I own neither the story nor the characters of Roswell.

Betty Ann had been analyzing her from the moment that Anna had pointed her out. She moved with an unhurried grace and efficiency that spoke of considerable experience doing this kind of work, despite her obvious youth... too much youth, Betty Ann thought as Liz sat down, for that wedding ring. It was obvious it was new, she still played with it nervously, and there was no indication of either a groove in her skin from long wear, or even the absence of a tan that would be expected after only a few days in the bright desert. So what was this? An underage bride who had eloped... then interrupted her honeymoon to be a good Samaritan? Whatever the case, Betty Ann figured, she owed the girl. Anna had not been ready for what she was left with, and if she had needed to handle it alone, there was little doubt she'd have been in tears. Anna had experienced enough without having to feel incompetent because circumstances had put her in over her head.

"I'm Betty Ann," she said, holding out her hand.

"UH... Beth... uh... Beth Everett" she replied, shaking the hand.

Betty Ann noted the hesitation in giving the last name. Given the new wedding ring, that went with the territory. But the hesitation with the first was a little more puzzling. But she seemed nice enough. Almost certainly no Bonnie, although she'd have to get a look at her Clyde to be completely sure. Most likely just a couple of youngsters who had eloped... maybe traveling under a false name. Oh sure, it'd been over fifty years, but she'd done that once too.

"Well Beth, I'd like to thank you for helping out Anna. She's only worked two weeks, and a couple of the other waitresses had problems. I'd have been here myself before this if I hadn't been taking one of their children to stay with her aunt. The mother had to be hospitalized."

"That's terrible. Will she be OK?"

"Yes, almost certainly. But she got a nasty bump on the noggin... she'll be in the hospital overnight... then taking it easy at home for a few days. But she'll be back before my other daytime waitress... she's hospitalized to stop her labor. Even if they let her out, she'd not going to be on her feet much for the next eleven weeks. I don't suppose you are looking for a job?"

"Actually, we were on our way to Reno and then kind of ran out of daylight. Then I saw a customer kind of chewing on... Anna, you said her name was? Well, that happened to me a couple of times too. I just couldn't not help her, although I think I confused your cook and busboy. Oh... here comes Ma-a... my husband, uh Mark."

Betty Ann watched the young man come in and walk up to the table, he was not much older than Beth. The rings were identical, and just as new.

"Mark... this is Betty Ann. She owns the restaurant."

"I'm pleased to make your acquaintance Ms..."

"Betty Ann is fine, Mark." She looked at Liz. "Beth here tells me you are just passing through. That's too bad. I could certainly use another good waitress right now."

"I uh... kind of had plans for her myself tonight," Max said, wincing as Liz's foot kicked him under the table.

Betty Ann looked at the blushing girl. She hadn't missed the quick kick, the sudden wince, and nobody would miss the blush coming in to Beth's cheeks, She fought back a laugh, knowing she'd only get the young man in further trouble.

"Well, think it over. Should you decide you might want to stay awhile, I've got jobs for both of you. We need a guy on the registration shift too, Mark. Neither job pays a lot, but the medical benefits are good and between the two together... well you could put away some money. I've got a number of old houses out by the airport, used to be military housing back in the fifties when it was still an auxiliary field for Nellis Air Force Base. With a little fixing up and a propane tank hooked up, they'd work out OK. And the price would be right. They are just sitting empty now, except for the one I let Anna use."

Max and Liz looked at each other, thinking the same thing. If you are just trying to hide out, a rural area was often your best bet. And it didn't get much more rural than Tonopah, Nevada.

"I'll tell you what," said Liz. "Plan on me working the day shift tomorrow with Anna. Mark and I will talk it over tonight... and have an answer by morning."

"That seems more than fair, Beth. And if you decide against it, I'll have a paycheck for you for those hours, plus the hours you've worked today. And since I see the night shift getting here, just relax. Better yet, order whatever you want on that menu... both of you. It's on the house."

'Besides,' she thought. 'From the look of your young man there, you are going to need your strength to last until morning...'