Author's Note: Sorry for the delay, everybody. I actually had two different ways I wanted to end this story and I couldn't decide which way to go, so…I wrote both of them. I'm going to post both versions at the same time – this one and the next one, which has an alternate ending.

Rachel – I'm glad you have been enjoying it. I have read stories where Padme is a prisoner of the Empire too, but hopefully I will accomplish something different from what has been done before.

DarthGladiator45 – he might know more than we think.

Bethie522 – thank you very much, I'm happy that you look forward to reading the rest.

Jessica – thank you. I hope you enjoy the end…

Snow Lepord – all of those questions will be answered in this chapter (and the alternate version)…

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

SEVEN DAYS, SEVEN NIGHTS

Day VII – The Last Meal

Sitting against the rear wall of her cell with her knees tucked tightly to her chest, Padme leered across the tiny room at the tray of food that sat just inside the door. Once again, a supply of rations and two small cups of water had been slid through the opening below it, but the Senator found it hard to even think of eating. Not only did the terrible food result in a lack of appetite, but the stress of the past few days in captivity had started to take its toll and left her feeling slightly nauseous. However, she could not say the same for her Jedi companion. He lay huddled in the corner, still sleeping off the affects of the recent interrogation that had been issued by the monstrous Chancellor Palpatine – or 'The Emperor' as he now liked to call himself…she herself would never accept or acknowledge the new title.

Reluctantly climbing to her feet and slowly closing the distance that separated her from Anakin Skywalker's place in the cell, Padme carefully studied his motionless form for a long moment before kneeling down beside him. Even if he was not hungry, she knew that his damaged body needed nourishment to gain and maintain energy.

"Master Skywalker," she whispered, gently shaking his arm. "Master Skywalker, wake up."

Groaning and turning over on his side, the Jedi hacked and coughed as he struggled to push himself up from the floor. Padme instinctively took a firm hold on his arm and helped him catch his balance, nearly toppling over when he momentarily lost his footing and stumbled.

"Are you sure you wouldn't rather stay sitting?" she asked, doing her best to keep the staggering man upright.

"That won't be necessary, Senator, I think I am alright now."

"I'm sorry to wake you, but I thought I should tell you that the food has arrived," she said once he had finally stabilized himself.

"Thank you, Senator," he graciously replied.

Taking a cautious step back to give the Knight space, Padme remained close enough to lend support if he were to lose balance until he brushed past her to make his way towards the awaiting food tray. Luckily for her, he seemed to have gathered his bearings and appeared as if he would need no further assistance.

"Well, what's on the menu for today?" he sighed.

"What do you know of Saleucami?"

Padme raised an intrigued brow. "Only that it was a major battle site during the Outer Rim Sieges."

"After the Separatist invasion was repelled by our clone troops, they relocated to Boz Pity," Anakin elaborated, finishing off the last few drops of his water. "A smaller contingent of Republic forces were left behind for mop up operations. A was sent to help make sure things ran smoothly. Obviously, they didn't…"

"So that was where you were when…it happened," Padme hesitantly questioned.

"Yes, it was."

Padme intently listened while the rambling Knight continued to explain the circumstances that had brought him back to Coruscant as a prisoner of the Empire. Unlike most of the Jedi Order, he had miraculously survived the brutality of Order 66.

Having already filled her companion in on the details of her own imprisonment, Padme had asked him about the events that had led to his capture. Surprisingly, it did not take much to get him to talk. Though he had not been overly forthcoming during their short time together, he was finally beginning to drop his usual mask of formality. It was a trait that every Jedi the Senator had ever met possessed – one that had grated on her nerves on more than one occasion during her dealings with them.

"It is not a very desirable planet," he said with a faint grin. "There are many other places I would choose to visit before going back there."

"I'll just be happy if I ever get another chance to visit someplace other than this cell," Padme bitterly retorted.

"Don't worry, Senator," the Knight confidently replied as his smirk broadened. "I have a feeling you will get the opportunity."

Padme softly laughed. "Do you know something that I don't?"

"Perhaps. I am a Jedi, after all," he quickly remarked, returning the laugh with a light chuckle of his own. "Trust me."

Padme smiled while she casually returned her attention to the crumbs that lay scattered upon the tray at her side. It was not until hours after her fatigued roommate had eaten that she had eventually decided to eat her share of the rations that had been provided, still not at all pleased at having to endure the fowl taste yet again. The flavor was something that she would never get used to, nor would she ever want to.

"Tell me more about Naboo."

Padme glanced back up at the young Jedi and fondly smiled. "Oh, it's wonderful there. There are meadows, rolling hills, waterfalls…for me, it is paradise. It is absolutely perfect. My entire family lives there. I hope to see them soon, I miss them all so much. I can only pray they are safe and well out of harms way."

"The day will – "

Suddenly, both sets of eyes darted over to the cell door when its energy field vanished. Jumping up to her feet, Padme kept her gaze fixated on it while her fellow prisoner picked himself up to his full height beside her.

"Stay back," he warned as he took a protective step in front of her. "They have come for me."

The door flew open a moment later. Just like the last time he had been whisked away, battle droids and destroyer droids stood in wait behind it.

"Come with us," the lead droid commanded. "Move it."

"You can't take him again so soon, he is too weak. He is still recovering from the last time you took him," Padme defiantly interjected, moving out from behind the Jedi and taking position in front of him to emphasize the firmness of her protest. She could feel the dumbfounded Jedi's stare on the back of her neck, but she simply ignored it. "You have already done enough damage – you are going to kill him!"

The droid trained its blaster rifle on the former politician as it advanced. "I have been authorized to use force. Move aside or I'll shoot."

The Senator was hurriedly nudged out of the path of the rifle from behind. "It's okay, Senator…I'll be fine."

The droid remained with its weapon aimed straight ahead of it, now centered directly on the Knights' chest. "Follow me, Lord Vader."

"Vader!" Padme couldn't contain a gasp.

Vader. She knew that name. Lord Vader, the Emperors right-hand…why was this droid calling Anakin Skywalker – one of the greatest heroes of the Republic – Lord Vader?

Looking to the man that stood a short distance away from her, she saw a brief look of pain and shame flash across his features before he abruptly turned his back to her. Without saying another word, he drifted out of the room with the infuriating droid following in stride. Padme could only watch in stunned silence as the door sealed behind them and its energy field flickered back to life.

She was in complete and utter shock. Vader…one of the most vicious and dangerous beings in the whole of the galaxy. He had led the march on the Jedi Temple, had slaughtered countless Jedi under the execution of Palpatine's despicable law…but how was it possible that he and Anakin Skywalker were one and the same? It couldn't be. The 'Hero With No Fear' was a dedicated defender of the Republic and a loyal Knight within the ranks of the once thriving Order. He would never take any part in its decimation.

Staring at the door in pure awe and confusion, the Senator sank to the floor and struggled to grasp onto the unbelievable fact…he had not denied it. Skywalker was Lord Vader.

Hours had crept by and Padme still couldn't comprehend what had occurred earlier in the day. The impact of the situation was a lot for her to wrap her head around. For almost seven days, she had shared a cell with a murderer and hadn't even known it. She could recall the initial surprise at learning that the man who had been locked up along with her was the most famous hero of the Republic…that was nothing compared to the shock she had felt at learning of his other identity. The knowledge that he was now a devoted follower of the Empire would have made her feel nauseous even if she hadn't already.

Snapping out of her cluttered thoughts, she immediately sprang to her feet when the energy field that covered her cell door faded away once again. Her fists involuntarily clenched at her sides when the door flew open.

Eyes widening at the sight of a glowing lightsaber blade, she could only manage to get one question out. "Who are you?"

"Senator Amidala, we need to hurry," the auburn-haired man impatiently replied. "A security breach will not stay unnoticed for long. We will be swarmed by clone troopers if we linger for too long…"

Deciding it would be best to comply and ask questions later, Padme obliged without argument and raced out of the cell to join the stranger. Hearing the sound of metal clattering and scraping as her foot came into contact with an object on the ground, she turned her focus to the floor and spotted the scraps of several destroyed battle droids.

Calling back over his shoulder, the man started down the long hallway that she now found herself standing in. "This way, Senator!"

She followed suit and kept close behind him as he rushed around the corner. She nearly shouted in surprise when they met a clone trooper – her new savior swiftly dispatching it with his ignited lightsaber and continuing on his way.

In a matter of mere minutes, they emerged from the building and ran full-speed out onto a landing platform. Padme would have relished in the sensation of fresh air filling her lungs if it were not for her frantic situation.

"Quickly," the man urged, gesturing towards a lone ship that sat at the edge of the platform. Flanked on either side by armed soldiers dressed in unfamiliar uniforms, its engines roared to life the instant they approached. The man deactivated his weapon as they drew closer. "Sergeant, if you could kindly take the controls."

One of the uniformed men nodded his head before entering the ship, the others right behind him. Padme glanced back at the building behind her for a moment as they filed into its hull. She had been a prisoner for seven days…and she had been trapped in the very building that she had first arrived at upon returning to Coruscant. She stood on the very same platform that she had stood on the last time she had seen Chancellor Palpatine.

"Senator."

Whipping around at the voice that spoke up behind her, the same man who had been wielding the lightsaber watched her expectantly. She hastily started up the boarding ramp of the ship and it retracted behind her, the door sliding shut after she had securely made it inside.

"Who are you?" she asked again while the ship lifted off of the platform and rose into the Coruscant skyline.

"My name is Obi-Wan Kenobi," the man jovially answered.

"Kenobi?" Padme repeated. "General Kenobi? How did you find me?"

A sorrowful expression appeared on the man's face as he responded. "It is a long story, Senator. Let's just say that my old padawan spent a lot of time in meditation to get me here…"