Oh my. This is absolutely bursting with wit and heart and sexy. So insanely romantic - and all the more so for being so real, so direct and unschmaltzy. There wasn't an instant that I didn't believe I was really reading about these very specific characters. I could cite many lines, but I especially loved Jim's ongoing internal monologue (I'm talking on the phone with my wife, he thinks) and this: He kisses her hand. "Oh, I like this." 

But the point is, you didn't hit a false note. Just loved this - the kind of story that makes me want to go write something ;-) Really glad you're here.

Should I admit that when I saw the title, I did think of that Air Supply song from back in the day?

No matter - I loved this Emily. You're so good at subtle evocative details. And you actually made me like Ryan here - I'd never have thought of it, but his love for his daughter was so humanizing and believable. This was particularly beautiful: Later, on their way home in a cab, she leans against him and falls asleep. He watches the city go by. Really liked how you rendered his relationship with Kelly over the years too. Just so touching overall. (And perfect for Father's Day, btw.)

Oh, nice. I like how just seeing Pam putting her plates in his dishwasher is so thrilling to Jim. I think that's what he's always craved with her - the everyday stuff. Also like that you didn't use a heavy hand for the 'big' issues (having kids, career, ambition.) And, as someone else said, the melon baller convo was somehow perfect. 

Author's Response: Thanks Colette! I agree that it was always the everyday things he wanted to share with her the most. And I can\'t help thinking their heavier conversations would be careful to tread the line of humor/lightheartedness to keep from getting overwhelmed...I\'m glad it came across that way. Thanks for the review! :)

This just perfectly telegraphs the S2 angst, kells. The scene in Jim's bedroom dovetails so well with what we saw in ES - it just flowed seamlessly from it. Her jealousy at the pic on his dresser, of him with another girl, is a great detail - her reaction sums up the equivocation we know she had to have been doing at that point. Really looking forward to seeing where you go with the AU part of this.

Author's Response: Hello my friend!  I should tell you that a review from you always makes me so happy.  I'm glad you feel the transition from what we saw, to my version was seamless.  I honestly always worry about incorporating actual scenes from episodes and I mostly shy away from it, and so I'm relieved to know you feel it worked well here.  In the next chapter we'll fully veer off into AU territory, and I'm excited.  Thanks for reading and reviewing, as always, Colette.  

Finally had a chance to catch up on this - and right as I finished, you posted an update. Fate, I tell you!

This was just what I needed - I especially love them simply falling asleep together...in a way, more intimate than sex. And what a lovely and apt way to describe that way Jim looks at her: Like she has the answer to his question on her lips. Oh my.

Looking forward to the final chapters. ;-) 

I feel like I've arrived...having a pink tub duck named after me is like the fanfic equivalent of having a namesake sandwich at the Carnegie Deli ;-)

So many details I loved here - the girls on the bus, the Dwight scene, Jim wanting to talk dirty to her but can't help being embarrassed, the proposal redux...and may I say that her kissing his fingertips was somehow a very sexy, lovely detail. Hmm. Sweet (but not sugary) and lots o'fun. More, please.

You know, there are some AU premises that are tried and true - can be fun, but not so original; some that are entertaining, but bear little relation to the characters we know; and very occasionally, one like this that is truly unique, yet thoroughly plausible. I think you've captured S1/S2 Pam, rationalizing that she's fine with her choices, and S3 Jim's disaffected 'ambition.' Also, that tense, edgy connection (disconnect?) he had with Karen. And lots of other stuff, lol. Anyway, these characters seem like themselves, but not them, but still them. (How much more inarticulate can I be in one review?) Nice clean writing too - really looking forward to reading more about Philly Jim.

Author's Response: A review like this from you is truly humbling, so thank you so much. I hope you still feel like it\'s believable when I introduce the Crossover elements- if nothing else I think it\'s going to be fun. Keep letting me know what you think, please. I so appreciate it!

There were so many parallels in Jan and Karen's situations during the finale, and certainly in their personalities (at that point)...that this makes total sense. One of those rare fics where I read it and think, why has no one (including yours truly) ever thought of this premise before? You really made me feel for both of them - their making tacit agreements with themselves to go with the 'merciful lie' (so well put) is spot on. And I also love this: she supposes there’s a reason why they say that hindsight is 2020. I've always thought Karen would feel that way - and even eventually admit to herself that as much as he was to blame, Jim wasn't the only one in denial. Just a great little scene - clean, crisp writing and lots of truth.

This little moment is so quiet and pure - like a heartbeat. Is it wrong that I wanted her to open her eyes and have him stay, just a little? But, I think it's better your way, with him tacitly agreeing to pretend she's asleep. Also love the way you used the word 'agitate' here: careful not to agitate the creaky, old floorboards. Great description - it makes the apt. seem almost like a character he's interacting with too, with the flickering bulb, the blinding white bathroom, etc. I like this kind of nonsense ;-)

How clever and sweet was that? TM was such an excruciating sequence of missed signals and misunderstandings...first Pam's coffee/date invitation and culminating in that agonizing PLoD scene. I agree what he said was sort of a test - his awkward last ditch effort to see if maybe...and of course she's too disappointed/defensive by that point to get that - hello Fillepelli. But, you've nailed it here - I've always thought if she'd answered differently, well...we all would have done a lot less commiserating during S3. Thanks for setting it right. ;-) (Oh, and this line made me laugh:  Turn around and walk to your car, go home, turn your oven on, and stick your head in it.)

Author's Response:

Oh, The Merger.  They should have called it "The One Where Jim and Pam Could Have Gone for Coffee" a la Friends' naming conventions. :(

I think she could have said and done many things differently all along to have sped up this timeline.  Jim of course, too, it takes two to tango and two to misunderstand, but a lot of this required FNB to show up earlier.  (We saw signs of her in S1 and S2, where the heck did "I'll stand up for myself" Pam go in S3?)

The line you referenced is the reason I gave it a T.  I figured killing yourself is an adult theme. ;)  I also thought someone would think, "Does Pam have gas or electricity?"  No one has mentioned it so far, though. :)

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing, Colette. I really appreciate it! :)

This is like a perfect little one shot - a simple, beautiful idea, exquisitely rendered. Especially loved when she blurts 'I love you' and his instant response is 'Really?' I could just hear his disbelief and joy. Lovely last line too - very visual and heartfelt and true to Pam. 

(Btw, this kind of put me in the mood of a fic I once wrote, called Lost and Found, so maybe I'm biased, but this really struck a chord with me. ;-)

Thanks for keeping this delicious thing warm for me. Still so them  - like this line: "Uh, yeah, I don't think I'm going to talk about that right - ever." That line oozes Jim (which is not gross, despite how I phrased it.)

And, not sure if this was intentional, but Jim/Karen's flirtation began when he tossed the 'grenade' and she threw the 'exploding' paper clips in the air...kind of a nice (and fitting) symmetry with Pam throwing  the 'confetti' in the air to mark the end of all that. Bring on Thursday ;-)

Well, look at you with the summer of long distance lurve fic!  I'm just back from a few days away and too exhausted to type and be coherent at the same time - but what a great welcome home gift this was! I love the part about her calling Jim to come take her home like a kid at summer camp. And, the Philly Jim cut-out and her gradually getting her bearings in le grand pomme and...did I mention I was fried? Yet looking forward to more. And how much do I love your covering 12 weeks in 3 chapters? You know I do ;-)

Author's Response: I know.  Don't believe the hype - apparently I am not done forever. ;)  Thank you so much.  I'm very glad to give you a welcome home gift.  I'm furiously working on polishing the next chapter.  I'm determined to cure myself of bad habits and post this sooner as opposed to later.  Novel concept don't you think?  A thousand thank yous to you for the sweet review.