When the Clock Strikes Twelve

::5::

   "Here you go," Seamus said, opening the barn doors for the two and handing them some blankets and a lantern. They thanked him as he left, shutting the doors.

   "Okay. This is unfortunate," Rosie said, looking around the old barn. Marty laid a blanket down on the floor and then took his jacket off, rolling it into a ball. He sat down and patted the padded area next to him. Rosie sat down and he set the jacket down where her head would lay.

   "Here," he said, grabbing some more blankets.

   "No you use the jacket," she said, picking it up and moving it behind his head. He spread the blankets around them.

   "I have a better idea," he said. He laid back and then pulled Rosie onto his chest. He then leaned down and kissed her head as she wrapped her arms around him.

   "Are you okay?" She asked, looking up at him.

   "What do you mean?" He asked her.

   "It's just been an emotional few days," she said.

   "I'm okay. If anything, I'm worried about you," he said. "Don't worry about me."

   "I have to or else no one will," she said.

   "I'm glad you're with me. I couldn't do any of this alone," he said.

   "I'm glad I'm with you too," she replied. "Hey Marty?"

   "Yeah," he replied lovingly.

   "If we know that we get married in the future... does that make us engaged?" She asked jokingly. He laughed.

   "I guess I'll have to get you a ring," he joked. She moved slightly, burrowing further into his body. He smoothed her hair out soothingly.

"Am I your girlfriend?" She asked him.

"I would like to think so," he said.

"Okay," she replied quietly. The two had successfully gotten engaged before they had decided to become boyfriend and girlfriend. But then again, when did a real timeline ever exist for the couple.

   "Get some rest princess," he said, kissing her head once again. She smiled.

   "I love you," she said.

   "I love you too," he replied, closing his eyes.

   The next day, the two were dropped off at the train tracks. They followed the tracks, hoping to soon find their older friend.

   "I can't believe you're still wearing those shoes," Rosie said, gesturing to his beat up tennis shoes.

   "They're better then this stupid hat," he said. Eventually, they came across a ticket booth. Marty whistled as the two stared at the sign on the top of the small building. Hill Valley. They held hands as they walked through the town that they knew as home. They watched the people surrounding them as they went about their everyday tasks.

   "Groovy," Rosie said, looking around. They stopped in their tracks, watching the clocktower being built. They walked closer to see it, hearing the hammering on the wood. They then heard a whip crack, and horses began to run towards them. Rosie pulled
Marty backwards, nearly tripping over each other. They then looked down to realize that they had stepped in manure. The dust cleared from around them as they moved backwards.

The teenagers walked towards the gates of a saloon, opening them. They walked inside to see a bartender and some customers.

"Why, I didn't know the circus was in town," a man said, gesturing to Marty's outfit. Rosie mentally slapped her forehead. Why didn't Doc pick something more inconspicuous? They ignored the mens' laughter and looked up, seeing three women who looked severely disheveled. They ignored the stares and walked to the bar, sitting down.

"What'll it be, strangers?" The bartender asked.

"Uh, I'll have a... ice water," Marty said.

"Water? You want water, you better go dunk your head in the horse trough out there. In here... we pour whiskey," he said, slamming two shot glasses on the table. He poured the liquid in, and Marty and Rosie inspected them.

"Excuse me," Rosie said.

"For what?" The bartender asked.

"We're tryin' to find the blacksmith," Rosie said. They then heard the gate open behind them.

"Hey, McFly!" He said.

"How many times can this happen?" Rosie said in a frustrated tone. They turned around to look at the man.

"Thought I told you never to come in- you ain't Seamus McFly," he said. "You look like him though, especially with that dog-ugly hat."

The men laughed, and Rosie grabbed the hat off of his head, hiding it behind her back nervously.

"You kin to that hay barber?" He asked. "What's your name dude?"

"Uh Marty- Eastwood. Clint Eastwood," he replied.

"What kind of stupid name is that?" Tannen asked.

"I'd say he's the runt of the litter," one of the men said.

"Well let not forget about this pretty lady here," another goon said, walking over to Rosie, and grabbing onto her arm. "Would you look at those pearly whites."

"Get off of me," she said, shoving him. The men laughed, and she connected her pinky in Marty's. They continued to make fun of the two, before the bartender walked near.

"Bartender, I'm lookin' for that no-good cheatin' blacksmith," Tannen said. "You seen him?"

"No, sir, Mr. Tannen. I have not," he replied, backing away. Marty and Rosie looked at each other. Why were they looking for the Doc?

"Tannen?" Marty said. "You're Mad Dog Tannen." Everyone in the room ran away or ducked behind a large object.

"Mad Dog? I hate that name. I hate it! Ya hear? Nobody calls me 'Mad Dog'! Especially not some duded-up, egg-suckin' gutter trash!" He then drew his gun from the holster, shooting it at Marty's foot. Rosie gave a high pitched scream and jumped, moving out of the way. He kept shooting, causing Marty to jump up and down. At some point, he began to moon walk backwards to avoid the bullets. He then began to murmur a song, causing Rosie to giggle on the side. He looked at her and winked. He turned a few times, then jumped on a loose floorboard, causing a lot to fly towards Tannen. He caught it, and the contents spilled out across his body. Mad Dog angrily pointed his gun at Marty, cocking the gun. Rosie stepped in front of Marty, who then stepped in front of her. Clicking the gun, nothing happened.

   "You better run, squirrels," a man behind them said. Tannen started to scream and Marty and Rosie hopped on the counter, jumping off and running outside.