Chapter 6

When Bly returned to the residence, he found Padme on the terrace watching what seem like a home recording on her holo. He placed the box of her personal items from the senate out of the way assuming she could have her droid unpack it at her leisure. He approached her slowly not wanting to interrupt but needing to let her know he was back and if she needed anything of him. The closer he got he could start to make out that she was watching someone's wedding, he saw the two lovers facing each other as a holy man performed the ceremony, but before he could make out who the people were Padme had noticed him and switch it off.

"Apologies Milady, I just wanted to let you know everything has been moved and I am here if there is anything you require." Bly greeted nervously, embarrassed he had been caught eavesdropping.

"Tell me commander, who do you serve? Who are your loyalties to?" She questioned abruptly with a stoic unreadable look on her face.

"I… I'm not sure what you mean Ma'am. I mean after retiring from the service I am now a loyal member of the Empire. I've been employed to be the head of your security by Lord Vader as my predecessor has been locked up for suspected treason. I guess that would mean I serve your house ma'am."

"What I am asking Commander is are you my personal security loyal to me or were you placed here by my husband or the Emperor to watch and report my actions in their absence?"

"I, I'm not sure how to answer that ma'am. The role I fill would say I am her for you but it was Lord Vader who made it so, but his only request of me is to keep you safe and nothing more."

She looked at him for a moment before sighing and looking back out over the city.

"I'm sorry if I offended you or your household ma'am. I can gladly take post outside and stay out of your way."

"You haven't…. I just trying to figure out what allies I really have. It seems everyone I feel safe with is either locked away or refuses to speak to the wife of Darth Vader. I don't know how he managed to put the galaxy into so much turmoil in just a month."

"I would like to think I am your ally. I would never do anything to hurt you, or those close to you."

"Do I have to fear you running to my husband or worse the Emperor with my every move commander, that is all I need an honest answer to that."

Bly really didn't know what to answer. He believed Padme to be a good person and it made his job of having to keep her safe that much easier. But if Lord Vader asked him about her, he would feel conflicted.

"Are you planning to do something that would upset them Milady?"

"I have a friend coming to meet with me, one I would prefer Ana…. Vader not know about. I am going to beg you Commander to please just look past this one time. I promise to never put you in this situation again. I need this favor Commander."

He could hear the desperation in her voice and he nodded his head slowly. "You…. Will this make me a traitor to the Empire?"

"No…. this is a personal secret that I just can't have my husband know. Innocent lives would be at stake. I just … Can't trust him with this."

"I won't say anything Ma'am, but if he does find out we hid something from him, we will all suffer for it." Bly warned but would keep his word to her.

"Milady, Dinner is ready. Would you like it served on the terrace?" Belme quietly asked, approaching quietly from behind. She still couldn't bring herself to look at Bly and hoped he wouldn't bring it up in front of Padme. She knew if she told Padme what Vader did, that she would stand up and fight for her, she couldn't risk Vader hurting Padme for simply defending her. So, she decided to just let it go, keep her head down and just not allow feeling to distract her again.

"That would be wonderful Belme. My guests will be arriving soon. Commander would you like to join us?"

"That would be great, thank you Milady." Bly responded glancing over at Belme.

"Mistress, I'm not feeling well. Would I be excused for the evening? I can program one of the kitchen droids to serve.

Padme looked at Belme curiously, assuming she would jump at the chance to have dinner with Bly. "Should I call for a med droid?" She asked showing her concern.

"No milady, I just need rest."

"Of course. I will come to check on you later."

Belme bowed her head respectfully to Padme before turning and quickly heading out. She just needed to put some space between her and Bly.

"Did something happen earlier? She hasn't been herself since she returned from the Senate."

"We ….. We just had an uncomfortable run in with Lord Vader before he left."

Padme just sighed knowing how afraid of him Belme was. "He wasn't always like that…. What happened?"

Before Bly could answer his comm went off. "Bly here." He greeted as he switched the call on.

"There is a Senator Organa here to see Lady Vader." Bam Bam informed. "Should we allow him in?"

Bly looked over at Padme and she nodded, quickly standing and heading to the apartment entrance to greet her quest. Bly's stomach churned hoping to himself that this wasn't a lover coming to have an triste when Vader was away. The first thing that caught his attention however was the sound of a baby cry.

"Bail…. Thank you so much for coming before your trip home. I just couldn't pass the opportunity with Anakin gone. I had to see her one last time."

"Of course, Padme, I can only imagine how hard this is for you. I promise you I will protect her with my life, as will my wife."

Padme carried little Leia over to the sofa and sat with her, gently rocking her. Leia instantly calmed and looked up at Padme, amazement in her little eyes, like she just knew who Padme really was to her.

"My precious Leia, I had so many dreams for you and your brother. I'm so sorry it must be this way. I will love you forever I just hope you understand me staying away was to give you the nest chance at a good life. Your daddy …. IF he ever comes back to me maybe one day we can be together again."

Bail did his best to not show how the scene in front of him was affecting him emotionally. Padme was always so strong, and he has never seen her show such raw emotion as she was now. It was then he noticed Bly in the corner and his heart dropped.

"Padme….. I thought we would have privacy."

"The commander is now part of my inner circle. He can be trusted." Padme glanced over her shoulder at Bly and smiled weakly, as if to send a silent plea to keep his promise to her.

"I am Lady Vader's personal security; she has my loyalty on my honor." Bly said before backing out of the room to give Padme time.

Leia reached up and took hold of the Japour snippet Padme still wore around her neck and looked at it with innocent wonder. "Your daddy made that for me. Many years ago."

"Besides the obvious…. How are you? I mean here with Anakin? I still can't believe that monster is General Skywalker, and that he did to you what he did. I always knew you to had something going on, the love was so obvious. I can't understand how it came to this."

"Power ended up being a better lover then I." Was Padme's simple response before turning her attention back to her daughter. "Bail promise you will tell her about me when she is old enough to understand. I had hoped to continue to serve the senate so I would at least see her from time to time but that isn't going to happen. Luke will probably never know me…. I just want at least one of my children to know I love them."

"Of course, Padme."

She just sat with her daughter, dreaming about what might never be, she sat like that until the sun set and Bail had to get to the last shuttle off planet. Kissing her goodbye for what could be the last time crushed what was left of her sprit. The moment she was alone in her room she collapsed to the floor sobbing uncontrollably.

"Anakin….. Why weren't we enough?" Was the last thought before she drifted into a restless sleep.

Meanwhile across the galaxy.

He had just finished with Luminara, ending her life once it was clear she would not be able to divulge anything useful to him. Frustrated to have another dead end in his personal hunt for Kenobi. The rage he felt just at the thought of his former master almost blinded him completely. Padme swore she didn't know he had snuck aboard her ship that day, swore despite what Palpatine had said that he wasn't her lover. But he still hated him. He told Padme about his fall and the younglings in an attempt to make her turn on him. If it wasn't for Kenobi he would have never attacked Padme on Mustafar and they would have their child right now.

"He will pay Padme…. Once I make him pay, we can try again, have as many children as your heart desires. We will need heirs when I make you and Empress." He believed that she would see how right he was, once they ruled and she sees he meant it when he told her she could set the galaxy any way she wanted and he would be the hammer that enforced her law. "Just a little more time, I need to learn more before I make Palpatine pay as well. Just have faith my love."