A/N: WOW! It's really been a long time since I last posted. Thanks guys for your last reviews. All two of you. Sarcasm aside, I felt like this story needed a more defined timeline. With that in mind, the remaining chapters will be dated.

Disclaimer: Don't own any of the Roswell characters.

ACT: 6

Friday: May 15, 1998

Liz was so excited she thought she would burst. For once, good fortune was shinning on her side. And this had nothing to do with her being name class valedictorian either, which she had found out about earlier that day at school. No, her excitement had everything to do with today being her eighteenth birthday, and her father winning a raffle at work. The timing could not have been more perfect if she'd planned it herself. So off her parent's went, gone for the weekend to an all inclusive spa in sunny Los Angeles. They'd put up a few token protests before leaving, Liz's birthday being one of them. However, she'd assured them that their leaving was perfectly fine with her. More than fine if the truth be known. She'd convinced them that she would be more than happy to celebrate her birthday when they returned. That if anyone deserved a vacation it was them. If either Jeff or Nancy found the bright shinning smile on her face a little excessive as she waved them off, neither of them mentioned it.

The only dark cloud marring Liz's sunny existence was her brother Tyler. He was becoming more of a nuisance everyday. Always staring at her suspiciously and asking questions. As if he had a right to monitor her behavior. Just the other day she'd gone into the garage to tell him dinner was ready and witnessed him and his good drinking buddy Joey Fontaine playing with a gun. She'd immediately backed out of the tiny garage unseen. When she'd confronted Tyler about it later that night, the scene between the two of them had been ugly.

"Mind your own business you nosy bitch!" He'd shouted in her face, shoving her against the wall. For the first time ever Liz had been afraid of her brother. Her parent's had already gone to bed, so all she could do was stand there in shock as Tyler slammed out of the house.

Liz was sadly reaching the conclusion that her brother was a lost cause. Before leaving her mother had made her promise to look after Tyler while they were away. How ironic? He was the elder sibling not she. Still, Liz was determined not to let Tyler ruin her mood. She had been looking forward to this night her entire life. No way was babysitting Tyler going to interfere with it.

-&-

"You sure about this chica?" Maria asked as she added the finishing touch to Liz's topknot. They were at Maria's house, where Liz was supposedly spending the night. While Liz sat in front of the vanity mirror lightly applying makeup, Maria stood behind her with a worried expression marring her pretty face.

"Would you stop being such a downer?" Liz's lips curved in a perfect moue as she covered them in Cherry Blossom lip-gloss. "It's really unbecoming and so unlike you," Liz said flippantly. She was tired of people telling her what to do. Or that they knew what was best for her.

"Pardon me for trying to look out for you."

Liz spun around and observed Maria's offended stance. The folded arms, pouting lips, and tapping foot. If she didn't fear offending Maria more she would have laughed. Instead she smiled self-deprecatingly and said, "It's time to cut the apron strings MOM. I'm a big girl now."

Maria gasped, her green eyes widening. "God forbid I ever sound like your mother," she said, and they both broke into hysterical laughter relieving the tension.

"Look, I get that you're concerned," Liz said once they'd stopped laughing. "And I love you for it. But I know what I'm doing. Honestly," she said when Maria arched her brow skeptically.

Maria sighed before uncrossing her arms. "Fine. I'll let it go. It's just that I've never seen you like this before. So reckless, defiant…"

"…in love," Liz finished softly.

"What makes you so sure?" Maria asked curiously.

Liz's face took on a dreamy expression. "Because it feels right. Like nothing has ever felt right before. When I'm not with Max I want to be. And when I am with him, I can't get close enough."

"Well, I can't argue with that. Can I?" Maria said softly.

"Not if you want me to listen," Liz joked, just as a car horn sounded outside. A spasm of panic crossed her face. "That's him." Liz jumped to her feet. "How do I look?" She spread her arms wide for Maria inspection. The outfit she wore was incredibly daring. For Liz anyway.

Maria's perusal was silent one, before a mischievous light filled her eyes which should have warned Liz. "Like you're off to get fuc—"

"Maria!"

"Well you asked. Besides, I doubt you'll be dressed long enough for him to really notice anyway."

"Maria!"

-&-

Max noticed all right. In fact he gave an audible gulp as Liz climbed into the car. She was wearing some sort of black halter top that circled her neck and barely reached her waist, leaving her shoulders wonderfully bare. The frothy cream colored skirt she wore made her legs look endlessly long, or maybe it was the black strapped wedges she wore on her feet. "You look great," he managed to strangle out. He barely controlled himself from salivating like one of Pavlov's dogs. Real cool Max. He mentally chided himself.

"Thanks," Liz said ducking her head shyly. "I wasn't sure what to wear so Maria helped. Her mom owns a vintage clothing shop in town. And since you were so vague about our plans," she shrugged.

Max smiled. "That's because I wanted it to be a surprise."

"Surprises can be good," Liz quipped.

"Glad you feel that way," Max gave Liz a heated look before cutting his eyes back to the road. "Cause tonight promises to be full of surprises." He smiled as Liz was the one to give an audible gulp this time.

-&-

"Max where are we?" Liz eyed him suspiciously as they drove through wrought iron gates. An intimidating estate loomed in the distance.

"My house," he said, trying to sound casually about it.

"Are you out of your mind?"

"That's debatable," he spoke wryly as he pulled into the huge garage.

"Are we trying to get caught now? Cause this was one surprise I could do without."

"Relax," Max turned to Liz after killing the car's engine. "No one's home." He cupped her frightened face gently. This wasn't exactly how he intended to start off the evening. The whole drive over he'd thought about telling her where they were going but he knew she would object, ruining his plans.

"We're playing with fire here Max," Liz said warily. "Almost like spitting in God's eye and daring him to seek retribution."

"Well we wouldn't want to do that," he said humorously. "Look Liz, I wouldn't be that reckless. My parent's are away at some benefit dinner in the next county over. They always spend the night at the nearest hotel afterwards. And Steven's out of town on business. So stop worrying," Max bent down and kissed her on the forehead.

"I hope you know what you're doing," Liz smiled briefly, ignoring the shiver of warning that raced down her spine.

A/N: This chapter has been written for about a month now. And while it could have been longer, should have been longer, I'm suffering from writers block. So, I decided to post it as is. Not to worry though, I'm determined to finish this story.