"You're going to Novul," Vader said, to a waking Mariana as he stood in the doorway that lead to the veranda of his suite, black cape flapping wildly in the wind.

Mariana tied a bed sheet beneath her arms. It was the only thing handy enough to cover her naked body. Not that there was anything there that he hadn't seen before. But when he was like this... intense, angry, she didn't want him looking at her. Not in that way.

"Novul? Is it the emperor?"

"I've given your proposal my consideration. But I cannot run away with you. It is too late for me, Mariana. But it is not too late to save yourself," he said.

Mariana stood, wrapping her arms around his waist as she laid her head against his back. "And where am I supposed to go? I have nothing left," she weeped.

Naboo had been destroyed by the Empire, by Vader himself. There was no Jedi Order to return to, not that she could anyway, having slept with the enemy. Danny Maxo, someone who loved her a while ago had nearly been killed by Vader and as an Imperial soldier, wouldn't cross that line again, nor would she let him risk his life in such a way.

"I've destroyed many things. Your life shouldn't have been one of them. Get away while you can. I am only capable of hurting you."

"Don't say that," Mariana protested. "I love you."

And there it was. Declarations of loyalty and undying love. Hadn't he heard it all before from Padme? From Mariana on Rea the day he nearly killed her? What did she see? What did Padme see that made them love him so much? Had he, by use of the force, brainwashed them both?

Vader peeled her hands away, turning to face her. "There is something we can do to stay together."

A gentle breeze blew unfettered strands of hair about her face. Her shoulders shrunk in the cold, chill bumps racing down her spine. The sheet that covered her nude body flapped against the wind, exposing her bare legs. Mariana turned her face, laying her head against the dancing lights of his chest plate. He shook her hands, prompting her to stare into the mask. The mask she carefully avoided most of the time. She couldn't bear to see him wear it, preferring the face beneath as hideous as it was.

"Allow me to take you as my apprentice."

"I don't understand..."

"Your Jedi teachings are buried somewhere inside of you. Hidden by Yoda to protect you from the empire. I will awaken those memories, and you will serve me."

"I don't think I can," Mariana said, backing away.

Vader followed her from the veranda across the room. He hoped she wouldn't flee, for in his anger, he might resort to killing her this time and for good.

"Don't you see? Together you and I can rule the galaxy," he said.

"I don't want to rule the galaxy! It goes against everything I've learned, my principles, and vows to serve the greater good," Mariana protested.

"It is because of the emperor and his lies that I am in this suit. Overthrowing the emperor is the only thing that's kept me alive all these years. I am slowly resigning to my life as the emperor's prisoner. There are no Jedi left, Mariana. You are my last hope."

"And whose fault is that? You didn't have to kill everyone but you did," Mariana said, backing even further away. She pressed a hand to her head. She couldn't have this conversation with him. Confronting what he'd done, would only make her hate him.

"You fear your hatred of me, Mariana. But hatred fuels the Sith. It gives us power," he said, crumpling his fist.

"I was only a padawan. I don't remember my Jedi teachings."

"I will unlock your memories."

"And what will happen to us?"

"You will no longer call me your lover. You will call me Master."

Master... how long had he waited to hear those words? To have a pupil of his own?

"And I'm supposed to want this?"

"The emperor ordered me to destroy you. He fears I've become too attached and my loyalty to him is wavering. If I don't kill you, he will. But if we join forces you and I can destroy the emperor together and rule the galaxy. And if ruling the galaxy is not for you, then perhaps I can rule it alone, with you by my side as we are now."

Vader sat on the edge of the bed and pulled Mariana by the arm. She stood before him, a river of tears threatening to spill from her eyes. She hated the idea of unlocking old memories, fighting again, thinking of the Jedi and what happened to them. But another part of her wanted to follow Vader wherever he wanted to take her, even at risk to her own life, her own sanity, and principles.

Vader traced a gloved hand along the her cheek, letting it fall to the thinness of her collarbone. His hand then fell to her breast. He massaged and caressed her gently, then laid his big dark mask against her chest in a silent plea as his arms pulled her into his lap and she wrapped her legs around him.

"I am as much the emperor's prisoner as you are," he said, voice defeated.

Mariana laid her head against his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his neck, consolingly.

"Then I will set you free... Master."