I bought a new suit and cancelled a plane ticket.Sometimes you read a story and you feel a physical reaction, like you've been transported somewhere else. This is that story. Well, that's not true. A lot of your stories affect me that way, but finding this jem now, when the relationship on the show is so raw and broken, sort of like this, just makes me wistful and sad and hopeful, even though that makes no sense.
Michael decides to take his sales dream team on a little trip and pulls Pam along for the ride. Spoilers through Cocktails.Okay, you've finally pulled me out of lurkerdom because I HAVE to comment on this. Oh. My. God. That was sick and twisted and so hot I cannot stand it. (Or, if I was a guy, I could literally not stand up for a few minutes).
I kind of hate Ryan on the show, but this is such a wonderful characterization of him - fun, flirty, and twisted. I'm sure some could say Pam is not acting very Pam-like, but I wouldn't agree. That's the beauty of fic, the ability to take these characters places that they would never go on the show.
Jim is a dick here, but I totally buy it. And I can't believe I didn't realize until now just how much I've been needing this story. This fandom doesn't do twisted, alas.
The only critical thing I would add is that I was thrown off by Pam and Ryan on the dance floor. I LOVED the mirroring, and that Ryan knew what was going on, but they were still dancing (yes?) with everyone else around, so I don't think even as twisted and delicious as it was that Ryan would be, uh, going there. And by there, I mean under the skirt.
Thank you SO much for this story. Keep going!
I admit to being one of those who have been obsessively refreshing the page for an update. Thanks! Hope it's not too much pressure.
I'm still loving the Ryan and Pam dynamic even if it's still surprising to me. But you do such a good job capturing them, as themesleves. I don't know; it's just really sweet. And hot. And seriously, how can you make me feel this way?
I'm curious to see how you're going to end it, because though I'm fully behind whatever way you go, I must admit I had a thought about fanfic based on fanfic. Like, I'd almost like to see an alternate ending to this based on what I want to see (which I would never ever write because a. crass, and b. I don't write.) But! I might as well add that I wouldn't judge Pam unfairly if she did decide to see if there are any, uh, differences between Jim and Ryan. I mean, you've set it up perfectly.
I really liked the sense of dread and awkwardness in the office scenes after the cruise. Of course it was like that, and you captured it well. I'm so happy that Kelly has found someone, not only because it works for Ryan in this story, but also just for her to have a happy ending. I'm easy like that.
Ryan is starting to break my heart a little in this one, I have to say. He's really fallen for Pam, though I'm not sure she feels the same. I love that kind of angst, though, and I'm very curious to see what develops with Jim, not because Jim/Pam 4eva!!1!OMG, but because they have issues that need to be addressed before either of them can move on. However, Jim did seem to be pretty much angst-free in this chapter, which must have been a conscious point, so I'm wondering if the jerk is gone.
Sorry for all the pressure everyone's giving you, but this story is just too awesome for words. Can't wait for the rest!
He should've been happy that Karen had finally warmed up to his joking ways. He wasn't.
9 What I really like about this piece is that we start with Jim not wanting to prank, and yet when she does it, he does too! To be clear, the two pranks are different becase Karen wanting to prank Pam, without her knowledge just wasn't a good idea. Jim and Pam can prank each other because they're each implicit in what the other one is doing. No outside partners.
Anyay, I really like where you're going with this.
10 Interesting premise! I love the parallel mystery-solving "games" going on, which should lead to all kinds of interesting sleuthing. Love that it's from Jim's POV, and that he's at least starting off as actually concerned about what's going on with Karen, even if he's ambivalent.
Can't wait for more!Three years have passed since Pam left Scranton for New York, and Jim is still very much on her mind. Will a work-related trip to Rome, Italy be the catalyst that reunites Pam with Jim once and for all?
10 I'm sad to see this story ending, but it was the perfect length. I really loved all of the details, about Pam's work, about Rome. Sometimes fanfic that includes such detail is more of a litany of "Look what I've done!" But you struck the perfect balance, of being detailed without being boring.
I really loved how you told the story from both Pam and Jim's point of views - it was always clear (in voice and tone) who was "speaking". I just love this whole thing. Seriously! I smiled far too much reading this. Thank you.