1 [Report This]Date: May 06, 2021 07:46 am Title: 8: Filled my heart with red again
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Beautiful and I loved the symbolism
Date: September 11, 2020 03:37 pm Title: 1: Even in the blackout, I know
The moment of Jim not wanting to let Pam pull her hand away was too cute.
Author's Response: Thank you!
1 [Report This]Date: May 09, 2020 09:22 pm Title: 8: Filled my heart with red again
This was sooooo good. I love how Jim remembered and it just made him realize how much of a jerk he had been and how much he loves Pam still. Ugh my heart. So, so, so cute
Author's Response: Thanks Aly! I’m so glad to hear you liked it!
1 [Report This]Date: January 15, 2020 09:36 am Title: 8: Filled my heart with red again
I loved this!
Author's Response: Thanks Sam! I had a lot of fun writing this one.
1 [Report This]Date: December 13, 2019 02:38 am Title: 8: Filled my heart with red again
I don't know where to start.
It's a fantastic story. I've re-read it at least three times, and I'm not going to stop :)
You nailed the characters perfectly. Pam is sweet, and I love so much her high morality - even if it hurt herself, she would do things right. Jim is absolutely adorable, and communication between January Jim and December Pam is a gem. I have mixed feelings for Karen (honestly, I don't like to hate her, but I wanted to turn off the show every time she appeared on the screen), but in this story, she is quite lovely. And the fact she could make some kind of friendship with Pam... oh my, I have a kink here, I guess :)
Thank you for this fantastic 'how-it-should-have-been.'
Author's Response:
This review really made my day. Thanks so much, Dernhelm!
I feel the same way about Karen... She’s the worst, but also she’s totally not. She’s so much more like-able when she bows out diplomatically, early on. It’s too bad it didn’t really happen that way...
1 [Report This]Date: September 05, 2019 06:17 pm Title: 8: Filled my heart with red again
HOW have I not reviewed this last chapter? Ugh, I'm the worst. But I'm here now!
I mean, you just come right out the gates swinging with "she tastes like second chances and tomato sauce. His favorite" That's in the running for one of my favorite lines in a fic for this entire year.
Jim-dentation. You're killing me. Don't ever stop.
And the whole actual scene with Jim and Michael? And Michael saying he knocked Stamford Jim out and he's Scranton Jim again? I'm so incredibly jealous of the way your mind works sometimes because you come up with these things that just make so much sense, and they work, and it's always so, so good.
That ending JENNA. That ending is perfect and flawless and she sees color again and he's buying jewelry and I'm flailing my arms and would say something smart but all I've got is that I really hope they enjoyed that second dessert.
This was such a great story start to finish - thank you for writing it!
Author's Response:
Now that you’ve pinpointed that line I’m wondering if I should have said ketchup? Because America... Oh well, you live, you learn, you stick with what you know. At least I didn’t write “dead horse” which is what my father calls tomato sauce... Anyway, I digress - wildly...
I’m so flattered to hear you liked this story. I wondered that the ending was too cheesy, but I know what I’m about. Plus, ring buying after one week is canon so I guess we’re all saps...
Thank you for taking the time to come back & review. Your reviews really are a delight 😊
1 [Report This]Date: July 08, 2019 06:27 pm Title: 1: Even in the blackout, I know
To start this story made me cry, a lot. Pam's very real fear of Jim's memories returning only to pull him away from her tore me up as I really felt the impending dread she faced. I also can't help to admit that when Jim had his memories return I was truly afraid that he might be angry with Pam and feel like he must return that distance to protect himself.
Author's Response: I’m all for happy endings, especially in the fic world, so I wouldn’t end it like that. I could see it playing out that way though. Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it despite the angst.
Date: July 04, 2019 04:17 pm Title: 8: Filled my heart with red again
This story was a lot of fun. Tons of great emotional beats all the way through it. Interwoven through it all was the connection that Jim and Pam have always had. It was great to see Pam take such a big chance with Jim here, but the rewards were great.
Getting into this chapter, it was fun to see Jim back at the office. I really enjoyed the moment with Micheal. For to most part Micheal is an immature man-child, but every so often he surprises you and is a generally good guy. I feel like he had one of those moments with Jim there in his office. It was a great way to set up Jim getting his memories back.
The scene up on the roof though? With Jim and Pam in each others arms like that. Beautiful just beautiful. Not only were they sweet together, but all the hints of past
However my favorite part of this chapter was right there at the end. Pam's done living in blacks, whites, and greys. The fire in her life if back and so she's embracing every color of the spectrum she can. Wonderful to see her light up like that. I get the feeling that she's got the image of Jim on his knees on the roof burned into her mind, and just HAS to get it out on canvas, but since the life is back in his and her eyes, charcoal just won't do. Not now, possibly not ever again. Thus grabbing every color she can to imbue her future painting with life, love, and hope.
Great job
Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat
Author's Response:
Thanks for following this story, Warrior & for your lovely & always detailed reviews. I appreciate hearing your thoughts.
I love those little moments on the show that reveal a deeper, dare I say wiser, side to Michael. I thought it would be really impactful to Jim if even Michael had noticed the shift in his dynamic with Pam post-Stamford.
I wanted to end on a link back to the color that fills (or doesn’t fill) Pam’s life. I was worried it was a little too cheesy, but glad to hear that it came across okay!
Date: July 04, 2019 07:34 am Title: 8: Filled my heart with red again
This was lovely, this specific chapter and the story as a whole. I really enjoyed how you had Jim's memories come back (though I'm mad at his doctor for OKing going back to work while he still thinks it's January of last year) and I loved this line: "whatever Michael did to Jim’s physical body is nothing compared the way his words crack his heart in two."
This was a pleasure to read. Thank you for writing it!
Author's Response:
Thanks Comfect! You can blame my complete lack of medical knowledge on Jim returning to work far too early 😂 I always pictured it happening at his desk/on the roof so I had to get him back there... I’m so glad you joined me on this little journey.
Date: July 04, 2019 06:50 am Title: 8: Filled my heart with red again
The fact that she went and bought “every shade of the color wheel” is PERFECT. This was so beautifully written! Thanks for the journey :)
Author's Response: Thanks for reading! It’s nice to hear you liked it!
Date: June 26, 2019 07:17 pm Title: 7: And with two steps, I'm saved
"Michael can’t call pelvis injuries the silent killer because there was a distinct thud when Michael’s car collided with Jim’s pelvis." That killed me.
Pam eavesdropping on Jim and Betsy's conversation? LOVE.
"Oh Sweetheart, we know." Betsy coming in with the truth bombs, yessss.
"Jim can live without those memories. She wants to keep hers though. She wouldn’t be in this moment without the hard and the hurt and the horrible. She likes this moment, where Jim tells his mom that he loves her and kisses her with an enthusiasm that makes her knees weak" Oh. Well this is just lovely all around.
This is Peak Betsy.. her coming in and fixing his house, his love life, and hanging around to meet Pam.. all of it makes me smile.
Listen, as excited as I am to see how this story ends, I don't mind at all if we take the long way getting there. You just keep writing more chapters as you see fit. :)
Author's Response:
It’s nice to hear you liked my version of Betsy. We don’t really know all that much from canon about the Halpert parents, but sometimes that just makes it all the more fun.
I worried about the eavesdropping, that it might be a bit too much... or something... So, it’s lovely to hear that it hit the mark.
I think the next chapter may just be the last one, but it’s likely to be a fair bit longer too. Fingers crossed I get it up in the not too distant future!
1 [Report This]Date: June 26, 2019 06:55 pm Title: 6: You put the blood to my blue lips
Jim's lamenting over his cracked pelvis and Pam making a chastity belt joke? Okay cool, we're off to a great start and I'm laughing at these two already.
Ooh, Catty Phyllis is one of my favorites so I really enjoy her conversation with Jim here.
Is it bad that I laughed that Pam tried to drive him home and neither of them knew where he lived? OMG, that is one of my favorite details not just in this story, but in any story I've read this year.
Pam washing the dishes to get rid of any signs of Karen? I am Here for this too.
Jenna, this entire chapter is a delight start to finish! I'm just shaking my head at Jim ruining a good thing on his own with "my mom's coming over" and I love that Pam's just so protective that she's content knowing Betsy's there to take care of him.
That last line though. It has me worried.
Author's Response:
Catty Phyllis is my favorite version of Phyllis so I’m glad to hear you feel the same way. I stand by the fact that she knew exactly what she was doing when she so sweetly told Karen that she was glad Jim was over Pam. Phyllis is the unsung hero of Season 3. She’s the one who pointed the whole thing out to Karen thus creating petty/jealous/just plain pissed Karen... And, I’m sorry to go off on a tangent here, but apparently I have very passionate feelings about Phyllis 😂
I’m glad you liked the address touch - I really enjoyed writing that moment!
Date: June 23, 2019 08:10 pm Title: 7: And with two steps, I'm saved
The first bit of this chapter was a little to narration heavy I think. Having some actual dialogue I think would have helped. Like having the actual conversation between Pam and Oscar. Achieve the same goal, let the reader know what happened, but it might feel a bit more natural is all.
The rest of the chapter was great fun though. Pam listening in on Jim and Betsy's conversation was fun. That Jim has, and even after Stamford KEPT, a Pam box is very sweet on his part. Then when Pam and Betsy meet and instantly join forces was lots of fun. He may put on a show of annoyance, but as the last line shows, it's just a show and he's happy to have these two women who he loves so much together.
I liked it.
Author's Response:
Thanks Warrior! I was trying to balance moving the story ahead and not rushing through everything too quickly with the narration early on the chapter. It seems I have erred a little on the move the story ahead side of things. I appreciate the feedback.
I’m glad you enjoyed Betsy - I had a lot of fun with her!
Date: June 23, 2019 03:35 pm Title: 7: And with two steps, I'm saved
This is so great. Especially Betsy. So pleased you gave us some of that. Thank you!
Author's Response: Thanks Comfect! I’m glad you enjoyed the Betsy inclusion, especially considering it was your comment that really inspired it being added in!
Date: June 16, 2019 09:36 am Title: 6: You put the blood to my blue lips
Oh I am so looking forward to Jim's Mom and her idea of the situation. Nicely done here, especially Phyllis and your image of Jim's aspirational bachelor pad.
Author's Response:
I really wanted to repurpose a few of Phyllis’ canon-ish statements here, so I’m glad that worked.
I had planned on brushing over Mama Halpert’s visit, but this comment may inspire just a little inclusion... We shall see...
1 [Report This]Date: June 16, 2019 03:28 am Title: 6: You put the blood to my blue lips
Ah, I figured you'd get around to updating sooner or later. Interesting chapter here. The two Jim's if you will continue to collide. Evolved Jim (EJ) and Pam's Jim (PJ) if you will.
In one sense it's very sweet to see PJ back to adoring Pam and now he is able to really enjoy that. At the same time it's a little heartbreaking to see PJ come into touch with everything EJ turned into. I'm sure there is a happy medium that can be found but until it is, there's just something a little off. Great writing to bring that out.
Same goes for Pam. She's so hopeful that this is really the start of her and Jim together but she's still so scared of everything when/if his memories return. Again great writing to bring out those dual emotions.
Can't wait to see where this all ends up.
Author's Response:
I appreciate your belief in my follow through 😂
I like your PJ/EJ comparison - that’s essentially what I’ve been going for. It’s nice to put a name to it though.
Date: June 06, 2019 08:14 am Title: 5: I am floating
Okay. I like Pam being the better person here, all ‘you have to figure out this Karen nonsense, but by the way, I love you too.’ Fancy New Beesly strikes again!
Oh. Hey Karen. As a non-Karen fan, this entire exchange delights me in its awkwardness. Jim doesn’t recognize himself as ‘Karen’s Jim’ and neither do we, honestly. I also really enjoy how Karen’s attitude toward Michael is a tipping point for Jim. The man hit him with a car and he’s still loyal to their friendship. That’s so sweet.
Jim doesn’t remember anything but he still knows how and why he’s with Karen and I really enjoyed this introspection on his part. And he’s STILL trying to be a decent guy by letting her down because he knows he’s been wrong and we don’t deserve him, Jenna.
Okay. This end scene is adorable! It’s just so very them and lovely and WE’RE ALL DONE WAITING, PAM!
I kinda wanna fist-bump Kevin, too.
Author's Response:
Is anyone truly a Karen fan? I mean truly... 😂
As much as Season 3 tears me to shreds, I love the confidence it brings Pam. I also love moments wherein this is sped up.
I think that without remembering the pain, Jim would be a far more logical thinker in terms of the events of Casino Night/all that follows.
I’m glad you enjoyed my little Kevin moment. I was tossing up about putting that in, as I wasn’t sure if it really fit with Karen’s characterization to mention it... but I loved it too much to leave it out.
Thank you, as always!
1 [Report This]Date: June 05, 2019 11:36 am Title: 5: I am floating
Humor can be spelled however you like, as long as you have a sense of it, and you clearly do (yes, we Americans do tend to spell it without the u, but I can assure you that we are capable of understanding it spelled correctly as well). I loved this update, and I'm so glad you're still pushing this story forward. Karen gets what she deserves here, I think, which is to say this isn't vicious, just natural. Honestly, it's probably easier than canon, because at least here she doesn't have to spend all those days fighting for the relationship without understanding the stakes. Thanks for the update!
Author's Response:
Don’t even get me started on how many times I’ve spelt “colour” wrong for this story! I’m glad to know you’re willing to overlook my international spelling faux pas...
I feel for canon Karen, she truly has no idea what she’s up against & when she gets an inkling, she digs her heels in & likely only brings herself more angst. I’m you found this version to be a pretty natural consequence. Thanks for your continued support!
1 [Report This]Date: June 05, 2019 11:28 am Title: 5: I am floating
So I read this chapter last night at work in a kind of rushed fashion. I really liked it. One because I always like it when Jim and Pam finally get over themselves and find each other. It was great to see here.
Question for you, did you intend this to be kind of a PB&J sandwich kind of chapter? What I mean by that is we start out with a nice sweet moment with Jim and Pam, in the middle is everything with Karen, and we end with another sweet JAM moment. If so, well done.
I do like how introspective Jim is here. Jim has always been a bright kind of guy, even if like anyone he has his stupid moments here and there. However, here with only a few prompts he's able to figure out the what's and why's of the whole Pam and Karen triangle he got himself into. Nice to see that.
Sometimes it takes a hard reset to get things back on track. In this case it was Michael's car to expunge Stamford Jim and bring back Pam's Jim. Nice to see that return even if it's at a hospital bedside.
Also Jim's list of praises of all things Pam while she denies him and then just shuts him up with a kiss. Wonderful. Great way to bring back some of their banter.
Author's Response:
Did I consciously and deliberately PB&J sandwich this chapter? Uh, sure... This observation made me laugh - I was at one point a teacher & we very intentionally provided constructive criticism (& feedback to parents) based on the sandwich model (a positive, a not so positive, & then finishing on another positive). Apparently, this approach has permeated into other parts of my life if this chapter is anything to go by...
I think without feeling the hurt that surrounds Casino Night, Jim would be able to see things from a much more logical standpoint & draw those sorts of conclusions a lot more easily. I love your hard reset example - that’s exactly it.
As always, thank you for reading & reviewing!
1 [Report This]Date: June 04, 2019 08:25 pm Title: 4: I can see the paint on your toes
"It didn't matter. All that mattered was you." MY HEART.
No, I'm sorry, I just thought my heart was breaking there. I was wrong, because it actually broke at the line "I drew it so many ways. I tried to fix it."
Even Amnesiac Jim knows her friendship wasn't going to be enough and that he wanted more than that from her and JB! This chapter is SO DAMN GOOD.
That ending. It's killing me in the best of ways.
Seriously. This chapter is one of my favorite that you've written yet and now I'm sad that there isn't another chapter to read so you're going to have to update soon. I don't make the rules, that's just how it is.
Author's Response: Oh boy, this is high praise and I — thank you. There will be an update soon. I have a few things to tweak, but hoping to have it up shortly. Thanks for following along & your lovely reviews.
1 [Report This]Date: June 04, 2019 08:15 pm Title: 3: Forced the life through still veins
So January Jim is a new favorite of mine. I love that he's just woken up, all he knows is Pam, and he learns that Karen is his girlfriend and all he can think of is that he should probably break up with her because it's definitely doomed.
Yeah. January Jim is the best.
I LOVE this conversation between Karen and Pam, and I love how hard Pam is trying to sell that "there were reasons" she didn't marry Roy that weren't related to Jim.
I can't believe Karen just left! I mean, I'm glad, but I still can't believe she just took off like that.
Ooh, and a cliffhanger. I'm so glad you didn't force me into passing out for these updates.
Author's Response: January Jim is essentially Booze Cruise Jim so he’s very close to at least acknowledging some feelings. Karen may have left the room, but she hasn’t left the hospital, & will definitely make a reappearance at some stage in the not too distant future... Your reviews are always a delight. Thanks for reading!
1 [Report This]Date: May 29, 2019 11:02 am Title: 1: Even in the blackout, I know
I really enjoyed this. The dialogue was great. Very true to the characters. It's amazing how easy it is for them to talk when Jim isn't carrying around all the post -Casino Night baggage!
I don't know if you're looking for suggestions but hearing some of Jim's thoughts might be great next.
Author's Response: Thanks Sprinkles! I’m glad you liked the dialogue and that you found it stuck pretty true to character. I’m always open to suggestions - the next chapter is definitely a bit more Jim POV heavy, I hope you enjoy it (when I manage to post it, which shouldn’t be too long now!)
1 [Report This]Date: May 29, 2019 10:46 am Title: 4: I can see the paint on your toes
Dialogue was definitely necessary, and I think you did it well--interspersed with good internal monologue. I'm impressed with your Pam for actually expressing her feelings, and I hope these two can recover (Jim physically and mentally, Pam mentally, and them as a couple).
Author's Response: It’s nice to hear you didn’t find the dialogue too clunky. I’m trying to bring a bit more of a Beach Games equivalent Pam into this, even though she’s not quite there yet in terms of where this is actually set...
Date: May 29, 2019 04:39 am Title: 4: I can see the paint on your toes
Again well done with the emotions here. Don't worry about it being dialogue heavy. From how you've set things up it flows well. Good on Pam for being brave enough to fill Jim in on what's happened. Even if it means re-living all the pain of Casino Night and the aftermath. That takes a lot of courage on her part and it makes a lot of sense she'd be scared.
I love how Jim reacts the way he does. A lot of the same words as before, "more than that," for example. However the sting is gone this time around. Great way to re-purpose some of the lines from the show. I also love that even though Jim is the one in the hospital bed, he's still there for Pam. If there's a silver lining, it's that he accepted he was a jerk to her, doesn't want to be like that, and is reaching out to comfort her.
Feel free to use any of the lines from any review or story I've written. Just remember, it's only plagiarism if you don't cite your sources.
Author's Response: I’m glad you didn’t find the dialogue too much. I suppose it’s bound to be a fairly dialogue heavy story if one person has no clue what’s happened & is stuck in a hospital bed. I wrote myself into a bit of a that’s just how it’s gotta be spot there. Thanks for sticking with me!
1 [Report This]Date: May 27, 2019 07:12 pm Title: 3: Forced the life through still veins
I’m so glad you updated! I love this story so much already.
Author's Response: Thank you! It’s nice to know I have you along for the ride. I hope you enjoy the next chapter!