Jack was a few houses away from his own when he saw Maggie and Rose heading towards him. They were deep in conversation so they didn't even notice him. He had to step directly in front of them to get their attention.

"Jack! I didn't even see you." A surprised Rose said.

He smiled. "I noticed. Hey, Maggie how are you today?"

"I'm very well thank you Jack."

"So did you get the job?" Rose wore and eager expression.

"Yes, I did," he said through broad smile.

"Oh, that's wonderful. Jack I'm so proud." Rose wrapped her arms around Jack and gave him a kiss. "I knew you would get it. Congratulations."

"Congratulations Jack." Maggie smiled.

"Thank you Maggie." He looked back at Rose. "So, my new boss invited you and I to dinner tonight. He wants me to get to know the actors. It's at a place called Craws."

Rose frowned slightly. "Maggie and I were just on our way out. We were going for a walk and maybe doing a little shopping. We're running low on bread."

"So your not going to come?"

"I didn't say that..."

Maggie cut in. "I know exactly where Craws is. Jack, you go and when Rose and I are all finished I'll take her over there. Just tell your friends she'll be a little late."

Jack sighed. "Thank you Maggie." He gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Well, I'll let you ladies get back to business. I'll see you at dinner Rose."

"Good-bye." Rose gave him a kiss.

"Bye!" Maggie waved to him as he headed back towards the house.

Jack waved and in a matter of seconds was at the house. "Hey, Jack. Maggie and Rose just left." Brian yelled from the living room.

Jack walked in and sat on the couch. "I know, I just ran into them. I got the job."

"That's great. Rose was telling us about the add."

"Yeah." He sighed. "Well, I'm meeting some of the people for dinner, so I'm going to take a shower. It's so hot out there. Thank God for the fans."

"All right." Brian went back to his book.

Jack climbed the stairs. He was relied to find that Rose had left the fans running in their apartment. He peeled his clothes off and took a cool shower. Soon he was in the bedroom putting on a crisp cool shirt and light pants. He walked into the kitchen to get himself a drink of water. Jack stood at the kitchen door and looked out into the living room. He studied the area. Rose had hung all of the prints she purchased along the walls. On the tables were photos of Jack and Rose at various places in New York. There were fresh flowers prominently displayed around the room. He sighed to himself. Over the past 3 months he had adapted very well to domestic live. He was prouder of Rose who had seamlessly converted to common life. She and Maggie had grown to be very close. And Jack felt that Brian was the brother he never had. Life was perfect,or as close to perfect as it could get.

"I better get going." He said to himself.

By the time Jack got to the theater, rehearsals were over. Everyone one was walking out of the front door. "Ah, Jack, you made it back in the nick of time." Erik walked over to him. He looked around. "Rose didn't want to come?"

"No, she's coming she'll just be a little late. She went out shopping with a friend."

He smiled. "Well, let's get going." Everyone started walking. Jack was surprised to find that the restaurant was just around the corner.

"If it isn't Erik Kelly and his entourage of actors. I suspect you want your usual table?" A young waitress said smiling.

"You know us all to well." Erik smiled back.

"Come on." She lead the entire group into a separate room. Jack later found out that the actors ate here all the time, after shows, before shows, after rehearsals, they even ate here when they weren't working. They were there so often that the owner had that room reserved just them. No one else was ever allowed to eat in there.

Erik ordered pitchers of water, beer, soda pop, and lemonade. The waitress said she would be back in a few minutes. Conversation started to unfold and most of it involved Jack.

"Yes, yes, yes. We are very glad to have a new artist among us. I'm sure you heard of the treacherous Mr. Nevil." One young man said.

"More like Mr. Evil!" Another face in the crowd added.

The whole group laughed. And the man who had been talking earlier continued. "Why in the world did you ever hire that devil, Erik? He was a monster. And boy, did he give us hell when you weren't around. He was also very found of those "in my day" speeches. I tell you, if I had to hear one more time about how actors used to have talent I would ring his neck."

"Now, Tim, you know very well that Mr. Nevil was a talented man. He was set in his ways that's all." Erik paused and laughed. "He was a retch though wasn't he?"

"Was he ever!" Tim said.

Everyone continued on with stories about how Mr. Nevil treated them. Jack felt very at home with this group of people. They were all extremely friendly towards him and welcomed him into their conversations. Jack also noted that the young man, Tim, seemed to be the most popular. He was charming, attractive, well spoken, and always the center of attention. Jack remembered seeing his face up on the poster at the theater. He figured he must have been the big star of the group.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Rose walked into Craws. Maggie had walked her to the door and then said good-bye. She needed to get home. Rose looked around she didn't see any large group of people or Jack for that matter so she figured they hadn't arrived yet. She went and sat at the counter and waited.

"Can I get you something little lady?" A stout man asked.

"May I have a glass of water?"

"Sure thing, Miss." In a quick second Rose was drinking a cold glass of ice water.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Almost an hour had gone buy since they arrived. "Where are hour drinks?" Erik asked. "They should have been here ages ago." Everyone had been so engrossed in conversation that they hadn't even noticed.

"I'll go see what's keeping them." Tim said. He pushed open the doors and stepped out into the main restaurant.

When he was gone Jack leaned over to Erik. "Who is that guy?"

"Tim? Oh, he's quite an actor. The best we've got. I just hired him about two months ago. He's a great kid. Just a little older than you. You'll like him once you get to know him. Everybody does."

* * * * * * * * * * * Just as Tim walked out the waitress came over with the tray of pitchers. "Oh I'm so sorry we had a bit of a problem in the kitchen."

He smiled "It's all right no one really noticed until now." He pushed open the door and was about to rejoin everyone when someone caught his eye. It was a beautiful girl. Her red hair was pinned up but tendrils of curls still managed to spiral gracefully down and frame her angelic face. Her blue eyes sparkled and were filled with mystery and adventure. She wore a cream colored sun dress with tiny flowers. A golden locket hung perfectly around her creamy white neck. All was topped off by the graceful way she sat, so poised and composed. Tim had never seen a women like this in his entire life. He quickly made up his mind to find out more about her.

"Excuse me miss? Do you mind if I sit here? I don't want to be intrusive." He smiled charmingly.

"Oh, no, please sit down. I don't mind." Rose smiled back.

Tim melted at her dazzling smile. She was even more beautiful close up. As he took a seat her sent washed over him. A sultry lavender smell teased his senses and he almost fell of his stool he was so exhilarated.

"Are you here alone?" He asked and silently prayed that she was.

"For the moment. I am supposed to be meeting a group of people. But I'm beginning to think I have the wrong restaurant. This is Craws isn't it?"

"Yes, it is. Don't worry I'm sure they'll be along." Tim actually hoped they wouldn't be.

"You're probably right." Rose laughed slightly and looked up at the clock on the wall. "I've only been waiting about 15 minutes." Just then the stout man returned with a fresh glass of water. She raised it to her mouth and took a long sip.

Tim watched hypnotized as Rose massaged her tongue with an ice cube that sat between her top lip and tongue. She dropped it back in the glass and turned back to him.

He could barely look at her. Her pouty lips, now reddened from cold were beckoning him. It was madding not being able to reach over a kiss her. Tim let out a deep heavy sigh.

Rose's mouth curled into a smile. Tim couldn't take it he turned and faced forward. "Are you here alone?" She asked not seeming to notice his actions.

"Umm...yes...I....I...I mean no." He looked down at the bar and finally composed himself. Tim looked back at her and smiled. "I'm here with my friends from work. We're right in that room over there." He pointed back at the door. "Would you like to join us?"

Rose smiled. "I'm sorry but like I said I'm waiting for some people. Thank you for the offer though."

Tim smiled sadly but then something hit him. "Your not waiting for a group of actors are you?"

"Yes, I am. How did you know?" Rose asked surprised.

"Well, Miss I happen to be one of those actors. You probably didn't realize there was another room." Tim was now immensely happy. How could he not be? He was now given a chance to spend more time with this goddess.

"No, I didn't realize. Thank you so much. I would have been waiting around here all night." She smiled at him and stood up.

"Wait, I didn't get your name." Tim wasn't about to let her slip away.

"It's Dawson, Rose Dawson."

That sounded so familiar to Tim. He knew he had heard Dawson before. But where? Oh, well he dismissed the thought. Besides Dawson was an extremely common name.

"Well, Ms. Dawson. My name's Timothy but please call me Tim." He stood up and started walk with her towards the back room.

"And does Tim have a last name?" She smiled teasingly.

"Oh." He laughed slightly embarrassed. "It's Calvert."