Sweet idea, jazzfan. I'll confess I was pretty confused with who was who during the hospital scene, but I love this idea. The romantic in me wants to think it would still be like this for them fifty years later. And I know Jim wants to go first, even if it's a little selfish... I liked that you had him acknowledge that he's thought about it. I may or may not(but definitely did) tear up a little end the end there. Nice job. :)

Author's Response: I was trying to surprise the reader with that first scene, but I don't think it worked as well as I would have liked. Thanks so much for your comments!

Good to see something new from you, bashert! I've always wanted to tackle a summer-after-S2 fic. This bit of angst and uncertainty and Pam trying to hold her head up is much like I've imagined, especially the Black Days. Those details like Roy's mom calling over and over... guh. What hell our poor girl must've gone through. It's a wonder she didn't up and run away, too... even if "she was a fool for believing that if she left Scranton she could somehow leave behind being sad." Yeah.

Anyway, this was great. Hope to see you around some more this summer. :)

Ah, miss Blanca. All those conversations we had about this where I was all 'But--but-- she wouldn't do that, would she?' Well, I tip my hat to you-- yes, I see this now, absolutely and heartbreakingly realistic. This:

In an instant everything became startlingly, achingly real. The implications of what they were about to do came crashing down on her and she was suddenly very aware that she was topless in front of him -- in front of Jim. She couldn't pretend that everything they'd said and done to each other didn't matter, that she was ready for the ways this would change their relationship permanently. He was drunk and worn out, not thinking clearly. The last thing she wanted was to take advantage of him, or rush into something they'd both regret. Or worse, something unimaginably wonderful.

(That last line, in particular. Guh.)

And this:

He rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger and let out a long breath. "Right. The couch."

"'Night, Jim." Her eyes were filled with apologies, but he wouldn't look at her.

"Goodnight, Pam." There was a trace of annoyance in his voice, which she wanted to chalk up to alcohol and exhaustion, because the guilt was overwhelming.


You're trying to kill me, aren't you?

I can't wait to see how you finish this one. And I'm really glad to see you've got your writing bug back well and truly. :)

Nice! Great pacing, the increasing sense of urgency. Love the detail of the picture making its way into the list of essentials. And 'ask me again' is great. Nice AU.

Author's Response: Thank you so much!

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Awesome, Steph! I didn't even know there was a Hello Kitty perfume. :D Poor Toby (as always). The conference room scene was priceless as is Toby's inner monologue while he's talking to Kelly, and his 'you dress smarter.' Ha! Loved it, as all your stuff. Good to see you here again!

Author's Response: Thank you. And oh yeah, there's Hello Kitty everything. And to me it seems like something Erin might wear (and that might, in reality, smell awful). Glad you enjoyed it.

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Evil, leaving it there!! Liking this so far, jazz. I've liked all your last Jim-pov stories, you've got him down pretty good. This is an interesting take on what might kick-start him into really wanting to look in another direction for his career-- curious to see where you're going here.

You really want them to have a son named Daniel, don't you? :) I like that name too.

Author's Response: Sorry about the stopping point - it was the only logical one. Really. I'm tickled you like my Jim POV stories. He's the character I think I understand best on TO so I tend to write from his POV a lot. And yes, I was mortified by the name CeCe (My Jim and Pam wouldn't have named a kid CeCe in a zillion years), so dammit, they need a boy named Daniel. LOL Thanks so much for your kind comments.

Hey jazzy.

I'm going to leave you a better review, i.e. one in which I pull out phrases I really liked. I find that helpful as an author, to know what worked, and if something you thought was clever came across that way to someone else. Hope you don't mind that I do both chapters here.

certain that now it was his alphabetic misfortune to follow the firefighter.

“Pete’s an awesome bird. Pete’s an awesome bird.” LOL!

As he returned to the back of the room to polite “Mrs. Avery warned us to clap for everybody” applause

Maybe his children had decided to go live with a less boring, better dad, he brooded. Aww. Cheer up, Jim.

Pam’s demeanor softened as she took in this news, but the well intentioned pity he saw in her eyes only made it worse. Pam must have sensed this, because she quickly turned to help Daniel’s plate with the mac and cheese. Nice visual.

Loved the little detail of Jim playing with macaroni and peas; of Pam welling up when she sees the kids with him; and of course the end, where's he's reading, and knows she's watching him, but can't get himself to look at her.

One error: He didn’t see the tears well in her Pam’s eyes

Anyway, again, this is one of the best things I've seen here in awhile. Looking forward to the ending. :)

Author's Response: Wow, thanks so much for doing this, callisto. It IS very helpful to hear the things that worked for you - as you say, when you write something you never really know how it will hit the reader. I'm very flattered that you like it. I did have a bit of fun imagining Jim playing with his food. Sometimes sweet Jimmy Halpert is thirty going on three. Thanks for the error catch, too. My regular betas seem really busy right now and I hated to bug them during at the holidays to ask them to look at it.

Hi rahenson, we are trying to contact you, but the email function isn't working on the archive. Can you please email us at morethanthat1@gmail.com? Thanks!

Author's Response: Hello. I have responded via my hotmail address.

Nervous!Jim is adorable. Love how the Beeslys treat him, knowing exactly why he's there. Especially her dad. ;)

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Haha, Steph!! This line of Erin's made me laugh: "Her hair makes me sad." As always, your characterization is so good, especially Kelly's insane ramblings getting repeatedly cut off... nice.

Always good to see something new from you, my dear. Thanks for posting here even though your stories don't get the love they deserve. :)

Author's Response: Thank you! Erin and Kelly are fun to write. And thanks for what you said - it is hard sometimes posting knowing most people don't read what I write, but I just love writing.

My God, that was almost as bad as the real Merger. :( (This is a compliment.) This story is killing me in the best possible way. How is she gonna tell him?!

I have to say I really love how you're weaving in so many elements from the show in such subtle little ways. Peach Iced Tea. You're gonna hate it. :D It's great; it makes this whole bizarro universe seem totally authentic. And the characters still feel like themselves, which can be very hard to do in AU's. I'm loving this story!

Author's Response: To be honest, I watched The Merger about fifty times while writing it, so I'm so so glad people are responding to this in the same way. Thank you so much for the lovely review! I'm glad you're enjoying the little details that relate to the show, they're the absolute best thing to write. And I'm incredibly glad the characters seem spot on, I try to make that top priority. Thanks so much for the review, I'm glad you're enjoying it!!

Ah, Jim. The wheels are turning, aren't they. Methinks it won't be too much longer before she has to 'fess up. (Somebody else already said this, but please don't let it go too long. There was literally a story here where the kid was like two years old before she told him it was his.)

I haven't been addicted to a story like this in a long time. It's amazing how much these characters still feel so much like the ones we know, even in this upside-down universe. I guess I'm getting repetitive in saying that, but I'm just really enjoying this. :)

Author's Response: Ah, Callisto, I'm going to be honest with you. It never feels repetitive to an author to hear how good a job they've been doing. In fact, mentioning that the characters still seem like them is incredibly encouraging and helpful--letting me know that I'm still on the right track. No, it won't be much longer before Jim knows. I think 2 years without saying anything is a bit much--I may push it some in my story, but that's a bit crazy. For your assurance, though, I'll let you know that Jim finds out long before the baby is born and long before the story is over. But I can't help but play with the idea just a little. ;) Tank you so much for the review, it is greatly appreciated. :)

You're a tease. :) Still enjoying this a lot. Waiting for more...

Author's Response: Actually, I'm evil...but I'll take tease for now ;) Thanks for the review!