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Ffff



For real though that was super hot. And though it wasn't this fic's main intent, I really liked how you set everything up with a look at Jim and Pam's Texas life. I especially appreciate that it's Pam away for a bit doing something for her career. So, points for beard smut and points for writing a post-series fic which there is far too little of!

P.S. you have maybe noticed that there is a severe shortage of fics that take place between the end of Paper Airplane and that amazing kiss and the start of Living the Dream with Pam's cheeky talking head. I know you don't want more ideas but since this was so great I think you could definitely help fill in that gap ;-)

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I caught up on this and dang, if and when we ever make a follow-up to our Lemon flavored JAM list, this one will definitely be at the top. The IM banter is so good, I always envision Pam being a little more forward (and a little naughtier) when she's sure the cameras and coworkers aren't looking. I want to make it clear though that the jellybean on this review is 100% for the candle reference XD (anyone out there lost on the candle reference look for "Not A Word", I have it linked in our lemon flavored JAM list above ;-) )

Author's Response: *blushes* Thank you! I put that candle reference in there on purpose, and it got the exact reaction I was hoping for ;)

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Okay so I'm making an executive mod decision and giving this an insta-Dundie because oh my god this is good. You just captured the S9 rift perfectly, neither one is all right or wrong, they just have gotten out of sync and have no idea how to get back. I think people don't always see how much Pam's insecurities and fear influenced the situation but you included all that perfectly. Really you managed to make both Jim and Pam very simpathetic but also frustratingly stubborn, it all felt very real and true to the characters and the situation.

And after 5 years I finally have my "Nice morning too" fic and it was indeed a very, very nice morning, thank you!

Author's Response: Wow, thank you! I am honored and flattered and SO glad you liked it! I hate that there’s so little S9 fic and I always wondered why. Now I know—it’s a difficult space to get into! I struggled so much with making sure neither one of them were 100% right or 100% wrong, because I think they both have valid arguments, so I am so so glad that at least one person feels like I succeeded in that! Your compliments mean so much thank you again! And when you mentioned the other day in the SUT chat that you needed a “nice morning” fic, I knew I had to get this out of my head and onto the page (so to speak) because who am I to keep Noble Overlord Mermaid waiting? XD

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What a sweet story, we know from Booze Cruise that one of Jim's favorite qualities of Pam's is her warmth and I think it's very fitting that that is actually the first thing he noticed about her. Like BigTuna said, head canon accepted!

Author's Response: Thank you! I really appreciate hearing that, and I'm very glad this made sense to you for the characters. 

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Well I already love it and can't wait for more! You capture everything I imagine Pam was feeling on June 10, a mix of frustration and anger with sadness and fear. And I love that you're taking on a hospital story! My only complaint is the cliffhanger you left us on here! ;-)

Author's Response:

Sorry about the cliffhanger, but I assure you we will move on quickly ;). Thanks for this, and I hope you enjoy the story that comes out of it.

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One thing I like about this is I can just stop after The Return (it also did not get past this girl how Pam and Jim were standing so close in the conference room during the pinata scene) then skip to like Fun Run or Dunder Mifflin Infinity and this could totally work as canon ;). And the other thing I like about this is pretty much everything else!

I have to say I like how you portray Karen here, this really is when things *should* have ended with Jim and Karen and I find your Karen here much more in line with what the show had established by this point, direct and persistent but enough self-respect to accept it was over.

And of course, Karen gracefully bowing out led to the sexytimes much sooner which is fantastic. I loved your repeat of "this is the hottest thing that's ever happened" 'cause you know Jim thought that at least 5 separate times their first time. And that last line! So good, don't ever stop writing these smutty oneshots!

Author's Response: I think you’re dead on about Karen. She had been established as kind of this no nonsense kind of person and she put up with a lot of nonsense from Jim. And I mean, who hasn’t done something like that, really, but come on, girl! And let me tell you, when I first saw this episode and saw how close they were standing in that piñata scene, I screeched like a banshee because I just KNEW they were about to be together. I’m sure you can relate to my disappointment, haha. Maybe this has been bouncing around in my head ever since. Thank you so much! I don’t have any plans to stop, so be on the lookout for more! :)

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I needed to catch up on the last few chapters and then realized that I have egregiously not reviewed this at all so time to fixed both those issues!

You know how in the Pilot episode you’re just starting to feel Jim and Pam’s cute banter and flirty chemistry then *boom* Roy walks in and the rug is pulled out? Well this chapter had the same energy with Pam doing exactly what we wanted her to do on casino night deciding to be with Jim and then *boom* fast forward years later, they’ve been broken up for years (?) and Pam’s inspecting Jim’s finger for a wedding ring, wha-what??

Anyway amazing job conveying the awkwardness of running into an ex (especially an ex you’re still very much attracted to) and dropping lots of little bread crumbs I have no choice but to follow. And it’s early but I can already tell your Karen is the friend Pam so needed and deserved but never got on the show (but thankfully we have fanfic!)

Author's Response: Oh, NLM. Any review from you is a treat, and this one is no different. Thank you for your kind words about this story. And I'm SO glad you like where the Karen and Pam friendship is going. You know I feel robbed, but I'm SO thankful for fanfic and MTT to fill that void. 

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Oooh, yes, I really like this. When I read reaction and analysis of Season 9, there’s a tendency to make it “Jim vs Pam” and that’s just not what it’s about at all. They’re both making mistakes, both trying not to burden the other with their problems and as a result keeping things from each other, but both are still trying their best.

This line really gets to the heart of the issue, at least on Pam’s side:

“She knows he’s doing this for them, she wants him to chase his dreams, but it’s so hard to root for someone when you feel like you’re falling apart. When you feel like his dreams are growing bigger than you, when you feel that you’re just simply not enough lately.”

People seem to forget Pam’s always struggled with her confidence, and with all the Athlead stuff from Jim not including her in the decisions to her struggling when he’s gone it’s no surprised we see Pam’s confidence taking a big blow.

But there’s no lack of love, lack of communication obviously, but not love, and the latter half of this shows that (in a very nice way 😉) Great work!

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Coley just when I thought I was out, you pull me back in. I’m kidding, I was never out and now you’ve left me eagerly awaiting the next chap!

Your characterization is just so good, you’re able to build on the traits Pam and Jim have in the show so naturally that while they’re in such a different scenario they still feel like our Pam and Jim (albeit sassier and more assertive). And Kelly didn’t really need any transformation, she fits right in and your Kelly voice is perfect.

Love the whole scene at the gallery, Pam being so grumpy she doesn’t see at all the heart shaped diamond (I see what you did there ;-) ) was a gag and then Jim blowing her away with a perfect ring.

Such great tense dynamic at Helene’s but you’ve left us with quite the cliffhanger! So no pressure but i do hope the next chapter comes soon!

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Oh yes, I love this! The start is great, I can imagine Jim all through S3 constantly repeating in his head that his relationship with Karen is what he wants and failing to convince himself. I love how Karen’s comment very unintentionally sets the whole thing off and that it clears the fog Jim’s in just enough for him that Pam does indeed want to be “more than that” now (I still get mad when Jim brushes off Pam’s coffee invite, she’s asking you out, you dolt!).

Pam saying leaving Roy wasn’t the hardest part of the year then saying what was? Ugh right in the gut (in a good way). And everything else in the car was great.

The “hi” “hey” is one of my all time fave moments and I love you incorporating it in.

Just all around a great treat of a fic that avoids the S3 angst, which I’m all for. Great job!

Author's Response: Thanks NLM! It’s so nice to hear that you liked it. I too still get mad that Jim turns down Pam’s coffee date - he should really pay more attention when everything he has ever hoped for is right in front of him... 

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I can only imagine this is how Pam felt that next day, that maybe spring can mean a new beginning but then that desk was empty and a part of her heart was gone 😭 there are many great Mays to come, Pam! Great work is such few words!

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Really really loving the little office touches here, Pam standing before him is secondhand blue silk saying “I can’t” (casino night), Jim tapping on the door frame after making dinner plans (the job), and of course Jim destined to be a paper man in Pennsylvania. And now we have the big Cocktails/Negotiation confrontation from Roy. Amazing work so far!

Author's Response: I love that you picked up on all those. Even though this is completely pre-show AU, I love fitting those in where they work. Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to review!