CH 38
Padme
As the cake was baking we sat in the living room and watched the movie Darra picked out. I couldn't remember what it was called. My mind was off, terrified for my future, for the future of my baby. For Anakin and our family.
I was watching Darra for a while. Poor girl, how had she ended up in that situation? As a slave and so young…
D:"Paddy I think the cake's ready now, I'm REAL hungry for that" she said with a giant smile as she helped clean up the dinner dishes.
P:"Alright Darra, I'll get the cake and ice cream out while you clean this stuff up okay?"
D:"Okay, can I put my pajamas on too? I might fall asleep before the movie ends."
P:"Hmm… it is getting kind of late. I think I'll do the same. Why don't you go pause the movie and get ready then?"
Darra nodded and headed off to her room after clearing the small coffee table. On one hand, she had been lucky. How many kids wouldn't want to end up as "slaves" to someone like Anakin? Yes he was still Vader, but he had always hated slavery. Even in his darkest days. It was the reason he was where he's at now.
After setting the cake on a plate to cool off I went to my room to put my night gown on. As I was going to get dressed I stared at myself. Soon I would have a little me in my stomach. I caressed her, or him, and I just pictured my baby playing, growing healthy and strong…
*CRASH*
I turned towards the door and all I heard was R2 beep. I quickly got into my nightgown and robe and headed towards the living room once more.
R2 was still beeping loudly and non-stop, when I got downstairs.
P:"R2 what is it? Where's CP30?"
I walked towards the hangar hoping to find the golden droid and saw nothing. There was chilly breeze outside. I turned around and that's when I heard it.
Well in reality it was silent.
Too quiet.
Not even the sound of cars and the bustling of the city night life.
I looked around and began running back into the apartment when I felt myself stop.
No, I was forced to stop.
M:"Well…if it isn't our dear Senator and Lady of the hour. Padme Amidala Vader"
He said with a yellow smile… the yellow eyes shining as bright as the sun in the dark night. My throat constricting, and only one thought was in my mind. Saving my baby.
M:"Let's go for a ride shall we Milady?" he said with a mocking vow.
P:"D-darra…"I managed to say in between breaths.
M:"Don't worry, she's asleep, she won't hear anything."
I felt a tear escape my eye once more.
P:"Anakin…." And everything went black
Anakin
I woke up from my sleep nearly breathless. All I could feel was fear and desperation. However, it wasn't coming from me, it was coming from a different source.
And that's when I heard her.
P:" Anakin…"
It was her… Padme… something was off. I reached out with the Force to find her. After a few moments, I found her. She was terrified. I sent a thought towards her
A:"Angel… I'm here… Where are you…?"
P:"Save me…. Maul… He-"
And then a wall came down. She was with Maul, I could feel his presence. Where was he taking her?
My com. Immediately interrupted my thoughts and a flash of anger coursed through me.
A:"WHAT?!" I screamed as I answered.
P:"Sir… I... I'm sorry if I interrupted you but your wife is not here at the apartment. There is only a young girl and your small droids… I've sent out a small search party and I have heard nothing yet."
A:"Maul took her, let me talk to the girl and search the droids for any memory in case they saw anything."
P:"I did My Lord, the small astromech is the only one with some memory of what happened. I can transfer the video immediately."
This appeased me to some extent, Piett was always on par with my mind and what I wanted, what I expected.
A:"Thank You General… Please send for Darra immediately. I must speak to her."
He nodded and moved away from the comm. After a few minutes a small blond girl appeared in front of me.
D:"Yes Lord Vader…?" She seemed scare, confused. She had no idea what was going on.
A:"Darra… where's Padme? Did you see anything? Listen I know you're scared okay? I'm scared too…. I love her and you know that. And soon… soon she's gonna have a baby. She needs a lot of rest so tell me if you saw anything… please… " I said, my voice breaking at once.
D:"I… I didn't see anything… I went to my room while we were watching a movie. We were getting ready in case we fell asleep before it ended. All I heard was a crash from outside. I was going to look and I opened my door but a shadow was in front of the door. One with yellow eyes. Everything went black after that and I woke up when the General arrived. I'm sorry Lord Vader…" She said with tears pouring down her face.
A:"No Darra… don't cry. Look I want you to everything the General says okay? He will protect you. I will keep you safe, okay…? I promise… And …. Darra… my real name is Anakin. No more of that Lord Vader stuff okay? But you must keep it a secret. Promise?"
She nodded and wiped her face.
A:"Let me talk to the General again. I will see you soon, I promise."
She walked off and Piett immediately stepped in my view.
P:"What do you ask of me Lord Vader?"
A:"Piett… keep searching for her. But stay close to the palace. I have a strong feeling that's where she is. I'm sending Rex and Sabe back to take care of Darra. I can't leave her alone and unprotected. I will drop my mother off at Bast, stay in the apartment until I return. I should be thee in 12 standard hours. If you find anything on my wife, inform me at once."
P:"Yes sir. I will guard the girl as if she were my own. I will report to you if I hear anything."
I nodded and turned the comm. off.
I felt so stupid. How could I be so careless? How could I leave her…?
I let out a loud scream. A scream that I knew echoed through the Galaxy. One I hoped my enemy would hear. And I hope he feels the anger and he fears the revenge I will lay on him for taking my Angel… and my child…