The Nephew

The Office

Chapter one

A/n: This story takes place during season two of The Office, beginning with the episode "Take Your Daughter to Work Day" (2006).It is March in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The Nephew revolves around the lives of Jim and his brothers after a death in the family.

Pairings: Jim Halpert/Pam Beesly. Tom Halpert/OC, Pete Halpert/OC, Gerald Halpert/Betsy Halpert, Phyllis Lapin/Bob Vance, Angela Martin/Dwight Schrute, Larissa Halpert/OC, etc.

Beta: I am still working on finding a Beta. If you're interested, drop me a line. All mistakes are mine.

"Absence is one of the most useful ingredients of family life, and to dose it rightly is an art like any other"

~Freya Stark

"Dunder Mifflin, this is Pam."

How many times a day did he hear Pam Beesly say those very say words? Sitting near his desk and twirling a wooden pencil between his slender fingers, Jim Halpert considered this question. In the years he had worked at this once unassuming paper company, Pam's greeting had remained the same. Pam, however, did not.

Jim tried not to count Pam marital (or, lack thereof) troubles as one of the few changing currents in this hum-drum office. Besides, the fact that Roy had stormed out of Dunder Mifflin with Pam's ring and heart still made Jim's blood boil. Call it a guilty conscience.

It was stupid, really. Irresponsible. Reckless. Unforgiving. Jim tried not to remember that night. Well, he told himself not to remember, and then spent most of his day reliving the moment over and over in his head.

"I knew it! Damn it, I knew something was going on between you two!"

Glancing around the rest of the office, Jim spotted Michael Scott speaking with Creed—or trying to—and Creed taking a sip of coffee, his eyes large and pupils dilated. Who knew what went through Creed's head. Kevin was frowning at a calculator as he stood in front of the copier. Brett, a cameraman, had turned off his camera and was sitting moodily on a couch near Michael's office. Nothing was going on. Nothing deserved to be taped. People were actually working.

"Roy! Oh my—no, no! He kissed me, Roy!"

Stanley was speaking with his daughter, who was staring at Ryan Howard from afar.

Right.

Jim sighed. It was Take Your Daughter to Work Day; yet another time during the long year when Michael was legally allowed to bring children into the office and entertain them until closing time.

"Tell him; tell Roy that you kissed me first. I didn't kiss you back. I didn't. You didn't mean anything by that kiss, did you? Tell him that."

Sasha, Toby's daughter, bounded over to Pam, her eyes wide and curious. Pam, noticing the little girl, ended her phone conversation. As Sasha pointed to various candies, phones, and pens on Pam's desk, Pam explained each item's worth. Both were smiling, both were enjoying themselves. Jim watched in amazement.

He loved her so.

"C'mon, then, Jim. Tell me you didn't mean anything by that kiss and I might—might—consider forgiving this two-timing whore."

Phyllis accidentally knocked over her empty mug of coffee. It clattered to the ground. Jim jumped at the noise, his conscious caught between memory and reality.

"Watch where you throw, Phyllis!" Dwight Schrute snapped, rolling his eyes. "At least act like you can throw a javelin. It might come in handy someday."

"Acting all high and mighty, huh? You think punching me is going to scare me? You're a real player, Halpert. You think you can waltz in a take my fiancée?"

Pam caught Jim's longing gaze. She could feel his eyes trained on her ever since she got off the phone with Michael's mother, who liked to call and make sure Michael was being treated properly. As Sasha bounded off to find her father, Pam looked towards Jim's desk, a place she once found solace. Things had changed.

"You know what, take her, then! You can have her. I'm done with this filthy town, anyway. I've been done for a while. All I need is one thing—that ring."

Pam looked down at her hands. Her bare ring finger. This was her life, now. She might as well make do. Jim had had no right to kiss her, Pam knew, but Roy was gone. She couldn't admit her feelings to Jim before, so what was holding her back now?

"Psst, Jim."

Looking up, Jim raised his eyebrows. Pam was giving him a mischievous grin. With a finger, she gestured from him to come to her round desk. Just like old times.

"You rang," Jim let his elbows rest on the familiar desk, his smile just as goofy. He was so thrilled that she had said his name, that she was acknowledging him. Perhaps they could back to their friendship again.

"So," Pam started, smoothing out her pencil skirt. "I know you're an uncle, and my sister, Penny, just announced her pregnancy, so…you have any ideas on how to be the best aunt ever?"

"Ever?" Jim repeated slowly. "That would probably take some thinking." He stroked an imaginary beard with a few intricate fingers.

"You are an uncle, right?" Pam reiterated.

"Yeah," Jim nodded. "I've got a nephew and a niece."

"How old are they?" Pam asked. "I mean, they're older than my niece or nephew, obviously."

"I'm pretty sure you're the aunt to a negative nine month year-old." Jim noted.

"Touché."

"No, uh, Elijah is eight and Vanessa is nine. It's very cool. They're very cool."

"Thank goodness they're cool." Pam rolled her eyes.

"Well, they have a cool uncle, what can I say." Jim shrugged helplessly. "Also," he took in a deep breath. "I'm the only aunt or uncle they have that's not married."

At the thought, the two grew silent.

"So…" Pam looked down briefly, pushing some curls away from her face. "You going to the thing tonight?"

Jim gave her an indignant look, rolling his eyes. "Why would I?"

"Oh, c'mon!" Pam slugged his shoulder playfully. "I'll go if you go."

Jim smiled softly, looking down. The way Pam said it; it was almost like they were going on a date.

Don't get sentimental, Halpert.

"Yeah," Jim shrugged. "Okay. I'll go."

"Good." Pam smiled. "Meet you there, then."

"I guess you will." Jim turned to head back towards his desk. He could feel Dwight's eyes staring him down from behind. It was like Dwight was boring holes into the back of Jim's head.

"Jim," Pam stopped him, her voice edging on nervousness. He turned around quickly, facing her with a questioning look. She looked down.

"It's good to speak to you again."

"Yeah." Jim smiled. "It's good to see you again, too. I mean, well, to speak to you. Uh, you know, like before."

"Yeah."

"Yeah." Jim swallowed. "So, I'll see you there, okay?"

"You better come, James!" Pam pointed a cunning finger in his direction.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Pamela." Jim returned with a sarcastic roll of his eyes.

Truth was, any time he could see Pam he was going to take.