I didn't think I was going to get it done this week, but here it is!

Also, thanks you! Thank you for for the reviews!

This is last chapter, but this isn't the end. There will be a sequel, though it's still a ways off.

Chapter Four

Patience

The Imperial Palace

The Emperor of the Galactic Empire opened his eyes from his meditation.

Lord Vader returned earlier than Lord Sidious expected.

Not a promising sign. Combined with Vader's earlier tried to be buried, but hopelessly obvious conflicted thoughts.

Darth Vader knelt, "I went to see the Senator just as you requested, my Master."

"Yes, my apprentice." The chair turned just a bit more to face the cyborg, "And how is young Naberrie?"

Vader didn't seem to trust himself to answer. He just looked off to the right.

Darth Vader's silence told Darth Sidious all he needed to know. Along with his even stronger conflicted emotions and confusion. "So the Senator is still alive." Vader hadn't even touched a single hair on her head. Sidious wore a look of disappointment, but not surprise.

Yes, Vader's earlier conclusions were correct. Sidious did want him to kill her.

"Yes," Vader answered.

"This is a disappointment Lord Vader." The hooded man said. "There still much work to be done." In growing in the Dark Side. In driving Anakin Skywalker completely out of him.

It wasn't a surprise the girl was still alive. Sidious had almost expected that. But he still wanted to test his apprentice.

With the office. Given it had once been occupied by Senator Padme Amidala. Anakin Skywalkers secret wife.

And of course, the girl. Senator Pooja Naberrie.

Until recently, she was the Princess of Theed. She attended the Legislature Youth Program at the age of ten. Born and raised in Theed. Daughter of Darred Jansen and Sola Naberrie, the sister of Padme Amidala. Making her Amidala's niece, and by default, Anakin Skywalker's niece as well.

One of Darth Vader's last connections to Anakin Skywalker.

A matter Sidious had long wanted to test Lord Vader on. Obi-Wan could have been option, but the Jedi was either in hiding or dead. However, given their duel on Mustafar and its outcome‑Vader wouldn't have much of a problem killing Kenobi. No, Sidious long realized he needed someone else. Someone more vulnerable and close to Anakin, Amidala, or both. But Amidala and their offspring died with her. Anakin's mother, Shmi Skywalker was also deceased. Amidala had family on Naboo, but Vader wasn't even close to being strong enough to land on that planet. So Sidious had patiently waited these last several years, and when he heard that a Naberrie was running for the position of Senator of the Chommell system. That the young candidate looked exactly like her deceased aunt‑ he made certain she would win.

The fact that she was the niece of Padme Amidala and Anakin Skywalker made her the perfect means to test Lord Vader. But even better, when it came to appearance‑she could almost be her clone. Which was the icing on top.

Unfortunately, it was also what held Lord Vader back.

"Yes, my Master," Vader admitted. "I will order one of your Hands‑"

"No!" The Dark Lord of the Sith barked. The Emperor's Hands were for the Emperor's personal use and his use only. If Vader needed to use someone else, he had his own secret attack puppy. Yes, he knew about Vader's petty secret projects, but they yet may prove to one day be useful.

But not this time.

Lord Sidious rose from his throne, and walked over to his apprentice. "Senator Naberrie isn't going to die by my Hands, Lord Vader." Sidious' extended his ghost-like hand and reached out, "Or anyone else's!" The control panel on Vader's chest began shutting down. Darth Sidious amusingly watched as his apprentice Vader crumbled to his knees. If Vader sent one his Hands or even his pathetic "secret apprentice"‑his punishment would be far worse than not being able to breathe.

Yes, Vader knew this, but every now and then Sidious made certain to remind him of this.

A few moments later, Sidious' hand retreated and Vader's breathing resumed. After a minute, the cyborg regained enough oxygen, and lowered his head back down, "As you wish, Master."

"Return to the Executor and carry on your earlier Outer Rim mission."

"And Naberrie?" Vader asked.

Sidious put his hands together, "The Senate isn't going anywhere…for now." And the time for Naberrie to go wasn't quite ripe. Vader wasn't ready and Lord Sidious could wait. He was a patient man. After all, he waited over a decade to strike at his enemy who had literally sat right in front of him. Face to face. Every day for thirteen years. Even longer, given his time before Supreme Chancellor as Senator and on the staff of his predecessor, Vidar Kim.

And perhaps it was a Will of the Dark Side she did not die…yet. "Do you believe she is a member of the Alliance, Lord Vader?"

"Yes, I'm certain she is," Vader replied from his knelt position.

"Then, you will continue to keep an eye on her." Naberrie could be very useful. Lead them to her fellow Rebel friends. "As I said, Lord Vader, Naberrie isn't going to die by one of my Hands, or anyone else's." Darth Sidious turned to leave the throne room, "But your own."

End.