Jim hadn't been expecting much. The little bit they'd done for the day had been more than enough for a birthday celebration. Thinking back, Pam disappearing fo a while probably should've tipped him off.
Surprise worn off, Jim started to mingle a little before he even thought about going for the food. He had some people to thank for coming.
"I like how you guys are always suprised," Karen said, coming up to Jim. "Every single time you guys throw each other a party, and every single time you're surprised. It's adorable."
She tip-toed up to gie him a kiss on the cheek. "Happy birthday, Halpert."
"I said it really wasn't needed, so yeah, I'm surprised she went through so much trouble," he replied with a embarrassed shrug. He had guessed maybe something would be done, but nothing to this extent. Grinning over at her, he added, "And thank you."
Every year, Veronica Mars had noticed, the group of people changed. Mainly it shrunk, familiar faces disappearing between every birthday the rest of them had. That was all the more reason to be here tonight, wandering around the edges of Jim's party. The few friends she had, she might as well do her best to keep, even if she wasn't always that good at it. Making her way over to the refreshments for another drink, she stepped around someone else with a quick flash of a smile.
"Hey, Veronica," Pam said, smiling, waving a little with one hand and balancing a plate of food with the other. Of all the people to invite, she knew Veronica was one of the most important to Jim, and though she wouldn't have expected otherwise, she was pleased to see her there all the same. "You having a good time?"
"I am," Veronica said, nodding. There was a suspicious lilt to her voice, though she meant it. Maybe she wasn't as comfortable with Pam as she'd once been, long ago, but she was enough at ease to enjoy herself, at least. "This is great, Pam, really. Jim must be having a real blast."
"I hope so," Pam replied, ducking her head just a little. More than anything, she just wanted to make his birthday a good one, and how much everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves at least gave her an indication that she'd done something right. Party planning wasn't exactly her strongest suit; she hadn't actually put one together since two Christmases before. "With all of you here, I'm sure he is. I'm so glad you could make it."
Sarah didn't know Jim very well, but she liked him well enough that, when Pam asked her to attend, she couldn't really say no. Besides, it was a nice little party, fun and cozy. The longer she stayed here, the more nights she had like this -- ordinary, untouched by what she'd been before. Nights like this, that was even a good thing. Making her way through the crowd, she stepped out of the way just in time to avoid knocking into someone else.
It wasn't like Lennox spent his time trolling for women or men or... well, anyone, really. He wasn't a trolling kind of guy, but when a gorgeous blonde woman more or less tried to walk into him (he was ignoring the part where she'd avoided doing so at the last second) then there really wasn't much else for him to do but talk to her.
"Hey," he said with a bright grin. "Friend of Jim's?"
"Hi," Sarah said, sweeping her hair out behind her ear and flashing a warm smile of her own. "Um, a little, sort of. I'm Sarah, I'm a friend of Pam's." So saying, she offered her hand. It couldn't hurt to be friendly at a party like this, to enjoy herself a little. "Sorry I almost ran you down."
Okay, yeah, that was pretty and Lennox had to smile back. Or smile wider, as the case were. "That's okay, I haven't been run down in at least a week," he answered, reaching out to take the offered hand. "I'm Jim. The other Jim, obviously. The better looking one." He paused and added, "Obviously."
Saffron had been hesitant to come to Jim's party, knowing that River and probably Mal would be there. They tended to avoid each other as much as possible, and it seemed to have worked out all right so far. Live and let live, she supposed.
But Jim was someone she truly respected and cared about, someone she considered a friend, and she wanted to have the chance to wish him a happy birthday, so in the end she'd decided to go. She'd brought a basket of baked goodies as a gift, and kept an eye out for folks she needed to avoid even as she looked for the birthday boy. It was Jim's party, and Saffron wasn't about to start something, but if need be to keep the peace, she'd say hi to Jim and leave.
As if'n Mal would let anythin' keep him from a shindig for one o' the few folks he good n' truly respected on this island.
There he was, at the Hub, spendin' most o' his time fussin' o'er River (who'd seemed as o' late t' be in competition with Serenity for who was bigger, though he knew well 'nough t' not say such n' t' tell her she were beautiful whene'er he could -- which weren't a lie; River seemed, 't least t' Mal, t' have a particular glow t' her.), but keepin' a watchful eye out for the birthday boy, too.
After gettin' River a drink o' juice, he gave her some space so's she could have her own conversation with friends n' took t' minglin'. Some.
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Surprise worn off, Jim started to mingle a little before he even thought about going for the food. He had some people to thank for coming.
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She tip-toed up to gie him a kiss on the cheek. "Happy birthday, Halpert."
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She held both hands up. "Sorry I don't have a gift or anything. Next time I stop by a mall I'll get you something to make up for it."
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"Hey," he said with a bright grin. "Friend of Jim's?"
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But Jim was someone she truly respected and cared about, someone she considered a friend, and she wanted to have the chance to wish him a happy birthday, so in the end she'd decided to go. She'd brought a basket of baked goodies as a gift, and kept an eye out for folks she needed to avoid even as she looked for the birthday boy. It was Jim's party, and Saffron wasn't about to start something, but if need be to keep the peace, she'd say hi to Jim and leave.
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There he was, at the Hub, spendin' most o' his time fussin' o'er River (who'd seemed as o' late t' be in competition with Serenity for who was bigger, though he knew well 'nough t' not say such n' t' tell her she were beautiful whene'er he could -- which weren't a lie; River seemed, 't least t' Mal, t' have a particular glow t' her.), but keepin' a watchful eye out for the birthday boy, too.
After gettin' River a drink o' juice, he gave her some space so's she could have her own conversation with friends n' took t' minglin'. Some.
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