Wow...I don't know if there's been a final chapter of a story that I've been more anxiously anticipating than this one. I know the struggle you went through writing this, and I know about the re-toolings, the re-hashings, and the re-writes, and I have been wondering which direction you'd end up going in. And after reading this brilliant chapter, I have to say--wholeheartedly--"Mission Accomplished!"

There are so many things I love about this particular chapter that it's difficult to know where to begin. First of all, however, WOOT! for Post-it notes and shout outs! (How sad is it that when I read about the notes being in the box that I didn't even think of my 55 word fic? heh.)

I also love the play on words with the "return the favor" thing and the party horns/moving. It reminds me so much of "Cliche," and almost makes this whole story a sub-plot of that one. Brilliant stuff.

Oh, and this line: "She mistakes her embarrassment for bravery" absolutely owns me, as you said once. :)

Just a fabulous job all the way around, m'dear! Viva la Swifferina! 

Awww.... poor Jim! Yes, strong men do indeed cry, but they're more likely to blame it on allergies. Brilliant observation, that.

As sad as this is...do I detect a hint that there may be something still between them??? (please?)

Excellent work, as usual! 

So the first word that springs to mind while reading this chapter is "bittersweet." And I mean that in the best and truest sense of the word. You have so much going on here in such a short amount of space: the happy memories of the boxers (really, how much do I love "no ifs and or beets?") combined with the sadness of realizing that she just can't keep them; the dorkiness of Jim's awkwardness and the glory of Pam's embarrassment... it's just a lovely chapter.

And I'm sensing that things are getting better between them, so WOOT! 

This didn't make an ounce of sense. And yet I can't stop laughing. 

Y'know, the thing I love about this story (and indeed, about the show in general) is how utterly ordinary the characters are. They're just like regular people doing regular things, and yet somehow, it's fascinating. And that's sorta how I felt about this little story of yours. It was a nice little glimpse into the calm before the storm, if you will. 

I liked the back story of how Pam ended up at DM; how it was Roy who convinced her to get the job, and how a series of events just kept her there.

Nicely done! 

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*snort* :) Nice.


Author's Response: Dude, I seriously did not know how fun this was going to be. Thanks for the encouragement, again.

This line right here: "Like she knows she’s special and she’s dying to prove it because she’s terrified you’ll think she’s not." Is amazing. If I weren't married already, I'd marry that line. :)

Love the nod to "40 year old Virgin," and the way that Grace compares everything to the theater. What a great idea for a story! I'll be following this one. Excellent! 

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Okay, this chapter contains two of my new favorite metaphors/descriptions: Jim leaning over Grace's desk "like there was nothing more important in the world than our conversation"; and Jim leaving the NY office "looking like you imagine the Christians going into the gladiator arenas: terrified, but confident of their reward." 

Wow...just...wow! :) 

And yet more proof that the only reason men dance is to impress women. :)

True story.  

This may be the sweetest, most tender thing I've ever read. Wow... just...amazing. I don't even classify this as "smut"--it's WAY better than that. :) Excellent!

Author's Response: Aww, you're going to make me cry! Thank you so much!

Such a unique idea to explore, and you're doing a great job with it. All of Jim's reasons for not "going all the way" with his previous girlfriends are totally plausible. I especially liked the way you wrote this chapter. I'm not sure if I can explain why...it just felt very real to me. Excellent work! Keep it going!

Author's Response: Awww, thanks so much for the wonderful review!!

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He fidgeted oddly in her arms, "Uh....no...see...you gotta take the socks off first...then...you know. That's when this," he said gesturing between them, "Is fine."

That line just killed me! So funny! Jim's irrational fear of Pam's socks--though they are a little odd, I'll admit--might be the funniest thing I've read in a while. And Pam's solution to the problem? Well, that's just the extra icing on the cake! :)