I regret that I have not updated this story for a long time and I hope that some of the old readers who wondered about what was going to happen would find it again. Anyway, this chapter in my opinion is too short, but it's an update none-the-less. It may be another small wait between posts as I try to determine where I'm going with this again, but I have not altogether abandon it, and hopefully I never will. Many thanks to athenajinn and charmisjess for continuing to encourage me to write this.

Part 9

After a few weeks, the rain clouds rolled in, and covered the planet. The temperature remained warm, and Obi-Wan found that just the sound of the raindrops in the dense forest was quite pleasant. He often walked during the day, finding a new place to sleep each night among the trees. It gave him time to work on his senses.

The forest itself was calm and enjoyed his presence. He could speak with the living forms in his meditation, but mostly he welcomed simply the company of the ancient trees and plants. The warmth that he felt from them was much like that of a loving smile from a parent.

Obi-Wan's thoughts were suddenly interrupted when his foot caught on the underside of a tree root. Though he managed to catch himself and not fall flat on his face, he could still feel his face turning red, despite the lack of observers in the forest. Standing for a moment, he took a deep breath and reached out to trace a map of his surroundings in his head. He had lost his concentration and now it was more crucial than ever that he stay focused in order to see.

With a moment of thought, Obi-Wan paused. There was a presence nearby. A darker one. Dooku.

He felt a wave of thought brush up against him. Dooku knew of his presence there as well. His prudence would normally dictate to stay back and let the count make the first move – especially when Obi-Wan was unsure of his intentions there. But, with the knowledge of Dooku's removal from the main forces of the Separatists, the situation appeared to be different. Obi-Wan followed the source of the signature.

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"I was wondering how long it would take you to come here, General Kenobi," Count Dooku commented, not turning around to face the Jedi from where he stood on the small grassy hill. The sun had gone down already, and the rural world was covered in shadows; not that it made much of a difference to Obi-Wan.

"You left the Separatists," the Jedi said, walking over to stand next to him.

Dooku nodded briefly, "Yes, I did."

"Why?"

"Why do you think?" Dooku asked in return. "I could ask you why you are here, but perhaps we are here for the same reason."

Obi-Wan turned slightly to face Dooku, then lowered his head a little, clasping his hands behind his back, "I.. told the Council, about the Sith."

Raising his chin slightly in response as he looked over the rolling grasslands at the edge of the forest, Dooku gave no vocal reply, instead waiting for Obi-Wan to continue.

"They didn't believe me, at least most of them," Kenobi sighed.

"As expected," Dooku replied calmly. "Do you believe me now, Master Kenobi?"

Running a hand through his ginger hair, Obi-Wan nodded, "Yes."

Folding his arms, Dooku stared forward, "You know that the Council may not have you back."

"I..thought-…suspected that."

Finally, the Count looked down at the Jedi, "My offer still stands, Master Kenobi."

"I'm not sure what to do," Obi-Wan admitted after a moment.

"Hmmm.." Dooku replied, not yet revealing his slight surprise at Kenobi confiding in him.

"You spoke to my Master, didn't you?"

"Yes," he said, "He chose to speak to me several times, as is Qui-Gon's way."

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow, "If I was to agree to join you, how much of a pact would I be making?"

"That depends on you, Master Kenobi. I have severed all of my ties with Sidious. The Jedi Order is flawed, but Sidious cannot have control.." he replied.

"But originally you didn't think that."

"No," Dooku admitted, "It wasn't. I saw that the Republic was failing…the Jedi betrayal… But not anymore. The Republic is still failing, and Sidious will do anything to gain power. I.." He hesitated. "I made a mistake. I cannot go back – and I will not.. but, together, with your help, we could at least save the galaxy from total darkness."

Obi-Wan was silent; his faded eyes were calm – thoughtful. There were many things to think of, many sides to consider. But, honestly, he had already made his decision before even coming to talk to the Count. He wondered if he was too quick to choose this answer. By nature, he was a prudent man – in some ways, his decision felt too hasty, as if he was neglecting some aspects of it. Then again, it didn't. All of this was right, all paths had led to this point. It was the will of the Force.

He turned to face the former Jedi; his sightless eyes looking beyond his face. "What are your orders, Master Dooku?"

The smallest of smiles came across Dooku's face. "Wisely, chosen..Obi-Wan," he said softly and began to walk down the hill, "Come with me."

A calming presence drifted past Obi-Wan briefly, warming him like the morning sun. As it passed him, it came to Dooku and whispered into his mind. Resisting the urge to roll his eyes or make another dismissing motion as he always did, Dooku answered back to the whisper. Yes, Qui-Gon, you were right.