Chapter 10
It was like everything moved in slow motion, Somehow, they finished their shower time just intime for Anakin to be able to walk out and catch the tale end of Breha's message. What now? Does she come clean and confess everything? Her daughter is in danger she must do everything to save her and knows Anakin will, but what hell will she be opening? She couldn't find her words to speak she just stood behind him staring.
"One of you better start talking before I result to other methods of getting information." He turned to look at her, if looks could kill she would be done.
"Anakin…"
"Don't call me that! I'm done warning you. No more lies Wife." Vader extended his hand just as he did on Mustafar and she prepared to feel the pressure on her throat again.
"Lord Vader Stop!" It wasn't until Bly was screaming that she realized it was Belme who was the victim of his rage. The young girl thrashing about trying to release herself from the invisible force that was choking the life from her.
"Stay out of this Commander! You will answer me, or I will end her life." Bly rushed at Vader only to be forced back with the force with so much power he broke through the wall landing hard in the next room. "I promised you I would not harm you physically again, but I will kill everyone here Padme."
"Ani…. "The tears were flowing down, and she approached him apprehensively. "Please, we have to stop this. Let Belme go and help me." Her tears seemed to still his anger and he released Belme, she fell to the floor gasping to get a breath.
"I can't help you if you don't tell me….. Why is Bail's wife calling you of all people regarding their child?" He grabbed hold of Padme firmly but not enough to hurt her and his eyes bore into hers. "Is that girl… Ours?"
"He has her Anakin…. He has out little girl. You can hate me just please help me save her. I'll do anything." She dropped down to her hands and knees before him pleading.
"You… You let me think I caused the death of our child? You think I'm a monster, but I could never be that cruel to you."
"Ani… you have to understand. You had just attacked me, you changed. I just wanted them to be safe." The words were out her mouth before she realized.
"Them? Who is them Padme!" He grabbed a hold of her and lifted her up to wear she was eye to eye with him. "ANSWER ME!"
"…..Twins…. we had twins Ani." She was shaking, terrified of this man who was almost a stranger to her now. She had no idea what he would do to her now that he knew.
He was quiet a moment she could tell her was contemplating everything he just learned. "You gave them up?"
"… After they were born, there was a chance I might not pull through. I agreed to having them separated for their protection from the Empire. Leia…. and Luke."
"A son?" He set her back on her feet never breaking eye contact with her.
"So…. This was all a distraction? You welcome me make into your bed, pretending I don't repulse you that the way I look now doesn't disgust you. To distract me from the truth?" He didn't sound anger more hurt.
"No! I may have hidden the truth of the children from you, not to hurt you. Making love to you that was real. I do love you Anakin….. even your darkest parts. It makes me question every moral in me but I do and you can hate me forever but I need you to know that. You felt my desire for you I know you did."
"….. You are just a lying whore." The anger returned full force to his eyes. "You will remain on Naboo until I have handled the situation with our daughter. I will decide what happens to you after."
She forgot her situation a moment and slapped him across his face hard, instantly regretting it. She was pretty sure he wouldn't hurt her, but she worried about Belme and Bly. To her surprise he did nothing, he released her from his grip and walked past her.
"I will be in contact when I have our daughter."
Once he was out of site she ran over to Bly, Belme was already knelt at his side. He was badly cut, and the bruises had already begun to show on his tan skin. "Belme, call for the med droid and then send one of the protocol droids to the capital to get a doctor. We need to hurry."
"I… I never said it back." Belme whispered softly as she lifted Bly's head and rested it in her lap.
"Said what back?"
"He told me he was falling in love with me ….. I am so in love with him, but I didn't say it … I didn't tell him. He might die without ever knowing that." The eerie way she was speaking had Padme convinced she was in shock.
"He isn't going to die; stay here with him I will get the help." Padme stood and ran through the halls to the medic room and activated the old med droid they kept on the property. She knew it wouldn't be able to fully treat him, but it should be able to stabilize him long enough for an actual physician to reach them.
"Please don't leave me Bly… I can't lose you, I just found you." Belme whispered leaning down to gently kiss Blys lips. She took hold of his hand and began to pray, she prayed to every God and Goddess she had ever heard of, desperately doing all she could think to save him.
Aboard Vader's Tie Fighter
"Ah my young apprentice, so strange to hear from you at this very moment. You were so right about young Barriss, she has proven herself to be prized member to our Inquisitor team. She has brought me a rare, thought instinct creature. The child of Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker." Palpatine's evil smile made his blood boil further.
"What do I have to do my master? Please just let me bring the child home to her mother and I will do anything you ask."
"You should already be doing so Vader; you swore yourself to me in exchanged for the life of that deceitful woman and she lives as promised."
"Of course, my Master I only meant…"
"I want your wife's allegiance. She must swear herself to me and come forward as your wife and supportive member of the Empire. I want her by my side at every senate meeting. She is a treacherous, intolerable woman but she holds much influence over my opposition. As much as it would please me to never have to hear her voice again at this time, I need her. If she agrees and I see the Senators who rallied behind her begin to fall in line, I will consider returning the child to you."
With that Palpatine ended the transmission leaving Vader to ponder his thoughts. He knew Padme would do it, if only to save their daughter but he also knew she couldn't be trusted, and this could end up doing more damage the helping. Perhaps it was time for him to take the throne, he had meant to wait until he learned more of what the dark side could offer but his daughters' life was on the line. One thing he was sure of was her was going to make first sister pay for this. She was lucky he forgave the incident with his former padawan but now to also put his own child in harms way, Barriss Offee was a dead woman walking.
