DISCLAIMER. This follows just certain events of the Star Wars and has a lax time line. I tried very hard to make sure that everything you might need to know was already explained in the narrative, so It shouldn't be necesary to se the movies, but hey, if you want to watch them, don't let me stop you.

The first time Adrien saw her was when he was around ten years old. Adrien had been out with his father, tagging along to what had probably been a horribly boring meeting in a tall building in Coruscant. But whatever had transpired in that meeting was not important and didn't care enough to remember. He remembered sitting by the window, as his father discussed some important matters with his associates.

The good thing about Coruscant was that it was a large city, taking over the entirety of the planet. It was one of the most important planets in the Galactic Republic, it also housed several important institutions, like the Senate and one of the most important Jedi Temples in the Republic.

So whenever he was dragged to these kinds of meetings, he tried to entertain himself by looking out the windows, there was bound to be something interesting out there.

It was his plan today, as he gazed at the front of the Jedi Temple just nearby; just as a group of young children burst outside, following an older Jedi knight. They looked excited and overenergetic, pushing each other as they ran circles around one another. And even though Adrien couldn't hear them, they were clearly laughing and having a great time. They couldn't be any older than he was, all of them wearing those typical tan and beige robes, the typical colors from everyone at the Temple.

To this day, Adrien still couldn't understand just why she had caught his eye. Maybe it was because she looked smaller than most of the children. She was shorter and appeared frailer than the rest of them. Granted, she had no problem with the roughhousing, giving just as good as she got even if she ended up stumbling several times.

Her robes swallowed her small frame, and Adrien just couldn't quite understand how a girl like her was supposed to be the protector of the Republic and keep peace in the galaxy, especially when it seemed that a strong gust of wind could lift her from the ground and throw her away.

Adrien remembered looking at his own outfit, so outlandish, extravagant even, when compared to the simplicity of theirs.

He kept on seeing the group. Always a small group of them, around seven or eight, battling and playfully fighting with some training lightsabers. Sparks flew as they swung at each other, in mock battles with movements far too clumsy and strange to ever be part of an actual fight. She was still with them, and Adrien remembered seeing her laugh as she swung her own weapon, twirling around to try and land a successful hit. They were like puppies, playful and energetic.

Was it too wrong to want to be a part of that?

Adrien Agreste was a good boy. He lived a good and very comfortable life and had a good social standing. The only son of Gabriel Agreste, a rich trade merchant, he had never really wanted for anything material in life that his father couldn't provide. Gabriel was extremely well off, and their home in Coruscant was among the most luxurious ones.

Unfortunately, his line of work meant that he was usually absent, whether on business meetings or just travelling across the galaxy for whatever reason his work needed. Adrien had grown up surrounded by child care droids, and while he had gone through the standard education, interacting with several children… at this point in life they'd all gone their different ways. Adrien never really managed to keep in touch with anyone from that time.

Once he turned thirteen, his father's friend had offered to let Adrien shadow him at work. To tell the truth, Adrien hadn't been completely sold on the idea, but it was a chance to learn something… to do something with his day, and since his father agreed… he had no reason not to. The Senator was an important man, and an old family friend. It made complete sense for Gabriel to trust him with Adrien's care and further education. And of course, the chance for Adrien to forge himself a career in politics was an added bonus.

Especially if he considered his uncertain lineage.

Of course, Adrien knew that his father's family was very well known. They'd had this line of work for generations already. But his mother and her family were a complete mystery, even after years and years of careful digging around. Adrien had managed to find certain bits and pieces, but he respected his father enough not to prod him with question that the older man was not inclined to answer.

But there were other sources. Other ways to find information, and Adrien had tried every single one that had been available to him. He'd managed to find certain bits and pieces of information, coupled with hushed whispers and rumors that he had never been supposed to hear. He knew that his birth and whole existence had been a scandalous affair.

Which was why he couldn't understand just why he hadn't been allowed to join the Temple to train as a Jedi. The members of the Jedi Order were held in high esteem, particularly in the city. It might have been a good thing to let him join. Give some purpose to his existence.

But still, he had some hazy memories, from when he was really too young to actually remember clearly, but he was sure that a member of the Jedi Council had visited his father, about him. And how he should have joined the young children in the Temple for proper training. Gabriel had barely let them finish their speech before he completely closed the door on any possibility. Adrien would not go to the Academy to train. Adrien would never be a Jedi.

Adrien didn't ask why. He knew very well that his father would never give him a real answer as to why he hadn't been allowed to join, so instead, he decided to investigate on his own. At first, he only found rumors. Some said that his mother was a separatist, fighting against the Republic, betraying everything about their current government. Some said she was a Jedi Knight. The stories varied in dramatics, but they all ended in the same way. She had been a warrior, and she'd been slain in battle. It had been a secret affair, and right after his birth, she'd been whisked away to a battle she never returned from.

He much preferred to think of her a Jedi Knight.

There were times that Adrien wished he had a name, something to go on with his search. But even the subtlest question would cause his father to close up, and he preferred to avoid that. Despite his cold exterior, there was an underlying pain, and even being as young as he was, Adrien could see it. In the end, all he knew about his mother was that she had died. But he can't help but dream of blonde hair and bright green eyes.

With what little knowledge he had found so far, Adrien could understand. A little.

His father wasn't a warm individual, but he cared… in his own special little way. His father loved him too much to risk losing him too. It was no secret that the Jedi's lived dangerous lives. Even the training alone was enough to scare normal people, and Adrien could only imagine what going on an actual assignment as a Jedi could be. And as much as Adrien could want to be a part of something like that, he was aware that he was all the family Gabriel had left, and vice versa. He wouldn't do anything to risk that.

That was the main reason why Adrien never complained. He was happy to do his job, which right now was being a good son, and not be a nuisance to his father. Especially with Gabriel being always so busy; but that was how life was for people in his line of work. And such was the hand he was dealt with, and Adrien would make the best of what life had offered him. Because despite being so young, Adrien understood. He was a good boy, and he would be a good son and fulfil his duties. He would do as required of him.

This was the path that led Adrien to the Senator. At first, it had been a little difficult. The Senator was imposing, an older man with a narrow face and cold grey eyes. It wasn't something that Adrien would have looked for in a mentor, considering he had enough of that at home. But in time, he'd found that the older man was interesting, and he would always answer Adrien's questions. Granted, the Senator would deflect when he believed that it was something that Gabriel would never tell his son, but he was part of the reason Adrien had found as much information as he had so far. Or at least, why he'd gotten enough clues.

The Senator was a good friend of his father. During his childhood Adrien had quietly wondered whether there was any sort of hair under that headdress he wore, but up to this day, he'd never been able to figure that one out.

If he had to tell the truth, it was the only caregiver that Adrien didn't quite mind. The Senator would allow him to shadow him at work, giving him small tasks when they were at the office, and he would allow Adrien into their post for him to watch and experience long sessions. Sure, it could certainly be boring at times, the Senate loved to discuss the most inane matters for hours at times, but Adrien did understand that the Senator was just trying to show him what a life in politics would be. It was a viable possibility for him, after all.

It was also a career choice that his father definitely approved of, and if he was to be honest, the inner politics of the galaxy could definitely be an interesting affair. But after all was said and done, Adrien was still a fourteen year old boy. He yearned for something more in his life. More than boring meetings with people far older than him.

But he wouldn't complain. Today, they had discussed the proper taxes for a variety of planets. It had been an extremely tiring session, which they'd just left. Adrien was very eager to go back to his home, but he was waiting for the Senator to dismiss him before he would go.

"You know," the Senator began, "I see a great deal of potential in you, my boy."

His eyes widened a little, but he nodded, "Thank you sir," he said, "That means a lot coming from you." He was a powerful man, that much Adrien knew, and compliments did not come easy.

"Good." He said, stopping to look at his young companion. "I should hope that I will get to show you how politics work, Adrien. This is a place where you can do something for our people." He clapped a hand over his shoulder, clearly done with the sentimentalities. "You should go home, isn't your father returning today?"

Adrien couldn't have helped it if he tried, but his expression lifted considerably. Gabriel had been gone from home almost a full month and while the Senator had made sure he had been looked after and cared for when he wasn't at work, the truth was that the boy missed his father. "I should make sure to be home before his ship arrives," He said, though it was mostly to himself.

"Send him my regards." The Senator pats his shoulder lightly, "and tell him that I will probably visit him during the week."

"I will," he said, "goodbye Sir."

He turned around, and began to hastily make his way home, lost in thought. The boy didn't get very far before he got the air knocked right out of him. He coughed, trying to fill his lungs back again, noting how his current point of view had switched from the luxurious halls of the Senate House to… the ceiling.

The current weight he feels on his chest was accounted by the fact that he'd just been tackled to the ground by a flurry of brown and tan robes. "I am sorry!" she said, a girl with the bluest eyes he'd ever seen, as she disentangled herself from him. She stood up easily, straightening up her robes before holding a hand out to him. "Are you alright?"

The girl looked oddly familiar, and his mind quickly drifted to the times he'd looked at the small groups of young children in Jedi training, and he placed her quickly. Yes, it had been a long time since he'd seen her, or any of their class, but he remembered her. She was around his age, even if her face looked somewhat younger.

His eyes glanced at the long braid that swung from her shoulder, signaling her as a proper Padawan. He had absolutely no idea what that braid meant, but it was a fact that every young apprentice with hair would have it. It signaled that they were Jedi in training under the care and guidance of a more experienced Jedi Knight. He'd known that it was how it worked, so it made sense that he never saw the little group again. They'd all probably gone to be the padawans, and were currently learning with other Jedis in the order. Unless they didn't pass through whatever tests they did back at the Jedi Temple.

He wordlessly took her hand, still offered to him, despite the fact that he had spaced out for a little. "Right," he mumbled, feeling oddly nervous about the way her blue eyes settled serenely over him. She pulled him to his feet easily. "Thank you." he mumbled, noting that her grip was sure, and that she was definitely stronger than she looked. The girl still looked every little bit as fragile as she had when she was younger, and her face still had the roundness of youth, despite the fact that she was probably ready to battle greater foes than he'd ever face.

It was a sobering thought.

"I apologize," she said, her voice soft and even as she chanced a small smile. "I was in a rush and didn't see you."

Adrien hadn't interacted with many Jedis in his life, but the soft tone of voice was something that he'd somewhat expected. It probably spoke to the calm demeanor the usually presented themselves with. Not that he would ever get upset at the little accident, it wasn't like he had been looking where he was going either.

"Marinette!" A clipped voice called their attention, and both heads snapped towards the source. A little distance from them stood a Jedi Master, his posture stately and slightly menacing as he stared at the duo.

The girl, Marinette, it seemed, winced at the tone and released his hand quickly. "I'm sorry!" She repeated, her voice sounding more like a fifteen year old and less like a Jedi, "I have to go, Bye!" she turned from him and ran off, trying to catch up with the older Jedi, only pacing herself to a brisk walk once the older man cleared his throat loudly. She finally caught up with him, and soon they disappeared from view.

-.-.

Adrien didn't know whether he was actually looking for her, or if it was fate that brought him where she was. Not that he would be against that particular design, but the whole situation intrigued him. Actually, she intrigued him. Even if they had barely interacted. Honestly, they had barely exchanged more than ten words, total.

There was just something about her. Something behind that cool exterior, the responsible and caring Padawan. There were some flashes of someone closer to his age at times, whenever she allowed the carefully constructed calmness to fall. Whether she was looking around curiously, blue eyes darting back and forward as she examined her surroundings. Or maybe because something funny happened, and he was able to see the mirthful glint in her eyes, even if she didn't let the rest of her face react, keeping her cool as she was supposed to do.

And she always managed to catch him looking, her blue eyes curiously glancing into his. Adrien was usually the first one to look away.

Because when the Jedi Knight Kir Fayar was around, her behavior was spotless. Speaking only when addressed and offering carefully studied advice. It was then that Adrien felt younger than ever. It seemed that he was a child compared to her, even if they were probably the same age. But her graceful posture and serene behavior spoke of a completely different upbringing. And it intrigued him more than words could ever express.

In the end, their interactions were usually limited to the brief time Master Kir would speak to his father, or to the Senator, brief pleasantries exchanged before they both went on their way.

But that wasn't the case today. Master Kir and Marinette arrived to the Senator's office, startling him from the documents he had been reading. There had been some threats, but even if the Senator didn't usually pay attention to them, he had been encouraged to reach out to the Jedi Order. Just to be on the safe side.

The Jedi Knight and the Senator begun discussing the possibilities and what their plans should be, and Adrien couldn't help but feel nervous as Marinette stood beside the older men. At this point in life, he had stopped seeing as the fragile girl he had thought she was, because he knew just what she was able to do. He'd read enough to know that Padawans went to war. And even if he hadn't known so, there was something about the way she stood that spoke to the cool confidence of someone who trusted herself and her abilities.

Her back was pin-straight, shoulders squared and as usual, she was very well behaved, even if she seemed a little restless. She only spoke when addressed, but she just looked around the office. Her blue eyes glanced around, curiosity shining brightly in them. It was easier to see her, and remember the girl who's run off after barreling into him, squeaking out apologies.

Eventually, the Senator seemed to make a decision. "We should discuss this in my office." he pointed out, "I can explain in further detail some of the issues. The young ones can stay out here."

Master Kir looked conflicted for a second, but it seemed that he quickly made up his mind and nodded, seemingly agreeing. "Lead the way, Senator." He paused to flash a careful look in Marinette's direction, earning a quick nod from the girl, before the Jedi followed the Senator into his office.

Her shoulders relaxed immediately once the door closed, and she began looking around the room curiously. She walked around, examining the trinkets that adorned the surfaces, all of them brought from different parts of the galaxy. Marinette kept her hands behind her back, fingers peeking from the long sleeves of her robes as she laced them behind her back.

"Do you want something to eat? Drink?" Adrien offered, not sure of what else he could try and say to break the silence. What he was sure of, however, was that he didn't want to get caught staring. Again.

She turned around to face him, looking clearly surprised that he was actually talking to her. Which in turn, made Adrien wonder just what she thought of him. "Oh, no… Thank you!"

She was beginning to turn back around, to glance at an ancient painting that adorned the walls, and he realized that it was his one shot to actually talk to her. "I'm Adrien."

She flashed him a reserved smile, "Marinette."

He already knew that, but it was nice to hear it from her. The silence returned, but at least he didn't feel as uncomfortable as before. He wasn't sure whether it was because he had actually managed to speak to her, or maybe it had something to do with the way she seemed so relaxed. Perhaps he was affected by it. Or perhaps it was one of those Jedi mind tricks he'd heard from. But then he wondered, if she was still a Padawan, could she even do something like that? There was just so much he didn't know.

"You're a Jedi?" He finally asked, almost wincing immediately at just how stupid his question was. Of course she was. But he wanted to talk to her and he was running out of options.

She giggled, and it relaxed him almost immediately. "Well, yes." she began, tilting her head to the side as she paused, "but technically I'm still an apprentice, so Padawan fits better." Her curiosity with the room's décor seemingly satisfied, she looked around for a place to sit. Her choice was a large seat, which in Adrien's opinion was too grandiose looking and not too comfortable, but it was what they had available. She squirmed a little, as she tried to get comfortable before carefully shifting into a cross legged position, worn leather boots peeking from under the fabric of her brown robes.

All the shifting moved her robe out of the way, letting Adrien catch a glimpse of a silver contraption. It had to be her lightsaber. "Is that… real?" He knew right away that he'd made another obvious statement, but she didn't seem to react. "I mean, full powered?"

She nodded, looking down at the weapon, her fingers tracing softly across the handle. "It's the real thing, yes."

"How does that even happen?"

She looked confused, eyebrows furrowing as she looked at him, "What?"

He shook his head, feeling slightly embarrassed. Honestly, he was terrible at talking to her, "Do you get that as a gift?" He inquired, pretty sure he was embarrassing himself in front of her. "When you start training with a Jedi?"

She laughed, leaning her palms on her knees as she inched forward. "It's a process, really." She told him, "We make it on our own." She waved a hand in the air, and he figured that it was far too long to explain, "It's very ritualistic. And If I told you I'm risking certain death."

His eyes widened, would Jedis really do that? "Really?"

"No." Her face broke out in a bright grin, clearly enjoying teasing him, and she only giggled at the flat look on his face. "Sorry."

And in that moment, he found that she was just a girl. She didn't feel like the possibly unstoppable warrior she was training to be. It was better, easier to talk to her when she was like this, sitting cross legged on top of the uncomfortable seat, giggling at the confused look on his face.

It helped him relax, and he sat with her, mirroring her position. Sitting so close only highlighted their differences. Her clothing were made out of sturdy, coarse and thick fabric, while his was dark, smooth and pristine looking. It seemed to have no importance to her, but it only heightened the difference between both their worlds.

It was her who broke the silence then, "You've always lived in Coruscant?"

"All my life." he said, trying to keep the sad edge out of his voice. He would have loved to be able to travel more, know more places in the vast universe, but his father argued that his position was too dangerous to take him along. He was safer back home. "You?"

"I was born in Naboo." she told him, blue eyes darting towards the closed door, as if making sure that the meeting was still going on before continuing. "I lived there until I came here to join the Academy."

"How old were you when you left?"

"Five?" She paused, tapping her chin thoughtfully, "somewhere around that, for sure." For a second, she seemed lost in thought, but she continued before Adrien could say anything else. "I think my parents were farmers." She added, and the idea that she had to think and guess was disconcerting to him. "I really haven't been back there, not since I left."

"Do you miss it?"

"I don't know." She said, her expression faltering a little. "It's not like I remember much of it."

He began feeling bad about every time he had ever complained about his own life. Adrien might have not seen his father very often, but at least he knew he was there. And that he cared even if he was not the best at showing it. "Do you like it here?"

"Coruscant?" she asked, pursuing her lips as she pondered the question, "It's very nice," She shrugged, her smile turning uncertain before she continued speaking, "I've never really travelled anywhere else…" The look on her face turned uncertain, and she pursued her lips, thinking of something Adrien couldn't quite figure out.

It seemed like she wanted to say something, but held back, "What?" Adrien pressed.

"What?" she repeated back at him, blue eyes confused as she raised an eyebrow at him.

"You looked like you were going to say something,"

She narrowed her eyes at him, as if silently assessing him before speaking. "I don't know if it's my head, but what I can remember about Naboo… it just seems so much prettier." Her shoulders tensed a little, and her hands gripped the ankles of her boots. She had never looked younger.

"I've seen pictures," Adrien said, "It does look like a beautiful planet,"

Her smile turned wistful. And he couldn't help but wonder if she missed her family. Even if she hadn't seen them in almost a decade. Could you miss someone you hadn't seen in so long? Could you really have memories of them?

It seemed like she caught the shift in the air, and for a second she seemed nervous. "What about you?" she asked, trying to dispel the tension, "I didn't know the Senator had a son…"

"Oh, he's not my father." Adrien shook his head, "He's my father's friend. I just… help here."

"Ooh," she nodded, tilting her head at him, "You like politics, then?"

It was quite possibly the first time someone asked him what he thought about his current career path. His life here, was just something that was assigned to him, so he wasn't sure just what to answer. "I… It's a good path to take."

The corner of her lips lifted in a small smirk, "That's not an answer," she told him, amusement glinting in her blue eyes, "but that was very politician of you."

Adrien would have said something, but it seemed that the meeting was over, and Marinette switched back into a proper position, standing by the door in a second. And just like that, the girl was gone, replaced by the apprentice.

"Alright." Master Kir spoke, "We'll be meeting you tomorrow morning then,"

"I still don't believe it's necessary, but I appreciate nonetheless, Master Kir," the Senator nodded, his expression thoughtful, before he turned to bid his goodbyes to both Jedi and his apprentice.

"I'm afraid you can't join me tomorrow," the Senator spoke, once both the Jedi and his young apprentice had left the room. "Your father would prefer if you stayed in Coruscant."

Somehow, Adrien wasn't surprised. Gabriel might have let Adrien travel with the Senator, but with the current threats sent the Senator's way, Adrien had resigned himself to the fact that he was not going. "I understand," he replied, "I can actually take the time to finish the books you said I should read."

The older man looked satisfied with Adrien's answer, "That's a very good way to spend your time." He said, "I'll make sure to ask you what you think of them when I return." The man looked at his watch, "It's time for you to head on home though." He nodded towards the door, heading towards his desk, "I'll just do some reading, there's no point for you to stay here."

"Alright," Adrien said, and gathered his things to head on home. He had one week free, might as well rest before he started reading on the history of the Senate.

The week passed quickly. He hadn't quite realized that he'd grown so used to spending time at the Senate, that this brief intermission turned out to be a bit boring.

More than what his usual day to day life was.

So when the Senator was finally back, he rushed towards the office, eager to talk to him. Because there had been news that there had in fact been an attempt on the Senator's life which made him eager to know just what had happened during the visit.

The Senator arrived minutes after he did, and greeted him cheerfully. Adrien, in a rare display of anxiousness, didn't give him much time to speak. "What happened?" Adrien urged, "I heard there was an attack?"

"Oh," the older man waved off his concerns. "There was an attempt. That's hardly the same."

Adrien nodded, an attempt meant it was frustrated early on. "Was everyone alright?"

"Well, yes. Mostly." He paused for a second, and Adrien thought for a second that he was doing it on purpose. "Well, That young Jedi girl, Master Kir's padawan…" the Senator spoke, and Adrien couldn't help but perk up, eager to hear just what had happened. "She was injured in the attack…" he kept on talking but Adrien wasn't paying attention.

Adrien felt his breath caught in his throat; at the idea of the girl, that same girl he'd spent time talking just past week had been injured in battle. An actual battle. He couldn't quite wrap his head around that fact, especially when he considered that the biggest foe he'd ever faced were, papercuts and heavy stacks of paper.

He was startled out of his thoughts when he turned to the Senator, who was looking at him, an odd expression on his face. "I see." the older man said, an amused glint lighting up his grey blue eyes. "Ah," he laughed, "to be young again…"

Adrien was not able to fight the heat that blossomed on his cheeks. "What?"

"She is very pretty." the Senator pointed out, before he broke out in laughter at Adrien's embarrassment. "I guess I can understand it."

He sputtered indignantly. "I am, I don't!" he paused, not sure just how to defend himself. It wasn't like that! Adrien just thought that the girl was nice.

The older man paid no regard to his stammering, "I should have seen it when they stopped here," he continued, tapping his chin thoughtfully, "You're probably around the same age, too." he added, before sighing loudly. "It's a shame, really."

"…Wait, what do you mean?"

"Oh my dear boy." the senator tsked, shaking his head "the Jedi follow a Code. And they are not to deviate from it in any way."

Adrien settled down to listen more carefully, curiosity etched in his young face. "How's that a shame?" he asked, as far as he was concerned, following a certain set of rules was not really a bad thing to do.

"Ah, it goes deeper than that. Jedis are not to create attachments, not material nor emotional. They can't marry, for once. They leave their families…"."

His mind flashed to the talk he'd had with Marinette. He was sure she missed her homeland, but she probably had never said it to Master Kir, if this code that the Senator mentioned was anything to go by. "It's not like that." Adrien defended himself, "I'm just… being friendly."

The look on the Senator's face told Adrien that he didn't believe him. But he didn't know how else to explain it. He was intrigued, yes. But his interactions with the girl were usually brief, there was no chance for anything other than a budding friendship to happen. If that. He wouldn't mind it if they happened more often, but that was beside the point.

"It's why I was glad that your father never allowed you to train. There are very good things about the Jedi, but many things that aren't."

"Such as?" Adrien asked, this was all brand new information and he was going to dig in if he could.

"Some of them… they can be a little close minded." The expression on his face spoke of clear disappointment, and Adrien couldn't help but wonder if there was a story to be told there, "I feel like there are things that need to be revised, but they would never do so."

Adrien listened carefully. There were just so many things that he didn't know about the intricacies of the Jedi Order. Mainly because he was kept away from them by his father, and partly because the group was indeed secretive. It was all new information, and Adrien wasn't sure how to proceed.

The young boy fell back into his work, eyeing the paper needed to read, assuming the conversation over.

"Adrien?"

He halted, Adrien had almost reached for the door and he turned around curiously. "Yes Senator?"

"That doesn't mean you're not to try. There's nothing wrong with befriending someone." The Senator's voice was even and he barely raised his eyes from the documents that sat on his desk. "And yes, there are things that should be changed, and I do believe that there has to be someone behind that change." His hand held out a small parcel, "I might need this taken to the Academy. And should you deviate from path. It would be alright."

The words resounded in his head, and Adrien shifted nervously, the fidgeting thankfully hidden by the burly outfit he wore. "I'll be going now Sir," the boy waited for the Senator's nod and headed towards the medical center, feeling a blush appear on his face. He had an excuse now.