I’m back as promised.  Where to begin?  How about here:  She shrugged out of the bra and dropped it unceremoniously onto the floor. I love that Pam isn’t playing coy or cute.  She’s just moving things along, going with the moment.  The aftermath of that decision-- Jim’s short circuit and her mounting embarrassment--is a perfect counter to the escalating passion.  It feels very true to character.  Things have never gone perfectly for these two.   

This makes my heart completely and totally melt:  “Pam,” he whispered.  That one word, and the way I envision him saying it, conjures up years’ worth of longing.  Moving right along, this is such a tender, beautiful gesture, it makes the puddle that is now my melted heart, actually ache:  He threaded his fingers between hers and brought her hand down to his lips; he closed his eyes and placed a lingering kiss on her wrist. He bent down to her lips once again and kissed her slowly and tenderly.  I think that’s the perfect description of somehow who is savoring a moment.  And when he finally finds the words to tell her what he’s feeling?  “You’re so beautiful,” he spoke softly, “So, so beautiful. I’ve wanted you since the day I met you and I didn’t,” he swallowed again and his voice sounded a little deeper the next time he spoke, “I didn’t think I would ever get to see you like this.” The puddle that was my aching, melted heart has now evaporated.  *sigh* 

Both of his grandfathers, his five uncles and his father were all courteous, well-mannered men and he had learned by their example. Hell, even his douche-bag brothers knew to hold the door for a woman. Very sweet and funny detail :)  And this is very clever IMHO:   …if he could condition Dwight to expect an Altoid every time he restarted his computer then he was fairly certain he could condition Pam to expect courtesy rather than be surprised by it. Gotta love a man on a mission :D 

But the truth is, he’d always been more drawn to the lush curve of her ass. This, my friend, is awesome!  Your detailing Jim’s sneaky glances and his thought processes tarnish his halo, and I love that.  I also happen to love the word “lush.”  /random fact   

Their date at the bar is just perfect, right down to the food selection and Jim’s story—light, fun, two old friends connecting, easing the tension.  Pam’s interest in Jim’s story is yet another perfect touch. 

I am swept away by this story.  I’ll be checking obsessively for updates ;)

I like the way you're switching back and forth through the evening. It gives it good pacing.

I think it's really hard to write intimate dialogue that doesn't sound cheesy, and I liked this line as a good example of pulling that off:

You’re so beautiful,” he spoke softly, “So, so beautiful. I’ve wanted you since the day I met you and I didn’t,” he swallowed again and his voice sounded a little deeper the next time he spoke, “I didn’t think I would ever get to see you like this.”

I also love how you've got Jim staring at her ass and sneaking a peek down her shirt. Jim's been so idealized as a 'perfect' man that the part where he's a guy, who purposely fell behind to watch her walk, who had fantasies about her when she bent over to make a copy... I like to see that part of him acknowledged.

Good stuff! Keep it coming, I never, ever get sick of a (good) first date story. :)

Author's Response: Oh, I know! I hate when he's portrayed as someone that loves Pam SO MUCH that he would never look at her body or think about her inappropriately. Come on! He's a MAN. He's probably envisioned her in every sexual scenario possible. And, quite frankly...I like to think that Jim Halpert has a lusty, pervy side. Glad you're enjoying this story!

10

I'm experiencing a mental short circuit right now. Will write a coherent review in the morning. ::passes out in a fit of joy::

Author's Response: ::Grabs a spray bottle out the planter and spritzes NanReg with it.::

I don't really usually review, but my GOD I have to review this because it is so amazing. Like, this right here is my fanfic fix lately. I just come everyday hoping for this to be updated. It is SO amazing. And I do not think you're dragging it out, either. It's so beautifully written and it's about DAMN time someone gives Pam some sexual courage! I hardly ever see it, and I just have a feeling she's a secret courageous firecracker (or any other kind of word) in bed. She just seems like she'd be like that. And everyone always writes her how Jim thought she'd be, shy and all that. But this is just amazing. I seriously love this fic. Don't change one thing.

Can I also say I've been waiting for a fic that's the summer between 3 and 4? I have been WAITING. It makes this even better. You are a god send!

Author's Response: Holy cow! No one has ever called me a god send, before! I'm definitely going to let that one go to my head. :) I'm so happy that you're enjoying this and I'm so thrilled that people agree with my interpretation of Pam. Yes, she's quiet and a bit shy but she LOVES Jim and has wanted to be with him for so long. Plus, it's always the quiet ones that are hell-raisers in the sack. I hope that you continue to enjoy this story and I really, REALLY appreciate the time you took to review. It's so nice to get feedback and it really does motivate me to update.

I love the beginning of this chapter (and the end too) but the beginning is just perfect. I like how you don't portray Pam as a shy wall flower whose only slept with one guy and is afraid to touch Jim. I like that she's just as into him as he is with her. And his comments about wanting to see her art work were so sweet- he wants to see that part of her life again. Really excited for the next chapter and after the last two terrible work days that I've had reading this made me smile and for that I thank you :-)

Author's Response: I could imagine her having some nerves and insecurities during their first few sexual encounters because it's natural to feel that way when sleeping with someone new for the first time but Jim has been her best friend for years and there's so much pent up sexual tension between the two of them...I just don't see her being paralyzed with fear or wanting to play hard to get. I'm so happy I could make you smile! Hopefully, I can continue to do so.

Date: March 18, 2011 01:50 pm Title: Chapter 1
I'm REALLY REALLY sorry to say this, but those weren't converse, they looked a bit more like Vans. And I know that JKras wears black Vans in real life, so that's probably what they were. I was so excited. darn. :(

HOWEVER, I did find this pic of him wearing some converse in real life. And it was awesome. Here you go: http://coolspotters.com/actors/john-krasinski/and/brands/converse#medium-383744

Author's Response: Oh, no! Alright, I went back and watched the episode again (yay, for Netflix and instant streaming) and they do look more like Vans. :( Oh, well...I guess it makes sense because the sporty boys tend to gravitate more towards the Vans and Jim is all about sports. However, I will save that photo (because...um...YUM!) and I will keep MY Jim in Converse. Because I just can't help myself. I can always label this story AU if I need to. :)

10

I just went back and reread the story description. I can't tell you how unspeakably happy I am that this story will span the summer between seasons 3 and 4!! This story should be good for 40 chapters no problem!!

You do an amazing job of conveying so many emotions simultaneously. I am thinking in particular about the little interchange where Jim tells Pam that he is proud of her. There's trepidation, pride, affection, vindication, awe, regret, apology... all of that is clear in a passage in which you used NOT ONE of those words.

You've got a whole three chapters posted but I'd definitely include your name in a list of the most masterful writers on this site.

I'm looking forward to the rest of this story and MANY MORE.

Author's Response: Wow, wow, WOW! Your reviews are so inspiring! Thank you so, SO much! Season 3 was such an awkward, painful time for them right up until the very last few minutes. But when the cameras came back in Season 4, they were a happy, well-adjusted couple. I really wanted to explore want happened in those few months and how their relationship grew and changed. I actually have a ton of ideas for this story so I imagine it'll continue for a quite a while.

10

Even though I was running late this morning, I had to take a peek at home to see if there were any updates in the archive and there you were!  It took great restraint on my part to wait until I got to work to read this.  I truly adore it.  I love how each chap builds on the last. 

But, instead, she was all deep kisses, sexy lingerie and grinding hips...And he was doing his very best just to keep up.  Pam's unknowingly (?) shattering Jim's perception of how things would play out between them romantically is made of awesome :D  I think that most people would buy into Jim's version of how things would happen, so this turns everything on its head.  In contrast to that, their conversation and interaction when he arrives and tours her fancy new apartment is so very sweet and heartfelt. 

I'm your bitch.  Keep going ;)

I am in love with this story. Like Nan, I am all about the details, and yours are perfect. The anticipation you've built for them (and us), the pacing, the back and forth...it's been very fun to read.

Suddenly he realized that he was touching a part of her body that he had never touched before...hell, he was touching a part of her body that he had never even seen before.

"For years, there had been so many unspoken rules in their relationship...so many boundaries...and in one night, with a series of heady kisses and frantic touches, they had quickly obliterated almost all of them. He felt dizzy with possibility."

With having barely any physical contact in all those years, I can imagine this is what was going through both of their heads. A little touching much have felt like A LOT the first time they finally got to explore each other, no matter how far it went.

I find it amusing, these confessions of love for men in converse, because I was going to mention it, too. Sometimes in these fanfics, the description of what Jim's wearing kills the mood for me just a little if it's not something I like or could picture him in, but you've got him in a white T, soft grey sweater (pushed up at the sleeves for we forearm lovers), faded jeans and converse. My dream date (as if he weren't already)! Nice touch.

Anyway, you're doing great with their characters, their tripping over words but trying to play it cool, their second guesses but growing confidence in themselves and each other and they enter this new phase. I love it.

Author's Response: Thank you so much! I'm really happy that you're enjoying this. I understand what you mean about out-of-character-dressing...I have a very hard time investing in a story if the characters look and sound different than I picture them.

The back and forth of the evening is great. I don't mind the pace at all, in fact I love it. We get some hot stuff and then some time to cool off!

10

I am just grinning ear to ear that you’re picking this up right where you left off.  I love details, so I found this extremely satisfying.  I knew you wanted to continue but wasn’t sure of the plan.  This is perfect.  I’m enjoying the format of now and earlier.  I’m also really enjoying that we’re getting a peek into what they’re thinking as they prepare for this important date—trying to be casual but having such a difficult time.  Oddly enough, his hesitancy only made her feel more courageous. She wanted to push his boundaries. She was certain that if she could make him feel half the need and want and desperation that she was feeling right now that she could make him lose control and they could finally...finally...let go… The contrast of Jim’s hesitancy and Pam’s urgency is delicious.   She quickly recaptured his mouth before he could finish his thought. Go, Beesly!  :DIn the end, his arms had felt emptier for having held her and the ghost of her kiss had haunted him for an entire year. So sad.  This perfectly sums up the wasteland that exists from post-kiss Casino Night through “it’s a date.”  He… reached for his cologne. One squirt at the base of his throat and one on his chest. Just like his father had taught him on the night he had attended his junior prom. I think that is my favorite detail, especially in view of your previously mentioning this:  His skin was a little salty and she could smell the spice and musk from his cologne…   The fact that she noticed and appreciated his efforts is touching JHe had no idea what to do with his new haircut so he ran his fingers through it a few times and decided to do nothing. Tousled had always worked for him before. Maybe it would work again, tonight.  That is so, so Jim JHe hadn’t realized how much hurt and rejection and anger and shame was lying between them until she had mistaken his attempt at a new beginning for a final, ultimate rejection.  This is heartbreaking yet somehow makes me feel better about Jim’s behavior during S3--that he just didn’t realize the depth of the emotions that had built up between them.  There were so many hurts and dissappointments. So many unintentional slights and deliberate wounds. So many fucking misinterpretations. *sigh*  So true :’(Psyched that you’re feeling inspired.  Keep it up! 

Author's Response: Yay! I'm a details girl, myself, and sometimes those little nuggets of info about the characters are my favorite part of a story. It's so nice to get those glimpses that we would never get to see on the show. I really wanted to reverse their previous roles. Pam, who had been so afraid and stagnant during Season 2 and most of Season 3 is now ready to start a relationship (both physical and otherwise) and her growing confidence is allowing her to do most of the initiating which I don't think she would have done prior to Season 3. Jim, who has always made the bold, impulsive moves (both to start a relationship and try to move on from that relationship [moving to Stamford, dating Karen, interviewing at corporate, etc.]) is now the now the one who is hesitant and fearful of change. I really want to show that their separation (even though painful) did help them grow. Finaly, Season 3 was so painful (and we were only WATCHING it!). Jim and Pam both did a lot of OOC things during this period...but sometimes people become so focused on self-preservation that they don't realize how badly they're hurting the people around them. I'm almost certain that they wouldn't have felt the full weight of their actions until they could let their guard down and see things from the other's point of view. P.S. This review made me feel very inspired. So, thank you!

No, no, not dragging at all! I think the pacing is great. I really do like this end of the evening/flashback format you've chosen.

I've been doing a beta read/commentary for a couple of hours and it's now 2 a.m. I took a quick look at the Most Recent posts and saw this and had to read it – NOW. I'd write more of a review but I truly must get some sleep if I am to function at work tomorrow ... er, today. I'm looking forward to the next chapter. More later...

8

Welcome, TunaEveryNight! and with this fabulous piece, too. :) what a delicious opening and sexy little first date story - i am SUCH a sucker for those, no matter how many times i've read them. this was original and fresh. please stick around and write some more!

Author's Response: Aww, thank you! There are so many wonderful first date fics out there; I'm really hoping I can bring something new to the mix. Working on a new update, now!