Disclaimer: I do not own Back to the Future.

Author's note: This is the first of four versions of how Doc and Marty had met. This story takes place in the Twin Pines Timeline, which would apply to the first timeline of all my universes. This is, basically, the "true beginning" - in meta-time!

April 10, 1975
3:15 PM PST

It started out as an ordinary Thursday afternoon, when Dr. Emmett Brown decided to pick up a gallon of milk. As it was a nice day, he decided to walk to the grocery store. Suddenly, across the street, he saw that there were a bunch of tough-looking kids - and they were picking on a small boy. The sight had greatly angered Dr. Brown.

"Well, looky what we have here," the leader of the gang sneered. "It's the youngest McFly kid! He's such a shrimp!" The gang leader grabbed the small boy by his shirt, as he snarled, "Gimme your money, shrimp!"

"I... I... I, uh, don't have any mo... mo... money," stammered the poor little boy, as he looked terrified.

"I don't believe you, shrimp!" shouted the gang leader, as he and his thugs began to beat up the small boy.

"Leave me alone! Leave me alone!" the small boy pleaded, as he had tears running down his cheeks.

"What's the matter, Crybaby McFly?" sneered the gang leader. "You're too weak to fight like a man?"

Those darn bullies! Dr. Brown seethed, with increasing rage. How can some kids be so cruel, as to beat up on someone smaller than them? I sure can't just allow this to happen. I must do something.

"What are you guys treating me like this?" the small boy sobbed. "Whatever did I do to you?"

Aw, poor little boy! Dr. Brown thought, sadly - as he ran across the street. It was high time for him to take action, and stand up to the bullies.

"We're treating you like this... because we can," the gang leader replied, laughing. "I mean, it's fun."

That's their idea of fun? Dr. Brown thought, incredulously. Bullying people smaller than them is their idea of fun? This is absolutely disgusting!

In a very stern voice, Dr. Brown called out, "Stop it, right now! Just stop it! You leave the poor boy alone!"

"Oh, look who just arrived!" sneered the gang leader. "It's Crazy Old Doc Brown!" To Dr. Brown, he snarled, "Beat it, you crazy lunatic! This don't concern you! I suggest that you turn around... and leave!"

"No," Dr. Brown protested, sternly, "I won't stand here, and let you harm this little boy. You leave him alone, right now - or else I... I might just use you for some of my latest experiments! How would you like that? Huh?"

With obvious fear, the gang of tormenters dropped the young boy - and then ran off.

Sometimes, thought Dr. Brown, having the reputation of being Crazy Old Doc Brown can come with its advantages.

Just then, Dr. Brown saw the little boy collapse to the ground - as he began to cry. Dr. Brown kneeled down, as he reached out to the boy. Very tenderly, he touched the boy's shoulder.

"Hey, kid, are you okay?" Dr. Brown asked, gently. "Are you, uh, badly hurt?"

The small boy just threw his arms around Dr. Brown, as he sobbed. Dr. Brown placed his arms around the young boy - and began to rocked him, very gently. As the small boy wept, Doc's heart really broke. Nobody deserved that sort of abuse.

"Do you feel better, now?" Dr. Brown asked, softly - as the boy, finally, stopped crying.

"Yeah, much better," replied the young boy, softly. "Thank you so much. I was very scared. They also tend to pick on my older brother, Dave."

"Well, at any rate," Dr. Brown asked, as he squeezed the young boy, "what's your name?"

"Uh, Marty," replied the young boy. "My name's Marty McFly."

"Marty," murmured Dr. Brown, "that's such a nice name. My name is Dr. Brown." Taking a deep breath, he added, "If you'd like, though, you can call me 'Doc'. You seem like a very nice young boy."

"Nice to meet you, uh, Doc," Marty replied. For the very first time, Doc saw the young boy smile.

oooooooooo

That evening, Marty decided to tell his parents about Doc Brown.

"I'm not so sure, Marty," Lorraine replied, shaking his head. "I mean, it was nice of him to help you. Some people do say that he's very dangerous, though."

"But, Mom, he rescued me," protested Marty. "I don't think he would've helped, if he was so dangerous. Please, Mom? He seemed so nice!"

"Actually, he was my teacher - when I was in the third grade," explained George. "I remember him being very nice." With sudden nervousness, he added, "But, Lorraine, I guess you do have a point. You just want to be cautious, so that Marty can be safe."

Marty sighed, as he thought about his parents. He believed in thinking the best of everyone. He wasn't the kind of person to just believe in rumours. His teachers had often commended him, for being the nicest boy in class. Even many of the girls liked Marty. He really wished that his mother would stop being so judgemental.

"Look, honey," Lorraine replied, gently, "I just don't want you to get hurt. I'm not going to forbid you from hanging around him, if you really insist on it. I really do hope that you know what you're getting into, though."

"Don't worry, Mom," said Marty, shrugging. "I'll be fine. If not for him, the bullies would've just pummeled me to death."

"I suppose you do have a point, Marty," Lorraine replied, with a weary sigh.

oooooooooo

Doc sat in his garage, as he thought about young Marty. He was such a cute little boy, albeit quite small. Still, this was no reason for people to be picking on him. Of course, Doc himself knew the feeling all too well. When he was the same age as Marty, he wasn't all too well-liked. In fact, he only had two real friends - both of who were girls. At least, they defended him - whenever he was picked on.

There was a sudden knock on the door, interrupting Doc from his thoughts. As Doc went to answer the door, he saw that it was Marty.

"Hey, Marty!" exclaimed Doc, reaching out to hug the boy. "Well, young fella, what brings you over here?"

"I, uh, wanted to spend some more time with you," answered Marty, as he returned the hug. "You seem like a very cool person, Doc. You're not like other grown-ups, who tend to treat me like I'm... like I'm a little kid. I can't even relate to my parents... the same way as I can relate to you."

"What are your parents like?" Doc asked, nervously. "How do they feel about, uh, you spending time with me? I mean, are they okay with it?"

"My mom is a little worried," Marty explained, shaking his head, "that you might, uh, be dangerous. I did remind her, though, that you saved me from the bullies. I know that she, uh, wants the best for me - but she can be too judgemental."

"I can't say that I'm too surprised," Doc replied, sadly. "I really do hope that, one day, your mom will come to accept me. I really would like to, uh, see you... more often. The only other close friend that I really have, though, is Sabrina."

"Who's Sabrina?" asked Marty, with curiosity. "Is she about the same age as me?"

"Sabrina and I became friends, uh, ten years ago," explained Doc. "Therefore, she's about ten years older. She's seventeen years old. I'm sure that you two will like each other, though. She's quite busy, tonight. Tomorrow, after school, she promised to come see me. She's a very wonderful girl."

"I'll be looking forward to meeting Sabrina," Marty gushed, smiling.

"So, Marty," Doc asked, smiling, "how would you like a popsicle?"

"Oh, sure, Doc," replied Marty, cheerfully. "Yes, please."

"Is there any particular flavour that you like?" asked Doc.

"Yeah, I'll have grape," replied Marty, smiling. "Please."

Doc headed over to the refrigerator - as he grab a grape popsicle, as well as an orange popsicle.

"Thank you, Doc," replied Marty. "I love popsicles. They're really one of my favourite snacks."

"They're one of my favourites, too," replied Doc. "Say, Marty, would you like to listen to some music? I have all different types of music."

"Oh, yes, I love music!" exclaimed Marty, smiling. "Say, do you have any Led Zeppelin records? My mom really doesn't like rock and roll, so she won't buy me any records."

"Oh, I think I have one Led Zeppelin record," Doc replied, smiling. He went over to his stash of records, and then pulled out Led Zeppelin's fourth untitled album. "How about this album?"

"That would be perfect," replied Marty. "That album is my favourite. My friend, Zach, has it! His dad's teaching me how to play the guitar."

"Most people really wouldn't expect for someone my age to listen to Led Zeppelin," Doc explained, chuckling. "People my age aren't expected to like rock and roll, and I'm probably older than your parents. That's another reason... why some people consider me crazy."

"Well, I'm so happy that we have the same taste in music," Marty gushed, smiling.

Doc removed the record from its jacket, laid it onto the turntable, then lifted the needle onto the record. As Black Dog began to blast across the garage. Marty and Doc began dancing to the music.

oooooooooo

As days turned into weeks... and weeks turned into months... and months turned into years... the relationship between Doc and Marty began to grow, immensely. As Marty was struggling with science, Doc offered to help him. Within time, Marty's mother became somewhat more accepting of Marty's friendship with Doc.

While Marty did have plenty of other friends, Doc would always be his very best friend. Marty could relate to Doc ways that he couldn't relate to others his own age. He begun to see Doc as a father-type figure. Marty felt that he couldn't even confide in his parents, as he could confide in Doc.

It seemed very amazing, how one random act of kindness could turn into such a beautiful friendship.