Disclaimer: I don't own The Office….

AN: Here's a new chapter for yall. Thanks so much for all your wonderful reviews! It's nice to know people enjoy reading this story. And now, without further ado...

Ch. 6

Jim flipped over onto his back, almost falling off the narrow couch in the process. He threw one arm over his head, the other reaching down to pull the blanket up to his chest. Jim was not able to welcome sleep tonight. The last day kept running through his mind. He still could not believe Roy would do that to Pam. Sure, the guy was a class-A jerk, but he had never imagined him capable of causing the damage he had seen on Pam.

Pam.

How could anyone bring themselves to hurt her? She was so gentle, fragile. God, Roy was a monster.

Jim turned to face his bedroom, able to make out the faint outline of the door in the dark.

He had left Pam sleeping soundly in his bed hours ago. He had sat with her until she had fallen asleep, then stayed a little longer, realizing he could watch her sleep forever. But he'd finally pulled himself away once he realized he might have crossed the creepy line. He definitely did not want Pam to wake up and find him sitting there in the dark, staring at her.

His angel, the girl of his dreams, was sleeping peacefully on the other side of that door.

Nope, there was no way he'd be able to sleep tonight.

He was tempted to go check on her again, but resisted by rolling over to face the back of the couch.

And that was when he heard it.

At first, it was so faint he thought he might be hearing things.

But what started out as a soft sob quickly escalated into full out weeping.

Jim jumped to his feet and crossed the room in three quick strides. He had just jerked the door open when a single, piercing scream filled the night air.

He flew to the side of the bed. And realized Pam was in the midst of a nightmare.

Pam was thrashing from side to side, her legs tangled in the sheets. She was dripping sweat, and fat tears rolled continuously down her cheeks.

"No….no please…please stop. I'm begging you," Pam murmured in her sleep. "Please STOP. Let go. You're HURTING me! STOOOOP!"

Jim was only frozen for an instant, before he jumped into action.

Kneeling beside the bed, he leaned over and gently took her face in his hands.

"Pam. Pam wake up."

Pam stopped thrashing the instant he touched her, but she still continued to sob.

"No, no please let me go. Please don't touch me."

"Pam. Pam, open your eyes," he said a little louder than before. "It's Jim. Wake up sweetie. No one's going to hurt you."

The more she heard his soothing voice, the more Pam seemed to calm down, until only a few sniffles escaped from her.

Jim wiped the tears from her cheeks, then watched her carefully, making sure she would drift back into a deep sleep.

Once he was certain she was out, he stood and turned to leave.

But a hand reached out to grab his.

"Jim?" Pam questioned groggily.

"Yes Pam," he whispered as he turned back to her.

"Stay with me? Please?"

Jim froze, surprised. He wasn't even sure if she was really awake.

At his pause, Pam squeezed his hand and asked again.

"Please Jim. You keep the nightmares away."

Jim smiled softly as he reached down to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"Sure Pam. Of course."

Pam scooted over to make room for Jim. He slid under the covers next to her but remained perfectly still, not wanting to frighten her by getting too close.

But Pam didn't seem to have any problems with that.

She leaned toward him until she was snuggled to his side.

Jim hesitated for an instant, before looping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer.

Pam sighed contently, before turning her head to give him a quick kiss on his right cheek.

"Thanks Jim," she whispered, before quickly drifting off to sleep.

Jim stared above him into the darkness, listening to Pam's deep, even breathing, feeling the warmth radiating off her and enveloping him.

Nope, there would be no sleep for him tonight.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Jim cracked his eyes open, only to quickly shut them tightly against the bright light flooding the room from the window.

After a few moments of adjusting to the light, Jim sat up in his bed, looking around the room.

He was surprised to find the indent in the pillow and mattress beside him, as if someone else had slept there….

Then his hazy mind cleared and he remembered all the events from yesterday in a flash.

Pam. Where was Pam?

Shooting out of bed, he strode out of the room in two steps, before barreling into the living room.

No Pam there.

He checked the bathroom.

No Pam.

It was on his second pass by the kitchen, on his way to the dining room, that he caught a movement out of the corner of his eye.

He backtracked to the kitchen, and froze.

Pam was standing at the stove, apparently cooking something by the wonderful smells circling the room. But what caught him by surprise was that she was humming.

And when she turned to greet him she was like a different person. Like the old Pam. But even happier.

A brilliant smile graced her lips when she saw him, her eyes dancing merrily.

Even with the bruises and cuts on her face, she looked marvelous. She was glowing.

"Good morning Jim," she chirped happily.

"Uh, morning Pam," Jim managed to get out, still amazed by these transformation.

"Ready for breakfast? It's just about done." She turned back to the stove and artfully slid pancakes onto two plates already covered with eggs and bacon.

"Pam, you really didn't have to make breakfast," Jim said as he poured them two cups of coffee from the pot she had already brewed.

Pam shrugged daintily, before picking up the plates and carrying them to the table. "I wanted to. It's nice to cook when I actually want to."

Jim slid into the chair beside her with their coffee. "Well thank you Pam. It looks delicious."

"My pleasure," she said grinning. "Now dig in."

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Jim carefully studied the woman sitting across from him from over the business section of the paper.

She was bent over the crossword puzzle, seemingly absorbed in the game.

But he knew better.

She wasn't focused on the puzzle at all.

Not only had she yet to fill anything in, but her eyes were the giveaway. They were distant. Blank almost. Occasionally they would darken or dim as she thought of something, probably Roy.

Jim set the section on the table, then reached over to place his hand over Pam's. She flinched at the contact, another indication that she was completely zoned out. She slowly raised her eyes to meet his, questioning him with her gaze.

Jim took a deep breath. "Pam, we need to talk about it."

Her eyes flashed in alarm, before she lowered them to stare at the tabletop.

"There's nothing to talk about," she mumbled.

"Pam, you need to talk about it at least. You can't keep it bottled up inside. If not with me, then someone else. A therapist or something. You need to let this out."

Pam shook her head. She knew she was acting like a child, but the thought of telling anyone about this frightened her. She just wanted it to go away.

"You can't just pretend like it never happened," Jim said quietly, as if he could read her thoughts.

Pam met his gaze. Jim almost gasped at the despair and sadness radiating from her eyes.

"I just….I….I don't know if I can. Talk about it that is," she whispered.

"I know you Pam. You're strong enough for this. You can handle it. And you won't be alone. I'm here, every step of the way. I know it won't be easy, but we'll get through it together, okay?"

Pam eyes glistened with tears as she nodded, a ghost of a smile on her lips. What would she have done without Jim?

Jim had wanted to talk to her about Roy too. About what they were going to do if, or win would be more likely, he showed up. Jim would do any and everything to make sure Pam was safe, even if that meant getting the police involved against her wishes. But she seemed to be so overwhelmed by their talk that he decided the rest could wait. But probably not for too long. Who knew how much time they had left together in their own little world.

So instead he grabbed the hand he had been covering in comfort and gently pulled her up and toward him. She followed without question. Once she was in range, he slid his hands around her waist and pulled her onto his lap, cradling her against his body.

She sighed happily as she laid her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes.

Jim kissed her forehead before pulling her tight against him.

The morning slipped by as they both lost track of time, just content to be in each others arms.

...

Well, there's another chappie for yall. Lemme know what yall thought about it. The drama should be picking up in a chapter or two...I'm sorry if it takes awhile for the next update - I'm starting school and work and everything this week so hopefully I won't be too busy but I'll just have to see. Don't say I didn't warn ya though. : ) Have a wonderful day!

Until next time,

Western