He left her alone after that, but his presence lingered long after he was gone. Padme felt foolish, having called out for Anakin like that. She had thought by now she had come to terms with it, but seeing him had brought it all back. For a moment hope had come uninvited, surprising her with its intensity. However, at his words it had shattered, leaving her behind broken all over again.
Hurriedly she wiped her cheek with her sleeves, removing the evidence of her tears. Her legs were trembling, barely able to hold her weight. Sinking back down on the bed, she unbuttoned the jacket with shaking hands. If she could, she would have ripped the uniform of. Hating it, and everything it represented. But there was nothing else to wear, and she felt naked enough already.
That's when she felt the chain of her necklace. She had not taken it off, she never did. She had just tucked it safely beneath her shirt, close to her heart. Where she always kept it.
Pulling it out, she gently stroked the etchings with her fingers. It was a simply design. But all the more precious because of it. He had carved it himself. A gentle boy with nothing to give, except his heart. She held on to it like a talisman, as if holding it could bring him back to her. Curled up in the bed, she lay there for what felt like hours. Until her throat was sore from crying, and all her tears had run dry.
An eternity later there was a gentle knock on the door. To her surprise, the door did not immediately open. If she didn't reply, would he go away again?
Sitting up, she quickly hid the necklace away, not wanting him to see it. At least for the moment, she was trapped. Pretending otherwise was just silly. "Yes" At her reply, the door opened and his dark presence filled the doorway. He took one step inside, holding out his hand, offering her a bottle.
"What is it?" she asked suspiciously. Eyeing his outstretched hand, like it was a venomous snake.
"It's just water, I thought you might be thirsty."
"Oh" she replied, getting up on shaky legs to accept his offering. Had he heard her tears she wondered? Or was he just making sure his prisoner stayed alive.
Whatever the reason, she was thirsty, so she reached out a hand and grabbed it. Careful not to touch him. When she did, he quickly stepped back out again, his hands fiddling with his belt. Making him look less angry, and more uncertain. "We will arrive shortly"
There was no point in hiding, so she nodded and followed him back into cockpit, ignoring her nerves as she almost brushed up against him. Feeling all cried out and empty, too tired to feel any real fear. When he got seated, so did she.
Watching him carefully out of the corner of her eye, she drank deeply from the bottle. Letting the cold water soothe her aching throat. He was staring straight ahead, avoiding to look directly at her. His dark mask told her nothing. But perhaps the bottle in her hand told her something, something she hadn't even dared hope.
"Let me go" she whispered the words, but she knew he could hear them. "Please" She didn't call for Anakin this time, knowing it would only anger him.
"No" Came the terse reply.
"Why not? If you don't want to kill me. Then what do you want?" At her angry words his helmet snapped around to face her, but he didn't say a word.
Unable to help herself, she flinched. On Mustafar Vader had held her close at first, his touch greedy and possessive. At the time she had been to stressed to think about, but it had felt different from how Anakin had used to hold her. Less like love, and more like ownership, and when he thought she had stepped out of line he had turned on her. Punished her. She didn't trust he would not do so again. Perhaps it was best he just did so now, she thought bitterly. Before he saw through her lies. If not him, then Palpatine.
Fear returned then, not for herself, but for the twins, and for what would happen if he ever found them. Some of her terror must have shown on her face, because he quickly looked away. Dejected she put the bottle away, one kind act didn't mean anything, she was just fooling herself.
The ship left hyperspace, a fleet of star destroyers coming into view just ahead. His fleet, she eyed it with hatred. The same one that had claimed Kieran's life, and probably countless others. It would do her no good to forget who this man was, and who he wasn't. Not anymore. Pleading would not work.
"He will kill me, you do know that by now, don't you?" she said carefully, changing her tactics. Anakin had always been protective. If he she was to be Vader's possession, perhaps a part of that still remained.
"I will protect you" he said stiffly. Padme sank further down into her seat. The more she saw of Vader, the more she could believe he had once been Anakin. Both were equally arrogant.
"But who will protect me from you" she added bitterly.
The ship slowed its approach, and she could see him bend his head.
"You are safe Padme" he said softly. It sounded almost like a promise, which just made it worse. Promises could so easily be broken, and his words meant little to her now.
In her mind the memory of his attack was as clear as the day it had happened, and part of her wanted to lash out at him for what he had done. Angry bitter words rested spitefully on her tongue, but she bit them back. She knew nothing about this man, except for one thing. He was volatile and dangerous. Looking ahead instead, she could see a star destroyer moving ever closer. Once there, she knew he would have sealed her fate. No matter what he said, she would never be truly safe with him.
"Then what is your plan? Lock me up in a cell? Keep me against my will?" she asked, glaring at him, though he still avoided her gaze.
"I would rather that was not necessary" he replied. It wasn't even a no.
"I think you know me well enough to know, I will never condone any of this! So why bother" She bit out, fuming. He had taken their father from the twins, and now he would take their mother too. In that moment she hated him. Him and his selfishness.
"You are my wife, you belong with me!" he snapped suddenly, clenching one fist. She was surprised he didn't just say, she belonged to him.
However, she was not his wife, and never would be. "You are not my husband. I am not yours. I am his, only his. Always." The words came tumbling out from some deep buried part of her, slipping past her lips before she could stop them. It was the truth, even now, she would always love the man he had once been. But she would never love this thing, never.
They spoke no more after that. Just sat there in awkward silence, like strangers. Because they were strangers now. Two people who had once held each other so close, were now further apart then they had ever been.
Defeated she looked away, not bothering to try again. What was the point? There was no way he would let her go willingly. Her only choice was to run. The problem was, she knew he would never stop following her. If she ran home, she risked leading him straight to the twins, and she would rather die, then let that happen.
By now they were almost on top of one of the star destroyers, and Vader turned the ship away from the main landing bay, to a smaller one closer to the bridge. The large expanse of the star destroyer stretching out beneath them. It had been years since she had seen one up close. Not that she had wanted too.
Vader was speaking to someone on the ships communicator, as the ship passed through the hangar shield before landing softly on the decking.
Then it was done, she was well and truly trapped. Numbly she followed him from the ship, there was nothing else she could do, at least not for now.
Vader leaned down towards her, speaking quietly, as an imperial officer came rushing towards them
"Say nothing"
What could she say? She doubted, help me would do her any good. So she remained quiet as the young officer came to a stop, right in front of them.
"Lord Vader" he said, eyes darting nervously between Vader and the floor. "We just heard the news, I am glad to see you are well. It–"
Vader held up a hand, interrupting him
"Captain Alden, see to it that she has what's she needs, and I want her close. No questions asked. Understood?" He said, indicating her with one gloved hand. "Lock her up on my floor. And keep it quiet."
Captain Alden finally took notice of her, a frown creasing his brow as he took in the state of her uniform. It was ripped in some places, and she hadn't bothered to button the jacket again. On top of that, her curly hair was an absolute mess. Right now she hardly measured up to imperial standards, she thought dryly. In truth she looked like she had been mauled by a wild animal. Or a man.
Alden hesitated for a moment, looking rather confused. Vader had not called her a prisoner, but he had stated she should be locked up. Apparently deciding she was one, he made a grab for her arm to haul her away.
Before he could reach her however, Vader's hand shot out grabbing his arm, squeezing it. Painfully, if the officer's expression was anything to go by. "You will treat her with the same respect, that you would offer me." Vader hissed, squeezing again before letting go.
"Off course my lord" Alden stuttered, taking a step back before offering her a small bow. All Padme could feel at this display was sadness. This man was terrified of Vader, and she knew he had every reason to be. So did she.
Vader stared down at her as he spoke. For a brief moment she was tempted to reach up, and rip the mask from his head in pure spite. Or was it curiosity?
"Now, Captain Alden"
"Off course Lord Vader, I will see to it at once." Alden replied, standing to attention, having seemingly recovered from the shock.
"See to it that you do. Anything goes wrong, and I will hold you personally responsible."
Captain Alden swallowed, looking very young for a moment. Reminding Padme that many imperials were just people doing what they had to, to survive. Many on the station she had just destroyed probably had as well. How many of them were now dead? She swallowed, pushing the thought away.
Vader nodded, his mask lingering on her for a long moment, before he turned and left. Leaving her there with Alden. She stared at his cape as he walked away, following it until he turned a corner and vanished from sight. Though he had no hurt her, she felt bruised nonetheless.
"Please come with me my lady" Alden said. Blinking, she turned to look at him. He had gentle eyes, that were now looking at her with something akin to pity. "I will take you to your quarters, and find you some clothes."
"Not a uniform please" she said, following him out from the hangar, in the opposite direction to Vader. Feeling slightly baffled he had walked away.
"I will see what I can do" Alden looked kind, but looks could be deceiving. Yet it was always worth a try. Vader had given her a little more than he should have, when he had interjected on her behalf. She would be a fool not to use it.
"Where are we?" she asked, as they walked down another corridor.
"Lord Vader didn't tell you?" he asked studying her, probably trying to figure out who she really was.
"It all happened rather sudden after the attack." She replied, pulling slightly at her ruined uniform. "There was no time"
"It's a quarantine of a minor mid rim planet. Nothing more" he replied rather reluctantly.
It seemed he would not be too forthcoming after all.
"Ah, if it isn't Vader's new pet." A voice interjected before she could pry any further. A tall man came walking down the corridor towards them. For a moment she thought he was talking about her, making her bristle at the use of the word pet. Opening her mouth, she was about to snap at him, until she noticed Alden's pained expression.
"I am busy Dolros" Alden replied, urging her ahead, being very careful not to touch her.
"I assumed you have realised by now, why it's a promotion no one wants. It's a rather short lived one. Especially if you take time out for a woman, no matter how pretty she is. Vader doesn't like men that skip out on their duty" Dolros added, studying her intently, before his eyes narrowed with interest "Don't I know you from somewhere?"
"What are you doing here? This is Vader's floor." Alden interrupted stepping in front of her, before she had a chance to reply. The man did look indeed look familiar. However, she could not seem to recall from where.
"Just passing through" he added, trying to peer at her over Alden's shoulder,
"Well, leave!" Alden snapped, shielding her. "Or I will have you removed"
Dolros just shrugged, before walking away. Casting one last glance at her as he did, lips pursed in a small smile.
Alden hurried her after that. Walking past several doors, before depositing her in a spacious, but sparse suite. It looked desolate and empty, like it had never been used.
"No one ever stays here." Alden said, at her expression. "Lord Vader doesn't like anyone to close to his rooms"
"His rooms are here?" she asked with interest. The initial shock of seeing him was starting to recede, and since she was still breathing why not make the most of her predicament. If he thought she would sit here meekly, he had forgotten who he had married in the first place.
"Only two doors down. But do not go there!" he said, looking alarmed at her thoughtful expression. " Unless you have a death wish" he muttered under his breath, before clearing his throat "Just stay here, and I will return with come clothes." With that he left, shutting the door behind him as he went.
As soon as she could no longer hear his footsteps, she moved over to the door testing it, but it was locked. Though she had expected no less. Frustrated she looked around her grey prison. No windows off course. Not that it would have helped, she could hardly escape into space.
Padme had inspected every corner of the room finding nothing of interest, by the time Alden returned bringing with him the promised clothes, and a medical droid. She must look worse than she initially thought.
But she knew there was nothing wrong with her. Except perhaps a broken heart. Though for that there was no cure. Yet, she let the droid pinch and prod her, before it bandaged her knees. Somehow she doubted this was how Vader normally treated his prisoners. Alden seemed to be thinking the same, as she caught him staring curiously at her.
"Is there anything else you want my lady" he asked, looking almost guilty. Strange.
"Tell me the name of the planet?" she yawned, suddenly feeling very sleepy. Drowsy Alden helped her to the bed.
"I am sorry." He whispered, tucking her in. "He wanted you to rest."
Vaguely she heard him leave, the door opening and closing behind him, the room darkening as he turned the light off.
She didn't hear or see, much after that. She did not hear the door opening again, or feel the warm hand gently stroking her cheek. So softly, like it was afraid she might break at the touch.
Nor did she hear a familiar voice whisper her name. No, that must have been just a dream.
She blinked, as dream slowly became reality. "Anakin?" she called, feeling too weak to move. The hand quickly vanished, its bearer retreating to the shadows. Sleep reclaimed her then, the memory of a gentle touch vanishing back into her dreams.
Notes:
Someone is trying to be nice, for now. But it will not be this easy. Thanks for the reviews, love to read them.
Jadaerys . Thanks:) Depends on who you ask. What the dark side is, can be a bit vague. But it corrupts the user. Yoda claimed Anakin was consumed by the dark side, and in a way doesn't exist anymore. I am kinda going for that approach. I say on Mustafar he lost control over himself, and snapped.
Irene Sharda.A hand can make quite the difference;) I like to think he is a bit smarter too, but he is still very much enslaved as well. Padme will have to fight for him.
naberries It will take time:)
Haruka2007 Hopefully:)
padme-sky Well its too hard to blame himself after all.
221Shelb :) I am glad. In my other story Anakin is already back, here Vader is in charge which is a lot harder to write.
IntelEwok Thanks. He is a bit crazy, hearing voices and all;)