Celestial Death: Hey…I'm back. (bows head in shame and holds up hands in pleading) Please don't kill me! I know it's been a while, and I figured it would be, that's why I updated chapter six so fast…short as it is. I've been very busy with school, writing and illustrating a children's story. It's also the concert season for band when we have most concerts and competitions. Anywho, I guess I'll get on with the many thanks, which will then lead to the chapter. I'm really sorry again everyone…I know how frustrating it can be to want to see what happens next. I'm sure I've lost some readers…and to all the faithful, thank you so very much. It really means a lot to me. So very sorry again! This will be the last chapter with the review responses in it, since that's taboo now. But I'll leave reviews answering any questions asked. Thank you again everyone, only a few chapters left to this tale.
Pokey: Congrats! You're my 100th reviewer! Thank you so very much! I'm glad you love the way Padme makes her decision. I thought it would be best to show the two main sides of her, since every person has many different layers that make them. Thank you so much.
MissNaye: Awwww…I'm sorry your not number 100…but you are 101 which surly made my day. You're the first person to break the 100 mark and that's great! Thank you. I'm really pleased that you think it showed a lot of her character. As for Vader keeping his word and letting the twins choose, well, it's hard to say if he really means it, or if he's just placating her. Thanks again!
Countess Jackman: Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it, but I didn't mean for it to be like split personalities. I meant it as more of showing Padme's more dominant feelings. She has always been Padme and Amidala, and she always will be. She is both. Both come from different parts of her personality. One is the image of her heart, following her emotions and giving in to happiness. The other is the image of reason and responsibility, ignoring one's true feelings and doing what's perceived to be morally right. Thanks.
Jedi Knight Anakin Solo: Thanks, and thank you very much for the suggestion. I'm glad you liked the way I used it. I'll try to continue doing so in chapters to come. You should feel proud of your suggestion. Thanks again.
Thefragile7393: You really think so? I was actually thinking I should have changed some stuff. Who knows? Thank you very much.
RavenSparrow: Thanks a lot! I'm glad you like it, and I'm sure we'll be seeing a bit more of Amidala before things are done. Padme can still back out, she hasn't told him the answer to her decision yet. As for the bit with the twins, the idea behind it goes to Jedi Knight Anakin Solo, so kudos to him.
Haydenrules: Aw, thank you so very much. That's so very nice of you. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story as well.
Geckogirl: Thank you very much. I like to make him squirm to. Heh heh heh. As for those rhetorical questions, I guess they'll be answered when they're answered. Sorry to make you wait so long for this chapter. I hope it was worth the wait. Thanks again.
Norma Jean the Dancing Machine: Thanks. I'm glad you like it.
Snowleapord: Ah. Indeed Vader is headstrong and usually does as he wishes, but it has also been shown in the movies that his family and loved ones mean more to him then life and power, as he proves in Return of the Jedi. Since he is a Sith himself, he might not wish such darkness upon his children so freely, especially when it means corrupting the only things dear to him that are completely untainted by darkness. While he most assuredly will have them trained in the way of the force, he might not necessarily insist they are sith, and we know he won't allow them to be Jedi. You must remember he is not the confused youth of ROTS; he has had some very life altering experiences and has matured much in the two years past. As for Padme being there, while it is dangerous, remember she doesn't have a choice. Vader isn't going to let her go if she denies him. He will never let her go again. As far as he's concerned, Padme is his, and thus belongs by his side. What she must decide is either to be with him willingly, or as his prisoner. And Vader might be more cooperative with Padme about the Empire than you think. He's always admired her abilities in politics, they just don't see eye to eye on all aspects of it. Not only that, he wouldn't want to risk Padme becoming so depressed or desperate as to become a danger to herself or their children. Honestly there are a lot of things that can happen and many a factor to consider. As fro it being bad that the twins are there, well that was unavoidable. Padme having lived wanted to keep her kids with her, as I myself would do. If and when I am a mother, I would keep my children, knowing they would in fact be safest with me, unless of course I was the source of danger to begin with. Padme was only willing to go on living for her children, if she gave them up, what would she have left? Besides that fact, as stated in chapter one, she was stunned by storm troopers and taken on board the Executor against her will. Had she the time, she surely would have hid the twins. We'll just have to see which path sways the favor of the fates. Thank you though for you're very in depth review.
Remnants-2011: Thank you, I am pleased you find it that way.
Themagicalspirit: Thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoy my story. Hopefully, after I finish this one and make some progress on my other story, I can start on my next Vader(Anakin)/Padme story.
Lala: I'm sorry you're not the lucky 100th reviewer, but your review still means a lot to me, more than I can express. Thank you very much.
Jpink: Glad you like it so far. Hopefully I can provide some twists still to come. Thanks.
LadySophieKitty: Thank you very much for the review and for adding me to your favorites. I hope to write more Padme/Vader stories, though they might not follow the movies so closely. Though, I don't know if you can really say this follows the movies closely now. Anyway, thank you again. I also want to thank you for sending me that message; it gave me the proper kick in the teeth to get me feeling exceptionally guilty, which caused inspiration.
Bricaus: Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully Amidala will decide to make another appearance before the story ends.
Typewriter 15: Thank you. I feel bad for Padme too, but these things must come to pass. As for Vader, while a piece of Anakin lives on in him, he will never again be Anakin. If anyone can lighten him up, it will be Padme and the twins, the keepers of that light. Thanks again.
Puppiescute a.k.a. Mic Mic: Thank you for the two long and lovely reviews. And um…let me just say wow. As for the kissing, making up, and etc., well…they are on the path. I uh…don't think we'll have any love scenes in this fic…yeah…I'm still getting used to the whole romance thing. Um…as for stepping down as Empress and making it a democracy, that is a very intriguing idea, but not quite so easy. Vader will of course be Emperor and he'd probably bow down and call Obi-Wan his most merciful and loving God of all the Jedi's before allowing that. Um…yeah. It's a lovely thought though. Chapter six really was just reviewing all that's happened, but it seems a lot of people have forgotten what's taken place. I'm so glad you like my story so much though, that makes me really happy. And hey, don't feel bad, I'm a poor fanfic reading and writing, anime obsessed, video game playing, roleplaying, teenager as well. As for Dark Prince, thank you. I've been keeping an eye on Absolute Boyfriend, and man it is definitely different. I'm pretty disgusted with the creator of it for even making it. Some of her other work is great, but that…well. And, I was thinking of altering the story line of Dark Prince, and making a Vader/Padme version! It would be an AU, but I think it would be neat. Anywho, I'll try to let you know if, and when I get it published. Thank you again.
Jamy Skywalker: Thanks, I'm glad you like it, and I'm sorry about the long wait.
P.P.M.: Um…yeah, thank you for the reviews, and I'm sorry about the wait. Look, you constantly doing that doesn't encourage me, it also doesn't make me get to things any faster. I do this when I can; I don't get time on the computer much. I am not dead, that's just stupid. If I was I would have had my friend post that I was dead. All right? Look I know it's been a long time, but you seem to have forgotten that I have a life too. My sole purpose of existence isn't to write fanfiction. I enjoy doing it, and I am very glad that people like my stories, but constantly bugging me, when I am working on the story won't change anything. All your doing is acting like a total ass. You'll be happy to know that I've been figuring out the rest of the story, and it will end in a few chapters. Then you won't have to wait anymore. I'm sorry if this offends you, but you need to realize I am a person with a life, and I am not here at your beck and call.
Legolas: I'm very sorry about the long wait, and I must say I'm pleased to hear it's your favorite story. My ego feels inflated. Thank you.
Peachdaisygirl: Thank you very much.
Kristiana: Thank you. I'm sorry about the long wait.
Celestial Death: I'm sorry again about the exceptionally long wait, I'll try to update more often. Thank you to all my readers and my reviewers, you mean so much to me. But people who leave me constant reviews complaining about the lack of updates, P.P.M., don't do anything except irritate the hell out of me. I don't with-hold chapters or kill characters or abandon stories like some authors, but you have to understand I have a life, and I try to update when I can. I have to write the chapter, proof the chapter, type the chapter, and update, and my time on the computer is lacking. I'm sorry for the people who really are patient or at least polite when telling me to update, this rant is not for you, and I'm sorry about the wait. But the people this is for need to give me some respect and realize that I have a life, and you are very offensive and rude. And now on to the madness of a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, but the madness in my mind.
Chapter Seven: The Dark Side of Love
After Padme left the gardens, Vader began to wander deep in thought about their fight. He finds himself several minutes later in the center of the garden, surrounded by Nubian roses. Sitting on the path, he begins to meditate over what has happened. Just as Vader clears his mind of all thoughts and starts to become one with the force his com goes off. Irritated Vader answers in a voice dripping with malice. It is a brief conversation and after turning off his com, Vader crushes it in his hand. He doesn't notice as he stands and begins to pace, anger flowing off of him in waves. After finding Padme and having her taken to the Executor he decided it would be wise to leave someone behind to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. Vader almost wished he had been wrong about the feeling. Vader has just been informed by Private Wrenga Jixton (slipped him in for you BG Tom) that Obi-Wan Kenobi has been spotted at Padme's house. Obi-Won investigated inside before leaving frustrated and empty handed.
The fury rises in Vader, how dare he be there. Had Obi-Wan been spying on Padme and the twins without her knowledge, or had she accepted him willingly? Is that why she resists him now? Not for her ideals but because she has Obi-Won to pine for. Did she allow Obi-Won to act as a father and husband in his stead? Was her love for Anakin so weak that she willingly gave into Obi-Won after only two years? No. Her words were honest when she said she never got over him. There was no deceit in her eyes and her pain was all too pure. If she were lying to him he would have known. Which means Obi-Won is on Naboo for his own reasons, most likely spying on them, hoping to avoid Vader finding them. Or perhaps he intended to take the twins? Vader did not put it past his former master to steal two children if he felt it was for the greater good. Padme will be displeased to find out. Padme. She was told by Obi-Won that he was so deformed he had to wear the suit to survive, that is what Obi-Won thinks, fool that he is. Hmmm, what if Padme did know Obi-Won was near by? Even if she didn't let him into her heart, she still might have let him into her home. If given the opportunity would she leave him and take the twins running to the protection of Obi-Wan? Well, there is only one way to find out. A plan forming in his head, Vader prepares to face his former master, and perhaps lose his wife once again.
Padme awakens to the feeling of warmth and safety, and the sensation of feather light kisses on her neck and face. Half asleep Padme rolls onto her back and smiles sleepily up at Vader.
"Good morning dear heart. Is there something you want?"
"Hm yes, something I want very much. But for now shall we go down to dinner?" Vader says giving her a look of one stalking its prey.
Padme shivers from the look in his eyes and slowly pulls back the covers, very aware of his gaze. Vader watches her, amused and detached. He loves Padme, more than he probably should, but how can he fully trust her with his heart until she proves she truly wants to be with him? He gives her a small smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. Padme notices the shift in his behavior, but brushes it off as lingering feelings from their argument.
"I'll go wake the twins for dinner," Vader says rising from the side of the bed and going to the twins' room.
Padme sighs; something is definitely off with him. Standing she smoothes out her dress and walks to the twins' room. She stops in the doorway and watches as Vader wakes the twins, mildly surprised to see them in the same bed. Luke wakes with a start and moves to shield Leia. Vader raises an eyebrow at Luke who relaxes when he realizes who it is. Leia wakes slowly and after several minutes the family goes to dinner. As they eat there is a warm atmosphere, yet Padme notices chilliness towards her from Vader. She frowns with worry, was he really that mad about before? After the meal Vader calls a protocol droid to the room.
"Luke. Leia. Your mother and I will be going somewhere for a few days to take care of some business, you two will stay here where it's safe. You are to stay in your room, or your mother's room. Do not leave them. Luke, here is a com; if you turn it on you will immediately send a signal to my personal com. You are to protect your sister. You two should be fine, no one would dare come here. Don't worry we will return in a few days, no time at all. We'll call you every fewhours. All right?" Vader says with a serious yet warm and comforting smile.
"I won't let you down Father," Luke says seriously.
"Why can't you take us with you?" Leia asks with a disappointed look.
"It's business Leia. It's better if you and Luke stay here, where you'll be safe."
"You're not going to be safe? Will there be bad guys? Are you sure you should bring Mamma?" Leia asks face filling with worry.
"Hah, don't worry Leia. No one will hurt us. I'll protect Mamma. No one can beat me," Vader gives her a tight hug.
"Is it 'cuz you're the strongest in the entire world? No, the entire galaxy?" Leia asks in a voice muffled against him.
"Ha ha ha! That's right Leia, I'm the strongest in the galaxy and no one can beat me. Not when I have you and Luke and Mamma counting on me."
"Yeah, 'cuz you love us and we love you."
"…Exactly," Vader replies softly. Reaching out he pulls Luke into the embrace as well. "Because I have the three of you."
Releasing them they go to Padme who hugs them fiercely, a feeling of dread filling her. She holds them to her and fights back the urge to cry. Why are they going somewhere? What is Anakin planning? Is he so mad that he intends to use the twin's as collateral against her? Or does he intend to get rid of her all together? Dread turning her limbs to stone Padme whispers to the twins, perhaps for the last time.
"I love you both very much. Always remember that. You are good people and you can do anything you set your mind to. I love you both so much."
Padme feels Vader's hand on her shoulder and she slowly, almost mechanically let's go of the twins. They say one final goodbye before the twins follow the protocol droid upstairs. Padme watches until they are out of sight, and then she closes her eyes, trying to remain calm. Vader watches her sensing her fear and uncertainty. Is she worried that he knows about Obi-Wan? Reaching out to her mind he finds nothing of Obi-Wan, before her mental shields come slamming down. Padme turns and looks at him surprised, as if remembering he's still there.
"I thought you said mind tricks wouldn't work on me."
"I said Jedi mind tricks wouldn't work on you. Still, it was no mind trick; I merely wished to find out the reason for your intense unease. Don't you trust me Padme?"
"Of course. But you're being so secretive. Why didn't you tell me we were leaving?"
"I decided we would go on this business trip while you were sleeping, there are things we need to do," Vader says taking Padme's hand in a firm grip and leading her out to his shuttle.
"Don't I need to pack?" Padme says trying to keep up with his long strides.
"No Padme, you have clothes where we're going."
They enter his shuttle and he releases her hand, heading straight for the pilots seat. After a few minutes, they leave Vjun, and Vader makes the jump to hyperspace. Only after all of that does he bother to look at the woman sitting beside him in the copilots seat. His wife, his angel, or was she? Padme feels uneasy from the intensity of his stare. She can sense the anger coiled inside of him waiting to explode.
"Where are we going?"
"Naboo."
Padme looks at him in surprise, their eyes meet and she is unable to tear her gaze away from his heated accusing stare.
"Why Naboo? What business do we have there, and why couldn't we bring the twins?"
"We are going to your home on Naboo, to kill your dear friend Obi-Wan," Vader says evenly, watching her for any signs of deceit
Padme stares at him surprised. "Obi-Wan is on Naboo? Why? How long has he been there?"
"He was seen at your house Padme. Perhaps you can tell me what he's doing there," he says anger starting to leak into his voice.
"Anakin, I didn't know anything about Obi-Wan. I haven't seen him since I decided to keep the twins with me on Naboo. It's been two years, since right after you left."
"Is that the truth Padme? Or are you patronizing me? Do you expect me to believe he has been on Naboo all this time and you have not had any contact with him?"
"The last time I saw Obi-Wan he was trying to talk me out of my decision and told me that you had become more machine than man."
"I would be if Obi-Wan had his way. He wouldn't even kill me Padme. He wanted me to suffer by slowly burning to death. He's always hated me."
"You can't believe that. If he's hated you than why did he train you Anakin? You were like a brother to him. It was probably too painful for him to kill you," she says putting her hand on his arm.
"Your wrong Padme, he only trained me because he promised Qui-Gon he would. You do not ignore the final request of a dieing man."
"I didn't know that. But I know he cared for you Anakin, very much so," she says softly.
"I'm going to kill him Padme. He will die, and you must decide if you will stand by me, or if you'll try to escape with him," he says grabbing her by the shoulders.
"Anakin you can't really intend to kill him. You aren't like this I know it."
"No! Enough Anakin! I am not him, and I will never be him again! Always Anakin, is he the only one you love? Am I so horrible that you can't love me Padme?" Vader yells releasing her and glaring at her with fury.
"What are you talking about? Your still Anakin Skywalker, the man I married. The man I lo…" Vader cuts her off with a roar.
"Anakin is dead! I am Darth Vader Sith Lord, you would do well to remember that Padme. When you finally admit that our new life together will truly begin. Nothing will bring Anakin back, and you will love me. You are forbidden to say the name of that slave boy Jedi! He was weak but I am strong. He could not control the power of the dark side and was overwhelmed, but that will not happen to me. I was born from his destruction, and my love for you will never die. You are mine Padme, not Obi-Wan's, not Anakin's, mine and mine alone. You must choose Padme, living in the past mourning for Anakin who abandoned you, or living in the present with me, who will give you anything and everything."
Padme stares at him in shock. Vader is jealous of her love for Anakin. It makes sense, to him Anakin is another person, something from a dream, and he is a different person now. He is no longer the sweet little boy or the carefree young man. He has changed into a creature filled with darkness. Padme realizes in that moment that the good she saw in him, the piece of him that is still Anakin, holds no sway over Darth Vader. If he didn't care for her and the twins they would be dead by now. Darth Vader loves her, not because he was Anakin, but because he truly and honestly loves her. It is a dark love, and to be with him would send her into a world of darkness. But there is that light, the light he keeps for her, for his family. If she denies him, what will happen to his light? What repercussions will it have on the galaxy? The most important question though, does she love him, or are her feelings lingering from her love for Anakin?
"I never wanted everything. I just wanted my husband and my family. I don't want to be swallowed by darkness, no matter how I may feel towards you."
"You won't be swallowed by darkness, I'll keep it form you. I'll protect you and no one will ever hurt you again. I will never hurt you again. Let go of Anakin, and be with me. I would do anything to protect our family; I won't let your light die out. I just want your love. I want my family by my side, helping me to rule the galaxy and make the empire into something that decides what is best to help people, and enforces it. I will make you an empress Padme, you will be able to help everyone, and you won't have to worry about other people voting you down. We can bring peace to the galaxy. I just need you by my side, as my wife, my empress, my angel. I want you to love me, not Anakin. If you can't do that, then I don't know what the future will hold for us."
Padme bows her head. "I still don't have a choice. I…I do love you. But I don't know if I love you for who you are, or who you were. You're going to kill the Emperor no matter what and take his place, and you will still force me to be by your side"
"Yes. You will rule by my side no matter what."
"Would you really let me help people? Or would you be the real ruler?" she asks looking him in the eye.
"You can help people Padme. The senate still stands, the Emperor simply makes the final decision. That is what we can do. You will lead the senate, and find out about the people's problems, and then we will decide what is the best action, and I will enforce it. We will decide the best way to help the people, not to hurt them."
"You want to mix the republic with the empire. Helping people, but still ruling them at the same time. It doesn't seem right."
"You were a queen Padme. You made decisions for your people and they had to obey them. Enforced or not."
"I was not cruel, they cared about me and I cared about them."
"It can still be like that Padme. You simply have more people to care about."
"I don't want the galaxy to know that I'm the empress. I couldn't stand that. My parents would be so ashamed, and the people of Naboo would feel betrayed."
"Don't you remember Padme? You died two years ago, the same as Anakin Skywalker. You will be the Lady Vader, Empress of the galaxy. No one has to know who you are."
"I…I could wear veils to hide my face. And try to disguise my voice. And then we could help people."
"We can do whatever we want. It's up to us. We can be a family and we won't have to hide. No one will be able to hurt us again. No one would dare. While people see me as the cruel enforcer, you will be loved. People will know that you are the Lady Vader, Empress and angel of the empire," he says taking her hands in his, eyes pleading her to join him.
"I don't have a choice, no matter what I will be the empress," Padme says feeling her resolve crumbling.
"Yes."
As long as they made the decisions, she could help people. And if he tried to go back on his word, she would take the twins and escape. Yes, she would create a plan in case things went wrong. She would not fall victim to this.
"Then…I will stand by you. I will rule with you and we will help people and bring a sense of democracy back to the galaxy," Padme says a look of utter certainty in her eyes.
"As you wish m'lady," Vader says with a warm smile, eyes softening. He has just won half of the battle.
"What about the twins? Do you intend to train them as sith?" Padme says eyes growing cold.
Taking a deep breath Vader loses his smile, "I will train them. That is non-negotiable."
"You intend to train them as sith then? I will not allow this. I will not lose my children to the dark side. It will not happen," Padme says glaring at him with the fierce look of a mother protecting her young.
Vader regards Padme, his jaw tightening. "Perhaps we can make a compromise. I will train the twins in the way of the force, and when they come to an age that we both agree is old enough, they can decide for themselves if they will be sith, or simply force users. I will not have my children become Jedi Padme. I cannot allow that."
Padme thinks over his proposition and nods her agreement. "If they can't be Jedi, then you can't fill their heads with the greatness of the sith. I won't have you influencing them; it has to be their decision. I think seventeen is the proper age for them to decide as adults."
"You were a queen at fourteen."
"You became a sith at twenty three. I am being generous with seventeen."
"Hn. Very well love, at the age of seventeen they shall decide for themselves."
They stare at each other for several more minutes, a battle of wills. Raising an eyebrow as if challenging him Padme holds out her hand.
"Shall we shake on that then?"
"Why not something more? Shall we seal this pact with a kiss?" Vader says smirking at Padme.
"Very well. I'm not about to back down on a challenge."
With a devilish look on his face Vader leans foreword and presses his lips against Padme's in a soft sweet kiss. She sighs against his lips and he reaches out wrapping an arm around her waist and tangling his other hand in her hair. He then begins to kiss her more intensely. Hungrily claiming her mouth he pulls her onto his lap, crushing her against him.
It is the first kiss he has given to his wife in two years, and it feels as though it has been an eternity. Vader wants nothing more than to memorize every last inch of her again. He kisses her like a man starving man that has just found food. She is addictive, and if they continue he will lose control, and then his plan will be ruined. Padme might have agreed to stand by his side, but she did not say she loved him.
Reluctantly Vader pulls away giving her soft kisses, as he draws away finally Padme pulls in a deep breath and slowly opens her eyes. She had dreamed of kissing him again, but somehow the dream kisses were never ever as good as the real thing.
Stroking his face Padme smiles at him and leans her forehead against his. This is how life should be, two people that love each other more than life and death together and happy.
"This really isn't the place for us to have a romantic moment. Why don't you go to the bedroom in back and sleep, I'll wake you when we get there," Vader says.
"All right. And Ana…Vader?" Padme says, as she is about to leave, pausing in the doorway.
"Yes?"
"Are you really going to kill Obi-Wan?"
Vader turns to face her. "He will stand in the way of our empire. He will never allow us to rule, and I am certain that he wants the twins. Since you were unaware of his presence on Naboo, he must have been planning to take the twins."
"Do you honestly believe that?" Padme asks, a concerned look on her face.
"Obi-Wan would take the twins if he believed it was for the greater good. I have no doubt that he was watching, and had plans made to take the twins if and when he felt it necessary."
"I don't know what to believe anymore. Everything Obi-Wan told me about you is true, but it's also filled with lies. And you are telling me very disheartening things."
"You should believe me Padme," Vader sighs. "You should hold strong to your beliefs Padme yet hold room for flexibility. Without your beliefs, it just wouldn't be you."
"Thank you Vader. That means a lot to me," she says with a soft smile before going to the bedroom.
Vader watches her leave before turning back around. He loves Padme, and wants a future with her and their children. He wants to make new memories and learn every thing about her, storing it inside of himself. Every smile, every caress, he wants the memories to be his and his alone. For all the memories he has of Padme until the time of his rebirth as Darth Vader, are really Anakin's memories. Seeing her as a small child, protecting her as a young man, holding her in his arms when he found out she was pregnant, and choking her in Mustafaar, all belonged to Anakin.
Darth Vader was truly born in the operating room on Coruscant from the ashes of Anakin. The thought of Padme loving Anakin leaves Vader with a bitter feeling. What made the pathetic Jedi so special? Why are all of her smiles and warmth for him? Vader begins to shake with rage. He isn't a creature of light, he doesn't hold life in the same regard Anakin did. He is darkness and death, a source of fear and despair bringing nothing but pain. Would she be disgusted to know that he enjoyed doing some of those things? Would it shock her to know the true extent of his evil? Would she believe that he loves her more deeply than Anakin ever could?
WHY ANAKIN? What made Anakin so damn special? Why couldn't Padme love him instead? Why was it always about Anakin? He can give her anything she wants, all she has to do was ask. His happiness is Padme, and yet she would deny him that for Anakin! Anakin became evil to save Padme, would he become good to be with her? No. Loving someone, truly loving someone didn't mean changing them. He could make small changes; he is willing to compromise, but nothing so sickeningly drastic. Would she be willing to make small changes for him? Would she compromise? She was willing to risk everything for Anakin. How he despised that name. Padme would come to love him, wouldn't she?
He will do everything to protect her and the twins. No one will be able to hurt her, and he will never betray her. His love for Padme is pure, dark as it is. Truly his love is made of darkness, but he will keep the light that is Padme burning in his heart to ward away the true darkness. The hate will not curl itself around the love he has for Padme. As long as she keeps the light in his heart, the darkness cannot taint her.
Padme awakens to the sound of deep mechanical breathing, and a shiver goes down her spine as she finds Vader standing above her in his suit. She instinctually presses herself deeper into the mattress, and tries to repress a shudder. Vader watches her for several minutes before speaking in the deep voice, distorted by the machine.
"We are on Naboo. I shall take you to your house now, and we can get the things you need, like the present from Yoda. There should be some spare clothes in the closet. I'll be waiting for you, don't waste time."
With that Vader turns and leaves the room. Padme watches him go with sad eyes, and can't help but wonder if their conversation had a good effect on him, or simply made him worse. Slowly she stands and goes to the closet, finding several pairs of clothes for him, and a few outfits for her. Padme chooses, a pair of black pants that aren't to tight, but not to lose either. She matches that with a short-sleeved shirt of deep crimson and a sturdy pair of black boots. Pulling her hair into a tight bun, Padme exits the bedroom to find Vader waiting for her.
As they leave the ship, Padme is surprised to find they are in the field, not to far from her house in the lake country. She hadn't expected Vader to land so close to home. They walk in silence to the house, and Padme can't help but be exited to be back on Naboo, especially with Anakin by her side. Except he isn't Anakin anymore, he's Darth Vader. She reminds herself; oddly the words don't cause as deep an ache in her as they did before. As they are about to enter the house through the garden, Vader pulls Padme behind him and ignites his lightsaber. Padme gives a startled gasp, as Vader begins to carefully scan the area with his eyes.
"Come out Obi-Wan, I know you are here. Did you think you would be able to hide from me? Thought you could use the imperial shuttle to find Padme and the twins? Now is your chance, if you can defeat my, then you may take her," Vader says, eyes focusing on a point of closely clustered shrubs and trees.
"Very well Anakin, if that's the way it must be. But you aren't Anakin anymore, you aren't even human, you're more machine," Obi-Wan says stepping out and igniting his own lightsaber. "Don't worry Senator Amidala I will rescue you in but a moment. Do you have the twins on the ship?"
"N…no. They were left behind. It's just the two of us. You…you two can't really mean to fight each other," Padme says eyes wide with worry and a torn feeling in her heart.
"Don't worry Padme, I will not lose, and then we can be together. I won't allow him to take you or the twins," Vader says as he carefully moves back with Padme, leaving her in a safe spot where she can watch.
"I am going to save them from the dark side. Don't tell me you think the Emperor will honestly approve of Padme being alive. And you know what horrible things he'll do to Luke and Leia. Just how twisted has your mind become?"
"That doesn't really matter. One of us will die today, and you have all ready lived longer than you should have."
With that the two lunge at each other and the lightsabers strike with a shower of sparks. It is a battle of quick movements, and well-strategized attacks. Yet, Padme noticed something was wrong with Vader. His movements were not the same as she had seen before. They were slower, and clumsier, lacking the refinement he had when he wasn't in the suit. Is that it? The suit is slowing him down, if he knew this would happen why would he wear it to Naboo when he would be facing Obi-Wan. Something is very wrong with Vader.
As Padme begins to focus on the battle once more, Obi-Wan knocks the lightsaber from Vader's hand and uses the force to throw him to the ground. Padme's heart stops beating.
Obi-Wan pulls his arm back about to deliver the deathblow, and Padme feels as if her heart is about to burst. Without realizing Padme throws herself foreword, and tries to stop Obi-Wan, but she is to late.
Padme can hear screams and crying; only after several minutes does she realize that she is the one doing it. There on the ground next to her is Vader. She tackled Obi-Wan to the ground but it was for naught. Padme feels worse than she ever has before. Even on Mustafaar when she was losing Anakin, he was still alive, and there was still hope for him. Even when she came face to face with Vader for the first time in two years, he was still there, still loving her. But now, now he lay on the ground a smoking, sparking hole in his chest from Obi-Wan's lightsaber.
Her pulse is racing at an insanely fast rate, her throat is raw, but the cries of pain keep coming. Her heart has exploded in her chest, and it feels as though the very light in her soul has been extinguished. She feels a hand on her shoulder, and hopes that it's Vader. But to her utter agony it is not Vader, it is his murderer, Obi-Wan.
Pulling away from him, she let's her hand fly without realizing and the sound of her slap resounds through the area. Her tears diminish and her screams turn into harsh breathing. This is a fury in Padme that she has never felt before. She has been mad about the treatment of other people, of injustices, but never was she so mad about something so personal. She understands that this is the anger born of someone who has lost their very soul. Padme sees into this anger, this hate, this darkness, and understands Anakin so much better. Anakin loved intensely, and to see the one you love dieing in your dreams every night, would easily be enough to send someone to the brink and over.
She hates Obi-Wan right now. He robbed her of a husband she finally returned to her, and her children of a Father they all ready adored. A father they needed. He robbed the galaxy of its only chance to get better. With Vader gone it would take years to form a rebellion large enough and strong enough to oppose the Emperor, and even then it would most likely fail. She was feeling the anger and hurt of one that lost their mate, they're other half, and once again she know exactly what Vader felt. He had to live with this for two years, and all he could blame was himself. Is it any wonder why he wanted his family back so much?
Obi-Wan stares at Padme in concern and shock, the anger and suffering are rolling off of her in waves. Did Vader really mean that much to her? Or is she simply upset about the fact that any chance of Anakin coming back is truly gone?
"Padme. You must calm down. I did what had to be done for the good of the galaxy. If he lived, he would have turned your children into sith, and all hope would be lost. Can't you understand that?"
Padme looks at Obi-Wan with her angry red rimmed eyes. "I understand that you felt you did what was best. But did you ever stop to think for a second that maybe we were going to make things better! He was going to kill the Emperor to protect his family, and you destroyed him! You've robbed me of a husband, my children of a father, and the galaxy of a savior."
"Your wrong Padme, that isn't Anakin. He was only trying to trick you he would never kill Palpatine. Try to see reason! He was evil, and he was going to betray you!" Obi-Wan pleads her.
"No matter who he is, or what you say, he is my husband and a good man. I know you cared for him Obi-Wan, but if you cared so much why didn't you have any faith in him? You immediately gave up on him, and then you mutilated him and left him to die. He did horrible things, but you wouldn't even give him the slightest chance of redemption. And now you want to sacrifice my children in an attempt to fix the mistakes that they didn't make. I won't let you. You can never have them. You have done enough damage to my family," Padme says, voice strong, yet also on the verge of hysteria.
"You don't mean that. I loved Anakin! He was like my brother, I raised him the best I could. It was his decision to give into the dark side Padme. If he truly cared then why did he try to kill you? He was lost before I even began to fight him. Don't try to blame me for trying to correct his error," Obi-Wan says slightly agitated.
"Yes, he hurt me. But he didn't become violent towards me until he saw you," Padme says calming down, and a look of utter peace coming to her face. "You snuck aboard my ship and used me to find Anakin. You knew he was angry, and confused, and you made the situation worse. If you hadn't been there, he would never have choked me! You were the one to give him the final push to the dark side. If you hadn't been there I could have brought him back! But you were there, and you let him hurt me. You pushed him further down the path just as I was starting to call him back. And now you've killed him, and damned us all," With that Padme stands and begins to walk towards the house.
"Padme wait! You can't honestly believe that! You're hurt and confused, on the verge of hysteria. If you would just calm down and see reason you will understand that what I did is for the best! Senator Amidala you have always been a person of reason, please listen to me," Obi-Wan says as he stands and tries to appeal to Padme's more rational side.
Padme stops and turns to Obi-Wan with a sad smile, and a feeling as though she is falling comes over her, but she knows there is only one path for her.
Then she says in a voice colder than Hoth at night, "Don't you watch the news Obi-Wan? Senator Amidala died two years ago, the same day as Anakin Skywalker. I am the Lady Vader."
Obi-Wan stares at her in shock, surely she didn't mean that. It is impossible for Vader to have influenced her so much in such a short time. And yet when one is in love, they do drastic things. Before Obi-Wan can attempt to persuade her to see reason. Vader's lightsaber is pulled from the ground by the force, and Padme's eyes become large and light up in a way he has only seen for one person.
Turning around Obi-Wan finds Anakin standing before him. But it isn't really Anakin, it is Darth Vader, and he is not in the suit. Glancing at his feet Obi-Wan still sees the corpse of Vader sparking from the hole in his chest.
"Hello Obi-Wan. I see you've become reacquainted with my wife, The Lady Padme Amidala Naberrie Skywalker Vader. Since that's such a long name, we'll just say the Lady Vader. Soon she will be Lady Vader, Empress of the galaxy. It sounds rather nice doesn't it?" Vader says a chilly smile on his face that matches his eyes burning with icy flames.
"How did you survive? You were so damaged, that you've been in the suit…how is this possible?" Obi-Wan asks.
"Anything is possible when you have the force on your side, I used to force to protect me from the lava and the heat, I am that powerful. Tell me Obi-Wan are you adept in the force enough to do that? No? Are you powerful enough to defeat me, and not a training droid that I modified to act as me? We shall see won't we, though I suspect the answer will be the same."
"It was a test. No matter what form you may take Vader, I will defeat you."
The two engage in a fierce battle, both using lightsabers and the force to attack and outwit, each trying to gain the upper hand. They seem to be evenly matched throughout the battle as the two go tumbling out of Padme's garden and into the field not far from her home.
Padme follows at a safe distance, watching as they battle to the death. Her heart can finally start beating, and a weight has been lifted from her shoulders. While she was arguing with Obi-Wan, it occurred to her that Vader's body was sparking. She knew in that instant when all the pieces fit into place, that he was fine, and testing to see if she really wanted to be with him, or was simply waiting for her opportune moment.
Obi-Wan slashes at Vader, but just barely grazes his arm. Vader responds by sending Obi-Wan and his lightsaber flying, and then as he starts to get up, Vader calls upon an attack with the force he has become rather fond of. Obi-Wan is lifted into the air and begins clawing at his throat, as Vader force chokes him. As he tries to brake free, he feels out with the force, and can sense the power immense power in Vader. Even Anakin's power could not rival that of Darth Vader. Using the force Obi-Wan lifted his dropped lightsaber from the ground behind Vader and moves it until it is just behind the Sith Lord. He then uses the force to ignite the lightsaber. Obi-Wan feels a resistance, and the lightsaber doesn't ignite. He looks to Vader's face and as they make eye contact, he realizes that even while Vader chokes Obi-Wan, he is still over powering him in the force.
"Good bye Obi-Wan. This is the last time you will ever bother me again," Vader says igniting his red lightsaber and advancing on the choking Obi-Wan. "For what it's worth, I truly love her and the twins. I will not hand them over to the Emperor. Soon, we will rule the galaxy, and she will make it a better place. And Obi-Wan, Anakin really did love you, he considered you a mentor, a brother, and a father. You meant very much to him, but Padme was more important. And only through the dark side could he save her life."
Obi-Wan looks into Vader's cold eyes and sees no dishonesty. He realizes just what the final push over the edge into the dark side was. In that moment Obi-Wan can't help but wonder what would have happened if he had tried to help Anakin on Mustafaar, and wasn't so determined that Anakin was damned. Obi-Wan feels a quick flash of searing pain, and then feels nothing.
Vader releases Obi-Wan's body and it falls to the ground. Turning off his lightsaber, Vader summons Obi-Wan's to his hand and stares at the weapon. Looking down at Obi-Wan, he finds Anakin's lightsaber on his belt. Grabbing it, Vader feels the familiarity in the blade, and gives it a slight caress with his thumb. He has everything he needs to go before the Emperor; soon, the galaxy would belong to him and his family.
Vader looks across the field and sees Padme. His eyes become warm and a feeling of happiness and love, blooms in his chest. She is his. Not Anakin's, not Obi-Wan's, his.
Tucking the lightsabers into his belt Vader walks across the field and pulls Padme into a tight embrace. She cries silent tears of relief, and tears for everything that she is giving up. They stand there for what seems and eternity, before silently walking back to her house.
Avoiding the garden, they enter from the front porch and go into the living room. Vader is surprised to find Threepio and Artoo waiting for them.
"Oh! Look Artoo Miss Padme has returned! And she's brought Master Anakin!"
"It's good to see you Threepio. We'll only be here for the night, before we return to our new home," Vader says with an amused look. "And you should call me Vader from now on."
"Very well, Master Ana—I mean Maser Vader. You two must be dreadfully hungry after all the commotion outside; I shall make dinner at once! Come along Artoo," Threepio says, voice as joyful as it can be as he and Artoo leave the room.
Vader sits on the couch and Padme sits next to him, curling up against his side. They sit in silence, content to be near each other.
"We will give Obi-Wan a Jedi funeral," Vader announces softly.
"Really? Why do you want to do that?" Padme asks looking up at him.
"I know you considered him a friend, besides, it will be a symbol to leaving our old lives behind, and embracing our new ones."
"I really thought you died."
"I know you did. I'm sorry I had to do that to you. I'll never do it again."
"You better not. I won't be able to handle that again," Padme says cuddling against him. He drops his arm down around her and holds her close.
"I love you Padme," he says kissing the top of her head.
"I know you do. I've come to realize, I love you too Vader. I love who you were, and I love who you are. I love you, and I don't want anyone else to stand by my side," Padme says looking up at him.
Eyes shining with love, and darkening with want Vader leans his head down and claims her mouth. Finally, Padme is truly his.
Celestial Death: Bwa Ha HA HA Ha! It is finally here, chapter seven! Sorry to all you Obi-Wan fans. But we all know he would never allow them to rule the Empire. Padme gives into the dark side, and yet she stays true to the light, for her love is the light inside Vader. 13 pages typed of story, my longest chapter to date. So there is about one or two more chapters coming, and then this story will be at its end. But I other ideas for more Padme/Vader-Anakin stories. Mostly Vader/Padme. Thank you all for reading and waiting, I hope you like the chapter, and I hope it was well worth the wait. Thanks!