Disclaimer: Alas, I cannot be the lucky person named George Lucas to go around the universe proclaiming that I own Star Wars. But if he would ever like to give me Obi-Wan, I'd be more than grateful.

Summary: In an alternate universe where Qui-Gon lives, what else could change…? Obi-Wan tries to deal with feelings of jealousy, Anakin struggles with love, and Qui-Gon begins to doubt the Republic. A look at how the series could've turned out, starting with AotC.

Author's Notes: In case you're wondering, yes, I did change the title of the story a little bit. Since I began this story, I was wondering what I was going to call the series. But I didn't want to wait to publish it, so I just decided that I would ponder a title and change it once I figured out what it was. I've finally decided that this story is the first of my Jedi Trials series. Let me know what you think!

Also, to erase any confusion: Qui-Gon, Anakin and Padme didn't travel as refugees to Naboo. They took a ship of their own and had to leave it in Theed along with R2. That's why Qui-Gon was able to accept a message – which we will actually see in this chapter.

Darth Vengeance - Me too. I can't imagine having to feel that disappointment to be passed over for someone less than half my age.

Twinkie - Oh yes, definitely not as easy as in the movie. And as for Qui-Gon, lets just say he's been a little distracted with Anakin.

The Dancing Cavalier - I'm sorry to say that compared to what I have planned for Obi-Wan, the last few chapters have been a walk in the park.

Wow, those were some really long author's notes. I'll let you guys get on with the story.

Jealousy, Love and War

By Kekelina

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Chapter Five: The Message

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The door hissed closed behind Qui-Gon, leaving him alone in the room. It was a simple room, unlike the rest of the retreat. The only touches of elegance were the extravagantly designed floor tiles, covering the bottom of the square room. The only part of the floor not covered in tiles was the area covered by the circular hologram projector. In such a place of beauty, it stuck out like a sore thumb. Qui-Gon didn't have to wonder why it got its own room.

Gazing around the room for a moment longer, Qui-Gon remembered why he was in there in the first place and strode to the center, placing himself next to the projector. He keyed in the code to his ship, adjusted the frequency and was met with a very stunning surprise.

"Hello, old friend."

Qui-Gon had trouble not letting his jaw drop to the floor. For the first time in his life (that he could remember), he was speechless. Standing before him was someone he thought he might never see again – yet he was standing there, just as Qui-Gon remembered him.

"M – Master?" Qui-Gon said after what seemed a lifetime, for the man in front of him was his old Master, Count Dooku.

Qui-Gon never thought he would see the man who was so much like a father to him after the old Jedi left the Order many years ago. After Qui-Gon had become a Knight, they had still remained good friends, their bond formed during Qui-Gon's training never leaving, only growing stronger. Qui-Gon had been devastated when Dooku informed him of his departure and he had feared the words they spoke in farewell would be their last forever.

Dooku nodded silently, a smile forming on his lips. Qui-Gon could still see the kindness the old Jedi had shown him many years ago in his eyes. "Yes, my old Padawan. It is I."

Qui-Gon noticed that Dooku still held himself with the regality and strength that he had prided himself on. With a small laugh, he realized that Dooku hadn't change one bit.

He grinned, joy abounding. He was pleased beyond words to see his old Master and friend again. So many times, he had wished to talk to him, wished for his counsel, but he had not gotten it. Dooku was the reason Qui-Gon was the Jedi he was today. He had taught him that sometimes the Code had to be broken to fix a problem. He had also taught him that while the Council may have been made up of the wisest beings in the galaxy that didn't always mean their judgment was correct. They weren't perfect. Dooku had shed light on so many matters that had bothered Qui-Gon and while he was beyond ecstatic being able to talk to him again, there was something bugging Qui-Gon in the back of his mind.

"Master," Qui-Gon began after decided how to put his concerns into words.

"Please, old friend," Dooku interrupted, "I am not a Jedi anymore. There is no need to be so formal."

Qui-Gon nodded, taking heed of his words, then continued. "How did you find me?"

Dooku smiled, sending him a knowing look. "Nothing gets by you," he said with a chuckle. "Never has, never will." He paused for a moment and Qui-Gon had the distinct impression that he was reminiscing on older days, but after a moment, the Count cleared his throat, bringing himself back to the presence. "It was quite easy, I assure you," he said. "Of course, I was a bit surprised to find you on Naboo. What has brought you there? Surely not more trouble with the Trade Federation."

Qui-Gon shook his head, noting that Dooku had not fully answered his question and had quickly changed the subject. He didn't want to be suspicious of these actions, yet he knew that Dooku was part of the separatist motion against the Republic.

"I'm on a mission," he said simply. There was no reason to give anymore information than that, especially with the delicacy of his mission.

"I gathered that," Dooku commented with a smile. He gazed at Qui-Gon for a minute as if he was appraising him, then gave a knowing nod. "You're protecting the Senator from Naboo."

Qui-Gon stared at him, his face impassive. Dooku had always been very perceptive of Qui-Gon. He knew he shouldn't have been surprised that the Count had figured out his mission and so quickly, yet something wasn't right…

"Come, Qui-Gon," Dooku said with a sigh. "Don't look at me like I'm your enemy."

"The Senator believes you are behind her assassination attempts."

Dooku shook his head. "That's madness! I have no reason to kill the Senator. I have no quarrels with her."

"You are a Separatist," Qui-Gon reminded him.

"And I do not want a war," Dooku said, his voice a bit more stern than usual. "I'm sorry, my dear friend," he apologized. "I'm tired of being labeled as something I'm not."

Qui-Gon furrowed his brow together. "What do you mean?"

Dooku sighed, shaking his head. "I didn't leave the Order and the Republic because I hate it. I was once a Jedi, after all. I do not hate," he said mechanically. No matter how long ago it had been since he left the Order, Qui-Gon knew that Dooku's training would always be with him, just as it would always be with himself. "I only left the Republic because it is corrupted."

Qui-Gon nodded. Just before he left, Dooku had told him what he feared was happening to the Republic. Some of his words had struck Qui-Gon as true, but there had been too little evidence to back up Dooku's statements. While he had admired his former mentor for following his convictions, he knew it wasn't the Jedi way and hadn't followed him as his Master had requested.

"But it is worse than I originally feared," Dooku continued. Qui-Gon shot him a confused look yet said nothing, allowing Dooku to continue. "The Senate is under the control of a Sith Lord, Qui-Gon," he said urgently.

Qui-Gon looked at his former Master squarely, trying to gather any hints of whether he was speaking the truth or not. He was reminded, of course, of the incident ten years ago. He had been on Naboo and he had fought the Sith with the help of Obi-Wan. It had been that incident that made the Jedi Order realize the Sith were trying to return. For ten years, the wisest members of the Council had searched for the Sith Lord, yet no trace of him had been found.

"He was once in league with the Trade Federation but he betrayed them ten years ago." Trade Federation. Ten years ago. "They came for me to help; they told me everything." He sighed. "The Republic is being manipulated by the Sith, Qui-Gon. I need your help. Together we can reveal the Sith Lord and save the Republic!"

Qui-Gon looked at him, not saying a word, for he was too confused to speak. What Dooku said made sense – perhaps too much sense. Was the Republic really being controlled by the Sith? Was it possible to do that without being sensed by the Jedi? Just how strong were the Jedi's powers anyway?

Dooku hung his head. "I must go now."

Qui-Gon nodded. "Goodbye. May the Force be with you."

"Think about what I said, Qui-Gon," Dooku reminded him. In a second, the place where the hologram of Dooku had been standing was empty.

Qui-Gon sighed. Dooku had no idea how much he was already thinking about what he had told him.

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Obi-Wan was standing in the middle of downtown Coruscant. He gazed up at the racing speeders, going much too fast than what was legal. The sky was dark and dreary; it looked like it was going to rain. Buildings flashed their colorful signs, casting eerie light over one of the tallest buildings in Coruscant: the senatorial apartment building.

The ping of a blaster. Someone screamed. Speeders slammed into one another, trying to get away from a dot in the sky. Obi-Wan looked up at the dot, which continually grew bigger and bigger until the dot landed in front of him. With horror, he realized that it was a person. But not just any person – a Crawdite bounty hunter.

Obi-Wan tried to call for help but his throat wouldn't work. He tried again and again there was nothing. People passed by him without a care, not even noticing the body splattered on the ground for everyone to see. He tried to grab someone, but his hand went right through them like a hologram.

Suddenly, the body of the bounty hunter began to move. Obi-Wan stared in shock as Zam Wesell stood in front of him (though he had no idea what she looked like), not a scratch on her. Before he could ask her if she was all right, somebody called his name and he turned on his heel only to see an equally shocking thing.

Bruck Chun stood before him. His face twisted into an evil smile and he held a blaster to Obi-Wan's chest. "Looking for me, Oafy," he asked in a voice unlike his own.

As Obi-Wan struggled to make words come out of his mouth, Bruck transformed into a man, but Obi-Wan couldn't see his face. The man standing before him where Bruck had been standing moments before had a helmet and armor over his entire body. He laughed cruelly and Obi-Wan saw with horror that his finger was slowly pulling back the trigger of the blaster.

Using his quick Jedi reflexes, Obi-Wan grasped at his lightsaber hanging on his utility belt. It wasn't there.

Searing pain tore through his chest.

Obi-Wan Kenobi awoke with a start.

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The Other Author's Notes: I hope that chapter was satisfactory for everybody. I wish I could comment a little more on this chapter, but I fear that anything I say would give away too much, that's how important this chapter is. Continue reading and bring on the reviews!