CH 10

Almost a month had gone by now, me and Darra barely saw Vader and secretly we were both quite happy. There was no arguing, no cold looks, we enjoyed each other's company and I came to love Darra as if she was my own child.

Before Vader left however he gave me a card and said if me or the young girl needed anything to use it, he also told me to hire someone to help me plan the wedding. It was now a month away and all the Senators, Rulers, and anyone of importance would attend according to him.

The day we'd purchased the rings I contacted my parents to tell me the news, they had already seen it on the holo of course but I wanted to reassure them I was okay.

At first they found my decision quite strange given the circumstances but I managed to convince them somehow. All I could think of was how this was all for them, for their safety. I told them the date of the big event and my mother said they would be there a few days before to help me with the finishing touches. I told her I'd love that and that I'd keep her updated on everything.

The press of course, was still thrilled with the news of Vader's wedding, something yet to be believed. There was a few time where I wondered who he was. Surely he had a name besides Darth Vader, and he had to have a family right? I made it my task to ask such questions when he came back, but for now I would enjoy the few days I had alone with Darra before he showed up to make us miserable once again.

Vader

My Master will not be pleased to hear this…. I tried to prepare myself mentally for what I knew was the inevitable.

How could I let them get away? I should have wiped them out when I had the chance. Instead we were ambushed. I'd be lucky if I made it out alive today.

As I walked into my Master's office I felt him be completely calm. This was not a good sign. I wasn't afraid, I deserved to be punished for such careless acts.

I kneeled.

S:"Lord Vader… tell me of your mission. Did you find the remaining Jedi?"

He was looking out the massive window in his office, there was no reason for him to even ask the question. He already knew the answer.

V:" Master, I found a Jedi and her Padawan. I tracked them to Corellia and surrounded them. I-I have no idea what went wrong. Someone on the outside was helping them. We were ambushed, my troops were all kil-"

And I felt myself being thrown against a wall, on impact I heard something crack.

S:"YOU DARE MAKE EXCUSES FOR YOUR FAILURE?" he screamed as lighting coursed through my body. I wanted to scream, my body and mind told me to scream but I couldn't. The consequences would be worse if I did. Pain made you stronger. "After all I've done for you, you can't accomplish a single task, you insolent boy!" and I felt him stab me through the Force, I winced at the pain on my side and I felt something begin to trickle. I was bleeding. He continued to speak.

"It has been a year and we haven't wiped out the Jedi scum! They thrive with the rebellion and here you are! Perhaps it's time for Maul to take your place…" and more lighting hit my already sore body.

V:"No! I'm better than that devil! I have more power…more cunning…I'm smarter than him…."

S:"You have failed me for the last time! Next time I won't be so merciful my pupil…Don't let it happen again."

V:"Y..yes…Master…" I wielded the Force to help me get up, and with a wave of his hand I was dismissed.

It took everything I had to make it to my apartment, as I flew my vision became a blur every now and then. Anyone else would be dead from the beating I just endured. I was stronger than they were. I could make it.

I landed my fighter and proceeded to get out of the pit. As I began to walk I saw the Senator, she was saying something but it felt like she was talking through wall glass. I took a few steps and suddenly everything went black.

Padme

Darra and I were making butter pastries when Threepio informed us Vader's Starfighter had just landed on the premises. We finished putting them in the oven and walked out to greet his Lordship. In truth I didn't want to see him, but I wasn't trying to start a fight with him just arriving. One of us had to be civil for once. As we approached the landing pad I could see something was wrong, Vader was walking toward us but his body was swaying awkwardly. As if he were dizzy or in pain, and he was limping too.

My mind told me to not care, to leave him be but my instinct told me he needed help and first I asked him what was wrong. He made a face on confusion, like he couldn't hear.

P:"Lord Vader are. You. Alright?!" and just like that he collapsed on the floor.

I don't know how or when but I was suddenly at his side and Darra was right beside me. I turned him in his back and noticed I had touched something wet on his side.

With a gasp I realized it was blood when looked at my hand.

P:"Darra get some warm water and clean towels! Tell Threepio to get me some bacta bandages and so gauze. Put it in her bedroom and then send Artoo to get the troopers in here to carry him upstairs hurry!"

She nodded and ran off to follow my orders. I got up and tried to drag his body as close to the lift as possible but I was small and I never realized how well built he was. I got him in the large space at least and then I heard the main door open, two troopers ran inside.

"Milady! What's wrong with our commander?"
P:"He's injured. Please get him up to his bedroom, I will clean and dress his wound but I need to see how serious it is first. Quickly!"

After a few minutes he was settled on his bed and I began to remove his tunic.

"Milady if here's anything we can do to-"

P:"It's quite alright, if I need any help I'll call for you. Thank you."

And they left, one part of me was trying to stop myself from curing him, and another part couldn't let him die. If he died I could be free, heck I could even finish the job and end him right now but… I couldn't. Something told me he needed to live.

What I discovered when I removed his tunic was how many scars he had. Some looked like they came from whips, others looked like cuts and bruises and on his side was a long gash. It extended from his torso his him and it was bleeding more than I imagined.

D:"Padme… is he okay…?"

I'd forgotten Darra was there with a bowl of water and towels, wait she couldn't see this. She would panic.

P:"Yes Darra he'll be okay once I clean this up. Go check on the pastries okay? I'll be there soon." I said with a smile. She didn't seem to buy it but obeyed nonetheless.

I took the towels and tried to clean around the wound first. Once I finished I saw that it wasn't deep except for a small area in the middle. Luckily I knew how to close a wound, my grandmother had taught us how to heal many things. In this moment I was strangely grateful for that. Threepio hadn't appeared with the Bacta bandages and I needed to close this wound now.

I found what I needed to sew it and proceeded. I was surprised to see Vader was still unconscious through this, most people would scream in agony at the first incision. When I finished I cleaned the wound once more and then cleaned the bloody mess I'd left and then went to look for Threepio.

When I found his he was arguing with Artoo in the 'fresher.

P:"Threepio I need bacta bandages! I asked for them almost an hour ago!"

"I'm sorry Milady but Artoo says our Master needs it and while that may be true he never uses them when he is injured."

P:"Well I need them now and if you won't help I'll find them myself."

My statement seem to startle the droid and he left mumbling about how he couldn't understand humans. Artoo stayed and told me where to find them and as I pulled them out from under the sink I hear him scream.

I ran out with the bandages and when I got to the room Vader was still unconscious but he seemed to be having a nightmare. As soon as I touched his side to apply the bandages he stopped moving and screaming.

Strange…

I was finally done dressing his wound when I started to leave again and he began to fuss, he was moaning and his body shook violently. I got closer to feel if he had a fever and he stopped and went completely still yet again.

P:"What have they done to you…?"