Jim and Pam stood in the staff kitchen nearly three weeks after the booze cruise. Ever since word spread of Pam calling off the engagement, Jim had been acting funny and constantly looked as though he had something important to say to her. Pam meanwhile was taking one terrifying step forward and for the first time in years felt free. The night of the booze cruise, they docked and Ryan helped Pam to her car before Roy reached her. That night Pam crashed at her parents and had to listen to one drunken message after another after another. Being supportive, Pam's mother was happy that she didn't wake up to the fact she made a mistake after she married Roy. Taking that Friday off, Pam and her father went back to her apartment and packed her things. When Roy tried talking to her, Pam's father got between them and told Roy in a stern voice that enough was enough. Locking eyes with him for just a brief moment both locked eyes. That's when Pam knew, she would never be a fool about love ever again. By Monday everyone knew what happened.

Jim was the first to talk to her, pulling her aside he asked what happened. Pam couldn't help but think back the pervious when Ryan had called her cell. His voice sounded worried and he asked if she was okay. Going to her parent's house at nearly nine at night, he took her for a drive and got some coffee with her. The two talked for a few hours, mostly Pam venting about how all this time she was unhappy yet was too scared to do anything about it. Ryan listened, sitting beside her sipping his coffee and offering any help if she needed any. At the end of the night he walked her back to her parent's front door and winked at her, telling her not to worry.

"Don't worry Pam, he won't bother you."

Pam stood there, their breath coming out in tiny clouds. Right then, as she stared at his big blue eyes she wondered what it would be like just to kiss him. To press her lips against his soft ones and run her fingers through his dark black hair.

"Yeah…I hope so."

She said in a shaken voice.

Ryan then reached out and touched her arm.

"And don't worry about what people are going to say, if I can get over nearly burning down the place…you can get over this."

Pam laughed before he wished her a good night. Laying in bed later on, all Pam could think about was seeing him in the morning.

Pam really didn't want to go into detail, but humored Jim since he was her friend. The entire time she watched Ryan as he sat silently at his desk in the back and typed away on his computer. Michael of course nearly jumped out of his office asking Pam if she was okay. A few hours later, mostly sitting at her desk and spacing out, Pam decided to take an early lunch. She saw Jim nearly leap out of his chair when she got up, but instead she walked over to Ryan's desk.

"Hey Ryan…would you like to grab lunch with me?"

Ryan looked up, a cute sparkle in his eye before he pulled his chair back.

"Sure, let me get my coat."

Jim meanwhile watched like a hawk as the two left together. On their way down the stairs, Pam admitted she felt as though she was on the verge of a panic attack. She couldn't stand all the looks everyone was giving her, and worrying about Roy trying to pull something. On top of that, she still had to look for an apartment.

"Well I'm looking for a roommate."

Pam was broken away from her thoughts as they made their way down the last landing of stairs.

"Huh?"

Ryan looked embarrassed, but smiled.

"My roommate is moving for a new job, I've been looking for one. It's only a few minutes away from work…and if you don't mind my dog maybe…"

Pam smiled at him, her stomach doing flips.

"Cool…maybe after work you can show me the place?"

"Sure…"

When they got to the lobby, Pam stopped and looked at him, her heart was racing.

"Thank you Ryan…you're so sweet, I have no idea how I would of gotten through these last couple of weeks without you…"

Leaning over, she gently pecked him on the cheek. At that exact moment Pam's heart leaped into her throat when she heard the front glass doors crash open. Hardly having time to turn, she saw Roy running forward, nearly charging.

"You fucking little prick!"

The security office jumped up but it was too late. Roy went crashing into Ryan at all speed. Pam screamed jumping back as Roy tackled him to the ground. Within seconds both were rolling around as Roy started punching Ryan in the face and chest. Seconds later the security officer pepper sprayed Roy who fell to his knees. Pam ran over to Ryan who laid on the floor bleeding. Moments later two other security officers were there and someone was yelling about the police.

Dwight of course was running down the stairs.

Pam kneeled beside Ryan, watching blood dribble down his lips. Holding onto him, she glared at Roy. In just the matter of minutes nearly everyone were cramming down the stairs trying to get a look. Michael was freaking out, asking Ryan over and over again if she was okay. Pam meanwhile helped Ryan in a sitting position. He seemed a little dazed and his lip was still bleeding really bad. When asked if he wanted an ambulance, Ryan shook his head saying he was okay. The police came and took Roy away, all the meanwhile Pam stayed close to Ryan feeling horrible. Once everything was said and done Toby made everyone go back upstairs. Michael told Ryan he could take off early and get himself checked out. Pam asked if she could stay with him and Michael said sure, forcing Toby to answer calls the rest of the day. Going downstairs in one of the empty offices, Pam grabbed an ice pack and had Ryan sit down.

Her hands were shaking and she felt like crying.

Ryan sat there, his lip swelling and his hair a mess.

"I'm so sorry Ryan…"

"Why are you sorry?"

"Roy…"

Ryan looked at Pam, his eyes serious.

"Don't worry about it, that kiss was worth it."

Pam let out a nervous giggle as he smiled back at her. Unbuttoning his shirt slightly, he revealed a white T-shirt underneath. Lifting it, there were all ready bruises forming. Hissing slightly, Ryan looked in pain, laughing to himself he looked at Pam.

"Haven't gotten my ass kicked like this since 8th grade."

Pam glanced at his chest and had the urge to just touch his skin. Fighting back this feeling, she grabbed the ice pack and told him to press it up against his chest. Helping him, she smiled and then noticed something right away, her surprised eyes told it all. Ryan right away looked down and saw a bulge in his slacks. His face turning red he looked away and quickly dropped his hands to his lap.

"Jesus…"

Pam felt just as embarrassed, but couldn't help but stare at him.

"Just give me a second Pam, I'm sorry…"

Trying to turn away, Pam gently touched his face, he looked at her.

Without another word, she pressed her lips against his. Smiling through the kiss, they parted.

"Taste like blood."

Ryan laughed.

Now here Pam was a week later, things had died down and Roy had been fired. Ryan had been nice enough not to press charges and everyone still looked at Pam funny. When Jim tried to talk to her about it she shrugged it off. Now unknown to anyone else, she had a new roommate…and a boyfriend she was head over heels for.

As of right now, the two decided to wait on things, seeing with everything that happened it might be too fast. Now today a rumor got spread by Michael that Jim had said something on the booze cruise. Standing in the staff kitchen with Jim, Pam kept eying Ryan sitting at his desk. She couldn't wait to go home with him tonight. It was hard enough taking different cars each day and playing things normal. In fact…Pam planned on sleeping with Ryan for the first time tonight. Having planned it all out in her head, she wanted to make it a night Ryan would remember.

"Pam, before you find out…I wanted to let you know that on the booze cruise I told Michael that when you first started here I had sort of a crush on you."

Pam was speechless.

"Oh…"

Jim gave an awkward smile before looking down at his feet.

"Yeah…and I know it's kinda soon with Roy and everything, but maybe we can go out for dinner or something, I mean as long as it's not weird or anything…"

Pam felt helpless, this was killing her.

"Ummm…"

"Yeah I know…it's stupid…"

"No, it's not that…it's…"

She kept looking at Ryan before taking a deep breath.

"It's…well…I'm seeing someone."

Jim looked stunned.

"What?"

All he meanwhile Pam stared at Ryan through the window, wishing he could help her.