Chapter Three

A teenage boy was fast asleep in the back of a truck. The truck was moving fast, taking narrow turns at about 90 miles an hour. If the boy were awake he would have figured out that he had been drugged and put unconscious into a burlap bag. He would have noticed that there was a small hole in that bag, big enough for an eye to peek through. Through the hole he would have seen bare deserts on the side of the dirt road. He would have seen a gas station a few yards back and a strange rock formation to his right. He would have heard faint voices talking from the front of the truck. He would have heard their plan. But the boy wasn't due to wake up for at least a few more hours. And by then, it would be too late.

*

Max slipped into the booth by his best friends. It was late evening, but Max had promised Isabel and Alex he would have dinner with the gang.

"Hey Maxwell," Michael nodded his head as his hands were busy with Maria sitting on his lap. She was giggling, trying to get out of Michael's tight grasp. But Michael held on tight with one arm to keep her there and used the other hand to tickle her sides. Maria giggled loudly, causing some other customers at the restaurant to cast frowns their way, so she turned her face to Michael's until their lips were centimeters apart, "Michael…" Maria groaned as he just grinned impishly at her, keeping his tight hold. "Let me go. Please." Michael grinned more widely. "Pretty please?" And then seeing Michael's devilish eyes, "Not even with sugar on top?"

"Nope," Michael said quickly. He leaned his head down to whisper something inaudible in Maria's ear. She blushed and Michael laughed.

"Michael, Maria! Can't you guys stop the PDA for one second?" Isabel groaned, having taken enough of their constant flirting. "Ever since you guys got married all you do is ohh and ahh with each other. It's driving me crazy!" Isabel sank into her seat next to Alex and Max on the other side of the restaurant booth.

Maria sank into Michael's arms contentedly. "You and Alex were the same way right after you guys got hitched." Michael nodded.

"No we weren't!" Isabel flipped her hair as Alex just grinned. But Isabel had seen him and turned a finger towards him, "Alex Whitman, we were never that annoying!"

"Well maybe not as annoying as Michael and Maria, but we were still all cuddly. Remember when that kid saw us kissing and…"

Isabel cut him off laughing, "And he, he said 'Mommy, why is he giving that woman CPR?' That was so funny!" Alex kissed Isabel lightly on the forehead as she shook from laughter.

Max had been watching the whole scene with mixed amusement and longing. Sitting next to The Whitmans and across from The Guerins, he felt out of place, and like a fifth wheel. He let his mind play back their high school years, like an old movie.

They had all been friends since Maria and Alex had found out their secret. Maria had been the first to know after asking Michael why she saw strange images when they kissed. Michael had told her then about his alien heritage. Max and Isabel had been worried that Maria would become disgusted and frightened with Michael's alien side. If she left Michael, they knew he would be devastated. But Maria had taken the news all in good measure; she had provided the trust that the three needed in Roswell, New Mexico as the only human to know their secret. They became more trusting after they let Maria in. Next, Isabel had told Alex about their secret, or rather he had found out himself. In high school Isabel had been so distant and cruel, however Alex had gotten through to her with his instinct in always knowing how Isabel was feeling. He had been so in tune to her emotions that he had suspected as much when Isabel told him later that she was an alien. Both couples had had their share of problems, but in the end it was their alien halves that had sealed their love for one another. Isabel and Alex had gotten married two years ago after Alex had proposed with a huge diamond ring. Maria had thought Michael would never pop the question, but then he had randomly at home, surprising her immensely. Even since, Max had all alone. He had had very few real girlfriends, probably enough to count on one hand. Hanging around with Isabel, Alex, Michael, and Maria was tough even though they were pretty considerate of his feelings. They had made it a tradition to always ask about Max's latest dream with Her.

"Max? Hello? Are you there?" Maria asked waving her hand in front of his eyes. Max shook his head, trying to get back to the present. Right: Restaurant. Friends. Dinner. Meeting.

When Max started to look alive Maria broke into a smile, "Welcome to Earth!" She chuckled using the common phrase with new meaning. Max smiled weakly while Michael punched his arm from across the table. "So tell me, Maxwell, what's the latest fantasy in Liz Land?"

Max sighed, "Well, last night I dreamt that she had a nightmare. I don't remember what it was about, but she was really scared."

Isabel laughed. "I still can't get over how weird these dreams of yours are Max. How can you dream about someone else dreaming? It's so strange."

Max shrugged. "I don't know." Alex caught Maria's eye, "Maybe Liz is an alien trying to contact Max through his dreams. You know, so he can save her from the evil humans." Max shook his head, totally missing the joke, "No, no, she's not an alien. I've known her for nine years. I know she's human- if real at all."

"You'll find her, Max. I know she's out there somewhere," Isabel patted her brother's hand. "Now, let's get to business."