Disclaimer: I can totally see myself owning this show. Definitely.

A/N: Okay this chapter is not as long as my other chapters, but it is chuck-full of great stuff, I swear. I have about three more chapters… I know, almost there. Hehe. Like I mentioned before, this chapter is a bit different from the previous ones. I love these two songs so much and when I was writing this chapter, these two songs were playing in my head, so I had to incorporate them in here somehow. If you have these songs, please listen to them; it will help, I promise. Consider it an interactive chapter, you can listen AND readLol.

10:41 pm

Michael looked around at the group, looking at the Liberty Bell. He walked up to them and read the plaque on the brick wall. He couldn't believe that he was here. He hadn't been in Philly since the convention last year. His mind was racing with the reasons why Paul had brought him here. How was he here to see Jim, his prodigal son, his pal, his Jim?

Michael turned around and yelled, "Why are we here?"

Paul came closer, "We're where you wanted to be. You asked to see Jim, and there he is." He pointed across the street to a small bar.

Michael hadn't noticed that there were so many people on the street, moving from one bar to the next. He was trying to get through the crowd to see who was inside the bar. As he looked through the window, Paul had came up beside him, "He's over there." He pointed to a stool on the far end of the bar. He walked into the wall to Jim.

As Michael followed, he too noticed Jim. He was wearing a long-sleeved tee, sipping on some beer talking to a group of friends. He was chuckling at something one of the taller ones was saying. There were several girls, but they were paying more attention to the other guys, not Jim. Jim's hair looked the same as always, a little shaggy and unkempt. He had the 'Just got outta bed, but my hair looks awesome' style down pat.

Michael looked at Jim across the bar to get a better look at him, but was frightened. When he looked into Jim's eyes, he didn't see the guy that he knew and loved, he saw someone else, someone who seemed dead inside.

Paul joined Michael on the other side of the bar, "Yeah, he looks different, doesn't he?" Michael nodded. Paul sighed, "Yeah, well… Jim isn't the guy you knew in Scranton, not even close."

Michael, completely stricken, looked at Jim, "What happened to you, buddy?"

Just as that question left his lips, the jukebox started playing an upbeat tune. Jim lit up for the first time since Michael and Paul walked in, "I love this song! Turn it up."

As Jim got up and started dancing with one of his friends, the song began to play,

(Born to) Born to multiply,
Born to gaze into night skies,
when all you wants one more Saturday.

Well look here, until then
They gonna buy your life's time
So keep your wick in the air and your feet in the fetters
'Til the day...

Michael started bobbing his head to the rhythm, "This is good song. Who's it by?"

Paul nodded, "The Shins." They both listened to the song and continued to watch Jim dance around, seemingly enjoying himself.

But nothing happens every time I take one on the chin,
You Himmler and your code,
You don't know how long I've been,
Watching the lantern dim,
Starved of oxygen,
So give me your hand,
And let's jump out the window.

As the song faded from its final chord, the crowd applauded and continued to converse. Jim headed back to his stool as a song from The Bravery played on the speakers. As he walked unconsciously towards Michael, Michael could see the sadness and despair behind his green eyes.

Jim sat back down and sipped from his beer, looking around as his friends were enjoying the song. He looked down at the mug and breathed, "Another song, another dance…"

The girl he was dancing with came up behind him wrapping her arm across his back, "C'mon, Jimmy, I wanna dance."

Jim waved her off, "Naw… I'm okay. You go out and have some fun."

The girl looked confused, "What's wrong? You seemed like you were having fun out there like two seconds ago, now you're all down again. C'mon honey, it's not that bad."

Jim shrugged, "I'm okay. I just… I just to finish my beer, okay?" He looked at her and smiled, "I'm okay, Crystal. I swear. Go back and have some fun. Your boyfriend might start getting a complex."

Crystal chuckled, "Trust me, he wouldn't get a complex. He'd just kick your ass."

Jim chuckled, "Yeah, you're probably right."

Crystal gave him a one-armed hug, "You'll be fine, okay? So you didn't get the award, big deal. You're still the best sports columnist this side of the Mississippi."

Jim chuckled, "The Mississippi?"

She playfully hit him on his arm, "Shut up, it's called, 'Trying to cheer up your best friend', so don't be an asshole."

Jim laughed, "I'll try to keep that in mind." They both had a good laugh and Jim continued to drink his beer.

Crystal watched him, "By the way, have you heard from Rebecca?"

Jim nearly choked as he drank from his mug. He wiped his mouth, "What?"

Crystal quipped again, "Have you heard from Rebecca? I thought you would since you were nominated and everything. She was your –

Jim cut her off, "We don't speak anymore, okay? I told you that."

Crystal shook her head, "It wasn't your fault."

Jim scoffed, "Yeah, well… tell her that. She seems to believe that I'm the reason why the world is self-destructing."

Crystal chuckled, "Well… I'm not sure if that's true. But that would explain a lot." Jim nudged her on her arm. She giggled, "Just don't let this get you down so much."

Jim shook his head, "I'm not upset about the fact that I didn't win. I'm just… I feel like I'm on auto pilot or something."

Michael quipped, "Feel ya dawg." Paul rolled his eyes.

Crystal shook her head, "Auto pilot? What are you –?

Jim shrugged, "I just feel like I'm stuck. I just feel so bad all the time."

Crystal snatched his beer, "Maybe 'cause you're drinking this shit."

Jim reached for it, but Crystal poured it down the drain on the other side of the bar, "Hey!"

Crystal smacked her lips, "That crap is a depressant. You don't need it. You're already mopping around all sad and shit."

Jim scoffed, "What happened to cheering up the best friend."

Crystal chuckled, "You need to get out of this funk you're in. And you don't seem to react to subtlety. I'd figured I had to bring out the big guns and use tough love."

They both seemed to laugh and Jim gave her a hug, "Thanks, Crys. I just need to get out of it on my own."

Crystal nodded, "Well… hurry it up. You're not getting any younger." She headed back over to her boyfriend and started dancing to a song by Ronny.

Jim paid for his half-drunken beer and grabbed his coat from the coat rack. One of his pals came jogging over, "You're leaving already?"

Jim nodded, "Yeah, man. I'm pretty beat. I just wanna head home. Maybe get a head start on next week's game. And I still have to write Bears vs. Packers for tomorrow." He gave him a handshake, "I'll see ya later, Ben."

Ben shook his head, "You're gonna miss out, man."

Jim shrugged, "I'll be fine. See ya later." He yelled to the back, "Bye, Crys!"

Crys stopped dancing and looked in Jim's direction, smiling and waving goodbye.

Jim turned around and greeted the bitter cold wind at the door. Michael and Paul followed him as he walked to his car.

As Jim drove off, Michael turned to Paul, "What the hell is going on?"

Paul nodded, "Well… Jim was nominated for a prestigious award last night. It was the Sports Writers' Association yearly awards ceremony. He's the golden boy at Philadelphia Daily News , where he is the top sports columnist."

Michael scoffed, "Jim… a sports writer in Philly? No way."

Paul shrugged, "Well… he's been writing for the Daily News for the past five years."

Michael looked confused, "Five years? But that would mean –

Paul nodded, "Yeah… Jim was never hired at Dunder Mifflin." He chuckled, "Let's just put it this way, Dwight didn't like him. At all."

Michael shook his head in disbelief, "But Jim not being at Dunder Mifflin… that's –

Paul nodded, "Yeah, and the worst thing is he only met Pam once, on his interview. He never got to know her... never got to know anyone."

Michael followed his gaze toward the direction Jim drove, "Who's Rebecca?"

Paul beckoned Michael to the motorcycle, "C'mon, let's see where our sports writer is going."

They both hopped on the bike and followed Jim to his home. When they arrived, they stood in front of a small duplex. The top floor front window was lit, making the front of the building glow. Michael nodded, "Nice place."

Paul walked up the sidewalk, "C'mon, hold onto my arm."

Michael quipped, "Can I do this?"

Paul looked annoyed, "Do what?"

Michael shrugged, "Do this… you know, go to one place to another?"

Paul shook his head, "No."

Michael smacked his lips, "Why not? I thought I could do whatever I wanted. What makes you so special?"

Paul shrugged, "Because I'm cool like that." Michael rolled his eyes and hung onto Paul's arm.

When they opened their eyes, they were in Jim's living room. Jim was opening up a bottle of beer and looking through his iPod. When he found the song he was looking for, he put it on its dock and pushed play.

The beginning chords of 'Split Needles' filled the room. The tantalizing minor keyboard chords and wistful melody of James Mercer's longing voice quivered within Jim, Michael and Paul.

I've done myself an impossible crime,
I have to paint myself a hole and fall inside.
And if it's far enough in sight and rhyme,
I get to wear another dress and count in time.

Oh, won't you do me the favor, man,
Of forgiving my
Polymorphing opinion here
On your vague outline.

Michael nodded, "This kid really likes The Shins."

Paul shrugged, "They're a good band. I actually love 'Sea Legs'."

Jim crossed the room and sat at in his computer, starting to type away. He was bobbing his head to the beat, singing along.

It's like I'm perched on the handlebars
Of a blind man's bike.
No straws to grab, just the rushing wind...
On a rolling mind.

Jim sang along, "La la la la la …" He stopped typing and crossed the room to another room in the back. When he came back out, he held a guitar in his hands. He sat on his couch and played along with the song, singing:

You're old enough, boy,
Too many summers you've enjoyed.
So spin the wheel,
We'll set you up with some odd convictions,
Because you're finally golden, boy…

He stood up and began to play along with the song with more vigor, becoming lost in the lyrics and the sullen melody:

It's like I'm perched on the handlebars
Of a blind man's bike.
No straws to grab, just the rushing wind...
On a rolling mind.

As the final chord played, Jim took off the strap and placed the guitar on the couch, sitting next to it. He sighed and looked at the guitar and looked out the window. He shook his head and walked back to his computer, typing away again.

Michael walked over to him and tried to put a comforting hand on his shoulder, "Who's Rebecca?"

Paul sighed, "Jim's ex-wife."

Michael spun on his heel, "His what?"

Paul parroted, "His ex-wife." He sighed, "They met about two years ago. He met Rebecca through work. She was the assistant to the editor of the sports section at Daily News. They hit it off pretty well and started dating. They were getting along great until Rebecca got pregnant. Of course, Jim being a responsible man decided that the best thing to do first was get married. So they did."

Michael crossed looked over at Jim, "You sly dog…"

Paul rolled his eyes, "Yeah, well… it wasn't as great as it seems. Jim fell in love with Rebecca. He saw that they had a chance to really be happy together. Rebecca didn't feel the same way. She mostly married Jim out of obligation and that was later realized after Rebecca had a miscarriage."

Michael gasped, "Oh my God. That's terrible."

Paul agreed, "It was terrible. But was even more terrible was that Rebecca decided that she didn't want anything to do with Jim any longer. She didn't feel anything for him and didn't want to be attached to him, so they divorced."

Michael tried to reach out again to try to comfort him, "My God, Jim."

Paul nodded, "After the divorce, Jim completely enthralled himself into his work. He began almost consumed by it. He dedicated every waking hour to his journalism because he didn't want to have time to think, to realize what he's missing, what he lost, what he'll never have."

Michael sighed, "This isn't right. Jim should be happy. He was finally happy... with Pam."

Paul shook his head, "Jim couldn't tell you who Pam was if he tried. They only meant one time, and it wasn't anything significant. He said hello, she said that the regional manager would be with him in a moment. When Jim left, he said goodbye. She said goodbye. They never saw each other again. Shortly after that, Jim moved here and has been here since."

Michael paced between Jim and Paul, "This can't be real. Jim is supposed to be in Scranton. That's his home."

Paul nodded, "His home is Scranton. He visits his family every few months, but a life with Dunder Mifflin is non-existent, as is you."

Michael stopped abruptly, "I don't like this. I don't like this at all. This isn't how it's supposed to be. Jim deserves to be happy. Pam deserves to be happy."

Paul quipped, "What about Ryan and Kelly or Kevin or Toby or Phyllis?"

Michael shook his head, "They'll find happiness, just different happiness. Kelly's happy with Darryl and Ryan has the promotion of his dreams. Kevin has Scrantonicity II and Phyllis will be with Bob Vance no matter what."

Paul looked confused, "What about Toby?"

Michael scoffed, "What about him?"

Paul questioned, "Well..."

Michael scoffed again, "You really want that me to answer me that?" Paul rolled his eyes.

Jim stood up and walked back to the kitchen and grabbed his beer. He walked back into the living room and sat next to his guitar. He plugged it in his portable amp and played a few chords. He hummed a little tune and descended into deeper misery.

Michael turned away, "I can't see him like this. I have to go." He started marching out of the place and walked through the wall, where he was on the top floor. He fell down, screaming from the fall and landing on his feet. "What the -

Paul appeared suddenly beside him, "I told you that you couldn't do that. You okay?"

Michael shouted, "NO! I'm not okay. My second in command is on the verge of insanity. My dimwit assistant has transformed the office into some cold, bleak place. My receptionist is shacked up with her lame-o husband. My Stankley is divorced and depressed. My Gay Latino flavor is not free to be flamin' and Jan -

Paul quipped, "Yes?"

Michael turned around in haste, "We have to see Jan. I need to Jan."

Paul nodded, "I was starting to wonder when you would finally realize you have a girlfriend." Paul walked over to his motorcycle and tossed Michael his helmet, "C'mon, we better hurry up, it's nearly midnight."

Michael rushed over and hopped in the buggy effortlessly, "C'mon man, we gotta see my woman."

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More to come. In the next chapter, we get to see how Jan Levison has been in a world without Michael Scott.

This was a very interesting chapter to do, but I love to have some music. This story was begging for some music. I just wanted to explain why I chose these two songs. Australia, the first song in my opinion is about a guy who is in love with a girl who is with a jerk of a boyfriend and he is showing that she's in a doomed relationship and that she can be free to be her with him. Reminds you of anyone? Hehe. The second selection is about in my opinion about a person who feels like life is passing him by at the wrong times and that he just wishes he can stop time and truly appreciate it. Now, if music like that can carry that type of message, it's good music to me. I highly recommend this band. The best indie group out today.

I will be finished with this by tomorrow, got a little delayed but no worries. Thanks for all the lovely reviews and encouragement. A special thanks to ktface3 for being such a great supporter of my work. You totally rock my socks of too! Update will be up shortly.