Kenobi and Skywalker with go, but Lars will not.

Luke watches the Jedi starfighters leave the hanger bay, feeling the power harnessed by the engines and converted into swift flight. His heart beats in time to the departures, his desire outstripping them, racing ahead to board the cruiser in orbit and place himself between Leia and danger. The Force is stirred, flaring with possibilities and disaster. The foreboding he often felt before Imperial forces converged on a Rebel position leaves his mouth dry. If he were on Tatooine, back with his aunt and uncle, the sky would be an ominous shade and Owen Lars would be shouting at him to hurry with the coverings that shield the inner workings of the generators from flying sand. They would be acting, protecting themselves from the storm to come—

Can't the Jedi to either side of him feel it? Can't they see the danger?

He only saw it from a distance, distorted by the smoke in the air and the transmission quality, but his imagination paints a vivid picture of Leia claiming the title of senator, protecting their hostess. He should have been there to shield them both. He ought to be there now. Once more, Leia is in danger and he is too far away to aid her.

But unlike on Dagobah, he knows he can reach her in time—

Time for what?

As the fleet of small fighters dwindles to pinpoints against the slate of the Coruscant sky and vanishes into the space beyond, Luke feels as if a part of himself has been cast adrift. It is a conscious effort to fold his hands and wait to told what he may do while others act.

It is not that he doubts the wisdom of Master Yoda or that of the stern master who studies him with smoldering intensity. In hindsight, he understands why Yoda feared Luke rushing to Bespin. But Leia does not have even the training Luke had, nor would she be better off if she did. She sees herself as a guardian of Republic ideals. She is willing to spend her life to defeat Palpatine.

When he took his leave of Leia and the others on Endor, each of them had a set task and their own part to play. Leia, Han, and himself were small pieces in a grand design, twining together briefly and separating to encompass others before returning to run side-by-side. His plan, such as it was, had little to do with survival but everything about family.

If Luke were with Anakin and Obi-Wan, he could make sure everyone returns safely. He understands his sister. He understands his father. He believes he understands Obi-Wan.

"So certain you can help, hmmmmmm?" says Yoda. He studies the young man's face, divining the depth of conviction there.

Luke swallows. He has no superior skill to recommend him, only the knowledge of how they are all bound together—by the Force, by blood, by a web of darkness that seeks to envelop them and extinguish the Light. But he has no words to explain this. "They need me, Master."

The ancient Jedi harumphs deep in his throat, his ears flattening against his head. The stick under his claws taps the pavement. "Impatient. Always impatient, you are. The future, you have seen?"

"A future," Luke admits.

He sees night on Endor. The flames of the funeral pyre he built crackle and hiss, reminding him of mocking laughter. Grief burns in his throat. He cannot identify the body. The dark shape could be that of the father he failed to rescue. Perhaps it is his sister, who was strong but alone. The fire roars, burning higher and higher, licking at the branches of the trees, surrounding him and cutting him off...

Yoda broods. Mace Windu shifts his weight, also meditating over the distinction the young man gave in his answer. Luke bites back additional pleas, letting the masters think.

"Others, see I," says Yoda. "Others who need you."

There is a finality in the pronouncement. Luke stares back, feeling an old frustration mount again. The Jedi do not need him. A nascent Rebellion won't need him if Leia has her wish and Palpatine does not make it back to Coruscant alive.

His family needs him and right now his family is—not here!

A Senate shuttle touches down, and almost before the hatch is unsealed Padmé Amidala and Bail Organa are on the platform. Mace Windu greets them, assuring the Senate delegation that the Jedi are acting in the moment of crisis, projecting a picture of command. As the Jedi master leads them back to the room where they can see the visual feeds and hear audio sent back by the Jedi starfighters. Luke falls into step beside Padmé. Worry and frustration pool like acid at the back of his throat. If she is the one Yoda meant, she is now surrounded by competent Jedi. Luke's presence cannot make that much of a difference to her.

The woman is anxious and trying to hide her worries behind a formal mask. She slips her hand into his, as if to seek or offer comfort. "Why did Leia do it?" she asks. "She should not have."

Luke has heard Leia speak of the early days of the Rebellion often enough to know the depth of his sister's respect for the Naboo Senator.

"She wanted to help," says Luke. "Politically speaking—"

Padmé shakes her head. "All lives are precious, hers no less than mine."

Looking at the woman now, seeing how she cares about Anakin as his voice is transmitted over the comm system, Luke is given a glimpse behind her mask of professionalism. Small, out-of-place, pieces slide together: the early mornings, Anakin's devoted presence, the way Senator and Jedi work together—and his realization is as irrefutable and certain as the revelations on Bespin and Dagobah. His family is complete.

He can only smile wanly at Padmé, though, remembering Leia's description of their mother as kind but sad. How worried Padmé must be, with Anakin attempting to steal Palpatine back from Count Dooku. And yet, despite her own problems, she gives the same wordless comfort Leia offered Luke when they first met.

Luke wonders if during the past weeks Leia has guessed the truth the Senator keeps from the public. Perhaps Leia tried to spare Anakin grief by taking Padmé's place. Perhaps not. Leia is still wary of the Jedi, not realizing she herself has become dear to the young Jedi and that a Sith can manipulate these ties as easily as any others.

How much does Yoda know? How can everyone return safely if Luke is not there to remind them of what matters? Does the Jedi Master look at Luke and see only a potential match for the Sith should Anakin be destroyed once more?

Should Luke stay, or should he go?

He shifts his weight uneasily from one foot to the other. There is no ringing certainty in the Force for him today as he follows the progress of the dogfight outside the cruiser: the Jedi and those of the Republic squadrons who followed their commanders attempting to beat off the Separatists and give Anakin and Obi-Wan room to work. They are only partially successful and many reports are abruptly terminated.

Those listening below track the route of General Kenobi and Commander Skywalker as they defy the odds and crash land inside the cruiser to battle their way towards the prisoners. Artoo provides an electronic commentary. The transmissions from Anakin's comlink are intermittent and full of static, but when Anakin reaches Leia's cell they hear Leia's voice has not lost its note of defiance.

Didn't you bring back-up, Commander?

An uneasy feeling lurks like a frayed connection in a moisture vaporator in the pit of Luke's stomach, ready to fail or explode at the worst possible moment. They haven't heard from Obi-Wan since soon after the Jedi boarded.

Tense seconds pass as Anakin and Leia seek out the Chancellor. Senator Organa taps his fingers nervously against the side of his chair. He feels responsible for the girl as well.

And then they hear Leia's cry of anguish. It is clear and unmistakable before the connection is severed. Padmé's grip on Luke's hand tightens reflexively. His own senses reel as if from an overwhelming physical blow. To be in the command center and separate from the action is torture. He feels his sister's pain and despair and his mother's attempt to be strong in the face of the worst. He feels the shadow of the Dark Side, promising power and cessation of pain.

A. N. As always, thanks to everyone for sticking with the story despite the long waits between updates!