By 10:00 PM they had eaten two bowls of rubbery microwave popcorn and watched way too much reality TV. Pam was enjoying herself. She didn't get a lot of time with Jim, but when she did she was calm and content. She seemed to forget about Roy and his broken promises, Michael and his off-color remarks and her lousy job at Dunder Mifflin.

Jim reached for the remote. "So, what next, American Idol or the Amazing Race?"

"Ohh, I don't think I can handle any more. How about a movie?" She asked, shifting in the cramped and uncomfortable armchair.

Jim flipped through the Pay-Per-View movies. He too was enjoying himself. Every moment with Pam was precious to him. He kept subconsciously rehearsing what he would say to her when the time came … because the opportune night was tonight, of course. Here in this little bubble, with no outside interruptions, he was sure he could confess his true feelings. He had to.

The movie "Titanic" flashed across the screen. He smiled, sadly, to himself.

The night was cold, but the ship was alive with excitement. Everyone seemed to be having a good time … some were even getting a bit drunk (Roy, of course, was among them). Jim and Pam went out onto the deck to get some fresh air.

"It's getting kind of rowdy down there." Pam commented, shivering in the cold air.

Jim grinned. "Yeah … Darrel, Darrel, Darrel!"

"Sometimes I just don't get Roy." Pam said. She looked sad.

"Yeah, well …"

"I mean, I don't know."

This was it, things had turned serious. Jim felt his heart begin to pound … he could feel the words on the tip of his tongue. The words that he had rehearsed in his head thousands of times … just say them, Jim, tell her how you feel.

He hesitated, and just stared at her.

She was looking at him too. Expectantly.

After a while she said, "So, what's it like dating a cheerleader?"

His head was spinning and all he could manage was a small laugh and an "um". Jim would have loved to kiss Pam right then; it took all of his self-control not to just lean down and gently cover her mouth with his. But he couldn't …

What he wanted to say was: "Pam, you mean so much to me. I sit at my desk in the morning waiting for you to come in to work. I remember every little thing you say. Whether it's about tax numbers or your fiancée or mixed berry yogurt, I remember it.

"I wish you weren't engaged, Pam. I wish you weren't going to marry him. I want to be able to sit close to you without Roy coming in and pushing me away. I've seen how he treats you and it breaks my heart.

"Pam, I can talk to you about anything and I feel like I won't be judged. You're so friendly, and warm. And I know that you don't believe me when I say this but you are so beautiful. You glow, and I want to catch just a little bit of the light that's coming off of you.

"I love you, Pam. I'm in love with you for so many reasons."

He tried to get those words out … he really did. It was no use, though. His confession was lost before it even reached his mouth.

So Jim just looked at Pam.

If there was ever a look that could communicate a thousand, well-rehearsed and heart-felt words, it was the one he gave her now.

"I'm cold." Pam murmured, after what seemed like an eternity. And with an almost apologetic look towards Jim, she wrapped her coat around herself, and walked away.