A/N- Thank you for the reviews and new followers. This chapter is short, but I felt it was long enough-. Please review as always!
Chapter 26
Location: Valkryo, Naboo
Lake Retreat
Day 6 Month 2 Year 23 BBY
Anakin blinks back the fog of sleep as his alarm beeps endlessly in the background of the room. He groans uses a force gesture to slam the alarm into the wall. The alarm squeals and then dies as it smashes against the cabin's wall. Anakin smiles in his slumber and shoves his face back into his pillow.
And just as his body relaxes- his comm. link beeps loudly. He groans and lifts his head off of his pillow. He leans forward and reaches out with his right hand to the black night stand beside the bed. He clutches the com. link and eyes the number sleepy. The comm. link is a secure line and very few people are unaware that he is on his honey-moon at the moment. The number is familiar one that might be linked to the Imperial Base- and they wouldn't be calling unless something had occurred.
He presses the on button and mumbles out, " Inquisitor Skywalker, what is it you need?"
" Inquisitor, I hate to bother you on your vacation- but sir this is Captain Reingan.. We've had a disruption in Theed this morning."
Anakin's voice is firm as he questions, " What is it the Emperor wishes of me?"
" Sir- Captain Grant was found dead this morning- he was on a mission to help fiance a project for the Emperor."
Anakin's ear perk up at this knowledge. It was well known that Grant was involved with the planning of the Death Star... He was in charge of building the damn weapon- and a man Vader had been trying to get his hands on for months. The fact that someone had murdered this high officer would mean either the rebellion had chosen to act impulsively or another was at play.
" And- I'm suppose to investigate this murder?" Anakin complains into his comm.
The other voice coughs and mumbles, " Sir- the Emperor wouldn't want to disrupt your- honey-moon but sir- another officer was found dead as well. Captain Typho the former pilot of Senator Clovis."
Anakin's eyes narrow as the mention of the man who was responsible for the whereabouts of a former ex of his wife. He mutters, " Captain, have we any leads to any suspects?"
The Captain's voice is straggled as he suggests, " Sir- we have a video of a woman dressed in leather attack the men- with sias."
Anakin lifts his eyebrow and ponders on the person who could be responsible for their deaths. A pilot and a Imperial Officer- who have ties to Rush Clovis... A woman dressed in black murders them for what purpose?
His mind drifts to his wife- where was she anyway?
" I'll be at the site within an hour or so, be sure a team is in place to analyze all data found," Anakin orders briskly.
" Yes sir, I will be there myself within the hour as well," The Captain replies.
" Good- I'll want a report from you by then," He mutters and shuts off the comm. link.
Anakin's mind drifts over the evidence as of far- Typho is dead and he and the dead Captain have links to Rush Clovis- and his wife was missing from his bed... Would she lie to him to accomplish her goal of revenge? Would she sleep with him as a distraction to her own agenda?
Anakin eyes the empty bedroom. He pulls on his slacks and peers into the living room which is also empty. His eyes drift onto the clock and it reads almost noon. If Padme' had left for Theed, she would have been back by now... That's if she isn't involved with this murder case of his...
Anakin's anger flashes as he contemplates his wife's deceit. If she had truly cared for him, she would still have been in bed with him. He would have found her cuddling up to him to warm herself or at least sitting in the living room awaiting his awakening.
How could she do this to me?
His anger boils through the force- rumbling like a thunder cloud. That is when he hears the noises of pots in the kitchen. His eyes drift into the small room and land on his wife's long creamy legs sticking out of a large yellow over shirt. Her hair falls in her face in waves as she cooks up something that appears to be scrambled eggs.
Her eyes turn onto her husband's and his fists un-clench. His rage overcomes him into waves of guilt. How could he think she would be capable of killing two men and returning in those few hours time? Her smile fades as she feels his rage and she questions, " Are you all right?"
He shakes himself out of his thoughts and fakes a smile for her own good. She smiles back and murmurs, " You overslept."
He shrugs and mutters, " I'm on vacation- but I wouldn't say it was may fault for sleeping in."
A smirk forms on her lips as she teases, " Oh- that was all your doing- dear."
Anakin embraces her back side and wraps his arms around her awaiting body. His head leans into the crook of her neck and he whispers against her ear, " That's was all you, P."
Padme's body shivers from the tone in his voice. Her body aches with desire. It had only been a few hours since they had lie together- and she craved more. She eyes her eggs and flips them carefully. She sighs into his embrace and teases back, " I can always out do you again."
He chuckles into her ear and murmurs, " We'll have to take a rain check- I have to return to Theed."
Padme' cranes her neck and inquires, " Why?"
Anakin sighs and mutters, " Some bounty hunter decided to murder an Imperial Officer in Theed early this morning."
Her body tightens wondering if he had found her note and gone back to bed. If he suspected her, that would connect to that sudden outburst of anger she had felt through the force from him. If her cover is blow, he'd arrest her for her treasonous acts.
Padme' turns her entire body into his and complains, " Why are they bothering you with this mission?"
Anakin sighs and mumbles, " You know I can't give you in-tell on Imperial affairs."
She bobs her head and mutters, " Do you have time for breakfast?"
He shakes his head and complains, " No, I am suppose to report within an hour. But how about I make it up with dinner tonight?"
He kisses her check and she whispers, " That's fine- its not like this is a real honey-moon anyway."
Anakin frowns at her comment and mutters, " I promised I'll make this up to you."
Padme' nods and mumbles, " Fine, just go- okay?"
Padme' pulls away from him- clearly agitated by his leave of absence. He had to believe she was irritated by his job interfering with their vacation- it is all part of the facade of their marriage. If she believes her emotions- then he will as well.
Anakin grabs her hand and states, " P- I don't want to argue."
She crosses her arms and snips out, " No, but you want to leave all because of your job."
Anakin purses his lips and mutters, " P- I don't have a choice. The Emperor has requested that I handle the mission and I alone. I cannot disobey orders."
She nods and mutters, " Fine- just go and we'll discuss this later."
His eyes shine with guilt as he heads towards the bedroom to change. Padme' turns back to her food and hides her relief. He bought her irritation and story. As much as she despised lying to him, her mission came before her best friend.
Her timer dings as she slides her eggs onto a blue glass plate.
She had to look into her next part of her mission- Contact Bail Organa. She needs resources- and those with the rebellion he has...
To Be Continued...