The real meaning of Pam finding her voice with help from someone special.
Covers selective mutism and anxiety.
Was originally posted as A Picture Is Worth More Than A Thousand Words then I deleted it by accident!
I can only imagine how daunting someplace like the cafeteria at lunch can be for someone like Pam… so loud and different from a controlled classroom setting and especially having to find a seat based on your social connections… enter our Jim— PAM’S Jim!
And the swings!! What a great image to jog Jim’s mind about his connection with Pam— and the swing imagery is just reflective of the two! And this beautiful sweet callback to mixed berry yogurt! OMG!!!!!
Author's Response: Thank you so much, your so sweet!
She lipped thank you!! This seems like a major breakthrough for Pam!! Jim is just the sweetest little kid! And he’s so observant… his big smile when she mouths thank you… what a great kid Gerald and Betsy are raising!! Despite the fact that Pam was too nervous to eat the yogurt, it’s okay— she’ll do it one day— because Jim will keep bringing it! I can totally see them off in a little corner of the school cafeteria with your words— just the sweetest picture! Thank you for this sweet story!
Author's Response: Thank you so much, so glad you enjoy it!
Again, you use the most profound metaphors. This one really struck me, about Jim being okay if Pam didn’t use an umbrella in the rain, that he just helped dry her off. That’s exactly what she needs— someone who will just help her, regardless of how she encounters the rain, judgment free. I’m bummed that Pam and Jim weren’t able to connect over the summer— could they have been pen pals or something??—but I am glad they are back together in class now! But the swings and the appearance of Karen are telling me this might not be as happy a reunion as I hoped for… hopefully it doesn’t slow Pam’s progress down too much!!
Again, you use the most profound metaphors. This one really struck me, about Jim being okay if Pam didn’t use an umbrella in the rain, that he just helped dry her off. That’s exactly what she needs— someone who will just help her, regardless of how she encounters the rain, judgment free. I’m bummed that Pam and Jim weren’t able to connect over the summer— could they have been pen pals or something??—but I am glad they are back together in class now! But the swings and the appearance of Karen are telling me this might not be as happy a reunion as I hoped for… hopefully it doesn’t slow Pam’s progress down too much!!
Author's Response: Thank you so much! It was harsh to have them separate over the summer but I wanted to emphasize that Pam was unable to advocate that she wanted to stay connected.
I would absolutely love to see Michael be an elementary school teacher! Though he’s probably not entirely as organized as they should be, I can only imagine the joy he’d bring to teaching new things to an attentive class of young ones!
I love this sweet development of Dwight and Pam’s relationship! Even though I know Pam is going to be on those swings with Jim soon, it’s good to know she has Dwight in her corner too!
Author's Response: Aw thank you! I love writing him, it’s always an adventure!
I would absolutely love to see Michael be an elementary school teacher! Though he’s probably not entirely as organized as they should be, I can only imagine the joy he’d bring to teaching new things to an attentive class of young ones!
I love this sweet development of Dwight and Pam’s relationship! Even though I know Pam is going to be on those swings with Jim soon, it’s good to know she has Dwight in her corner too!
Oh my gosh! What a darling chapter! I just love young Dwight! What a heart he has in this chapter! And I love his thought that someone must have given Pam cooties! This just warmed my heart!!!
Author's Response: Oh I’m so glad!!
As always, such great insight! Of course it’s easier to read Sharpie (Karen).. but is it as meaningful or fun as invisible ink (Pam)? Love that Jim didn’t forget though… of course he wouldn’t! How sweet that Jim have Pam the hair clip— and what a profound realization that her hair being pulled ba k allowed her to own up more too! Hope she starts to wear it more again— we love that Pam! Such a good chapter!!!
Author's Response: Thank you so much! Love playing with symbolism!
Oh what a darling chapter! Even though Jim sat on the bus with Karen and Pam sat alone, it was still wonderful to see how in awe Pam was at the art museum! I hope Helene is as impressed with how far Pam’s come as much as I am! Love this so much!
Author's Response: Thank you so much, so glad!
I love Dwight. He’s just so sweet in this!! And perceptive! It’s so Dwight to distract Karen with beet stories too! And Betsy… love Betsy so much! She is parenting Jim so well! I love Pam’s courage and Jim’s return to the right thing and Dwight’s perception… this is so good. And also a nice explanation about Karen that she’s not just a bad person. Love!
Author's Response: Aw thank you! Felt Karen had more to her!
1 Wow! What a first chapter! Im excited to see where this is going… this is such an interesting time in Jim and Pam’s life… and it’s so understandable that Jim is trying to be too nice, or not impose on Pam— and then they’re not communicating. As embarrassing as that was for Jim to walk in on Pam, hopefully this leads to them shedding more light on how they can fix their situation! I adore how he just wraps crying Pam up his arms and implores her to talk to him… and calls her ‘love’… my fave! So excited to read more!!
Author's Response: THANK YOU! I am working on Chapter 3 now, blending in a lot I hope works well for everyone :)
1 I love the way you write Jim in this… in canon, he is very quick to jump into fix it all with a “big Jim gesture”— which he also has been doing prior to your AU story too— but now he knows that he needs to be quiet, supportive, and just wait for Pam to find the words and the courage. I love his quiet drawing on Pam’s thigh just patiently waiting for her to tell him.. and the way you repeat the infinity sign later in the story too is ahhh!!! I also like that Jim backs down after Pam calls him on his smile after telling him how she’s been feeling— this IS better communication!!
Author's Response:
Awwww thanks!!!!
i am trying to walk a fine line between keeping to late 2000’s mental health knowledge and what Jim *may* have had access to in thinking how to learn more with Pam. Plus, I am hard core that Roy was worse and did way more damage than the show would have shown. I like the full in fics others have offered following Casino Night where Pam really has a hard time figuring out how to extricate herself from Roy and apprehension in accepting someone would love her like that.
1 I’m so glad Jim and Pam are getting this time to connect. It’s amazing how you go from super sweet Jim feeling the baby move in Pam’s belly to super sexy in no time! Jim is so very thoughtful, bringing Pam’s favorite nightgown, really listening to Morgan’s advice, and truly listening to Pam about her needs— and encouraging her to communicate them to him. Hopefully after this little hotel stay Pam will be waking Jim up when baby Halpert is keeping her up! So glad he’s getting through to her. I can’t wait to see how you write their eventual transition to parenthood. Thanks for sharing!!
Author's Response: Thank you so much! Having been a fired-up pregnant momma and been around a lot of similarly horny mommas to be, this flip-switch is so normal to me...get used to a lot of it. I am having so much fun in this little world, can't wait to share more!
1 I'm glad that Pam had a sound night's sleep and that Jim had a sweet solo moment with their baby. You talk so lovingly about their little person and it's so clear how much this baby together means to them both. You do sweet and kind and romantic just as well as spicy--and yes, I agree with Jim, today is going to be a good day!
Author's Response:
Thank you, that was one thing I was not going to mess with at all…that they were both very excited and wanting of the baby.
I want a good blend of sweet and spicy, glad it works!
Oooh. Pam’s concerns and her previous learned habits from Roy seem to be a lot bigger than Jim anticipated… but I believe they can work this out! I love how good Jim is at reading her… and I think it’s a great idea to write out her worries on paper. I still remember my mom making me do this when I had a panic attack the weekend before starting my accelerated nursing program. I kept that list and going back to it occasionally, it’s crazy what I thought I would fail at, or what would stop me!! It’s been 12 years since I graduated in May— it’s really a powerful activity thought to put those fears somewhere other than your mind. I’m glad they’re talking and keeping this conversation going!
Author's Response:
AWESOME! I am so glad writing helped! I used a lot of the skills I share with my clients to ease anxiety & panic.
1 I have to ask, do you see your Jim in this story as the one in canon with the baby books?? I’m sure Jam were definitely reading them together in canon— but I’m wondering what your Jam has done so far in terms of “preparedness” for baby. On the other hand, bringing home a tiny human is pretty damn daunting! I’m glad Jim let the solution be theirs— and it sounds like a good one! I hope Pam leaves this little getaway having helped to satisfy some of her frustrations— seems like she and Jim are doing that preeeeeetty well, thanks to Morgan— so that they can concentrate on the bigger issue of her insecurities and their impending parenthood!
Author's Response:
OH MY GOODNESS, is there canon about that already??? Legit keep finding more hidden clips, and I have watched so many times but am completely not recalling it as part of canon!
The getaway is absolutely going to help ease tension and we are moving towards super ease in insecurity!
Hopefully no one is in that next room… or they’re certainly getting an earful! I love that they are getting the hang of communicating… will be so much better even when they check out! Sweet game of Jinx too… the rules are unflinchingly rigid… and I love that Pam picked up on “get” and not necessarily “buy”… clever girl!
Author's Response:
In my head canon they were between check out and check in… so I hoped no one was in that room either LOL!!!
I am having SOO much fun writing that series, but this week got caught in a storm for ‘Everything’ and so this one got no update. Soon though!! We have more purchases to have fun with!
I can see why that feeling is strange for Jim, because it’s definitely not something he truly seems to embody— so I’m glad Pam encouraged him to think about it and get back to her when he’s sorted through his feelings. It’s good that see that this is a good exercise for both of them. So sweet to end in a bath with Pam and baby in Jim’s arms— who wouldn’t want that?
Author's Response: I loved the ending, him wrapping up (literally) all that he loved and that it was all he wanted after what he felt. Playing off of the virility space many experience while their partner is pregnant, that also can feel JUST a foreign to them as the ramped up sex drive can for the pregnant partner.
Pam is initially anxious, nervous and timid but will grow in confidence. Jim is confident and self-assured but will show lovely vulnerability.
If ethical non-monogamy isn't your thing, move along. This is our JAM love with a 'love affairs and relationships look different from the outside' twist. Lots of smut for the sake of pure smuttiness.
All events from the series still happened, but they are going to take some different turns.
This will be a series, not sure how long, but all starting from a place inspired by the AU "The Unicorn" created by Big Tuna in the future, and started in episode-centric events.
I'm so glad you're loving writing this.. I just recently started something, and am really loving the idea of the process and creativity. I did some creative writing in college but not in years and it's fun to explore ideas! I'll be honest, I'm not a fan of the Danny/Jim/Pam thing... I'm much more Jam soulmates for life camp. I do think you bring up an interesting concept/backstory for how The Office handled the Danny/Pam interaction--and that Jim and Pam have a certain "persona" for the cameras. I have to imagine many people in reality TV, etc. have to do something similar, especially if this stuff is going to live on film forever for everyone and their brother to see! I loved your playlist for Pam's night out and can see how those songs would put her in a certain mood. I, of course, loved that she was envisioning Jim. I do love their gesture of consent throughout these chapters and see that as the core of Jam as soulmates--that they feel safe together and check in to see that the other feels safe too. I liked that you had Pam wonder what they were doing bringing Danny home with Cece there, because I too was questioning that decision myself.. shouldn't they be more protective of who they bring around their baby girl? I do love their sweet little moments with Cece though, and laughed at that line "Jim tried to convince Cece that it was okay to enjoy carrots". It's always good to read new content!
Author's Response: The creative process and getting totally consumed with writing is a wonderful thing indeed! I am loving this world as much as I love my 'Everything' AU. I know the Danny/Pam/Jim isn't for everyone and myself am a pretty hardcore JAM person, I just come at it from a place of actively choosing to be together more so than the universe putting them together. And I am going to purposefully use this AU to 'right' some of the things from canon (have some interesting ideas about how to work in the season 9 kerfuffle when they tried to have them cheat and almost divorce).There will absolutely be a lot of talks about how/when/where there is any activities with anyone else. That is a big part of ENM (Ethical Non Monogamy) in which couples can still be highly in love and bonded, but enjoy spending time with others too. Jim's little line there comes from a talking head when he was doing well in sales...he says something like "if I can make carrots sound better than a boob, I can sell anything!"
1 I love that Jim is very patient about helping Pam find her more confident, post Beach Games self.. in all aspects of her life! Great callbacks to two really fun Jam episodes… I always love to get a glimpse into what might have happened surrounding those events! Thanks for sharing!!
Author's Response: Really enjoying playing around inside existing events (so I can set up spicier fun post-show!)
1 I love how Jim is just so in awe of what Pam has done to carry, grow, and feed their child. I can see that he will just do anything for her. Would love to read their conversation surrounding this. Interested to see where this is headed! Thanks for sharing!
Author's Response: This one is going to go in some fun and spicy places indeed! (I already have my last chapters written…!) working on this story and the next chapter this week!
1 I can’t wait to see if— and where— Jim and Pam hang their canvas! Hopefully the bedroom so they don’t have to explain where it came from to everyone! But I do love the idea of them making a piece of art together— great idea Isabel— and you! I love that Jim favors Pam’s ankle too, because why wouldn’t he? And yes, they would still find out that they were pregnant… but where would the story be in THAT?!?!? Nice chapter!!!
Author's Response: Hehehe… I went with pink and red, because of the colors I saw in their bedspread when Dwight slept there during Cece’s birth. That painting is going right in their bedroom! And, I feel Isabel would DEFINITELY have given that kind of gift! Lol!
She was totally overthinking borrowing gloves. It's just that they were from a friend that she absolutely, definitely, had a secret crush on that she was trying very hard to suppress.
My submission for the Christmas 2022 Challenge.
1 Welcome! This was great and I can’t wait to see what happens in chapter 2! Marina is a great addition! I loved this sweet little gesture from Jim that made Pam’s heart swoon… her secret gift to herself… thanks Dwight for spilling the tea! Brought back early memories of Office episodes when the Jam connection was so strong and yet, neither acted on it. Love Pam’s sweet doodle of mittens on Jim’s message too. Hopefully in chapter 2 we find that this Michael even will have propelled these two star crossed lovers together— and I can imagine Marina might play a part too… ;) Thank for sharing!
What started as a single little one-shot of what may have happened after Stress Relief. (Jim was panicked, Pam was scared. They needed a place to feel safe.) This has now become a little series of vignettes I can't let go of.
Enjoy!
1 I thought this was really sweet— and so realistic. While this episode always cracks me up, it’s easy to see how the adrenaline rush would end just to lead to a rush of emotions in regards to what could have possibly went wrong— thank God it didn’t. It almost makes you wonder why Phyllis was the only one hesitant about signing Dwight’s “statement of regret”. While your spicy scenes have been great, this was just as good— Jim taking care of his girl, and having a quiet night to reflect after all this undue stress… love that Jim can relax once he knows Pam is relaxed. Thanks for posting!!
Author's Response: Thank you so much, I really love writing the sweet stuff, and some just clearly screamed at me from behind the scenes. Sweet writing can be just as much fun as spicy 💕
1 This was written with such heart!! I love your short sentence structure and your page breaks… just so perfect… like all of the things running through Jim and Pam’s minds at a thousand miles an hour at this incredible moment in their lives! You can just feel every ounce of happiness in their souls in the car ride home; can just feel Jim willing his energy through Pam’s belly to their “bundle of cells” to “grow little bit, grow”! I can also see them both thinking about going to the picnic being “both” but coming home being “all”.. what a crazy distinction!!! I love the distinct difference of him taking care of her in both stressful times (chapter 1) and joyous times (chapter 2) but still wanting to take care of her.
And what a sweet tribute to your dad.. how amazing to know how he reacted to the first idea of your being, too!!! Such pure and simple joy. Thanks for sharing something so person in this sweet Jam moment!
Author's Response:
You picked up every sweet piece I set down d84;a039;
I have a couple more moments rattling around in my brain, and I hope to get around to adding them!
There was nowhere else I could think of something personal being added 🥰