"Hey." Rory walked in with smile.

Sookie smiled in return. "Hey, hun. Great party, huh?"

"Yep. The best. Mom does it every year."

Lorelai didn't reply, she lightly let a smirk cross her face but that was it.

"Well, I'm tired I think I'll head on to bed." Rory walked over and kissed her mother good night. "Good night, Sookie."

"Night Ror." Sookie replied. The door to Rory's bedroom closed. "What a great kid."

"She's been seeing a boy." Lorelai blurted. "He kissed her!"

Sookie's face became covered with shock, then excitement. "Dean?" she asked hopefully.

"Yes. Dean." Lorelai mimicked in a hard voice.

Sookie began to wave her hands in excitement. "Oh, he's so handsome. They make a cute couple!"

Lorelai glared at Sookie. "I don't think so."

Sookie frowned. "Why not? Rory has a good head on her shoulders. I'm sure she's chose someone who is worth it."

"I don't like the way he talked." Lorelai replied. "He acted all smooth, and romantic."

"He reminds you of Christopher."

"No he doesn't." Lorelai quickly replied.

"Yes... He does." Sookie stated softly. "But don't hold that against him, Lore. He's not Christopher, and Rory isn't you."

Lorelai sighed. "Why didn't she tell me about him?"

"She did. She introduced him to you."

"They've been seeing each other for a couple of months."

"Well, she probably wanted to wait and see if it was anything serious before she made a big deal about it." Sookie paused. "Don't fight her on Lorelai. She m ay be the greatest kid on earth, but she's still a sixteen year old. She'll only want him more."

Lorelai nodded her head. "I know."

(The next morning)

Rory was sitting in the kitchen going over some homework and sipping some freshly made coffee. Lorelai came dragging in and made a b-line for the coffee pot.

"Morning." Rory greeted cheerfully. Lorelai moaned a weak "good morning" and sat down at the table across from Rory. "I need to ask you something."

Aha. This was it. This is where Rory was going to ask if she could go out with Dean. Finally, she would have to tell Lorelai about him. "Okay." Lorelai replied innocently.

"Remember Dean, from last night?" Rory asked.

Lorelai squinted her eyes a little. "I do."

"Well, he wants to take me out to eat for my birthday." Rory paused waiting for a reaction, but Lorelai was still waiting for the question. When Rory didn't receive a response she continued on. "So, can I go?"

Lorelai exhaled deeply. "Do you like him?" she asked.

"I don't know." Rory's face turned red. "Kind of. I guess. He's really nice."

"Well, I want you to tell me about him first. And he has to come over a little early and let me get to know him a little better." This was sounding so weird coming from Lorelai. She never had to discuss boys with Rory.

"Then I can go?" Rory asked optimistically.

"Yeah. You can go." Lorelai smiled, even though it was a smile to please her daughter not a smile that shoots from your heart to your face.

(Later that day)

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

"That's him!" Rory exclaimed as she fastened her necklace. "How do I look?" she asked as she slowly turned in a circle.

"You look great, babe." Lorelai replied.

"Okay." Rory smiled. "I'm ready."

Rory walked into the foyer and took a deep breath. Slowly, she opened the door. "Hi." Rory spoke captivated by the handsome boy standing on her door step.

"Hey." he smirked.

"Come in." Rory finally said realizing that was what she was supposed to say. Dean calmly walked into the house. How could he be so cool all the time? Rory was as nervous as a turkey on thanksgiving day. "Have a seat." Rory said pointing towards the couch. "Would you like something to drink?" she asked.

"Sure. Water is good."

"Good." Rory replied. "Cause water is all we have."

"Good." Dean repeated.

"Okay." Rory walked off into the kitchen where her mother was popping pop tarts. "What are you doing?" Rory asked.

"Pop tarts." Lorelai simply answered.

"Why?"

"Cause it's the only food we have in the house."

"No food was left over from last night?"

Lorelai giggled. "Are you kidding? They didn't leave a bite."

"Wow... So... Pop tarts."

"I'll bring them out in a sec."

Rory grabbed a glass and filled it with water. She walked back into the living room and handed it to Dean.

"Thanks." He politely replied.

Lorelai whirled in with the pop tarts and set them down on the coffee table.

"Hey..." Dean said with excitedly. "I love wild berry pop tarts."

Lorelai grinned. Maybe he was alright after all.