked it!
Author's Response: I bet she kept them all and she and Jim have revisited them lots of times. I think in the end they both truly did love and cherish Michael’s friendship. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! I’m glad you liked it!