Disclaimer: I don't own The Office….

AN: So I pretty much just suck. I'm so sorry for making yall wait for forever yet again! I just totally lost inspiration for this story for a while, and then I decided to alter the plan I had laid out for the story....plus I just suck. But thanks to everyone who's been sticking with me through the slow updates. I love you guys for it! This chapters for you guys! Now, without any further ado..................

Ch. 8

Jim hadn't let go of her hand yet. Two hours into the drive and he still drove with one hand laced with hers on the center console. Not that she minded in the least.

He had told her that while the police tracked down Roy, he was taking her to stay with his brother and his wife. He didn't want to take any chances and had decided that getting her far away from Scranton was the best option to keep her safe.

And she didn't object in the least. Now that Jim was involved, she was concerned for his safety above her own. And if he was leaving the city with her, he would be just as safe as she was.

He noticed her distracted stare at the passing scenery and gave her hand a gentle squeeze until she looked at him. Jim gave her a reassuring smile, thinking to comfort her.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

"I just…I…I'm glad your coming with me Jim."

"Where else would I ever be? Don't worry, he won't come anywhere close to you. I won't let him."

"That's not what I'm worried about." She couldn't help but smile at his confused look. "I'm worried about you. I dragged you into this mess, and now you could get hurt."

"First of all, you're my best friend Pam. You're the most important person in the world to me. I would do anything for you. Secondly, if you don't recall I butted into your life, not the other way around. And it was the best thing I've ever done. I know it's asking the impossible, but please try to not think about the 'what ifs.' It'll drive you crazy. Think of this trip as a little vacation. Just getting away from the city. Nothing else."

She sighed, before squeezing his hand in return and giving a half-hearted smile. "I'll try my best."

"That's my girl."

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The second they pulled into his brother's driveway, the front door of the red-brick house was flung open and Cindy emerged from the doorway, followed closely by his brother. Cindy all but ran across the lawn to greet Jim with an energetic hug, before turning and pulling Pam into a hug in the next second and rapidly talking to her as if they were old friends.

Pete was much more calm in his greetings, shaking Jim's hand and giving a brotherly pat on the back before squeezing in a hello to Pam in between his wife's chatter.

The men grabbed the suitcases out of the car while Cindy ushered Pam through the front door, more than likely committing her to a shopping trip in the near future.

Jim realized he should have warned Pam about his sister-in-law's…..exuberance. She was a sweet and thoughtful woman, and he had been thrilled when Pete married her, but she could certainly be overwhelming, especially if you weren't prepared and ready for her. But he knew she and Pam were going to get along wonderfully.

Pete paused after Jim had slammed the trunk, obviously wanting to talk out of the girl's hearing range.

"So have they found the bastard yet?"

Jim was a bit taken aback. His brother rarely cursed so Jim knew his anger had spiked if he was doing so now. Pete had met Pam several times over the years, and he knew he liked Pam, but didn't realized how protective his brother felt about her.

"No. The police are still looking though, and are supposed to keep me updated. It's as if he's vanished into thin air."

"Damn. I was hoping they'd have him by now. Poor Pam. She's such a sweet girl. I can't believe this happened to her, out of all people. God, what an asshole."

Jim hung his head.

"I know. I still can't believe I missed it all this time. If I had just realized…I mean, how could I have not noticed….she would—"

Pete put his hand on Jim's shoulder and waited until he met his gaze.

"Jim, she didn't ask for help. You couldn't have known. But you did the right think. You got her out of there and she's safe now."

"Yeah, I guess. I just hope they find him soon."

"Me too brother, me too." After a pause, Pete grinned, with a gleam in his eye. "Now let's get inside and see what mischief my wife's already gotten Pam to commit too."

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Pam was stunned when the petite blonde pulled her into a hug before introducing herself. She allowed herself to be led into the house by the woman, while she practically bounced up and down and chatted away, Pam being too shocked to respond.

"Oh Pam you're just as lovely as I thought you'd be. I can't believe we hadn't met until now. But I feel like I've known you forever. Jim always talked about you; it was like you were one of the family already. I just know we're going to be great friends! I get kind of lonely around here. We haven't lived here for too long, and I've made a few friends, but none I've really connected with yet. But I think that's about to change. Would you care for some tea? I'll put some on, and I've just made some cookies so we can settle down and have a nice long chat and get to know each other better."

By this time, Cindy had led Pam to the kitchen and was gesturing for her to sit at the table while she moved to a cabinet and pulled down a box of tea. "I'm sorry I'm so chatty. I'm just really excited. And when I get excited, I talk." Cindy turned the stove on to get the kettle going, then took the seat next to Pam at the table. She placed her hand on top of Pam's and smiled.

"So tell me all about yourself."

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From the doorway, Jim and Pete heard the laughter from the kitchen. They shared an amused glance before setting down the bags and going to investigate what was so humorous. They stood in the doorway for several minutes, completely unnoticed by the girls. The scene in the kitchen warmed Jim's heart. Pam and Cindy were sitting at the kitchen table, two cups of tea and a plate of cookies between them, laughing as Pam animatedly told Cindy about one of their pranks of Dwight. Cindy worked magic. She could get anyone to talk freely and feel comfortable in a matter of minutes. And here was the proof.

Both women looked up at them at that moment, identical grins spread across their face.

"Jim, you bringing Pam here has been the best thing to happen in a loooong time."

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"So what do you think of Cindy and Pete?" Jim asked as he helped her settle into the guest room.

"I like them very much," Pam said, a fond smile on her face. She especially liked that the entire evening; they never mentioned why she was there. And even though they had to have noticed the bruises, they never acted like it. She had even forgot the reason for their being there. She set her brush on the bathroom counter and looked at her reflection. Only when she glanced in the mirror was she reminded.

Jim's reflection came to stand behind hers and she quickly turned and wrapped her arms around his waist. He automatically folded his arms around her slight form, breathing in her lavender scent.

Pam pulled back a bit, leaning back in his arms, to look at him.

"Thank you for bringing me here Jim. Not only do I feel safe for the first time in a while, but I think I've made a new best friend. And I haven't had any girl friends in a while either."

"My pleasure." Jim leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Now, just a warning, but Cindy will probably be waiting at the door for you to get up in the morning. She probably has this grand day planned out for you, and won't tell you a word of it, but you might want to get plenty of rest in preparation," Jim grinned fondly.

"Well I wouldn't want to disappoint her by falling asleep, now would I?" Pam said as she pulled out of Jim's arms, immediately missing the heat and comfort.

She headed back into the bedroom and began pulling down the sheets.

Jim was walking toward the door to leave when he was stopped by a soft voice.

"Will you stay with me?"

He immediately pivoted back to face Pam, already heading toward the other side of the bed.

"Of course."

Smiling, Pam slid into bed while Jim kicked off his shoes and got in as well.

She settled into his side while he drew her into his arms.

Sighing contently, Pam lifted her head and gently placed a kiss along his jawline. Followed by another one. And another.

Jim's heart began beating faster. He was trying to contain himself, wanting her to be the one to initiate anything, but it was getting more difficult every moment.

He gazed down, trying to read Pam to figure out what she wanted at that moment. Comfort? Someone to hold her and make her feel safe? Or was there something more behind her actions?

It only took Jim a second to realize that it was definitely something more.

He instantly recognized the emotion shining from her lovely eyes. It was something he had become very familiar with over the last few years.

Love.

She smiled beautifully up at him, before shifting closer to him, beginning to close her eyes and tilt her face toward him.

He met her halfway.

Pam shivered in delight when their lips finally met. It was a sweet kiss, very tender and heartfelt.

But Pam wanted more.

Jim was pleasantly surprised when he felt Pam's tongue at the seam of his lips, asking for entrance. He pulled back for a moment and met her gaze, asking her with his eyes if she was really ready for this. To take it to the next level.

Pam's Cheshire grin and passion-filled stare were the only answer he needed.

He slid one hand behind her neck to pull her closer as he slanted his mouth over hers.

Pam slipped her tongue into his mouth the moment their lips touched, seeking out his own to duel with, while her hand ran through his hair, tugging gently to pull him even closer to her.

It was a passionate and all-consuming kiss.

And it ended entirely too quickly, once both had to pull back gasping for air.

Jim gave Pam a lopsided grin before tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"Wow."

Pam could only nod and grin, still trying to catch her breath and get a handle on the rampage of emotions running through her. That was the perfect kiss. She had never felt so much in one kiss before. Not even close.

"Want to do that ag—"

Pam silenced him with her lips, ready to make the next kiss better than the last. If that was even possible.

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There ya go! Hope yall enjoyed it! Sorry if the characters seemed a little OOC, and I don't even remember if Jim had a brother named Pete, but just go with it, lol. And that was the first real lemony scene I've ever written, so I tried. Lemme know what ya thought of the chapter. And thanks for reading!

Until next time,

Western