Chapter 5
As much as Padme reassured her Belme could not stop worrying. From what she had seen from Vader he had proven to be very aggressive towards her when angry, and as much as being alone with Bly was making her heart flutter, she couldn't stop thinking about what was happening back home.
"You ok?" His question pulled her back.
"I'm fine, thanks…. I'm just worried about my Milady."
"For what it's worth, I don't think Lord Vader would hurt her. She has been able to get away with things that I've seen him kill for over the last weeks. He isn't good at showing it, but I can tell he cares for her."
"I hope you are right." She sighed softly and rested her head against the glass of the window.
"I can have Dile finish up here and take you home if you like."
"Thank you, Commander, but Milady wants to speak with Lord Vader alone, I must respect her wishes."
"Bly." He responded as he sat down on the ground beside her staring out the window.
"What?" She looked over at him confused.
"I would like it if you called me Bly…. If you want."
She smiled shyly and her cheeks turned the rose shade he noticed she always had when he would speak to her. He couldn't help the cocky smile that formed on his face as he sat watching her intently.
"Ok Bly… I feel special getting to address you so causally."
"That's how you should feel, because you are special." He reached over slowly and took her hand in his. "Do you ever have a night off? I would like to take you to dinner…..If Lady Vader approves….and of course if you would like that?" The confidence he had faded fast as he babbled on like a youngling talking to a girl for the first time.
Bly has been with women before, including General Secura. They took comfort in each others bodies many nights after endless battles. Although he cared for her and still had so much regret about carrying out Order 66, he could never see himself settling down and having anything more with her. He never thought he would want that with anyone until he met Belme, and all the sudden the thought of having someone to hold every night and to have a family with was an increasing desire.
Belme smiled and the first thought in her head was to say yes but she hesitated. She had instantly had an attraction to Bly and loved every moment she got to be around him, but she was to afraid that if she told him about who she was he would be disgusted. But she knew not telling him and allowing a romantic situation to develop wouldn't be fair to him and would only end ugly.
"Its ok… It was just an idea." Noticing her hesitation, he assumed she was trying to find an easy way to let him down. He left her hand go and moved to stand. "I'm sorry if I crossed a line."
"Bly, you misunderstand." She grabbed his arm preventing him from getting to his feet and gently pulled him back to his sitting position. "I've never had a man show…. Interest in me although it's a very welcome feeling it is a little overwhelming."
"So, you might have interest…. In me…. Ummm taking you to dinner that is." Now it was his turn to blush causing her to giggle loudly.
"I have a lot of interest….. There are just some things I need to tell you; I just need a little more time. I hope that's ok."
"I have been told that anything worth having is worth waiting for. So I will patiently wait for Milady to be ready to be mine." As he spoke he leaned in closer and closer, finally claiming her lips in a soft and gentle kiss. The taste of her mouth was intoxicating to him but he didn't hold it for to long, respecting her wish for time.
He left her in a haze of desire and excitement. This was her first real kiss given to her by a strong, brave, and loyal man who had just made his intentions of being with her very clear. She instantly missed the feel of his lips on hers but knew she had to keep some distance for now.
"Wow." Was all she could manage to say before flashing another one of her shy smiles he was coming to love.
"And with that a love story begins." A deep voice spoke from the doorway causing them both to jump.
"Lord Vader, apologies, we thought you were having a moment with Lady Vader."
Vader watched them both silently, with his mask on they were unable to read any expression from him causing Belme's anxiety to increase by the moment.
"She is hiding something from you commander….. Women can be more deceptive than most realize. If I am going to trust my wife's safety in your hands I do not want any issues to arise so I think we should lay it all out on the table, don't you….Milady." The condescending way he spoke the last word was not lost on her.
Belme stepped away from Bly unable to look at him, her nerves showing as her hands began to shake. She looked over at Vader not even trying to hide her disdain for him.
"With all do respect milord, Belme has told me there is more for me to know about her and we have decided to take it slow until she is ready. I pressed my luck with that kiss but will respect her wishes until she gives me permission to move forward. I hope my record with assignments speaks for itself and you can be confident that nothing will come before my mission, which is to keep Lady Vader safe."
Vader continued to stand there just observing them both. He had intended to expose her to make sure Bly kept his head on his orders but knew from his own love life that when you find the person you are meant to be with there was no stopping it. The thought also crossed his mind to simply end Belme's life but knew if he crossed that line Padme may be lost to him forever. Belme's condition perplexed him as he knows what it means to transition and knows that she was born to be a male, what both confused and fascinated him however was the energy she gave through the force. Males and females of all species give a very specific vibe and with Belme she read completely female as though that was the will of the force.
"I fail to see the difficulty in explaining that you have been genetically altered. As a clone I am sure he will understand. You may have not been born so but the force says you are a woman so there is no issues, am I correct Commander"
Belme felt the shame and embarrassment radiate from the core of her stomach through her entire body. It burned hot like she imagined the fires of Mustafar would. She didn't understand what Vader felt he was gaining for outing her in such a way but there was nothing she could do. She couldn't and wouldn't even look at Bly, not ready to see the changed way he would now look at her. She felt so beautiful when she saw the look he would give her and now that was over.
"Thank you, Milord, for the life lesson. If you will excuse me, I will return to my mistress." She quickly made her way from the office not even worrying that she bumped Vader as she passed. She welcomed the possibility of him ending her, so she never had to face Bly again.
Vader had a moment of regret, realizing when she got home, she would tell Padme what happened, and he would indeed pay for it somehow. He would have to cross that bridge when he came to it for now he had to focus. He was being escorted to Stygeon Prime to interrogate Master Unduli who had been captured and imprisoned there. There they would also begin recruiting for the Inquisitorius Program which already had two members that had begin tracking down the surviving Jedi.
"I suggest you get back to my wife and do your job Commander."
With that Bly was left standing there alone, not sure what even happened or how he felt about the information Vader gave to him. He looked out to the landing platform to see Belme zoom by on her cruiser, he could see the redness of her eyes even from there and it made him angry. He had been loyal to the republic and now empire and was begging to grow tired of seeing them use and hurt the people they claim to want to protect. He didn't understand how the good side would do so much bad. He shook the thoughts away feeling exhausted after everything. He pulled his helmet back on and did one last check of Padme's old office before heading out. He wasn't sure what he was going to do with Belme but he had to make sure he was doing his duty as good soldiers follow orders.
