Heart beating, Padme steps onto the landing pad of the former Jedi Grand Temple in the low-rise sector of the Federal District of Coruscant with Vader escorting from behind. Despite the darkness, light floods the grounds illuminating the stormtroopers that patrol it with crimson clad Imperial Royal Guards stationed at key points, like the entrance to the Emperor's Palace which she passes now. The interior of the structure is nothing like she remembers, thoroughly transformed since the days of its former Jedi inhabitants with their minimalist lifestyle, rather, opulent treasures and luxurious artifacts adorn the walls and passageways that have themselves enjoyed a modernizing facelift.
Goosebumps creep along her arms as they walk towards the interior of the building. Phantom visions terrorize her and her wild imagination chronicles events she had only ever heard of, deeds recounted to her by Obi-Wan that she was fortunate enough to have never witnessed. Nevertheless, it doesn't stop her from hearing the echoes of the senseless Jedi massacre that transpired at the hands of her sinister escort. Her breath quickens and her chest tightens, the horror of Vader's atrocities morphing into an almost tangible pain. Padme blinks back tears that threaten to spill, trying to see the path ahead of her behind moist eyes. How could he have done this? That was the day he choked her, rejecting both her and their baby - their future.
When Padme feels she can no longer go on, Vader stops and Padme directs her gaze on the elaborate doors before her, guarded by Imperial Royal Guards on either side. They're here, and Padme takes the opportunity to collect herself. As she waits, Padme's sense of foreboding escalates until every fibrous muscle within her is screaming at her to run. Finally, the doors to the chamber open and she's surprised to see Moff Tarkin approaching them. What's he doing here?
"Lord Vader," the Moff greets Vader while sparing her no more than a cursory glance. "The Emperor will see her now - alone."
Padme looks to Vader full of concern dreading to face the Emperor alone, despite her previous experience on the star destroyer with Palpatine while Vader was her idle chaperone.
Addressing her now, Tarkin cautions her sternly, "The Emperor does not like to be left waiting, Lady Padme."
"Senator Amidala," Vader corrects Tarkin, placing a protective hand on her back and proceeds to guide her into the throne room, ignoring the Emperor's demands to stay outside. Tarkin looks on in disapproval, but he can say nothing to the Emperor's right hand. Padme looks up to Vader questioningly. Why's he doing this? She's unable to voice her concern as they're now within earshot of the Emperor who sits comfortably upon his throne with the former Chagrian blue-skinned Vice Chair, now Grand Vizier Mas Amedda, standing tall by his side.
Vader lowers onto his knee, bowing his head in deference and when Padme stands there rigidly defiant he grabs her hand and pulls her down, forcing her to do the same.
"Rise, my friends," Palpatine directs them.
Vader settles behind her with his hands clasped in front of him and his stance wide.
"I requested a private audience," the Emperor voices his displeasure with Vader.
"Where she goes, I go," Vader returns matter of factly, shocking Padme with his brazen challenge.
The Emperor sits back on his throne, and to her bewilderment, he cracks a smile. "Very well, my Apprentice," he allows after a moment of reflection. "I will allow it." Focusing on Padme he addresses her, "I would be remiss to overlook your boorish stunt today. As it stands, your rash antics have played right into my plans." Padme's heart drops, wondering if it could be true or if he is covering for a bruised ego. Palpatine motions to the Grand Vizier and he obediently leaves, when he returns, he's accompanied by a familiar face. "I believe you have met Moff Panaka?"
Padme recognizes him alright, it's her former Head of Security when she was Queen of Naboo, Quarsh Panaka. Of course she knows of his appointment, she tries her best to keep current with her homeworld's activity, but oftentimes failing to do so as it can sometimes become a heavy task with her time and energy having been consumed by her role within the fledgling rebellion. Working with Mon Mothma had provided helpful resources, but they were mostly used to follow her hunch that there was something the Empire was hiding, something big. She must admit, tunnel vision had gotten the best of her, obsessing over clues and following the Empire's credits and resources in an attempt to uncover the truth of the Emperor's secret. It was a consuming task, and sometimes she missed the day to day appointments and changes to the government, and often she wasn't aware of the going ons behind the scenes - an unfortunate consequence of the Empire even her Senator friends Mon Mothma and Bail Organa with access to the Senate's exclusive information had to contend with.
Still, she doesn't see what Panaka has to do with her. "What is he doing here?" Padme ventures, unsettled by his presence.
"I thought it best for you to reprise your role as Senator of the Chommell sector. Naturally, a reintroduction between the two of you was in order for Moff Panaka will be in charge of keeping you in line," Palpatine informs her eagerly.
Padme is well aware of the Moffs' roles within the Empire, it was the Emperor's answer to ensuring control over the Senate and another way of syphoning power from the senators by placing loyal supporters in key sectors to represent his interests and keep the local systems' governments in line.
"I expect you to work closely together." Palpatine cackles, "soon, you will make my power absolute, I have foreseen it," he delivers ominously.
Padme studies her former Head of Security and decides Palpatine will be disappointed. She can work with this, she struggles to think positively, and Palpatine's threat will be no more than empty words. The Emperor has severely underestimated her, and she will do everything in her power to oppose him - he made a mistake reinstating her as Senator, a mistake Padme will take full advantage of, she vows.
The Emperor dismisses all of them, except for Vader. Panaka guides her out and she glances over her shoulder at Vader who obediently awaits his Master.
"Walk with me, my Apprentice." At Vader's hesitance, the Emperor correctly addresses his concern, "do not worry about her - she will be safe, my Royal Guards are loyal to me and can be trusted to watch over her." The Emperor leads him through a side door and down a private hallway. "Tell me, Lord Vader - tell me what is on your mind."
He might disagree with the Emperor, at times hating him - but that is the way of the Dark Side. Vader still appreciates and accepts his Master's guidance, so he confides in him. "Padme's return… I am struggling, my Master."
"Yes… I sense great turmoil in you. Fear of her death and then pain when she died had made you strong. I can see why you would struggle now that you have learned that she is alive and well." The Emperor looks at him. "Passion is a strong ally of the Sith and I sense great passion in you. In time, you will realize its strength as you had done in her loss," his Master counsels him.
He doesn't feel weaker. If anything, since Padme's return he has felt stronger, but he lets it slide focusing on something that has been troubling him. "I want to know why she is so important to you, Master."
The Emperor cracks a menacing smile. "Have you discovered where she hid Anakin's child?"
"Yes. He is on Tatooine. It was a reckless place to hide him."
"Good. Gooood. Soon, we will have a powerful new Sith to join us." Palpatine stops to gaze out the viewport that lines the hall and overlooks the Coruscant skyline. "When will you retrieve him?"
"Soon... My spy has heard rumors of a Jedi. I believe Obi-Wan Kenobi guards him - I will have to face him myself if the boy is to be retrieved."
"And you will have your revenge, my Apprentice."
Vader hesitates, wondering how much to share. "Padme will not be happy."
"No." The Emperor agrees with him. "But in time, she will stand by our side. You are wise to wait." Palpatine raises his brows and casts large innocent eyes on him. "Have you considered Padme's senatorial seat?"
"I wondered why you would give her that power."
"It is I who gain the power, my friend." Palpatine cackles. "Let her play her games - I will it. The more involved she gets, the more of our enemies she will reveal. You set her up well, letting her speak freely with HoloNet News... you are a worthy Sith," he praises Vader. "Perhaps, Lord Vader, she will divulge what she keeps hidden behind that mental shield Yoda has protected her with."
"It is only a matter of time before she confides in her confidants," Vader agrees. Her mind might be protected, but others' are not. "She has great trust in her handmaidens, it will be the first thing she asks for as Senator."
"You may tend to your wife. Conquer her… woo her. She will be a powerful asset." Palpatine suggests as he dismisses him.
Vader starts to leave, but the Emperor stops him, "Empire Day is close at hand, I expect her to be there."
Vader nods, "as you wish, Master."
As he returns to Padme, the discomfort of betrayal tickles his conscience. She lied to him, and he cannot overlook it. He knows he has a son, the intel relayed to him just earlier that day by Lieutenant Marsden confirmed his suspicion. Anger boils within him and it helps rationalize his actions, the brief feeling of guilt and the weakness of it washes away. He will not compromise, Padme and his son will be his.
Outside the throne room, Moff Panaka grabs the satchel from his shoulder, which until now she had overlooked, and hands it to her. "I'd have liked to do this personally, but there's been unrest at home and I cannot afford to be away, even now I should be there. Hopefully, this will help you get current. If you have any questions or concerns, I've annotated my comm frequency, you'll find it inside," he gestures at the satchel. "I'll always answer."
"I - thank you..." Padme fumbles expressing her gratitude.
Quarsh Panaka looks around, spotting a bench and signals for her to join him. "There's some things I'd like to go over with you before I leave. We have some time." He looks at the door pointedly where Vader speaks with Palpatine.
Padme hesitates, but decides to join him. She will entertain him as there is nothing to lose from accepting free help. Despite her disapproval of his new station, she recognizes he has been in a unique position these last few years and she would be short-sighted not to hear him out. They begin to review some of the more important information stored within the documents, but most importantly, he focuses on helpful background context that is absent. Naboo, in particular, is struggling with rebel activity, Padme learns - although she finds it hard to see this as a problem until she learns how badly it is affecting the economy. Once a plentiful and prosperous world, even its capital Theed is experiencing immense poverty, riots and children dying of hunger becoming a common occurrence.
Vader returns and Panaka is quick to rise, helping her return the documents to the satchel. The Moff grabs her hand in farewell, which Vader disapproves of, to Padme's humiliation, and takes a menacing step towards him in an unambiguous warning which Panaka readily heeds, dropping her hand. Panaka throws a nervous glance Vader's way before focusing on her again. "I believe in the Emperor," Panaka leads with. "My only desire is to do what's best for Naboo, the Chommell Sector, and the Empire as a whole." Padme can hear the sincerity in his voice, but she can't help but feel distrust for the Emperor appointed Moff. "I'm glad you're back, your experience is needed. There's no one quite like you and I know you will serve our home well," he professes earnestly. Maybe she's been away from Naboo too long, but calling Naboo her home - it fills her with warmth as well as a gnawing ache to go back.
They arrive at Vader's place, each going their separate ways. Padme settles into one of the chairs at the elegant new dining table she'd just purchased and starts to pour over the documents Panaka had given her, her personal datapad close at hand which she uses to research the missing pieces the documents Panaka had given her alluded to, but might not expand upon. It's a bit strange that the documents Panaka had given her were not electronic, but she takes it in stride attributing it to his security background.
It's the middle of the night when she finally decides to get a few hours of sleep. The majority of the next few days are spent at the table working away or sleeping. When she feels confident that she's up to speed, or at least as much as she can between the documents Panaka had given her and with the publicly available information via the HoloNet, she decides she's ready as she'll ever be to finally visit the Senate.
This time, Padme waits for a driver to be called up, not thrilled at the idea of a stormtrooper driving her about before leaving the apartment. They take the same little yellow speeder she had used to stroll the mall, with her troop escort trailing not far behind - which she finds irksome, she'll have to ask Vader if he could provide her with a more discreet security detail. They land outside the Senate rotunda where she passes a vapid and oversized statue of Palpatine, Padme rolls her eyes at the arrogant display.
As she walks the halls of the Senate, she becomes aware of the architectural and design changes that have occured, completely expunging any trace of the former Republic era, much like Palpatine had done with his Palace and the previous Jedi tenants. As she enters the wing reserved for the Chommell district, she's immediately recognized by the secretary who stands within a circular kiosk.
"Good afternoon, Senator Amidala. I've been expecting you," she greets, heartfeltly. "My name is Sanan Dalusk. Can I show you to your office?"
"Please," Padme replies gratefully. "Nice to meet you Sanan."
Padme follows the woman to the office reserved for the Senator of Naboo, only a few stormtroopers walk with them while the rest guard the entrance to the wing.
"Sorry about the mess, umm… everything happened so quickly - it's still being cleared out."
"Oh-" Padme feels guilt, she didn't realize she'd replaced a sitting Senator, although it shouldn't have come as a surprise. Padme lifts a little wooden Gungan statue from a shelf, admiring the marksmanship. "Who was the previous Senator?" Padme feels shame for not knowing this, how did she miss this?
"Why… Jar Jar Binks of course."
Padme almost drops the wooden statue, she can't be serious. She thought that was a temporary appointment after her death, surely they would have voted for a new senator by now? Jar Jar… well - plainly speaking, he's not qualified. That certainly explains why she hadn't heard of a new appointment to the Chommell sector's senatorial seat - there never was one! But maybe... "Is he here now?" Sanan shakes her head. "Find him, I'd like for him to reprise his role as Associate Planetary Representative."
"I'll see what I can do," Sanan responds, dutifully. "Is there anything else I can do for you, Senator?"
"Where is everyone?"
"Some are in their offices, others are out to lunch. I'll bring them to you. They would have stayed, but we figured with it being so late in the day…" Sanan starts to apologize.
Padme cuts her off, unconcerned. "That's alright, Sanan. I'll make the rounds and see who's in, let the rest enjoy their lunch."
Sanan nods respectfully. "Is there anything else?"
Padme thinks for a minute, "could you get me the schedule? I'd like to attend the next session."
"Certainly - but also, they're in session now." Lanan looks at her chrono, "they should be done soon, there wasn't much on the agenda for today and the next one isn't until the end of the week, but you could catch the end of it."
"I'll do that."
Padme returns the Gungan statue on the shelf and does a quick round to the various offices, she's pleased to be greeted by many familiar faces, and only a few new ones - this will make her return much easier. Selecting a few of them to accompany her, Padme takes her small delegation to the Senate Chamber.
After taking her seat, Padme looks around the large circular chamber at the various delegations and wonders how many sectors have retained their senate seats, and which have given their senate seats to trade federations, corporations, clans, unions, and the like to represent them. A process she had witnessed become more and more popular even before the Empire took over, a trend she credits partially responsible for the fall of the Galactic Republic.
The more Padme listens to the proceedings, the more alarmed she becomes. She glares helplessly at Palpatine as he addresses the Senate on why the Moffs, which he fails to mention are by his appointment and under his control, should share the power equally with their Senator representatives. When his disk returns to its dock, Padme waits for the retaliation. Where's the opposition, where's the uproar? But the senators remain quiet, much to Padme's dismay. Realizing the bill will go for a vote, it becomes clear to her that fear of the Emperor's reprisal means the bill will pass unchallenged.
No. Padme takes the floor, her disk hovering into the arena and her aide looks at her alarmed. "What are you doing? This is suicide!" he protests, but Padme ignores him.
"Fellow colleagues," her voice echoes throughout the chamber, and every eye is on her. "By now, you must have heard I have survived. As senator of Naboo of the Chommell district, I cannot vote for this bill as it is not in the best interest of my people, nor yours, and I urge you to do the same. Do the math - there are twenty moffs, divided among the thousand sectors that comprise our Senate. If you listen to what the Emperor has said, if this bill passes, one moff will hold the equivalent power of fifty senators. What the Emperor failed to say, is that those moffs are under his direct control. This is not equality," she states firmly. "With the passage of this bill, our Senate will be weaker than it is now. As a newly reinstated Senator by the Emperor himself," she shamelessly namedrops, hoping it will add credence to her opposition and possibly offer a sense of protection to anyone who decides to oppose the Emperor's bill with her. "I stand before you and implore you to vote against His bill with me. Do not fail what little democracy we have left."
Much to her gratification, the senate floor buzzes to life as her disk returns to its dock. That's more like it. When it finishes docking, Padme sinks into her chair, her hands shaking. She makes eye contact with Palpatine, and to her confusion, he is smiling at her. What is she missing? The room is called to order by the Grand Vizier and the vote proceeds. Padme is holding her breath when the results are called, the majority vote in favor, but just enough votes are cast against the bill that it cannot pass and Padme lets out a sigh of relief. Had this bill required a mere majority vote, the Senate would have been a very different place after today's vote, but as it stands the crisis was avoided and democracy prevails another day. But why does she have a sick feeling in her stomach?
On her way back to her office, she's stopped many times by other senators welcoming her back and briefing her on legislation they were hoping to discuss with her. By the time she gets back to her wing, her dockett for the week is full with meetings.
Padme walks right up to Lanan with only one thing on her mind. "Find me my handmaidens," she orders, before walking to her office. She fears she cannot do this without their trusted counsel.
This is war.
Whatever Palpatine has in mind, whatever he's scheming, she will meet him toe to toe. It's become clear to her, he thinks she's playing into his hand. She will not let that happen.
Padme is organizing herself at her desk when one of her aides raps at the door. "Come in." Motee steps in and Padme pauses what she's doing, "Motee?!" Padme rushes over to the woman and gives her a big hug. "I am so glad to see you," Padme beams at one of her trusted handmaidens. "You never left the delegation," she observes.
Motee steps in, "No, I couldn't - after you died… I wanted to continue serving Naboo and, well, Jar Jar needed the help - lots of it. As your handmaiden… well, I learned a lot." Padme nods in understanding. "I heard what happened in the Senate Chamber. You… you challenged the Emperor's bill! My Lady, do you think this wise?" Motee's eyes are full of concern for her.
Padme clenches her hands nervously, deciding how much to share with Motee - the woman that helped her hide her pregnancy and cover for her throughout her clandestine relationship with Anakin. Making up her mind, she walks over to the door and closes it. "What I am about to tell you - it can never leave this room." If she's going to receive the counsel she so desperately needs - her closest advisors must know the truth.
Motee nods fervently, "I serve you, I will always be your trusted handmaiden."
Padme grasps her arm, affectionately. "I'd like that very much, but I must let you know - being my handmaiden… it's more risky than ever before."
"Of course it is," Motee answers weightily, then breaks into a small smile. "I always knew that - all your handmaidens did."
Letting go of her arm, Padme takes a big breath before divulging her truth, "Lord Vader is Anakin Skywalker."
Motee gasps, covering her mouth - her eyes instantly filling with tears as she rushes in to hug her, "oh, Padme - I am so sorry…"
She doesn't know why, but Padme starts crying too. Maybe it's the catharsis of finally sharing her greatest secret with an old and trusted friend, or because she's kept it in for so long. Whatever the reason, the stress of it all overwhelms her and she can't stop.
"You see," Padme says, fighting against the lump in her throat as she wipes despairingly at her tears. "I have a bit more protection than most."
"Maybe," Motee voices softly. "What about the Emperor? Surely, he won't let today go unpunished..."
Padme pulls away, getting her emotions under control, "I don't think he will, he seems to think I'm helping him." She looks to Motee and confides in her, "it worries me."
Motee wipes at her nose, "that man is crazy."
Padme half laughs and half sobs, but nods her head in agreement. "You can run away, Motee. It's not too late," Padme lets her know. "It's not safe here, especially now that I'm back."
"I'll stay," she tells her, and Padme sees fiery determination in Motee's eyes.
Padme nods, accepting and grateful for her loyalty. "Okay," Padme accepts.
"My lady… where's the baby?"
Shifting uncomfortably, Padme reveals, "they're safe. They were put into hiding… Vader can never find out."
"You had twins?" Motee asks in wonder.
"Twins."
"Do your parents know?"
"No..." Padme shakes her head, "and they can never know. Only you, and my other handmaidens if they decide to return." Belatedly realizing that amid all that was happening to her, she could and should have contacted her parents by now. "Oh my… I never called them - the HoloNet News… they must know I'm alive," Padme realizes guiltily.
"Call them, you can use the holocomm here," Motee motions to the next room, where the Naboo Senator's holocomm is located.
Not wanting to hold it off any longer than she had already unwittingly done, Padme rushes over to the next room and dials the frequency for her parents. When her dad answers he quickly gets her mother. For the next hour, she talks to them. They cry, they laugh, and the jubilation and relief her parents express throughout the call send Padme through an emotional rollercoaster.
The rest of the night she works, studying everything she can over what's happened behind the scenes at the Senate. Motee busily retrieving document after document for her - this time, at least they're electronic. Padme tries to send Motee home, but she staunchly refuses to leave her side. So together, they work.
It's not until three in the morning when she hears the familiar sound of Vader's respirator approaching her open door, and she looks to Motee with wide eyes wishing to shield her from Vader. It's too late to send her away.
Vader's large frame fills her doorway as he scans her desk piled with datapads, his gaze landing briefly on Motee who executes a quick bow before turning his gaze on Padme, appraising her.
"It's late," he informs her.
She knows this, but there is so much for her to do. "I'm working."
"It can wait until tomorrow. You will come home with me, now," he insists petulantly.
Padme briefly debates defying him, but she hears the finality in his tone and decides it's not worth the fight, especially if it means subjecting Motee to it - and he does have a point… after all, it is late. Flipping her attention to Motee, she thanks her, "thank you - for everything. Get some rest, sleep in."
Motee nods, but doesn't dare say a word as she quickly leaves the room.
Padme gets up from her chair leaving the datapads on her desk, and leaves with Vader. Vader leads her to where his armored black speeder is parked and opens the door for her. Padme hesitates at the seemingly gallant gesture, but really she knows it's just to ensure she gets in. Swallowing her pride, she gets in despite her initial knee-jerk response to resist him, jumping when he closes the door behind her. She watches as he makes his way to the other side, and settles behind the wheel.
The speeder barely vibrates to life before he's pulling up into the sky and expertly dodges through traffic. He looks at home behind the wheel, the speeder is roomy enough for Vader, with plenty of clearance between the top of his helmet and the roof. Padme braces when they get too close to the speeder in front of them and Anakin pulls under it at the last second, the speeder whining at the maneuver, but more than powerful enough to handle it. Was that a laugh she heard from him? Is he enjoying himself, or is he laughing at her and her clear discomfort? Either way, Padme smiles, but it's short lived when he swerves again. For three in the morning, it sure is busy. Worst of all, they aren't following any traffic laws and Padme starts to get nervous.
Vader looks at her, "relax."
"Pay attention!" Padme exclaims, gesturing towards the speeder in front of them.
"There is nothing to fear."
"You're going to get us pulled over," she warns. "And how will you explain that to HoloNet News?" she warns him. Mockingly, she offers a title, "I can see it now 'Sith Baddy Breaks the Law'."
"They wouldn't dare," he counters, but she can tell he's amused. "Besides, I control the news. I'd have them write something much more dignified," he jokes. But Vader takes it down a notch, returning to traffic, albeit still speeding past traffic that gets in his way, but he doesn't pull any more stunts.
"Of course you do," Padme grumbles. Then she starts to think about it, which she can do now that she's not holding onto the walls of the speeder worrying about falling out of the sky from a catastrophic freak accident. "Did you know about my interview?" she wonders aloud.
Vader swerves again before answering, "it was brought to my attention."
"And you let it run, anyways?" Padme looks at him in wonder. "You didn't even have it censored..." Another thought occurs to her, "were they going to censor it?"
Vader shrugs. "You shouldn't be censored."
"And what does Palpatine think of your decision?"
"The Emperor," he corrects her. Is he really chastising her? "He can handle it."
Padme sits there quietly, shocked into silence as she absorbs all he's told her. It means something to her that he won't censor her.
Tentatively, she reaches for him and places her hand on his arm. He lets go of the steering wheel, grabbing her hand in his, butterflies stirring in her stomach at the gesture. She wants to feel his skin, she realizes, even though it's just synthskin, she wants to feel him. Delicately, she pulls at his glove, looking to him to see if he'll reject her, but he doesn't. Pulling the leather glove off the rest of the way, she sets it aside and grabs his hand, skin to skin.
At least she found out how to slow him down, Padme reflects with amusement as she notes they're no longer passing any traffic and traveling at a relatively normal speed.
Vader's Palace comes into view, and they land on the pad. Vader grabs his glove before exiting the speeder and waits for her to reach him before they enter the apartment, together. Padme pauses at the kitchen and he looks at her expectantly, "I'm going to get some water."
He nods before heading down the hall.
Padme grabs a glass of water, and as she does so she thinks about Motee. Maybe she should message her and make sure she's alright, they left awfully late. She grabs her comm and sends her a quick message. Motee responds quickly, she's back at her apartment - there's nothing to be concerned about.
Feeling a bit peckish, she looks for some snacks, and settles on some pretzels. When she's done, she puts the bag away and takes a drink of water, when she lowers her glass Vader appears out of nowhere, now out of his armor, and she shrieks - dropping her glass. She tries to save the glass, but by the time she reaches it, it's already shattered into a million pieces, most of the glass bouncing off the counter and settling on the floor, but her hand slams right into the broken glass on the counter. "Ouch," she hisses as she reflexively brings her hand towards her chest, too late realizing she's getting blood all over it. "Oh no…" Quickly she unbuttons her dress and steps out of it, standing in nothing more than her underwear, too concerned about the blood staining her dress for her to really care. She starts opening cabinets looking for a big pot, finding one she starts to fill it with water and starts stuffing her dress in the pot with her unharmed hand, concentrating on getting the part of the fabric with blood on it submerged.
Vader takes pity on her, and pushes her aside, "let me do that." He seems a bit uncertain handling her dress. "Can I use soap?"
"Yeah, it hasn't dried - that should be fine."
She watches as he puts soap on the dress and starts to wash the soap out. Padme can't help it, she starts to giggle. He looks over at her, frowning, "what?"
"It's just.." Padme is laughing now, and she tries to hide behind her non-bleeding hand, "it's just so funny." Padme gasps. "Look at us..." she manages to say. "I'm basically naked… and you're" she points at him washing her dress. Vader's eyes are twinkling, and he's grinning at her - and Padme stares at him, mesmerized, finally she sees the charismatic, handsome man she remembers. Her laughter is gone now, sobering up she finishes, "and you're Darth Vader..."
Neither of them are smiling now, his eyes fall to her hand with concern and then the puddle of blood at her feet, "you're bleeding a lot. I'm going to call a medic." The dress forgotten, he goes to grab his comm.
"No, don't," she stops him. As she inspects her hand, she sees the injury is not as bad as it looks. "There's just some glass stuck in there."
Vader carefully grabs her hand to see for himself.
"I can tend to that," he decides. From the very back of one of the lower cabinets, he pulls out a large case and opens it up, revealing a very elaborate and well stocked medpac. Padme looks at him questioningly, he shrugs, "I get injured a lot, sometimes it's easier for me to just take care of it myself."
She frowns at him with disapproval, "you're going to get yourself killed one of these days."
"Impossible," he boasts. He grabs her hand and sprays her with an analgesic that makes her hand go numb before he starts to extract the pieces of glass. "You care." It's an observation more than a question.
Padme is silent, but finally she admits softly, "of course I care."
He pauses, briefly, and looks at her - and for a moment his eyes turn blue before he returns his attention to her hand. Did she imagine it? One thing she's sure she's not imagining, is his frequent glances at her cleavage, she can't help but flash a smile of amusement. Some things never change. Vader takes the last piece of glass out and runs her hand under the sink water before gently padding it dry, spreading some bacta gel on it, and wrapping her hand with gauze.
"Done," he lets her know, still holding onto her hand.
"Thank you," she whispers, staring into his eyes which she notices are heavy with desire. Can he hear her heart thumping?
This time he doesn't wait for her to ask him to kiss her, her eyes flutter shut when their lips meet and she feels her heart soar as he pulls her into him. Anakin corners her against the wall, nuzzling her neck, planting wet kisses as he travels along her exposed throat to the other side. Padme moans her pleasure, wanting to be closer to him she starts to pull at his shirt, her injured hand making things difficult. He steps back to lift his shirt over his head, and Padme watches raptly as muscles ripple with his movements. She takes him in, his bald head and that scar that cuts across it and spills onto his face somehow alluring rather than unsightly, his thick neck and arms, every muscle taut, defined, and bulky as he towers over her. Her gaze travels lower, below his waistline, and she practically whimpers when she notices how hard he is. It's all the encouragement he needs as he practically slams right into her, claiming her mouth again, and her arms curl around his neck bringing him closer. Needily, she snakes a hand down to his pants' waistband and pops him out and he growls into her ear, hoisting her up into the air to straddle him as he pulls her panty aside, she moans, feeling his thick head at her entrance.
"Stop."
"Padme-" he sighs frustrated, resting them against the wall breathing heavily down her neck.
"Take me to bed," she pants, her voice husky. She doesn't want their first time back together to be up against the wall - in the kitchen with glass and blood on the floor.
Which reminds her, maybe they should pick up the glass before they leave... "What about the glass?" Too late, she squeals as Anakin throws her over his shoulders and smacks her exposed ass. She starts to giggle when he's practically jogging them to the bedroom.
"Forget about it." He brushes off her concern.
They get to the room and he basically throws her onto the bed and quickly slips out of his lounge pants, unwavering in his purpose, somehow managing to make each movement steady and deliberate, before crawling into bed with her and grabbing her into his arms. They both know what she wants - there's no, 'are you sure?' or second guessing on Vader's part, he's always been one to follow his desire, damn the consequences. Gentle kisses turn consuming and hungry, trailing down her neck and clavicle, spilling onto her exposed breasts. His hands are busy removing her bra, she arches her back to give him access, and he throws the bra away, clearing a path for his lips' ministrations. Padme squirms beneath his purposeful kisses, knowing where his attention will meet her next, anticipation building within her and wanting it now - needing it… needing Anakin. And when his tongue finally wets her most sensitive spot, her eyes close and her head rolls back as she lets out a gasp. Soft and teasing at first, he tests her readiness with a finger while coaxing her to more pleasure, growling in approval when he feels her dripping wet which makes Padme flush. Any remaining sense of modesty quickly dissolves as he expertly manages his tongue in concert with his finger until Padme's back is arched, and her hands are gripping the sheets in ecstasy. Before her last spasm ends, he positions himself once again at her entrance and this time pushes his way in, filling her until her opening throbs. She wiggles under him, a silent plead to feel him move which he answers faithfully.
As he thrusts rhythmically within her, Padme's hands roam his sides - he feels different, broader and heavier on her, with more muscle. She can't deny the part of her that it excites, moaning her pleasure. Thick arms cradle her, strong hands on her head and shoulder holding her in place as he starts quickening his pace, reaching deeper and harder, hitting that spot that makes it feel like she's about to step off a ledge - she holds onto him tightly, straining for release, each thrust inching her closer and closer to the edge, until… "Ani," she moans as she feels that wonderful falling sensation accompanied by a hot flushing heat that spreads from her chest right down to her toes all while her heart drums loudly in her chest. Her spasms pull Anakin over the edge with her and he collapses on top of her, easily rolling her with him in one swift movement. This she remembers fondly, how his arms encircle her possessively after they're done, and her heart melts.
Both sweaty, Padme lays on top of him, legs tangled with his as they each catch their breath. Padme draws lazy circles on his chest and Anakin kisses her head before relaxing into the mattress, both enjoying the aftermath of their lovemaking - slowly inching out of her as his erection eases. She starts to drift to sleep securely in his arms. "I love you, Anakin," she sighs, before passing that threshold into unconsciousness.
This time when she wakes and finds the bed empty, she looks at the chrono - it's late enough that Vader should be long gone by now. Which is too bad, because she really wanted to talk to him about her security detail. Also, she feels guilty knowing how little sleep he got, thanks to her. Her cheeks warm with a blush, remembering last night's passion.
Freshly out of the shower in nothing but her robe, the wound on her hand fully healed courtesy of the bacta gel, she walks to the kitchen to grab a cup of caf. Except - she's not alone. Rising from the couch are three of her handmaidens, Motee, Sabe, and Dorme with three stormtroopers standing guard behind them. Thrilled by their presence, Padme rushes to them, grabbing them all in welcoming hugs and kissing their cheeks. After her initial happiness she becomes concerned as her eyes jump between the three of them.
"How are you here? Did something happen?" she asks, worry filling her voice.
"No, nothing like that, my Lady. Lanan worked her magic - she was able to get in contact with Lord Vader, and let it be known that the Senator of Naboo needs her handmaidens to get ready," Motee explains.
"Lana called us on Naboo and told us Senator Amidala wanted us back, we both got on a ship - immediately," Dorme shares, standing up to play with Padme's hair. "Let us get you ready while we talk, after all that's why we are here."
There's much she has to share with them. But not with them here… she looks at the stormtroopers uneasily as they stand guard just behind the couch, "You can leave, all of you," she tells them.
"They haven't been cleared and they don't have a security clearance, ma'am. We aren't leaving," the stormtrooper responds stubbornly.
"You can't be serious, these are former handmaidens for the Senator and Queen of Naboo! That should be enough clearance," she informs them angrily, but she receives no answer. Are they ignoring her now? Unbelievable. "Look at their arms, do those look like assassins' arms? They can barely hurt themselves. I'm more than safe," which if she hadn't been annoyed with these stormtroopers would have made her laugh. Her handmaidens had trained for years to be able to guard her, and were more than capable of holding their own. In fact, on many occasions they had.
Still, the obstinate stormtroopers refuse to move.
Padme pulls out her comm and messages Vader, Your snowmen need to leave. My handmaidens are no threat, you know this.
In less than thirty seconds, the stormtroopers are marching out the door. But then she starts to wonder, is Vader even doing anything? That was an awfully fast response. Although… no reply to her message - unless he considers the stormtroopers leaving the reply… And is she being insecure? One night in bed was all it took… Padme shakes her head. Be stronger.
Breaking from her internal tangent, she sighs and looks at her handmaidens, "You know I love you, all of you. That's why I have to -"
"I told them," Motee cuts Padme off. "They know. And we aren't going anywhere."
"We stay with you," Sabe chimes in.
They all chorus at her in agreement making her heart swell.
They spend several hours prepping her, taking their time so they can catch up. They dress her in a more elaborate Nubian garment than the ones she has been wearing and style her hair with a fanning headdress adorning the intricate twists. Make-up is skillfully applied, making any Nubian proud. As they work, Padme listens. She is speechless when she learns Sabe had spent the last three years working tirelessly to solve her murder, unwilling to believe it could be anything else.
"We should head to the Senate, it's already almost midday and we have a lot of work to do," Padme suggests, thinking of the afternoon meetings she has scheduled with the other senators.
They head to the turbolift, because none of the speeders will fit all of them.
"What are on all these floors?" Sabe asks.
Padme shrugs, "I've only been to the docking bay and the apartment. ...Let's find out."
They start visiting floor to floor and find some sort of battle arena with fighter droids - they leave that floor fast, next they find what can only be a training chamber, then a medbay - they quickly apologize to the medics saying they pressed the wrong floor, and then after a few floors of offices and giving similar apologies as they did with the medics, they decide there's nothing else worth seeing so they head straight to the docking bay.
"If you'd like," Padme offers as the turbolift engages, "maybe there's a spare floor that can be turned into an apartment - if you'd like to live here."
The women nod eagerly and voice their excitement at such a living arrangement as it would be awfully convenient, not to mention highly reminiscent of her former Senator and Queen days. It would be as it should be, they declare. She'll have to ask Vader later and see if it can be done.
The women exit onto the docking bay floor and they look around the large room with the stormtrooper and technicians walking about. Her driver jogs up to her, and they enter a larger speeder that can hold the four of them that takes them to the Senate.
The rest of the day is spent in meetings with other senators and sitting with her handmaidens in her office while they all sift through documents and material Motee acquisitions to bring them up to speed. As the only member of their group to have stayed with the Naboo Senatorial Delegation, she is most knowledgeable on what's most important to review. When it's almost midnight, Padme decides to call it a night, partially worried that Vader will show up to collect her again. And maybe part of her wants to see Vader...
When she gets back home, she finds Vader sitting at the couch wearing only his lounge pants with a datapad in hand, he's working late too she notes. Seeing she's home, he sets the datapad down, "you're home early."
"You're up late," she returns, "aren't you tired?"
"Nope. I only require a few hours sleep." She frowns at him, and he smirks. "What? It's true." There he goes again, looking like Anakin - she's such a sucker.
She walks over to him, unable to resist it when Anakin peeks through, she leans down and plants a kiss on his nose. Before she can step away, he grabs her hand with a playful smile, pulling her onto his lap for a real kiss which she kind of ruins by giggling. He flips her onto the couch and removes her headdress, and the giggles stop when he starts to trail kisses down her neck.
"What are you wearing?!" he asks, frustrated that he can't access more of her and can't figure out how to take it off. Padme's lips twitch into a smile at his impatience and helps him by undoing the garment's hidden clasps, she has to stand up to shimmy out of it. She climbs back onto his lap, and this time she's kissing him. Sensually, slowly, controlled, and all together teasing him thoroughly.
The stormtrooper issue she meant to bring up with him comes to mind. "Oh, could you find another way to guard me. A pack of stormtroopers following me everywhere is unnerving," she asks between kisses.
"Done."
"And, is there anyway to make one of these floors in this building an apartment for my handmaidens?"
"Fine," Anakin answers impatiently as he pulls her down for more kisses.
"Really?"
"Really."
"How long will that take?" she breaks the kisses yet again to ask.
"I dunno, a month?" Anakin again answers impatiently, wanting her attention back on him.
Padme pulls back, "a whole month?!"
Anakin laughs, "maybe sooner. What's the rush?" When she frowns at him he amends, "a week. And I'm sure if you kiss me better, I'd be inspired to make sure it gets done sooner," he teases her for all her talking between kisses.
Padme smiles flirtatiously, "Oh I'll show you better kisses."
Padme starts by kissing him on the mouth, then trails kisses down his neck and chest, adding gentle lovenips along the way - fully enjoying how crazy she is driving him, careful to give attention to everywhere except where she knows he wants it most, until she carefully and finally takes him in her mouth, encouraged by his gasp of pleasure. It's not long before Anakin takes her off and picks her up, sitting her on his cock and letting her ride him. And before she knows it she's screaming his name in ecstasy.
When they're done, like a bounty, he picks her up and carries her off to the bedroom where he wakes her up several more times to make sweet love to her.
This time she wakes up much earlier than the day before, and this time she is surprised to find him missing - how early does he wake up, exactly? On her way to make caf, a part of her morning ritual, she finds he hasn't left, instead he's sitting on the couch working on his datapad - again. She leans in to give him a kiss, which he returns, but never takes his eyes off what he's reading. Padme rolls her eyes and walks into the kitchen, putting a fresh pot to brew. She never actually made it into the kitchen yesterday, distracted by her surprise company, and had completely forgotten about the shattered glass and blood.
"Did you clean up the glass?"
"Yesterday morning before I left," he replies, finally setting the datapad down and walking to her. "Did I miss some?" he asks as he inspects the floors.
"No, I was just wondering. Don't you have a housekeeper, or a cleaning droid?"
"I didn't want you to wake up and cut yourself before someone could come clean it up."
"Oh," she says smiling, going in for another kiss, and he pulls her in for a second. "Thank you."
"Show me," he says, desire sparking in his eyes.
Oh no, she doesn't have time for this and pushes him away. "You'll make me late."
"That's fine."
Padme ignores him and returns to the caf maker, pouring herself a cup. Anakin takes the opportunity to slap her butt playfully, and Padme slaps him away, "Stop, Ani." Padme freezes, turning wide eyes on him. "I'm sorry!" she apologizes immediately, not wanting to set him off when they are doing so well.
To her surprise, he shrugs. "I've decided it doesn't matter. Especially when you scream it all night long," he tells her with a grin.
Padme feels her face heat up, "that's not funny."
"It's a little funny."
Walking to the sliding door, she looks out at the view, noticing the blue tint of the shield again. "The shield… does it hold pressurization?"
The doors open with a glance from him, a silent answer to her question, and she jumps back. He grabs her hand and pulls her outside and Padme covers herself more, uncomfortable with the stormtrooper company.
She leans into him and whispers, "do they have to be here?"
"I guess not while I'm around," he responds to her. "Leave us," he instructs the stormtroopers and they file to the turbolift.
"I mean when you're not around, too."
"No, I won't be leaving you without protection," his tone is final.
But Padme is anything but persistent. "Who would attack Vader's Palace?" she challenges.
"Anyone who finds out how much you mean to me."
But their relationship is secret. "How would they know?" she asks him, doubt in her voice.
"They'll find out," Vader returns, growing frustrated with her.
"When? Nobody sees us in public."
"Palpatine is expecting you to attend Empire Day. If they don't see what you mean to me there, it will be somewhere else. But sooner or later, someone will know, and when they do - they'll know you are the only thing that means anything to me."
"Oh," Padme exhales, caught off guard. Empire Day… Organa will be there… and his family.
Padme looks to Vader with uncertainty - will she be able to hide the way she looks at Leia?
"I'm not going."
"The Emperor demands it. It is decided."