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 wonderful beta Elise and to Lauren for helping me with story direction as well as some beta-ing when she has time.  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…Feedback is always appreciated ! !

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, journal entries, flashes, song lyrics, etc.  I'm really beginning to see that this is going to be one long twisted story. The only hint I will give is – some things are meant to happen.  Think about it.

Extra disclaimer: Obviously as you read you will notice that much of what happens in this chapter IS NOT my original idea.  It is taken from the actual episode.  I take a little artistic license and so some parts have been adapted for this story.  Thanks in advance for not suing me.

Liz looked out the window and sighed.  It was gorgeous outside…the sun was shining and she could tell that there was just a slight breeze by the rustling of the leaves on the trees.  The breeze was what made it look so inviting.  In the short time that Liz had been in Roswell, she quickly found out that the weather in this part of New Mexico was different from what she was used to.  The wind never seemed to pick up…leaving the June heat almost stifling—especially in the crowded restaurant.

Just then, José hit the bell on the counter between the kitchen and the dining room.  "Order's up Liz."

"Coming," she said, hurrying over to pick up the two plates he was holding.  She walked over to a small table where a guy and a girl were sitting, waiting for their order.  "Okay, I have got one Sigourney Weaver, that's for you.  And one Will Smith.  Can I get you guys anything else?  Green Martian Shake?  Blood of Alien smoothie??"

"No, thanks.  We're good," the guy replied.

Liz noticed that both of them looked a little…off the wall.  Tourists, she thought immediately.  Remembering what Maria had told her when she first started working here, she came up with an idea.  "So are you guys here for all the festivities?  The convention over at the UFO center kicks off in a few days and the annual festival is next week."

"Yea, we're really excited.  So...does your family come from Roswell?" the girl asked.

"Oh of course.  We've been here forever…"

"Uh, well, did any of your relatives see the crash?" the guy asked cautiously.

Liz reached into her apron and pulled out an odd looking and obviously fake photograph of an alien that Alex had given her the day before.  "Well…my grandmother gave me this," she said, handing them the picture.

Maria walked past with a coffee pot, shaking her head and smiling.  She stopped at a booth by the door, where two men were arguing.  "Refill?" she asked, holding up the coffee pot for emphasis.

"No.  Leave us alone," one of the men snarled.

Maria shrugged her shoulders and started back towards the counter.  As she passed the table where Liz was still talking to the two tourists, Liz looked up, met her eyes for a second, and smiled.  She returned her attention to her customers saying, "I'll be right back.  Don't show that to anyone."

Liz and Maria walked to the cash register together and Liz started to ring up the check for the tourist couple.

"So I see you finally took my advice and found a good use for Alex's computer genius all at the same time.  Oh and by the way, Max Evans is staring at you, again if I might add," Maria said in her usual sarcastic manner.

"Yeah, whatever, Maria.  I keep telling you that's all in your mind," Liz said, shaking her head and laughing.  She looked up though and across the room, Max was sitting in a booth with his sister, Isabel.  He looked at her and then quickly looked away.

"See?  I told you.  I'd say someone has a crush on our new waitress."

"No way.  I don't know if we're even friends really, I mean, I never see him outside of when he stops in here."

"Really Liz, do you think he was in the Crashdown this much before you came to town?  Give me a break…" Maria said, walking away.

Just then, the guys near the door started arguing loudly again.  "...you ask me to give you another day!!?? You're running outta time," one of the men yelled, knocking all of the dishes off the table.  "I want the money today.  NOT tomorrow!" he yelled, standing up.

"Liz!" Maria yelled from across the room, as the other man also stood, pulling out a gun.

They struggled for a second and everyone in the restaurant dropped to the ground—except Liz who upon hearing her name had turned and looked around, confused.  Suddenly, the gun went off and Liz fell to the floor.  The two men immediately ran out the door.

"Liz…" Maria said, stunned.

Max looked over at Liz lying on the floor and quickly stood up to help her.  Isabel grabbed onto his arm.

"What are you doing?  Let go of me," Max said, trying to break free of her grasp.

"Max, what are you gonna do?" Isabel said, as Max finally shook her off.

Max looked over at Maria.  "Call an ambulance," he said, before he ran over to where Liz's still form was lying behind the counter.  Maria nodded and ran into the back room to use the phone.  Meanwhile, Max knelt down beside Liz and tore her uniform open, revealing a growing pool of blood on her stomach.

 "Liz, LIZ!  You have to look at me.  You have to look at me," Max said, as he lifted her head slightly.

Liz weakly looked at him, and he placed his hand over the bullet wound, closing his eyes and concentrating.  Almost immediately, he began to see images…flashes of Liz's life.

Liz as a toddler with two adults who he would guess to be the Mitchells

A man who looked vaguely familiar playing with a three year old Liz

Liz waking up in the middle of the night hearing the police tell her sitter that her parents were dead

Liz at different ages being taken to different foster homes

A slightly older Liz being thrown around by a man he assumed was Frank

The arrival of Charlotte and Abby

Liz taking the girls and running away

The first time he and Liz met and the feeling of relief when he offered to help her

Liz waking up that morning after they had their 'talk' and seeing that he was still holding her

Max gasped for breath as he ended the connection and removed his hand, revealing perfectly smooth skin where previously there had been a bullet hole.

"You're alright now.  You're alright," he said as Liz looked up at him, confused.

Isabel ran up to them.  "Keys!  Now!" she yelled, holding out her hand. 

Max fished in his pocket and pulling out the keys to his jeep, tossed them to Isabel.  He quickly grabbed a ketchup bottle from a nearby shelf, broke it, and poured it over Liz.  "You broke a bottle when you fell, spilled ketchup on yourself.  Don't say anything please," he said as he stood up and backed away.  Just then, the Jeep screeched to a halt in front of the restaurant.  Max ran out the door and hopped in just as Isabel put her foot on the gas and sped away.

Liz stood up, clutching her uniform to keep it together and stared at the door where Max had just exited.

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