"We're here!"

Luke jerked up from the table, having fallen asleep there. He gently hit his head; sleeping like that was bad. He looked out from the transparisteel to see a beautiful greyish-blue planet, covered with clouds and parts of green that were perhaps forests.

Alderaan, a planet in the inner rim; an important location, rumored to have been a battlefield during the Cold War about 3,000 years ago and there were other rumors of course, that it was the location of a Rebel Base.

'No doubt we'd be experiencing a battle down there,' The lad thought, 'The Imperials against the Rebels.' Or maybe it would just be like any other planet.

Alderaan was different from Dantooine, as he noted while descending towards the surface. ‘Wow’ was one word to describe it. For one, it was more populated and civilised, Dantooine was merely farmers and settlers searching for income. It was not as industrial as the world before him, nor as wealthy. He saw snowcapped mountains in the distance, the glaciers melting into perennial rivers, while on Dantooine, it was mostly plains with rain-fed rivers. The latter was boring if you'd asked him.

They landed in a port near the capital city. Greyish-white metallic skyscrapers decorated the city along with fast, hovering speeders rushing in traffic, starships of different sizes descended from the sky or vice verse. In short, the port was busy.

At their landing pad, an elderly man waited for him, attired in professional clothes, with a few escorts. The ramp lowered, the bright light of the planet's sun giving the ship a new look. As the party stepped foot on the Alderaan, Luke shivered. Was it the cold? But Alderaan wasn't cold upto the point of freezing.

"Esteemed guests, I welcome you to Alderaan," the man heartily said.

Luke was slightly intimidated by his appearance. Sure, he met Padmé (very important personality from Naboo) on Dantooine but this was different. He was very formal and looked the part too. She, on the other hand, was like a part of his family. Speaking of Padme, where was she then?

"Thank you, Senator Organa," Obi Wan spoke, chuckling since he reunited with a friend, while Ahsoka stood besides Luke. "For sending Ahsoka to rescue us from Dantooine."

"I imagine Dantooine to be quite dull, then," the Senator replied, laughing along. "So this must be Luke Skywalker."

The boy was confused. Everyone suddenly seemed to know him, including this stranger. Nevertheless, he shook the man's hand. Obi Wan gently pat his back, to tell him to relax. He tried but there was something on the planet that was bothering him, like something bad was going to happen.

The cold wasn't helping much either. Alderaan's star was young and blue, unlike Dantooine's warm, yellow sun, but the planet's distance from its star was more than his home planet's. He shivered as the wind blew on his face. Damn, why didn't he get an extra jacket?

"Something the matter?" Organa kindly asked him.

"It's alright, it's just the cold."

In a few seconds, he got a sweater vest. He gratefully put it on, after thanking the man. Then, he stood there awkwardly, listening to the two men's conversations as they started to walk towards their speeder.

"The times are difficult," Bail Organa spoke, "the Empire is capturing almost every Rebel outpost out there and with the Death Star complete, citizens will become more reluctant to join us than they already are."

Obi Wan nodded attentively, having asked for the information, while Luke was alarmed. He had heard of rumors about the Death Star and its threat, but surely it must have a weakness, right? Thinking of the crisis among the Rebels, he could have helped them a long time ago; he was powerful enough, or so he thought.

"The crew of the Tantive IV had informed me to watch out for two droids, a blue astromech and a golden protocol droid, since they have the plans of the Death Star. That was the last intel we received from them. I fear they were captured, or worse, killed."

All this talk about the grim situation worried Luke more. There was a sinister feel in the air. The sky went gloomy and a dark aura polluted the Force around them. Something was in the planet, but he could not determine the source. 

"I have received information from Fulcrum that the former Senator Amidala survived but was captured," Kenobi responded.

"True, we are currently discussing a rescue mission, but I doubt the petition would take effect. The Council has been constantly debating..."

The boy's thoughts wandered into the surroundings as more and more political talk entered the conversation. He admired the surroundings and how pleasant it was to be there. But he couldn't shake off the feeling that he was watched. It was the same feeling he felt on the spaceship.

He shook his head, buring the reminder deep within his head, hoping that it would not happen ever. This time he kept his mental shields up and also hid his signature. He looked around, suspicious of his surroundings.

Lost in his thoughts, he accidentally bumped into someone, sending them to the floor. Immediately apologizing, he helped the person up, noticing pointy ears, whiskers and cat-like eyes. He freaked seeing a strange, supposedly extinct species around, not that he had a problem with aliens. They were a rare sight on Dantooine.

"No, no, it must be I who should apologise." The Cathar smiled kindly at him, ruffling its own messy hair in embarrassment and bowed in gratitude for his help, stating that it was not that big of a deal and walked away, leaving the Skywalker-boy. He looked around; the foreign aliens each of different color and species while the transportation were like nothing he'd ever seen before. 

Everything was new to him, and he felt awakened. He was definitely like a child in front of the vast galaxy, which was kind of true for him, since he had traveled only to three planets. Lehon was basically deserted, he was never allowed to even go outside in Nar Shaddaa while Dantooine had only Twileks and other human settlers and farmers.

A Corellian freighter nearby that he'd rather call a junkpile was busy unloading their cargo as are many other ships, creating a bustling atmosphere. However, he was caught offguard by a sudden outburst.

"Damn it!" He heard Ahsoka curse, turning his head towards the worried Togruta. Her right palm covered her forehead and her left held a comlink in her ear. She was agitated and seemed like she would destroy anyone around her. Which was odd considering she was a Jedi. Jedi were never supposed to give in to their base emotions, right?

Ah, that doubt. He must consult Ben later.

"What is it?" he asked after Ahsoka ended the call.

"Hopefully nothing, but," she replied, staring at the comm device. "I was informed that they never made it..."

Luke's eyebrows furrowed in worry and confusion, thinking the worst. "‘They’ as in?"

"The squad in charge of stealing the plans."

He didn't understand what she was talking about but he still didn't know what to say, knowing at least that someone died. Shock filled his expression. Indirectly, this means that the Rebel Alliance is doomed, the galaxy is doomed.

"The droids containing the plans were stolen, they could be anywhere..." Ahsoka paced around with worry. He looked at the two old men; their expressions turned grave. He tried to remain indifferent as a Jedi would, but dark, hopeless thoughts invaded him. Luke closed his eyes and released a breath, clearing those thoughts out.

As luck would have it, his eye caught two droids that were being led out of the junk ship, each fitted with restraining bolts. The tiny one seemed a bit more rebellious than the other more compliant one. A scruffy-looking man emerged from the ramp, ordering his perhaps Wookie slave around.

"Is one a blue and white astromech, by the way?"

"Yes."

"Does it look like the one behind you?" He pointed and Ahsoka, without thought, rushed towards the Corellian.

* * * * transition * * * *

He released a frustrated sigh and leaned on his chair. Tired, hurt and angry, he wanted to hurt someone, anyone. He felt pressure, and he could explode any moment now. He couldn't express his true emotions; the love he felt for his Padme, and his children, nor could he gaze into the eyes of his now grown son.

He couldn't become close with Leia. Her stubbornness made her refuse to tell him anything. He wanted her to tell him her problems. It was evident she had something going on in her mind. He could see the hatred inside her every time she looked at him. He could feel her confusion from light years away during the contact. But she remained stubborn.

As for his son, he was afraid of his own father and denied him with his full heart, even if it was a remote connection. To make it worse, he wasn't even aware that Vader was his father. But his faith in the Jedi wavered, making him vulnerable to the Dark Side. Luke was a curious one and Vader had the urge to teach him everything he knows, but there was a barrier. The barrier of beliefs.

Padme, his ex-wife, denied him once and he doubted she would ever welcome him back. Even if she did, he knew that he did not deserve her love, ever, not after all the terrible deeds he'd done and now, she would be gone; Tarkin's methods of interrogation were known to be brutal. He remembered her gentle touch and soothing voice. Her warm appearance would make his heart melt but all that had hardened now, at least for him.

That effect no longer had any impact on him but a cold emptiness remained.

As he was in meditation, he realized how lonely he felt. And the Emperor saw that right through his cold facade. No one to open his heart to, no one to understand his feelings, and no one to encourage him to live through the day. He did all this himself, and he survived pretty well. He wondered what would have been if he wasn't a Sith Lord, but that was merely a wish, a pointless wish.

He wouldn't allow himself to dwell in the past and its possibilities but only live in the moment, and deliver his best. No need to drown in self pity. If he pities, he suffers.

He opened his eyes and got up from his chair. Time for the Rebel leader's interrogation with the Moff.

* * * * transition * * * *

She woke up, again. She washed her face, again. She lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling, again. Nothing to entertain her, again. She was bored. And the Imperials were taking so long to interrogate her. Her intention was not to give away any information, but so that they would end her life.

Padme Amidala had lost the will to live. So far, she had just been pushing herself but now, she found no reason. Leia was slipped through her arms, Luke was in danger, which was why she was not be able to be with him, and Anakin was...lost.

How did she end up with a Sith Lord like him in the first place? How did he capture her attention, rouse up her passion? But the better question was why? If it hadn't been for him, she would have easily done her duty without any emotional suffering.

However, no matter how much blame she put in him, she can't help but love him. The day she fell for him remained in her mind. It was like a large star in the night sky, bright and prominent. Ah those days where she was still lively and energetic, to the point of becoming a hospital staff...

It was at the peak of the Clone Wars. The situation was terrible. Millions of women and children suffered because of losing their families, their home and their planet to the Separatists. Refugees flooded the ships that headed to Coruscant, and that sector was overpopulated to the brim.

The med bays all over the galaxy were in a similar situation. Thousands of soldiers lay their with their injuries, some waiting to be healed as the staff was busy with others. Padme, as the senator of Naboo, thought to provide social help by visiting some of these.

Accompanied by her handmaidens, she went to the busiest of the hospitals in Theed. She noticed species of all kinds roaming around frantically. Babies cried because of their own pain and adults pushed each other as they waited in line for their appointment.

However, the scene changed when they noticed her. They stopped in their tracks and moved to the side for her to walk. She didn't like this attention, and urged them to continue their work, but their respect for her didn't allow that.

"Senator!" a voice cried. She looked up ahead to see a female Zabrak, the head of the medical facility, followed by a few of her staff.

"Welcome." She shook her hand firmly and led her down the corridor of the med bay. "I thank you for having the initiative to volunteer as one of our helpers and also the funds you sent us."

"Pleasure," Padme replied, following the guide. Her handmaidens trailed behind her faithfully, studying the various wards that they have passed, so that they may know the route. 

"You said that you wanted to work here," she said, stoping in front of the orthopedic ward and opened the door for them. "I'm sorry that I will be busy. I advise you to work on the resting patients, Senator. Again, thank you so much, Senator Amidala."

Padme nodded with gratitude and entered. She was immediately met with the smell of blood and the groans of patients. As of no surprise, most of the patients were clone troopers. There had been a battle on Naboo just a few months ago; that was the main reason she came.

One of her handmaidens, Sabé, flinched when she saw the suffering, and closed her eyes. Padme felt sorry for her. She should've recalled that Sabé was sensitive to blood.

"It's alright milady," she spoke when she saw her mistress's concerned face. "I can help with the paperwork."

"Senator Amidala!" A nurse approached them and gave a slight bow. "Thank you so much for coming here to help us. You can start with...um..."

The nurse was perhaps new and was probably nervous about meeting the Senator of Naboo. Understanding the awkwardness felt, she turned to her handmaidens.

"Sabé and Dormé, paperwork," Padme instructed, her follower nodded. "Half of you, with me. The rest, work with the nurse."

"Great!" The nurse clasped her hands together. "Thank you, Senator for helping us. I guess you can start with these patients..."

****

Padme wiped her sweat from her forehead. Tiring as it seems, she must continue. She had been washing and dressing patient's wounds for the past half-an-hour.

As for her handmaidens, they did their work sincerely. The grounds were clean and smelled of antiseptic, the paperwork was almost done, and the patients seemed to be more comfortable and at ease.

She smiled with satisfaction as she finished bandaging a soldier's leg and rested her hands for a bit. "Thank you Senator," the clone spoke.

"Pleasure. I'm just happy to help." She smiled kindly at him and put away the dirty bandages and pins into the disposal.

"You are a kind one, Senator. The 501st will ever be grateful to you. Too bad our General isn't awake to see you."

"General?" she questioned, "Aren't the Jedi sent to the Temple for treatment?"

"Oh, but General Skywalker isn't a Jedi, Senator. In fact, he may be the only non-Jedi general of the Republic."

She nodded, acknowledging the fact. She had heard of him, somewhere; perhaps the news or some war-briefings. And she was curious as to how he rose through the ranks, for the Republic army was composed of only clones and Jedi. People like him was a rarity.

"You can see him there, Senator," he continued, pointing with his chin, "Right now, he's having one hell of a fever, and no one's been taking care of him because they are too busy."

"I see. Then I will, if you need nothing more, Rex," she addressed, standing up.

"I'm fine now, Senator."

She nodded and went to check on the said man.

He was breathing heavily, seemingly having a nightmare. His eyes were closed, his face flushed with the fever and he trashed around the bed. She touched his forehead, which stopped his restlessness. His temperature was surely high. 

Filled with concern, she took a bowl of cold water, a cotton cloth and a tray of food, setting them near the table next to the bed where the General lay. She folded and dipped the cloth into the water and placed it on his forehead.

She stayed by him, covering him with the blanket that he himself threw aside and changing the cloth, routinely. She also dressed and undressed the bandage from his arm, which revealed slits and cuts. After washing her hands, she rubbed his head to ease his fever, since he seemed to be suffering a lot.

His face turned from distressed to peaceful, as he slowly opened his eyes.

"Are you my angel?" he blurted out, having just awakened and the fever still affecting his brain.

Padme blushed at that comment, and slowly removed her hand. Choosing to ignore this, she took a cup of water and handed it to him with a polite smile. "Here, this will cool you off."

He blinked a few times. Realizing what he said, he got up and hastily drank the water and not daring face her out of the embarrassment.

She chuckled at him and arranged the cloth on his forehead, which fell off when he moved suddenly. A curious man, indeed. A war-hero, a brutal warrior, who knew he still had a child-like innocence and she found it adorable.

A few seconds then, her handmaiden called her, saying that it was time to go. She put away the tray from her lap and stood up, addressing the General once more, "Well, General Skywalker, I'll be going now. Take care."

"Wait," his voice croaked and without facing her, he spoke, "Thank you, Senator, for taking care of me, although it wasn't necessary. Please disregard any delusional comments from my part."

"Of course. And if you need any help, just contact me," she replied, wearing her cloak, and left.

...She was amused that day; that he admired her in his sleep. Who knew he was a Sith Lord when his mentality was vulnerable? She did find him attractive a few meetings after that and she didn't regret confessing her feelings for him after he did when he saved her in Scipio.

She wished he didn't go back to his master, she wished he had stayed with her and raised their children together. But that was a mere pointless wish. She knew how stubborn Anakin was and she knew that trait was still in him as Vader. No point thinking about him, she must think of something else useful.

But there she was, stuck in a cell, not able to do anything as she heard the grim news about the Rebellion. The Tantive IV had been captured by the Sith. Some of the crew made it out but Vader's apprentice, apparently pursued them. All of this from some stormtroopers' gossip.

In fact, she was hearing two of them talking just outside the door. ‘Oh, I wonder what is it now?’ she thought, leaning on the door.

"Prison duty is just the worst," one whined, ending the statement with a sigh.

"Then, I'm guessing you've never been in sanitation," the other replied with a pure Imperial (This world: British) accent.

‘This is bantha talk,’ she thought, but she listened on because she was bored. No point searching for an escape plan, the station was too secure and she didn't have the motivation. She would have to wait for rescue.

"I heard a poor fellow, some VT-2008 fell in the trash compactor, while working on garbage."

"Oh yeah?"

"And those officials did nothing as they watched him get eaten by the creature that lives there."

"No way. I'm not surprised that even the Empire does not care about us or even why we have a creature in the trash for that matter."

"Speaking of the Empire, I heard the Emperor is here on this battle station. Right now!"

"We better be careful, the Emperor and Vader..."

She no longer paid attention to the two guards the moment she heard 'Emperor'. That insane man was there on the Death Star. The Rebellion must take this opportunity to attack even if she was still there but she was clueless as to whether they've received the plans or not. And it was not like she could do anything about it either.

Guess all she had to do was wait, wait for her trial, her execution, her death. She heard loud and heavy footsteps approaching. She moved away from the door, knowing who it was. He'd always visit her every once a week, at least. That was what sparked the hope that he might still love her. She sat on the floor, cross-legged, facing the door; that was how she welcomed him.

It opened, he entered. Vader stood in front of her, but he missed his usual scowl. This time, he had a unreadable face, looking at her. She stood up slowly, giving him her full attention.

"What is it?" she asked with anxiety. He turned away from her, not speaking.

"Leia?" she questioned further.

He didn't reply. However, he did after a few seconds, "Tarkin... He's waiting for you."

She stiffened. She must not feel nervous, she had prepared herself to die rather than reveal anything to the Empire. He approached her, gripping her arm tightly to lead her to the interrogation. He hesitated to walk out, frozen in place, releasing his grip from her.

Padme turned towards him to display her annoyance, only to see him gaze intensely at her. She too stared into his eyes that were slowly turning into the blue irises she was familiar with. Her breathing became heavy, sensing the tension in the room. Her eyes moved from his eyes to his lips. Her cheeks became flushed as she felt her the emotions rage within her.

He was tensed, tempted to do it. He cupped her face, feeling their usual warmth and pulled her closer with his other hand. She released a slight yelp at that, but she was satisfied by that nevertheless. His lips quivered, as he closed the distance between them.

They both closed their eyes, their lips about to touch, but...

Padme regained her senses and stopped. She wasn't supposed to want it, but she did. However, that made her sad, since she knew it was only lust, not love; she could tell. After all that was what he gave her years ago.

He too was back in the present after she did, pushing her away gently. He was silent, a dark cloud looming over him. He made sure that he would not let his passion get the best of him. If he was caught, he was surely dead.

Vader turned around, his expression totally changed. With rage and anger, he grabbed her hand and dragged her out, regardless of how much it pained him to see her sorrowful face. He was aware he was dragging her to her death, but duty comes before love for a Sith.

As she silently complied with Vader, walking through the hallways, her eyes met a familiar face. Iaren. ‘So they did fail,’ she grimaced.

But the woman shook her head. She stopped, becoming optimistic.

‘Maybe...’ Somehow, the Rebels might have escaped and returned the plans but that, at the same time, was an impossible wish. She was happy that at least Iaren survived and that their cause was not over, yet.

She was shoved harshly for pausing.

"Move it!" he snarled only, not noticing the peace in her eyes.

*****
Longest chapter so far...
Hope you enjoyed. (I'm not good at romance, well, that depends on you)