Jim's Best Friend: The Office AU

Heaven On Earth

March, 2007.

"You're so tan!" Pam squeaked as she pulled away, taking a hold of your hands. Jim was still hugging you from behind, his arms resting on your shoulders. "And skinny! Oh my God you look like a model." She complimented, and Jim laughed.

"You really thought we wouldn't come get you?" He said, registering your shocked face. You were lost for words in all honesty, and Jim broke away to take your bags for you. "Come on, airport parking is way too expensive." He marched ahead, bags in hand, as you and Pam shared a quick hug, arms linked as you followed after him.

"I can't believe you guys came... I just..." you felt tears in your eyes, and Pam cooed at you, squeezing your hand.

"Like we would let you do this alone? You need to check whatever voicemails Jan left for you, by the way. Jim was talking with her all afternoon." Pam said, and the pair of you exited the building into the warm May evening air, Jim waving you over from the car. You hurried towards him, Pam getting in the back and you taking shotgun. Jim started the engine and sped away, continuing to glance over at you expectantly. You looked back, laughing.

"What?!" You said, and he rolled his eyes.

"The voicemails!" He said, and you pulled out your phone, flipping it open and putting it on speaker as you dialled the voicemail number.

"You have 4 unheard messages." The automated voice announced, and a beep followed.

"Hi Y/N, Jan again. We got confirmation here, no doubt that you have been told too. I have a few leads going on, give me the day." Another beep. "Jan here. Jim got in touch with me, and we have some ideas." You glanced over at him, unable to stop the smile on your face appearing. Beep. "I talked with my boss at lunch, fought your case to stay with the company. He's going to talk with his boss... Progress, Y/N." The final beep. "Good news, finally! Get yourself to the Scranton branch by noon tomorrow, we'll be discussing your new role in the company with Michael... He's still unhappy about the whole leaving thing, but Pam softened him up a little. See you tomorrow... This is Jan, by the way. Right, goodnight." The call hung up, and you looked between the two of them.

"How did you..."

"We had some help... Dwight even pitched in, and Karen from Stamford." Pam explained, and you felt your heart close to bursting. Whatever fears and worries had been swept away by your friends, and you shook your head in amazement.

"I... I cannot believe you both. Thank you. Thank you!" You squealed, letting out a laugh. "I still have a job!"

—

You arrived in Scranton around 2 am, and after dropping off Pam at your old apartment, you and Jim headed towards his new place. With the transfer to Stamford came a pay rise, and Jim was now in a bottom floor two bedroom apartment in the Scranton suburbs, the guest bedroom already made up for your arrival. The drive over there was quiet, the radio playing some pop ballad as Jim turned into a quaint little street lined with blossom trees.

"Scranton sweet Scranton..." you muttered as the car parked in Jim's driveway, and you stepped out. Jim ran round to the trunk, grabbing your bags and insisting on carrying them, tossing you his house keys to let yourself in. You did so, and walked into the hallway.

Jim had been living there for a few months, but it was already home. His old couch in the living room up ahead, the pictures he used to keep on his kitchen pinboard now framed and decorating the wall to your left. Memories of his college years, of his years at Scranton, of you and Pam and Jim together, of his parents, and finally, of a woman you didn't yet know.

As Jim came through the door with your bags, he saw you looking at one photo in particular, and he closed the front door quickly, setting down your things and walking over, hands in pockets.