Chapter Eight

"First Date"

It had taken much longer to complete than he had intended, but the process of creating a thorough plan weighing all contingencies takes time. Qui-Gon was wise enough to realize this, but it didn't stop his thoughts from being occasionally frazzled by worry, or his stomach from tying itself in knots. It had been many years since he had seduced a woman. He used to be good at it, but that was when he was a senior padawan. During times of recollections of his youth, he often wondered if perhaps his successes had been due to his stature. He had been tall for his age, often being mistaken for being much older than he actually was. Because of these faulty assumptions, he had been able to enter rather seedy establishments probably before he should've, although he had done so with his Master's approval. The experiences had allowed Qui-Gon to gain early insights when it came to matters pertaining to women that his peers of his own age had not acquired. He just hoped his age was not going to interfere now, by stealing away away his memories of how to go about the process.

Senator Padme Amidala was, if anything, habitual. Qui-Gon had studied her routine for several days in order to make their first meeting appear to be a coincidence. She arrived in her office at the Galactic Senate building promptly at 8:30 a.m., drank a cup of caff with two helpings of sweetener and one of cream at 9:15. At 11:30, she would leave her offices to dine with her aid in the building's cafe, which was located on the lowest level, where she would sit in the table farthest in the southern corner next to the window overlooking Valorum Park. She would dine on light fare consisting of vegetables and fish, and would always drink another caff afterward. She never ordered dessert.

Intergalactic Cafe was where Qui-Gon planned on intercepting her, but he had to ensure they would be alone. He had never had much success with flirtation in front of an audience, even as a youth. It was why her aid, Dorme, was going to be ill on this particular day. Nothing serious. Just a mild case of overactive digestion. She would be fine in less than 24 hours. The apothecary guaranteed it.

He wiped the nervous sweat which had gathered upon his palms on the dark cloth of his new pair of leggings, which were stiff and uncomfortable, and adjusted his stola before conducting a survey of the establishment. It was 11:25. She would be here soon, and the tea he had ordered was almost gone.

At 11:29, he caught a glimpse of her exiting the main lift, and lifted his cup to drain the rest of the liquid before dropping a credit on the table and rising to move her way. His plan was simple. The cafe was crowded, as he had expected, and an accidental bump into her would not be totally surprising. At least, she didn't seem to think so, when she spun around, ready to apologize to whomever, her dark eyes widening with another type of astonishment.

"Master Jinn! I'm sorry. I didn't see you standing there."

He had expected her to say something about the changes in his appearance, but her eyes spoke the words she did not, and he lifted one corner of his mouth with a grin, intentionally lowering his voice. "No apologies necessary, mi'lady. The cafe is overly crowded today."

"You come here often?"

He maintained his grin as well as his eye contact. "I've been here a few times," he told her, keeping the fact his visits had only occurred within the past two weeks to himself. Qui-Gon paused, waiting for the response he was sure would come. Padme Amidala was known for her sophisticated mannerisms and a friendly disposition. He was counting on that knowledge, certain she would not disappoint him.

"Have you had mid meal yet?"

The other corner of his mouth drifted up. "No, not yet."

"Then, please join me. I prefer not to eat alone, and my aid has taken ill today."

"I hope it's nothing serious," Qui-Gon replied while looking over her head and nodding to the head waiter, who followed his previous directions by escorting them both to the senator's regular table.

"I don't think so. Probably just something she ate."

He pulled out her chair before seating himself across from her.

"Give her my regards."

"I will, thank you," she replied before the expected lull in conversation occurred. He chose to remain silent and wait, watching her closely as she glanced about the crowded room. He hadn't really paid that much attention to Padme Amidala since the Naboo mission. His first impression of her back then was that she was perhaps too young to rule an entire planet, but her actions and firm decisions during moments of extreme stress had proven him wrong. She was a born leader, and he had to admit a rather attractive human female. His padawan had good taste. The years which had passed since then had only improved her appearance, in his opinion.

"I already know what I'm ordering. Do you have a favorite?" she finally broke the ice by handing him a menu readily available.

Qui-Gon replaced the menu back in its holder at the end of the table and leaned forward slightly, to initiate a more intimate conversation. "Whatever you're having is fine."

"You trust me that much?" Her full lips stretched into a wide grin.

"I don't typically allow my dates to order for me." Qui-Gon crossed his arms on the table, within just a few centimeters from her own.

Padme chuckled nervously and placed her hands onto her lap. "Your date, huh? So, this is a date?"

"You're the one who asked me," he pointed out. "An offer, which I gladly accepted, by the way."

Qui-Gon noticed a slight pink hue which was creeping up her neck and he relaxed a little. This was going to be easier than he had initially believed.

She changed the subject, as expected. "I'm having the grilled spinefish and mixed herb roots. Does that sound all right?"

"That sounds perfect," he responded, while accepting the iced water from a waiter. "And to answer your earlier question, yes, I do trust you. Over the nine years I've known you, you've done nothing to make me do otherwise, unless, of course, you wish to change my mind."

Her brows lowered in confusion, but Qui-Gon chose to ignore that for now. He would continue as planned, although perhaps speak a little more intentionally. Their first meeting was going to be short, but he was sure she would warm up to the idea of him - of them, or perhaps the possibility of them - in time.

"So...how have you been, Master Jinn?"

"Padme, after everything we've been though, you really should refer to me as Qui-Gon."

The lowered brows made another appearance. "I'd rather not," she stated bluntly.

"This isn't a mission, and I'm not here on business."

"Why are you here?" she asked, all traces of giddiness erased from her face.

"I was just passing through and happened to run into you. Literally, as a matter of fact. How lucky am I?"

She looked at him suspiciously and then laughed softly while toying with the napkin on her lap. "I thought Jedi didn't believe in luck."

"I didn't wish to overwhelm you with the philosophies of Force intervention on our first date."

She was uncomfortable. He wasn't blind. He would have to be careful from this point forward.

"The lack of facial hair was enough to overwhelm me, Mast...Qui-Gon," she teased.

"It's a change, isn't it?" he ruffled his hair with his fingers. "I would be interested in hearing your opinion of it."

"You, uhm.." the typically well-spoken senator stammered, "you look younger. I can say that much."

"That's good. Perhaps, I now look my age?" he asked, prompting further conversation on the subject from her.

"Perhaps, if I knew how old you were."

"Does it matter?" Qui-Gon responded, casually leaning his chin onto one propped hand, not straying his gaze from her face. "I've always felt when it comes to physical attraction, age is inconsequential. I was much older than my first love, and she never had any complaints. Some women prefer men with more...experience." To put emphasis on the final word, he tilted his head and grinned at her, and the pink hue creeping up her neck darkened slightly.

"Let's order," she announced suddenly, immediately lifting a finger to hail the wait staff.

The time it took for their meal to be delivered, Padme had mostly spent in the ladies' fresher, and when their food had arrived, Qui-Gon noticed she ate hers rather quickly.

"I can't believe I'm already full!" she noted when her dish was only halfway finished. "I guess I shouldn't have had such a big first meal." Her excuse was spoken into a small pouch she had retrieved from her cloak. However, Qui-Gon put a halt to her actions by reaching across the table and touching the skin of her forearm, causing her to jump in her seat.

"Don't worry about it, Padme. I've got this." The credits were already in his hand and he placed them on the table.

"Oh no, I couldn't let you do that," she argued, continuing to dig into the velvety bag.

"It's done," Qui-Gon confirmed upon rising. "Let's just say you owe me. I'll let you know how and when you can repay me," he said with a wink and another brush of his hand against her bare shoulder.

He walked out of establishment with a smile upon his face, but he was walking out alone. Their meeting hadn't gone as well as he had hoped, but he felt he had made his intentions clear. Their next meeting, he would know how to play of her reactions better, now that he knew what to expect. His forwardness had surprised her, but Qui-Gon was confident he would be successful. In no time, Obi-Wan would be burning with jealousy and would finally realize how much he cared about the woman.

By the Force, yes. Things were going exactly as he had hoped.