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Thank you so much for writing and updating this story! I read Philly Jim when you wrote it two years ago, and I've been eager to read this one too--I always check for updates. It honestly pains me so much to read these stories, especially since we know how Jim and Pam are now, but what you're doing with these characters is so courageous and yet still real which makes reading these stories worthwhile. I sincerely applaud you for your bravery and dedication. Thank you!

Okay I finally figured out why it pains me to read these AUs and why, despite the fact you're one of my favourite authors, I struggled to read Philly Jim and NY Pam: It's because you're just too damn good. You've developed a situation and a story with these characters that sucks a reader in, that becomes so believable and real that I sit here thinking "Maybe....they shouldn't be together after all!" I know you keep reassuring us that Jim and Pam are rock solid on the show etc but when I'm in this world that you've forged, I can totally understand why they would fall apart and why that's a good thing. And if things had been slightly different, or the show wasn't a 30 minute comedy, this could have very easily have happened. But the thought of that is actually quite painful really!

So I totally sound like I'm criticising this, I'm really, really not! What I'm trying to say is that the subject hurts, in the same way it hurts to read about one of them dying or the end of the movie 'Castaway' hurts. But it's a good kind of hurt. It's a hurt that means the author has done their job amazingly in conveying the truth of the situation and captivating the reader so that they're so emotionally invested, they feel the pain emanating from the text.

Sorry for the ramble but just wanted to say I don't love that you keep playing with my heart but I do love that you're so brave and talented as an author. :)

Author's Response: M&S, I think a lot of people struggled with Philly Jim and I'm glad it eventually found an audience. Because even though I love Jim and Pam as a couple, I also see how their history could cause all kinds of problems down the road (if not fully dealt with). I'm so glad that I've been able to create a believable version of this kind of tale. I'm older than a lot of the people 'round these parts, and have been around the block a few times, and I know for sure that there is no such thing as a perfect couple. And I know that people are often not honest with each other or themselves. And that's the kind of thing that I find fascinating to explore. (I mean, I like the fluff and smut and all that good stuff, too ... but the angst and drama is so interesting!). Anyway, I'm rambling now. I just wanted to say thank you so much for reading and for taking the time to review. Your comments mean the world to me and I'm glad that I've been able to do this story justice.