This is not just another shameless Vader redemption story. This story combines two factors, a fairytale SW twisted version of Beauty and the Beast(Vader & Padmé) and a story of destiny. Two concepts that have no basis in reality, but in a storytelling, told from a realistic kind of way. While there are some facets in the story that die hard Anidala fans wouldn't like, such as each character's involvements with other people before the start of the story, I assure you, it is well worth the read. You can have my word as a writer.

PROLOGUE

Selona 25, 16GRS

Padmè Amidala greatly disliked Imperial parties hosted by the Emperor, especially with what they celebrated. It was a mockery to everything that she believed in, yet she was forced to attend just as any other senator was. When democracy fell, she had lost faith in politics, but forced herself to remain involved if only for the small sparkle of hope that she could still make a difference, no matter how unrealistic it was in a dictator ship.

"Revolting isn't it?" Bail Organ quietly said from beside her.

"It's a mockery, that's all it is," Padmè told him, somewhat bitterly.

"Are you free tonight?" Bail asked quietly.

Padmè didn't look at him. "We'll be risking our lives, Bail. You know that you're proposing high treason," she reminded in a whisper.

"Can you honestly say that you are content with getting absolutely nowhere instead of doing something to make a difference?" Bail asked quietly.

"This isn't the place to discuss this," Padmè told him as she finished her glass of wine.

Bail nodded. Her answer was always the same. "Whatever happened to the fire that resided inside of you?" he asked.

Padmè looked away and became acutely aware that she was being watched. She glanced in the direction her feeling was coming from to see Darth Vader standing across the room staring directly at her. She suddenly became uncomfortable. "I don't want to talk anymore," she said, setting her glass down and moving away. She suddenly wanted to leave and left the grand room, moving out to the terrace which lead to a line of parked speeders. Needing to take a breath, she walked over to the railing and leaned against it, taking special note of how calm the night was.

"Beautiful night."

The voice startled Padmè and she turned, realizing with horror that Vader had followed her and that she was now dangerously alone with him. She was well aware of how dangerous he was, how he had mercilessly slaughtered the Jedi, of the many stories of his cruelty. She wondered what she had done to warrant his attention, she had followed imperial law despite how painful it was for her. She wanted to run,but she was rooted to where she stood, even as he came dangerously closer. "What do you want?" she asked, fear evident in her voice.

"Just to talk," Vader told her.

"I haven't done anything wrong..."

"What makes you think that yo have?" Vader asked.

Padmè didn't have the words to answer him without fear of gravely offending him. Still he came closer.

"I noticed how you rarely show up for the Emperor's parties," Vader said. "Why is that?" he asked.

"I travel back and forth between here and Naboo, sometimes I'm on Naboo when there is a party," Padmè told him in excuse.

"I haven't been to Naboo in many years," Vader told her. "Is it still as beautiful as it once was?" he asked.

"Yes," Padmè answered, finding this entire conversation to be strange. "I must go, I have an early day tomorrow," she told him, eager to get away. Then she saw the disappointment in his eyes and it confused her, before it was gone, making her think she was mistaken.

"Goodnight then," Vader told her.

"Goodnight," she said in return, unsure of what else to say, and turned to leave, hoping to put this strange encounter behind her.

Vader remained where he was, watching her, before she was out of sight, before returning to the party, hoping that he wasn't missed but unbeknown to him, his following the senator out had been noticed and it did not please the Emperor.

*~*~*

Padmè tried to put the strange encounter with Vader from her mind but she couldn't. What reason did Vader have to follow her and swap pleasantries? And why was he so familiar? She couldn't put a finger on it and it confused her. These thought preoccupied her sleep and remained in her head as she began getting ready for the day, praying that she wouldn't run into him again.

"Are you alright, Milady?" Dormè, her faithful handmaiden, asked.

"I'm fine, Dormè, why do you ask?" Padmè replied, looking at her friend through her reflection.

"You seem reoccupied and you are a little pale," Dormè told her.

"It's noting to worry about. I'm fine," Padmè assured her.

Dormè nodded. "Of course, Milady," she said.

Padmè took her hand in hers. "You are a good friend for being concerned, even if it is for nothing," she assured her.

Dormè smiled. "Thank you, Milady," she said.

"Now, lets see what we can do, even without power, I still have to look the part," Padmè said, ready for the task at hand.

"Yes, Milady," Dormè said, continuing to help her mistress.

*~*~*

Vader began his day as he always did, thoughts of Senator Amidala filling his mind. Even after all these years, she was still beautiful, maybe more so. He hoped that he would see her again and hoped for a much lengthier conversation, perhaps more. But she feared him, that much was clear, and it bothered him. He would have thought that his power would impress her, but it obviously didn't. He pondered how he would get through her barriers.

He pondered this as he made his way through the senate rotunda, going straight for the secret passageway behind the Emperor's office, where he would spy on his master. He did this everyday, hoping to gain some information that he could use against the old man. As he thought of this, he peered into the office through a vent and saw a team of assassins standing before the emperor. Just who was the old man going to kill now?

"I want her eradicated and make sure she suffers," Palpatine ordered.

"It will be done, Majesty," one of the assassins said.

"Senator Amidala will most surely suffer..."

Vader didn't listen to anymore, quickly leaving his spot, hoping to intercept her and to get her to safety. It didn't matter that he normally didn't do this, but he couldn't allow her to be harmed. He pulled out his comlink to contact his men. "Prepare an evacuation from Senator Amidala's office and move them to my ship," he ordered.

"Yes, my lord," his men knew better than to question him.

Vader ran towards Senator Amidala's office, slowing down when he saw her walking towards it. Inconspicuously making his way towards her, he caught her arm, catching her attention. "Come with me," he ordered silently, leading her out of the building, sensing her fear.

"What do you want with me?" Padmè asked fearfully, not looking at him.

"Your life is in danger if you stay," Vader told her quietly, and sensed her fear skyrocket as he lead her through the crowds on the streets, keeping their trail safe.

"I haven't done anything!" she protested.

"I am aware of that," Vader told her.

"Then why?" Padmè asked.

"I'm not sure, but I will find out, I assure you," Vader told her.

"Why do you care about what happens to me?" she asked.

Vader looked at her. "I always have," he told her serious.

"I don't understand. Why? Why does it matter to you?" Padmè asked.

"You don't know who I am?" he asked, a little disappointed.

"Of course I do, everyone knows who you are, Vader," Padmè told him, clearly thinking that he wasn't making sense.

He looked away, not saying anything.

"Why am I important to you? You don't even know me!" she asked.

"Because you're an angel, I'm certain of it," Vader told her, feeling her shock.

Padmè looked at him. "No! It can't be..."

Vader looked at her, looking her in the eye silently.

Those eyes. Padmè remembered those eyes, but it was just so hard to believe. "You can't be Anakin," she said disbelievingly.

Vader looked away. "My men are at your apartment packing your things as we speak to bring them to my ship. You'll need to go into hiding until it is safe for you to show your face," he told her.

"But where will I go where they will never find me?" Padmè asked, her fear evident.

"I have a remote property on Gallinore. No one knows about it. I go there to be alone, away from everyone. No one will find you there," he told her as he lead her through a district that she had never been to before.

"Where are you leading me?" Padmè asked.

"My private hanger, it is imperative that we get you to safety," Vader told her. Then he sensed danger and took a side street, just before a blaster bolt raced near them. "Run!" he ordered, dragging her through a shopping district, taking a shortcut. More blaster bolts followed them and people ran for cover. As they ducked a blaster bolt missed them, hitting a dark hair woman in the head where she fell to the ground, a three year old little girl with blond curls at her side crying, and sobbing over the fact that her mother was hurt. Vader recognized the woman instantly as someone from his past, seeing her barely alive and ran to her, with Padmè at his side.

"Ingrid, I'm sorry," he said, kneeling down next to her.

She looked at him as she was dying. "My Lord...Aidia...please..."

Vader knew what she was asking just before she died, the little girl crying harder and in fear and pain over her mother's death. What was more, he felt the child's force ability. Wordlessly, he scooped her up and still holding onto Padmè, ran for cover, the child sobbing even more. He reached out with his senses, only sensing one assassin near by and pinpointed on his direction. He stopped momentarily, allowing the assassin to come close, momentarily letting Padmè go to raise his hand, force choking the assassin who died momentarily. He turned to Padmè to see her horrified. "Lets go before more show up!" he instructed, grabbing her arm and pulling her in the direction of the hanger, the child still screaming over her loss.

When they reached the hanger, they found men loading the ship, two droids standing by, one belonging to Padmè, the other belonging to Vader.

"Lord Vader, we're loading the last crate now!" one of the men informed him.

"Good, remain here once you're done!" Vader ordered, pulling Padmè towards the ship and into it and stopping in the passenger lounge where he let her go and set the child down. "Stay with Padmè, she'll take care of you," he assured the little girl who had stopped crying.

"Who was that woman that just died?" Padmè asked as the child went to her.

"A friend," Vader told her and left to check on the cargo to see the men finishing up.

"Everything is set My Lord, but someone insisted on tagging along," the man informed him.

"Who?" Vader asked.

"Shes entering the hanger now," the man informed him.

Vader left, seeing a woman joining them and walked over to her. "You are?" he asked.

"Milady never goes anywhere without me, My Lord," Dormè told him.

"A handmaiden then," Vader said. "Shes in the lounge," he told her, going back into the ship, Dorme following him, he left them for the cockpit from there taking off. Leaving Coruscant, in hopes of getting the senator to safety.