Dreaming of You
Two years post RotS AU No Vader/Obi-Wan duel
Darth Vader's having dreams of a woman long dead, but all is not as it seems
Prologue - Waking Up
Darth Vader tossed and turned in his bed, anyone who could have been watching would think he was having a nightmare. But it was the opposite, he was having an incredible dream, after all it was about his late wife. He had started dreaming of her suddenly, just a week before. They were always different, but they were always happy.
"Anakin, you promised we would go swimming today!" He looked up to see his wife standing a little ways from him, arms full of towels. Vader nodded, remembering the promise made in last night's dream. They were once again at Padme's lake retreat on Naboo, like they had been the past six nights.
"Hey!" He shouted from the doorway where he was greeted with a splash of water. He ran after her as she headed back to the lake, jumping in before he could catch her. Then a pair of pale hands emerged from beneath the water, taking hold of his legs. Before he knew what was going on she had pulled him in. "You're going to pay for that." He sputtered as soon as they had floated back to the top.
"Am I?" She asked innocently with a smirk on her beautiful face.
"I think you are." He kissed her, sinking his fingers into her wet hair, loving the feel of her.
"I have to go." She whispered pulling away.
"Not yet. Stay just a little while longer!" He begged, they had only been together a few moments.
"I can't." He reached out for her, but she had disapeared.
Vader shot up, rubbing his forehead with his left hand. The dreams puzzled him, he hadn't seen her in over two years but she now haunted his dreams every night. Glancing at the clock, he knew it was time to get up, even though he'd very much like to stay in bed and return to his dreams. He had always liked dreaming of her in the fifteen years he'd known her. But this time he knew he would never see her again. He didn't deserve to ever lay eyes on her magnifcent form again, not even in the afterlife. No one who had killed an angel deserved to be among that same beauty again.
His day hadn't been short enough, his work had been stressful. Spies had informed him of a rebellion rising from the ashes of the Old Republic, but it was impossible to tell who was taking part yet. But Darth Vader had a few good ideas, ones that would be investigated as soon as they had the time. Right now he would retire, as always, he would rather dream of Padme.
Vader pushed the bedroom door open, and saw his wife busy transferring clothing from her drawers to an open suitcase on their bed.
"Where are you going?" He asked going further into the room they had shared over the week he had been coming here.
"Alderaan. Since you'll be reporting to the Jedi Council and unable to protect me, I'll be staying with Bail and his family until you come get me."
"I thought his wife couldn't have children."
"They adopted a little girl about two years ago. She's adorable." He couldn't help but notice her sad tone before she began to fade away.
The Sith Lord opened his eyes yet again, disapointed by the shortest dream yet. Viceroy Organa was someone he suspected of taking part in the rebellion. Was his wife's spirit trying to guide him to them? Somehow he didn't think so, she and Bail Organa had always been friends, he doubted she would betray him. But now was the time to pay the senator a visit, and possibly put an end to this foolish rebellion. His only assignment at the time was to find as many rebels as possible and dispose of them, so there was no need to ask his master for permission to leave. By noon, Darth Vader had left his hideaway on Vjun and started the one day journey to Alderaan.
He had just entered the palace on Alderaan to escort Padme back to Naboo when he saw her rushing down the main stairway.
"Anakin!" She cried, a smile on her face, and he saw that she was closely followed by a little girl whom he assumed to be the princess.
"I've missed you." He told her as they embraced, she looked up at him and the smile disapeared.
"Who are you?" She asked trying to break free of his arms, once she did she picked the child up from her seat on the floor.
"What do you mean? I'm your husband."
"No you're not, Anakin was my husband. You're Darth Vader!"
Deep within the palace in Aldera, Padme Skywalker escaped her coma and sat up with a labored gasp.
Tell me what you think, I'll try and have the next part up soon.