Category:  AU  M/L

Summary: AU story based on a song I have liked for a long time, but with a different twist.  Liz didn't grow up in Roswell and has been living in foster homes as long as she can remember.

Disclaimer:  Jason Katims owns everything Roswell…come on now if I owned it would I be writing fanfic???  Also I don't own the song either, it's "Two beds and a coffee machine" by Savage Garden.  I'm just borrowing this stuff and I'll put it back when I'm done I promise.  Oh and I created the characters of Abby, Charlotte, and Frank who are loosely based on characters in the song and people I know.

Feedback: Okay I said I wouldn't beg—but I lied…Please Please Please leave feedback!

Thanks: To my oh so wonderful beta Elise –you rock! To everyone who left reviews, I appreciate it so much.

A/N: the italics indicate thought, also song lyrics.

EXTRA NOTE ! ! ! - - -  the first post of this chapter did not post correctly….sorry please re-read the end.

She had been driving for over three hours now and hadn't seen any real signs of a town.  The highway had no lights and the desert was almost pitch black except for the twinkling of a few stars.  What have I done? she asked herself.  I have no idea where we are going or what I'm going to do once we get there…

Looking into her rearview mirror she could see the girls, fast asleep leaning on each other.  How am I going to feed them now?  And who is going to look after them while I'm working?

Just as she was about to turn around and go back, she saw a sign appear out of the blackness.  Welcome to Roswell.  The alien town?  How the hell did we end up here?  Oh well, at least it's somewhere to crash for the night.  Ha crash...oh jeez, this could be interesting.

The town was quiet and deserted as she drove down the main street.  The alien themed tourist traps were everywhere.  A couple blocks down, she could see a small motel.  I guess this is our stop for the night.  Liz pulled the car to a stop in front of the office and got out.  The girls were still sleeping in the backseat.  Maybe I can convince the owners I'm alone and get the room cheaper.

A bell jingled above the office door as she walked in and an older lady looked up from her book.  "Can I help you?" she asked.

"Umm yes I need a room for the night…I'm just passing through and I got tired so I decided to stop," she added nervously.

"Name please…"

"Liz…Liz Campbell," she replied.  Please don't ask me for ID!

"Alright Ms. Campbell, that's twenty-five dollars—up front.  And here's your key.  Number eight…last one on the end.  Oh and welcome to Roswell…watch out for the aliens."

'Thank you," Liz mumbled, handing the clerk the twenty-five dollars and grabbing the key.

She got back into the car and moved it to a spot in front of room number eight.  It wasn't such a bad motel…at least from the looks of it.  And at least the people seemed friendly—strange but friendly.

"Charlotte," she whispered, "wake up sweetie."

The little girl opened her eyes and smiled at Liz.

"Let's get the bags out of the trunk okay?"

Charlotte nodded and grabbed her and Liz's backpacks, handing Liz hers.  Liz put her bag on and reached back into the backseat to pick up a still sleeping Abby and carry her towards the motel room door.

"Charlotte I need you to get the key out of my pocket and open the door alright?"

"Okay Lizzie," the little girl said, opening the door and walking into the dark room.  Liz set Abby down on the first bed and clicked the nightstand lamp on.  She pulled down the covers and helped Charlotte with her pajamas.

"Goodnight sweetie," she whispered, tucking Charlotte in and kissing her forehead.

"Night Lizzie."

Liz didn't even bother to change out of her clothes.  It would just remind her of how much she hurt.  She turned the lock on the door and turned out the light.  Pulling back the covers of the second bed, she promptly collapsed into it—her eyes closing the second her head hit the pillow.

TBC

And she takes another step
Slowly she opens the door
Check that he is sleeping
Pick up all the broken glass
And furniture on the floor
Been up half the night screaming
Now it's time to get away
Pack up the kids in the car
Another bruise to try and hide
Another alibi to write

Another ditch in the road
You keep moving
Another stop sign
You keep moving on
And the years go by so fast
Wonder how I ever made it through

And there are children to think of
Baby's asleep in the back seat
Wonder how they'll ever make it through this living nightmare
But the mind is an amazing thing
Full of candy dreams and new toys and another cheap hotel
Two beds and a coffee machine
But there are groceries to buy
And she knows she'll have to go home

Another ditch in the road
You keep moving
Another stop sign
You keep moving on
And the years go by so fast
Wonder how I ever made it through

Another bruise to try and hide
Another alibi to write
Another lonely highway in the black of the night
But there's hope in the darkness
You know you're going to make it

Another ditch in the road
You keep moving
Another stop sign
You keep moving on
And the years go by so fast
Silent fortress built to last
Wonder how I ever made it through