Padme paced slowly back and forth on her bedroom floor. She had been doing this on and off for weeks. Vader was coming home, he assured her, and she believed him. An hour ago, she had showered and changed into a beautiful forest green dress. It was almost floor-length with sleeves that came down to her ellows. A velvet black belt was tied around its waist, and it made Padme feel like a queen.. The only thing missing was a crown. She hoped for the thousandth time that her pacing would help to rid her of the nervousness she felt. It didn't, but it was something to do with her body and time. She expected Vader to be home this morning, but he was late, night had already fallen.

She jumped at the sound of 3 knocks. She turned, and walked slowly to the door. When she opened it, she found herself face to face with Vader. He was as tall, and as blond as she remembered him. 3 weeks felt to her like 3 years, and she wondered why she hadn't used the time to escape this place. "May I enter?" She heard him say. She was silent for a moment, her brown eyes focused on his now blue eyes. "Padme, may I enter?" His voice was gentle.

"You may." She answered, despite the fact that she hated being called Padme. She took a step back, and he slowly entered the room. He tried not to look her up, and down. It was difficult, and he stared for a few seconds. She was as always gorgeous. Her long dark brown hair was twisted into a braid that was pinned to the top of her head.

"It's good to see you." He said, honestly. "You look lovely."

"Thank-you." She whispered. "How was your trip?"

"I do not wish to discuss it. I am happy to be back."

"I didn't think anything made you happy."

"I could say the same about you. Very little makes me happy. but it does happen. Are you well?"

"Yes I am."

"Interesting, according to my report, you are not doing well." He stepped closer to her, close enough to touch her. He began to study her face.

Padme looked away, and spoke softly. "Report?"

"Yes. I had my droids report on your health during my absence. You refused all help. You haven't been eating or sleeping!"

Padme turned to face him. "You had them spy on me!" In that instant she saw his eyes turn from blue to red. She backed up, and walked to the opposite side of the room.

"Yes I did, I had good reason to, and I would do it again!"

"Did they report that they held me down, and force fed me!?" She screamed at him.

"I am sorry that occurred. After days of you not eating, they had no choice!"

"That's right! You made them, you programmed them, and you trained them!" Of course they report to you!"

"I apologize for upsetting you. I need to keep you safe, and I wasn't here."

"Don't apologize to me, Vader. You're not sorry for what you did."

"For the way it affected you, yes, I am sorry.. for looking after you, you're right, I'm not!"

"I don't need you to look after me, Thank-you. She said, calmly.

Vader was silent for a moment, when he spoke again, his voice was low. "I know you have nightmares. Have you had any since I left?"

"No. I am not talking to you about that!"

"Why haven't you been sleeping?"

"I don't know." She answered,watching his eyes turn gold, and then quickly back to blue.

"Padme, I just returned home. Have a nice quiet dinner with me?" He stepped closer to her, and she allowed him to take her arm.

PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

Vader walked Padme out to an outdoor enclosed area she had never seen. Her eyes focused on a white square shaped dining table. Vader led her to it, she sat down and he sat across from her. The food was already on the table, and to Padme's relief. there was not a droid in sight. "How large is this place? Padme asked.

"Very. He answered. "I haven't had the opportunity to give you a full tour. "

"It would take days." She replied, softly.

"No, it would take weeks."

"It's nice out here."

"I'm pleased you like it, perhaps the fresh air will improve your appetite."' He said. "Why did my droids have to force feed you, and why didn't you sleep well."

"I don't know."

"I believe you." Please, eat, and eat slowly."

Padme looked down at her plate, avoiding the meat on it, and avoiding Vader's eyes on her. After several moments she spoke. "Why do you care if I eat, Vader?" She picked her head up, and looked at the blode man.

She watched as he stopped eating, and dropped his fork on his plate. It made a loud clanging noise. "Now, we're going to talk about why I rescued you."

"Did you? Did you rescue me?"

"Must every conversation we have come back to this? "He said, his voice was dripping with annoyance.

"If you don't like it, you can take me back to The Star Dust." She challenged, softly. The Star Dust, that place was a topic of conversation they kept coming back to, Padme brought it up., but never, to tell him what went on there. She talked about going back, but he knew that she hated it.

"No!" I am... never... taking you back... there ot selling you! I know you can't fathom this." He paused for a second. "I care about you! I care about your physical and mental health, I care about your safety, all of it! I don't want to fight with you right now." Vader picked up his fork, and began to eat again. Padme returned to the vegetarian part of her meal/ Vader said nothing about it. Is that what she wanted? He was confused.

They sat in silence for the next hour, before Vader couldn't take it anymore. He rose from his chair. He turned away, and went back into the house. Padme was shocked when he returned a very short time later. He walked over to her. "Can you stand?" He asked. In answer to his question, she stood without a word.

"When I was away", he said slowly. "I stopped on Naboo." He paused. "I purchased this for you. I wish I had the time to make it myself, one day."

Padme inspected what Vader held in his right hand. She took a few steps closer to him, and it. It was a gold medallion with the countryside of Naboo engraved on it. "Why did you bring me that?"