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: Free brownies and a Ewan plushie to all who guessed the correct meanings of the last chapter's title correctly. As most of you guessed, the two meanings were indeed the attempt on Padme's life and also Anakin's attempt to be with Padme. Good job, guys!

Darth Vengeance - You think Obi-Wan is going to turn evil, eh? I guess you'll just have to keep reading to find out...

Katieelessar - Yes, you most certainly get a brownie. Good job!

I Unno - There's quite a bit of Obi-Wan in this chapter. I hope you enjoy.

Zeria - Thank you. I'm glad you think so. I hope this wasn't too long to wait for an update.

Ally127 - Aww...thanks, I really appreciate that kind of feedback. You get a Ewan plushie just for yelling that you wanted one!

doreenthatshot - I'd love to, but I do have specific reasons for cutting and ending where I do. Hopefully you don't find them too short though. Thanks for the review!

Jealousy, Love and War

By Kekelina

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Chapter Seven: The Suggestion

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The sun rose early on Coruscant, much too early for Obi-Wan's liking. On most mornings, he was able to rise with or before the sun, feeling completely rested, but ever since he was assigned to this investigation of Padme Amidala's attacker, he felt no such joy in rising with the glowing sun. Every night he stayed awake late, pouring over data pads and holofiles that might be of some help to him. Most nights – every night – he came up empty-handed and his frustration made him unable to sleep.

But it wasn't just his frustration that kept him sleepless at nights, he knew. It was also that dream. It was the same dream every night. He feared to go to sleep because of it. He feared seeing Bruck Chun's smirking face and the absolute pain as the blaster shot ripped through his chest. However, Obi-Wan wasn't a super-being. While his Jedi training allowed him to stay up many nights if need be, he had to go to sleep at some point. Even the thought of waking up in a cold sweat, rubbing his chest where the blaster hit him made him scared.

Peace over anger. Honor over hate. Strength over fear. Obi-Wan had memorized that standard as an Initiate in the Jedi Temple. He knew fear was unbecoming of a Jedi Knight. Jedi did not fear, nor did they hate, nor did they love. Nor were they jealous, an annoying voice in the back of his head reminded, but Obi-Wan brushed it away. He tried so hard to be a good Jedi Knight, to obey the Code one hundred percent. Hadn't that been what Obi-Wan always ended up disputing about with his former Master? Obi-Wan tried to follow the Code, but his emotions always got in the way. So many times he had tried to release them into the Force, but they always managed to stick with him, like he hadn't tried at all. Then Obi-Wan got frustrated and was unable to accept and release that emotion as well. Obi-Wan eventually just buried his emotions deep inside him when need be, creating the illusion that he had none, while they were really simmering underneath his skin, waiting to burst forth like a volcano.

He was some Jedi, wasn't he? He was angry with his former Master, jealous of his Master's new student and fearful of his dreams. Obi-Wan always felt the least like a Jedi when he thought of it that way. He would even go so far as to be ashamed with himself, but eventually, the shame would end up turning to blaming Qui-Gon. If his Master hadn't dumped him as a Padawan before he was ready… If Qui-Gon had only allowed him to finish his training in due time… If he had paid more attention to him… If he had only trusted Obi-Wan…

The truth was, Qui-Gon had never fully trusted Obi-Wan. He hadn't truly wanted Obi-Wan as a Padawan to begin with. Obi-Wan had had to earn Qui-Gon's "trust" on Bandomeer. He had almost lost his life in the process. And once he had finally earned what he had originally thought as trust, it all went down the drain on Melida/Daan. Qui-Gon hadn't believed the cause of the Young was worthy enough. He had been more concerned with his Tahl's well being that he left his Padawan on the planet alone. More than once, Obi-Wan had gotten into an argument with Qui-Gon. Yeah, what a great bond the two of them shared… Not so.

As Obi-Wan laid on his sleep-couch, reviewing these thoughts which invaded his mind far too often than he liked, his comm unit buzzed, breaking his concentration. With a grunt, he rose and answered it, stifling a yawn.

"Knight Kenobi," Yoda's green face greeted. "Good your mission is coming, I hope."

Obi-Wan lowered his head a fraction of an inch. Had Yoda contacted him just to see how far he was coming with the investigation? What was Obi-Wan supposed to say? Was he supposed to tell him that he was a failure and was no where closer to solving it than before the second attempt on Senator Amidala's life? "It could be coming better, Master," he replied truthful. It was against the Code to lie to a Master, but that didn't mean Obi-Wan couldn't word it delicately.

"Hmm…" Yoda grunted as he nodded in thought. "Perhaps remedy that, we can," he said, resting his chin on his hands.

"How?" Obi-Wan asked curiously. A nanosecond later, he chastised himself. It was not his job to ask questions like that. It showed impatience and a rash quality in him.

Yoda gave him a questioning look, then continued where he had left off. "A transmission from Qui-Gon, we have received. Brings news of another assassination attempt, he does. Also clues to this mystery, he provides."

Obi-Wan's heart fell from the elation it had had only moments before. Qui-Gon. The one person he didn't want to see or talk to right now. But even the thought of his former Master didn't make his heart fall like the news of the third assassination attempt. It was getting increasingly risky for the Senator. Obi-Wan feared for her and he feared that he would fail her by not catching the assassin. But Yoda said Qui-Gon had news. It had to be good, didn't it? He didn't want to see another friend get hurt.

"Send it through," Obi-Wan told him, crossing his arms.

A miniature Qui-Gon appeared only seconds later on Obi-Wan's comm unit, and he greeted his old Master with a bow. Qui-Gon bowed back in greeting and Obi-Wan couldn't help but notice the worried expression on his face. It wasn't like Qui-Gon at all to show his emotions so clearly on his face, and Obi-Wan knew that the situation was serious.

Qui-Gon wasted no time getting right to the point. "I glimpsed the assassin last night and I thought you would like a description to help you with your investigation."

Obi-Wan nodded gratefully, but didn't ponder how Qui-Gon knew that he was leading the investigation. He assumed that his former Master had simply asked to speak with the Jedi leading the investigation and the Council told him it was Obi-Wan.

"He wore a suit of armor, with a large bucket-shaped helmet over his head and a rocket-pack on his back. He had several weapons with him, but seemed to favor the blaster. I suspect he is a bounty hunter." Obi-Wan nodded, storing this information away in his mind where he could look over it multiple times. Jedi were trained to enhance their memory. "Obi-Wan…" Qui-Gon's soft tone caught Obi-Wan off guard and he listened intently, all his anger and other unworthy feelings pushed aside. "This assassin is dangerous. He has outsmarted us two times in a short amount of time. Be careful."

Obi-Wan took the message to heart. "Yes, Master. May the Force be with you," he said, ending their conversation.

Qui-Gon replied with another, "May the Force be with you," and then disappeared.

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Qui-Gon may have finished speaking with Obi-Wan, but he was not done talking to the Council. Many things needed to be discussed with this large assembly of wise beings, but time was short and he could find most of the answers through the Force. There were, however, some things he needed their opinion and approval on, and that was what he would speak of now.

"More to say have you, Master Jinn?" Yoda asked as he regarded Qui-Gon.

Qui-Gon nodded, grateful Yoda recognized his need to speak. "It is not safe here for the Senator anymore," he said simply. He knew the Council knew what he meant and would deliberate it quickly.

"Hmm…" Yoda grunted after a moment of silence. "In danger she always is. The life of a Senator, that is." Qui-Gon stayed silent, giving the short, green Jedi Master the respect he deserved. It would not be wise to give the Council anymore reason to doubt him. He wasn't their favorite Jedi, after all.

"Want to send her elsewhere, you do," said Yoda insightfully.

"Yes, Master," Qui-Gon replied. "She needs to be kept safe. I feel this bounty hunter is smarter than we previously thought. If we keep her on Naboo, there will be another attempt."

"For certain know this, you do?"

"The Force tells me she will not live if we keep her here," Qui-Gon told the Council confidently. Qui-Gon would not allow the young senator to be killed. Two attempts were more than enough reason to move her somewhere else, especially when the assassin had found where their last hiding spot had been.

"You have a suggestion for a location," Mace Windu spoke up. It wasn't a question, it was a statement. Qui-Gon was reminded of how much the Masters could sense without him even needing to speak.

He sighed. He had had a conversation with his Padawan before he had begun the transmission earlier that morning. They had discussed the need to move the Senator and quickly, but neither had been sure where the safest planet would be. Finally, Anakin had suggested Tatooine. He said that as a remote Outer Rim planet, it would be the best choice, especially since the Hutt's, who didn't care about the Senator or anything going on in the Core planets, controlled it. Qui-Gon couldn't deny the boy's logic, but he sensed a hidden motive in that suggestion. He had seen a hint of desperation in Anakin's eyes and it unnerved him. Jedi had no other motives but peace and order in the galaxy.

As he had sat there, pondering Anakin's suggestion, he came to realize exactly why his apprentice wanted to go to Tatooine. He wanted to see his mother again and perhaps free her. He hadn't stopped having those nightmares about her. It pained Qui-Gon to see Anakin so desperate to see his mother and reluctantly, he had agreed. Now they just had to get the Council to agree as well.

"Tatooine is a sparsely-populated, remote planet along the Outer Rim," Qui-Gon began, keeping a calm demeanor on his face and eye contact with the Masters. "The Hutt's have no business in the Senate. She will be safe there."

None of the Council members spoke for a few moments. Qui-Gon stood calmly, waiting for their answer. Yoda appeared in deep thought, as did Mace Windu and Ki-Adi-Mundi. After a few more moments of silence, Yoda opened his eyes and glanced at Mace Windu. He sighed.

"Go then," he said, though he didn't sound too happy with what he was saying. "And may the Force be with you."

Qui-Gon bowed and ended the transmission.

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The Other Author's Notes: Alas, this took such a long time to get out! I'm so very sorry. Whoever said this year was going to be easy was either delusional or lying. Keep sending those reviews!