Ok, every time I hear Joe Biden is from Scranton I immediately go to THE OFFICE! (I feel like I also got into the show at roughly the same time he got elected last year?) so I’m really really glad there’s now a fic about this. And this was a brilliant one: I feel like you’ve nailed every single character’s political views / relationship with politics (including Oscar’s and Stanley’s, who I’d never even really thought about before. And Angela and Sarah Palin, LOL). I love Michael getting way too carried away with the whole thing, Jim genuinely and earnestly feeling connected and inspired by Biden - it’s so very Jim - and you’ve tapped into something that just feels very in keeping with the spirit of the show, with the sort of small-town excitement and pride about all of this. (I’m also with Pam on being confused about what the VP does. I’m not sure Veep has helped me with this). And then Kelly!! I really love your Kelly is secretly much smarter than she lets on theory - and linking Biden with that random note in the show about her sister dying, to create a more human moment that she then immediately puts aside for the cameras, is so amazing. I love it.

I could quite easily turn this into a list of all the moments in this that cracked me up, but I think my particular favourites are Angela ratting them out to Wallace, Michael’s hasty about-turn on Republicans buy paper too after his call (in fact, that entire speech that he gives them: but also, hail to the Chief Financial Officer - you’re killing me), the sneaky reveal on Wallace’s political preferences, and the cut to Jim’s face after Dwight’s talking head. Oh, and then the ending with Creed. Basically, this was just fantastic from start to finish.

Author's Response: Exactly! Those are the things everyone thinks about when they think of Scranton, Dunder Mifflin and Joe Biden! A killer combo imo. I will freely confess I have spent far too much time thinking about the politics of each of these characters and may or may not have detailed headcanons as to each of their voting patterns over the last decade and a half, so I'm glad to hear that did this fic some good.

Michael getting overexcited was a given, but it was fun to write earnest Jim in a non-Jam scenario - feel like I haven't done much of that. (I think Veep captures it pretty well tbh.)

There are *so many good stories* to be told about Secretly Savvy Kelly. She's delightful as a dingbat, it opens up a lot of plot options.

I'm glad so many of these moments worked for you... fun to write. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and review, friend.

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This is definitely breaking my heart a bit - the chapter title alone - but it's so so good! Pam not answering his calls and not talking to him on the phone with Cece is just gut-wrenching, and I love the way you've written Jim's genuine confusion and fear (and the fact that they've never gone to bed angry or upset with each other before, which is a really nice - and heart-breaking - touch). I am enjoying Pam standing up for herself though. Really interested to see where this goes!

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Ah, this was so beautiful! (I’m also loving the featured section as I think I missed it before) - this is such a brilliant use of the song for Jim and Pam’s story. I love the way you’ve written their early season pining - the coat and the necklace scenes are just gorgeous, and Jim’s quiet desperation on the rooftop with the meteor shower feels like a perfect pre-Casino Night moment. I also really like the glimpses into Pam’s mindset during all of this, like her noticing all the small protective things that Jim does for her, and the idea of her being just a little bit aware of the physical effect she has on him sometimes, even as she’s telling herself he only dates beautiful women. The ‘how much does Pam know’ always seemed like a bit of a blurry line on the show, and it’s captured so well here. And I loved, loved the continuation of Jim’s party! And then the moment when they’re finally together, and Pam in Jim’s basketball shirt (especially with the basketball scene earlier) is so lovely, as is them reminiscing together on the heartbreak from Booze Cruise. “That I loved you just as much as you loved me” is killer. Then the idea of the umbrella being the talisman after the storms they’d endured later is so perfect. I just loved all of this!

Author's Response: Thank you so much Basscop! I really appreciate how you picked up on all the little contradictions I tried to use to highlight where I think her head was in season two. 

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I'm slow in coming to this, but I love it so much! This would've been such a perfect, perfect way for Casino Night to end. There are so many adorable moments here - Jim's fumbling with her bag, them brushing their teeth together, her lying about sleeping alone to get him to stay...and then when he does stay! I really love the way you've written their chemistry, and all the sweet tender moments between them. And then this bit:

'While she’s speaking, Jim’s eyes never leave her. He lets her say everything she needs to say, never interrupting or trying to “fix” anything. He just listens. And the fact that truly being listened to feels like such a breath of fresh air, is only further confirmation to Pam that she made the right choice. The only regret she feels now is not realizing or believing sooner that she was actually worthy of being listened to.'

Him just listening, and her realising she's worthy of that - it's such a nice balm to her whole relationship with Roy. This was such a joy to read! I do also really like that you've incorporated Roy's family and their expectations into this though: because as much as I would've wanted this to happen instead of what actually happened, I think it's an important point that that decision wouldn't have been without consequences...

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Ah this was so lovely! I really really like the way you've written Cece in this, with the mix of Jim and Pam's attributes, and her having Jim's sass in contrast to Pam's quietness is such a nice touch. I love Jim comforting Pam throughout this: although I may have got a bit teary-eyed with him finally crying at the end as it sinks in. Jim and Cece's relationship is one of my favourites anyway, the flashes of it that Jim remembers here are just beautiful. I also really enjoyed the Dwangela in this, and the touch of Jim and Dwight's friendship still going strong (also lol at Phil definitely not being friends with Philip, and Angela failing to notice). This was such a brilliant look into their lives in future - I love it!

Author's Response:

Thanks so much - this one was near to my heart as my son leaves for his college experience soon. It was a lot of fun deciding who Cece would be and having her be a little of both her parents (the best of each of them). I think Jim was always good at being a comfort to Pam on the show and she did have a tendency to get emotional (there were lots of sentimental tears in season 8) but I missed a time Jim teared up after reading Ryan's poem (but I say that doesn't really count). I absolutely got teary as I wrote him finally breaking down - he's going to miss his little girl.

I always like to have a little fun in my stories - so the part at Schrute Farms was a hoot to write (in fact was the germ the story grew out of -the sentimental parts came later as I watched my 4-year-old son walk across the stage to get his high school diploma (you get my meaning).

Anyway, thanks for sharing your review. It means a lot. 

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I'm loving how you've remixed some of the canon moments with the rooftop date (Jim's reaction being an awkward joke instead of angry defensiveness feels v Jim: it's interesting to think about how he'd handle things vs how canon Pam did), and then the party - and having it be for Isabel who is *actually* interested in Dwight is so, so good. Her whole exchange with Pam is hilarious. I really enjoyed the flipped bedroom scene - the way you've written them is so lovely (her genuine joy, and pining, and the playfulness - it's incredibly sweet). Also, I like the nod to single Pam maybe living a fuller life with the tickets and mementos in her room. I'm so intrigued by Jim's relationship with Katy, and the interaction with Phyllis at the end. And Jim's little 'fuck' - so on some level he's clearly aware of what's actually going on...

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Cringe comedy is 100% my favourite kind of comedy. But seriously: I love the awkwardness in this, Pam getting caught between Larissa and Karen and looking at the camera, Jim coming back to find the three of them, Larissa slightly enjoying the situation Jim's landed them in while the rest of them are all dying...it's so good. And so funny. I also love how much Pam clearly likes (and wants to be liked by) Larissa, and the little touches like her knowing about her graduation and first choice in college: she clearly cares and has been paying attention. It hurts seeing Larissa be frosty in return, but makes total sense (although I'm glad she doesn't totally manage to, a bit like Jim...) And Larissa and Jim's relationship here is just adorable! I love her not letting him get away with anything. Very excited for the next chapter!

Author's Response: There are definitely a lot of moments here where it's way better to be Larissa than anyone else, and way better to be in the audience than it is to be a character. Glad the humor through!

Yeah, I feel like Pam doesn't quite enough "teapot" moments in canon, so I always like to build some of those in. And yeah, Halperts find it difficult to resist Beeslys. (Scribbles note in my Larissa/Penny endgame WIP).

I'm glad you enjoyed Larissa taking Jim to task as that *maaaaaay* be a part of the next chapter.

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I feel like there's definitely not enough out there about Penny, and specifically Pam and Jim's relationship with Penny - I loved this! I really like the way you've written the sisters' relationship, and fleshed out their backstory: it feels like it makes total sense for them to not have been that close before Pam broke up with Roy, partially because of their different personalities and partially because of circumstance. I also love that Penny has Pam's tendencies with men, hee. And the way you've written Pam's protectiveness of Penny, and Jim gently teasing her for it but supporting her when he needs to. Also adorable: Jim's bathtime routine with Cece and Phil. Finally, Penny investing in David Wallace's company (and benefiting from it) is just genius. This was so much fun to read!

Author's Response:

Well thanks - guess sometimes when you think you are wasting time you are actually filling a fan fic hole. 

I really enjoyed the little glimpse of Penny (fan of Anna Camp since her True Blood days) and with a sister of my own felt I had a little personal experience to gleam from (write what you know and all).

I never did put together the Pam catchphrase - "Suck It" with the DW company until this fic started forming but made me appreciate the show writers even more.

So glad you enjoyed this one - thanks for sharing you did. Always a thrill to get reviews and I always enjoy yours.

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I'm loving this already! I should probably admit that I've only seen the newer Star Wars trilogy (which I've been told is unacceptable) so am not a particularly well-versed fan, but I'm greatly enjoying your version of them in this universe. Plus them meeting in a bar and then being in the Imperial Navy together = perfect. Can't wait to see where this goes!

Author's Response: Thanks for all the kind words Basscop.  I have to agree that is unacceptable lol.  Thanks for reading!

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I’m coming to this late, but - this was so cute! This is such a lovely moment of them reminiscing, and I love the little glimpse into Jim as a dad with Phil. Also, this line was particularly gorgeous:

‘Basking in one anothers warmth, soaking in every last drop of intimacy before the threat of work and kids took it away from them.’

Great job!

Author's Response: thank you for the kind review, I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter!

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Cece in Pam’s Casino Night dress, and Jim and Pam’s reactions to that, is a brilliant moment to imagine. Ouch. I love the idea of them waiting to tell their kids the full story, it feels very realistic. And them all sitting down to watch the documentary together! This was so good. I especially loved this part:

‘“What do you expect me to say to that?” she watched her mom ask on screen. 

“That you love him,” Cece thought, “that you can, and that you will.”

She's seen her mom twirl her wedding ring a million times, it's a way that she grounds herself, so seeing her do it with another man's ring was horrifying, it was all wrong, so wrong.’

The idea of the wedding ring having such different connotations for Cece is a fantastic touch, as is her view that Pam’s answer should have been so simple. Phil running away to play Minecraft instead of watching more lovey dovey stuff made me lol - but Cece seeing herself as a bump at the wedding is so adorable.  

This is such a great look into Jim and Pam’s views on their relationship/the documentary years later, and how their kids might have responded to it.

Author's Response: This review made my day! I'm so happy that you loved this chapter, and that you enjoyed my favorite line from the whole thing. it means a lot that you liked a concept I worked really hard on! thank you for the review. 

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This was so beautiful! I especially loved the copper strands and gold dust, and 'his smile returning' - you've created such a lovely moment with so few words 😍

Author's Response: thanks so much - 😍