Wishful thinking for a Jim/Pam fan who's convinced it'll all work out, but is sick of waiting.
Loved it! I loved the comparisons to Pam throughout the ages. It fit nicely into her current state of mind. As always, you'd better hurry and give me another chapter to read :) You torture me ever so awesomely.
You know what I'm sorry for? The fact that you don't pimp your fics out on TWoP like you should, but I ravage the fanfic forum every day looking for your name so that I can read your updated chapters right away. So instead this jem of a continuation from last week slipped right by me.
And I wish I could have told you (for like the billionth-trillionth time) sooner that your stuff is amazing. And this final (?) chapter is just as good as the rest.
Jim's basketball game with the C.F.O. (not his actual initials) gets interrupted with news from what happened at Poor Richard's; he reacts accordingly.
AH-MAZING! I can't wait to read the rest of it. Please hurry and post :) The end of this chapter was beautiful with Pam's interior angst. As you know I'm such an angst whore. Can't wait to read more (oh and loved that you had KELLY call Jim!)
ARGHHHHHHH! Why?! Why do you torture me this way??!! I swear if you don't update this amazing, beautifully written story soon I will gauge my eyes out with a spoon. Seriously. That's a promise. So... are you going to update it soon? Please?
Author's Response:
You are such an awesome reviewer, StarryDreamer, that a request from you would seriously motivate me to completely disregard all "real life" responsibilities just to churn out more fic. :o) (Seriously, your reviews have been a tremendous catalyst in my renewed motivation to write and post - and that is not at all an overstatement.)
In response to your question...yes, I'll update it soon (hopefully by tomorrow night); this has been one of those weird fics that won't leave me alone.
Again - thank you so much for the review (s) - you are amazing!
He said yes.
I'm not sure if I have the words to articulate what I'm thinking right now. Unbelievable. You know I eat up the angst and you serve it real good. Your writing style is just so incredibly visual that I can literally picture the scene playing out in my head. Every little detail- balled up fists, tears in eyes... just amazing. Can not wait until chapter 4. Seriously.
Okay, Miss StarryDreamer: Your reviews have been such a boost to my muse/creativity/motivation to write. Honestly.
Here's the thing: We write; we post; we hope for feedback. But the stuff I'm most attached to isn't the newer work (not to disparage it), but Away From the Cameras, because I spent so much time on it, and I'm oddly protective of it. So to stumble on new reviews of that particular piece is like a gift - to say nothing of your current reviews.
Seriously, we fanfic writers subsist on two things: our need to work out the plot as we perceive it, and the feedback we get via reviews.
So thank you.
Damn that Karen.
Jim's insecurities about Pam are so endearing and so damn loveable. But geesh Pam- I realize that you've just watched your new boyfriend/old fiance go bat crazy, but will you at least just give Jim something? I actually read this with sleepy eyes and an intent to hit my own bed- so it was funny/ironic to read a Pam with dozy eyes who was slowly drifting asleep.
Its the quiet moments that I love just as much as the sexy bits. Their connection transcends from the screen and its like they are one- even with something as simple as her putting her hand on his chest and linking fingers with him. *sigh*
"It's not over." She murmured the words aloud, staring over at him, feeling almost surreal because for once - for once - she wasn't running away.
This part sent my heart right into my throat. I wondered if Jim had heard her say it. But I thought it was profound to have her say it out loud, as though she was finally accepting what she'd known all along.
He jumped when he felt someone touch him, lips pressing lightly against his own.
This part literally sent chills down my spine. Literally. So bold, so FNB. But I loved it.
In regards to whether there needs to be an epilogue... quite honestly I thought that the chapter ended sort of sad. Even though there was a promise of a future, and that the reader totally knows they would be together- the imagery of Pam watching Jim walk away to his car (when just hours earlier she'd asked him to stay out of sheer necessity) was painfully sad... even though it was a happy moment. And I did think that the line "We'll be back here soon; I promise" was very much foreshadowing a piggy-back scene.
And I loved your follow up to "Cocktails". I certainly needed it to get me through this insane 6 weeks. This story was just peppered with such romantic moments that were so beautifully written- if it were to be filmed I could imagine it with these lovely, soft, romantic hues. Congrats on another amazing job.
First of all, as soon as I saw your name, I got the biggest grin on my face. Seriously - in the seventeenth century, writers didn't rely so much on publishers as they did on patrons & circles of friends who circulated their work; so there was no money in it for the writers, just the thrill of having their work distributed. And I swear, I've come to think of you as my patron. :o)
Anyway.... I'm glad that moment resonated with you -- as you know from the author's note, the song of the same title inspired the fic, and when I wrote her saying those words out loud, it just sort of...came out. But on edit (and re-edit, and re-edit, etc.), I wasn't sure that it would come off as realistic - so I'm really happy to hear that it resonated with you. (And in response to whether or not Jim heard her - as I envisioned it, he was totally asleep and completely unaware. But I'm of the opinion that fiction is fluid, and more often than not, the reader can actually shape the story or have insights that totally escape the author - and yeah, I think the notion of Jim hearing her say that and rousing just a little would've been brilliant. Damn it. :oD)
I'm really so grateful for your thoughts on the ending - that you think it merits an epilogue because it's really sad. And you know, I see now that it is a sort of sad ending - maybe needs a follow through to the resolution. So yes, I'll definitely do an epilogue. (Because I'm not cruel like some people - looking at you Greg Daniels - and I'm committed to giving the people what they want. [/Jim])
Anyway, thanks so, so much for all your thoughtful, invaluable feedback (not to mention the continued support. It really does make such a difference.
Ew! I noticed that Karen called Jim "babe". How Roy of her. ;)
That sooooo can not be the ending?! You are SUCH A TEASE! LOL (please say there's more? ;-) This story brings the drama in all the right ways. Next thing you know you're going to have another 30+ chaptered story on your hands... heheheh
Heh - that's precisely why I had her call him that particular pet name (and incidentally, it grated on my nerves just to write it). There's more -- hopefully I'll update tonight! (And god help me if this turns into another mammoth 30+ chapter thing like "Only" - I can almost promise that it won't, because I'm feeling so guilty about abandoning "Only" so long ago - gotta finish it.)
Thanks again!
The first thing that came to mind when Pam was confronting Roy was "We were on a break!" lol
I absolutely loved the elevator scene. It was so much like the scene where they shared the quiet smile together in season 2 in the elevator. Also you totally have Kelly pegged. Girlfriend is hilarious. And annoying. Loving it!!
Hah - that's hilarious! Ohhh, the elevator scene you mention in season 2 is one of my favorite images of those two - so, so sweet, yet so poignant and sad all at the same time. I wonder if Jenna and John just exhaled loudly once the doors closed, because it struck me as such an emotional scene.
Thanks for reviewing!
Yay for happy Jam! I loved the end of the chapter. So sweet and just swoon-worthy. I'm glad you decided to continue the story and I laugh knowing that you had such (awful) intentions of keeping it to, what... 4 chapters? muhahaha. My evil plan is complete. Cheers! Here's to another amazing chapter...
Author's Response:
I know - you'd think I'd have learned by now to quit declaring that a story will be only a few chapters long. In re-reading "Only" I had to laugh because round about chapter fifteen or so, I started saying, "I'll be wrapping this up soon...." And then thirty chapters later...
Thanks, as always, for reviewing!
When I finished this chapter (this story, ultimately) I let out a huge sigh. I guess I must have been holding my breath the entire chapter! lol When Pam took off, I was secretly willing her to turn around and just say "fuck it", so I was pleasantly surprised when she DID turn back. A great story, as always. I continue to enjoy and marvel at your talent and your workmanship. The bottle of wine you used was worth it. ;-)
Author's Response: Wow - thanks so much! I'm glad you liked that part, because I struggled with the whole "should they or shouldn't they" thing, so I thought that might be the most effective way to address it. As usual, you are such an awesome reviewer! Thanks!
I seriously have tears in my eyes. The ending was so incredibly sweet. I did guess it early on but it was very subtle. The way you wrote it was just so sweet and beautiful. I need a Halpert that's for sure. ;-)
I hate you. I hate you for making me cry. Ughhhh!!!! *wiping away tears* I don't know if I'm so touched by the way you wrote their love or the fact that I don't know what either of them would do without the other (like Lillian and Pam's granddad...) Beautifully written story. I'm going to grab a kleenex now. *sigh*
Author's Response: So sorry to make you cry! But, at least, since the finale, those can be happy tears, right? I wrote this at a point in S3 when I so needed to imagine happier times. Glad the love came across. Thanks so much, StarryDreamer!
Pam's discovered the world of internet chat rooms. Jim can't resist the chance to be near her in cyberspace. Spoilers up to Cocktails. Aw! I have a Jim grin on my face right now. I had a feeling that that was going to be his favourite colour, so I'm glad that it is. So sweet. I can't get enough of this story. I feel like Pam with her box of crayons, just enhaling the whole bunch of it.
Well, tsk tsk. I wanted to FINALLY find out what the heck Squirrel McPants meant! LOL A great read, completely worth the wait. Thanks so much for entertaining us lot of excitable fans.
Girl, you totally know how to build up suspence! I can't wait to see what happens at their "date".
*le sigh* I'm sitting in my office swooning. This can't be a good thing for my impending work day. LOL Thank you for a lovely, romantic chapter. You make killer endings, that just leave my heart in my throat. *sigh* Wish Jims existed...
When I finished this chapter I literally clutched my hands to my chest and went (out loud too!) "Awwww." The perfect, most perfect ending to this chapter. Having "Matt" change his screen name- you couldn't have written it better. I am DYING, absolutely DYING to read the next chapter. Pam rocks! And I loved her boldness in the chapter, taking the chance that Jim was Matt/Squirrel.
Wow! What a great end to the chapter. I love that Pam's gotten her kick in the pants. Today has been a good day- first there's a new Office episode and then there's a new Squirrel chapter. Pam is sooooo on to him! Next chapter soon, please!
*stomps foot* No online sex? Humf.
But you're forgiven for writing a very exciting chapter. I completely understand Jim's rationale- he's certainly jealous of himself and to that end he should totally just tell Pam the truth (as I suspect she's on to him and his "argument" with her is just succeeding in creating more distance for them) He can't allow her to do something she might regret and his arguments were all perfectly on track- she'd be betraying her love for Jim if she allowed herself to continue.
So much intrigue and drama. I love it!!!!!
I deleted my original review because I realized I had more to say. First things first- this stuff is getting real good, so please don't hold back the other half for too long!
Secondly, I'm curious to know if Pam is onto Jim's game, or if she's legitimately hot for Squirrel. I like to think that she's playing HIM now, but the clue from her conversation with Vexin sort of leads me to believe that she's not onto him.... ahhhh the mystery! Hurry soon!!!
So many implications. What will Pam do when she finds out that Jim is Squirrel? Will Pam start to crush on Squirrel? Who is Vixen (I'm thinking its Phyllis) So many questions and this story is sooooo fun and awesome!
I always read these chapters which such fervor because I'm so incredibly excited that you've updated. And then I'm sad at the end, because the chapter is over and I can't continue and have to wait... :-( So basically- HURRY AND CONTINUE (no pressure or anything) I really love the chatroom dynamic- its very real and hilarious too. I feel like I"m a member of the chat room spying on them. This story is so awesome in part because it is so unique.
Dayum! The chat rooms are hilarious. Exactly what they are like too- love it.
Psst... does this chat room really exist *ahem* I have a friend *ahem* who wanted to know ;-)
I'm loving the details that Jim is getting out of the chatroom- its awesome.
LOL - no, there isn't such a place - at least that I know of! No reason one can't be started though. ;-)
Thanks for the coments
Niiiiice! I can't wait to read the next half. Don't hold back from us too long. Its getting real good.
12