Autor's Note: I don't own or profit from Star Wars. This is just for fun.
"You only had three rebels to kill! Three!" shouted Peluch C'nnem.
The Imperial Adviser paced back and forth on the raised walkway that crossed over the crew pits. He glared down at the brilliant blue planet spinning gently below the Star Destroyer Judgment.
"Are you even competent enough to ensure this transmission is secure?" Peluch C'nnem asked, disdain dripping from his voice.
Jess Rees curled his lip and snarled, "Of course, I have implemented all security protocols you have outlined from the time the Empire first began funding us!"
"You are loyal to Imperial credits, Rees, and if another meets your price, I am concerned you'll make foolish choices—like failing intentionally at what should have been an easy task."
"You were to scare the local population back into line, and kill a few rebels. Yet you," snapped Peluch C'nnem, "kill locals and destroy a beloved tourist town in an unforgettable fashion. And you do this knowing camera drones were all over the site and only kept away from the cliffs you invaded because the Queen was fool enough to trust in her highly powered cliff side shielding."
"You give fuel to many who already see no true protection from Imperial allegiance. What excuse can you have for such abject failure?"
"We were not expecting a Jedi! We had no idea the difference dealing with a blasted Force user would make. Besides, your own troopers had a chance to destroy the Jedi after he fell off the cliff," Jess Rees retorted angrily.
"Exactly, Fool. My troopers were instructed to look as though we were not in coordination with the assault." Advisor Peluch, glaring at the leader of the People's Protectorate, crossed his arms over his chest.
"They would have seen this coordination clearly, since, with the shielding your blasted Queen super-charged came down along with the crumbling cliffs, the camera droids were free to fly out well within view of our troopers on their transport.
Failing to save the Jedi who saved their lives from falling in clear view of the Naboo would destroy the trust we seek to build. Those troopers had clear orders they were competent enough to carry out, unlike you." Peluch C'nnem spat.
"But perhaps I should not expect such forethought from one of such limited intellect as you."
"I don't understand why you spend so much time on diplomacy anyway." Jess Rees said. "Our organization works well whipping up the fears of weak-minded fools and contains most outbursts of defiance under control, but you are the Empire. You have the power to enforce your will, and do not have to depend on subterfuge. You have true power. Rain down might on our world, and we will reinforce the message as we always have in subtle ways—not these outlandish shows. Frankly, these tactics reek of desperation."
"The rumors of the Emperor and Vader's death are true, unfortunately," Peluch said.
"As well as the destruction of the second Death Star. Many foolish systems are taking this as a signal that it's safe to defy us, and ally with this foolish Rebellion. Our military resources must be focused on such systems. More reasonable systems must be convinced through less resource-intensive means. And I am rapidly finding your organization unworthy of the resources we have provided you thus far."
"We now know what to expect from the Jedi and are making plans to use this to our advantage. We will not fail again," Jess Rees asserted.
"It is better that you not attack again when the Jedi and his companions are present. The ground swell of support for the victims of the attack is shifting opinion toward the Alliance. There is some suspicion that we are behind the attacks. We shall dismiss it as conspiracy. But the idea has taken root in the mind of many among your people."
Adviser Peluch C'nnem paced and then turned to glare at the man once more.
"You will plan your attack carefully next time. A specific target and away from any Jedi interference, understood?"
"Of course," Jess ground out. "I will advise you of our plans once they have been made if you are so unwilling to trust our competency."
"Good, I think that would be wise. And see to it that I approve. I would hate for the Queen to suddenly find the location of your little operation," Peluch threatened before cutting communication.
"Are you alright," Jobal asked as Ruwee rushed beside her in the transmission droids recording range, floating in front of Han's bed.
"I'm going to be fine. The shot went deeper into my leg than a synthflesh patch can fix, so I'm gonna be off my leg a day or two."
Jobal and Ruwee grimaced.
"But it's all good," Han said with a wink. "I know this great vacation spot in the lake country where I can recover. Pretty sure they'll take good care of me there."
"Of course, we will," Jobal said with a grin. Luke and Leia moved to either side of Han's bed, Luke still rubbing his hair with a towel as both sat beside him.
"You're wearing med wraps! Why are you wearing med wraps, again? The Queen told us you hadn't been hurt."
"We haven't," Leia assured her, "but we needed to clean up after the smoke and dust from the battle."
"That's two sets of Jedi robes you've managed to ruin so far," Han teased.
"I beg your pardon," called a handmaid from the entry way.
"Come in," Han called.
Pooja rushed in behind her. She leaned into the recording perimeter. "Gram, Gramps, we'll call you back later, promise, but we've got to get these three presentable and at the secure transmission station. There's an Alliance official wishing to speak with them."
"Of course," Ruwee said and Jobal nodded.
The communication cut and Pooja took the bundles in the Handmaid's arms. "Thank you, Guree, we have it from here."
The handmaid nodded, and left.
"These aren't as fancy as what you got before, but I think you'll find them more comfortable.
Leia took the white bodysuit and purple mid thigh vest with a look of gratitude. "I'll be back," she said, turning to the nearest fresher.
Pooja passed out serviceable slacks and a top and jacket to Han, all in shades of tan and cream.
To Luke, she handed a familiar pile of clothing.
"Hey, these are the robes I thought I ruined in the Hangar."
"The Queen had them altered and refitted so they could be used again. The changes to hide damage are very well done," Pooja said as Luke held up the over jacket.
"Yeah," commented Luke. "They look better than they did before." With a nod he said. "If you'll excuse me?"
Leia walked back in a blaster belted to her thigh.
"Pooja, thank the queen for the new accessory," Leia said, patting the blaster at her side.
"Thank her for the whole outfit," Han said then whistled at Leia. "You look great."
Leia grinned at him. "I'll get Han ready. We'll meet you and Luke by the entry to the main hall.
Han leaned back in a hover chair. Leia and Luke pulled two chairs in front the Queen's secure communication hub so all three could face Mon Mothra's reaction to their diplomatic mission's progress.
A whirring and clicking sounded every so often as Artoo added his extra level of Alliance coding to protect the message from spying Imperials.
"So how bad do you think this is going to go?" asked Luke as he keyed in the access codes to open communications with the Alliance.
"Let's just say, I'm glad we're on the other side of the galaxy now," Leia said,forcing herself to take a deep breath as Mon's face lit up the view screen.
"General Solo," she began, her face stern. "I believe I made it very clear that the actions and words you three took would be much more easily accessible to the wider galaxy at this critical juncture in our fight."
"Look," began Han. "I tried. I'm not a diplomat."
"This is true," agreed Mon, "Nevertheless, six systems, including two of the more urgent on our list of diplomatically important worlds have sided with us," Mon emphasized the last two words, "based, in large part, on your words and the example of courage all three of you showed during the attack against the Naboo."
Han gaped at the screen.
"Well done, General," Mon said, smiling.
"That's wonderful," Leia said, relaxing back and releasing the breath shejust realized she'd been holding.
"And how goes your progress with the Naboo?" asked Mon.
"We can't be sure at the moment." Leia answered honestly. "The People's Protectorate is rumored to be setting up attacks on voting sites, and many regions are unsettled, but according to the Queen, just as many regions are so outraged by all of this they are calling for the vote prior to the other two legally required debates.
"I am curious how they were able to mobilize, so quickly after the win at Endor." Mon wondered.
"I am as well. I know the Queen is determined to get to the bottom of this."
"Do you think it's Imperial involvement?" asked Luke.
"I do not put any level of trickery and manipulation past Imperials. I urge all of you to be very careful."
"We will," Leia said.
"I will send message via the Queen when we have more information."
On the way out of the communications hub, Pooja, Han, Luke and Leia met Handmaid Bavanu who was holding another set of Jedi robes folded in her arms.
"I have these robes repaired for you by the Queen ," she said now fully in her handmaid guise. "The Queen offers her sincerest apologies for the danger you have faced so valiantly, and her deepest gratitude for your protection of our people from the droids the monsters set upon us."
"The Queen has nothing to apologize for," Leia said, meeting the true Queen's eyes. "And we are grateful for her continued commitment to allow us to present our case to the Naboo."
Bavanu passed the bundle to Luke and leaned forward in a short bow.
"The Queen looks forward your next meeting with her."
"As do we," Luke said, with a bow. "As do we all."
Han lay surrounded by pillows and blankets, a steaming tray of food on his blanket covered lap.
"Are you sure you aren't ready for more painkiller, Han?" Jobal Naberrie asked, her brow creased as she fussed with the placement of the table beside the sofa where she'd insisted Han take his meal in comfort.
"And fall asleep before I can eat this?" Han said, motioning to plate. "Not a chance."
Jobal chuckled. "Sulle will be pleased. "Ryoo's husband was in culinary school for a year before he decided to change his major to architecture."
"Will he be joining us anytime soon," Leia asked, sitting at a dining chair pulled up beside Han.
"He's putting the finishing touches on his desert course before he puts in into bake."
Several other family members sat with their own plates in their laps.
Sulle walked in with Ryoo and Ryoo's mother, Sola.
Luke relaxed on a cushion on in front of the sofa the Jobal had so carefully settled Han on, his back leaning against the padded blanket draped side. On either side of Luke lounged Huwee and Lanu, his cousin Ryoo's boys.
"You two could give Luke some space," Sulle teased his sons.
"They're fine," Luke assured them. "I like the ankle biters."
"See!" Lanu said to his dad, "Told you we weren't bugging him."
"As long as you keep it that way," Ryoo warned as everyone finally settled down in the sitting room.
"Wow," Luke said after his first bite. "This is amazing!"
Leia hmmed and nodded at him. "Your best yet."
"I'm so glad you're all safe with us now. When we saw the holos of the attack at the Weeping Wall, we were terrified," Sola said to her newfound niece and nephew.
"The day of mourning was called for tomorrow from sunup to sundown. All Naboo are requested to wear the scar of remembrance," Ryoo said.
"Mom, we're not really gonna do that, are we?" asked Huwee. "Make up is for,"
"Don't finish that statement," Ryoo interrupted.
"That mark reminds us all of the time of division and war here on the Naboo. It reminds us of our people dying in senseless violence, as three did in that attack despite the brave actions of all who fought for our people," Ruwee explained to his grandsons. "That is why I will proudly wear that mark tomorrow."
"So will we," Luke said, waving his hand to Leia and himself. "It matters that the lost be honored, and that we remember the mistakes of our past, so we don't repeat them."
Leia tensed a moment—just a moment—but it was enough for Pooja to catch her eye, a questioning look on her face.
"To those we lost, and to the brave defenders, especially those in this very room," Sola said with a smile, lifting her glass.
"Here, here," the others in the room said, glasses raised. With a shrug from Han and sheepish grin on Luke's face they raised their glasses as well with Leia, finally smiling weakly before she, too, raised her glass.
"When are you going to start training new Jedi?" asked Lanu.
"Lanu, we talked about this," Sulle began.
"It was just a question, Dad," Lanu protested.
Luke chuckled. "I'm going to after this mission, hopefully, but before you ask, if you're too young to sign up to be in the Queen's Guard, then you're too young to be one of my students."
"Ahhhh," groaned both boys.
"But I thought the Jedi liked young students. Didn't they even take babies into the temple to raise as Jedi?"
"They did. At least according to what I've learned from Artoo so far, but I won't be doing that. Becoming a Jedi means you won't have an easy life. It's always being on the move from one situation from the next." Luke chuckled. "In a way, being a member of the Alliance has been perfect training for the life I'm planning to lead."
"It sounds great!" said Lanu excitedly.
"Son," Ryoo said wearily. "Not everyone can be a Jedi. Even if you were old enough to make a decision, there are very few who are strong enough in the Force to be a Jedi, if I understand it correctly?" Ryoo ended, looking to Luke for confirmation.
"That's right," Luke agreed. "Apparently there's a blood test we can do, but I've not tried it yet."
"Can we try?" Huwee begged. "Please?"
"Luke may not have the technology," Sulle said, "And he's still eating, as are we all."
"Tell you what, Guys," Luke said, "If your parents are all right with my testing the two of you. I'll see about getting what I need to do the testing tomorrow, if," Luke said with an upraised hand to head off the early celebration he could see blooming in their eyes, "you don't give anybody a problem with the day of mourning."
"It's fine with me," Sulle said, "But you two need to keep in mind that you probably won't be Jedi material."
"We will dad," both boys piped up. "And we'll won't give you any problems tomorrow." Huwee added.
"Hi, Julee," Luke said to the youngest Naberrie. She grinned up at Luke and tapped his face with her hand. Luke pressed a kiss to the toddler's forehead causing her to giggle.
"What?" he asked, his voice gentle and teasing, "Am I giving your brother's too much to much attention?"
"You can test her too," Huwee suggested excitedly.
Luke chuckled as the other's smiled, some shaking their head though grinning widely at the peaceful family moment. "I doubt she'd like the pin prick. Besides she's way, way too young."
"Do you know where the next debate will take place?" asked Sola, looking to Leia.
"Not at the moment. It was going to be in the mining district, but I think that was scrapped due to the Queen's concerns about not knowing who is behind this aggression. More than likely, she will move the next two debates to Theed instead of the last debate only."
"I'm beginning to think we may need to adjust our strategy for the debates," Leia said, putting her plate on a side table. "Han's speech persuaded many people and even a few systems in ways none of us expected."
"Thanks, sweetheart," he teased. "And I only had to get shot to prep. Time saver."
The others chuckled, though some uneasily.
"It's okay, guys, really," Han said, sensing the tension. Looking around the room, he added. "We've kinda had to learn to laugh at these things to help us keep from going crazy."
"It really does help," Luke said. Looking back at Leia he winked, then added, "Though I'm hoping getting shot won't be a part of the next mission prep."
"No," she said, her smile strained a bit. "I was thinking that hearing our invitation from the different perspectives the three of us can offer might make a difference."
"Especially taking into account my going full Jedi in front of a Galactic holo audience?" Luke guessed.
Leia noddded, shooting a guilty look his way. "Sorry, Luke."
"Why?" Luke asked. "I am the last Jedi in a galaxy that once depended on the Jedi Order to keep the peace. I can't expect to live a quiet life, and I'm going to have to learn how to represent the order to the galaxy."
"I can't always fall back on the I'm-just-a-farm-boy-from-Tatooine routine. Besides you promised me diplomacy lessons on the way over, Sis. Might as well have a practical application for them."
"That smell is amazing," Darred said.
"Dessert is finished. Sulle said, rising and turning to the kitchen.
"No," Pooja said, standing and motioning for him to sit.
"You made this. I'll pull it and plate it up."
"I'll help," Leia volunteered.
"Girls," Sola began.
"Please, Mom, let Leia and me do this. All of you have been pampering us since we returned. We'd like to return the favor."
"I suppose," Sola said, settling next to Darred.
A few steps later, Pooja had padded glove on her hand and was pulling a golden crisp pastry from the oven.
"There is a sweet cream topping for this in the cooling unit, Leia."
"I've got it. Leia said, pulling out the bowl of white fluff, and placing it beside the small plates Pooja settled on dark carved trays. Pooja dished golden wedges of what Leia suspected was a new culinary paradise to discover."
"Sulle is such an amazing cook. I'm glad to be spending time with him, but I will have to watch what I eat for the next month if he keeps up cooking things like this."
Leia chuckled weakly, as she scooped a drop of cream a top each serving.
"Leia, what's wrong?"
"I—I could have kept Han from being shot, but…" Leia trailed off. Shaking her head, she refocused on her task.
"How?" Pooja said wrapping her arm around her friend's shoulder. "Leia that tremor knocked us to the ground and knocked the blaster from your hand."
"I heard Obi Wan. He was telling me how to pull a nearby blaster to me using the Force."
"You heard Obi Wan? As in dead Obi Wan Kenobi? Leia you were stressed."
"No," Leia said, shaking her head and setting the bowl to the side. "He has found a way to remain as some kind of ghost-spector-spirit. I don't know what, but he's talked with Luke before, given him advice. I've never heard him before now, but I know it was him. I almost called the blaster to me, but I-I thought of him and I couldn't."
Leia walked from her friend's hold and sat on a nearby stool. "If I had that blaster, I could have taken out those droids before Han was shot. But I balked. And then I couldn't sense Luke."
"And you should have been able to?" asked Pooja, trying to understand.
Leia nodded. "I have before. I never realized I'd want any part of this ability I have, but I could have saved Han, and I could have known Luke was safe."
"Would it be so bad to develop it, Leia?"
"What if I became like him?" she whispered, her eyes desolate.
"You should talk with Luke about this," Pooja whispered. "Things about him and why his turn happened aren't making one mistake that can't be recovered from. There were a lot of factors. I don't think many if any at all apply to you."
"How do you know? Is this what you talked about?" Leia asked wearily.
"Some of it, but some of it I know because Luke inducted me into the Skywalker Sleepless Nights and Anxiety Club, so I've been doing research with Artoo—Luke's approved me for full access. Your situation and his are very, very different."
At Leia's disbelieving stare, Pooja raised her hands in a surrendering gesture. "I'm not saying it's not something you don't need to worry about, but I'm saying you should talk to Luke."
"I don't know."
"I know this is hard, but you've never let hardship stop you before. Think about it?"
Leia nodded.
Pooja smiled gently, catching Leia's gaze. "They'll come after us if we don't get the dessert delivered."
Leia chuckled and picked up her tray.
A Desert Deliveries transport idled outside the Toshe station.
"Rubes," rasped a voice, not much more than a whisper.
The man, a mass of bandages, sand crusted wounds, and battered green armor, stumbled toward the transport, shining the lighted end of a cylinder toward the door. He clambered into the passenger seat. Another flash of the cylinder in his hand and the door slid closed.
The man pushed his battered hands against the control, gritting his teeth against the pain. Seeing the driver of the transport chase him from the inside of the station, if the man's hideous blue workman's jacket was any indication, provided distraction from the agony every movement brought him.
Seeing the panic in the man's frantic waving and hearing the outrage in his voice, amused the thief even in the midst of his pain.
He chuckled weakly, and hit the accelerator. "I'm back, and just getting started," he promised himself. He looked back at the other form, a female, rushing beside the man.
"And you both got off lucky."
"Blast it!" gasped out the man, bending at the waist his hands on his knees.
"Timen, I'm sorry. He's gone."
"And so is my job," he moaned.
"We can call for," the girl trailed off as she gazed up to the twin suns descending into the horizon.
"Exactly, Adriene," said the man, looking forlornly in the distance. "With the all the upheaval in the Empire right now, I doubt some little transport theft in a far outskirt of Anchorhead is going to get any help."
"Were you at least covered by any of the damage minimization cohorts?"
"Living here on this dustpile?" Timen asked. "I'd be crazy not to with Tusken's, Hutt agents going rogue, and greedy Imperials."
"Well, there's a start. You can report it to the cohort. I'll tap into the security feeds and serve as a witness for your appeal for replacement. You can stay here till we hear something."
"Thanks," Timen said. "You know, I'm really glad Merle Toshe hired you, Darklighter, when Fixer made it big with his new pod racer designs and took off for Mos Espa. If Fixer were still in charge here, he'd have laughed at me and told me to enjoy my desert stroll back to Mos Eisley.
"And Camie would have slapped him upside the head later."
Timen chuckled. "Thanks again, Adriene."
"Not a problem." Together they turned and walked toward the Toshe station. "But since you're going to be hanging out with us for a while, you're going to have to call me, Ree. That's what my friends call me, Timen, and you've been our delivery guy long enough to be considered a friend."
He chuckled. "If we weren't before, Ree Darklighter, I'd say we definitely are friends from this moment forward."
Stars shone overhead by the time Luke found his sister on the lakeside patio. She leaned against the railing, her eyes gazing on the patch of stars reflected back in the smooth dark lake.
"Credit for your thoughts," Luke offered as he walked up beside her.
She smiled at him, but Luke could see that it was forced.
"Something's been bothering you. I'd like to help," Luke said.
Leia took a deep breath. "There is something I need to talk with you about," She looked around her. "But it's private."
Luke nodded knowingly. He closed his eyes, reaching out with his senses. Opening his eyes he nodded to her. "I can't feel anyone near enough to listen." Leia nodded toward the protectors walking their guard paths.
"What if they have other means?"
"Had Artoo programed to monitor for listening signals. I feel like we're secure. So what's wrong?"
"Luke, during the fight, I heard Obi Wan Kenobi. I was on the ground and the battle droids were coming at me and my group. He was telling me how to use the Force to pull the blaster to my hand."
Luke looked on her with concern.
"You couldn't?" he asked.
"No, it wasn't that. I almost had it. I could feel the blaster and was about to pull it toward me when I saw… when I remembered him."
Luke's face cleared with understanding. "Then you lost focus and you couldn't. That's understandable, Leia."
"Understandable?" Leia asked incredulously, "If I'd pulled that blaster when I needed to. Han wouldn't have been hurt. And you know if that blast had gone higher, it would have killed him."
"But it didn't, Leia."
Leia began to pace. "I couldn't sense you. I couldn't tell if you were alive after the cliff side crumbled."
"I can help you move past these blocks if you want to, Leia."
"That's just it. I don't want to. At least I didn't, but now? I keep wondering if knowing how to use these abilities might make the difference between life and death for Han or you, or, well, anyone. And if I did develop them, could I end up like him?"
Luke waited quietly, sensing she had more to say.
"Pooja said you and she had been doing research and that what happened to him was complex. That it didn't relate to my situation, but…" Leia trailed off as if unable to find the words she needed. "I don't understand. And a big part of me doesn't want to understand why."
Luke reached out gently and grasped his sister's shoulders to stop her pacing. "Leia, you're shaking. Why are you so afraid?"
"What if you tell me what you two have discovered, and I find out I'm like him somehow—that I have the same flaw or fault that caused him to fall?"
"It's not that simple, Leia. Pooja was right. There were a lot of things, not the least of which was Palpatine watching our father, building a friendship with him and driving a wedge between him and the Jedi from the time he was nine years old."
"Nine?" Leia asked horrified.
"Sit down please," Luke said, gesturing to one of the carved wooden benches beside the entryway. "Let me tell you what I've learned so far."
"He thought he'd save her? He'd been having nightmares of her dying and he thought to the dark side would help him save her?" Leia leaned back against the stone of the estate, looking up to the stars.
"I think that was the stalk that broke the Bantha's back," Luke replied. "But the other things, they built up. I get a sense that there were other pressures, but I can't be sure."
"Your senses," Obi Wan said materializing on the balcony, "are getting stronger with each passing day, Luke"
Leia gasped as she sat up straight and looked at the ghostly form of a younger Jedi. "I know Luke said he could see you, but I never expected to."
"Luke's senses are not the only ones that growing," Obi Wan explained.
"I wish they weren't," Leia said, wrapping her arms around herself.
"Wishing it were so will not stop what has been a natural and surprisingly fast development of your Force potential. It's true, you do not have to actively seek to become a Jedi, but your abilities have been tapped into since you heard Luke's call to you for help as he hung beneath Cloud City."
"There is a great deal of good you can accomplish if you choose to develop your skills."
"And a great deal of harm I can do if I fall," Leia snapped.
"Anakin's fall was, as Luke has surmised so far, a compilation of many many years of failures on the part the Jedi, Palpatine's machinations, and his own flawed choices. But Anakin was a good man, and, in the end, returned to the Jedi and destroyed the Sith. In spite of how badly I failed him." Obi Wan ended sadly.
"How?" began Luke, but Obi Wan held up his hand. "He married and kept that marriage secret for years, Luke. True, soon after he married your mother, he was knighted, but we still served on missions together all of the time. I didn't see his connection to your mother."
"The Jedi were always going in and out of Palpatine's presence, and we did not sense his evil as more than corruption of the mundane political. I saw the wedge between Anakin's loyalty to the Republic and the Jedi forming but did little more than express concern to a few other members of the Jedi Council."
"He was like a brother to me, Luke. I should have done more. I should have kept a closer watch over him."
Leia rubbed her hands over her face. "I don't know what to do, Obi Wan." Leia looked up at the ghostly form that knelt in front of her. "I may have the ability to become a Jedi, but I don't know if I should. I don't know if I could ever make myself want to."
Obi Wan smiled at her. "But you are starting to get a sense of exactly how much good you could do if you chose to walk that path."
Leia nodded, then added, "And I'm finding myself depending on each new thing I learn about the Force."
"And it frightens you?" Obi Wan guessed.
Leia nodded, eyes lowered an shoulders slumped forward .
Luke ached to reach out to comfort his sister but felt clearly that he should not interfere.
"Part of becoming a Jedi is facing your fears." Obi Wan paused a moment. Leia met his eyes. Gazing at her, he added, "I don't think you should worry about whether or not you are willing to become a Jedi until you are ready to face Anakin Skywalker."
"What do you mean face him?"
"He, like myself, Master Yoda, and my master, Qui Gon Jinn can appear to one who is Force sensitive. He has appeared to Luke, once on Endor. If you call him, he will come to you."
"No!" Leia almost shouted.
"I don't want to talk to him. I don't care what I might gain from it. I never want to talk to him, ever."
"Then," Obi Wan said calmly, "You need never worry about becoming a Jedi."
Leia took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Then that's settled."
"I don't suppose," began Luke.
"He's staying away from you on purpose now, Luke. Like the rest us, he senses that you must rely on the Force and let events unfurl as they will, but your father loves you very much and knows how tempted he would be to warn you of things you must respond to in the moment."
Luke grimaced but nodded his understanding.
Obi Wan continued, "He also knows there are many things you want to know about your mother and himself, and the Jedi, but he is very aware that you don't need the distraction—for the present moment, at least."
"And warning us about the attack at the Weeping Wall?" bristled Leia.
"That attack could have happened many different ways or not at all. We could not see it clearly, only hints of what could be. We cannot make the Force show us the future, we can only interpret the visions it gives us the best that we can. Providing you what glimpses we saw of events very well could have made things worse."
Leia nodded, reluctantly. She had been in enough situations in the Alliance where jumping ahead of patchy intelligence had led to disaster. She may not like what Obi Wan was telling her but she had to admit sometimes a fragmented intelligence was more dangerous than no intelligence at all.
"I understand," she finally replied. "Thank you for trying to help me today."
Obi Wan nodded and stood.
"I think I need some rest," She stood and a moment later, Luke was on his feet as well. Leia leaned in to hug her brother, then turned to nod at Obi Wan.
Once she was out of earshot Luke looked at Obi Wan, sadness in his eyes. "I don't guess you four can come up with recommendations for Jedi apprentice—er Padawan candidates now that Leia's out."
"I wouldn't count her out just yet, Luke. Her future is flowing with a great many possibilities now. And we all agree she is the best choice for your first Padawan."
"Even father?"
"Especially your father, though he would admit he is biased in her regard."
Luke chuckled. "Let him know I love him," he added softy. "In spite of everything, I love my father,"
"He knows, Luke. He, none of us, really knows why we feel the need to be so exceptionally unhelpful at the moment."
"He loves you as well, Luke, and he, all of us, are so very proud of you."
Luke smiled and nodded as he tamped back the emotion rising within him.
Obi Wan faded into the night, leaving Luke alone under a sea of stars. He walked to the railing and stared up at this tiny sampling of the galaxy. A meteorite streaked across the sky, falling behind the tree line of the small island in the center of the lake.
For a moment he looked across the lake, seeing the moons reflected in the glistening water. For a moment, just a moment, he saw a flash of light in the water. A reflection of a watchman's light he wondered? Luke rubbed his eyes. More than likely he was exhausted. Turning, he headed into his family's estate for bed.