Disclaimer: Every time I write one of these I feel ridiculous. I am basically stating that I'm not George Lucas, I don't have the right to steal his work, I'm not making any money, and I just write for fun. I don't know how that isn't already obvious. But for the sake of keeping my account, and not having people yell at me, I will keep writing these.

Authors Note: This story is from Obi-Wan's point of view. It shares his thoughts from after his return to the Temple. This is right after Qui-Gon's death, and he is relating his emotion to how Qui-Gon felt after Tahl died. He reminds himself that he is not like his master.

"Master Obi-Wan?"

The child's voice was so innocent, so quiet, so terrified. It had been a long day and Obi-Wan couldn't help but feel that fact was partially his fault. If only he had reached his master in time, he could have saved him. If only. And yet Obi-Wan knew that it was simply the will of the Force.

As if saying that made it any easier to bear.

Every bone in his body ached to mourn his late master, and yet he knew that that's not what the man would have wanted. It reminded the knight of when Tahl had died. Although he never really had any sort idea as to what exactly their relationship was, he knew one thing was for sure. Qui-Gon had loved Tahl. But this wasn't the same kind of love. Yes, Obi-Wan had loved his master, but it just wasn't the same. Didn't make the pain any easier to bear, and certainly didn't justify it, but somehow, Obi-Wan felt as though he had something torn away from him. Granted it wasn't his love, but it was his life, and that seemed good enough.

Obi-Wan couldn't believe he was doing this. He was rationalizing his emotions in a way that made it okay to bury them. Because that was the only way he knew how to move on. To make life easier.

Because the boy needed him.

"Yes, Anakin?"

He didn't even bother to correct the boy anymore. It seemed pointless.

"Are you gonna be okay?"

The boy seemed genuinely concerned. Not that he was surprised; empathy in a Jedi was always encouraged, if not required for their line of duty.

"I'll be fine."

Obi-Wan didn't even think when he responded, as if it was as simple as discussing the weather. Not that it wasn't true, he would eventually get over all of this, but it seemed odd to the elder Jedi that he was so comfortable with his current state of emotion. Maybe because he was done being surprised, the appearance of a Sith could attend to that, or maybe he was just numb. Whatever it was, the comment slipped out with such apathy that it was almost concerning.

Although the look on the boys face seemed to be dissatisfied with his response, he didn't push it.

"Okay."

A lump formed in Obi-Wan's stomach. He didn't know what bothered him more; the fact that he was already hiding things from his new Padawan, or the fact that his Padawan seemed so okay with it. Either way, this seemed to be the beginning of a very dysfunctional relationship.