Padme spent hours with Vader in his workshop getting acquainted with Threepio. To her surprise, the more she got to know Threepio , the more she got to know Vader. Vader taught her not to be afraid of her gift, and to see Threepio as a helpful friend. Vader spoke for the rest of the night, about mechanics, droid construction, and fixing things. When he spoke, his blue eyes lit up with emotions Padme didn't recognize. At some point during the night, the workshop that Padme had feared became a place of comfort. She found herself disappointed when Vader walked her out of it, and into her room.

Padme, sat on her bed. It had been 2 days since Vader had walked her to her room, and she hadn't seen him since. She felt a mixture of emotions. One was worry, one was anger, and one she couldn't identify. She had felt the unidentified emotion before, and it frustrated her that she was still unable to identify it.

A soft knock on her bedroom door called her to the present. "Come in, Threepio",she said. The door opened, and the golden protocol droid entered, and was soon standing in front of her.

"Miss Padme are you alright?" Threepio asked, calmly.

"I'm fine, Threepio, thank-you." Padme answered, softly.

"May I get you something to eat?"

"No, Threepio. Thank-you, I"m not hungry."

"Oh, dear!" You have not eaten in hours. The Master, will be very displeased."

"Your master, does not have to know." Padme said, softly.

"May I get you some tea?"

"No, Threepio, thank-you."

"The Master, has you on a strict feeding schedule."

"Does he?" Padme asked.

"Yes."

"Threepio, I do not require food or drink. right now."

"Perhaps, you would like to take a walk with me around the grounds."

"No, thank-you, Threepio." Threepio did not move, and moments later, Padme spoke again. "Where is Vader, Threepio?"

"I'm sure, he will return soon, Miss Padme."

"Are you? Where is he?"

"I can not say."

"I do have one request,Threepio."

"How can I be of service to you?" Threepio replied.

"When we are alone, please address me as Shira."

I can not do that, Miss Padme, Shira is not your name. Do you wish for food now? The Master had me prepare some of your favorites."

"You know, my favorite foods?"

"Yes." Threepio answered.

"May I have some tea with my food?"

"Of course, Miss Padme." Threepio left the room. He returned a short time later with a small table, he left the room again, and came back with a tray full of hot food. He placed the tray on the table in front of Padme.

"What can you tell me about Vader?"

"He is my maker, he began constructing me when he was a child. He recently finished."

"In order to serve me, did Vader train you?"

"Yes, Miss Padme. In my training I learned many things about you."

"Like what?"

"You sacrificed your childhood for Naboo, you almost became queen, and now you are in exile." Padme's face paled,

"Padme!" Vader called, knocking on the door. "May I come in?"

"Yes", she answered, she found it difficult to keep her voice steady, but she managed to do it. "Yes, come in." Vader opened the door, and quickly entered.

"Good evening, master. " Threepio greeted.

"Good evening, Threepio. '' Vader replied.

"Thank-you, for your service, Threepio." Padme said.. You are dismissed for the evening."

"Are you sure, Miss Padme?"

"Yes, Threepio." She answered. Without another word, Threepio exited the room.

Vader shut the door, he strode over to Padme, and stood where Threepio had stood, moments before. He spoke. "It's good to be home. I trust that Threepio took good care of you?"

"Yes." Padme whispered.

Vader looked at her plate. "You didn't touch your food."Padme, you need to eat."

"I'm not hungry."

Vader turned away from Padme, and began to pace. "Every time I am away, you go on a hunger strike, you can not keep doing that!"

"Where were you?" Padme asked. Vader stopped pacing, he ran his fingers through his blonde hair in frustration for a moment before turning to face her again.

"I can not tell you where I was, Padme. My apologies for not telling you I was going, and for being gone so long." It could not be helped, there was no time to tell you I was leaving, I tried to get back to you sooner."

"Did you try to get back sooner?"

"Yes, I did."

"I don't think so." Why did you give me Threepio, Vader? Was it so you wouldn't have to deal with me?" She asked, angrily.

"I gave you Threepio to assist you, and to keep you company during the times when I am gone."

"You gave him to me, so that he could babysit me!"

"That's not true!" Vader yelled, walking to her, and standing in front of her.

"Why did you choose me to save!" You could have saved any other girl!"

"I am not speaking about this with you again, Padme! Not now!:"

"When you walked into The Star Dust , you weren't looking for any girl." Padme said, slowly, and softly. "You were looking for me. What do you think you know about me, Vader?"