I'll admit I started reading with a bit of skepticism, thinking completely crazy Karen was a bit over the top. But you really pull it off the with the tongue in cheek yet deadly serious tone.

And has been said, you write a great Dwight and Pam interaction.

And, awesome that everyone has a crazy boss in Scranton, or so it seems.

Author's Response: It is over the top.  And I am skeptical of everything that I write.  Thanks muchly for reading and reviewing.

Another wonderful chapter. I'm so sad it's ending so soon-I've really enjoyed the ride!

I really liked this chapter, with them creeping their way towards one another again. You gotta love how Jim would still help her move. What I really love about this path the story has taken is that it allows them to some extent get back what they have always had: they not only love each other, they like each other.

Author's Response:

Listen, it's kind of alarming how sad I'll be to finish this; it has been so much fun to write.  Glad you're still enjoying the pacing -- them taking small steps back to one another.  I really think that's how it would have to be with those two.

Thanks so much for reviewing!

Sure enough, there's Jonathan all ready to be the catalyst. (And Scott Foley's an excellent choice for the imagination-it's funny because to some degree I think Pam has some similarities to Felicity, at least in a curly haired artsy type sort of way....)

Anyhow, I love how you draw out the tension so well. Wow I'm dying to just see these two happy, I think this seems so natural for them both to not just really rush headlong into this relationship after everything. We've seen Jim time and again detach when wounded, and I don't think Pam crying and being vulnerable would just make the self-protective instinct go away. I also think it's natural that Pam couldn't quite spill everything in the moment with Jim, especially once the tension had dissipated a bit and the need wasn't quite as desperate to show her feelings. I like that they seem to be on a somewhat more level playing field relationship wise right now, with them both being free, but hurt and a bit unsure where the other stands. Can't wait for more!

Author's Response:

So glad you like S. Foley as Jonathan; I'm telling you, the idea struck me a year ago, and when I watched that video on youtube the other day, it was like....YES!  That's him in a nutshell!  And I agree with you about the similarities between Felicity and Pam -- I noticed that myself.

I have to say, given your never-failing insights, I'm thrilled to read that you thought the pacing here was believable.  It's frustrating to write in a lot of ways -- I'm dying to get to the "good stuff," so to speak, but I really don't believe that either of these characters would be willing (or able, honestly) to jump in with both feet. 

As always, thank you so much for sharing your thoughtful perspective - it's always a treat to read your take!

Another great chapter. I think it's interesting how Pam's passivity ultimately really hurt everyone involved so much more, even Roy.

I do really feel that Pam's lack of relationship experience is really showing through here, as it does seem she needed some perspective both on how amazing what she and Jim have really is, and also on some of the not so great things with Roy. I think she really just assumed her life was going down that one path. I love how well you show how crushing it all is, even if in the end she is ends up somewhere much, much better than where she started.

Author's Response:

Your reviews are always such a treat, I swear, because you never fail to shed light on the chapter -- putting it into a perspective I often haven't considered before. 

It's also nice to hear someone sympathize with Pam here (though I certainly understand why the majority of readers wouldn't - she's done some pretty reprehensible things to Jim here, and Roy -- not to mention herself).  I agree that it's both her passivity and inexperience that are ultimately her downfall (and the bane of those around her). 

This fic has been a difficult one to write in the sense that I tend to draw very loosely on personal experience when I write, and in the case of this one, there's been so little I can genuinely relate to -- from the impulsive sex (ur, never had a one night stand with a best friend, LOL) to the experience of being engaged to a man before really knowing who you are.  So I feel like I'm flying blind in some ways, but at the same time, i have to imagine that Pam's frame of reference surely has been skewed by the fact that all she's ever known is Roy.

All this to say: You're absolutely right -- there'll have to be a disastrous fire before she can sort of rise from the ashes to build a new life. 

Thanks so, so much for your thoughtful insights and feedback -- means a lot!

You're really breaking my heart here, though I could feel it coming all along. I find it interesting that though I have a hard time imagining Pam being quite this cruel, I do buy it and can see why she's doing it, especially given this particular stage of her life. I actually think to some extent you're doing a great job of showing why the direction the show took really was best, to let Pam learn and grow on her own before being with Jim. I really think she needed to find her own strength and value, and here she is willing to give in to Jim "just once" (which now makes Jim's CN "just once" all the mor heartbreaking), but somehow seems to not really see that she really can break out from her plans and be with Jim. She seems to know what she wants, but this version of Pam still can't quite find it in her to voice what she wants, and then act to actually get it. This is the closest she can do, and still makes Jim make the first move.

So, in a somewhat long winded way, great job...

Author's Response:

Okay, given the fact that your reviews are like an oracle into my motivation, it means a lot that you buy Pam's actions here.  To be honest, I was completely caught off guard by the reaction to the last chapter -- at least, inasmuch as it was a sort of "shame on Jim" response (but put more succinctly and articulately...hence this rambling diatribe, heh).

But honestly, when I wrote it, I was of the opinion that they were both victims of the game they're playing -- transgressing all sorts of boundaries but refusing to accept or face the consequences.  My rationale is that I don't believe Pam would've been capable of following through.

Would she have an impulsive one night stand with Jim in light of Roy's confession?  Yes.  Would she have any idea what to do after the fact?  Absolutely not.

And I'm also in full agreement with you -- we'd all have been cheated (as would have both Pam and Jim) had Pam just rushed right from Roy's arms into Jim's.  I don't agree with all the choices the writers made last season (my only real beef is that Karen didn't walk away from him after the "yes" heard 'round the world), but at the same time, I have to give them props for setting the stage the way that they did.

...And you called your review long-winded.  ;oD

Thanks for the feedback!

Great chapter-and fine writing that Jim and Pam react so differently in the AU and non-AU versions, yet you sell both. I can see that they were already skilled at denial and sublimation, so they could push down that evening as more of the same. But I also completely see how this changes everything, much like nothing was really the same again after Casino Night.

You kept basic Jim and Pam traits so well. Jim of course is thinking of asking out a girl, as seems to be his best coping mechanism. (Can't really blame the guy, but still...) And Pam is now completely shattered, which seems to be the only way she is pushed out of inaction. Now Roy has given her an excuse to act on her emotions, which is probably something she has not really had to do for years.

Great job, as always.

Author's Response:

I have to tell you -- I've grown to look forward to your reviews, because they're always so thoughtful and insightful -- honestly.  I'm glad to hear that you find the AU Jim/Pam believable, because I really didn't want to just do some throw-away, gratuitous version, you know?  That's one of the reasons I've struggled so much with this one -- it's soooo hard to find a plausible scenario for what's happening here. 

Anyway -- your feedback really means a lot, gives me momentum (in a way).  Your reviews are so thorough and insightful that I find myself wanting to award them a ribbon.  :o)  

Another excellent chapter, I think bringing again to light so well why these two struggled so much to really be together even with the great connection and attraction they obviously share. They both share such a passivity that it really seems to take the perfect storm for either of them to take a step forward instead of waiting for something to happen. But I like that you reminded us of how Roy and Pam's dynamic likely was at the beginning-that she was the one who the outside world considered unworthy. I imagine that has long since been part of her attachment to Roy-he picked her at a time when he could have had anyone and she wasn't necessarily the first girl the quarterback would normally pick. It takes a long time to break out of that sort of dynamic, and realize that she actually deserves better than what she gets from that guy she was so lucky to get in the first place, if I'm making any sense in this late hour. You do a really great job of making us feel for Pam and reminding us why this is all so hard, even with someone as amazing as Jim right there.

Author's Response:

You know, you're spoiling me with these long, detailed reviews; I'm starting to look forward to them with every chapter I post!  Once again, YES: ITA.  We all tend to associate that passivity with Pam, but I think Jim is almost as guilty of it as she is -- though in his case, he has a more tangible reason for that (i.e. she has a fiance, and he probably doesn't want to risk taking that step for fear of screwing up their friendship).  And yeah, I do think Pam's self esteem issues (from seasons 1 & 2, at least) could well stem from her high school experiences with Roy (because she seems to have a fantastic relationship with her parents).  Add to that the fact that Roy never seemed to go out of his way to make her feel good about herself (quite the opposite in some cases -- his lovely threat in "Basketball" that if she doesn't tip the ball his way, she'll sleep in the truck, anyone?). I'm really glad that this translated for you here -- because one of the things that I expressed concern about to Starry Dreamer, my beta, was whether or not the Pam/Roy memories toward the end of the chapter were a) relevant and b) remotely interesting (LOL). 

Anyway, thanks so much for yet another thoughtful, detailed review; I so appreciate it!

I can't add much to all the heaps of praise. I don't think I've ever eagerly awaited updates of a story quite so much, even though I know it's going to just make my heart ache for these two crazy kids.

You really capture how you both want to throttle and hug Old Pam. You can see to some extent why she's hesitant to make this huge change in her life, as Roy is all she's known. I actually think her limited relationship experience makes her not see how special the connection she and Jim have is. She knows it's better than Roy, but I think doesn't really grasp that meeting someone like Jim who you get along with so well and are attracted to isn't so commonplace and not just a temptation to her set plan.

Anyhow, I ramble. Wonderful, story!


Author's Response:

You know, this was one of those reviews that really shed light on the story for me, if that makes any sense at all; in other words, you articulated so perfectly what I'm trying to convey -- so thank you for that.  :o)  Seriously, though, I'm really glad you say those things, because it's hard sometimes to remember why in the hell Pam wouldn't just drop Roy and run off with Jim -- but it's so much more complicated than that....

Thank so much for that thoughtful review!

Thanks for all the kind words!  I have been crazy busy at work, so I apologize for not taking the time to respond individually.  But I do really, really appreciate people taking the time to do reviews.  It totally made my day!

So how'd the sales call go? Am I the only one worried about your career?

Author's Response: I was late, but I was in such a good mood that I charmed the pants right off the systems manager...and he was a guy! It\'s a good chunk. Community colleges are still pretty sweet clients, even though the volume has dropped precipitously in the last year. EVERYTHING is being digitized. It\'s not going to be long before this company tanks, I think. At which point, I will be tremendously relieved to have to look for a new job. In the meantime, it\'s a good commission, which I will dutifully sock away for a rainy day.

This is really great. I love how you are true to the fact that they have issues to work through still, yet show how strong their feelings and connection are.

I also love how swiftly they go from serious to light-hearted back to serious. It's just so Jam. Great story, and I think this is my favorite chapter. (So far!)

Author's Response:

aw thanks!! I think this is my favorite chapter so far too ;-) Jim's just so cute.

Fun story! It's an interesting perspective to have a story told from Dwight's POV. I like that underneath the hostility you are finding something else there. I thought that Dwight's actions in The Initiation really showed how deep down he didn't like how things had gone with Jim. Plus, Dwight almost always listens to what Jim says, even though he's being set up half the time.

Sorry, didn't mean to ramble. Great job, I look forward to more!

Author's Response: Yeah, I really like the dynamic between the two of them and there is definitely more there. Glad you liked it!