"Ahh Lord Vader, I was wondering when I was going to hear from you, my apprentice." Sidious stated, as he turned his chair to face the approaching Sith Lord.

Vader knelt submissively in front of his master, hating the constant need to be subservient to the old man, "My Master, I have come to inform you of some developments made in the investigation into the explosion at the Senate. We have traced the explosives used to a bank account of Ennis Mure. He was the individual responsible for purchasing the equipment needed to produce the explosives. However, we know he was not the one who planted the bomb, as that individual, Zed Dunn, died in the explosion."

Sidious bought a hand to his chin curiously and said, "Interesting. So, I take it you are going to arrest this Ennis Mure, Lord Vader?"

Vader paused for a moment before saying, "It appears that the late Ennis Mure died recently. His records show he died of an undisclosed 'accident'" Vader reported, not hiding the suspicion in his voice.

"I see." the Emperor stated simply. Vader could not shake the feeling that the Emperor was not entirely surprised by this revelation, and so attempted to penetrate the walls of his mind and establish what his master was hiding.

Breaking Vader's concentration, the Emperor stood up and said, "Well, that is unfortunate that justice will not be served for the old fools' attack on Senator Soruna. However, we must be thankful that herself, nor you, my apprentice, perished in this cowardly attack."

Something about his master's words clicked in Vader's mind and he could not help but say, "Old fool? Zed Dunn was a young man from the underworld of Coruscant, Master. Are you referring to Ennis Mure?"

Realising his mistake of stated familiarity, the Emperor detracted from his point and said, "It was merely a statement of character of the coward who ordered the assassination, my servant."

Vader couldn't help but press the issue, his curiosity growing as he countered, "Indeed Master, but you are correct, Ennis Mure was uncharacteristically old for a paid assassin. From my experience of profiling these characters, they tend to be young, highly skilled …"

"Are you questioning me, Lord Vader?" the Emperor spat.

Immediately Vader knew he had hit a nerve. He knew his Master's outburst was because he had made a mistake, a mistake that Vader had noticed. He knew Ennis Mure, Vader reflected. Was it him who ordered the assassination? He thought suddenly.

"I apologise, Master. It is just that you seemed to refer to Ennis Mure as if you had been acquainted with him." Vader replied, trying to backtrack his words, realising this would not end well for him.

"I do not care what you thought, Vader. It is of no concern to you, who I am acquainted with. And you will be punished for your slander." He stated wickedly.

"Master, I did not mean to offend you, I …"

Vader did not have a chance to finish his sentence before he was laying crippled on the floor, his body engulfed in force lightning. He felt the burning overwhelm him, as he tried to focus on keeping his mental walls strong, knowing that at all costs, he had to protect his wife and children.

"I would think you would have learnt by now Vader, that I am your Master, and I will not accept your insolence", Sidious spat. "And yet, again, you have questioned me."

"No, Master." Vader said weakly as pain filled him.

Sidious cackled, knowing he was going to enjoy this. Lord Vader had proven to not break under the affects of Sith Lightning, and so he decided on other forms of torture, as the wicked ideas crossed his mind.

Vader felt the pain rip through his body as his blood stained his thick cloak and then poured out onto the floor below him. He was helpless but to release an agonising scream as the torture continued and he felt as though his back was on fire.

After what felt like an eternity, Vader felt Sidious finish his torrent of abuse before faintly hearing him say, "Now, leave me. I consider this to be the end of your investigation. You have more pressing matters to attend to Lord Vader, and I expect to be kept appraised of your activities. Do not give me another reason to remind you of your place."

It took all of Vader's strength to stand from the foetal position he had been in on the ground and face his Master. He had not felt pain like this since Mustafar, but he knew he could not show weakness in front of Sidious, and having established he was likely responsible for ordering the assassination of Padmé, he was determined to return to his family and ensure their safety.

"Yes, My Master." was all Anakin could muster to say, before he staggered out of the room, blood seeping from his wounds profusely. He forced himself to walk straight as many of his troopers attempted to aid their commander on his way to his ship, seeing the trail of blood he was leaving behind him. When he reached his ship, he removed his mask, it dropping to the cabin floor with a large crash as he set his coordinates for Alderaan and collapsed into the pilot's chair, losing consciousness.

On Alderaan, Padmé had just finished giving the twins a bath and had returned to the kitchen to retrieve them both a glass of milk and a cookie. She knew how much they missed their father, despite having not been gone long, but the bond they shared, their Force bond, was something she would never truly understand, and she sometimes envied that connection that Anakin had with their children. As Padmé walked back to the twin's rooms she was concerned by her children's anxious expressions as they both sat on Luke's bed together.

"What's wrong?" Padmé asked as she placed the milk and cookies down next to them.

"It's dad, he's in pain. We can feel it mum." Luke told her; sadness painted on his face.

Padmé did her best to hide the sickening concern that threatened to show on her face as she said, "Hey now, what have I told you about your father. He is the strongest, bravest and best Jedi in the Galaxy. If you can feel him that means he is alive, and he will be just fine I promise you." She told her children reassuringly as she ran her hand through her daughter's chocolate brown hair.

"How do you know mum?" Leia asked softly.

Padmé did her best to force a small smile and said, "Because your father promised me that he would always be here to look after us, and your father has never once broken a promise to me. I know that he loves you two more than anything in the Galaxy, and he will always come back to you." She told them, passing them both their cookies and milk.

"And he loves you mum. He loves you so much." Luke added, taking a sip of his milk.

"Yes, he does. And I love your father too, so much. He will be home soon. Perhaps he has just been training too hard again. You know how intense his training sessions can be." She added, trying to force down the bile that was beginning to rise up her stomach.

"Now, time for bed okay. We have got another day of fun tomorrow and I want you both to have lots of sleep." Padmé told her children as she picked Leia up in her arms and kiss Luke on the head softly. "Goodnight, my sweet boy." She told him.

Padmé tucked her daughter in bed and kissed her goodnight, before turning their lights out and heading down to the living area. She was greeted by Geeta who was just finishing cleaning the kitchen. "Are you alright, Milady?" Geeta asked, seeing the visible look of concern on Padmé's face.

"The children said they could feel that Anakin is in pain. I have not heard from him, but it's making me sick to think that something may have happened to him." Padmé told the woman who moved out of the kitchen and into the living area to join her.

Geeta was unsure what to say for several moments. She placed a consoling hand on Padmé's shoulder and said, "I know how frightening this must be for you Milady. But your husband is one of the strongest and most powerful men in the Galaxy, and I do not doubt that he would cross the whole of Hoth to be with you and your children. I am sure he will be home soon. You should try and get some sleep, Milady. Think of your little one as well." she added with a small smile.

Padmé wiped away the tears that were threatening to fall down her cheeks as she looked at the kind woman and said, "Thank you Geeta. I will retire soon. I'm just going to stay up for a little while, maybe try and leave a message on his comm to check on him." She added, forcing a small smile.

"If you are sure Miss Padmé. Is there anything I can get for you before I retire, Milady?" Geeta asked kindly.

"No, thank you Geeta. Thank you so much for all you have done, I am truly grateful." Padmé said sincerely, smiling at her as she bowed slightly before departing for her quarters down the long corridor.

"Where are you, Anakin?" Padmé said aloud quietly, unable to stop the sinking feeling that was rising within her. Deciding her ruminations were getting her nowhere she made her way to Anakin's office to attempt to contact him. She knew there was no chance she would get any sleep until she had heard from him and knew he was safe.

Padmé sat at her husband's desk and input his comm frequency, hoping he would answer, and her worries would be calmed by the reassurance of his response. She was distressed to get no reply but concluded that if he were in a meeting or with the Emperor, he would be unable to answer the call. She released a heavy sigh as she fell back into the large chair and ran a hand through her tousled brown locks.

Anakin was broken from his unconscious state by his navigation panel's incessant beeping, informing him that he had entered Alderaani airspace and his shuttle was preparing to land at his establishments. He groaned as the intense pain he was in overwhelmed him again, but he was grateful that he was going to be home with his family, and he could treat his wounds once he knew they were safe.

Padmé was broken from her reverie by the computer panel's incessant beeping, informing her that a shuttle had entered the landing port of the establishments. Immediately, Padmé got up from her chair and ran straight towards the hangar bay, her heart thumping painfully in her chest.

Anakin pushed himself up from the cabin chair and opened the shuttle hatch, slowly descending the ramp into the hangar bay of his establishments. He was shocked to be greeted by his wife, who had a clear look of concern on her face.

"Anakin!" Padmé shouted, reaching him as he staggered down the shuttle ramp.

"Padmé." He said, his voice a faint whisper as he fought to remain conscious.

"What happened to you? Oh my God, Anakin!" Padmé cried, as she saw blood dripping from her husband's boots and cape.

"Help me get to our chambers Padmé. I can heal myself. Just … just help me get there." He replied weakly as he began to walk down the long hallway towards their bedchambers.

"No. You need to go to the medical bay, Anakin. You need to see someone." Padmé begged. "Why didn't you get help on Coruscant? Why have you come back straight away?" Padmé asked, as she struggled to support the weight of her husband's nearly unconscious body as they staggered forward.

"No, Padmé. I just need to lie down … rest. I can heal … myself." He whispered; his voice barely audible.

Padmé could hardly see in front of her, for the tears that glossed over her eyes were blurring her vision. She had so many questions to ask him; What had happened? Who had done this to him and why? Why had he come straight back?

Padmé helped Anakin get to their bedchambers and he stumbled onto their bed, grateful to have finally arrived at his desired destination. "Let me help you." Padmé said desperately, trying to control her torrid emotions. She moved over to her husband and as gently as possible started to remove his boots, cloak and outer shirt. She ran into the fresher and retrieved several cloths and a bowl of warm water.

When Padmé returned she realised the wounds had to be located on his back, for their bed was now stained with blood. She moved a pillow under his head and tried to make him comfortable, as she said to him, "You need to help me get your shirt off Ani. I need to tend to your wounds."

By this point Anakin was hardly able to hear his wife and had his eyes shut, trying to draw on the Force to help him cope with the pain. He forced himself up enough so that he could start to remove his shirt that was dripping in his blood, as Padmé helped him get it over his head. She quickly brought a cool cloth to his forehead, trying to cool him down, feeling how his tortured body was burning up.

It took every ounce of Padmé's restraint to not lose control and break down completely as she focused her mind on the task at hand. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and said, "Anakin, I need you to roll over, I need to see your wounds, please." She begged, wanting to do all she could, hoping she had not made an error in bringing him here instead of insisting on him going to the medical bay.

Wordlessly, Anakin complied, rolling onto his side as he released a loud groan of obvious pain. Padmé could not hide the gaps that escaped her lips, following by several cries of despair as she looked upon her husband's injuries. He had at least a dozen open wounds on his back, some of which were so deep she was sure had ripped through his muscles. "Oh, Anakin." Padmé cried, as she dipped a cloth into the bowl of warm water and started to dab at the wounds. "Who did this to you?" she asked as floods of tears cascaded down her cheeks. She religiously continued to wash each his heinous wounds, as well as all the blood that had stained his chest, stomach and neck. Anakin had not said a word for a long time, and Padmé was unsure whether he was unconscious or in a meditative state trying to heal himself. Overwhelmed by the amount of blood, Padmé walked into the fresher to wash her hands and arms that were covered in her husband's blood. She returned moments later with a clean bowl of warm water, and she resumed her position kneeling beside the bed next to her husband as she again started to clean his wounds. Her eyes were again drawn to the large scars on his back that read her name, and her heart broke thinking of all her husband had suffered at the hands of the Emperor. Soon he will pay for all he has done, to Anakin, to this family, to the Galaxy, Padmé thought.

It didn't take long before Padmé started to see that several of the wounds appeared to look smaller and had began to close, leaving only a small and faint mark as a reminder. She could not believe what she was seeing, as she had never seen Anakin use the Force to heal himself like this and had only seen his healing powers once used on her after the explosion. Soon after, a combination of exhaustion and the shocking bombardment of emotions that she had experienced overwhelmed her, and she felt her body succumb to sleep as she rested her head against the bed as she remained kneeling on the floor.

Several hours later, Anakin peeled his eyes open, the events that had transpired since his arrival back at his establishments a bit of a blur. It did not take him long to realise, however, that he owed everything to his wife, who he was shocked to see appeared to be asleep in uncomfortable position right beside him. An immediate wave of emotions hit him as he realised that Padmé had not left his side and had tended to his wounds whilst he had dived deep into the Force to heal himself. He got up off the bed slowly, still feeling fatigued from the torture he had endured and the taxation of healing his injuries. Anakin immediately noted that their bed was covered in his blood and concluded he did not want his wife to be sleeping there. Effortlessly, he lifted Padmé into his arms and carried her out of their bedchambers and down the corridor to one of the several spare rooms the establishments had to offer. Anakin couldn't help but admire his wife's sleeping form as he placed her down on the bed gently and pulled the covers up over her, before joining her in the bed. He immediately felt drawn to her warm presence and pulled her in close, his arms wrapping around her softly but protectively.

"Ani." Padmé whispered, half asleep, clearly believing she was dreaming.

Anakin kissed her bare shoulder softly and whispered, "I'm right here Angel, I'm just fine. Sleep now."

Clearly exhausted by all that had transpired, Padmé exhaled deeply and fell back to sleep, comforted by the feeling of her husband's arms around her.

The next morning, Padmé awoke to the sun breaking through the small gap in the curtains that covered the large bedroom window. She squinted and brought a hand over her eyes, as a sudden wave of confusion hit her. What happened last night? She thought to herself. Anakin! He was injured! She realised, panic filling her. She looked around the room quickly, confusion filling her again as she realised, she was not in her and Anakin's room. She rubbed her eyes tiredly as she turned to look at the other side of the bed, which she noted looked as though it had been slept in, but she was now alone.

Padmé felt her anxiety grow as she got out of bed and exited the bedroom, realising the room she was in, was down the corridor from the master bedroom her and Anakin shared. Wanting answers, she walked into the room and found it empty, but also noted that the bed had been stripped of all its sheets. Blood. The bed was covered in blood, Anakin's blood! She remembered suddenly, the vision playing vividly in her mind. Padmé saw that the glass doors out to the balcony were open slightly, and she hoped she would find her husband out there and get some answers about last night. She was disappointed when she saw no sign of her husband on the balcony and she ran a hand through her hair in frustration. Her nightgown and hair blew softly in the wind as Padmé took a minute to calm herself and look out at the beautiful view the balcony offered her as the warm sun started to rise up into the sky.

"I can't decide which view is more beautiful, you or the sunrise." Anakin stated, startling his wife, who turned to see him leaning in the doorway admiring her.

"Anakin!", Padmé exclaimed, as she ran into her husband's arms, the wave of emotions crashing down on her as tears filled her eyes and she said, "You're okay. Last night you ... you ... the blood ... your back." She stammered, struggling to piece together exactly what had happened.

Anakin gently placed his human hand on her warm cheek and smiled softly, "I'm fine Angel. I'm healed now. And I cannot thank you enough for what you did for me last night. I'm so sorry I scared you like that."

Padmé looked at her husband for a moment, simply processing the fact that he was standing before her, clearly alright. Memories of the night before flashed in her mind as she brought her hand to her mouth and let out a small cry. "Anakin, it was horrible. What happened to you? Did the Emperor do that to you?" she asked, needing to know.

Anakin sighed, not wanting to worry her about what had transpired, but he knew she would not let it go until he told her everything. He simply nodded before saying, "He was most … displeased with me." He then continued, "I challenged him on something he said when I met with him following the information we acquired. He was outraged that I would dare to question him, and he punished me for my slander."

"Oh, Anakin!" Padmé cried, her voice breaking as she spoke the words. "I can't believe he did that to you. To make you suffer like that." She couldn't bare to think about how much pain he must have been in, and yet he had returned here straight away instead of seeking treatment on Coruscant. "Why did you come back here immediately? You needed help, Anakin." Padmé asked.

Anakin looked into her doe brown eyes and said, "I questioned the Emperor because he expressed a sense of familiarity with the man who acquired the materials for the Senate bomb. My first thought was I had to return here to you and our children, because I think the Emperor may have been the one who ordered the attack."

Padmé looked at him shocked and then asked, "The Emperor ordered my assassination?" She struggled to string more words together, before she collected herself and asked, "Does he know who I am?"

Anakin shook his head and explained, "I did not get that impression from his thoughts. The Emperor believes that Senator Soruna's usefulness has expired. I have theorised that he planned to eliminate you subtly while I was off world. What he did not consider was that I would return and save you, nor that the assailant would blow up half of the lower levels of the Senate."

"Okay." Padmé replied, trying to process what her husband had said.

Anakin then continued, "If the Emperor knew your real identity, I would not have left that room alive. He knows I rescued Senator Soruna because I felt compelled to my duty as he assigned me to protect you. But if he knew who you were, it would pose an enormous risk to him, and there would be no way he could hide that from me."

"It still doesn't change what he did to you, Anakin. I cannot believe it. I … I thought you were going to die Ani." She stated sadly, tears springing to her eyes again.

Anakin wiped a flowing tear from her cheek with his gloved hand and looked into her eyes intently, "Padmé you know that I would never leave you and the twins unprotected. I promised you I would return and here I am. Besides, my love, you know I am too stubborn to die." He told her with a soft smile.

Padmé smiled back at his statement, knowing he had often said something very similar during the Clone Wars when she would worry about him during his dangerous escapades on rogue planets. "Can I see?" Padmé asked softly, and Anakin knew what she was referring to. Wordlessly, he turned around, so his bare back was facing her. As she had started to see last night, the deep lacerations had healed, leaving only several faints scars to mark where they had been. Padmé couldn't help but lift her hand up to gently caress his back, her fingers resting over where she remembered blood oozing from last night. She couldn't help but be amazed by his abilities; she always knew her husband was an incredible man, but not only had he survived the journey back, despite his injuries, but he had managed to heal himself and appear now as though nothing had happened. Her fingers came to rest next over the biggest scar her husband had, where her name was inscribed on him, as a permanent reminder of the past. But, Padmé remembered what she had told him before about changing it's meaning to a reminder of them finding one another again, and so Padmé gently leaned down and kissed the scars softly.

Anakin closed his eyes, as he felt his wife's lips touch the deep scars on his back. He had spent many years in darkness believing he deserved them, as a hideous reminder of what he had done. But his wife had changed that, she had reminded him of not what he had lost, but of what he had gained in returning to the light, and he was determined to do all that he could to earn such beautiful gifts. A few moments later, Anakin felt her warm lips leave his back and he turned to face her, his large muscular body towering over her petite form.

"I love you, Anakin." Padmé said simply as she smiled up at her husband.

Anakin took Padmé's hand, admiring how beautifully the ring he had got her fit on her slim finger, and kissed it softly. "Words cannot describe how much your love means to me Padmé, and what it has done for me. That you have accepted me for my past mistakes, and that you accepted me long ago when I was a penniless Jedi Padawan. You have given me soon to be three beautiful children, and you love me despite all the unsightly scars and cybernetics I have." He added, gesturing to his gloved hand and eye.

Padmé shook her head and replied, "Anakin, you know that those things have never meant anything to me. I did not care that you had no possessions as a Jedi. All I have ever wanted is your love, nothing more. And as for your scars, you were a war hero Anakin, you fought to liberate worlds in danger and save millions of people, they are a sign of your strength, courage and sacrifice. I have never once looked at you as anything less than the man I love unconditionally because of them." she declared passionately, taking his gloved hand and placing it on her chest. "You have always been able to look into my heart, and if you do that now, you will see that." She promised him.

Anakin kept his gloved hand on her chest, feeling her hand resting on top of his. He closed his eyes and reached into the Force, smiling as he felt her glowing presence in the Force. He could feel how bright and warm her presence was, and he could feel the power of the connection between them, as it had always been; unbreakable. Overwhelmed with love for his wife, Anakin picked her up in arms, her legs wrapping around his bare waist as he moved further out onto the balcony and sat Padmé on the ledge as he moved a hand into her hair and kissed her passionately. Padmé returned the kiss with equal ardour, knowing that after everything she experienced last night, she needed to reconcile her sorrows with his love.

Their kiss broke a few moments later, both of them breathing deeply. Anakin again took his wife's face in his hands and said, "I promise, I will love you every minute of every day for the rest of our lives, Padmé."

Padmé could only smile brightly at his statement, thanking every star in the Galaxy for getting her husband back, and looking forward to the rest of their lives together. She leaned in to kiss him again, their heads at the same height as she sat on the balcony ledge, supported by her husband's strong arms. Anakin broke the kiss surprisingly soon, and Padmé was about to ask why when he lifted her off the ledge to stand next to him and seconds later Luke and Leia ran into the room shouting, "Daddy, daddy, you're home!"

Anakin picked up his children, holding one in each arm and kissing them both softly on the head and said, "Yes, I'm home. I told you I wouldn't be long."

Luke and Leia exchanged a look of curiosity before Luke said, "Daddy, last night, me and Leia could feel you in pain. You were in a lot of pain daddy, and we were scared."

Anakin smiled at his children, not surprised by their admission, knowing how strongly connected they were in the Force. Padmé watched the exchange, wondering what her husband would say to them. She was about to interject before Anakin said, "I pushed myself very hard in my training yesterday young ones. I was a bit silly and tried to do too much. That was what you felt. But as you can see I am fine, and I am back you with you two and your mother."

"That's what mummy said to us last night when we told her that you were in pain." Leia told her father.

Anakin turned to look at his wife, who was smiling softly at her children before Anakin said, "See, I told you, princess. Your mummy is always right."

"And don't forget it." Padmé told them, as she joined her husband and children in a warm embrace. "Now, come on, time for breakfast. Me and the baby are starving." She added. Anakin put his children down, as they ran from the room, eager to arrive first for breakfast. He then took his wife's hand, leading her out of the room and down the corridor.

When the couple arrived in the kitchen, they were greeted by their children, Geeta and Obi-Wan. It was clear to both parents that Obi-Wan had also felt a disturbance in the Force as he looked at Anakin with an expression of equal confusion, and relief. The Jedi Master nodded at Anakin before saying, "Good morning, both of you. I trust your mission was successful Anakin. I am happy to see you back safely."

Anakin nodded back, as he pulled a chair out for his wife at the table and said, "I am glad to be back. I will discuss my findings with you later, Master." He told Obi-Wan subtly, certain the older man would have questions about what he had felt last night.