Introduction
The starfighter's cockpit felt strangely cold after the fiery scorching of Mustafar. Padme sat silently shivering, avoiding her husband's gaze. Thankfully he was occupied by navigating, allowing her time to consider her next move.
Had she made the right choice back on the lava planet? A lifetime in politics had taught her that a single move could have countless cascading effects. But for now, at least, she knew that her family would stay together. That had to be for the best, didn't it?
Besides, there was good in him. She knew it. Hidden beneath all of the fear, anger, and hate, her husband still lived - suffering and shrouded in darkness, but breathing still. She had to believe that.
"Come with me! I am more powerful than the Emperor; I can overthrow him! And together we can rule the galaxy. Remake it in our own image!"
"Anakin - " Padmé began to refuse, already weeping at his power-crazed delusions when an alternate plan began to half form itself in her mind. "If I come with you...if I agree to your plan...the killing of innocents must stop." Her voice caught as she remembered the horrors he had committed against the younglings. No, not just younglings, children! Mere infants, some of them.
The new Darth Vader glowered, thrown by this ultimatum. He considered her compromise. He knew that he'd follow his master's every command, regardless of her requests.
For now. Until he'd obtained the knowledge he needed. The knowledge she needed him to gain.
"I give you my word," he finally agreed, knowing his promise was a lie. Then holding out a black-gloved hand to her, "Come with me, my love. This place is not safe for you. I'll take you home to Naboo where we can prepare for our child."
Padmé swallowed back the unfamiliar fear her husband's change had brought forth, took a deep, calming breath, and stepped forward to take his hand. They boarded the ship in silence, a twisted half-smile on Anakin's face, and a single evaporating tear on his wife's.
What neither of them knew was that a third party had overheard the couple's agreement. Before Obi-Wan made to exit the Nubian Cruiser in which he had stowed away, he'd been stalled, sensing Padmé's inner conflict. Instead of continuing down the gangplank, Obi-Wan paused by the door, listening for his opportune moment to arrive.
Hearing of their truce he despaired. So, she had embraced the darkness as well, had she? Obi-Wan felt their betrayal deep within his body, hot and aching like an infection.
His plan of open attack would no longer do in this case. Padmé would try to defend him and he could not risk her life; however darkened, she was still unarmed, with child, and (so far) an innocent. And she had, after all, endeavored to put an end to the massacre, (though Obi-Wan knew well his former apprentice's willingness to break his word).
Thinking fast, he levitated a small homing beacon stealthily onto the hull of their starship. He would catch up with Anaki- no, Vader! He must remind himself that Anakin no longer existed if he could possibly manage to complete this mission!
He would catch up with Darth Vader at his next destination and wait for a chance to catch him alone.