Ch 55

Padme

After getting blood drawn and having a few standard tests run, I knew I went back to my quarters to wait.

I knew physically I was fine; I had tried my best to keep as healthy as possible for the sake of the babies, the tests had come back with minor issues, I definitely needed to eat better.

Being a slave and pregnant wasn't the ideal situation, we were given rations and most of the time it wasn't enough to fill a standard human, much less healthy.

Had it not been for Sal and Satine, I think I would probably be dead by now.

I was getting frustrated with waiting around, so I turned on the holo net.

There wasn't much to choose from to begin with, the Empire monitored a lot of the news channels and entertainment. I wasn't sure what the point of keeping up the charade of the Senate and a Republic was, everyone could see right through that facade.

As I was mindlessly channel surfing, I stumbled upon a new channel discussing the death of the Emperor.

At first, I was in shock, I couldn't process the fact that it was true, that he did it.

Anakin killed him somehow and we were free.

As I realized this the door to the small suite opened up and Captain Piett walked in with some med droids and a gurney with a glass cover on top.

Satine was laying inside, she was so pale and the bruises on her neck and face were a stark comparison to her almost translucent skin.

C:" Your highness, your friend is in very critical condition, however, the doctors decided she is out of danger for now, she will have several droids coming in and out throughout the day and one will be posted by her side around the clock to monitor her vital signs and will alert you if an emergency is at hand."

Your highness?

P:"Thank you Captain, I appreciate all you've done for us, have you heard from my husband?"

I asked nervously, I hadn't been called your highness since….

C:"Actually yes, he gave orders to keep you here, he has some matters to discuss with the senate and will meet you as soon as he is done. He's taken over as Emperor and…"

I heard him trail off and my mind spun in circles. I felt dizzy, and this time I knew it wasn't because of my delicate condition, it was the shock of it all.

He claimed the throne… against everything and against all reason, he did what he promised he wouldn't do.

C:" Milady, are you alright?"

P:" I… I'm fine Captain, I just need a moment to reflect on everything that's happening. You may go"

The man simply nodded and left the room while glancing at me nervously.

I walked to the bedroom and sat down for a while, trying to get the million thoughts in my head to slow down but I couldn't. I simply couldn't.

I couldn't understand why he would break that promise. Any other one would have been fine, but not this one. I just wanted to understand what was going on and how much longer it would take before I woke up from this nightmare.

Vader

I stormed out of the building quickly, the news of our victory spreading like wildfire.

In a way, the air felt lighter, I felt freer, but there was still something binding me to the Dark Side, the thirst for power…. I was finally in control of my life, of the entire empire…

I tried to shake these thoughts from my head.

A small voice in the back of my mind kept screaming, Padme will hate you, this isn't what you promised her. You promised…

The thoughts waged a war in my head.

What was I supposed to do?

There had to be a way out of this.

O:"Anakin? Anakin are you alright?"

I hadn't noticed I had stood still in front the small ship I had taken from the star destroyer. I was visually frozen in place.

V:" I… I don't know… Kenobi what am I supposed to do? I made her a promise, I promised her I wouldn't take the empire, but a part of me is conflicted. I… feel like this is the right choice…" my thoughts and words trailed off, I wasn't ready to face her, I wasn't ready to take on this responsibility.

O: "Anakin you have to tell her the truth. If you truly love her, you have to let all this go, or find a better way get it taken care of, but you can't break your promises with her. Politics are not my strong suit, but they are hers, perhaps she could help you find a way to compromise or even a better solution" he suggested.

He had a point, she was a politician at one point and I wasn't sure if she'd go back to that life, but I knew I needed to talk to her, I couldn't' hurt her this way, not after everything we'd already been through. I couldn't bear the thought of losing her again, much less if that loss was my fault.

A:You're right Kenobi… I have to face her and… apologize and talk to her. I haven't seen her in so long…"

O:"Normally as Jedi we are forbidden to have attachments but… you're turning began because of her, maybe we can learn a thing or two from you young Skywalker" he said with a sideways smile and walked towards his own vessel. I climbed into mine and punched began to fly towards the Executor.

A:"Captain Piett? Inform my wife I'll be arriving in a few moments, I do not want to be disturbed until I meet you at the bridge"