He watched from afar as they doused her in attention. His staff was careful to attend to every detail. They were loyal, but above that, they wished for his happiness. And if he assured them that Padmé's every comfort was his desire, they would not be lacking in their attention.

Perhaps he should have been embarrased to have everything so well laid out for her. After all, what stranger in his right mind obsessively collects clothing, accesories, and perfumes perfectly tailored to a woman he had supposedly never met?

She had driven him to it, of course. She had wanted fine things, and fine things she would get. But his heart?

She had effectively destroyed that at Varykino.

It didn't mean he didn't take pity on her.

Obi-Wan's death had been unplanned for, and had hit both Padmé and her blonde friend hard, but the latter seemed well able to take care of herself. Padmé, however…

Anakin had no doubt that she would be able to pull herself from the despondancy she suffered, but a little nudge never hurt anyone, did it? As it was, he couldn't very well continue on with his plan if she was consumed with sadness, could he?

He didn't want her to be happy; far from it. No, this was for revenge. There was little chance that she would mourn her loss if she was too buried in grief to realize her gain. That was the only reason.

Shaking the thoughts from his mind, he hurried in the direction of the dining hall. He was late, he knew, but it couldn't be helped. His sparring session with Ahsoka had taken a bit longer than he had expected it to, and he'd still had to shower, which had been lengthened by an unconscious daydream that Padmé had starred in.

The sense of anonymity he had created empowered him, and he had decided to add gloves to further obscure his features. After all, what villain didn't wear gloves?

Except that the gloves he had found were so blasted hard to fasten.

He was still struggling with the right one as he approached the dining hall, and much to his dismay, the two guards on duty opened it immediately.

Almost immediately, Padmé and her friend looked over at him, the blonde's eyes immediately going to his partially fastened glove.

Hoping that neither of them noticed, he used the Force to clasp the kriffing thing shut, effectively pinching his wrist and making him wince.

If they noticed, they didn't show it, instead giving him looks of curiosity. Embarassed at being put on the spot, he lowered himself into his seat. "I apologize for keeping you waiting. I was… preoccupied," he said. Turning to Padmé, he settled for a relaxed smile. "You look beautiful, my pet."

Though he hated to admit it, it was true. Why couldn't she be one of the ugly- or even ordinary looking- exes, who it was easy to forget about? Why did she have to look like a queen, dining with her loyal servants? One of which being him?

Her hair fell in darm waves down her back, just as he liked it. No, not like. He didn't like anything about her. The hair was only a distraction, set by her to ensnare him.

Just like the dress. And the makeup. And the creamy soft skin. All traps, made to catch him.

Her cheeks flushed gently. "You were very kind to provide me with such… lavish… amenities."

Of course that would be all she thought about. All the riches that she was taking advantage of.

Still… He smirked. "Believe me, I am doing this for entirely selfish reasons."

She dropped her eyes to her plate, playing coy. "Thank you, Master."

The word fueled his blood, making him shift in his seat. "I like it when you say that, my pet," he whispered, and the deepened flush on her cheeks said that she had heard him. Perhaps… "Though I think I'll like it more when you're screaming it."

Her eyes widened as she looked up at him, her lips parting slightly. But the look on her face…

She should be grateful that her friend was there.

She dragged her tongue over her lip once before bringing her wine glass to her mouth, the ruby liquid disappearing through the enticingly red lips. Her eyes lit. "What… what kind of wine is this? It's absolutely delectable."

"Only the best for you. It was grown in our own vineyard, not far off from here." An idea popped into his head as he sipped his own glass. "It is goog, but I have a feeling it would taste infinitely better on your lips."

This time the blonde reacted, choking on her own glass as Padmé blushed. The woman- he still had not the slightest idea of who she was, other than that she looked vaguely familiar- folded her hands together imperiously. "I'm afraid I don't know what to call you."

She was a different one. Somehow, she seemed more royal than Padmé, from the way she carried herself to the polished tone of her voice. He smiled. "You could simply follow your friends example."

Just the slightest twitch of her eyebrow, and a glint in the cold blue eyes. "I'd prefer not to, for the short time I remain here." She lifted her chin, and the air of regality was nearly tangible. "Is there anywhere I might acquire a ship? I do not wish to impose any longer than neccessary."

He tried to touch her mind, but once again, her shields blocked him out almost completely. "There is one who makes twice yearly trips to another planet where you may gain transportation, if you do not wish to rely on my good graces. He will be leaving in two moons, and you may go with him if you choose." That was all true.

She blinked, and he could feel her dismay. "Is there any way I may persuade him to leave earlier? I have rather urgent business I need to see to."

She seemed intent on forcing his hand. "For the right price, I'm sure he'd take you anywhere. However," he added when she seemed to perk up a little too much. "Your Republican credits will be of no use here. Everything you trade must be in goods, which you have none of."

The woman pursed her lips, but pressed on. "Is there a comm unit I may use, then? I can have one of my pilots come and retrieve us."

He gritted his teeth. "There is no way to communicate off planet. The atmosphere prohibits any sort of long range transmissions." That, for the most part was true. The atmosphere did inhibit communications to the point of unbearibility, but he couldn't let her know that.

Her should sagged in disappointment. "In the meantime, would it be possible to see where our ship crashed?" she asked softly, and he sensed the sorrow descend over her like a thick blanket. "I… I would like to see if anything of value was spared."

Something about her attitude told him that there likely was something of great value, and he vowed to look over the wreckage himself before letting anyone else see it. "In a few days, I will have my guards escort you to the site." The waiters finally arrived with the food, and he motioned for them to set them down. "Until then, I hope you will enjoy your… vacation, if you will."

The look of bliss on Padmé's face told him that would be no problem.


Satine Kryze of Kalevla, Duchess of Mandalore.

No wonder the woman acted like a queen. She ruled a whole kriffing system. And she was a pacifist.

According to the holonet, she was also the designated regent of the Council of Neutral Systems, and had been given the title of official Arbiter between the Republic and the Separatists.

When he took a closer look at her, though, he realized where he remembered her from. Obi-Wan had had a holo of him and a blonde woman, taken when he had been young. Of course, he'd never told Anakin exactly who the woman was, but now he had his answer.

So, Duchess, pacifist, regent, arbiter, and lover of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Well, former lover as it was.

The thought of his Master's death arose again, but he pushed it aside. Obi-Wan wasn't dead. He couldn't be. No matter what the situation, the man seemed to be able to jilt death. He'd likely jumped ship early and was even now drinking tea and charming some houseful of unsuspecting women in one of the villages. No, Obi-Wan Kenobi couldn't be dead.

That thought put his mind somewhat at ease, and he finally allowed it to drift back to her.

Padmé.

Her reaction to his overtures only confirmed his suspicions. She was willing to lure in any man, whether she knew him or not. He could only imagine how many covert affairs she had conducted in the three years he had been gone. Likely dozens.

And the Master was just another check on her list.


So, second chapter! Thank you for helping me reach on Vanished!

Now, a lot of you have been asking that I do a Master Version of every chapter, and I want to assure you that I plan to. However, I will not be uploading it in full until I have completed Vanished. Don't worry, I'll still be giving out chapters for every fifty favorites, and hundred follows and review for Vanished, and I've decided to also put out chapters for every twenty five favorites and fifty follows and reviews on this one, since you are all so enthusiastic.

Thank you to MumsieDo, A.K. Skywalker, sunmoonwindandstars, black velvet night, MugglebornJedi, Varete, Angelcake23, and Writer13032005 for being the first to follow and favorite!

MumsieDo: Thank you! I'm glad this helps to provide some insight!

HazelMoonflower: Thank you!

sunmoonwindandstars: I'm so glad you like it!

Rambling anOn: Thank you so much!