Sweet Angela and Dwight- they can be very cute can't they?

Of course he never buys wrapping paper.

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This review encompasses last 2 chapters.

We got to read her letter and it was so rich with all the things she was feeling and needed to say - so yay for that.

I am glad however you did not put words to his. That I agree is best left to each of our own imaginations.

I think the gifting of a new phone is the right thing. Glad they did that.

The tree pickle seems a fun thing and very Dwight. Always like these little tidbits so well done.

The whole thing was just a sweet holiday treat.

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This was the chapter I was anticipating reading....how I enjoy the way you weave your stories tying together traits or the characters and stories from the show into a your world which somehow has a tone that remarkably feels both different and the same simultaneously.

The whole bit with Ryan and Kelly and Michael and Jan and the perfect icing, Dwangela - As if I don’t know what Dwight means when he stops by weekly to check on Angela’s pipes. ‘You know these old houses,’ he always uses as an excuse. But I know for a fact he’s never checked my pipes. Ew. - that line was brilliant.

These two idiots is right - oh how you nailed the way it went down - from the heat of the moment (I'm thinking of an Aisa song now, thank you) to the awkward afterwards, Pam's vulnerability hangover (love that expression), the trying to get back the easy flow only to talk about runs and shopping trips. The way you've repurposed the lines and swapped positions, with Jim not having a commitment he's tied to, but instead what seems a Peter Pan attitude from her vantage point(and haven't we all had an experience with that type at some point in our life) and that she thinks he values the friendship to much to have just a one-nighter with her, but in reality is just their classic miscommunication.

The adorable scenario you created to find their sort of resolution (at least the naturalness of their friendship is back) - a fun bit that seems very much in Jim, Pam and Dwight's essence.

That mantra of Pam's - We're Friends. We'll always be friends, perfectly repurposed here.

If you can't tell I really love this story.

Always a treat to get another chapter of silver wings and what a way to come back with two pranks in one- sort of. The way you repurposed red wire...AHHmazing and then giving us the result of it's Friday but Dwight thinks it's THursday - a delightful ROGO.

As much as I enjoyed them as wingmen, glad to see Griff get a leadership position. He just wants to get back to Penny but he's still the best man for the job....Pete's lost a little of his fire and Howard - any bash of Ryan seems well placed.

After the mission, which was mostly routine, despite some misfire that sadly would hit wrong targets, it's time to get get mail and that means not only a letter from Pam but a little Erin-Pete which I'm all for- nice touch with him tripping after getting the drawing, really sets the mood.

More morse code - Pam did not forget but I like their baseball code even more. And the list always heart-warming.

Looking forward to getting back to the girls soon,?

Always a pleasure to get back to SW.

Author's Response:

It was a lot of fun to bring in the red wire prank and to combine it with some Thursday is Friday dialogue. There was always going to be a bit of reorganizing within the squadron as the war progressed. So Jim moves up and Griff gets his one flight, because yeah, they're the best men for the job. Glad you like the touches with Pete getting gobsmacked about Erin. Just the thing they needed after watching those bombs fall short, which actually happened on that bombing raid. We accidentally bombed our own guys. 

The Morse code and baseball code have always been fun. I enjoyed bringing those back in. Same with the list.

Yup, back to the ladies next time around. Thanks as ever for your comments. 

First off it was great to see this story back. Congratulations on tackling such a monumental event (did you always plan it to come out so close to Veteran's Day) and giving us a feel for the tension going on preceding it.

Speaking of tension, there wasn't enough with D-Day about to happen? Letting this be the moment the Roy/Jim/Pam thing break added a whole other level.
Nice job building it up as the photo dropped and Roy learned about everything. And by the time Roy had been confined to his quarters it was sky high.

Of course, Jim being the solid guy he is didn't throw Roy under the bus but it didn't make me worry any less about Jim having to fly off in the plane a very bitter and hostile Roy was servicing. I got to say was very nervous about that but I guess that would have been a step beyond smashing up a bar, and to heinous, even for Roy.

I did enjoy how you humanized him in the end - brought him around to his more enlightened, season 9 version of himself and even had him reconcile with Jim in a mash-up of the negotiation with Pam and Crime Aid with Jim...overall a lot of clever way to work in lines (we're not dating, we're engaged - interesting to hear it from Jim... and some familiar faces -Tim and Dawn was fun, some fun lines about Ryan being a screw-up, and Andy and his acapella comparison...not to mention David's smooth way - how many time have I heard the showing some boxing moves bit...

All in all another well-written, 'draw you in' chapter that let us see from our character's eyes, moved the plot,
and painted the historical scene, all with some humor and well placed show references tossed in. A challenge I'm sure, but very well done. But wouldn't expect anything less from you.

Author's Response: Thank you so much Max! I didn't really plan on having this come out near Veteran's Day, sometimes things just work out. Glad the feelings of tension came across well. It was the plan for Roy to find out here at D-Day to ramp the stress just that much more. Roy still has a temper, but I would think that he has changed a bit what with being in the Army and developing a friendship with Jim. The nice thing is that Roy had basically finished checking over the plane before everything hit the fan and then there were plenty of MP's to stop any funny business. 

I always kind of like humanizing Roy a bit. He's not my favorite character, but I also think he probably deserves a bit better treatment than just a clueless oaf. He did mature in canon so he can mature here too. Glad you liked all the other bits thrown in. Always important to add some levity I think.

Thanks as always for a great review.

So glad you are getting back to this one. I'd been missing fighter pilot Jim.

Now I don't recall if we every knew the other new plane names yet or if I commented on them yet (see that's what happens) but Big Red II is just classic Andy and I like the symbolism of Round Two (since I always saw Pete and Erin as the new Pam and Jim).

I was struck exactly the same as Jim when it came to the tactics of using the bombers as bait so I was really glad when Jim brought it up at the bar - and of course having it eat at him led him to write Pam - love how she could comfort him by just being the person at the other end of the letter.

It's very interesting to see you portray Roy this way - almost disturbing how nice he seems to be - that's going to be one big crash when they find out especially since they seem to get on so well.

Of course the repurposed Dwight on Dwight fight was good fun.

Can't wait to check in with Pam.

Good stuff as always.

Author's Response: Thanks as ever. This is the first time we see the new plane names for Blue Flight. Big Red II was obvious for Andy. In the show Pete says he likes boxing and that's where Knockout came from. Trying to continue on with a theme with Round Two but I can see how your interpretation works too. Griff changes up the Penny moniker so that's still fun. And of course we have Andromeda as a call back to Jim and Pam's discussion while sitting in the hot tub.

From what I've been able to gather, most of the fighter pilots were pretty gun ho about being released to follow through on attacks or go after ground targets. It was also not clear if the bomber or fighter pilots knew at the time the bombers were being used as bait. So that's kinda where that came from.

I'm having fun with this Roy/Jim friendship. I figured that had Pam not come between them, they might have been friends. They have a lot of the same interests (besides Pam that is), are friendly with similar people. It's been fun to explore that.

I'd been looking forward to putting in the Dwight fight's himself scene for a long time so it was fun to bring that to life.

Always great to hear your thoughts. Thanks for being patient with this one.

I'm all caught up just in time for your next post - but maybe can sneak in first chapter of This thing Called Life first (and continue with adventures - yes been reading that too sorry haven't left reviews but enjoying it as I do all your stuff.)

Anyway, this was a nice little breather chapter - no worrying about the emotional turmoil of war for Jim (I know/hope you would never harm him, but the emotional seems to be doing enough - war is hell) even though we had to deal with that awful Danny Cordray.

Nice that Pam and her family are spending Thanksgiving with the Halperts -true spirit of Thanksgiving and family alive here.

The inclusion of the Pam's artwork is a lovely touch and enjoyed how you snuck in "I'm sorry what was the question."

So how long do I have to wait for the next update?

Author's Response:

Glad you got caught up. It's a long story so thanks for taking the time to read it all. Yeah Danny's not great. Hopefully I have Pam in a good place to deal with all of that. 

The artwork is fun to add in, along with lines from the show. Shouldn't be to much longer before an update. 

Forgive me as I read this chapter in two separate sections so my review may seem disjointed too.

You have a way will fitting the show dialogue and scenes into this story that seems so natural, never forced and that's adds to the story. Like Andy's punching the wall which takes him out and puts Ryan in.
And of course Ryan's getting shoved into the closet.

Plus you bring it all into real history and get at the emotions that must have been swarming around these brave young men.

I salute you for that.


You've got me waiting for the eventual Roy Jim clash. Right now Roy seems like a decent enough guy and close enough with Jim. I guess without Pam in between them there wasn't much reason for them not to get along. But I can't wait for that tension.

Another well done chapter. That got me in the feels as well as made me laugh.

Author's Response:

Thank you so much. It's a challenge to repurpose those lines and scenes, but it's a lot of fun to be sure. I'm glad you liked it.

I wanted to explore how Jim and Roy might have acted had Pam not been between them. They actually have a lot in common so it feels like there would be a way for a friendship to form. Not the close brotherhood Jim and Griff here share, but a friendship nonetheless. Thanks as always for your comments. 

Ahhh the Karaoke of the 1940s. This was a great chapter
Apprediated the wink you gave to your readers with the instant kinship line.
And Gareth versus Dwight was good fun that was reminiscent of the Andy Dwight meeting of season 3.

blood on the risers is kind of a sick song. Worries me a bit for Jim's brother, Tom but for now it was nice to have their reunion complete with their trio in song.

And I loved your tribute to Jenna Bennett which I recognized right away. So fun that you tied that in.

When I spent a semester abroad in England I was surprised to know how early the pubs closed down. Wonder if that was the case in 1940s England too You had to go to the clubs if you wanted to keep the night going. But in any case i had a vivid picture of the men all singing together while swinging their pints. Arms together as brothers no matter from where they were from or what their service rank was. Good stuff.

Ps Jim plays guitar like he always aspired to. Nice detail.

Good stuff here but I'm missing Pam as I'm sure Jim is.

Author's Response:

Glad you liked this one. Like I said it was a favorite chapter to bring to life. You're not wrong about "Blood Upon the Risers." Though gallows humor like that has long been a standard way to cope with stress in the military.

I honestly have no idea how long pubs stayed open in 1940's England. I just need a place off base for them to all unwind so created "The Bullpen," as that place. Jim playing the guitar was another one of those fun details to put in too. Yes Jim is very much missing Pam,and she him. We'll continue to explore some of that as we go on.

Glad you liked this one. Thanks as always.

Another fun chapter.

Baseball it's definitely a thinking man's game or in this case thinking woman's. I've been to enough of my son's travel baseball ball games to know that it takes more than a powerful bat and good glove to win. Baseball is 90 percent mental, the other half is physical. Nice touch to show that through Pams thoughts. I'm curious, did you play?

Michael's comment about getting under balls. Where's the Twss? Implied for sure. I guess sometimes we don't actually need to hear it said. We just know it's there in his head.

Ok the baseball signs Michael does. How approriately Michael. A great visual.

And Wham bam thank you Pam I can't believe we never heard him say this on show. Or did we and I forget. Either way spot on Michael.

I really liked the secret language in the letter which I caught onto before you had it explained later but liked explanation why they set it up. Seems smart.

Holly! Very fitting for her to do the Who's on First routine and you are right it is great fun, every time.

Author's Response: Glad you liked the baseball chapter. I did steal a line from a great baseball movie for this chapter. "Think, don't just throw," comes from "For Love of the Game," just to let you know. I played baseball from T-ball through 9th grade then got cut. It was always a lot of fun though. It's a lot of fun to have Michael be a baseball manager. Which means some new baseball inspired nicknames and crazy dugout signs.

The code in the letters was a lot of fun to come up with too. Glad you caught on. Holly was fun to bring in too. One to foil Packer, and two to play off Micheal. Thanks as always.

Ok Warrior I am loving this story - for lots of reasons...lets go bit by bit...

I grew up very close to Mitchell Field. I don't even know the history of it so you did your research - and all the references - you are military or ex-military? Of really good at delving into research for your story?

Enjoy this moment,” he whispered. “Because you’re never going to go back to a time before you met our squad-mate Dwight.” How you brought all the little references and pranks into the story her - just delightful.

I can See Pam being affected by the newsreels - (sidenote to you if you can you might enjoy the Plot Against America -HBO miniseries based on Norman Roth book - 1st few episodes slower but gets good at end).

Swing dancing - such a nice scene him teaching her to dance and I can just hear the big bands playing. Plus the line - Because the lady is always right, that’s why.

I'm sure there's something I'm forgetting so just know it was all great.

Can't wait to go to the beach.

So glad I finally decided to dive into this one.

I will have to add the rest of my jellybeans later now that I know I only have 5 to dole out.

PS - wow I thought for sure you had made the elevator out a nod to BBT with the name and all - serendipitous coincidence I guess.

Author's Response:

Glad you're liking things thus far. That's fun about Mitchell Field. I just got my info about it off Wikipediea. It was a WWII military base near NYC so it fit for the story I had planned. I'm not military or ex-military. However aviation and military history have long been hobbies of mine so it's fun to indulge them a bit with this story.

As AU as this story is, I feel it's important to keep it grounded to the characters, lines, and situations from The Office. I'm sure you'll catch more things like that as we go on. I'll have to look into that miniseries.

The swing dancing was fun. Especially because back when I was in paramedic school, after class I'd meet my girlfriend (now wife) and we'd go swing dancing. Those were some of the cues they used to teach us.

Can't wait to hear what you think of the trip to Coney Island. Thanks again. 

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Just finished another great chapter. I really loved the letter. The canvas bit was just artful (no pun intended- well maybe it was). You really are doing your homework too. As a NYer who used to commute in for work before moving to the city I know that Lirr goes into Penn station and not Grand Central. (It was a pretty frustrating thing when I lived on Long Island and worked across from Grand Central).

I will say I was kind of taken aback by Helene but I was thinking it may have had something to do with the era. I am glad you explained in your chapter notes.

I'm very excited for Pam to head back to city. I miss my city so much (moved from there 8 years ago) and I imagine between tour research and descriptive imagery I'll get to visit in my mind even if a different time.

Author's Response:

I honestly don't remember if I researched that bit about the LIRR and Penn vs Grand Central Station. Still I'm glad I could add another bit of realism, especially for a NYer. I do remember researching train routes from NYC to Scranton though. I also had to go back and re-read this chapter to remember everything you were talking about. Not that I mind really.

It's been a lot of fun exploring this dynamic with Pam and Helene. It's been a challenge to be sure.

And yes back to New York for Pam. Thanks for the review as always. 

It was time for me to jump in on this one. ive got a lot of catching up to do but if you can find time to read and review all you do in between saving people's lives and delivering your own child then I can commit to a chapter a night and maybe caught up by the time we know who will be president.

Ok first impression, well written and would expect nothing less from you. I'm picturing Top Gun, mixed with Call of Duty (yes I picked up on the Stamford call name and of course Jim is Jester) mixed with A French Village as I read.

Pam on the cockpit dash. I would have like more of her but I know it's the set up and leave them wanting more applies here. So much that I'm on to the next chapter already.

Author's Response: Glad to have you hear. Honestly I didn't even remember Jester from Top Gun for that one. It was more along the lines of Jim is a prankster, thus a Jester and it sounds good. Also the Cooper call sign is a shout out one of the restaurants in Scranton the characters sometimes mentioned.

Glad the set up chapter worked well for you. I remember having a lot of fun writing those chapters so I'm glad you enjoyed them too.