When the Clock Strikes Twelve

::14::

  Later that night, once Rosie had calmed down, the three were out in the dark, working on the DeLorean. As they tightened bolts and tested nails, Doc kneeled down beside Marty.

"Marty?"

"Yeah?" He replied.

"I've made a decision," Doc said.

"A decision on what?" Rosie asked, sitting uncomfortably in her outfit.

"I'm not going with you two tomorrow," Doc said. Marty gave a small laugh, not believing it. "I'm staying here."

"What are you talking about, Doc?" Marty said, standing up.

"There's no point in denying it, I'm in love with Clara," The man replied.

"Doc, we don't belong here," Rosie said as calmly as she could. "None of us."

"You know, it could still be you that gets shot tomorrow. This tombstone could still be your future," Marty said, pulling the picture out of his pocket.

"Marty, the future isn't written," Doc said. "It can be changed. You know that. Anyone can make their future whatever they want it to be," he said, making eye contact with Rosie. She understood the hidden message. She could help Marty. "I can't let this one little photograph determine my entire destiny. I have to lead my life according to what I believe is right... in my heart."

"Doc. You're a scientist. So you tell me-what's the right thing to do, up here," Marty said, pointing towards his heart, then towards his head. The Doc set his lantern down, looking at the image in his hand one more time.

"You're right, Marty," he replied. "Rosie. If you would," he said, gesturing towards a lever. She pulled the lever downwards, and the DeLorean rolled down a ramp onto the train tracks. The three walked towards the car, picking up lanterns.

"Wow, that actually worked," Rosie said, impressed.

"I've at least gotta tell her good-bye," Doc said.

"Oh, come on, Doc," Marty said. "Think about it. What are you gonna say to her? 'I gotta go back to the future?' I mean, she's not gonna understand that, Doc. Hell, I'm in it with you, and I don't even understand it," Marty said.

"Doc, listen. Maybe we could-I don't know. Maybe we could just take Clara with us?" Rosie said quietly, worried that the idea wouldn't work.

"To the future?" Doc asked, turning back around to face the teenagers. "You reminded me, kids. I'm a scientist, so I must be scientific about this. I cautioned you about disrupting the continuum for your own personal benefit. Therefor, I must do no less. We shall proceed as planned, and as soon as we return to 1985, we'll destiny this infernal machine. Traveling through time has become much too painful."

The man walked away, and Rosie and Marty looked at each other.

"I hate seeing him like this," Marty said.

"I do too," Rosie replied. "I wish we could do something."

"I think the most we can do is just leave it alone," Marty said, and his girlfriend agreed. They made their way towards where the Doc had decided to set up camp, and they lit a fire. Marty laid down first, exhausted. He fell asleep immediately. Rosie, however, stayed awake for a moment, watching as her older friend analyzed the flower pin Clara had given him.

"Ya know Doc, it isn't over until it's over," Rosie said. He smiled at the advice.

"I'm gonna go over there... and say goodbye," he replied. Rosie nodded. He stood up, and walked a few paces.

"Oh and Doc," she said, and he turned around. She gave him a smile. "Good luck."

He left, and Rosie lightly shook Marty awake. He groaned quietly, but sat up anyways. Rosie tossed her arms over his shoulders, pulling him into a hug.

   "What's wrong princess?" He asked her, pulling her an arm's length away and setting his hand on her cheek, rubbing small circles with his thumb.

   "I'm worried about you," she said. He gave her a small smile.

   "Is this about what happened earlier when we were walking?" He asked. She nodded, confirming this thought. "Look at me. I'm not going anywhere. We'll be out of here before anything can happen tomorrow."

   "But what if something goes wrong?" She asked nervously. Marty kissed her forehead.

   "It won't," he replied confidently. She tucked her head into his chest, taking a deep breath. "Rosie Louis, don't you worry. Tomorrow morning, we're going home."

   "Okay. But just remember one thing," she said. "If you die, I'll kill you."

   "Deal," he replied. The two laid down and fell asleep to the sound of the fire crackling.

   As the Doc neared Clara's house, he tried to calm his nerves. He knocked on the door. "It's Emmett, Clara," he said. She opened the door with a smile.

   "Oh! Emmett, I-won't you come in?" She said.

   "No, I'd better not. I-," he said, closing his eyes.

   "What's wrong?" Clara asked in a worried voice.

   "I've come to say goodbye," he replied.

   "Goodbye? Well, where are you going?"

   "I'm going away, and, well, I'm afraid I'll never see you again."

   "Emmett."

   "Clara. I want you to know that I care about you deeply, but I realize that I don't belong here, and I have to go back where I came from."

   "And where might that be?" She asked.

   "I can't tell you," he said. He knew that it was a complicated situation, but wanted more then anything for it to be simple.

   "Well, then wherever you're going, take me with you," she said.

   "I can't, Clara. I wish it didn't have to be this way, but just believe me when I tell you that I'll never forget you and that I love you," he said.

   "I don't understand what you're trying to say," she replied.

   "Clara, I don't think there's any way that you can understand it."

   "Please, Emmett, please. I have to know. If you sincerely do love me, then tell me the truth."

   "Alright then," he replied, caving in. "I'm from the future. I came here in a time machine that I invented, and tomorrow I have to go back to the year 1985."

   "Yes, Emmett. I do understand. I understand that, because you know I'm partial to the writings of Jules Verne, you convicted those mendacities in order to take advantage of me!" She exclaimed angrily, slapping him. "Oh, I've heard some whoppers in my day, but the fact that you'd expect me to entertain a notion like that is so insulting and degrading! All you had to say is, I don't love you and I don't want to see you anymore. That at least would've been respectful!"

   As Clara slammed the door behind her, Doc walked towards the door.

   "But that's not the truth."