Chapter One: Empty Desks

Pam settled at her desk on the dot of nine am. Another Monday and another week at Dunder Mifflin. She looked fondly over at Jim's desk and then to the hole that still hadn't been patched up since Andy's outburst. She really felt like she'd made some headway with Jim through that prank, even if it had gotten a little out of hand. For the first time since he'd returned she'd felt close to him again. It wasn't enough, but it was something. Just to see him that happy again and being a reason for that smile kept her cheerful all weekend. She had hope.

People were still drifting in, the frigid morning made everyone move slower except Dwight who was once again at his desk, arranging everything just as it was before his brief foray into the job market. Pam would have paid money to see him in a Staples uniform and she briefly wondered if he had a photo ID taken. If only she could get her hands on that it would make her week.

The office was buzzing a little with discussion of the email about Andy's leave of absence that had circulated that morning. Pam felt a little guilty but she was looking forward to discussing the fallout with Jim, hopefully away from Karen. It was a little sneaky, but Jim was more like his old self when she wasn't about. With Oscar having returned from his six week long break too everything was back to normal.

By 9.20am the only two people still missing were Jim and Karen and neither of them had called. Pam felt her mood dampen and thought about Jim and Karen making it a long weekend, keeping each other warm in bed, drinking hot chocolate and eating croissants. Somehow that's what she'd pictured Karen liking. She'd be the first to know to; they had to call in sick to her. Pam got on with her usual Monday morning duties until she was interrupted by Toby weakly clearing his throat in front of her desk, facing the office.

"Uh, can I have, um, your attention?" He murmured. No one paid any attention. "Excuse me, can I have your attention." A little louder this time but still nothing.

Pam gave him a nudge and a nod of encouragement. "Go for it."

"Hey!" He shouted. The office fell silent and Pam felt a little proud. Even Michael emerged scowling from his office. "Can I have everyone's attention for a moment?" His voice was still weak but a little louder. "Uh, I've been asked to inform you all that Karen had a family emergency over the weekend and has been granted permission to leave Dunder Mifflin effective immediately to join her family business in Connecticut." Whispers and speculation filled the air but Pam had only one question which she promptly blurted out loud.

"Has Jim gone with her?" She felt nauseous, she couldn't lose him again. She didn't care what people thought. She couldn't lose him again.

"Not as far as I'm aware." Toby said casually before muttering under his breath. "He usually gets what he wants though." Pam didn't have time to react to his bitter remark before he asked her a question "Has he not called in?"

"No, but if he's sick or something he might not be awake." Pam tried not to show the worry on her face but the sympathetic look Phyllis was shooting her told her she wasn't doing a very good job. Without a second thought Pam picked up the phone and dialled Jim while Michael berated Toby for not telling him first and calling him a home wrecker. Toby had argued back about sending him an email but Pam was good at tuning that out. There was no answer at Jim's apartment or on his cell. She tried Karen. No answer either.

She tapped her pen nervously on the desk and double checked her voice mails thinking that maybe she'd accidently skipped over Jim's message. There was nothing. She checked the appointment book in case he had a sales call but it was blank and so was the rest of the week. It was still early in the day, plenty of time for Jim to call or show up a little late. Maybe Karen was supposed to pass on a message? That wouldn't explain why he wasn't answering his calls, unless he explained that in the message. Her stomach was in knots. She switched from tapping her pen to chewing on the end. She'd devoured half the pen in the next hour.

Her favourite possibility she pictured was Jim and Karen breaking up. She almost felt bad for wishing that Jim was drowning his sorrows but once his heart had healed maybe there would be a chance for them. She could bide her time if that was the case. She just hoped he hadn't gone with her to Connecticut, that thought alone made her feel sick to her stomach. They were finally rebuilding their friendship and things were so much better. If he left it would really be final this time. Karen was beautiful, smart and she had a career, Jim had every reason to go. Pam was still a receptionist even with her art classes. She wondered if perhaps he was still making up his mind. If she could just get a hold of him she could persuade him to stay, maybe even give him a good reason to stay too. The fear of losing him again was making her brave.

Pam had remained lost in her own thoughts all day. Lunch was a painful experience as everyone had chosen to discuss Jim and Karen rather than Andy being forced into anger management. It was the juicier slice of gossip. The general consensus was that Jim was taking the day to decide whether to follow Karen and that he probably would. Pam's heart felt like it had broken a hundred times that day. She could barely think of a reason why Jim would want to stay. His empty desk had been taunting her all day and Karen's desk wasn't helping either. She'd even resorted to talking cats with Angela just to take her mind off things.

At 5pm there had been no sight or sound of Jim. Pam tried calling again from home and even sent a couple of friendly emails but still at midnight there were no replies.

Maybe tomorrow.