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.

**Extra note: Thanks so much to everyone who has stuck with this story.  I apologize for how long this chapter took—I have had a lot of school work this past week or so and I just totally got lost in it.  I also apologize for the extreme length of this chapter but I had to accomplish a lot—or maybe I just ramble.  Once again, lots of love to you all—don't forget to leave me some too (*namely reviews*) !

Luckily for Liz, the playground where their 'tour' ended was only a few blocks away from the Crashdown.  As she walked into the little café, she looked down at her watch…1:50 PM, right on time.  At least I'll have a minute or two to rest before he gets here.  She was in for a surprise though when she looked up and noticed that Max was already sitting at the counter.  "Am I late?" she asked, walking towards where he was sitting.  She tapped her watch and held it up to her ear, checking to see if it had stopped.

"No," he said, smiling at her antics.  "I asked my boss Milton if I could take a half day and he sent me home about a half an hour ago.  So I'm early—you're not late."

"Oh, well good.  So where are we headed?"

"Well, they're not the most beautiful apartments, but there aren't too many critters and the rent is affordable.  My Jeep is parked out back if you're ready," he said, standing up and gesturing towards the door.

"As ready as I'll ever be I guess…" she said turning towards the door.  Suddenly she stopped cold and spun around.  Max failed to notice soon enough and they collided.  He grabbed onto her arms to keep her from stumbling backwards.  "Did you say critters?" Liz asked, unmoving and now staring at Max.

"Are you okay?" he asked, looking concerned.  When she slowly nodded her head, he released her arms and stepped back.  "It was…uh…just a joke," he said, smiling a little.  "Not any real critters that I know of living there.  We should be going.  The renting office likes to close early if they aren't busy."

She followed him out of the Crashdown and out back to the Jeep.  It was pretty old looking, but Liz had learned that a car could look like crap and still run well.  Her own car was no beauty, but it still worked.  As Max started the car and pulled away, Liz leaned back and closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of freedom as the wind blew through her hair.

It was a short drive to the apartment complex—but Max enjoyed every second of it.  He couldn't believe how peaceful and relaxed she looked right now.  Even though he had just met her this morning, he could already tell that she had something weighing on her mind…some burden she was carrying on her own.  There was a certain sadness and weariness about her.  He knew the signs all too well.  He felt the same way sometimes—worrying about someone finding out the truth about him, his sister Isabel, and their friend Michael.  Being the unofficial leader of the group was tiresome and a little lonely.  Max sighed and looked over at her again.  He knew he was already in too deep.

Max pulled to a halt in front of a cluster of small dark and worn-down buildings.  One in the middle had a sign on the door reading 'Office.'  "This is it," he said, stepping out of the Jeep and walking around to the passenger side to wait for Liz. 

"I thought you said this place wasn't that nice.  It looks clean and the roof doesn't look like it has any holes.  Would I get one of those all to myself?"  Liz asked, surveying her surroundings.

"You think it's a nice place?" Max asked disbelievingly.

"You should have seen the last place I was living," Liz said sarcastically.

"Was it really that bad?  Why did you stay there if it was so horrible?"

"I don't really wanna talk about it Max.  I'm sorry I brought it up.  Just forget about it."

"Are you sure?  I know we just met this morning Liz, but I'd like to be able to help you with whatever is going on…if I can."

"Max, please don't worry okay?  I have everything under control.  I promise.  Please just believe me."

"I believe you Liz.  I just want you to know that you can trust me.  Just in case…" he said, pausing a moment.  "We better get in there already before they close up."

"Sounds like a plan to me," Liz said, quickly accepting the change of subject.

The office door creaked a little as they opened it and stepped into the dimly lit room.  A short, heavy-set, middle-aged man sat behind the desk watching a TV in the corner of the room.  "Hey there.  Come on in," he said as he noticed Max and Liz's entrance.  He stood up and extended his hand to Max and then to Liz.  "Jim Phillips.  I'm the manager here.  You here about the unit for rent?"

"Yeah, actually she is.  I'm just here to help her out.  My friend Michael Guerin rents from you…number eight I think,"  Max said.

"Ah yes…Mr. Guerin.  Quiet boy…pays his rent on time though.  Hope you can do the same," Mr. Phillips said, gesturing towards Liz.

"I will sir.  I already have a job and I have some money to pay for the first month," Liz said, speaking up for the first time.

"Glad to hear it.  Would you like to go see it then?" he asked, already moving towards the door.

"That would be great," she said, looking to Max for approval.  He nodded and moved to open the door for the other man.

"Thanks.  It's number four that is open.  Now will it just be you or do you plan on a roommate?" Mr. Phillips asked, looking at Max.

"Actually sir, I have two younger sisters that will be staying with me.  They aren't loud and won't cause any trouble, I promise," Liz answered, purposely not looking at Max when she said this.

"That's fine," the manager said, stopping in front of number four.  He took a set of keys out of his pocket and searched for the one with a small number four written on it.  "Here we go."

They stepped inside the small apartment and Mr. Phillips moved aside to let Max and Liz look around.  "This is great," Liz said, impressed with the space.

"There is a bedroom in the back and next to that you'll find the bathroom.  The kitchen's just through here," he said gesturing to a doorway to his left.  "The couch is a pull-out bed.  So there should be enough room."

"It's perfect," Liz said, smiling and almost jumping up and down from excitement.  "When can I move in?"

"As soon as you sign the paperwork and pay the first month's rent," Mr. Phillips said, almost smiling himself at Liz's excitement.

"How much is that gonna be?" she asked, a little uncertain now.

"Well rent's about $150 a month or $75 every two weeks if you want to set it up that way."

"That would be great…can we sign those forms now?"

"It would be my pleasure, if you'll just follow me back to the office Miss," Mr. Phillips said, leading them out of the apartment.

"Max do you think you could wait for me in the Jeep?" Liz asked, as they were about to step into the office.

"Sure, if you want me to…I'll just be right out here," Max said, hopping into the Jeep and making himself comfortable.

Liz filled out the forms quickly and dug $75 out of her wallet.  "I hope it's ok if I do the half now and half in two weeks thing…I only have $100 right now, but I should be getting paid in a week or two—so I can get it to you then."

"It's okay, I understand.  Most of my tenants are low-income which is why I allow them to pay rent twice a month if they want.  That's when paychecks seem to come in," Mr. Phillips said, glancing down at the forms Liz handed him.  "It's nice doing business with you…uh…Ms. Mitchell is it?"

"Yes sir.  That's me.  I don't usually go by my legal name because of issues with my family…but I'm sure that's more than you wanted to know…so I'll just stop talking right about now," Liz said, stumbling over her words.

"You don't have to explain anything.  Everyone here has a story, but they all keep it to themselves," he explained, handing her a key.  "Well you have a nice day and I guess we'll be seein' you around."

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