A/N: My apologizes for the long delay. Here's the start of Day Four in Jim's POV. Enjoy!

"…so all year she decides to call me Jimmy. Come here, Jimmy. Do this, Jimmy. Sit down, Jimmy." Pam laughed as I did my best impression of the fourth grade teacher who used to torment me.

"Sounds like she was calling a dog," Pam said through her laughter. Her smile was wide and bright; I couldn't get enough of it. I loved making her smile like that. "Sit, Jimmy, sit," she said, attempting her own imitation, albeit a bad one. "Heel!"

I let out a loud laugh; she was cracking me up as much as I was her. "Man, to this day I still hate being called Jimmy," I admitted.

She rested her elbows on the table and leaned forward. She was trying hard to keep a straight face but I could see the sides of her mouth twitching to regain that smile. "Jimmy," she said in a low, teasing, almost seductive voice. I eyed her back, attempting to beat her at her game but I couldn't contain the grin and before long, we were both laughing again.

Our waitress, an older robust woman, came by with a curious look on her face and another pot of coffee. "Ya know, if you're worried about that eye," she started referring to the eye Roy had punched, "I got some make-up that'll cover it right up. Had to use it last week to cover a shiner this bitch gave me for taking her parking spot. Don' worry, knocked her out cold."

Pam and I exchanged amused looks.

Another cup?" she asked in an oddly sweet tone. We both nodded. I had no idea how many cups Pam and I had since we arrived at the twenty-four hour diner but I did know this was the second waitress to serve us since our first waitress's shift had ended a few hours ago. After she had poured our coffee, she paused, staring at us hard.

"What?" Pam asked for the both of us.

"You guys just start datin' or somethin'?" she asked in all seriousness. "'Cause no one stays at this joint for eight hours straight 'less they crazy or too damn in love to notice the shitty food."

Pam and I both blushed and looked away from each other. "Uh, we're here for the coffee," I said not knowing how to respond.

"The coffee ain't that good either," the waitress responded.

"Actually, we just met," Pam said trying to sound cool but her eyes betrayed her as she looked fondly over at me. I looked adoringly back at her. I doubted we were fooling anybody.

"Yeah," I continued the game. "We're just having coffee here because…"

"'Cause you're datin'," the waitress said, not buying the act as she slammed the coffee pot down on the table. "Look, ya guys like each other. New love. I get that. But my regulars are gonna be here in a half hour and if I don't get this booth free, my biggest tipper ain't gonna have a place to sit, so ya guys better find some other place to oogle at each other." She took her pad out of her apron and ripped off the check, pounding it down on the table. She forced a false smile. "Have a great morning."

Pam and I looked at each other, a little unsure as to how to respond to that. It was almost six in the morning and we had spent all night talking. Not long after the festival was over, we headed to the closest diner, which happened to be open all night. Neither of us had anticipated staying up so late but we kept talking, swapping life stories, getting to know each other, enjoying each other's company. The night had quickly slipped away from us and while the sun was slowly coming over the treetops signifying a new day, I didn't want the night to end.

"You're blushing," I teased Pam, noticing how red her face had gotten since the waitress had made her little speech.

"You're very blushing," she teased back. It was true, I was. So far, we had kept to our own little bubble, but having someone penetrate that had caught us both off guard. "I can't believe…wow," she checked her watch. "I have to be at work in two hours." She looked at me apologetically. She didn't want to leave any more than I did. "Jim, I'm sorry, I really can't go to work in the same thing I had on yesterday. I've got to stop at my apartment before going back."

"Why don't I give you a lift?" I offered, thinking it would be a way for us to be together for a little while longer.

"Oh, I can just take the bus," she said. I gave her a pleading look and she smiled gently. "You don't mind?"

"Nope," I said definitely. "Besides, I am much more reliable then the bus."

"Alright," she said, a twinkle in her eye. I took a final sip of coffee as I waited for her to collect her purse and in no time we had paid for our coffee and left the restaurant. On the way out to the car, I reached out for her hand and felt a tiny rush as her soft fingers entwined in mine.

"How is your eye?" Pam asked concerned as I pulled out of the parking lot.

In all honesty, I had forgotten until the waitress had mentioned it and checked it out in the mirror. The swelling had gone down some but the bruise around it was still very dark. "Looks worse than it feels. Not really looking forward to going to work with it," I admitted. I hadn't thought about work at all that night but the reality was I had to go and I knew I would be questioned about last night's events.

"Jim," she started, looking a little worried. "I'm am still so sorry…"

"Don't worry about it," I assured her.

A few minutes later, we arrived at her apartment. "So…" I started, unsure of the proper etiquette, "do you want me to wait out in the car or…"

"Oh, you're driving me to work, too?" she asked, a little surprised.

"Uh, yeah," I stuttered, "I mean, the park is on my way to work and…"

"You can come up," she interrupted. I stared at her a little in shock. I hadn't expected that response and she blushed at her own forwardness. "I mean, there's no need for you to sit in the car."

I followed her as we made our way across the parking lot. When I jumped up onto the porch after her, she turned around quickly, swinging her arm around my neck, pressed her warm body against mine and pulled me down for a hard kiss. While I would never tire of her lips on mine, I was taken aback by the suddenness of the kiss until she pulled away, giving me a nod and looking deep into my eyes. "I shouldn't have run away," she said simply.

A car door slammed and she once again became aware of our surroundings. She tore away from me, flustered a little, her cheeks reddening, her hands shaky as she retrieved her keys from her purse. I grinned, thinking that once inside, maybe I could fluster her a little more.

Her apartment was on the second floor a little way down the hall. Door number 18. I committed it to memory as I assumed I would make the trip plenty of times in the future. I was slightly surprised at how messy her apartment was, and she smiled at me sheepishly as if to apologize, but I had no room to speak because my place was no better. She told me to make myself at home as she went down the hall that I presumed led to the bedroom.

I started gazing at the living room, taking in the contents to learn more about her. At the diner I had learned plenty of little things; she liked a sprinkle of cinnamon in her latte and doesn't like eating ice cream without nuts, but to be in her home, there was so much more to learn. There were a few pictures on an end table; Pam with an older couple, which I assumed were her parents. She had her dad's nose, her mother's eyes. I examined the bookshelf next to the end table, amused to find that there were a few books on there in my own collection.

In the corner of the room stood an easel and a blank canvas. On the floor surrounding the easel lay half used art supplies. Thinking back to that drawing she had shown me yesterday, I wondered if she did all her work here or if she holed up in a studio somewhere. I tried imagining her standing at the canvas, working on her art.

After a moment or so, I wandered into the kitchen to look around. Dishes were piled in the sink. A used frying pan rested on a stove that looked like it hadn't been cleaned in ages. She had a small card table, which she used as a kitchen table, the top of which was cluttered with envelopes, bills, papers, and an open cereal box. A small green plant resting by the window looked in need of water.

There was a mirror hanging near the entryway so I stopped to check out how I was looking after being up all night. I wasn't sure what Pam saw in me, I looked horrible. My eye was getting a little better but the dark circles forming from the lack of sleep wasn't helping. I tried patting down my hair, which was sticking out everywhere but it was no use. And it was evident that I needed to shave. I contemplated stopping at my own place before I headed to work but since I lived a good deal away, I didn't think I'd have the time.

I headed back to the living room, thinking I could watch a little TV while waiting, but a book lying on her desk caught my attention. I was about to reach for it when Pam's voice sounded. "Jim?" she asked. I turned my attention towards her. She was dressed now, wearing a tan top and dark skirt, with her hair pulled back the way it had been for the three days I had known her. She approached curiously. "What are you doing?" she asked raising a suspicious eyebrow.

"Oh, I was just checking out the desk," I responded, acting as if I had been caught doing something I shouldn't. "I didn't mean to…"

"No, you're fine," she said but reached for the book and the magazine underneath it and pulled it towards her.

Now it was my turn to be suspicious. "Do you not want me to see that?" I pawed for the book and magazine but she pulled them farther away.

She shrugged trying to play cool though whatever it was, she wasn't interested in sharing. "It's not relevant," she claimed.

"Come on, Pam, what are you hiding?" I asked trying to grab them again but she was able to pull them away from me, holding them behind her back.

"Really, not relevant," she giggled.

"What is it?" I asked, not giving up, coming close enough to her that I could smell the fruity body wash she had just used. "I'm gonna guess erotica and a dirty magazine," I joked. "Why else would you be holding out? It's alright to have porn, Pam, everyone does."

She rolled her eyes but laughed. "It's not porn," she insisted. "It's…" she bit her lip nervously. "Ok, if I show you, you have to promise not to laugh." She held out the book and the magazine.

The magazine was a Cosmo and since I figured plenty of women read that, I wasn't sure what the big deal with that was but the book was another thing. It was a self-help book written by some doctor of psychology on how to reinvent yourself after your divorce. I looked at the magazine again and noticed the big headline about thirty things a woman should do before she's thirty.

"I guess I don't understand," I said sincerely. "Why would you be embarrassed by this?"

"I don't know," she said crossing her arms across her chest and staring at the floor. "After I got divorced I thought maybe I should go out and try new things, let my hair down, live a little. My cousin gave me those but I'm not sure how much I've gained from them. They book is so technical and the magazine, well, it's Cosmo and I'm not sure how much insight I can really get from one of those magazines."

I placed the book and magazine back on the desk. "Well, whatever helps you be you, I'll go with," I said with a smile. "Because I like you."

She grinned. "I like you, too."

"Well, that's good or me being here would be pretty awkward," I joked. "Though, I do think you've been hypocritical on one point."

She tilted her head not understanding. "What's that?"

"You just said you wanted to let your hair down," I teased pointing at the barrette in her hair. "And so far, I've only seen you with your hair up, so if you don't want to be a hypocrite, I think you should leave it down."

She playfully hit me in the arm but then turned away as if she had come up with an idea. She glanced back at me with wide eyes and a mischievous smile. "I'll be right back, I have to go get something," she said, giving me no indication as to what she was up to.

"Alright," I said. "Gives me more time to find your massive porn collection." I pretended to search for it by rummaging through the papers on her desk.

She gave me a sly look. "It's not in the desk," she smirked before heading back towards the bedroom.

It didn't take her long and when she came back out, her hair was down, the curls shaping her face lovingly and flowing over her shoulders. My eyes grew wide, taking her in. I had only been joking about letting her hair down and I had thought she was beautiful before but the woman standing before me was absolutely gorgeous. An image of her lying on my bed, her hair down and wild against a pillow popped into my head and if I hadn't been already gone, I would have fallen for her more.

"Wow…" I managed to say finally. "You look…" but I could find no words to describe how I felt.

At first she seemed unsure but when she heard my reaction she grinned. "See," she said excitedly. "Now I'm at least thirty percent more unpredictable." I wanted nothing more than to kiss her just then but Pam being the more responsible one checked her watch and determined if we left now she would be able to get to work on time.

We headed out to the car, this time Pam grabbing my hand, giving me an amazing rush that I doubt I would ever get use to. I drove slowly knowing that in a short time I would be forced to reenter the reality of my job and my life outside of Pam. I even took the longer route to the park and if she noticed, she didn't say anything.

What I didn't know was that the road to the park was currently blocked by a police barrier. "Do you know what's going on?" I asked as I pulled in to a parking lot of a bank to turn around.

She thought about it a moment. "Yeah, I think that marathon is coming through today."

"Oh crap," I said, suddenly remembering my assignment for that day. Dwight and I were supposed to cover Scranton's annual charity marathon. We had been assigned the story over a week ago. I hoped that Dwight was already there since we were to be there a half hour ago.

Pam looked at me concerned. "What's wrong?"

"I just need to be there," I said before explaining the situation.

"Well," Pam replied. "The marathon doesn't actually start for another forty-five minutes, so I think you'll be ok." Her optimism was comforting.

A few minutes later, I pulled into the park parking lot. "Alright," I said, a bit of hesitance in my voice. I didn't want to let her go. She didn't seem too eager to leave the car either.

"Hey, Jim…"

"Yeah?"

She bit her lip again. "I had a really great night with you."

"Me too," I assured her, smiling broadly.

"We're still on for tonight, right?" she asked.

"Definitely," I replied. I ran one hand through her soft curls then cupped her face, pulling her forward for a gentle kiss. We pulled apart slowly. "I'll give you a call when I'm done," I said.

"Have fun," she said with a sweet smile as she opened the car door.

"You too," I whispered as she left. Although I already missed her being with me, I was ecstatically happy. Happier than I ever felt and I doubted I could downplay it if I tried. I didn't care that I was late getting to my own job because all I could think about was Pam and how wonderful she made me feel.

I was still grinning when I returned to the starting point of the marathon. Dwight was already there and wasted no time bombarding me the moment I got out of the car.

"You're late," he observed.

"Yup," I replied not intending to give him a reason.

"Tell me why you are late and your punishment will be less," he said sternly.

"Yeah, you don't have the authority to do that," I replied. I felt like we had this conversation nearly every day, but today, with the knowledge that I was going to see Pam this evening, everything, including Dwight, seemed more tolerable.

Dwight stared me up and down. "Why are you wearing the clothes you had on yesterday?"

I looked down at my suit, then stared at him blankly. "Whoops, I guess I forgot to change my clothes."

Dwight sneered at me. "No you didn't, Jim. You are such a loser."

"Well, I like being a loser." I deadpanned.

"No one likes being a loser, Jim," Dwight shot back.

"I do."

"You do not." Dwight scoffed at me again. "And when we get back to the office, I want my ruler back."

"Why?" I asked. "Did some one take it?"

"You took it," he accused.

"I took it?"

"Yes," he was frustrated now, which amused me. "I know it was you. It's always you. What do you think I am, an idiot?"

"Yes."

"Idiot."

I grinned. But just as I thought working on this article wouldn't be so bad, Karen came into view. I was tempted to duck out of the way, hoping she wouldn't see me, but she eyed me fiercely and I knew there was no escaping.

"Good, you're here, which means I don't have to be," Karen said harshly as she came up to Dwight and I.

"Karen, hey," I said a little hesitantly. I didn't know if there was any way this conversation wouldn't be awkward. "I didn't realize you were on this story."

"I wasn't," her voice was very curt. "Dwight called me when you didn't show up. And I don't know why I was surprised, your work ethic lately has been so poor. Oh, and thank you, by the way, for helping me finish the article last night. That was really wonderful professionalism there."

I stared at my shoes. I hated being yelled at, especially when it came from Karen. "So, did the article turn out alright?" I asked sheepishly.

She pursed her lips, looking as if she were going to blow at any second. "You didn't read the article?" she asked in a quiet, forced tone. I suddenly felt very guilty. "God, Jim, of course, you couldn't even be bothered to read the article that you begged to do and that I saved your butt by finishing. Well, you know what, I've worked too damn hard at my career to let you screw it up so don't ever ask me for anything again."

I nodded my head silently but Karen hadn't finished.

"Dammit, Jim, where were you last night…" her voice trailed off as she looked me over. Her eyes grew wide as she answered her own question. "You're wearing the same clothes…you..." I turned away not wanting to look at Karen's accusing eyes. "Oh my god," she said sounding as if she were going to be sick. "You were with her..."

"Karen," I tried but she cut me off.

"Is that how you got the black eye?" she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Does she like it rough?"

"Karen, I-"

"Just go to hell, Jim," she said turning away from me and heading off. Before she got too far, she turned around with a devilish, cruel grin on her face. "Oh and before I forget. Josh is looking for you. He says it's important that you talk to him about recent job performance." She scrunched her nose. "Consider the message delivered." She spun on her heal and briskly left.

Dwight, who had been quiet this whole time, came uncomfortably close to examine my eye. "Wow, that does look bad," he said giving it a poke. I backed up a step. "What fighting technique did you use? You know, I make my own bruise medication made out of aloe I grow on the farm…"

Before I had to listen to Dwight's home remedies, my cell went off. Grateful, I told him I had to take it and when I saw that it was a text message from Pam, I was relieved that I could momentarily return to the happy bubble she and I had created that morning.

Hey,

Just got a moment away. Crazy morning already. Angela's cat died, she's driving everyone nuts. Kelly's still upset with Ryan after he dumped her. She's claiming she's pregnant but I know she's making it up. Oh, and the worst thing happened. Jan and Michael are back together. They obviously spent the night at the park. I know because Michael was walking around NAKED! I unfortunately saw his…dangling participle? Ew, ew, ew. I need to bleach my brain.

Can't wait to see you! :) -p