Vader's Angel
By: wertman25
Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own Star Wars…. Or Anakin Skywalker… Which is a pity…
Author's Note: Give me a round of applause as it is my third day in a row staying up till 4 am trying to make this upload. Go, me. Anyways, please note that Padmé's views in the chapter are simply her own and are not meant to offend anyone else's beliefs. That is all.
Confusion flooded Padmé as she peeled her eyes open painfully against the harsh, florescent light– the light of a strange room that she had no memory of entering. She could tell from the glaring glow that shined down upon her that she was in a medical room, but the reason of how and why? She couldn't remember, but she tried desperately to. She tried to think of the reason, or recall the lost thoughts , or find the lost memory… but she couldn't… the pain was far too great.
Her mind began to awaken as she slowly blinked, fighting through the pain as she stared straight up at the blank white ceiling above her. There was a throbbing ache in the back of her head and a stabbing pain behind her eyes. Tiny white specks were gamboling on the edge of her vision, and she felt a wave of nausea hit her as she tried to sit up.
Fighting through the nausea, as well as a newly discovered pain that radiated in her ribs, Padmé finally managed to sit up against the hard pillows that were propped up behind her on the bed. The brightly lit room swam in and out of focus for a few seconds until the strain of effort by her eyes became too much. She closed her eyes with a small groan, trying to recover the memory that seemed to be lost– the memory of how and why she was in an unfamiliar medical room.
She knew the memory was there, somewhere in the back of her mind, buried under the throbbing pain of her headache and the disorientating dizziness that had settled over her since she'd awoken. She knew she could remember if she tried, but the harder Padmé tried to chase after the memory of the previous hours, the further it seemed to slip away from her reach.
Eventually, with a heavy sigh, she gave up trying, slumping back against the pillows as she went back to staring at the bright ceiling. The pain was heavy and it kept her from thinking as deeply as she would have liked. Her thoughts were cut off with each shake and throb of her brain, becoming fragments of thoughts that were forgotten too quickly to piece together. Again, she closed her eyes, hearing the sounds of the beeping machines that echoed around her like mighty roars to her throbbing head. Every sound was agony, making her feel company deranged.
It was only when she heard a small sound of movement in the room that Padmé fought against the pain once more, opening her eyes and fully inspecting the strange room. At first she saw nothing but machines and clear surfaces, until she caught the small action of white in the corner. There, almost invisible in the corner of the room, Padmé's eyes finally focused on a lone clone trooper standing in the doorway, guarding his post– No. Guarding her.
"W– where am I?" she stumbled, pushing up from the cot and instantly feeling the rush it caused within her mind. She fell back into the lumpy mattress, the crash of the world sending her vision swirling.
"Coruscant Medical," the trooper responded, hurrying to her side to help her fulfill her wish of being able to sit up.
Unlike usual, Padmé graciously allowed him to help her into a sitting position, holding onto his grip until she was sure that she would not fall backwards due to her fatigue. It was a hard task to accomplish. The pain still ached through her body, while the spinning of her vision began to steady, but regardless, her mind remained in a haze.
"How?" she breathed, still unable to recall the exact facts of how or even why she was in a medical facility with the lone trooper.
"You were injured," he responded calmly as he released her from his grip, but did not back away. "I was told to bring you here, but you lost consciousness in the speeder, ma'am."
Padmé frowned, his words neither processing nor making sense within her mind. "Umm…W…What–Ow…" she moaned, the pain washing over her again. She felt her world begin to fall out of focus, her head flying backwards by sudden weight. The trooper's hands were on her almost immediately, stabling her before laying her gently against the pillows.
"Don't move," he commanded, stepping away from her and heading towards the door. "I'll go get the doctor, ma'am."
She watched him turn and walk towards the exit, but as her vision began to fail once more, her eyes lost his white figure against the white walls of her room. What more could go wrong? Frustrated, Padmé reassured herself and tried to remain strong.
Everything is fine, she told herself. Everything is fine.
But it wasn't. She could feel it. She could sense it. Her body and her mind knew she was not fine. That everything was not fine… but she couldn't afford to resist her own lie. It might not have been fine, but she was going to pretend that it was.
Closing her eyes and releasing a small cry, Padmé began to breathe out her pain, taking the moment alone to control, collect, and observe herself. It took a few moments, but once she felt somewhat comfortable she opened her eyes, pushing herself a small fragment forwards so that her body was visible to herself. Pulling back the thin sheet, Padmé eyed the bruises and bandages that were littered across her visible skin, as well as took in the displeasure that radiated through her every cell. She noted that she had been removed of her dress, the large garment being replaced to her horror by a nearly sheer, white medical gown that left nothing to the imagination. Not only was her skin exposed beneath the material, but every bandage and bruise, which was Padmé's only reasoning of to why her gown was so transparent… and if she was wrong, the senator inside of her also made a mental note to fight to improve medical funding for medical bays across Coruscant. Still, she couldn't deny the material was light and painless against her bruised skin. She could feel, and see that beneath the gown was a large type of bandage, almost enveloping her complete side. In fact, enveloping her complete side and her chest, covering the most painful spot of her body as well as her breasts that were no longer supported by her missing bra.
The shame of it all!
Quite embarrassed by the fact that she had been stripped of nearly ever article of clothing, Padmé quickly pulled the sheets back to her chest. She covered her body and laid back into her lumpy pillows, cursing silently at the galaxy. What was it that she had done to deserve this amount of Bantha shit? After all, it was a ridiculous amount. There was no way in Sith's hell she deserved any of this. Did she? Surely someone had to have it out for her– someone dead, perhaps?
Probably, Grandma Moteé, Padmé considered, her grandmother being the only person she could think of that fit the bill correctly. She always did disagree that I pursued a career in politics. She thought was the Sith's real work in the galaxy– Oh, the irony of that. She's probably trying to reach me a lesson or make a point that she was right. Not to mention, she thought I was too pretty for my own good. Always saying my looks would get me into trouble someday. Padmé's thoughts paused for a short second, her grandmother's words echoing in her mind until she came to a terrifying conclusion. Force, she was right! Kriff! Why didn't I listen to that woman? I'm nothing but a–
The sound of footsteps brought Padmé out of her self-loathing, pulling her out of her thoughts just as a female, Cathar doctor prowled into the room.
"Senator Amidala," the feline-like doctor greeted as she approached, her silk brown fur shining against her white coat in a way that reminded Padmé of an old stuffed animal she possessed as a young child. "I'm glad to see you're awake," the doctor continued, wearing a sharp, but warm and inviting smile, one that somewhat helped Padmé's frightened nerves and made her feel safe in a state full of turmoil. "My name is Doctor Kytra Purr'kinta Hollinger, but you may call me, Doctor Ky or Doctor Hollinger. Either is fine with me, so it is whichever you prefer."
As the doctor spoke, a floating medical droid as well as the previous trooper entered in the room behind her, the trooper pausing by the door while the droid floated to its spot behind the doctor, a medical tray in its grasps. Dr. Ky began checking the stats on the nearest machine, trying quickly before her gaze returned back to Padmé.
"How are you feeling?" Doctor Ky asked, pressing multiple buttons that caused a series of beeps and whistles to alarm from the machine, furthering Padmé's already throbbing headache.
Almost instantly, Padmé closed her eyes and shuttered at the sound, her reaction not going unnoticed by the doctor, who quickly turned down the sound of the machine.
"Terrible," Padmé wheezed honestly, lowering her head into her hands for support as the agony of the headache continued.
"Yes, I thought so." Doctor Ky answered kindly, giving Padmé another comforting smile that was this time accompanied with a small purr. "I'm very sorry about that. We have given you medicine for your pain, and TC-18," she twisted, gesturing to the droid behind her, "has brought more drugs that I hope will help reduce the pain for the time being." The doctor paused for a moment, allowing the droid to hover around her and to Padmé's side. Once there, the droid distributed a small dosage of drugs to Padmé, which she took without delay, swallowing the pills and drinking the small glass of water that was on TC-18's tray. "Wonderful," Doctor Ky praised, allowing the droid to exit before her demeanor turned completely serious. "Now, there are some questions I need to ask you, Senator Amidala."
Padmé nodded, but the doctor hesitated, looking between the trooper and senator in a strange fashion. "They are–" she stumbled uncomfortably, before correcting herself. "–I mean, they might be personal questions."
Padmé understood the immediate hint. Personal was for her ears only, and she didn't want the trooper knowing her personal answers as much as the doctor didn't want to ask the personal questions in front of him; for fairly obvious reasons. By the Force, it seemed that everything related back to the infamous Sith Lord and everyone knew it. If the Imperial remained in room, anything and everything would make it back to hos ears and that made everyone inwardly cringe.
Shifting uncomfortably, Padmé looked between the doctor and trooper in a state of panic. What could she say? "Tr– Trooper," she called, catching his immediate attention, his head snapping in her direction at the sound of her voice.
"Ma'am."
"Could you wait outside, please?" she asked politely, her professional voice perfectly restored into place, as she knew it would be no easy task to convince him to leave her side. "I would very much appreciate some privacy. After all, there is a thing called doctor-patient confidentiality, so I believe this is only between my physician and myself."
His answer was of course, no. He took a large step forward, his body language conveying his stance on the subject. Padmé could tell immediately that the trooper was about to stand his ground against her and that he had absolutely no plans of leaving her alone within the medical room. "No disrespect, ma'am." he replied politely, his body locking into place with a shake of his head. "But Lord Vader is holding me personally responsible for you. That means," he pointed. "That if that doctor turns out to be an assassin, or the very least lays a harmful finger on you, he'll have my head. So, with that in mind, and with the greatest amount of respect, I'll be staying right here."
"But–"
"I'm an Imperial solider of the Galactic Empire," the trooper continued strongly. "I am sworn to the secrecy of a great deal of duties within the Empire while concluding my missions. And it just so happens that my commander, Lord Vader, gave me this mission, and so I will look at this as no different than any of the rest: top secret and confidential."
Kriff.
She sighed loudly, shaking her head in defeat, but nodded in his direction. It wasn't his fault after all. Truly she did understand. He was only doing his duty and what anyone with a sane mind would do in his position. Darth Vader was not a man of negotiation, but a man of action. If he were to learn of the trooper's disregard of his direct order, it would be the trooper's fatal end. No explanation. No second chance. Only Vader's enduring verdict and promise of death, just for disobeying him.
Padmé's gaze returned to her doctor, and the feline woman looked onto Padmé with a hidden emotion beneath her eyes. Sorrow? Pity, perhaps? Pity that Padmé did not want. She was tired of being pitied. She hated it. She was tired of everyone looking at her with sad eyes and breaking hearts. Didn't they understand that she too understood the situation that she was in? That she didn't need to be reminded of how terrible her life had become? It sucked. She understood that.
Containing herself, Padmé slid a perfect smile onto her face, trying her best to look as though she was unaffected by the situation and her pain. "You may continue, Doctor Hollinger."
Catching herself, Doctor Ky nodded, forcing a smile. "What is your name, Senator?"
"Pad –mé," she answered, trying to sound smooth despite her throbbing headache. "Padmé Naberrie Amidala."
"And your home world is?"
"Naboo."
"Fantastic," Doctor Ky praised, writing notes as Padmé answered. "And are you experiencing any more pain, Senator Amidala?"
Padmé nodded, groaning in the way her mind shook in her head as she moved, the way her body ached, and the way the world seemed to turn in her vision. The medicine had worked… but only for a few seconds.
"The medication should come into effect momentarily, and we can prescribe you more if your pain is still too great." She paused for a moment, turning her face away from the screen and giving Padmé her full-undivided attention. "Now Senator," she continued. "You seem to have hit your head. Are your memories fully intact?"
Padmé knew they weren't, but she forced herself to push through the pain and try again. A small frown formed on her face as she fought through the fog, trying to recall the memories she knew were there.
The loud boom shattered throughout the room, breaking walls and shattering eardrums. It took under a second for the bomb to devastate all that were near. A torrent of fire filled the room, and Padmé was only able to watch in horror as her world flew apart around her, a sheer pain radiating through her body.
"There was an explosion," Padmé answered slowly, the memory foggy and her voice lacking confidence. Frankly, she wasn't sure. She still couldn't remember clearly and there were far too many holes within her memory to be completely sure.
"Yes," Doctor Ky nodded encouragingly with a smile. "And?"
Padmé closed her eyes, recalling more of the forgotten memories. It was hard, but her confidence had been restored due to the small previous victory against the haze.
The man's head snapped towards her as he swung his arms to the front of his body, revealing the bomb and detonator in his hand. Padmé realized the threat too late, and as her mouth opened in horror, all she could do was watch the man throw the bomb towards the center of the room.
"He– He was trying to kill me," Padmé answered in shock, her mouth falling open and her eyes nearly bulging out of her head. Force! How could she forget? She had almost been assassinated! Someone had tried to kill her!
"Then what?" the doctor pressed, her voice small and soft as if not to press Padmé over the edge. "Do you remember?"
Padmé again tried to think– tried to remember, but she couldn't recall anymore, the pain and fog within her mind becoming too strong. She ceased her attempts with a small grown and shake of her head. "I don't know," she answered, annoyance and sadness in her voice. "I can't remember."
"That's fine," the doctor replied. "And completely usual. We normally expect patients that have gone through this type of trauma to blackout for sometime. The memories should return in time, and you recall far more than we expected, so I have nothing but optimism for your case." She wrote a quick note before she neared the bed, motioning for Padmé to lay back on the cot as she pulled down the sheet. "I apologize, this will hurt, but nothing too painful."
Padmé did as the doctor wished, relaxing into the cot as the feline raised the white gown to reveal her stomach. Her eyes shifted to the trooper, who remained stationed in the corner. She quietly thanked the Force for her choice of decent underwear, as silly as it was, it at least saved her some embarrassment knowing her womanhood was at least shielded from the room.
Feeling slightly more comforted, she allowed her eyes to shut, the cold air biting at her skin and stinging her wounds, making her suck in a breath of hard air. It hurt more than she had expected, but the doctor's hands were soft and light, her fingers moving like a strange sort of ballerina across her stomach. Still, every so often there was pain and Doctor Ky apologized with each twitch and spasm it caused the young senator. The examination took only minutes, but the minutes passed slowly, the pain only seeming to grow with each passing second the closer the doctor's hands got to the main wound.
"You're very lucky," Doctor Ky commented, rubbing her furred fingers against the bandage of Padmé's main injury. "I know this hurts, but this could have been much worse. You're very lucky that something shielded you from the main force of the blast or I fear we would be dealing with far more dire injuries."
Her comment made Padmé pale, something about the sentence giving her chills– making alarms signal from inside her brain. She assumed it had to do with the words, dire injuries, but something seemed off about that as well. Even through the pain of her mind she knew that there was something else to the story. There was something else, something that was important… but what?
"I'm sorry... What?"
"Something shielded you," Doctor Ky repeated. "You were very lucky."
She was about to be engulfed by the flames,before she felt as a large heavy mass push her away from the harm and shield her body with his own until the force of the detonation sent them both flying in opposite direction.
The memory flashed within Padmé's mind, brighter and clear than all of the rest, practically begging her to remember it… and thankfully, she did. Slowly, she began to have cohesive thoughts as the missing pieces to earlier events began to restore and reveal themselves within her mind. She could almost remember everything. Well, everything up to a certain point. Palo, Senator Alavar, and the man with the bomb, it seemed to all be there before becoming darkness. She couldn't remember anything after the explosion, but she could remember the fire, and the one moment that stood out far beyond the rest, the moment that made Padmé's heart race, the moment that made her breath hitch, the moment where Vader had come to her .It seemed her savior had saved her once again. Vader had shielded her from the blast! Vader had protected her! He had saved her life, and she didn't even want to think about what that meant… but she was almost positive that she was overthinking the situation. Still, something inside of her soared.
"We put a bacta pack on your main wound," the doctor continued while she covered Padmé with the sheet, unsure of the reason for Padmé's pause. "But we will have to get an X-Ray to see if there is any further damage internally…" Her voice trailed off suddenly, followed quickly by her demeanor that drastically changed, the once calm and calming individual shifting into a far more sympathetic and dejected personnel. "However…" she began again. "We needed you to awake for your consent."
Padmé picked up on the doctor's change instantly, her own body turning cold as fear rose in her throat. "Why?" she asked, unsure if she wanted the answer. "Is that customary?"
"Well…" the doctor hesitated, amplifying Padmé's fears. "When the patient is unconscious, we make the best call concerning their care. In your case, I made the call to wait until you had awoken since your injuries didn't appear to be life threatening."
"I don't understand," Padmé replied truthfully, a small frown gracing her features. Although one story had begun to make sense within her mind, the reasoning for her doctor's choices did not. Her injuries didn't appear to be life threatening, but that didn't mean there wasn't a chance. So what had made Doctor Hollinger wait for her to awaken? What made her decide to take such a risk regarding her patient's safety? It seemed like a chance considering everyone was looking at Padmé like Vader's property. Padmé could see it even in Doctor Ky's eyes. The doctor knew the threat of dealing with someone like Padmé– someone under the Sith's care. So wouldn't Doctor Ky do everything and anything in her power to make sure Padmé was completely healthy and safe? Even ahead of schedule, perhaps? Do anything just to please the Sith Lord? Do anything to not risk her head?
"I– I must ask before I continue your treatments, is there a possibility that you are you pregnant, Senator?"
The world she was on seemed to stop turning. Her stomach rising to her throat so far that she was sure she was going to be sick. Padmé had heard the doctor's words, but somehow to her mind, they couldn't form a sentence. It was impossible.
"W– What?"
"Is there a possibility that you are pregnant?" the doctor asked again, this time her voice warm and filled with sympathy.
Padmé's mind was in complete and utter turmoil, seemingly shutting down as the information became too great for her brain to process. She opened her mouth to breathe, but found no further supply of oxygen within the medical room. She felt as if she was chocking– dying a slow and painful death.
"Senator," the doctor pressed, stepping towards her with a concerned frown.
Padmé couldn't answer. Her brain had ceased any and all functions. She felt suddenly very cold.
"Senator?" Doctor Ky asked again, this time placing her hand gently on Padmé's shoulder. "Are you pregnant?"
Her touch brought Padmé slightly out of her daze, but not enough for clarity. "No, I…" she began slowly, absently, before the answer died in her throat. The fear was flooding her mind, making it impossible for her to finish her denial or find words to counter the accusation. Was it possible? No. It couldn't be. It couldn't be! There was no way …but there was.
He slipped into her effortlessly, the amount of wetness from her core allowing him easy entrance. The feeling of him inside of her burned for a moment, but Vader stopped this time to allow her body time to adjust. She nodded when she felt comfortable and the Sith began his thrusting immediately after. She held onto the sheets as he continued to ram into her, her moans only fueling him on.
Padmé paled, pregnancy no longer seemingly like an inconceivable idea. In fact, it was very, very possible.
Oh, Force!
"It's a standard question, Senator Amidala." Doctor Ky tried to reassure her, but standard or not, Padmé couldn't form words.
The doctor frowned when Padmé failed to respond, turning to look at the lone trooper in the corner of the room, who had shifted out of attention. "Trooper," Doctor Ky called, her voice soft but filled with hidden demand. "I understand you want to fulfill your duty to your command and not leave this woman unprotected, but is it possible, that you could protect her from wait outside the door for a short while? This is a sensitive subject, and I will be doing a further examination in the matter of moments."
There was a long pause before the trooper reacted, for once not fighting or denying the request. Instead, he said nothing at all, his body language conveying his unhappiness, but he still nodded to the doctor before turning and stepping outside the room. He didn't go far, however, only taking a few steps into the hall until he turned with his back to the door, allowing Padmé and the doctor to have some privacy, while still in safe range incase there was an emergency. He went far, but not far enough.
"Senator?" Doctor Ky pressed again, rubbing Padmé's arm comfortingly. "I need to know."
Again, Padmé fought to find words. "I– I don't know," she finally breathed, fear laced through her voice. "I don't know."
The doctor nodded, before asking politely, "But you have been sexually active, yes?"
Padmé paled once more, her heart dropping into where her stomach would have been if it had not been in her throat. "H– How do you know?"
"We had to remove your garments," she explained quickly. "It's what made me make the call to wait. There…there were obvious signs of sexual activity on your body and I just wanted to be sure, just incase, because many of our instruments and equipment are harmful and can have dire consequences if we were to use it on a baby."
Instinctively, Padmé's trembling hands clutched onto her stomach, a protective coverage over where her baby might be. It was a quick and harmless reaction, but a motherly reaction nonetheless. A reaction that went unnoticed by Padmé, but not unnoticed by her doctor. "I don't know," Padmé repeated absently, her mind obvious in a far off place as she began to draw tiny circle over her belly.
"But you have been recently sexually active, yes?"
Upon hearing the question again, Padmé's eyes widened, her head snapping towards her doctor. "Ah–Umm…" she hesitated, knowing she wouldn't lie to her physician, but could also not tell her the complete truth. She could hardly imagine how it would go over if everyone knew she had been and was sexually active with Darth Vader. "I– Uh…We –"
"The information is classified, Senator Amidala." Doctor Ky added, as if sensing Padmé's fear. "We won't even put your name on the file if you don't want us to. I'm your physician, and I will only be looking out for your sake."
Padmé turned her eyes away, her shame and embarrassment overwhelming her. "Do you have to know with whom?" she asked, her voice sounding like a tiny woodland creature that had been caught by a predator and was begging for mercy. It wasn't a far off feeling.
"Of course not, that is your personal business, Senator." Doctor Ky answered with a frown. "As I said, this is strictly standard, I am only doing this for your sake, as well as your baby if there were to be one."
Your baby.
A baby! A small word that used to mean joy, now only meant fear. Baby. Never in her entire life had Padmé been afraid of becoming pregnant. She had never feared of having a baby. She always wanted to have a baby, a few in fact. It always seemed like such a happy stage of life– a stage she had been excited to reach when she was older. It had always seemed like a time of new beginnings, when she would have a husband and a happy life. A baby would be a part of the man that she had chosen to be with forever… A being that bound them together until the end of eternity. It had always been a happy thought, but now, now it was truly terrifying.
Pushing the thoughts away, Padmé nodded her head, terrified, but unable to truly think through the situation. "Yes," she finally admitted, the confession no longer holding as much weight as it once did. "Then… yes. I have been sexually active."
The doctor nodded, giving her a small, but encouraging smile. "Alright, and have you used protection or contraceptives?"
Padmé paled, her heart stopping within her chest. Kriff! How could she have forgotten the most basic rule of sexual education? Use protection! It was the most basic rule in the book! How the kriff could she have forgotten? But it still wasn't possible, right? Trying to prove her own point, Padmé mentally counted the number times her and Vader had found relief together, but instead of feeling reassured, she instantly wanted to throw up... But it didn't matter, because it wasn't possible! Lord Vader couldn't have impregnated her! It wasn't possible!
"We– We only had sex a few times," she panicked, trying to convince herself, more than the doctor that the result of a baby would be impossible. "It's hardly been anything really. I didn't even mean for it to happen. It just started–"
"All it takes is one time," the doctor interrupted, her face returning to the stern face of a physician. "So I'll ask again, have you used protection or contraceptives?"
The shame. Padmé had never felt so humiliated in her entire life. "N–No," she answered, unable to look her doctor in the eye, feeling very much like she was having the sex talk with her parents all over again – which apparently, she didn't listen to. "No, we haven't used protection."
"Well…" the doctor answered slowly. "I'm afraid, if you want to be sure to not harm the baby, we will have to preform a pregnancy test before I can take you in for the X-Ray." She paused, a long moment of silence passing between them before she spoke again. "Unless… the threats to the baby are no concern to you."
Padmé sat motionless, completely stunned, in more ways then one. She knew that the doctor wanted her to reply, but she again couldn't form words. It was obvious that her doctor wanted to preform further tests, and was just waiting for the word, but even if this child was the spawn of the Devil himself, as it already was, it was still her baby. Her baby. It was apart of her and regardless of its monstrous parentage, and she would not put it in harms way, especially when it was an innocent victim of her stupid mistakes. Sure, she didn't even know if she was truly pregnant, but that was her point. She wanted to know for sure before she decided. Padmé knew the threats of various medical procedures and its affect on fetus life; it had been in a report she read upon her desk sometime ago. She wanted to know for sure before she continued. She needed to know if she was pregnant with Darth Vader's child.
"I– I want t–to kn–know fir–st," Padmé wheezed, the tears finally spilling down her face.
Truly, she didn't want to know. In fact, she rather would have gone back to when she had forgotten the entire day. She could live not knowing, she could do denial– at least for nine months. She just didn't want to know, but she knew she had to. She had done this, done this with Lord Vader, and although that was a crime within itself, what was worse was that she didn't feel the slightest bit guilty.
"May I ask, Senator?" the doctor asked, pulling Padmé back into reality. "If you are not pregnant, is birth control something you would want to look into?"
Her shame tripled, her inner emotions in a blaze as the tears began to pour more heavily down her face. She couldn't speak the words, but she nodded frantically.
"Alright…" the doctor said slowly, and Padmé could only guess that the doctor was surprised by her response; but truthfully, she was as well. "We will also have to wait for the results of the pregnancy test before I can arrange that."
"A– And what if I am?" Padmé stumbled, unable to say, or even think what was truly on her mind. "What if– What if I'm pregnant?"
The doctor looked at her comfortingly, her eyes soft and encouraging. "We will cross that bridge when we get there. But for now, just rest," she said, pushing Padmé back into her pillows as a droid hovered its way over to the cot. It gave Padmé directions that she hardly comprehended before it began to take her blood and a series of other samples. "You've had a very exciting day," the doctor continued when everything was said and done. "Rest is what you need the most of right now. It will take about twenty standard minutes to get back the results, so please just relax."
And although Padmé thought it to be impossible to relax, she had failed to see the drugs that the droid had slipped her, making her eyes become heavy and everything fade into darkness.
Where was he? Where was Vader? She couldn't remember why she was looking for him, but found that the pain in her chest was in agony for him. Something was wrong, and she couldn't remember what. She couldn't remember anything, but she could feel her need for him. Where was he?
"Vader!" she screamed, hearing no reply. She looked around frantically, her vision beginning to clear as she tumbled forward, tripping over shards and sliding across blood. The pain shooting through her like lightening bolts.
"Vader!" she cried out again, feeling the strangest feeling of déjà vu as she looked around the room. Where had she seen this before?
She paused as she heard the rattling of metal, and turned to face the opposite side of the room from where she had landed. Intrigued, she watched as giant piece of the ceiling that lay along the floor was pushed upwards and a man pushed himself out from underneath.
The man looked at the metal that had held him prison before he turned to face her, a small frown across his features
She audibly gasped as his gaze met her, for the first time taking in the sight that stared upon her. The man gazing back at her was incredibly more handsome than anything she had seen in her entire life. His skin– or what she could see of it, was tan and covered with dirt and blood, lightly scarred in areas such as his eye that had a large straight line down it. His jaw was firm and strong, an accenting feature on his face, but nothing compared to his full lips. His hair was a dark blond, brown mess of shaggy locks that framed his face in a way that quite literally took her breath away. His eyes were a piercing fiery yellow, staring at her with such cold calculation that she wanted to glance away, but she couldn't. They locked onto her, holding her prisoner. Her heart skipped a beat as he held her gaze, but her mind was still unable to make sense.
Suddenly, she felt the strangest bit of familiarity about the man, as if she had seen him before. But he was gorgeous, by far the most gorgeous man she had ever seen in her entire life… She would never forget him… but she felt as if she had. His face was shocking, yet so familiar.
"Do… Do I know you?" she asked, squinting her eyes as if it would help reveal the mystery. It didn't.
He stared back at her, a hard frown on his face but something hidden within his eyes. He didn't respond to her, as he let out a loud groan, suddenly pulling out a large piece of metal that was piercing out of his side. She gaped at him in astonishment, watching a new flow of blood drop onto the floor, but he breathed a sigh of relief instead of pain. Neither of them moved as an army of troopers entered the room, acting as if they had seen this all before and moved along with their business without acknowledging the two of them.
Padmé wanted to scream as the troopers continued to pass. Why weren't they looking for their commander? They had to find Vader! He had been here! Where was he? And who was this man?
"Sir," a trooper said catching Padmé's eye, as he ran up to the gorgeous man across the room that turned to face him. "We believe the assassin was a suicide bomber, killed with his own blast. We also believe he was apart of the small amount of members that broke away from the Rebellion."
"Believe?" the man snapped, his voice undeniably like the Sith and his face becoming so angry that Padmé herself was intimidated and feared for her life. "Why don't you figure out who exactly this scum is!" the man shouted, gesturing to the pieces of human lying upon the floor. "And more importantly, how the son of a bitch found his way in here!"
The trooper took a large step back, obviously frightened by the man. "Yes, Lord Vader!"
Padmé froze as the trooper's statement reached her ears, her heart literally stopping within her chest. Lord Vader. Her gaze slowly moved towards the man, her mind screaming on thing: It can't be!
"Vader," Padmé repeated in shock, staring wide-eyed at the man in question. "Lord Vader?"
He said nothing, his face becoming hard as he looked towards her and back to his troops that were surveying the area.
She refused to believe it. It couldn't be Vader! It couldn't be! It didn't make sense! Thus man was far too human– too young to be Darth Vader! He couldn't be that much older than her! For the first time, she inspected him again. His shaggy hair, his golden tan, and his strong features– he was gorgeous! Her eyes moved to his clothes, the black tunic, black cloak, and lightsaber that hung from his belt – exactly identical to that of Vader!
"As in Darth Vader," Padmé continued, her shock only growing… until she remembered. Remembered that they had done this all before. That she had seen this all before. That this was the missing memory… or at least some sort of version of it.
Again, she turned to Vader with a scowl across her face, meeting the eyes of the man that had been hidden beneath the hood for far too long. "Lord Vader," she tested the name against her lips, walking towards the man that stood before her as the rest of the world faded around them. "Who are you?"
"I'm no one," he replied, his voice hard, but uncharacteristically sad. "Not anymore."
"I don't believe that," she replied, knowing from his words that he believed the statement to be true, but also knowing that his perception was clouded. "You have to be someone."
"Not this man," Vader snapped, his usual voice formed perfectly back into place. "I'm not this man." He paused, his eyes becoming dark and the air in return becoming cold– far too cold. The Sith took a large step forward, his presence and darkness instantly overwhelming her, causing her to take a step back. Vader fed off of her reaction immediately, a sly smile forming over his face, but it was a wicked grin that did not reach his eyes. "You are right to fear me," he stated looking her eyes within his own before his gaze shifted from her face to her stomach. She chocked on the air as he raised his fingers to rest against her belly, his own breath seeming to turn shallow at the touch. "I can't be the man you want me to be," he breathed, his yellow eyes slowly rising from her stomach to her face. "That either of you will need."
She felt the tears stinging in her eyes and a pain ache in her heart as she heard his words. She wanted desperately to protest, but when she tried to speak, when she tried to reach out to him, a pain ruptured through her body, her hands flying to her throat. She tried to breathe but felt the grip around her neck tightening, her eyes shot to Vader who had morphed into the ruthless Sith, his hand outstretched with curled fingers.
"Vader…" she choked, her world beginning to fade as she gasped for air. She opened her mouth again about to make another final plea, before she felt an entirely different kind of horror set over her; the extreme horror as she realized that it was not Vader that she was faced with, but in fact, a man that looked extremely like him… and her.
"Son…" she corrected, trying to make some connection. "Please…"
The man only smiled, shifting into a young boy that she could only compare to what Vader probably looked like as a boy. "Why?" he shrugged uncaringly. "You did this" Before tightening his Force grip on his mother's throat. "Sorry, Mother."
Padmé awoke quite violently, convulsing out of her dream state as she gasped for air. Her heart was breathing against her chest widely and the sweat that poured down her face was mixed with salty tears. She practically screamed as the world came back into focus around her, the dream and her situation mixing together in away that was sure to make her sick.
"Oh, Force!" she cried, her hand quickly moving over her mouth to cover her sobs.
It all seemed like a dream, a terrible, terrible nightmare. Pregnant with Darth Vader's child… How could she be so stupid?! Darth Vader's child! How could she let this happen? It wasn't possible! It had only been a week since they had begun their procreative activities, and really how many times had they really even done the deed? She couldn't be pregnant, and definitely not with Darth Vader's child! Screw the one and done crap, there was no way in Sith's hell! She was not carrying Lord Vader's child. She couldn't be!
Darth Vader's child. It gave her chills.
But then she thought of the golden eyes that stared back at her, the cold and calculated, yet strangely protective gaze that had held her prisoner. They had been the eyes of Darth Vader, the eyes that didn't match his body, the eyes that almost seemed as if they were an invasive species on his beautiful foreign land. The golden eyes were far too hard and too evil to fit the man she had witnessed today, but she guessed they fit his demeanor well enough. They were exactly the kind of eyes she would have imagined the Sith to have… That was, the Sith Lord Darth Vader, but not her Vader.
She never knew what to expect when it came to the complicated being– who she now officially knew was a man– that was Darth Vader. He was a mystery all in himself, and although she had been trying to crack his case for sometime, it only seemed that the more stones she overturned, the deeper the mystery became. There were still so many questions and so many things that remained unanswered. But one question stood out beyond them all, the only question that Padmé needed to solve: Who was Darth Vader?
That's when she thought of Vader– the human Vader, the man who was hidden from the galaxy beneath the hood. The man who she had met only recently, but had secretly known was there since the moment she met him. There were so many things about him that added to the mystery. Now, it wasn't just his behavior or his actions, but physical elements as well. She had never known what to expect when it came to the man underneath the hood, but she had never expected the truth. Who knew that Lord Vader would have been a hunk? He was absolutely gorgeous! So breathtakingly handsome that it even made Padmé begin to question herself as to why she was so upset about the possibility of a pregnancy. How could she complain? Would she actually mind having a baby with those kinds of genetics?
What? Her mind screamed; shocked at the path her thoughts had taken. Yes you would mind!
Lord Vader was not a husband material– he wasn't father material. He would never want a child or a family! He wouldn't want to hang up his lightsaber and Sith like ways for the sake of a child. He was unfit to be a parent. He was cruel and dark, too unpredictable to be around children. Even worse, Vader was a monster– a cold, blood lusting monster. If she did have his child, what genetics would this baby carry that were a gift from its father? Darkness? Arrogance? Anger? Aggression? Would the child have a need for blood? An instinct to kill? A call to the darkness? Would the child be a monster like its father? Would it be cursed with the power to wield the Force? Destined to a life of misery– which it would have regardless if anyone were to figure out its true parentage– a life a misery just because he would be the spawn of most notorious and infamous villain in all of the galaxy's history. He would be an outcast. Even if her child– their child was nothing like its father, she had no doubt of the number of problems that would arise just from his creation.
Fear began to overwhelm and consume her, casting her into the outlands with her future child. Her mind and heart felt as if it was breaking, her body was in pain, and she suddenly felt exposed– unprotected. It was mind boggling, but in that moment, all she wanted was Vader. She knew that if was pregnant than it was a possibility that she would never see him again – or experience anything with him again. If she was pregnant, she only had the choice of running, unless she just skipped the chase and just waited for him to end her. The thought made her want him more. She didn't need Vader, but she wanted him. She wanted him here, like it was the last time she would be able to be with the man who she shouldn't have cared for. She knew she shouldn't, but she wanted him– Now. She couldn't afford to think about it anymore. All she could think about was him.
"Tr–Trooper," she called, the trooper remaining motionless, forcing her voice to grow louder and more controlled. "Trooper."
Thankfully, the second time he heard her, turning without delay and entering the room. He paused directly before her bed, giving her a small nod as he paused at attention, "Yes, ma'am?"
"Could you," she began, trying to make her voice sound more confident than she felt. "Could you contact Lord Vader, please?"
He shifted uncomfortably at the name, before he was able to reposition himself to his previous stance, his nerves obviously frazzled. "My commander, ma'am?" he asked cautiously. "On what grounds, if I many ask?"
Because, I don't know! Padmé growled inwardly, mad at not just the trooper but at herself. Because as crazy it is, he is my lover and I want him here with me.
"Please– Please," Padmé pressed, her nerves and emotions beginning to get the best of her. "Just tell him that Senator Amidala is requesting him."
"I'm not sure–"
"Please," Padmé nearly begged. "Please."
"Alright, ma'am." MW-925 responded; his voice laced with uncertainty and doubt. "But you do know that just because I call, doesn't guarantee–"
"I'm well aware of Vader's attitude," Padmé snapped, her nerves reaching their breaking point as her emotions began to spill down her face, the reality of the situation hitting her like a tone of bricks. "And I'm well aware that he may, and most likely will deny my request." The words hurt, more than she cared to admit, but she pressed on. "I just would like you to relay the word to him so that Lord Vader can make a decision by himself."
"Of course, ma'am." he responded, nodding his head as he turned on his heel. "I'll contact him right away."
Please, Padmé silently prayed, calling out to Vader wherever he was. Please come.
Snap.
Another neck crushed under the force of Vader's Force grip, the body falling forward violently, the exertion of the snap sending the deadweight forward, slipping and cracking the man's wrists against the restraints as the blood dripped to the floor. A shiver of delight ran up Vader's spine as he took in the smells, sights, and sounds around the room, basking in his glory. Pleased with the sight, Vader slowly turned back to the woman, his final prey, who lay against the final slab, pulling against her restraints like a madwoman, trying to fight for her life; her faith that she could still make it out alive almost making him laugh. The fear was nearly tangible in the air, and he thrived in it.
Usually, he would have considered a slower technique of torture, but not today. The men that had helped the senator against the attack had died quickly, but brutally. He had acquired the information he needed from them in seconds, their deaths following quickly and painfully afterwards… unlike his final victim– this woman that hurt his senator would be his entertainment. She deserved to die a slow and painful death.
"I'm growing impatient, Senator." His voice thundered, sending a series of visible shocks to shoot down her body while the tears began to grow within her eyes. "Give me what I seek…" he whispered, playing with his prey. "And, maybe I'll let you live."
"I am already dead, Lord Vader." the woman snapped, turning her face away from him to hide her intimidation. "Finish your work."
Vader tried, but could not hold in his laugh this time, a devilish grin forming onto his face. "Did you think it would be that easy?" he chuckled, his tone icy and laced with darkness. "Did you think that I would just kill you? That you would not have to suffer the consequences?"
She did not answer, but her thoughts spoke for her, images of Senator Amidala passing through her mind, of the plans to assassinate and rid the galaxy of her existence. It sent Vader into a tailspin, the senator's thoughts and silence urging his nerves and anger. Acting quickly, and purely on rage, he found himself half way across the room. There, he broke off a long piece of metal from the wall, twisting it in his grasp to admire its pointed frame. Yes, that would do nicely, very nicely. Focusing on his prey, a frown returned over Vader's face as he stalked back across the room. What he was about to do was far from anything he was accustomed to, a very un-Vader like torture technique, but for some reason, he felt like he needed to do it, a personal conflict fueling him on.
The woman howled in agony as he plunged the speared post into woman's side. The metal penetrated her skin and pressed deeply into her body. The spear was plunged sharply into her side, unquestionably puncturing one of her lungs, the result being painful and shallow breaths. "You– You kriffing Sith scum!" she screamed through her pain, the effort for so many words completely taking her breath away.
Vader didn't care. "Give me what I seek," he growled, unaffected by her anger and the pain she was experiencing. It was actually amusing.
"Fuck you!"
Again, the woman pressed his limits, his anger seething and causing him to loose control. Using the Force as his ally, he snapped the woman's arm, the bone breaking out of her skin in the most gruesome of ways. She screamed in utter agony before she began to lose consciousness, everything becoming dark and numb… but Vader would not allow it.
"Oh, no you don't," Vader hissed; using the Force to bring the woman back to a state of consciousness so that she could witness and feel the pain he was afflicting upon her. "I'm not finished with you yet."
"Pl–Please," she begged, her voice breathless, the pain and numbness already killing her. "Please, end this."
"Give me, what I want." Vader repeated, his voice void of all emotions.
She didn't answer. Instead, she closed her eyes and released a small cry. One that made Vader roll his eyes in annoyance. He couldn't help but sigh at the situation, trying to control his anger that was boiling through his veins and his annoyance that was bubbling in his belly. Regaining himself, he moved into the senator's personal space, resulting in more cries and wails as his face almost touched her own. "I could take what I want," Vader whispered, his voice like death. "But it will be painful, and surely you do not want any more pain."
She didn't answer, so Vader continued his game, his finger coming up to brush her jaw, causing her to shiver. "Hmmm?" he mused, tilting his head and pressing himself closer in a way he knew would intimidate and frighten her.
He could feel her reaction, her fear growing with each passing second, but she made no further cries. Slowly, her eyes turned to him, her face completely reclaimed by the young senator that had entered the room. She looked up into the darkness of his hood without an ounce of fear, ignoring the lack of space that was between them "You– You won't find it, Lord Vader." she whispered deeply, her breath becoming shallow as it became harder and harder to breathe. "You'll ne–ver have what you – you want."
Vader smirked at her sudden change . That's more like it.
"And that's where you're wrong," he commented, pulling away from her face before pointing a gloved finger in her direction. "I always get what I want, Senator. Always."
"You… You think you are in–invincible, Lord Vader," she snapped back without missing a beat, the pain obviously turning to dumbness by now and the lack of oxygen reaching her brain causing the sudden change in her behavior. "Bu… But you are n–not." She turned her head, her eyes motioning towards his torso, to the spot where the blood was beginning to pour out of his wound. "The bomb m–made by my pe–people has made e–even you bleed . Yo–You can act as invincible as you want, par–parade yourself as some… something you are not, but my people – my people know the … the tr–truth and it is only a– a matter of time–"
Her sentence was cut short, Vader having enough of her declaration and invading her mind without warning. He was not careful or sensitive while searching through the remains of her mind, the woman shaking and convulsing in pain as she felt the Sith devour and rip her mind apart. He held a gloved hand up to her cranium, furthering the connection he had within her mind, causing her eyes rolling back into her head, as he pressed deeper and deeper into her mind until he found the information he was searching for.
"There it is," Vader snickered darkly, finding the answer that he was seeking within the deepest cavern of her mind: the location of the Resistance. He had it. He had the location to the real scum that had started this war– the people who had disturbed the peace in the galaxy. Now, he could finish what he had started… And so, started the end.
Satisfied, he pulled his hands away for her head, watching as the senator slumped into the slab, becoming nothing more than a sad excuse of a pile of flesh that continued to shiver and shake like a fish out of water.
"Captain," Vader called as he turned to the three men that stood within the room behind him, receiving no immediate response from any of them, their horror filled eyes fixated not on him, but on the slumped, convulsing body that remained on the slab, moaning and mumbling words that were unrecognizable.
"Captain," Vader repeated with the same result, his annoyance only growing. It seemed that his new and profound tactics had sent even his own men into shock. Surely they had witnessed him preform far worst acts than this? He knew he had.
Sighing irritably, Vader turned from his men, looking at the poor excuse of a high class, politician. He could have cared less that his men were petrified, and if he were less irritable he would have killed them as well. His issue was that he hated to see the senator moving, looking so alive. "Senator Alavar." the Sith sighed, approaching the flailing corpse with growing anger. "It seems even in death you push my patience. Let me treat you to the same fate as your friends." Outstretching his hand and reaching out into the Force, he snapped her neck quite effortlessly, her soul finally abandoning her eyes and her body becoming limp.
"Captain! Cadets!" Vader barked once more, and this time received a response from all three men.
"Sir!" they snapped into attention, their previous fear gone from their eyes, replaced by an emotionless scowl.
Vader decided to ignore their previous actions– or lack of actions. He was far too irritable already and couldn't afford to lose any more young officers– not with a battle so near in their future anyways. Usually they were expendable, but not today…. Today they were lucky and would manage to escape with their lives.
Rising to his full height, Vader locked his shoulders and crossed his arms over his chest. "I have learned from the senator's memory," he reported. "That she was contacted by the Resistance earlier today, from their secret base on Dantooine."
Taking the hint, the senior office of the trio stepped forward. "Would you like us to ready the troops, milord?"
"No," Vader replied, closing his eyes and reaching out into the Force before turning back to the man before him with a clear mind. "If she was contacted today, than there is still a chance we can track the earlier transmission. We need to act quickly, but also need to be sure of their location if we are to preform a successful attack." He turned to the cadet that stood closest to him, ignoring the way the man's eyes widened as they're gazes met. "Contact any trooper at the Imperial Senate that is stationed near Senator Alavar's office. Have them do a reverse track on her most previous transmissions. If there is one that came from the Outer Rim Territories, then we are sure to have the right planet."
"Right away, sir!" the captain nodded, motioning to the two cadets to follow him as they jogged outside the door.
Vader followed them outside the cell as well, but turned in the opposite direction of the men, instead headed towards the main hanger bay. He already knew what their finds would conclude and he knew there was no time to lose in the process. If they were smart, they would have followed him, but alas it took mere moments for one of the officers to come sprinting up behind him, trying and failing to keep up with his pace.
"Lord… Vader," the cadet breathed, trying to sound stable despite his harsh breaths. "Your findings have been confirmed. The transmission came from somewhere on Dantooine."
"Do they know that we are onto them?"
"We assume only suspicions, sir." the cadet replied, gulping slightly as his nerves got the better of him. "They were not alarmed of our reverse trace on them, their only suspicions would be their failure attack on the senator."
Vader cared not for suspicions, knowing that it would take far more than suspicions to move the newly formed retaliation. He cared only about the element of surprise – the opportunity he had been waiting for, for far too long. And now, they finally had it.
"Good," he replied coldly, motioning the young man back in his previous direction. "Have your commanding officer ready the troops and report to the main hanger bay at once."
"Yes, Lord Vader!"
This was it. The moment had begun, and as Vader was left alone to continue his trek though the halls, the Sith took the moment to bask in all of his glory once more. He finally felt like himself again, like the powerful and ruthless Sith Lord he had trained all of his life to be. He could feel his power surging from inside of him, the Dark Side of the Force flowing around him, the darkness was consuming him, giving him strength and making him strong. Nothing could stop him. He was ready for his hunt– for his kill. He had tasted the sweet blood the traitors and he lusted for more. He was ready to put an end to this Resistance, and in return the Rebellion. He would rid the galaxy of the fools– the pests that went against Emperor, against the Empire, and against him. He would soon return peace, justice, and order to the galaxy. Today was the day that–
"Sir," a trooper saluted, pulling Vader out of his thoughts and back to the reality around him.
"What is it?" Vader snapped, annoyed that the trooper had interrupted his thoughts, and even more annoyed that the Sith had allowed himself to become so engrossed in his thoughts that he hadn't sense the trooper's presence approach him.
The trooper took a step back, falling into pace a step behind his commander after catching the anger within his tone "My apologies, Lord Vader," the trooper apologized quickly. "But MW-925 has made contact–"
MW-925? Vader thought, before his heart paused within his chest, his memory enlightening him. The trooper that I assigned Senator Amidala!
At the mention of the trooper's name, Vader stopped, pausing so abruptly that the trooper behind him had to jump backwards just to avoid colliding into him. All at once the ideas of blood and murder escaped his mind, being replaced by his brown-eyed angel.
"About the senator?" he pressed, cursing himself about how eager and concerned his voice sounded.
If the trooper heard the change in his commander's voice, he never acknowledged it. Which in fact, probably saved his life as well. "Senator Amidala–" the trooper stated, unaffected by Vader's closeness and sudden, strange outburst,"– has requested you, sir. MW-925 says that she asked him to relay–"
That was all he need to hear before he practically running towards the exit. He had made sure to keep her the at the farthest possible distance from his mind while he had worked, but now that she had entered, she had instantly consumed him. Senator Amidala. He needed to see her himself, his heart twisting in his chest as his last image of her showed itself within his mind, her injured and frail body. It had taken everything in his power to not heal her then and there, right in front of his troops and his master. But now that he had dealt with the situation, if she wanted him, then he had no choice but to answer her call.
"Sir!" the trooper called, chasing after the nearly sprinting Sith. "What are your orders, sir?"
"Ready the troopers!" Vader barked back, his mind still only on Senator Amidala. "Then, wait for my orders!"
The trooper paused, saluting his commander and allowing him to disappear. "Yes, sir!"
"Unfortunately, I'm afraid that it might be a little too soon to tell for sure."
The statement was like a bunch to Padmé's gut and because of it, she instantly felt sick. "W–What?" she paled. Had she heard that right?
"The results," Doctor Ky explained, sitting down at her main screen within Padmé's room as she began to type notes. "They have unfortunately come back unclear."
"Unclear…" Padmé frowned. Unclear? She had truly been prepared for anything – anything, but that.
"Is that common?"
The doctor shook her head, a strange look passing over her sharp features. "No, it isn't common," she admitted. "But it does sometimes tend to happen in young female trauma victim cases. The body is experiencing too much stress and pain to give us clear results, so some tests come back positive, while others come back negative."
Great. Wonderful. Fantastic. Could her life possibly become any shittier? Unclear? Uncommon? Too soon to tell? How was that even remotely possible? Of course she had said she didn't want to know, but she was scared! She truly didn't want to know, but that was only if she could live in denial for the rest of her life, which she knew she couldn't. Now the unknown would force her into insanity. Was she or wasn't she? She had to know if she was carrying Vader's child! She had to know if there was a tiny human growing inside of her! She couldn't just wait!
"What do we have to do?" Padmé pressed, her voice sounding more anxious than she would have liked. "Do we have any other options?"
"Well," the doctor began, looking down at her datapad as if looking at previous notes. "Your body is still in a state of shock, so I believe any test we try will give is the same outcome. The best option for us, I believe is to wait a week and have you come back."
"Come back!" Padmé shrieked, her mouth falling open and her eyes becoming wide. She couldn't live a week with the unknown! She couldn't look at Vader everyday for a week and live with the fact that she might have his baby growing inside of her. The insanity would surely drive her mad! "And if there is trauma?" Padmé lied smoothly, trying to shift the reason of her panic. "Are you sure it is safe to send me home so soon?"
"You don't need to worry," the doctor smiled, once again calming Padmé with her comforting grin. "All of your results have come back clean, and although I would like to further your evaluation, if you would like to make sure you are not pregnant first, then there is simply nothing else we can do. We will of course require you to be under surveillance and to remain with bed while at home, but that would be the same whether you were here or not."
"Oh…" Padmé replied slowly, trying to calm her racing heart. "Okay."
"In the meantime…" Doctor Ky began slowly. "Talk to your– Umm, partner? I wouldn't have any physical activities until I clear you and especially until we get the test results back. Then depending on the results of the test, I presume we will go from there."
Padmé nodded, unable to form true words. She felt a warm hand fall upon her shoulder, her doctor giving her a warm smile and words of encouragement before leaving the room. Padmé never heard them, however, she never heard anything. The world had turned completely silent… that was, until she heard the words…
"Yes, Lord Vader."
Vader!
All at once, her mind came back into reality and her heart began to race rapidly within her chest. She looked outside the doorway for any sign of the black knight, her emotions in a blaze. She didn't think he would ever come… but her heart soared when she heard his name. Was it possible that he had listened? That he was here? That he had come?
The trooper walked into view, turning and entering into Padmé 's room. She waited anxiously for the Sith Lord to fill in behind him, but the moment never came, and as the seconds continued to tick by, her heart began to drop to her stomach.
"Trooper?" she asked, trying to hide her disappointment. "Did you contact, Lord Vader?"
"I did, ma'am." the trooper nodded. "And he gave me direct orders that I am to accompany you back to his establishments."
Her heart dropped again. "That's it?" she pressed, trying not to sound hopeful. Was that truly all Vader had said? After today… After saving her… Did he really care that little?
The trooper's head shifted, almost in confusion, catching the unknown emotion in Padmé's voice. "I believe so," he replied slowly. "He gave me no further orders than those I have told you."
Her heart hit her stomach, but she forced a nod. She wouldn't allow them to witness anymore of her confusion. "Well," she said, turning to the trooper and forcing a smile. "I'm ready when you are."
"Mistress Amidala!" 3PO exclaimed as the trooper walked her through the doors of the lift and into Vader's establishments. "Thank heavens you're alright!"
The trooper slowly removed the blindfold from Padmé's vision, allowing her to smile kindly at the worried droid that rushed towards her. "Hello, Threepio." she greeted happily, her hands releasing their grip on the small medical robe around her body that covered her transparent dress; feeling slightly more comfortable being in a familiar place with a familiar friend.
"Mistress, I have readied your bed chamber for you," 3PO said gesturing down the hall and back again. "And I have also prepared your dinner if you were by chance the slightest bit hungry."
Padmé smiled wider, always taken back by the droid's kindness. How was it he had found his way into Lord Vader's good graces again?
"If that would be all, ma'am." the trooper said politely, catching Padmé's attention, before she settled in for the evening. "I will leave you to get comfortable." He paused, his gaze turning towards the golden protocol droid, inspecting the strange creature within Vader's residence. "It seems that you are in safe and caring company."
"Yes," Padmé nodding, taking a step forward and grabbing the trooper's hand. "Thank you. Thank you so much."
The trooper shifted uncomfortably, but nodded politely in return. He turned back to the lift without another word, the doors sliding shut as 3PO lead Padmé back to her bedroom, blabbering the whole way there.
"Oh, I'm just so thrilled to see you fully functional, Miss Amidala!" 3PO continued as they reached her room. "You were extremely lucky! The odds of surviving a direct blast such as yourself are three hundred fifty billion, two hundred fifty-four million, two hundred six–"
"Threepio," Padmé interrupted, not wanting to be rude, but needing him to stop talk for the sake of her head. She didn't know how he had procured all this information, but she didn't want to think about it. "I'm sorry, but I'm extremely tired and–"
"Oh!" 3PO exclaimed, his arms rising into the air as he began to shuffle around the room. "Dear me! Yes, Mistress Amidala! You do need your rest!" He paused by the side of her bed, fluffing her pillows before turning back to her. "Is there anything I can get for you before you lay down? Medicine, perhaps? Do you still have much pain?"
"Only a little," Padmé admitted, holding her hand over her stomach protectively. "I– I feel better though, much better than when I first woke up at the hospital."
"Oh goodness," 3PO praised, nodding his head in delight. "I'm sure, my master will be pleased to hear that."
His statement caused her to pause, her head snapping towards the golden droid with a bewildered look upon her face. "What?"
The droid's gaze returned to Padmé, knowing the tone in her voice, but unable to find his mistake. "My master?" 3PO repeated slightly confused, before explaining in greater detail. "He said that you would probably be in a great deal of pain for the nest few days. I'm sure he will be most pleased to hear that your discomfort has lessoned in the matter of hours."
She knew that 3PO was trying to answer her questions, but Padmé still couldn't believe her ears. Had she heard that right? Vader had been concerned about her? Vader had given Threepio an update on her condition? How? Why? "Wait," Padmé frowned, her confusion only growing. "You talked to Lord Vader?"
"Yes," 3PO nodded, answering as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "He should be home any minute now. I believe he is quite anxious to see you."
All at once her heart soared and then dropped, like a bird flying into the open sky before being shot by a sudden blast. She felt like she was going to be sick and wanted to do nothing else besides crying dramatically on top of her bed. Vader had answered her call, Vader was coming for her, and it made part of her soar… but she still had no answers. She still had too many questions. She might be pregnant, but she didn't know if it was true. Either way, she couldn't tell him– but didn't she have to? Wouldn't he figure it out regardless? She didn't know, but she was going to try her damnedest to keep the information a secret from him
Giving 3PO a nod, Padmé smiled and excused herself to the fresher. There, she stared at the woman in the mirror, removing her small robe so that she could truly take in the large amounts of bruises that were littered across her body. Through the transparent gown, she could fully take in the number of wounds that had been scattered across her body, and now, just the large amount of bruises, along with the single large bandage. Thank the Force for bachta, and it's healing properties, or she could only image what she would truly look like.
Still, she was nervous. She looked terrible and she was hiding a secret ; shattering both her mental and physical confidence. Breathing deeply, she turned on the sink and splashed water onto her face, trying to wash away the grit and grim that had glued itself onto her skin. Then, she grabbed her hairbrush, trying to rake out the thousands of knots that had curled themselves into her long locks. It was a vain attempt, but an attempt nonetheless, her reflection looking slightly less homely than before, apart from her clothes. She stepped out of the fresher, ready to change out of the hideous gown, when she paused in the center of the room.
Without warning, the door to her bedroom slid open and Vader rushed in, the lights turning off with his appearance. She had felt his presence seconds before his arrival, the air turning cold and dark, but no longer in a way that frightened her… after all, she had so much more to be freighted of now. His lips were on hers before she could even completely turn around to face him, his hot breath burning her face as his mouth conquered her own. He pressed his body hard against hers, his hands holding onto each side of her face with painful pressure, while his fingers brushed through her long locks that cascaded down around her cheeks.
The kiss wasn't anything like Padmé had ever felt before, filled with such emotion– emotion she never thought Vader could have. It overwhelmed her – engulfed her in a simply intoxicating way, and for a moment, she closed her eyes and relished in it. She kissed him back with the same pressure– the same need, allowing his emotions to flood her soul – and dare she say, her heart. In that moment nothing mattered. She forgot all about her problems and her worries. The only thing that mattered was the two of them together in that moment, and she cherished it, taking in the feelings that she knew, Darth Vader, Lord of the Sith, would never admit or willingly allow to escape from his damaged soul. Unlike usual, he was not kissing her because he just wanted to kiss her , but because he needed to. It was not because of need or lust, but because of a far greater factor. He was kissing her because he felt relieved, relieved that she was okay, that she was safe, and that she was with him in his arms. She could feel it.
And for a moment, it was almost perfect… until the image of the handsome yellowed-eyed man appeared in her mind– No. Not just him, but the gorgeous little boy that stood beside him– their possible child.
The image was all she needed to regain her strength against him. She opened her eyes from the sweet dream, pulling away from Vader's lips and breathing sharply. "Vader," she panted, trying to pull farther away from his hot lips that fought to regain her touch. "Vader, stop."
He didn't stop however, or even acknowledge that she had spoken. Instead, his lips moved to their next target. Leaning forward with a small growl, Vader bit her neck lightly, causing a small yelp to escape Padmé's lips. He licked and sucked at her pulse, kissing her neck hungrily, his kisses sending delicious shivers down her spine.
Mercilessly he continued his attack and as he did, Padmé felt her knees begin to shake, falling against him for support. Still, she tried to resist him. She was using all of her power to keep herself from allowing him to continue. The need was growing in her belly, but her thoughts were too a mess. She wanted him, but she knew she couldn't afford it. Not now. She could feel his need for her growing against her belly, and she was sure he felt her need for him as well– but she knew that it had to stop.
"V –Vader," she pleaded again, her voice filled with need. "Stop." She didn't sound confident, but she tried to control her body. She rose her shoulders the slightest bit, creating harder access to her neck. Her hands moved to his chest, pushing him with all her might, trying and failing to create distance between them. He didn't listen, ignoring her hands that pushed on him, the hands that were unable to move him in the slightest. Making Padmé realize what actual– or lack of actual physical power she had against him.
Despite Padmé's protests, Vader pushed them onto the bed, allowing them to fall back together before he maneuvered to a dominant spot above her. He attacked her with kisses and as he did Padmé's body turned against her, shivering beneath his touch and letting out sinful moans of pleasure. Force, he was so good.
Again, she wanted nothing more than to be taken by him, but as the thoughts of the small boy returned– it was the only thing to give her strength against the man before her.
"Vader," she protested again, and again, and again without his acknowledgment.
His lack of response made Padmé wonder if he could actually hear her at all, or if it was possible the explosion had damaged his hearing. She almost believed it for a second, her own lie to herself. She had almost convinced herself it was true, when his hand went across her side, putting too much pressure on her injured area, and causing her to release a small, but loud cry, one that he pretended not to hesitate to… but had already hesitated enough that it shattered Padmé's own lie. He hesitated the moment the cry left her mouth. He hesitated because he had heard her, his kisses pausing for a half of second too long and his hand moving far too fast away from the injured area. He could hear her.
"Vader," she pressed once more, but he only pushed open her legs. He was about to move between them when Padmé used all her strength to force them shut. It was a hopeless battle, but one that Vader allowed her to win when he felt the pressure of her knees against his sides. He let out a small growl and allowed her legs to close, surrendering to her silent wish.
He moved back to her neck, lathering her skin with his sweet kisses. Then it was her nipples that next turned against her, becoming sensitive through the wrap and sheer gown, rising to an exaggerated height through the grown, thanks to Vader's leathered clad body. As his chest moved back and forth over the sensitive peaks, Padmé was forced to close her eyes and release sweet moans– the combination of his touch and her sensitivity overwhelming her.
Her body's reaction did not go unnoticed by Vader, his own body reacting as well, and without halting his attack on her neck; his hands found the end of her gown, lifting the material up until it rested across her eyes, her body exposed to him.
When he finally pulled away, Padmé opened her mouth to protest again, but when his fingers touched her again, her whole world stopped turning. Quite unexpectedly, Vader's hands did not go directly to her breasts, but instead rested on her belly. She felt her blood turn to ice and her heart freeze, her mind screaming the one question. Did he know? It didn't seem likely, but his touch was so soft– so comforting – so, non-Vader, that she wasn't sure.
His hands hovered over her stomach for a few moments before he gently began to glide his gloved fingers across her skin. The coldness of his gloves sending chills to each and every one of her nerves. His hands moved to the bandage them, beginning to remove the wrap that surrounded her chest and torso. That's when Padmé shifted uncomfortably, the pain surging through her body. A small cry escaped her lips, and she opened her mouth about to beg him to stop when she felt his lips gently peck against her's. "Shhh," he cooed gently, rubbing his fingers down her cheek, before laying another quick kiss on her collarbone.
Padmé allowed him to return to his work then, her curiosity getting the better of her. He worked fast, but gently, the ruthless of all the Sith Lords revealing his delicate and soft touch. Leaving Padmé wondering once again, how this man could be such a range of opposites? So heartless, yet so caring? So violent, yet so gentle? So cruel, yet so sweet? He truly was the galaxy's greatest mystery.
As Vader removed the lasts of the bandage, Padmé sucked in a deep breath of air, the cold air hitting her skin and wound in a tortuously painful way. Vader paused too for a moment, his weight shifting above her, unsure of his actions before she felt his flesh hand touch her skin. His fresh hand traced her belly for a short moment, before lightly coming to rest on the place where the metal had penetrated her skin. He held his hand there for a short time; a sense of warmth washing over Padmé before the pain all but vanished from her body. She breathed a sigh of relief as it disappeared, a smile gracing her features as she realized what Vader had done.
He didn't stop there. Without pause, he began to lay soft and gentle kisses across her skin, each one lingering so that she could feel his full lips and hot breath. The kisses were also different than the rest, but that's when she realized he was kissing each one of her bruises. "Oh…" she moaned deeply, the realization of what he was doing turning her on in a way she had never felt before.
Her moan sent Vader off as well, his sensitive behavior, changing right back into lust, as his kisses turned from gentle to possessive. His lips moved across her body quickly, kissing all the way up from her panty line to her breasts. She moaned in contentment and couldn't stop her back from arching as he took her nipples into his mouth and sucked hard. He continued to play with the pebbles within his fingers as his mouth found her neck again. She moaned loudly as he did, grinding her body against him as she thought of allowing him to continue… until the image of the small boy returned on her mind and she heard the doctor's words. Talk to your– Umm, partner? I wouldn't have any physical activities until I clear you and especially until we get the test results back. Depending on the results of the test, I presume we will go from there.
That was finally her breaking point. The whole world shattering around her, and her need evaporating into the air.
"Vader, stop!" she yelled, her voice hard as she threw her body forward, and this time he pulled away.
She slid her body backwards, bringing the gown down from her eyes just enough look at him. Much to Padmé's dismay, he looked the same as he always did. Unlike the rare occurrence of today, she couldn't see his face beneath his hood and he was back to looking as he always did to the rest of the galaxy. Still, she could feel his eyes on her, and only then did Padmé realize her current situation, lying between the legs of the Sith with her gown hiked up to her chin allowing her body to be completely exposed. Vader followed her gaze, and Padmé could instantly feel his lust growing once more.
"No," she repeated, her face stern as she pulled the garment back down over her body, groaning loudly as she remembered the gown did hardly anything to hide her body from Vader.
The Sith let out a sigh, almost frustrated, staring at her for a moment, before a sort of darkness surrounded him. He neared her again and this time Padmé forced herself into the backboard. "I could take what I want," he threatened, his gloved fingers touching her cheek in a possessive manner.
She was afraid, but she also wasn't. "But you won't," she responded without missing a beat, causing him to sigh and forfeit his act.
Vader moved onto his knees, while Padme remained in front of him, her legs pulled into her chest. A moment passed in silence, and Padmé could almost feel his invisible grasp moving into her mind. Acting quickly, she pushed the pregnant ideas deep down, as far down as the Rebellion information. She didn't want him to find it, but she feared that he would.
"Get out of my head," she stated simply, glaring at him in an attempt to be intimidating.
"What are you hiding from me?" he growled, his voice dark, but also… hurt?
"You know what I'm hiding," she lied effortlessly. She knew what information he was obvious talking about, but since they had both already established her connection to the Rebellion, it seemed easiest to pretend it was that information. It made the lie, not completely a lie.
"No," he said, shaking his head. "I can live without that information. There's something else."
"There isn't," she replied, forcing a smile. "I told you–"
"Do not lie to me, Senator!" he bellowed, his anger lashing out and catching Padmé completely off guard.
She stared at him in shock for a several moments, before her shock turned to anger. He was yelling at her? At her? He had no right! Did he forget that they were moral enemies? That they didn't share secrets apart from the one that had made together? Didn't he remember that the both of them had been, and were still, keeping secrets from each other? The nerve of him to call her out on such a tiny lie when he was– Darth Vader! He was the Sith Lord that held more secrets than the entire universe, the mystery of the galaxy, hidden beneath a hood… but he was hurt that she was hiding something from him!
"Oh," she snorted, sounding like a bratty child. "We're talking about lying now! Talking about people holding out on the truth."
"Senator," he threatened softly, as if knowing her train of thought. "Don't." The threat was clear, but Padmé could hear the regret mixed into his voice– the regret that she didn't care for since he had already set her off.
"My name is Padmé," she growled, for the first time sounding completely bitter. "We've had sex, remember? So I believe we are past the formalities don't you think Lord Vad– she paused, having another realization that caused her mouth to nearly drop and her anger to increase to its greatest limit. "Is that even your real name?"
It couldn't be. Darth Vader was not a name that fit the man beneath the hood. She had learned today that Vader was human, and humans had human names. If he was human than he had to have a mother and father that had given him a name, a name besides his Sith title.
Vader wasn't amused, his head snapping towards her as he pointed a gloved finger in her direction. "Senator–"
"Padmé." she corrected bitterly.
"Senator Amidala, don't push your–"
"My limits?" she finished, narrowing her eyes as she began to mock him. "There's no need to warn me. I think I understand the greatness of your wrath by now, Lord– whoever you actually are!"
Vader growled, shaking his head in obvious annoyance. "I'm the same man that–"
"Oh?" Padmé laughed, raising her eyebrows. "You're a man now?"
He paused, thinking over his words for a long moment, before a low growl escaped from his chest. "Senator," he snapped, his frustration at an all time high. "Don't press me."
"No, you should not press me," Padmé replied, using her perfect, political voice as she pretended to fold her hands on top of her desk like she was at working within the Senate. "Lord– whoever, I will not sit here and allow you to make demands."
"You seemed more than willing when I was on top of you."
"Recall that it was I who was on top of you."
"Ridiculous woman," Vader growled, hopping up from the bed and moving towards the center of the room, his anger becoming a tangible element within the room now. "I should have rid myself of you when I had the chance."
His comment sent her anger even farther into a blaze. "Then why didn't you?" she snapped, rushing towards him before thinking over her words. "Actually… that's a terrific point!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands into the air. "What am I even doing here? What is the point of keeping me?"
Vader made no attempt to answer her questions, only turning his hooded head away from her, refusing to answer.
A fierce glare overcame her features as she took a step closer to him. "Is there a point?" she snapped. "Because I don't see one anymore. You just seem to be playing with my mind and my body now."
His head snapped back towards her direction, the temperature of the room dropping dramatically. "I'm playing with your mind and body?" he nearly laughed, sounding completely serious about how ridiculous he seemed to think the statement was. "From my perspective, it seems like the other way around."
That shocked Padmé, but she would not allow him to blame her for this. This wasn't her fault! It was his! "You think I wanted this?" she growled. "You think that I planned for this to happen?" She paused, invading his personal space as she looked up into the darkness of a hood, unaffected by the way he towered over her. "I hate you," she whispered darkly. "I hate you so kriffing much, and I hate that I want you, but for some reason– some reason this happened… And it wasn't– my– fault."
Vader caught on to the blame game almost instantly, a low growl resonating from his chest. "And you think I planned for this to happen," he hissed, before whipping his hands at her like she was delusional lunatic. "I planned on never thinking about you ever again after that damn Imperial gala." He paused, thinking over his words, making sure they were laced with the truth. "I didn't want you, Senator. I didn't need you… I still don't."
The pain continued to radiate in her chest, feeling as if something inside was breaking, but at a new and extremely painful level. He only spoke words that were true, and because of it, it broke her even farther. He didn't want her, and that meant if there was a child growing inside of her, then there was no chance of him wanting it either. It hurt… but she used the pain as her power, channeling it into her anger.
Her eyes hardened, hiding obvious pain. "You don't want me!?" she roared. "Fine! But then stop playing around with me… Just – just finish the job!"
Vader shook his head, "Senator…"
"No!" she screamed, rocking into him and hitting him squarely in the chest with all of her might. "Go on Vader, do what you do best!" She hit him again. "Do it!" And again. "Come on, kill me! Rid your life of my existence! Put an end to both of our miseries!"
She was about to hit him again when he caught her hands between his own, holding her tightly before him. "Don't you understand," he cried. "I–"
"I don't want to hear it!" Padmé screamed, clawing her way out of his grip so that she could challenge him once more. "Get out!"
"Senator…" Vader pleaded, trying to approach her, only to be swatted away.
"I said get out!" Padmé screamed, her world finally beginning to shatter around her, and all reasons pointing to the same man : Vader. "Don't you understand that you do nothing but ruin my life!" She paused; breathing in the hurt her had caused her– which he was causing her. It was a cycle that would never end. "I wish– I wish that blast would have killed both of us," she finally admitted through her haze. "Or at least you so I could be fucking free of you!"
Vader was silent, frozen to his spot in the room.
"Why can't you just be gone!" she cried, actually believing that she meant the words, her mind only able to think of the time before Vader– the peaceful times.
But her statement had been Vader's breaking point. All his hard work and effort simply evaporating into the air as his anger finally overtook him. Padmé receiving the Sith she was asking for.
"You want me gone!" Vader roared as he stepped forward, his body and anger overwhelming her. "Fine!" He backed away as fast as he approached, turning on his heel and stalking out of her room with the slightest head turn, his cloak flowing behind him like the evil Sith Lord she remembered. "I'm gone!"
"Good riddance!" she screamed in return, and she was satisfied for all but ten seconds before her heart dropped.
What have I done? She thought, as her anger lifted and she was able to think clearly.
"Oh– Vader!"
But he was already gone.
Author's Note:
So sorry, but I really didn't want to break up anymore of this chapter… Just please know that I'm really, really trying here for you guys! I'm so sorry that it took so long, but what did you think? Honestly, as usual, my confidence is shot so if you feel like writing a lovely review that would be much appreciated! Lol. This chapter has been a mess since I've had like three months to read it over and over and over– it was actually my own personal kind of torture. I've edited, changed, and ripped the shit out of this chapter so unfortunately, I'm nervous about how you guys think it's written.
Anyways, Google Chrome seems to be the only server allowing me to upload from, but it will only let me copy the document in pieces to Doc Manager, which as you can imagine is very time consuming and causes many mistakes within the document itself, so if anyone has any further ideas, please let me know! Thanks a bunch guys! Hope you enjoyed! As always, I love you all! And I truly am sorry for not being able to post this sooner and respond back to you guys, I got so busy! Gosh, real life. Anyways, review, please! Hope to see you back for the next chapter!