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—midterms and all…you understand.  Once again, lots of love to you all—don't forget to leave me some too (*namely reviews*) !

Liz had a smile on her face as she exited the office.  Maybe things are finally starting to look up, she thought to herself.

Max noticed her presence and leaned over to open the passenger side door for her.  "So…everything go alright in there?" he asked as she got in the Jeep.

"Perfect," she said, smiling more than he had seen all day.  "I do have one favor to ask of you though."

"Anything," Max said without hesitation.

"Do you think we could stop at Maria's for just a minute before you drop me back at my car?"

"Of course.  What do you need there Liz?"

"I need to pick up my sisters.  Maria is babysitting for me…" Liz said quietly with a worried look on her face again.  How am I gonna explain this to him?

"Yeah I heard you tell Mr. Phillips about them.  So where are your parents Liz?  I mean…I don't mean to pry or anything, but you being out on your own is one thing, but to have two little girls with you is another thing altogether."

"It's a bit of a long story Max.  I don't think you want to get tangled up in my problems."

"Liz, I have all the time in the world.  And didn't I tell you earlier that you can trust me?  If there's something going on…you can tell me.  I know what it's like to have the weight of the world on your shoulders and no one to talk to about it.  Talking might help…"

"Ok look, I really need to get the girls and get settled in my new place, but if you want to come by tonight around eleven o'clock, we can talk then.  Alright?"   

"I'm sorry Liz.  I didn't mean to upset you.  I'm just concerned…"

"I know I know…it's just not something I like to talk about.  There are a lot of painful memories and I'm just trying to keep the girls safe.  Can we just drop it for now?"

"Sure.  We should be going anyway," Max said, finally turning the key and starting the Jeep.  They drove the entire way to Maria's in silence.  Liz hopped out of the Jeep as soon as they pulled up.

"I'll be right back," she said over her shoulder. 

She reappeared a few minutes later with two little girls in tow.  To Max's surprise, they looked nothing like Liz.  They both had curly strawberry blonde hair, big smiles on their faces, and soft blue eyes.  When Liz had referred to them as her sisters, he had assumed she meant biological. He had already memorized the deep chocolate brown of Liz's eyes and was enough of a 'science nerd,' as his sister liked to say, to know that two girls with blue eyes could only mean one thing...Liz and her sisters did not share the same parents.  This keeps getting more and more complicated…he thought.

"Max, I would like you to meet my sisters, Charlotte and Abby.  Abby, what's wrong with you?" she said, dragging the smaller girl out from behind her and turning back to Max.  "I don't know what is wrong with her…she is usually so outgoing."

The little girl tugged on the end of Liz's shirt.  "Lizzie, he's a boy.  What if he's mean like Frank?" she whispered a little too loudly.

"Abby sweetie, it's ok.  He's very nice and he helped me find our new apartment.  I promise ok?" Liz said, trying to reassure her.  Abby nodded and smiled again.

"It's very nice to meet you," Max said finally, extending his hand first to Charlotte and then to Abby. 

Liz couldn't help but smile when she noticed that he didn't just shake their hands, but instead, like the true gentleman that he appeared to be, he brought their small hands to his lips and kissed them, causing both girls to giggle and blush.  "We had better get moving Max.  I still have to show the girls the apartment and maybe go do a little grocery shopping if I have time…" Liz said, receiving the expected big smiles from the girls at the mention of the grocery store.

"Everybody climb on in then.  Next stop: Crashdown Café…" Max said, pulling away after making sure the girls were settled into the back seat.

When they finally arrived back at the Crashdown, Liz stepped out of the Jeep, making room for the girls to get out, and then turned back towards Max.  "Max I can't thank you enough…I mean I only met you this morning and already you've helped me find a place to live and basically made it possible for me to stay in Roswell.  It means a lot to me…" she said, almost at a loss for words.

"Hey don't worry about it alright…we are still gonna talk later tonight right?"

"Yeah of course."

"Well I guess I'll see you then," he said, waving as he drove away.

"I guess we should go get the car and go see our new apartment…what do you say girls?" Liz asked, trying to get them excited.

"Yay," they yelled in unison.

"Come on let's go," she said, taking their hands and walking towards their parked car.

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