Qui Gon cut himself off before he yelled into the common room, reminding Obi Wan that he had less then ten minutes before he was officially late for class. He expelled his breath in one short movement.

"Are you frustrated Qui Gon?" the voice of his best friend did little to improve his mood.

"Or maybe lonely?"

He ignored her, moving around his quarters, he had planned to take a walk in the small park, the only natural habitat left on Coruscant. He wanted the relative peace and quiet it brought to the city planet.

Tahl's voice softened. "It's okay Qui Gon. Obi Wan was a big part of your life; it's not too late to change your mind"

"I…won't deny that Obi Wan's company was welcome but I'm not going to change my mind. Obi Wan has a life outside the Jedi order, he's happy now" his gaze challenged Tahl to deny it.

Qui Gon wasn't ignorant to the fact that Tahl and Yoda had kept a firm eye on Obi Wan since he left, taking more then a general interest. When a young pupil left the order under any circumstances they were monitored for the first few months to make sure their transition into civilian life went as smoothly as possible but Qui Gon felt that Tahl and Yoda had taken far too much interest in the boy.

"The school where Obi Wan goes to is having a performing arts faire in a few days; Yoda and I are going along with Bant and Garen. Obi Wan has some art he is showcasing."

"Well I am very glad Obi Wan is adjusting so well" Qui Gon replied neutrally.

Tahl let out a furious curse, her hands on her hips she stared at Qui Gon knowing even without her sight she could intimidate any rival.

"Do not give me that look Tahl, Obi Wan has great gifts, although I never knew about his aptitude in art I am glad he has found something he enjoys. Perhaps you should congratulate him on his achievements rather then clinging to a past that Obi Wan seems to have let go of"

Tahl studied him coldly. No one knew him like she did. She knew that there was truth behind his words yet she could not understand them.

"Would you be this accommodating if I were to leave the Jedi?" she demanded

"Tahl I am quite certain that you are not going to leave the Jedi, and even if you were please enlighten me on what you would do?"

There was humour in his voice and Tahl bristled. He was missing the point entirely. Seeing he had angered her he made a placating gesture.

"If you insist I will go and see Obi Wan's show, but nothing else. I am happy and so is Obi Wan. I don't understand why you wish to make him unhappy again. There is more then one path for Obi Wan, he seems to have found his niche, I am proud of him"

Tahl eyed him warily. "So you are not bitter or angry?"

"Why would I? Obi Wan is capable of so much more; perhaps the rigid ness of the Jedi order would not suit him. Better he finds out now rather then in a few years time. As much as Melida/Daan pains me I am glad Obi Wan made his choice, it opened up his eyes to a new kind of life where he may want to fall in love, have a job, or even get married"

Tahl snorted but Qui Gon continued.

"Obi Wan has a chance at a new life…"

"Qui Gon I understand, you can't trust him so you think he should be discarded and be allowed to 'Let down' someone else so you don't have to deal with an emotionally broken padawan. So you don't have to let someone else in. Gods Qui he made a mistake, a bad mistake but he is ten times the Jedi you and I will ever be, you are so damned frightened of that of getting hurt that you would rather be alone then deal with it"

It lay between them. Qui Gon didn't blink and neither did Tahl. They were old friends and knew each other's minds. Qui Gon knew that Tahl had meant every word she had said. Just as she knew Qui Gon had meant his.

Tahl broke first, a novelty. She stood and took her leave. She wished she didn't think that Qui Gon was half right. That Obi Wan was happier outside the order but that didn't mean that Qui Gon's fear of being let down was wrong either.

At least Qui Gon had agreed to see Obi Wan, which was a start although Tahl held numerous outcomes in her mind. Ones that corrected the mistakes of the past and those that splintered them even more.

Tahl could only hope.