A series of Jim/Pam one-shots, inspired by lines in the show (now in chronological order!)
Also yes a series of such pre-pilot one shots (or otherwise) sounds amaze!
1 This is so sweeeeet, ugh; I was smiling throughout. You bring out the 'real' friendhsip just perfectly. Just freinds *cough cough* emotion is so there and yet it's not angsty and yet there is this angst that makes you squirm a little and yet it leaves you all warm and fuzzy! Loved it.
Author's Response: Thank you so much! Riding that line of "is this angst or fluff" was pretty much what I was going for here - it's been really interesting reading the range of interpretations of where it ended up landing.
Before Roy can propose to Pam, a new face shows up at Dunder-Mifflin.1 JONATHAN yayyy. Really looking forward to this!
Author's Response: Thanks bottomless. I'm looking forward to how this pans out too.
85
The MTT Noobs finally figured out how to collab. 10 chapters of what occurred during the hiatus of S4. Answers to Jam's First Holidays together.
Love this! So adorable. This is favorite JAM time and it's a shame we were deprived of it- so thank you a for this! Really looking forward to the series.
This is so wholesome! Every character, every scenario, all the JAM bits are so on point. Can totally see this playing out and being a bumper episode--so so well done!
1 JUST SO WHOLESOME. every element of this fixes something some beautifully and yet seamlessly, right from Pam getting to unapologetically celebrate Christmas, to Jim being able to give her the pendant and them making it work, to the beautiful redo. Loved it.
So I'm finally reading the last three chapters back to back and omg!! It's happening. Even though the home part breaks my heart, and gives a different kind of S3 vibe, I'm excited to see them finally interact in the office space! Looking forward ×
Author's Response: Haha, thanks so much for reviewing!!
1 UGH.
How have you written just a day of PACKING with such emotion and depth?--- JUST BRILLIANT WRITING AND BRILLIANT STUFF
This chapter has blow me away with its subtlety, meaning and the most amazing writing. From packing a home together to having the most banal yet cherished memories associated with every other object, to the bowl which is very intelligently green in colour and symbolic of EVERYTHING so far- precious, broken, damaged, cherished and preserved. UGH
Both the crying scenes - amazing. Pam's is self aware but reluctant, and Jim's is frustrated and unknown. The contrast yet juxtaposition is amazing!
Kudos Kudos Kudos
Author's Response: Thank you so much - that is so kind of you to say :) I’m so thrilled to hear that. And yeah, I liked the idea of them both having a sort of breakdown - but Pam’s actually in a slightly healthier (or at least more honest/self-aware) emotional space than Jim is. Thanks very much!!
That was such a warm and fuzzy chapter. A perfect S2/S3 vibe with office pranks and reception talks- thier intact friendship is finally blossoming away in our very own office. And with Karen and Ryan there, it also adds the perfect bit of drama and awkwardness. Really loving this part of the story and CANNOT wait for the reunion!!!
Author's Response: Thank you! I had a lot of fun writing this chapter - and yes lol, I felt like they needed a bit of a break after all the heartache. I also love the Ryan/Karen drama. Reunion is coming up in the next chapter! Thanks so much for all your reviews :)
UGH COME ON JIM!
I really like how you have written Jim here, how messed up and confused and close to breaking he is. Him going back to Karen is painfully reminiscint of S2/S3 Pam with Roy, so you are acing the role reversal.
The whole reunion, until Karen arrived, is so cute. Love how you have shown both Jim and Pam finally feeling at home. LOVE THE ATHLEAP TROPE just genius; love that Mark and Iz hook that song up. love everything. hate the ending but love the story basically.
Author's Response: Thanks so much! Yeah, I did wonder at some points if I was making Jim a bit too frustrating (especially in this chapter) but S2/S3 Pam and Roy was also very frustrating haha. I'm really pleased you enjoyed the reunion! Minus the Karen, lol. Thank you for reviewing all of these!!
oh also missed mentioning this- Pam finally telling Iz, finally saying it out loud- beautifully executed and written.
Author's Response: Thanks very much!! That's so great to hear :)
I am so glad I am reading this a bit late so that I can skip the hangover- roofdate I have a good feeling!
Writing a multi-character chapter is hard, and you have aced it. Esp love Micheal and Ryan, oh Ryan. why are you like this.
the tension has bounced of the screen in this one.
Author's Response: Thank you - I'm thrilled to hear that! They are hard to write lol, but some of my favourite. Especially when Michael is involved. And Ryan when he's being awful. Thanks for reviewing!
OMG. Well, I have a cliffhnager either way.
WOW. So.
I had been waiting for you to use this something borrowed ref, and you have done it ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFULLY. Pam blurting out about the crush; can totally imagine Jim's stricked expression; can feel Pam's world spinning on its head. UGH. the whole rooftop setting just adds to the angsty magic that this chapter is.
“You were all I thought about, Pam.” my heart.
and then you merge it with Casino Night and just pull out an ace- genius. Thank you for writing this.
CANNOT wait to see where you take this!
I don't have anymore jellybeans- but here's verbal JELLYBEAN - no, 100 of them for you, for this amazingly exectued chapter.
Author's Response:
Haha, sorry about that...
And thank you so much! That's so kind of you to say, and just really amazing to read. I started this fic with the idea for this chapter in my head...it's just taken me a while to actually get there haha. But I'm so thrilled to hear you liked it. Thank you!!
This chapter is hitting me in layers:
- the fact that Pam encourage him regarding Athleap just before the slip; nicely inspired from the Something Borrowed scene. and the gradually getting tipsy.
- "when we first started" obviosuly gives you full JAM feels and that heartbreaking kitchen scene.
- “No. I didn’t.” He’s stopped laughing." need i say more, ugh
- “It was ages ago. Like, ages.” again, Jim S2 hits.
- “He’s looking at her, now, like nothing makes sense. Which is why they don’t talk about this." i am just gonna be quoting the whole chapter now because every sentnece is so craftfully done.
- “Pam,” he says raggedly, “Do you have any idea how much I-”
take my heart.
and Pam just being so clueless about Jim's reaction until- “You could never be a rebound" again, nicely inspired from the "not wedding jitters" scene; and Pam brining up that night! I love how even in this scene, when Pam is messing up (good for us), she's the one taking charge.
- “I’m…it’s cold. I’m gonna go in.” AND WE HAVE BOOZE CRUISE TOO! pure genius ok.
sorry for the spam, but like I always say, BRILLIANT writing there. the desperation, the frustration, the absolute cluelesness and helplesness; all has been so perfectly conveyed by cleverly drawing on the most amazing JAM moments. love it. kudos max.
Author's Response:
Thank you so much! And no seriously, thank you for taking the time to leave these reviews - they're so amazing to read, and so incredible to see the parts you picked up on :) I really appreciate it!
And yeah, I wanted a do-over of the heart-breaking kitchen scene where one of them wasn't quite so good at lying and got caught out...
Thank you!!
Ooooof. That's a beautiful follow up to the much awaited revelation. The entire first half of the chapter is so cleverly laced with right amounts of love, desperation, relief and regret.
"He thinks of years of wanting to kiss her, years of pretending he didn’t. Years of thinking that his last kiss with her was the one before he’d fallen asleep that night, when he’d been so sure he’d have time in the morning; years of thinking that if he’d known that night, maybe he would have kissed her for longer, maybe he would have kissed her all night." DAMN this hit so hard; perfectly capture the longingness and regret of all these years.
I'm really excited about Micheal as manager and Jim/Pam and Karen in the office. I'm sure you have amazing stuff lined up. I'm so glad Jim didn't mess up in this chapter and kept at it with clarity; his determination to just finally set it right is good to read. Really looking forward to see where you take this now!
Author's Response: Thank you so much! That's so lovely to read :) I'm really glad you thought it worked. And yes haha, I thought it was time for Jim not to mess something up for once...thanks for reviewing!
Oooof all this angst is killing me!!! Which means you are doing an amazing job. How well do you write?!?! It's as if all this is all playing out right in front me. I can totally imagine Pam's insecure and timid self when she saw Karen with her Kincks tickets. I can clearly picture Jim trying his best to not just blurt out that he's crazy about her. The whole scene was so well written. Heart goes out again.
You've done a really good job laying context without directly connecting things (Karen's equation with both Jim and Pam, their always going to be friends things etc)
Really excited to see where you go with this!
PS. Totally went back and rewatched that particular Something Borrowed scene after reading this hehehe!!
Author's Response:
Thank you so much - that's such nice feedback, and really amazing to hear :)
And haha it's such a good scene: it was pretty much that scene that gave me the inspiration for this fic. I could just see Pam doing something exactly like it as I watched.
Thank you!
Ooooooh this is getting really interesting and intense, and fun with the Micheal's entry. I am looking forward to the weekend camping, if you are planning to actually do that.
I love love love Pam in this chapter. She's stood up to Karen twice, been the only sensible person during lunch, and at the same time protect Karen by telling Jim to stall- very in line for Pam's charatcer, but I like that it has been juxtaposed with her strength with Karen in other situations.
And ofc, happy to see the strength in both Pam and Jim as well, for not backing down, and being more honest with each other than they have EVER been. I mean, they still have a long way to go [the little moments of doubt, esp on Jim's part, were a good choice and kpet it real], but this determination still counts A LOT.
It will be really interesting to see how the naviagte this really delicate stage of thier equation with all the hiding and guilt and desperation.
10/10 for the Dwnagela bit!
Author's Response:
Thanks so much! That weekend will be coming up :D
And yes, I thought it was about time on the honesty! You’re right that they are at an incredibly delicate stage though...
And haha, I’m so glad you liked the Dwangela!
Thanks very much for reviewing :)
Ugh I JUST WANTED JIM AND PAM TO RUN IN THE WOODS AND NEVER TURN BACK so yes you are acing the tension, as always. Some really great moments here with Jim and Pam, but I specifically want to applaud how you've written Pam. She's holding her ground, looking forward to new things, realizing that Jim is much into her and as much a sufferer all these years, and letting her mind acknowledge what she wants Jim to be in her life. I also love how you have subtly showed the contrast b/w Pam and Karen's reactions to Micheal. Also love the reverse booze cruise moment between her and Micheal- I've always liked their chemistry in the show so this was really heartwarming to read.
Also love how you are writing Michael- he has to be one of the most challenging characters to write.
Really looking forward to where you take this, with the looming breakup and Pam getting in uni!!
Author's Response: Haha, thank you! I did want them to too. And that's really kind of you to say on Pam - thanks :) I do like a Pam that goes after what she wants. And yes! on Michael/Pam chemistry on the show. Michael is definitely a tricky one to write - I feel like there's a fine line between him being too ridiculous to be believable, lol. Thanks so much for reviewing!
Forgot to add; I loved this bit and thank you for writing this-
"She’s built up a whole muddle of things she wants to say and questions she wants to ask him, and she’s scared of all of them. But she’s starting to get more scared that the longer this goes on, the more likely she is to chicken out or mess something up, or discover that she’s somehow misremembering or inventing what happened on the rooftop and all of their conversation since."
Because they have SO MUCH to talk about and ask each other and tell each other and clarify and express. YEARS OF IT, and them having not been able to do that, and that leading to doubt and insecurity that they are now sort of used to when it comes to e/o- this imo is very important to acknowledge in the context of this amazingly turbulent story that you have written for them.
Author's Response: Thank you! And yes: I did think that was important. Their conversation on the rooftop really was only scratching the surface...and neither of them have actually had time to have a proper conversation about it.
Omggggg! Um thank God you have a regular updating spree (and God bless you for that) because this cliffhanger is slowly killing me.
But what amazing writing again. The build to Pam telling him about the art course (UM PARIS?!?!?!?!) was really well portrayed- and once again, love this assertive Pam. She's finally grabbing opportunities and acknowledging her feelings which is so heartwarming to read. Her telling him she loves him (with CN lines!!!) with the art course news once again shows her source of confidence and determination. It is now Jim's turn to step up and get his act together!
I had an inkling that you won't go for a simple telling-Karen-on-Sunday plot, and was expected drama but this blew me away. And speaking for drama, thanks for the volleyball Ryan bit. Loved it. Can imagine Pam doing that.
Super intrigued to see how you go ahead with this, keeping the drama and the delicatenes of this whole story balanced!
Author's Response:
Haha - thank you so much! That’s really kind :) I do love assertive Pam, I’m really pleased you liked that scene. And Jim will be getting there...
Next chapter is coming v soon - there will be drama lol. Thanks so so much for reviewing :)
I'm going to miss college stories so much!! Mainly because the way you wrote them, there was still this layer of hope despite us knowing how they end up-- and that's just brilliant writing!!
The whole swing conversation is giving me the whole something borrowed feel again; Jim is silently begging her to stop him. The first time he wasn't sure of her feelings, and this time maybe he's sure that she's not up for this. Breaks my heart
The whole Jim/Karen getting back together is super telling of the whole foundation of thier relationship is based on insecurities, escapism, and maybe some desperation of settling. Really well written!
Author's Response: Thank you! That's really kind :) I really did love writing them - and dashing Jim/Pam's hopes, lol - so really glad you enjoyed them. And I think you're right, the second time around is slightly more of Pam actively shutting Jim down than she does the first time (but the fact that the first time happened makes it easier to do that the second time, and for Jim to believe it). Thanks so much for all these reviews, I really appreciate them!
Omg!!! This is beautifully wrttien. The pain of leaving each other which they are hiding by being supportive-- ugh! And it all makes so much more sense and is so much more painful, now that we know the past. SO CLOSE!
Jim getting inspired by Phyllis has my heart. Him going to just see her, has my whole heart. And yet again, circumstances happen. You are nailing this!!!
Author's Response: Thank you so much!! That's really lovely to read :) And yes haha, I had to have a bit of Phyllis in there, she's one of my other faves. Thanks!
1 Wow. This was just wow.
I am going to take this review just to applaud your amazing writing skills. It is very difficult to write such hard-hitting greif; not angst or heartbreak, but downright greif in different layers. Just brilliant.
Both the Jim/Pam scenes had me in tears. You have really done an amazing job showing how nothing really went sour between them, or there was no crazy soap opera misunderstanding. It were simply circumstances which made them miss out on each other, again. And that hits more than anything.
I am ranting now- because this was just WOW. Kudos.
(went back to almost all the chapters where you had made references to Pam's past, and oof. You have tied it up all so well!)
Author's Response:
Thank you so so much, that's really nice of you to say and so amazing to hear :) I have to admit, I was tearing up writing a couple of the moments. (Although some of that may have been lockdown-related). I definitely agree I find it much more tragic when it's circumstances that get in the way rather than anything else.
That's also great to hear on the references to Pam's past (I was very mindful of it while I was writing haha) - thank you!
Thanks very much for continuing to review :)
So this was a much needed chapter to understand what is going in the heads of these two, and you have really described it well. I like how there is consonance in their misery.
Jim failing to even be around Karen is breaking my heart. And the last bit of these two talking is beautifully written-
“Jim.” The way she says it, somewhere between a warning and a plea, makes him stop. “I’m not upset about Ryan.”
THIS BROKE ME
cmon guys.
Waiting for more!
Thanks so much!! And sorry for the heartbreak...there might be some more to come. But I'm pleased you're enjoying it!
Did not see this coming!!! This changes so much. Although it does explain the cutting and palpable tensions that continues to charge between the two after all these years. And it will be even more heartbreaking to see them not work it out after THIS (which you wrote beautifully btw- obviously). I feel they will be idiots about it and call it frustrated/breakup sex for each other. Although I also know you have amazing stuff up your sleeve and this might lead to all the mystery around Pam's past. I'm anticipating a lot of marvelously written heartbreak.
Also love how you've brought this chapter right after Jim planning to move to Stamford in the previous- the back and forth is just amazing! Cannot wait for more.
Author's Response:
Thanks so so much! That's amazing to hear :) I can't rule out Jim/Pam being idiots about this kind of thing as that feels fairly canon...but there will be stuff about Pam's past coming. And a bit of heartache.
Thank you very much for continuing to leave such lovely reviews - I really appreciate them!