WHAT IS REAL

XXXIII

Padme surveyed herself and knew she was ready. She was not nervous because she also knew that Vader was waiting for her and she was ready to face him. She walked out of the room and down the hall to Vader's bedroom.

Vader was waiting for her with anticipation seeming to jump out of his body. He was determined not to show it but his stomach was aching with what seemed like a million knots tying and untying themselves in his body. He had gotten a shower also and now was dressed in a black tee shirt with black pants. Black suited him and as he looked himself over he gathered all his confidence and made himself calm down so he was ready for Padme when she came to him.

He had known that he could make her come back to him. Yet a part of him still had a small fear that she would reject him. She had kissed him with all the passion and desire that he had always known her to have for him and yet he still was afraid she would not come. Afraid!1 What's the matter with me? I am Lord Vader. I fear nothing. Yet there was something about Padme that always made his heart turn to Jell-O.

Get a hold of yourself man. He mentally slapped himself. You have been with this woman many times and you deserve her. Yes you are her husband and you have saved her from much she should be worshipping the ground you walk on. You don't need to show her kindness. You are after all Lord Vader. Yes I will have what I want Vader answered himself.

At that Moment there was a knock on the door. He opened the door from where he sat by the fireplace on the other side of the room. He turned to the door and his heart seemed to jump from his chest at the sight of her. Yet his face stayed a perfect mask of calm. Years of practice came in handy at times.

"May I come in Lord Vader?" Padme asked stiffly though she too had a heart jump at the sight of him. She knew she needed to show him respect in order to get what she wanted from him also. So she acted as she had been trained over her many years in office. She masked her true emotions and gave the respect and attitude she knew he wanted from her. Oh it was not weakness for her to do this it was just she knew he needed it at this moment.

It worked perfectly because he knew she was giving him the control he needed and yet underneath he felt the reason for the giving up the control was because she loved him and that was what drove her to do it.

"Come and sit." he commanded though not harshly.