A/N: We are now heading into the second half of this story, leading up to the reason for Liz's mysterious police interview. With that said, this chapter is mostly transitional, so bare with me. Btw, I've decided to do the unprecedented and thank people individually. I've always wanted to in my previous stories, but there were so many readers. Since this one doesn't seem to be as popular, lol, I can finally do so.

Re: Sarah-Helen-Yeah, this story is real plotty isn't it? I'm glad you think it's gotten stronger. I do too. Hope you continue to love it, and thanks so much for all of your reviews.

Re: dawnfaer- Wow! I actually made someone speechless. Now I don't know what to say. Thanks. In answer to your question, you will get to see what Max wrote to Liz. I didn't include it in that last chapter because it felt like emotional overkill. Just be careful what you wish for.

Re: Miakatama86- Loved your review. LOL. The maybe at the end of the chapter was only partially a joke. My life is really busy with work and school to continue a story if no one is reading it. That said, I'm kind of committed to seeing this one to the very end. Even if it kills me, and the endless angst just might.

Re: Radiogirl- Glad to have sucked you in. Hope you stick with it and continue to review. I'll do my best to keep the suspense comin.

Re: Nikkitan89- Yeah, totally sad about Liz losin the baby. However, there was a method to my madness. Unfortunately, there is worst to come. So keep your seat belt buckled.

Re: Stefanie- Thanks for the review. More twist and turns left than you can shake a stick at. So don't breathe just yet.

Re: Soulmates-exist- First of all, love your name. And yeah, I believe in love at first sight too. Closely followed by instant lust, lol. As for this being the best story you've ever read, I doubt it. But thank you so much for saying so.

Re: Lizzie- Glad you love it. Reviews inspire me to write faster, but sometimes real life interferes. RL sucks!

Re: Caitlin- Thanks for the review. Hope you stick with the story. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve.

Disclaimer: Same.

Act: 10

Present: Two months before police interview, Fresno California: April 10, 2005.

Liz Parker exited the revolving airport door with a deep scowl marring her pretty features. In the short plane ride from Los Angeles to Fresno she had gained a major headache. All due to the bubbled headed blonde that had sat next to her during the flight. She had gone on and on about her nose job, her boob job, her cheating ex, and how she was only partially bulimic. Liz now knew all she ever wanted to know about liposuction and collagen injections. She'd always heard that the City of Angeles was superficial, but there was nothing like first hand knowledge. By the time the plane touched down in Fresno Liz had wanted to scream.

Quickly haling a cab from one of twenty or so lined up outside the airport, she rattled off her destination before settling back into the seat and shutting her eyes. It had been a long week, month, and year. Hell, if she wanted to be technical about it a long life. But that was being maudlin. Or, a result of being sent last minute to an out of town conference. Her department head Ed Lewis was supposed to attend, but his wife had gone into premature labor. So up in smoke went Liz's weekend plans. Not that she anything spectacular planned anyway. Just catching up on the latest bestseller.

Sometimes Liz wondered if she was just bad at life. Career wise everything was perfect. She'd graduated from UC Berkeley in just three years, and was quickly recruited by Bio-Tech Pharmaceuticals. She'd risen through the ranks of the company like a supernova, acquiring her Masters Degree along the way. Her co-workers often wondered how she did it. She considered telling them she didn't have a life, but instead she would just smile and let them believe that she was driven.

Becoming aware that the Taxi had stopped, Liz glanced out the window and got her first view of the Chateau Inn. It put her in mind of the old plantation houses that used to exist in the Deep South. Not that she had ever been to one, but just like everyone else she'd seen Gone with the Wind. Anyway, the seventy room accommodation was rumored to have an indoor pool, refrigerator and microwave in every room, and computer access. The perfect little get away for the not so average business-man and his secretary/mistress. But that was just Liz being cynical.

Stepping from the cab, she handed the driver his fare plus tip and strode towards the hotel doors with her luggage in one hand and brief case in another. The 50ish looking doorman immediately opened the door to which she murmured, "Thanks."

-&-

The interior was plush, which was no more than she expected, but she really was too tired to enjoy it. All she wanted to do was go to her room and take a nice fortifying nap.

"Reservations for Parker, Liz," she said to the stiff looking desk clerk and watched as he quickly typed this into the computer before frowning.

"I'm sorry Ms. Parker. But I can't seem to find your name listed."

Liz sighed deeply and counted to ten. "Could you check under Lewis, a colleague of mine was supposed to attend this conference. I was sent in his place at the last minute." She smiled charmingly, all the while thinking prick.

"Aah, I see," he said typing once again. "Here we go, suite 602. If you'd sign right here, I'll give you your card key." He pushed a piece of paper forward.

Liz quickly scribbled her name and headed for the elevator. A bellboy offered to carry her bags to which she flicked him off with a wave of her hand. She was just about to enter the elevator when a deeply masculine voice stopped her.

"Liz? Is that you?"

The fine hairs on the back of her neck rose sharply and her breathe hitched. She would recognize that voice anywhere. Turning around slowly, reluctantly, Liz came face to face with Max Evans.

"Hey," she said casually, smiling serenely. What a big fake she was. There was nothing casual about this meeting. She had imagined it a million times, and every single time had been awkward, awkward, and awkward.

"You look different," Max said staring intently. "Older."

"Thanks, I think," Liz grimaced. Why didn't he just say she looked a hag and get it over with?

"I meant your hair," Max gestured to her chin length bob.

"Oh, um, thanks," Liz tucked a dark strand behind her ear self-consciously. "You look different too. More…" buttoned down, restrained, she wanted to say but settled on: "Successful."

"I bet." Max smiled self-deprecatingly.

"It was nice to see you. But I really need to get to my room," Liz gestured towards the elevator. "Long flight, really tired," she babbled.

"Of course you do," Max excused. "And I still have to check in. Maybe we could catch up over dinner?"

"I don't think so Max," Liz said sadly, her façade beginning to slip. The elevator dinged and she quickly stepped inside.

"Are you here for the conference?" He asked hurriedly.

"Yeah. You?"

Max nodded. "Then I'll be seeing you again," he said determinedly just before the elevator doors closed.

A/N: I know it's short and not very entertaining, but I needed to get over the hump from childhood to adulthood. Next chapter promises to be filled with new twist and turns. Please Review!