(A/N) So, I have discovered a new pairing. Dooku/Jocasta. I think, when I was really young, I thought they were like the grandparent type, and my child brain just put them together. I've recently rediscovered. And have been inspired to write about them. Will be a series of moments, starting with this one with Qui-Gon as an apprentice, and going through probably Dooku's death, but I haven't decided. Please REadn and Review, I'm interested to see what you all think of them!

Thanks!

He was far too formal. He walked with a self-assured gait that she found exceedingly arrogant, he rarely smiled and when he did it was usually to secure his end of an argument. Even his hair, thick and black, was used to frame his face in a way that gave him a distinct air of authority. Even his eyes, in what she would have normally considered a warm brown color, were narrowed severely at the moment. He was regarding his apprentice with some sort of austere trepidation, watching the boy who was far quieter than his master, but far less impassive.

"Why have we come to the archives, Master?" The boy's name was Qui-Gon, Jocasta had seen him come in with the young initiates since he was a young child. He had once had long reaching hair, now clipped short as his new Padawan braid stood tightly behind his ear. She wasn't sure exactly when he had been taken as a Padawan, but this pair had been together less than a week.

"For you to work with Madame Nu, Qui-Gon. I have agreed to assist with the younglings who are exploring the archives for the first time today." She was surprised, in all the years she had seen him, she had never known him to go willingly to assist the younglings. He almost seemed too serious to be with the children. She had known him as an initiate, though a few years his senior, and he had always seemed to be exceptionally quiet and disproportionately focused on his training. After the incident she had heard with him, Lorian, and the Sith Holocron; she had watched as he slowly separated himself from other Padawans his age. If he made close friends, she hadn't known them.

Qui-Gon turned to her. "I'm ready to work, Madame Nu." And she had to smile, he was a sweet boy. She looked up to speak with his master, but the man had already disappeared, the clacking of his boots the only evidence that he had been there. She couldn't help but repress a small sigh at his callousness.

"Excellent," She directed at Qui-Gon who seemed to be eagerly awaiting her reply. "I'm in need of some help." He smiled, and soon the pair of them set to work. She had to admit the boy was fun to be around, he had a calm way of approaching both himself and the task at hand that kept her at ease, even as he managed to knock over an entire row of Holo-files, spilling them into an indistinguishable pile on the floor. His entire demeanor crackled with the living force, and he buzzed happily with life. She left him to himself for some time though, going to shelve books in a differnet part of the archives.

"Come, younglings; there is more to see." She stopped as she heard him, followed by a heard of less-even footsteps and mumbling. She looked up to see him leading a group of children, all of them dressed in their tiny beige tunics, scurrying behind him where he was intentionally shortening his long, athletic strides. He paused them on one of the learning mats in front of the bookcases, and sat cross-legged in front of them. The small ones followed suit, sitting around him in a semi-circle. She watched as a little twilek girl came over to him.

"Master Dooku," Her voice was so tiny it barely registered in the library space that seemed to soak up any extra noise. "Can I sit next to you?"

To her surprise, he gave her a warm smile. "Of course, little one." And she took a seat next to him, pressing her hand against his knee to balance herself.

"Why, then, are the archives so important?" The squinted their eyes and seemed to focus, but one little male spoke up quickly.

"They have all the knowledge in the whole entire galaxy!" Again to her surprise, she heard him laugh. She was drawn to it, to picture him, normally so serious and composed, lost in laughter.

"Not quite." He waved his hand around to indicate the bookshelves that were stacked with glowing blue Holo-files, "Although, certainly, there is more collected knowledge her than anywhere in the galaxy, except for perhaps Korriban." They all gasped at the mention of the Sith home world, but he shook his head. "We must not fear the Sith, younglings, fear is not the way of the Jedi." They all nodded reverently. "Why else, then, are the archives of such importance?"

"They help Jedi on missions." The little twi'lek on his right spoke to him, and he nodded. He waited on other responses, but none came.

"Perhaps, if she doesn't mind, Madame Nu might assist us." She had been unaware that he knew she was watching, and she felt the faint blush come to her cheeks as he turned to look over her shoulder, leaning back on his outstretched arms to look at her with a small smile. This was certainly strange.

"Why of course, Master Dooku." She walked over and took a seat next to him on his other side on the mat.

"This, younglings is Madame Nu, she is the newly appointed keeper of the Jedi archives." All the children nodded, looking at her with piqued interest. "It takes an incredibly intelligent Jedi to become master of the archives, especially at such a young age. Madame Nu is exceptionally intelligent, so you need to give her your full attendance."

All of the children watched her as she sat for a moment in stunned silence. She had never heard him compliment anyone except for the rare praise he reserved for his own master. She simply blinked and stared, determined not to let the small blush coming to her features show to him. "Thank you for your kind words, Master Dooku." He nodded at her, and she was conscious of his gaze on her most of the time as she wove an explanation to the younglings.

At the end, when the High Master came for the children, she stayed next to him, standing and watching them leave. The little female squeezed his hand gently, and he smiled down at her before she turned to run away behind her group mates.

"Thank you, Madame, for your help." His tone was back to being even, but he could fool her no longer. She had seen a part of him he did not allow to show. "I should probably find Qui-Gon before he manages to get into trouble. He seems to have quite the knack for it." He said, and turned, but waited on her to walk with him.

"He is a nice boy." She defended him, but when she glanced over, she saw his own amusement flit across his face.

"Very much so. He will be an excellent Jedi." As they rounded the corner, she watched as Qui-Gon almost tripped, carrying a box of Holo-files. "As soon as he grows into those feet." She laughed, surprised still at this side of him.

"Let us go, Qui-Gon. It's time for the midday meal." His apprentice perked up at the mention of food, setting his box on its destined shelf and moving to get his robe and lightsaber where he had left them.

"And Jocasta.." She was startled at his use of her first name. "I don't say things unless they are true."

And shortly after, she watched his back, clothed dark gray, as he followed his apprentice out into the hallway of the temple. Her mind replayed the episode in her head. What a strange thing, to see him like this. What a strange thing, to still be thinking of him.