The Great Chase

by EmmettMcFly55 and bttf4444

As Cliff steals Doc's time machine - with Jennifer - Doc and Marty follow him to 2017. After meeting up with Griff and picking up more girls, they hop into other universes - as Doc and allies chase him. Includes universes by EmmettMcFly55 and bttf4444.

30. Epilogue 2

August 10, 2017
6:50 PM PDT
Trilogy Universe (bttf4444)

Marty McFly Jr took a deep breath, as the bus crossed the inter-dimensional barrier. It sure was a little hard for him to believe that, at long last, he was finally back in his home dimension. As he just glanced around, he began to notice that the sun was on the other side. Indeed, it was such a strange feeling to go from morning to evening.

"Man, this is sure a great feeling," Doc '17 commented, exciting. "Knowing that we're all back home. Gee, it sure seemed as if this trip would never end. I mean, the whole thing seemed so... I was beginning to think that I would never see the end of this."

"Actually, no, we're not all back home," Doc '87 pointed out. "In case you've just forgotten, there are three of us that do quite need to return to 1987. The sooner we get back to our time, the less likely you guys will all be erased from existence."

"Great Scott!" Doc '17 gasped. "I cannot believe I nearly forgot about it. Say, would you folks like to grab something at Daria's Family Diner - before we send you back to your time? I gather you guys must be feeling a little hungry, and it'll be on me."

"Well, it's nice of you to offer," Doc '87 replied, softly, "but it's really probably best for the space-time continuum for me to decline. Since I've been with you guys for over 24 hours, there's simply no telling how long it would take for the ripple effect to catch up. Besides, I really miss my family. We can grab something to eat, after we get back."

"Doc's right," Teen Marty added. "While it feels nice to be back in our home dimension, I'd also like for us to get back to our home time. I'm really missing my family, as well."

"Same with me," Teen Jennifer agreed. "I miss being at home, and... Well, as much as I love my family of the future, I'm also missing my family from 1987."

"All right, then," Doc '17 replied. "I suppose it is best that I get the three of you sent back, as soon as possible. Well, I'm very glad that that this trip has come to an end - even though I will miss a lot of people. I'm also happy that the girls are very safe."

Marty Jr turned to his girlfriend, as he flashed a lopsided smile. He could really tell that Harmony was also happy to be back. She even had a real big smile on her face. It was rather quite a relief to find out that his girlfriend, along with his sister and the younger version of his mother, were all unscathed. He certainly had a lot to be grateful for.

"Are you happy to be back, Marty?" Harmony asked, smiling. "I am just so glad that I'm going home again. Things could've gotten real bad there and... well, it's nice to be home. In such foreign surroundings, I still had a hard time believing that I was really safe. Now I'm back home, though..."

"You finally realize that the threat Cliff posed to us is gone" Marty Jr finished. "Yeah, I understand what you mean. While it was hard for Cliff to do anything to us in the other world, being shrunk, I always had the feeling that sometime, it wouldn't be safe anymore and he'd break out and attempt to kidnap you and the other girls again." He shivered, and added: "I'd hate to ruin the relatively happy mood here, but... have you guys thought of the possibility that Cliff might show up again?"

"Oh, please, Marty, don't even mention it" Doc '17 said, shaking his head. "But if a Tannen does show up, no matter who it is, we'll have tighter security. I suppose that my younger self will also have to tighten security on the lab."

"I'm not sure" Doc '87 said, frowning. "Won't that alter history if I... you... we didn't do it originally?"

"It won't" Doc '17 ensured him. "This project is one which you are about to embark on yourself, starting after a failed attempt for theft in January, 1988 - not by a Tannen, just an ordinary thief wanting to explore the possessions of what his colleagues have told him is the town nutcase." His face changed into a scowl for a brief second, then returned to normal. "This time around, you'll be prepared for this a little earlier and have the project ready around that time. Of course, Doc Three would never do this, but this is our universe and we don't have to concern ourselves by his rules. It's just a minor gap anyway."

"I'm looking forward to meeting up with them" TeenMarty said. "I'll finally find out what all you have been hiding from us. We really were the outsiders there." He rubbed his head, frowning. "I already got the feeling that I'm missing some memory..."

Marty Jr and Harmony exchanged glances, as they both knew what TeenMarty meant. It was the memory that they had removed about them sneaking off to the concert. Marty Jr figured that Dr. Chris Brown hadn't figured out that some memory might linger and cause confusion.

"You do?" TeenJennifer said. "So do I! It might be a subconscious effect of being excluded, though... do you feel the same, Doc?"

Doc '87 looked at them and was about to shake his head, as he noticed Marty Jr frantically nodding at him. He blinked, and then nodded, winking to the teen. "Yeah, I do. I suppose it's nothing major, really." Changing the subject, he added: "Are we almost back at your house yet? I don't quite recall where Cliff left the DeLorean, but I believe it wasn't at Jules' house where he took it from."

"I know" TeenJennifer said. "I was there, remember? He left it in the bushes where he had originally parked it. The last time he touched it was when he came over to collect me after kidnapping the station wagon, Harmony and Marlene." She then winced at the memory.

"I guess, after our younger selves get back home," the older Jennifer commented, "I'll then remember the horror of the whole trip." She shuddered, before adding, "I'm sure glad that everything ended well, and that all of you girls came out unscathed."

"Yeah, tell me about it!" agreed Marlene. "It felt like a very strange experience, being kidnapped with the younger version of Mom." In a softer voice, she added, "That just was before I started to encounter other versions of me, of course. That was so..."

"I really think you should take it easy, for the next few days," suggested Marty Jr. "It must have been very traumatic, wondering if the whole nightmare would ever end."

"Please, kids," Doc '87 pleaded, "let's try to put all that behind us. I do agree that we should relax, though - especially the girls. Anyway, I just realized that we quite have two vehicles that we need to return to 1987. I wonder how we should do that."

"That's a good question, Doc," agreed Teen Marty. "Would there be any way that we could, uh, rather tether the two vehicles to each other. I know there are three of us, but... I'm concerned about how we might end up creating two new timelines."

"Hey, I have an idea!" Doc '87 explained, as he snapped his fingers. "How about you and Jennifer simply go back in the station wagon, and I go back in the DeLorean. We could leave the year at precisely the same moment - but you and Jennifer can return to 1987, ten minutes earlier. How would that sound with the two of you?"

The teen versions of Marty Jr's parents glanced at each other, before Teen Jennifer replied, "I suppose that might work. There is one thing I am simply concerned about, though. How could we be rather certain that we don't end up running into... Cliff?"

"Oh, yeah, about that," replied Doc '87. "When we sent Cliff back, we simply had him land towards the front of the park, near a broken branch. So, when we get back, we will have to land towards the back of the park. That way, we should be safe."

"I suppose that'll work," Teen Marty replied, with some uncertainty. "We could grab a little bite to eat... I can run in, while Jennifer guards the station wagon - and I'll quite grab a few BLTs and Pepsis to go. We'll just head over to your house. Jenn and I can head straight home, once we grab something to eat. How's that sound with you?"

"That works for me," replied Jennifer. "I am anxious to get back to our apartment. It's not been too long ago, since we moved into our own place - and it'll be nice to see our home, again. We can always go swimming, some other time. For now, it'd be nice..."

"I have no objection to it," replied Doc '87. He glanced out, as he added, "It's looks as if we're at your place, now." In a softer voice, he added, "I see my wife, who looks to be in good shape. I wonder what those boxes are. One is a little smaller than the..."

"Perhaps, she has dinner for us," suggested Doc '17, as he descended the bus. "That would be great, and it would rather save us... and our younger selves... a trip to the restaurant. Well, it rather feels so good to see my home - after having been gone for so long." With that, he opened the bus door - and then added, "Honey! We're back!"

"Oh, good!" replied Clara, excitedly. "I'm glad you're back! I ordered a huge bucket of fried chicken from Daria's, as I figured that you folks would all just feel hungry. I even filled up a smaller box, so that the 1987 folks can have something to bring back to..."

"Oh, Clara, thank you very much!" Doc '87 gushed, as the entire group began to step off the bus. "As a matter of fact, we sure were talking about getting us some dinner - but you beat us to it. You especially saved us a lot of work, figuring that we..."

"Can we eat here, Doc?" Teen Marty pleaded, excitedly. Marty Jr could not blame the teen version of his father for being so impatient, as he also felt hungry. "In fact, I am practically starving - and the fried chicken just smells so good! Please, Doc?"

"I really think we should head back, as soon as we can," Doc '87 replied. "It won't take us long - and we can start eating, as soon as we head back to 1987. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, I guess so," Teen Marty replied, sighing. "It's just that the aroma is irresistible, and the beef jerky didn't quite cut it. I guess you do have a point, though."

"I placed the chicken in a thermo-box," Clara explained, "so it'll be at the same amount of freshness and temperature, as you folks are simply ready to eat. Anyway, I reckon that the younger version of my hubby is right. It's best that you get back, as soon..."

"As soon as we can, yes" Doc '87 said. "Which would be now. Who of you are going to come along to bring us over? We could go alone, but that would leave the issue of you having to come over to fetch the station wagon of the year 1987."

"I'll volunteer" Marty Sr said. "Marty Jr and Harmony can come along if they want. I don't have to reunite with my wife, so I'd be more able to do the task than your future self, if you get what I mean."

"Yeah, I understand" Doc '87 said. "Sounds good. I guess we'll go to the Courthouse Square first, and have Jennifer point out where the DeLorean is. Then, we'll simply go over to the station wagon, you guys in the bus and me in the DeLorean, and then we'll depart from Jules' house, aiming to fly as closely as possible." He sighed. "I wish that communication between time machines was possible. It would make flying in synch easier."

"Well, I believe the Doc from the other world mentioned something about that" Doc '17 said. "The one we visited in 1990, I mean. But yeah, it sounds like an interesting invention for me to invent, too."

"Yes, it sure does" Doc '87 agreed. "Well, goodbye, future me, Clara, Marlene, Jennifer..."

"Remember to say hi to your wife from me" Clara said, smiling.

"I will" Doc '87 replied, smiling back. He then stepped into the bus, which rapidly lifted off as all inhabitants who had to come along were back on board.

"Now," Marty Sr was saying, "where did Cliff leave the DeLorean behind, Jennifer?" He gave her a long stare. "It's so weird that you're my wife, but thirty years younger. You look even prettier now... but don't let my Jennifer hear I said that!"

"We'll keep our mouths shut, Dad" Marty Jr said, chuckling. Harmony nodded in agreement.

"All right," replied Teen Marty. Marty Jr's father then accelerated rapidly, and soon, they were flying high above Hill Valley 2017. Teen Marty pressed his face to the window. "It'll always remain weird, seeing Hill Valley like this, but the slightest bit of getting used to it is beginning to appear now."

"That's only natural" Doc '87 said. "With all the time travels that I've made, I know my way around 2017 almost as well as 1987. I've learned most about the 2010s which a basic resident of the time period would also know - except for information about our families, of course."

"Well, you have to know a little bit about me" Teen Marty said. "And I know a lot too. I know where I'm going to live, what kids I'll have, what kind of a career I'll pursue... granted, I can see some traces of the latter one already even now."

"You're moving forward to catch up with my future" Marty Sr said, smiling. "It's going to be so strange to see you leave, and know that if you do something different from what I did, I won't remember it the way I did it anymore. You can rewrite my future completely. You are me." He shook his head, overwhelmed by the incredible thing that he was sitting close to someone who was him, but younger. Marty Jr guessed it would always remain weird. After all, he felt the same about his own counterparts.

"Take a turn to the left here" Jennifer instructed, as they flew over Courthouse Mall. "Yeah, a little more. That should be it. Just fly ahead and we'll be there in a moment." A few seconds later, she grinned. "There we are."

Marty Jr now looked outside as well, pushing his teenage father on the side as he did so, which earned him a disapproving look from Harmony. Outside, hidden under some tree branches, the DeLorean could be seen. Cliff had hidden it well, but it was still possible to recognize it, especially when coming from the air. As Marty Jr turned to look at Doc's younger self, he could see the scientist was very happy.

"I guess this is 'good bye', then?" Marty Jr asked, as tears filled his eyes. He quite had a unique relationship with his father - since, through his various time travels, he simply grew to view the younger version of his father as a close friend. "I will, uh, miss you!"

"I'll still be around, sport," the other Marty Sr reminded his son, softly. "I guess I know what you mean, though. In an odd sort of way, I'll also be missing... me."

"I'm the one who'll have to wait, though," Teen Marty pointed out. "After all, I'll have to wait about ten years - before Marlene is born - and then I'll..."

"She's almost twenty years old," Marty Jr commented, in a near whisper. "It's so hard to believe that she's almost... I guess I'll just have to start thinking of what to get for her birthday. For now, we have Jules' coming up - just two days away."

"Great Scott!" gasped Doc '87. "I quite was almost beginning to forget about my son's birthday, with all the hoopla going on. Anyway, before we head back to 1987, we still do need to pick up the station wagon - which we left over at Jules' house.!"

"When will we get home, then?" Marty Jr asked, as he quite thought of the fried chicken. "I'm real certain that my dad's younger self is not the only one who finds the smell of fried chicken to be irresistibly tempting. Daria's chicken is better than KFC's."

"Your parents' younger selves can drive you kids home," Doc '87 explained, "before meeting me at Hill Valley Park. In the meantime, I can drive the DeLorean over..."

"Couldn't you drive them over, Doc?" Teen Marty protested. "Not to be rude, but Jenn and I are anxious to get back. I mean, I'm really beginning to feel homesick."

"I believe it'll be less of a strain on the space-time continuum," Doc '87 pointed out, "if both vehicles leave 2017 at precisely the same time. You sure don't have to do much. Just drive your older self, your son, and Harmony to Jules' home - and then pick..."

"I guess you're right," Teen Marty replied, sighing. "Hill Valley Park ain't far away from there. Anyway, I guess you're feeling just as anxious to get back as we are - not just because of the space-time continuum, but also because you rather miss your family."

"Precisely," Doc '87 replied, smiling. "It should simply take us not much more than ten minutes. Perhaps, fifteen at the most. I'll really see you and Jenn soon. Good bye to the rest of you. See you guys in thirty years!"

"See ya, Doc!" Marty Jr and Harmony called out, simultaneously. Marty Jr swallowed, as he and the others stepped back towards the station wagon. "Have a safe trip!"

"All right, you guys!" Teen Marty called out, as he sat in the driver's seat. "I'm simply gonna miss all of you. Strange to say, I'm even just gonna miss... me." Then, in a very soft voice, he added, "At any rate, I guess I'll seeing you all in the future."

"Or in the past," older Marty Sr pointed out, chuckling. As the bus began to hover, he added, "Well, it isn't the first time that we quite co-existed for any real lengthy period of time. Remember our trip back to 1975? I recall how there were three of us!"

"Well, if you remember," Teen Marty pointed out, softly, "then, of course, I also would remember. Of course, I've yet to become 'Calvin Klein' of that year - but that'd be in your past. Then there was also the me native to that year, who had yet to..."

"That must've been quite interesting," Marty Jr replied, softly. "Of course, I remember when the teen version of you and Mom were in 1968, along with Harmony and me."

"That was only one year ago," Teen Marty commented, softly. "From both of our standpoints." Turning back to his older self, he added, "In addition, I remember simply when Doc had discovered the 24-hour ripple effect - and Jenn insisted on sleeping..."

"It was a lot of fun, Marty!" Teen Jennifer pointed out. "I loved having one of you on each side of me. Besides, I'm sure that one of you would've felt real jealous - if..."

Marty Jr smiled, as he tried to imagine having a Harmony lying in bed on each side of him. Granted, there was a Harmony from the fourth world - but she just was not the same. However, he could figure out why his father more than a little uncomfortable.

"Well, I guess you have a point," Teen Marty replied, sighing. "Then, of course, I just remember witnessing younger versions of myself - without him noticing me. Like when Doc and I returned to 1955, and I returned to the Enchantment Under the Sea..."

"Yeah, I'll never forget that one!" replied the older Marty Sr. "Or even the time when I first returned to 1985 from 1955, and I had simply witnessed my younger self reacting to the Libyan terrorists. I guess that would mark the very first time on witnessing a..."

"... another version of us," Teen Marty finished. "That is, of course, rather different from encountering version of us from other dimensions - which we sure did a lot of, the past couple of days." The bus began to descend, as he added, "Okay! I sure see the station wagon. Jenn and I will switch over - and then start heading back."

"That'll be very fine," agreed the older Marty Sr. "I do understand how the two of you feel. Do you have the box of chicken that Clara gave to you?" Teen Marty nodded, as his older self added, "Oh, good. Well, I hope the two of you have a safe trip back."

"Oh, I'm quite certain that we will," Teen Marty replied - as he and Jennifer stepped outside. "We'll be seeing you guys in thirty years. See you soon!"

Marty Jr blinked back tears, as he waved back. Even with his father sitting near him, it quite felt like a bittersweet experience. Indeed, time travel was a curious experience - especially when meeting younger versions of people that you know.

He just placed his arm around Harmony's shoulders, as he glanced out the window. He watched, as the teen versions of his parents stepped into the station wagon. Within a matter of minutes, the station wagon ascended from the ground - and then, with such accelerating speed, it flew off. Before very long, the station wagon was out of sight.

"All right, children," called out Marty Sr, as he stepped into the driver's seat. "I reckon we start heading home, okay? Before very long, my new memories should be catching up with me. I feel excited and nervous about it . Well, it feels good to be back."

Marty Jr nodded, as the bus hovered off the ground. He then turned to his girlfriend, and caught sight of her gorgeous aquamarine eyes. He really began to realize what a lucky man he was. With that, he quickly gave Harmony a little kiss on her left cheek.

oooooooooo

Marty McFly braced himself, as the station wagon passed through the time barrier. He opened his eyes and looked around. To his relief, he saw no flying cars anywhere. That was a sign that they truly were back home. He really missed his parents now. They could be annoying sometimes, but they were nowhere as bad as in the original reality and he truly did love them.

"Looks like we're back, Marty" Jennifer said, smiling as well. "It's about time for us to head down, and go home. I can't wait to see my parents again. It's too bad I can't tell them about all that happened..."

"It's probably for the best" Marty replied. "That way, they won't fret too much." As he spotted the DeLorean flying in front of them, he added: "Look, it's Doc."

The station wagon followed the DeLorean, and Marty smiled. He hadn't gotten much experience flying a car yet, and it remained a unique sensation. He just wished that he was living in a time in which flying cars were common already. Of course, the 2010s also had it's negative points, but this was one major positive thing.

As he reached the intersection, he just caught sight of Cliff Tannen. Luckily, the bully was heading towards the left - and, as such, he quite took no notice of the DeLorean or the station wagon. He sure appeared to be extremely groggy, as he was clutching onto his box of match books. With that, Marty simply let out a huge sigh of relief.

"Good!" Marty whispered - as he turned to the girl who would, one day, be his wife. "I am so glad that the nightmare is behind us." Jennifer nodded, as Marty added, "I sure am relieved to be back in 1987. At any rate, we should soon be back by Doc's place."

As they had flown for about two minutes, the DeLorean then touched down to the garage. Marty noticed the hole in the garage door and felt an overwhelming experience of relief. If that wasn't a sign that they were back in the right world, nothing was.

After maneuvering both vehicles into the garage, Doc got out, followed by Marty and Jennifer. Marty wanted to speak up, but was prevented by the door leading to the inside opening and Clara stepping out, first reluctant, but then overjoyed as she spotted Doc, Marty and Jennifer. "You're back!" she exclaimed. "Of course, it's just been a few minutes for me, but I'm sure it's been much longer for you... and still, I was worried and..."

Her words were cut off as Doc ran up to her and embraced her. "It's so good to see you again, Clara!" he called out. "Yeah, it took very long for us to get her. You won't believe what all we experienced."

"Tell me what happened, then" Clara said. "I know you're going to tell us everything into detail later, but can you give me a summary now?"

"All right, then," Doc replied, softly, "After he headed to 2017, Cliff caught up with his Griff - who, of course, is his future son. To make a long story short, he quite led us on a chase through alternate worlds - and... I can't quite remember what all happened."

At that moment, Marty realized that his memories were a little fuzzy. Granted, he did remember the basics of the trip - but there were a few details of which seemed to be incomplete. Then again, he realized that the whole chase was not completely over.

"I'm not looking forward to..." Marty started to say, nervously. "At least, Cliff seemed to not have noticed us. Still, in about thirty years, we're actually going to end up..."

"Well, if you folks can't remember too clearly.." Clara started to say. Then, glancing at the box in Doc's hands, she added, "What's that? It smells like chicken in there."

"It is chicken," Doc confirmed, softly. "Your future self from 2016 had bought us some dinner, and... Well, Marty and Jennifer have really been mentioning how hungry they are. It is now precisely 6:08 PM. I bet you must also be feeling quite hungry, as well."

"Actually, I'm still quite full," Clara replied. "Anyway, I really promised the boys that I would play a game with them - so, as such, why don't you guys just eat on the picnic table? I can also keep the boys distracted, so that they won't notice the chicken."

"I appreciate that, honey," Doc replied, as he kissed his wife on the cheek. "It feels so good to be back, and I think we all could use some rest. Anyway, we can talk later."

Clara nodded, as he headed back inside the house. Doc then turned to the teens, as he beckoned them to join him. Marty was looking forward to eating his children.

"Okay, you two," Doc replied, as the trio sat at the picnic table. "In case you're rather wondering why some of our memories are a bit, uh, fuzzy... Well, my guess is actually because, thirty years from now, we'll rather end up repeating everything. I reckon it's for the best, so that we end not creating a disruption of the space-time continuum."

"I understand that, Doc," Marty replied, as he grabbed for a chicken breast. "It really looks as if she bought us all white meat. I never really liked dark meat, as much. Even as a kid, I didn't get what was that special about a drumstick. I hated eating them."

"The chicken is so good," Jennifer agreed. "We won't fret too much about how, thirty years later, we'll simply be repeating the whole chase. It still really is a long ways off, after all. At any rate, after we're done eating, I was just thinking of going back home - and relaxing on the bean bag chair, in front of the lava lamp. It'll be so relaxing."

"I concur," Marty agreed, stretching. "Later tonight, I rather should pay my parents a little visit. I do quite miss them, and seeing the 1968 versions of them in the last world didn't cut it. I can't get over how advanced that world was, and how my other self..."

"I actually can't even begin to imagine how our other selves felt," Jennifer replied, in a near whisper. "Even the thought of being stuck in 1955 doesn't sound all too fun."

"It certainly doesn't," Marty replied, shuddering. He then grabbed for another piece of chicken, before adding, "I know you just had the worst of the deal. After all, you were the very first girl to be captured. I sure felt so bad for you, the whole while."

"It was very frightening," whispered Jennifer. "Well, I think it's best to try and put the whole experience behind us. Within a matter of day, things will just return to normal."

"I guess you're right, Jenn," Marty replied, sighing. "I simply wonder what our future selves are doing, now." Realizing what he just said, he added, "I mean, after we left 2017. And, once again, I'm gonna miss our future son and Harmony. After all, I..."

"You have a unique relationship with our son," Jennifer whispered. "I sure remember the first time that they showed up in 1986. I can't believe that I had rather mistaken our future son for you, and assumed that you were cheating on me with Harmony."

"Well, it is in the past," Marty commented, softly. "Actually, no, I guess it's also in the future! Oh, jeez, I can't believe how very confusing time travel can make everything. Well, I guess I'll go for my third chicken. Gee, that stuff certainly does taste good!"

"I'm so glad you two are enjoying the food," Doc replied, softly. "Thirty years is a long time to wait - so, for now, I simply need to work on repairing the hole in the garage."

"Yeah, it's better to focus on simple things instead of these complicated affairs" Marty agreed. "Some of these days, I miss the simple life from before you invented the time machine, Doc - but of course, that was also before my parents changed for the better. I guess I mean the life my post-change self led, then."

"Well, I understand what you mean, Marty" Doc said. "I miss the days before I came up with the flux capacitor too. Of course, it's been over forty years by now - and actually more years have passed that I know of time travel, than that I didn't... if you get what I mean. Naturally, for my future self, even more time has passed."

"I suppose so" Jennifer said, softly. "It will actually have been nearly sixty-two years in August of 2017. Of course, counting the years that you spent in the Old West, it might be closer to seventy. Imagine that, seventy years."

"I have a hard time imagining myself to be seventy years old" Marty muttered. "Of course, the me that was Clint Eastwood - permanently, I mean - was even older than that. But besides him, I've only met me's under fifty. I guess that it doesn't matter too much, since with those rejuvenation jobs, life expectancy will sure increase."

"Yes, it will" Doc '87 said. "We'll be able to lead a long and prosperous life. Sometimes, I'm wondering how old I shall be when I eventually die, but I guess that's just something which I can't find out just yet. I'm at least satisfied with the fact that every time I saw him in the past years, my 2010s self was alive and well. That should probably be enough for someone who would at the time be over a hundred years old."

"I hope you'll reach a ripe old age too, Doc" Marty said, smiling. "I wonder how many descendants we'll have. Will Harmony and Marty Junior get married? And what about Mike and Marlene? If they continue the trend we've set, we could have a joint descendant in the 2020s, Doc. My grandkid and your great-grandkid."

"And that while you are not married yet and my son who's supposed to become a grandfather is almost 39 years old" Doc said, shaking his head. "Marty, you're exaggerating. "We don't know what the future will be like and we'll find out through the natural course of time. It's no good being curious."

"Well, we can speculate" Marty said. "And we've visited the future a lot of times already. I'm kind of curious how things are going to end up at. I know I'm at least going to have some kind of fame and wealth, but yeah... when you have a time machine, that's not enough to know."

"You don't have a time machine" Jennifer pointed out. "Doc has one. You can only borrow it from time to time, and only if he allows you to - which he would not for a fun trip to find out more about our future, sadly."

"Jennifer's right" Doc replied. "And don't you think of attempting to find out more details on trips you originally took for other purposes either - I can always look at the Last Time Departed if I want to know where you went."

"I guess you're right," Marty replied, sighing. Then, with a gasp, he added, "Actually, now that I remember, there really were four versions of me that were 79 years old. I quite remember that two of them were stuck in 1955, which also can't be a lot of fun. Then there were also two others, from that world where we had stopped in 2047."

"Enough of that, Marty," Doc admonished, firmly but gently. "Would you folks sure like the last two pieces of chicken?" The teens simply nodded, as they grabbed for the last of the chicken. "Well, I really do hate to cut this short - but I'm gonna head back in."

"That's okay, Doc," Marty replied, softly. "I understand that you're anxious to reunite with your wife and kids. I'm also rather anxious to get back to our apartment, as well. We haven't lived there, for very long - but it is, finally, beginning to feel like home."

"Exactly," Doc replied, as he stood up from the table. He then began to head towards the house, as he added, "You two have a nice evening, and try to relax your minds."

"We will, Doc," Marty replied, as he watched the scientist head inside. He then turned to Jennifer, as he asked, "What do you say, Jenn? Should we just get out of here?"

"I would like for us to get home," Jennifer agreed, as she stepped up from the table. "We can put on our favourite music, and sit on the bean bag chair. We sure can light up the scented candles. The lava lamp will take about an hour and a half, though..."

"It'll quite be worth the wait," Marty whispered, as the couple headed towards Marty's truck. "I sure don't mind. By the way, Jennifer, do you have your swimsuit with you?"

"No, I don't!" Jennifer gasped, as he slapped her forehead with her right palm. "I sure can't believe that I almost forgot to get what I, initially, came here for. Why don't you go get the truck started, why I run inside? It really shouldn't take me long, at all."

"Will do, Jenn," Marty replied, as he headed towards the truck. Then, to the truck, he whispered "Ah, I really missed you! I don't know if I can let Biff wax you, anymore."

Marty sighed, as he stepped into the driver's seat. He started the engine - as he sure heard Led Zeppelin's song, Black Dog, playing on the radio. He felt very disappointed, as he hated missing portions of his favourite songs. Still, it was not that big of a deal.

"Here I am!" called out Jennifer, just as she opened the passenger door. She had her swimsuit clutched her her hand. "Now, we can certainly get the hell out of here!"

"Oh, you bet!" Marty replied, flashing a lopsided smile. "Not that Doc's house is such a terrible place to be, of course - but I will certainly be happy to be back by our place."

Jennifer simply nodded, just as The Power of Love by Huey Lewis and The News came on the radio. Now, that one was Marty's absolute favourite song - and it sure did place Marty in the cheerful mood. He knew that Jennifer also really enjoyed the song.

On the way home, the teens were silent. Marty simply focused on his driving, listened intently to his favourite song, and tried to clear his mind of the chase. Indeed, he has gained a new appreciation for his girlfriend and their relationship. He adored Jennifer.

The song was then beginning to end, just as Marty turned on the road leading to their apartment complex. Marty then smiled, as he caught site of the building where he and Jennifer lived. He then glanced at Jennifer, who also appeared to be feeling cheerful.

"We're home!" Marty called out, as he pulled into the parking lot. "Tonight, I'll pay my parents a little visit - but, for now, I think I'd simply prefer to relax in our home."

"I should pay my parents a little visit, too," Jennifer replied, softly. Then, with a sigh, she added, "Except for the fact that my mom is at a retreat. I guess I'll go with you."

"Oh, I'm sure that my parents won't mind," Marty replied, smiling. "After all, my mom has always been quite fond of you." In the post-change timeline, Marty added, to himself. He turned off the engine, before adding, "Well, we may as well head in."

"I totally concur," Jennifer agreed, cheerfully. The couple stepped out of the truck, as she added, "So, what music do you suppose we should listen to?"

"I think KKHV will be quite fine," Marty replied, as he and his girlfriend headed towards the building. "As long as it's KKHV FM, of course! The AM station, after all, rather has all sorts of boring talk programs. Not exactly something we can really relax to."

"Yeah, I don't want to hear about how the Republicans did this," Jennifer agreed, "or how the Democrats did that. At any rate, we don't want music that's too noisy - but I think some good ol' headbanging rock would be nice. Van Halen is great hard rock."

"I think the David Lee Roth era is a little better," Marty pointed out. He then reached for his key, as he added, "Well, within ten seconds, we'll actually be back in our..."

"... apartment," Jennifer whispered, as Marty opened the door. As the two stepped inside, "Of course, this is just temporary. It sure is nice and cozy, though - and I still smell the cinnamon and apple scent. Ah, there simply is nothing like being at home!"

"You've rather got that right," Marty agreed, as he flipped on the radio - which was in the middle of a commercial for Statler Toyota. He then turned on the aquamarine lava lamp, and then reached for a lighter. "I'm gonna go light the candles - okay, Jenn?"

"That's fine," Jennifer replied, cheerfully. "I'm gonna go change out of these clothes, okay? I haven't changed for a few days, and I... Let's put on some fleece outfits."

"That sounds fine," agreed Marty, as he began lighting the candles. "Now that you've mentioned it, I do feel rather sticky and sweaty. I imagine that it's worse for you."

When Jennifer did not answer, Marty figured that she was quite distracted. He simply could not blame her. He headed towards the bedroom, as he also felt very anxious to change. He reached into his dresser, as he simply grabbed for his black fleece outfit.

"Man, this fabric is very soft," Marty gushed, as he began to undress himself. "I guess I should also take a shower, but I think that can wait a little while. I can't quite tell you how nice this feels. I almost could go for a little nap, but I'm not all that exhausted."

"Why don't we make some fudge brownies?" Jennifer suggested. "It'll take a while for the lava lamp to heat up, and we sure could make our place smell even nicer. Y'know, I wonder if we should mop the floor - just so we could have the scent of Pine-Sol..."

"No, no, Jenn," Marty protested, as he patted her back. "Let's not do any housework, tonight. I think we deserve to lay back and relax, after all that we've been through."

"I guess you're right," Jennifer replied, as the couple left the bedroom. "I really hope that nobody stops by. I don't feel in the mood for company, and it is getting late."

"It's quite hard to believe," Marty pointed out, as he stepped into the kitchen. "It was still morning, when we left that last world. Then, of course, we really spent some time if 2017. Yet, somehow, even my body is sort of telling me that it's... early evening."

"We didn't sleep much, last night," Jennifer reminded Marty. "I guess we quite are the last ones to get home. I felt rather jealous of the other groups. With that considered, it's hardly a wonder that we feel as we do. Well, shall we go make some brownies?"

"If we have the ingredients we need," Marty replied. He opened up the pantry, as he added, "We have the batter." Then, opening up the refrigerator, he added, "We also have the eggs. And then, of course, we have water. That should be everything."

"I have the mixing bowl, the spatula, and the measuring cup," Jennifer announced. "I think we'd better preheat the oven to 450 degrees, and then get out the baking pan. Now, do we have any shortening - to prevent the brownies from sticking to the pan?"

"We have cooking spray," Marty replied, as he reached into the cupboard next to the refrigerator. "That stuff is less nasty than shortening, but works just as efficiently."

"I suppose that'll do, then," Jennifer replied, as she turned on the oven. She cracked the eggs, before adding, "I know you sure enjoy the taste of brownie batter, but we have to remember that eating raw eggs can quite place us at risk of food poisoning."

"Yes, Mom!" Marty replied, sighing. Still, he knew that his girlfriend was correct. "Well, I'm very happy that we survived everything. Y'know, I still can't remember everything that happened - but there's no sense in fretting about it. We did survive, after all."

"I can't exactly remember everything, either," Jennifer explained. "Well, why don't we just enjoy the music - and work on making our brownies? I really do love you, Marty."

"I really love you, too, Jenn," Marty replaced, as he began to spray the baking pan.

Marty then kissed his girlfriend on the cheek. As he watched her mix the ingredients, he thought of how beautiful she looked. Indeed, he knew that she had the right girl.

As he sat next to the table, he really thought of the future that he and Jennifer were destined for. While he already knew some facts about their future, there were others that remained a mystery to him. For now, though, he felt happy living in the present.

oooooooooo

Harmony Brown felt cheerful - as she and her boyfriend, Marty McFly Jr, stepped into Hill Valley Park. She smoothed out her Foo Fighters tee-shirt, which was back to being turned right-side out. She really felt grateful that the bullies had not simply ruined her shirt, which happened to be amongst her favourites. Indeed, she felt rather lucky.

"You really do like that shirt, a lot!" Marty Jr pointed out, laughing. "Well, I actually do enjoy the Foo Fighters." Then, realizing something, he added, "Well, it sure looks as if we still attended that concert, when we were ten. About our memories, have you..."

"... noticed any changes?" Harmony concluded, softly. "Well, even if our memories did change, I just don't think we'd notice. Well, I sure don't seem to notice anything being that different. The chicken was very good - but, man, everyone was just so... quiet."

"I think they would be affected by changing memories," Marty Jr suggested. "I'm quite sure that it would rather leave them feeling a bit... confounded. Well, let's sit at the picnic table - and eat our strawberry shortcake. I sure think the great thing about thermo-boxes is that even the whipped topping would not be melted. It sure is a..."

"I sure sometimes wish we lived in the '80s," Harmony commented, softly. "Of course, that was before the grunge era - and I quite love many post-grunge bands, too. It's actually not all rap, as popular as that genre might be. Also, the Foo Fighters..."

"... were formed in 1995," finished Marty Jr. "Well, you're right. Granted, I'd also miss my hoverboard and my rainbow cap. It's so amazing that my sister is getting back into liking Led Zeppelin. I was always very surprised by her being an Emerald Green fan."

"Yeah, considering that Emerald's music is post-grunge," replied Harmony, "and, thus, she recorded a lot of real headbanging hard rock. It's unusual for a female solo artist, but that is what made her very awesome. Granted, though, she did also record a few ballads - and she even did an acoustic album. So, maybe it's not so surprising that..."

"I think, mostly, Marlene wanted to be her," Marty Jr suggested. "I bet she feels quite bad, now - knowing that one of her counterparts quite became a successful pop artist. Come to think of it, I certainly do wonder what kind of pop she recorded."

"Well, there's nothing inherently bad about pop music," Harmony pointed out, "even if I don't particularly like the genre. It's simply not all about Kristi Goodman, Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears, or even Debbie Gibson. There are talented pop stars out there."

"I suppose you're right," Marty Jr replied, sighing, "and Marlene was never really into that teenybopper kind of pop. I wonder what she's thinking about, right now. I really couldn't get her to say one word, tonight - and even Mike quite seems to be having a tough time getting her to speak. I really hope she's okay. As her brother, I worry..."

"Marty, please," Harmony admonished, gently. "I understand how your sister feels. It was simply a traumatic feeling, not knowing if we'd ever be rescued - or if I'd ever see you, again." Tears filled her eyes, as she added, "You don't know how scary it was."

"I'm sorry, Harmony," Marty Jr whispered. "I rather understand what the trip must've been like. I didn't mean to make you cry. It's just that... Well, Marlene quite seems to be handling thing worse than... than you are. That's why I'm real worried about her."

"Marlene and I are two different people," Harmony pointing out, blinking. "Of course, we're not gonna react to certain situations in the very same exact fashion. You know how she gets, Marty. She simply never was as open about her emotions, like we are. You just need to give it time. Now, please, we should eat our strawberry shortcake."

"I guess you're right," Marty Jr replied, sighing. He opened up the thermo-box, as he added, "Hey, our dessert does look very nice and fresh. Even the whipped topping is still in a neat solid twist. Now that you've mentioned it, I think I'll simply start eating."

"Yeah, it's best not to fret too much" Harmony agreed. "It's about time for us to start eating. Do you have something to split it between us? A knife, or something like that?"

"Yeah, there was one to go with it" Marty Jr said, smiling. "A plastic knife, to throw away. I suppose that in the future, things will be different. I talked with my counterpart from the world where Melody was named Jamie and Marlene was a pop star, among other differences - and in there, they had travelled to 2046, and the world was very much concentrated on preserving the environment."

"I hope that will be the case in our world, too" Harmony said, dreamily. "I'd love to raise my kids in such a Hill Valley. Of course, we have no idea whether we will have any children. Did they?"

"Yes, they did" Marty Jr said. "One of them, named Marty McFly III. Of course, the people who actually came from 2047, in World Thirteen, had two Marty III's and one Jennifer McFly. Then again, they were an exceptional case involving multiple realities, much like the worlds in which people from Hell Valley came to the good world."

"Well, that's a PF world" Harmony pointed out. "So we couldn't compare that to our situation in any case, given that their worlds are very different from ours."

"But it does say something that both an EJ world and a PF world include me having a child named Marty III" Marty Jr pointed out. "In fact, even though in the latter case you're not my wife, the name remains the same."

"Well, you could also say that there appear to be corresponding EJ and PF realities, who are actually closer to each other... than to their respective world-codes, if you get what I mean" Harmony said. "Like the Hell Valley example you mentioned."

"I think I get what you mean" Marty Jr said, thoughtfully. "You mean to say that worlds Six and Seven are similar, because they both involve people being rescued from the Hell Valley world. Then you can also compare the two worlds in which your father was stuck in 1955, who are also respective EJ and PF analogues of each other."

"Or even the worlds in which your father never went back to 1955" Harmony pointed out. "Of course, those two aren't exact analogues of each other, given what happened afterward, and the whole resurrected from the death-business in the EJ world. But still, you can see some clear similarities."

"When you're going that way, you can even compare the world in which my local self joined Dad and Doc with the one in EJ in which Clara was also convinced to come along - or rather, Doc was convinced to bring her along" Marty Jr said. "There's a lot of things in there where you can find links if you look hard enough." With a smile, he then added: "But we shouldn't be doing that. We should be eating the cake!"

"Of course, the cake!" Harmony exclaimed, slapping herself on the forehead softly. "Yeah, the way this is going, it's going to rot before we've even had one bite." Taking the knife, she added: "Well, Marty, do you want a big piece, or a smaller one?"

"Let's just split it in half," Marty Jr suggested. "That cake does look very good, and I'm still feeling hungry. As good as the chicken was, it didn't quite cut it."

"All right then," Harmony replied, as she began to cut the cake. She then grabbed for the paper plates. "Anyway, it was simply interesting to compare all the worlds. I must admit that I really did feel a little insecure about only having one other counterpart."

"Well, you needn't worry," Marty Jr whispered, as he kissed Harmony cheek. He then grabbed for his place, as he added, "I wonder what Melody's up to, as well as Bill."

"They were quite quiet, too," Harmony pointed out softly. "Although, it's possible that the only reason they were very quiet was because the rest of us were. Even you and I hardly a work. Between Marly being quite moody, and the older adults' memories..."

"Yeah, I guess I can see why dinner wasn't that lively," replied Marty Jr. "Of course, Melody and Jamie were nearly inseparable. They really were two of the lucky girls to not be captured - and I'm sure that Melody must be missing Jamie, quite a lot."

"I wouldn't doubt it," Harmony agreed. She then grew rather pensive, as she added, "Man, I feel real sorry for my sister's counterpart. Even though she wasn't captured, her first life was so unhappy. It sure sounds as if even your father's first life was not quite that bad. I guess Bill Tannen was actually her half-brother, in her first life."

"I hadn't even thought much about that," Marty Jr commented, in a near whisper. "I'm sure hoping that Melody is doing fine. I know that Bill also had it quite rough. In the PF worlds, good Tannens seemed to be practically non-existent - which must've been..."

"I cannot fathom that the entirety of the Tannen family tree would be bad," Harmony insisted, quietly. "My guess is that it wasn't exactly the case, and it was only that the PF folks... those on the side of good, that is... had yet to encounter a nice Tannen."

"Prior to joining our group," Marty Jr added, softly. "Although, I suppose that doesn't quite count - since, once again, there quite were the differences between the PF and EJ worlds. At least, the PF folks were rather mindful enough to not... not discriminate against the Bills, simply for being Tannens. So, in the end, it wasn't too terribly bad."

"Yeah, that wouldn't've been right," agreed Harmony. "Anyway, I think we've all come to gain a real new value on life... and on relationships with other people." She glanced at her watch, as she added, "Well, it's around 8:30 PM. Are you enjoying your cake?"

"Oh, I most certainly am!" Marty Jr gushed. "Hey, I'm wondering if Emerald Green also exists in the PF worlds. I sure know, from speaking with some of the PF folks, that the Foo Fighters also exist in those worlds - but I can't help wondering about Emerald."

"Well, Emerald in an important artist in your dad's career," Harmony pointed out. "She went on her very first concert tour, while your father was on his last. She has a lot of talent on the guitar, and her vocals are also real delightful. That girl even manages to put Avril Lavigne to shame. Now, I do like some of Avril's music - but she wasn't as..."

"... headbanging as Emerald," Marty Jr pointed out, smiling. "In her early days, critics were quite uncertain of what of make of Emerald - being young and female. She's not the only female post-grunge artist - but she definitely was the youngest, at twelve."

"It proves that you can't pre-judge someone," Harmony replied, laughing. "It wasn't fair to her, really - but, thankfully, the critics came to recognize her for her talent."

"They maybe expected her to be another Avril Lavigne," Marty Jr suggested. "I really thought Avril's early stuff was rather good, but then she quickly went on a downward spiral towards... towards poppiness. I sure do hope to tour with Emerald, someday."

"Well, she is only 24 years old," Harmony pointed out. "Dave Grohl was 26 years old, when he formed the Foo Fighters. Of course, before then, he was with Nirvana."

"Oh, I think you mean performed as the Foo Fighters," Marty Jr pointed out, laughing. "He simply put together the first Foo Fighters album almost all by himself, remember?"

"Right, of course," Harmony replied, softly. "Granted, Emerald seems to be on a little hiatus. After all, she and Andrew Vincent have little Marty - who is now a little over a year old. I've always quite appreciated her values of placing family first, y'know."

"Which, I think, her own parents had instilled in her," Marty Jr explained. "Of course, it's the same reason why Dad decided to make the summer of 2005 be his last tour."

"Oh, yeah, your dad is such a family man," Harmony replied, coyly. She then glanced at the paper plates, as she realized that the cake was gone. "Say, shall we rather go for a little walk? It's not terribly late, and I think the temperature is quite perfect."

"Yeah, there is a nice breeze," Marty Jr agreed, as he stepped up from the table. "I'm so glad to be back in our world. Another good thing about 2017, in fact, is how strong the insect repellent is - so that we don't have to deal with those pesky mosquitoes."

"Very true," Harmony agreed, as she also stood up. "Well, your dad quite invited me to spend the night by his place. Dad had to attend a meeting, tonight - and he won't be back, until real early in the morning. As for Mom, she sure won't be back from her retreat - until tomorrow afternoon. Mom is so lucky, right now. She gets to relax."

"Well, this is pretty relaxing," Marty Jr pointed out, as he placed his arm around his girlfriend. "I know what you really meant, though. Being kidnapped certainly is no fun! Anyway, our parents said that we could stay out until midnight - if we wish to."

"That's perfectly fine with me," Harmony replied, as she threw the garbage away. "I am looking rather forward to Dad's birthday party, but I think we can quite wait until tomorrow... to finish decorating our house. For now, though, it's best that we..."

"... relax," Marty Jr whispered, as the couple headed towards a trail. "I am suddenly reminded of another difference between the PF and EJ worlds. Although, it was only true of some of the EJ worlds that... that your dad's birthday was real close. In all the PF worlds, though, it was my Granduncle Dave's birthday that was close."

"That is true," agreed Harmony, softly. "Of course, in most of the other EJ worlds, it was also the anniversary of you and... Stephanie Stebbs. Well, Marty, it quite might not be our anniversary - but how about making tonight be special, anyway?"

"Oh, I'm all for that," Marty Jr replied, flashing a lopsided smile. "I must say, it actually was interesting - simply learning what I would've been like, had I been born a hundred years earlier. I'm just surprised that I wasn't the one to invent rock music."

"His name was Emmett," Harmony whispered. "Indeed, it rather felt odd to see him. If we thought that seeing you at 47 was a little unnerving, there is the fact that Emmett was even older. If he was born in 1898, he was seventy years old by the year 1968."

"I do recall looking through that photo album," commented Marty Jr. "It certainly was a very surreal feeling, seeing photos of our entire family - but our counterparts were all a hundred years older than us. Marlene... or Marie, rather... quite seemed almost the opposite of our Marlene. Marie was very much a tomboy, compared to..."

"I was a little taken aback, myself," Harmony agreed. "Marie was so much of a tomboy - even to the point that she refused to wear dresses and skirts, except to school. This is so different from the Marlene that we know, who was always more of a girly-girl."

"Well, our Marly grew up in a society where she was not pressured to conform to gender norms," Marty Jr pointed out. "In fact, I even know of certain radical feminists who will sort of pressure women towards the exact opposite direction - which..."

"... is just as bad," finished Harmony. She grew quiet, as her thoughts turned back to about a year ago. "I can remember how, last year, I was protesting beauty pageants - much to the frustration of Marlene, who had planned to be a contestant. While I still disagree with beauty pageants, I learned to accept the fact that some women..."

"Yeah, as sad as it is," Marty Jr commented, softly, "I don't think beauty pageants are gonna go away, anytime soon. There really are women who... go for that sort of stuff. It'd be nice to just do away with the whole concept of gender roles, entirely."

"I concur," Harmony replied, sighing. She glanced around, as she added, "Oh, aren't the sounds of nature very lovely? Even if we both do enjoy listening to headbanging hard rock, it's also nice to get in touch with nature. This is all just so... so peaceful."

"Indeed, it is," Marty Jr agreed. "It is no wonder we consider this our favourite spot, even more so than the Cafe '80s. On that note, it is just about time that we... kiss."

Harmony nodded, as just she and her boyfriend hugged each other. They were about to start kissing - when, all of a sudden, some very loud noises had ruined the mood. It was the real familiar sound of three sonic booms. As Harmony and Marty Jr looked up, they saw a station wagon began to materialize. She certainly was not expecting that!

The station wagon then landed, and someone looked like Doc Brown came out. "Well, it sure looks like we got to the right place" he called out. As he spotted Harmony and Marty Jr, he added: "I'm quite sure of it, too. You're Harmony Brown and Marty McFly Junior, aren't you?"

"Yes, we are" Marty Jr said, as he was feeling quite confused. "Who are you guys? Why are you here?"

"We're the people from Group Three" Doc Three replied. "We came here to bring back the station wagon, which was left behind in our universe. Do you remember that? We had to return to bring it here, as it was left behind when Cliff..."

"...was stealing your time train" Marty Jr finished, nodding. "You're right. I remember that, now. So, you've come back to visit us? We were just about to kiss - but I guess that can come later. That okay with you, Harmony?"

"Sure" Harmony agreed. "We should be able to do that some other time. Right now, it's probably best for you to return the station wagon to Grandpa Brown right away. Do you know where he lives?"

"Well, we visited some versions of his house during the trip" a version of Marty Jr's father said, popping his head out of the window. "But I'm not sure I could find the way there all by myself... can you, Doc?"

"No, I wouldn't be able to do so either" Doc admitted. "If you two could lead the way, that would be great. However, we'll have to wait a while first."

"Why is that?" Harmony asked, confused.

"Because of Clara and Jennifer" Doc replied. "I figured that they could come along, and that they would go by train. However, since it's 8:52 P.M. now, they won't show up until 9. That's what I set the train's destination time to."

"Oh, great" Marty Jr said. "Are you suggesting we have to wait here another eight minutes before that? Not that I don't like it here, I wouldn't have come here in the first place if that was the case, but... well, doing nothing isn't my cup of tea either."

"Maybe we could split up" Harmony said. "I'll stay here to wait for the train, and then you guys could head over to Grandpa's place. Since Marty sure knows the way over, he could give you guys directions. Do you think that would work, possibly."

"I suppose it might work," Doc replied, with some uncertainty. "Although, there's some possibility that they would not be... Well, on the other hand, you do have Clara's face. Also, shortly before coming here, Marty sure showed us several pictures that he had taken of you guys. So they might also recognize you from those pictures."

"As you see the train materialize," Marty Sr added, "you could just wave them over. I think they'll take it as a cue that you were expecting them. You can quite explain who you are, and..." Turning to Doc, he added, "I do think Harmony's plan sounds fine."

"Cool!" Harmony replied, excitedly. "I sure don't mind waiting around here for a while. Marty could show you where your counterpart lives, and then we'll meet you at..."

"You sure you don't mind waiting, Harmony?" Marty Jr asked, softly.

"No, Marty, you go right ahead," Harmony insisted, smiling. "I'll be fine."

"All right, then," Marty Jr replied, as he and Harmony hugged and gave each other a little peck. "I guess I'll see you in about ten minutes, then."

Harmony nodded, as she watched Marty Jr step into the front passenger seat of the station wagon. She waved, as she saw the vehicle hover off the ground. He did love spending time with his boyfriend, of course - but it also felt very nice to be alone.

She smiled, as she glanced up at the sky - which was slowly beginning to turn to night. She then noticed that the first of the stars were appearing. She sure decided to enjoy the gentle cool breeze, the beautiful sounds of nature, and the lovely blue twilight sky - until another vehicle materializing would interrupt her from her reverie.

oooooooooo

Dr. Emmett Brown sighed, just as he glanced around the living room. The stereo was turned to KKHV-FM, and was set at a relatively low volume. Barely anyone was quite talkative - with the exception of Bill and Melody, who sure were huddled on the bean bag chair. Marlene still appeared to be very moody, as she was leaning on the couch against Mike - who, to no avail, had made several attempts to get her to speak.

As for Marty Sr and Jennifer, he suspected that they were quiet for the same reason as he was. After all, they quite had to contend with memories of both times that they were part of the whole chase - which really was overwhelming, to say the least.

"Why don't you guys simply come to the kitchen with me?" Doc suggested, softly. He decided that there was really no reason for the four younger ones to be involved.

"All right, then," whispered Marty Sr, as he and Jennifer followed Doc into the kitchen. "I'm sure I'll get used to this, soon enough - but it just feels so strange to... remember everything. Including what my 1987 self did on the trip. I mean, it feels so surreal."

"Indeed, it does," agreed Jennifer, "and my 1987 self had the worst part of the deal." After a momentary pause, she added, "Well, now I am beginning to remember why my present self had... such a strong craving for eclairs and doughnut holes. It's because my 1987 self was being tormented with them. Man, it's so... I just can't..."

"Calm down, Jenny" Marty Sr replied, smiling at her. "I know this is a heavy situation, but we'll adjust to it in time. All we have to do now is just relax and let the memories in. We can think about them some other time." He paused, and then added: "You know, I believe that my counterpart from world Three mentioned once that memory updates went slower there. Wasn't that right, Doc?"

"Yes, I seem to recall something like that as well" Doc replied, as he pointed out seats to Marty and Jennifer. "Twelve to twenty-four hours after the return to the present or departure for the past or whatever the situation would be, I believe. So, in our case, with our past selves departing... well, I guess that this situation wouldn't quite apply."

"Why not?" Jennifer asked, looking up. "I don't see the difference. Not right away, anyway."

"Well, in the 'normal case', the whole situation would be different" Doc explained. "I'll take Marty as an example. He went to 1955 in their world, too, and returned at 1:24 A.M. He then got memories from his new timeline self, starting at 1:24 P.M. - well, actually, at some point in 2015 given that my other self took him into the future, but let's not mind that now - and stopping at 1:24 A.M. the next day, at which point his new memories would be complete. However, this is a situation in which he simply altered time himself and had no memories of the event before. However, in our situation, it is a case of us being here, while our past selves are departing to the past. As such, our memory updates are simply a case of filling in the blanks that are there. We have no other recollections than what happened to our 1987 counterparts, simply because nothing else ever happened to them, in no timeline." He paused for a moment. "Get it?"

"I think so, a bit" Jennifer muttered. "It's quite complicated, though." Marty Sr nodded. "Yeah, it's kind of hard, but I get the main idea you've got behind it. Gee, time travel sure can be confusing."

"I believe you've mentioned that several times before" Doc pointed out, grinning.

"One can't mention it too often" Marty Sr replied. "Because it sure is the truth."

Doc was then about to propose that he'd fetch the group some drinks, as Melody entered the room. "Grandpa?" she asked. "Bill and I heard a car landing outside. We then looked out of the window, and noticed it looked a bit like the station wagon."

"The station wagon?" the inventor repeated, as he suddenly felt something nagging on the back of his mind. "It shouldn't be here, it should be in the..." Now that he thought of it, he didn't recall putting it in the garage, like he had done with the bus. That was quite strange. "Let's see" Doc muttered to himself, as he replayed the chase in his mind. "Cliff and Griff stole it... then they took the train in world Three... and..."

Suddenly, he jumped up, as he realized what had happened. "Great Scott!" he called out. "We left it behind in world Three! They must have come back to bring it!"

"Are you suggesting that the folks of world Three are here now?" Marty Sr exclaimed, faint traces of both awe and horror noticeable in his voice. Doc identified with both sentiments: it was thrilling that the world Three folks were here, at his house, and that they were finally getting to see it, but it wasn't all too fun that the whole event still seemed not to be over yet. He shrugged it off, and walked after Melody to the front door, Marty Sr and Jennifer following close behind him.

"I believe you left something behind," the alternate Doc commented, as he stepped out of the station wagon. "I was just getting ready for bed, when something simply told me that I needed to check outside. Soon afterward, I stumbled across... this."

"Doc Three, I presume?" Doc asked, smiling. As his counterpart needed, he added, "I must say, it is nice to see you folks - even if we hadn't quite expected to..."

"Hey, World One folks!" Marty Sr Three called out, as he stepped out of the car. Also stepping out of the car were Marlene, Suzy, and... two Marty Jrs? "It really was with the help of your Marty Jr, that we managed to find our way here."

"Yeap, I'm the Marty Jr that's native to this world," one of the Marty Jr's confirmed. "I had volunteered to show them the way over, while Harmony is still at Hill Valley Park."

"She is awaiting the arrival of Clara and Jennifer," Doc Three explained. "Even if they weren't quite part of the trip, they quite decided that they still wished to come along. Of course, we also needed them to bring the train over - so that we could return..."

"Of course!" Doc One agreed, nodding. "Well, why don't you folks simply come in? Our Clara should be back, rather soon. She decided to pick up some glazed doughnuts and orange juice. Now, uh, did you folks already have your dinner. We already had ours."

"Yes, we did," Doc Three replied, smiling. "I actually wouldn't mind having a few glazed doughnuts, though. However, I'm not sure if we should stay for very long."

"Well, that's okay," Doc One replied, gently. "We sure would prefer it, if you guys left before midnight - but I understand if you don't wish to stay long. You'll rather have to excuse Marty, Jennifer, and myself for being a little distracted."

"We're still trying to adjust to our new memories," Marty Sr One added. "Specifically, I mean the memories of what our 1985 selves did, while they were on the trip."

"Oh, yeah, that's right!" Doc Three whispered, softly. "Yeah, I guess you guys really do have it the hardest." After a brief pause, he added, "I do wonder if I should have invited Martin... our son, that is... to come along. As well as, possibly, Maria."

"I remember when we had stopped by your world," Marty Sr One commented, "during the June of 1990. Martin and Haven were both just three-and-a-half, but they rather were good friends. I mean, they were nearly inseparable. In a way, they are actually counterparts of each other - as they were both born at the exact same moment."

"Yeah, I do still remember how Martin was crying," Marty Sr Three added, "almost as if his heart was breaking. He hated having to say 'good bye' to Haven. Well, it's simply a shame that Martin can now barely remember the adventure - since he was so young."

"Well, here they are!" Doc Three called out, pointing. Doc One and the other looked to where his counterpart was pointing. "The train is now heading right over here!"

As Doc One looked closer, he could indeed see that the train was heading towards the Brown house. He smiled as it moved down, and a Clara stepped out, along with Harmony and a Jennifer.

"Good evening" Clara said, a bit taken aback by the sight of the various versions of her husband, Marty Sr and Marty Jr. "It's nice to see you again... don't you agree, Jennifer?"

The younger woman was staring at her counterpart, but Clara's question brought her back to life. "What? Yeah, it's nice to be here. It's just so weird that this is your house, uh... which one of you is the local Doc?"

"That would be me" Doc One said, raising his hand. "Yeah, I understand your sentiments. It was odd for me to see my house in your reality, so I can imagine that the same would be true for you, in reverse." He paused, before adding: "Well, let's go inside, shall we? Clara, my Clara, should be here in just a few minutes. She's gone off to collect some doughnuts - of which I'm sure there will be enough to feed you too."

"Are you sure?" Marty Senior Three said. "There's a lot of us, you know. Even if there would be people volunteering to eat nothing, I'm sure there would be quite a lot of us left. Not to take advantage of your hospitality, of course, but I think that you might want to fetch some more things... unless you're thinking of having us share the doughnuts, of course."

"Certainly not" Doc One said. "But even if there aren't enough doughnuts, there should be plenty of food to go around - cookies, crisps, even some left-overs from dinner. You don't have to worry about that, Marty Three."

"I suppose so" Marty Three said, as he then followed Doc inside. As all of the group was in, though, the inventor heard some familiar noise. He looked outside, and saw it was Clara. His wife then landed the car and parked it, and stepped out of it, walking up to her husband with a confused look on her face.

"Apparently, the station wagon was left behind in World Three" Doc One explained. "The locals of that world came back to fetch it. Now, why don't you prepare coffee and the doughnuts, then I'll fetch some chairs for the group to sit on."

"I'll help my counterpart" Clara Three said. "If she can show me the way to the kitchen, that is." Clara One nodded, and the two of them went off into the house.

"Well, Three," Doc One commented, softly. "Actually, I quite wonder if I should still be referring to you lot as 'three' - since there is now just us two groups."

"I think it'd be less confusing to just stick with 'Three', One," Doc Three replied, softly. "Not that we're really expecting anyone else, but I'm just rather used to being..."

The sounds of excited shrieks had startled both Docs from their conversation. As both versions of the scientist looked up - they really noticed that both versions of Marty Jr, with both of their girlfriends, were headed outside. All had racquets in their hands.

"Well, hello, you folks!" Doc One called out, smiling. "You four seem to be quite happy. You are about to play a little game amongst yourselves? That must be very exciting."

"We really are, in fact," Marty Jr One replied, smiling. "We're gonna play team tennis, by the ping-pong table. You see, me and Harmony are one team - while other me and Suzy are the opposing team. We simply thought... It'll all be in good fun, of course."

"Right, of course," Doc One replied, smiling. "Well, as long as you kids aren't leaving the house - you go right ahead, and have fun. I rather wonder who team will win."

The Docs turned to wink at each other, just as the two young couples headed toward the ping-pong table. Afterward, he rather managed to catch sight of both versions of Marty Sr and Jennifer also heading outside - all of them with cue sticks in their hands.

"Lemme guess," Doc One replied, smiling. "You lot are gonna play team billiards - with the locals comprising one team, and the visitors comprising the other."

"You've got it, Doc!" Marty Sr One replied, smiling. "We figured it'd be fun to compare our skill with that of our counterparts. Anyway, how did you manage to guess?"

"Well, because your sons and future daughters-in-law had the same idea," Doc Three replied, as he pointed towards the pool table. "Well, you lot go off and have fun."

"I'll be darned!" Marty Sr Three gasped, with amazement. "Well, I guess it's really as the expression goes: like father, like son. Well, we're now off to play billiards!"

"And may the best team win," Marty Sr One added, smirking.

Marty Jr Three rolled his eyes, good-naturedly - as the two middle-aged couples quite made their way to the pool table.

"Well, One, do you remember what we were talking about?" Doc Three asked, quietly.

Doc One was just about to reply, when he saw that Bill and Melody were also headed outside. He really couldn't recall what he and his counterpart were discussing.

"Well, hi," Doc One greeted, smiling. "Are the two of you also gonna play a game?"

"Actually, not really," Bill replied, smiling. "We were just planning to sit on the lounge chairs over in your backyard. Y'know, relax and gaze at the stars."

"All right, then," Doc One replied, smiling. "Just don't be leaving house. That all I ask."

Bill and Melody nodded, as they headed towards the lounge chairs. Doc One smiled, as he felt pleased that everyone was having fun.

"Well, is that everyone?" Doc Three asked. "I know you had asked your Clara to come inside the house to prepare coffee, and my Clara volunteered to help her."

"That's right," Doc One replied, smiling. "Well, let's see. The Martys and Jennifers are playing team billiards, while the Juniors and their girlfriends are playing team tennis. I do think it's an interesting idea. Lastly, Bill and Melody are relaxing under the stars."

"What about, uh, Marlene?" Doc Three asked, softly. "I guess your Marlene is off doing something with Mike. Our Marlene, however, is still single - and, as such..."

"Marlene!" Doc One gasped, in a near whisper. "She has been real moody, even since we got back home. She does get like that, from time to time. I'm not real certain if the same is true of your Marlene, but... Y'know, I really think I should check up on her."

"You just go right ahead, then," Doc Three urged, nodding. "I'll be waiting here on the porch. We can't stay for very long, but it is nice to visit for a little while."

Doc One just nodded, as he headed into the house. As he walked into the living room, he found that Bill and two versions of Marlene were sitting on the couch. He then felt a mixture of relief and sadness, as he saw that the local Marlene was crying.

Of course, Doc One did not quite enjoy seeing anyone cry - but the fact that Marlene was crying was a sign that she finally snapped out of her moody spell. He then began to wonder if Marlene's counterpart actually had anything to do with it.

Deciding that it rather was best to respect Marlene's privacy, Doc headed back out to the porch. He then quite thought of how good it was, for more than one reason, that the Group Three had decided to stop by. He hated seeing Marlene be so troubled.

"Marlene is now out of her spell," Doc One explained, softly, "even if she was crying, when I saw her. Your Marlene was also thing, and I'm thinking that she really..."

"I hadn't actually noticed our Marlene being all that troubled," Doc Three pointed out, softly. "But, if she has managed to help out her counterpart, then it's all good."

"Indeed," agreed Doc One. "Well, of course, I'm certain that all of the girls were sure traumatized by being kidnapped. Still, Harmony did not seem to be nearly as troubled by it. For the matter, the Jennifer of 1985 also did not seem quite as distraught."

"Your Jennifer actually had it the worst, though," Doc Three pointed out. "I know you can't exactly speak for Jennifer or Marty, but how clearly do you really remember the events of... of your 1985 selves... when you were on that trips."

"Oddly enough, I do quite remember them real clearly," Doc One explained. "From the perspective of my 1985, I mean. At the same time, though - it also feels like memories from a distant past. It must have something to do with the memory update process."

"It makes sense, sort of," Doc Three replied. "I have one such guess as to what might be bothering your Marlene. Could it quite be the fact that, while the younger versions of her parents were on the trip, there was danger of her existence? That would really place her in an even worse situation than the... the young version of her mother."

"That's a rather good point, Three," Doc One replied, thoughtfully. "As for Jennifer, it was the older version of her whose existence was endangered. Well, I just don't know if that definitely is the case for Marlene's moody spell, but I suppose it might..."

"It's a possibility, though," Doc Three pointed out, softly. "Y'know, it was even later in our world - when we had simply left to come here." He glanced towards the backyard, as he added, "And some of us even still have the energy for tennis and billiards."

"Hey, Docs!" called out Mike and both Marlenes, simultaneously - just as they headed outside. "How are you going?"

"The question is, how are you doing?" Doc One asked, just as he gazed right into Marlene One's brown eyes. "I've been so worried about you, all evening. You okay?"

"Yeah, I think so," Marlene One replied, softly. "I guess it was just that the trip was... Well, I'm gonna try to put the trip aside. Mike and the other me quite suggested that I gaze at the stars, which would put me in a relaxed state. Won't hurt to try, anyway."

"That's right," Marlene Three added. "I simply felt so bad for her, when I saw the way that she was. I felt like crying, right away - but then I rather decided that I should try talking to her. At first, it was quite hard - but I'm glad that she was able to listen."

"For that, I'm proud of you," Doc Three replied, warmly. "I've always appreciated how compassionate you are. At any rate, Bill and Melody are also stargazing - if you simply wish to join them."

Mike and the Marlenes nodded, as they went to join Bill and Melody. Doc One smiled, as he simply felt pleased that everything had worked out well. He certainly had quite a lot to be grateful for.

"Well, One, what do you think about all this?" Doc Three asked, as he pointed towards the Marty Jrs and their girlfriends. "They sure seem to be having a lot of fun." He took out his binoculars, and then gazed through them. "Wow! Both teams are doing good!"

"Is it just appearing to be a tie game, so far?" Doc One asked, smiling. His counterpart nodded, as he added, "Well, that is something to see. Two group of teens: so similar - and, yet, so different."

"I'd never expect I would see something like that ever again," Doc Three commented, quietly. He then gazed though his binoculars, again - as he simply turned towards the pool table. "The Martys and Jennifers also seem to be having a tie game. Interesting! It is rather fascinating to be seeing all that, and that all thanks to Cliff Tannen."

Doc One was about to reply to that, as Clara One and Clara Three exited the house, both holding a plate with cups of coffee. He smiled, and stirred the cup to ensure that the sugar was dissolved. The Clara's then sat down, and as Doc One had taken a sip from the coffee, he noticed Clara One was staring at him. "What's the matter?" he asked, confused.

Clara One sighed. "Emmett, my counterpart and I were talking in the kitchen earlier... and we've come to the conclusion that maybe, you should take apart the dimensional machine. You know how much trouble it caused in 1990, and now, it caused our beloved granddaughter and your best friend's daughter and future daughter-in-law to be kidnapped by one of those horrible Tannens."

The local inventor sighed. "Clara, you know my stance on destroying machines like that" he replied. He knew he had mentioned before several times how he had decided to take up time travel again because he could not part with it, back in 1985. Also, dismantling the dimensional machine felt like taking a step back in scientific development, which he was not about to do.

"Yeah" Doc Three chimed in, supporting his other self. "We've never destroyed the time machine, have we? The DeLorean was taken apart by a train, not us, and even though the other me took apart the time train, he never stopped travelling through time."

"This is different, Emmett" Clara Three insisted. Then, warily, she added: "But yeah, too much of you is tied up to those inventions. You couldn't destroy them if your life depended on it."

"We'll have to forget that, then" Clara One said, whistfully. "We'll have to be satisfied with the fact that now, we've come to the end of a long set of adventures."

Doc One and Three both frowned at that. "What do you mean by that, Clara Clayton Brown?" Doc One said.

"Well, you've led long lives" Clara Three said. "Both of you, in fact. You're over a hundred. The other Clara and I are 70 and 71 respectively." She turned her gaze to Doc Three. "It is time for you to retire from time travel, Emmett."

"Yes," Clara One agreed, "and this time permanently, unlike repeating the incident with Harmony and Marty Junior going back to 1986."

"Well..." Doc One began.

"I don't know..." Doc Three attempted.

"Ah, come on, Emmett... Emmetts" Clara One said, staring at them. "You're not really planning to go on adventures like this again, are you?"

Doc One and Doc Three stared at each other, wondering what they should say to that. Then, they turned back to their wives, smiled sheepishly and simultaniously replied:

"Of course not, Clara..."

Clara One and Clara Three looked at each other as well, having caught the unconvincing tone on which the Emmetts replied to them. "Those husbands of ours..." sighed Clara One.

"They're hopeless with things like this, aren't they?" Clara Three said.

"They certainly are" Clara One replied. "But at least, with husbands like this, we've got one thing which we know for sure."

"And that is?" Clara Three asked, amused.

"That, even if both of them and us survive for another hundred years, our lives will never be boring."

All four of them then began to laugh, as Doc One smiled. They had sure come a long way from 1987 - or even 1955, for that matter. But yeah, even despite everything they had experienced already, he was convinced that the future still held a lot more exciting adventures for him and his counterpart.

And he was absolutely right.

THE END(?)