Title: Dog Problems

Author: Samantha

Genre: Romance/General

Spoilers: From 'Casino Night' up to 'The Job', and then from there some hopeful speculation.

Summary: Jim has really come a long, long ways in the past three years.

Rating: PG-13ish for language.

Author's Notes: I have been listening to "Dog Problems" by The Format for the past year or so, and when I was driving yesterday I started thinking about how this CD tells a story, much similar to that of Jim's. It goes through the phases of raw emotions dealing with love and loss. So I guess you could say this is a song fic, but not really. Kind of? I would recommend this CD to anyone who likes good music. ) Each chapter is the name of the corresponding number of song on the CD.

"Matches"

"What was that noise?" Anna asked precariously, pulling away from the kiss she was sharing with Mark, her boyfriend of three years. "Is someone here?"

Mark let out a sigh before leaning back on the couch and running a hand through his dark hair. "I- I don't know, Anna. Probably Jim." He obviously wasn't pleased with the interruption. "He's supposed to be home, like, three hours ago." He pulled himself onto his feet and opened the wooden front door right as Jim tore open the glass door, running straight into his room mate's chest. Mark grabbed Jim by the shoulders, shooting a confused look back to Anna who was still on the couch.

Anna jumped off the couch, flipping on the light which flooded the previously dark room in a soft glow. "Jim, baby what's wrong? What happened?"

Jim immediately regained his composure as he sank down onto the couch, his face in his hands. Mark and Anna sat on either sides of him, each shooting confused and panicked looks at each other. Anna rested her hand on Jim's shoulder. "Jim, please tell us what is wrong."

I was just out on a night with my friends.

You were just out on a night with your friends.

You never seem to tire when I'm not around.

Just as suddenly as he had burst in, he stood up, trying his best to seem as if nothing was wrong. "I'm sorry, guys," he said softly and unconvincingly, his voice rather raw. "I didn't expect you guys to be in here." He put on a smile before looking back and forth between the two. "I mean, you were sitting in the dark."

Anna looked embarrassed, but Mark was not having any of it. "That's bull, Halpert. What's wrong?" Both held their breaths as Jim let out a deep, defeated sigh.

"Jim, have you been crying?" Anna asked softly. Jim sighed, straightening the front of his dark blue sweater.

"I told Pam. I- I- I told her everything. And she totally shot me down."

"Oh, Jim," Anna exclaimed, covering her mouth with her hands.

"What did she say? What did you say?" Mark questioned as Jim sat heavily in the parallel recliner.

"I told her everything," Jim repeatedly slowly, his eyes staring off into the wall above Mark's head. "I told her I that I am in love with her. I told her that being her friend just wasn't good enough for me anymore. I mean, I know; bad timing. But I just couldn't keep it in any longer, you know?" he asked, glancing back and forth between his two best friends for any sort f reassuring approval.

"What did she say to you?" Mark sighed, placing an awkward hand on his friends back.

"She said that she can't." He looked down at his hands that were intertwined together out of nervousness. "She said I have no idea how much my friendship means to her."

"Awe, Jim!" Anna threw both arms around him and rested her hand on his shoulder, sitting herself onto the arm of his chair. "But honey, were you really expecting any other results?"

Jim shrugged, and Mark leapt off the couch in defying anger. "Of course he was expecting something more, Anna! Jim is LEAVING in two weeks! Forever!"

"And Pam is getting MARRIED in a month. Forever," Anna said softly, still at her post next to Jim.

I found some matches

In this brown leather jacket.

One I swore I've never worn.

But once kept you warm.

"Awesome," Jim moaned, standing up. "As much as I want to be around for this argument, I'm going to bed."

"Wait, Jim, that's not what I mean." Anna grabbed his hand, trying to make him stay. "What I meant to ask, is if you are okay."

Jim shook his head, sinking back into the chair. "No."

"What did you do after you told her?"

He lolled his head back, taking in a deep breath before dumping a bag of salt into his fresh wounds. "I went to my car. And I sat there and thought of what a first class dumb ass I am. Then I saw her going upstairs away from everyone and I knew what I had to do.

I followed her upstairs to the office, but I don't think she knew I was behind her. When she went into the office, she immediately picked up the phone and I thought for a second she was going to call Roy to come get her. In which case, I probably would have turned around and came straight home. But I listened in and I knew that she was either talking to her mom or her sister. Turns out, she was talking to her mom. So I walked in and I kissed her."

Anna gasped again.

"And she kissed me back."

Do you remember?

We made love on the floor.

There was silence in the room for a moment before Mark spoke. "What did she say after that?"

"She said," Jim stated in a quavering voice, "that she is still going to marry Roy."

"I'm sorry, baby," Anna whispered.

"She's a bitch," Mark snapped. "Fuck her."

"Don't say that," Jim said immediately, the tone in his voice nothing to be argued with. "She is not that."

"Well does she know you're leaving?" Mark cried, and it seemed as if he was more upset than his friend.

"She has no idea. And I plan to keep it as such." No one knew quite what to say, so it was almost to everyone's relief when Jim bid everyone a good night before retreating upstairs to his bedroom.

They continued to sit in silence for a few more seconds before Anna came back to sit next to Mark on the couch. She snuggled into his shoulder as he pulled her closer to his body. They sat in the same position, both reveling in each other's company. Anna reached up to turn the light back off before speaking.

"Do you think he'll be okay?"

Mark thought for a second. "Yeah, probably. Not anytime soon, mind you. No, he just needs to go find himself a nice New York girl, and maybe he'll forget all about Pam."

"Doubt it," she sighed, snuggling closer to his chest. "And think about what you just said. Nice New York girl."

Mark smiled a tiny bit. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Let me rephrase that. He needs to find a HOT New York girl to make him forget."

"That sounds better," Anna chuckled, closing her eyes before drifting off into a peaceful sleep. Her boyfriend followed suit into slumber, neither suspecting that not even fifty feet above them, their best friend would not be enjoying such luxury tonight.

A/N: Continue?