The Office | Jim and Pam Oneshots

Maybe

Kind of an AU of Casino Night.
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Maybe it was the liquor on his tongue. Maybe it was the way that she would jokingly flirt with him. Maybe it was the way she smiled at him, or her cute giggles when she laughed at his jokes.

He's not really thinking, so when he sees her across the warehouse, sitting at the bar, he can't stop himself from walking up to her.

She's startled when she feels his large hand on the small of her back, she can feel his thumb playing at the ends of her curls.

"Hey." She turns in her seat, meeting his gaze.

"Hi." He quickly retracts his hand away. "Sorry"

"Don't be."

He gives her a small smile, and she gives one back. "You look great by the way."

"Thank you. I thrifted it."

"Really?"

"No."

He laughs and sits next to her at the bar, ordering a gin and tonic. "What about me?" He starts, "Do I look devilishly handsome?"

"You really do." She takes a good look at the scenery around them. Flashing lights, alcohol, money. Seems perfect for a mid range paper supply company. "You wanna play poker?"

"Maybe later."

"Maybe? Jim, this whole night is on playing cards" She sees him roll his eyes, "I think you're just scared of losing."

"Losing? Me?"

"Yeah. Your scared that i'm gonna kick your ass in poker."

"You? Kick my ass?" He chuckles, "Right"

"What?! I'm really good at poker."

"Mhm."

"No, I am, I came in 3rd in the 2004 Dunder Mifflin regional poker competition."

"That's not real."

"No it's not. But if it was, I would win."

Maybe it was the way she was looking at him. Maybe it was the complex colors of her dress. Maybe it was the way she wore her hair, half up and half down.

"Fine. Let's go."

Maybe she really did get third in the 2004 Dunder Mifflin regional poker competition, because, wow, she really did kick his ass.

"Told you."

"Shut up."

Maybe it was the warmth of the spring weather. Maybe it was the way the light from the warn out bulbs shined on her skin. Maybe it was because her eyes were telling him that she loved him.

"Do you ever wonder how different our life's could've been if we didn't work here?"

"Every minute of every day." She laughs at her own joke. Just because that's how she is.

The biggest dork ever.

"I love you."

Maybe he shouldn't of said it then. Maybe he could've waited for a better opportunity. Maybe he should've let her carry the conversation.

But maybe he just couldn't wait anymore.

Maybe it was how he said it. Maybe it was how he stared at her the entire night. Maybe it was because she had been drinking.

But she said it back. She kissed him back. She let him touch her where he wanted to touch her. She said she was ok with this. She said she was happy with this. She let him run his hands over every sliver of skin as his hands mapped her entire body.

And when they were done she told him that, maybe this could be more. That they could be more.

Maybe he could finally be with her.

When she walked in that next Monday morning, she didn't have her ring.

Maybe this was the way it was supposed to be all along.