A/N: I am so sorry for the wait, I had to sort out some things. From now on, your chapters will be on schedule. Enjoy!

His eyes followed the soft swelling of the water, standing at the large window while watching it rush forward then hesitate and draw back. The smell of the ocean surrounded him, tinged with the fresh smell of the room. His ears listened to the absolute silence the surrounded him, his skin feeling warm from the sun warming it.

Lavish.

Furnished with the best of materials, he was truly staying in the best of hotels that Amfar had to offer. Open and spacious, the main room was huge, and half of the wall was glass, giving a beautiful view of the beach. Tan tones accentuated the room, the beige couch and carpet went beautifully in the modern setting, giving the room a airy and open feel. The bedroom was similar, sporting a balcony along a personal pool, and sheer, white curtains that could be covered with darker ones that would block out the light. The room was also quite large, the bed a king sized bed in the middle, along with a walk in closet and a bathroom that had it's own Jacuzzi big enough for two and a shower. But, along with it being quite impressive, it had a price to match.

Vader was quite accustomed to such richness. His own dwelling, if he ever had time to dwell in it, was just as expensive. Palpatine had made sure that Vader had been well looked after, and had provided him with the best of material items for his selection. It wasn't that he doted on Vader, merely that he felt that it he got the best, he would be more likely to perform his best. He was in no way pampered or spoilt by it, despite the generous amount of possessions he had at his command. He remained indifferent of it. It was used only in necessity, he had enough to use it as he wished, and that was all. His focus had never been on possessions, but on how they worked for him. He could live in a ditch for all he cared so long as he had enough the money was not an issue when he had to call upon it.

His Master had supplied him with fleets, thousands of troopers at his command, ships large and small. Appointed him head of military, placing him as the one everyone would answer to, and could only be overridden by the Emperor. He had provided him well.

Palpatine had purchased the hotel room before Vader had even arrived on Amfar, and it was to be his home for the next two days, his deadline to complete his work here. Then he would return to Coruscant.

When he arrived, he left his things, left and immediately began his work. He did not return back to the hotel until mid-morning the next day, all of his business completed. Pulling off his robes until he was left in only a comfortable pair of black sleep pants, got comfortable in his bed and fell asleep.

When he woke up, he commed. his Master, pulling on his outer robes.

"...Lord Vader."

"Master."

"I trust your mission was a success?"

"Yes Master."

"Good, good. I trust also that you was able to tie up any loose ends?"

"Nobody would even know I was ever here Master."

"Very good. And when can I expect your return?"

"Tonight if you wish it Master."

"I do. There is something I have long been meaning to have you take care of, and I want it done as soon as possible. I will brief you upon your return."

"Yes Master."

"Good."

The comm. abruptly cut off. Vader stared down at it, his mind racing, trying to figure out who exactly he crossed his Master so much that he intended to use Vader to kill, as that was undoubtedly the intention. Usually his Master had other people to kill those he didn't like, killing them later to make sure they would never expose him, only calling on Vader for solo assassinations when the situation was more than just a mere annoyance that was below Vader's notice. If his Master wanted him to take care of it personally, that only meant two things. One, that this wasn't just something to be taken lightly.

Two, whoever had had the gall to anger his master in so much that he wanted Vader to look into it personally was going to die slow and very, very painful death.


Imperial Center stood tall against the the dark night.

Tall.

Strong.

Powerful.

Magnificent.

Thriving.

Palpatine would accept no less.

As he watched the Coruscant skyline, his mind started drifting back to exactly how that had come along. He had waited patiently. Planned for years. And now his dream, (If he had anything as pleasant to which could be classified as a dream) had finally been established. And it had taken years. And now it had become exactly what it should be.

The process had been long. First had come the long, meddlesome, annoying span of being nothing the lowly adviser of that foolish, naïve queen, Amidala. The traitorous girl had been a thorn in his side from the beginning. She was strong spirited, feisty, stubborn, and one of those who went on and on freedom, peace, justice and democracy. The distinct combination that he despised. He had never liked her, but for some reason, he had kept her around. He had figured that he could eventually use her, and then have her killed later, but lately he seemed to have run out of patience. So, he supposed death was in order. A malicious smile spread across his wrinkled face as he imagined her death. He would have it slow and painful. He would have her tortured, bruised, beaten, and her mind ripped to shreds, and then only then would he let her die.

And she would die. He would make sure of it.

Next came gaining the trust of those foolish senators. Manipulating the senate had been easy. The fools couldn't see past there own noses, the conceited idiots. All he had had to do was stroke their egos, give them what they wanted, and in return would get the desired the seat of ultimate power.

Eventually he would rid himself of them forever, and he would be the only one in charge.

No more would he have to listen their ridiculous squabbling. He would be in charge of everything.

Vader.

Ah, yes. And he would have Vader with him. Vader had been a excellent help to him over the years. Without him Palpatine was sure that he wouldn't have been able to accomplish what he had in such a short time. In fact, he couldn't say for certain that there even would be a empire was Vader not around. The boy had been essential to establishing the Empire. When the Empire had been made, Palpatine had been too busy to sit back and enjoy it, there was so much to be done. But when Vader had come into play, that was when things started to get going. Vader was what really established the empire. He was quite helpful when it came to wiping out all of his enemies and anyone who bothered try to stop him.

The boy had power within himself, so much power. When he had managed to bridle the power, there was no end to what he could do.

Yes, he had lots to thank Vader for.

But he never would.

He was just reaching out with the Force to find exactly how soon his protégé would be here when he was interrupted by loud beeping indicating that someone outside was seeking permission to enter.

Annoyance coursed through him at being shaken out of his personal brooding time.

This particular time of the night he always spent alone, not to be disturbed by anyone for any reason. If they did they so would most definitely suffer.

Palpatine would accept no less.

"Well?" He snapped, his back to him still watching dark sky, not even bothering to hide the anger that was quickly threatening to make him kill the man right where he stood.

"L-Lord Vader just returned Sir. He wishes to speak to you as soon as possible. Sir." The man's voice was timid and Palpatine dully wondered exactly what amount of money had he been paid off by the other Imperials to enter the Emperor's private chambers.

"Good, good." Palpatine let out a low chuckle. "Send him in."

"Yes, milord." The man almost ran out of the room.

He felt him far before he even entered. As soon as he came into the hallway, he felt him. A tangible darkness entered into the room. It was as if everything in the room turned to ice. It was something that one, even without the force, could feel. An actual change of temperature. Despite the calm and calculated behavior, underneath that ice was lava. There was anger, such anger, such hatred even greater than Palpatine's. And it was always there. The darkness never left. Palpatine had often spent many hours marveling at it, wondering what had created it.

Not that he would ever complain. It gave him such satisfaction whenever he witnessed it, which, with Vader was quite often.

It served him well.

He was quick.

He was decisive.

He was a brilliant military strategist.

He was the Palpatine's ultimate weapon, and Palpatine honestly couldn't have asked for a better one.

It hadn't always been that way. When he first started training Vader, the boy didn't know what it meant to be truly enraged, and how to use his anger to his advantage. He had had them, buried deep in him, but didn't have the know how. But, after countless beating, after endless grueling hours of training and torture, he had learned. It had finally clicked in his brain, it had been sudden, like some sort of revelation, had just come on him, it finally dawned and it had taken Palpatine quite by surprise, and much to his delight.

He would never forget that day.

It had been glorious.

"Master." A deep, yet soft voice drew him out of his thoughts.

He didn't turn, nor respond for several moments, his eyes still focused on the Coruscant skyline.

Finally, he spoke. "You want to know what you're next mission is, don't you."

"You know me too well, Master," The voice purred.

"Indeed," Was Palpatine's calm reply. After a few minutes he finally spoke again. "You are familiar with Senator Amidala?"

"She is one of your greatest adversaries, is she not?"

"Hmm. She has a long time been a hindrance to my plans. And I have decided it is time. I want you to make her disappear. That, however, may be a bit harder than it appears. You see, she holds a vital place in the senate, and is an influential leader. The people respect her, and for someone who publicly speaks against me, it would be suspicious. Amidala has long established herself as a person dedicated to her work for the best interest of the people, always pushing for democracy. And, Although I am the government, killing her outright of her sudden death might cause an uproar." He paused a moment, letting out a displeased huff.

"Her obvious ties to the rebellion also plays to another factor. She holds great information concerning them, and I need that from her. I could have you, of course, go though her mind forcefully, but that might result in other issues I'd rather avoid. This is why I need you. I want you to watch her. She could be a valuable asset to us if she was convinced to work for us, which is unlikely. If so, squeeze every bit of information you can from her. I don't care how, you can toy around with her as much as you like for all I care, but when you're done, I want her to suffer. She will die, and I want to be there to see it. I do not want this to in any way, ever to be traced back to me. Understood?"

"As you wish it, Master."

"Good. Now, leave me."

The was no reply or sound. After a second, Palpatine glanced back over his shoulder to see if he had even moved.

The room was empty.


Imperialist Mansion (Vader's Residence/Domicile),
Vader's personal quarters
Coruscant.

Vader fell back onto the bed, a soft grunt escaping his lips. The firm yet comfortable mattress cushioned him, tempting him to give into it. The expensive, soft blankets tried to seduce him, vainly attempting to lure him in with the promises of blissful sleep. Vader ignored it completely.

Beckoning a data pad from his desk he immediately set about his research. If he was to take out this Amidala, he first needed to find out everything about her, even the most insignificant matters. Once he did, planning a strategy for attack would be an easy task. He had heard of the Senator, as his Master had often ranted about how much he wanted her dead, forcing Vader to listen. He had seen her several times, but with himself being so busy with searching for rebels, and the overwhelming task of maintaining the Empire, he had never had much time for an insignificant Senator. But now, she was the focus of his life. Whenever he began a mission, it became his upmost priority. Anything and everything pertaining to the mission was crucial.

Three hours later he set the datapad down, his thoughts full of the Senator.

Young and beautiful, uncommonly wise and savvy, Senator Amidala played a stong part in the senate. She had started he political career early, becoming queen and the age of fourteen, she worked hard to protect her people and strived for equality. After her term as queen was over, she had served Naboo as a representative to the senate.

Although very attractive, she was surprisingly single, and had never been in more than four relationships, and, being too busy with her work, decided that she preferred to stay that way until there was peace and democracy reigned.

She had no relatives on Coruscant, her only family was on the planet of Naboo. Her sister, was a married woman with two young daughters. Her maiden name was Naberrie, although she had named herself Amidala as her political name. Born in a privileged household, She was often involved many charity events, ever since she had been a child.

Like his Master had said, the ties between her in the rebel alliance was obvious. Most others would have never even considered it. Being a very vocal and active member in the senate, the young woman never did anything to conceal her hatred for the empire, and did everything she could to protest it, openly speaking of it as corrupt. Yet, the thought of the Senator Amidala committing treason was unthinkable to most.

Vader saw right through it.

She had proved that if it was something she believed in, she would fight for it. There was nothing to be done in the Senate. She couldn't reason her way into removal of the empire. The woman was sharp minded, young and cunning. He knew that there was no way this senator would continue fighting what she knew was a losin-lost battle. She would fight, even if she might die for it.

He made a mental checklist.

He would observe her from afar.

He would meet her, personally.

He would build a trusting relationship with her.

He would strike.

He would not miss.

That was it.

Five easy steps.


Two weeks. It had been two weeks since she had last been to the Opera house.

The fog was thick in her eyes, clouding her vision. Bodies pushed against her, doing little to deter her. Different smells attacked her nose from all different directions. Her ears were filled with the sounds surrounding her. Her skin felt cool from the chilly morning air.

Walking briskly towards her apartment amongst the hubbub of early morning Coruscant, Padmé Amidala paused her trek to stop by one of her favorite café's to get a drink. Ducking inside, she was greeted with the heavenly smell of sweet pastries and caff.

Loneliness.

When Padmé had first moved to Coruscant, her loneliness level was nearly unbearable. She wasn't afraid of travel or new things, but it was strange being completely alone. On Naboo, she had family and friends. Coruscant had seemed big, smelly, and filthy compared to her fairy tale home. She hadn't known anyone. She hadn't had the slightest clue how to find anything on this new planet that was to be her home.

Only after she had been situated awhile, had she ventured out of her apartment to familiarize herself with the surrounding area. She had only been walking for few minutes when she chanced upon the café. And ever since then, it had always been a place to stop by when she was out. Needless to say, she did end up hopelessly lost after her visit, and had to call Captain Typho to her rescue.

The smell of baking was what had drew her in. It was not her mother's or her sister's, but it reminded her of home and therefore, she often came because.

She settled comfortably into her favorite window seat, sipping her coffee, feeling considerably lighter today. She couldn't quite place it, but she had felt strange for the past two weeks, almost like she was being watched or monitored. Today, however, she felt nothing of the sort, therefore feeling quite relaxed. Padmé was used to being watched and nearly always had a tail to lose, but this time, she didn't get that strange prickly feeling on the back or her neck that she learned to trust, and no one was visible, but she still felt like the was something there, just lurking in the shadows.

But today felt normal, making her feel considerably more at ease. She was broken out of her thoughts of her mysterious, maybe imaginary, stalker by a smooth voice.

"Is this seat taken?"

Padmé looked up to find herself staring into the a vaguely familiar pair of light blue eyes. She just stared at him a moment, her eyes narrowed, trying to place the handsome face, before her eyes widened in realization. "Senator Clovis?"

"The one and only." He slid into the seat facing her. "And please, no more of that silly 'Senator Clovis' nonsense. Call me Rush."

"Only if you call me Padmé."

"You have yourself a deal."

Padmé observed him a moment quietly, as he did the same.

She sipped her frappé. "Tell me, do you come here often? I'm just curious because I come here almost everyday and I've never seen you here before."

"I just so happened to be passing by, and I thought that perhaps I might step in and...all right, all right, a little birdie told me that you come here often, and I thought might catch you around the area. After our first meeting at the ball, I had wished to make your better acquaintance, but when I tried to find you, you were nowhere to be seen. Henceforth, I decided to look for you here."

Padmé sat back in her seat, her eyes narrowing slightly, still smiling. "And what, exactly, is your interest in me?"

"Pardon?" Rush looked slightly taken aback, his handsome face contorting in confusion.

Padmé leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, her fingers lacing together, her gaze penetrating, all the while maintaining a impassive smile on her lips. "Your interest. You have met me only once, and, as one should, were very pleasant in your manner towards me, as one would with any esteemed company. But for you to seek me out, even going so far as to stalk me here leaves me no doubt that you, forgetting what you just said about wishing to deepen your acquaintance with me, which more than likely isn't true, as no one would go searching to find out about me just to deepen your acquaintance with me, either, I have done something that seems intriguing to you, or, you are bored with your circle of friends and wish to acquire more, or, you are a madman hoping to catch me outside of my apartment and molest me, or, you have an romantic interest in me. So, tell me, what is your interest in me?"

Rush looked dumbfounded. "I..."

Padmé smirked, leaning back in her seat, drawing on her frappé.

"I...I...the...when we last met, when we first met, I was...curious...about you. I wanted to get to know you better, to have a chance to speak to you."

Padmé eyed him shrewdly. "So, basically, a mix between intrigued and bored of your current friends."

Rush stared at her a moment before a slow smile spread across his face, and, shaking his head, he laughed softly. "Amusing. You are cunning and sharp, Senator Amidala, more so than even I first gave you credit for."

"A common mistake." Padmé brushed her fingers off over napkin before meticulously picking up any spare crumbs from her mysteriously disappeared donut and placing them on the cloth. "But as nice as this little chat has been, I need to return home. Perhaps, we will bookmark it, and continue another time." Padmé threw her napkin away, picking up her drink.

Rush stood along with her, sweeping up her hand and kissing it. "I'll look forward to it, Padmé."

Padmé nodded, bidding him farewell, and continued her journey home.

When arrived there, she found she only had a few minutes to prepare for her destination.

Time to get to work.


Her head pounded as though a thousand rancors had trampled on it. Her chest throbbed from exaustion. Her eyes felt tired and weary from staring at a datapad for too long. Her legs ached from the incessant hurrying. Her back felt stiff from sitting at a desk. She felt ready to collapse.

So she did.

She didn't bother putting on any other clothes as she stripped down to her underwear. Falling on the bed, she wrapped her body in the cushioning softness until she was nothing but a lump under the covers. She felt so tired.

Maybe a good nap. Just like that. Oh, Yes. Wait. I should probably shower. No! I'm too tired. Besides, I'm not dirty. Although I'd probably feel better if I did. Ugh.

Padmé groaned, throwing back the covers, crawling out of bed. After stripping, she made a quick decision to hop into the Jacuzzi instead of the shower, allowing the massaging jets to do wonders to her body, her mind slipped to blissful emptiness.

Lethargic, she almost felt lax when she slipped out of the tub. She quickly dried herself off, anxious to be back in her bed. She didn't even bother with panties this time, so intent was she on getting back to her bed.

She had let her handmaidens have the week off, but now, looking at the wet, knotted hair that fell around her shoulders, she almost wished she hadn't. Padmé had just passed her vanity, intent on sleep, before groaning, and going back to sit down to brush her long, wet hair out. After fighting through a few knots, she was able to brush though it smoothly. Glancing up, she took in her own appearance.

Beauty.

Long, dark brown hair clung to her skin, the thin rivulets of water paving lines along her skin. Refined, straight eyebrows, arched just enough to present a challenge to the onlooker. Large, mocha eyes trimmed long lashes stared listlessly back at her, but showing an intelligence she wasn't sure she had deep in their depths. A small, pointed nose was fitted cutely on her face. Her slightly parted lips, naturally red, were full and inviting. Her skin was flawless and creamy, her breasts, rising and falling with her breathing, were small and perfect. Paired with a petite figure, Padmé was aware of her beauty, but she knew that only got her so far. If only.

Padmé sighed, braiding her hair into a long plait that reached as far as it could down her back. Standing, she slid into bed and pulling the blanket up around her, slipping into a fitful sleep.

She smiled, twirling a flower stem between her fingers, before plucking it, weaving it into the flower crown she was making. Glancing around, she was once again surrounded by her beautiful homeland, the smell of flowers around her, and she felt content. She sat in the sun, in the midst by the mountains, the waterfalls crashing around her, the shaak herds grazing peacefully nearby. Looking up, she took up of the flower necklaces she had in her lap, and, beckoning one of her nieces playing a few feet away, she put it around Pooja's neck, smiling wider than she had in years.

She looked down a moment, and glanced up to see her nieces missing. Standing, she looked around. "Ryoo? Pooja?" They were nowhere in sight. Starting to feel nervous, she called again. "Ryoo? Pooja? Where are you?"

"Padmé!"

She whirled, searching for the source of the voice calling her name. "Mom?" Padmé eyes searched over the fields of Naboo, the familiar feeling of dread growing in her stomach, as if she seen this already, and she knew that something bad was about to happen, but she could not pinpoint it, and she couldn't stop it.

"Padmé!" Padmé got up and started to run back toward the lake house. Everything stared to slow down. When the house finally came into view, she gasped, feeling the air rush out of her lungs. Her house was no more. A smoking ruin was left in it's place. Horrified, she ran straight to the remains of her home. "Mom! Dad! Sola!" As she was running she felt herself falling, her whole world shifting as her surroundings did with it. When it came to focus, she was suddenly in a hellish, fiery, lava planet. She recognized it instantly. Mustafar. The heat was almost unbearable. Lava flared up all around her, her vision tilting and whirling around her, and suddenly there were clones, everywhere, as though she had just entered a battle, and blaster fire started up all around her.

"Padmé!" A female voice, her mother's voice, screamed. Looking through the red haze frantically, she spotted her mother being dragged away. "Mom!" Padmé started running, but the harder she tried, the farther she seemed. She watched as her mother was dragged away become caught in the crossfire, a blast going though her head. Padmé heard a scream that could have been her own. No..not mom..no no no...suddenly she was at her mother's side, pulling her mother's head into her lap as sightless eyes stared at her, smoke rising from the cauterized wound. No... Her vision blurred and it only then she realized she was crying. The tears streamed down her cheeks, audible sobs escaping her as her bodly wracked with pain. Throwing back her head, her whole body stiffed as a cry of anguish ripped it's way out of her, the pain tearing through her soul.

Looking back down the world seemed to tilt and shift again, the fire and lava replaced with a foggy haze on a familiar landing pad. The face of her mother becoming replaced with the beaten face of her handmaiden, her face covered with dirt, a thin trail of blood running down the corner of her lip to her chin. No...no again..."Cordé, Cordé. Cordé." She shook her head, trying to deny what she already knew was true. "Cordé...no..." Her tears, which had stopped, started again, a single tear sliding down her cheek. "Cordé." Her handmaiden's head rolled to the side. The tears were flowing down her face now. "I'm so sorry Cordé..."

"You killed her."

Padmé looked up to see the source of the voice. Palpatine stared down at her, his evil eyes glinting, a cruel smile showing his yellow teeth. "Look what you've done. This is all your fault."

Looking down at her handmaiden, she shook her head. "I'm not...I didn't..."

"And whose fault is it then Amidala? Think about it. If it wasn't for you, I would have never been Chancellor, there would be no Empire, no death, no dictatorship. Your family would still live, Vader would not be killing your dear, pathetic rebellion, and your handmaiden would still be alive. Tell me, whose fault is that? Who did that? Who started the war? Who is the cause of the millions deaths? It's all your fault. You allowed this to happen. I truly must congratulate you Amidala, you have single-handedly destroyed the thing you have worked so hard to protect. You are reason things are the way they are. You are the reason diplomacy no longer lives. You are a murderer." Palpatine smirked malevolently.

Head spinning Padmé's eyes were wide, horror written over her features, as she realized what she already knew. "No..."

"Oh yes. And you will be severely punished. I'll make sure of it." The world tilted again, growing dark, so she couldn't see. Looking around she tried to see but was blinded. A sudden snap-hiss of a lightsaber lit up the blackness, the red hue enough to make out the familiar dark figure moving towards her. She tried to run, but felt as thought she was being held in place. Padmé screamed as the blade swung towards her neck, the searing pain cutting through-

Padmé shot up in her bed, sweat drenching her naked body. She took a minute to breath. It's all your fault. She could taste salt of her tears on her tongue, her mind still replaying the dream. It was true, she knew, all the destruction taking place out there was her fault. She had made it all possible.

After a while, when it became clear that sleep wasn't an option, she got out of bed. Finding her her robe and putting it on, she stood by the window, lost in a line of negative thoughts.

I truly must congratulate you Amidala, you have single-handedly destroyed the thing you have worked so hard to protect.

Padmé sighed, rubbing her hand over her forehead, the all to familiar feeling of guilt dragging her shoulders down.

You are a murderer.

Sliding down against the wall, she sat on the floor in a fetal position, her head leaned back against it, tears sliding down her cheeks. "Oh, Cordé. Please forgive me." Salt water dripped down on her collarbone, before sliding down her neck into her robe. "Forgive me." Her eyes wandered to the calendar hanging above her desk, staring at it blankly, before her eyes moved to the clock.

Wiping the tears away, she stood, collecting herself. Shedding her robe, she walked over to her walk-in, she sifted through her closet. After a few minutes, she pulled a out long indigo dress. After squirming into it, she examined herself.

The dress was a low cut V plunge, showing off a bit of the inside of her breasts. Turning, she eyed the back. The back of the dress was temptingly cut out, ending in a sharp point, the skirts pulling up in back, accentuating her derrière. The dress was figure hugging, moulding itself to her body, before flaring out into a large skirt, that dragged as she walked. Bits and pieces of flashed out, seductive enough to drive any man to insanity.

Sitting in front of her vanity, she immediately set about fixing her eyes, which had grown reddish and puffy due to crying. Covering them in concealer, she added just enough makeup to make her eyes sparkle, hiding the pain and guilt so that it was not visible to the average eye. She decided to add a few swipes of mascara enhancing her already thick lashes. She applied a deep red matte lipstick, giving her lips a soft, velvety look. Finding a pair of dangling silver earrings with matching shoes, she quickly pairing them with her outfit. Padmé pulled her hair up onto the top of head, arranging it so it gradually spilled down her back, the luscious curls seductively brushing her bare back.

Padmé gave herself a a quick one-over, pleased with what she saw.

Feeling satisfied, she left to a date alone at the Opera.


A/N: I'm not sure I'm satisfied with this chapter, but felt it's long enough. I know, I know, it's been four chapters, when will the romance start!? Soon. Very soon, don't worry. I know most people have their characters meet in like, chapter two, but I'm trying not to rush into it. I don't know about you, but I love dragging out the romance. If I read a story that's got forty-two chapters, and they're together at chapter seven, it's just boring and useless (unnecessary) drama. En-e-wayy...things are about to get interesting. Soon. Hope you enjoyed, don't be scared to tell me how you felt about it, thanks and love you all.

xx,

Christina.

May the force be with you.

Fun Fact: I have a phobia of approaching objects.

Word count: 5566

New updates every two weeks!