Celestial Death: Hi! If anyone is still waiting for my story, it's back, finally! Sorry it's been so long! About half a year, but if you think that's bad my other one has been about a year. Wow…I'm really really sorry. I could attempt to explain everything that has happened in the past few months, but it's not relevant to anything in this story. Speaking of which. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry from here to forever and a day. But I'm back, Sith's Angel is back…and we're so sorry we've been gone so long. Well, thank you to everyone who reviewed. It means so much to me. They don't want us personally thanking everyone, except when responding to reviews, but I want you to all know that your words mean a lot to me, thank you. And thank you everyone who's bothered to take time to read my story, and a gargantuan thank you to everyone still reading who has been waiting so patiently.
Disclaimer: So…I own nothing. I merely daydream and write.
Chapter Eight: Moral Compass
Vader wakes to two sensations he has not felt in a very long time. The first is the press of a warm body cuddled against his, a perfect fit. The second is the sensation of her eyes watching him in an unguarded manner. It makes him feel good. Vader keeps his eyes closed as he feels her lightly touches his face. Her fingers travel over his eyes, his cheeks, his scars, and then his lips in a feather light caress. He purrs and pulls her closer, opening his warm blue eyes to stare into her deep brown ones. What he sees there causes a cold and distrustful feeling to wrap around his heart.
Padme's eyes are warm; they have affection and caring, but behind that Vader can see doubt, worry, and uncertainty. After what happened yesterday, none of that should be left, and as Vader reaches out to read Padme's mind, he feels her mental shields close firmly on him. His eyes become colder and his mouth hard and Padme's look of affection is replaced by one of soft despair. It is the kind of look one gets when they have given into their fate without a fight. The look of a person who has been broken and no longer has any spirit left. Vader has seen this look, he has caused it a countless number of times, but it is something he never wants to see from her.
"Damn it Padme, stop giving me that pitiful look. You should be thrilled, not meek and depressed. Stop being so pathetic," Vader says pushing Padme away from him and getting out of bed.
Silence is his answer and it makes him angry. He can feel it blossoming and building inside of him, waiting to erupt. They are finally together; she was so in love with him yesterday. And now she is acting as if he forced her into it. Well, he did take her and told her that he would never let her go. But she could have fought him bitterly to the very end. She decided to be with him and it's too late for her to have regrets now.
"Well? Speak Padme. You've never had any problems saying what's on your mind before. Do you regret your decision to be with me? Because it's too late now, Padme! You're mine and I refuse to let you go. You agreed to be my Empress, to rule with me and make the Empire into a better place. It's too late to change your mind. Do you hear me Padme? You can never go back," Vader snarls turning on Padme and looking at her with a smoldering gaze of barely restrained anger.
Padme stares at him with sad calm eyes. Silently she gets out of bed and places her palm over his heart, never braking eye contact. Vader can see hurt deep in her eyes, and such intense sorrow. It makes him want to damn her and comfort her. Padme takes his hand, and lays it over her heart.
"Do you feel it? My heart is aching. You are here, in my heart and it hurts. I know you're giving me an opportunity to try and bring back some of the ideals I believe in, to fix some of Palpatine's damage, but it doesn't feel like it. I know you don't want to hear this, but I still love Anakin. I always will. I loved Anakin with all of my being and his…well, when he left it nearly destroyed me. I…I almost did die. I didn't want to live without him, but then…then Luke was there, and Leia was coming, and I just…I couldn't let go. I will never have Anakin back; I know that…I just want to make sure you aren't going to betray me...betray us. If we do take over the Empire, I need to know that this is real. We would be equals; the decisions would be made by you and me, partners, no one more powerful than the other. I need to know that I can trust you. I came back from the brink once, but I know that I am not strong enough to do it again. If you don't honestly love me, tell me now before I become to attached."
Vader stares at Padme in a slight shock. Is she really so insecure about his feelings for her? Then again, perhaps she has reason. Anakin hurt her beyond belief, and sith aren't supposed to love. It's not a farfetched concept. So, Padme's afraid of having her heart broken…well, he will simply have to reassure her.
"Padme don't be so melodramatic. Do you honestly think I would go through all this trouble if I didn't really love you? If I simply wanted to use you, I could easily force you, in more ways than one," Vader says giving her a suggestive look.
"Anakin was a stupid fool that was overwhelmed by his dreams, and Palpatine's influence. Had Palpatine not caused the entire jedi order to be destroyed in an instant, and given Anakin some time to ease himself into the role of a sith, then perhaps things would have ended differently. But, they didn't. Anakin gave himself to the dark side and attempted to control it in a state of psychological and emotional imbalance. I don't have that problem. I'm a sith. I'm evil; I enjoy force-choking people, and find the fear and groveling of others to be highly amusing. But I don't want that from you. I love the way you have such fire and strength, and how strongly you hold to your ideals. You are a good person Padme. Even after all of the hardships you've been through, after all of the deceit and cowardice of people, you still want to help them. You're something so utterly rare and priceless, that I would have to be an utter fool not to realize it, not to fall in love with you. I'm not an easy person to deal with Padme, and we're going to end up disagreeing on some things. But we'll make it work. Besides, just think about all the really good make up se-"
Padme swats his arm before he can finish, a scowl on her face but her eyes are twinkling. Vader gives her a rakish grin before leaning his forehead against hers.
"Believe me, you are the safest person in the galaxy from my wrath. Well, you and the twins. Now then, if you're feeling more secure about our future, I suggest we go back to bed before we have to head back to Vjun."
"Hmmm, I don't know if that's a good idea. After everything that happened last night I doubt you have enough energy," Padme says thoughtfully, trying to keep the grin off her face.
"Not enough energy? Ummm, I'll have to make you scream apologies, but only after you beg," Vader says in a growl picking Padme up and tossing her over his shoulder.
Several hours later everything Padme wishes to bring from her home on Naboo has been packed, and they are on their way back to Vjun, Threepio and Artoo with them. Vader is stuck wondering why Anakin bothered to give the protocol droid such personality considering he has an annoying habit of interrupting just when anything gets started with Padme. If not for the fact that Padme continuously soothed Vader's nerves, Threepio would not have made it back to Vjun with them. During the trip back to Vjun, Vader also began working on his plan to destroy the Emperor.
When they reach Vjun, Vader spends a few hours with the twins and Padme, before leaving again for Imperial City, and the destruction of the Emperor. He has to make sure no thoughts of his family, or his betrayal entered his mind. Padme and the twins watch him go, before returning to their suite of rooms. They sit on Padme's couch, watching as Threepio tells the twins tales, but Padme is unable to focus.
She knows Vader assumed her doubts were because of her fear of a broken heart, and they were in part; but Padme was more afraid of losing herself. What if joining Vader meant giving up everything that every held meaning to her? Was she willing to sacrifice her ideals to be with him? And what if he did betray her? What if over time Vader stopped loving her and began to use her? What if becoming Emperor changes him to a point that is so far gone even she can't reach? Padme worries that she will be consumed by the dark side, even if Vader wants to protect her. She fears for her children. They will grow up in the spotlight, and will be denied a normal childhood. How many times will someone try to assassinate Luke and Leia? How will they manage to make things better and become a more just government if it's a dictatorship?
Well, it never fails to have a backup. Padme decides it will be best to create a plan that will allow her and the twins to escape if ever necessary. And if things become so bad that Vader must be stopped no matter what, then Padme would have no choice but to kill him. She would do it while he slept, sweet and trusting beside her. And then she would kill herself. The twin's would be sent to live with someone safe and would never know the truth. By the force it's a horrible thought. Something she will have to keep buried so deeply Vader will not be able to find it. Padme doesn't like the idea of killing him, but if it's for the good of the galaxy, and especially for the good of the twins, then she would. Padme prays that Vader manages to defeat the Emperor, because it will be his only chance.
Luke and Leia listen intently to Threepio's story for about ten minutes, before their short attention spans completely stop caring. They both notice their mother's inner turmoil, but are unable to place the reasoning, seeing as they are so young. In an attempt to comfort her both children cuddle up to Padme and hug her, like she does when they are upset. She subconsciously pulls them closer, but she fails to notice their presence. This causes Luke and Liea to become distressed. Surely something is terribly wrong if their mother is not comforted. Still feeling Padme's turmoil and unable to comfort it, the twin's burst into tears. Both cry hysterically, pulling Padme out of her thoughts. She cuddles the twins close offering soft words of comfort. Padme tries her best to keep her fears in the back of her mind, and focuses on her children.
On Vader's personal shuttle, he has finished his preparations for his plan and contacts the Emperor using a holographic pad. He kneels, head down in a submissive manner, as the image of his master appears.
"Rise Lord Vader and tell me what news you have," the Emperor says.
"I have slain Obi-Won Kenobi, my Master. I am coming to you to deliver his lightsaber and to tell you the tale of his defeat," Vader replies in a submissive voice as he stands.
"Good my young apprentice. Very good. I will expect you here soon," the Emperor says with a cackle.
"Yes my Master," Vader says, head bowed until the transmission ends. "Soon Master, very soon."
When Vader reaches Imperial City, he is in the suit, one of his spares after Obi-Wan destroyed the other. He immediately lands at the Emperor's palace and goes strait to the throne room. The Emperor's Guards open the doors for him and he walks up the long isle until he reaches the foot of the dais, where he proceeds to kneel. He waits in silence, feeling the Emperor probing at his mind for any odd feelings that might be caused by his encounter with Obi-Wan. Vader fills himself with pride, anger, and a feeling of servitude towards the Emperor. Satisfied, Palpatine leans back in his throne and chuckles.
"Well my young apprentice, how did it feel to kill the jedi?"
"It felt good my Master. It felt very good to know that my power is far greater than his."
"Good. Now then, give me his lightsaber," Palpatine says voice amused but steely.
Vader rises obediently and takes the lightsaber from his belt, holding the handle towards the Emperor, and the part where the blade extends towards himself. The Emperor reaches out, and Vader ignites the lightsaber with the press of a button. But the blade is not in Vader, no, it is in the Emperor's chest. Palpatine gasps and as he is about to summon the force to his aid, Vader uses the force to keep him pushed back into his throne.
"I forgot to mention, he had Anakin's lightsaber as well, so I remodeled them into a double bladed lightsaber like Darth Maul's," Vader says in the deep hollow voice of the suit. He then pulls the lightsaber up, effectively cutting the Emperor in half from his chest up.
The Emperor's Guards stare at Vader in horror and shock, before one of them comes back to reality and advances on Vader saying, "You killed the Emperor!"
Vader force chokes him before he manages to take two steps. The other Guard watches as the body of the first hits the ground and Vader turns his gaze onto him. Shaking the man drops to his knees and bows down before Vader,
"What is your command my Emperor, Darth Vader?"
"Good. Go spread the word," Vader says as the man scurries away, screaming the news at the top of his lungs. Turning back to the throne Vader pulls Palpatine's corpse off and kicks it down the dais. He sits, not caring that there is blood soaking into his cape, and behind the mask he smiles.
Back on Vjun, Padme watches the news anxiously for any word about Vader. She is in the twin's room, getting them ready for bed when Threepio calls out.
"Miss. Padme! Master Vader is giving a press conference. Come quickly."
Running into her room Padme turns up the volume as Lord Vader, gives his first press conference as Emperor. He is in his suit and he looks every bit the dark and foreboding Sith Lord.
"I have killed Palpatine, and have taken his position, he was not fit to lead the Empire."
"Lord Vader what does this mean for the Empire? Will we be returning to the ways of the Republic or are you going to pick up where Palpatine left off?" a reporter asks.
"The Empire will stay strong and firm. We will not be returning to the ways of the Republic, but I will not follow in my predecessor's mistakes. My plans for the government will be explained later after I speak to the Galactic Senate. I will be ruling the Empire. And, anyone who would think to use this change of leaders to try and cause an uprising or any other form of trouble will quickly be crushed," Vader replies in a tone of finality before leaving the press conference.
Padme watches the news, relieved that Vader is safe, and yet also mildly annoyed with him. It's understandable that a firm stand is necessary to be taken immediately before people begin to make attempts for power. But it would have been nice if Vader could have bothered telling her his plan. Not only that, he failed to mention the fact that he not only has a wife, but they will be ruling together. So, he will be ruling? Padme continues watching the news for several minutes before her comlink goes off. She answers, knowing it is Vader.
"Be prepared to leave for tomorrow morning. Leave the twins with Threepio and Artoo; it won't be safe for them here just yet. I'm sending my star destroyer to get you. Make sure your face is covered. Have a protocol droid take you to my room, you'll find some weapons and cloaks, make sure you are armed, and when you enter and exit the ship make sure you keep the hood of the cloak covering your face. I want you safe."
"I understand. I brought some things that should help. But, are you all right? I mean, do you think this is really going to work? You ruling the Empire and everything?"
"Don't worry, we'll make it work. We'll address the senate and while I keep my firm stance, you will show that we actually care. As for me ruling, I wish to announce you to the Senate as a surprise, we will be ruling. But I thought it best to announce your presence when you are actually by my side."
"I understand. I…I love you."
"I love you too. Be very careful coming here, stay on your guard and trust no one. If…if anything happened to you…I couldn't take that. I…well, let's just say the galaxy would be safer under Palpatine's control."
"I'll stay safe. Remember I've been in politics a lot longer than you have, I know what to do."
After they say their goodbyes Padme is still plagued by thoughts of doubt and guilt. Was it right to kill Obi-Wan? No, murder is never really right. She regrets the things she said to him, even if she meant them on some level. Had she not been in such a heartbroken state, she would never have been so cruel to her old friend. And now, now she can't even tell him she is sorry. Is she betraying her parents, the jedi, herself, and Anakin by doing this? Padme spends the night tossing and turning over her moral dilemma.
The next morning Padme is in the disguise of the Lady Vader, there are two blasters hidden under her cloak as well as one of Vader's spare lightsabers. His cloak is large enough that it easily swallows her, and hiding her face with the hood will not be an issue. Padme goes to the twins' room where they are still sleeping. She is reluctant to leave them. Everything has become so unstable and Padme worries that she won't be able to see her children grow. Artoo and Threepio have been informed by Padme that if anything happens to her, they are to take Luke and Leia and go to her parents. Artoo has a message she recorded for them, just in case.
Padme rouses the twins just enough from their sleep to tell them that she will be gone for a few days and that she loves them. Hugging them both tightly and giving them kisses, Padme leaves and makes her way to the awaiting shuttle that will take her to the Executor. There is a tightness in her chest, and Padme feels like crying, but she cannot. Now she needs to pull together all of the strength she once used in the Republic. She once again calls upon the visage of the Queen and Senator Amidala, but she is not that person anymore, now she is the Lady Vader. Pulling the hood of the cloak down over her veiled face, Padme squares her shoulders and holds her head up, even though you can't see her face. Entering the shuttle, Padme let's go of her worries and regrets and looks towards the future of the Empire.
The Galactic Senate has come together to listen to the new Emperor, Lord Vader. There are mixed opinions on his overthrow of Palpatine. Some people look at it with hope for their careers, while others look at it with fear for the future of the galaxy. Surely no good would come from the Empire being under the control of a Sith Lord known for his cruelty and destruction of the jedi.
Senator Bail Organa is concerned about the sith lord's actions. He knows that Darth Vader was Anakin, and what worries him more is the disturbing message he got from Obi-Won several weeks ago. Padme and the twins had been taken by storm troopers, and Obi-Won was unable to locate them. It could mean only two things; Vader must have realized that Padme was alive, or the Emperor did. Is it possible that Palpatine found Padme and the twins, had them killed, and then when Vader found out he killed his master in a rage? Or, does Vader have them and he has decided now is the time to ascend to power? All hope had been resting on the twins and now they were missing, possibly dead, or worse, they could be on the path to becoming sith. Even more disturbing is the fact that Obi-Wan was supposed to contact him several days ago and didn't. Perhaps it's because of Vader taking the throne. Surely he wasn't found and captured.
Before Bail can go farther into his worried thoughts, he realizes Vader is now before the Senate, a cloaked figure by his side. He is in his armor, and Bail wonders, not for the first time, just what Obi-Won did to trap him in that suit. The murmuring of the Senators dies down as Vader begins to address them.
With that Padme removes the cloak. She is wearing a deep blue dress; so dark it almost appears black. The skirt comes to her ankles, the sleeves to her wrists, it is a dress that appears simple in its modesty, yet small Nubian gems are sewn into the bodice and wink in the light. Her hair is piled on her head, brown curls spilling down her back, and there is a deep blue veil covering the lower half of her face. As for her face, while Queen of Naboo it was painted white, as Empress it is painted black, with small marks of red. She stands like any strong and proud leader, yet she doesn't look foreboding like her husband.
A collective murmur of surprise goes through the senate as people wonder about the Lady Vader, having never heard of her before. Bail Organa is rooted to his seat in horrified shock. That is Padme, there is no doubt of it. Anyone who knows the truth about Vader will easily realize that the Lady Vader is Padme. Surely she would not do this of her own will. Surely Vader is forcing her to stand by his side. He has to talk to Padme, has to find out what has happened.
"Now then, allow us to explain some of the changes we will be making in the government. This is still an empire, we are in control any and all final decisions will be made by us," Vader states.
"But, we want to hear from you. Don't be afraid to tell us the problems happening with your home worlds. We want to do what we can to help the people. And we won't be able to make proper decisions if we don't hear from you. Be assured that if there is a peaceful solution to a problem, we will use it," Padme says in a firm but warm tone of voice.
"We aren't adverse to using force. We will make decisions that we feel are in the best interest of everyone, and we have the force to support our decisions. My Lady will deal with the Senate more so than myself. Allow me to assure you, we will be aware of everything that is going on and anyone involved. This is not a democracy. We are merely integrating some of the Republic's ways. My Lady and I will decide the course of action that will be taken, in the best interest of everyone and then we will enforce it, if everyone agrees or not. If you don't like the way things are being run, I suggest you learn to live with it."
"If you don't agree with all of our actions, tell us in a reasonable manner, and we'll take your views and opinions into consideration for our final decision. Yes, we are ruling, but we are not without compassion for the plight of the people. It is our hope that we will be able to fix the mistakes of Palpatine, and bring a sense of balance and justice back to the galaxy."
"That is all the information you are entitled to for now. If you have any need to reach us, appointments can be made," Vader says and then he and Padme leave.
As the Senate disbands for the day, all of the senators talks and discuss the new turn of events. Some find themselves in favor of the new government they are presented with, pleased that some of the ways of the Republic are returning, while others are displeased with the fact that it is still a dictatorship. Bail Organa does not stay to discuss this, he is rushing off to find the Lady Vader. He catches the Lord and Lady outside, as they make their way to Vader's stylish black speeder.
"My Lady! My Lady! Padme!" Bail yells, running up to them.
Padme and Vader turn to Bail, and the malice radiating off of Vader is painfully obvious. Vader puts his arm around Padme's waist and snarls at Bail.
"What is it you want with my wife Senator Organa? Because you have mistaken her for someone else I believe."
"Senator Organa, I believe my husband is right, I don't know anyone by the name of Padme. Would you be kind enough to meet with me in a few days and we can speak then?" Padme says offering him a gracious smile from behind her veil.
"I need to speak with you now my lady, if I may? It's terribly important," Bail says trying to keep his tone even.
Vader tightens his arm around Padme, but she removes it and smiles at him. "It's all right. I'll be back shortly. Will you wait for me?"
"Very well. But we have places to go, don't be long," Vader growls out.
Bail and Padme walk away from him and speak in hushed tones.
"It is you, Padme. What are you doing with Vader? Is he forcing you into this? Where is Obi-Won?" Bail asks.
"It's me, but I am the Lady Vader now, don't call me that. I don't want people to know that I'm her. I couldn't stand for the people to know and feel that I have betrayed them."
"So he is forcing you into this. Don't worry, I can help you."
"No. Bail, he isn't forcing me. He did have me kidnapped, but I'm with him of my own free will. I want to be with him. He's good to me and the twins."
"What! You can't be serious," Bail, says horrified. "You realize that he isn't Anakin. He died and you won't get him back through Vader."
"I know that. But look at it this way. As long as I am with him, I can keep him from falling completely into the dark side and turning into a total monster. He loves me, and as long as I'm with him we can do things to help people. I intend to get things as far back to the Republic as I can. It may be a dictatorship, but I hope to bring back some democracy."
"So you're using him? Padme if he finds out he'll kill you."
"Bail, he will never let me go. As far as he's concerned my place is by his side. If I leave him, he will tear apart the galaxy and everyone in it to get me back. I honestly love him. And as long as I'm with him things can be better. I'm not using him. I'm standing by him to try and make things better. I hope you will at least try to understand that. Goodbye Senator Organa," Padme says in a dismayed tone before she turns and walks back to Vader.
"Goodbye Padme. I hope you're right about him. Wait. She never told me what happened to Obi-Won. Perhaps she doesn't know. Perhaps there is hope after all," Bail says feeling a glimmer of hope inside.
Padme and Vader enter the speeder and they leave. Vader doesn't ask what she and Bail talked about, he can easily guess, but he can't sense any doubt or off feelings from her, so he isn't worried. As they head to his mansion on the outskirts of Imperial City, Vader reaches out and takes Padme's hand. Their fingers intertwine and Padme looks down at their joined hands. There will be many hardships heading their way; life will only be harder living in the spotlight. All she wanted was a life with her husband and their children. And as it turns out, that is exactly what she is getting, just slightly more complicated.
Padme is no longer hiding from her past, she is looking towards a dizzying future filled with uncertainty, but she knows that no matter what, she will walk the path with Vader. She once told Anakin that he was walking down a path she couldn't follow, and she didn't. Her path split from his, only to become intertwined once again two years later when they were both more matured. It was not the first time their path split apart, they had been separated for ten years, but Padme certainly hopes it is the last. She will walk through the darkest of nights, as long as he's by her side. Vader will protect her from all the horrors in the dark, and she will light his way. She is light and he is dark, one cannot exist without the other, and neither wishes to.
Celestial Death: Right! Hi, so this is the end of Sith's Angel. I'm sure I can drag it out some more, but this is the place where I intended to let it end. Padme and Vader are together, things are still a little uncertain between them, and now they rule everybody. I hope you guys like this chapter, and the story in its entirety. It's my first attempt at a Star Wars fic, my second attempt at fanfiction…so I think I could have done worse. And, it only took me about a year. It seems like a long time, but with everything else happening. And my other story, my first attempt at fanfic is still going and hasn't been updated in two months shy of a year. Yeesh. I'm going to end up with a lot of bad karma for that. Anywho, this one is done, I hope you liked it. Feel free to leave me reviews, and if I get flames, well, it's camping season so I have marshmallows for roasting. I have another idea for a Vader/Padme fic, but it will probably be a while before I get to that. Other fics to work on. Thanks to everyone, you're absolutely wonderful for sticking with me and stuff. Thanks again.