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.

Thanks: To my beta Elise-who has been with me on this story from the beginning, and to Lauren, Jen, and Taz who have helped out recently.  I couldn't do it without you guys.  To everyone who left reviews, I appreciate it so much.

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

Distribution: I would be flattered if anyone wants to post this story somewhere else, just let me know first okay?

A/N: the italics indicate thought, also song lyrics.  I'm really beginning to see that this is going to be one long twisted story. For everyone who has been asking questions, they only hint I will give is – some things are meant to happen.  Think about it.

Thanks so much to everyone who left me reviews!  I promise that I will finish this story—I definitely have plans for it.  And stuff will happen soon.  Anyway, lots of love to you all—don't forget to leave me some too (*namely reviews*) !

Amazingly, forty-five minutes later both girls were dressed and ready.  Liz put all of their belongings back into the trunk of her car and the girls waited there while Liz went to the office to check out.

Liz looked at her watch as she made her way out of the office…11:15 A.M.  Perfect, she thought, just enough time to get the girls some lunch before we meet up with Max. 

Having found her money and still being pretty unfamiliar with the town, Liz decided their best option would be to head back to the Crashdown.  The girls were fascinated with the alien-themed restaurant.  They kept looking around at the walls and laughing.  Maria was still working, but she had yet to notice Liz's presence in a booth towards the back.  Liz was almost relieved that Maria hadn't noticed her; she didn't feel like explaining the girls to her co-worker yet.  But she knew that she would have to in about 30 seconds, as Maria finally headed to the table to take their orders.

"Hey Liz, long time no see," Maria said in her usual tone, "Who are the munchkins?"

"We're not munchkins!  We're girls!" Abby said indignantly.

"Abby, she knows that.  She was only joking," Liz said, turning back to Maria.  "Maria, these are my sisters, Charlotte and Abby," she explained, pleading with her eyes that Maria wouldn't ask for more of an explanation.

"Hey girls.  What can I get you ladies to eat this afternoon?"

"Two burgers," Liz said quickly, before the girls tried to order something out of their price range.

"Two?  Are you sure?  I mean there are three of you…" Maria asked, a little confused.

"Yeah, well…I'm not all that hungry.  And Abby never finishes anything, so I can have a bite of hers…" Liz said, trying to make up a believable excuse.

"I will today Liz.  I could eat an elephant I'm so hungry!" the little girl interrupted.

Liz noticed that Maria was giving her a strange look again.  She quickly checked her wallet…plenty for now—at least until I have a rent bill to pay… "I guess you better make that three."

"Coming right up," Maria replied, stuffing her order pad back into her apron and walking away.

Maria came back a few minutes later with the food.  She set it on the table, but didn't immediately leave.  "So Liz, have you had a chance to take a look around this huge metropolis we all call Roswell?"

"No, not really.  I'm sure I'll get around to it eventually though," Liz said, smiling slightly at Maria's joke.

"Well, I know this is going to seem a little out of the blue, cause I mean you just met me this morning and I've probably erased any doubt in your mind that I'm totally crazy…" Maria said babbling on a bit, "but I get off work in like half an hour and if you're interested…I could totally take you on a little driving tour of Roswell.  You would be back in plenty of time to meet up with Max."  She turned to the girls and said, "And we have a really cool playground by my house that we could go see."

The girls' eyes lit up immediately.  "Oh can we Lizzie?  Please, please, pretty please with sugar on top?  We swear we'll be good," they both said almost at once.

"I guess it couldn't hurt.  And we do have some time to spare," Liz said, giving in.

"Yay!" the girls and Maria all said in unison.

"Well I better get back to work before Mr. Parker starts looking for another new waitress," Maria said, still smiling, "Be ready to go in half an hour okay?"  And with that, she wandered over to her other tables, which she had been neglecting while talking with Liz.

The time seemed to pass quickly as they waited for Maria to finish her shift.  Liz felt like only moments had passed when it had in fact been the whole half an hour.  Before she knew it, Maria was standing in front of them, completely changed out of her work clothes and trying to get Liz's attention.

"Whoo-hoo?  Liz?  Are you in there chica?" Maria said, looking at her sideways.

"Sorry, I guess I kinda spaced out there for a little bit."

"Well let's get this show on the road already!  Come on, I'll race ya to my car…it's the red Jetta parked across the street!" Maria said, already taking off.

"Hey!  No fair!" the girls said, chasing after her.

Liz rolled her eyes, sighed, and followed after them.  By the time Liz reached the car, Maria and the girls were already inside and waiting for her.

"You're slow Lizzie," Abby said.

"No, I'm just tired.  Thank goodness this isn't a walking tour," Liz said as she entered the passenger side of the little Jetta.

Maria showed them all the sights of Roswell as promised and ended their tour at the local playground.  Liz and Maria sat on two swings as the girls ran around playing.

"Hey Liz, I had a lot of fun hanging out today.  With my attitude, I don't make friends too easily…I mean, I think Alex may qualify as my only friend up to this point, and it's not the same with him being a guy.  You know that I've never really had another girl to hang out with …I'm sorry—I'm rambling again.  What I'm trying to say here is, I'm glad you came to Roswell and I hope we can be friends."

Liz smiled a little.  "I don't think I've ever had anyone I would consider a 'friend.'  I've had acquaintances, classmates, but never any real friends."

"We'll then we definitely have to be friends now.  I think you need someone like me around to cheer you up once in a while.  You are entirely too gloomy and quiet," Maria said, leaning over and embracing her new friend.

"Thanks Maria.  You know I think you may be right."

"Of course I am.  Now I'll tell you what.  As your first official friend, I am going to offer to baby-sit your little sisters for you while you go meet Max and find your new apartment.  And as a friend, you will be grateful and accept and take the chance before I change my mind."

"Are you sure?  They can be a handful…"

"Yeah I'm sure.  I may be crazy, but I think you need some time off from these munchkins for a few hours.  Just come on over to my house when you guys are finished," she said, handing Liz a piece of paper with her address scribbled on it.

"Maria, I don't know how to thank you…"

"You don't have to.  That's what friends do!  They help each other out.  Now get out of here before I change my mind already!"

Liz yelled over to the girls explaining that they would stay with Maria and that she would see them later before hurriedly running off towards the Crashdown.

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