2

Anakin raised himself from the floor and looked at the one he had called his angel. His face transformed into a mask of rage and betrayal, "That was foolish, my wife." He hissed.

"You have murdered more people then I can count, you have sworn allegiance to a corrupt leader, and you have turned against the ways you once held so dear. I can forgive all that, Anakin." She looked him in the eye, "But when you would turn your own child into a pawn…"

"I am going to retrieve the child you stole from me." He drew himself to his full height and glared down at her. "We will discuss this later."

"I do this because I love her, Anakin," Padmé said quietly. "and because I love you."

Anakin turned away, "If you love me, why do you not give me the chance to know my own child?" He turned his hurt eyes to her, "I will return, so you may want to give some thought to whether or not you will come with me to Coruscant." He strode purposefully towards the door, and left.

Deep in the bowels of Coruscant, a cackling voice spoke into a small comlink. "Lady Vader is a traitor, Captain Ozzel. You know what we do with traitors, do you not?"

"Yes, your Highness."

"Good. Now go!" You have no more ties, Lord Vader. You are mine.

Vader was close, he could feel it. The girl called to him, she was confused and needed him. He followed those cries down alleys and side streets. He was so close…

A ship blasted off from a landing pad directly in front of him. Vader sighed in frustration; this was going to be a little more difficult, but no matter.

He thumbed on his comlink "Send a squadron after the J-Type 327 Nubian that is exiting atmosphere. I want that ship captured. I repeat, do not destroy that ship. If you do, you will all be compost by sunrise." A part of him screamed out, enraged by his cruel treatment of men who had chosen to serve the Empire.

It matters not. I…she needs me. I am her father. She cannot be stolen from me!

The death ripped through him, and he fell to his knees. Padmé! No!

He raced back to the small dwelling where he had found his wife, and found the entire building consumed by flames. Stormtroopers were trying to put out the blaze, but it was too late.

He slowly walked away from the burning building. It was only when he was out of sight of his troops that he let out the scream of anguish that had been fighting for release.