Michael decides to take his sales dream team on a little trip and pulls Pam along for the ride. Spoilers through Cocktails.Dinkin, you're KILLING me with this Pam/Ryan stuff, but brooding Jim is a joy to read. I can't wait for all of this to reach it's climax--just please, please, please, don't let Pam have sex with Ryan. Kelly would staple her face to her desk in revenge!
Wonderful details and angst; keep the chapters coming!!! --CH
Dink, I say it again, PLEASE NO PAM AND RYAN SEX!!! Aside from that pleading entreaty (especially since we're on the edge of a new episode that could go in any direction), I congratulate you on another fabulous new chapter. This is easily my favorite ongoing story, and I can hardly wait to see what happens next. Get back to your computer ASAP!! --CH
Author's Response: Thank you! Haha, I make no promises though ;) I'm seriously counting down the hours until Thursday... ah!! Have we really survived this long without a new ep? I'm never going to make it through the summer.
Not sure what i think about this. Very, very sexy, and wonderful tension throughout the chapter. You're starting to make me think JAM won't happen in your story, but more startling is the fact that there was a moment while I was reading that I didn't mind (though that moment passed and I'm waiting impatiently for more Jam action in your story again) Update soon, and keep going. Your bravery really is paying off; this is a phenomena story!
Author's Response: Okay, I hadn't started replying to reviews on this chapter just yet mainly because I was so incredibly nervous about the chapter in the first place (I think I'm still not over it, haha) so, here goes! Thank you so much, I'm really glad that the tension carried through and that there was even a moment when you wouldn't mind no JAM ;) I won't spoil it though!
“I get it now, she’s everything I’m not.” She says as a few tears slip out from beneath her lashes. His subconscious realizes at this moment that she’s unconsciously mimicking a line from the Royal Tenenbaums, one of their joint favorite films. When he replays this conversation in his mind later, this will break his heart.
I can't wait for more of this!! The suspense is fabulous, and the tension is so sexy and painful that I just keep wanting more. Keep up the nice work!! --CH
Story formerly known as Spring Cleaning. When he realizes she's asking him a serious question there is not even a moment’s hesitation before he answers. “Sure. What do you need?” Future fluff. Spoiler free, non-fat, as light as airy spun sugar. ;)
8 It's sweet stories like this that remind me of why we're rooting for Jim and Pam. Excellent work; the characters are spot-on, and I love the scenarios you've dreamed up for these two. More chapters soon, please!! --CH
Author's Response: Sometimes you just need a little reminder. I am more than happy to provide. :) Thanks Becky!
She looked over the boxes with wide eyes, overwhelmed by all the choices. Words like clear and easy were jumping out at her and she had no idea what to do because this was the furthest thing from clear or easy that she had ever done.
Title Courtesy of a Muse song.
That was simply wonderful. I admire how you captured the doubt and depth of what (we hope) Jim and Pam's relationship might be like someday. A beautiful story with a perfect ending. Nice work!!! --CH
Author's Response: Thank you so much!
Summary: "He asked that I engage the rest of the men in the office in it as a morale building exercise."
Spoilers through The Negotiation.
Ohh big twist at the end! Can't wait to see what happens next. Update soon, please!! --CH
Hahaha--I'm just "so sad" reading this. LOL--you're a beacon of awesomeness for the "bad fic" challenge. Nice work!
Author's Response:
Why, thank you. I always say, if you can't sparkle with your talent, amuse with your ineptitude!
And, I really, really have the whole ineptitude thing DOWN.
Post The Negotiation (no spoilers).
My attempt at working it all out. This will span ten chapters and will include flashbacks to previous episodes/seasons.
I'm sorry, but you cannot leave it like this for long. You better be writing the next installment this very second!! I can't wait for more!! --CH
Author's Response: Heh - I'm working on it, I promise!! THanks for reviewing!
This was just perfect; I love the insight you put into their thoughts and how, even though they try to carry on with their respective evenings, there's just no going back. The helplessness, the security, the emotions were just so perfect here. I've loved this story--well done, well done, well done! --CH
Author's Response:
Oh, thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the interior stuff; I know it's sometimes slow going to read a chapter that isn't heavy on the action, but I always feel the need to explore the way these two think (probably because I find myself wondering what the hell it is they do think each week on the show). :o)
Thanks for reviewing!
A wonderful conclusion to a wonderful story; nice work! I especially loved this line: "He'd had enough of her to know that this was amazing - that the hum he'd felt beneath his skin from the first moment he'd shaken hands with her was no accident - but he was hungry to know more of her." This was a tasteful and elegant story with a perfect ending that matched the timbre of the story. Wonderful! -CH
Author's Response:
Oh wow - it makes me all giddy that you described it as "tasteful and elegant." (It also makes me giggle because in the initial draft, I had him letting her into the apartment, nodding toward the couch and saying, "Do you wanna...?" -- as in "sit down," but she mistook it as an invitation to have sex. Heh. Thankfully Starry Dreamer called me on that one - hee.)
Anyway, thank you so much for the review!
Jim gets fussy and Pam gets fed up.
Spoilers through The Negotiation.
Wonderful! I loved this--very dramatic but not campy, very romantic but not campy. I think you did a great job balancing passion and the obvious tension between these two this season; fabulous job!! -CH
Pam and Jim decide to get it out of their system...Literally. This idea just wouldn't get out of head, especially after all the fight fics, I figure there has to be another way to get rid of the sexual tension- why not actual 'casual' sex. Oh and it's going to really backfire. P.S. This is way fluffier than my usual stuff AND almost finished too. So there's that.
10 I HATE that this is over! Thank you for a wonderful story--very interesting, well-written, hot, and fabulous. Great job!!
I'm paying my toll and asking for an express pass. Chapters must come faster!!
Wow. This is so good. It's not just smut; you've got it down to a science. I can't wait to see how this ends (even though I don't want it to)--great work. And I love your chapter titles! --Ch
Interesting twist at the end! I can't wait to see where this goes next! -CH
He should've been happy that Karen had finally warmed up to his joking ways. He wasn't."Jim Dear"--I love it! That is one nickname we've yet to see. A cute ending, and I love Pam's reaction to the ring ("You've never put my stuff in jello before"). Very sweet--nice work! -CH
You make some really good points in here about Pam's frustration; he shouldn't be mad at her for doing just what he would have done in the same situation. Great job reading the characters and making them seem real; keep it up! --CH
"It seems odd, in the ironic, slap-in-the-face kind of way that since her incident, it’s been easier to let him go."
Something bad happens to Pam. Very Dark.
9 Wonderful! I've been waiting oh-so (im)patiently for an update to this great story. You do such a good job capturing the pain of this issue while still maintaining the characters in a realistic way. Fabulous work; I can't wait for the next chapter!
Athena, I'm pretty much out of ways to praise this incredible story. It just exhausts me how deep and emotional and perfect it really is. I think you've created a really unique perspective on Jim in this fic, and you've brilliantly captured the emotions and reactions he would logically have to these situations. I always look forward to each new chapter, and there's nothing "sad" about speedy updates. They are the opposite of sad--they are puppies in springtime, chocolate lava cake, and each update, for a moment, makes me so happy that I feel like I'm watching a new ep of "The Office."
Keep up the great work, and I can't wait for more! -CH
Well, I've been meaning to write you back, but hardly really come on here anymore. So, I wanted say that the best compliment I could ever have, is when you said that you get excited for this story the same way when new episode of The Office airs. That made my freaking day! You always say the neicest things, and I alwasy fail to return them. I've really wanted to check out your stories, but I just haven't found the time. But from what I've read so far, your a wonderful writer. And I also don't want you to feel like you have to leave really long reviews. Or even a review. I understand they can be kinda hard to write, but I'm thankful anyway. So, in short, thank you.
BTW, what does the CH in your name stand for?
9 Athena--This is weird. I was JUST talking about this story with a friend last night, wondering when we'd get an update, and then you drop this on us! You have nothing to apologize for with this chapter. It was simply intoxicating. You caught the pain, tension, terror, and thousands of other emotions with each word. I found myself sitting here, afraid to look away but awed by what you'd written. You've done something really special in taking a sensitive issue and making it real, rather than creating a cliched caricature of the chracters' feelings. I really can't wait for more of this.
Staying up till 5 AM for a story? I've done that. It's fun, isn't it? Clearly you've shown that the wee small hours of the morning create the best work!
--Till your next chapter! CH
You do such a good job with this story; it's a topic that is very sensitive and would be so easy to just turn into melodrama, but you do wnoderful work exploring depth and emotion. I look forward to each new chapter!
10 You can't take this long to update anymore! I really like how you've captured Jim's emotions and his desperation. You really have to update faster; this story is wonderful and honest to the feelings/situation you're trying to capture. Well done.
Athena--
A warning that this review is about to get completely out of hand. I'm awed, stunned, bewildered, and bewitched by this story! I've been waiting for updates all summer, but the wait was more than worth it. This is so lovely, and I can't imagine how a chapter of this fascinating story could ever disappoint. Your handle of the characters' emotions is breathtaking; in the hands of a different author, this could be a campy, silly, melodramatic story, but you have crafted it into a stunningly honest tale that has held my attention since day one. I am so impressed, and I'm already excited for more, so start writing, missy! --CH
Three years ago, Jim and Karen left Dunder Mifflin Scranton together to accept positions at Corporate, leaving Pam, and the other Office members shocked, puzzled and saddened. Now, three years later, Jim has returned, to attend to some unfortunate business. This is the story of the inevitable meet up of Jim and Pam, and their unravelling of the events of the previous three years, and all that transpired therein.
Note: Started writing before Beach Day and The Job.
Nicely done, Daoust. I'm anxious to see the backstory of what's going on with Jim and Karen; keep the chapters coming! --CH