Opening the fresher door, Padme pushed her worries for 3PO deep down, knowing Vader would never hurt him… or at least she hoped. I shouldn't worry so much. It is only six. He probably won't check on me for another hour or so. With that ease, Padme focused on her previous problem. She had no towels. Checking to make sure the room was clear, she rushed across her room to her closet, hoping that the droid wouldn't walk in while she was nude. She pulled out a dress but couldn't put it on. She was still too wet. She felt the water running down her body and onto the floor, but she didn't care. What actually could she do? Nothing. Just wait for herself to dry, there was no point in drenching her bed sheets or drying herself with dirty clothes. What do I care? It's not like anyone is going to come–
Padme froze as she heard the keys being pressed outside her door signaling someone about to enter.
3PO! Padme's thoughts screamed as she imagined herself standing there in the nude while the droid entered. She wouldn't be able to deal with that embarrassment. Quickly, she reached for the large robe that was stuffed at the bottom of her closet. She pulled the black robe around her body just as the door slid open… but the visitor was not who Padme had expected.
"Lord Vader!" Padme explained in complete surprise as the dark, large figure stalked into the room. This was the first time since the first day that she had arrived that Vader had entered her room before midnight. She never saw him during the day, just their usual time at night. That was an unspoken rule.
What does he want? Why is he here?
Vader paused in the center of the room, looking directly at the Senator that stood in the corner. "Get ready Senator." He commanded.
Padme was once again taken back. "Get ready?" She asked, "For what?"
"You are returning to the Senate."
Padme's mouth dropped open in the most un-ladylike manner as she starred in disbelief at the Sith Lord. Had she heard him right? She was actually leaving Vader's establishments? She was actually returning to the Senate?
It took a few minutes but Padme regained herself from shock and eventually forced a frown onto her features. "Lord Vader…" She said disapprovingly, "If this is a jo–"
"I would not joke about this, Senator." Vader snapped.
"Why?"
Padme wasn't sure why she had asked, but the word escaped her lips before she could stop herself. Immediately, she wished she had stopped herself because the moment the word left her lips Vader was enraged.
"Why?" He repeated icily. The tone of his voice sent chills down Padme's spine and she felt as if she was frozen to the floor beneath her feet. She was helpless as Lord Vader approached her. He was angry, bewildered, and… pissed. Something was wrong. Something had happened. She, given her predicament, was stuck in the aftermath.
" –You think you would be grateful! After all the time you have spent here! After being locked in this room for weeks! And all you have to say is why?! You are just so–"
Vader continued to scream, but Padme locked her eyes on the floor. She was sure if she would look up, she would be able to see Vader's face… but she couldn't bring herself to. She was too frightened. She was too exposed. She was too… She didn't know. The way she felt around him… no matter what his mood, did not make sense to her.
"Is that mine?"
Padme removed her gaze from the floor and for the first time noticed that Vader had backend slightly away from her and was no longer screaming. "W–what?" She stuttered.
"That cloak." Vader said, his voice almost a whisper. "Isn't that mine?"
Padme looked down at her body, at the material that hid herself from the man in front of her, and felt herself die inside. Bantha shit. I'm wearing his cloak! Sith! She sheepishly looked up at Vader who stood silently in front of her, she opened her mouth, but no words formed. She could not speak.
They stood there in silence, gazing at each other for what seemed like forever. Padme knew that his cloak covered her body, but still she felt helplessly naked under his hidden gaze. She desperately wanted to know what he was thinking. For once, she moved her gaze to meet Vader's. She couldn't see that their gazes matched, but she felt it. The coldness… the darkness… the curiosity… The moment, however, was short lived, almost immediately after their gazes' meet Vader turned away.
"Be ready. Ten minutes." He growled.
And once again, Padme was left alone.
Confusion. That was the only word to describe how Vader was feeling… and he hated it. It was so strange, so unfamiliar, so… intimidating. It was a feeling that made the Sith Lord feel weak. And that fact alone made Vader's anger boil. Weakness and confusion were two things that Vader did not tolerate… but then why was he feeling them? Vader knew that answer. It was the same answer to all his problems.
Senator Amidala.
Thoughts of the young girl began to over take Vader's mind. It was a common occurrence, but still Vader hadn't learned to control it. He tried desperately to push the thoughts of her away, but it seemed the more he pushed, the deeper they pressed into his mind. He could not escape her. She was his hell.
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