It wasn't fair to Anakin. [ His voice is soft, and the emphasis around Anakin's name both subtle and gentle.] He needed, and deserved far more than I could give him.

[ He looks at Qui-Gon, gaze as quiet and steady as his tone. Odd, perhaps, given his earlier outburst, except it isn't. Release is release and he has. ]

But there was no one else, Qui-Gon. I can see hundreds, even thousands, of times and ways I failed him, but even with the benefit of hindsight... I don't believe leaving him to rot as a slave on Tatooine would have been better.