Dear readers: In my hastiness to post, I actually skipped this chapter. I will be posting in the correct order (with the real chapter 6 following). Sorry if I confused anyone.
Chapter 5: Lord Vader's Request
Vader remained silent until they reached his chambers. Even as he removed his cloak and handed it out to Padmé, he continued to purse his lips as his hard face concealed his thoughts. Something about his brooding frightened Padmé and she trembled in fear as he turned his back to her.
A knocking at the door caused him to whip around and give her a hard look.
She did not move.
"Are you not going to see who's there?" he sneered, "or has years of politics rusted your knowledge of wifely duties?"
Opening her mouth to protest, Padmé instantly became quiet when he menacingly raised his fist. Her cheek still stung from that morning's impact and, without looking at the mirror, she knew that a bruise was forming where his gloved hand had hit her.
When she fled to the door, she found that the intruder was the man Vader had earlier referred to as Jixton. A cocky grin was on his face and it did not fade even when he entered into the quarters and received a fearful look from Padmé and a glower from Vader.
"Hello Uncle D!" he exclaimed brightly.
"You are interrupting," Vader said in a deadly tone.
This did not seem to intimidate Jixton- as a matter of fact, his mischievous grin grew even wider. A nervous Padmé, who had been expecting Vader to whip out his lightsaber, watched in surprise as nothing happened. "So, VD, how did you ever manage to snag this lovely lady? By the looks of it, she doesn't like you too much."
Padmé gave the newcomer a weak smile but Vader continued to give him a horrible look.
"I could have any woman I want," Vader boasted though his tone remained dark. "My pretty wife had best remember that," he whispered as he reached out and caressed one of her curls. "Jixton, leave us," he ordered brusquely. "I need some time alone with my wife."
Giving Vader a wry wink, Jixton sauntered out of the quarters.
Gulping, Padmé realized that she was now all alone with Vader.
"Padmé," Vader purred, reaching out and cupping her face with his hands. "Padmé," he murmured as he kissed her forehead.
Though Padmé knew she shouldn't, her eyes fluttered shut as she reveled in the feeling of his lips against her forehead. Her mouth slightly opened as her pulse began to race and her hands moved towards him.
"My love," he whispered, lightly pressing his lips against hers, "why must we be enemies?"
"I am not the one who wants to be enemies," she replied.
He suddenly pulled away and regarded her. "I am not the one who ruined our marriage."
Contemptuously, she refused to reply to his comment at first, but she soon heard herself saying, "I was not the one who tried to kill our baby."
"Enough," he snarled before pulling her back against him. "I want to fix what was broken- us, Padmé. I want us to be a family again."
"Yes," she murmured, slipping into his embrace as he buried his face in her shoulder and kissed her hair.
"But we need to find our son," he breathed against her.
With a force that surprised even herself, Padmé shoved him away from her, breathing heavily. "You snake!" she cried out, watching him become livid. "I will never let you take our son."
"Might I suggest that you cooperate… I would be much more willing to be merciful to our son when I do find him," Vader hissed. "The Emperor wants him, Mi'Lady," he sneered, "and I can promise you that he will turn him to the Dark Side."
"Isn't that what you want though," Padmé cried, "to ruin our family?"
"I don't think you're cooperating," Vader snarled.
"Even if I did know where Luke was, I wouldn't tell you!" she yelled. It too late, but Padmé then realized what a terrible mistake she had made.
"Luke?" Vader echoed, malicious glee in his voice. "I will thank the Emperor in advance for you."
"Please, don't!" Padmé begged, throwing herself at him. Her thin hands clutched at his tunic as she looked up at him with a tearstained face. "Vader… Anakin, I beg you! Please do not do that to our baby!"
His lips curved as he looked down at her, for it was almost as if he were enjoying that power.
"I am always open to negotiations," he said quietly, fixing her eyes with his. "Always…"
Swallowing, Padmé numbly nodded. "Tell me what I have to do- please, just do not harm him."
"There is something you can give me…" he whispered, bringing his head down to where his eyes peered into hers.
"Another heir."
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