5 AM and Docs up like always, smiling at his young lover laying beside him. he leaves a quick kiss on the youngers cheek and heads for the bathroom. he doesn't feel as stiff or painful as normal and he's hopeful that means today will be a good day. he smiled to himself, hoping that means he and Lightning can go a few rounds at the Butte before coming home to do a few rounds of the more fun kind in their shared bed. its not until he looks in the mirror to see if he needs to shave that he realizes something is wrong. despite himself, he's unable to stop the scream of horror that escapes his throat, sounding different from normal.

"Doc!?" Monty shouts falling out of bed. he runs over to the bathroom and stares in shock. "ohhhhh what the fuck...." he mutters stunned and breathless. Doc wipes around and stares at him. "ohhh god. what the fuck..." Monty mutters.

"what the hell did you slip me!?" Doc shouts.

"me!? I'm not the one who magically de-aged over night! you gotta be like 30 years old!" Lightning shouted.

"oh god I'm gonna puke." Doc muttered, turning around and dropping to his knees beside the toilet and puking up his guts. Monty hesitantly stepped back.

"stay here I'm gonna go get Sheriff!" Lightning shouted, running from the bathroom as fast as his legs could carry him. he just about to run into Sheriffs house when he bursts out looking horrified and somewhere around 30 years old like Doc. "oh god not you too." Lightning said.

"where's Doc?!" Sheriff ask.

"in the bathroom shocked into puking." Lightning said. he runs for Mack and Reds house, because this cannot be happening. he slams their door open and runs into their bedroom. "MACK!" he shouts, opening their bedroom door. both Mack and Red jerk up. "oh god you guys too!?" Monty cries looking at them. Mack looks at him confused before turning to look at Red and screaming. both catapult themselves from the bed in different directions, peaking up over the edge of the bed to look at one another.

"what the fuck...." Mack trails staring at Red. the other man looks absolutely terrified.

"I'm not sure whats happening, get to mine and Docs house." Lightning said. he turned and ran out of the door. was the whole town suddenly younger except him!? he ran into the Cozy Cone where he found Sally staring at herself in a mirror. "Sally?" Monty ask. she turned to him looking terrified.

"whats going on?" she ask.

"just get to mine and Docs house." he says. "I gotta get the rest of the town." he murmurs. he turns and runs out the door. gathering everyone up and sending them to Docs house, before joining them. he walks in and looks at his friends. Mack and Red look to be no older than 18 or 19, Sally is somewhere around 20, Guido and Luigi are at most 22, Mater looks about 23, Flo and Ramone look to be about 27 maybe 28 years old, Sarge looks like he's maybe 30, and Fillmore looks to be maybe 25 or so. Lightning stares at them in shock, confused out of his mind. they're standing around the living room looking at each other confused. they all seem okay except Doc and Sheriff. Doc has a trash can in front of him, head in his hands, while he leans forward on the couch. Sheriff is sitting beside him rubbing his back as he pukes into the can. Monty sees Red over in the corner clinging to Mack and having an anxiety attack, but it looks like Mack has it under control. "oh shit just got weird..." Monty mumbles.

"whats going on?" Flo ask.

"I... I have no idea... anyone hurt?" Monty ask.

"I don't think so, I think we're all just shocked." Sheriff mumbles. Lightning walks over and kneels in front of Doc.

"you okay?" he asks. Doc blinks at him slowly, face pale and tinted green. he simply stares at the still younger man and Monty nods, standing. "Mack runs over to the clinic and grab something that'll help him stop puking." Monty ordered. Mack nodded and ran out of the house.

"something weird is happening. how come you didn't change Stickers?" Sally ask, accusingly.

"I dunno... I mean... the whole town... I share a bed with Doc and he changed, but not me." Lightning mumbled.

"what do we do man?" Fillmore ask. he's leaned against Sarge, who is looking himself over, all his old battle scars gone. he hasn't seen his skin this clean in many years.

"I..." Lightning trailed looking between them. even Docs looking up at him, lost, and Monty sighs. "I don't know that either." he sighs, looking around between his friends.

"I got a couple people I can call in law enforcement to see if they know anything about this." Sheriff said.

"go." Lightning says, walking over to sit with Doc. the older man drops his head into Lightnings lap and just lays there. Monty runs his fingers through the others hair gently looking around. "Sarge do you have any contacts you can ask about potential military involvement?" Lightning ask. Sarge frowns looking around, before nodded.

"yeah, let me make a few calls." Sarge says, heading out of the house. Fillmore follows him as Mack comes in with some medicine from the clinic. he hands it over to Doc, who immediately takes it from his hand and sits up. he takes the meds, looking around. there's still a green tint to his face, but at least he's not puking still.

"you guys go ahead and just go about your day, if anyone gets any information, we'll gather here again and go over it." Monty said. the group looks around and nod, slowly dispersing. he watches them go, before looking at Doc. his head is in his hands again and he's taking deep shaky breaths. "Hud?" Monty ask. Doc slowly lifts his head and looks over at him. "you okay?" he asks hesitantly.

"I will be. its just shock." Doc assures. Lightning nods, kissing his cheek.

"go get you a shower and clean up. I'll get you some coffee started." he murmurs softly. Doc nods slowly standing, Monty watches him carefully.

"when did you become the voice of reason?" Doc mumbles, heading to the bathroom.

"the moment everyone in town except me changed." Monty says, heading for the kitchen. he's sure Doc will be fine as soon as the shock wears off. if he's lucky he may even get a chance to experience what Doc was like as a younger man, before his body started aching and his sight started going. maybe he could get the older to take a race with him.

he's staring out the window in the kitchen over the sink when he hears Docs footsteps approaching. they're lighter than normal, like it doesn't take as much effort as normal.

"you okay now?" Monty asks turning to face him.

"yeah. I'm good. thanks." Doc murmurs. Monty offers him his coffee cup and Doc cracks a smile, taking it from him.

"good enough for a race after breakfast? you still owe me one from the other day when it rained." Monty says. Doc nods.

"yeah actually. I haven't felt this good in a long time." Doc said, stretching. Docs always been built, at least since long before they'd met, but him standing there in a pair of jeans, dripping from the shower was going to drive the younger nuts.

"this before or after you wrecked?" Monty ask.

"I wrecked in my 20, but I don't have a single scar on my back from that wreck and I gotta be at least 30." Doc says, turning so his lover can see his back. there are still a few small scars here and there but nothing like normal. Monty loves him, always will, but he can't help but want for the man to be older again. Docs usually 44 years older than him and doesn't really look it, but now he's maybe 3 or 4 years older than him. Monty's only 27 and Doc is almost his age. he knows his lover feels better, isn't hurting as much and seems happier, but Monty can't help but wish this doesn't last too long, he'd rather have the old Doc back, literally.

"you look pretty good like this." Monty admits. Doc rolls his eyes.

"I just wish I could feel like this all the time." Doc says. "don't care how old I am, or how old I look, I just don't like feeling old. you make me feel younger, don't get me wrong, but I feel like nothing hurts and I could keep going like this longer than I normally can, on a single cup of coffee." Doc grins. all at once, Montys heart stops, seeing that grin. the other looks happier than he has in a long time and now Monty's hoping Doc never changes back. he enjoys seeing him so happy and pain free. he can't help but smile back. "come on. fuck the coffee, lets go to the Butte." Doc says running to grab his keys. he's got more energy than Monty, or at least thats what the younger feels. he smiled and goes after Doc, grabbing his keys.

"alright, but no racing through the town like normal, everyone seems pretty lost today." he frowns. Doc nods in agreement, they wouldn't want to accidently hit anyone. Monty turns to leave but Doc grabs him and pushes him against the wall, kissing him hard. Monty's eyes are wide, but he wraps his arms around the older. he laughs into the kiss as Doc picks him up, still pinned to the wall, and wraps his legs around the firmer man. Docs grinning at him. of course he can do this normally, sometimes, only when his back isn't aching and his knee's aren't trying to give in under him, but he's never been this steady before. he can easily take on both his and the youngers weight without even flinching. "take it easy old man, I swear once this wears off you're going to feel it all." Monty reminds him.

"I'll cross that bridge when I get there. I've been thinking about this for years." Doc smirks. "now that I'm your age again, you're not a match for me." Doc chuckles, squeezing his hips gently. Monty tightens his legs around Docs waist and smirks.

"won't be saying that on the track." Monty grins, almost teasingly ruining the moment. Doc sighed and dropped his face into the crook of the youngers neck.

"damn kid you sure know how to ruin the moment, hmm?" Doc teased. he bit the youngers neck and dropped him, shaking his head. "come on, lets go fulfill whatever little fantasy you have about me racing while younger." Doc said, rolling his eyes. Lightning laughed and let go, grabbing his keys.

"don't get me wrong, you're gorgeous like this, but you're hotter when you're normal." Lightning said. Doc paused and turned to him.

"really? all old and stiff and covered in scars?" Doc ask, curiously. Monty nodded immediately, leaning forward and kiss him deeply, before pulling back and smiling.

"yeah. I don't know this you, wasn't even born when this you existed. I love the real you more." Monty smiled at him. Doc watched him a moment before his lips twitched upwards into a smile, kissing his forehead and walking out of the room. Monty follows him out of the house and into Docs garage. they got into their cars and carefully headed to the Butte. both pulling up to the line.

"how many laps you want to do?" Doc asks, looking over.

"the usual. two." Monty smiles. Doc nods, reaching over to crank up some music on his radio, now that his ears didn't ring, he was going to blast his music.

"Girl you really got me now. you got me so I don't know what I'm doing."

Doc revved up and took off with the younger man. Lightning laughed and turned up his own music.

"I should be over all the butterflies, but I'm into you."

Doc couldn't keep his eyes on Monty in his mirror, mostly for the fact the younger man was speeding around him before Doc could even think, making him smile. he watched Monty, but found himself wondering if he still had it as they skid to a stop. Monty jumped out grinning and Doc got out smirking.

"what are you smiling about, I just beat your ass." Monty ask. Doc walked over to him and pinned him to the car. one hand on each side of the youngers head. Monty blushed watching him.

"because I'd like to beat your ass only in the fun way." Doc murmured.

"what out here?" Monty ask blushing darker.

"I was thinking in the backseat of the Hornet, but you pressed up against this car is fine too." Doc grinned, pressing himself against the younger. he felt like a completely new man and he wanted to show the younger just what he could do.

"aren't you afraid someone will catch us?" Monty ask. Doc was always afraid someone would catch them.

"you kidding, everyone is sitting at home in shock. do you want to have sex in the Hornet with me or not?" Doc ask, leaning against the 95. Monty looked at him a moment, before grinning.

"yeah sure." Monty murmurs, heading for the Hornet. Doc followed him, opening up the back door and shoving Monty into the backseat. he climbed in on top of him slamming the door shut. Doc was usually one to take it slow with his lover, but not today. Doc stripped them both down to their boxers, tossing their clothes into the floor board.

"still more gorgeous as an old man?" Doc ask curiously as the younger wrapped his legs around Docs waist.

"you'll always be more gorgeous as my old man." Monty murmurs. Doc snorted slightly.

"we'll see what you have to say after I spend the rest of the night fucking your brains out." Doc murmurs. Monty groaned lowly.

"don't promise anything you can't go through with." Monty murmurs, tilting his head out of the way as Doc bit into his neck. he moans lowly.

"kid, my body is 40 years younger now. I can go just as many rounds as you. maybe even more if I wanted." Doc says biting into the youngers neck hard.

"fuck I'll take you up on that bet." Monty murmurs. Doc pulls back.

"loser buys dinner at Wheel Wells?" Doc ask, curiously. Monty grinned at him.

"okay but if we're doing this, we're going home. we're fucking in bed." Monty said. Doc drops his head onto Monty's chest, sighing.

"look kid, this maybe my one and only chance to fuck you in my Hornet, okay? my knees and back will ache too much when I'm back to normal and I know you've always wanted to do this." Doc murmured. they'd talked about it before. "I can't do this as a nearly 80 year old man." Doc said softly, kissing him. Monty met his eye and smiled at him, nodding.

"okay. okay." he murmurs. thats all the green light Doc needs, or he thinks it is. Monty is confused when the older man suddenly freeze, looking pissed and disgusted.

"who the fuck do you think you are? why are you in my car?" Doc snaps. Monty looks confused.

"Hud? what are you talking about?" Monty ask, slightly amused.

"don't call me that! only my friends call me that. only Smokey calls me that." Doc snaps. Lightning looks confused and afraid now.

"H-Hud...? are you okay? its me. Monty your boyfriend, remember?" Lightning ask. Doc snorts and glares.

"why the fuck would I ever date you. I can have any man I want. why would I settle for something like you?" Doc growls.

"y... you don't mean that Hud... we've been dating for a while. I love you." Monty says almost desperately.

"I'd never love you and I certainly don't remember ever banging you so some 'boyfriend' you must be. I ain't no homo. I'd never sleep with someone like you, especially in my my Hornet! now get out you stupid kid!" Doc hisses. with that Monty's tearing up, scrambling from the seat, grabbing his clothes and running off back to the Cozy Cone he hasn't stayed in in months. by the time he gets there he's got his pants on and is scrambling to get the door open. it doesn't seem like Doc is the only person who has no idea whats happening, has suddenly forgotten everything, but he can't think of anything other than needing to get away. he slams the door shut and locks it, heart breaking. sobbing and making a mess of his room. had Doc really been lying this whole time? only stayed with him because he was afraid he was too old to get someone worth having? was his biggest fear coming to light? he's sobbing and trashing everything in the room, not that there's much left in there. he's been steadily moving things into Docs hosue since they told the town about them. by the time he's done the dresser is broken laying in front of the door. the bathroom mirror is shattered, glass in his fist. he's raided whats left of the alcohol stache and he's curled up against the side of the bed, head dropped back against the mattress. he's sobbing and drinking his heart out. his stomachs churning and his world has ended.

Docs not sure whats happening, can't remember falling asleep, but he wakes up on the couch feeling sore and tired. the house is distinctly missing his favorite person. he blinks and looks around.

"kid?" Doc ask. "Monty? hey baby?" Doc calls looking around. he's only in his boxers, so he pulls on some clothes. all of Monty's stuff is missing and Doc frowns, his heart feels like it's breaking. had the younger left him? Doc swallows hard and runs to the front door, all of Monty's stuff is on the front lawn and suddenly Doc remembers what happened. he had thrown the stuff out.

"I'd never love you."

oh god.... he couldn't have really done this... could he? the hair on his arms and neck is standing from the waves of emotions he's feeling. he carefully carries the youngers things back inside the house, whats left of his heart shattering when he comes across Tommy, his young lovers bear, laying in a mud puddle. Doc swallows hard and scoops it up gently. he sighs softly and carries it back inside, hoping he can get it cleaned. his biggest chance to fix his mistake from the weird happenings of yesterday, was to get Tommy clean and take him over to Monty. he scrubbed and dried the bear, before heading to the Cone. several of the others had clearly had fights or something as the town was full of awkward tension, the only two acting normal were Flo and Ramone. the two had been together since they were teens, so they clearly hadn't forgotten each other like everyone else. Doc sighed and knocked on Montys door.

"Monty?" Doc asks. its silent, but he hears someone moving. he's not expecting an answer honestly. how could he have said those awful things to his young lover. his young lover who was always more fragile and insecure than he let on. "Monty, baby.... can you open the door?" Doc asks.

"g'way." Monty hisses. he's slurring. he sounds tired and drunk and it cracks at Docs heart.

"kid, please. talk to me." Doc calls quietly, knocking on the door harder. he flinches as an empty beer bottle comes flying through the window. he can hear the younger man sobbing. Doc tries the door knob and is surprised it's unlocked. it takes some force, but he manages to get the door open. the rooms destroyed. there's blood, vomit, and broken glass everywhere. "oh baby." Doc sighs, catching a glance at the younger. he's covered in blood, vomit, and sweat. there's cuts and bruises all over every inch he can see. the younger is sitting with his back pressed against the corner created between the bed and nightstand being pushed together. he's in nothing but the boxers Doc recalled last seeing him in. he feels more guilt now than ever has in his life.

"I said, go away!" he shouts, throwing whats left of the nightstand lamp at him. Doc doesn't even have to dodge it, it never even came close to him. Doc carefully steps over everything and kneels in front of Lightning, kicking broken glass and things out of his way.

"hey, kid.... I can't make up for what I said. I know I can't, but I didn't mean it." Doc murmurs. he leans forward and kisses the youngers head, ignoring his flinching. he's silently sobbing as he turns his face from Doc, sniffling. Doc sighs, pulling the bear out of his coat. "I brought Tommy." Doc says, offering the bear to him. immediately Lightning reaches for it but Doc grabs his arm. he had no intention of tempting the other with the bear, he had intended to hand it over, but the glass in the youngers hand had changed his mind.

"give him." Monty whimpers softly.

"only if you agree to come with me to the clinic so I can patch you up." Doc murmurs.

"give me Tommy." Lightning sniffles.

"come with me to the clinic." Doc repeats. Lightning sniffles against, reaching for Tommy and Doc doesn't have it in him to refuse a third time, so he hands the bear over.

"you don't love me." he says quietly.

"yes I do. I... I don't know what happened. I didn't remember you. one minute I know I was trapped in a 30 year olds body and the next I'm 30 again. afraid of homophobic lash out and taking it out on you." Doc murmured, gently cupping his face. "I didn't mean it it. I love you so much. please kid, even if you can't forgive me, let me patch you up." Doc says. Lightning looks up at him. he's pale and his eyes are red and puffy. his cheeks stained with tears.

"are you sure you didn't mean it?" he asks quietly. Doc nods.

"I can't believe those words ever came out of my mouth. breaks my hear to see you like this. to know I did this." Doc murmurs. "I'll make it up to you any time. any day of the week. whatever you want, I'll beg you to forgive me and do what ever I can to get you to forgive me, but first, please let me patch you up. please." Doc begs quietly, cupping his face gently. Monty nods, wiping his face on Tommy.

"okay." he mumbles. Doc sighs in relief and scoops the younger up, heading for the clinic. he wasn't sure if he could ever fix this. could ever get Monty to be his again, but he still had to take care of the younger. he still loved him and wanted to take care of him. he would spend the rest of his life trying to fix this, he just hoped Monty would let him.