Thanks to my friend Fishy Biscuits for offering her help with this chapter!
A note: Apparently fanfiction is being stupid again because when I went to reply to a review, it showed up on the review page. This isn't the first time it's happen... plus it's happened to other people, so I know it's not my fault. It's just really annoying to. Plus, now I accidentally gave myself a review! D;
Obi-Wan knew from the start something was wrong. They didn't look at each other for too long, they didn't talk and laugh like usual. The man in front of him wasn't Qui-Gon Jinn. It looked like him, ate like him, walked like him. It just wasn't him. This Qui-Gon wasn't talking to Tahl, even though she was right beside him. He was wary, forcibly smiling, as he asked Obi-Wan to spar with him that afternoon. Obi-Wan eagerly accepted.
Beside him, Bant's head drooped. Qui-Gon glanced over sympathetically as Qui-Gon studied her. "If Bant's not busy-"
"-I thought we'd do some studying today right after my physical therapy," said Tahl brusquely, folding her hands over her empty tray of food. "We'll be fine on our own."
"As you wish," was Qui-Gon's retort.
Obi-Wan and Bant exchanged a look. Obi-Wan had a feeling this was more than one of their arguments.
In one motion Qui-Gon swept his tray away and rose from his seat. Obi-Wan rushed to follow as he moved out of the room without saying goodbye to anyone. Out in the hallway, Qui-Gon rounded on Obi-Wan. "You will show Tahl more respect next time you leave the table, Padawan," he said sternly.
Obi-Wan blinked, slightly puzzled. "Yes, master."
It had been rude of him to leave without saying goodbye. He was just trying to keep up with Qui-Gon. He was overstepping his boundaries, but he assumed the way the man had treated Tahl meant something was out of the ordinary. As they walked, Obi-Wan thought. There was obviously a new rift between them; a new tension. He had no clue what that meant. Perhaps Tahl was annoyed at his overprotection. Perhaps it was something the Council had said. Would he ever know?
"First things first. Close your eyes," Qui-Gon instructed.
Obi-Wan obediently did so, stifling a groan. He had learned this exercise when he was a toddler. He would have to tell his master the precise location of everything in front of him from memory. "Scorch mark from a training droid three feet up-"
"-Four feet," Qui-Gon corrected sharply. "Open your eyes."
Obi-Wan obeyed. Blood was rushing to his face. Qui-Gon's piercing blue eyes were disappointed. He opened his mouth to speak.
"Enough excuses," Qui-Gon cut him off. "We'll go straight to drills."
Obi-Wan slowly followed his master into the center of the room. Was it right for him to dread what was coming? He activated his lightsaber.
"Begin," Qui-Gon barked.
ooooo
Sweat stung Obi-Wan's eyes. He wiped it away with the drenched corner of his tunic. Then he stood a little straighter as Qui-Gon emerged from the shadows. "Good," he said, the only praise he had offered so far. "Go change and meet me back here."
Obi-Wan breathlessly nodded and trotted toward the showers. His fuzzy mind began to clear as a steady stream of water cooled him. Qui-Gon had rarely worked him so hard. Obi-Wan himself was to blame; his focus kept slipping. He was too worried about his master and Tahl to think about anything else. Too worried, too confused, and too helpless.
He soon reemerged from the showers with damp hair and a fresh tunic. Qui-Gon had his arms crossed and was waiting for him. "Something's troubling you. What?"
Obi-Wan swallowed a lump in his throat. He could trust his master with anything. But could he bring himself to voice his suspicions? It wasn't his place to. Qui-Gon tried to hide those feelings from Obi-Wan. He would never admit them. Would he deny them? "I'm worried about Tahl." That was the truth. Partially, anyway.
Qui-Gon didn't look completely satisfied. "I know. I am, too. She'll be fine."
"What will she do when she's released from the medcenter?" Obi-Wan asked.
Qui-Gon fixed him with a look that clearly said 'enough.' That one look. He had crossed the line, the delicate one between concern for Tahl and Tahl's private business. "She will do her Jedi duty," he said softly.
It was vague but true, Obi-Wan decided. He gave his master a grateful grin, not knowing what else to do. Should he apologize? Fall silent? Qui-Gon was strangely moody.
Qui-Gon sighed, turned around, and beckoned for Obi-Wan to follow. Obi-Wan had to walk fast to keep up. Always in my master's shadow. It became apparent they were visiting the medcenter, which meant they were most likely checking on Tahl. Bant would be with her during physical therapy.
Qui-Gon entered Tahl's room without permission. It was empty. He gruffly shut the door, went down the hallway, and took a left turn. Soon they were standing in the doorway of a room with a frustrated Tahl, a patient healer, and a pleasantly surprised Bant.
"…Are these friends of yours, Tahl?" The Healer asked.
"Friendly enough," Tahl said with steel in her voice. "Jedi Healer Carter Lyn, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn."
"How are things going?" Qui-Gon asked immediately.
"Fine," Tahl said dryly, moving her arms as Lyn instructed.
At that moment Lyn's comlink signaled. She studied it, biting her lip. "Oh, my. I have to go. I'll be back in a moment. Keep working!" With a smile she sauntered out of the room, a bored Tahl scowling in her wake.
"She said to keep working!" Qui-Gon exclaimed as Tahl dropped her arms.
Tahl shrugged. "Look, I can move as well as anyone else."
"Can you run?"
Tahl fell silent. From the corner of the room Bant shook her head.
"No?" Qui-Gon smirked teasingly.
"No, I can," Tahl rolled her eyes. To prove herself she suddenly sprinted forward, performing a lap around the room. Qui-Gon watched, then decided to follow her at a fast walking pace.
"Good, good, almost slipped there- why the rush?" he asked as Tahl sped ahead of him. Bant and Obi-Wan grinned at each other. It was almost like before Tahl had left for New Apsolon. Qui-Gon and Tahl were teasing instead of fighting.
Qui-Gon had caught up with her. "Don't strain yourself," he added as Tahl slowed a fraction. Tahl stopped altogether, breathing hard. Qui-Gon slowed more gradually. Casually thrusting out her leg she stopped him- and caught him off guard. His hands flew in the air as he tripped and fell backward. He came crashing down on Tahl's ankle as she retracted her foot. With a yell she fell, too.
Bant and Obi-Wan were at their sides in an instant, hovering.
"Get off my leg!" Tahl gasped. Qui-Gon leapt to his feet, rubbing his back, terrified he had hurt her.
"I didn't hear anything break," Bant said hurriedly.
"Nothing's broken," Tahl grunted as Obi-Wan hauled her to a standing position. "Thanks Kenobi. You," she turned to Qui-Gon, her face flushed with anger.
Qui-Gon was glowered back. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. Obi-Wan and Bant stood side by side. They began slowly inching away.
"Are you sure you're alright, Tahl?" He finally rasped. "I'm so sorry. Can I do anything?"
"I don't need your help," Tahl winced through gritted teeth. "I don't need you interfering."
"You're the one who tripped me," Qui-Gon said nonchalantly.
"I've had enough of you for one day!" Tahl shouted. Beside Obi-Wan Bant rocked slightly. Obi-Wan had never seen Tahl so mad. "Stay out of my sight from now on," she added, trying to limp away from him with as much dignity as she could muster. Qui-Gon took one last look at her and stormed out of the room. Obi-Wan was on his heels, leaving his quaking friend behind. On their way out they passed Carter.
"My, Tahl! What happened?" They could hear her cry down the hallway.
Qui-Gon left Obi-Wan at his quarters. Obi-Wan barely had a chance to sit down when Bant came by. Her large eyes were widened with concern. "Tahl's fine. She just needs some time alone," was the first thing she said.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes briefly, grateful. "But what happened?" he burst out. "Were we wrong?"
"Maybe," Bant said in a small voice. "No, I don't think so. I think something's just changed."
"Yeah. Like they decided to act like Jedi and follow the Code, so all this tension is over their decision, because it's hard-"
"-every time they see each other, they're reminded," Bant finished for him. "That explains why Tahl doesn't want to see him!"
Obi-Wan smiled, impressed. "That might be it. Qui-Gon was hard on me during training today. But… I had poor focus. I was worried."
"I wouldn't worry about worrying. You're always a Worry-Wan," Bant laughed, ducking as Obi-Wan threw a pillow at her head.
"Bad joke," he grinned.
There was a knock at his door. Qui-Gon was there, completely composed. "We have a mission. Now. Come," he said.
Bant assured him, "Tahl's here. I'll be fine," as he reached for his survival pack.
"I think we're leaving because Tahl's here," he whispered as loudly as he dared.
