Hello: Welcome to my 2nd Star Wars fic. This one revolves around Anakin and Padmè and it's as predictable as ever, but I hope you all enjoy it. Oh, this is set 12 years after Ep. III and Vader is at the pinnacle of his power. So there we go. Bye bye!

Disclaimer: As ever, all character, names, etc. belong to George Lucus. Any similarities between this story and real life/other stories are merely coincidental.

Vader stared out the window to the vast emptiness of the galaxy. A galaxy that was almost his own. His Master may own it in name but he knew he owned it in flesh. He laughed inside his head. Flesh? It was ironic considering his own flesh had burned years ago. Vader stared out the window again.

"Don't you see, we don't have to run away anymore. I have brought peace to the Republic. I am more powerful than the Chancellor. I can overthrow him, and together you and I can rule the galaxy. Make things the way we want them to be."

The memory shot through his mind like the strongest blade. He had wanted the entire galaxy. He had wanted everyone and everything; he had wanted all things to know him and now he had those things. Irony had, however, struck him again because the price he had to pay for the galaxy was the one thing he needed more than anything: Padmè.

He scolded himself for remembering these things, "No."

"Lord Vader," his pilot said to him as he walked by.

"I won't be needing you today. You may stay here and… do as you please," Vader said to his pilot. The pilot's mask hid the surprise Vader felt coming off him through the Force.

"As you wish sir. Good day."

Vader walked into his shuttle and set the ship to autopilot. His destination: Naboo

Shrouded in a black cloak that hid even his helmet Vader couldn't of looked more suspicious if he tried but he wanted to mask his identity. Not only from anyone who might see him but from Her too. He still hadn't faced up to showing Her what he now looked like: what he had become. As he walked the well worn path to the grave Vader spotted an old woman sitting up against his beloved's statue. He felt his anger searing up. How dare this woman deface something that was so beautiful? As he walked up to her he reached for his lightsaber but the woman spoke before he could turn it on.

"You can not kill me."

Vader laughed, "You are foolish if you think you are immortal."

"Oh I am not immortal, it's just I think you will find it very hard killing someone who is already dead."

Vader stopped. "What?"

The old woman stood up and moved the hood away from her face. She looked at Vader and even through his mask he could see the hurt in her eyes.

"Why do you pity me you old hag?" Vader asked in anger.

"Am I not allowed to feel pity for an old friend who is not what he should not be?"

"What do you mean?"

"You don't remember me?" she asked him.

"Should I?" Vader sneered.

She sighed. "Yes. I was a Jedi. Like you."

Vader's muscled twitched. Jedi? He hated Jedi. No, he loathed them. They were the scum of this galaxy. They had fooled him! It was because of them everything was the way it was. He didn't want to remember this person.

"I was a healer," she prompted Vader. When he still made no sign of remembrance she said, "I would heal you when you came back from missions with cuts and bruises. You were there so much that we became friends. Tell me you remember. Please."

The past brought back painful memories and so he didn't want to remember. Besides, no matter what connection they had had she was still scum. He hated her: even now.

"Oh Anakin," she said.

"NO! Never call me that. Anakin Skywalker died along with all the other treacherous Jedi. I am Vader. Anakin Skywalker is DEAD," he shouted.

"Then this is not the grave of your wife?" she asked spitefully.

"NO!" he roared, "Never say that. No. Never, never, never!" he shouted as he lunged for her. His hand, though, just went through her.

"I can bring her back."

"What!" Vader asked, suddenly alert.

"I can bring Padmè back to life for. For one day mind."
Vader's heart raced as the thought of Padmè alive again made his whole life seem better. "There's a catch I take."

"It seems age has brought you knowledge. Almost," she said obviously thinking about all the evil deeds he had done, "Yes, I can bring her back for one day and the catch is this: after you have spent 24 hours together she will die again. As will you.

"My life for a day with Padmè?" he asked quietly.

"That is the deal."

"If I was to say 'yes'," Vader said slowly, "Would you return my body to how it was before. The way she knew me?"

"Yes," she said simply, "and I promise you that in your day you will know nothing but happiness: no one you do not want in will interfere with your day."

"So be it."

"You accept?" she asked, her eyes wide.

Vader couldn't believe he was doing this but the galaxy had taken Padmè away from him and now she would take him away from it.

"Know that if you accept the Emperor will fall and the world will be right again."

Vader took in a deep breath. He didn't want to die, but he couldn't live another day if he knew he had turned down a day with Padmè because of his own pathetic life. She would cost him everything he had worked so hard for but she would be worth it.

"I will do it."

The woman smiled, "Thank you. Tomorrow, at midnight Padmè will awake and live for 24 hours. Be here tomorrow and your body, as well as hers, will return to you and you will live the happiest day in your life. Now go, Anakin Skywalker, and sleep."

Vader turned on his heel and left knowing that tomorrow, at midnight, he would no longer be Darth Vader but Anakin Skywalker and things would be how they were meant to be.