When the door to his temporary prison slid open for the second time, the very last person Anakin ever imagined he would find stepping inside was Senator Vinnis Hedsard. The sight of the older man made the Prince's heart drop shamefully. Varlo may have been a piece of filth but he had been this man's nephew. He had to be heartbroken by his death, especially if he lived in blissful ignorance of who his kin was until now.
"Senator…" Anakin tried to think of the right thing to say, something to explain his actions without adding salt to an already blistering wound. "I… I don't know what to say."
The other man took one slow step after another, glancing around the room and then at the guards posted by the doorway in perfect silence. Maybe, if he was tactful, this could be his chance to have Padme released. The very idea of her of all people locked away because of his crime? Unthinkable! Anakin would sell his very soul to avoid it. For all the good she had brought to the galaxy, this was not how her story would end.
After a few tense moments of quiet, the Senator lowered himself gingerly into a small, wooden chair in the corner, grimacing at its discomfort compared to what he was likely used to. "I have not come here to ask for an apology, your highness," Vinnis said at last, "quite the opposite, really. My nephew was always… troubled. My brother spoiled him as a child. Denied the boy nothing. I don't believe he ever heard the word 'no' until he came into my care at sixteen years old and by then the damage was done. You see, my brother and sister-in-law tried for no less than eight years to conceive the boy. He was their magical, miracle baby. Unfortunately, his arrival led to his mother's passing, not very common but it happens even in this day and age, as well you know. I think that's why my brother spoiled Varlo so filthily... to make up for what he lacked."
Anakin stared helplessly at the man, opening and then closing his mouth several times. If Vinnis noticed that his were still coated in the crust of his nephew's blood, he said nothing about it, which only thickened the tension for the young man. "I… I'm sorry for your loss… That couldn't have been easy."
The Senator didn't look up from where he stared down at his own wrinkling hands. "You see, your highness, I knew almost right away that boy would bring scandal and disrepute to my house. I've never met someone with such a… thirst for inflicting pain. First, it was his pets and then the birds he found in the gardens and then, once he was old enough, women. I have paid off more families than you can imagine for their daughter's injuries or in one particularly foul case, lost limbs."
By the force… He had never heard something so awful. If Anakin harboured even the smallest regret over Varlo's death, it dissipated then. The man had been a monster and the galaxy was better now he was gone.
"I'm sure you're aware of the accusations which were being unearthed about Varlo," Vinnis sighed, finally lifting his gaze to meet Anakin's. "Well, in the hours before the ball's beginning, I was planning my resignation from the Senatorial post I've been graced with. How could I retain my position with such a stain on my family – on my reputation? I was about to be ruined. So, I came down here to thank you." A small, gloating smile twisted the Senator's thin lips. "You have removed the incoming blight on my family name this evening, Anakin. Now Varlo will be remembered for his death – slaughtered by his lover's jealous friend, an Imperial Prince – rather than his lecherous life. It is a great shame that Senator Amidala has been dragged into the mess of it all, I know she would never touch my nephew if her life depended on it… Still, perhaps her disappearance from the Senate shall actually make my life easier. She opposed many of my legislative suggestions, you see."
Vinnis stood to his feet with a small shrug as Anakin gaped at him wordlessly, as if all he said were something casual and meaningless. The Prince's mind reeled at the old Vinnis' confession… He was happy about all of this? Happy that Padme was being falsely accused because it suited his career in the Senate? How was it possible that this family could be more messed up than his own?
"Wait… but you… you can't…" He stuttered, "Padme is innocent! You know she is!"
"The facts of the matter are irrelevant." Vinnis scoffed, waving a dismissive hand, "Enjoy the peace while you can, your highness, I've heard just terrible things about prison. Although, you, I have no doubts will survive just fine, but our pretty, pretty Senator… Well, I'm sure tonight was merely a practice run for her."
Before Anakin could respond, the Senator swanned out of the chamber without a backward glance. The young Prince stared at the door as it slid shut and the guards avoided his shocked gaze as he looked for their reaction. This was madness! How had it come to this? Neither guard was willing to look at him. "You know she isn't guilty and you're doing nothing! What's wrong with you?" He cried.
When no one answered. Anakin growled and turned away, running a hand through his hair. He felt the guilt and the fear radiating off the men's force signatures but neither spoke a word as they watched his back. They were damned useless. He would have to find another way to get Padme out of this.
Another half hour passed before the door opened again and when Anakin looked over his shoulder, he saw a dark-haired, yellow-eyed version of himself march into the room. His brother's face was thunderous and his stomach twisted at the sight. "Vader…" the Prince breathed and despite his nervousness, the sight of his twin brought an untold wave of relief through his body. He had begun to fear the police and guards would keep them separated before he was dragged off to prison. That he wouldn't have a chance to explain his side of the story and make Vader understand. "I'm so sorry, brother. I know this is a huge mess."
"Yes, it is," Vader nodded and looked over his shoulder at the guards. "If I asked you to give us privacy, would you respect my request?"
"Sorry, your highness," one guard on the left shook his head, "we're under strict orders to keep an eye on the prisoner."
"I understand," his brother said, nodding slowly. Surprisingly, when their gazes met, there was no malice or anger in his golden eyes as Anakin had expected to find. Whatever sourness had painted Vader's expression before melted away as their force signatures met and mingled. Most importantly, there was no disappointment in his brother's bright gaze. If there had been, it might have crippled him.
"Look," Anakin sighed, "I'm going to prison, I know that I am. I accept that. I'm not going to ask you to step in and intervene on my behalf, Vader, I don't even want you to contact father's council." His dark twin's direct gaze offered nothing as he looked on, waiting for him to reach his point. "But you have to help Padme. Please, do whatever you can to help her. She's innocent. If you saw what that beast did to her… what he planned to do… She's the real victim here. She can't suffer for what I've done."
Moving to lower himself gracefully into the seat Vinnis had left vacant, Vader's expression did not move. "Do you really think so little of me that I wouldn't do my best to help her?"
Ah. There it was. The disappointment. Vader was more skilled than anyone Anakin knew in masking his emotions but everybody slipped eventually. Even the most solid surfaces would crack when put under enough pressure.
"I must say," a small smile crept into the corner of his brother's lips, "If father were here, he would be very proud of you tonight, Anakin. Well done."
Any other time, from any other person and had Vader not smiled, this would have been the greatest insult someone could level his way. He wished nothing more than to purge the old man out of his veins. Their father meant nothing to Anakin – he hated him. To be anything like Sidious would horrify him to his core. But now, Vader's smile meant the remark had come with humour or had meant to at least. It was a brotherly jibe at worst.
"This isn't funny," Anakin rolled his eyes and he heard a tiny snort of laughter from Vader.
Force, what he wouldn't give for it to be just the two of them alone in the Imperial palace right now. Sitting at one of their desks sharing a drink and going over everything necessary to oversee the stability of the Empire while their father lay breathing through machines. They would discuss anything of note Anakin had picked up in the Senate. Usually, it would be anything Padme had sponsored or convinced him was the right course of action. Vader would enquire into the military and Anakin's men and then they would just talk. They would be brothers without a galaxy on their shoulders. Those were the most peaceful nights of his life. He was going to miss them.
"I'm sorry I won't be around to see you rule," Anakin felt sick at the very thought. "You're going to make a great Emperor when the time comes."
"I have no reign without you, brother," Vader stood and crossed the room to clasp his shoulders tightly, "My glorious purpose is nothing if you are not by my side, Anakin. You know that as well as I do."
"Vader," he shook his head. It killed Anakin to hear this because there was simply no way around it now. He had been charged – he was guilty. "I killed him. I didn't… I mean, force, I wanted to, but I didn't mean to., but I must accept my fate. Even if father were…" he caught himself just before his tongue slipped, even now, "if father were here right now, I doubt even he could get me out of this." At the very least, if they untangle Padme from this disaster, she would be free of him forever. She would be glad of it now that any desire she may have held for him was dead. Anakin would take his punishment in peace knowing she was living her life happily without him.
His twin said nothing at first, watching carefully through their father's golden eyes while Anakin spoke. "Yes, I think you're right," Vader nodded and something playful lit up in his careful gaze. "You must be brought to justice for your heinous crime by any means necessary. Your actions have shamed our family and risked all our father has built. And Senator Amidala… I cannot begin to imagine how she must be feeling… locked up and alone. Assaulted and then forced to witness to the abhorrent depths of your rage. There has been much damage inflicted upon her tonight."
Force, that went beyond throwing salt in Anakin's wounds. He glared his hurt and confusion though Vader's expression remained the same. Did he really have to kick him when he was already down so badly? Pulling away from his twin, Anakin rubbed his slightly cleaner hand over his face tiredly. "Enough, Vader," he groaned, "I know all of this already – "
"I mean," Vader continued as if he hadn't spoken, "beating the bastard to death in the heat of the moment, that I can understand but stabbing him, Anakin? That's a coward's attack. Besides, using a decorative blade instead of your lightsaber? That doesn't seem like you at all."
"Wait, a second... stabbed?" As Anakin turned around, jaw agape, Vader gave a knowing smirk and a slow, calculated nod.
"Yes. Stabbed."
Of all the paths her life might have taken in twenty-eight years, becoming implicated in the brutal murder of a Senator's nephew was certainly not where Padme imagined fate was leading her. Gods, what were her family going to think? What if this had already broken out across the holo-net news before she'd had a chance to tell them the truth? She could imagine her mother's heartbroken face now and it pained her endlessly. Everything she had ever accomplished would be called into question. Her reputation would be ruined. Padme's legacy would not be helping people or the great sacrifices she had made to do so, but this horror of a night from someone else's point of view.
If she weren't already so miserable, such thoughts might have broken her.
Even now, Padme could still see the hateful scowl that twisted Anakin's usually warm, bright face so clearly, that he may as well have stood right in front of her again. He had morphed into some dark, rageful creature before her very eyes and she hadn't been able to reach him. It was like he wasn't even in there anymore! He had so obviously enjoyed beating Varlo to death and even though he had done it for her, to avenge what the man had tried to do to her, the death of someone on her conscious wasn't easy to reconcile with herself even if Varlo had been the most heinous person she ever met.
A knock battered against the door and Padme lifted her head from where she'd settled on the narrow bed in dismay. Dorme and Typho shuffled in one after another and mercifully, the Hedsard guards standing by the door did nothing as the Senator stood up and threw herself into her handmaiden's arms. "Oh my lady," Dorme cried as she stroked a hand through her tangled hair, "I'm so sorry! We're doing everything we can! I've reached out to Teckla on Coruscant already, she's making contact with King Thule and the royal council right now on your behalf. Corde is also reaching out to your family. We're going to give them a basic run-down of the matter. You don't have to worry about a thing, okay?"
"Oh, Dorme," she felt more tears pooling in her eyes. "I don't know what I'm going to do."
"All you have to do is wait a little longer," Typho laid a gentle hand on her shoulder, "We will get you out of this, I promise. Prince Vader is also working diligently to have you released. With the combined influence of the heir to the throne and our King, it shouldn't be long before the charges are dropped."
"Prince Vader is helping me?" Padme pulled out of her friend's warm embrace to look at them both. "Why would he extend any energy on my behalf when Anakin is likely to be found guilty and incarcerated?" Surely the Prince felt his brother's life was more important than her own! Who wouldn't feel the same about their family? "I don't understand."
"I spoke with him briefly," Dorme rubbed a hand up and down her bare arm, wincing at the coldness which had settled into her skin. "He said something about not letting his father's best Senator be tried for something you had no part in. He seemed rather dedicated. His aide, the blonde woman? She was making comm after comm contact to several attorneys across the galaxy to put together a team on your behalf."
"I… wow," Padme shook her head. She had spoken with the future Emperor perhaps twice in her life. He rarely made an appearance in the Senate so they hadn't had an opportunity to build a professional relationship the way she had with Anakin. So why was he working so hard to free her? Had Anakin asked him to? Or did he truly value the work she did from a distance? Whatever the reason, she was eternally grateful. "What about Anakin? Is he alright?"
No matter how badly he'd frightened her, she still felt a great need to know about him, where he was, and what they were planning to do with him. He was a good person, Padme truly believed that. He had just gotten carried away... but did that mean he shouldn't face punishment? Her heart wept but her more rational side begrudgingly accepted the law. Still, she longed to see him, even just for a moment. She remembered the horror etched upon his face when he realised what he'd done. Padme needed him to know that she forgave him, that she knew he would never hurt her.
Dorme and Typho exchanged a saddened glance. "It's looking like the Prince's fate is sealed, I'm afraid," Typho sighed. "Perhaps a case of defence on your behalf could have been made if – "
"But he was defending me!" Padme cried, "Or at least, he did it for me. I know he went too far but – "
Dorme shook her head, "He stabbed Varlo eight times! That's too much for any jury to look past, my lady. It's cold-blooded murder, there's no getting around it."
Padme blinked and held up a hand to stop either of them from speaking any further. She recalled the whirlwind of events in that bedroom, every angry blow Anakin had delivered onto Varlo… He hadn't stabbed him. No, he didn't! She had pulled him away just a few moments before the guards burst into the room. "Wait a moment, that's not right. Anakin didn't stab Varlo! He hit and kicked him but he didn't use a weapon."
Dorme tutted quietly and tucked Padme's hair gently behind her ear, "I think you're misremembering. That's understandable, you've been so much tonight, I don't think anyone could retain everything. They found the blade covered in Varlo's blood when the police droids did their inspection – Senator Vinnis found it himself after he said his goodbyes to his nephew."
"No!" She shook her head, batting Dorme's hand away. "No, it's not possible! I saw everything! Dorme, I pulled Anakin away a few seconds before the guards came in. I'm telling you, he didn't stab anyone. I don't know what's going on here but he didn't do it."
"This is very serious," Typho appeared grim, "Can you be absolutely sure?"
"Yes! If Varlo died of stab wounds then Anakin is innocent! I know he is."
"Not so open and closed after all," her Captain sighed, shaking his head. "So, what are we going to do about it?"
"Stabbed…" Anakin breathed the word for what had to be the hundredth time since Vader had first said it. It couldn't be right. He hadn't stabbed Varlo! He'd beaten him with his own hands and feet, that was all. Not to mention, he hadn't brought his lightsaber along for the trip and he had never owned a blade in all his life… "He really died of stab wounds, you're sure?"
"Very. His uncle demanded an autopsy the moment the police droids had taken the images they needed to conduct their investigation." Vader nodded. "His manner of death has been declared as blood loss due to puncture wounds on his chest and stomach. Had it not been for those, he likely would have survived." The brothers shared a long glance and a thousand words went unspoken but perfectly understood between them.
Vader knew Anakin was innocent. This conversation had been his way of smuggling this information to Anakin without the guards believing he was trying to help him build a defence. You clever bastard, he wanted to throw his arm around his twin in celebration but held back. The last thing they needed was to make the guards suspicious.
Now he knew exactly what he needed to do. The plan formulated in his head in a series of images laying everything out step by step. The Prince cast a sidelong glance toward the guards and smirked. Yes, this was going to be painfully easy.
The only question was, if Anakin didn't stab Varlo Hedsard to death, then who did?
The Skywalker brothers shared a conspiratorial smile and Vader gave the slightest of nods once more, confirming everything. "I'll have to speak with SenatorAmidala soon," he emphasised her name, the quiet hint impossible to ignore. "I want to have a conversation about her case. Don't worry, I have Sabe working on getting you both the best lawyers in the galaxy."
"I'm glad," Anakin nodded. Message received. "Tell her that she's in my thoughts… and that I'm sorry."
"I will," Vader nodded and clapped him on the shoulder, giving him a tight squeeze. "Thankfully, they're keeping you both close by. Merely five doors between you, which makes my life just a little easier right now."
It took every ounce of Anakin's willpower not to smirk. It was easy to forget from time to time that his brother was nothing short of a genius. He formulated complex strategies and imagined their fallout quicker than any being he had ever met. The man lived for a mental challenge, thriving upon an unsolvable situation. In a way, this night had probably given Vader some sliver of enjoyment. He would bet more credits than he should on it.
"Come back soon," he nodded to ensure Vader knew he'd caught on. "I'm dying of boredom in here with these two."
"Certainly," Vader touched his forehead to Anakin's briefly, a brotherly gesture they'd performed since boyhood. "Try not to make any further trouble before I return. And make use of the refresher to clean yourself up."
As he left, Anakin took a moment to study his guards, their uniforms and sizes. Neither looked exactly right but it was going to have to do…
"We have to think this through," Padme tapped her finger on her knee repeatedly where she, Dorme and Typho had crowded themselves tightly in the very corner of the room, whispering lowly in the hopes the guards wouldn't pay any attention to their words. "The only people who had access to that room were me, Anakin, the guards and the police droids. Which means someone I just listed stabbed Varlo."
"If this is true," Dorme said, "then we should speak with Prince Vader. He's in a far better position to handle this than we are right now. I hate to admit it, but there aren't many people who'll be willing to believe you right now."
"Dorme is correct," Typho nodded, "I can go find his highness right now and inform him of your suspicions."
"Not yet," Padme shook her head, "I don't want anyone approaching Prince Vader until we at least have a theory." Someone was trying to play with her and Anakin's lives and she would not let it stand. They would get to the bottom of this before it was too late, she was determined. She was going to get Anakin out, she had to.
"Fine," the Captain said, "in that case, we can disregard the police droids. Acting against the law goes against their programming and they weren't in the building until after Hedsard had been stabbed."
That was right. Damn, Padme wished she had a datapad right now to map everything out and keep notes of all she remembered. It would be far easier to keep track of the details that way. "Yes, good point," she nodded, "so who does that leave? The guards, Anakin and I." The Senator pursed her lips. That list wasn't very promising. It would be difficult to prove a motive in one or more guards, especially if none of them were forthcoming. "You know of the accusations against him, maybe Varlo did something to a loved one of his staff? This could have been an opportunity for revenge."
"That wouldn't surprise me," Dorme hummed quietly, "but how would we prove that? I can do my best to have the Hedsard employment files pulled and narrow them down to their security but that's going to take time. Not to mention reaching out to their families for any information – oh, I could pretend to be a reporter and – "
Laying a hand on the handmaiden's shoulder, Typho grimaced. "We don't need all the details."
"it's a good plan," Padme glanced up at the ceiling as she thought about it, "time-consuming but it's strong. It could certainly lead us somewhere. I'd just hoped for something more… rapid. I don't think the thought of Anakin locked away somewhere believing he's a murderer." A disheartened sigh fell from the Senator's mouth. "I wish I could talk to him."
How long ago was it that they were in each other's arms? The way he'd held her so firmly, so protectively, it had felt like nothing in the galaxy could ever hurt her again and it had been wonderful. Or it had at least until it had all gone so terribly wrong. Padme had never felt more secure or comfortable with anyone in all her life. The mere memory was enough to send a small thrilling tingle across her skin.
"We could probably try to get a message to him if you'd like?" Dorme asked, "I don't know if they're letting visitors speak with him but we can try."
"Would you?" She laid a hand over her Dorme's, "You have no idea how much I'd appreciate it."
"I think we have an idea…" Typho rolled his eyes. "Now, before that, we should focus a little more on this investigation of ours. Who knows how much longer they'll keep you both here. I think Prince Vader is delaying legal procedures as best he can until the Emperor can become involved."
Emperor Sidious becoming personally involved with a matter felt so odd to imagine. It had been so very long since anyone had seen him outside of the Imperial palace and even then the sightings had grown fewer and fewer over the past several years. Padme had heard the rumours of his passing and the claims that Vader had secretly been crowned for some time. Personally, she believed it was nonsense. The Emperor was an old man, he had likely decided to work in the privacy of his own home until he decided to retire or… well, or until Vader truly did take the throne. Whatever the truth was, if the Emperor truly made an appearance or a statement on the matter, it would likely be extremely influential on the decisions of the courts. If Vader could make contact with his father before she and Anakin were transported out of here, it would make a galaxy of a difference in their chances.
"That's good," she nodded again, "let's go over it once more, okay? I was in there with Varlo when he attacked me. We were alone until I made it out of the door, that's when Anakin showed up. After that, the guards showed up and escorted me down here and the police arrived. Are we missing something?" Who did this? The question pulled at her, itching in her mind as her brain wracked itself for answers. There was no shortage of people who would like to see Varlo Hedsard dead, she imagined, but who would be willing to acton such an impulse? How would they have had the time to stab him multiple times without anyone seeing? "Wait a moment," her eyes widened suddenly, "Didn't you say Senator Hedsard was allowed into the room? He was with Varlo when he died, yes?"
"That's right," Dorme nodded, "The authorities allowed him to be with Varlo in private while he died."
If this was true, then the only time someone was alone with Varlo was when Vinnis watched over his final moments. But why would he murder his own nephew? She had never heard any rumours about a strained relationship between the two… then again, these things were incredibly easy to keep hidden. Despite the monster Varlo was, Padme struggled to swallow the idea of family warring against family in such a way… who could live like that?
"You're right!" Typho clicked his fingers, "Unless we're mistaken, who else would have had such an unhindered opportunity?"
"But why would he murder his own nephew?" Dorme frowned, "What would drive a person to do that?"
"I'm not sure," Padme cast a glance over her shoulder. The guards stared blankly ahead, blissfully unaware of their conversation. Good, if Vinnis Hedsard had murdered his nephew and planned to pin the blame on Anakin, they couldn't trust that he hadn't paid off his guards enough to warn him of any threats to his plan. "Whatever his reasoning, this is enough to take to Prince Vader. Go, go find him and tell him before it's too late!
Her friends nodded and quickly took their leave, rushing out of the room with purpose. Once Prince Vader knew what they did, he surely would be able to find a way to prove Anakin's innocence! She truly believed this would work… because it had to! Otherwise, regardless if Padme's name was cleared, Anakin could spend the rest of his life in prison for somebody else's crime.
The Senator laid back upon the bed with a quiet humph. She was powerless in what came next and the fact unsettled her greatly. Padme had the strongest control of almost everything in her life, so to be locked out of an investigation which would decide her fate made her ache. Of course, she had great faith in the combined strengths of Dorme, Typho and Prince Vader but her fingers twitched with the need for involvement.
Perhaps this might be good for her in a way…?
Minutes passed and then an hour. Tiredness began to tug at Padme's eyes as the night grew closer and closer to morning. Despite her best efforts, she felt her eyes grow heavier. How could she sleep without answers? No, she had to stay awake, however long it took. Still, her gaze grew bleary as her body begged for rest. It was all too easy to forget the distant watch of the guards as sleep slowly lulled her away.
Smash!
The singular window in the small bedroom shattered into a shower of uncountable pieces and sprayed all over the hard wooden floor, tearing a surprised scream from the pit of Padme's throat before she could stop herself. The guards rushed forward to investigate the damage when, suddenly, their bodies were dragged up into the air as if the pull of gravity ceased to exist on the planet for them alone. They screeched and cried out as they were slammed against the ceiling, kicking and squirming as they attempted to free themselves from whatever invisible hold had taken them prisoner.
She gasped and flew from the bed, readying herself for yet another fight even as both her wrists throbbed a plea against it. When she wasn't yanked upwards into the air after air after the guards, Padme stole a glance at the terrified men just in time to catch their bodies slam against one another so harshly that both were immediately rendered unconscious. At once, they toppled to the floor in a heap that might have made the Senator wince had she not felt so afraid. What was that? How – how was something like that possible? They flew into the damn air! She hadn't ever seen something like this before!
A rustling sound of movement caught Padme's attention, making her stumble backwards slightly in case whatever beast had dome this was here for her too. After the way tonight had gone, this seemed inevitable. She gasped as someone, no not someone, a Nubian guard climbed through the ragged shards of glass which had remained within the window pane with a slight hiss as one pointed edge caught the thick sleeve of his dusky, plastifiber vest. He stumbled into her room and though the durasteel helmet shielded his identity from her view, her heart leapt up in hope and trepidation both at once.
If a Nubian guard had crashed through her window, he had to be here to help her or deliver some news the King did not wish to reach Senator Vinnis quite yet… but then again, how had he managed to do what he had done to the other guards?
"Who are you?" The Senator demanded though her voice trembled thickly with fear, "What are you doing here?" The guard whipped off his helmet, revealing mused golden curls Padme would recognise anywhere. As he turned around, her thundering heart picked up the pace as storming blue eyes looked at her with relief and such worry at once, as if he were afraid of what came next. "Anakin?!" Padme cried incredulously, "What did you… how is this happening?"
"I'll explain everything to you later, I promise," he reached down and clasped his hand loosely around a thick shard of fallen glass, plucking it from the carpet. "Cut your dress, Padme. Quickly. We don't have a lot of time before someone notices I'm gone."
She looked pointedly at the fragment he offered her and scoffed. "Excuse me?"
Anakin glanced uncomfortably at the door behind them and huffed. "How much movement do you have?"
"I don't understand why – "
"Padme!" His eyes pleaded frantically with her own, "please? Just trust me… I know after everything that's happened tonight, that might be difficult for you, but please trust me this one last time. I promise this is for the best."
Begrudgingly, she had to admit, despite the splendour of the dress, it didn't allow for much movement but then, it was hardly designed to be functional. It pained her to accept the glass and tear two long strips into the beautiful, glittering fabric. She had really, really loved this outfit… Once the shreds were torn, she glanced up at the Prince to see if it was sufficient and found his back facing her instead.
Despite everything, this tiny, gentlemanly act managed to pull a smile over Padme's lips.
"Done?" Anakin asked and awaited her confirmation before turning around once more. "Good. I hope you're ready, Senator."
"Ready for what, exactly? You still haven't told me what's going on."
The Prince turned and kicked all of the remaining spikes of glass out of the window frame until it was bare and safe to pass through. "Ready to run for our lives… For a few hours anyway."
"Are you crazy?" She hissed, "We can't run away – regardless of how long. They'll catch us and then there will be no doubting our guilt!" Off the top of her head, Padme could think of hundreds of reasons why this was a terrible, terrible idea. Logically, he should go back to his room before anyone noticed he had snuck out and wait for Vader to act on her theory about Vinnis. It was the best, most rational way of handling this.
"We'll be alright, I promise you." Anakin climbed up onto the window frame and held out a hand for Padme to join him. "Do you trust me Padme? Really, truly trust me? Because that's what I need you to do right now and then we'll be out of this mess and it'll be over forever. I know I'm asking a lot, but you have to make this decision right now."
Trust him? Yes. For better or worse, she trusted him with her life. Padme felt entranced; there was nothing this man could ask of her that she would not do, it seemed. A growing light shone in those azure eyes of his now, something more wild and alive than she'd ever seen in him before. Was this the thrill of a soldier taking enjoyment in such a dangerous situation or merely absolute faith that they were doing the right thing?
No wonder he excited her so thoroughly.
"I trust you," she murmured, meeting Anakin's searing gaze almost shyly. He had charmed and terrified her, giving her great highs and soul-crushing lows all in one night. Her mind and heart were exhausted but every instinct in Padme's body roared to take his hand and follow him into the unknown with complete faith. Padme didn't think about it any further, slipping her hand into the Prince's gloved one and allowing him to pull her body up against his on the windowsill.
"I know this is going to sound a little strange," he gave a tight, awkward smile, "but wrap your arms and legs around me and hold on as tight as you can, okay?"
Padme felt herself flush from neck to ear as she followed this strange command, thankful suddenly for the tears she had cut into her dress. She wrapped her every limb around Anakin's hard body and tried her best not to think about how closely they were pressed together, especially as his right arm slid around her frame in an almost too tight grasp. "Brace yourself, Senator!" He cried, allowing her absolutely no time to do so before leaping out of the window and to the gardens below.
