Author's note: This story has not been beta-ed, nor has it been verified with canon. I am assuming that Don was 18 when he and Charlie graduated from high school. Therefore, I am assuming they graduated in 1989. Therefore, I am setting their high school reunion in 2004. These are the "givens" and we can take it from there. I also came up with a very creative name for their high school: "Pasadena High". Sorry, the muse can only do so much.

"The Reunion"

"July 19, 2004, a day that will live in infamy," Charlie Eppes muttered as he tore open the envelope. It was a day he had been dreading for fifteen years. And now that it was here, he couldn't avoid it. He had tried to back out, but Val Eng had twisted his arm. Of course, with the remnants of his high school crush on her, she didn't need to do a whole lot of twisting. Five years ago, he'd been out of the country. Five years before that, he had been busy with his post-graduate work. But now he had no excuse.

"Charlie," his dad interrupted his thoughts, "is that the mail?"

"Hm? Yeah."

"What's that?" Alan pointed at the large, cream colored envelope in Charlie's hand.

"Oh, nothing. Just my invitation to the reunion."

"Reunion?"

"Pasadena High, fifteenth reunion," Charlie muttered.

"What ridiculous excuse are you going to use this year?"

"No excuse. I'm going," somehow he made it sound like a death sentence.

"Oh my gosh. Another sign that Armageddon is upon us."

"Funny, Dad." Charlie's tone made it clear that it wasn't in the least funny.

The door opened and Don came through the door. "Hey, Chuck! Did you get your invitation yet?"

Charlie gave him a look that could have melted steel. "Yes."

"I can't wait!" Don said. "Charlie, this is going to be so much fun."

"Don, the last thing on earth I want to do is to go back and see those people again. They made my life hell."

"So why are you going?"

"Val."

Don grinned. "You've still got it bad for her, don't you?"

"NO. No. She's a friend. She asked. She and Ben are going. I'm bringing Amita. It'll be a nice evening."

"Amita? You're going to let her into that dark chapter of your life?"

Charlie tossed the invitation down on the dining room table. "That's it. I've got work to do."

"Wait, Charlie," Don said. "I'm sorry. I know how hard this is for you, and I'm glad you're going. You know, you're not the same guy you were in high school. You're not nearly as ..."

"... geeky?" Charlie finished softly.

"Geeky. I mean, now you are a math rock star. You have got to be the most successful member of the class of '89, by far. And look at you. The students in your classes think you're hot. Your date will be the most beautiful woman there. This will be the perfect chance to shove this up their noses."

A smile slowly crept across Charlie's face. "Yeah. It will."

July 19, 2004 was a banner day for Dr. Charles Edward Eppes. He managed to beat the scared thirteen year old senior into submission, and let the math rock star take over. It didn't hurt that his youth had finally worked in his favor. He was a young, vital thirty year old in a room full of thirty-five year olds. He and Amita had dressed to the nines, and even he had to admit they were the hottest looking couple in the room.

A shadow fell across his face as Don's jock bully buddies approached. "Hey, Chuckie," Sam said, "What you doing with this hot woman?"

Amita leaned towards Sam, and with a sultry smile on her face, she said, "Things you couldn't even dream of doing." She took Charlie's arm and said, "Come on, Doctor Eppes, let's go find Val and Ben."