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I so enjoyed this. It’s kind of the twist on the haircut or other stylistic change ones goes through after a breakup but this is a much more rewarding reason to Make a change. To symbolize the onset of something so right and so different than what she lived through before.

I really like the way you touched on her needing to pass things by Roy first and how she finally felt she could make decisions without checking in first. That’s what a healthy relationship brings. But also that she was excited to show Jim. But also the small fear that maybe he might not notice (a shadow of what it was like with Roy).

The little mentions of how she kept it the same because of reactions in the office when she did let it down were not unnoticed here. This really shows how she’d gained in confidence both herself and through her new coupling with Jim.

So glad you decided to finally share here. I get the trepidation. It took me a long time to post too but now I can’t stop. Hope to see more from you, too.

Oooooh WW - I had to share this -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK0RBH5yI-A

So I found these fake PSAs from the cast - this was the one I shared in notes of my latest fic -

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUydgDGjmf8&list=PL2AC5C9CF05E8BC1E&index=26&t=0s

fun - right? So I was looking for more - there are some others (lots of laughs) but then I wound up at some real ones like the one I posted above and while the messaging was obviously something else (and important and true) it totally made me think of this chapter. 

Happy Thanksgiving. 

This was a very moving chapter with the situation being what it was. I know they are in love and have thoughts for a future but I’m sure they had a different timeline in mind for a family.

I will say I was a little surprised she felt she couldn’t go to him right away. She did seem to know well who he is and what to expect from him but the history with Roy sheds a little light on her reaction. That and the emotions swirling around. So many when you are trying, I’m thinking a whole lot more when you are not.

You did a wonderful job getting all those emotions across. And of course they are both a bit sad.

But I’m most pumped for what comes next.
Bring it on.

Author's Response: Thank you so much Maxine!! I’m glad the emotions came across how I wanted them to.

Enjoying this fic and the layers this chapter adds.

I'm so happy to see Darryl is a fellow English teacher - through my rewatches I pick up little things that speak to his being a cerebral type. For instance in a season 4 ep Michael finds him (while saying he was busy mind you) working on a rubix cube that he has almost solved. Lots of little clues to his higher intelligence in early seasons. 

Toby's eyes - yup so sad.

I like the way you handled the intimacy too.

Look forward to what happens next. 

Aww WW- love your stuff and this is no exception. Really looking forward to where you go with this - really sweet so far. Can't wait to read more.

Author's Response: Aww thank you, Maxine!!

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I've been reading but haven't had a chance to review until now so this will encompass the last 3 chapters.

First off this story is just a delight. I admire so much the ability to put our beloved characters into different worlds and yet keep their essence the same. You do it well. The pranking from last 2 chapters was fun first with the playful Raphael then with Dwight.

I love how the characters are being introduced and their roles. Interesting choice with Roy. I was expecting her to still be involved with him but also happy for Jim she was not.

Love the little personal touches you sprinkle in too. Those are thing things that really make these stories come alive so keep it up.

I love the real lit influences, Hemmingway, Bradbury. How to Kill a Mockingbird. Hope to see more.

Author's Response: As an English Lit major myself, I can’t help but sprinkle some of those throughout, and I’m sure there will be more in upcoming chapters. :) I toyed with having Roy and Pam be together when she started teaching, but then I really just decided I wanted Jim and Pam together quicker and not to deal with that mess. 😂 But Roy still works there, so...stay tuned... Thank you so much for your kind reviews, always! They mean so much!

Ha ha -Toby is so excited that Pam is no longer dating Roy but poor Toby, little does he realize she is already "off the market" even if she doesn't completely know it yet.

I like the way you had Darryl be the voice of reason (I've always been a big Darryl fan) and how fitting that he talks in sports metaphors and comparisons - he knows how to read his audience and speak in a way they can get it...plus some foreshadowing to his future job.

Appreciate that he was able to reach Roy and make such an impact that he could let Pam go without too much ugliness. Nice 'Closure' you put down here.

Yahoo, Uncle Jim is babysitting - you know how much I love that. Wish he would have invited Pam to come along.

Oh and how responsible of Pam to put her phone on silent and bury it in her purse. Wish more people would do that. Roads would be a lot safer...but I digress.

Hey, can I borrow that lucky pen sometime.

Author's Response: I could see how you'd read into that with Toby. You're right though, he won't really have a chance. Glad you liked Darryl. If there was anyone at Dunder-Mifflin Roy would listen to it would be Darryl. Guy's got a good head on his shoulders. Roy's not all bad, he's just stuck. Thus the man-to-man talk helps him to realize some of his shortcomings so he can grow. Nice to bring that out. 

Yup, Jim's babysitting. Showing Pam family matters to him and all that. As much fun as it would be for him to invite her along, it's also fairly new into their relationship and he's still got his cousin's advice to not push her bouncing around in his mind. The pen was also fun to bring in there too. Glad you liked it all.

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You were right. I did enjoy this one very much.
Richly descriptive from the dress on Pam and the outfit Jim wore, to the scenery at Christopher's (which you captured well what I had envisioned) to the wines and the meals.

And it was just what Christopher's needed a Sommelier.

Seriously, you really captured the vibe of the place and it was a lot of fun to see my character and restaurant cross universes. It's one of the joys of being part of the MTT community, so thanks for that.

Izzy was right on some things - they'd had many dates, feeling good about everything you are wearing gives a boost of confidence - was she wrong they wouldn't sleep together on the first date?

The Lady and the tramp moment very sweet as was the flower in her hair and Jonathan showing up again.

Another enjoyable chapter. Do keep them coming.

Author's Response: Glad you like everything. Really glad everything with their outfits come through well. It's been one of the themes of this fic so it was fun to continue it. Thanks for letting me borrow Beth and Christopher's. It was fun to add to that place so I'm glad everything came across well. It was a lot of fun to add in all the elements from Lady and the Tramp. I was implying that yes, Izzy was right. However we'll let Pam and Jim have their privacy for the 2nd half of their date. Thanks as always for your wonderful comments.

First off you are forgiven for the lapse -I get it. However I know feel a lot like I do when those 10 episode series come back after a year or more in that "wait, what happened at the end of last season" kind of way, that has me re-watching the whole series before I can dive in. But I enjoyed rereading Chapter 3.

I'm going to have find time to get into a old story and experience more of this wise Johnathan. He seemed to have good advice for Jim which I'm glad he seemed to take to heart. Just like in canon it seems Pam needs time between Roy and Jim to learn to love herself.

Isabel is a bit of a trip - forcing Jim to come make them dinner. Good choice to have it be a threesome (TWSS)not but really, Izzy is a good addition here.

So Jim is a man of many talents. I like Chef Halpert. And he is right about the the knives (even though my Shun and Henckles are probably about as dull as Pam's right now).

Ok so the knife scene with Jim and Pam kind of channeling Demi and Patrick was a really good vision until I pictured Meredith in The Fire episode. But seriously, that was a great bit. Who knew cutting a tomato could be so sensual.

Looking forward to the dinner.





Jim is a man of

Author's Response: Yeah, I need to do better about updating quicker. Things to work on, still thanks for still being here for this one. One of the best fics I've found with Brother Johnathan is "Distance Learning" by time4moxie. Be forewarned it's a long one, but REALLY good. There's a bunch of other great ones out there too. I'm having a lot of fun writing Izzy. The kind of no-nonsense friend Pam really needed. Glad you liked Chef Jim. Yeah there's a bit of similarity between this and Demi and Patrick, but it's also a fairly standard trope, but still fun. Thanks as always for your feedback. Glad you liked it.

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Someone's been listening to Office Ladies.

Great use of the coin toss  -I really do like her method and seeing how it works in here was a great demonstration. But go back and check the line - seems there may be a typo to fix (exercised). 

Of course, Izzy sees what she doesn't quite know yet - sometimes the best mirror is a best friend. That Pam is drawing more with Jim's appearance is one of those details that really speak to what he brings out in her unlike Roy who it seems she is with out of habit and comfort and sticking with the status quo. Sometimes, a little shake-up is what is needed to bring the bubbles to the surface but sometimes the shake-up can result in a explosion. 

True that - change is often short-lived. Double true- break-ups always suck. And sometimes when the reason to stay together doesn't exist any more, what's left? Memories aren't a reason to stay together.

Love the prank (I'm a sucker for good pranks and I know how hard they are to come up with) and I love this for way it gives Jim an excuse to get in touch and give her a gift that would be meaningful to her.

A great chapter - but what else would I expect from you. 

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So first off, and forgive me for referencing this first but OMG is this a mini cross-over? How excited was I to see a waitress named Beth. It was such a surprise and brought the hugest smile to my face. And you wrote her so well. The skill with the corkscrew, that attention to detail. She absolutely knew what Pam was looking for in her fancy night out, even if it was Olive Garden.

Obviously this tale takes a very different turn and I am really loving this turn.

This Pam, this feisty version is such a thrill to read. It's like the witty, smart, confident Pam of season 4.5-9 came to play a little earlier and I love getting to see her sticking it to the oaf she outgrew long time ago.

Speaking of the oaf- wow you really painted him as a buffoon. But the descriptions of his clothes, his overdoing it on the axe, his beer-crushing and his wandering eyes - all made me want to cheer first when she called him Two Pump Chump (now that was a good one) and when she kicked his ass to the curb figuratively and then when he almost got it literally done.

OK -so is Jonathan another cross-over? I'm still new here and catching up so forgive but I feel like he's important. However, what a juxtapositioning here, Jim takes a minute to greet his cousin and he immediately realizes and apologizes. Roy walks halfway across the restaurant to the bar and doesn't even notice she's not with him. Pam you were so right to get rid of him. He may be the new guy but in a few weeks you've already created much happier, better and way more meaningful memories with him than in all the time with Roy.

Really enjoyed this - and can't wait to see what comes next.

Author's Response:

Oh good you did catch that reference with Beth. Surprise! Yes, the name is in honor of your waitress character. My little way of saying thank you for being a great reviewer for my stories. 

I like writing Pam like this too. She's not just willing to let go of Roy's foilbles. She's given him another chance and he blew it. So yeah, to the curb he goes.

When Roy gets upset he tends to revert to puffing out his chest and tries to throw his weight around. But sadly when a man-child does that to an actual man, the man comes out on top. In this case Cousin Johnathan.

Back in the early days of MTT, when the show was still on the air and before the canon characters of Tom and Pete were introduced, there were a lot of fics with Jim having a brother Johnathan. Usually an older brother who tends to look out for Jim. In homage of all those great fics, I re-cast him as a cousin. It's a lot of fun to bring that kind of vibe in. 

And yes as Roy becomes worse, Jim becomes better. There's still room for Jim to improve, but we'll get there.

Thanks as always for your great reviews. 

My heart was just aching for poor Pam as I read this. Poor Pam trying to do something nice.

The way Jim turned her day around made it better but I do hope Karma finds its way back to Dwight and Jim has something to do with it.

Good luck on your Nanorimo challenge!

Author's Response:

Poor Pam indeed, my heart felt for her as well.

So far the challenge is going well! Here's hoping for great results! 

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Getting reacquainted with this one so I can get to your latest update. Really love your Pam Dwight friendship here.
PLus I'm always up for a trip down memory lane.

Love that Angela even offered to babysit.

Even though it was Angela and Dwight, it was nice that after Jim was gone she wasn't alone.

Great chapter.

Author's Response:

So, first of all sorry I am replying to this over a year later! There is honestly no excuse. 

 And of course there i no excuse for the fact that it's taking me so long in finishig this story.

Anyway, there is a new chapter. I hope you like it. Thanks so much!!