Adame shmi Skywalker Vader – first off, thank you very much for your kind comments, I very much appreciate them. I haven't read the story you mentioned, but I will definitely look into it. I'll leave a review as soon as I've checked it out…

Bethie522 – those are all good questions. I think this chapter should clear most of them up, so I hope you enjoy…

Snow Lepord – well, I suppose I should have cleared up a few things when I started this fic. In this particular plotline, Padme and Anakin have never met until now. Also, Anakin is a bit different in this than he was in the original story.

DarthGladiator45 – I was wondering if the battle droids were going to throw anyone off. A couple of reviews have mentioned their appearance, but I assure you they will be explained…right now.

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

SEVEN DAYS, SEVEN NIGHTS

Day VI – Broken Ties

Six days. It had been six days since Padme's imprisonment by the treacherous Chancellor Palpatine. Six days since she had been taken captive by the despicable Empire and locked away to be ignored by the outside world. The former Senator of the Galactic Republic was growing increasingly claustrophobic as a result of being confined to such a constricting living space for such a lengthy period of time. The conditions of her tiny cell were beginning to take their toll on her state of mind and she desperately prayed that she would soon be released, free to return to Naboo and to her family. Deep down, she knew that such prayers were not likely to be answered, but she continued to remain firm in her belief that everything would be set right. If it were not for her faith in the principle that good would always find a way to overcome evil, she would never have gotten as far as she had in life.

Clutching the cloak that remained wrapped around her petite body, Padme couldn't help but wonder if the temperature in the dim room was actually dropping or if it was only her imagination playing tricks on her. Thinking back on the brief time she had spent with her Jedi cellmate, the politician sighed aloud. His presence had been a blessing in disguise. The famed Jedi Knight had provided her with a momentary yet welcome distraction from the gravity and danger of her situation. Now without another person to converse with, she was left alone to wallow in her grief and run the horrific possibilities of what could happen over in her head. Only the grim future was left to occupy her thoughts, along with the fate of 'The Hero With No Fear', Anakin Skywalker.

Sighing a second time, she nestled further into the corner of the cell and attempted to drift back to sleep. However, she knew that there was a slim chance she would be getting any more rest.

Padme peered across the room at the wall opposite the one she leaned against, uncomfortably fidgeting on the cool surface of her cell floor while she attempted to get situated yet again. This particular day seemed to drag on and last an eternity – more so than the few standard days prior. The Senator wasn't sure she would be able to endure captivity for much longer. It felt like a slow and subtle method of torture to her. She wouldn't doubt it if her current circumstances were motivated by the Chancellor's malicious resentment towards her and the work she had done in serving the now deceased Republic.

Her brooding was suddenly interrupted when the energy field in front of her rooms' door flickered out of existence. The steady humming of the shield was soon replaced by an ear-piercing screech as the door slowly opened, revealing Anakin Skywalker and several battle droids standing behind it. Startled, Padme sprang to her feet and silently watched while the Jedi Knight was nudged in the back from behind and ushered inside. She immediately rushed to his side when he stumbled to a knee – cradling his side in pain as a fit of coughing violently consumed his tall frame. When Padme finally returned her gaze to his droid escorts, they were already receding back into the hall from which they had arrived while pulling the cell door shut behind them.

She quickly returned her attention to the injured Knight when he sank forward, almost crushing the small woman under the bulk of his weight as he visibly lost what little strength he still possessed. Although it felt somewhat awkward to be so close with a complete stranger, Padme allowed him to collapse against her for support.

He appeared to be suffering from the same illness that had impaired him the first day he had been tossed into the less than spacious cell with her. His lower lip quivered as more strangled coughs escaped his trembling form. Without hesitation, Padme impulsively wrapped an arm around his broad shoulders in a gesture of comfort, much as a mother would nurture a sick child back to health.

"Gods, what did they do to you?" she muttered aloud, more to herself than to anyone else. She curiously stared down at the Jedi's tense face when he moved his mouth to speak, but she couldn't understand exactly what it was that he was trying to get out. "What? What did you say, Master Skywalker?"

He fended off another coughing fit before whispering again in a hoarse and raspy voice. "Lightning…"

Padme had grown tired, but remained where she was on the hard floor of the cell with her wounded Jedi companion unconscious in her arms. Once he had drifted off, she had attempted to move, but the Knight was far too heavy and she didn't wish to hurt him further by trying to forcefully push him aside. Her position would just have to suffice for the time being.

Although she was pinned for the moment, she had managed to shift from her place and find a more suitable position that slightly eased the discomfort of her cellmate's smothering weight. His shallow breaths had evened out since his initial arrival, but they were still weak…her assessment of his condition was not looking very promising.

Padme had tried to make sense of what the fragile man had said before he had slipped into his trauma-induced slumber. Lightning. She had asked what their captors had done to him and that was what he had said. She chalked it up to the Jedi being delirious and incoherent – he was obviously not in a clear state of mind at the time of the explanation. She would have to ask him again once he had regained consciousness…

Jolting upright, Padme had not even realized that she herself had nearly dozed off until Knight Skywalker began to stir in her arms. She quickly released her hold on the Jedi and watched while his eyes fluttered open.

"Master?" he groaned.

Raising a puzzled brow, Padme pensively cleared her throat before responding. "No, Master Skywalker, it is Senator Amidala."

"Senator? W-where are…" he stuttered as he hastily crawled onto his side.

"You are back in a detention cell," Padme answered his unfinished question, nervously watching him struggle to move into a sitting position. "You have been injured. How are you feeling?"

"Injured?" the Jedi repeated.

Padme's concerns rose when the dazed man still failed to grasp onto what was going on around him. He was pained and confused, none of her words quite sinking in or getting through the haze that seemed to be clouding his better judgment.

"You were taken away," Padme proceeded to explain. "What did they do?"

The Jedi's red eyes focused on the Senator for a long moment, gradually becoming more aware and alert to his surroundings. "He…he wants answers."

"Who?" Padme asked.

"The Emperor," he replied with a labored sigh. "They'll be back soon."

"Were you interrogated?" Padme questioned in disgust, watching the Knight as he ran a hand over his tired face.

She found the idea of inflicting harm upon others to obtain information to be a repulsive concept, but she also knew that – given its recent and horrifying declarations – the Empire would feel no remorse in stooping to such a level. The former Chancellor had announced his intentions to do whatever he deemed necessary to restore peace to the galaxy…however; she knew that it was not peace that the corrupt leader desired.

"They will do what they must," was the Jedi's blunt retort.

Gathering from his demurred tone that he was not willing to fill her in on the details of his departure, Padme decided it would be best to change the subject. There was actually something else that she had been pondering over. "Where did the battle droids come from? I thought Palpatine deactivated the entire Separatist army after their leaders surrendered…"

"Many of the Emperors promises have not been honored, Senator," he scornfully remarked. "The clones are weak-minded and easy to manipulate. I can only assume the droids have been tending to us because of my inability to alter their actions…they have no minds to influence."

"So they are being used against those who are Force sensitive," Padme said, considering the disturbing notion.

Just then, Padme's attention was drawn to the ceiling when the lights in their cell went out, leaving the two prisoners illuminated by the dim glow of the reactivated energy field that covered its only exit.

Much to her dismay, Knight Skywalker had already rolled onto his back and was once again unconscious by the time her gaze returned to him.