Author's Note: Just a note to clarify a few things. This is an alternate universe story set around the time of Episode Three. Everything happened in Episode Two up until the conversation by the fire. Padme rejected Anakin and they didn't see each other again until the time that our story begins. Also, being an AU story, Palpatine wants Vader to produce an heir for the Empire and Vader naturally chose Padme to help him with that. I'm sorry if there was any confusion with either of those things, but hopefully it's all cleared up now. Also, thank you to everyone who has given me feedback. It both encourages me to keep writing and gives me ideas, so keep reviewing!

TO LOVE A SITH

Chapter Four

Vader sat at the controls of the ship that would take him, about fifty storm troopers, and his wife to Naboo and Alderaan. They had been in hyperspace for an hour now and he intended to keep his distance from his wife. Right now, he was sincerely regretting the kiss he had given her the last time he had seen her. He definitely didn't want her to believe that she could push him around. He had been gracious enough to allow her to visit her family, but he was still enraged at her refusal of his genuine apology. Why did she have to be so damn difficult?

He eyes closed at the familiar tremor in the Force that flowed down his spine. Padme was coming. He hated yet loved her the way her presence made him feel. He felt at peace whenever she was near, and that was a sensation he was not used to feeling.

A soft knock came from the cockpit door. Without thought, he used the Force to open the door.

Padme entered cautiously, still not completely sure she had made the right decision in coming to talk to him. Yet, he had let her in and that meant he didn't entirely despise her for the way she had treated him on their wedding night.

"I didn't mean to disturb you…I just wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier."

Vader was silent, yet he motioned for her to sit in the co-pilot's seat next to him. She sat down and now they were face to face. His silence prodded her to continue.

"I'm going to be completely honest with you. I was absolutely furious that you would treat me that way. There is no excuse for it, there never will be, and it can't continue. And I promise you, I will kill myself before I become a timid and abused little wife."

His eyes narrowed at her words and his anger flared up again at her.

"I will not be ordered around, Padme. I am Lord Vader and you will obey me."

"Would let me finish, please?"

They stared at each other for a few moments, and then he nodded in resignation.

"I realize, however, that your apology was sincere. I should have taken you in my arms and rocked you back to sleep, but I had to prove my point to you. I suppose that's the politician in me, but do you understand what I'm telling you? I was wrong to ask you to leave, just as you were wrong to choke me. We were both at fault. I don't want you to be angry with me for this any longer because that would make both our lives miserable."

He took a deep breath, contemplating what she was saying. Perhaps a compromise was a possibility.

"What do you suggest?"

"I suggest that you accept my apology, just as I have accepted yours."

"Apology accepted."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Will you promise me something?"

"What?"

"Promise me you'll never do that again."

He sighed deeply.

"Padme, I promise that I will never harm you again. That is, if you promise never to order me around again."

She smiled softly.

"We have an agreement then."

They exchanged brief but tender smiles and then settled back in their chairs for several comfortable moments of silence. Padme glanced at her handsome husband and realized that she had forgotten about the darkness that lingered inside him. She decided that now was as good a time as any to find out.

"How did you turn?"

Her question startled him and he shifted curious eyes towards her direction.

"You don't know?"

She shook her head.

"I was told that you had left the Jedi Order after your mother died but I never your reason for leaving."

He nodded in understanding. For some reason, he felt that he could confide in her.

"Shortly after the replacement for my position as your bodyguard arrived, I went back to Tatooine to find my mother. I discovered that not only had Watto sold her to a man named Clieg Lars, but he had freed her and married her. I was too late, though. Tusken raiders had kidnapped her and by the time I reached her, she was already dead. My grief turned to anger, then the anger to rage, and then…I felt waves of darkness wash over me. The helplessness I had felt before was gone and I realized that I could do something. So I killed them all. I butchered them like animals because they were animals."

"Oh Ani…"

His eyes turned into blue chips of ice.

"I'm not him. He died the day my mother did."

"I'm sorry…but please…I need to know."

His jaw clenched tightly, barely suppressing the anger he felt at hearing the name of his despicable former self.

"I felt powerful; I felt I had a purpose. The Jedi's power derives from everything that is weak and worthless but what I felt that night on Tatooine was more than just an adrenaline rush. Something changed in me that night. The useless Jedi could have never stopped my mother from dying because that's not in their mandate," he growled. "But the Dark Side of the Force...it's dominant and had the answers I have been searching for my entire life. If only I had discovered this before my mother died…I could have prevented everything that happened to her…I would have been able to save her from being kidnapped…from dying…the Jedi couldn't understand. But the Emperor, my Master, he understood. And he helped me see what had always been right in front of me."

He paused, measuring her reaction to his words.

"What did he help you see?" She whispered softly.

He grinned darkly.

"Magnificent, all-encompassing, un-surpassive supremacy."

She swallowed nervously, disturbed at his choice of words. Several minutes passed between them as she contemplated her next comment and he observed her uneasiness at the present conversation.

"What happened after that?"

"I left the Order and joined the Emperor. Together, we hunted down every loathsome Jedi that could be found. The only ones who managed to get away were Yoda and my former Master. But, it's only a matter of time until they're found."

She nodded in perturbed understanding as he continued.

"Once the Jedi were out of the way, the Senate signed over practically any rights they had and the Empire was established."

Padme sighed, already knowing that part of his story. She had fought for those rights desperately, and out of fear and foolishness, those rights had been given away on a sheet of paper.

Instinctively knowing what she was thinking, he added: "I noticed your signature was absent from that bill."

She looked up and was met with curious, yet cruelly glimmering eyes.

"I couldn't stomach signing it, especially since I've spent the better half of my life trying to protect everything the bill was giving away. Did you really expect me to support what you and Palpatine were doing?"

"No," he grinned. "That just wouldn't be in your character, would it? Padme, you're so predictable, and one of the most influential members of the Senate. If I hadn't stepped in on your behalf, you would be dead by now."

She grimaced, wishing that he hadn't brought that up.

"Oh yes, how could I forget?"

He grinned sinisterly and ran a finger lightly over her lips.

"My sweet Padme…trust me, I'll never let you forget."

He leaned closer to her and began to kiss her, first with building passion, then with building possession.