Padmé was grateful for having a suite to herself. She started to feel the pain medication take effect as her abdominal wound started to throb less. She closed her eyes and decided to try and get some sleep.
It was nearly midnight and Anakin was finally leaving the Senate. After meeting with his master, he had been instructed to help evacuate the Senate building. Sidious had decided to in order to keep face with the Senators and with the public, it needed to appear like he cared for their safety. Consequently, Vader had spent many hours scouring the Senate for all remaining beings and ensuring the building was entirely vacated. As he walked towards his shuttle he knew exactly where he was going to go. He needed to go and see his wife. He could feel her in pain through the force and he knew that he would be able to heal her wound with the force. Since the explosion he had been overwhelmed by emotions: anger, hatred, fear, pain. But he knew he had to be grateful that he had got to his wife in time, and that she was going to be okay. He cared little for his own injuries, and he would be able to heal himself once he had dealt with more important matters. Vader boarded his shuttle and directed his ship towards Coruscant Medical. He knew he could not appear there as Vader and would have to use the force to cloak his presence and get to his wife.
With the help of the pain medication, Padmé had finally fallen asleep. She found herself drifting in and out of consciousness, as the effects of the medication began to subside. She opened her eyes in the darkened room and saw a cloaked figure near her. She could have sworn she was dreaming as the figure walked closer to her. He reached out and placed a gloved hand on her abdomen gently. There was something so comforting about the figure's presence, but Padmé was struggling to remain conscious through the effects of her medicine.
"Anakin", Padmé breathed softly. She then felt the figure remove his hand from her and she looked up at him, only to see his face was covered by a large hood. She received no answer, and then succumbed to sleep once more. Quietly, Anakin left the room, content he had healed her and got to see his wife. He then exited the medical centre the way he had come, cloaking his presence as he went.
Padmé awoke the next morning feeling considerably better than she had last night. She cast her mind back to the dream she had experienced last night, as she had imagined that Anakin had come to visit her. He had not been here long, but he had come by her side and rested his hand on her wound. It gave Padmé a sense of reassurance that he was alive, if she had dreamed about him. But more than anything she wanted the dream to be real, and for her husband to be here in front of her now. She lifted her head when she heard the door open, and the doctor enter her suite.
"Good morning, Senator. How are you feeling this morning?", he asked kindly.
"Much better thank you. The medication you prescribed me helped considerably and I was able to sleep undisturbed most of the night", she reported.
"That is very good to hear", he stated, as he came towards her and asked her some questions and tested her for signs of a concussion. "Now I just want to see how your abdominal wound is healing if you don't mind", he stated. She nodded as he lifted up her gown to reveal the large bacta patch covering her side. He lifted it up to examine the wound and he could not hide the shocked expression on his face when he saw it.
"Is everything alright doctor?", Padmé asked, seeing his face and growing concerned.
He paused for a moment and then said, "I am just truly shocked and amazed by your recovery. It is like nothing I have ever seen before. Beyond what any bacta patch could do overnight. It is almost as though the wound was never there", he added.
Padmé looked down and touched the area lightly with her finger, also astounded by the discovery that it was healed. Anakin had come, she thought to herself. He had come and healed her using the force. A huge smiled swept across Padmé's face as she realised it meant her husband was alive. She then turned to Doctor Voss and said, "I consider myself to be very fortunate on many accounts doctor. I am most grateful for all the care you have provided".
The doctor smiled before saying, "It is my pleasure and honour to serve you My Lady. But your recovery was not my doing, and I am still astounded as to how you have healed", he said. The doctor couldn't help but wonder whether the Senator was force sensitive. He had heard about how beings like the Jedi were able to heal themselves. But he knew he was treading down a dangerous path. He had been alive long enough to know about the history of the Jedi and Darth Vader, and he knew that if the senator was under Darth Vader's protection, she could not be force sensitive.
"As I have healed so well Doctor, am I able to be discharged today", Padmé asked as she sat up in bed. "I have access to a private medical droid who can monitor my recovery further, and should I require any additional medical attention I will return. I just feel I am doing a disservice occupying a bed when I no longer need it", she told the doctor.
Doctor Voss paused for a moment and then replied, "I want to perform some final checks on you before you go Senator, but if they return fine, I am happy to discharge you", he told her. "On the condition that you take some time off from work to recovery fully. I have been informed that the Senate has been temporarily disbanded whilst an investigated is being conducted, so I do not anticipate that this being a problem", he added.
"Thank you, doctor,", Padmé replied. He then informed her that he would return soon to conduct some final tests before she could be discharged.
Anakin sat at the head of the large table finding it nearly impossible to focus on the topic of the conversation. He had not slept properly in several days and had returned to the Senate after he had visited his wife in the medical centre. Despite the Senate being disbanded, he had been called to an important meeting for an update on the progress of the Death Star. As Vader had been put in charge of analysing the machine's schematics his master had demanded he attend to contribute and then inform him of its progress. He had called on the force to help him deal with the pain he was experiencing. He had sustained several injuries from the explosion that he had not yet sought treatment for. But it wasn't just the physical pain that was exhausting him, he found he was being mentally tortured too. He had felt a great degree of conflict on Dantooine after his encounter with rebels, and this had led to him being increasingly frustrated when he spoke to his wife, and they had both said hurtful things to one another. But worst of all, Anakin had been within seconds of losing his wife before his eyes. The thought of losing her was more than he could bear, after all that was the reason for his initial fall to the dark side. But there in the Senate, the threat had been immediate. Had he not got to Padmé exactly when he had and been able to shield her from most of the debris and shrapnel, she surely would have died. Vader clenched his fist tightly as the thoughts churned within his mind.
It did not go unnoticed by several at the table that Lord Vader appeared to be increasingly tense and agitated. They all knew about the explosion, but none had dared to ask the Dark Lord what had happened and whether he was alright. Truthfully, many did not care for his well-being. As he was second in command of the Empire, if he was to die it would open up a vacancy within the Imperial hierarchy, and it was something many of the power-hungry men around the table were desperate for. Their thoughts were not unknown to Vader, but right now he cared little for what they thought about him, or even about their feelings for the Empire. He just wanted to know that Padmé was alright, and that he had been successful in protecting her as he promised he would always do.
"Well, Senator. All your vitals appear to be normal which is good. Your bruising and burns should heal and lessen over the coming days, and you can have your droid monitor your recovery and will be able to prescribe you any pain medication that you require. But if any problems persist, please do not hesitate to return", the Doctor informed her with a smile.
"I will thank you so much for your care Doctor", Padmé told him again, as she got up off the bed slowly.
"I will inform your trooper of your plans", the doctor said as he turned to leave her suite.
Several moments later the trooper entered and said, "My Lady, I am glad to see you are recovering well. The doctor has told me you have been discharged".
"Yes, I have. I will be most grateful to return to my accommodation and have a shower", she told him.
"I can imagine so My Lady", he paused for a moment and then said, "This may sound odd My Lady, but I was told that when you were discharged a droid C3PO had been programmed to pick you up and take you back to your accommodation. Does that mean anything to you?", he asked.
Padmé paused for a second and then replied, "Yes it does trooper thank you". She figured that Anakin must have used the force to influence the troopers mind when he was here.
"Okay Madam. I shall escort you to the medical hangar bay when you are ready", he said nodding and turning to leave.
Padmé stood up from her medical bed and walked slowly over towards the door. She was in her medical gown but could see no other clothes available to her. She did not realise how much the explosion must have exhausted her, because even the short walk across the room was tiring. She met her trooper outside, as he patiently walked at her pace, supporting her with his arm as the exited the medical centre.
When she met C3PO in the hangar, she assumed he had been informed by Anakin to omit all comments of familiarity. Instead he only greeted her as Senator, as she was helped into his speeder by the trooper. She thanked him with a smile and said she hopes she will see him back in the Senate soon. He tells her to recover and he will be ready to serve her upon her return, before she leaves with C3PO.
"Where is he Threepio, where is Anakin?", Padmé asked as soon as she was alone with the droid.
"I am afraid I have not seen Master Anakin for a long time Senator. He did not return home last night, but I was instructed to pick you up from Coruscant Medical and bring you back when you had been discharged. I must say it blesses my circuits to see you are better My Lady. I was most distressed when I heard about the attack", the golden droid told her as he followed the sky lanes of traffic across the busy city. Padmé was concerned that he had not returned home after he had come to see her, and that he still was not there now. She only hoped he would return home soon, so that she could tell him how much she loved him. When they arrived back at Anakin's establishments, C3PO helped her out of the speeder and escorted her back upstairs before saying, "I am sure you want to go and relax Miss Padmé. I have laid some fresh clothes out for you on your bed".
Padmé smiled at the droid and said, "Thank you Threepio. I am going to go and have a bath. Will you please let me know as soon as Anakin returns?", she asked.
"Of course, My Lady", he replied.
Padmé walked slowly up to her bed chambers, desperately wanting to get out of her medical gown and clean herself properly. Once in her room, she removed her gown and entered the fresher and started to run her bath. She stopped in front of the mirror and took a moment to look at herself. She suddenly realised she still had her green eye contacts in, which greatly helped to obscure her true identity, but she removed them now wanting to be free of her disguise. Her hair remained in the messy remnants of the style she had been wearing before the explosion. Her makeup had been removed, and the accident had left her with several cuts, bruises and burns on her face. She gently moved her finger over one of the cuts and could not help but reflect how lucky she had been. Once the bath was full, she stepped in gently and lowered herself into the warm water and tried to relax her tired and aching body. Padmé had had little chance in the last 24 hours to reflect what had happened. As she did, she felt a huge wave of emotions overwhelm her as she covered her mouth with her hand and sobbed. Despite her best intentions as Senator Soruna, someone had still wanted her dead, and had carefully concocted a plan that had been designed to lure her down to a place of isolation, where she would have died alone with no one to help her. In those brief seconds before the device detonated, Padmé remembered thinking of the twins, and how much she did not want to leave them. Her thoughts were also of her husband, who after so long apart, she did not want to leave so soon. But Padmé had to be grateful. She had so much to be grateful for. It was not just that Anakin had saved her and risked his own life in the process. But Padmé thanked the stars for the friends that she had, like Obi-Wan and Bail, and more than anything she was grateful for her children, Luke, and Leia. They were the best gifts she could have ever been given, and she knew that in that moment she had wanted to live for them, so she could continue to love and protect them.
Padmé got out of the bath and sat down at her dressing table, brushing her hair gently. Over the years she had found comfort from this simple action, and it was no different now. She then plaited her hair neatly and put on a comfortable night gown and cover. Just as she was finished, she heard a knock at the door and was greeted by C3PO who said, "Miss Padmé, I wanted to let you know that Master Anakin's ship had just entered the hangar bay".
The droid had barely finished his sentence before Padmé had passed him and ran down the hallway towards the main living area. Anxiety filled her as she waited to see her husband. She had been so worried about him, and she knew that undoubtedly, he had shared the same worries for her. When she reached the living area she stopped and waited, knowing Anakin would appear soon. Seconds later she felt herself being lifted into her husband's strong arms and spun around the room.
"Padmé", she heard him say, his voice muffled as his head was pressed again her chest.
"Oh Anakin", Padmé replied simply, her emotions taking over at the sight of her husband.
"I thought I wouldn't get to you in time", he said as he put her down and faced her. He gently reached his gloved hand up to her face, noticing the cuts and burns on her face.
Padmé placed a hand over his and said, "You did. Anakin, you saved me".
Anakin could feel himself starting to weaken, as his abilities to mask his injuries wavered. He had wanted to hide any sign of injury or weakness from his master, and the governor's, so consequently had left them unattended.
"That was … all I … wanted to do", he said, struggling to finish the sentence.
A look of concern started to grow on Padmé's face as she saw her husband struggle to remain standing. She placed a hand gently on his chest and was horrified when she saw blood on her hand. Seconds later Anakin collapsed on the floor, finally succumbing to the trauma of his injuries.
Padmé screamed as her husband fell to the floor and desperately tried to lift his large frame off the ground. "Threepio", she shouted desperately. The droid appeared quickly as Padmé shouted, "Anakin has collapsed, quickly have some droids come and help me get him to the medical suite now". Padmé grabbed her husband's hand and said, "Hold on Ani. We are getting you to the medical wing".
The next hour was a blur to Padmé, as her husband was taken to the medical wing of the establishments and attended too by several droids whilst he lay unconscious on a medical bed. Padmé paced up and down the suite, and she kept glancing at her husband as she saw droids come and go, fetching articles of equipment to save her husband.
As she stood anxiously waiting for an update on Anakin's condition, a medical droid approached her.
"How is he?", Padmé asked, wiping the tears from her eyes in an attempt to compose herself.
"Lord Vader had sustained several severe wounds. It appears he was involved in a high impact explosion of some kind. He had several burns and lacerations, but our biggest concern is that he has broken several ribs and consequently punctured a lung. It was truly a miracle that he entered these establishments walking. He is incredibly lucky to still be alive", the droid commented.
"What can you do?", Padmé asked desperately.
"We are going to submerge him in bacta for several hours. We hope that will accelerate the healing of his internal injuries. I am conscious that Lord Vader has experienced respiratory complications in the past, and if we do not heal his lungs now, I am unsure of the long-term effects.", it reported.
Padmé took a minute to process what the droid had told her and then said, "Okay thank you. Just please, do all you can to save him".
"We will do everything we can My Lady. I suggest you perhaps retire for the night. Lord Vader will need to be in bacta for several hours and then we are going to place him on a respirator. It is likely he will not be conscious before morning", the droid advised her as Threepio entered the suite.
Padmé looked at Anakin again, the sight of his unconscious and injured body making her heart ache desperately. But she knew right now there was nothing she could do for her husband. Deciding that resisting sleep would do her no good following her injuries, Padmé conceded and was escorted to her bed chambers by C3PO. As they reached her room Padmé told the droid, "I will sleep with my comm right next to me. If anything changes with Anakin you must inform me at once Threepio", Padmé ordered.
"Yes Miss Padmé. But please, try and get some sleep. I was informed of the injuries you sustained after the attack, and it is important for you to rest as well", he told her.
"Thank you Threepio", Padmé said with a small smile before retiring for the night and attempting to sleep. She found herself tossing and turning most of the night, her exhausted body only succumbing to sleep for a short time. Padmé woke up early in the morning and head straight for the medical suite, praying that Anakin had responded well to the treatment overnight and was recovering. When she entered the medical suite, she was shocked and relieved to see her husband sitting up in the medical bed. He smiled when he saw her enter the room, and Padmé could not resist but run towards her husband and embrace him tightly.
"Anakin, I was so worried about you", Padmé said, holding him tightly as he remained sat in his bed.
"I am alright Padmé", he responded, his voice still a little raspy from being on the respirator.
"Why didn't you tell me you were injured? Why didn't you get help after the explosion?", she asked, chiding him for not looking after himself.
"My only concern was for you my love", he replied, gently brushing away a stray hair from her face. "I planned on healing myself once I had checked on you at Coruscant Medical. But I had been requested urgently by the Emperor and then called into an emergency meeting with the governors, and I could not appear weak in front of them", he told her, knowing that his neglect for his health had nearly been fatal.
Padmé knew that he should have sought medical help, but she also knew that telling him now would not change what happened. And right now, she did not want to be angry with her husband, she just thanked the stars that he was okay. She leant down and kissed his lips softly before saying, "Words cannot express my gratitude Anakin. You saved my life. I do not know how you got to me in time. But you did. Thank you".
Anakin smiled at his wife's statement and then replied, "You never have to thank me Padmé. All I knew was that I had to save you. There were not any other options. I could not live without you Padmé. I have never run that fast in my life, but I just knew that I had to get to you, because if you were going to die, then I was going to die with you", he confessed, remembering the thoughts that had raced through his head seconds before the explosion.
"Anakin don't say things like that", she told him. "We couldn't let that happen, because we could not leave Luke and Leia without any parents", she said, the thought of leaving the twins alone upsetting her deeply.
"I'm sorry Padmé", he said, having not meant to upset her. "I just can't tell you how happy it makes me feel to see you standing here. I would have taken these injuries a million times over to see you still stood here. Even if I did not manage to stop you getting hurt", he added, touching her face softly, observing her cuts and bruises.
Padmé touched his hand and replied, "They are nothing compared to what could have been. They will heal soon", she told him. He then moved his hand gently to her abdomen, cautious not to apply any pressure. She smiled and then said, "It's okay, it doesn't hurt at all anymore. I guess I have you to thank for that as well Anakin. The doctor was incredibly shocked to see the recovery I made. He said it was like nothing he had ever seen", she added with a smile.
"I'm sorry I could not stay with you when I came to visit. I just knew I had to come and see you and heal you and I could not risk getting caught", he told her.
Padmé placed a finger over his lip and said, "You have nothing to be sorry for Anakin. You saved my life".
Anakin paused for a moment and then replied, "Yes I do. I am so sorry for what I said to you on our call. I was blinded by ignorance and I was unreasonable and more than that, I had the audacity to accuse you of not loving me enough. I think of it now and it makes me sick that I could accuse you of such a thing. When you have welcomed me back into your life after what I did. You have opened your heart up to me again and let me love you and be your husband. You have given me two beautiful babies and you have stood by me whilst I am trying desperately to become the man you want me to be. I never should have said it Padmé and I am so sorry", he said passionately, a tear escaping his eye.
Padmé reached for his hand, touched by his words and replied, "I am sorry too Anakin. It was horrible of me to say you love me too much when that is not possible. No one has ever understood the bond we share and the love we have for one another. I know how much you love me and the twins and that you would be willing to do anything in the Galaxy for us, and that is something that most people never experience in a hundred lifetimes. I love you so much", she told him, kissing him softly.
Anakin returned the kiss with equal passion and ran a hand through his wife's soft curls. Right now, he was overwhelmed with emotions of love and gratitude. The anger and hatred he had felt had been washed away and it was all because of his wife. She was the reason he was changing. Where there was Padmé there could be no Darth Vader.