A/N: For those of you who are curious,Vader's reasons for joining the dark side will be revealed as the story progresses. Also, a couple other questions were asked in the reviews, so I'll clear some of those up now. Anakin was never a Jedi, so he never met Obi-Wan. More on Anakin's past will be revealed later, since this is AU and I have to give you some background. As for how many Jedi survived, not many and they probably won't be playing a big role in this story. Thanks for reading everyone!

Chapter 4: The Slave Unleashed

The four bearers placed the metal plank holding Padmé down on the floor at Vader's feet. Vader stared down at his gift who was now glaring at him. The room fell silent as the crowd of people watched the slave and master gaze at one another. Soon the crowd averted their eyes from Padmé, and watched Vader instead. For many of them, Senator Amidala used to command a great deal of respect, but now that she was a common slave she was not worth their time. It would be improper and detrimental to their status in Imperial society if they consorted with her now.

Vader continued to stare down at his gift for another minute, showing no emotion to the angry woman before him. He broke the silence of the room when he addressed her bearers. "Take her to my quarters, I will deal with her later."

"As you wish, my lord," the bearers replied in unison.

As the bearers carried Padmé out of the Senate chamber to Vader's Coruscant apartment, Vader turned towards his master and knelt on the ground. "Thank you my master, I am deeply honored by your gift."

"You are welcome, my apprentice. Now, go see to your gift, I will adjourn this celebration."

"As you wish, my master."

Sidious smiled as he watched his apprentice leave the celebration. Everything had been perfect this evening. As a lowly slave girl, Amidala no longer commanded any power. Subjects of the Empire would look at her in disgust, and the rebels would not use her as a uniting point. The rebels used to rally around her due to the power she yielded, but the Emperor has stripped her of that, and he was thrilled. Additionally, by not killing her and allowing her to live, he had prevented her from becoming a martyr. This act will ensure that she cannot strengthen the irritating rebellion. Sidious smiled again, a gleam in his eye, knowing that the high media presence will ensure that everyone in the galaxy witnessed Amidala's demotion.

However, the thing that made Sidious most happy was that she was no longer his problem. His apprentice is off planet most of the time on missions for the Empire, missions that she will now attend. Sidious will hardly have to see Amidala ever again. Everything was perfect.

Sidious graciously thanked all of his guests for coming to the celebration, and took his leave to continue his private celebration over his victory with Amidala. Perhaps he should not have burdened his apprentice with that insufferable woman, but in the long run Sidious believed his decision was for the best interests of maintaining power in his Empire. Besides, his apprentice will probably enjoy being the master of a slave.

Darth Vader left the Emperor's party confused. Why would his master think he would want a slave, given his past? Vader might be a Sith Lord, but he did not promote or encourage slavery, given he himself had spent ten years of his life as a slave. His master should have understood this; after all it was he who had rescued him 13 years ago from that pitiful existence. Vader sighed. Perhaps meditation would help explain his master's motives, but before then, he had to go deal with his gift.
Darth Vader had a very lavish apartment, for someone who was barely on the planet for any length of time. He had a large penthouse on the top of the Senate apartments. Being the only resident on the top floor, Vader could have some privacy away from the eyes of the Senators below him. His master had given the apartment to Vader shortly after the Republic was disbanded and the Empire was created. Vader was pleased with the gift, but knew that his master had ulterior motives. With Vader's presence in the building, Sidious was ensuring that the Senators would bend to his will and follow Imperial rule.

Vader entered his apartment, and walked straight to his bedroom. Sitting on his bed was his new slave, former Senator Padmé Amidala if the whispers at the party were correct, still chained to her metal slab. As Vader walked towards the bed, he took off his cloak and threw it at a nearby chair. Padmé's brown eyes glared up at him as he approached her.

Vader looked her over in silence as he sat down on the bed next to her. He had to admit, he might not like the idea of having a slave, but at least his master picked somebody who was pleasant to look at. Vader shook his head to end his musings, and spoke to his gift.

"I know you are angry about all this. I did not know what my master had planned tonight, I can assure you of that. Additionally, you may find this hard to believe, but I understand what you are feeling right now."

Padmé snorted in angry laughter. This Sith had no idea how she felt. She had just been humiliated in front of the entire galaxy, and was now the slave to this scum. She suspected he was trying to be nice to her to get her to be more cooperative. Well, she was not going to obey any Sith, so she remained silent while he continued to talk.

Vader could feel her anger, and decided to start with some small talk before going ahead with his plans. "What is your name?"

Padmé did not answer.

"Tell me your name, or I'll make one up for you. One I'm sure you'll hate." Vader persisted.

Padmé's eyes narrowed at this as she answered in a haughty voice, "You may call me Senator Padmé Amidala."

Vader smirked at her. "Well, milady." He said stressing every syllable of the courtesy title. "I do not believe you are a Senator anymore, so I will call you Padmé." As an after thought, he added, "Get used to it."

Vader could feel Padmé's anger grow with his words, but continued to talk to her. "So, Padmé." He paused for a moment and then continued. "I will have you know I have no need or desire to have a slave."

Padmé glanced up at Vader, puzzled by this announcement. What did he plan on doing with her?

"However, I cannot give you back to the Emperor. He would be most displeased. He will also not let me give you up." Vader paused to give Padmé an opportunity to take everything in. "So, here is how things are going to be. While on Coruscant, you will have your own room in these apartments. You will not be allowed to leave the apartment, but you can do what you please while here. If you need something, just ask and I will decide if you can or cannot have it."

Padmé opened her mouth to spit out a retort, but Vader silenced her by continuing with his speech. "You will accompany me on my ship when I leave for missions. However, there is not enough space on board to give you a private room, so you will share quarters with me."

Padmé seemed to narrow her eyes even more, if that was even possible. "There is no point in arguing about this, I cannot let you leave, and if I did where would you go? No one will take you in now that you have been demoted to a slave girl." Vader added. "Now, if you hold still for a moment, I will take that collar off of you and show you to your room."

Padmé did not say anything as Vader stood up from the bed. Unfortunately, he was right. Even if she could leave, no one would take her in. The Imperials would not want to be spotted with Vader's slave girl. Her rebel friends might want to help her, but they could endanger their cause if they were caught helping her. Padmé was stuck under house arrest with the Sith Lord lackey. Just as she had resigned herself to her fate, she was startled and jumped at the sound of a lightsaber.

"Calm down, don't move. Your collar is welded together, and this is the only way I can get it off. I promise I won't hurt you, just stay still." Vader explained.

In a quick movement, Vader expertly sliced through the collar, removing it from Padmé's neck without leaving a burn on her. After the collar was removed, he offered his hand to her to help her stand so he could lead her to her room. However, she did not take it. She got off the bed, and stood by his side in defiance.

Vader rolled his eyes at her, and then stated, "Follow me."

He led her to a room adjacent to his and allowed her to enter. "Stay here, I will try to get you some clothes to wear. I'll check on you in a few hours." He stated as he closed and locked the door behind her.