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: Ack, I'm so sorry. I meant to post this yesterday, but then I got busy, so I didn't…obviously. Anyway, I'm sorry about the delay and enjoy this chapter!

Oh, and please make sure to read the author's notes at the end of the chapter. They are very important.

The Dancing Cavalier - Well, um...I can't answer that. Just like I can't answer any other questions pertaining to events that haven't happened yet. Ooo...pertaining, big word!

Katieelessar - Yes! That makes me happy. Secretly, even though I am the writer, I like his story better too. But at least in this chapter you will find out if Anakin does anything drastic...and I make no promises either way. You'll just have to find out for yourself.

Anwinn - Qui-Gon wasn't being cold, he was just trying to look out for his Padawan. He knew Anakin's emotions were all over the place and it's not a good idea to make decisions when a person is unstable like that, Jedi or not.

Mjk306 - Thanks for the review!

Ally127 - I've stopped becoming predictable! Woot! Let's throw a party!

Darth Vengeance - Sadly there is no Obi-Wan in this chapter. You will find out about what happens between Qui-Gon and Anakin, however, but I'm saving Obi-Wan for the next chapter. Don't worry; there will more than plenty of him in the next chapter. I guarentee it.

Jealousy, Love and War

By Kekelina

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Chapter Ten: Master and Apprentice

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Qui-Gon stood completely still, gazing up at the night sky. The stars shone brilliantly white, like precious jewels against a veil of black, and the light from Tatooine's young moons shed an eerie light on Qui-Gon's torso. Qui-Gon loved the night and regretted that he never took the time to search the stars, for he was so busy saving them instead. When he was younger, he used to meditate out on the balconies of the Jedi Temple. The sky was as calming to him as the Force was, but now, the Force was warning him.

Ever since that afternoon, when Anakin had found out about Shmi's disappearance, the Force had been screaming at him. It told him to watch Anakin, to watch his anger. He was in a very dangerous place right now. Qui-Gon tried to deny it, but he knew that if Anakin wasn't careful, he would go over to the dark side. Qui-Gon wouldn't let that happen, not after Xanatos's betrayal. Which is why, at this very late hour, Qui-Gon wasn't gazing respectfully at the night sky; he was guarding Owen Lars's speeder.

The realization that Anakin would try to sneak out hit him as the patrons of the farm retired for bed. He had seen the look in Anakin's eye, the look that said one thing but did another. He had seen it many times before, and had his Padawan not been caught up in his rage and anger, he would've realized that Qui-Gon noticed. But Anakin didn't know, and it was up to Qui-Gon to make sure he didn't do something dangerous that would hurt him and the people he loved.

Sand crunched behind him, but he didn't have to turn around to know who it was. He had wanted to be wrong. He had begged the Force to let him be wrong. Yet, he was right, for Anakin was standing behind him. Qui-Gon could imagine the look of pure shock, bewilderment and anger on his apprentice's face. Even the thought hurt him. He didn't want to turn around and see that horrible look, but he had to. There was no other way around it. He had to stop Anakin. He couldn't let him go through with whatever he was planning.

"What are you do here?" Anakin's voice hissed at him. Whether it was because it was filled with absolute anger or he didn't want to draw the attention of the other occupants of the hut, Qui-Gon didn't know.

"I'm here to stop you," he said calmly, turning around. It would not be a good idea to meet Anakin's anger with his own.

The shock and bewilderment left Anakin's face immediately, leaving only anger and…hate? Qui-Gon's heart broke in two. Never again had he expected to see his own apprentice give him that look. But he wouldn't let the dark side take Anakin; he couldn't! He would not lose his Padawan to the forces of evil. Not again.

"You're wasting your time."

"Anakin, come to your senses," he pleaded with the boy. "This is not the way to go about this."

Anakin glared at him. "Move, Master," his voice dripping with anger. "Or I will make you move." In one smooth motion, he unhooked his lightsaber from his belt and ignited the blue blade, holding it ready for a battle.

Qui-Gon's heart leapt in shock. He was threatening him. His own Padawan was threatening him with his lightsaber. Like Xanatos… Anakin was betraying him. He was going over to the dark side. Qui-Gon shook his head, trying to keep his focus. No, Anakin wasn't over there yet. They were still connected through their bond. Anakin's side was cloudy and almost unreachable, but it was there. He could get him back.

Qui-Gon grabbed his own lightsaber, but held it limply at his side, power off. He would not ignite it unless he saw no other way…unless Anakin fully turned to the dark side. He stared evenly at his Padawan, who snarled back, his knuckles gripping the hilt of his lightsaber until they turned white.

"I will not fight you, Padawan."

"Then MOVE!" Anakin yelled at him. His voice echoed across the empty, sand-swept plains.

"Don't do this, Anakin!" Qui-Gon yelled, allowing his emotions to get the best of him. "This is not the Jedi way!"

"She's dying," Anakin faltered, his voice dropping a few notes. Qui-Gon saw tears on his Padawan's face reflecting off the electric blue light of his lightsaber. But as quickly as this look of grief had come, it was gone. His face hardened. "I have to help her!"

"Anakin, she's already dead!" He shook his head sadly, looking at his young Padawan. "I felt her pass into the Force a few minutes ago. I know you did too."

"NO!"

Qui-Gon flinched internally. He had to save Anakin from himself. "Search the Force, Padawan."

Anakin remained silent for a moment, the look of grief returning to his face. The knot in Qui-Gon's stomach eased a little bit. He was taking his advice. He was searching the Force for his mother's presence.

A sob erupted from Anakin's throat as he found what Qui-Gon said was true. "No…" he repeated to himself softly. Qui-Gon felt his Padawan's grief wash over him in waves as his Padawan lost his equilibrium and sank to his knees.

Qui-Gon kneeled by him as Anakin was racked with hacking sobs, and placed his arm around his shoulders. Despite his best efforts, his own eyes filled with tears, feeding off his Padawan's pain. He wished none of this had happened. Anakin was too young to have to deal with something like this.

"I can't…I should've…" Anakin muttered in between sobs. "Mom…"

"Shh, Padawan," Qui-Gon said softly, gently embracing him. "She's not in anymore pain. She's become a part of the Force."

"I – I…failed."

"No, you didn't," Qui-Gon said sternly yet not harshly. "There was nothing you could've done. She's in a better place." He sighed. "Grieve for her, Anakin, then accept your grief and release it into the Force."

Anakin said nothing as sobs overtook his body again. Tears rushed from his eyes, drenching his face. His eyes were red; his voice was turning hoarse from weeping. Like a father, Qui-Gon wiped the tears from Anakin's cheek and held him tightly as his body convulsed.

"Shh, Padawan," he repeated again.

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They stayed out under the stars for many hours, Anakin crying himself hoarse and then finally to sleep. He hadn't done that since he had first left Tatooine ten years ago, but Qui-Gon wasn't upset to see him do it again. He loved Anakin like his own son, and had added a few tears to the boys own.

He had been so close to losing Anakin – not to death, but to the dark side. Qui-Gon's stomach churned as he remembered the hatred he had seen in his Padawan's eyes. He had not seen such hatred since the Sith he had fought on Naboo, and it scared him to think that Anakin could harbor so much hate. Qui-Gon would have to be stricter with him. He knew Anakin was special, but it was just dangerous to let the Chosen One go around like that.

Once Anakin was sleeping peacefully, Qui-Gon had carried him into the hut with help from the Force and let the boy sleep. Qui-Gon, however, got no sleep himself. While the Force's warning's had stopped, something else was bothering. He couldn't put his finger on it, but it was there, in the back of his mind, haunting him. What was it that had him so disturbed? Qui-Gon decided to find the answer through meditation.

He didn't open his eyes until the suns had clearly risen over the sandy dunes of Tatooine's sparse landscape. Everyone in the house was up, excluding Anakin. Padme and Beru were making breakfast, Owen was out working on the vaporators, and Cliegg was no where to be seen. Qui-Gon assumed the poor man was still grieving for his wife and loss of limb.

The house seemed happier today, yet still had a somber tone about it. Everyone's eyes held sadness, especially when passing by Anakin's or Cliegg's rooms. But the emotions in the house were not Qui-Gon's concern today. His concerns were the answers he had found in the Force and what they meant. They scared him – yes, scared him. He didn't want to think of the implications of following them.

He tried to ignore them for the rest of the day, but they kept clawing at the back of his mind. Anakin and Cliegg finally came out of their retreats, Cliegg looking far better than Anakin looked. Qui-Gon reached out to his Padawan through their bond and helped him through the day, providing encouragement and a shoulder when needed. These actions kept him quite occupied, but the thought of the answers in the Force never left him.

The suns were setting by the time Qui-Gon found a moment to himself. After dinner, while the rest of the occupants had retreated into their small living space, Qui-Gon had gone for a walk and ended up at their ship. It had been a destination without thinking. He had let his long strides take him wherever they desired, and they had shown up here. He knew why, and despite all the doubts he had, he knew he had to do it. It was the only way to put his mind at ease. It was the right thing to do.

His boots clapped against the durasteel floor as he walked into the ship, brushing the sand off his tunic, beard and hair. Sand was not his favorite matter in the universe and had become less so since arriving on this dry, dirty, little Outer Rim planet. He walked over to the hologram projector and sighed, switching it on. He entered the coordinates and waited.

Finally, a familiar figure answered and when he saw it was Qui-Gon, the figure smiled.

"Hello, my old Padawan."

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The Other Author's Notes: The next chapter is the last one, I'm sorry to say. If you're finding it hard to understand how I can end it when the story shouldn't be ending, don't worry, after this chapter you'll figure it out.

Just a warning to all of you, when you read the next chapter, you'll probably want to maim or strangle me. As I've stated many times, I am very evil and I'm not afraid to do evil things to the characters. And remember, if you kill me, you can't get the next story, so please don't kill me!

I can't believe I'm begging for my life.

But moving on, thank you for all your kind reviews throughout this story and keep them coming throughout the next chapter and the rest of my stories!