AN: Sigh. Well, no reveiws yet- not even a flame! C'mon, y'all, gimme something, here!

Disclaimer:

Marv is mine,

Aggie too

Marvel owns X-men

And smells like a zoo! (so there!)

Chapter 2

When she woke up, Marv was standing at the grill, and the smell of fresh eggs and bacon filled the small diner.

"Well, hello there, traveler! 'Bout time ta wake up, I reckon. Breakfast is served!" He put the steaming plate on the counter as she stretched and yawned. "After ya eat, why don't ya go clean up in the bathroom in the back. There's even a shower if you want to use it, just don't take to long, the floor is waitin'!" She smiled a thank you, then started eating.

After showering and dressing, she began to sweep the floor as Marv stopped washing the counter and began to think. "Rose.."

"Yeah?"

"You said you can't afford a hotel room-"

"Oh," said Rose, hurriedly, "don't worry, I'll find something. I can stay in a motel a day or two, I guess…I just…well, it's so much cheaper not to…but, once I find a job, I'll be okay." Marv smiled as he put out the open sign. "Well, how about this, instead, then. You can stay here as long as you want, helping me around the dinner, and if you stay in school, I'll give you a salary, starting at minimum wage. How does that sound?"

She looked at him, studying his face. "You're so kind! How could you just offer to give me a place to sleep, and a job, just like that? You don't even know me...well, not really..."

Marv looked away, with a sad look. "You remind me of my daughter...she looked a bit like you...shorter, though, with darker eyes and hair. She used to help me run this place after her mom died, and she loved waiting on tables, at least when she was young. Soon as she was 18, she took off. She sends me a letter now and then, but she lives far away...I miss her company." He turned around with a smile. "But with you here, I won't be lonely! Tell ya what. Don't give me an answer right now, just think about it. We can talk about it more tomorrow."

Rose nodded and resumed sweeping as she pondered his proposition. He trusts me! He must be very naïve…or maybe he's very perceptive? How can he just offer his hospitality like that? She glanced at the 50-something man and smiled as she remembered a quote from a book she had heard once. It takes a special type of person to trust someone: a trustworthy person.

After finishing her sweeping, Marv showed her how to operate the grill and other appliances. Suddenly, the bell above the door rang as a woman stepped in. She was small and plump, with her white hair up in a smart bun. Her face was creased with years of lines, some from smiles, others not. She wore a pink dress, her uniform, and had glasses on her head. Marv yelled over the counter.

"Hello, there Aggie! Just as late as usual, I see!"

Aggie answered with a smirk. "'least I came, right? One of these days I might not, 'lest you start payin' better! Work me like a dog... and who is this?" Aggie looked Rose over.

"I'm Rose. Nice to meet you, ma'am."

Marv laughed. "Ma'am! We-ll, aren't we fancy, now! Ha, ha! Rose, you best call her Aggie, before her head swells and she can't work! Ha, Ha!" Marv went into the back room, still laughing.

Aggie frowned in his direction, then smiled at Rose and said, "Well, I suppose he's right. Just call me Aggie, dear. Are you a relative of Marv's? You don't look like him, thank the Lord."

"I heard that!" Came a voice from the back.

"No, I'm just…passing through. Marv helped me out last night, so here I am…"

"Well" Said Aggie " It's nice to meet you, Rose! Don't let him work you too hard, now, hear?"

"I'll try." She smiled.