Celestial Death: Hi! I was gonna update this weekend, but they were upgrading so that kinda shot my plan in the foot. Starting Monday June 6th to Thursday June 9th I have exams. So I'll try to post this during the week if I can. Thursday is my last school day for the year, so updates will come faster with summer. Wish me luck on my exams okie? After this chapter, I won't update until Thursday at the soonest. I'm sorry I'm slow on the updating, but bear with me, I don't get much computer time, hopefully summer will help with that.
Vaders Gurl: Hee! I'm glad you're hooked! Thank you so much for my first review for this story!
Cornett: I'm so sorry about the cliffie, I didn't even realize I did it. XD But, I suspect my subconscious will add more. Glad you like it. ; )
Bungalowwis: I love the stories where Padme's alive too. Thanks.
Purpletangerine: Ahhh, thanks for the support, of course I'll keep going.
Kristiana: Thank you! I hope you like this chapter.
Thefragile7393: Sorry about that! Here's what happens next.
Paxton V. French: I'm glad you find it interesting.
Window Girl: Thank you so much!
I want to thank everyone for reviewing, you don't know how much it means to me! I'm sorry if my updates come kind of slow, but don't worry, I NEVER abandon a story! Thank you all so very much. Huggles Celestial.
Disclaimer: Sadly I own nothing. But I would happily accept Vader/Anakin as a gift. Ah well.
Chapter Two: Unanswered Questions
As Vader enters the cell, he takes in the sight of the one person he's wanted to see more than anything for two years. 'She looks exactly the same.' He thinks taking in her brown hair, which is down except for two braids encircling her head. Her big brown eyes, and sweet mouth that used curve into a stunning smile. She is wearing a blue sundress that comes to just below her knees with a v-neck and bell sleeves. Sitting gracefully on the cell's tiny cot Padme makes the dreariness of the cell lessen. How long had he dreamed of this moment? His wife, his angel is finally with him, after two years of mourning. He will never let her go again. Walking towards her, Vader can't help but be pleased and amused by her skillful attempts to hide her fear. He knows how determined Padme can be, and looks foreword to the challenge of convincing her to join him. Which, he has no doubt that she will do.
"Hello Padme. How nice of you to join me." Vader says sarcastically, stopping a few steps in front of her. Padme doesn't flinch or show the slightest hint of discomfort at his close proximity, but he can sense it. She gives him a chilly smile and replies with equal sarcasm, "I didn't have much choice, Lord Vader." "No matter. You and the twins are here now, and that isn't going to change." Padme's eyes widen the slightest bit and her fear and panic show quickly on her face. "Where are my children?"
Vader smirks behind his mask. "Our children are just fine. They are sleeping in my quarters where they won't be disturbed."
"They are my children. Mine and Anakin's." Padme says, quickly losing her chilly façade.
"They are my children, just as you are my wife. Anakin is no more. You would do well to remember that." Vader replies, voice rising slightly.
"Then my husband is no more. At least let me have my children." Padme says fighting back the tears that threaten to burst.
"If you cooperate then you will be with our children. You would do wise to remember who I am, and that it is a very deadly thing to upset me. Before I tell you what I'm going to do with you, I have some unanswered questions, which you will answer. Understand?" Swallowing Padme looks down at the floor and nods. "Why did you hide from me? And I'll know if your lying Padme."
Taking a deep breath Padme replies with a throat thick from unshed tears. "I was afraid. You had turned against everything you believed in and did horrible things. Not only that, but you…you hurt me. You broke my heart, and you strangled me, when I was carrying my…our children. How could I stay with you, when I can't trust you? How do I know you won't kill me, or even worse the twins."
"I would never hurt them Padme. At the time, I was confused. I see things clearly now. I will never allow any harm to come to you or the twins."
Padme looks up at him sharply. "Not even if the Emperor ordered you to? I can't see him agreeing to me and the twins being alive."
"What makes you think he'll find out? I will not allow him to harm my family."
"Do you honestly believe you can keep us a secret from the Emperor? I don't want my children to die. They deserve a good life."
"And they will have one. Do not doubt me Padme. You doubted Anakin's skills, do not make that mistake with me."
A silence. Then, "How did you hide your presence from me?"
"It was a gift from Master Yoda. It hid our presence from all people with any ability in the force. He said there was a chance that you would be able to…surpass the cloaking, because of our bond, and the one you should have with the children. That's how you found us isn't it?"
"Yes. I could feel you for some time, but I waited until the opportune moment before coming to get you. Now that I have you, I'm never letting you go."
"Lovely. I get to spend the rest of my life with the man that took away my husband. Are that you determined to cause me more suffering? Revenge for hiding perhaps?"
This is all for the best Padme, have a little faith in your husband. And as for suffering, you have no idea what suffering is."
Padme's eyes narrow and she scoffs at him. "No? I lost my husband to everything he was supposed to fight against. I would be dead if I hadn't found the strength to live for my children. I had to let everyone I care about think I died just to keep my family safe from you. And now you have us, and the Emperor is probably going to have my children and me killed. I think I know a little bit about suffering Vader."
Vader steps forward until he is towering over Padme, inches away from her.
"You don't know suffering. I mourned you for two years, believing I killed you and our child, only to discover that not only did you survive, but that we have two children, and you have been hiding from me the entire time. Do not try to gain pity from me with your so-called suffering. I will return later, perhaps you will be feeling more cooperative, and I will allow you to see our children."
Turning, Vader leaves the cell. After the door closes and she hears him walk away, Padme let's the tears she was holding back free. Putting her head in her hands she sobs over the fate of her husband and her family. Feeling guilty for having caused Vader pain, and feeling even worse for the fact that she cares about him. She cries from a pain that was born two years ago, and wishes with all of her heart that she would wake up in Anakin's arms to find this was all a bad dream. But she knows it's not a bad dream, this is her life and she has to be strong for her children. After a few hours of crying, Padme feels as if she has no tears left. Taking a shaky breath, she goes over her options. 'I could resist him and die, leaving him to raise the twins.' She shutters at the thought. 'Or I could cooperate and try to bring out the good I know is in him. That way I can continue to protect the twins, and at least try to influence them away from the dark side. He…seemed sweeter when he said he would protect us. Like Anakin.' Sighing, Padme closes her eyes and two tears escape from her tightly shut eyes. Wiping off her face she makes up her mind, and opens her eyes. 'For the sake of my children, I will cooperate with Vader. Anakin please forgive me.' She thinks, before lying down and falling into an exhausted sleep.
Meanwhile, Vader returned to his chambers and removed his armor, wearing black pants, and a long sleeved black shirt, sitting in a chair in his living room deep in thought. 'I have my wife and children my family is back together. I will protect them from all harm. I will make sure Padme loves me as I am now, and that the twins know nothing of Anakin Skywalker. She will join me; I simply have to give her time. She will see that this is all for the best. We will be remarried. She will no longer be the wife of Anakin Skywalker, but the wife of Darth Vader. We will have a sith wedding, making our union that much more binding. However, Padme was correct in assuming the Emperor would never allow them to live, let alone be with me. I will have to kill him. It will not be an easy task, but I will defeat him. Then I will become the new Emperor, with Padme as my Empress and Luke and Leia as a prince and princess. They are already strong in the force I can feel it. I will make them into powerful sith, and together we will rule the universe. Until that time, I must take Padme and the twins to a safe location. A pity the gift from Yoda was left on Naboo. I will have to wait until the Emperor summons me to him, it would seem suspicious to appear before him without reason. Perhaps I can use the rebel movement as an excuse. Or better yet, why not tell the emperor that I have found the location of Obi-Wan Kenobi. I have no doubt that would be enough to warrant a personal visit. I will have to keep my mind clear of my true purpose, and then I shall kill him. Obi-Wan, I wonder if he has had a lot of contact with Padme and the twins.'
This thought and the image of Obi-Wan acting like a father to the twins stirs deep amounts of hate and anger inside Vader. 'If not for him, Padme would not have hidden from me. Yes, that should do nicely. Tomorrow I will take my family on my shuttle and we will go to Bast Castle. They will be safe there, and then I can spend some time convincing Padme to join me.'
Satisfied with his plans for now, Vader stands and goes into the twin's room. He does not make a sound, nor does he turn on a light as he watches his children sleep soundly. Deep inside of him, he feels the slightest stirring of warmth and affection for these small beings. He knows in that moment, as he watches his children sleep innocently, that he could never kill them.
Celestial Death: Sorry about the shortness of the chapter! I wanted to post something, so I hope you enjoy. I won't be updating again until Thursday at the earliest like I said before. Thank you all so very very much for your kind reviews. And for all the people who were not thanked above, it'll happen next chapter. Until next time, BYE!