Author's Note: Thanks to Jelp for pointing that out for me and I fixed the little problem in Chapter Five. Also, thanks again to everyone who was reviewed. I really appreciate the feedback!
TO LOVE A SITH
Chapter Six
Vader and Ruwee walked in silence for awhile. Due to his present awkwardness, Vader took the opportunity to survey the beautiful landscaping near the house and the lush garden slightly down the path, and he surprised himself by smiling. Padme's home was breathtaking and, for some odd reason, it felt like home to him.
Ruwee observed Vader carefully in his silence. The uncertainty of Vader's true intentions towards Padme was nagging at him and he didn't know how much more of Vader's silence he could take.
"Why did you help my daughter?" The silence was broken.
Vader was slightly startled at the way the conversation was beginning.
"I told you. She was going to be killed."
"Yes, I already knew that. But out of all the Senators that refused to pledge loyalty to the Emperor, why did you help her?"
Vader took a deep breath, uneasy at where the conversation was headed.
"I knew her when I was a child, when she was Queen. Her ship had broken down and I helped her get the parts she needed to fix it. We didn't see each for another ten years, and I was, at the time, a Jedi padawan. I was actually assigned to be her bodyguard. After my leave of the mission was granted, I became a Sith shortly after that."
"You still haven't answered my question."
Vader frowned at Ruwee's reply. He thought he had answered Ruwee's question, but maybe he didn't really know the answer himself.
"I'm sorry; I thought I had answered it sufficiently."
"It's alright. Maybe that was too complex a question to start out with."
Vader smiled slightly, grateful for the change of topic.
"I am willing to answer any questions you have."
"Good. Shall we take a walk?"
Vader nodded and followed his father-in-law.
Their walk continued in silent thought of the conversation that was about to take place. Vader took a deep breath and decided to be the first to speak for once.
"Mr. Naberrie…"
"Ruwee."
Vader nodded respectfully.
"Ruwee, I realize what you must be thinking. And I assure that any reservations you have about my marriage with your daughter will not be held against you in any way. But please, know that my intentions are to protect Padme. I would never hurt her or let any harm come to her."
Ruwee was silent, taking in everything that Vader had said. He decided to investigate Vader a little further.
"So…you knew Padme when she was Queen, and you became…reacquainted with her several years ago?"
"Yes."
"And you were her bodyguard yet you haven't seen her for two years?"
"That's correct."
Ruwee paused, slowly realizing that Vader's true intentions were hidden somewhere in between his words.
"What happened between you and Padme?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why did you need to be relieved of your duties as her bodyguard?"
Vader swallowed nervously, not completely sure he wanted to talk about this particular subject with the father-in-law he just met.
"Well…you see…"
Vader rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably, unsure how to even begin. Ruwee observed his son-in-law curiously and smiled knowingly.
"Say no more."
Then after a short pause, he added: "She's quite a pistol, isn't she?"
A genuine grin spread across Vader's handsome face.
"She certainly is. A lot more than I expected actually. Trust me, I'm never going to underestimate her again."
They shared a good-natured laugh and for awhile, the atmosphere was almost pleasant.
"If I may, Lord Vader, I must ask you something that has been bothering me."
Vader nodded his permission.
"How do you intend on keeping my daughter out of harm's way? The universe isn't exactly a safe and stable place right now."
"I will have guards with her at all times, especially when I'm not there."
"Why did you bring her along on this particular mission, then?"
Vader was startled by the unexpected question and came to the slow realization that Ruwee was right. He never should have brought Padme along. But he couldn't help himself. He had to be near her, he just didn't feel right if she wasn't with him.
"Well, I…since we just married and there are plenty of storm troopers with us…I thought it was safe for her."
Ruwee nodded; however, he knew that Vader's real reason for bringing Padme was simply to spend more time with her.
"I see. I suppose, given the current status of the universe, if she's safe with anyone, it would be you."
"Definitely. There's no way I'm going to allow any harm to come to her."
Ruwee nodded slowly. There was more to this than Vader was letting on.
"I'm sorry to bring up a dead issue, but I have to know. Why did you choose Padme? Why did you help her?"
Vader swallowed apprehensively. He was definitely not pleased that the conversation was back to this because he didn't know how to answer Ruwee's question. The dark part of his conscience was telling him he had finally been able to accomplish as a Sith what he never could as a Jedi. Yet, some other unknown part of him told him he had married Padme for a completely different reason. But he knew he couldn't tell Ruwee either of those possibilities.
"I'm sorry, Ruwee, but I'm afraid I don't know how to answer your question. I thought I had already answered it earlier and I'm sorry if that wasn't what you were looking for. However, it's the only answer I can give."
"Alright then. Let's head back to the house, shall we?"
Ruwee purposefully lagged behind his son-in-law, watching him carefully as they walked back to the house. So, the only answer Vader could give was the fact that Padme was going to die. That in itself was answer enough, he supposed. Was it possible that Vader was in love with his daughter?
Jobal, Sola, and Padme sat at the table talking quietly when the men walked back in.
"Oh good, you're back. Did you boys have fun talking?" Jobal inquired.
"It was educational." Ruwee replied, casting Vader a sideways glance.
Jobal's forehead crinkled in confusion, but she let it go. She knew her husband would explain later.
Vader glided over to his wife and leaned down to her.
"Would you like to take a walk with me?" He whispered in her ear.
"Of course." She smiled softly.
He extended his arm to her and led her into the awaiting dusk.
Jobal and Ruwee exchanged glances as they watched what had just transpired between their daughter and her husband.
"It's worse than I thought, Ruwee. She's in love with him."
"Maybe not, dear. I think he's in love with her too."
Jobal's jaw dropped in complete shock and they turned to look out the window, curiously observing the two figures walking towards the brilliant sunset. In the midst of the surrounding dusk, they almost looked like one form, making it difficult to tell where one ended and the other began.
