Title: Snowed In
Series: Winter Tidings
Author: Jmaria
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I own nothing: Whedon and Katims own all.
Pairing: FfA #769 Oz/Maria DeLuca (Roswell)

Snowed In

Maria couldn't believe all the snow that was falling outside the coffee shop window. It was insane how much had fallen already. It was gonna be hell getting home tonight. She wiped the counter off before checking the wall clock again.
It was insane how much had changed since they'd left Roswell, and yet how so little had changed. Max and Liz were married and Kyle and Isabel were dating. She and Michael were on-again off-again, again.
Maria was still a waitress, but at the small twenty-four hour coffee shop just outside of town. Tonight she was the only one working, unfortunately. Cara, the other girl who was scheduled had called in with the flu, Maria suspected the little twit just wanted to go out. Michael would expect her home around twelve, but she'd have to stay until Pete came in at three. Hopefully the snow would ease by then.
She was just about to go give him a quick call when she heard the bells chime over the door. A short figure, covered in snow, stood in the doorway.

"Still open?" He asked.
"24/7." Maria sighed. "What can I get you?"

"Coffee black, works." He pulled off his snow covered coat and draped it over the chair beside him, sitting down at the counter. "Got a phone I can use?"

"What do you need it for?" Maria asked, putting the coffee cup in front of him. "There's a pay phone right outside the door."

"Pay phone's dead. My van's stuck in the embankment."

Maria pulled out the phone behind the counter and set it in front of him. She handed him the phone book as well.

"This is dead too."
"What?" Maria snatched at the phone. Sure enough, it was dead. She pulled out her cell phone. "No service? You've got to be kidding me!"
"I don't suppose you've got a car?" The man asked.
"Huh? Of course I have a car, it's in back." Maria pointed.
"That way?" He pointed.
"Yeah."
"Only thing back there's a big snow pile."
"What?"

Maria peered out the back window, and sure enough, she could barely make out her little red car. She couldn't believe this. There was no way she was gonna get that cleaned off. There weren't even any shovels. Maria whimpered.

"Huh."
"That's not really helpful." Maria snapped.
"Sorry. I'm Oz."

"Maria. And it looks like we're gonna be stuck for a while."
"Huh."
"Great. Just perfect. I'm snowed in with a complete stranger. What else could possibly go wrong tonight?"
"Well -"

Maria only glared at him as the lights flickered out. It was gonna be a very long night.