Vader's Angel
By: wertman25
Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own Star Wars…. Or Anakin Skywalker… Which is a pity…
"For kriffing Sith's sake!" Vader screamed, "What is wrong with me?"
The Sith groaned loudly as he paced back and forth through the darkness of his room. He could feel the heat rising from his body and the sweat traveling down his skin. He couldn't take it. He could feel it again. His frustration, his anger, and his–
Kriffing hell! Again?
He felt himself hardening as another groan escaped his lips, the need for relief finally overwhelming him. Taking a large step, he twisted and fell back onto his bed, his fingers racing to below his waist. Since leaving the senator to her slumber, he had been able to push away such urges and needs, but he couldn't any longer. This time he could not ignore it. He needed relief. Now. He swallowed hard, trying to force some moisture into his suddenly dry mouth as his pants fell to the ground.
What the hell was happening?
He stroked himself letting out hard moans, nearly begging himself for his own release. He couldn't remember the last time this had ever happened – couldn't remember if it had ever happened. He was a Sith that did not have these kinds of needs. A man had physical yearnings; Vader did not. He didn't need release like this… but today he did.
What was wrong with him?
The answer was clear. It was the same answer to all his problems. Senator Amidala; the kriffing senator that had been thrown into his life without a warning. He couldn't understand it. No one ever affected him like this . He did not allow people to affect him like this, but she had slithered her way into his thoughts while he was down – while he was weak and unprepared. The thought enraged him, but did nothing to ease his need. He still couldn't understand it. Even if she had made her way into his mind, why was she affecting him like this? He had no real feelings towards her– he hardly had feelings at all. He only had the feelings and emotions that his Master had allowed him, the ones that strengthened his power and commitment to the Dark side of the Force. Besides hate, anger, frustration, and most recently confusion, he never felt a thing; right?
Wrong.
He closed his eyes tighter, as his hips began to thrust into the air. Part of him knew he was wrong. If that were true, why was he like this? He knew we couldn't– didn't care for her, but he also couldn't stop the physical need that was upon him. Why? He had seen her before hadn't he? Like that night after the club when the man had almost raped her? Or that day he walked into her room after she had showered? Every time some part of her had been exposed. What made this time so different? He knew the answer to that as well, even if he wouldn't fully admit it… things had changed. He had hardly noticed her then... but he did now.
He could still feel her hands around his, the connection, the spark – the power that surged between them when they touched… but that was just the beginning of it. He wouldn't admit it before, but he couldn't deny it to himself now. He could feel something, something physical, but still something. He closed his eyes envisioning her, remembering what had happened in her dream. He could still feel her naked chest against his. He could hear her soft moans. He could see her pale flesh shimmering against the dark light. Her curly brown hair, her soft pink nipples, her toned body, and– His release came all too soon, pushing his thoughts away to only focus on his relief. A loud final moan echoed through his room, before his fowl mood immediately returned.
It took a few minutes, but after Vader was satisfied with his self-loathing, he pushed himself off the bed and ripped everything away that reminded him of his actions. After he cleaned the bed, he quickly showered and redressed, ready to do something productive with his day. However, he never made it out of his room before he found himself lying back on his bed.
Frustrated, he rubbed his hands through his wet hair as he breathed in deeply, trying to ease his mind. He was letting her get to him. He didn't know why or how, but she was; and the worse part was, he knew it was only a matter of time before Palpatine felt the small change inside of him as well.
A change?
Vader's anger immediately began to boil inside of him as his hatred for the senator and his Master resurfaced. A change? What change? What was he thinking? Was he crazy? Mentally insane? He didn't know. He didn't even know what was happening, but he didn't want to know. He knew where it might take him and he couldn't afford it.
What have I done?
Vader brought his hands up to his face, rubbing his skin with frustration. He knew he had caused this, or at least the catalyst to begin his behavior. He had influenced everything. He had influenced her, himself, the whole situation. He had healed her. Twice. Why? He wasn't even going to try to figure out his own reasoning. He would admit that he knew he hated to see the flaws along her flawless skin, but that only proved he was still a male, and that hardly concerned him. What concerned him was a far greater fact.
He had never healed someone, and if he did, he would never even considered healing someone that held no importance to him. What was his gain from healing her? Nothing. He had done it for the pure reason of healing her with nothing in return, and although that floored him, he knew it wasn't his biggest issue.
The real problem was that he hadn't just healed her physically, but he had healed her mentally too; literally fixing the damage that he had inflicted to her mind. Why? Again, he didn't know, and he wished he hadn't done it. Even the reminder that he had done it sent his anger ablaze. He had made a quick decision. A decision that resulted in an action that he had never done before. He didn't know why, but he had hated to see her like that. In that moment, he didn't want her broken; he didn't want her to fear him. He just wanted – he didn't know, but regardless, he had acted.
While she slept, he had looked into her mind to see the damage and hurt he had caused. He had expected some damage, but never did he expect as much damage as he found. Not only had he literally scarred her and petrified her into sickness, but he had also done so much damage on her mind itself, that he was amazed she was still fully functioning like a somewhat sane human being. Though, it did explain her emotional eruptions and constant relapses, it didn't explain why she was so damaged. There had to be another reason, but every path his mind took lead him back to the same answer, him. He had done something wrong, pushed to hard, became too focus on the information that he had not looked at the damage he was inflicting.
Regardless, her main walls remained secure, but it was like rivers and gorges ran across her outer mind, slowly ripping it to shreds. He knew that that kind of physical damage only happened after prolonger probing, which he had done. Obviously, he usually didn't look at the damage to the brain after he began extracting information; after all, his patients usually never lasted as long as the senator, but that was his problem. He saw the damage he was doing, the damage slowly affecting her, instead of just killing her instantly like the rest.
Usually, he wouldn't– he didn't care, but as always, with her it was different. He had seen her with great power, strength, and confidence; everything she no longer had. Now, she just seemed so lifeless, weak, and broken. Her eyes that had been full of life had gone stale with horror and pain. The results were something he usually aimed for, were something that he was most pleased with… he wanted everyone to fear him. That was, everyone, but her.
Yes, I do. I want her to fear me. Don't I? Didn't I?
He let out a loud groan, hitting the side of the bed… hard. Why was there a war wagging inside of him? Almost as if he was two different people, one during the day and another at night. Right now, he wanted nothing more but for her to hate him, fear him, even loath him… but when they were alone, away from the world, he wanted her to–
"Stop!" Vader screamed at himself as he pushed himself off the bed and away from his thoughts.
He began to pace his room again, trying to blow off his steam as he allowed his thoughts to slowly return.
He couldn't change what he had done. He had healed her and did the best he could to hide or reverse his damage. He had mended the rips, added bridges over the rivers, filled in the gorges, and put a barrier in front of her painful memories; helping her work through the damage he had done. Vader told himself it was a temporary fix and although he couldn't reverse it, it was only a matter of time until his Master gave him the okay to begin extracting information again. In a matter of time, he could redo the damage he had inflicted and finally be rid of her, just like he wanted, and although part of him rejoiced, something inside of him remained uneasy.
What is wrong with me?
Padme opened her eyes and was instantly greeted with a haze of confusion. Her mind seemed empty – foggy almost. As if everything was being blocked from her, a blocking that made even thinking a challenge. She pushed the thoughts away, blaming her confusion on a headache as she rubbed her forehead harshly. However, as she did, the gears slowly began to turn in her head as more thoughts broke through the haze.
A million questions raced into her head at once, making the headache worsen. She groaned in agony as her brain rattled against her skull making her ears ring. Was this what death felt like? She thought so. She concentrated on her breathing, trying to sooth herself. She allowed her body and mind to work together to calm themselves and find an answer. It somewhat worked. Her head, after a few minutes, began to lessen its harsh contraction and allowed her mind to begin clearing the thick haze. She knew something had happened, but what? Who?
The answer was obvious. Darth Vader. He had done something… but what had he done?
When her mind began to finally click, Padme sat up in a panic, as she remembered that Lord Vader had been beside her… but had he been lying or standing? She couldn't remember. Almost as if he had done both, but how did that make sense? It didn't. She could remember things, but only in pieces. She could remember holding his hand and then blank; but she knew that hadn't been the last time she had seen him, yet that was all she could remember. Padme shook her head, trying to clear her mind. She knew there was more, there had to be more. With a loud groan, she ran her hands through her hair in an attempt to calm herself; but was greeted by another surprise, her hair was wet. Why was her hair wet?
What is happening? What happened?
Slowly, Padme rose to her feet, only to feel the ground beneath her spinning. She tried to keep her balance, but she felt like a drunken smuggler. Everything was making her feel dizzy and light-headed. It didn't make any sense. Feeling her stomach churn, she hurried to the bathroom, releasing the contents of her stomach just as she made it inside.
What is happening to me?
"Mistress Amidala!"
Padme groaned in response, not bothering to question how long the droid had been in her room. Instead, she concentrated on the feeling of her head against the cold rim.
"Mistress?" 3PO repeated, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder as he paused behind her.
"What is happening to me, Threepio?" She whispered, before again emptying the contents of her stomach into the bowl beneath her.
"You're sick, Mistress." 3PO informed her quickly, "You have had a fever for over 24 hours."
Padme frowned at the droid's report, her mind screaming one thing.
That's not possible.
There was full evidence of sickness. She felt terrible. Her body was soaked as if a fever had just broken, she was hurling her guts out, and her head still ached as if she was hit over the head with a blaster. Which she wouldn't doubt Lord Vader would do, but she had to admit, it didn't seem his style. Nevertheless, she had no memory of being sick or even becoming sick. She tried to think, she tried to pull memories, but each time was a dead end. She could remember little things, things in pieces, but also fragments that weren't dreams, but also couldn't have possibly happened. Each tried to think farther. She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate; and although she had to work hard, if she really tried, she could feel something. Something in the back of her mind, but whatever it was, was hidden by a sheet that she could not move… but regardless, she knew that something was there.
Pushing herself off the cold rim, she turned to look at the droid that remained behind her. "When…" She asked in confusion, "Why?"
3PO reached down his had which Padme happily took, before he helped her off the ground. After making sure her stomach was empty of its contents, he walked them back into her room and made sure she was comfortably on her bed. "You woke up yesterday morning with a fever." 3PO finally replied, "I'm not sure of the cause, but I told my Master immediately. He said just to take care of you since you would not be returning to Senate until further notice."
The memories swirled inside Padme's mind, trying to make sense of the situation. She could remember the Queen's communication in her office. She could remember being angry. She could remember being taken home before she searched for information on her datapad. She could remember he argument with Lord Vader. She could remember finding him unconscious on the couch. She could remember… She paused pulling her hands together as a smile graced her lips, still feeling his touch in between her fingers.
"Are you alright, Mistress?" 3PO asked in concern, again putting his hand on her shoulder.
Padme shifted slight in embarrassment as she pulled her arms to her sides, "I think I'm fine, Threepio." She said slowly, "Just a little confused."
3PO nodded, as he handed her a strange drink that he had apparently carried in before finding her in the fresher. "You have every right to be," He said as she took a small sip, "but if I may say, perhaps a nice hot bath would sooth you?"
She couldn't deny how lovely that sounded. "Yes," Padme agreed absentmindedly, "I think that sounds lovely. I think being clean would help."
"Wonderful!" 3PO exclaimed as Padme pushed off the bed and walked around him to her closet, "I will clean your sheets and clothes while you clean yourself up. Is there anything else you will need?"
She exited the closet with a new change of clothes as she looked at the droid with a small smile, "No thank you, Threepio."
3PO bowed in response before turning to his work in the room. Padme followed his lead, walking through the doorway and locking the fresher door. She wasted no time as she stripped off her clothes, quickly noting that she didn't even remember putting on; but she pushed the thought away as quickly as it started. Instead, she turned her attention to herself. She turned on the water and slipped into the tub, ready to escape from her mind, her emotions, and the entire situation for a short moment.
Vader, however, had other ways of escaping. He found himself in his office for a long while, listening in on meetings and hearing troop reports. To his ease and annoyance, his commanders were doing a decent job without his presence, but he knew it was only a matter of time before they would need him back. They always did. The idiots.
Eventually, however, Vader grew bored with the small meetings that only made him crave action. Signing off, he decided to leave his office all together. The Empire, to his annoyance, was at a standstill. No one taking action and no one attacking. It seemed that people were beginning to question their involvement with the Empire. Those people were fools and Vader did not see the issue, to him; it meant more souls to meet the end of his blade. The Emperor, however, had a much different approach, commanding that none of the Imperial troops were to take any action unless the Rebellion took action first… for the time being.
Still, it enraged Vader. Why did he have to wait when he could exterminate the entire pest population from the galaxy? He knew that answer as well, because he was a slave to his Master. Only trained to do his bidding… but not for long.
Sighing loudly, Vader fell back onto the couch in his main living area. He knew it was only a matter of time before the Emperor contacted him personally, but until then, he would try to be preoccupied. Grabbing the remote, he switched on the holoscreen, and quickly changed the channel to the pod races. He hoped the race and the solitary confinement would calm the ragging emotions that he had locked inside his shell, but he didn't even get the chance to test his claim when he was joined.
3PO quickly shuffled into the room, holding a large basket of cloth materials as he stepped in between Vader and the holoscreen.
"You'll be happy –"
"I don't get happy, Threepio." Vader growled in annoyance, starring at the droid's stomach as if he could see through the metal to the screen behind him.
"Oh yes…" 3PO sighed, before thinking his words through and speaking again, "You'll be pleased to know that Mistress Amidala doesn't remember a thing."
"Good." Vader replied. He wasn't sure of the consequences of his actions, but he had hoped as much.
"Though she does seem a little…" 3PO paused searching for the correct word, "On edge?"
Vader's head snapped from 3PO's stomach to his face, as the Sith's annoyance seemed to break, "What do you mean on edge?"
3PO shuffled uncomfortably, giving his Master a small shrug. "She was very sick when she woke, Master." He informed, "She just seems on edge."
"Well, make her not on edge." Vader snapped darkly, making sure to pronounce every word with ice. He knew it wasn't 3PO's fault, but he couldn't help but to be cruel. It was who he was, after all. In reality, he knew it was his fault. He should have known better than to rely on hope. Hope didn't get anyone anywhere, especially someone like him.
"I am trying, Master." 3PO replied, with a small hand nod of apology, drawing Vader's attention back to the conversation, "She just seems a bit different."
"How?" Vader snarled.
3PO shook his head, "I'm not sure, Master." He said before he took a long pause, "Perhaps, I'm the one confused."
"Perhaps." Vader agreed angrily.
3PO got the hint and instantly began to back away from his Master. "Forgive me, Master." He said quickly, "I will leave you, and report back when I have useful information."
At 3PO's comment, Vader's frown hardened, his eyes following the droid. "Is something wrong, Threepio?" He asked, actually concerned.
The droid paused again, but this time making sure to be out of his Master's view of the holoscreen. "I said," Threepio replied, "the senator –"
"Not about the senator." Vader interrupted, "With you."
3PO became uneasy as he began to shuffle his feet and turn his gaze away from his Master, "I was out of line, Master." He said softly, "You are my Master, and I serve you. I should not have–"
Vader raised his hand, silencing the droid that had turned his gaze to look at him. "Threepio, " Vader sighed, "I'll regret saying this, but you are the only one that puts me in my place. It does me some good."
"But Master–"
"Threepio." Vader growled, "I keep you around for a reason. I wouldn't have kept you all these years if–"
"I understand, Master." 3PO interrupted, wanting, but knowing better than to let his Master finish, "I understand."
"Good." Vader replied with a small laugh, "I would have been quite grumpy if you would have made me finish that."
3PO nodded with what sounded like a laugh, "I know, Master. That's why I stopped you."
"Good." Vader replied before losing all emotion from his voice, "Now, leave me, and do as I told you."
"Yes, Master." 3PO said as he gave his Master a small bow, before turning to leave the room.
That was, until a thought crossed Vader's mind. "Threepio!" Vader yelled, causing the droid to halt and turn back to his Master.
"Yes, Master?" 3PO asked politely.
"What are you doing?"
A look of puzzlement passed over 3PO as the droid looked between the basket and his Master in confusion, "Laundry, Master?"
"Senator Amidala's?" Vader asked, as he raised his eyebrow, not caring if the droid could see it or not.
"Yes… Master?" 3PO answered slowly, still utterly confused.
Perfect.
At his droid's answer, Vader pushed himself off the couch and walked towards the golden protocol droid. He paused before 3PO, both of them remaining silent as the Sith began to search through the sheets and clothes until he found his way to the bottom on the basket. There, he found what he was looking for. Quickly, Vader pulled out the long black garment, his cloak, from the pile, before signaling 3PO to leave. "Continue." He said, as he walked back to his spot on the couch.
3PO did not move, still confused about what had unfolded before him. "Umm..." 3PO hesitated, "Mast –"
"Don't ask. Don't tell, Threepio." Vader replied simply as he pushed the garment underneath his arm and fell back into his spot on the couch.
3PO began to back away slowly, his eyes stuck on his Master in confusion, "Yes," the droid replied slowly, "Of course, Master."
Without another word, 3PO left the room, leaving his Master to his thoughts and emotions. Vader listened to 3PO descend down the hall; waiting to make sure the droid would not return. When the Sith was satisfied and sure he was completely alone, he pulled the garment out from under his arm and held it before himself. He noted that there was nothing special about the cloak. The garment looked exactly like the other black cloaks he had in his closet, but that didn't matter, even between his gloved fingers he could feel the difference. He could feel the spark within the garment. Almost the same spark he felt when he touched her.
I wonder…
Without thinking he lifted the garment to his face, breathing in deeply and smelling her sweet scent. He couldn't explain it, but he was becoming accustomed to her smell, just like she was to him. There were things they hated about each other, and appreciated about each other. Apparently, scent was one of them.
What is happening to me?
Again, the question entered Vader's mind causing his stomach to twist and the blood running through his veins to bubble. The reaction was becoming all too common recently because of her. Senator Amidala.
He groaned, realizing that he had allowed her to enter back into his mind. Another all too common occurrence. She was destroying him, mentally and physically. What a coincidence that he had done the same to her.
I need to stop this.
He growled, outraged at his thoughts. He knew he had to stop this, but he couldn't. At least, not completely… Not yet. He couldn't, but he knew what he could do. Breathing in again, he allowed himself a pure second of satisfaction, before he made his way to his room, the voice repeating itself in his head.
Not Yet.
After a long hour, Padme emerged from the fresher feeling renewed and completely refreshed… at least physically. Her mental health was still a completely different story. She physically couldn't explain it, but she knew there was something wrong. She knew he had done something; it was the only explanation. She knew something had changed, that something had been blocked– that something had been taken.
Vader was the only explanation. She saw and knew of his power. He wasn't just physically strong, but he had the Force as his ally and he knew how to use it to his advantage. He had used the Force on her, but why her and what had he done?
She didn't know, but she planned to find out. She just needed a plan.
"Mistress?" 3PO said, startling the young senator that had obviously been oblivious to his presence.
"Threepio!" Padme exclaimed, her hand coming to lie on her thumping chest, "You startled me!"
"My apologies, Mistress!" 3PO apologized loudly as he neared the senator, "I didn't mean to frighten you!"
"It's alright." Padme said with a small smile, "I should be accustomed to surprises by now, after living with Lord Vader."
3PO nodded, returning the cheerfulness, "Yes, I'm afraid my Master does know how to sneak up on people quiet efficiently."
Padme returned the nod, her mood dying with 3PO's joke. If the droid only knew what his Master was capable of or what his Master had done. He wouldn't be making jokes then. The senator breathed deeply, knowing to control herself. It wasn't 3PO's fault. If anything, she should be thanking him for being so kind to her during her stay in Vader's establishments. Still, Padme decided to drop the subject completely. She walked around the droid and to her bed, only to notice that none of her clothes or sheets had been returned. "Threepio?" She said in slight confusion as she turned back to face him, "Forgive me for my rudeness, but why are you back here?"
"I just came to check on you, Milady." 3PO replied quickly, "And to give you some news."
"Oh?" Padme asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
"My Master," 3PO began, slightly uncomfortable, "has told me to inform you that you are now free to leave your room and venture the establishments."
"What?" Padme asked, a frown instantly covering her face.
"Within reason of course," 3PO quickly added, "you're only allowed in open areas. Most doors in the establishments are locked anyways, but still, better than being locked in here all day."
Padme frowned harder. A feeling of déjà vu coming over her, she couldn't remember a time where this had happened, but the feeling was there. "Threepio?" She asked uncertainly, "Have we had this conversation before?"
"I'm sorry?" 3PO asked confused, again shuffling his feet awkwardly.
"Have we had this conversation before?" Padme repeated, with the same amount of confusion
3PO shuffled again. "I don't believe so." He replied slowly, "Why do you ask?"
Padme shook her head, trying to make sense of her thoughts. "I…" She said, knowing she sounded stupid, "I don't know,"
"Perhaps, the sickness." 3PO suggested, sounding the slightest bit guilty.
"Perhaps." Padme agreed, looking at the droid suspiciously after hearing the tone in his voice. She knew a lie when she heard one, and 3PO was lying. Apparently it had been too soon to thank him.
3PO remained silent in the center of the room, his eye contact with the floor.
Padme decided to speak, trying to get some answers. "Why is Vader allowing me to leave my room?" She asked, feeling the same déjà vu feeling come over her again.
"He did not say, Mistress." 3PO answered honestly as his gaze rose from the floor and adding, "But I assume it is because you've already seen some of the establishments."
Padme frowned again, "That doesn't make any sense."
"I'm sorry?" 3PO asked, hearing the anger in her voice.
Padme crossed her arms over her chest tightly, making a strong stance. "Do you know what's going on around here, Threepio?" She asked sternly.
"I'm afraid, I have no idea what you are talking about." 3PO replied, and Padme instantly knew it was a lie.
"I think you do." She retorted, "I think you know exactly what Vader did to me."
"Did to you, Mistress?" 3PO asked confused, taking a step away from the angry senator.
"Yes, Threepio." Padme growled, "Did to me."
3PO shuffled uncomfortably, but Padme held her ground feeling a new found power within herself.
"What did he do?" Padme repeated again, the same sternness in her voice.
"I'm afraid," 3PO replied uncomfortably, "You will have to take that up with my Master."
"Oh, I plan to." Padme snapped, walking past the droid and towards the door, "Where is he?"
"Main living area." 3PO replied quickly, "The room–"
"The room that I found him in." Padme replied quickly, not knowing where it came from or how she knew where he was, "I know."
With that, Senator Amidala exited her room and stalked through the halls towards her prey of the Sith Lord. She knew he had done something to her, and he was going to tell her what. She would not fail this time.
Author's Note: Thanks lovelies! Drop a review!