Title: Under the Weather

Author: Maggie Cohen

Rating: G/PG

Summary: A little fluff piece between Marty and the Doc: Marty gets sick.

Disclaimer: I do not own Back to the Future, or any of its characters, etc.

Under the Weather

Chapter 1 (Prologue)

Emmett Brown could remember the countless times that his young friend had gotten ill when he was a small child. It seemed like no matter how hard Lorraine tried, Marty always found a way to escape his room to run about in the rain or cold weather. But it wasn't his mother's fault. The Doc knew very well from his own personal experience what a rambunctious child Marty had been. Fortunately, by the age of nine Marty realized that he would have to give up certain of his jovial (but reckless) playing habits if he didn't want to be bedridden so much, and he rarely fell sick after that. Nevertheless, though glad for the development of responsibility on his best friend's part, the Doc often found himself missing the instances in which Marty was sick. He didn't like his friend being sick - no, that part he hated - but he missed helping to take care of him during those times. It had always been difficult for him to express affection and care for Marty, especially at first, but he found that when the boy seemed to need it, it was much easier for him to supply it. It was also nice to feel needed every once in a while.

-o-

(Note: Takes place in Hill Valley, 1986. The Doc now lives there once more with Clara and the kids, though I don't think they'll be mentioned in this fic much)

Marty McFly groaned as he sat up, instantly regretting it as his head throbbed painfully. Massaging his temples slightly, he leaned forward to peer into the clock on his bedside table.

It read 1:34 AM.

Why was he awake at 1:34 in the morning?

Groggily, Marty lay back down, moving slowly this time, and sighed deeply. He shut his eyes and shivering slightly, wrapped the comforters around his body more securely before going back to sleep.


Next Morning…

Lorraine was in the kitchen, setting up breakfast, when her youngest son came in, walking slowly and rubbing his head.

"Are you feeling alright, Marty? You look a little pale this morning," she said, finishing up with the table before walking over to the teen.

"I'm fine mom. Just a headache," he replied, which wasn't a total lie. He did have a headache. He was feeling a little dizzy too, but he was sure the sensation would go away soon. He went to go sit at the table, but as he did, he realized that he had no appetite.

Maybe I should just go to school, he thought, Strickland will have a heart attack when he sees I'm actually early….

End of Chapter One

-o-

Author's Note: Just a brief prologue - the bulk of the story is in the next chapter. This has been sitting in my computer for days and I just wanted to put it up before it sat there forever. This will be a short one, no more than three chapters max. I'll be putting up the next one sometime soon this week. Thanks to all who review. :)