I loved this.  And again, I forgot all about the five elements until the end.  I'm amused by how freaked out Pam is by eating trout.  Really?  *smirks*

Author's Response: I'm so glad - 1) that you loved it and 2) that you forgot about the elements. :)  Pam might not be the one freaked out about the trout - it's more likely me.  ;) I was at a dinner once and there was this lovely looking salad.  What I assumed was slices of chicken was actually smoked trout and I have never been the same since.  LOL!!!   Also - I might be that girl who pays so much attention to detail that she'd look up the fishing schedules for PA in cold weather months.  I just might.  Hee!

Wow, I can definitely see Pam being a bit shell-shocked after hearing that Jim's going to move in with Karen.   Karen's dialogue in that scene seemed just like her, too.  Oh, boy.  Pam's been avoiding him for three weeks??  She needs to step up to the plate.  Seriously.  (Of course, I've been saying this for the last five months.  ;)

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???  You're going to end here.  I hate you. [/Pam]  Seriously, though.  Methinks Jim is in a load of trouble.

I have to say, though --- IRC!!!  OMG, the memories.  I haven't been on IRC for a really long time, but every now and then I have an urge to use the prompts, like, /me laughs hysterically.   *smirk*  

I can't wait to see where this goes.  Ha!  People are so different online than they are in real-life.  And "Mr. Wonderful???"  O.M.G.  I can't wait to see where this goes.

Ooooh.  The plot thickens!  Hehe, I'm totally sitting here giggling to myself as I'm watching this unfold.  How is 'ol Jim going to explain himself out of this one?  Very interesting...

Author's Response: Giggling to yourself?  Have you become Kevin???  :D  Oh, Jim has trouble coming to him no matter what he does, at least in the short term.

Mox, I just want to tell you that this story is making me FREAK OUT.  I am so nervous about what's going to happen!  You're turning my stomach in knots; it's like I'm in high school all over again.  Why is this?  I don't know... but I can't wait to see the fallout of Jim's actions.  And yes, if Pam talks to him, there's going to be some trouble in paradise, because Karen's going to assume that Jim's already told her about them breaking up!  OMG!  DRAMA.  I don't know if I can handle this.  What have you gotten our boy into??

I enjoyed seeing how that little 'cliffhanger' really tied out there.  Your Jim is so open and loving and just effuses with love for Pam.  It's amazing.  And Pam -- suspicious, hurt, amused, mad, I love her in this chapter.  I really feel that, even though this story is Jim-central, you've really latched onto her and given us a sense of her perspective without changing from Jim's viewpoint.  I love that Pam is afraid to believe what Jim's feelings really are, and then doesn't know what to do once she finally has what she's been looking for!!  

I also enjoy how you're able to balance the flow of the conversation in the IRC chat with Jim & Pam's private convos.  It's completely realistic to how it would go.  Question:  is there actually a #love_stinks channel?

Also... you definitely win points for having Dwight do the background check on Matt ... LOL.  I could definitely see that happening. 

Ah HAHAHAHA.  This story made me laugh so much.  I love the fights -- and the Jim/Pam interaction?  Oh my God, seriously.  I almost wanted to cry when Jim suggested that he was more into than she was (very realistic) and then Pam and the list?  So great.  I really enjoyed this a lot!  You do a good job with the ensamble, which is a hard thing to do.  

Author's Response: That's such a great compliment, thank you! I love ensemble fic, and I'm glad I made you laugh since that's what I was going for ;)

Oh my God.  Seriously, you leave off HERE?  I hate you.  C'mon.  You need to post this next chapter soon.  I can't wait to see what the letter says.  ACK.


Author's Response: It's posted, it's posted. I know, I'm a tease. Hope you like the letter!

Ahhhh LOVE.  This was so great, you did such a fantastic job showing the contrast between Roy and Jim!  I love the tenderness mixed with a desire to feel that Pam has -- she wants Roy to feel, but he doesn't -- he won't take down those walls, but Jim -- he's just Jim, he's that open book and yes, it hurts, and that's just -- so double-sided, that phrase.  Very nice job.  

Author's Response: Wow, I'm so glad that what I had intended to show actually did come across because I was beyond worried that it wouldn't.  I appreciate the review!  Thanks!

AH HAHAHAHAHAHA.  BEST SECRET EVER.

Not only did you do such a great job at writing the chapter (especially with that little Jim/Pam scene --- wow!) but the SECRET????  OMG.  

I've literally spent the last two minutes running around the office in circles giggling to myself.  You definitely win.

I like cookies.  I admit:  I also love post-Cocktails fic right now.  And I love fics where Pam and Jim get together post-Cocktails.  This was sweet and ... oh.  Poor Jim.

Ah, this was nice.  Poor Jim --- and Kevin, *sigh.*  I really liked the theme with the M&Ms, how it's sort of a sort of comfort for Kevin.  It really makes me want to eat chocolate right now.  Good job, stepping up the challenge.

Author's Response: Thank you!  After I finished writing it, I was really sad that I didn't have any M&Ms around.  Nothing like a couple of sad sacks in the bushes outside a wedding reception to make you need some chocolate, huh?

Wow --- that ending.  Holy crap, I didn't expect that.  I love how Pam says that again, too -- "I'm fine with my choices."   Very interesting...  great story!  I love S2 stories.