A/N: Hope you enjoy.

A lone figure covered in robes made its way down the darkened street. The faint club music played distantly, the only sound in the quiet streets. A few homeless figures lay coughing against buildings. Street gangs in alleyways watched, looking for their next victim.

A young man, maybe in his early twenties raced past, breaking the stillness of the night a moment, before his footsteps faded into nothing.

In Coruscant, there was a well known rule of the night. Ignore. Don't mess with anybody, and nobody will mess with you. Don't look at anybody, and don't talk to anybody. Because of possibility of danger, keep calm and carry blasters, machine rotating army blasters, detonators, pepper spray, knives, a lightsaber, a shoto, or any other weapon, and know hand-to-hand combat. Preferably all.

Being alone in the underbelly of Coruscant was dangerous. Most of the time, one could make it through without a scratch. But one must be prepared. Never go into an closed off ally, especially if you are female. Never journey down a long alley alone without protection. Especially if you are female. It is easy to get trapped in one-way alleys, and you may not be able to escape evil, lustful men unless you are an exceptional runner.

One must be cautious. It was life and death for most.

Two fully loaded blasters in the boots, two more at the waist, an knife along with throwing knives that served as her jewelry. A few detonators in a pouch around her neck were just for extreme situations. Bandages and sanitizers for first aid were situated in another pouch on her waist. Pepper spray would be any man's new perfume if they dared touch her. A black formfitting jumpsuit with a light blaster-proof plates inside was her dress. Her face was covered in robes, as well as the rest of her outfit.

Head down, blaster ready, Padmé Amidala was prepared should trouble dare come near her. Keeping her eyes down, she turned down a long alley, but kept her ears open. Slowing a bit, her eyes downcast, she heard the tiniest scruff on the pavement behind her. Quickening her gait she turned sharply into the side doorway of the building, leaning her back flat against it, out of sight.

The footsteps continued, approaching her and her hands shot out grabbing the cloaked figure, drawing him into the doorway a well. Throwing her arms around his neck, she hugged him fiercely. Silent tears streamed down her face as she buried her face in his neck, inhaling the familiar scent. "I've missed you."

The fierceness of the gesture no doubt surprised him, although he hugged her back, his arms wrapping arms around her waist, his hands rubbing reassuringly on her back.

She pulled away from him suddenly, small frown on her face. "How are you here? Is there something wrong? Are you okay? Were you seen? Do you need me to come with you? Does it have to do with the alliance?"

He chuckled, placing a finger over her lips to shush her, then kissed her forehead. "I'm fine. I know I shouldn't have come, but I had to give you this."

He press a small flat object in her palm. She held it up, trying to see what it was, squinting at it. "A data chip."

He rested his hands on her shoulders. "It's important. Keep it safe. It will tell you what you everything need to know."

She tucked it away securely before looking back at him. "You will be leaving then." The disappointment and sadness was evident in her voice. She rarely saw him, and he was already leaving.

He sighed. "I must. The Empire is making it's move as we speak. I have to be there."

She nodded. "I understand." She moved forward, hugging him again for maybe the last time. The Jedi, her Jedi held her tightly. "I wish you didn't have to go."

He laughed softly, not releasing. "You make it sound like we are never going to see each other again."

She flinched again at his words. "We may not."

"I'll always be here, no matter what."

She pulled away from him, the hollow ache in her stomach returning. "I love you."

He kisses her forehead again, his beard tickling her skin. "I love you too. Promise me you'll be careful?"

"Promise, but you have to too."

"I promise."

He steps away from her, and in the the light of the moon, she gets a glimpse of his him, the brown and tan robes, the lighsaber, the turquoise eyes and neat beard.

"Obi-wan." She calls him, and he looks back at her. "Be careful please. You're one of the only one I have left, you know."

He smiles at her, his eyes filled with brotherly affection, his voice layered with an heavy Stewjon accent. "I promise."

When he leaves this time, she doesn't stop him.

When she first joined to the Alliance, she had met several Jedi, but Obi-wan had been the most welcoming of them. They had both been young at the time, and Obi-wan was only an knight. They had quickly bonded quickly, becoming the best of friends. His calm certainty had reassured her when she thought that all had been lost. It was rare that she had ever seen him, the only time when he had transfer information to her. Most only lasted two minutes before her best friend was gone, perhaps not to return.

She waited a good five minutes before she moved, beginning her walk back. She didn't look up as she passed group of of men who eyed her with interest, cat calling and throwing lewd comments. She kept walking, intent on not causing a scene. Since she was facing the light, they must have seen that she was female because they started to follow her.

"Hey, wait up sugar, what's the hurry?"

She kept walking, pulling her robe tighter around her body, hoping they would just leave her alone.

Feeling them start to gain on her, she was prepared when she felt a hand on her shoulder, another on her mouth, trying to restrain her. Spinning around, she stabbed him, plunging her knife in his side deep. He let out a strangled yell in pain, falling on the ground in a fetus position. Before the others could react she had the two blasters in her hands, shooting one in the leg and the other in the shoulder. They both fell clutching their injured areas.

She hit both them with the back of her blaster, knocking them unconscious, before she dragged them to wall, leaning them against it. Walking over to the leader she pulled the knife out, causing him to cry out in pain, for which she felt no pity. They would have done worse to her, she was sure. Whacking him upside the head with her blaster, knocking him unconscious as well before dragging him to his friends. Once they were situated, she called medical help along with the local force, telling them to come immediately. She quickly cleaned their wounds, and bandaged them, making sure they were cared for, like she had learned during her queenly training.

Just as she finished the last one, help arrived, puzzled why the assaulted woman had taken the time to carefully treat them, her surviving without a scratch. She explained what happened to the police, but denied them her identity. They looked at the subjects and smartly decided not to ask questions. Just as she was about to leave she looked back at the scruffy bodies being hefted into the speeder. Turning back she went to the healer, she gave him a hefty check. "Make sure they get proper care and a fair sentence. This will cover all the medical expenses, food, and whatever else they need. Any extra will go to the hospital."

They thanked her, surprised at her kindness to the men who would have without regret raped her and left her carcass to rot. She knew it, but she would still make sure they were taken care of. Jail was a very sad place to spend your life, so if they wanted a burger while in the hospital before going there, she wanted them to have it. She was just like that.

Perhaps her kindness might positively influence their lives.

Turning on her heel, she left, heading back home. She way almost there when saw it.

Vader's home.

Shaped like an pyramid, it was black, with red glowing lights on it for trimming. It had several layers, and several times Padme had wondered if one could stand on the bottom floor and look all the way to the top. Obi-wan had once remarked that it reminded him of a Sith holocron. It was an monstrous building, one that she thought rather suited it's owner. No one ever dared to enter or even go near the place. Padmé had never been this close to it, and the prickling feeling on the back of her neck warned her against it. She wondered what it was like inside. Was it a giant torture chamber full of all sorts horrifying artifacts? Was it surprisingly homey and welcoming?

A sudden wave of curiosity overcame her. Was his house open to the public but no one ever dared to venture in? Could she just walk in? Is she could, could she just set a detonator and blow it up? What was it like? And just like that, she knew she must find out. It would bother her endlessly until she found out and she might as well find out while she was wearing full armor.

She was just about to act on it when she remembered the data chip. If she was caught or searched she would be done for. Sighing, she continued on, but after a moment couldn't help but walk on the other side of the road. She didn't feel right being that close to the Sith's residence. It felt odd to call it a home. When Vader had come, he had built his house as he saw fit, and it was said that he dictated every detail himself. Everyone knew that that was his 'house', but Vader was so...Vader that he didn't seem capable of a home.

Lair would be a better word.

As she walked, she passed by an homeless woman lying stretched out on the street, a crying baby in her arms. She felt a wave of pity and compassion come over her, and she went to the woman, touching her softy to wake her up. Lying on her side with her eyes closed, the woman was incredibly thin, like she had been starving for while. After shaking her didn't work Padmé began to feel concerned. Placing her bare hand on the woman's forehead, she gathered she didn't have a fever, instead her skin was slightly warm, but not as warm as a normal person.

Then suddenly she noticed something.

The woman wasn't breathing.

She'd just died.

Padmé stared at the corpse a moment, the pretty face still and calm. Looking at the incredibly thin body, and the ragged clothes, she realized how privileged she was in this harsh galaxy. It was a cruel world for unfortunate souls such as these.

A weak cry turned her attention to the baby. Looking at it, she immediately guessed it was only three or four months old. She glanced back at the body before carefully removing the baby, cradling it in her arms. Standing she look back and forth down the road. She walked until she came to an butcher's shop, just closing. Stepping inside the light green twi'lek cleaning the counter paused and looked at her. "I'm sorry, but we're closed. You can come back tomorrow an-"

Padmé cut her off. "I didn't come for meat."

She stared at Padmé a long time. "This is a meat shop."

Padmé ignored her statement. "There's a dead woman down the street."

The twi'lek stared at her, a deadpan expression on her face. "That's sad."

"Listen okay? This woman just died and...this is her baby. I'll take care of the baby until I can find what to do, okay?"

"And you felt the need to tell me this, because? You obviously want me to do something with the mother right? What do you want me to do, take her home with me?"

Padmé pursed her lips, thinking. "Do you have a large unoccupied freezing tub?"

"Ughh..." Padmé just learned something new. Even with someone else's help, carrying a dead person was hard. "Hrrhg..." her friend grunted as well, heaving as they placed the body in the freezer.

"Whew." Hopefully that wasn't something she had to do daily. Turning to her companion, she thanked her for allowing her to use the freezer. Tomorrow morning the authorities would come and make sure the woman was transferred to a more suitable place. The same for the baby, but until then, it remained in Padmé's care.

She hailed a speeder which took her to an local store where she bought all necessities: clothes, diapers, bottles, wipes, milk, pacifiers, baby powder, baby oil, bibs, gummies (for herself), a speeder seat, gentle body wash for sensitive skin, blankets, a crib, a baby bag, a baby hover seat (stroller), a baby bath, gloves, booties, some more cute clothes, and ect. ect. ect. After stuffing it all in the back of a public transport speeder she took it home.

Opening the door with her hands full in a way that would make any multitasking mother proud, she was happy to be home. What an afternoon. Seeing Obi-wan, being attacked by some men in a dark alley, almost going into Vader's house, finding a dead woman, putting the body in a freezer, going baby shopping, and bringing home a baby. What next?

Setting the baby on the carpet, she set down her bags, and began stripping out of her amor. She thew it into her mess closet, not before removing the data chip. Walking in her underwear to the living room, she was shocked to see Rush Clovis sitting there.

She could only imagine what she looked like. Naked, save her underwear, bags in one arm, and a sleeping baby in the other.

He just sat there one her couch, gaping while she she did similar to him.

The hell was Rush karking Clovis in her apartment!?

"Ahem. Senator Clovis how nice of you to drop by...I apologize about my state of undress but my clothes were spoiled and I removed them as soon as I returned. If you'll please excuse me, I was quite unaware of your visit, I will just go find some er...proper clothes." She flew into her room, locking the door.

If he could just walk in her apartment then she needed better security.

She set the baby on the bed, making sure to keep him away from the edge. Storing the chip away, she immediately searched until she found a long evening gown to wear, pulling a robe over it. Changing from the braid her hair was in, she, in a matter of seconds, had it in a comfortable yet elegant bun.

Picking up the baby that had been mysteriously silent since she picked him up, just watching her do her thing. Staring down at the amazingly cute baby laying propped up on his stomach. Big, inquisitive silver eyes and soft although dirty brown hair, along with a tiny button nose, he was the easily the cutest baby she'd ever seen. She immediately felt the instinctual maternal affection seize her for the little tiny thing.

He whimpered.

Ah. He's probably hungry, she thought, and gently picked him up off the bed, letting him lean on her shoulder. Walking out of her room, she was surprised to see Clovis sitting where she had left him. She had almost completely forgotten his presence. "Senator Clovis, what brings you to visit me?" She began pleasantly, rummaging through the bags until she found the one with the blanket in it. Laying it out on the floor, she placed the baby on it.

I should really name him.

Picking him back up, she studied his face.

What does he look like? Maybe an Athrhen? Mico?

"Senator Amidala, I must apologize for my intrusion, if I had know-"

"What do you think would be a good name for him?"

"Oh..umm...well-"

She snapped her fingers. "I've got it!"

"You-you do?"

"Mmhm." She she kissed the baby's cheeks, nuzzling it affectionately. "Katus. He will be called Katus. At least for today. Katus Amidala."

"An excellent choice, but uh...I was unaware that you have a child."

She set him back down. "I don't." Turning back to the bags she searched for the milk. "I found this child on the street. His mother just died."

"Oh. So you plan to adopt him then."

"Oh no. Tomorrow I'll be going to see about what should be done for him." Pouring the milk into a bottle she set it to heat a little.

"I see."

Taking the milk out of the microwave, she walked over and sat down next to the baby, scooping him up in her arms and began to feed him. He eagerly began sucking on it. Looking up at Clovis, she had sudden inspiration. "Senator Clovis, would you be so kind to help me? In one of the bags, there's a baby crib. If you could assemble it, that would just be great."

"Of course!" He jumped out of his seat and began searching.

"No, no..the other one. That one. No...heh, the other." She tried to direct him, pointing over the content Katus. "There. That one."

Looking over at her, he held up a large box, a sheepish look on his handsome face. "This one?"

"Yes, that one." She tried to contain her smile and failed spectacularly. He was endearingly clumsy.

"Right."

"There's some knives in the kitchen, if you need them."

"Right." He turned sharply and disappeared into the kitchen. She turned her attention back to Katus, speaking to him softly. "You like that huh? It's good right? Oh, you poor baby."

"I've got it!" Rush marched back into the main living area, knife in hand, and proceeded to open the box. Looking over his shoulder, he addressed her directly. "I must seem very rude, just barging in as I did, but...I was lonely, and I thought I that I should come visit you...and, well, since you weren't home, I thought I would just wait until you got back...very presumptuous, I realize now, of me to let myself in. I hope that-"

He stopped when he saw her raised hand. "It's fine. But for next time warn me first."

"Of course." He pulled the box open. Picking out the instructions, he gave then to her so she could red then out to her while he assembled the item.

"No, no, that's not right. You put that on next. No, on the other thing. Just - here." She set Katus on the floor and helped him assemble it, as he was terribly confused. The worked in companionable silence, although, in the end, she did most of the work, while he unpacked the bags. However Padmé did notice that he got flustered whenever she tried to help him. She deduced that he must be shy and found it rather cute. Katus merely laughed every time Rush messed up.

After she had arranged all the baby's furniture in her bedroom, and placed all of his toiletries in the bathroom and put his milk in the cooling unit, she gave him a much needed bath, lathered him in baby oil, powdered his diaper, and dressed him for bed, all the while listening to Rush's happy chatter about his mother.

"You would love her, I'm sure."

Padmé merely smiled, laying Katus in his bed. Kissing him softly on his head full of soft brown hair, she walked out into the living room, letting Rush follow her. He didn't know but she had met his mother, a snobbish, high and mighty woman, who held her sons in greater esteem then they perhaps deserved, boasting particularly on Rush, as her dear, intelligent, brilliant and gorgeous son. Far before she met him of course.

And she had not liked Padmé. At all.

"I noticed how well you do with children, is it uh, hereditary?"

Padmé laughed, reaching inside her messy closet and pulling out her jumpsuit. "Absolutely not. I had no clue how to deal with children at all. But then, when Sola, my sister, had Ryoo I learned as I often had to babysit. When Pooja was born, I was better prepared." She sat on one of the couches, and gestured for him to do the same. "When I have my own, I hope I will have enough experience to deal with them."

She stopped suddenly, looking up at him. "I have been a terrible host. Please forgive my rudeness. Can I offer you anything, something to drink? Would you like me to order some food?"

He, paused, like he was thinking. "Do you have wine?"

Padmé immediately retrieved some from the kitchen, pouring it into two tall wine glasses, offering one to Rush and setting her own down as she did a routine check on all the items in her jumpsuit. "Do you have any siblings, Senator Clovis?"

He nodded, setting down his already drained glass. "Yes, two brothers, one older and one younger, and three sisters."

She pulled her knife out to clean it, as it was still dripping with red life giving fluid. She grimaced, although she had done what was necessary, she still thought it wasn't exactly what she wanted to see everyday.

A choking noise caused her to look at her companion. "Blood.."

"Oh, yes. While I was out is was attacked by some men and forced to go hand to hand. Don't worry, though. I made sure they were properly looked after." She continued to pull out everything else, blasters, knives, throwing knives, detonators, spray, and bandages, setting them on the table. She began preparing them for the next journey, sharpening the knives, reloading the guns, checking the detonators to make sure that everything was in place.

"That's uhm, that's a lot of weapons." Rush still seemed a bit on edge at their sudden appearance.

She nodded while sighing. "You'd be surprised how many people would love to see me dead. For a young woman walking around at night with no one with her, she must be prepared. With even the Empire is excited about getting rid of me, so I must be prepared for potential battle. When I was training as a Queen, I learned a lot of hand to hand combat and other forms of fighting. I hope it doesn't bother you."

"Not at all." He replied shakily. "But it's late." He stood up suddenly. "And I should go."

Padmé stood as well, walking him to the door. "Goodnight, Senator Clovis."

He kissed her hand softly.

"Goodnight, Senator Amidala."

(Flashback)

She looked two hired men that had assisted her and carrying her thing up.

"You can leave them right there, thank you."

They nodded and left. She had made sure that that they were not to ask questions about why she was bringing furniture and goodies in the Opera House. After they were gone, she looked down the halls were they disappeared, before checking the other way. She wanted to be sure no one saw her enter or pay any attention to the semi-secret room. She walked in, looking around the darkened room, but as she didn't see any anybody in there, she left. Feeling slightly disappointed that her enigmatic friend for before wasn't there as he said he would be, she began pulling in all of the stuff she bought to enjoy the night. Two large, comfy chairs that she placed parallel to the viewing window. She knew that since he hadn't had any furniture, perhaps he liked it bare and she was disrupting his peace, but if he wanted her out, then he would have to remove her.

She returned with her hands full, bringing in her snacks, careful to make sure no one saw her enter or exit. Hitting the door pad with her elbow to close it, she set them down next to the chairs.

Padmé quickly removing her heels and pantyhose, relieved to get it off. It's itchiness had been tormenting her since she left her apartment. She paused a moment, scratching her leg to find relief. After getting comfortable in one of the chairs, and adjusting the other so she was happily cocooned between them, she snatched up her sherpa, and began eating her gummies the way she liked to best. Heads then tails.

Amazingly comfortable, she was completely unaware that she was being watched.

After a moment, she started talking to her gummies. She had learned that the delicious little treats were far from judgmental. "He lied. That information retaining bastard lied. He said he'd be here. Or maybe I was making him up after all. What do you think ? Hmm?" She addressed the little gummy who was about to meet his doom. "And to think I spent extra money to buy him a chair just in case."

"Mmm." She turned back to watch the Opera, when she felt the bag leave her fingertips.

His disdainful voice shook her out of the stupor she had been in at just seeing him. "So, you have a thing for naming those disgusting little pieces of goop or what?"

She stared at those brilliant, hypnotizing blue eyes, the toasted golden hair, and tantalizing ripe lips, breathing in his powerful aura. Then she comprehended what he was saying and glared at him in offense. "Those are good, thank you." She tried to get them back but he held it out her reach, still reading the label on back.

"The contents don't agree."

"You give me my gummies. How did you even get in anyway?"

He picked one out, sniffing it. "I have ways."

Padmé sighed, giving up finally. "Never mind, I have more." She dug in the bag and her hand reemerged with with some cheesy substance.

He ate the little gummy whole, a doubtful look on his face, which morphed into bemusement and slight distaste. He sighed before grabbing a handful of them, swallowing them all in one bite.

Padmé smirked victoriously. "You like them?"

"Not at all."

"But-" Didn't he just consume however many of them?

"I'm hungry and these don't taste that bad, but why did you spend money on this?"

Padmé narrowed her eyes at him. She was sick of him belittling her favorite treats. "Since when were you my stingy husband?"

He picked a few out of the bottom. "Being stingy has nothing to do with common sense."

"Here." She dropped a cheese puff in his hand. "Eat that."

He immediately put it in his mouth and froze. "The kriff is this?"

"Cheese puffs."

He raised an blond eyebrow at her, not completely hiding his bemusement at the taste of goodie. "I must question your food tastes."

"If you don't like it, why are you eating it?"

"I don't complain."

"Just question my snacks." Her tone was sarcastic.

"Yes."

The she stared at him, before she pulled her legs back on her own chair, pushing the other away, giving up her comfy cocoon. "Sit."

He sat.

She stretched her legs out on his lap, pulling the blanket over her toes. "Who are you?"

He stared down at her feet that she had set on his lap almost offendedly. Why, she had no idea, she had given up her cocoon for him, so he needed to recompense her. "You still persist in knowing."

She gave him an impertinent look. "You know who I am, and what I do, so why shouldn't I know about you? How would I ask you, if you are real, how was your week? I have no idea what you do." It was only after the words left her lips that she saw the truth in them.

He leaned back in his seat, his eyes calculating yet guarded. "Then we won't talk about me. Now, anything interesting happening to you?"

"Well, I met Darth Vader if that counts as something 'interesting'?"

He had been mostly focused on the strange little bubbles that they called an performance, but when the words 'Darth Vader' left her lips, he whipped his head around to her so fast she was surprised she couldn't hear his neck crack. "Oh?"

She eyed him, nodding slowly, wondering why he responded that way. "Yes, Vader. Do you know him?"

"Very well." Was all of his answer.

Her curiosity peaked. Her only thoughts were how. "Really?"

"Hmm."

"How did you meet?"

"Purely on accident."

Padmé groaned, turning away from him, highly dissatisfied. "You're not going to tell me how, are you?"

He merely smiles.

She huffed.

"Tell me about him. What...what was he like?" He effectively switched the conversation.

"Oh. Well." She exhaled, her eyebrows raised. "Well. He was so...tall, for one. And dark, and overwhelming. And just so intimidating. Almost like you." His expression didn't change. "I didn't even want to think about what he could have done to me if Palpatine had found some loophole to trap me in my words and make me seem...find a reason to kill me. And his face."

"What about it?"

She stared at him incredulously. He said he knew Vader, and he'd never noticed Vader's face? Or lack of face. All you could see were those lips. Which were actually really nice. "He doesn't have one. His face is just a black abyss-like and...I mean all you can see is his mouth. It's just...it seems...But he was oddly civil."

He raised an eyebrow, a small smile creeping up his face. "Did you think he was some sort of animal?"

"I don't know. I certainly didn't expect him to behave like an...gentleman of sorts. I've seen the destruction he has been capable of. I've worked with restoration movements to clean up his messes. I've seen the mutilated corpses and the crying women and children. The man is the cause of actions that not the strongest storms, or the greatest machinery can accomplish. So forgive me for feeling that civil conversation is not possible with him."

He folded his hands together, and contemplated his words carefully. "Vader is an ice cold, calculating and heartless murderer, but is not as he is originally perceived. I would not go so far as to say there is anything good in him, but I do know that looks can be...deceptive. What they see is what they think, and they are oblivious to several things about him. For instance, just because he is what he is doesn't mean he can't carry on a formal conversation." He sounded odd, almost like how one with a low opinion of themselves would talk about themselves.

"When I addressed him he didn't at all even try to deny that he has murdered people out of rage saying, 'I am what I am therefore I do what I do.' And when I asked if he has any morals at all he just said he had no time for them." The nerve.

"Maybe he was right."

"How well do you know him? It seems that you almost agree with him."

He leaned forward, staring straight into her eyes. "I know Vader better than I know myself."

She felt herself go wary. "And you approve of his principles then?"

"Of course."

She tried to tell if he's joking. He couldn't really believe that, could he? "How can you? Can't you see what's wrong with the system? With the war, and bloodshed and everything else going on?"

He gave her an calculating look. "The war will end when the opposition sees the truth." His voice is even, certain.

She sputtered, not believing that he can possibly believe that. "See the truth? What truth? That Palpatine's tyranny over then is the right thing? That Vader is actually the good guy? That the galaxy should be under the control of that power hungry lunatic? Because if that's what you mean, then I might as well fight alongside them."

"You believe that the rebels are right then?"

"How could I not? Think about it. Don't you see anything wrong with what's going on out there? Palpatine promised peace and democracy. Then he creates an Empire? How can you not see all the corruption, the lies? Do you approve of the Emperor's behavior?" She knew that was a risky statement, but by secluding the rebels as one group an putting herself as one who almost thinks she should be part of it, she clears herself of being in it.

He let a low laugh. "I will not deny that the leadership is corrupt, but I think you don't realize how the Empire is better for the galaxy."

She snorts, tossing her head to the side, not believing what she was hearing. "How can you believe that? An Empire is good for no galaxy, believe me. A constitutional republic is what this galaxy needs."

He stares at her, his eyes looking for something. "You truly believe that? You see where that lead us. To an Empire, the finest thing the ever happened to this galaxy. For once, there is peace and equality. The same rules for all. And one the rebels are done, all of this needless bloodshed will be over."

"Palpatine has been using Vader to frighten people into silence, killing anyone in opposition to him. He doesn't want to help the people. All he wants is power and I'll be dammed if I just sit and watch. If people could lean to set aside their selfish desires, they could change the way things are. There would be no Empire, and we could find what Palpatine has destroyed. We could a work to a brighter future. It could change everything. Don't you see?"

Vader sat back in his chair, crossing his fingers. But perhaps..."Ah." He snapped his fingers, his eyes sharp and she saw that beautiful dripping golden color entering his irises. "You're an political idealist aren't you?"

"Well,-"

He let out a short laugh, that sounded almost like he had found what was wrong with her. "That's the problem right there. Idealism is a nice fairytale, but we are faced with a much more complicated situation than that. You see, I'm a realist, with no time for a world of make believe. Look around you Amidala. We are surrounded with corrupted, selfish beings. They will not change. Even if there were an constitutional republic, it would never work. We are surrounded by self-centeredness, evil, greed, lust, and all other abominable and foolish act of behavior. These beloved citizens that you believe want freedom, look at them. They had choices. They chose the Empire. There is no help for them. Such a system will collapse as it always does, and someone powerful enough to fight off those too stubborn and drunk on their crimes will take over and establish order. He will take the power out of their greedy hands, and will force the truth on them."

He breathed deeply, calming himself, his eyes closing, and when they opened they were as clear as the sky again. "People who are doing wrong will rarely fix it themselves unless someone makes them, Amidala. As far as idealism goes, it would be a nice fantasy. Unfortunately, we live in a real world. That could never happen, not for galaxy, not ever. Human beings are faulty, defective, and are quick to forget who they are. I'm not trying to be a pessimist, but not everyone is as pure hearted as you. This is the only way, the only it will be so help me if I have to run it myself."

Padmé didn't respond, drinking in his words. Despite how wrong it seems, she knew that despite that she can never stop in what she knows to be right, a part of her knows he's right as well. And it chills her to the bone.

Beauty.

She suddenly looks up at him, her dark eyes boring into his. He stares back at her taking with equal intensity. Hair meant for running your fingers through it, long enough to just brush the back of his collar, was pushed back almost like he had run his fingers through it before. Smooth tanned skin disappearing into the blackness his shirt, making her wonder if all of his skin was the same bronzed shade, and made her curious to find out. Sharp blue eyes, able to change to golden at any second, lined with long, lashes that most women would have to use lots of cosmetics to attain. Defined cheekbones accentuate his face. Soft, kissable lips to make her almost melt. His tall, muscular frame covered with robes, but she could see enough to tell that everything underneath that is black as well, but it only adds to his mysterious character.

A small smile tugs on his lips.

She frowned slightly. "What?"

"Nothing."

She turns her gaze back to the opera, but her heart's not in it. She's still stewing over his words.

She decides to settle with one phrase. "I hate Palpatine."

"You are not alone in that sentiment."

She turned to him quizzicality. "You hate Palpatine?"

"Does it surprise you?"

She shrugged. At least they agreed that far.

"I despise that bastard. And one day soon, very soon I will kill him."

It might have been a joke, had been smiling. But just like before something told her that he was deathly serious.

It was disturbing.

The fact that he said that he, himself would kill Palpatine, was foreboding. Even more so that she didn't doubt it.

The sudden explosion of loud applause caused her to jump, looking down on the many people below. He stood and she looks back at him, curious as to how he will disappear this time. He couldn't really while she watching.

"Come here." His voice was authoritative.

She stepped forward warily, trying to figure out what he wants.

"Close your eyes."

She raised an eyebrow, highly suspicious of his questionable motives. "Why?"

"It's a surprise."

"Really?"

"Really."

She decided to humour him. She felt a shiver run down her spine when she feels the heat of his breath on her neck. His cool, gloved fingers smooth over her neck, skimming over the soft flesh, eliciting heat to course though her body. Good girl." He breathed out, his voice a seductive whisper, and feel that darkness surrounding him. The anticipation is almost to much as she feels more than hears him move away from her.

Silence so strong she can hear every breath she takes. Finally she opens her eyes.

And he's gone.

(End of Flashback)

A/N: I don't really need to put an author's note because when I update I'm updating so many chapters at once, so I can just do my author's note then. I promised to update in lumps. Anyway I feel more optimistic about this chapter but the next will be awesome, trust me. New Vader and Padmé action in five minutes!

xx,

Christina.

Fun Fact: I edited this feverishly while heading to the library.

Word Count: 6614

What!

Thank, you, thank you very much.

Ps. I honestly feel like I cheated out of putting the amazing scene I had in mind for the next chapter where I wanted it instead of here, and for this chapter just redid half of last chapter in Padmé's POV.

PPs. I just realized that my long author's not just carried over again. Lol.