"It's been a little over a month since the lovely Ms. Chris has graced us with her presence," Michael told the camera. "And I must say things are going great. Sales have been up, Pam has actually been dressing a bit sexier…showing off her amazing breas-assets," he clicked his tongue twice. "And, Toby and I have become good friends. Is he still a tool? A little bit.

Also, I don't like to kiss and tell but ….." He leaned back in his chair and smiled. "I have been dating a very sexy, smart and wonderful woman. Whose name…" He forced himself not to reveal her identity. "I cannot speak. But I will say that I am now getting it regular. And when I say 'regular', I mean weekly," he proudly nodded. "When I say 'it', I mean lovemaking. And it is good..and very tender. We cuddle for hours afterwards..so much that she has to push me off of her."

Sighing, Toby said, "It's true. Ever since Chris has left Michael's changed. He doesn't insult me as much. When he does he apologizes or says that he's kidding. It's not as, uh, frequent…weekly. Unlike before when it was," he reluctantly finished his sentence, "everyday."
His eyes followed her as she delivered a bouquet of flowers to Angela. Her newly dyed tresses were dark blonde and lightened her delicate features. Underneath the fluorescent lights, her powder blue satin v-neck top shined while the three-quarter length sleeves revealed her smooth creamy skin. She glided with ease as she rounded her desk. He couldn't help but to admire her fantastic legs which were demurely covered by a navy pencil skirt.

Behind her desk, she patiently watched the printer as she ran a hand through her thick wavy hair. When she removed the document, she read it and bit her bottom lip.

In a matter of weeks, she had beautifully blossomed. These days, she was rarely scene without her sketchbook pressed against her side. And whenever she was asked about her internship, her face glowed as she spoke with great enthusiasm. Her clothes went from white tennis shoes and cardigan sweaters to heels and short pencil skirts. She attributed her wardrobe to her Sunday shopping trips with Sam and his boyfriend Kyle. The most noticeable change was her attitude; she was still herself, sarcastic, witty and kind. But now, she exuded a humble confidence that drew her co-workers to her, even Angela.

As Jim pondered this, he questioned if the "New Pam" as some have called her, would still want him, the "old Jim." He was train of thought was interrupted by a welcoming voice.

"Jim?" Pam said from her desk. "Are you ok?"

He blinked and met her gaze. "Hmm?"

She wore a half smile. "You were flinking."

"Yeah, I-," he noticed the cameraman coming towards them. "Can I ask you something….later?"

"Sure," she nodded. "Are we still on for lunch?"

"Of course," he went over to her desk. "Although, could we eat in the break room? I didn't get to go grocery shopping this weekend and uh-."

"I already bought you a bag of Doritos," she told him.

He was a little surprised. "Really?"

"Yeah, you already told me that you didn't get a chance to do your shopping…this morning."

"Right," his smile had a touch of embarrassment. "I must have spaced on that."

"Well, it's a good thing I'm here," she handed him the bag of chips.

He accepted her offering, "Yeah, it is," his fingers brushed against hers.

Her smile was wide.

"Ok, you guys have to promise that you're not gonna tell him," Kelly said to the producer and camera. "On Chris's last night here, Ryan and I had a talk..ok, it was a fight. Anyway, we sorted a few things out. Like, I wanna get married and have babies, the whole nine yards. But," she tilted her head to the left, "I know that Ryan doesn't want that until he's finished business school and well, has a business. He assumed that I wanted all of that right now! I mean, just because I talk a whole lot more than him he assumes that I never listen. I totally do, it just takes some-um, repeating, which he's done a lot of.

So, that night, we officially became exclusive!" She bounced in her seat. "Then, like two weeks later he gave me this," she proudly held up a key. "It's a key to his apartment!" Ecstatic, she smiled and held it to her heart. "I've had like five boyfriends and none of them ever gave me a key before!"

"Well, I haven't been seeing anyone else and I really do like her," Ryan said to the camera. "And after we had, um, that talk…I decided that she really knows what I want and where I stand. Also, until I finish business school I'm stuck here. So, for the first time ever, I gave a girlfriend a copy of my key.

Although on some mornings, I wonder if I did the right thing. Like instead of waking up to my clock radio…she tells me all about her dreams, she even follows me into the bathroom as she's telling me. Every. Little. Detail." His blue eyes looked apprehensively into the lens. Then a content smile came to his lips. "I will admit, it's nice that some of my clothes and sheets smell like her." When he noticed the camera zooming in on his face he straightened his expression. "Because…….she smells nice."

From Pam's desk, the cameraman zoomed in on Ryan and Kelly as they spoke in the kitchen.

"Hey," Ryan said as he poured himself a cup of coffee.

"Hi," she smiled. Across from him, she leaned her back against the counter and waited for her bagel to toast. "So, um, I got Rachael Ray's new cookbook and I'm gonna try out her recipe for ginger steak and wasabi smashed potatoes for dinner tonight. You could come over….if you want," she shrugged.

Stirring his coffee, he faced her. "Sure, sounds good."

"Cool," she nodded.

"What time should I come by?"

"Like around seven because I need to go shopping before then. Or you could show up earlier…I mean, you do have a key," she cheerfully shrugged.

"I do," he half smiled. "Maybe I could go shopping with you too. I need more dog food and a new chew toy for Mitch."

"That's fine; I have a membership to CostCo."

"You do?" He asked sounding a bit surprised.

"Well yeah, I do like to save some money."

"No, it's just," he weakly smiled. "I've been meaning to get one."

"You can borrow my membership card whenever you want."

After taking a sip of his coffee, he replied, "Thanks. I appreciate it."

The toaster dinged. As she carefully removed her bagel, she spoke. "And if you want, you and Mitch can spend the night."

Furrowing his eyebrows, he looked at her. "But you're really allergic to him. I mean, I can't put him out on your back porch all day and night, it's really cold."

She spread cream cheese on her bagel. "Oh I know. See, this past Tuesday I went to my doctor and he gave me these allergy pills. And I know that they work because last night I went to my cousin's house and she has like two cats and a dog but I was totally fine. Oh and before I forget, I cleared out a drawer for you."

His mouth slowly dropped out. In his eleven years of dating, he never once had a girlfriend do so much for him and none of them had been as selfless as she was.

"Hello? Ryan?" She waved her hand in front of him.

He blinked. "I'm sorry..I guess I, uh, spaced out there for a second."

"It happens," she sweetly said. "So, after work…?"

"Yeah, we'll take my car. We'll just have to drop yours off at your place."

"Great. And are you and Mitch…"

"Definitely," he nodded. "And..uh, um.."

"What?"

"You have a drawer too," he half lied knowing that he would clear one out for her during his lunch break.

"Really?"

"Yep," he assured her.

Grinning, she headed towards the door with her bagel and napkin in hand. "I better get back."

"Kelly?"

"Yeah Ryan?" She was one foot out the door.

"Could Mitch and I spend the weekend?"

"Of course…but I thought you liked to have your weekends free."

"I do," he looked down at his coffee and then smiled up at her. "It's just…I can't think of a better way to spend it."

Her mouth turned into a bold and open smile. "I'll see ya at lunch?"

"Um, well, I need to drop by my apartment…..to pack."

"Right, later."

"All right," he watched her step out the door.

"Oh my God, I have a drawer!" Kelly happily told the camera.

With wide eyes and a sense of urgency in his voice, Ryan said, "I really need to clear out a drawer for her."

A whiff of her floral scented shampoo tickled his nose when she passed him as he held the door open. She thanked him as they walked over to her car. They took a moment to watch Angela and Dwight.

"Thank you Dwight, for walking me to my car," Angela said.

"Well, it is for precautionary reasons," he lied while wearing a small smile. "This parking lot can be dangerous, especially for women."

With a nod, she said, "It can be. That's why I decided to keep my flowers on my desk," she quickly grinned. "I read that murders and rapists are drawn to women holding flowers."

Unfazed by her last statement, he tipped his head. "That was a wise decision."

She nodded. "I know. I'll see you tonight…for our financial meeting."

"I will be there. Goodbye for now, Angela," he opened the door for her.

"Thank you," she got into her car.

Jim and Pam looked at each other and shook their heads.

"So, you're done with the program?" He asked her already knowing her answer.

"Yep, my interview is this Wednesday," she told him.

"Cool," he scratched the back of his neck.

"You must be excited, you have tomorrow off and you're gonna be at Sam's exhibition."

"I am. Actually my family is gonna be there too."

She kindly nodded. "That's great. I haven't been to an exhibition in so long."

He saw his opening. "Yeah, um, about that," he felt his palms heat up. "Tomorrow, Michael's gonna be at corporate's offices for his meeting with Jan, which should take all day. So, I figure, if you want…you could take a half day and we could…..go to the exhibition together," sweat dripped from palms causing him to put his hands in his coat pocket. The hesitation in her face worried him.

"Jim, I-."

He accidentally interrupted her. "Ryan could probably take over for you."

Her hazel eyes went to the ground before meeting his anxious stare. "Jim, it's not that," she sighed. "I-I have, a…date."

He felt his heart twinge with quiet grief and devastation. With his mouth agape, he gawked at her before finally speaking. "Oh, um…"

"I'm sorry," she sincerely apologized. "My friend, Katherine, she set me up and…she's the type of person you can't say no to. No matter how much you try and believe me Jim, I did," she touched the side of his face. "Please, don't hate me."

"Pam, I could never," he reluctantly removed her hand.

"I promise, I won't have a good time and I'll think unhappy thoughts."

"Like what?" His lips had a hint of a smile.

"Bugs, slugs, Packer-.."

"Dwangela," he joked.

"I said unhappy not traumatizing."

He laughed. "You really shouldn't."

"I will. I'll be a horrible date."

"You'd really have to try."

Her smile was brief. "You'd be surprised."

The quietness between them was short but was filled with unease.

"I should really get going," he said opening the door for her.

"I'm sorry," she stared into his eyes.

"Stop, seriously. I'll be fine," he lied with a weak smile.

"I'll make it up to you, I swear," she got into the car. "I'll call you."

Holding the door open, he replied, "You really don't have to."

"I will. Bye," she reached up and quickly touched his hand.

He gazed at her wanting to say something, anything that would lessen her guilt; but he was too consumed with his own anguish to do so. "Have a good weekend." With that said he closed the door and waved to her as she drove away.