Yay!!! I TOLD you I'd update soon!! Here's just a filler chapter but I liked it 'cause you get to see more of Rose!!

Disclaimer: I don't own, I RENT . . . except my characters and storyline . . . those are mine.

Rose

*Knock Knock Knock*

Mark and Jo looked up from their comfortable spot on the couch.

Jo groaned, "I'll get it," She said, getting up off the couch (and Mark) and going to the door. Pulling it open, she was greeted with: "Rose?" The big boned woman grinned.

"Well thanks for the cheery welcome!" She scoffed, acting offended.

"Oh! I'm sorry!" Jo apologized quickly, "I just . . . didn't expect to see you . . . here . . ." Jo said, still shocked to see Rose in New York.

"No . . . really?" Rose said, "When have you ever known me to travel?" Rose made her way into the loft.

"You don't," Jo said matter-of-factly.

"And you must be Mark," Rose crossed her arms and stared at the pale blonde in front of her.

"Oh! Right, Mark, this is Rose. She's Lena's older sister." Jo introduced the two.

Mark shook hands with Rose, "Pleasure to meet you."

"I'm sure," Rose said before turning to Jo, "Aren't you going to ask why I'm here?"

"I was getting to that . . ." Jo said, rolling her eyes. Rose looked expectantly at her and jo sighed. "Why are you here, Rose?"

"I heard about what happened to you and Mark the past couple of years . . . quite late I might add . . . and I decided to come and see how everything's going for you." Rose said. She was obviously annoyed that she wasn't kept in the loop over the past couple of years. This made Jo feel guilty.

"Sorry about that. But, as you probably know, life's been hectic." Jo said.

"I know," She turned to Mark, "You, are you clean?"

Mark nodded, "For several months now . . ." he said.

"And you two are together?" Rose pushed.

"Yes," Mark replied.

"You'll take care of her, right?" Rose asked sternly.

"Of course!" Mark said, shocked at the tone of Rose's question.

"Good, 'cause if you don't, I'll sick Amber on you." Rose grinned.

"Rose!" Jo exclaimed, "That's not necessary!"

"Not yet it's not." Rose countered.

Just as Jo was about to reply, Roger and Mimi entered the loft.

"Roger! Mimi!" Jo exclaimed cheerfully, thankful that someone else was here. "It's about time you came home! How was Life Support?"

"It was fine," Mimi said, "Gordon and Steve weren't there. We think it's almost Gordon's time but we don't know for sure." She then noticed Rose. "Who's this?"

Jo took Rose's arm and pulled her toward Roger and Mimi. "This is my friend, Rose." She introduced, "She's Lena's big sister. She's the engineer friend I was talking about."

"Oh!" Mimi exclaimed, remembering Jo talking about Rose once, "It's nice to meet you, Rose." Mimi shook Rose's hand, her petite hand contrasting with Rose's large one.

"I'm sure," Rose said, and then shook Roger's hand as well.

"So, listen, Collins wants everyone to come to the Life for dinner. He's in town so I told him we'd go." Roger said, "You can come too, Rose. From what we've heard, you and Collins will get along great."

"Oh, really?" Rose said, "Well, I guess I can't back down now."

Jo giggled, "Oh, god; I can just see you two debating over everything." She laughed. Rose rolled her eyes.

They were all at the Life Café eating and talking. Maureen was telling Mark all about her new protest idea to protest the demolition of a local community center (not the Life Support one, a different one). Jo, Joanne, and Roger were watching Rose and Collins debate over various subjects. And Mimi and Benny were listening to both conversations.

"But the Bible says . . ." Rose started to argue with Collins about homosexual sex.

"I don't care what the Bible says." Collins cut Rose off, "If the love is there, why can't two men or two women have sex?"

"So you're saying that if they want to, they can do it, right?" Collins nodded, "Well, if I want to conquer the world or shoot up the White House I can do it 'cause I want to. Is that what you're saying?" Rose countered.

"Not at all." Collins retaliated. "I'm gay and I used to have sex with my partner . . ."

"Was your partner infected with AIDS too?"

"Yes, she was."

"She? I thought you said you were gay."

"She was a drag queen. Anyway, it doesn't . . ."

"Sex outside of marriage . . ."

"But gay people . . ."

"Okay, just shut up!" Jo exclaimed. Both Rose and Collins looked to Jo. "Enough arguing! Can't you two have a normal conversation?"

". . . No." Both stated matter-of-factly. Jo rolled her eyes.

"We were just having a debate." Collins said, smiling. "I haven't had someone to keep up with me like that in years."

Rose grinned, "Glad to be of service," she said. "Truce?"

"For now," Collins said lightly.

"So, Rose, how long are you staying in New York?" Joanne asked.

"Just for tonight . . . My flight leaves tomorrow morning."

"You're leaving us already?" Jo asked.

"Sorry kiddies, I've got work to do back home. I've got a job and a family to raise." Rose said.

"How're my girls? Is Amber still crazy?" Jo asked, "Is Kaila taking care of everyone? Are Ella and Lena behaving?"

"Yes, yes, and yes," Rose said, "Amber is working on a big project right now . . . Kaila's zoo has a new baby tiger . . . Ella is always working late, as usual . . . and Lena is working the night shift now."

"That's good," Jo said, "Keeps them busy,"

After a few more hours at the Life, Rose said her goodbyes to everyone and left for her hotel. Then, everyone went home. No one was expecting what would happen next . . .

OOH!! What's going to happen next?? You'll see!!! I'll update as soon as I can!! *grins* PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW!!!! REVIEWS ARE THE CAMERA/SCARF AND JO TO MY MARK!!!!