I spent the next two days doing what all women in my predicament have done since time immemorial: Worrying about what I should wear and how I should act. If I was about to go to my doom as a fool of epic proportions, I wanted to at least look as well as I could. My best friend, Marjamne was intrigued by the upcoming event, and I would have given anything had my younger sister been old enough to be an apprentice in training so she could help to. I could always count on her for an honest opinion, called for or not.

"Honestly Noela, your white robe is perfect for you. Keep it simple and comfortable. You always look y our best if you stay away from too much extra frou-frou. Besides it is only a Jedi, and he is not eligible as a mate anyway."

"Why?" I questioned absently, more interested in matching what little jewelry I had to the outfit, than in the little tidbit she was handing out like sweeties.

"I swear Noela, you are clueless about so many things. They are forbidden romantic attachments. The rumor even has it that they brainwash them away from love, although I know from a couple of girls at the university, that they are not necessarily celibate. Not that any of this is going to affect what is essentially a diplomatic affair."

"No I expect not. We will probably do this one event, and I will bore him to tears, and that will be the end of it."

She shook her head in consternation at me, and left for her course work at the University. I was to meet him in only a few hours, but until it was time for me to get ready, I had a few other duties at work to complete.

My co-workers despaired of getting my attention on work the rest of the afternoon, so they sent me early to get ready. Simple, my friend said, so simple is what I decided. I carefully took another look and deemed myself presentable, and gathered up my cloak against the cold winter evening air. I promptly crashed into the doorframe leaving my room. Rubbing my shoulder and the red mark I just caused myself, I kept repeating "you go through door frames Noela, not into them. It is a simple rule, why have you never learned it?" Sighing, I knew it was useless. If we went through any doors this evening I was sure to repeat my performance.

Although it was winter out, the gardens were still gorgeous and frequented by many who found their presence calm and restful. I sank to a bench, to wait and closed my eyes, attempting to breathe deeply to calm myself.

"Noela?"

Oh gods, it was his voice, and I opened my eyes to catch a glimpse of my escort. He was framed by sunlight, and so while I could not see his face, his height, although not the full adulthood length he would reach, was already impressive for a young age. As I moved to stand to get a better look, he held out his hand for me, again reinforcing that somewhere this young man was taught to be a gentleman. His stance and figure gave the sinewy impression of the warrior they were training him to be, and his poise was something I could only hope to emulate.

When my gaze reached his face however, I was stunned. It wasn't that he was the most handsome young man I had ever met; it was simply that he was the most beautiful, and I again found myself praying silently to the god of my grandmother that if indeed she was right and he was the author of the universe that he do nothing to ever change this young man but to make him, well more him.

He was smiling at me, and I found the warmth of friendship in his eyes. "Shall we go, lady? I have found a new little bistro The 23rd Hour tucked quietly away near the Temple. I thought we could share an adventure to begin a friendship, and try something no one knows anything about.." I nodded and he led me to where our waiting transport was parked.

I wish I could tell you I remember the trip, but mostly I was over-awed by his soul. As we arrived at the destination, he hopped out of the vehicle to help me out. I had forgotten in the meantime to repeat my instructions about doorframes, and so of course promptly found myself crashing into the one right in front of me.

Exclamations of worry actually made me giggle. "I am all right, I have just had a lifelong love affair with doorframes. I haven't met one yet I haven't wanted to walk into as opposed to through."

Chuckles followed my performance and the Maitre d, showed us to a lovely table with full view of this part of Coruscant.

Qui-Gon's eyes were merry, "So you like doorframes? What else should I know about you?"

"I hiccup when I eat spicy food, and while I have had musical training I hum off-key when I am busy thinking of other things." I supplied helpfully. "You of course have no such defects." I fully believed what I was saying and I found myself enjoying this conversation at my expense.

"You are exactly right. I am always perfect." The wink he gave me was cheerful. Already well taught in wisdom he gave me no ammunition to use against him at the moment, and he began to study the menu.

"I hope you are hungry, I think it all looks like it might be wonderful doesn't it?" He questioned absently.

I neglected at that moment to tell him that I could probably eat the restaurant out of food, when mentioning my questionable attributes previously, but it was always best to let people find out on their own just how much a little person such as myself could tuck away, so I just smiled my agreement at his plan.

First course arrived and I realized I had forgotten to tell him another of my habitual faults. I knew there was a reason I considered that white might not be my best option, when a bit of the dressing from the vegetables fell to my dress.

Well if I was going to go down in the flames of every ridiculous and gawky thing I have ever done, I was going to do it with style I suppose. He noted the problem, and dampened the edge of his napkin, and without thinking reached his fingers around one of the wide straps that held the gown to my shoulder and began to clean the little spot as if I were a youngling. I knew his skin had touched mine, but I was too mortified at my clumsiness to notice at the time. I looked up to thank him, and was appalled to see the color had gone from his face and he looked like he was having a hard time breathing.

"Qui-Gon are you not well?" I stood to help him back to his seat, or he wouldn't have found it. He waved me back to my seat, and as I looked again I could have sworn he was blushing.

"It is nothing, I just have a habit of falling apart after stressful events."

"Oh, you mean having to go out on this date even though you had never met me before. I was very nervous too." I soothed, almost reaching out to touch the hand that rested on the table, but he had pulled it back almost at the same moment.

"Yes," he agreed, "that must be it."

The rest of the meal was enjoyable, as he regaled me with tales of his adventures with his Masters, and talk of other young Jedi he grew up with. Somehow I managed no more accidents the rest of the evening, which could only be explained by his careful navigation of my person through all the doors we passed.

I knew the Jedi Temple was imposing but I had never actually been this close to the structure before and realized that it was actually a very large city in one building. His home was truly awe-inspiring, and he would occasionally stop to introduce me to passing Jedi. I noted that he like other young learners wore a single braid denoting his status. The rest of his hair was uniquely clubbed in a braid in the back, as all the other young male Jedi I saw wore their hair other than the braid short. He told me only that it was a request of his family, and that it had been honored when he was given to the temple.

As we stood in the contemplation balconies, his hand brushed against mine. Once again, it was like someone had taken white paint and redone the color in his face. I was getting worried, but helped him sit back down on the bench behind us. "Qui-Gon are you sure you aren't getting ill? Perhaps you should go to the healers, or go get some rest."

"The healers would be grateful if I manage to not visit them today. I keep them busy on a regular basis. They would only laugh if they knew I was doing this, and would insist I wear a ridiculous helmet. I think you are the last person I want to see me wearing that contraption, if you don't mind Noela."

I grinned. Thank goodness he had a few little idiosyncrasies. All of a sudden I felt at home, as if I had met another part of myself, a kindred spirit. Grandmother was right, but then she always was.

He confided that he worried them at the temple. Somehow this quiet, regal, even obedient boy had gotten himself a reputation as a rebel. He confessed that this was the first yearly event that he had been allowed to escort one of his own kind, and that it came out that it had been because of a clerical error it had even happened in the first place. It was too late to correct the error after he had already called me.

"It is because of the Living force." He explained.

I must have looked a little confused, knowing only that we spoke of the force in society, but not that there were different kinds. He only smiled, and noted it was time for the concert.

He carefully took me to my doorstep at the end of the evening. I expected perhaps to never again have contact with this amazing person and was preparing my heart for such an event; after all I really wasn't anybody special, but he stopped me as I went to enter my quarters.

"May I call you sometimes Noela? I don't wish to bother you."

"Bother me? You could never be a bother. Please call me when you can and if you want."

He dropped a small kiss to my hand, and I went in. I didn't turn on the lights right away, so that I could look out the window one more time at this extraordinary person, and had to giggle as I saw he was standing holding the wall as if he needed to catch a breath again. He really did need to go get that problem checked out, although it was as endearing as it was worrisome.

My grandmother listened carefully to everything I told her, and gave me a few bits of advice, and has told me to call her again later today. I know I can't expect anything: He is Jedi.