Chapter 9: The Night on the Executor

A transparent blue image of Sidious's head flickered into existence over the giant… pit. Padmé reluctantly bowed to him, the bastard.

"Lady Amidala, what a pleasant surprised."

Bastard! She thought but said: "Greetings Lord Sidious."

"Do you have news?"

Other than the fact you're a…. "Yes, we have found the rebel base."

"Excellent." Sidious said with glowing eyes. "Where?"

"On the planet Hoth, we're heading there now." And soon after we come back I'll kill you.

"Very good, report to me when you are finished."

"As you wish Lord Sidious, Amidala out." With a trick of the Force the communication was cut. "Bastard."

XxX

Padmé walked up the three steps and stepped onto the bridge of the Executor just as the ship lurched into hyperspace. Vader stood in his usual place looking out the viewport. Padmé made her way toward him glancing at a clock. It was almost eight at night, where had the day gone? Vader turned as Padmé approached him from behind, he smiled.

"Did you tell him?"

"Yes and his fake polite act is sickening!"

"Shh! Be careful about what the crew hears you say!"

Though none of the crew appeared to have heard her at all.

"When will we be arriving at Hoth?" Padmé asked.

"Sometime tomorrow." Vader replied. "Let me see your new lightsaber."

Padmé had nearly forgotten. She grabbed it off her belt and handed it to him. He held it up and examined it for several moments before he smiled. Padmé loved that smile. He switched on the blood red blade and gave it a couple of twirls and thrusts as if testing how flimsy the blade might be. He stopped and deactivated it, and handed it back to her. She clipped it onto her belt once more.

"Excellent, you have made a perfect lightsaber."

"Thank you Lord Vader."

"Master."

"Master."

"Well I have a few things to attend to, go to our quarters and I shall be there soon."

XxX

Padmé sat on her bed dressed in only her undergarments and reading a data pad when the door opened and Vader entered, sooner than she had expected. His gaze flickered to her chest and her face grew hot as she blushed.

"Master, you're making me blush." She said.

"What? Oh, yes… sorry then." Vader said. "I, I think I'll just go and take a shower." He added stuttering.

He looked once more at her chest and then shook his head and through off his shirt. Now it was Padmé's turn but she didn't get to enjoy it for more than a second. He stepped into the fresher and it closed behind him. She heard him switch on the shower and considered joining him. Then she pushed it out of her mind and continued reading about some Sith legends on the data pad.

Vader let the hot water of the shower flow over him just like the Force, it kneaded away the tension knots in his back and allowed him to forget about how he felt about Padmé for a moment. He stood, letting the water soak over him for at least an hour. He couldn't get her out of his head, no matter what Jedi or Sith techniques he used. She wouldn't go away. He wanted her. He stepped out of the shower dried off slightly and put his trousers back on. They stuck to his semi dry legs and he exited the fresher. Padmé was still sitting on the bed, reading, he looked at her again and inwardly scolded himself but still enjoyed it. She looked at him, doing the exact same thing.

They both examined each other running fantasy scenarios in their minds and reading the others thoughts about them until neither could stand it any longer. Padmé jumped off the bed and ran to Vader, their lips met, she kissed him and he kissed back. Passionately, perhaps to passionately. They continued this until it led them to Vader's bed. With a trick of the Force the lights switched off and their night began.

XxX

Vader woke up the next morning in his bed with Padmé next to him, turned on her side and wearing nothing but the covers over her. He shook his head vaguely remembering what happened the night before, he could remember and he did. But, no… today was the day of Hoth. He couldn't think about what they did. He slipped out of bed clad in nothing and strode over to his wardrobe. He opened it and pulled on his usual Sith robes when Padmé touched his shoulder. He turned around and they kissed once more for about the millionth time in twenty four hours.

"Master?" She asked when he pulled away.

"Let's…" He began. "Let's, let's not speak of this to… anyone."

"Yes, that… would be best." Vader nodded and stepped out of the way to let her dress. He went into the fresher to take another shower and was terribly tempted to call Padmé, Amidala in. He didn't have to, she came anyway.

XxX

Vader and Amidala arrived on the bridge together neither giving a hint about their night of passion or their shower this morning. Vader walked up behind Piett who turned. The ship was no longer swirling in hyperspace. Ahead of them through the view port was a snowy white orb. Hoth.

"Lord Vader." Piett said. "As you can see we have arrived, but the rebels have the shield up. It is planetary wide and strong enough to deflect any bombardment."

"Then what do you suggest we do Piett?" Vader snapped. He wanted to be with Padmé.

"General Veers and I have been talking. He thinks its best we send down a few AT-AT's and destroy the shield generator and then land our troops."

"That does sound best." Vader said thoughtfully though he was not thinking about the battle. "Who would lead this attack?"

"Captain Stryker of the Phoenix has volunteered."

"Xen? Yes she does seem suited to blow things up."

"Lord Vader are you alright? You don't seem yourself."

"I am fine!" Vader snapped. "Give Stryker permission to pilot the lead AT-AT, I want the attack started within the hour."

"As you wish milord." Peitt replied. "Contact Phoenix." He called over his shoulder.

There are two reasons Xen is going to lead the attack, one: because I sort of need the POV of someone. Two you'll see in the next chapter, and I bet you're all wondering if anything happened during the night on the Executor, well only I know for sure. Oh and review kindly, I am bad with Romance. But I'm not bad with action so don't worry about the next chapter, entitled Hoth.