Chapter 19: Padmé's Demise

Leaving behind those you love is never an easy decision. The knowledge of the memories that shall never be forever haunt the victim, a wraith in unpleasant dreams and during the waking hours.

The decision to do so did not suddenly occur to Padmé but rather had been in the back of her mind for quite some time. Horrifying though it was, this thought took reality one sleepless night as she laid next to a softly snoring Vader.

Life with him had not been bliss- the quite opposite of that, actually- but the woman knew that her life as she knew it was to soon come to an end.

Turning her head to look at the unsuspecting Sith, Padmé knew only too well how vulnerable he was. How or when it was to be accomplished, she knew not, but it had to be done and SOON.

But, how could she also safely escape with the twins? A hissing voice in the back of her mind told Padmé that she already knew the answer to this- a few things much more precious and dearer than her own self would have to be left behind, though they would certainly never be forgotten.

A lump settled in her throat as Leia snuggled closer to her mother, her tiny head resting in the crook of Padmé's arm. The little girl, along with Luke, had insisted upon sharing Vader's time with his wife, something which had displeased the Sith Lord greatly, though he had otherwise remained silent about it.

That night, Padmé did not sleep but unblinkingly stared into the darkness as her life quickly fell into shambles around herself.

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Like always, Vader had awoken before Padmé but chose to remain lying in the crowded bed.

"Good morning," she said upon blinking her eyes open to find him staring at her after Padmé had sufficiently feigned being asleep.

Vader was not fooled by this. "You did not sleep."

At this, the young woman averted her eyes and, after gently moving Leia off of her, rested her head on Vader's chest.

This act momentarily silenced him, but Vader soon broke the peaceful silence. "What troubles you?"

She had a vague feeling that he already knew the answer to this. "The same thing that has been on my mind since I came to you on Mustafar."

Silence reigned as both bitterly thought of that terrible day, husband and wife remembering from two very differing perspectives.

"My intent was not to kill you or the child," he said matter-of-factually though his tone carried a lack of caring, "contrary to the lies Obi-Wan spoon-fed you."

"That is what he said. Obi-Wan helped me, Vader, and without him, I would have died with the twins still within me." Padmé's voice trembled at the end of this, and the woman hastily buried her face into his chest so that her voluminous curls covered the tears that fell.

"I… I had always wondered," Vader trailed off. "And I am I right in guessing that Bail Organa was also involved?"

Sniffling, Padmé nodded slowly and, much to her surprise, he held her close.

"Anakin- Vader- will you be there for me this time?" Padmé whispered so quietly that she feared the Sith hadn't heard her.

"I have no control over that," he admitted with great reluctance. "If my Master commands that I go on a mission, I must obey- you have to understand this."

"No… No, I don't."

He let out a haggard sigh. "Jixton will be around-"

"That would not be the same," she snapped. Having realized her harshness and the danger of doing so, Padmé hastily softened her voice. "I want YOU to be there."

But, Padmé then realized that his being there or not would not make a difference- hopefully, she would be long gone.

"Enough," Vader said so harshly that she actually jumped. "Save this tedious conversation for another day." Grumbling to himself of something which contained the words 'hormonal pregnant women,' he stumbled out of the bed.

She sat up and nervously fidgeted before blurting out, "You lied to me."

Obviously thinking that his wife was referring to one of their many past arguments, Vader sighed and slumped his shoulders before turning around to face her. "Continue on- I know you will regardless of whether I want you to or not."

This response surprised Padmé, and she was speechless for a good minute. "You promised me that you would overthrow the Chancellor- and that you could, mind you- and we would rule the Galaxy together."

Narrowing his eyes suspiciously, Vader pursed his lips.

"Over three years later, the Emperor is still alive and you are just as much his slave as ever."

What Padmé had expected his reaction to be, she had not considered, but the troubled woman had not expected for him to throw a small but neatly wrapped package into her lap. "Happy anniversary to you too," he muttered. Having finished changing, Vader fastened his cloak before storming out of the room.

For the first time that she could remember, he did not lock her in.

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For at least a minute, Padmé just sat there holding the small package. Without opening it, she already knew what it contained and the commitment it required of her.

Was she ready?

Oh, Anakin, what has happened to us? the woman thought sadly as she looked down at her protruding belly.

Though Anakin had been a noble warrior, it had never escaped her that she was a poor man's wife, but Padmé never cared. While other wives enjoyed being lavished upon by their husbands, her happiest moments had been in his arms. Anakin had silently understood this acceptance but had always longed to give her the fine things he thought she deserved.

A small smile spread across Padmé's face as she observed her steadily growing family. Anakin, you did give me the most precious gifts. If you truly cared about me, you surely would have realized this

Flinging the package down on the bed unopened, she rushed over to her closet and quickly changed into a traveling outfit with a matching cloak.

Force be with me- I do not know how I am to do this

"And where are you going?" a bemused voice asked.

So frightened was she that Padmé actually jumped.

"You know that you're not allowed out of these quarters," Jixton teased, waggling an oversized finger at her as she smiled weakly.

"I was just…"

Jixton raised a mocking eyebrow at her.

"I… I…" Padmé continued to stammer all the while she searched for a plausible excuse. "Okay, fine- if you really must know." Taking a shaky breath, she lied. "Today is my three year wedding anniversary."

"I would say congratulations if that were anything for me to be happy about."

Caught off guard once more, Padmé forgot what she had originally been saying. "He gave me a lovely gift but… I wanted to deliver his in person."

He laughed. "Seeing how Uncle D hasn't left the ship, he should return soon enough for you."

At this, she became irritated. "No!" came the angry cry. Then, she saw his reaction and quickly lowered her voice. "I mean," Padmé said more politely and with a friendly smile, "he is mad at me right now and this would surprise him and…"

"I would certainly say it would," Jixton grinned, obviously thinking that she was not intending to give Vader any material gift…

"Please?" she begged. "I have not and will never ask you for any other favors…"

The man shrugged nonchalantly.

"Thank you!" Bending over her children, Padmé placed a kiss on each of their foreheads.

"Wait a minute," Jixton said suspiciously, casting the twins an uneasy look. "Who's going to look after them while you go off and 'fraternize' with Uncle D?"

Flashing him what she hoped was a winning smile, Padmé rushed out the door and on the way to freedom.

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Five minutes later, the frazzled woman was kicking herself for having been brought onboard unconscious and consequently having no idea as to where she was headed. All of the metal hallways and rooms were identical and, had she not noticed the subtle differences, Padmé would have sworn that she was merely walking in circles.

For a moment, she wished that Anakin was there with her- but she then realized that he would probably take the most dangerous route possible.

Distant clattering of metallic boots sent her scurrying to an alcove until the danger had passed. Only when her heart had settled down did Padmé dare to breathe.

Finally, there it was- the turbolifts that would take the young woman to the hangar bay- or, at lest, the map on the wall indicated. With a big sigh of relief, she jammed the red button and patiently waited while casting wary glances over her shoulders.

The coast was clear. In the next moment, Padmé whirled around as the turbolift's door slid open.

And stopped dead in her tracks.

"Considering the fact that I have you under lock and key and have assigned you a bodyguard, how ever did you manage to escape?" Vader sneered.

The man in the turbolift next to Vader slowly backed away with very wide and frightened eyes.

"I think it is time that you learn your lesson once and for all." With a sudden move of his fingers, Padmé's unmoving body fell to his feet. "Goodbye, dear wife," he sneered, kneeling down. With his gloved hand, Vader took one of her brown curls between his finger and thumb and kissed it. "You were too foolish to understand."

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Without appointment, Vader boldly strode into the Emperor's throne room.

Sidious cackled at the sight of Padmé's limp body in the Sith's arms, but he still regarded the scene with some suspicion "Do not hesitate to show same vengeance on the other members of your pathetic family."

"As you wish, my Lord."

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