10

Okay, I don't have a huge comment this time, except that Jim Halpert in glasses is one of my ultimate fantasies. I know that makes me a bigger dork than anyone has a right to be, but the idea of that, to me, is so hot. Aahh! Please at least end the story with the "real" proposal. We know it's coming!

10

I can't say I was eager to read this, but I think it's a very plausable scenario of what would have happened if Jim and Pam had gotten together right after CN. I don't think they would have this many differences (but who knows?), but I wonder if they admitted to themselves that him going to Stamford and her being on her own for a while, even getting back with Roy for a minute, actually led them to where they are now. Then I realize that I think way too much about the relationships of fictional characters. Fictional, really? Not in my head. Sometimes I worry about Jim and Pam as much as I do about my own relationships. Anyway, good story, though I need to chase it with a shot of happy now.

Author's Response: I\'ll admit I wasn\'t totally eager to write this, it sort of got in my brain and wouldn\'t let go. And don\'t worry, they aren\'t fictional in my head either. Thanks for reading!

10

wow, bigtunette, this is so descriptive. Not that it's an unhappy ending, but very appropriate for what was going on during that time in S2. And bonus points to you because I love A) any story that features Mark (probably the most popular character who will never be seen or heard from again), and B) Yuengling! It's way underused in Office fic, because anyone who's ever set foot in PA should know it's practically the state beer, so I guarantee it would be a fave of Jim and Pam.

Author's Response: Yay, thank you! I go to Haverford, so I am rather well-acquainted with the wonders of Yuengling and Crazy Governor Rendell. Glad you enjoyed the story!

10

Lurve it! Is this set in the "Week Days" & "Better Version of Me" Universe? Just curious. I just want to see them married, darn it! I think that the fanfic writers should form some sort of union and storm on Van Nuys to teach those pesky show writers a lesson on how it's done. Enough with the waiting, already. Anyway, excellent, and nice to see something new from you, Talkative!

Author's Response: Hiya - You know, I hadn\'t even really considered if they\'re in the same universe as those stories. I don\'t think they are, though, as \"Better Version of Me\" has become AU at this point and, honestly, I like what TPTB did with the proposal much, much more than what I chose to do. Also, I think the canon proposal is more in line with what I did here. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I always appreciate it.

10

I vote for dress 2! I can actually emptathize with Pam -- it's hard when you're a part of a couple starting a life together and all of your friends are still single and having fun. Being a grown-up sucks!

Author's Response: Being a grown-up so sucks, and I\'m slowly beginning to realize that myself as I try to find a job here in my last year of school. I wish I could stay in college forever. My pocketbook would hate me, but dude- I would be a genius!

Thank you for the review, and I have tallied your vote! (I like dress 2, also. ;)

10

So, Jim doesn't wear socks like during...all of the time...does he? 'Cause that would make a mental image in my head that I don't really want to experience. :-0
Just kidding. lol. I love little stories like this that just give insights that we'll never know. The beauty of fanfiction, right? Two people learning to live together is such an adjustment, but they're gelling well, I would think.

Author's Response: Well, that remains to be known. But I think Pam\'s made her point and the socks will be coming off in certain...situations. :) Yes, this is why I love fanfic. They\'ll never show us any of this stuff, so we get to make it up. Yay! Thanks for reading Mountaineers! :)

10

Meow! Glad to see a new story from you, Callisto! My heart always goes pitter-patter when I see that you've posted something. Honestly, I was a little concerned about where this was going, but I'm sure you would've warned us if it were Pam/Toby, plus as a huge fan of your work, I should have known better :-) Very excellent and steamy -- IMO, this is just the right length for a oneshot. Beach Games is honestly one of my least favorite episodes, even though I know we get the happy ending, but this was a good take on it. I love it when a fic can follow the canon of the episode, yet make the transition into a believable "what happens next" scenario. Excellent, as always.

Author's Response: Aw, thanks Mountaineers. I\'m glad you liked it. I was wondering if I should make it more clear that this is not a Pam/Toby story, but I also like the idea of making people read it through without being sure. And I always wondered how Jim could have let days go by after that speech without seeming to have talked to her... so, glad it was believable. Thanks for the review! Good to hear from you! :)

10

AAH! So good! This takes me right back to the bleeding heartache of that time. I would soar with eagle's nest if one day on the actual show, Jim would say to Pam, "you were wearing *blank* the first moment I saw you," or something like your line in this story. That would be an amazing and thorougly romantic thing (I think) to prove to her just how much, how deeply and how long he'd been in love with her. Once again, you nailed the characterization, Talk, from Pam's hair messily falling out of the bun to Jim's three-day-old stubble. Will you sign my autograph book, lol?

Author's Response: Hiya, eers, glad you liked it. No one\'s ever asked me for my autograph before - I\'m all flustered. ;) The very end of season two is some of the most fertile ground around for angst and drama-inclined writers such as myself. The possibilities are darn near endless. Always good to see your \"name\" among my reviewers. Cheers.

10

Great work, yanana. Please update soon. I don't think I could ever tire of reading first date fics -- I think it should be a fanfic genre in and of itself! I think it's very genuine whenever they admit to each other that they're nervous/scared/excited for their new relationship -- I don't think it was as smooth sailing as a lot of people make out to be. There had to have been some awkward moments in there, too.

Author's Response: First date fics are definitely my favorite. A close second is anything with Jim and Pam and babies, but since we aren\'t near that on the show, it\'s not the same. We didn\'t get to see the first date, so it\'s nice we have a million fanfic writers coming up with it for us! I agree it had to be awkward and adorable and nerve-wrecking. Thanks for the review. =)

10

Very nice, bkwrm! Jim can rub my lamp anytime! I hope you found that smut isn't that scary, and you're not afraid to continue your efforts. :-P

Author's Response: Mountaineers02, your review made me laughed! I\'m sure lots of people share your sentiments about Jim ;o) You know, writing smut is not that scary and I am for sure going to continue. I mean, look at them! The smut almost write itself :o) Thank you so much for your review. I\'m glad you enjoyed it!

10

Oh, my God, jazzfan! This story is so good, it's killing me! So realistic, especially in these times, and really a subject that's not been written about a whole lot (and I read a lot of TO fic!) I've always pictured Jim as the guy who didn't have to try, but success sort of always landed in his lap. Very realistic and possible scenario that you've created. Please post the next chapter soon. It is so easy to feel for Jim as the guy who doesn't want to fail his family, yet is struggling with such a personal issue. I would love to know a little more about what the Evil!Pete said to him. Flashback, perhaps?

Author's Response: Mountaineers02, I would tell you what Evil!Pete actually said, but I'm pretty sure Jim would prefer that I kept it quiet, don't you think? *grin* It's gratifying to hear that this scenario is believeable, and yeah, Jim is an easy guy to cheer for. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment. The last chapter needs a little more work (my betas set me straight), but I should have it up by the weekend for sure.

10

yanana, I'm so excited about this, and Happy Anniversary! It seems like you've been writing for so long -- can't believe it's only been a year.

Anyhoo, I love, love, love this story. I've probably read it about four times. Jim-with-his-family fic is one of my bigger cups of tea, so bonus points for that. I love that you made his father sort of this imperfect fellow (I mean, Tom and Pete came from somewhere, right?) And I do imagine that Jim is closer to his mom than his dad. I'm glad that we finally got to see the "real" Halperts on the show, so that it's much easier to put faces to the writing, if you know what I mean.

I love your characterization of Jim in this story. It's great that he is insecure and imperfect, as so many fics just throw him up on this pedestal of wonder, and it's really not fair to the character (as we're kind of experiencing on the show right now, IMO) I think it's a very real fear, becoming a new parent. In fact, I know it's a very real fear, as I experienced it before I gave birth to my daughter earlier this year (kind of still experience it sometimes ;-))

I could go on and on, but just a great story. Please keep them up -- and you don't have to stop writing Pregnant!Pam when real Pam has the baby. It's the beauty of fiction, right?

You know, a companion piece from Pam's POV would be lovely. Just sayin'. I mean, it is almost Christmas. No pressure. :-P

Author's Response: thanks so much for the nice and log review. =) i agree about knowing what they look like, it's easier to write them with that picture, too. regarding the pam's pov piece -- i've been toying with one before this one was even complete, but i don't know how it's going to turn out. if it gets close to what i want it to be i'll end up posting it. we'll see. =) thanks again for reading and reviewing.