The rebel command ship has become a veritable beehive of activity in the past 24 hours since Han and I arrived here. Immediately upon dissolving the meeting with the Rebel leader, I contacted the Imperial engineering corps, ordering them to construct a new hyperbolic chamber to be installed on the Intimidator. It is, of course, extraneous to me now; but vital in order to maintain the charade that I have taken such pains to create.

On board the rebel ship where my family and I are residing temporarily, technicians and scientists are working diligently to reproduce the leather breath suit. Though the technological features that enabled me to live are no longer necessary, the outward appearance of the suit must be exactly like the old one, including the sound of the breathing apparatus, and the timbre of my voice as recreated by the vocabulator. Kenda did a fine job of seeing to that when I was here last, and so all that needs to be done at this point is a bit of fine tuning. The biggest challenge seems to be to replicate the material used to make the suit; the resources available to the Rebel Alliance are not quite as abundant or as diverse as those employed by the Empire. Yet, despite these obstacles, the technical staff has managed to recreate the infamous black suit, but not before every square centimeter of my body has been measured repeatedly to ensure that the fit is perfect. It is a tedious and rather embarrassing procedure, standing in my shorts while 'droids take measurements, their manner and brusqueness not exactly comforting nor reassuring to me in my somewhat vulnerable state.

Wistfully I realize that it is highly unlikely Padmé and I will have a moment alone together to continue what was so rudely interrupted by Calrissian the previous day. Or was it two days ago? It seems that when I am awake, she is asleep, and when I am able to grab a few hours of sleep, she is kept busy with assignments of her own. My time is so crammed full that I barely know what day it is, day blending into night in one continuous frenzy of non-stop activity. I appreciate the help of the Alliance however; for without them this charade would not be possible. They have invested a lot of time, effort and trust in me; I am determined not to let them down.

"You look tired," observes Luke as he and I sit down to eat a quick meal late in the day. Leia and Padmé have already retired for the night, and I am not long behind.

"I am," I tell him. "I've been going almost non-stop for 48 hours now. I think I'm going to fall asleep before I finish this meal."

Luke smiles. "Well if you do a face plant in your soup, I'll make sure you don't drown."

I laugh. "Thanks. I think things are just about ready now. Probably another day or so and we'll be all set."

Luke nods. "Yeah, I think so. I have to tell you, Dad, I still feel pretty uneasy about all this."

"I know you do, son," I tell him. "But in the end it will all be worth it. I'm not looking forward to going back to the Imperial fleet, believe me; but if it means that we can put and end to all this fighting and oppression, then I will do it gladly. Besides, once I am emperor I can make changes that will bring about peace quickly."

"That sounds so weird," Luke observes. "'Once I am emperor'…I still haven't got used to that yet."

I smile. "No, nor me. Quite an unlikely fate for a slave boy from Tatooine."

"You have lived quite a remarkable life, haven't you?" he observes. "And you're not even 45 years old."

I nod. "Yes, though much of it I would like to forget about." I frown as I think that half my life has been spent in Darkness. But this boy saved you… I look up at my son. "Have I thanked you recently Luke?"

He looks surprised. "Thanked me? For what?"

"For saving me," I tell him. "If it weren't for you, Luke, I would have spent the rest of my life in Darkness; I never would have known the love of my family or have been reunited with your mother. I don't think the words exist that can adequately express my gratitude."

Luke smiles. "We're family, Dad. There's no need to thank me for doing what any son would do."

"No, not any son," I tell him. "You risked so much to reach me when it seemed like I was unreachable. You never gave up on me, even when it meant jeopardizing your own life. You are a remarkable young man, Luke; don't ever forget that."

"I'm my father's son," he replies, his eyes reflecting the unwavering love he bears me. "The son of the Chosen One; I suppose that means something."

I smile. "The son of a truly remarkable woman as well," I remind him. "As much as I'd like to take credit for who you've become, I have to admit that I see far more of your mother in you than me."

My son smiles back at me. "Well, I think I'm a mix of both of you. Just as Leia is. Though I think her stubbornness is definitely a Skywalker trait."

I laugh. "Yes, no doubt of that." A wave of fatigue suddenly washes over me and I rub my eyes tiredly.

"Go to bed," Luke orders. "Before you do end up face first in your soup."

I smile. "Yes, I suppose maybe I will. What about you?"

"I have a few things to attend to, and then I'm going too," he replies.

I nod. "Okay then." I stand up. "Good night Luke."

"Goodnight Dad," he replies. "Sleep well."

I make my way to the quarters that Padmé and I have been sharing. Like ships passing in the night, I reflect, realizing that we have yet to actually spend more than a few minutes in there together in more than a day. But she's there now, I realize with a smile. Yes and fast asleep or about to go off to do something…don't get your hopes up Skywalker.

I enter the darkened quarters. I stop, and listen for a moment. Still asleep… I smile. Quietly I disrobe, leaving only my shorts on. I slip into the bed, trying to be as quiet as I can. I feel Padmé shift slightly in her sleep, but she does not wake up. It has been so long since I shared a bed with my wife, so long since I have felt her warm body next to mine. I turn onto my side, Padmé's back to me, and wrap an arm around her sleeping form. She snuggles into my embrace, as though we have spent the last 22 years sleeping together this way. Her hair is spread out on the pillow behind her; I can feel it tickling my face. Its scent heralds waves of precious memories of our all too brief time together before my fall. I close my eyes and bury my face in her luxurious tresses, the silky texture of it caressing my face. How did I exist without her? You didn't. Anakin Skywalker died the moment he believed she was dead…

I can feel her move under my arm, and hold my breath for a moment as she stirs in her sleep. Is she waking up? Does she know I'm here?

"Ani?" she says into the dark.

"I'm sorry, did I wake you up?" I ask, pulling my arm back.

She turns to face me. "No," she tells me. "What time is it?"

"I'm not sure," I tell her. I activate the light beside the bed and look at my wrist chrono. "It's not quite 10...do you have to leave?" I ask her, the disappointment evident in my voice.

"No," she tells me.

I smile and reach out to her. "I'm happy to hear it," I say, running my hand down from her shoulder onto her arms. "I've missed you. It's been so frustrating knowing you're close by but not being able to spend any time with you."

She smiles back at me and reaches out to touch my face. "But I'm here now," she replies softly.

I nod. "Yes, so you are." I pull her into my arms, feeling her wrap her arms around my neck. "And this time, the door go unanswered," I tell her as I nibble on her earlobe. "No matter whom it is. Deal?"

Padmé giggles. "Deal," she replies. She closes her eyes and sighs as I plant a slow line of kisses along her neck, my hands slowly pulling her nightdress upward.

"Do you know how many times I've dreamed of doing this?" I ask her softly.

She smiles. "It has been a long time," she replies.

I nod. "Too long," I tell her, and then bring my mouth to hers.

"You know I've been thinking Ani," Padmé tells me as we lie in one another's arms.

"Not recently I hope," I tease her, kissing the top of her head.

She laughs. "No, silly, of course not," she replies, running a fingers lazily over my chest. "I have an idea. I'm not sure how you'll like it, though."

"Tell me," I say.

She turns her head and looks up at me. "I want to go with you when you leave, Ani," she says.

I lift my eyebrows in surprise. "You what?"

"You heard me, Anakin," she replies.

"But how, Padmé?" I ask her. "I'm not going back as Anakin Skywalker," I remind her. "But as Darth Vader. How could I possibly explain your presence?"

"I am your wife," she replies calmly. "I don't think it's a secret that Darth Vader was once Anakin Skywalker, even among the Imperials. Besides, you are going to be the emperor; you can do whatever you like."

I frown, not liking the idea of Padmé being among the ranks of the Empire. Still, the thought of having her close is very appealing…but how could I justify it without compromising the integrity of my plans?

"I don't know, Padmé," I tell her. "It's too risky. What if someone questions where you've been all these years? How do I justify suddenly having a wife when I was alone for so long? Why would a woman even want to be with Darth Vader? These are all questions that must be addressed. I'm bound to have a degree of opposition when I announce my ascendance to the throne; I can't give my detractors even the smallest amount of reason to doubt me."

Padmé sighs in frustration. "Yes, I know that," she replies softly. She is silent and I can tell by the expression on her face that she is deep in thought. She's not giving up on this...

"You could explain that the late emperor did not allow you to live with me," she begins. "That is the reason we've been apart. Or you could tell the truth, that you've believed me to be dead all those years. Do you really expect that anyone will dare to question you? Have they ever before?"

"Well, not really," I admit. "But there is one officer who has displayed some animosity towards me since I returned. He might be a source of trouble."

Padmé frowns and I sense her disappointment, her frustration.

"I'm sorry, love," I tell her, running a finger down her face. "It would be wonderful having you with me, but I really don't see how I can justify your presence without raising too many questions."

"I just felt that if I were with you it would be easier for you," she tells me softly. "I hate the thought of you going through this alone, Anakin. I thought that if we were together than your fears about being tempted by the power of the emperor would be allayed."

Yes, they would be…with Padmé close by I would have no reason to fear the temptations of power. But how can I make this work?

"It would mean so much to have you with me, Padmé," I tell her. "You know that. I'm just not sure we could explain it in a reasonable manner."

"Since when does Darth Vader owe an explanation to anyone but the emperor?" she replies. "You are the emperor now, Ani, or at least you will be very soon."

I listen to her, sensing that there is more to it than she is saying.

"What is the real reason, Padmé?" I ask her. "What is really behind this?"

She averts her eyes, fixing her eyes on the hair on my chest that she is stroking absent-mindedly. "Why does there have to be another reason?" She asks. "I want to be with you, it's as simple as that."

"I know there is more to it than that, Padmé," I tell her gently, lifting her chin. "You forget how well I can read you, angel."

She smiles, and sighs deeply. "Okay, Anakin, okay. I don't want you to go through this alone. You shouldered so much fear when you thought you were going to lose me all those years ago, and you went through it alone. I know now what that fear cost you, Ani, and I won't let you go through anything like that alone again. I know how frightened you are by this, justifiably so. I want to be there with you to help you through it, to support you and let you know that you are not alone in this. I…I just don't want to lose you again, Ani," she finishes softly, her emotions bubbling up to the surface. "I can't go through that again!"

I pull her close, stroking her hair as she buries her face against my chest. I can feel her tears upon my skin, and the depth of her fears hits me full force.

"We'll make it work, Padmé," I tell her, determined not to make my beloved wife suffer another moment because of me. "I promise you."

She looks up at me. "Do you mean it, Ani?" she asks hopefully.

I nod, brushing a tear from her face. "Yes," I tell her. "You shall be my empress, Padmé, and together we will destroy the Empire once and for all."