Day 19 - Please Don't
A/N: A brief look at Marty's thoughts as he confronts Doc about the future. Set during the climax of Part I.

He shivered violently as he stood in the biting wind, rubbing his arms impatiently. The clouds overhead rumbled ominously, and part of him was surprised it hadn't started to rain yet. Suppose that's a good thing, otherwise Doc might've been electrocuted by this point.

Marty leaned against the Delorean, watching as the faithful scientist put the finishing touches on the lightning connector. Although the whole week seemed to have blurred together, he found that the last few hours still hadn't finished processing in his mind.

Getting to see his parents kiss for the first time, he decided, was something pretty special.

But also nearly fading out of existence was also pretty traumatising. I'm gonna have to have a serious debrief with Doc once I get home.

Writing the letter had been a very eleventh-hour decision, but after spending the whole week pondering how he was going to tell Doc of his impending death, he'd decided it was the only option he had left. He'd managed to sneak his letter of warning into the inside pocket of Doc's coat, praying that he wouldn't find it until after he'd returned to 1985.

"Well, I guess that's everything!" Doc's voice brought him back to the present. The scientist gave a satisfied smile as he dusted his hands proudly.

Marty wiped the nervous sweat from his brow, gazing at his friend with profound gratitude. "Thanks!"

"Thank you!" Doc's face was taken up by a massive grin. "You've helped me give my life purpose again!"

Marty saw the genuine excitement in his friend's face, and felt his throat tighten. Geez, why do I feel like crying again?!

It took him a split second to realise it could be the last time he ever sees this man alive, and he felt his resolve rapidly crumbling. Have I done enough? Should I have tried harder to tell him?!

Overcome with emotion, Marty suddenly threw his arms around Doc, enveloping the scientist in the biggest hug he'd even given the man. It took a moment for Doc to return the gesture, and the two friends stood for a minute as the weather wailed and thundered around them.

"See you in about thirty years?" Doc asked, his voice disappearing into the breeze.

Marty nodded vigorously, hugging the older man even tighter. "I hope so."

I hope you're alive next time I see you.

The two friends separated, and Marty was about to make his way to the Delorean when he realised the scientist's hand was fiddling around in the interior of his jacket. His stomach dropped when the letter was produced, flapping in the wind against Doc's fingers. Oh shit-

Doc read the writing on the envelope before waving it aggressively at the teenager. "Marty?! What's the meaning of this?!"

Marty's mouth flapped uselessly for a second, trying to think of an excuse before deciding there was no point dancing around the subject any longer. "…I-I know you said you didn't wanna know anything, but something happens-"

"MARTY! We've discussed this already!" Doc's voice carried anger and disappointment. "The future-"

"Screw the future, Doc! You have to know!" Marty tried to ignore his wobbling lip. His eyes were focused on his last hope, which Doc was clasping in an ominous motion in his hands. "Please, Doc, don't do it!"

"NO!" Doc refused to meet Marty's gaze, the harsh tone of his voice evident despite the heavy wind. He tore into the envelope as he spoke, the paper crumbling under his fingers. "No! I refuse to accept the responsibility!"

Marty watched in horror as the pieces of his note fluttered to the ground. It was as though Doc had pulled his heart out of his chest and stomped on it. "Dammit, Doc! You've gotta know about the future!"

"NO, Marty! I've told you!" Doc roared with emotion, the wind howling furiously around the two men.

"But I HAVE to tell you!"

"It could destroy the space time continuum! Even if it's a matter of life and death, I will NOT be the one to cause the universe to implode!"

"Oh my God, Doc, you've gotta read it! PLEASE!" An exasperated Marty realised he was now begging. "Your life DEPENDS on it!"

"Look at the time!" Doc screamed at him, pointing his wristwatch in his direction. "You got less than four minutes! Go, Marty, go!"

Eyes blurring with tears (which the sharp wind wasn't helping with), Marty reluctantly nodded and began running towards the time machine. You've gotta be shitting me, Doc…

Once he was secure in the privacy of the Delorean, the young man howled with emotion as he slammed the steering wheel. His head rolled back as he allowed the tears to finally fall, biting his lip so hard it began to bleed. Dammit, Doc…why'd you have to tear up that letter?!