AN: Hey guys, thanks so much for your awesome reviews! I'm glad yall like it so far! So sorry for the delayed update, I started a new job last week and have been busy busy busy, but I'll try to be better about getting chapters out faster. Well, without further ado, or excuses, on to Chapter 2...

Disclaimer: I don't own The Office….

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With just a tad of concealer, Pam was able to cover the bruise completely for work on Monday. As she had been able to do for various other bruises for the past several months, when Roy's anger had begun to emerge.

But the rest of her weekend had been pleasant enough. Roy was extra kind and considerate, as if trying to make up for the bruise he had given her, despite the fact they both thought if was her own fault for making him angry.

Jim was becoming more and more of a taboo subject between the two of them. As long as she refrained from speaking his name when with Roy, everything would be fine. And if it did come up, Roy would usually refer to Jim simply as him, as if speaking his name was just too disgusting.

Pam sighed as she continued to recopy Michael's phone messages. Michael's latest request was for her to hand him messages every time he came in the office, even if there had been none. He thought it made a good impression for clients that might come in with him, although that rarely occurred anyways.

Michael had even been testing her over it. He'd come in, expect messages, then try to sneak out behind plants or other employees, only to turn around and come right back into the office, expecting more messages. So once again Pam was doing something completely meaningless, like copying the same message over and over again to please her crazy boss.

Pam glanced over at Jim, noticed he was attempting to build a log cabin out of pencils, and shot a rubber band at him.

It only hit him in the shoulder, but he fell out of his chair in a dramatic death scene worthy of an old Western film.

Pam giggled, then applauded as Jim hopped up to take a bow. He resumed his seat, and was about to ask if she wanted to eat lunch together when the office door opened.

And in walked Roy.

Pam quickly looked away from Jim and pretended to resume copying the notes, all the while hoping Roy hadn't seen their little drama. He hadn't slammed the door open, which was a good sign.

Roy looked suspiciously between Jim and Pam and knew something was up because neither one was very good at playing innocent.

Jim was actually whistling.

Roy shot him a glare before turning to Pam, making sure he was standing between Jim and Pam.

He sent her a warning look, but decided against saying anything because he felt everyone in the room staring at him, waiting to see what he'd do.

Pam's coworkers had been bystanders for many of his angry outbursts, and were ready to step in if needed. Dwight's hand was even inching toward his pepper spray. They had never seen Roy get too out of hand before, but none of them liked him yelling at their sweet, angelic Pam.

Knowing their audience, Roy bit down whatever he had intended on saying.

"I was just on break and wanted to come see how you were doing baby," Roy said in a sickeningly sweet voice, substituting it for whatever he really wanted to say.

Great, now he's going to be checking up on me, Pam thought. I'm going to have to be extra careful from now on.

"Everything's great Roy," Pam said, trying to sound cheerful. "You really didn't have to come all the way up here for that."

"Oh, I think I did," Roy said in a pleasant voice, although Pam could hear the double meaning behind his words. He didn't trust her. "I just wanted to see that my baby was behaving herself."

Pam's eyes widened a fraction. She was treading on thin ice and had to be careful so she wouldn't pay for anything she said later.

Behind the couple, Jim was pretending not to eavesdrop like everyone else. But that last comment caused him to glance over at the two. This was some weird conversation they were having, he thought as he stared at Roy's back.

Seeing that Pam wasn't responding, and that her gaze had returned to her desk, Roy reached out and tilted her chin up toward him, then leaned over the counter for a quick kiss.

Pam was surprised at Roy's action – he was hardly affectionate in public, and never at the office.

Roy leaned back with a smug grin, then whispered that he'd see her after work and for her to behave herself because he'd be watching.

He spun around and caught Jim staring at him. He sent Jim one last glare on his way out.

As the door slammed shut, Pam let out a breath and tried to collect herself. That had been a bit too tense for her liking.

Jim immediately jumped up and headed to the front desk. Pam was randomly shuffling papers on the desk, trying to avoid the figure hovering above her.

Jim saw how Pam was a bit shaken up, and wondered what Roy had said to her before he left.

"Pam," he said softly, trying to get her attention. "Pam."

She still wouldn't look at him.

"Pam," he repeated as he reached out to stop one of her hands from its frantic movement around the desk.

She flinched slightly at the contact, then slowly looked up at him.

Now Jim was really concerned. She was looking up at him like a cornered, defenseless kitten.

"Hey, are you alright?" He questioned while still covering her tiny hand on the desk with his own.

Pam instantly snapped out of her daze. She glanced between Jim's worried face, to his hand touching hers, then back at him.

She quickly pulled her hand away under the pretense of picking up her pen and getting back to work.

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" She asked him, as if it was silly of him to even think something was wrong.

"Well, it's just that…." He trailed off since she had looked back down at her desk and resumed her task of copying messages.

He ran a hand through his hair in frustration, and sighed, realizing that she was going to pretend that whatever had just happened had never occurred.

"Never mind.….well, Ms. Beasley, would you care to join me for lunch in the break room?"

Pam smiled up at his formal tone, before her eyes glanced quickly at the door, then back at him. The smile slowly disappeared from her face.

"Um…I'm sorry Jim, I'd really like to. But I think I'm just going to eat at my desk. I have a lot of work to get done."

Jim glanced down at the pile of phone messages, then back at her. It was obvious he didn't believe her.

"Alright, no problem. Maybe another time." He gave her a quick smile before retuning to his desk.

Jim leaned back in his chair, his mini log cabin completely forgotten, as he watched the woman behind the front desk furiously scribble something on paper.

Something was going on. Something he did not like. And he'd bet his entire paycheck for a year that it had to do with Roy.

And he was going to find out.

His thoughts were interrupted by Michael bursting into the office from his lunch break.

"Pam, Pam, Pam! Do I have any phone messages?"

...

So what'd yall think? I know not much happened, but I'm trying to map out the plot line and everything, but wanted to get something out to yall. Well, thanks for reading, and have a great day!!

Western

P.S. Omg, so season finale?? Poor Jim and Pam, nothing can go right for them! So close, and yet something had to ruin it, of course. Sigh.