Author's note: For the fans of Angeles Dollslayer, here is her first appearance in this story!
Padme finished in the shower, and she dried her hair. She needed to talk to Ben, but now was not the time. There were cameras everywhere on the Finalizer. She put back on the negligee and panties, and walked out of the bathroom. Ben was lying down on the bed, his shirt and boots off.
"I reached out to Poe and Finn, and gave them Finn's new identity," Ben told her.
"They made it!" Padme exclaimed, breathing a sigh of relief.
"Once they get the shields down, then explosives can be put in place. Once Starkiller Base is fully charged, the explosives will be set off, destroying that monstrosity."
"Then all we will have to worry about are the battles in space and on the ground."
"Yes. You did it, Padme! I am so proud of you," Ben said, his eyes beaming with pride. She had so many questions to ask him, but she managed a smile back.
"We did it, Ben," she corrected him. She cleared her throat and added,
"It's getting late. We should get some sleep."
"Of course," he agreed. "Come, my bed is big enough for both of us." But Padme did not move.
"I am not going to try and seduce you, my princess. I promise," Ben whispered, seeing her reluctance.
She crawled into the bed with him. He pulled the sheet over them. They faced each other.
"That is a lot better," Ben stated. "Are you comfortable?"
"Yes," Padme lied to him.
"Don't be nervous. I said I wasn't going to..."
"It's not that. I have never shared a bed with anyone before. What if I talk in my sleep, or snore?"
"Then I will admire you, either way." Ben traced Padme's face with his hand.
"Goodnight, Padme," he said, before kissing her forehead.
"Goodnight, Ben," she whispered. He fell fast asleep, but she stayed awake. She knew if she fell asleep, they would meet in their dreams. Padme was not ready to share with him what was truly bothering her.
Ben waited in the meadow for her to come. He waited for hours, but she never came. He was confused. They were finally together, and now, it seemed like she did not want to be with him. He felt insecure. Was Padme still angry at how he attacked Hux? Worse yet, did she develop feelings for the general?
"Stop it, Ben!" he scolded himself, as he leaned against their tree. "She loves you. She slept with you. She's just processing things. Between her family dying and dealing with Hux, her world was turned upside down!"
The next morning, Ben woke up. He saw Padme was not in the bed with him. He panicked at first, then was relieved to see her at his desk. She was talking to someone on his laptop.
"I will see you then," she said, before turning off the screen. Padme was exhausted. She did not sleep the entire night. She turned and saw Ben approach her.
"Good morning," she said flatly.
"It isn't for you," Ben replied. "You look like you didn't sleep at all."
"I didn't. I will sleep tonight though, when Ezra picks me up."
"When is he..." Ben began to say. He was interrupted by a knock on his door. He grabbed his mask and slipped it on before answering.
"Kylo Ren, it is time for the reading of the general' s will," the guard told him. He held a change of clothes for Padme in his arms.
"Give us a few minutes, so that she can get dressed," Ben told the guard, as he grabbed the clothes. He turned to Padme and said,
"Here are your clothes. Unless you want to go in your lingerie," Ben teased her. Padme did not appreciate the joke. She took the clothes and quickly changed in the bathroom.
"Let's get this over with," she uttered, wishing she was anywhere else but there. A Stormtrooper escorted them to the will reading.
To their shock, the only people at the reading were themselves, Captain Phasma and the lawyer. The lawyer cleared his throat before playing a video on the screen.
The screen showed General Hux in his uniform. Padme noticed the time of the recording. It has occurred during the time she and Ben were making love. She didn't say anything, not knowing if Ben noticed the time. Which of course, he did.
"This is my last will and testament," Hux began. "If this video is being played, it means that I am dead. There is not much for me to say, so I will get to the point. All my financial assets and personal belongings I leave to Padme Desertwar, the woman that I have come to know and love."
Padme and Ben looked at each other. They were not expecting this!
"I appoint Kylo Ren as the new general of the First Order. Captain Phasma will report to him, and will oversee all operations of the Order. They will rule until my children with Padme are of age. Then Kylo Ren and Captain Phasma will relinquish their roles, and my children will be in charge," Hux explained.
Padme frowned at the nerve of Hux, thinking she would have children with him! Captain Phasma was instructed to take a box from Hux's private quarters. Ben reached out and touched Padme's hand. She did her best to not pull away from his touch.
The lawyer left, and Ben, Padme and Captain Phasma stood in the room.
"Kylo, you will need to make a public announcement about the general's death and assume your new position," Phasma told Ben.
"Phasma, I will not do it!" Ben replied gruffly. He wanted nothing to do with the First Order anymore.
"Sir, I understand how you feel. I was also forced to serve under the late general. But if you don't assume power, someone else will. Someone just as evil as Hux."
"Why don't you lead, Phasma? You are more than capable enough..."
"Kylo, I know your story. You, along with Ms. Desertwar, are the only ones that can bring down the Order for good."
Ben stared at the Stormtrooper in silver armor. Was she serious? Or was she lying to him?
"Ben, she's telling the truth," he heard Padme say to his mind.
"I will make the announcement, but I do not plan on leading for long," Ben explained. "Phasma, you and I will dismantle the Order on the military side, and Ms. Desertwar will dismantle it on the financial side."
"Agreed," Phasma exclaimed joyfully. "The galaxy will be at peace, when it is all said and done. There will be those who will remain loyal to Hux, but they will fall in defeat."
An hour later, the public announcement was made. Kylo Ren assumed the position of leader of the Order. Padme was given access to the finances of General Hux. She was now considered one of the wealthiest people in the galaxy. She decided to use the money to give to those who had lost family members to the Starkiller Base attacks.
"We need to contact the new Senate leader, and explain that we are not the enemy," Padme suggested, as she and Ben were alone in his bedroom.
"I agree. I wonder who they voted in as leader?" he wondered out loud, still wearing his mask.
Padme made the video call to the new Senate leader, Angeles Dollslayer. She was young for a senator, at only twenty five years of age. Leia had raved about the young woman, saying Angeles would eventually be a great Senate leader. Which unfortunately came sooner than later.
Padme never met Angeles personally. The senator was on her native planet of Naboo, caring for her dying father, when Starkiller Base destroyed the Hosnian system.
When Padme saw Angeles, she had to stop herself from gasping in shock. She was the woman Padme saw when she was healing Hux's emotional wounds. Angeles was Hux's lost love!
"Senator Dollslayer, I am Padme Desertwar," she said to the senator, pushing the revelation she had to the side. "May I be the first to congratulate you on your election as Senate Leader. Also, I offer my condolences on the passing of your father."
"Thank you, Ms. Desertwar. Please call me Angeles," the senator insisted. Leia Organa had told her the many things Padme did to fight against the Order. "I heard you were captured by the Order. I am glad to hear you are okay."
"Thank you. Angeles, there is a matter I need to discuss with you."
"Is it about the announcement about General Hux? Good riddance to the evil bastard! So now Kylo Ren is leading the First Order. Who is he?"
Ben approached the screen. Padme said calmly to Angeles,
"Well, you can ask him yourself. Senator Dollslayer, I would like you to meet Kylo Ren, newly appointed leader of the First Order."