Author's Note: Due to some wonderful begging in Llamachick's review, I'm posting the last chapter to this story an embarassingly long time after the last post. I'm a terrible writer that gets horrible blocks and thinks everything is crappy and therefore is too embrassed to post it. I've had this last chapter completed for a while, but was never satisfied, but hopefully it turned out alright. (runs and hides in shame)

He arrived at Qui-Gon's quarters just a little late and tried to calm his racing heart. He hadn't entered this room since he left a year ago. He was afraid the memories would come rushing back to him when he saw it. He steeled himself and buzzed the door. The door swung open and a very exuberant Padawan was standing in front of him. Anakin was wearing an apron and a huge grin was plastered on his face. The boy thought of Obi-Wan as a big brother. He held a type of hero worship for the renegade Knight. The idea of finally getting to sit down and speak with his Master's ex-Padawan was almost too much for him to bear.

"Obi-Wan!" he exclaimed. "Come in. Master Qui-Gon is in the kitchen."

"Don't tell me you let him cook," Obi-Wan said, trying to be as friendly as possible with the young boy. He would not let his relationship with Qui-Gon taint his feelings about Anakin.

"Of course not! He could ruin toast. He was so anxious he kept looking over my shoulder and getting in my way when I was cooking. I had to give him something to do, so he's mixing the salad. I figured he'd be hard pressed to ruin that."

Obi-Wan smiled and followed Anakin into the living room. He looked around and took in the small differences in the area. The couches and the chairs were all the same as he remembered. It was just little things that had changed. The pictures on the table were not of himself, but of Qui-Gon and Anakin. There were a few of Anakin holding up an award and his Master beaming into the camera with pride. Obi-Wan thought Qui-Gon had never looked happier.

"Well, I was beginning to think you had stood us up," Qui-Gon said as he walked into the living room.

"I'm sorry, Master Jinn, I was running a bit late." Qui-Gon frowned, that was the third time Obi-Wan had referred to him so formally. He wanted to tell him that they were past formalities, but he wasn't so certain that was completely true.

"Yes, well, why don't we sit down at the table. I believe that dinner is just about ready." Qui-Gon guided Obi-Wan to the table and sat across from him. They sat there in a silence that nearly deafened Obi-Wan. He knew that he should be making small talk, at least pretending that this whole escapade wasn't killing him. But before he could gather words, Anakin walked in with three plates balanced in his hands.

"Master Qui-Gon told me all your favorites Obi-Wan. I hope I made it the way you like."

"It looks wonderful, Anakin. Thank you."

"Well then, sit down Padawan and let us see just how amazing this meal is."

They ate in a satisfied silence for a while, each enjoying the meal that Anakin had prepared. Anakin, who had already finished his meal and was serving himself a second helping, was the first to break the silence. It seemed to drive the boy crazy any time the room was quiet for more than a few minutes.

"Master Qui-Gon told me that you mastered the fifth form during your second year as his Padawan. I wish I could learn it that quickly. I always seem to stumble on the last maneuver."

"Your Master is being far too generous, my skill in the fifth form was clumsy to say the least during my second year. I watched you fight today. I'm sure that you will learn it with much more grace then I ever had at that age."

Anakin beamed at the praise and began on his second helping with a renewed vigor.

"Obi-Wan is being much too modest", Qui-Gon said, "he has always had a natural grace when it comes to fighting, even when he was young."

Obi-Wan simply smiled at the compliment and continued to eat his meal. He couldn't understand why Qui-Gon was doing this. Had Bant recruited him in her and Yoda's "reconstructing Obi" project too? He would kill Bant if she had forced Qui-Gon into this. He had spent the past year far away from Qui-Gon, so as not to be a burden, he didn't want to start now.

"Master," Anakin said, swallowing his last bit of food hastily, "is it okay if I go out tonight. A couple of the other Padawans had plans and they invited me."

Qui-Gon looked contemplative for a few moments, simply liking to see his young apprentice squirm. Patience was not one of Anakin's best virtues.

"Of course, Padawan. Just don't stay out too late."

Anakin jumped up the second he heard his Master's answer and was sprinting into his room. The boy had too much energy as far as Qui-Gon was concerned. He dreaded the years to come. He was getting too old for this. Anakin bound out of his room with his cloak slung around his arm.

"Thank you, Master," he said as he grabbed a roll off the table and headed out the door. The door swung shut and Qui-Gon let out an exasperated chuckle.

"Sometimes I wonder at my sanity. I'm far too old for all that energy he packs."

Obi-Wan smiled at the remark but said nothing. Qui-Gon stood up and motioned for them to go to the living room. He sat in a low brown chair that was worn from excessive use. Obi-Wan chose to sit on the couch and sat with his hands clasped tightly in his lap. The silence grew between them and Obi-Wan could feel the tension in the air. Without Anakin there to keep up his mindless chatter, the two were caught up in uncomfortable silence. Obi-Wan was just about to rise and make up an excuse to leave when Qui-Gon spoke.

"I have to admit Obi-Wan, I do have an ulterior motive for inviting you here tonight."

Obi-Wan cringed. He had guessed right. Qui-Gon had been coerced into this dinner and he was about to get the brunt of the Master's annoyance. He mentally prepared himself for the rage that he expected to hear from the man. He was sure that Qui-Gon's earlier compliments were only made so that his Padawan didn't have to see how pathetic Obi-Wan really was. He didn't want to ruin the boy's hero worship by letting him know that Obi-Wan needed Master Yoda's help to remain stable.

"Obi-Wan…the truth is…I brought you here so that I could…apologize."

Obi-Wan's head snapped up. He couldn't have heard that right. What did Qui-Gon possibly think he had to apologize for?

"I was cruel to you, I shouldn't have cast you aside like I did. I should have seen what I was doing to you. But I was so focused on training Anakin that I didn't see the pain you were in. I was a fool. I should have seen that you were hurting, that you needed me. I have always tried to be there for you Obi-Wan. But sometimes I would loose focus and you would suffer for my faults. I just hope that you can forgive me so that we will no longer have this distance between us."

Obi-Wan sat, stunned. He couldn't believe what Qui-Gon was saying. He should be happy, right? This was what he had always wanted. Then why couldn't he feel joy at hearing the words he had been waiting for? He looked up and stared into Qui-Gon's eyes and saw only sincerity and hope shining out of them. But it still wasn't enough. Qui-Gon wanted to get rid of the distance between them. Wasn't that what Obi-Wan had asked for a year ago? Qui-Gon had responded with emotions of pity and anger. And now that same man wanted Obi-Wan to forgive and forget. Obi-Wan was suddenly very angry at the thought of it. All he had been through for this man, and he thought he could fix it with a simple apology.

"How dare you?" Obi-Wan whispered with barely controlled rage.

"…what?" Qui-Gon said, bewilderment written all over his features.

"How dare you do this to me after all I've been through. I came to you after you had rejected me and pushed me aside. And I tried to bridge the gap between us. I dropped my shields and I let you see all the pain that I had been through and…the love I had for you. It nearly destroyed me when all I could feel from you was pity and disgust…"

Qui-Gon tried to interrupt, but Obi-Wan had opened the floodgates, and he wasn't going to let anyone stop him.

"I died that day. I always knew that I was a failure to you, but in the back of my mind I still had hope that you had feelings for me, that you loved me. But I was obviously wrong. I don't understand how you could stand living with me after that. I knew all the pain that I had caused you, the failure I was, and yet you still let me stay under your roof. You must have pitied me so much to allow me to remain here. I couldn't stand the thought of being such a burden, so I left." Obi-Wan stopped and looked down and his clenched hands. He had to remember to breathe. The emotions were flowing out of him and he was afraid that if he stopped for too long he wouldn't ever be able to finish.

"I went away from the temple and I stayed away. I went from mission to mission, but I never came to the temple in between. I would stay at whatever place I was at and go native. I'm not proud of what I did or who I was at those times, but it was the only thing that kept my mind off the pain. I…I sometimes thought that I wasn't worthy to serve the Jedi any more. I had done too much that I should be ashamed of. But I would always remember you're lessons, and you'd remind me why I was going on and what I was fighting for. I am a Jedi first and foremost. And sometimes I hated you for that, for not letting me simply fall into all those other faces I created…But I never, ever stopped loving you…and that's what kept me away from here."

Obi-Wan said his final words in a choked whisper. He was not going to let Qui-Gon see him cry. He was going to stay strong and sure of himself. It was the only way he could make it through this.

Qui-Gon walked over to where Obi-Wan was on the couch and sat beside him. He reached over and lifted the young Knight's chin so that his eyes met Qui-Gon's. He looked into the blue depths and his heart clenched at what he saw. The eyes were dry and cold, restrained. Is this what he had taught his Padawan? Had his student learned this emotional control from him? The boy was practically shaking from the control he was forcing on himself.

"Obi-Wan," he said slowly, "I do want you to know that it hurts me more than anything to know that I could have caused you such pain. If I could I would gladly take your suffering on myself. But I do need you to listen to me, and listen closely…you were never a failure to me. When I told the Council that you were ready for the trials it was because I had the utmost confidence in you. I know you feel that I rejected you, and for that I am truly sorry. And if you are unable to forgive me, I would understand. I am not trying to excuse my actions, I am simply trying to help you understand. When you came to me before your knighting and asked me to seal the distance between us I was elated. I did not realize that you had lowered your shields until the last barrier dropped. When I felt the immense pain pouring out from you and realized that it was all my doing, I was appalled with myself…you see Obi-Wan…the feelings you felt from me were not directed at you, they were directed at me. I was disgusted and angry with myself for allowing you to be in so much suffering. You are a gift Obi-Wan. I just didn't see it until that moment. I was a blind old fool…and I let you leave. Because I was afraid that if you stayed I would only cause you more pain. So…I guess what I am trying to say is that…I love you, my Obi."

Obi-Wan stared at Qui-Gon as if he were sprouting wings. He could not believe what he had just said. He knew Qui-Gon was telling the truth. He could feel Qui-Gon's joy flowing through the Force. It was almost too much for him to bear. He couldn't breathe. He had to get out of there and think about this. This was not what he expected and he wasn't sure he could handle this sudden change. He got up quickly and ran out the door before Qui-Gon could stop him. He needed to think about this. He needed to be somewhere, anywhere, else. He remembered Bant's earlier invitation and headed out of the Temple to Lilah's.

Qui-Gon sat on the couch, completely still. Obi-Wan had left so suddenly that he barely had time to register the fact that he had stood up before the Knight was out the door. He had let Obi-Wan go a year ago, but it wasn't going to happen again. He was going to find him and make this right. He headed out the door and walked down the hall trying to sense where Obi-Wan had gone. The Knight was shielded so tightly, though, that it was impossible to tell where he had gone. He decided to check Obi-Wan's quarters, though he doubted the young man would go there right now, it was the only place he could think of. On his way to the east wing, he saw Bant walking down the corridor towards him. Obi-Wan and the young healer were friends, and though he was sure that the young man did not keep in touch with anyone, she might have an idea as to where he would go.

"Bant," he called as she approached him.

"Yes, Master Jinn."

"I was wondering if you knew where Obi-Wan was. I need to speak with him."

"Actually," Bant said with a slight smile at the great Master's frantic appearance, "he and I were suppose to meet at Lilah's tonight, perhaps he went there. Why don't you come with me, I was just heading that way."

When they entered Lilah's Bant asked the owner if he had seen Obi- Wan come in. The man pointed to a dark corner where a lone figure could be seen among the shadows. Qui-Gon immediately headed towards the table and Bant went off to another table, her task completed.

Qui-Gon reached the table and looked down at Obi-Wan. The young Knight had already finished a drink and was nursing his second.

"They say that spice beer can go to your head," Qui-Gon said softly to get the young man's attention.

Obi-Wan looked up and stared at Qui-Gon passively. He seemed more relaxed than he was earlier. But weather that was merely from having time to cool off or the spice beer, Qui-Gon could not tell. Obi-Wan seemed to be thinking something over as he looked into Qui-Gon's eyes. When he reached whatever decision it was, he downed the rest of his drink and stood up. To Qui-Gon's surprise he walked past him and went right onto the stage in front of the room. He whispered something into the guitarist's ear and the man smiled and told the rest of his band. When Obi-Wan faced the crowd the applause was thunderous. Qui-Gon sat down and took in the sight. It seemed that these people recognized Obi-Wan. Some were even shouting out requests. But Obi-Wan already had a song in mind. The first chords of music began and Obi-Wan looked directly at

Qui-Gon and began to sing. The song was filled with love, hope, loneliness and pain. It was the most beautiful thing Qui-Gon had ever heard

When the song ended, Qui-Gon let out the breath he had been holding. He never knew that Obi-Wan had such a powerful singing voice. He practically glowed on the stage. He put all his heart into the song and he poured every emotion he had into the lyrics. The words forced Qui-Gon to realize exactly what his Padawan had been through. The crowd was standing and screaming at the top of their lungs. But Qui-Gon didn't hear them. His senses were completely tuned to the young man standing on the stage.

Obi-Wan jumped off the stage and headed right towards Qui-Gon. He stood in front of him and looked straight into his eyes.

"I forgive you," he said. His voice never wavered and his eyes never left Qui-Gon's. They stared at each other for what seemed like forever, neither willing to break the trance they were in. But when the trance was broken, it was Obi-Wan who leaned forward and brushed his lips against Qui- Gon's. He wound his arms around the older man and held on as tightly as he could. He would never let go.