Summary: He asked her for a date rather quickly… What happens? Spoilers within. Rated T+ for language.

Disclaimer: Seriously… Do you think I actually own anything from "The Office"? If I did, I'd be much better off financially.

Author's Note: I couldn't wait until the start of next season… Here's what I dream that night will be like. I'm afraid that the PTB will take all my Jam hopes and cram them down the flusher. This is how I would see the night going, while looking through my rose colored glasses.

I also think you should know that this was nearly all written while I was in training for my new job… the current reason for my extended absence. I tried to be funny, but extreme boredom took its toll. Please be kind…


Pam looked around her tiny apartment with panic steadily rising within her. It wasn't because her place wasn't clean, but that the potential man of her dreams was going to be there in a few short hours. What will he think of my apartment? I know it's small, but I love it… What if he doesn't? She wrung her hands in between plumping her pillows.

Finally, she stepped away and just went into her bedroom. It was a whirlwind of clutter, but Jim wasn't going to be allowed back there that night. Her freshly purchased outfit hung from her closet door. She'd taken off early to get it. Jim had smiled as she made her way out, which made it hard to notice anything else until she got to the store. Thank goodness for Kelly... and I never thought I'd say that! It was more daring than anything she'd ever tried before, but she'd been drawn to it. The clerk and Kelly had been so complimentary, especially about the color. It helped that she'd never seen herself look better. She couldn't wait for Jim to see her in it.

This was a new chapter in her new life… one she could hardly wait to begin. It had been a long, hard road. She'd had to break out of the role that she'd nearly trapped herself in forever. And watching Jim with Karen had been almost more painful than she could bear. But the incident with Roy had cleared her eyes of anything still blinding her. Honesty was always the best policy, no matter how painful it was. It was her lack of acknowledging her feelings that had driving Jim away in the first place.

She drew herself a bath so these pre-date jitters could be soothed away. It had been so long since she'd looked forward to a date like this. As she sunk into the fragrant waters, she let herself remember how long she'd waited for this. Even before Jim had done his not-really-a-date on the roof, she'd hoped that he would tell her how he felt… given her some sort of excuse to get out of her dead-end relationship with Roy. She hadn't felt confident enough to break it off before he said something. But she should have known that he would never have been so dishonorable. Even when it had seemed that Roy was the one putting off the actual ceremony, she'd been doing her fair share of sabotage. And there'd been no real reason for her to go on and on about the preparations. If it had been a passive-aggressive way to needle Jim, she was heartily ashamed of herself. Of course, Jim had chosen two weeks before her wedding… and she'd cursed herself for her hesitation. During the months afterward, she'd wondered if she'd been testing Jim… that if he'd argued just a little more, she might have revealed that her heart was already his.

Letting the water wash away these doubts and regrets was cathartic. It made her feel like finally she was on the right path. Finally, she was doing something about her passion for art… even if Jim and Michael seemed to be the only ones to appreciate it… and she was starting to stick up for herself again, which was all to the good. As much as honesty was now her new best policy, she did know that she had to be careful. She smiled. After all, what would Dwight do if she was constantly telling him of her pranks?

She washed her hair in a haze of memories. Images of Jim's smile were mirrored on her face. She could hear his laugh as if he were right beside her. She had watched him for so long that she didn't even have to struggle to pull up his image. He wasn't necessarily the most handsome man she ever met, but looks were only a small portion of his charm. Everyone that met him seemed to like him. Dwight might even like him if Jim could just stop harassing him daily and Dwight didn't view him as competition. They even made a good team. One had a major portion of the charm while the other contained all the enthusiasm and intensity. She laughed and knew it was time to get dressed if she was allowing herself to even think about Dwight!

She gasped when her eyes landed on the clock. She only had thirty minutes before Jim got there and she still had to dry her hair. Quickly, she dried off and lotioned up. She couldn't even pause for her usual moment to appreciate the lotion's light fragrance. Thankfully, she knew exactly where everything was for once. She smoothed on her clothes and rushed into her bathroom. Never before had she so blessed her "less is more" attitude toward make-up. But she did carefully follow Kelly's instructions for the proper application of eye liner.

Finally, she addressed her hair. It had been a real toss-up… but her outfit really called for a slick look, so straightening it was the only way. She worked carefully on her hair, but made sure that she kept an ear out for the door and an eye on the time. With the fifteen minutes she had left, she wasn't certain how straight she could get it, but gentle waves would work as well. She worked steadily and efficiently, which made it impossible to daydream. When she was satisfied that she wouldn't look like a ragged and wet poodle, she set everything down and went into her room… where she was met by a stranger. She could only stare at the woman in the mirror. She had never seen herself look so sophisticated… she might even say beautiful. Her slim jeans hugged her every curve and the soft, emerald green sweater with the fairly deep V... OK, deep for her... set off her skin tone and her eyes to perfection. She felt like she was glowing with her happiness… but she didn't really look like herself. Should she be dressing like this when she really wants Jim to like her for herself? She actually turned toward her closet when the phone rang.

Oh, Lord! It's Jim cancelling! Is this karma?!? Her hands were shaking as she lifted the receiver. "Hello?" She was proud of herself that her voice didn't shake with the sudden stress.

"Bitch!" a hoarse voice shouted down the line. She pulled the receiver away in defense.

"Karen?" Pam asked timidly. She had never heard such venom from the other woman.

"Who do you think it is, you fucking whore?" Pam flinched. She wanted to just hang up, but she couldn't help but feel a bit of guilt. If she hadn't said anything at the beach, it's quite possible that Jim never would have asked her out.

"Karen…"

"Shut the hell up! You sound like butter wouldn't melt in your fucking mouth but I know you for what you are! You pretend to be my friend, but the whole time you were gunning for my boyfriend! He doesn't love you, you know. He just has a fear of commitment right now. I'll get him back!"

Pam sighed. Karen sounded really drunk. "Two things, Karen, and then I've gotta' go. Number 1, I didn't ask Jim out… He asked me. You were my friend, but you never trusted me after you found out about Jim's feelings. Plus, he respected my relationship with Roy for three years! I'd be a horrible person if I didn't show the same respect."

"You are a wh…"

"Shut up! You're not thinking clearly and I don't want you embarrassed about this phone call when you sober up. Number 2, I'm sorry he hurt you… really I am. But I love him with all my heart so I can't feel as bad about the situation as you want me to. But I never thought he treated you right. He tried, heaven knows, but couldn't you tell he was keeping his true self from you the whole time?" She trailed off. Maybe she'd said too much.

Sobbing could be heard from the other woman and it broke Pam's heart. "I know… I know… I hate you for being… well, you… but it's true. I did everything I could to get Jim to love me, but he never did! Shit! I'd still be living in that damn motel if you hadn't told him to stop being a jackass! It's just…"

"Karen, I know. And I'd talk to you about it some more, but I really have to go." Not only would Jim himself be there any minute, but she was about to cry herself in sympathy for the other woman's pain and that would just ruin the whole evening.

"Okay. Pam, I'm sorry…"

"So am I, Karen. Take care… please!"

"Bye…" The line went dead.

Pam heaved a heavy sigh. Now that was the last thing she'd needed right then. Was it really appropriate for them to be dating so soon? Was she a rebound girl… or even worse, a oats-sowing girl?!? It was these thoughts that were interrupted by the doorbell. Suddenly Pam was afraid… but trembling legs carried her to the door. She placed her hand on the knob and took a deep breath. Get a hold of yourself, Pam! This is what you've been dreaming of! Don't ruin it! Digging down, she found the strength to turn the knob.