***

Padmé rushed through the corridors as fast as humanly possible, panic flooding her senses, the only thought which retained a remote interest was that of making sure Anakin was alright. She couldn't loose him again. She came to an abrupt halt when she saw him sprinting towards her and towards the docking bay, Commander Darkcloud at his heels.

"Anakin!" she yelled, running into his arms. "They have attacked the main docking bay, I thought you were in there and I was…" she buried her head into his chest, for once putting her feelings, her life, her love, in front of everyone else. For a brief second the world around them halted as he held her to his body, protecting her with his strong arms, assuring her everything was alright.

But as usual, they were denied their reunion as an explosion of sparks filled the hallway with a cloud of dark smoke. "We're being invaded!" Darkcloud yelled as he began running in the opposite direction towards the emergency docking bay where the five command ships were being held. "Let's go," Anakin bellowed over the sound of blaster fire, grabbing his wife by the hand and pulling her down the hallway after the commander.

"What's going on, they've never invaded one of our bases before. What are they after?" Padmé questioned as they entered the docking bay and headed straight for her command ship. She looked to Anakin's intense expression, awaiting his answer only to be provided with her own. "You don't think Ani…" she stammered as they quickly climbed up the loading ramp. The only answer he gave her before heading for the cockpit was a quick kiss on the cheek, leaving Padmé to watch his retreating figure, worry circulating throughout her entire body.

"They won't go near you, not as long as I'm alive." She simply stated to her self confidently as one of her guards whisked her away to the onboard war room where the other senators were congregating.

***

A dark figure on the observation deck of the Imperial Star Destroyer, 'The Alias', stood motionless watching the small rebel base, as if mocking its certain doom. "Captain Tarkin, on my mark, I want full power on the station. I want it blown into oblivion." The figure spoke, his tone unwavering, filled with hate towards the people below.

"But my Lord, it will destroy all life on that sector of the planet, if Skywalker hasn't escaped…" the young man was halted in mid sentence by the figure waving his scolded, mutated hand. "If Skywalker hasn't escaped, then he does not deserve to live. Do as I say Commander, do NOT try my patience." Tarkin stuttered the command quickly, for trying Lord Sidious's patience meant you would never take another breath.

The dark lord chuckled as the green laser beam, hit the temple head one, causing it to erupt into thousands of tiny little sparks. Sidious laughed even harder when he felt the lives of many being cut short, ending in great pain. "That was fun," he said to himself, turning his back on the glass window just in time to miss five command ships jump into hyperspace.

***

"I just don't understand, why would the Imperials invade? Why would they risk their men?" Former Senator Callgaugh of Coruscant asked curiously, stroking his chin with the tip of his finger. Mon Mothma glanced at Padmé, the turned back to the whole council. "They either knew they would win, or they are after something." Senator Ralt shook his head, "We have no weapons, or technology that they have not already acquired, I think we can fairly rule that out." The rest majority of the group nodded in agreement with the Rodian.

"No," Padmé simply stated causing all eyes to focus upon her, Mon Mothma nodding for her to continue. "They were after a person, someone they luckily did not get." The senators looked skeptical, "Who is important enough, or powerful enough, to the empire for them to send an entire stormtrooper regiment to retrieve? Why I don't know of anyone who couldn't be taken by a mere four stormtroopers at that." Callgaugh said, but was disproved by the young senator of Alderann, Bail Organa, "I know someone."

The entire room gazed at the young man in utter disbelief. He continued, his voice filled with spite, "This person actually defeated an entire army of clones single handedly during the war five years ago. I think he could easily take on a simple amount of Stormtroopers." Padmé looked to the ground, remembering those days, Anakin was filled with so much anger and hate. That event was what made him go over the edge, made him fall to the darkside. She also knew Bail wanted her to never forget those days, the days when he was by her side and Anakin wasn't, the days when…she stopped her self as old pain felt fresh.

Bringing her thoughts back to the present was the voice of Bail speaking again, "The man is actually sitting as captain aboard this ship, making us all in terrible danger." He locked gaze with Padmé who stared at him with disgust, but without giving her so much as a nod, he spit out her lovers name with loathing and hate, "Anakin Skywalker."

***

"What a day, huh?" Padmé muttered as she climbed into the hard, small bed she was to share with her husband that night. She only received a short nod is reply from the figure beside her, who continued to attentively read the briefing screen in his hand. She leaned over his shoulder for a peak to see a picture of a planet displayed on the monitor.

"We're headed to the Dagobah system? There is almost nothing there…" Padmé said, halfway to herself. Anakin nodded, "We lost to many men in the last day, so we have agreed to take hiding on Dagobah until Jarred Solo's sector can join with us. They're currently on Dathomir, so we can't expect them for a few days or so." Anakin's reply was distant and emotionless, Padmé hated when he got like this. It reminded her so much of…

She slunk back down to her side of the bed, Anakin noticing her sudden change in mood. "Pad…I'm sorry, it's just today…well it was relatively my fault. It made me remember…" He dropped his data pad to the floor, the sound of it hitting the metal echoed through the small room. Padmé stared at him for a moment, he was gazing steadily at his hands. "What's troubling you?" she finally asked softly, lifting his chin with her fingertips so she could stare into his eyes. He said nothing, his stare never faltering from hers.

She took his hand in hers and finally received a reaction as he ripped his hand from her grip. "Anakin…" she began, but he silenced her with a wave of his hand. "My hands…Padmé….my hands are still covered with the blood of so many innocent people, they don't deserve your embrace. And now here I am again, the cause of destruction, pain…death." His voice was cracking as she noticed tears come to his eyes, the sky blue orbs filling with suffering that had been bottled up for the last four years.

"Pad, we've never actually talked about…what happened, and in light of new events I think now is a good time. I need to know what happened while I was gone, I need you to understand what I did…what I had become. I need…closure, not that I deserve it…" His voice faded, letting silence envelope the chambers once more. Padmé didn't know what to do or say. How could she talk about a time she so wanted to forget. So much pain and agony, so much hate and despair, so much she had put behind her, or at least tried to.

"Anakin…I don't know what you want me to say." She finally managed, her voice soft and shallow as painful memories drifted into her minds eye. "Say what you feel, say I was a monster, say you were in pain, say…say you hated me." She could tell he was saying this through gritted teeth, as she felt the anger radiate off him like smoke off a grass fire. "Ani…" she started, he interrupted abruptly, "Just tell me."

"I didn't hate you, I was…afraid of you, of what you had become." She saw him visibly stiffen, she hated this so, she wanted to hug him, hold him, love him. But she knew he needed this far more, and she was willing to suffer again through those months for him, she was willing to do anything for him. "Everyone wanted you stopped, and they always shared this with me. No one cared about what I felt, I was as bad as you in most eyes, I was the wife of the be…" she stopped herself as he lay back beside her, his eyes empty. "Say it…" he whispered assertively, she nodded, unable to look at him a second longer or she would break into a thousand pieces.

"The wife of the beast…" Anakin quickly shifted his gaze downwards. "But no matter what I couldn't give up hope, couldn't stop loving you, and I hated myself for it. Especially when Sabé was found…" she faded off at the mention of her old, beloved friend. Anakin lost all emotion, "I did it because of Obi-Wan…I wanted to hurt Obi-Wan…" he said softly, Padmé felt numb. "So you did kill her, I always thought maybe, maybe someone was wrong, I held so much hope it was a lie."

Anakin shook his head, "I did…I'm sorry," Padmé felt the grief wash over her, fresh as rain, the pain and horror of finding poor, loving Sabé limp, her left arm gone, lying in the hallway of the Jedi Temple, Obi-Wan kneeling broken beside her. Padmé shook off the feeling and continued, not sure what to make of the man that she had shared her bed with for the last 4 years. "In spite, I couldn't stop loving you, and I found it strange that neither could Obi-Wan," Anakin winced.

"Not long after Sabé's death, right after the Capital was taken by the Empire, I fled to Alderann with a few other senators and Obi-Wan. There I met Bail, he had recently lost his wife and daughter…" Anakin interrupted, "My fault again, I remember their faces…I remember all the faces…" his voice sent chills up her spine, he sounded so hollow, so sullen. No wonder he shifted moods at the slightest mention of those days. She could never carry a burden of so many souls and live. She couldn't imagine…

"Bail didn't blame me for anything, in fact he grieved openly with me and allowed me to do so with him." Padmé choked back tears, afraid to go on for what Anakin might do…but she couldn't carry this inside anymore. "We eventually became more than friends," she felt Anakin's gaze shift to her, "Anakin, I was vulnerable, you were killing so many, we were at war. I didn't know where to go or who to turn to…I…" she nearly broke into tears as Anakin continued to stare. "I knew then you know…" he finally said, causing her to stare at him in utter disbelief.

He took a deep breath and Padmé wasn't sure she wanted to know what he had to say, but against her better judgment she urged him on. "What?" He sighed again, a tear rolled down his cheek. "I knew you were having an affair…with Bail. Sidious told me." He spit the dark lords name out as if it were streaked with famine. "After he told me, I refused to believe so I went to Alderann against his will, which I was later punished for," he said the last phrase while touching his upper chest where Padmé knew a large scar lay. A scar caused by lava being poured upon him, scourging his skin and leaving a hideous trail for eternity.

He continued, "I infiltrated security and snuck into the palace one night…I saw the two of you…in the most compromising position possible." Padmé felt her heart skip a few beats, "Anakin…I…" Anakin shook his head to stop her from continuing, "Let me finish, please. I felt so betrayed, so much hate and anger was inside of me. I wanted revenge…so I…" he choked back a sob, clutching his knees with his arms, "I killed them Padmé…mercifully, I enjoyed it, the power, their fear. Forgive me, please. I…" he collapsed into tears leaving Padmé puzzled by his side.

"Anakin, who…who did you kill?" she asked, hoping she not receive the answer she so dreaded. Anakin looked into her eyes, regret, guilt, every horrible emotion known the man kind hidden in their blue depths. He spoke in a voice so vulnerable, so full of suffering, that it tore her soul into small pieces. "Your Parents, your little brother, your family. I murdered your family…"

***

Bail sat alone in his corridors, reading over the document General Skywalker had sent to all onboard, illustrating their destination. He scanned over the words on the screen but didn't absorb a bit, his thoughts resting on his beloved. She had looked at him with so much disappointment in the meeting earlier that day, but when it came to Anakin, he never seemed to be able to contain himself.

Anakin had taken both of the women in his life, Eyla and Padmé, not to mention his little angel, Gabrielle, his pride and joy, his little baby. To be frank, he couldn't stand to be in the same room as him for a long period of time. In his mind, Anakin Skywalker was menace to society and shouldn't ever have been aloud to survive. He was a cold blooded murderer. He saw him kill, he knew his style. Anakin would show no mercy, laugh as the people pleaded for their lives, thrive o their fear. He was a monster, a beast.

Yet Padmé loved him with all her heart. And Bail loved Padmé with all of his. He couldn't understand why she had returned to the monster, why she now made her bed with him, why she remained married to such a cold blooded killer. Bail had offered her so much, to once again be queen, to have her future children grow up happy and healthy, he offered her his love. Yet when she finally had given up on Anakin ever being, well human again, she had been ready to give herself. They even started making plans.

But the moment Anakin returned, after having been what many call 'redeemed', Padmé went to him with open arms. Bail knew she never had given him her whole heart, but he had always hoped given time…but then Anakin took something from him once again. And he hated him with a passion for it.

***

The guilt was overwhelming, he had the greatest desire to fling himself into the depths of space. He felt dirty and evil, he felt like the enemy. His wife sat next to him as he silently cried, numb in shock of his last revelation. Anakin knew he shouldn't be weeping, that is was Padmé who deserved to, but he had no control over his emotions any longer. His pain and guilt were taking their toll on his insides, ripping him up until he know longer felt meaning to live. He wanted to end it so badly.

"I…" Padmé finally spoke, her voice quivering, "Anakin, I…tell me about their final moments." She finally said, Anakin had no idea why she wanted to know. He also prayed he would never have to tell anyone of the events which occurred that night, especially not Padmé. "I…can't. I just can't." he finally said softly, her sharp gaze penatrating him like a knife through his heart.

"You aren't the only one who needs closure Anakin Skywalker, you owe me this much. I just need to know, I've always wondered and I need to know." She demanded, her tone intense and angry. Anakin swallowed, recalling the events to the back of his mind. He remembered, and it killed him.

"It was dark, they were all inside together sitting down to a meal. A watched from outside the window, I saw their faces which were filled with laughter. They had so much love for one another." He began, his voice sounding hollow, like he was talking to no one, watching the events play out inside his head. It was a drastic turn around from his previous frail, wavering tone. "I purposefully made a noise outside the window, I don't even remember exactly what it was, but it caught your father's attention. That was the bait I used to get him outside."

"He looked around from the porch for a bit, then walked down to the tree where I was sulking.

He saw me and froze, saying my name under his breath as I stepped from the shadows, I suppose he knew of my turning?" Anakin paused briefly while Padmé nodded in reply. He continued, his voice cracking once and awhile as emotion occasionally broke through. "I remember the look on his face as I walked towards him…I'll never forget it…"

"Anakin?" Cain Amidala asked from his spot 5 meters in front of his son-in-law. Anakin, draped in black walked closer, smiling as he reveled in the mans apparent fear. He had his prey right where he wanted him. "It's quite nice to see you again Cain, I only wish it were under better circumstances." Anakin said, his voice filled with sarcasm and joy, it was obvious how much he enjoyed this. "Why are you here?" Cain finally demanded sharply, taking a step away from the younger man.

"Why Caine? Is that a way to treat family? Why I am your eldest's husband, I thought you would welcome me with open arms." Anakin mocked, grinning slyly, his eyes filled with hate and anger. "If you are looking for Padmé, she isn't here, and I advise you stay away from her." Cain threatened, Anakin bursted into a fit of laughter. "YOU think YOU could stop me?" Anakin lunged on the older man, placing a hand around Cain's throat causing Cain to gasp for breath. "I am more powerful than you could ever imagine," he said sadistically, pushing the man in his grasp to the ground.

"I am not here looking for that whore daughter of yours, who might I add is now sharing her bed with the prince of Alderann, but to make life easier for you, so you won't ever have to here about your daughters activities and be disappointed." Anakin said pacing in front of the weakened man below him. He knelt down beside him, "It's amazing what we humans do for love, you know? You know what I would give to ravage your daughter again. It has been months! And that girl, or should I say woman, sure knows what to do," Anakin's smile grew as he saw his father-in-laws face grow angrier.

"Leave now, or I'll…" Cain started, glaring at the murderer in front of him, "Or you'll do what? Scream?" Anakin laughed and then his face turned intense as he grabbed a hold of the mans face with both hands so their eyes were two inches apart. He leaned over and whispered harshly into Cain's ear, "Screaming only makes me enjoy it more…" with that he put all his strength into snapping the older mans neck, the sharp sound echoing through the country side as Cain Amidala's body fell limp to the ground.

"Fun," Anakin smirked as he rose from the ground, jumping over the corpse as he walked up the front steps and into the house. He heard the sound of the house droid cleaning off the table in the kitchen and the sound of chatter in the living room. "Cain, is that you?" The voice of Taré Amidala asked as she walked behind her nine year-old son, Penté, as he scampered into the foyer. Stopping in his track, the little boy's eyes filled with terror and he ran behind his mother, precariously peeking his head out behind her figure.

"Anakin…" Taré muttered as she stared at him, reaching for Penté's hand, Anakin was suddenly filled with rage as he saw the woman which looked so much like his wife. Tapping into the dark side of the force, with a wave of his hand he threw both people back against the back wall with a loud crash. The impact caused the little boy to fall to the ground unconscious, his mother, despite her weakened bruised state, scrambled beside him, glaring at Anakin in utter disbelief.

"How…why?" was all she could manage to sputter between gasps and tears. Anakin couldn't bring himself to speak as he let the hate engulf him completely. Bring his hands perpendicular to his body, he tapped into the dark power he had come so accustomed to using and squeezed his fingers together, causing Taré to grasp her throat, unable to breathe, and she crumbled hopelessly to the ground. With the knowledge of Penté still being alive, he summoned more power and with a wave of his hand, the ceiling and stairwell fell on top of the little boy and the remnants of his mother.

He turned then, his face intense and filled with anger, and walked out of the house at a slow steady pace. After he reached his ship, he turned just in time to see the house collapse inwards on itself, a cloud of dust rising where the once spectacular manor stood. He smiled as he stepped into the black spacecraft.

Uncomfortable silence once again enveloped the room, Padmé was stunned. Now she understood why they occasionally came across people who still feared Anakin. He had been so cruel, so ruthless. Yet he wasn't any longer, he truly had returned to the old Anakin, her Anakin. Padmé never could understand what happened, but after Sidious's 'supposed' death, Anakin had never again used the force except for a few simple tasks (like locking doors). He had even melted down his light-saber and flat out refused to have anything to do with the Jedi. Now she understood, he didn't trust himself.

But even after this revelation, she still loved him, she wasn't even angry at him as terrible as she thought that was. She looked over at him, he looked broken, in so much pain. Padmé couldn't stand it, she hated seeing him so hurt. She reached over and lightly caressed his cheek with her finger. He gazed at her, so much fear and love mixed in his eyes. Drawing his face closer to hers with the tip of her finger, she lightly brushed her lips against his. "Anakin, I don't know what Sidious did to you, but I do know something. That wasn't you, it may have looked and talked like you, held your memories and passed on its own, but it wasn't the Anakin I love. The Anakin that's looking at me right now."

She kissed him again, this time more aggressively. He finally returned the sentiment slightly, cupping her cheek in the palm of his hand. "Padmé…I…" he stuttered, Padmé stopped him by placing her lips on his once again, pushing him down on his back. "I love you, Anakin Skywalker, and that's the only thing that is important to me right now," she kissed him again, caressing his cheek as she did so, enjoying the feeling of his arms around her waist.

Neither one noticed Bail Organa watching through a slightly opened door, his heart breaking into a million pieces like shattering crystal, as the Padmé fell asleep to the sound of Anakin's heart beating.

***

Padmé awoke to the feeling of Anakin's strong arms slightly tugging at her waist. She was confused, flustered, and very much unsure of what to make of the recent information. Slightly shifting in his embrace, she scanned Anakin's face slowly, seeing only the innocence of a restless slumber playing on his face. Yet, she wondered, if shadows did lurk their as before, and maybe through her love for the man, she was blind to see it.

Shaking her head as if to shake the negative thoughts from her mind, she gently removed his arms from her waist sitting up and quietly walking out of the bed chambers. The sound of the hyperdrive working it's magic was almost lulling, humming in it's consistent manner as the ship smoothly traveled it's course. Padmé sighed as she unconsciously tugged at her rumpled, if only her path was as placid.

Padmé immediately felt uncomfortable then, like she was being watched or followed. She glanced over her shoulder to find nothing but the eerie shadows of the empty hallway. She began walking slower, yet it was to no avail as a tall silhouette seemed to emerge out of no where from the darkness and intersect her path, causing her to stumble back a few paces. Padmé felt a wave of fear engulf her as she eyed the familiar personage standing directly in front of her.

"No…" she managed to stutter out before she felt her air passage tighten. She gasped, but it was useless for the figure in front of her continued to squeeze his fingers closer and closer together, causing it to be more and more difficult for air to reach her lungs. Her chest seemed to burn as her lungs began to collapse, inch by inch her form sinking to the floor. The figure towered above her smirking, making his mouth full of decaying teeth visible, his laugh sending chills up her spine as she clawed at her neck, wishing it would help the air enter her.

"Your destiny is inevitable," the figure said, his voice deep and scratchy, Padmé was barely aware of the taller shadow which walked up behind the figure, "as is his. You do not fight destiny, girl." Padmé barely managed to sputter the name of her killers accomplice before everything spun into blackness, leaving the name Anakin hanging in the air.

***

Padmé awoke with a jolt, a droplet of sweat resting on her brow. She noticed Anakin was no longer at her side, his shape still traced in the flimsy mattress, but he had been gone long enough none of his warmth remained.

She was actually glad her husband wasn't present, the dream making her slightly uneasy, not to mention their conversation last night. Yes she told him it was alright, that she forgave him, that she knew that he was truly sorry, but the pain of knowing her husband killed her family still remained and refused to remove itself.

And her recent dream made it all the more difficult, for Padmé to put it behind her, her subconscious even telling her that she didn't trust her own husband. She collapsed back onto the bed as the tears began to creep upon her.

She hated crying, it always felt as if she was admitting a weakness, but she couldn't hold back the pain any longer. Her parents had died in so much pain, he little brother brutally murdered by his idle, by the man she now shared a bed with. Padmé knew Anakin had been brutal, but what he had told her surpassed all her ideas, and she couldn't help but wonder if it was all out of his system.

"I have more important things to worry about right now, like running this rebellion and winning this war," she muttered to herself, attempting to shake all thoughts of the recent night from her mind. She stood and quickly dressed in a pair of flight pants and a white tunic, braiding her hair and wrapping it around her head like a crown, and exited her chambers towards the cockpit.

***