Author's Note: This story takes place in the Lone Pine Timeline - which would apply to the second timeline of the Trilogy, Haven, Almanac, and Lone Pine Universes.

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, who looked strangely familiar. 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!"

McFly? Doc thought, astonished. Could it be? Is it possible that the small boy is really...

"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. Doc could swear that the gang leader looked like a Tannen.

"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?"

It's Marty McFly! Doc thought, with realization. The small boy that these bullies were tormenting was the same person who would, one day, become the visitor who spent a week with Doc - back in 1955! 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 Marty! Doc 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? Doc thought, incredulously. Bullying people smaller then them is their idea of fun? This is absolutely disgusting!

In a very stern voice, Doc 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 Doc, he snarled, "Beat it, you crazy lunatic! This don't concern you! I suggest that you turn around... and leave!"

"No," Doc 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 young Marty - and then ran off.

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

Just then, Doc noticed Marty collapse to the ground - as he began to cry. Doc kneeled down, as he reached out to the boy. Very tenderly, he touched Marty's shoulder.

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

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

"Do you feel better, now?" Doc asked, softly - as Marty, finally, stopped crying.

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

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

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

"Marty!" gushed Doc, as he felt overjoyed. "I mean, that's such a nice name. My name's Dr. Brown." Taking a deep breath, he added, "If you'd like, though, you can call me 'Doc'. You, uh, do seem like a very nice young boy."

"Nice to meet you, uh, Doc," Marty replied. For the first time, since 1955, Doc saw the young boy smile.

oooooooooo

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

"Oh, I remember Doc Brown!" Lorraine gushed. "He was Calvin Klein's uncle!"

"Yeah, and he really likes my science fiction stories," added George. "I think it's great that he rescued you. Cliff Tannen and his gang could be very brutal."

"He's a very cool man," Marty explained, smiling. "He seems to really like me."

"I'm going to have a little chat with Biff," seethed George. "I will not stand for his little brat of a son tormenting my kids! Bravo to Doc Brown, for standing up to Cliff and his thugs."

"Thanks, Dad," Marty replied, smiling - as he hugged his father. He then hugged his mother, as he added, "It's so cool, being able to meet Calvin Klein's uncle."

"I wonder what Calvin's been up to, these days," Lorraine commented, dreamily. "I know that some people have less than favourable views of Dr. Brown - but I really think he's perfectly fine."

"I'm sure that he'll be great with you, Marty," George continued. "I remember having him, when I was in third grade. He was such a wonderful teacher."

oooooooooo

Doc sat in his garage, as he thought about young Marty. The young boy definitely did bear some resemblance to his older self. He wondered if, before Marty's arrival in 1955, this was the same way he met Marty. It felt like hell, though, waiting for twenty years. He'd have to wait ten more years, of course, before he could talk with Marty about the events of 1955. At least, he finally had his first official meeting with Marty!

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. It looks like my parents, especially my father, has taken a real liking to you."

"Yeah, I've spent some time with your father," Doc said, smiling. He did feel tempted, at times, to ask if George would introduce him to Marty. He figured that it was best to just let things run their course - and that fate would, eventually, draw him and Marty together. Today happened to be the lucky day. "He really does write good stories!"

"Yeah, I hope to see my dad become a famous author," Marty replied, smiling. "Well, Doc, do you have any other friends?"

"Well, I have a few friendly acquaintances," replied Doc. "The only other close friend that I really have, besides you, 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 likes rock and roll, too - so she bought me a few 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. One day, I'd like to be in a rock and roll band. Zach's dad is 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 Doc dropped Marty off, he felt like he was on Cloud Nine. He had a feeling that, in the days to come, he and Marty would have many wonderful times together. One day, when Doc successfully creates his time machine, he would be able to show it off to Marty. He was prepared to take precautions from the terrorists - as he thought of the letter that, back in 1955, seventeen-year-old Marty wrote him.