September 6, 1885

8:45 p.m.

Doc's POV

Marty, Annie, Timmy, and I were at the old silver mine getting the De Lorean ready for tomorrow.

I went over to them and said, "Marty, Annie, Timmy. I'm not going back with you three tomorrow. I've decided to stay here."

Marty, Timmy and Annie all jumped up and blurted out in unison, "What?"

Marty pulled out the picture that they brought with them from 1955.

He said, "Doc, this is tombstone is in your future!"

Annie added, "You're still in danger as long as you stay here!"

Timmy responded, "Marty and Annie are right, dad. You're in danger!"

I pointed out the oblivious, "Marty, Annie, and Timmy there is no denying the oblivious. I'm in love with Clara."

Annie slapped her head up against her forehead and responded, "Doc, that's great and everything but you don't belong here!"

Marty nodded and added, "None of us do!"

Timmy added, "And Clara was a jerk to me!"

I perked up as I knew Timmy had a point. But, I frowned anyways and went over to the De Lorean.

I explained, "The future isn't written. It can be changed; you all know that! Anyone can make their future whatever they want it to be. I can't let this one little photograph determine my entire destiny. I may have Timmy as my son but I have to live my life according to what I believe is right...in my heart."

Marty shook his head and responded, "We're not arguing that but you're a scientist!"

Annie added, "So you tell us what's right…" She pointed towards her head and finished, "Up here."

Timmy added, "Do the right thing, dad."

I answered, sighing, "You three are right." I pulled a switch and the De Lorean rolled onto the tracks smoothly. I softly said, "I've to tell her goodbye at least."

Marty looked at me sincerely and told me, "C'mon...Doc...I mean, think about it...what are you going to say to her? I got to go back to the future? I mean, she's not going to understand that, Doc."

Annie added, "How long we have been with you and we don't even understand it?"

Timmy suggested, "Listen. Maybe we could...I don't know, maybe we could just take Clara with us."

My heart skipped a beat. Did Timmy just offer me to bring Clara to the future? That could be disastrous!

I turned to them and explained, "To the future? You've reminded me, Marty, Timmy, and Annie, I'm a scientist so I must be scientific about this. I cautioned you about disruption of the continuum for your own personal benefit therefore I must do no less. We will proceed as planned, and as soon as we return we'll destroy this infernal machine. Traveling through time has become much too painful."

We all turned in and Marty, Annie, and Timmy eventually fell asleep. Marty was sleeping in an awkward position. I offered wondered how the hell that kid could sleep like that. Annie was sound asleep on her back. I noticed that Marty's left hand, without him knowing it, took Annie's right hand. I saw both of them smile at that. I couldn't help but wonder if they were still awake. Nope, they were both sound asleep. I then looked at my son. He was sound asleep. I sighed as I knew that he wasn't technically supposed to be my son. I was having wonderful flashbacks about our times together.

That's when I realized that I had meant what I had told him in 2015. There was nothing that could tear us apart. After all, he was my son and that was not going to change. I then looked at the pin Clara gave me. I threw it into the fire as I watched it burn. I smiled relieved that was free of that. There were only three things I need in my life and those things were right in front of me. As the pin of iris was nothing but ash, I doused the fire and wrapped my right arm around my son and he snuggled up to me. I gently kissed his forehead and fell asleep.

AK1028: Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!