Teenage Dream

Rory stared intently at the tubs of ice-cream in the freezer. Had Lorelai said to get Phish Food or Chunky Monkey? She pulled a wad of dollar bills out of her pocket and mentally added up the items already in her basket. With tax on top, there was no way she could afford both tubs. She bit her lip her thoughtfully. Getting the wrong ice-cream flavour could make or break movie night. The classic Lorelai choice was Phish Food, but she was in one of her more crazy moods tonight, so that would dictate Chunky Monkey. Rory didn't care either way but she knew she'd never hear the end of it from her Mom. A pair of hands suddenly appeared out of nowhere and covered her eyes.

"Guess who?" A male voice asked.

"Someone who will be taking their hands off me immediately if they want to live," she retorted.

He released her and she whirled around to gaze up at her impossibly tall boyfriend.

"You were looking serious back then. Trying to decide whether you needed ice-cream as well as marshmallow fluff?" Dean teased.

She gave him a small push. "That's not even a choice, mister. You always need both."

"Oh, yes, how could I forget about your magical appetites?" Dean wrapped his arms around Rory's waist and drew her close.

She stood on tiptoe and their lips met softly. She linked her hands around his neck and moved deeper into the kiss. They were interrupted by a loud clearing of the throat. They broke apart to see Taylor glaring at them, hands on his hips.

"Dean Forester and Rory Gilmore. Just what do you think you're doing?" he demanded loudly.

"Umm, I was getting some ice-cream?" Rory responded weakly.

"Oh. Oh ho! Is that what you call it?"

"We weren't doing anything wrong," Dean tried to defend.

"Not doing anything-" Taylor spluttered as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing, "young man, this is a family establishment. We have standards to be upheld. You can't just go about doing – that – in a public place."

"It won't happen again," Rory cut in firmly.

"You're darn right it won't. Now get your ice-cream and go."

He gave them a parting frown and stormed off, muttering about youth today. Dean and Rory glanced at each other apprehensively and then burst into giggles.

"His face!" Dean hooted.

"Fifty different shades of purple!" Rory responded gleefully. "Well, that decides it."

She threw the Chunky Monkey into her basket decisively, hoisted it on to the crook of her arm and made her way to the checkout, Dean in town. As he was packing her food, Dean looked at her sorrowfully.

"Don't go," he pleaded.

"I have to. Mom will stomp around the town like Godzilla if I'm not back with her sustenance soon."

"Ok, well, compromise. Why don't we meet here same time tomorrow night and see if Taylor can catch us in the canned goods section."

Rory grinned. "You're on. We'll sneak around like we're in a James Bond movie."

"Speaking of..." Dean looked around furtively then swooped down to plant a kiss on Rory.

Behind them came a loud, cross shout. "Kids! What did I just say?"

Rory's eyes widened. "Bye!" she squeaked.

Dean grabbed her arm as she was about to run out the door.

"Tomorrow?" he whispered.

She nodded. "You bring the sunglasses, I'll bring the trenchcoats."