A.N. - I got the idea, and it simply would not let go…

This is my first attempt at ANY kind of Star Wars fic, and I'm not an expert on every detail of the universe – example: I have no idea what kind of breakfast cereals are popular on Alderaan, but I'm sure someone out there does… etc. etc.

The idea for this originated a long time ago in some deep part of my brain, when I first saw Revenge of the Sith.

Remember this dialogue?

Anakin: 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... I can overthrow him! And together, you and I can rule the galaxy; make things the way we want them to be! You don't believe me, do you?

If that didn't get the queen-bee of what-if fics going in my brain…

Now, just to clarify – that's exactly what it is – a What-If. Don't expect this to have a really elaborate plot – it will focus primarily on Anakin's rise to power as the leader of the galaxy (primarily from the perspective of his wife) and how it affected their daily lives, their marriage, and ultimately their family.

One more thing, and then I'll leave you to read – this is about as AU as it gets. Disregard the ENTIRE Clone Wars series. Obi-wan never told Padmé about Anakin's change in allegiance. She knows nothing. Anakin slaughtered the Separatists on Mustafar, and drove Obi-wan into submission. He has returned to Coruscant to complete a more personal task. Meanwhile, Padmé waits alone in her apartment, unaware that the universe – as all know it - is about to collapse...

The night-breeze wafted gently through the gauze drapery, the fine threads of the fabric releasing an almost mournful, singing sound with each touch.

A young woman leaned against the rail of her pent-house balcony, her brown eyes tranquil and undisturbed as she ran the metal comb through her dark curls.

She hummed with the singing of the breeze, relishing the sensation of peace that always presented itself at the close of the day; when the night-streets of the capital world came alive, and she could retreat into her delicate blue bower…

If only he could be with her…

The blinding sapphire blade of his saber seared through flesh and metal, screams – whether of others or his own he couldn't be sure – ringing in his mind.

Outside, the rivers of molten stone sludged like the boiling, congealing blood he had splattered across the carbo-metal floor.

He left the guards lying in a scorched pile of crimson robes and sizzling flesh – a sweep of his sword made quick work of the emergency safeties on the office door.

The holo-lights had all been dimmed, and a cloaked figure was only just visible – a shadow against the vast window.

Only the light saber's relentless hum disturbed the silence. For a long moment, neither master nor apprentice spoke.

"This is treason, Lord Vader…" The emperor croaked at last, turning slowly, his twisted fingers outstretched in readiness…

A force-push smashed him against the carbon-glass, shattering the windowpane instantaneously. The glittering shards tumbled to the pavement hundreds of stories below, yet the deformed being hung suspended mere feet from the blasted wall of the building, his dark robes flapping in the wind as he struggled…

Suddenly the force surged and dragged him back, face to face with the boy he had seduced with darkness.

"You were right about one thing, my master." Lord Vader growled behind clenched teeth.

"I am fulfilling my destiny."

Bolts of electric blue shot from the fingers of his flesh hand, and Sidious plummeted to the ground below, his bones riddled with glowing lightning.

The sky darkened once more.

His leather-sheathed fingertips flew over the security controls, a few clicks of a button deleting every file of the last three hours.

This done, Vader turned back to the empty window, the gaze of his blue eyes reaching out towards the elegant spire of the senatorial apartments…

Shaking, he crumpled to the floor beside the enormous desk, and began to sob against his knees.

"Mistress Padmé –your Cycelia…"

She accepted the demitasse of herbal tea from the droid's gold-plated hand, and leaned back against the ledge. Her eyes calmly watched the traffic surge by the balcony, the night breeze playing with several dark ringlets.

She sipped the tea quietly, caressing her swollen abdomen beneath the smooth, opal pink nightdress. She thought of him.

A.N. Thoughts? This is only the beginning…