Date: November 27, 2023 11:32 am Title: Jim Beams
So that was a range of feelings for this chapter. Clearly there's some deeper issues going on with Jim that he just wants to numb out. Now I get it in this world and with him being an ally and all. He's probably been exposed to quite a bit. So yeah when his seeming source of life and connection goes away he just wants to check out.
Then when Pam comes back he's everywhere past gone. Very much an "in vino veritas" kind of moment with Drunk Jim saying some of the stuff he really wants to say. Though it also kinda felt like Jim was taking advantage of the situation and I'm not sure Pam has all the wherewithal to recognize it. It's not like anything felt forced, but when one is drunk and the other isn't, even in a committed relationship, for me at least, it feels questionable. So, we'll see what happens going forward.
Date: November 18, 2023 09:02 am Title: Home of the Brave
I like this look into the hosting duties Jim performs. Kind of feels like another step for easing Pam into things as well. Giving her a code name, saying they're married prior to the actual thing.
Jenny was adorable and Jim was great with her. I also understand why Jane would be so hesitant. She's got a lot on her plate at the moment and in this world nothing's really safe. Though Jenny's whisper to Jim I'm sure was a tough pull on his heartstrings. Really glad Pam is there to help him now. Feels like he's needed a partner in crime for a while and he can share some of this burden a bit more easily.
1 [Report This]Date: November 14, 2023 07:06 pm Title: Haste Makes Waste
Forget a bit of what I said last chapter. I mean if there's ever a time for the first declaration of love, I mean, that would be it. Very sensual and then tender afterwards.
Pam picking up the guitar and being so proud of herself is all sorts of adorable. And Jim comes in and it blows his socks off was great to see as well. They really are wonderful together in a space like this. Now of course because of the setting there's an underlying edge of tension to be sure, but at the same time it's great to see them like this as well.
1 [Report This]Date: November 14, 2023 06:58 pm Title: Killing Me Softly With His Balisong
Time to dive in with this one.
Well that got off to a rather quick start. Considering they're trying to be slow about things, I just wonder how long they're going to last. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
There's a feeling of canon in the opening here. Jim and Pam's biggest issues with each other, in my opinion, has always been lack of communication. I see that here. Jim not telling her about where things are located, them both still not telling each other they love the other one, things like that. Feels very in character for them.
Everything else was deliciously hot and descriptive.
1 [Report This]Date: May 30, 2020 03:28 pm Title: Chapel of Love
I really enjoyed this series! Such a grim, dark version of our world (which is a really cool thought experiment and I love what you've done with it), but it leads to these versions of Pam and Jim that are in some ways so...innocent? Neither of them having any relationship experience or history makes their relationship so sweet and naive, which is adorable. And yet they figured things out pretty quick and also had some crazy hot sex!
In the first story, I felt like you ripped my heart right out when Jim told Pam they'd find a way out of their marriages and she thought he didn't really care about her and was just pitying her. And yet that was ultimately just a misunderstanding, so easily rectified, compared to her *father* trying to kidnap her. Heartbreaking! I assume it's not likely that you'll finish the third part now, but man, I'm so curious about the fallout from that! Like, how do you even navigate that situation? Can't go to the police, for obvious reasons. But can you just ignore him? I mean, Penny still lives in his house!
Not to mention that I'm dying to know what Pam painted for Jim! And to see their Poconos vacation! Anyway, this series is really great and engaging and scary and sexy. Great job!
Author's Response:
Thank you <3 I'm beyond flattered there is still an audience for these stories, given their age. I actually have a half-finished part 3 for Freedom First on my hard drive (which was originally intended as a trilogy). I'm focusing on my own work these days, so I don't foresee coming back to The Office fandom, but I have a really hard time publishing unfinished stories. I'm such a perfectionist, and I never actually decided how to end the Freedom First storyline. My intention was/is/remains for JAM to leave Freedom First and end up safely(ish) in Canada, but how would they get there? Would Pam inadvertently end up pregnant along the way? Would they bring Larissa and Penny along, or focus on themselves first? What body parts or portions of innocence would be lost in the process?
Truthfully, I was toying with the idea of a "choose your own adventure" ending because I could not make up my GD mind. One of the options (my personal favorite) was a madcap out-of-the-blue rescue involving Dwight, Mose, an armored amphibious vehicle, Angela, Michael, and other rural renegades of Wayne County, PA.
1 [Report This]Date: April 21, 2020 10:35 pm Title: Killing Me Softly With His Balisong
This is an AWESOME fic! Thanks so much for writing and I hope you're well!
1 [Report This]Date: January 22, 2020 04:50 am Title: Killing Me Softly With His Balisong
So sad this ended where it did. I found both parts yesterday and just finished it all. I was skeptical at first as I don't usually read AU, and it took about 3 chapters, but then I was sold. I would love to see more. :)
1 [Report This]Date: March 13, 2018 04:36 pm Title: Killing Me Softly With His Balisong
I love this universe so much, which sounds so weird because it’s dystopian and controlling and “Big Brother is Watching” and those things are all horrifying, but I can’t get enough. This Jim and Pam are as real to me as the ones on the show, and I think you’ve written them so well. I was immediately suspicious of Will (rightly so) but your twist was excellent. I gathered that you’re taking a break (good for you! Breaks are important) but know that when you return you will have an avid reader in me!
Date: February 17, 2018 08:39 pm Title: Killing Me Softly With His Balisong
Clover isn’t the only one! Hope to hear from you soon :)
Date: February 04, 2018 12:27 pm Title: Killing Me Softly With His Balisong
Missing you Rach31!
1 [Report This]Date: January 02, 2018 05:16 pm Title: Chapel of Love
I spent the last day and a half reading both parts to this series, and I have to say, although I was skeptical at first, I am itching to see what this version of Jim and Pam have as their next chapter!
Date: December 29, 2017 12:13 pm Title: Chapel of Love
First of all Rach3l, I fully support your break from writing. You are unbelievably prolific and I cannot even begin to imagine how time-consuming this process is for you!
That much said, I have to tell you that this Pam and Jim exist in my mind just as strongly as their show counterparts. In fact, you've given them some deeper dimensions, with Pam being even more vulnerable and altruistic and Jim being even more worthy of hero worship. And somehow it comes across as very real. As someone else pointed out, with the current political/social climate, things that we would have never believed to be possible, are apparently possible. So that just adds to the credibility of your story.
So I'm telling you that I find myself wondering how this Pam and Jim are doing. And I can't wait to hear more.
Enjoy the rest of your holidays, and your break. But DO come back! :)
1 [Report This]Date: December 25, 2017 05:15 pm Title: Killing Me Softly With His Balisong
I finally got around to reading this (I do most of my reading at work, so the NC-17 nature of this one meant I didn't have a good opportunity until now). It's a great continuation, and I really enjoyed the development of their relationship. Also I hate Will. But that might just be me.
Date: December 02, 2017 08:45 pm Title: Killing Me Softly With His Balisong
Excited for a 3rd part of the series! What an intriguing world you've created, especially in today's political climate. Cannot wait to keep reading and learning more about it.
Date: December 01, 2017 10:21 am Title: Killing Me Softly With His Balisong
The series has been created for you. You should be able to edit the title and anything else you'd like to change or add.
I'm not a writer but I can definitely understand needing a break from ones craft/hobby once in a while. Just as long as you come back!! :D
Enjoy your break and your Holidays!
Author's Response: You're the best!! Thank you so much.
1 [Report This]Date: November 30, 2017 08:42 am Title: Killing Me Softly With His Balisong
I really don’t know how to adequately review this, I just love this universe so much.
I can’t even begin to express how happy I am that you intend a third installment. This second part did a great job of filling in a lot of blanks and moving the story forward but I still have so many questions! Especially about their future.
Also, it would be great if you could use the “series” feature our site offers. Basically, this will put a link at the end of Freedom First directly to Safety First. If you are unsure how to go about this I can do it for you.
Author's Response:
I'd be more than happy if you can link them as a series! I looked at that feature, but was unable to figure out how it worked.
Thanks so much for reading and for the review. =) I'm taking a bit of a break from writing--it's been over six months since I have, and I'm starting to feel burnt out. If I rush this, it's going to suck! May be more than a month until it's ready, sorry about that. I'm hoping to get some vacation time in January, which may help.
Date: November 25, 2017 10:44 pm Title: Killing Me Softly With His Balisong
I echo what Clover said. Would love to read more from this world.
Author's Response:
Thank you so very much! There are a lot of places I could go with part 3, assuming I don't lose motivation halfway through. I almost did with this story, but I really do want to get it out there.
Date: November 25, 2017 09:00 pm Title: Chapel of Love
Wow! This just gets better and better. What a great imagination you have! Is it greedy to want more! There are lots of loose threads here that I'm sure you have plans for. Thank you for an enjoyable evening where I voraciously read this, and then read it again. Love this story!
Author's Response:
Thank you for the kind words! :) I'm taking a break from writing for a week or two... I actually need to re-read both stories to make sure I catch all the loose threads. I've been in the habit--not a good one--of leaving danglers in previous fics. What was Pam's favorite food? (mashed potatoes) What did she use her wish on? (something sexy)... etc
Apropos of nothing, I had an alternate storyline for the marriage assignment all planned out in my head. It involved a bureaucratic snafu and their original intended spouses, Roy and Katy, who've gotten along with each other almost as well as Jim and Pam have. I may actually get that down on paper as an alternate ending at some point. But thinking about it, another setback so soon after the week they've had would probably break Pam (and turn Jim into some kind of controlling, paranoid caricature of himself--not unlike her father). Not the direction I want things to go!
Date: November 24, 2017 10:26 pm Title: Killing Me Softly With His Balisong
What an amazing story! You are such a wonderful storyteller. Every time another story of yours appears I know I am in for a treat. This time was no exception.