June 10, 1990
9:00 AM PDT
Trilogy Universe (EmmettMcFly55)

Local Clara Clayton was busy preparing coffee cake with her counterpart, as the rest of her and her counterpart's family might wake up soon. However, she wasn't entirely focused on the work, as she clearly remembered the fight her sons had the night before.

Certainly, Jules and Verne often had their squabbles, most of them innocent. However, this time it had gone further, and she had been thoroughly shocked by some of the words she had heard her boys throw at each other. She wondered what could be behind the depth of the argument, and sighed. It was wishful thinking that Jules and Verne could ever become true friends, but couldn't they at least get along?

"You're fairly quiet" Visiting Clara said, taking off her baking gloves to stare at her other self. "I'm not a very outspoken person either, but this seems to be different. Is something bothering you?"

Local Clara smiled wryly. "I guess I can't hide anything from myself" she quipped. "Yes, there is. I'm afraid I'm still thinking about the fight Jules and Verne had last night."

"Oh dear" Visiting Clara whispered, putting an arm around her other self's shoulder. "I don't mean to pry, but has anything like this happened before? Our boys get along most of the time, even if they're not the closest of friends. Still, their unique position of being 19th Century kids in the 20th Century has caused them to form a certain bond with each other."

"I wish our Jules and Verne had that" Local Clara said. "They're not arguing all the time, if that's what you think - to the contrary. It's mostly a sibling rivalry, that only flares up occasionally. I don't think I've ever seen an argument this heated before." She sighed. "Any advice on what to do about it?"

"Well, I wouldn't know" Visiting Clara said. "I haven't got much experience with this, like I told you. I think this is a matter between you and your husband first and foremost."

"Yeah, I suppose it is" Local Clara said. "Well, I guess Emmett and I should be able to solve this. After all, he invented a time machine, so a sibling argument should be a piece of cake for him."

Visiting Clara laughed. "Those are very different things" she pointed out. "But yeah, I get what you mean. Emmett is a smart man. That's how I fell in love with him, after all."

Local Clara nodded. "You've been married shorter than we are, haven't you? I believe your Emmett said you lived in the Nineteenth Century for eight years."

"That's right" Visiting Clara confirmed. "We were together in the past for eight years, and we've lived in the 1980's for about four-and-a-half years now. That's roughly twelve-and-a-half years together. We had our anniversary in May."

"I see" Local Clara said. "Emmett and I were together in the 1800s for roughly nine-and-a-half years, and then we moved to June 2nd of 1986. So that's thirteen-and-a-half years for us." She looked at her counterpart, curious. "Were you married on November 12th 1885, too?"

"Actually, it was on November 30th of that year," Visiting Clara replied, "but we didn't wait too much longer. And then we had Jules on August 12th the next year."

"Wow, I guess there are some differences," Local Clara replied, laughing lightly. "We really had Jules on September 25th the next year. Then, two years later, Verne was born on October 29th."

"Whoa!" Visiting Clara replied, stunned. "So I guess your boys a little over two years apart. Verne was born on May 31st of 1888, so our boys aren't as far apart in age."

"That is quite fascinating," Local Clara remarked. "I wonder if that may be part of why your boys don't fight as much."

"Well, it's hard to say," Visiting Clara replied, shrugging. "So, uh, don't your sons have any mutual friends?"

"Well," Local Clara replied, taking in a deep breath, "Jules doesn't have any very close friends, although he does have some friendly acquaintances. As far as Verne's friends go, they're relatively decent towards Jules - but aren't too interested in spending time with him. Besides, Jules never really was the sociable type."

"Oh, I see," Visiting Clara replied, in a near whisper. "So, uh, not even when you folks were living in the past - and the school was considerably smaller?"

"The kids often tried to get Jules to play with them," Local Clara replied, "but he never was that interested in the type of games that the other boys liked. He quite preferred to work on his science projects. As such, the other kids never really understood him."

"Well, our Jules also likes to work on science experiments," Visiting Clara replied, "but he also really enjoys playing. We encourage our kids to enjoy their youth, while they still have it. They being said, Jules does usually get the top marks in his classes."

"So does our Jules," Local Clara replied. "On more than a few occasions, his teachers - along with his guidance councillor - have expressed some concern over Jules not being sociable enough. We don't simply want to push Jules into being somebody that he isn't - but, at the same time, we do sometimes worry that... that he might get a bit lonely."

"That sure is a tough one, I agree," Visiting Clara commented, nodding. "It sounds like he quite does take after his father. My husband used to feel real uncomfortable being in large crowds. He simply turned down the invitation to attend the wedding reception of Marty's parents, because he felt uneasy about being surrounded by many people."

"Yeah, he definitely does take after his dad," Local Clara agreed. "We don't want him to feel like he has to be sociable - but, at the same time, we really don't wish for him to be... lonely. Anyway, I think it'll be some time until the cakes are ready."

Visiting Clara was about to respond, as both Emmetts stepped into the kitchen. Local Emmett smiled, taking a whiff of the scent. "That smells good, Clara" he commented. "But also unfamiliar. I take it you provided the recipe, uh, Visiting Clara?"

"That's right" her counterpart said. "Although your wife has provided some good ideas too, and without her, I could never have found all the ingredients I needed. You've got a rather big house."

"Indeed we do" Local Emmett said. "Rather expensive, too. But it was the only house available that would give us space so that we can take off in the time machines without being disturbed by neighbours."

"I see" Visiting Emmett said. "We do get around that problem, but it's not easy. Fortunately, though, the neighbours don't pay much attention to us. We're just an average family in an average house... not much strange there. A lot of people miss what's right under their noses."

"That's true" Local Emmett admitted. "Well, how long do you think it will take until the cakes are ready?"

"Probably around thirty minutes, more or less" Local Clara said. "On my counterpart's advise, I set it to bake on a lower temperature, so that the process would take a bit longer. Gives us time to chat and gives the others time to sleep. After all, today will be a long day."

"It certainly will be" Visiting Emmett said. "If you don't mind, though, we were planning to have a look around in my counterpart's lab. Do some preparation work to see what can and should be done."

Visiting Clara frowned. "I doubt you can do that in just half an hour, Emmett. And even if you could, you wouldn't. I know you better than that."

"Perhaps you're right" Local Emmett said. "My counterpart's proposal might be a bit excessive. I suppose I could just show him around the facilities for now, and leave the work for later."

"You think you can restrain yourself to that, Emmett?" Local Clara said. "You know I'd be disappointed if you don't show up at breakfast. Especially considering the fact that Jules and Verne might not be in the best of moods after yesterday evening."

"Come now, Clara" Local Emmett said. "You know their squabbles might be heated, but they're always short. Jules and Verne got what they wanted in the end, being in separate rooms, so I doubt they'll still be as angry as yesterday evening."

Local Clara shrugged. "If you say so." She watched after them as they walked off to the stairs. Then, she turned back to her counterpart. "Where were we?"

Visiting Clara smiled. "We were baking cake, but I don't think it will be ready very soon" she replied. "Would you mind showing me around the lower floor some more for a while? I have to admit that I'm curious."

Local Clara nodded. "Certainly. Come on, I'll lead the way." They walked out of the kitchen, resuming their conversation.

oooooooooo

Local Jules Eratosthenes Brown blinked, as he felt himself coming to. He was in his room, on his old comfortable bed... and yet, he felt like there was something wrong. Something was on his mind, and it was making him upset.

He found it soon enough when he looked down and saw some junk scattered around where it should not be. Jules shivered and narrowed his eyes. "Verne" he muttered, angrily. His brother had come over last night to sleep in his room. Certainly, Jules could understand that there was no other place for him to go, but that didn't mean that he could just throw all his junk around! And that constant whining about his o-so-awesome friends whom he couldn't see for a few days...

Verne's irresponsible, selfish attitude had gotten on Jules' nerve before, but now it had been too much and too long for him to keep his temper. He had snapped at his younger brother, who had lashed out against him in turn. And when their parents came in, the situation had only gotten worse.

Jules sighed, sitting upright in his bed, as he remembered his father's words once he had explained Verne's childish behaviour to him. The older inventor had turned to his brother without a word of sympathy for Jules. "I understand why you're upset, Verne." Nothing about him.

"Understand" Jules repeated, angry. "Understand? There isn't anything to understand!" He slammed his fist against the wall, then winced in agony from the pain. His brother had been behaving completely irrationally! All this whining about his friends... what good had having friends ever done to a person? It didn't get them one inch further towards their scientific dreams! And worse, his father had actually said he understood Verne. His father, the greatest scientist he knew, the man whom he had always seen as an example, had taken Verne's side.

Everyone took Verne's side. They always did. He had heard teachers talking to his parents and discussing the fact that he had so few friends. He had heard his parents talking about it to each other, when they thought he had gone to bed. Everyone was always talking about friends. No one understood him. They all took Verne's point of view.

"I don't need friends" Jules hissed, softly. "I don't need anyone! If they don't want to have anything to do with me, then that's fine with me!" He looked at a small plush rabbit on his bed, which had been one of his childhood friends, for a moment, then threw it through the room.

"One day" he muttered. "One day, I'm going to be a great scientist. And then, I'll show them all!"

He sighed and shook his head, as he got off his bed and walked towards the door. After peeking it open to make sure no one was on the other side, he got through and started walking towards the bathroom.

Just as Jules reached the bathroom, he caught sight of his younger brother. From the scowl on Verne's face, he figured that it had to be the Verne that he knew and loved - or, rather, hated. There really was no question about it. He hated his brother.

"I got here, first!" Verne announced, triumphantly - as he stepped into the bathroom. He then closed the door behind him. "That's what you get for being a slowpoke!"

Jules ignored Verne, as he really was not about to give his brother any satisfaction of being affected by the latter's childish behaviour. He looked at his watch, as he waited one minute. Two minutes soon passed by, and then three. Soon, it was five minutes.

"And he has the gall to call me a 'slowpoke', that jerk," Jules muttered under his breath, angrily. He sighed - as the urge to relieve himself was getting stronger, and more unbearable. After three more minutes passed, he shouted, "Hurry up, Verne!"

There was no answer from Verne. However, he heard the sound of the shower being turned on. Jules became filled with fury, as he knew that his brother was deliberately trying to spite him. It was usually only on school days that Verne would shower in the morning. Angrily, he kicked the bathroom door - leaving a big hole in the bottom of it.

"Hey, what is going on here?" asked a very familiar voice. Jules turned around, as he caught sight of his counterpart - as well as that of Verne. "Are you okay, Jules?"

Jules simply shot his younger brother's counterpart an icy glare, as he began to make his way down the steps. Granted, that just might not have been the version of Verne that he had a major beef with - but, at that moment, he sure did not care. Verne was Verne - and, as far as he was concerned, they might as well be one and the same.

"Gee, whatever the hell is his problem?" Jules could hear his own voice asking, just as he reached the first floor.

Jules quickly ran for the bathroom on the first floor, hoping that it would be empty. To his relief, it was. He quickly ran in, as he shut the door behind him.

"Hey, Jules," called out a voice that sounded like his mother. "Jules? What's going on?"

Jules sighed. "Oh, nothing" he replied, unable to keep the sarcasm out of his voice. "Just my dear brother trying to be a jerk by deliberately shutting me out of the bathroom."

"Oh dear" he could hear his mother say. "Are you two still angry with each other?"

Jules could feel his temper rise up. Of course he was still angry with his brother, how could he not be angry with that little twerp! He decided not to say anything, though. As much as he would love to lash out to someone, he knew intellectually that his mother wasn't to blame for this, and shouting at her wouldn't solve anything. He didn't even know if this was his own mother, or her counterpart. He sighed. "Yes" he finally replied, as he was using the toilet. "We are."

"That is too bad" his mother replied. "I suppose I could have figured that, but I just didn't want to lose hope... will you be coming to dinner soon? The coffee cake will be ready in five minutes."

Jules frowned. "Will Verne be there?"

"Yes, Jules, he will" his mother said, in an authorative voice. "And don't think I'm going to exclude him because you don't like to see him at the moment."

"Of course not" Jules mumbled. "It's not like anyone would ever consider my feelings in this whole mess."

"What was that?"

"Nothing, mother... mom" Jules said. "Look, I'll be there in a minute, okay?"

"All right" his mother said. "I'll see you then. In the meantime, try to relax, Jules. You've got nothing to gain by being angry."

Jules shook his head, considering it wiser not to answer. He had no desire to debate with his mom about this. Soon, he heard her footsteps fading in the distance.

He turned to the wash basin and cleaned his hands. After drying them, he was about to exit the toilet when he heard steps coming down the stairs. Jules leaned against the wall and waited until the footsteps had disappeared out of hearing range. He knew it was no use trying to avoid his brother the entire day, but even then, he'd rather spend as little time with him as possible. Sighing, he unlocked the door and started making his way towards the dining room.

oooooooooo

Visiting Jules Brown was smiling, as he looked around the room. It was such a thrilling experience to meet with all these people from an alternate reality... people who were, in a sense, his family. He hadn't seen his counterpart yet, but he hoped that he would be able to talk with him about the differences in their lives. And perhaps talk some sense into him about the matter with his brother.

Visiting Jules sighed. He had heard the story from his mother about ten minutes ago, and he still couldn't believe how deep the argument between his counterpart and Local Verne was. From what he'd understood, they had come close to a physical fight... and other Jules was still angry about it now, from what his mother's other self had experienced just a minute or two ago. He wondered how Local Verne felt about the whole thing.

He didn't have to wonder for much long. Local Verne entered the room, a pronounced scowl on his face. He looked around and finally took a seat next to his counterpart. "Good to see Jules isn't here" he said. "That could spoil the whole morning."

"Now, now, Verne," Local Clara chided, firmly but gently. "I do understand that you're mad at your brother, but there is rather no need to talk about him that way. We have company, y'know."

"Well, he kicked a hole in the bathroom door," Local Verne grumbled. "I think he should have to pay for the door to be replaced."

"That's enough, Verne," Local Doc instructed, rather sternly. "You let your mom and I deal with this. Now, you enjoy your breakfast - and relax."

"Yes, Dad," Local Verne replied, sighing - as he served himself a piece of coffee cake.

"I really don't know if I should be doing this," Local Clara commented, sighing, "but I'll get fetch our Jules some coffee cake. I guess he can eat it in his bedroom."

"That might be for the best," Local Doc replied, softly. "If he wants seconds, though - he'll have to come in here and get it. He can't just avoid his brother like that."

"Why not?" Local Verne demanded. "That's just fine with me. I don't want to talk with him, either. I never ever want to talk to him, ever again."

"If you continue to keep this up, Verne," Local Doc commented, sternly, "I'm going to have to ask you to leave the table, as well."

"Your dad is correct," Local Clara agreed, nodding. "For now, I'm gonna deliver some coffee cake to your brother. Now, no more discussion about this at the table."

"Yes, Mom; yes, Dad," Local Verne replied, as he shoveled some food into his mouth.

Visiting Jules sighed, as he glanced at his younger brother's counterpart. Even though he had yet to see his counterpart, he felt quite so discombobulated by the whole fight between the counterpart of himself and his brother.

It really was not that he and his brother never had their own share of arguments, but he just could never remember having a fight quite that emotional. He did have a bit of a temper, but it was usually not directed towards his brother. It was mostly bullies like Rajan Unger in the present, or Charlie Needles in the past, that quite got the brunt of his wrath. In fact, he and his brother actually had a special bond with each other.

"So, uh, Local Verne," the Visiting Verne asked, softly. "What is your favourite kind of music? Do you like Led Zeppelin? My favourite song is D'yer Mak'er."

"That's my favourite song, too," Local Verne replied, as he managed to crack a smile. "I think Led Zeppelin is a real awesome band. It's a shame that they'll probably never get back together. I really envy those who got to go to one of their concerts."

"Oh, I know just what you mean," Visiting Jules agreed, nodding. He swallowed, as he simply hoped that his brother's counterpart would not snap at him. "I think No Quarter is a great song. Better than Stairway to Heaven, even. It's an underrated song."

"You like Led Zeppelin?" Local Verne asked, as he sounded quite astonished. Visiting Jules smiled, as he nodded. "Wow! That's actually a difference between you and my brother. My brother doesn't like rock music, all that much. He's all about science."

"I like science a lot, too," Visiting Jules replied, softly, "but I do also like rock music. I'm probably not really as passionate about it as your counterpart is, though. After all, he is the one who plays the guitar. That's about one thing I kinda suck at, actually."

"And I suck at science," Visiting Verne replied, with a light chuckle. "What about you, Local Verne? Do you play the guitar, as well?"

"Oh, you bet!" Local Verne replied, smiling. "Perhaps, some time, you and I could play together. Let me guess... Was it Marty who inspired you and taught you to play?"

"Of course!" Visiting Verne replied, enthusiastically. "In fact, Marty's a great teacher."

Visiting Jules' heart simply seemed to jump into his throat, as he saw who walked into the room. It was his mother's counterpart... along with his own counterpart! He sure could tell just how furious his counterpart felt, and it made him feel rather uneasy.

"Oh, great" Local Verne said, as the look on his face turned back into a scowl. "I was hoping you weren't going to show up anymore."

Local Jules frowned. "If you want to leave because of my appearance, go ahead" he said. "I'm not stopping you. It would be in line with the childish behaviour you've been displaying this whole time."

"Jules, Verne, please!" Local Doc frowned. "Quit your bickering. I was hoping a good night's rest alone would have mellowed you out, but it looks like it hasn't."

"Mellowed out?" Local Jules chuckled wryly, as he took a seat at the table - purposely as far away from Local Verne as possible. "After all he's done to me, I'm never going to mellow out to him again!"

"All right, that's enough" his father said. "Sit down and eat your breakfast."

His son grudgingly complied, and Visiting Jules took the opportunity to stare at his counterpart. It was clear that he wasn't in a good mood, and the frown on his face didn't cease as he quietly started eating the coffee cake, only pausing occasionally to glare at Local Verne, who was talking to his counterpart.

Eventually, Visiting Jules decided to go talk to his other self, hoping to distract him from the 'Verne' issue. "So" he began, nervously eyeing Local Jules. "I heard you aspire to be a scientist?"

"That's right" Local Jules replied, looking at him with suspicion. "What about it?"

"Nothing" Visiting Jules said. "I was just wondering how you worked on science here. I mean, your Dad's got a bigger house than mine - and presumably, a bigger lab. So I guess there's much more room for you to experiment... right?"

"That's correct" Local Jules said. "We've got a chemistry room, too, so that's where I try to mix interesting potions." He smiled faintly. "Dad tries to limit it, though - he's worried that I could blow up the entire house."

Visiting Jules chuckled. "I guess I have it even worse than you on that issue. If I were to create an explosion like that, the entire block would be destroyed. You've only got the one house in a wide neighbourhood of open space."

"Not that I'd like it if Jules blew up our house, either" Local Doc said, smirking. "Imagine the time it would take to raise enough money to buy another one... well, I suppose that it could be done eventually, but all in all, it's better to be safe than sorry."

"Indeed" Local Verne said, looking up from his discussion with his counterpart. "After all, in Jules' case, you pretty much have to look out. He's liable to blow up anything chemical he even gets his hands on."

Visiting Jules and Verne sighed, exchanging glances. They had hoped to distract their counterparts from each other by means of conversation, but they had clearly failed. Already, Local Jules was glaring at his brother. "I believe I'm reasonably cautious with experimenting" he said. "The only way I would do something wrong in an experiment if it was because I slipped over your junk and knocked over my chemicals."

Local Verne frowned. "As if I ever go over to your chemistry room" he said. "That place is boring. Probably because you spend so much time there - it reflects on the room itself."

"Yeah, like your music and your video games are anywhere near as productive," Local Jules snapped. "You quite insist on wasting your time on those stupid things with your stupid friends. You're gonna grow up to become a welfare bum. I know it."

"Boys, boys, please," Local Doc pleaded. However, his intention to intervene proved to be fruitless - as his sons were too involved in their fight.

"Hey, you take that back!" shouted Local Verne. "You act like it's some sort of crime to have fun, and I do my chores around the house - so you really can't say that I'm lazy. Just because I, heaven forbid, like to enjoy myself - it doesn't mean that I'm a bum."

"Oh, and you think I never have fun!" Local Jules shouted back. "Well, I've got news for you. To me, science is fun. You can have fun and be quite productive at the same time. Even if you do become a very famous rock star, just what good is that gonna do for anyone? All rock stars do is smoke pot and trash hotel rooms."

"That is not all that they do!" Local Verne retorted. "I know a lot of people who have been deeply moved by music, and music has even saved people's lives. Besides, you do know that you're also insulting Marty - right? Didn't think about that, huh?"

"Don't bring Marty into this!" Local Jules sneered. "At least, he respects my passion in science - unlike you. Besides, he is a lot more talented at the guitar than you are."

Suddenly, Local Verne turned bright red in the face - as he quickly walked to where his brother sat. He, with force, punched Local Jules right in the face. To the abject horror of Visiting Jules, his counterpart fell backwards in his chair - and then hit the floor.

Local Doc and his wife immediately jumped up, as they ran towards where their eldest son had fallen. As Visiting Jules turned towards his counterpart, he really noticed that the latter had a nasty nosebleed. The sight of the blood made him lose his appetite.

"Verne, go to your room," Local Doc instructed, sternly, "and don't leave, until we say you can come out." To his eldest son, he asked, "Are you feeling okay?"

"No, I'm not feeling okay," Local Jules snapped. "I don't understand why you always have to take Verne's side. Don't you think that I have feelings, too?"

"Of course we do, honey," Local Clara replied. "Your brother shouldn't have hit you - but, the thing is, you did provoke him."

"There you go, again," Local Jules grumbled. "You're taking his side. He's the one who started this whole fight."

"It really doesn't matter who started it," Local Clara replied, firmly but gently. "I think you both need to forgive and forget, and make peace with each other."

"Yeah, like that's gonna happen," Local Jules snorted.

"Let's go to your room, Jules," Local Clara suggested, gently. "It's not quite fair to the other people who are trying to eat. They deserve to eat in peace, too."

Visiting Jules turned around, just as he saw his counterpart being lifted up by the local version his parents. He simply watched on, as his counterpart was then escorted from the dining room. He then glanced at his brother - as the two simply made eye contact, and then shrugged. He could not quite imagine his brother getting so violent with him.

He turned back to his coffee cake - as it was one of his favourite meals, and he quite did not want the food to go to waste. Still, he could not get the fight off his mind. He began to worry that the counterparts of him and his brother would never make up.