TO LOVE A SITH

Chapter Seven

Vader and Padme were silent for awhile, both enjoying the other's company because for once, they weren't arguing. She led him calmly to her family's garden and began picking several flowers, humming softly to herself. Vader watched her, almost as if in a trance, completely transfixed by her natural beauty. He had never met anyone else like her, so beautiful both outside and inside. She was so pure, intelligent, ambitious, and still possessed that regal nature she wore so well as Queen. She was perfect and she was his.

"Do you know how long it's been since I had enough time to actually pick flowers?"

He smiled slightly at her question and shook his head.

"Ten years. It was my first real 'vacation' after the Trade Federation Blockade, and I spent most of my time, right here, tending to this garden. I loved it, I really did, but then my vacation ended and I had to go back to being a Queen. That was the last time I ever really had a significant amount of time to myself. Since then, I can't remember the last time I just sat down and took a breath. Everything still hasn't sunk in, the Republic falling, the rise of the Empire, you and I…I feel like I'm in a bad dream and I'll just wake up soon."

Vader was silent, wondering where she was going with this.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"

"No, it's alright, Padme. I understand your feelings about the fall of the Republic."

Her eyes slightly widened in shock, not completely comprehending what he had just said.

"I appreciate you honesty," he continued. "and it's important that you feel you can confide in me. I am your husband after all."

She smiled softly at his gentle reminder of their situation. She looked up and felt herself melt from the tender gaze that met hers. He certainly had an effect on her and now, she was starting to like it.

"You know, I think this is the first real time we've had alone together since we've been married." She said.

When he looked at her confused, she continued.

"I know we had time on the ship but that conversation was a little more hostile than now."

He smiled slightly and nodded his agreement.

"What would you like to do with our time?" He laughed.

"Hold on. I'll be right back."

His forehead crinkled in confusion and amusement as he watched her run back into the house. She re-emerged several minutes later with a blanket in hand. She grabbed his hand and led him to a large, shady tree near the garden. Once the blanket was spread on the cool grass, they laid down, carefully making sure there was comfortable space between them.

"This was my favorite spot. Whenever I just needed to sort things out or just needed to relax, I came right here."

She cast him a light-hearted glance and smiled softly. He returned the easy smile and his heart caught in his throat when she slowly reached over and took his hand in hers.

"So…this is where you came to dream about all the good things you would do, all the people you would help."

Her smile faded and her eyes darkened slightly.

"A lot of good that did." She remarked bitingly.

"Padme, regardless of what happened to the Republic, you made a difference. Why do you think so many people wanted you dead?"

"Thank you for the reminder. It really doesn't matter anymore, now does it? The Republic is gone, everything I ever stood for is gone and…"

"And what?"

"I'm married you."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know that was a bad thing."

"I never said that, it's just…"

"What?"

"I just never pictured my wedding that way. When I was a little girl, I always dreamed of this huge, lavish extravaganza with white roses and cute little flower girls. I had always thought that was the way it was going to happen for me. Some handsome prince would come and sweep me off my feet and we would live happily ever after. But things don't always work out the way you think they will. I've certainly learned that the hard way."

Vader didn't know how to respond to that. Her words made him instantly regret his 'proposal' and the wedding itself, but at the same time, her words overjoyed him. She wasn't proclaiming hatred for him because he had forced her to marry him, she was simply saying she wished the wedding had been more like she had envisioned for herself.

"I'm sorry about that Padme, I really am. I wish it could have happened differently, but we didn't have time for that. Once this mission is complete, we can go back to Corusant and settle for awhile."

She smiled softly. Sometimes, she found it so difficult to not pull him to her and declare her love for him. But that was too much of a risk. A Sith wasn't supposed to love, just hate. But he didn't hate her. She was sure of that. So what were his feelings towards her then? Was she just with him to produce an heir or was there more to it that he wouldn't admit to? He was an enigma to everyone he came in contact with. So gentle one moment, and so cold the next.

"That sounds nice."

"As soon as the rebels are taken care of we can go home."

She froze and their once intertwined hands fell apart. Her mouth gaped open in shock and she sprang to her feet.

"Please don't tell me you're going to do what I think you're going to do."

His browed furrowed in confusion. Everything had been fine moments before. What it something he said?

"Padme, I don't know…"

"What do you mean you don't know? Of course you know. You're going to kill rebels here on Naboo. That's your mission, isn't it? To kill rebels on Naboo and Alderaan?"

She was screaming now and he winced involuntarily as her anger towards him increased.

"Padme, it's not your place to be angry with me for simply doing my duty."

She laughed haughtily and shoved him away from her.

"Not my place? I am your wife. I have a right to be angry with you for anything I want!"

His jaw clenched to suppress his anger. He really didn't want to fight with her, especially about this, but she was pushing him over the edge.

"Padme, I don't want to have to tell you again…"

"You can't order me around. I'm not your slave."

His eyes narrowed at the word 'slave'. She had better watch herself.

"That's enough. I think it's time that we went back to the ship anyway."

"No, I'm not through talking to you! Do you want to know what I think?"

"Not particularly. We need to go back to the ship."

"No! I'm not leaving until you've heard what I have to say to you! You know, he's really got you wrapped around his finger, doesn't he? You're nothing but Palpatine's puppet and his executioner. What's wrong with you? Can't you think for yourself? Make your own decisions?"

His anger flared at the bitingly sarcastic comment. How dare she even suggest that!

"He's been manipulating you this entire time," she continued. "And you know what else? I know the real reason you wanted to marry me. Because deep down, you're still nothing but a slave-boy who couldn't get over a silly crush!"

His hand shot out to strike her but he quickly dropped it frustration. They glared at each other and his hands clenched and unclenched involuntarily in rage.

"Go say goodbye to your parents." He said, frighteningly calm.

"No…I'm not going anywhere with you."

He grabbed her roughly by the arm and forced her to start walking towards the house.

"Yes you are. We're leaving and like you said before, you are my wife and you will listen to me! Now, if you don't cooperate, we're going to leave without saying goodbye to your parents."

Padme jerked her arm out of his hand and raised her chin slightly in desperate defiance.

"I hate you."

"That's fine with me. Go inside and if you're not out in three minutes, I'm coming to get you."

She nodded in defeat, knowing that no matter what she said, they were still leaving. She ran into the house, quickly hugged and said goodbye to her family without explanation, and ran back out to her fuming husband.

He took her by the arm again, this time more forcefully than before, and before she knew it, they were on the ship.