"No" she replied. "How did you destroy so many stitches so soon?" she asked, amazed.
"Lightsaber practice" Anakin said quickly, when Bant didn't answer he went on. "Lots of stress figured I needed an outlet, I really didn't think."
Bant hmmed but her eyes were wide and friendly as ever...and teasing.
"Been practcing that excuse long have you?"
Anakin blushed, something he had thought he had outgrown,he forced himself to meet Bant's gaze.
"It's hard" he confided in the calmarian. Bant's demeanor changed and became more serious, she gently put her hand on Anakin's knee and squeezed gently.
"I know," she said.
"We've been really busy and we haven't rested in months and I know I should've just let my emotions out through the force but I needed him so badly and the mission was so hard"
Bant gently interceded herself in Anakin's monologue.
"I know it's difficult, that's why many Jedi don't take lovers, its sometimes to much, especially for you who has so much potential and energy. That's why Obi Wan took only one lover before you"
"Quinlan Vos" Anakin said absently. He had heard the name, the Jedi was a rogue, the padawan of master Tholme, sometimes wild,but deeply connected to the force.
"Someone say my name?" Bant spun as she regarded the dread locked Jedi, she smiled, slightly uneasily. "Hello Quin"
The deep hazel/brown eyes were warm as he took in Bant, he opened his arms and she hugged him qucikly.
"It's been a long time" she murmured.
"I know,I'm sorry"
"A lot has changed" Bant said signifcantly, tossing her head in Anakin's direction. Quinlan's expression became innocent as he looked from Bant to Anakin.
"I know, I know things have changed, that Obi Wan's changed I didn't expect..." he trailed off.
Anakin slid off the table and drew himself to his fullest height. It wasn't really very even, Quinlan was taller and well muscled while Anakin was lean yet Anakin stood tall, he felt secure in his place with Obi Wan and just because an old lover of Obi Wan's was back he would not stand aside. Quinlan got the message, he nodded at Anakin and touched Bant's arm breifly before leaving.
"Did Obi Wan love him very much?" He didn't want to know the answer, didn't want to think that someone could hold his masters love, could challange his place in Obi Wan's heart. But the feeling was there.
Bant's eyes were dim and compassionate, she gently put her hand on the youth's arm.
"Yes. Obi Wan loved him deeply. No one knew what happened between them, only that Quinlan took a three year mission to the outer rim"
This was not news, Obi Wan did not outwardly pine for a lover but Anakin could sense a deep longing in Obi Wan that would not go away, he stared at the door which Quinlan had left and wondered whether the final balm for that longing had returned.