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So excited to get my “Surry with a fringe” scene but it was even better because how appropriate that they were dorky dancing. Instead of doing Karaoke. I mean that was brilliant.

Plus you reworked the “I never understood the lyrics of this song”. Like the modern twist.

And right after that I saw Booze Cruise face - that’s the look I felt like you set up in that scene. Really well done there.

And I really am enjoying how you are using Kelly in this story.

Great chapter.

Author's Response: Thanks so much! Writing Kelly has been an unexpected joy.

***If their relationship was a record, they were stuck in one of its grooves, and even though she was enjoying the song she couldn’t help but be curious about the next one. Every day she was more and more certain that she’d never get to hear it.***

This had to me my favorite passage of this whole chapter. Went back to read it again.

Wasn't expecting Pam to have seen the little Jim/Katy hook-up but it was a good choice for story. Explains her bit of lashback at him later. The little bits about the perfume and the snow - those are the touches that make your stories so engaging and real.

 The snow - such a magical moment and yet she was alone - but not really - he noticed it and knew enough to write her (so much a hint of their connection) but in that moment she couldn't see it and still felt the relationship had boundaries at the friendship line. That was strong.

Ok - nice to have the lightheartedness in this chapter too and I like how you handled these scenes from the movies and brought in Angela, too and her line about Harry Potter.

Of course Katy works at a dept store selling purses, nice bit. 

SO tying the bookstore scene and the deli fake orgasm scene together and making it like the Pam/Jim shopping for Kevin scene too was brilliant and fun (plus throwing in the other show lines good stuff .“I know. How have we not talked about this? 

Again her ability to read him - pink ears - one of those little details not lost on me and big in the scheme of it all worked well especially as it came back at end. Angela buying the book - funny.

Nice job with this chapter. 

My heart is breaking for Jim. Even knowing this was coming through all the little hints (People do stupid things when they’re lonely, Maybe it didn’t feel perfect, but it felt good enough, sex can mean something, but it doesn’t always have to mean everything) that had been dropped in along the way it still hit me like a *mack truck*.

That single tear that tied this to Casino Night - poor Jim. Just as he felt what it was like to make love when in love, she pulls away and says what a mistake. 

 Not that I don't feel bad for Pam too. Her fears, her insecurities, most of which were residual effects from *the countless “I love yous” Roy had offered up and the absolute vacuum in which he’d said them.*

And so when she thought she was being strong: And she would have to say it first, because if he did, it would break her. she was in essence acting in fear, destroying what should be her happy ending. 

But I know you won't do that to us - leave them broken - not sure how or how many chapters it will take but I'm looking forward to seeing how this plays out especially since I love how WHMS ends. 

Oh and speaking of WHMS - the parallels here in how Jim thought to Harry's end thoughts really meshed well.

As much as it hurt - it was so well done.

Now where's that next chapter you promised soon?

Ok I might be stealing this from another movie... but what did I love about this chapter? To begin with, everything.

Kelly was pretty hysterical- loved your use of her -you didn't even have to fake it had me smiling - Kelly faking it that's gotta be a sight.
Signs - I love the use of signs so for Pam to look out the window and see Hope just at the moment she needed it - that was lovely.

ANd you know how I love circularity in a fic so for Jim to have a flat and be here at the gas station where Kelly has to pee (and then doesn't and then does again - after all a good romcom moment is worth holding it in for) is perfect.

PLus as the tie-in to weight loss, this just fits as does how they managed to go backward in the episodes and work in the Job and a first date that was pretty steamy.

“Oh, nothing,” he said. “It’s just… the service at this restaurant sucks.” - funny.

But it was the last few lines ...
She took a deep breath. “Am I... your girlfriend now?”
He turned his head on the pillow, catching her eye, and squeezed her hand.
“As long as you’re still my best friend, too.”
For a moment her expression was soft and serious, and he thought she was about to say something deep and profound. Instead, she held her other hand up.
He smirked, happy to know that nothing had really changed, and gave her a high five.

Mwahhh - now this is JAM!

Jellybeans - since i ran out long ago, can't give them but if a chapter deserved them it's this one where these two fools finally realize what's been there all along. Bravo.

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Welcome to MTT - always enjoy new voices.

I enjoyed this a lot- from relating to the chipping off of her nail polish - I do this too (my poor nails) and can total see Pam as a nailpolish peeler - good explanation too why she rarely had on in the show (PS check out OL this week for more).

the juxtapositioning pf the last lines worked really well and I love that Jim was playing his elusive guitar.

Nice first story - hope to see more.

Author's Response: Thank you so much Maxine! The combination of this weeks OL, plus watching the extended cut of the Dundies superfan edition brought this idea into my head. Definitely more stories to come, but I wanted to start out with a little season 2 love. :) 

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That's parenting - sometimes we know what is best for and sometimes we are just struggling to figure it out too, having never been the parent in the situation before. And because of that sometimes we / Jim make mistakes and that is okay too. It was a little scary this one but glad all was okay in the end.

I do like the way you doubled up with the errors - the stomach and the softball. But to give Jim a break - it was out of love that he pushed her- his wanting her to have the same love for sports she does. eventually, you do have to let them make their own choices and their own mistakes too.

As a parent who has been through a lot I really appreciate this look at The Halperts as parents.
Well done.

Author's Response: Thank you so so much! Jim definitely had good intentions but it’s so hard when you’re a child not feeling heard too. I love their dynamic and giving Jim and Pam a place to be real parents here on MTT has been a joy. More to come!

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55 word drabbles are not easy- I know it but these are all so heartfelt and raw and say a lot.

Really good job there.

Author's Response:

They’re so hard!! Seriously, how do you do it. Thanks so much for your kind feedback, I’m thrilled you enjoyed it!   

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Finally getting caught up with reviewing and you are my first stop.
Took me a bit to even delve in since I'm not usually one for the smut, however By the time you posted your third chapter it had been shared by others that there was a bit in your chapter 3 that was very relevant to a survey question I had asked on the Discord chat. My interest was piqued so I began this story (i haven't yet read the chapter 3 that gets into the question which was about the BC pills, but I have read 1 and 2).

So I'll say again, not usually about the smut, only because I feel like I am intruding on too intimate of a moment between two real people, but I still really enjoyed what you did here. WHoleheartedly agree they waited and that the waiting was both torturous and tantric and a very good lead up to the purchase of a celeb sex tape (which yes I also agree felt very unPamlike) but feels very explainable as you write.

NOw your other reviews talk about how hot and steamy and while yes, it was, what I loved here were the more playful and very intimate moments that floated up around the steam The double speak while playing Free Cell/Watching Videos - yup so very them.

That JIm -despite the heat of the moment still slows to make sure it is still "Okay" - OH Jim, that is what really makes him sexy.

This line -
Yes,” she breathes against his mouth, and while it sounds like an answer to his question, she knows it’s the answer to every question he’ll ever ask of her. Yes, yes, yes. Anything. Everything. - this sensation, this feeling, that is passionate love. As is this-
"His stomach gives a little flip at the sudden realisation that they really do have all the time in the world now, that she really is his. He can worship her out in the open. He can fall at her knees and she’d let him.

That in the middle of it -Pam has a moment of Pamness - and Jim knowing her so well recognizes it and becomes her voice - all the while making sure it is all what she wants- that is hot.

These two had a quite a first time - nicely done.

Author's Response: Thank you very much! I really appreciate that you gave this fic a chance, even if it wasn’t your usual cup of tea. While I absolutely love writing the smut, I also love to show the care they have for each other, so I’m glad that shines through and you enjoyed it. I must frequent the Discord chat more often! I’m a sucker for any mention of my story. 🙈

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I've only seen bit and pieces of Couple's Retreat -it comes on Comedy Central and I watch scenes from middle- so don't know exactly the story, how it begins or ends but have the basic premise.
Besides, you are going to work you magic and twist it up to work for these characters so I needn't worry about knowing the whole plot.

This was a really fun start to get the ball rolling.

I wish my kids had/would remind my husband it's been a while since he's taken me on a vacation (COVID in part to blame here) but my kids are clueless in that regard. Great of Cece to be that kid.

Interesting to bring a little of season 9 tension in here, on the surface they seem fine and happy but maybe all is not what it seems at first.

And I adore that Holly is there with Michael. A great start to what I'm sure is going to be a fun ride.

Author's Response:

Thank you so much! So I did actually catch the tail end of the movie on TV the other week haha, which is what reminded me of it and gave me the idea for this story. And I mean, I’m probably attributing too much wisdom to a 7 year old, but artistic licence. (I also feel you on the holiday, I’m not sure it’s a coincidence that this is my second fic this year to feature a nice hot destination with a beach…) 

Major Minor - now that is good! And getting Charles into the mix here - mwahh. Love Idris Elba (although not the character he played on show - fan from watching The Wire) But the way you had him give Jim a hard time here was a perfect parallel to the conflict on the show.
Don't really blame Angela and Kelly reactions here (and again written very true to their characters.)

Glad Jim realizing he is missing things Pam is doing as he is busy with job - but glad he hold his ground (pose) and stays with Pam through Baby Pose and of course in classic Jim- makes Pam laugh.

Onto next chapter!

Author's Response:

Thanks so much! And haha, I'm really glad you enjoyed the Major Minor and Charles - his character was awful on the show, but I did still love the episodes he was on/the different ways everyone reacted to him. (I also love Idris Elba, but mainly from Luther). And Jim is getting there...

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! 

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I LOVED this chapter- so well written and such an intimate look at these couples. Thank you for giving us that look at Mark and Isabel - I'm really invested in them even though they were such peripherals on the show.

'Some people - people like Jim and Pam, maybe, who tend to overthink themselves into circles - think that Iz is the type of person who jumps without looking. Mark can see how it might seem that way to them. He knows better. He knows that she jumps, sure, but she does always look.

So he knows he never has to look when he jumps after her.'

This was just beautiful and so telling into Isabel and I totally see it about her. It seems and I hope they are making a small progression.

That you could humanize Angela and actually make me feel bad for her is another triumph here. The fact she is thinking of and praying for interesting - not lost on me that Isabel had been with Dwight even if that was not in this universe.

Even the Kelly and Ryan bit had it's moments of tenderness and had me sympathetic to a character I usually loathe.

And of course Pam and Jim, love the picture you painted here and the ice sculpture - well that was perfectly placed.

Really great job.

First off - welcome back! Good to get an update on this one.
So I thought things had been going somewhat better for our Jam, but seems as if getting out of the envelope exercise because of the mix up was maybe not for the best.
They still do have those fears to discuss. Feels like Pam is letting hers get to her and make her think their connection isn't what it once was.
And Jim and that phone - oh but I love how Kelly still had two of hers and the whole bit with Kelly was lots of perfect fun.
And Izzy paired with Ryan - love the look into what she thinks of him (and she's not wrong)

I too am really into the Izzy and Mark stuff - this is where you have created a whole new couple to care about and with it comes a dearth of fresh and unique backstory - the issues with her dad and his voice like a third uninvited guest in their relationship. I do hope somehow they get through this.

Looking forward to part 2 of the treasure hunt.

Author's Response:

Thanks so much! And yeah, Jam are not quite there yet…I always thought the discussing their fears was a big thing for them on the show too. I’m really glad you enjoyed the Kelly haha, I’m having a lot of fun with her. And the Isabel and Ryan pairing was one I really wanted to write lol, mainly because I couldn’t see Isabel putting up with any of his crap. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!