Chapter 14
Saturday, November 12th
11: 45 P. M.
It didn't take the vampires long to fly back to Biff's house. Unfortunately, it didn't take the rain long to follow them. They were soaked to the bone by the time they landed in the backyard, and getting wetter. "Jesus," Marty muttered, folding his wings around him to conserve warmth. "Is this really worth it?"
"It is dangerous to take the thing that made our existence possible from the man who did the same," Josie agreed. "Couldn't you just have your other self hallucinate the almanac? Not that taking it away from Biff wouldn't feel divine, but how safe is it for us?"
"There's a built-in safety he told us about. We'd have roughly a week before we'd fade out, and with our own time machine we could prolong the effect. As for hypnotizing my other self, I have no idea how Doc 2 would be affected by my trance." He smiled impishly. "Are these the same people who were so eager to wrench this book from Biff's possession before?"
"It's the rain," Josie rationalized, smiling back. "It's affecting all of our moods. Of course we'd love ripping that book away from Biff."
"If we can do it inside," Jennifer qualified, shivering like crazy.
"I can take care of that in a jiffy." Josie quickly located a nearby window and wrenched it open. "All right, everyone in."
"Thanks Josie," Marty said happily, climbing inside. "What's the plan for getting the Almanac?"
"Well, the way I see it, there's two places that should be monitored -- Biff's grandmother's bedroom and the outside door," Doc said. "And of course one of us has to find Biff's room. Anyone want to volunteer before I claim it for myself?"
"I want to do it," Marty said firmly. His link to Doc clearly told the older man he wasn't going to back down on this.
"Fine. What about Biff's grandmother?"
"I'll take that one," Josie said. "I've got more experience with the gentler sex."
"I would hope so. Then I'll monitor whatever's going on outside. If either of you need my help in any way, though, don't hesitate to call."
"Can do."
"Where does that leave me?" Jennifer asked.
"I'm giving you a mission of the utmost importance, Jennifer. Something we will all thank you for later. I need you to find four spare towels and a water-proof bag. I don't want to get into the DeLorean soaking wet. Besides being highly uncomfortable, there's the matter that there's quite a lot of electrical equipment set up within dripping distance."
Jennifer managed to suppress some giggles. "Sure thing, Doc."
"All right then. We'll convene as soon as one of us gives the signal to do so." They split up, Doc heading to the front door while Josie, Jennifer, and Marty disappeared into different sections of the house.
Marty found Biff's room within minutes, due to the teen's loud snoring. The bully was half on the bed, half off, still dressed in his dance clothes. A fresh bottle of booze trickled its contents onto the rug. Clothes and magazines were tossed everywhere, forming small mountains in random spots. Marty noted most of the magazines made up a years subscription to Oh-La-La.
He tip-toed around the room, searching diligently for his quarry. He peeked behind all the pictures of "tough guys" Biff had decorated the walls of his room with, searching for a hidden safe or something along those lines. There were a few pictures of Lorraine Baines around too, but Marty couldn't make himself touch those. He searched through the drawers on Biff's desk and even the piles of trash. But his search yielded nothing.
Frowning, Marty looked around a third time and scratched his head. Think, McFly. If you were Biff -- now that's a scary thought -- where would you put a book that you thought was important?
A light bulb came on in his head. Very cautiously, he made his way over to Biff again, who was still completely out of it. Yup -- the almanac was foolishly tucked into his waistband! With the most extreme care he could manage, Marty reached over and pulled it free.
Its removal, however, managed to awaken Biff. Groggily he looked up to see Marty hovering over him, the almanac clutched in his hand. "You again?!" he slurred, starting to his feet. "You're gonna be really sorry this time, punk!"
Marty gave him a calm smile. Then the smile grew fangs as he vamped out. Biff obligingly gave a girlish scream and passed out again. Marty made sure what he had grabbed was the almanac and dashed back to the living room.
Not a moment too soon, either, as Josie cried out mentally, The grandmother is up! Everyone, we've got to get out of here!
The vampire family instantly reunited in the living room. "I've got the book," Marty announced proudly, holding it up.
"And I've got the towels," Jennifer said, clutching a plastic bag.
"Wonderful! Now let's get out of here and make haste to September 13th, 1885!" Doc led them out of the window and to the cave where he had stored the DeLorean. He loaded up the car with fuel as the other three toweled off. "Just think -- we're standing in the place where another DeLorean may have sat 70 years earlier. How fascinating is time travel."
"Yeah, I know," Josie said, sounding nervous. Puzzled, Doc reached in through their link to sense her thoughts. That other him is in love with another woman. What if my Emmett meets this "Clara" and immediately falls head over heels in love with her? I know love at first sight exists. How else could I have fallen in love with him? I don't want to lose my soul mate. I know I'm tough on him sometimes, we've had our fights. Would he want someone more -- proper? Gentle? Am I not the love of his life? But we've always seemed so happy together. I love him more than anything. I don't want to lose him.
Josie?
Josephine started. Emmett? God, I was so wrapped up in my thoughts I didn't even feel you. Did you hear all that?
Yes, I did. I promise you I won't fall head over heels for this Clara. You have to remember, that other me is different from me. Our histories differ drastically. For him, the right woman may very well be a Clara. But for me, you're my one and only. Forever and ever.
Do you mean that, Emmett? Truly?
Doc approached her and kissed her tenderly, summoning up the memories of how happy he was with her and sending them along. Josie smiled, comforting. I know I'm being silly, but I care so much for you. Fate brought us together, but fate also brought them together. Just think, Emmett, if things had been different. . . .
But things aren't different. It was our fate to be together. It's quite possible there's different "fates" for each version of everyone in each different universe. My other self's fate may very well be this "Clara." But all I know is that you're my fate, and I don't care what his is. Meine Liebe, I will never leave you.
Jennifer smiled at the sappy scene, having overheard all through her end of the connection. "I wish someone would love me like that."
Marty put his arm around her shyly. "I best someone will someday. In the meantime, you've got me."
"Thanks. You're great for a guy." Marty blushed.
Doc kissed Josie again, then became business-like again. "All right, everyone in. Careful when you get in, Marty. Edison's sleeping back there."
"Gotcha Doc." They all piled in. Doc set the time circuits for:
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH, 1885, 7: 05 P. M.
Then he carefully drove out of the cave and started accelerating. It took him longer than it had before, but they finally reached the magic number 88 miles per hour.
Sunday, September 13th, 1885
Hill Valley
7: 05 P. M.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The DeLorean appeared, bumping over the rough landscape. Edison barked loudly as he was jolted awake from his nap. "Sorry boy," Doc apologized. "I didn't realize how rough the terrain was. I need to fix the suspension on this later."
"I'll help," Josie promised, being knocked around.
Jennifer blinked at the desert landscape. "Boy, Hill Valley looks really different now."
"If I remember correctly, this is 30 years after it's initial founding," Doc told her. "Once we get to the town, you'll be even more surprised. It's only a tiny frontier town at the moment." He cautiously wove his way around some rocks. "Now, where did Marty 2 say they were staying?"
"Somewhere near Shonash Ravine," Marty recalled. "Seven miles out of the square or something like that."
"Hmm. We can probably fly there easily, but where do we store the DeLorean? Certainly not out in the open."
"And not in a cave. That's how your other selves got into this mess," Josie said. "Maybe we should take it with us."
"Although we're probably capable of carrying the car, I don't think so," Doc replied as the kids shook their head empathetically. "Damn, I need a map of the area."
Josie snapped her fingers. "Wait a minute, Emmett, the Delgado mine! Is anyone working there?"
"Josie, that's brilliant! We'll see in a moment." He drove to the location of the mine. Even at this early stage it looked deserted. The vampires exited the car and did a through examination of all the tunnels and shafts. All were empty. It didn't look like a regular human had been here in at least a year. "Perfect! As I said before, Josie, brilliant." She smiled and blushed faintly.
"Yeah, I think we're safe," Marty agreed as Doc maneuvered the DeLorean inside. "I checked out the veins of stuff -- they're all empty."
A weak growl came from Doc's stomach, which promptly began to ache as long-atrophied muscles were used. The mention of "veins" made his mouth begin to water, as he realized they hadn't eaten in a while. His nose immediately began searching out possible sources of blood. Damn, why did I forget to bring a supply of blood?
Rather silly of you, Josie thought back, earning her a look from Doc. Rather silly of all of us. We of all people should know we need to eat regularly.
Don't get into an argument, guys, Jennifer thought firmly, her eyes glowing. I get irritable when I'm hungry.
Marty sniffed the air, turning in a circle. I smell something nearby. Sort of sweaty and earthy. You guys smell it too?
Everyone inhaled deeply, trying to identify the scent. Doc was the first to get it. That's a horse olfactory property. And I don't think they're too far away.
They tracked the alluring aroma to a nearby camp of cowboys, Edison following along behind. Four horse stood by the packs, grazing. The group, all fully vamped, approached the cowboys first, anticipating a great meal.
Then one of them turned over on his side, and instantly they all knew what had been the dinner menu. "Pee-u!"
"Disgusting!" Josie held her nose tightly. She lapsed into her old tongue of Latin, muttering, "Absolutely disgusting. There's no way I can feed from them."
"What say we try the horses," Doc said, using his shirt as a gas mask. He pulled up a patch of weeds and cautiously approached one of the horses. "Here, horse."
The horse, a stallion, whickered and reached for the weeds. Doc drew them back. "Come on, horse, follow me." The stallion did just that, trying unsuccessfully to chomp down on the weeds. The others copied Doc's example and managed to lure the horses to a safe distance away.
Doc allowed his horse to have the weeds once they were on safe ground. As the stallion occupied itself with chewing, he plunged his fangs into the muscular neck. The horse gave a small started whinny, but then went right back to eating.
Josie grinned. Certainly looks easy enough. She did the same with her mare and carefully bit down. The mare whinnied, then reacted how it would with a mosquito -- the horse began shaking its head. The vampire had to hold its head still by force to get a proper drink. You're a lucky bastard, Emmett.
Thank you for reminding me.
Jennifer examined her horse while she ate, walking around her. Then she made a grab for the throat. The horse neighed loudly and reared, throwing Jennifer to the ground. Josie abandoned her own meal to help her. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah, just a little banged up." She vaulted onto the horse and bit again. The gelding tried to throw her, but she hung on for dear life.
Marty was having the toughest time of the four. Whenever he got within reaching distance of the mare, she'd shy and trot away. He chased her for a full five minutes before he got sick of the pursuit. He decided to try a different tactic. Very slowly and silently he approached her from the rear, getting within swatting distance of her tail.
Abruptly Doc felt very dizzy, and at the same time a sulphurous scent hit his nostrils, making him want to gag. He released the stallion and looked in Marty's direction. The scent was lingering in the air, but the dizziness had most likely come from their link. The poor kid was passed out on the ground, completely out of it. In front of him, the mare calmly grazed.
Doc approached cautiously and as quickly as possible yanked Marty out of the "danger zone." The sudden movement caused Marty to stir, but didn't wake him. Doc shook him. "Marty!"
Marty came to with a groan. "Ugh. Is it all clear? Can I breathe again?"
"The cloud is still hovering," Doc said, wrinkling his nose, "but you're safe. What happened?"
"The stupid mare farted right in my face!"
Doc had to suppress a wild burst of laughter at that statement. Marty glared at him. "It's not funny, Doc."
Yes it is, Doc thought back, not trusting his voice.
No it isn't! Not when you're the one it happens to! I was hoping to sneak up on her so I could just get my meal, and -- poof! The gas hits me right in the nose. Wouldn't you faint?
Trust me, Marty, I nearly did. It's just the way you phrased it. Here, I'll hold her still for you. I'd let you drink from my horse, but its death could have a negative impact on the space-time continuum.
Forget the lecture! I'm starving here! He made a leap at the horse, which reared. Doc calmed it down and helped Marty grab hold with his fangs. Once he was sucking away happily, the mare seemed to calm, thankfully for the teen.
They left four weakened horses back at the camp and started the flight to the cabin. Their path took them directly over the Town Square. Everyone looked around the now-tiny town and tried to guess where the landmarks they knew of would be placed. "Hey, look," Marty said, pointing out a horse corral. "Honest Joe Statler's Horses. Think we just found the car dealership."
Jennifer dipped a bit lower as they passed over the coroner's. "Nope, he's clean."
"What?" Marty wondered.
"I caught a glimpse of the guy. He looked dead, so I wondered if he might be a vampire. He just looks dead."
"Most probably an ancestor of the coroner I sometimes visit," Doc nodded, remembering Larry and his mummified face.
Josie gave the town a look-over. "I like Hill Valley in this time. Small but efficient."
"I think we'd all like Hill Valley in any year besides 1986," Jennifer cracked.
"Amen to that," Marty agreed.
Doc nodded, then smiled at the structure they were rapidly approaching. "Ah, the clock tower. This is amazing, seeing it in its first stage of development." He circled it slowly, admiring it.
"How do you know it's new?" Marty asked.
"The Old West has always been a favorite time of mine to study. The clock itself was dedicated September 5th -- I wonder if our other selves got to see that event in our town's history." Without waiting for an answer, he gave it one last look and flew on, Edison tucked securely under his arm.
Roughly 15 minutes later, Jennifer caught sight of a small cabin in the distance. "You think that's the place?"
Doc squinted his eyes. "I wouldn't bet my life on it, but I think so." They redoubled their efforts at flight. "Yes, there's three horses grazing outside. I believe this is the place."
They landed as softly as possible outside the door. Doc glanced at his compatriots, then knocked a few times. A moment later, the door opened, and a woman stepped out. The scientist examined her. The woman looked to be about 30 or so in age, with long curly brown hair and brown eyes. She was dressed in a simple blue gown with ruffs on the sleeves and skirt, and her hair was done up. Doc had to admit to himself, She is a little attractive, but she is definitely no Josephine.
The woman looked at him with a badly-confused expression, then turned back inside. "Emmett?" she called, her voice ever so slightly nasal. "Emmett, are you in there?"
Doc couldn't help but start a bit as his own voice replied. "Yes, of course Clara. Why?"
"Because--" she glanced back at the group "--you're at the door too."
"What?" Doc 2 appeared at her side. He blinked as he beheld himself, then remembered why they were here. "Oh, Clara, these are the people I sent the letter to yesterday. Granted, I expected them to arrive earlier in the day. . . ."
"It's a long story," Doc said. "I take it the woman by your side is Clara Clayton."
"Of course," Doc 2 replied, giving her a tender and loving glance. She smiled right back, clearly regarding him as her knight in shining armor. "My girlfriend." He directed his attention to Josephine, who was obviously a little disturbed by the scene. "Who is this?"
Doc put his arm around her proudly. Trust me Josie, she's nothing compared to you. "This is my girlfriend. Josephine Grey."
"Pleasure to meet the both of you," Josie said politely. "Although I have to admit, this is rather awkward."
Doc 2 cocked his head, studying her. "It is strange," he confessed. Doc was amused to find the same thoughts he'd had about Clara going through his counterpart's head about Josie. "It's a discussion best left to another time, however. Have you got the book?"
Marty pulled it free from his waistband. "Excellent!" Doc 2 said enthusiastically, reaching for it.
Marty tucked it away again before he could grab it. "Talk first, book later." Noticing Clara's disapproving frown, he added, "Hey, it's a matter of life and death for us. I won't lose it or anything like that."
"It just seemed rude," Clara confessed. "Speaking of which, we're being rude right now. Come in. Would you like anything to eat? I have a cake in the oven."
"We've already eaten, but thanks anyway," Doc said. "And you'll have to excuse any lack of manners we have."
"There wasn't much use for them back where we lived," Josie expanded as they came inside. Clara frowned, obviously not liking that statement. "It's a fact of life in the 1980s. Our 1980s anyway. I'd get used to it if you plan to go to the future with your Emmett."
"It will certainly be different," she admitted.
Doc set Edison down on the floor, as the puppy was beginning to squirm. He immediately began running around the living room they had entered. He sniffed each piece of wooden furniture, examined the fire burning in the fireplace, then ran over to Doc 2. He scented him and began whimpering and whining in confusion. "Your dog?" Doc 2 asked as the group settled themselves.
"Einstein's puppy," Doc said quietly, feeling a pang for his dead companion. "His name is Edison."
"He's adorable," Clara said with a warm smile. She reached down to pet him. Edison gave a soft warning growl and backed away.
"He doesn't like strangers," Doc explained, whistling the dog back to his side. "Especially under these circumstances."
A new figure appeared from another room of the house, carrying a bright pink board under one arm. "Hey Doc, I heard -- JENNIFER??"
Startled, Jennifer turned to face Marty 2. He was staring at her like she was some sort of heaven-sent vision. "Is it really you, Jen?" he whispered.
"How do you know my name?" Jennifer asked, completely thrown.
"These are the other versions of ourselves," Doc 2 explained to Marty 2. "The ones we met before the accident. Apparently Jennifer was one of their company."
"Oh." Marty 2 looked crestfallen, but only for a moment. "It's nice to see you again anyway. Even if you're not my Jennifer."
"But how do you know who I am?" Jennifer persisted.
"Back in our 1985, Jennifer Parker is Marty's girlfriend," Doc 2 answered for the teen. Jennifer's and Marty's jaws dropped in shock. Well, that explains a lot, they both thought, each recalling their recent feelings for the other. "That is weird," Marty managed to say.
Doc 2 shook his head in agreement. "It is interesting, to compare and contrast our lives." He sat down in a chair, directly across from Doc on the couch. "Speaking of which, do you have any pressing questions you would like to get out of the way?"
"What is Biff Tannen in your version of 1985?" Doc immediately asked, his face darkening.
Marty 2 smiled. "An auto detailer who sucks up to George McFly."
The vampires all found this hilarious. "Oh, that would be wonderful," Marty choked out. "Tell him what to do for a change."
"How the hell did you live with that jerk for a father?" Marty 2 asked, making a face. Clara frowned at the use of the language but didn't say anything.
"You don't really live," Marty told him, thinking this was so strange to be talking to himself. "He basically did everything he could to keep me out of his life." He shivered at the memories. "I finally had enough and ran away."
"How did you find Emmett?" Clara asked.
"According to my sources, you were committed in 1983 in that world," Doc 2 added.
"I escaped," Doc said vaguely, not sure if it would be wise to tell them straight-out about their vampire natures just yet. "Marty came to my house completely by coincidence. I still remembered him from 1955 and of course offered to shelter him. He accepted, and over time we became close." Marty leaned against him to empathize the point.
"How about Josephine and Jennifer?"
"I was transferred to the mental hospital my Emmett was in by my sister, and it was love at first sight, just like with you and Clara," Josie said. "I actually was the one who helped Emmett escape from the asylum. We lost track of each other through a misunderstanding, and while we were separated I met Jennifer."
"No prizes for guessing what I was doing," Jennifer blushed. Josie patted her hand.
"I helped her get away from her -- boss. So when Emmett and I got back together, Jennifer came along."
Marty 2 shook his head, disturbed. "Jesus, I feel so guilty. I'm the reason you guys even exist. I should have never bought that damn almanac! This is all my friggin fault!"
"Marty, I think I can assume blame for some part of what happened," Doc 2 said, disturbed as well. "I should have made you return the almanac rather than left it sitting idly on the trash. And I certainly could have made better choices concerning our Jennifer. It's my fault she went through that trauma. I'll apologize as soon as possible when we get back."
"What did you do to other me?" Jennifer asked suspiciously.
"She was getting too curious about the future, so I knocked her out with my alpha-rhythm generator. I also left her unattended for a time. I thought that it would be too dangerous to take her with me, but hindsight is 20/20."
Jennifer made a note to ask her Doc what an "alpha-rhythm generator" was later. "Sounds like you owe other me and Marty."
"Just other you," Marty 2 corrected. "I got us into this whole mess by acting like a -- a Tannen! If anything, I owe Doc."
"I'd say helping Clara and me is sufficient payment for any debt, real or imaginary," Doc 2 assured him. "What say we're even and get to the main discussion?"
Marty 2 thought a moment. "You're the doc, Doc," he shrugged. "I still feel guilty though."
"Well, Marty, you have the chance to make amends for your mistake." Doc 2 suddenly frowned and looked at Doc. "I suppose we'll have to figure out some sort of identification system for the pair of us. It's getting confusing, the both of us calling each other 'Doc' and 'Marty.'"
"We've been calling you Doc 2 and Marty 2," Doc revealed.
"Yes, but to our eyes, you are Doc 2 and Marty 2," Doc 2 said. "One of us could be called 'Emmett.'"
"That would only cause worse problems," Josephine shook her head. "That's what Clara and I call our respective versions of you."
"Doc B and Marty B?" Marty 2 suggested.
"For some reason, I don't think we should," Doc said. "What if one of us was 'Dr. Brown' and his Marty 'Martin?'"
Doc 2 and the Martys gave it a moment of thought. "That'll work for the time being," Doc 2 nodded. "Do you mind if you're 'Dr. Brown' and 'Martin?'"
"Okay with me," Marty shrugged. He glanced at the board still tucked under Marty 2's arm. "What the heck is the pink thing?"
"This? My hoverboard," Marty 2 said proudly. "I got it in 2015." He dropped it on the floor to demonstrate how it floated. Marty goggled, amazed. "I borrowed it off a little girl, but when I went to give it back, she'd found a better one. Doc lets me go out in the backyard if no one's there."
Marty cautiously picked the board up. "You think you could teach me how to ride it? I know how to skateboard a little."
Marty 2 appeared ill at ease at the request. "I'll think about it," he said, taking it back. Christ, this is freaky. Some other version of me wants me to teach him to skateboard. This fourth-dimensional stuff takes some getting used to.
"Sorry," Marty said. "Just that me and Doc-tor Brown were watching you and Doc for a while back in 1955. I'm more used to seeing another me."
Marty 2 shrugged. "It's okay. Maybe I'll show you later in the back room of the shop."
"Shop?"
"Emmett runs a blacksmith shop," Clara spoke up. "Marty helps him."
"It was a front to repair the DeLorean at first," Doc 2 explained. "Since then, however, I've become quite proficient at shoeing horses and other pursuits. So has Marty."
"Sounds like you've had an interesting life," Doc said, intrigued.
"Much better than yours, I'm sure. Which brings us to our main discussion. How do we prevent Biff's come to power without endangering your lives?"
"I have a theory," Doc tentatively offered. He detailed his "parallel universes" hypothesis to his counterpart. "Do you think it could be the answer?"
"It does make sense," Doc 2 nodded. "We've seen something similar occur with the ripple effect. It's not out of the question to suppose that a time-line can split in some sort of meta-time to preserve itself. One question, though -- how could you get to our ever-changing time-line?"
"That's our problem. Somehow our DeLorean skipped in both time and dimensional space. And we have no idea how it happened."
"Emmett, maybe it could just happen," Josie suggested. "After all, they showed up in our reality."
"Yes, but my theory would allow for a sort of doubling between time-lines. The 1986 that we came from existed in their time-line too. I find it hard to believe that they would be lucky enough to get back to their original reality in one try."
"Yeah, the chances would be one in a million," Marty agreed. "They'd just keep skipping from reality to reality." He noticed Marty 2's surprised look. "What? I live with him."
"We still could have gotten here by chance," Josie argued. "That doesn't negate what I said."
"Good point, Miss Grey," Doc 2 agreed. "Tell me, did anything seem unusual when you time-traveled to this world?"
"Now that you mention it, we did encounter some temporal turbulence."
Doc 2 looked puzzled. "Temporal what?" he asked, causing Marty 2 to hold in a burst of laughter.
"Turbulence. You know what that is, right?" Doc 2 continued to look confused. "Right?" he repeated.
"No," Doc confessed, making Marty 2's smile even more tight-lipped. "Are you saying the DeLorean shook as it passed through time?" Nods. "It's not supposed to do that. Anything else?"
Jennifer spoke up. "I thought I saw something when we were shaking. It looked like some sort of ripple was going through the car."
Doc 2, Marty 2, and Clara all looked at each other. "Emmett, what do you think it means?" Clara wondered.
"Their car's not broken, is it Doc?" Marty 2 asked fearfully, swallowing his laughter. "We can still use it to get home, right?"
"I don't know," Doc 2 confessed. "The dimensional leap, if there was one, could have been caused by a mechanical problem within the car or an external factor. I'd have to look at their DeLorean."
"It's hidden in the Delgado mine," Doc revealed.
"You walked the entire way here?" Clara said, startled.
"Not exactly. . . ."
Doc 2 yawned behind his hand. "We can go examine it in the morning. We'd best get a good night's sleep in preparation. We have a spare room for guests, with a double bed, if any of you would care to take advantage of it."
"Thank you," Josie said, with a final nervous look at Clara. "I'm sure we can manage."
"All right then. We'll convene her in the morning." Doc 2 rose from his chair, then sniffed the air. "Is something burning?"
"Oh no, my cake!" Clara dashed to the kitchen, followed closely by Doc 2 and Marty 2.
Doc looked at Josie, who was shifting uneasily in her seat. Clara's really bothering you, isn't she?
Not her so much as the fact I'm seeing you with another woman. I never thought you could fall for someone else.
Josie, I swear to you, I have no feelings for Clara. I love you with all my heart. Just keep reminding yourself, Doc 2 isn't me. He stood up. "Let's make use of that spare bedroom," he said aloud for Doc 2's benefit.
We're going to sleep now? Jennifer thought in surprise.
If we need to be awake in sunlight, we had better get our sleep in now. Besides, I'm exhausted from all this stress. It'll be nice to sleep in a bed for once.
Amen to that, Marty nodded. And hopefully tomorrow we can find out once and for all what happened to us.
