Author's Note: On a Sunday afternoon, after returning from lunch with Marty - Doc finds the scraps of the letter that Marty wrote to him. This story takes place in the Gravestone and Eastwood Timelines. This would apply to the Trilogy Universe, Haven Universe, and Gravestone Universe (Doc's side only).

November 13, 1955
3:00 PM PST

"I can hardly believe it!" exclaimed Marty McFly, as he and Dr. Emmett Brown stepped into the mansion. "We eat at Holt's Diner, and my parents happen to swing by. I quite feel as if... Well, I couldn't exactly bring myself to disrupt their first date. It sure feels surreal. I mean, it's actually not everyday that one witnesses his parents first date!"

"Well, I'm glad that they didn't spot us," replied Doc. "It could've conceivably resulted in a time paradox. Granted, they did seem to be so much in love - so the possibility of your existence being endangered would be minimal. Still, we just wouldn't want to..."

"... take any chances," Marty finished, smiling. "Yeah, Doc, I quite understand. After having kissed me, though, I think my mom finally realized that I simply wasn't the guy for her. Anyway, yeah, this was a special moment for them. I didn't want to ruin it."

"Well, Marty," Doc commented, as he placed his arm around the teen, "I simply must admit, it's great that you're back - even though I understand that the circumstances of your situation wasn't exactly the most optimal. I do quite wonder what I would've done, had you not returned. Well, for starters, I actually wouldn't've passed out."

"No, I'm pretty sure that you wouldn't've," Marty replied, softly. "Well, I suppose your older self doesn't want me to go back - and get him. Y'know, it'll quite be awfully lonely - not having you around. In fact, I really have half a mind to just stay here - in 1955."

"No, Marty, you can't," Doc protested, gently. "The more you stay in this time period, the more you could actually risk disrupting the course of future events - and perhaps, once again, endanger your own existence. I know that you'll miss me, Marty - but..."

"Yeah, Doc, I understand," Marty replied, sighing. "I guess I'll still have my family, my other friends, and Jennifer. Still, I rather just can't imagine... no longer having you in my life. By the way, Doc, I now actually remember two versions of my past. I guess I shouldn't let you know about the new timeline, though. Still, you're the one who..."

"... gave you support, right?" Doc asked, softly. "Well, Marty, I'm not sure of what to tell you. All I can say, Marty, is that you'll just have to move on. After all, it's not as if you don't have other people in your life. I'm sure that my older self does miss you."

"It'll still be sad, though," Marty insisted, as tears filled his eyes. "Tomorrow, after you get off of work, I guess that's when we'll be heading off to the Del Gato Mine. I rather feel nervous about all this. I mean, what if someone actually did touch the DeLorean?"

"Just try not to worry, Marty," suggested Doc. "Perhaps, tonight, we could also plan on eating out. We should look for a place, though, that's a little outside of Hill Valley. This way, the real possibility of encountering your parents... or Biff Tannen... will be minimal. Let's see how much money I have, first. I'll quite need to save up, after all."

"That sounds so wonderful, Doc," Marty replied, excitedly. "In all honesty, I wouldn't actually want to stay in 1955. I'd miss my hard rock, and everything else that I really love about the 1980s. That being said, life without you wouldn't quite be the same."

"I understand, Marty," Doc commented, as he put his wallet away. "Let's just see if I have any loose change in my coat pockets." As Doc reached into the one of the coat pockets, he added, "I feel some paper scraps in there. I wonder where that's from."

As Doc pulled the scraps out, Marty's memory was suddenly jolted. He wondered if it could be the letter that he wrote Doc... about the terrorists! With many other things on his mind, he'd just about all but forgotton about that concern. His heart sure was racing - as, this time around, he'd have to really be persistent about that!

"I believe that this is the letter you wrote to me, Marty," Doc commented, as he voice was extremely calm. "I just don't understand what it's doing here. I was certain that I scattered these scraps into the four winds. Here, why don't you take these - or..."

"Doc, you really have to read it!" Marty insisted, as tears came to his eyes. "Not only will your life be in grave danger, but it could also create a time paradox. I'm sure not meaning to be an annoying pest. Doc, it's urgent that you tape it together!"

Doc only stared at Marty, blankly. Marty couldn't exactly make out what the scientist was thinking. Was he simply angry with Marty? Did he feel that Marty was just out of line, by pressuring him to do something that he was strongly against. Tears began to roll down Marty's cheeks, as he couldn't bear the thought of Doc being shot, again.

"That letter simply means a lot to you, doesn't it?" Doc asked, quietly. Marty nodded, as his lips began to tremble. "It is rather true, Marty, that my life would actually be in grave danger - if I don't read it? I honestly didn't mean to make you feel that upset."

"You'll really be killed, Doc," Marty sobbed, as he threw his arms around his friend, "if you don't read the letter. With you being stuck in the Old West, I'll really miss you. It would be even worse, though, to have you be killed. I sure care a lot for you, Doc."

"I guess you are right, then," Doc replied, after a brief pause. "In fact, if I don't read it, it sure could result in a major time paradox. Besides, I certainly don't wish for you to be that upset. Well, then, let me go grab some tape. I do feel bad, Marty, for not listening to you. I assume this means that, uh, the other me decided to read it."

"That's simply right, Doc," Marty replied, swallowing. Wiping his eyes, he added, "You even really had the letter right on you, when I found you at the mall. By the way, if I ask what made you change your mind, just tell me that you figured... What the hell?"

"That I'll do," Doc replied, as he placed the tape dispenser on the table. "Yeah, I can't quite well let your younger self know that you returned to 1955 - as it could be rather confusing. Well, if you don't mind, I'd actually like your help in taping this together."

"Hey, no problem," Marty replied, as he flashed his friend a lopsided smile. "In fact, I'd be happy to help. Well, at any rate, I've simply come to warm up to this decade. I just think that, uh, this decade is somewhat interesting. I still wouldn't want to live here. It certainly would be far preferable, though, to the awful 1985 that we just came from."

"Yeah, that place sounded horrible," agreed Doc. "The idea of having to spend even a minute in that world sounds quite horrid. Well, I guess it will become an inevitable part of my future. I feel sorry for my counterpart, who has to live in that world."

"I simply feel sorry for my counterpart, too," Marty replied, sighing. "I mean, with Dad dying young - and really having Biff for a stepfather." Surveying the letter, he added, "It's almost finished, Doc! With both of us working together, it'll be a piece of cake."

"I'm just not sure of what I'll do with all your clothes," Doc commented, softly. "They'd serve no real practical use to me. I suppose I should give them to a thrift shop. I very much will miss you, Marty. I'm not too sure if I could bear to part with anything... that reminds me of you. As I've said before, you've quite made a big difference in my life."

"That's very sweet, Doc," Marty replied, softly. "Well, I really should try to be happy for you. I mean, you did mention that you'd enjoy life in the Old West. It's just going to be quite hard, though, to let you go. I would want for you to be happy, though."

"I do understand, Marty," replied Doc. "You're almost an adult, though - and I'm very sure that, within time, you'll be busy with living out your life's dreams. You mentioned becoming a musician. Well, Marty, we're all finished." Doc lifted up the letter, smiling.

"Dear Dr. Brown," Doc began reading. "On the night I go back in time, you will be shot by terrorists at 1:30 AM." Rather gently, Doc reached for Marty's hands. "Please take whatever precautions are necessary... to prevent this terrible disaster." Marty felt so relieved - as he managed to overcome, yet, another obstacle. "Your friend, Marty."

Doc walked over to Marty, as he drew the teen close. Tears filled Marty's eyes, as he was reminded of just how close he was to Doc. While he knew that Doc would survive the Libyans' attacks - he realized that, by 1985, Doc still would no longer be around.

"I'm sure glad that you were persistent, Marty," Doc explained, softly. "I'm sorry that I didn't let you tell me, last week. I can now understand just why you were acting the way you did, as I was preparing to send you home. Do you think you'll forgive me?"

"Of course, Doc," Marty replied, swallowing. "Mostly, I'm very happy that you'll still be alive. However, for all intents and purposes, you'll still just be dead. I doubt that your older self would still be alive by 1985... or even here in 1955. I really don't know what to tell everyone. I promise to take good care of your dog, though. He's a great pet."

"Speaking of dogs," Doc commented, as he glanced to the side, "I think Copernicus is actually getting hungry. I guess I'd better go feed him. One of these days, I'd simply like to invent something... that would automatically feed him. How does that sound?"

"That sure sounds great, Doc," Marty replied, even as he suddenly remembered the overflowing dog food dish in Doc's garage. It really seemed like a long time, since he last saw that version of the garage. "Well, I'm real happy that you read the letter."

"I am, too," Doc agreed, as the two headed for the kitchen. "I suppose you could call it the letter of crisis. In fact, it's a letter of crisis - in more than one way. When I take off for work, tomorrow morning - you really should stay at the mansion. There's quite no more reason for you to be at school. Well, let's make tonight be a special night."