Author Note: WOW! What great reviews! Thanks to all of you!

CaptJoe213 - Thanks for pointing out my mistakes. I do try and proof read everything I write, but sometimes little things like that go by unnoticed, so thanks for pointing it out and I'm glad you like it so far.

Audra Laudarque - Don't worry, I don't really have time to read those stories at the moment anyway, so you won't have to worry about them influencing me.

Kates Master - Oh don't you worry, Padme's not going to be very obedient, as you'll soon see from this next chapter.

soggybread - Welcome and I'm glad you like it so far.

elizabethbenett - Don't worry, there are going to be alot of surprises in this story, and not all of them are predictable!

MarshaMarshaMarsha - I wasn't aware that the title belonged to Shakespeare, but I promise you I didn't steal it. I just heard it somewhere and thought it sounded good. If it makes you feel any better, I could do a little disclaimer just for you, all about the title?

And as for everyone else who reviewed, thanks so much. I'm glad you all like it, and for those readers who didn't...keep reading!

oOo

The chime of the door signaled to Vader that his new slave had arrived, so with one final glance in the mirror to check his reflection, he started for the door. Just as he had expected, there were two clone guards, escorting Padme, who had now been re-dressed in a simple black bikini and sandals with a sheet of black cloth wrapped around her waist, serving as a skirt. She had gold manacles on her wrists and ankles, and a golden collar round her neck with a chain attached to it. One of the guards was holding the chain, while the other was propping Padme up in his arms. She seemed weak and not all with it as they marched her into the appartment.

"Careful sir, she's still a little drugged," one of the clones said as they stood her infront of Vader, handed over the chain, bowed and then left. There was silence for a moment as Padme swayed slightly on her feet, trying hard to fight the effects of whatever drugs they had given her. Vader took this opportunity to study her properly, and now that most of her flesh had been revealed by her new clothes, it made him realise just how lucky he was.

She was small and shapely, and his eyes traced the delicate curves of her body, then travelled back up to her face. It was so pure, so innocent looking, and he found that he could have looked into those eyes all day. They were so mesmerising, drawing him in.

And then, as he walked around her, examining her from all angles, he realised that her hair had been drawn into a long braid that fell down the centre of her back. The deep chocolate colour matched her eyes, and he reached out to stroke it. It was soft and smooth, like the purest of silk.

And then his hand travelled to her bare shoulders, and he relished in the silky smoothness of her skin. But as he touched her, he felt her flinch.

Frowning, he moved back infront of her, took her chin in his hand and tilted her head up to look at him.

"You must not fear me. I saved your life," he said, but his tone was commanding and authorative, nothing like the way he'd meant it to sound. Infact, it sounded harsh, causing Padme to flinch even more. He could have kicked himself for being so cruel, but then he reminded himself that he was a Sith. He was supposed to be cruel and unkind. Otherwise, how would he get anything done? If people didn't fear him, it would completely undermine his status as a Sith Lord.

So he decided on a different tactic. Unclipping the chain from the collar, he threw it to one side and stepped back.

"I am your Master now. Do as I say, and no harm will come to you. Do you understand?"

Either the drugs had hindered her ability to speak, or she was just being stubborn, because she said nothing as she looked at him, a slight scowl etching its way across her fair features.

"Do you understand?" he said in a more forceful tone, causing her scowl to deepen. He had the feeling she was just being stubborn now, so when he still received no answer, he grew angry, and the Sith within him rose up, turning his eyes a deadly shade of Sith yellow.

"You will answer me!" he bellowed, but she still said nothing, standing there defiantly glaring at him, so he raised his mechanical arm and wrapped it round her throat. The more she gasped, the more he tightened his grip. he could have crushed her neck so easily, and at that moment in time, he didn't really care. He didn't even notice the door open and Sidious stride in, until the Sith Lord cleared his throat.

"Now now Lord Vader. Don't go breaking her just yet. You've only had her ten minutes," Sidious chuckled and Vader released his grip. Padme dropped to the floor, gasping and holding her throat.

"Master, I wasn't expecting you," Vader replied with a low bow.

"I came to see how you were getting on with your new slave. Obviously not very well."

"She was refusing to speak, Master, so I thought I'd teach her a lesson," Vader explained, motioning to Padme, who was still kneeling on the floor, trying to recover from the shock.

"Hmmmm, perhaps you made the wrong decision, Lord Vader. It seems that she is too strong willed to become a slave," Sidious said as he watched Padme. "Perhaps you should choose another and I'll have her returned to her cell?"

"No!" Vader cried immediately. Then, realising what he'd just done, he cleared his throat and corrected himself before Sidious could say anything. "I mean, no thank you, My Master. I'm sure I can tame her spirit. It will just take a little time."

"Well, if you're sure?"

"Yes Master."

"Very well, then I shall leave you to it. But remember Lord Vader. Break her, and you won't get another one."

"Yes Master," Vader replied with a bow, inwardly cringing at the way Sidious had refered to Padme as nothing more than a child's play thing.

He waited until his Master had left the appartment before he turned back to Padme, who had finally got back to her feet. A fist shaped bruise was already forming around her neck and he felt slightly guilty at having hurt her, remembering his own unpleasant experiences as a slave when he was young.

He wondered if he should appologise, but then that would make him seem weak, and it would give her even more reason not to co-operate. In the end he decided to just forget about the whole incident, and try again at getting her to speak. This time, however, he was determined to keep his temper under control for at least a little longer.

"Now do you understand what will happen if you disobey me?" he asked at last, fully expecting the silent treatment again. But to his surprise she nodded and replied "Yes, Master."

"What?" he asked, taken back.

"Yes Master. I understand," she repeated and a slight smile crossed his lips. Her voice was so soft and gentle. He quickly hid the smile and continued.

"Good. Now, its late and I'm going to retire to bed. You will sleep on the sofa, or the floor, until I can create a more permanent place for you. Don't try to escape, because the chip in the collar will make you most uncomfortable if you do. And don't even think about trying to kill me while I sleep, because I will have to destroy you, which I don't wish to do just yet. Blankets and pillows are in the cupboard in the store room on the floor below. My droids will aid you if you cannot find them. You will return here as quickly as you can and make your bed as quietly as possible, because I do not want to be disturbed. If I am, your punishment will be severe."

Satisfied that he'd said everything he needed to, he strode into his bedroom and closed the door behind him, leaving Padme to her own devices.

oOo

As the door closed, Padme breathed a sigh of relief. At first she'd been relieved that she'd been spared, but now she was wishing that Vader had picked one of the others instead. She'd rather have been executed than treated like this for the rest of her life. If he was going to insist on 'taming her spirit' he had another think coming.

But then she didn't fancy too many more episodes of choking either. Sidious' arrival had saved her this time, but next time she may not be so lucky.

For the time being, she decided that she'd just go along with Vader's requests, and secretly plan her escape when he was away, or at night when he was sleeping. She didn't even dare think about what had happened to her poor friends and what fate Sidious had in store for them, because it only made her feel even more depressed and upset.

As she wandered down to the floor below to find the pillows and blanket, she wondered just how uncomfortable the collar would make her feel if she did try to escape. Seeing as she wasn't exactly tired yet, she decided to try it out. Walking over to the door, she opened it and stepped out.

Immediately a tingling sensation surrounded her entire body, starting from the collar round her neck. Deciding that she could put up with this new feeling, she took another few steps forward. However, with every step she took, the tingling dissolved and was replaced with a sharp pain, that increased over time until it was unbearable.

Crying out in agony, she tried to stagger back to the appartment, but even when she was back through the door and it had closed behind her, the pain didn't dissolve. It was so strong now, it was making her feel dizzy and weak. She felt something constricting round her throat again, and gasped as she dropped to her knees, tugging at the collar to try and relieve the pain.

With one last pitiful cry, she collapsed by the door and fell unconscious as a little blue and white astro-droid emerged from its re-charging station, giving a low whistle of pity as he wheeled over to her lifeless form. A long mechanical instrument emerged from his body and pressed a switch on the back of the collar, switching off the electric that was coursing through the young woman's body. She was too big for him to move by himself, and Threepio was re-charging, so he decided that she'd have to stay where she was until she woke up.

She should at least be comfortable though, he decided as he went into the little store cupboard and pulled out a heap of pillows and blankets, balancing them on his domed head. Then he went back and set the pillows under her head, and the blankets over her body. Finally satisfied that he'd done all he could to help her, he went over to his little computer base and decided to find out who she was.

Master's new slave? Poor thing...I hope he treats her as well as he treats me and Threepio the little droid thought as he scanned the new data that had been entered about Padme. He stored as much of the information as he could, and then went back to his station and shut down for a while to re-charge completely before morning, which was only a few hours away. When Threepio was re-charged, he'd tell him all about the new arrival.