Chapter 6
Jim couldn't believe that he was heading back in the Scranton office. He had come back last night to settle back into his old room at Mark's place. It felt so different even though nothing has changed. Everything had changed. He went to Australia and made the biggest mistake of his life. Had he waited just a little longer he wouldn't have thrown everything away trying to blunt the pain. Now he had a responsibility he neither wanted nor expected. Life sucked!

As he entered the office building, he realized it smelled the same. He rode the elevator alone as he tried to quiet his butterflies. He really wanted to see Pam and spend time with her but it wasn't right, not when Cindy was waiting for him in Stamford. Cindy and his child were depending on him. How the hell did this even happen?

He walked through the DM doors and was literally stopped in his tracks. She was always the most beautiful woman in the world to him but now she was stunning for all to see. He was shocked. She looks like a Goddess. She had changed her hair, her clothes and was even wearing a little make-up. He tried to be causal about it but his heart was racing like crazy.
Old habits die hard. He stopped at reception and said, "Hey." He wondered for a moment if she knew that what he actually said was that he loved her, that he would always love her, and that if he could change everything he would. He doubted it.

She smiled up at him, giving him a practiced smile. "Hi!" She said it in an overly bright fashion. His stare made her lose her train of thought. She widens her eyes at her as she questioned, "What?"

He didn't know what to say but he couldn't stop staring. "You look..." He shook his head as if trying to figure out what word fit her best but he was stumped.

Ryan had been watching Jim's entrance. Damn it! He still loves her. It was oblivious by the way Jim stopped dead in his tracks to stare at her. He drank her in like a man dying of thirst. Seeing Pam go pale as she tried to hold it together wasn't pleasant either. Ryan knew Pam was still in love with Jim. So he knew she must be feeling pretty overwhelmed by the situation so he decided a rescue was in order. "Hot. Halpert, I think the words sexy hot is what you are struggling to find to describe this vision in front of you, formerly known as Pam."

Jim did not look happy with Ryan stepping in to supply him with an adjective. The word "hot" seemed almost disrespectful even though it was very true. Jim also did not appreciate the grateful smile Pam gave Ryan. Ryan held out his hand. "Good to have you back, man." Jim shook his hand a bit confused. He felt like he was missing something but shrugged it off.

He went to sit at his old desk when Dwight stopped him. "No! You sit there." Dwight pointed out another desk. "I sit in front of Michael's door now. I am his sentry. No one enters without my permission. Got it?" Dwight's eyes narrowed on him.

Dwight was a character and he was so serious with his craziness. It was hard for Jim not to just laugh in his face but it was best to lull him into a false sense of security. Nodding with a frown to hide laughter, Jim said, "Got it?" He went over the Dwight's old desk which was facing the reception desk. Fate is really kicking my ass today! He would not even have to try to look at her; he would be facing her dead on. The desk's position was wonderful and cruel all at once.

He got little to no work done. Between readjusting to Dwight's bizarre habits, Michael's constant questions about Jan, Cindy calling his cell phone no less than 7 times and having Pam look like she stepped off the cover of a magazine, he was ready for five o'clock when it finally arrived.
At 5:05, he over heard something disturbing. It sounded like Ryan and Pam were meeting up after work. It was probably just a work thing but he noticed no one else had been invited. He was a few steps behind them and watched them walk out together. Ryan opened Pam's door and then she reached over and opened his. Jim's heart was sinking with each passing moment. They were too comfortable with each other. I am just tired. They are just friends. He was very tempted to follow them but what could he do? Jim went home and went straight to bed. He had quite enough for one day.