A/N: Alright, I'm not too thrilled about this scene because I think it could have come out better, but mainly, it's just to bridge the gap between last scene and next, which is why you don't see any lyrics here. I'm saving those for next scene as well. ;)
Where had the time gone? Jim glanced over at Pam's desk, then looked away. Had he already forgotten that he wouldn't find her there? She was absent today, and as Michael reported, she might be gone tomorrow as well. And of course, why shouldn't she be? Her wedding was two days away.
Today she was busy with last minute fittings of her dress.
What...had...he...done?
He had let her go. He had his chances in the last month and a half. Oh yes, plenty of chances. Late nights at the offices when no one else was around, out to quick lunches when she forgot to pack a lunch and couldn't bare a sandwhich from the vending machines, the elevator rides, walks to their separate cars...yes, plenty of times. But every time he tried to express just everything he really felt, the words died on his lips.
No, they didn't even get that far. They were firmly stuck in his chest, refusing to come out.
But none of that mattered now. It was too late anyway. Two days until the wedding. And he was leaving for Australia tonight. Really, he wasn't supposed to be here either. Like Pam, he had called off in advance. Yet being at home in that empty place...he couldn't stand it. He hated everything about that trip. He hated that he'd be leaving his house with Mark in charge to ruin it. He hated having to fly for over thirteen hours. He hated that he'd have to lug his suitcases everywhere, from house to car to plan to hotel and back again. He hated that he's have to change his money in to Australian money. He hated leaving his desk for Dwight to do whatever he pleased with it. He'd have to replace it when he returned, he knew that already.
But most of all, he hated the cold facts - the reason why he was leaving. He wasn't taking a trip. Yes, he had told the truth when he said to everyone he had to get away. But not the reason why.
Taking a look over at the reception desk to see another woman in her place made him shudder.
Pam...yeah, that was why he was leaving. Not because of the weather changes after he had finally gotten used to it being cold. Not because work was gaining on him. Not because stress was taking over. No, wait, the last one was quite true. Stress...from her. From the bride to be. Roy's bride to be.
And remembering that, he was nearly ready to run at that moment.
His chance was gone. He had missed it. Completely had to let whatever was to come...to be. And now he couldn't complain. He couldn't say what kind of mistake she had made. He couldn't say anything negative - because he hadn't even tried to stop her. He knew what would happen, yet he let his chances slip through his fingers. And now it was two days, one hour, and too little of minutes to do a thing about it.
And he'd have to live with that - forever. For all those lonely nights, all those silent work days...every time he wanted things back to the way they were - when the two had been close - it would be his fault.
Just then, lightening streaked through the darkened afternoon sky. Dwight, with his pathetic smile on, turned to him and said, "It's supposed to be raining for the next couple of days. Worse than this. Flood watches and all. Bad omen for weddings, you know."
Jim sunk lower in to his chair.
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