A/N- Thank you for the reviews! Here is the chapter I know you have been waiting for.

Chapter 14

Location: Galactic Confederation Base 1, Alderaan

Day 21 Month 1 14 BBY

( Padme's POV)

I fall back onto the bookshelf in his quarters. My panting leaves my chest aching for air. I grasp my neck where the invisible hand had been choking the life out of me. My glossy gaze fixates on the blue-eyed man standing over me. His eyes shine with truth as he realizes who I am- finally- the truth has been set free.

" Padme- Sith!" His calloused hands reach for me and I shove them away with fury rising within me.

I stagger to my feet and eye the man in front of me. I snap through my panting, " What- the Sith Hells were you trying to -accomplish?"

His eyes linger on the redden skin around my neck and he mutters, " I didn't – I didn't realize it was you."

I narrow my gaze set upon him and I demand, " How did you know the truth of my identity?"

His eyes return to my face and he rubs his hands through his hair. He breathes in the air surrounding us and then calmly recollects himself by stating, " I've know for some time."

I place my hands on my hips and demand, " If you recognized me, why didn't you reveal the truth to me?"

He shrugs and admits, " I needed your help."

I rub my aching neck and croak out, " How would you need my help?"

Anakin's calm collected manner has completely returned as he states, " I needed your help in translating the text from Amidala. I thought perhaps you knew of her whereabouts at the time."

I listen to his babbling as I notice the destruction he has wrought on his chambers. His plush blue sofa is in shreds- several holodics are shattered like glass across the floor- along with the holoplayer with it.

I keep my eyes focuses on the room and question, " Why did you think I could lead you to Amidala?"

Anakin states clearly, " You were one of her handmaidens correct?"

My eyes perk back up upon hearing his words. His eyes shine with questions and I whisper, " Yes I worked for her up until a few weeks ago."

Though the truth isn't quite as simple as that. No one knows of my true name-except my father, but it would take him and his lackeys awhile to find me.

Anakin gestures to his mess of a couch and mutters, " I would invite you to sit down, but I have seem to lost my temper- and the couch has paid for it."

I smirk upon hearing his response and I utter, " You haven't learned to control your temper I see."

He offers a small smile in return, though it does not reach his eyes. He suggests, " The only other place I have for you to sit is my bed."

I tilt my head to the side and tease lightly, " Already trying to get me into your bed, Skywalker?"

He chuckles and his tense shoulders seem to be more at ease. He gestures to his bedroom and I follow him in. My eyes search the small room- nothing but bare essentials are placed in the room. There is a small tan night stand, a matching dresser and a full size bed in the middle of the room. The comforter is the navy issued and I'm sure the white sheets are the same kind I sleep on in my bunk.

I plop down onto the uncomfortable bed and lean my hands back as I watch my former flame pace. His eyes wander everywhere but on me. His head turns back onto me as I clear my throat.

I pat a spot beside me and he sighs and sits down as well. His eyes shine with those questions I dare him not to ask- those questions even I know I cannot answer all of them. He knows how dangerous my job as a handmaiden would be- though it is far from my true career choice.

The only question to leave his mouth is, " Why?"

My eyes peer up at him as I had been studying the bed spread for those silent moments. I tilt my eyes onto him and reply, " Why did Amidala leave Lord Vader?"

Anakin shakes his head and mumbles out, " Why are you hiding out among the recruits?"

I bite my lip and laugh out, " I was desperate and have very few allies."

His pierce blue eyes keep steady on my expression as if he is studying every line of my face and action that he witnesses in these precious few moments alone. He inquires, " Do you have any idea who might have murdered Amidala?"

I reply with no hesitation, " She has many enemies, it could be anyone."

His eyes vary in size as he demands, " Amidala is the only living heir to the Empire, of course she has many enemies."

I snort repeatedly and mutter bitterly, " Perhaps Lord Vader found her trail before we did and killed her personally."

Anakin's azure gaze narrows and are a shade of navy. I know he is no Imperial, but why would he tense up at the mention of that monster Vader?

I shake off my thoughts as he responds, " I doubt Lord Vader is here on the planet. Someone who knew her personally that took her in."

I shrug, " It is a possibility. Are you going to personally investigate her death then?"

He nods silently and his eyes look away at the time on his com. Link. My own eyes land on my com and the time reads 2000 hours. It wouldn't be long now for lights out.

My legs stand on their own and I respond, " I will aid you in any way I can."

I turn to leave and his hand grasps my own. " Wait."

I turn as he stays seated on his bed, grasping my hand- almost like a desperate man.

His eyes shine with those questions I fear he wants me to answer. His voice is weak and soft as he asks the one question I fear he would. The terror rises within me as I think of what to respond with. How can I answer this question? Would it give him any peace of mind after all these years?

" Why didn't you tell me you were alive?"

My eyes keep on his and my mouth has become frozen with terror. My heart pounds in my head as it wheels with any way to respond. The only response I have leaps from my mouth, " It was better this way."

He looks away- as I can see the rage building in his eyes. He frowns and demands, " I thought you were dead for six years and you thought it was best to leave it that way?"

I back away from him and turn my body away. I bite my lip, as the rising remembrance of that day comes to mind. I had made a choice to let him go- to let Padme' Naberrie go and vowed to never speak of her relationship with a certain Jedi Knight again. I didn't think years would go by and we'd be reunited.

I whisper to his back, " I thought it was better for you to not hold onto some silly girl."

His arms whirl me around and he holds me in a firm like grip, demanding, " You weren't just another silly girl to me, you must know how I grieved for you- how-" He falters and he cups my cheeks in his hands, continuing, " How I loved you."

I gulp down as I listen to his confession. I knew he cared for me- as did I- but I had moved on since then. I had loved Rush after him- but I hadn't loved Rush like I had him. Rush had reignited a dead light in my soul- that had died the day " Padme'" had been pronounced dead.

On the other hand- Anakin was on the opposite spectrum. He ignited my entire soul and set my body aflame. The day I gave him up was the day I had died and vowed to never allow another man as close as he. I had been young and foolish to think I could keep him and be the Queen of a planet. In the end, my people had won over, and I had to make a choice-and I don't regret my choice- until now.

Now that I can see the grief I caused my love. That selfish part of me wishes I could take every event back and still be with him.

He rubs his coarse fingers against my cheek as he asks, " What did I do to you to deserve the false truth all those years ago?"

I grasp his fingers and intertwine my own with his. I murmur, " You- I didn't have a choice- Anakin I can't take back the events all those years ago. All I can provide you with is an apology. I'm sorry for the pain I caused you."

He nods and drops his hands from mine- clearly disappointed with my response. But if I revealed to him the real reason for me leaving, then he would be aware of my relationship- as in my marriage to Lord Vader and I cannot have him know the truth.

" Anakin, I will be happy to help you in your investigation as much as I can," I reply.

He nods and mumbles, " You should be heading to your bunk. Lights will be out soon."

I nod and turn without another glance back at my former love.

To Be Continued.