Disclaimer: Star Wars and all associated characters, plotlines, and worlds (good and bad) are property and copyright © of George Lucas (aka The Richest Man in Hollywood). This is purely for fan entertainment only.

Also, this fanfic is rated MA for any mature content I may or may not include (just in case). I don't recommend reading it if you're not old enough to understand mature themes or sexual content. Also, strong and possibly sexual language. (Just in case, not a promise)

Chapter 5 – Meditations on Oaths

The shuttle landed on Naboo at the planet's sunrise. Darth Vader flexed his glove hands and turned to Commander Appo, who was waiting dutifully behind him. "I intend on making myself very clear on this matter." He looked out through the view glass and surveyed the beauty of Naboo around him. It instantly brought back the memories of his Angel and the times they had shared on the planet. He remembered calling everything "soft" and inwardly grimaced… Soft was something he would never feel again. This was yet another reason to destroy everything that reminded him of her.

"The Queen Jamilla has already made herself very vocal in that she agrees with her Senator Amidala that the Empire is wrong and that the power should be handed back to the people. The Loyalist Jar Jar Binks was a necessary casualty in demonstrating to Naboo the might of the Empire. The Emperor must have complete control over his home world."

The Commander stood silent, awaiting command.

Vader curled his gloved fingers into a tight fist. "Queen Jamilla is to be disposed of, as we cannot trust her to remain loyal to the Emperor. Destroy anyone that gets in your way after it is made known that you serve the Empire. The Jedi Knight I shall take care of myself."

Appo saluted, inclining his head. He donned his helmet and headed towards the rest of the Legion.

Darth Vader paused to look one more time at all of the vibrant colors on the planet, feeling the depth of the hatred swell inside of him once more. He had lost her forever, again not powerful enough. He could still feel the burning of the flames of Mustafar in phantom limbs, reminding him again of the reason why he had lost his Angel, lost his limbs, the ability to feel sensations and to breathe the sweet Naboo air. Obi-Wan Kenobi, his old master, still had to be dealt with. His betrayal would serve as an excellent example to the people of the Empire that they were never to deal with Darth Vader, he would never again know loss unless at his own command.

He stretched out with his mind and with his anger to feel the only sensations he knew left- the Force. He dotted over grieving minds- still upset over their selfish loss of his Padmé, children waking from sleep in their beds, men curling up to their wives for one last touch before they began their day. His chest swelled at their feelings- these were feelings that would never be his own. He continued searching, his anger rising with each successive being.

A glimmer in the Force came from the south of the main city, on the island he had once taken sanctuary with Padmé on. This was the Jedi Knight Jori Carver that he had come to seek out and eliminate. He almost growled; what right did this Jedi have in staying in their sanctuary? But it would be just as well- this was another place that needed to be cleansed of Padmé's memory with blood.

A lanky man with wavy hair stood by Darth Vader's side. She recognized him as her son, Luke. She felt pride in the man that her son had become; strong and powerful like his father. "My son, you have done well." They stepped to the side to reveal the dead body of her daughter Leia lying on the ground, her body marred by lightsaber burns. "If she is not with us, she is against us." He gestured to Padmé. "And you, Angel?" his voice twisted around his pet name for her, almost sneering.

She woke up with a jolt, rising to sit. The fear had made her mouth dry; she wiped stray tears from her eyes. She searched for Obi-Wan.

Very comfortingly, he was sitting by the bedside in another vigil over her sleep. He did not need to question, she immediately offered her interpretation. "Luke killed Leia. She did not want to join them. They were questioning my own loyalty."

He rose and came closer to her side, offering a reassuring presence. "Padmé, she will not fall by Luke's hand. This is definitely not a premonition." He soothed her. "Dreams will go away with time."

Troubled brown eyes met his cool blue ones. "Is there anything I can do to clear my mind, in the meantime?" she nearly begged. She did not want to think of the Dark Lord's apprentice nor of the children she would never know.

He nodded, sitting on the bed beside her. "I can teach you to meditate, Padmé. You do not have to be strong in the Force to learn this, nor a Jedi. Everyone could benefit from it every now and then."

She smiled, "I would be grateful, Obi."

He smiled, holding her gaze for a moment. "Now, relax. I know that sounds simple, but I want you to focus on every muscle of your body, first clench, and then unclench. Feel the way your muscles feel as unclenched and seek that sensation for each part." He began the instruction, she complied immediately. In the process of relaxing, she slumped against his chest, falling into him. He stayed a hitch in his breath, caught off guard. The warmth and softness of her body was welcoming, but he tried to focus on the task at hand. He wrapped his arms about her, steadying her in his arms.

"Now continue relaxing, and focus only on your breathing. Do not even think about the words I am saying, just breathe." He took his own advice, closing his eyes. Instead of meditating, however, he focused on the physical sensations at hand, and the turmoil knotting his gut. Her supple body felt rather comfortable against his own, his arms around her seemed infinitely like the right thing to do, as if it had been something he should have done a long time ago. The knot at his gut reminded him, however, that he was a Jedi Master and had long ago given up such things. But he had not given up physical affection, he reminded himself, just the attachment that usually went along with it.

But, he realized, that attachment had already happened long ago, exactly when he could not put a finger on. He had denied these feelings at first because they were impossible and counterproductive, and then after he noticed the feelings his young Apprentice had garnered for her. He certainly understood why, but again he understood why he was not to fall for the attachment as Anakin had.

He could not grow too attached to Padmé; there was always the ever-present threat of losing her and of growing jealous of others. He steeled himself, reminding himself that he could still love her as long as he understood that it could not be the end-all of his existence as Anakin had sought.

She did not stir as he rested his chin on the top of her head, listening to her breathing, feeling her heartbeat close to his. He rubbed his cheek against her hair slowly, so as not to disturb her, inhaling the soft, flowery scent of her hair. He opened his eyes and met her brown eyes; she was looking at him in awe. "I… feel your feelings." She murmured, unsure of exactly why this was true.

He did not dare move, and murmured to her, "I am sorry, I did not guard my feelings…" he began.

She interrupted him, softly, "I don't want you to… I feel the same way." She said it shyly, almost afraid to speak of it lest it go away. She brought her hand up to touch his face.

He could not help the rush of emotions he felt, and drew her close. He brought his lips closer to her own and found her receptive. His kiss at first was soft, exploring, until she brought her arms around him and her hand rested at his neck. He kissed her with more passion, unleashing some of the feelings he had held pent up inside for so long. He was reluctant to break it off, and for a moment afterwards they were silent. He simply looked into her eyes, feeling the wonder of it all.

She just smiled at him, showing her own acceptance in the matter. But she paused, remembering still that he was a Jedi, governed by the Code. "What will we do?" she wondered aloud, her head instantly spinning that she would get herself in this mess again.

He sobered up at the thought himself. "We are not forbidden to love. We are simply persuaded against it as it can lead on a path we should not take." He did not let himself think of his own failure to impress this on his Apprentice. "It should simply be taken with caution."

She nodded, looking down. "The path to the Dark Side was very easy for Anakin." She spoke of it carefully, examining her own feelings as she spoke. "He had already gone down that road long before I met him as an adult. He was in constant turmoil on capturing control over the tragic events of his life. He did not have your inner strength." She rested her other hand on his chest, near his heart. "But you have control, you will always tread the right path, I have that faith in you."

He inclined his head, resting his cheek on the top of her head once more. "I will do what is necessary for eliminating the new Empire, bringing back justice, eliminating the Sith." He vowed this to her.

It was all she needed to hear. She leaned up and kissed him once more.

Darth Vader heard the screams around him as he trailed a torch along the lines of the building on the island. He followed the walls out to the veranda by the sea. The Jedi Knight had escaped somehow, alerted to his presence, but yet the old sanctuary must go.

He knew that flame would be most fitting in replace of blood.

The city had no right to exist without her. The emotions within him churned as he looked over the sea, remembering that this was where they had shared their first kiss. He could not stop the flood of memories, the texture of her hair, her voice chastising and then loving to him. Her brown eyes staring up at him after he had first shared his feelings with her.

He quickly replaced the images with the look of fear in her eyes, the betrayal and hurt she felt and had directed towards him. He had failed her, failed again. Just as he had failed his mother. He lashed out with his anger, searching for the Jedi, following him in his mind as he ran towards the center of the city.

Darth Vader followed, making his way slowly down to the docks to go back away from the island. Let him run, it would make the sport more challenging.

I hope I got this one right! I spent extra time trying to make sure I got it exactly the way I wanted it, this was an important chapter. Let me know if you think I got it wrong- I appreciate everyone's reviews!