A/N: First, thank you for the wonderful reviews and follows! It is so encouraging to a writer when feedback is given, and I read every single review. If you haven't reviewed yet, please consider doing so. I have a lot of the outline sketched out, but if you have a suggestion that I really like, I would be happy to incorporate it at least in part into the plotline. If you have friends that love reading fanfiction, please share the story with them so we can see if we can get this story to at least one hundred follows! With that being said, please enjoy the new chapter!

Feeling guilty from getting into a screaming match with a man she hated was probably one of the most confusing and stressful things that Padmé had ever experienced. Why was it her fault for speaking the truth? She hadn't felt that he cared for her. Her incarceration told her that he didn't, so how was she supposed to know that he had actual feelings beyond lust? Furthermore, she had been shocked when he admitted that he still cared for her. What had he possibly meant by that? That coupled with the question he asked that she didn't remember him was mind boggling. Of course, she would remember if she had met Vader, his imposing form and ghoulish appearance with his damned macabre attire was not something that she would have been able to forget.

Still, the Sith Lord had seemingly been avoiding her for several days now. She had seen him through the windows, speaking with his personal guard, so she knew he was still at his estate. He most certainly was angry with her, but instead of taking it out on her by cursing her or forcing her against a wall, he was avoiding her like he was some damned teenage boy, upset that his crush had offended him. Not that she knew much about that, she had been the Queen when she was in her teens, unable to date like a normal girl that was in her coming of age. Damn, could he just yell at her already so she could feel better about the situation?

"What's wrong, Padmé?"

She opened her eyes and sat up on the chair she had been lounging on in one of the estate's many living areas. Her handmaiden was so intuitive about her mood that it was comforting and annoying at the same time. Did every relationship she was in have to be so bipolar?

"Nothing much, Dormé. I'm just wondering why our warden hasn't spoken with me over the last few days since our argument", she said. "I suppose I deserve it; I did lay into him with my fists like he was a damned sparing bag. Maybe I should simply feel lucky that he didn't slice off my head with his lightsaber." It wasn't terrible to view the outcome of the argument like that, it was the truth.

"Maybe it's because you said that you both cared for one another in a sick fashion?", Dormé offered. "If he does have feelings for you, which is still somewhat unappealing, your outburst of how you still hated him may have hurt his feelings. Although, it's hard to imagine that Vader has feelings at all."

That was an intelligent way to put it. A man like Vader shouldn't have feelings except for the desire to kill and maim others, taking a perverse pleasure in doing so. Isn't that what he had said he did? It most certainly was the truth, so how could he possibly have tenderness towards her in his heart? Furthermore, why would he be unable to kill her even if he had to? That admission had been touching to her, comforting in some odd way that had told her it was safe to care for him. Humph. Thinking that she was safe with Vader was so moronic, but it felt right. It felt real.

"If that's the case, then I still don't have the evil man figured out. I would've figured that he was used to me telling him how much I hate him, so it confounds me that he got tiffed when I told him that I didn't believe that he cared for me", Padmé wondered aloud. "Still, there's something that I'm missing, some piece that is crucial to all of this. It's like that deep down inside, I know what it is, but I'm unable to bring it to the forefront of my mind."

"What about when he assumed that you didn't remember him?", Dormé inquired. "When would you have met him and why would it be so important that he became upset when you didn't remember?"

That was an excellent question and why Padmé loved using her dear friend as a sounding board. "I don't know, Dormé. I was actually thinking of that question before you rousted me. I would have certainly remembered meeting him, or even a man like him. I've never met someone so harsh yet able to be so damned sensual in my life. Of course, there was Anakin, but he was more cocky than harsh, and genuinely seemed to care for me once we had made it through the hells of the shadowlands. I'll never forget how sad he was when he said goodbye to me. Hell, I was sad too." She had to bat a tear from her eye from recalling the emotional memory.

Damn, she hated this. It was enough that she had to contend with being locked away for the rest of her life, now she had to deal with a man that seemed to want her for more than her body. It was glaringly obvious that was the case, even if he wasn't a rapist, if he was just a touch more aggressive in the way he touched her, maybe grabbed her erogenous zones even, that she would probably give herself up to him freely. But he most certainly knew this as he knew how strongly she desired him, yet he chose not to act on it aside from his sensual body rubs and flaming hot kisses.

"I remember", Dormé said softly. "I had been so worried when I woke up and you weren't there, just to have you walk in looking like you had your heart ripped to shreds."

The two women were silent for a moment. There was a cold wind blowing harshly outside against the polished stone walls of the estate, adding to the ambiance of the Dark Lord's manor.

"Maybe it's time for us to go to sleep", Dormé said as she stifled a yawn.

Sleep was the last thing on Padmé's mind. She looked at her friend and noticed the dark circles under her eyes. Maybe she hadn't been sleeping that well either, choosing not to complain about it, when she had every right to do so.

"I'm not feeling quite tired enough to turn in just yet, Dormé, but you look exhausted", Padmé told her friend. "But off with you, try and get some rest."

"Are you certain you'll be alright down here by yourself?", Dormé asked.

Padmé let out a short chuckle. "Vader is ignoring me and there's a full platoon of soldiers guarding the outside, I'm fairly certain that I've never been safer in my life. Go on, off with you."

"Alright", Dormé said as she rose. "But you come wake me if you need anything. Goodnight, Padmé."

"Goodnight, Dormé", Padmé said as she smiled up at her friend.

After her best friend left to travel to her room, Padmé found herself lost in thought again. Vader was becoming the bane of her existence, the one person that consumed her every waking thought to the point where he was becoming an obsession. This was awful. She should be working at her job rather than being secluded in some posh mansion until she withered away. What of her family? Were they told of her fate? Surely, they would have tried to reach her once the news of Bail Organa and the other senators had been broadcasted as they knew what kind of mentor, he had been to her as a once junior member of the senate.

Some mentor. Bail wanted her to fuck her way around high command, but then when she warned him that Vader was onto them all, he had left without telling her of his plans. What kind of man would do such a thing? He may be heroic to other members of the Rebellion for leading the charge against the Empire, but he was nothing but a coward to her.

She supposed she had been a coward where Vader was concerned, until the other day at least. Hitting him so many times had felt empowering, yet it saddened her beyond belief. As twisted as it was, they did care for one another, perhaps in the unhealthiest of ways, but they still cared. Now he was ignoring her, and it was pissing her off. She had the mind to stalk to his bedchambers and demand that he speak to her so they could clear the air and move past that dreadful argument.

In fact, that's exactly what she would do, gods dammit. Having made up her mind, she shot to her feet and the sound of her heels echoed throughout the first floor. She came to the lift and stabbed the button for the fifth floor, determined to carry out her plan before she lost her nerve. It was late at night, very late. Vader could possibly be asleep, well, assuming he slept that is. Still, she would wake his ass up if she had to, maybe he would forget to cover his face with that damned hood.

After the lift doors opened, she rounded the corner to the east wing and marched towards the end of the hall where Vader's bedchambers no doubt were. After walking for a few moments, she spied a pair of double doors that were eerily similar to the ones that led into the library. Once she reached them, she took a deep breath to steel her nerves before she raised her fist to pound on the door loudly. Nothing. Was he even in there? He had to be; it was probably the only place aside from the third floor where he could hide from her.

There was silence. She pounded on the door again, this time louder, until it made her hand hurt. Still, nothing. A grizzled combat veteran like him couldn't be a heavy sleeper, he would probably awake to the sound of a needle dropping. As she raised her fist to knock on the door a third time, both doors swung inward, revealing the daunting presence of Lord Vader in all his glory.

"I thought Threepio told you never to come here unless you were invited", Vader growled.

Padmé scoffed. "I wouldn't have to come here if you hadn't been ignoring me since our fight. It's late, and I'm tired, but I'm more tired of us not speaking to each other", she said with her chest puffed out. Was this a potentially dangerous move? Yes, it was. Did it matter to her at this point? No, it most certainly did not.

Vader growled and reached a gloved hand underneath his hood to presumably rub his face. "Do you realize that you're the most aggravating woman that I've ever encountered?", he growled.

"I'll take that as a compliment, Lord Vader", she said acidly. "Now, are you going to invite me in, or are we going to stand here all night?"

Vader huffed and stood to the side, as an invitation for her to come in her in. She strode into the bedchambers and was astounded at the size of it. It was massive, decorated artfully with shelves of books, sculptures, and other trinkets that appeared to have come from many different cultures throughout the galaxy. Immediately before her was an overstuffed leather couch that had a caff table in front of it with a decanter and several glasses, one of which was halfway filled. There was a holoprojector in front of the couch, that she guessed had been switched on prior to her knocking. Had Vader been relaxing? She figured that he would have been meditating about some dark art not having a damned drink and watching a holofilm.

"I like to enjoy a quiet moment like everyone else, Senator", Vader grumbled as he went to reclaim his spot on his couch. "Just because I'm a damned Sith Lord doesn't mean I don't have the need for some alone time."

"Then why did it take you so long to answer the door?", Padmé questioned with her hands on her hips. Damn, she felt like a silly girl upset that her boyfriend didn't answer the comms right away.

"Well, I was wearing a little less than this", he replied as he waved his hand over his usual tunic, cloak, and calf length leather boots.

Damn, he had been in a comfortable state of undress. That was something she would've liked to see.

"You've seen me wearing nothing but a nightgown before, it'd only be fair if I got to see you wearing whatever it is you wear when you're trying to relax", she said brazenly. "You were cocky after you told me that you knew I saw you swimming, so obviously you're not ashamed of your body."

Vader moved his head like he was rolling his eyes. "What I was wearing would've looked damned foolish underneath this cursed robe and hood, Senator", he said with a touch of sarcasm. Good. She could deal with sarcasm.

"There would've been an easy way to remedy that, my dear Sith Lord", Padmé said sweetly. "Just don't wear the damned robe, and you would've had your solution." Seriously, were they going to get into this circular argument yet again?

"Is that what you came here to talk to me about at this ungodly hour?", Vader asked as he crossed his arms. "If so, I wouldn't have opened the damned door."

"Partly, but like I said, I'm here to talk so you can stop avoiding me", Padmé said as she stomped her heel on the hardwood floor. Seriously, did he not listen? If not, he must not be as good with women as she thought. Women wanted to be listened to, not ignored.

Vader looked away for a moment as if considering his next move and Padmé braced herself in case he shot to his feet and threw her out of his bedchambers. She would like to think that she would be able to dig her feet into the floor and not move, but he was twice her body weight in pure muscle, so he would be able to pick her up and throw her out like a ragdoll.

"Sit", he said as he indicated to the spot next to him.

Padmé thrust her chin up victoriously and sat down with femininity and poise.

Vader bent forward and refilled his glass with the amber colored liquor. "Care for a drink?", he asked.

"I don't normally touch hard liquor unless it's a celebration but seeing how I made it into the belly of the beast, I might as well celebrate that", she said flippantly.

"I should've never admitted that I wouldn't kill you, you've become too damned bold", Vader said as he poured her a drink and handed it to her. "But that doesn't mean you shouldn't be afraid of me either."

"I'm still afraid of you, Milord. I'm just hoping that we can clear the air between us", Padmé said before taking a sip of her drink. "You terrify me in ways that I've never thought possible. You're a harsh man, but one that I admittingly am beginning to care for even though I hate the very ground you walk on."

Vader was silent for a moment as he brought his glass underneath his hood for a long drink. Was it really that difficult for him to talk to her now? Feelings always complicate things. They were atrocious. The reason that she shied away from relationships.

"You are right to be afraid of me", he said menacingly. "Everyone is right to be afraid of me."

"Is that what you want? For everyone to be afraid of you?", Padmé asked, trying to understand what he was getting at.

Then something happened that shocked Padmé to her very core. Vader stripped off the glove on his right hand and placed it behind her neck, massaging her tense muscles. She let loose a soft moan at his touch. His hand was warm, yet rough. Like he was accustomed to using it in the most laborious of ways. What about that was so familiar? It made her feel like she had unearthed an old connection that she had long since buried into the deepest corners of her mind.

"Does my touch please you?", he asked in his gods damned deep voice.

"You know it does", she breathed. "But you're not going to get out of answering just because you're touching me with your bare hand, no matter how wonderful it feels."

He sighed as he kept massaging her. "There was a time where I didn't want people to fear me, I merely wanted to be seen as dangerous. People did find me dangerous, especially when I would encounter them on moonlit nights."

Okay, what the hell? "That sounds so damned specific, it makes me think that you're trying to make a point, Milord", Padmé said as she inched closer to him so he could have easier access to her backless dress. She craved to feel his rough hand on more of her fair skin, she needed it.

But he didn't speak. His hand just traveled lower in between her shoulder blades, his callused fingers moving in a circular motion. She sat there, quivering from his touch. Her desire was building as the warm and tingly sensation overcame her. She wanted him. No, she needed him, badly. After making a decision, she downed her drink with a cough and set her glass on the table.

"That'll go straight to your head", Vader mumbled as he shifted himself closer to her. "You should be more careful drinking like that if you don't partake in hard liquor very often."

Was he showing concern for her? Whatever was to happen next? Regardless, he was right, she was feeling a little lightheaded from taking such a large drink.

"You know, you remind me of someone", she said suddenly. "Someone I met several years back on Kashyyyk. Have you ever been there?" The pressure of his touch increased, but in a pleasing way that caused her to sigh in need. It seemed like that got a reaction out of him, but the chances of him having been to such a backwater planet were relatively slim. The CIS had been pushed back from Kashyyyk well before Vader had assumed command of the military.

"I have", he admitted. "Several times in fact." He paused for a moment. "Who do I remind you of?" It wasn't jealousy that she detected; it was something else she couldn't quite place. He set his drink down and tugged the glove on his left hand off with his teeth. He reached down to her waist and turned her, pulling her up against him so he could rub both her shoulders.

"Who do I remind you of?", he hissed in her ear. Gone was the gentleness from his voice. Vader was now acting like the seducer she had encountered before, and it made her wonderfully nervous.

"A-A man named Anakin", she stammered. "He h-had saved my l-life when I fell from one of the trees."

Vader emitted a low growl, and she felt his teeth graze her shoulder. "And what happened between the two of you?", he demanded. "I'll know if you're lying, Senator."

Oh gods, what had she done? Had coming to his room been a colossal miscalculation? She felt a new wave of terror overcome her that riveled her need for him. As if he could read her thoughts, and he probably could, he slipped his left arm around her waist, securing her against him as he began nipping at her soft flesh hard enough to make her yelp.

"I'm waiting, Senator", Vader said in her ear, taking a break from his nips. She could feel his hot breath on her, his breathing almost labored like a large beast anticipating its meal.

"W-We made love, Milord", she admitted, fearful that he would be driven into a jealous rage. He possessed her, wanted her desire to overcome her hatred so she would give into him. Surely, he would be angered that another man had touched her in ways that he hadn't.

"Really", he hissed. "What kind of man was he that you allowed him to touch you in such ways?"

Kriffing hell, he was jealous. She began to panic as his left arm tightened further around her waist. He moved her hair to the side and nipped hard at the nape of her neck, causing her to cry out and arch her back.

"Milord, please", she whimpered.

"Your pleas won't work anymore, Senator. Now answer the damned question", Vader said harshly.

"He… He could use the F-Force like you, Milord. He had a lightsaber with a red blade", she gasped. Vader slowly moved his right hand in front of her and wrapped it around her throat, squeezing gently. She whimpered and pressed her back up against him, trying to let him know that she was with him at the moment, not Anakin.

"That doesn't tell me what kind of man he was", Vader hummed in her ear. "You're not pleasing me by eluding my questions. You want to be a good girl and please me, don't you?"

"All I want to do is please you", she whispered. "Please, Milord, can't we just focus on the two of us? There's no need to bring up another man while we're together."

Vader squeezed her neck harder, pulling her closer to him. "You're the one who brought this Anakin up, Senator. Now you must pay the price for trying to make me jealous. If you want to please me, then answer my fucking question."

He loosened his grip on her throat and she felt blood rush back to her oxygen deprived brain. "A-Anakin was cocky, brash, but kind, Milord", she whimpered in complete terror. The more she divulged of Anakin the more jealous he would get, but there wasn't any way she could get out of talking about him now.

"Interesting", Vader said arrogantly. "You let brash men touch you if they show kindness to you. Haven't I not shown kindness to you by having you live here instead of a prison cell?"

There was generosity in that, she supposed. But Vader wasn't kind or warm. He may have admitted that he cared about her, and as intoxicating as his actions were now, they were far from kind.

"You've shown generosity", she said, hoping that he would accept the answer. She placed her left hand on his, hoping to reassure him through the skin to skin contact. She didn't belong to Anakin. At the moment, she belonged to Vader.

"Generosity is different from kindness, Senator. This Anakin does sound interesting. Did you have true feelings for him?", he asked as he flexed his fingers around her throat warningly.

Did she truly have feelings for him, or had she merely been grateful that he rescued her from so much danger? No, she wasn't some damsel that would thank her savior with sex. She had cared for him. As silly as it was, she cared for him more than any other man.

"I-I did, Milord", she admitted as tears began flowing from her eyes. "But he left me to go on whatever adventure that Sith's go on."

"Don't cry, Senator", Vader murmured into her hair, showing a tiny bit of gentleness amidst his roughness. He was so confusing.

"I can't help it", she said. "Please don't be angry with me, he was the second man I had ever been with." She kept herself from saying that he was the only real man that she had been with, but that would anger him more.

"Did many men follow after him?", he asked as he applied slightly more pressure to her throat.

Padmé let out a sob. "N-No, Milord. Only one, but shortly after he had his way with me, he broke up with me", she said as more tears poured from her eyes. "That's why I told you I don't know how to please you."

Vader became deathly still for a moment. "What was this coward's name?", he asked suddenly. "You will tell me his name, right now."

What? Why did he want to know his name? Surely, there wasn't a reason… oh no, he wants to kill him. He's angered that he left her after getting she let him have his way with her. Hell, she was angry with him too, but she didn't have a murderous thought about him.

"Milord, please, it isn't that large of a concern", she pleaded.

Vader growled in her ear like a madman. "Tell me his fucking name or I'll rip it from your mind, Senator", he snarled.

Could he really do that? Of course, he could. He knew that she was plotting with the Rebellion when they first met. He could rip it from her mind in a heartbeat. "R-Rush Clovis, Milord. Please, Milord… Don't h-hurt him", she whispered. "I-If you care about me, don't hurt him."

"I will do as I wish", he growled as he nipped her ear, causing her to whimper. "It would please me to exact revenge on your behalf, and we both know you whish to please me, isn't that right, Senator?"

What a cocky asshole. So cocky he reminded her of Anakin. "I want to please you", Padmé said. "But it would weigh on my conscience. I can please you in other ways, I just need to figure out how. You're so much more experienced than I", she said, hoping to steer the conversation away from Clovis, even though she had no fond feelings for him.

"I suppose that's a good idea", Vader rumbled. "But I enjoy your lack of experience to the point where it excites me. Reach behind you and place your hand on my lap, Senator."

What! Why would she need to do that? Unless… Oh gods, he wanted her to… "Milord, that seems so lustful", she whispered as her voice shook. She didn't know if she could do that, not yet at least. He was still a man that she despised, even though she was beginning to develop feelings for him.

"I thought you said you wanted to please me", Vader said as he tightened his grip on her throat. "It appears you were lying, and I detest lying."

Padmé felt herself try and yelp, but her airway was mostly blocked, emitting a gasping noise. Vader released the pressure on her neck, just enough to let her breath freely again. "Alright, Milord", Padmé said in the sultriest voice that she could manage given the circumstances. She reached behind her and her hand drifted to her lap. She felt his rock hard member through his heavy combat trousers. "Oh my gods, you're very large Milord."

"That's what you do to me every time we touch, Senator", Vader said in an almost softer tone. "As much as I would like to have you take care of that problem, we both know you're not ready."

He released her neck and waist and turned her towards him. "Do you feel better now that we've had a nice little chat?", he asked.

She actually did, even though she was partly terrified the entire time. "I do, Milord", she said submissively. "But we haven't kissed." Her voice was at a pout.

"Someone is needy", he said amused.

"I've heard that before, in that exact voice", she said suddenly. "You've never said that to me before, but I distinctly remember hearing that."

Vader sat motionless, like he was stunned. He didn't move, and she could barely hear him breathe. She was onto something. "Unless, you have told me that before", she said accusingly. "Unless there's been an event between us where you've been so lustful, so sensual to me. I can't for the life of me figure out when you would've said that to me, but I know you did. I'm certain of it."

"Shut up, Senator", Vader growled as he grabbed her and planted a kiss on her roughly. She cried as he worked his mouth over hers like it was the very first time, he kissed her. The feeling of euphoria came to her again, she just didn't know what to make of it. Why in the hell was he so damned irresistible? Why did she desire him so?

The kiss lasted for several minutes, causing Padmé to forget her train of thought as the warm feeling in her intensified. She was quickly losing herself to his desire, unable to stop it. When Vader pulled back, her lips were swollen from the harsh kiss, and her head spun.

"Is that better for you?", he mumbled. "Are you satiated for now?"

"Humbly, Milord", Padmé gasped as she struggled to steady her breath.

"Then go to your bedroom, and maybe we can resume these activities later when you're a little bolder, Ang – Senator", he whispered.

No. He was about to call her something that she remembered quite vividly. "What were you going to call me?", she demanded. Again, Vader was silent for a moment, obviously trying to think of what to say. She wouldn't leave until you told her.

"I was going to call you Amidala, but I stopped myself as I was mispronouncing it. Now go, and I'll see you in the morning", he said.

This was unbelievable. He detested lying, but she easily saw through his lie. She rose to her feet and walked to the door "You're a hypocrite", she whispered. She didn't even waste her time to wait for his response. She merely went to the door and left his bedchambers, unwilling to hear more from him.

She walked to her room, her mind whirling. What the fuck had he meant by stopping herself as he was going to say what she thought he was going to say? Did Anakin meet him and tell him that he called her Angel? Had Vader been so jealous of Anakin's tryst with her that he had killed him? No, Anakin didn't seem the type to share his exploits. Not one time while they were together did she hear him boast about the women he'd been with and neither did Vader.

Aggravated, she skipped her shower and tore her dress off, sliding under the sheets in her lacy underwear. She closed her eyes, exhausted from the encounter, and had no problems finding sleep. Instead of dreaming good dreams, she dreamt of Anakin and Vader, identifying how similar they were. How they were essentially the same person.

…

"So, how did last night go?", Dormé asked as she munched on her breakfast. Padmé as usual had a light breakfast of fruit, unwilling to fill her belly full of eggs and meat.

"What do you mean?", she asked indifferently. She didn't want to get into the terrifyingly hot encounter with Vader, not in the slightest.

"Padmé Naberrie, I know you too well than to think you sulked on that damned couch all night. You went to see Vader, so don't you dare deny it." Damn her. Why did it always seem like she could read her mind?

"I did go to see him. It was a sensual experience, but one that made me fearful at the same time. He made me admit about Anakin and Clovis. He seemed intrigued at Anakin yet angered about Clovis. He also nearly called me an angel", she said casually as if she was telling Dormé that they were running low on milk. She didn't want her friend to get all excited at the development.

Dormé dropped her silverware with a clatter. So much for her not being excited. "Padmé, isn't that what Anakin had called you?", she asked breathlessly.

Of course, it was what Anakin had called her. Her memories of him were fading, but she distinctly remembered that. "It is, but Vader's traveled to so many places, maybe he went to the moons of Lego and saw the angels."

"Then why would he call you that if he's never done so before?", Dormé questioned.

Padmé didn't know. It was very confusing to her, incredibly confusing. "I'll have to find out", she admitted. "I'm nervous to be around him, but I can't help but being near him. He owns a part of m sole now, and I'm hating him less and less, Dormé."

"Padmé, are you developing true feelings for him?", she asked.

"I don't know, maybe I am. Maybe it's simply lust. Only time will tell", Padmé admitted. Time and actions, that is. Many actions.

"Well, please keep me informed, my friend. I cannot stand not knowing how things are progressing. It's really the only excitement that I have within these walls", Dormé admitted.

"Darling, I thought you had privileges to leave under guard?", Padmé asked. Why wasn't her friend taking advantage of the opportunity? She knew that she would.

"Because, I figured that it would make you jealous, and I don't want that", Dormé replied. "I'm not going to go out and have fun, just to leave you here."

"Love, you going outside these walls isn't going to make me jealous. I agreed to have you come here under that stipulation. Take advantage of it and go shopping or have dinner at a restaurant. Let loose a little bit. You said the Death Troopers you encountered were polite, so I'm sure they'll be accommodating. Please, do it for me", Padmé implored. She was not about to have her friend feel guilty for continuing to have a life under any circumstances.

Dormé looked at her plate sullenly. "Alright, Padmé. Maybe I'll pop out later this afternoon for a bit and go shopping. Would you like for me to get you anything?"

Padmé thought for a moment and an idea popped into her head that baffled her yet excited her. "Yes, please get me a lacy nightgown. Something that's tasteful yet sultry. Vader played her enough, it was only fair for turn about to be fair play.

"As you wish, my love", Dormé said with a smirk on her face, knowing Padmé's true intent.

…

Padmé took a walk in the garden, enjoying the smell of the flowers and fruits that were growing. It was peaceful and reminded her of Naboo. She pushed the thoughts of her home from her mind, wanting to simply be free for a little while, even if it meant pacing around the garden. It was large enough to lose herself in, but it wasn't like it wasn't like a large forest to prance around in. It was the next best thing and that's what she would have.

She spotted a pear that was ripe for picking. It looked scrumptious and she couldn't help herself but pluck it from the tree. With a grin, she began to happily munch on it, enjoying the sweet and juicy flavor, but eating it daintily enough to have it not get all over her hand or clothing. Fruit that was freshly picked was always something that she enjoyed, and absent from her time at Five Hundred Republica, where everything she consumed had to be imported from another world.

"It's good to see you eat."

Shit, she couldn't have a moment's peace without Vader stalking her from behind. She rolled her eyes and turned to the Sith Lord who was also admiring the fruit tree.

"I beg your pardon?", Padmé asked. How the hell did he know she was being puckish with her eating? It was none of his business or concern.

"Threepio has told me that you haven't had much of an appetite since coming here. I've been concerned about that as I don't want you to become ill, so please enjoy the fruit", Vader said as he plucked his own pear from the tree, causing Padmé to smile inwardly at his concern over her.

"Well, thank you for caring, Milord", she replied, trying to keep the smile from her voice. Maybe he wouldn't notice, but he probably did.

"As I've said, I still…. Part of me cares for you, so I want you to be healthy", Vader said, obviously catching himself. Padmé let it go for the time being, not wanting to get into an argument with the Sith, so she set the comment aside for the time being.

"I'll do my bet to remain healthy, for myself and you, Milord", she replied. Why the hell did she say that she would keep herself healthy for him? She owed him nothing. Absolutely nothing.

"Good. That pleases me the most", Vader said as he chomped on the delicacy underneath that damned hood of his. The pair finished their fruit in silence, and Vader tossed the core into some shrubbery, causing Padmé to do the same.

"Come on", he said. "There's something else in the garden I think you'll enjoy."

Well, he was certainly being a gentleman today. Maybe last night's sensual encounter put him in a good mood. If that was the case, the article of clothing Dormé was to hopefully buy for her would do wonders when she eventually worked up the courage to wear it for him.

They walked to another portion of the garden that had bushes of berries that were also ripe for the picking.

"Berries are one of my favorite fruits", Vader mumbled. "They come in season only twice a year, so I enjoy them straight from the bushes when I get the time." He plucked a couple from the bush and popped them into his mouth.

Padmé let out a slight giggle as she did the same.

"What's so humorous?", Vader asked incredulously. He was a big boy; he could handle being giggled at.

"You just seem so normal doing these things", Padmé said as she popped more of the fruit in her mouth, enjoying the bursting of flavor as she bit down on them.

"I'm still a man", he grumbled. "I enjoy things just as you, even if I'm a harsh bastard."

Padmé just looked at him and gave him a sad smile. She didn't want to agree with him and possibly hurt him, or lead him into a conversation that would cause a discussion of their feelings. The pair munched on more berries in comfortable silence, which was a rarity. Normally being around each other while not saying anything was awkward and would lead to other things, so Padmé relished the moment while she could.

After they had their fill, Padmé's hands were stained blue from the berries.

"Here, let's go rinse your hands in the fountain", Vader suggested, with a half hearted growl. So, he was trying to be sweet. He wasn't being harsh with her.

They walked to the fountain and Padmé scrubbed her hands in the pool of water beneath it, washing the blue from her hands. "Dry your hands on my cloak", Vader offered.

Padmé did so, touched by the offer. "You're being quite the gentleman", she remarked.

Vader chuckled. "No one has ever called me that, so I would appreciate if you kept it between us."

Now that was also familiar. Anakin had said something familiar about not being humble. Still, she didn't want to break this spell of peace, so she kept her mouth shut. There would be another time to discuss this with him, since she would be here for an eternity.

"I won't say anything", she promised. "Your secrets are safe with me. I must admit, I want you to be comfortable telling me those things." She really did, she had to see what else was behind the evil man's exterior.

"I suppose you'll find out", Vader mused.

They sat on the bench and watched the fountain. "I thought of you last night", she said without thinking. "I thought about how you touched me. I don't really want to get into anything physical right now, but I wanted you to know that", she admitted, not knowing where it came from.

"I thought of you as well. It's entirely difficult to get rid of my problem after we touch", Vader said, somewhat distantly.

"How do you get rid of it, Milord?", Padmé asked curiously. She honestly didn't know how men got rid of an erection, she was that clueless.

Vader barked a laugh. "Let's just say there was some self gratification involved, Senator", he said.

Oh! So that was how. She thanked the stars that he wasn't graphic, or it would've turned her on behind everything. "Well, that's something that I didn't know about, so thank you for sharing."

Vader was quiet for a moment and Padmé began to worry that he was angry with her lack of intimacy in her response. Why did she have to mess up a good thing when it was presented to her, just to ensure that her prude personality was intact?

"I don't always think of you sexually", Vader grumbled. "Sometimes I just think of you as the gorgeous woman you are."

Padmé gasped and blushed. "Please, don't call me gorgeous."

Vader chuckled. "And why not, Senator? Surely, you've heard that many times in your life."

She shook her head. "It makes me self conscious to hear someone say that. I've been called beautiful, but only one man has really called me gorgeous while fully meaning it", she admitted. This conversation was all too familiar. She remembered having it with Anakin before they plummeted from the lower levels of the tree.

"Let me guess, Anakin told you that", Vader said quietly. There was no jealousy in his voice, it was simply a question.

"He did", she said. Where was this conversation going? Why did he feel the need to call her gorgeous? Was this some ploy to swoon her off her feet so he could ravage her? As appealing as the thought was, there was still a long way to go with him before she would give into her desire for him.

"I figured as much", Vader mumbled. "He sounds like he treated you well."

This was so strange, so unexpected. Why was he being so accepting of Anakin, but when he told her of Clovis, he was angered. Nothing about him was making sense to her anymore.

"You know, I'm really starting to see that there are multiple sides to you", Padmé said. "And here I thought I had you figured out."

Vader stiffened. Shit, she had upset him. Why of why was she so inept at talking to him?

"Senator, there's many things about me that you do not know. Things I will tell you when the time is right. Please give me some time to be able to do so as I promise I'll tell you them, just as I've told you that I'll remove my hood for you to see who I am. I just hope you don't hate me anymore than you do now", Vader said with a slight bit of dismay in his voice.

"Milord, Vader, I'm at the point where I don't think I'll hate you anymore than I already to", Padmé chuckled dryly. "When you do show me your face, and I hope it's soon, maybe I'll… maybe I'll desire you even more."

Vader turned his head to her, and gently pulled her into her arms. Padmé's pulse quickened as it always did, and she prepared for an onslaught of her lips, somewhat regretful that things wouldn't turn sexual after their wonderful time that they spent together, just being normal.

Instead of ravaging her, she was floored when he bent down and lightly kissed her. Pressing his lips against hers gently. She returned the kiss and wrapped her arms around his trim waist. She couldn't help but let out a slight moan. The kiss lasted for about a half a minute with them just lightly pressing their lips to one another.

When Vader pulled back, Padmé could've sworn she saw flecks of blue in his eyes, but they disappeared as rapidly as they had appeared. The angle of the sun reflected light underneath his hood and she could see his full lips. The lips that had inflicted so much pleasure upon her. She quivered at the sight.

Vader held her in the embrace for a few moments before he pulled away. "I regretfully have to go to the Senate this evening. I know that may be a sensitive topic to you, but I didn't want you to think I was ignoring you. Maybe tomorrow, we can continue this discussion if you'd like", he said in a low whisper.

Padmé couldn't help but smile. "I think I would like that very much", she said huskily. "I'll be waiting for you."

Vader nodded and stood up, giving her one last look before he marched away in a military fashion. No doubt spurred on by the way that they parted.

Padmé's heart still fluttered, unable to calm herself from such a romantic time that they shared. It was like they had been on a date, and she felt a strange peace, on that she hadn't felt since before she met Vader. She knew that he was still a violent man, and that their encounters wouldn't always be as tender, but it gave her hope for her time with him. If he could be gentle and open at least some of the time, maybe her hate for him would subside just a touch, and that her care for him would grow.

What a damned good day.

A/N: I apologize for the chapter being so short. I wanted to include a little bit more, but figured that this would be a better way of ending the chapter. As always, if you like what you've read, please consider dropping a review and following!