A/N: I love The Office! And for that dedication, here is another chapter of my story! I love all the feedback, keep it coming for sure!
Disclaimer: I don't own The Office. Sad day.
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She fell woke up with a huge smile on her lips.
She couldn't help it. Even before her eyes were opened she could feel the smile on her lips and chuckled to herself. Her dreams had been filled with pictures of his eyes and smile and she tilted her head to one side and opened an eye. On her night stand sat the vase of flowers he had given her the night before and it confirmed to her it was in fact, not a dream.
She smiled again.
She stretched out, pushing the sleep from her body and sat up in her bed and tried to stop grinning. She couldn't.
I've got to get this under control, she thought to herself. I can't go into the office all giddy or they will know something is up.
Taking a few more minutes to settle her smile down she reluctantly climbed out of bed to get ready. She stalled at her closet longer this morning than most mornings, wanting to pick something that wouldn't scream, I FINALLY HAD A DATE WITH JIM LAST NIGHT, but was still flattering. She found it to be harder than she thought.
She took more care with her hair and make up this morning too. She wanted to make sure everything was perfect before she left. This was a big day for her. Today would be the first full day she would call Jim her, well, wait. What would she be calling Jim? They went out once, to dinner. They both made it perfectly aware that they wanted to cross the line of friendship and start a relationship. They weren't casually dating, so that made him her boyfriend, right?
Pam groaned and collapsed onto her bed more confused than ever.
Are we just dating? Or boyfriend and girlfriend? Gah, I need to talk to Jim, she thought and slowly sat up determined to finish getting ready before she had a mental breakdown. She was pulling on her khaki skirt when her phone beeped, signaling she had a text message.
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Jim slept fitfully and as the hours grew closer to morning so did his anxiousness. His mind was torn. He knew that he had hurt Karen and that wasn't something that settled well with him. He hadn't meant to, he knew that, but he had. She had given him more than enough times to back out of the relationship and each time he told himself that Pam didn't care and he was better with Karen.
How wrong he had been.
He knew that if Pam had given him a clue of her feelings before the beach day he would have jumped at the opportunity to have her in his arms. But he hadn't seen it; he hadn't let himself see it.
Now he was in one of the biggest predicaments of his life and he wasn't sure how to handle it. Today he would have to face Karen and feel her wrath, yet he knew that one look in Pam's direction and his heart would be flying.
He knew they were going to be facing some obstacles and keeping their relationship a secret would be a difficult task, but he was up for it if she was. He had never been so happy to go to work.
Pulling out his phone he flipped it open and quickly pressed a series of buttons before setting it back down and finally deciding to roll out of bed. Minutes later he had a response.
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Lunging towards her nightstand she grabbed her phone and flipped it open. Sure enough it was flashing a little envelope and Jim's picture on the screen. She could barely contain her laugh as she opened the message.
Good morning Beesley, it read, I just wanted to make sure you were up for this. Thank you for agreeing to keep this under wraps for a while, just till things are more settled I promise. It's going to be hard for me to look at you today like nothing is up. To make up for it can I treat you to dinner again tonight?
Pam giggled as she read it and could sense his apprehension within the note. She was just as nervous to face Karen today as he was, maybe more to be honest. They had formed a friendship over the last several months, well slightly. It had started to crumble after Pam's admission in front of the whole office at the beach, but she knew that she would have to watch her back. It was going to be a tension filled day and she wasn't exactly thrilled at the concept.
She answered the text quickly and returned to prepping herself for the never ending day.
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When Jim heard his phone go off showing he had finally gotten a response from Pam he went digging for his phone that was now lost in the excess blankets that covered his bed. When he finally found it he collapsed onto his bed near aggravation.
He quickly read her response, Good morning to you too Halpert. I hope you slept well. As for the rest, it isn't a problem for me to keep this quiet for you. I know you must be having some problems dealing with everything and just know I'm in this for the long haul. You don't have to worry about anything (or anyone) scaring me away so quickly. I already can't seem to stop smiling, looking at you is going to make that even more difficult. You just had to move back to your original desk didn't you? Anyways, I'd love to have dinner with you again tonight. After today I think we'll need to just chill. How about a dinner and a movie here at my place with my one kitchen? Sound good to you?
Jim knew that he probably looked like some love struck fool with the grin on his face but he couldn't help it. He was the happiest he'd been in over a year and there was nothing that was going to keep that from him. He typed his message back quickly and shoveled down his oatmeal so he wouldn't be late.
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Pam was pulling into the parking lot at Dunder-Mifflin when her phone started going off again. Surveying the nearly empty lot she noticed that, of course, Dwight was already there and Toby's car was parked in its normal spot. Then she saw Karen's car and Karen at the far end of the lot and visibly cringed. Shaking her head she pulled into her spot and pulled out her phone.
Dinner and a movie sounds perfect, she read, I'll even let you pick the movie if I can pick the food. Unless of course you want to cook, I'll let you decide. As for the smiling, try to keep it under control Beesley. Don't want to give too much away. Now, I have to go, or I'll be late. I'll see you at work soon.
Pam held the phone to her chest with the stupid grin still stuck and noticed Karen walking by and attempted to duck her head before Karen had a chance to notice her. She focused her eyes on her phone screen until she was sure that Karen had made her way into the building. Glancing around the parking lot she noticed Stanley pull in with Kevin right behind him and decided to take the chance to dash into the building. Thankfully she missed the elevator with Karen in it and waited patiently for it to come back down.
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Karen had stalled in the parking lot as long as she could, hoping to catch Jim before he went in, but when she saw Pam pull in and park she knew she couldn't wait anymore. She wasn't going to have the confrontation with her right there.
That low-life…Karen thoughts raced, I can't believe he left me for her.
She wondered if they had already started dating or if Jim had even told Pam about their breakup yet. She wasn't sure until she passed Pam's car and she refused to make eye contact with her. Karen smirked, knowing that Jim must have talked to her already.
Sinking into her desk chair she sighed and felt Dwight's eyes rest on her. Forcing a very fake smile she went to work loading her computer, anxious to get to her email. She was supposed to get an email from David today about the job and was desperate to get it. She needed to get out of here, out of Scranton. She didn't think she'd be able to see the happy couple all goo-goo in front of her.
When she opened her email she was happy to see an email from David and hurriedly opened it.
Miss Fillipini,
Thank you so much for taking the time to come into the city for your interview. We appreciate everything you have done for the company and look forward to continuing that partnership. However, we regret to inform you that the position you applied for was otherwise filled. If I have any other jobs open Karen I'll be sure to tell you. You are a great asset to the company and should be working in a position that states that. I'll be in touch.
David Wallace
CFO
Karen hung her head and mumbled a few choice words before typing a response. She needed to get out of Scranton that was evident and was at the point where she would go anywhere. Looking at the door when Jim walked in her heart stopped as she noticed the look he threw to Pam when he thought no one was looking.
Yeah, she thought, this isn't going to be easy.
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Jim walked into the office and the moment he saw Pam behind her desk his heart leapt in his chest and a huge grin spread over his face and he tried to quickly hide it. He looked around the office and no one seemed to be paying any attention to him and he sighed.
That was close, he thought to himself. Good thing one no noticed.
Pam looked up from her computer and gave a shy smile before muttering a quick hello as he passed by.
"Morning," Jim called to the office as he settled into his desk and chuckled at the look that Dwight shot his way, most likely for being a few minutes late.
When he opened his email he automatically smiled again to see Pam's name in his inbox.
To: Plans
Jim-
I'm not sure I'm comfortable giving you the authority to pick dinner. That scares me. Though, now that I think about it, you don't like anything too weird, so maybe I'll extend dinner picking privileges to you tonight. I'll think about it. As for the movie, well I'm glad you had the sense enough to decide to let me pick. I'm going to keep it a surprise for now but I just know you are going to love it! (Okay, you might not love it…but I'm still picking it!) It's already hard for me to not smile and you just walked through the door. Today is going to be a long day I'm afraid. Congrats on not being too late. Hey, at least you beat Michael here. Is it wrong that I hope he doesn't come in at all today? It would make my life so much easier. Man, here he comes. Alright, I should go. I'll talk to you in a bit.
Pam
P.S. We should prank Dwight today, something good. You missed some perfect opportunities yesterday I know you'll want to make up for. Just let me know!
Jim smiled at Pam as she smirked from her desk and shook her head gently. Jim shrugged her way and Pam nodded and Jim had to look away before he couldn't resist the urge to jump up and kiss her anymore.
And that brought something to the forefront of his mind. They hadn't kissed yet. Now, it wasn't like they had been dating for ages or anything, hell, it hadn't even been twenty four hours yet, but he knew he wanted to.
Their kiss from the casino night was still a memory he carried with him. Jim smirked to himself, despite the slightly painful memories, and decided to be patient.
Maybe tonight? Maybe not. I'll just have to wait it out.
When his computer binged again, he looked up expecting to see another email from Pam. When he saw who the new email was from his stomach dropped and he opened the email hesitantly.
To: (None)
We need to talk. Kitchen now.
Jim swallowed hard and pushed away from his desk, grabbed his coffee mug, and headed into the kitchen. He heard Karen right behind him.
He knew not to look over to Pam's desk, or anywhere in the office really, though he knew they would be listening. Karen wasn't typically quiet if she was upset.
"Hey Karen," Jim started reluctantly and turned to face her. She stood a few feet away from him, hands on her hips, and her lips pulled into a tight scowl and Jim's façade melted away. "Look I'm sorry…"
"I don't want to hear it," Karen interrupted. "You aren't sorry, not really, and I don't want you to pretend you are. I'm almost sure you are with her now but just now this isn't going to make me leave."
"I didn't say…"
"I've worked hard to get where I am," Karen continued, "I'm not about to throw it all away because my boyfriend broke up with me."
"I didn't expect…"
"I'll be cordial but don't expect small talk or friendliness," Karen went on. "I've got to get back to work."
Jim let her walk out and noticed the eyes of the office on him as she stormed to her desk still red faced and Jim leaned against the door for a moment before he walked about to his desk. He noticed Kevin looking at him wide-eyed and even Stanley seemed interested in the blowout between the obvious ex-couple. Michael and Dwight were talking in hushed whispers just inside his office and Jim just shook his head and prepared to get back to work.
Bing, went his instant messenger and he looked up at his screen slightly.
PBeesley: You okay?
JHalpert: Yeah, I'm fine.
PBeesley: You sure?
JHalpert: Yuppers. It wasn't pretty, but I didn't think it would be. How much could you hear?
PBeesley: Not much.
JHalpert: How much?
PBeesley: Just snid-bits.
JHalpert: So basically everything?
PBeesley: Yeah. Sorry.
JHalpert: Not your fault. I wish she wouldn't have done that here though. Let's change the subject. What movie are you thinking about for tonight?
PBeesley: Are you sure you want to talk about this now?
JHalpert: Of course. Don't let her get to you, I'm not. I deserved most of that anyways. I wasn't exactly truthful with her most of the time. I should have broken it off a long time ago.
JHalpert: I can't change what happened though, so it's time I moved on. And, I want to be with you, I hope you know that.
PBeesley: I know that.
JHalpert: Good. Now, what movie?
PBeesley: It's a surprise Halpert. Get over it.
JHalpert: Fine, but I'm not going to tell you what I'm bringing for dinner then.
PBeesley: Okay, that is fine. Come over about seven.
JHalpert: You aren't going to fight it?
PBeesley: Why should I? I'm not telling you, you aren't telling me. Sounds fair to me. I've really got to get some work done today. Talk later?
JHalpert: Fine, be that way and don't tell me. Seven sounds great and of course I'll talk to you later.
Jim looked up towards Pam and offered a small smile before burying himself in the work that had sat on his desk all morning. By the time lunch came around he was starving and he cursed himself for forgetting to bring something to eat.
"Hey Halpert," Pam greeted as she entered the kitchen, "what do you have for lunch today."
"Nothing it appears," Jim mumbled. "Seemed I forgot to bring anything and I've run out of backups here. I'll just run down to the deli on the corner and get a sandwich."
"Have fun," Pam giggled. "I'm just going to enjoy my lunch here."
"Don't you want to join me Beesley?"
"Nope sorry."
"Fine. Tell Michael I might be late. I always seem to get there right as the crowd does."
"Don't worry, I'll cover for you."
"Thanks."
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The day was ending in a matter of minutes and Pam was waiting expectantly for the clock to finally signal she could go. She had made sure all the faxes were done, filing was completed or piled up for the next day, and the phones were ready to be forwarded.
It seemed that everyone else was just as ready for that Thursday to be over as they sat taping their pens at their desks, Karen especially.
"Pam," Michael called from his office, "can you come in here for a moment."
Pam shot Jim a look of despair as she trudged into her boss' office and closed the door behind her. She wasn't sure what he'd be up to this time, but she knew she'd be working later than normal. Whenever the cameras would disappear for the summer Michael would actually work. It seemed like he was extra crazy and lazy when the cameras were around and made up for it on their break.
"What's up Michael?"
"Do you know anything about Jim and Karen's break up?"
Pam nearly choked on her gum as she managed to shake her head and mumble 'no.'
"Oh," Michael stated as he signed a document that sat on his desk and shuffled some papers around. "I thought you might. It seems that Karen has put in a request for transfer and David is putting her in Utica. Today is her last day."
"Really? I had no idea."
"No one did apparently," Michael said. "That might be why they broke up. Hmm. Anyways, these are the transfer papers, would you fax them to David before you leave. Sorry to keep you here late."
"It's no problem Michael," Pam assured him. "I'll fax them over now. Anything else?"
"Nope, once that is done you are free to go. Thanks Pam."
"You're welcome Michael. I'm sorry you didn't get the job at corporate. I know you wanted it."
"I did," Michael murmured, "but I couldn't take Jan's job. Not after getting back together."
"How is that going?"
"Good," Michael said absently. "Okay, I'm done for today. Thanks for doing that Pam."
"Sure thing," Pam told him again and took the file back to her desk. The office was nearly empty now; only herself and Karen were left, as she packed up her desk into a box. The air was thick with tension and Pam was grateful for the incessant whirring of the fax machine for the break in silence.
"Are those my transfer papers?" Karen asked startling Pam from her thoughts.
"Yeah," she nodded. "Michael finished them up just a while ago and wanted them faxed over tonight."
"Thanks," Karen muttered. "Be good to him."
"Huh?"
"To Jim," Karen reiterated. "You guys do work together as a couple."
"Oh we're just…"
"Let me guess, 'just friends?" Karen asked and Pam nodded. "I don't buy that. Sorry, but you can't fool me. You're in love with each other and it's obvious. Just be good to him."
"I will," Pam told her and Karen smiled slowly. "Take care Karen."
"You too," Karen agreed and Pam watched her walk out of the door. Pam let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding and made her way to the door to lock up so she could leave.
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At promptly seven o'clock her doorbell rang and Jim stood there with two pizza boxes in hand, "I couldn't think of anything else," he told her as she took the boxes from him and led him inside. "I hope you don't mind."
"Pizza sounds great," Pam assured him. "Sorry about the mess, I just got home."
"Michael made you stay this late?"
"Just till six fifteen or so," Pam told him. "He had some last minute faxes that had to go out tonight. I stopped by the store on my way home too."
"So what is the movie for tonight?" Jim asked, anxious to find out what he'd be sitting through. "Is it a chick flick?"
"Maybe," Pam teased and he followed her into the kitchen. "You'll just have to wait."
"Longer?"
"Grab some pizza and we'll get settled and I'll start it."
Ten minutes later they were curled up on the couch, pizza in hands as Pam pressed play.
"You have got to be kidding me," Jim grumbled.
"You said I got to pick."
"I can't believe it."
"You'll like it," Pam assured him. "Give it a chance."
"I'll like Legally Blonde? Don't you know me at all?"
"I do," Pam giggled, "now sit back and relax, and enjoy the show."
"You are so going to owe me for this one Beesley," Jim said under his breath and Pam kissed his cheek before snuggling up next to him. As soon as her lips touched him he forgot about his arguments, wrapped his free arm around her, and struggled to keep his attention on the screen in front of him. They fell asleep sometime near the end of the movie in each other's arms, with contented smiles on their faces.
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A/N: So this was uber fluffy for the most part. Almost sickening really, but then again, I love it that way. I hope you guys do too! Let me know and thanks already!