Aw, now I'm all ferklempt. I like how you repeated the refrain I'm totally fine, then made it come true at the end. So appropriate, cause that TH line really did sum up the brave/wistful face she put on in that episode. Also, this line: He gives her a sad little half smile and she feels something warm wrap around her heart made me go all gooey. In a good way. ;-) Lovely, m'am.

PS I know there were two endings, both netting out with them together, but did GD specifically say there was an elevator one? How'd I miss that, lol?

Finding this was like a little oasis in the midst of a crappy day. Also love that you update quickly - am all about the immediate gratification ;-) I could see Pam getting a vicarious buzz from watching/imagining Jim with Katy - kind of the closest she'd gotten to his sexuality at that point - but it also making her a little queasy. Very intriguing angle...looking forward to seeing where you take it.

Author's Response: Colette, that\'s exactly it -- that vicarious buzz of watching the forbidden fruit make out with the cheerleader (is that a mixed metaphor or what?). There\'s something interesting about the moment of truth that takes Jim from \"friend\" to \"sexy hot guy\". I like the thought process. As always, thanks for your comments!!!

I admit: when you said a different kind of I can't. I imagined I can't as in Jim saying, I can't hold on...ahem. (If you know what I mean, and I think you do.) But your version was much better for building the tension. So, okay - I'm headed out to meet friends for drinks. When I come home, you know where I'll be looking....not to pressure you or anything ;-)

Well, yum. (How very articulate ;-) For me, there's smut - nothing wrong with that; and there's smut with heart and intimacy. That's a whole 'nother thing. And this was redolent with that. Really like how you described their incidental comfort with each other at the beginning of this chapter and Pam's sense of How did I get here? Exactly, I think, how she'd feel. Also, liked how you came full circle to end up in Jim's room. Lovely and warm and sexy and full of feeling - sustaining that for so many chapters is impressive (more than I'd attempt, lol.) Well done.

Author's Response: Ah, Colette. I always love a review from you. Not only do I respect your opinion so much (because I love, love, LOVE all of your writing), but you give specifics that really help and build confidence. Thanks so much, as always!

This story still has me by the collar.

And speaking of all the penis talk...you know the saying that if you mention a gun in the first act, it has to get used by the third? Does that apply to penises too? (Sorry, but I think we all have penises on the brain after these last couple of chapters ;-)

I've always thought The Convention was such a pivotal S3 episode - Jim's final confirmation that Pam wasn't just licking her wounds, she didn't want him. (Or, so he thought.) And thus, the wheels were set in motion for his disastrous Get Over Pam Surge. Now, if only you'd been at the helm, that pesky business could all have been avoided ;-) Love how you're subverting it here, how you didn't overwork their phone convo - sad and funny and not played for melodrama. Please do go on - I think I'm as excited that she's on the slow train to Philly as Jim is. 

Author's Response:

Exactly.  My heart broke every time they showed his face.  I was left wanting to scream..."No.  It's not what you think.  The guy's awful.   It's not you..."  And now I had Pam tell him.  Love that I can do that. :)

She's on her way to Philly as we speak.  A little frazzled, and anxious, and finally realizing what she let walk away from her all those months ago.

And Jim?  He's finding some entertaining and amusing ways to pass the time till she gets there. :)   More soon!!

And thank you.  I meant what I said.  This thing wouldn't have come to pass if not for your input.

Another chapter...sweeeet. Any chance 4 chapters could morph into, say...18? Loved the hyberbole/oxymoron banter - they're even witty when being (deliciously) awkward. This feels all kinds of real and giddily awkward and yes, very romantic and that there is the winning trifecta, my dear. Now, what was that you were saying about 'french kisses'?

Author's Response:

Thanks m'dear.  I would have given you a sneak peek - but it was begging to be posted.  I'm not going to promise 18....but we could end up being 5 total before this thing finally finishes.  I was all - 2 chapters and done and the story's all - you're finished when I say you're finished!!!!

I wanted to have her run across the lobby into Jim's waiting arms but that is not how I imagined it happening.  I was thinking hug during The Merger with better results.  So...that's what I wrote.

*spoiler* There is much talk of various French things next chapter.   And there might be no talk at all in some parts.

Wait and see. :)

Zut alors, un epilogue! C'est formidable! (How's that for a fancy pants French response, mademoiselle? ;-)

Seriously, this was a lovely way to cap a lovely story. I like how you came full circle to the hotel and also that Pam forced his hand a little. Here's to seeing that massive rock on her hand on 9/25 - or I call a technical foul!

So, I go away for a couple of days and you've posted four (!) chapters of a whole new story?!? You're making the rest of us look lazy - but, please don't stop. Briefly, (cause I'm kind of on the fly here) - I'm a major Graduate flan, so love all the refs there (very apt) and there were too many moments for me to cite right now, but this line really made me laugh: Didn’t Buddah or Sting or someone say something about “if you love someone, set them free…”? Will try to leave a more coherent review next time. 

So, I say spike those pesky kids drinks so they crash early and hit the keyboard, missy. (Just kidding. Sort of.)

Don't have time to leave much of a review at the moment...but, just wanted to tell you that I saved this chapter to read as a reward, after getting through a really chaotic morning at work...and it totally did the trick. Also - I skimmed Catie's epic review (wow!) and saw she mentioned Joan Didion - who happens to be my fave modern novelist (and a major influence when I write) - so that's high praise in my book. Okay, carry on, missy. What's next?

Author's Response: Colette, thanks for mentioning Didion again . . . I forgot to respond to that part of Catie\'s review (frankly, I was overwhelmed with gratitude and didn\'t respond much more than a \"gee! Thanks!\"). But no, I have not read her, but you can bet I will be. Thank you guys for the recommendation! (Also, hope this chapter was enough of a reward. Sometimes after a chaotic morning what you really need is some good steam and this chapter was devoid of that . . . but soon, hopefully. Jim has to go away for awhile first. You\'ll see.) Thanks, as always!

Always a treat to find something new by you, Emily. I'm intrigued - who's this Lucien (and thank god that's over, lol)? Why did Pam/Jim split, yet stay in touch - clearly still connected? Looking forward to finding out. You've built a vivid sense of initial nerves/awkwardness, with an undercurrent of wistful, unresolved feeling just below the surface. I love the description of Jim's presence as a 'luxury'. And this is very smart: Jim is such a fish-out-of-water in NYC (now Pam's world as an artist) and then you have them kiss while they're quite literally inside a piece of art about stripping away layers, Jim straining to understand it. (Oh and I loved those two films also - good place to lift a concept!) More soon, please ;-)

Author's Response: thanks Colette!  always a treat to see your feedback.  lucien gets explained a touch more in this next chapter that i just posted - but at the end, if you want more info, i'll be sure to inform.  there's tons i didn't add to the story but considered in my head :) ah all will be revealed re: jim and pam.  wow - thanks for your feedback! how descriptive.  i just love this idea so f---ing much (pardon my french): galavanting around nyc in the end of summer, trying to maneuver scary things like feelings!  i tried to create something ethereal and i think you were picking up on it. i'm excited to see what you think of the rest. 

I think you captured something really essential about each character here - how Pam/Jim's happiness isn't about being insecurity-free, but feeling loved enough to be brave; Kelly is a delicious bite of Kelly (good snapshot of Darryl too); and Karen's bruised but still hopeful willingness to try again. I thought Michael/Jan was particularly touching - such a sweet, intimate image of them simply sleeping. Lovely.

Author's Response: how Pam/Jim\'s happiness isn\'t about being insecurity-free, but feeling loved enough to be brave \r\nExactly (I sort of feel like you\'ve said that better than I did). I love thinking about them in that way, because with everything they\'ve both gone through to get to each other (and everything else that we\'ve seen of both of them) they have to have something more than just a giddy filling of security. \r\n\r\nThank you for what you\'ve said in regards to everyone else too. I feel very green to Office fic writing, so it\'s nice to know I\'m not completely off the mark.

Every once in a while, something truly original and wonderful appears here. Like this. Such a quiet, soulful piece - unexpected, yet totally imaginable. I love how visual this is, how emotionally evocative. Too many gorgeous images to list, but I especially liked the bit about Jan seeing Pam near Scottsdale...The rumor drifts around like an aged tumbleweed - just beautiful and dreamlike. And the entire last paragraph and final sentence are worth reading over and over. In fact, I think I will ;-) Bravo.