Thanks, again, for your reviews! This is a somewhat long chapter. Enjoy!

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The next morning, Darth Vader walked into the room and stopped dead in his tracks. The four Stormtroopers on his heels followed suit. Anger instantly flared as he saw the two forms on the cot. Both were still sound asleep, at peace in each other's arms. He wanted to take the blaster in his hand, turn it up to full power, and vaporize the two on the spot! But that wouldn't exactly be evidence of his emotional control.

Vader had noticed that he couldn't seem to do anything right lately where his master was concerned. He had found out the previous night that he'd blown it again. His master had paid him another visit before turning in. When he had seen what was in his master's hands, his heart sunk.

Sidious had held out his hands, one held a blaster, the other held Obi-Wan's lightsaber. "It's a good thing I decided to check on Kenobi after the session, isn't it my apprentice?" His voice was tight with very obvious anger. His yellow eyes were flashing. "Leaving a blaster and a lightsaber in the same room with Obi-Wan Kenobi is not my idea of intelligent – binders or no binders! I must say I expected better from you."

Darth Vader hadn't even had time to reply before Sidious had unceremoniously dropped the two items on front of Vader and left the room. Vader did have to admit that it was extremely careless of him to leave the weapons behind. But even if Obi-Wan had found the weapons, what could he have done? He still wouldn't have been able to escape!

Vader felt himself quickly losing ground with his master. He knew he'd better mind his Ps and Qs and not disappoint his master again. I'm the best apprentice he's ever had or ever will have! Breaking Obi-Wan will prove it! Why am I even worried? I am the Chosen One, after all!

Vader walked over to the cot and kicked it. "Wake up!"

Both Obi-Wan and Padme stirred and opened their eyes. "Hmm?"

"So SORRY to disturb you two!" Vader said sarcastically.

Obi-Wan slowly sat up and moved his feet to the floor. Padme watched him with a worried expression, ready to help if he needed it. He didn't. Obi-Wan felt infinitely better. He'd had the most restful, deep sleep he'd had in a long time. It had been rejuvenating.

Sidious walked into the room at that moment. He walked towards the cot. Vader acknowledged him with a nod.

Vader then turned back to the cot. "Come on! Get up! I'm eager to begin the next session," he said with a smile in his voice.

Padme glared at him. "I know that asking for something to eat is probably not worth the effort, but could we at least use a fresher? Or is that too dignified for us? Perhaps a bucket or a hole in the floor?"

Vader pointed to the corner of the room. "There's a fresher right over there. You're not exactly observant are you?"

Padme looked where he was pointing. The door was easy to miss. It blended in well with the wall.

Sidious moved closer to the cot. "We have no plans on starving you. You'll need to keep up your strength for what's coming." He turned to the nearest trooper. "Go get some food and water." The trooper immediately left the room.

Obi-Wan looked at Sidious. "No, thanks. I prefer to be tortured on an empty stomach."

Sidious cackled. "You might as well eat, Kenobi. You'd only be hurting yourself, not us."

Obi-Wan shook his head as he got off the cot. He turned around to help Padme get up. He nodded his head toward the fresher, indicating for her to go first. Obi-Wan watched her go and turned around to find Vader staring at him. He could feel the surprise emanating from him.

Vader couldn't believe Obi-Wan's ease of movement! He moved and looked like nothing had happened to him yesterday! This can't be possible! He couldn't have healed himself that completely!

Sidious could sense Vader's surprise as well. "Oh yes, Lord Vader. You can believe your eyes. Your WEAK former master has almost completely healed from your time together yesterday."

After a moment, Vader turned to his master. "May I speak with you privately, Master?"

"Of course." Sidious followed Vader across the room and out the door.

Vader turned toward his master. "Why aren't you suppressing his use of the Force?"

Sidious raised an eyebrow underneath his hood. "Are you suggesting that I need to explain myself to you?"

Vader gritted his teeth, trying to control his anger. "Breaking him would certainly be a whole lot easier if he couldn't access the Force!"

"Easier isn't necessarily better, my apprentice. I have my reasons for what I'm doing and that should be enough for you. However…, if you find you're UNABLE to break him just because he can access the Force…" Sidious let the meaning in his words hang in the air.

Vader's anger instantly flashed. I knew I shouldn't have brought it up! "It will not be a problem, Master."

"I certainly hope not, my apprentice." Sidious turned and went back into the room.

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Padme dried herself off after her quick shower. She was grateful to be clean again after having no grooming for days. She put back on her not-so-clean clothes. She sighed as she looked into the mirror. She was angry with herself for not waking up before Vader and Sidious arrived. She had wanted to tell Obi-Wan this morning how much she loved him. Now she wondered when she might have the chance. She knew that telling Obi-Wan in front of Vader would not be the smartest thing in the galaxy to do.

Padme tried to prepare herself for what was to come. She knew that this day would probably make yesterday look like a picnic. She took a deep breath and walked back out into the room.

The Stormtrooper who had gone to get some food was back. A tray with water, fruit and bread was sitting on the cot. Vader was standing near the door with the troopers. They obviously weren't willing to leave and let them eat in private. Sidious was standing near the cot, talking very quietly with Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, cautiously studying the Emperor as he spoke. Padme decided not to interrupt them.

"You have shown great power in your self-healing, Obi-Wan. You never cease to surprise me. You will make a great apprentice." Sidious smiled.

Obi-Wan looked closely into the Emperor's eyes and saw confidence, raw power and…respect? "Need I remind you that I am not your apprentice?"

"You will be, Obi-Wan, you will be. In time you will embrace your destiny."

Obi-Wan smiled grimly. "I may just surprise you again."

Sidious cackled lightly. "Of that, I have no doubt. But I have confidence that you will be my apprentice, because I will not give up. I will not take 'no' for an answer."

Obi-Wan looked at the Emperor with genuine curiosity. "Why so much interest in me? You've got the Chosen One."

Sidious grimaced. "Yes, well, there's something to be said for experience and steadiness over raw power and emotion. But you're powerful, as well, Obi-Wan." Sidious moved practically nose-to-nose with Obi-Wan. "You could be my right hand, my second-in- command. You could have more power than you've ever dreamed possible! Think about THAT as this day progresses!" Sidious turned around and walked toward the door. "Vader, I leave things in your capable hands. I will return in a few hours."

"Yes, Master." With that, Sidious exited the room.

Obi-Wan double-checked his mental shielding before mulling over his thoughts. He was surprised by how open Sidious had been with him. All is very obviously not well between Sidious and Vader. He then thought of his own experience of being Anakin's master. It had been a rewarding experience in many ways, but it had also been extremely exasperating. Anakin had always been impetuous, cocky, and stubborn. His emotions had run freely just beneath the surface and it never took much to release them.

Obi-Wan had tried and tried to teach his padawan emotional control, but had failed at every turn. He shook his head. Ironically, Anakin's (Vader's) current master seemed to be experiencing the same exasperation. But even so, why would he be so interested in me?

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Darth Vader was seething. He had watched his master and Obi-Wan talking quietly - too quietly for him to hear. It irritated him greatly that his master was keeping things from him. But the fact that he was becoming increasingly jealous of Obi-Wan irritated him even more. Why in the galaxy am I jealous of HIM? What's to be jealous of?

Vader couldn't help but wonder what his master and Obi-Wan had talked about. He continued to watch Obi-Wan, who seemed to be just as lost in thought. He then saw Padme walk over to Obi-Wan and put her hand on his shoulder. Obi-Wan looked down at her and smiled. The obvious affection between the two did nothing to help Vader's mood.

Vader continued to watch as Obi-Wan and Padme talked quietly. She gestured toward the corner. Obi-Wan nodded, squeezed her hand and then went into the fresher. Padme sat down on the cot, beside the food tray. She then seemed to notice Vader's eyes on her. She glared at him with hatred in her eyes.

Deep down inside, Vader felt a little prick of sadness and regret at seeing Padme's hatred for him. But he quickly squashed it, as one squashes an insect with a boot. His ever-present anger washed over the remnants of those emotions like a wave, drowning them forever.