Chapter 9

Jack couldn't believe this. Though it didn't quite look like her he was sure that it was. Her name tag may have said "Amanda" but it was indeed Morana. Her features were toned down somewhat making her appear more flawed and human as opposed to her usual flawless and unnatural looks.

He gave a mental curse and could only stare, mouth agape. Jack didn't hear the sound of everyone else talking at the table. They were far away muffled and disoriented. Morana hadn't really paid Jack much attention. She seemed to be enjoying her job as their waitress and was simply going about her business taking their orders and laughing at another one of Charlie's jokes.

Morana finally looked at him, a slight twinkle in her eye and a crooked smile to go with it. What was she doing? What game was this? He was starting to think that she just enjoyed nettling him. He heard his name from a far off place, no, not his name Jonathan's. Someone was calling him.

"John."

And then it came more insistent snapping him out of Morana's spell over him.

"John!"

Jack shook his head and blinked several times. "Huh…what?"

"Are you going to order something?" Rose asked

"Oh…yeah, I-I am ...um I guess I'll have eggs."

Morana nodded as she jotted down his order, "And how would like them? Scrambled? Over easy?"

"Scrambled would be fine and a side of bacon, and two slices of toast."

"And to drink?"

"Orange juice."

"Very good, sir."

Her attention moved over to Rose "And for you miss… my god, you're Rose Dawson aren't you? Of the Actor's Playhouse?"

Jack's eyes darted back and forth between Morana and Rose.

Rose gave her a shy smile and shrugged her shoulders.

"Yep that's our Rose." said Charlie. "She's a natural."

"It's such a pleasure to meet you and I must say you're a fantastic actress and even more beautiful in person."

Rose was smiling from ear to ear "Why thank you you're too kind."

"I wonder could I possibly trouble you for an autograph."

"Of course."

Jack squinted his eyes at her, confused by what was happening. Until he saw her handing Rose a small piece of paper and her pen. His panic was building and suddenly Jack realized that he did not want death touching her. Just as Rose was about to take the paper Jack jumped to his feet.

"No! Don't touch her!"

Rose, Nancy, Charlie, and Morana looked at Jack completely stunned by his outburst. The entire restaurant became silent and the other customers looked on at their table looking for the culprit responsible for ruining their tranquil breakfast.

Jack looked around and let out a nervous laugh. He took his seat and could feel his face reddening.

"Is everything alright sir?"Morana asked

"Great. Everything's great. I'm sorry I just wanted Ms. Dawson here to enjoy herself without being bothered by the public. I can be a bit overprotective."

"I'm sorry everyone!" he called out "I'm sorry please enjoy your meals." And they did but not before shooting Jack a few suspicious glares.

Rose sucked in her lips to keep from laughing and finally managed to say "It's fine John."

She took the paper, signed it and handed it back to her. Morana proceeded to take Rose's order, gave a curtsy and said "Your orders will be right up."

Jack scowled and huffed out a breath. Was this what spending a month with Rose would be like? Morana popping up anytime she pleases?

His attention was brought back to the table when Rose put a gentle hand over his. "Are you alright?"

Jack told himself to relax and to not let Morana's nettling ruin the outing. "I'm fine. Sorry everyone." He said with a sigh "I'm just going to go to the restroom for a minute I'll be right back."

He walked past several tables of talking customers, some that gave him irritated looks. Jack didn't really need to go to the restroom he was looking for Morana. He checked over his shoulder to see if Rose and her friends were still watching. When he saw that they weren't Jack took a quick left turn instead of the right towards the men's room making his way to the far back of the diner. He tried not to look suspicious but he still caught the attention of several onlookers.

Jack saw her picking up a tray from the kitchen window and looking at a few breakfast tickets from the counter.

"You really do think this is funny don't you?" he said moving up behind her.

Morana did a quick glance over her shoulder and went back to her business. She smiled "Hello Jack, are you enjoying your outing?"

"What are you doing?"

"What does it look like? I'm working."

The chef rang the bell at the counter "order up!"

Morana picked up the tray and started to walk towards a customer's table and Jack followed close behind.

"No, I mean what are you doing?"

"I told you I'm working. This is really fun; people are treating me nice and smiling at me. They treat me like I'm a… person. had it not been for my other profession I think I would've taken this job. I even get tips."

Jack stood there flabbergasted.

"Here you go sir" Morana said leaning over the table "there's your coffee, and for you ma'am, eggs sunny side up." They murmured their thanks.

"You don't fool me, Morana; you're here keeping tabs on me."

She looked at him with a raised eyebrow and scoffed "Jack, are you really that full of yourself?"

His face flushed. Morana laughed as she shook her head and started heading back to the kitchen. "That is why you're here isn't it?"

"No, it isn't. I keep trying to tell you Jack, I'm working."

"I think I got that. You're acting as a waitress."

"No…I mean really…I'm working." Morana started to organize the items on her tray. "See that man over there?" she said directing Jack's gaze with her eyes "the one wearing the navy blue suit and striped tie sitting over by the window. He's sitting in front of a much younger woman?"

"The man and his daughter?"

"Daughter?" she laughed "hardly."

"There's a blood vessel in his brain that's going to burst in a couple of hours. Stroke. Treatment for it won't be invented for several years."

"Pity," she said with a sigh "You would think he would spend those last moments with his wife and yet here he is with this pretty little strumpet. Poor thing is debating whether or not she should tell him that she's pregnant. How scandalous, won't the wife be surprised and he won't even be around to see her look of shock."

Jack saw the girl she was referring to. The girl's hand went under the table placing it flat over her belly.

"Trust me, Jack it's just mere coincidence that I'm here with you. And okay, I admit I did want to see how you two were doing. I do love seeing a happy couple. I've seen those that take advantage of love, do hurtful things to their loved ones yet claim to love them. If everyone suddenly knew when it was their time to die I guarantee you they would be more appreciative of what they have."

"Okay what was the deal with asking Rose for her autograph? What was that about?"

Her eyes took on an innocent look as if she were shocked he would ask. "What? I'm a fan. She's brilliant."

Jack pursed his lips and rolled his eyes. "You're a piece o' work you know that?"

Morana gave him a devilish smile. "Oh silly me, look I've fallen behind on my duties, got to get these plates to their tables. You should get back too. They're wondering where you are."

Jack had almost forgot, he wondered how long he had been gone. He turned and started walking back to his table. "Jack." She said calling out to him. He turned back. She still had that smile on her lips. "I'm curious, has anyone ever told you how handsome you look when you're angry?"

Jack could feel his face turning beet red. He said nothing as he continued on his way to the front of the diner.