(Untitled)

[pambeesley]

An entire week had gone by and the weather on the island was nowhere near what it normally was. While some people were already getting sick of the cold, Pam was enjoying it. She loved having to bundle up in layer upon layer upon layer of clothes; having a scarf wrapped around her neck; wearing thick sweaters and warm gloves. It was like having a

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[jim_halpert]

He had been a bit surprised when he realized Pam was sitting outside instead of inside, especially considering how cold it was. He figured she just wanted to enjoy the outside weather, and, shrugging the confusion off, headed over to say hello.

When he reached her and Fiona had jumped off his shoulder, he leaned forward to kiss her forehead lightly. "Hey. What're you up to?"

[pambeesley]

Pam shrugged, lifting Fiona up to her face and cuddling her close. "Just thinking," she replied, moving her sketchbook and sliding over so Jim could join her.

[jim_halpert]

He sat himself down next to her, rubbing his mittens together and blowing warm air into his cupped hands.

"Outside in this weather?" he asked, raising a brow. "What're you thinking about?"

[pambeesley]

She shrugged again, setting Fiona back into her lap. "Just.. some stuff," came the vague reply.

"What were you two doing?"

[jim_halpert]

It was strange. Jim had always thought he was pretty good at reading Pam, but lately he honestly couldn't figure out what was going on in her head. It was a bit troubling, to say the least, but he let the lack of a real answer slide. Maybe it wasn't his business.

"Nothing really," he shrugged. "I was hoping I'd be less bored going out, but, yeah, not much to do walking around either."

[pambeesley]

Pam smiled at him and settled back against the hammock. "It's freezing out today," she said, then winced. It sounded like she was forcing idle chit-chat. She never did that.

[jim_halpert]

"Yeah," he agreed, scratching the back of his neck. "Guess this isn't a usual weekend thing after all."

[pambeesley]

"Guess not," she agreed, falling back into silence.

She started to shiver a little after a while and carefully stood up, nudging Fiona off of her lap and grabbing her sketchbook. "Too cold," she explained, heading towards their hut-turned-cabin.

[jim_halpert]

He watched her leave for a moment before following after her. Things were feeling even more awkward than usual between them and Jim really had no idea why. He didn't think he did anything recently, and if he did Pam was obviously not interested in talking.

He held the door open for her when they reached it, then followed her and Fiona inside. He sat down on their bed, letting his legs dangle off the side.

"Is everything okay?" he finally asked when she didn't speak.

[pambeesley]

Once inside, Pam slowly started to peel off her clothes. "Hm..?" She looked up at him. "Um. Yeah, of course," she finally replied, working on unlacing her boots.

By the time she sat down on the bed, she was a little out of breath. "I mean.. I just..." She sighed and flopped backwards.

"I think I owe you an apology," she said after a long pause and threw an arm over her eyes.

[jim_halpert]

The entire time she undressed he watched her, looking completely skeptical. She wasn't even trying to look like she wasn't lying. His expression softened at the admittance, however, and he regarded her with a confused expression.

"Apology?" he asked. "For what?"

[pambeesley]

She moved her arm, dropping it across her stomach, and looked over at him.

"For causing all these stupid fights we've been having," she replied.

[jim_halpert]

"Oh," he said, pulling off his mittens and shoes. "Um. Yeah, I...I'm sorry too. It seems like I've been an asshole without meaning to be. I'm trying to stop the teasing, I promise. It's just kinda a habit."

It was all he could think to do to stop the fighting. If it meant he had to watch himself around her, so be it. He wasn't sure why the change, though, considering the old Pam not only used to be able to take it but dish it out - all in a playful manner. Now it just seemed like he'd do it and end up feeling like a jerk because it would eventually make her cry.

[pambeesley]

"No, Jim.." She sat up and moved towards the head of the bed, leaning back against the pillows and watching him undress. "That's not.. What I.. I think I need to explain," she told him, hugging her legs to her chest.

[jim_halpert]

He pulled off his sweater, leaving the undershirt still on. When he tossed it aside, he turned to look at her, pulling his legs up onto the bed to get more comfortable.

"Explain what?"

[pambeesley]

"Explain why I can't seem to take a joke anymore," she offered, looking away a little.

She took a deep breath and stared down at the quilt on the bed. "Before I explain, just.. This is stupid, okay?" she said, glancing up at him briefly. "Like.. really stupid.."