The Jim/Pam storyline becomes a soap opera—literally. Response to the BADfic challenge.
"..and they did it in the hospital bed."
HILARIOUS.
Michael decides to take his sales dream team on a little trip and pulls Pam along for the ride. Spoilers through Cocktails.I want to slap Jim so badly. Which just means that your Jim is a perfect rendition of the douchebag that is, at times, s3!Jim.
I'm not a Pam/Ryan fan, but I'm interested to know where this is going. It's really funny and intriguing right now. And kudos for making Karen kick-ass and not a bitch.
Excellent story. I really lik your style of writing- there's something very 'matter-of-fact' about it. I'm not sure if I'm describing it well, but it's very straightforward but still poetic.
I really like the image of Pam picking the bathing suit that makes her feel the least comfortable- shows that all of her insecurities and issues don't magically disappear when she and Jim start dating, and her steps towards independence are all linked to him; Fancy New Beesley is about more than just who she's currently seeing.
I can see how this could be a one-shot, but I really hope you write more!
I love the way you've acknowledged the one-step-forward, ten-million-steps-back aspect of JAM in the 3rd season. The whole fic is really good.
Wow. Loved both chapters- the whole theme of 'what could have been' and near misses on this show is just so heart-breaking, and you captured that mood really well.
Author's Response: Thank you so much, I'm really glad you enjoyed it!
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.
I think this is the first Jim/Pam-baby fic in which they're not both immediately ecstatic about it. I like this scenario a lot- it's really realistic. You've captured both of their voices really well, and I love the little details of their relationship- the Lucky Charms and Jim's shoes and everything. Great job!
So sad but so well-written. I like how quiet the whole thing was- no yelling or loud sobbing, just a mutual realization that it was over. Great job.
Author's Response: Thank you so much!
4 I really love this. There's so much loneliness in the Office storylines- either up front like Pam and Jim or sort of quietly in the background, like Toby, and you've captured that so well. My favorite is the last one, though, b/c Dwight's relationship with his cousin is rarely explored on the show and you've done a great job of portraying it in Dwight's voice.
Author's Response:
Thanks. That's kind of why I love the office, that there's so much there but it's all different levels of subtlety.
Yeah I love writing Dwight!
Glad you enjoyed.
[Angela…the green thing…that is just you, you know. I don’t have a problem with it. I kind of created green.]
Hehe! Loved that, and Dwight referring to Angela as his Arwen, and G-d making a TWSS joke, and basically the whole chapter. Really interesting, funny premise.
I love that Phyllis refers to Bob as Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration even in her prayers. Another great chapter.
Awwww. Ryan/Kelly are so cute, and you write them so well.
Jan could use a few pointers. Fortunately, Pam has been taking notes. Spoilers up to Cocktails. Hiatusathon request for Moxie. She goes to reception and pulls a spiral notebook from the very back of her bottom drawer, where she stores tampons and birth control pills to keep Michael from digging any deeper.
HEHE! Such a Pam thing to do, and such a Michael thing to be afraid of. Great start, I hope you write more.
All the lights are changing red to green. From denial to truth in an enclosed space. Spoilers up to Cocktails. Hiatusathon request for Moxie. Excellent. I love how it took 5+ hours for Pam to finally work up the nerve to say something- I think that's very realistic, given how meek her character can be. The Jam banter was perfect. Jim's thought about the iPodplaylist was hilarious - he's so emo and I love it. Great job.
Author's Response: Thanks, Rowena666!
‘Jimboree, your Pamorama view is now single. Why don’t you get on that like white on rice?’”
So hilarious- really, there are no words.
Michael’s leaning forward on his elbows, staring at her across his desk. “That was definitely heroic and, if I may say so, romantical of you. Well done.” While he shoots her what is meant to be a congratulatory grin, Pam stares down at the teal glass shards in her laps, still clutching the ice pack, trying desperately to pretend that the tears have stopped.
Post-Cocktails.
Oh, wow. I'm not sure if I hate this or love it. I love it for being so well-written, with everyone in character (despite the heightened emotions we so rarely see on the show) and a really unique post-Cocktails scenario. But I kind of hate it b/c I can really see Jim responding to Pam's declaration of love if/when it comes like this ignoring it in favor of focusing on all of the 'progress' he's made. Overall, though, awesome fic and I can't wait to read more.
3 I couldn't tell at all that you don't like Karen- I think you write her very sympathetically. I like how she's aware of the awkward parts of the relationship- the way being in Scranton shakes him up, when he's thinking about someone else, etc. -but still accepts them- it seems very in-character. And her fear about being stuck with someone like Andy if she's not with someone like Jim is hilarious.
Author's Response:
Thanks so much!
The more I wrote the more I "liked" her I guess and I've "liked" her character more as of Safety Training.
Jim gets fussy and Pam gets fed up.
Spoilers through The Negotiation.
“I guess I’m just not one of those people who can instantly get over someone that I loved. I don’t expect you to understand that.”
Wow, if that doesn't warrant an, "Oh, SNAP!" I dunno what does. Awesome fic- their voices are perfect, and I love the image of the papers fluttering around them while they kiss. Great job, as per usual.
So. Much. Love. Seriously, AngryandEmo!Jim is just the best thing ever. Write more, please. lotslotslots more.
MEMBER'S CHOICE - "Here’s the thing Jim, sometimes being in love means doing things you don’t want to do for the other person. For you, right now, it means just being her friend. And I think you’re selling yourself short, you are strong enough to do this."
Jim gets some much needed advice about Pam and a little push in the right direction from Mark's girlfriend Jane. Spoilers through the Negotiation.I always wondered what it was like for Mark, having to deal with all of Jim's Pam-related emo-angst. I really like this story so far- Mark and Jim's friendship seems really deep and genuine, but it still has a definite male-vibe to it. Can't wait to read more!
So cute. Their voices are spot-on, too, especially the part about the quiz.
Author's Response: Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)
“Like in Harry Potter? I though Toby took the wand…”
Hehe! Of *course* Dwight would have a wand. Great start.
:D Thanks!
Dwight works on his magical powers while brushing his teeth (multitasking is a coveted Schrute skill-of course)
He should've been happy that Karen had finally warmed up to his joking ways. He wasn't.This story, ftw. Seriously! I love the Jim/Karen banter, and Karen's directness. And this: “I can’t.” How many questions could be answered with that phrase?
Sooo good. Can't wait to read more.
*loves* Your Karen is beyond awesome. I loved this- so sad and yet so funny, this line in particular: “You know, seeing you across a crowded office, day in, day out, knowing I can never have you…”
Hehe! The irony....I really hope something like this happens on the show, b/c Karen really is too cool for Jim and deserves to be with someone who appreciates her more, and I'd love for her to be the one to acknowledge that.
The cuteness of this chapter is unparalleled. Your Jim/Pam interactions are just as good as your Jim/Karen ones. Speaking of Karen, I think you write her better than almost any other fanfic writer. She's sassy and funny and smart, but she's also kind of insecure and needy. She's very 3-D, here, and it all matches up with the little bits and pieces we know about her from the show. Kudos on the great characterization.
Author's Response: OMG, that is so nice of you to say! I've been kind of worried about Karen's characterization because I've missed quite a few season 3 episodes, so I haven't seen as much of her as a lot of other writers. So that makes me quite relieved!
The M&Ms line is *so* Jim. Continuing to love this story.
Author's Response: Hee. I thought so, too. :)