It snapped. That's all there is to it. My bond with Qui-Gon snapped, leaving emptiness where it had been. My mind screaming in denial to what my heart already knew, I searched frantically for his signature in the Force. There was no trace of him.
A scream of sorrow tore from my throat, my legs gave way beneath me, and I collasped on the floor of my apartment. Tears flooded my eyes, but I refused to let them come.
I was so caught up in my sorrow and denial that I never heard or sensed him.
"Tyln."
I didn't move until he put his hand on my head. I slowly looked up at him, my vision blurred some by the tears in my eyes.
His face was sad as he sat down on the floor.
"Master, is he...?"
I couldn't bring myself to finish, fearingI would break down.
My Master nodded sadly.
"One with the Force he now is."
More tears stung my eyes, and it was now next to impossible to hold them back. One broke free and ran down my cheek.
My Master gently brought my head to his chest and stroked my hair as he had when I was a boy.
"Let it out, my old Padawan."
I didn't need to be told twice. I broke down completely, sobbing my heart out for the man I had loved as a son. I cried as I had never cried before. I cried until I had no more tears left to cry.
My Master never let go of me, never stopped stroking my hair. I took great comfort in it as I had when I was a child. His presence, his touch, his smell was all so famililar and comforting.
We stayed as we were until my face had dried, and even then he did not stop. I realized that I was trembling from the shock of the loss of my former Padawan.
My Master remained as he was until my body became still and then slowly released me. I sat up a little reluctantly, for all I wanted right then was my Master's comfort.