The sun sank beneath the horizon of vast domed buildings, leaving the city of Theed in a blanket of darkness interrupted only by the dancing flicker of countless small flames carried in the hands of mourners marching through the cobbled streets. Every corner, street, lane and pathway was teeming with curious people huddled together vying for a glance at the funeral procession as they made their way toward the immense mausoleum awaiting its singular resident.

To her left, Padme couldn't begin to count the number of civilian boats and water-cruisers spread along the river nor the bright candles they carried for the withered man resting in the closed carriage just ahead. Vader hadn't thought it appropriate for people to look upon his father in his condition. Anakin told her Sidious wasn't a sight that would be forgotten easily. The new Emperor was right, let the people believe his predecessor was simply an old man whose time finally came.

Since Emperor Sidious was born in Naboo, the rites of her homeworld's funeral traditions had been followed all day. However, there were some alterations Vader had decided on throughout the planning process. Usually, should one perish while their family still lived, it was the right and burden of a maternal grandmother to prepare the funeral. At his age, Sidious had no grandmother to fill the role and the media had lovingly reported that his sons had prepared their father for his final rest all week.

Padme pressed her lips together beneath the black, lace veil shielding her face. The public story Sabe had the media portray couldn't be further from the truth. Neither Anakin nor Vader had anything to do with the funeral beyond legalities. They didn't love Sidious and didn't care to say goodbye to a man who tormented them all their lives. But that didn't mean this day wasn't difficult to endure either.

The reassuring weight of Anakin's hand in her own felt surreal. She was still getting used to what it meant to be with him publicly. Anakin hardly waited one day after his father's death before instructing Sabe to find a way to leak their secret. The media firestorm had been… intense. People almost seemed to be more interested in their relationship than the passing of their Emperor. Well, she couldn't exactly blame them for that. Sidious hadn't been a popular ruler since… ever, really. She couldn't remember a time when people seemed content with him as Emperor.

She dreaded to imagine how things were going to be once Sabe released the announcement of Anakin stepping away from his royal and military duties. It was going to be hell. She could hardly leave her apartment without being hounded as it was! Their pictures seemed to be on the cover of every holo-mag, each declaring their own fabrications as the truth of their relationship. So far none had come close to the truth.

Padme squeezed Anakin's hand tightly. This past week had been… hard for him. The death of a parent was always a shocking thing even when they didn't get along, even when they hated each other. Save for Vader, and that connection was frayed at best, Sidious had been the only family Anakin had. The twins had no other siblings, no cousins, aunts or uncles. If it weren't such a public ceremony, the funeral would have been very quiet.

"I hated him," Anakin had whispered last night, perched on the very edge of the bed. "Every part of me hated him and I looked forward to this coming but… Force, Padme, he was still my father. I – I don't understand how I'm supposed to feel. I'm happy he's gone… but at the same time… I don't know…"

How did someone mourn someone who gave them nothing but a lifetime of cruelty? Padme wished there was an easy answer she could offer him, some perfectly comforting words to ease Anakin's torment, but she was woefully unprepared for this. Her childhood was so different to his! Her father had only ever been loving and kind to her and Sola. Ruwee was nothing like Sidious. Every comfort she could think to offer felt… lacking.

They continued on behind the carriage dragged along by four gualaars at a moderate pace for the sake of the gathered crowds. "How do you feel?" She whispered, angling her chin upwards so the whispered words had a chance of reaching his ears. "Are you alright, Ani?"

Glancing forward, just a few mere steps ahead of them walked Vader. He walked proudly, the very image of a new, young Emperor laying his father to rest. His black formal robes were nothing out of the ordinary for either Skywalker brother, neither ever seemed to favour colour in their wardrobes for as long as Padme had known them. She wondered how he was feeling, the weight of the galaxy thrust upon his shoulders after so long waiting for it. Did he feel ready? Frightened? Alone?

Padme felt her heart ache. While the Skywalker brothers were forced into close proximity these past few days for the sake of appearances, neither had spoken a single word to each other. She hadn't even caught them exchanging a glance. Again, that ripple of guilt was agonising. Anakin and Vader loved each other so much… and she came between them. She didn't know how to fix it – or if it even could be fixed.

If anyone ever came between her and Sola, Padme wasn't sure she could bear it.

Glancing over her shoulder, King Thule and Queen Falynn walked solemnly as any other mourner. Padme took in the Queen's white-painted face, the deep crimson stain on her upper lip, the accompanying singular stripe on the bottom and two red spots on either cheek. The traditional ceremonial fashion for all Nubian Queens, consorts or not. Her black gown was simple, with a high square neckline and long, billowing sleeves which hung mere inches from the cobbled ground beneath her feet. Large pristine white pearls lined her torso and arms, matching the snow-shade of her painted face. Contrasting Falynn's simplistic gown were the jewels which sat upon her head and throat. A golden tiara bearing eight sharp peaks sat upon her opulent, sculpted blonde wig which circled her head, with glittering black jewels matching the three-rowed collar lining her throat.

By Falynn's side, King Thule's demeanour was far grimmer. Everybody knew his relationship with Vader had become strained over the years and Padme's official resignation from her role as Senator had only worsened his mood. Granted, she would retain the role until her wedding to allow the royal Council time to elect her replacement, but it was likely extra stress he had not anticipated at such a time of upheaval. His tunic of black with silver embroidery of the Nubian emblem was mostly covered by the long, dark cloak he had draped himself within. Far plainer than his wife, Thule wore simple dark trousers and boots with a grand sapphire carved into the emblem of his family pinned over his heart.

After a moment or two, Anakin turned his head a few mere inches to meet Padme's concerned gaze as she returned it to his hardened face. "I'll survive," he muttered quietly. "Once the rites are read and the mausoleum is sealed, it'll all be over."

Well, there was a private meal for Anakin, Vader, King Thule and Queen Falynn but despite her insistence that he should attend, he talked her into returning to the private estate Sabe had rented for them for the next few days instead. Whatever he needed, she would give him, even if Padme thought staying might be better. Grief could bring people back together as much as it could tear them apart after all. But if distance was what Anakin needed, she would make sure he had it.

One month later.

Stepping through the quiet palace, Padme smiled as she found her prey in the very first place she thought to search. The old training rooms once used by Anakin and Vader were a usual haunt of Ahsoka's whenever she wasn't in the military base, apparently. Her sky-blue dress rippled across the smooth flooring across patterns and lines she didn't understand the purpose of. The click, click, click of her heels sliced through the quiet tellingly, warning the girl of her presence.

Or at least it would have if Ahsoka wasn't deathly focused on the task at hand. Her husband's apprentice sliced through tracing droids with such quickness and ease, that Padme could only gape at her growing skill. The training blades in her small hands moved with finesse and strength, the kind she had only ever witnessed in Anakin when he trained with his lightsaber. Ahsoka was going to give her Master a run for his credits at this rate!

Only after the last training droid crumpled to the ground did the girl seem to notice her visitor and whipped around, wide-eyed and panting, dropping the blades to the floor with a resounding clatter. "Senator!" Ahsoka squeaked, dropping into a deep, respectful bow, "My apologies, I didn't hear you come in…"

Regretfully, despite Anakin's fierce excitement about Ahsoka and their training, Padme had only had the opportunity to meet the girl once or twice. Her schedule kept her extremely busy, there was just so much she had to do before the new Senator took over her office and what few moments of spare time she had every day was occupied by Sabe and wedding plans. The royal aide was positively beside herself between the wedding and the upcoming coronation, the poor woman looked as if she had not slept even an hour in weeks.

"Ahsoka, we're friends, aren't we?" Padme smiled at the girl, "You don't have to use my title – even if I only have a few weeks left to enjoy it. Anyway, I had some free time this afternoon and I thought I should come and see you. I'm sorry we haven't spent very much time together… I've been so busy lately with all the changes coming, but I would like us to get to know each other some more. Anakin is very fond of you. He's so excited about your training."

Listening to her fiancé explain every detail of all he wished to share with Ashoka to help her hone her powers really was adorable. Whenever the girl surpassed an expectation he set, Anakin positively glowed with ferocious pride. He really will be a wonderful father, her mind whispered. The thought pained as much as it excited now.

The faint blush painting the girl's cheeks deepened. "I would like that, Sen – Padme. You should hear how Master Skywalker talks about you." The roll of Ahsoka's eyes made her smile. "He reminds me of something out of an old woman's romance story."

" Stop it!" Padme snickered and shook her head. Her Ani did like to play the wordsmith from time to time, worshipping verbal love and praise upon her as if she were some deity in his eyes. His sometimes over-the-top reverence of her was often purposeful to make her laugh or cringe or bat him away in the more playful moments they shared. Not so secretly, despite the eye-rolling, Padme did enjoy his devotion. "He can be… enthusiastic sometimes."

Ahsoka sniggered, picking up and tucking the long training blades into the harness looped around the waist of her red tunic dress. Padme noticed the girl's new fingerless gloves and armoured gauntlets, how they all bore the Empire's insignia. If Ahsoka was trying to display her loyalty to the Empire through her clothing choices, she doubted the girl's efforts would be noticed. The galaxy seemed to have drowned in a tide of crimson these days.

"I also came to see you today because I want you to be a part of our wedding," she smiled at the surprise which lit up inside the teenager's eyes. She knew life at the palace hadn't been entirely welcoming for Ahsoka. By all accounts, Vader would still not have her name mentioned around him and acted as if she didn't exist at all. It couldn't be easy for such a young girl to be shut up in here all day with largely only Anakin, Artoo and his soldiers for company. "And I know it would mean a lot to Anakin to have you up there with us."

Padme frowned as the excitement in Ahsoka's eyes burned away. What could have made it fade away so quickly? "That's… that's very kind, Senator – Padme. But I…" The girl looked down at her scuffed boots as she kicked at the air awkwardly. "I don't think the Emperor would like that very much. The eyes of the galaxy wondering who I am and all that."

She sighed. The more pragmatic parts of her brain understood Vader's fear. The force was a mysterious thing and for so long, only the Skywalker bloodline had been able to channel it, to wield and control its power. If something had changed and others were being granted this gift, what made Vader special? What gave him the right above others to rule? But Ahsoka was just a girl! She had no desire to cause trouble or insert herself where she wasn't wanted.

"I don't want you to worry about the galaxy or what anyone else thinks, Ahsoka," Padme reached for the girl's hand and held it between her own. "I want you by my side because you're part of our family. Now, if you truly don't want to, I'll understand, but it would make Anakin and I very happy if you did."

Hesitantly, a flicker of that excitement began to spark back to life in Ahsoka's large blue eyes and Padme smiled reassuringly. "I would love to! But…" A small wince slipped passed her lips, "Do we have to go dress shopping?"

"I'm afraid Sabe will insist upon it."

Since their re-engagement, Padme was so excited to plan their wedding. A real wedding this time, nothing like the merely legal agreement they'd been intending upon before. But it seemed when a wedding was a galactic spectacle, most of the work was done on her behalf. Whenever she found a moment to approach Sabe with ideas or inspiration, Padme often found whatever she had been thinking of had already been planned and booked. She had no idea what this wedding was going to look like. It was a little disappointing.

It didn't matter. As long as Anakin was waiting for her at the end of the aisle, Padme didn't care what the rest of the day entailed.

"There's another reason I came to see you today," she shook herself free of her thoughts, "I know Anakin is taking very good care of your training and you're learning a lot from him and the men at the base, but you need an actual education, Ahsoka. I have a very good friend, Beela Ores. She's a very respected teacher on Naboo and has agreed to take you on as her pupil. I have arranged for her to arrive in three days to begin your studies."

There was only so much physical training could do for a person. Ahsoka needed someone to open her mind to all the galaxy had to offer. It would create opportunities and experiences for her and Padme was going to make sure she had access to them all.

Ahsoka blinked. Surprise flashed in her eyes – then vanished. Vanished and swallowed by something watery and more grateful than Padme had been prepared for. The girl didn't say anything but when she opened her arms in silent invitation, the answering embrace was crushing.

"So that makes King Thule, Queen Falynn, the Duke and Duchess of Mandalore and Queen Breha and Senator Bail sitting on the left, right?" Padme glanced at the datapad in Anakin's hands as she lay draped over his bare chest. Ready for bed, Anakin could have groaned as he overlooked the wedding plans Sabe had so kindly forwarded to him a few hours ago. This wedding felt… distant. Anakin knew little about it other than what he was supposed to wear and when he was supposed to be in the throne room for the occasion.

It was almost as if this was someone else's wedding and they were merely borrowing it for themselves.

He stroked his free hand through Padme's curly hair and sighed. If this was the grand, opulent affair she desired then she would have it. She was going to have anything she wanted for the rest of their lives, he would make sure of it, even if the thought of this thing drained him weeks before it actually took place. "Why are all these people coming?" The Prince couldn't resist this one small jab, though. Who could be perfect all the time? "There are more people on this list than I've ever met in all my life!"

"Well, it's a royal wedding, I don't think there are many people who would decline an invite – especially if they wish to be invited to the coronation too." Her dainty finger began tracing a small, invisible pattern above the thump of Anakin's heart. "Unfortunately, we don't get the right to be personal and private about it. Even if you are planning to step back, you have to think politically going forward, Anakin. You are the heir to the throne now. If something ever happened then the crown would come to you. Many of the guests in attendance are the people you will need to have relationships with."

"You say this as if it's inevitable," he narrowed his eyes but Padme only shook her head, leaning up to kiss him softly.

"Of course not. I only mean… These people are dignitaries and monarchies from their respective worlds. Strengthening their relations with the Empire can only do good in the long run."

Allowing her to settle over him once more, Anakin glanced upwards at the high, white ceiling looming above their heads. She was right, as usual, but he wished their wedding didn't carry so many political connotations. It was supposed to be about them, their union and sharing their love with the people they cared about. That was what other people got to have, wasn't it? Was it so wrong to desire some simplicity for himself?

"What would your ideal wedding be like?" He asked, allowing the force to carry the datapad from his hand to the table across the bedroom. Enough of the public production for one night – here, locked away in the paradise of Padme's apartment, they were free of the personas ruling their lives. He watched her fingers trace along the white, mangled traces of scarring from years of force lightening shot from his father's fingers, following the branching patterns tenderly. I hope you're burning, wherever you are, he scowled within his own mind at the thought of Sidious.

Anakin sensed the brightening within her force signature right away. The utter contentment whatever vision of their wedding she pictured brought her was intoxicating and he drank it up, closing his eyes to envision it better. "Well," abandoning his scars, Padme merely held him, nuzzling her face into his chest more comfortably. "We would exchange our vows at sunset on Naboo… I always imagined it in the lake country. It would be small and intimate, only the people we love the most there to celebrate with us… It's simple, I know, not exactly the big party most people like but it's what I always wanted."

"It sounds… perfect," Anakin said and meant it with all of his being. Opening his eyes, the Prince peered down at the woman in his arms as he buried himself within the desire laced through her words and the ache the denial of what she wanted created in her beautiful, loving heart. The cool sensation of her engagement ring against his warm skin was a stinging reminder of all that he had gotten wrong before and forcing her to discard this dream felt all too familiar.

No armies of paparazzi-droids, no screaming crowds calling for them, no cams sending the image of their vows to every screen in the galaxy, nobody they did not know or wish to be in attendance… Force, the peace of the image was eye-wateringly tempting. For this one day at the very least, was it wrong to long to be a man and not a Prince? To be marrying his love, the woman who held his heart, not the soon-to-be former Senator and new Princess of the Empire?

Pressing a kiss to Padme's head, Anakin's eyes flicked to the muted holo-net news as it played in silence above the projector. It was rare to see stories not about Vader's coronation and his wedding receiving much-needed coverage. How much worse would it be when the events actually happened? Would there ever be an escape from the publicity of his life?

In sixty years, when they looked back fondly on memories of their wedding day, did he wish to share details of a spectacle to his children and grandchildren that was so known to the public? Would he thrill to remember hundreds of faces watching him pledge his eternal love to Padme? Part of him roared in defiance at all these people, these strangers witnessing something so intimate. It wasn't fair and yet there was no avoiding it.

Unless…

The idea struck, exceedingly enticing and dangerous. If anyone were to ever find out the backlash could be dreadful and cause Sabe a galaxy of problems she never asked for… and yet the prospect didn't deter Anakin as it should have. "Why don't we do it?" He asked, watching as Padme sat up to look him in the eye with a frown. They had lost enough already, why should they be denied the opportunity to marry as they saw fit? "We could get on one of our ships and head for Naboo tonight – it would only take a day or two of planning! Angel, we can make things the way we want them to be, no one will know until it's done."

"Wait, wait, wait," she laughed though a frown of confusion painted her gorgeous face. The thick strap of the white nightgown she wore slipped over the curve of her shoulder as Padme lifted a hand to quiet him. "You're not serious, are you?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Anakin felt his eyes widen in his growing excitement. He grasped her hands in his own, squeezing softly. It was the perfect solution – why hadn't he thought of this sooner? "We can have the wedding we want, just the way you described and then we won't care about sharing the original day with the public and cams. We'll already be married… it'll be a performance. Political, like you said."

"You want us to have two weddings? Ani, this is insane."

"Think about it," he urged, sitting up to shuffle closer, "Everything that's been planned isn't us. It isn't even about us. It's a show of strength and what the future of the Empire looks like – we're just part of that. What you described, that's what we deserve. I want it to be all about us, Angel, our love and choice to spend our lives together, nothing else. We can have that and the galaxy can have the royal wedding they crave." Slowly, he brought her knuckles to his lips, "But if you prefer to simply move ahead with the original plans, I'll respect your wishes."

"I…" Padme blinked as a small laugh spilled out of her lips. "Ani, I want nothing more but…"

"What? What is it?"

"I – I don't know… Can we really do this?"

If people ever found out the much anticipated royal wedding had been nothing more than a sham, a spectacle for their entertainment while the bride and groom secretly wed in private, Anakin didn't imagine the response would be a positive one. They had so many duties borne of their public statuses but sometimes, more frequently recently, Anakin wondered where exactly the line of privacy was drawn. Their wedding was a union, an occasion for them to make sacred vows to one another for life, did the galaxy have any right to witness that? Perhaps, if he were Emperor and Padme his future Empress, the idea would have made more sense but they would never sit upon the Imperial throne together. Their lives belonged to them.

Running his hands along the length of her arms, Anakin smiled fondly as imaginings of their Naboo wedding flashed before his eyes. " Yes, we can. This way, everybody gets what they want. Nobody we don't invite ever has to know. What do you think?"

"I…" Padme shook her head though a wide, wondrously bright smile came across her mouth. "I – I hadn't even considered that it might be a possibility! Yes. Yes! Let's do it, Anakin. I want us to have the wedding we want to have." Her beautiful smile was contagious. He laughed and captured her sweet mouth, clasping her body to his own. Freeing her lips from his a moment later, she rested her palms upon Anakin's chest softly. "If we're going to do this, then we have to let people know. I want my family and Dorme there, who would you like to invite?"

The answer came to his reluctant mind immediately, as naturally as the breath he pulled into his lungs no matter how he wished that it hadn't. Before… everything, Padme's question would have been easy, there were only five people he would ever wish to spend such a day of intimacy and love with… but everything had changed. This small number was one fewer now, strange as that felt.

Maybe it was sickness or some mental instability, but as badly as he wished to hate Vader, to loathe him and curse the very ground his brother stepped upon, his heart simply could not bring itself to follow the commands of his mind. Force, he was still furious at the uncrowned Emperor – more than his mind or body knew what to do about – but he missed his twin. He missed the time they spent together, the unshaken trust they always held within one another.

But all of that had been shattered by Vader's manipulations. No. For Padme's sake and his own, his brother wasn't going to be in attendance for their wedding, their true wedding, though for appearances they would stand side by side before the galaxy. It was for the best that the distance between them endured, it really was. His heart would learn to endure it, punishing though it was.

"Ahsoka, Sabe, Rex and Cody." He said quietly, releasing Padme and laying back down. She watched him carefully, wincing as she noticed the missing name.

"Ani…"

"I don't want to talk about it," he shook his head, "It's not open for discussion, Padme."

Staring at the holonet news projection hovering in the dim light, Anakin heard her sigh and sensed the swell of shame this turn of conversation created within her. After a moment, Padme lay beside him once more, tangling her fingers through his with a gentle squeeze. "It's your choice," she whispered, "I only want you to be happy."

Turning to look at her again, the Prince forced himself to smile through the turbulence beginning to storm within him. Not for the first time, Anakin thanked the force that she was unable to sense what laid in his heart. "As long as you're there, Angel, I will be."

In the end, she was all he needed.

Everything was ready. Her clothes were packed, her schedule was covered and her family were currently preparing to greet them upon arrival in Theed later today. Tomorrow, Ahsoka, Sabe and the others would come to join them in Varykino for their quiet celebration. All Padme had to do was walk to the hangar and climb into her silver reflective star skiff and they would be on their way to be married at last… and yet, she couldn't. Something, some hesitation made her pause.

Everyone they loved was going to be there to celebrate with them. Her family, Ahsoka, Dorme, Sabe, Rex and Cody… the people who were most important to them and yet Anakin's brother, his childhood companion and closest confidant remained uninvited. In any other circumstance, Vader would have stood proudly by his twin's side, teasing him and soothing any nerves which might have plagued him. But things had changed. The fracture between them could be traced directly to Padme and her actions. The frozen silence between them made her heart cleave in two.

She could not imagine, regardless of the circumstances, fighting with Sola so terribly that they could hardly stand to be in the same room as each other. Her wedding would be forever tarnished in her memories by the absence of her sister and the last thing she wanted for Anakin was such a heavy regret. When he thought back to their real wedding day, she wanted him to only think of wonderful, joyful things, moments that would make him smile for the rest of his life… and that would be difficult to do if he didn't have his brother with him.

Walking through the palace toward Vader's new offices, Padme steeled herself for the coming conversation. Inviting the Emperor back into their lives would be a somewhat… complicated matter. What happened between them was nothing but a grief-addled mistake. She felt nothing, not love and certainly no desire for him even if Vader was not willing to accept that yet. But for Anakin's sake, for their future children's sake, the three of them had to find a way to come together again. They were family! Even though it wasn't going to be easy, she was sure they could find a way to repair the bond between the brothers. They had to!

Two red-cloaked and visored guards stood on either side of the silver doorway to the opulent office space which had laid empty and unused for so long, they glanced at Padme as she approached remaining silent until she paused before them. After a moment, the left guard cleared his throat. "His majesty is… occupied."

Damn. She should have known Vader would be busy! Transitioning into Emperor meant endless amounts of work even though he had already reigned in secret for years. But this really wouldn't take very long and it had to be now. If she kept Anakin waiting in the hangar bay much longer, he was going to think she'd changed her mind and run off! "Is he in a meeting?" Perhaps she knew the person and they would forgive the interruption on her account? If it were someone she had built a connection with throughout her time as Senator, they would take much kinder to their short time with the new Emperor being disrupted, surely.

The other guard was still as stone before her. Utterly unmoving even as he answered her question in a deep, unnerving voice. "Of sorts. I would advise scheduling time to visit with the Emperor if you wish to speak with him."

Well, there was no time for any of that… not to mention, after their last discussion, if Padme did have time to book a meeting with Vader, he would likely assume Dorme would be sitting there in her place. Damn, she had to get going, Anakin had to be wondering what the hell she was doing! They were supposed to be arriving to meet with her family in Theed in just a few hours and this was holding them back.

Setting her shoulders, Padme made a decision. "I'm sure my soon-to-be brother-in-law won't mind too much if I interrupt." Though she tried to smile, the action felt more like a grimace as the guards exchanged expressionless glances through their shining visitors and stepped aside so that she could enter. Vader's office was large and housed several little corners and nooks where comfortable armchairs and sofas had been installed.

Where his long, silver desk lay empty, a vast window overlooking Coruscant lit the dimmed room as countless ships sped by the tall, jagged skyline laid out before her. The walls, of course, were a pale crimson shade whilst the carpets were a thick and deluxe material of vibrant red, the perfect match to the royal Imperial colours. Sidious certainly had favoured the colour. Honestly, she was sick of the sight of it, but until the coronation passed, the galaxy would be flooded with its various shades to support their young, new Emperor.

Wasn't Vader supposed to be having a meeting? That was what the guards said but with low lighting and an empty desk, Padme was beginning to fear that she had somehow missed him and the guards hadn't noticed their leader's departure. Disappointed, she turned to leave when a sound caught her attention, stilling her legs mid-step. Frowning, she followed the slight noise to the corner of the room, where a long, black sofa rested, coming into her view inch by inch until she almost gasped and stumbled backwards as the Emperor was revealed.

Sprawled comfortably in the centre of the sofa, Vader sat with his head tilted backwards and eyes clenched shut so tightly, Padme would have thought he was in terrible pain if a woman wasn't kneeling between his spread legs. She froze as if her feet had sprouted roots into the carpet even as her mind screamed at her to turn and run before either of them noticed her accidental voyeurism.

"Fuck…" Vader groaned, fisting a handful of brown curls in his hand as his partner's head rose and fell. "That's it… Uhh, just like that…"

Padme opened her dry mouth, eyes unable to tear away from the sight before her. Maybe… maybe she should just announce herself? She could act as if she had only just come upon them now – the result would still be terribly awkward but better than Vader opening his eyes and catching her stunned staring. Still, try as she might, she could not force any noise from her lips as she took in the shallow thrust of Vader's hips into the woman's mouth, the pleasured grunts and moans he made, so similar to Anakin when he –

No! She shook her head to herself, that was not a thought she ever wished to continue.

After a few more moments, the woman began stroking Vader's cock at the base as he cursed and strained beneath her, his pleasure reaching a peak which tore through his shuddering body with a short cry of release. His lover moaned as she swallowed everything he had to give, only rising when he softly tugged at her hair in a silent signal which she followed without question.

Oh Gods help me, Padme flushed furiously as the woman stood to her feet and delicately wiped at her mouth. Her eyes slammed shut then, finally freeing her from the torture mere steps away. What the hell was she doing? Why did she let herself watch something so private and intimate? It was wrong – it was damned rude and –

"Enjoy the show?" Vader's smug voice snapped Padme's eyes open. The woman slipped through a staff doorway disguised within the red panelling of the wall without a word as if this was routine for her. How often did this happen exactly? Not that it was any of her business…

She watched, dry-mouthed, as Vader readjusted his trousers and shame swelled inside her faster than Padme could throw together something to say. He knew she was here? For how long? Embarrassment and irritation deepened her flush and heated her face so much that she was half-afraid she might merge in with all the furniture surrounding her.

"You knew I was here?" The weight of the realisation forced her backwards by a step or two… the whole time he knew… while he was with that other woman, Vader knew… What was wrong with him?

"Of course I did," the Emperor smiled arrogantly as if the answer were obvious. He stood up, working his way toward Padme as her mind raced and reeled to catch up. "Your force signature is captivating. I sensed you the very moment you began to approach this office."

Overwhelmed, she could only shake her head as such wickedness crept into his knowing words. "You… You're disgusting!" She spat weakly. Who did something like that? If he had known she was coming here then there was plenty of time to stop what he was doing before her arrival… unless… unless he wanted her to see…

"Am I?" He laughed just a few steps from her now, "If I didn't know any better, I would think you liked watching another woman get on her knees for me…" Close enough, Vader lifted a hand as if to touch her cheek but paused merely a breath away. Padme felt the ghost of his touch as vividly as if their skin connected anyway. It was scalding. Her breath shallowed as his darkening golden eyes took in her travelling trousers and off-shoulder white tunic, lingering upon her exposed skin hungrily, as if he had not just had release.

Suddenly, all the colour began to drain from her face and her expression morphed into a furious glare at his vile insinuations. How dare he? After everything, how could he look her in the eye and say that? "You must be mad!" She laughed though no humour followed the sound. "You are malicious and manipulative and – "

Rolling his eyes, Vader let his hand fall away to his side once more. "Deny your desires if it helps you to sleep at night, Padme" he interrupted her with the nerve to sound bored. "But I can be honest. I enjoyed you watching… I was imagining your lips wrapped around my – "

"Stop it!" Padme hissed, unable to stand one more word. Unbidden, images of herself in that woman's place plagued her unprepared mind and she harshly forced them away. That was something she didn't want! Would never want! "I have to go. Excuse me," she turned to rush from the office as quickly as her wobbling legs could carry her.

"Was there something you wished to say to me?" Vader called after her, the question making her pause by the doorway breathlessly. "You came all this way…" It wasn't too late to extend the invitation she had planned to… was it? Padme felt torn in two ways at once. For Anakin's sake she wanted Vader to join them but after what just happened, how could she ever enjoy her wedding knowing he was there?

Making her decision, Padme slapped the door receiver and watched as it slid open. "No," she shook her head without glancing back at the Emperor over her shoulder. "Nothing," she said quietly, "nothing at all."