Here's the second version…
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters or anything Star Wars related.
SEVEN DAYS, SEVEN NIGHTS
Day VII – The Last Meal
(alternate ending)
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 wits 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."
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.
The door flew open a moment later.
"Aah, Senator Amidala…"
Padme felt anger rise and seethe within her when she saw the dark figure lurch into the cell. From beneath the black cloak he wore, she could see Palpatine's lips curl up into a menacing grin, baring a gruesome row of teeth as he cackled in delight.
"Chancellor," she spat in contempt. "Why have you kept me here? I demand you release me…"
The Emperors sinister cackles only grew louder at the Senators command. "You will be released, my dear child. We have already learned everything we need from you."
"What are you talking about?" Padme questioned, thick revulsion lacing her every word. "Even if I had any information that you might find of value, I would never tell you anything."
"Oh, but you already have," Palpatine triumphantly retorted. "Lord Vader has discovered your secrets, Senator…we know everything."
Padme's jaw dropped when Anakin approached the Chancellor and joined him at the door.
"Vader!" Padme couldn't contain a gasp.
Vader. She knew that name. Lord Vader, the Emperors right-hand…why was the Chancellor calling Anakin Skywalker – one of the greatest heroes of the Republic – Lord Vader?
"Gather a battalion of soldiers and prepare to depart," Palpatine ordered the Jedi. "Go to Alderaan and pay our friend Senator Organa a visit."
"Yes, Master," the deceitful Knight replied before briskly exiting the room.
Padme could only watch in astonishment. "I don't…I…"
"Lord Vader has been probing your mind for several days now," Palpatine answered her unfinished quandary. "You are strong-willed, Senator Amidala…it took his best efforts to penetrate your shields. However, once you relaxed and let your defenses down, my apprentice had no trouble in reading your thoughts. It was all we needed to find out who was behind this new organization of Organa's. This…rebellion. Now he and his alliance can be properly dealt with."
Padme recoiled in fear at the horrifying realization. "No…"
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…and now he would be taking part in the decimation of Bail Organa's rebellion – a rebellion that had hoped to salvage the fallen Republic and end the rule of the Empire once and for all.
Staring at the door in pure awe and confusion, the Senator sank to the floor and struggled to grasp onto the unbelievable fact…it was all her fault.
"You will no longer be needed after Organa is gone," her captor snarled, spinning on his heels and starting out of the cell. "Your fate may be more fortunate than his, but have no misgivings…the Old Republic is no more."
Padme could only watch in stunned silence as the door sealed behind Palpatine's retreating form and its energy field flickered back to life.