They're gonna be the death of me. Oh my gosh.
Jim and Pam were both quiet as they walked inside their house, thanking the babysitter as usual as she left. Pam slowly walked into the nursery, smiling at CeCe, who was asleep but would most definitely be up sooner or later.
Jim followed her in. He placed an arm around her waist.
Finally, after a minute, Pam spoke.
"You nearly got our boss killed."
"Yeah." He sighed, shaking his head. "I guess I did. Shame, he was starting to grow on me."
Pam laughed, looking up at him and gently kissing his cheek. "Well, whatever the outcome was, thanks for standing up for me and the rest of the women."
"Hey, you know I got your back. And if anyone asks, I just needed to make sure, as a very avid basketball fan" - Pam snorted - "that he was telling the truth about being able to make that shot."
"I love you."
There were so many things she wanted to say. She wanted to laugh too, at the pure absurdity of it, that a hoop had fallen onto their new boss all because Jim happened to be a decent guy in the office. It was bizarre.
"I love you too." He grinned.
She smiled. He already knew everything she wanted to say.
"I guess I think they're losers."
Jim stilled in his seat. He shot a look at the camera, and then bit his tongue.
Robert California was no authority, especially on something stupid like this. This was petty and subjective.
But there was a tiny part of him, just a small part, that flared up.
Pam? His Pam? Pam Halpert nee Beesly?
A loser?
Hell no.
He wouldn't say anything to Robert. Pam wouldn't even like it if he got on his bad side, but -
God, did the rest of them all have to look so smug? As though they had won some great award, as though being someone's "winners" had always been their ultimate goal?
Pam was a winner. Pam, who got him an amazing comic starring him as a superhero, Pam who saw their boss (God, he missed Michael so much) quitting and decided to impulsively join him, making herself into a successful saleswoman along the way. Pam, who was kind to everyone in the office, even if they didn't return the favor.
Pam was a fucking winner.
"Jim!"
"Yes?" He turned around with an expecting grin, knowing she found the list. Unsurprisingly, she looked like she was close to tears.
"I love you, Halpert." She planted a short kiss on his lips and gave him the folded paper. "Put your name on it too."
He tucked her hair behind her ear. "Whatever you want, Beesly."
"It's Halpert," she said, half crying and half laughing.
He smiled at her. "Alright, Halpert, wanna go home and see CeCe?"
"I'd love to."
"I know you think that Cathy is attractive."
"Okay, what do I have to do to get you to drop this because -"
"Listen." Pam held up a hand as the two of them sat in the waiting room. "I know you do. Objectively. Because she is. I know what you're doing."
Jim sighed, rubbing his temple. "Pam, I love you -"
"Listen!" she insisted, taking his hand in her own. "I know. I'm pregnant, and emotional. You want to protect my feelings. And none of that even matters, what matters is your blood pressure." She shook her head. "The point is, I know you're lying to me, I know why, and I don't care anymore. I just wish you would admit it. That's all."
"No. I won't admit anything, because there's nothing to admit." He scoffed. "I don't find her attractive, and I think you're beautiful, the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen, and…" He bit his lip as he placed his other hand over her's.
"And?" she prompted.
"And you're not going to seem stupid if you do get jealous. It happens. You remember…" A light smile spread on his face. "You remember that time Ryan asked you out?"
"Oh, gosh. Yes."
"I felt stupid, and jealous, for a few seconds. I mean, nowhere near enough to be serious, because it's Ryan, but, well, other people have flirted with you. Your friend in New York." He snapped his fingers. "I didn't like him. But you're okay with that."
"Cause you don't show it! You're not obnoxious or controlling about it."
"Neither are you! You want me to admit a girl is hot so that you can have a basis for your insecurity, but I'm telling you that you can just snap your fingers and I'll start complimenting you with everything I've got. And I won't lie, either, because I think you look amazing all the time."
"Jim Halpert?" the nurse called out.
Pam wasn't emotional, but she was reeling.
There were so many times that she felt, well...inadequate. That had been before their relationship.
Jim didn't make those insecurities go away. But if there was ever a time she could forget them for a little while, it was when she was with him.
She loved him. She loved him, and this whole thing was stupid.
"Let's go."
They walked in, hand in hand, and as the nurse led them to a room, she whispered in his ear.
"I love you, Halpert. Thanks for being there for me all the time."
Okay, so, I know that this sounds cheesy, but I really love the idea of Jim defending Pam and Pam defending Jim. I might have more scenarios with the former because Pam is picked on more in the show, but I do have ideas for the opposite way as well!