Snow Lepord – hmm, you'll just have to wait and see…

Bethie522 – thank you for the support, I appreciate it.

DarthGladiator45 – hmm, you'll just have to wait and see too…

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters or anything Star Wars related.

SEVEN DAYS, SEVEN NIGHTS

Day III - Introductions

Padme awoke to familiar and unpleasant surroundings. Once again, the former Senator from Naboo found herself locked away in a cramped holding cell and her back ached as it rested against the hard metallic wall directly behind her. She could feel the cold surface through the thin fabric of her clothing and barely contained the shrill shiver that ran down her spine when she painfully began to climb to her feet, doing her best not to tremble. She had never intended to fall asleep and let her guard down, but after the lights in the cell had gone out and had left her engulfed by a restricting darkness, her eyelids had refused to stay open. Unfortunately, the lights in the ceiling were still off and she was forced to strain her eyes as she searched for the man that had been tossed into the tiny room with her the previous evening – or so she guessed that was what time of the day it had been.

With the assistance of the constantly glowing energy field that shielded the impenetrable door to the cell, her eyes eventually settled on the shadowy silhouette of her new roommate. He awkwardly sat with his back leaning against the wall opposite the one she herself had unwillingly fallen asleep against, his head bowed while he remained in a motionless slumber. He had obviously regained consciousness during the time Padme had been sleeping. Luckily, he had moved to the furthest corner of the room and had created a good distance between them.

His contorted features were illuminated by the dim glow of the activated energy field, and from what the Senator could make out of the barely visible expression of pain on his face, he did not seem to be sleeping very peacefully. A strained crease in his forehead gave the stranger the appearance of someone who was extremely uncomfortable and under a great deal of tension. Just what exactly was wrong with him, she couldn't be sure…but something was very wrong. She had known as much ever since his arrival.

This particular person had clearly been injured, but by what or whom?

Leaping to her feet, Padme immediately peered across the cell at its door when the energy field in front of it suddenly vanished from existence. Her companion did not stir from his position on the floor, but the headstrong politician was determined and prepared to greet their visitors readily. She glanced down at the bottom of the door a moment later and watched in puzzlement as a narrow slit opened beneath it. The passage was only large enough for an average human arm to reach through and she curiously watched, furrowing a brow as a single tray was slid into the room. The missing section of the door was replaced by its usual durasteel the second it was inside and the energy field was reactivated.

Quietly huffing to herself in frustration, Padme slowly crept towards the tray and crouched down before it. Sitting on it were several rations and two small cups filled with water. She let a heavy sigh escape her lips as she looked it over and remembered the awful taste of the unappetizing food she had already been forced to endure during her short stay. She grimaced at the thought of having to choke it down again and carelessly shoved the tray aside…

Padme had been awake for hours before the lights to the cell had finally turned back on. Grateful that she could see again, her burning eyes had long since adjusted to the change of contrast and she was now restlessly pacing back and forth to help kill the time. She was careful to not make much noise – seeing as how the individual she shared her living space with had yet to have regained consciousness. He had occasionally shifted his weight in his sleep, but had shown no other signs of life. She was beginning to wonder if he ever would.

Lost in her wandering thoughts, she didn't even notice when the man started to awaken until a low moan sounded from deep down in his throat. It was followed by a coughing fit as he rolled onto his side. Padme quickly turned her gaze to his presence in the confining room and watched while he weakly attempted to push himself up from the ground. She felt the need to assist him in getting up, but instantly thought better of the idea and stayed where she was, not moving a muscle as she cautiously stared at his trembling form.

"Water," he managed to choke out. "Please…"

His vocal chords were raw and hoarse, making it difficult for her to make his words out at first. Then, reaching a shaky hand out to indicate the tray that had been brought to the cell, his request sank in and she understood what he wanted. She hurriedly grabbed one of the cups of water before making her way over to his side; still reluctant to get too close and keeping them separated by a safe distance while she handed it over.

Without pause, he tilted his head back and consumed the life-giving liquid. He dropped the cup once it had been drained and took a relieved breath. Grunting in pain, he struggled to move into a sitting position and returned to his previous place against the wall behind him.

"Thank you," he said as he squinted up at the lights shining down from above.

Padme silently watched while his eyes fluttered into focus and eventually opened completely, intently taking in the sight of the room. She could easily tell that he was confused and not entirely coherent as he surveyed the area. Brushing his tousled hair out of his face with one of his hands, he leaned his head against the silver wall of the cell and sighed in exasperation. He was terribly fatigued.

Feeling confident that he was in no shape to present much of a threat for the time being, Padme hesitantly knelt down and studied his tired face appraisingly. "How are you feeling?"

"I'll be fine," he offered distantly. "Who are you?"

Debating whether or not she should tell the truth, Padme decided not to divulge her full identity just yet…she would give as little information as possible. "I'm a Senator."

"A Senator?"

"Yes, of the Old Republic," she explained, receiving a skeptical and wary look from her companion. "And who are you?"

A long moment of silence went by before her question was answered. "I was a Jedi…once."

"A Jedi?" Padme's eyes slightly widened.

"It was a long time ago," the stranger somberly replied. Then he once again inspected their surroundings and swiftly changed the subject. "Where are we?"

Padme frowned and glanced around as well. "I'm not entirely sure. Somewhere on Coruscant, I believe."

Swallowing a lump in his throat, the man stifled another cough and allowed his eyelids to fall.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Padme asked attentively.

This time, her question was not answered. Her fellow prisoner had already drifted back to sleep and she was left alone to spend the rest of the day in quiet solitude.

Padme spent the remainder of the day staring blankly at the walls of the cumbersome cell and impatiently waiting for her captors to show up. She desperately wished that there were tiles on the ceiling for her to count, just so she would have something to do.

Thus far, her only contact with the outside world had been with the clones that had periodically delivered the trays of rations and water, but now they weren't even coming anymore. Instead, the last supply of disgusting food had been dropped off by an unknown visitor from an opening at the bottom of the door that she had not even realized was there until it had been used right in front of her. Palpatine must have ordered that she and the man accompanying her be kept isolated.

She glanced up when the lights in the ceiling shut off. Apparently night had come and it was time for rest…