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Cool take on an alternate scenario. I don't hate Jim for what he said to her about Roy, but it was definitely below the belt. An apology was/ is certainly in order. (I'm working on a S3 story right now and dealing with this myself!)

Having Jim break up with Karen BEFORE the crux of the Beach Games speech opens up some interesting opportunities. As is, that speech feels particularly bittersweet.

I love the idea that Josh Porter was basically responsible for all of this, something I really never thought about until now. And Dwight giving Jim a ride home was fun.

Nice job!

Author's Response:

Many thanks!  And I await your story on this scene!

I don't hate Jim for what he said either (he's my favorite character, to be honest), but it certainly wasn't warranted.  And considering there's been a lot of Jim and/or Pam hate over the last few years, this moment can be considered one of the reasons why.  And I love the speech for what it did for Pam's character, so I wanted to keep it around.  Even if in this scenario it would just be her ranting to her coworkers.

It's interesting, if it wasn't for Josh Porter, Pam and Jim probably wouldn't have reunited at all.  As for the ride home, it gave me an excuse to write more Dwight.

Thanks for the review! 

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I just spent my evening devouring this and I can’t think of a better way to have spent it. You’re an amazing writer, your characterization is on point, and I loved every moment of this story. Fantastic work!

Author's Response: You're extremely kind, and I'm so glad you enjoyed reading. I really struggled to get this one written, so I'm particularly glad you think it worked. Many thanks!

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Ahh, that was SO satisfying! I love the reveal of him having broken up with Karen and that he was still sort of feeling Pam out all evening. He wanted it to be her choice.

"Should you choose to accept" was brilliant.

*Like an old rubber band, seeing him laugh with someone else in a way that used to be reserved for her, something inside snapped, leaving nothing a proverbial red welt on what had otherwise been a pretty decent evening. *

Great metaphor. Love it.

*Of course Jim would wear mittens that his coworker knitted for him. They weren’t perfect, but he wore them anyway, and there was something so incredibly endearing about it all.*

This is so emblematic of the Jim we know and love having not fully disappeared, what a great little bit here (and working in a recipe element!)

This was so sweet, great job!

Author's Response: Thank you so much!! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :) 

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THE POLAR BEAR!!!!!

the "personal hot water bottle often found in her bed named Jim" slayed me, omg.

I really loved the comfortable dynamic you created between Pam and Jim's family. Also the little girl's convo with Pam was so sweet. AND CECE???? What an adorable origin story, I love it.

*“Don’t worry Beesly,” he breathed into her ear which sent shivers down her shoulder and arm. “I know exactly what it means to have a silent night.”*

Nice.

Official request for a follow-up telling the adventures of Michael and Jim stuck in the storm, please!

Author's Response: Thank you! It was a lot of fun to bring all these elements in. I'm glad you liked it so much. I may have to tell Jim's side of this story at some point. Merry Christmas!

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This was a great retelling of Moroccan Christmas! I, like Pam, enjoy watching Jim squirm. You did a really good job with Dwight in particular. And the sleigh ride was lovely.

Happy holidays!

1

This was just lovely. I liked your decision to count these items down backwards, although it ended up leaving me sad :(

* He smiled and leaned over, whispering into her hair, "I'm not going to let you fall."
He would spend his days making sure she would never fall.*

SWOON

I think the ribbon section is my favorite, the little details and tension building in your writing is great. Also, I am an angsty b*tch ;)

Great job!

Author's Response: Thank you so much! That line was a favorite too and I love that you are an angsty b*tch honestly :)  Have a great New Years! 

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This brings my canon-loving heart joy.

I love Pam’s idea to prank Jim (can’t wait to see where you take this) and downgrading Stanley’s thoughtful gift was brilliant. And it’s a cool way to make it clear how Pam knew Jim had her for SS because I always suspected she somehow knew.

Author's Response: Seriously, we don't talk about this enough, but Stanley's gift to Kelly is a clear contender for second-best in that Secret Santa draw. Wildly out of his character even then. There HAS to be another explanation.

Ooooh there are so many things I want to say that will spoil the next chapter. Stay tuned.

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*insert Reese Witherspoon "ME!" gif*

This was so good and what a clever way to include all the elements! I really love the way you captured every character's voice, honestly there were so many moments that felt like they could be straight out of an episode.

"Jimothy Olyphant" got me good. Nice.

*Toby, guys. How do you expect Toby to be able to kiss anyone ever if we don’t make it so someone has to kiss him. It’s the perfect plan.*

HA!

*“I don’t know guys.” Kevin shook his head. “I did the math. There are way more guys here than girls. What if we pick another guy’s watch?” he asked slowly. “We’re not all like Oscar.”*

This is so classic Kevin, you nailed him.

*“Not a chance Sweetie.” Phyllis looked around to make sure no one was listening to them. “You may as well know that Jim’s at the top of my hall pass list and I’m not going to give my chance up.” She shrugged at the look Pam gave her. “I’ve already cleared it with Bob.”*

Bitchy Phyllis wasn't on my list but she may as well have been. Amazing.

*“Kelly, I absolutely love your dress,” she gushed. “It’s so sparkly!”

And that’s how she spent the next thirteen minutes listening to Kelly explain how a bedazzler worked.*

LOLed at this one, perfect way to eat up that time while Jim worked his magic. Drunk Handsy Jim is hot and I enjoyed him greatly. And that kiss at the end was so delicious.

You did a great job with this. Thank you so much and happy new year!

Author's Response: Aw, yay! Between you and me, I was *stressed* with this one but I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Honestly, I’m just delighted you caught “Jimothy Olyphant” because I laughed way too hard when I wrote that. But also, thank you for letting drunk handsy Jim move rent free into my head for a few months! 

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😆😆😆

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*For many reasons, I stay far away from clergymen, so I can't be blamed here either. *

HA! (Also, oof)

*But I got a little careless. I haphazardly sent it toward Angela...who happens to sit next to a gay accountant named Oscar. You remember Oscar? I saw the sparrow kind of ricochet off of him before finding its way to Angela.

Oops.*

Omg, I think this one is my favorite so far.

Girl, you killed this. A triumph.

*(That half-smile has been my best friend when sending sparrows to women about Jim. He's quite a handsome fella.) *

Yes, yes he is.

*I am fond of a fair amount of people I encounter. Really admire and like them. But every once in a while I come across someone really special. Like Betty White.

But this isn't about Betty White. This is about Pamela Morgan Beesly. One of my very favorites. *

Isn’t she all of ours? *heart eyes*

*Man, I wanted to send so many sparrows. Freakin' moral compass or whatever…*

HA! Loved this.

*It took Jim leaving to really cause Pam to dissect her relationship with Roy. Had she ever been happy with him? I think the answer was definitely yes, but it was as if there was a finite amount of happiness she could have with him and she had reached that limit long ago. Now she needed more.*

This is such a perfect assessment of post-breakup Pam, realizing everything she’s missed out on.

*It was a painting of the building she worked in. It was the place she found herself. Her hand ran over the painted parking lot. It was the place she met Jim. The place where she lost him. Twice. It would always be more than a building for her.*

We share this headcanon. To me, it was always about that parking lot.

*They really should name that parking lot after them.*

See above.

Fantastic job, WW.

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I love everything about this, particularly Michael not being able to get through the TWSS joke, and Pam's comic book callback.

(Also, in my own headcanon of your fic, she later found the Blades of Glory outfit and took it home for Jim to enjoy)

Author's Response: I figured I should probably write *some* JAM into a fic on the JAM fanfic site.

HA. I love that. Headcanon adopted.

1

Okay I loved all of this. My favorite part was probably the kitchen, though... super hot and very Them. You really did a great job with the Jam banter throughout. Nice work!

Author's Response:

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it all!

Thanks so much for the review